As Ontario colleges lay off staff and close campuses, executive pay climbs [Video]

The past year battered Ontario’s public colleges as falling revenue from international students and a continued freeze on tuition forced many to make major cuts to staff and programming.

Institutions like Seneca and Algonquin decided to close college campuses to cope with the shrinking enrolment and funding issues. Others, like Sheridan College, suspended tens of programs and yet more laid off staff.

But while the axe fell at many of the province’s 24 publicly-funded colleges, executive pay increased.

According to data released through the annual salary disclosures list, the top five best-paid college presidents in Ontario made an average of roughly $492,000 in 2024.

The highest college president earned $636,106.70 — more than triple the salary paid to Ontario’s premier.

Pay increases at the top of public colleges when programs are being shuttered have raised concerns for some.

Jeff Brown, a professor at George Brown College and a member of the OPSEU …