Henry to receive Royal Roads degree

News that Royal Roads University will honour BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry with an honorary degree traveled quickly over the Thanksgiving weekend in publications throughout the province and the country.

Here is an excerpt from the feature story by the Victoria Times Colonist’s Roxanne Egan-Elliott:

The honour recognizes Henry for providing British Columbians with the information they need to stay safe and adapt to life in a pandemic, and for trusting the public to make informed decisions rather than focusing on enforcement and punitive measures, said Royal Roads president Philip Steenkamp.

“She has walked that real fine line between offering ­guidance — good guidance — and sometimes really focused guidance, but trusting us to regulate ourselves. And I think it’s been a remarkable balancing act,” Steenkamp said.

[…]

Her leadership style and signature catchphrase — “be kind, be calm, be safe” — has soothed British Columbians in a time of turmoil, he said, and her ability to clearly communicate science-based guidelines with sensitivity and compassion has spared the province from a higher death toll and more serious restrictions seen elsewhere.

Steenkamp said it’s fitting to honour the doctor who has guided British Columbians through a new normal at the university’s first virtual convocation ceremony.

Read some of the coverage from the Times Colonist, Vancouver Sun/Province, Black Press, National Post/Canadian Press, CTV Vancouver Island, CHEK News, My Coast Now and CFAX 1070.