McGill University imposed a hiring freeze on Friday that is expected to lead to a reduction in staff numbers due to Quebec’s move to double tuition fees for non-Quebec students at English-speaking universities.
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Christopher Manfredi, McGill’s executive vice president and associate academic director, said in an email sent to the university community Friday that the university’s financial situation is “deeply concerning.”
“In view of the fact that salaries represent our largest budget item, a hiring freeze for administrative and teaching staff will come into effect immediately,” ordered Mr. Manfredi in his communication available to the QMI agency.
“In light of this, any ongoing recruitment process will be suspended until further notice,” he added.
The manager admitted that with this measure he hopes to reduce the number of employees at the university in the short term by avoiding replacing people who leave the institution.
Only a few professional groups are spared from the hiring freeze, including the hiring of lecturers and postdocs.
“Unfortunate” situation
Mr. Manfredi also warned the McGill community that if Quebec does not back down, the university will have to take other “extraordinary measures.”
“In the coming weeks, university leadership and I will address activities that are not essential to our mission and may be put on hold,” he warned, denouncing the “deplorable situation” facing McGill.
University leaders had already warned in early November that they expected up to 700 job losses at McGill as a result of the CAQ guidelines.
Recall that the government of François Legault announced this fall that it would increase the cost of attending university for English-speaking students from other provinces from $9,000 to about $17,000. This measure was presented as a way to protect the French in Quebec.