University presidents give A for attitude as Trudeau sets tone

OTTAWA — A surprise appearance by prime minister-designate Justin Trudeau at a reception of university presidents sends a powerful signal about a fresh tone from Ottawa, says the new head of Universities Canada.

Elizabeth Cannon, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Calgary, said she was “thrilled” by Trudeau’s unannounced, short visit and address Tuesday night at a reception near Parliament Hill hosted by Canada’s university umbrella organization, formerly known as the Association of Universities and Colleges Canada.

“With 214 new MPs, a soon-tobe-announced cabinet of new ministers and a prime minister who began his career as an educator, we have, right now, an unprecedented opportunity to provide fresh thinking in Ottawa and throughout Canada on higher education, research and innovation,” Cannon said in a speech Wednesday as she began her two-year term as Universities Canada chair.

In an interview, Cannon called Trudeau’s appearance this week “a huge signal for us.”

“He talked passionately about the impact his own university education had on him, his life, his thinking. That was a very positive message,” said Cannon, an engineer.

“I think it sets a wonderful tone moving forward.”

Past university association chairs met with Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper on occasion during his decade in office, said spokeswoman Helen Murphy, but he never made an appearance at any of University Canada’s twice-yearly membership events.

Cannon said Harper’s government launched significant new programs even in tough financial times, including a $1.5-billion Canada First Excellence Research Fund announced in the 2014 budget that began dispersing grants this year.