“Our future as a city, a province and a country depends on the creation of more and better explorers, risk-takers in business who are able, willing and trained to scan the wider horizons of national and international commerce, to realize the infinite opportunities the world offers.”

CanWest Global Foundation Commitment to Education and Training

The Centre for Cultural Management at the University of Waterloo

The CanWest Global Foundation provided multi-year support totaling $25,000 to the Centre for Cultural Management’s online institute at the University of Waterloo in Ontario. This unique program is dedicated to helping arts and cultural managers build stable, productive organizations by equipping them with the information and professional development they need to successfully manage a cultural organization.

Red River College – CanWest Global Multimedia Classroom and Studio

The CanWest Global Foundation’s commitment to training for broadcasting careers began close to home, with a financial commitment to Winnipeg’s Red River College. In June 2000, Red River College officially opened the new CanWest Global Multimedia Classroom and Studio with the support of a $50,000 donation from the CanWest Global Foundation. The renovated facility is used in the production of videotape, CD-ROM and internet based training materials for the college’s on-site and distance education programs.

Academic Support

CanWest Global Foundation’s contribution to the media and broadcast industry in Canada ensured that this emerging generation is given every opportunity to excel. The funding provided to post-secondary education programs across the country will help sustain a tradition of excellence in Canadian media. The CanWest Global Foundation helped young people train for careers in the media and assists colleges and universities in providing the resources they needed to offer leading edge educational opportunities. In 2000, CanWest announced an $84 million benefits package that was disbursed over five years: $12.3 million of the package was earmarked to help fund communications and media studies in Canadian colleges and universities, $2.25 million for industry training centres, $23.9 million for a production fund, plus additional funds for Canadian programming initiatives.

  • Red River College in Winnipeg received $50,000 to launch the new CanWest Global Multimedia Classroom and Studio.
  • Lethbridge Community College received $225,000 to fund a news broadcasting centre.
  • University of Lethbridge received a $100,000 contribution for a multimedia production centre.
  • Red Deer College received $225,000 to open Alberta’s first applied degree program for motion picture arts.
  • Grant MacEwen College received $150,000 to be used for bursaries and scholarships for students in the communications and broadcast journalism fields.
  • University of Alberta received $100,000 to endow the Global Television Network’s Acting for the Camera program.
  • Athabasca University received $100,000 to fund the formation of a Media Studies Website.
  • University of Calgary received $100,000 for a communications studies lecture series.
  • The University of British Columbia received $500,000 for a chair in journalism.
  • Simon Fraser University received $200,000 for a graduate fellowship in communications.
  • Camosun College in B.C. received $200,000 for a centre for electronic field production.
  • Royal Roads University in B.C. received $100,000 for awards funding.
  • University of Victoria received$250,000 for a scholarship in film and video arts, an equipment fund and a new video artists studio.
  • North Island College in Victoria, B.C. received $50,000 for student bursaries and a Success in Communications award.
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology received $250,000 for the creation of the Global Television News Centre of Excellence.
  • Mohawk College in Hamilton received $1 million for the establishment of the Global Television Network Technology Endowment Fund, which will ensure communications students at Mohawk maintain a level of proficiency with industry standards.
  • McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario received $1 million for the establishment of the Global Television Chair in Communications in the Faculty of Humanities.

When CanWest Global Communication’s Corp. was operating, its newspapers were strong supporters of media education, contributing to a chair in business and financial journalism at Carleton University and the Concordia University School of Media Studies at Loyalist College, among others.

Industry Support

  • The Banff Television Festival received $500,000 for the Global Television Grand Prize at the Rockie Award. This award is the highest honour at the Banff International Television Festival and celebrates excellence in television programming.
  • The Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television received $500,000 towards the creation of a humanitarian award handed out at the annual Gemini Awards.
  • The National Screen Institute – Canada received $1.25 million towards the creation of the Global Television International Marketing Program.
  • Canadian Women In Communications received $500,000 for a women’s mentoring program.
  • The Canadian Film and Television Production Association received $500,000 towards a Global Television British Columbia Mentoring Program.
  • The Canadian Film Centre received a $1.5 million contribution towards the building of the Global Television Network Multimedia Production Studio.
  • Other recipients include: Concerned Children’s Advertisers ($500,000), National Blind Reading Service ($500,000) and Historica ($500,000).

CanWest Scholarships

As a major media player, CanWest Global Communications Corp. recognized the need to take a leading role in the education of future journalists and broadcasters, and to ensure that those working in the media today have access to professional development. CanWest scholarships provided these opportunities.

The Broadcaster of the Future Award for Aboriginal People

CanWest Global Foundation was committed to mentoring Aboriginal people in the broadcasting field. The Broadcaster of the Future Award for Aboriginal People was valued up to $10,000 and placed the recipient in a four month paid internship program at a Global Television station.

The Scholarship Award for a Canadian Visible Minority Student

CanWest Global Foundation was similarly committed to encouraging visible minorities to thrive in broadcasting. The award provided $4,500 in support of a student’s broadcast education.

The Scholarship-Internship Award for a Canadian with a Physical Disability

This award was valued at $15,000 and provided financial assistance for one year of broadcast education and an internship at the Global Television Network.

The I.H. Asper Broadcast Entrepreneur of the Future Award

Five prizes of $1,000 were presented each year to broadcast executives whose
entrepreneurial skills, creativity and vision set them apart from their peers.

Global Television Network/Canadian Women in Communications Management Development for Women Award

CanWest was a sponsor of the annual $7,500 Global Television Network/Canadian Women in Communications Management Development for Women Award, which provided the recipient the opportunity to attend the National Association of Broadcaster’s Management Development Seminar for Television Executives at Northwestern University.

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