TORONTO, September 10, 2008 -- York University experts are available to offer analysis on topics that will be top of mind for Canadian voters as they take to the polls on Oct. 14, 2008.
Members of the media are invited to contact York faculty directly for comments or call the Media Relations department for assistance at 416-736-2100, ext. 22094, 22097 or 22101.
TAXES, DEBT, and ECONOMIC POLICY
Neil Brooks, professor of law in York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, can comment on various aspects of taxation and fiscal policy. He can be reached at 416-736-5047, or by e-mail: nbrooks@yorku.ca .
Lisa Philipps, professor of law in York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, can comment on taxation, budgets, and fiscal policy, and the impact of tax policies on women and on different income groups. She can be reached at 416-736-5657, or by e-mail: lphilipps@osgoode.yorku.ca.
Mark Winfield, assistant professor and coordinator of the joint MES/LLB program in York’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, can comment on parties' environmental platforms and policies, including Dion's green shift. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x21078, or by e-mail: marksw@yorku.ca .
FOREIGN POLICY, DEFENCE and SECURITY
Michael Skinner, a researcher in York’s Centre for International and Security Studies, can comment on Canada’s peace-building/state-building efforts in Afghanistan. Skinner has travelled throughout Afghanistan documenting Afghans’ views on international intervention. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x40245, or by e-mail: skinnerm@yorku.ca .
ENVIRONMENT
CANADA’S POLITICAL LEFT, LABOUR and EMPLOYMENT
Greg Albo, professor of political science in York’s Faculty of Arts, can offer analysis on employment, 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 416-736-5265 x2255, or by e-mail: albo@yorku.ca
STRATEGY, ADVERTISING, POLLS
Robert Drummond, professor of political science and dean of York’s Faculty of Arts, has extensive knowledge of Ontario politics and is a regular commentator on elections in Canada. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x88843, or by e-mail: robertd@yorku.ca
FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL RELATIONS, SOCIAL POLICY
Barbara Cameron, professor of political science in York’s Faculty of Arts, specializes in relations between the federal and provincial governments, including Quebec-Canada relations, social policy (with a recent emphasis on the federal role in child care) and the politics of women’s equality. She can be reached at 416-736-2100, x66623 or by e-mail: barbarac@yorku.ca .
CULTURAL POLICY
Seth Feldman, professor of film in York’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and Robarts Chair in Canadian Studies, can comment on Canadian arts and cultural policies, including the government’s cuts to arts funding. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x77553, or by e-mail: sfeldman@yorku.ca. Please note: Prof. Feldman is only available until Oct. 9.
FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT
Paul Axelrod, professor in York’s Faculty of Education, can comment on federal support for post-secondary education and public education in Canada. He can be reached at 416-736-2100 x22841, or by e-mail: paxelrod@edu.yorku.ca .
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 by e-mail: embleton@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 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 24 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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