Times Colonist

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.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada