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Ottawa Citizen
03-07-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Families fighting to save Algonquin program for special needs students
Article content 'It provides young people with opportunities like everyone else gets. It's an investment tin them.' Article content Burgin has been aware of the program for the past four or five years. The plan has been that Angie take the program after high school. Article content 'We want her to be active and involved in the community,' he said. 'She's very social, caring and compassionate. She's by nature a helper.' Article content White argues that it's important that AAADD be offered on a college campus. Article content 'It allows people with exceptionalities to have the college experience,' she said. 'It better prepares them for the workforce and to be contributing members of the community.' Article content In a statement, Algonquin said AAADD has about 70 students as of last month. The program will wrap up on April 30, 2026. Article content 'The AAADD program is essentially a unique continuing education program that leads to a certificate of completion. It's a non-Ministry program that does not lead to a formal credential. As such, there is no funding from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security,' said the statement. Article content Article content 'The decision is also a reflection of the college facing substantial fiscal challenges also being faced by the entire post-secondary sector due to a shift in immigration police and a prevailing lack of funding support from the provincial government — including operating grants and tuition freezes.' Article content There have been no new students accepted into the program for three years. No new students will be accepted going forward, said Algonquin. Article content There will be options for Angie in the world of work, said Burgin. She has already completed some co-op placements, including one at her school cafeteria and another at her local elementary school. Article content There are a lot of day programs for young people with special needs, but very little that allows them to get out into the community, he said. Article content 'They could take the curriculum and move it to another setting, but that would take away the college angle.' Article content Article content Pasma said she understands the problem from Algonquin's perspective. Colleges are facing deep cuts, and they can't afford to subsidize programs. Article content In February, Algonquin College president Claude Brulé recommended suspending 37 programs as the college grapples with a steep decline in international students and a provincial tuition freeze. Article content 'I have sympathy for Algonquin. They have to cut $60 million,' said Pasma. 'This is a program that they've been funding. We can't ask Algonquin to do programming out of the goodness of their heart.' Article content But cutting AAADD also affects some of the province's most vulnerable students, said Pasma. Article content 'The province is underfunding in kindergarten to Grade 12. And now we're seeing it in post-secondary,' she said. 'It doesn't matter what provincial department it comes from. The provincial government should pay for it.' Article content
Globe and Mail
04-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Expanding Collège Boréal's Ottawa campus to offer more French-language post-secondary programs in the nation's capital
Thanks to its new facilities, Collège Boréal is increasing access to high-quality programs in French and strengthening its collaborations. OTTAWA, April 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Web version) Collège Boréal officially opened its expanded campus at 233 Main Street in Ottawa today. During the event, Collège Boréal President Daniel Giroux and Ottawa Campus Director Daniel St-Louis unveiled a major expansion, increasing the campus size to over 13,000 square feet (1,200 square metres). This $4.5 million project was made possible through funding from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, and the Government of Canada under the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Minority-Language Education and Second Official-Language Instruction. Additionally, five new programs, unique in French-speaking Ontario, will be offered for the first time at the Ottawa campus, further increasing access to quality post-secondary programs in French. New facilities and state-of-the-art equipment Thanks to this expansion, Collège Boréal staff and students in Ottawa now have access to modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment, including: Five fully renovated classrooms A student success centre and an accessibility office A student lounge A new administrative area For the Veterinary Care Technician program: Two wet labs with state-of-the-art equipment An animal X-ray room equipped with new units Five new programs The expansion of Collège Boréal's Ottawa campus makes it possible to offer five additional programs unique to the region: Social Entrepreneurship Human Resources Management (Graduate Certificate) Fitness and Health Promotion Funeral Director Class 1 (Embalming) Funeral Director Class 2 (Non-Embalming) These programs complement the two already available at the Ottawa campus: Public Administration and Veterinary Care Technician. Quotes 'Collège Boréal's latest achievement would not have been possible without the support of the provincial and federal governments, as well as our community and academic partners in the greater Ottawa area. Thanks to their trust and contributions, Collège Boréal continues to work with other institutions in the college and university sector to expand access to post-secondary education in French and provide Franco-Ontarian youth with employment opportunities that match their diverse skills.' Daniel Giroux – President, Collège Boréal 'With its new facilities and programs, Collège Boréal in Ottawa aims to meet the expectations of employers in Eastern Ontario by providing them with the skilled, French-speaking, and bilingual workforce that our region particularly needs. Whether working in the public sector, private businesses, community or social organizations, our future graduates will strengthen their industries and boost our local economy.' Daniel St-Louis – Director, Collège Boréal's Ottawa Campus Quick facts Collège Boréal has been present in Eastern Ontario since 1999 (originally at the University of Guelph's Alfred campus), offering its Veterinary Care Technician program – the only one of its kind in French-speaking Ontario. Since relocating to Saint Paul University's campus in Ottawa in 2019, Collège Boréal has expanded its offerings, including a unique Public Administration program introduced in 2022. Related Links Collège Boréal in Ottawa will hold its next Open House on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Read Collège Boréal's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan More information about Collège Boréal in Ottawa Collège Boréal's Key Performance Indicators Information Benoît Clément Manager, Communications and Media Relations 705-560-6673, ext. 2722 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
