May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026

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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📋 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: AI Opportunities, Risks, and Regulation in Strategic Industries (June 1): The Industry and Technology Committee will meet June 1 (3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.) to hear witnesses on AI in strategic industries. Testimony will include perspectives from legal, aerospace, and cultural sector experts.
• Finance Committee: Pre-Budget Consultations for 2026 Budget (June 2): On June 2, the Finance Committee holds televised pre-budget consultations from 3:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Sessions include testimony from economics faculty and business association representatives.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee: Business Risk Management Programs, Food Security (June 2): On June 2, the committee will hear witnesses from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on business risk programming in the agriculture sector, followed by a session with the Competition Bureau focused on food security.
• Finance Committee: Study of Bill C-30, Spring Economic Update Implementation (June 4): On June 4, the Finance Committee studies Bill C-30 from 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The session includes appearances by federal finance and transport ministers.
• Senate Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology: AI in Canada (June 3 & 4, In Camera): The Senate committee will convene in-camera on June 3 (4:15 p.m.) and June 4 (10:30 a.m.) to consider draft reports on the impact of artificial intelligence in Canada.

Federal Government News

Government of Canada Commits nearly $10M to Strengthen Health Research Partnerships

On May 27, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, awarded nearly $10 million through 73 new grants to advance partnerships across Canada in health research. The funds, delivered under the CIHR Partnering for Impact Catalyst Grant and the CIHR Knowledge Mobilization Strategy, are intended to support research translation and accelerate adoption of evidence into policy and practice. Areas targeted include improved implementation of school food programs, primary care, mental health system strengthening, support for communities experiencing health inequities, and more rapid adoption of research insights within health systems. Employment and Social Development Canada also contributed, especially on projects aligned with the National School Food Program.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Targeted Research on School Food Programs Receives Multi-Agency Funding

Employment and Social Development Canada, in partnership with CIHR and others, announced the allocation of grants under the Partnering for Impact Catalyst Grant for studies on school food programs. Eight projects have received funding, such as analyses of economic outcomes in First Nations schools, governance frameworks in Quebec, evaluations of the PEI 'pay what you can' lunch model, and the development of a national competency framework for food providers. Additionally, the FRESH Team Grant opened for applications, offering up to $12.6 million for new research focused on the health, socioeconomic effects, and equitable implementation of school food programs. Registration for this major funding stream runs until June 25, 2026, with applications due by October 7, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and France Deepen Quantum Science and Technology Collaboration at G7

Minister Evan Solomon attended the G7 Digital Ministers’ Meeting on May 28-29 in Paris, focusing on international collaboration in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. Solomon and France’s Minister Delegate Anne Le Hénanff signed a joint statement to expand quantum research and workforce development. The partnership prioritizes open science, workforce training, and bilateral R&D projects. Further agreements included expanding AI-powered surgical guidance in partnership with both Canadian and French institutions. At G7, Canada reiterated its stance on responsible AI development, digital sector resilience, and youth online protections, and reinforced ongoing international technology partnerships through engagements at B7 and Tech7 summits.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Spring Economic Update Details $6 Billion Plan for Skilled Red Seal Workers

On May 29, Minister Patricia Hajdu presented new measures to recruit, train, and hire 100,000 Red Seal skilled trades workers over five years as part of Team Canada Strong. The Spring Economic Update commits $6 billion, including $2 billion in paid placements, $331 million for modernizing apprenticeship training (notably digitizing Red Seal certification), and $3.4 billion for hiring support and completion incentives. Apprentices can receive salary top-ups, scholarships, and direct support services. The Build Canada Apprenticeship Service, permanent Labour Mobility Deduction, and Employee Ownership Trust tax exemption are also part of the package. Expanded support includes union-based training center upgrades and a one-time $5,000 certification bonus.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Defence Industrial Capacity and Innovation Bolstered at CANSEC 2026

On May 27, the Defence Investment Agency detailed multi-year defence industrial and innovation initiatives at CANSEC 2026. Canada has entered into non-binding negotiations with Saab for the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC) capability using the Bombardier Global 6500 platform. The Strategic Partnership Framework was launched to support selective long-term government-industry collaboration, a new Defence Concierge Service announced to help firms with procurement navigation, and the Defence Advisory Forum established for ongoing sector dialogue. Several industrial benefits programs are being modernized, with incentives for strategic investments, small and mid-sized firms, and workforce training. The ITB Policy threshold was raised to $25M, with stronger multipliers for Indigenous workforce development and supply chain activity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedDev Ontario Invests $16.5 Million in Greater Toronto Area AI Commercialization

FedDev Ontario announced nearly $16.5 million across 13 businesses and organizations during Toronto Tech Week. This Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative is designed to enable SMEs and tech organizations to commercialize AI innovations more quickly and broaden adoption in diverse industry segments. Companies receiving support include Cosm Medical, DMD Building Systems, Edgecom Energy, Future Fertility, Naryant, Private AI, MarkiTech, MinuteBox, ProteinQure, Fiscal.ai, Trax, the Vector Institute, and VisFuture.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Dr. Keith Fowke Appointed Scientific Director of CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity

CIHR President Dr. Paul Hébert named Dr. Keith Fowke as Scientific Director of the Institute of Infection and Immunity beginning July 1, 2026, for a four-year term. Dr. Fowke, a University of Manitoba professor, is recognized for work on immune mechanisms of viral resistance, including HIV studies in Kenya and Winnipeg. The Institute will now be hosted at the University of Manitoba.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Price McIntosh Bursary Call Open for 2026–2027 Academic Year

Library and Archives Canada launched the call for Price McIntosh Bursary applications, offering $5,000 for full- and $2,500 for part-time postsecondary students from Indigenous, disabled, and visible minority backgrounds. The aim is to support studies in fields relevant to libraries and archives, with a deadline for applications set at September 24, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and British Columbia Announce $236 Million for Rural High-Speed Internet Access

On May 29 in Prince George, Secretary of State Buckley Belanger and BC's Minister Diana Gibson confirmed joint federal-provincial investment of $236 million to deliver high-speed internet to over 13,000 rural and remote households, including Indigenous communities. The federal share totals $156.7 million, provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, with additional funding to six projects targeting 1,043 more households. These efforts aim for 98% household coverage by end of 2026 and 100% by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases 2025/2026 Data on Canadian University Academic Staff

On May 28, Statistics Canada published preliminary results from the Full-time University and College Academic Staff System (FT-UCASS) for the 2025/2026 academic year. The data covers numbers and salaries of full-time faculty at Canadian universities and will inform sector benchmarking and resource planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Commits $1.7 Billion for Additional 70,000 Postsecondary Seats in High-Demand Fields

Ontario announced an investment of $1.7 billion to increase student spaces in health care, STEM, education, and skilled trades at colleges and universities. Institutions will collaborate with employers to develop growth plans, aligning expansion with local labour market needs.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Funds $1.75 Million for Apprenticeship Training Upgrades in GTA

Six apprenticeship training projects across the GTA will receive almost $1.75 million through the Apprenticeship Capital Grant. The funding targets facility renovation, equipment upgrades, expansion of hands-on training, and new training labs in construction and skilled trades.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Budget Adds $300,000 for Youth Skilled Trades Learning

The Government of Alberta invested an additional $300,000 in the BLUprint program at TELUS Spark Science Centre to provide hands-on trades exposure for youth. Funding extends the initiative through 2027, following earlier investments exceeding $880,000.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Nova Scotia Partners with Dalhousie University for Disability Support Outreach Teams

Nova Scotia will fund and staff disability support outreach teams through a partnership with Dalhousie University. The collaboration includes space and support for new clinical education, training, and allied health services to enhance community-based care.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Manitoba and Canada Launch 'Building Up Manitoba Program' for SME Training

The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced the Building Up Manitoba Program, offering $3.5 million to support training and HR plans for SMEs. Funds provide up to $100,000 per business, $10,000 per employee for upskilling, and up to $25,000 for HR strategy development.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• New funding for 40,000 Ontario college, university spots tied to local labour market needs: Coverage on Ontario's push to add postsecondary seats catered to workforce demand.
• Education, training need rethinking amid changing job market dynamics: BoC: The Bank of Canada discusses workforce skills and educational outcomes.
• Ontario universities urged to co-ordinate AI approach: Institutions in Ontario consider joint strategies for artificial intelligence development.
• FNUniv commemorates 50 years of Indigenous led post-secondary education: Feature on First Nations University of Canada's half-century of Indigenous-led higher education.
• From research to readiness: Higher education research's connection to real-world skills development.
• Social innovation: Article on the role of social innovation initiatives in university settings.
• Yorkville University grads help power economic resilience: Piece reviewing graduate outcomes and workforce impact at Yorkville University.

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