Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor 11 May 2026
CommunicationsBoard of Governors Highlights

Dear members of the 91ɬÂţ Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 91ɬÂţ’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its 

The Board of Governors held the fourth regular meeting on April 23, 2026. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on May 21, 2026. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.  

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely, 

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 91ɬÂţ Board of Governors

Key Updates

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, approved the reappointment of Professor H. Deep Saini as President and Vice-Chancellor of 91ɬÂţ for a further five-year term commencing July 1, 2028. Read the full announcement.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, approved the appointment of Professor Alanna Watt as Dean of the Faculty of Science for a five-year renewable term, effective May 1, 2026. Read the full announcement. 

As recommended by the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved the proposed FY2027 Budget, which features a balanced budget and a $10-million contingency. Looking ahead, expenses are projected to outpace revenue growth, with operating deficits forecasted at $33 million in FY2028 and $55 million in FY2029, underscoring the need for strategic, recurring revenue and expense measures.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of Senate, endorsed 91ɬÂţ's proposed Strategic Plan on Undergraduate Student Enrolment and Engagement. Designed to adapt to a changing global landscape, the Plan brings together recruitment, academic program planning, student experience, and community engagement into a cohesive, student-centered approach. 

Per the recommendation of Senate, the Board also approved the following:

  • the creation of the proposed Centre of Genomics and Policy. The Centre focuses on the legal, ethical, and policy dimensions of genomics and emerging health innovations, underpinned by a human rights-focused framework;
  • the appointment of Professor Tracy Webb (Faculty of Science) to the Committee on Staff Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures, for a term effective immediately, and ending on August 31, 2028.

On the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved the Identification Policy for Access to Properties Owned, Occupied, or Used by the University. The Policy establishes a clear framework governing when and how identification may be requested in support of university operations, campus security, and compliance with existing policies. It was developed through extensive consultation, including two presentations to Senate and two dedicated consultation sessions with students and faculty members of Senate to ensure feedback was meaningfully incorporated.

Also on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved proceeding with Phase 1 of renovations to the Raymond Building roof, beginning with the west section. Work on Phase 1 is expected to begin in June 2026 and to be completed by next spring.

As recommended by the Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (CSSR), the Board of Governors approved the contents and submission of 91ɬÂţ’s Annual Report under the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2026. 

The Board received as information the 2025 Investment Committee Report on Socially Responsible Investing.

The Board received a presentation on the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences from Dean Salwa Karboune, which provided an overview of the Faculty’s teaching, research, and partnerships.

Finally, the Board was informed of the topic of the next annual Joint Board-Senate meeting, scheduled for November 5, 2026. The focus of the meeting will be: “Effective Governance through Collaboration in a Time of Institutional Change.”

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini provided an update on key university developments, framed around 91ɬÂţ's four institutional priorities.

Transform

The President shared an update on construction progress at the 91ɬÂţ Sustainability Park, noting that excavation, blasting, and initial geothermal energy system work are all underway. He noted that restoration of historic buildings is advancing through an active tendering phase, with academic planning continuing in parallel.

On Horizon 91ɬÂţ, the President provided an overview of the UniForum Effectiveness Survey, with benchmarked results expected by late summer or early fall. Furthermore, he mentioned advancements pertaining to academic and administrative transformation, including a budget model review and strengthened strategic enrolment management.

He also mentioned the launch of the Initiative for Transforming Healthcare (ITH), powered by a $5.75 million gift from Power Corporation of Canada, Canada Life, and IGM Financial. Led by Professor Samer Faraj, the initiative brings together 91ɬÂţ’s Faculties of Arts, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Management to address key pressures in Canada’s healthcare system.

The President highlighted the third edition of Conversations – sponsored by Charles Bronfman, which focused on artificial intelligence as a disruptive force in society. The discussion featured Prof. Yoshua Bengio, Cory Doctorow, and Astra Taylor, and was moderated by Nahlah Ayed.

Finally, the President updated the Board on the inauguration of a $24-million teaching greenhouse and the Eastern Canadian Plant Phenotyping Platform at Macdonald Campus, which will advance teaching and research on climate‑resilient agriculture. 

He also mentioned the establishment of the Task Force for Macdonald Campus. The Task Force will consider academic programming, research, infrastructure, finances, and land use, with an eye toward thoughtful growth, diversification, and interdisciplinary opportunity. Updates regarding the Task Force's work will be shared periodically, with recommendations expected by year end.

Expand Globally

The President updated the Board on several recent and upcoming international engagements. He noted his participation in a visit with a delegation of Swedish university leaders in March, alongside Québec university partners and government representatives.

He also reported on the April Universities Canada Board retreat in Vancouver, where discussions focused on federal engagement on talent and research, sector-wide financial pressures — particularly around international student policy — and the importance of a unified national voice.

Finally, the President signaled his attendance at the American Association of Universities (AAU) meeting later in April. He noted that, given current U.S. research funding cuts, discussions are expected to have significant implications for Canadian universities as well.

Engage Locally

The President gave an overview of recent political and policy developments at both the federal and provincial levels. 

Following April’s by-elections, the President noted that the Liberal Party of Canada secured a 174-seat majority, which is expected to support more predictable legislative planning.

He also highlighted the Government of QuĂ©bec’s 2026–2027 budget, tabled on March 18, emphasizing that, despite a challenging fiscal context, university funding will increase by 5.5%, which includes a $150 million investment over five years in engineering and computer science. 

The President also addressed recent legislative changes, noting that the National Assembly adopted Bill 9, An Act respecting the reinforcement of laicity in QuĂ©bec, which reinforces and expands QuĂ©bec’s framework on state secularism. He indicated that 91ɬÂţ is continuing to assess the full implications of this new legislation.

Finally, the President spoke to recent changes in provincial leadership. On April 14, Ms. Christine FrĂ©chette was sworn in as QuĂ©bec’s 33rd premier and has since announced her cabinet. He noted key new appointments, including Mr. Ian Lafrenière as Deputy Premier, 91ɬÂţ alumnus Mr. Eric Girard as Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Infrastructure, and François Bonnardel as Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration of QuĂ©bec. He also underscored the continuity of Ms. Martine Biron as Minister of Higher Education.

Unite

Under the Unite pillar, the President shared that he attended the inauguration of 91ɬÂţ's Onkwehonwe Advisory Council, an Indigenous-led body established to strengthen Indigenous representation and advance the University's commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. He noted that the Council responds directly to 91ɬÂţ's 52 Calls to Action and will provide ongoing guidance to leadership on building more accountable relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and MĂ©tis communities.

 

The Board of Governors received the following reports: