International student caps forcing closure of college satellite campus in Ontario town [Video]

Algonquin College campus in Perth, Ontario

For more than half a century Algonquin College has maintained a campus in Perth, about an hour southwest of Ottawa. As of next year, that relationship will come to an end.

Rising financial challenges linked to the federal cap on international students is being blamed for Algonquin’s decision to close the satellite campus, with the college facing a $32 million loss in revenue this year, a number that is expected to jump to $60 million for 2025-26 and nearly $100 million the following year.

The news has naturally left officials in Perth (population less than 7,000 souls) naturally “disappointed.”

“Algonquin College has been a cornerstone of our community since 1970,” said Mayor Judy Brown. “For over five decades, the Perth campus has provided invaluable educational opportunities, shaped countless careers, and strengthened the fabric of our town. Its heritage trades programs, in particular, have left a lasting legacy that can be …