What changed lately in Halifax, Toronto and Calgary, from official and trusted sources.
EducationHalifax·
Work Begins on New Student Housing at NSCC Kingstec Campus
Construction has started on a student residence of about 90 beds at Nova Scotia Community College's Kingstec campus in Kentville, with completion expected in fall 2028. It adds to 350 student housing spaces the province has already funded at other NSCC campuses, including Akerley in Dartmouth. More residences are planned, including at the Institute of Technology campus in Halifax.
Alberta released draft curricula including CALM 10, which adds career planning and personal finance topics such as budgeting, banking and debt. Teachers can field-test the drafts this school year, and they become mandatory in September 2028.
Supporting economic growth and stronger public services by maximizing the contributions of temporary workers already in Canada
IRCC introduced a temporary measure that lets eligible work permit holders already in Canada study for up to six months without a study permit, as long as their work permit is still valid. Full-time study still needs a study permit. The measure ends December 31, 2027.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaOfficial source
Alberta is extending its math and reading screening to Grades 4 and 5 and putting $20 million into screening and supports for 2026-27. Schools must now share screening results with parents and provide intervention to students who need it. This applies to all K-6 families.
New Halifax French School to Welcome Students September 4
École Mer et Monde, a new school on Oxford Street in Halifax, opened on September 4, 2026. It is run by the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial, serves Acadian and francophone students from pre-primary to Grade 9, and has room for 700 students. It includes a child-care centre and community space.
How the cap on international study permits is changing campuses this fall
Federal data show new international student arrivals in the first half of 2026 well below Ottawa's annual target. Ontario colleges have suspended hundreds of programs, Centennial College alone 61 over two years. Proof-of-funds requirements for single study permit applicants outside Quebec went up for applications submitted from September 1.
Students Return to Class with Expanded Lunch Program, New Literacy Curriculum
Nova Scotia's 2026-27 public school year started on September 3, and the school lunch program now covers all high schools. A new English language arts curriculum for Grades 3 to 6, built on a structured-literacy approach, also starts this fall. Families of public school students across the province are affected.
Back-to-school 2026: Calgary's public and Catholic guide to the year
For 2026-27, the Calgary Board of Education expects about 143,475 students and the Calgary Catholic School District about 64,876. The province has fast-tracked 16 new school projects in Calgary. CBE yellow bus fees go up from $360 to $500 per rider, and qualifying families can apply for fee waivers.
