Minister to encourage cooperation on educational issues across Canada

The new chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) sees his role as an opportunity to encourage a spirit of cooperation between governments on education issues.

Education Minister Tom Hedderson was elected chair by his colleagues at the conclusion of the two-day meetings, a position he will hold for the next two years.

�I am pleased and honoured to accept this role,� the minister said. �CMEC is an important voice for education in Canada. It allows ministers and their executive to exchange information, to discuss best practices, and to address common challenges. The chair is a key voice for educational issues of national concern. It is a high profile role and a responsibility that I take very seriously.�

Minister Hedderson was in Quebec City from October 4-5 to meet with his provincial and territorial counterparts. They discussed educational issues such as financial assistance for post-secondary students and proposed federal copyright legislation (Bill C 60) which, if passed, will seriously impede the use of Internet-based resources in the classroom.

As chair, the minister will work with the permanent CMEC secretariat staff to coordinate meetings, bring topics of concern to the table for discussion, and adjudicate all meetings.

�It is important to me that all jurisdictions get a fair hearing on the national level,� Minister Hedderson said. �I recognize there will be some issues that may be unique to one province or territory, or to one region, and it is my hope that during my tenure as chair of CMEC, all provinces and territories can work together to help each other achieve both our individual and collective goals in education.�

This year�s meetings also focused on the development of an action plan for Aboriginal education, safe and caring learning environments, and a Pan-Canadian Online Learning Portal.

Further information about CMEC is available online at www.cmec.ca

Media contact: Alex Marland, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 690-6047

2005 10 06                 1:30 p.m.