Brandon University Co-op Director to seek public office

It’s a different kind of door-knocking for Cora Dupuis, the Director of Brandon University’s growing Co-operative Education Program. 

Dupuis, who is used to busily networking with local and regional businesses to seek the best placement possibilities for students in BU Co-op, will now be going door-to-door in the neighborhoods of Brandon West. She was acclaimed as the NDP candidate in that constituency at a meeting held Thursday evening in BU’s Harvest Hall.

“The BU Co-op program is all about making connections — finding job placements, growing professional networks, fostering personal relationships — and it’s been incredibly rewarding to nurture all of these connections through a time of incredible growth,” Dupuis said. “I’m grateful to those connections of mine who urged me to step onto a larger stage, and I’m eager to keep building community in Brandon West and for all Manitoba.”

Collective agreements at Brandon University support employees who choose to seek public office. There is no change right now, but Dupuis will take a leave of absence when the writ is dropped to officially call an election, which is expected next year. She is also eligible for a sabbatical, which could extend that time. The University will ensure that there is no gap in support for students and employers in the BU Co-op program.

“One of the great promises of universities is the education of knowledgeable, creative, and engaged citizens. This has been, and remains, a core part of Brandon University’s mission. What better way to demonstrate that than Cora’s example of seeking public office?” said Greg Gatien, BU’s Acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic), whose office oversees the BU Co-op program. 

Gatien noted that BU has had a proud history of employees serving in public office, including Brandon city councillors Jan Chaboyer and Errol Black, current BSD Board Chair Linda Ross, and Karen Batson, who served as Chief of Pine Creek First Nation. 

“Choosing to put yourself forward for public office is a deeply courageous and admirable step,” he said. “We applaud every candidate who puts their name on the ballot with the goal of serving the best interests of our community.”

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