Major Organizations Back Canadian Network for Post-Secondary Access

TORONTO - Several major organizations have convened to form the Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership (CPSAP) to improve access to post-secondary education. Research indicates that non-financial barriers pose as great a challenge to accessing post-secondary education as do financial difficulties. Four out of 10 Canadians either do not finish high school, or do not attend or complete post-secondary education. The Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership aims to apply research that identifies best practices and exemplary community-based initiatives, and to provide professional development opportunities and tools for new and existing programs and centres. The partnership will also develop provincial and territorial access networks.

CPSAP has been formed with the initial facilitation of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, to ensure a consortium approach to the issue of access in Canada. The Foundation has been working with the National College Access Network to adapt sustainable models of community-based initiatives to address the challenges of post-secondary access now and in the future. The YMCA joined the partnership in December, 2007 and has been actively developing access centres and programs, beginning in Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton.

At the international conference exploring the issues around access, Neither a Moment nor a Mind to Waste, a new corporate partner has pledged its support. Lou Pagnutti, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young Canada, joined with the Chairperson of NCAN and the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Toronto at the conference policy summit to take strides to unite leading Canadian organizations in the post-secondary access endeavour.

"Ernst & Young is committed to achieving potential and helping people realize their goals," says Lou Pagnutti, Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young Canada. "We believe our people are our greatest asset. When we open educational doors to the next generation, we move them one step closer to a productive and innovative future. Partnerships like this are essential to that future."

The YMCA, NCAN and EY will work together to attract additional partners across many disciplines, including education, business, foundations and non-governmental organizations.

"The Canadian Post-Secondary Access Partnership will have a corporate partner with an impressive history of developing and growing innovative, people-focused education, outreach and recognition initiatives", says Norman Riddell, Executive Director of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. "I look forward to many other corporations, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and educational associations following the example of Ernst & Young by joining in the partnership.