BC Govt: 2008 July 17
VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell congratulated librarian Janice Douglas today as the recipient of British Columbia’s fourth annual Council of the Federation Literacy Award.
Douglas was a founding member and past chair of the Word-on-the-Street festival, and a founding partner in establishing Family Literacy Week in British Columbia. She has created several successful literacy programs for children in Vancouver, including the Mother Goose program and Man in the Moon. She is also an advocate of adult literacy.
“Through her years of dedication and her commitment to literacy, Janice has brought books and reading to thousands of people in British Columbia in her lifetime,” said Premier Campbell. “Janice has made a difference in the lives of so many people, and it’s fitting that we honour her contributions to the community today.”
The Council of the Federation, which comprises all 13 provincial and territorial premiers, created the Council of the Federation Literacy Award on the initiative of Premier Campbell in 2005. Each province and territory chooses a recipient to receive a Council of the Federation Literacy Award medallion and a certificate signed by the premier of their province or territory.
“Literacy is the foundation of a civil society and it all begins at birth. It has been an honour and a privilege, as a librarian, to work with so many to help make this a reality in B.C.,” said Douglas. “To paraphrase the African proverb, Read children a story and make them happy for a day. Teach them to read and equip them for life!”
“The Province believes that lifelong learning is one of the keys to a successful life,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “Janice Douglas’s exemplary dedication to literacy is helping British Columbians of all ages reach their full potential and improve their quality of life.”
The Council of the Federation Literacy Award selection committee considers nominees’ history of commitment to excellence; community and peer recognition; leadership in the promotion of partnerships and public awareness; and the introduction of new ideas in promoting literacy. Nominees have to be B.C. residents for at least two years and consent to their nomination.
“I want to thank those who contribute to B.C.’s literacy programs for their tireless efforts to improve literacy skills throughout our province,” said Premier Campbell. “The nominations we received this year speak to the high-quality work that volunteers and professionals are doing every day to help people improve their reading and writing skills.”
Since 2001, government has invested more than $137 million in new literacy initiatives, including pre-literacy and early learning programs such as $9.5 million to operate the kindergarten readiness program Ready, Set, Learn and $2.7 million for the ActNow Literacy Education Activity and Play (LEAP BC) program that encourages literacy, physical activity and healthy eating in preschool-aged children.
For information on the Council of the Federation, visit www.councilofthefederation.ca.
Media contact:
Bridgitte Anderson
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 307-7177
Public Affairs Bureau
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
