November 2, 2026

The Legislative Assembly of Alberta tabled legislation last week that would prohibit public organizations—including postsecondary institutions—from using diversity, equity, and inclusion policies to make hiring decisions. Bill 33 , the Justice Statutes Amendment Act would amend the Alberta Human Rights Act so that employers cannot consider characteristics such as gender identity, race, religion, or disability in hiring or promotion decisions. It would also reportedly prohibit mandatory DEI training for staff except where necessary for the job and would limit the behaviour that regulatory bodies can police members on. “The need for consistent hiring practices across all of our public institutions is absolutely essential,” said AB Justice Minister Mickey Amery.

The National Network of Canadian Art and Design Universities has submitted a request for the federal government’s budget, calling for $10M to support AI training for artists and creative organizations. The network—comprising Alberta University of the Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, NSCAD University, and OCAD University—intends to use the funds to create a national workforce training program for creative professionals and small businesses. OCADU President Ana Serrano explained that the program would also help freelancers and sole proprietors who lack access to employer-sponsored training and are therefore more exposed to the impact of AI on creative work.

The Government of Ontario tabled the 2026 Fall Economic Statement on Thursday, and two members of the ON postsecondary sector have responded. The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) welcomed the statement’s focus on strengthening the economy. It further asserted that ON must continue to invest in world-class talent, research excellence, and innovation to build the foundation of its competitive advantage. The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) issued a call for ON to “[support] students in all programs, [reverse] cuts to student grants, and [commit] to fully investing in our public postsecondary education system.”

Bow Valley College has received $5M from the Government of Alberta to support the development of a proposal for a Health Care Centre of Excellence. BVC President Misheck Mwaba stated that the college will use the centre to expand health care training opportunities and offer modern learning environments with hands-on learning opportunities. The Calgary Herald reports that the institution is negotiating with the City of Calgary to purchase a building—which formerly hosted the city’s central library—for the health centre. The building neighbours the college’s South Campus, which means the college would be able to connect the buildings and integrate its existing infrastructure. The college plans to welcome students to the centre for September 2031.

The Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers has accused Government of Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston of political intimidation after an interaction between Houston’s office and a Toronto Metropolitan University professor. The premier’s office reportedly sent TMU Professor Sibo Chen an email, copying a CBC news reporter and the chair of Chen’s department, to complain about his comments in a media interview about NS’s data centre project. ANSUT President Mathew Reichertz stated that this response raises questions about the consequences NS academics could face if they challenge provincial projects. “When the premier’s office takes its objections to a professor’s employer, it sends a troubling message to everyone whose research or analysis might challenge the government’s agenda,” said Reichertz.

Memorial University and Nunavut Arctic College are celebrating NAC’s plans to launch its own Bachelor of Education Program as early as Fall 2027. The plans build on work accomplished through a 10-year partnership between the institutions on teacher education. NAC President Jackie Price explained that though NAC will deliver its own Bachelor of Education program, Memorial will remain an important partner to the institution. “We know our collaborative relationship will continue and will be a strong pillar as the college continues its work to support learners, educators, and communities across Nunavut,” concluded Price. Current NAC students in Memorial’s Bachelor of Education program will have the option to complete their Memorial degree or transfer into the NAC program.

Dalhousie University has launched what it says is Canada’s first independent tax dispute clinic. Located at the Schulich School of Law, the clinic provides free assistance to Canadians in navigating tax disputes. The clinic is staffed by third-year law students who split their time between the clinical and academic components of the clinic course. This provides them with opportunities to improve practical skills as they meet with individuals and liaise with government bodies. “The Clinic embodies the law school’s commitment to the Weldon Tradition of unselfish public service by giving students the opportunity to put their legal knowledge into practice while helping Canadians navigate complex tax disputes,” explained Dal Schulich School of Law Dean Sarah Harding.

Several health care organizations have expressed worry about the effects the Government of Ontario’s OSAP pause will have on the supply of health care workers in the province. Ontario Personal Support Workers Association Executive Director Miranda Romanovicz told CBC that private career colleges graduate 86% of personal support workers, and that current demand means the sector could face shortages even if funding is restored by early next year. OPSEU local 679 President Don Symons, who represents paramedics in the province’s north, echoed Romanovicz’s comments. “Any pause or any decrease in the number of available, trained, and certified paramedics has the potential to add to an already strained staffing crisis,” said Symons.

The Government of Alberta recently implemented new regulations that expanded optometrists’ scope of practice in the province. The regulations, which took effect November 1, added lid lesion removal and laser procedures to the scope of practice. The University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science issued a statement supporting the proposal, which will increase patient access to care. “We are excited for our students, alumni, and other optometrists in the province of Alberta to be able to practice to their full scope, providing safe care to Albertans,” said UWaterloo Optometry School Director Dr Ben Thompson.

A fire broke out at the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s Creative and Critical Studies building last Thursday. The Kelowna Fire Department (KFD) stated that the fire appeared to be started due to construction work on the roof of the building. The KFD deputy fire chief said that the original structure suffered some smoke and water damage, but the fire was contained with “very limited” impact to any of the classrooms in the connected building. AM 1150 states that UBC Okanagan has cancelled all classes and exams in the building and has closed the building until further notice.