April 17, 2026

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada has announced a national initiative that is focused on building Canada’s AI compute capacity, a “core part of Canada’s digital backbone.” The AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program will support organizations focused on developing large-scale, Canada-based computing infrastructure to advance AI research and innovation. ISED explains that this will offer several benefits for Canada, including creating a national platform for innovation and giving Canadian researchers the advanced computing power they need to undertake transformative AI projects. Postsecondary institutions and consortia led by postsecondary institutions are eligible entities for this program; the call for applications for the Infrastructure Build Layer—focused on designing, building, and operating public supercomputing systems—is open until June 1.

Concordia University’s Standing Together against Racism and Identity-based Violence (STRIVE) Task Force has released its report on identity-based violence in the Concordia community. Launched in 2024, the task force comprised six subcommittees investigating different areas of identity-based violence. The report lists several STRIVE recommendations focused on ensuring an inclusive, respectful environment across the institution. To aid in achieving the recommended actions, the task force concluded that the university should establish an implementation and community response committee, which Concordia President Graham Carr announced would be constituted in the coming weeks.

Many Canadian universities are helping to strengthen Canada’s presence in the Arctic, and a new article for University Affairs explores the initiatives and partnerships formed in pursuit of this goal. Author Doug Ronson explains the unique factors surrounding the use and nature of Arctic infrastructure, as well as the region’s importance to the military. Ronson provides several examples of how researchers from institutions such as Royal Military College, the University of Alberta, and the University of Saskatchewan are engaged in projects in the region. He also highlights the work of ArcticNet—a consortium based at Université Laval that includes 176 researchers from 40 Canadian universities, as one key player in Arctic research. “As researchers, it’s important that we understand the priorities of the people living there and include them in our research,” said ArcticNet Scientific Director Philippe Archambault.

Canada’s Top 100 has released its list of top employers in Southwestern Ontario. The competition evaluates businesses according to eight criteria, including workplace, benefits, and training. Two organizations from postsecondary education were recognized: OCAS Application Services was recognized for its in-house secondment program, while Western University was recognized for its family-friendly policies like its maternity and parental leave top-up, flexible workdays, and paid Care Days.

HEC Montréal, the NHL, and SAP have unveiled “The Hockey Analyst,” a free game for students that uses real professional hockey data to help them develop analytical skills. Developed by HEC Montréal’s ERPsim Lab team, the game offers students an immersive, intuitive experience where they can prepare for a professional environment by using SAP Analytics Cloud to analyze data and interpret visualizations. “Innovating in data analytics means going beyond traditional teaching methods,” said ERPsim Lab Director and Professor Pierre-Majorique Léger. “Here, real sports data enrich the learning experience by adding context, complexity, and constraints. Students learn to determine what truly matters, justify their decisions and manage trade-offs.”

Red Deer Polytechnic will be supporting the launch of a new online AI Workshop Series for small and medium-sized businesses in Central Alberta. The AI Workshop Series is launched by Central Alberta First, in collaboration with RDP and the Regional Business Support Network. This series is a five-part learning pathway that was developed by RDP’s Continuing Education and Corporate Training division. It focuses on providing business owners with information about how AI can be applied in areas like communication, research, and workflow efficiency. “By combining applied expertise with real business needs, we are helping organizations adopt AI in a way that is practical, responsible and impactful,” said RDP Interim Dean of the Donald School of Business Lisa Henderson.

Cégep de Saint-Laurent will be closing its French-language program at the end of May. The Suburban reports that the program will close due to the costs associated with moving the program while the buildings where classes take place are closed for renovations. The Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) denounced the change and called on the new Government of Québec Premier Christine Fréchette to reverse the decision. They explained that this closure will result in the loss of 15 staff positions and a setback in the province’s immigrant integration efforts. The CSN also called attention to the state of cégep facilities and the consequences of QC’s insufficient investments in infrastructure.

Université de Moncton has postponed the adoption of its 2026–2027 budget in response to changes announced in New Brunswick’s budget in March. The university says that its frozen provincial grant has not kept up with inflation, and that it has not had sufficient time to evaluate its options in response. The Fédération des étudiants du campus de l’Université de Moncton welcomed the decision, stating that it did not agree with the previous university budget. The postponed date for a budget vote has not been set, but Radio-Canada reports that a vote should occur before May. “We are making structural decisions for our institution in a particularly challenging context,” said UMoncton Recteur Dr Denis Prud’homme.

St Andrew’s College has signed a five-year partnership agreement with Murray Theological College in Zimbabwe. The partnership is built around the institutions’ shared commitment to global partnership, theological education, and Christian leadership. It includes efforts related to faculty and student exchanges, service for the church and global communities, and efforts to enhance theological education. “This partnership reflects our hope for long-term, reciprocal learning rooted in justice, reconciliation, and the flourishing of the church across diverse postcolonial contexts,” said St Andrew’s College Principal Richard Manley-Tannis.

College of the North Atlantic’s Tourism and Hospitality Management diploma program has been officially accredited by Tourism HR Canada’s SMART+ Accreditation Program. The accreditation is awarded to institutions that offer an education that is validated against national benchmarks and teach the skills and knowledge necessary for today’s tourism and hospitality industry. “With ongoing workforce demand and pathways for growth, the opportunities in tourism are truly endless, making it an exciting, dynamic field in which to build a rewarding career,” said CNA Instructor Susan Daw. “For employers, accreditation signals job-ready graduates, giving students a clear advantage in securing employment and advancing across the tourism sector.”