Georgian College to Close Orillia & Muskoka Campuses by 2026; Owen Sound to Remain Open
Georgian College cites $23.5M savings in plan to consolidate Orillia and Muskoka campuses into Barrie. Owen Sound is unaffected by the cuts.
Georgian College will permanently close its Orillia and Muskoka campuses by summer 2026, consolidating all programs into Barrie.
The announcement came Friday from president and CEO Kevin Weaver in a message to staff, following approval from the college’s Board of Governors the night before. The Orillia campus will close in summer 2026, with programs beginning to move in May. The Muskoka campus will close in August 2026.
Weaver described the decision as “difficult but necessary” in the face of continued deficits and rising operating costs. Georgian is projecting a $13 million deficit this year and warned that without intervention, it would face “serious cash flow challenges” by 2027–28.
$23.5 Million in Savings
The consolidation is expected to save the college $23.5 million over five years. Properties in Orillia and Muskoka, including the Orillia residence, will be sold. Weaver said sale proceeds will support student moves to Barrie, with the balance put toward stabilizing the college’s finances.
More than half of Orillia students already live in or closer to Barrie, according to Georgian. Domestic enrolment at Orillia remains below pre-pandemic levels, and Muskoka enrolment has been “limited – with little opportunity for growth.”
The news follows last month’s closure of Georgian’s John Di Poce South Georgian Bay campus in Collingwood, which paused operations on September 1. Georgian said at the time the move was part of a broader strategy to review its campus network.
The announcement also lands during a province-wide strike by full-time college support staff. At Georgian, 465 staff are off the job. The Owen Sound campus has remained open through the strike, though students and staff have faced delays at picket lines.
Union leaders say job security is the top issue, citing years of layoffs and program cuts across Ontario’s colleges. Colleges point to chronic provincial underfunding, a long-standing tuition freeze, and this year’s federal cap on international study permits as compounding pressures.
Commitment to Owen Sound and Other Campuses
Weaver emphasized that Georgian’s other campuses remain “vital” to the college’s regional role:
“At the same time, we remain committed to optimizing our broader campus network.
We continue our work to evaluate potential opportunities for our John Di Poce South Georgian Bay Campus, and to build on the positive contributions of our Midland, Orangeville and Owen Sound campuses.
These locations remain vital to our regional presence and our ability to serve diverse communities.”
There has been no indication that Owen Sound will be affected by this round of cuts.
Next Steps
Georgian says students currently enrolled at Orillia and Muskoka will be able to complete their programs on time, with support for those who need courses beyond the summer of 2026.
The college has promised an FAQ and additional resources for students and employees in the weeks ahead.
While Georgian will exit Orillia and Muskoka physically, Weaver said the college will maintain partnerships in both regions and continue to support local students through community initiatives and work-integrated learning opportunities.
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