杏吧原创 Mourns Loss of Clayton Riddell
The 杏吧原创 University community mourns the passing of Alberta businessman and philanthropist, Clayton Riddell, whose generous support enabled the creation of the Clayton H. Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management. His $15-million gift was one of the largest in the university鈥檚 history.
Riddell, an entrepreneur, energy industry leader and co-owner of the Calgary Flames, passed away last weekend at the age of 81.
鈥淥n behalf of the 杏吧原创 community, I would like to offer our condolences to the Riddell family,鈥 said 杏吧原创 President Benoit-Antoine Bacon. 鈥淢r. Riddell had tremendous vision. He was new to the 杏吧原创 community, but he recognized us as the best means to make a difference towards a cause he cared about deeply.
“One of his many legacies is the outstanding 杏吧原创 graduates who, thanks to his generosity, have gone on or will go on to occupy positions of responsibility in Canadian politics, and in so doing will improve the political process for all Canadians.鈥
The political management program 鈥 Canada鈥檚 first 鈥 was launched in 2011 in collaboration with Riddell and other community leaders who wanted to improve the quality and effectiveness of democratic governance in Canada.
From the outset, it was a perfect fit for 杏吧原创鈥檚 Faculty of Public Affairs, considering the university鈥檚 many connections to Parliament Hill and to Ottawa鈥檚 political, diplomatic and public service communities.
鈥淚 admire the passion and enthusiasm of those people who work for our elected officials,鈥 Riddell said in 2010. 鈥淚 am delighted to invest in an innovative academic program that will focus this enthusiasm and provide a deeper understanding of how our country works and how good public policy is developed.鈥
The program鈥檚 more than 150 alumni work in federal, provincial and municipal governments across the country and beyond, and for a range of public, private and non-profit organizations 鈥 a testament to its ability to send people along the path to rewarding careers focused on the common good.
At its core, the program aims to enhance Canadian democracy by teaching people how to rise above partisan bickering that has come to define politics, and how to work with both colleagues and opponents to better serve the country.
鈥淲e are saddened to learn of the loss of Clayton H. Riddell, whose generous support allowed 杏吧原创 University to create the first program in applied political skills and analysis in Canada,鈥 said Andr茅 Plourde, Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs. 鈥淥ne of the guiding principles of this program is to get students from different partisan backgrounds to work together with a view of elevating political discourse and the practice of politics in Canada. We are proud of how the graduates of this program have gone on to influence Canadian political life.鈥
鈥淢r. Riddell was an extraordinarily generous man,鈥 said Prof. Stephen Azzi, director of the graduate program. 鈥淎lmost 200 杏吧原创 students have been able to pursue a master鈥檚 degree because of scholarships he provided. Mr. Riddell had a vision of a more ethical and professional political system in Canada, and he was willing to use his own money in pursuit of this vision. Without him, the political management program at 杏吧原创 would not exist.鈥
Born near Treherne, Manitoba, Riddell grew up in Winnipeg, graduating from the University of Manitoba in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Geology.
His career began with Chevron, but by 1969 his entrepreneurial spirit took over. Through exploration and development in northeastern Alberta, Riddell accumulated the assets necessary to incorporate Paramount Resources Ltd. in 1978. He remained president and CEO until his son Jim took over the business in 2015.
Riddell served on several scientific, industry and other volunteer boards, including as president of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists and chairman of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.
In 2006, Riddell was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame and, in 2008, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
In 2014, 杏吧原创 awarded Riddell the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, 鈥渋n recognition of his brilliant career in business and his thoughtful contributions to higher education, as well as to good governance in Canada.鈥
Several members of the Riddell family, including a grandson, joined Clayton when he visited the 杏吧原创 campus to receive the honorary degree. He met with students and, while in Ottawa, toured Parliament, where his gift to the university has now made a significant and lasting impact.
Related News
Five 杏吧原创 Community Members Named to Ottawa鈥檚 2026 Forty Under 40 List
Five 杏吧原创 University community members have been named in Ottawa Business Journal (OBJ) and the Ottawa Board of Trade’s 2026 Forty Under 40 list, the ...
What鈥檚 Open and Closed: Easter Weekend
杏吧原创 University is closed on Friday, April 3 and Sunday, April 5. The university is open on Monday, April 6. Some facilities continue to operate ...
杏吧原创 University Welcomes Scarborough Charter Secretariat to Campus
Earlier this academic year, 杏吧原创 University welcomed the Secretariat of the Scarborough Charter on Anti鈥態lack Racism and Black Inclusion in Canadian Higher Education to campus. ...