Algonquin College to phase out academic upgrading courses at Ottawa campus as part of further cuts to programming

Algonquin College in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 11. (Peter Szperling/CTV News Ottawa)

Algonquin College says it will be phasing out academic upgrading courses at its Ottawa campus, the latest programming to be cut as the college stares down a multi-million-dollar deficit over the next several years.

Academic upgrading, or the Ontario Literacy and Skills (LBS) program, allows students without the credits needed to enter post-secondary institutions the chance to take courses in the subjects they require to begin their studies.

The courses are offered at colleges throughout Ontario as part of a contract with the provincial government. The program is tuition-free for most residents.

Algonquin College says it will allow current students to complete their courses as part of a six-month transition period, but new students will not be accepted.

On Wednesday, the college clarified that its LBS contract is specific to its Ottawa campus. Upgrading courses will be available at the Pembroke campus as well as the John Howard Society of Ottawa location, through a partnership the college has with the organization.

“The decision not to renew the LBS (Literacy and Basic Skills) contract was not made lightly. It followed careful and thorough consideration of the College’s financial pressures and our need to realign resources in support of long-term strategic priorities of Algonquin College,” the college said in a statement.

“The College remains committed to supporting a smooth transition for students to the other providers of LBS and or academic upgrading courses. We are collaborating with other Literacy and Basic Skills and/or academic upgrading providers to ensure that learners continue to have access to the support they need on their learning journey.”

The decision is the latest in a wider series of cuts the college has announced this year, including the closing of its Perth campus, the cutting of 41 academic programs and the offering of voluntary exit packages to staff.

Algonquin College reported in January that it was projecting a $32 million loss in revenue for 2024-25, and a $60 million loss in 2025-26 and $93 million for 2026-27.

In February, the college said that it would suspend admissions to 37 active programs and four dormant programs at the Ottawa and Pembroke campuses, saving approximately $8 million per year.

Algonquin and other colleges across the country have blamed the federal government’s cap on international students, a tuition freeze and provincial funding shortfalls as the reason for their financial deficits.

Algonquin College operates three campuses in the area, including Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke alongside an online learning program.

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Josh Pringle