We’re approaching the end of our journey to answer the question “Who is UBC’s most famous alum?”. We now have the four category champions heading into the semifinals, and by the end of this week, we will finally have an answer. But first, we need to discover which of the remaining four alumni will advance to the final vote.
Semifinal voting is now closed.
Pierre Berton - 58.66% - Advances to the final
A household name in Canada, Pierre Berton (BA'41, LittD'85) was an author, journalist, and broadcaster who popularized the nation’s history across generations of readers and viewers. From UBC's The Ubyssey, he went on to become a writer and editor for the Toronto Star and Maclean's. His prolific work spanned newspaper and magazine articles, bestselling books, and numerous CBC TV programs, including 39 years as a panelist on Front Page Challenge. Many of his more than 50 books, including Klondike and The National Dream, are considered Canadian classics. Among numerous honours, he received three Governor General's Awards and was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Gabor Maté - 41.34%
Physician, author, and speaker Gabor Maté (BA'68, MD’74) is one of the world’s leading experts on addiction, trauma, and mental health. His bestselling books, including In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and When the Body Says No, have been published internationally in more than 40 languages. Over the past three decades, his work has explored the links between childhood experiences, emotional stress, substance use, and physical health, and influenced approaches to addiction treatment and therapeutic practice. Known for his compassionate perspective, he has helped transform public understanding of these issues while informing health-care professionals across the globe.
Justin Trudeau - 45.19%
Justin Trudeau (BEd’98) served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada from 2015 to 2025. After becoming leader of the Liberal Party in 2013, he led it to victory in three federal elections, including a majority government in 2015. He established Canada’s first gender-balanced cabinet, advanced policies on climate action and social programs, and led the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic. His government expanded early learning and child care, legalized medical assistance in dying, and renegotiated the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. During his decade in office, he became one of Canada’s most recognizable political figures on the world stage.
Rick Hansen - 54.81% - Advances to the final
Paralympian and inclusion advocate Rick Hansen (BPE'86, LLD'87) is internationally renowned for raising global awareness about spinal cord injury and accessibility through his Man in Motion World Tour. During this wheelchair marathon, he travelled across 34 countries from 1985 to 1987, raising more than $26 million for research, rehabilitation, and wheelchair sports. To further support this work, he established the Rick Hansen Foundation in 1988 and the Rick Hansen Institute (now the Praxis Spinal Cord Institute) in 2008. A six-time Paralympic medallist, he was inducted into both BC and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame and appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada.
