Markin is a chemical engineer, having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the in 1968. He has also received numerous honorary degrees. His donation to the University of Alberta made the CNRL/Markin Natural Resources Engineering Facility possible.
Markin became the chairman of CNRL in 1989. At the time, the company had a total of six employees. He is also well known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly to educational institutions.
He is one of the founders, as well as the first Honorary Fellow of Saint Mary"s University College.
On September 16, 2004, he donated the largest gift in the history of the University of Calgary – $18 million – to allow the university to open a public health institute. In 2005, Doctor Markin made a generous contribution to the Legacy of Leadership campaign at the University of Lethbridge.
His donation, combined with early private funding and corporate and government support, facilitated construction of Markin Hall in 2008, which houses the Faculty of Management and Faculty of Health Sciences. In 2009 he donated over a million dollars to Saint "s Coady International Institute, which helps educate students from developing nations to become leaders and make a meaningful difference in their communities.
In 2006 he started Pure North South"Energy—a non-profit health and wellness company—based out of Calgary.
Originally focused on Canadian Natural Resources Limited employees it has opened its doors to Thorpe Recovery Centre, the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Center (AARC), and the Calgary Drop-In Centre, which is located in downtown Calgary. He resigned as the Chairman of Canadian Natural Resources Limited on April 2, 2012.
1993 - Pinnacle Award of Business Excellence in Alberta 1993 - Oilweek Producer of the Year Award 1998 - Honorary degree of Doctorate of Laws from the University of Calgary 2002 - Honorary degree of Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta 2004 - Calgary Citizen of the Year 2004 - Honorary Fellowship of Saint Mary's University College 2008 - Officer of the Order of Canada 2008 - Alberta Order of Excellence 2009 - Calgary Business Hall of Fame Laureate 2009 - Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Saint Francis Xavier University.
On April 13, 2006, he matched CNRL"s donation of $500,000 to help Northern Lights College open their new Centre of Excellence in Fort Saint John.
