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Issues & Experts Archive > Softwood lumber, Israel, internet - issues, experts & ideas
Softwood lumber, Israel, internet - issues, experts & ideas
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August 10, 2005
Issue: Softwood victory; talks spawn skepticism
A NAFTA ruling is giving Canada a major victory in the softwood lumber dispute with the US, by upholding an earlier ruling that the US has no legitimate reason to impose duties on Canadian softwood. However, the US is insisting that more negotiations are needed before the dispute ends. The matter will be on the table when the two sides meet in Ottawa later this month. Despite the victory, some BC forestry analysts remain skeptical. SFU public policy professor Doug McArthur says the US is still demanding too much as American officials continue to hold out for an export tax. McArthur, who helped negotiate the previous softwood deal, can look further at the issues dividing the two sides.
Issue: Israeli settlers to begin pullout
In less than a week, Israeli settlers will begin leaving their Gaza and West Bank settlements as part of the country's planned pullout from areas within the occupied regions. From midnight Aug. 14 settlers will have 48 hours to leave on their own or face forced extraction from their homes. More than 60 per cent of settlers have applied for state compensation, up from 44 per cent the previous week, suggesting they are prepared to leave without a fight. SFU historian and Middle East expert William Cleveland can look at how the operation unfolds and what it will mean to the Middle East peace process.
Issue: Internet surpasses TV, hi-tech tracks pre-teens
Move over television. Canadians between 18-34 are doing more web-surfing than channel surfing, acccording to a new Ipsos-Reid poll. Respondents in that age group spend 14.7 hours a week on the Internet and 11.6 hours a week watching TV. The average Canadian spends 12.7 hours a week on the Internet. Meanwhile, parents of pre-teens will soon be able to track their whereabouts, thanks to a new "Seek and Find" feature to be offered by Bell Mobility, and via new pre-teen cell phones that can be programmed and locked. Those are expected to be available in the new year. Richard Smith, an associate professor of communication at SFU, specializes in how we use technology and can look at these evolving trends.
A NAFTA ruling is giving Canada a major victory in the softwood lumber dispute with the US, by upholding an earlier ruling that the US has no legitimate reason to impose duties on Canadian softwood. However, the US is insisting that more negotiations are needed before the dispute ends. The matter will be on the table when the two sides meet in Ottawa later this month. Despite the victory, some BC forestry analysts remain skeptical. SFU public policy professor Doug McArthur says the US is still demanding too much as American officials continue to hold out for an export tax. McArthur, who helped negotiate the previous softwood deal, can look further at the issues dividing the two sides.
- Doug McArthur, 604.291.5208; 604.786.0016; doug_mcarthur@sfu.ca
Issue: Israeli settlers to begin pullout
In less than a week, Israeli settlers will begin leaving their Gaza and West Bank settlements as part of the country's planned pullout from areas within the occupied regions. From midnight Aug. 14 settlers will have 48 hours to leave on their own or face forced extraction from their homes. More than 60 per cent of settlers have applied for state compensation, up from 44 per cent the previous week, suggesting they are prepared to leave without a fight. SFU historian and Middle East expert William Cleveland can look at how the operation unfolds and what it will mean to the Middle East peace process.
- William Cleveland, 604.921.7379; william_cleveland@sfu.ca
Issue: Internet surpasses TV, hi-tech tracks pre-teens
Move over television. Canadians between 18-34 are doing more web-surfing than channel surfing, acccording to a new Ipsos-Reid poll. Respondents in that age group spend 14.7 hours a week on the Internet and 11.6 hours a week watching TV. The average Canadian spends 12.7 hours a week on the Internet. Meanwhile, parents of pre-teens will soon be able to track their whereabouts, thanks to a new "Seek and Find" feature to be offered by Bell Mobility, and via new pre-teen cell phones that can be programmed and locked. Those are expected to be available in the new year. Richard Smith, an associate professor of communication at SFU, specializes in how we use technology and can look at these evolving trends.
- Richard Smith, 604.291.5116, smith@sfu.ca