On March 19, McGill announced it will lay off approximately 99 people as part of an effort to decrease its $45 million CAD operating deficit. The university will notify individuals affected by the layoffs by the end of April.
At the university’s Feb. 7 Town Hall, Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) Christopher Manfredi communicated that around 250-500 jobs would have to be vacated to address McGill’s deficit, since 80 per cent of the university’s operating costs come from its combined salary mass.
McGill has since adjusted the estimated number of positions it will cut to 350-500. According to McGill’s Media Relations Office (MRO), it is unclear at the moment whether more layoffs can be expected for the coming year.
“Unfortunately, we don’t yet know [whether there will be additional layoffs],” the MRO wrote to The Tribune. “At the February Town Hall, it was mentioned that a series of budget measures would be required to avoid a $45-million deficit in the fiscal year starting May 1, 2025. One necessary measure involves vacating 350-500 positions through attrition and, unfortunately, layoffs. The estimated 99 layoffs are part of that number.”
According to the MRO, decisions about who will be affected by layoffs are made by deans and academic unit heads tasked with implementing budget targets. Their decision-making regarding layoffs is ongoing but will be finalized by the end of April.
At the moment, it is unclear how the layoffs announced on March 19 will affect the student body. The MRO reiterated that the university is committed to reducing the impact the layoffs will have on students.
“Since teaching and learning [are] fundamental to our mission, we are doing everything possible to ensure minimal impacts on students and courses,” the MRO wrote.
