Assiniboine projects $2.109-million deficit

Assiniboine College is projecting a $2.109-million operating deficit for the 2026-27 academic year as it navigates ongoing financial pressures facing the post-secondary sector.

The budget, which was approved by the board of governors in April, projects total revenue of $89.376 million, with provincial and other government grants accounting for roughly 60 per cent of the college’s income. Salary and benefit costs continue to dominate expenditures, representing about 70 per cent of the $91.485-million operating budget (including amortization).

Assiniboine president Mark Frison said the institution remains confident it can return to a more stable financial position.

“Growth has been the number-one way for institutions to stay ahead of the curve,” he told the Sun. “Over the past decade, much of that growth was driven by increases in international student enrolment. Now, institutions must look to other sources of growth to make up the difference.”

Frison said the financial challenges are not unique to the college but reflect broader pressures across Canada’s post-secondary education sector.

“The primary reasons for financial challenges across the post-secondary sector are that, over the last 30 years, wage increases generally outpace funding increases,” he said in an email.

For much of the past decade, he said, colleges were able to offset those pressures through enrolment growth, particularly from international students. However, that source of growth has slowed significantly, requiring institutions to find new ways to generate revenue and remain financially sustainable.

“Now, institutions must look to other sources of growth to make up the difference,” Frison said.

Although the budget forecasts another deficit, Frison said the college has demonstrated its ability to manage its finances effectively.

“The college is fortunate that in 2025-26, despite a projected deficit, it was able to balance the budget,” he said. “The college’s board adopted a growth plan this past year that will hopefully help the college return to a more stable financial position.”

The college also welcomed the Manitoba government’s two per cent increase in operating funding, though Frison noted it does not fully offset rising costs.

“The two per cent funding increase is very important,” he said. “The collective agreement settlement for this year is three per cent, so without the two per cent increase, the gap would be even larger.”

The three per cent collective agreement settlement is the largest single cost driver in the 2026-27 budget. At the same time, the college continues to invest heavily in expanding programs and facilities designed to address Manitoba’s workforce needs.

Major projects this year include completing the second phase of the Mechatronics program, finishing the sustainable greenhouse, completing laboratories and learning spaces for the new medical laboratory technology and X-ray technician programs, and beginning construction of the Prairie Innovation Centre.

Frison said these investments are intended not only to strengthen the college’s long-term financial position but also to respond directly to labour shortages across the province.

“While all program additions help build critical mass and support financial sustainability, these additions are primarily driven by Manitoba’s labour market needs,” he said.

The budget also supports expanding community-based learning in Neepawa and Minnedosa through adult learning centres that prepare students for employment and further education, he said.

The new health-care programs are particularly important for addressing staffing shortages in rural Manitoba, he said.

“Medical laboratory technicians and X-ray technicians are occupations in high demand in the health-care sector and are important for rural health care in particular.”

The college also plans to strengthen partnerships with employers through customized workforce training, applied research and philanthropic support.

“Industry partnerships take a variety of forms,” Frison said. “This could include specific customized training for business or sector … applied research partnerships, philanthropic partnerships, such as donations to the college.”

Growing non-government revenue will also play a significant role in the college’s long-term financial strategy.

Frison said market-driven training and continuing education programs allow Assiniboine to generate additional revenue while making education more accessible across Manitoba.

“Market-driven training and continuing education is very important to the college,” he said. “This often makes a financial contribution while allowing us to service needs in a variety of locations.

“Geography is the number-one barrier to access in Manitoba.”

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