Susan Lambert is the high-profile face of the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation (BCTF).
Susan Lambert BA’77, PDP’80
What has been the toughest thing about being BCTF president?
My biggest challenge has been learning how to represent the BCTF in the media, especially in controversial times. I am more an introvert than an extrovert, so speaking to reporters, especially live on camera, is tough. I never thought of myself as a “strong” leader before, but I think that’s how I’m characterized. I am very committed to building the integrity and the collective professional voice of teachers through the union.
What do you see as your greatest success so far in your term?
I think I have contributed to the public debate on the corro- sive nature of province-wide standardized testing. Initially we were alerted to the negative impact of the Foundation Skills Assessment tests when they were deliberately misused by the Fraser Institute to rank elementary schools. But we quickly real- ized that the effect of large-scale testing is far more insidious.
I became a vice-president of the BCTF in 2004, the year the prov- ince passed its third legislative assault on teacher bargaining rights. The International Labour Organization found these bills to be in violation of international conventions, and B.C.’s Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional in 2011. However, their legacy remains. And so I have been in the leadership during the two most difficult province-wide strikes in our history: 2005 and 2012 – 13.
What led you into union activism?
I was first attracted by the social justice programs and services of the BCTF: the status of women committees and the anti-racism program. Later I became involved in leadership positions both in Prince Rupert and in Burnaby. I am very proud of the BCTF’s history of addressing social justice issues, defending public educa- tion, and promoting the profession of teaching.
Did your SFU experience influence you as a teacher and an activist?
Yes, very much so. I entered SFU in the fall of 1968 and left in the spring of 1973. Those were tumultuous and formative years. The campus was an energetic, creative, and innovative place. It wasn’t mindless creativity; it was energy committed to a social analysis. I was proud to be a student at a university that was creating space for voices calling for an end to the Vietnam War, for an end to racism and sexism. Debates on campus that examined social justice issues such as the disparity between the rich and the poor were highly influential. While I was there, eight faculty members were fired for their activism. Many of these people were black- listed and suffered for their beliefs. Their unwavering courage was astounding. I was profoundly influenced by their integrity and their self-sacrifice.
What is your best memory of SFU?
I volunteered in the theatre and was able to watch many of the productions, some very avant-garde for the day. But I think mostly it was the total experience of studying in a new university with a faculty dedicated to stimulating our curiosity and our capacity to critically reflect on our world that is my most lasting memory. I owe a lot to those professors.
What do you do in your spare time?
I spend as much time as possible with my children and grandchil- dren. I also enjoy gardening, going for long walks, doing cross- stitch, and going to the movies.
What are you reading right now?
I can polish off a murder mystery easily, and I have found some Kate Atkinson novels that are fun. My work requires a lot of read- ing. Two books and a B.C. Supreme Court ruling have recently influenced my thinking: What Money Can’t Buy by Michael J. Sandel, and Democracy Incorporated by Sheldon S. Wolin.
What music do you listen to?
I love rock and roll and folk music – stuff you can sing and dance to. I love dancing. As Emma Goldman said, “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.”
Niels Veldhuis BBA’99, MA’01
Niels Veldhuis is a highly regarded economist with expertise in taxation, banking, productivity, investment, labour markets, and government finances. He is a frequent TV commentator and his articles have appeared in more than 50 newspapers around the world. He is regularly asked to appear as an expert witness before both House of Commons and Senate committees. He became president of the Fraser Institute in May 2012.
How are you putting your stamp on the Fraser Institute?
Last May I was humbled to be appointed president of such a prestigious and internationally recognized think tank. As such, I am not all that eager to put “my stamp” on the institute. I want to continue to build on its role as Canada’s top public policy research organization. The key to achieving that goal is to ensure that the Fraser Institute has the best talent in the country and, indeed, the world. To that end, I was fortunate to be able to bring Jason Clemens (PBD’95), one of North America’s top economists, back to the institute as executive vice-president.
What is your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the communications revolution. Consider that in less than five years, over 60% of Internet traffic will come from wireless devices. In addition, Canadians want information more quickly and visually and are increasingly getting their news online rather than by print, radio, or TV. Since our goal is to communicate our research to average Canadians, we continually need to adapt to a changing communications environment.
Did your experience at SFU influence your career development?
To say it did would be an understatement. While many professors influenced me in positive ways, none was more influential than eco- nomics professor Steve Easton. I took several seminars with Easton, and after the last he told me he was not going to give me a grade unless I applied for grad school. Had it not been for him I would have ended up going to law school rather than grad school in economics. Interestingly, it was also Easton who introduced me to the Fraser Institute (he is a senior fellow at the institute) and encouraged me to take on a role there as a research economist over 10 years ago.
What is your best memory of SFU?
The great friends I made while there, one of whom I married in 2005. And of course, Thursday nights at the Cariboo Pub. It’s a real shame current students will never get to experience that.
Who at SFU influenced your thinking?
I had many great professors who influenced my thinking (and by that I mean my critical thinking skills), including Doug Allen, Peter Kennedy, Steve Easton, Rick Harris, and Curtis Eaton.
What do you do in your spare time?
Good one! I work about 65 to 70 hours a week, travel on average 10,000 miles a month, and my wife and I were blessed to have a daughter 18 months ago. Every free minute I have I try to spend with my family.
What are you reading right now?
I love to read and it’s part of the job. I just finished Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson.
What music do you listen to?
If someone hacked into my iTunes account they would be quite confused. My playlists include pop, country, metal, punk, hip hop, and sweet ’80s rock.