80th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC)

MOOSE JAW -- In recognition of World Teachers' Day on October 5, the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) saluted educators for their efforts in ensuring that Canada's elementary, secondary, and postsecondary institutions reflect the values of Canadian society, and for helping to create one of the most successful learning environments in the world.

The Ministers were in Moose Jaw for the fall meetings of the CMEC.

"Every day, and in every school, college, and university, our teaching profession is committed to excellence in education," noted the Honourable Glenn Hagel, Saskatchewan's Minister of Postsecondary Education and Skills Training, and outgoing chair of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. "Their efforts are certainly appreciated, both within the education community and by society at large. Many of us noted the valuable contributions of teachers in the days following the tragic events of last September 11, as our public schools, universities, and colleges stood as important symbols of what we value as a civil society. Yet the reality is that our provincial and territorial learning institutions embody the best of the world around them every day, and not just in times of crisis. Our school systems have consistently promoted the universal values of humanitarian compassion and mutual respect, and prepared their students to be citizens at home, and around the world. In light of these fundamental values, CMEC salutes our educators in advance of World Teachers' Day, and thanks them for their important contributions to the delivery of education in every province and territory."

Ministers also discussed the federal government's proposed revisions to the Copyright Act, and their effect on the education sector's access to Internet-based resources. The CMEC Copyright Consortium calls upon the federal government to affirm the rights of students and educators to have fair access to materials found on the Internet.

"Currently, students and teachers risk infringing copyright through the routine use of the Internet," noted the Honourable Elvy Robichaud, New Brunswick's Minister of Education and Chair of the CMEC Copyright Consortium. "Obviously, students and educators need reasonable access to Internet-based copyright content in order to succeed in the digital age. It is critical that the federal government recognize this as it proposes reforms to Canada's copyright legislation." Quebec is not a member of the CMEC Copyright Consortium, but exchanges information with its members.

Ministers also agreed to revisit the issue of transferability of postsecondary credits between colleges and universities, and between provinces and territories, given the rapidly transforming landscape of higher learning, and the growing importance of prior-learning recognition.

The issues of student debt and student financial assistance are also of importance to CMEC. Ministers will be continuing work to develop responses to the changing needs of students in this regard. On-line learning continues to be a high priority for CMEC. Ministers noted that provinces and territories have already made significant investments in on-line infrastructure and connectivity and were unanimous in welcoming the federal government's interest in investing in these areas.

Ministers discussed the benefits of Labour Market Development Agreements that provinces and territories have signed since 1996 with the federal government. Ministers agreed that these agreements allow better linkages between education and training systems.

Ministers also discussed the indirect costs of federally supported research in universities, and agreed that the current funding arrangement needed revision.

"The current federal policy of supporting only the direct costs of research continues to put considerable financial pressure on provinces and territories," noted the Honourable Dianne Cunningham, Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and the incoming chair of CMEC. "CMEC supports the position taken by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada calling on the federal government to fund the indirect costs of research. This is an issue of critical importance."

Formed in 1967, CMEC is the national voice for education in Canada. Comprising the ministers responsible for elementary-secondary and postsecondary education of every province and territory, CMEC is a forum in which members can share information and best practices in order to enhance the quality of education. CMEC also works with the broader education community to ensure that our provincial and territorial systems of education are among the most innovative and flexible in the world.

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For more information, contact:

Kurt Peacock, Media Relations Officer
Council of Ministers of Education, Canada
(416) 962-8100, ext. 256
k.peacock@cmec.ca
Web site: http://www.cmec.ca