Several letters to the editor (February 16) raise questions and concerns about the proposed merger of Carlton Trail Regional College (CTRC) and St. Peter's College (SPC.)
It is important to understand why the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration decided to commission an independent review of the process.
As early as April 2009, CTRC and SPC began informal discussions around a concept to work more closely together. On June 22, 2010, the Ministry received a formal submission from CTRC and SPC to merge.
We value the important role that both Carlton Trail Regional College and St. Peter's College play in our post-secondary education system, the learners they serve, and their interest in proposing something new for consideration.
Our duty as a Ministry is to ensure that the interests of the province's students and tax payers are well served.
To ensure due diligence and transparency, the Ministry hired Meyers Norris Penny (MNP), one of Canada's largest chartered accountancy and business advisory firms, to conduct extensive public consultations as well as to review, assess and provide recommendations on the proposal. Numerous stakeholders have taken the opportunity to participate in these consultations.
MNP's recommendations will be reviewed before the Ministry makes a decision on the merger proposal.
