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Official Installation Ceremony for RDC President Dr. Peter Nunoda

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5 years ago

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Dr. Peter Nunoda, Red Deer College’s new President

From Red Deer College Communications

Red Deer College celebrates new President during Installation Ceremony

Festivities included new traditions and a look towards institution’s future as a university

It was a special day for Dr. Peter Nunoda, Red Deer College’s new President.  While he began his tenure in September, Dr. Nunoda was officially installed as RDC’s 11th President during a ceremony Tuesday, November 12.

“I am humbled to receive the warm welcome from the College community and our external partners that I have enjoyed today, as well as during other occasions in the brief time I’ve lived in central Alberta,” says Dr. Nunoda.

Red Deer College was a buzz with special moments during the Installation Ceremony as the College community, government representatives, dignitaries and community members from across central Alberta welcomed formally Dr. Nunoda.

Indigenous drumming and singing provided entertainment for the audience, as well as signifying RDC’s continued commitment to collaborating with Indigenous communities in the spirit of reconciliation. In recognition of Dr. Nunoda’s proud Japanese Canadian heritage, members of the Students’ Association honoured him with a loaned piece from the College’s permanent art collection. The students presented a colour woodblock on silk by famed Japanese artist Kunisada that dates from 1848-58. This art will be displayed by Dr. Nunoda in his office during his term.

A new tradition for Red Deer College was introduced as Dr. Nunoda took an Oath of Office led by Her Honour, the Honourable Lois E. Mitchell, CM, AOE, LLD, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. Dr. Nunoda also received a new Presidential stole that he will wear as part of his academic regalia at future Convocation Ceremonies and other important events.

“On behalf of my colleagues on the Board of Governors, I was honoured to host today’s Installation Ceremony as we welcome Dr. Nunoda into our College community at this momentous point in our institution’s history,” says Guy Pelletier, Chair of RDC’s Board of Governors. “Dr. Nunoda has already identified a strong path for where he will lead this institution into the future as a university, and we are very excited to collaborate with him and our community to realize this bold transformation that has been decades in the making.”

Dr. Nunoda provided the audience with a glimpse of his leadership and the future he envisions for Red Deer University during today’s ceremony. This vision includes continuing to serve learners as a polytechnic university offering more diverse programs. As a university, this includes degrees, apprenticeships and the full breadth of other credentials that RDC currently offers. Additionally, existing and future facilities on RDC’s vibrant campuses will provide opportunities for community collaboration and a culture of engagement. Recognizing Alberta’s current economic conditions, Dr. Nunoda identified the need for a strong business model that contributes to the institution’s economic and environmental sustainability.

While honouring RDC’s past successes and strong reputation, Dr. Nunoda also noted it will be important to highlight the value of practical education and signature learning experiences that students will receive from Red Deer University, so that employers realize the benefit of the skills and knowledge that work-ready graduates will provide to the local and global economy.

“We have an exciting future ahead as Red Deer University, continuing to grow practical learning opportunities for our students, and creating stronger connections with individuals and organizations in our region,” says Dr. Nunoda. “Through innovative solutions, creative problem solving and an energetic touch of imagination, we will reach our goals and position Red Deer University as the first choice for post-secondary education.”

Dr. Nunoda identified a strong desire to work with government partners to allow the institution to begin calling itself Red Deer University starting in September 2020, citing the institution’s readiness and work that is currently underway. This work includes program development for three new degrees: Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Business Administration, with students anticipated to begin classes as early as September 2021, pending government approval.

Learn more about RDC’s 11th President, Dr. Peter Nunoda, by visiting rdc.ab.ca/president

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After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Premier Danielle Smith issued the following statement on the April 2, 2025 U.S. tariff announcement:

“Today was an important win for Canada and Alberta, as it appears the United States has decided to uphold the majority of the free trade agreement (CUSMA) between our two nations. It also appears this will continue to be the case until after the Canadian federal election has concluded and the newly elected Canadian government is able to renegotiate CUSMA with the U.S. administration.

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“It means that the majority of goods sold into the United States from Canada will have no tariffs applied to them, including zero per cent tariffs on energy, minerals, agricultural products, uranium, seafood, potash and host of other Canadian goods.

“There is still work to be done, of course. Unfortunately, tariffs previously announced by the United States on Canadian automobiles, steel and aluminum have not been removed. The efforts of premiers and the federal government should therefore shift towards removing or significantly reducing these remaining tariffs as we go forward and ensuring affected workers across Canada are generously supported until the situation is resolved.

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Energy sector will fuel Alberta economy and Canada’s exports for many years to come

Published on April 2, 2025

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From the Fraser Institute

By Jock Finlayson

By any measure, Alberta is an energy powerhouse—within Canada, but also on a global scale. In 2023, it produced 85 per cent of Canada’s oil and three-fifths of the country’s natural gas. Most of Canada’s oil reserves are in Alberta, along with a majority of natural gas reserves. Alberta is the beating heart of the Canadian energy economy. And energy, in turn, accounts for one-quarter of Canada’s international exports.

Consider some key facts about the province’s energy landscape, as noted in the Alberta Energy Regulator’s (AER) 2023 annual report. Oil and natural gas production continued to rise (on a volume basis) in 2023, on the heels of steady increases over the preceding half decade. However, the dollar value of Alberta’s oil and gas production fell in 2023, as the surging prices recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine retreated. Capital spending in the province’s energy sector reached $30 billion in 2023, making it the leading driver of private-sector investment. And completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project has opened new offshore export avenues for Canada’s oil industry and should boost Alberta’s energy production and exports going forward.

In a world striving to address climate change, Alberta’s hydrocarbon-heavy energy sector faces challenges. At some point, the world may start to consume less oil and, later, less natural gas (in absolute terms). But such “peak” consumption hasn’t arrived yet, nor does it appear imminent. While the demand for certain refined petroleum products is trending down in some advanced economies, particularly in Europe, we should take a broader global perspective when assessing energy demand and supply trends.

Looking at the worldwide picture, Goldman Sachs’ 2024 global energy forecast predicts that “oil usage will increase through 2034” thanks to strong demand in emerging markets and growing production of petrochemicals that depend on oil as the principal feedstock. Global demand for natural gas (including LNG) will also continue to increase, particularly since natural gas is the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel and more of it is being traded in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Against this backdrop, there are reasons to be optimistic about the prospects for Alberta’s energy sector, particularly if the federal government dials back some of the economically destructive energy and climate policies adopted by the last government. According to the AER’s “base case” forecast, overall energy output will expand over the next 10 years. Oilsands output is projected to grow modestly; natural gas production will also rise, in part due to greater demand for Alberta’s upstream gas from LNG operators in British Columbia.

The AER’s forecast also points to a positive trajectory for capital spending across the province’s energy sector. The agency sees annual investment rising from almost $30 billion to $40 billion by 2033. Most of this takes place in the oil and gas industry, but “emerging” energy resources and projects aimed at climate mitigation are expected to represent a bigger slice of energy-related capital spending going forward.

Like many other oil and gas producing jurisdictions, Alberta must navigate the bumpy journey to a lower-carbon future. But the world is set to remain dependent on fossil fuels for decades to come. This suggests the energy sector will continue to underpin not only the Alberta economy but also Canada’s export portfolio for the foreseeable future.

Jock Finlayson

Senior Fellow, Fraser Institute
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