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Doer receives honorary doctor of laws degree from U of M

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 06/1/2010 6:39 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

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Former Manitoba premier Gary Doer addresses the convocation after accepting his Honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the University of Manitoba on Tuesday.

WINNIPEG -- He dropped out of university after only one year, but now he’s got an honorary doctorate to his name.

Former premier Gary Doer was back in Winnipeg today to receive an honourary doctor of laws degree from the University of Manitoba, recognizing his years in public service.

Doer was one of Manitoba’s most notable premiers from 1999-2009, leading his provincial NDP party to three consecutive majority governments. He announced his resignation last August to accept a post as Canada’s ambassador to the United States.

Terry Sargeant, Doer’s "mentor," introduced Doer as one of Manitoba’s most "influential and recognizable leaders."

Doer had been elected in his riding of Concordia seven times and spent 11 years as leader of the opposition, under then-premier Gary Filmon’s Tory government. Add it all up and Doer spent more than 23 years in public life.

Doer attended the U of M and studied political science and sociology, before dropping out and taking up a job as a corrections officer, which eventually led him to a life of politics.

In a short five-minute speech, Doer touted the introduction of the tuition freeze under his government and the millions of dollars invested in U of M facilities.

"You can’t have an economic strategy without an education strategy," Doer told the graduates, comprised of science and agricultural students.

"I’ve always felt that the University of Manitoba is vital to the social objectives of Manitoba and Canada, and vital to the economic opportunities in our province," he said, quoting inspiration from another former premier Duff Roblin. "(Roblin) was a person who also believed strongly that post-secondary education is not a cost (to the government), it’s an investment."

Other people receiving honorary degrees from the U of M include health policy analyst Dr. Michael Rachlis, human rights lawyer Constance Backhouse, scientist Michael James, engineer Donald Whitmore, and Supreme Court Justice Marshall Rothstein.
U of M convocation ceremonies run until Thursday.

The Free Press will have coverage of all post-secondary convocations.

matt.preprost@freepress.mb.ca

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