“Given that, in poll after poll, Canadians have expressed the view that the CBC/Radio-Canada is a public good that is both desirable and necessary, the solution to the market failure ought to be obvious: it is to provide the money necessary for the CBC to do its job of educating, informing and entertaining Canadians to the highest achievable standards of quality,” wrote York University communication studies Professor Wade Rowland in the Huffington Post June 3. Read full story.
The next frontier for human rights: the humble public toilet
Under amendments to the Ontario Building Code, new public buildings will have to include at least one universal washroom for every three floors, reported The Globe and Mail June 3. “The bladder functions like a leash, and one can only venture as far as the next available bathroom,” said Sheila Cavanagh, a sociology professor at York University and author of Queer Bathroom Stories. Read full story.
Why the OSC needs to take the long view
“The [Ontario Securities] Commission recently published its proposed Statement of Priorities for the coming year. Essentially, it’s a ‘hold the course’ plan – continuing to study or advance current initiatives in respect of investor protection, enforcement, compliance and a national regulator,” wrote York University Professor Edward J. Waitzer in the Financial Post June 3. Read full story.
Put nuclear energy on agenda
“It says a great deal about the depths to which the quality of our political discussions have sunk when, in the midst of an election campaign in which electricity price increases have been a central focus for both major opposition parties, the principal cause of those price increases, the refurbishment of the province’s aging fleet of nuclear reactors, has been the subject of virtually no debate,” wrote York University environmental studies Professor Mark Winfield in the Toronto Star June 3. Read full story.
A bottle for beer lovers who don’t love the buzz
Visitors to the Baby Time show in Mississauga in April might well have been surprised to find an unusual sight among the bassinets and Jolly Jumpers: a booth where expectant mothers could try some non-alcoholic beer by Brampton, Ont.-based Premium Near Beer. . . . “The key to any product like this is really getting it into people’s hands so they can determine whether or not they like it,” said Schulich School of Business marketing Professor Steve Pulver in The Globe and Mail June 4. Read full story.