Bob Rae discusses party future, factory lockout

Rae speaks to students about the Electro-Motive lockout.

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae spoke to first-year broadcast journalism students on Friday about a range of issues, from the recent Liberal party policy convention to the future of his leadership. Rae also participated in the day’s lesson, which focused on the work stoppage at the Electro-Motive plant in nearby London, Ont. Students were assigned to write an advancer about Saturday’s planned rally in London’s Victoria Park in support of locked-out workers; Rae provided his views on that labour situation. Following additional interviews with reporters with the Waterloo Region Record and 519onlinenews.com, Rae concluded his visit to the college and headed for the Electro-Motive picket line, where he planned to meet with the union’s bargaining team.

Rae answers questions from reporters for the Waterloo Region Record and 519onlinenews.com during his visit to Conestoga College. Photos by Ryan Broaders

Liberal Leader Bob Rae slated to visit

Liberal Leader Bob Rae

Federal interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae is scheduled to look in on Conestoga College’s Journalism Broadcast program today as part of a skills and trades tour that will take him across the country. Rae is scheduled to visit with college president John Tibbits before touring classrooms and facilities in the School of Media and Design, including the Broadcast Television, Videography, Broadcast Radio and Journalism Broadcast programs.

According to a party news release, Rae’s stop at Conestoga is part of a swing through post-secondary institutions that will continue through the end of January, with stops across the country, including New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia.

Michelle Shephard to speak at annual gala

Michelle Shephard has covered terrorism and national security issues extensively for the Toronto Star.

Michelle Shephard, national security correspondent for the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest newspaper, is scheduled to be the guest speaker at Conestoga College’s annual journalism gala on March 22.

In addition to her award-winning coverage of terrorism and national security issues around the world, Shephard is the author of two books: Guantanamo’s Child: The Untold Story of Omar Khadr and Decade of Fear: Reporting from Terrorism’s Grey Zone.

Conestoga’s annual journalism gala honours the accomplishments of its students, bestowing more than 30 awards in different print, broadcast, new media and videography/documentary categories. Past speakers have included acclaimed freelance photographer Louie Palu (2011), Rogers multimedia executive John Hinnen (2010) and Globe and Mail columnist Margaret Wente (2009).

Tickets to the gala will be available in mid- February. A link to last year’s awards gala coverage is here.