I do not know James Moore, nominee for chancellor of UNBC. He is a graduate of UNBC and former Conservative MP. He may be a fine individual with great respect for UNBC and he may be an enthusiastic supporter.
The Citizen reports several views on this subject. UNBC's Boris DeWiel writes: "some of our students are conservative supporters."
DeWiel then reminds us that 31.9 per cent of the electorate voted Conservative. Bruce Strachan writes "former Conservative minister James Moore will be dealing with a politically like-minded ("conservative") provincial government."
The Citizen quotes Ryan Matheson, Cchair, Board of UNBC Governors, that a chancellor "cannot be a Member of Parliament and chancellor simultaneously." Matheson sees no conflict with the Board's bylaws as Moore is no longer an MP. How and when is no conflict determined?
There seems to be no petition supporting Mr. Moore, although that is not to suggest petitions are the way to appoint a chancellor. Yet, we wonder at the processes involved.
Moore's wife, Courtney Payne, (National Post, Dec. 3, 2015) was the communications strategist for the Prime Minister's Office until the last election.
Moore's dedication to a Conservative philosophy may be a reflection of his wife's experience with the Harper government's communications, or it may not. However, Moore cannot use these credentials as his own, and his own seem to be rather light.
In expressing Conservative values as good for the job of UNBC's chancellor, DeWiel, Strachan and Matheson are surprising. Such wording suggests Moore's appointment may have a direct connection to promoting a specific political ideology, not to choosing a chancellor with exemplary credentials.
Moore's connections to the Conservative government's strategy of muzzling scientists and ignoring climate change are concerning. Can anyone possibly conduct such an about-face and now promote open values at UNBC?
Would Moore's appointment open the doors for scientists, and for communication at UNBC?
As Citizen editor Neil Godbout writes, exemplary credentials are the only and most important component of such a job. He reminds us of the very high distinctions of all former UNBC chancellors.
The UNBC chancellor is the face of all of UNBC. It is unfortunate to mention politics, but that includes the 32 per cent of Canadians who voted conservative, and the 68 per cent who did not.
Exemplary credentials are the only thing that UNBC faculty, students and the citizens of Prince George should be concerned with, for any chancellor.
Jan Manning
Prince George
