Experts on federal election

August 4, 2015

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media for comment on the federal election campaign launched this weekend:

John Borrows (Faculty of Law) is the Law Foundation Chair in Aboriginal Justice and Governance. He can comment on the federal election from the standpoint of Aboriginal issues. He can also address the implications that a change in government might have in addressing Aboriginal concerns. (Office: 250-721-8168 or jborrows@uvic.ca)

Penny Bryden (Dept. of History) is a political historian who can comment on how the current political environment compares to the way national elections in Canada were conducted in the past. (By email only at pbryden@uvic.ca)

Mark Colgate (Gustavson School of Business) is an expert in service marketing and management, as well as financial services marketing. He can comment on spending caps for advertising during the national election campaign, as well as partisan marketing strategies and negative advertising. He has consulted and taught for many service organizations including Sony, Toyota, Bank of Ireland and Bank of New Zealand. (Office: 250-853-3873 or colgate@uvic.ca)

James Lawson (Political Science) can explain the current polling numbers, as well as how the Conservatives have outpaced the other parties in targeted membership and funding appeals. He is an expert on political topics concerning the environment, forest and energy issues, and democratic accountability. (Office: 250-721-7496 or lawsonj@uvic.ca)

Michael J. Prince (Faculty of Human and Social Development) is an expert on federal-provincial relations, national social insurance programs and income security. He can comment on the political pros and cons of a long election campaign specific to each party. His research interests also include: trends in social policy over the past 25 years and the next generations; Aboriginal governance; and policy-making in disability politics and policy issues. (Office: 250-721-8043 or mprince@uvic.ca)

Kimberley Speers (Faculty of Human and Social Development) is a political scientist who teaches in the areas of Canadian politics, public administration and policy, food politics, local government and BC politics. She can comment on political strategies and tactics, and can also provide election campaign analysis and region-specific analysis for BC and Western Canada. (Office: 250-721-8057 or kspeers@uvic.ca)

Jeremy Webber (Dean of Law) is an expert in comparative constitutional law and constitutional reform. He can comment on Canada’s experience with attempting constitutional reform in the last 50 years. He has published two books in the area, both aimed in substantial measure at popular audiences, and has been a frequent commentator on constitutional issues, including the perspective from Quebec. (Office: 250-721-8147 or lawcomm@uvic.ca)

-- 30 --

Media contacts:
Anne MacLaurin (Communications, Faculty of Social Sciences) at 250-217-4259 or sosccomm@uvic.ca
Kate Hildebrandt (Communications, Faculty of Human and Social Development) at 250-472-4389 or katehild@uvic.ca
Julie Sloan (Communications, Faculty of Law) at 250-721-8167 or lawcomm@uvic.ca
Tara Sharpe (University Communications + Marketing) at 250-721-6248 or tksharpe@uvic.ca