Timmins MP Gilles Bisson was at Northern College on Wednesday touring the campus’ new Integrated Emergency Services Centre and participating in a meet and greet with the college’s international students with NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh.

During his visit, Bisson commented on the recent 10% tuition cuts for Ontario’s publicly assisted colleges and universities.

Bisson said he thinks the 10% tuition reduction is a good start, but that it can pose a problem for colleges since the provincial government hasn’t announced how they will offset the budgets of colleges to pay for it (go here to read more about how Northern College’s CEO and President, Fred Gibbons, reacted).

“It’s really not the Ford government giving the reduction,” Bisson said, “it’s Northern College giving the reduction. And that’s a problem for the college. I think it’s welcomed, but you really need to think about how do you make this affordable for the colleges themselves.”

Bisson’s visit focused mainly on the International Student Program at Northern College and how the students who’ve immigrated to northern Ontario are hoping to find work once they graduate.

Bisson said he’s spoken to the employer community in the service industry and others, and he’s spoken to some students at the college. He says there is a want from students to be able to stay here and work.

“That is really, really heartening,” he said, “because, of the people that we’ve been talking to, the vast majority want to stay here, getting a job. And as we know, we’re looking for mechanics, we’re looking for electricians, we’re looking for all kinds of different people, operators of equipment. Which is very hard to find in this particular market.”

Bisson said there is lots of opportunity here for students interested in contributing to the economy. He also thinks the timing of the International Student Program could not have been better.

“I think it’s good for the college,” he said, “it’s good for the students, it’s good for employer community and our community.”

The Timmins MP said the credit for the program’s success should go to the college itself. He credits Fred Gibbons and his team for being able to look ahead .

Bisson said he’d like to set up a meeting in the future between city employers, students and Mayor and city council so a discussion about meeting industry and employment needs can take place.

“Most of the people that I’m talking to that are in the service industry,” Bisson said, “would hire if they could, they just can’t find the people. And colleges are a good place to start.”

Bisson said he has been encouraging the international students to embrace life in the north.

“The thing I was telling the students earlier is that, once you decide to choose a lifestyle in northern Ontario and you embrace it, it’s really great.”

 

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