Amid upheaval abroad, universities urge Ottawa, Quebec to invest in attracting talent
A joint statement released today highlights a number of moves, including co-ordinated steps at the national level to attract talent.
The four universities — Université Laval, McGill University, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke — hope to leverage political and social tensions affecting researchers around the world to lure them to Canadian schools.
The group of universities, going by the name Polaris, say both Quebec and Ottawa have a role to play in making that happen.
Vincent Poitout, vice-rector of research and innovation at Université de Montréal, says there is a window to transform a very unfortunate situation in science, particularly in the United States, into an opportunity for Canada.
The universities note a recent survey published in Nature, a journal, that 75 per cent of researchers in the United States are considering leaving the country.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 14, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
5 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
What makes P.E.I. oysters so special?
Due to Prince Edward Island's unique geology, oysters that lay in its waters are better able to take advantage of key nutrients. That's the opinion of Jason Woodside, a professional oyster shucker and former Canadian champion, who explained to The Guardian in a June 17 interview how P.E.I. oysters differ from those elsewhere worldwide. 'Basically, in short, it has to do with the bedrock, which is high in iron and the soil, which is high in iron,' he said. Through erosion, iron particles end up in the water, in the shallow bays and estuaries that surround P.E.I., Woodside said. 'And what that iron does is boost sea plants' photosynthesis. It is very shallow, particularly on the North Shore, allowing for maximum photosynthesis production,' he said. Barrier dunes also protect the oysters on the North Shore. 'So when the tide comes in and out, all the water isn't necessarily exchanged. It's almost like having bathtubs, in a way,' Woodside said. The now internationally known Malpeque oysters are named after the bay from which they were originally derived, Malpeque Bay. 'The story goes that oysters on P.E.I. were wiped out because of Malpeque oysters disease in 1916. And it took until 1936 before heavy, heavy research and effort to bring them back on a commercial scale,' Woodside said. As the research progressed into creating disease-resistant seed for the Malpeque prototype, it was also used to restock the beds in other bays around P.E.I. It wasn't until the 1950s that the industry started to brand P.E.I. oysters, Woodside said. 'They decided to do this provincial strategy where they'll call all P.E.I. oysters Malpeque oysters and ship them off the island. So that's the Malpeque oyster,' he said. Malpeque oysters are also home to many of the wild growers on P.E.I. These ground oysters undergo a technique called 'rearing,' as growers rear the animal's shell to a specific size before spreading it on the ground at the bay. The off-bottom fishery is home to the different breeds of cage-grown oysters on P.E.I. 'Sometimes in the water, growers will put out collectors to collect natural seed from oyster beds. And other times, they get seed from a hatchery,' Woodside said. After collecting the seed, growers will put them in plastic mesh bags and place them in the floating cage, he added. 'And that is what is called the boutique oysters. That's Raspberry Point and Cascumpec Bay and Atlantic Aqua Farms,' said Woodside. Lately, P.E.I. oysters have been in the news due to MSX, a parasitic disease caused by Haplosporidium nelsoni. The unfortunate truth is, nobody still knows much about the MSX disease that has heavily impacted the industry since last summer, Woodside said. The disease poses no risk to humans, and it is safe to eat MSX-infected oysters. 'We know what it is. People were worried about it all winter, though. Worried sick,' Woodside said. It takes about two years for the disease to propagate fully amongst the shellfish population, he added. This past February, the P.E.I. Shellfish Association placed a down payment towards building an oyster nursery in an attempt to grow and harvest MSX-resistant seeds. The newly built nursery, located in Ellerslie, P.E.I., will aim to create quality oysters. 'People say next year we could see more of those mortalities, but then nobody knows,' Woodside said. For now, Woodside is preparing for another oyster season and making use of his championship shucking skills. For a competitive oyster shucker, it's all about speed and presentation, Woodside said. 'If everything goes right with my oysters and I'm shucking fast, then I've waited all year for about a minute and 25 to 30 seconds to shuck my plate of oysters,' said Woodside, who earned the Canadian championship titles in 2004 and 2006. His 2006 record was 1 minute and 42 seconds (time adjusted.) 'Other people have done 52, 51 seconds, maybe. But, then, the oysters aren't as clean,' Woodside said. Would-be shuckers have to have a passion for the skill. 'Five hundred clean oysters in an hour is like the standard. Ten minutes to do a box of 100, realistically, is like the top level – that's consistent shucking, head down, non-stop,' he said. Yutaro Sasaki is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government. He can be reached at ysasaki@ and followed on X @PEyutarosasaki . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Newsweek
Trump Voter's Wife Detained By ICE During Green Card Interview
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Canadian wife of a MAGA voter and mother of three U.S. children was detained by federal authorities during her green card interview. Cynthia Olivera, 45, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chatsworth, California, on June 13, according to a post on "The U.S. is my country. That's where I met my husband. That's where I went to high school, junior high, elementary. That's where I had my kids," Olivera told ABC 10News San Diego from a detention center in El Paso, Texas. She and her husband both supported President Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportations. Officials in Canada told Newsweek that it is aware of Cynthia's detention. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek, in part, "On June 13, 2025, ICE arrested Cynthia Ivanna Olivera, an illegal alien from Canada, who was previously deported and chose to ignore our law and again illegally entered the country. A judge issued her a final order of removal in 1999, and she was deported to Canada. That same year, she reentered the country illegally AGAIN. Reentering the county after being deported is a FELONY. "She will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Canada." Newsweek has contacted the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Why It Matters The case comes amid a crackdown on immigration by President Donald Trump's administration. The Republican leader pledged to remove millions of immigrants without legal status as part of a hard-line mass deportation policy. However, concerns have been raised as dozens of cases have emerged of nonviolent immigrants getting caught in the immigration raids. The White House has said that anyone living in the country illegally is a "criminal." Federal agents talk to each other outside immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits federal building on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in New York. Federal agents talk to each other outside immigration court at the Jacob K. Javits federal building on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in New York. Yuki Iwamura/AP What To Know Olivera had spent years navigating a lengthy and complex immigration process to get her green card. On the day of her arrest at Chatsworth immigration office, a security guard asked if her name was Cynthia. She confirmed it, and the guard let her proceed. Shortly afterward, she was called into an interview room to answer questions from an immigration officer while her husband, Francisco Olvera, a U.S. citizen, waited outside. After she gave her statement, ICE agents entered the room, and the interviewer never returned. She stood up and was then handcuffed. "We feel blindsided, betrayed," Francisco told ABC 10News, adding, "I want my vote back." Cynthia told the outlet her parents moved her from Toronto to the United States when she was only 10. In 1999, immigration officials at the Buffalo border crossing issued her an expedited removal order after finding out she had been residing in the U.S. without legal status, ABC 10News reported. For the next 25 years, she worked in Los Angeles, paid taxes, and supported her family while trying to build a better life. In 2024, she received a work permit under the Biden administration, allowing her to work legally in the country. "The only crime I committed is to love this country and to work hard and to provide for my kids," she said. What People Are Saying DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "On June 13, 2025, ICE arrested Cynthia Ivanna Olivera, an illegal alien from Canada, who was previously deported and chose to ignore our law and again illegally entered the country. A judge issued her a final order of removal in 1999, and she was deported to Canada. That same year, she reentered the country illegally AGAIN. Reentering the county after being deported is a FELONY. "She will remain in ICE custody pending removal to Canada. "We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return." A Global Affairs Canada spokesperson told Newsweek: "Global Affairs Canada is aware of the detention of a Canadian citizen in the United States. Consular officials are in contact with the individual to provide consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed. Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on behalf of Canadian citizens with regard to the entry and exit requirements of another country." Cynthia said: "I've gone to four different facilities, and every single facility I've gone to, I've told them I'll pay for my own flight. I'll pay for it."
Hamilton Spectator
12 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
College adds programs for nuclear workers to meet expected demand
Humber Polytechnic is partnering with the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) to help train the next generation of nuclear workers. This comes as the Ford government invests billions in nuclear energy — including large-scale refurbishments and new small modular reactors (SMRs), the first of which is already under construction at Darlington and is expected to be running by 2029. In an interview with Canada's National Observer, Francis Syms, associate dean at Humber's faculty of applied sciences and technology, said the country faces an urgent talent crunch. 'Canada is going to run out of energy by 2040 if we don't do something about it — and nuclear is one option to help fill that gap,' Syms said. 'We expect to build another 10 to 15 nuclear reactors over the next 20 to 25 years, and that means tens of thousands of new jobs.' That's why training more nuclear workers is becoming urgent, Syms said. He expects the roles will mostly be in skilled trades and applied sectors like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, welding, and reactor operations — areas where colleges and polytechnics like Humber play a big role. As Canada grows its nuclear energy sector — with Ontario massively expanding its nuclear capacity — experts say the country will need up to 30,000 new skilled workers over the next two decades. And nearly 30 per cent of today's nuclear workforce are over the age of 50, many are expected to retire soon . Currently, Canada's nuclear industry employs approximately 89,000 people , an increase of 17 per cent over the past five years. With 89 per cent of jobs classified as high-skill, replacing retiring workers won't be easy, Syms added. The partnership includes creating nuclear-specific academic credentials, supporting applied research, and fostering experiential learning, in collaboration with First Nations, government and industry. 'This collaboration represents an important step forward for the nuclear industry as a whole,' said George Christidis, president and CEO of CNA, in a statement. 'By working together to help build a highly skilled workforce, we're not only supporting the success of future nuclear projects, but also helping to ensure Canada remains a global leader in nuclear technology development.' Syms said Humber is also helping build a national network of colleges and polytechnics to support nuclear training across the country. 'Whether you're a welder in Alberta or a student in Ontario, you should be able to access nuclear workforce pathways — ideally without having to leave your community.' He added nuclear training must include Indigenous knowledge and leadership, especially for projects in those communities. Humber is also working with international partners, including the Philippines, Romania, Japan, and South Korea. Syms said the goal is to make Canadian-developed training programs adaptable for global use while staying focused on Canada's energy needs. 'This is a nation-building effort,' Syms said. 'It's not just about jobs. It's about keeping the lights on, reducing emissions, and building economic and energy sovereignty.' Canada has abundant uranium and a long history of generating electricity with nuclear power since the early 1960s . Seventeen reactors in three provinces currently produce about 15 per cent of the country's electricity, with most located in Ontario. The province has long depended on nuclear power, which supplies more than 50 per cent of the province's electricity. The Ford government says new investments in nuclear power will create tens of thousands of jobs in the sector and help meet growing electricity demand, which is expected to rise 75 per cent by 2050. But critics warn the plan misses key opportunities to scale up renewables, puts energy affordability at risk, and increases Ontario's dependence on foreign energy supplies. The federal government is investing hundreds of millions in SMRs and sees nuclear power as a key part of a diverse, sustainable energy mix. It says, when properly managed, nuclear power can meet current and future energy needs while supporting climate goals. As nuclear investments ramp up, so does interest from students. Syms said Humber has seen increasing enrolment in nuclear-related programs, and graduates are already landing jobs at companies like Bruce Power and Ontario Power Generation. The industry is also hiring for roles in data, AI and cyber defence — not just trade, he added. Syms said with Ontario and the federal government pouring billions into nuclear energy, the real challenge isn't building the reactors — it's making sure Canada has enough trained people to run them. 'As we look to meet our country's growing energy needs, the demand for skilled professionals in the nuclear sector has never been greater,' said Ann Marie Vaughan, Humber president and CEO. 'Together, we are preparing a new wave of nuclear talent who will lead with technical excellence and expertise while championing innovation for a sustainable future.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
