Auto makers with plants in Canada are putting a squeeze on their Canadian parts manufacturers that could have a profound and negative impact on the country’s entire economy according to Bernie Wolf, professor of economics at York’s Schulich School of Business, reported The Edmonton Sun March 18. “The fact is that everyone in the auto industry is looking to consolidate their supplier list and to pressure the parts manufacturers to lower their prices,” said Wolf. “This is not an easy thing to do without substantial improvements in productivity, a low Canadian dollar and stable raw material costs – none of which is the case in today’s market.” Vehicle inventories of all but the most popular models are high, and a downturn in production by the Big Three would put further pressure on the parts industry, which has already seen employment levels drop. “The weakest will fall by the wayside,” said Wolf. “There’s no question.”
Province may ban mandatory retirement
When Prof. Leo Davids turned 65 last July, he had no desire to stop working. And so the York University specialist on aging found his own way around mandatory retirement in Ontario by arranging to teach a reduced load of courses on contract as a senior scholar at the University, reported The Globe and Mail March18. Soon, age-forced retirement concerns of all employees in the province may go by the wayside, with Ontario expected to introduce legislation this spring banning mandatory retirement at 65.
Hoopster named rookie of year
Tut Ruach, a York student who plays guard for the Lions men’s basketball team, was named the Tissot Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Rookie of the Year in men’s basketball, taking home the Dr. Peter Mullins Trophy, reported Victoria’s Times Colonist March 18.
John Tory wins byelection
John Tory easily won Thursday’s byelection in the Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey riding left vacant by the strategic departure of former premier and Conservative leader Ernie Eves, reported Canadian Press March 17. This is the first time Tory has been elected to represent a riding, a logical step as he works to rebuild the Conservative party after winning the leadership last September and prepare the party for the 2007 election. A 1978 graduate of York’s Osgoode Hall Law School, Tory has positioned himself as a moderate Conservative, more in line with the policies of Bill Davis than the Common Sense Revolution of former premier Mike Harris.
On air
- Debra Pepler, a psychology professor in York’s Faculty of Arts, talked about bullying in schools and how parents should deal with it, on “Richard Cloutier Presents” on Winnipeg’s CJOB-AM March 17.