Minister pushes for meeting to finalize Athabasca University funding agreement
CBC
After months of discussion and extended deadlines, Alberta's advanced education minister wants the board of governors at Athabasca University to sign an agreement this month compelling more of its employees to work in the town of Athabasca, Alta..
The board's next meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 9. On Tuesday, Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said he wants the board to meet this month.
"I sent an email to the board chair [Byron Nelson] asking him to convene a special board meeting, as soon as possible, to finalize the university's Investment Management Agreement (IMA)," Nicolaides said in an email to CBC News.
"I have also made a commitment to attend the next board meeting in-person, to provide my feedback in real time in the hopes that an agreement can be reached."
The minister's request comes after a months-long standoff with university administration over its plan to move AU to near-virtual operations against the wishes of Athabasca residents.
The situation escalated in March after former premier Jason Kenney announced his commitment to keeping AU's operations in the town 150 kilometers north of Edmonton.
Nicolaides issued directives shortly afterwards instructing AU to end pandemic-related work-at-home arrangements for employees based in Athabasca.
AU's administration was also ordered to submit plans by the end of June aimed at increasing local employment and getting the executive working full time in Athabasca by 2024-25.
The plans were submitted by the end of June but Nicolaides rejected them. Since then, AU has worked past two previously-announced deadlines with the aim of having something to give the minister.
In the meantime, Nicolaides changed the makeup of the board of governors last month by rescinding appointments for four governors and bringing in seven new members.
"I thought it was important to just make sure that we have some new thinking, some new perspective on the board and a clear understanding that the institution should focus on bringing executive and administrative jobs to the community and should make that a priority," Nicolaides said in an interview on Tuesday.
Nicolaides said the government's position on AU employment has not changed since Danielle Smith became premier.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Kristine Williamson, vice-president for university relations, said the new board members will need time for orientation before they are ready to attend board meetings. She said Nicolaides has been invited to attend the meeting on Dec. 9.
The dispute centres on what university believes is feasible for a degree-granting institution offering all its instruction online to students from around the world.
The government of Saskatchewan has announced plans to reduce the length of non-resident game bird hunting licences to combat illegal guiding.
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.