Former Alberta cabinet minister and long-time MLA Fred Bradley has spent a lifetime serving his community, the province and the country as a community builder, steward of natural resources and champion of democratic ideals. The University of Lethbridge will recognize Bradley for his outstanding service by granting him an honorary degree at Spring 2023 Convocation.
Born and raised in the Crowsnest Pass, Bradley is devoted to his community and has long advocated for the recognition and preservation of the area’s vibrant history.
“Looking at Fred Bradley’s career, the one thing that really stands out to me is his unwavering commitment to serving the Crowsnest Pass,” says Charles Weaselhead, ULethbridge Chancellor. “He did great things in his role while serving his province as an MLA, and later he continued to serve the public nationally and internationally, but he always found the time to advocate for his community and the Crowsnest Pass. We are proud to present Fred with an honorary degree and recognize his devotion to making life in Alberta better for all citizens.”
Bradley will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, at Spring 2023 Convocation, Ceremony IV, on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. in the 1st Choice Savings Centre gymnasium.
Fred Bradley
Fred Bradley grew up in one of the most scenic and historic alpine landscapes in Canada. The lessons of working in his family’s general store included understanding the value of diversity and the fickle nature of prosperity in a boom-and-bust economy linked to natural resource extraction.
Bradley left home to attend the University of Alberta, then returned to assist managing the family business. A central member of the community, he ran for provincial office in 1975 and at age 25 was the youngest MLA elected during that term of the Peter Lougheed government. He served for five terms, until 1993, consistently earning the respect and votes of his constituents.
As Minister of Environment, Bradley developed and implemented policy for the management of Alberta’s air, land and water resources. His input into the Alberta Coal Policy, Eastern Slopes Policy, siting of the Old Man River Dam and the protection of Kananaskis Country stand as testimony to his impactful legislative career. The South West Alberta Renewable Energy Initiative was a result of his advocacy, and he served as Chair of the Alberta Research Council, the Special Places 2000 initiative and an Alberta Election Act Review.
His advocacy on behalf of his home riding included realizing the amalgamation of five communities to form the Municipality of the Crowsnest Pass. His work played a key role in the removal and reclamation of over 600,000 tons of coal slag, the building of York Creek Lodge, two local hospitals, the Allison Creek Brood Trout Station and the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre. As well, the development of Alberta’s first regional landfill near Lundbreck to replace several southern Alberta community landfills was achieved.
After leaving politics, Bradley continued in public service, and from 1995 to 2013 he served as a parliamentary development advisor in Ukraine, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. His efforts to preserve and recognize Alberta’s history are reflected in his work as Chair of the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. He continues to advocate for the recognition and preservation of the unique history of the Crowsnest Pass, playing a key role in the designation of Frank Slide, Leitch Collieries and Lille as Provincial Historic Sites, and Coleman as a National Historic Site, the restoration of the Alberta Provincial Police Barracks and the development of the Hillcrest Mine Disaster Memorial.
He recently served as a member of the Alberta Coal Policy Review Committee and is currently on the board of several community heritage organizations and Community Futures Crowsnest Pass.