The province is working with local municipalities to determine options for a sustainable path forward for agricultural education in Eastern Ontario.
In December 2014, Ontario received reports from two facilitators appointed by the province, Lyle Vanclief and Marc Godbout, on the future of the University of Guelph's Kemptville and Alfred campuses.
Ontario is now taking steps to address the future of agricultural education in Eastern Ontario, including:
- Ensuring the current cohort of Alfred Campus students finish their studies and accepting a new intake of students for the 2015-2016 school year
- Working to ensure both Kemptville and Alfred campuses remain positive economic assets for the communities they serve
- Working with the municipality of North Grenville to provide resources and support, and establishing a working group to explore new models for delivering agricultural learning, training and instruction at the Kemptville Campus
- Maintaining the Kemptville Campus facility for public use as the government enters into negotiation with North Grenville to transfer the property to the municipality
- Assisting local communities to develop a strategic approach to long-term ownership of the Alfred Campus, crafted to maximize the economic potential of the facility
Ensuring the sustainability of agricultural education and supporting French-language postsecondary education are part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive business climate on a foundation of fiscal responsibility, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Source: OMAFRA