News

ormer New Brunswick lieutenant-governor Margaret McCain will deliver the keynote address at The Learning Partnership’s Moncton Champions of Public Education Tribute Luncheon on Nov. 10 at the Delta Beauséjour Moncton.

Hundreds of guests from across the province will attend the event honouring Ken MacLeod, president and chief executive of the internationally acclaimed New Brunswick Youth Orchestra, and Bernard Richard, former New Brunswick ombudsman and child and youth advocate, for their community leadership and commitment to youth and public education.

The first woman to hold the position of lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick from 1994-97, Margaret McCain has been active in organizations that promote education, music and the arts at the provincial and national levels throughout her career.

She was herself honoured as a Champion of Public Education in 2002 for her work supporting Canada’s youngest citizens through her Margaret & Wallace McCain Family Foundation, which aims to provide effective early `childhood programs across Canada.

She is a strong supporter of The Learning Partnership and community leaders, such as Ken MacLeod and Bernard Richard, who are committed to supporting, promoting and advancing publicly funded education in Canada.

Ken MacLeod is being honoured for re-engaging vulnerable young New Brunswickers in education, helping students improve literacy and grades and gain confidence and self-esteem through the New Brunswick Youth Orchestra’s Sistema New Brunswick program.

Bernard Richard is being honoured for advocating for youth both professionally and personally, as New Brunswick’s first Child & Youth Advocate and in volunteer roles with several high-profile children’s rights organizations, including a chair position at Plan International.

“Commitment to youth and education is close to my heart and I am honoured to be addressing those who support this same passion during The Learning Partnership’s Moncton Champions of Public Education Tribute Luncheon,” McCain said in a statement. “I congratulate Ken MacLeod and Bernard Richard for their deserving recognition and I look forward to celebrating their efforts on Nov. 10.”

The event is co-chaired by David Hawkins, partner, XYZ Stratégie Communications, and Monique Imbeault, CEO, General Financial Corporation.

Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, former senator and lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, is honorary co-chairwoman.

All proceeds from this tribute event will go toward expanding The Learning Partnership’s student programs in New Brunswick, including Take Our Kids to Work, Welcome to Kindergarten, Turning Points, Entrepreneurial Adventure, Investigate! Invent! Innovate!, and for New Brunswick Directors of Education participation in the Executive Leadership program held in Ontario.

The awards were established in 1998 to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of extraordinary Canadians whose lifelong dedication, generosity and commitment have contributed to making the Canadian public education system one of the best in the world.

Community supporters can purchase event tickets to the tribute luncheon at thelearningpartnership.ca/moncton.