Much has been written lately about the academic brain drain -- talented professors are being lured away from Canada in mid-career by American universities or firms with bigger budgets. What factors do you consider in making a decision about where you want to work?

John Galbraith, Associate Professor of Economics

Obviously there have always been many factors that enter a decision about where to live and work: family, colleagues, facilities, climate, salaries, taxes and so on. But an important feature of the current "brain drain" is that, for most people, the only one of these factors that has changed markedly in the last few years is the relative salary level. Whatever one's tastes, therefore, the overall balance of factors has shifted in such a way as to make Canadian universities in general, Quebec in particular, less competitive. A reinforcing non-financial effect follows: the departures of some of our best-known colleagues reduce the professional attractiveness of McGill and Montreal for those who remain, or who might consider coming. For this reason, any action taken to correct the original problem may be much less effective if delayed.

Ralph Harris, Associate Professor of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering

The factors which have influenced my staying at McGill are: the high quality of family life in Montreal (safety and health care); the high quality of my colleagues at McGill; the status of McGill around the world; the freedom and responsibility that I enjoy at McGill; job security; the nature and quality of the recognition of my efforts. I am very aware that I make a trade-off between all the factors above, salary and the weather, but in the greater scheme of things, I do not consider what I earn to be paltry and soon my kids will be old enough to go skiing with me and the weather will return to being a bonus. The politics of Quebec are in turns stimulating and depressing, but nothing is perfect. I am here and I am happy.

Louis Lefebvre, Associate Professor of Biology

I chose a university career in research for two reasons -- freedom and quality of life. I get both at McGill and in Montreal. Exchanging freedom for money is the last thing I would do. I am very rooted to my cultural "milieu" and would feel very unhappy moving out of it. Being a francophone, this "out" would obviously include the U.S. More deeply, however, I feel very tied to Montreal and would not consider being "brain drained" (a highly unlikely event in the first place) to France or even Quebec City.

Antonia Maioni, Assistant Professor of Political Science

Today, institutional loyalty is difficult to sustain. We are compelled to compete in an academic marketplace, trading research skills and excellence for higher salaries or better conditions. The challenge for McGill may be to be more responsive to the aspirations of its members and give those tempted by alternatives pause for reflection. I was happy to come here because of the University's excellent reputation and I feel fortunate to share the company of so many fine scholars and students. Of course, quality of life extends beyond the groves of academe, and the opportunity to live in a vibrant city like Montreal is hard to beat.