March 27, 2026

The Government of Manitoba has released its budget for 2026, which is primarily focused on employment, affordability, health care, and safety. The budget includes a 3.2% increase to overall spending for Advanced Education and Training. The spending plans include $882.6M in operating funding for universities, colleges, and adult learning programs; increased funds for the MB student loan program; and new dedicated funds for various research and infrastructure projects. Apprenticeship training has received a 38% increase, which University Affairs says is the first such investment in a decade. MB also announced that it is supporting a commission focused on the sustainability of the postsecondary sector and the impact of federal reductions to international student programs.

Ontario Tech University has launched a private training company called EDGE to deliver executive learning and rapid skills development. EDGE will provide targeted education through two primary streams: Executive learning for senior decision-makers and rapid skills development to address urgent labour market needs. The programming will be developed with employers and delivered in flexible formats, including on-site, online, and hybrid models. The organization has launched its flagship offering: the AI Education Accelerator, which will consist of a curated, one-day executive program for senior leaders.

A referendum by McGill University’s Law Student Association calling for a formal boycott of Israeli postsecondary institutions has resulted in backlash and a court challenge, reports the Montreal Gazette. McGill President Deep Saini wrote to law students that the motion fell outside the LSA’s authority and therefore has no effect on the faculty’s academic or operational decisions. “While this referendum was supported by a majority of those who voted, I make no assumptions about their intent,” wrote Saini, “But in matters of discrimination, impact—not intent—governs.” In response to the referendum, the chair of the faculty’s advisory board Johnathan Amiel resigned and a Jewish student filed an application seeking provisional, interlocutory, and permanent injunctive relief against the student association.

The University of Northern British Columbia has received the support of Prince George City Council for its plan to advance its proposed Land Trust development. UNBC plans to develop 35 acres of its land for a long-term, mixed-use development with commercial and residential spaces, but must first petition the provincial government to remove a reverter clause limiting its use. The council agreed to support the university in its goal to remove the clause, forwarding the matter to its Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. CKPG Today

Toronto Metropolitan University has announced a $7.5M gift from 407 ETR to support its new Integrated Health Centres. The clinic, named TMU Integrated Health Centres supported by 407 ETR in recognition of the donation, will provide primary care to more than 14,000 residents in Brampton who are currently without a family doctor. “The TMU Integrated Health Centre supported by 407 ETR will be the cornerstone of experiential medical education in primary care, chronic disease management and community-based services,” explained TMU President Mohamed Lachemi. “By embedding learners directly within the community, we are addressing a recognized physician shortage while simultaneously expanding patient capacity.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has officially launched the Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre at its Moose Jaw campus. The applied research centre will equip entrepreneurs and industry partners to thrive in the rapidly evolving business landscape by offering workshops, one-on-one support and mentorship, and applied research collaborations. “The Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre creates a space where students, entrepreneurs, faculty and industry can collaborate, experiment and grow,” said Sask Polytech Centre Director Spencer Nikkel.

Loyalist College and the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties’ Homeless and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hub (HART Hub HPE) have announced that they are partnering to bolster the region’s mental health and addictions workforce. Loyalist has launched two programs—a two-year Mental Health and Addictions Worker diploma and a one-year Addictions and Mental Health graduate certificate—that were developed with input from HART Hub HPE. Loyalist students will have the opportunity to take part in placements funded by HART Hub HPE, where they will gain frontline experience working with individuals and families affected by addiction and mental health challenges.

The College of New Caledonia and HEC Montréal have each launched new business programs. CNC has announced that it will offer a Business Administration Program, starting Fall 2026. The program will award learners a certificate after their first year and a diploma after their second year. HEC Montréal created three microprograms in the areas of the circular economy, energy transition, and sustainable de-growth. These programs will include laddering opportunities into graduate diploma and master’s programs at HEC Montréal.

In the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Alan Levinovitz (James Madison University) discusses how he uses the ritual of grading 2,700 pop quizzes a year to cultivate a “learning community” in the classroom. Levinovitz defines a ritual as an action that can give significance to an aspect of reality through the sacrifice of something valuable, such as time. “Human communities cohere through endless ritual acts. [… And] the classroom, lest we need reminding, is a human community,” he writes. Levinovitz explains that giving up his time to read and grade the quizzes by hand helps to build a sense of community dedicated to learning. He concludes by stating that education is more than simply information transfer and skills training and emphasizes the importance of the communal nature of learning.

College of the Rockies and the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC have signed a MOU to explore a range of potential outdoor recreation collaborations. Over the course of three years, the partners will explore opportunities that include micro-credentials, research, and experiential learning. COTR President Michael Crowe highlighted the importance that outdoor recreation has to British Columbians, saying that the partners are “helping to shape a more coordinated, innovative, and sustainable outdoor recreation sector.”