Quebec’s college network faces a staffing crisis as student enrollment climbs and the provincial government implements budget cuts and hiring freezes, union leaders warned Thursday.
Four major unions representing more than 11,000 CEGEP workers said staff shortages threaten the quality of education and support services as colleges prepare for steady enrollment growth through 2032.
“Student numbers are projected to rise steadily through 2032, meaning larger class sizes. At the same time, support services are being cut, so teachers will be expected to do more with less,” said Youri Blanchet, president of the Fédération de l’enseignement collégial.
The Coalition Avenir Québec government imposed a hiring freeze in November, leaving many positions vacant before abolishing them entirely in May, according to the unions.
Workload increases strain remaining staff
Professional staff numbers have declined steadily since the hiring freeze, creating heavier workloads for remaining employees, said Éric Cyr, president of the Fédération du personnel professionnel des collèges.
“The vacant and eliminated positions are piling more work onto those who remain, raising the risk of burnout and absenteeism,” Cyr said.
Support staff were already stretched thin before the cuts, according to Valérie Fontaine, president of the Fédération du personnel de soutien de l’enseignement supérieur. Her union represents nearly 5,000 members at 13 colleges, three universities and five public service organizations.
“Support staff was already stretched thin, and now the situation is even worse, despite the essential role they play in helping students succeed at our colleges,” Fontaine said.
Infrastructure problems compound staffing issues
The staffing challenges come as CEGEP buildings age and require major renovations, the unions said. Quebec’s auditor general issued a critical report more than a year ago about college infrastructure conditions.
“A number of buildings are aging and require major renovations. The same goes for classrooms, which are increasingly ill-suited for student success,” Fontaine said.
The unions also expressed concern about a potential shift toward online learning at the expense of in-person classes, and questioned whether underfunded institutions can adapt to artificial intelligence developments in education.
Economic impact on workforce preparation
CSQ president Éric Gingras said the cuts show the government lacks strategic vision for Quebec’s economic future. The Centrale des Syndicats du Québec represents more than 225,000 members, including about 125,000 education workers.
“This government clearly doesn’t grasp how vital the college system is—whether it’s pre-university, technical, or continuing education—to preparing Quebec for the future,” Gingras said.
The four union leaders called on Premier François Legault’s government to reverse course and invest in the CEGEP network.
“Our college network has proven its value over the years, making higher education accessible to all, across the province. It deserves real support and major investment to continue fulfilling that mission,” they said.
