NSCC eliminates 91 positions as it grapples with $15M deficit
Cuts include layoffs of both management and unionized staff
Frances Willick · CBC News · Posted: May 06, 2026 4:07 PM ADT | Last Updated: May 6
The Nova Scotia Community College has laid off 45 employees as it attempts to balance its budget and face down a $15-million deficit.
In a letter to the school community on Wednesday, acting president Anna Burke said the NSCC came up with a plan to navigate its financial challenges while keeping program delivery and student support top of mind.
"This focus guided every decision we made," Burke's letter says.
"We started by finding non-wage savings and identifying activities that can bring in future revenue. But with wages making up 80 per cent of our budget, we also had to look at our organizational structure to see how we could reorganize and get leaner, which included reducing roles."
Breakdown of cuts
In total, 91 positions were eliminated through the 45 layoffs as well as unfilled vacancies, term endings, voluntary exits and retirements.
Of the 91 positions, 50 were in management, while the remainder were unionized — 26 in professional support and 15 in operational support.
Most of the affected management positions were at the college's central campuses in the Halifax Regional Municipality, while the unionized positions were distributed across all campuses.
Stacey Baillie, acting vice-president of college services and strategy, said in an interview that no faculty positions were affected as part of the deficit reduction measures, but a separate annual program review process is unfolding to ensure the college's offerings align with industry needs. Baillie said the $15-million deficit includes $5.5 million in financial pressures related to rising technology and equipment costs and declining international tuition revenue, and $9.4 million resulting from a reduction in the provincial operating grant.
She said the college took a collaborative approach to the cuts, reaching out to the employee and student communities.
"We looked for ideas from them around cost saving, increased revenue generation opportunities, operational efficiencies we could identify. We asked our students to tell us what they valued most and we factored that into all of our decision-making," Baillie said.
She said leadership had a "laser focus" on maintaining programming and student support.
"Our students can expect and will get the best programming, the best supports and services that will help them prepare for college, succeed while they're at college, thrive in their programs, and ultimately find meaningful careers in the workforce," Baillie said.Union members affected
The jobs of 17 Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU) members have been affected, including tech-related and office administration positions.
In a statement, the union said the layoffs show the provincial government's "shortsightedness and a lack of vision" in cutting the college's operating grant.
"The NSCC provides programs, education and helps train the skilled labour who our province depends on and needs for future economic growth," said NSGEU president Sandra Mullen in the statement. "Cutting this valuable sector is bad for the economy."
Neil Cody is president of the Atlantic Academic Union, which represents faculty and professional support workers at the college.
He said it was a difficult and stressful day as union members — including student advisers and librarians — received notice that their jobs are affected.
Cody said while his main concern is supporting affected staff, he also expressed worries about how the cuts will impact students.
"I don't think you can go through a process of cutting $15.8 million out of this organization and it not impact students. Like, that's impossible," he said.
NSCC eliminates 91 positions as it grapples with $15M deficit | CBC News