UNews - Canadian Senate

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge trio present to Senate committees

caroline.zentner — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:47:31 +0000

Earlier this year, three ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge professors were asked to be among the experts consulted by two Standing Senate committees.

Drs. Yale Belanger, Geoffrey Hale and Chris Kukucha, all political science professors, provided their expert knowledge on important issues facing the country, including internal trade and pipelines.

Left to right are Drs. Chris Kukucha, Geoffrey Hale and Yale Belanger.

“I found it to be a great experience. I was tremendously honoured to be asked,” says Belanger. “Senators on these committees know the layers of the issues involved. They anticipated that we know the issues at a deep level so we were there to provide some clarity and some pathways to resolutions so they have a number of different strategies from which to draw in responding to their specific concerns.”

The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce asked Kukucha to present at a meeting in Calgary. The committee was seeking information about the current state of internal trade in Canada and Kukucha is one of a small number of Canadian political scientists doing research in this area. He wrote a paper for the Internal Trade Secretariat about existing inter-provincial agreements, and was therefore able to describe the pros and cons of various approaches. Kukucha fielded questions from senators on labour mobility, trucking, alcohol, the technical language in agreements, and lack of statistics in internal trade in Canada.

“Presenting to the Senate Committee was a really interesting experience and it was nice to be asked,” says Kukucha. “The negotiations have been going on for years and will continue to do so even though Canada's provincial and territorial premiers reached a preliminary agreement in principle when they recently met in Whitehorse.”

The resulting Senate Committee paper — Tear Down These Walls: Dismantling Canada’s Internal Trade Barriers — is worth a look if only for the last page, which lists the top 10 weirdest barriers to trade.

Belanger and Hale were asked to present to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications. Belanger says the committee wanted to hear about the barriers to resource and infrastructure development and the best way to handle such projects. While Hale spoke about the complex and convoluted processes involved in securing approvals for infrastructure projects and resource developments, Belanger talked about such developments as they pertain to Aboriginal peoples.

“Right now, media almost exclusively portrays Aboriginal people as stewards of the environment who are absolutely against any sort of industrial progress, when in fact the research that I conducted showed that they’re a little bit more open-minded in terms of the types of industry they’re willing to consider,” he says.

Some First Nations in Canada produce oil and many are interested in seeing pipelines run through their territories. They’re particularly interested in the associated jobs but want to be involved at the drawing-board stage.

“Canada can no longer treat First Nations as simply a community that they come across, throw some money at if there is resistance, and hire a few people to make folks happy in order to get the pipeline built. The First Nations, at this point in time, are quite geared into pressing for partnerships and having a voice early in project development,” says Belanger. “The idea is that Canada has to get First Nations in the room at the very beginning.”

Hale spoke to the manifold process for securing approvals. With players including resource companies, government representatives, stakeholder groups and public safety measures, the path to approval can be long and winding.

“It’s a multi-level, multi-layered process in which companies have to be proactive, patient and have their cultural learning shoes on,” says Hale. “Governments also have to have processes in place that deal with overlapping areas of jurisdiction.”

A final report is is expected sometime this fall but Belanger’s and Hale’s evidence is posted on the Parliament of Canada website.

Distinguished list of Honourary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:24:40 +0000

Following are the 2009 Honourary Degree Recipients for Spring Convocation

Robert Best
Ottawa, Ont.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Bob Best (BASc '73) recently retired from his position as Vice President of National Affairs for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. In this role, he has been influential in shaping much of the advocacy on behalf of Canadian universities. His leadership and commitment to higher education have made him a highly respected and sought-after presenter and consultant on policy issues and government relations.

Ralph Himsl
Lethbridge, Alta.

The retired Superintendent of the Catholic School District, Ralph Himsl has been described as a "Renaissance man". His career in education was dedicated to serving others and challenging them to reach their full potential, whether they were students or other professional educators. Himsl initiated the 'Blueprints' process to reflect on the nature and spiritual needs of Catholic education.

Mobina Jaffer
Vancouver, BC

Mobina Jaffer began practicing law in British Columbia in 1978 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2001 by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Jaffer has extensive experience in refugee and immigration law, and has done much work in the areas of women's rights, peace, and security. Jaffer also has the distinction of being the first Indo-Canadian female lawyer in BC, the first African-born member of the Senate, and the first Muslim member of the Senate.

Samantha Nutt
Toronto, Ont.

Samantha Nutt is a Canadian physician with over a decade of experience working in war zones. In 1999, Nutt became the founder and executive director of War Child Canada. Her dedication to humanitarian work in war-ravaged nations has made positive change a reality in some of the most devastated and dangerous areas of the world. Nutt has an incredible ability to mobilize youth and has worked with students and teachers across Canada to foster awareness and activism.

Joan Stebbins
Lethbridge, Alta.

One of Canada's foremost curators of contemporary art, Joan Stebbins (BFA '79) has an outstanding record of scholarly achievement. More than 184 exhibition-related publications have come to fruition under her direction or mentorship as curator and director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge from the 1980s forward. Her dedication and expertise have established the SAAG as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions.

Ross Watson
Cochrane, Alta.

An outdoor enthusiast for over 20 years, Ross Watson was the first blind climber to summit Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan, in the Yukon. Watson is a community leader and dynamic speaker who has made numerous radio and television appearances, drawing on his unique mountain climbing experiences and an uncompromising belief in the power of personal goals, dreams, and ambition.

Honourary Degree Recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 13 May 2009 21:49:03 +0000

Following are the 2009 Honourary Degree Recipients for Spring Convocation

Robert Best
Ottawa, Ont.

Ralph Himsl
Lethbridge, Alta.

Mobina Jaffer
Vancouver, BC

Samantha Nutt
Toronto, Ont.

Joan Stebbins
Lethbridge, Alta.

Ross Watson
Cochrane, Alta.

Brandt among Honorary Degree recipients

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:58:02 +0000

Country music artist Paul Brandt is coming to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge – but he'll have to share the stage.

Brandt is one of eight persons selected by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Senate as an Honorary Degree recipient for 2009. He is among a diverse group of individuals from Alberta, Canada and around the world who have distinguished themselves through their charitable activity, community service or advocacy for change.

"Our candidates this year reflect a mix of local, national and international achievements," says Cheryl Dick, the Chair of the Senate Honorary Degree Committee. "The Senate chose individuals who not only represent the best in their communities, but also people who reflect the spirit and focus of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

Brandt, a native Calgarian, is joined by Cochrane-based blind mountaineer Ross Watson; Lethbridge residents and community leaders Ralph Himsl, educator, and Joan Stebbens, respected art curator; Toronto-based humanitarian Dr. Samantha Nutt; national university administrator and U of L alumnus Robert Best; refugee and immigration advocate and Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer; and Son Soubert, a Cambodian archaeologist and politician who supports orphanages in Cambodia.

Selected members from the group will be honoured at either the spring or fall convocation ceremonies. Spring 2009 Convocation is to be held May 28-29 at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

Following are biographies of the 2009 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Honorary Degree Recipient.

Robert Best – Ottawa, Ont. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge alumnus Bob Best recently retired from his position as Vice President of National Affairs for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. In this role, he has been influential in shaping much of the advocacy on behalf of Canadian universities. His leadership and commitment to higher education have made him a highly respected and sought-after presenter and consultant on policy issues and government relations.

Paul Brandt – Calgary, Alta. (Fall 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Calgarian Paul Brandt is the most-awarded Canadian country music artist in history. In addition to his musical talent, Paul is a registered nurse who practiced as a pediatric nurse at the Alberta Children's hospital. He is a highly committed volunteer and philanthropist, working with groups such as the Alberta Children's Hospital, Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child, World Vision, and Centre Street Church in Calgary.

Ralph Himsl – Lethbridge, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

A retired Superintendent of the Catholic School District, Ralph Himsl has been described as a "Renaissance man". His career in education was dedicated to serving others and challenging them to reach their full potential, whether they were students or other professional educators. Ralph initiated the 'Blueprints' process to reflect on the nature and spiritual needs of Catholic education.

Mobina Jaffer – Vancouver, B.C. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Mobina Jaffer began practicing law in British Columbia in 1978 and was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 2001 by Prime Minister Jean Chretien. Mobina has extensive experience in refugee and immigration law, and has done much work in the areas of women's rights, peace, and security. Mobina also has the distinction of being the first Indo-Canadian female lawyer in BC, the first African-born member of the Senate, and the first Muslim member of the Senate.

Samantha Nutt – Toronto, Ont. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Samantha Nutt is a Canadian physician with over a decade of experience working in war zones. In 1999, 29-year-old Samantha became the founder and executive director of War Child Canada. Her dedication to humanitarian work in war-ravaged nations has made positive change a reality in some of the most devastated and dangerous areas of the world. Samantha has an incredible ability to mobilize youth and has worked with students and teachers across Canada to foster awareness and activism.

Son Soubert – Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Fall 2009 Convocation ceremony)

Son Soubert is currently a Member of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia and a Professor at the Faculty of Archaeology of the Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Phnom Penh. He has worked to establish responsible politics in Cambodia and has done extensive work to help children, including the establishment of two orphanages. In his political, academic, and humanitarian roles, Son has publicly taken a stand against corruption and is an outstanding example of integrity and humility.

Joan Stebbins – Lethbridge, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

One of Canada's foremost curators of contemporary art, Joan Stebbins has an outstanding record of scholarly achievement. More than 184 exhibition-related publications have come to fruition under her direction or mentorship as curator and director of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Lethbridge from the 1980's forward. Her dedication and expertise have established the SAAG as one of Canada's leading contemporary art institutions.

Ross Watson – Cochrane, Alta. (Spring 2009 Convocation ceremony)

An outdoor enthusiast for over 20 years, Ross Watson was the first blind climber to summit Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan, in the Yukon. Ross is a community leader and dynamic speaker who has made numerous radio and television appearances, drawing on his unique mountain climbing experiences and an uncompromising belief in the power of personal goals, dreams, and ambition.

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��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge trio present to Senate committees

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge trio present to Senate committees