Latest news with #MountRoyalUniversity
Global News
12 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
United Conservative Party releases CPP survey results 21 months late
It's taken nearly two years for the province to release results from a survey that asked Albertans if they wanted an Alberta Pension Plan (APP). The survey showed 63 per cent of respondents were opposed to an APP, while only 10 per cent were in support. More recent polling from Leger in February found 55 per cent of Albertan's opposed an Alberta Pension Plan. A May 2025 poll from Janet Brown found 55 per cent of Albertans were in support of the APP if there were more details. In May, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, 'I am seeing the results you are, I am not seeing that there is an appetite to put it to the people at the moment.' Duane Bratt, a political science professor at Mount Royal University, says the Janet Brown poll, commissioned by the government of Alberta, has interesting results with the number of people waiting for more information. Story continues below advertisement He adds people wanted answers to questions. 'Like, what is the amount that Alberta Pension Plan would start with? What would be the contribution rates? What would be the benefit rates? What would be the mobility between provinces? All of those sorts of questions haven't been answered,' said Bratt. 1:56 Alberta finance minister says he has not 'flip-flopped' on proposed pension change Bratt says the survey was not fair because it asked questions that assumed the respondent wanted an Alberta Pension Plan. 'The question itself was, would you want to leave the CPP if you had the exact same program. In the absence of any details, how do you know that that's the exact same program,' said Bratt. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy He adds the survey results are no longer accurate but the delay of the release of the results shows a lack of transparency from the provincial government. 'The bigger story is how and why the government of Alberta refused to hand over public survey data that they encouraged Albertans to fill out. They went to extreme measures to block it, because they realized it was going to embarrass them. They believed that this was a neutral process to just explore the idea of leaving the Canadian pension plan, but it wasn't,' said Bratt. Story continues below advertisement The province says they will continue to talk with Albertans on this topic and says nothing will change unless Albertans approve a new pension plan in a referendum. Bratt says by itself, majority of Albertans are against the province pulling out of CPP and creating the APP. He adds that he expects to see several referendum questions about Alberta's independence. Those might include questions on the APP, an Alberta police force, and Alberta independence. 'I think what the government is hoping for is maybe people might not want to separate, but they still want to send a message to Ottawa,' said Bratt.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Much of our history is nothing to be proud of': Dignity Forum premieres new Alberta human-rights documentary
A new documentary highlighting the history of discrimination and prejudice in Alberta is set to premiere this month at Mount Royal University. Article content The documentary, titled Human Rights: Fact or Fiction? A History of Human Rights in Alberta, was created by the Dignity Forum, an Alberta organization that advocates for human-rights protections. Article content Article content 'It really is an educational piece in the sense that it traces the history of human rights in Alberta right up to the present day,' said Ron Ghitter, chair of the Dignity Forum and former MLA and senator. 'Much of our history is nothing to be proud of.' Article content Article content Ghitter has dedicated 45 years to human-rights policy development and advocacy, which has opened his eyes to the extent of discrimination throughout Alberta's history. Article content Article content 'All the major human-rights cases, really, that have gone to the Supreme Court of Canada have gone out of Alberta — from the Vriend case to the Taylor case to the Keegstra case,' he said. Article content 'These were cases which really set a standard in human rights in the country.' Article content Ghitter said the documentary aims to inform and to advocate for change. Article content 'I think people have never really come to grips with what human rights in Alberta has been all about historically,' he said. 'And it's not all negative. Article content 'We're trying to look to the future, as well.' Article content Business leader and philanthropist Mike Shaikh, who formerly chaired the Calgary police commission, is one of the panellists featured in the documentary. Shaikh said he has high hopes for what the documentary can accomplish. Article content Article content 'Diversity and inclusion deserve our attention,' he said. 'I believe this documentary will help create stronger communities and improve lives in Canada.' Article content For Shaikh, creating more inclusive communities for newcomers was a major motivation behind his involvement in the project. Article content 'I've always been a proponent of helping new immigrants, all newcomers to Canada, to see how they can make the Canadian dream come true,' he said. Article content Shaikh also found that he gained a lot personally from the experience, particularly from working with the other panellists. Article content 'I loved listening to Chief Phil Fontaine,' he said. 'He's the one who pioneered the exposure of the residential schools. He was the first one to stand up and speak up — and be heard.' Article content The inspiration for the documentary came from a variety of discussions between Ghitter and others in the Dignity Forum community concerning the increasing cases of discrimination they've seen throughout Alberta — and a desire to bring those concerns to light. Article content 'We can't sit back and just think it'll take care of itself,' Ghitter said. 'You have to respond when you see bigotry, discrimination, stereotyping.'
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- General
- Calgary Herald
Calgarian, 76, earns history degree from MRU, and plans to return in the fall
At age 76, David Jackson has never stopped learning new things – and plans to continue on that path for as long as he can. Article content Jackson, a student at Mount Royal University since 2007, walked the stage Friday morning to receive his degree in history. But he's not stopping there – he'll be returning in the fall to start a new degree, this time in anthropology. Article content Article content 'I always had tremendous love for learning,' Jackson said. He earned his first degree – a bachelor of science in mathematics – from the University of Regina in 1975. Following that, he took several computer science courses and embarked on a career in computing. Article content 'It was so boring,' he said. 'So I thought, 'I'm going to take something in the arts.'' Article content His first history class was about the start of the renaissance, and from there, he was hooked. Most of his studies were in European history, but toward the end of his degree, he took an interest in the Middle East. Article content Jackson said his post-secondary experience in 1975 was also a positive one, but he believes that this time around, being in school simply because he wanted to learn made him a better student. Article content Article content Nazak Birjandifar, associate professor of history at MRU, first met Jackson in the final year of his degree. Article content 'David was really a good student – he was really attentive,' she said. 'He was someone who always looked to learn and enjoyed the process. Article content 'Every week, David would come to my office hours and sit down and have a conversation about what we've learned in class,' Birjandifar said. 'I really enjoyed that, and I really liked his perspective.' Article content Birjandifar had the pleasure of watching Jackson walk the stage at Friday morning's convocation ceremony. Article content
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
76-year-old Calgary graduate David Jackson proves it's never too late to learn
At an age when many are well into retirement, David Jackson is walking across the graduation stage at Calgary's Mount Royal University – and he's already planning his next degree. Jackson, 76, received his Bachelor of Arts in History on Friday, an accomplishment nearly two decades in the making. 'I always loved learning,' Jackson said. 'In high school, I taught myself calculus so I could do physics.' Originally earning a degree in mathematics from the University of Regina in 1975, Jackson's career took him from Gulf Oil in Calgary to contracts in British Columbia and Dallas, Texas. But after retiring, his curiosity led him to the MRU campus – initially for a math course. 'I thought, 'This is hopelessly boring. I'm going to take something fun and interesting.' So, I landed on history,' he said. That decision – all the way back in 2007 – then sparked an 18-year odyssey of part-time study. David Jackson David Jackson, 76, graduated from Calgary's Mount Royal University on Friday, June 13, 2025. 'My first class was with Scott Murray, and he got me hooked,' Jackson recalled. 'He went from one end of the classroom to the next for an hour and a half without consulting notes. I was enthralled.' Scott Murray, associate professor of history, remembers Jackson's impact. 'He was a terrific student, always full of questions and never afraid to ask hard questions. That's one of the things that really made him stand out,' Murray said. 'His enthusiasm for the things that he was learning was remarkable.' 'He epitomizes the idea of lifelong learning.' — Scott Murray Murray says Jackson's presence in class was a lesson in itself. 'Students are so worried today about getting called out, about saying the wrong thing. David is not afraid to say the wrong thing because he knows that the way that you're going to learn best is by making a mistake and working through it.' For Jackson, the joy of learning went far beyond textbooks. 'I use the atmosphere,' he said. 'I don't think I could do it online. There wouldn't be the people, the students, the profs, the coffee shop.' Classmate Simon Weintz, 50 years younger, says Jackson brought wisdom and humility to every interaction. 'He was always willing to admit when he was wrong and he was always willing to learn new things,' Weintz said. 'I learned from him that you can never stop learning… the pursuit of knowledge is something that you can take to as old as you want to get.' — Simon Weintz After Friday's ceremony, Jackson won't be leaving MRU for long. He's already enrolled for the fall semester. 'It means so much,' Jackson said of graduating. 'I was getting a little impatient because I wanted to study something else… so I did, and now I'm registered in the fall for an anthropology degree.' Jacson plans to take one class per semester over the next eight years. 'So, in 2033, we'll be up here again,' he said with a chuckle and a big smile.
Calgary Herald
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
MRU kicks off convocation ceremonies with installation of new chancellor
Mount Royal University kicked off its first of six convocation ceremonies Wednesday morning with the installation of new chancellor Arlene Strom. Article content Strom brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience, including her role as chief sustainability officer at Suncor, from which she retired in 2023. After retiring, she spent a year as an advanced leadership initiative fellow at Harvard University. She also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Trinity Western University, as well as a Master's of Political Science and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. Article content Article content Article content In her role of chancellor, she will serve as the ceremonial head of the university and as an ambassador and advisor. Though she's new to the role, she's looking forward to discovering how her knowledge can best serve the school. Article content Article content 'I'm passionate about the vision to open minds and change lives,' Strom said. 'I want to figure out how I can be a part of that and be engaged and work with the team here at MRU.' Article content Her background in sustainability, which included working closely with Indigenous groups, will likely play a major role in her contributions to the university. Article content 'I loved the work that I did in sustainability, and so within that, I love the commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples,' Strom said. 'I'm super proud to be wearing a robe that reflects an Indigenous name that I was gifted by Elder Casey Eaglespeaker: Api Makuyaki.' Her gifted name means 'White Wolf Woman' in Blackfoot. Article content Article content Article content Dr. Tim Rahilly, MRU's president and vice-chancellor, said that Strom's leadership, expertise and well-connectedness were what stood out the most from other candidates. Article content Article content 'I've had the pleasure of working with a few different chancellors in my career,' Rahilly said. 'The great thing about the role is that each chancellor can bring their interests to the role.' Article content Strom addressed the university's graduating students for the first time as chancellor during Wednesday morning's ceremony. Article content 'You have an opportunity to be changemakers in a complex world,' she said. 'Keep looking at the world with open eyes and open hearts, learn from others, listen deeply, think critically. Article content 'You have earned this moment of triumph.' Article content Wednesday morning marked the start of three days of convocation ceremonies at MRU, which will see 2,225 students obtain their degrees. Five individuals will also be awarded honorary Doctor of Laws, which is the university's highest academic honour. Bob Steadward, Patti Pon, Cynthia Provost, Rosella Bjornson and Thomas Wood will each receive an honorary degree over the coming days. Article content Article content
