CCS Independent Review Report
Findings of independent review affirm President Elizabeth Cannon acted with integrity in all matters related to the Centre for Corporate Sustainability
Dec. 18, 2015: The Independent Review report concludes there were no breaches of university policies or procedures, and no improper conduct by anyone involved in connection with the creation and operation of the centre. In particular, the report found “no improper conduct by the university or any of its employees” in its relationship with Enbridge, and states that “none of the involvement by Enbridge ... resulted in any encroachment upon or compromise of the academic freedom of the university or its staff.”
“I conclude unequivocally that Dr. Cannon’s involvement in matters arising from the operation of the Enbridge Centre was proper, responsible, and required of her as president to protect the reputation of the University of Calgary as an institution that honours its commitment to donors.” — Retired Justice Terrence McMahon, Q.C., Independent Reviewer
“President Cannon is a person of character, with the highest standards of ethics and integrity, and enjoys the full support and confidence of the governors of the University of Calgary. Under her leadership the University of Calgary has risen to new levels of excellence in teaching and learning, research, and student experience. The university enjoys significant levels of community support — in philanthropy, sponsorship, and volunteer time — and much of this support is tied to the community’s confidence in President Cannon. Our university is now the number one young university in North America. We are fortunate to have one of Canada’s top university presidents at the University of Calgary.” — Gord Ritchie, vice-chair, on behalf of the Board of Governors, University of Calgary
Background
The University of Calgary’s Board of Governors announced on Nov. 6 that it had initiated an independent review of the Centre for Corporate Sustainability (formerly the Enbridge Centre for Corporate Sustainability), from its creation to current operations. The Board committed to an open and transparent process, and the hiring of an external, third-party expert to conduct the review. The Board of Governors delegated stewardship of the review to an Ad Hoc Committee of the Board, chaired by Mark Starratt, a member of the Board’s Executive Committee. Others on the Committee were Board members Steve Allan, Rob Allen, Georgette Habib, Robert Thompson, and Michael Webster. The Committee hired external legal counsel, set the Terms of Reference, and selected the independent reviewer. Retired Justice Terrence McMahon, Q.C, conducted the independent review. Read Terrence McMahon’s bio . In order to further ensure the independence of the reviewer, the Committee hired external legal counsel, Phyllis Smith of Emery Jamieson LLP in Edmonton. Smith advised the Committee on the process for the review, advised on the Terms of Reference, and engaged the independent reviewer. All documents from, and requests to, the university from McMahon went through Smith.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference were carefully developed by the Committee in order to provide a clear scope and methodology for the independent review.