For Ontario’s 24 public colleges, 22 public universities, and 250
literacy and basic skills and training providers

(THUNDER BAY) – Contact North | Contact Nord generated and/or supported a record
32,153 student registrations for Ontario’s 24 public colleges, 22 public universities and
250 literacy and basic skills and training providers in the 600 small, remote, rural,
Aboriginal and Francophone communities it serves across the province during the period
September 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015.

This result is a 33% increase over the 24,129 registrations generated and/or supported
in the Fall 2014 academic semester, representing an additional 8,024 registrations and
leading to the record result for fall semester.

Over the past five fall semesters, Contact North I Contact Nord has more than doubled
the number of student registrations it generates and/or supports (+124%) from 14,355
in Fall 2011 to 32,153 in the Fall 2015 semester.


The 4 million Ontarians in the 600 small, remote, rural, Aboriginal and Francophone
communities served by Contact North | Contact Nord use online learning to complete
their degrees, diplomas and certificates and improve their skills. Online learning allows
them to remain in their community and participate in their courses when it is
convenient for them as they continue to meet their work and family responsibilities.

“The record number of student registrations generated and/or supported by
Contact North I Contact Nord in Fall 2015 reflects the increasing demand by Ontarians
for local access to online education and training opportunities in rural and remote
communities across the province,” stated Sylvie Lemieux, Director, Recruitment &
Partnerships, Contact North | Contact Nord. “Through the use of our 112 local online
learning centres throughout the province, Ontarians can get their degrees, diplomas and
certificates and improve their skills without having to leave their community.”

“Local access to online education and training is critical for the development of small
and remote First Nations communities such as Attawapiskat,” noted Stella Spence,
Online Learning Recruitment Officer in the Attawapiskat First Nation online learning
centre. “Through our local online learning centre, our residents can access over
1,000 online programs and over 18,000 online courses right here in the community.”

For the 2014-2015 academic year, which ran from September 1, 2014, to
August 31, 2015, Contact North | Contact Nord generated and/or supported a record
67,135 student registrations for 24 public colleges, 22 public universities, and 250
public literacy and basic skills and training providers, a 92% increase over the past
five years.

Contact North | Contact Nord partners with Ontario’s 24 public colleges, 22 public
universities, and 250 public literacy and basic skills and training providers to provide
local access to online education and training opportunities. Funded by the Government
of Ontario continuously since 1986, Contact North | Contact Nord supports over
4 million Ontario residents living in 600 small, remote, rural, Aboriginal and
Francophone communities to access post-secondary education and training without
having to leave their community.

Visit studyonline.ca or call the Student Information Hotline at 1-877-999-9149 for
more information on available online programs and courses or how to connect with
one of the 112 Contact North | Contact Nord online learning centres located in
communities across the province.