Created by Vancouver-based New Market Multimedia, the Class Act Canada program is funded by Mr. Dean Duperron, the president of Sprott-Shaw Community College, British Columbia’s oldest post secondary institution.

Background
In the summer of 2009, Mr. Duperron created a scholarship fund using a million dollars of his own money to help provide an opportunity for post secondary education for 10 people from around the world. This year, Mr. Duperron and his wife Sherri wish to bring Class Act Canada II to those who serve to protect Canada - the ‘Defence Family’.
 
In late-August 2010, the National Defence Public Affairs Office-Pacific engaged in a discussion with a stakeholder involved in the Sprott-Shaw Class Act Canada II scholarship contest. It was proposed that a dedicated ‘Defence Family’ position be set aside within the 2010 contest framework, in effect; guaranteeing that one of the five scholarship packages on offer in 2010 will be open only to applicants coming from within the ‘Defence Family’.

Key program details: 

• The ‘Defence Family’ term describes any currently serving member of the Canadian Forces (Regular or Reserve Force), DND Public Servants (Indeterminate Employees), and any member of their immediate families; 
• The scholarship is valued at $100,000, and will cover all expenses associated with tuition, books, lodging, food, transport to/from the Vancouver campus/residence and to/from the winner’s hometown; and
• Members of the ‘Defence Family’ will follow the same application process required of all other applicants, with the only difference being the addition of a DND ‘judge’ to be assigned to the panel of judges to help select the ‘Defence Family’ winner at the end of the on-line voting phases.

The 2010 contest launch is currently scheduled for the third week of November 2010.