In Brief

JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF

New databases improve research abilities

NADYA BELL CUP OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF

OTTAWA (CUP) — Two new databases for social sciences and humanities research will give Canadian students and researchers better access to international and Canadian work.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation contributed $25 million to the projects, which were announced Feb. 8 at the University of Ottawa.

Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier said the projects will advance social sciences research in Canada by providing them with better communication resources.

“Our government recognizes the importance of investing in research. We expect to spend close to $3 billion this year in support of post-secondary research, much of it provided through the federal granting councils,” Bernier said.

The existing Canada Research and Knowledge Network is expanding its international database service — already available in the sciences — to include the humanities. This project, which involves 72 universities in Canada, is based at the University of Ottawa.

The second project, based in Montreal, hopes to put Canadian social sciences research that is still mostly published in print into electronic copy. Five universities — Simon Fraser University, University of New Brunswick, Université de Montréal, University of Toronto and the University of Calgary — will be involved.

The project out of the University of Ottawa will receive $19 million of the funding, while Université de Montréal will receive $5.8 million.

Bernier also said the government is developing a science and technology strategy that will form the basis of government action in the upcoming budget.

UMSU getting greener by the container

MICHAEL OLSON STAFF

As was fitting for Environmental Awareness week, Degrees Diner, on the third floor of University Centre, decided to adopt a greener policy. Implemented at the end of January, Degrees now uses biodegradable takeout containers. In addition, Degrees is using biodegradable disposables including cups, lids and utensils.

To support the use of biodegradable food containers, patrons will be charged an additional 25 cents for packaging.

Once patrons are finished with the containers, they are advised to place them in the U of M’s campus recycling bins rather than throw them away. At this point, they will be taken away by the Campus Compost Program.

In March of last year, Degrees — an UMSU-run business — joined the U of M Waste Prevention Office (WPO) to initiate an organic-waste composting program. Through this initiative, all organic material is composted and used on campus as a fertilizer.

The switch from polystyrene containers to the biodegradable kind immediately makes Degrees more environmentally friendly — polystyrene is usually not recyclable. In addition, it has been hypothesized that potentially dangerous health effects may arise from the use of polystyrene material.

Own a home to build wealth: report

According to a recent research study conducted by the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, Canadians who own homes have an easier time building wealth compared to those who rent.

The report is entitled “Are Renters Being Left Behind? Homeownership and Wealth Accumulation in Canadian Cities,” and includes various scenarios that occur when individuals either own or rent a home. Data is analyzed from as far back as 1979.

The study focuses on city-dwelling households and shows that in most cases, renters must be “highly focused” and “extremely diligent savers” to become as wealthy as homeowners in the same area.

However, in some areas, and in some cases, renters are able to save just as much or even more than homeowners. Renters in areas such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal and Regina have a better chance at saving more than homeowners.

“The significant benefit of home ownership for individuals is that a mortgage effectively forces them to save and build equity through mortgage payments,” Tsur Somerville — the study’s lead author and the Sauder school’s Real Estate Foundation of B.C. Professor in Real Estate Finance — says in a UBC media release.





Volume 94 Issue 21	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	Febuary 21, 2007

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly In Brief JENELLE PETRINCHUK STAFF New databases improve research abilities NADYA BELL CUP OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF OTTAWA (CUP) — Two new databases for social sciences and humanities research will give Canadian students and researchers better access to international and Canadian work. The Canada Foundation for Innovation contributed $25 million to the projects, which were announced Feb. 8 at the University of Ottawa. Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier said the projects will advance social sciences research in Canada by providing them with better communication resources. “Our government recognizes the importance of investing in research. We expect to spend close to $3 billion this year in support of post-secondary research, much of it provided through the federal granting councils,” Bernier said. The existing Canada Research and Knowledge Network is expanding its international database service — already available in the sciences — to include the humanities. This project, which involves 72 universities in Canada, is based at the University of Ottawa. The second project, based in Montreal, hopes to put Canadian social sciences research that is still mostly published in print into electronic copy. Five universities — Simon Fraser University, University of New Brunswick, Université de Montréal, University of Toronto and the University of Calgary — will be involved. The project out of the University of Ottawa will receive $19 million of the funding, while Université de Montréal will receive $5.8 million. Bernier also said the government is developing a science and technology strategy that will form the basis of government action in the upcoming budget. UMSU getting greener by the container MICHAEL OLSON STAFF As was fitting for Environmental Awareness week, Degrees Diner, on the third floor of University Centre, decided to adopt a greener policy. Implemented at the end of January, Degrees now uses biodegradable takeout containers. In addition, Degrees is using biodegradable disposables including cups, lids and utensils. To support the use of biodegradable food containers, patrons will be charged an additional 25 cents for packaging. Once patrons are finished with the containers, they are advised to place them in the U of M’s campus recycling bins rather than throw them away. At this point, they will be taken away by the Campus Compost Program. In March of last year, Degrees — an UMSU-run business — joined the U of M Waste Prevention Office (WPO) to initiate an organic-waste composting program. Through this initiative, all organic material is composted and used on campus as a fertilizer. The switch from polystyrene containers to the biodegradable kind immediately makes Degrees more environmentally friendly — polystyrene is usually not recyclable. In addition, it has been hypothesized that potentially dangerous health effects may arise from the use of polystyrene material. Own a home to build wealth: report According to a recent research study conducted by the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia, Canadians who own homes have an easier time building wealth compared to those who rent. The report is entitled “Are Renters Being Left Behind? Homeownership and Wealth Accumulation in Canadian Cities,” and includes various scenarios that occur when individuals either own or rent a home. Data is analyzed from as far back as 1979. The study focuses on city-dwelling households and shows that in most cases, renters must be “highly focused” and “extremely diligent savers” to become as wealthy as homeowners in the same area. However, in some areas, and in some cases, renters are able to save just as much or even more than homeowners. Renters in areas such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal and Regina have a better chance at saving more than homeowners. “The significant benefit of home ownership for individuals is that a mortgage effectively forces them to save and build equity through mortgage payments,” Tsur Somerville — the study’s lead author and the Sauder school’s Real Estate Foundation of B.C. Professor in Real Estate Finance — says in a UBC media release.


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