2021 Laurentian University financial crisis

On February 1, 2021, Laurentian University president Robert Haché confirmed that the university had filed for creditor protection.{{cite news|title=Laurentian University, key school for northern Ontario, files for creditor protection|language=en-US|work=CBC News Sudbury|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-creditor-protection-1.5896522|access-date=2021-02-01}}{{cite news|title=Laurentian University files for creditor protection; former Queen's Provost appointed as special advisor|language=en-US|work=YGK News|url=https://ygknews.ca/2021/02/01/laurentian-university-files-for-creditor-protection-former-queens-provost-appointed-as-special-advisor/|date=2021-02-01|access-date=2021-10-04}} Court filings revealed that the university's liabilities amounted to $321 million, including $91 million in loans from three Canadian banks.{{cite news|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-owes-banks-91-million-has-liabilities-of-321-million-reports|title=Laurentian owes banks $91 million, has liabilities of $321 million — reports|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-02-02|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The university continued to offer 107 undergraduate programs and 33 graduate programs in the aftermath of the closures and terminations. The university indicated that "We anticipate that approximately 10 per cent of undergraduate students...will be affected in some way by these program adjustments."{{cite news|title=Black Monday: Laurentian axes 58 undergrad, 11 grad programs|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/black-monday-dozens-of-laurentian-faculty-staff-terminated-today-amid-restructuring-3624770|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-04-12|access-date=2021-10-04}}

As part of restructuring, the university announced that it was considering the sale of some of its real estate, including the last undeveloped waterfront on Sudbury's Lake Nepahwin.{{cite news|last=White|first=Erik|title=What Laurentian University might sell to get out of its financial hole|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-real-estate-review-1.6003325|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-29|access-date=2021-10-04}} For the community response, see {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Public}}.

From 2014 to 2021, the university spent over $160 million on new infrastructure, with around $140 million of that total coming from government subsidies and private donations.{{cite news |author=Routhier, Zacharie |author2=Zanetta, Alice|title=Le poids des bâtiments a-t-il coulé l'Université Laurentienne?|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1785327/universite-laurentienne-insolvable-construction-infrastructures|work=Radio-Canada|date=2021-04-16|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The president reported at the university senate in September that over $9.8 million had been expended on restructuring costs. The court-appointed monitor also had earlier indicated that the university would be spending nearly $10 million in additional costs by February 2022, as well as $1.8 million in interest loan fees on the debtor-in-possession loan from Firm Capital that was received through the CCAA insolvency process.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-has-already-spent-more-than-98m-on-restructuring-costs-4482382|title=Laurentian has already spent more than $9.8M on restructuring costs|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-10-07|access-date=2021-10-07}} The DIP loan was assumed by the provincial government on January 31 as part of its intervention, regarding which see {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Provincial government}}. As of May 1, 2022, restructuring costs were reported as $20.9 million, with an additional $3.9 million in charges related to the DIP loan. The monitor also projected there would be nearly $8 million in additional costs by September 30.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian has spent $20.9M on restructuring so far: reports|url=https://www.timminstoday.com/local-news/laurentian-has-spent-209m-on-restructuring-so-far-reports-5420672|work=Timminstoday.com|date=2022-05-30|access-date=2022-06-01}}

The court approved the university's request to extend restructuring several times.{{cite news|title=La protection contre les créanciers de la Laurentienne prolongée pour la 4e fois|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1887106/education-faillite-sudbury-universite-pension|work=Radio-Canada|date=2022-05-30|access-date=2022-06-01}}

Despite declaring insolvency on February 1, Laurentian University consulted with insolvency counsel at least as early as March 2020.{{Cite web|title=2021-Dec-9 Report Request for a Speaker's Warrant to Produce Documents from Laurentian University|publisher=Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Standing Committee on Public Accounts|url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/committees/public-accounts/parliament-42/reports/2021-dec-9-report-request-a-speakers-warrant-produce-documents-laurentian-university-standing-committee-public-accounts|access-date=2022-03-17}} On August 28, 2020, the Laurentian board of governors engaged the accounting firm Ernst and Young as a "financial advisor to assist LU in its restructuring efforts and if necessary, act as the Court-appointed Monitor...should LU decide to seek protection under the CCAA."{{Cite web|title=Haché Affidavit (January 30, 2021)|url=https://documentcentre.ey.com/api/Document/download?docId=32854&language=EN|url-status=live|at=Par. 107|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508020408/https://documentcentre.ey.com/api/Document/download?docId=32854&language=EN|archive-date=2021-05-08 }} Laurentian did not announce the hiring of Ernst and Young until October 1.{{Cite web|title=LU's financial crunch stems from building spree in recent years, faculty rep argues|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/lus-financial-crunch-stems-from-building-spree-in-recent-years-faculty-rep-argues-2780556|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Sudbury.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Laurentian University {{!}} Laurentian hires external financial advisors to find solutions to financial challenges|url=https://laurentian.ca/news/statements/external-financial-advisors|access-date=2021-12-15|website=laurentian.ca}} In early November, the board's executive committee created an "a special In Camera Ad Hoc Committee on Contingency Planning" that was to provide oversight and direction for the CCAA process.{{Cite web|title=Haché Affidavit (January 30, 2021)|url=https://documentcentre.ey.com/api/Document/download?docId=32854&language=EN|url-status=live|at=Par. 107|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508020408/https://documentcentre.ey.com/api/Document/download?docId=32854&language=EN|archive-date=2021-05-08 }} On December 10, 2020, the university requested assistance from the government of Ontario, asking for $100 million, almost half of which would go toward ""termination and severance payments."{{Cite news|date=2021-02-14|title=Laurentian ran deficits dating back to 2014, government adviser says in report|language=en-CA|work=The Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2021/02/14/laurentian-ran-deficits-dating-back-to-2014-government-adviser-says-in-report.html|access-date=2021-12-15|issn=0319-0781}} Laurentian proposed that it could work with $30-$40 million, but that amount would not be enough to avoid entering the CCAA. The province replied that it could not offer $100 million unless Laurentian agreed to a third-party audit of the university's finances, but that it could offer $12 million to cover operations until the end of March. Apparently, the university administration declined both of these offers. The matter was commented upon in the auditor general's preliminary and final reports in April and November 2022. For the reports and reaction to them, see {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Provincial government}}.

In December, the court granted the university's request to remove the $500,000 cap on the legal fees of independent counsel for the Board of Governors. There also was approval for the appointment of three claims officers to deal with the approximately 1,500 claims from creditors for over $360 million, and a grievance resolution officer to address grievances filed by the Laurentian University Faculty Association.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Judge OKs court officers to oversee disputed claims against Laurentian University|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/judge-oks-court-officers-to-oversee-disputed-claims-against-laurentian-university-4883548|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-12-20|access-date=2021-12-22}}

On February 1, 2022, an interactive timeline of milestones in the restructuring process was published to mark the anniversary of the insolvency declaration.{{cite magazine|last=Cayouette|first=Julien|title=A look back at the first 365 days of Laurentian University's restructuring|url=http://www.universityaffairs.ca/news/news-article/a-look-back-at-the-first-365-days-of-laurentian-universitys-restructuring/|magazine=University Affairs|date=2022-02-01|access-date=2022-02-09}}

At the February meeting of the Laurentian senate, the president indicated that in May the university expected to be able to ask the court for permission to convene a meeting with the creditors.{{Cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|date=2022-02-16|title=End in sight: Laurentian floats timeline to move on from CCAA proceedings|work=Sudbury.com|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/end-in-sight-laurentian-floats-timeline-to-move-on-from-ccaa-proceedings-5069546|access-date=2022-02-22}}

The publication in early March of the Nous report on university governance and operations, which the university had commissioned in the fall,{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Laurentian University picks firm to conduct operational review|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-university-picks-firm-to-conduct-operational-review-1.5642533|publisher=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-10-28|access-date=2022-03-16}} met a critical reception.{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title=Reports on Laurentian's future fail to impress critics|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/reports-on-laurentians-future-fails-to-impress-critics|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-03-02|access-date=2022-03-16}}{{cite news|title=La Laurentienne: un rapport présente des réponses, mais plusieurs questions demeurent|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1866442/reactions-communaute-francophone-enseignement-post-secondaire-francais|publisher=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2022-03-04|access-date=2022-03-16}}{{cite news|last=Migneault|first=Jonathan|title=Laurentian University review calls for major investments to reach 'baseline standard'|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-operational-review-1.6370479|work=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-03-02|access-date=2022-03-16}} The university also reported a deficit of $65.9 million for the fiscal year 2020–21, while the cost of restructuring had reached $79.1 million.{{cite news|last=Beaudry|first=Francis|title=Crise à la Laurentienne: 79,1 millions $ dépensés en 3 mois sur la restructuration|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1867099/education-ontario-restructuration-sudbury-laurentienne|publisher=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2022-03-07|access-date=2022-03-16}}{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title='Alarming': Laurentian union leaders react to financials showing $79M in restructuring costs|url=https://www.sudbury.com/membership/features/alarming-laurentian-union-leaders-react-to-financials-showing-79m-in-restructuring-costs-5149898|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-03-04|access-date=2022-03-16}}{{cite magazine|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title='Tough findings:' Consultant zeroes in on poor financial management at insolvent Laurentian U.|url=https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/training-education/tough-findings-consultant-zeroes-in-on-poor-financial-management-at-insolvent-laurentian-u-5124923|magazine=Northern Ontario Business|date=2022-03-04|access-date=2022-03-16}}{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title=Laurentian restructuring cost more than $79M last year|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-restructuring-cost-more-than-79m-last-year|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-03-08|access-date=2022-03-17 }}

In March, the university agreed, with reservations, to start responding to freedom-of-information requests effective May 1, following the intervention of the provincial information and privacy commissioner. Laurentian had obtained a stay from the court on the processing such requests at the commencement of the insolvency proceedings.{{cite news|title=Laurentian agrees to lift stay on Freedom of Information requests on May 1 with reservations|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-freedom-information-requests-1.6400173|work=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-03-19|access-date=2022-04-04}}

At the March senate meeting, the Nous report's recommendations on senate governance were debated. Several resolutions were passed affirming senate's traditional role.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title='We have no hidden agenda' consultant says in response to accusations from Laurentian's senate|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/we-have-no-hidden-agenda-consultant-says-in-response-to-accusations-from-laurentians-senate-5219571|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-03-31|access-date=2022-04-04}}

The university filed its proposed plan of arrangement with the court on July 21, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-07-22 |title=Laurentian's creditors must OK plan to settle university's debts |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentians-creditors-must-ok-plan-to-settle-universitys-debts-5610761 |access-date=2022-08-04}} The pending "retirements" of president Robert Haché and provost Marie-Josée Berger were also announced.{{Cite news |last=Migneault |first=Jonathan |date=2022-07-21 |title=Laurentian president to step down as university nears end of insolvency proceedings |work=CBC Radio Sudbury |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-president-steps-down-1.6528309 |access-date=2022-08-04}} (The university senate later passed a non-confidence motion regarding the two administrators.{{Cite news |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-09-21 |title=Departing Laurentian admins subject of 'no confidence' motion |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/departing-laurentian-admins-subject-of-no-confidence-motion-5849937 |access-date=2022-10-01}}) The filing revealed that over $38 million in restricted funds for scholarships, bursaries and other targeted donations was instead spent as general revenue during the university's spiral into insolvency.{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Darren |date=2022-07-22 |title=More than $38M in LU scholarship, bursary donations is gone, court filing shows |work=CTV News Northern Ontarioi |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/more-than-38m-in-lu-scholarship-bursary-donations-is-gone-court-filing-shows-1.5998652 |access-date=2022-08-04}} On July 28, the court ruled that a vote among the creditors would conclude on September 14 on whether to approve the debt repayment plan, which stipulated that the majority of creditors would be paid approximately 20 percent of what was owed to them over several years.{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Darren |date=2022-07-28 |title=Laurentian creditors to vote Sept. 14 on debt repayment plan |work=CTV News Northern Ontario |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-creditors-to-vote-sept-14-on-debt-repayment-plan-1.6005912 |access-date=2022-08-04}} A group of terminated faculty came out strongly against the plan, while the Laurentian University Faculty Association urged its members to withhold their vote so that its concerns, which included how the university would be governed in the future, could be addressed.{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Ian |date=2022-08-04 |title=Terminated faculty call for a 'no' vote to Laurentian's plan of arrangement |work=CTV News Northern Ontario |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/terminated-faculty-call-for-a-no-vote-to-laurentian-s-plan-of-arrangement-1.6015173 |access-date=2022-08-05}} Following negotiations, the faculty association, together with the Laurentian staff union and the university's board of governors, recommended that creditors vote for the plan.{{Cite news |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-08-16 |title=Laurentian gets union backing on plan of arrangement |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-gets-union-backing-on-plan-of-arrangement-5703317 |access-date=2022-08-18}} The plan's approval at the September 14 creditors' meeting was widely reported and commented upon.{{Cite news |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-09-15 |title=Debt plan approval marks 'new chapter' for Laurentian University |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/debt-plan-approval-marks-new-chapter-for-laurentian-university-5824666 |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Rushowy |first=Kristin |date=2022-09-14 |title=Province buying $53M in Laurentian University real estate to help fund bailout |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/09/14/province-buying-53m-in-laurentian-university-real-estate-to-help-fund-bailout.html |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Lajoie |first=Étienne |date=2022-09-14 |title=Les créanciers de l'Université Laurentienne votent en faveur du plan d'arrangement |language=French |work=Le Devoir |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/755612/les-creanciers-de-l-universite-laurentienne-votent-en-faveur-du-plan-d-arrangement |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Friesen |first=Joe |date=2022-09-14 |title=Laurentian University restructuring package passes vote |work=Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-university-restructuring-package-passes-vote/ |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Basken |first=Paul |date=2022-09-15 |title=Laurentian University wins creditor approval of repayment plan |work=Times Higher Education |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/laurentian-university-wins-creditor-approval-repayment-plan |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mia |date=2022-09-15 |title=Fight for Laurentian enters a new phase |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/fight-for-laurentian-enters-a-new-phase |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite news |last=Friesen |first=Joe |date=2022-10-04 |title=Laurentian University's creditor-protection plan offers a new lease on life, but big challenges ahead |work=Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-university-creditor-protection/ |access-date=2022-10-11}}

Not including the cost of the province's intervention, restructuring costs totaled $26.1 million as of September 2022, including a $4.725 million bill from the insolvency monitor for the period January 1 to July 1, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-10-04 |title=Laurentian restructuring costs now up to $26.1M |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-restructuring-costs-now-up-to-261m-5906545 |access-date=2022-10-08}}{{cite news|last=MacDonald |first=Darren |title=Laurentian receives $4.725M legal bill from insolvency monitor| url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-receives-4-725m-legal-bill-from-insolvency-monitor-1.6100421?fbclid=IwAR0eppx9D5wkfa_kxUQRXm1VK130cgQQYFpuOeCKAXjgjGuttsmz6en5zu4| work=CTV News Northern Ontario| date=2022-10-07|access-date=2022-10-19}}

At a hearing on October 5, the court approved the arrangement plan and extended the stay period to November 30.{{Cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mia |title=Court approves Laurentian's plan, request for extension| work=Sudbury Star| url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/court-approves-laurentians-plan-request-for-extension| date=2022-10-05|access-date=2022-10-19}}

The university posted a $16.8 million surplus for the fiscal year 2021–22.{{Cite web |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-10-20 |title=Still under CCAA, Laurentian U. posts $16.8M surplus for 2021-22 |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/still-under-ccaa-laurentian-u-posts-168m-surplus-for-2021-22-5981423 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Sudbury.com}}

Haché, appointed in 2019,{{Cite web |date=2019 |title=Dr. Robert Haché appointed 11th president and vice-chancellor of Laurentian University |url=https://laurentian.ca/news/robert-hache-appointed-11th-president |access-date=2022-11-18 |website=Laurentian University}} was fired by the Board of Governors and left the university on October 31, 2022; Berger was fired as well, and left shortly thereafter.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-01 |title=Robert Haché quitte officiellement l'Université Laurentienne |work=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1929361/sortie-lacc-rectrice-interim-creanciers-cour-superieure |access-date=2022-11-10}}{{Cite web |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-12-02 |title=No special treatment for fired Laurentian brass, documents show |url=https://www.elliotlaketoday.com/local-news/no-special-treatment-for-fired-laurentian-brass-documents-show-6192986 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Elliotlaketoday}} Two former administrators from other Ontario universities were subsequently named interim president and provost effective January 1, 2023.{{Cite news |last=Frommer |first=Molly |date=2022-12-07 |title=Laurentian University names new interim president and provost |work=CTV News Northern Ontario |publication-place=Sudbury |type=Television |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-university-names-new-interim-president-and-provost-1.6185408 |access-date=2022-12-11}}

After 22 months, the university emerged from CCAA restructuring on November 28, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mia |date=2022-11-28 |title=Laurentian officially exits CCAA process after nearly two years |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/laurentian-officially-exits-ccaa-process-after-nearly-two-years |access-date=2022-12-06}}

The university closed 58 undergraduate degree programs, of which 34 were English-language programs and 24 were French-language. It also cut 11 graduate programs, which was about one-quarter of the university's graduate offerings.{{cite news|last=Weinberg|first=Justin|title=Devastating cuts at Laurentian University to philosophy & many other programs|url=https://dailynous.com/2021/04/12/devastating-cuts-laurentian-university-philosophy-other-programs/|work=Daily Nous|date=2021-04-15|access-date=2021-10-04}} Programs with historically low enrolments were targeted.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Mathematics, physics, music among dozens of program cuts at Laurentian university|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/mathematics-physics-music-among-dozens-of-program-cuts-at-laurentian-university-1.5384348|date=2021-04-12|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Arts degrees were among the programs eliminated, including several languages, philosophy, music, and the French-language history program.{{cite news|last=Kruzel|first=Hugh|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/05/01/the-day-the-music-died-laurentian-closing-its-music-department.html|title=The day the music died: Laurentian closing its music department|date=2021-05-01|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} The program closures drew significant concern from the community about the impact it would have on local culture, as many local arts institutions and festivals had ties to the university.{{cite news|title=Latest sad note at Laurentian: Northern Ontario university cuts its music program|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-music-program-cut-1.5996975|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-22|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Laurentian was one of the three Ontario universities that offered an undergraduate program in midwifery, and the only university outside of the province of Québec that offered the degree in French (and the only bilingual program in Canada).{{cite news|last=Zanetta|first=Alice|title=L'Université Laurentienne abolit le seul program francophone de sage-femme hors Québec|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1785012/universite-laurentienne-program-sage-femme-coupe|work=Radio-Canada - Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2021-04-15|access-date=2021-10-04}} Despite receiving 400 applications each year for the 30 spots in the program, midwifery was canceled, even though the province was facing a shortage of midwives.{{cite web|last=Laucius|first=Joanne|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/the-closing-of-laurentians-midwifery-program-will-have-ripple-effect-in-ottawa|title=Cutting the midwifery program at Laurentian University will be felt in Ottawa|date=2021-04-21|work=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=2021-10-04}} Some commentators also raised concerns about the impact of the cuts on regional healthcare in Northern Ontario, while others raised concerns about the impact on women.{{cite news|last=Carmichael|first=Harold|title=Laurentian cuts will affect health care in the North: NDP|url=https://thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-cuts-will-affect-health-care-in-the-north-ndp|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-04-26|access-date=2021-10-04|archive-date=2021-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210426213522/https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-cuts-will-affect-health-care-in-the-north-ndp}}{{cite news|last=Fortier|first=Marco|title=Fermer l'École des sages-femmes de l'Université Laurentienne, "une attaque contre les femmes"|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/education/598935/universite-laurentienne-une-attaque-contre-les-femmes|date=2021-04-16|access-date=2021-10-04}} However, in appearing before a federal parliamentary committee, Robert Haché testified that the province's funding was insufficient to sustain the program.{{Cite magazine|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian University had 'extensive conversations' with province before insolvency filing|url=https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/training-education/laurentian-university-had-extensive-conversations-with-province-before-insolvency-filing-3814454|magazine=Northern Ontario Business|date=2021-05-27|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In April, the provincial government announced that it intended to ensure the continuation of a bilingual midwifery program. The government had previously stated that it would redistribute the funding Laurentian received to the midwifery programs at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and McMaster University.{{cite news|title=Province says it will support midwifery students impacted by Laurentian cuts|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ross-romano-laurentian-midwifery-program-samantha-smith-bird-1.6009575|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-30|access-date=2021-10-04}} In May, the Ontario Midwifery Consortium announced that it had received temporary funding from the province for Ryerson and McMaster to train virtually the Laurentian transfer students and oversee their placements.{{cite news|title=Establishing pathways for midwifery students from Laurentian|url=https://www.ryerson.ca/news-events/news/2021/05/establishing-pathways-for-midwifery-students-from-laurentian/|work=Ryerson Today|date=2021-05-21|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|title=Laurentian midwifery students find new home at McMaster|url=https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/home/2021/06/21/laurentian-midwifery-students-find-new-home-at-mcmaster|work=McMaster University. Faculty of Health Sciences|date=2021-06-21|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The abolition of the French-language program was a topic of the report published in March 2022 of the Ontario commissioner for French-language services, who found that the university and the province violated Ontario's French Language Services Act.{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|title=Laurentian program cuts violated French Language Services Act, commissioner finds|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-program-cuts-violated-french-language-services-act-commish-finds-5218270|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-03-31|access-date=2022-04-04}} See also {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Franco-Ontarians}}.

Nobel Prize laureate Arthur B. McDonald, a former director of SNOLAB, criticised the elimination of the university's programs in physics and mathematics, noting that Laurentian was a founding member of the SNOLAB and that the loss of new students could significantly impact astrophysics research in Sudbury.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/snolab-laurentian-physics-program-cuts-art-mcdonald-1.5998450|title=Nobel Prize winner says Laurentian's physics program cut means losing great minds, research funds|date=2021-04-23|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}} Other programs that were cut included radiation therapy,{{cite web|url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/radiation-therapy-laurentian-restructuring-physicists-training-1.6018454|title = Outgoing Laurentian physicist says northern program to train radiation therapists will end {{!}} CBC News}} ecology, zoology, and environmental science, despite the university having been the driving force behind Greater Sudbury's internationally recognised regreening program.{{cite news|last=Schulte-Hostedde|first=Albrecht|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/sudbury-column-laurentian-university-cuts-world-renowned-programs|title=Sudbury column: Laurentian University cuts world-renowned programs|date=2021-04-27|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Ross|first=Ian|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-university-cuts-could-put-groundbreaking-mine-waste-research-in-jeopardy-3644585|title=Laurentian University cuts could put groundbreaking mine waste research in jeopardy|date=2021-04-19|work=Sudbury.com|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In mid-April, the university announced it was cutting its varsity swimming and hockey programs for both women and men.{{cite news|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/laurentian-confirms-discontinuation-of-hockey-swimming-programs|title=Laurentian confirms discontinuation of hockey, swimming programs|date=2021-04-14|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} Even if usual U Sports transfer rules would be suspended for the affected student athletes, this still created a situation of uncertainty surrounding their athletic scholarships.{{cite news|last=Pyette|first=Ryan|url=https://lfpress.com/sports/local-sports/london-devilette-scrambling-after-laurentian-cuts-hockey-program|title=London Devilette scrambling after Laurentian cuts hockey program|date=2021-04-17|work=London Free Press|access-date=2021-10-04}} Voyageurs men's hockey head coach Craig Duncanson stated that "we were told we fiscally made sense, because if you take the hockey program, there's 30 students at the university who wouldn't be there, so you're taking people out who are taking up empty chairs," while women's hockey head coach Stacey Colarossi criticized the university for continuing to recruit players into March 2021, stating that "it gave our women's athletes a false sense of hope, especially since it came out so late."{{cite news|last=Leeson|first=Ben|title=Laurentian coach Duncanson still baffled by decision to cut sports programs, but hopeful players will still find spots|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/laurentian-coach-duncanson-still-baffled-by-decision-to-cut-sports-programs-but-hopeful-players-will-still-find-spots|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-04-29|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Leeson|first=Ben|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/sports/local-sports/we-didnt-get-to-finish-what-we-started-coach-colarossi-deals-with-fallout-after-laurentian-cuts-womens-hockey-program|title='We didn't get to finish what we started' — coach Colarossi deals with fallout after Laurentian cuts women's hockey program|date=2021-04-15|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Members of the university's swimming program expressed concern over the university's transparency, as they had raised over $8,000 in December for the university's Olympic pool and athletics centre, but were unable to track how the funds were expended.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-pool-fundraising-money-gone-1.5921086|title=Fundraiser worries Laurentian University pool donation is sunk|date=2021-02-22|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}

As part of the cuts, the university closed its Animal Care Facility. The closure meant that several hundred animals in the lab's care, mostly mice and rats used for medical research, were to be euthanized. The announcement provoked public controversy, with animal rights' advocates calling for the university to send the animals to shelters instead. The university defended its actions, stating that "these research activities will be wound down under the oversight of a veterinarian following animal welfare guidelines in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs."{{cite news|last=Aelick|first=Lyndsay|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/public-outcry-don-t-euthanize-animals-at-laurentian-university-1.5409312|title=Public outcry: Don't euthanize animals at Laurentian University|date=2021-04-30|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}} However, students involved in the research also criticized the university, with one telling CBC News that:{{Blockquote|text=The time of their death was much sooner than it should have been, and there was no research gained from the death. One of the whole reasons we sort of justify using animals in research is because there's an end to the means and there's a reason we're doing that research. And almost always it's for the conservation of other species. I had all these animals that would have resulted in really important research that could have conserved other amphibians. And instead none of that research could have been gained and they had to be euthanized before any data could have been collected.{{cite news|last=|first=|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-lab-closure-animals-euthanized-1.6007639|title=Laurentian University grad student says her lab animals were euthanized sooner than expected|date=2021-04-29|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}}}

As part of its restructuring, the university moved to end its partnership with the three other federated universities — University of Sudbury, Thorneloe University, and Huntington University — claiming that it would save over $7 million a year.{{cite news|last=Moody|first=Jim|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/anxious-times-at-laurentian-university|title=Anxious times at Laurentian University|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-04-06|access-date=2021-10-04}} However, two of the federated universities fought the Laurentian decision in court. Ronald Caza, a lawyer representing the University of Sudbury, accused Laurentian of acting in bad faith and of attempting to destroy the federated universities, claiming Laurentian saw them as competitors.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/better-to-let-laurentian-go-bankrupt-than-cancel-federated-university-agreement-lawyer-says-1.5409717|title=Better to let Laurentian go bankrupt than cancel federated university agreement, lawyer says|date=2021-04-30|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}} Court documents suggested that Thorneloe University was at risk of going bankrupt if its relationship to Laurentian was severed.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/thorneloe-would-face-bankruptcy-if-relationship-with-laurentian-terminated-report-says-1.5404437|title=Thorneloe would face bankruptcy if relationship with Laurentian terminated, report says|date=2021-04-27|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}} A harbinger of the Laurentian crisis had been Thorneloe's abrupt shutdown in 2020 of its theatre and motion picture arts' programs due to financial pressures.{{cite news|title=Union calls on Laurentian to save Thorneloe programs|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/union-calls-on-laurentian-to-save-thorneloe-programs/amp?__twitter_impression=true|date=2020-05-01|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-11-09}}{{cite news|last=Carmichael|first=Harold|title=Thorneloe students feel betrayed|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/thorneloe-students-feel-betrayed|work=Sudbury Star|date=2020-06-17|access-date=2021-11-11}}

On May 2, 2021, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice cleared Laurentian to cut its ties with the federated universities.{{cite news|last=Rutherford|first=Kate|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/federated-universities-insolvent-ccaa-sudbury-court-1.6011300|title=Laurentian allowed to terminate agreements with Thorneloe, Huntington and University of Sudbury|date=2021-05-02|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}} As a result, they closed their respective undergraduate programs which, with the exception of gerontology, were taught in the faculty of arts. The programs included ancient studies, communication studies, études journalistiques (taught in the French language), folklore et ethnologie (taught in the French language), gerontology, Indigenous studies, philosophy, religious studies, and women, gender, and sexuality studies. Huntington's online gerontology program was taken over by Laurentian,{{cite news|title=Laurentian University to acquire Huntington's gerontology program|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-huntington-gerontology-agreement-1.5978358|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-07|access-date=2021-10-04}} as were six courses in Indigenous studies that had been taught at the University of Sudbury.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Laurentian signs deal with the University of Sudbury to take over six Indigenous studies courses|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-signs-deal-with-the-university-of-sudbury-to-take-over-six-indigenous-studies-courses-1.5390907|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-04-16|access-date=2021-10-04}} However, none of the faculty were transferred. Altogether, 28 full-time faculty members were terminated on June 30, including 7 at Huntington, 7 at Thorneloe, and 14 at the University of Sudbury. Thorneloe's overall staff complement went from 40 employees to 4.{{cite news|last=White|first=Erik|title='It's so disheartening': three small Sudbury universities try to survive after being set adrift by Laurentian|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-federated-universities-huntington-thorneloe-sudbury-1.6236600|work=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2021-11-05|access-date=2021-11-05}} A $9.8 million claim against Laurentian has also been filed by Thorneloe.{{Cite web |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-11-19 |title=Thorneloe appeals denial of $9.8M claim against Laurentian |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/thorneloe-appeals-denial-of-98m-claim-against-laurentian-6128811 |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Sudbury.com}}

The University of Sudbury had indicated in March 2021 that it was undergoing consultations with l'Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario to become a fully autonomous, francophone university.{{cite news|last=Senga|first=Bienvenu|title=Plus de soutiens pour le projet d'une Université de Sudbury francophone|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1786091/professeurs-francophones-laurentienne-universite-de-sudbury|work=Radio-Canada Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2021-04-19|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Watters|first=Jean|title=Lettre ouverte : Crise à l'Université Laurentienne: faire revivre un vieux rêve|url=https://www.francopresse.ca/opinions/libre-opinion/crise-a-luniversite-laurentienne--faire-revivre-un-vieux-reve-66950cb32b965d0a5899175b6c8b3282?sourceOrganizationKey=francopresse|work=Francopresse|date=2021-05-02|access-date=2021-10-04|archive-date=2021-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506135023/https://www.francopresse.ca/opinions/libre-opinion/crise-a-luniversite-laurentienne--faire-revivre-un-vieux-reve-66950cb32b965d0a5899175b6c8b3282?sourceOrganizationKey=francopresse}}{{cite news|last=Vachon|first=Pascal|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/la-laurentienne-le-gouvernement-pourrait-forcer-le-transfert-de-programs-a-luniversite-de-sudbury/|title=La Laurentienne: le gouvernement pourrait forcer le transfert de programs à l'Université de Sudbury|date=2021-04-27|work=ONFR|access-date=2021-10-04}} In February 2022, the Coalition nord-ontarienne pour une universite de langue française struck a committee of experts "to develop recommendations on the mandate and mission of a new French-language university for the mid-North, to be created under the auspices of the Université de Sudbury."{{cite news|title=Committee of experts to support development of French-language university for mid-North|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/committee-of-experts-to-support-development-of-french-language-university-for-mid-north|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-02-02|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite interview|last=Constantineau|first=Denis|interviewer=Éric Robitaille|title=Nouveau comité pour une université de langue Française|work=Jonction 11-17|date=2022-02-03|publisher=Radio-Canada|location=Sudbury|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/jonction-11-17/segments/entrevue/389057/universite-sudbury-comite-denis-constantineau|access-date=2022-02-08}} In April, the federal government gave $1.9 million for a feasibility study to be submitted in support of the institution's application to the province for funding toward that end.{{cite news|last=Campell|first=Ian|title=University of Sudbury gets $2M from feds|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/university-of-sudbury-gets-2m-from-feds-1.5881906|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2022-04-29|access-date=2022-05-13}}{{cite news|last=Miville|first=Serge|title=Born in a spirit of resistance, the Université de Sudbury is on its way to becoming a university 'by and for' francophones|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2022/05/12/born-in-a-spirit-of-resistance-the-universit-de-sudbury-is-on-its-way-to-becoming-a-university-by-and-for-francophones.html|work=Toronto Star|date=2022-05-12|access-date=2022-05-13}} See also {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Franco-Ontarians}}, {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Indigenous communities}} and {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Public}}.

The institutions affiliated with Laurentian included the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and l'Université de Hearst. In mid-April 2021, the provincial government announced that it was introducing legislation to allow them to become fully independent, degree-granting institutions.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/northern-ontario-school-medicine-universit%C3%A9-de-hearst-independent-1.5989320|title=Northern Ontario School of Medicine to separate from Laurentian University|date=2021-04-15|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}} This would notably make l'Université de Hearst the second fully-francophone university in the province to receive an independent charter, after l'Université de l'Ontario français.{{cite news|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1785105/universite-hearst-autonomie-laurentienne-ontario-independance|title=L'Université de Hearst devient autonome|date=2021-04-16|work=Radio-Canada Ici Toronto|access-date=2021-10-04}} The school of medicine's dean commented that the school had not been consulted on the government's decision and expressed concern about the status of the institution's funding since $20 million of its funds were deposited at Laurentian at the time of the insolvency declaration.{{cite news|title=$20M in NOSM money in jeopardy because of Laurentian insolvency, med school dean says|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/nosm-dean-standalone-laurentian-ordeal-1.5995040|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-21|access-date=2021-10-04}} Nevertheless, the legislation was subsequently passed.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Province praises passage of bill that will make NOSM, Hearst independent universities|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/province-praises-passage-of-bill-that-will-make-nosm-hearst-independent-universities-1.5455085|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-06-03|access-date=2021-10-04}} At a November town hall, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine stated that $14 million in bursary funds had been directed to Laurentian before the insolvency, but there was no indication as to their status.{{cite news|last=Gillis|first=Len|title=Northern Ontario School of Medicine public forum told about $14M missing in the LU insolvency debacle|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/11/04/northern-ontario-school-of-medicine-public-forum-told-about-14m-missing-in-the-lu-insolvency-debacle.html|work=Toronto Star|date=2021-11-04|access-date=2021-11-05}} On April 1, 2022, the independence of NOSM and Hearst universities was proclaimed.{{cite news|title=Canada's newest universities are in the north|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/nosm-hearst-independent-universities-1.6405419|work=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-04-02|access-date=2022-04-04}} The subsequent plan of arrangement between Laurentian University and its creditors indicated that $14.6 million in endowed funds was to be returned to NOSM University.{{cite news|last=Gillis |first=Len |title=Med school may get $14.6M in endowments back from Laurentian|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/med-school-may-get-146m-in-endowments-back-from-laurentian-5628640|publisher=Sudbury.com|date=2022-07-27|access-date=2022-09-11}}

Laurentian University partners with several Ontario colleges to accredit students with undergraduate degrees. In October 2021, St. Lawrence College announced it was no longer partnering with Laurentian University to grant 4-year nursing degrees. Instead it was taking advantage of an Ontario initiative that allowed colleges to grant standalone nursing degrees.{{cite news|last=Khalid|first=Zoha|title=St. Lawrence College officially launches stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/10/16/st-lawrence-college-officially-launches-stand-alone-four-year-bachelor-of-science-in-nursing-degree.html|work=Toronto Star|date=2021-10-16|access-date=2021-11-23}} St. Lawrence continues to offer a joint Bachelor of Business Administration degree through Laurentian.{{cite news|title=Joint St. Lawrence College/Laurentian University BBA Program is "highly unlikely" to be affected by Laurentian restructuring, president says|url=https://ygknews.ca/2021/04/13/joint-st-lawrence-college-laurentian-university-bba-program-is-highly-unlikely-to-be-affected-by-laurentian-restructuring-president-says/|work=YGK News|date=2021-04-13|access-date=2021-11-23}}

The scale of the cuts, including the elimination of degree programs, left many students with deep uncertainty about the state of their studies.{{cite news|last=Sumanac-Johnson|first=Deana|url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1892147267969|title=Laurentian University students left scrambling during restructuring [video: 2 min., 47 sec.]|date=2021-04-30|work=CBC TV News. The National|access-date=2021-10-04}} Some were unable to complete their degree at Laurentian due to the necessary courses having been cut, and had to transfer to other universities.

Commentators expressed concern that there could be a mass exodus of francophone students in particular.{{cite news|last=Lombardo|first=Inès|url=https://www.francopresse.ca/actualites/education/colere-et-incertitude-chez-les-etudiants-de-la-laurentienne-a497ab0cf5e3606f4799a2805fbf88ad|title=Colère et incertitude chez les étudiants de la Laurentienne|date=2021-04-16|work=FrancoPresse|access-date=2021-10-04}} Concerns were also raised about international students, especially as they paid significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students.{{cite interview|last=Ménard|first=Isabelle|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/premiere/emissions/a-echelle-humaine/segments/panel/353635/aeh-panel-laurentienne-etudiants-internationaux-konan-zongo-diop|title=Étudiants internationaux de la Laurentienne : « Nous méritons une éducation de qualité [émission de radio: 16 min.]"|date=2021-05-01|work=Radio-Canada|access-date=2021-10-04}} The loss of their degree programs could also potentially raise issues for international students concerning their visa status.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-political-science-program-cut-international-student-affected-1.5995188|title=International student fears losing time, money after Laurentian nixes poli-sci program|date=2021-04-21|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Although enrolment in the spring 2021 term was not affected,{{cite news|title=As it continues restructuring, Laurentian says its spring semester enrolment is strong|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/as-it-continues-restructuring-laurentian-says-its-spring-semester-enrolment-is-strong-3755852|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-05-07|access-date=2021-10-04}} there was a 33 percent decline in the enrolment for the first-year class for the fall 2021 term.{{cite news|title=1st-year enrolment at Sudbury's Laurentian University down 33%|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-enrolment-students-down-1.6176993|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-09-15|access-date=2021-10-04}} In November, the university announced that the overall enrolment had declined by 14 percent.{{cite news|title=Université Laurentienne: 14 % moins d'étudiants qu'en novembre 2020|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1837225/bilan-inscription-universite-sudbury|work=Radio-Canada|date=2021-11-04|access-date=2021-11-05}}

In January 2022, a precipitous decline of 43.5 percent in enrolment applications for the fall 2022 term was reported, with applications for programs in the French language falling by 52 percent.{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Ian|title=Laurentian sees enrolment applications plunge 43.5%|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-sees-enrolment-applications-plunge-43-5-1.5746750|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2022-01-19|access-date=2022-01-24}}{{cite news|last=Lachance|first=Miguelle-Éloïse|title=Baisse de 52 % des demandes d'admission aux programs en français de la Laurentienne|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1856781/diminution-interet-etudiant-francophones-sudbury|work=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2022-01-24|access-date=2022-01-24}}

Students mourned the loss of their programs as the February 1st anniversary of the insolvency declaration arrived.{{cite news|last=Senga|first=Bienvenu|title=Il y a 1 an, l'Université Laurentienne se mettait à l'abri de ses créanciers|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1858522/un-an-crise-financiere-universite-laurentienne-protection-creanciers|work=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2022-02-01|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite web|last=Burns|first=Lexey|title=Laurentian University's insolvency cut my program, and I'm not the only one|url=https://themedium.ca/laurentian-universitys-insolvency-cut-my-program-and-im-not-the-only-one/|publisher=The Medium|date=2022-01-24|access-date=2022-02-08}}

The Canadian Federation of Students, including its Ontario branch, condemned the cuts.{{cite web|title=Ontario Government continues to destroy Laurentian University|url=https://cfsontario.ca/2022/01/10/ontario-government-continues-to-destroy-laurentian-university/|date=2022-01-10|publisher=Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario/Fédération canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants - Ontario|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite web|title=Statement of Solidarity with Laurentian Students, Faculty, and Staff|url=https://cfsontario.ca/2021/04/15/statement-of-solidarity-with-laurentian-students-faculty-and-staff/|publisher=Canadian Federation of Students/Fédération canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants|date=2021-04-15|access-date=2022-02-11}} The Ontario branch also contributed to the events held April 11–14, 2022, to mark the anniversary of the day (April 12, 2021) when the cuts were announced.{{cite news|title=Events planned to mark anniversary of Laurentian 'Black Monday' cuts|work=Sudbury.com|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/events-planned-to-mark-anniversary-of-laurentian-black-monday-cuts-5233046|date=2022-04-05|access-date=2022-05-13}}

The preliminary fall 2022 enrolment figures indicated that an upsurge in applications from international, mature and transfer students was offset by a decline from Ontario high school students. Overall, applications fell 1.7 percent.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Universities in northern Ontario report declining enrolment|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/universities-in-northern-ontario-report-declining-enrolment-1.6044238|publisher=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2022-08-26|access-date=2022-09-11}}

The Laurentian Student General Association (the principal body for anglophone students) made no public statement on the insolvency. However, in September 2022, following approval of the plan of arrangement with the university's creditors, the association unveiled a "sculpture" that it had commissioned to show commitment to environmental sustainability and university renewal.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-21 |title=New sculpture at Laurentian University a sign of renewal, say students |work=CBC Radio Sudbury |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-sculpture-1.6590695 |access-date=2022-10-01}}

The university's collective agreement with the faculty provided for severance to be paid to terminated members based on years of service. However, the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act process superseded the agreement, leaving many of the terminated faculty in a precarious state.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-professor-christine-sansolone-1.6000313|title=Laurentian University's restructuring trumps professors' collective agreement|date=2021-04-26|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}} In April, the faculty members ratified a new collective agreement that included salary concessions and rollbacks. The Laurentian University Faculty Association president said the contract was signed under duress, with the board of governors threatening to shut down the university if the agreement was not ratified. The association condemned the cuts and, with the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations and the Canadian Association of University Teachers, called for the resignations of the university's senior leadership as well as the province's minister of colleges and universities.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-faculty-collective-agreement-1.5986953|title='Under duress,' Laurentian University faculty ratify new collective agreement|date=2021-04-14|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite web|title=Laurentian University – Take Action|url=https://www.caut.ca/content/laurentian-university-take-action|publisher=CAUT|date=2021|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-professors-in-precarious-spot-as-university-navigates/|title=Laurentian professors in precarious spot as university navigates insolvency|date=2021-04-11|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=2021-10-04}} At the end of July, the faculty association filed a claim against the insurance that covers the senior administration and board of governors from litigation. The claim alleges the misuse and loss of earmarked funds including the retiree health benefit plan, research funds, professional allowance, and loss of sabbatical credits for terminated faculty members.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian University faculty going after insurance money, claiming mismanagement|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-business/laurentian-university-faculty-going-after-insurance-money-claiming-mismanagement-4336267|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-09-16|access-date=2021-10-10}}

The Greater Sudbury City Council announced plans to provide assistance to Laurentian staff whose positions had been eliminated by helping their search for employment in the region.{{cite news|last=Gemmill|first=Angela|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/city-council-helping-displaced-lu-workers-1.5986173|title=City council seeks to help displaced LU employees find local employment opportunities|date=2021-04-14|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The terminations of the faculty members took place on April 30 and May 15. There is no published information on how many were able to find employment in the region or elsewhere. It does appear, however, that the majority of them were in the mid- to late stages of their careers.{{cite news|last=Rushowy|first=Kristin|title='I felt like a lost soul again': A visit to decimated Laurentian U finds faculty, students paying a steep price as the school drowns in debt|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2021/09/26/i-felt-like-a-lost-soul-again-a-visit-to-decimated-laurentian-u-finds-faculty-students-paying-a-steep-price-as-the-school-drowns-in-debt.html|work=Toronto Star|date=2021-09-26|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite web|title=Contingent Faculty Series: A Conversation with Dr. Aven McMaster|url=https://classicalstudies.org/scs-blog/aven-mcmaster/blog-contingent-faculty-series-conversation-dr-aven-mcmaster|publisher=Society for Classical Studies|date=2021-12-20|access-date=2021-12-22}}{{Cite news|last=Senga|first=Bienvenu|date=2022-02-22|title=1 an de crise à l'Université Laurentienne: où sont rendus les professeurs licenciés?|work=Radio Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1859024/professeurs-licencies-crise-financiere-laurentienne-avenir-perspective|access-date=2022-02-22}}

At the December meeting of the university senate, the administration was accused of misleading the Laurentian University Staff Union in the 2020 renegotiation of its collective agreement that resulted in pay cuts. LUSU also gave $450,000 of its funds to the university so that its members would not have to take unpaid furlough days. The union said it was not notified at the time that the university was in consultation with external insolvency counsel. The university president responded that there was a reference to it in the initial affidavit of the university's insolvency filing. However, the only public reference to Laurentian seeking external insolvency counsel in March 2020 appeared to be in documents related to the speaker's warrant issued through the Ontario legislature on December 9 (see {{section link|2021 Laurentian University Financial Crisis|Provincial government}}).{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian union president says school administration misled them in 2020 negotiations|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-union-president-says-school-administration-misled-them-in-2020-negotiations-4872337|date=2021-12-16|access-date=2022-01-17}}

According to the Laurentian faculty association, the overall number of full-time faculty members at the university fell from 400 to 250, and from 300 part-time to 200.{{cite press release|title=LUFA to intervene against Laurentian's attempt to thwart Speaker's warrant|publisher=Laurentian University Faculty Association|date=2022-01-13}}

The anniversary of the insolvency saw the launch of a website to celebrate former faculty and staff members of the Laurentian federation.{{cite news|author=CBC News|date=2022-02-03|title=Remember Laurentian in its 'great' days, former professor says|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-we-were-great-1.6337904|work=CBC Radio|location=Sudbury|access-date=2022-02-09}} A former faculty member also published his performance of "YIGO," a song about the insolvency's devastating impact.{{cite AV media|people=Closs, John (singer-songwriter)|date=2022-02-09|title=YIGO|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbagzUWrco|type=video|location=Sudbury|access-date=2022-05-13}}

The crisis was characterised as a Black Monday for the Franco-Ontarian community, with Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario manager Marie-Pierre Proulx stating that "we don't have any other choice but to take it personally, as an attack on our culture and our situation."{{cite news|last=Vachon|first=Pascal|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/crise-a-la-laurentienne-une-attaque-envers-la-culture-franco-ontarienne/|title=Crise à La Laurentienne: " une attaque " envers la culture franco-ontarienne|date=2021-04-22|work=ONFR|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite web|last=Whiteley|first=Grace|url=https://thegatewayonline.ca/2021/04/le-lundi-noir-un-autre-coup-a-la-communaute-franco-canadienne/|title=Le Lundi noir: Un autre coup à la communauté franco-canadienne|date=2021-04-22|work=The Gateway|access-date=2021-10-04}} Senator Josée Forest-Niesing stated that "the Francophone minority community in Northern Ontario depends on Laurentian University for its development, support and future."{{cite news|last=Forest-Niesing|first=Josée|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/sudbury-column-francophones-in-the-north-depend-on-laurentian-university|title=Francophones in the North depend on Laurentian University — Senator|date=2021-04-21|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Over 60 percent of the university's French-language programs were affected by the cuts, a disproportionate number compared to the English-language programs.{{cite news|last=Bourgault|first=Sophie|url=https://www.ledroit.com/opinions/lontario-francais-peut-il-se-permettre-de-perdre-luniversite-laurentienne-b9219c36e6099dce7bb29aee5a9a9cd6|title=L'Ontario français peut-il se permettre de perdre l'Université Laurentienne? [opinion]|work=Le Droit|date=2021-04-03|access-date=2021-10-04}} This came despite the university's official status as bilingual and its status under the French Language Services Act. Kelly Burke, the province's French Language Commissioner, released a statement in April that she was reviewing the situation after receiving criticism over her earlier silence.{{cite news|last=Vachon|first=Pascal|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/la-laurentienne-la-commissaire-burke-affirme-suivre-la-situation-de-pres/|title=La Laurentienne: La commissaire Burke affirme suivre la situation " de près "|date=2021-04-20|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The university's pledge to continue its bilingual status was met with skepticism among Franco-Ontarians, with Joanne Gervais, executive director of L'Association Canadienne-Francaise de l'Ontario, calling for the university to "explain how you cut 60 per cent of your French programming and still expect us to accept you or think of you as an ally or somebody there to serve our community."{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Ian|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/it-s-a-betrayal-says-sudbury-franco-ontarian-community-of-cuts-at-laurentian-university-1.5393947|title='It's a betrayal' says Sudbury Franco-Ontarian community of cuts at Laurentian University|date=2021-04-19|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}} The Regroupement étudiant Franco-ontarien announced that it would be fighting the cuts, stating that "francophone communities are always disproportionately affected by austerity measures in bilingual institutions."{{cite news|last=Porou|first=Ephraim|url=https://www.ledroit.com/opinions/votre-opinion/universite-laurentienne-le-refo-sera-de-ceux-qui-luttent-29d51c42d630b4e1f649771f743728db|title=Université Laurentienne: Le RÉFO sera de ceux qui luttent [opinion]|work=Le Droit|date=2021-04-14|access-date=2021-10-04}}

On April 23, Carol Jolin, president of the Francophone Assembly of Ontario, appeared before the federal parliament's Standing Committee on Official Languages, criticising the university's lack of transparency on how it had been spending federal funding aimed at supporting French-language programs in Canada.{{cite news|last=Murat|first=Philippe|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/luniversite-laurentienne-nexiste-deja-plus-dans-le-vocabulaire-de-lafo/|title=L'Université Laurentienne n'existe déjà plus dans le vocabulaire de l'AFO|date=2021-04-23|work=ONFR|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Some commentators called for a rethink in how French-language education is offered in Ontario, with some proposing the creation of a federation of French-language universities.{{cite web|last=Larocque|first=François|url=https://theconversation.com/crise-a-luniversite-laurentienne-une-occasion-de-repenser-lenseignement-superieur-en-francais-en-ontario-159406|title=Crise à l'Université Laurentienne: une occasion de repenser l'enseignement supérieur en français en Ontario|date=2021-04-26|publisher=The Conversation|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|title=It's time to review the bilingual aspect of Laurentian University, Francophone advocate says|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-bilingual-status-change-proposal-1.5925091|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-02-26|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=LeVasseur|first=Gilles|url=https://www.ledroit.com/opinions/une-bonne-crise-pour-les-franco-ontariens-062fb686eb90c726328ebcc521db21d5|title=Une bonne crise pour les Franco-Ontariens [opinion]|work=Le Droit|date=2021-04-18|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Tellier|first=Geneviève|url=https://www.ledroit.com/actualites/un-reseau-francophone-universitaire-ontarien--f6e51e937c70216e916f2b1b091833c8|title=Un réseau francophone universitaire ontarien ? [opinion]|work=Le Droit|date=2021-04-17|access-date=2021-10-04}} In November, a petition was read in the Ontario legislature urging that all Laurentian programs taught in the French language be transferred to the University of Sudbury.{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|title=Former mayor, cabinet minister Jim Gordon pushing to transfer French programs away from Laurentian|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/former-mayor-cabinet-minister-jim-gordon-pushing-to-transfer-french-programs-away-from-laurentian-4776761|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-11-19|access-date=2021-11-21}}{{cite news|title=Un ex-député progressiste-conservateur appuie l'Université de Sudbury|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1840997/universite-de-sudbury-programs-francais-laurentienne-petition-jim-gordon|work=Radio-Canada|date=2021-11-18|access-date=2021-11-21}}

The government of Ontario had previously been criticised by the Franco-Ontarian community for a series of cuts in late 2018, including the elimination of funding for the Université de l'Ontario français and the elimination of the French Language Services Commissioner, in what was dubbed "Black Thursday" for the community.{{cite news|last=Levesque|first=Anne|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2020/01/22/ontarios-new-french-commissioners-vision-a-chilling-message-to-provinces-minorities.html|title=Ontario's new French commissioner's vision a chilling message to province's minorities [opinion]|date=2020-01-22|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Vachet|first=Benjamin|url=https://onfr.tfo.org/le-jeudi-noir-de-lontario-francais/|title=Le " jeudi noir " de l'Ontario français|date=2018-11-25|work=ONFR|access-date=2021-10-04}} Those previous, as well as the crisis, contributed to a sense of unease surrounding the future of the Franco-Ontarian community and francophones communities elsewhere in Canada, with one columnist for Le Soleil using the term "francodéprime" to describe the situation.{{cite news|last=Salvet|first=Jean-Marc|url=https://www.lesoleil.com/chroniques/francofrime-et-francodeprime-67ebd553bc21a7f4644a5b6aff22e911|title=Francofrime et francodéprime|date=2021-04-15|work=Le Soleil|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In a report published on March 31, 2022, the Ontario French-language services' commissioner determined that both the university and the province had contravened the French Language Services Act.{{cite news|last=Carmichael|first=Harold|title=Laurentian, province broke act while cutting French programs, report finds program cuts|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-province-broke-act-while-cutting-french-programs-report-finds|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-04-01|access-date=2022-04-05}}{{cite AV media |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-neglected-obligations-under-french-language-services-act-says-language-commissioner-1.5842891 |title=Laurentian neglected obligations under French Language Services Act, says language commissioner |date=2022-03-31 |type=News broadcast |publisher=CTV News Northern Ontario |location=Sudbury |access-date=2022-04-04 |people=Campbell, Ian}}{{cite news|last=Lajoie|first=Étienne|title=Le rapport d'enquête sur l'Université Laurentienne attendu avec impatience|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/education/693480/le-rapport-d-enquete-sur-la-laurentienne-attendu-avec-impatience|work=Le Devoir|date=2022-03-31|access-date=2022-03-31}} The commissioner had announced the investigation into the university's cuts to French-language programs in June 2021.{{cite news|title=Commissioner to probe Laurentian cuts to French programs|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/commissioner-to-probe-laurentian-cuts-to-french-programs|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-06-16|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The crisis provoked serious concerns about the future of Indigenous education and research in northern Ontario. The Indigenous Studies program taught at the University of Sudbury was the second oldest in Canada when it was shut down in 2021.{{cite web |author=Gustafson, Maureen |author2=Lefebvre, Sebastien |author3=Rowe, Robyn|url=https://yellowheadinstitute.org/2021/04/19/insolvency-indigenous-research-the-uncertain-future-of-laurentian-university/|title=Insolvency, Indigenous research & the uncertain future of Laurentian University|date=2021-04-19|publisher=Yellowhead Institute. Social Policy|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The Laurentian University Native Education Council stated that it had been excluded from discussions surrounding the future of the university, with former chair Roxane Manitowabi stating that "Indigenous Studies needs to continue in our community and students deserve to be educated in the north."{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Ian|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/it-s-frustrating-laurentian-indigenous-advisory-group-left-out-of-university-discussions-1.5395515|title='It's frustrating,' Laurentian Indigenous advisory group left out of university discussions|date=2021-04-20|website=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Some commentators accused the university of breaking national commitments to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, notably the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's call for adequate funding for Indigenous education.{{cite web|last=Green|first=Joyce|url=https://rabble.ca/news/2021/04/laurentian-university-cuts-break-commitment-reconciliation-canada|title=Laurentian University cuts break commitment to reconciliation in Canada|date=2021-04-28|website=Rabble.ca|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Other commentators accused the university of misleading Indigenous communities over the future status of language revitalisation programs.{{cite news|last=Corbiere|first=Mary Ann|url=http://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/04/22/opinion-minor-in-nishnaabemwin-another-laurentian-university-casualty/|title=Minor in Nishnaabemwin another Laurentian University casualty? [opinion]|date=2021-04-22|work=Anishinabek News|access-date=2021-10-04}} The University of Sudbury reached an agreement to provide six Indigenous Studies courses over the summer for students who needed the credits to graduate, but Laurentian was criticized when the course teaching positions were not offered to the University of Sudbury professors who had been scheduled to teach them.{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/29/laurentian-offering-some-indigenous-studies-courses-but-they-wont-be-taught-by-the-university-of-sudbury-profs-who-developed-them.html|title=Laurentian offering some Indigenous Studies courses, but they won't be taught by the University of Sudbury profs who developed them|date=2021-04-22|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} The spring session courses were eventually taught by Trent University faculty and former faculty members of the University of Sudbury.{{cite news|title=U of S, Trent U professors to teach remaining Indigenous courses at Laurentian|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-indigenous-classes-1.6025643|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-05-21|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In October, the University of Sudbury and Kenjgewin Teg, an Indigenous education institute located on Manitoulin Island, announced the transfer of the intellectual property of some of the university's online courses in Indigenous studies to the institute. Kenjgewin Teg also indicated it intended to develop Indigenous Studies programming as well as open a University of Sudbury campus.{{cite news|title=University Of Sudbury and Kenjgewin Teg announces agreement 'by, for and with' Indigenous peoples|url=https://anishinabeknews.ca/2021/10/08/university-of-sudbury-and-kenjgewin-teg-announces-agreement-by-for-and-with-indigenous-peoples/|work=Anishinabek News|date=2021-10-07|access-date=2021-10-10}}{{cite news|title=University of Sudbury comes to agreement to transfer Indigenous courses [video: 1 min., 3 secs.]|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/university-of-sudbury-comes-to-agreement-to-transfer-indigenous-courses-1.5617763|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-10-09|access-date=2021-10-09}}

Media coverage and commentary on the crisis has been massive, with over 1,600 news reports, opinion pieces, articles, blog postings, and radio and television broadcasts, according to a listing that has been compiled.{{cite web|title=Laurentian insolvency 2021|url=https://www.zotero.org/groups/2778827/laurentian_insolvency_2021|date=2021|publisher=Zotero.org|access-date=2021-10-03}} The local media outlets have included CBC Radio Sudbury, CTV News Northern Ontario, Le Voyageur/La Voix du Nord, Radio-Canada, Sudbury.com, and the Sudbury Star. CTV News and Radio-Canada have provided folders{{cite news|title=Laurentian University coverage|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/laurentian-university-restructuring-coverage|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-11-04|access-date=2021-11-10}}{{cite news|title=Crise à l'Université Laurentienne|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/dossier/1007239/crise-universite-laurentienne-ontario-education|work=Radio-Canada|date=2021-11-04|access-date=2021-11-10}} of their ongoing news coverage, as has Le Devoir.{{Cite news |date=2022 |title=" Université Laurentienne ": tous nos articles |work=Le Devoir |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/motcle/universite-laurentienne |access-date=2022-12-01}}

Much of the reaction has focused on concerns around how the cuts would affect northern Ontario, such as the impact on women and Indigenous and francophone communities.{{cite news|last=Shkimba|first=Margaret|url=https://www.thespec.com/opinion/contributors/2021/04/21/losses-at-laurentian-are-profound-to-the-north.html|title=Losses at Laurentian are profound to the North|date=2021-04-21|work=Hamilton Spectator|access-date=2021-10-03}} Other commentators expressed concerns about the state of postsecondary education across the country, noting that similar problems could occur elsewhere.{{cite news|last=Yakabuski|first=Konrad|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-laurentian-cuts-serve-as-a-warning-for-other-canadian-universities/|title=Laurentian cuts serve as a warning for other Canadian universities|date=2021-04-16|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=2021-10-03}}

The root causes of the crisis have also been analyzed. Themes include poor management, declining enrolment, academic capitalism, and the neoliberal university. Structural issues surrounding the northern Ontario economy and the decline of public funding for education are also discussed.{{cite web|last=Usher|first=Alex|title=Laurentian blues (1)|url=https://higheredstrategy.com/laurentian-blues-1/|date=2021-02-03|publisher=Higher Education Strategy Associates|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite news|last=Buse|first=Dieter|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/unmaking-a-university-laurentians-insolvency|title=Unmaking a university: Laurentian's insolvency|date=2021-06-26|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite web|last=High|first=Steven|title=The assault on Laurentian University: The end of a working-class dream|url=https://ourtimes.ca/article/the-assault-on-laurentian-university|date=2021-04-19|work=Our Times|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite web|title=Decline and crisis in Ontario's Northern universities and Arts education: System failures, declining enrolment and funding troubles |author=Leadbeater, David |author2=Kiernan, Kaitlin K.|date=2021-09-02|url=https://www.policyalternatives.ca/publications/reports/decline-and-crisis-ontario%E2%80%99s-northern-universities-and-arts-education|publisher=Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite web|last=Leadbeater|first=David|title=Laurentian University insolvency reflects a structural crisis in Ontario's neoliberal university system|url=https://monitormag.ca/articles/laurentian-university-insolvency-reflects-a-structural-crisis-in-ontarios-neoliberal-university-system|date=2021-06-10|work=The Monitor|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite news|last=Buse|first=Dieter|title=The Laurentian mess stems from a major failure in leadership|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/opinion-the-laurentian-mess-stems-from-a-major-failure-in-leadership-3528437|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-03-09|access-date=2021-10-05}}{{cite news|last=Greenfield|first=Nathan M.|title=Laurentian – Insolvency, mass firings and the erosion of multiculturalism|url=https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20210604121808388|work=World University News|date=2021-06-05|access-date=2021-10-12}}{{cite news|last=Buse|first=Dieter|title=Laurentian University president says no option but insolvency, former prof begs to differ|url=https://www.sudbury.com/columns/guest-columns/opinion-laurentian-university-president-says-no-option-but-insolvency-former-prof-begs-to-differ-4548458|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-10-25|access-date=2021-11-16}}{{cite magazine|last=Srigley|first=Ron|title=Inside Laurentian University's Demise|url=https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/the-fix-inside-laurentian-universitys-demise|magazine=Canadian Dimension|date=2021-12-10|access-date=2021-12-13}}{{cite web|last=Usher|first=Alex|title=Tracing Laurentian's Path (1)– The Building Spree|url=https://higheredstrategy.com/tracing-laurentians-path-1-the-building-spree/|publisher=Higher Education Strategy Associates|date=2022-01-17|access-date=2022-04-04}}{{cite magazine|last=Martens|first=Stéphanie|title=Laurentian is a clash of capitalism against academic values|url=https://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/may-2021/laurentian-is-a-clash-of-capitalism-against-academic-values/|magazine=Policy options politiques|date=2021-05-28|access-date=2021-11-10}}{{cite web|last=Peters|first=John|title=Shock therapy: Public funding and the crisis at Laurentian University|url=https://socialistproject.ca/2021/02/shock-therapy-public-funding-laurentian-university/|date=2021-02-21|publisher=Socialist Project: The Bullet|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{cite journal|last=Roth|first=Reuben|title=The shock doctrine comes to Canada: Laurentian University's insolvency claim and the neoliberal tide|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/08969205211046656|journal=Critical Sociology|date=2021-09-21|volume=47 |issue=7–8 |pages=1147–1157 |doi=10.1177/08969205211046656 |s2cid=244192394 |access-date=2021-10-20|doi-access=free}}{{cite web|last=Roth|first=Reuben|title=Subjects of the new corporate university: The sabotage of Laurentian University|url=https://socialistproject.ca/2021/05/subjects-of-the-new-corporate-university/|date=2021-05-02|publisher=Socialist Project: The Bullet|access-date=2021-10-03}}{{Excessive citations inline|date=April 2025}}

Former university administrators weighed in, while others defended the CCAA process.{{cite news|last=White|first=Erik|title=Root of Laurentian's money problems still foggy, but university leaders past and present playing 'blame game'|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-presidents-blame-game-1.6040510|date=2021-05-27|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-05}}{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title='Perfect storm' led to Laurentian's woes: Board|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/perfect-storm-led-to-laurentians-woes-board|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-05-11|access-date=2021-10-05}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ccaa-law-private-members-bill-paul-lefebvre-1.5990986|title=Don't blame CCAA process for Laurentian University's financial troubles, insolvency expert says|date=2021-04-19|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Stranges|first=Casey|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-no-bailout-1.6012245|title=No bailout for Laurentian, Canadian Taxpayers Federation urges|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-05-04|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Donors to the university expressed dismay about the lack of transparency on the disposition of their funds.{{cite news|title=Family of Laurentian University benefactor still waiting for answers on scholarship money|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-donations-edwards-scholarship-wendy-gordon-1.5923517|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-02-23|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Another area of concern was the status of the university's research grants when it was learned that the funds were co-mingled with operating funds.{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|title=Money intended for research at Laurentian University went to keep the lights on instead, researchers say|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-money-intended-for-research-at-laurentian-university-went-to-keep-the/|work=Globe and Mail|date=2021-02-23|access-date=2021-10-04}} Federal granting agencies subsequently filed claims against Laurentian for more than $7 million.{{cite news|last=Rutherford|first=Kate|title=Researchers at Laurentian University raise concerns about access to federal funds|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/insolvent-research-laurentian-creditors-1.6158302|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-09-08|access-date=2021-10-04}}

At the end of February, the Greater Sudbury City Council voted to write to the provincial government to ask for funds to stabilize the university and to review the funding model for the university sector.{{cite news|last=MacMillan|first=Sarah|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/city-council-letter-laurentian-university-1.5927343|title=Sudbury councillors vote to send letter to province about Laurentian funding|date=2021-02-25|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In a joint letter, the Canadian Historical Association and the Institut d'histoire de l'Amérique française condemned the cuts and underlined that Laurentian was "a driving force for regional development and the heart of the Franco-Ontarian community in Mid-Northern Ontario."{{cite web|url=https://cha-shc.ca/advocacy/preserving-the-mission-of-laurentian-university-2021-02-09.htm|title=Preserving the Mission of Laurentian University: An Open Letter from the Canadian Historical Association and the Institut d'Histoire de l'Amérique française to Prime Minister Doug Ford|date=2021-02-09|website=Canadian Historical Association|access-date=2021-10-04}} Other scholarly societies also wrote letters.

On April 14, the National Assembly of Quebec voted unanimously to denounce the Laurentian cuts as well as the underfunding of francophone institutions across Canada.{{cite news|last=Bergeron|first=Patrice|url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/quebec/quebec-denounces-cuts-to-french-programs-at-laurentian-university|title=Quebec denounces cuts to French programs at Laurentian University|date=2021-04-14|work=Montréal Gazette|access-date=2021-10-04}}

Also in mid-April, university chancellor Steve Paikin resigned.{{cite news|last=|first=|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/seve-paikin-resigns-chancellor-laurentian-university-1.5993214|title=Laurentian University chancellor Steve Paikin tweets about his resignation, one week later|date=2021-04-19|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-04}} A successor was not named and no honorary doctorates were conferred at the university's spring convocation in June.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian not handing out honourary doctorates this spring|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-not-handing-out-honourary-doctorates-this-spring-3875177|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-06-15|access-date=2021-10-04}} In protest against the cuts, Franco-Ontarian writer Jean-Marc Dalpé renounced the honorary doctorate that was conferred to him by the university in 2002.{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|title=Franco-Ontarian writer so angry about Laurentian cuts, he's handing back 2002 honourary doctorate|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/20/franco-ontarian-writer-so-angry-about-laurentian-cuts-hes-handing-back-2002-honourary-doctorate.html|date=2021-04-21|access-date=2021-11-19}}

Université de Moncton president Denis Prud'homme expressed concern that what had happened at Laurentian could occur elsewhere in Canada, putting minority groups at risk.{{cite news|last=Savoie-Brideau|first=Pascal|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1784916/universite-laurentienne-moncton-francophone-minoritaire-financement|title=L'Université Laurentienne, un précédent inquiétant pour les milieux minoritaires|date=2021-04-15|work=Radio-Canada Ici Nouveau Brunswick|access-date=2021-10-04}} Patrick Noël, vice-president of the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations, echoed the concern, stating that action was needed in the near future.{{cite news|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1785334/universite-laurentienne-manitoba-sage-femme|title=La situation à l'Université Laurentienne préoccupe des Manitobains|date=2021-04-16|website=Radio-Canada Ici Manitoba|access-date=2021-10-04}}

On International Workers' Day (May 1, 2021), a demonstration against the cuts was organized by the Sudbury Workers Education and Advocacy Centre.{{cite news|last=Keown|first=Mary Katherine|url=https://www.timminspress.com/news/local-news/grim-rally-makes-its-way-to-laurentian-university|title=Grim rally makes its way to Laurentian University|date=2021-05-01|work=Timmins Daily Press|access-date=2021-10-04}} A handful of solidarity demonstrations was also held in other Ontario centres.{{cite news|last=Soucy|first=Paul|url=https://www.kingstonist.com/news/local-rally-held-in-solidarity-of-laurentian-university/|title=Local rally held in solidarity of Laurentian University|work=Kingstonist|date=2021-04-30|access-date=2021-10-04}}

The prospect of a sell-off of the university's greenspace sparked strong community concern.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Groups gearing up for fight to save Laurentian's greenspaces from possibly being sold off|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/groups-gearing-up-for-fight-to-save-laurentians-greenspaces-from-possibly-being-sold-off-3774629|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-05-13|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Houle-Drapeau|first=Sophie|title=Plaidoyer pour conserver les espaces verts de l'Université Laurentienne|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1861588/espace-vert-laurentienne-conseil-gouverneurs-subdury|publisher=Radio-Canada|date=2022-02-11|access-date=2022-02-15}}{{Cite news|last1=Grant|first1=Naomi|last2=Roy|first2=Sharon|date=2022-02-22|title=Opinion: Laurentian's green space: by the community, for the community|work=Sudbury Star|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/laurentians-green-space-by-the-community-for-the-community|access-date=2022-02-22}}{{Cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|date=2022-06-02|title=Laurentian green space advocates still waiting for clarity|pages=A1, A4|work=Sudbury Star|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-green-space-advocates-still-waiting-for-clarity|access-date=2022-06-02}}

The indefinite closure of the university's Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool, which occurred in the weeks before the insolvency declaration, also raised concern regarding the future of community swimming programs.{{cite news|title=Laurentian University's pool, sports complex to stay closed for months|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-jeno-tihanyi-pool-closure-1.5841970|work=Sudbury.com|date=2020-12-15|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|author=Schulte-Hostedde, Albrecht |author2=Binks, Jenni Calford |author3=Parker, Phil|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/opinion-city-swim-clubs-on-life-support-because-laurentian-wont-open-its-pool-4480032|title=City swim clubs on life support because Laurentian won't open its pool [opinion]|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-10-02|access-date=2021-10-04}} In July 2022, the Sudbury mayor indicated the city may intervene to save the facility in the event that it was put up for sale.{{Cite news |last=Leeson |first=Ben |date=2022-07-08 |title=Laurentian says pool unlikely to open this year; mayor promises to try to help save facility |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-says-pool-unlikely-to-open-this-year-mayor-promises-to-try-to-help-save-facility |access-date=2022-08-05}}

There were reports in April 2022 that the Art Gallery of Sudbury's assets worth $6.39 million were at risk being sold as part of the insolvency proceedings.{{cite news |last=Senga |first=Bienvenu |date=2022-04-14 |title=La Galerie d'art de Sudbury craint de perdre une collection de 1400 oeuvres |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1876558/galerie-art-sudbury-oeuvres-universite-laurentienne-sudbury |access-date=2022-04-28}}{{cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Darren |date=2022-04-18 |title=Art Gallery of Sudbury assets must remain part of Laurentian insolvency process: court documents |publisher=CTV News Northern Ontario |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/art-gallery-of-sudbury-assets-must-remain-part-of-laurentian-insolvency-process-court-documents-1.5865822 |access-date=2022-04-28}}{{cite news |last=Moodie |first=Jim |date=2022-04-28 |title=Laurentian selling donated art would be 'unconscionable,' artist's family says |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/entertainment/local-arts/laurentian-selling-donated-art-would-be-unconscionable-artists-family-says |access-date=2022-04-28}}{{cite news |last=Beaudry |first=Francis |date=2022-04-30 |title=Le sort des oeuvres de la Galerie d'art de Sudbury toujours incertain |work=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1880107/frederick-hagan-peinture-art-nord-ontario |access-date=2022-04-30}}

Among the local groups with campaigns are Save Our Sudbury, Laurentian Nordic Ski Club, Nepahwin Lake Watershed Stewardship, and the Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury.

The Tricultural Committee for University Education at Sudbury, an offshoot of Save Our Sudbury, has urged that the university be placed in trusteeship with separate funds for Indigenous and Francophone institutions.{{cite news|title=LU mandate must change: Tricultural group|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/lu-mandate-must-be-changed-tricultural-group|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-10-17|access-date=2021-10-18}}{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|title=Education coalition fires back at Laurentian president over comments on French programming|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/education-coalition-fires-back-at-laurentian-president-over-comments-on-french-programming-4719600|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-11-04|access-date=2021-11-05}} The committee organized a teach-in and skate-in on Ramsey Lake in Sudbury to mark the anniversary of the insolvency declaration.{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title='One of year of hell' for Laurentian, staff and supporters say|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/one-of-year-of-hell-for-laurentian-staff-and-supporters-say|date=2022-02-02|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite AV media|people=Everson, Alana (reporter)|date=2022-02-02|title=Sudbury skaters protest against CCAA process at Laurentian|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/sudbury-skaters-protest-against-ccaa-process-at-laurentian-1.5764502|type=Television broadcast|publisher=CTV News Northern Ontario|access-date=2022-02-08}} With the Ontario branch of the Canadian Federation of Students, it also organized events held April 11–14 on the anniversary of Black Monday (April 12, 2021), when the cuts to programs and staff were announced.{{cite news|author=Staff Staff|title=Groups still hope to stop Laurentian's restructuring process|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/groups-still-hope-to-stop-laurentians-restructuring-process|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-04-08|access-date=2022-05-13}} A tricultural committee member was among the speakers at the May Day gathering in downtown Sudbury's Memorial Park.{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title=Sudbury workers, community activists sound the alarm on May Day|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/workers-community-activists-sound-the-alarm-on-may-day|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-05-02|access-date=2022-05-14}} The committee opposed the plan of arrangement between the university and its creditors and called instead for a public inquiry.{{cite news|title='No future' for Laurentian if creditors agree to plan, advocacy group says|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/committee-laurentian-plan-arrangement-1.6566993|publisher=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-08-31|access-date=2022-09-11}}

The Ford government and its policies on postsecondary education were a focus of criticism, particularly for its funding cuts and the appointment of Progressive Conservative party supporters to university boards.{{cite news|last=Cohn|first=Martin Regg|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/02/08/laurentian-debacle-shows-doug-ford-has-learned-nothing-about-universities.html|title=Laurentian debacle shows Doug Ford has learned nothing about universities|date=2021-02-08|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} The government was also criticized for its failure to respond to the Laurentian crisis. The few statements of Ross Romano, who was then the minister of colleges and universities, mostly supported the university's cuts.{{cite news|last=Farrow|first=David G.|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/sudbury-column-ford-government-indifferent-to-laurentians-plight|title=Ford government indifferent to Laurentian's plight|date=2021-04-28|work=Sudbury Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} As part of the CCAA proceedings, the courts denied a motion to release correspondence between the province and the university prior to the insolvency declaration.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Unions at Laurentian University lose fight to unseal documents related to insolvency process|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/unions-at-laurentian-university-lose-fight-to-unseal-documents-related-to-insolvency-process-1.5375122|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-04-05|access-date=2021-10-04}} The province also provided no Covid-related emergency funding to Laurentian when funding was extended to other colleges and universities.{{cite news|title=Laurentian left off of list of schools sharing in $106M pot of provincial dollars|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-left-off-of-list-of-schools-sharing-in-106m-pot-of-provincial-dollars-3563987|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-03-22|access-date=2021-11-10}}

In February, the province commissioned Alan Harrison as special adviser to support the university.{{cite web|title=Ontario names special advisor to support Laurentian University|url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/backgrounder/60199/ontario-names-special-advisor-to-support-laurentian-university#content|website=Ontario. Colleges and Universities|date=2021-02-01|access-date=2021-10-04}}{{cite news|last=Jeffords|first=Shawn|title=Laurentian University ran deficits dating back to 2014, gov't adviser says in report|url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/laurentian-university-ran-deficits-dating-back-to-2014-gov-t-adviser-says-in-report-1.5308551|work=CTV News|date=2021-02-14|access-date=2021-10-04}} The term of the position was subsequently extended as part of the government's intervention (see below).{{cite press release|title=Government supports post-secondary education in Northern Ontario|url=https://news.ontario.ca/en/statement/1001355/ontario-supports-postsecondary-education-in-northern-ontario|publisher=Ontario|date=2021-12-16|access-date=2021-12-22}}

Labour leaders condemned the government for its inaction, including Tara Maszczakiewicz, regional vice-president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, who stated that "Mr. Ford and Mr. Romano choose to view a public post-secondary institution as a business. They are putting the first nail in the coffin of post-secondary education in Ontario."{{cite news|last=Lamothe|first=Jenny|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/16/labour-leaders-weigh-in-on-laurentian-fix-post-secondary-funding-or-lu-wont-be-the-last-insolvent-school.html|title=Labour leaders weigh in on Laurentian: Fix post-secondary funding or LU won't be the last insolvent school|date=2021-04-16|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-04}} The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations called for Romano's resignation as minister, claiming that he was aware of the issues facing the university months before the crisis became public, yet chose not to take action.{{cite news|last=Della-Mattia|first=Elaine|url=https://www.theobserver.ca/news/ocufa-calls-for-romanos-resignation/wcm/9760d320-4ad2-4672-b654-1350ca22a807|title=OCUFA calls for Romano's resignation|date=2021-04-13|work=Sarnia Observer|access-date=2021-10-04}} The university president also indicated that both provincial and federal officials had been informed of Laurentian's financial problems over the past year.{{cite news|last=Moodie|first=Jim|title=Laurentian always 'transparent' about its financial difficulties: Hache|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-always-transparent-about-its-financial-difficulties-hache|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-06-03|access-date=2021-10-22}} The minister was subsequently replaced in a June cabinet shuffle.{{cite news|title=Laurentian advocates cheer Sault MPP Ross Romano's exit from ministry of colleges, universities|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ross-romano-cabinet-shuffle-1.6075815|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-06-23|access-date=2021-10-04}}

In April, the province's auditor general was asked to investigate the university's finances over the past decade following a motion passed by the provincial legislative assembly's standing committee on public accounts.{{cite news|last=Campbell|first=Ian|title=Ontario's auditor general to investigate financial debacle at Laurentian University|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/ontario-s-auditor-general-to-investigate-financial-debacle-at-laurentian-university-1.5414279|date=2021-05-04|access-date=2021-10-04}} The university refused to provide documents to the auditor general that it considered to be privileged. The dispute was referred to the Superior Court for resolution.{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Darren|title=Court will decide whether auditor general can access disputed documents in LU insolvency audit|url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/court-will-decide-whether-auditor-general-can-access-disputed-documents-in-lu-insolvency-audit-1.5607849|work=CTV News Northern Ontario|date=2021-10-01|access-date=2021-10-05}} In a report, the auditor general said the university was creating a climate of fear among its employees that inhibited disclosure.{{cite news|title=Ontario's auditor general says Laurentian lacks transparency|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-auditor-general-1.6270203|work=CBC Radio News|date=2021-12-01|access-date=2021-12-13}} While the court reserved a decision,{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian, auditor general's office face off in court over access to privileged documents|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-auditor-generals-office-face-off-in-court-over-access-to-privileged-documents-4835151|work=Sudbury.com|date=2021-12-06|access-date=2021-12-13}} the Ontario legislature approved a speaker's warrant that ordered the university (over its protest) to hand over the documents to the public accounts committee.{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|title=Ontario Legislature orders Laurentian University to hand over documents tied to insolvency|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-legislature-orders-laurentian-university-to-hand-over/|work=Globe and Mail|date=2021-12-09|access-date=2021-12-13}} In speaking in favour of issuing the warrant, Paul Calandra, the government house leader, chastised Laurentian president Robert Haché and board of governors' chair Claude Lacroix, stating that their "utter disrespect for Parliament and the people of Ontario is shameful and we will not let it stand."{{Cite web|title=Hansard Transcript 2021-Dec-09 {{!}} Legislative Assembly of Ontario|url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/house-documents/parliament-42/session-2/2021-12-09/hansard|access-date=2021-12-15|website=www.ola.org|language=en}} The university asked the Superior Court to suspend the warrant.{{cite news|last=Senga|first=Bienvenu|title=L'Université Laurentienne veut contester le mandat de comparution imposé par Queen's Park|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1850436/universite-laurentienne-mandat-comparution-assemblee-legislative-cour-superieure-justice|work=Radio-Canada|date=2021-12-27|access-date=2021-12-29}} In January, the court ruled in favour of the university that it was not obligated to disclose privileged documents to the auditor general.{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Nicole|title=Laurentian University need not hand privileged records over to auditor general, court rules|work=Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-university-need-not-hand-privileged-records-over-to-auditor/|date=2022-01-12|access-date=2022-01-17}} At a separate hearing held on the university's request to stay the warrant,{{cite news|last=Carmichael|first=Harold|title='Laurentian must be accountable'|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/laurentian-must-be-accountable|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-01-18|access-date=2022-01-19}} the court ordered the university to release all materials requisitioned by the committee save the ones under court order.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Laurentian granted creditor protection until May 31, limited reprieve on Speaker's warrant|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-granted-creditor-protection-until-may-31-limited-reprieve-on-speakers-warrant-5000872|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-01-27|access-date=2022-02-01}} Altogether, 3.8 million documents were subsequently received.{{Cite news|last=Rushowy|first=Kristin|date=2022-02-28|title=Laurentian University surrenders financial documents to province|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2022/02/28/laurentian-university-surrenders-financial-documents-to-province.html|access-date=2022-04-05}} Sudbury MPPs Jamie West and France Gélinas subsequently introduced (then reintroduced, following the June provincial election{{Cite news |last=Leeson |first=Ben |date=2022-05-24 |title=Election file: What do with Laurentian University? |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/election-file-what-do-with-laurentian-university?fbclid=IwAR0qpiwunINeHVf9hSP0zulKyiiaLEl3U9zf57bD8rdcue4SFFBbJAQbPvg |access-date=2022-10-01}}) legislation that would prohibit public institutions from challenging the auditor general's power to access privileged or confidential documents.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-08 |title=MPPs reintroduce bill heading off challenges to Ontario AG |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/mpps-reintroduce-bill-heading-off-challenges-to-ontario-ag-5793726 |access-date=2022-10-01}}{{Cite web |author-link=Legislative Assembly of Ontario |date=2022 |title=Bill 116, Auditor General Amendment Act, 2022 |url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-2/bill-116#:~:text=The%20Bill%20amends%20the%20Auditor,subject%20to%20certain%20privilege%20rights. |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Ontario. Legislative Assembly}}

On December 16, the province intervened by taking over the $35 million loan from Firm Capital, the debtor-in-possession lender, providing $6 million in COVID-19 related relief, and up to $22 million to cover enrolment declines and performance target failures.{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|title=Ontario government offers Laurentian University $35-million to refinance its debts|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-government-offers-laurentian-university-35-million-to/#comments|work=Globe and Mail|date=2021-12-16|access-date=2021-12-22}} The support was contingent on "board governance strategy" that resulted in the resignations of the chair, vice-chair, past chair, and eight others. Five appointments from the business and corporate sector were subsequently announced.{{cite news|title=Province appoints five new members to Laurentian's board of governors|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/province-appoints-five-new-members-to-laurentians-board-of-governors|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-12-21|access-date=2021-12-22}} An interim board chair was appointed and, on the anniversary of the insolvency declaration, both the Laurentian president and the minister of college and universities published open letters.{{cite news|author=CBC News|title=New board chair at Laurentian looking at school's future after creditor protection process|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-new-board-chair-1.6327010|publisher=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-01-26|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite news|last=Dunlop|first=Jill|title=Province supporting Laurentian and its students, minister says|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/column-province-supporting-laurentian-and-its-students-minister-says|work=Sudbury Star|date=2022-02-02|access-date=2022-02-08}}{{cite news|last=Haché|first=Robert|title=Haché: A year after declaring insolvency, brighter days are ahead for Laurentian|url=https://www.sudbury.com/columns/guest-columns/hache-a-year-after-declaring-insolvency-brighter-days-are-ahead-for-laurentian-5014907|publisher=Sudbury.com|date=2022-02-02|access-date=2022-02-08}} In March 2022, provincial legislation was passed that reduced the size of the board of governors from 25 to 16.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Provincial legislation reduces number of voting members on Laurentian's board of governors|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/provincial-legislation-reduces-number-of-voting-members-on-laurentians-board-of-governors-5226732|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-04-03|access-date=2022-04-04}} In April, the appointment of interim board chair Jeff Bangs was extended to June 30, 2023, and further resignations and appointments to the board were announced.{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=Jeff Bangs to head up Laurentian's board of governors until June 30, 2023|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/jeff-bangs-to-head-up-laurentians-board-of-governors-until-june-30-2023-5296182/work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-04-25|access-date=2022-04-26}} In October, it was reported that the province's financial aid was contingent on the Laurentian president stepping down.{{Cite web |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-10-19 |title=Province tied financial help to Laurentian president's departure |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/province-tied-financial-help-to-laurentian-presidents-departure-5975734 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=Sudbury.com}}

The auditor general's preliminary report{{cite report|author=Ontario. Office of the Auditor General|title=Preliminary Perspective on Laurentian University|url=https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/Laurentian-U_Preliminary_Perspective_en.pdf|publisher=Ontario|date=April 2022|access-date=2022-05-13}} in April caused a stir and received wide commentary. The report concluded that the university had refused provincial funds that would have prevented the program cuts and instead chose to file for creditor protection.{{cite news|author=Ontario. Auditor General|title=Laurentian Refused Provincial Funds That Could Have Prevented Immediate Cuts to Programs: Auditor General (news release)|url=https://auditor.on.ca/en/content/news/specials_newsreleases/newsrelease_LaurentianU_en.pdf|publisher=Ontario. Office of the Auditor General|date=2022-04-13|access-date=2022-09-11}}{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|title=Laurentian University refused financial help, setting off creditor protection and staff cuts, Ontario's Auditor-General says|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-laurentian-university-refused-financial-help-setting-off-creditor/|work=Globe and Mail|date=2022-04-13|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|author=Canadian Press|title=Laurentian University could have avoided creditor protection, auditor general says|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/04/13/laurentian-university-could-have-avoided-creditor-protection-auditor-says.html|work=Toronto Star|date=2022-04-13|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|last=Ulrichsen|first=Heidi|title=No accident: Laurentian 'strategically planned' for its insolvency, auditor general says in scathing report|url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/no-accident-laurentian-strategically-planned-for-its-insolvency-auditor-general-says-in-scathing-report-5262302|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-04-14|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|title=Réactions au rapport de la vérificatrice générale: " ça aurait pu être évité "|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1876366/education-ontario-universite-sudbury-compressions|work=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario|date=2022-04-13|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|title=Editorial: Laurentian mess didn't bubble up, it trickled down|url=https://www.sudbury.com/editorial/editorial-laurentian-mess-didnt-bubble-up-it-trickled-down-5287271|work=Sudbury.com|date=2022-04-21|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|last=Migneault|first=Jonathan|title=Poor management, new buildings led to Laurentian University insolvency, Ontario AG's preliminary report says|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-auditor-general-perspective-1.6418503|work=CBC Radio Sudbury|date=2022-04-14|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|last=Basken|first=Paul|title=Audit says Laurentian's devastating bankruptcy 'intentional'|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/audit-says-laurentians-devastating-bankruptcy-intentional|work=Times Higher Education|date=2022-04-17|access-date=2022-04-26}}{{cite news|last=Trudel|first=Pierre|title=L'Université stratégique|url=https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/chroniques/700746/chronique-l-universite-strategique|work=Le Devoir|date=2022-04-19|access-date=2022-04-26}}

Published in November 2022, the auditor general's final report painted a compelling, troubling portrait of the administrative and financial failure.{{Cite web |author-link=Ontario. Auditor General |date=2022-11-17 |title=Special Report on Laurentian University |url=https://www.auditor.on.ca/ |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Office of the Auditor General of Ontario}} Although external factors were acknowledged, the primary cause of the crisis was found to be poorly planned capital expansions that were exacerbated by administrative bloat and weak board and provincial oversight. The report confirmed that the instigation of CCAA restructuring was strategically planned by the administration on the advice of external counsel, thus bypassing the collective agreement provisions with the faculty union regarding financial exigency. Contrary to the administration's claim, academic salaries were found to be inline with sector norms and the programs had been a net benefit to the university. In noting the $30.1 million cost of restructuring, the auditor general asked whether the funds might better have been spent on education. The report's findings, which also called attention to the lack of transparency in board governance, the employment of lobbyists, and special deals for administrators, brought a furious response from terminated faculty and renewed the call of the Canadian Association of University Teachers for legislation to prohibit public postsecondary institutions from CCAA restructuring.{{Cite news |date=2022-11-25 |title=Terminated faculty calls for public inquiry into Laurentian 'debacle' |work=Sudbury Star |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/opinion/columnists/terminated-faculty-calls-for-public-inquiry-into-laurentian-debacle |access-date=2022-11-29}}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-18 |title=Special Report on Laurentian: A damning account of mismanagement |url=https://www.caut.ca/node/12165 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=Canadian Association of University Teachers}}{{Cite news |last=Friesen |first=Joe |date=2022-11-23 |title=Laurentian faculty, staff want accountability for disastrous decisions around university's insolvency |work=Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-faculty-staff-want-accountability-for-disastrous-decisions/ |access-date=2022-11-29}}

Correspondence between the university and the province in the runup to the insolvency declaration that had previously been sealed by the courts was released in late November. In addition to confirming the auditor general's findings, the documents shed further light on the factors and motivation that underpinned the university's application to the courts for CCAA restructuring as well as the consultation with the ministry. The revelation renewed calls for a public inquiry.{{Cite news |last=Friesen |first=Joe |date=2022-11-30 |title=Laurentian University documents shed new light on why administrators sought creditor protections |work=Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-laurentian-university-creditor-protections/ |access-date=2022-12-11}}{{Cite news |date=2022-12-08 |title=Faculty groups join in call for Laurentian public inquiry |work=Sudbury.com |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/faculty-groups-join-in-call-for-laurentian-public-inquiry-6218204 |access-date=2022-12-11}}{{Cite news |last=Jensen |first=Mia |date=2022-11-30 |title=Analysis: Documents reveal how Laurentian used CCAA to hide financial mess, ram through cuts |url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/analysis-documents-reveal-how-laurentian-used-ccaa-to-hide-financial-mess-ram-through-cuts |access-date=2022-12-11}}{{Cite web |last=Ulrichsen |first=Heidi |date=2022-12-14 |title=Laurentian senate condemns past LU leaders, calls for inquiry |url=https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/laurentian-senate-condemns-past-lu-leaders-calls-for-inquiry-6242787 |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Sudbury.com}}

Mélanie Joly, who was then the federal minister of economic development and official languages, criticized the provincial government's inaction, stating that it was avoiding its responsibilities.{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Laurence|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1787631/universite-laurentienne-ottawa-joly-critique-ontario|title=Université Laurentienne: Ottawa critique ouvertement le gouvernement Ford|date=2021-04-25|work=Radio-Canada|access-date=2021-10-05}} The province responded that the federal government only asked to meet after the program cuts and layoffs were announced.{{cite news|title=Politicians point fingers over Laurentian University insolvency|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/laurentian-university-insolvency-who-knew-what-when-1.6050104|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-06-03|access-date=2021-10-05}} In late April, the federal government indicated its willingness to provide funding to help resolve the situation, in particular to support French language and Francophone education in Ontario.{{cite news|last=Friesen|first=Joe|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-federal-government-willing-to-assist-financially-troubled-laurentian/|title=Federal government willing to assist financially troubled Laurentian University|date=2021-04-29|work=Globe and Mail|access-date=2021-10-05}}

Paul Lefebvre, who was then the Liberal MP for Sudbury, proposed a private member's bill that would ban colleges and universities from seeking creditor protection, stating that "what has happened here at Laurentian University cannot be repeated anywhere else across the country."{{cite news|last=Rushowy|first=Kristin|url=https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/2021/04/18/liberal-mps-bill-aims-to-keep-turmoil-at-laurentian-university-from-happening-at-other-schools.html|title=Liberal MP's bill aims to keep turmoil at Laurentian University from happening at other schools|date=2021-04-18|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-05}} However, the bill was not passed into law.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Bill C-288, 43rd Parliament, Second Session |url=https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/43-2/C-288 |website=Parliament of Canada}}

Lindsay Mathyssen, federal New Democratic Party critic for women and gender equality, called for a study on the loss of the Laurentian midwifery program.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/midwifery-program-cuts-laurentian-university-1.6006011|title=Federal NDP critic calls for study into midwifery program cuts at Laurentian University|date=2021-04-28|work=CBC News Sudbury|access-date=2021-10-05}}

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus (NDP) was granted an emergency debate in the House of Commons, where he condemned the cuts and called for the resignations of the Laurentian president and board of governors, stating that they "should not be allowed near any public institutions, and not public education."{{cite news|last=Kruzel|first=Hugh|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2021/04/25/laurentian-crisis-has-national-import-angus.html|title=Laurentian crisis has national import: Angus|date=2021-04-25|work=Toronto Star|access-date=2021-10-05}} In late April, members of both the federal and provincial New Democratic Party held a town hall with federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh in attendance.{{cite news|title=NDP hold town hall to talk about how to help Laurentian University [radio broadcast: 7 min., 24 sec.]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1889771075788|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-04-24|access-date=2021-10-05}}

The Laurentian crisis was a topic of local and regional debate in the 2021 Canadian federal election,{{cite news|last=White|first=Erik|title=Would-be Sudbury MPs debate the future of Laurentian and reconciliation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sudbury-riding-debate-federal-election-1.6159384|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-08-31|access-date=2021-10-05}} with a former Laurentian professor running as the Sudbury NDP candidate.{{cite news|title=Nadia Verrelli acclaimed as federal NDP candidate in Sudbury riding|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/sudbury-political-parties-nominees-1.6075633|work=CBC News Sudbury|date=2021-06-22|access-date=2021-10-05}} However, the two Sudbury area seats were retained by the Liberals.{{cite news|last=Carmichael|first=Harold|title=Expectations high for Sudbury area's newly elected MPs|url=https://www.thesudburystar.com/news/local-news/expectations-high-for-sudbury-areas-newly-elected-mps|work=Sudbury Star|date=2021-09-22|access-date=2021-10-05}}

In 2021, a bill was introduced in the Canadian Senate regarding the financial stability of postsecondary institutions that would bar governing boards from resorting to the CCAA as well as the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.The standing senate committee's evidentiary meeting on the bill took place in October 2022.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Evidence. Bill S-215, An Act respecting measures in relation to the financial stability of post-secondary institutions. |url=https://sencanada.ca/en/Content/Sen/Committee/441/BANC/55704-E |website=Canada. Senate. Standing Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy.}} Officials from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations and the Canadian Association of University Teachers spoke in support of the legislation; the latter had commissioned a legal brief on the Laurentian insolvency.{{Cite web |date=December 2021 |title=Restructuring Publicly-Funded Universities: A CAUT Commissioned Report on the Laurentian University Insolvency |url=https://www.caut.ca/content/restructuring-publicly-funded-universities-caut-commissioned-report-laurentian-university |website=Canadian Association of University Teachers}} A similar bill was introduced in the House of Commons in November.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-01 |title=MP Charlie Angus introduces bill to save public institutions from insolvency |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/charlie-angus-insolvency-bill-laurentian-1.6670853 |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=CBC Radio Sudbury}}{{Cite web |last=Senga |first=Bienvenu |date=2022-12-06 |title=La crise de l'Université Laurentienne engendrera-t-elle de nouveaux outils législatifs? |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1938890/crise-universite-laurentienne-projets-de-loi-chambre-des-communes-queens-park |access-date=2022-12-06 |website=Radio-Canada. Ici Nord de l'Ontario}}{{Cite news |last=Chubak |first=Lydia |date=2022-12-01 |title=Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus says he wants to make sure a disaster such as the Laurentian University insolvency never happens again. |work=CTV News Ontario |format=Video |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/timmins-mp-hopes-bill-will-prevent-another-lu-crisis-1.6177621 |access-date=2022-12-07}} The federal government signaled its intention to amend the legislation in its fall economic statement of November 2023.{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Darren |date=2023-11-21 |title=Feds to change law that allowed Laurentian University to declare insolvency |url=https://northernontario.ctvnews.ca/feds-to-change-law-that-allowed-laurentian-university-to-declare-insolvency-1.6654751 |access-date=2024-01-22 |work=CTV News Northern Ontarioi}} The amendments were included in Bill C-59, which passed third reading and received royal assent on June 20, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Canada. First Session, 44th Parliament. |date=2024-06-20 |title=Bill C-59, Division 7: Public Post-Secondary Educational Institutions |url=https://www.parl.ca/documentviewer/en/44-1/bill/C-59/royal-assent |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Parliament of Canada}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite web |author-link=Ontario. Auditor General |date=2022-11-17 |title=Special Report on Laurentian University |url=https://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/LaurentianUniversity_EN.pdf |access-date=2023-03-24 |website=Office of the Auditor General of Ontario}}

Category:French-language education in Ontario

Category:Franco-Ontarian history

Category:Laurentian University

Category:2021 in Ontario

Category:History of Greater Sudbury

Category:Education controversies in Canada

Category:Education finance in Canada