Dear MindShare Community Innovator,

Welcome to this special edition of the MindShare Learning Report, where we continue to spotlight the breakthroughs, celebrations, and collaborations shaping the future of learning, technology, and innovation in Canada and beyond.

As we wrap up an extraordinary year, I’m delighted to bring you another rich collection of stories,from inspiring EdTech founders, to emerging AI tools, to national policy shifts and landmark post-secondary developments. Each feature reinforces the momentum we’ve built together as we navigate a transformative era for education and work.

📺 This Week on MindShareTV
We’re proud to showcase How Award-Winning Cyber Legends is Transforming Digital Safety in Education. This timely conversation underscores why cybersecurity literacy must remain top-of-mind for school districts and EdTech leaders alike. Watch Now, this is one you won’t want to miss!

🎙️ Summit Spotlight
Our Canadian EdTech Leadership AI Summit Corner features new videos, insights, and takeaways as we continue advancing responsible, human-centered AI integration in education. Grade 11 Students from Peel District School Board were honoured at the MindShare Workspace for their innovative Questify.Study Startup along with Robert Martellacci & City of Mississauga Councillor Martin Reid, taking 1st prize at the AI Summit

🌎 Global Partner Corner: FETC & bett
As proud media partners of FETC and bett, we’re gearing up for a blockbuster 2026 conference season. Whether you're looking to expand your network, explore emerging technologies, or gain global perspective, these events are gateways to the future of learning.

💬 Quote of the Week
This week, we’re inspired by Peel District School Board grade 11 student, Vynavin Vinod, Founder of Questify, reflecting on their win at the 16th Annual Dragons’ Den Startup Challenge:

“Pitching our platform was a high-energy experience, and we had the chance to meet an incredible group of innovators, educators, and supporters.”

A powerful reminder that Canada’s EdTech community is stronger than ever, and brimming with next-gen talent.

🎄 Celebrating 8 Years of Inspiring Work & Learning
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 8th Anniversary Holiday EdTech Celebration! Your energy, passion, and support continue to drive our mission forward. Here’s to inspiring even greater impact together in 2026 and beyond.

🌲 C21 Canada- Dell Technologies AI Use Case Spotlight
This week, we highlight Rainy River District School Board’s groundbreaking work increasing land-based learning outcomes and staff capacity using an AI assistant. Their story is a shining example of how technology can honour culture, enhance community connection, and empower educators.
 - Watch the C21 Canada Podcast & explore new use cases!

🛠️ AI Tool of the Week
As we prepare for Computer Science Education Week, we’re excited to feature Hour of AI, a powerful resource helping students explore essential AI concepts in fun, accessible ways. Perfect for teachers, parents, and innovators looking to deepen digital literacy.

📚 Book of the Week
Brave New Words by Salman Khan offers an essential roadmap to understanding how AI will reshape education. Khan’s optimistic and pragmatic insights serve as a guide for educators and EdTech leaders preparing for a fast-approaching future of personalized learning.
A must-read for every forward-thinking innovator.

🏆 Coming Soon: Top 25 for 2025 MindShare EdTech Newsmakers of the Year
Stay tuned, we’ll soon be opening nominations for the 2025 Newsmaker of the Year! Who inspired you? Who moved the sector forward? We can’t wait to hear your picks.

📰 Top News in K-12 & Post-Secondary
This week’s curated stories span major AI accessibility standards, New Brunswick’s historic education budget, Canada’s bold $1.7B talent attraction strategy, breakthrough wearables innovation at SFU, and sustainability leadership at Brock University. These developments reflect a sector evolving with speed, purpose, and national ambition.

💼 Career Opportunities & Events
Explore this week’s top EdTech career postings and upcoming professional learning events, from FETC and bett UK, to ULead, SXSW EDU, ASU+GSV, and more. Whether you're scaling your leadership journey or seeking inspiration, there’s no shortage of opportunities to connect and grow.

Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to building a more connected, innovative, and inclusive learning future. Together, we are shaping the next chapter of Canada’s digital acceleration in education.

Until next time, let’s stay healthy, stay safe and keep the digital learning curve steep!

Best, R.

Robert Martellacci, M.A. EdTech
Chair, 16th Canadian EdTech AI Leadership Summit
Founder & President, MindShare Learning Media
Chief Digital Publisher, The MindShare Learning Report™
Founder, MindShare Workspace
CEO & Co-founder, C21 Canada

Canada has released CAN-ASC-6.2:2025, the country’s first accessibility standard focused specifically on accessible and equitable artificial intelligence systems. The standard outlines requirements that ensure AI is usable, fair, safe and transparent for people with disabilities, with expectations for organizations to involve disabled individuals in design, development, testing, data decisions, deployment, and ongoing evaluation. It mandates accessible alternatives to AI, clear communication, consent controls, harm monitoring, staff training, disability-inclusive governance, and equitable data practices. Organizations using or procuring AI must continuously review systems for risks, allow human option pathways, support feedback processes, and prioritize accessibility from planning through implementation and long-term management.

NBA star Pascal Siakam has launched the second cohort of his EdTech Engine program, run through TMU’s DMZ and focused more heavily on AI-driven learning tools and youth upskilling. The initiative, run through the PS43 Foundation, aims to equip young people with future-ready skills and support start-ups that advance education technology beyond traditional models. Siakam emphasizes impact over visibility, highlighting success stories from the first cohort such as Cyber Legends and English Islands, while reaffirming his commitment to youth in Indiana, Toronto, and Cameroon. He also teased upcoming international projects, expressing excitement about expanding opportunities for the next generation.

Canada has announced a C$1.7bn initiative to attract up to 1,000 top global and US-based researchers, responding to the wave of American academics looking abroad amid funding cuts and political pressure under the Trump administration. The program allocates major investments into recruiting senior researchers, supporting doctoral and postdoctoral talent, and expanding research infrastructure across the country. Canadian officials argue the initiative strengthens national innovation capacity, positioning Canada as a stable alternative for academics facing constraints elsewhere. Universities are already preparing recruitment lists, and early examples show several prominent US scholars relocating, reflecting a broader global competition for scientific talent.

SFU officially opened WearTech Labs, a $17-million Core Facility at the Surrey campus that provides world-leading R&D capabilities for wearable technologies, from prototyping to human testing. The facility features advanced 3D printing, smart textile fabrication, biomechanical testing systems, and environmental chambers, allowing companies to rapidly develop and validate market-ready wearables. One highlighted success story is Hettas, a female-focused performance running shoe company that relied on WearTech Labs for design, development, and scientific testing. Supported by PacifiCan, CFI, the BC Knowledge Development Fund, and SFU, the lab aims to accelerate innovation and strengthen Canada’s wearable tech ecosystem.

Lakehead University has launched a new Barrie STEM Hub, a high-tech experiential learning centre located in Barrie’s fast-growing waterfront district. Beginning in Fall 2026, the Hub will offer new undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering and Computer Science, supported by co-op and hands-on industry opportunities. The facility is designed to give students career-ready skills through smaller class sizes, strong employer partnerships, and modern collaborative workspaces. Lakehead emphasizes that the Hub will help students turn “big ideas into thriving STEM careers,” with virtual sessions available for prospective international students.

Brock University has launched SPARK, a more than $100-million sustainability initiative that will modernize campus infrastructure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 83% by 2028, exceeding previous climate targets. The three-year program, created in partnership with the Canadian Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Enbridge Sustain, will upgrade core systems such as lighting, heating, ventilation, automation controls, and energy-efficient equipment across campus. SPARK will also reduce energy use by 60% and cut Brock’s long-term deferred maintenance costs by over $225 million while turning the campus into a “living lab” for student learning and research on sustainability. University leaders and government partners describe the initiative as a national model for deep energy retrofits and a major step in positioning Brock as a leader in climate action.

The Government of Canada has launched the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, investing $133.6 million over three years to recruit top international doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. Administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC, the program will fund 600 doctoral scholarships ($40,000/year for 3 years) and 400 postdoctoral awards ($70,000/year for 2 years) across eight strategic research areas, including AI, biotechnology, clean tech, climate resilience, and advanced materials. Institutions will receive a set number of nominations and will work with eligible grant-holding researchers to recruit international talent, including Canadians abroad. The program will roll out rapidly, with the first round of nominations due in early 2026 and results announced by April 1, 2026, alongside larger Budget 2025 initiatives that include $1B for international research chairs and $400M for research infrastructure.

VP, Employer Growth & Engagement - Riipen

Toronto, ON, Canada

Software Development Manager - IXL Learning

Toronto, ON, Canada

Technical Product Manager, AI Platform - myBlueprint

Toronto, ON, Canada