University of B.C. points to three grads who have held Canada’s top office

VANCOUVER – The University of British Columbia says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is the first alumnus from the post-secondary institution to be elected to Canada’s highest office.

Interim UBC president Martha Piper says Trudeau’s accomplishment serves as a prominent marker in the university’s history.

Although Trudeau is the first UBC graduate to be elected prime minister, fellow alumni prime ministers Kim Campbell and John Turner were appointed to the country’s top job after winning the leadership of their respective parties.

Trudeau earned a bachelor of education from UBC in 1998 while Campbell received her bachelor of arts from the university and both Campbell and Turner graduated from UBC’s law school.

Piper says UBC also congratulates newly appointed Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, who earned her law degree at the university in 1999.

Trudeau taught French, drama and law at an independent university-preparatory school in Vancouver and then as a teacher on call for the city’s school board.