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Poll shows Canadians feel political mistrust…A new opinion poll shows a significant majority of Canadians are cynical about the integrity of politicians, particularly at the federal and provincial levels. Nearly 70 per cent of participants in the Leger Marketing survey said they feel those systems are corrupt. Municipal politicians fared slightly better but more than half, 53 per cent, say they are equally corrupt. SFU political science professor Patrick Smith, who studies politics at all three levels, says the response illustrates how, despite a relatively low number of actual incidents of conflict of interest and other negative political behaviours, voter psyche can be affected by those that do occur. Colleague Laurent Dobuzinskis , who specializes in federal political systems, can also comment. SFU business professor Gary Mauser, who watches political polls, says the results are high enough to be concerned about. "I hope this poll raises a red flag for all Canadians. Apparently, Canadians have judged the (Jean) Chretien government's lax approach to governing as lacking in responsibility."

Patrick Smith, 604.291.3088/604.291.1544 (h) (will be away April 23-29)
Laurent Dobuzinskis, 604.291.3841; laurent_dobuzinskis@sfu.ca
Gary Mauser, 604.291.3653; mauser@sfu.ca


Losing perspective on health care…In an effort to gain fiscal control of an out-of-control health care budget, the provincial government is losing perspective of what will really ensure long-term health and lower health care costs. That’s the overriding perspective of two SFU health economists who can comment on the government’s package of health care changes. SFU political science professor Daniel Cohn and adjunct professor of gerontology Tom Koch predict the government’s "business approach" to reducing health care costs will lead to higher costs in the end. They predict that declining health of British Columbians, as a result of reduced and closed services, will be the result. Says Cohn, "The only way to contain health costs is to invest in reducing poverty and eliminating exposure to harmful circumstances at home, at work, in the community and in the wider environment. These programs keep us healthy and they are the ones that the government is all but eliminating." Adds Koch; "The fundamental issue is not one of how many health dollars are being spent where, but rather, what is needed to decrease waiting lists, assure prompt emergency care, and the longer-term service that will improve health and decrease re-admissions."

Daniel Cohn, 604.291.5667, daniel_cohn@sfu.ca
Tom Koch, 604-714-0348, tomkoch@kochworks.com


‘Not in my schoolyard’ syndrome…School districts throughout B.C. are looking at closing schools as they try to stem the flow of red ink from their deficit budgets. The Prince George school district alone warns it may have to shut down 20 of its 62 schools to balance its budget. SFU educational policy expert Peter Grimmett says, "It is too early to say definitely what impact the closing of some schools will have on education in the province. But it is possible to speculate that it will undermine the attractiveness and viability of the local neighbourhood school, leading to a heightened sensitivity to the government’s notion of ‘choice’, which some critics associate with a trend towards privatization." Grimmett predicts that where social unrest against school closures is intense school boards will back down. He notes politically savvy communities forced school boards to shelve impending school closures as a result of the Socreds’ budget cuts in the 1980s. However, he adds; "Children will once again lose in the politicization of the issue."

Peter Grimmett, 604.291.4937