The transition to a Liberal minority government saw many changes in senior portfolios, with new ministers coming in and critical staff moving around. This kept our government relations team busy for most of the year, meeting with a variety of decision-makers to explain the role of our sector and ensure our priorities were well understood.
Our CICan on the Hill event was particularly well-attended this year bringing college and institute presidents, government relations leads, and students to Ottawa in February for a packed agenda including panels, armchair discussions and over 40 meetings with members of parliament and senators. The event also included a showcase in which more than 70 students from across Canada shared their innovative capstone projects.
Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry Navdeep Bains, addressed participants, along with his Parliamentary Secretary Will Amos, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Chief Scientist Dr. Mona Nemer. Minister of Middle-Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance Mona Fortier also joined us for the event’s official opening! View photos of the event.