Decreased international enrolment leads to permanent closure of Selkirk College's Victoria Street campus
By Lone Sheep Publishing
Selkirk College is permanently closing the Victoria Street Campus at the end of the current academic year as it continues to address financial pressures from federal restrictions on international student enrolment.
Guided by its strategic plan, Land Learning & Legacy: Our Path to 2040, the college is taking steps to mitigate an anticipated ongoing budget shortfall of $3–4 million in 2026–2027 and build lasting financial stability.
“The Board of Governors recognizes that closing the Victoria Street Campus is a difficult but necessary step to ensure the long-term sustainability of Selkirk College,” says Board Chair Amed Naqvi. “We’ve made this decision because we’re committed to managing our finances responsibly, while making sure we’re offering programs that help students build strong careers. And we’re confident that Selkirk College will keep inspiring and preparing learners to meet the changing needs of our region, today and for generations to come.”
After the campus closure, the college will suspend intakes in the Ceramics, Textile Arts, and Blacksmithing programs housed at the campus. All students currently enrolled in these programs will be supported through to graduation. The college is working closely with unions and impacted employees.
“This has been a very hard decision, but the cost to deliver these programs and maintain a standalone campus just isn’t feasible,” says President Maggie Matear. “The program capacity limits and the space and infrastructure requirements put financial sustainability out of reach.”
Selkirk College began operating the Victoria Street Campus in 2006, when it absorbed the Kootenay School of the Arts (KSA). The arts school, established in 1958, was facing the threat of closure.
“While the college’s chapter as the stewards of KSA is coming to a close,” continues Matear, “we’re confident its 67-year legacy of local arts training will continue through other innovative channels in the community.”
Along with the Victoria Street Campus, the college maintains two campuses in Nelson and campuses in Castlegar, Trail and Grand Forks.
In a subsequent press release, Selkirk College detailed its enrolment changes:
Selkirk College is seeing encouraging trends in domestic student growth while navigating the changes imposed by a decline in international student numbers.
Domestic Enrolment Trending Up
For the 2025/26 academic year, domestic applications increased by approximately 8%, resulting in around 170 additional full-time equivalent (FTE) domestic students compared to 2024/25. This translates to a projected domestic growth rate of roughly 2%.
“We’re encouraged by the growth in domestic enrolment,” says Brier Albano, associate vice-president, student success. “Students across our region are recognizing that our programs and transfer pathways lead to the kinds of careers they want. They don’t have to leave. They can get high‑quality, affordable education without the costs and pressures of big‑city life.”
International Enrolment in Decline
In 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reduced the number of international students that post-secondary institutions can admit. Last year, IRCC again reduced permit numbers and introduced new restrictions on post-graduate work permit (PGWP) applications.
As a result, far fewer international students are applying to study at Canadian colleges, including Selkirk College. This has led to an unprecedented and sudden drop in tuition revenues, as well as a loss in the vibrancy and cross-cultural connections that international students bring to the classroom and the community.
Selkirk College enrolled about 190 new international FTEs in 2025/26, representing a decline of approximately 32% from last year. Programs in areas focused on regional and community need, such as hospitality and business, are among those most impacted by the changes, as these are no longer eligible for PGWPs. The college has not cancelled programs at this point but has suspended some intakes.
Meeting the Challenge
In response to the shifting post-secondary landscape, the college is taking proactive measures guided by its strategic plan, Land, Learning & Legacy: Our Path to 2040.
It’s also implementing targeted efficiency strategies, including thoughtful adjustments to spending, hiring and space utilization, while minimizing negative impacts on students.
“People know if they choose Selkirk College, they’ve chosen well,” continues Albano. “Over 90% of our students told us in last year’s engagement survey that they would choose us again if they were starting over.”
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