# BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING #475 Board Chair Jeff Molyneaux called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to Kirkland Lake Campus for the first Board meeting of the term. He introduced the guests joining the Board today: Kate Fyfe, Danielle Bélanger-Corbin and Gary Fortin of Kapuskasing. He also acknowledged the departures of K | | | |---|---| | Type | PDF | | Size | 123 KB | [Open original PDF →](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/BoardMeeting475.pdf) Referenced from: [Board of Governors](/pages/about/board-of-governors/) ## Document text ## BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING #475 Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Timmins Campus, Room A106 ## PRESENT: Board: J. Molyneaux, Chair D. Patel, Governor-at-Large A. Ansari C. Crawford E. Ollila F. Gibbons M. Dumas, President & CEO K. Bains K. Bird K. Grenke M. Lachance Staff: - A. Baghdady, Executive Director, International Recruitment and Market Development - D. Lessard, Senior Vice-President Academic & Student Success - G. MacDougall, A/Senior Vice-President Corporate Services - L. Hanes, Executive Assistant, Office of the President and Board of Governors - J. Dicks, Director, Marketing, Communications and External Relations - J. Moorlag, Executive Director, Student Services, Institutional Research and Registrar Guests: D. Bélanger-Corbin G. Fortin - K. Fyfe Regrets: D. Naveau, First Vice-Chair S. Frappier ## 1. Call to Order - 1.1 Remarks from Chair Board Chair Jeff Molyneaux called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone to Kirkland Lake Campus for the first Board meeting of the term. He introduced the guests joining the Board today: Kate Fyfe, Danielle Bélanger-Corbin and Gary Fortin of Kapuskasing. He also acknowledged the departures of Ken Wojtus and Mike Metatawabin from the Board, thanking them for their years of valuable contributions to the College. ## 1.2 Acknowledgement of Territory We begin by acknowledging that we are on the traditional and territorial lands of the Cree, OjiCree, Ojibway, and Algonquin homelands. We acknowledge these ancestral lands that we are gathered on, which continue to interconnect us all and remind us that we are all treaty people. First Nation communities now located on these lands include: Mattagami, Matachewan, Flying Post, Wahgoshig, Taykwa Tagamou and Metis Peoples Region #3. ## 2. Declaration of Conflict of Interest Chair Molyneaux called for disclosures of actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. None were declared. ## 3. Approval of Agenda The Chair asked if there were any additions or modifications to the agenda. None received. Moved by: D. Patel Motion 68-11-24 Seconded by: K. Grenke THAT the agenda for the Northern College Board of Governors Meeting #475 dated November 12, 2024, be adopted as presented. Carried ## 4. Presentation Timmins Trades Signature Programs Jamie Johnston, Dean of Technology, Trades and Apprenticeship The Board has made a goal of learning more about the College's signature programming to more effectively advocate on behalf of the College. Dean Jamie Johnston, Professor Marcel Poliquin, and student Mackenzie have joined to share more information on the Industrial Millwright program. The Mechanical Techniques - Industrial Millwright certificate is a one-year program that prepares students to install, repair and maintain complex machinery in the industry. The Mechanical Technician is a two-year program or one-year extension of the Mechanical Techniques program. These programs combine problem-solving techniques, critical thinking machinery alignment, blueprint reading, communication skills, time management, innovation and collaboration to produce top-quality graduates. Safety is an over-arching theme in all courses. The programs attract both domestic and international students. Many are drawn into the workforce after their first year, as there is a high demand for these skills in the labour market. Students and staff proudly represented Northern College in the Skills Ontario competitions. Students are attracted to these programs as they appeal to those who want to be able to do it all in these highly mechanical workplaces. The small class sizes provide more one-on-one instructions and hands-on experience. The sense of community at the Timmins Campus and well-stocked labs are a draw during recruitment activities. ## 5. Consent Agenda The Chair asked if any governor wished to comment on or remove any items from the Consent Agenda. President Dumas asked to remove item 5.2.1 Board Members Assigned to PACs. Moved by: D. Patel Motion 69-11-24 Seconded by: K. Bains THAT item #5.2.1 be placed on the regular agenda; and THAT the Board of Governors approves Consent Agenda items, including all applicable motions. ## 5.1. Receive Board Committee Minutes THAT Board Committee Minutes be received. Carried - 5.2. Program Advisory Committee Schedule 5.2.1 Board Members Assigned to PACs President Dumas asked for volunteers to fill Board representation on some Program Advisory Committees. The names of volunteers and contact information will be shared with the committee coordinators. - Program Advisory Appointments 5.3.1 Recommendation of S. Salvis to Paramedic PAC THAT the Board of Governors approve Sarah Salvis to the Paramedic Program Advisory Committee. Carried - 5.3. ## 6. Discussion Items - 6.1 Approval of Minutes of Meeting #474 held September 20, 2024 Chair Molyneaux asked for any changes to the Minutes presented. None requested. Moved by: E. Ollila Motion 70-11-24 Seconded by: M. Lachance THAT the minutes of Board Meeting #474 held September 20, 2024, be approved as presented. Carried ## 6.2 Report from the Board Vacancy Nominating Committee Chair Molyneaux shared that the Board Policy Committee met on November 6 th to discuss the recent resignations and determine the next steps for the current vacancies. This Committee had previously reviewed and approved candidates in anticipation of upcoming vacancies. The Committee is now recommending that Danielle BélangerCorbin and Gary Fortin be appointed to the Board for a three-year, effectively immediately, so that they may participate as full-voting members of this Board for the remainder of the meeting, and ending August 31, 2027. Carried Moved by: F. Gibbons Motion 71-11-24 Seconded by: K. Grenke THAT the Board of Governors approve the appointment of Danielle Bélanger-Corbin for a 3-year term effective immediately and ending August 31, 2027. AND THAT the Board of Governors approve the appointment of Gary Fortin for a 3-year term effective immediately and ending August 31, 2027. Carried The Committee also recognized a vacancy on the Board Executive Committee in light of Governor Wojtus' departure. Bylaw 1 states: 'If the office of the Chair or Vice-Chair, or one or more of them, becomes vacant by any reason, the Board shall appoint one of the appointed governors to fill such vacancy.' Moved by: K. Grenke Motion 72-11-24 Seconded by: K. Bird THAT the Board of Governors appoint Dixit Patel as Second Vice-Chair. Carried Moved by: F. Gibbons Motion 73-11-24 Seconded by: M. Lachance THAT the Board of Governors appoint Kraymr Grenke to the Board Executive as Governor-at-large Carried ## 6.3 Efficiency and Accountability Fund Plan Acting Senior Vice-President MacDougall shared the Ministry of Colleges and Universities correspondence regarding the Efficiency and Accountability Fund. Of $1.3B in total funding, $913M will be allocated to the first year. Northern College makes up approximately 0.4% of the sector and estimates the total funding received from this initiative to be $700,000. The conditions of receipt for this funding include a review, which the Ministry has allocated an additional $500,000 to complete. The review is due in January 2025, with five key focus areas. The goal is to explore efficiencies and organization. For the first time, the Ministry has authorized the use of reserves to pay for ongoing operating costs. KPMG has been awarded the consulting contract for the review and will submit the report to MCU in consultation with the College. While Boards of Governors do not typically take part in operational aspects of colleges, the resulting action plan (due in March 2025) must be endorsed by the Board of Governors. ## 7. Reports and Information - 7.1 Financial Reports: 7.1.1 Finance report for the period ended September 30, 2024 Mr. MacDougall presented the finance report that ended September 30, 2024, and reported the variances from the budget presented in May 2024. As expected, the revenues from the partnership with PURES College are slowly decreasing due to lower enrolment. ## 7.1.2 Investment Report as of September 30, 2024 A/SVP MacDougall also presented the investment report, which shows that the College's assets continue to accrue interest. There has been a significant increase in interest accrual in the last three months. ## 7.2 Quarterly Risk Management Report Mr. MacDougall presented the risk management report. The RM tool continues to be populated through consultations with the key stakeholders throughout the College. A specific focus on emergency preparedness over the last few months, as the College has been running fire drills and plans to conduct a lockdown simulation. As the College has been open to hosting more large-scale events, particularly on the Timmins Campus, the College must ensure adequate staff and training to meet legislative requirements. ## 7.3 Enrolment Report Executive Director Jennifer Moorlag presented the audited Day 10 enrolment data report from Fall 2024. This data has been submitted to the Ministry of Colleges and Ontario. Including both full and part-time, Northern College counts an enrolment of 2,563 students. The full-time headcount, excluding collaborative programs, is 2,075. Timmins Campus's top program is Supply Chain Management, Kirkland Lake Campus's top program is Practical Nursing, Haileybury Campus's top program is Veterinary Technician, and Moosonee's top program is Practical Nursing. Of the total enrolment, 15% of students self-identify as indigenous, and the top 5 programs indigenous students are enrolled in are all in helping fields. ## 7.4 Report from Northern College Indigenous Council on Education No report. ## 7.5 President's Report President Dumas presented his report in a new format. It now includes more details about how he has been working towards achieving his performance objectives. He reported on the progress in developing the Strategic Plan and Strategic Enrolment Management Plan. There have been collaborative meetings of the northern colleges. Mr. Dumas has contacted First Nations communities to set up introductions and learn about their communities' needs. He has also been meeting with local Ministers to discuss funding support opportunities. President Dumas is hosting strategic solutions-focused meetings of the Senior Management Team to meet his objective of presenting a balanced budget for 2025-2026. ## 7.6 Business Plan Q2 Progress Report. Senior Vice-President Dean Lessard reported on the second quarter status of the Business Plan. He also noted that the build plan for the 2025-2026 Business Plan will be a new and more collaborative process. ## 7.6.1 Business Plan Initiative 1.2.1 Director Jaret Dicks presented the integration of indigenous culture and landbased learning activities into college programming. This initiative supports the College's decolonization and indigenization efforts. Miikana Consulting has grounded this work in the Indigenous ways of being, doing and knowing. Staff at the College are guided by the concepts of respect, responsibility, relevance and reciprocity, as well as the seven grandfather teachings. The initiative will be completed with the development and implementation of a wise practice-informed 'Decolonizing and Indigenizing Teaching and Learning Guide' for Northern College. ## 7.6.2 Business Plan Initiative 3.2.2 Executive Director Moorlag presented on creating a research strategy in support of requirements established by degree accrediting bodies. This initiative supports the Invigorating Northern Experiences as it related to the improvement of the content, delivery and methodology of Northern's programming. These include applied research, publishing articles, innovative tools or strategies for learning. An environmental scan is conducted to review the sector guidelines, which will inform the creation of a procedure for submitting reports to the accrediting bodies. It also includes the establishment of a research ethics board at the College. ## 7.7 Reports from Advisory Committee Board Representatives Chair Molyneaux shared his experience from the Electrical Engineering Technician PAC. This group has been reconstituted and is becoming more productive. He also attended the Welding PAC, which has been providing good feedback to help improve the program and boost enrolment. The members of this PAC are from all over Canada and the United States. There is a high demand for grads from the welding program and they need to find new ways to fill this industry need. Governor Ollila attended the Law Clerk PAC as staff and reported that it was well attended by partners in the industry. ## 7.8 Board Member Community Related Updates Director Dicks reported on the recruitment activities in the community, including presenting options for scholarships to prospective students. SVP Lessard thanked the Board of Governors for their involvement with the Colleges Quality Assurance Audit Process. The feedback has been very positive, with no suggestions for improvement as most improvements were already captured in a detailed B o a r d o f G o v e r n o r s M e e t i n g # 4 7 5 - N o v e m b e r 1 2 , 2 0 2 4 -P a g e | 7 self-study. The preliminary report will be available in December. The next CQAAP will take place in six years. ## 8. Move to In-Camera Meeting Moved by: K. Grenke Seconded by: K. Bird THAT the Board of Governors move in-camera at 2:46 pm. ## 9. Report from In-Camera Meeting Moved by: D. Bélanger-Corbin Motion 75-11-24 Seconded by: D. Patel THAT the Board resume the open session at 3:16 pm. AND THAT matters discussed proceed as presented. ## 10. Next Meeting - 10.1 Tuesday, January 21, 2024 (Moosonee Campus) - 10.2 Future Agenda Items The Chair invited governors to forward any requests for agenda items to the Executive Assistant to the Board of Governors, Leslie Hanes. ## 11. Motion to Adjourn Moved by: E. Ollila Motion 76-11-24 Carried THAT the meeting be adjourned. Time noted at 3:19 pm. Leslie Hanes Executive Assistant to the Board Motion 74-11-24 Carried --- Source: [https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/BoardMeeting475.pdf](https://www.northerncollege.ca/uploads/2025/07/BoardMeeting475.pdf)