York experts comment on U.S. election results, immigration and illegal border crossings, and more
Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Professor Emeritus Stephen L. Newman spoke to City News about American voting traditions, explaining why the election happens every four years on a Tuesday in November. “Congress imposed a uniform election day to avoid having the results in states that voted early influence the results in states that voted later,” explains Newman. During the 19th century, much of the U.S. economy relied on farming and agricultural production. For that reason, it was decided that Election Day would be held in November, after harvest season ended and before winter. According to Newman, Election Day falls on a Tuesday because, at the time, most Americans went to church on Sundays and may have needed to travel long distances to reach their polling place. “Holding elections on Tuesday gave them time to get there,” he says.
Professor Thomas Klassen speaks to Newmarket Today about the U.S. election results. Klassen says like many Canadians, the election result was not one he’d hoped for. “The good news is that Trump’s been in office before, so we as Canadians, have some sense what to expect,” says Klassen. While Trump has not made any promises to upend free trade agreements, there could be trade battles over tariffs, he says. He adds that a Trump presidency could benefit Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s chances at reelection, saying if there is instability, people may be less willing to vote for change.
Professor Yvonne Su writes about why the implication that students abuse Canada’s asylum system does a disservice to both students and the integrity of the immigration processes for Policy Options magazine. “Let’s be clear: Many students applying for asylum aren’t doing so because it’s a backdoor into Canada. Many are being pushed into that position by institutions that have promised them a future and then left them to fend for themselves,” writes Su. “By holding the right institutions accountable, we can ensure that Canada remains a place of opportunity for those who seek it — and that our asylum system continues to be a beacon of fairness and hope for those in need.”
Many students applying for asylum aren’t doing so because it’s a backdoor into Canada. Many are being pushed into that position by institutions that have promised them a future and then left them to fend for themselves.
Su writing for Policy Options
In a segment for CBS News, Professor Michael Barutciski weighs in on the illegal crossings happening at the Canada-U.S. border. In the 2024 fiscal year alone, roughly 19,000 people were arrested crossing illegally, a record-breaking number and the same amount as the last 17 years combined. And far more terror suspects are encountered on the northern U.S. border than the south. Border Patrol data states that 321 suspects on the terror watchlist were arrested on the northern border in fiscal year 2024, compared to 46 on the southern border. “It’s actually quite striking that Canada’s immigration minister has admitted that the security screening overseas is unreliable,” says Barutciski.
Professor Richard Leblanc talks to CBC about the potential need for a shake-up to the board of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation (NTPC) to modernize energy policy in the territory. Fresh eyes, especially independent ones, could better represent the public, and bring expertise along with change. Leblanc says having independent directors on the board could add industry expertise, while government officials would bring an understanding of government workings. “A hybrid model has the best of both worlds,” he says.
Professors Hala Tamim, Heather Edgell and Michael Rotondi published a study that found women who experience menopause late have a 30 per cent greater risk of developing asthma when compared with women who have menopause early. The results are based on 10 years of follow up data from more than 14,000 women between ages 45 to 85, gathered using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Managed Healthcare Executive reports on their findings.
Generative AI is drastically changing how companies and individuals approach marketing. A KPMG survey of 872 Canadian organizations found that nearly 90 per cent believe gen AI is pivotal to gaining a competitive advantage. “There are huge cost-saving benefits; that’s undeniable,” Professor Markus Giesler tells Financial Post, but adds that despite excitement surrounding the abilities of AI, companies need to continue to focus on consumers.
Professor Afshin Rezaei-Zare talks to Toronto Star about why solar storms could be catastrophic for society. In large solar storms, GPS outages, air travel disruptions, and even, in rare cases, blackouts are possible. “The impact could be huge,” says Rezaei-Zare, “because all of modern life depends on modern technology.”
Professor Patricia Lakin-Thomas weighs in on the health impact that the end of daylight time and a return to standard time in the fall has on our biology. It better aligns our schedules to our bodies “The ideal for biology is we all do what people did in a pre-electric era, or what people around the world do today when they don’t have access to electricity. They get up with the sun, stay up until after dark when they’re tired and go to sleep,” says Lakin-Thomas. Speaking to Toronto Star, Lakin-Thomas comments on the time change, and how it provides an opportunity to reflect on an even more important cycle: the circadian rhythm. She tells them if she could rearrange society, she would align the social clock with the sun clock.
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