THUNDER BAY – A trio of educational institutions in Thunder Bay will share $2.1 million in federal money for skills training, development and innovation initiatives.
Thunder Bay Superior-North MP Patty Hajdu and Thunder Bay-Atikokan MP Marcus Powlowski, announced the funding for Confederation College, Lakehead University and the Matawa Training and Wellness Centre on Friday, on behalf of the Liberal government.
Matawa will get nearly half of the money, $1 million, through the Jobs and Growth Fund, to help with ongoing renovations to the former Dawson Court senior’s home.
The organization plans to use the funds to upgrade computer labs, build multi-use training rooms, a resource centre, a client program area and convert a main-floor garage into an apprentice training workshop.
The college plans to use its $889,975 to support its Evergreen Outdoor classroom projects, a fully accessible outdoor learning site that also has an indoor elders area, medicine gardens, a pathway to the river and a permanent teepee location.
Lakehead University is getting $233,700 through the Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation Fund, to support its Centre for Healthy Ecosystems and Environmentally Conscious Economic Development.
Rosemary Moonias, president of the MLC’s board of directors, said the money supports the growth of Indigenous people throughout the region. The money couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The renovation of this 150,000 square-foot [space] started in 2020. Construction costs have increased, resulting in a greater need for support,” Moonias said.
The federal government last summer announced $13.8 million in unrelated funding for the project.
Kathleen Lynch, president of Confederation College, said the outdoor learning area is an important step for her institution to be able to connect to First Nations students, whose enrolment numbers have dropped a few percentage points, to 17 per cent, since the arrival of COVID-19.
“I’m really happy with the support we’re receiving today,” Lynch said. “It certainly is going to support our Indigenous student population, and all our students enjoy outdoor facilities, period. It’s going to create more of a welcoming environment for our Indigenous students, as well as other students who want to learn about Indigenous culture and become more knowledgeable about where we live in Northwestern Ontario.”
Hajdu, speaking on behalf of the government, said the money is about building the capacity of Northern Ontario to ensure the region has the skilled people it needs to grow the economy. Canada’s economy is doing well, with high levels of employment, but there are areas that still need work, she said.
“There are pockets of people who are underrepresented, in particular Indigenous people have lower employment rates and lower opportunities for skilled training. Places like Matawa and Confederation College’s very thoughtful approach to land-based training and skills development [create] access points, so people can become the teachers, engineers, the skilled trades workers our economy needs. These are wise investments because they [support] growth now and into the future,” Hajdu said.
