Federal Transfer for Post-Secondary Education

While the renewal of the federal-provincial Health Accord has featured prominently in the press over several months, references have been few to the renewal of the Canada Social Transfer (CST) and the $3.8 billion contained within it ear-marked for post-secondary education. ACCC advocated for the renewal of the CST at the current level with the same 3% per year escalator. On December 19, 2011, Finance Minister Flaherty announced precisely that. We will continue to advocate for the separation of the PSE component of the CST as a stand-alone transfer with reporting requirements.

Brief on Skills Development in Remote Rural Communities

On December 6, 2011, ACCC presented a brief entitled Canadian Colleges and Institutes – Advanced Skills and Innovation for Economic and Social Development in Rural and Remote Communities to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities. The brief will contribute to the Committee’s study on Skills Development in Remote Rural Communities in an Era of Fiscal Restraint. We recommended that the Government of Canada improve the efficiency of federal skills development programs, continue to invest in essential skills and applied research, support partnerships with Aboriginal communities, and increase broadband access for distance education programs.

Andean Education For Employment (EFE) Program

In March 2009, ACCC President and CEO James Knight and Minister of International Development Bev Oda jointly announced an EFE Program for the Andean Region focused on Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. The program design was completed in late 2010. On December 20, 2011, CIDA informed us that the sign-off for the $20,000,000 Andean EFE program had been executed. The program will begin when a contract is executed.

Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR)

ACCC submitted a brief entitled Canadian Colleges and Institutes – Supporting Foreign Credential Recognition and the Labour Market Integration of Immigrants to the House Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities on November 16, 2011. We recommended that the Government of Canada invest further in college capacity to support immigrant integration and accelerate FCR through the following:

• enhanced advisory and assessment services for immigrants seeking additional education in Canada

• expanded occupation-specific language training

• a sustainable bridge education model in collaboration with provinces/territories, employers, regulatory bodies and post-secondary institutions

• expanded overseas pre-departure orientation and advisory services

The brief also highlighted the role of colleges and institutes in supporting international students’ pathways to Canadian citizenship. 

ACCC 1972-2012

This year marks the fortieth anniversary of ACCC. We have adapted our logo to commemorate this milestone.