There’s a long-running irritation in Sino-Canadian universities and colleges relations

A long-running irritation in Sino-Canadian university and colleges relations has been the persistent use by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of its students here as shock troops in propaganda warfare and its persecution of Canadians it considers dissidents. Canada believes in freedom of speech and expression, but the marshalling by Beijing’s diplomats in Canada of […]
Life-long learning increasingly important to further our society as a whole

During my PhD studies, I was working mainly at a national research institute at which my university supervisor was cross-appointed. Even though the institute was 30 km away from the university, my supervisor insisted that I attended regular seminars at the university. I thought it would be more efficient if universities concentrated on teaching while […]
When excellence meets equity: re-imagining research chairs

OTTAWA—“Our government recognizes that when our institutions better reflect the diversity of Canada, science and research are stronger and their impacts on the lives of Canadians are more profound,” said Minister of Science and Sports Kirsty Duncan on June 14. When the minister of science and sport made the announcements of 364 new Canada Research […]
University and College Research Policy Briefing

Five ways NDP seeks to differentiate itself from Trudeau government

An NDP government under Jagmeet Singh may be a long shot, given the party’s performance in the polls, which have had the Conservatives and the Liberals running neck and neck for months at a time. Still, the party is hoping to pry some progressive votes away from the Liberals in part by calling for a universal […]
#LivingWhileBlack: High stakes on basketball court, school campus, or Parliament Hill

OTTAWA—There is a virulent strain of anti-Black racism spreading through the “I don’t see colour” racial Canadian landscape. Anti-Black racism is distinct and stubborn and it flares up every so often—only the Canadian response is a half-assed topical treatment, rather than a cure. On June 13, the Toronto Raptors ended a 26-year drought by bringing […]
Federal funding for Métis post-secondary education shuts out Métis settlements, says governing body

Ottawa’s efforts to close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is getting a boost after the Liberal government committed to spending $362-million for Métis post-secondary education on June 10. “These funds will support three key areas: student support, education governance capacity, and community-based programs and services to support students,” Minister of Indigenous Services […]
Conservatives haven’t quite learned their lines in the theatre of inclusivity

OTTAWA—If you are a member of a marginalized community in Canada, the Conservatives have trolled you over the last couple of weeks with the Justice Committee’s devolution into Trumpian Theatre under the guise of tackling online hate speech. On Tuesday, May 28, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights held one hearing of many […]
Broad scope needed for Canada’s upcoming Athena SWAN program, say stakeholders

A pilot program the government is expected to launch soon to boost diversity in the research ranks should include a variety of institutions in order to have the impact the feds intend, says two organizations representing post-secondary institutions at the national level. Universities have varying needs and challenges when it comes to achieving equity goals, […]
Freedom of expression is under attack on campus

The commons that is the subject of this book is a platform or space for the debate, discussion, and collaboration that are both inherent in and essential to the idea of the university. This space is multidimensional and has varying degrees of formality. It is to be found in the governance framework and networks; in […]