April 22, 2026

Eight Canadian postsecondary institutions have appeared among Canada’s Top 100 Employers’ Canada’s Greenest Employers ranking, which recognizes employers that create a culture of environmental awareness in their organization. Concordia University and Western University were both recognized for on-campus reuse and resale programs. Mohawk College was recognized for its formal tree inventory program. The University of British Columbia’s efforts to encourage staff and faculty to use e-bikes were highlighted, as was the University of Northern British Columbia’s use of the local sawmill’s waste for energy. The University of Toronto and the University of Victoria were both recognized for dedicated sustainability events, such as repair cafes, while York University’s Sustainability Innovation Fund received a reference.

In a recent interview with the evoLLLution, Cheryl Kinzel (Bow Valley College) discusses a provincial micro-credential framework that is under development in Alberta and the opportunities created by provincial alignment. Kinzel explains that the Government of Alberta Advanced Education and ACAT are beginning to explore articulation and transfer for micro-credentials. While standardization and alignment will help to build confidence in micro-credentials, she notes that employers will need to see the outcomes of these programs firsthand before they value them. For these programs to unlock new stackable lifelong learning opportunities, postsecondary institutions will also need to shift to more collaborative operations. Kinzel concludes by expressing her hope for the future of micro-credentials in AB.

École des pêches et de l’aquaculture (ÉPAQ) du Québec at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles has announced that it plans to build its first student residence. The cégep secured land near ÉPAQ from the Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque, which will collaborate on the project. The partners will now begin the planning and costing process before they engage with the Government of Québec Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur on financing the project.

Confederation College and the City of Thunder Bay signed a Memorandum of Understanding last week to advance community and economic growth. Through this partnership, Confederation students will work with city partners to identify and solve local issues. “Through applied learning and research, our students and employees will continue to contribute to initiatives that support the City’s growth and create meaningful, real-world impact,” explained Confederation President Michelle Salo. Thunder Bay City Manager John Collin called the partnership a “win-win situation,” saying that the city will gain new perspectives and capacity while Confederation students gain experience.

The Muslim Students Association (MSA) at the University of Calgary recently received a hate email which has sparked safety concerns among members. MSA President Aitazaz Shah said that the group does not know what prompted the email, and that he believes it was an isolated incident. “Unfortunately, the world is filled with a lot of hatred,” said Shah. UCalgary and the Calgary Police Service have been informed of the message, and a police investigation is underway. The MSA is working with UCalgary campus security and the National Council of Canadian Muslims to strengthen support during upcoming events.

The Government of British Columbia has announced that it is opting in to the Government of Canada’s proposed variance that would allow rural employers to retain existing low-wage temporary foreign workers while it seeks more permanent solutions to its labour needs. The move will enable rural employers to retain their existing workers for an additional year while the province focuses on connecting workers to job opportunities and investing in employment and skills training. In the long-term, BC says it intends to work with the federal government to reduce youth unemployment, strengthen skills development, and help employers transition away from reliance on temporary labour.

Humber Polytechnic has launched a new Academic Practice Partnership with William Osler Health System to support laboratory medicine. Launched in collaboration with medical technology company Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD Canada), the partnership will include co-designed curriculum, expanded simulation and teaching labs, and clinical placement pathways. The partners also plan to conduct joint research to improve best practices in laboratory medicine. Humber President Ann Marie Vaughan explained that the partnership will be key in providing practical experience to learners. “Behind every diagnosis, every treatment decision, and every patient journey, there is a laboratory result – and behind every one of those results is a highly skilled professional,” explained Vaughan.

The University of King’s College is launching a new MFA in Scripted Storytelling and a centre of excellence in podcasting, thanks to the support of anonymous donors. The MFA program will help students develop film scripts and television pilots, while also offering opportunities for fiction and nonfiction writers to adapt their work for film or television. The new podcasting centre will be used by learners in the university’s new certificate and micro-credential programs, while also enhancing the university’s current production studios. “This will invite people from historically marginalized groups here in Nova Scotia and Canada to come into the program and practice their traditions,” said U of King’s College Director of Writing and Publishing Gillian Turnbull.

McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences has launched a new research institute: The Evidence Synthesis and Support Institute (ESSI). ESSI will bring together established research centres, groups, and research experts to strengthen their capacity to meet emerging needs, while also creating a gateway for external partners to find the research teams they need to undertake projects. The institute will further provide the evidence synthesis and support services they need to make better decisions. McMaster states that the research institute will shape the future of evidence-based medicine.

The federal New Democratic Party (NDP) is urging Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to implement biometric options to fast-track the study permit application process for Palestinian students. University Affairs reports that NDP Leader Avi Lewis called for the IRCC to allow Palestinian students facing study permit delays to complete fingerprint or retinal scans and create remote or alternative options. In response, the IRCC acknowledged that there have been increased processing times for study permit applications, but asserted that “anyone looking to come to Canada must meet our admissibility and eligibility requirements, including biometrics and security screening. […] The timing and results of these screenings are outside of IRCC’s control.”