Charles Allard

Charles Alex Allard (1919 – 1991) was a Canadian surgeon, entrepreneur, and broadcaster, who set up the Canadian radio station CHQT and Edmonton's independent television station CITV, and was also the founder of the Bank of Alberta, Allarcom, and the Edmonton Oilers. He was also the fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, chief of staff at the Edmonton General Hospital, and posthumously inducted in the CAB Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1996.[1][2][3][4]

For the New Zealand cricketer, see Charles Allard (cricketer).

Dr. Charles Allard
Born1919
Edmonton, Alberta
Died1991 (age 72)
Edmonton, Alberta
OccupationSurgeon, Broadcaster, Entrepreneur
Known forAlberta Gas and Chemicals (Founder), Bank of Alberta (Founder), Edmonton Oilers (Founder), Allarcom (Founder)
HonoursCAB Broadcasters Hall of Fame (1996)

Life

Charles Allard was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1919, and graduated from high school in Edmonton. He received his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 1943, and went on to complete his postgraduate studies in surgery at the Montreal General Hospital; Lahey Clinic, Boston; Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal; and Children's Memorial Hospital of Montreal.[1] He was appointed the chief of staff of the Edmonton General Hospital.[1]

Dr. Allard passed away in Edmonton, in 1991 at the age of 72.[4]

Enterprises

Dr. Allard has had a diverse range of entrepreneurial efforts spanning medicine, broadcasting, banking, and sports and entertainment.

In 1965, Dr. Allard founded the Edmonton radio station CHQT, and western Canada's first independent TV station, CITV, in 1973.[5] He co-founded Paris Investments, which was later renamed Allarco Developments, and became one of the largest real-estate companies in Canada.[4] He was the founder, chairman of the board, and director of Alberta Gas and Chemicals. Dr. Allard was the founder, chairman of the board, and director of International Jet Air.[4] He was one of the founders of Bank of Alberta, which went on to become the Canadian Western Bank.[2] He consolidated his media interests into Allarcom which was sold to Western International Communications in 1991.[1]

In 1971, he founded the hockey team, the Edmonton Oilers, then a participant in the World Hockey Association, with notable players that included Wayne Gretzky.[3]

Honours and awards

Dr. Allard was the recipient of multiple honours, including:

References
  1. "Allard, Charles Alex | History of Canadian Broadcasting". www.broadcasting-history.ca. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  2. "Figure 29-Dr. Charles Allard was a massive business baron in Western..." ResearchGate. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  3. "Dr. Charles Allard, 1919-91". www.albertadoctors.org. June 25, 2013. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  4. "Dr. Charles A. Allard | CBHF". cbhf.ca. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  5. "5 Alberta Legends Who Show What It Means To Be an Entrepreneur". AlbertaVenture.com. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
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