The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), the union representing all full-time support staff at all 24 Ontario colleges, is on strike.
While we are unable to predict how long a strike may continue, please know that Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber are committed to student success and ensuring that classes and academic progress will continue uninterrupted. Humber has never lost a semester because of labour action.
Support staff are a valued and vital part of the Humber community and the Ontario college system.
We will continue to update the Humber and Guelph-Humber communities. Please check for regular communication on our updates page, on our social media channels and by direct email. Please also visit the CEC website for updates and information.
The bargaining process is continuing. On August 21, the OPSEU bargaining team requested a no board report from the Ministry of Labour. The no board report was granted on August 25. This means that OPSEU can set a legal strike date as early as September 11, 2025.
In response, on August 21, the College Employer Council proposed binding mediation/arbitration to OPSEU.
There are no changes to classes and campus operations currently.
All classes will continue and any changes to delivery will be communicated by faculty through email and Blackboard. Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) classes and the Real Estate program will also continue.
The University of Guelph-Humber courses will also continue to run, with any delivery changes communicated directly to students.
Any classes at Humber or Guelph-Humber that move online will return to in person delivery at the conclusion of the strike.
In the event of a strike, notification will be sent by email, posted on Humber’s corporate social media accounts and included on humber.ca/updates.
Humber campuses and U of GH will remain open during the strike. For a list of what is open and operational, visit humber.ca/updates.
Work placements will continue with limited exceptions that will be communicated directly.
Appointments for tests, auditions or interviews, will proceed as planned for prospective students. Entering the campus, you may be required to cross a picket line, so please allow additional time to ensure you arrive on time. If you are uncomfortable crossing a picket line, please contact Humber at 416-675-5000 and we will reschedule your appointment.
As classes continue during the strike, some students may be required to be on campus as scheduled. If you come to campus, you may need to cross a picket line. This may depend on whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transportation to campus. Please see our suggested picket line protocol when planning to come to campus.
Please see our suggested picket line protocol when planning to come to campus. You should expect that all picket line activity will be captured on camera. You may have your photo taken or there may be video footage of you crossing the picket line. Be respectful of those on strike and avoid any confrontations. Overall, we ask that anyone attempting to cross a picket line adopt the following approach:
If at any time you feel uncomfortable or intimidated in attempting to cross a picket line, withdraw and call the Department of Public Safety at 416-675-8500.
During the strike, Residence will remain open, and residents will be able to stay in their room as usual.
Please be assured that Humber is committed to students’ success and would do everything possible to ensure that all students have the opportunity to achieve their learning goals in a timely manner. As classes are continuing, this should not be a concern.
All non-striking employees are expected to report for work as scheduled.
The Child Development Centre will be closed for the duration of the strike.
Buses are likely not to cross picket lines to enter campus but will let riders off at nearby stops.
During the strike period, Humber Downtown Campus will remain open with service hours Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
International students at Humber Downtown will continue to have access to a wide range of support services, including:
Important note: Humber will not be able to provide in-person and virtual immigration advising during the strike but as a Humber student, you have access to free or low-cost immigration services through BorderPass.
Students can access support through BorderPass, Humber’s immigration advising partner. BorderPass provides assistance with study permits, work permits (including PGWP), visas, status questions, attestation letters, and other immigration-related matters.
Humber Downtown students are encouraged to use the “Ask a Question” feature in the MyIGS portal for the quickest response. Through the portal, students can also:
Humber’s International Centre will not be able to provide in-person and virtual immigration advising during the strike but as a Humber student, you have access to free or low-cost immigration services through BorderPass.
Students can access support through BorderPass, Humber’s immigration advising partner. BorderPass provides assistance with study permits, work permits (including PGWP), visas, status questions, attestation letters, and other immigration-related matters.
Getting started with BorderPass:
For questions specific to Humber (such as admissions or program details), please continue to contact Humber directly.
Yes. You can still apply to Humber, but processing your application may take a bit longer depending on the program to which you have applied.
Yes. We continue to process applications as they are received but it may take longer to process, depending on the program to which you have applied.
Currently all campus tours have been suspended but please check back regularly for any updates.
On-campus events are being assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please check the future student events webpage for the most current list of on campus event offerings.
Pre-enrollment and internationally trained immigrant advising appointments will not be available during the strike. We do recommend doing some initial planning by leveraging our Career Finder tool online to find your program match. Follow-up questions can be sent to:
Prospective Student Enquiries: student.recruitment@humber.ca
Internationally Trained Immigrant Enquiries: newcomers.advising@humber.ca
Indigenous Prospective Student Enquiries: indigenous.recruitment@humber.ca
Questions will be answered as they are received. We appreciate your patience as responses may take longer during this period.
Many questions can be answered by visiting our Future Students webpage and our Study at Humber webpage.
Follow up questions can be sent to:
Prospective Student Enquiries: student.recruitment@humber.ca
Internationally Trained Immigrant Enquiries: newcomers.advising@humber.ca
Indigenous Prospective Student Enquiries: indigenous.recruitment@humber.ca
Questions will be answered as they are received. We appreciate your patience as responses may take longer during this period.
Transfer credit and PLAR applications for fall semester courses should be submitted four weeks prior to the start of term.
If you applied after the four-week timeframe, applications will be delayed due to the labour disruption and may not be processed until the strike is over.
Transfer credit and PLAR applications submitted four weeks prior to the start of term have will be posted to your Myhumber.ca account. Please check Myhumber.ca>Transfer Credit Application>My Transfer Credit Status for more details.
If you applied after the four-week timeframe, processing will be delayed due to the labour disruption. Please continue to check your Myhumber.ca>My Transfer Credit Decision for more details and to accept your transfer credit when it is posted.
Stay registered and attend classes until a decision has been posted.
Yes, you can apply for Winter 2026 and Summer 2026 terms. Please follow the instructions at https://humber.ca/transferoptions/transfer-in/transfer-credits.html
Transfer Credit advising will not be available during the strike period. Please review our detailed website for transfer credit, PLAR and pathway information at https://humber.ca/transferoptions/
Many questions can be answered through our FAQ website at https://humber.ca/transferoptions/contact.html
Follow up questions can be sent to transferoptions@humber.ca