Tuesday, March 3, 2026

At F.J. McElligott Secondary School, the clang of metal and hum of power tools now echo in a revitalized shop space, thanks to a TC Energy grant that facilitated a collaborative effort uniting alumni, local businesses and industry leaders to invest in the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

The initiative began during the 2024–25 school year when retired welder Jacques Goudreau, volunteering alongside shop teacher Mark Robinson, noticed that the school’s welding and mechanics facilities would use upgrades. “When I started working at F.J. in September of last year, the transportation shop was in serious need of upgrading,” Robinson explained. “The grant from TC Energy in conjunction with Fastenal, Milwaukee Tools and support from GinCor Werx has helped us take a huge step forward in providing our students a learning space that is safe, and with cutting-edge tools. It would be impossible for our program to continue without the kindness and generosity of all our community supporters.”

Initially, Goudreau approached Ward Resmer at GinCor Werx with a list of welding supplies needed to improve the school shop. Resmer, who sits on Canadore College’s trades advisory board, understands the importance of engaging students in skilled trades at the secondary level. Wanting to support the initiative, he contacted several suppliers, who he says “knocked it out of the park,” noting that “young people learning the trades helps them as well in the long run.” Both Fastenal and Messer Canada stepped up, providing welding supplies at a reduced cost.

Despite this support, the challenge of funding remained. F.J. McElligott has relied on TC Energy funding for many years to support school programs and initiatives, so an application was submitted. Gretchen Gordon, Team Lead of External Relations at TC Energy, approved the TC Build Strong Grant—an initiative designed to strengthen communities through education and workforce development.

“At TC Energy, we believe that investing in our youth is investing in the future of our communities,” said Gordon. “Supporting programs that promote skilled trades not only opens doors for students but also strengthens the workforce for years to come. Safety and quality are at the heart of everything we do, and this initiative ensures that students can learn in an environment that reflects those values.”

The grant application was successful, setting the stage for a transformation of the school’s shop.

But the story didn’t end there. After speaking with Resmer, F.J. alumni Alex Ranger, now working with Fastenal, stepped in to help source materials and connect the team with Milwaukee’s Bring Back the Trades initiative - a program that matches schools’ investments with additional merchandise, amplifying the impact of every dollar spent.

“As an F.J. alumnus, I jumped at the opportunity to give back to the school that contributed so much to my personal and professional development,” said Ranger. “I remain proud of my roots and the foundation it provided. The support from TC Energy, Milwaukee, and Fastenal made this project possible. I am glad that we were able to upgrade many of the outdated tools in both the mechanics and woodshops, while also providing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for the students, providing safer equipment for students to use and learn with. I look forward to the possibility of working together on future initiatives.”

With funding secured and partnerships in place, the school ordered a full suite of Milwaukee power tools, welding supplies, safety equipment, and other materials essential for hands-on learning. Joel Villeneuve, Milwaukee’s representative, visited the school to conduct educational seminars and assess inventory needs, ensuring students have access to industry-standard tools.

“We at Milwaukee are proud to support hands-on learning and to help equip the next generation of skilled trades professionals,” Villeneuve said. “Partnering with Fastenal, F.J. McElligott and TC Energy has been a rewarding experience—providing students with access to professional-grade tools that enhance safety, confidence and real-world skills while creating brand awareness. It is inspiring to see local collaboration create meaningful opportunities for the next generation to learn, grow, and build a foundation for their future careers.”

With tools and safety equipment purchased, the welding material still needed to be provided. Resmer helped to secure materials from Messer Canada, mainly Albert Van De Kraats at the Sudbury Branch, at a reduced cost. GinCor supplied metal and even changed some of the wire sizes that they commonly used so that if a certain wire size was needed throughout the course, they’d have it readily available for the students.

The supplies and upgrades have already made a noticeable difference. Students now train with tools and equipment that mirror what they’ll encounter in the workforce, giving them a competitive edge as they pursue apprenticeships and careers in welding, mechanics, and other skilled trades.

“This is about more than tools,” Robinson emphasized. “It’s about giving students confidence and preparing them for success. When they walk into a shop that looks and feels professional, it changes the way they approach learning.”

The collaboration between GinCor Werx, TC Energy, Fastenal, Milwaukee, and dedicated community members like Goudreau, Resmer, and Ranger underscores the power of partnerships in education. For students at F.J. McElligott, these improvements mean safer, more efficient learning environments - and a tangible investment in their future.

Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Winter Olympics Spirit Day at Silver Birches Public School was made more special by getting to see an Olympic torch and gear belonging to Olympian Alison Herst-Jackson – the school’s principal.

Herst-Jackson represented Canada at the 1992 Barcelona (canoe-kayak – sprint K2 500m and K4 500m) and the 1996 Atlanta (canoe-kayak – sprint K4 500m) Olympics. Leading up to her second Olympics, Herst-Jackson was a world champion in the K4 200m in 1995, improving on the bronze she won the year before.

So how did a kid growing up in North Bay make it to the world’s biggest sports stage? Herst-Jackson says she was always competitive and dreamed of competing in the Olympics. The year she was in Grade 9, she came 20^th in OFSAA cross-country and won a Canadian kayaking championship. She decided kayak was the way she was going to get to the Olympics, so that’s the sport she focused on.

Recalling her road to the Olympics, Herst-Jackson says many people helped her along the way. She’s grateful that her parents provided many sporting opportunities. Her brother was with the North Bay Canoeing Club, and when she saw the Olympic sprint events on TV, she was “mesmerized. It’s a sport of power, aggression, spirit…it’s a beautiful sport,” she says. Herst-Jackson was 11 when she, too, started at the North Bay Canoeing Club. “They were my foundation,” she says of the local club and coaches.

Herst-Jackson says her parents were key to her success as an athlete. They attended both Olympics she was in, and the Canadian championships, and her Dad attended the World Championships.

Though she is a graduate of Chippewa Secondary School, Herst-Jackson spent the last two years of secondary school living out of the area. She attended a sport school in Ottawa and says living away from her family and friends was difficult. “It can be very lonely,” she says. She missed doing a lot of typical teen things with her friends, because her routine was “eat, train, sleep, train”.

As the world prepares for the Milan 2026 Winter Olympics, Herst-Jackson recalls her own experience to qualify for the Games. To qualify in her sport, you had to be the top four in Canada. “It is terrifying,” she says. But being named a member of Canada’s Olympic team was “a dream come true. Walking into the opening ceremonies with Canada… it’s hard to put into words.”

She says her first Olympics was exciting, and she was eager to take it all in; seeing athletes at the village that she had watched and read about. The second time, fresh off becoming a world champion, Herst-Jackson says her goal was to win a medal. “There is still excitement and pride, but there’s a different mindset…You forget about the magnitude of the race. You have a job to do there. I was more mature as an athlete.”

Her involvement in sport has seen her compete around the world. In addition to the Olympics, Herst-Jackson has been to Hungary, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Spain, France, the United States and Denmark. In addition to travel, her athletic pursuits also gave her friendships. She says her closest friend and fellow Olympian lives in Nova Scotia, and she keeps in touch with another teammate now living in Ireland. A former coach is still “an integral part of my life.”

Herst-Jackson has been inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame. She is also vice-chair of that organization’s Board of Directors and says it’s a way for her to give back. “I love being asked to talk about my experiences,” she says. She has spoken to several sports teams and organizations about the importance of mental health and training, and leadership.

One of the topics she emphasizes is that “losing is OK. I lost more races than I won, and I am a two-time Olympian. You learn a great deal, and the power comes from learning and continuing to persevere.”

She says the transition to retirement as an athlete was difficult. Her friends had already graduated and had jobs, and she was heading to university. Her dedication and perseverance served her well, and upon graduation, she began her teaching career at Marshall Park Public School in North Bay. She also worked at Fricker Public School, Almaguin Highlands Secondary School and Widdifield Secondary School.

Herst-Jackson says the traits that made her a world-class athlete – commitment, dedication, perseverance, mental training and time management – are skills she still uses today and support her work as a Near North District School Board principal. Herst-Jackson believes those skills help her create solid teams and collaborate successes.