The Government of Ontario has announced that it will commit $90 million towards the construction of a new post-secondary site in Milton.
“Milton is at the heart of Ontario’s Innovation Supercorridor and is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada,” said Minister of Education Indira Naidoo-Harris. “The expansion of postsecondary education here will drive innovation and opportunity, and grow the local community. This new campus creates a path forward for young people, businesses and the Halton Region.”
Focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM), programming will be delivered in partnership between Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College. The new site will provide up to 2,000 new undergraduate spaces within five to 10 years.
“We appreciate the Government of Ontario’s investment in the Laurier-Conestoga partnership for Milton,” said John Tibbits, President, Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. “We look forward to working with our academic, industry and government partners to deliver relevant, accessible, career-focused learning programs that support the needs of the community, contribute to personal and professional success, and contribute to economic growth for the region.”
A range of programs will be offered at the new site to prepare students for work, including a variety of experiential learning opportunities, co-op placements and unique access to a ‘living laboratory’ on the Greenbelt/Niagara Escarpment. Laurier will also develop partnerships with the Milton Chamber of Commerce and its more than 700 members to offer students meaningful experiences within the local community.
Halton, and in particular Milton, is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, located along Ontario’s Innovation SuperCorridor, home to dense pockets of start-ups, research institutions, and world-class talent.
Population growth over the next 20 years is expected to be concentrated in areas in and around the City of Toronto, including York, Peel, and Halton Regions.