March 17, 2026

The Government of Canada is investing more than $552M through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) into projects at 32 postsecondary institutions across the country. The funds will be used for equipment and facilities so that researchers can conduct studies in a variety of areas, including AI, healthcare, and quantum technology. “By supporting state-of-the-art labs and equipment, this funding will foster collaboration, attract and train the next generation of talent and accelerate the commercialization of solutions that deliver real benefits for Canadians,” said CFI President Sylvain Charbonneau.

NOSM University has unveiled its inaugural strategic plan as an independent university: Rooted in the North, NOSM University’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. In a statement to CTV News, NOSM U President Dr Michael Green explained that the plan is “an in-the-north, by-the-north, for-the-north plan” focused on helping Northern Ontario achieve health equity. The institution’s goals for the next five years include integrating culturally and contextually appropriate content across the curricula of all academic programs; improving access for Northern, Indigenous, Francophone, and rural learners; and developing new academic and continuing education offerings. “This is our first big plan as an independent university granting our own degrees, and it comes at a really exciting time when medical education is expanding a lot in northern Ontario,” said Green.

In the lead-up to this past weekend and March 17th, postsecondary institutions and their municipalities have called on students to celebrate St Patrick’s Day responsibly. Several institutions issued statements reminding students to be respectful of their communities and sharing tips for staying safe during celebrations. Some also held official programming and social events with snacks, traditional Irish music, and other gatherings, or shared details about local events like city parades. Police were present to monitor the situation in the student neighbourhoods of cities such as London, Kingston, and Waterloo.

The Government of British Columbia’s Finance Minister Brenda Bailey has announced an investigation into the Kwantlen Student Association at Kwantlen Polytechnic University over allegations of misuse of funds. Student newspaper The Runner reported that the association had spent nearly $1M in wages and benefits in 2025, which it notes eclipsed compensation of student union representatives at all other universities in the province. While the investigation is underway, Bailey has prohibited the association from “disposing of, dealing with or diminishing the value of any of its assets except as authorized by the order.” KPU VP Students Zena Mitchell said that the university welcomed the investigation, adding that the association is “accountable to its members, who are KPU students.”

In an article from eCampus News, Steven M Baule (Winona State University) discusses ways to assess students that acknowledge the presence of AI. Baule explains that AI is now widespread throughout most classrooms, which means that instructors should focus on monitoring the appropriate use of AI in their classrooms and making fair assessments. Several strategies are suggested here, including implementing metacognition and personal reflection activities, incorporating oral assignments, and asking students to provide AI disclosure statements. “The AI-resistant classroom is a myth,” Baule concludes. “However, the AI-ready classroom is intentional, reflective, and ethically grounded.”

Dalhousie University has officially opened the Oulton-Stanish Centre, a recreational facility that includes a rink, event space, and a new location for the Dalhousie Physiotherapy Clinic. The new facility will support student athletes and recreational programming at Dal, as well as the wider Halifax community. The expanded physiotherapy clinic provides increased capacity and additional services, while also contributing to hands-on learning opportunities for Dal Faculty of Health students. “It (the centre) is already becoming a space on campus where students and community members can gather and engage in recreational or varsity sports,” said Dal student-athlete Grace Beer.

A group of Lakehead University students have joined a movement called Banks Off Campus, which was started by university students to urge major Canadian banks to stop funding the fossil fuel industry. On Wednesday, students with Climate Justice Lakehead held a rally outside of the RBC campus branch, calling for its removal from Lakehead campus. Lakehead student Heather Wright explained that “it’s more important than ever to hold institutions accountable for their role in climate change.” In a statement to CBC, Lakehead asserted that “freedom of expression is a fundamental part of the Lakehead University community” and that it looks forward to continued engagement and collaboration with its community to advance sustainability efforts.

A research chair at the Université du Québec à Montréal has celebrated a decade of partnership with the City of Montréal by releasing a comic book called La ville à portée de main. The comic describes three flagship research projects conducted by the city and the Chaire internationale sur les usages et pratiques de la ville intelligente, which is currently held by UQAM Professor Florence Paulhiac. The comic was created by artist Juliette Pierre and depicts the story of each of the projects, including key decisions, doubts, progress, and overall impact.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Brandon Dickson (University of Waterloo), Donna Kotsopoulos (Western University), and Ellyn Lyle (Cape Breton University) discuss the challenges faced by rural international students in Canada. The authors explain that the high cost of living in urban areas of Canada resulted in a spike of international students studying in rural parts of the country. However, these students faced challenges with staying in Canada after graduation, especially on the fronts of federal policies and processes and unique challenges around employment in rural areas. The authors conclude by calling for co-ordinated supports in rural regions that reflect the needs of these international graduates.

The Cégep de Granby has announced that it has adopted its 2026–2028 waste management plan, which identifies the priority actions that the institution will take to support waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery at the institution. The plan’s key components include encouraging eco-friendly procurement, supporting a regional circular economy, and reducing the amount of waste ultimately produced by the institution. Cégep de Granby directeur general Vincent Larose explained that the plan was based in concrete data in order to create a roadmap for the institution. Larose further noted that waste management plans have not yet been widely adopted at the collegiate level.