SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University’s philosophy, politics, and economics programs have received a significant boost from one of New Brunswick’s most accomplished political and business leaders.
Former premier Frank McKenna and the university jointly announced the establishment of the Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics on Friday. It is expected to be officially launched in 2021.
“The world we live in today needs collaborative solutions. Our society needs more world-class ‘generalists,’ people who have some background in economics, a philosophical base, and an understanding of politics at large,” McKenna said in announcing a $1 million leadership gift in support of the initiative. “This program brings all of that together, along with exceptional teaching and experiential learning opportunities for students. My family and I are delighted to support this new initiative at Mount Allison University and look forward to seeing the paths students from the school will lead.”
To date, $5 million has been raised to support the Mount Allison school concept from a number of donors across Canada including McKenna and his family, which is inspiring others to give.
University president and vice-chancellor Jean-Paul Boudreau said the announcement represents a tremendous opportunity for Mount Allison students.
“The McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Mount Allison represents a fantastic opportunity to help lift our students from the launchpad of New Brunswick onto the global stage, offering an exceptional academic experience partnered with experiential and work-integrated learning opportunities in these key fields,” Boudreau said. “
The Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Mount Allison will advance the university’s capacity for new scholarly activity and supports for students in the program.
Honouring one of New Brunswick’s most accomplished individuals, Boudreau said the investment will enable new international and work-integrated learning opportunities and global internships for philosophy, politics, and economics students.
The gift will also fund the new McKenna Scholars program, providing scholarships and bursaries for students throughout their degree.
McKenna is currently the deputy chair, wholesale, TD Bank Group. He is a former Canadian ambassador to the United States and a former premier of New Brunswick — a position he held for 10 years.
Under his leadership, he brought thousands of jobs to the province and nurtured the growth of business and industry, universities and youth.
He is also a Mount Allison honorary degree recipient. McKenna double-majored in politics and economics in his undergraduate degree and also completed courses in philosophy. The philosophy, politics and economics program was established at Mount Allison in 2013 and is the only PPE program in Canada east of Ontario, and only one of three in Canada.
It offers students the opportunity of a multidisciplinary immersion in these three academic areas, helping to prepare them for myriad of career paths. Courses in the PPE program are drawn from established courses in all three disciplines, with special topics courses offered in upper years.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the NDP is caving to political pressure from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre when it comes to their stance on the consumer carbon price.
Trudeau says he believes Jagmeet Singh and the NDP care about the environment, but it’s “increasingly obvious” that they have “no idea” what to do about climate change.
On Thursday, Singh said the NDP is working on a plan that wouldn’t put the burden of fighting climate change on the backs of workers, but wouldn’t say if that plan would include a consumer carbon price.
Singh’s noncommittal position comes as the NDP tries to frame itself as a credible alternative to the Conservatives in the next federal election.
Poilievre responded to that by releasing a video, pointing out that the NDP has voted time and again in favour of the Liberals’ carbon price.
British Columbia Premier David Eby also changed his tune on Thursday, promising that a re-elected NDP government would scrap the long-standing carbon tax and shift the burden to “big polluters,” if the federal government dropped its requirements.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
Simon Jolin-Barrette, minister responsible for consumer protection, has tabled a bill to force merchants to calculate tips based on the price before tax.
That means on a restaurant bill of $100, suggested tips would be calculated based on $100, not on $114.98 after provincial and federal sales taxes are added.
The bill would also increase the rebate offered to consumers when the price of an item at the cash register is higher than the shelf price, to $15 from $10.
And it would force grocery stores offering a discounted price for several items to clearly list the unit price as well.
Businesses would also have to indicate whether taxes will be added to the price of food products.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
Quebec legislature member Youri Chassin has announced he’s leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec government to sit as an Independent.
He announced the decision shortly after writing an open letter criticizing Premier François Legault’s government for abandoning its principles of smaller government.
In the letter published in Le Journal de Montréal and Le Journal de Québec, Chassin accused the party of falling back on what he called the old formula of throwing money at problems instead of looking to do things differently.
Chassin says public services are more fragile than ever, despite rising spending that pushed the province to a record $11-billion deficit projected in the last budget.
He is the second CAQ member to leave the party in a little more than one week, after economy and energy minister Pierre Fitzgibbon announced Sept. 4 he would leave because he lost motivation to do his job.
Chassin says he has no intention of joining another party and will instead sit as an Independent until the end of his term.
He has represented the Saint-Jérôme riding since the CAQ rose to power in 2018, but has not served in cabinet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
