January 21, 2022
Hundreds of Canadian scientists and academics have called on federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to scrap the tax credit for companies that develop carbon capture and storage facilities. Over 400 academics signed an open letter that argues that the tax credit is a subsidy for the oil and gas industry, which contradicts Canada’s pledge to limit this kind of subsidy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. University of Victoria Professor and lead signatory Christina Hoicka says that the carbon capture tax credit would prolong the use of fossil fuels rather than encouraging their phase out.
CTV News (CP) (National)
The Government of Québec has expanded its
Opération main-d'œuvre initiative to support the training and recruitment of thousands of education professionals. Through the initiative, QC states that it will aim to train and recruit over 18,000 educators and requalify 7,000 childcare workers by 2026. As part of the initiative,
MTL Blog and
Le Quotidien report that students will have access to a generous scholarship program that will provide students with up to $2,500 per semester, depending on their institution type. The initiative was originally launched at the end of November to meet increasing labour demands in fields such as health care, social services, and education.
QC |
QC (Scholarship) |
Le Quotidien Numérique |
MTL Blog (QC)
Durham College’s School of Business, IT & Management has announced a region-wide partnership with the eight Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade of the Durham Region. The partnership will provide BITM diploma students with membership in all eight Chambers and Boards for the duration of their studies and a year following graduation. Through the memberships, students will be able to access events with local professionals, develop key relationships with industry members, and engage in professional development activities.
Durham College |
InDurham (ON)
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has grown its relationship with Microsoft to become a Microsoft Global Training Partner. The relationship will allow Sask Polytech to provide faculty and instructors from around the world with Microsoft training, resources, and technology to improve global teaching and learning outcomes. “As a Microsoft Global Training Partner, Sask Polytech faculty have developed the expertise to incorporate Microsoft technology virtually and in-person to enhance the student learning experience and ensure our students are empowered with future-relevant skills,” said Sask Polytech President Dr Larry Rosia. “Our faculty will also have the privilege to share their knowledge and experience with educators around the world.”
Sask Polytech (SK)
Institutions and students at three institutions across Canada have recently taken on environmental initiatives. Mount Allison University is building a green roof, which will be connected to MtA’s student centre’s rainwater cistern. Two students at Wilfrid Laurier University started an initiative to help students conveniently recycle e-waste such as light bulbs, batteries, and electronics on campus. Thompson Rivers University has partnered with Creative Energy to develop and operate an on-campus district energy system for TRU’s main campus that is expected to offset over 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas over the next 30 years.
MtA |
CBC (WLU) |
Financial Post (TRU) (National)
New reports focused on postsecondary education’s affordability were recently released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) and the Ontario University Student Alliance (OUSA). CCPA has released a study of the tuition and funding changes at Memorial University which indicates that the changes will erode Memorial’s ability to attract learners. CCPA reports that the cost of an undergraduate degree will double for international students and more than double for in-province students. In Ontario, OUSA has released a report on a student survey conducted in 2020 which found that students continue to struggle with financing their education and face significant challenges related to debt, financial aid, and employment.
OUSA |
CCPA (NL | ON)
Statistics Canada has released a new study examining trends in private and public funding for Canadian colleges, polytechnics, cegeps, and institutes between 2008/2009 and 2019/2020. The data shows that revenues have remained stable since 2008/2009, with an average increase of 1.8% each year. However, the make-up of institutional income has shifted: Public funding declined steadily from 67% in 2008/2009 to 54.7% in 2019/2020, while revenue from student fees increased from 19.6% in 2008/2009 to 34.1% in 2019/2020. This increase in student fee revenue was mainly driven by an increase in international students.
StatCan (National)
Police have arrested a 38-year-old man who is believed to be responsible for a string of break-ins at the University of Victoria. Police say that 11 break-ins have been reported since June, nine of which occurred within the last month and a half, resulting in the theft of items such as generators, electronics, and tools. On January 12th, an alarm was triggered at the UVic bookstore and campus security encountered a man leaving the bookstore. The man fled after a brief conversation with security, and was later found using evidence from the break-in and information gathered during previous investigations. “We would like to thank UVic campus security and all of their officers for their cooperation and assistance, which was crucial to this investigation,” said Saanich Constable Markus Anastasiades.
CTV News |
Times Colonist |
Victoria News (BC)
Western University has announced changes to its housing and health and wellness spaces. The university will be expanding its first-year residence capacity by converting parts of Bayfield Hall to first-year residences. The renovations, which will begin in July, will add 207 beds to Western’s residence system and allow Western to fulfill its guarantee of giving every first-year student the option of living in residence. The institution has also moved Western Health and Wellness to Thames Hall. The move will bring all of Western’s health services, including mental health supports and medical care, under one roof and shorten wait times. The new space is designed to be calm and inviting with dedicated areas for reflection and gathering.
Western (1) |
Western (2) (ON)
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms has filed legal action against Seneca College on behalf of four students who are not allowed on campus after deciding not to receive COVID-19 vaccines. JCCF
previously wrote to Seneca about two of the students, and threatened to take legal action if the vaccine mandate was not lifted for them. The four students allege that Seneca has breached its contract with them. The
Toronto Sun reports that Seneca offered no comment on the case, but referred reporters to its college vaccine policy.
Saltwire (Subscription) |
Toronto Sun (ON)
rtraction