Every two years, marine transportation industry representatives have an opportunity to meet with MPPs and cabinet ministers at Queen’s Park to discuss issues of relevance to the marine industry in Ontario.

One of Georgian’s industry partners, Seaway Marine Transport, invited Georgian to take part in a reception for this year’s Ontario Marine Transportation Forum.

This reception provided Georgian representatives a unique opportunity to discuss what they do with several key players at the provincial level, including the Minister of Transportation, Kathleen Wynne. Georgian marine cadets Sarah Needham, Ian D’Mello and Mitchell Tobin attended, along with co-op education consultant Lise Mollon and program co-ordinator Colin MacNeil.

The main issue discussed with the minister and MPPs was the environmental and economic health of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Shipping is the most environmentally friendly, efficient and cost-effective method of shipping goods. Georgian plays an important role in the shipping industry in Ontario through providing trained officers for the fleet, training existing officers, and taking part in initiatives such as Green Marine.

Co-op education consultant Lise Mollon said, “It was a tremendous opportunity to be able to inform provincial representatives about what we do here at the College. Minister Wynne was particularly impressed with our Georgian College marine cadets and acknowledged the important work the College is doing for the industry in her keynote speech.”

Visit www.marinetraining.ca for more information on marine-related programs at Georgian College.