In the News: Faculty Quoted in Articles about Toronto’s Growth, Brexit

Bruce Fisher, visiting professor, and Joelle Leclaire, associate professor, of Buffalo State’s Economics and Finance Department, were quoted in a Buffalo News article titled “Toronto's astonishing growth: Will it matter to Buffalo?” on July 19.

The article takes an in-depth look at Toronto’s population growth and how it may affect Buffalo. According to Fisher, there are several reasons why Buffalo has not benefited from Toronto’s growth, including an unfavorable exchange rate, issues around trade, and border wait times.

“There’s a disincentive for both shoppers and investors because of the exchange rate in particular,” Fisher said in the piece. “That has nothing to do with local policy, and everything to do with international exchange rates.”

Despite the lack of regional impact, Leclaire said, Buffalo still enjoys the perks of living close to Toronto, where she recently went to see former First Lady Michelle Obama speak.

“I’m not convinced we’re going to see any big spillover effects in our region,” Leclaire said. “But I still appreciate the proximity of Toronto. It gives us so much in the way of things like concerts and day trips.”

Laurie Buonanno, professor of public administration and nonprofit management, was quoted in an article by Bristol, Virginia–based television station WCYB titled “Boris Johnson's Brexit options: No deal, another extension, or a new election?” on July 23.

Buonanno, an expert on the European Union, is quoted extensively on why newly installed British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have a difficult time moving the United Kingdom forward with the 2016 referendum.

“Boris Johnson campaigned on a ‘do-or-die’ Brexit by October 31,” Buonanno said in the article. “Well, then the EU's response will be ‘die.’ The EU leadership has stayed on script: the only deal is the 585-page Withdrawal Agreement and the seven-page, non-binding political declaration to which Prime Minister May's government and the EU agreed.”

Buonanno also discussed why polls on Brexit may not offer a complete picture of how the British people feel about leaving the EU.

“These public opinion polls are heavily dependent on younger voters, who turn out at much lower rates than older voters,” she said. “The generational divide between leavers—the majority of aged 45 and over want to leave—and the Remainers—younger people overwhelming want to remain—is very stark.”