Canada, EU lay out vision for closer ties in ‘dangerous and divided’ world

This article is new today!

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 17:50:16.0
Tags: [National, Trade, Economy, Governance, Defence, Education]

Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed a strategic alliance agreement in Montreal to establish Canada as the European Union's first associate member amid rising international trade tensions. The agreement establishes collaborative frameworks for digital money transfers, labour and research mobility including potential participation in the Erasmus+ education program, critical raw minerals development, outer space cooperation, and joint security support including the Ukraine Support Loan. The pact also sets out cooperative efforts regarding artificial intelligence, climate change solutions, and cross-border instant payment systems.

New Metro Child Care Spaces to Support Recruitment and Retention in Health Care

This article is new today!

Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
Date: 2026-10-30 12:40:16.0
Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Healthcare, Education, Social Services, Labour]

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $1 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement to fund up to 72 new child care spaces at the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John's, operated by YWCA St. John's. Announced by Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Paul Dinn and Health and Community Services Minister Joedy Wall, the project provides priority access to all health care professionals to support workforce recruitment and retention. NL Health Services and YWCA St. John's endorsed the initiative, noting it will particularly assist workers requiring shift work and support gender equity in the labour market.

Canada-European Union summit in Montreal concluding with digital trade on agenda

This article is new today!

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-30 11:44:47.0
Tags: [National, Quebec, Trade, Culture, Technology, Education]

Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at the Canada-European Union summit in Montreal, which concluded with announcements concerning digital trade agreements, scientific research partnerships, and university student exchanges. Culture Minister Marc Miller discussed cross-border regulatory convergence with European counterparts regarding streaming services, online child safety, and co-productions like the television series Vikings and the documentary Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend. Discussions also explored making Canada an 'associate member' of the European Union, though some member states and domestic critics raised concerns regarding ratification hurdles and terminology.

Alberta proposes changes to improve parental notification of a serious incident at child-care facilities

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-29 19:46:43.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Public Safety, Governance]

Alberta Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides tabled an omnibus bill proposing legislative amendments to the Early Learning and Child Care Act and the Education Act. The proposed statutory changes mandate that licensed child-care providers must contact families as soon as possible following a critical incident, and grant the Alberta government the authority to notify parents directly if a provider fails or is unable to do so. Additionally, the legislation introduces mandatory safety plans, expands licensing oversight to weigh applicant compliance and financial history, and replaces indefinite child-care certifications with expiring, renewable certifications effective March 1, 2027.

Alberta seeks to standardize report cards, open complaint portal for parents

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-29 17:32:21.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Governance]

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides tabled legislation amending the Education Act to standardize report cards across all school divisions, taking control away from local boards starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill also establishes a provincial parent complaint portal for unresolved concerns regarding publicly funded school divisions and accredited independent schools, mandates the public disclosure of professional development (PD) day agendas within 60 days, and requires ministerial approval for school building naming or renaming.

Saskatchewan Monthly Construction Update - October 2026 Edition

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-28 20:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education, Seniors]

The Government of Saskatchewan released its October 2026 Monthly Construction Update, highlighting progress on major provincial infrastructure projects including the Regina Specialized Long-Term Care Home, the newly completed Weyburn General Hospital, and renovations to Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Regina campus. The 30 per cent completion milestone was celebrated for the Regina Specialized Long-Term Care Home—a 240-bed, five-story facility spanning nearly 22,000 square metres scheduled for completion in fall 2028. Additionally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the Weyburn General Hospital to begin welcoming patients on November 1, 2026, while Saskatchewan Polytechnic completed eighth-floor renovations to house a new high-fidelity simulation laboratory for nursing education.

One Edmonton Public Schools trustee resigns, as another takes medical leave

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-28 15:54:02.0
Tags: [Alberta, Municipal, Education, Governance]

The Edmonton Public School Board has been left short two trustees following the immediate resignation of Ward F Trustee Julie Kusiek after five years of service, and an approved medical leave of absence for Ward H Trustee Melanie Hoffman. Under Alberta's Education Act, boards with six or more trustees are not required to hold by-elections to fill vacant seats, prompting remaining board members to cover vacant ward duties. Additionally, the board narrowly passed a 4-3 motion to direct division planners to draft two potential ward boundary mapping options for the next election, considering reductions to seven wards or maintaining the status quo of nine wards.

MLAs open Alberta legislature's fall sitting amid internal UCP pushback

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 21:47:51.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Education, Technology, Transportation]

The Alberta legislature opened its fall sitting on October 27, 2026, with the governing United Conservative Party (UCP) introducing new legislation aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices and bolstering protections against deepfake intimate imagery. Government house leader Joseph Schow stated that 13 to 14 bills are expected this session, covering policies on bike lanes, e-scooters, AI data centres, auto insurance changes, and an overhaul of school report cards. Meanwhile, the UCP caucus is managing internal pushback and separatist pressures, sitting at 47 of 87 seats following the immediate resignation of MLA Shane Getson, with Premier Danielle Smith's office indicating no byelection will be called prior to the scheduled October 18, 2027 provincial election.

Alberta government to end DEI public sector hiring

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-27 21:37:20.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Labour, Education]

The Alberta government tabled a new legislative bill under Premier Danielle Smith to prohibit public bodies—including public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary schools, school boards, and municipalities—from utilizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in hiring decisions. The proposed legislation mandates that hiring must be based strictly on merit and qualifications. Furthermore, the bill prohibits public bodies from implementing mandatory DEI training for staff unless deemed strictly necessary for the job, and government officials indicated that the policy may eventually extend to non-profit agencies receiving government grants through future regulations.

Alberta to remove DEI hiring practices, strengthens protections against deepfake distribution

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 21:06:05.0
Tags: [Alberta, Justice, Public Safety, Education, Governance]

Justice Minister Mickey Amery tabled Bill 33, the Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2026, which prohibits diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices and mandatory training across provincial bodies including public agencies, Crown-controlled organizations, public post-secondary institutions, school boards, and municipalities under Section 10.1 of the Alberta Human Rights Act. Additionally, the legislation amends the 2017 Protecting Victims of Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images Act—renamed the Intimate Content Protection Act—to penalize the distribution of artificially generated or modified non-consensual deepfake images with fines up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. The bill also reverses provisions from former Bill 14 regarding the Legal Profession Act by altering governance and appeal processes concerning the Law Society of Alberta.

'Undermining the very profession': Alberta Teachers' Association gives province straight Ds one year after historic strike

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-27 19:34:36.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Labour, Governance]

One year after the 23-day strike by 51,000 teachers that ended with the provincial passage of Bill 2 (the Back to School Act), Alberta Teachers' Association President Jason Schilling gave the Government of Alberta straight Ds regarding class sizes, complexity, and teacher salaries. Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides countered that the 2026 provincial budget allocated a record $10.8 billion to education—a $722 million increase from 2025—and noted the hiring of over 2,100 new teachers, including 566 staff for complexity teams. Schilling maintained that classrooms remain overcrowded, citing instances of 37 students in a single high school class, and argued the province has fallen short of the 5,000 new teachers needed.

Saskatchewan Launches New Respiratory Therapy Training Program

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-27 02:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, Healthcare, Education, Labour]

The Government of Saskatchewan has invested over $8 million to develop and launch the province's first-ever Respiratory Therapy Advanced Diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Regina campus. The funding supported renovations to create two new specialized laboratories and purchase modern equipment for the facility. The inaugural cohort welcomed its full capacity of 25 students this fall, who will complete a two-and-a-half-year program including hands-on clinical placements within Saskatchewan health care settings. This initiative is part of the broader Health Human Resource Action Plan and Patients First Health Care Plan to address provincial workforce shortages.

Ontario Funding More Than 2,900 Additional Seats in Northeast Ontario to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-26 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Labour, Healthcare, Economy]

The Ontario government is investing $60 million to fund 2,946 additional postsecondary seats across eight institutions in Northeast Ontario, including Algoma University, Nipissing University, Collège Boréal, Sault College, Northern College, Canadore College, Cambrian College, and Université de Hearst. This funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion investment supporting more than 70,000 new seats province-wide in high-demand sectors such as STEM, health care, education, and trades, with enrollment beginning in the fall 2026 academic year. The initiative is designed to address regional labour market needs and develop a highly skilled workforce within the postsecondary sector.

Alberta introduces new flag rules and restrictions for all schools starting in 2027

Source: Alberta - Provincial Politics
Date: 2026-10-24 00:27:35.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Governance, Indigenous, Culture]

The Government of Alberta announced new provincial rules restricting flag displays across all public, separate, francophone, charter, and accredited independent schools starting January 4, 2027. Under the policy led by Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Premier Danielle Smith, the flags of Canada and Alberta must be flown outside during the school year, while municipal, sports team, Franco-Albertan, and Vatican City flags are permitted. Other flags—including First Nations, Métis Settlement, foreign national, and the Royal Union Flag—are restricted to specified days and cannot remain displayed for more than 14 consecutive days. School boards may apply for exemptions only for flags that do not constitute a political, social, or ideological statement and reflect school identity.

Ontario Funding More Than 2,700 Additional Seats at Toronto Metropolitan University to Prepare Students for In-Demand Careers

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Colleges and Universities
Date: 2026-10-23 20:30:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, Education, Labour, Economy, Technology, Healthcare]

The Ontario government is investing $73 million to fund 2,776 additional postsecondary seats at Toronto Metropolitan University starting in the fall 2026 academic year. This allocation comprises 2,115 seats for STEM programs, 627 seats for health programs, and 34 seats for education programs. The funding is part of a broader $1.7 billion provincial investment supporting over 70,000 new seats across publicly assisted colleges and universities under a $6.4 billion postsecondary funding model.

New regulations outline which flags can be displayed in Alberta schools

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-23 20:05:00.0
Tags: [Alberta, Education, Governance]

The Government of Alberta released new flag display regulations under Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, slated to come into force on January 4, 2027. Under the rules, only Canadian and Alberta provincial flags may be flown outside on school properties year-round, while other flags such as sports team banners, the Vatican City flag, civic municipality flags, and Alberta symbols of distinction are permitted under specific conditions. Treaty flags and national foreign country flags are restricted to a maximum of 14 consecutive school days when tied to approved curriculum coursework or specific ceremonial days like National Indigenous Peoples Day and Commonwealth Day, and any unlisted flags (including pride flags) require explicit written ministerial approval on a case-by-case basis.

Alberta government to introduce over a dozen new bills as MLAs return Tuesday

Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
Date: 2026-10-23 17:54:21.0
Tags: [Alberta, Governance, Education, Energy, Transportation, Housing]

The United Conservative Party government of Alberta is set to introduce approximately 14 new bills during the fall sitting of the 31st legislature spanning October 27 to December 3, 2026. Key legislative items include overhauling school report cards, updating the compassionate intervention healthcare program, establishing regulatory protections for data centres to safeguard electricity and water supplies, implementing merit-based public sector hiring, and introducing consumer protections for defective vehicles and event ticket resales. Additionally, the legislative session will feature a debate on a new electoral map required to be tabled by November 2 following recommendations from an advisory panel, while the New Democratic Party opposition intends to introduce private members' bills addressing healthcare, affordability, and education.

Unreliable safety inspections at N.W.T. daycares put kids at risk, auditors find

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-10-21 23:14:15.0
Tags: [National, Education, Social Services, Governance]

A report by the Auditor General of Canada revealed that the Northwest Territories Department of Education, Culture and Employment failed to fulfill key early learning and child care responsibilities, putting children at risk through unreliable safety inspections and a lack of follow-up on high-risk deficiencies such as missing smoke detectors. Auditors reviewed 44 inspection files and found that approximately 20 percent used outdated criteria, inspectors lacked formal standardized training, and the department disbursed funds to child care facilities without verifying enrollment reports or staff timesheets. Furthermore, the department fell short on monitoring inclusive child care spaces and failed to properly track recruitment and retention following the 2021 federal-territorial child care agreement.

Quebec's new PQ premier unveils smaller cabinet as minority government prepares to govern

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 16:45:26.0
Tags: [Quebec, Governance, Education, Healthcare, Finance, Justice]

Quebec Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon has unveiled a new minority government cabinet consisting of 23 ministers, down from the previous Coalition Avenir Québec government's 29. Notable appointments include Nicolas Marceau as finance minister, Marie-Karlynn Laflamme as health minister, Joël Arseneau as national education minister, Marie-Claude Sarrazin as justice minister, and Pascal Bérubé as culture minister. The swearing-in ceremony marked a historic departure by taking place without the lieutenant-governor presiding in person at St-Pierre Plamondon's request.

What to know about Quebec's new cabinet ahead of swearing-in ceremony

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-21 10:40:12.0
Tags: [Quebec, Governance, Healthcare, Education, Finance, Immigration]

Premier-designate Paul St-Pierre Plamondon's minority Parti Québécois government, holding 59 out of 127 seats, is unveiling a 22-minister cabinet during a swearing-in ceremony at the National Assembly. Key appointments include Marie-Karlynn Laflamme as Minister of Health, Prevention and Seniors tasked with abolishing Santé Québec, Joël Arseneau as Minister of Education, Nicolas Marceau as Minister of Finance, and Catherine Gentilcore as Immigration Minister. Other key portfolios include Alain Therrien as Treasury Board President, Stéphane Paquet for Economy and Energy, Nicolas Girard for Transportation and Sustainable Mobility, Guy Lapointe Jr. for Internal Security, Marie-Claude Sarrazin as Justice Minister, and Anne Nguyen for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs. Additionally, the ceremony faces a historic constitutional challenge as the lieutenant-governor will not preside over it following a provincial law that abolished the requirement to pledge allegiance to the King.