Some Conestoga College campuses switching to four-day week for the summer semester
Conestoga College's campus on Frederick Street in Kitchener, Ont. was photographed on April 16, 2025. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News)
Conestoga College says some of its campuses will be moving to a four-day week for its summer semester.
The school did not explain what prompted the decision but touted the benefits to both students and the college.
'Student timetables have been developed so that our students are able to benefit, as much as possible, from four-day schedules,' they said in a statement emailed to CTV News. 'This initiative offers flexibility to students who may have summer jobs, creates operational efficiencies while our campuses are a little quieter over the summer months, and supports our sustainability measures.'
Specifically, they cited a decrease in the use of air conditioning.
'Sustainability is a key priority for the college and reducing HVAC usage over the summer helps us meet our carbon reduction goals,' the school explained.
Conestoga College did not make anyone available for an interview.
A list of affected locations can be found below.
Reaction to new international student rules
The shorter weeks are just the latest move by Conestoga College after Ottawa placed new limits on international student enrollment in Canada.
In December 2024, the school offered early retirement packages to 54 support staff and 106 faculty members. According to Vikki Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238, all of them were over 50 years of age and had more than 10 of service at the college.
Another 180 support workers were laid off or were reassigned on March 28. An internal memo, by Conestoga College president John Tibbits which was shared with CTV News, cited the federal government's decision to implement a cap on international student enrolment and other unnamed 'changes' that have created a perception that Canada 'is no longer a welcoming country for international education.'
College surplus
On the same day those layoffs were announced, the Ontario Sunshine List was released for 2024. It named the public sector workers making more than $100,000 a year.
Tibbits had the highest public salary in the Region of Waterloo with a salary of $636,106.70 and $3,898.71 in taxable benefits. His income topped the regional chair, regional mayors, the presidents of the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, both the public and Catholic school board directors, the president and CEO of Grand River Hospital and the chief of Waterloo Regional Police.
Conestoga College announced on March 13 it would be extending Tibbits' contract to Dec. 31, 2026.
Last July, the school reported a surplus of $251,646,838. According to financial documents, that was nearly double its surplus of $106,220,863 in 2023.
Campuses affected by closures
Brantford
1 and 50 Wellington Street closed Mondays
Cambridge
Not affected
Guelph (Speedvale Avenue)
Not affected
Guelph (Riverside Glen)
Not affected
Ingersoll
Closed on Mondays
Kitchener
ATS Engineering Complex closed Mondays
Transition Classroom Building closed Mondays
Therapeutic Sciences Building closed Mondays
Toyota Power Engineering Centre closed Fridays
Downtown (49 Frederick Street) closed on Mondays
Milton
Parkhill Drive closed on Mondays
Steeles Avenue closed on Mondays
Stratford
Not affected
Waterloo
Not affected
More details can be found on the college's website.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
36 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Competition law reforms promise larger financial penalties and more lawsuits
Breaking Canadian competition laws now carries stiffer financial penalties and an increased risk of class-action lawsuits after long-promised reforms took effect on Friday. The federal government unveiled updates to the Competition Act last June, with amendments that included significantly increasing the ability of businesses, consumers and public interest groups to seek cash compensation over issues that include misleading advertising. Law firm Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in a report called the changes 'the most dramatic expansion of private enforcement of Canada's competition law in a generation.' The federal government gave companies a year to adapt to the new regime, with the new regulations coming into force on June 20. 'These changes will have significant implications for businesses, as they open the door for increased litigation and class-like actions based on competition law claims,' said Julie Soloway, a partner and co-chair of the competition, antitrust and foreign investment group at law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, in an email. Competition watchdog finalizes anti-greenwashing guidelines for businesses Prior to the reforms enacted on Friday, competition regulations limited the ability of individuals and companies to sue companies for damages for criminal acts such as price-fixing or bid-rigging. Having to prove criminal behaviour as part of a lawsuit meant only a handful of cases were every filed and most were settled or withdrawn. The new competition laws allow companies or consumers to win compensation equal to the value of the benefit derived from anti-competitive conduct, with the federal Competition Tribunal presiding over the hearings. 'Businesses now have greater ability and more reason to bring private cases about others' conduct, on top of complaining to the Competition Bureau,' Ms. Soloway said. In cases involving misleading advertising, consumers can claim damages equal to the amount they paid for the products involved in the marketing campaign. 'Any misleading advertising, including greenwashing, and agreements likely to prevent or lessen competition substantially can now be the subject of private applications,' Ms. Soloway said. The Canadian economy features a number of sectors dominated by a few large companies, including telecom, transportation, banking and grocery stores. Under the new competition regime, private litigants such as rival businesses can sue over competition issues, even if the Competition Bureau of Canada, the federal watchdog, gave its stamp of approval. The amendments could expose companies 'to tactical litigation and financial risks before the tribunal in respect of market conduct that the commissioner has declined to investigate or enforce,' a team of lawyers at Osler said in a recent report. Matthew Boswell: Competition is the solution to Canada's productivity crisis The new rules promoting private enforcement of competition laws are part of Commissioner of Competition Matthew Boswell's six-year campaign to increase economic efficiency by giving regulators, private entities and the quasi-judicial Competition Tribunal more power. 'Commissioner Boswell has been provided with long-sought tools, increased resources and a stronger enforcement hand,' the Osler lawyers said. 'With the enhanced role for private parties to contest market conduct, the Competition Bureau's enforcement burden will be reduced, potentially leaving the Commissioner freer to pursue investigations.'
CTV News
39 minutes ago
- CTV News
Applications open for new disability benefit program, payments start next month
Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on June 19, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle OTTAWA — Canada's new disability benefit — a program that provides eligible people with up to $200 a month — is now open for applications. The program is available to people with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64 who already have been approved for the disability tax credit. The government says applications will be reviewed by June 30 and payments are set to begin in July. The payments are meant to supplement provincial and territorial programs and Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said all provinces and territories except for Alberta have pledged not to claw back their own benefits. The benefit was part of the Trudeau Liberal government's promise to help lift people with disabilities out of poverty. Many advocates for people with disabilities have panned the benefit, saying it will do little to actually address poverty. Hajdu, whose new portfolio covers disabilities, said she has heard that criticism. 'I don't think that disability (benefit) is what a person needs to sustain themselves, and I don't think it was designed in that way,' she said in a recent interview. 'But it is a payment that allows for a fuller autonomy of people with disabilities in that it's not directed towards any specific thing. It is a benefit that people can use to supplement whatever other earnings or income that they have.' As part of the program, the government is providing funding to community organizations to help people who may need guidance on applying for the tax credit or the benefit program. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
CTV News
41 minutes ago
- CTV News
Workers at gaming company Ubisoft Halifax file to unionize
The logo of French video game publisher Ubisoft is pictured at the Paris games week in Paris, Nov. 4, 2017. Dozens of video game workers with Ubisoft Halifax have filed to unionize, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Canada. A majority of the nearly 60 staff workers at Ubisoft Halifax, which has an office on Barrington Street, filed with the Nova Scotia Labour Board on Wednesday, according to a news release from CWA. 'Unionizing with my coworkers at Ubisoft Halifax is important to me so that we have the strength needed to protect what we have today and to fight for our tomorrow,' said senior server programmer Thomas Gillis in the release. 'With no end in sight to the industry-wide turbulence that sees studios shutter on releasing games fans love, it is up to us, the workers, to organize and demand a say in our labour, art and future.' Following certification, the union will include producers, designers, programmers, artists, researchers and development testers. According to its website, the gaming studio was founded in 2010 and became Ubisoft Halifax in 2015. Some of its games include Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin's Creed Rebellion. Ubisoft was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in France with studios around the world. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
