November 7, 2025

Several postsecondary leaders have shared their reactions to the Government of Canada’s recently tabled Budget 2025. Representatives from institutions such as the University of Calgary and University of Victoria lauded how the investments will attract international talent to Canada. The leaders of institutions such as Camosun College, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg mentioned that further decreases to international student numbers will impact their financial situation. “What we’re seeing is, this is the new environment in Canada,” said UManitoba President Michael Benarroch. “The drop in international students is not temporary, not just for a year, but this is what we can expect going into the future.”

The University of Ottawa has partnered with France Universités—which represents French universities and institutions of higher learning—to create a France-Canada campus at UOttawa. The campus’s goals include strengthening academic and scientific cooperation between the countries; maintaining a French presence in Canada’s capital; and promoting movement of administrative staff, students, and professors between institutions in both countries. UOttawa President Marie-Eve Sylvestre highlighted the university’s “special connection” with France and said that the new campus will “[provide] space for collaboration and innovation, opening the door to French and Canadian institutions that wish to strengthen their joint initiatives.”

Faculty, staff, and students at several Alberta postsecondary institutions held rallies on Tuesday against the province’s use of the notwithstanding clause to legislate teachers back to work. The Mount Royal Faculty Association hosted a rally and information picket in front of Mount Royal University. “When any government uses extraordinary legal tools to silence workers and override their rights, we must all stand together in solidarity,” said MRU Faculty Association President Brenda Lang. In Edmonton, dozens rallied at the University of Alberta’s main quad in support of teachers, with several education students telling CBC that they are concerned about how the province’s actions will affect their career choices.

Mohawk College is launching a Bachelor of Technology in Sustainability and a Bachelor of Management in Sustainability, both to begin accepting students in Fall 2026. These applied degrees will use an interdisciplinary approach to prepare graduates to meet the demand for sustainability professionals across multiple sectors and disciplines. Students will have the option of pursuing either a 4-year honours degree or a 3-year bachelor’s degree. The curriculum incorporates broader aspects of sustainability as well as Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing. Courses are delivered in a hybrid format, with real-world experience and one term of work-integrated learning.

Assiniboine College recently celebrated its anniversary with the opening of a time capsule. The time capsule was created in September 1966. It has been stored in an outdoor stone sign at Assiniboine’s Victoria Ave East campus, since the official opening of the Manitoba Vocational Training Centre (which later became the college). “As with anything of that era, it is a product of its time, so we aren’t sure what might be housed in the capsule,” said Assiniboine President Mark Frison. “Our wish though is that the items contained inside will highlight some of the activities our predecessors were engaged with in imagining the institution.”

Canadian postsecondary institutions must do more to ensure that their branded apparel is not made in sweatshops, argues Judy Fudge (McMaster University). Fudge writes that the apparel companies to which institutions license their trademarks often rely on supplier networks located in countries with weak labour protections and regulations. This leads to a disconnect between university values and practices. The author details how student activism led to the establishment of the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC), an independent monitor that ensures compliance with manufacturing codes of conduct. Fudge argues that universities should see becoming a WRC affiliate as a moral obligation, as this “demonstrate[s] their commitment to protecting the rights of workers producing the apparel and goods that carry their names.”

North Cowichan council is considering how the area around Vancouver Island University’s campus could be transformed into an attractive town centre and economic hub. At a recent council meeting, two councillors made a successful motion to have staff complete a report by the end of March 2026 to address issues within University Village. The report will include a proposed process for building on and expanding the University Village local area plan. Councillor Christopher Justice noted that “despite its central location, the area remains underdeveloped, fragmented, and in places derelict and the focus of street disorder,” and highlighted the importance of addressing these issues. Council voted unanimously for the motion, but several expressed concern about the timing of the report.

York University has launched the YSpace Network. The new network will support collaboration and impact across disciplines by allowing YorkU’s faculties to access innovation and entrepreneurship services. “The YSpace Network will ensure we build on that momentum right across our campuses, while leveraging the expertise and communities of powerful Faculty-based startup programs such as Schulich Startups, IP Osgoode and the Lassonde School’s BEST program,” said YorkU President Rhonda Lenton.

Aurora College is adding new programs to meet the North’s need for skilled tradespeople. Three are Fundamentals programs in Pipe Trades, Mechanics, and Welding. These programs will prepare students for their Level 1 apprenticeship exams with hands-on and academic coursework. Aurora is adding four apprenticeship options: Automotive Service Technician Levels 1 and 2, Plumbing Level 3, and Heavy Equipment Technician Level 3 (Off Road). The programs and their equipment are funded by a $625K grant from the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy’s Union Training and Innovation Program.

Dalhousie University’s Dalhousie eSports Society (DeSS) has begun hosting a competitive team for female and gender-non-conforming players—Dal Pink. The president of DeSS said that the goal of Dal Pink is to “further progress eSports at the collegiate level, where historically it’s been extremely inaccessible for women and gender diverse players.” The team plans to begin in-person meetups to encourage friendships and increase online synergy between players.