June 26, 2003
Provincial/Territorial Roundtable
Ontario June 24, 2003
George Brown College
Toronto
Minutes of the Meeting
Attendees:
Baker, Bill
Ontario School Counsellors Assoc. 905-774-1163
willbake@gedsb.net
Ball, Jane
The Career Centre, Barrie
705-725-8990
jball@barriecareercentre.com
Beaupré, Bernadette
One Step
416-591-7151
bbeaupre@onestep.on.ca
DiLena, Tony
Ministry of Education
416-314-0347
tony.dilena@edu.gov.on.ca
Djait, Nadia
C.A.C.E.E
416-929-5100
nadia.djait@cacee.com
Fox-Casey, June
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Univ.
416-326-5857
june.fox-casey@edu.gov.on.ca
Goyette, Pat
George Brown College
416-415-5000
pgoyette@gbrownc.on.ca
Hedges, Phil
Ontario School Counsellors Assoc.
519-443-6995
philhedg@enoreo.on.ca
Hess, Peter
HRDC
416-954-7489
peter.hess@hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
Kelly, Jim
Career Services Queen’s Univ.
613-533-2992
kellyj@post.queensu.ca
Liptrot, Jen
ACTEW
416-599-3590
jen@actew.org
MacPherson, Doug
CSTEC
416-480-1797
dmacpherson@cstec.ca
Morrow, Greg
Career /Work Counsellor Program
416-415-5000
gmorrow@gbrownc.on.ca
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Redmond, Patti
Ministry of Training, Colleges Univ.
416-326-5849
patti.redmond@edu.gov.on.ca
Roberts, Bruce
CAW
416-718-8471
robertsb@caw.ca
Tabet, Jean-Philippe
CCIP-PICC
613-565-2247
ccip0pcic@aol.com
Varney, Brenda
HRDC
416-954-7233
brenda.varney@hrdc-dhrc.gc.ca
Wishnousky, Manon
Automotive Parts Manuf. Assoc.
416-620-4220 (236)
mwishnousky@apma.ca
Woods-Baum, Sahri
Ryerson University
416-979-5000
swoodsba@acs.ryerson.ca
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1. Presentation and Discussion
Pat Goyette opened the meeting and welcomed all participants. Participants introduced
themselves, saying which organisation they represent and explaining the interests that
brought them to this roundtable meeting.
Lynne gave a PowerPoint presentation on the National Symposium: Background, Vision
and Future. The Symposium objectives were placed in context with recent Canadian and
International initiatives on career development, lifelong learning and workforce
development.
Participants were asked to take a few minutes in small groups to answer the following
question: In what ways can the vision for the Symposium and the objectives as outlined
in the presentation contribute to and advance the lifelong learning system and workforce
development in Ontario? The discussion led to the following reactions:

It is a great opportunity to bring people together and generate partnerships. The
most difficult part will be the follow-up piece: there is a need for a kind of national
body to ensure follow-up action is implemented and the agenda brought forward.

The “political process” needs to be activated. Again the importance of follow-up
was stressed: the best policy could miss the point if it is not well disseminated at
the political level so it has a chance of being implemented. Participants
encouraged doing this in small steps, ensuring results from the small steps before
going further. Also expressed was the importance of recognising excellent
practices already occurring and building on what is already happening.

Post-Symposium action is essential. It was suggested that the links to the
Canadian Learning Institute be explored. CCDF is in the process of doing this.
The issue of valuing learning was discussed and the view was strong that while
we value formal learning, we do not value informal learning. We need to find ways
to strengthen and implement PLAR. There are good PLAR models within the
Native community; these could inform the Symposium process and outcomes. It
was also noted that lifelong learning goals are different depending on
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demographics, contexts, conditions and needs: there are distinct and different
needs for “career development/guidance”.

The “ideal” number of team members (9) is clearly not enough for Ontario. The
right people need to be identified and there are missing voices in the ideal model
which need to be included. It was emphasized that the number is a place to start
and is focused on trying to get a representative and balanced team. As long as
there is an effort to continue to strive for balance the actual numbers can increase
substantially. The numbers of 14-20 for Ontario were tentatively discussed.

Funding is always a major issue: we know what needs to be done, but we do not
have the money to do it. Funding for the action plan will be critical.

An appropriate communication vehicle does not exist: there is no mechanism to
find out about good practices quickly and often not at all. Including a media
partner in thinking about how this initiative could contribute to a lifelong learning
culture is very worth considering.
Overall there was support for the objectives of the National Symposium as long as
the results benefit the advances already underway in the province. The national
agenda can contribute to this and expand it but no one wants to lose what is already
well begun. It was stressed by CCDF that the “bottom line” of the Symposium is that
it must acknowledge and build on what is happening now which is moving us forward
and it must be value added to all provincial and territorial teams. At the same time
there is an opportunity for contribution and for learning on a national scale from
promising practices and experiences across the country which can be enormously
beneficial.
The Power Point electronic version will be sent with the minutes so that it can be
easily used. Participants are free to adapt, revise and add to it as suits their
objectives and audiences.

Building a Provincial Team: Brainstorming Session
Building a representative team to represent the 3 stakeholder groups was presented as
“the critical ingredient” to the success of the Symposium. Members of the team ideally
should be decision makers themselves or in positions of influence so that they have
access to and can provide briefings to senior decision makers in their respective
jurisdictions following the Symposium.
The selection of the team will be the responsibility of the province/territory; CCDF will
assist wherever possible and desired. It was recognised that for this to be a
representative and inclusive process rather than competitive and exclusive is a very
important objective and critical to the spirit and the intent of the Symposium. All of these
factors present important challenges to be addressed.
The ideal team composition was outlined consisting of representatives from the three
stakeholder groups as follows:
o
Policy Developers:
Education – K to 12
Employment/Career Services
Social Services
o
Career Development Practitioners:
Academic/Researcher
Professional Association
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Manager of Adult Career Services
o
Workplace/Employers:
Sector Council
Small and Medium Enterprises
Labour/Union
The Roundtable was asked to address the following question:
 Where are these representatives structurally located in the province?
The participants worked in three small groups and presented their ideas. The discussion
led to the identification of the following organisations/groups/existing bodies that would
need to be included:
o
Policy Developers:
Training:
Economic Development
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ministry of Education
Education:
Career Education Policy K-12
Choices into Action (School Board, Provincial sectors)
Job Connect Associations
Ontario Help Centres
Ont. Assoc. of Youth Employment Centres
College Sectors
Apprenticeship
Social Services
Labour Market Information
Ontario Works
Ministry of Health
Correctional Services
o
Career Practitioners:
Academic/Researcher
OISE
George Brown College
Caledon Institute
University of Waterloo Career Centre
Professional Association
Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners
One Step
Ontario School Counsellors Association
Ontario College Counsellors Association
Human Resources Professional Association
Education to Work
Canadian Career Info Association
Can. Assoc. of Career Educators and Employers
Native Friendship Centres
Aboriginal Human Resources Sector Council
Ont. Council for Newly Serving Immigrants
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o
Ont. Network of Int’l Trained Professionals
There are numerous associations in Ontario. Representation should
cover Immigrants and Aboriginal, as well as school and community
sectors.
Managers of Services
Career Centres
YMCA
Industry Education Council
Private Providers
Ontario Learning Partnership
Canadian Association Rehabilitation Professionals
Ontario Works
Ont. Municipalities Social Services Association
Workplace/Employers:
Businesses
Associations (i.e.: CME, APMA, CVMA, CTMA, HRPAO, etc.)
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Conference Board of Canada
Champions (i.e.: BMO, Royal Bank, Dofasco, Biovail, Microsoft,
Dupont, GE, Toyota, OPG, etc.)
Sector Councils:
Plastics Council
Steel Trades and Employment Congress
Ontario Aerospace Council
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Canadian Automotive Partnership Council
Canadian Construction Council
Canadian Tourism Council
Cultural Career Council
Labour:
Canadian Auto Workers
United Steelworkers
Public Sector Unions
Private Sector Unions
Labour Federations
Equity Groups
Responsibilities and desired qualities of those who would be on the team were presented
as follows:
o Openness to innovation
o Readiness to review communications pieces
o Willingness to invest some time (if this direction is decided upon)
o Attendance at the Symposium
o Commitment to brief senior officials post-Symposium
o Willingness to initiate and support follow-up actions
o The team should be a good representation of the challenges in the labour
market and in career development in the province
.
Following the plenary, participants were asked to develop an action plan to ensure the
identification of team members.
The following action steps were identified:
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Steps
By When
Who
July 15
June and Tony will organise
the meeting
1. Follow-up with Policy
Meet with Grant Clark to
seek endorsement,
references, leverages for
additional funding
2. Speak to HRDC: RHQ
July 15
Director of HRI
HRC Offices:
*Understand the initiative
*Endorsement
*ADM Ontario: might be
some $ attached
Bernadette Beaupré
3. Liaise with the Career July 15
Development Community
Bernadette
Jen will assist
4. Contact Catherine Swift July 21st
(CFIB) :
*Inform
*Representation of SME’s
on the team
Manon
5. Ontario Federation of
Labour
Call on June 26
Doug McPherson
6. Canadian Automotive
Partnership
July 21
Manon
7. Canadian Construction
Council
June 27
Lynne Bezanson et JeanPhilippe Tabet
8. Academic Research:
*OISE
*York
Jen to connect
9. Career Development
Educators in Ontario
Pat
10. Conference call
Participants:
Jen
Manon
Doug
Pat
Tony (Replacement)
Bernadette
Bruce (CAW Reps)
Jean-Philippe
August 6, 2003 at 10:00 a.m.
Lynne to
Bernadette
agenda
organise
to draft
and
the
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3. National Symposium Framework Draft Paper
Lynne presented the Framework for the National Symposium Paper, asking participants
to specifically look at the last section dealing with the Pre-Symposium Paper questions.
The reaction was very positive: participants felt that the questions were very relevant and
could be easily answered. The Pre-Symposium Paper will be a requirement for all team
participation to the Symposium. The Provincial/Territorial papers will all be part of the
proceedings, but will not be individually presented at the Symposium: a synthesis of
common elements as well as differences will be done and will serve as the basis for
discussion at the Symposium.
Participants were invited to contribute to the Communication Strategy by writing a twothree pager on innovative practices going on in Ontario. A resources section containing
the provinces/territories’ contributions will be part of the Symposium proceedings as will
all the provincial/territorial papers. The proceedings will be available on line and in
published format for all participants.
4. Closure
The Ontario discussion emphasised the importance of careful planning for follow-up
action as a result of the Symposium as well as the necessity to build on the good work
people are already doing. This is helpful input for CCDF. The small step philosophy was
reinforced to ensure results and staying grounded in what can realistically and
reasonably be accomplished.
It is recognised that putting together a provincial Team and finding resources to attend
will be challenging. The concept of ‘stewardship” was discussed as well whereby
individuals who end up as members of the team represent a constituency of interest and
have a responsibility to include their constituency in the preparation for and results of the
Symposium and the follow-up actions. If the stewardship model is truly embraced, a
smaller team actually attending could have very positive results and thus make financing
more viable.
CCDF offered to be of whatever assistance it is able to provide to support the province in
moving this initiative forward. The meeting was very much appreciated. CCDF looks
forward to working with the Ontario Roundtable and the Ontario Team in the coming
months.
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