Richard Haskayne, one of the most successful executives in Canadian corporate history, will be recognized by the University of Lethbridge with an honorary degree at the 2021 Spring Convocation celebration.
A chartered accountant by trade, Haskayne was president of Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas, Home Oil and Enbridge, and later served as chairman of TransAlta Corporation, MacMillan Bloedel, Fording, NOVA Corporation, and TransCanada Pipelines. He has served as a director on 20 public company boards.
“Richard Haskayne was an extremely successful business executive, and he utilized this success in a manner that benefitted communities throughout his home province and continues to do so today,” says University of Lethbridge Chancellor Charles Weaselhead. “Honest and ethical business practices and the importance of philanthropy were qualities he learned from his parents and he made them a hallmark of his career. The University is proud to recognize Mr. Haskayne with an honorary degree.”
The U of L will present Haskayne with a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at the Chancellor’s Reception on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Richard Haskayne
Through hard work and impeccable ethical standards, Richard (Dick) Haskayne has become a role model for business students today.
Born during the Great Depression, his parents operated butcher shops in Gleichen and Bassano where they quietly helped those struggling to feed their families. Running the family business alongside his parents and brother, he was taught the fundamentals of honest and ethical business practices and the importance of philanthropy.
As a chartered accountant, he learned early to see the big picture and this ability led him to take on leadership positions with major companies.
He kept a balance between work, family and giving back to the community, applying his values to various duties, including chair of the board of governors at the University of Calgary, trustee of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, a board member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Alberta Bone and Joint Institute and advisory committee member for the Order of Canada. Numerous other community, health and arts organizations have benefited from his involvement.
Haskayne has received many well-deserved awards, including membership in the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and the Canadian Petroleum Hall of Fame, as well as being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Awards of Excellence.