Sheridan College Students Win
With New Higher Learning Investment
Investment in Learning Environment
Supports the Success of the Reaching Higher Plan
Brampton – "Students current participating in postsecondary education in Brampton will immediately benefit from additional multi-year funding from the Ontario government targeted to support improvements at Sheridan College in our community," Linda Jeffrey, MPP for Brampton Centre, announced today.
"Record numbers of students have found opportunity in our colleges and universities – 86,000 more than when we started – and now students at Sheridan College will benefit from even higher quality education," said Chris Bentley, Minister of Training Colleges & Universities. "Ontario's new economic strength depends upon access to quality postsecondary education and training – which is why we're helping students gain skills that will last a lifetime."
Sheridan College will receive $7,591,340 to renew facilities and cover existing building maintenance costs in 2007-08. This investment supplements the Reaching Higher Plan which is an historic multi-year investment to enhance higher education in Ontario.
"Although Sheridan has, over the last 40 years, evolved exemplary campuses in both Brampton and Oakville we were delighted to receive this significant and much needed investment to ensure that they can be maintained for the future. Sheridan has posted growth of over 30% in the last 6 years and it is imperative that our physical plant continues to meet the needs of our students, the businesses and the communities that we serve," said Dr. Robert Turner, President of Sheridan College.
As announced in the 2007 Budget, the Ontario government is providing an additional $365 million to create a better learning environment for students in college and university, including support for new classrooms, modernized lab equipment, and greater energy efficiency. This builds upon the Reaching Higher plan's investment in new faculty, library acquisitions and student services at colleges and universities with $4 billion in funding this coming year, an increase of almost 40 per cent since 2003-04.
"Sheridan College is a jewel in our community and I'm thrilled that both our government and Minister Bentley recognize and rewards the extraordinary work that is carried out at the Brampton Campus on a daily basis," said Jeffrey.
"Our additional investment will not only ensure we have a postsecondary education and training system that is among the best in the world, but also delivers economic benefits to Brampton by fast-tracking projects at Sheridan College," said Minister Bentley.
Linda was elected Member of Provincial Parliament to represent the riding of Brampton Centre on October 2nd, 2003. In addition to her parliamentary duties, Linda is a member of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Provincial, Municipal and Federal Relations. She currently chairs the Standing Committee on General Government and in November 2005 was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Children & Youth Services. She was elected to Brampton City Council in 1991 and served as Alderman and then City Councillor for twelve years. Shortly after arriving at Queen's Park, Linda spoke to the Minister of Health and the Premier about Brampton's desperate need for a new hospital. In October 2004, construction crews and cranes arrived at the Bovaird Drive and Bramalea Road site. The new Civic Hospital is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. As well, Linda strongly advocated the redevelopment of the William Osler Health Centre's Peel Memorial site on Lynch Street - she was successful in her discussions and construction is slated to begin in 2009/2010 on this multi-million dollar redevelopment. In November 2004 Linda introduced her first Private Member's Bill entitled "The Home Fire Sprinklers Act, 2004". This Bill, revised and reintroduced in October 2005, is aimed at preventing loss of life to fire, by ensuring that all new residential housing will be constructed with fire sprinklers. Born in Cork, Ireland, Linda moved to Heart Lake in 1983. She and her husband John have three sons and a golden retriever.