November 17, 2025

Toronto Metropolitan University will be constructing an $83M, 21-storey student residence with nearly 1,400 beds. The facility will be built in partnership with the student accommodation firm Cedar Podium and the Government of Ontario’s Building Ontario Fund. The building will offer primarily three-bedroom units, with shared kitchens and individual bathrooms. Students will have the option of nine or 12-month term rentals. “Doubling the space for accommodations ensures that students have more options to positively influence their academic performance and be part of a thriving campus community,” said TMU President Mohamed Lachemi.

Earlier this month, the Government of Québec announced that the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) will officially be coming to an end on November 19th. The Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ) will be the sole pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers. Several students and recent graduates spoke to the press and wrote articles about how the cancellation of the PEQ has disrupted their plans to settle in the province and left them feeling betrayed. In La Presse, Université du Québec à Montréal doctoral student Julian Ballester published an article about how he decided to study in QC because of the promise of the PEQ, while Université de Sherbrooke postdoctoral fellow Loïc Bizeul described the feeling of being pushed out of the province by QC’s decisions.

In a recent interview with Radio-Canada, Université de Montréal recteur Daniel Jutras discusses the issues and opportunities facing universities in Québec. Jutras touches on issues such as inconsistent and sometimes opposing messaging from the federal and provincial governments about international talent, the financial constraints, and the need for a move away from “ivory tower” culture. He emphasizes the need for universities to reexamine their relationship with Québecers and asserts that institutions need to better explain their purpose and impact on different aspects of society. He further expresses his hope that QC and the federal government will rectify their inconsistencies on the front of international talent.

In light of recent efforts to attract international talent to Canada, CBC spoke to several members of the postsecondary sector about their perspectives and concerns. The article cites several initiatives aimed at spurring international interest, but Canadian Association of University Teachers President Robin Whitaker and Chief Scientist of Quebec Rémi Quirion believe more is needed at home. “[Academics from abroad] are being welcomed to a system that is facing a funding crisis, where existing researchers are struggling,” said Whitaker. As a solution, Quirion proposed boosting base research funding to encourage early-stage researchers who plan to make their careers in Canada. University of Toronto President Melanie Woodin also explained efforts taking place at U of T to take advantage of what she calls a “once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Assiniboine College has opened its new Creative CoLab, a $750K community workspace equipped with 3D printers, projectors, a laser engraver, and crafting stations. The lab is open to the public and the college is currently exploring partnerships with local organizations to encourage activity at the lab. The college hopes that the lab will help to keep graduates in the community. “I want more [graduates] to be able to stay if they want to,” CoLab Coordinator Derek Ford told the The Brandon Sun. “It’s not enough to educate people and hope things happen, you have to put the pieces together.” Funding for the lab was supported by Prairies Economic Development Canada.

The University of Regina has incorporated a beaded chancellor stole into its fall graduation. URegina Chancellor Cadmus Delorme was presented with the stole to mark his inauguration. While his role includes representing current students, alumni, and future students, Delorme said that “I’m also sitting there as Cadmus, a First Nation person.” The stole was beaded by Thomas Benjoe, a friend of Delorme, and features florals and the gold buttons representing the stars. “In our culture, we know that stars represent our people,” said Benjoe. “It’s to acknowledge the importance of connectedness and also watching over his time as chancellor and watching over our young people that are entering the education space.”

The Supreme Court of British Columbia has struck down a lawsuit against current and former University Canada West staff members that was launched by a student. The student alleged that instructors engaged in plagiarism of third parties’ work that amounted to breach of contract and violation of the university’s academic integrity policies, among other harms. BC Supreme Court Judge Anita Chan stated that “it is plain and obvious that the plaintiff’s [notice of civil claim] does not disclose any reasonable causes of action, and a further amendment will not cure the defects.” As a result of the dismissal, the UCW defendants were entitled to their defense costs from the student.

In an article for University Affairs, Chris Dabbs (University of Lethbridge) shares his experience as an American academic relocating to Canada and offers tips for fellow Americans. He begins by noting that while the Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement makes it easier to immigrate to Canada, this agreement also imposes limits that could affect academics’ potential total income. Using his professional certification and driver’s history as examples, he goes on to explain bureaucratic differences between the two countries that can result in unexpected costs and added stress. He advises Canadian universities to provide better resources to incoming international academics and encourages incoming academics to plan ahead and prepare as much documentation as possible.

Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup has announced that it will be launching a Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec Division 1 baseball team in 2026. The cégep is launching the team with the goal of supporting student success, perseverance, and belonging while responding to a growing interest in baseball in the region. Athletes will be able to take part in a training program and various sports activities outside of the baseball season. Radio-Canada said that Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup will be the only cégep east of Québec City with a Division 1 baseball team.

York University has announced that the Canada Post Outlet in the university’s York Lanes Bookstore has permanently closed. YorkU Director of Mailing Services Sasa Nestorovic said that the decision was made to address a doubling up of service and that this was not related to the government’s mandate instructing Canada Post to downscale their services. Nestorovic said that “the impact on students, faculty, and staff will be at the minimum.”