Thirty per cent of the homeless population in St. John’s are youth, and of that, nine per cent are younger than 15, a group of professionals heard Monday while gathered to discuss the topic. “That is high,” said York University Professor Stephen Gaetz, director of the Canadian Homelessness Research Network, in The Telegram June 17. “That is above the average in Canada at 20 per cent and even that is an unreasonable percentage.” Read full story.
Attacks in Iraq
Thabit Abdullah is an Iraqi-Canadian who now lives in Toronto and teaches Middle Eastern history at York University. On June 16, he spoke to CBC “Metro Morning” host Matt Galloway about his homeland and the Al-Qaeda splinter group ISIS that has taken control of a large part of northern Iraq. Listen to full interview.
Ontario vote split between have and have-not regions
“Wynne’s party owes a great deal of its electoral success to younger and progressive voters in towns and cities, for whom urban, energy and environmental issues are of central importance,” wrote York University environmental studies Professor Mark Winfield in the Toronto Star June 16. “With the threat of a PC government removed, these voters, and the province’s organized environmental movement, can afford to push the Liberals much harder in these areas than they have over the past few years.” Read full story.
Conditions deemed ripe for action on income inequality
Broad concern about income inequality and a strong belief among Canadians that governments can play a role in reducing it form “a crucial condition for action,” a Toronto forum, sponsored by York University’s Institute for Social Research, heard Monday. . . . Recent research by York law and society Professor Lesley Jacobs shows that 80 per cent of Canadians from all walks of life believe governments could do a lot more than they are actually doing, reported the Toronto Star June 16. Read full story.
Wynne silent on concerns over secrecy of JP complaints
Premier Kathleen Wynne and her government remain silent on the secrecy around complaints filed against justices of the peace in Ontario, reported the Toronto Star June 17. . . . Ian Greene, an expert in judicial administration at York University, said the lag in releasing information about complaints “creates a lack of trust” and “demonstrates a lack of integrity by the leadership.” Read full story.
Will there be a brave new trading world?
Arbitrage is cited by some experts as a potential concern if greater speeds increase the disparity between the technology haves and have-nots. The advantage would lie with the high frequency trading firms able to utilize this technology, leaving those who didn’t have such access disadvantaged, said Schulich School of Business accounting Professor Janne Chung in The Bottom Line’s July 2014 issue. “It could potentially freeze out [the day trader] from having a competitive edge if they don’t have access to this type of high-speed microwave. You’re always behind if you don’t get microwave access. But that advantage may wither away if that becomes the norm [and] everybody has that,” Chung added. Read full story.
Study finds most Canadians overestimate the intensity of exercise
“Our study findings suggest that the majority of young and middle-aged to old adults underestimate the intensity of physical activity that is required to achieve health benefits,” said York University kinesiology Professor Jennifer Kuk in Globalnews.ca June 16. “When we take a look at the national statistics for how many people are active, this might paint a picture that Canada might be worse off than we actually are.” Read full story.
Canadian income inequality likely much worse than advertised: study
The study, from University of Ottawa professor Michael Wolfson, McMaster University’s Mike Veall and York University’s Neil Brooks, says the biggest earners commonly set up what are known as Canadian-controlled private corporations, essentially taking advantage of lower business tax rates while sheltering their income from higher individual tax rates, reported The Huffington Post Canada June 16. Read full story.
Former Ontario finance minister Greg Sorbara named York University chancellor
Greg Sorbara was installed as York University’s 13th chancellor for a three-year term during a ceremony Friday, June 13, reported the North York Mirror June 16. Read full story.