Milloy and Witmer return to Legislature

The ridings surrounding the University of Waterloo are mostly Progressive Conservative blue after yesterday's Ontario election, but across the province the Liberal Party held onto power. Premier Dalton McGuinty will be forming a minority government, with Tim Hudak of the Progressive Conservatives as opposition leader. It's the third mandate for McGuinty, who will also have to deal with a strong New Democratic Party representation when the newly elected Legislature meets.

The only Liberal MPP from the Waterloo Region area will be John Milloy (left), who has been McGuinty’s minister of training, colleges and universities and previously minister of research and innovation. Milloy was re-elected in the Kitchener Centre riding, defeating Dave MacDonald of the PCs in the closest race anywhere in the province.

The Liberals’ Leeanna Pendergast, who has represented the McGuinty government at a number of events at the university recently, went down to defeat in Kitchener-Conestoga riding. The new MPP from that suburban and rural area will be Michael Harris of the PCs.

The Conservatives held onto Kitchener-Waterloo riding, the one that surrounds the main campus, as Elizabeth Witmer, who has represented the area since 1990 and served as education minister, health minister and deputy premier in PC governments, finished ahead of her challengers.

In Cambridge, the winner was Rob Leone of the Conservatives. In the nearby riding of Perth-Wellington, which includes Stratford, PC candidate Randy Pettapiece defeated the Liberal incumbent, John Wilkinson, another former cabinet minister.

Altogether, the Liberals will have 53 seats in the Legislature, the PCs 37, and the New Democratic Party, headed by Andrea Horwath, 17 (figures are subject to recounts).

In overnight comments on the election results, Waterloo president Feridun Hamdullahpur and director of government relations Martin Van Nierop said the university looks forward to working with the re-elected government.

"I'd like to congratulate all the candidates for running a good race," the president said. "Public service is one of the highest callings we can aspire to as citizens.

"We look forward to working with the newly elected Liberal government and our local representatives on the challenges facing the province. The universities of Ontario hold one of the most important keys for ensuring that our society continues to uncover new knowledge, make new discoveries, and develop new technologies.

"And in this Region, the University of Waterloo plays a huge role in producing great graduates and boosting the local economy. We intend to ensure that our thoughts with regard to continuing investment in our campus and post-secondary education are heard at Queen's Park."

Back to top

Facts and factoids on a fine fall Friday

The World University Rankings from Times Higher Education were, as scheduled, published yesterday. They contain more information than they did last year, touching on the world's top 400 universities (or 4 per cent of the global total) rather than just 200. Waterloo, not visible in last year's list, is grouped with other institutions in the "201-225" position, based on a calculation said to involve teaching, research, citations, industry income and international outlook. Staff in the university's institutional analysis and planning are taking a close look at the numbers, and awaiting subject-specific rankings that THE is expected to publish shortly (starting with engineering and technology next week).

The annual magazine published by Waterloo’s Research and Technology Park has been honoured as part of a program of awards for “the world’s best economic development programs”. The honour comes from the International Economic Development Council, and was presented in September during IEDC’s annual conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Excellence in Economic Development Awards are given in 28 categories, including magazines, other marketing materials, and “the year’s most influential leaders”. Says Dennis Coleman, the IEDC’s chair: “We recognize the David Johnston Research + Technology Park for providing successful strategies to promote new standards in economic development in this period of global recovery. Our awards honour organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in communities. They demonstrate that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession and are using innovative and effective practices that can be replicated in other communities.” This year’s issue of the magazine describes Waterloo as “today’s technology playground” and focuses on new occupants of space in the park, such as Agfa Healthcare, along with the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Canadian Water Network, and Sybase.

Voting has begun as the staff association fills half the seats on its eight-member board of directors — three positions for a two-year term and one for one year. Voting is online, and statements are also on the association's web site from the six candidates: Jason Gorrie of information systems and technology, Tom Graham of plant operations, Ling Loerchner of the commercialization office, Katherine MacLean of student success,  Carlos Mendes of psychology, and Mike Patterson of IST. Balloting continues until October 20, and the successful candidates will take office at the association's annual meeting on October 27.

The registrar's office sent an important message this week to more than 31,500 people who are eligible to register as students in the winter term: "Winter Class Enrollment appointments are during week of October 10-15. Check when your enrollment appointment has been assigned in Quest. If you have chosen courses and have decided not to continue at the University of Waterloo for the Winter 2012 term, you are encouraged to speak to your advisor before withdrawing. If you decide to withdraw, you will be required to complete and submit the Undergraduate Notice of Withdrawal form to the Registrar's Office. Once your class enrollment appointment has ended, you will need to wait until October 17, 2011 (Open Enrollment) to make any course changes in Quest."

The university orchestra has set October 17 as the deadline in its concerto and aria competition, which will lead to the winner performing with the orchestra in a public concert next term. • Social work instructor Dan Andreae of Renison University College has been named one of Wilfrid Laurier University's "100 most exceptional graduates", an honour awarded as part of WLU's centenary celebrations. • The Waterloo Public Interest Research Group is looking for one or two "interim" members for its board of directors, chosen from among Waterloo's undergraduate students.

The international spouses group paid a recent visit to "Elena's favourite places in Waterloo", which turn out to include the Ten Thousand Villages shop on King Street. Organizer Elena Cecchetto sent the photo along as a reminder that the group welcomes newcomers. Next outing is today at 1:00 — meet at the Clay and Glass Gallery on Caroline Street for a walk through Waterloo Park.

Back to top

It's Thanksgiving . . . and Oktoberfest

Willkommen to Waterloo — famous for the university, the BlackBerry, and, especially for the next ten days, Oktoberfest and the nationally televised Thanksgiving Day parade with its floats, bands, clowns and local and imported culture.

It's the 43rd annual Oktoberfest for this community — “Canada’s Great Bavarian Festival” — and the festival begins with ceremonies in downtown Kitchener at noontime today. Monday's parade begins at 8:30 a.m. in downtown Waterloo and heads south along King Street into central Kitchener. This year’s parade marshal is sportscaster Brian McFarlane.

Oktoberfest, honouring Waterloo Region’s deep German heritage, offers a number of special events aimed at families, including Saturday morning's pancake breakfast and barrel race in central Waterloo, and the "Oktoberfest Idol" competition in Kitchener on Saturday. Plenty of sporting events, meals and opportunities to dance and laugh are also on the program. And on Tuesday the Oktoberfest “Women of the Year” will be announced, in such categories as arts and culture, community service, and “young adult”, a set of honours that often includes people connected with the university.

The heart of the festival is the "festhalls" scattered across the city (and open varying days), with German music, German food and a certain German beverage in abundance. Various outings to some of the festhalls are planned, including “Student Night” at Bingemans next Thursday (tickets $12 at the Federation of Students office).

Meanwhile, the campus will be quiet for the next three days as Thanksgiving is observed. Monday, October 10, is a holiday — university offices and most services will be closed, and classes will not be held. The Physical Activities Complex and Columbia Icefield are open from 11 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday. The Dana Porter and Davis Centre libraries will be open normal hours on Saturday and Sunday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday. The bookstore and other retail outlets will be closed both Saturday and Monday. Campus-wide, it's back to normal on Tuesday morning.

As always, the university police (519-888-4911) will be at work, the Student Life Centre (519–888-4434) will be open, and the central plant will monitor campus buildings (maintenance emergencies, ext. 33793).

Finally . . . with the beginning of Oktoberfest, there can be more than the usual number of too-merry drivers on the road; let us celebrate with moderation and drive with care. And at Thanksgiving may we be, as the old grace says, truly thankful. The sorrows and burdens come easily enough to mind, but still, we can remind ourselves, we in Canada and at Waterloo have so much for which to give thanks.

CAR

Back to top