AGP Executive Report

Credential Recognition: Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Canada to better recognize Philippine-educated professionals’ credentials so they can work in their fields, as Canada’s PM Mark Carney highlighted a joint labor-and-migration declaration. Student Safety & Health: A Canadian Medical Association Journal case report describes an 11-year-old in Ontario who died of rabies after waking with a bat on his face, underscoring the need for prompt medical care after bat contact. School & Community Learning: Thunder Bay marked Indigenous Survivors Day with storytelling, music, art, and a truth-telling exhibit tied to residential schools and the Sixties Scoop—explicitly framed as education for everyone. Postsecondary Funding Pressure: Canadore College faces budget crunch fallout, with reporting that it may cut or suspend up to 35% of programs. Campus/Workforce Training: NOSM University and the University of Toronto received $123K from the province to train physician assistants, adding to the push for more health-care workforce capacity.

Education & Training Wins: Niagara College PR grads Jade Cappadocio, Karolina Odrzywolski and Robert Liota were recognized at the CPRS Hamilton Pinnacle Awards Gala, with Cappadocio taking Student Award of Excellence. Northern Health Workforce: NOSM University and the University of Toronto’s physician assistant education consortium received $123,000 from Ontario to expand a Northern Stream for PA training in Northern Ontario. Labour in Schools: CUPE 8443 education support workers in Saskatoon Public Schools ratified a three-year deal, including 8.5% wage increases and stronger health-and-safety language. Post-Secondary Recognition: Sask Polytech awarded an honorary degree to Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Road Safety Policy: Saskatchewan is considering faster administrative penalties for impaired driving, including licence suspensions, impoundment, education courses and ignition interlocks. Community Learning Through Agriculture: Farming For CommUNITY Inc. launched in Unity with a 125-acre wheat crop partnership with Bunge Canada, aiming to build youth and hands-on learning opportunities.

Online Safety Inquiry: A Philippine Senate committee opened an inquiry into the Tacloban City school shooting, flagging an online extremist group suspected of targeting minors through gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft; the hearing also pushed for stronger protections against online violence that can spill into real life. Canada Day Community Life: Canada’s 159th birthday celebrations in Victoria and across cities like Saskatoon and Pelham highlighted family-focused events, parades, and community pride—plus reminders of ongoing work tied to residential schools and “Every Child Matters.” International Education & Diplomacy: President Marcos says Canada should play a stronger role in Indo-Pacific peace and security as he heads to Vancouver for talks with PM Mark Carney, underscoring middle-power cooperation. Sports & Student-Athletes: WHL schedule changes aim to reduce weekday games to protect rest and academics, while Canada’s youth and university sports continue to reshuffle rosters and eligibility. Public Health Alert: A Canadian boy died of rabies after a bat contact went untreated for weeks, a stark reminder for families to seek care after bat exposure.

Online Safety for Kids: French President Emmanuel Macron and WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged stronger rules for digital platforms, warning that poorly regulated online spaces can harm children’s health and development, and called for transparency, child-friendly design, and a cautious approach for generative AI. AI Governance Meets Big Tech: The UN and ITU are setting up an “AI for Good” commission in Geneva next week, co-chaired by Salesforce’s Marc Benioff and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, with major tech leaders among members—raising questions about public trust and local impacts. Prediction Markets Warning: A Brock University finance professor says prediction markets could reward insider information and even put financial stakes on major geopolitical outcomes, as Canada prepares for a planned market launch. Health Research in Canada: Canadian-linked teams report CAR-T cell therapy could target glioblastoma by attacking both cancer cells and the immune cells that help tumors hide, showing tumor elimination in preclinical models. Early Learning Support: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launched in Monterey County with monthly free books for children up to age 5, prioritizing families facing access barriers. Education Policy Watch (Ontario): Ontario’s education minister clarified students can miss class for sports under new attendance rules, aiming to reduce confusion for families.

Education & Health Policy: Ontario’s education minister says students can still be excused for sports under new attendance rules, after earlier guidance sparked confusion for families and schools. School Safety & Inclusion: P.E.I. school boards adopt a new sexual misconduct policy tied to recommendations, while separate coverage highlights ongoing concerns about student safety and misconduct prevention. Higher Ed & Research: McMaster University researchers report a new CAR-T approach targeting both glioblastoma tumors and the immune cells that help them grow. Indigenous Education & Community: Two First Nations in B.C. mark Indigenous History Month with a cedar dugout canoe gift ceremony tied to intergenerational care and solidarity. Campus Culture & Rights: A Canadian Muslim group criticizes the removal of a Palestinian keffiyeh from a graduate at a high school ceremony, citing rising anti-Palestinian racism on campuses. AI in Schools: Alberta teachers push back on using AI chatbots to simulate care for students, calling for clearer policy and training. Food & Student Costs: Ottawa’s Competition Bureau launches a broad review into food pricing from farm inputs to grocery shelves, but commentary warns competition alone won’t fix affordability.

Ontario Rabies Alert: A new CMAJ report describes a rare rabies death of an 11-year-old boy in Ontario—19 days after a bat was found on his face with no visible bite marks—renewing calls for prompt post-exposure treatment. Attendance Policy Clarification: Education Minister Paul Calandra walked back confusion after telling parents not to pull kids from school for sports, saying education stays the priority while high-performance athletes can get accommodations. Indigenous Learning in Action: In Simpcw First Nation, Secwe̓pemc women and youth are revitalizing hide tanning through school-day workshops, keeping cultural skills alive. Medical Training Demand: Bluewater Health’s clerkship program for Western University med students is filling up fast, with all eight spots now taken after strong interest. Higher Ed Milestone: CedarBridge Academy in Bermuda celebrated its Class of 2026 graduates, including the first Signature Learning Programme completers, with many accepted to colleges and universities in Canada and beyond. Data Privacy Risk: Nissan says it was hit by an Oracle PeopleSoft zero-day breach, exposing some current and former employees’ personal and financial information across multiple countries.

AI Skills Race: A new QS World Future Skills Index 2027 ranks Australia second globally for preparing workers for AI-driven change, with Canada also scoring strongly—an education-and-labour-market signal for how universities and employers are aligning skills. Local Education & Youth Sports: Brantford’s Wilfrid Laurier student Ryan Speight was drafted by the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, a reminder of how post-secondary pathways can feed into high-performance opportunities. Saskatchewan Training Outcomes: Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Saskatoon campus held convocation for the 2026 graduating class, spotlighting applied, job-ready skills and leadership-focused learning. School Athletics Recognition: Wadena educator Darin Faubert received the SHSAA Merit Award, the province’s top honour for advancing high school sports. Health & Safety for Schools: Ontario’s first fatal rabies case since 1967 underscores the need for fast post-exposure treatment after any bat contact—relevant for school field trips and outdoor learning. Community Learning & Culture: Maple Ridge’s Multiculturalism Day drew thousands of families and Grade 3 performers, showing schools and communities teaming up to celebrate diverse heritage.

School Book Policy: West Valley school board in California will require parents to opt in for two high school book-club titles, “Dear Martin” and “The Marrow Thieves,” after a 3–2 vote. Science Centre Access: Ontario’s temporary Ontario Science Centre location opened on Toronto’s waterfront while a larger replacement is built, with a smaller lineup of hands-on exhibits for families and students. Post-Secondary Funding: Lethbridge announced just over $500,000 in Community Capital Project Grant awards to nine non-profits, including upgrades and equipment for community and school groups. Community Grants: City of Lethbridge funding includes computer and server replacements for a family centre and accessibility upgrades for a school playground. Safety & Health: New CMAJ research links new sedative prescriptions after hospital discharge for older adults with higher fall risk and worse outcomes in the following month. Local Education Support: UVic named a new scholarship after a Tumbler Ridge science teacher, highlighting continued recognition for educators.

World Cup milestone: Canada reached the Round of 16 for the first time after Stephen Eustaquio scored in stoppage time vs South Africa, setting up a next match against the Netherlands or Morocco. Refugee policy (UK): The UK Home Office says it will introduce capped “safe and legal” refugee sponsorship routes, modeled on Canada’s asylum approach, with changes aimed at reducing alleged abuses. Higher education pressure: A report on U.S. universities warns international enrollment is falling, driving program cuts and higher costs—an issue that will resonate for Canadian colleges watching global student flows. Health & seniors: New CMAJ research links new sedative prescriptions after hospital discharge to higher short-term fall risk and serious outcomes for older adults. Indigenous youth & land: A new buffalo effigy installation in Saskatchewan, built with Grade 7–8 students, revives Indigenous land-based traditions on a Nature Conservancy of Canada site. Campus/learning events: Brandon University announces Canada Day closures and summer “Mini University” programs for kids, plus a summer choir camp.

University & Safety: Valery Fabrikant, the Concordia University shooter who killed four in 1992, has died in a Quebec prison at 86, after a life sentence and a long-running parole denial. Health & Community Fundraising: The Canadian Cancer Society’s CIBC Run for the Cure is back in Niagara Region on Oct. 4 at Brock University, with 1 km and 5 km options and registration now open. Student Life & Inclusion: A new open letter from 78 non-Jewish Canadian leaders and professionals urges a national, consistent response to antisemitism, calling for stronger enforcement and action against extremist groups. Local Education Ecosystem: A Victoria-area community hub story highlights how a Camosun College volleyball scholarship helped a local manager build a career in Canada. Sustainability & Learning Infrastructure: WM Canada officially opened a $150M Cambridge recycling facility, adding major sorting capacity for Ontario’s circular economy.

Student Mobility & Policy: A new analysis argues Canada is losing Indian students as study-permit numbers drop, visa rejections rise, and financial proof requirements tighten—while Germany, Ireland and the UAE are drawing more interest. Community & Learning: Toronto Metropolitan University journalism graduate Storee Saba Iqbal is celebrated in a story that frames her graduation as turning grief into strength after her brother Mashal Khan’s 2017 campus killing. Sports & Youth Pathways: The 2026 NHL draft wrapped with major Canadian junior-to-pro momentum, including UND’s Keaton Verhoeff and Timofei Runtso going to the Sharks and Canadiens, plus the Ruck twins both landing with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Local School Life: Port Alberni added a last-minute Canada vs. South Africa World Cup watch party at the Kinsmen Community Centre, with free admission and family activities. Indigenous Community: National Indigenous Peoples Day is highlighted at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park with reconciliation-focused programming and a mini powwow.

K-12 Sustainability Push: Simcoe County District School Board says 100 schools took part in EcoSchools Canada certification for 2025-26, up from 63 last year, with 15 reaching platinum and 37 gold. Student Success & Scholarships: Two Kelowna grads were recognized for academic and community leadership, including Shaeyllan Beardmore (Schulich Leader) and Dilynn Scott (TD Scholarship) at École Kelowna Secondary. Teacher & Student Wellbeing: A Toronto teacher and principal’s 2023 suicide is again in the spotlight as a new subscriber column revisits the harassment and DEI session context. Equity in Learning: An Ontario school board decision to reject a Pride flag is flagged in coverage, adding to ongoing debate over inclusion in classrooms. International Education Impact: A Canadian teacher in Venezuela describes devastation and ongoing search efforts after major earthquakes, underscoring how schooling and safety are disrupted abroad. Arctic Rights & Youth Learning: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami president Natan Obed’s Arctic security remarks raise alarms about national unity—an issue that also shapes how young people learn about rights and governance.

NHL Draft & Student-Athletes: The Toronto Maple Leafs picked Penn State winger Gavin McKenna No. 1 overall, a big moment for Canadian hockey pathways that now includes NCAA eligibility shifts and a Yukon-to-NHL rise. Higher Ed Recognition: Champlain College Online named Ali Crawford to its Spring 2026 President’s List (Computer Forensics & Digital Investigations). Trades-to-Training: Cambrian College in Sudbury received $1M in federal funding to convert a diesel underground mining loader into a battery-electric vehicle for hands-on student research. Student Impact & Awards: Saskatoon cancer survivor Naomi Lendvay received the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, now preparing for a dental hygiene degree at the University of Saskatchewan. School Community Spotlight: Weyburn’s Classroom of the Month winner took home a brand-new laptop, highlighting classroom engagement and local education support. Safe Schools & Youth Online: A new wave of social media age bans is spreading globally, with Canada watching how child protections are being enforced elsewhere.

Indigenous Education & Reconciliation: Edmonton Public Schools marked National Indigenous Peoples Day with divisionwide events and long-running efforts to embed First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives in classrooms, including hiring consultants and leading teachers since 2015. School Safety: A Nova Scotia teen accused in an alleged online plot to coordinate simultaneous attacks on rural schools in Nova Scotia and Manitoba faces an additional charge of counselling another person to commit an indictable offence. Student Mental Health & Policy: A Kingston-based lead researcher says a proposed private member’s bill that would let doctors prescribe psilocybin could affect access for patients, as Canada’s first multidisciplinary psychedelic research centre expands cancer-therapy studies. Higher Ed & Research: Queen’s University and Providence Care researchers are tied to a major national psilocybin research network, while other campus updates include new leadership roles at St. Francis Xavier University’s board. Community Learning: A Selby student’s graduation dress rescue drew firefighters, town staff and strangers into a community rally—an uplifting reminder of school-year support beyond the classroom.

Student Access & Equity: Regina council voted 6–5 to keep free transit for students at F.W. Johnson Collegiate for the full 2026–27 school year, extending a fare-free pilot that boosted ridership and helped reduce barriers to education and jobs. Immigration & Planning: Federal and provincial immigration ministers met to shape Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, aiming to balance labour needs with sustainability by lowering permanent resident admissions and tightening temporary resident targets. Campus & Learning Culture: A University of Victoria professor challenged a talk promoting “Jewish indigeneity,” sparking debate over Indigenous frameworks and Israel/Palestine comparisons. Community Learning: A community launch in Vancouver highlighted new Filipino Canadian Studies research in BC Studies, bringing diaspora and belonging into the spotlight for students and scholars. Public Education in Action: Hamilton opened the Birch Transit Centre, a major maintenance and storage upgrade meant to support expanded transit service for routes to schools and community services.

Student Support & Belonging: In Owen Sound, a high school leadership class teamed up with local immigrant services and the YMCA to build welcome packages, an online map of local resources, and a drive for hygiene, winter clothing and supplies for newcomers. Student Aid: Saskatchewan opened 2026-27 Student Aid applications, projecting 24,000+ students to access $119.3M in loans, grants and scholarships, with funding protected in the provincial budget. Youth Safety & Prevention: Algoma Public Health secured about $600,000 to bring the Planet Youth substance-use prevention model to Sault Ste. Marie and the Algoma district schools for five years. LGBTQ+ Rights in Schools: Saskatchewan’s NDP is urging Premier Scott Moe to repeal the pronoun law affecting LGBTQ+ youth, as the case heads to the Supreme Court. Learning Through History: Thunder Bay’s Baggage Building Arts Centre is hosting “Bi-Giwen: Coming Home,” a Sixties Scoop survivor exhibit aimed at public education. College Program Growth: College Boreal says its massage therapy program has received preliminary accreditation from the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation.