Double-Bind or Catch 22?
Either term would work to describe where the College finds itself in 2026. President Patel often says his administration’s top two priorities are to keep VCC “fiscally sustainable” and to keep VCC “whole.”
The union has celebrated and supported keeping VCC “whole.”
To us, that means, at its base, keeping our unique mix and array of programs.
This administration has demonstrated that commitment over recent years. It deserves a lot of credit for doing so; it implicitly also means keeping us different from the other Post-Secondary Institutions around us.
However, here is where one runs into the dilemma. We cannot be kept whole under the current funding system. The solution is not within VCC’s control. VCC has a structural deficit, has had one for decades. It has a mandate to deliver the current set of courses for the BC government, but those programs are not funded by that same government to actually allow for them to continue on a sustainable basis.
International tuition funding managed to hide most of this dilemma for many years, but it’s suddenly almost all gone, revealing the sad truth.
Cuts?
So, the union has been told to expect the announcement of a fifth (fifth!) round of cuts soon. They are to be timed to take effect at the end of August. These cuts no doubt will make the budget hole smaller next year in March of 2027, but it’s a fair prediction that they won’t eliminate the structural deficit.
Only decisive action by the provincial government can begin to address that issue. Perhaps the Avison Report, due in March, will point out a path through this double bind.
We don’t need more cuts; we need sustainable funding in order to be fiscally sustainable!
Frank Cosco,
VCCFA President
Student Arbiter Position
The elimination of the Student Arbiter position at Vancouver Community College, justified as part of administrative position cuts, has direct consequences for students. Although classified as an administrative reduction, this role was a substantive and operational that provided independent oversight and supported fair, timely resolution of student issues. Its removal risks leaving students without meaningful access to impartial advocacy and accountability mechanisms.
Upcoming Events
Mark your calendar for the upcoming events in February and March 2026:
Drop-ins at BRDWY Office 10 am – 4 pm
Have questions? Drop in at the Broadway Union office to have a chat with Karen Brooke. She is a long-time steward and the current Chief Negotiator for the 2024 round of bargaining.
Non-regular Faculty Meeting, March 6
Join us for a discussion on regularization, benefits, professional development (PD), and more. Your questions matter!
March 6, at 8:30-9:30 am via Zoom