Ministers' Statement on Release of Kemptville and Alfred Reports

December 18, 2014

Today, Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs released the following statement:

"On July 11, 2014, our government appointed two facilitators, Lyle Vanclief and Marc Godbout, to consult and provide advice on the path forward for Kemptville and Alfred campuses, respectively.

Reports have now been submitted by both facilitators and we thank them for their efforts and for their thoughtful advice. Each report has generated specific options for the respective student bodies and communities. We appreciate the hard work and extensive consultation that has informed these reports.

Working collaboratively, our ministries are evaluating each report and fully considering the recommendations. We intend to report back with regards to the next steps for each institution by the end of January, 2015. We are working to ensure that all impacted students who are currently enrolled will have an opportunity to complete their program and that their studies will not be interrupted.

To meet our commitment to transparency and to allow for stakeholders and community members to review the reports, we are releasing them publicly today.

First and foremost, we understand the significance of both Kemptville and Alfred campuses to the agricultural and francophone communities they serve, not only in eastern Ontario, but across the province.

Our review of the reports will be guided by four principles. First, the path forward must take into consideration the needs of both current as well as prospective students at each campus. Second, it should consider the economic and fiscal impact on the communities and the province. Third, it should create an environment that encourages agricultural education and continues to support French-language students. And fourth, although next steps for each campus may be different, each institution will be treated with equal importance in government decision making going forward.

Again, we thank both facilitators for their work. The government will expeditiously review and consider both reports' findings and we encourage stakeholders to read and review them over the coming weeks."

For more information:

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs:
Bryan Bossin, Minister's Office, 416-326-3069
Susin Micallef, Communications Branch, 519-826-3145

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities:
Zak Paget, Minister's Office, 416-326-9513
May Nazar, Communications Branch, 416-325-2746

Office of Francophone Affairs:
Christine Michaud , Minister's Office, 416-473-5226
Charles Jean Sucsan, Communications Branch 416-325-4968

ontario.ca/agriculture-news