Top Ten
December 2, 2019
MB introduces new Bill to make collective bargaining more flexible, responsive to public-sector priorities
The Manitoba government has introduced new legislation that would enable more flexible and responsive collective bargaining processes for public-sector employers and employees. The Public Services Sustainability Amendment Act (Bill 9) would broaden the ways sustainability savings can be used under the Act; provide additional flexibility around the timing and duration of the sustainability period; and allow greater discretion around compensation. “These amendments would increase options for employers and unions to reach renewed collective agreements through collective bargaining,” said MB Central Services Minister Reg Helwer. MB (MB)
URegina renames student centre to ta-tawâw to reflect commitment to openness, inclusivity
The University of Regina has renamed the school’s Student Centre ta-tawâw, which means "Welcome. There is room. There is space." in the Cree language. Formerly known as the Aboriginal Student Centre, URegina states that the name-change was inspired by the federal government’s decision to change the department of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canadian to the department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in 2015 based upon the input of Indigenous peoples. “While primarily intended to support Indigenous students through their educational journey here at the University, the ta-tawâw Student Centre is a place for all students, faculty, staff and members of the larger community to come together,” said URegina President Vianne Timmons. URegina (SK)
City of Brampton renews bid for university with launch of BramptonU campaign
The City of Brampton has launched a new campaign to acquire government funding for a university in the city. Last year, the Ontario government rescinded a previously approved $90M funding commitment that would see a Ryerson University satellite campus built in the city. The city has since launched “BramptonU,” an initiative to attract partnerships to build and operate a brick-and-mortar Brampton University campus, which would potentially include student housing. "Right now, BramptonU is a movement, a process to bring a full university to Brampton," said the city. “The goal for BramptonU is to transform it from a process into a living, breathing university, offering leading undergraduate and graduate degrees in skills to prepare for in-demand jobs of the future.” Brampton Guardian (ON)
Huawei funding of Canadian universities has some experts worried
Canadian universities’ financial ties to the controversial tech company Huawei is provoking concern from some tech and national security experts, reports CBC. In their report, CBC states that it has found that the value of Huawei's financial ties to Canadian universities is more than $56M, with no federal guidelines around how these investments should be managed and disclosed. While Huawei’s VP of Corporate Affairs Alkykhan Velshi says that fears regarding the company are “overblown and not really based on fact,” Carleton University Professor Stephanie Carvin argues that Huawei’s entanglement with the Chinese government deserves its own consideration. University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab Senior Research Associate Christopher Parsons encourages the government to give universities guidance about “the processes that need to be put place to receive money from Huawei — or any other Chinese company, for that matter." CBC (National)
UCalgary offers new Doctor of Design degree featuring a work-integrated research program
The University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape (SAPL) has launched its new Doctor of Design (DDes) degree. Described by the institution as the first of its kind in Canada, the program aims to provide students with a practice-focused learning experience where students can develop work-integrated research related to their experience and insights. “We designed the DDes to specifically accommodate the needs of active professionals who want to explore a particular innovation or practice insight that can elevate their practice to a new level,” said UCalgary SAPL Dean John L Brown. UCalgary (AB)
UQAM partners with Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne to offer digital arts-based pathways for students
The Université du Québec à Montréal has signed an agreement with the Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne to create the Parcours ALC-BAC en arts visuels et médiatiques, a degree pathway between the college’s Arts, lettres, et communication program and UQAM’s baccalaurét en art visuels et médiatiques. Beginning in September 2020, Bois-de-Boulogne will launch new options anchored in digital creation that will focus on artistic and media creation, and creation and education. The ALC-BAC pathway will allow students enrolled in one of the two programs at Bois-de-Boulogne to receive credit recognition, course substitutions, and university course experience. UQAM | Bois-de-Boulogne (QC)
UNBC faculty strike continues, no agreement despite the introduction of a special mediator
The BC government has appointed a special mediator to help resolve a dispute between the University of Northern British Columbia’s Faculty Association and the institution’s administration that has resulted in a three-week faculty strike. UNBC’s Faculty Association reported on Thursday evening that the provincially appointed special mediator adjourned the process with the bargaining teams following extensive bargaining periods that ended with no agreement being reached between the two parties. Amidst the strike, UNBC students are staging rallies and sit-ins at their school’s administration building. UNBC | CBC (BC)
UPEI to launch Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development in 2020
The University of Prince Edward Island has announced the launch of the Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development (OCEPD) to deliver courses and certificate programs centered around professional education. Officially launching in 2020, OCEPD will offer professional development and certificate courses that address the needs of today’s workforce. New certificate programs offered by OCEPD include Professional Communications and Executive Administrative Assistant. The office will also oversee certificates such as New Managers Certificate, Project Management Essentials, Social Media and Applied Digital Communications Certificate, and Mediation Practitioners Certificate. UPEI (PE)
Concordia partners with Court of Québec to give students a better understanding of today’s legal system
Concordia University’s Faculty of Arts and Science is partnering with the Court of Québec to give students in the Law and Society program a behind-the-scenes look into the province’s judicial system. The partnership is facilitated by Concordia’ jurist-in-residence Morton Minc who hopes the program will give students “a three-dimensional picture of the justice system in Quebec.” Through the program, students will examine the current judicial landscape, discuss challenges facing the court, and ask questions while accompanied by a faculty member and judge. Concordia (QC)
USB partners with DSFM to promote French-language education in MB
The Université de Saint-Boniface has partnered with Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) to strengthen and formalize their existing collaborations. The three-year agreement aims to promote the development of French-language education in Manitoba from early childhood to postsecondary. Other details of the partnership include the development of dual recognition courses, practical teacher training, exploration of a trades curriculum partnership, and facilitation of the recruitment of DSFM student by USB. USB (MB)
