October 9, 2026

Career college leaders and students are calling for a solution after the Government of Ontario announced the pause to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for students enrolled at private career colleges. Students told CBC, City News Toronto, and CTV News that the pause to OSAP funding is causing them stress and putting their living situations and studies in limbo. CTS College student Alyssa Wilson has started a petition calling the province to provide a transition for affected students. Career Colleges Ontario, AAPS College Scientific Affairs Dean Laleh Bighash, and Willis College President Henry Devlin called for a path forward for students impacted by the pause.

Colleges & Institutes Canada President Pari Johnston recently addressed how postsecondary leaders must prioritize stewardship within their responsibilities. Johnston explains that Canada is currently going through a time of change. At times like this, Canadians need reassurance and stability. Local public colleges and institutes can address these needs with leadership that adapts to demographic shifts, changes in policies, and AI advances while maintaining a continued focus on mission and public purpose. “[L]ocal stewardship matters now even more because it serves to translate this national ambition into local impact,” explains Johnston, who concludes by emphasizing that the most important task right now is stewardship.

Northwestern Polytechnic and Cenovus Energy recently celebrated the opening of the Cenovus Energy Power Engineering Bench Lab. The lab provides Power Engineering students with modern equipment so they can gain hands-on skills relevant to industry. NWP President Dr Vanessa Sheane expressed gratitude for Cenovus’s contribution, explaining that the investment “strengthens our ability to provide students with industry-relevant training and helps ensure graduates are prepared for the workplaces they will enter.”

St Francis Xavier University has launched two graduate offerings for professionals in health equity. The Master of Health Equity and Graduate Diploma in Health Equity programs are provided online in a course-based format. They explore both theoretical content and practical skills in health public policy, leadership, and program planning. A capstone project is included in the Master of Health Equity program, where students will work with a community agency or their workplace on a project such as a health equity impact assessment, policy review, or application of a health equity framework. These programs are open to those with a bachelor’s degree in any field who normally have at least one year of relevant professional experience.

Laurentian University has released its new Minerals and Mining Strategy, which focuses on the university’s leadership in mining education, sustainable research, and innovation. The five-year strategy’s four core priorities include growing education and training, including with expansions of interdisciplinary mining programs, strengthened co-op placements, and upskilling opportunities; research and innovation; being a national convenor; and fostering responsible mining, which will include work with Indigenous partners. “This strategy ensures that our institution remains at the forefront of higher education and innovation, providing solutions that directly support our local community and the global mining sector,” said Laurentian President Dr Lynn Wells.

Frances Widdowson has filed a $3M defamation claim against the University of Lethbridge, which she alleges accused her of spreading prejudice, hate, disinformation, and lies. The lawsuit filed in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta names several individuals from the institution as parties to the action, including ULethbridge President Digvir Jayas; ULethbridge Vice-Provost of Iniskim Indigenous relations Leroy Little Bear; and ULethbridge Gender, Equity, and Diversity Committee Chair Patrick Wilson. ULethbridge issued a statement indicating that it “will be filing its Statement of Defence in due course, in which it will contest a number of assertions contained in the lawsuit.”

The water tower at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus will soon be removed after serving as a campus landmark for nearly 70 years. The tower was originally constructed in 1955 at what was then the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and had been decommissioned in 2017 after the campus transitioned to the municipal water system. “Buildings and structures change over time, but the stories attached to them remain part of the fabric of the campus,” concluded Dal Faculty of Agriculture Dean Heather Bruce. “For those who spent time at NSAC and the Agricultural Campus, the water tower will likely always have a place in their memories of campus.” The tower will be removed by the end of October.

Protestors gathered at the University of Calgary following an event last week that questioned the use of the term “genocide” in connection with residential schools. Protesters called for the university to remove UCalgary Professor Emeritus Tom Flanagan’s emeritus status and ban him from campus for the comments, while Flanagan contended that the talk was a part of “legitimate academic debate” on the subject. In response to the protest, UCalgary said that it does not take a position on the issues, saying that serving as a site for lawful expression is “the role of a public university.” It added that it is examining its policies to continue to preserve the safety and well-being of the campus community.

As Canada improves the recruitment and credential recognition process for internationally educated health care workers, it must address all stages of the journey to working in Canada, writes Sheri Adekola (University of Guelph). Adekola explains that professional integration is an important stage where workers need supports such as supervised practice, work placements, and mentoring to successfully integrate into the workforce. The author notes that professionals may also experience difficulties with achieving professional registration and finding work. Adekola concludes by calling for policy that provides pathways beyond assessment, improves outcome reporting, and aligns immigration selection with workforce planning and professional regulation.

Université du Québec à Montréal and the Institut Villebonn – Georges Charpak in France have signed a partnership agreement focused on training the institute’s faculty and support staff. The first cohort of Institut Villebonn – Georges Charpak participants will complete a graduate microprogram in educational innovation research and development and a short program in higher education pedagogy. These programs are offering education in an adapted format with daytime, online, and primarily asynchronous courses. The program’s content will promote intercultural understanding and offer professional development opportunities.