Concordia’s deficit detrimental to student experience

Complaints about Concordia’s building maintenance and reduced campus services continue to persist

NewsCallista Mille — Published November 10, 2026 3 minutes

Students at Concordia University are still affected by the university’s ongoing deficit, which was intensified by government changes and tuition hikes. Concordia’s recovery plan to eliminate this deficit by 2028-2029 is actively straining the quality of its operational services.

The university continues to face financial pressure from the Quebec government’s funding changes, from the 33 per cent tuition hike for out-of-province students to tightened immigration policies for international students. 

Concordia’s out-of-province student enrolment fell 23 per cent in 2025, and it saw a 40 per cent drop in international student applications. Since then, the university has reduced expenses through budget cuts, laying off teachers and deferring previously approved sabbaticals.

Students are noticing the university’s reduced services 

Amena Diab, a Concordia undergraduate psychology student, said she feels frustrated with the university’s reduction in student services.  

“As a university, they should be inviting me and helping me obtain the best [kind] of education if I'm paying for services,” Diab said. 

Diab says she has missed classes because of the reduced shuttle bus hours. 

“I would have to wait for the next shuttle because the first shuttle is crowded,” Diab said. “It's hindering my education.” 

Diab also shared that the escalators in the Henry F. Hall Building often do not work or are under repair.

Concordia President Graham Carr also announced staff layoffs this year to tackle the university’s largest expenditure. Staff salaries account for about 72 per cent of its budget. 

Layana Hakla, an undergraduate student at the John Molson School of Business, said there are not enough study help and tutoring options available. 

“It's all services that we're paying for that we're not even receiving,” Hakla said, adding that she now pays for tutoring outside of university, on top of Concordia’s compulsory student service fees. 

Students have noticed the university’s disproportionate student-to-advisor ratio at the undergraduate level. 

“It really affects the trajectory of your life,” Diab said, adding that the wait time for an advisor's response can take more than a week.

“As a university, they should be inviting me and helping me obtain the best [kind] of education if I’m paying for services,” — Amena Diab, Concordia undergraduate student

Poor facility maintenance remains a key issue 

Concordia spokesperson Vannina Maestracci addressed the challenges this deficit creates in maintaining campus buildings. 

“Reductions in operating funding also affect our ability to maintain, repair and operate equipment," Maestracci said in a statement to The Link.

Diab also expressed concern over the university’s frequent water leaks. 

“My professor had to cancel the class just for them to solve the water leakage,” Diab said.

She reported seeing utilities like heaters and overhead lights get turned off early in the evening, even when students are still in the building. 

Concordia’s projections for 2026-27 

The university has historically relied on student tuition to balance its budget.

Concordia’s operating budget expects a $20.7 million deficit for 2026-27, in addition to a 6 per cent budget cut and staff layoffs.

The university anticipates more students from Quebec joining in the coming academic years, while projecting even less enrolment from international students due to the rising tuition fees.

The administration says they are currently focusing on reducing its deficit while also investing in its academic and research mission.

“One of our priorities has been to protect the academic mission of the university,” Maestracci said.

This article originally appeared in Volume 47, Issue 5, published November 10, 2026.