February 21, 2025

The Government of Nova Scotia recently proposed “An Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research”—a bill that aims to enhance the financial accountability and sustainability of the province’s postsecondary institutions. Part of this bill includes a proposal that would allow NS to withhold funding from certain institutions until they create an acceptable “revitalization plan” that assesses the university’s strengths and weaknesses. Other aspects of the bill include an amendment that would allow the province’s community college system to grant undergraduate degrees. Speaking to CBC, Peter Halpin of the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents said that the province’s universities were not consulted about these changes, adding that the presidents require time to “digest” the proposed law.

Red River College Polytechnic and the University College of the North will add a total of 128 new child-care spaces to their campuses, thanks to funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba. This investment is part of the governments’ joint action plan under the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund. The new spaces at RRC Polytech and UCN add to previously announced child-care expansions at nine other MB postsecondary campuses, for a combined total investment of $60.5M. “These new spaces represent an opportunity for potential learners who would otherwise be unable to attend full-time programs, and for staff and community members who have been unable to find convenient, quality child-care solutions,” said RRC Polytech President Fred Meier.

Southeast College will introduce Indigenous equity seats in its full-time postsecondary programs starting in the 2025-26 academic year. This initiative will set aside designated seats in several programs for students of Indigenous ancestry. Eligible students will also have access to scholarships and support services. “We are excited to take this significant step towards promoting equity and inclusion within our institution,” said Southeast Interim President Jody Holzmiller. “By designating seats for Indigenous students, we hope to create a more diverse and supportive learning environment that reflects the rich cultural heritage of our communities.”

York University is temporarily suspending new admissions to 18 of its programs across the humanities, arts, and sciences. YorkU Spokesperson Yanni Dagonas cited low enrolment and financial pressures as the reasons behind the cuts, adding that the pauses will help the institution “achieve financial sustainability in light of unexpected policy directions at the provincial and federal levels affecting higher education.” Among the affected programs at YorkU are English, sociology, gender and women studies, classical studies, Indigenous studies, biomedical physics, and environmental biology. CBC reports that YorkU is the first Canadian university to make significant program suspensions, in the wake of similar announcements from colleges across the country.

Several members of the postsecondary sector recently came together to create the Canadian Coalition for Affordable Learning, which will focus on creating a more affordable and equitable educational landscape. The coalition’s membership is made up of BCcampus; Campus Manitoba; Colleges and Institutes Canada; the Council of Atlantic Academic Libraries; eCampusOntario; the Indigenous Institutes Consortium; and the Open/Technology in Education, Society, and Scholarship Association. The coalition’s work will include supporting the adoption and promotion of Open Educational Resources, improving alternative and flexible delivery modalities, enhancing access to new learning paths, and helping educators to increase their digital fluency.

Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration is making its Master of Business Administration more accessible by adjusting the entry requirements. Eligible candidates—including those with a Memorial undergraduate business degree and members of some professional associations—will be able to enter the MBA program without writing the Graduate Management Admission Test. For the graduate diploma in business administration, Memorial will now require a minimum 2.75 GPA for select applicants, including Memorial graduates. “We recognize the important role we play in developing the talent pool for businesses, organizations and governments across our province,” said Memorial Faculty of Business Administration Dean Dr Travor Brown.

In a recent article for The Conversation, York University scholars Natalia Balyasnikova, Hilary McGregor, and Mercedes Veselka outline their concerns about federal funding cuts to English-language training programs, many of which are hosted by postsecondary institutions. They point to the recent closures of these programs in Vancouver and Lethbridge and argue that the cuts will have an adverse impact on immigrants. The scholars assert that English-language programs not only develop practical language skills, but also build a sense of community and empowerment, as well as facilitating intercultural dialogue. They conclude by calling on the Government of Canada to expand English-language programming to ensure “the continued economic and societal well-being of all people living in Canada.”

Capilano University has announced new programming for its Squamish campus. It will offer three new summer program intensives at its Squamish campus this summer: Environmental Stewardship and Responsible Tourism Management, Learn to Code, and Environmental Field Studies. Students will have the opportunity to stay in student housing on campus throughout this interactive, place-based programming. “Our goal is to ignite imagination and spark learning in a way that’s engaging and unforgettable,” said CapU Squamish AVP Brian Storey. This Fall, the campus will feature new programs such as a bachelor of business administration, bachelor of environmental studies, education assistant certificate, diploma in kinesiology, and tourism management co-op education diploma.

Students and faculty from McMaster University are calling for transparency after two out of three staff members from the university’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) were laid off in January. Students Against Austerity at McMaster organized a rally to raise awareness about the dismissals. A letter signed by more than 500 people said that “[t]his decision has left many … members of the McMaster community feeling upset, afraid, angry and invalidated.” In a statement, McMaster said that “additional staffing is being planned to support the work of SVPRO.”

Cape Breton University and HEC Montréal have each obtained new accreditations from professional organizations that will benefit business students. CBU has signed an accreditation agreement with Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) Canada. Under this agreement, select graduates and current students of CBU’s bachelor of business administration (BBA) programming will become members of CPHR NS and be eligible to apply for a waiver for the CPHR National Knowledge Exam. HEC’s Bachelor of Business Administration program has received environmental, social, and governance (ESG) certification from CFA Institute. The certification will benefit those who earn a BBA degree and would like to pursue a certificate in ESG investing.