June 17, 2025

McGill University, Université Laval, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke have formed Polaris, a group focused on making Québec a global hub for research talent and reinforcing Canada’s scientific leadership. The group proposes federal and provincial investments in initiatives such as research chairs in AI, health, and biodiversity; scholarships for PhD and postdoctoral researchers; early-career researcher support; and infrastructure investments. This effort is intended to respond to growing global instability and indicators that US-based researchers are interested in leaving their country. “The goal is to reposition Canada as a superpower in research and innovation,” said UMontréal Vice-Rector Vincent Poitout. McGill VP Dominique Bérubé noted that European nations have already made major investments to attract talent.

The Future Skills Centre has invested $7.6M into 35 new projects designed to strengthen Canada’s workforce to support a resilient economy. These projects are aligned with key focus areas for Canada’s economy and are intended to address urgent skills needs by providing training to help build digital, green, and soft skills; supporting transitions to in-demand jobs; and assisting employers with training and retraining efforts. “This is Canada’s moment to lead,” said FSC Executive Director Noel Baldwin. “We see the challenges ahead—technological disruption, demographic shifts, global uncertainty—and we invest in workers and employers to build long-term, evidence-based solutions that will safeguard our future workforce.”

Dalhousie University has launched the Dalhousie Centre for Global Mental Health, an academic centre focused on worldwide mental health disparities. The centre, which is housed in Dal’s Department of Psychiatry, will work to reduce gaps in mental health treatment through research, care, education, and advocacy. It will be guided by a shared vision focused on key issues such as understanding mental health determinants, promoting mental health literacy, and building partnerships. It will bring together mental health initiatives, provide educational opportunities, and bolster collaborations. Dal Faculty of Medicine Dean Dr David Anderson said the centre “stands as an example of what’s possible when we combine academic excellence with a deep commitment to social responsibility and health equity.”

A report from the office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (IPC) of Ontario has found that the vending machines that were formerly installed on the University of Waterloo’s campus breached privacy rights. The machines, which were removed from campus in February 2024, were found to have recorded a video image of the buyer in order to estimate their gender and age range. IPC determined that though UWaterloo was not aware of the facial detection technology, it failed to carry out due diligence to identify potential privacy concerns. IPC recommended that UWaterloo should review its privacy policies and ensure that it identifies, assesses, and mitigates potential risks to personal information when entering agreements with third-party providers.

Yukon University has begun construction on its new science building—called the Polaris Project—at its Ayamdigut Campus. The $52.2M Polaris Project includes indoor and outdoor learning spaces and laboratories. The building, which is anticipated to be completed in 2027, is designed to meet net zero carbon and accessibility standards. “This is a significant milestone for Yukon University as we look to modernize learning spaces to better meet the needs of our students,” said YukonU President Dr Lesley Brown. “The new science building is designed to promote many ways of learning and sharing knowledge.”

Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, the Cree School Board, and the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) have partnered to launch an Indigenous-led, interprovincial IT training program designed for Cree students in Northern Québec and beyond. The two-year program consists of five micro-credentials that are delivered online with in-person internships. Graduates of the program receive a CCNB diploma. CCNB says that the program is intended to serve as a replicable model for other First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities seeking digital inclusion and self-determined education.

The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations has published a report detailing policy recommendations to improve student employment outcomes in Canada. Drawing on labour force data, literature reviews, and a student survey, the report calls for expanded federal funding for work-integrated learning, better support for part-time work during study, and improvements to the Canada Summer Jobs program such as expanded funding and greater flexibility. CASA also recommends enhanced student access to employment insurance and labour protections, stronger data collection on student employment, and dedicated supports for students facing systemic barriers. These changes, CASA argues, would strengthen Canada’s postsecondary-to-workforce pipeline and bolster long-term economic resilience.

Sahil Kumar, an international student enrolled at Humber Polytechnic, has been confirmed deceased following a missing persons investigation. CBC reports that Kumar had recently moved to Hamilton, Ontario from India for his studies at Humber. “He called home every day and told us he was enjoying his course,” said Kumar’s uncle Akshay Yadav. “It felt like the ground had slipped from under our feet.” Sahil was reported missing by his roommates in mid-May; his body was found and identified 10 days later. The Toronto Police Service indicated in a statement that while the investigation is ongoing, Sahil’s death did not appear to be a criminal matter.

The Université de Moncton and Dassault Systèmes have partnered on a pilot project that will address housing, urban growth, and ecological challenges in southeastern New Brunswick. Over six months, the team will build a 1,000 km² “virtual twin” of the provincial region using Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform, drawing on data about zoning, biodiversity, infrastructure, and more. UMoncton states that local governments, colleges, and private partners will use the model to test development scenarios for Dieppe and Moncton—two of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. The partners hope that the project may serve as a model for other regions seeking sustainable, data-driven planning tools.

Vancouver Island University has cancelled 14 programs and suspended six others to make time for further evaluation as part of efforts to reduce its deficit. VIU Acting Provost Claire Grogan explained in a letter to the community that the suspensions support academic renewal and affirmed that impacted students will be supported as they complete their studies. Speaking to the Times Colonist, VIU Faculty Association President Gara Pruesse criticized the decision-making process, raising concerns about the program evaluation process and data transparency.