July 20, 2006
Check Against Delivery
Let me start by thanking all of you for coming out today and being with us for this announcement. It is a real pleasure to be here on the traditional territories of the Lheidli T'enneh, and I want to say how much I appreciate the work that Chief Dominic Frederick has been doing with us in full partnership with the Province of British Columbia. It's been, I think, exemplary.
And it's great to be here with the new president of the University of Northern B.C. Don Cozzetto came here on July 1. Don, I'm going to make an announcement today that most presidents in British Columbia wish that they would have accomplished. You've done it in just three weeks. That kind of performance is incredible. And let me tell you this: Prince George expects nothing less than that kind of performance as well.
It's great to be here with the new president, and it's great to be here with Mayor Kinsley, as well, who's been really a strong voice for UNBC and for Prince George. And of course, it's an honour to be here with my colleagues.
I've been fortunate as Premier to work with a caucus that's been just exceptional throughout the North. And certainly, the Prince George caucus has been truly a joy to work with. They never forget that, first, they're MLAs: for Prince George-Omineca, John Rustad; for Prince George North, Pat Bell; and for Prince George-Mount Robson, Shirley Bond. Remembering that they are MLAs is very important in terms of building a strong government and a strong approach to the future. It has been their vision and their commitment that has allowed us to carry forward some pretty exceptional projects in the North.
I love coming to UNBC. A long time ago I can remember visiting as the campus was being built, and it's kind of exciting to come up and see the new sports centre being built, to know there is a new medical school as part of the North's future and UNBC's future. This is a community that has a vision of what you want to be and where you want to go. It's pretty powerful when you have a community that has the kind of leadership that we've seen in Prince George, from the Lheidli T'enneh, from your mayor, from the president of UNBC. Then to match that leadership with three MLAs who are never going to forget where they come from.
There’s a kind of energy and spirit and commitment that really has, turned this city into what has been recognized across the county as Canada's No. 2 boomtown, and that's something you should all be proud of.
And I don't think anyone that's here would fail to see how important UNBC has been in terms of defining what the future of Prince George and the future of northern British Columbia can be. What an amazing record of growth you've had at UNBC. In 1994, the first graduating class had six people, and in 2006, it's 738. In 1994 there were 1,400 students; this fall, 3,561.
UNBC is now the home of a northern medical program and part of an expanded faculty of medicine for the University of British Columbia. It is the home away from home for 13 percent of your student population who are from First Nations. Building this population is a critically important part of closing the gap in opportunity, education and health care as we move into a New Relationship with First Nations across the province. You boast degrees and certificates and diplomas in First Nations studies. You've got a new teaching and learning centre that's nearing completion.
This is a university with a strong and a vital future. As we look at that future, it's important to give you the resources that are required to be sure that you can continue to build on the momentum that UNBC has created. So, I'm very pleased to be here with you today to announce that the province will be transferring 248 hectares of Crown land to UNBC to act as an important reserve for future learning, for future research and for the future of UNBC.
This area is 248 hectares. It is UNBC reserve lands. It helps secure your future, secure opportunities, and secure an important asset for the University of Northern British Columbia, but also it is important for all of British Columbia, for the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation and for the City of Prince George. I'm very proud to be here and be able to tell you that and make this announcement today.
The grant nearly doubles the size of the UNBC campus. The university will now be able to use the additional land for research and teaching purposes. It'll also maintain and protect the important Greenway Trail System, which will be used in concert with the new Nordic sports centre.
If I can just make a little aside here, Robin Draper is here. Ladies and gentlemen, Robin Draper was the driving force behind the Greenway Trail System that you have here
