July 19, 2026 to July 25, 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.

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. Also consider subscribing to our Higher Ed - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

SSHRC directs $289 million to 1,788 social sciences and humanities research projects

Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, announced over $289 million in federal funding for 1,788 research projects through SSHRC’s Insight Grants, Insight Development Grants, Partnership Grants, and Partnership Development Grants across Canada. The Insight Grants ($162.7 million for 808 projects) target knowledge advancement, while Insight Development Grants ($64.4 million for 859 projects) support experimental research in early stages. Partnership Grants ($42.3 million for 17 partnerships) and Partnership Development Grants ($20.2 million for 104 initiatives) foster collaborations among postsecondary institutions and other sectors, focusing on topics such as climate adaptation, economic recovery, emerging technologies, and community impact. The funding aims to advance research capacity, training, and knowledge translation, affecting academic institutions, student trajectories, and partnerships nationwide.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal investment of $1.5 million targets employment barriers for youth and persons with disabilities

The Camrose Open Door Association receives $1 million through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program to assist 200 youth facing employment barriers. The Camrose Association for Community Living secures $526,736 through the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities to support 36 youth with disabilities with job preparation and self-employment resources. These funds, announced by Parliamentary Secretary Karim Bardeesy, focus on facilitating skill development and employment access, enabling community organizations to provide individualized supports. The investment is designed to strengthen workforce inclusion in Alberta, connecting individuals to career pathways and supporting skills acquisition.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government launches consultation on draft legislation for multiple tax measures

The Department of Finance Canada, under Minister François-Philippe Champagne, released draft legislative proposals for public consultation, introducing amendments to tax credits, GST/HST measures, and technical regulations. These proposals include simplified transfer pricing documentation, adjustments to the Disability Tax Credit, confirmation of the Red Seal Completion Bonus tax status, investment tax credits for CCUS, accelerated capital cost allowances for LNG equipment, and changes regarding investment income and international affiliates. The government is seeking stakeholder feedback by September 4, 2026, through consultation-legislation@fin.gc.ca. Academic institutions and research organizations may refer to changes affecting apprenticeship completion (notably the Red Seal Bonus), potential impacts on research funding avenues, and implications for institutional fiscal planning.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Expansion of high-speed Internet access in rural and Indigenous Saskatchewan

The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, announced a $141 million investment from the Universal Broadband Fund, supporting six projects to connect 30,000 households in over 500 rural and remote Saskatchewan communities. This initiative, aiming for universal connectivity by 2030, will enable improved access to e-learning, research infrastructure, and online academic collaboration for postsecondary institutions across underserved regions. The announcement aligns with ongoing federal commitments toward digital infrastructure, with direct consequences for student access and remote learning capabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Anand advances Canada’s Indo-Pacific relations with new ASEAN partnerships

Minister Anita Anand, during her visit to Manila, Philippines, finalized Canada’s 2026-2030 Plan of Action with ASEAN, focusing on trade, investment, education, and regional security. Canada will co-chair the ARF Inter-Sessional on ICT Security, and host the ARF Heads of Defence Universities Meeting in Victoria, October 2026. Funding announcements include $3.6 million for anti-money laundering and terrorist financing initiatives, $1.7 million for child protection against exploitation in the Philippines, and $4.5 million for biosafety and biosecurity across ASEAN. Additionally, Canada invests $455,000 in fair recruitment initiatives for migrant workers and nearly $500,000 for projects tied to women’s leadership and innovation. These efforts further academic and industry partnerships between Canadian institutions and Southeast Asian counterparts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Vancouver Island University receives 64 new skilled-trades training seats

Vancouver Island University adds 64 skilled trades seats, raising its total to 1,550 under British Columbia’s Look West strategy for workforce alignment and in-demand jobs. The government is investing $241 million over three years to expand trades training.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Regulation amends the list of diplomas valid for professional orders in Quebec

The Office des professions du Québec updates regulations affecting diplomas from designated educational institutions, enabling holders to obtain specialist certificates of professional orders.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario invests $400,000 in Youth Accessibility Leadership Summit

Ontario supports the Rick Hansen Foundation for a national Youth Leadership Summit in 2027, funding youth-led accessibility initiatives and leadership development.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Carpentry training program launched in Williams Lake through Xatśūll First Nation

B.C. invests more than $280,000 in Indigenous-focused carpentry training, delivering hands-on skills and employment support to youth, immigrants, and persons receiving income assistance in Williams Lake.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Critical-metals hub launched in the Kootenays with provincial funding

Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society receives $300,300 toward establishing a hub for critical-metals innovation, supporting research, training, and industry partnerships in the region.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on enhancing trust in AI through increased transparency

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched a consultation seeking feedback on mechanisms for greater AI transparency, including watermarking of AI-generated content. Submissions are open until September 23, 2026.

Sources: ised-isde.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• International students running out of options amid college shutdown: Coverage of disruptions faced by international students following college closures.
• Opinion: Canada does not owe international students a path to residency: A discussion on immigration and residency policies for international students.
• International students demand answers after private Quebec colleges shut down: Reporting on student responses to private college closures.
• Connecticut seeks to expand paraeducator workforce with new training initiative: Connecticut launches a program for paraeducator training.
• Trump administration opens investigation into Harvard's financial aid for international students: US government scrutinizes Harvard’s international student financial aid.

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