The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) will be running a 158.5 million dollar budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, but with a 2.5 million dollar deficit to help manage 4.88 million dollars of unexpected expenses. The University outlined a number of fiscal pressures in the 2025/2026 Budget & Projection exacerbating the situation, and many remain in the most recent 2026/2027 Budget & Projection document. The publications cite disruptions in the provincial budget, immigration policy changes affecting international students, a changing labour market and other variables. New in the 2026/27 budget document though is a statement on page five, “The University anticipates a short-term deficit of $2.5M in 2026/27 as it adapts to these evolving conditions but will rigorously monitor the financial outlook to ensure long-term stability and a sustainable rebound.”
Page six of UNBC’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the 2025-2026 fiscal year shows how this most recently completed fiscal year’s ‘Annual Operating surplus (deficit)’ is currently listed. Through the University Act, the Province of BC does not typically allow post-secondary institutions to run a deficit, but provisions can be made under extenuating circumstances.
University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) President, Dr. Bill Owen, gives a budget presentation in one of UNBC’s lecture theatres on September 2nd, 2026. The presentation screen is on the right side of the frame, Dr. Owen in front of it to the left. A crowd of primarily UNBC staff and faculty looks on, assembled for the presentation.
Photo Credit - Ian Gregg CFURadio
As it stands, despite the term “Vacancy Management” being used in the presentation, and budget documents, staff cuts are not part of the University’s strategy to balance the budget. President Dr. Bill Owen stated during the presentation, “To be clear, Vacancy Management is not a hiring freeze. It is a purposeful decision to go ahead with some, and hold back other positions.”
Along with tightening its fiscal belt on internal budgets, the University appears to be focused on growth and revenue diversification as a solution, instead of prioritizing cuts.
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Check out more of our stories on FrequencyNews.ca
Podcast subscription URL for your podcast app (RSS):