It seems very ironic that I am writing this letter.
My daughter told me about the possible suspension of the dental programs at CNC.
I am writing this letter on behalf of parents in Prince George in light of this news.
Twenty years ago my daughter was accepted to CNC to take the dental hygiene program.
She was very excited, as this was a dream of hers that she had been working towards for many years.
However the problem was she was from the lower mainland. She did not even really know where Prince George was but she decided to go to get the education she wanted. Her and her husband quit their jobs, packed up all of their things and moved to Prince George.
She guaranteed me that she would be back in 2 years.
Twenty years later I am still waiting!! Once they moved to Prince George, her husband found a great job, they bought a house, she finished school, she found employment, they bought another house, they traveled and they enjoyed the northern lifestyle, all the while, I was hopeful they would still be coming back.
So my point to all of the parents in Prince George is this: if these programs close and your children move somewhere else to take them, do not naively think they will return, as I did.
They will make a life in their new location and you will be missing out on the many years of momentous moments in their lives.
Oh you will still be in touch and make memories together, but it will not be the same as having your children live nearby. I hope you will realize the potential losses of telling your children to go elsewhere for education.
It will not only mean a loss of them in your daily life but also a loss of the economic growth that would follow them in the community they live in.
My daughter and her husband have been contributing to the northern economy in Prince George for twenty years now, with no plans of returning home any time soon.
Of course, I am very happy for them and their accomplishments, but deep down as a parent I wished they had never left. My daughter told me the mantra at CNC is: Start Here Go Anywhere, but I am thinking it should be changed to: Start Here Go Elsewhere.
By closing these dental programs you will be forcing your children to leave home and be educated elsewhere!
This is not a good idea, when I believe your city is actually trying to attract people to the north and stay in the north.
I hope as parents, you will be rallying together and thinking about the future educational opportunities for your children to stay in the north where they will be close to family, and therefore you would strongly be opposed to closing the only dental programs offered in the north.
Grace Smith
A concerned parent
Prince George
