TORONTO, May 17, 2004 -- Premier Dalton McGuinty’s government releases its first budget Tuesday to an expectant public keen to hear more about what priorities it contains and the cost of meeting them. Several York University commentators are ready to provide background and commentary on Finance Minister Greg Sorbara’s first budget speech in the legislature, set for Tuesday at 4:10 p.m.

 

Education

Paul Axelrod, Dean, Faculty of Education, can comment on issues affecting public school education, teachers and students. He can be reached at 4167-736-5002 / paxelrod@edu.yorku.ca

 

Funding for Post-secondary Education

Sheila Embleton, vice-president, academic, can comment on provincial funding for universities, tuition fees, quality assurance and the University’s support for and participation in provincial post-secondary review consultation groups. She can be reached at 416-736-5280 / embleton@yorku.ca

 

University Finances/Management

Gary Brewer, vice-president, finance & administration, can comment on measures affecting university financing. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 55160 / brewerg@yorku.ca

 

Transit

Ted Spence, Senior Policy Advisor and Executive Director, Institutional Research and Analysis, can comment on budget provisions related to transit spending and particularly environmental assessments of an extension of the Spadina subway line and funding for interim rapid bus lanes to the Keele Campus. He can be reached at 416-736-5200 / esspence@yorku.ca

 

Health Care

Martin Thomas, political science, can comment on health care funding and provisions in the budget to fund demands for improvements in service. He can be reached at 416-736-5128 / androgyn@yorku.ca

 

Marcia Rioux, Director, School of Health Policy & Management, can comment on measure in the budget that affect health care policy and persons with disabilities. She can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 22112 / mrioux@yorku.ca

 

Research Funding

Stan Shapson, vice-president, research & innovation, can comment on measures in the budget that affect funding for research and the role of research in supporting community economic development.

He can be reached at 416-736-5479 / sshapson@edu.yorku.ca

-30-

For more information, please contact: