SFU Urban Studies Professors Meg Holden, Mohsen Javdani, & Andy Yan in the news

Our professors have been discussing various key issues with Canadian media outlets recently. Professor Meg Holden spoke en français with ICI Colombie-Britannique (CBUFT) about Surrey, British Columbia’s green space. She discussed how recent political change may affect their possible expansion and protection. Listen to the full interview here.

Professor Mohsen Javdani has been quoted in the article, “‘Cautiously optimistic’: Immigrant drivers rate B.C. plan to protect gig workers.” British Columbia has recently introduced minimum wage and job protections for B.C.’s gig workers, many of them immigrants, People are now questioning the equity of the gig economy. Read the article to discover Professor Javdani’s perspective on the topic.

Key issues in B.C. housing are the focus of the following two articles, featuring comments from and analysis by Professor Andy Yan. Check out “Time’s up for some short-term rentals in B.C. as new housing rules transform scene,” which examines the effect of new legislation on Airbnb properties. Also, “West Van homeowners paid second-highest vacancy tax in B.C.,” with research indicating that a significant number of single family homes have some degree of foreign ownership.