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Prominent Canadian experts to square off on Canada-U.S. relations
TORONTO – The School of Business & Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University is hosting an executive symposium in Toronto on the state of Canada-U.S. relations, featuring prominent experts Allan Gotlieb, Pamela Wallin and Stephen Handelman.
The three outspoken commentators will engage in a lively round-table discussion before an audience of top business and government leaders on April 11 at 3:00 p.m. at The National Club, 303 Bay St., in downtown Toronto.
The topic — A Continent Divided: The Uncertain Future of Canada-U.S. Relations — will address the need to develop a constructive, long-term strategy for improving relations with Canada’s most important economic and political partner.
“The management of the complex relationship between Canada and the United States is without question the most important external challenge confronting Canada today,” says Laurier dean of business and economics, Ginny Dybenko. “The Laurier School of Business & Economics is proud to help meet this challenge by sponsoring this symposium.”
Each of the panelists has keen, first-hand insights into Canada-U.S. relations. Gotlieb is an author and former senior diplomat who spent eight years as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. Wallin, a former journalist who served as Canada’s consul general in New York from 2002 to 2006, is a senior advisor to the President of the Americas Society and the Council of the Americas. Handelman is a Canadian journalist and commentator on international affairs who writes for Time magazine and serves as managing editor of the journal, Americas Quarterly.
The Laurier School of Business & Economics, one of Canada’s most innovative business schools with campuses in Toronto and Waterloo, is hosting the event as part of its on-going commitment to foster positive international relations, especially in the area of trade and economics.
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Ottawa school wins early-bird draw in GMAC Great Canadian Writing Contest
TORONTO - Grade six students at Fielding Drive Public School in Ottawa, ON welcomed acclaimed Canadian children's author Kenneth Oppel into their classroom today, thanks to the GMAC Great Canadian Writing Contest, a national, bilingual contest made possible by Founding Sponsor General Motors Acceptance Corporation of Canada, Limited (GMAC) and managed by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation.
In the contest, grade five and six students across the country are
invited to submit an original short story to be judged for possible
publication. An early-bird draw was established to encourage early
participation, and the Ottawa class won the chance to meet Oppel when one of
its students' names was drawn.
"We are honoured to have Kenneth Oppel visit our students," said Barbara
Lloyd, principal of Fielding Drive Public School. "Literacy is a main focus
for our school and permeates everything we do. It's great to have Mr. Oppel
share his experience and skill with our students to help further encourage
them to practise their own reading and writing."
Oppel, himself published at the ripe age of 17, is the author of such
books as Skybreaker, Airborn and the Silverwing, Sunwing and Firewing saga,
and received the 2004 Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Text.
He enthused that the GMAC Great Canadian Writing Contest "is a very exciting
program to get kids writing and expressing their creativity." During his
visit, Oppel spoke with the grade five class about his books and his writing
process, offering tips to the young writers and encouraging them to continue
practising their literacy skills.
The students at Fielding Drive Public School, a middle school for grades
4 to 8 English and grades 5 to 8 early French immersion, also enjoyed a pizza
lunch and received gift packages, courtesy of GMAC representative Simon
Giroux, the Area Sales Manager for Northeastern Ontario who also attended the
event.
There is still a little time left for grade five and six students to
enter the judged portion of the writing contest - their entries must be
received by ABC CANADA no later than 5:00 pm ET, April 16, 2007. There will be
13 first-place provincial and territorial winners and five regional winners
published together in a book. In addition to the publishing prizes, there are
also prizes to be won by up to 26 second- and third-place provincial and
territorial winners, and five regional winners will win a donation of $1,000
worth of books for their schools, libraries or family literacy programs,
courtesy of HarperCollinsCanada, Kenneth Oppel's publisher.
The winning stories will be announced mid-May. The entry form and all
contest details are available at: www.gmacgreatcanadianwritingcontest.ca.
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Robert Rosehart to help set economic strategy for northwestern Ontario
WATERLOO — Laurier president Dr. Robert Rosehart has been appointed Northwestern Ontario Economic Facilitator by the provincial government. His appointment was announced Thursday by Finance Minister Greg Sorbara as part of the government’s budget.
“His mandate will be to work with local people and businesses to help inspire a new generation of growth in the northwest,” Sorbara told the Legislature yesterday, adding that Rosehart “knows northwestern Ontario like few others.”
Rosehart, who was president of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay before coming to Laurier 10 years ago, chaired a commission in the 1980s that examined resource-based economies.
Northwestern Ontario, he said today, is an area “the size of France with the population of Kitchener.” The region’s economy, which is largely based on mining and forestry, has had challenges of late, particularly related to forestry.
A broad-based coalition of approximately 30 groups has come together in the northwest to look for ways to improve the economy. Its final report, entitled Forging the Future, will be completed in the next few months.
The Ontario government wants Rosehart to facilitate a number of meetings with stakeholders, including the federal and provincial governments and aboriginal communities. “Most of that will occur in the fall, after I’m finished here,” said Rosehart, whose second term as president of Laurier ends Aug. 30.
The province would like a final report by the end of 2007 so that recommendations can be examined in time for preparation of the province’s 2008 budget.
Rosehart said he had been looking at several career options to pursue after he leaves the president’s office at Laurier. The economic facilitator post is a good fit, he said. “I needed to find something I was passionate about. My own area of research is public policy related to regional economic development, so I’m returning to my area of research.”
Rosehart’s new appointment should have little impact on his remaining months at Laurier, he said. “I will do some consultations between now and August, but it’s a non-partisan activity,” he said, adding that he will keep a deliberately low profile during the run-up to the Oct. 10 provincial election.
The job will no doubt involve lots of travel. Northwestern Ontario is an area that runs from Manitoba eastward to a north-south line that runs roughly through Wawa.
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Ontario Government Helps Low-Income Women Enter the Skilled Trades
Giving Women Opportunities to Achieve Economic Independence
BURLINGTON - Minister Responsible for Women's Issues Sandra Pupatello on March 27, announced more than $1.2 million to help low-income women develop new skills, find employment and achieve economic independence.
"This is a great time to be entering the skilled trades, as demand
is
high and will increase even more due to large numbers retiring from
the
industry," said Minister Pupatello. "That's why our government is
investing in
programs, like WIST, to create opportunities for women in fields where
there
is growing demand."
The Women in Skilled Trades program will fund five training
programs
across the province to help low-income women gain a foothold in the
lucrative
skilled trades sector. This year, women will receive instruction in
trades
such as welding, carpentry, landscaping, construction,
industrial/metal
working and mechanical/motive power at training institutions in
Sudbury,
Burlington, Waterloo, Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora and Hamilton.
The Centre for Skills Development and Training in Burlington
received
$200,095 in funding and is delivering an enhanced general carpentry
program in
partnership with the Residential Construction Council of Central
Ontario,
which has been a supporter of the centre's construction programs for
many
years. The program includes 30 weeks of in-class and on-the-job
training, and
a 16-week work placement.
"The Centre is thrilled once again to have the opportunity to
deliver an
enhanced general carpentry program under the Women in Skilled Trades
initiative," said Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer, Centre for
Skills
Development and Training. "We work closely with our construction
industry
partners to ensure that women graduate with the skills necessary to
meet the
demand for well-trained, well-qualified workers in the construction
industry."
"The Centre makes a great contribution to the community by
delivering the
WIST program," said Kevin Flynn, MPP Oakville, who participated in
today's
announcement. "Congratulations to the students who are embarking on a
new
career and a path to economic independence."
Mike Holmes, star of Holmes on Homes and an employer of WIST
graduates,
participated in today's announcement, "As a contractor for over 20
years, I
know how important it is to give people the proper training to do
things
right. I employ two WIST graduates who are excellent workers because of
the
great job the Centre does in preparing its students. Congratulations to
the
Ontario government for supporting this program and helping women get
into the
trades."
Including this year's funding, the McGuinty government has provided
a
total of more than $4.6 million since 2003 to train hundreds of women
through
the Women in Skilled Trades program.
<<
Other government initiatives to promote women's economic
independence
include:
- Investing $2.7 million over two years to provide
information
technology training for low-income women
- Investing $4 million over two years to 10 Employment
Training
Pilot Programs that offer skills training, education,
support and
counselling to vulnerable women.
MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN
FIVE NEW TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN IN THE SKILLED TRADES
The Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program will provide $1.2
million for
five training programs across the province to help low-income women
prepare to
work in the skilled trades sector, such as welding, carpentry,
landscaping,
construction, industrial/metal working and mechanical/motive power.
The
program will be delivered at training institutions in Burlington,
Hamilton,
Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Dryden, Kenora and Waterloo.
- Burlington
The Centre for Skills Development and Training will receive
$200,095 to deliver training to 22 women in enhanced
general
carpentry. The program includes 30 weeks of in-class and
on-the-
job training, and a 16-week work placement.
Contact information:
Ecaterina Jallad
The Centre for Skills Development and Training
860 Harrington Court
Burlington, ON L7N 3N4
Tel: (905) 333-3499 ext. 121
Fax: (905) 634-2775
Email: jallade@thecentre.on.ca
- Hamilton
AAT School Hamilton Inc. will receive $290,159 to deliver
training
in landscaping to 20 women in Hamilton. The program includes
30
weeks of in-class and on-the-job training, and a 10-week
work
placement.
Contact information:
Leslie Waychison
AAT School Hamilton Inc.
41 Stuart St.
Hamilton, ON L8L 1B5
Name: Leslie Waychison
Tel.: (905) 521-1121
Fax: (905) 521-8169
Email: lesliew@aat-school.ca
- Sudbury
Collège Boréal will receive $194,490 to deliver training in
welding to 12 women in Sudbury. The program includes 30
weeks of
in-class training and a 10-week work placement.
Contact information:
Anne Ouellette
Collège Boréal
21, boulevard Lasalle
Sudbury, ON P3A 6B1
Tel.: (705) 560-6673 ext. 3035
Fax: (705) 521-6007
Email: anne@borealc.on.ca
- Thunder Bay, Kenora and Dryden
Confederation College will receive $314,885 to deliver a
multi-skills training program to 36 women in Thunder Bay,
Kenora
and Dryden. The women will be trained in fields including:
construction, industrial/metal working and
mechanical/motive
power. The program includes 22 weeks of in-class training
and an
eight-week work placement.
Contact information:
Janet Arinobu
Confederation College
P.O. Box 398, 1450 Nakina Dr.
Thunder Bay, ON P7C 4W1
Tel.: (807) 475-6370
Fax: (807) 626-9584
Email: arinobu@confederationc.on.ca
- Waterloo
Conestoga College will receive $299,953 to deliver general
carpentry training to 23 women in Waterloo. The program
includes
28 weeks of in-class training and a 10-week work placement.
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Emerging Leaders scholarships will support some of the University's top academic students while helping to address Canada's shortage of skilled workers
WATERLOO - Petro-Canada announced a $1 million donation to establish the Petro-Canada Emerging Leaders Awards Program, on March 26, 2007 at the University of Waterloo to help address Canada's shortage of skilled workers.
"We're investing in students because we rely on innovation, talent and
technical expertise to support our business," explained Petro-Canada President
and Chief Executive Officer Ron Brenneman. "Our hope is that these scholarships
will encourage more students to go to universities and colleges helping
alleviate the shortage of skilled workers in areas critical to our industry."
Under the Petro-Canada Emerging Leaders Awards Program, top performing students
in the faculties of engineering, science and business will be eligible to apply
for this scholarship.
Scholarship recipients will be selected by the University of Waterloo and,
conditional on meeting annual requirements, will continue to receive the
scholarship each year until they graduate. This will equate to a total of
approximately $10,000 per student. In the first five years, more than 30
Waterloo students will participate in the program. In addition to the
scholarships, Petro-Canada will develop ongoing relationships with awardees to
give them insight into the energy industry and its career opportunities. With
the support of a Petro-Canada executive sponsor and team, this could involve co-
op assignments, networking opportunities, presentations and mentorship programs.
"Petro-Canada is to be commended for making such an important investment,
through its Emerging Leaders Awards Program, in the future of Canada," said
David Johnston, President of the University of Waterloo. "This donation will
help us help students overcome the significant financial barriers that all too
often discourage the best and brightest from pursuing a quality education,
promising careers and rewarding lives."
Through its Emerging Leaders Awards Program, Petro-Canada has set up
scholarships at a number of post-secondary institutions across Canada. The
program is already established at the University of Alberta, the Northern
Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and McGill University.
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Visioning Forum at Conestoga on March 29 Manufacturers to discuss keys to growth, productivity, survival of Canadian industry
Conestoga College will present a manufacturing forum to act as a timely
and informative discussion dealing with the future of manufacturing and
how this region can prepare for future challenges in an increasingly
competitive world.
Visions of the Future: Manufacturing Success in the Global Marketplace
consists of an afternoon session involving an audience of co-op students
from Conestoga*s manufacturing technology programs and an evening
session for an audience of industrial leaders associated with the
manufacturing sector.
The highlight of both sessions will be a presentation by a panel of
experts in the manufacturing field:
Steve Krar has had a lifelong association with the machine tool trade
as a student, tradesperson, teacher, author and researcher. Known and
respected worldwide, he is the author or co-author of books such as
Exploring Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Technology of Machine Tools
and CNC Simplified, as well as the developer of numerous courses and
workshops for the industry.
Harsh Bibra is General Manager for Fagor Automation North America, a
leading manufacturer of industrial digital controls, drives, motors,
motion controls, readout devices and feedback systems associated with
advanced manufacturing.
Duncan Curd is Manager, Automation Business, with Siemens Canada, a
producer of technologically innovative products for sectors as diverse
as health care, communications, energy and power, automation,
transportation and lighting.
Visions of the Future: Manufacturing Success in the Global Marketplace
A panel discussion on facing future challenges in manufacturing
Thursday, March 29
Conestoga College, Doon Campus, Room 1E05
Afternoon session for co-op education students
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Evening session for industry leaders
7:30-10 p.m.
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Desire2Learn and Respondus Collaborate to Increase Security in Online Assessment
SYNOPSIS: Integration of Desire2Learn Learning Environment and Respondus LockDown Browser Technologies to Increase Security in Online Testing Environment.
REDMOND, Wash., Kitchener, Ontario - Respondus Inc., and Desire2Learn Inc., announced the integration of Respondus LockDown Browser with the Desire2Learn Learning Environment to offer increased security for online testing.
Developed to provide faculty, instructors, and teachers with an increased
sense of confidence and security with online assessments, Respondus LockDown
Browser prevents the ability to print, copy, visit another URL, or access
other applications while completing a quiz within the Desire2Learn Learning
Environment. When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until
they submit it for grading. Increased security for online testing ensures
that learner knowledge is accurately assessed and that all students are
measured similarly.
"For faculty to fully embrace online testing, institutions have to
provide the tools that will prevent students from Googling for their answers
or accessing other applications during an online test," said David Smetters,
President of Respondus. "Respondus LockDown Browser locks down a computer
during an online test and seamlessly integrates with the Desire2Learn Learning
Environment. This functionality gives faculty confidence in online testing
and also provides a level playing field for classmates."
"With the integration of the Desire2Learn Learning Environment and the
Respondus Lockdown Browser, we take another step forward in providing an
increasingly easy-to-use, secure and seamless environment in which students
can be assessed, and instructors can rely on results," said Jeremy Auger,
Desire2Learn Chief Operating Officer. "Desire2Learn continues our commitment
to delivering on the needs of our clients in association with our partners."
Combined with features such as question randomization, quiz passwords,
and time limits which are already available in the Desire2Learn Learning
Environment, faculty and teachers will now have a comprehensive set of
security options available to them when designing a quiz. A single click
within the Quizzing tool is all it takes to set up a quiz that will require
students to use Respondus LockDown Browser.
Available immediately, Desire2Learn clients can obtain a beta version of
Respondus LockDown Browser from the Respondus website. The final release is
scheduled for June 2007, at which time beta participants will receive a free,
institution-wide license through December 31, 2007.
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Provincial Budget Brings Some Relief, Uncertainty Remains
The University of Guelph — along with Ontario’s other universities — is waiting for details from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) about how the 2007 provincial budget announced Thursday will affect its funding.
The provincial budget included a one-time $210-million allocation to universities to deal with immediate cost pressures. But that money cannot be built into base funding, so it will not help U of G alleviate its structural deficit, said president Alastair Summerlee.
That funding was actually committed to universities by the federal government in last year’s budget, but it has been held up until now. “I am pleased that the province has successfully negotiated the release of this promised 2006 funding, as I know it was a challenge,” Summerlee said. “It will certainly be helpful in the short term, but the money will not be available to address our ongoing structural deficit.”
There were few details about other provincial dollars in Thursday’s budget, so how much money individual universities will receive is still unknown, which means U of G’s budget situation remains unclear, Summerlee said.
There was mention of future provincial announcements to support the research and innovation strategy and environmental issues. Details are expected to be released shortly. “We eagerly anticipate information on these further important initiatives in the hope that they, too, will provide base funds to address ongoing crucial issues,” Summerlee said.
The budget did confirm that U of G will receive nearly $6 million for the BioCar Initiative, a multi-university project that involves developing and delivering biomaterials for the automotive industry. Guelph’s role will include creating new industrial crops that can be turned into composite materials used to make interior automobile components.
But the budget did not specify how the province would handle the increases in provincial transfer payments to support higher education announced in the federal budget Monday.
Summerlee said the proximity of the two budgets made confirmation difficult for the province. “But we are looking forward to an increase in per-student spending that brings us up to the national average.” Ontario currently ranks last among the country’s 10 provinces.
“We are also looking for the transfer to become base funding, so it would allow us to address quality issues for our students,” he said.
U of G initial budget assumptions for 2007/2008 (which were made prior to both federal and provincial announcements and before decisions about enrolment and tuition) project a structural budget deficit of $19.7 million. Nearly every other university in Ontario is facing similar budget challenges.
Many universities, including U of G, also continue to seek relief from the Ontario government to address requirements for funding of pension plans. Currently, U of G must pay $47 million a year from the operating budget to its pension fund under provincial valuation requirements.
Because of the uncertainty about government funding, Guelph’s preliminary MTCU budget won't be presented to Board of Governors until June. Tuition proposals will be presented in the context of provisional budget assumptions at the board's April 18 meeting to provide an opportunity for discussion about tuition while most students are still on campus.
The president and provost have begun holding budget discussions with U of G colleges and will address various town hall gatherings, including ones on March 28 and April 17.
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$15,000 will be awarded to winning students on Sustainable Future Day
Sustainable Future Day, April 2nd, Markham, ON:$15,000 will be awarded to Ontario students with the best sustainable future ideas for our planet
Finalists from York Region District School Board, Seneca College, and Trent University
Meet the winners of the "Building a Sustainable Future" contest, an initiative of the cement and concrete industries to reward sustainable thinking. Up to $15,000 will be awarded to winning students with sustainable future ideas for our planet. View this year's submissions at
Several high profile government officials, corporate sector leaders and community group activists will be on hand for Building a Sustainable Future Day. Tony Genco, President and CEO of Downsview Park will speak to guests in the afternoon about living in sustainable communities. Special guests (see itinerary below) will officiate and speak at the Awards Ceremony in the afternoon. Student trophies were designed by environmental sculptor, Dawna Robertson, from Kleinburg, Ontario, who will provide demonstrations of soapstone carving at the event.
Students and education professionals from York Region District School Board; Centre for the Built Environment at Seneca College; and Indigenous Environmental Studies at Trent University will discuss living in a sustainable world; and the Sustainability Pavilion will feature displays and demonstrations on sustainable development in a modern world.
In attendance:
* Donna Cansfield, Ontario Minister of Transportation
* Ernie Parsons, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services, Chair, Ontario Cement Caucus
* Wayne Dawson, V.P. Ontario Region, Cement Association of Canada
* Bill Humber, Chair of the Centre for the Built Environment, Seneca College
* Dawna Robertson, Environmental Sculptor, Kleinburg, Ontario
* Tony Genco, President and CEO of Downsview Park
* Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, Town of Markham
* Dan Longboat, Director of Indigenous Environmental Studies Programme, Trent University
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McGuinty Recognizes Colleges' Need for Quality Improvements & Research Capabilities
TORONTO - Ontario's college and college/university students will benefit from increased quality improvements and from capital improvements in the coming year as the McGuinty government invests $140 million into Ontario's college system, says the College Student Alliance (CSA).
"After 15 years of under-funding and seeing classrooms and buildings
crumbling at their feet, the McGuinty government is investing additional funds
to renew our learning institutions for the future," says Tyler Charlebois,
Director of Advocacy of the CSA.
In its last budget before the October 10th election, the McGuinty
government has continued its investment in advancing Ontario's competitive
advantage and prosperity with additional funding to colleges, universities and
skills training. This budget includes an additional $390 million to support
quality improvements and infrastructure and equipment renewal and finally
recognizes the role colleges are playing in the advancement of applied
research and innovation.
"We are pleased to see that both the federal and provincial governments
are now recognizing Ontario colleges' and polytechnics' contribution to
economic competitiveness through applied research and innovation," adds
Charlebois. "With roughly two per cent of college faculty and students engaged
in applied research, development and commercialization activities, this
recognition validates their work."
With Monday's federal budget announcing increased funding for
postsecondary education in 2008-09, college and college/university students
will be looking to the government to expand the 'Reaching Higher' plan to
ensure that all qualified and willing Ontarians find their way into our
colleges and universities.
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Ontario Budget Forecast for Students: Higher Tuition Fees and More Debt
TORONTO - The 2007 Ontario Budget released today offered no new funding for students, despite the McGuinty government's plans to continue dramatic tuition fees increases.
"This year the government heard overwhelmingly from students and their
families that McGuinty's tuition fee increases were clawing back financial aid
and closing the doors on many students from low and middle income families,"
said Jesse Greener, Ontario Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of
Students. "We are really surprised that McGuinty has ignored those voters and
held so firmly to a conservative policy on access to Ontario's colleges and
universities."
Since Premier Dalton McGuinty cancelled the tuition fee freeze in 2005
and announced tuition fee increases as high as 36% over the following four
years, he has received more than 50,000 petition signatures from Ontario
students and their families calling for a reduction of tuition fees. This
week, polling data collected by Feedback Research Corporation, on behalf of
the Canadian Federation of Students, demonstrated that 82% of Ontario voters
were concerned about the accessibility of college and university education and
75% supported tuition fee reductions.
"With such a strong reaction from Ontario voters against the McGuinty
plan for tuition fee increases, we really expected this budget to address
these concerns through tuition protection and enhanced student grants," said
Greener. "In this budget, all we see is the Ontario government finally
releasing some of the Federal money that was promised over a year ago."
The Budget largely restated promises made in 2005, including modest
infrastructure funding and an expansion of graduate student enrolment. "While
students are happy to see more spaces for graduate students, this budget will
barely accommodate the double cohort as it moves through the system," said
Greener. "Without an expansion of student grants, this budget leaves more
graduate students scrambling to compete for limited scholarships."
"McGuinty has tried to define himself as the 'Education Premier' but all
voters have seen is a trail of broken promises," said Greener. "High tuition
fees and the prospect of larger debt-loads remain this budget's forecast for
Ontario's students and their families."
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Ontario Centres of Excellence invests $200,000 in the Accelerator Centre to help drive economic prosperity in the Waterloo Region
TORONTO - At a special event today celebrating the first anniversary of the Accelerator Centre, Mark Romoff, President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence, announced that OCE and the Accelerator Centre will collaborate to strengthen technology start-up companies in the Waterloo region. OCE will invest $200,000 this year in the Accelerator Centre, with additional investments to follow in the coming two years.
OCE's investment will expand the mentoring and training opportunities for
young firms that are at the heart of the Accelerator Centre's offering. It
will also support an inventory of technology developed at the region's
research institutions - Conestoga College, the University of Guelph, the
University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University - giving OCE and the
Accelerator Centre exceptional insight into commercial opportunities.
"OCE and the Accelerator Centre share a common drive to turn promising
research into engines of economic prosperity," says Mark Romoff. "The
Accelerator Centre's work with start-up companies and entrepreneurs is an
excellent fit with OCE programs in research, commercialization and talent.
Nurturing the high-tech stars of tomorrow, the Accelerator Centre is
currently home to 17 start-up companies. Through the Centre, they receive
business mentoring and additional training and support services. OCE's
investment will allow the Centre to bring added value to more companies
critical to the advancement of technology in this region. The result will be
more innovations moving from research labs into new enterprises.
Gerry Sullivan, who steps down as CEO of the Accelerator Centre on
April 1, remarks that "OCE is a great partner and this collaboration is a
natural extension of a strong and productive relationship. Their investment
will allow us to develop further synergies to extend our reach and impact."
Incoming CEO of the Accelerator Centre, Tom Corr, says "The bottom line
is that because of this investment more area firms will be better positioned
to realize their commercial potential. I look forward to working with OCE to
build our programs for the future."
OCE and the Accelerator Centre are pleased to form this partnership
supporting new clients, new programs and new commercial possibilities.
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Jillian Ritsma wins 2007 Outstanding Women of Laurier Award
WATERLOO – Jillian Ritsma has been named the 2007 Outstanding Woman of Laurier.
The third-year kinesiology and physical education student, who balances a busy schedule of basketball, academics and community service, received the award during a luncheon at the Waterloo Inn & Conference Centre today.
“ ‘We are what we repeatedly do,’ ” said Ritsma, quoting the philosopher Aristotle. “I am proud and honoured to be here today to represent the women who ‘are what they repeatedly do.’ ”
“This luncheon today involves more than acknowledgement of our nominees,” she added. “This event is a chance for the community to take notice of Laurier’s female athletes and role models. It is a chance to observe how far female sport participation has come, and the bright future that lies ahead.”
Ritsma has played for Laurier’s varsity women’s basketball team for three years. She was recognized as the Female Athlete of the Year in each of her five years of high school for her involvement in basketball, hockey and soccer. As a member of the Bluewater Hawks hockey club, her team won the Junior Women’s AA Ontario Provincial Hockey Championships, the highest level of competition for amateur women’s hockey in Ontario.
Outside of Laurier, Ritsma volunteers with the Go Girls! Mentor program, an initiative offered through Big Brothers and Big Sisters of K-W. The program pairs inactive girls between the ages of 12 and 14 with mentors to build self-esteem and confidence while participating in physical activities.
“Jillian exemplifies the qualities the Outstanding Women of Laurier Award seeks to recognize,” said Peter Baxter, Laurier’s director of athletics and recreation. “She is an accomplished athlete and a stellar student, making her a fantastic role model for young female athletes looking to balance involvement in sports with higher education.”
Laurier launched the Outstanding Women of Laurier Award last year to recognize female students who combine athletic and academic achievement with an active commitment to the development of young athletes through community teaching or coaching. Ritsma received $1,000 and a gold pendant for her accomplishments before a crowd of more than 450 people.
Thirteen women competed for the prestigious award this year. Two of those joined Ritsma as finalists: Kimberley Coros, a fourth-year honours kinesiology and physical education student who is a student leader and events co-ordinator for both the men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams and the student trainer for Laurier’s women’s lacrosse program; and Laurissa Kenworthy, a fourth-year honours kinesiology and physical education student who has played on the four-time Ontario champion varsity women’s Ice Hockey team, and was chosen team captain this year.
The event also honoured WLU alumna Kyra Kristensen-Irvine, a former Laurier Athletic Hall of Fame student athlete who was presented with the Alumni Founders Award. Kristensen-Irvine, now a principal at Rowntree Public School in Peel Region, was instrumental in paving the way for female athletics at Laurier.
Through the event’s first two years, more than $100,000 has been raised for an endowment for the Outstanding Women of Laurier Award, which will begin granting awards to multiple female student athletes in 2008.
This year’s event was hosted by Beverly Thomson, co-host of CTV’s Canada AM. Dr. Dana Sinclair, one of North America’s leading sport and performance psychologists, delivered the keynote address.
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McGuinty Government's Commitment to Developmental Services Encouraging
TORONTO - Community Living Ontario is pleased with today's budget announcement of $200 million over four years in the developmental services sector as well as $7 million in new capital funding for community agencies. This is a step in the right direction to make sure that the necessary community supports will be available to ensure the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. The McGuinty Government began a transformation process of the sector three years ago and this investment will start to fill some major service and support gaps.
"We had hoped for a budget that would respond to the concerns voiced by
many family members and individuals from Community Living associations over
the last several months," said David Barber, president of Community Living
Ontario. "$200 million will be helpful assuming that the vast majority of this
funding will be available within the first year. Further resources are needed
to fully address the needs of the sector. We will continue to work with
government to explore ways to make additional investments in developmental
services to improve the quality of life for people who have an intellectual
disability."
Community Living Ontario and others had been calling on the government to
invest $200 million this year as the beginning of a multi-year investment that
is needed to address challenges currently facing the system, and to reduce the
urgent pressures facing agencies and families.
"This funding will start to make a difference in the lives of families
who are not getting the support they require," said Noreene Adam, a
Pembroke-area parent of an adult son who has an intellectual disability. "It's
heading in the right direction, but more needs to be done for people who have
an intellectual disability and their families."
Steven Muir, who spearheaded a campaign to increase the Ontario
Disability Support Program (ODSP) and who is a member of Community Living
Ontario's Self-Advocates' Council, said, "Word of a 2% increase to ODSP is
good news, and it would be nice to have this increase every year."
This year's increase, along with previous increments in recent years,
reflects a commitment to annual cost-of-living increases to ODSP. "This is
what we have been calling for and it is a positive step for people," said
Barber.
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Elementary Teachers Applaud Government Focus on Education
TORONTO - The Ontario budget released today confirms that the McGuinty government continues to pursue its commitment to enhance public education, says the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO).
"We applaud the government's ongoing efforts to rebuild our education
system by focusing on smaller primary class sizes, improved literacy and
numeracy, more resources for schools, and expanded English-as-a-Second
Language support," said ETFO first vice-president David Clegg.
Clegg cautioned there must be clear provisions in place to ensure that
the funding school boards receive for smaller primary classes is fully
directed to that objective. "The government must also monitor class sizes of
higher elementary grades to ensure they do not increase as the result of the
primary class size policy," he said.
Clegg stressed that while elementary teachers appreciate the government's
continued focus on public education, more work is needed to close the gap in
funding between elementary and secondary students. "We believe the government
will not achieve its goals of improved academic performance and a reduced high
school drop out rate if it fails to address the continued underfunding of
elementary education."
Clegg pointed out that the goal of higher student achievement also
requires attention to the issue of child poverty in Ontario.
"We are pleased to see that the Budget has recognized the impact of
poverty on educational success by ending the clawback of the National Child
Benefit Supplement, creating a new Ontario Child Benefit, and establishing a
process to raise the hourly minimum wage to $10.25 from $8 over the next three
years."
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents more than
70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario
and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.
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Dr. David Docherty appointed to Knowledge Ontario board
WATERLOO — Dr. David Docherty, dean of Laurier’s Faculty of Arts, has been appointed to the board of directors of Knowledge Ontario.
Funded by the Ontario government with a one-time grant of $8 million, Knowledge Ontario is a collaboration of libraries, cultural heritage organizations and educational institutions, which aims to support learning through public access to a collection of electronic resources. At Laurier, these resources are being incorporated into the relevant areas of the library's website, and include many full-text databases.
Docherty was nominated to the board by Sharon Brown, university librarian, for his “keen interest in politics, knowledge of the Canadian political scene, and fund-raising experience.” The Ontario Council of University Libraries, a sponsor of Knowledge Ontario, selected Docherty as one of two board members appointed to represent the university sector, along with Gwen Ebbett, chief librarian at the University of Windsor.
"I am thrilled to participate in this important venture,” says Docherty. “Knowledge Ontario is engaged in important educational outreach to Ontarians with a series of innovative and cutting-edge strategies. I look forward to serving on the board."
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Weston Awards honour top one per cent of Ontario's public and separate elementary schools
TORONTO - Eighty-five elementary schools from across Ontario were recognized as being among the top one per cent in the province at the annual Garfield Weston Awards for Excellence in Education dinner in Toronto Tuesday.
Awards were presented in three categories, each reflecting different
aspects of academic success. Improvement in Academics recognizes schools that
have experienced the fastest, most consistent improvement in their academic
performance over the past five years. Academic Achievement in Excess of
Expectations recognizes schools that ensure that their students succeed
regardless of the hurdles they may face. This award challenges the notion that
schools in rich neighbourhoods always do better academically than schools in
lower income neighbourhoods. The award for Overall Academic Achievement
recognizes schools whose students have achieved remarkable, ongoing academic
success over the last five years.
The awards are based on an analysis of the historical data of each school
included in the Fraser Institute's annual Report Card on Ontario's Elementary
Schools. Out of 2,812 English and French, public and separate elementary
schools from across Ontario, only the top one per cent (30 schools) in each
category are invited to participate in the awards.
"The teachers and administrators from these schools are commited to their
students and are working hard to improve education in their community," said
Peter Cowley, director of school performance studies at The Fraser Institute,
an independent research organization. "It is an enormous accomplishment for a
school to be recognized as a winner, a runner-up or as a school of honourable
distinction. Regardless of where they finish, they are among the very best in
the entire province."
Howard Jordan Public School of Port Hope, a community about 100
kilometers east of Toronto, won the award for Academic Achievement in Excess
of Expectations and a $3,000 prize. Runners-up were Ossington/Old Orchard
Public School of Toronto and Ecole Séparée Saint-Michel of Leamington. Both
schools received a $1,000 prize.
Transfiguration of our Lord Catholic School of Toronto won the award for
Improvement in Academics and a $3,000 prize. Runners-up were Walkerton Public
School of Walkerton and Ecole Terre des Jeunes of Ottawa. Both schools
received a $1,000 prize.
The top three spots in the category of Overall Academic Achievement went
to Toronto schools. Seneca Hill Public School was the winner and along with
the award received a $3,000 prize. Kennedy Public School and Denlow Public
School were the runners-up. Both schools received a $1,000 prize.
"Teachers and support staff at these schools are finding effective and
innovative ways of rapidly and consistently improving school and student
performance. At the end of the day, they are building a better school for
their students and this should be cause for a great deal of pride and
celebration," Cowley said.
The Fraser Institute is an independent research and educational
organization based in Canada. Its mission is to measure, study, and
communicate the impact of competitive markets and government intervention on
the welfare of individuals. To protect the Institute's independence, it does
not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit
www.fraserinstitute.ca
<<
Backgrounder: Complete List of all Weston Award-winning Schools
---------------------------------------------------------------
Academic Achievement in Excess of Expectations
----------------------------------------------
Winner Howard Jordan Public School Port Hope
First Runner-up Ossington/Old Orchard Public School Toronto
Second Runner-up Ecole séparée Saint-Michel Leamington
Honourable Mention
Ecole élémentaire catholique Saint-Victor (Alfred) Alfred
Ecole Elda-Rouleau Alexandria
Ecole La Source Barrie
East Wawanosh Public School Belgrave
Chalmers Street Public School Cambridge
Avenue Road Public School Cambridge
Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School Hamilton
St Lawrence Separate School Hamilton
Dawnview Public School Hanover
Ecole élémentaire publique Nouvel Horizon Hawkesbury
Hillsdale Elementary School Hillsdale
Mount Carmel Blytheswood Public School Leamington
Ecole Saint-Raymond North Bay
Ecole élémentaire catholique Sainte-Trinité Rockland
Ruthven Public School Ruthven
Ecole Saint-Dominique Sudbury
Queen Elizabeth Public School Timmins
Cornell Junior Public School Toronto
J G Workman Public School Toronto
Holy Family Catholic School Toronto
Churchill Heights Public School Toronto
Lord Roberts Junior Public School Toronto
Transfiguration of our Lord Catholic School Toronto
Port Royal Public School Toronto
Albion Heights Junior Middle School Toronto
Ecole Ste-Marguerite-d'Youville Verner
Improvement in Academics
------------------------
Winner Transfiguration of our Lord Catholic School Toronto
First Runner-up Walkerton Public School Walkerton
Second Runner-up Ecole élémentaire catholique Terre des Jeunes Ottawa
Honourable Mention
John XXIII Catholic School Arnprior
St Bernadette Elementary School Barrie
Sullivan Community School Chatsworth
Colchester North Public School Essex
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School Georgetown
Queen Victoria Public School Lindsay
Margaret Twomey Public School Marathon
Randall Public School Markham
Upper Thames Elementary School Mitchell
Ecole élémentaire Catholique Montfort Ottawa
Our Lady of Victory School Ottawa
Glen Tay Public School Perth
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School Petawawa
Valley Farm Public School Pickering
Rockland Public School Rockland
Seaforth Public School Seaforth
Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School Stratford
Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Elementary School Strathroy
St Vincent de Paul Catholic School Toronto
Earl Haig Junior Public School Toronto
Blessed Margherita of Città Castello Separate School Toronto
St Margaret Catholic School Toronto
St Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School Wallaceburg
Holy Name Catholic School Welland
Winchester Public School Winchester
Overall Academic Achievement
----------------------------
Winner Seneca Hill Public School Toronto
First Runner-up Kennedy Public School Toronto
Second Runner-up Denlow Public School Toronto
Honourable Mention
Katimavik Elementary School Kanata
St Jude Catholic School London
Ecole élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys Markham
Roy H Crosby Public School Markham
St Patrick Catholic Elementary School Markham
Coledale Public School Markham
Credit Valley Public School Mississauga
Sts Martha and Mary Catholic School Mississauga
First Avenue Public School Ottawa
Harrison Public School Toronto
Blythwood Public School Toronto
Prince of Peace Catholic School Toronto
Arbor Glen Public School Toronto
Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School Toronto
Keele Street Junior Public School Toronto
St Henry Catholic School Toronto
St Pius X Catholic School Toronto
Hillmount Public School Toronto
Courcelette Public School Toronto
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Toronto
Maurice Cody Public School Toronto
St Justin, Martyr Catholic Elementary School Unionville
William Berczy Public School Unionville
St Angela Merici Catholic School Woodbridge
Bellewood Public School Windsor
>>
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VP of Guelph University Calls Federal Budget 'Promising,' Looks to Province to Act
Promising. That’s how University of Guelph officials are describing the federal budget released Monday. It contained increases in provincial transfer payments to support higher education and more money for research-granting agencies and infrastructure.
“We are very pleased that post-secondary education was front and centre in the budget,” said Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic).
“The federal government recognizes the important role that universities and research play for Canadians, and we are now looking to the provincial government to follow through on these investments.”
The provincial budget is set to be released Thursday. Based on the federal announcement, U of G is specifically looking for an increase in per-student spending, as Ontario currently ranks last among the country’s 10 provinces. “We would like to see the provincial funding increased to a level that at least brings us up to the national average,” Mancuso said.
She also wants to see the province match the national investments that are made to university research through federal granting councils like the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
In addition, U of G is looking for the provincial government to invest more money in infrastructure and deferred maintenance.
“Our expectations are reasonable and appropriate,” Mancuso said. “Support from the provincial government is crucial as Ontario universities continue to face challenges of ensuring quality and accessibility.”
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UW holds fifth annual International Celebrations Week
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo seeking to raise awareness of diverse cultures on campus will hold the fifth annual International Celebrations Week (ICW), beginning Friday and ending March 30.
The week will provide an informative, educational and entertaining look into unique aspects of many different nationalities, as well as promote internationalization at UW. It was organized by a committee of staff and students.
"International Celebrations Week is an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to celebrate the diverse cultures that can be found across campus," says Heather FitzGerald, director of student life at the university.
The week begins on Friday with a Warrior Weekends, an event offering students opportunities for social interactions by providing a variety of accessible programs to enhance student life and develop leadership.
On Sunday, from 2 to 7 p.m, campus recreation will be hosting a HUG-a-thon at Columbia Icefield on the north campus, complete with a yoga-thon, kick-a-thon and spin-a-thon.
"Students will support Helping for a United Good in its quest to educate people about different cultures and faiths as well as get some exercise while they are at it," FitzGerald says.
UW's food services will be serving different types of food -- ranging from Greek to Chinese cuisine -- every day of the week, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Renison College will be hosting a free coffee break each day from 2 to 3 p.m. with the exception of Thursday, when the college will offer a tea break from 2 to 5 p.m. Everyone is invited and there will be a different theme each day. St. Paul's College will hold a tea party on Friday, March 30.
On Thursday, March 29, the Federation of Students will be hosting the annual ICW Cultural Caravan in great hall of the student life centre. The event features performances from various entertaining acts, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
"Students can get a glimpse into the diverse cultures that make up UW's global community at the Cultural Caravan," FitzGerald says.
For a complete list of scheduled activities and events, visit link or contact Heather FitzGerald at the student life office, 519-888-4567 ext. 36876.
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Universities applaud postsecondary education and research increases
OTTAWA - Canada's universities welcome the federal government's move to earmark more long-term and stable funding for postsecondary education through the Canada Social Transfer in today's federal budget, as well as a series of key investments in university research and graduate students.
"We're pleased that the government recognized the vital importance of a
high-quality postsecondary education system for Canada's future," said Claire
M. Morris, president of the 91-member Association of Universities and Colleges
of Canada. "Canada's universities now look forward to working with federal and
provincial governments to help identify priority areas for investment and ways
to ensure greater transparency and accountability to Canadians."
In addition to an increase in the transfer to the provinces in support of
postsecondary education, the budget contained a series of investments in
university research and knowledge transfer. "These investments once again
recognize the value of university research in helping to make Canada a more
prosperous country and better place to live," noted AUCC's board chair, Bonnie
Patterson, who is president of Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.
The budget also pledged to release soon a new and comprehensive science
and technology strategy that will provide the government with a "multi-year
framework for action" on research and innovation.
"Today's federal budget takes important steps to invest in research
excellence at Canadian universities," said Prof. Patterson. "We await the
release of the S&T strategy with great anticipation."
In particular, the association will look to the S&T strategy for
long-term commitments in several key areas. Especially important are the
indirect costs of university research, which cover such vital aspects as
operating and maintaining facilities, laboratories and libraries and
supporting knowledge transfer. "Today's budget invested a further $15 million
in the program, but we still have a long way to go until we appropriately
recognize the institutions' costs of doing research," Ms. Morris said.
Universities will also look to the S&T strategy for a recognition of the
importance of a broad base of research strength funded through the granting
councils in addition to the targeted investments that were announced in
today's budget. The development of a flagship program to attract talented
international graduate students to our country will also be important.
Overall, AUCC President Ms. Morris says universities are pleased with
today's research investments, which will help Canada to take its university
research efforts to the next level. These include investments in cutting-edge
research infrastructure through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, in
talented young Canadians through more scholarships for graduate students and
in a new program to provide hands-on research skills through private sector
internships for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. "This kind of
support for the next generation of Canadian researchers will help launch
exciting new ideas and innovation across the country," said Ms. Morris.
"Programs like these help to nurture our research strength and improve
knowledge transfer between universities and the private sector."
Finally, the association says that the budget announcement of $2 million
over two years for an international education marketing campaign to help
attract bright foreign students to enrol at Canadian universities is "a step
in the right direction". AUCC has long called for enhanced education marketing
and high-profile international scholarships so that Canadian universities can
compete for talent with universities in other countries and to help ensure
that Canadian students benefit from new ideas and a global outlook that
international students bring to Canadian campuses.
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Federal Budget Falls Short of Expectations: Ontario College Students
TORONTO - Canada's new government fails Ontario's college and college/university students again. In Budget 2007, significant increases for postsecondary education do not come until 2008-09, says the College Student Alliance (CSA).
"College students expected Canada's new government to come through on
their 2006 election promise to create the Canada Education and Training
Transfer (CETT)," says Matt Jackson, President of the CSA. "Students across
Canada united with provincial and territorial premiers and Ministers of
Education calling for a dedicated postsecondary education transfer."
Within its budget the government announced that postsecondary education
funding will remain within the Canada Social Transfer (CST) but earmarked with
an increase of $800 million in 2008-09 and 3 per cent annual increases each
year thereafter until 2013-14. In contrast, before the implementation of the
CST in 1992-93 federal funding for postsecondary education was $2.9 billion
and with today's announced increased funding it will only be $2.4 billion for
2007-08, which falls short if you take into account inflation and demographic
growth.
"Students were looking to the federal government - in today's budget - to
step up to the plate with provinces and territories to ensure that all
Canadians have an equal opportunity to an accessible, affordable and
transferable postsecondary education," says Jackson. "Without major
investments in per student funding, targeted student assistance and a national
dialogue on postsecondary education, Canada will allow emerging countries like
Brazil, India and China to soon surpass us in the global knowledge based
economy."
On a positive note, Budget 2007 did announce the launch of a review of
the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP). The CSA along with numerous student
advocacy groups called on the federal government to embark on a holistic
review that would address the needs-assessment process and focus on providing
students assistance without an unreasonable debt load.
"This review could not have come at a better time as a third of college
students will graduate with debt levels more often associated with university
graduates," says Tyler Charlebois, Director of Advocacy. "As the importance of
obtaining a postsecondary designation is at an all-time high, Canada must
ensure that all Canadians have the chance to access postsecondary education
and skills training."
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A Positive First Step for Post-secondary Education
OTTAWA - Canada's students are relieved that the Conservative Government finally took a first step towards improving Canada's post-secondary system.. The budget included several initiatives for post-secondary education, the highlight being an increase of $800 million in earmarked federal funding for post-secondary education.
"Students have been pushing for a dedicated transfer payment for years
now, and this is a step in the right direction," said Phillippe Ouellette,
National Director of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA),
"yet the government's commitment to increase funding to $3.2 billion dollars
by 2008-09 only partly makes up for the cuts made by the Liberals in the early
1990s."
CASA has led the way in calling for a dedicated transfer payment for
post-secondary education, which would require an investment of at least $4
billion dollars annually from the federal government to return us to 1993
levels. Today's budget committed to increased funding beginning in 2008-09.
"We're pleased that the government will be talking to the provinces about
how to establish dedicated post-secondary funding, but why has it taken them
two years to live up to their election promise?" asked Mr. Ouellette.
The budget also committed to reviewing and modernizing the Canada Student
Loans Program in the next year, another initiative CASA has been calling for.
"We need to review the way we deliver student financial assistance in
Canada, to ensure aid is going to those students who need it most, and to
address the issue of increasing student debt," responded Mr. Ouellette.
CASA met with the Prime Minister in late 2006, and lobbied on a variety
of issues, including a dedicated post-secondary funding as well as a review on
student financial assistance. Students are pleased to see that our their lobby
efforts are producing results and will no doubt be motivated to hold the
government accountable for the promises made today.
The budget delivered $35 million over 2 years for more Canada Graduate
Scholarships, but failed to address the impeding expiration of the Canada
Millennium Scholarship Foundation, which delivers $350 million in needs-based
grants annually.
"This budget is a positive move," said Mr. Ouellette, "but an increase of
$800 million to the provinces will not mean much if the federal government
does not act quickly to renew the millions of dollars in grants that will soon
disappear," concluded Mr. Ouellette.
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Federal budget fails to address chronic imbalance in post-secondary education funding
OTTAWA - March 19, 2007 budget fails to adequately address the chronic imbalance in federal funding for Canada's universities and colleges, says the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT).
"We are profoundly disappointed that the Harper government has provided
no new cash transfers for post-secondary education in the 2007/2008 fiscal
year," said James L. Turk, CAUT's executive director.
"The increases for subsequent years are over a billion dollars short of
getting us to the levels we were at in 1993, when adjusting for inflation and
population growth," he said.
The biggest disappointment for CAUT is that the government did not create
a separate transfer for post-secondary education as was widely anticipated.
"The Canada Social Transfer remains an unconditional block transfer, so
we still have no way of knowing how, where or even if the funds will be spent
as they should be," said Turk.
Turk noted that the federal government plans to hold consultations with
the provinces to deal with transparency issues and wants these discussions to
ensure that funds are spent on improving quality, affordability and
accessibility in post-secondary education.
"Today's failure to adequately invest in post-secondary education means
families and students will continue to bear the burden and face even higher
costs and student debt levels," he said.
Turk said that while CAUT is pleased to see increased research funding,
it is concerned that the federal government is targeting that funding rather
than allowing priorities to be set by the research community.
CAUT is the national voice of more than 55,000 academic and general staff
in universities and colleges across the country.
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Federal budget raises Ontario students' expectations for McGuinty's pre-election offering on Thursday
TORONTO - Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered $800 million in additional post-secondary funding for provinces and territories in today's federal budget. This investment raises Ontario students' expectations for additional post-secondary education funding in Thursday's provincial budget, according to the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA).
"We whole-heartedly supported Premier McGuinty's call to Ottawa for more
federal funds for higher learning," said Paris Meilleur, President of OUSA. "A
federal investment has been made; we now expect the province to deliver for
Ontario students."
Students will be available for comment after the Ontario provincial
budget on Thursday.
For more information on OUSA's policy and campaign activities, please visit www.ousa.ca.
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Conestoga Co-op Student Wins Provincial and National Honours
As part of National Co-op Week activities, Conestoga College will
recognize the outstanding college co-op student of the year, who has
earned excellence awards from provincial and national groups.
Marisa Havens of Guelph, a co-op student in Conestoga*s baccalaureate
Architecture - Project and Facility Management program, will be honoured
for winning the $500 award from Education at Work Ontario (EWO) as the
province*s college co-op student of the year and the $1,000
Emery-Dufault Award from the Canadian Association for Co-operative
Education (CAFCE) as Canada*s outstanding college co-op student.
The awards will be presented at a National Co-op Week reception on
Wednesday, March 21 from 3-4:30 p.m. the Blue Room at Conestoga*s Doon
campus in Kitchener.
Marisa Havens has completed co-op terms with Bruce Power in Tiverton,
as a facilities and services specialist, and with Sun Life Financial
Canada in Waterloo, as a space design and planning coordinator.
With her third work-term employer, Aecon Industrial of Cambridge, she
coordinated a project involving construction of a used fuel dry-storage
facility at the Bruce A nuclear plant.
Academically, she has received a number of awards for excellence - an
entrance scholarship, awards in her program for academic proficiency in
the first year and for highest academic standing in the second year,
plus an award for outstanding studio work and the Peter Finn Award from
the Ontario Building Officials.
She is also a member of Conestoga*s varsity fastball team and of the
Guelph Ladies Softball Association. A member of the Royal Academy of
Music, she performs with the University of Guelph Concert Winds
Orchestra.
National Co-op Week (March 19-23) recognizes the value and importance
of co-operative education at Canada*s colleges and universities.
Co-operative education gives students the opportunity to work in paid
employment related to their chosen fields of study, combining periods in
college or university with real-world experiences and situations.
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Hammond Lecture to Focus on Business Sustainability
Teaching business to turn a profit by thinking green is the topic of the University of Guelph’s seventh annual Kenneth Hammond Lecture on Environment, Energy and Resources.
Titled “The Business Case for Sustainability,” the free public lecture will be given by corporate sustainability expert and author Bob Willard March 22 at 7 p.m. at the River Run Centre.
Willard spent 34 years at IBM, including 20 years in management. Since taking early retirement in 2000, he has worked full time helping businesses to avoid risks and pursue opportunities in sustainability.
“Executives do not have to be transformed into tree-hugging environmental activists to reap the benefits of sustainability,” says promotional material for his 2000 book, The Sustainability Advantage, which discusses cases for corporate sustainability strategies. “Good environmental and social programs make good business sense.”
Willard isalso the author of The Next Sustainability Wave: Building Boardroom Buy-in published in 2005, which discusses how to persuade executives and board members to adopt sustainable business strategies.
This year’s Hammond lecture is sponsored by the new Guelph Institute for the Environment (GIE), which is part of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph. The GIE is intended to connect scientists, policy-makers and community partners to improve environmental policy.
The annual Hammond lecture series began in 2000 and is named for Kenneth Hammond, a former member of U of G’s Board of Governors and an advocate for environmental and resource issues and environmental education.
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Dr. Daniel Andreae receives Faculty of Social Work’s Graduate Honour Award
KITCHENER – If you are familiar with the social work profession, chances are you are familiar with Dr. Daniel Andreae. He is known to practitioners as the longest-serving president of the Ontario Association of Social Workers. Government leaders know him as a lobbyist (his decade-long campaign led to provincial regulatory legislation for the profession). And many others recognize him as an inspirational teacher and leader in the profession.
Now he is also known as the latest recipient of the Laurier Faculty of Social Work’s Graduate Honour Award.
The award is given each year to a Laurier social work graduate who demonstrates outstanding achievement in social work practice, policy development, advocacy and volunteerism. The recipient must also show involvement with the faculty, professional associations and social-service agencies.
“It is a great honour to receive this award,” says Andreae, who graduated with an MSW from Laurier in 1980. “I am most appreciative of the education I received at Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work; it helped to launch my career. Friends I made at Laurier are still friends today, so I appreciate the sense of community Laurier provides.”
To Marnie Morrow, who administers the award, Andreae was a natural choice. "Dr. Andreae exudes a high level of energy and excitement about all that social work represents. His participation in the field has spanned very clinical work in areas such as sleep disorders and Alzheimer's disease, to consulting and policy work; his ability to balance these perspectives makes him a great advocate for the profession."
Andreae holds a number of honours for his contributions to social work, health care, policy development and education. He was awarded the 1992 Governor General’s Medal for his contribution to the Alzheimer Society and the Ontario Association of Social Workers. He received the Canadian Association of Social Work Award for Ontario in 1999. In 2001, he was selected Laurier’s Alumnus of the Year.
According to Leona Chase, who nominated Andreae for the Faculty of Social Work’s Graduate Honour Award, his wide range of contributions to the field make him a worthy recipient. “I have long known and admired his many outstanding contributions to the social work profession,” she wrote in her nomination letter. “Dr. Andreae…continues to be an avid ambassador for, and a credit to, Wilfrid Laurier University.”
Andreae is currently the president of the Ontario Association of Social Workers (a position he also held from 1993-2000) and chair of its government relations committee. He also teaches in the Faculty of Social Sciences at Renison College.
He is the co-founder and co-chair (along with Dr. Frank Turner) of the Social Work Doctor’s Colloquium and the Social Work Doctor’s Institute. He served as the executive director of a health education agency that started the National Eating Disorder Information Centre at Toronto Hospital. The Alzheimer Society for Metropolitan Toronto began the Wandering Person Registry under his tenure as executive director.
As well as honouring the work of an individual, the Graduate Honour Award promotes social work’s role in the community and recognizes Laurier’s Faculty of Social Work as a leader in the field of social work education and training. Previous award winners include: Marg Notar, Angela Hovey, Judy Finlay, Gebrehiwot Berihun and Pauline King.
The award is part of the Faculty of Social Work’s celebration of National Social Work Week, which is celebrated annually across Canada during the month of March.
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Sustainable Future Day, April 2nd, Markham, ON:
$15,000 will be awarded to Ontario students with the best sustainable future ideas for our planet
Finalists from York Region District School Board, Seneca College, and Trent University
Meet the winners of the "Building a Sustainable Future" contest, an initiative of the cement and concrete industries to reward sustainable thinking. Up to $15,000 will be awarded to winning students with sustainable future ideas for our planet. View this year's submissions at
http://sustainablecontest.cement.ca:
Several high profile government officials, corporate sector leaders and community group activists will be on hand for Building a Sustainable Future Day. Tony Genco, President and CEO of Downsview Park will speak to guests in the afternoon about living in sustainable communities. Special guests (see itinerary below) will officiate and speak at the Awards Ceremony in the afternoon. Student trophies were designed by environmental sculptor, Dawna Robertson, from Kleinburg, Ontario, who will provide demonstrations of soapstone carving at the event.
Students and education professionals from York Region District School Board; Centre for the Built Environment at Seneca College; and Indigenous Environmental Studies at Trent University will discuss living in a sustainable world; and the Sustainability Pavilion will feature displays and demonstrations on sustainable development in a modern world.
WHEN: Monday, April 2nd, 2007
TIME: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM, with the Awards Ceremony at 2:30 PM (see itinerary below)
WHERE:Seneca College Markham Campus (see map below)
WHO:
* Donna Cansfield, Ontario Minister of Transportation
* John Wilkinson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of the Environment
* Ernie Parsons, Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services, Chair, Ontario Cement Caucus
* Wayne Dawson, V.P. Ontario Region, Cement Association of Canada
* Bill Humber, Chair of the Centre for the Built Environment, Seneca College
* Dawna Robertson, Environmental Sculptor, Kleinburg, Ontario
* Tony Genco, President and CEO of Downsview Park
* Linda Irvine, Manager, Parks and Open Space Development, Town of Markham
* Dan Longboat, Director of Indigenous Environmental Studies Programme, Trent University
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Outstanding Ontario elementary schools to be recognized at annual awards for excellence - Elementary Schools from Waterloo Region and Area Noticably Absent
TORONTO - The Fraser Institute will honour teachers, principals, support staff, and volunteers from the top one per cent of Ontario elementary schools at the 2007 Garfield Weston Awards for Excellence in Education, Tuesday, March 20, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Nearly 500 educators from across the province are expected to attend the reception and awards dinner.
Weston Awards will be presented in three categories. Improvement in
Academics, recognizes schools that have experienced the fastest, most
consistent improvement in their academic performance over the past five years.
Academic Achievement in Excess of Expectations, recognizes schools that
ensure that their students succeed regardless of the challenges they may face.
This award challenges the notion that schools in rich neighbourhoods always do
better academically than schools in lower income neighbourhoods.
Overall Academic Achievement, recognizes schools whose students have
achieved remarkable, ongoing academic success over the last five years.
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Event Details
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DATE: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
WHEN: 5:30 Champagne Reception;
6:30 Banquet and awards presentation.
LOCATION: The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front Street West, Toronto
Interested media are invited to the awards presentation and school
principals in attendance will be available for interviews and photographs.
A complete list of participating schools follows below.
Participating schools (Listed by award category and community)
Improvement in Academics
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John XXIII Catholic School Arnprior
St Bernadette Elementary School Barrie
Sullivan Community School Chatsworth
Colchester North Public School Essex
St Francis of Assisi Catholic School Georgetown
Queen Victoria Public School Lindsay
Margaret Twomey Public School Marathon
Randall Public School Markham
Upper Thames Elementary School Mitchell
Ecole élémentaire catholiqueTerre des Jeunes Ottawa
Ecole élémentaire Catholique Montfort Ottawa
Our Lady of Victory School Ottawa
Glen Tay Public School Perth
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School Petawawa
Valley Farm Public School Pickering
Rockland Public School Rockland
Seaforth Public School Seaforth
Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School Stratford
Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Elementary School Strathroy
St Vincent de Paul Catholic School Toronto
Earl Haig Junior Public School Toronto
Transfiguration of our Lord Catholic School Toronto
Blessed Margherita of Città Castello Separate School Toronto
St Margaret Catholic School Toronto
St Elizabeth Catholic Elementary School Wallaceburg
Walkerton Public School Walkerton
Holy Name Catholic School Welland
Winchester Public School Winchester
Academic Achievement in Excess of Expectations
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Ecole élémentaire catholique Saint-Victor (Alfred) Alfred
Ecole Elda-Rouleau Alexandria
Ecole La Source Barrie
East Wawanosh Public School Belgrave
Chalmers Street Public School Cambridge
Avenue Road Public School Cambridge
Mother Teresa Catholic Elementary School Hamilton
St Lawrence Separate School Hamilton
Dawnview Public School Hanover
Ecole élémentaire publique Nouvel Horizon Hawkesbury
Hillsdale Elementary School Hillsdale
Ecole séparée Saint-Michel Leamington
Mount Carmel Blytheswood Public School Leamington
Ecole Saint-Raymond North Bay
Howard Jordan Public School Port Hope
Ecole élémentaire catholique Sainte-Trinité Rockland
Ruthven Public School Ruthven
Ecole Saint-Dominique Sudbury
Queen Elizabeth Public School Timmins
Cornell Junior Public School Toronto
J G Workman Public School Toronto
Ossington/Old Orchard Public School Toronto
Holy Family Catholic School Toronto
Churchill Heights Public School Toronto
Lord Roberts Junior Public School Toronto
Transfiguration of our Lord Catholic School Toronto
Port Royal Public School Toronto
Albion Heights Junior Middle School Toronto
Ecole Ste-Marguerite-d'Youville Verner
Overall Academic Achievement
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Katimavik Elementary School Kanata
St Jude Catholic School London
Ecole élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys Markham
Roy H Crosby Public School Markham
St Patrick Catholic Elementary School Markham
Coledale Public School Markham
Credit Valley Public School Mississauga
Sts Martha and Mary Catholic School Mississauga
First Avenue Public School Ottawa
Kennedy Public School Toronto
Harrison Public School Toronto
Blythwood Public School Toronto
Seneca Hill Public School Toronto
Prince of Peace Catholic School Toronto
Denlow Public School Toronto
Arbor Glen Public School Toronto
Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School Toronto
Keele Street Junior Public School Toronto
St Henry Catholic School Toronto
St Pius X Catholic School Toronto
Hillmount Public School Toronto
Courcelette Public School Toronto
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Toronto
Maurice Cody Public School Toronto
St Justin, Martyr Catholic Elementary School Unionville
William Berczy Public School Unionville
St Angela Merici Catholic School Woodbridge
Bellewood Public School Windsor
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UW hosts high school robot enthusiasts participating in FIRST robotics contest
WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo will host robot enthusiasts from high schools across Ontario next week in the first round of an international robotics competition.
The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition challenges teams of high school students and their mentors from around the world to solve a common problem in a six-week period using a standard parts kit and common set of rules.
This year, teams are building robots to play a game where the objective is to score points by hanging inflatable tubes on a large rack. Also, at the end of the match, some robots will turn into ramps that their partners can climb to score extra points.
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