On Feb. 13, Niagara College hosted the Honourable Bill Blair, Canada’s Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, along with Members of Parliament Chris Bittle and Vance Badawey, for a community roundtable discussion.
Blair is well known for his longtime service as chief of the Toronto Police Force, and as Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, played a key role in the implementation of the Cannabis Act, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis in Canada. He is a strong supporter of Niagara College, having attended the college’s Seafood Gala in the past. Blair also holds an Honorary Diploma in Justice Studies from Niagara College, which was presented at our convocation ceremonies in 2014, when he also delivered the convocation address.
The discussion brought together representatives from Niagara’s municipal governments, public health agencies, first-responders, community organizations and more, and centred around issues of border security, gun violence, mental health and community supports, and the challenges and opportunities wrought by the legalization of cannabis.
Minister Blair also had a chance to meet a member of the next generation of border security professionals. Lindsay McCormick, a student in the Police Foundations program and a member of NCSAC’s Board of Directors, participated in the roundtable and had a chance to speak one-on-one with Minister Blair.
NCSAC president Ryan Huckla, NC VP Academic and Learner Services Steve Hudson, Police Foundations student and NCSAC Director Lindsay McCormick, and Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Bill Blair at a special roundtable discussion hosted by NC on Feb. 13
