October 20, 2026

WWF-Canada has announced that seven postsecondary institutions in Canada have earned its 2026 Living Campus certification. The certification recognizes campuses for wildlife habitat restoration initiatives. Capilano University was the first postsecondary institution in British Columbia to achieve the certification, prompted by its initiatives to promote the safe coexistence of people and black bears. Mohawk College also achieved the certification for the first time through a seed sowing workshop and its sugar maple planting initiative. Five other institutions that have earned the certification in the past were recognized again in 2026: Carleton University, Concordia University, Niagara College, Seneca Polytechnic, and York University.

The Alberta Pipe Trades College was on lockdown on Friday for a police investigation following a fatal shooting in a parking lot. Three men were remanded and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting. “Police responded and are currently investigating the incident. As a precaution, our buildings remain under lockdown until further notice,” said United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 488 Business Manager Rod McKay. “The safety and well-being of our staff, instructors, members, students, and visitors remain our highest priority.”

Several institutions are raising awareness and emphasizing the importance of accessibility this month for National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Centennial College, Fleming College, and Red River College each marked the day with special statements and initiatives. Cégep de Lanaudière à Terrebonne, College of the North Atlantic, Fanshawe College, Fleming, Memorial University, RRC Polytech, and the University of Winnipeg also lit up their campuses in purple and blue as part of the nationwide Light It Up! initiative.

Tyndale University has launched a School of Education, which will have its own identity, faculty, committee governance, and dean. The programming offered at the School of Education will include Tyndale’s Bachelor of Education programs, additional qualification courses, Christian school certificate courses, and mentorship. “The move from a department to a School of Education is a statement about what we believe teacher education deserves,” said Tyndale School of Education Dean Dr Heather Birch. “For candidates, it means joining a community whose structure is built around their formation as teachers.”

Douglas College has suspended its men’s soccer program for the remainder of the 2026–27 season following a brawl in a game earlier this month. The game against Capilano University saw seven red cards handed out to players—six of which were given to Douglas players—and was ultimately ended early. “We have a responsibility to uphold the standards of conduct expected of those representing Douglas College, as well as the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, associated personnel and all PACWEST member institutions,” said a Douglas statement explaining the decision. A CapU Athletics spokesperson told CBC that it is working with Douglas and Pacific Western to review the incident, adding that it would take action through “appropriate university processes” if necessary.

Statistics Canada has released data from the Higher Education Expenditures on Research and Development program for 2024/2025. According to the data, total expenditures rose 7.2% relative to 2023/2024, reaching $20.3B. Increases were roughly the same for both the area of natural sciences and engineering (7.2%) and the area of social sciences, humanities and the arts (7.0%). Broken down by funding sectors, total sciences funding saw the largest increases from private non-profit (11.7%) and federal government (8.8%) sectors. Funding from the foreign sector was the only amount to decrease during this period, falling by 0.8%.

Private postsecondary institutions in Ontario are continuing to face challenges due to the OSAP freeze. Trillium College has suspended academic operations and is offering students interest-free payment arrangements. The Winnipeg Free Press spoke to students attending Canada’s National Ballet School, theological schools such as McMaster Divinity College, and the Toronto Film School who are concerned about whether they can continue or pay living costs without OSAP funding. “Many students have rearranged their lives, reduced or left employment, made child-care arrangements and, in some cases, relocated to Toronto in order to pursue their studies,” stated Toronto Film School President Andrew Barnsley.

Northern Lights College has unveiled its new Access Centre located in Tumbler Ridge. The centre provides students with a place where they can access Wi-Fi and laptops, take online NLC courses, participate virtually in classes from NLC’s larger campuses, and connect with the college’s supports and services. “A college campus is so much more than a place to take classes,” said NLC Board Chair Jennifer Moore. “It is a place where people come together, discover new opportunities, and build their futures without having to leave the community they call home. We believe that where you live should not limit where you can go.”

A 15-year-old youth has reportedly been charged and placed in custody after a staff member was assaulted at Memorial University’s St John’s campus on Friday. CBC reports that the teenager was captured on video and arrested the following day. The university stated that the staff member is safe at home and being offered supports. NTV News reports that Memorial’s Campus Enforcement and Patrol will have an increased presence across campus.

Over 200 Québec paramedic students are unable to access internships due to an ongoing labour dispute between the CSN union representing paramedics and the province. The Fédération des cégeps said that students have had to delay their graduation because of the dispute, and that the number will grow as the province’s 800 paramedic students pass through their programs. The CSN union representing paramedics explained that withholding internships is one of the few pressure tactics they are legally allowed to use in negotiations. “All of our pressure tactics are actually evaluated by a judge who is going to look at the impact that it’s going to have on the population and has to be accepted by them before we can put them into effect,” concluded CSN union representative Charles Duff Murdoch.