Former Vaughan MPP Sorbara appointed York University's 13th chancellor

YorkRegion.com
April 30, 2014
By Adam Martin-Robbins

Former Vaughan Liberal MPP Greg Sorbara is heading back to university, but this time he’s going to be the one handing out degrees instead of receiving them.

The 67-year-old former finance minister has been appointed as York University’s 13th chancellor, an honorary role that will see him preside over all convocation ceremonies and confer degrees.

“It’s a great honour,” said Mr. Sorbara, who served as minister of colleges and education in Liberal premier David Peterson’s government. “This is my alma mater and it’s the place that set the pattern for my life. …And it’s an opportunity to do something for an institution that I think is very important to the health and well-being of the GTA and the province and the country, for that matter.”

Mr. Sorbara’s appointment comes 36 years after he earned his bachelor’s degree from York’s Glendon College (1978) and 23 years after he completed his law degree at Osgoode Law School (1991).  He received an honorary doctor of laws in 2013.

Mr. Sorbara, a former heavyweight in the Liberal provincial government said that after decades in politics, he’s really looking forward to taking on a non-partisan role.

“That will be a new adventure for me,” he said.

In announcing the appointment, Julia Foster, chairperson of York’s board of governors, said Mr. Sorbara has “worked in the interests of the Greater Toronto Area and has contributed substantially to its infrastructure and financial growth. His appointment builds on his commitment to and engagement with York University and its broader community.”

Mamdouh Shoukri, president and vice-chancellor, described Mr. Sorbara as “a champion of postsecondary education and a longtime friend of York University.”

“His legacy includes increasing accessibility for low-income, post-secondary Ontario students through loans and grants, while investing in enrolments, expanded faculty complement, graduate scholarships and research.”

The announcement of Mr. Sorbara’s appointment comes at the same time Vaughan is competing against Richmond Hill and Markham for a York University satellite campus.

Following an initial round of pitches by six York Region municipalities, the university announced the three shortlisted municipalities late last week.

Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham are slated to go through a more detailed review process in early May with York University’s preferred municipality announced later in the month.

Although Mr. Sorbara doesn’t officially take up his new post until spring convocation June 13, and will not have a role in setting the university’s agenda, he committed to putting forward “strong arguments” for choosing Vaughan.

 Mr. Sorbara, who stepped down as MPP in August 2012, has also been hard at work writing a memoir, which he expects to be released in September or October.

“It’s going really well,” he said. “A first draft is with the publisher and we’ll see how that goes.”