Minister's Statement

Re:      James Downey, President and Chief Executive Officer
            Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

James Downey concludes term as HEQCO president and chief executive officer

On behalf of the Government of Ontario, I want to thank Dr. James Downey for his tremendous contribution to the operation, direction, management and supervision of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario as its president and chief executive officer.

Since 2007, he has ably guided HEQCO staff towards fulfilling their mandate to improve all aspects of the postsecondary education sector, including improving quality, access and the accountability of institutions.

With his extensive experience in the university sector as an academic, a university president, an advisor to governments and the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada on postsecondary education issues, and a representative on international university education bodies, Dr. Downey helped establish HEQCO's credibility in the sector, and helped raise its profile.

My deepest thanks to Dr. Downey for his professional devotion. His efforts have strengthened Ontario's postsecondary education and training system to make it the envy of other jurisdictions.

I wish Dr. Downey all the best as he continues his personal learning adventure.

John Milloy
Minister