The provincial budget will be unveiled tomorrow, Feb. 21 and SFU experts will be available for comment, including the following (updated):

• Andrey Pavlov, business, 604.763.3696 (cell); apavlov@sfu.ca

  economic growth, implications of the budget
• Gordon Price, director, SFU’s City program, 778.782.5081; price@sfu.ca

  transportation issues
• Kathleen Cross, communication, 604.868.7568 (cell)

  political communication
• Anthony Perl, public policy, 778.782.7887; aperl@sfu.ca
  transportation and urban affairs
• Gloria Gutman, gerontology; 778.782.5063; 604.263.6221 (home)

  seniors/aging issues
• Andrew Wister, gerontology, 778.782.5044; wister@sfu.ca
  seniors/aging issues
• Lindsay Meredith, Business; (in Whistler) 604.932.6934
  political strategy and marketing

Speaking on crime in Surrey
SFU Surrey will host a public forum on crime - targeting gang violence and how to build safer communities – on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 7 - 9 p.m. (rm 3090). Robert Gordon, director of SFU’s School of Criminology, will be among participants. “Although gang violence is obviously a challenge for communities like Surrey, there are other factors associated with crime that need to be understood and addressed,” says Gordon. “Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), deficiencies associated with early childhood development, and a toxic blend of poverty, homelessness, untreated psychiatric disorders and multiple addictions are also important contributors to crime in B.C., and the Metro areas in particular.” Others participating include the Surrey RCMP, Surrey North NDP MP Jasbir Sandhu, Pathfinders Youth Centre Society and the South Fraser Community Services Society.

Robert Gordon, 778.782.4305; 604.418.6640 (cell); robert_gordon@sfu.ca