David Suzuki to get honorary degree from University of Alberta Thursday

After months of criticism, controversial figure David Suzuki will receive an honorary doctor of science degree Thursday morning from the University of Alberta.

The Edmonton university announced in April that the longtime environmentalist and oilsands critic was one of 13 people who would receive the honour this spring.

READ MORE: Notley calls U of A Suzuki decision ‘tone deaf’ but supports university independence and debate

It prompted a flood of complaints, along with critical public letters from the university’s deans of business and engineering.

Donors and alumni, particularly those in the oil and gas industry, also said they would withdraw donations and partnerships. One Calgary law firm said it was cancelling its annual $100,000 funding commitment to the university’s law school.

Suzuki, who’s also host of “The Nature of Things” television show, has not spoken publicly about the controversy.

But in an op-ed posted on his foundation’s website, he said that universities — “especially one in the heart of oil country” — should be the place “to air a range of ideas about the geophysical, social and economic consequences of fossil fuel use.”

“After all, what I say about economics, planetary boundaries and the need to shift priorities is no different from what economists, scientists, philosophers and numerous other experts around the world have been saying for years,” Suzuki wrote.

READ MORE: David Suzuki weighs in on U of A honorary degree controversy: ‘This isn’t about me’

University president David Turpin has said the school stands by its controversial decision, noting that knowledge and progress are built on the free exchange of ideas.

A rally is planned to protest Suzuki’s honorary degree outside the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, where the ceremony is being held at 10 a.m. MT.

READ MORE: ‘Universities must not be afraid of controversy’: U of A president on Suzuki degree

This year’s other recipients include agriculture advocate Nettie Wiebe, physicist and science educator Brian Cox, former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, francophone culture expert France Levasseur-Ouimet, and journalist and CBC foreign correspondent Nahlah Ayed.

— With files from Emily Mertz, Global News