October 7, 2025 [Ottawa, ON]– Canadian Colleges for a Resilient Recovery (C2R2) is in Ottawa today for in-person meetings with federal parliamentarians on Parliament Hill. The coalition of 15 colleges, cégeps, polytechnics, and institutes will showcase scalable workforce and applied research solutions that address urgent housing and skilled trades shortages, support interprovincial labour mobility, and drive innovation in Canada’s transition to a sustainable, competitive economy.
Since 2020, C2R2 members have accessed over $60.8 million in federal funding, delivering 124 training offerings to more than 20,000 learners, impacting 22 First Nation communities across 5 rural districts, and advancing applied research that helps Canadian businesses modernize, innovate, and grow.
C2R2 members are encouraging continued federal leadership in three critical areas:
- Nation-wide training platforms and models that upskill and train workers in the skilled trades and sectors critical to energy security and sustainability. These scalable solutions support worker mobility, credential recognition, and interprovincial deployment—key to building one Canadian economy.
- Applied research and innovation at colleges, cégeps, and polytechnics that strengthen Canada’s ability to solve real-world challenges, help businesses grow, and drive competitiveness as Canada seeks to build the strongest economy in the G7.
- Preparing for the emerging economy with equity and inclusion by ensuring training for new careers in the skilled trades is accessible to all Canadians, including Indigenous, rural, and underrepresented communities, while supporting national reconciliation and diversity commitments.
“C2R2 is committed to working with government and industry to ensure Canadians have the skills, training, and research capacity needed for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Together, we can help fill urgent gaps in the skilled trades, accelerate housing solutions, and strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness in a clean economy helping Canada build the strongest economy in the G7” said Paul Armstrong, President, Mohawk College and Steering Group Co-Chair, C2R2.
C2R2’s vision is to lead Canada’s journey toward a prosperous inclusive, and resilient economy by driving energy security and sustainability through education and innovations and these meetings with parliamentarians will demonstrate the coalition’s impact in advancing practical, scalable solutions that respond to Canada’s most pressing workforce and innovation challenges—while reinforcing the vital role of institutions in building a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive economy.
For further information, please contact:
Sean Coffey
Director, Communications
Mohawk College
905-575-2127
[email protected]
