September 22, 2026

Seven Generations Education Institute has received a $50M funding commitment from the Mastercard Foundation. The institute will use the funds to transform and expand education and training pathways connected to Anishinaabe language and worldviews. Over the next ten years, the institute will ensure youth in the region will have access to new and expanded programs, resources, supports, and career opportunities in priority areas. “Our First Nation’s children have a right to their culture, their traditions and songs. With this funding commitment, our responsibility is to steward this funding in ways that strengthen learners and respect our accountability to the community. We look forward and are ready for the work ahead,” said SGEI Board of Directors Chair Naomi Field.

The International Language Academy of Canada has ceased operations after filing for bankruptcy on Friday. ILAC cited “significant regulatory changes affecting the sector” and the associated financial impacts as its reason for the decision. Over 1,300 international students across its Toronto and Vancouver campuses are estimated to be impacted, according to The PIE News. ILAC said on its website that it is “working closely with relevant regulators” to support transitions for affected students, and that it is working to minimize impacts on students, employees, and partners. Languages Canada is working to find alternate classes for language students.

The University of Prince Edward Island has launched the “Start with Hello” campaign, which is focused on building connections on campus. The campaign highlights the importance of acknowledging one another and initiating conversations to help students who are arriving on campus feel more connected. Throughout the year, “Start with Hello” messages will be shared across campus through digital screens, social media, posters, and other promotional materials. “When we take the time to care about how students are doing and what they are learning, we help build the foundation for their success,” said UPEI Manager, Residence Life Kelton Thomason. “After all, student success begins with connection, and connection begins with saying hello.”

EC English Language Centres announced last week that it would be closing its 25 language schools across its seven destination countries, including in Canada. Languages Canada confirmed that it had placed all 471 affected students in Canada with alternate Languages Canada members so that they could continue their studies. The organization is continuing to take steps to place remaining EC English students. Student housing platform 4stay is also providing a temporary accommodation offer to affected students.

The University of King’s College has announced that it has launched a major update to its four-year Bachelor of Journalism and Media (Honours) degree, in advance of the 50th anniversary of the journalism programs in 2028. U of King’s College will begin phasing in the new version of the degree program, starting in Fall 2027. This program will build on features of the current journalism program such as its one-on-one faculty mentoring and fourth-year workshops, adding content that addresses shifts in the journalism industry while offering students more program choices. Students who are in the existing journalism program will complete their program while benefitting from the thinking that informed program changes.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) Board has requested meetings with Conestoga College, the University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University in an effort to end the region’s unsanctioned St Patrick’s Day festivities. “By meeting with the presidents of the three local postsecondary institutions, we aim to collaboratively identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration and communication while exploring long-term strategies to mitigate future gatherings,” explained WRPS Board Chair Ian McLean in the letter to institutions. According to the WRPS, over 200 charges were laid during this year’s celebrations, despite calls from local institutions to celebrate responsibly. In statements to CBC News, the institutions affirmed their commitment to community safety.

The Court of King’s Bench of Alberta recently ruled that the University of Lethbridge erred when it canceled a lecture by Frances Widdowson in 2023. CBC reports that Justice Chris Simard deemed the university’s decision to be “fundamentally and fatally flawed,” as it “failed to appreciate and expressly consider [ULethbridge student Jonah] Pickle’s and Dr Widdowson’s rights under section 2(b)” of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In his concluding notes, Simard asserted that it would be inappropriate to force the university to either reconsider running the event or force it to allow the event to proceed. ULethbridge is in the process of reviewing the ruling.

Laurentian University is once again able to recruit Canada Research Chairs after a temporary pause due to the university’s insolvency. In order to receive clearance to begin recruiting again, Laurentian implemented a Strategic Research Plan and restarted the development of a Canada Research Chairs Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan. This action plan is now waiting for endorsement by the university’s senate governing body, after which it will be submitted to the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat. “This is excellent news for the university’s research profile, especially at a time when the Government of Canada is renewing its focus to attract talent to Canadian universities,” said Laurentian President Lynn Wells.

Lakeland College has received $500K from Canadian Natural Resources Limited to modernize its trades and energy training facilities. The funding will be used to upgrade classrooms and laboratories and give students access to updated tools and technology. “There is tremendous value in having industry and education aligned around a common goal, preparing students for the real world with a practical education that delivers real skills and real results,” Lakeland President Dr Alice Wainwright-Stewart.

The University of Toronto has issued a statement in response to criticism regarding an anti-Zionism working group that brought together graduate students and faculty for research and discussion. The Winnipeg Sun reports that a since-removed page about the Bridging Theories of Anti-Zionism group described its goal as mapping “varied streams of anti-Zionist thought” and building a “critical genealogy” to inform scholarship across multiple fields. U of T Jackman Humanities Institute Director Randy Boyagoda stated that the institute “affirms the academic freedom of the individual faculty members involved with all of its working groups and does not endorse particular perspectives associated with any of them.”