MEDIA ADVISORY
York University Experts Offer Insights On The Quebec Election

TORONTO, November 19, 1998 -- As the Quebec election enters the home stretch, and the battle for the hearts and minds of Quebec voters heats up between Premier Lucien Bouchard and Liberal Leader Jean Charest, York University serves up the following list of experts to discuss everything from the politics of personality to the prospect of another referendum to the dynamic of the health care/tax cut debate.

Joanne Harris Burgess, a professor of Canadian Studies at York's Glendon College, can discuss how Canada-Quebec relations have changed since the referendum and how the election represents a pivotal point in that relationship. She has been following the election closely and can comment on a variety of issues. She can be reached at her home office (416) 445-4400.

Daniel Drache, director of York University's Robarts Centre for Canadian Studies and a political science professor, can discuss various issues, including how the Quebec election is playing in the rest of Canada. He can be reached at (416) 736-5415, or at home (416) 921-3332.

Fred Fletcher is director of York's mass Communications Program and a professor of political science. He is available to talk about the Quebec election media coverage and how the leaders are playing to the cameras to appeal to Quebec voters. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 88819, or at home (416) 932-8453.

Daniel Marien is a political science professor who can comment on Canada-US relations and how American officials view the prospect of Quebec sovereignty. Also available to do interviews in French, Marien can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 88826, or at home (416) 656-8993.

Marcel Martel, a professor of history, can comment on the issues facing Quebec voters, including health care issues, and how Jean Charest's promised tax cuts are being received by the electorate. Martel can do interviews in French, and be reached by calling (416) 736-2100, ext. 30429, or at home (416) 588-0622.

Kenneth McRoberts, a professor of political science, is one of Canada's foremost experts on Quebec politics. He has written extensively on the relationship between Quebec and the rest of Canada, including in Misconceiving Canada: The Struggle for National Unity (Oxford University Press, 1997). McRoberts can do interviews in French and can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 22455, (416) 736-5265 or at home (416) 483-0842.

Patrick Monahan is a professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School. He can speak about the Quebec election in light of the ongoing national unity crisis and the constitutional debate. He can be reached at (416) 736-5568.

Roberto Perin, professor of history, is an expert in the history of French-English relations, the constitution and multiculturalism in Canada and Quebec. He can do interviews in French and Italian, and can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 22476 or at home (416) 536-3376.

Bruce Ryder, a professor of Law at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School, is available to discuss the recent Supreme Court Decision on Quebec's right to secede from the rest of Canada and how this factors into Quebec's Nov. 30 vote. He can be reached at (416) 736-5548 or at home (416) 536-3194.

Reg Whitaker is a political science professor and author of numerous insightful articles on Quebec sovereignty. One of York's top experts on Canadian politics and constitutional affairs, he can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 88833 or at home (416) 484-7366.

Bernie Wolf is an Economics professor at York's Schulich School of Business. He can discuss how the uncertainty surrounding the future of Quebec in Canada is causing havoc among investors and has contributed to Quebec's economic decline. He can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77933 or at home (416) 223-2794.

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For more information, please contact:

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087
email: sinem@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
email: kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/085/98