
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is laying off staff in March 2026 due to a sharp drop in international enrollment. Here's what affected employees should know.
The KPU layoffs March 2026 mark the third round of workforce reductions at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in under a year. Driven by a sharp decline in international student enrollment and a projected $88 million revenue shortfall by fiscal year 2027, the university confirmed in early March that BCGEU-represented staff, administrative employees, and faculty will all be affected.
BCGEU members whose positions have been identified will be contacted starting March 5; administrative and faculty staff will hear from HR by March 12. If you've received notice — or expect to — your first step is to confirm your situation in writing and contact your union representative before signing anything.
KPU employees affected by the March 2026 layoffs fall under either the KFA or BCGEU collective agreement. Your specific entitlements — including notice, recall rights, and any severance — depend on your role, union status, and years of service. Do not sign any documents until you have reviewed your agreement with your union rep.
KPU's international student enrollment has fallen by approximately 4,500 students over two years, with a further reduction of nearly 1,000 expected by FY27. The revenue impact is significant: the university projects international student revenue will be down $88 million from its FY24 budget by FY27. Domestic enrollment is not expected to offset that shortfall.
The university has already introduced a retirement incentive for faculty and BCGEU employees, reviewed all vacant positions before re-posting, and limited new hires — but has stated these measures alone are insufficient to meet the budget reset approved by the Board of Governors in January 2026.
This is not an isolated situation. Canada-wide, new international study permit holders dropped 52% between January and November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Post-secondary institutions across B.C. and Ontario have been dealing with similar pressures — Brock University faced comparable enrollment-driven cuts earlier in 2026. KPU's particular exposure to international tuition revenue has made the impact especially pronounced.
The Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) has publicly stated that faculty salary reductions have exceeded the amount approved in the budget, and raised concerns that the restructuring appears to be shifting the institution toward more precarious academic work while increasing administrative density.
Your rights during the KPU layoffs March 2026 depend significantly on whether you are a KFA member, a BCGEU-represented employee, or a non-unionized administrative staff member. The following is general guidance only — your specific entitlements depend on your exact role, years of service, and the terms of your collective agreement.
KFA members (faculty)
Layoff and recall for regular KPU faculty are typically governed by the KFA–KPU collective agreement. This agreement generally includes provisions for notice of layoff, mitigation steps, a recall period during which laid-off faculty may have the right to return to positions that become available, and potential severance depending on circumstances. Article 7 of the KFA agreement is commonly referenced in connection with layoff provisions, but the specific protections and timelines that apply to you depend on your classification and years of service. Contact the KFA directly to review your situation.
BCGEU support staff
Layoff, bumping rights, and recall for BCGEU-represented staff at KPU are typically governed by the BCGEU–KPU support staff collective agreement. Depending on your seniority and classification, you may have the right to bump into other positions rather than being laid off outright, and you may be entitled to a recall period during which you have priority for re-hire. These provisions vary — review your collective agreement and contact your BCGEU representative before accepting any package.
Non-unionized administrative staff
If you are not covered by a collective agreement, B.C.'s Employment Standards Act (ESA) sets minimum standards for notice or pay in lieu of notice. The ESA minimums are a floor, not a ceiling — your employment contract may provide greater protections. Consult a qualified B.C. employment lawyer if you are unsure about your entitlements.
Mandatory Disclaimer This information about the KPU layoffs March 2026 is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or individual career advice. Your rights and severance entitlements depend on your exact role, union status, years of service, and the terms of your collective agreement or employment contract. Always review your own agreement and consult your union representative or a qualified B.C. employment lawyer before signing any documents related to layoff or severance.
Regardless of your union status, these practical steps apply to most affected KPU employees:
File your Employment Insurance application online as soon as you know your last working day. There is a standard waiting period built into the EI process — applying early prevents additional delays. KPU generally submits Records of Employment electronically, so Service Canada should receive yours directly.
Your experience in post-secondary education administration, student services, academic coordination, or support roles transfers to a wider range of employers than you might expect. B.C.'s public sector, school districts, non-profits, private career colleges, and workforce development organizations are active hiring markets for people with institutional backgrounds.
Being laid off from a role you've built over time is disorienting, regardless of the circumstances behind it. It's worth giving yourself space to process that.
One of the less obvious challenges of this transition is translating work done inside a university into language that makes sense to employers outside post-secondary. Internal titles, program names, and institutional processes often don't map directly onto external job postings.
Yotru's resume builder is designed to help with exactly that — reframing your experience using language aligned with how external employers and ATS systems search for candidates. You can build multiple resume versions for different target roles and focus on outcomes rather than duties.

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KPU has not publicly disclosed the total number of positions affected. The university confirmed that layoff notifications began March 5 for BCGEU staff, with administrative and faculty members to be contacted by HR no later than March 12, 2026.
Written for KPU faculty, BCGEU-represented staff, and administrative employees affected by the March 2026 layoffs, covering union rights, severance, EI, job search, and mental health support.
Yotru content prioritizes accuracy, neutrality, and evidence-based guidance. All factual claims are verified against institutional statements and reputable reporting. Articles are updated as new information becomes available.
Based on KPU's internal memo as reported by Daily Hive (March 2026), KFA public communications, IRCC enrollment data, and B.C. Employment Standards Act provisions.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or individual career advice. Rights and severance entitlements under the KPU layoffs March 2026 depend on your exact role, union status, years of service, and the terms of your collective agreement or employment contract. Consult your union representative or a qualified B.C. employment lawyer before signing any documents related to your layoff or severance.
B.C. and Canadian Post-Secondary Layoffs
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