September 27, 2026 to October 03, 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

• Science and Research Committee: Creation and Dissemination of Scientific Information in French (Oct 6, 8): The Science and Research Committee will review the Report of the External Advisory Panel on the Creation and Dissemination of Scientific Information in French on October 6 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with witnesses from multiple post-secondary institutions and federal agencies.
• Human Resources Committee: National framework for skilled trades and labour mobility (Oct 6): The Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee (HUMA) will study Bill C-266, focusing on a national framework for skilled trades and labour mobility, with key witnesses representing industry groups, polytechnics, and trades institutes.
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Committee: Affordability Challenges in Northern Canada (Oct 6): On October 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the committee will examine affordability challenges in Northern Canada, featuring witnesses from educational, development, and energy organizations including the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
• Procedure and House Affairs: Artificial Intelligence and Canada’s Democratic Institutions (Oct 8): The Procedure and House Affairs Committee meets October 8, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on the impact of artificial intelligence on Canada's democratic institutions, with academics from the University of Toronto and international policy experts as witnesses.
• Veterans Affairs: Civilian Recognition of Military Skills (Oct 5): On October 5, the Veterans Affairs Committee will discuss the civilian recognition of military skills, with testimony from advocacy groups, post-secondary representatives, and industry trainers.

Federal Government News

Royal Canadian Air Force partners with Fanshawe College for aviation maintenance training

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) announced a new partnership with Fanshawe College to deliver aviation maintenance training beginning January 2027. The initiative will have Fanshawe College instructors deliver a Transport Canada-approved curriculum at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) at CFB Borden. Under the four-year, $34.4-million contract—one of the largest awarded to a Canadian post-secondary institution—candidates will earn Fanshawe credentials aligned with civilian aerospace standards while maintaining instruction in military-specific skills. RCAF instructors will continue to oversee operational, contextual, and military learning components, while Fanshawe will contribute curriculum from its Norton Wolf School of Aerospace, Information and Defence Technologies. Graduates will qualify as technicians prepared to work with advanced aircraft technologies in both military and civilian contexts.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CIHR Governing Council adds Crystal Lennie, Inuvialuit health leader

Health Canada announced the appointment of Crystal Lennie to the Governing Council of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). An Inuvialuit beneficiary from Inuvik, NWT, Lennie holds a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion from the University of Alberta and has held roles with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and the Inuit Public Health Task Group, among others. The CIHR is tasked with supporting health research and improving services and outcomes. Lennie’s background includes national Indigenous health initiatives, community-engaged research, and advocacy for health improvements in Inuit and northern communities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Productivity Mega Deduction: Major new business tax policy affecting investments

At an event in Brantford, Ontario, Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), described the implementation of the Productivity Mega Deduction—a significant reform to Canada's business tax system. The new policy allows businesses to immediately deduct the entire cost of a broadened range of investments, raising eligible asset coverage from approximately 15% to over 65%. Covered assets span software, R&D, fibre-optic cable, computer equipment, patents, vehicles, and more. The government claims the deduction will lower Canada's marginal effective tax rate on new investments from roughly 13% to 6.4%. The provision for immediate expensing is now permanent.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal investment targets AI-based security training solutions in Ottawa

FedDev Ontario has invested $800,000 in H2 Analytics Inc. in Ottawa to develop its AI-based Exercise Architect Suite (EASE®) platform, focusing on scalable intelligence simulation in training for defence and security sectors. Part of a $4.2 million project, the upgrades aim to boost the functionality and adaptability of the platform. The announcement was made by Mona Fortier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation. This funding is expected to support enhanced training capabilities for Canadian and international users, as well as expand the company's global reach.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada backs international collaboration on disability inclusion

Minister Patty Hajdu joined Italy’s Minister for Disabilities and sector stakeholders at Carleton University to discuss accessibility and international cooperation, featuring the Solfagnano Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Concurrently, through the Social Development Partnership Program – Disability Component, the government is providing $684,879 to seven projects aimed at building capacity and awareness on disability rights. The funded initiatives span leadership development, knowledge transfer, and engagement of diverse communities—including Indigenous and Black Canadians, and children and youth with disabilities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal government supports Francophone immigration and minority communities

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has allocated approximately $1.2 million to fund projects designed to bolster Francophone immigration and minority communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, and Northern Ontario. The Newfoundland and Labrador project centers on developing a sustained corridor for Francophone and bilingual talent to address local workforce needs, while the Saskatchewan project—run by Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan—focuses on directly matching international talent with regional labour demands. Northern Ontario's 'Osez le Nord' campaign is consolidating promotional efforts among stakeholders to anchor Francophone immigration.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CCOHS Forum 2026 program finalized with new speakers and technological advances

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) updated the Forum 2026 agenda for its national health and safety event on October 28-29 in St. John’s, NL. The speaker list includes faculty from the University of Waterloo, Intactix Systems Inc., and the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, with session topics ranging from ergonomics to occupational disease statistics and real-world applications of socio-technical safety science. The forum will feature programs on Indigenous perspectives in workplace health and safety, inclusion of women in skilled trades, and innovations from various health and safety associations. An Innovation Showcase is planned to demonstrate tools developed by Canadian sector organizations.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Announcement of seven new projects advancing disability rights across Canada

Employment and Social Development Canada detailed $684,879 in funding for seven national projects under the Social Development Partnerships Program—Disability Component. Projects include L’Arche Canada’s two-year CRPD Learning Exchange, an accessible digital story bank by the Environmental Health Association of Canada, and capacity-building for Indigenous, Black, and racialized persons with disabilities. The initiatives aim to document lived experiences, increase engagement in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, foster advocacy among youth, and develop resources such as toolkits for families, educators, and children.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Next-generation security training announcement for defence and security

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario signaled an upcoming announcement on October 1 regarding federal support for digital solutions in security training. The event will address advancements in defence and security training technologies, with representatives from the agency and sector stakeholders expected in Ottawa.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Industrial R&D spending data released for 2024-2026

Statistics Canada’s Annual Survey of Research and Development in Canadian Industry published new data for 2024 (actuals), 2025 (preliminary), and 2026 (intentions). The release captures expenditures by sector and includes figures covering energy and intellectual property investment by Canadian industry. Data tables are accessible via the official Statistics Canada portal.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian postsecondary enrolments reach 2.3 million in 2024/2025

Statistics Canada reported that public postsecondary institutions saw 2.3 million enrolments in 2024/2025, a marginal increase of 0.1% (+3,174) over the prior year. This follows a significant rise of 5.8% (+129,276) between 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The figures represent all enrollees at Canada's public colleges and universities.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario commits $205 million for 7,574 new student seats in Ottawa

Ontario’s government announced $205 million to fund 7,574 additional seats at the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and Collège La Cité for high-demand fields such as STEM, health, trades, and education. Seats will be available beginning fall 2026.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta expands collegiate schools for career pathways and post-secondary credit opportunities

With four new collegiate schools and 14 expanded collegiate pathways, Alberta now has 32 collegiates across 55 locations. These partnerships with post-secondary and industry offer students hands-on training, career pathway exposure, and the potential to earn post-secondary credits while in high school.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario funding 5,260 new seats at York University for high-demand programs

The province is investing $101 million at York University to create 5,260 additional seats in STEM, health, and education programs. This seat expansion is part of Ontario’s broader $1.7 billion postsecondary investment.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta announces $5 million investment in Alberta University of the Arts

Alberta will provide $5 million to Alberta University of the Arts. The grant is intended to upgrade facilities and digital resources and coincides with AUArts’ centennial celebration.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec's Relaunch at the University 2025 survey: 80% graduates employed in field

The latest Relaunch at the University 2025 survey from Quebec shows that approximately 80% of recent bachelor’s and master’s graduates are employed in roles related to their studies.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• As international student numbers tumble, domestic postsecondary enrolment rebounds: Globe and Mail examines the shift between international and domestic student enrolment figures in Canada.
• RBC bolsters quantum strategy by hiring director, signing academic partnerships: RBC’s new leadership and university ties in Canadian quantum research.
• Canada’s changing workforce calls for a broader approach to talent: Discussion of evolving talent strategies and demographic challenges.
• Over 1,000 students explore manufacturing careers on special day: Windsor CTV covers student engagement in manufacturing sector opportunities.

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