Our Lakehead University community extends its deepest condolences to the Indigenous peoples of Canada in the wake of the Cowessess First Nation's discovery of 751 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan.

A Canadian Psychological Association Best Poster Award (Student Section) was recently awarded to graduate student and faculty collaborators in the Department of Psychology.

The study examined self-care behaviours in a national sample of professional psychology trainees, finding that program self-care culture is related to trainees' self-care behaviours and stress. These findings will impact the development of self-care and wellness strategies in Canadian programs that train future psychologists. Congratulations to the team!

Poster: Program self-care culture is related to trainee self-care behaviours
Authors: Joshua R Hawkins (presenter), Jane A Harder, Chiao-En (Joanne) Kao, Angela MacIsaac, & K. Amanda Maranzan

Jennifer Dagsvik

June 25, 2021 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

The Thunder Bay Multicultural Association and Lakehead University's Bora Laskin Faculty of Law are partnering to offer new legal clinic services for immigration and refugee law in Northwestern Ontario, thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario's Access to Justice Fund.

Located at the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law, the clinic will open in September 2021, offering free immigration and refugee law services to eligible immigrants, temporary residents, refugees, and people without status living in Northwestern Ontario.

It will be staffed by law students who will serve clients under the supervision of a local immigration and refugee lawyer and lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Jennifer Dagsvik.

“The immigrant and refugee population in Northwestern Ontario is growing and communities throughout the region have been working to attract more newcomers,” Dagsvik said.

“Until now, though – and unlike in larger centres – free clinical services dedicated to immigration and refugee law have not been available. The Newcomer Legal Clinic plans to fill that access-to-justice gap,” she added.

In addition to providing legal services, the clinic will offer public legal education in immigration and refugee law issues, and train Northwestern Ontario's future lawyers to serve the legal needs of the newcomer population.

Staff will also develop a program to provide free business law services to resettled refugees who are looking to start a new business.

“The Newcomer Legal Clinic’s services will empower migrants and refugees to better navigate Canada's immigration system,” said Jula Hughes, Dean of the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law.

“It will also contribute to fostering safe and welcoming communities for newcomers throughout Northwestern Ontario.”

Cathy Woodbeck, Executive Director of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, said she is pleased to partner with the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law on this much-needed initiative for the region.

“Giving local law students practical experience in immigration and refugee law is an added bonus to helping newcomer immigrants and refugees with legal assistance,” she said.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

 

June 23, 2021 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

Lakehead University’s Paleo-DNA Laboratory is helping investigate one of Vancouver’s oldest unsolved murders.

Stephen Fratpietro, Technical Manager of Lakehead’s Paleo-DNA Lab, is working with Redgrave Research Forensics Services and the Vancouver Police Department to identify two boys found dead in Stanley Park in the early 1950s.

The case – known in popular culture as Babes in the Woods – dates back to 1953, when a groundskeeper discovered the boys’ skeletal remains near Beaver Lake. The children’s skulls had been bludgeoned by a hatchet found near their bodies. A picnic basket filled with petrified food was also found.

All of this was covered by a woman’s fur coat. It’s believed the children, aged seven and eight, were killed in the late 1940s and laid undiscovered for five or six years, hidden beneath thick brush in Stanley Park.

“Lakehead’s DNA lab was initially created on the premise of being able to acquire DNA from ancient and degraded material,” Fratpietro said. “Over the years we have optimized our methods to become very successful at this.”

A lot of laboratories can extract DNA, but it takes specific knowledge along with the proper facility to work with ancient or degraded material that has been heavily handled, such as in the Babes in the Woods case, he said.

Fratpietro can’t say too much about the case, only that he and his team successfully extracted DNA from the children’s bones.

He recently sent the samples for whole genome sequencing, which will allow Redgrave Research Forensic Services to compare the genealogical data with public DNA databases such as GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA.

Fratpietro said he hopes his work can help identify the boys, and maybe even determine who killed them.

“Knowing that we contributed to any finding would feel great. We definitely have the capability to do something like that at Lakehead,” he said.

On May 18 the Vancouver Police Department announced that they would be working with the Redgrave Research Forensic Services team to gain more insight into the cold case.

To report a tip, call the Vancouver Police Department’s Homicide Tip Line at (604) 717-2500.

For more about the Babes in the Woods mystery, visit bit.ly/3hBR2si.

This is the second mystery that Lakehead’s Paleo-DNA Lab has been asked to assist with this year.

At the start of May it was announced that Fratpietro helped identify the remains of Warrant Officer John Gregory, an engineer aboard HMS Erebus, the first member of the ill-fated Franklin expedition to be positively identified through DNA.

The results matched a DNA sample obtained from a direct descendant of Gregory.

– 30 –

Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

June 21, 2021 – Thunder Bay, Ont. 

Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives is hosting the Legacy of Hope Waniskahtan Exhibit, designed to create greater awareness about the high rates of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

The goal of the exhibit, which will be at the Thunder Bay Intercity Shopping Centre from Wednesday, August 4 to Wednesday, Aug. 18, is to commemorate Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), and hopefully prevent future violence.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) is a national Indigenous-led, charitable organization working to promote healing and reconciliation in Canada for more than 19 years. It educates and raises awareness about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the residential school system and subsequent ‘60s Scoop on Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) survivors, their descendants, and their communities.

Having hosted previous Legacy of Hope exhibits, staff at Lakehead University are proud to be entrusted with this year’s timely exhibit.

“As part of our commitment to reconciliation through education, we are honoured to collaborate with multiple partners to share this important exhibit with the community,” said Denise Baxter, Vice-Provost, Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University.

“It is our hope that all who engage with the exhibit will make a renewed commitment to stand up against violence and promote peace.”

Lakehead University partnered with the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) as community leaders in addressing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. ONWA continues to support programs by working on the frontlines of this ongoing national tragedy and will be inviting the Grandmother Earth Dress to be part of this important event.

The Grandmother Earth Dress is a traditional red jingle dress, created by ONWA, and inspired by Jaime Black’s REDress Project, which honours and acknowledges Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+.

The REDress Project also serves as a sacred item of healing for families as well as communities to commemorate their loved ones. It is meant for families to visualize their loved ones in beautiful traditional regalia. The 365 jingles on the dress represent a year-round call for justice and safety for Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

“The Legacy of Hope work and the Waniskahtan Exhibit keep alive the love, tears and memories of our lost mothers, sisters, aunties, grandmothers, family, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ members. The Grandmother Earth Dress proudly speaks to us like jingles in a breeze, keeping hope alive,” said Cora McGuire-Cyrette,  Executive Director, ONWA.

Since the exhibit could not launch for National Indigenous Peoples Day, representatives from partner organizations created a video about the exhibit (produced by the Legacy of Hope Foundation).

Lakehead University staff – in partnership with the National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee – wanted to stage the exhibit to recognize, honour, and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is today (June 21), although due to the pandemic restrictions, the launch had to be postponed.

The video includes introductory statements from Lakehead University, ONWA, a National Indigenous Peoples Day Committee representative, the Intercity Shopping Centre, and Sharon Johnson, Ontario Region Project Advisory Committee member to the Waniskahtan Exhibit.

Speakers will discuss and share a short tour of the exhibit, explaining why they came together and why this is important for community.

The official opening of the exhibit will now be held on Wednesday, August 4 to show respect for the more than 750 unmarked graves that were found at the site of a former residential school in Saskatchewan.

The travelling exhibit and accompanying activity guide will be added to the existing roster of 19 exhibitions that are loaned out across Canada every year, thereby ensuring continued education, and sustainability long after the project timeline is over.

The Legacy of Hope Foundation acknowledges the financial support of Women and Gender Equality Canada.

You can watch the video here.

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University and TBRHRI researchers are receiving more than $1.3 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for 16 exciting research projects.

Dr. Sam Salem, Associate Professor in Civil Engineering at Lakehead University, is receiving a $130,000 Discovery grant to test the fire performance of Timber-Concrete Composite systems in mass timber buildings over five years.

“In this composite system, the advantageous mechanical properties of both materials, timber and concrete, are efficiently utilized and therefore several advantages can be achieved for a more robust floor system compared to timber floors,” Dr. Salem said.

Some advantages of utilizing timber-concrete composite floor systems include greater strength, durability, and much improved acoustics and vibration performance characteristics.

Dr. Amir Ameli, Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering Department at Lakehead University, is receiving a total of $152,500 to facilitate a smooth transition to more-secure power grids by tackling cyber-security challenges faced by their protection systems. 

“The recent trend to expand the use of information technology in power networks has made them potentially vulnerable to cyber attacks,” Dr. Ameli said. 

“Protection systems are among the most critical cyber-vulnerable components in power grids, as they directly affect the integrity and stability of power systems.” 

Dr. Michael Campbell, Assistant Professor in Chemistry and Lakehead University - Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute Research Chair, is receiving a total of $132,500 to spend five years developing new methods for the cyclotron production of radionuclides and determining reactions and tools that will improve access to radionuclides for use in research, industry, and health care.

“When introducing a radionuclide into a small molecule or protein for labeling as an imaging probe, you are working against the clock,” Dr. Campbell said.

“The isotope is always decaying so time spent performing the synthesis and purifying the product will negatively impact the yield of the tracer.”  

Many of these reactions require some purification step to remove excess reagents and catalysts. Dr. Campbell’s research program will develop solid phase synthesis reagents and procedures to minimize reaction time and work to reduce the purification requirements.

“Dr. Campbell is a key contributor to our health research program that is vital to advancing our academic mission and even more importantly, to improving the health of the population,” said Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute.

“I would like to thank NSERC for recognizing the potential of Dr. Campbell’s research. Their generous support is vital in allowing talented researchers like Dr. Campbell to make great strides forward with their research which can help us find better ways to care for patients.”

Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, thanked NSERC for its continued support of the university’s scholars in the Natural Sciences and Engineering fields.  

“Discovery grants are exactly that, they provide multi-year funding for our scientists to explore fundamental research questions that lead to great discoveries.

“I would also like to acknowledge NSERC for their understanding of the impact on research productivity during this pandemic and NSERC’s willingness to provide current grant holders with time extensions with additional funding. This forward thinking approach has certainly been appreciated by the research community,” Dr. Dean said.

In 2020/21, Lakehead University received nearly $2 million in assistance from the Research Support Fund to support the indirect costs of research, which includes costs for supporting the management of intellectual property, research and administration, ethics and regulatory compliance, research resources, and research facilities.

New 2021 NSERC Discovery and Research Tools and Instruments Grants Awarded – Total: $1,328,053

Discovery Development Grants (two-year grants)                              

 Dr. Mark Gallagher, Physics, “Scanning tunneling microscopy studies of the on-surface synthesis of molecular based nanomaterials”, $30,000.

Dr. Sabah Mohammed, Computer Science, “Containerization and Integration of Remote Patient Monitoring and e Consultation Systems”, $30,000.

Discovery Grant - Individual Operating Grants (five-year grants)                   

 Dr. Amir Ameli, Electrical Engineering (Barrie), “Developing Cyber-Secure and Resilient Protection Schemes in Power Networks”, $140,000.

Dr. Ehsan Rezazadeh Azar, Civil Engineering, “Automated data collection and machine learning methods for civil infrastructure condition assessment in sparsely inhabited regions of Canada”, $130,000.

Dr. Michael Campbell, Chemistry and Lakehead-TBRHRI Research Chair, “Radiochemical methods for labeling and isotope production”, $120,000.

Dr. Dariush Ebrahimi, Computer Science, “Smart Iot-Based Systems: Deployment and Management”, $145,000.

Dr. Eltayeb Mohamedelhassan, Civil Engineering, “Electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation of polluted sites", $130,000.

Dr. Sam Salem, Civil Engineering, “Fire Performance of Timber Concrete Composite (TCC) Systems in Mass Timber Buildings”, $130,000.

Dr. Ali Tarokh, Mechanical Engineering, “Control of Complex Turbulent Flow”, $135,000.

Dr. Wilson Wang, Mechanical Engineering, “Intelligent Diagnostics and Prognostics of Electric Vehicle Powertrains”, $230,000.

Discovery Launch Supplements                                                           

Dr. Amir Ameli, Electrical Engineering (Barrie), “Developing Cyber-Secure and Resilient Protection Schemes in Power Networks”, $12,500.

Dr. Michael Campbell, Chemistry, Lakehead University-TBRHRI Research Chair “Radiochemical methods for labeling and isotope production”, $12,500.

Dr. Dariush Ebrahimi, Computer Science, “Smart Iot-Based Systems: Deployment and Management”, $12,500.

Dr. Ali Tarokh, Mechanical Engineering, “Control of Complex Turbulent Flow”, $12,500. 

Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) Grants (one-year grants)

Dr. Jinqiang Hou, Chemistry, Lakehead University-TBRHRI Research Chair “A Microwave System for Medicinal Chemistry and Radiochemistry Research”, $39,451.

• Co-applicants

o   Dr. Michael Campbell, Chemistry, Lakehead University-TBRHRI Research Chair

o   Dr. Justin Jiang, Chemistry          

Dr. Baoqiang Liao, Chemical Engineering, “A Refrigerated High Speed Centrifuge for Water Science and Technology Research”, $18,602.      

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Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Starting July 1, Dr. Lana Ray, Assistant Professor in Indigenous Learning, will begin her appointment as Lakehead University’s Indigenous Research Chair in Decolonial Futures.

This position, the first of its kind at Lakehead, forwards the university’s vision to strengthen research that is grounded in Indigenous knowledges and culturally appropriate methodologies.

Dr. Ray, an Anishinaabe scholar from Opwaaganasiniing (Red Rock Indian Band), brings to this appointment over a decade of experience working with Indigenous peoples and communities to implement Indigenous community-based approaches to research.

She has been recognized internationally for her scholarship and has been a strong voice within Ontario for the advancement of Indigenous education.

“Universities must extend their role in reconciliation beyond truth seeking and public education to actively supporting processes of decolonization and Indigenous self-determination,” Dr. Ray said.

“The newly-created Lakehead University Indigenous Research Chairship program is an example of what reconciliation can look like if it is foregrounded in the latter.

“As the inaugural Indigenous Research Chair, I will be provided with the resources I need to carry out research within my own territory as an Anishinaabe ikwe, who privileges Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, serves the interests of Anishinaabe communities, and forwards decolonial futures,” she said.

Dr. Ray said decolonial futures are those in which “Anishinaabe people can proudly and freely live our knowledge systems and enact our sacred responsibilities.”

She will engage in parallel projects of addressing colonial influences over Indigenous lives, and enacting Indigenous ways of knowing and being within the fields of health and education.

Through the Chairship, Dr. Ray will forward her research on relationships with land, Indigenous traditional economies and traditional healing in Northwestern Ontario, anti-racism and cultural safety in health care, and work toward the recognition of Indigenous knowledges and experience in the admissions and credential processes at post-secondary institutions.

Additionally, in acknowledgement of the ongoing and vital role of Indigenous ways of knowing and self-determination to a decolonizing agenda, Dr. Ray will continue to develop projects that strengthen local and international Indigenous research networks, build Indigenous research infrastructure, and design Indigenous-driven research standards.

“Over the next five years I will continue my work to advance Indigenous concepts of health and wellness that emphasize relationships with land and work to rightfully position Indigenous peoples as the keepers and authorities of our own knowledges and experiences,” she said.

Dr. Ray will work collaboratively with the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, Lakehead International, and the Office of Research Services to advance the activities and strategies associated with Lakehead University’sEquity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, including the vision of a University-based Centre for Research and Scholarship with an Indigenous and international focus.

The chair position is for a five-year term and may be renewed once.

Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, congratulated Dr. Ray on her selection to this important role.

“Lakehead University is very pleased in the appointment of Dr. Ray as the Indigenous Research Chair in Decolonial Futures,” Dr. Dean said.

“She is already an excellent scholar who embraces a community-based approach to her research projects. We really look forward to the research contributions that Dr. Ray will be making over the term of this chair appointment.”

– 30 –

Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

June 14, 2021 – Thunder Bay, Ont.

A Lakehead University professor is co-leading two research teams receiving more than $1.3 million each from the Government of Canada, which will improve the availability of affordable housing in Canada.

Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Chair and Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, is co-leading At Home in the North: Partners in Housing and Home, as well as Community Housing Canada.

“For communities across the Canadian North, chronic housing insecurity is an undeniable public policy priority and human rights issue,” Dr. Schiff said.

“Current strategies to address chronic housing need and homelessness tend to comprise policies and programs developed outside the North, and are thus disconnected from northern needs, realities, priorities and strengths.”

By working in partnership with communities across the provincial and territorial Norths to advance a northern housing continuum, this partnership project informs the development and implementation of context-based, culturally safe programs, services and models for housing and homelessness, developed by and centred in northern communities, Dr. Schiff added.

“Our pan-northern, multi-scale and interdisciplinary approach is critical to effectively bridging the gaps between research outcomes and impact on northern housing by facilitating the translation and implementation of research into policy and practice,” she said.

Dr. Julia Christensen from Memorial University is the project director of At Home in the North: Partners in Housing and Home and she is also a co-lead. Lakehead participants in this project include Dr. Lori Chambers from Women’s Studies and students Ashley Wilkinson, Clifford Mushquash, and Christine May.

Bonnie Krysowaty, a social researcher and planner for the Lakehead Social Planning Council, and Alice Bellavance, Executive Director of Brain Injury Services of Northwestern Ontario, are also participating.

The Community Housing Canada research is focusing on households with low and modest incomes across Canada that struggle to access affordable, suitable, and adequate housing.

“Home ownership is often priced out of their reach and renting in the private market consumes a high proportion of their incomes,” Dr. Schiff said.

“For these households, community housing offers a pathway to home; indeed, it has been characterized as ‘the backbone of Canada's response to housing challenges.’"

The community housing sector in Canada includes more than 628,000 units, provided by over 3,000 public and non-profit organizations. It faces significant challenges – including expiring operating agreements, aging housing stock, insufficient access to capital and limited capacity to increase supply, Dr. Schiff said.

Dr. Damian Collins from the University of Alberta is the principal investigator of this project.

"Congratulations to Dr. Schiff and her partners on obtaining these grants for two extremely important projects,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.

“It is clear that access to suitable affordable housing has unique challenges for residents in the North and needs to have policies and actions that are developed in collaboration with the people who live and work in these regions. Addressing housing needs is an important component of addressing social inequities in Canada.

“Thank you to the Government of Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and SSHRC for this funding,” Dr. Dean said.

In 2020/21, Lakehead University received nearly $2 million in assistance from the Research Support Fund to support the indirect costs of research, which includes costs for supporting the management of intellectual property, research and administration, ethics and regulatory compliance, research resources, and research facilities.

These grants are part of the nearly $14 million in funding that the federal government announced today for housing research under the National Housing Strategy’s Collaborative Housing Research Network, an independent, Canada-wide collaboration of academics and community partners.

The Collaborative Housing Research Network is a joint initiative between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council that will generate new knowledge to support housing policy-making and inform future program development.

– 30 –

Media: For more information or interviews, please contact Brandon Walker, Media, Communications and Marketing Associate, at (807) 343-8177 or mediarelations@lakeheadu.ca.

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

On April 16, 2021, the Government of Ontario tabled legislation that will sever the Northern Ontario School of Medicine from its partnership with Lakehead and Laurentian Universities and make NOSM its own stand-alone, degree-granting institution.

This was a surprise to us all given that NOSM is part of Lakehead University. Furthermore, given the significant impacts such legislation would have on our students, faculty, staff, researchers, and community, we were shocked and disappointed not to have been consulted or included in an important decision that directly affects our institution and the communities we serve.

The current innovative partnership between Lakehead and Laurentian universities and NOSM was forged over many years through collaboration, commitment, and the support of hundreds of dedicated local partners working together with us.

The partnership was specifically designed to respond to the unique and complex health-care needs of the people of Northern Ontario. It has resulted in a growing network of skilled physicians in the North, has nurtured growth in health and science research and innovation, and has been internationally recognized.

While the legislation to create a stand-alone NOSM university was presented as part of a Red Tape Bill, this change is not simply a benign administrative amendment. We know that it will have far reaching impacts on students, on medical education in the North, on the communities we serve, and, unfortunately, on Lakehead University. 

Since the original legislation was tabled in April, the University has taken a strong and principled position that Schedule 16 be pulled from Bill 276 because of the risks to NOSM and Lakehead University. Many others have supported this position, including our Faculty of Law Dean, Dr. Jula Hughes, who stated in her letter to the Government, “Bill 276 throws a double wrench in the works: it exposes medical education in the North to a host of uncertainties and profound challenges. At the same time, it unjustifiably and gratuitously interferes with the reputation of Lakehead University . . .”

In recent weeks, we’ve sought to build and strengthen the Government’s awareness of the impacts of the proposed legislation on program accreditation, costs, and partnerships. We have put forward innovative solutions that maintain and strengthen access to high-quality education and research in Northern Ontario through continued partnership with NOSM. We continue to assert that the Government’s objectives to expand NOSM can be achieved under the current model.

You – our faculty and staff – have voiced your concerns while championing and celebrating our existing relationship with NOSM. I can’t thank you enough for the support you have shown for our University community, and for your compelling voice in celebrating a partnership that was on a positive trajectory.  
 
You have been joined by many others in your opposition to the legislation. Our Board of Governors and our Senate stated strong opposition to the legislation. Over 2,000 letters from concerned citizens, community partners, and medical professionals across the province were sent to the Premier, Ministers, and local MPPs. Students, Indigenous leaders, mayors, universities, and other organizations, each with unique perspectives and interests, are united in their deep concern about the impacts of this decision.

I was joined in opposing the legislation at the Standing Committee on General Government by the Lakehead University Student Union, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association, past University Presidents, the past Chair of the Council of Ontario Universities, and a former Dean of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine, who was the architect of the current Northern Ontario Medical School model.
 
Unfortunately, despite our efforts, the Government of Ontario voted to pass Bill 276 at Queen’s Park earlier today (June 3). Until such a time as this legislation is proclaimed into force, Lakehead University’s current relationship and operations with NOSM remain status quo.

Though we continue to have grave concerns about the means by which this decision was made – without consultation with our University, Senate, faculty and staff, nor with health-care providers, Indigenous communities, and regional business leaders – we know we must now turn our attention to the future.

There are still many important details that need to be explored as the Government moves its agenda forward. Lakehead is committed to engaging in productive and collaborative consultations, however we will continue to uphold a position that does not undermine our University, nor the thriving academic environment we have worked so hard to grow.

We look forward to continuing as a strong advocate for the regions we serve, to actively participating in partnerships that provide the best opportunities for rural, remote, and Indigenous learners, to growing research partnerships that contribute knowledge to society, and to continuing to partner with local and global communities to advance solutions to grand challenges. We hold firm in our belief that we are stronger in the North when we work together, and that Lakehead is vital to high-quality medical education in Northwestern Ontario.

Once again, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who spoke out and advocated on this issue. While this outcome was not what we wanted, please rest assured that your voice was heard and made a real difference in speaking to the future of health care and post-secondary education in Northern Ontario.  


Sincere best wishes,

Dr. Moira McPherson
President and Vice-Chancellor
Lakehead University

The Lakehead-Georgian Partnership, a collaboration between Lakehead University and Georgian College, will celebrate its first cohort of graduates on Tuesday, June 8 and Thursday, June 10.

Ten students enrolled in the Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) degree and Electrical Engineering Technology advanced diploma program, and Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science (Environmental Sustainability) Specialization in Ecosystem Management degree and Environmental Technician diploma program, will earn their degree-diplomas during Lakehead University’s virtual faculty-specific convocation ceremonies.

Stephen Bond of Barrie, Ont. was one of the first electrical engineering students to set foot on Georgian’s Barrie Campus back in September 2017.

“It’s definitely a bittersweet moment for me,” he said while reflecting on the last four years. “I’m happy to be graduating and moving on to the next chapter of my life, but it’s hard to believe that my days at Lakehead-Georgian are behind me.

“It was exciting to have been part of the first class of the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership; I’m happy that we helped pave the way for the next group of students who will be studying in these programs.”

For Bond, the opportunity to be part of the inaugural program has added meaning.

“Being part of a smaller class allowed us to make close connections with the people we were studying with. Over the last four years we’ve built off each other and supported each other. The strong bond that we’ve created will continue beyond graduation.”

For leaders at Lakehead University and Georgian College, 2021 marks a significant milestone for the partnership.

“This celebration of our first cohort of graduates gives us a glimpse of our partnership’s bright future,” said Dr. Moira McPherson, President and Vice-Chancellor of Lakehead University. “We look forward to seeing how the knowledge and practical experience they have received during their time with Lakehead-Georgian will have an impact on our local workplaces and communities.”

“Congratulations to each of our graduates and their families,” said Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, President and CEO of Georgian College. “Although your four-year journey with Lakehead-Georgian is successfully completed, this is just the beginning of your career and exciting opportunities await you. With your degree and diploma, you are uniquely positioned to enter the workforce or proceed with future studies. We wish you every success in your future.”

Launched in 2016, the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership was designed to expand the learning opportunities offered to Simcoe County students that delivered on the needs of the region and economy. The collaborative degree-diploma programs provide a combination of academic and hands-on practical learning, allowing students to complete a university degree and college diploma in just four years.

There are currently four programs offered through Lakehead-Georgian:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Electrical Engineering Technology advanced diploma
• Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science (Environmental Sustainability) Specialization in Ecosystem Management degree with Environmental Technician diploma
• Honours Bachelor of Science in Applied Life Sciences degree with Biotechnology – Health diploma
• Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree with Computer Programming diploma

Learn more about the Lakehead-Georgian Partnership at www.lakeheadgeorgian.ca.

Convocation ceremony and connection details:

• Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m. – Lakehead University Orillia campus main Convocation ceremony, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPDNQQ41P2o_Wo0o8J8C8w/featured
• Tuesday, June 8, 10 a.m. – Conferring of degrees from the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, http://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPDNQQ41P2o_Wo0o8J8C8w/featured
• Thursday, June 10, 10 a.m. – Conferring of degrees from the Faculty of Engineering, http://www.youtube.com/channel/UClPDNQQ41P2o_Wo0o8J8C8w/featured

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For more information or to arrange an interview:

Jaclyn Bucik
Media, Communications and Marketing Associate
Lakehead University
705-330-4010, ext. 2014
jbucik@lakeheadu.ca

Elaine Murray
Communications Specialist
Georgian College
705-728-1968, ext. 1003
elaine.murray@georgiancollege.ca

Lakehead University is a fully comprehensive university with approximately 9,700 full-time equivalent students and over 2,000 faculty and staff at two campuses in Orillia and Thunder Bay, Ontario. Lakehead has 10 faculties, including Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Graduate Studies, Health & Behavioural Sciences, Law, Natural Resources Management, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Science & Environmental Studies, and Social Sciences & Humanities. Lakehead University’s achievements have been recognized nationally and internationally, including being ranked, once again, among Canada’s Top 10 primarily undergraduate universities in Maclean’s 2021 University Rankings; as well as included in the top half of Times Higher Education's 2020 World Universities Rankings for the second consecutive year, and 99th among 1,115 universities from around the world in THE's 2021 Impact Rankings (which assesses institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals). Visit www.lakeheadu.ca.

Georgian College is MORE than an education – it’s an experience. The college offers 130+ market-driven programs, from degrees and diplomas, to certificates, apprenticeships, corporate training and more. A recognized leader in co-operative education, we have one of the highest graduate employment rates among Ontario colleges. We’re the first – and only – college in Canada designated a changemaker college by Ashoka U for our role as a leader in social innovation and changemaking in higher education.