Former cabinet minister is happy to be part of the team
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.
Recommend :
Latest News
Supportive friends arrested in bail court as accomplicesOSHAWA -- Five men who came to court to support friends busted in a debit card skimming operation wound up behind bars themselves when cops identified them as accomplices in ...
Regions wants to build to stimulate economyDURHAM -- Durham is planning on putting a rush on infrastructure projects in order to stimulate the local economy. As part of his economic update, Finance Commissioner Jim ...
General Motors is leaning on CAWGeneral Motors of Canada Ltd. is aggressively seeking help from the Canadian Auto Workers to reduce costs in support of efforts for a huge government aid package, the union's ...
Seven Durham-connected homicides in 2008DURHAM -- The deaths of an Oshawa woman and her young son at the hands of a man who was later shot dead by police marked the sixth and seventh homicides involving a Durham ...
Youngest child of Leslie Kelly diesOSHAWA -- The three-year-old boy injured in a shocking attack on his family last Saturday in south Oshawa has passed away.
Durham ...
United Way half-way to targetDURHAM -- With the end of the campaign looming, the United Way is half-way to its goal of $1.75 million. Fundraising campaign chairman John G. Smith said $889,000 had been ...
Growth plan debate heats upDURHAM -- It will have to be a quick, fierce debate on how Durham should grow as the June deadline for Durham to complete its plan draws closer. The Region is working on ...
Tense stand-off results in arrestOSHAWA -- Police officers responding to a report of a drunk driver found themselves in a tense stand-off with a man who held a knife to his own throat Monday afternoon. Police...
Ajax makes changes to stop sign requirementsAJAX -- With a little tweaking, the method used to decide if stop signs should be installed has been updated. While councillors will have the final say, the all-way stop ...
Three sought in Sam's Club heistPICKERING -- Three suspects are being sought in the theft of an estimated $50,000 worth of cigarettes from the Pickering Sam's Club outlet early Monday. A worker was ...