Former Supreme Court Justice To Head Higher Education Quality Council Of Ontario

16 May 2006

Frank Iacobucci, former justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and former interim president of the University of Toronto, has been named chair of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), Chris Bentley, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today.

"We are on the side of hard working Ontario families who want their sons and daughters to find opportunity through access to the highest quality postsecondary education," Bentley said. "That's why I'm very pleased that Frank Iacobucci will help us reach our goals by guiding quality improvements at colleges and universities."

HEQCO has been created to ensure continued improvement of the postsecondary education system by monitoring quality in the sector, access to postsecondary education and the accountability of colleges and universities.

The council will also monitor and make recommendations to the government on the new student access guarantee. The guarantee means no qualified Ontario student will be prevented from attending Ontario's public colleges and universities due to lack of financial support programs.

HEQCO is the latest way the McGuinty government is working to provide opportunity for Ontario's students. Other initiatives include:

- Creating 75,000 more spaces in postsecondary education for qualified

students.

- Doubling student aid so families can afford higher education.

- Bringing back grants for students who need help the most, including

60,000 students who are getting grants this coming year.

"We're working to ensure every Ontarian has a fair shot at success," said Premier Dalton McGuinty. "We're on the side of Ontario families who want the best opportunities for their kids to gain a postsecondary education and prepare for their future."

Under the Reaching Higher Plan, the Ontario government is making an historic $6.2 Billion multi-year investment to support postsecondary education - the largest in 40 years - to rebuild Ontario's colleges and universities.

"Ontario's students deserve to have access to the best postsecondary education in Canada," said Bentley. "Our province's future depends on it."

Disponible en français

www.edu.gov.on.ca

www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder

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MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT EMPHASIZES QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

AT POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS

Frank Iacobucci has been appointed chair of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO). Iacobucci has been deputy minister of justice and deputy attorney general of Canada, chief justice of the Federal Court of Canada and justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. He was interim president of the University of Toronto from September 2004 to June 2005.

In addition to other positions, Iacobucci has also served as vice- president of the National Congress of Italian Canadians, vice-president and governor of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Legal Studies and chair of Ontario law deans. He has received numerous awards in Italy and from Italo- Canadian communities in Canada. He has also received 11 honorary degrees in Canada and Italy. As well, he is an honorary fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge.

Iacobucci holds law degrees from the University of British Columbia and from Cambridge. A member of the University of Toronto Faculty of Law from 1967 to 1985, he served as dean from 1979 to 1983 and vice-president and provost from 1983 to 1985.

Improving the quality of higher education, increasing access, and getting results for public investments are the goals of Reaching Higher: The McGuinty Government Plan for Postsecondary Education. The $6.2 billion in additional money being invested under the plan is the single largest investment in postsecondary education and training in Ontario in 40 years.

As chair of HEQCO, Iacobucci will ensure continued improvement of the postsecondary education system by monitoring quality in the sector, access to the system and the accountability of public colleges and universities.

A key part of the council's role will be to monitor and report on performance measures, and guide the postsecondary education system towards improved quality. It will also monitor and make recommendations on the student access guarantee. The council will undertake research on quality, participation and access, and advise government on the best way to measure performance and institutional collaboration.

HEQCO is an independent body that will also help provide enhanced transparency and accountability in the sector through regular public reports on results flowing from the government's Reaching Higher investment.

By ensuring a quality postsecondary education system, the government is supporting its goals for strong economic growth and greater prosperity for Ontarians now and in the future.

Disponible en français

www.edu.gov.on.ca

www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416) 325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892

Source: newswire

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