April 17, 2024

The Government of Canada tabled its budget for 2024 yesterday afternoon. The first point of interest in the budget was housing, particularly student housing: The budget included the removal of GST on new student housing, the creation of the Apartment Construction Loan program, and a note that former federal government offices could be acquired for student housing projects. Student grants, loans, and special support programs have also received more funding this year and Canada has expanded its student loan forgiveness program to include more health care and social service professionals. On the research front, new investments were made into research in areas such as AI and agriculture; the development of research infrastructure; and into funding for Canada’s graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and Indigenous researchers. The budget also includes a $243M investment into pathways to PSE for the next generation of First Nations university and college students.

Canada’s Top 100 has released its 2024 Top Employers for Atlantic Canada and two postsecondary schools have made the cut. The competition evaluated employers from the four Atlantic provinces across a variety of criteria, including performance management, training and skills development, and the work atmosphere. New Brunswick Community College and the University of New Brunswick appeared among the 25 employers, with both institutions receiving praise for the learning opportunities, health supports, and pension and retirement supports that they offer their employees.

Several postsecondary institutions across Canada have announced initiatives and events to recognize Earth Day. Camosun College’s library is featuring a display of books related to sustainable living. Royal Roads University, the University of Waterloo, and York University are hosting cleanups on or around campus. Royal Roads is also inviting its staff, students, and faculty to volunteer at its Giving Garden; hosting learning opportunities; and offering a Climate Anxiety Support Group to students. YorkU is hosting additional events throughout April, such as tree planting and a World Wide Fund for Nature Living Planet Leader Certification Workshop.

In an article for The Conversation, Trish Audette-Longo (Carleton University) and Christianna Alexiou (London School of Economics and Political Science) argue that journalism educators must actively address students’ worries and expectations about the news industry. The authors point out that “today’s journalism students have likely been told their entire lives […] that it’s a dying industry.” Given that these students have still chosen to pursue a career in journalism, they are owed frank conversations that address both the precarity of the industry as well as alternatives and solutions for its future. The writers conclude that the classroom should be used as a space for students, educators, journalists, and news organizations to collaborate on how to make things better.

The Globe and Mail reports that the University of Alberta is facing criticism from faculty and the community for being slow to address the $1M received in donations and endowments from persons connected to a Ukrainian Waffen SS unit. In October, the university pledged to review its financial endowments after returning a $30K donation connected to the unit. Former UAlberta Professor Per Anders Rudling and UAlberta Professor emerita Laurie Adkin both told the Globe that they had repeatedly raised questions about the funding with the university. “This review is ongoing and will take time and diligence,” said UAlberta spokesperson Ross Neitz. “We will not be disclosing further details while this work is under way.”

Canadore College, Trent University, and Fleming College are taking steps to expand their student housing. Canadore has purchased two former schools that the college is considering using to create daycare spaces and/or housing units for students and seniors. Trent and Fleming have both partnered with SpacesShared to increase the housing options available to their students while also supporting seniors in the area. “This new agreement with SpacesShared will give our students more options when it comes to finding safe and affordable housing in our campus communities,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. Both institutions are also collaborating with Age-friendly Peterborough, an initiative which aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults.

The University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry has launched a new Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Dental Hygiene program to address the shortage of dental hygienists in the province. USask Dentistry Dean Dr Walter Siqueira explained that the program will follow an evening class schedule in order to accommodate individuals with full-time commitments. “This approach not only facilitates access to education but also supports students financially, as they can continue working to pay for their tuition—a first-of-its-kind initiative in Canada,” said Siqueira. The program will admit 18 students each year, beginning this Fall.

York University has reached a tentative agreement with CUPE 3903, which represents about 3,000 YorkU instructors, teaching assistants, and graduate assistants. The workers have been on strike since February 26, citing issues of affordability, job security, and equity in the workplace. The union revealed that the tentative deal includes pay raises as well as increases to several dedicated support funds. “Although we didn’t achieve everything we wanted to in this round of bargaining, we have obtained some notable gains that make this deal–the best we could get under the circumstances–worth endorsing,” stated CUPE 3903. CUPE 3903 will hold a ratification vote this week.

The Indian Consulate is seeking answers after a 24-year-old international student was found dead in his car. “No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing,” stated a release from the Vancouver Police Department. The Vancouver Sun reports that the student came from India in 2022 to study at University Canada West; the India Times adds that he had recently completed his MBA program and had just secured a Canadian work permit. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern over the number of deaths of Indian students overseas, which, while not believed to be connected, raised questions about the welfare of Indian students.”

The University of Guelph has renamed its science atrium Waasamowin, which means bathed in light in the Ojibwe language. Global News reports that the university embarked on the renaming project in the name of Indigenization. The renaming project was led by UoGuelph professors Melissa Perrault and Ryan Gregory and guided by Anishinaabe Elder Rene Meshake. The atrium features four original paintings by Indigenous artists who were inspired by the visions for the space and presented during the renaming ceremony. “We’ve worked on many different initiatives including orientation handbooks,” said Perrault on the renaming and Indigenization project.