TORONTO, ONTARIO — The Canadian Publishers’ Council (CPC) is pleased to announce a partnership with Indspire to provide scholarships to Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary programs across Canada. CPC is investing $28,000 to provide opportunities for 10 students beginning in August 2022, with Indspire coordinating matching donations that will double the funding to $56,000.
The program will provide financial assistance to Indigenous students while raising awareness of employment opportunities in the publishing field and helping to diversify the workforce across the publishing sector in Canada.
“The CPC has been exploring ways to take industry-led action to create a workforce that represents the rich diversity of Canada’s population, opening opportunities for aspiring publishers and ensuring the long-term health of the creative sector, and this dynamic partnership with Indspire is an important milestone in that journey,” said Marlene Olsavsky, CPC Chair and SVP of International Higher Education at Pearson Canada. “We are very proud to partner with Indspire, and look forward to raising awareness of our industry with Indigenous students in the widest range of post-secondary programs across the country. We are particularly excited by the prospect of engaging Indigenous students in our workforce through a range of activities such as mentoring and internships with CPC member firms.”
“This partnership with CPC opens new and exciting opportunities for Indigenous learners interested in various careers in the publishing sector,” said President and CEO of Inspire Mike DeGagné. “I thank CPC for their commitment to increasing opportunities in their sector and Indspire looks forward to working closely to promote this essential Canadian industry.”
About CPC
The Canadian Publishers’ Council (CPC) represents the interests of publishing companies that publish books and other media for elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and reference markets, the retail and library sectors. Members employ more than 3,000 Canadians in a wide range of professional roles, and collectively account for nearly three-quarters of English-language book sales in Canada, with a significant presence in French-language publishing in Quebec. Member firms pay over $36 million in royalties to Canada’s writers and creators annually.
For more information contact: David Swail, CPC President, dswail@pubcouncil.ca
About Inspire
Indspire is an Indigenous national charity that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people for the long-term benefit of these individuals, their families and communities, and Canada. With the support of its funding partners, Indspire provides financial awards, delivers programs, and share resources so that First Nations, Inuit and Métis students will achieve their highest potential. In 2020-2021, Indspire provided more than $20 million through 6,245 bursaries and scholarships to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada.
For more information about Indspire, its Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program, or its other programs and initiatives, contact:
Brandon Meawasige
Director, Communications & Marketing
bmeawasige@indspire.ca
Download the CPC-Indspire Press Release (PDF)