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: 2025-11-02 to 2025-11-08

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial Government News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal Government News

Budget 2025 Sets Record Infrastructure Commitments for Post-Secondary Sector

The federal government has unveiled the Build Communities Strong Fund—$51 billion over 10 years, with $3 billion per year ongoing—to revitalize infrastructure including universities and colleges. Announcements by ministers including Buckley Belanger in Saskatchewan, Steven Guilbeault in Quebec, Mélanie Joly in Montréal-Nord, Gregor Robertson in British Columbia, and Dominic LeBlanc in New Brunswick set out fund streams: $17.2 billion is earmarked for housing, health care, and education infrastructure—including post-secondary facilities—across provinces and territories; $6 billion will back regionally significant projects and large-scale retrofits; and $27.8 billion targets local roads, water systems, and community centres. New infrastructure will include modernized and net-zero college and university buildings, as well as community spaces to foster cultural, sporting, and academic engagement. The funding is positioned as part of the government's nation-building efforts, with supporting initiatives such as the Major Projects Office and Defence Investment Agency. In regional details, La Ronge’s Kitsaki Hall, the Espace Hubert-Reeves scientific centre in La Malbaie, and Langley’s Concert and Performance Hall will receive targeted support, while hundreds of millions are set aside in support of infrastructure used by the post-secondary sector nationwide.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

International Student Permit Cuts Detailed in Federal Budget

Federal Budget 2025 confirms that Canada will reduce international student permits by more than half, signalling a significant policy shift for colleges and universities reliant on foreign enrolment. Immediate budget documents indicate that new intake levels will be sharply curtailed in the next academic year. This move is being received with a mixture of caution and criticism across the sector, with colleges indicating potential enrollment and funding pressures.

Sources: www.thestar.com

Canada and Saudi Arabia Launch Foreign Investment and Protection Agreement Negotiations

Minister Maninder Sidhu and Saudi Arabia’s Minister Khalid Al-Falih announced the initiation of negotiations for a Foreign Investment and Protection Agreement. The countries also agreed to reactivate their Joint Economic Commission and noted the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between Export Development Canada and the Saudi EXIM Bank. Strategic cooperation is slated for sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, healthcare, infrastructure, mining, and creative industries. These developments are anticipated to increase research partnerships and commercial opportunities, particularly in high-tech and tertiary education fields.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Probes Safety and Education in Offshore Petroleum Sector

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources held hearings focusing on Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry. Kristopher Drodge from Memorial University reported on institutional collaboration with industry for marine safety training, detailing capital investments, simulation programs, and the impact of a $300 million Offshore Development Fund. The discussion covered marine risk management, emission reduction, weather forecasting, and the effectiveness of current and future regulatory frameworks. The committee considered the adequacy of the $350 million oil spill fund, along with Indigenous engagement in marine safety education, and discussed research gaps in storm and Arctic safety protocols.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Canadian Provincial Government News

Saskatchewan Announces Four-Year, $250M Post-Secondary Funding Increase

The Saskatchewan government has signed a multi-year funding agreement with post-secondary institutions, providing $250 million in additional operating support over four years, with three percent annual increases and a tuition cap between zero and three percent.

Sources: www.saskatchewan.ca

Ontario Launches New Credit Recognition Program for Military Learners

Ontario will invest $575,000 to accelerate veterans’ entry into post-secondary programs by recognizing military-acquired skills as academic credits. The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer is developing AI tools and course credit banks for faculty and administrators.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Institutes Tightened International Student and Worker Immigration Caps

Quebec's 2026–2029 immigration plan sets a permanent admissions target of 45,000 and introduces constraints on temporary foreign worker and international student programs, ending pilot programs in AI and streamlining selection rules for skilled workers.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Université TÉLUQ and Canadian Red Cross Develop National PTSD e-Learning

Université TÉLUQ and the Canadian Red Cross now offer asynchronous online PTSD training for psychotherapists, with 24-hour access and continuing education credit recognized by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

INRS Signs Academic Partnership with South African Institutions

Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) formalized cooperation with University of South Africa and iThemba LABS/NRF, advancing researcher and student mobility and research in nanoscience, quantum technology, and health.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

US Federal Government News

Cornell University Reaches $60 Million Settlement to Restore Federal Research Funding

Cornell University will pay $30 million in penalties and spend a further $30 million on research supporting U.S. farmers after a settlement with the Trump administration. The deal, announced in a White House fact sheet, resolves alleged federal civil rights violations in admissions and programming, with Cornell required to certify ongoing compliance, provide data, and conduct annual campus surveys on anti-Semitism.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

White House Announces $400 Billion Investment in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure

President Trump’s administration has announced over $400 billion in funding for AI infrastructure, including development of next-generation data centers, updated grids, and advanced networks. An executive order aims to modernize critical infrastructure and accelerate American leadership in AI R&D, with an education workforce component supported by the First Lady.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Jared Isaacman Nominated as NASA Administrator

The White House has nominated Jared Isaacman of Pennsylvania to serve as Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, pending Senate confirmation. Isaacman, a private-sector entrepreneur and astronaut, is set to replace Bill Nelson, who resigned.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Universities may jump to hire foreign researchers if Ottawa allocates funds: Discussion on the impact of federal funding decisions on faculty recruitment amid shifting immigration policy.
• Postsecondary schools cheer federal budget funds for talent, bemoan foreign student caps: Institutions react to new funding and express concern over tighter international student limits.
• Colleges could struggle further with latest lowered cap on international students: Colleges assess the impact of newly announced reduced international student intakes.
• Concordia announces cost-saving measures due to foreign student drop: Concordia University announces cost-cutting steps in response to a decline in international enrollment.
• New funding will help former military fast-track through college, university courses: New public funding initiatives aim to help veterans transition into post-secondary programs.
• Peter MacKinnon: Alberta panel shows the path toward sustainable universities: Alberta's higher education panel reviews university sustainability and sector planning.
• Students, community leaders to explore next steps in wake of college campus closure: Local leaders consider responses following a recent college campus closure.
• Canada will reduce international student permits by more than half, budget reveals: Budget documentation reveals sharp reductions to new international student permits.
• Cornell University strikes deal with Trump administration to restore research funding: Cornell University's federal research funding is reinstated under a new agreement.
• Cornell University announces deal with Trump administration to restore withheld federal funding: The restoration of federal research support at Cornell is confirmed following settlement.

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