October 27, 2026

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has announced the name for its business and entrepreneurship school: the Merlis Belsher School of Business and Entrepreneurship. This name was chosen in honour of Merlis Belsher, a philanthropist and entrepreneur who donated $5M to Sask Polytech’s Joseph A Remai Saskatoon Campus. “Merlis is a visionary whose leadership and business insight align seamlessly with the ideals of our School of Business and Entrepreneurship,” said Sask Polytech President Dr Larry Rosia. “His name will remain a symbol of innovation, leadership and excellence for generations to come.”

The University of New Brunswick has received a $1M donation from the family of the late Dr Suzanne Irving, who formerly served on the UNB board. The donation will be used to create the Suzanne Irving Leadership Fund, which will support the activities of the Board of Governors, the development of leadership skills, and the elevation of the university’s governance. “Through this fund, we hope to support future leaders who will help guide the University of New Brunswick for generations to come, while honouring her lifelong commitment to learning, service, and community,” said John Irving.

Statistics Canada’s recent Consumer Price Index report found that student tuition fees increased 2.4% in 2026, compared to a 1.7% increase in 2025. The greatest hike was seen on Prince Edward Island, where students faced a tuition increase of 4.9%. Association of Atlantic Universities CEO Ava Czapalay explained that since the east coast’s population is not naturally growing, the changes to international student enrolment have been particularly difficult for the area. The UPEI Student Union told CTV News that it is pushing for predictability so that students can plan their budgets. The smallest increase was reportedly seen in Newfoundland and Labrador (0.6%), coinciding with a freeze on tuition fees.

In an article for The Conversation, David J Finch (Mount Royal University) and Stephen Murgatroyd (University of Alberta) argue that Canada’s school-to-work system must change to meet today’s needs. Finch and Murgatroyd explain that even with $66B invested annually into colleges and universities, Canada has weak productivity. They argue that as a society, we must ensure that learning from postsecondary institutions prepares students for a lifetime of change. Finch and Murgatroyd offer four skillsets—domain knowledge, domain skills, evergreen knowledge, and evergreen skills—that ensure people can both perform now and adapt for the future. The authors conclude by explaining how educators, governments, employers, and students and job seekers can shift to build on recognized capabilities.

Niagara College has responded to the recent operational challenges at Ontario private career colleges by sharing information about program options and supports for affected students. Niagara is offering financial support, including bursaries and scholarships and dedicated awards for eligible career college students. Additionally, the college will provide free Prior Learning Assessment Recognition. Niagara highlighted the January 2027 intakes for several programs that are offered at career colleges.

Lethbridge Polytechnic has announced that it is merging its Architectural Animation Technology (AAT) and Interior Design Technology (IDT) programs into a new Interior and Building Design Technology program. The program covers topics such as kitchen and bath design, architecture studies, and advanced technology, while also providing experience in tools like AutoCAD and Sketchup. “The IBT program is designed to prepare graduates for increasingly complex design and building projects, combining elements of architectural and interior design and technology into a comprehensive educational experience,” explained Leth Polytech School of Spatial Design Technologies Chair Brenda Brandley. Students currently in the AAT and IDT programs will be the final cohorts of the former constituent programs.

University of Niagara Falls Canada and St Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM) in the Caribbean have launched a new Pre-Vet Pathway for eligible graduates of UNFC’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Bioveterinary Science program. The pathway allows eligible graduates to directly enter Semester 3 of SMUSVM’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, leading to graduation one year earlier than the traditional pathway. UNFC Associate Dean of Biosciences Dr Janine Gray explained that the pathway provides students a “faster, more direct route” into the profession without compromising depth of studies.

The University of Guelph has received a 100-acre parcel of Thorah Island from the Beaverton District Conservation Club (BDCC). The island, located in Lake Simcoe, has been used for bee breeding by the university’s Honey Bee Research Centre since the 1990s. The BDCC explained that it sought to donate the land due to dwindling club membership and an interest in preserving the island’s state of nature. The island currently contains an apiary with 12 to 15 full-size hives and two off-grid cabins for researchers. The donation has been accepted by UoGuelph’s Board of Governors, with an anticipated transfer within 90 days.

Capilano University’s Board of Governors has suspended intakes for the Bachelor of Communication Studies and Music Diploma programs. These three-year intake suspensions will start in Fall 2027, with those currently enrolled able to complete their credentials. The programs will undergo an assessment process to determine future demand, explore potential program renewal opportunities, and consider program revisions. CapU says that the decision to suspend the programs was made after a review of academic offerings as part of deficit mitigation.

Suncrest College has opened its Industrial Mechanics training facilities to provide an enhanced learning environment for industrial mechanics students. The Industrial Mechanics training space—now named the Mosaic Industrial Mechanics Lab in recognition of a $1.5M donation from Mosaic—includes specialized equipment such as metal lathes, drill presses, and bench grinders. Other areas at the college have also been modernized to create a more functional learning and working environment. The investment is allowing Suncrest to expand program options with a new Industrial Mechanics Applied Certificate program that will launch in February 2027, as well as a new pathway into this program for students from the Good Spirit School Division.