Good morning! Welcome back to Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning colleges, universities, campuses, research initiatives and funding, and the tri-council (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) agencies.

Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Start Date: 2025-04-20
End Date: 2025-04-26

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Federal Task Force Details Transnational Repression Targeting Students and Scholars

The Privy Council Office reported that the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force has tracked a transnational repression operation affecting the 45th general election, with academic and student communities among those targeted. The report notes deliberate, coordinated online campaigns on platforms such as Facebook, WeChat, TikTok, and Douyin targeting individuals including international students and scholars. While engagement has remained relatively low, the Task Force warns of persistent attempts to monitor and influence diaspora members and academic participants in Canada. The announcement advises those who feel threatened to contact law enforcement or the Commissioner of Canada Elections.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Nova Scotia Freezes Tuition and Expands Accountability in University Funding Agreements

Nova Scotia has formalized new two-year funding agreements with its 10 universities, instituting a tuition freeze for resident undergraduates, a two percent annual increase to operating grants, and enhanced accountability measures. The agreements, replacing previous one-year deals, mandate that universities expand work-integrated learning, review academic program viability, and work towards housing targets, such as ensuring that 15% of students have access to on-campus housing and limiting vacancies to 5%. Some grant funding will be performance-based, tied to targets like maintaining at least 97% enrollment in health programs. The Nova Scotia University Student Bursary will continue to provide $1,283 in tuition relief per student.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Launches Student Training for Inshore Rescue Boat Program

The Canadian Coast Guard announced that its Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) program is conducting training for student crews in Parry Sound, Ontario, from April 25 to May 12, 2025. The program employs post-secondary students, providing them with hands-on experience in marine search and rescue operations. Training includes certification and mentorship, with IRB stations operational from May to October across six Great Lakes locations. The initiative offers practical experience for students and supplements regular Coast Guard services during the summer boating season.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Ontario Commits $75 Million to Research and Innovation in Higher Education

Ontario is investing $75 million in 162 research and innovation projects across postsecondary institutions through the Early Researcher Awards and Ontario Research Fund. The Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, led by the University of Ottawa and McMaster University, has received $45 million to expand biomanufacturing capacity and clinical trial access. The province’s research sector reports over 120,000 training opportunities for researchers and students since 2018, as well as 406 patents, 76 spin-off companies, and 594 new jobs at spin-offs. Intellectual Property Ontario continues to support commercialization efforts.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Introduces Grant Program for Union-Led Apprenticeship Training

Alberta’s Budget 2025 includes a new grant program enabling trades unions to provide apprenticeship training, with 650 new seats anticipated annually. The initiative is the first formal partnership between the province and unions for apprenticeship delivery, aiming to meet labour market needs and increase capacity in high-demand trades. The grant will be open to recognized union training centers and relevant labour unions, with the seats available to all eligible Albertans.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Provincial Announcements

Ontario Directs $68 Million to Biosciences Infrastructure and Research Equipment

Ontario has allocated nearly $68 million to 108 research projects, including major biosciences infrastructure expansions at postsecondary institutions, and $21 million for equipment renewal via the Small Infrastructure Fund.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Mandates Holocaust Education in Social Studies Curriculum

Beginning fall 2025, Manitoba will require Holocaust education in grades 6, 9, and 11 social studies, with new curriculum resources developed in partnership with the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Awards International Language Teacher Bursaries

Ten Alberta public school teachers will receive $4,200 each to study international languages abroad, funded through the Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund and the Canada-Alberta Agreement on Minority-Language Education.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Launches Neptune BioInnovation Centre

The Neptune BioInnovation Centre in Dartmouth, supported by a $5 million provincial investment, aims to boost Nova Scotia’s bioindustrial output with new wet and dry labs for biofermentation and spray drying research.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

BC Opens New ECE Training and Child Care Centre at Capilano University

Capilano University’s Fulmer Family Centre for Childhood Studies will double on-campus child care spaces and add facilities to train 20 additional early childhood educators starting in fall 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.gov.bc.ca

Ontario Recognizes Indigenous Legal Scholar for Contributions to Education

Professor John Borrows of the University of Toronto received the 2024 David Walter Mundell Medal for his work in Indigenous and constitutional law, including pioneering Indigenous legal education programs.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Tracy Gray Visits Aberdeen Hall to Engage Students on Voting

MP Tracy Gray shared her experience speaking with students at Aberdeen Hall about the Student Vote Initiative and acknowledged the faculty’s efforts to foster student engagement.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Élisabeth Brière Discusses Student Issues at Sherbrooke Debate

MP Élisabeth Brière highlighted topics such as student living conditions, housing, and electoral reform during a debate with university and college students in Sherbrooke.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Élisabeth Brière Addresses Education and Housing Policies for Students

Élisabeth Brière reiterated the discussion of student welfare, housing, and policy proposals at the REMDUS debate, noting one in five Sherbrooke residents is a student.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jean-Denis Garon Engages with Montreal AI Research Centre

Jean-Denis Garon discussed generative AI, the challenge of deepfakes, and the future of innovation with the Centre de Recherche en Informatique de Montréal, and noted Bloc Québécois support for Quebecois authors.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Amina Gerba Hosts Financial Literacy Session for Youth

Senator Amina Gerba met with Laval-Ouest youth as part of the SenGage program to discuss finance, entrepreneurship, and education, sharing her personal career path.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Kristopher Wells Advocates for Academic Freedom

Senator Kristopher Wells commented on the importance of academic freedom in democracies and the impact of attempts to stifle dissent in universities.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier Calls for Copyright Act Revision Amid AI Expansion

Senator René Cormier addressed the relevance of copyright for artists in the context of artificial intelligence and called for an update to the Canadian Copyright Act.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator René Cormier Highlights Copyright Concerns for Canadian Artists

Senator René Cormier urged support for Canadian authors and greater respect for copyright, expressing anticipation for a Copyright Act review.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Robert Black Announces Nuffield Canada Scholarship Applications

Senator Robert Black informed the public that applications for the Nuffield Canada Scholarship, which supports agricultural research travel, are open until June 30th.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• University agreements with N.S. government outline funding, accountability rules: Details on Nova Scotia’s university funding agreements and accountability provisions.
• Randall Denley: Ontario's reviewing university funding. Connecting it to jobs is the right start: Commentary on Ontario’s university funding review and focus on job market outcomes.
• Canada’s international student cap has devastated these college programs. You might feel it on your next trip to cottage country: Reporting on the effects of the international student cap on college programs.
• Trump Signs Orders on AI Education, College Accreditation: U.S. executive orders on artificial intelligence education and college accreditation.
• U.S. academic leaders unite against Trump's higher education policies: U.S. academic leaders respond to recent federal higher education policies.
• New university funding deals include tuition freeze for Nova Scotia students: Nova Scotia’s new university funding deals and associated tuition measures.
• ‘We made some difficult decisions’: University trying to shed budget deficit: University of Windsor’s approach to managing its budget deficit.
• Comparing leaders’ plans for the economy + STEM education funding gets a boost: Analysis of federal leaders’ economic plans and STEM education funding.