Here’s something you’ll never hear on Jeopardy!
I’ll take “DONATIONS” for $5,000,000, Alex.
But you might hear it at the University of Ottawa.
On Wednesday Alex Trebek, the host of the long-running game show, announced a $5 million donation to his former school. The money is earmarked to create “the Forum for Dialogue, a new platform to discuss provocative, timely and constructive ideas on issues that matter to Canadians,” according to a UOttawa news release.
It brings his total contributions to the university to a whopping $7.5 million.
Trebek’s continued support of his old alma mater is one of the reasons he was awarded Ottawa’s highest honour on Thursday, the Key to the City.
“Alex Trebek does exceptional work in the community, is a cultural icon and someone all Ottawa residents are proud to consider one of their own,” says Mayor Jim Watson.
Alex Trebek was actually born in Sudbury, went to high school and university in Ottawa, and honed his broadcast skills in Toronto before moving to the U.S. permanently in 1973. But, of his three Canadian hometowns he says, “Ottawa has always been my favourite.”
Trebek covered a variety of topics in his remarks at the Key to the City ceremony.
He expressed his sympathy with and support for the people of fire-ravaged Fort McMurray.
He addressed the recent controversy over Canadians not being allowed to apply online to become Jeopardy! contestants. He put the blame squarely on the Canadian Government and new rules surrounding internet use and privacy. He says he even spoke with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the matter. “And I’m sure that with our attorneys, who have now hired Canadian attorneys to work with us, we will be in full compliance when we start shooting our 33rd season,” he added.
He talked about being a bit of a “disturber” during his early days at the University of Ottawa. “I got into trouble a lot in my first year,” he admits.
He even broached the subject of the U.S. Presidential frontrunners, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. He wouldn’t say who he’s going to vote for, but he did say what’s unfolding in the States “is democracy in action. Get used to it.”
