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.

Dates: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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

• HUMA to review training and student association amendments in Bill C-15, February 9: The House of Commons Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee meets February 9 from 3:30–5:30 p.m., to consider specific clauses of Bill C-15 on budget implementation, including presentations from the Breakfast Club of Canada, Coalition for Healthy School Food, Council of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Schools of Ontario, and the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.
• Industry and Technology Committee examines budget infrastructure clauses, February 9: On February 9, the Industry and Technology Committee will discuss clauses on industrial and market frameworks from Bill C-15, with Minister Mélanie Joly, senior Industry department officials, and will also review a draft report on productivity and capital outflow.
• Standing Committee on Science and Research: Artificial Intelligence study, February 12: The Science and Research Committee will hold an AI study session February 12, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., featuring expert witnesses including Mehmet Murat Kristal (York University), Dr. Taylor Owen (McGill), Dr. Steven Murphy and Dr. Peter Lewis (Ontario Tech University), among others.
• Senate Committee on Social Affairs addresses Bill C-12 and AI, February 12: The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology meets February 12 at 10:30 a.m. to examine the impact of artificial intelligence and provisions related to border security in Bill C-12, with Professor Geoffrey Hinton (University of Toronto) attending by videoconference.
• Senate Human Rights Committee reviews employment equity in the federal public service, February 9: On February 9, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights will hold a session on employment equity in the federal public service, with representatives from the Enchanté Network, Pride at Work Canada, DisAbled Women’s Network of Canada, and others.

Federal Government News

Government doubles investment in Union Training and Innovation Program to support skilled trades

Employment and Social Development Canada announced an expanded commitment to skilled trades training, with a doubling of investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP). The program’s Investments in Training Equipment stream now covers an increased proportion of costs, including shipping and installation, particularly benefitting organizations in remote or infrastructure-limited areas where federal contributions of up to 70% are available. Funding is open to unions and providers supporting Red Seal trades. Organizations may submit applications by mail, email, or through the Grants and Contributions Online Services portal. The initiative is positioned to address training capacity and equipment modernization, with eligibility for a wide range of technical training entities. This measure is part of broader Budget 2025 provisions, which also propose a $75-million expansion of UTIP over three years targeting union-based apprenticeship training.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal funding supports development of energy assessment training for trades

Employment and Social Development Canada has awarded nearly $10 million to the BC Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council (SkillPlan) to develop, implement, and evaluate a national energy assessment training program for insulator (heat and frost) trades. This initiative is funded under the Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream, within the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy. The project complements broader governmental investments in the Sustainable Jobs Training Fund, which aims to help workers acquire skills needed for Canada’s low-carbon economy. The recent funding aligns with proposed Budget 2025 investments in apprenticeship training and skills upgrading in sectors connected to climate and infrastructure priorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government announces over $2.8 million for AI and digital literacy in northern Canada

The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency is providing over $2.8 million to four projects supporting digital literacy and artificial intelligence adoption in Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. Prosper NWT will receive up to $2.3 million to establish an AI-driven entrepreneurship and business support centre. The Inuvik Tech Society is granted up to $200,000 for a digital literacy, online safety, and AI training initiative, including a mobile lab and online platform. The Nunavut Economic Developers Association will use $200,000 to develop AI/ML tools for community economic development planning and grant writing. DeltaVue Inc. will use $99,999 to create an AI platform for integrating Arctic sensor data. Funding is provided through the IDEANorth and REGI–AI programs, marking a federal effort to bolster northern business capabilities, digital skills, and research infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate debates Bill C-4, privacy provisions and research commercialization

Senate sitting no. 47 on February 4 considered Bills C-4 and C-12, with Senator Rodger Cuzner introducing C-4, which contains tax cuts, industrial carbon pricing provisions, a housing affordability component, and new privacy protections for political parties. Debate focused on the adequacy of the privacy safeguards and the broader implications for political process transparency. Senator Loffreda raised issues regarding research commercialization, while Senator Dalphond inquired about funding for the public sector integrity commissioner's office. Other discussion topics included regulatory exemptions in Bill C-15 and sectoral challenges such as copper wire theft. No final conclusions or votes were reached, as debate adjourned for further consideration.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate examines economic, trade, and youth-related reforms during sitting no. 48

At the February 5 Senate sitting, Senators addressed mandatory minimum penalties, Bill C-12’s proposals regarding border and immigration security, as well as the Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credit. Concerns included impacts on marginalized communities and alignment with international human rights standards. The session also reviewed issues around farmland preservation, youth unemployment, housing infrastructure, hate response strategies, economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities (via Bill S-241), and women's health outcomes (Bill S-243). Broader topics such as systemic change for youth transitioning from care and strategic engagement with the Canadian diaspora were discussed but not put to a vote.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs advances Bill S-212 on national strategy for children and youth

The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology moved forward with clause-by-clause review of Bill S-212, addressing a national strategy for children and youth. Amendments were approved to reference the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and include a distinctions-based approach for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, rather than a pan-Indigenous strategy. Provisions were also made for culturally safe consultations and equitable access to mental health services. The committee reviewed financial and translation implications, scheduling continued debate for the following day.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Foreign Affairs Committee scrutinizes diaspora engagement, talent pipelines, and voting abroad

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade held discussions on the government's engagement with the Canadian diaspora, talent pipelines, and the rules for Canadians voting from abroad. Representatives from Global Affairs Canada and Statistics Canada outlined the expansion of the registry of international electors and the absence of dedicated diaspora talent programs. Steven Wang of Venture for Canada advocated for a national approach to leveraging diaspora expertise, while Senator Woo and other participants examined challenges in engagement and the need for more resources. Suggestions included centralized policies and innovative models for connecting with Canadians abroad.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Federal Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion established

Minister Marc Miller, Canadian Heritage, announced the formation of the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion. The council comprises academics and community leaders, with a remit to provide guidance on anti-racism, social cohesion, and inclusion initiatives. The group will consult widely, offer expert advice, and produce studies and reports to assist the minister’s work. The council is set up under the authority of the Minister responsible for the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, with further details on composition to be released subsequently.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Bill S-5 introduced to mandate connected, secure electronic health records across Canada

On February 4, Health Canada introduced Bill S-5—the Connected Care for Canadians Act—to standardize secure electronic health record exchange among providers and across jurisdictions. The bill requires all digital health IT vendors to align with a single set of standards and is developed in partnership with provinces and territories. This would replace various legacy systems and support faster integration of new artificial intelligence solutions into healthcare, while subject to strict privacy requirements. The government argues this foundation will help drive efficiency and patient safety, as well as commercial opportunity for Canadian health technology firms.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Landmark panel of audiovisual organizations sets out priorities for creative sector

On February 2, a panel featuring leaders from the Canada Media Fund, Indigenous Screen Office, National Film Board of Canada, and Telefilm Canada met with Minister Marc Miller at Prime Time 2026 in Ottawa. They discussed audience reach, collaboration, funding models, and the domestic production ecosystem, including national and international competitiveness strategies. Topics included the modernization of the sector and support for distinctive Canadian and Indigenous storytelling. The panel described ongoing consultations led by Minister Miller to shape federal audiovisual policy for the coming years.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Parliamentary Budget Officer addresses fiscal anchor and Budget 2025 transparency

At the February 3 Senate National Finance Committee, Parliamentary Budget Officer Jason Jacques reported on Budget 2025's departure from the previous debt-to-GDP anchor and the redefinition of capital. Jacques relayed the IMF’s ongoing recommendation for a clear fiscal anchor and discussed the anticipated $106 billion economic return from $41 billion in budgeted investment. Senators inquired about youth unemployment, staffing reductions, and implementation of spending cuts. Jacques called for greater transparency in executive salaries and workforce adjustments, indicating some aspects may benefit from further parliamentary study.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

British Columbia begins construction on BCIT trades and technology complex

BCIT started construction on multiple new facilities at its Burnaby campus, including the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion and Marine and Mass Timber Pavilion. These projects, funded by the province, BCIT, the federal Green Construction through Wood program and private partners, intend to expand capacity for trades and technology students.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

New Brunswick backs five research projects in priority sectors

The Government of New Brunswick is providing $1.5 million through ResearchNB to support five research projects in oceans, forestry, and health, at institutions including the University of New Brunswick and Northern Hardwoods Research Institute.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Manitoba expedites licensure for internationally trained pharmacists

Manitoba streamlined the process for pharmacists from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, reducing licensure timelines from over four years to about 75 days. Three applicants are currently using this expedited process.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Ontario invests $21.5 million to train and upskill long-term care staff

Ontario launched two workforce training initiatives in partnership with Humber Polytechnic, aiming to train 700 additional staff, particularly in rural and northern communities, through the PSW Learn and Earn program and upskilling pathways.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec publishes draft and approved regulations for professional orders

The Office des professions du Québec released draft regulations for medical imaging technologists and veterinary professionals, and approved new regulations for land surveyors and agronomists, with a 45-day period for draft comment.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Volaris Group Acquires Symplicity Corporation, Global Leader in Higher Education Employability and Student Services Solutions: Symplicity Corporation joins Volaris Group, with implications for student services software in higher education.
• Student research award scrapped due to province's focus on economic outcomes: A Nova Scotia student research award is discontinued as priorities shift toward economic outcomes.
• Student research award scrapped due to province's focus on economic outcomes: Details further on recent changes affecting Nova Scotia student research funding.
• Halifax-area non-profit offers flexible schooling for students with complex needs: A non-profit in Halifax provides alternative schooling options for students requiring individualized support.
• Randall Denley: It's time to free Ontario universities from government funding: Opinion piece considers reducing public funding for Ontario universities.
• University presence makes its way to downtown Barrie: A report on university expansions reaching Barrie’s downtown core.
• Trust in next generation fuels family tutoring firm’s growth in the digital age: Family-led tutoring firm grows by leveraging new technologies.
• Pentagon says it’s cutting ties with ‘woke’ Harvard, discontinuing military training, fellowships: The US Department of Defense severs military training and fellowship programs with Harvard.
• Parents frustrated by lack of answers on education during PC leadership forum: PEI parents voice concerns about the provincial education agenda.
• Canadian Economic News, January 2026: Statistics Canada releases the January 2026 economic summary.

.