Gordon Lightfoot’s music raised awareness of Great Lakes maritime disasters

On May 1, the 84-year-old Canadian folk music icon Gordon Lightfoot died at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented that Lightfoot’s legacy will live on in the dynamic Canadian soundscape he helped to shape. In his over 500 songs, Lightfoot was one of Canada’s most beloved chroniclers. Upon his death, we can reflect on Lightfoot’s many […]

Flood and wildfire management, evacuation in a pandemic

As Canada heads into flood and wildfire season, how does the current situation with COVID-19 stretch resources to effectively plan for and manage these potential disasters, as well as react and organize evacuations if necessary? Three professors from the Disaster & Emergency Management (DEM) Program in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies are available to discuss how dealing with a pandemic could affect efforts to manage a disaster or emergency and what can be done.

Should the Olympics Committee call off Tokyo 2020 Games?

York U expert available to comment on disaster & emergency management implications TORONTO, Monday, March 23, 2020 – The International Olympics Committee (IOC) executive board announced yesterday it will step up its scenario-planning for the Tokyo 2020 Games. This includes changing the start date of the Games, currently scheduled to begin on July 24, based […]

Storm simulation event to reveal real-life roles for youths in disaster risk management

TORONTO, March 6, 2017 − When the town of “Resilientville” floods on Wednesday afternoon, young people from across Toronto will be on hand to help. By role-playing in simulations of severe flooding events, they will explore how Canadians can better prepare for major storms as Canada’s climate warms. They will also demonstrate how young people […]

York U, IBM Canada announce Canada’s first academic-industry partnership in disaster and emergency management

TORONTO, February 22, 2017 – Flooding, hurricanes, global warming and terrorism are all disasters and emergencies that can be effectively managed – and in some cases mitigated – through good planning and response. York University is the first in Canada to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in emergency management, and now thanks to a new […]