Statement from Mayor Rick Maloney regarding the closing of Georgian College Muskoka campus

BRACEBRIDGE, ON (September 26, 2025) – Today, Georgian College announced that they will cease programming at their Muskoka campus in Bracebridge at the end of the 2025/2026 term and will be disposing of their campus facility. This is deeply upsetting news for both our local students and the community.

Georgian College’s Muskoka campus in Bracebridge has been integral to the fabric of the community, bringing an important age demographic to the area and providing an option for students to receive formal education locally. The campus has offered programs that directly align with Ontario’s housing and health care priorities, like seven high-demand skilled construction trades, personal support work, and practical nursing. Its closure will be felt by local students, employers, and the many families who have relied on this campus as an accessible and affordable pathway to higher education. Also, since the Muskoka campus wasn’t the only one who received this disappointing news, the gap in education will be felt across all of Simcoe-Muskoka.

Unfortunately, this decision reflects the ripple effect of recent federal changes to international student policies and the Province’s lack of sustainable, predictable funding for colleges. In my view, this is the wrong course of action. Instead of disinvestment, we should be strengthening local educational opportunities that directly support workforce development and community growth.

While today’s news is discouraging, the Town of Bracebridge is committed to supporting a smooth transition for the future of the campus property. We will work with Georgian College and community partners to ensure the building continues to serve as a valuable asset for Bracebridge.

-    Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge