B.C. Seeks National Literacy Award Nominations

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007OTP0036-000395
April 5, 2007

Office of the Premier
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Advanced Education

VICTORIA – British Columbia is calling for nominations for the Council of the Federation Literacy Award. The award honours a person or group in each of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories whose accomplishments have shaped the landscape of literacy.

“Many who work in literacy tell me that giving others the opportunity to pursue personal dreams is more than enough reward, but it’s important to acknowledge their work,” said Premier Gordon Campbell. “Improvements in literacy mean improvements in the lives of British Columbians, and an even more vibrant, competitive province.”This is the third year for the award, which was created by Canada’s premiers on the initiative of Premier Campbell. The award is open to a deserving person or group from all areas of literacy, including early childhood, family, Aboriginal, health, workplace, and community literacy. The nomination deadline for the B.C. award is May 25.

“There are many dedicated organizations and individuals working in partnership to make B.C. the best-educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “This is a fantastic opportunity to recognize their efforts, and I encourage people to nominate individuals or groups in their communities that are making a difference in literacy.”

To be eligible, nominees must have lived in the province for at least two years and be a current or former student, literacy volunteer, practitioner, teacher, administrator, researcher, business or organization.

Winners will be named at the Council of the Federation meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick on August 8–10, 2007. Premier Campbell will present a Council of the Federation medallion to the B.C. recipient at a ceremony in the fall.

“Good literacy skills provide the foundation on which further learning is built and open doors to jobs and improved self-esteem,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. “It’s important to honour the hard work individuals and groups do to help others achieve higher literacy levels.”

The Council of the Federation was established in 2003 to acknowledge the leadership role provinces and territories play in Canada’s federation. The Council of the Federation Literacy Award was created in 2004, with the first award presented in 2005. The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy was British Columbia’s first medallion winner and former chair of the Premier’s Advisory Panel on Literacy Linda Mitchell won last year.

More information can be found at www.bced.gov.bc.ca/literacy/nominations.htm along with the nomination form. Call (250) 356-9913 with any questions not answered on the website.

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Media contact:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 213-8218

Lara Perzoff
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963
250 920-9040 (cell)