Top Ten

UNB receives $1M from paper company found guilty of environmental crime

The University of New Brunswick will receive over $1M for research projects related to the conservation, protection, and restoration of Atlantic salmon. Le Journal de Montréal reports that the money will be awarded as part of a $3.5M fine leveled against Irving Pulp & Paper Ltd., which pleaded guilty to repeatedly dumping toxic effluents into the St. John River. Irving Pulp & Paper has also been ordered to develop a new effluent treatment system. According to Environment Canada, the $3.5M fine is amongst the largest penalties ever imposed for an environmental crime in Canada. Journal de Montréal (Fr)

BC invests $3M in trades equipment

The Government of British Columbia has invested $3M in new equipment for trades students at institutions across the province in recognition of Apprenticeship Recognition Week. College of the Rockies, Selkirk College, Thompson Rivers University, Okanagan College, Northern Lights College, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, College of New Caledonia, and Coast Mountain College each received about $160K. “For students in trades and technology, hands-on learning is crucial,” said Melanie Mark, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “Our job as a government is to make sure students have the most up-to-date equipment and training they need to take advantage of a strong economy, support their families and build their communities.” BC (COTR) | BC (Selkirk) | BC (TRU) | BC (Okanagan) | BC (NLC) | BC (NVIT) | BC (CNC) | BC (CMTC)

ON critic urges government to withdraw new labour bill

CBC reports that Chris Glover, Ontario’s Official Opposition critic for universities, is urging the government to withdraw Bill 47, which proposes to repeal a planned minimum wage hike to $15 and cancel guaranteed sick days for all Ontario workers. According to Glover, most university and college faculty members are part-time employees who do not make a living wage. "Students go to school so they can get good jobs, but the vast majority of faculty teaching them, ironically, do not have good jobs," added RM Kennedy, Chair of the College Faculty Division at Ontario Public Service Employees Union. CBC states that the bill has passed first reading and will likely be approved by the majority Progressive Conservative government.

CBC

Mohawk partners with QPA Solar for sustainable carport

Mohawk College, in partnership with QPA Solar, has started work on a 50,000 square-foot solar carport, reports the Hamilton Spectator. The 125-space carport will feature an electric vehicle charging station that can accommodate two cars, and which will provide electricity to other charger stations and Mohawk’s Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation. The Spectator adds that the carport is expected to reduce carbon emissions  by an amount equal to what can be absorbed by a four-hectare forest, and that its solar tables will be supported by three-meter steel columns. Hamilton Spectator

UCalgary Qatar establishes first Board of Trustees

The State of Qatar has officially announced its first Board of Trustees for the University of Calgary Qatar. “The formation of a board of trustees is an important and necessary step forward for UCQ,” stated UCalgary Provost and VP Academic Dru Marshall. “The University of Calgary has a proud tradition of academic excellence in Canada and around the world. We are excited to contribute to the advancement of nursing in Qatar by delivering the academic programs that will help make it possible.” A UCalgary release states that UCalgary Qatar, which offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing, is the only Canadian university in the country. UCalgary

Queen’s launches Campus Wellness Project

Queen’s University has launched the Campus Wellness Project, a campus-wide initiative that aims to promote well-being amongst Queen’s students, faculty, and staff. The Queen’s Gazette states that a newly-formed Provost’s Advisory Committee on Wellness has guided the project, and that the Committee will receive support from the Campus Wellness Council. “This is a great opportunity to hear from our campus community,” said Rector Alex da Silva. “This project will provide forums for us to discuss what campus wellness means to students, staff, and faculty and to gather ideas about how wellbeing can be enhanced at Queen’s in a sustainable way.” Queen’s Gazette

UManitoba Indigenous students say racist posters symptomatic of larger issues

CBC reports that Indigenous students at the University of Manitoba remain uneasy after racist posters bearing the message “It’s ok to be white” were discovered on campus. According to several Indigenous students interviewed by CBC, racial tensions are prevalent at UManitoba. "I've been dealing with this for three or four years," said Chance Paupanakis, National Executive Representative of Circle of First Nation Mé​tis and Inuit Students with the Canadian Federation of Students. "I have students coming to me saying, 'I don't feel safe,' and they feel like their existence is being questioned." UManitoba has condemned the posters, and campus security is continuing its investigation. CBC

UBCO, ORL partner to open public library branch in heart of campus

The Okanagan Regional Library has partnered with the University of British Columbia Okanagan to open a public library branch on campus. “Having this new branch in the heart of our campus aligns with what we see as our pivotal role in the campus experience of our students, faculty and staff,” said UBCO Chief Librarian Heather Berringer. The Kelowna Daily Courier states that the library will provide UBCO students with a place to pick-up and drop-off materials from the ORL while also functioning as an online resource. “What we’re trying to do is better open up the world of resources we have in our library system to more members of the community,” stated Monica Gaucher, the ORL’s Director of Public Services. UBCO | Kelowna Daily Courier

NWT communities vying for proposed polytechnic

While Yellowknife lobbies for a university, community leaders in Fort Smith and Inuvik say that too many services are already concentrated in the NWT’s capital, CBC has learned. A foundational review of Aurora College, whose main campus is presently situated in Fort Smith, has triggered debates about the main campus’ proposed relocation from Fort Smith. CBC adds that the review found problems with student housing, daycare facilities, and inter-campus communications, and recommended that the college be converted to a polytechnic. It further suggested making Yellowknife the centre of the polytechnic university. Fort Smith and Inuvik residents denounced the review, but Yellowknife City Councilor Julian Morse told CBC that a university in the capital would create a ripple effect that benefits the territory’s smaller communities. CBC

URegina faculty vote in favour of strike

More than 87% of academic staff at the University of Regina have voted in favour of a strike if the University of Regina Faculty Association cannot reach an agreement with the administration, reports CBC. According to CBC, sticking points include a lack of job security for contract staff, a proposed tenure process that requires student review, and a bid to make professors’ roles more specialized. "We see professors as well rounded, doing at the same time research, teaching and service to the community or administrational services to the university," said URFA president Sylvain Rheault. URegina stated that it “is committed to the collective bargaining process and remains optimistic that a settlement will be reached at the bargaining table.” CBC