Ontario Construction News staff writer
Algoma University is expanding its facilities at campuses in Sault Ste. Marie and Timmins to increase enrolment, and its development of a Campus Master Strategic Plan is being aided by an investment through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
The university is receiving $97,125 from Queen’s Park to help craft the plan, it was announced Friday. The plan will help guide the university as it develops innovative programming and better infrastructure that supports education and research activities that align with today’s industry needs.
“Today’s announcement reinforces the ongoing commitment of the provincial government and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation to support the efforts of Algoma University to position itself as a national leader in Truth and Reconciliation, as well as our efforts to quantify our economic impact and plan for future growth that will benefit the Algoma region and beyond,” Asima Vezina, President and Vice-Chancellor, Algoma University, is quoted saying.
The NOHFC promotes and supports economic development across Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects, big and small, rural and urban, that stimulate growth, job creation and develop a skilled workforce, according to a press release accompanying the announcement. New NOHFC programs that will:
- make it easier for more people and businesses to apply
- support more projects in rural northern communities
- target both existing and emerging market opportunities
- provide more work opportunities for Indigenous people
- address the skilled labour shortage in the North.
“With this investment, we are reinforcing the north’s competitive advantage and sending a signal to the world that Northern Ontario is open for business and open for jobs,” Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities and MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, is quoted saying.
Quick Facts about the NOHFC:
- Algoma University also received $25,000 through the NOHFC to host the fifth annual National Building Reconciliation Forum last October in Sault Ste. Marie, in partnership with Nipissing University, the University of Northern British Columbia, Cape Breton University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig. The forum brings together senior university officials and Indigenous leaders from across Canada to create meaningful and lasting institutional change in the higher education sector to advance reconciliation.
- Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $148 million in 1,073 projects in Northern Ontario. This has leveraged more than $699 million in investment and created or retained 3,116 jobs.