York University Professor Ali Asgary’s Emergency Management course will have a special guest speaker tomorrow. Dr. James Young (right), special adviser to the federal minister for public safety and emergency preparedness, will speak on the future of emergency management in Canada.
Young played a lead role in coordinating the Ontario government’s responses to the SARS emergency and the power blackout in 2003. He also had responsibilities as assistant deputy mnister, public safety division, for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, and as commissioner of public safety and security.
For 14 years, Young was Ontario’s chief coroner. He was appointed to the newly created post of commissioner of emergency management for Ontario in April 2004. He was also responsible for Emergency Management Ontario, the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Centre of Forensic Sciences. Young has also provided his expertise in countless provincial, national and international investigations and emergencies including 9/11, Kazakhstan, Bali, Afghanistan and most recently in tsunami-ravaged South Asia.
Members of the York community are welcome to drop by to hear Young’s lecture. It will take place in room 0005, TEL Bldg, Keele campus at 10am on Oct. 12. There will be a short question and answer session following his presentation.