Meric Gertler named new vice-chair of Universities Canada

OTTAWA – Meric Gertler, president of the University of Toronto, begins his term as Universities Canada’s vice-chair during the association’s annual fall membership meeting today.

Professor Gertler is one of the world’s foremost urban theorists and policy practitioners, an internationally renowned scholar, and is one of Canada’s most highly cited geographers.

Under his leadership, the University of Toronto has played a larger role in city-building, deepened its global engagement, implemented a broad-reaching effort to incorporate sustainability initiatives into every facet of campus life, and reimagined undergraduate education in a time of profound disruption and uncertainty.

“Meric’s expertise, leadership and commitment are great assets for the university sector,” says Universities Canada president Paul Davidson. “I look forward to working even more closely with him as Canada’s universities support the country’s COVID-19 recovery.”

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to collaborate with Professor D’Amours and all of our colleagues across the country in pursuit of our shared goals,” says Professor Gertler. “Universities Canada plays a vital role in the advancement of higher education and research, and in helping shape a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future for all Canadians.”

Prof. Gertler will serve with Sophie D’Amours, rector of Université Laval, who was appointed chair of Universities Canada in 2019, and serves in that role until October 2021.

Universities Canada welcomed four additional board members today:

• Benoit-Antoine Bacon, president, Carleton University
• Ed McCauley, president, University of Calgary
• Pierre Cossette, rector, Université de Sherbrooke
• Gillian Siddall, president, Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Universities Canada also welcomed Melanie Humphreys, president of The King’s University as Education Committee Chair, and Mohamed Lachemi, president of Ryerson University as Finance Committee Chair.

Universities Canada’s 2020-2021 board of directors

Sophie D’Amours, Université Laval (chair)

Meric Gertler, University of Toronto (New vice-chair)

Santa Ono, The University of British Columbia

Benoit-Antoine Bacon, Carleton University (New)

Rhonda Lenton, York University

Annette Trimbee, MacEwan University

Ed McCauley, University of Calgary (New)

Robert Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary’s University

Mary Bluechardt, Mount Saint Vincent University

Alan Shepard, Western University

Pierre Cossette, Université de Sherbrooke (New)

Gillian Siddall, Emily Carr University of University of Art + Design (New)

Paul Davidson, Universities Canada

Universities Canada’s 2020-2021 committee chairs

Governance Committee
Dawn Russell, St. Thomas University

International Committee
Jacques Frémont, University of Ottawa

Education Committee
Melanie Humphreys, The King’s University (New)

Research Committee
Patrick Deane, Queen’s University

Finance Committee
Mohamed Lachemi, Ryerson University (New)

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About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Media contact:

Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
[email protected]

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