Natural Resources Canada Commends Lakehead U for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

(Thunder Bay - April 29, 2005) Lakehead University has received recognition from Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency -- Energy Innovator's Initiative for the University's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A letter from the Director General of the Office of Energy Efficiency states: "Natural Resources Canada appreciates the voluntary commitment (Lakehead University) has made in support of Canada's goal to reduce harmful emissions through greater energy efficiency."

(Thunder Bay - April 20, 2005) Two Lakehead University students will be heading abroad to help promote good governance in developing countries and fragile states. Jobb Arnold will be heading to Butare, Rwanda, and Jarin Stewart will be in Lijiang, China.

Arnold and Stewart are taking part in the Canada Corps Initiative. Canada Corps is a way for Canadians to work together to promote good governance and institution-building. It is designed to mobilize citizens of all backgrounds, together with non-governmental organizations and all levels of government.

RECONSTRUCTION IN RWANDA
Arnold, a fourth-year Political Science and Psychology student, will work with the National University of Rwanda (NUR) to improve the democratic system of governance by assessing barriers to political participation, and instituting tangible grassroots development strategies. The focal point of this project will be producing materials such as pamphlets and resource manuals targeted at educating community members about their system of government and the means they have to exercise power in the decision-making process.

"The reason I am going to Rwanda is to contribute to the reconstruction taking place after the 1994 genocide -- specifically, I will be studying the barriers remaining to establishing and maintaining a positive, participatory civil governance in Rwandan communities," Arnold says. "One of the main goals of my trip is to help ensure the expansion of post-secondary education. One way I will be doing this is by working to establish partnerships between the National University of Rwanda and Lakehead University. Both sides have already expressed the desire to go ahead with these initiatives, and this will be an opportunity to begin to put things into motion."

CONSERVATION & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA
Stewart, a Master of Science in Forestry student, will be working with the Nature Conservancy in the area of conservation and sustainable development. This project will develop community-based management plans that will be used to oversee the sustainable development of local bamboo resources within Northwest Yunnan, China. Since 1998, a logging ban has been in place as a means of reducing the timber extraction that can lead to increasing flooding. Logging in the Northwest region was a primary industry for local minority groups. Increased pressure on non-timber forest products (NTFP), for the purpose of economic sustainability, resulted. Bamboo, as a NTFP, requires an increased understanding among multiple stakeholders within local communities. Stewart's project will enhance the methods used by the governments to gather and interpret data, and he will be generating a classified land-cover map of bamboo patches. Stewart will create a database containing methods of use for bamboo species, traditional management methods, and community ecological knowledge. This database will provide opportunities for more informed public policy decisions between multiple stakeholders while conserving bamboo resources.

"Ecologically, many wildlife species rely on bamboo as a source of food, and therefore, it needs careful management," Stewart says. "I plan to develop preliminary management plans for bamboo resources that will assist local groups and non-governmental organizations in further developing their local economies."

Dr. Gary Boire, Dean of International and Graduate Studies at Lakehead University, says that the Canada Corps Initiative is a wonderful opportunity for students to reach out and share their expertise with others as well as to form international bonds.

"Jarin and Jobb will be taking part in a very special program," Dr. Boire says. "I am thrilled that they are not only interested in international work, but are so eagerly sharing their knowledge to benefit both Lakehead U and the countries they are visiting."

The students leave this month (Arnold on April 27 and Stewart on April 24). For more information, contact Gary Boire, Dean of International and Graduate Studies at Lakehead University, at 343-8785. Dr. Boire and the students may be reached for interview by calling Marla Tomlinson at 343-8177.


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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Communications Officer, Lakehead University, 343-8177 or 472-9113

At present there are fewer than a handful of cardiovascular physiologists in Canada who have received the Fellowships of APS.

Dr. Wang is available on Friday for interviews, please call 343-8201 to set up an interview time.

(Thunder Bay - April 6, 2005) Talks between Lakehead University Administration and CAW Local 229 have broken down, and the University is now on 72-hour notice of strike action by the union.

In the event that a strike occurs, the following are some facts about the situation:

1) The union has refused the University's offer, under which the University was asking for flexibility to outsource certain positions.
2) The University was seeking to bring in contractors once an employee retires or leaves the University; no one was losing a job.
3) If a strike occurs, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Grounds, and Shipping & Receiving will be affected.

If a strike does take place, the University will continue to operate in as normal a fashion as possible to ensure that students are able to take their exams or attend classes.

Members of the Media: Questions regarding the potential strike should be directed to Eleanor Abaya, Director, Communications, Lakehead University, at 343-8372 or 472-9110.

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Contact: Eleanor Abaya, Director, Communications, Lakehead U, at 343-8372 or 472-9110

(Thunder Bay - April 4, 2005) Lakehead University Administration and CAW Local 229 will be meeting on April 6 with a mediator in an attempt to avoid strike action by the Union. However, in the event that a strike occurs, the following are some facts about the situation:

? No one will lose her/his job in the current contract.

? The University is seeking to bring in contractors once an employee retires or leaves the University; no one is losing a job.

? If a strike occurs, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Grounds, and Shipping & Receiving will be affected.

? Contrary to what the union claims in its flyers, the University does not insist on contracting out the work of members currently employed by the University. What the University wants is the flexibility to contract out new jobs and positions that will become vacant.

The University Administration continues to hope that the meeting on April 6 will have a positive resolution. However, if a strike does take place, the University will continue to operate in as normal a fashion as possible to ensure that students are able to attend classes.

Members of the Media: Questions regarding the potential strike should be directed to Eleanor Abaya, Director, Communications, Lakehead University, at 343-8372 or 472-9110.

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Contact: Eleanor Abaya, Director, Communications, Lakehead University, at 343-8372 or 472-9110.

(Thunder Bay - March 30, 2005) The Lakehead University Agora will be abuzz with information and knowledge sharing on Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1.

The 40th Anniversary Graduate Research in Science and Engineering Poster Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days. Graduate students, senior undergraduates, and professors will showcase current, cutting-edge research in Science and Engineering for regional high school students as well as the University community.

"This is an excellent chance for younger students to visit the campus and see what sort of research and career options there are in the sciences," says Dr. Heidi Schraft, organizer of the poster fair and Biology professor. "I hope this event inspires some high school students to come to Lakehead U to study in these fields."

Along with the poster displays, researchers, current students, and professors will be on hand to answer questions and explain their research. Everyone is invited to this fair to learn more about Science and Engineering Research at Lakehead University.

This event is sponsored by: Office of Graduate and International Studies, Office of Communications, Office of Research, Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177 or 807-472-9113.

(Thunder Bay - March 22, 2005) David Shannon, an advocate committed to advancing individual and group rights, will be making a presentation on disability issues to Lakehead University students, staff, and faculty on Thursday, March 24.

What: Presentation on Disability Issues
When: Thursday, March 24, 2 p.m.
This presentation is not open to the public - it is for Lakehead U campus members only.

MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA: The Media are welcome to attend this presentation. Please call Marla Tomlinson at 343-8177 to confirm.

The Learning Assistance Centre
The services provided by the Learning Assistance Centre are academic support for all of Lakehead's students and services for students with disabilities. The Centre helps students to succeed in their academic studies at Lakehead by complementing the lectures, tutorials, laboratories, practical session, and personal help provided by Lakehead's professors. The Centre's services are provided free of charge.

Biography on David Shannon
David Shannon received his undergraduate degree from Lakehead U and his law degree from Dalhousie University, Halifax. He later attended LL.M. studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where his principal area of inquiry was advancing second generation human rights norms. Prior to entering private practice, he took his wheelchair 9,000km across Canada to promote empowerment for disenfranchised communities and greater social inclusion for all Canadians. He then opened David Shannon Law Offices in Thunder Bay. His primary area of practice was in the area of administrative law, although he also divided his time as a member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Council of Ontario and lectureships with the Aboriginal Law and Advocacy program at Negahnewin College, and Lakehead University. During this time, David's advocacy and academic interests centred on civil rights mechanisms that promote freedoms which are in contradistinction to medical/legal forms of incarceration in an environment where there is an absence of community-based supports. This brought him to the Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio, Department of Justice Canada, where he has advised on the Administration of Justice components of Self-Government negotiations, and many community-based justice contribution agreements and treaties. He has recently returned to private practice where he continues to blend legal and public advocacy through individual representation and scholarship. David has been a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177 or 807-472-9113

(Thunder Bay - March 22, 2005) Gord Miller, the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, will be the next guest for the Lakehead University Speaker Series.

On Tuesday, March 29, Miller will be addressing environmental issues in Ontario and what the Government can do to help. His talk, entitled "Choosing our Legacy, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, 2003-2004 Annual Report," will focus on one of the most significant environmental laws to be passed in the last 25 years --the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).

What:Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario,Public Lecture
When:Tuesday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: ATAC, Room 2001 (Free Parking)

The EBR came into effect in February 1994, and it recognizes that the people of this province have as a common goal the protection of our natural environment. The Environmental Commissioner's office monitors government compliance with the EBR so that the integrity of Ontario's ecosystems is conserved for future generations.

The public has the right to: comment on environmentally significant government proposals; seek permission to appeal a ministry decision; ask a ministry to review a law or investigate harm to the environment; and hold the government accountable for their decisions regarding the environment. Members of the public are invited to join Lakehead University in this discussion.

Lakehead University's Speaker Series is a collaboration with the Chronicle Journal and Travelodge Airlane. The lecture of Mr. Miller has been arranged through Lakehead U's Department of Economics.

Members of the Media: Gord Miller will be available for interview between 5:40 and 6 p.m. on March 29.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177 or 807-472-9113