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Milton, Wilfrid Laurier undeterred by Minister's announcement


  • May 21, 2015
  • John Rich

The Town of Milton and Wilfrid Laurier University were disappointed to learn that the City of Markham’s proposal for a combined York University/Seneca College campus has been accepted by the ministry’s capital expansion process and is the sole proposal that will be considered at this time.

Reza Moridi, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, made the announcement yesterday.

Since 2008, the Town of Milton and Wilfrid Laurier "have been building a strong and determined partnership with the goal of bringing post-secondary opportunities to Canada’s fastest-growing municipality", the Town of Milton stated in a news release.

The Laurier Milton bid proposed a 150-acre university campus situated within a 400-acre Milton Education Village (MEV) on the southwest side of town, adjacent to the Niagara Escarpment. The MEV would be a purpose-built, fully integrated neighbourhood of multi-level education, research and commercialization, as well as complementary residential and commercial development.

“While I am thoroughly disappointed and saddened by this decision, it only strengthens our resolve to make the Milton Education Village a reality,” said Mayor Gord Krantz. “A university campus is key to building a complete community and we will continue to work closely with Laurier to bring that vision to life.”

During his announcement, Minister Moridi also mentioned that a targeted call for proposals for a postsecondary facility in Peel and Halton regions will be issued in the spring of 2016. The Town, along with Wilfrid Laurier and Halton Region will continue to move forward with conceptual plans for the MEV and will develop strategies to ensure that their bid is successful when the second call comes forward.

“Halton Region is committed to continuing to work with our community partners to help bring high-quality post-secondary education to the Town of Milton,” said Gary Carr, Halton’s Regional Chair. “The proposed Milton Education Village would fuel economic growth and foster community partnerships. We look forward to a successful outcome during the next investment by the Province in 2016."

For additional information about the proposed Milton Education Village, click here.