Each Lieutenant Governor develops unique projects and initiatives that highlight their interests and backgrounds. Often provincial in scope, they bring awareness to issues affecting British Columbians.
The Honourable Wendy Cocchia has developed three thematic pillars for her term, which will serve as guiding principles as she develops programs and initiatives throughout her mandate. These themes are:
- Meaningful Inclusion: Dedicated to building a province where all British Columbians, regardless of ability, background, or identity, are not just present, but genuinely included, respected, heard, and empowered to shape the spaces, decisions, and institutions that affect their lives, and for people to feel seen, valued, and able to contribute fully and authentically.
- Innovation in Health: Focused on advancing new ideas, methods, and technologies that improve the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of health services, and drive meaningful change in how people experience and benefit from care.
- Economic Opportunity: Centred on preparing the province for the future of work, strengthening economic participation, and ensuring people have the tools and training they need to thrive.
“These themes reflect the values and challenges of our time,” said Her Honour. “They are about listening deeply, acting boldly, and bringing people together to shape a future that is more equitable, inclusive, and innovative for everyone all across British Columbia.”
The first two projects that the Government House Foundation is proud to support are the Paper Plane Launch Kit and the creation of a children’s book on diversity, empathy and meaningful inclusion.
The Paper Plane Launch Kit is a grassroots initiative created to launch a message of meaningful inclusion in schools across the province. Each kit provides students with the materials to build, decorate, and launch a paper airplane in honour of a friend who needs a helping hand, or in appreciation for a peer, family member, or teacher who has made a positive impact in their lives. The kits will be distributed by the Honourable Wendy Cocchia as she visits schools and speaks to classrooms about the importance of meaningful inclusion.
By engaging students in a hands-on activity, the kits create a tangible way for young people to express empathy and support for their peers and network. This initiative is expected to foster a culture of understanding and acceptance within schools, helping to build stronger, more inclusive communities. The first phase includes 2,000 kits to be distributed in schools across BC. The kits may also be shared with other partners to raise awareness about the important work led by the Lieutenant Governor.
The Children’s Book Project includes an illustrated children’s book co-authored by His Honour Sergio Cocchia and Connie Cocchia. Written for the Grade 2 to Grade 3 reading level, this book will cover the themes of diversity, empathy, and meaningful inclusion. It can be read and distributed by the Honourable Wendy Cocchia as she visits schools, speaks to classrooms, and connects with young British Columbians across the province.
This project offers Her Honour the opportunity to discuss the importance of embracing diversity and supporting others through an engaging and memorable activity. Books will be donated to libraries across the province, allowing teachers, librarians, student leaders, and others to continue to have important conversations about meaningful inclusion. According to the Provincial Government, there are approximately 1,500 public schools in BC, and 250 public library service locations. The Foundation aims to provide Her Honour with these tools so she can further diversity, empathy and meaningful inclusion in the province. If you would like to donate to one or both of these projects, please visit https://bcgovhousefoundation.ca/donate/ and indicate in the notes section which project/s you would like to support.
These are the first two projects for funding, and we look forward to supporting initiatives for this and Her Honour’s other two thematic pillars as they are developed.
The Lieutenant Governor also inherits remarkable legacy programs from her predecessors and is proud to continue the works of the following:
The Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellowship
In the spirit of supporting a healthy democracy with a thriving journalistic community, a Journalism Fellowship was created.
The 2024 Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellow is Michele Brunoro, an award-winning senior reporter and anchor for CTV News Vancouver with 30 years of journalism experience.
Ms. Brunoro has been awarded funding to produce online stories, in addition to a TV broadcast piece, focusing on human trafficking in British Columbia. She is committed to investigating and sharing these important stories to raise public awareness and give a voice to victims, inform the public and help prevent further exploitation.
Brunoro’s project, expected to be completed in early 2025, includes exploring victim backgrounds, the effectiveness of laws in BC, preventive efforts, and the work of British Columbians to help victims in other parts of the world. She hopes to speak with both Canadian and foreign victims and provide a BC perspective on sex tourism.
The 2023 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s BC Journalism Fellowship is Kim Bolan, an experienced and award-winning journalist who has covered gangs in British Columbia for the past 25 years. Bolan has been awarded funds to produce a series of articles on the increasing international tentacles of BC gangs and organized crime groups. Bolan’s five-part series was published in the Vancouver Sun, beginning January 22, 2024 and can be read here: Lethal Exports: B.C. gangsters at the centre of a global drug trade (part 1).
In 2022, the inaugural fellow Francesca Fionda, an investigative and data journalist, was awarded $25,00 to explore the gaps in supports for evacuees of disasters in British Columbia through long-form reporting. Click to read Francesca’s series “Bracing for Disaster” in The Tyee.
British Columbia Reconciliation Award
To recognize individuals, groups and organizations who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, respect and commitment to furthering reconciliation or inspired others to continue reconciliation efforts, the Lieutenant Governor, in partnership with the BC Achievement Foundation, has launched the British Columbia Reconciliation Award. Her Honour is grateful for the leadership of the Honourable Steven Point, former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, who is the founder of this award.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement
A collaboration between the Government House Foundation and the Maritime Museum of BC, this award replaces the annual SS Beaver Awards for Maritime Excellence. This new award will recognize and acknowledge individuals and organizations along BC’s coast and inland waterways who have made noteworthy contributions to BC’s maritime interests. The expanded scope of the award will also recognize Indigenous and traditional practices, environmental stewardship, and ensure diversity in nominees, recipients, and award administration.
A unique award medallion featuring the artwork Nusi Ian Reid, a member of the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, will be awarded to each recipient. To read about the 2023 recipients, please visit The Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Maritime Achievement.
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation:
In 2019, in partnership with the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, eligibility for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal was expanded to recognize post-secondary students with outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy or reconciliation, on or off campus, and now includes students in diploma and degree programs.