Having spent over 13 years as MPP, and doling out about $70-million in funding to Sault College over that time period, newly-appointed dean David Orazietti sat today while someone else announced provincial funding for the post-secondary institution.
Asked after today’s $3.6-million funding announcement if it felt surreal for the former MPP to be an employee of the institution on the receiving end of a provincial funding announcement, Orazietti said, “I made the decision to spend more time with my family and that is what I am doing. It’s also great to be part of an exceptional organization in this community that works hard to deliver high-quality education for students.”
Orazietti said he spent ‘some time’ working on today’s funding announcement prior to stepping down as MPP for Sault Ste. Marie last month prior to taking the position of dean of Aviation, Trades and Technology, Natural Environment and Business at the college.
“In my previous role (as MPP), I worked well with the organization and had made significant progress in the transformation of this campus with approximately $70 million in direct funding for various projects over the last 13-and-a-half years,” said Orazietti.
When making today’s funding announcement, Premier Kathleen Wynne recognized Orazietti’s presence in her opening remarks.
“We reluctantly celebrate his presence here,” she quipped.
Orazietti told Wynne about his intention to step down from political life following a Dec. 14, 2016 cabinet meeting. His last day as MPP was Dec. 31.
Wynne has yet to announce a byelection date for the riding and the Liberals have yet to announce a candidate.
The NDP are running city councillor Joe Krmpotich, while his ward-mate Ross Romano will represent the Ontario PCs.
The $3.6 million funding announced today will go toward three projects at the college — a new Institute for the Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship (iE3), a Centre for Studies in Early Learning and Care, as well as development of the former RYTAC site.
Dr. Ron Common, president of Sault College, said the three projects will create as many as 200 construction jobs.
The $18.4-million iE3 building is now fully funded as a result of the announcement.
“We will have it built within two years,” said Common.
The Centre for Studies in Early Learning and Care, said Common, still requires $500,000 to complete that project.
During her remarks, Wynne recalled her first visit to the college in 2004.
“The moment that stands out in my mind was standing in a hallway in the old building, with buckets on the floor because the roof was leaking,” she said.
“I remember being so impressed with the programs, and thinking, ’there is so much we have to do in terms of investment in this place, and the transformation is phenomenal,” she added.
Orazietti said the college is an economic engine for the city.
“We have to continue to invest in Sault College and help to expand the opportunities that are here, both for students and for employment and economic development,” he said.
