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: 2026-03-08 to 2026-03-14

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

Federal Government News

Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy and Quebec Green Trades Funding

Employment and Social Development Canada launched the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, aiming to build a skilled, certified trades workforce with initiatives promoting apprenticeships, employer and union participation, and innovative tools. The Union Training and Innovation Program’s Sustainable Jobs stream moved forward, particularly in Quebec, where $24.7 million is allocated over five years to train 3,750 apprentices and journeypersons in 18 Red Seal trades tied to emissions reduction. Training will be delivered through Quebec's public system, aligning with national efforts in green construction and workforce development. The Workforce Skills Development and Recognition Fund will manage the investment, supporting Quebec’s priorities in skilled trades and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Sectoral Workforce Solutions Investment and Labour Market Data Projects

Minister Patty Hajdu announced $94.5 million over five years under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program for 14 organizations developing sector-specific foundational labour market information. These projects cover the bio-economy, construction, agriculture, aviation, electricity, environmental careers, manufacturing, forestry, ICT, mining, tourism, and trucking/logistics, with LMI guiding occupational standards, training curricula, and workforce development toolkits. Initiatives include BioTalent Canada’s interactive career pathway tools, BuildForce Canada’s 10-year LMI forecasts, CAGBC’s green construction workforce research and curriculum, and tools for recruitment and retention in small and medium-sized farm and manufacturing enterprises. The investment supports targeted industry adaptation to workforce shortages, technological shifts, and evolving sectoral needs.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response Fund

A joint federal-provincial initiative directs $228.8 million over three years to help workers affected by global tariffs and market shifts, focusing on Ontario’s softwood lumber, steel, and automotive sectors. Through the Canada–Ontario Labour Market Development Agreement, about 27,000 workers will gain access to retraining and upskilling programs via Skills Advance Ontario and other established employment services. Support extends to unemployed workers, those on Work-Sharing agreements, and employed workers in vulnerable sectors. The fund is intended to help maintain workforce continuity and bolster resilience across key industries facing global uncertainty.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Defence Industrial Strategy: $900 Million NRC Investment

Ministers Joly, McGuinty, and Fuhr announced that the National Research Council will invest over $900 million to propel Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Key measures include the creation of a Drone Innovation Hub, acquisition of a Bombardier Global 6500 research aircraft, and support for dual-use technology development through Defence Industry Assist. The NRC will allocate $500 million for aerospace technologies, $241 million for SMEs developing defence solutions, and $161 million toward quantum research with applications for security and communications. Initiatives cover biomedical countermeasures, quantum sensors, post-quantum cryptography readiness, and infrastructure for compound semiconductors. These investments target collaboration with industry and academic institutions, positioning Canada as a competitive defence technology player and supporting supply chain resilience.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Online Safety Advisory Group Reconvened

Minister Marc Miller reconvened the expert advisory group on online safety, drawing on specialists from law, psychology, media, and child protection. The group was previously consulted in 2022 through workshops and will now address challenges such as AI-driven content, chatbots, and new forms of online harm. Findings will inform ongoing legislative work, with a kickoff meeting held March 11. The advisory’s focus includes evolving technology risks relevant to higher education and academic research.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Senate Committee Studies: AI Governance and National Quality Infrastructure

On March 12, the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology examined the impacts of artificial intelligence, with testimony from Professor Yoshua Bengio, Chantal Guay (Standards Council of Canada), Jonathan Dewar (First Nations Information Governance Centre), and Tania Saba (OBVIA). Discussion centered on rapid AI capability growth, insufficient risk mitigation, deepfakes, cyberattacks, international regulatory coordination, data governance, and industry liability. Bengio proposed governance frameworks emphasizing transparency, safety science, and accountability. Guay reviewed quality infrastructure adaptation for AI, Dewar described Indigenous data sovereignty concerns, and Saba reported on SMB challenges in adopting ethical AI practices. International cooperation, standardization, and Indigenous voices were noted as central topics.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee: Official Languages Regulation Review

Senator Surette chaired a meeting assessing Part VII regulations of the Official Languages Act. Witnesses Tellier and Chouinard critiqued draft regulations for their lack of outcome-based goals, clarity, and accountability. The discussion tracked federal-provincial roles, the need for evidence-driven measures, and impacts on minority communities. Calls were made for measurable requirements focused on community well-being, clear operationalization of commitments, and improved regulations before adoption.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee: Climate Policy Progress and Workforce Impacts

The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources, led by Joan Kingston, discussed Canada's progress toward its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, including industrial carbon pricing, clean electricity, provincial agreements, and methane regulations. Alison McDermott and Judy Meltzer (ECCC) participated, covering workforce and infrastructure implications, economic risks of lagging behind, and ongoing decarbonization efforts. Senators raised questions about competitiveness, provincial collaboration, nuclear energy, healthcare sector decarbonization, and AI's role in transport emissions. Recent data covered leading indicators such as electric vehicle uptake and financial sector involvement.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

Senate Committee: Indigenous Records, Funding, and Reconciliation

Deputy Chair Margo Greenwood led a hearing on the government's response to interim Truth, Education, and Reconciliation reports. Raymond Frogner (NCTR) and Michael DeGagné (Council for Reconciliation) indicated unresolved issues in long-term federal funding for missing-children research, access to non-federal and church records, and a 2027 deadline for IAP record destruction. Senators examined funding, records access, and the implications for reconciliation. Frogner mentioned the NCTR’s project identifying Oblates in the IRS system, and both witnesses discussed trauma-informed research infrastructure and Indigenous institution-building.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

StatsCan Data: Software Development and Computer Services, 2024

Statistics Canada reported operating revenue growth of 8.5% to $161.9 billion in Canada’s software development and computer services industries for 2024. The sector expanded client bases domestically and internationally amidst ongoing technological changes. The industries covered include computer systems design, software publishing, computing infrastructure provisioning, data processing, web hosting, and related services.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

StatsCan: Canadian Economic News, February 2026

Statistics Canada released its February 2026 Economic News issue, providing an overview of monthly economic conditions and industry observations relevant to higher education and research institutions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario and Canada Joint $228.8 Million Tariff Response Investment

Ontario is deploying the Canada–Ontario Workforce Tariff Response, using $228.8 million over three years to help up to 27,000 workers and employers retrain and maintain workforce standards in sectors affected by global tariffs, notably manufacturing and skilled trades.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough at Université TÉLUQ

Université TÉLUQ researchers were accepted to ICLR 2026 for a voice-based AI model that analyzes emotional cues, advancing human-machine interaction research and positioning a distance-learning institution in a competitive international field.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Launches Rural Veterinary Recruitment Program

Alberta introduced a $250,000 pilot grant to support veterinary student recruitment in rural clinics, addressing province-wide shortages and boosting hands-on experience for students in livestock veterinary settings.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Invests in Gaynor Family Regional Library Expansion

The Manitoba government is funding $600,000 for youth section and space expansion at the Gaynor Family Regional Library, promoting literacy, community engagement, and educational accessibility for regional partners.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Investigation into Kwantlen Student Association Launched

British Columbia’s Minister of Finance initiated an investigation under the Societies Act of the Kwantlen Student Association, temporarily restricting asset disposal pending review of reported misuse.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Modernizing Clinical Trials Regulations

Health Canada opened a consultation on the proposed Clinical Trials Regulations for pharmaceuticals, biologics, and radiopharmaceuticals, inviting feedback before March 20, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Post-secondary students feeling affordability pinch as more turn to campus pantry: Reports increased use of campus pantries by students facing financial challenges.
• College students dealing with food insecurity: Coverage of college students' experiences with food insecurity.
• Martin Regg Cohn: Doug Ford’s funding lifeline sets Ontario’s neediest post-secondary students adrift: Analysis of provincial funding changes and their impact on Ontario post-secondary students.
• Why OSAP changes are being called ‘a smack in the face.’ Inside Ontario’s dramatic pivot — and the fallout for students: Examination of recent Ontario student aid changes and student reactions.

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