When it comes to serious issues like mental health and substance abuse, Mark Barnes believes a little respect can go a long way.
The owner of the Ottawa-based Respect RX pharmacy, Barnes has made a career out of challenging the biases surrounding drug misuse and mental health issues. With compassion, understanding and care, he has spent years working in overdose prevention and harm reduction amid Canada’s ongoing opioid crisis. Continue reading Mark Barnes on respect, compassion and the future of healthcare
OTTAWA (May 16, 2023) – The Ontario government has announced that applications for the new Learn and Stay Grant — a provincial effort to incentivize study in various medical careers — are now open.
Learners who are entering their first year of study in nursing at Algonquin College’s Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth campuses will be eligible for the grant, which will include full funding for tuition, books and other educational costs like school supplies. Upon graduation from their program, learners who received the grant will be required to work in the region of their education for at least six months per year of funded study.
This agreement will serve to strengthen Algonquin College’s contributions to the healthcare system of Eastern Ontario and beyond while also providing a significant financial incentive for learners. The College’s various nursing programs offer exceptional lab facilities and high-quality instructors, which will give future students the skills needed to thrive in the regional healthcare field.
To be eligible for the grant, a student must be an Ontario resident and a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person. The grant is currently only available to students who are entering their first year and is open until 60 days before the end of their study period. Students will also be able to apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program to help pay for additional costs related to their education, such as rent and other living expenses.
“This new Learn and Stay Grant offers a wonderful opportunity for both our learners and the prosperity of Ontario,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “This gives us the unique opportunity to help strengthen the province’s healthcare services while also giving us a new tool in our mission to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success.”
Application details and additional information can be found on the Learn and Stay webpage.
A student in Algonquin College’s Automotive Service Apprenticeship program took home a gold medal during the 2023 Skills Ontario Competition at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Learner Ferdinando Pluviati placed first in the Automotive Service Technician competition due largely to the skills he gained at Algonquin College. His detailed knowledge of steering suspension, drive train functions and engine, brake and fuel systems helped him excel in the competition.
In addition to Pluviati’s win, fellow Algonquin College students Trystin Gunraj (Cabinetmaking and Furniture Technician) and Duncan Thompson (Truck and Coach Apprenticeship) won silver and bronze, respectively.
A total of 13 AC students competed at the event, which was the first to be held in person in more than three years. Many past competitors from the College have gone on to nationals and even world-level competitions in their chosen fields.
“The accomplishments of our learners at the Skills Ontario Competition are a testament to the excellence of our skilled trades programs,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “We are immensely proud of all the wonderful students who participated in the event.”
The Skills Ontario Competition is an annual event that gives students the chance to shine in their respective fields, offering the chance to win medals, scholarships, job offers, prizes and the possibility to represent Team Ontario at Skills Canada’s National Competition.
Indigenous graduates from Ottawa-area post-secondary institutions, including Algonquin College, were celebrated on Saturday, April 29, during the Indigenous Graduate Honouring Ceremony (IGHC) at the Canadian Museum of History.
Students from Algonquin College, Carleton University, La Cité and the University of Ottawa gathered at the museum’s Grand Hall to celebrate their achievements in a ceremony which included Indigenous guest speakers, ceremonial drumming and musical performances.
Eric Johnson, Manager of the Mamidosewin Centre at Algonquin College, Claudette Commanda, Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, and Gina Wilson, Deputy Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth, were among the invited speakers. Kahente Horn-Miller and Darren Sutherland acted as the Masters of Ceremonies for the event.
The Eagle River Singers drum group provided an honour song for graduates as they entered the ceremony space. The evening also saw a performance by Inuk DJ Uyarakq.
Two graduates, Randy Kakegamick and Paula Macdonald, spoke about their academic and personal journeys during the ceremony. These speakers were community-nominated and selected.
“Inspiration may come from your peers, look beside you. Success is within you all,” said Kakegamick.
More than 100 graduates, 40 from Algonquin College, took centre stage among elders and other invited community representatives during the Honouring Ceremony to acknowledge their accomplishments. Algonquin College Indigenous Counsellor Jackie Tenute provided the closing prayer.
“Algonquin College takes immense pride in the successes of the Indigenous learners that walk through our doors,” said AC President and CEO Claude Brulé. “We are thrilled and deeply humbled to have played a small part in the lives of these wonderful students and the accomplishments that received recognition during the ceremony.”
Algonquin College thanks the IGHC organizing committee and its partner institutions, and acknowledges all the graduates, their families and all the work and support that helped make this ceremony possible.
April 24, 2023 OTTAWA – Claude Brulé, President and CEO, Algonquin College, announced today six names of regional community leaders who will be awarded honorary degrees at the College’s Spring Convocation ceremonies in Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth.
“We are proud to acknowledge and honour this group of community leaders for their achievements and contributions”, said President Brulé. “Their leadership in their individual fields have touched the lives of many and we are pleased to recognize their incredible accomplishments.”
Perth campus ceremonies will take place June 7, 2023 and Pembroke ceremonies will occur on June 9, 2023. Ottawa Campus and AC Online Campus ceremonies will take place between June 20, 2023 and June 22, 2023.
The honorees are:
Perth Campus
John Stewart, former Chair, Perth Heritage Commission
Pembroke Campus
Wendy Jocko, former First Nation Chief, Pikwakanagan
School of Health Studies
Mark Barnes, Owner Respect Rx
School of Hospitality
Deirdre Freiheit, President & CEO, Shepherds of Good Hope and Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
School of Wellness, Public Safety and Community Studies
Elizabeth Manley, Olympic Silver Medalist, Mental Health Advocate
Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence
James (Jim) Taggart, Chair Taggart Group
More information is available on the Algonquin College convocation page
(OTTAWA – April 11, 2023) – The RE/ACTION Showcase highlights leading-edge applied research done in collaboration with industry, institutional, and community partners, providing a glimpse into the future of technology and the current state of innovation. Over 50 student-driven applied research projects will be exhibited, ranging in topic from robotics to web design, building science to social innovation and everything in between. The showcase also provides an opportunity for employers to engage talent and collaborative opportunities in support of their businesses’ growth and impact.
Date: Friday, April 14, 2023 Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Awards presentation: 1:40 p.m. to 2 p.m.) Location Algonquin College, Ottawa Campus, DARE District (C Building)
1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
I know many in our College community have been impacted by yesterday’s ice storm, with many across our region still without power. College leadership has been monitoring the situation, and would like to provide the following updates:
All College campuses – Ottawa, Pembroke and Perth are open and all classes are running on normal schedules.
AC Online continues to operate on normal schedules.
We understand that some learners and employees are still struggling with the after effects of the storm, including power outages and connectivity issues.
For learners in need of academic support, please connect with your teachers and program coordinators when you are able to discuss options. Please continue to monitor your College email, social media and Brightspace for any updates.
For employees impacted by the storm, please connect with your supervisors when you are able to discuss how you can best be supported at this time.
For learners on co-op work terms with employers or on placements, your safety is the top priority – if you are unable to attend due to safety issues, or other circumstances due to weather conditions you are not required to attend. When/if you are able, please contact your co-op employer and your Co-op Department contact, or placement coordinator, for updates to make them aware of your situation.
The Early Learning Centre at the Ottawa campus is operating on its normal schedule.
I want to thank our entire College community for your resilience, patience and flexibility. I also want to offer our thanks to Hydro Ottawa, Hydro One, and telecommunications companies that have been working around the clock to restore power and connectivity. I also want to acknowledge and thank the many employees who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to provide support.
College leadership has been monitoring the forecast today (April 5) with rapid accumulation of freezing rain and ice in parts of our region continuing into this afternoon and evening. As a result, please be advised of the following updates to this morning’s message:
All remaining in-person classes at the Ottawa and Perth campuses this afternoon and evening (April 5) are cancelled.
All classes at the Pembroke campus have been cancelled today (April 5) and the campus has also been closed for the remainder of the day.
Learners will not be penalized for missing any classes and should monitor their College email accounts and Brightspace for updates on accommodation and scheduling.
AC Online programming continues as scheduled.
Your safety is the top priority. As such, the Ottawa and Perth campuses remain open.
Learners can either go home, or stay on campus.
Any employee that is non-essential to operations may also go home, or stay on campus. If you have questions, please check with your manager/supervisor.
Please note, that Human Resources will be also providing an update to People Leaders.
The main Ottawa campus cafeteria will remain open.
The Early Learning Centre will close today (April 5) at 4 p.m. For parents unable to arrive by that time, employees will be on site to accommodate later pick-ups.
For learners on co-op work terms with employers or on placements, your safety is the top priority – if you are unable to attend due to safety issues, or other circumstances due to weather conditions on April 5, you are not required to attend. When/if you are able, please contact your co-op employer and your Co-op Department contact, or placement coordinator, for updates to make them aware of your situation.
We are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for our College community and will continue to monitor this situation. We ask everyone to take extra caution as you make your way to and from the College. We will all need to show understanding, patience and flexibility.
Please continue to watch the College’s social media accounts, your email account and Brightspace account for any updates.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for our region this morning (April 5). College leadership has been monitoring the forecast, which indicates a rapid accumulation of freezing rain and ice in parts of our region. As a result, please be advised of the following:
All classes at the Pembroke campus will be cancelled today (April 5). The campus has also been closed for the remainder of the day. Pembroke learners are advised to monitor Brightspace for updates, and will not be penalized for today’s class cancellation.
Ottawa and Perth campuses currently plan to remain open, and classes are proceeding as scheduled. However, safety of employees and learners is the top priority. College leadership will continue to monitor the situation. Should the forecast change to predict greater storm impact, further announcements may follow.
AC Online programming continues as scheduled.
Learners who are scheduled to be on campus are strongly encouraged to monitor their College email accounts, social media and Brightspace for any updates on scheduling.
Learners who are unable to attend campus due to weather conditions should contact their program coordinator and/or teacher to discuss accommodation.
Employees scheduled to be on campus who cannot attend due to weather conditions, should contact their manager/supervisor to discuss accommodations.
For learners on co-op work terms with employers or on placements, your safety is the top priority – if you are unable to attend due to safety issues, or other circumstances due to weather conditions on April 5, you are not required to attend. When/if you are able, please contact your co-op employer and your Co-op Department contact, or placement coordinator, for updates to make them aware of your situation.
We are committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for our College community and will continue to monitor this situation. We ask everyone to please allow extra time for travel and to take extra caution as you make your way to and from the College. We will all need to show understanding, patience and flexibility.
Please continue to watch the College’s social media accounts, your email account and Brightspace for any updates.
OTTAWA (March 31, 2023) – The federal budget released this week outlines investments related to the post secondary education sector, including $108.6 million over three years, starting in 2023-24, to expand college applied research funding through the College and Community Innovation Program. The program is administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
“Algonquin College is proud of the many partnerships it has forged with industry leaders in the research and technology fields, and the many opportunities these relationships provide to our learners,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé. “It is encouraging to see the federal government continue to place emphasis on applied research, and the significant role it plays in the economic growth of Canada across many sectors. New funding is critical to help us continue working with businesses to help them access the talent they need to innovate and grow.”
Barnes believes a little respect can go a long way. 
