March 28, 2025

The Government of Canada recently announced $52M in funding through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program to strengthen Canada’s health care and construction sectors. McMaster University will receive up to $4.1M to accelerate the integration of 500 newly licensed Internationally Educated Nurses into the labour market in five provinces and develop a resource tool for information sharing and training. The British Columbia Institute of Technology will receive up to $993K to support the labour market integration of internationally educated medical radiography technologists. Holland College will support a $1.2M project led by the Construction Association of PEI to help skilled newcomers enter the labour market and obtain Red Seal certification.

Huron University has received $5M to support the creation of the Nation Builder Program, a flagship enrichment program for students who are high achieving, aspiring leaders with an interest in what drives Canada’s economy. Students will have access to special workshops and lectures, international learning experiences, and corporate internships in addition to their regular academic programming. “This program is going to broaden views and open doors by offering exceptional learning and networking opportunities, thereby enriching students’ understanding of economic, political and civic life,” said Huron President Dr Barry Craig. The donation is provided by the Schulich Foundation.

The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC (FPSE) is demanding that the Government of British Columbia take action given the ongoing announcements of layoffs from BC postsecondary institutions. FPSE states that BC and the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills “have been silent on the plight of our institutions.” FPSE Executive Director Michael Conlon said that the provincial budget did not mention postsecondary institutions and that neither the minister nor the premier have made public statements about postsecondary cuts. “Our members are losing patience with obfuscation and political games,” said FPSE President Brent Calvert. “We are ready to enter into a meaningful dialogue with the government to ensure we have a postsecondary education sector that meets the needs of all British Columbians.”

The Government of Nova Scotia released its Budget 2025 to 2026, which projects a deficit of $697.5M before contingency. The budget estimates for NS Advanced Education indicate that the ministry will spend $732.1M in 2025-26: The majority of this will be used for annual operating funding, with $465.5M allotted to universities and $198.3M allotted to Nova Scotia Community College. In the budget highlights, NS noted that this year’s budget includes a $5M increase for postsecondary student housing, as well as dedicated funds to continue several multi-year funding arrangements related to training veterinarians and nurses.

Confederation College will be suspending 11 academic programs indefinitely in the Fall semester. The suspended programs are housed within the School of Business, Hospitality, & Media Arts; School of Engineering Technology, Trades & Aviation; and School of Health, Negahneewin & Community services. While students currently in these programs will be able to complete their studies, the suspensions will impact roughly 4% of projected incoming domestic students in the Fall semester. “These decisions are never taken lightly,” said Confederation President Michelle Salo. “While we must ensure our long-term sustainability, our focus remains on supporting our students and employees throughout this transition.”

Statistics Canada has released new data from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth that suggests that the mental health of youth aged 12 to 17 has declined. The study examines youth health through the perspective of both the 12-to-17-year-olds themselves and their parents. The data shows that fewer youth reported having good or excellent mental health (58.4% in 2023; 66.2% in 2019), while a greater percentage reported having poor or fair mental health (15.2% in 2023; 11.9% in 2019). Similarly, fewer parents said that their 12-to-17-year-old child’s mental health was very good or excellent (66.1% in 2023; 75.6% in 2019), while more reported poor or fair mental health (10.4% in 2023; 6.5% in 2019).

Okanagan College has applied for a text amendment to the zoning of its student residences that would allow it to use them as hotel-style accommodations during the summer months. The application will be circulated with the City of Kelowna’s planning department and a report for council consideration will be prepared. “Offering hotel alternative accommodations during the summer would allow the college to use rooms that would otherwise sit vacant in the summer as an affordable option for families, friends and tourists visiting the community,” wrote Okanagan Director of Campus Planning and Facilities Management Steve Robinson in the application. Robinson said that the revenue generated would help the college to offer affordable student housing and potentially fund future residence building improvements.

The Université du Québec’s plans to create a family medicine training program in Chicoutimi are being questioned by the Université de Sherbrooke, reports Radio-Canada. UQuebec President Alexandre Cloutier said that a family medicine training program—which would be offered at UQAC, UQAT, and UQTR—would meet existing demand rather than conflict with current programming. However, USherbrooke, which has been offering off-site medical training at UQAC for around 20 years, has questioned whether a new program is necessary to fill the need for family doctors. USherbrooke faculty of medicine dean Dominique Dorion said that the current system works well and that the demand for doctors is changing, with the need for specialists becoming more pressing than the need for family doctors.

The University of Alberta has partnered with ATB Financial to help the financial organization launch a proprietary leader certification program. This program will equip ATB leaders for today’s market with the skills, competencies, and behaviours they need to successfully lead teams, enhance performance, and shape ATB’s future. “Developed in partnership with ATB, the leader certification program is truly differentiated as it provides leaders with an opportunity to further enhance their capabilities,” said UAlberta Associate Dean Master’s Programs and Executive Education Michael Maier.

The University of Maryland in the US has drawn attention with its “green” choice of commencement speaker: Kermit the Frog. Inside Higher Ed reports that Kermit “may become the first-ever amphibian to give a commencement speech” when he takes the stage. “I just know the class of 2025 is going to leap into the world and make it a better place, so if a few encouraging words from a frog can help, then I’ll be there!” commented Kermit in a statement. Rolling Stone explains that Kermit has a special connection to the university: The late Jim Henson, who created the Muppets and voiced Kermit up until his death, graduated from the University of Maryland in 1960.