May 1, 2026

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador released its budget 2026 this week, which includes several initiatives for postsecondary education. The province has committed $500M to support Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic amid a 2026 tuition freeze. NL also committed $40M for a Graduate Tuition Refund Program to encourage graduates to stay in the province, as well as support for an Apprenticeship Training Program. In a message to the Memorial community, Memorial President Dr Janet Morrison expressed gratitude for the increase in grant funding, stating that the funding “doesn’t eliminate hard decisions, but it does create space for meaningful engagement.”

The Government of Ontario has invested $8M through Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to support research and innovation at publicly assisted colleges, universities, and research institutions. This funding will expand intellectual property supports at these postsecondary institutions. It will include co-investment in research-driven intellectual property, a new Innovation Fellowship Pilot Program, and enhanced technology transfer and commercialization services. “Through this investment into IPON, our government is safeguarding our epicentres of discovery, our postsecondary institutions, to ensure Ontario continues to benefit first and foremost from research developed in our own backyard,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has received $2M from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Student Association (SPSA) towards the upcoming Joseph A Remai Saskatoon Campus. Funding will be used to create student-centred spaces as well as spaces for the SPSA. “This contribution supports the creation of inclusive, student-centered spaces where students can connect, grow, and lead,” explained SPSA President Rosby James. “It represents an investment not only in today’s students, but in the future leaders who will help strengthen our communities and industries across Saskatchewan.”

Bishop’s University will be expanding its tick surveillance platform through a $1M, three-year partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada. This partnership will expand the reach of a community science platform called eTick, where people across Canada can upload pictures of ticks for identification by experts. This agreement formalizes Bishop’s as the primary provider of passive tick surveillance data to the Government of Canada. “This partnership ensures the platform can keep running and improving, generating the long-term data we need to understand where and when Canadians and their pets and livestock encounter ticks,” explained Bishop’s Professor Dr Jade Savage, who developed the eTick system. The eTick network includes faculty and students from six universities.

In a recent Illuminations podcast episode, Janet Spriggs (Forsyth Technical Community College) discusses how higher education’s success should be measured not only by who enrols, but who completes their education and translates it into meaningful opportunities. Spriggs argues that institutions should meet the needs of diverse student populations by building their systems around these students’ needs. She encourages using data to create systems that anticipate student needs, embedding equity across the institution, aligning education and workforce outcomes, structuring learning to allow for lifelong learning, and seeing success as a shared responsibility. “Ultimately, the future of higher education will be defined by its ability to deliver on its promise—not just to educate, but to empower,” writes Spriggs.

Thompson Rivers University has partnered with Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, formalizing their relationship through the Knucwetwécw Agreement, titled Me7 Elkstwécw-kt (We will work together). This agreement replaces earlier agreements between the two. It outlines shared commitments related to education, language, research, and Indigenous-led priorities, and sets expectations around culturally safe practices and ethical research. “As set out in Envision TRU, our strategic direction, we are committed to giving exceptional consideration to Secwépemc world views, and the Knucwetwécw Agreement reflects that commitment through how we work together in education, research and community life,” said TRU President Dr Airini.

Confederation College and rail transportation manufacturer Alstom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to align education with Alstom workforce needs. The MOU comes in response to a recent Toronto Transit Commission contract awarded to Alstom which will increase demand for workers at the company’s Thunder Bay facility. The partnership will involve workforce planning, training capacity development, and the alignment of academic pathways with industry demand. “This partnership with Alstom will help strengthen pathways from education to employment, ensuring students graduate with the skills and experience needed to fill Alstom’s in-demand roles,” explained Confederation President Michelle Salo.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has created DEC-BAC pathways that will enable graduates of specified programs at Collège Montmorency, Cégep de Jonquière, and Cégep Sorel-Tracy to continue their studies at UQAM. Graduates of Collège Montmorency’s building estimation and evaluation technology program will be able to continue their studies in UQAM’s real estate certificate program. Graduates of Cégep de Jonquière’s and Cégep Sorel-Tracy’s occupational health and safety programs will be able to have courses recognized in pursuit of a certificate in integrated occupational health and safety management at UQAM. Applicants to these three pathways are exempt from admission and application fees, and UQAM will also waive fees for recognition of prior learning and skills.

College of the North Atlantic has redesigned its Applied Music program. The new curriculum has been modernized with updated offerings in Music Theory and Songwriting, new courses that centre digital creation, and a capstone project. The program also has an expanded business focus with courses that teach students about the industry’s business side. “Strengthening the music business component creates experiential, career-building learning opportunities that prepare students for the realities of professional life in the arts,” said CNA Instructor Michelle Robertson. “Our program will ensure graduates understand how to generate and protect income, navigate the industry, and access vital supports.”

MacEwan University is recognizing a significant donation from businessman Ron Triffo through the renaming of its business school to the Triffo School of Business. MacEwan says that the donation was a part of its MacEwan Means Business campaign, which also aims to secure a name for the university’s business building in downtown Edmonton. “Education was a tremendous springboard that provided everything for me. I strongly believe that education elevates everyone,” explained Triffo.