Roy Cullen, M.P. (Etobicoke North)

News Release

ROY CULLEN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ETOBICOKE NORTH TO ANNOUNCE CANADA’S SUPPORT FOR HUMBER COLLEGE 

FRIDAY JULY 11, 2003

ETOBICOKE – Roy Cullen, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, on behalf of the Honourable Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, today announced a contribution of $350,000 for a development project in Tanzania by Etobicoke’s Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology. This project is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) under the Canadian College Partnership Program. Through this program, Canadian colleges work with developing country organizations specializing in education and training to increase the capacities of these organizations to meet the human resources and development needs of their communities.

" Canadian educational institutions are at the forefront of our efforts to help developing countries gain expertise and knowledge," Minister Whelan said. "Our colleges and universities and the people associated with them are making a difference in the world."

The Canadian College Partnership Program is managed by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges on behalf of CIDA. The program holds regular competitions open to community colleges and training institutes across Canada. The selection process is overseen by a committee of peers. This year the committee recommended 28 college projects based on the needs of the developing countries and coherence with Canadian international development priorities.

Through this five-year project, Humber College will work with its partner in Tanzania to promote training in micro-finance management. The training provided through this project will enhance the capacity of rural micro-finance institutions to generate the capital required to help subsistence farmers, including women.

"Humber College with CIDA’s support, will provide expertise to Tanzania that will result in poverty reduction." Mr. Cullen said. "As the Member of Parliament for Etobicoke North, I am proud of this college’s work."

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal budget and is therefore built into existing fiscal framework.

Mr. Mike Gallardo
Office of Roy Cullen, M.P.
Phone: (416) 747-6003
Fax: (416) 747-8295
E-mail: roycullen0@rogers.com