TORONTO, May 22 /CNW Telbec/ - On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Joe Preston, Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London, today unveiled a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the historic significance of Frontier College. A ceremony marking the importance of the event and its impact on the history of Canada was held today at Gzowski House,
Frontier College national headquarters.

"Frontier College has been an important educational institution in Canada for over 100 years," declared Mr. Preston. "Today's commemoration by Canada's Government will help to ensure that the establishment of Frontier College as an event of national significance will be remembered and appreciated by generations to come."

Established in 1899 by travelling missionary Alfred Fitzpatrick, Frontier College filled an important gap in the education system by instituting a program of teacher-labourers to teach basic skills to workers in isolated areas. Frontier College later became the first institution in the world to offer an extramural university degree program directed at workers.

"Today's commemoration of Frontier College is a very fine example of what Canada's Government is doing to keep our heritage alive. Each element of our historic heritage has a story to tell, and each one offers Canadians unique opportunities to connect and experience our shared past," said Minister Prentice. "Our Government is proud to commemorate and preserve Frontier College's place in Canada's vast and rich cultural heritage."

In 1977, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Frontier College internationally by awarding it the Literacy Prize (also known as The Mohammad Reza Pahlavi Prize) for its meritorious work in the field of adult education. Today, Frontier College continues its work as a national literacy organization and a provider of literacy services in cities, rural areas and aboriginal communities across Canada.

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada's history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of historic value. It is one means of informing the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.