TORONTO, February 23, 2005 -- Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government presents its first budget today to a minority Parliament and an expectant public eager to hear how Finance Minister Goodale will respond to a welter of competing demands. Will he exercise fiscal caution or open the spending taps? How will he reconcile the calls for tax cuts by the Conservatives with the insistence on new spending from the NDP and the Bloc? What will be the financial commitment to the Kyoto Accord? How will Canada’s cash-strapped military fare in the budget exercise? What will be the fate of a national daycare program?
York University experts are ready to comment on these issues and more over the next several days. Members of the media are invited to contact York faculty and staff directly for comments or call the Media Relations Department for assistance at 416-736-2100 ext. 22086.
Patrick Monahan, Dean of York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, is a leading expert on constitutional law, national unity, federalism, inter-governmental relations, Paul Martin and the Liberal Party, and Quebec. He can be reached at 416-358-7516 or by email: pmonahan@yorku.ca.
Barbara Cameron, professor with the School of Social Sciences and the School of Women's Studies at Atkinson's Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, specializes in women and public policy, the political economy of women's equality/inequality, labour market policy and employment issues. She can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 66623 or by email: barbarac@yorku.ca
Martin Shadwick, a defence analyst, can discuss a variety of issues relating to foreign and defence policy and Canada's military which are expected to feature in the budget. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 40244, 416-494-5950 or by email: shadwick@yorku.ca.
Daniel Drache, political scientist and associate director of York University's Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, can comment on a wide range of issues, including Canada's border with the United States and the need for a "made-in-Canada" security policy. He can be reached at 416-921-3332 (February 23), 416-736-5415 (February 24 on) or by email: drache@yorku.ca.
Moshe Milevsky, a finance professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business, can comment on world market and investor reaction to the budget. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 66014, 416-736-5072 or by email: milevsky@yorku.ca.
Ian Roberge, professor of political science and public policy expert at York University’s Glendon College, can offer commentary in French and English on budget issues concerning the relationship between Quebec and the federal government. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 88284 or by email: iroberge@gl.yorku.ca.
Scott Forsyth, professor of film studies and political science can comment on what the budget means for arts funding and its impact on Canadian culture and the film industry. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext.20272 or by email: sforsyth@yorku.ca
David Dewitt, Director of York University's Centre for International and Security Studies, can comment on Canadian foreign, defence and security policy, and international relations, especially regarding the Middle East. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x 46011 or by email: ddewitt@yorku.ca.
Bernie Wolf, economics professor at York's Schulich School of Business, can speak about economic issues including unemployment, Canada's employment potential, interest rates, debt, taxes, trade and NAFTA, and other issues related to monetary or trade policy. Wolf can be reached at 416-736-2100, ext. 77933 or by email: bwolf@schulich.yorku.ca.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Ball, Media Relations Department, York University, 416-736-2100 x 22086
