Windsor-Tecumseh-Lakeshore MP Kathy Borrelli visited St. Clair College on July 9, 2026 to discuss the resilience of Ontario’s college sector and the role community colleges play in responding to regional needs. The visit comes as St. Clair College faces significant financial challenges from a 93 per cent decline in international student enrolment since 2023, leading to a projected $5.5 million deficit for the 2026-27 year.
During the meeting with the college’s Research and Innovation team, Borrelli highlighted her personal connection to the trades. Growing up in a family supported by the tooling industry, her father was a tool and die maker and two of her brothers also entered the field. She is now advocating for mold making to become a Red Seal trade, noting that the current lack of designation prevents students from accessing funding for training.
“Mold makers specifically have an ageing population amongst their skilled people, and they need new people coming in,” Borrelli said. “I think it not being a Red Seal trade has a lot to do with students not being able to get funded to take that course.”
Dr. Karamjeet K. Dhillon, Director of Research and Innovation at St. Clair College, welcomed the federal attention. “Kathy’s visit reminded us of the strength that comes from working together in advocacy,” Dhillon said. “Community colleges are constantly adapting, partnering and building solutions with our regions, and we deeply appreciated Kathy’s attentive and supportive approach.”
The discussion took place against a backdrop of broader financial strain for Ontario colleges. Colleges Ontario has warned that a structural funding gap threatens workforce training, seeking $1.1 billion in additional operating funding. In February 2026, the provincial government announced $6.4 billion in new post-secondary funding over four years, offering some relief to institutions like St. Clair College, which lost $153.7 million in revenue due to the international student decline.
Borrelli, who was first elected in 2025 in one of the closest races in Canadian history, said her background helps her listen closely to community concerns. The visit signals ongoing federal interest in local education infrastructure and workforce development for the Windsor-Essex region.
