Aug 28, 2008 - 03:33 PM

By Crystal Crimi

DURHAM -- The University of Ontario Institute of Technology's new chancellor is Perrin Beatty, the "ultimate Canadian statesman."

The weather was grey and windy Thursday morning, but it was a beautiful day for the university with the appointment of its new chancellor, said UOIT president Ronald Bordessa.

"We have certainly found the right person in Perrin Beatty," Dr. Bordessa said, as the wind blew his hair and made thundering sounds through the speaker system.

Mr. Beatty said he hasn't been in such a windy place since leaving the House of Commons.

His political career with the Progressive Conservative Party included being minister of state for the Treasury Board, National Revenue, National Defence, National Health and Welfare, Communications, solicitor general and secretary of state for External Affairs.

"He's the youngest person ever at that time (1979) to serve in federal cabinet," said Doctor Phillip 'Rocky' Simmons, UOIT's Board of Governors chairman, who referred to Mr. Beatty as the "ultimate Canadian statesman.

"This is getting trying here," he said, reading the long list of Mr. Beatty's accomplishments.

After politics, Mr. Beatty was president and CEO of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, as well as business co-chairman of the Canadian Labour and Business Centre.

As he stood at the podium in front of the reflective pond in the Polonsky Commons, Mr. Beatty thanked his mother and stepfather, both Oshawa residents, for attending.

The school spent about a year looking for a chancellor to replace its first one, Lyn McLeod. The title has a three-year renewable term.

"Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of the team," Mr. Beatty said in wrapping up his speech.

"We too are thrilled at the prospect of working with you and benefiting from your leadership over the next few years," Dr. Bordessa said.

As chancellor, Mr. Beatty will be on the university's board of governors, confer degrees, and advocate for the university, making clear its role and need for support from business and government leaders.

"He is a wise man in the university for who we can call on for advice," Dr. Bordessa said.

While we work too hard to have our tax dollars wasted, investing them in universities bears very rich returns on the economy in future, Mr. Beatty said.

"This university, ladies and gentlemen, is filling an important gap in our economy," Mr. Beatty said.

Dr. Bordessa is happy Mr. Beatty's role will be focused on the university.

"Our job is the same as the job Perrin has undertaken all these years," Dr. Bordessa said - to make Canada a better place.