April 2, 2025

Canadian scholars working on US government-funded projects or applying for new US grants have reportedly received a questionnaire asking whether their research is connected to diversity, equity, and inclusion; environmental justice; or gender ideology. Although the US government has not explained the document’s purpose, CBC says that many in Canadian postsecondary education speculate that research perceived as disconnected from the current administration’s priorities may be cut. “It’s essentially asking researchers to prove how their work is aligning with the political and partisan priorities of the Trump administration,” said CAUT Executive Director David Robinson. Universities Canada President Gabriel Miller called the questionnaire’s implications “worrisome,” warning “it puts one of the most important engines for scientific progress at risk, which is international collaboration.”

The Government of Alberta has released the new Private Career College Registry, which offers a comprehensive look at licensed vocational training programs and their license status. Prospective and current students can use the registry to view key details such as program names, duration, cost, and location, as well as whether the program’s license is active, suspended, or on a stop order. “Private career colleges play an important role in Alberta’s adult learning system, and they offer a diversity of learning approaches and vocational training,” explained AB Minister of Advanced Education Rajan Sawhney. “Unfortunately, there are also some bad actors, and it is our responsibility to ensure students are not taken advantage of and are spending their hard-earned money on high-quality educational experiences.”

Several Canadian academic and research leaders are urging the Government of Canada to fund a “brain gain” from the US. CBC reports that many US scholars have demonstrated an interest in working in Canada, which coincides with a demand from organizations in Canada for highly skilled talent. The Government of Québec, for example, is actively recruiting scientific talent from the US. However, CBC also notes that Canada’s federal policy changes have put many postsecondary institutions into a financial situation where they cannot capitalize on this opportunity. The Canadian Medical Association Journal, QC Chief Scientist Rémi Quirion, and Universities Canada have each called for federal investments to attract US talent and take advantage of the “brain gain” opportunity.

Algonquin College will launch an Indigenous Studies diploma and Indigenous Studies certificate program this September. Developed in collaboration with Inuit, Métis, and First Nations communities, the programs follow a curriculum that incorporates Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being into the fields of education, law, health care, culture, and language. They aim to prepare learners for careers in sectors that engage with Indigenous communities, businesses, and organizations. “Our Indigenous Studies diploma and certificate programs are not only a continuation of Algonquin College’s commitment to reconciliation, but a commitment to develop a better understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples and the issues faced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples,” said Algonquin President Claude Brulé.

Memorial University will be closing select residence buildings for the summer as it prepares for and hosts the Canada Summer Games. CBC reports that approximately 100 students live in the affected buildings, some of whom have encountered challenges with the process of finding a new place to live. While the university has reportedly posted multiple notifications about the closures between May 2024 and March 2025, some students told CBC that these notifications were easy to miss. Memorial shared that its off-campus housing advisors are working with about 30 affected students to help them find new housing and confirmed that students will have a place in residence in the Fall if they wish to return to campus.

Seneca Polytechnic has partnered with GLS University in India to create a new pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Students who take part in the pathway will complete the first year of their studies in the Global Programme at GLS University in India, before continuing their education in Canada in a Seneca Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of Computer Science program. “This collaboration will open doors for more students to access high-quality polytechnic education and global opportunities,” said Seneca President David Agnew. “Students will also be eligible to apply for a three-year Post Graduation Work Permit upon graduation, benefiting from the exceptional learning these programs will provide.”

Faculty at the University of Winnipeg are reportedly concerned about potential job losses following a recent university budget update and comments from UWinnipeg President Todd Mondor at a senate meeting. In the update, the university warned that “serious financial pressures” would make it difficult to maintain its programming and services. In the meeting, Mondor further referenced a financial exigency article in the faculty collective agreement that details how layoffs can be invoked in a financial emergency. Both University of Winnipeg Faculty Association President Peter Miller and UWinnipeg Spokesman Caleb Zimmerman told the Winnipeg Free Press that financial exigency is not an immediate threat. However, Miller noted that the association takes the comments seriously and expressed hope “that we’ll see provincial government step up now.”

Cégep de Granby will offer a new accelerated pathway for its early childhood education program starting this Fall. This option will allow students to complete the Diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) program—which traditionally takes three years—within two years. This will help graduates to enter the workforce and help meet the demand for qualified staff in the early childhood education sector sooner. The cégep explained that this pathway may be especially useful for students who have already completed their general education courses and are interested in entering the job market quickly.

Durham College has partnered with RPA Canada to enhance career prospects for accounting students. Under a new pathway agreement, eligible graduates of Durham’s Business – Accounting program will qualify for the Registered Professional Accountant (RPA) designation prerequisites and can write the RPA Mandatory Professional Exam. This designation demonstrates that graduates are equipped with the skills required to serve small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures. “This partnership expands our students’ opportunities for accreditation, equipping them with the credentials and competitive advantage needed to thrive in today’s dynamic job market,” said Durham Faculty of Business Executive Dean Cristina Italia.

A Nature article by Holly Else spotlights new evidence suggesting that paying peer reviewers may speed up publishing processes. Else highlights how two journals—Critical Care Medicine and Biology Open—recently conducted separate experiments in which peer reviewers were offered cash incentives for accepting and completing reviews. Both studies found that paying reviewers improved the number of accepted invitations and the speed at which reviews were carried out to varying degrees. Despite these findings, some academics remain cautious about making these payments standard practice, as it could lead to higher journal subscription costs or could encourage reviewers to prioritize quantity over quality.