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

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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.

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 Auditors reviewed 44 inspection files and found that approximately 20 percent used outdated criteria, inspectors lacked formal standardized training, and the department disbursed funds to child care facilities without verifying enrollment reports or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.

Advance voting opens as experts debate meaning of Alberta referendum results

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-10-12 18:08:35.0
Tags: [Alberta, National, Governance, Immigration, Healthcare, Education, Energy]

Advance voting has opened for the 2026 Alberta Referendum, featuring 10 distinct questions covering immigration, constitutional matters, healthcare and education fees for non-permanent residents, Senate abolition, and a final question on holding a binding referendum to separate from Canada. Elections Alberta reported receiving 650,000 special ballot requests and hired over 44,000 election workers to manage turnout. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada designated the Pacific Link pipeline a project of national interest, and Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized federal unity in opposition to provincial separation.

Yukon gov't picks site for new Whitehorse Elementary School, again

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-28 22:40:53.0
Tags: [National, Education, Infrastructure, Governance]

Yukon Education Minister Scott Kent announced a new site near the Valleyview neighbourhood and the Canada Games Centre for the replacement of the École Whitehorse Elementary School. The previous territorial government under the Liberals had selected a site in the Takhini neighbourhood in 2024, which was subsequently halted by the Yukon Party government following public pushback over traffic and consultation. The new facility is designed to accommodate up to 600 students and 55 staff, while the existing 1950s downtown school building remains operational during development. Additionally, the Yukon government is rezoning an alternate site near Kopper King as a backup option in the event that required municipal approvals for the Valleyview site are not granted.

Carney wants Canada to join Europe's Erasmus+ program. What is it?

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-17 21:07:18.0
Tags: [National, Education, Trade, Governance]

Prime Minister Mark Carney pitched Canada's involvement in Europe's Erasmus+ exchange program during a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Carney also expressed Canadian interest in participating in the upcoming iteration of Horizon, Europe's research and innovation funding program. While specific framework details and associate membership terms remain to be finalized, the United Kingdom's recent temporary one-year agreement to join Erasmus+ for 570 million pounds in 2027 is being looked at as a potential roadmap. Erasmus+ operates with a 2021-2027 budget of approximately €28.5 billion (roughly $45 billion Cdn), of which 60 per cent supports learning mobility initiatives across participating nations.