The first ever federal cabinet retreat held at a postsecondary institution has been an unqualified success, and a unique opportunity to showcase university-based research and innovation, said Laurentian University President and Vice-Chancellor Dominic Giroux.
“We were thrilled to be hosting the Prime Minister, his staff, the federal cabinet, their Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Ministers, staff from the Privy Council Office and Canada’s Ambassador to the United States at our campus, and in every respect, we feel that the event has been a tremendous success,” said Mr. Giroux.
Laurentian was invited to host the retreat because of its proven track record of hosting high level events such as the Ontario Summer Games, the Jeux de la francophonie canadienne and numerous national and international conferences, as well as its leadership role in research and innovation, its profile as a bilingual institution and comprehensive approach to indigenous education.
The Prime Minister, members of cabinet, and their staff all stayed in one of the two new student residences opened at Laurentian since 2008.
“It has been a unique privilege to work with the Privy Council Office to host this retreat, and we were delighted by the opportunity to hold discussions with ministers, deputy ministers and their staff over the course of the visit,” said Mr. Giroux. “Of course, it was also a pleasure to show them our beautiful 765-acre campus surrounded by five lakes, a golf course, a beach, and an extensive network of nature trails.”
Laurentian’s President, along with faculty and staff, met with several cabinet ministers during the retreat, and had informal talks about university-based research and innovation and its impact on the Canadian economy.
Laurentian is the top-rated university in Canada for funded research in Economic Geology, Applied Geophysics, Rock Mechanics, Sports Psychology, and Social Policy, Planning and Social Prevention. Laurentian currently has nine Canada Research Chairs and eighteen specialized research centres.