On the eve of National Aboriginal Day, Education Minister Peter Fassbender and Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC), signed a protocol agreement to help guide further collaboration on improving educational outcomes for B.C.’s Aboriginal students.

Queen Mary Community Elementary buzzed with excitement as provincial, municipal and community representatives, along with students and staff, gathered for an important milestone - the completion of an $18.7-million seismic upgrade and heritage restoration at the school.

Education Minister Don McRae and North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto were joined by students, staff, parents, school district officials and local dignitaries for the official grand opening and dedication of the new $38-million Carson Graham Secondary school today.

Construction work on the new $38-million Carson Graham Secondary is on track for completion this month.

Major construction began at Queen Mary Elementary, a near-century-old educational landmark that will have its interior overhauled and seismically upgraded while its historical exterior gets restored and preserved.