Experts on BC Budget

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media for comment on the provincial budget on Tuesday, Feb. 18: 

Brad Buckham (Mechanical Engineering/Institute for Integrated Energy Systems) is a co-director of the West Coast Wave Initiative, a multi-disciplinary group of academics and industry members researching the feasibility, impacts and possible structure of wave energy conversion on Canada’s west coast. Buckham can comment on aspects of CleanBC related to eliminating diesel generation in remote communities, electrification of remote communities and marine renewable energy. (Office: 250-721-6035 or bbuckham@uvic.ca) 

Curran Crawford (Mechanical Engineering/Institute for Integrated Energy Systems/Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions) is a researcher whose expertise includes sustainable energy systems, and wind and tidal turbine analysis and design. Crawford is a co-director of the Pacific Regional Institute for Marine Energy Discovery and heads the Sustainable Systems Design Laboratory at UVic. He can comment on renewable energy generation options and grid integration and storage, transport electrification and getting remote communities off diesel. (Cell: 250-721-7960 or curranc@uvic.ca) 

Alison Gerlach (Child and Youth Care) is an expert in child- and family-centred care relating to the needs of Indigenous and non-Indigenous families and children who have experienced marginalization and may face a greater risk of health inequities. (Office: 778-938-6142 or alisongerlach@uvic.ca) 

Elisabeth Gugl (Economics) is an economist who teaches in the areas of labour economics, public finance and microeconomic theory. She studies family economics and the decision-making that takes place within families. She can comment on what implications the provincial budget might have for families. (Office: 250-721-8538 or egugl@uvic.ca) 

Tamara Krawchenko (Public Administration) is a public policy specialist. She can discuss how Indigenous communities can strengthen their land base for community and economic development and improve consultations in environmental decision-making. She was lead author of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report “Linking Indigenous Communities with Regional Development.” (Cell: 250-721-6442 or tamarakrawchenko@uvic.ca)  

Kimberley Speers (Public Administration) is a political scientist with expertise in the areas of Canadian politics, public administration and policy, communication and engagement. She can comment on budgets in minority governments, political and strategic messaging, policy priorities and short-term versus long-term budget commitments. (Office: 250-721-8057 or kspeers@uvic.ca)