MEETING BETWEEN CHRIS BENTLEY, ONTARIO MINISTER OF TRAINING, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND JEAN-MARC FOURNIER, QUÉBEC MINISTER OF EDUCATION, RECREATION AND SPORTS

Toronto, September 26, 2005 — Ministers from Quebec and Ontario met in Toronto today in preparation for an October 6th meeting of provincial and territorial ministers responsible for postsecondary education, skills training and finance to be held at the request of the Council of the Federation. Chris Bentley, Provincial-Territorial Co-chair of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers and Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, met in Toronto with Jean-Marc Fournier, Chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), and Québec Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports. The two ministers discussed their priorities as well as major issues facing Ontarians and Quebecers in postsecondary education and skills training. They also talked about ways to ensure a fruitful working meeting of their colleagues from across Canada in October.

Following a previous meeting with the education ministers of the Atlantic provinces, Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and Northwest Territories and today’s session with Mr. Bentley, Mr. Fournier observed that common problems, such as labour shortages in sensitive economic areas, were already emerging. Since the demand for high-tech competencies continues to grow in all sectors, the number of new graduates will have to follow suit.

An example of the challenges facing higher education in Québec is the need for equipment in technical colleges. Updating and implementing programs will require funding for facilities and equipment. Minister Fournier noted that we must continue to support technical education with the latest equipment and facilities if this sector is to contribute fully to Québec’s economic development.

At the meeting, Mr. Bentley outlined his work to implement Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education. Announced in the 2005 Ontario Budget, this plan will see the Ontario government invest $6.2 billion more in Ontario's postsecondary education system over the next five years. “In today’s knowledge economy,” said Mr. Bentley, “education is the key to prosperity. A skilled workforce is the economic competitive advantage of the 21st Century. But education is about more than economics. It is the measure of our commitment to opportunity – the foundation of an engaged citizenry and a strong democracy.”

The two ministers agreed that cooperation among the provinces, territories and federal government is the key to success in meeting the challenges facing postsecondary education and skills training. They also insisted on the importance of close collaboration with the federal government to enable it to participate as a funding partner through the Canada Social Transfer, while respecting provincial jurisdiction.

The two ministers also discussed the best way to involve stakeholders from across Canada in a Summit on Postsecondary Education and Skills Training to benefit from a broad range of experience and ideas. The Summit will be hosted by Premier McGuinty and Premier Charest. The decision to hold the Summit was made by the Council of the Federation at its August meeting in Banff.

Sources:

Stéphane Gosselin
Press attaché to the Minister
of Education, Recreation and Sports
418 644-0664

Peter Fitzpatrick
Minister's Office, Ministry of Training,
Colleges and Universities
416 326-1628