News Articles Archives - Page 2 of 10

Read editorials and articles that we’ve submitted to national and regional media outlets across Canada. These feature a few of the ways Canadian polytechnics are contributing on topics of national interest.

How Canada can succeed in the global AI race by playing to its strengths – its people

By David Agnew, Vivek Goel | September 9, 2025 | Originally featured in the Toronto Star

Canada is home to some of the world’s top AI researchers and a vibrant start-up scene. But when it comes to using AI, especially in the sectors that matter most to our economic future, we are falling behind. In a recent study from KPMG, Canada ranked near the bottom among advanced economies (28 out of 30) in AI literacy and training.

Nation building needs nation builders

By Vincent Custode | August 25, 2025 | Originally featured in The Hill Times

Canada is in the midst of a potentially transformative period that could reshape both its national identity and economy.

Recent threats by United States President Donald Trump transformed the political landscape, prompting a surge in patriotism and a growing desire for Canada to reduce its reliance on the Americans, particularly with respect to trade and defence.

Polytechnics: Canada’s best bet in an era of disruption and uncertainty

By Dr. Larry Rosia | August 15, 2025 | Originally featured in SaskToday

Olivia Haidl had always loved art and math but hadn’t found a way to bring those passions together – until she discovered the Architectural Technologies program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The co-op work terms built into the program were one of its strongest selling points for her.

Olivia completed three co-op terms that complemented and strengthened the classroom learning she received. Each placement offered unique challenges and learning opportunities, from working on commercial buildings to small renovation projects. The experiences built her confidence, sharpened her skills, and helped her see where she could make a difference. By the time she graduated, she had a job offer in hand and a clear sense of purpose. “I’m always problem solving, always working on creative solutions,” she says. “I’m excited to keep learning.”

A stronger Canada needs a healthy post-secondary sector – so why are governments across the country abandoning institutions?

By Sarah Watts-Rynard | July 30, 2025 | A version was featured in the Vancouver Sun

The newly elected federal Liberal government has no shortage of ambition, outlining the ingredients for a robust economic transformation, with investments in artificial intelligence (AI), national defence and housing. In this vision, Canada will become an energy superpower and, by removing internal trade barriers, a robust single economy less reliant on trade with a fickle southern neighbour.

The prospect is compelling. But it relies, first and foremost on a skilled and ready workforce. The kind of workforce that Canada’s post-secondary institutions develop in spades. So, why are governments across the country standing on the sidelines as higher education in Canada is eroded?

Workforce development key to industry success

By Randall Anthony Communications | June 4, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

Accounting for more than 10 per cent of Canada’s GDP and for exports of over $354-billion annually, manufacturing is a powerful economic driver that spans industries ranging from aerospace and agrifood to medical devices, wood products and beyond.

Bolstering the sector’s potential resilience and growth depends on a workforce with up-to-date skills and competencies, says Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO at Polytechnics Canada, an association representing research-intensive, publicly supported polytechnics and institutes of technology.

Linking hands-on education at the 2025 Polytechnic Showcase

By Aaron Wepp | May 14, 2025 | Originally featured in the Winnipeg Free Press

Representatives from more than 10 Canadian polytechnics are in Winnipeg for an annual conference that allows them to share ideas and projects in progress.

The 2025 Polytechnic Showcase kicked off Wednesday at Red River College Polytechnic’s downtown campus.

Under the theme, “Propelling Canada’s productivity,” the two-day event is exploring how polytechnics — post-secondary institutions that offer applied and hands-on learning — are propelling the country toward a more prosperous future.

Strengthening economic resilience through access to talent and applied research

By Randall Anthony Communications | March 28, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

While Canada continues to contend with long-standing challenges – including lagging productivity, lack of housing supply and labour shortages in the health sector – a recent call to safeguard national interests comes amid geopolitical upheaval stemming from disruptive U.S. foreign policy.

For a sound response, Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO of Polytechnics Canada, proposes bolstering collaboration between industry, government and post-secondary education with a common goal: to strengthen economic resilience.

Funding changes affect labour-market-driven education capacity

By Randall Anthony Communications | February 21, 2025 | Originally featured in The Globe and Mail

At an annual event for bringing together industry and community leaders and representatives from the colleges and institutes sector, one construction company executive was asked how his organization stays up to date on technology, regulations and industry trends. The answer was simple: “We hire new graduates, who are exposed to all that in school and who come with fresh ideas and new energy.”

This is part of the value proposition of Canadian colleges and institutes, along with their mandate to educate career-ready graduates, says Sarah Watts-Rynard, CEO of Polytechnics Canada, an organization representing publicly supported polytechnics, colleges and institutes of technology.

Why hasn’t AI changed Canada yet?

By Ricardo Arena | January 15, 2025 | Originally featured in The Hill Times

Much has been written about Canada’s lagging innovation and productivity indicators. The federal government has struggled to offer effective solutions, alternating between big gambles on select sectors and splashy announcements that end with a fizzle.

Last month, however, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne quietly put out a press release detailing plans to allocate the Budget 2024 centrepiece: a $2-billion investment in artificial intelligence (AI). It signaled a welcome shift toward incorporating implementation and impact in Canada’s innovation ambitions.