Former B.C. finance minister Carole Taylor sees her role as the newly appointed chancellor of Simon Fraser University as a key link between the knowledge and energy generated by the university and the wider community.
“The big mistake that some universities make is that they do all the learning in the Ivory Tower,” said Taylor.
“Take those ideas. Be part of the public debate. Influence policy. Be part of the conversation that goes on as we all try to make our community a better place.”
Taylor, whose name has been bandied as a possible successor to Premier Gordon Campbell, said she has enjoyed her time in municipal and provincial politics, but is not a career politician and has no intention of re-entering the fray.
Taylor holds an honorary doctors of law degree from SFU (one of her four honorary degrees).
Interestingly, she said she had never met SFU president Andrew Petter — also a former B.C. finance minister — until he contacted her about the position.
Her renewable three-year term begins in June.
