You might be surprised to find out the new chancellor at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology has never before held that post at an institute of higher learning.
After all, it seems as though Perrin Beatty has had just about every other senior job in Canada -- except for prime minister.
Mr. Beatty, who replaces Lyn McLeod in the chancellor's post, has had a very long and distinguished career in public service in this country.
For a man who has yet to turn 60, it seems like he has spent his entire adult life in the public eye. That's because, quite literally, he has.
He made his political debut back in 1972, winning a seat in the House of Commons at the tender age of 22. He spent 21 years in Parliament serving in Progressive Conservative cabinets under Joe Clark, Brian Mulroney and Kim Campbell and was just 29 when he first found himself in cabinet. His wide experience at the federal level includes terms as Minister of State for the Treasury Board, Minister of National Revenue, Solicitor General, Defence Minister, Minister of National Health and Welfare, and Minister of Communications.
He certainly knows the major players at the federal level and, though it's been a while since he served in Parliament, is probably as well-connected as anyone with the levers of power in Ottawa.
Since he left politics in 1993, Mr. Beatty has been a high-ranking executive with some very high-profile organizations. Prime Minister Jean Chretien appointed him as president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked from 1995-99. He then spent several years as president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, a business association that promotes Canadian industry. Over the past year he has worked as CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
You would be hard-pressed to find anyone in this country with a more impressive Rolodex than the 58-year-old. His vast network of contacts and experience working with people in positions of power makes him the ideal chancellor for the young and growing university.
To top it off, he even has a local connection: his mother and stepfather are Oshawa residents.
Mr. Beatty is a welcome addition to UOIT and should be a valuable asset as the university moves forward.
-- Metroland Durham Region Media Group
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