August 11, 2026

The Government of Canada has launched a new initiative focused on supporting early childhood educators (ECE). Canada will invest up to $5.4M to support ECE hiring, retention, and labour mobility. Three organizations— L’Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne, the Canadian Child Care Federation, and Colleges and Institutes Canada—will collaborate to deliver the initiative. “This initiative will allow CICan to mobilize our members – together with the ACUFC and the CCCF – to help create the conditions for a more resilient, accessible and sustainable childcare system,” said CICan President Pari Johnston.

Mohawk College and the Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario (FTI Ontario) are among the recipients of a recent $6M investment from the Government of Ontario into skilled trades training in the Hamilton region. Mohawk will receive more than $2.6M to modernize training at its Stoney Creek campus, purchase new electrical training equipment, and train sheet metal workers. FTI Ontario has received funds to purchase a new industrial sandblaster, which will be used by apprentices to develop their skills for the industrial painting workforce.

In a recent piece for The Conversation, Johanathan Woodworth (Mount Saint Vincent University) discusses the need for practical AI strategies for faculty. The author describes a case study that he and Dr Emily Ballantyne undertook at MSVU focused on generative AI policies and usage. He discusses faculty concerns about academic integrity, workload, professional support, and fair decision-making. After outlining how AI policy can address the impact of technology on teaching and learning, he offers three recommendations for universities. He encourages institutions to act in three areas: Recognizing the increased faculty workload; building trust with student-faculty discussions leading to shared AI agreements; and providing structured opportunities for faculty, students, and teacher candidates to learn about working with AI.

A former international student who studied at the University of Calgary has been ordered to pay phased security payments if his lawsuit against the university proceeds. Enes Etlik filed a statement of claim with Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench in September 2025 alleging breaches of procedural fairness and privacy, negligent administration, and intimidation. He sought $500K in damages. This summer, AB Justice Stephanie Latimer issued a phased security for costs in favour of UCalgary, requiring Etlik to pay up to $88K if his case proceeds. The Calgary Herald reports that the university has denied the allegations in its 2025 statement of defence.

In an article for The PIE News, Vinicius Nobre (ILSC Education Group) explains that international education programs need to be built with—not just delivered to—partner organizations to be effective. Nobre explains that the global demand for workforce-aligned international education has shifted to favour experiences that result in changed thinking, stronger professional networks, and the “kind of confidence that only comes from real immersion.” To achieve this, Nobre explains how parties from both sides of international sending programs can come together to design, build, and assess these programs in a way that results in meaningful change for participants.

Memorial University will be completing new research focused on improving long-term outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis. The research is supported by a $723K donation from the Branch Out Neurological Foundation through the Ralph M Barford Foundation which will be used to purchase specialized laboratory equipment, support research personnel, and cover other study costs. The project will be led by Dr Craig Moore and will build on research led by Moore and the late Dr Michelle Ploughman. The project will focus on how exercise may influence MS disease progression, which will help personalize treatment strategies.

Sprott Shaw College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan have shared updates in response to wildfires raging within the province. Sprott Shaw closed its Penticton campus on Monday due to an evacuation alert in the area. The college urged its community to monitor official emergency information and asked those displaced by wildfires to contact the college to receive accommodations. UBC Okanagan alerted its community that its Commons Field is being used as a temporary helicopter landing zone as a pick-up and drop-off point for wildfire service personnel staying on campus. The university emphasized that the campus is not currently under threat from the wildfires, and that the landing zone could be in effect for the next two weeks.

Arbitrator James Casey has partially upheld a grievance brought against Mount Royal University by the Mount Royal Staff Association. The arbitrator found that MRU had not adequately protected an employee during past anti-abortion protests that were held on campus. MRU has been ordered to adopt measures to protect the employee and other faculty from the protesters, including providing them with advance notice regarding future protests and placing limits on where demonstrators can protest. The staff association’s claim of $10K in damages was denied.

The Cape Breton Post reports that Gaelic College is taking several steps in response to funding cuts. The college has suspended its Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (BACS) program at its Beinn Mhàbu campus for the 2026–27 school year, and may alter staffing levels. Gaelic College President Rodney MacDonald explained that enrolment in the program did not reach minimum requirements for September 2026, but that the program will return in 2027. MacDonald said that the college will undertake an extensive recruitment campaign, offer first-year entry pathways into two programs, and will introduce several initiatives and programs designed to enhance its programming and serve the community.

The University of Prince Edward Island and the UPEI Faculty Association’s Bargaining Units 1 and 2 will have their bargaining supported by a conciliation officer. The officer will be appointed by the Government of Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning. A release from UPEI said that the university typically would expect conciliation to occur later in the bargaining process, but that it is “committed to constructive, good-faith bargaining and will participate fully and cooperatively in conciliation.”