The Cape Breton University (CBU) Board of Governors has approved a balanced operating budget for the 2026鈥�2027 academic year. This budget was balanced using reserve operating funds and reflects significant enrolment pressures while prioritizing the continuation of high鈥憅uality academic programs and student supports.
Universities nationwide are experiencing the effects of recent changes to federal immigration policies administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These changes have led to declines in international student enrolment, with a particularly strong impact on institutions like CBU, where international students have historically represented a significant portion of overall enrolment.
Over a three鈥憏ear period ending March 2027, the combined impact of enrolment decline and the loss of previously successful post鈥慴accalaureate programs has resulted in an estimated $77 million reduction in revenue. As a result, the University has revised its enrolment target to approximately 3,500 students and taken steps to align operations with this new reality.
Last spring, as part of a revised three鈥憏ear financial plan, the University announced that 112 positions would be affected. Following further IRCC policy changes in the summer of 2025, an additional budget update was required. On April 24, 2026, the CBU Board of Governors approved a $90 million operating budget that includes further measures to reduce costs and limit personnel impacts, including the use of reserve funds to balance this year鈥檚 budget, further reductions to goods and services spending and the offering of a second Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program (VRIP).
Despite these efforts, approximately 50 additional positions will be impacted this year as the University adjusts to a smaller enrolment base. This includes 19 terms not renewed, 6 vacant positions that will not be filled, 8 VRIPS or other retirements that will not be backfilled, and unfortunately 17 layoffs.
Given these financial realities, tuition adjustments are also necessary and will take effect for the upcoming academic year. These include:
Tuition is regulated at current rates by the province for Nova Scotia students, which means Nova Scotia students are not impacted by the noted tuition changes.
Throughout this period of change, student experience remains a central priority with CBU making modest strategic investment in student financial aid. Academic programming, student services, and campus supports will all continue, and the University remains focused on providing a supportive, engaging, and high鈥憅uality learning environment.
鈥淲hile these are difficult decisions, our responsibility is to ensure the long鈥憈erm health and sustainability of the University,鈥� says President and Vice鈥慍hancellor, David C. Dingwall. 鈥淣one of these choices were made lightly. Our focus remains on supporting our students, our people and the communities we serve, while positioning CBU for stability and future opportunity.