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: 2026-02-08 to 2026-02-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

There are no scheduled committee meetings this week.

Federal Government News

SSHRC Launches $6M National Policy Innovation Partnership

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) awarded an inaugural 15-year, $6 million grant to a national research partnership led by the University of Calgary, announced by Minister Mélanie Joly on February 9. The initiative unites over 15 organizations and six federal government partners, with Professor Trevor Tombe as director, focusing on long-term productivity research and policy innovation. More than 30 team members will coordinate working groups, embedded researcher programs, and annual joint conferences. The SSHRC-funded Policy Innovation Partnership Grants program aims for applied economic policy research and sustained collaboration with multiple universities and stakeholders nationwide, marking this as a model for public research funding with direct policy application.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Reports on Research and Development Activity in Non-Profits

Statistics Canada released data on research and development (R&D) expenditures and personnel for Canadian private non-profit organizations, with actuals for 2024, preliminary figures for 2025, and intentions for 2026. The latest release includes technology payments and input for ongoing sector benchmarking. The dataset is accessible via StatsCan for institutional research offices evaluating R&D trends and technology-related outflows as they plan grant applications and infrastructure allocations.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

CRTC Outlines Telecom, Broadcasting, and Consumer Protection Developments

CRTC Chair Vicky Eatrides addressed the Standing Committee on Finance on February 9, detailing ongoing implementation of the Online Streaming Act and Bill C-15. Recent activities include over $770 million allocated since 2019 under the Broadband Fund, connecting more than 54,000 homes in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The CRTC’s measures to enable small ISPs and alternative cellphone providers have led to a reported 37.3% decrease in cellphone pricing between 2021-2025 (Statistics Canada). Key regulatory proceedings on consumer bill shock, fees, and competition are pending. In broadcasting, new requirements for online streaming contributions are expected to generate $200 million annually for local news, French-language, and Indigenous programming. Additional decisions in both telecom and broadcasting frameworks are queued for the coming months.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Journeypersons' Median Income Rises to Highest in Data Series

StatsCan reported that the median employment income for newly certified journeypersons in Canada reached $58,090 in 2023, reflecting a 1.8% ($1,080) year-over-year increase. The figure stands as the highest since tracking began in 2008. This data informs post-secondary and apprenticeship program evaluations on graduate outcomes and labor mobility within skilled trades.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Atlantic Canada Sees New Defence Accelerator with National Scope

The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced nearly $1 million through its Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) for startup accelerator Vimy Forge Corp., supporting the first cohort of national defence sector SMEs. The inaugural group includes ten companies from New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. This program provides hands-on mentorship, industry networking, and export readiness training across dual-use technology domains, with impacts on workforce development in related technological and research fields.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Parliament Marks International Development Week with New Partnerships

Secretary of State Randeep Sarai concluded International Development Week 2026 with engagement events and funding announcements spotlighting partnerships for Canadian academic, youth, and diaspora organizations. Programs such as Canada LIFTs and ENGAGE were detailed, supporting capacity building and global collaboration for Canadian partners. Coffee for Communities—an initiative involving TFO Canada and Tim Hortons—was introduced to support coffee sector livelihoods and supply chains. Activities included youth entrepreneurship and regional development priorities, showcasing the connection between international partnerships and domestic workforce preparation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Sitting Addresses Range of Higher Ed and Science Policy Issues

During Senate sitting no. 51, senators raised topics impacting higher education and research, including CIHR funding, delays in permanent residency processing affecting international students, and genetically modified organism disclosure. Legislation passed included Bill C-19 (GST credit enhancements) and an Income Tax Act amendment, with debate on Bill S-222 (voting age) and Bill S-232 (NDAs in harassment cases). The session also included recognition of university research achievements, such as the sustainable wheat work of Dr. Curtis Pozniak.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Announces $6.4B Funding Increase and Tuition Policy Reforms for Postsecondary Sector

Ontario will increase postsecondary sector funding by $6.4 billion over four years, adjust tuition policy to allow up to 2% annual increases, and reform OSAP to cap grants at 25% of available funding. New funding enables 70,000 additional seats and updates support to Indigenous and Francophone institutions. OSAP grants will no longer be available to students at private career colleges.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Government Commences Polytechnique Montréal Expansion and Modernization

The Premier of Quebec and the Minister of Higher Education announced that expansion and modernization works at Polytechnique Montréal will begin this spring to accommodate increased student training aligned with evolving economic contexts.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Nova Scotia, NSCC Launch Institute of Skilled Trades with Industry Council

Nova Scotia and NSCC announced the Institute of Skilled Trades, backed by a five-year, $25 million investment. An industry-led council will coordinate program modernization, equipment upgrades, and alignment with provincial labor demand.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Alberta Government Issues Post-Secondary Board Appointments

Cody Beairsto was reappointed to the Board of Governors of Northwestern Polytechnic, while Earl Graham and Jeff Nielsen were appointed to Olds College’s Board of Governors. Terms run into 2029 under the authority of the Post-Secondary Learning Act.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Quebec Opens Call for Projects to Improve Youth Infrastructure

The Secretariat for Youth has launched a call for proposals to improve infrastructure for youth aged 12 to 35. Nonprofits and collectives are eligible to apply by March 12, 2026, for this construction and development support initiative.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Decentralized Clinical Trials Draft Guidance

Health Canada’s consultation on regulatory guidance for decentralized clinical trials remains open until February 21. The proposed framework addresses remote trial operations, supporting compliance with Food and Drug Regulations and ICH E6.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Ontario to lift tuition freeze, reform OSAP: Provincial reforms to tuition policy and student aid prompt sector debate.
• Ontario lifting post-secondary tuition freeze, boosting funding: Universities and colleges to receive historic funding increase.
• Students feel they're paying the bill for Ontario's new post-secondary funding: Student reactions to new funding model.
• Post-secondary funding win starts new chapter in education fight, says OPSEU/SEFPO: Union comments on sector milestone.
• Ontario’s Plan for Long-Term Sustainability in Post-Secondary Education: Students Welcome Funding But The Ministry Misses the Mark on Affordability: Analysis of provincial affordability measures.
• Changes coming to post-secondary funding: CBC video breakdown of new postsecondary finance policy.
• Tuition set to rise, OSAP grants lower with new Ontario post-secondary funding changes: minister: Program cost implications for students.
• Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford has learned a hard lesson after starving Ontario’s colleges and universities: Opinion on system funding and political learning.
• Empowering Europe’s Public Sector: Learning Tree Partners with Abilways to Deliver Advanced Training for the European Commission: Canadian education provider supports international upskilling contract.

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