May 15th, 2012 - Given the recent shift in leadership across Europe and the continued economic challenges weighing down members of the EU, experts debate on what to expect next, how it may impact us here in Canada, possible solutions for the precarious situation in Europe and more. The following experts are available for comments.
Achim Hurrelmannis Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, Carleton University. Hurrelmann teaches in the areas of comparative politics, European integration, and state theory. His research mainly deals with the politics of the European Union; it focuses in particular on questions of legitimation and democratization in the European system of multi-level governance. Achim Hurrelmann is associate director at Carleton University's Center for European Studies, where he co-ordinates the research group on social integration and citizenship. Oliver Schmidtkeis Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Victoria. Schmidtke also holds the Jean Monnet Chair in European History and Politics. He is specialized in comparative European politics, party politics, and EU integration. With respect to the current debate on "Shifting Europe" Oliver Schmidtke can offer expertise on the political fight over austerity measures, its effects on domestic politics, and the interplay between domestic and European politics.
This media tip was partially reposted from the Carleton University News Room release. To see the complete Carleton University media advisory please visit:http://bit.Ly/JYGXwu
No reason to celebrate: Alberta’s Oil Sand question in the EU not resolved
February 23, 2012 - Alberta is celebrating a victory against the Fuel Directive of the European Union but this joy might be very short-lived. The Fuel Directive has already been adopted in 2009 but requires a piece of implementation legislation that lays down the calculation methods and reporting requirements for the quality of petrol and diesel fuels. The purpose of this implementation legislation is to ensure that even in the process of fuel production Green House Gases (GHG) are reduced by 6%. While the comitology process, i.e. national experts working with the EU Commission to iron out the technical details did not yield a conclusive result today, it is not very likely that the Council of Ministers will veto this technical Directive in June under the Danish Presidency.
Prof Markus W. Gehring says that given the fundamental decisions in the existing Fuel Quality Directive it is unlikely that Albertan Oil Sands are protected in the long term: "The EU and key member states such as Denmark and Germany are very determined not to allow the EU to export its GHG emissions to the rest of the world.We have seen such determination in the area of aviation and I am assuming that we will see similar resolve in the discussions of fuel quality. The principle is simple: the EU has come a long way in reducing emissions and it is determined not to let other countries eradicate this reduction success by allowing carbon intensively produced products to enter the market without carbon cycle scrutiny."
February 7, 2012 - Prime Minister Harper assumes a strong causal relationship between (too high) welfare state standards and the sovereign debt crisis of Eurozone economies, and thus pleads for even stricter austerity programs in Europe and for precautionary reductions of entitlements in Canada. This approach has a few merits but also very strong limitations, and more so, there are limits to apply the basic ideas to the complexities of the Eurozone crisis.
Dr. Kurt Huebner says that empirical findings as well as theoretical considerations do not support the causal ties between the level of welfare state spending and the Eurozone crisis:
January 26, 2012 - On December 9, 2011 the Heads of State of 26 EU member states, less the UK, adopted a fourfold strategy to end the deteriorating state of the EURO in general and to stabilise the public finances of Greece in particular. A major element of this package of measures is the rescheduling of the public debt of Greece by negotiating a reduction of at least 100 billion EUROS held by banks and other private investors and the voluntary reissuing of new bonds at reduced rates of interest. This measure requires the active cooperation of private lenders who, should there be a formal default on payment of their bonds by Greece, can legally trigger the default guarantees which cover their bonds. The consequences of such a default and subsequent triggering of compensation are impossible to calculate. They might be negligible, given their long anticipation, but they would most probably provoke the bankruptcy of the Greek state and its immediate withdrawal from the EURO. This in turn might well provoke the withdrawal of Greece from the EU and many believe it could lead to the collapse of the EURO itself.
Experts present their research on Migration and Multiculturalism
During the conference " Governing Migration and Integration in Europe's System of Multi-level Governance" and "Comparing Modes of Governance in Canada and the European Union" at the University of Victoria November 2011 selected cluster members and experts summarize their contribution in short video clips:
Dr. Oliver Schmidtke, University of Victoria, addresses current trends in migration and integration policy addressing the local and regional level of governance as an emerging laboratory for innovative approaches to managing migration in Canada and Europe. Dr. Randall Hansen, University of Ottawa, discusses the importance of the cultural and religious identities and their role in the integration of immigrants in European societies. Randall argues that issues related to labour market inclusion are more important than identity concerns in promoting effective integration. Dr. Dagmar Soennecken, York University, analyses the question whether courts are powerful players that influence immigration and refugee policy.
Dr. Keith Banting, Queen's University, presents his work on Multiculturalism and Social Integration of Immigrants in the European Union and Canada. Is Europe going its' separate way on how to deal with immigrants? Is it true that Europe rejects the model of Multiculturalism? Keith Banting argues that Europe moves towards the Canadian System of Multiculturalism. Dr. Leslie Seidle, Forum of Federations, presents the first outcomes of the research project "Immigrant Integration Policies and Multilevel Governance in Federal States and the European Union". Dr. Elke Winter, University of Ottawa, presents her book "Us, Them and Others - Pluralism and National Identity in Diverse Societies".
Merkel won the battle but Europe lost the war
December 10, 2011 - The German Chancellor got her way, and the European Union moved closer to a split that may go far beyond the British decision to refuse consonance with its European partners. The December 8 and 9 meeting of the heads of state in Brussels will enter text into books of European integration as the days where Britain again decided to step out of the joint boat of Europe, and where democracy landed a huge defeat. Merkel may have won the battle but Europe lost the war.
Experts present their research on Multi-level Governance in Canada and the European Union
November 28, 2011 - During the conference "Comparing Modes of Governance in Canada and the European Union" at the University of Victoria cluster members and experts summarize their contribution in short video clips: Dr. Amy Verdun, University of Victoria, presents her research on the Modes of Governance in the European Union and how Canada can learn from that; Dr. Finn Laursen, Dalhausie University, talks about the gradual development on the Social Policy in the European Union; Dr. Donna E. Wood, University of Victoria, compares how Canada and the European Union govern their Labour Market Policies; Dr. Thomas Hueglin, Wilfred Laurier University, presents his work in the field of Comparative Federalism.
September 29, 2011 - Two of our cluster scholars address the issue of why indeed developments in European society and politics should be considered of critical importance. Prof. Amy Verdun speaks about the emerging modes of multilevel governance in European context and what Canada as a federal state can learn from these modes of governance. Prof Oliver Schmidtke addresses the issue of migration and cultural diversity. He argues that Canada should take account of both the highly contested politicization of migration issues and innovative policy responses to managing diversity and integration.
How successful are Coalition Governments in Europe?
April 29, 2011 - With Canada in election frenzy, concerns are raised about a would-be coalition government. Would a coalition government be a bad thing? What can we learn from the experience of coalition governments in other places in the world? Professor Amy Verdun sheds light on past and current experiences with coalition governments in Western Europe.
Canada- EU Economic and Trade Agreement: not yet a done deal
April 7, 2011 - Negotiations to seal a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the EU are expected to wrap up this year. The latest round of talks take place in Ottawa next week with some tough areas still to be negotiated, including the thorny issue of public procurement. With the federal election campaign in full swing Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the talks are very much on track. A number of Canadian groups are campaigning hard against a CETA. On the other side of the Atlantic the European Parliament, which now has the power to veto any deal, is raising questions about the environmental impact of Alberta's oil sands and asking whether the EU wants to import oil from that province. The CETA is far from a done deal.
