Competition Report Overlooks Prime Providers of Skilled Workers

Ottawa, June 26—The Competition Policy Review Panel report, submitted today to Industry Minister Jim Prentice, has completely failed to identify the role of Canada’s colleges, institutes, and polytechnics as a key ingredient in Canada’s competitiveness.

The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) chastises the Panel for ignoring the key role of colleges, institutes, and polytechnics in post-secondary education, industry-education linkages, workplace training, commercialization of applied research, and immigrant integration.

While the Panel’s recommendations speak generically of post-secondary institutions, only universities are referred to specifically in the accompanying text.

“What a disappointment. How can Canada possibly meet the call for better coordination of education, skills, research, and partnerships with business, if Panel members, led by a University Chancellor, have forgotten the 150 post-secondary education institutions known as colleges, institutes, and polytechnics?” says James Knight, President of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges.

Canada’s colleges, institutes, and polytechnics are ready to do their part. These institutions are grounded in their communities, strategically positioned to meet the needs of local employers. “Are we to remain Canada’s best kept secret or be recognized as key to Canada’s competitive advantage in a changing economy?” says Knight.

As Canada struggles with a skills crisis that’s causing an economic brownout, colleges, institutes, and polytechnics are struggling with underfunding that limits their capacity to meet the needs of employers. These institutions have proven their worth as dynamic, responsive institutions producing highly skilled graduates.

“Do not forget the millions of college, institute, and polytechnic students and graduates who currently drive the economy.  It is now up to the Minister of Industry to correct the Panel recommendations by including colleges, and only then can a true national dialogue commence,” said Knight.

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For more information:

Lorna Malcolmson
(613) 746-2222 ext. 3123

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