The bees that J. Scott MacIvor, an ecologist at York University, studies aren’t social and don’t build hives. They construct small nests in plant stems, tree holes and fence posts. To examine their nest-building habits in detail, MacIvor enlisted Toronto citizen scientists in the spring of 2012 to help place artificial nest boxes throughout the city, reported the Scientific American’s June 2014 issue. Read full story.
Environment summit looks at economy vs. environment
The final speaker of the Muskoka Summit on the Environment was York University’s Peter Victor, an ecological economist. Victor traced the historical roots of our current belief that economic growth is necessary for development and progress, reported the Bracebridge Examiner May 20. Read full story.
NDP, Green Party candidates join Newmarket-Aurora race
If elected, Angus Duff, 46, promises to improve public transit, employment laws and social services and preserve the health care and education systems. He will also fight for all-day GO Transit train service in the riding and more frequent public transportation to York University, reported the Newmarket Era May 20. Read full story.
Barbara Kay: A new Salon des Refusés
Literature Professor Janice Fiamengo and Justin Trottier, spokesman for the Canadian Association for Equality, squared off on TVO’s “The Agenda” against York University feminist academic Alice MacLachlan and Huffington Post blogger/protester Rachel Décoste about rape culture on university campuses. . . . When asked for her response to Fiamengo’s silencing by protesters at the University of Ottawa in March, MacLachlan said, “What I saw warmed me,” because “progress doesn’t always look pretty,” reported the National Post May 21. Read full story.
Reading your way through Toronto
Perhaps you’d like to pass the time on the bus up to York University reading a novel about York University Professor Mary Vaughan and her Neanderthal lover Ponter Boddit, who are “torn between their two realities when they consider having children.” Whether you want to explore unfamiliar Toronto neighbourhoods or find new insights into areas you know well, the Toronto Public Library has the book recommendations for you, reported the Torontoist May 20. Read full story.
Another step in language journey
The Concours et Festival d’art oratoire is the annual French public-speaking event for students from Grades 4 through 12 studying French as a second language in Ontario, reported the Sault Star May 21. It’s organized by the Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association and Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) and it was held at York University’s Glendon campus. Read full story.