New university campus promised for Milton
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2016
New university campus promised for Milton
(Halton Region) – A new university campus has been promised for Milton.
Advanced Education and Skills Development Minister Deb Matthews was in Milton on
October 26 to announce that the Province plans to create new university-led,
postsecondary education sites in both Milton and Brampton.
According to the Government, a call for proposals will be released in January 2017.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott, who attended the announcement, believes the
news is a step in the right direction.
“I’ve been calling on the Government to approve Wilfrid Laurier University’s proposal for
a new Milton campus for some time,” Mr. Arnott said. “While the Minister didn’t
specifically mention Laurier, given the groundwork that Laurier has already laid for a new
Milton campus, it would appear that this announcement is preparing the way for the
eventual approval of Laurier’s proposal.”
The university has already secured land at no cost to government, land-use planning is
well underway, and infrastructure servicing has been secured.
Mr. Arnott believes that Halton Region is an ideal location for a new university campus
given its rapidly growing population, which is expected to exceed one million by 2041.
“Greater access to postsecondary education in our area will be welcomed by my
constituents,” Mr. Arnott added.
Mr. Arnott thanked Laurier officials and others who played a role leading up to today’s
announcement.
“I want to thank the Laurier officials, including President Max Blouw, for their hard work
developing this proposal. There wouldn’t have been an announcement in Milton today
without them,” Mr. Arnott said. “I also want to thank Regional Chair Gary Carr, Milton
Mayor Gord Krantz, and Regional Council for their leadership. Members of Town of
Halton Hills Council have also made public comments in support of the project.”
Mr. Arnott has been a vocal supporter of Laurier’s proposed Milton Campus. He met
with Laurier officials to discuss their proposal in his Riding Office in March. More
recently, Mr. Arnott and Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown met with Laurier officials at
Queen’s Park on September 27.
Since meeting with Laurier officials, he has raised the issue in the Legislature on a
number of occasions. On September 12, the very first day the House resumed following
the Government’s decision to prorogue the Legislature, he tabled a Private Members’
Resolution calling on the Government to approve the proposed Laurier Campus in
Milton. He also wrote to the Minister of Advanced Education shortly after she was
appointed, asking for her support for the project.
According to page 285 of the 2016 Ontario Budget Papers, the Ontario Government
plans to spend $187 million on university infrastructure in the 2016/17 fiscal year.
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org