April 26, 2013
CHURCHILL, Manitoba (April 26, 2013) – Delegates at the Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable meeting held in Churchill, Manitoba, reaffirmed their commitment to strong partnerships and friendships between Manitoba and Nunavut, and cited the proposed road project between Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and Churchill as critical to future development in both regions.
Representatives from seven Nunavut communities, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services Lorne Kusugak met with a Manitoba delegation led by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson.
Participants from Manitoba included Arlene Wilgosh, CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority; Colin Ferguson, CEO of Travel Manitoba; Hank Venema of International Institute for Sustainable Development regarding the Hudson Bay Inland Sea Initiative; Dr. David Barber of the University of Manitoba; Ian Page of Manitoba Hydro; and Brad Chase of OmniTRAX Canada Inc.
“This meeting is about taking our long tradition of trade and friendship to the next level as we work together on improved cultural, health and transportation links,” stated Minister Robinson.
The proposed winter road from Churchill to Rankin Inlet was a major discussion point at the meeting.
“The recent public support for a winter road stated by Federal Minister Vic Toews is very encouraging,” said Minister Kusugak, who noted that the project would reduce the cost of shipping and open up the region to further development of mining resources, which will create new jobs and opportunities across the North.
Speakers at the event noted ongoing initiatives that have benefitted both regions as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Manitoba and Nunavut. As the 2013 Manitoba Budget Speech noted, the MOU sets out a framework to promote development and strengthen shipping and transportations links.
“The road project will strengthen the economies of both regions and provide greater diversity of business opportunities in Northern Manitoba and Kivalliq hamlets,” stated Churchill Mayor Mike Spence.
The Ministers committed to raise the proposed winter road project in discussions with the Federal Ministers, on working together with them on next steps to proceed on this nation-building project.
The Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable, which is co-chaired by Ministers Kusugak and Robinson, includes representatives from the Kivalliq region and the hamlet of Sanikiluaq in Nunavut, and the communities of Churchill, Gilliam and the Fox Lake Cree Nation in Manitoba.
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April 26, 2013
Underused Offices to Close, More Services to be Available Online: Study
Closure of the offices will be staggered and begin in June of 2013 when Campus Manitoba will begin the transition to a fully online course provider with new services available in 2014, said Selby.
HUDSON BAY NEIGHBOURS REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE MEETING SUPPORTS MORE CO-OEPRATION BETWEEN KIVALLIQ REGION AND NORTHERN MANITOBA
Representatives from seven Nunavut communities, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Minister of Community and Government Services Lorne Kusugak met with a Manitoba delegation led by Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson.
Participants from Manitoba included Arlene Wilgosh, CEO of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority; Colin Ferguson, CEO of Travel Manitoba; Hank Venema of International Institute for Sustainable Development regarding the Hudson Bay Inland Sea Initiative; Dr. David Barber of the University of Manitoba; Ian Page of Manitoba Hydro; and Brad Chase of OmniTRAX Canada Inc.
“This meeting is about taking our long tradition of trade and friendship to the next level as we work together on improved cultural, health and transportation links,” stated Minister Robinson.
The proposed winter road from Churchill to Rankin Inlet was a major discussion point at the meeting.
“The recent public support for a winter road stated by Federal Minister Vic Toews is very encouraging,” said Minister Kusugak, who noted that the project would reduce the cost of shipping and open up the region to further development of mining resources, which will create new jobs and opportunities across the North.
Speakers at the event noted ongoing initiatives that have benefitted both regions as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Manitoba and Nunavut. As the 2013 Manitoba Budget Speech noted, the MOU sets out a framework to promote development and strengthen shipping and transportations links.
“The road project will strengthen the economies of both regions and provide greater diversity of business opportunities in Northern Manitoba and Kivalliq hamlets,” stated Churchill Mayor Mike Spence.
The Ministers committed to raise the proposed winter road project in discussions with the Federal Ministers, on working together with them on next steps to proceed on this nation-building project.
The Hudson Bay Neighbours Regional Roundtable, which is co-chaired by Ministers Kusugak and Robinson, includes representatives from the Kivalliq region and the hamlet of Sanikiluaq in Nunavut, and the communities of Churchill, Gilliam and the Fox Lake Cree Nation in Manitoba.
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The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the governments of Nunavut and Manitoba.
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April 26, 2013
CAMPUS MANITOBA TO MODERNIZE AND STREAMLINE SERVICES
– – –Underused Offices to Close, More Services to be Available Online: Study
As part of the Government of Manitoba’s continuing efforts to find efficiencies and modernize services, Campus Manitoba will close inefficient offices and move to online delivery of programs, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby announced today.
“A modernized Campus Manitoba will mean greater access to programs and more affordable services for students across the province,” said Selby. “It will also mean more course options will be available across a wider range of communities.”
Over the last 10 years, the number of students taking courses at the 14 Campus Manitoba satellite offices has dropped dramatically as more people are choosing to take the online courses in their homes and attend satellite classes and campuses through UCN, RRC, and ACC in communities across Manitoba. The original model of having distance courses in regional offices was built in the 1980s and has not adapted to the dramatic changes in the Internet and information and communication technologies. The new structure will free students from the classroom setting providing Campus Manitoba with the opportunity to modernize the services it provides to students and begin developing an online hub for students wanting to transfer credits or programs between post‑secondary institutions, the minister said.
Campus Manitoba (CMB) has been tasked with developing an online credit transfer system that will help students’ transition between institutions, from college to university or vice versa, without losing credits or repeating similar courses. For example, certified red seal tradespeople are granted two years credit toward the bachelor of construction management at Red River College, reducing the time needed to complete this degree to two additional years. This allows Manitoba to get the construction management professionals it needs faster than ever before, said Selby, adding the new CMB will broker more of these arrangements, which will benefit both students and the industries that need skilled workers now.
“Our government is committed to delivering services in a modern and cost effective way,” she said. “We’ve listened to the students who are telling us they want more programming available online in their own homes. This change is a big step forward.”
The minister said this latest change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline services and find savings for Manitoba taxpayers, which have included merging Crown Corporations, reducing the number of regional health authorities and consolidating government offices in all regions.
This Campus Manitoba initiative will save Manitoba taxpayers an additional $300,000 by eliminating the need for an office operating grant, she added.“A modernized Campus Manitoba will mean greater access to programs and more affordable services for students across the province,” said Selby. “It will also mean more course options will be available across a wider range of communities.”
Over the last 10 years, the number of students taking courses at the 14 Campus Manitoba satellite offices has dropped dramatically as more people are choosing to take the online courses in their homes and attend satellite classes and campuses through UCN, RRC, and ACC in communities across Manitoba. The original model of having distance courses in regional offices was built in the 1980s and has not adapted to the dramatic changes in the Internet and information and communication technologies. The new structure will free students from the classroom setting providing Campus Manitoba with the opportunity to modernize the services it provides to students and begin developing an online hub for students wanting to transfer credits or programs between post‑secondary institutions, the minister said.
Campus Manitoba (CMB) has been tasked with developing an online credit transfer system that will help students’ transition between institutions, from college to university or vice versa, without losing credits or repeating similar courses. For example, certified red seal tradespeople are granted two years credit toward the bachelor of construction management at Red River College, reducing the time needed to complete this degree to two additional years. This allows Manitoba to get the construction management professionals it needs faster than ever before, said Selby, adding the new CMB will broker more of these arrangements, which will benefit both students and the industries that need skilled workers now.
“Our government is committed to delivering services in a modern and cost effective way,” she said. “We’ve listened to the students who are telling us they want more programming available online in their own homes. This change is a big step forward.”
The minister said this latest change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline services and find savings for Manitoba taxpayers, which have included merging Crown Corporations, reducing the number of regional health authorities and consolidating government offices in all regions.
Closure of the offices will be staggered and begin in June of 2013 when Campus Manitoba will begin the transition to a fully online course provider with new services available in 2014, said Selby.
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