Alberta
Nancy Southern has the skills and experience to help Alberta find its way forward

Nancy C. Southern is one of the heavy hitters tasked with helping us find our way forward from the economic downturn in the energy industry and the devastating impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Southern is Chair & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO Ltd., as well as Chair of Canadian Utilities Limited (an ATCO company). Reporting to the Board of Directors, she has full responsibility for executing the strategic direction and ongoing operations.
She joined the ATCO Board of Directors in 1989, was named President & Chief Executive Officer of ATCO in 2003 and was appointed Chair in December 2012. She also serves on the boards of the majority of ATCO subsidiary companies. Ms. Southern is a founding director of AKITA Drilling Ltd., a director of Sentgraf Enterprises Ltd., and Executive Vice President of Spruce Meadows.
Born and raised in Calgary, Southern studied Economics and Commerce at the University of Calgary.
During her career, she has served many roles with some of the world’s most prestigious organizations. Southern is a member on the, Canadian Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards, C.D. Howe Institute, American Society of Corporate Executives, Canadian Member Trilateral Commission, Business Council of Canada, also on Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Economic Strategy Table, University of Calgary School of Public Policy Advisory Council and the U.S. Business Council.
In addition to her business leadership, Southern has long played a leading role in advocating on social issues of global importance – most notably, the rights of Indigenous peoples and the role of women in business.

Honorary Chief of the Kainai (Blood Tribe of Alberta)
In 2012, she was made an Honorary Chief of the Kainai (Blood Tribe of Alberta), was given the name Aksistoowa’paakii, or Brave Woman. Southern is also a board member at the Pension Fund Society of Bank of Montreal, Rideau Hall Foundation and was indicted in the Canadian Business Hall of Fame 2017, received the Canadian Business Leader Award from the University of Alberta in 2018, was honoured as Distinguished Policy Fellow by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy, named to the Fortune’s list of the “50 Most Powerful Women” outside of the U.S., 50 Most Important People in Canada in Maclean’s Magazine, Financial Post Magazine’s “The Power List” and to Alberta Venture’s Alberta’s Business Person of the Year for 2011.
Here are the members of the committee.
- Jack Mintz, chair
- Clive Beddoe – former chair, president and CEO, WestJet
- Robert Blakely
- Brent Belzberg – founder and senior managing partner, TorQuest Partners
- Bob Dhillon – founder, president and CEO, Mainstreet Equity Corporation
- Chris Fowler – president and CEO, Canadian Western Bank
- Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper – Canada’s 22nd prime minister
- Peter Kiss – owner and president, Morgan Construction and Environmental
- Zainul Mawji – president, Telus Home Solutions
- Nancy Southern – chair and CEO, ATCO Ltd.
- Kevin Uebelein – CEO, AIMCo
- Mac Van Wielingen – founder, ARC Financia
Dr. Jack M. Mintz heads up Alberta Economic Recovery Council
Alberta
Alberta Provincial Police – New chief of Independent Agency Police Service

Sat Parhar has been appointed as the first chief of the Independent Agency Police Service, marking the next step toward a new municipal policing option.
The appointment of a new chief for the Independent Agency Police Service (IAPS) marks the next step in giving municipalities a new option for local policing and builds on the work already underway for the agency to assume the police-like duties currently carried out by the Alberta Sheriffs. The IAPS will empower municipalities to adopt strategies that effectively respond to their specific safety concerns, enhancing public safety across the province.
Chief Parhar brings more than 25 years of policing experience, including senior roles with the Calgary Police Service, most recently as deputy chief. His frontline policing experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s complex and diverse public safety landscape positions him to lead the agency as it takes shape and begins its work as a new municipal policing option, keeping communities safe.
Once operational, the agency will strengthen Alberta’s existing policing model and complement the province’s current police services, which includes the RCMP, Indigenous policing services and municipal police. It will help fill gaps and ensure law enforcement resources are deployed efficiently to meet Alberta’s evolving public safety needs and improve law enforcement response times, particularly in rural communities.
“Appointing Chief Sat Parhar is a key milestone in Alberta’s plan to give municipalities a real choice in how their communities are kept safe. This is about building a modern police service that reflects the priorities of Albertans, strengthens local decision-making, and ensures every corner of our province, especially rural areas, can count on responsive, effective law enforcement. With his decades of experience and deep understanding of Alberta’s policing landscape, he is the right leader to bring this vision to life.”
“This appointment signifies a significant step forward in our efforts to establish a more robust, community-focused policing model that is better equipped to meet the unique needs of our local residents. Under Chief Parhar’s visionary leadership, we are confident that we will develop a modern, efficient police service that not only enhances public safety but also aligns closely with the priorities and values of Albertans. His experience and commitment are vital in shaping an IAPS that is responsive, transparent, and dedicated to fostering trust and collaboration within the community, ultimately ensuring a safer and more connected society for all.”
Chief Parhar’s immediate priorities will be to hire an executive team and commence organizational planning such as developing key recruitment, training and other operational policies. Chief Parhar’s appointment is the first step of many to establishing the IAPS.
“It’s an honour to take on this role and help shape a modern police service built for Alberta. My focus from day one will be on setting high standards for professionalism, building strong relationships with our partners and ensuring this service reflects the needs and priorities of the communities we serve.”
The Independent Agency Police Service was formally created through regulation following the passing of Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024. The agency will operate as an independent Crown corporation, and will be renamed the Alberta Sheriffs Police Service, with its head office located in Calgary. The IAPS will be operationally independent from the provincial government with civilian oversight, consistent with all police services in Alberta.
“When it comes to policing, municipalities like ours deserve a choice – especially when the current system leaves us disadvantaged simply because of our size. We look forward to learning more about what that alternative will look like once an Alberta police agency is fully established and the options are clear. For us, this is about fairness, sustainability, and ensuring municipalities have access to policing solutions that reflect both their needs and their realities.”
Quick facts
- The regulation establishes the IAPS Provincial Corporation and its governance structure including board of directors, board of director powers, financial responsibilities and accountabilities.
Related news
- Expanding municipal police service options (April 7, 2024)
Alberta
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