This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning colleges, universities, campuses, international students, student housing, research initiatives, tri-council (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC) agencies and funding opportunities. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Science and Research Committee Meeting on Governance and Accountability of Federal Science Policy: On March 23, the House Science and Research Committee will hear from AI Governance and Safety Canada, BioCanRx, Genome Canada, Tech-Access Canada, and representatives from the University of Toronto to discuss governance and accountability of federal science policy and institutions. The session is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and will be webcast.
• Industry and Technology Committee to Examine Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation of AI: The Industry and Technology Committee convenes on March 23, with testimony from Yoshua Bengio (Université de Montréal), Michael Geist (University of Ottawa), Wendy Cukier (Toronto Metropolitan University), and others, to evaluate the opportunities, risks, and regulatory environment surrounding artificial intelligence in Canada's strategic industries.
• Canadian Heritage Committee Set to Review Effects of AI on Creative Industries: On March 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the Canadian Heritage Committee will conduct an in-camera session for consideration of a draft report on technological advances in AI and their implications for the creative industries.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee: Supplementary Estimates and International Students Branch: At 11:00 a.m. on March 23, Minister Lena Metlege Diab, alongside departmental officials including the Director General of the International Students Branch, will address the committee on Supplementary Estimates (C), 2025-26 and spending for key immigration programs.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee Examines Canada's Immigration System and Francophone Immigration: On March 25 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the committee will gather testimony from legal experts and administrators from the Comité atlantique sur l'immigration francophone and the University of Ottawa regarding immigration pathways and support for Franco-Ontarian communities.

Federal Government News

Canada Convenes National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture

From March 15 to 17 in Banff, leaders in the cultural, technology, academic, civil society, and government sectors gathered for Canada's inaugural National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture. The event, organized by Canadian Heritage, included a keynote by Shani Gwin of pipikwan pêhtâkwan and discussions led by Pina D’Agostino (York University), Marie-Julie Desrochers (Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions), Andrea Kokonis (SOCAN), and Pascale Landry (Compétence Culture). The summit featured demonstrations of AI's practical applications in the cultural sector and an advisory service to guide AI adoption. The Government of Canada announced the forthcoming creation of an AI and Culture Advisory Council, a joint initiative between Ministers Marc Miller and Evan Solomon. The Council aims to provide guidance to government and the creative sector on navigating AI-driven transformations. Outcomes from the summit will inform Canada's next AI strategy, with a stated commitment to building culturally diverse and responsible AI systems and strengthening cooperation in international forums such as UNESCO.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Defence Industrial Strategy Drives $900 Million into Quantum Technology, Innovation

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will invest over $900 million to support quantum technology and defence innovation through Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, as detailed by Minister David J. McGuinty at the University of Waterloo. Funding targets the commercialization of quantum computing, communications, and sensing applications fit for defence and dual-use purposes. Applications include quantum encryption, advanced simulations in material sciences, secure battlefield communications, and early adversary detection using quantum sensors. The long-term strategy is designed to foster resilience within the Canadian defence economy and maintain competitiveness in global defence supply chains. This tranche is part of a whole-of-government effort linking science, economic development, and national security priorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Outlines $4.5M Program to Boost AI, Defence and Innovation in Northern Ontario

Pauline Rochefort, representing FedNor, announced a $4,574,347 federal investment supporting six initiatives in Nipissing–Timiskaming. Notably, Innovation Initiatives Ontario North (IION) received over $2.5 million to develop AI adoption projects, entrepreneurship, and skills placement programs. Canadore College secured $2,070,547 for its Advanced Training Simulation Wing and Product Development Fund, enhancing aviation research, defence simulation capacity, and business product commercialization. These initiatives aim to support 150 businesses, create 120 jobs, and provide expanded hands-on training and innovation support in key regional sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Francophone Immigration: Targeted Investments and Micro-Certification

On International Day of La Francophonie, Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced $1.5 million for three new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program. These projects are geared to attract, integrate, and retain French-speaking talent in information and communications technology across Northern Ontario, expand settlement supports, and enhance resources for Francophone communities outside Quebec. The Université de l’Ontario français will receive $575,000 over three years to develop a micro-certificate in francophone immigration management. These measures form part of a strategy to support labour market and population growth in official language minority communities and leverage bilingualism for economic competitiveness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Support for Official Language Minority Communities in PEI through Skills and Entrepreneurship

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced nearly $400,000 in funding for three projects in Prince Edward Island supporting official language minority communities. Investee RDÉE Î.-P.-É. will provide training, summer employment, and a pitch competition for Francophone youth, while La Société acadienne et francophone de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard will expand HR and onboarding resources for non-profit members. Funding aims to improve productivity, business mentorship, and job-readiness for Francophone and Acadian organizations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Supports Digital Skills Training for Indigenous and Northern Women

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is allocating up to $1,797,780 to Ampere (formerly Pinnguaq Association) for the Northern Horizons program, announced by Minister Rebecca Chartrand. The initiative will deliver digital and entrepreneurship training to up to 1,200 Indigenous and northern women in the territories, providing skills essential for business creation or expansion. The program anticipates the establishment of 30 new businesses, with at least half of participants advancing in employment. The project is positioned to broaden participation in the digital economy throughout northern Canada.

Sources: www.canada.ca

IDRC-Led Development and Education Partnerships Expand in Kenya and Region

Canada, via Secretary of State Randeep Sarai, has committed $11.75 million for new humanitarian and development projects in Kenya and the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on education, AI policy, energy, and health system modernization. Notable initiatives include $9.5 million to Equitas for human rights defender training, $1.5 million for UNHCR humanitarian assistance, $250,000 to Manitoba Hydro International for electricity grid readiness for low-carbon and nuclear sources, and $250,000 to the IDRC for responsible AI policy-making. The IDRC will also support trade capacity building across six African nations’ higher education and research, along with technical training in support of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Institutes of Health Research Announces Governing Council Reappointment

Minister of Health Marjorie Michel confirmed the reappointment of Dr. Paul J. Allison to the CIHR Governing Council. Dr. Allison, a professor in McGill University's Faculty of Dentistry, has contributed to advancing research on oral health and care accessibility since 2018. His extended tenure is part of an open, merit-based process for appointments to federal science and research oversight bodies.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases Experimental Data on IP Commercialization in Higher Education

Statistics Canada published experimental estimates from the 2023 Survey on Research Activities and Commercialization of Intellectual Property in Higher Education. The data covers R&D activities, technology transfers, and challenges encountered in IP commercialization. Reports provide researchers and academic administrators with sector-specific metrics on IP management and outputs, contributing to discussions about research impact and commercialization pathways.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Longitudinal Immigration Database: 2024 Update for Express Entry

Statistics Canada has enriched the Longitudinal Immigration Database with up-to-2024 data for the Express Entry module. The updated dataset permits analysis of economic outcomes for applicants to Canada’s primary skilled immigration system, including demographic, education, and occupational metrics relevant to postsecondary institutions and policymakers overseeing recruitment and integration programs.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Northern Lakes College Secured as Post-Secondary Provider at Fairview Campus

Alberta announced that Northern Lakes College will assume post-secondary programming at Fairview Campus starting September 2026, replacing Northwestern Polytechnic to ensure continued local education delivery.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

UFV Abbotsford Opens Nearly 400 New Student Beds and Expanded Dining Hall

The University of the Fraser Valley's Abbotsford campus added almost 400 new student accommodations, bringing the total to nearly 600, alongside a dining hall expansion that more than doubles previous capacity.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Budget Allocates Over $1 Billion to Higher Ed, Research, and IT Employment

Quebec’s 2026-2027 budget proposes nearly $392 million over five years for higher education training, workforce integration, and research, including $150 million for promoting engineering and IT careers, $132 million for extended employment allowances, and an additional $45 million for university research.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario Funds 68 Early-Stage Mineral Exploration Projects

Ontario announced investment in 68 mining projects under the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, supporting early-stage critical minerals exploration and creating new opportunities in the North.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Releases Francophone Bilingualism Consultation Findings

Manitoba's government published its "Truly Bilingual Province" consultation report, based on six months of engagement with nearly 2,000 respondents, setting the stage for targeted strategy development supporting French-language education and services.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• How Canadian universities are developing AI skills: Analysis of new curriculum and research innovation at Canadian institutions.
• Grade inflation is distracting us from a huge educational success in postsecondary education: Commentary on student outcomes and trends.
• University students in New Brunswick worry about the province cutting post-secondary funding: Coverage of funding expectations and student concerns.
• Linda McQuaig: We need a wealth tax: Opinion piece linking wealth tax debate to student grants.
• An update on immigrants who were detained in Trump’s crackdown on campus activism: US-focused update with implications for international students.
• Over 80% of Canadian Students Get Tax Refunds at H&R Block Canada; Key Filing Tips for Tax Season: Details on student tax filing trends.
• Local researchers are receiving a funding boost to continue studying biofilm | Calgary Eyeopener | On Demand: Feature on project funding for research teams.
• Ottawa proposing to cut billions in funding from science to tourism and foreign aid: Reports on potential budget cuts spanning research funding.

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