December 2, 2025

Health Canada has provided more than $35M over three years to support 30 oral health projects at postsecondary institutions across Canada through the Oral Health Access Fund Stream. These projects will focus on addressing competency gaps related to treating targeted populations and adaptations that will ensure students can access sufficient hands-on training opportunities. “Our support to new training projects will not only empower the next generation of oral health professionals, but also contribute to lower costs for families,” said Federal Minister of Health Marjorie Michel.

The Government of Canada, Government of Ontario, and several industry members have partnered to develop a Centre for Fusion Energy. This public-private partnership between government and industry will receive over $90M in contributions and financial investments from these partners. It will serve as a site for clean energy research and commercialization. “Ontario’s world-renowned researchers are driving the energy sector into a new era of clean energy,” said ON Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security Nolan Quinn. “Through this investment, our government is leveraging our province’s position as a nuclear powerhouse to fuel fusion energy discoveries that will advance our industries, build our energy workforce, and protect Ontario.”

The Government of Alberta is investing nearly $4.5M into expanding dual credit programs in the current school year. The grant will support the province’s schools in offering programs in a variety of areas—including welding, hairstyling, and education assistant training—for students in grades 10 to 12. The funding includes $2.8M to enhance 29 existing programs and $1.6M to support school boards as they create 33 new dual credit programs. “Dual credit courses help high school students explore jobs and get a head start – whether it is in the trades, post-secondary or pursuing their passion,” said AB Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides.

Three institutions in British Columbia—Camosun College, College of the Rockies, and University of British Columbia Okanagan—have announced new and revised programs. Camosun has launched a Bachelor of Business Administration in Socially Responsible Management, which will prepare students to manage and lead in a variety of business and organizational environments. COTR is expanding its trades training with the Gasfitter Class B Level 2 program in January. Upon completion, learners will receive the Certificates of Qualification and have attained the technical training they need to prepare to enter the field. UBC Okanagan is launching a redesigned Bachelor of Education program in 2026. In addition to now only requiring 11 months to complete, the program’s content will place a greater emphasis on areas such as technology and truth and reconciliation.

Students at Brandon University, Fleming College, and the University of Guelph will each have access to new bursaries and scholarships, thanks to donations and partnerships. BrandonU has received $1.1M from donor Michael Chernoff to expand its entrance awards and create new opportunities for top incoming students. At Fleming, The Joyce Family Foundation donated $1.5M to create 11 annual bursaries for students facing barriers to education. UoGuelph has joined Schulich Leader Scholarships. These highly competitive scholarships are awarded to incoming STEM students who demonstrate key attributes and strong financial need.

The University of Prince Edward Island has celebrated the official opening of its newly named $103M Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre. The facility hosts several clinics, learning spaces, and a provincial collaborative care centre. “This facility will serve our students in many areas, including nursing, kinesiology, paramedicine, psychology, as well as other first responders and aligns with UPEI’s vision to prepare graduates for a rapidly changing world,” said UPEI President Dr Wendy Rodgers. A phased transition plan is in place to bring more tenants into the space through winter 2026.

Two governments have recently announced updates to professional regulations in their jurisdictions. The Government of the Northwest Territories has announced that the first phase of new regulations around the dental hygiene profession have come into effect this month. The first phase of the new Dental Hygiene Profession Regulations will remove the requirement for dental hygienists to be supervised by a dentist, while expanding their general scope of practice and introducing a continuing competency program. The next phase will include the creation of a standards of practice and code of ethics, as well as an expanded scope category for registration. Meanwhile, the Government of Nova Scotia has passed legislation that has introduced a provincial training requirement for all bouncers and security personnel at bars.

At several postsecondary institutions across the country, staff and students have engaged in fundraising and volunteer efforts to support those in need. At Collège d’Alma, graduating nursing students and street workers in Alma have partnered to create an internship through which students will offer accessible care to vulnerable clientele within the community, while volunteers at MacEwan University assembled Life Kits for distribution to people in Edmonton’s downtown core. Seven Generations Education Institute partnered with the United Native Friendship Centre to provide groceries and gifts for three families in need in Fort Frances, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout. In Nova Scotia, universities across the province raised funds in support of their respective student food banks as part of a Giving Tuesday effort.

Assiniboine College is looking to further respond to rural training needs in MB with new support from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) and a partnership with the Rural Municipality of Ritchot. The Brandon Sun reports that AMM recently passed a resolution to call on the Government of Manitoba to expand access to education on several fronts, including by fast-tracking the launch of the college’s forthcoming laboratory and X-ray technology program. Steinbach Online reports that the college and Ritchot have formalized a long-term partnership focused on access to PSE, employment services, and skills training. Early discussions between the partners are focused on bringing Early Childhood Education and trades programming to the region.

Unions at Acadia University and Humber Polytechnic have each ratified new collective agreements. Acadia University’s Service Employees International Union Local 2—representing 87 members in roles such as administrative assistants, laboratory technicians, and student life staff—ratified a collective agreement that applies retroactively from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. Both sides of the negotiations process praised the other for their professionalism and commitment. Members of Unifor Local 414, who work in food services at Humber Polytechnic, have also ratified a new three-year collective agreement with their employer, Compass Group. Key among the changes were increases to the hourly wages, introduction of an RRSP for senior members, and enhanced health benefits.