Ontario Colleges Face Mass Layoffs as International Student Caps Reshape the Sector

This media placement began with a proactive pitch designed to translate complex federal policy changes into a clear, newsworthy narrative. I identified a growing gap between policy decisions on international student caps and their immediate consequences for Ontario’s college system, particularly around workforce reductions and institutional instability.The pitch framed the story around a strong news hook: projected layoffs of 200–400 employees at Mohawk College, tied directly to declining international enrolment and policy shifts affecting postgraduate work permits. I positioned student perspectives as a critical lens, highlighting how these changes are not only financial, but also shaping perceptions of Canada as a destination for international education.My role included developing the angle, crafting the narrative framing, and serving as a source to connect policy decisions to real-world impacts. The story was picked up by the Hamilton Spectator, contributing to broader media coverage on postsecondary funding pressures and the downstream effects of federal immigration policy.