January 28, 1999
U of S law student invited to international conference
Posted January 28, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 27, 1999
99-01-09-LA
University of Saskatchewan Law Student
Receives Invitation to International Conference
A University of Saskatchewan student has received one of 15
invitations in North America to attend a workshop sponsored by the
Commission for Environmental Co-operation (CEC) in Montreal on
January 29, 1999.
Second-year law student Jonathan Denis received the invitation to
participate based on a submission on International Environmental
Law Enforcement. Mr. Denis?s comments outlined the need for a
timely and effective dispute resolution process that includes
immediate measures which can be taken when environmental
disputes arise between citizens, corporations, and governments
within the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The CEC is an environmental organization that was established in
1994 as a part of NAFTA. Fellow attendants at Friday?s conference
include representatives from governments, corporations, non-
governmental organizations, and individuals from Canada, the United
States, and Mexico.
Mr. Denis is the only student who has been invited to attend the one-
day conference.
For more information contact:
Jonathan Denis Professor Don Buckingham
Advising Professor
(306) 955-2603 (306) 966-5892
Synchrotron awarded $1 million annual operating grant from MRC
Posted January 28, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 1999
99-01-10-OTHER
Synchrotron Awarded $1 M. Annual Operating Grant from MRC
Saskatoon, SK. The proposed Canadian Light Source
synchrotron project at the University of Saskatchewan
will get $1 million a year for five years in operating
funds from the Medical Research Council (MRC) of
Canada.
The MRC has announced it has given approval in principle
to the CLS operating money as part of $108 million in
grants awarded in the agency's bi-annual health
research competition.
"This is most welcome news that brings this nationally
important research facility project another step closer
to becoming a reality," said U of S president Dr. George
Ivany.
"The MRC contribution to the operation of this facility
will help ensure that we don't lose some of our best and
brightest young Canadian scientists."
MRC president Dr. Henry Friesen stressed the high-tech
facility's potential as a critical tool for research and
development.
"Access to this technology in Canada would allow our
health researchers the ability to sharpen our capacity to
provide world-class, cutting-edge research, especially in
areas such as biotechnology and pharmaceuticals," said
MRC president Dr. Henry Friesen.
The project's estimated operating budget is $13.9 million
(in 1998 dollars). With the MRC contribution, the project
now has funding commitments of $8.6 million per year to
operate the core facility. This includes $4.6 million from
the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
(NSERC), $2 million from the National Research Council
(NRC), and $1 million from the U of S.
The remainder of the operating funding would be for
beamline operations and would be obtained through user
fees from industry, federal and provincial agencies, and
others.
The proposed $173.6-million synchrotron, which has
been endorsed by 16 other universities, would be the
biggest scientific project ever built in Canada.
Synchrotron light, millions of times more intense than
medical X-rays, would be used by both university and
industry researchers to probe the structure of matter,
develop new drugs, design new microchips for more
powerful computers, manufacture tiny biomedical
implants and create new materials. Other medical
applications include medical imaging and new techniques
for medical diagnosis such as non-invasive angiography
(X-ray study of the heart and blood vessels).
The CLS facility, which would be funded from public and
private sources, could be under construction on the U of
S campus as early as April. A key funding component is
$56.4 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation
(CFI), an autonomous, federally funded granting body. A
decision on that funding is expected by the end of
March.
Ensuring Canadian researchers access to a synchrotron
facility is the primary reason for building the CLS. At
present, Canada is the only G7 country without a
synchrotron facility. Canadian academic researchers
now spend more than $1 million a year using
synchrotron facilities in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. for
their experiments.
Canadian access is less assured as demand for time on
these state-of-the-art facilities becomes increasingly
competitive. Canadian researchers find their wait for
access can stretch from a few months to more than a
year. This could lead to a "brain drain" of talented young
scientists since researchers are drawn to the tools they
need to practise their trade.
However, if the proposed synchrotron goes ahead, new
research training opportunities will emerge. For
example, it's expected pharmaceutical companies will
set up protein crystallography laboratories in Canada to
study the three-dimensional structure of proteins,
research which could lead to new and better drugs.
Approximately 100 graduate protein crystallographers
would be trained in Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. George Ivany
President, University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-6612
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
kathryn.warden@usask.ca
January 26, 1999
Estey Report "Ultimately Unworkable" say U of S Ag Economists
Posted January 26, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Monday, January 25, 1999
99-01-07-AG
Estey Report "Ultimately Unworkable?
Say U of S Ag Economists
Saskatoon, SK. Some recommendations of the recent Estey report on
grain handling and transportation are unworkable as proposed, say U
of S agricultural economists in a commentary released today.
While praising the comprehensiveness of the federally
commissioned report prepared by former Supreme Court Justice
Willard Estey, the authors say much more analysis and work is
required to develop a grain handling and transportation system that
is competitive and responsive to the needs of all groups in the
industry.
?The recommendation that the Canadian Wheat Board control
all farm-to-elevator deliveries would require an army of staff and
would provide farmers with no choice as to where they would
deliver their grain. These problems would make the system
ultimately unworkable," the authors state.
"System performance would deteriorate substantially and
competition would be greatly reduced.?
The commentary was prepared by professors Richard Gray,
Murray Fulton, James Nolan, and other members of the agricultural
economics department.
The authors also commented on a number of other
recommendations in Estey's report. They support the
recommendation that there be open access to the rail network. With
open access, existing and new train operators would be allowed
access to the existing rail network for a set access fee.
But while Estey says the rail network should be opened up to
all competent rail operators, the professors argue the onus for
showing competency should not be on new firms trying to access the
railway. Instead, there should be a "reverse onus test" whereby the
onus would be on existing firms to prove that new train operators
are not competent.
Under current grain transportation legislation, there is a cap on
the annual freight rate charged by the railways. If this rate cap is to
be repealed and farmers are to benefit, the rail companies should
have to show that real productivity changes have been achieved
(greater output per unit input resulting from network consolidation)
and that cost savings have been passed on to farmers, the professors
stress.
They have concerns about the Canadian Pacific proposal
under which CP would guarantee a drop in freight revenue for a
fixed period of time if the freight rate cap is repealed. They point out
CP's promised reduction in freight revenues could be achieved almost
exclusively through service reductions, an outcome which could
adversely affect Prairie farmers. They say specifics of the CP
proposal are unclear and that an analysis must be undertaken of all
potential outcomes.
They also stress that repeal of the freight rate cap and
adoption of the CP proposal must be contingent upon introducing an
open access system.
While Estey declined in his report to make any
recommendations concerning management information systems for
grain handling and transportation, the authors say attention must be
paid to the issue.
A copy of this commentary is available at:
http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/agec/publications.htm
For more information, contact:
Richard Gray
Director, Centre for Studies in Agriculture, Law and the Environment
Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics, University of
Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-4026 E-mail: grayr@sask.usask.ca
Murray Fulton
Director, Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
Professor, Agricultural Economics, University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-8507 E-mail: Murray.Fulton@usask.ca
James Nolan
Assistant Professor and Transportation Chair
Agricultural Economics, University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-8412 E-mail: james.nolan@usask.ca
Saskatoon's finest chefs cooking to raise funds
Posted January 26, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -January 25, 1999
99-01-08-OTHER
Saskatoon?s finest Chefs cooking to raise funds
Saskatoon's finest chefs will be cooking, mingling and answering
questions during the "Meet the Chefs" fundraiser at the University of
Saskatchewan's Faculty Club on Sunday, January 31 from 3:00 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
The event is a fund raiser presented by the Faculty Club and the
Saskatoon and District Chefs' Association. It provides an opportunity
for participants to sample the signature dish of many local chefs.
Wine merchants will also be on hand to talk about their products and
wine sampling tickets will be available.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to meet some of Saskatoon's finest
Chefs face to face, and to sample some really outstanding food," said
Donna Cram, Manager of the Faculty Club. "You will also be helping
the Friendship Inn and contributing to the Chefs' Association
Scholarship Fund at the same time."
Proceeds from "Meet the Chef" will be divided between the
Friendship Inn and the Chefs' Association Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are $25.00 per person (plus GST) and can be reserved by
calling 966-7777.
For more information, please contact:
Donna Cram, Manager
University of Saskatchewan Faculty Club
(306) 966-7774
January 24, 1999
Deregulation Would Cost Farmers More: U of S-led Study
Posted January 24, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, January 22, 1999
99-01-06-AG
Deregulation Would Cost Farmers More: U of S-led Study
Saskatoon, SK. Deregulation of the Canadian grain handling and
transportation system would end up costing farmers more than the current
system, concludes a provincially commissioned study by a University of
Saskatchewan-led research team.
The study was commissioned by Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food in response
to the fact the federal government is considering changes to the way
Canada's grain handling and transportation system is regulated.
"The results of this research indicate that if deregulation is considered,
it must involve provisions for greater competition at all levels of the
system, especially among the railways," says Murray Fulton, U of S professor
of agricultural economics.
"Without greater competition, deregulation would cause rail rates to
increase substantially which would lead to higher costs for farmers. In
fact, in some situations, freight rates for canola and wheat could rise to a
point where trucking to the West Coast becomes competitive in a number of
regions."
These findings are consistent with what has actually happened in Montana
under deregulation where Burlington Northern freight rates are twice those
in Western Canada.
The study, which also involved U of S agricultural economist Richard Gray,
University of Alberta agricultural economist Harvey Brooks, and former
U of S graduate student Kathy Baylis, also indicates that:
- Under deregulation, freight rates for wheat are predicted to increase,
while local and terminal elevator charges fall. The total cost of moving
grain from the local elevator to port, however, rises. This pattern of
higher freight rates combined with lower elevator charges is the same
pattern that has been observed in the U.S.
- Both handling tariffs and freight rates are predicted to increase
substantially for canola. Canola is a higher-valued crop than wheat, which
means elevator companies and railways are able to raise their rates for this
crop and still retain the volume of business.
- The increase in freight rates is greater in regions where only one railway
is operating.
- Allowing open access to the rail network (train operators would be allowed
access to the existing rail network for a set access fee) reduces freight
rates and increases elevator tariffs for wheat and canola compared to what
would be the case under deregulation. For both crops, the cost of moving
grain from the elevator to port (the export basis) falls. However, a
reasonably large number of train operators is required to produce enough
competition so that the export basis falls to the current level with the
freight rate cap in place.
- Introduction of a completely deregulated environment in which the freight
rate cap is removed results in a 17-per-cent drop in wheat exports (2.12
million tonnes out of a current 12.43 million tonnes) compared to the
current situation where the freight rate cap is in place. The largest
decrease (both in absolute and percentage terms) is in exports going to the
West Coast.
"This research is particularly timely now that there's national discussion
over the future of the grain handling and transportation system in Western
Canada," said Gray.
An executive summary and a PDF file of the full report are available at:
http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/agec/publications.htm
For more information, contact:
Murray Fulton
Director, Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
Professor, Agricultural Economics, University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-8507
E-mail: Murray.Fulton@usask.ca
Harvey Brooks
Co-operative Chair in Agricultural Marketing and Business
Associate Professor, Department of Rural Economy
University of Alberta
Ph:(403) 492-4596
E-mail: Harvey.Brooks@ualberta.ca
Richard Gray
Director, Centre for Studies in Agriculture, Law and the Environment
Associate Professor, Agricultural Economics
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966-4026
E-mail: grayr@duke.usask.ca
January 20, 1999
Life Sciences Research Day
Posted January 20, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 20, 1999
99-01-05-PH
Life Sciences Research Day
Come out and see what the University of Saskatchewan is doing in
the health fields, at the Annual Life Sciences Research Day.
On January 22, 1999 from 1:30 - 5:30 p.m. in St. Thomas More
Cafeteria, for the first time ever, the 6th Annual Life Sciences
Student Research Day and the 4th Annual College of Pharmacy and
Nutrition Research Day will be held as one.
The event will showcase over 90 poster boards describing the
research of students, residents, post-doctoral fellows, undergraduates
and faculty. It will allow the opportunity for researchers to receive
constructive feedback, exchange information among peers across
disciplines, and demonstrate the practicality of the research that is
happening at the University of Saskatchewan.
Come join us and help celebrate research in the Life Sciences.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Chlan-Fourney
Paula Ashe
Co-organizers of Life Sciences Student Research Day
(306) 966-8819
OR
David Jobe (306) 966-6359
Adil Nazarali (306) 966-6334
Gordon Zello (306) 966-5825
Co-organizers of the Pharmacy and Nutrition Research Day
January 19, 1999
College of Law Entrance Scholarship
Posted January 19, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 18, 1999
99-01-03-LA
College of Law Receives Cheque for $50,000
The University of Saskatchewan College of Law received a $50,000
gift that will help them to compete for the best and brightest
students. The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan has commemorated
its 25th anniversary by presenting the college with $50,000 to
endow an entrance scholarship. The entrance scholarship is an open
scholarship awarded to a student based on academic excellence
upon entering his or her first year in the College of Law.
?This continued support of the College shows the close relations we
have between the legal profession and the College,? noted Dean
Roach. The College was ranked number one in this category by a
1997 Maclean?s survey of Canadian law schools.
The Law Foundation, founded in 1973, administers a fund derived
from interest earned on lawyers? trust accounts. Over its 25 years,
the Foundation has received some $27 million from interest. The
fund is used for the purposes of legal education, legal research, law
libraries and law reform.
The College has received generous support from the Foundation
throughout its life including the endowment of the Law Foundation
of Saskatchewan Chair in Law and Policy and significant support for
many activities at the College, its Law library and Native Law Centre.
This scholarship will help the University meet its commitment to
providing access for Saskatchewan?s best and brightest students,
lessening the financial barriers to education, and ensuring that more
students have the financial resources to enable them to complete
their programs.
For more information please contact:
Kent Roach
Dean of Law
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966 - 5910
David Arnot to present Law Lecture
Posted January 19, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 19, 1999
99-01-04-LA
David Arnot, Treaty Commissioner
to present law lecture
On Monday, January 25th, Judge David Arnot, Treaty Commissioner,
Office of the Treaty Commissioner, will deliver a lecture entitled
?Treaties as a Bridge to the Future?. The lecture will take place in the
Law Library, College of Law, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is
welcome to attend.
For more information, please contact:
Sharon Wandzura-Fehr
Guest Speakers? Secretary
College of Law
University of Saskatchewan
Phone: (306) 966-5873
January 11, 1999
New U of S Agricultural Research Chair Established
Posted January 11, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11:30 a .m., Monday, January 11, 1999
99-01-02-AG
NEW U OF S AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CHAIR ESTABLISHED
Research into new winter wheat varieties and environmentally friendly
farming practices will get a boost thanks to the creation of a new research
chair in ecological agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan.
The non-profit conservation organization Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC)
announced today it will provide $500,000 over five years to establish the
Eco-Agriculture Enhancement Chair.
The Chair will expand the U of S Crop Development Centre's research into
improved winter wheat varieties and sustainable, conservation-based farming.
It will also help train graduate students.
"We're very pleased Ducks Unlimited has made this money available," said Dr.
Brian Fowler, senior research scientist with the Crop Development Centre and
holder of the new Chair. "This will enable us to do research in areas that
will advance opportunities for production of winter wheat which is an
environmentally friendly crop with profit potential for farmers."
Fowler, recognized internationally as the leading expert on winter wheat,
will lead a research team in the U of S Department of Plant Sciences that
will work with DUC to develop varieties that are more winter hardy and
contribute to DUC's promotion of winter cereals to farmers. According to
Ducks Unlimited, winter cereals have proven to provide valuable wildlife
habitat.
"Our research has shown that winter cereal crops supplement wildlife habitat
and provide valuable nesting cover to waterfowl and other ground nesting
birds," said Don Young, DUC's executive vice-president. "By working with the
University of Saskatchewan, we can enhance the promotion of our winter
cereal program by offering farmers improved seed varieties."
Ducks Unlimited will provide $100,000 a year through to 2003 for the new
Chair. Programs implemented by the Chair will target farmers in the Northern
Great Plains region that includes North Dakota, Montana, and the Prairie
provinces. DUC's money builds on existing financial support for Fowler's
work from both the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund and the Western
Grains Research Foundation.
This is the first time DUC has funded a chair in agricultural research at a
Canadian university. DUC's Young said the Chair position contributes to the
organization's goal of expanding the acreage of winter cereals in Western
Canada.
"When fields are planted with winter cereals in the fall they are seeded
directly into the standing stubble from the spring crop. The stubble helps
to camouflage nesting birds, protecting them and their nests from predators.
Unlike spring-seeded crops, winter cereal crops don't require tillage in the
spring so nests remain undisturbed by field equipment," Young said. He added
that fewer herbicides are used on winter cereals and they are often
harvested prior to fall migration so crop damage by waterfowl is reduced.
At present, only about 200,000 acres of Western Canada farm land is planted
with winter wheat. According to Fowler, increasing this figure by two or
three times would help to establish markets for Canada's winter wheat crop.
His seed breeding program, which has already developed six new winter wheat
varieties since 1991, will work on developing winter-hardy,
drought-tolerant, disease-resistant and higher-yielding winter wheat
varieties that will be profitable for growers.
"We already know that winter wheat is important from a conservation
standpoint," he said. "Now we have to make it more viable for farmers in
terms of yield and profit."
Dr. Bryan Harvey, U of S Co-ordinator of Agricultural Research, noted Ducks
Unlimited is a long-time partner in U of S research to develop conservation
cropping practices. "We are delighted with this strong demonstration of
support which will allow us to extend our efforts in this area for the
benefit of Prairie agriculture," he said.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Brian Fowler
Senior Research Scientist
U of S Crop Development Centre
(306) 966-4973
Kathryn Warden
Research Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
Lauralou Cicierski
Writer, Communications
Ducks Unlimited Canada
(204) 467-3252
January 05, 1999
Renewal of Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus and appointment of Director
Posted January 05, 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 5, 1999
99-01-01-EXT
Renewal of Emma Lake Kenderdine
Campus, appointment of director
approved by University Board of
Governors
The University of Saskatchewan Board of Governors has
approved a proposal to develop and renew the Emma
Lake Kenderdine Campus. Kate Hobin, Coordinator of
the Extension Division's Community Arts Program, has
been appointed to the newly-created position of
Director of Campus Development.
The proposal, developed by the Emma Lake Kenderdine
Campus Board of Directors, focuses on increasing
programming and upgrading facilities, while
maintaining and enhancing the "cabin in the woods"
character of the site. The campus is used by a variety of
groups and for a variety of purposes, from classes in
biology and ecology to leadership training retreats.
Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus is perhaps best known
as an internationally-renowned location for artists'
workshops.
The Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus has operated on a
break-even financial basis since 1990. Director Kate
Hobin says the campus will increase its efforts in fund
raising to help offset programming and development
costs. In addition, the campus will compete with other
university priorities for capital funding to renew
existing facilities.
Hobin says any changes to the existing site will be
balanced against protecting the existing ecology and
vegetation. Programming developments will include
reviving the Professional Artists' Workshop.
The University of Saskatchewan had an agreement since
1989 with the Woodland Institute of SIAST for
management and joint use of the Kenderdine Campus.
Re-structuring at SIAST meant the agreement was not
renewed, and on December 1, 1998 the University of
Saskatchewan assumed sole responsibility for the
campus.
For more information please contact:
Kate Hobin, Director
Emma Lake Kenderdine Campus
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2463
email: emma.lake@usask.ca
