Rus Matichuk thinks there’s more to be done to advance innovation and investment in Alberta.
Matichuk, 51, is president of Sumex Capital. He’s married with four children, and has lived in St. Albert since 1989.
He got involved in the Progressive Conservative party several years ago after being impressed by the “good honest effort” being made to advance the community’s issues. He’s volunteered in a number of capacities for the riding association and former MLA Doug Horner.
“I am interested in having an impact in this constituency,” Matichuk said. “I did get a sense that there is a thoughtful approach to addressing some of the issues.”
Some political priorities for Matichuk would include education and innovation if elected.
Education is on his radar because of his children, but also because his bachelor’s degree is in education. He said education is a pillar of the community and a foundation for growth.
“We need to continue to invest. We have done really well historically, we’re number one in the country in science and number three in math. Our teachers have done a tremendous job and we want to make sure we continue to support them as best as we can, and that’s what I’ll be a strong advocate for,” Matichuk said.
With his background in innovation, investment and corporate finance, he’s got ideas on how some adjustments to things like tax structure or securities legislation could help spur growth in Alberta. He’d like to see some initiatives that focus on the urban centres of Calgary and Edmonton reach out into other regions of Alberta.
“If we were to make some adjustments like that, that might also stimulate some more investment in regional pockets,” Matichuk said.
Matichuk has been a part of a number of boards and committees on the subject of innovation. He got involved in launching some initiatives, like Deal Generator (now called TEC Venture Angels), after travelling the world trying to raise capital years ago.
After graduating university he and some of his brothers started a software company. Later, he got into the corporate finance sector, which is where he is today.
The former junior hockey player enjoys spending time with his wife and kids in his free time.
One of Matichuk’s children has Down syndrome, and Matichuk said he enjoys taking his son out to activities, including enjoying hockey games together. Matichuk said there was a time when no one could see him taking off his skates, but his enthusiasm for the game became less important when his family began.
