Highlights 2025 - 2026 - Government and Community Relations & Protocol

The 2025-2026 academic year features new partnerships and exciting opportunities for collaboration.

�첥��Ƶ unveils new School of Medicine sign next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital

In July, �첥��Ƶ unveiled its new sign today at the site of its future School of Medicine building next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The unveiling featured speeches from MPP Stephen Lecce, City of Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, and the Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. York’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary healthcare education and training for Ontario’s future primary-care doctors, will open in September 2028.

�첥��Ƶ and the Ontario Centre of Innovation sign a new agreement to foster healthcare innovation through partnership

Dr. Rhonda Lenton, �첥��Ƶ President and Vice-Chancellor, and Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation, signed a new agreement to work together to foster healthcare innovation through collaboration with partners within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.

Parliamentary Secretaries Maggie Chi and Karim Bardeesy visit Nursing Simulation Centre at �첥��Ƶ

In August, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, Karim Bardeesy visited York's Nursing Simulation Centre and met with students from the Internationally Educated Nurses BScN Program. Thanks to PS Chi and Bardeesy for joining us to learn more about our new School of Medicine, contributions in health research and training, including support for internationally educated health professionals seeking to transition into or advance in the Canadian healthcare system.

York's BEA receives $2.4M investment to empower Black founders

In September, The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), a co-designed collaboration between �첥��Ƶ’s YSpace and the Black Creek Community Health Centre, received $2.4 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to expand the Alliance’s programming. Announced by Judy Sgro, MP for Humber River–Black Creek, the funding underscores the vital role Black entrepreneurs play in shaping Canada’s economy and the importance of supporting their growth. Since its launch in 2021, BEA has supported 136 ventures, helping them generate more than $46 million in revenue, raise $7.3 million in funding, and create 989 jobs. 

Parliamentary Assistant and YorkU Alumnus Deepak Anand Visits YorkU

Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security toured the Technology Enhanced Biopharmaceuticals Development and Manufacturing (TBioDM) initiative and the Climate-Data-Driven Design (CD3) Facility. Thanks to PS Anand for coming to learn about how our researchers are partnering with government and industry to drive innovation and strengthen Ontario's economy.

MP Michael Ma Visits �첥��Ƶ’s Markham Campus

Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville, visited the Markham Campus for the first time since being elected in April’s federal election. MP Ma learned about the intentional, award-winning, sustainable design of the campus, which promotes collaboration and innovation. Among his stops were the gaming lab, audio and video recording spaces, workshop, and library.

York’s Markham Campus hosts MP Michael Ma and MPP Billy Pang at Doors Open

Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville and Billy Pang, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville visited �첥��Ƶ’s Markham Campus in September for Doors Open Markham. In addition to showcasing our new state-of-the-art Markham campus, this visit was an opportunity to highlight the campus’ academic programs and research in technology and entrepreneurship.

YorkU meets IRC Parliamentary Secretary in Ottawa

In October, President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps were in Ottawa for a series of meetings with government officials, including Peter Fagiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship. This trip was an excellent opportunity to highlight York's new School of Medicine, the Connected Minds initiative, the real-world impact of York research, as well as the important contributions of our international students. Thanks to all those who met with us and attended our alumni festivities.

Georgina Memorandum of Understanding

On November 5, 2025, President Rhonda Lenton and Georgina Chief Administrative
Officer Ryan Cronsberry signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between �첥��Ƶ and the Town of Georgina. This partnership reflects our shared values of collaboration, innovation, sustainable economic development, and community empowerment.

Glendon College commemorated with new provincial plaque

We were delighted to host Her Honour the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Glendon College in December for the unveiling a new provincial plaque. A joint initiative between the Ontario Heritage Trust and �첥��Ƶ, the plaque commemorates the College's pivotal role in advancing bilingual education in Ontario and across Canada.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6, 2025, �첥��Ƶ held a memorial ceremony in honour of the 14 women killed at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.

We are grateful to Her Honour the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, for joining us to reflect, reaffirm our collective responsibility to stand with survivors, raise awareness, and challenge the underlying norms that allow violence and hate to persist.

Deputy Minister David Wai visits �첥��Ƶ

David Wai, Deputy Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, visited York’s Keele Campus to see the Nursing Simulation Centre in action. The 5,000-square-foot facility offers undergraduate and graduate students hands-on, experiential learning in simulated hospital environments, enabling students to build and refine essential clinical skills. This is one example of �첥��Ƶ’s commitment to preparing students for successful, career-ready futures.

YorkU innovation highlighted in provincial bid for defense, security, & resilience bank

�첥��Ƶ had the opportunity to collaborate with the Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines to support Ontario’s bid to bring the new Defence, Security & Resilience Bank to Toronto. We are very proud to see York’s strength in talent, research, innovation, and global engagement reflected in this effort.

York Region signs new partnership agreement with �첥��Ƶ

On February 5, the York Region Council and �첥��Ƶ Interim President Lisa Philipps signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration around shared priorities. The MOU builds upon a longstanding partnership and will focus on entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and workforce development, creating new learning opportunities for students in York Region.

Muskoka District Chair visits �첥��Ƶ

Jeff Lehman, Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka, visited the Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) lab to learn how �첥��Ƶ is working with municipalities across Ontario to prepare for and respond to real-world events. In addition to conducting sector-leading research in this critical field, York is the only Canadian university to offer both undergraduate, masters and PhD programs in Disaster and Emergency Management.

�첥��Ƶ welcomes government officials to the k2i Academy

Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and MPP for York South-Weston and Patrice Barnes, Chair of the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, visited �첥��Ƶ’s kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy to learn how k2i is transforming learning environments and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals and global citizens. k2i’s Specialist High Skills Major in STEM programs seeks to breakdown systemic barriers by providing Black youth in grades 11 and 12 with access to opportunities in STEM, ensuring that these youth see themselves as integral parts of the industry.

YorkU signs MOU with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

In March, �첥��Ƶ Interim President Lisa Philipps and Chief Margaret Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively in the spirit of reciprocity. As part of the agreement, York will advance its ongoing work to address Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and work with MCFN to co-create spaces and learning outcomes.

�첥��Ƶ partners with York Region to host the Gateways to Pathways: Talent and Industry Forum

Presented in partnership with �첥��Ƶ, York Region and York Regional Police, the Gateways to Pathways: Talent and Industry Forum brought together employers, job seekers, community organizations, and private sector partners to explore how inclusive hiring, equitable employment practices, and collaboration can strengthen our local economy.