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Issues & Experts Archive > Week of Feb. 3-10, 2003
Week of Feb. 3-10, 2003
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Feb 05, 2003
Provinces meet on healthcare…As the province’s premiers close in on an historic health care deal that would inject new money into the system, a main focus will be on just how accountable provinces will have to be. "Accountability will be the key deal-breaker," predicts SFU political science professor Patrick Smith. "The test will be how much the provinces want the dollars, and how much they will continue to dislike any more federal intrusions or bureaucracy." Smith says the Romanow report offers a way out, "if its suggested ‘oversight’ council can be kept lean."
Patrick Smith, 604.291.1544 (h); patrick_smith@sfu.ca
Seeking thrill in the face of danger…Despite the fact that two avalanches have each claimed seven lives in the region, skiers are still heading for the hills for the chance to ski in the back country near Revelstoke. Peter Williams, director of SFU’s centre for tourism policy and research, has studied the characteristics of "high risk" skiers and says thrill-seeking is part of the appeal. "They tend to be well-travelled, well-educated people who, by nature are after the thrill of the experience," says Williams, who has also studied the economic impact of sports like heli-skiing and expects the region will bounce back.. Meanwhile, earth sciences professor John Clague specializes in natural disasters and can talk generally about avalanches.
Peter Williams, 604.291.3103; peter_williams@sfu.ca
John Clague, 604.291.4924; clague@sfu.ca
A rough road ahead on the education front…Political and personal scandals and health care controversies are making life difficult for BC’s governing Liberals. SFU education professor Peter Grimmett predicts back-bench Liberals, especially those from rural constituencies, will face a rough road in politics in the next two years because of school closures being considered to balance budgets. He notes it will be particularly acute in rural areas due to a growing rift between metropolitan and rural parts of the province. While some metropolitan districts closed schools in the 1980s, many rural districts held off, and now find declining enrolments are exacerbating their deficits. Grimmett predicts more budgetary pressures will force these districts to either finally close schools or pressure their back-bench Liberal MLAs to appeal to the government. "School closures could become lightening rods for acute rural political upheaval that will, I predict, present the government with a huge problem," says Grimmett, who can also comment on a recent Fraser Institute report criticizing BC’s education funding practices.
Peter Grimmett, 604.291.4937, peter_grimmett@sfu.ca
Olympic dream turns to humanitarian vision…His goal of winning Olympic gold came true, but now Canadian wrestling champion and SFU criminology graduate student Danial Igali is following another dream. The Nigerian born athlete promised his village of Eniwari that he would build a school so the children can get an education. His goal is to raise $300,000. To date, he has raised more than $50,000 and the school’s foundation has been built. SFU’s Clan athletes will pay tribute to Igali at their last home basketball games of the season, on Friday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chancellors’ Gym. Proceeds from the men’s and women’s games against Brandon University will go to the project. Before the games, teams are hosting an elementary school basketball clinic which will give young athletes a chance to meet Igali, who will talk about his latest quest.
Marianne Meadahl, Media & PR, 604.291.4323, marianne_meadahl@sfu.ca
Steve Frost, Athletics, 604.291.4057, steven_frost@sfu.ca
Patrick Smith, 604.291.1544 (h); patrick_smith@sfu.ca
Seeking thrill in the face of danger…Despite the fact that two avalanches have each claimed seven lives in the region, skiers are still heading for the hills for the chance to ski in the back country near Revelstoke. Peter Williams, director of SFU’s centre for tourism policy and research, has studied the characteristics of "high risk" skiers and says thrill-seeking is part of the appeal. "They tend to be well-travelled, well-educated people who, by nature are after the thrill of the experience," says Williams, who has also studied the economic impact of sports like heli-skiing and expects the region will bounce back.. Meanwhile, earth sciences professor John Clague specializes in natural disasters and can talk generally about avalanches.
Peter Williams, 604.291.3103; peter_williams@sfu.ca
John Clague, 604.291.4924; clague@sfu.ca
A rough road ahead on the education front…Political and personal scandals and health care controversies are making life difficult for BC’s governing Liberals. SFU education professor Peter Grimmett predicts back-bench Liberals, especially those from rural constituencies, will face a rough road in politics in the next two years because of school closures being considered to balance budgets. He notes it will be particularly acute in rural areas due to a growing rift between metropolitan and rural parts of the province. While some metropolitan districts closed schools in the 1980s, many rural districts held off, and now find declining enrolments are exacerbating their deficits. Grimmett predicts more budgetary pressures will force these districts to either finally close schools or pressure their back-bench Liberal MLAs to appeal to the government. "School closures could become lightening rods for acute rural political upheaval that will, I predict, present the government with a huge problem," says Grimmett, who can also comment on a recent Fraser Institute report criticizing BC’s education funding practices.
Peter Grimmett, 604.291.4937, peter_grimmett@sfu.ca
Olympic dream turns to humanitarian vision…His goal of winning Olympic gold came true, but now Canadian wrestling champion and SFU criminology graduate student Danial Igali is following another dream. The Nigerian born athlete promised his village of Eniwari that he would build a school so the children can get an education. His goal is to raise $300,000. To date, he has raised more than $50,000 and the school’s foundation has been built. SFU’s Clan athletes will pay tribute to Igali at their last home basketball games of the season, on Friday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Chancellors’ Gym. Proceeds from the men’s and women’s games against Brandon University will go to the project. Before the games, teams are hosting an elementary school basketball clinic which will give young athletes a chance to meet Igali, who will talk about his latest quest.
Marianne Meadahl, Media & PR, 604.291.4323, marianne_meadahl@sfu.ca
Steve Frost, Athletics, 604.291.4057, steven_frost@sfu.ca