FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2001

Closing of Collège des Grands Lacs should be stopped

TORONTO: If Collège des Grands Lacs closes its doors, it will be a mortal blow to the francophone community in this region of Ontario, said Julie Gigliotti, President of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 272.

The administrative council of this college, which serves French speakers in the centre and south west of the province, is said to have made the decision in a meeting last night, despite not having quorum, to close the college effective immediately.

The plan would be to transfer the programs and students to Collège Boreal in Sudbury, and to lay off the staff at Collège des Grands Lacs.

"Despite all the mismanagement at the college over the six years of its existence, there is still a very strong demand for French educational services in this region," said Gigliotti.

The union members point out that the college's budget has doubled, from $3million to $6million since its establishment in 1995. Furthermore, the President's office costs $300,000 to run, an amount that is high in comparison with other colleges.

"We are worried for the students, but also for the workers who have given so much to help the college to survive," said OPSEU President Leah Casselman.

"If these services are transferred to another college in Ontario, OPSEU will continue to fight so that the academic and support staff can keep their jobs," she added. OPSEU represents approximately 40 staff at the college.

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For more information, please contact:

David Cox (OPSEU Communications) : (416) 443-8888 poste 314; 416-788-9197 Julie Gigliotti, OPSEU Local 272 (416) - 599-5090 x 5299