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Andrew Petter

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Andrew Petter
CMOBCKC
Petter in 2010
9th President and Vice-Chancellor ofSimon Fraser University
In office
September 1, 2010 – August 31, 2020
Preceded byMichael Stevenson
Succeeded byJoy Johnson
Member of theBritish Columbia Legislative Assembly
forSaanich South
In office
October 17, 1991 – May 16, 2001
Preceded byRiding Established
Succeeded bySusan Brice
Personal details
Born1953 (age 70–71)[1]
Victoria, British Columbia
Political partyNew Democrat
Domestic partnerMaureen Maloney
ChildrenDylan
Alma materNotre Dame University
University of Victoria
Cambridge University
ProfessionProfessor
Lawyer

Andrew J. PetterCMOBCKC(born 1953) is a former academic and provincial politician inBritish Columbia,Canada. He represented theelectoral districtofSaanich Southin theLegislative Assembly of British Columbiafrom 1991 to 2001. A member of theBritish Columbia New Democratic Party(BC NDP) caucus, he served in various cabinet posts under premiersMike Harcourt,Glen Clark,Dan MillerandUjjal Dosanjh,including asAttorney General of British Columbiafrom February to November 2000.

After politics, he worked as the dean of theUniversity of VictoriaFaculty of Lawfrom 2002 to 2008, then served two terms as president and vice-chancellor ofSimon Fraser Universityfrom 2010 to 2020. He served as board chair of provincial Crown agencyInnovate BCfrom 2021 to 2024, and was elected to be a director of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union in April of 2024. He has written extensively about the role of theCanadian Charter of Rights and Freedomsand its effect on government powers and decision making.[1]

Background and education

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Andrew Petter was born inVictoria, British Columbiain 1953, and grew up in the adjacent suburb ofOak Bay.[1][2]His grandfatherErnest Petterwas an English industrialist who unsuccessfully ran for theHouse of Commons of the United Kingdomon three occasions before moving to theVancouver Islandtown ofComoxin 1938; he then lived for a while inSaanichbefore moving back to the UK in 1954.[2][3]

Andrew's Jewish mother Elizabeth graduated from theUniversity of Music and Performing Arts Viennain the 1930s, then joined theTanzgruppe Bodenwieseras a dancer.[4]She was on tour in London when she met Ernest Petter's son Gordon; the couple married in Vienna and lived there until theAnschluss.[4]After escaping Austria, the couple and Andrew's three elder siblings moved to Vancouver Island in 1946 to join Ernest.[2]

In the 1960s the family moved to theinteriorcity ofNelson,[5]where Gordon Petter taught history at the now defunctNotre Dame University College.[2]Andrew graduated from the city's L.V. Rogers Secondary School as valedictorian, then pursued undergraduate studies at Notre Dame.[1][4]He also hosted an open-line show at radio stationCKKC,interviewing figures such as then-premierDave Barrettand former premierW.A.C. Bennett,before leaving the station to work as an executive assistant toNelson-Crestonmember of the Legislative AssemblyLorne Nicolson.[1][4]

He began studying political science at theUniversity of Victoria(UVic) in 1976, then entered the school's law program in 1978, graduating with anLL.B.in 1981 and winning theLaw Society of British Columbiagold medal for his top-of-class standing.[1][4][6]He subsequently attendedCambridge Universityon aCommonwealth Scholarship,[7]receiving anLL.M.in 1982 and graduating with first class honours.[1][4][8]

Career

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Petter briefly worked at theSaskatchewanDepartment of Justice, serving as the Constitutional Branch's adviser.[6]He then taught atOsgoode Hall Law SchoolinTorontoas an assistant professor between 1984 and 1986, before joining hisalma mater,theUniversity of Victoria Faculty of Lawin 1986,[1][4]becoming associate professor in 1988.[8]

Politics

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Recruited byBC NDPleaderMike Harcourtto enter politics,[1][4]Petter was twice elected to theLegislative Assembly of British Columbiain the provincial elections of1991and1996,representing the riding ofSaanich South.[7]His constituency work included establishing theGalloping Goose Regional Trailfor cyclists.[1][9]

He was named Minister of Aboriginal Affairs in November 1991 by Premier Harcourt.[10]In that role, he worked alongsidePrime MinisterBrian Mulroney,federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern DevelopmentTom Siddonand Harcourt in the First Nations Task Force, which created and put into effect theTreaty Commission Act in British Columbiain May 1993. He then served as Minister of Forests from September 1993 to February 1996,[10]with the BC Forest Practices Code being established during his term.[11]

AfterGlen Clarktook over as premier in February 1996, Petter was appointed Minister of Health, Minister Responsible for Seniors, and Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations.[12]That June he was named Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations, while holding on to the intergovernmental portfolio and dropping the health and seniors file.[12]He then served as Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations from February 1998 onwards,[12][13]adding the role of Minister Responsible for Youth in August 1999 after Clark resigned andDan Millertook over as premier and interim NDP leader.[14]

FollowingUjjal Dosanjh's election as new NDP leader, Petter was namedAttorney Generaland Minister Responsible for Human Rights in February 2000.[15][16]He declined to run again in the2001 provincial election,and was dropped from the cabinet in November 2000, replaced in both roles byGraeme Bowbrick.[15][17]

Higher education

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Subsequent to his career in politics, he served as dean of the University of Victoria's faculty of law from 2001 until 2008 (the first year as acting dean),[8]before returning to teaching.[1][2]During his time as dean, the UVic Faculty established a new graduate law program, created a national aboriginal economic development chair and supported the first cohort of theAkitsiraq Law SchoolinNunavut.[18]

He was named president and vice-chancellor ofSimon Fraser Universityin January 2010,[1][11]starting his term on September 1 that year.[8]He was succeeded byJoy Johnsonin 2020.[19]

Innovate BC

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From 2021 to 2024, Petter was served as chair of the board of directors ofInnovate BC,a provincial Crown agency responsible for supporting innovation and growth in the technology sector in British Columbia.[20]He took over the position from Alan Shaver. The appointment was announced byRavi Kahlon,Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation.

Honours and awards

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Country Order Class or position Year Citation
Canada Order of Canada Member 2018 [21]
Canada Order of British Columbia Member 2021 [22]

Other distinctions

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Selected publications

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Electoral results

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1991 British Columbia general election:Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic Andrew Petter 10,254 44.63 $42,789
Liberal Lorne Peasland 8,309 36.17 $7,035
Social Credit Allen L. Vandekerkhove 4,218 18.36 $92,822
Western Canada Concept Douglas Christie 193 0.84 –
Total valid votes 22,974 100.00
Total rejected ballots 300 1.03
Turnout 23,274 79.87
1996 British Columbia general election:Saanich South
Party Candidate Votes % Expenditures
New Democratic Andrew Petter 11,394 46.11 $46,181
Liberal Frank Leonard 10,867 43.98 $42,352
Progressive Democrat Cherie Dealey 1,198 4.85 $6,794
Reform Colin Knecht 676 2.74 $2,842
Green Jack Etkin 343 1.39 $1,081
Natural Law Gail Anderson 86 0.35 $100
Western Canada Concept Douglas Christie 66 0.27 $100
Libertarian Ken Wiebe 40 0.16 –
Common Sense Laery Braaten 38 0.15 $100
Total valid votes 24,708 100.00
Total rejected ballots 141 0.57
Turnout 24,849 77.16

References

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  1. ^abcdefghijklmn"Andrew Petter: backgrounder".Simon Fraser University.January 20, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon January 23, 2010.
  2. ^abcdeHawthorn, Tom (January 29, 2010)."Yet another path for 'minister of rails and trails'".The Globe and Mail.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  3. ^Osborn, Bob."Sir Ernest Willoughby Petter: Engine & Aircraft Manufacturer".Yeovil's Virtual Museum.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  4. ^abcdefghBlennerhassett, Patrick (January 12, 2016)."Profile of Andrew Petter, president and vice-chancellor, Simon Fraser University".Business in Vancouver.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  5. ^Ovenell-Carter, Julie (November 2010)."SFU's new president is a listener who leads, a leader who listens".AQ Magazine.Simon Fraser University.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  6. ^abLegislative Assembly of British Columbia."36th Parliament Members at dissolution on April 18, 2001: Mr. Andrew Petter".RetrievedDecember 2,2009.
  7. ^abMondo Politico."Short Biography of Andrew Petter".RetrievedDecember 2,2009.
  8. ^abcdUniversity of Victoria Official Web Page."UVic Law Faculty Directory".University of Victoria.Archived fromthe originalon July 6, 2011.RetrievedDecember 2,2009.
  9. ^University of Victoria Official Web Page."UVic Alumni Profile".2003 Distinguished Alumni Award Page.RetrievedDecember 2,2009.[dead link]
  10. ^ab"Harcourt Cabinet: 35th Parliament 1991-1996"(PDF).Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.RetrievedApril 1,2023.
  11. ^abBellett, Gerry (January 20, 2010)."SFU picks former B.C. attorney general Andrew Petter as next president".Vancouver Sun.Archived fromthe originalon January 24, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 24,2010.
  12. ^abc"Glen Clark Cabinet: 35th Parliament (5th Session) 1996; 36th Parliament (1st - 3rd Session) 1996 - 1999"(PDF).Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.RetrievedApril 1,2023.
  13. ^"MacPhail takes over B.C. finances".CBC News.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  14. ^"Miller Cabinet: 36th Parliament (3rd Session) 1999-2000"(PDF).Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  15. ^ab"Dosanjh Cabinet: 36th Parliament (3rd - 5th Session) 2000 - 2001"(PDF).Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.RetrievedApril 1,2023.
  16. ^"New B.C. cabinet".CBC News.February 29, 2000.RetrievedApril 3,2023.
  17. ^"NDP cabinet gets a major shake-up".CBC News.November 1, 2000.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  18. ^Staff Reporter for The Province Newspaper."Former MLA Petter will become Simon Fraser University president".Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 21,2010.
  19. ^Carrigg, David (January 8, 2020)."Joy Johnson appointed new president of Simon Fraser University".Vancouver Sun.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  20. ^Innovation, Jobs Economic Recovery and (March 19, 2021)."New Innovate BC board chair appointed | BC Gov News".news.gov.bc.ca.RetrievedMarch 21,2021.
  21. ^"Dr. Andrew Petter".Governor General of Canada.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  22. ^Skrypnek, Jane (August 2, 2021)."Three Greater Victoria residents awarded Order of B.C."Victoria News.RetrievedApril 5,2023.
  23. ^"Peter Lougheed Award".Public Policy Forum.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
  24. ^"Education leader receives honorary degree from Kwantlen Polytechnic University".Kwantlen Polytechnic University.June 2, 2020.RetrievedApril 6,2023.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toAndrew Petter.
British Columbia provincial government ofUjjal Dosanjh
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Ujjal Dosanjh Attorney General of British Columbia
February 29, 2000–November 1, 2000 		Graeme Bowbrick
Ujjal Dosanjh Minister Responsible for Human Rights
February 29, 2000–November 1, 2000 		Graeme Bowbrick
British Columbia provincial government ofDan Miller
Cabinet posts (3)
Predecessor Office Successor
cont'd from Clark Ministry Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology
August 25, 1999–February 24, 2000 		Graeme Bowbrick
cont'd from Clark Ministry Minister of Intergovernmental Relations
August 25, 1999–February 24, 2000 		Greg Halsey-Brandt[1]
Glen Clark Minister Responsible for Youth
August 25, 1999–February 24, 2000 		Graeme Bowbrick
British Columbia provincial government ofGlen Clark
Cabinet posts (6)
Predecessor Office Successor
Position re-titled[2] Minister of Intergovernmental Relations
February 18, 1998–August 25, 1999 		cont'd into Miller Ministry
Tom Perry[3] Minister of Advanced Education, Training and Technology
February 18, 1998–August 25, 1999 		cont'd into Miller Ministry
Elizabeth Cull Minister of Finance and Corporate Relations
June 17, 1996–February 18, 1998 		Joy MacPhail
Position established Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations
February 28, 1996–February 18, 1998 		Position re-titled[4]
Paul Ramsey Minister of Health
February 28, 1996–June 17, 1996 		Joy MacPhail
Paul Ramsey Minister Responsible for Seniors
February 28, 1996–June 17, 1996 		Joy MacPhail
British Columbia provincial government ofMike Harcourt
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Dan Miller Minister of Forests
September 15, 1993–February 22, 1996 		Dennis Streifel
John Savage[5] Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
November 5, 1991–September 15, 1993 		John Cashore
  1. ^Ministry did not exist under Ujjal Dosanjh, Halsey-Brandt took position in the Campbell Cabinet as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations on June 5, 2001
  2. ^from Minister Responsible for Intergovernmental Relations
  3. ^Ministry was inactive from 1993-1998
  4. ^to Minister of Intergovernmental Relations
  5. ^As Minister of Native Affairs
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