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: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 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: Mandates of Industry and AI Ministers (Feb 2, 3:30-5:30pm): The House Science and Research Committee will meet February 2 to review the mandates of Ministers of Industry and Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, with Hon. Evan Solomon attending and testimony from Department of Industry officials Mark Schaan and Nipun Vats.
• Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics Committee: AI Regulation Challenges (Feb 2, 3:30-5:30pm): On February 2, the committee will examine regulation issues surrounding artificial intelligence, with witnesses including David Krueger, Anthony Aguirre, Max Tegmark, and Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee: International Student Program and Study Permits (Feb 2, 11am-1pm, In Camera): Committee meets February 2, in camera, to consider the draft report on the International Student Program and study permits.
• Science and Research Committee: Industry and AI Minister Mandates (Feb 5, 11am-1pm): Scheduled for February 5, Minister Mélanie Joly and Department of Industry officials will discuss mandates related to industry and artificial intelligence policy.

Federal Government News

TMU School of Medicine Receives $25 Million Federal Infrastructure Funding

On January 30, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat announced $25 million in funding for Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Medicine in Brampton. The funds target a new student building and the development of primary care teaching clinics in surrounding communities. Long-term objectives include increasing the number of certified doctors and healthcare professionals in the Ontario region. This investment is part of the broader Budget 2025 initiative, which promises $1 trillion in public and private investments over five years, including $60 billion in savings and new revenues, focusing on housing, infrastructure, defence, and economic competitiveness. The announcement signals further support for campus infrastructure and professional training in the medical sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Alberta Announce Major Expansion of Rural High-Speed Internet

Federal and provincial governments will provide up to $224.78 million for high-speed internet access to 82,584 households in rural and remote Alberta, including 1,634 Indigenous households. An additional $24.5 million in federal funds will support connectivity for 1,059 more households, with 676 in Indigenous communities. These investments derive from the Universal Broadband Fund and part of the multi-year $780 million joint broadband partnership between Canada and Alberta. The government maintains its goal of reaching 98% of Canadian households with high-speed internet by 2026 and full coverage by 2030.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Support Advances Housing Construction Across Atlantic Canada

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency will invest nearly $13 million to support 28 projects modernizing housing construction methods, including modular and prefabricated building. Of note, the University of New Brunswick’s Off-site Construction Research Centre will receive $1.8 million for projects assisting SMEs to test and adopt new construction techniques. This funding aims to increase regional housing supply and improve the productivity and innovation capacity of Atlantic Canada's construction sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Reports 2023 Research and Development Personnel Data

Statistics Canada published its updated dataset for research and development personnel for 2023. New figures provide detailed insight into the allocation of talent across Canada’s R&D sectors, informing benchmarks for research institutions, universities, and funding agencies.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Settlement Agreement Reached with Former Students of Île-à-la-Crosse School

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs announced the signing of a proposed settlement agreement with former students of the Île-à-la-Crosse School. Eligible former students may receive individual compensation of up to $10,000 for less than five years’ attendance and up to $15,000 for five or more years. Canada will also provide $10 million to support healing initiatives, educational programming, language protection, and commemoration. The agreement awaits court approval on March 30-31, 2026, after which implementation details will become available.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Video Contest on Workplace Health and Safety Opens to Students

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has launched the 2026 Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest, inviting students and youth to create original workplace safety videos. Provincial and territorial winners will compete nationally for cash prizes, announced during Safety and Health Week in May 2026. Each winning institution will also receive matching awards.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Updated Population Projections for Canada Released

Statistics Canada released new population projections for Canada and its provinces/territories, covering 2025 to 2075. The update is informed by lower fertility rates and recent changes in immigration and temporary resident policies, providing post-secondary institutions with reference material for enrolment and workforce planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Three New Articles in StatsCan Economic and Social Reports

Statistics Canada's January 28 release provides three new articles in Economic and Social Reports, focusing on various demographic and socio-economic trends. The material aids research universities and policymakers tracking changes in the higher education environment.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Federal Announcement Advances Île-à-la-Crosse School Class Action Settlement

On January 29, Secretary of State Buckley Belanger, joined by Minister Rebecca Alty, announced the next steps in the Île-à-la-Crosse School class action process at Sakitawak Entertainment Centre, Saskatchewan. The announcement precedes court review of the class action settlement for former students.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Minister Ali Scheduled Public Address on Federal Infrastructure Investments at TMU

President of the Treasury Board, Shafqat Ali, hosted an event at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Brampton campus on January 30, providing a platform for media engagement regarding budget investments in major infrastructure supporting education and health campus expansions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Funds Research Projects Supporting Natural Resources

Ontario is investing over $235,000 in seven university-led research projects focused on wildlife protection, fisheries management, and forestry sector advancements, with funding distributed to Trent University, University of Windsor, Laurentian University, Lakehead University, and University of Ottawa.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

BC Launches Competitive Electricity Allocation for AI and Data Centres

As of January 30, British Columbia is requiring AI and data centre projects to join a competitive selection process for accessing clean electricity, under new regulations and Bill 31. The first allocation targets up to 400 megawatts over two years, aiming to balance emerging industries’ growth with grid reliability.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta Expands High-Speed Internet Access in Rural Communities

Alberta announced that 759 communities and 83,600 homes, including approximately 3,488 Indigenous households, will gain access to high-speed internet through the Universal Broadband Fund, backed by a total $373.5 million in combined public and private investment.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Montréal Business Tourism Posts Strong Performance for 2025

Montréal and Québec hosted 477 business events in 2025, drawing over 1 million visitors and generating $438 million in economic activity, with notable conferences on pharmacoeconomics and engineering held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Quebec Posts Regulatory Update on Geologists' Training Committees

The Quebec government published a draft regulation establishing a Committee for the Training of Geologists, now open to input until March 13, alongside recent amendments to sale-of-medication regulations.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Immigration minister says struggling universities must ask provinces for help: Federal immigration minister discusses the provincial role in supporting universities facing financial strains.
• Post-secondary school in Manitoba to wind down operations due to enrolment drop: An institution in Manitoba plans to cease operations in response to reduced student enrolment.
• CIRA expands Net Good Grants to help close digital divides amid rising digital sovereignty concerns: CIRA’s Net Good Grants program receives expanded funding to address disparities in digital access.
• Yale to waive all costs for new undergraduates from families earning less than $100,000: Yale University implements a new cost-waiver policy for incoming undergraduates from lower-income families.
• New Earth Resources Applauds U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus Initiative: Sector stakeholders respond to the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear innovation campus initiative.
• ‘What if I told you this school had no teachers?’: Is AI schooling the future of education — or a risky bet?: Debate surfaces about the role of teacherless AI-driven education models.
• Immigration minister says struggling universities must ask provinces for help: Coverage of federal commentary on higher education funding responsibility.

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