Niagara College is once again at the forefront of cannabis innovation with the launch of its applied research for the safe and reliable development of edibles products to assist the food and beverage sector.

Through the Niagara College Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative – administered by the Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre, part of the Research & Innovation division – experts are conducting R&D in the development of cannabis-infused products such as non-alcoholic beverages, gummies, confectionery and baked goods for industry partners.

“One of the goals is to contribute to the cannabis industry with scientific knowledge to support and facilitate commercialization of cannabis-infused edibles,” said Marc Nantel, PhD, Vice-President, Research and External Relations. “Niagara College has the team to produce and teach cannabis production practices, and perform applied research projects with the cannabis and related industries in the areas of food and beverage product development and food safety.”

With previous legal constraints – cannabis-infused edibles only gained legal status by Health Canada in October 2019 – there is a lack of validated scientific knowledge for the infusion, stability, degradation and interaction of cannabis in foods and beverages and a critical void that needs filling to de-risk the research and product development process for companies. In support of this goal, the CFWI Innovation Centre was granted a Single Site-Multiple Protocol research licence – a unique model in that more generally, cannabis licences focus on one researcher, one industry partner and one protocol.

“This licence model fits Niagara College’s research framework in that it involves multiple foci, with numerous industry partners and a higher volume of unique projects from a range of clients,” said Nantel.

The CFWI Innovation Centre team is applying its expertise by engaging the industry in applied research and development, including the infusion and dispersion of active ingredients like CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol – the key psychoactive component in cannabis) for food and beverages containing cannabinoids. Research also focuses on understanding methods of dispersion and detection, stability and degradation studies to guide the cannabis industry when developing new products.

“Understanding how the cannabinoids behave in different media and food matrices is crucial to success in developing safe, stable and consistent cannabis edibles,” explained Ana Cristina Vega-Lugo, PhD, Senior Food Scientist, CFWI Innovation Centre. “At the same time, we are dedicated to contributing to advancing the body of scientific knowledge around this evolving market.”

Several industry partners are currently engaged with the CFWI Innovation Centre for applied research from food science experts, using state-of-the-art equipment in recently upgraded and commercially secure labs dedicated to R&D for cannabis edibles.

Dynaleo Inc., Canada’s highest capacity manufacturer of premium cannabis-infused soft-chews, partnered with the CFWI Innovation Centre to build on prior research by local collaborators CBD Innovations for a therapeutic CBD-infused gummy to support muscle recovery for the sports and wellness markets.

“The teams at Niagara College and CBD Innovations have been incredible turnkey partners in our collective pursuit of these exciting new product innovations,” said Michael Krestell, Executive Chairman, Dynaleo. “We have been thrilled with their focused and highly intelligent approach to development.

“We’re excited to offer these one-of-a-kind enhanced soft chews to wellness-focused consumers under our Dynawellness banner of cannabis-infused products in the near future,” added Krestell.

Dolled Up Desserts is an award-winning and innovative gluten-free and vegan bakery in Hamilton, Ont. and is working with the Research & Innovation team to finalize and test formulations for its first line of infused edibles, said Founder Katarina Poletto.

“We are innovating a product that will be completely novel in the legal space, and we needed to ensure, as a small business, we meet federal regulations. We’ve learned a lot about the processes involved with testing potency and how to improve our formulation,” said Poletto, adding she has even been able to apply what she’s learned from the research experts to her non-cannabis-related operations at the bakery.

“The team is enthusiastic, curious and very good at explaining their processes to us. We look forward to finalizing the project.”

Just as the College’s Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative supports the food and beverage industry, the research projects themselves also contribute to the experiential learning opportunities for students, said Lyndon Ashton, Centre Manager, CFWI Innovation Centre.

“The CFWI Innovation Centre routinely hires students as research assistants, who work alongside highly qualified experts and industry partners,” added Ashton. “These research activities, especially in an emergent industry, provide unmatched career-ready advantages.”

NC’s award-winning Research & Innovation division provides real-world solutions for business, key industry sectors, and the community through applied research and knowledge transfer activities. Researchers conduct projects that provide innovative solutions, such as producing and testing prototypes, evaluating new technologies, and developing new or improved products or processes for small- and medium-sized businesses.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine science, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. Visit niagaracollege.ca

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Quotes:

“Conducting cannabis edibles R&D for the food and beverage sector is a natural extension of the successful applied research that has been ongoing through our Agriculture & Environmental Technologies Innovation Centre and with the College’s School of Horticulture, Commercial Cannabis Production program for the cannabis industry.”

~ Krystle Grimaldi, Director, Research & Innovation

 

“We understand Canada has the opportunity to lead the world in cannabis-related innovations, and Niagara College is committed to strengthening this industry in Niagara and across the country through expansion of research and development into edibles.”

~ Andrea Campbell, Manager, Niagara College Cannabis Institute (NCCI), the first centre of its kind in Canada’s post-secondary system. The NCCI provides a strategic support role to help drive a coordinated effort and help strengthen all cannabis-related initiatives at the College.

 

Quick facts

• Cannabis edibles can include any food and non-alcoholic beverage: gummies, chocolate, brownies, cookies, hard candy, hot chocolate and tea; only be sold in packages containing a maximum of 10 mg of THC, with no nicotine or added alcohol and limits on caffeine. They must also be in child-resistant packaging, be shelf-stable, and non-appealing to children and contain ingredients and nutritional information.
• In June 2019, the CFWI Innovation Centre received a $149,345 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to support the purchase of specialized equipment for NC’s Cannabis Edibles Applied Research initiative. The Centre’s existing four food science labs (in food chemistry, food microbiology, shelf life, and food quality), at the Daniel J. Patterson campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake have been outfitted with this equipment. For details on equipment and research areas see: nccannabisinstitute.ca/capabilities/ediblelab/
• In the second wave of cannabis legalization, Health Canada gave legislative approval to cannabis-infused edibles on October 17, 2019, one year to the day that cannabis received legislative approval.
• In March 2020, Research & Innovation’s CFWI Innovation Centre was granted a Single Site-Multiple Protocol research licence by Health Canada. All the Centre’s research projects incorporate the government’s Cannabis Act framework through enforcement of strict safety and quality regulations. As well, intellectual property goes back to the industry partner and strict confidentiality on the project is maintained in this highly competitive market.

 

Media inquiries, please contact:

Julie Greco

Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales

Manager, Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

[email protected]

 

 

Niagara College is planning an epic virtual send-off for almost 1,000 new graduates this fall with a special guest who is well versed in the spoken and written word.

Randell Adjei, Ontario’s first Poet Laureate, will deliver the convocation address at NC’s Fall 2021 Virtual Convocation ceremonies on October 29. The Scarborough native was appointed Poet Laureate in April – a position established in memory of Canadian singer-songwriter Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip. As Poet Laureate for a two-year term, Adjei is dedicated to writing and championing poetry, art and literacy, celebrating Ontario and its people, and raising the profile of poets in the province.

“The Niagara College community looks forward to welcoming Randell as our guest speaker and honorary diploma recipient for Fall Convocation. We are honoured that he will share his extraordinary talents with our Fall 2021 graduates,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “Randell’s mantra of resilience is sure to both inspire and resonate with our 2021 graduates, who have achieved their academic goals during an unprecedented time in history and are now poised to embark on the next exciting chapter of their lives.”

Adjei is a celebrated spoken word artist who has performed around the world. He has won multiple awards for his dedication to helping youth express themselves creatively through performance arts as the founder of RISE (Reaching Intelligent Souls Everywhere) Edutainment.

NC will confer an Honorary Diploma in Community Studies upon Adjei in recognition of his contributions to the literary arts, which serve to unite and bring attention to social injustice.

“I am ecstatic to be addressing the Class of 2021 graduates at Niagara College because it is a pivotal time in their lives,” said Adjei. “Niagara has often been a place of getaway and rejuvenation for me. Also given Niagara’s approach to learning and education, I am really looking forward to being involved.”

Two unique convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed from the Welland Campus on October 29: the 10 a.m. ceremony will celebrate new graduates from NC’s schools of Business and Management, the Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Hospitality and Tourism, and Trades. The 2 p.m. ceremony will be dedicated to the schools of Academic, Liberal and Access Studies; Applied Health; Community Services; Justice and Fitness; and Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies.

The fall graduates join 3,872 from NC’s Class of 2021 who graduated during its Spring Virtual Convocation ceremonies June 21-25 when the College celebrated the milestone of surpassing 100,000 individual graduates.

Virtual convocation enables graduating students to celebrate their academic achievement in a safe and meaningful way during the COVID-19 pandemic before moving on to the next chapter of their lives. The upcoming ceremonies follow the resounding successes of the College’s previous virtual convocation ceremonies that drew tens of thousands of viewers from Niagara, Canada and around the world since they debuted in Spring 2020.

The College’s standout, interactive virtual convocation ceremonies feature many treasured traditions of its on-campus ceremonies, while leveraging modern technology and NC’s broadcasting expertise to create a live, interactive experience for graduates. The formal ceremonies conducted by Kennedy and Vice President Academic Fiona Allan will take place at the Welland Campus and will be livestreamed to a virtual audience thanks to a team of faculty and students working behind the scenes from NC’s Broadcasting: Radio, Television and Film program.

Graduates and their families may visit the convocation website to view their ceremony as it happens, live in real time, from anywhere in the world. The name of each graduate will be called out, one by one, and appear on screen.

Videos will be incorporated into the live broadcasts, featuring well-wishes from the College community and beyond. Graduates will be invited to connect with their classmates and faculty through program Zoom parties to be held during their ceremony. Select clips from program Zoom parties – showing graduates smiling and waving – will be featured during the ceremony livestreams.

Virtual convocation also includes an immersive social media experience. Photos, videos and text messages with the NC convocation hashtag #NCGrad2021 will also be incorporated into the ceremonies.

For the convenience of those unavailable to attend the virtual ceremonies in real time, ceremony broadcasts will be available for later viewing via the Convocation website.

For information about convocation or to access the virtual ceremonies, visit niagaracollege.ca/virtualconvocation/.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

 

Julie Greco

Corporate Communications Consultant

Cell: 905-328-2532

[email protected]

 

Michael Wales
Manager,

Corporate Communications

Cell: 905-328-4101

mwa[email protected]

Niagara College is pleased to announce the election of Wendy Wing, Senior Vice-President of Finance and Administration for Rankin Construction Inc. and Port Colborne Quarries Inc., and President of Rankin Renewable Power Inc., as the new Chair of NC’s Board of Governors; and that of Caroline Mann, former Vice-President of Finance for Haver & Boecker Canada (W.S. Tyler) as the new Vice-Chair.

The pair began their term on September 1, leading the College’s committed group of volunteer Governors through the 2021-22 academic year. Among the key duties of the board this year will be the approval of a new multi-year strategic plan for the college.

Wendy Wing is the new Chair of the Board of Governors.

“I look forward to leading the Board of Governors as Chair in the year ahead, and I’m proud of my dedicated colleagues on the Board who give their time and expertise to help guide the strategic direction of the College,” said Wing. “I am proud to continue our important work alongside the outstanding leaders, faculty, staff and students of Niagara College as we position ourselves to play a significant role in the period of post-pandemic recovery in the region.”

Wing has served on NC’s Board of Governors since 2016 and was Vice-Chair during the 2020-21 academic year. She has more than 25 years of experience and leadership in construction, finance, and administration, and has been involved in the development and financing of renewable energy projects including wind and hydro. Wing plays an important strategic role when analyzing new business opportunities and proposals and measures the long-term financial impact of these investments.

She is a graduate from the Ivey Business School at Western University and is a proud supporter of the Rankin Cancer Run. Wendy and her husband Chris are the proud parents of two children.

Caroline Mann is the new Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors.

Mann, who joined the NC Board of Governors in 2017, is a retired finance and operations executive. Mann previously led the Finance and Information Technology departments at Haver & Boecker Canada until April 2020, as well as an international team for best practices in budgeting, financial reporting, and analysis. Beginning her career in public accounting, Mann passionately enjoyed being a key decision maker with the ability to develop and implement solutions. She holds a CPA designation and an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University.

“I am proud to continue the great work of the Board in this leadership position, alongside the passionate faculty, staff and students who make Niagara College so extraordinary,” said Mann. “The year ahead will be a significant one for the College and our Board is eager to guide NC toward continued growth and success.”

Wing succeeds Del Rollo, who served as Chair of the Board from September 2020 to August 2021, and as Vice-Chair for the three years prior. Over the course of his tenure as Chair, Rollo supported countless virtual activities alongside the NC team including President Kennedy’s Installation in the fall of 2020, and both the fall 2020 and spring 2021 virtual convocation ceremonies.

“It is my pleasure to thank our outgoing Chair, Del Rollo, for his service to the College, and welcome our new Chair, Wendy Wing, and Vice-Chair, Caroline Mann, as they take on leadership roles with the Board of Governors,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “Year after year, our Governors dedicate remarkable time and expertise in guiding Niagara College. We are grateful to have the support and wisdom of such an exceptional group of individuals as we dream big about our future, and develop NC’s new strategic plan.”

New Board Member appointments

On behalf of the Board, Chair Wendy Wing is excited to welcome four new Governors, each bringing unique experience and expertise to the table.

Andrew Harber is the CEO of Abatement Technologies where he leads a team that designs, manufactures, and distributes specialty air filtration and containment products. The organization services several market segments including healthcare, restoration, air duct cleaning and asbestos abatement. During his 20 years with the company, Andrew has built the company’s Canadian distribution network, completed four acquisitions, implemented a culture of lean manufacturing, and expanded sales globally.

Becky Sciliberto (Support Staff Representative) has held a variety of progressive roles at Niagara College with both the corporate and international finance divisions. Her roles have included Finance Assistant, General Accountant, Student Financials Accountant, International Finance Officer, and she currently leads the International Finance team as the International Finance Coordinator. Sciliberto is a proud graduate of NC’s Business Accounting program and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of International Commerce and Global Development degree through the School of Business and Management. Sciliberto has been a member of the Niagara College support staff community for the past 11 years.

Kevin Smith started his career as a paramedic in Niagara after graduating from Niagara College in 1992 and going on to receive his Advanced Care Paramedic designation from the Michener Institute in 1998. Receiving his Bachelor of Applied Business in Emergency Services degree in 2010, Kevin has worked through various levels of the profession to his current position as Chief of Niagara Emergency Medical Services, which he has held for the past 8 years. Smith is responsible for overseeing emergency services to the 12 local municipalities that make up the Niagara Region. In addition to the land ambulance and dispatch (ACE) services, Kevin oversees the Emergency Services Division, which includes regional emergency preparedness, regional fire coordination, and regional 911 PSAP services. Smith is active in national, provincial, and regional paramedic organizations including the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) as President and Vice-President of the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada.

Lora Tisi, an NC alumna, is an International Retailer with over 30 years experience leading brands, growing their market share, revenue, and profit growth. She has built a successful career as a go-to expert for branding and expanding many of the retail companies popular with Canadians. Most recently, Tisi served as President of RW&CO for Reitmans Canada Limited. In 2000, Lora became President of American Eagle Outfitters, launching the brand across Canada. Prior to American Eagle, Lora spent 17 years building the four banner, two country, 900 store chain, The Northern Group. Tisi is currently exploring her mixed race Six Nations Indigenous Ancestry, creating change, hope, unity, and Self Determination for Indigenous Peoples, mentoring First Nation Companies and serving on Boards.

Harber, Sciliberto, Smith and Tisi began their three-year terms on September 1.

 

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.

 

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Media inquiries, please contact:

Michael Wales
Manager, Corporate Communications
Cell: 905-328-4101
[email protected]

Jessica Torok
Communications Consultant
Cell: 519-809-7634
[email protected]

 

 

If Marye Anne Chisholm ever wondered whether she could bottle the bean-to-bar chocolate she makes in her spare time, she got her answer during her final term in Niagara College’s Artisan Distilling program.

Chisholm, with class partner Sujith Naveen, produced a Chocolate Porter Liqueur for their capstone project during the Spring term. The spirit is one of four student-distilled creations recently released for sale under the College’s Spirits 101 label.

“To see it, finally, and have it in my hands was exciting,” Chisholm said. “I ran down to the store and bought it right away. The girl who helped me said, ‘Do you want to taste it first?’ No, I just wanted to buy it.”

Getting something into bottles that was inspired by her chocolate-making hobby required some serious planning and experimentation. Chisholm was encouraged by Head Distiller David Dickson to channel her love of chocolate into a capstone project that was a grain-to-glass production similar to bourbon or whisky.

The process started with macerating ethically- and sustainably-sourced cacao nibs, which Chisholm uses in her own edible creations, with the College’s corn, malted barley and rye-based spirit, Southern Hospitality. This gave Chisholm and Naveen a baseline for their recipe, which they tweaked further by adding chocolate malt and a Crystal 60 malt, typically used in porter-style beer, to bring out caramel flavours in the spirit. The results were aged in a barrel and on oak chips before being finished with more cacao nibs and vanilla beans.

“There was a lot of experimentation so we got to see what worked,” Chisholm said. “For me, it was exciting when we actually did the distilling and seeing the flavours come together because they didn’t compete with each other.”

Using grains usually reserved for brewing beer to produce a liqueur was a first for Dickson.

“The grains together give some really cool chocolate flavour,” Dickson said. “I’ve never distilled with chocolate malt before.”

The three other spirits joining Chocolate Porter Liqueur for sale on the shelves at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre are:

• Apple Brandy: This is the first College-produced brandy. It features locally pressed apple juice that was double-distilled and barrel-aged for six months, and boasts fruit-forward flavours ideal for the fall season. Dickson recommends drinking it over ice or using it in a seasonal spin on the classic Old Fashioned.
• Rabarbaro Amaro: This Italian-style aperitivo is another program first. It combines 12 botanicals and spring rhubarb for light, fruity characteristics in a traditionally bitter spirit. At 30% ABV, the Rabarbaro Amaro is ideal for sipping straight or in place of other aperitivos in classic cocktails, Dickson noted.
• Twisted Berry Gin: The student creators produced their own base gin recipe for a citrus-forward spirit that stars strawberry, raspberry and blueberry “for a really nice flavour profile and colour, especially in a cocktail,” Dickson said. “Once you have it in your glass, it looks amazing.”

Each spirit was made in small batches that produced about 200 bottles. Together, they demonstrate the talents of the students enrolled in the program and their willingness to push themselves to create something unique, said Steve Gill, General Manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises.

“It’s always exciting to see the creativity of our students come to life and result in something tangible like these latest releases,” Gill said. “These spirits, like others before them, are a showcase of the vision and skills of Canada’s future distillers, honed by our Head Distiller David Dickson. They’re proof of incredible things to come for the industry.”

The new spirits, along with staples from the School Spirits line, are for sale in-store at the College’s Wine Visitor + Education Centre (135 Taylor Rd., Niagara-on-the-Lake). They’re also available online at ncteachingwinery.ca for curbside pickup or shipping. Sales of the spirits support student education.

Niagara College’s Teaching Distillery is a 2,500-square-foot facility equipped with six stills, four mash tuns and 10 fermenters. Home to the College’s Artisan Distilling program, students produce a variety of distilled products including vodka, gin, brandy, rum, whisky and other spirits. It opened in September 2018, completing the trifecta of beverage fermentation sciences at NC’s learning enterprises, following the footsteps of its Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery, which were also the first of their kind in Canada.

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, distilling, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.