Former politicians who helped fund Perth, Ont., college now trying to save it

More than 15 years after announcing millions of dollars for Algonquin College’s Perth campus, John Milloy never expected to see it poised to close.

The provincial and federal governments jointly invested $9 million into the campus in 2009.

Milloy and John Baird — both former government ministers — made that announcement, in what they now say was a “targeted commitment to the community of Perth and the surrounding  region.”

The campus, which is for sale, is set to close this summer to help stem tens of millions of dollars in losses for the college, among other cuts announced last year.

“I totally understand that … all colleges are facing huge financial constraints right now, but that Algonquin would simply shut it down and sell it — that was not the point of the announcement that was made in 2009,” Milloy, a former provincial colleges and universities minister, told CBC News in an interview.

“This was supposed to be something that would be there permanently.”

According to a joint letter to current Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn on Dec. 19 and sent to CBC News by advocates this week, the idea was that 2009 funding would provide accessible, high-quality education to rural students, foster economic growth in the area and support skilled trades.

The former ministers want there to still be some heritage trades training there, offering the town or former Shopify executive and local resident Toby Shannon as potential operators.

“Algonquin’s plans [risk] squandering a legacy that has produced graduates who have worked at restoring Parliament Hill and other national treasures, while exacerbating Ontario's skilled trades shortage in a region already underserved by post-secondary options,” the letter read.

Courses relocating to Ottawa

The college's president and CEO Claude Brulé blamed the cuts on the federal government's decision to reduce international student permits and the province's cap on tuition fees.

A college executive said in February 2025 the Perth campus faced a projected deficit of $2.1 million on a $3.3 million budget for that fiscal year.

Perth's business, health and trades programs will be relocated to Ottawa’s campus.

“To force students to go to Ottawa to take those programs is taking away from its original intention,” Milloy said.

“I get it that Algonquin needs funds, but students also need access to this sort of training.”

Former Perth campus professor Cathy McNally agrees, emphasizing its closure will be a big loss for the community.

“When you see the impact that it has in bringing jobs and bringing post-secondary education to a rural campus such as Perth, there is that grieving process. I think everybody felt it across the community,” said McNally, who now is the director of community services with the Town of Perth.

Province says it has no role in sale

Both Milloy and Baird are asking the provincial government to intervene, halting any sale that would privatize the “public asset [the campus] for market-driven development.”

However, in a statement the province notes it does not have any role in the campus sale as the college is an independent legal entity.

It adds that the decision to close and sell the Perth campus was made by Algonquin College.

“We will continue to work closely with Algonquin College to ensure that students in eastern Ontario have access to excellent education close to home, and that local businesses have the well-trained workers they need,” the statement read.

CBRE Limited is managing the sale of the property on Algonquin College’s behalf, according to the school.