April 6, 2026

A recent article from Global News discusses the challenges that postsecondary students are facing as they begin searching for jobs in their fields of study. Venture For Canada CEO Steven Wang said that employers expect students to be ready to work, but universities often do not prepare students with the AI and human interpersonal skills that employers want. Two recent graduates shared that they were struggling to find jobs without having experience in their fields. “I think they’ve done all the right things, they’ve gotten the good grades and jumped through all the hoops and now they feel like there’s no opportunities,” said Wang. “What we need is to provide concrete, realistic pathways for them.”

Canada’s Top 100 Employers has released the results of two employer competitions, which include several postsecondary institutions that were recognized for their working conditions. The Top Employers for Canadians Over 40 competition recognizes employers that offer programs and benefits geared towards employees who are aged 40 and older, taking into account factors such as recruitment, HR policies, pension plans, and social opportunities for retirees. The University of New Brunswick was recognized for its Retired Employees Association, which provides a way for retirees to stay connected. Canada’s Top Family-Friendly Employers recognizes employers—such as Simon Fraser University and the Université de Montréal—who provide initiatives such as daycare assistance, elder care assistance, and adoption support.

In an opinion piece for the Vancouver Sun, Simon Fraser University President Emeritus Andrew Petter discusses the impact of Canada’s international student strategy on postsecondary institutions and Canada’s global reputation. Petter writes that a new report demonstrates that the federal policy changes were “deeply flawed.” Petter discusses how the resulting “shock wave” destabilized postsecondary institutions and damaged the reputation of the country. “If the federal government is serious about preserving the strength and reputation of Canada’s post-secondary education system, it must urgently recalibrate — revisiting allocation models, restoring predictability and working in genuine partnership with provinces and institutions,” writes Petter.

Queen’s University’s Provost Matthew Evans will be embarking on a review of the university’s current budget model to improve its research performance and redistribute funding within the institution. Queen’s has used an activity-based budget model—whereby revenues were distributed to faculties based on enrolment and faculties were responsible for direct costs and subject to shared service expense formulas—for the past 13 years. However, according to Queen’s the model is “no longer producing the university-wide outcomes Queen’s needs.” Evans explained that entrepreneurial revenue generation will be a “core principle” of the new model, in addition to improving partnerships within the university. The review process will begin this spring, with implementation of the new model scheduled for Winter 2027.

The Government of British Columbia has introduced amendments to the University Endowment Land Act to improve the enforcement of bylaws on the land bordering the University of British Columbia. The change was prompted by residents living on the land, who requested that enforcement be modernized to improve compliance. If passed, the amendments will allow University Endowment Land bylaws to be enforced similarly to municipal ticketing, and allow enforcement officers to prosecute tickets in provincial court. Currently, minor bylaw violations are subject to different procedures than traditional municipal violations, which BC says are “time consuming and expensive.”

Institutions across the country are launching nature-based events and sharing information in celebration of Earth Month this April. Royal Roads University and York University both announced events such as a forest walk, campus clean ups, and an invasive plant removal activity. The Royal Roads Library has also created Earth Day displays. The University of Saskatchewan provided six suggestions for the community to live more sustainably, which include cutting waste at the office and choosing lower-emission transportation when possible, while George Brown Polytechnic highlighted climate actions it has taken over the past year. Last month, the University of Fraser Valley also celebrated sustainability and climate action as a part of its annual March for Sustainability.

The Québec Superior Court in Montreal has rejected the request for an injunction by a McGill University law student against McGill’s Law Students’ Association. The injunction application sought to stop the LSA from implementing a boycott of Israeli institutions, citing McGill’s and the Students’ Society of McGill University’s anti-discrimination policies. The court ruled against the injunction application, explaining that it failed to meet the threshold for urgency and irreparable harm requiring immediate relief. The National Post noted that several leaders from McGill, including President Deep Saini, McGill Law Interim Dean Tina Piper, and Faculty Provost Angela Campbell have spoken out against the LSA’s proposed boycott.

The University of New Brunswick and the University of Alberta have each made announcements related to how they will support Canada’s defence capacity. UNB will receive $813K through Canada’s Defense Industrial Strategy to develop a Maritime 3D Digital Twin platform. The platform will strengthen defence and security at Port Saint John and the Port of Belledune. UAlberta has entered a partnership with Des Nedhe Group Defence that is aligned with major Canadian Armed Forces programs. The two will advance work on the fronts of defence, security, and monitoring technologies.

Several institutions joined in April Fool’s Day with pranks and festivities on April 1st. MacEwan University announced that it would be increasing campus traversability by introducing wheelie shoe infrastructure to its pedway system, including “dedicated wheelie lanes” and “temporary speed bumps.” Royal Roads University announced “AirRnR” to give the public a way to stay at Hatley Castle in rooms styled after movies and television shows filmed at the location. Trent University confirmed the rumours of a secret tunnel system below the university, equipped with lighting, heated walkways, and underground coffee shops. Jokes continued south of the border as well, with Inside Higher Ed reporting that US institutions launched pranks relating to AI professors, the censoring of a university fight song, and the introduction of a “comfort tiger” to campus.

A Canada goose that entered a building on the campus of Wilfrid Laurier University has gone viral on TikTok for the ensuing mayhem. The goose reportedly entered a building through an automatic sliding door and walked by a campus Starbucks. It then proceeded to take off in flight to ascend the stairs and enter a large atrium while students ran for cover. In comments to CBC, WLU stated that geese are common on campus this time of year and added that it had shared tips with students and staff for staying safe when dealing with geese.