Monday September 8, 2014 – 12pm
Posted Sep 8, 2014 02:07:59 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
12:00- Jessica McCormick, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students
Inadequate public support for post-secondary education, and research and innovation, has resulted in Canada falling to 15th in the annual ranking for economic competitiveness. According to the Global Competitiveness Report, released by the World Economic Forum this week, despite its stable economy, Canada is falling behind many peer nations investments’ in education. “Canada is attempting to deliver post-secondary education in the 21st century with a system designed in the 19th century,” said McCormick. “This slip in rankings underscores the need for national standards for quality and access in order to remain competitive internationally.” On higher education, Canada ranked 18th, behind countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Ireland, New Zealand and Singapore–a dramatic drop from its 8th place standing in 2010-11. The Report identifies an overall decrease in the quality of education resulting from a lack of investment in staff and faculty development and inadequate support for academic research. It also notes that, in spite of a high number of trained scientists and engineers, a lack of public- and private-sector investment in innovation is hindering Canada’s economic competitiveness.
12:30- Laura McBride, Past President of the Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association
Residents of the central Frederick neighbourhood have been frustrated for years at how drivers zoom down the narrow stretch of Lancaster Street East, where sidewalks are close to the road and hundreds of children walk each day to Suddaby Public School. So as yet another school year got underway, Laura McBride decided to pick up a paintbrush to get the message out. She hand-painted about a dozen signs, and contacted neighbours to see if they would allow them to go up in front of their homes. The signs have a simple message in bright red paint: “Drive like you live here.” “We’re trying to get people to realize that what they’re driving through is a neighbourhood, with lots of people, and lots of kids, walking around,” she said. After just a couple of days, the signs seem to have made a real difference. “Dozens of people have contacted me and said, ‘I can’t believe what a difference it makes,’ ” McBride said.
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