April 12, 2024

The Government of Ontario has proposed the “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act,” which includes measures that would give public postsecondary schools more opportunities to build student housing. Public universities will be exempt from ON’s Planning Act, which CP24states will save institutions time and application fees, as well as supporting the construction of higher density student residences. All colleges and universities will also be required to publish their student housing policies. “By requiring postsecondary institutions to publish their student housing policies, we’re also ensuring students have access to and are aware of student housing options that are safe, affordable and within an easy commute to campus,” explained ON Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop.

The Association of Colleges and Universities of the Canadian Francophonie (ACUFC) has filed a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages regarding the Government of Canada’s decision to cap international study permits. According to the Canadian Press, ACUFC–which represents 22 French-language postsecondary institutions outside of Québec–has asked for an exemption from the cap, since 30% of their total enrolment typically comes from international students. ACUFC Director Martin Normand called the cap a “flagrant” contradiction with ongoing efforts to increase francophone immigration outside of QC. If the complaint is deemed admissible, the commissioner will reportedly investigate whether the cap violates the Official Languages Act in any way.

A recent article in CBC highlights the increasing calls from Nova Scotia’s early childhood educators for more training to help care for children with disabilities. Journalist Celina Aalders spoke to several educators across the province who felt ill-prepared by their college education to work with children with disabilities. Several educators stated that they have asked for additional training, resources, and education especially on this topic. The Government of Nova Scotia Department of Education will reportedly release a new early learning curriculum this spring that places a greater emphasis on equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. “The province will continue to work with our post-secondary partners to strengthen pre-service training related to inclusion,” said NS spokesperson Krista Higdon.

Willis College and the Grove Nursing Home in Arnprior have partnered on a “living classroom” program for personal support worker (PSW) students. The eight-month program includes an onsite classroom portion and a clinical placement at The Grove. Graduates are guaranteed employment at The Grove, as well as up to $15K in provincial incentives. “I think we’re just in such a shortage of staff right now that we really do need that [incentive] push,” said Willis alumnus and PSW Haley Bain. Ontario PSW Association CEO Miranda Ferrier told CTV News that there is a significant demand for PSW staff across Ontario, with 24,000 needed in long-term care by 2026.

According to the Globe and Mail, Canadian universities are asking for an additional $6B over the next five years in research funding from the Government of Canada. “Every year you postpone these investments is a year that some really smart kid decides to pursue their career elsewhere,” said Université de Montréal Dean of Arts and Sciences Frédéric Bouchard. “The risk of brain drain is very significant.” U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities CEO Chad Gaffield added that the requested increase would bring funding levels for Canadian universities closer in line with the typical spend of other similar countries. These requests come ahead of the announcement of the federal budget, which will likely be delivered next week.

Several postsecondary leaders recently spoke to the media about the impact that the international student program changes will have on their respective institutions. Fanshawe College President Peter Devlin told CBC that the cap is not expected to have an impact in 2024, but that 2025 is more uncertain. “I think it’s important for all of us to realize that Ontario remains the most poorest-funded post secondary sector in Canada,” he said. “We are reliant on international students, and with that reliance comes some level of uncertainty.” In Manitoba, CTV News states that several institutions are assessing how the cap will affect their enrolment. “We’re [going to] see a drop for certain,” said Assiniboine Community College President Mark Frison, who noted that the change will especially impact business and education programming.

Collège Ahuntsic has received VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE certification from Vélo Québec in recognition of its efforts to support cycling culture. The cégep’s AhVélo community bike mechanic workshop and Toutes à vélo learn-how-to-ride program for women were marked as particular strengths during the assessment process. VÉLOSYMPATHIQUE uses a rigorous certification process to encourages communities, organizations, and postsecondary schools to promote cycling and sustainability. Collège Ahuntsic says that it is the first cégep in its region to receive this certification.

George Brown College has become the official college partner of the Toronto Raptors. Together, George Brown and the Raptors will work to boost educational and community-building opportunities for students through initiatives like the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) Speaker Series and an MLSE LaunchPad Annual Research to Practice Symposium. “George Brown’s partnership with the Toronto Raptors represents an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between academic achievement and real-world experiences,” said George Brown President Dr Gervan Fearon.

In an article for University Affairs, Eloïse Fairbank (Concordia University) argues that Canadian universities should implement mandatory mental health training for students. University students face worsening stress levels, writes Fairbank, but there remains a notable gap between the mental health services offered on campus and student engagement in these offerings. The author explains that this could be due to several factors, including poor awareness of or access to the services, and asserts that mandatory mental health training–modelled similarly to academic integrity compulsory modules–would provide students with dedicated and protected time to learn about stress and wellness. The writer concludes that this preventative action could significantly improve student mental health levels throughout the university journey.

University College of the North and Georgian College have signed an agreement to bring Georgian’s immersive, interactive Indigenous language teaching tools to UCN. Georgian’s Indigenous Peoples in XR Project uses virtual, hybrid, and augmented reality technology to provide context-based language learning to a broader community. UCN states that the two colleges share a goal of creating a community around the preservation, teaching, and sharing of Indigenous languages in Canada and around the world; by signing this agreement, UCN has become an ally of the Indigenous Peoples in XR Project. “This agreement represents an innovative approach to teaching Indigenous languages,” said UCN President Doug Lauvstad.