Skate park planned It will be located on Homer Watson at Pioneer Drive. Page 8 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2018
SPOKE
A LEARNING NEWSROOM FOR JOURNALISM STUDENTS
CONESTOGA COLLEGE, KITCHENER, ONT.
WWW.SPOKEONLINE.COM
Night Circus Cambridge Art Galleries plans fundraiser. Page 4 49TH YEAR — NO. 6
The aftermath of the wage hike BY LUCAS HUTTERI
The minimum wage was increased from $11.60 to $14 an hour in Ontario on Jan. 1. Many people, including students, rejoiced. An increased wage means more money for everyone, right? Well, it might not be that simple. “It’s minimum wage across the board,” said Carl Scammell, former owner of Smokin’ Tony’s Bar-B-Que in Guelph, in an interview with CTV. “The suppliers that get the food; their price went up. Why did their price go up? Because anybody they paid minimum wage, their price went up and they had to try to recoup their cost. And then my supplier had to pay the higher price, therefore they have to pay a high price to put it on the truck and therefore it comes at a higher price to me. I’m the end user; I’m the one that gets stuck with the bill.” According to Scammell, there were other factors leading to the closure of his restaurant, namely an increase in gas and hydro costs, but the large increase in minimum wage was the tipping point. Scammell was reportedly running at a 3.5 per cent profit, but the increase in minimum wage drove up prices by 35 per cent. Evidently the rise in minimum wage hasn’t been good for everyone, and students have taken notice. “I didn’t think that the increase in minimum wage would actually be that helpful since other prices were going to increase, making it still difficult to be a student trying to live and pay for school while having all of the typical expenses that accompany everything,” said Melena Lagana, a second-year student at Conestoga College. “Also, side note: I worked really hard over the summer to make less than the minimum wage now and it makes it seem less significant now.” While some students are skeptical of the wage increase, others welcome the extra money with open arms. “There are opinions on both sides, and there is evidence on both sides and basically is it an empirical question to see what happens,” said Lori Curtis, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo. “I mean if you increase
PHOTO BY LUCAS HUTTERI
Students buy their morning coffee at the Tim Hortons located on Conestoga College’s Doon campus. Tim Hortons’ business practices after the wage increase have been criticized. the minimum wage, you’re increasing the wage above equilibrium wage where supply equals demand, so you’re going to have a supply of workers that outpaces demand for workers. That could be bad, so we’re going to have possibly higher unemployment rates. That’s not good. However, the higher wage rates improve incomes of students or what we call the working poor people that are working at minimum wage trying to search out a living. So for the people who can find jobs it’s better, and for those who can’t find jobs it’s worse.” For students who already have jobs, expenses should be slightly less of a burden. For those looking for jobs, it might become a little more difficult. Curtis said if employers are not offering high enough wages, people will not do those jobs. But by increasing the minimum wage it is going INTERNET PHOTO to draw more people into the Smokin Tony’s Bar-B-Que closed soon after the 2018 minimum wage increase came into effect. market to fill those jobs. “Increasing the minimum jobs, perhaps because the wage Radio yesterday (Feb. 8) said It’s clear that business owners, wage is going to draw more is too low, then increasing unemployment rates are 5.4 particularly small business people into the market. the minimum wage is going per cent in Canada which is owners, are beginning to Increasing the minimum wage to draw more people out to quite low. That’s as low as it struggle to keep up with the rising wage, with some closing will get more students out look for jobs, and then more has been in a while.” Currently it’s difficult to shop. looking for jobs and finding people find jobs at a decent Higher wages are great, but jobs. If the market is tight and living wage, although I’m not determine exactly how this not many people are looking for sure $15 is a living wage. CBC will affect Canadian students. not if you can’t find a job.
NEWS
Page 2 s SPOKE
Now deep thoughts ... with Conestoga College
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
FILBERT CARTOONS
Random questions answered by random students
Out of your five senses, which one could you go without? “Taste. You are going to get invited to an event and eat everything even if you don’t like the food.”
WE ALL HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE
Michal Zjawin, second-year medical office practices
“Scent. Everything is so much more cool to have.”
Brandon Khamvonga, second-year insurance - property and casualty
“Taste because if you know what it smells like then you basically know what it tastes like.” Jason Aissa, second-year journalism broadcast
PHOTO BY VERONICA REINER
Kirk Durston discusses “Did Jesus Christ Exist” in the lower atrium at Conestoga College at the Power to Change event on Feb. 12.
A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CLUBBING “Taste I guess because if you lose your sense of smell taste is shot anyway and the other three are really important.” John Kidby, first-year general arts and science
“Smell. The other four you need to survive plus smell is overrated.” Mike Stromme, second-year journalism broadcast PHOTO BY REBECCA SOARES
Smile Conestoga, you could be our next respondent!
Conestoga Students Inc. hosted a Clubs Day on Feb. 6 to introduce students to the variety of clubs on campus that they can join. A few of the clubs include a poetry club and a vocal identity club.
NEWS
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
SPOKE s Page 3
Pot programs coming
BY JOSH PEDERSON
The Liberal government’s legislation on the legalization of recreational marijuana is right around the corner and soon, eager consumers will have full access to the piquant plant. The new law will allow users over the age of 19 to purchase up to 28 grams of marijuana for their personal consumption within a private residence. In Ontario, marijuana operations will be regulated by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. With legalization set to roll out nationwide this July, educational opportunities are springing up, with Ontario becoming Canada’s first province to offer a marijuanarelated program at the college level. The commercial cannabis production program is a one-year certificate program being offered at Niagara College Canada’s Niagaraon-the-Lake campus. Applicants who apply must have already obtained a post-secondary diploma in the field of horticulture,
agricultural science, biology, plant sciences or greenhouse technology. The program will aim to tackle the complex intricacies involved in marijuana licensing and prepare individuals who are looking to enter the workplace. According to the Niagara College website, by the end of the program, graduates will have learned how to “design and implement plant nutrition, lighting programs and integrated pest management to support optimal crop growth and quality” and be able to “comply with all regulatory and trade requirements for the safe and legal production and packaging of cannabis.” The college’s president, Dan Patterson, said in an interview with Global News, that “the program is meant to address a growing labour market need in the wake of legislative changes in Canada and abroad.” This begs the question as to whether other colleges will follow suit. “I have heard that Durham College and possibly Seneca College are
INTERNET PHOTO
Niagara College is the first college in Canada to announce it is offering a marijuana program in September. it will be offered at the college’s Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. considering programs,” said Michelle Grimes, chair of Conestoga College’s School of Business. Gary Hallam, executive dean of Conestoga’s School of Business and Hospitality and Media and Design, said, “At this point Conestoga has no courses or programs planned in or around this area. I have also checked with our vice-president of academic
MINUTE TO WIN IT - VALENTINE’S DAY EDITION
PHOTO BY JOSH PEDERSON
Conestoga College student Jagdeep Singh participates in Conestoga Students Inc’s. Valentine’s Daythemed Minute To Win It event, in an attempt to win some Condor cash..
administration, Barbara Kelly, to confirm.” The success of the program at Niagara College will likely determine the future of marijuana-related programs elsewhere. Their program will begin this September. Although Conestoga administrators don’t know yet whether the college will someday offer marijuana programs, one Conestoga
student gave the idea a green thumbs up. “I think it would be awesome for Conestoga to offer a marijuana program,” said Adam Voisin, a renewable energy techniques student. Colleges across the country will be carefully monitoring Niagara College’s new program offering to determine whether to implement their own programs.
NEWS
Page 4 s SPOKE
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Volunteering helps you stand out BY PETER SWART
Graduates from Conestoga College going into the workplace are already known by employers to have great practical and technical experience in their field, but that doesn’t mean there’s no competition. So current students should be thinking of ways they can stand out from the rest. The best option is volunteering. According to Kendra Foord, Student Engagement co-ordinator, there’s a saying that’s known by employers and should be followed by graduates. “People get hired for their technical skills but their ability to advance is determined by their soft skills,” she said, “or in harsher terms they get hired for their technical skills and fired for their soft skills.” Technical skills are learned through going to school and practising the skills students learn there but soft skills are learned through experiences not directly related to their field. They are things like leadership
skills, communication and emotional skills. On top of gathering soft skills it is also important for future graduates to learn how to express what they learned from volunteer opportunities. “The student’s co-curricular record has more value if they have the ability to explain what they’ve learned or how they’ve developed from an opportunity,” Foord said. The co-curricular portal is a great way to search for volunteer opportunities on and off campus but if you are unable to find something that interests you there are plenty of other options. One option is the Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener Waterloo and Area which lists volunteer positions in the area. “We house volunteer positions on our website for about 150 community agencies,” said Lily Viggiano, program co-ordinator at the Volunteer Action Centre. Their website, www. volunteerkw.ca, is a resource for anyone, not just students, looking to volunteer in the
community. “It basically works like a job search website, so you can search position type or region and it will come up with a list of opportunities that match the criteria,” she said. The website gives students a platform to find opportunities to set them apart from their future competition. “It’s especially important for students who may be looking to gain new skills,” said Viggiano, “and it’s also a great way to network and showcase your passion.” Anyone who has issues navigating the website can contact Viggiano at lily@ volunteerkw.ca and set up a one-on-one meeting in person, over the phone or through email. Any student looking to volunteer and stand out to employers should take advantage of the resources available to them such as Conestoga’s co-curricular portal as it is a free tool that can be make a difference in whether you get or keep a future job.
PHOTO BY PETER SWART
The Volunteer Action Centre is a resource that anyone can use to find volunteer opportunities in the community. Lily Viggiano is a program co-ordinator who can be reached at lily@volunteerkw.ca if you need help navigating the website
Come one, come all, the circus calls for one night only BY REBECCA SOARES
INTERNET PHOTO
The Cambridge Art Galleries is holding a Night Circus event on March 3 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Student tickets are $40 and can be purchased at ideaexchange.org/nightcircus.
The circus is in town but for one night only. On Saturday, March 3, Idea Exchange is hosting a Night Circus in the Cambridge Public Library, located at 1 Queen’s Square. The circus will be starting at 8 p.m. and ending at midnight. “It’s going to be incredible. We’ve been working on it for a while now and there’s still plenty to do before that time but it’s starting to come together,” said Jennifer Tupling of Idea Exchange’s Marketing and Outreach department. “It can be challenging as this whole event is based off a book called Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and we’re trying to recreate the circus from within that book.”
General admission is $50 and $40 for artists and students. The Night Circus will feature a variety of entertainers and performers throughout the night including fire artists, card readers, singers, dancing acts and burlesque performers. Idea Exchange has a list of performers on their website, https://ideaexchange.org/ nightcircus, but it isn’t a complete list. “We want it to be a surprise as well. We listed quite a bit to draw people into attending but in the book, part of the magic of the circus is that no one quite knows what to expect once the circus begins and we want to make sure we keep the magic in our Night Circus,” said Sarah Bennett of Idea Exchange’s Marketing and Outreach department.
Food and drinks will also be available at the event, provided by EVO Kitchen, Langdon Hall, Four All Ice Cream, The Bake Shop on Main and Four Fathers Brewing Co. The Night Circus is a ticketed event for ages 19 and over and all proceeds will support Cambridge Art Galleries. “Every week leading up to the event we are going to be releasing information and articles as to what the guests are to expect. We also want to keep them updated about how close the event is and make sure that people stay excited about what’s to come at Night Circus,” said Tupling. So be ready, once the circus appears at night, you won’t want to miss what excitement and mystery lie within.
NEWS
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Nominate a champion of mental health BY AUSTIN WELLS
Mental illness and mental health can be a struggle, and it’s important to spread awareness about the detriments and suffering that these two things can cause. The Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) hopes to give recognition to the people who help those in need through their Champions of Mental Health competition, which runs until Feb. 23. Run by CAMIMH through Impact Canada, the competition recognizes seven Canadians who have been recognized as “champions” of mental health within their communities. “This is the 16th year of the event, my first year working with it,” said Michael Hutchison, an event co-ordinator with Impact Canada. “Each year CAMIMH recognizes seven Canadians whose work has helped to advance the mental health agenda across the country. These remarkable people are recognized at our annual Champions of
Mental Health Awards Gala. Awards at the gala are handed out by the Governor General, MPs and representatives from the Bell Let’s Talk organization.” Each of the seven receive their own award, which is tailored to the recipient’s respective field. The awards include the Media award, Workplace Mental Health award, Parliament award, Community Organization and Individual awards, Innovator awards and the Sharon Johnston Champion of Mental Health Award For Youth. Winning the award is a great honour and a great way to change one’s attitude, according to Lauren Whiteway, a teen from Moncton, N.B., last year’s winner of the youth award. “I was nominated by my mom. I didn’t know that she nominated me until I ended up winning,” Whiteway said. “I was blown away at first, because the word champion and mental health don’t really go together so that felt really good. Winning has really given me a lot
more confidence and I’ve been able to collaborate with other champions and increase my awareness platform. It’s been really helpful.” Mental health is something that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, so spreading awareness and giving recognition to the individuals who help is very important. Despite the competition/awards ceremony, the question remains: what makes a champion of mental health? “I think that being a champion is really about perseverance through difficult times, and helping others understand that they’re not alone because mental illness can make you feel so helpless and isolated,” Whiteway said. If you know of an individual or organization that you feel demonstrates the qualities of a champion of mental health that you’d like to nominate for an award, or for more information, visit www. camimh.ca/champions-ofmental-health/nominate-achampion/ or call 647-3179057.
SPOKE s Page 5
WINNER OF CONESTOGA’S GOT TALENT
PHOTO BY TAYLOR PACE
Engell Degoro won the $100 prize for her Conestoga’s Got Talent performance during the competition held by Conestoga Students Inc. on Feb. 7 in the Venue. The event also featured several other musical performances. For video story, go to www.spokeonline.com.
COMMENTARY
Page 6 s SPOKE
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Cellphones have many drawbacks BY VERONICA REINER
Throughout the past decade, cellphones and social media have had an enormous impact on our lives. The behemoth of social media, Facebook, started in 2004 and its influence has skyrocketed ever since. Other platforms followed. Smartphones have undoubtedly influenced our way of thinking, so much so that there is an actual divide between the brains of those who have grown up with smartphones – digital natives – versus those who haven’t, called digital immigrants. But is this necessarily a good thing? Smartphones have plenty of positive uses. They allow us to network, obtain research and insight into our posts and communicate with just about anyone, anywhere. The bad news is these social media sites are wired to be addictive. Social validation is an important part of being human, so a Facebook or Instagram “like” is a social signal that makes us feel good. Fear of missing out is also another reality of the cellphone addiction. However, it is crucial to realize when our smartphone is becoming unhealthy. According to new research conducted by British psychologists, young adults use their smartphones over twice as much as they estimate they do, around roughly 80 times a day. Not only do they check it frequently, but another small preliminary study found that these young adults spent an average of five hours a day on their phones. That is one-third of their total waking hours. That is insanity. Research shows that excessive technology use can impair attention, memory and productivity, increase stress levels, and reduce sleep quality. It also can lead to small cognitive errors, such as walking into a sign or forgetting meetings. In addition, there is a new phenomenon known as “phubbing” created to describe the behaviour of snubbing someone in favour of a cellphone. Meaning another effect of excessive cellphone use is weakening real-life interactions. This also leads to poorer social skills. So, the advice? Self awareness is a good first step. Be aware of how often you check your phone, remember to use it at appropriate times and places, and don’t be afraid to put it down for a few hours. Live in the present moment. It’s not only OK but oftentimes very rewarding to take a break from the digital world. The views herein represent the position of the newspaper, not necessarily the author.
Letters are welcome Spoke welcomes letters to the editor. Letters should be signed and include the name and telephone number of the writer. Writers will be contacted for verification. No unsigned letters will be published. Letters should be no longer
than 500 words. Spoke reserves the right to edit any letter for publication. Address correspondence to: The Editor, Spoke, 299 Doon Valley Dr., Kitchener, Ont., N2G 4M4
Canada has been golden at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Don’t express your opinion at Laurier Late last year Wilfrid Laurier University finally apologized to Lindsay Shepherd, a teaching assistant who aired a clip of a gender-pronoun debate. Shepherd was harshly criticized by her peers for showing the clip featuring outspoken University of Toronto professor Jordan Peterson in her tutorials and not immediately condemning his views. Shepherd showed the video as part of a communications tutorial. She did this to spark a debate around the issue so that the students could see that some of the problems were because gender pronouns are part of English’s fundamental grammatical structure. Shepherd was hauled in to a meeting by her superior and other colleagues where she was harshly criticized for airing the clip. Shepherd was basically called a supporter of Adolf Hitler during this meeting. The fact that Laurier University administrators didn’t apologize until there was heavy media coverage of the event is wrong. I believe
Tyler Medeiros Opinion
that if Shepherd did not take her story to the media and instead stayed quiet the university would have had no problem with the harsh actions that Shepherd’s peers took against her.
“
Shepherd was basically called a supporter of Adolf Hitler by her superiors.
”
Shepherd was criticized after a student complained about not feeling safe in that class. The fact that this class is about being able to communicate your stance on an issue makes the whole situation absurd. It is not OK for the university to say you can’t debate and discuss specific
issues and you must think a certain way. This is basically taking away free speech and free thinking. This kind of heavy censorship can lead to groupthink – when everyone must think the exact same way or else they are wrong and harshly criticized for it. Everyone should be able to have their own opinion on gender and the use of gender pronouns and in Shepherd’s case she does not agree with Peterson’s statements and supports the use of preferred pronouns. Shepherd has been speaking at different universities to spread the message of freedom of speech and freedom of expression. But most importantly she talks about the importance of students being able to form their own opinions without being told what the proper way to think is. I agree with the message that Shepherd is trying to spread and I hope that nothing like this ever happens at Conestoga College because the ability and freedom to express ourselves is what democracy is all about.
SPOKE
IS PUBLISHED AND PRODUCED WEEKLY BY THE JOURNALISM STUDENTS OF CONESTOGA COLLEGE Editor: Taylor Pace Assignment Editor: Austin Wells Advertising Manager: Christina Jonas Spoke Online Editors: Mike Turcotte-McCusker, Josh Pederson Production Manager: Christina Jonas
Photo Editors (print): Lucas Hutteri, Tyler Medeiros Photo Editors (online): Veronica Reiner, Peter Swart Social Media Editor: Melissa Horton Circulation Manager: Becky Soares
Faculty Supervisor and Adviser: Christina Jonas Spoke’s address is 299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 1B23, Kitchener, Ontario, N2G 4M4.
Phone: 519-748-5220, ext. 3691, 3692, 3693, 3694 Email: spoke@conestogac.on.ca Website: www.spokeonline.com
The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Conestoga College. Spoke shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the amount paid for the space. Letters to the editor are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or typed; a MS Word file would be helpful. Letters must not contain any libellous statements.
FUN & GAMES
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
SPOKE s Page 7
Useless Facts
Oh Cliff!
Horoscope Week of February 20, 2018
Aries
March 21 April 19 If you’re considering a big investment, then think not about if, but when to take that step. Consider holding off on matters related to reproduction and birth control.
Taurus April 20 May 20
Today you can turn a new page in the book of your life. It starts by letting your addiction go and knowing that you’ve made the right decision.
Gemini May 21 June 21
Come to peace with the fact that you will always come out on top as long as you keep trying.
Cancer June 22 July 22
It’s time to turn over a new leaf. You can start by eating less of what you want and more of what you need, and accepting that this is what’s best for everyone.
Leo
July 23 August 22 If you think you might be ready for a major commitment, it might be time to take that plunge.
Virgo
August 23 September 22 This week you will discover an item that was lost that had significance to you, and it will take on a new meaning.
Bruce Lee was so fast that they actually had to slow film down while shooting so you could see his moves. That’s the opposite of the norm.
Libra
September 23 October 22
In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
Are you working towards going back to school? This year is ultimately the right time to make something big happen and it will be time to act.
Every person has a unique tongue print. There are no clocks in Las Vegas gambling casinos.
Scorpio
An old law in Bellingham, Washington made it illegal for a woman to take more than three steps backwards while dancing.
October 23 November 21 All signs point to the fact that you will find an item you own, like a broken watch or a broken clock, and it will become important to you once again.
Sudoku Puzzle
Sagittarius November 22 December 21
Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1-9, without repeating any.
If you have any big plans coming up, then trust your instincts, if you’ve thought about the decision enough. If there is a nagging doubt, maybe it’s for good reason.
Capricorn December 22 January 19
Are you thinking about making a job move? The coming week might be a turning point and you’ll have to do the right thing.
Aquarius January 20 February 18
If you’re feeling doubtful, you should help a stranger. And then things will start to look up for you. Now is the time to give advice to others.
Pisces
February 19 March 20 Today you should listen to a new radio station. This will help you, and you’ll finally be able to realize your potential.
Diodonna Winona dabbles in forces beyond mortal comprehension. She also enjoys people watching and coffee.
Word Search
NEWS
Page 8 s SPOKE
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
New skate park coming to Kitchener
BY MELISSA HORTON
With Kitchener already being home to three skate parks, it may come as a surprise to learn that a new park is coming to the region this year. It will be located on the corner of Pioneer Drive and Homer Watson Boulevard. Karen Leasa, associate landscape architect with the City of Kitchener, said this particular location was chosen because, “The south end of the city did not have any skateboarding facilities near to their respective neighbourhoods, making the current location of Doon
Pioneer Skate Park crucial in providing an equitable balance of facilities across the city.” So far, community response to the project has been positive. The already existing skate parks have given youth a place to go and socialize as well as participate in skateboarding. With many families not being able to afford sports costs, skate parks have become an alternative to keep many youth active. “I don’t mind the idea of a skate park,” said Melanie Shrank, a Kitchener resident who lives close to the site of the new park. “It gives kids something productive to do.”
However, it’s not just the residents that the City of Kitchener are thinking about, it’s the skateboarders too. Last January a public engagement workshop took place at Budd Park Sports Lounge where a design consultant from Newline Skateparks, the company contracted by the city to come up with a design, worked with local skateboarders on design ideas. More workshops are planned for the future. “The follow-up workshop will be the consultant presenting three conceptual designs based on some of the initial feedback from the first
workshop,” said Leasa. “The final open house will be the consultant presenting their final consolidated concept plan and an opportunity for minor alterations to the plan prior to the final construction drawings being developed.” This isn’t the first time that the city has involved the community, skateboarders in particular. In 2010, the city offered online surveys to the community during one of their open houses to gain insight into how the public feels. According to the City of Kitchener Skate Park Planning Study, of the 355 people who responded to the
survey, 81 per cent were skateboarders or parents of a child who skateboards. In another survey included in the study, which was partly completed before the installation of McLennan Park, 229 skateboarders said they used the street, 188 used the sidewalk and a combined number of 351 varied between using two Kitchener skate parks or skate parks located outside of Kitchener. According to a Nov. 23 article in the Waterloo Region Record, the city has budgeted $350,000 for the new skate park and construction is expected to start this summer.
GAME OF DONES DOUGHNUT CONTEST
PHOTO BY AUSTIN WELLS
Conestoga students compete in the “Game of Dones” doughnutmaking competition on Feb. 12 run by Debrodnik’s Donuts, located at 700 Strasburg Rd. in Kitchener.