Mayor courts Chinese tweets

Peter Chow-White, an SFU associate professor of communication, gives a thumbs-up to Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson’s decision to get on the Sina Weibo twitter bandwagon. The Chinese-language micro-blogging site has nearly 400 million users worldwide. “Mayor Roberts can by-pass traditional forms of local ethnic media to engage Chinese-speaking and reading populations in Vancouver and beyond. I expect to see his communication strategy on Weibo incorporate general information as he would on Twitter, as well as targeted messages.”

Ed Bukszar, an expert on business strategy in SFU’s Beedie School of Business, agrees. He also cautions, “Robertson cannot be implicated in any interactions where he is seen as downplaying human rights, freedom of expression, political liberties or environmental stewardship. This may seem easily avoidable, but the world has a way of presenting exactly the situations that will test your ability to balance your interests without compromising your principles.”

Peter Chow-White (on sabbatical but checking messages), 778.782.3687, petercw@sfu.ca
Ed Bukszar, 778.782.5195, bukszar@sfu.ca

Immigration issues

Temporary foreign workers

Joshua Labove, an expert on immigration from SFU Geography, can speak on Ottawa’s plan to review the controversial temporary foreign workers’ program.  (This after political and public uproar over plans to import Chinese workers for a coal mine in BC.)

Joshua Labove, doctoral student, 604.319.8655 (cell), jlabove@sfu.ca

Points system for immigrants

Labove and Peter Hall, an immigration and employment expert in SFU Urban Studies, can talk about the revamped points system for immigrants that comes into effect on January 1. The changes include new emphasis on having employers invite immigrants to Canada, placing them in a job on arrival. And the new system is supposed to make it easier for foreign professionals to have their home-country credentials recognized in Canada.

Peter Hall, associate professor, pvhall@sfu.ca