August 29, 2024

The Government of British Columbia is investing $12.5M over three years to support the recruitment and training of K-12 teachers. This investment aims to enhance teacher retention, increase flexibility in teacher education programs, and recruit more teachers in rural and remote communities. “We know that the record numbers of newcomers moving to BC each year means we need more teaching staff in schools,” said BC Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh. “We’re actively working with our education partners on K-12 workforce initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of more certified teachers and build a sustainable education workforce for years to come.”

The Government of Québec is providing $5.9M to the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi for the construction of a new student residence on campus. The residence will be located near the campus’ main pavilion and will include 72 apartments as well as common areas. UQAC recteur Ghislain Samson said that this development is an important piece of the broader affordable student housing puzzle in the province. QC Minister of Higher Education Pascale Déry added that tackling the housing crisis is essential to enabling students to focus entirely on their studies.

The University of Manitoba has officially opened the doors of the Churchill Marine Observatory, a first-of-its-kind Arctic research facility near the Port of Churchill. The observatory—which is reportedly the only Arctic deep-water port in North America—is dedicated to the study of the Hudson Bay and Arctic Ocean and will collect data on environmental features such as oil spills, currents, and marine mammal behaviour. “We have been asking how we can ensure our work brings truly positive benefits to northern communities through responsible economic developments and environmental protections,” said UManitoba President Michael Benarroch. “Now, the Churchill Marine Observatory will provide answers to these and many other questions.”

The University of Saskatchewan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thunderchild First Nation to strengthen their relationship and collaborate on shared interests, such as mentorship, research, and supporting Indigenous youth. Under this agreement, USask’s colleges–particularly the kihci-okâwîmâw askiy Knowledge Centre, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, College of Education, and School of Environment and Sustainability–will work together to meet the needs of the Thunderchild First Nation. “This collaboration with Thunderchild First Nation is an opportunity to sharpen the focus of our work with Indigenous communities and to highlight the positive impact we can have on each other,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff.

City News reports that international students and recent graduates across Canada are protesting recent federal policy changes. Student advocacy group Naujawan Support Network stated that the Government of Canada’s immigration policy changes have left numerous graduates at risk of deportation when their work permits expire this year. City News states that the protests reflect the “growing frustration and desperation” among students who feel that they have invested in Canada and are “now being told to finish their studies and return home while dealing with massive debts.”

The Trades Skills Centres in Regina and Saskatoon have received $1.92M in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan. The trades centres will use the funding to support continued skills training program delivery and administration efforts. “Entry level employees are in demand across all industries in Saskatchewan, and funding from the Government of Saskatchewan allows us to continue to provide demand led industry training,” said Regina Trades and Skills Centre Executive Director Bryan Shankowsky. “This funding allows us to help ease the strain on local employers and allow Saskatchewan residents to access training that suits their needs and the needs of employers.”

The University of Toronto and University of Waterloo are among the recipients of a recent $6.6M federal investment into research projects that address public health evidence gaps. U of T will receive $973K to develop a pan-Canadian public health data system that monitors perinatal opioid use and its impact on maternal and child health. UWaterloo will receive $766K to enhance the tracking of mental health conditions among individuals in home care or long-term care settings. “[T]hese organizations will help us have a better understanding of how people are affected by various conditions, help guide how to best support them and inform broader public health actions,” said Canadian Minister of Health Mark Holland.

A recent survey by Celiac Canada revealed that many of Canada’s postsecondary institutions are not providing adequate gluten-free accommodations. Through a survey of 200 students and parents, Celiac Canada found that 70% experienced difficulty accessing gluten-free food on campus and only 12% felt dining hall staff were knowledgeable about celiac disease. While Celiac Canada praised some institutions for their efforts–such as the Queen’s University, University of Calgary, University of Guelph, and Western University–it urged all postsecondary institutions to take greater steps to create a safer, more inclusive environment. “Access to safe food is a basic right, yet people with celiac disease are often dismissed,” said Celiac Canada National Executive Director Melissa Secord. “With increased education and awareness, we can improve these statistics.”

According to CUPE 3906, three students from McMaster University have been banned from attending non-academic campus activities due to their participation in a pro-Palestinian protest earlier this year. The union states that the students recently received “persona non grata” notices from McMaster, which indicate that while the individuals can attend classes, they are prohibited from participating in extracurriculars, protests, or other campus activities. In an emailed statement to CBC, McMaster spokesperson Michelle Donovan said that she could not comment on these specific cases, but clarified that such notices are issued “if there are concerns, based on the evidence of the case, that an individual poses a potential risk to campus or members of the campus community.”

Dalhousie University recently updated its website, reorganizing and refreshing the Study (formerly Academics) and Admissions sections of the site. As part of these changes, Dal introduced a new program explorer tool that allows students to browse all the university’s programs and quickly access crucial information, such as the Faculty that the program is housed within. Students can filter programs by broad area of interest and type. The university also updated the language and navigation throughout these sections to be more user-focused and clear.