History

A New Kind of Canadian University

The Vision

Dr. David Strangway, an Order of Canada recipient in 1996, founded Quest University Canada following his distinguished 12-year tenure (1985-97) as President of the University of British Columbia. As one of Canada's foremost scholars and academic administrators, he concluded that students would benefit from the establishment of an independent, secular university such as those found in many other countries of the world.

Vision Becomes Reality

In 1998, David Strangway formed a project team to transform his vision of an independent, secular, not-for-profit liberal arts and sciences university into reality. This university would welcome students from around the globe. David and his team, headed by Peter Ufford and Blake Bromley, conducted a province-wide search for a suitable home. They selected the District of Squamish, in part because of the strong and enthusiastic representation and cooperation from the District Council, civic and community organizations, and the local populace.

Squamish is halfway (68 km) between Vancouver and Whistler (sites of the 2010 Olympic Games) in the heart of British Columbia's breathtaking Sea to Sky corridor. The town is situated at the head of Howe Sound and is surrounded by the majestic Coast Range mountains.

Legislative Act

On May 29, 2002, Dr. Ralph Sultan, MLA for West Vancouver - Capilano, former Havard Business School Professor and former Chief Economist of the Royal Bank of Canada, introduced the Sea to Sky University (SSU) Act in the British Columbia Legislature. This act, subsequently passed, gave the University the right to grant undergraduate degrees. Quest (named Sea to Sky University until October 2005) became the first independent, nonsectarian university in Canada to attain official status.

Download the SSU Act [PDF, 184 KB]

Land & Building Location

Upon receiving this distinction, a generous donor arranged financing through which Quest was able to purchase a 97-hectare (240-acre) property in the Garibaldi Highlands above Squamish's town centre. As a result of bylaw and Official Community Plan amendments passed by the District of Squamish, the property also included provision for 960 market-housing units. Sale of these lands generated the funds which allowed campus construction to begin.

On October 18th, 2005 Sea to Sky University formally announced its current name, Quest University Canada, in honour of the University's major benefactor, Dr. Stewart Blusson.

Further Financial Support

Other contributors such as the J.W. McConnell Foundation and the R. Howard Webster Foundation have assisted the University since its inception. These funds were used for infrastructure costs and site preparation, including construction of a $3.25 million bridge over Mashiter Creek in 2004-05 to connect the University's property with the adjoining Garibaldi Highlands residential development.

In July 2005 Quest's principal benefactor, Dr. Stewart Blusson, O.C., one of Canada's most acclaimed geologists as co-discoverer of the prolific Ekati diamond mine in Canada's Northwest Territories, and his wife, Marilyn, continued their support of the university through generous participation that ensured the campus would be built. Their agreement was initiated by Mr. Bromley in conjunction with Mr. Ufford who had recently stepped down as leader of the Project Team to become the founding President - CEO of Sea to Sky Foundation (SSF), the entity responsible for the University's capital funding and campus constructing.

Program Development: The Liberal Arts and Sciences

Quest University Canada's liberal arts and sciences curriculum has been a work in progress dating back to two major International Consultations hosted by the University in 2001 and 2002. It was at these meetings that some of the world's leading academic and university advisors provided input regarding Quest's Academic Plan. Quest faculty, along with other volunteers, including members of our International Academic Advisory Committee and a Canadian Academic Advisory Committee, continue to provide ongoing support and refinement to the program.

International Support

As a result of David Strangway's global academic contacts, Quest University Canada today has negotiated Founding Partner agreements with 18 of the world's leading universities.