Experts on BC Budget

The following University of Victoria experts are available to media for comment on the provincial budget tomorrow:

Bernie Pauly (School of Nursing / Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR)) is an associate professor of nursing, a CISUR researcher, a team member of the Renewal of Public Health Services and a priority lead for the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. She can comment on reducing health inequities associated with substance abuse, poverty and homelessness. Pauly is available following the 2018 BC Budget announcement. (Office: 250-472-5915 or bpauly@uvic.ca)

Brock Smith (Gustavson School of Business) teaches in the areas of marketing strategy, entrepreneurship and tourism. He can comment on what implications the provincial budget might have for BC’s tourism industry and entrepreneurship. Smith is available to media throughout the week of Feb. 19. (Office: 250-721-6070 or smithb@uvic.ca)

B. Denise Hodgins (School of Child and Youth Care) is an expert on early childhood education pedagogy. Her research and work with early childhood educators and children in BC explores innovative approaches to 21st century care and education, and utilizes a model of professional development embedded in communities of practices. She can comment on the necessity for building and financially supporting a system for early learning and care in BC that is grounded in a strong foundation of education, training and ongoing support of early childhood educators. Hodgins is available following the 2018 BC Budget announcement. (Office: 250-721-6478 or dhodgins@uvic.ca)

Elisabeth Gugl (Dept. of 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. Gugl is available to media as of Feb. 21. (Office: 250-721-8538 or egugl@uvic.ca)

Kelli Stajduhar (School of Nursing / Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health (IALH)) is a nursing professor, an IALH research affiliate and a research scientist with the End of Life Program, Fraser Health. She can comment on health service needs for those at the end of life and their families, as well as the needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations such as people who are homeless and dying on the streets. Stajduhar is available following the 2018 BC Budget announcement. (Office: 250-721-7487 or kis@uvic.ca)

Kimberley Speers (School of Public Administration) is a political scientist who teaches in the areas of Canadian politics, public administration and policy, communication and engagement. She can comment on performance measurement and management, accountability frameworks, change management, food politics, business and strategic planning in government. Speers will be in the budget lock-up. (Office: 250-721-8057 or kspeers@uvic.ca)

Michael J. Prince (Faculty of Human and Social Development / Dept. of Political Science) is the Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy at UVic. He can comment on housing programs, child care, income assistance, family services, seniors care and services, employment measures and disability programs. Prince will be in the budget lock-up. (Office: 250-721-8043 or mprince@uvic.ca)