October 26, 2026

The Government of Canada has announced $813M in research funding to support research initiatives across the country. The funds were disbursed through five competitions: The New Frontiers in Research Fund Transformation competition, Research Support Fund grants, Canada Research Chairs, Canada Foundation for Innovation John R Evans Leaders Fund, and the Robbins-Ollivier Award for Excellence in Equity. Canadian Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly asserted that the investments “are helping build a healthier, more resilient, and more prosperous country, while driving the discoveries and innovations that will shape our economy and improve Canadians’ quality of life for decades to come.”

Red Deer Polytechnic has received an $8M gift from the estate of Rodney Ceccato that it will use to support its health care offerings. Half of the gift will be put towards the upcoming Healthtech Centre for Applied Learning and Innovation (HCALI). The other half will create scholarships and bursaries for nursing students through the Rodney Ceccato Memorial Nursing Endowment. In recognition of the donation, RDP will name the atrium within HCALI the Rodney Ceccato Memorial Atrium. “This remarkable gift honours his legacy by creating greater opportunities for nursing students while helping RDP educate the healthcare professionals our communities need now and into the future,” concluded RDP President Stuart Cullum.

As British Columbians prepared for the province’s provincial election over the weekend, several parties took a moment to highlight their plans for postsecondary education. The BC NDP proposed a faster pathway for internationally-trained doctors to begin practicing as well as tuition discounts, loan forgiveness, and moving expenses for health care professionals willing to work in rural communities. The BC Conservatives pledged to create earlier connections to the trades for students and to expand dual-credit opportunities for high school students. The BC Green Party committed to implementing a domestic tuition freeze, Residential Tenancy Act protections for students in postsecondary residences, increases to public postsecondary funding, and a replacement of the current postsecondary funding model.

Universities Canada appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to address the need to attract qualified international talent to strengthen the economy. In particular, Universities Canada called for three actions from the federal government: Improved visa predictability and policy stability to rebuild confidence in Canada; support for international partnerships that strengthen research, trade, and opportunities for Canadians; and the creation of a coordinated International Higher Education Talent, Research, and Innovation Strategy. “Universities are ready to work with government to develop Canadian talent and help businesses grow,” stated the organization.

Assiniboine College has announced that it will launch a part-time, online Bachelor of Nursing program designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in January 2027. The program is designed specifically for LPNs working in the Manitoba context, including the varied geographic locations they may work in and professional commitments they may have. “It’s important that the program provide a flexible and accessible pathway for LPNs, particularly in rural and remote communities, to earn a degree while continuing to contribute to Manitoba’s healthcare system,” explained Assiniboine VP Academic Dr Deanna Rexe. “They don’t need to leave their job nor relocate from their community.”

Thompson Rivers University and Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) recently signed a cooperative agreement on academic programming and T’exelcemc student outcomes. The partners have committed to developing academic programs that reflect the interests of the T’exelcemc and to building on a 2024 agreement by creating an implementation plan for the partners. TRU also committed to incorporating the T’exelcemc variation of the Secwépemc language into its courses, events, and signage at the Williams Lake Campus. “These partnerships create meaningful opportunities to advance reconciliation,” explained WLFN Kukwpi7 Willie Sellars. “By supporting learning, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for people to better understand one another, we can help build a stronger future for everyone in our region.”

The University of Toronto has formally launched its Indigenous Substantiation process, which it says will be a consistent, Indigenous-led approach to substantiating claims to Indigenous Membership, Citizenship and Enrolment. The new process will reportedly apply to individuals identifying as Indigenous on job or academic applications to the institution and/or who apply for roles where Indigenous membership, citizenship, or enrolment is a requirement or consideration. Global News and HR Reporter report that a complaint was recently filed with the Law Society of Ontario against a U of T adjunct professor who identifies as Indigenous and teaches Indigenous law; the complaint alleges that the professor has no evidence of Indigeneity.

Postsecondary education is conspicuously underrepresented among the federal government’s nation-building projects, write Marc Spooner (University of Regina) and R James McNinch (University of Regina). They assert that Canada needs to focus on “nurturing the current and next generation of thinkers, workers, innovators, and dreamers.” However, they note that “every major sector in Canada … agrees that Canada’s postsecondary sector has been chronically underfunded, is experiencing further defunding and is headed towards crisis.” They conclude by calling on Canada to draw inspiration from the Massey Commission and reinvest in higher education as part of its broader national efforts.

Two First Nations artists—seth cardinal dodginghorse and their mother, Glenna Cardinal—have pulled their works from the University of Calgary’s Nickle Galleries following the controversial debate that took place on campus earlier this month. “I didn’t feel our work was safe at the university, and I felt like we had to go get it and bring it home,” explained Cardinal. The pair echoed calls for debate participant and UCalgary Professor Emeritus Tom Flanagan to be stripped of his title. In a statement to CTV News, UCalgary highlighted the tension between the university’s responsibility to uphold the principles of freedom of expression and to fostering a welcoming environment.

International Business University has launched a new peer-reviewed journal focused on business, management, and intelligent systems. The Journal of Business, Management, and Intelligent Systems will be led by IBU Professor Kourosh Parand and will focus on bridging scholarly insight and real-world implementation for the benefit of researchers and practitioners. “We want to hear from faculty, practitioners, industry leaders, and students whose research can help organizations make better decisions and prepare for what comes next,” stated IBU President Dr Asima Vezina.