April 7, 2026

Several Canadian universities have begun offering accommodations to applicants and students impacted by the war in Iran. CBC reports that application and payment timelines have been extended at the University of Victoria, Queen’s University, and Carleton University. Institutions such as McGill University and Queen’s University, meanwhile, have reached out to students to inform them of mental health supports offered. University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union President Amir Moghadam supported the initiatives provided by universities but added that emergency funding and institutional policies should be created or expanded to better deal with these situations in the future. “These situations will keep happening to different communities at different times,” Moghadam said.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has received a $5M gift from Cameco to support the construction of its Joseph A Remai Saskatoon Campus. This donation will support mining education through the Cameco Virtual Reality Mine Lab, named in honour of the donation. Students will be able to access remote, underground, and other inaccessible locations through the virtual reality lab, and take part in realistic scenarios that will enhance their technical skills. The gift will also support an Industrial Mechanics certificate program for northern Indigenous women that Sask Polytech will be piloting at its Prince Albert campus.

Mohawk College and Hamilton Sports Group have launched a three-year partnership that will create multiple learning opportunities for students. Students will be able to participate in hands-on experiences with Forge FC and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, hear from Hamilton Sports Group executives through a speaker series, and take part in mentorship opportunities. Sports players and mascots will also appear at Mohawk College Summer Camps, with campers receiving ticket vouchers for home games. “It’s an exciting opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute, while strengthening the community we are proud to call home,” said Mohawk President Paul Armstrong.

The Government of Quebec has passed Bill 9, which limits public prayer and makes changes to services offered by public institutions. As a part of the law, public institutions including postsecondary institutions are now prohibited from offering prayer spaces. Journal de Montréal reports that exemptions have been made for select chapels at Bishop’s University, Concordia University, McGill University, and Université Laval. QC Minister Responsible for Laicity Jean-François Roberge said that the law’s goal is to ensure religious neutrality and equality for citizens.

Thompson Rivers University and former Associate VP, People and Culture, Larry Phillips have reached a “mutually agreeable resolution” after meeting with the assistance of a mediator. The agreement stems from the termination of Phillips’ employment in 2021. Philips alleged that TRU mishandled an investigation process and mistreated him in its administration of his termination. The claim was scheduled to go to trial in August 2027, but the parties met last month with a mediator and came to an undisclosed settlement. TRU thanked Philips for his service to the university and acknowledged that “some mistakes” were made in the handling of the investigation.

The Algonquin Students’ Association has decided to cut the Algonquin Wolves Varsity Rugby program, due to financial challenges. Student athletes said they had no idea that their team would be suspended and that they heard about the news through a short virtual meeting. Student athlete Emma Khaimovich told City News that the teams and their coaches have been discussing options for reinstating the team. The Algonquin Students’ Association explained to CTV News that “as an organization, the SA remains dedicated to Varsity athletics and supporting our Wolves teams, players, coaches, and fans.”

A recent eCampusNews article explores the key findings of Cisco’s recent State of Wireless 2026 report, with a specific focus on how this impacts postsecondary institutions. Through a survey of global wireless professionals, the report explores trends in the use of Wi-Fi. Looking to higher ed specifically, eCampusNews notes the escalating complexity in wireless operations, discusses some of the trends in AI-use, and high rate of wireless security incidents on campus. The article concludes by pointing to three interconnected areas that organizations and institutions can prioritize to achieve a stronger wireless ROI.

University of Guelph researchers have launched a project called BugQuest. The project will explore biodiversity across Canada by using passive insect traps and identifying the insects caught in them through DNA barcoding. Organizations and individuals who sign up to participate in the project will be sent a free kit which they can deploy at any site with high visibility. The project’s timeline is set to range from approximately September 2026 until potentially the end of 2027. “We’re really hoping we can touch base with all the different participants, get them to learn a little bit more about why insects matter…” said BugQuest project lead Ross Stewart.

The University of Prince Edward Island has shared updates on its labour negotiations with several unions on campus. The university received a Notice to Bargain from CUPE 501 and the University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association Bargaining Unit #1. UPEI expects that negotiations will begin in the coming months, and it says that it is committed to reaching an agreement that is “fair for employees and sustainable for the long‑term health of the institution.” UPEI also recently shared that the tentative agreement reached with IBEW 1928—representing staff such as utility workers and electricians—has officially been ratified.

Université du Québec à Montréal Rector Stéphane Pallage recently participated in a mission to Belgium, where UQAM strengthened its collaborations with Belgian institutions on several fronts. The delegation focused on boosting university and research partnerships, establishing cooperation agreements, and reaffirming connections between Québec and Europe. During this mission, Pallage signed two agreements: an Erasmus+ agreement with the Université de Namur, which will facilitate student mobility in communication at the bachelor’s and master’s levels; and an agreement with the Université catholique de Louvain focused on research collaborations, particularly those conducted by the Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur la diversité et la démocratie.