November 2016

NOVEMBER 2016

GARRETT ROKOSH The passion and dedication in leading the BSA

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Fashionable in the Cold What your vote signifies Trump or False?

GOVERNMENT Sexism in Government Are Presidential Debates just a Performance?

Andrew Knack, The Youngest City Council Member

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contents

cover designed by FATIMA MOHAMED cover photographed by GISELLE WONG

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Editor’s Note

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Stills of a Busy Semester An eventful month for ASoB students

last month in pictures

7 SOCIAL STUDIES

8 fashion

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Fall Might Be Over Before it Started #ootd for cold fall days Basic Politics in Canada & How to Vote What does our vote decide?

THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

Garrett Rokosh The joys and challenges of being BSA President

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Andrew Knack The importance of community involvement

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University of Alberta Debate Society Encouraging a passion for public speaking and critical thought.

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Guy Boutilier Teaching Canadian Politics to the next generation

student spotlight

Sexism in Government How the women of the country are represented.

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external relations

clubs corner

lazy chat

Presidential Debates: Yay or Nay? A place to learn policies or a rehearsed act?

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BAA Gold Tournament A Recap of the Annual Event

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Trump or False Did Trump say that?

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The Alberta Legislature Building LF Reviews The Legislature Building Tour

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So you’re moving to Canada?

Quick Guide on the Canadian Ways

contributors editor-in-chief

rahique um maktoom handoo

vp editorial

carey poon isabela maciel

writers

saba al hammouri ganit singh lindsay rainbow gabriel nunes kara hauca pariyanka chandan kevin paul espenido elizabeth jun victoria chiu

vp art & design

fatima mohamed

art director

social media director

designers

event director

marie louise espenido

breanna moffat krismina la tina jang marina bryan nichole chen

photographers

candace chu giselle wong renee yu fatima mohamed

vp communications

alexandra key marichales

marketing coordinator

suhur omar-farah

haya masri

pearl herrero

vp external

matthew ryan

#suitslf director

cole pearson

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xerox canada priority printing

special thanks to

diana wyley business alumni association

contact us

uofalazyfaire@gmail.com www.lazyfaire.com

editor’s note

PHOTO HERE

November is the tail end of the semester and most of us spend it with a looming reminder of finals over our heads. While we’re desperately trying to salvage this semester, a friendly reminder to take a breather, look around and enjoy your surroundings (maybe leaf through a copy of Lazy Faire).

it’s important to remember that the government is for all people.

Representation is especially important because we can not progress if some of us are left behind. Although, Canadians voted against a politics of division, there is still work to be done to maintain and improve upon this progress.

This month, our theme is Government.

We all remember learning about it in our social studies classes, but beyond that what does government mean to us?

As citizens of this world and business students, government affects our daily life in many different ways. Through this issue, we explore the importance, working and shortcomings of government.

I want us to take the time to reflect upon how we as educated members of society can work to make the leadership body of our communities and country a better representation of us and our diversity.

With the political discussion focused on the divisive United States elections,

RAHIQUE UM MAKTOOM HANDOO Editor-in-Chief

from the lazy faire team For November, the Lazy Faire team talks about what government means to them.

The most important thing about the government in Canada is that all citizens play a part in how our country is run. We have the opportunity to get involved and improve our world, and this is something we need to remember to be grateful for, especially when we doubt our leaders or the political system.

- Marina Bryan, Designer

Instagram: @marina_bryan I am a huge a geek for governance. Throughout both my academic and professional career, I have made it a point to be involved within government.

Whether it was through the Student Council, the Edmonton Youth Council, or my work in both the municipal and provincial government. The reason I love government work so much is because you see the effect that your work has on everyday lives.

Being able to change people’s life for the better is something that’s really important to me, and I know that working in the government I can achieve that.

- Saba Al Hammouri, Writer

Instagram: @saba.hammouri

Government is leadership. On a scale far bigger than most perceive it to be. It is identifying the objectives and direction of an entire nation, creating a plan using potentials and possibilities, and being strategic in its execution. It is maintaining the core values of a nation through times of change and adversity, working for the people, by the people.

-Haya Masri, Social Media Director

Government means a strong, influential, and decisive body to me.

It is not for everyone, but we must appreciate those who take on the challenge. A good government is one who works for the good of the people but also listens to the people.

-Pariyanka Chandan, Writer 5

LAST MONTH IN PICTURES

Stills of a busy semester this article is sponsored by Cafe Rista

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Sexism in Government

social Studies

“Imagine a woman who showed up [to a presidential debate] unprepared, sniffling like a coke addict and interrupting her opponent 70 times. Let’s further imagine that she’s had 5 kids by 3 men, was a repeated adulterer, had multiple bankruptcies, paid zero federal taxes and rooted for the housing crisis in which many thousands of families lost their homes.

Wait… there’s more: she has never held any elected office in her life” – Michelle Vitalione Recently, my Government and Business professor asked our class how many of us were interested in a future career as a politician. Of the fifteen or so hands that shot up, very notably, only two or three were women, and one of them was mine. It occurred to me that the reason for this staggering imbalance is not because women are less interested in government than men. It is because perhaps they’re put off by the systemic and “entrenched cultural norms [and] attitudes towards women” in politics, to quote a spokeswoman for Equal Voice (a group that advocates for more women in government in Canada).

According to UN Women, as of June 2016 only 22.8% of parliamentarians in the world are women, a slow increase to double what it was in 1995. In the Americas, this number is only slightly higher at 27.7 %.

Why is it that elected governments that are supposed to represent the entire population, fail to accurately represent half of it? Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a self-identified feminist, has recently caused quite a stir by choosing a cabinet where 50% of his cabinet ministers are women.

And while he has received a LOT of criticism for appearing to prioritize gender over merit, I think his goal is to set the example for other levels of government, and society overall. A meaningful gesture, but not enough

to address the systemic oppression women face in government.

Whether it is through cavalier sexist comments to be “less emotional”, or sexual harassment towards women in Parliament, the message that is being sent to women is that we’re not welcome in government.

This topic is more relevant now than ever, as the world watched with bated breath the United States election cycle bringing to light what Hillary Clinton herself has referred to as “implicit bias”. Implicit bias is the bias you hold in your subconscious; you are not acutely aware of it, but it is often revealed in your thoughts, actions, and judgments about what is right, wrong, acceptable, or normal.

I think a lot of the undeniable sexism that occurs in government (and in general society) is due to implicit bias. As the entire world watched the American Presidential Race between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, this bias was very visible. The things said about Clinton compared to the things said about Trump revealed what implicit biases exist in the minds of voters, critics, and other politician’s.

When discussing Clinton, people are quick to mention her husband, her “not very presidential” appearance, and her merits as a mother. When people talk about Trump, you hear about his success, his business acuity, his

brutal honesty and forthcomingness.

Meanwhile, none of the questionable details outlined by Michelle Vitalione are ever mentioned. How come when a woman is running for office, her femininity and family dynamic is at the focus, and men never find themselves under that same scrutiny?

For those whose implicit bias leans towards misogyny, putting Clinton under fire as a mother seems perfectly acceptable. Newsflash people – it’s not.

Very recently Conservative MP Michelle Rempel wrote an oped article highlighting the sexism that she and her female colleagues have faced on Parliament Hill. One important thing she writes is that “the responsibility for combating everyday sexism doesn’t lie with those who live with it”. Sexism exists and is present in every facet of society and women cannot be the only ones who are responsible for calling out sexism when it happens. For those men that think sexism in government doesn’t affect them, it has been proven that workplaces where gender is balanced are more effective. The job of the government is to protect the rights and freedoms that directly affect your quality of life; to stabilize the economy, to ensure that there is justice for everyone. Don’t you want them to be effective at doing their jobs? You elect your government. Do so wisely. written by LINDSAY RAINBOW designed by MARIE ESPENIDO

Sources: • Spurr, Ben. "MP Michelle Rempel Paints Picture of Routine Sexism in Parliament." The Star. N.p., 19 Apr. 2016. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/04/19/trudeau-taking-tory-mp-complaints-about-sexism-in-parliament-seriously.html • "Facts and Figures: Leadership and Political Participation." UN Women. N.p., Aug. 2016. Web. 11 Oct. 2016. http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political-participation/facts-and-figures

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fashion

Okay. Let me get one thing straight. For the past month, I have been complaining profusely about the weather. And don’t get me wrong, I’m definitely still sad about summer’s disappearance, but I *insert swear word of your choice here for emphasis* love fall fashion. I just love autumn colours and layering and Pumpkin Spice Lattes and corn mazes and everything associated with fall. The list just goes on. But for some reason, Edmonton has just decided to skip fall this year. Instead , winter welcomed itself home a little earlier than normal. But

Fall might Be Over Before It Even Started

with full denial, I will continue to pretend that fall in Edmonton consists of that perfect 15 degree Celsius weather and it is totally fine to wear a dress without a coat.

I’m not ready to pull out a parka just yet.

However, as much as I just hate to admit it, the weather in Edmonton dictates my outfits quite a bit more than I would like it to. But, that doesn’t stop me from wearing dresses when the weather turns bad. You just have to remember to layer! Layering is the quintessential thing to remember about dressing in Alberta winters. Normally, I would have loved to wear this dress as is, without a top or tights underneath. But I think I would have gotten quite a few weird looks walking to and from class as it’s snowing around me and I would have also been a tad cold. So, to be a bit more sensible, I paired a black turtleneck under this dress so I wouldn’t totally freeze my arms off, plus I think the neckline looked quite cute peeking out of the dress! But, it would look equally as cute with a black jacket paired overtop when it’s even colder out (is that possible? Can it even get colder out? THE LIMIT DOES NOT EXISThello Mean Girls reference). To complete the fall ensemble, I wore some sheer black tights with some black suede pointed toe booties. And of course, no fall outfit would be complete without a rusty coloured floppy hat. Fun fact: this hat makes you stand out A LOT at university. I wore it the other day and at least 8 people texted me as I was walking around campus to compliment (I use this term very lightly as they were mostly insults) my outfit. written by TAYLOR DOUCETTE Guest Blogger www.when-im-older.com designed by TINA JANG & FATIMA MOHAMED

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FYI written by ELIZABETH JUN designed by NICHOLE CHEN & FATIMA MOHAMED

Basic Politics In Canada & How to Vote You’ve heard all the speeches, researched the platforms and you’re all ready to be an active citizen, but how exactly does it all work? Don’t worry, I’ll take you through the basics of our political system and how you factor into this equation.

38 ridings represent each of the 338 seats in the House of Commons.

Who will be your voice in parliament – you decide. Whose platform or party you support and will be your voice when bills are passed and legislation is discussed is decided by you checking a box on a sheet.

groups: The Senate appointed by The Prime Minister, and the House of Commons elected by the voters.

The candidates for these positions can either represent a political party or be independent. In the end, the political party with the greatest number of seats in the House of Commons forms the government and their leader becomes the Prime Minister

A popular misconception (especially if the last time you caught up with politics was sixth grade social studies) is that “government” and “parliament” are synonymous, but they aren’t and mean two different things. Parliament consists of The Monarch or Head of State, The Senate and The House of Commons.

What is the Government?

Government has three branches: The executive branch is the governing bodies: The Prime Minister (Head of the Government), The Cabinet, The Federal Departments, and The Queen (represented by the Governor General).

The legislative branch is in charge of making laws and divided into two

The judicial branch includes independent courts that doublecheck and interpret the work done by the legislative and executive branch.

Canadian Government exists at three levels: Federal, Provincial, and Municipal.

The Federal level deals with matters affecting the whole country, as well as laws related to The Constitution Act. The Provincial level deals with each of the 10 province’s education, health care, road regulations and

natural resources individually. The three territories have their own Territorial level government. Both the Provincial and Territorial governments work closely with the Federal government.

The Municipal level’s duties are allotted to them by the Provincial government and include public areas like parks and libraries, water systems, the local police and roadways. Band Councils, similar to the Municipal body exist across the country to administrate First Nations communities.

Even if it’s a decision regarding road construction or the local library you frequent, you have a voice and the ability to shape the future how you want. All you have to do is be registered to vote, show up with proof of identity and address, and become an active part of the future.

Now that you are informed and knowledgeable, and you have the power for change. Get out there and take advantage of it!

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Presidential Debates: THOUGHT VS. THOUGHT

THE CASE FOR “YAY” written by VICTORIA CHIU

Presidential debates can often seem like riotous affairs. Though they are most commonly touted as opportunities for candidates to voice their opinions on hard-hitting contemporary issues head-tohead with the opposition, they can just as easily devolve into ridiculous shows of bravado and offthe-cuff spitballing. That said, there is real merit in continuing to include these debates in the process of the presidential election, even if the reasons why may not be immediately obvious.

Candid encounters among presidential candidates are rare—increasingly so in this era of social media, where every single character of each message showcased to the public can be engineered by a shrewd group of campaign managers and spokespeople. Speeches can be pre-written, edited, and carefully trimmed to tell voters what they want to hear. Candidate tweets are often crafted, scheduled, and monitored by a team of professionals. From television appearances to advertisements to any and all forms of public relations, nearly every step of the presidential election is meticulously planned. Like any good game plan, both sides racing for the presidential debate analyze every strategy and outcome, minimizing surprise and maximizing control. But there is a certain degree of unpredictability when it comes to the debate nights, and that is where the real appeal of such events lies.

When facing off against their opponent, a candidate can be prepared, certainly. They can have an idea— even an accurate idea, an excellent idea—of what questions will likely be posed during the night and what answers their opponent might offer. But that unknown factor remains, and unlike other parts of

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the election there are facets of the debate that are out of both candidates’ control. How will one candidate respond to a bombastic comment made by the other?

Will they retain their poise? Will they falter, stutter, or lose their nerve? Will they demonstrate the skills, abilities, and qualities that the presidential position demands? In essence: Are they fit to be President?

Skeptics have argued that while presidential debates are widely publicized and closely watched events, the hoopla surrounding them emphasizing their socalled “importance” is very much just that—hoopla.

Quadrennial media storms reinforce the idea that presidential debates are game-changers that can turn the tides of an election, but in reality, their impact upon the public’s opinion of candidates is reflected very minimally in the final vote. While the data supports this conclusion, presidential debates serve a greater purpose than the gain or loss of points: they give citizens the opportunity to scrutinize the candidates; to see how they spontaneously react to common questions, issues, and concerns; to judge for themselves if either, both, or neither of the individuals so close to achieving the presidential title are actually worthy of that honour. During a presidential debate, everything from the candidates’ clothing choices to their posture and composure is under evaluation— seeing a candidate’s demeanor in a live, bloodthirsty debate is just as important, and almost more so, than their actual answers. Rarely is the public given the chance to view its candidates in such a light, and for this reason presidential debates are a valuable part of the election process.

Presidential Debates:

THE CASE FOR “NAY”

written by KEVIN ESPENIDO

Election debates, in general, are not as wholly effective as they are often portrayed. To be fair, election provide voters the ability to discern the objective positioning of candidates on various issues. However, the additional “benefits” that they are often said to provide are much less supported. Where a voter may watch a debate hoping to educate themselves on the current political climate of their country, today’s debates are presented as frenzied spectacles, with political bias baked into their execution. As redundant as it sounds to a business student, advertising is a tool that serves to encourage mindless consumption and the media and marketing of the debates very much influence the conversations being had around them.

Sociology and consumer behaviour play a significant role in this critical view of debates. There is an inherent flaw in how debates are moderated and published as content. Televised debates are often supported and televised by a single media network, which more often than not, possesses its own political view. In America, we see these network biases in the commentary made by left-leaning pundits on MSNBC, and the hardright stances of those on Fox. In Canada, even a conglomerate like the Postmedia Network, which owns the Sun tabloids in many cities as well as the National Post, shared its Conservative Party endorsement during the 2015 federal election. The very opportunity of televising a debate allows a network to subtly sway discussion. From the well-known news anchors that moderate them, to the director of photography executing the transition from one shot to another, to even the sales managers who sell the sought-after airtime to advertisers, bias and framing are present at every consumer touch point of a debate.

Media platform aside, if trained correctly in media relations, the candidates, more specifically, their public relations and communications teams, can move public opinion in their favour. My opponent suggests that the nonverbal cues in debates are also important for voters to gather information about the candidates. I argue that the perceptions viewers form have already been orchestrated by each side. The best candidates are polished in every facet of their approach: wearing powerful colours to enhance their charisma and vibrato, giving confident smirks that indicate disrespectful disagreement with their opponents. Even the way responses are framed, with phrases like “to be clear…” and “my opponent argues…” can be carefully crafted to achieve a desired attitude from the viewer. The story about the small-town-farm family with aspirations for a better life is touching, but there is a reason the candidate chooses to share it out of the many stories they hear on the campaign trail.

So should the content of debates be completely disregarded? Absolutely not. Despite these criticisms, at their foundation, debates are still a forum in which the democratic process is supported. They allow a civil (ideally) exchange of ideas and rhetoric that creates an opportunity for audiences to think critically of their own views, as well as thoughtfully consider those of others. Voters should prioritize identifying these ideas over taking part in the media and corporate fanfare that a debate produces. Otherwise, the effectiveness of this age-old government institution is diluted and ineffective, at which point you might as well watch The Apprentice. written by VICTORIA CHIU & KEVIN ESPENIDO designed by MARINA BRYAN

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student spotlight

Garrett Rokosh If you are studying at the Alberta School of Business (ASoB) this semester, chances are that you have bumped into or seen Garrett Rokosh, the President of the Business Students’ Association (BSA) for the 2016-17 school year. Prior to being President, Garrett was the BSA’s Cohort Director. He has also been involved with JDC West, eCLUB, and participated in the 5 Days for the Homeless campaign.

It is clear from speaking to Garrett that he is passionate about our school and loves everything that he gets to do as President of the BSA. This month, we had the opportunity to interview Garrett to discuss his experience with the BSA, student government, and his own post-graduation goals.

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The BSA, as a faculty association, is a form of student government.

How did you become interested in student government? What lead to your decision to become President?

skills. These skills can be applied in government as well.

initiatives.

I became interested in student government because I enjoy hearing about big issues that occur at the school and I wanted to have a larger voice in these discussions. Since I have gotten so much out of being at the ASoB and being on the BSA, I wanted to be in a position where I could impact students the most and provide them with a similarly great Experience which is why I decided to run for President of the BSA. I get to talk to leaders both within and outside of the school and discuss challenges that many students don’t normally have a chance to provide input on. I enjoy being the voice of business students in these discussions.

I’ve learned that the most important part of our success, as the BSA, is our team, and making sure that it works well together. There are many smart, hardworking people on our team – it is important to reach out and that every member assists each other even if they are on different portfolios. I’ve also learned that I enjoy being in an environment where each day I am stepping into a new situation in which I don’t know what to do and where I am constantly being challenged.

I’ve broadened my perspective by meeting people from many different countries and walks of life. There is nothing here at home that could teach me the same lessons I’ve learned from sitting around a table in a hostel in Quito, Ecuador or Da Lat, Vietnam debating anything from music, to education, or politics with tourists from other countries.

You’ve travelled quite a bit. What is What have you learned from being the most important thing that you the President of the BSA? learned while travelling abroad?

Speaking of challenges, what have been some of the successes and challenges that you’ve experienced so far in your role?

What are your plans for postgraduation?

I plan to continue travelling the world by going to places most different from home and putting myself in a position where I am continuously challenged and uncomfortable. Along the way, I want to pursue creating a startup.

The main reason I wanted to get a Bachelor of Commerce degree was to prepare myself for entrepreneurship. I still plan on doing that. My dream job would be to have a startup where a team of intelligent, hardworking friends and I work together to accomplish something that makes life better for someone else. Ideally, we would be able to work from anywhere in the world to do so.

How does government relate to In terms of our biggest success, business? How can a business degree September was pretty crazy. It is help in government? definitely our busiest time of the year. We were able to ensure that The government is a leader and our events were successful and has to make decisions on behalf of that we still enjoyed each other’s a large amount of people. In terms company. The biggest challenge has of the BSA, we have been elected been communication. We have 47 to be the voice of the students in Council Members and it is difficult our faculty. Regardless of personal to make sure that everyone is on feelings on specific issues, we must the same page with things that are remember that how we deal with going on. an issue is not personal, but based on the benefit for a collective of What is your main goal for the BSA students. Every decision that is this year?

If your life was made into a movie, made must be one that a majority who would play your role? of business students can agree Our main goals for the BSA this with. Both in government and in year are to improve inclusivity and Milo Thatch from Atlantis. business, you have to recognize the approachability of the BSA, written by GABRIEL NUNES many stakeholders in decisions that to strengthen the Business Clubs’ photographed by GISELLE WONG are made. In business, we often Council (BCC), and to increase the designed by MARIE ESPENIDO & FATIMA MOHAED learn and develop our leadership momentum of our student wellness 13

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

COUNCILLOR Andrew Knack This month Lazy Faire had the exciting opportunity to sit down with Ward 1 Councillor, and School of Business Alumni Councillor Andrew Knack. As the youngest member on the City Council, Councillor Knack has a lot of insight to offer about governance, youth engagement, and community involvement.

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What motivated you to run for office?

Originally it was a combination of ego and feeling like I was not represented in the way I would have liked. I’ve always been passionate about politics, but I never thought I would be an elected official. It was a year after graduating from the University of Alberta when I first decided to run. I had started looking around and had noticed that it was rare for younger people to be elected into office in large cities. So I thought about it a little more and realized that if I put my name on the ballot and I only got one vote and it was my own, at least I voted for someone who gave me the representation that I wanted. Why I say that there was a bit of ego involved, was because I didn’t understand all of the issues, and I ended up losing horribly in 2007. But that experience is what encouraged me to continue, and it was what got me to start door-knocking and engaging with people.

So finally in 2013, I was successful in getting elected at the age of 29.

What skills were you able to transfer from your time at the School of Business to your position as a councillor?

The marketing side of things was extremely valuable in managing and running a campaign. It is so critical to build name recognition because in municipal government, people are not voting for a party, they are voting for individuals. It was really important to create the illusion of a well-run campaign. Even when it wasn’t perfect, through the marketing side we were able to create a viable campaign which allowed voters to view me as a credible candidate.

On the other side of things, organizational analysis and management has been incredibly important in this line of work. These skills have been valuable in not only getting onto Council, but also in the actual day-to-day work of City Council.

What are some of the things that you are proud of accomplishing during your term as councillor?

A few years ago, I had put forth an inquiry about how we handle back alleys in the city. The hope and the intent of that was to reach a point where we can have a back alley renewal program. So within the next month or so, we will have a final report about

creating this renewal program – which I know may sound really boring, but back alleyways are a critical part of infrastructure for mature neighborhoods.

I think there is going to be a lot of support from Council moving forward with this proposal. The other thing I am proud of is playing a small role in revising the City of Edmonton Youth Council bylaw, to transition from what Youth Council used to be to what it is now. Before this change, we had great projects coming from the Youth Council, but there was a lack of proposals coming through, which meant we were missing [their] voice. I’m proud to see how far Youth Council has come in terms of their influence on city policy.

What are some of the obstacles that you encountered throughout your term, especially in terms of being the youngest seated councillor?

It certainly has been challenging at times because people can equate the fact that I am the youngest councillor to not having that “life experience”. It can be tough if people aren’t taking you seriously because they don’t believe that you have the necessary skills to make certain decisions. So my goal is to go above and beyond, and to be the hardest working city councillor to prove to everyone that I can do the work just like anybody else. But even though it has been a barrier at times, it is becoming less and less of an obstacle over time, which is great to see.

What advice do you have for youth looking to get involved in government?

Get started early and just go for it! What I didn’t do during my time at university was get involved. I know how difficult it is to get involved, but now I’ve been able to experience how valuable it is. Through my involvement with community leagues and cultural organizations, I’ve been able to get inspired, learn so much about our city, and interact with the most amazing people. So my advice is to find something that looks interesting and get involved!

written by SABA AL HAMMOURI photographed by FATIMA MOHAMED designed by BREANNA MOFFAT 15

CLUBS CORNER

written by KARA HAUCA designed by NICHOLE CHEN & FATIMA MOHAMED photos provided by UADS

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA DEBATE SOCIETY UADS Upcoming Events: NOVEMBER 4-6 Diefenbaker Cup University of Saskatchewan NOVEMBER 18-20 Hugill Cup University of Alberta NOVEMBER 25-27 BP Champs University of British Columbia DECEMBER 27- JANUARY 4 World University Debating Championship The Hague, Netherlands

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E

stablished in 1908, the University of Alberta Debate Society (UADS) is not only the oldest club at the University of Alberta but also the oldest debating society in Western Canada. UADS offers students the opportunity “to expand knowledge of current events, improve public speaking skills and learn to think on their feet”. In the fall semester they practice British Parliamentary Debate, while in the winter semester Canadian Parliamentary Debate is practiced. Having been around for so long, UADS has some honorable alumni such as Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, Joe Clark, Laurence Decore, Grant Notley (father of our current Premier Rachel Notley), Ron Martland, and Joe Shocter.

The club hosts weekly meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5:00pm in CCIS 1-140 and new members are always welcome! At each weekly meeting members get a chance to run through practice debates and explore different debating styles. Members also get a chance to participate in various tournaments across Canada and abroad. Members can also volunteer at tournaments tabulating results or judging rounds.

For busy students, it’s also important to note that commitment is flexible and members are able to devote as little or as much time as they’d like.

In intercollegiate competition, the University of Alberta Debate Society holds a global eighth place ranking and a second place ranking in Canada, thanks to winning performances at the World Universities Debate Championships. UADS currently holds the title of Western Canadian Champions.

members with all levels of experience. The Debate Society also has an outreach program where they host training debates and public speech events for high schools in the community. The UADS also prides themselves on helping students improve their public speaking and essay writing skills by providing ample opportunities to discuss and practice debates about current events.

Memberships are sold at meetings for $30 for the full year and $15 for the winter semester. Buying a membership allows members to vote and run in club executive elections, as well as receive reduced fees at tournaments hosted by UADS. Membership is needed to register in external tournaments, but membership is not required to attend weekly meetings. Grants and subsidies are available for tournaments.

For more information about UADS you can visit their website https://uofadebate.wordpress.com/ where you can also find their newsletter, The Times Tribune. Their website is also a great source for debate resources including debating guides and journals, video lectures and seminars, and academic journals available for everyone. Questions can be directed by email, debate@ualberta.ca , or answered in person at their weekly meetings.

Follow UADS on Twitter, @UAlbertaDebate, for their latest comments on current events and updates on the club’s meetings and tournaments.

UADS meets Wednesdays and Thursdays at 5pm in Tory 1-103. They invite all levels of experience.

For those new to debate, fret not- UADS has training programs to develop successful debaters with little to no experience and they welcome 17

WHAT IS YOUR TAX DOLLAR SPENT ON? As painful as taxes can be, it’s an important source of income for the government. If you’ve ever wondered how much of the tax dollars come from individuals and how much come from corporates or what exactly the government does with your tax dollar, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of where tax dollars came from and went in 2014-15.

WHERE TAX DOLLARS COME FROM

WHERE TAX DOLLARS GO - Canada Social Transfers includes funding for postsecondary, education, social programs, programs for children.

- Other transfer payments includes federal grants and subsidies such as transfers to First Nations, funding for social housing, skills developments and employment - programs as well as farm, research and sport subsidies and some tax benefits and credits.

- Other transfers to provinces & cities includes equalization payments and territorial financing, which ensure rough equality of public services across provinces and territories, as well as the Gas Tax Fund, which supports municipal infrastructure projects.

- Other operations includes the cost of operating numerous federal departments and agencies such as Environment Canada, Parks Canada, Veterans Affairs, Health Canada, Transport Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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designed by FATIMA MOHAMED

Where your tax dollar was spent in 2014-15. (2016, March 01). CBC News. Retrieved November 01, 2016, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/taxes/multimedia/where-your-tax-dollar-was-spent-in-2014-15-1.3431849

written by GABRIEL NUNES designed by KRISMINA LA

A BA

Lazyfaire:

golf

t n e m a n r

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It’s that time of the year! Lazy Faire was once again invited to attend the Business Alumni Association’s (BAA) annual Golf Tournament. The BAA Golf Tournament, which was held at the Highlands Golf Club on September 7th, is always a great opportunity for students and alumni from the Alberta School of Business pick up their golf clubs and compete to see who will take home the 2016 CPA Cup. The Business Alumni Association is an organization that focuses on providing opportunities for graduates of the Alberta School of Business (ASoB) to stay involved with the school even after their studies are complete. This involvement occurs through events, student scholarships, mentorship programs, and recognition. There are more than 25,000 graduates of the BCom, MBA, and PhD programs at the ASoB, so it’s very clear that a support network such as the BAA is incredibly valuable.

The BAA’s Golf Tournament is graciously sponsored by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and is an excellent opportunity for alumni and students of the School to come together to reunite, network, and enjoy themselves during a fun day. The event kicks off with a round of golf followed by an enjoyable dinner in the golf club giving everyone a chance to network and gather around delicious food while being respectfully competitive. This year we lucked out with the perfect weather for golfing, there was a brightly shining sun in the sky, and laughter and smiles were abundant throughout the day. The meal was delicious and many prizes were raffled. Overall, the mood of the event was positive and refreshing.

If you ever get the chance to attend the BAA’s Golf Tournament, it is definitely an enjoyable experience!

Mark your calendars for next September so you don’t miss this exciting event!

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LF Reviews:

The Alberta Legislature Building Edmontonians are no strangers to the Alberta Legislature Building; it’s a popular choice for photography backdrops with its extravagant dome, large wooden doors, and outdoor fountains. However, not everyone has taken the opportunity to explore the inside of The Legislature. Tours of the building are offered year round, seven days a week and are free!

After Alberta became a province in 1905, The Legislature of Alberta was built in Edmonton with construction wrapping up in 1912. The sandstone and granite building leaves a lasting impression on visitors and adds grace and character to Downtown Edmonton.

The tall wooden doors outside lead into The Rotunda of the building. This is a circular area which is covered in over 2 000 tonnes of marble from Quebec! A beautiful water fountain is situated in the centre which marks Queen Elizabeth’s first official visit. Many do not know that the names of provincial public servants who fought during the World Wars are listed in plaques that surround The Rotunda.

Behind the fountain is the Grand Staircase which leads to the Legislative Assembly Chamber.

Situated above the doors is the Alberta Coat of Arms which is carved into mahogany and took over 500 hours to complete! The public galleries in the Chamber are actually open to the public during afternoon and evening sessions, so if you are into debate and politics, definitely check it out! Outside the Chambers hang two enormous paintings; these are the portraits of King George V and Queen Mary, who were the reigning monarchs at the time when the Legislature opened. These are no ordinary portraits- when you walk past them, their eyes will follow you!

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The most intriguing floor in the Legislature has to be the fifth floor! There is a spot on this floor called The Magic Spot where, when the fountain in The Rotunda is on and one stands on this Magic Spot, it sounds as if you are under a shower! This acoustic curiosity occurs due to the sound of the water fountain being reflected through the Grand Staircase and off the dome and was discovered purely by accident. At the very top of the dome is located the Palm Room, which has five palm trees that were gifted to Alberta from the State of California.

The tours provided by the Alberta Legislature are a great way to learn more about our amazing province and the beautiful building! It truly is a fun time that can be enjoyed with family or friends for free! If you’re still not able to make a trip down to the ledge, make sure to check out their online virtual tour!

Tour Hours & Information www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor/tours_info.html Virtual Tour www.learnalberta.ca/content/ssvv/en/index.html

Did You Know? Alberta was named after Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.

Did You Know? The provincial motto is engraved in the Coat of Arms and says Fortis et Liber, which translates to strong and free. written by PARIYANKA CHANDAN designed by TINA JANG

“

The recent American presidential election can only be described as horrifically entertaining. Since Trump has made it much, much further than any of us could have imagined, let’s take a look back at all the crazy things the new President-elect has said over the last few months. Can you figure out if these quotes are Trump or False?

P M U TR E S L A or F

written by SABA AL HAMMOURI designed by FATIMA MOHAMED

3 4

It’s freezing and snowing in New York – we need global warming!

“My fingers are long and beautiful, as, it has been well documented, are various other parts of my body.”

You can either sidle up to [bullies], or you can punch them in the face. I like to punch them in the face.

5 6 7 8

I think the only difference between me and the other candidates is that I’m more honest and my women are more beautiful.

Sometimes it’s overwhelming. Why did God give me my talent, my gift, my family. But I know you’re not supposed to question God.

Robert Pattinson should not take back Kristen Stewart. She cheated on him like a dog and will do it again, just watch. He can do much better!

It’s always the wacko birds on the right and left that get the media megaphone.

4. FALSE, this was Chris Christie 5. TRUMP 6. FALSE, this was actually Beyonce

2

“I think that I’m a better speechwriter than my speechwriters. I know more about policies on any particular issue than my policy directors”

1. FALSE, this was actually Obama 2. TRUMP 3. TRUMP

1

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7. TRUMP 8. FALSE, This is John McCain

written by LINDSAY RAINBOW designed by MARINA BRYAN

So you’re moving to Canada in fear of the Future?

To our southern neighbours – we understand you’re scared about the future of your country now that Obama is leaving office. We’re scared too. Here’s the good news – immigration between our two countries is pretty simple (until the wall goes up, that is). If you’re heading north to the land of maple syrup and poutine, keep these things in mind.

1

All of the Canadian stereotypes are not true. We don’t all live in igloos, we don’t say “aboot” instead of “about”, and we don’t all say ‘eh. Okay, most of us say ‘eh’, but you’ll get used to it sooner than you think.

2

We’re super friendly up here. Unlike what you may be used to, we use our manners and smile at strangers.

Embrace it!

3

If you wanted to retain your American citizenship, you’re going to have to pay Canadian and American taxes. Isn’t it crazy that the U.S. is the only country in the world that taxes based on citizenship? Bet you’ll be happy to leave that behind.

4

Our Prime Minister is a pretty cool guy. He’s been known to take selfies with random passerby on the streets.

Including suspected terrorists. But don’t let that freak you out; in Canada we’re nice to EVERYBODY.

5

Forget everything you know about Fahrenheit. Like the rest of the world, we measure our temperature in degrees Celsius, and it makes way more sense. Soon you’ll see the beauty in 32-degree weather. This reminds me, bring a toque! It’s cold here most of the time.

6

Oh yeah, toques. That’s what we call hats/beanies that keep your head warm when it’s snowing. If you’re going to Saskatchewan remember to stock up on bunnyhugs (aka hoodies/sweatshirts) too!

7

Gun ownership in Canada requires a license, and you’ll probably have to say goodbye to your heavy-duty assault rifles. But that’s a small sacrifice for public safety, ‘eh?

8

Yes, we love hockey. If you have kids here, be prepared to spend your weekends shuttling them between hockey games. It’s inevitable.

9

You’ve probably never seen potholes before. They’re big craters in the roads caused by constant freezing and thawing. It makes for a bumpy ride, so don’t be alarmed the first time your butt flies out of your seat and your head nearly hits the roof of the car. Soon you’ll forget all about your smooth, bump-free freeways back home!

10

Tim Horton’s is life. Don’t question it. Remember, it’s not a donut-hole, it’s a timbit. Just shut up and drink your double-double before you embarrass yourself.

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We say sorry. A lot. Even when it’s not our fault and even to inanimate objects. We know, it’s weird but it’s so engrained in who we are as Canadians that it’s become compulsory to us- Sorry!

We hope this list helps. See you soon! We’ll be waiting with open arms and ketchup chips.

Love,

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Canada

LAZY CHAT

Lazy Chat with This month, I had the opportunity to interview my professor, Guy Boutilier. As a former mayor and Alberta MLA, Boutilier offers adaptive, comprehensive and honest lessons of what Canadian political culture is really like.

This knowledge transcends in a picturesque manner to our BUEC 479: Government and Business class. So far, we have had a mock presidential debate, a discussion on Brexit, a project designing new policies, and have invited Mayor Iveson and Infrastructure Minister Brian Mason to speak to our class.

Could you describe your class for us?

I love my class because there is such positive energy; it’s fourth year commerce students in a class that’s about government and policy. I just find that everyone is participating, and it’s really a learning tool about how public policy is made.

It’s not an easy task. Public policy is difficult, it’s about viewpoints that may differ and ideally the strongest public policy includes all of the viewpoints. I’m trying to emulate, as close as possible, what really goes on as lawmakers.

Have you had success in the past with inviting politicians to speak?

Yes. Simply because they were my colleagues, and I find that most public officials welcome the opportunity to get out of the legislature and to actually come and speak to the class. Actually, I’m hopeful that Premier Notley will come speak to our class, and there’s potential that she

GUY BOUTILIER will. We are people first, and students seem to like the idea of less ideology, and just more good ideas. When I hear a good idea from whatever political party, I applaud it. The question is, how can opposition work together to strengthen the public policy that benefits all Albertans? That’s the approach that I’ve always taken. Ideas will survive.

How do the politicians react to your class after speaking?

I find it to be really enjoyable. I’ve had members of public office come in, and I think they leave energized. They’re energized because of the dialogue, and it’s like “Wow”. I have always embraced the idea of universities and colleges because it’s lifelong learning. Two keywords are ‘engagement’ and the ‘culture’ that we’re creating.

That’s what the younger generation wants – they want to participate, and they want to contribute, and I think that both of those are a good thing for our society.

So, is the ultimate goal for your class community engagement?

Absolutely. It’s community engagement, and also a culture of engagement; a culture of saying, “Hey, why don’t we come together?” I use the example of Bill Gates, where he would sit down, and he would meet with people. Not in an office, but literally in a cafeteria – because that’s where the best ideas are coming from. I think that kind of culture is where we are progressing.

How has your class evolved over time?

We talk about a lot of things in our class. My first question at the beginning of every class is “What’s new in the world?” That’s important in government, in business, and it’s also important in the media. The three play an important role in serving the public. The class actually changes based on what’s happening in the world. We are challenging each other’s intellect. I think the motive is to make even greater public policy. You guys are rolling up your sleeves, and demonstrating to me really good policy ideas. A key word I often use is ‘adaptation’. We adapt and create a new culture. My hope is that someday, somebody in the class will consider going into public office because it is a noble calling.

Lastly, who are your political heroes?

My favorite – I’ll use the quote: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” That was Martin Luther King.

It’s easy when you’re sitting in your own chair, relaxed. I applaud people that decide to stand up for what is not right. Always listen, listen to your inner voice, because your inner voice is the ultimate truth.

written by GANIT SINGH photographed by RENEE YU designed by MARIE ESPENIDO 23