More than 3,000 students from 12 Canadian cities linked by satellite were set to participate in "French for the Future," a conference at York University’s Glendon College that for the last six years has encouraged teenagers to continue their studies in French, reports The Toronto Sun April 8. "This conference is meant to groom the next bilingual leaders of Canada," program president Lisa Bowen said. "We're promoting the French language and bilingualism as a solid career move." Quebecor World has been supporting the program for immersion and French language students for the last two years.
York subway expansion could take nine years
It would take nine years to expand the Spadina subway line to Keele St. and Steeles Ave. near York University and 10 years to extend the Sheppard subway to the Scarborough Town Centre, says the Toronto Star April 7 citing a staff report requested by Toronto's budget advisory committee. It's one of six proposals before Queen's Park relating to improving transit in Greater Toronto but is "beyond the scope" of the TTC's ability to pay on its own, the report said. The report is to be discussed Wednesday at the TTC's monthly commissioners' meeting. Stations would open along a 3.4-kilometre stretch at the GO Transit stop at Finch Ave. and at Keele/Finch in the seventh year, and along a 2.8-kilometre stretch at York University and Steeles Ave. in the ninth year.
University will conduct 'thorough investigation' of student complaints
"Your readers may be interested to know that the students cited in your article ("Jewish students attacked in York anti-war protest," March 13) came forward to the University in the last few days and made their complaints relating to the events of March 5," writes Richard Fisher, chief communications officer at York University, in a letter April 3 to The Canadian Jewish News. He was referring to incidents involving anti-war protestors. "Armed with the information that they have provided to us directly for the first time, the University is now in a position to conduct a thorough investigation with the full cooperation of the complainants. If their allegations are upheld, those concerned will be held to account for their behaviour. One of the incidents is also under investigation by the police. York University does not tolerate acts of racism or assault against Jewish students or any other members of our community. York has always and will always welcome people of all nations and creeds."
York athletes honoured
A pair of track and field athletes received the most prestigious honours at this year's York University athletic banquet, reports The North York Mirror April 6. John Zubyck, a national pole-vaulting champion, was named York's Male Athlete of the Year. And Tasha Monroe, who won two medals at the national university track and field championships in long jump and high jump, was chosen as the school's Female Athlete of the Year. Zubyck, 23, is currently the top-ranked pole vaulter in Canada. His personal best jump is 5.1 metres. He now has his sights set on representing the country at the World Student Games, which will be in South Korea this August and a long-term goal is to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Monroe, 21, said her athlete-of-the-year accolade puts some additional pressure on her. "This means that I really can't go back now," she said. "I've got to do better and show people this wasn't a mistake in picking me."
On air
- Martin Shadwick, military analyst with the York Centre for International and Security Studies, discusses the war in Iraq and the US-led invasion of Baghdad, on "John Gormley Live" (CJME-AM), Regina, April 7.
- Saeed Rahnema, a political science professor with Faculty of Arts and Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, speculates whether Saddam Hussein is still alive, on "21:00 News" (CTV-N1) April 4.
- Tom Wesson, professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business, was interviewed April 3 on the following programs about Bombardier’s plan to sell the Skidoo product line: "Info Radio" (CBW-AM), Winnipeg; "Voyage North" (CBQ-FM), Thunder Bay; "Radio Active" (CBX-AM), Edmonton; "Home Run" (CBME-FM), Montreal; "Afternoon Edition" (CBK-AM), Saskatchewan; "Crosstown" (CBE-AM), Windsor; "Points North" (CBCS-FM), Sudbury; and April 4 on "News" (CBQ-FM), Thunder Bay.
- Historian Jack Granatstein, York University distinguished research professor emeritus and Chair of the Council for Canadian Security in the 21st Century, discusses whether or not the relationship between Canada and the United States will change due to Canada’s anti-war stance, on "Stafford" (CHED-AM), Edmonton, April 2.