Eleven Ontario colleges, including St.Lawrence College, are teaming up to fight tariff threats and strengthen the province’s role as Canada’s economic engine.
The small, northern and rural colleges have launched the Ontario Regional Economic Workforce and Innovation Network (OREWIN).
Officials say the coalition is focused on moving regional solutions forward to protect Ontario against economic and industry disruption and advance the province’s tariff response plan.
They’ll be leveraging industry, education, and community networks to deliver on Ontario’s workforce and infrastructure commitments, including:
Partnering on the planned $705 million investment to expand STEM and skilled trades training capacity.
Supplying a highly skilled workforce to deliver on $22 billion of new infrastructure investments.
Training over one million skilled trades workers through the province’s $2.5 billion investment, including by enhancing and continuing to deliver local apprenticeships.
Supporting the Ontario Labour Market Survey to ensure local and regional labour markets are understood and reflected.
“Small, northern and rural colleges are already key drivers of Ontario’s economic success, and this partnership reinforces our commitment to driving Ontario’s critical industries forward while helping Ontario workers navigate a changing trade and economic landscape,” says George Burton, OREWIN Chair and Canadore College President. Together we can strengthen the industries that drive Ontario’s economy – like forestry, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy – while training skilled labour and supporting local businesses as they explore new production methods, enhance efficiency, and compete in new markets.”
OREWIN member colleges include Cambrian College, Canadore College, Collège Boréal, Collège La Cité, Confederation College, Fleming College, Lambton College, Loyalist College, Northern College, St. Lawrence College, and Sault College.
***With files from Richard Coffin
