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: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 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

• Science and Research Committee—Governance and Accountability of Federal Science Policy: On February 23, 2026, the Science and Research Committee will host Arif Babul (University of Victoria), Azim Shariff (UBC), Frédéric Bouchard (Université de Montréal), and Anna Triandafyllidou (Toronto Metropolitan University) via videoconference, along with Acfas representatives, to discuss science policy governance.
• Finance Committee—Bill C-15 Budget Implementation: On February 23, 2026, Finance Committee begins clause-by-clause review of Bill C-15 (budget implementation), with testimony from government departments and updates on student financial assistance.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee—Science in Canadian Agriculture and Research Centre Closures: On February 24, 2026, Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee examines research centre closures and innovation, featuring Serge Buy (Agri-Food Innovation Council), Sophie Martel, Lori Oatway, and university deans.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee—Canada’s Immigration System: On February 23, 2026, Citizenship and Immigration Committee discusses immigration system issues, featuring Laila Elcano (Caregivers' Action Samaritan Movement), Nino Melikidze (Immitracker Inc.), Ranya Elfil (Sudanese Canadian Community Association), and David Pierce (Canadian Chamber of Commerce).
• Official Languages Committee—Advancement of Equality of Status and Use of English and French Regulations: On February 24, 2026, Official Languages Committee will meet to review regulatory matters, with testimony from Sylvia Martin-Laforge (Talking. Advocating. Living in Quebec), Marion Sandilands, Linda Cardinal (University of Ottawa), Geoffroy Krajewski, and Denis Desgagné.
• Canadian Heritage Committee—Effects of AI on Creative Industries: On February 24, 2026, the Canadian Heritage Committee holds an in camera meeting on AI's impact in creative sectors, restricted to draft report consideration.
• Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee—Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Canada: On February 26, 2026, Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee hosts Geoffrey Hinton, Wyatt Tessari L'Allié, and David Kristjanson Duvenaud on AI impact.
• Senate Human Rights Committee—Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, and Economic Security: On February 23, 2026, Senate Human Rights Committee examines AI's relationship to human rights and economic security, with officials from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and several academics.
• Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee—Government Response to Education and Reconciliation Report: Scheduled for February 25, 2026, Senate Indigenous Peoples Committee reviews federal response to its report on education and reconciliation, with testimony from Valerie Gideon and Library and Archives Canada officials.
• Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee—National Security Strategy of the USA: On February 26, 2026, Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee addresses topics related to the National Security Strategy of the US, with testimony from Vina Nadjibulla (Asia Pacific Foundation), Maxwell A. Cameron, Ann Fitz-Gerald, and Richard Haass.

Federal Government News

Federal moves to attract international graduate students

The federal government is adjusting its immigration policies with the aim of increasing international graduate student enrolment in Canadian universities. Published on February 18, 2026, this development follows an announcement from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada regarding measures that seek to make Canada more competitive for global talent. These include streamlined visa processing and changes to the post-graduation work permit program. These policy shifts have potential implications for both research institutions and universities seeking to expand global partnerships. The announcement also addresses capacity concerns tied to student housing and institutional support. Canada's effort to attract foreign grad students remains a core part of its higher education and innovation agenda.

Sources: www.theglobeandmail.com

StatsCan reports increase in post-secondary education savings

On February 20, 2026, Statistics Canada released its 2025 Survey of Approaches to Educational Planning, indicating that 71% of parents and guardians in Canada are saving for their children’s postsecondary education. This is a marginal increase from 2020, when the figure stood at 69%. The dataset analyzes registered and other savings vehicles, providing insight into financial planning priorities for Canadian families. This trend suggests continued reliance on early financial strategies to enable access to higher education, with potential effects on student loan uptake and grant demand over time.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Red Tape Reduction Office launches horizontal regulatory reviews

The Treasury Board Secretariat is conducting five horizontal red tape reviews, scheduled to conclude by February 28, 2026. The reviews target regulatory challenges affecting project reviews, business productivity, international trade, product market access, and service delivery. These system-wide reviews are designed to identify regulatory efficiency improvements, potentially affecting compliance requirements for universities and colleges engaged in research, innovation, or cross-border activities.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

BC introduces legislation to strengthen oversight of international education

On February 19, 2026, the Government of British Columbia introduced new legislation to establish a legal framework for the Education Quality Assurance program, granting authority to inspect institutions and enforce compliance regarding international student enrolment.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Alberta expands addiction recovery supports within post-secondary institutions

Alberta announced a $3 million investment over three years for Recovery on Campus Alberta, aiming to enhance mental health and addiction recovery programs across all 26 publicly funded post-secondary institutions.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

BC invests in UVic research infrastructure for quantum computing and tech training

The Province of British Columbia is allocating $1.9 million for research infrastructure upgrades at the University of Victoria, including $90,000 for quantum computing equipment, under the Look West economic development strategy.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec launches registration for scientific culture organizations

Quebec invites organizations engaged in scientific culture activities for schools to apply for inclusion on an official list, allowing schools to claim reimbursement for activities conducted with these organizations. Registration deadline: March 31, 2026.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Ontario announces 2025 Order of Ontario appointees

Ontario released the list of 30 new appointees to the Order of Ontario on February 17, 2026. The investiture ceremony will be held later this year, with several educators and academic leaders among those recognized.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

What We're Reading This Week

• Preparing graduates for an AI-powered economy: the Humber Polytechnic approach: Industry perspectives on curriculum innovation at Humber Polytechnic.
• Ontario got two things right with post-secondary funding — and one thing very wrong: Commentary on recent developments in post-secondary funding in Ontario.
• Relief for universities, anger among students, amid changes to post-secondary funding: Coverage of university sector response to provincial funding updates.
• Doug Ford’s changes to university funding is good news for universities and terrible news for poor students: Analysis of impacts from Ontario’s new university funding approach.
• Today I am a professor, but without student grants, which are now being slashed, I might have missed out on university altogether: Opinion piece linking grant changes with academic careers.
• Randall Denley: Ontario finally gets serious about making universities and colleges work for the province: Editorial on Ontario’s post-secondary education policy direction.
• Opinion | Ford’s mocking of post-secondary education programs is dismissive and concerning: Letter on recent comments by Premier Ford about university programs.
• Students disappointed by Ontario’s cuts to OSAP grants, tuition freeze lift: Report on student reaction to Ontario student aid changes.
• Aligning nursing education with evolving health-care needs: Discussion about nursing program updates in response to changing healthcare delivery.
• Opinion | Today I am a professor, but without student grants, which are now being slashed, I might have missed out on university altogether: Reflections from an academic on grant policy impacts.

.