April 11, 2025

NL has released its Budget 2025, a deficit budget with major investments into education, health care, and support for seniors. College of the North Atlantic has received $82M for its operating grant ($11M increase) and $3.1M for an electric boiler. Memorial University has received $316M for its core operating grant; over $78M for the Faculty of Medicine, including funds to support more undergraduate seats; and $70M over eight years to help address deferred maintenance. NL has also announced that it will be doubling the number of subsidized seats for NL students at the University of Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Veterinary College and reducing financial barriers to obtaining journeyperson certification.

In an article for The Conversation, Karen K Christensen-Dalsgaard (MacEwan University) demonstrates multiculturalism’s importance through a discussion of scientific history. A Eurocentric view of history, she writes, omits major events that shaped modern thought. To demonstrate this, Christensen-Dalsgaard traces the development of major scientific ideas such as the use of the scientific method and inoculation against diseases through multiple cultures. She argues that the questions that drive discovery are often framed by biases and beliefs; by bringing together different cultures, researchers can go “beyond their inherent biases and grow beyond the intellectual constraints of individual approaches.” Christensen-Dalsgaard concludes by highlighting Canada’s great diversity and encouraging readers to connect, learn from one another, and build a future on the knowledge of world cultures.

Concordia University’s Volt-Age research program has announced a $40M investment into 14 research projects focused on topics related to electrification, the energy transition, and sustainability. Eleven of these projects are Impact Projects focused on large-scale technological innovation. These are led by researchers from Concordia, Dalhousie University, and Toronto Metropolitan University. Three of the projects are Living Labs initiatives that will foster collaboration between researchers and societal partners. These will be led by researchers from Concordia and the University of Calgary.

A group of University of British Columbia faculty members and a graduate student have launched a lawsuit against the institution’s administration. In a petition filed in the BC Supreme Court, the group alleges that the university is breaching the University Act with the wording used in Indigenous land acknowledgements, requiring job applicants to agree with EDI principles, and taking positions on the conflict in Gaza. The petitioners are calling for the court to prohibit the university from these actions. Castanet reports that the Okanagan Nation Alliance has spoken out against the lawsuit, asserting that UBC’s use of land acknowledgements is aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie additionally stated that the university has a duty to foster environments of truth and reconciliation.

Niagara College has received two transformational gifts: $5M from the Myhal Family Foundation and $2M from the Segal Family and GuardMe Interational Insurance. The Myhal Family Foundation donation will be used to support health-care training through an expansion of the Applied Health building and the creation of scholarships for nursing students and Indigenous health-care students. In honour of the gift, which is one of the largest in the college’s history, the college has renamed its nursing school the Myhal School of Nursing. The donation from the Segal Family and GuardMe will be used for Niagara’s Be World Ready program, which offers short-term international field studies, study abroad programs, and more.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology recently celebrated the completion of renovations at the Olds Metals Building. This $4.4M development involved renovating one of Old’s welding shop spaces to increase the number of welding booths that are available for dual-credit learners from the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute (CACI), which is a collaboration between Olds, Red Deer Polytechnic, four school divisions, and the non-profit CAREERS. The modernized facility now has space for up to 21 dual-credit students per class, thereby increasing access to career readiness programming. “The demand for skilled tradespeople is on the rise, and Alberta’s economic future depends on ensuring the workforce is ready to meet that need,” said CACI and Community Learning Campus Executive Director Jackie Taylor.

The Government of Québec Ministry of Higher Education has announced that a new regulation focused on off-campus student housing will come into effect on April 24th. Under this regulation, certain organizations will benefit from a property tax exemption on buildings that will be used for off-campus housing for full-time students. The new regulation will diversify the types of possible landlords to increase housing supply; improve access to higher education by improving availability of accommodations; and reduce the pressure on existing housing supply in municipalities.

The University of New Brunswick has unveiled its new name for the Renaissance College: the School of Leadership Studies. The college, founded in 2000, prepares students for leadership positions. It will continue to focus on interdisciplinary learning, experiential education, and community engagement with small class sizes that build community. “Renaissance College becoming the School of Leadership Studies is an exciting milestone for UNB,” said UNB Provost and VP Academic Dr Petra Hauf. “More than a name change, this represents a bold new vision—one that reflects an evolving mission and expanded programming that will play a vital role in shaping future leaders.”

Portage College is launching a Pre-Health Sciences Certificate that will prepare students to pursue health-care careers. Students will be able to build academic skills while learning core concepts such as anatomy, medical terminology, and health-care ethics. Graduates will be prepared to pursue further education in health care or to work in entry-level health-care settings. “By offering accessible education close to home, this program empowers students to pursue in-demand roles and improve health-care access in their communities,” said Portage Dean of Foundational Learning, University Transfer, and Arts Stephanie Solarz.

The artist in residence at the University of Prince Edward Island’s Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) has quit after being told to take down a painting that received complaints from US faculty members, reports the Toronto Star. Artist Christopher Griffin said his work began to become more political starting in January. His painting, “The Crossing,” parodies the Washington Crossing the Delaware painting with lemmings crossing the Delaware River. The painting was displayed for two weeks before Griffin received an email from administration; the Star reports that Griffin was told he could terminate his residency or remove the painting and chose the former option. In a statement, UPEI said that it has reached out to Griffin to offer him the opportunity to give a talk about his artwork and perspective, and to show his paintings on campus. PS. AVC has issued a direct apology to Christopher Griffin for its response to his painting The Crossing. As part of its apology, it has offered to post the painting in a prominent campus location.