From the Government of Alberta: 

Health minister appoints two new AHS board members

Tyler Shandro has appointed David Weyant, QC, as the new AHS board chair, and added Capital Power CEO Brian Vaasjo to the board.

“These new members add extensive financial, legal and business expertise to the broad range of skills and experience on the AHS board. They’ll make the board even stronger as we move forward to ensure the health system delivers the best results for Albertans. I want to thank Linda Hughes for her service to Albertans as board chair, and I’m very happy and grateful that she has agreed to stay on as a board member.” Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health.

Weyant is the president and CEO of both the Alberta Lawyers Insurance Association and the Alberta Lawyers Insurance Exchange. He was previously in private practice with international, national and local law firms and served as senior vice-president and general counsel of AHS.

Vaasjo has been president and CEO of Capital Power since the company’s Initial Public Offering in 2009. He was previously an executive vice-president with EPCOR, and also has 19 years’ experience with the Enbridge Group of Companies.

Quick Facts:

  • Weyant and Vaasjo will serve three-year terms.
  • The AHS board, which meets about 10 times per year, is established under the Regional Health Authorities Act.
  • It is responsible for the governance of AHS, working in partnership with Alberta Health to ensure all Albertans have access to high-quality health services.
  • The board has eight members appointed by the Minister of Health and is accountable to the minister.

Related Information:

 

The provincial government has appointed new board members at 11 of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.

The appointments include new chairs at the University of Calgary, University of Alberta, NAIT and SAIT.

The new members represent a wide range of vocations and experiences, and understand the importance of managing finances, building relationships and planning for the future. The new appointments will ensure the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars spent every year are providing maximum return on investment for all Albertans.

The U of C’s new board chair, Geeta Sankappanavar, is president of Grafton Asset Management and was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women and one of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People.

The U of A’s new board chair, Kate Chisholm, is senior vice-president, Chief Legal and Sustainability Office for Capital Power and was chair of MORE, a mentoring program for young female professionals.

SAIT’s new board chair, Scott Thon, is president and CFO of AltaLink and received a Leader’s Award in 2017 by Business in Calgary Magazine. NAIT’s new board chair, Ray Pisani, is president and CEO of Alberta Blue Cross and has been on the NAIT board since 2013.

Mount Royal’s new board chair, Alex Pourbaix, is president and CEO of Cenovus Energy.

The new appointees bring strong financial and industry experience, which will strengthen financial oversight and connections to industry.

"Our post-secondary institutions receive millions in taxpayer dollars and it is vital their boards have the strongest possible financial acumen and management experience. Furthermore, these new appointees will help our institutions build strong relationships with industry to ensure that we are getting better labour market outcomes. I want to thank and acknowledge the outgoing board members for their service and commitment to building a stronger post-secondary system in Alberta." Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Advanced Education.

"Mount Royal values strong governance and financial oversight, and appreciates that the provincial government sees the important role post-secondary institutions play in Albertans having a strong economy and vibrant communities. I am grateful for community members who voluntarily share their time and skills and, as a new president, I am excited about working with the new board members in the future." Tim Rahilly, president and vice-chancellor, Mount Royal University.

"We look forward to working with our new chair, Ray Pisani, and board members as we advance NAIT’s vision to be a world-leading polytechnic. I would like to thank Ray Martin for his leadership to NAIT. He was a strong advocate for our polytechnic and is a true gentleman. We would also like to thank our outgoing board members for their contributions.” Glenn Feltham, president and CEO, NAIT.

“SAIT is proud of its industry partnerships and we welcome the new members to the SAIT Board of Governors. We thank the outgoing members for their contributions to SAIT and the success of our students.” David Ross, president and CEO, SAIT.

The appointments affect the boards of governors of these post-secondary institutions:

  • Athabasca University
  • Banff Centre
  • Bow Valley College
  • Grande Prairie Regional College
  • Keyano College
  • MacEwan University
  • Mount Royal University
  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • University of Alberta
  • University of Calgary

 Quick facts:

New appointments include:

Athabasca University Board of Governors

  • Nancy M. Laird, board chair
  • Bryan Berg, public member
  • IIario (Larry) Spagnolo, public member

Banff Centre Board of Governors

  • Adam Waterous, board chair
  • Patricia Brister, public member
  • Donna Kennedy-Glans, QC, public member

Bow Valley College Board of Governors

  • Dwayne Dubois, public member

Grande Prairie Regional College Board of Governors

  • Ron Wiebe, public member
  • Lydell Torgerson, public member
  • Brent Cage, public member

Keyano College Board of Governors

  • Shelley Powell, board chair
  • Kim Farwell, public member
  • Christian Matte, public member
  • Joe MacNeil, public member
  • Staci Millard, public member

MacEwan University Board of Governors

  • Carolyn Graham, board chair
  • Adam Guiney, public member
  • Samantha Kernahan, public member
  • Janice Sarich, public member

Mount Royal University Board of Governors

  • Alex Pourbaix, board chair
  • Karl Johannson, public member
  • Chris Lee, public member
  • Carrie Lonardelli, public member
  • Sue Riddell-Rose, public member

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Board of Governors

  • Ray Pisani, board chair
  • Kris Mauthe, public member
  • Marlea Sleeman, public member
  • Kristina Williams, public member
  • Janet Riopel, public member
  • Paul Verhesen, public member

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Board of Governors

  • Scott Thon, board chair
  • Tonya Fleming, public member
  • Lara Murphy, public member
  • James Cameron Bailey, public member

University of Alberta Board of Governors

  • Kathryn (Kate) Chisholm, board chair
  • Daniel Eggert, public member 
  • Larry Kaumeyer, public member
  • Rakesh Saraf, public member
  • Tom Ross, public member
  • James Rajotte, public member

University of Calgary Board of Governors

  • Geeta Sankappanavar, board chair
  • Heather Christie-Burns, public member
  • Cody Church, public member

Related information:

 

Three new members have been named to serve on the Municipal Government Board.

The appointments will add to the board’s breadth of experience and leadership, and will ensure land-use and assessment hearings will continue to receive fair, unbiased treatment.  

“The Municipal Government Board does extraordinary work for our province. These appointees have the experience and knowledge required to serve on this board, and to ensure it continues offering professional, unbiased service to Albertans. I would also like to thank the outgoing members of the board for their service.” Kaycee Madu, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The following people have been appointed for 36-month terms:

  • Andy Crooks, who has 40 years’ experience in law and who assisted in creating a municipal development plan for a development in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
  • Andrew Melton, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the real estate industry, including acquisitions and dispositions, land development and financing arrangements.
  • Greg Krischke, who has more than 45 years’ experience in strategic planning, and municipal leadership and collaboration.

Municipal Government Board members are required to have significant background and expertise in land planning and assessment.

Related Information:

 

Len Rhodes, Craig Corbett, Gerard Curran and Elan Harper have been named to the board of the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission.

“I’d like to welcome the new AGLC board members and wish them well in their new roles. Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Curran and Ms. Harper bring strong practical leadership and entrepreneurial spirit to the board to oversee and manage AGLC’s diverse business and not-for-profit stakeholders. I would also like to thank the previous board members for their service to Albertans and look forward to the continued success of the board as it makes decisions that ensure Alberta’s liquor, gaming and cannabis sector is well administered to benefit all Albertans.” Travis Toews, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

Rhodes has been appointed the new board chair of the AGLC and brings eight years’ experience as president and CEO of the Edmonton Eskimos, and most recently served as the chair of board of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. He has served in a leadership role with many not-for-profit and community boards over a 20-year period, experience that supports the AGLC in achieving and reinvigorating its mandate.

Corbett, Curran and Harper are joining the new chair, as three new board members.

Corbett is the executive vice-president of the Delcon Group of Companies, a large-scale commercial and residential property developer in Alberta. He previously worked in the liquor industry as a senior executive responsible for business development, government relations and legal operations and compliance for Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd.

Curran and his wife, Anne, are the founders and proprietors of The James Joyce Irish Pub and Restaurant in downtown Calgary. He has also served on the Restaurant Canada board of directors for 14 years and the Canadian Restaurant and Food Association board of directors for over 15 years, including in the capacity as past chair of both boards.

Harper brings significant corporate and legal experience to the board and is currently the senior international tax advisor at Moodys Gartner Tax Law where she advises clients on international tax structure.  

All four new members have been appointed for three-year terms.

The appointments follow the leave of former chair Gael MacLeod and board members Bob Wyatt, Barbara Ritzen, Ken Knowles, Brad Kirzan and Roy Whitney.

The AGLC board of directors works to establish the policies of the AGLC, ensures its powers and duties are carried out, and conducts hearings and makes decisions for the licences and registrations granted by the commission.

Related Information:

 

Alberta Enterprise Corporation Board chair Paul Haggis has been appointed as a board member of the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund.

Having previously served as the CEO of the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System and as a founding director and CEO of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, Haggis has a wealth of experience and knowledge in consolidating and growing public sector pension funds. He has further experience as a former CEO of Alberta Treasury Branches and a member of the Board of Directors at the Bank of Canada.

“Paul Haggis has been a tremendous asset to Alberta Enterprise Corporation during his work as chair, and he will be able to contribute his extensive skill set and experience in public sector pensions to the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund.” Tanya Fir, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism.

The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board was established in 1939 and administers the Teachers’ Pension Plan for all Alberta teachers.

“Our government is dedicated to ensuring that our public sector pensions are governed by the most skilled and effective boards in order to ensure those who contribute to them over decades of public service receive good returns. Paul Haggis will provide vital knowledge and experience in ensuring Alberta’s teachers have strong pensions.” Travis Toews, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance.

Haggis assumes his role on the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board immediately.

Minister Fir would also like to welcome the new chair of Alberta Enterprise Corporation, Ted Redmond. Redmond brings decades of experience in the Canadian and American energy sectors and will be a tremendous asset in the government’s work to renew Alberta’s economy and energy sector. He will provide his much-needed expertise in the oilsands, conventional oil and gas, and petrochemical industries as we take action to get Albertans back to work.