Featured in the photo above, from left to right: David Young (Service Manager, Barrhaven Ford), Jeffery Newson, Katherine Root (Dean, Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, Algonquin College), Mistalyn Seguin (Director of Philanthropy, Algonquin College), AC alum “Stuntman Stu” Schwartz (Spokesperson, Barrhaven Ford), Shaun Barr (Chair, Apprenticeship Training, Automotive and Mechanical Trades, Algonquin College), Don Pidgeon (Shop Foreman, Barrhaven Ford), Mark Bonneau (General Manager, Barrhaven Ford), Tyler Stack (EV Specialist, Barrhaven Ford), Anthony Van Volkenburg (EV Sales Product Manager, Barrhaven Ford), and David Dhungana (General Sales Manager, Barrhaven Ford).
OTTAWA, ON (Thurs., December 18, 2025) – Algonquin College is thrilled to share that Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. has generously donated a Ford Mustang Mach-E to support learners in our automotive-based programs, particularly Automotive Service Technician and Motive Power Technician. Valued at nearly $60,000 CAD, this electric vehicle (EV) will serve as a key resource for practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, giving learners direct experience with cutting-edge EV technology.
Ford of Canada’s donation of the Mustang Mach-E comes at a pivotal time, as Ontario is preparing to roll out a new province-wide curriculum in automotive education that includes a significant amount of EV training.
The growth of electric vehicle adoption is helping drive a cleaner, more sustainable economy, and Algonquin College plays a central role in training the region’s automotive professionals. The College offers diploma and apprenticeship programs that prepare learners to work in a range of automotive areas, including passenger vehicles, heavy commercial vehicles, and more. Hundreds of learners pass through these programs each year, earning skills and knowledge that accelerate their careers and strengthen local economies.
“There are hundreds of thousands of EVs registered in Ontario, and more are being registered each year,” explained Jeffery Newson, Coordinator of Algonquin College’s Automotive Service Apprenticeship Programs. “The province looks to our graduates to be fully prepared to service EVs, and we’re ready to answer that call. Ford of Canada’s donation allows us to develop and deliver course material that helps learners become ready for real-world scenarios and succeed in this rapidly evolving industry.”
Additionally, Ford of Canada, through the local dealership Barrhaven Ford, has committed to sponsoring the Algonquin College automotive team in the upcoming 2026 Skills Ontario Competition in Toronto. Automotive learners have excelled in past Skills Ontario competitions, bringing home four medals in three automotive categories, including gold in Auto Service Technology, at last year’s event.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of industry partners like Ford of Canada to keep our programs current and relevant,” said Katherine Root, Dean of the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE). “Keeping up with the rapid pace of technological innovation requires coordinated action. Providing gifts in kind—like this modern Ford EV—and sponsoring our students, that’s more than financial support—it’s how we ensure our learners get the training they need to become leaders in their fields.”
Algonquin College is proud to partner with Ford of Canada, who has been a generous and committed supporter of our programs. Their investment in our learners help us drive prosperity and innovation in the National Capital Region and beyond.
The mission of Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology is to transform hopes and dreams into lifelong success. Algonquin College, an Ontario public sector community college, does this by offering hands-on, digitally connected, experiential learning in close to 200 programs. Algonquin College is the largest polytechnic institute in Eastern Ontario, with campuses in Ottawa, Perth and Pembroke, with fully online programming delivered through AC Online.
About Ford of Canada
Ford of Canada’s operations include a national headquarters, three regional offices, three vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution centres, two R&D sites, and three Connectivity and Innovation centres. Ford employs approximately 7,000 people in Canada, while an additional 18,000 people are employed in the more than 400 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across the country. For more information, please visit ford.ca.
From left to right, first-place winners Claire McLeman and Erin McNish are pictured with Emma Carrique, Regional Recruiter, Fastenal Canada, and Patrick Charlton, Professor, School of Business and Hospitality.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, the DARE Incubator space in C278 was standing room only and abuzz with nerves and excitement, as six third-year Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) (Honours) learners presented their sales case pitches to a panel of external judges from Fastenal Canada and Invest Ottawa.
Fastenal Canada’s generous sponsorship provided students with a hands-on learning experience with a realistic business-to-business (B2B) sales case.
The six-week program saw over eight School of Business and Hospitality alumni return to coach current students and give back to the next generation of competitors during their training process.
Pictured: One of nine student murals created in Algonquin College’s DARE District (Building C) by Illustration and Concept Art students during the Cause a Scene initiative. For more photos, see the bottom of this release.
OTTAWA (Nov. 26, 2025) – On Nov. 13, Algonquin College hosted an Indigenous-led climate dialogue that inspired 55 Illustration and Concept Art students. Their murals and AR activations remain on display in DARE District until mid-December.
OTTAWA (Nov. 25, 2025) – Algonquin College is proud and excited to open applications for its newly approved Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Honours) degree program, available at both our Ottawa and Pembroke campuses.
OTTAWA, ON (Nov. 18, 2025) – Algonquin College recently hosted Knowledge Keeper and Master Canoe Builder Chuck Commanda for a traditional Birchbark Canoe Build as Commanda and Algonquin College learners constructed a traditional 12-foot Algonquin canoe.
“Hosting Chuck Commanda as he worked and shared his knowledge with our learners was a powerful way to honour Indigenous traditions and foster meaningful connections on campus,” said Algonquin College President and CEO Claude Brulé.”
Indigenous-led dialogue, live VR-assisted murals, and AR activations turn campus into a living canvas.
What
Algonquin College students will “cause a scene” in the DARE District with a live, climate-themed mural flash mob that begins with an Indigenous led, multigenerational dialogue on caring for the planet.
Learners in Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Information Technology – Network Technology (BIT-NET) program recently gained hands-on experience with Nokia’s Data Center Fabric technologies, learning directly from Nokia engineers who design and deploy these advanced network systems. The four-day, in-person course was supported by a $125,000 Nokia investment.
Algonquin College is proud to announce and celebrate its 2025 Alumni of Distinction — graduates and a community partner whose leadership, innovation, and compassion are shaping industries, inspiring others, and strengthening communities.
“These honourees remind us that the strength of Algonquin College lies not only in our programs and campuses, but in the people who carry that strength into the world,” said Claude Brulé, President and CEO of Algonquin College. “Each of them represents what’s best about our College — a commitment to learning, caring, and creating positive change in their fields and their communities.”
OTTAWA (October 22, 2025) – Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Engineering (Automation and Robotics Engineering) (BEARE) has been accredited by theCanadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) — a milestone that opens doors for graduates to pursue top-level careers across Canada and around the world.
The accreditation affirms that the program meets Canada’s highest professional standards and provides learners with a direct path toward earning their Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation. CEAB sets national standards for engineering education and ensures Canada’s programs remain among the best in the world.
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Nursing (Honours) degree program, available at both our Ottawa and Pembroke campuses. 
Canoe Build as Commanda and Algonquin College learners constructed a traditional 12-foot Algonquin canoe.