March 2, 2026

The Government of Alberta has tabled its 2026 Budget, which forecasts a $9.4B deficit for 2026–27. While the budget’s investments are primarily focused on K–12 education and health care, AB is also budgetting for increased operating expenses in Advanced Education. AB states that base operating grants for institutions have been increased to accommodate the compensation pressures from collective bargaining. In its budget highlights, AB highlighted the targeted investments in student loans, scholarships, and grants ($1.3B); enrolment expansion in high-demand programs ($148M over three years), and the Apprenticeship Learning grant ($96M). The province says that it is currently reviewing the recommendations made by the Expert Panel, including the recommendation to develop a new funding model.

The University of British Columbia has opened its new Gateway Health building, which houses the nursing and kinesiology schools and student health services. The $207.9M project was supported by the university and donors. The expanded nursing program has several new facilities in the building including skills labs, simulation suites, a nursing history archive, and four research institutes. The school of kinesiology will use the facility to consolidate its programs, which were formerly spread across eight campus locations. Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) representatives influenced the design of the facility and grounds, which incorporate native plants, gathering spaces, and artwork by Musqueam artists.

Several parties in New Brunswick have pushed back on the provincial government’s proposed cuts to the sector. The Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations said that the proposed $35M –$50M in cuts would be “devastating” to the sector, while seven NB student unions released a joint statement calling for an urgent meeting with the government to discuss options. Speaking on the postsecondary budget, NB Premier Susan Holt said that “it’s responsible for government to look at a $450M expense and find ways to do it better, to do it differently, to get better outcomes for our province.” Holt also told St Thomas University President Dr Nauman Farooqi “unequivocally” that the government will not close or merge STU.

The University of Guelph and Egg Farmers of Canada are continuing their collaboration on poultry welfare research with a renewed $1.3M investment into the Research Chair in Poultry Welfare. The chair, held by Dr Alexandra Harlander, will engage in work related to poultry welfare and national animal care standards. “I strive to develop practical, science-based solutions that benefit the birds and the wellbeing of the people who care for them,” said Harlander. “I look forward to working directly with farmers and their birds to address the challenges they face.”

Simon Houpt and Jessica Kim of the Globe and Mail recently wrote about the challenges facing Canadian university sports. Across Canada, postsecondary institutions are considering how cuts to their athletic and recreation departments could help save money in the face of broader budget shortfalls. Consultants and advocates discussed how pressures around fundraising and attendance, the decisions from major institutions to cut their athletic programming, and other events have triggered changes in the sector. The article concludes by discussing how some teams have pursued alternative funding and operations models, such as self-funded models and fundraising efforts to cover costs.

St Clair College and the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C) have signed an agreement focused on military-connected students. The partnership will support Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families with strategic partnerships and national collaboration. Military-connected students will be offered educational pathways, recognition of military experience for academic credit, and enhanced supports. AM800 reports that the partnership will also include access to additional bursary, grant, and tuition options. “If St Clair College can support their goals – whether academic, professional or personal – even in the smallest measure, then it is both our privilege and our honour to do so,” said St Clair President Michael Silvaggi.

McGill University has launched an Athletics and Recreation Strategic Planning Task Force to ensure the long-term viability of its athletics programming. The task force will develop a five-year plan that provides “clear and measurable objectives” in a variety of areas, including programming models, infrastructure needs, and branding. “This initiative is about looking ahead with clarity and transparency,” said McGill Executive VP Academic Angela Campbell. “By engaging our community openly and grounding our recommendations in evidence, we will create a sustainable, student-centred plan that strengthens well-being, deepens engagement and fosters a genuine sense of belonging across our varsity, club, intramural and recreational communities.”

Yellowknifer reports that illegitimate AI-generated renderings of the upcoming Inuit Nunangat University are circulating online. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami confirmed that the images are not based on any official plans made by the organization, and that possible renderings of the institution have not been made available to the media. “It has not been determined what the university will look like,” said ITK Senior Policy Advisor Sarah Newell. The AI-generated images, which were shared across Facebook, included misspellings and incorrect names.

McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business has announced that it has redesigned its undergraduate and MBA co-op program to increase flexibility for students and employers and better reflect modern needs. Starting in September 2026, the existing internship model will gradually be replaced with four-, eight-, twelve-, or sixteen-month work terms that start at three points throughout the year. Students in the new Master of Management in AI and Analytics program will also now complete a four-month work term during their program. McMaster made these changes as a result of consultations with students, alumni, and employers.

The University of Regina has received support from Innovation Saskatchewan for research projects in antimicrobial resistance, environmental sustainability, and water security. Innovation Saskatchewan matched the nearly $500K provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation John R Evans Leaders Fund. The funding will help researchers to secure tools related to high-throughput imaging, high precision water monitoring, and near-infrared spectrometry. URegina VP Research Dr Chris Yost said that the funding “positions our province at the forefront in innovation, enabling bold research that addresses urgent challenges from antimicrobial resistance to sustainable waste systems and water security.”