July 3, 2025

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) has published the findings of its study on the impacts of the Government of Ontario’s part-time funding model on colleges and students. Using a mixed-methods approach, HEQCO researchers found that the part-time funding model has had several negative consequences for colleges and learners. These include disincentivizing part-time program development and enrolment, introducing challenges and barriers for students, and creating inconsistent supports across the ON college system. In their concluding notes, the researchers encourage ON to implement an alternate funding model that provides cost-based funding for part-time programming and enrolments to better serve students and institutions alike.

A shortage of shop teachers is threatening efforts to grow Canada’s skilled trades workforce, reports Brandie Weikle of CBC. With up to 700,000 tradespeople set to retire by 2028, shop classes are a key entry point to the profession. However, schools are struggling to staff these programs due to barriers such as lengthy and expensive training programs, and salaries that fall short of industry wages. Weikle highlights how the circumstances and responses of each province varies: Alberta and British Columbia are pursuing targeted recruitment efforts, while Ontario has increased the demand for shop teachers by implementing a tech-ed credit graduation requirement. Without intervention, educators interviewed by CBC warn that some shop programs could disappear altogether.

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) has submitted a response to the Government of Ontario’s proposed Bill 33, warning it could undermine university autonomy and fail to address urgent financial and enrolment challenges. COU projects over 80,000 new student spaces will be needed by 2030 and says the bill does not provide the funding required to meet this demand. Additionally, COU raised concerns about changes to ancillary fees and admissions policies. In response, the Star reports that ON Minister Nolan Quinn emphasized the bill’s focus on student success, transparency, and research protection, and assured that no regulations will be finalized without consultation. He noted the province has invested over $2B in postsecondary education in the past 14 months.

In an opinion piece for the Globe and Mail, University of British Columbia Professor Guy Stecklov calls for a national, publicly-supported gap year to address a growing developmental crisis among Canadian youth. Stecklov argues that while lifespans and life stages have evolved significantly, young people are still expected to transition directly from high school to postsecondary education or the workforce without adequate time to mature emotionally and socially. According to the author, a structured year of civic service, delivered locally and supported with stipends and educational credits, could address mental health challenges, bolster civic identity, and support sectors in need. “This isn’t a break from life,” writes Stecklov, “but a national commitment to developing youth […] as engaged citizens capable of meeting the challenges of an increasingly complex world.”

The Université de Moncton is taking action to combat declining interest from New Brunswick Francophone graduates, reports CBC. UMoncton’s goal is to welcome more than 30% of the graduates from NB’s Francophone schools, but that proportion has dropped from 34.2% in 2018 to 26.3% in 2024. UMoncton Recteur Denis Prud’homme told CBC that other Canadian universities have drawn applicants away with more attractive program offerings and scholarships. In response, UMoncton plans to offer larger scholarships and more online courses in the coming years. The university will also be launching a centre of excellence focused on teaching and engagement.

Red Deer Polytechnic, the University of Alberta, and Flexible Machines Corporation have partnered to advance environmental efficiencies and urban planning. The partners will work together to record and study real-time wind data across RDP’s campus. The findings of the initiative will enable RDP to take advantage of wind energy opportunities on campus, help UAlberta reduce HVAC usage on its main campus, and inform energy efficiency efforts across AB. The partnership will reportedly create up to 100 skilled jobs and offer students the opportunity to engage in applied research. The initiative is supported by a combined $730K in goods, services, cash funding, and grants.

Cégep de La Pocatière will receive a conditional $1M from the Government of Québec’s Ministry of Higher Education to support the renovation of its pool. The project aims to modernize the facility, improve accessibility, and support use by students and the wider community. This funding builds on previously-pledged funding from QC and is contingent on the completion of local fundraising and the final project costs.

In a recent episode of WOMENdon’tDOthat, podcast host Stephanie Mitton and CICan President Pari Johnston discussed the topics of leadership, loss, and continuing to show up. In the interview, Johnston reflects on her journey to becoming CICan’s president and shares her experience navigating grief following the loss of her son. In the discussion, she emphasizes the value of vulnerability and transparency in leadership, asserting that “it takes courage” to admit when you are struggling, and highlights the importance of leaning on community for support.

Brock University’s Professional and Continuing Studies and the Direct Sellers Association of Canada have partnered to launch a non-credit course for independent sales professionals. The course focuses on business planning, customer engagement, ethical sales practices, and compliance with industry standards. It is designed for both newcomers and those already working in the direct selling field. “This program is about more than just sales—it’s about empowering people with the knowledge, tools, and ethical foundation to build sustainable, trusted businesses,” said Brock Professional and Continuing Studies Associate Director, Programming Barb Mercer.

The University of British Columbia has released a mobile-friendly third edition of the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles. The updated edition now includes the definitions for more than 12,000 “Canadianisms,” which are defined as words, expressions, and meanings that are native to Canada and/or distinctively characteristic of Canadian usage. Regionalisms like “booter” (Manitoba) and “dooryard” (New Brunswick) appear alongside older and evolving terms. “In this day and age when the Canadian psyche has been a little bit shaken, it’s not a bad idea to remind people that there’s something distinctly Canadian in the tiniest little things, and it’s not random, it’s systematic,” said UBC Chief Editor Dr Stefan Dollinger. UBC’s Canadian English Lab is also contributing to the compilation of a broader Canadian English Dictionary slated for release in 2028.