For immediate release
September 25, 2026
British Columbians have been plunged into a surprise election, but this campaign should be an opportunity to produce solutions to the crisis in post-secondary education. Public colleges, institutes, and research universities are an integral part of the social contract in BC and are essential to building strong communities, a skilled workforce, and a healthy provincial economy. However, the system is under significant pressure from chronic underfunding, program cuts, staffing reductions, and a growing reliance on tuition revenue.
Recent reporting and sector analysis point to a serious funding crisis in BC’s public post-secondary system: 19 of 25 public institutions have been projected to operate at a loss, with an estimated $300 million annual shortfall, while institutions have cut or suspended more than 180 programs and laid off more than 1,300 faculty members since 2024. These pressures are the product of long-term provincial underfunding, compounded by cuts to federal international study permits.
“This election is an opportunity for every party to show whether they are serious about protecting access to public post-secondary education,” said FPSE President Jasmine Nicholsfigueiredo. “Students, faculty, staff, and communities cannot afford more cuts, cancelled programs or rising reliance on tuition. BC needs a real plan to rebuild public post-secondary education as public infrastructure,” said Nicholsfigueiredo.
This unnecessary election has also delayed the release of the Avison report. Don Avison, KC was appointed last November to conduct a comprehensive review of the system. Government received his report in late spring and promised to share the results with the sector by this fall. We were anxiously awaiting the release of the report when the election writ dropped. The government has hinted at seismic changes to our sector, but we remain in the dark about the government’s direction, and the now dissolved NDP government has remained silent in the face of the burgeoning crisis in the past two years. Unions must be consulted in a meaningful way before any changes are implemented from the Avison report. The next provincial government should release a clear, costed post-secondary education plan within its first 100 days, including timelines for funding reform, measures to protect regional access, and public reporting on program cuts, staffing impacts, and student service reductions.
“Public post-secondary is an investment in students, workers, communities, and BC’s future,” continued Nicholsfigueiredo. “Every candidate should be prepared to explain how they will stabilize the system and ensure students can access the education and training they need close to home. Despite incurring record deficits, the NDP government did not make any investments in our sector to stave off this crisis.”
FPSE will be working to organize a province-wide, all-party debate on the future of post-secondary education. We will also be working with our sector partners to protect labour rights, promote affordability, and build a vision for post-secondary education that serves all British Columbians.
For media inquiries, please contact FPSE Executive Director Michael Conlon at (604) 873-8988 or info@fpse.ca.
FPSE is the provincial voice of 10,000 faculty and staff at our 18 member locals at BC’s universities, colleges, institutes, and private-sector institutions.