September 18, 2025

The Government of British Columbia, the First Nations Education Steering Committee, and the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association are working together to support the development of community-based K-12 teacher education programs. Institutions such as Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia, and the University of Victoria will work with First Nation communities and organizations to deliver a variety of programs leading to a Bachelor of Education. In addition to these programs, other First Nations and First Nations-led organizations and their postsecondary partners have received funds to support the early stages of teacher-education programs. BC has allocated $5.4M over two years to support these initiatives.

The University of New Brunswick’s Off-site Construction Research Centre will be growing its research capacity through a $2.5M investment from OSCO Construction Group. The centre will use the funds to scale its research and development efforts, with a focus on advancing methods that improve speed and efficiency in off-site construction. “Off-site construction is no longer just a promise—it’s a necessity, particularly in Canada, where housing demand, climate resilience, and workforce challenges are pressing,” said UNB OCRC Director of Innovation and Operations Brandon Searle.

Negotiations between employers and unions are continuing in many parts of the country. At Saint Mary’s University, part-time faculty members represented by CUPE Local 3912 have voted in favour of strike action. CTV News reports that talks reached an impasse on the front of “non-monetary proposals.” In Ontario, College Employer Council CEO Graham Lloyd stated that OPSEU—representing college support staff—must drop certain demands that would “cripple the colleges” before talks can resume. According to CBC, these demands include a guarantee of no staff reductions and a guarantee of no campus mergers or closures.

The Government of New Brunswick recently announced the renewal of the Canada-New Brunswick Agreement on French First-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction. The four-year bilateral agreement includes a $133M federal investment that will drive initiatives supporting French-language learning from kindergarten to postsecondary education. “Through this agreement, our postsecondary institutions are successfully playing a vital role in equipping our student population with the knowledge and language skills necessary to make a smooth transition into the New Brunswick job market,” explained NB Minister of Postsecondary Education and Training Jean-Claude D’Amours.

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has announced that it will launch a Gas Turbine Technician certificate program in May 2026, supported by Lufthansa Technik Canada (LTCA). As a part of the collaboration, LTCA will fund students through the Fuel the Future initiative, which will cover tuition, tool costs, and a salary for at least 10 students in each cohort and offer them a guaranteed job placement with LTCA once they graduate. SAIT School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation Dean Lynda Holden explained that the certificate aims to respond to a gap caused by an aging workforce.

Simon Fraser University and Bell Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on advancing the AI and sovereign supercomputing ecosystem in Canada. Under this agreement, the two partners will collaborate on the expansion of the Cedar Supercomputing Centre (CSC) and provide computational resources to Canadian researchers and industry users. SFU and Bell will also be able to engage in expanded research opportunities by connecting the CSC with the future Bell AI Fabric site, which will be located at Thompson Rivers University.

In a recent article for the Winnipeg Free Press, University of Manitoba VP (Research and International) Mario Pinto argues that as Canada’s “rush forward” to self-reliance must not overlook the importance that research plays in the process of nation building. The author references a variety of projects that have been prioritized through the recently introduced Building Canada Act and identifies some of the research questions that must be answered first if these projects are to succeed without harm. “[W]e must not break what is already there. Research can illuminate our path forward,” writes Pinto. “Scientifically grounded development offers us the best chance to land on our feet.”

The University of Niagara Falls and Sheridan College have signed an articulation agreement that creates a new pathway for pre-health students. Graduates of Sheridan’s Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees certificate program will be able to transfer directly into UNFC’s Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. Through the agreement, Sheridan students will receive credits for up to 13 courses at UNFC. UNFC HBSc Biomedical Sciences Associate Dean Janine Gray said that this pathway is a “springboard for the next generation of health care leaders.”

Northwestern Polytechnic is expanding its programming for the Winter 2026 semester. NWP is partnering with Keyano College on a new one-year Information Technology Specialist certificate, which covers topics like cybersecurity, software development, and network administration. NWP and Keyano will share course development and programming responsibilities for the program. Additionally, NWP is moving up the launch date for its Graphic Design diploma and adding a second intake to its Social Work diploma program. “These programs reflect our commitment to providing timely and relevant, hands-on education that meets the needs of students and employers alike,” said NWP President Dr Vanessa Sheane.

Mount Allison University has unveiled the Radical Access program at its Motyer-Fancy Theatre, an initiative that makes all theatre performances for the 2025-26 season available for $5 per ticket. The initiative seeks to reduce barriers and increase inclusivity for all individuals interested in attending performances. “The connection between what you pay and what you experience should not be so intertwined,” said MtA Instructor Valmai Goggin. “Radical Access theatre helps ensure that live theatre is for everyone.”