Panel: Life under Harper's Majority

Now that Stephen Harper has achieved his aim of unifying Canada's right-of-centre parties and holding a majority in Parliament, what are the implications for our national character, the political landscape -- and you?

That topic will be taken up this Wednesday evening, June 29, at SFU's downtown campus by a panel that includes:

Dr. Samir Gandesha, Director, SFU's Institute for the Humanities;

Dr. Michael Byers, UBC Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law and author of Intent for a Nation: What Is Canada For?;

Reilly Yeo, Managing Director of OpenMedia.ca; and

David Beers, founding editor of The Tyee.

Gandesha will explore the Conservatives' pursuit of the so-called "ethnic vote" and the implications of courting social conservatives to build a national coalition.

Byers will bring to bear his critical analysis of Canadian foreign policy under Harper's leadership, and what is on the horizon globally.

Yeo will talk about effective online organizing and communications strategies in the face of a conservative majority.

Beers will speak to the current media landscape. In preparation for the evening, he is interviewing various thinkers and will be sharing their perspectives as well.

The audience will be invited to participate in a lively discussion about the meaning of Harper's political achievement, and what responses might be in order for those with a different vision for Canada.

"Canada under a Harper Majority" is free of charge and runs Wednesday, June 29, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. at SFU Harbour Centre Room 1400-1410.

The panel is co-sponsored by the Tyee.ca and SFU's Institute for the Humanities.