The Government of Saskatchewan has committed $250 million in funding to various post-secondary institutions in the province.

The funding will be distributed to the University of Saskatchewan, Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and regional colleges over the next four years.

As part of the new agreement, annual operating grants will be increased by three per cent each year while a one per cent increase provided in 2025-26 will be made permanent. According to the province, the agreement limits tuition increases to a maximum of three per cent annually, down from four per cent.

The agreement will come into effect on April 1, 2026 and will end on March 31, 2030.

The announcement comes after a recent layoff of over 100 staff at Sask. Polytech due to a 40 per cent drop in international student enrolment.

Cheryl Schmitz, Sask. Polytech’s chief financial officer, said Monday that it’s too early to determine whether some of the cuts can be reversed.

“Although it doesn’t totally bridge the gap with some of the federal and international changes that have taken place in the international student landscape, we’re really appreciative of the funding that has been provided to us today,” she explained.

The Saskatchewan NDP took the opportunity Monday to demand the government order a reversal of Sask. Polytech’s staffing reductions.

“We hear reports of more layoffs on the way too,” NDP MLA Tajinder Grewal told reporters during an event in Saskatoon.

“I want the minister to commit here and now that he personally sees to it that fired staff are rehired, and that no one else will lose their job after his announcement today.”