November 25, 2024

The Government of Québec has received a set of eight recommendations—including one focused on higher education—from QC Commissioner of the French Language Benoit Dubreuil. The recommendations broadly aim to help improve the use and flourishing of the French language in culture, education, and the workplace. On the front of higher education, Dubreuil asserted that too many students are choosing to pursue their education in QC in English. In light of this, he urged QC to ensure that 85% of all higher ed instruction is in French. The proposed target “would allow us to gradually strengthen the presence of French, while taking into account the specific reality of higher education establishments,” Dubreuil told CTV News

The Government of Ontario has invested $92M through the Ontario Research Fund into research projects at institutions across the province. The funding will support ground-breaking research for over 200 projects by funding costs related to research operations and facilities. “When we invest in research, we invest in our province’s future,” said ON Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn. “These critical investments will ensure Ontario’s researchers can continue making discoveries that drive key sectors, create good-paying jobs, and improve the lives of all Ontarians.” The projects receiving funding will be hosted at postsecondary institutions such as Brock University, Mohawk College, Queen’s University, and the University of Toronto.

A new private institution in Kelowna, British Columbia—the Sena College of Massage Therapy—is launching the first intake of its two-year Registered Massage Therapy diploma program in January 2025. The college received its interim designation certificate from the Government of British Columbia’s Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) in early October and has secured preliminary accreditation from the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation. Castanet reports that the college—which is owned and operated by RMTs—offers an evidence-based curriculum that combines clinical practice and hands-on training to prepare students for careers in massage therapy.

Lakehead University will expand to the City of Barrie in Fall 2026 with a STEM Hub in downtown Barrie. This new location will bring more educational opportunities into the city so that youth can complete their studies in the region. The hub will begin by offering engineering and computer science programming. “These are industries where skilled talent is in great demand and opportunities for social and economic impact are significant,” said Lakehead President Dr Gillian Siddall. The city will invest $1.25M into the project in 2025 and $5.25M in 2026.

Times Higher Education has published a new ranking focused on interdisciplinary science in higher education. Nearly 750 universities from 92 countries appeared in the debut rankings, which Times Higher Education says demonstrates the global appetite for interdisciplinary research. The top institutions overall were the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#1), Stanford University (#2), and National University of Singapore (#3). Three Canadian universities participated in the inaugural ranking: Dalhousie University (#129), the University of Manitoba (#351-400), and St Francis Xavier University (#401-500). “Universities worldwide are using interdisciplinary science to boost innovation and to make breakthrough discoveries that help to solve the world’s biggest challenges,” said Times Higher Education Chief Global Affairs Officer Paul Baty.

Canadore College will be discontinuing the Northern Ontario Addiction Treatment Centre of Excellence project after Ontario Health terminated its contract with the college. The 53-bed centre was originally expected to open by summer 2022, but its opening was pushed back first to summer 2023 and then to January 2024. The Ontario Health media team said that “[o]ver the last two years, Ontario Health worked with Canadore College, providing them with considerable opportunity to get this project up and running. Canadore was unable to address clinical and operational requirements.” Canadore will wind down all activities related to the centre in the new year. The addiction recovery beds will stay in the Nipissing region.

Lakeland College’s Board of Governors and Western Crop Innovations (WCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on agricultural research initiatives that align with shared objectives and available resources. WCI is increasing its focus on feed and forage development–an area of mutual interest with Lakeland, which prioritizes issues in sustainability and resilience in crop production. “[This MOU] represents our commitment to strengthening [the partnership] as we work together to on applied research opportunities in crop and livestock production that considers our geographical context to enhance overall efficiencies, in sustainability, and productivity of the Ag sector in Alberta,” said Lakeland Dean of Applied Research Dr Francois Paradis.

Several postsecondary institutions in British Columbia and Ontario have said that they will be making cuts due to the federal policy changes regarding international students. In BC, Camosun College President Dr Lane Trotter issued a statement indicating that the college will be restructuring its educational services into five areas of study and redistributing faculty, staff, and students accordingly; College of New Caledonia is revising enrolment targets, adjusting program capacities, and potentially implementing layoffs; and Okanagan College will reportedly see cutbacks with layoffs in January. In ON, McMaster University is exploring cost-cutting measures such as delaying hiring and sharing resources, while Mohawk College expects to lay off between 200-400 employees to address a projected $50M deficit next year.

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has partnered with the City of Trois-Rivières to launch the city’s Plan d’action en cohabitation sociale 2025-2027. The plan includes approximately 50 actions that address issues related to social cohesion and homelessness. It was developed collaborative by the City of Trois-Rivières, CIUSSS-MCQ, CSS du Chemin-du-Roy, and the Corporation de développement communautaire de Trois-Rivières. UQTR will support the plan’s implementation by consulting with stakeholders, sharing knowledge with the community, and promoting evidence-based decision-making.

Memorial University is continuing to implement structural changes to its administration, finance, and advancement portfolio. Memorial VP (Administration, Finance and Advancement) Lisa Browne explained in a statement that the institution has been identifying ways to ensure the administration, finance, and advancement portfolio is “as effective and efficient as possible.” Among the most recent changes, Memorial has moved its pensions unit to report to the CFO and initiated a data governance program. The university has also announced changes to the Office of the Chief Risk Officer, including the elimination of the position of its Chief Risk Officer.