New Edmonton school to be named after former councillor Michael Phair

EDMONTON – The names of five new public schools have been announced and one of them will be named after a prominent former Edmonton city councillor.

Michael Phair received a phone call from the Edmonton Public School Board on Friday notifying him that a school in the city’s west end would be named after him. He says he was completely shocked by the news.

“I was very surprised. I wasn’t sure they had the right number,” he said humbly, “but also at the same time very excited and very honoured, quite amazed.”

“I had no idea any of this was happening or going on.”

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As the first openly gay politician elected in Alberta, Phair served on Edmonton City Council for 15 years. He believes the recognition from the EPSB may have to do with his involvement in the community as a whole, and his active involvement with the LGBTQ community.

“The Edmonton Public School board has a policy that they adopted about four years ago on gender and sexual minority youth, it’s very progressive. It basically says we want to make every school a safe place.”

Dr. Kris Wells, director of programs and services with the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, has known Phair since he was first elected to council. Wells says he’s proud to see the EPSB recognize Phair’s achievements.

“I think it’s very apt and fitting that they chose one of our community heroes from the LGBT community to name the school after. It’s certainly in keeping with their commitment to supporting all students, families and staff in Edmonton public schools,” said Wells.

Michael Phair Junior High School will be located in Webber Greens at 9407 – 211 Street.

The other public schools will be named after University of Alberta scientist Margaret Ann Armour, aboriginal activist Nellie Carlson, one Canada’s first MLAs Roberta MacAdams, and former Edmonton mayor Ivor Dent, who died in 2009.

EPSB Chair Michael Janz says the board received more than 250 recommendations from the public for the new school names.

The school names will be officially announced at Tuesday’s Edmonton Public School Board meeting.