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. 22094, 22101 or 22097.

PARTY STRATEGY, ADVERTISING, SPENDING, POLLS, STRATEGIC VOTING

Patrick Monahan, Dean of York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, is a leading expert on constitutional law, national unity, federalism, inter-governmental relations, the Supreme Court, Paul Martin, the Liberal Party and Quebec. He can be reached at 416-736-5199 or lawdean@osgoode.yorku.ca.

Fred Fletcher, director of York's joint graduate program in Communication and Culture and a professor of political science, can comment on party advertising campaigns, election media coverage, third-party advertising and polling. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 88819, 416-932-8453 or ffletch@yorku.ca.

Alan Middleton, marketing professor at the Schulich School of Business, York University, can talk about campaign advertising and the effectiveness of attack-style ads. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 33180, 416-360-7917 or amiddleton@schulich.yorku.ca. Not available Dec.11-Jan 4.

SPONSORSHIP SCANDAL, ETHICS IN CANADIAN POLITICS

David Shugarman, political science professor and director of York University's Centre for Practical Ethics, can discuss the Liberals’ response to the Auditor General's Report and the sponsorship issue. He can also comment on protest parties, movements and Western alienation. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 77055, 416 736-5128, 416-229-0595 or dshugar@yorku.ca.

Ian Greene, a professor of political science, can comment on Canadian attitudes toward ethical issues in politics. He has written and co-authored several volumes on this issue, including Honest Politics: Seeking Integrity in Canadian Public Life, with York professor David Shugarman. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 77083.

TAXES, DEBT and ECONOMIC POLICY

Daniel Drache, professor of political science and associate director of York University's Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies, can comment on a wide range of issues, including deficit cutting and public opinion, Canada’s border with the United States and the need for a ‘made-in-Canada’ security policy, Quebec politics and national unity. He can be reached at 416-736-5415, 416-450-0100, 416-921-3332 or drache@yorku.ca.

Bernard 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, 416-736-5068, 416-223-2794 or bwolf@schulich.yorku.ca.

Neil Brooks, professor of law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, specializes in taxation and fiscal policy. He can be reached at: 416-736-5047or nbrooks@osgoode.yorku.ca. Contact by email from Dec. 15 to Jan. 3.

Lisa Philipps, professor of law at York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School, can comment on taxation, tax policies and fiscal policy. She can also comment on the impact of tax policies on women and inequalities in Canada’s taxation policy. She can be reached at 416-736-5657or lphilipps@osgoode.yorku.ca.

James Savary, professor of economics at York's Glendon College, can comment on Canadian monetary policy, mergers of financial services providers and electronic banking issues. He can be reached at: 416-736-2100 ext. 88150, 416-487-6712, 416-480-0601 or jsavary@glendon.yorku.ca.

Isabella Bakker, professor of political science, can comment on economic policy and political spending. She is also an expert in the areas of gender and fiscal policy and globalization/human development. She can be reached by contacting Media Relations. Not available Dec. 22-Jan. 5.

CANADA, THE CONSTITUTION, QUEBEC and THE BLOC

Ken McRoberts, professor of political science and principal of York's Glendon College, is one of Canada's top experts on Quebec politics and the relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada. McRoberts can do interviews in French and English. He can be reached at 416-487-6727 or kmcroberts@glendon.yorku.ca.

Marcel Martel, professor of history, can comment in English and French on 20th Century Canadian political history, particularly Quebec, and nationalism and identity. He can be reached by contacting Media Relations for home number, at 416-961-0170 (preferred), 416-736-2100 ext. 66982 or mmartel@yorku.ca. Not available Dec. 23-27.

Josée Bergeron, a professor of political science at York’s Glendon campus, can comment in English and French about federal-provincial relations, social policies, and politics in Western Canada and Quebec. She can be reached at 416-736-2100, ext. 88323 or jbergeron@glendon.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 issues concerning the relationship between Quebec and the federal government.  He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 88284 or iroberge@glendon.yorku.ca.

Bruce Ryder, a law professor at York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, is Director of the Centre for Public Law and Public Policy. He is an expert on constitutional law and can comment on a wide range of constitutional and public policy issues, especially those relating to federalism, equality rights, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, Aboriginal rights, Quebec secession, and the role of the law in promoting government ethics and accountability. He can be reached at 416-736-5548 or bryder@osgoode.yorku.ca.

THE NDP, LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT

Greg Albo, professor of political science, can offer analysis on employment, economic policy, labour relations, public policy, the Canadian economy, the role of the Left in Canadian politics, and the NDP's election campaign. Albo can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 88833, 416-736-5265, 416-516-4875 or albo@yorku.ca. Not available Dec. 9 to 28.

Carla Lipsig-Mumme, a professor in York’s Division of Social Science, is an expert on trade unions and the labour movement in Canada, can discuss labour views in the election and can comment on how the Martin government and the election are seen from abroad. She can be reached at carlalm@yorku.ca. Available after Dec. 7.

Norene Pupo, professor of sociology and director of the Centre for Research on Work and Society, can comment on the sociology of work and labour, social policy and political sociology in a Canadian context. She is also currently researching women and the service economy, Canadian unions and economic restructuring and employment insurance for part-time workers. She can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 30205 or ext. 55612 or npupo@yorku.ca.

Thomas Klassen, professor of political science and coordinator of the Public Policy and Administration Program, is an expert on Canadian public policy and labour market issues, particularly mandatory retirement and workplace conditions. He is also a former government analyst on labour market policies, retirement and welfare. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 88828, 416-487-6119 or tklassen@yorku.ca.

FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Sheila Embleton, York’s Vice-President Academic, can comment on federal funding for universities and the role universities play in helping Canada achieve its social, cultural and economic goals. She can be reached at 416-736-5280 or embleton@yorku.ca.

Paul Axelrod, Dean of the Faculty of Education at York, can comment on federal support for education policies and public education in Canada. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 66301, 416-736-5002 or paxelrod@edu.yorku.ca.

CANADA'S FOREIGN POLICY, DEFENCE and SECURITY, INTERNATIONAL AID

David Dewitt, Associate Vice-President, Research (Social Sciences & Humanities) and director of York University's Centre for International & Security Studies, can comment on Canadian foreign, defence and security policy, especially regarding the Middle East, 416-736-2100 ext. 46011 or ext. 55780, 416-736-5156 or ddewitt@yorku.ca.

Martin Shadwick, a professor of political science and a defence analyst, can discuss a variety of issues in Canada's military which may surface in the election. Shadwick can be reached at 416-736-5156, 416-494-5950 or shadwick@yorku.ca.

URBAN ISSUES, ENVIRONMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTHCARE

Roger Keil, professor of environmental studies, can comment on urban issues and the need for Canada to support its cities. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 22604 or rkeil@yorku.ca.

Robert Macdonald, professor in the Faculty of Environmental Studies, can comment on energy policy for sustainable development, energy conservation and renewable energy strategies and International development. He can be reached at (416)736-2100 ext. 22102 or robmac@yorku.ca.

Steve Gaetz, a professor in York’s Faculty of Education and organizer of the Canadian Conference on Homelessness, can comment on affordable housing and the issue of homelessness in Canada. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 20050 or sgaetz@edu.yorku.ca.

Georgina Feldberg, social science professor in the Health & Society Program, focuses on public health and infectious disease control, including funding and preparedness. She can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 33833 or ginaf@yorku.ca.

MEDIA ELECTION COVERAGE, CULTURAL POLICY, CBC

Seth Feldman, Robarts Chair in Canadian Studies, film historian, media critic and broadcaster, can comment on Canadian arts and cultural policies, the CBC and media election coverage. He can be reached at 416-650-8247, or sfeldman@yorku.ca.

Scott Forsyth, professor of film studies and political science can comment on the government’s role in arts funding and its impact on Canadian culture and the film industry. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 ext. 20272 or sforsyth@yorku.ca

Bob Hanke, a media researcher who teaches in the Communications Studies Program at York, can comment on media coverage of the 2004 federal election campaign in Canada and changing technologies of public opinion. He can be reached at bhanke@yorku.ca

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

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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. 22094, 22101 or 22097.