Ottawa, December 6, 2019 – Denise Amyot, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada issued the following statement on the Speech from the Throne to open the first session of the 43rd Parliament of Canada.
“I was incredibly pleased to be invited to attend the reading of this Speech from the Throne, which touched on so many of the priorities identified by our members, as outlined in our latest submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
“This included support for students, a renewed commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, support for entrepreneurs and SMEs, and the promise of further investments in infrastructure and innovation. The focus on green infrastructure required to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions was also evident and very much in line with the needs of colleges and institutes, who are leaders in this area.”
“We were also happy to see the government will work to provide targeted resources for international development assistance, specifically mentioning investments in education and gender equality.”
“Like this government, we firmly believe that an educated Canada is a successful Canada and were pleased to see a commitment to supporting students and new graduates, including mid-career learners who need new skills to thrive. We look forward to working with all Parliamentarians and stakeholders to make more accessible the flexible learning options Canadians need in these times of rapid change and disruption.”
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cegeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.
-30-
For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
Email: jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Phone: 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter: @CollegeCan