Good morning! This is 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: 2025-05-19
End Date: 2025-05-24

Top Headlines

Main Stories

Coast Guard Opens Inshore Rescue Boat Stations Staffed by Post-secondary Students

The Canadian Coast Guard will open Inshore Rescue Boat stations across Quebec on May 28, assigning crews composed of post-secondary students. Stations are located in Saint-Anicet, Vaudreuil, Beaconsfield, Longueuil, Sorel, and Trois-Rivières. These teams provide primary maritime search and rescue services and operate under the coordination of the Quebec Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre. The program functions seasonally to support increased recreational boating activity, offering students hands-on training and employment experience. Emergency contact is maintained 24/7 via toll-free phone or marine VHF radio. This hiring approach links higher education students with marine safety initiatives.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada: Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Increasing

Statistics Canada reported a rise in mental health and substance use disorders among youth as of May 2025. The report finds that girls and young women are more frequently reporting deteriorated mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing concern over accessibility of mental health services for female students and researchers. The data suggest ongoing implications for post-secondary institutions engaged in student service delivery and related research.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Minister Mélanie Joly Meets Advisors to Discuss Research Ecosystem and Implementation of Sovereignty Fund

Minister Mélanie Joly met with figures including the Rt. Hon. David Johnston, Dr. Alan Bernstein, and Eddie Goldenberg to discuss strategies for strengthening Canada's research ecosystem. The discussion addressed the rollout of the Canadian Sovereignty and Resilience Research Fund, aimed at supporting research capacity and collaboration. Institutional leaders and faculty involved in federally-funded research programs are monitoring next steps for the fund’s implementation.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MPs Tour Ontario Tech, Examine Source of Innovation and Research Partnerships

On May 22, Minister Mélanie Joly and MP Ryan Turnbull visited Ontario Tech University, touring facilities such as the Automotive Centre of Excellence. Their visit highlighted the engagement of federal officials with research-intensive universities and underlined the institution's profile in automotive R&D, research-industry partnerships, and climate-related technology. Ontario Tech’s participation in national research dialogues remains notable amid policy planning.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jamil Jivani Attends Redeemer University Convocation, Focus on Graduate Outcomes

On May 23, MP Jamil Jivani marked the graduation of the Redeemer University class of 2025, underscoring the milestone for graduates as they enter professional trajectories. The event reaffirmed government engagement with faith-based post-secondary institutions. Redeemer University and other colleges may continue to feature in policy discussions on graduate employability and sectoral diversity.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Important Updates

Secondary Stories

MP David J. McGuinty Commends Royal Military College Graduates

David J. McGuinty congratulated Royal Military College's class of 2025, noting graduates' transition into national service roles.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Minister Mélanie Joly Affirms Support for Canadian Leadership in Multiple Academic Disciplines

Minister Mélanie Joly stated that government and academia remain committed to advancing Canada's contributions in the physical sciences, biology, social sciences, and the humanities.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Kristopher Wells Addresses International Academic Partnerships

Senator Kristopher Wells called for Canadian post-secondary institutions to seek international partnerships to secure academic freedom and safeguard research activities.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Stan Kutcher Expresses Concern Over Global Threats to Higher Learning Institutions

Senator Stan Kutcher noted that attacks on universities by hostile actors remain a repeated historical phenomenon.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Mohammad Zaibak Celebrates Recognition of Research on Canadian Arab Communities

Senator Mohammad Zaibak highlighted Dr. Ibrahim Hayani’s receipt of the King Charles III Coronation Medal and his longtime educational contributions.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Canada Ranks High in Research Intensity: INRS Profile

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) reports first-place ranking in Quebec for research intensity, serving as a hub for over 1,500 students, postdocs, faculty, and staff.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Provincial Announcements

New Brunswick Opens Applications for 2025-26 Student Financial Assistance

New Brunswick announced the opening of student financial aid applications for the 2025-26 academic year, along with a digitized registration process and online information resources.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Manitoba Increases Veterinary Training Funding through Western College Partnership

Manitoba committed $8.3 million to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine for 2025-26, extending training opportunities for Manitobans at the University of Saskatchewan.

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

Ontario Budget Proposes New Indigenous Scholarships for Resource Sectors

Ontario’s 2025 budget includes $10 million over three years for new scholarships to support First Nations postsecondary students in resource development studies.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Government Forms Innovation and Productivity Task Force

Manitoba established a new task force chaired by Jim Balsillie to advise on technology policy, intellectual property, and data strategy with faculty and industry engagement.

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

Student Housing and Child Care Expansion Begins at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

Construction started on an eight-storey residence adding 445 student beds and a new child-care centre, with the $196.6-million project funded jointly by the Province and SFU.

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

Alberta Invests $25 Million in Primary Health Care Innovation Grants

Alberta has awarded $25 million to support 19 projects, including university research partnerships to develop programs in dementia diagnosis, women’s health, and AI-enabled health services.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

What We're Reading This Week

• Trump administration revokes Harvard's ability to enrol international students: Policy changes affect the status of foreign enrolment at Harvard University.
• Brand new innovation lab to elevate student learning at Georgian College: Georgian College opens new facilities aimed at experiential student learning.
• Sanction on Harvard’s foreign students strikes at the heart of the university’s global allure: New sanctions challenge international students at major U.S. universities.
• Are you an international student in the United States? We want to hear from you: Media investigates experiences of Canadian students studying in the U.S.
• Info-Tech Research Group Expands Annual Awards Program to Spotlight IT Leadership, Excellence, and Innovation: IT leadership and innovation recognized through new industry award programs.
• What is happening to higher education in the U.S. right now is not reform. It is destruction (opinion): Commentary details recent upheaval in American higher education.
• Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Stride Laureate Education, Perdoceo Education, Lincoln Educational Services and American Public Education: Report analyzes trends in the U.S. education sector.
• Are you an international student in the United States? We want to hear from you (Vancouver): Local coverage gathers input from Canadian students in America.
• Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights Stride Laureate Education, Perdoceo Education, Lincoln Educational Services and American Public Education: Another industry summary on publicly traded U.S. higher education companies.