Labatt Breweries is paying a year's tuition for generations of Humber Institute hospitality students, as well as community service-minded students who live locally.
The $100,000 endowment funds two scholarships, one named after Etobicoke North MP Roy Cullen.

The Honourable Roy Cullen-Labatt Breweries of Canada Community of Etobicoke Scholarship recognizes the longstanding MP's commitment to community service, Labatt's Charlie Angelakos, director of corporate affairs, Ontario said yesterday.

"I don't think you have a stronger advocate than Roy Cullen, always fighting not just for Etobicoke, but for Toronto and Ontario. He's head and shoulders one of the best MPs I had to deal with" Angelakos said.

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

Labatt has a longstanding tradition, Angelakos said, of supporting young people in the community, assisting them with skill development to enter the workforce and to give back to their community.

 

 

 

Cullen was clearly moved by the honour.

"I'm delighted, thrilled, honoured and humbled by this award to Humber College that will make it easier for students to participate in the great programs here," Cullen said. "I've been delighted and honoured to work with Labatt and with Humber College."

Cullen is a longstanding friend of Humber, said its president.

"He went all the way to China for us when we were having difficulty getting visas for our many Chinese students. There aren't many members of parliament who would do that. He put pressure on the Canadian Embassy in China," Dr. Robert Gordon said, noting the college since has a very good record of obtaining visas for its Chinese students.

In fact, the Labatt endowment is worth double.

This week's provincial budget commits to annually match funds raised by Ontario colleges and universities for student financial assistance.