RRC Polytech to cut staff after loss of language training funds

More than 40 faculty and staff members at Red River College Polytechnic will lose their jobs after the federal government cut support to a language training program for newcomers.

Forty-four members of the Winnipeg-based college’s leadership, faculty and administrative teams — including 13 permanent and 31 term employees — were informed this week a reduction in Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada funding means they won’t have jobs after March 31, 2026.

“This information is difficult for all of us, and most importantly, for the dedicated members of the CNI (Centre for Newcomer Integration) team who care deeply about this incredible and important work,” Christine Watson, vice-president academic, wrote in an email to faculty staff on Friday, which RRC Polytech shared with the Free Press.

“We recognize that this unfortunate situation will have an impact on this team, on our institution and on the broader community.”

The Centre for Newcomer Integration delivers language training on behalf of IRCC. Earlier this year, RRC Polytech entered into a new three-year agreement with IRCC which, at the time, did not include sustained funding for Stage 2 language training in the second and third year of the agreement.

Stage 2 training provides intermediate language training and advanced, occupation-specific communication and intercultural training for newcomers to Canada, Watson wrote in the email. It helps people improve language abilities so they can live, work and pursue local career and training opportunities.

Since renewing the agreement, RRC Polytech has continued to advocate maintaining this part of the language training, but IRCC cannot confirm additional funding will be available, Watson wrote. As a result, Stage 2 language training will no longer be offered in spring 2026.

The reduction in IRCC funding will lower CNI’s annual capacity to 1,360 seats from more than 6,700, affecting about 1,400 newcomers each year who rely on this support, according to Watson.

Canada-wide immigration changes have impacted language training across the country, and Stage 2 funding was reduced across Canada for all IRCC-funded partners, she added.

It’s difficult news, said the head of the union that represents 41 of the impacted employees.

“When you get a job at a trusted institution like Red River College Polytechnic you think you’re going to be there for quite a while, so it’s frustrating for sure,” said Kyle Ross, president of Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union.

He noted the language training program assists Manitoba’s immigration and labour market needs.

“We know this helps integrate workers into our province and when you cut the funding to places like this, it’s going to make it harder to find quality workers and educate workers that can perform those duties,” Ross said.

Impacted employees will continue until the expiry of their term or March 31, said a spokesperson for the college.

Should additional funding become available before the spring, the college will adjust accordingly, Watson wrote in her message to faculty and staff.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca