Message from the Education Minister, Jennifer Whiteside

As it does every year, spring brings a sense of hopefulness and renewal. We are enjoying longer days and are relieved that winter is behind us. And this year, that sense of hopefulness is magnified as vaccines have arrived and we know better days are ahead.

It is an honour to write to you in my new role as Minister of Education. As a lifelong learner, it is a tremendous honour to be part of such a vibrant and important sector. I am excited to work with everyone across the education system to find innovative ways to build on our collective successes.

Since I became Minister of Education in November, I have seen first-hand the leadership and teamwork that exemplifies and solidifies B.C.’s reputation as a worldclass leader in education.

Over the past year, we’ve done what few other jurisdictions in the world have been able to keep students connected to learning and their school community.

While much of the attention is focused on students and educators, we also recognize there has never been a time where more has been asked of facilities staff as vital health and safety measures were implemented in our schools, and then consistently reinforced and supported by you and your teams.

You and your colleagues have responded to the seemingly unending challenges with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. I am grateful for your dedication, and I know families, students, and educators throughout our province feel the same way.

The Ministry has now invested $288 million in onetime K-12 provincial and federal funding. This investment has made a fundamental difference for students and staff, allowing us to keep our schools open and support our safety plans during the pandemic.

You played a critical role putting that funding into action at your facilities, and we truly appreciate your work. It has made all the difference for students and staff.

Our government remains committed to improving learning environments for students and staff, with over $2.2 billion announced in less than four years for 115 major capital projects, in addition to almost 4,000 minor capital projects in B.C. schools. This includes funding for new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, land purchases for future schools, and a long list of routine capital repair and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

These investments will not only dramatically improve the educational experience of students, but they are also key to job creation and the economic recovery of our province as we look forward to widespread vaccinations and the end of the pandemic.

I know the critical role that facilities managers and staff play in making new and improved schools a reality for our communities, in addition to the daily work of maintaining schools to support our long-term investments in student success.

I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure students are learning in the best possible environments we can give them – now, and in the future.

Thank you,

Jennifer Whiteside

Minister of Education n

Minister Whiteside on a tour of the New Westminster Secondary School prior to opening. From left to right is Minister of Education Jennifer Whiteside, New Westminster Board of Education chair Gurveen Dhaliwal, and New Westminster School District superintendent Karim Hachlaf.

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