Confederation College Launches New Strategic Plan at 2026 Report to Community

Confederation College reflected on a year of resilience, growth, partnerships, and regional impact during its annual Report to Community presentation on Wednesday, while also unveiling a new five-year strategic plan that will guide the institution through 2031.

Presented by President Michelle Salo, the event highlighted key accomplishments from the final year of the College’s 2020–2026 strategic plan, Kaa-anokaatekin – Work That is Now Carried, including growth in domestic enrolment, expanded workforce development initiatives, strengthened Indigenous partnerships, and continued investment in applied learning and regional collaboration.

The presentation also reflected on a year of significant transition across Ontario’s postsecondary sector. Following a challenging period marked by sector-wide financial pressures and international enrolment changes, Confederation College highlighted a year of resilience and progress in strengthening its long-term sustainability and positioning itself to support the evolving workforce, training, and community needs of Northwestern Ontario.

The presentation also introduced Confederation College’s new 2026–2031 strategic plan, Mino-Wiijiwiidowinan – Good Relationships, which was developed through engagement with employees, students, Indigenous communities, and regional partners. The plan focuses on five strategic pillars: Indigenous Leadership and Reconciliation; Learner Access, Success, and Belonging; Regional and System Partnerships; Organizational Sustainability and Agility; and Future-Ready Learning and Innovation.

“Confederation College continues to evolve alongside the communities and industries we serve,” said Michelle Salo, President of Confederation College. “This year’s Report to Community reflects the strength of our partnerships, the resilience of our students and employees, and our continued commitment to creating opportunities across Northwestern Ontario. As we launch our new strategic plan, we are building on a strong foundation while positioning the College to respond to future workforce, community, and learner needs.”

Among the highlights shared during the presentation were:

• A $12 million increase to the College’s provincial operating grant.
• New workforce and training partnerships with organizations, including Seven Generations Education Institute, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the City of Thunder Bay.
• A $3.2 million Grid Innovation Fund investment supporting applied research and the development of large-scale heat pump systems, thermal storage, and energy efficiency solutions in partnership with Synergy North.
• Growth in skilled trades supports through the launch of a $500,000 Canerector Foundation Scholars Program.
• Ongoing advancement of Indigenous learning and reconciliation initiatives, including a new Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan and expanded Indigenous Learning Outcomes implementation across programs.

The event was hosted in person at Confederation College’s Thunder Bay campus and livestreamed to regional campuses and communities across Northwestern Ontario.

The full 2026 Report to Community is available online at community.confederationcollege.ca.

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Confederation College has been serving the citizens of northwestern Ontario since 1967, providing transformative education across a vast 550,000 square kilometre region. Our main campus in Thunder Bay, together with seven regional sites in Dryden, Longlac, Kenora, Marathon, Fort Frances, Red Lake, and Sioux Lookout, and an expanding Distance Education division, open pathways to personal advancement and professional achievement for over 7,000 full- and part-time students each year. With 600+ staff, we drive personal and community growth, contributing significantly to the local economy with a $707.3 million annual impact. At Confederation College, we champion the spirit of courage, advocating for actions and decisions that empower our community; we uphold the principle of equity, ensuring fair access and opportunity for all to realize their potential; and we value and cultivate relationships that foster collaboration and understanding among students, staff, and the communities we serve.

For more information, please contact:

Scott Hobbs, Communications Consultant 
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 807-475-6295 | Cell: 807-621-5265