OPSEU rally marks the first day of classes at Loyalist College

The first day of classes at Loyalist College on Wednesday was marked by a rally from faculty, support staff, and students… that eventually landed outside the President’s Office.

The Ontario Public Employees Union organized the event over the noon hour, to raise awareness and concern over the program and faculty cuts that continue at Loyalist and throughout the post-secondary sector.

The college’s recently published Annual Report for 2024-2025, by the independent auditor KPMG, has identified that the college could deplete its cash resources before March 31, 2026. The College’s latest report also notes that Loyalist has received a commitment that the province will provide up to a $25 million emergency loan, subject to Loyalist meeting certain conditions.

Loyalist President Mark Kirkpatrick, issued a statement when the news of the annual report first broke last week, to clarify that while the audited financial statements reflect a snapshot as of March 31, 2025, they do not capture the measures already taken to strengthen the college’s financial position. Kirkpatrick added that the college remains confident in its near and long-term future and has taken significant steps to ensure its sustainability.

91X has continued to reach out to College for further comment.

At the start of this year, Loyalist cut 30% of its programs and reduced staff by 20%, citing financial challenges, primarily caused by changes to the international student caps. OPSEU Local 420, representing Loyalist faculty, was notified last week that 36 full-time positions would be cut.

Over 100 people attended the rally outside the College on Wednesday, including representation from other unions. Members from the Canadian Union of Public Employees and Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation attended.

OPSEU President JP Hornick was one of the keynote speakers. They have been the president of the union since 2022, and involved with OPSEU for over 20 years.

“The Ontario College Act, was set up by [Former Ontario Premier] Bill Davis in 1967, in order to provide accessible, affordable post-secondary education in every community across Ontario. More than that, it is suppose to be responsive to the local economy’s needs. The kind of spending, the kind of mismanagement that is going on at Loyalist College by the folks that are supposedly running Loyalist College is shameful. It is a scandal. It is about redirecting the resources that should be investments in students, investments in frontline support staff, investments in frontline faculty, and directing that back into the friends of Ford’s pockets, into corporate interests, into private training centers, rather than the public system where they belong. To make sure that every single student who is here today can be here tomorrow,” said Hornick.

Hornick urged fellow rally members to continue to educate their neighbours and colleagues about what is at stake adding that it is a “cradle to grave education problem, and a cradle to grave community solution.”

“We also know that Loyalist is the canary in the coal mine. We know that this is an attack on small rural and northern colleges across the province, and we say enough is enough. But more than that, its not just about elbows up around tariffs in the United States. It is elbows up and fists up in solidarity to protect the investments that belong here at home in every community.” concluded Hornick.

Tracy Mackenzie, Local 420 president thanked in particular the students for what she called an incredible turnout.

“Your presence sends a powerful message. A message that we will not stand by while the future of Loyalist College, a public post-secondary education, is at risk. We know what is at stake. Our college is more than just buildings…particularly these newer ones behind me… it is about people. It is about programs. It’s about opportunities. Its about preparing students for good jobs and supporting a strong local economy right here in the Bay of Quinte region. Cuts to programs and reckless spending threatens all of that. We are here to say enough is enough,” added Mackenzie.

Mackenzie, a Loyalist grad and professor in the Justice Studies department for over 25 years, told the crowd that OPSEU is calling on the Loyalist College Board of Governors and the Ontario government to step up and do their jobs.

The messages continued with two longtime college professors, who’s programs have been suspended.

Both Chef Karin Desveaux, from the Culinary Arts programs and Bridget Ferguson from the Esthetics and Spa Management program, had strong enrolment consistently. Both programs received heavy investments from the College with a new restaurant, kitchen space, and spa area added over the last two years.

“The renovations to our culinary faculty over the last five years have been significant. Learning of the programs’ suspension after this massive investment was nothing short of horrifying. Returning to work this week to teach out the program to the last cohort of students is heartbreaking. Access to public post-secondary education is a vital component of rural economic development. The impact of these cuts in our community will be devastating,” added Desveaux.

Chef Desveaux moved from Toronto in 2003 and opened two restaurants and a gourmet shop in Prince Edward County. She noted that she chose the region for its growing food and winery scene, now an international destination, along with a skilled labour pool.

She said that cuts to programs including culinary will hurt those who can’t afford to train in larger centres, as well as local businesses who have had access to a local workforce. Desveaux added that she hopes that the Ontario government will financially support Loyalist College, with hopes of restoring culinary and other critical programs.

Ferguson echoed Desveaux’s message, adding that she too hopes that the programs are restored based on what the local community and industry need and want.

The Culinary program also brought in money through the restaurant and market. Similar to the Esthetics and Spas program which offered services to the public. Ferguson highlighted that the fact that the spa generated money to support the program, makes the closure difficult to understand.

OPSEU continues to call on the community to educate others about the current college system, and contact local representatives, the MPP, and members of the Loyalist College Board of Governors.

OPSEU President Hornick led several dozen spirited members of the rally once speeches wrapped up, inside the building and in the hallway outside the Loyalist College President’s Office. The office of Mark Kirkpatrick was locked, as chants continued. Hornick encouraged the team to familiarize themselves with the Board of Governors listed outside the office and reach out to them with their concerns. The remaining members moved on peacefully after roughly 10 minutes.

Separately to the broad discussions over cutbacks, OPSEU will be in a legal strike position as of September 11th, if a new contract is not reached between support staff at Ontario Colleges and the College Employer Council.