TERRACE — The Skeena region’s primary post-secondary institution, Coast Mountain College (CMTN), is undergoing a profound structural transformation as of January 29, 2026. Driven by a precipitous decline in international student enrollment, the college has launched an aggressive “restructure and refocus” strategy to address a $4 million budgetary gap for the 2026 fiscal year.
The Catalyst: 90% Drop in International Enrollment
The fiscal crisis follows sweeping changes to international education policies by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These federal restrictions—including new caps on study permits and stricter Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility—have made CMTN programs significantly less accessible to global applicants.
International registrations at the college have plummeted to less than 10% of 2023 levels, effectively erasing the tuition revenue that historically supplemented the institution’s core operating budget.
Fiscal Rebalancing: Workforce and Facility Adjustments
To reach a balanced budget, President and CEO Dr. Laurie Waye has confirmed several deep operational cuts aimed at ensuring the college’s long-term sustainability without relying on international fees.
- Workforce Reduction: CMTN has implemented a 20% staff reduction across all employee groups. This includes the elimination of 17% of management positions, with departments like IT and Registrar Services seeing significant reorganization.
- Hazelton Campus Closure: In a major shift, the Hazelton campus is slated for permanent closure on June 30, 2026. While “bricks and mortar” operations will cease, the college intends to continue offering trades and academic courses in the region through community spaces and its mobile training units.
- Asset Divestment: The Board of Governors has endorsed the sale of college-owned real estate in Kitimat and Houston. These buildings, which have been leased to third parties for over a decade, are being sold to generate funds for future capital projects that directly benefit regional students.
- Operational Limiting: Aggressive cost-saving measures already in place include restricted travel, limited overtime, and adjusted pricing for student housing and food services.
A Domestic Pivot
Despite the restructuring, CMTN reports a 13% increase in domestic enrollment this year. Executive Director Heather Bastin stated that the college is ending overseas recruitment efforts to focus “100 percent on our local population”.
The college will continue to maintain robust campus operations in Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, and on Haida Gwaii, shifting its primary focus toward expanding health-related programs and Indigenous-led learning to meet local labor demands.
