The Honourable James S. Edwards

The Honourable James S. Edwards is a former broadcaster, business executive and parliamentarian who is known as a tireless advocate for postsecondary education.

Edwards pursued an impressive 29 years in Canadian broadcasting and established Edmonton's first FM radio station in 1964.  Elected as MP in 1984, he chaired several key House of Commons committees, and was directly involved in rewriting Canada's cultural policy, including new broadcasting and copyright laws.

From 1998 to 2004, Edwards was president and CEO of Economic Development Edmonton.  In his past, he also chaired the University of Alberta Board of Governors, the strategy council for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and the board of directors of ZCL Composites Inc.  As well, Edwards was a trustee of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund for Science and Engineering.

A champion of the vital role of cultural and educational institutions in civil society,
Edwards also remains active in the Edmonton business community with interests in the manufacturing sector.

Edwards received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 2006, and currently chairs the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s executive committee.