HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-25 Minutes Task Force for Attracting Higher Education Facilities
Minutes of Meeting
Friday, September 25, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Room lA
Present Were: Bill Humber
Paul Halliday
Pierre Tremblay
Dorcas Gordon
David Crome, Director, Planning Services
Linda Coutu, Executive Assistant to the Mayor
Regrets: Mayor Jim Abernethy
Valentine Lovekin
Deborah Patrick
1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Moved by Paul Halliday, seconded by Pierre Tremblay that the minutes of the meeting held on
September 11, 2009, be approved.
"CARRIED"
2. SELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR
There was a general discussion surrounding the position of Chair of the Committee and it was
decided that since not everyone was present that it be placed on the next agenda for further
discussion.
There was further discussion pertaining to the focus of the committee. There have many ideas
brought forward but perhaps the committee would be in a better position to select the Chair when
the task becomes clear.
3. PLAN OF ACTION—FIRST STEPS
Discussion ensued pertaining to the Durham Region Integrated Local Labour Market Plan report.
This report has compiled statistical data pertaining to the local labour market and includes a
section on educational attainment.
The committee members continued to discuss the strengths and weaknesses in our community
including diversity and educational attainment. Information gained from the report also showed
that there is a lack of skilled trades not only in this area but globally.
The committee "brainstormed" on some potential opportunities for a higher education facility
that would help to focus future activities. Subsequently the topics were assigned to committee
members with the objective that they would prepare a 2 page outline of each vision for
consideration at the next meeting. The assignments were as follows:
1. Skills Training for Specialized Need—Pierre Tremblay
2. Specialty Nursing/Medical—Valentine Lovekin
3. Water Policy/Technologies—Bill Humber
4. Opportunity Hunting for Institutional Satellites—Dorcas Gordon
5. Continuing Education—Random/Varied/Multiple—Dorcas Gordon
6. Agriculture—Bill Humber
7. Community Education Foundation—Paul Halliday
Further discussion ensued pertaining to local opportunities with Durham College and UOIT. It
was suggested that the Mayor's Office invite Don Lovisa,President of Durham College and Dr.
Ron Bordessa,President of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, to attend the next
meeting on November 5, 2009.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
It was suggested that the time of the next meeting be changed from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on
Thursday, November 5, 2009. The meeting room will remain the same (1A).
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.