February 7, 2025

The Government of Canada has launched the Canadian Genomics Strategy with a seven year, $175.1M investment. This initiative—led by ISED, CIHR, and NSERC—will strengthen Canada’s ability to apply genomics in key sectors including agriculture, medicine, and clean technology. “Today’s launch of the Canadian Genomics Strategy will help solidify Canada’s position as a global leader in genomics innovation and place our talented researchers, innovators and businesses at the forefront of this cutting-edge work,” said Canada Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne. “By investing in the commercialization of genomics technologies, our government is securing a healthier and more prosperous future for Canadians for generations to come.”

A recent study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario has found that students from historically marginalized groups face worse labour market outcomes, despite their engagement with services designed to support their school-to-work transition. HEQCO found that some bachelor’s degree graduates—including BIPOC students, LGBTQIA2+ students, those with disabilities, and/or those from low-income backgrounds—were more likely to experience unequal outcomes even though they used transition supports to the same degree or more than their peers. The findings showed that early labour market outcomes differed depending on graduate identity characteristics and that these students did not necessarily equally benefit from their participation in school-to-work transition activities. HEQCO calls for the collection of system-wide demographic data to understand these labour market inequities. 

The Canadian Association of University Teachers has launched the Unlock Education campaign in anticipation of the forthcoming federal election. The campaign calls for improvements and protections for affordability of higher education, academic freedom, inclusion, and investments in higher education. As part of the campaign, CAUT members met with local MPs to urge them to support affordable, accessible, and inclusive postsecondary education and research.

The Lawson Research Institute, McMaster University, the LHSC Research Institute, the University Health Network, and BC Cancer will be embarking on studies on the topics of Alzheimer’s and cancer, thanks to a $7.2M investment. The combined funding is provided by the Ontario Research Fund – Research Excellence, Lawson, private-sector partners, and other donors. “By bridging the gap between research and clinical practice, we hope to ease the burden on patients and their families, offering more effective and compassionate care,” said Lawson Director of PET/CT Research Ting-Yim Lee.

Portage College launched the formal recruitment process for its next president with a pipe ceremony and feast. The ceremony was held to send positive messages to the spirits and ask for good fortune in finding a new president, explained Portage Cultural and Community Facilitator Robert Rayko. Elders and guests from local Indigenous communities, municipal leaders and representatives, and Portage staff such as current Portage President Nancy Broadbent took part in the ceremony. “We believe it is essential to start this process in a way that is respectful, inclusive, and deeply connected to the values that shape our college and our future,” said Portage Board of Governors Chair Randy Benson. Portage expects to announce a new president by August.

Dalhousie University, the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society – Wije’winen Health Centre, and the Nova Scotia Health Central Zone are partenering to bring more mental health care to the Indigenous community in Halifax. Under this agreement, the partners will co-create the Indigenous Mental Health Program and provide dedicated, sustainable psychiatric resources to the Wije’winen Health Centre. “[T]he urban Indigenous community will have access to dedicated psychiatric resources via Wije’winen Health Centre, and we will have the ability to shape a psychiatric care service that is culturally safe and relevant for Indigenous people,” said Wije’winen Health Centre Clinical Lead Dr Brent Young.

Members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) are in the midst of a vote on whether they will take strike action, reports the Winnipeg Sun. The association—representing more than 1,300 professors, instructors, counsellors, coaches, and librarians—is calling for wage increases to match inflation and maintain competitiveness with other Canadian research universities. UMFA claims that salary proposals have not addressed inflation or improved competitiveness. “We want to continue offering world-class programs and research for those students, and the larger community the university serves – but we need competitive salaries to do so,” said UMFA President Dr Erik Thomson. City News reports that bargaining between the University of Manitoba and UMFA will resume next week.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has installed a braille printer at its Surrey library. This device embosses braille characters onto paper so that those who have a visual disability can read the material. KPU instructors can use the embosser to print class materials—such as slides—in braille to support student learning and ensure equitable access. Community members are also invited to use the printer. “Unless they have an embosser at home, braille users typically don’t have an opportunity to print out materials on their own,” said KPU Liaison Librarian Kelsey Chaban. “We’re hoping that it won’t just be students, but also community members outside of KPU who will benefit from this service.”

Algoma University and the Peel District School Board have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build on their longstanding partnership focused on the transition from secondary to postsecondary education. Through this new agreement, the partners will ensure that international students from PDSB have access to academic supports, career pathways, and enriched learning experiences at AlgomaU’s Brampton campus. “By working together, we are creating seamless pathways that not only support academic achievement but also cultivate leadership, innovation, and long-term community growth,” explained AlgomaU President Dr Asima Vezina.

Collège Montmorency has cancelled six program cohorts in the wake of budget cuts imposed by the Government of Québec’s higher education ministry, reports Courrier Laval. Collège Montmorency directrice du Bureau de la performance institutionnelle et de l’innovation Véronique Leboeuf stated that cégeps are expected to absorb budget reductions in select priority areas. Montmorency has responded to these budget cuts by cancelling six cohorts for the Winter 2025 semester, including cohorts in its emergency call centre dispatcher, cybersecurity, and human resources management techniques certificate programs. Currently enrolled students are not affected by the cancellation and the cégep instructors’ union noted that these cuts will affect planned jobs rather than current jobs.