TORONTO, ON — The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) is deeply concerned by Algoma University’s characterization of its 2026–27 operating budget as a “fiscal reality for a sustainable future.”
Universities across Ontario are facing serious financial pressures, not because of decisions made by workers, including the OSSTF/FEESO Algoma University Support Staff (AUSS), but due to chronic provincial underfunding, a decade-long tuition freeze without replacement revenue, the cap on international students, and growing system instability. Presenting austerity as an unavoidable reality risks normalizing cuts that undermine academic quality, working conditions, and student support.
Local OSSTF/FEESO AUSS President, Michelle Dayboll acknowledges the challenges facing the university but says “austerity measures that result in layoffs hurt everyone. Algoma University Support Staff (OSSTF/FEESO) members are central to the student experience and to the health of our university. “
“With communities across the province already facing serious economic challenges and high unemployment, these job losses couldn’t come at a worse time for workers in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, or Timmins – all of which have Algoma University campuses,” added President Dayboll.
A sustainable future for Algoma University cannot be achieved by shifting financial pressures onto staff, including AUSS workers, or students. Real sustainability means protecting jobs, maintaining academic integrity, upholding collegial governance, and ensuring students continue to receive the support they need to succeed.
Algoma’s situation reflects a broader failure by the provincial government to adequately fund public universities. OSSTF/FEESO calls on the Ford government to restore stable, predictable postsecondary funding so institutions are not forced to balance budgets at the expense of workers and students.
“Premier Ford has repeatedly said he will fight like hell to protect every job in Ontario, but his government’s budget is causing layoffs at Algoma University,” said OSSTF/FEESO President, Martha Hradowy.
“Universities are a core economic sector in Ontario, driving growth and prosperity across the province. Yet the Ford government continues to underfund this key economic driver, even as workers at Algoma University are losing their jobs during a time of tremendous hardship. The government should be treating post-secondary education as a top economic priority,” added Hradowy.
OSSTF/FEESO stands in solidarity with its Algoma University members and will continue advocating for solutions that protect quality public education and fair working conditions.
The Ontario Universities and Colleges Coalition (OUCC) represents over 435,000 faculty, staff, and students from every public postsecondary institution in Ontario. It includes members of the Canadian Federation of Students–Ontario (CFS-O), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Ontario Secondary Schools Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO), Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), Unifor, and United Steelworkers (USW).