Colleges Ontario

TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2005 - Canada is undergoing dramatic changes in its workforce, as seen in Ontario with lost manufacturing jobs, layoffs in the giant auto sector and the closing and downsizing of paper mills in the North.

On Thursday, Nov. 24, leaders in industry, education, labour and government will gather to discuss the challenges in today's workforce and the steps that must be taken to develop a National Skills Strategy.

The forum is part of the Ontario colleges' Pathway to Prosperity consultation, a provincewide dialogue on the workforce challenges of the 21st century. The colleges have been hosting breakfast meetings, roundtable discussions and other events to gather input and ideas, and people have also responded online at www.pathwaytoprosperity.ca.

The Nov. 24 forum in Toronto will include the following expert panel:

• Jeffrey Simpson, the national affairs columnist for the Globe and Mail.
• Buzz Hargrove, the national president of the Canadian Auto Workers Union.
• Jayson Myers, senior vice-president and chief economist with the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters.

The forum will also include a keynote address by the Hon. Chris Bentley,
the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

The Pathway to Prosperity forum will be held at the Marriott Hotel in the
Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, in Ballroom A from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Location:
Marriott Hotel, Ballroom A, 525 Bay Street, Toronto

Agenda:

8:45 a.m. - Opening remarks by Ann Buller, President of Centennial College in Toronto.

8:55 a.m. - Panel discussion, featuring Jeffrey Simpson, Buzz Hargrove and Jayson Myers.

9:45 a.m. - Roundtable discussions.

11:10 a.m. - Remarks by Hon. Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

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For further information:


Rob Savage
Senior Communications and Media Officer
Association of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology of Ontario,
(416) 596-0744, ext. 239, savage@acaato.on.ca