October 31, 2023

The Government of Canada’s Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has invested $15M to create a Pan-Canadian Genome Library (PCGL). This library will enhance the sharing of genomic data and support the development of a national strategy for capturing, storing, and accessing Canadian data. The creation of PCGL will be led by McGill University’s Dr Guillaume Bourque, who will lead a team of over 30 researchers from McGill and partner institutions such as Université de Montréal, University of British Columbia, and York University.

A group of 28 co-workers from Polytechnique Montréal have won the September Lotto 6/49 jackpot, valued at $5M. The winners are a group of current or past employees of Polytech MTL named “le groupe à Didi” who have been playing the lottery together for ten years. Each winner will collect approximately $178K. Global News reports that the winners are planning to spend the winnings on spoiling their children, travelling, and doing home renovations.

Capilano University recently announced new collaboration agreements with local partners in Squamish and Whistler, BC. CapilanoU and the Whistler Institute signed a MOU that will offer CapilanoU students increased access to work-integrated learning opportunities, while Whistler residents will have enhanced access to educational programs. CapilanoU said that the MOU is guided by a mutual commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Indigenization, decolonization, and EDI, and will focus on enhancing the wellbeing and sustainability of people and the environment. CapilanoU also signed an MOU with the District of Squamish. The two parties agreed to collaborate on early learning and childcare access, establish a Squamish chapter of City Studio in 2024, and explore opportunities to share recreation, arts, and culture infrastructure.

A recent article in Nature profiles four researchers who changed research fields and shares their tips for going through this transition. Vinod Suresh (Auckland Bioengineering Institute) recommends joining an experienced team in the new field that can provide technical and social support as the researcher acclimatizes. Audrey Khoo Tze Ting (Duke–National University of Singapore Medical School) advises being well prepared and knowledgeable about the field the researcher is switching into; while Patricia Dankers (Eindhoven University of Technology) recommends building expertise before starting in another field and trusting that previous research experiences will help prepare for any challenges associated with changing fields. Henrique Leitão (University of Lisbon) discusses how to convince sceptics about the switch to another field.

The University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape (SAPL) has launched a Bachelor of Design in City Innovation (BDCI) degree. This transdisciplinary program will offer a comprehensive introduction to design thinking for cities and includes courses in visualization, global citizenship, urbanism, and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, learners will be able to engage in cross-cultural, hands-on projects and collaborate with professionals and municipalities through work-integrated learning opportunities. “The world’s greatest challenges, such as climate change and social injustice, are grounded in the built environment,” said UCalgary SAPL Dean John Brown. “This program is educating students to work across disciplines and understand the relationships between people and places — buildings, landscapes and cities.”

Several Canadian campuses and students are navigating challenges and tension related to the ongoing the Israel-Hamas war. CBC spoke to York University students, Shannon Dea (University of Regina), Dax D’Orazio (Queen’s University), and Adam Muller (University of Manitoba) about the importance of and difficulties with holding respectful debate and discussion on campus right now. An article from student newspaper The Varsity discusses the complexities associated with rallies, vigils, and events held on the University of Toronto’s campus, as well as the counter-protests that have accompanied them. At Western, the London Free Press and CBC report that Jewish students protested after posters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas were torn down. Over 1,000 people also recently gathered near the university to protest for Palestine and against Western’s dismissal of a Muslim chaplain, who reportedly posted divisive comments to social media.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University and North Island College both recently announced new accessibility plans to improve their campuses, in keeping with provincial government requirements. KPU’s Accessibility Plan addresses barriers and makes recommendations as to how the institution can enhance accessibility, equity, and inclusion. The proposed changes include the implementation of ramps, automatic doors, gender neutral changing stations, and free menstrual products in all washrooms. NIC’s action plan outlines its Year 1 goals: Identifying barriers to accessibility, reviewing and improving medical accommodation processes for employees, increasing awareness about resources, and providing community members with a mechanism for submitting feedback.

Dalhousie University introduced a new Black and African Diaspora Studies major this fall. The major–which Dal says is the first of its kind at a Canadian university–explores the historical, societal, and cultural dimensions of African Canadian life and the global Black experience, covering topics on oppression, racial justice, resilience, and empowerment. The major builds upon the curriculum of a minor in Black and African Diaspora Studies that was launched in 2016. “People have a healthy interest in this,” said Dal Professor Dr Isaac Saney. “They may not all be able to take the entire minor or major, but the course itself benefits that student body as they want to learn about this.”

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) and the Centre for Veterinary Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) have signed an MOU focused on global animal health. The collaboration will include process development and vaccine manufacturing that will focus on emerging infectious livestock diseases affecting primarily low-and-middle-income countries. “Collaborating with the CVIM is a vital step towards establishing a global network of key groups with the capacity to drive discovery innovations to commercial readiness,” said VIDO Director Dr Volker Gerdts. “This MOU reinforces VIDO’s commitment to addressing infectious diseases of global importance and foster vaccine commercialization as Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research.”

A man has been arrested after an incident at a Brock University student residence. Brock issued a shelter-in-place notification on Saturday as police responded to reports of an armed person at a residence. The 18-year-old man—who is not a Brock student—reportedly had come to campus to confront acquaintances over a previous dispute, at which time he uttered death threats and showed what was perceived to be a black handgun. Police arrested the man later that evening and located a replica airsoft pellet gun. The man has been charged with Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Harassment, and Uttering Threats.