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Trine University’s first Associate of Science and Master of Science in nursing graduates,
along with physician assistant and surgical technology graduates, received a welcome
to the healthcare field from the leader of Cameron Health, herself a longtime nurse,
during the university’s fall Commencement on Dec. 12.

Held in the Ryan Concert Hall of the university’s T. Furth Center for Performing Arts,
the ceremony recognized students from the Brooks College of Health Professions who
completed their degrees during the fall semester.

Strong partnership

Lexie Staten, vice president for academic affairs, welcomed the graduates and their
families by thanking them for choosing Trine.

“Take pride in all you’ve accomplished,” she said. “Remember the relationships you
formed, the challenges you met and the education that has prepared you for what comes
next.”

In her address to the graduates, Angie Logan, president and CEO of Cameron Health,
noted that throughout its nearly 100-year history, Cameron has been supported by Trine
University.

“Our organizations have shared and continue to share a common mission: improving quality
of life in this region through education and health care,” she said. “Together and
separately, we have made a powerful impact in the last century.”

She praised “the first results of one of our most meaningful collaborations” — the
first Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) students to graduate as a result of the
partnership between Trine and Cameron. The university’s first Master of Science in
nursing (MSN) graduates also finished this past semester.

Logan said professions such as nursing, surgical technology and physician assistant
are “defined not only by science and skill, but by humanity, presence and the power
of compassion.”

“Remember this: Your work will touch lives in ways you may never fully see, and the
smallest acts can change someone’s entire trajectory,” she commented.

Changing lives

A former acute care nurse and chief nursing officer, Logan said she entered healthcare
because of someone in her life who, after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers,
was left quadriplegic by an accident.

Despite his disability, he went on to scout for the Seattle Mariners, coach the New
Haven High School baseball team to the state championship and start his own business.

“He always said the reason he didn’t give up, the reason he found his way forward,
was because of the caregivers who believed in him and honored what mattered to him,”
she recalled. “If the way you show up for someone can change even one life that drastically,
I wanted to be a part of that.”

She encouraged the graduates to give the same personal attention they received at
Trine to every patient they encounter.

“Patients rarely remember the clinical details, but they do remember the nurse who
warmed [their] blanket, the tech who offered comfort when they were scared, the therapist
who celebrated their progress, the provider who sat down right beside them and listened
instead of rushing, the caregiver who noticed something important and acted, even
without being asked,” she said.

“Years from now, when they tell the story of their hardest time in life, your name
may or may not be spoken, but your kindness will still be with them.”

In closing, she said she was proud to welcome each of the graduates as colleagues.

“Thank you for your commitment to making your community a better place,” she said.
“I cannot wait to see the positive impact we’ll make together as we work to improve
the lives of those around us.”

Endless possibilities

Following the presentation of degrees, which included pinning of the ASN and surgical
technology graduates and hooding of the MSN and physician assistant graduates, Tim
Raftery, president of the Trine University Alumni Association Board of Directors,
inducted the new alumni into the association.

Brielle Bergeron, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies student who was named outstanding
graduate for the Brooks College of Health Professions, gave the response from the
class.

“From the first day of student orientation to the final day of clinical rotations,
each of us has faced moments that tested our limits, but those moments also revealed
our strengths,” she said.

“We started out as eager yet intimidated, newly accepted students in this program,
and have grown with one another into confident, capable and respectful healthcare
professionals. You are all fantastic people who will change numerous lives as providers,
and I am so excited for each and every one of you. Here’s to a future filled with
endless possibilities, meaningful impact and the shared pride of knowing we made it
together.”

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, December 18, 2025 — The Government of Canada is using every tool at its disposal, leveraging technology, innovation and partnerships, to build homes at scale.

To that end, Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, and the Honourable Zack Bell, Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, announced joint funding of more than $8.6 million to develop the essential water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needed to build up to 525 mixed-market housing units at the province’s Hillsborough Park Development. This project is part of the funding agreement between the federal and provincial governments that is paving the way for the construction of more homes to support a growing population. The Government of Canada is investing more than $4.3 million through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) and the Government of Prince Edward Island is investing more than $4.3 through the PEI Housing Corporation.

This project involves the construction of a wastewater liftstation and the installation of approximately 150 metres of wastewater forcemain, 1684 metres of sanitary pipe, 1763 metres of water pipe, and 2901 metres of stormwater pipe, as well as manholes and 3 catch basins of about 600 square metres each. 

These types of important infrastructure projects support the Government of Canada’s goal to address the housing crisis, and compliment the work of Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency that will build affordable houses, support builders with financing, and encourage better building methods.

Together, we will make housing more affordable by unleashing the power of public-private cooperation, catalysing a modern housing industry, and creating new careers in the skilled trades.

December 18, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

The Honourable Shafqat Ali, President of the Treasury Board, made the following statement today:

“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that the federal public service pension plan remains well-managed and sustainable, and fully guaranteed by the Government of Canada. As a result of strong market performance, the public service pension fund continues to be in a surplus position.

Yesterday, in the House of Commons, I tabled the Special Actuarial Report on the financial position of the Public Service Pension Fund as at March 31, 2025, along with an update from the Chief Actuary of Canada. 

Based on this report and update, I have determined that the pension fund is in a non-permitted surplus position, as defined under the Public Service Superannuation Act, with a funded position of 125.5% and an excess surplus of approximately $0.9 billion as at March 31, 2025. 

In keeping with the act, the government will transfer the non-permitted surplus amount to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, where it will be held, along with the non-permitted surplus amount transferred last year, while next steps are considered. Discussions with stakeholders will be held as appropriate. Once the transfer is made, there will no longer be a non-permitted surplus in the fund.

Budget 2025 introduced several proposed initiatives affecting the pension fund, including an Early Retirement Incentive program and an expansion of the Operational Service Early Retirement program. The Chief Actuary’s updated analysis reflects the estimated impact of these proposed initiatives. 

Federal public servants continue to benefit from a healthy, sustainable, and secure pension plan that provides stable retirement income and reflects sound stewardship.”

Quick Facts

• The public service pension plan provides federal public servants with a lifetime retirement income based on salary, pensionable service, age, and reason for termination.
• The employer and active pension plan members both contribute to the public service pension plan.
• The public service pension plan is fully guaranteed by the Government of Canada. If the plan becomes underfunded for any reason, the government is required to transfer additional funds into the plan. From 2013 to 2018, the government made deficit payments totalling $2.8 billion, including interest.
• In 2024, the federal public service pension plan had a $1.9-billion non-permitted surplus. The Government of Canada transferred the excess to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and it is no longer part of the public service pension fund.
• Under the Income Tax Act, all registered pension plans in Canada are subject to rules regarding the treatment of surpluses.
• As per the Public Service Superannuation Act, a non-permitted surplus exists when the plan’s assets exceed 125% of its liabilities. The government must take action to bring the surplus below this threshold.
• The Consolidated Revenue Fund is the account into which the Government of Canada deposits taxes and revenues and from which it withdraws funds to cover public expenses. Funds are deposited and withdrawn by the Receiver General for Canada.
• Federal public sector pensions are not subject to collective bargaining per section 113(b) of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act. 

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