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.

Dates: 2025-07-06 to 2025-07-12

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Government of Canada allocates $1.3 billion to support over 9,700 research projects and scholars across postsecondary institutions

On July 9, the Government of Canada announced over $1.3 billion in new research funding, supporting 9,700 researchers and research projects in universities, colleges, and other research organizations. The funding is distributed through CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC and includes $365.6 million for 4,761 scholarships and fellowships, $589 million through the NSERC Discovery Research Program, $127 million via SSHRC Insight Grants, and a range of additional grants for college-community innovation, multi-disciplinary research, and large-scale academic partnerships. Notable allocations include $26.4 million for NSERC CREATE and $55 million for nearly 900 researchers under SSHRC Insight Development Grants. Funding awarded through Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships totals $34.7 million, supporting 236 recipients. This investment targets diverse research fields, from artificial intelligence to social sciences, and is intended for projects that contribute to public health, technological advancement, and evidence-based policymaking.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

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Minister Joly outlines upcoming support for Canadian research and innovation

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, in a July 8 notice, scheduled an announcement in Vancouver for July 9 to detail the government’s nationwide support for researchers and projects. The announcement, accessible to media via Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, guided stakeholders to request event details for in-person attendance. The event was expected to discuss federal funding allocation for research and innovation, with media availability planned immediately following.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada invests in renewable energy, carbon capture, and grid modernization projects in the Maritimes

On July 11, the federal government detailed nearly $16 million in clean technology investments in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Funding includes $6 million for Advanced Distribution Grid Management (Nova Scotia Power Inc., Halifax), $5.25 million for an Advanced Digital Distribution System Operator (Saint John Energy Inc., NB), $2 million for Charlottetown Grid Modernization Project (Maritime Electric Co Ltd., PEI), and further grants for integrated smart meter platforms and regulatory roadmap development for offshore carbon storage. Dalhousie University received $704,089 for regulatory studies on offshore carbon storage. Additionally, Millbrook First Nation, in partnership with Imperial Oil, secured $1 million for the repurposing of former tank lots into a solar farm, which will be majority-owned and operated by the First Nation.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister Solomon to announce new projects at Scale AI headquarters, supporting Canada's AI ecosystem

Minister Evan Solomon, who holds the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation portfolio, scheduled an appearance at Scale AI headquarters in Montreal on July 10 to discuss new investments targeting the artificial intelligence sector. While details of the targeted projects were reserved for the event, the announcement indicates ongoing federal commitment to sector-specific funding, particularly through the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada channels.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan publishes study on role of social connections in mitigating discrimination harms among racialized Canadians

A July 9 Statistics Canada study reports that 45% of racialized Canadians—identified in 2023/2024 survey data—experienced discrimination in the preceding five years. The data highlights that strong personal support networks were associated with reduced mental and physical health harms for those affected.

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

US Federal GR News

U.S. Department of Education clarifies federal benefit eligibility for postsecondary education programs under PRWORA

On July 11, the Department of Education issued an interpretive rule confirming that its postsecondary education, career and technical education, and adult education programs constitute 'federal public benefits' under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). This interpretation directs that only U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, and certain 'qualified aliens' are eligible for such benefits, including grants and assistance in career training and adult literacy programs, except where exceptions under Plyler v. Doe for basic public education apply. The Department notes that verification of eligibility can be conducted using the Department of Homeland Security SAVE program, official documents, or other verification methods. This new position supersedes previous Department guidance from 1997 and is consistent with a recent executive order (EO 14218).

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

White House advances policies to restrict federal education and welfare benefits to American citizens and qualified non-citizens

A July 10 White House notice outlined a set of federal policy moves to restrict access to federally funded benefits—including education, job training, health, and food assistance—exclusively to American citizens and otherwise eligible non-citizens. Federal agencies affected include the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Labor, and Justice. Among the actions, the Department of Education will bar access to free tuition in post-secondary career and technical programs for undocumented immigrants, and the Department of Labor will restrict workforce development resources. The administration noted its estimate that these measures will preserve up to $40 billion annually.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Department of Education updates guidance: proprietary college revenue calculations under the 90/10 Rule

On July 7, the Department of Education revised its prior interpretation of the 90/10 Rule regarding proprietary (for-profit) institutions. The new interpretive rule confirms that revenue from ineligible educational programs may be counted toward the non-federal (the '10') portion in revenue calculations, provided such programs are approved or licensed by a state agency, accredited by a recognized agency, or provide an industry-recognized credential. The Department asserts that no current regulation restricts the inclusion of revenue from programs solely based on distance education modality or location. The change overrides non-binding language from a 2022 final rule preamble and emphasizes process clarity for calculating eligible revenues without imposing retroactive penalties.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

NIH seeks public input on objectivity in research and conflict-of-interest disclosures

On July 10, the National Institutes of Health published a 60-day public comment request for the continued collection of information and disclosures on financial conflicts of interest by investigators engaged in Public Health Service-funded research. The extension request covers reporting requirements for institutions and investigators—including initial, annual, subsequent, and mitigation reports—aimed at upholding objectivity in research through certification and management of conflicts of interest.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Bureau of Indian Affairs proposes renewal of information collection for Tribal Education Department Grant Program

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, on July 11, announced a request for public comment about extending its information collection covering the Tribal Education Department Grant Program. This program provides grants for Tribes to plan and coordinate educational services and requires quarterly and annual reporting by awardees. The information collected is used to assess grantee performance, align with statutory obligations under 25 U.S.C. 2020, and determine the appropriateness of federal support.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Quebec announces enhanced search features for Comparative Tool for Foreign Diplomas

The Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration expanded its comparative tool for foreign diplomas on July 10, enabling businesses and educational institutions to identify the equivalency and recognition status of foreign credentials.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario invests $10.8 million to expand French-language postsecondary education in Northern Ontario

The Ontario government will provide $10.8 million for the University of Sudbury, in partnership with the University of Ottawa, to deliver new French-language programs in Sudbury beginning September 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Quebec launches call for proposals to support organizations providing incubation and acceleration services

On July 9, Quebec’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy issued a call for proposals offering up to $1 million over two years to non-profits specializing in incubation or acceleration of technology firms, as part of its Strategy for Research and Innovation Investment.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Nova Scotia Community College graduates receive 2025 Award for Culinary Excellence

Six graduates from Nova Scotia Community College were recognized with the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Culinary Excellence on July 8, with the selection based on academic achievement and commitment to the culinary field.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta allocates $7 million to watershed resiliency, including educational projects with hands-on student training

The Government of Alberta dedicated $7 million to projects improving water quality and flood resilience, including initiatives that involve students in bioengineering riverbank stabilization.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Public Officials' Social Media

Senator Amina Gerba referenced her attendance at the launch of a youth reception, education, and protection strategy spearheaded by the Fédération Africaine et Associations du Canada, in a July 7 post.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• Republicans urge US universities to cut ties with China-backed scholarship program: U.S. legislators pressure higher ed sector to halt participation in Chinese government-affiliated funding programs.
• Ontario colleges face massive layoffs after ‘alarming’ enrolment decline: Reports indicate major staff reductions across Ontario’s college sector tied to significant enrolment decreases.
• Chamberlain University and SSM Health Launch Landmark Partnership to Address Nursing Shortage: New strategic alliance formed to tackle the healthcare sector’s workforce challenges.
• ICTC and Vector Institute Partner to Accelerate Canada’s AI Talent Pipeline: Partnership announced to boost AI workforce development initiatives.
• ‘Western is making a bold investment,’ London’s university is expanding funding designed to attract researchers from US colleges: Western University in London expands incentives for cross-border faculty recruitment.
• New numbers reveal 10,000-plus Ontario college layoffs, 600 programs cancelled or suspended over past year: Data details program reductions and workforce cuts in Ontario’s college system.
• Ontario college sector facing one of province’s largest mass layoffs, union says: Union voices concerns over layoffs and their impact on post-secondary education.
• Our community college system has been sabotaged: Ontario college workers vow to fight back amidst 10,000 job losses: Organized labour responds to widespread staff cuts and suspended programs.