MPP Oosterhoff Joins Minister Dunlop for Tour of Niagara College

Niagara-on-the-Lake – Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, joined Hon. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, as well as Natalie Pierre, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges and Universities, at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus of Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thursday, for a campus tour focused on food and beverage innovation and the local grape and wine sector.

Niagara College hosted a tour of the Marotta Family Innovation Centre at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus, providing an opportunity for Minister Dunlop and MPP Oosterhoff to interact with students who are currently working with industry partners to solve food and beverage challenges and bring products from concept to shelf.

“It was a privilege to join Minister Dunlop at the Marotta Family Innovation Centre at Niagara College,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“Students and staff alike exemplify excellence in experiential learning, and I am grateful for the leadership and openness of Niagara College in sharing their expertise and knowledge with the Minister.”

Sean Kennedy, President of Niagara College; Fiona Allan, Academic Vice-President; Dr. Marc Nantel, Vice-President of Research, Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, and Craig Youdale, Dean of the School of Culinary Arts, participated in the tour.

“I was very pleased to see first-hand how Niagara College is supporting economic growth through unique programs tied to industry need and sector-leading research activity,” said Minister Dunlop.

“With expert faculty and students from around the world, Niagara College is driving innovation and growth in key industry sectors in Niagara and beyond.”

“We were honoured to host Minister Dunlop and showcase how our faculty, students and staff are supporting our economy through innovation and industry-connected programs at a time when the need for highly-skilled college graduates has never been higher,” said President Kennedy.

The Marotta Family Innovation Centre at Niagara College offers a full suite of services to support industry innovation and commercialization of new products and processes in Niagara and beyond.

MPP Oosterhoff also hosted Hon. Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care, for a tour of the United Mennonite Home in Vineland, and Hon. Nina Tangri, Associate Minister of Small Business, for a tour of Amber Stairs & Railings in St. Catharines, Thursday.