On Mar. 28 UNBC prof Kenneth Prkachin wrote to say among other things that Neil Godbout's "Misplaced invective should be directed to a provincial government that never really wanted a university in the North."
The good professor needs a history lesson. This year UNBC celebrates its 25th anniversary, acknowledging the year (1990) that the Social Credit government with yours truly as Minister of Advanced Education introduced the UNBC Act and passed the first $137 million capital building budget. Regrettably, the NDP government - which did oppose the creation of UNBC - formed government in the the fall of 1991 and stayed in power until 2001. As well, the first leader of the current Liberal Party party was Gordon Wilson, who may have had an interest in UNBC in 1990, but as we now know was occupied with more pressing issues.
Finger pointing and a lack of research may make for an interesting letter, but I can assure Citizen readers that the provincial government of the day was very much in favor of a university in the North.
Bruce Strachan
Prince George
