BACKGROUNDER
Bruce M. Preston, commissioner 

VANCOUVER - Former B.C. Supreme Court judge Bruce M. Preston has been appointed as the new commissioner for teacher regulation.

Under his five-year term as commissioner, Preston will oversee all discipline processes and consider certification appeals. This includes receiving reports and complaints about teacher conduct or competence in both the public and independent school systems as set out in the Teachers Act.

The commissioner's appointment was made by Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister of Education.

Quotes:

Education Minister Don McRae 

"Mr. Preston brings a wealth of experience to his role as new commissioner. His extensive legal experience both as a lawyer, and as a B.C. judge for more than 20 years, place him in an excellent position to provide the leadership, guidance and judgment necessary to carry out this very important role."

Bruce M. Preston, commissioner 

"Educators play a vital role in the lives of students. All students must be able to learn in a healthy and safe environment. I am committed to ensuring the development of a system of adjudication that will provide a fair, expeditious and transparent process for the resolution of complaints against teachers and appeals from certification decisions, and I will draw on my years of judicial experience to ensure that the public interest is served."

Quick Facts:

• The recruitment to fill the commissioner position for teacher regulation involved an extensive search and screening.
• The commissioner's role is a prominent feature of the new Teachers Act, intended to raise public confidence in the regulation of teachers and to ensure student safety.
• The Teacher Regulation Branch, within the Ministry of Education, provides administrative support to the commissioner's office, as the operational arm of the regulatory structure. Working in conjunction with the BC Teachers Council, its mandate is to ensure that educators who work with students in B.C. classrooms are competent and suitable for the important role they play.
  
• The work of the branch includes:
• Assessing applicants for certification.
• Evaluating teacher education programs.
• Issuing teaching certificates.
• Enforcing standards for certificate holders.

Learn More:

Teacher Regulation Branch: http://www.bcteacherregulation.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963 (media line)

BACKGROUNDER

Bruce M. Preston, commissioner

Bruce M. Preston previously served as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and as a judge of the County Court of British Columbia. He presided over a wide variety of cases, including administrative, criminal, matrimonial, constitutional, tort, insolvency and contract law.

Preston served on the bench for 22 years, and on several of judicial committees, before retiring in April 2010. Prior to becoming a judge, he practised law in Prince George and Penticton.

During his tenure with the B.C. Supreme Court, Preston served on the Chief Justice's Advisory Committee and its successor, the Executive Committee of the Court. He was a member of the Court's Alternate Dispute Resolution and Family Law Committees and served as a member of the Chief Justice's Law Reform Advisory Committee.

Following his retirement in 2010, he was appointed to act as a disciplinary authority pursuant to the Police Act of British Columbia, to review, at the request of the police complaint commissioner, the disposition of complaints of misconduct by officers of police forces in B.C.

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963 (media line)