STURGEON FALLS – The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that all Canadians can access an education in the official language of their choice. Investing in post-secondary institutions is essential in equipping young people for their future and encourage the vitality of official language minority communities.
Marc Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and to the Minister of Official Languages, announced an investment of more than $560,000 for Collège Boréal. He was accompanied by Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue. They made the announcement on behalf of Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
With this investment, Collège Boréal renovated certain facilities at the Nipissing Campus at École Franco-Cité in Sturgeon Falls, with the goals of:
- Adapting its training services;
- Supporting the success of minority Francophone students;
- Increasing its visibility and recruitment among high school students;
- Increasing exchanges between secondary and post-secondary education levels.
Renovation work included the interior and exterior of the campus building. Interior improvements included renovating reception areas, adding staff offices, relocating video projection rooms and teaching rooms, painting rooms, replacing carpets, installing mechanical systems for air intake and cooling, and converting a classroom into a computer workspace and warehouse.
Exterior renovations focused on the building’s front façade. This involved replacing windows, enhancing the building’s appearance with a painting on decorative panels and adding a promotional electronic sign. Since completion, the Nipissing Campus now has 11 new workspaces for post-secondary services and employment staff.
A tenant for 27 years, Collège Boréal also relocated its job search services centre to the Nipissing Campus. This essential modernization will reinforce and extend the partnership between the Franco-Ontarian educational institution and community.
This project was made possible by the Development of Official Language Communities – Minority-Language Education program and the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028.
“The renovation of the Nipissing Campus is much more than a simple modernization, it is an investment in the future of French education in minority communities. We support student success and are strengthening our commitment to the community. By partnering with the province on this project, we are contributing to the economic, social and cultural vitality of the French-speaking community in Northern Ontario.” – Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages
“Investing in the renovation of Collège Boréal’s Nipissing facility is more than a simple modernization. By creating collaborative learning spaces, we are encouraging productive exchanges that nurture the academic spirit and strengthen cohesion within the educational community.” – Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue