August 24, 2026

The Government of Canada will be investing more than $118M into 357 projects at 68 postsecondary institutions. The investment—made through the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s (CFI’s) John R Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) and College Fund—will support research infrastructure projects so that researchers are equipped to advance their work. The Government of Quebec is co-funding QC’s CFI-funded projects. QC will provide 22 postsecondary institutions with $42M to support infrastructure acquisition. “From developing next-generation AI infrastructure to advancing the energy transition to helping Northern communities thrive, the research infrastructure projects funded today are protecting Canada’s advantage in leading-edge research across a variety of key sectors,” said CFI President Sylvain Charbonneau.

The Government of Ontario has announced a nearly $75M investment into bolstering the provincial long-term care workforce. Of this funding, $58M will go to four initiatives. Three are three-year initiatives: the Bridging Education Grant in Nursing to train personal support workers (PSWs) and registered practical nurses as RPNs and registered nurses; the PSW District School Board Bursary Program to help people complete PSW training; and the Francophone PSW Learn and Earn Program at Collège Boréal, which provides PSW training to long-term care staff within their communities. Eight Indigenous Institutes will receive funding over two years to support PSW, practical nursing, and pre-health education programs. ON has also invested in a fund that long-term care homes can use to train staff.

In a recent article for University Business, Michael Brach (Holy Cross College) argues that rather than replacing human work, AI may contribute by helping researchers ask better questions. Brach highlights some examples, such as a cancer researcher asking AI to examine their research through the lens of a clinical social worker, behavioural psychologist, hospital chaplain, health economist, or rural physician. Brach explains that professors can use AI to explore how other disciplines approach problems, helping them engage their students by connecting the subject with careers students are interested in. “The liberal arts have never been about accumulating isolated bodies of knowledge,” writes Brach. “They have been about helping students recognize relationships among ideas.”

Lakehead University and the City of Barrie celebrated the opening of the university’s downtown STEM Hub. The hub is made up of two Barrie locations which contain classroom and lab space for STEM students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They are expected to provide facilities for over 800 students, researchers, and employees. Lakehead President Dr Gillian Siddall called the opening a “history-making moment” for both the city and the university. “[The STEM Hub is] about building stronger connections between education and industry and ensuring that talented young people have the opportunity to learn, stay, build careers and contribute to the communities around them,” said Siddall.

A recent CBC article explores challenges faced by Québec students who seek disability-based exemptions to French-language learning requirements so they can pursue postsecondary. While children with applicable disabilities can be granted a waiver from the requirements, Université du Québec à Rimouski Professor Marie-Eve Lefebvre said that students who are seeking an exemption face a high burden of proof and are often not aware of the exemption process. Student Henry Gendreau, who was removed from his cégep after his request for an exemption was denied, told CBC how this experience has impacted him. “It hits me in the sense that not only I’ve lost the skills I’ve wanted to obtain, it also hits me personally because I’ve lost a lot of friends,” explained Gendreau.

Curricula, credentials, and instructional methods must change as professional contexts change, writes Andrew Afton Lawrence. Afton Lawrence writes that since AI and spatial technologies are now shaping workplaces and how knowledge is applied, academic programs must be designed to prepare students for these environments. The author argues that comprehensive program redesigns are designed around applied contexts so that students learn about abstract concepts as part of their decision-making processes. Degrees that are aligned with space and AI address this by integrating learning experiences and engaging learners holistically. “As professional environments continue to evolve, academic programs must respond thoughtfully,” writes Afton Lawrence, who notes that degrees in these areas prepare learners to operate in systems created by technology.

Georgian College and the Royal Canadian Navy have signed a Memorandum of Collaboration to create education and training pathways between the college and the navy. The collaboration will allow Georgian’s Centre for Marine Training and Research to provide refresher training, upskilling, and occupation-aligned learning to navy members, and to provide pathways for Georgian students in Marine Engineering and Marine Navigation to join the navy. “This collaboration builds on the strength of our postsecondary marine programs, which help develop future talent for the sector, and on our expertise in modular, industry-connected training that supports reservists and active service members,” concluded Georgian President Kevin Weaver.

In preparation for the start of the school year this week, Cégep de Saint-Laurent has found alternate facilities for students affected by the closure of one of its buildings. Cégep students will attend class at the nearby l’école secondaire Pierre-Laporte, which is owned by the Centre de services scolaire Marguerite-Bourgeoys. La Presse notes that the building has been recently renovated and can hold 238 students.

Fanshawe College has expanded the scope of its aviation school and renamed it the Norton Wolf School of Aerospace, Information and Defence Technologies. The renaming came after an academic realignment that brought the college’s aviation programs together with its School of Information Technology. Fanshawe Dean of the Faculty of Science, Trades, Technology and Design Stephen Patterson said that the change recognizes organizations in the region that are dedicated to aerospace and defence, but also includes a broader focus, supporting the infrastructure, technology, and workforce behind Canada’s defence sector. “Our job is to make sure that we support the talent pipeline and the supply chains that make Canada strong,” said Patterson.

The Cégep de Saint-Jérôme’s Centre collégial de Mont-Tremblant has launched a new technical program: Administration et gestion. Through this program, students will learn more about business, marketing, and accounting. Students will have opportunities to connect with local entrepreneurs and complete an internship. The program also includes an option for students to complete an internship abroad. This new program replaces the college’s business management techniques program.