Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Work with Federal Government

COUNCIL OF ATLANTIC MINISTERS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING--
Ministers Reaffirm Commitment to Work with Federal Government

The Atlantic ministers of education and training met today, Jan. 14, in Corner Brook, NL, to identify common priority areas to begin pursuing a long-term plan with the federal government for education and training that will support and enhance Atlantic Canada's prosperity.

The ministers plan to meet with Atlantic Canadian members of Parliament of the Liberal, Conservative and the New Democratic parties in February to initiate discussions on the learning needs of Atlantic Canadians. During these meetings, ministers of education and training will outline the major issues facing Atlantic education systems and explore ways in which both levels of government might co-operate for the benefit of all Atlantic Canadians. The ministers recognize that the first steps in these discussions are to establish common priorities and develop a shared approach to meeting the education and training needs of Atlantic Canadians.

At the meeting in Corner Brook, the ministers agreed that there are new opportunities for enhancing the level of co-operation in public and post-secondary education and training. In post- secondary education, improving university and community college infrastructure and building a strong research capacity remain a priority for the ministers. They intend to convey to their federal colleagues that post-secondary education institutions have a uniquely important role to play in transforming the region's economy through innovation. They will investigate how they can work with the federal government to meet these challenges.

The ministers also plan to raise the topics of training and skills development with the federal government. Given that both levels of government exercise responsibility in this area, close co-operation is needed to enhance skills, productivity and mobility in the workplace. They believe that governments need to continuously support the workforce to upgrade their skills to remain competitive. A constructive, responsive and co-operative model for federal-provincial collaboration can lead to joint investments and build the region's education capacity.