Media releases

• Public invited to participate in Brock research survey on future of animal cruelty investigations

  Tuesday, January 08, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 8 January 2019 – R00003

  A Brock University Labour Studies professor is looking for the public’s views on how Ontario should handle animal cruelty investigations and humane law enforcement in the future.

  Kendra Coulter, Chair of Brock’s Labour Studies Department, is leading a larger research project examining different approaches to animal cruelty enforcement.

  Coulter launched a survey Tuesday, Jan. 8, asking for the public’s input on a variety of possible enforcement models and key related issues.

  The anonymous survey is available at stopanimalcruelty.ca. It’s open to adult residents of Ontario, takes about 10 minutes to complete and will be online until the end of January.

  The launch of the survey comes a week after an Ontario Superior Court judge deemed the current model for enforcement by the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) unconstitutional and gave the province one year to make changes.

  Coulter says most laws are enforced by public police agencies. However, when it comes to crimes against animals, in Ontario, those duties are currently assigned to the OSPCA and its affiliate humane societies, which are charities.

  “As a private entity, the OSPCA must fundraise and is not subject to the same level of oversight as public agencies and police forces,” she says.

  In the fall, the OSPCA also announced that it would be backing away from investigations involving horses and farmed animals due to a lack of resources.

  “The provincial government will be making significant decisions in the coming months with wide-reaching impacts for animals, the public, front-line officers and the web of animal-care providers,” Coulter says. “I hope such decisions will be informed by evidence and expert insight, but also reflect the priorities of the public.”

  Coulter plans to release a public report once the survey results are compiled and analyzed.

  “The findings will be of interest to the Ontario government as it examines next steps,” she says. “The people of Ontario care deeply about animals. This is an opportunity to create an effective, well-coordinated, and properly funded cruelty investigations model.”

  Kendra Coulter, Chair of the Department of Labour Studies and Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence, is available for interviews about the research.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases

• Brock viticulture lecture series back for 12th year

  Tuesday, January 08, 2019 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 8 January 2019 – R00002

  The Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) Lecture Series is back for its 12th year, giving people from around the world access to Brock University’s leading grape and wine research.

  Ten speakers from across CCOVI’s network of researchers, scientists, fellows and professional affiliates are participating in this year’s series.

  Topics will span a wide range, from the latest research on grapevine hardiness to climate change in Canadian vineyards and the consumer psychology behind wine. The series will also bring in two Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers from British Columbia to share their latest findings.

  The CCOVI Lecture Series began in 2007 and has become a highly anticipated event both locally and for those tuning in remotely through livestreaming.

  “We are pleased to once again bring the latest in grape and wine research into the hands of grape growers and winemakers,” said CCOVI Director Debbie Inglis. “Sharing knowledge and providing outreach opportunities like the lecture series is an important part of CCOVI’s mandate and is of tremendous benefit to our industry and our students.”

  The free lectures, which are open to the public, begin Monday, Jan. 14 and take place in room H313 of the Mackenzie Chown Complex at Brock University. The lectures are open to the public and typically begin at 2 p.m., aside from the opening lecture Jan. 14, which will begin at 2:30.

  The lectures can be viewed live online and can be downloaded following each event by visiting the by visiting the CCOVI Lecture Series website.

  2019 CCOVI Lecture Series

  Jan. 14: Don Cyr, Professor of Finance, Goodman School of Business, Brock University — “Who is the natural heir to Robert Parker in the en primeur wine market?”
  *Special time of 2:30 p.m.

  Jan. 21: Ronald Jackson, Wine Writer and Author — “Carbonic maceration: Modern version of a Neolithic wine?”

  Jan. 28: Jim Willwerth, CCOVI Senior Viticulturist, Brock University — “Evaluation of plant material as an adaptation strategy to climate change in Canadian vineyards.”

  Feb. 4: Andy Reynolds, Professor of Biological Sciences/Viticulture, Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Brock University — “Frozen materials other than grapes — explaining the aroma chemistry behind unwanted floral characteristics in red wines.”

  Feb. 11: Pat Bowen, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland Research and Development Centre — “Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3: Effects on Cabernet Franc vine performance and wine quality.”

  And Carl Bogdanoff, Viticulture Biologist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland Research and Development Centre — “Varietal differences in grapevine hardiness — buds, canes and roots.”

  Feb. 25: Sudarsana Poojari, CCOVI Senior Virologist, Brock University — “Current advances in understanding grapevine virus diseases.”

  Mar. 4: TBA

  Mar. 11: Belinda Kemp, CCOVI Senior Oenologist, Brock University — “Communicating scientific research to grape growers and winemakers.”

  Mar. 18: Antonia Mantonakis, Associate Professor of Marketing, Goodman School of Business, Brock University — “The consumer psychology behind wine choices.”

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Britt Dixon, Communications Officer, Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Brock University bdixon@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4471

  * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases