British Columbia’s 61,000 Grade 12 graduates, along with kindergarten to Grade 11 students, will be the guests of honour at a special virtual graduation and end-of-school celebration.

The WE Celebrate: Class of 2020 event will showcase some of B.C.’s best known singers, athletes and performers.

“I know this is not how graduates expected to celebrate their achievements, but that doesn’t diminish the occasion,” said Premier John Horgan. “Their parents, teachers and all British Columbians are proud of them. After they leave school, the whole world is there for them to explore. It will be a smaller world at first, but it will grow. As Dr. Bonnie Henry says, ‘It is for now, not forever.’ Congratulations to the class of 2020.” 

British Columbia is a proud partner of the WE Celebrate: Class of 2020 event that will air at 10 a.m. (Pacific time) on May 26 on WE’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The event, also celebrated with students in the Northwest Territories, will feature a star-studded lineup delivering Canada’s 2020 valedictorian addresses, one-of-a-kind performances and heartfelt surprises to celebrate students and educators who have been making a difference throughout the school year and who continue to step up to support their communities during COVID-19.

“Throughout this pandemic, our B.C. graduates have found new and innovative ways to make positive change in their communities, all while showing tremendous resilience, determination and patience,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “I’m so proud of B.C. grads. This may not be the way they envisioned marking this important occasion, but if ever there was a class that deserves a star-studded celebration like this, it’s the class of 2020.”

This ceremony is part of a week-long virtual road trip making online stops in the Prairies, Ontario, the East Coast and Quebec. The final stop, the biggest living room party of the school year, will air Saturday, June 6 at 8 p.m. (Eastern time/Pacific time) exclusively on CTV.

Led by hosts Tyrone Edwards, Liz Trinnear and Chloe Wilde from CTV’s ETALK, the British Columbia and the Northwest Territories' WE Celebrate: Class of 2020 event will feature appearances by Craig Kielburger, Jacob Tremblay, Sarah McLachlan and many more.