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.

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: 2026-01-19 to 2026-01-25

📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee: Study of Budget 2025 Implementation Act (Bill C-15): On January 26, the Industry and Technology Committee will review Bill C-15, Budget 2025 Implementation Act, No. 1. Witnesses include Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada, and Marc Chénier, Deputy Commissioner. The session runs 3:30–5:30 p.m.
• Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee to Examine Artificial Intelligence Regulation: January 26 features the Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee's televised hearing on AI regulation. Scheduled witnesses: Wyatt Tessari L'Allié (AI Governance and Safety Canada), Etienne Brisson (The Human Line Project), Steven Adler (AI researcher), and Andrea Miotti (Control AI US, Inc.), 3:30–5:30 p.m.

Federal Government News

Canada Strengthens Commercial Ties with Saudi Arabia through Major Partnership Agreements

On January 19, 2026, Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu completed an official visit to Riyadh accompanied by a Canadian business delegation representing sectors such as cleantech, ICT, AI, and infrastructure. During his meetings with Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, Sidhu witnessed the signing of approximately $600 million in agreements, notably with Niagara College, CanSense, BlackBerry, and OpenText. Niagara College’s agreements alone account for more than $580 million and include collaborations with Colleges of Excellence and Saudi Entertainment Academy. The Canadian delegation engaged in strategic sessions with Saudi ministries focused on trade, investment, and joint ventures under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework. In addition to a tour of the CAE UAV Training Centre and Diriyah Gate Development Authority, OpenText launched its new Riyadh regional headquarters. The Canada-Saudi Joint Economic Commission was reactivated to formalize bilateral cooperation and expand opportunities, especially in mining, energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and educational partnerships.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Announces Over $127 Million in Funding for ASEAN Projects

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai, during a trip to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji, disclosed more than $123 million in funding for international development projects in Southeast Asia. Initiatives span climate adaptation, impact investing, agricultural trade promotion, and judicial training, with partnering organizations including UNDP, World University Service of Canada, SOCODEVI, and the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Highlights feature a $20 million allocation for climate-smart coastal communities in Vietnam and multiple projects supporting entrepreneurial, governance, and infrastructure capacity. An additional $4.2 million is assigned to ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action Trust Fund initiatives, including research on digitalization trends and responsible artificial intelligence governance. The funding aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between Canadian experts and institutions in the region and promote bilateral engagement in technology, agriculture, and sustainable resource management.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal and Provincial Governments to Invest in Small Modular Reactor Research in Saskatchewan

On January 19, PrairiesCan announced $1.96 million in federal funding, complemented by $4 million from the Government of Saskatchewan, for the University of Regina’s Small Modular Reactor Safety, Licensing, and Testing Centre (SMR-SLT). The facility will provide academic and industry partners access to the region’s first SMR test loops, supporting safe development and deployment of next-generation nuclear technology. Saskatchewan, holding nearly a quarter of the world’s uranium supply, will leverage this investment to bolster workforce development, anticipating the need for 2,500 to 3,500 jobs in nuclear plant construction and operations by the mid-2030s. The project is expected to generate 18 direct jobs, support 10 local businesses, and serve as a resource for innovation and testing under real-world conditions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Commits $4.5 Million to Livestock and Forage Research in Saskatchewan

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Minister David Marit announced $4.5 million in funding for 25 livestock and forage research projects through the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) on January 21. A concurrent $3.9 million multi-year partnership will support the Prairie Swine Centre and Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization. Research priorities include developing hybrid bromegrass varieties, enhancing bison production, and improving testing for Johne’s disease. This annual competitive selection aligns with industry input and additional partner funding of $1.3 million from 13 organizations. The funds are part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion five-year federal-provincial-territorial program supporting competitiveness and innovation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sidhu Launches Canada-EU Mutual Recognition Agreement for Architects under CETA

On January 19 in Ottawa, Minister Maninder Sidhu announced the formal launch of the Mutual Recognition Agreement for Professional Qualifications of Architects (MRAA) between Canada and the European Union, established under CETA. This is the first such agreement for professional services under any Canadian free trade agreement, facilitating the recognition of credentials and opening new avenues for Canadian and European architects. The agreement is poised to benefit both the architectural sector and related fields such as engineering and construction, advancing Canada’s trade objectives and supporting firms in scaling operations globally.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Sarai Discusses Canada’s Indo-Pacific Development and Trade Initiatives during Official Visits

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai completed a visit to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Fiji from January 6 to 16. Sarai reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to economic partnerships, trade readiness, climate adaptation, and gender equality in the Indo-Pacific. Project funding totals $123 million across 18 activities, supporting women’s economic empowerment, climate-resilient agriculture, and inclusive governance. Additional support for ASEAN-Canada partnership activities includes technical assistance in AI governance and food safety. Engagements included meetings with Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Fijian officials; visits to Canadian-funded projects involving SME development; and the opening of Canada’s high commission in Suva, Fiji.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases National Study on Mental Health Care Service Use

Statistics Canada published a study on January 21, 2026 in the Health Reports series, analyzing disparities in mental health service uptake across Canada based on 2022 Mental Health and Access to Care Survey data. The research examines which demographic groups with mood and anxiety disorders are most likely to access professional help. This dataset presents actionable information for post-secondary research institutions and policy analysts studying mental health and student support services.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Invests $47 Million in Research Initiatives at Colleges, Universities, and Hospitals

Ontario has allocated over $47 million through the Ontario Research Fund for 195 research projects across universities, colleges, and hospitals. Funds target infrastructure, equipment, and collaborative projects in sectors such as agri-food, critical minerals, IT, life sciences, and manufacturing.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba Provides $16.8 Million to Expand University of Manitoba Biological Research Facilities

Manitoba announced $16.8 million for two new biological research centres at the University of Manitoba, including the Prairie Biologics Accelerator and the One Health Emerging Respiratory Disease Centre, supporting vaccine production, diagnostics, and talent retention in biotechnology.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Alberta Commits $27 Million for University of Alberta Butterdome Revitalization

Alberta is investing $27 million to renovate and modernize the University of Alberta’s Universiade Pavilion, focused on safety, energy performance, and new design features, with construction expected by fall 2027.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

New Brunswick Funds $5.8 Million for Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick Modernization

New Brunswick has approved $5.8 million for continued modernization at CCNB Bathurst, including design work and the move to a centralized campus, strengthening trades education with new facilities and learning commons.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Québec Launches 2025-2031 Critical and Strategic Minerals Strategy

Québec's government unveiled its $88.1 million strategy to develop critical and strategic minerals, aiming to strengthen local mineral processing, stimulate job creation, and boost economic sovereignty through infrastructure investment and regional engagement.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Universities face a financial crisis. The key to survival is the scholar-entrepreneur: Commentary on financial challenges and entrepreneurship in the university sector.
• We mustn’t lose sight of Canada’s education reputation on the world stage: Opinion piece on maintaining Canada’s global education standing for international students.
• Seneca Polytechnic, together with Microsoft, expands commitment to advance learning with AI: Seneca Polytechnic partners with Microsoft to integrate advanced AI into curricula.
• Universities and colleges say more funding critical to Ford’s ‘protect Ontario’ plan: Ontario institutions voice need for increased public investment under provincial strategy.
• Ontario colleges, universities ask Ford government for billions in new funding: Sector stakeholders request multi-billion dollar funding increase.
• University of Windsor warns of future 'viability' concerns without funding overhaul: Coverage of financial sustainability challenges at a key Ontario institution.
• Some N.S. universities struggling to fill residences — a must to hold on to funding: Issues with student housing occupancy and funding mechanisms in Nova Scotia.
• N.S. universities face drop in funding over campus residence occupancy: Potential funding reductions tied to residence occupancy in Nova Scotia’s higher ed sector.

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