Calls for Public Inquiry Into Closure of Failed Squamish University

Former officials and supporters of Quest University, a private institution in Squamish, B.C., that closed in 2023, are calling for a public inquiry to uncover the reasons behind its financial collapse. The university, which filed for creditor protection in 2020 and shut down three years later, was known for its unconventional academic model, offering seminar-style classes capped at 20 students and using “blocks” instead of traditional course credits.

Former West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan, who played a key role in Quest’s creation by introducing the Sea to Sky Act in 2002, expressed deep disappointment in the school's closure, likening it to "seeing one of your children abused and eventually killed." He is part of a growing group demanding a probe into what went wrong.

David Helfand, former president of Quest, emphasized the need to understand the financial mismanagement that led to its downfall. "I don’t know where any of the money came from," he said, pointing to the lack of transparency in the school's finances.

The university, which opened in 2007 under the leadership of former UBC president David Strangway, faced financial troubles early on. Just a year after opening, its board dismissed all academic members in what former board member Olav Slaymaker referred to as “the afternoon of knives.”

Independent researcher Vivian Krause has been investigating Quest’s financial history for years, expressing concerns over the complex network of charitable foundations connected to the university. She alleges that many of the charitable donations were, in fact, loans, contributing to Quest’s financial woes while benefiting the donors through tax avoidance schemes. Ten charities linked to Quest have had their status revoked by the Canada Revenue Agency for failing to allocate resources to charitable activities.

In 2023, the province and Capilano University purchased Quest’s Squamish campus for $63 million, while the undeveloped endowment lands reverted to the university’s original benefactor. Those calling for an inquiry, including Sultan, believe only a public investigation can unravel the complicated financial history that led to the closure of a university that once held promise for innovative education in Canada.