SHAKEUP AT UNIVERSITY BOARDS
UCP names new governors it says will better align post-secondary schools with economy, but NDP sees cronies set to cut spending
Alberta’s UCP government has moved to put a business stamp on the province’s university governance by replacing Ndp-appointees with private sector figures.
That drew a swift rebuke from the opposition NDP who dubbed the moves “a return to Pc-era cronyism.”
The 11 appointments include new board of governor chairs such as Cenovus Energy CEO Alex Pourbaix at Mount Royal University, Grafton Asset Management president Geeta Sankappanavar at the University of Calgary and Altalink head Scott Thon at SAIT.
The University of Alberta’s new board chair is Katie Chisholm, a senior vice-president at Capital Power who replaces one-time Edmonton city councillor Michael Phair, who assumed the post in December 2016 and whose term could have been extended to 10 years.
Many of those removed hadn’t served out their terms.
Outgoing U of C board chair and former Calgary YMCA CEO Jill Wyatt was appointed in March 2018 to a three-year term while Sue Mallon, who has a social work background, took that post at MRU in December 2016.
Melinda Park, who’s a security and capital markets executive, was appointed last December to head the SAIT board.
The appointments will improve financial oversight and bolster links to industry, Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said in a statement Friday.
“Our post-secondary institutions receive millions in taxpayer dollars and it is vital their boards have the strongest possible financial acumen and management experience,” he said.
“Furthermore, these new appointees will help our institutions build strong relationships with industry to ensure that we are getting better labour market outcomes.”
The changes come as many expect the provincial government to impose spending austerity that could impact Alberta’s post-secondary system.
The UCP also promised to act with speed as part of its so-called summer of repeal to reverse decisions made by the previous NDP government.
The NDP said both Pourbaix and Thon were “historic donors” to the PC party that preceded the UCP, with Advanced Education critic David Eggen insisting the appointments seemed a return to the cronyism of the PC dynasty.
“This is exactly the atmosphere that brought us to the end of the PC era,” said Eggen.
In contrast, he said, in making similar appointments the NDP government had waited until board governors had ended their terms and took time to seek the best candidates.
“These jobs were advertised on government websites based on competence, gender parity and geographical representation,” said Eggen.
University governance in Alberta is being reduced to sycophancy, Levi Flaman, who recently served as student representative on the U of A’s board of governors, said in a tweet.
“University autonomy is eroding faster than ever in Canada and the current government seems fine with that,” he stated, while lauding Phair as an outstanding chairman.
“Rather than let the appointments serve out the remainder of their terms, they’re being replaced early by yes-men loyal to the party.”
Governors on the boards of the province’s two largest universities serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration.
A government spokeswoman said the appointments, which extended to a number of other boards and commissions, were made on merit.
“In revitalizing our agencies, boards and commissions, we focused our recruitment efforts on those with the right skills, competencies and experience for the job,” said Jerrica Goodwin with Alberta Treasury Board and Finance.
Another government spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the speed of the appointments or say whether the previous chairpersons voluntarily resigned, though added that process is being revamped.
But Laurie Chandler with Alberta Advanced Education said the previous NDP government had filled positions to further its priorities “and it is appropriate for us to do the same.”
She said the government had heard concerns about a lack of financial acumen on boards and commissions, which direct the spending of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.
“It is incumbent upon us to ensure (this) membership has the appropriate skill sets and experience necessary to effectively and efficiently serve Albertans,” she added. “This is consistent with our businesslike approach to government and leadership.”
Rather than let the appointments serve out the remainder of their terms, they’re being replaced early by yes-men loyal to the party.