Career college students worry about impact of OSAP pause, extended to 2027
Now that the Ontario government has confirmed that a provincewide pause on student financial assistance payments to career colleges will last for months, some students say they're worried it will prevent them from graduating.
Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn announced late Tuesday afternoon that the pause won't be lifted until the government establishes a new process for approving private post-secondary institutions under the Ontario Student Assistance Program.
He says that work isn't expected to be finished until the new year, and the government is also still working to secure third-party loans for students through banks.
Quinn enacted the pause after he said preliminary findings from an audit into OSAP usage at career colleges highlighted serious concerns.
Many students say they feel unfairly penalized for the allegedly suspicious activity of others.
Trillium College has suspended classes due to uncertainty around the OSAP pause, and student Marina Whitehead says she now doesn't know if she will be able to graduate in February, as planned.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Allison Jones | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
First Nations say Elections Alberta unprepared for referendum turnout
First Nations in Alberta are celebrating the win for the pro-Canada side in Monday's referendum — but they're also raising concerns about a shortage of ballots in their communities.
About three in four Albertans said yes to Confederation on Monday, while about one in four said they wanted the province to hold a second, binding referendum on leaving.
Siksika Nation says that while it's pleased with the outcome, the polling station in their community was understaffed and didn't receive enough ballots from Elections Alberta, leading to long wait times and "unnecessary obstacles."
Tania Cameron, who helped boost First Nations turnout in the vote, says she was proud to learn several First Nations polling stations had to request more ballots.
She also says Elections Alberta should have been more prepared.
She says not having enough ballots is a slap in the face to community members who wanted their voices heard.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
By Alessia Passafiume | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Ottawa will 'not budge' from 'sustainable' immigration levels: Carney
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa will "not budge" from its goal of making immigration intake numbers sustainable and the federal government is "getting them to that level now."
Carney says he's been in talks with the provinces about getting immigration "to the right levels" as well about how new Canadians can be most effectively distributed across the country and the economy.
His comments come after just over a million Albertans voted yes to a referendum question calling for more provincial control over immigration policy to reduce the number of newcomers to "sustainable levels."
About 53 per cent of voters said 'yes' to that question.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday the Liberals have let immigration run "totally out of control" and provinces should have more control over immigration numbers because they have to deliver services for newcomers.
Immigration Minister Lena Diab did not respond to reporters' questions when she walked into the weekly Liberal caucus meeting, but the federal immigration levels are due for an update by next month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.