SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — CDI College

Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize CDI College for its enduring commitment to providing career-focused post-secondary education and training to students across Canada since 1969.

For nearly six decades, CDI College has opened doors for countless individuals, offering practical training in essential fields, including health care, early childhood education, dental care, information technology, cybersecurity, business, legal studies, skilled trades, community services, hospitality and design. Today, its network of 36 campuses spans British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, acting as vital local hubs of opportunity and economic mobility.

Honourable senators, Canada faces an economic reality that demands our full attention. We are confronting profound labour shortages across critical sectors from coast to coast to coast. Our hospitals and long-term care facilities face severe demands for health care professionals.

Our communities urgently need early childhood educators to support families and workforce participation. Our evolving digital and corporate landscapes require skilled workers in cybersecurity, network administration and business.

CDI College hits these challenges head-on. By providing market-driven, accelerated programs with hands-on training in industry-standard labs and mandatory practicum placements, CDI College bridges the divide between eager learners and employers desperate to hire. Students at CDI College do not just learn theory; they gain real-world experience, ensuring they step into the workforce ready to contribute from day one.

Behind this vital work is the strong foundation built by generations of students, graduates, expert instructors and staff at CDI College. I want to express my sincere regard for the chairman, Dr. Peter Chung, and his visionary leadership, as well as the substantial investments Primacorp Ventures is making in Canadian education. Through CDI College campuses and other educational institutions they support, their leadership ensures that private career education remains agile, modern and deeply responsive to Canada’s economic needs.

I also want to acknowledge Yul Kim, president of Primacorp’s education division, along with his dedicated team, whose tireless operational efforts and commitment to educational excellence turn that vision into a daily reality.

Honourable senators, please join me in applauding their invaluable contributions to our communities and to Canada’s economic future. Thank you.