Experts on 2021 federal budget

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media in advance and next week to discuss the following aspects of Budget 2021, expected to be tabled April 19 by the federal government:

Chris Kennedy (Civil Engineering) is an expert on climate strategy, deep decarbonization, greenhouse gas accounting and industrial ecology. He can discuss relevant research informed by his work as a consultant to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Bank and several national governments on the development of low-carbon cities, infrastructure and economies. (Email at cakenned@uvic.ca)

Curran Crawford (Institute for Integrated Energy Systems/Mechanical Engineering) is an expert in sustainable energy systems analysis and optimization focusing on designing robust solutions. He can discuss renewable electricity generation, transportation electrification, energy storage and carbon capture and storage/utilization and the associated implications for renewable energy integration on- and off-grid. (Email at curranc@uvic.ca)

David Zimmerman (History) is a specialist in Canadian military history. He is available to discuss all aspects of the defense budgeting, including related science and technology policies. (Email at dzimmerm@uvic.ca)

Kate Moran (Ocean Networks Canada) is an expert in innovative ocean technology that supports marine protection, aquaculture and fisheries, earthquake early-warning, coastal communities and ecosystem health. She can also speak about ocean technology and BC marine industries, as well as ocean-based climate mitigation technologies and Canada’s role in a sustainable blue economy. (Email at researchcomm@uvic.ca)

Katya Rhodes (Public Administration/Institute for Integrated Energy Systems) studies low-carbon economy transitions and climate policy design. Prior to UVic, she led greenhouse gas emissions modelling and economic analyses for the provincial CleanBC plan. She can speak about her current research investigating policies for effective, inclusive and politically acceptable pathways to mitigate climate change as the world transitions to a post-pandemic future. (Email at krhodes@uvic.ca)

Kelli Stajduhar (Nursing/Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health) is an expert on palliative approaches to care in aging and community health, with a focus on end-of-life services to individuals who are homeless or close to, who struggle to access care. She can speak to issues related to care for aging populations, home- and community-based care and long-term care sectors, as well as care for vulnerable and marginalized populations in need of palliative care. (Email at kis@uvic.ca)

Michael Prince (Public Health and Social Policy) is the Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy, with expertise in employment insurance, labour market programs, veterans’ benefits and disability programs. (Email at mprince@uvic.ca)

Ralph Evins (Civil Engineering) is an expert in the development of online tools to help practitioners find cost-effective routes to deliver energy-efficient buildings. He can speak about issues related to energy use in buildings, the building code, and district and city scale energy systems. (Email at revins@uvic.ca)

Rob Gillezeau (Economics) is an economist with broad expertise in public policy, including fiscal policy, employment, taxation and social programs. He can comment on the implications of the budget in these areas, as well as government fiscal frameworks. He has recently written on the appropriate design and fiscal scale of a national child care program.  (Email at gillezr@uvic.ca)

-- 30 --