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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Higher Ed channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Social Issues and BioPharma.

Dates: 2025-09-07 to 2025-09-13

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ House of Commons Committee Meetings
• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

House of Commons Committee Meetings

• Science and Research Committee: Impact of Criteria for Awarding Federal Funding on Research Excellence: The House of Commons Science and Research Committee will meet on September 15 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to discuss the impact of federal funding criteria on research excellence. Witnesses include Prof. Gita Ljubicic (McMaster University), Steven Pinker (Harvard), Prof. Azim Shariff (UBC), Dr. Kelly Cobey (Ottawa Heart Institute), Dr. Grace Karram (University of Toronto), and Prof. Vincent Larivière (Université de Montréal).
• Science and Research Committee Continues Review of Federal Funding Criteria: On September 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., the Science and Research Committee will continue its study on criteria for awarding federal funding for research. Scheduled witnesses include Prof. David Freeman (Simon Fraser Univ.), Dr. Yuan Yi Zhu (Leiden University), Dr. Malinda Smith (University of Calgary), Martin Normand (Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne), and Ken Doyle (Tech-Access Canada).

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada Invests $28.7M in AI Research and Clean Energy Workforce Development

On September 9, federal ministers announced a $28.7 million investment aimed at building Canada’s AI research capacity and equipping nearly 5,000 energy-sector workers with AI and machine learning skills. The Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) will receive over $9 million through the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund for the AI Pathways project, delivering both in-person and online training in wind, solar, geothermal, and hydrogen energy. An additional $19.7 million under the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy is allocated for expanding compute capacity for researchers and Canadian businesses at Amii, intended to support the development and deployment of advanced AI models. The funding aims to support businesses in bringing AI-enabled products to market and create opportunities for students and entrepreneurs.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Skills and Workforce Measures Extended and Expanded

On September 5, the government rolled out several initiatives to support Canadian workers confronting tariff-related disruptions and global market changes. Among these: $450 million through Labour Market Development Agreements for retraining, $382 million to launch up to five Workforce Alliances, and an extension of temporary Employment Insurance (EI) measures until April 11, 2026. Long-tenured workers will be eligible for 20 additional EI weeks (up to 65 weeks). The government will modernize Job Bank with $50 million over five years, introduce AI-driven features, a new worker dashboard, a national online training platform, and require all job postings to include salary information and disclosure if AI assists in hiring.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Grants Announced to Advance Employment Equity in Post-Secondary and Regulated Sectors

Employment and Social Development Canada announced ongoing funding under the Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity program. Projects led by Toronto Metropolitan University, Black Women Business Network, Digital Nova Scotia, National Educational Association of Disabled Students, and others, are receiving multi-year grants totaling over $5 million to address underrepresentation of women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, and persons with disabilities in federally regulated workplaces and post-secondary administration. The initiatives include research and toolkits for industry partners, development of leadership pathways, and dissemination of diversity and inclusion strategies in banking, tech, transportation, and museums. Collaborative partners span post-secondary institutions, industry groups, and advocacy organizations.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canada and Ontario Approve $4.77M for Agri-Food Research and Commercialization

Federal and provincial authorities confirmed an investment of $4.77 million in 48 agri-food research and innovation projects under the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative. Projects receiving funding range from AI-based dairy health diagnostics to robotic nutrient application in crop fields and new food safety methods. The initiative also supports 20 startups through the Grow Ontario Accelerator Hub. Funding stems from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion, five-year plan to promote competitiveness and resilience in agri-sector research.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard College Renamed Academy, New Curricula in Maritime Technology

On September 8, the Canadian Coast Guard College marked its 60th anniversary and adopted the new name Canadian Coast Guard Academy. The institution announced new curricula for officer and marine communications programs to train personnel in advanced marine technology and communications for deployment across Canada’s waters. The academy, a bilingual, internationally recognized facility, recently completed renovations and continues to update training for larger, more complex fleets.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Targets Forestry Innovation and Regional Workforce Development in Northern Ontario

FedNor is investing $3.6 million in ten projects to foster economic resilience in Northern Ontario, with allocations for sector-specific research clusters, modular home construction, regional economic strategies, equipment upgrades, and sector-specific internships. A primary share goes to the Centre for Research & Innovation in the Bio-Economy for developing innovation hubs and a geospatial tool (ForestEDGE) to support forestry-sector businesses and collaborating SMEs. Other initiatives include skills training for Indigenous women in construction trades, targeted economic officer positions, and youth internships supporting ecological research and land management.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Support for Indigenous and Equity-Seeking Communities in Energy-Efficient Construction, Technology, and Education

Natural Resources Canada granted $3.2 million to five projects through the Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities Program. Recipients include Indigenous training organizations for eco-friendly home construction in Alberta, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in NWT for energy retrofits and education, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association for solar project implementation, and national workforce training programs for heat-pump installation and energy retrofits. Each project includes components for upskilling trades and supporting affordable housing and energy efficiency.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Library and Archives Canada Overhauls Reprography Fee Structure for Digital Access

On August 21, the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture repealed the 2005 reprography fee structure for Library and Archives Canada. The move is intended to align access fees with modern digital service delivery, reflecting technological changes and client expectations. A revised copy service fee schedule will be posted on LAC’s website to better match service costs and provide more effective access to Canada’s documentary heritage.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

Minister Signs Bilateral Agreement Supporting Minority Language Education in New Brunswick

On September 11, a Canada-New Brunswick bilateral agreement allocated over $133 million in federal funding over four years to support French first-language and second-language instruction from preschool to post-secondary. The protocol, in place for more than 50 years, is intended to sustain official language minority education, promote bilingualism, and fund strategic projects in New Brunswick’s post-secondary institutions. The province will also contribute funding under the agreement.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Data: Tuition Gaps Widen Between Canadian and International Students

September tuition data revealed modest changes in fee levels for 2025/26, but a continued divergence in tuition rates between Canadian and international students. The differences in fees persist across regions and institution types. These trends may carry budgetary and enrolment implications for institutions engaged in international recruitment and for student support planning.

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

Waiver of Information Requirements for Living Organism Research Announced

The Minister of the Environment granted waivers to several companies for information requirements related to importing or manufacturing certain living organisms not on the Domestic Substances List, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The companies listed include Cytophage Technologies Inc., Future Fields, Novozymes Canada, Qeen Biotechnologies, and others. The waivers pertain to various test data obligations for aquatic, terrestrial, and antibiotic susceptibility studies.

Sources: Gazette, Part I: www.gazette.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

White House Announces Major AI Education Commitments from Private Sector

On September 9, the Trump Administration announced new industry-led commitments for AI education, training, and K-12 curriculum. Notable pledges include Google’s $1 billion investment in AI education, IBM’s aim to train 2 million learners by 2028, and Amazon’s plan to provide AI training for 4 million learners with an additional $30 million in cloud credits. Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, OpenAI, Meta, and Intel are also launching new certification and training programs for students, teachers, military families, and workers. These commitments are designed to prepare the U.S. workforce for increased adoption of AI technologies in professional and educational settings.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

Department of Education Finalizes Funding Priorities for Evidence-Based Literacy and State Autonomy

On September 9, the Department of Education announced new priorities for discretionary grant programs, effective October 9. The new framework replaces 2021 priorities and focuses on three central areas: promoting evidence-based literacy, expanding education choice (including magnet and charter schools, homeschooling, and career pathways), and transferring more control to State-level educational agencies. The priorities exclude previous focus areas related to social and emotional learning and diversity initiatives. Definitions for computer science, evidence-based literacy instruction, and related grant evaluation criteria were also updated. The rule affects the structure and evaluation of federal education grants nationwide.

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

Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Expansion Grants Open for Application

On September 12, the U.S. Department of Education posted the application notice for 2025 Education Innovation and Research Expansion Grants, providing up to $15 million for projects scaling proven strategies, especially in evidence-based literacy. The competition encourages proposals aligned with state and tribal education agencies and includes a competitive preference for projects offering education choice through high-impact tutoring. Eligible applicants are required to provide a 10% match unless granted a waiver. Awards are intended to expand programs that have demonstrated sizable, significant impact through prior evaluation.

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

FSA Requests Input on Direct Loan Servicing Standards

On September 8, the Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office launched a Request for Information regarding the development of a centralized common manual for servicing and collections of William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans. The initiative aims to standardize borrower communications, application processing, transitions between servicers, and error handling. Stakeholders, including colleges and servicers, have until October 8 to submit feedback via regulations.gov. The new standards are expected to address inconsistencies in borrower experience and increase transparency and vendor accountability.

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

Student Aid Feedback and Data Collection Updates Proposed

The Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) has issued a notice for public comment on proposed changes to the central Feedback System. The system, developed post-2015 to manage and resolve complaints, is receiving updates aimed at boosting responsiveness and managing risk/fraud. The notification details an expected 43,200 annual submissions and seeks comments on collection necessity and burden by November 10. The feedback system influences tracking and resolution of customer issues and informs federal student aid policy.

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

Canadian Provincial GR News

Alberta Allocates Nearly $1.2 Billion in Loans, Grants, and Awards for Post-Secondary Students

Alberta’s government announced nearly $1.2 billion in financial support for post-secondary students in 2025–26, including loans, grants, bursaries, and scholarships. Student aid applications surpassed 90,000, with processing improvements cited.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Awards Over $1.9 Million to Newly Launched Équilibre Research Chair in Science and Engineering

A collaborative research chair led by INRS, Université Laval, and McGill received $1.9 million over five years from NSERC and Quebec funding agencies. The initiative targets retention, recognition, and career support for research professionals, especially women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

Ontario and Canada Renew $133 Million Agreement for French Minority Language and Immersion Education

The four-year agreement supports French first-language and second-language instruction, including funding for post-secondary projects in New Brunswick. Provincial departments and post-secondary institutions will also contribute and implement strategic initiatives.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www2.gnb.ca

Alberta Announces $11 Million for Aviation and Aerospace Training Facility at YYC

Alberta committed nearly $11 million to establish a 126,000-square-foot Training Centre of Excellence for Aviation and Aerospace in partnership with WestJet, CAE, and Mount Royal University. The centre will train over 6,000 aviation professionals annually, with new programs targeted at workforce development.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Launches Level Up! Career Fairs to Promote In-Demand Skilled Trades

Ontario will run Level Up! career fairs in 12 communities over 29 days this fall, connecting students, parents, and jobseekers to skilled trades careers amid growing demand and record youth apprenticeship registrations.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• With a drop in international students, campuses are seeing class waitlists, course cuts and fewer researchers: CBC examines how enrolment shifts are affecting Canadian post-secondary institutions’ course offerings and research activity.
• Mastercard Foundation announces funding to boost postsecondary education access for Indigenous students: The Globe and Mail covers Mastercard Foundation’s new funding for Indigenous learners.
• ‘Shades of the Greenbelt’: questions raised about Ontario’s $2.5-billion private career training fund: CTV reports on scrutiny over Ontario’s private career training investments.
• How Humber Polytechnic is meeting the demands of tomorrow’s workforce by adapting its programs for the evolving job market: The Star features Humber’s curriculum changes in response to workforce trends.
• Expert advice for supporting post-secondary student mental health: Mental health support strategies detailed in The Star.
• Fleming College — training job-ready graduates for high-demand careers: Profile of Fleming College’s efforts to prepare graduates for sector-specific roles.
• Caring for the mental health of students: The Star looks at campus initiatives for student mental wellness.
• Promoting the art of civil discourse on campus: Spotlight on dialogue and inclusion strategies on Canadian campuses.
• Building student pride on their campuses: The Star surveys approaches to increasing student engagement and pride.
• Prof. Ahmad AbuSalah: KFSHRC's Sustainable Digital Innovation Ecosystem Features 30+ AI Solutions and 5 New Agents in 2025: Financial Post highlights global trends in digital innovation and AI.

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