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: 2026-03-01 to 2026-03-07

📋 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

• Industry and Technology Committee Schedules Hearings on AI in Strategic Industries: The House of Commons Industry and Technology Committee will meet on March 9 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. to hear from witnesses including David Duvenaud (University of Toronto), Dugan O'Neil (Simon Fraser University), Wyatt Tessari L'Allié (AI Governance and Safety Canada), and others on opportunities, risks, and regulation of AI in Canada’s strategic sectors.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee to Examine Science and Research Centre Closures: On March 10, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., the Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee will review science in agriculture and research centre closures, with witnesses from the Government of Alberta, Protein Industries Canada, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and others.
• Citizenship and Immigration Committee to Discuss International Student Program and Study Permits: On March 11 from 4:30–6:30 p.m., the Citizenship and Immigration Committee will consider the draft report relating to the International Student Program and study permits. The meeting will be held in camera.
• Official Languages Committee to Address Status and Use of English and French Regulations: On March 10 from 3:30–5:30 p.m., the Official Languages Committee will hear from experts including Rémi Léger (Simon Fraser University), Antoine Désilets (Société Santé en français), and Nancy Juneau (Fédération culturelle canadienne-française) on Regulations advancing equality of French and English.
• Canadian Heritage Committee Scheduled Review of Journalism and Media Sectors: On March 12, 8:15–10:15 a.m., the committee will hear testimony on the state of the journalism and media sectors, with witnesses including Marie-Eve Carignan (Université de Sherbrooke), Brian Lilley (Toronto Sun), Cheryl McKenzie, and Mike Omelus (APTN), among others.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Launches $8.5M Funding to Support 40 AI Projects in Atlantic Canada

On March 3, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced over $8.5 million in investments across 40 artificial intelligence (AI) projects under the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative and the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. These projects span all four Atlantic provinces and include direct funding for post-secondary institutions and regional EdTech ventures. Dalhousie University will receive $200,000 for its AI2Market pilot program, designed to develop entrepreneurship training and support for students working in AI. Université de Moncton is granted two investments totaling nearly $2 million for optimizing production lines through collaborative robotics and advancing SME AI adoption. Funding also extends to micro-credentialing and technical upskilling programs with Digital Nova Scotia, as well as commercialization support for companies integrating AI into products and operations. Recipients include a broad spectrum of academic, research, and industry partners with project themes ranging from AI-powered curricular tools to laboratory analytics and conference support. The initiative reflects substantial federal resources being directed at AI research, training, and commercialization in post-secondary and allied innovation sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Lakehead University Receives $440,948 for Mining R&D Infrastructure

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor), via an announcement by Minister Patty Hajdu on March 4, committed $440,948 to Lakehead University. This investment will equip a new mining research laboratory at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus, supporting the establishment of an industry research chair with a focus on innovative gold deposit modeling. The project involves acquiring three advanced microanalytical instruments, small-scale electrical upgrades, and strengthens graduate research and training pathways for future industry geologists. The upgraded lab is set to bolster mining discovery, enhance exploration efficiency, and increase R&D collaboration between academic researchers and local mining firms. Ownership of the high-value equipment will remain with Lakehead University, creating enduring research resources for the Northern Ontario mining and minerals sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Invests $165 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain, R&D, and Indigenous Engagement

Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson announced, at the 2026 PDAC Convention on March 3, up to $165.2 million for 22 national projects to accelerate critical minerals development. This includes $114.9 million for First and Last Mile Fund projects targeting infrastructure upgrades in British Columbia and Saskatchewan, $17.8 million for clean energy tech pilots supporting the mining sector, and $27.5 million toward novel mining technology demonstrations. Notably, the initiative supports Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships with $2.8 million directed to engagement and feasibility studies in Ontario, New Brunswick, and British Columbia. Mining decarbonization receives focus through demonstration and pilot projects advancing low-GHG battery-grade graphite, lithium refining, and nickel-cobalt recovery from tailings. Additional support for geoscience and open data infrastructure is provided to regional geological surveys, with new digital datasets created for critical mineral exploration in multiple provinces. The funding also advances the integration of AI and machine learning into geoscience document management, research modeling, and mapping.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Government and Quebec Announce New Bilateral Funding for Green Skills Training

As announced on March 6, Secretary of State (Labour) John Zerucelli and Quebec’s Minister of Employment Pascale Déry will launch new investments under the Union Training and Innovation Program bilateral agreement on March 9 in Gatineau. The initiative is aimed at supporting green skills training in Quebec, with a focus on upskilling labour and education sectors to meet the demands of an evolving workforce. The announcement signals expanded labour force development activities involving union training—supported by both provincial and federal partners—potentially affecting post-secondary and technical training providers in the region.

Sources: www.canada.ca

FedNor Invests Over $1.3 Million to Support Population Retention and Newcomer Integration Initiatives in Northern Ontario

The Government of Canada, through FedNor, committed $1,304,500 to the Northern Policy Institute to support newcomer attraction and retention in Northern Ontario. Of the total, $959,500 is allocated for improved data collection and analysis, the development of a mobile application for newcomer integration, and advisory services for municipalities in immigration pilot programs like the FCIP, RCIP, and OINP. The remainder targets best practices research through interviews and surveys with RNIP program participants and service providers. The project also includes continued operation of regional population growth portals and the organization of conferences sharing insights across sub-regions, with an emphasis on evaluating and enhancing local strategies for talent retention.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Employment and Social Development Canada Actions Coordinated Plan for Mining and Minerals Workforce

On March 2, Minister Patty Hajdu convened industry leaders, labour, and post-secondary institutions at PDAC to advance a national workforce strategy for mining and minerals. This plan, managed by the Mining and Minerals Workforce Alliance—one of six strategic alliances formed to address pressing labour market challenges nationwide—targets skills shortages from early-stage exploration through processing. The alliance brings together employers, unions, educational institutions, and Indigenous organizations, aiming to address challenges tied to worker demographics, automation, and critical minerals supply chains. The initiative is part of the federal government's wider focus on productivity, workforce development, and national industrial strategy.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Upcoming Federal Announcement: Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program Investment

On March 6, Minister Patty Hajdu disclosed an upcoming announcement for a significant investment through the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program scheduled for March 9 in Ottawa. Joined by MP Marie-France Lalonde, the event will detail new funds targeting workforce development in an unspecified key economic sector. The program frequently collaborates with industry and post-secondary partners for training program rollouts. Media registration is required for attendance.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Continues for Community-Based Initiatives Confronting Gender-Based Violence

Women and Gender Equality Minister Rechie Valdez, on March 5 in Toronto, announced over $4.3 million in federal grant funding to eight organizations expanding support services for women, families, and youth affected by violence. Projects being funded include training programs for frontline responders, legal navigation for women facing justice barriers, Indigenous survivor supports, and expansion of trauma-informed and intersectional assessment tools. Funding recipients include institutions based in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Alberta. These initiatives supplement an earlier commitment to gender-based violence prevention and federal funding of $223.4 million over five years for survivors’ services and programs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Allocates $27M to Youth Employment and Skills Program

On March 5, Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald announced at the Atlantic Grains Council conference an allocation of up to $27 million over two years (2026-2028) for the Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP). Nearly $13.5 million is designated for the 2026–27 program year, supporting Canadian agriculture and agri-food employers hiring youth aged 15 to 30. YESP is designed to provide non-repayable wage contributions, particularly targeting employers willing to engage youth facing barriers such as disabilities or living in rural or remote communities. The 2026–27 application window runs from March 5 to May 4, with streamlined administrative procedures introduced.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Issues New Framework on Area-Level Measures for Population Health Research

Statistics Canada’s Centre for Health Data Integration published a report on March 5 reviewing area-level social and health inequality indicators for Canadian neighbourhoods. The report, released through StatsCan’s Analytical Studies: Methods and References series, details a suite of area-level measures applied in population health research and provides decision guidelines for choosing methodologies aligned with specific research objectives. The analysis supports the research sector in designing, evaluating, and reporting on studies using spatial data methods relevant to health, education, and demographic research in higher education and allied policy fields.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Opens Advisory Review of Student Achievement and Postsecondary Assessment

The Ontario government, on March 4, appointed an expert advisory body—chaired by Bill Robson and advisor David R. Johnson—to lead a province-wide review of student achievement and assessment, including postsecondary certification standards.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Announces 2025 Polanyi Prize Recipients Recognizing Research Excellence

Ontario awarded its prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prizes to five researchers for achievements in chemistry, economics, literature, and physiology/medicine, with projects advancing machine learning, drug discovery, and health innovation.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Unveils Advanced Critical Minerals Strategy and Expands Strategic Mineral List

On March 3, Ontario released its strategic plan for the critical minerals sector, adding high-purity iron and aluminum to the provincial Critical Minerals List and inviting feedback on strengthening domestic supply chains and workforce development.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Quebec Government Publishes Updated Survey of AI Integration in Public Administration

As of March 2, Quebec reported a more than 50% increase in artificial intelligence initiatives across its public sector, particularly in health, education, and natural resources, with the Portrait document cataloguing current and under-development projects.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Manitoba Initiates Provincewide Consultation on Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy Reform

Announced on March 4, Manitoba is seeking input on new rules for responsible AI use and personal data protection, citing risks from algorithms and deepfakes; possible recommendations include age limits and opt-in consent for data use.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Federal research body in talks with U of A to ensure compliance with EDI requirements: The University of Alberta faces discussions with a federal research council over compliance with equity, diversity, and inclusion requirements tied to ongoing research grants.
• Why a U of A decision to eliminate EDI could put research funding at risk: Coverage of how the University of Alberta’s policy changes may affect its eligibility for future research funding.
• Algonquin College’s decision to suspend programs could impact City of Ottawa recruitment efforts: memo: Ottawa officials assess the effect of program suspensions at Algonquin College on municipal staff recruitment.
• Mining industry faces youth gap as misconceptions persist, Sudbury students say: Student perspectives on the lack of youth participation and persistent misconceptions about careers in mining.
• This P.E.I. student debt grant could save graduates thousands, but fewer are applying | CBC News: Fewer Prince Edward Island graduates are taking advantage of a debt reduction grant despite significant potential savings.
• Students in Waterloo region 'discouraged' by cuts to OSAP: Students in Waterloo express concern as changes to OSAP affect grant access.
• OSAP means 'equal opportunity for education,' says Niagara student joining province-wide protest against cuts: Students across Ontario protest OSAP cuts, with a Niagara student describing the impact on educational opportunity.
• Opinion: Canada is putting Palestinian grad students in unfair immigration limbo: Editorial on the immigration challenges facing Palestinian graduate students in Canada.

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