January 14, 2026

The Government of Ontario has announced a $242M investment into learning facility upgrades at colleges and universities across the province. The investment will be provided through the Facilities Renewal Program ($209.3M), the College Equipment and Renewal Fund ($21.6M), and the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund ($10.8M). Institutions will be able to use these funds to undertake major building systems upgrades and to purchase educational tools such as modernized computers and software, specialized equipment, and machinery for use in labs or shops.

The University of British Columbia Peter A Allard School of Law has launched a new initiative focused on AI and the legal system. Funded by a $3.5M gift from the estate of UBC law alumnus Gordon B Shrum, the school will support faculty as they develop new coursework covering AI regulation, liability, copyright, and surveillance and privacy risks. “The risks of AI in the legal system are numerous: overreliance on generative tools, fabricated digital evidence, intellectual property infringement and more,” said UBC Lecturer Jon Festinger. “But so too are the opportunities: AI could improve access to justice by providing free, basic legal advice or automating repetitive tasks, cutting time and costs for the public.”

The University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital have partnered to advance biotherapeutics manufacturing through the expansion of the hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre. The centre, funded in part by $78M in provincial and federal grants, will be located at UOttawa’s Advanced Medical Research Centre, which is set to open later this year. The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute CEO and UOttawa professor Dr Rebecca Auer explained that the new manufacturing facility “will bring life-changing clinical trials and therapies to Canadians while also promoting the development of made-in-Canada products and solutions for global health challenges.”

In a recent article for CTV News, reporter Jordan Fleguel highlights the ways that AI is changing postsecondary education. Fleguel references how institutions in Canada and beyond are using AI to identify at-risk students, respond to student inquiries, and update their curriculum. Carleton University Professor Adegboyega Ojo highlighted how generative AI has benefitted student learning, such as by giving students a new avenue for exploring complex topics, while also introducing new challenges. Western University Chief AI Officer Mark Daley also describes the mixed positions that students hold on the topic of AI in the classroom. Daley and Ojo both underscore the importance of higher education’s social aspect, which has enabled it to persist through other technological revolutions.

Representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador’s five student unions met with Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Paul Dinn this week, saying that Dinn has committed to freezing tuition in the coming year. Dinn did not clarify how the government intends to freeze tuition. Canadian Federation of Students NL representative Nicolas Keough welcomed the move. The potential freeze comes as institutions like Memorial University have been facing budget shortfalls. If frozen, this would mark the first tuition freeze in NL since 2021.

The Government of Manitoba is criticizing the Government of Canada’s decision to lower the international enrolment cap, stating that it has experienced a 40% decrease in allocations in 2026. MB Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable said that this decrease will cause financial issues for institutions, which “rely on stable student numbers to deliver high-quality education.” She further criticized the federal government for making the decision without considering how it would impact MB. MB Premier Wab Kinew said that the cuts cannot be made “up with a taxpayer subsidy,” which meant that the cuts constituted “a fundamental change to a school’s operating environment.”

At Cégep de Sherbrooke, faculty are adapting their assessments to contend with the rise in cases of plagiarism with generative AI. Cégep Directrice des études Sophie Meyer shared that the institution blocks access to online resources during exams and has set up a committee that is focused on educating students about appropriate AI use and supporting faculty in addressing plagiarism. Cégep professor Sylvie L Bergeron shared that cheating has always been an issue with students, but that recognizing it and proving it is challenging. She shared that generative AI has pushed her to change her assessment format and prioritize in-class exams.

North Bay City Councillor Lana Mitchell has launched a $3M wrongful death claim against Canadore College, Canadore professor and local wrestler Joshua Bainbridge, NRGY Professional Wrestling Academy, and academy owner Dann Pigozzo. The claim alleges that the death of Mitchell’s granddaughter Alexis Marie Leduc-Mitchell in 2022 occurred due to injuries sustained while training at the academy. The statement asserts that the academy recruited student participants including Leduc-Mitchell from Bainbridge’s class in Canadore’s Acting for Stage and Screen program. The allegations against Canadore include breach of contract and negligence for failing “to screen or vet the well-known professional wrestling activities.” Sudbury.com reports that Canadore has denied the accusations through a statement of defence.

Collège Nordique will be offering the Explore program—an immersive language learning program—this summer. My North Now reports that this is the first time the program has been offered in the territories. Nordique will offer French-language instruction in a small group setting to ensure personalized support for learners. The program will focus on Northern culture through workshops, outdoor activities, and community outings and participation in cultural events. My North Now reports that students will be able to choose from two streams, with one focused on self-expression and Francophone culture and one focused on cultures of the North.

Royal Roads University and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a pathway for SLIIT business students to transfer to Royal Road’s BBA in Information and Sustainability program. “It’s an opportunity for students to build a strong foundation locally and then step into an applied, international learning environment designed around real projects and real impact,” said Royal Roads Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies Robert Mittelman. Royal Roads President Philip Steenkamp added that the program will also further the university’s commitment to create diverse perspectives in its programs.