Says more degrees and diplomas needed to boost Quebec’s economy
Published March 24, 2010
By Martin C. Barry • TLN
Photo: Martin C. Barry
Education Minister Michelle Courchesne, Laval mayor Gilles Vaillancourt and
Vimont Liberal MNA Vincent Auclair were among the dignitaries seated at the
head table earlier this week at the Chambre de Commerce et d’industrie de
Laval’s noontime conference
Quebec Education, Sport and Leisure Minister Michelle Courchesne is urging political and business leaders to forge stronger links with the education sector, with a view to encouraging economic improvements. During a speech given to the Laval Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Monday, the Liberal MNA for Fabre made no major announcements, but delivered a pitch on behalf of the education portfolio for which she is responsible.
Two universities
Noting no one would have imagined only a few years ago that Laval would one day become the site of two university campuses, Courchesne noted the sources of the island’s economic strength, including its prosperous industrial parks. “If today we need the cooperation of the economic, regional and social players, youths too must understand in the same way the importance of partnerships,” she said.
Courchesne pointed out that Laval has always been a “pioneer” in following various trends. She also noted that a northward suburban migration is impacting Laval in such a way that there is not as much territory left here for future development as there once was. She said it is important to look ahead, especially in the interests of today’s children. The minister touched on the issue of school dropouts and the effect it has on society’s overall performance.
Dropout problem
“When we talk about youths who are at risk of leaving school, you have to wonder how a 15-year-old can know what he or she is going to do in life,” she said. “But when you know that at 15 that you have no prospects, that school bores you, that you have nothing but failures one after another and that you’ve lost all personal confidence, and that you don’t have the support of those in your immediate environment, that’s what the dropout phenomenon is all about.”
Courchesne said the problem has much to do with unequal privilege and a lack of opportunities, without which some young persons would very possibly succeed like others. She said that in order for Quebec’s economy to prosper, a concerted effort will have to be made to increase the number of diplomas and degrees issued by the province’s educational institutions. There will also have to be more effort towards increasing the province’s brain power, she added. “We are going to continue supporting that which is most valuable in Laval, which is our human capital, our human resources and our capacity to work together.”