September 1, 2026

Government of Canada MP Buckley Belanger has created a volunteer committee to explore the establishment of a new university in Northern Saskatchewan. The committee will be coordinated by former Gabriel Dumont Institute Executive Director Geordy McCaffrey, and will include representation from northern leaders, industry, and other relevant parties who will guide the process. McCaffrey explained that as industry expands in the north, so too will the need for labour. “What better source of labour are those people who live in the area who want jobs, who want to improve their communities?” concluded McCaffrey. The committee is expected to release their report later this year.

The Government of British Columbia has released updated guidelines for overdose prevention and response on the province’s postsecondary campuses. New guidelines have been added surrounding the education of campus security and other employees, managing naloxone supplies, and responding to overdose incidents. In preparation for the Fall semester, the government also distributed 1,600 naloxone kits to postsecondary and First Nations-mandated institutes throughout the summer.

The Randolph College for the Performing Arts has reportedly closed after failing to renew its accreditation with the Government of Ontario. Students were informed of the closure through an email from the ON Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, which noted that the college’s registration had expired on February 1. Students said that the college had told them that the situation would be fixed, with several noting that they had received no warning of the closure. Students were informed that a fund is available to support their training at another institution or to ensure they receive a partial refund.

British Columbia Institute of Technology has begun its South Campus Infrastructure Renewal project, supported by $48M from the Government of British Columbia. This project will replace underground infrastructure, while improving the campus landscaping, walkways, and connections between buildings. Upgrades to the campus will include more open spaces, a restored urban greenway, and bicycle networks. “Renewing the infrastructure beneath our campus allows us to reimagine the spaces above it, creating a more accessible and sustainable place to learn and teach,” said BCIT President Jeff Zabudsky.

The University of Waterloo has formalized a research partnership with Airbus. This partnership will advance sustainable aerospace technologies by establishing a strategic framework that will connect researchers and students with industry challenges. The partners will also work on a talent and education framework that will complement the strategic framework. “Waterloo researchers are already investigating the questions that will transform aerospace,” said UWaterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics Associate Professor and Executive Director Suzanne Kearns. “Airbus brings deep industry expertise, while Waterloo offers a research network that can connect aviation and aerospace to emerging technologies and complex global challenges.”

Dalhousie University and the Government of Nova Scotia have partnered to launch the Nova Scotia Fire Service Leadership Certificate pilot program. This certificate is made up of six courses that cover topics such as station operations, organizational resources, and fire prevention and suppression. It is designed to be completed online in roughly 18 months, and the courses will count for credit toward Dal’s fire service leadership programs.

As Québec’s provincial election approaches, the postsecondary sector is calling for the next government to prioritize higher education. Cégep de Jonquière Directeur général Sylvain Gaudreault, who also leads the Regroupement des cégeps de régions (RCR), wrote an open letter in Le Quotidien challenging the candidates to remember the importance of cégeps to the cultural and socio-economic development of QC’s regions. CBC reports that the party leaders of the CAQ and Parti Québécois have announced their intent to extend Bill 101 to educational organizations, such as adult and vocational education centres and cégeps, if they are elected.

Radio-Canada reports that the U SPORTS league will not be following the Canadian Football League’s changes to its rules for 2027. The CFL is implementing several changes as part of a broader reform of the game in Canada. U SPORTS follows Football Canada’s rulebook, and Football Canada has reportedly opted not to make corresponding changes due to the financial, logistical, and operational considerations. Radio-Canada reports that some of the rule changes—such as the changes to the length of the field and moving the goalposts—could require costly modifications to playing surfaces and stadiums to accommodate.

Cégep de Drummondville has officially opened a new building that will add instructional, student, and faculty spaces. This pavilion includes 13 classrooms with large windows, student life spaces, and a study area. It is designed to be energy efficient and sustainable, incorporating wood, energy-efficient equipment, and more. The project was funded by the Cégep Drummond Foundation’s 2022–2024 major fundraising campaign, which raised over $2.1M for this project and to fund the redevelopment of existing spaces.

The University of Alberta has announced that it will be moving its Casavant Opus 3358 organ to a church in Picture Butte, Alberta. In a statement, the institution shared that the church met its requirements to have a use case for the organ, to have the proper infrastructure for it, and to commit to rededicating the instrument as a war memorial. “Very few organizations anywhere possess the venue, resources, and established musical tradition required to take on an instrument of this scale and calibre,” stated the university. CBC reports that some alumni, faculty, and community members hope the university will reconsider relocating the organ.