50 Most Influential All-Stars
For 10 years now – 11 lists in total – we’ve profiled the Albertans who wield the greatest influence. Below, meet the heaviest hitters who have appeared the most times on our annual list of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People.
by Lindsey Norris
9. Ralph Klein: 1997-2005 Former Premier of Alberta
He wasn’t called “King Ralph” without reason. Under his rule, we saw the elimination of
$23 billion of provincial debt and the establishment of business-friendly policies that turned
Alberta into an economic powerhouse.
7. Rick George: 1997-2003 President and CEO, Suncor Energy Inc.
Alberta Venture’s 2001 Business Person of the Year oversaw a financial turnaround for
Canada’s original oilsands producer.
7. Gwyn Morgan: 1997-1998, 2000, 2002-2004, 2006 Former President
and CEO, EnCana Corporation
By merging his Alberta Energy Company with PanCanadian Energy Corporation in 2002,
Morgan created the largest independent oil and gas producer in North America.
7. Eric Newell: 1997-2003 Former President & CEO, Syncrude Canada Ltd.
Newell proved that “oilsands giant” and “corporate social responsibility” can go hand in
hand. In 2004, he added to his long list of volunteer roles by becoming the chancellor of the University of Alberta.
6. Stephen Harper: 2002-2007 Prime Minister of Canada
Made up for a late start by becoming the first sitting prime minister in the history of
the 50 Most Influential. Enough said.
5. Clive Beddoe: 1997, 2001-2004 Chairman and CEO, WestJet Airlines Ltd.
Clive Beddoe flew in the face of the predictions of failure when he founded Calgary-based WestJet. But instead the company took off.
5.Paul Haggis: 1997-2001 Former President & CEO, Alberta Treasury Branches
During his five-year tenure at the head of the ATB, Haggis turned the government’s albatross into a progressive organization with assets worth over $11 billion.
5. Larry Pollock: 1997-1998, 2002-2003, 2005 President & CEO, Canadian Western Bank
One of Alberta’s longest-serving CEOs, Pollock earned kudos from one analyst, who called Canadian Western the “best managed bank in Canada.”
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