Lifting the lid on the PQ’s constitutional manoeuvres

The Parti Québécois’ latest push for a Quebec constitution may be more of a political ploy than anything else, experts say, but it’s legal under the Constitution, wrote the Ottawa Citizen Oct. 25. The bill has virtually no chance of becoming law, with the PQ holding less power than the Liberals and l’Action démocratique du Québec. That hasn’t stopped constitutional experts from questioning the PQ’s motives.

"If it weren’t for the context of wanting to stimulate eventual secession, there wouldn’t be anything unusual or surprising about a province wanting to bring its constitution up to date," said Peter Hogg, professor emeritus and former dean of York’s Osgoode Hall Law School. "What they’re planning to do is presumably have a more modern provincial constitution that could, in principle, serve as the constitution of a sovereign state in due course."

Bulimia therapy focuses on emotion

Susan Wnuk, a graduate student in the York’s Psychology Department, Faculty of Health, is researching group emotion-focused therapy for women with bulimia nervosa, wrote the Toronto Star Oct. 25 in its Deep Thoughts column. Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) in pretty much what it sounds like – therapy that concentrates on a person’s emotional well-being. It was developed by York psychologist Les Greenberg, who is Wnuk’s PhD supervisor.

Emotions, and the actions and reactions that stem from them, tend to run along a predictable path, Wnuk says, comparing it to a highway. "Your brain automatically goes down that 401." For someone with an eating disorder, that highway may involve damaging behaviour such as binge eating and purging. The key is to find more positive ways to get through an emotional event.

Foreign exposure a sound plan

While a soaring Canadian dollar can mean good opportunities for investors, some financial experts say the loonie shouldn’t be the only consideration when looking at global investments, wrote the Toronto Star Oct. 25. Bernard Wolf, director of the international MBA program at York’s Schulich School of Business, says the high loonie means it’s a good time for Canadians to pay out if they have US debt. He also emphasizes the importance of diversification in investors’ portfolios. "Buying assets where currency is low compared to the Canadian dollar is a good idea."

York takes its show on the road to the West

A made-in-Winnipeg strategy to help students pick the right university has spread across western Canada, wrote the Winnipeg Free Press Oct. 25. When the 10th annual Canadian Universities’ recruiting fair comes to six city high schools in early November, Winnipeg will be one of four stops for the 46 schools, including York University, on a circuit that has so far spread to Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver.

On air

  • Joel Lexchin, professor in York’s School of Health Policy & Management, Faculty of Health, spoke about drug prices on Calgary’s CHQR-AM radio and CBC Radio (Halifax) Oct. 24.