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No-fault law fuels divorce

A new study on the impact of no-fault divorce shows that the law has fueled an increase in the divorce rate by 10 per cent in the U.S. - and even higher numbers in Canada. The research, carried out by SFU economist Doug Allen, contradicts the claims of legal scholars who hold that divorce law has no influence on people's behaviour. Allen's study is highlighted in a paper released by the U.S. based Institute for Marriage and Public Policy (IMAPP) and cited in the Washington Post.

Doug Allen, 604.291.3445, doug_allen@sfu.ca (away after July 19)

Adapting to a grey tide

Fueled by an influx of greying babyboomers, aging Canadians — those aged 55 to 64 —are now the fastest-growing demographic group in the country, according to a new census. SFU gerontologist Andrew Wister says while financial and health care professionals tend to view this as an apocalyptic event, much of the fear is unfounded. He can show how European societies have adapted to a greying population. Gerontologist Barbara Mitchell can discuss the implications of Canada’s grey tide on education and healthcare.

Andrew Wister, 778.782.5044, andrew_wister@sfu.ca
Barbara Mitchell, 778.782.5234, mitchelo@sfu.ca

A Toronto judge has ruled that Canada’s pot possession laws are unconstitutional after a man argued the country’s medicinal marijuana regulations are flawed. SFU economist Stephen Easton says the ruling predicates the changing ethos around pot rather than impending legislative change. Easton is the author of a 2004 Fraser Institute report called Marijuana Growth In British Columbia. SFU criminologist Neil Boyd has studied trafficking of illicit drugs and can talk about crime, human rights and economic realities as they relate to this ruling.

Stephen Easton, 604.687.5841 (July 18-31), easton@sfu.ca, email after July 31
Neil Boyd, 778.782.3324, 604.947.9569, nboyd@sfu.ca

No such thing as prepared enough

“We can never be prepared enough for earthquakes,” says SFU earth sciences professor John Clague. He says Japan is viewed as the most earthquake-prepared country in the world, yet it continues to suffer severe damage and loss of life from quakes. A case in point is Japan’s latest struggle to respond to the death of nine elderly people and search for survivors amid the rubble of homes destroyed by two consecutive earthquakes.