COLLEGE OF NEW CALEDONIA
CNC approves balanced 2026-27 budget amid sector challenges

What you need to know:

• The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has approved a balanced operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year
• The budget reflects significant sector-wide pressures, including changes to international student policy and declining tuition revenue
• Difficult decisions were required, including workforce adjustments**, and the closure of the Fort St. James campus
• The budget is guided by CNC's strategic plan, lhulh whuts'odutel'eh | Learning Together

The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has approved a balanced operating budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, following a year marked by significant financial pressures and difficult decisions.

Like many post-secondary institutions across British Columbia and Canada, CNC continues to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. Federal policy changes affecting international students, combined with declining tuition revenue and rising costs, created a substantial budget challenge for the College.

Through careful planning and a commitment to long-term sustainability, CNC has successfully balanced its budget while maintaining a focus on students and community.

"This has been one of the most challenging budget cycles in recent memory," said CNC President, Cindy Heitman. "Balancing this budget required thoughtful, and at times difficult, decisions. We did not take these lightly. Every step was guided by our responsibility to ensure CNC remains strong, sustainable, and able to serve our students and communities into the future."

As part of the budget process, CNC made the difficult decision to implement workforce adjustments and close the physical campus in Fort St. James, effective March 31, 2026. These decisions reflect the need to align operations with enrolment trends and financial realities, while continuing to deliver programming in communities through alternative and flexible approaches.

The 2026-27 budget is grounded in CNC's strategic plan, lhulh whuts'odutel'eh | Learning Together, which prioritizes student success, lifelong learning, community engagement, and organizational strength.

"We remain committed to putting students first," Heitman added. "Our strategic plan continues to guide our path forward, ensuring that even in times of change, we are focused on delivering high-quality education, supporting our communities, and building a sustainable future for CNC."

CNC will continue to take a measured, data-informed approach to planning, with a focus on program relevance, operational efficiency, and strong partnerships across the region.

**Workforce adjustments include the elimination of vacant positions and retirements, in addition to layoffs.**