February 06, 2026

Students and staff from Canadian postsecondary institutions are participating in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Colleges, polytechnics, and universities from across the country shared the names of alumni and student athletes who are participating in sports including bobsled, curling, hockey, skiing, and skating. Some of these student athletes shared how their institution had supported their journey to the Olympics; the profiles of others depict how they have stayed engaged through their institutional varsity sports. Additionally, some University of Toronto and Western University alumni and staff will be officiating the women’s hockey games.

In the age of AI, educators must delineate between AI co-creation and plagiarism in their assessment of learning, argue Sarah Elaine Eaton (University of Calgary), Beatriz Antonieta Moya Figueroa (UCalgary), Robert Brennan (UCalgary), and Rahul Kumar (Brock University). Drawing on a qualitative study they conducted, the authors state that Canadian educators recognize the value in using AI to teach and assess prompting and critical thinking, but feel that AI use for composition can reduce students’ ability to think for themselves. The authors suggest several principles that educators should follow to address this, including: evaluating draft work in addition to the output; teaching students how to critically use AI; and prioritizing assessments that ask students how, rather than what, they know.

Typical university entry averages for Ontario high school students in 2021 reached new highs according to the latest Council of Ontario Universities data analyzed by CBC. CBC reports that typical entry averages for high school students in that year ranged from 85.4% to 92.9%, which was higher than the grade range of 82.2% to 90.4% CBC noted in 2017. University of Ottawa Assistant Professor Sachin Maharaj explained that teachers are facing increased pressure to inflate grades to help their students get into prestigious programs and to remain competitive with other teachers doing the same. Maharaj stated that admissions processes will need to become more transparent, as if nothing is done “we’re going to see the introduction of a standardized assessment that’s used for university admissions.”

Red River College Polytechnic and the University of Manitoba have finalized an articulation agreement that would provide Engineering Technology graduates with the opportunity to pursue a UManitoba engineering degree. The partnership builds on a previous pathway agreement by introducing new paths from the polytechnic to all UManitoba undergraduate engineering programs, including Biosystems, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. Both institutions expressed that this pathway will help to address the need for Manitoba learners to remain in the province.

The Canada Revenue Agency has renewed the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) Grant for the next three years, ensuring that community organizations can continue to offset the costs of free tax clinics. Several postsecondary institutions and student associations are among the 3,580 organizations in Canada that offer these tax clinics. These clinics ensure individuals with modest incomes and simple tax situations can access benefits and credits. To be eligible for the grant, organizations will need to offer a free tax clinic during the set timeframe, file at least 10 free federal tax returns under their CVITP Organization Identifier Number, and have at least two volunteers in the program.

Red Deer Polytechnic and NOVA Chemicals have announced the Central Alberta Trades Strategy to address demand for skilled trades professionals while reducing barriers to education. The strategy proposes several core initiatives that would expand access to skilled trades training, including regional training hubs and satellite access points; modular and stackable credentials; and coordinated ecosystem governance across postsecondary institutions, employers, K–12 schools, and municipalities. “While Alberta’s trades model leads Canada in training, there are still issues surrounding access, pathways, learner completion, and employer access,” said RDP VP Academic and Student Experience Lindsay Engel. “This strategy speaks to both the urgency of these challenges and the opportunity ahead.”

The Government of New Brunswick Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour has signed an MOU with Accessibility Standards Canada with the aim of strengthening collaboration and advancing accessibility standards. The agreement encourages the Government of Canada and NB to collaboratively build on their accessibility priorities and establishes a framework that will make it easier to share research and learn from one another. “We are eager to partner with Accessibility Standards Canada because we know that their experience and knowledge will boost our ongoing efforts and give us a chance to help make accessibility the same experience for all Canadians,” said NB Post-Secondary Education and Training Minister Jean-Claude D’Amours.

Georgian College and Thompson Rivers University have each taken part in launching new labs. Georgian worked with the Huntsville Public Library and YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka to launch a Community Impact Lab at the library. This space will bring together students, community partners, and rural communities to tackle the region’s social and economic challenges. TRU recently opened a cybersecurity lab for students from the Computer Network and Cybersecurity Diploma program. At the lab, students will participate in experiential learning opportunities working with industry-aligned tools in simulated environments.

Several unions representing postsecondary workers have shared updates on their negotiations. The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees states that NorQuest College has ratified an agreement with AUPE Local 071 Chapter 010, which represents the college’s employees. Meanwhile, at the University of Lethbridge, AUPE Local 053 and the university will be meeting with a mediator later this month. In Ontario, Laurentian University and the Laurentian University Faculty Association returned to the bargaining table for mediated negotiations on Tuesday and Wednesday. In comments to The Sudbury Star, both Laurentian President Lynn Wells and LUFA President Fabrice Colin mentioned the continuing impact of the CCAA proceedings and restructuring.

College of the Rockies and the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise (KORE) have expanded their longstanding collaboration focused on British Columbia’s outdoor recreation sector. The two partners signed an MOU that outlines how they will work together on upskilling opportunities, applied learning, and workforce development, as well as industry events and knowledge exchanges. “By working closely with industry, we can help ensure learners and businesses have access to the skills, facilities, and expertise needed to support sustainable economic growth,” explained COTR President Michael Crowe.