March 6, 2026

Université du Québec à Montréal has received a combined $1M in bequests from late alumnus Clément Roy. Roy, who studied sociology and special education at the university as an adult learner, worked with children living with disabilities and was interested in the humanities and sociology. He left the funds to UQAM with the expectation that they would be used to support research in sociology and the advancement of humanities knowledge, as well as reducing financial barriers for students.

Fanshawe College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and Trinity Western University have announced further changes to their operations in light of budget constraints. Fanshawe will be leaving its south London campus as part of its broader efforts to consolidate its spaces. Sask Polytech confirmed the elimination of 23 full-time and part-time jobs and the suspension of a health information management program, according to CBC. TWU has reduced work hours, eliminated positions, and made other budget adjustments to ensure the institution’s long-term sustainability. All three institutions referenced the decline in international enrolment and federal immigration policy shifts when discussing the reason for their respective changes.

Students across Ontario held protests this week in opposition to the changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program. Students gathered on postsecondary campuses and at the Government of Ontario legislature to urge ON Premier Doug Ford to restore grant funding to previous levels. Students at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University wore red squares, a symbol popularized during 2012 student strikes in Québec. Toronto Today reports that two arrests were made at the protest after a statue of George Brown on the lawn of Queen’s Park was defaced.

The Canadian Federation of Students-Nova Scotia chapter has issued a statement on the recent Nova Scotia budget and announced it will be holding student strikes. CFS-NS decried the cuts to university budgets, scholarships, and programs, and drew particular attention to the cuts to equitable access programs. These programs, CFS-NS explained, “make university more accessible to students who have faced generations of racial and cultural discrimination while trying to access PSE.” The organization will be holding a student strike during March 15–21, with a rally on March 15th.

In a recent EdTech article, writer Alexander Slagg discusses who must have a seat at the table when developing an AI governance policy. He explores some of the methods used by institutions and organizations, such as the creation of an interdisciplinary board that is led by one or two technology specialists and involves representatives with perspectives from across the institution. He encourages involving campus IT teams, who are critical in providing an understanding of how AI tools are being used, informing decisions about where to set safety guardrails, and contributing to discussions of ways to enforce data security. However, Slagg concludes AI governance should not be left solely to these technical professionals, and that any AI governance policy should involve a cross-section of the community.

Postsecondary institutions across Canada are marking Open Education Week by recognizing and sharing the benefits of affordable and accessible education. BCcampus has sponsored several events at British Columbia institutions including a virtual talk; panel discussions at Thompson Rivers University and Vancouver Community College; and a hands-on exploration of Open Educational Resources (OER) for Douglas College faculty. The University of Saskatchewan will be hosting a Lunch and Learn focused on OER and a week of workshops for instructors, while the University of the Fraser Valley marked the week by announcing that it will launch its first Open Education Strategy. Durham College and Niagara College each highlighted Open Educational Resources available on campus.

York University and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) Mazina’iga-ziibing Misi-zaagiwininiwag have signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on collaborative work in the spirit of reciprocity. The initiatives include the advancement of work addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action at YorkU, the co-creation of spaces and learning outcomes alongside MCFN, and collaboration on Michi Saagiig language and culture revitalization. Additionally, the agreement will include tuition waivers for eligible MCFN members. “By working together to co‑create learning spaces, support Indigenous learners, and honour the Mississaugas of the Credit as caretakers of the land, we are strengthening pathways to education while deepening understanding across our community,” said YorkU President Lisa Philipps.

Université de Saint-Boniface has filled and sealed a time capsule that will be opened in 50 years. To celebrate its collegiate programs’ 50th anniversary, USB invited students to put items into the capsule that represented their memories of their time at USB. These included photos from field trips, posters from events, and course outlines. The time capsule was sealed on-site and was given to university archivist Carole Pelchat for storage. Pelchat explained that it will be kept in optimal conditions in the university’s vault, with an inscription on the capsule stating that it should not be opened before 2076.

Canadian Army Command and Staff College Commandant Col Fraser Auld has been removed from his position as commandant of the college. Auld assumed command of the college on June 2024, according to CBC. A Government of Canada Department of National Defence spokesperson told the Ottawa Citizen that the removal results from “a loss of trust in his ability to command.” While the college seeks a replacement, Lt Col Don Dubois will be the acting commandant.

Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick and New Brunswick Community College will be offering the Seniors Care Navigation Workshop across the province in both French and English, thanks to a $2M investment. The program consists of three days of workshops focused on topics such as medical issues for seniors, end-of-life planning, and reducing caregiver isolation and burnout. NBCC will continue to offer the English-language version of the workshops while CCNB will offer the French-language version; students from both colleges will help facilitate the workshops. The funding will support the program until at least 2028.