March 18, 2026

The Government of New Brunswick released its 2026–27 provincial budget, which will be a deficit budget. The budget prioritizes health care, affordability and housing, and the K–12 education system. The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour anticipates nearly $780M in expenditures, of which $555M is allocated for postsecondary education and student financial assistance. The budget also includes $3M in strategic infrastructure investments, $2.2M for capital maintenance improvements, and targeted investments in areas such as medical education ($5.4M). Your Saint John and Radio-Canada report that postsecondary operating grants have been frozen at 2025–26 levels while NB engages in further discussions with institutional leaders.

The Government of Canada has signed a 10-year, $200M agreement to lease a space-launch pad in Nova Scotia that will serve as a central foundation for a multi-user spaceport. When it begins operations in 2028, the spaceport will provide Canada with sovereign launch capacity and help to foster the Canadian space industry. Canada says that the investment will ensure a stronger space ecosystem by bringing together Canadian academia, industry, and research organizations. Western University Institute for Earth and Space Exploration Director Sarah Gallagher explained to CBC that the choice of NS as a launch site “is really advantageous,” as the latitude of NS will offer access to different orbits.

Bell Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan will be building a 300MW data centre just outside of Regina, near Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina. Bell says that once the centre is complete, it will be Canada’s largest purpose-built AI data centre. As part of Bell’s agreement with the province, Bell will support AI use at postsecondary institutions across the province. Bell will also explore opportunities for collaboration with students and faculty from Sask Polytech and the URegina. The first stage of the project is expected to be complete in early 2027.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Melissa Gallina (McMaster University), Akalya Kandiah (McMaster), and John Maclachlan (McMaster) argue that students need more space to fail without experiencing serious consequences. The authors explain that currently, students are caught between messages celebrating failure and systems that punish failure. Additionally, they note the impact of failure on student financial aid and retention. The authors encourage institutions to teach students how to fail “well” by taking steps such as rethinking assessments, coordinating support services, and considering the factors that shape which groups of student can afford to fail. “Mistakes happen,” write the authors. “Learning from them should be a requirement for students, not a privilege.”

The University of Saskatchewan has received a $3M donation from Saskatchewan Egg Producers toward its state-of-the-art poultry laying facility. The donation, combined with funds from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the university itself, will support the creation of a $15.6M, 24,000-sq-ft facility where researchers can experiment with different types of feed and environments for chickens. The results of this research will support the enhancement of best practices in poultry welfare and egg production. “This will move us so far forward in poultry research,” said USask Professor Dr Karen Schwean-Lardner. “This is causing me to push back my retirement because I want the first experiment in a system like this.”

Humber Polytechnic has announced that it will launch a Bachelor of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture program this fall. The program, which Humber says is the first BSc program of its kind in Canada, integrates Chinese medicine with biomedical sciences. The program will replace Humber’s existing Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner advanced diploma program. Humber will also launch a three-year acupuncture program that will include pathways leading into the BSc in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture program.

Providence University College and Theological Seminary has announced several cost-saving measures in response to an estimated 50% reduction in international enrolment revenue. The measures include a 10% reduction of its workforce, program and course restructuring, and a reduction of the operations of its downtown campus. The institution will be investing in high-demand programs, as well as its Providence Global initiative to provide “mentored graduate-level education in select cities around the globe.” Providence President Dr Kenton Anderson assured employees that “despite these adverse circumstances, Providence will live on into its second century.”

Lethbridge Polytechnic has announced a new Pre-Veterinary Medicine Diploma program that will officially launch this fall. The program will prepare students for further studies or a career in animal sciences. Leth Polytech has also formed a transfer agreement with the University of Calgary that allows learners to apply their courses toward UCalgary’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. “By combining foundational learning and clear transfer opportunities, we are preparing students who are passionate about science and animal health for success in professional programs and high-demand careers in the field,” explained Leth Polytech Centre for Business, Arts and Sciences Dean Dr Kevin Smith.

CFIM and Radio-Canada report that two cégeps in Québec’s Gaspé Peninsula region are seeing their recruitment efforts paying off as enrolment stabilizes. Cégep de Matane and Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles reportedly both had low applications at this time last year, but this year, they have seen increases in their application numbers. Both institutions have been able to restore programs that were previously paused due to low enrolment. However, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles directeur des études Serge Rochon noted that programs that historically attracted international students, such as the cégep’s forestry program, continue to feel the impact of provincial and federal policy changes.

This week, student unions from four universities in Nova Scotia are holding a student strike called by the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) focused on tuition affordability and divestment from weapons manufacturers. CFS Nova Scotia chapter Chairperson Alexina St Pierre-Farrow told CityNews that students want their tuition to be standardized and reduced by 20%. “The hope is that, by uniting to strike even for one week, students in Nova Scotia can set a precedent for more sustained actions in the future,” said St Pierre-Farrow. The student unions from Acadia University, NSCAD University, and University of King’s College are taking part in the CFS strike, while Dalhousie University’s student union is holding an independent strike this week.