Colin Robertson, Canadian consul general in Los Angeles, will speak on "Prospects and Challenges for CanadaU.S. Relations" at the Asael E. and Maydell C. Palmer Annual Lecture Series in Canadian Studies on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in 238 Herald R. Clark Building on the Brigham Young University campus.
As consul general, Robertson is responsible for Canadian interests in California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii, and consulates in San Francisco and San Jose. Throughout his career, he has served in various political positions including as a member of the team that negotiated the Free Trade Agreement with the U.S (1985-1987) and as director general of public affairs at the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration (1994-1996).
"The Palmer Endowment was inspired by Delbert Palmer who worked tirelessly to develop Canadian Studies at BYU," said Earl Fry, Canadian Studies research program coordinator. "In collaboration with Delbert Palmer and Brigham Card, professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, I was able to start the Canadian Studies program in 1980."
In the 12 years since its inception, the Palmer Distinguished Lecture has featured leading Canadian academics and two former prime ministers of Canada.
"BYU is noteworthy because it has the largest enrollment of Canadian students among institutions of higher learning in the United States," said Fry. "Approximately a dozen BYU faculty and staff now work on an informal basis as part of the Canadian Studies Research Program."
The Palmer Distinguished Lecture in Canadian Studies is funded by the Palmer family in honor of Asael and Maydell Palmer. Asael was an acclaimed agricultural scientist in Canada. Both Asael and Maydell were actively involved in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in their community in Alberta, Canada.
The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information call Earl Fry at (801) 422-2453.
Writer: Lee Simons
