Steve Orsini Joins Ottawa Panel on Strengthening Postsecondary Partnerships to Grow the Regional Economy

Thrilled to have recently participated in a high-profile panel discussion in Ottawa focused on how to strengthen partnerships between postsecondary institutions and industry to drive regional economic growth.

The panel brought together Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, Nolan Quinn, Maureen Adamson from Colleges Ontario and myself. Together, we explored how deeper collaboration between universities, colleges, government, and employers can help Ottawa — and the province — build a more innovative and resilient economy.

Advancing Ottawa’s Competitive Edge
I emphasized the unique role universities play in producing advanced talent and cutting-edge research that fuel the growth of key sectors such as technology, life sciences, cybersecurity, and AI. By aligning postsecondary expertise with industry needs, Ottawa can attract new investment, retain highly skilled graduates, and create pathways to good jobs across the region.

Building Stronger Partnerships
The discussion highlighted concrete opportunities to:

• Expand work-integrated learning so students gain hands-on industry experience.
• Scale up applied research collaborations that help local companies innovate and compete globally.
• Strengthen training and upskilling programs to meet workforce needs in emerging sectors.
• Ensure that partnerships reflect community priorities — from housing and infrastructure to defence procurement

Looking Forward
The panel underscored that Ottawa’s future success depends on the strength of its partnerships. Postsecondary institutions, industry, and government each bring unique assets, and by working together, they can accelerate growth, improve prosperity, and build a stronger, more inclusive economy for the National Capital Region.

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