October 4, 2024

The Government of Canada is investing $76M to support 50 partner-led projects as part of the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. This funding aims to empower local water protection groups to address historic pollution, improve water quality, and restore ecosystem health in the Detroit River, St Clair River, and Great Lakes. Several projects are led by postsecondary institutions, including Brock University, McMaster University, Redeemer University, Toronto Metropolitan University, the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, the University of Windsor, and Western University. “Today’s announcement […] will bring meaningful change to communities in our backyard, balancing safeguarding of this important natural resource while promoting sustainable growth and prosperity for our region,” said UWindsor Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research Director Dr Robert Michael McKay.

Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Lakeshore campus—which is located at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre—has received renewed funding through an Inmate Education Grant agreement with the Government of Alberta. Lethbridge will receive $2.1M over the next three years to support programming that will provide opportunities to inmates, increasing their ability to reintegrate into the community. Three educational streams are available to students: academic upgrading, personal development, and job employment skills training. Lakeshore campus also offers an Indigenous Release Planning course. “This grant will allow us to continue to provide students with tools that will help them succeed,” said educational coordinator and Academic Upgrading instructor at Lakeshore campus Kimberly Pregernig.

Colleges Ontario President Marketa Evans recently wrote an open letter to Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Marc Miller expressing “strong objection” to the recent federal changes that end automatic work permits for international students who attend public colleges. Evans argues that this policy undermines Ontario’s ability to address labour market needs. The author also highlights the potential strain on the health-care sector and questions why students in degree-granting college nursing programs would not qualify for the same work permit as those in university nursing degree programs, given that nursing programs are regulated by the province. Evans concludes by calling for the federal government to collaborate with ON to ensure that the new work permit system considers the province’s needs.

Université de Sherbrooke recently unveiled the Pôle d’expertises en cybersécurité Intact, an interdisciplinary research hub focused on tackling the growing challenges associated with cyber threats. Led by directeur scientifique Marc Frappier and supported by specialists from five USherbrooke facilities, the hub aims to build a strong defense against cyber threats through partnership-based research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and training for the next generation of experts. The creation of the hub was made possible thanks to the financial contributions of key partners, including Intact Corporation financière, Sherweb, and Loto-Québec, who together provided $4.2M.

An arbitrator has ruled that Mount Royal University’s 2021 decision to fire tenured professor Frances Widdowson was disproportionate, reports CBC. The arbitration included ten grievances filed by Widdowson and the Mount Royal Faculty Association that were connected to Widdowson’s dismissal in 2021. Eight grievances were related to the process used to investigate the complaints and two were related to Widdowson’s suspension and dismissal. Arbitrator David Phillip Jones wrote that while there was just cause for discipline based on Widdowson’s conduct, dismissal was not an appropriate penalty. The arbitrator suggested a monetary payment rather than reinstating Widdowson’s employment.

Western University’s Faculty of Information and Media Studies has launched its first research centre, the Starling Centre for Just Technologies and Just Societies. Starling’s mission is to educate and empower communities on the impacts of digital technologies. With four co-directors at the helm, it aims to integrate diverse perspectives and collaborative approaches to address the challenges posed by digital technologies. The name—which is inspired by the complex movements of starling flocks—symbolizes shifting dynamics, connections, and protection. “So much discussion seems to happen in a way that disconnects technology from the natural world,” said Starling Co-Director Joanna Redden. “We wanted a name that suggests constantly shifting movements, connections and tactics.”

Memorial University students in St John’s and Corner Brook held protests this week, calling on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to reverse funding cuts to the university and reinstate a tuition freeze. In St John’s, students protested the state of the campus buildings. Memorial’s student union said that there are issues with the school’s tunnels, including broken alarms and elevators, leaky roofs, and asbestos warning signs. “You don’t feel safe in those tunnels,” said Memorial student Gabe Jeans. In Corner Brook, Grenfell campus students demanded the reinstatement of a tuition freeze to improve access to education. The protests follow the launch of the FundMUN campaign urging NL to halt funding cuts. NL said it is committed to supporting accessible postsecondary education and highlighted the provincial budget’s recent investments in Memorial.

The University of Manitoba is upgrading its library facilities with the construction of the Digital Scholarship Commons and XR Lab. The Digital Scholarship Commons will be a hub for collaborative research and interactive learning with a space featuring technology such as a data visualization wall to help students, faculty, and staff develop their skills. The XR Lab, which will provide access to virtual reality applications and programs, will include four Virtual Reality (VR) workstations equipped with VR applications and programs to support teaching, learning, and research. Construction on the facilities began in mid-September and is anticipated to continue through spring 2025.

Toronto Metropolitan University has made several announcements about its new School of Medicine. The school has now received preliminary accreditation and will welcome its first MD students in September 2025. The school will use equitable student recruitment and holistic admissions processes based on academic performance and life experience. Additionally, targeted admissions pathways for applicants in equity deserving groups will aim to address underrepresentation. The school has received a $1M gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Surjit Babra and his wife Remy Babra. In recognition of this donation, the largest active learning classroom at the school will be named The Surjit and Remy Babra Classroom.

MacEwan University and the Francis Winspear Centre for Music have signed an agreement that will transfer the Conservatory of Music from MacEwan to the Winspear Centre. This transition aims to ensure that the Conservatory of Music can continue to support the community’s musical talent. “I am thrilled that the Winspear Centre will be carrying on the Conservatory’s important legacy of music education here in Edmonton,” said MacEwan President Dr Annette Trimbee. “Between MacEwan University and the Winspear Centre, students will have incredible opportunities to build and pursue their passion for music.”