Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 50.13
Liaison Ronnie Dorsnie
Submission Date April 25, 2023

STARS v2.2

John Abbott College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.67 / 2.00 Shannon Coulter-Low
Student Life Counsellor
Student Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Local advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the municipal/local level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
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Regional advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
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National advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the national level?:
Yes

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
In September of 2020, John Abbott College was a contributor to and signatory of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s (CICan) open letter addressed to the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change; and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage. This letter to the federal ministers called for bold commitment to the 2030 Agenda and climate action in COVID-19 economic recovery plans. The letter called for 6 strategies to improve environmental and social well-being in Canada, and pointed out that “the Canadian college and institute sector has massive potential to contribute to Canada’s transition to the just, inclusive, net zero economy.”

Following the publication of the letter, John Abbott contacted our local MP, Francis Scarpaleggia to arrange a meeting with Minister Catherine McKenna as well as representatives from CICan, Mohawk and Lethbridge Colleges to discuss the letter. CICan also presented an ask for funds that would allow colleges across Canada to become Centres of Excellence in colleges across the country. Among other efforts, the letter and subsequent meetings has allowed for CICan to receive millions of dollars in funding to support the College sector in their sustainability endeavours.

International advocacy

Does the institution advocate for public policies that support campus sustainability or that otherwise advance sustainability at the international level?:
No

A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
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Optional Fields 

A brief description of other political positions the institution has taken during the previous three years (if applicable):
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None
A brief description of political donations the institution made during the previous three years (if applicable):
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.