Colleges and Institutes Pleased with Government Commitment

Ottawa, March 19, 2007 - Canada’s 150 colleges and institutes of technology acknowledge the federal government’s decision to finally re-invest in post-secondary education and training, through increased transfer payments for post-secondary education, an additional $500 million investment in labour market training and the creation of a $48 million research and innovation fund supporting the research collaboration between firms and colleges/institutes.

“Canadian colleges and institutes of technology serve 1,000 communities in Canada, each of which has specific needs. We are heartened to see a step in the right direction by allotting new financial resources to strengthen these institutions and their innovative capacities, which are essential to Canadian competitiveness,” said Gerry Brown, President, Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

However, the Association strongly believes that the post-secondary education transfer should be targeted.

Colleges and institutes are urging continued federal-provincial collaboration to ensure that transfer monies actually reach post-secondary institutions and contribute to the progress of a world-class system and the advantages it brings in all urban, rural and remote regions of the country.

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges is the national and international voice of 150 Canadian colleges, cégeps, institutes of technology and university-colleges. Visit www.accc.ca for more information.

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Contact:

Gerry Brown
President
Association of Canadian Community Colleges
Tel.: (613) 746-6492

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Detailed list of benefits to colleges and insitutes