Mark Furey says the probe must have certain key features, including judicial oversight, the power to compel witnesses to testify and the ability to make binding recommendations.

Calls for a public inquiry have come from opposition politicians, from Dalhousie University law professors and from victims' relatives.

While schools argue they need an infusion of cash to deal in part with higher costs of remote teaching and learning, students say they already face challenges, such as difficulty in finding summer employment.

Erica Seeleman, Dalhousie Student Union’s vice-president of academic and external, says she was “appalled” when she learned the news.

The findings land just before researchers at Dalhousie University test the same vaccine in Halifax in the upcoming weeks.

Dalhousie University says some courses aren't able to be delivered online like medicine, dentistry, select health professions and agriculture.

A spokesperson with Dalhousie University said tuition fees are still being discussed for Fall 2020. Classes will move online until at least January 2021.

Premier Stephen McNeil responded Thursday to a letter from 33 Dalhousie University law faculty members that was published last Friday.

Dalhousie University and the University of King's College say all in-person classes are shifted to online until January 2021.

Health Canada has approved trials that will be conducted at the Canadian Centre for Vaccinology at Dalhousie University.