The institutions represented in the taskforce (Photo courtesy GPRC)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta’s Colleges launch taskforce to support COVID-19 economic recovery efforts

May 7, 2020 | 10:25 AM

GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB – An economic recovery taskforce has been launched by Alberta’s 11 Comprehensive Community Colleges (CCC).

The taskforce will help local, provincial and federal governments, and industry in tackling economic challenges that have been brought on by COVID-19.

The taskforce is being chaired by Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) President and CEO Dr. Robert Murray. Other members of the group include:

· Dr. Paula Burns, President and CEO of Lethbridge College

· Joan Hertz, Interim President and CEO of NorQuest College

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· Nancy Broadbent, President and CEO of Portage College

· Dr. Peter Nunoda, President of Red Deer College

· Elan MacDonald, Senior Vice-President at Global Public Affairs

· Joseph Lougheed, Partner at Dentons Canada LLP.

· Lynette Tremblay, Vice-President, Strategy and Innovation at Edmonton Global

· Justin Riemer, Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Western Economic Diversification – Government of Canada

A release from GPRC stated that Peter Leclaire, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Advanced Learning and Community Partnerships Division with the Government of Alberta, will serve as an observer to the taskforce.

“This taskforce will align its work with business as well as municipal, provincial and federal government priorities to connect the community-based knowledge and expertise that exists within Alberta’s Colleges to have a direct positive impact on the economy,” stated Dr. Robert Murray in the release.

The taskforce will hone in on three main themes:

· Economic resiliency to address immediate needs

· Economic recovery to play a key role in restarting the economy

· Economic competitiveness to focus on long-term opportunities for Alberta’s Colleges to build Canada’s economic strength

“With a coordinated approach focused on the priority areas of talent and skills; innovation and technology; research and development; partnership and collaboration; and community building and development, Alberta’s Colleges will be an integral part of economic recovery and growth plans for all levels of government,” said Dr. Murray.

The release noted that work is already underway to identify the ways in which Alberta’s Colleges are currently supporting local, provincial and national economic recovery and future growth goals.

The group will look into how to support and develop this work to assist economic resiliency and recovery to address the immediate and short-term needs as it looks to future opportunities for Alberta’s Colleges to support long-term economic growth.