Finance Minister Bill Morneau Makes Post-Budget Visit to Algonquin College
Mar 23, 2017, 16:49 ET
OTTAWA, March 23, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bill Morneau, Minister of Finance, made his first post-budget stop at Algonquin College on Thursday, fielding questions from students and getting a first-hand look at innovation in progress.
"I know it's so important for Colleges and private-sector organizations and research institutes and universities to all work together in creating great opportunities for our country," said Minister Morneau, who then addressed the students directly. "All of you are at an exciting time in your life. I wish you all the best in your studies and I want you to know that we are going to work to make sure that the opportunities are going to be there for you when you graduate."
In a Question-and-Answer session moderated by Parliamentary Secretary Ginette Petitpas Taylor, students asked a number of questions that ranged from transit passes for students to encouraging women in the workforce.
Algonquin College President Cheryl Jensen lauded the budget and the new funding it will provide for skills training and work-integrated learning opportunities. She also noted that continued support for Indigenous students was particularly important.
"We are especially pleased to see renewed support for Indigenous learners," said Jensen, who just last fall announced the construction of the College's state-of-the-art Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Learning Centre and Institute for Indigenous Entrepreneurship. "And we are also glad to see such strong support for skills and innovation, through enhanced funding opportunities."
While visiting the Algonquin College campus, Minister Morneau had a chance to tour the College's Office of Applied Research and Innovation. While there he met several students and learned about their projects, which included a virtual reality modeling tool, an interactive collaboration and ideation system, and two applied research prototype demos.
Algonquin College supports nearly 50,000 learners, including more than 2,000 international students representing 100 different countries.
About Algonquin College:
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in more than 185 programs. Based in the Ottawa Valley, Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario.
SOURCE Algonquin College
For further information: Jean-Guy Fréchette, Associate Director, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Algonquin College, Office: 613-727-4723 ext. 6427, [email protected]