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.

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.

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.

UPEI sees 20% drop in international student enrolment from last year

Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
Date: 2026-10-20 23:48:48.0
Tags: [National, Prince Edward Island, Education, Immigration]

International student enrolment at the University of Prince Edward Island has dropped by approximately 20 per cent compared to the previous year, with total international student numbers falling to roughly 1,300 from about 2,000 prior to federal policy changes. According to the Association of Atlantic Universities, the Atlantic region has experienced a 48 per cent overall decrease in international enrolments since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced study permit caps in 2024, surpassing the federal target of a 35 per cent reduction. Concurrently, regional universities recorded a 3.4 per cent increase in first-year enrolments as of October 2026, driven primarily by domestic students from Atlantic Canada and the rest of Canada.

Ottawa to announce over $350M for skilled trades worker training, recruitment

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-10-14 18:52:04.0
Tags: [National, Labour, Economy, Infrastructure, Education]

Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli is set to announce over $350 million in federal funding targeting skilled trades worker training, recruitment, and infrastructure through the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP) and the 2026 spring economic update. This funding forms part of a broader $6 billion federal initiative under the Team Canada Strong plan to recruit, train, and hire 80,000 to 100,000 new workers with Red Seal certifications by 2030-31 to close a training gap of over 20,000 workers annually. The financial support is split across three streams: increasing the federal temporary share of training equipment costs up to 70 percent for unions and colleges, financing shovel-ready union-run training centre infrastructure projects by next spring, and backing innovation initiatives like artificial intelligence integration and apprentice retention.

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.

2027 Saskatchewan Agriculture Student Scholarship Now Accepting Applications

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-10-07 21:00:00.0
Tags: [Saskatchewan, National, Agriculture, Education, Economy]

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have opened applications for the 2027 Agriculture Student Scholarship, which is funded through the federal-provincial Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Four scholarships are available to eligible Saskatchewan high school and CAEC graduates entering agriculture-related post-secondary education, featuring a top prize of $6,000 and three runner-up awards of $3,000 each. Applicants must submit a three-minute video or 1,000-word essay addressing solutions to challenges in agriculture by the March 1, 2027 deadline. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership represents a five-year, $3.5-billion federal, provincial, and territorial investment running from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028.

Ottawa Commits Additional Funding for Federal Child Care Program in Ontario

Source: Ontario - Ministry of Education
Date: 2026-09-29 14:34:00.0
Tags: [Ontario, National, Education, Social Services, Affordability, Finance]

Ontario Minister of Education Paul Calandra announced that the federal government has extended additional funding to the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, maintaining current average child care fees at $19 a day with maximum caps at $22 per day until June 30, 2027. Between the 2021-22 and 2026-27 fiscal years, Ontario is investing approximately $34.5 billion in child care and early years programs, which includes $12.3 billion dedicated specifically to child care programs, fee subsidies, wage enhancements, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and the CARE tax credit. Both governments have committed to ongoing discussions regarding long-term program sustainability beyond June 2027 to ensure continued stability for families and the child care sector.

Province and feds extending affordable child-care program in Ontario, but fees stay the same

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-29 13:51:37.0
Tags: [National, Ontario, Education, Social Services, Affordability]

The federal government and the Government of Ontario have agreed to a four-year extension of the national affordable child-care program, backed by a funding envelope of nearly $12 billion plus a share of an additional $5.4 billion. Under the agreement, Ontario has committed to maintaining parent fees at an average of $19 a day—capped at $22—until June 30, 2027, falling short of the national program's $10-a-day goal. The province has created nearly 60,000 of its targeted 86,000 affordable child-care spaces as waitlists continue to grow across the province.

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.

Advocates plea for feds to call inquiry into Alberta, Sask. trans laws

Source: Global News Politics
Date: 2026-09-28 21:01:30.0
Tags: [Alberta, Saskatchewan, National, Education, Healthcare, Social Services, Justice]

LGBTQ+ advocates are petitioning the federal government in Ottawa to call a formal national inquiry into provincial legislation enacted in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The contested laws include parental consent mandates for students under 16 altering their names or pronouns at school, bans on transgender athletes aged 12 and older participating in competitive female sports, and restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for youth. Both Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe utilized the notwithstanding clause to protect these legislative measures from judicial review.

Feds grant New Brunswick $461 million for infrastructure projects

Source: New Brunswick - Regional News
Date: 2026-09-25 20:10:15.0
Tags: [National, New Brunswick, Infrastructure, Housing, Healthcare, Education]

The federal government, through the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, has announced a $461 million funding transfer to the Government of New Brunswick via the $51-billion Build Communities Strong Fund from the 2025 federal budget. The agreement allocates $305 million toward housing and post-secondary education projects, with New Brunswick committing not to increase fees or taxes that hinder housing supply. Additionally, $155 million is designated for health infrastructure, including $25.7 million for endoscopy modernization and expansion and $1 million for future planning at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital in Moncton.

Drinking water orders lifted at more N.W.T. schools after lead testing

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-22 23:18:00.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Education, Healthcare]

The Northwest Territories' chief public health officer has lifted drinking water health orders at five schools and one residential facility following remediation work on water fixtures with elevated lead levels. The affected facilities include Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Elementary School, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ Regional High School, and Fort Simpson Student Residences in Fort Simpson, Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells, Echo Dene School in Fort Liard, and Mezi School in Whatı̀. Testing confirmed that lead levels in these remediated water fountains and sinks now fall within acceptable Health Canada guidelines. The territorial government initiated territory-wide testing of all schools last fall, which previously identified elevated lead levels in taps or fountains across more than 30 facilities, with remediation work continuing as necessary supplies become available.

Students in Tuktoyaktuk start school year in newly renovated classrooms

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-22 12:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Education]

Students in junior kindergarten to Grade 9 in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, returned for the 2026-2027 school year to a substantially renovated Mangilaluk School, originally built in 1990. Led by Principal Ephraim Warren, the project features larger classrooms, wider hallways, new lockers, accessible washrooms, and dedicated drop-off zones for younger students. The gymnasium is scheduled to reopen in October 2026, with all remaining construction expected to be fully completed by the end of November 2026, while high school classes temporarily take place at the Aurora College building.

Students in Tuktoyaktok start school year in newly renovated classrooms

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-22 12:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Education]

Students in junior kindergarten to Grade 9 in Tuktoyaktok, Northwest Territories, returned to the newly renovated Mangilaluk School for the 2026-2027 academic year, while high school students attend classes at the Aurora College building. Originally built in 1990, the school facility underwent multi-year capital renovations featuring expanded classrooms, wider hallways, accessible washrooms, new lockers, separate entry porches for parents and early-grade children, and a new staff and parent parking lot. Principal Ephraim Warren noted that the full construction project—including the reopening of the community's sole gymnasium—is scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026, with gym access expected in October.

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.

Free course covering basics of AI to be available to all Canadians by end of the year

Source: CBC Politics
Date: 2026-09-09 18:46:13.0
Tags: [National, Alberta, Technology, Education, Labour]

The federal government, through Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon, announced a $13 million investment to launch the National AI Literacy Initiative in partnership with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (AMII). The initiative provides three free, self-paced online courses covering the basics of artificial intelligence, responsible use, and workplace readiness skills. Training for K-12 educators and post-secondary students launches on September 21, while a third course titled 'Essentials for Canadians' will become available via Employment and Social Development Canada's Job Bank and community partners by the end of the year.

New funding commitment from territory isn’t enough to fill gap left by Jordan’s Principle, say educators

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-04 11:00:00.0
Tags: [National, Education, Social Services, Indigenous, Finance]

The Northwest Territories Department of Education committed $35 million per year for at least three years toward inclusive schooling, staff training, and early childhood development. This territorial funding fails to fully offset a nearly $60 million loss in federal Jordan's Principle funding, prompting the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association to warn that schools remain severely underfunded and facing staff shortages. Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland stated that the territory is assessing its funding formula while continuing to advocate for additional federal support.

Water again safe to drink in 5 N.W.T. schools

Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
Date: 2026-09-03 17:35:46.0
Tags: [National, Infrastructure, Education, Health]

The Northwest Territories Department of Infrastructure and the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer lifted a health order after remediating lead issues in water fixtures at five schools: Joseph Burr Tyrell School and Paul W Kaeser High School in Fort Smith, École St. Joseph School in Yellowknife, Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah, and Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita. Lead levels in these facilities now fall within Health Canada guidelines following testing initiated across all territorial schools, where over 30 schools have been found with elevated lead levels. Overall fixture mitigations across the territory are approximately 65 per cent complete, with ongoing long-term protocols established to replace filters and conduct routine re-testing.

Saskatchewan Residents Support Social Media Limits for Youth

Source: Saskatchewan - Government News
Date: 2026-09-03 16:24:34.794894
Tags: [Saskatchewan, National, Social Services, Technology, Education]

The Government of Saskatchewan released findings from a province-wide survey showing that 86.34 per cent of respondents support implementing social media limits for children under the age of 16 across major platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. The survey, which also gathered input from non-profit organization Youth Matter Canada, indicated that respondents generally favor restrictions for youth aged 16 and under, though YouTube was most frequently identified as warranting an exemption. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr confirmed that the results have been forwarded to the Federal Government to help inform broader discussions regarding online safety and youth wellbeing.