Media releases

• CPA Ontario invests in the success of Brock’s Goodman School of Business

  Thursday, August 29, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 29 August 2019 – R00137

  A significant investment from CPA Ontario will help Brock University’s Goodman School of Business strengthen its position as a leader in accounting research and education.

  Announced to faculty and staff at the School on Thursday, Aug. 29, the donation includes the appointment of three CPA Ontario Research Scholars within the School; the establishment of the CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy and Innovation in Accounting at Goodman; and a capital gift that will give naming rights to an expansive gallery within Goodman’s new building.

  “This gift is an investment in the success of the Goodman School of Business,” said Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes. “This is recognition of our Faculty’s high-quality research activity and it enhances the long-time relationship between the Goodman School of Business and CPA Ontario.”

  The funding for three CPA Scholars is a five-year commitment, which will be used to assist Goodman faculty in support of their research activity.

  Brock President Gervan Fearon said the partnership “demonstrates the special relationship the University has with CPA Ontario.”

  “At Brock University, we are committed to being in partnerships that benefit the greater public good, and it is wonderful to see our Goodman School work with partners like CPA Ontario to advance the educational experience of our students, and to celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty members.”

  The CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy and Innovation in Accounting (CPA-CPPIA) will study the development and implications of public policy with the aim to influence policymaking and policy change. The CPA-CPPIA will work at advancing the accounting profession by bringing together academia, industry, government, public accounting and CPA Ontario members to develop and promote relevant and timely thought leadership.

  For CPA Ontario, this funding supports the organization’s commitment to advancing the profession through education and providing pathways to aspiring CPAs.

  “Brock has a long history of providing Ontario with innovative thinkers that positively contribute to the accounting profession,” said Craig Smith, Executive Vice President of Member and Student Services, CPA Ontario. “We are proud to further invest in the future of our profession and support the important work done at the Goodman School of Business.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• CCOVI tackling climate change challenges with research vineyards

  Wednesday, August 28, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE – 28 August 2019 – R00136

  Two research vineyards filled with thousands of grapevines are being used by Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) to help Canada’s grape growers and wineries.

  CCOVI partnered with two commercial grape growers to plant the St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards that are being used for a clone and rootstock evaluation program of the main VQA grapevine varieties in Ontario.

  “We are looking at the best plant material for Ontario’s industry, not only now, but moving forward with climate change uncertainties,” said Jim Willwerth, CCOVI Senior Scientist. “Cold hardiness, fruit composition, wine quality and general vine performance will be examined, so that the industry knows the best combinations to use for our core grape varieties.”

  Since July 2018, more than 4,000 vines have been planted between the two vineyards. One vineyard has a heavier clay soil and the other sandy soil to represent different vineyard conditions found in Ontario. There are five different grapevine varieties and up to 16 clone and rootstock combinations for each grape variety.

  Planting was initially delayed because it was difficult to get certified disease-free and true to type grapevines in Canada. Starting with healthy, clean plant material is critical for this project to evaluate the best performing plant material under Ontario conditions.

  “For the research we are doing there is no sense planting dirty or infected vines. Clean vines are difficult to get, so we had to wait an extra year to make sure we had clean vines to plant,” said Bill Schenck, one of the commercial grape growers involved. “When you are planting a vineyard, the initial cost of grapevines is rather cheap compared to costs to manage the grapevines in the years that follow. Considering the length of time the grapes are in the ground, you want to make sure you are starting off on the right foot.”

  After an exhaustive search, certified clean plant material was sourced three years ago from outside Canada. Half of the certified grapevines were planted in July in collaboration with Huebel Grapes Estates and the support of Schenck and another grape grower, Erwin Wiens, who are each allowing the use of two acres of their land. The other half were planted last July.

  Planting and management of the research vineyards was funded through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Collaborate Research and Development grant program in partnership with Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.

  “The material is all certified, so we know these vines are true to type and are healthy,” said Willwerth. “The Canadian Grapevine Certification Network (CGCN) is now working tirelessly to establish a domestic clean plant program and this is extremely important so that growers can access clean materials from nurseries so they know the vines they are planting are the healthiest and are going to be as productive as possible.”

  Plant performance outputs from this research trial will inform CGCN of the grapevine combinations that should enter the domestic clean plant program.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Britt Dixon, Communications Officer, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x4471

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University [email protected], 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases