July 15, 2014
His academic credentials, teaching in so many places – U of T and
Queens for long stints, advising finance ministers and prime ministers, advising the World Bank, advising the International Monetary Fund – not your average resume at all. So, who is
Jack Mintz and why is he so busy?
It took six months and several re-schedulings for his staff to find time for this interview – and I must say, as I sat in the waiting room of the University of Calgary Downtown Campus at the
School of Public Policy last Friday afternoon, awaiting his return I was expecting our planned hour to be cut short. Lucky me, he gave me two hours of his time – not to teach me public policy or economics, but to demonstrate kindness, humility and openness unlike anything I might have anticipated.
Perhaps that is to be expected from a public figure accustomed to charming donors out of money and persuading world leaders to run their economies differently. Jack Mintz has done lots of both, continues to run flat-out and is in such high demand I was honoured by two things. First, that he reads this newsletter. The second, when I realized he was on the mailing list, that my request for an interview was granted.
He loves history and he revealed a great deal of his to me so I can share it with you …
He curled. In high school. Otherwise, not much into athletics in his youth. He’s had a lot of academics in his life.
And lots of debate on public policy and politics whic began at the dinner table growing up – his mom was a Liberal, his dad a Conservative – so the issues of the day were often hot topics of discussion.
He describes a new version of Freedom 55 – as “when your kids turn 55”.
He says friends would say he has a good sense of humour, that he is loyal to long term relationships (he says that's his mother’s influence).
I kept asking about him.
He kept telling me about the School of Public Policy.
His job, of course, is to promote the school he has led from its first day. He explained he wanted it to be more than a teaching school, more than research – but to be a self-sustaining and self-funding operation. His way, create a think-tank. Run events. Publish papers. Lots of them. His summary: “We needed a fast start – we had one chance to do that. To get young people turned on to going into government service. To develop a brand. To be a major market institution with a western voice.”
Ninety faculty and staff. Forty students each year do a full calendar year program (14 courses) to earn a Masters in Public Policy. No grants from the Government of Alberta. Tuition is $20K. Half the students win scholarships. He’s raised $48 million in five years. GPA of 3.7 or higher to get in this year …
How does one describe an average looking guy, an average middle-class background, born in Edmonton, never elected to any office, neither jock or limelight seeker who has played such a pivotal role in Canada’s economy, prosperity and public-policy issues for so long – through governments of Turner, Martin, Mulroney and Harper? He describes Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Prime Minister Harper as having made smart moves to avoid catastrophe during the financial crisis of 2008/9 while diplomatically avoiding discussion of just what advice he gave them. Clearly, it was plenty.
Born in Edmonton (mom was a social worker, dad a dentist, older brother became a lawyer), he attended Ross Shepard High School, earned his BA in Economics (Hons) and the Alexander McGibbon Award (top of his class) at University of Alberta, got his MA in Economics from Queen’s, and did his Ph.D at the University of Essex. Married 39 years to Eleanor. Two children, five grandchildren (a sixth arriving soon).
Why have you never run for office? “I’ve been asked, by several parties – but I’d have to espouse a party line I might not always agree on.”
His objectives, at 30, were to start an academic journal, to run a tax reform commission and to be a
Clifford Clark Visiting Economist for Finance
Canada. He did those before he was 50.
What’s next? … “I will never retire. You don’t throw what you have away … I’ll keep writing. I have a couple of book ideas.”
Among his closing comments - “I’ve had a good life.” On the PC Leadership? “Prentice.” On the Alberta government, on an election in two years? “In politics, two years is a long time. Campaigns matter.”