Volume 7, Number 2 - August 2001

Message from the New Minister

Shirley Bond was appointed Minister of Advanced Education on
June 5, 2001. She was elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson.

Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board, the last as chair. She also worked with the continuing education department of the Prince George School District, becoming its business manager. She was given the B.C. Interior, North & Yukon Woman of Distinction Award for her work in public education.

Ms. Bond has a two-year arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and is enrolled at the University of Northern B.C., where she is completing a bachelor of arts in political science.

August 2001

As the new Minister responsible for Advanced Education, I am pleased to respond to the invitation of Literacy BC to provide a message for its members and newsletter readers. Literacy BC is well respected for its work, promoting and supporting literacy over the past decade, and I would like to congratulate you on the work you have accomplished in communities throughout British Columbia.

I am excited about my new responsibilities and the opportunity to work with Literacy BC and similar educational organizations. My experience with community education has confirmed my belief that education is the key to building strong communities. Literacy is an important component of developmental programs in the post-secondary education system. It provides adult students with the necessary foundational skills to access post-secondary education and training, as well as to improve employability skills and enhance personal development. In your communities, so many of you are contributing to this important work through your literacy programs and activities.

I would like to extend my best wishes to the board and staff of Literacy BC and to literacy practitioners. I look forward to working with you to build better lives for many British Columbians.