April 13, 2026

Fleming College and St Lawrence College have announced that they have embarked on a process that will see them become a new integrated college by April 2027. The institution will have a single management team and students will benefit from being part of a larger institution while continuing to learn at Fleming or SLC campuses. The colleges state that there will be no immediate changes to local brands, programs, campuses, services, and student supports. Campuses will continue to operate as normal while the colleges begin the next phase of integration planning.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) have announced nearly $5.9M in funding to support 25 research projects as a part of the second phase of its Small Modular Reactors (SMR) Research Grant Initiative. The projects, conducted by researchers from 16 different universities across Canada, seek to increase understanding and information about small modular reactors. CNSC President Pierre Tremblay explained that the evidence-based information forms the basis of nuclear regulation, and that knowledge gained from these projects will also benefit the next generation of nuclear scientists. The round of funding builds on the first phase of funding which was awarded in 2023.

Lambton College closed its main campus on Friday as the Sarnia Police Service conducted a homicide investigation. Police were called early Friday morning for reports of gunfire at the college bar, where the Student Administrative Council was holding an event. CTV News reports that three people were injured; one was taken to a local hospital for treatment and later pronounced dead. “The safety of our students, employees, and guests is our highest priority. We are working closely with the Sarnia Police Service as they investigate,” said Lambton in a statement. “This is a shocking and saddening event for our community.” Update (April 24): The Sarnia Observer reports that a nationwide warrant has been issued for the accused, and a reward has been offered for tips leading to their arrest. Update (May 1): CTV News reports that the suspect has been arrested.

Concordia University has partnered with the City of Laval to design a renewable energy network for the city’s flagship downtown revitalization project, Carré Laval. Concordia will support the city in each stage of the project by building on its PLAN/NET ZERØ initiative. PLAN/NET ZERØ specialists will provide input in areas such as engineering, sustainable finance, governance, and clean technologies, while expertise from Concordia’s Next Generation Cities Institute will help advance the project’s development. “[This collaboration] reflects our commitment to supporting municipalities in their energy transition efforts and to working together to build more sustainable communities,” said Concordia President Graham Carr.

James L Norrie (York College of Pennsylvania) examines how AI is understood within institutions, while offering alternative methods of engaging with AI for students and educators. He makes the distinction between AI literacy, which most institutions are trained in, and AI fluency, an approach Norrie says is more common among students than institutions. Norrie concludes by outlining three AI implications for institutional leaders on the fronts of governance structures, defining AI fluency and literacy, and treating AI as an enterprise imperative.

The Western University Faculty of Law and the University of Bristol have teamed up to create a new pathway for Bristol law graduates wanting to complete a Juris Doctor degree in Canada. University of Bristol graduates who are pursuing their Juris Doctor at Western will receive advanced standing, allowing them to complete the program in two years, rather than three. They will also be able to apply for bar admission anywhere in Canada without requiring the National Committee on Accreditation process used for foreign-trained lawyers. “We are creating a direct pathway for Bristol graduates to join Western’s Faculty of Law and build their careers in North America,” said Western Law Dean Mohamed Khimji.

Several postsecondary institutions are celebrating new facilities and infrastructure developments. McGill University opened a teaching greenhouse and is expanding the Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform, which is developed with Université de Sherbrooke. Thompson Rivers University Community Trust has announced that construction has begun on its future data centre, which will create new opportunities for the TRU community. The Université de Montréal has named an amphitheatre the amphithéâtre Guy-Rocher to recognize the contributions of the late professor Guy Rocher. The University of Alberta and Northwestern Polytechnic recently celebrated the opening of a new anatomy lab in Grande Prairie that will support the Northern Alberta Medical Program’s students as well as NWP students in health-related areas.

Algonquin College’s Pembroke campus has achieved ENERGY STAR® certification from Natural Resources Canada. Algonquin says that it is the first college in Canada to achieve this certification, which acknowledges that the campus’s buildings meet strict energy efficiency standards and perform in the top 25% of similar facilities in Canada. “Through targeted investments, detailed analysis, and ongoing system improvements, our teams have enhanced energy efficiency while creating a more comfortable and sustainable environment for our learners and employees,” explained Algonquin Facilities Management Executive Director Ryan Southwood.

Several Canadian campus radio stations are facing uncertainty in the wake of budget cuts to various postsecondary programs. City News reports that students often get their start through campus radio stations such as University of Guelph’s CFRU 93.3 FM and Vancouver Island University’s CHLY 101.7 FM. However, the campus stations at institutions such as the Algonquin College, Fanshawe College, and the University of Ottawa are either slated to go off the air or have already done so. Several stations are working to find ways to stay open, with CBC reporting that Fanshawe College and non-profit WeRise are exploring collaboration options. National Campus and Community Radio Association Executive Director Barry Rooke told City News that the association is campaigning for $30M in funding per year to support 45 campus radio stations.

The College of the North Atlantic’s Medical Office Management program has received accreditation from the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Valid through January 2031, the accreditation recognizes that the program meets CHIMA’s standards for health information education. Medical Office Management students will have access to a CHIMA membership and exam preparation materials for the Health Information Certified Associate designation.