Latest news

Norman Ruff, Political Science

May 24, 2012

BC Tory MP backs down on opposition to Bill C-38

A BC Conservative MP's flip-flop yesterday on whether he'll support Bill C-38, the federal government's budget bill, is the focus of a PostMedia article appearing in the Vancouver Sun and The StarPhoenix. Professor emeritus Norman Ruff comments on MP David Wilks' move. Vancouver Sun

Janni Aragon, Political Science

May 22, 2012

Canada ranks high in housing, safety & life satisfaction

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s latest quality-of-life assessment, Canadians are not only far better off than residents of the developing world, but also better off than many of the planet's richest countries. The quality of life assessment is based on many indicators and the Globe and Mail has comment from Janni Aragon on the fact that more women between the ages of 25 and 64 have earned a high-school degree, which is unusual among OECD countries. Globe and Mail

Norman Ruff, Political Science

May 22, 2012

Mulcair putting together tar team of candidates

The PostMedia news network is reporting that polls suggest the NDP could form government in 2015. Candidate recruitment often is a key component for parties, and professor emeritus Norman Ruff sees a parallel with then-Liberal leader Jean Chretien prior to the 1993 election. (The story has also been picked up by The Daily News in Nanaimo.) PostMedia News.

Jamie Lawson, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 22, 2012

Jamie Lawson (Political Science) was interviewed on CFAX Radio Friday afternoon about the Toronto federal election results being ruled null and void, with the judge finding problems with the way Elections Canada ran the election in that riding.

Emmett Macfarlane, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 22, 2012

Last night Emmett Macfarlane (Political Science) was interviewed on Calgary AM 770 about Bill 78 and the student protests in Quebec.

Quebec's protest crackdown

Emmet Macfarlane has written a piece for Maclean's on the new legislation passed by Quebec to deal with the student protests. Macfarlane writes that the bill may not pass Charter of Rights scrutiny, but the bigger problem is it will fail to address the major issues surrounding the protests. Macleans.ca

Gina Starblanket: Wins award for her "Balancing Strategies" project.

May 9, 2012

Former grad student, Gina Starblanket, is quoted in The Tyee about her project "Balancing Strategies" project which employs traditional storytelling and similar methods to help Aboriginal students plan careers at the University of Victoria.

Colin Bennett, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 18, 2012

Privacy expert Colin Bennett (Political Science) has found that federal political parties are collecting and managing sensitive personal information on Canadians, yet are largely unregulated. The Ottawa Citizen article centres on the new report, commissioned by Canada's privacy commissioner last year, flagging the ongoing robocalls investigation as part of a "concerning" trend. The Globe and Mail. Canada.com.

Jamie Lawson, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 16, 2012

Jamie Lawson (Political Science) appeared on CBC Radio's All Points West and CTV Vancouver Island providing context for the provincial government's legislation that will bring back the PST while phasing out the controversial HST. He spoke to CTV about the burden this could put on the business community and to CBC about the political impact of these changes. CTV News

Janni Aragon, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 10, 2012

Yesterday afternoon, CFAX 1070 featured Janni Aragon (Political Science) speaking to the gay marriage ban in North Carolina and President Obama's announcement that he supports same-sex marriage.

Amy Verdun, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 9, 2012

Amy Verdun (Political Science) was on CBC News Network's "Power and Politics" with Evan Solomon last night. Dr. Verdun and a fellow expert commented on economic challenges in the Euro Zone, austerity measures in Greece and the political implications of the French election results. Video
Please note: last night's broadcast is featured as a livestream today (only) as follows: click on the link above, then on the main Power & Politics video in the right hand sidebar, then scroll to time signature 1:50.

Amy Verdun, Political Science - Broadcast news

May 8, 2012

Amy Verdun (Political Science) spoke to Ryan Price of CFAX 1070 yesterday afternoon about the outcome of the French and Greek elections that took place over the weekend.

Norman Ruff, Political Science - Group scrambles for historic rescue medal

May 7, 2012

Professor emeritus Norman Ruff has commented in a Canadian Press article that has been picked up by the Herald News and The Daily Courier (Vernon). The article is about medals that were given to a group of men for an act of heroism. One of the medals has turned up in the United Kingdom and the Tonquin Foundation in Tofino is trying to raise funds to purchase the medal and bring it back to Canada. Herald News

Emmett Macfarlane, Political Science - The problem with Bountiful

May 3, 2012

The renegade Mormon sect in rural BC has long flouted Canada's polygamy ban, citing religious freedom. Emmett Macfarlane comments in a United Church Observer article. United Church Observer