Analysis, Context, and Commentary on Finance Minister Paul Martin's Budget
...Ask A York University Expert About Health Care Funding, Debt, Tax Relief, R&D, Etc.

TORONTO, Feb. 15, 1999 -- As news outlets feed the country with a daily diet of health care crisis stories and as investors call for debt reduction and tax relief, Finance Minister Paul Martin readies himself for tomorrow's budget. York University offers the following experts to discuss everything from health care and social spending to tax disincentives to talk of brain drain to the national debt:

Reg Whitaker, one of York's top experts on Canadian and provincial politics, can offer his unique insights about the winners and losers in tomorrow's budget. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 88833 or at home (416) 484-7366.

Bernie Wolf is a an Economics professor at York's Schulich School of Business. He can discuss the budget in light of Canada's economic health, Canadian investment and the deficit. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77933 or at home (416) 223-2794.

Daniel Drache, director of York University's Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies and a political science professor, is available to discuss what the budget means for Ontario's hospital bed shortage and emergency room shutdowns. He can be reached at (416) 736-5415, at home (416) 921-3332.

Moshe Milevsky, a finance professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, can comment on world market and investor reaction to the budget. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 66014 or (416) 736-5072.

Ron Burke, an organizational behaviour and industrial relations professor at York University's Schulich School of Business, is available to discuss the budget vis-a-vis prevailing banking and corporate demands for reductions in personal income tax and the debt. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77921 or at home (416) 486-8371.

Seth Feldman is a film historian, media critic and broadcaster who teaches film and television studies at York. He can comment on what the budget means for arts funding and its impact on Canadian culture and the film industry. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 22086, by email: sfeldman@yorku.ca.

Barbara Cameron is Political Science Chair at York University's Atkinson College. She can discuss the evolution of federal spending powers in light of recent Social Union talks between Ottawa and the provinces. She can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 58194, at home (416) 657-6187.

Patrick Monahan, a professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School and one of Canada's foremost constitutional lawyers, can speak about the budget in light of the recent Social Union agreement. He can be reached at (416) 736-5568.

Jim Gillies is a policy professor at York University's Schulich School of Business. He can discuss whether the budget is favourable towards economic growth and job creation. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77901 or at home (905) 881-5594.

Joanne Harris Burgess, a professor of Canadian Studies at York's Glendon College, will be following the budget closely and can comment on a variety of issues including health care delivery and social policy. She can be reached at her home office (416) 445-4400.

-30-

For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor, Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/011/99