Volume 85. Issue 2

Page 1


OCTOBER 2024

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editors-in-chief

Kavi “Virus from 3 Idiots” Vidya Achar

Andrew “Alan from The Hangover” Wilimek

managing director

Sydney “Corpse Bride” Grenier

visuals director

Kai “‘Into the Woods’ Stage Boyfriend” Holub

news Editor

Bridget “Ladybug” Coady

News Writer

Isabelle “Hunter” Jay

Arts & Culture Editor

Daniel “Red Pikmin” Jones

SportS Writers

Ana “Lightning McQueen” Sofia de la Parra

Liam “Steve Irwin” Corbett

Business, Science & Tech Editor

Basant “Tate Mcrae” Chawla

opinions/features editor

Amira “Raven from Teen Titans” Benjamin

Staff Writers

Marjan “Jim Morrison” Massoom

Fejiro “Ninja from The Hidden Rain” Mejire

Broadcast Editor

Azeeza “Cat” Kagzi

Online Editor

Ayai “Spider-Man” Offor

videographer

Pavel “Early-Bird” Nangfack

news

pp.3. University of Ottawa professors allege attempted interference over Taiwanese security trip

pp.4. UOSU fall by-election sees 8.47% turnout, seven board members elected

pp.5. University of Ottawa President Frémont to leave a year early: A look back on his work in the role

ARTS

pp.8. Getting to know campus with photography

pp.10. The Indigenous Students Association: fostering community and advocacy on campus

SPORTS

pp.11. Gee-Gees Football: Gee-Gees humble U of T; secure playoff position

pp.12. Gee-Gees Basketball: Men begin season with electric win over Windsor

pp.14. Gee-Gees Rugby: Men outclass Redbirds in RSEQ semi-finals.

SCIENCES

pp.15. TikTok as a lullaby: The impact of tech on sleep pp.16. U of O Entrepreneurs: Carly Fox of Carly Fox Disability Advocacy

FEATURES

pp.19. Chaos in the Clubs: A look at the club funding crisis

OPINIONS

pp.22. The looming threat of Trumpism — and what it means for Canada

pp.23. You should care about the news, actually. pp.25. The Curious Case of Benjamin Books: A love letter to an institution

NEWS

University of Ottawa professors allege attempted interference over Taiwanese security trip

University of Ottawa professors face backlash from the Chinese embassy over their attendance of a security forum hosted by the Taiwanese government

Two academic staff members of the University of Ottawa, professor Roland Paris, and director of the Information Integrity Lab, Jennifer Irish, reported attempted intimidation from the Chinese embassy in regards to their recent business trip to Taiwan.

Both Paris and Irish were invited as panellists to the Ketagalan Forum in late August on Indo-Pacific security; Paris, being the director of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the U of O, was invited to a talk on the security forum, while Irish contributed to the protection of digital democracy talk.

Irish told the Globe and Mail in September that the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Canada had attempted to personally contact her prior to the August conference.

In the case of Paris, the Chinese embassy had

reportedly arranged meetings with the University of Ottawa and filed an objection with Global Affairs

Canada after their visit. Paris told the Globe and Mail that “the university ‘completely has my back’” adding that he sees the Chinese Government’s behaviour as “largely performative”.

Attemped Chinese interferences are a recurring topic in U of O news and international relations. In November 2022, U of O president and vice-provost, Jacques Frémont, apologized on behalf of the University of Ottawa for blocking the media from documenting a speech by the Ambassador from the People’s Republic of China when he spoke on campus.

In his statement following the incident Frémont admitted: “We should have done better to protect the freedom of the press.”

To understand the context of why Canadian professors are experi-

encing interference from the Chinese government over a conference in Taiwan, the Fulcrum interviewed professor André Laliberté, the

to the Fulcrum that following their rejection of martial law, the Republic of China (commonly known as Taiwan), has been a democratic society

there is only one China, including Taiwan within their territory, highlighting that any countries engaged in diplomatic relations with China must rec-

chair in research on Taiwanese studies at the University of Ottawa.

Laliberté described the Chinese embassy’s involvement as “indecent” and praised his colleagues for avoiding confrontation. “The principle of academic freedom dictates that we are free to decide with whom we want to work,” said Laliberté, “It’s not government to government relations, it’s private entities.”

Laliberté continued by explaining

since the 1980s. Despite breaking away from the People’s Republic of China (commonly known as China), Taiwan’s recognition as a sovereign state from the international community has not yet been validated.

Even if there is a tangible reality of two sovereign entities, Taiwan’s recognition within the United Nations is unlikely as long as the current Chinese government — the Chinese Communist Party — claims that

ognize their sole authority over the entire territory.

Laliberté remarked that ‘‘the position of the Canadian government is that they do not want to antagonize China, so they will respect the will of their government to not enter into diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but nevertheless engage in substantive relations with it — trade relations, cultural relations, and treaties addressing pragmatic issues.’

When asked

Isabelle Jay
The Chinese embassy, located on St. Patrick Street in Ottawa. Photo: Simon Pulsifer, licenced under CC 3.0

if this could impact the relations of University of Ottawa’s students, Laliberté answered “I warmly welcome students coming from China, of course” citing that within his career he could recall many instances of international students at-

tending school with interest on learning what a democracy is, “despite their home countries dissuading their studies.”

On a larger scale, when asked if this event could fracture relations between institutions, Laliberté comment-

ed that “if anything we will increase exchanges, encouraging [members of] the University of Ottawa to go to Taiwanese universities, and we will encourage [members] from Taiwanese universities to come here.”

When asked

for comment by the Fulcrum, China’s embassy — located in Ottawa — replied “there is only one China in the world. Taiwan is a part of China, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government

representing China. This is a universal consensus of the international community and a recognized basic norm for state relations. One-China principle is the fundamental principle for handling the Taiwan issue.”

UOSU fall by-election sees 8.47% turnout, seven board members elected

Three new members to join executive committee in November

Executive Committee

After seven days — two more than anticipated — the University of Ottawa Students’ Union by-elections have concluded with 8.47% turnout, the most all time for a

The executive committee will be filled out by three new members. Anne Hyppolite will become the communications commissioner; Alex Stratas the advocacy commis-

All races for positions on the executive committee were uncontested. All candidates were elected with similar levels of approval and disapproval. Hyppolite received 64.6 per cent approval, Stratas 69.1

full time. With that in mind, commissioners must be part-time students unless they are international students or are enrolled in faculties which do not permit part-time study.

Board of Directors

with 60 per cent of the vote to Legare’s 36.7 per cent. In addition to Azzi, three other members of the BOD were elected. The BOD as a whole is made up of the executive committee and up to 23 other

by-election in the union’s short history. Three members are set to join the union’s executive committee, four are set to join the Board of Directors (BOD), and one will join the University Senate.

sioner; and Emilia Bah the student life commissioner — pending ratification by the elections committee, the BOD, and finally undergraduate students at the UOSU’s general assembly.

per cent, and Bah 67.5 per cent.

The members of the executive committee, while holding seats on the BOD, are also in charge of the dayto-day operations of the union and work

Despite a crowded ballot overall, just one race was contested. The single seat on the BOD for the faculty of medicine had two candidates, Jean-Paul Azzi and Xavier Legare. Azzi prevailed

members who represent their respective faculties by voting on motions at monthly board meetings and holding positions on various committees. Only members of the candidate’s respective faculties were

Andrew Wilimek

permitted to vote on their representatives.

In an uncontested race, the three vacancies in the faculty of science had three candidates:

Moveen Galathure, Ibrahim Ghani, and Ahmed Mohamed. All received enough votes to be elected, with 66.2 per cent, 44.1 per cent, and 45.2 per cent of the vote, respectively.

However, Mohamed was disqualified at some point during the election. Chief electoral officer Ben Cameron was not yet able to comment on the reason for disqualification in time for publication.

For the Telfer School of Management, Gary Chao was the only candi-

date for the single vacancy. Chao was elected with 70.5 per cent of the vote.

Referendum & University Senate

The health sciences seat on the University Senate had two candidates:

Colton Chaput and Fred Rugria. Chaput edged out Rugria by just four votes; 43.3 per cent to 42.2 per cent. Only students in the faculty of health sciences were able to vote on the race.

The senate, which is made up mostly of professors and faculty members, sets the university’s educational policies.

One referendum question was put forth to members of the Canadian law

program. It asked to them to vote on recognizing and funding the Association étudiante du Programme de droit canadien (AssoPDC). The question passed, 31-1, and a levy of $20 per semester for students enrolled in the program passed 29-4.

By-Election Logistics

By-elections have taken place each fall since a 2019 referendum in which undergraduate students chose to be represented by the UOSU, after the previous union’s agreement with the university was terminated due to fraud.

The previous record for turnout in

a by-election was 7.7% a year ago. General elections, which take place in the spring, have seen higher turnout three times: 2019 (16 per cent), 2020 (12.4 per cent), and 2022 (8.5 per cent).

This year, the UOSU piloted in-person voting, both outside their office in the UCU and outside the dining hall. Volunteers — mostly from the club uOttawa Votes — staffed these tables and facilitated on-site online voting.

Elected

members of the executive committee and BOD will not take office until after the Autumn General Assembly (AGA). Motions to bind and

direct the activities of the UOSU can be submitted by and voted upon by any undergraduate student at the AGA. The assembly is set to be held no later than Nov. 30.

After an issue was discovered that limited the ability of co-op students to vote, UOSU allowed two extra days of voting after fixing the error. By-election results are still unofficial. The current BOD will vote to ratify them at their meeting on Sunday which begins at 4 p.m. assuming approval by the elections committee. The full results can be found on UOSU’s website.

University of Ottawa President Frémont to leave a year early: A look back on his work in the role

Frémont’s early departure from the role will leave the Board of Governors (BOG) to appoint a new president

and vice-chancellor by the end of this academic year

Bridget Coady

Radio-Canada is reporting U of O President and Vice Chancellor Jacques Frémont will leave his position a year early. Originally appointed the 30th President of the University of Ottawa in 2016, Frémont began a second term in 2020; originally meant to leave in June 2026, he’ll now

be out of the role in June 2025. He cited personal reasons for the decision to step aside early.

Frémont studied at Laval University before attending law school at Osgoode Hall. Frémont was dean of law at the University of Montréal until 2010 and was appointed to chair Québec’s Human Rights and Youth Rights Com-

mission in 2013. He became President of the U of O in 2016, a position that encompasses many responsibilities including chairing the university’s Senate and acting as a member of the U of O’s Board of Governors (BOG). These two separate bodies oversee the school’s academic policy and management/governance, respectively.

First term in the role

In his first address after his appointment in December of 2015, Frémont spoke of the U of O’s unique commitment to bilingualism: “I was also attracted to the University of Ottawa because of its long and harmonious history of combining both Francophone and Anglophone cultures. The University

has been committed to this unique dual culture environment since its founding in 1848 by Mgr. Joseph-Eugène-Bruno Guigues. It was his dream to bring together Francophones and Anglophones to study in the same classroom, both in French and English.”

In June 2019, two separate instances of carding

by campus security drew heavy scrutiny to campus. First, a Black student was stopped by campus security while skateboarding on campus and accused of trespassing; he was detained for over two hours before being released without a ticket or a warning. Later that month another Black student was carded by campus security, this time in his workplace and home, a residence building.

In 2019, Frémont was at the helm of the school’s administration during the collapse of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO). In an interview with the Fulcrum reflecting on the difficulties with the previous union he shared: “[W]hen we decided to terminate the contract, it was not an easy decision to take, because basically, the student body is suffering. Decisions concerning students should be taken by students, but this time around, it went a bit too far.”

Second Term

In February of 2020 Fremont acknowledged a mental health crisis amongst U of O students after the fifth death by suicide in ten months. Students responded to

Frémont’s response to the crisis by holding a sit-in outside of his office the next day. Frémont came out of his office to speak to students after they had been gathered for hours

in a statement where he told the student to “never waste a good incident or a good crisis”.

Frémont oversaw the University through the COVID-19 pandem-

light of recent events, so we are trying to find new ways of supporting students, and to build resilience. But that’s not an easy one.”

In early October of 2020 a part-

making signs and sitting on the steps across from his office.

In March 2020 Frémont called the previously mentioned 2019 racial-profiling and hand-cuffing of a Black student a “good crisis” addressing the student directly

ic, overseeing a transition to online learning and keeping the university community appraised of the unfolding situation. He spoke with the Fulcrum in March 2020 about student mental health concerns during the online transition: “It is crucial, especially in the

time Professor in the Faculty of the Arts was temporarily removed from teaching responsibilities after using the N-word in an online lecture. Frémont did not address the situation publicly until two weeks later after a group of 34 U of O professors published

a letter of support for their colleague. Frémont said of the discourse: “contrary to so much of what has been written in recent days, the right to freedom of expression and the right to dignity are not contradictory principles, but complementary. They must co-exist with one another.”

In January 2022 Frémont signed the Okanagan charter, “a mental health charter dedicated to promoting mental health resources on campus.”

In February of 2022 Frémont announced plans for the university to divest from fossil fuels by 2023 and pledged to end all indirect holdings in the industry by 2030. Speaking of the decision Frémont said: “[It] goes hand in hand with our overall commitments to reducing our carbon footprint on campus. I thank the many students who advocated for the important steps we are taking. It is a great example of effective leadership on their part.”. U of O students had been advocating for divestment since the early 2010s.

During the Palestinian solidarity encampment on Tabaret Lawn from April to July of 2024, Frémont was notably absent from any

Image from June 3. (Photo: Bridget Coady/Fulcrum.)

university emails to the community, instead the university’s vice-president of academic affairs

Jacques Beauvais signed emails with updates on the situation. Frémont was not present in any of the meetings between encampment organizers and university administrators. He made a statement on the encampment to the University Senate on June 10.

During the encampment stickers were put up around campus, specifically on the Tabaret Hall sign, with an image of Frémont and the words:

“Jacques Frémont, you can’t hide / You

are funding genocide”.

After the encampment disbanded Frémont released a public statement on July 10, focusing on the state of Tabaret Lawn after protestors left: “We condemn the acts of vandalism committed by the demonstrators before leaving the site, which add to the already considerable damage around Tabaret since the encampment was set up and continue to generate huge costs for the University. The Ottawa Police Service is onsite to assess the situation, including the damage.”

Frémont’s statement continued:

“We have stated many times that the values of academic freedom and freedom of expression are foundational to our mission, and we will continue to uphold them. However, the illegal occupation of spaces is not freedom of expression, as the Superior Court of Ontario has recently ruled. Neither is setting up fences around the encampment, nor restricting access to only those who agree with organizers. These are simply violations of others’ right to use those spaces.”

“That being said, we have heard the protestors’ message. We fully acknowledge the pain

caused by the violence unfolding in the Middle East since October of last year. That pain is indeed felt by many members of our community. We also know that the tensions that the conflict is causing on our campus and in our society will persist. It is important that we prepare for the new academic year in a spirit of respect and openness, to ensure that every member of our community feels safe and secure, so that they can thrive.”

Overview

Frémont has appeared on the Ontario Sunshine list for every year he has been in the role of

President, receiving a salary of $399,616 annually since 2018. Keeping in line with the decade before his appointment, tuition increased every single year of Frémont’s presidency. See Fulcrum articles from 2020, 2022 and 2023.

Frémont’s early departure from the role will leave the Board of Governors (BOG) to appoint a new president and vice-chancellor by the end of this academic year.

Image: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik/Fulcrum Archives.

ARTS

Getting to know campus with photography

Four stops at U of O to help students learn campus

Getting around campus can be hectic, especially at the beginning of the year. But, those who are coming onto campus this fall will be delighted to know that U of O offers some lovely sights to exercise your creative muscles and hopefully have you stop to smell the roses.

Hagen and Tabaret Tabaret’s

sharp architecture allows for some nice practice whether you’re photographing or drawing, espe-

wide lawn allows for some fun action shots of people playing games during the autumn and spring months. If that’s not your style, you can also find a few dozen snowmen in the winter to take some portraits of. The benches along the perimeter also allow for a nice spot to rest while writing.

Hagen Hall’s

cially in the fall when the changing leaves start to compliment the brickwork exterior.

Morisset Stairs

Located just outside Morisset Library, these stairs add some elevation to your framing. Play around with the way your subject can move up and down the levels. If you’ve

Daniel Jones
Photo: Daniel Jones/Fulcrum.
Photo: Daniel Jones/Fulcrum.

had enough of that, you can always go up the stairs and into the courtyard for flat ground and greenery to bring some nature into your shots too.

University Square

The square is always nice for getting busy shots of people running to class or some leisurely skateboarding in the evenings. It’s also a good spot to try experimenting with some longer exposure on your photos, getting the crowd to blur a little more while having your subject contrast with the busy crowds. Remember to be careful not to block anyone’s way while shooting and to be mindful of people not wanting to be photographed!

SITE

With its inyour-face colour palette and winding staircase, SITE is great for trying some fashion shots or portraiture! SITE also offers some opportunities to try doing some grad photos and to mix up profile shots,

rather than the usual plant wall in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) building. The connecting hallway between the building and Colonel By also makes for lovely evening shots when the art seems to glow a little, playing with the lower

light here may make for a special shot or two.

Go ahead and try these locations out for yourself, if you’re looking for more locations and advice, connecting with U of O’s many arts clubs like the UO Photo Club can

be helpful while you learn the trade. Happy photographing!

Photo: Daniel Jones/Fulcrum.
Photo: Daniel Jones/Fulcrum.

The Indigenous Students Association: fostering community and advocacy

The current co-president of the ISA, Bianca Miron, described their mission “to unite Indigenous students on campus.”

for Indigenous students.”

A cornerstone of cultural pride and unity in the University of Ottawa is the Indigenous Students Association (ISA). The ISA provides a sense of belonging and a welcoming environment for Indigenous students who may be far from their home communities and support networks. The vital organization is dedicated to empowering Indigenous students, celebrating Indigenous cultures, and advocating for Indigenous rights. The ISA builds a supportive community through social events, study groups, and wellness activities, helping students manage both academic and personal challenges.

The ISA, originally known as the uOttawa Aboriginal Student Association, was founded in 1985 by Claudette Commanda and has since evolved into the organization it is today. In 2022, then co-presidents Quanah Traviss and Ieronhenehtha Lazore played a pivotal role in gaining recognition for the ISA as a Recognized Student Government, bringing renewed attention and support to the association. The current co-president, Bianca Miron, explained their mission to the Fulcrum, stating, “Our goal is to unite Indigenous students on campus.” She emphasized, “We really want to create an environment where we can advocate

The ISA’s office is within the Indigenous Resource Centre on campus. Miron explains, “With our association, we really want to make sure that people who are coming from communities far away, maybe even up north, that they have a space where they’re not going to feel judged at all. We want to make sure that everyone feels welcome, whether you’re Metis, whether you’re First Nations Inuit, whether you’re reconnecting … we see people the same.”

The ISA plans to continue hosting educational workshops where students can hold study groups at the Indigenous Resource Center. They also plan to incorporate the Indigenous Medical Learners Association, founded by Alex Petiquan, where a resident physician can guide Indigenous students interested in applying to medical schools. Miron told the Fulcrum that they hope to hold educational workshops that can guide stu-

dents in every program. The ISA also incorporated cultural workshops this year, Miron explains that they “set up beading events, beading circles, where we get to teach people to bead … and I’m planning a ribbon skirt workshop where we have sewing machines so we are able to make ribbon skirts.”

Additionally, a major goal for the ISA is to “have an Indigenous students conference where [they’re] going to invite two Indigenous representatives from every post secondary school in Ontario, to come to Ottawa and learn how to build up their own Indigenous Students Association.” The conference, currently in the early planning stages, aims to bring together representatives from various Indigenous student organizations across colleges and universities in Ontario.

The goal is to share experiences, including successes and challenges, in running on-campus groups. From these discussions, the ISA plans to create resources and reports that highlight the pos-

itive impact of Indigenous organizations on post-secondary students and provide well-informed recommendations to relevant stakeholders such as university and college administrations and education ministries.

The ISA hopes this event can serve as a catalyst to revive the former Indigenous Student Alliance of Ontario, ensuring continued connection and organization among Indigenous students as they navigate post-secondary education.

As a vital pillar of support and cultural celebration for Indigenous students at the University of Ottawa, The ISA has exciting plans for cultural and educational workshops as well as a provincial Indigenous students conference. The ISA continues to evolve, it stands as a beacon of unity, ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard, respected and celebrated on campus and beyond.

Marjan Massoom
The Indigenous Students Association (ISA) stands as a cornerstone of unity and cultural pride on our campus, providing a vital space for Indigenous students to connect, share their heritage, and amplify their voices. Photo: Pavel Nangfack.

SPORTS

Gee-Gees Football: Gee-Gees humble U of T; secure playoff position

MATT MAHLER PICKED UP THREE

TOUCHDOWNS

showed that their season is far from being over.

The beginning of the end was seen Saturday for numerous Gee-Gees entering their home field. As senior night dictates, the senior

Ottawa started the game with kicker Zachary Copeland showing impressive skills and leg strength which placed the ball on To-

sonal foul, ensuring no yards were gained. This means the Gees got the ball on Toronto’s 40, ensuring an advantage to an already powered-up team.

Riding the power high, running

Gees to have the first opportunity at a first-and-goal. With only seconds on the clock, Copeland kicked the ball and ensured a three point lead to finish the first quarter. The second

has long been the player tapped to rush quarterback sneaks on the goal line and added some slotback duties to his resume this year. He finished with three rushing touchdowns on sneaks.

players were accompanied by their respective supporters on what was sure to be one of their most memorable nights, honouring their GeeGees career. However, for the rest of the game, the Gee-Gees

ronto’s 10-yard-line, initiating a power battle and pressure play within the field. Failing to obtain any groundbreaking yards, the Varsity Blues punted, earning two flags on the spot and a per-

back Charles Asselin impressed us with his rushing skills, making sure he flaunted his cruciality within the game. Asselin led the ball down the middle, gaining immense ground and allowing the Gee-

quarter started right off and gave us the first touchdown of the game by thirdstring quarterback Matt Mahler — which was his first, but far from last appearance on the scoreboard. The fifth year

When asked about how it felt to provide so many points for the team on his senior night, he commented, “It is unreal, goes straight to the core, and it is poetic – but ultimately [I am] just follow-

Ana Sofia de la Parra
Photo: Greg Kolz/Gee-Gees

ing my boys up front, and I’m just doing my job.”

After making sure the garnet and grey stayed in the lead with seven more points, Ottawa made sure the pressure kicked in, forcing the Varsity Blues to commit numerous mistakes, such as the quarterback not finding any hands within his own team or even finding the ball himself.

Asselin showed off again with a return and a big rush, gaining 72 yards for the GeeGees, placing the ball two yards away

from the endzone, ensuring a second touchdown by receiver Romeo Lussier, which coincidently placed his number 17 up on the scoreboard with the U of O now having 17 points against Toronto’s zero.

With about two minutes left in the second quarter, the garnet and grey rushed to fit in another touchdown and a kick, summing up 7 points which didn’t last long with Copeland showcasing once again that he will deliver every time, ensuring the first rouge of the

game. The first half would end with the Gee-Gees having 25 points right at the blow of the whistle.

The third quarter seemed to be a one-team game, with the Gee-Gees getting four points right off the start from two safeties by the Varsity Blues. This was straight-up followed by an Ottawa touchdown plus its respective kick, making the score 35-0.

Fourth and last quarter showed the emotional push from the team, and demonstrated they aren’t ready to give up, claiming their

place as a strong finisher. The U of O team increased the score by 14 points and made sure to showcase one of their best games this season with immersive and cohesive plays.

The GeeGees with a flair for the dramatics, left the last down for the very end. Souleymane Camara ran in the last touchdown with 32 seconds on the clock, creating an eruption of noise and emotion within the crowd.

Mahler also commented on the team’s feelings

about the future of the team. “It’s Week one, here we go, we are dangerous for sure, and people may not know what they’re getting into if they step in the field with us.”

Make sure to follow the team by watching the quarterfinals against Guelph this Saturday at 1 p.m. Ontario OUA offers a livestream on OUA.TV, making Saturday a football afternoon while showing your support and spirit.

Gee-Gees Basketball: Men begin season with electric win over Windsor

“It’s our time to win a national championship”

Ankit Choudhary would pick up his first points as a Gee with a couple minutes left in the second quarter of Friday night’s home opener when he drained a three from just above the left break. The near-sellout crowd at Montpetit showed the firstyear Gee some love for his first bucket, but that buzz was quiet compared to the roar they offered him a few minutes later.

The 6’1 point guard picked up the ball on an inbound with four second left

in the first half, took a couple dribbles, and hoisted up a prayer from half court that sank smoothly through the netting to close out the first half, giving the GeeGees a 53-32 lead over the Windsor Lancers that would ultimately prove insurmountable.

The fourthyear guard transferred to the GeeGees after spending a season with the University of West Florida — and two before that with the TMU Bold — and Friday was his first chance to endear himself to the U of O crowd.

“I had to just get my nerves out at first … I wasn’t even satisfied with myself and how I was playing,” the Toronto native said about his first half to that point. “I made it and I just kind of had no reaction — but it was a crazy shot, definitely going to watch that later.”

Joining

Choudhary as a newcomer making an immediate impact with the team was true freshman Owen Kenney, who joined the team from the renowned Orangeville Prep Basketball Academy. The 6’7 Kenney showed

his potential as both a force in the paint — with two dunks in the game — and also as a perimeter threat, adding two threes on six attempts, building upon an impressive preseason.

“He’s just a really special kid,” Gee-Gees head coach James Derouin said of the 18-yearold, agreeing that true freshmen don’t come around all that often in Ontario — especially ones of the Barrie native’s caliber.

“When we signed him, we knew we had something really special,” the longtime bench boss

continued. “Orangeville did a great job of developing him and putting him up against some really good competition and you can see how much that helps him translate right into the university game.”

While the newcomers were certainly impressive, the Gee-Gees also boast an impressive crop of returnees who seemed to relish their returns to Montpetit. Forward Justin Ndjock-Tadjore led the way with 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting, which included 3-of-4 threepoint shooting. 2023-24

Andrew Wilimek

OUA First Team

All-Star and fan favourite Brock Newton finished with 17 points on an efficient 7-of-9 from the field, while Jacques Mélaine-Guemeta rounded out the quintet of Gees in double digits.

The GeeGees are coming off back-to-back bronze medals in the national championship, and

Choudhary agreed that expectations are high. “Championship or bust,” said the Toronto native. “It’s our time to win the national championship, and if we bring that energy every day, why can’t we do it?”

Derouin took a moment to soak in Montpetit’s atmosphere before providing his thoughts on the home crowd.

“It was a good buzz in the gym, right from warmups … once our guys locked in a little bit in the second quarter and the crowd got behind [them] — that was the ball game right there.”

The Lancers didn’t exactly come into the game as a formidable opponent for the Gees, as they limped to a 5-17

conference record a year ago — though their results included close games against contenders like the U of O. The team’s game a year ago resulted in a somewhat closer 81-68 GeeGees win.

Tomorrow night though, the Gees will be in tough against a Western Mustangs squad who finished 16-6

and advanced to the OUA’s semifinals.

“It’s another opportunity to get better,” said Choudhary. “We keep growing every game.” $7 student tickets are available here for the 8 p.m. start — or come to watch the women’s game for a single admission at 6 p.m.

Photo: Greg Mason/Gee-Gees

Gee-Gees Rugby: Men outclass Redbirds in RSEQ semi-finals.

“The guys expended an excellent effort on both sides of the ball”

It’s playoff time for the almighty Gee-Gees men’s rugby team. After finishing the regular season with a record of 5-1, the team faced off in the RSEQ semi-finals against their biggest competition, the McGill Redbirds who was responsible for their lone regular season loss (37-21 on Oct. 5).

On a chilly day at Matt Anthony Field, the fans were rowdy, and the Gees were even rowdier. The Gees would ultimately beat the Redbirds 24-12 in the RSEQ semi-finals from a great game from the team, and remarkable performances from the Roy brothers.

The Redbirds had a chance to put the first numbers on the board opting for a long kick from a Gees penalty, but the wind would prove too challenging and the kick went wide. The next chance would come from the Gees but kicker Glenn Roy would miss as well.

Fantastic plays from Evan Roy and Matthew Robinson pushed the Gees within five yards of the Redbirds try line, it would be Zach Au-

ger breaking through for the first try; the conversion from Glenn Roy was good putting them up 7-0.

The Gees would then hold off

bang. The next scoring chance came for the Gees once more, as they were granted a penalty within the Redbirds

tackle from the Redbirds, it was Glenn Roy with some icing on the cake, putting three more on the board to win the game 24-12.

the Redbirds at the one yard line, and would be cleared after a Gees scrum. A big run by the Redbirds fullback would get them within a couple yards of the try zone where their wingers took over and Raphael Seigner finished the scoring chance. The kick was good, and the score was tied 7-7 to finish the half.

Starting the second half, the Gees pushed up within 10 yards of the try line, and after a penalty it was the tank Evan Roy plowing through the Redbirds defensive line for the second Gees try. The conversion ffrom his brother 147, starting the second half off with a

try line. To breakthrough for the Gees third try of the game was none other than Evan Roy, and again the conversion from his brother was good to increase the Gees lead to 21-7.

With 20 minutes remaining everything was looking set for a Gees win. The Redbacks would break through with 12 minutes remaining from a try from Harry Corkum, but the conversion was wide to make the score 21-12. Time was running low, and the Gees were in the driver’s seat for another visit to the RSEQ championship. To ice the game in extra time, the Gees were granted a penalty after a dirty

“We knew we’d need to be far more disciplined and we were. The guys expended an excellent effort on both sides of the ball.” The team will head to the RSEQ championship game for the second year in a row, looking for back-to-back golds.

Head coach James Flemming had a tactical game plan in this matchup, learning from previous mistakes in their prior matchup against the Redbirds. “Last game we gave them the ball 42 times between penalties and turnovers,” said Flemming.

They matchup against their rivals, the ETS Piranhas, once again. When asked about the championship matchup against ETS, Coach Flemming said “We are playing ETS so we know it will be another battle. It always is against them. We’ll look at the finer details throughout the week and get the guys physically prepared for a war.” It is always a special game when two titans of RSEQ rugby face off.

Photo: Greg Mason/Gee-Gees

SCIENCES

TikTok as a lullaby: The impact of tech on sleep

Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are significant contributors to poor sleep.

If there’s one phrase you’re almost guaranteed to hear on campus, it’s, “I’m so tired.” Often, the reply is just as familiar: “Me too.” It’s strange, considering the vast amount of research; sleep studies, sleep monitoring devices and bluelight blocking apps.

So, what’s making it so hard for students to get a good night’s sleep? Could it be packed schedules, or is technology playing a bigger role than we realize?

Sleep: The Core of Wellness

There’s a wellness secret that’s often overlooked—sleep is one of the most crucial aspects of your overall health. While gyms and wellness apps may focus on workouts and nutrition, recent studies like one from Mitchell Institute and Sleep Health Foundation of Australia highlight the critical role sleep plays in maintaining physical and mental well-being.

Sleep is not just downtime; it’s

a time when your body restores cardiovascular health, strengthens the immune system, regulates metabolism, and solidifies brain function.

Deep sleep, also known as slowwave sleep (SWS), is essential for memory formation and processing for several reasons.

between neurons by weakening or strengthening synapses.

Synapses are critical for the brain’s ability to process and transmit information throughout the body, playing a key role in learning, memory, and overall neural function.

When sleep is disturbed, the syn-

A study published in Nature Communications explained “The reason why this happens, according to the researchers, is that during the manipulated deep sleep, the neurons’ synapses did not “rest” as they normally would during restorative sleep”.

For students,

This process helps consolidate memories, particularly facts and knowledge. The hippocampus, a region critical for memory, reactivates experiences from the day, transferring them to the cortex for long-term storage. In deep sleep, the brain refines connections

apses remain too stimulated. Learning new things in this state is difficult due to the reduced neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganize and adapt by forming new neural connections in response to learning, experiences, or injury).

this is especially important because deep sleep is directly linked to cognitive performance. It plays a critical role in consolidating memories, helping the brain retain and process new information. When sleep is disrupted, it becomes harder to learn and adapt, im-

pairing your ability to succeed academically. There are also known adverse effects of sleep deprivation such as activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to a rise of blood pressure, an increase in cortisol secretion and possible immune response suppression.

What Affects Sleep?

A big part of the problem is how student life conflicts with the body’s natural rhythms. University schedules and deadlines don’t always align with students’ circadian

Sydney Grenier
Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are significant contributors to poor sleep.
Photo: Canva/Stock. Image: Andrew Wilimek/Fulcrum

rhythms, which naturally shift during adolescence and early adulthood. This shift often makes students more alert at night and pushes their ideal sleep time later. However, classes and social commitments force many to wake up early, leading to chronic sleep deprivation.

Beyond schedules, technology has emerged as one of the largest barriers to a good night’s rest. The exposure to artificial light from screens, especially blue light, delays the release of melatonin—the hormone that regulates sleep. This makes it harder to wind down and fall asleep, further exacerbating the natural tendency for late nights.

A study published in PubMed Central cites that “These changes pro-

mote a delayed sleep phase that is exacerbated by evening light exposure and incompatible with aspects of modern society, notably early school start times.”

Tech Design and Sleep Disruption

Social media platforms, especially TikTok, are significant contributors to poor sleep. TikTok’s addictive nature is largely due to its algorithm, which serves an endless stream of engaging, personalized content. Unlike other platforms, TikTok doesn’t require you to actively choose what to watch next. Instead, it continuously delivers content that’s tailored to your interests, making it incredibly hard to stop scrolling, especially late at night.

Research from the School of

Public Health at Brown University found that the addictive nature of the app may be due to “The personalized “For You” stream created by artificial intelligence (AI) for each user has also been identified as a key contributor to TikTok addiction. TikTok differs from other social media apps because an individual’s feed is not based on deliberate choices made about the content they want to see.”

The Bigger Picture: Sleep and Student Life

For students, lack of sleep has serious consequences. Beyond feeling tired, poor sleep can lead to impaired cognitive function, reduced academic performance, and increased stress levels. Sleep disruption has also been linked to heightened

anxiety, depression, and overall mental health challenges. Zhao and Kou published in Frontiers in Psychology explain “It has been demonstrated that routine TikTok use is linked to cognitive arousal before bed, which causes poor sleep. The use of various short video applications is one of the major causes of reduced sleep quality in the college population.”

How Can We Fix This?

The key to improving sleep lies in recognizing how technology is affecting it and making conscious changes. Start by setting boundaries around screen time, especially in the hours before bed. Features like app timers or “Do Not Disturb” modes can help

U of O Entrepreneurs: Carly Fox of Carly Fox Disability Advocacy

SOCIAL SCIENCE STUDENT AT THE U OF O FINDS HER NICHE THROUGH BUSINESS

Fejiro Mejire

How can someone find a niche in their discipline? Is your only option after graduation to go work for a big corporation? What is the future for social science majors? The Fulcrum sat down with disabilities advocate and social science student Car-

ly Fox to learn what inspired her to start Carly Fox Disability Advocacy and learn what it means to her.

The Fulcrum (TF): Could you tell me about yourself?

Carly Fox (CF):

My name is Carly Fox and I am a queer, neurodiver-

gent, and disabled disability advocate. I’m in my fifth year of international development and globalization with a minor in conflict studies at the University of Ottawa.

In my day job, I work as the partnership and communications director at the National

prevent late-night scrolling. Establishing a tech-free bedtime routine, such as reading or meditating, can signal to the brain that it’s time to wind down. Creating a screen-free environment in your bedroom can further help reduce distractions and improve sleep quality. By making these small changes, students can regain control over their sleep, improve their academic performance, and enhance their overall well-being. Sleep may be one of the most underrated health tools out there, but it’s also one of the most powerful. With the right habits, you can find a balance between technology and the rest your body needs.

Educational Association of disabled students. Outside of that, I have my own business, Carly Fox Disability Advocacy. Through that I have public speaking engagements, presentations, workshops, consultations, as well as a blog.

TF: What motivated you to start Carly Fox Disability Advocacy, and when did you start it?

CF: I think being a student at the U of O got me to where I needed to be. As I was experiencing school, especially

the transition into hybrid and in person, I would go to my Instagram stories and I would just share my thoughts. There were a lot of words, and it only stayed up for 24 hours, but my thoughts got really good reception and people started sharing their own stories with me. I felt very

mend it). I shared my blog posts on social media, and I got so much support from [mostly] the U of O student community. From there, it just kept growing. The blogs were getting well-received, and I started getting public speaking requests. This would have been by March

ing. Did you do any sort of marketing strategy on social media? How did you get your audience?

CF: I have a background in social media communication, so I understood how to do that outreach, how to get free advertising, how

as their international chair.

My day job also really helped me connect with the disabled community. I was also able to connect to the disabled student community at the U of O. Once you have those connections and that online presence, word spreads. I’ve had the

they think is pretty. Even if you are using existing templates, find one that kind of reflects who you are and what you want your business to communicate. The second one is that marketing is about outreach and communication. You gotta have people (your target

encouraged and very supported, again, primarily by [U of O] students.

After some time, I figured I should have my shares up for longer than 24 hours. I started a blog on WordPress and used a custom site — I don’t know why I did that; I do not recom-

or May 2022. it really just snowballed because of the student community kind of rallying behind this and I’m really grateful for that. It has been a long and stressful journey but I am so glad I did it and I would definitely do it again.

TF:

That’s amaz-

to use channels, and how to find partners. However, when it comes to finding a community, I think I’ve always just written for other disabled people. I’ve got to meet them through my work at me and through my volunteering at the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD)

Manitoba Accessibility Office and Hyundai Canada reach out to me and that was super unexpected. I do have two marketing tips I can share. The first thing is to find your brand and let that reflect your passion and personality. Sometimes, brands just reflect trends and what

audience) in mind. Similarly, don’t be afraid to reach out to people also working in that space and get their advice. Email people directly and ask for their help promoting your product, because you usually have some good resources that they will find useful as well.

Carly Fox, a University of Ottawa student, advocates for disability awareness through her business and campus involvement. Image: Carly Fox Disability Advocacy/Provided

TF:

Could you tell me more about your Youth Directory on your website?

CF:

I’ve gone to work with CCD and I’ve been able to go into all these privileged spaces and see firsthand how many passionate disabled youth are advocating in these spaces. I’ve also re-

I feel like it’s just so important, especially where I’m at in my career, to give back and make space for other disabled youth. Way too often I’m the only disabled youth in the room, and I think of it this way: if it’s just me, I’m not doing my job, right?

TF:

expert on, and it’s really hard to be an expert on an entire subject. So just picking your niche, really specializing, and not being afraid to use your school papers to further explore the ideas you want to know about, is the key.

TF:

alized through working with non-disabled clients and service providers that they’re not aware of the disabled youth that are doing the really great behind-the-scenes work. Having a website is hard; it’s a lot of work; it is expensive. I figured, why not use part of my platform to just give other disabled youth a platform as well?

The Youth Directory features youth that are 30-and-under, the work they’re already doing, their bio, their lived experience, what they’re comfortable speaking on. The project is close to my heart because

Your degree plays a big role in influencing your business idea and model. With your experience, what would you say to people who may not immediately see the relevance, or may feel like there is no relevance of their degree to real life?

CF:

My advice is find your niche. My program talked a lot about other aspects of development but I felt it never quite touched on disability studies. That was the intersection between my program and my life/passion. If you’re working in a really broad field, you need something that you can be an

What would you say to anyone who wants to start down this path? They want to start their own business or they want to start going to advocacy and they’re not really sure how to do it. Where, in your opinion, is a good place to start for them?

CF:

When it comes to advocacy, most people don’t think they’re an advocate but the truth is, you’re advocating for yourself every single day. You advocate when you ask for your accommodations and when you speak up for inclusion. Many people think you need a certain qualification or a certificate to be a consultant. You don’t. There’s actually no qualification you need to have.

As for where to start, I find your local community is always great, especially for students. Blog sites, newspaper op-eds, just ex-

plore your options and don’t let anyone intimidate you. The worst they can say is no. Moreover, I will always make time for disabled students. They’re welcome to hit me up. Just look out there, see what other youth in your niche are doing, and learn from that. There’s no one official way to do anything.

Personally, I tell myself that any day that I can positively impact a disabled person, it’s a win. That impact. How is that not important? That impact empowers them to share their story and impact more people. By zooming in on the micro lens and looking at how you can impact individual people you see a better picture, especially when the job gets rough.

TF:

Thank you for that. This may not be as popular a conversation as it was a few years ago, but it is still very relevant. A lot of people feel like a program doesn’t have any direct impact or is not as relevant if it is not a STEM. As someone doing great, relevant work in the social sciences, what would you say to that?

CF:

The thing is that with STEM it’s very objective, it’s quantifiable, your impact can be measured. With the humanities, it’s qualitative and very subjective. It can be really difficult to measure input and output. You can be putting in great work and feel like society isn’t going to change, because at the end of the day, it’s not changing very fast.

Insider activism can be another game changer in that regard. Through my work with corporate organizations and the government, I can help them shift their policies and office environment. It can be frustrating, but don’t shy away from working with people that are different from you, because sometimes that’s where the most change can happen.

TF: If someone was interested in getting involved with you or your organization, what’s the best way to reach you?

CF: They can check out my website, Instagram, Twitter or reach me by email at carlysteelefox@gmail.com. haha

Carly Fox (centre) poses with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) and Minister Carla Qualtrough (right). Photo: Carly Fox/Provided

FEATURES

Chaos in the Clubs: A look at the club funding crisis

Can a new mandate tackle the complex, ever-changing portfolio of clubs?

Campus clubs are a core tenant of student life. It’s a great way to meet new people, get involved with a cause you’re passionate about, or simply try something new. Whether you’re being approached at the annual clubs fair, or cracking jokes in a club’s group chat, you can’t deny that clubs are part of the lifeblood of university life — but even that doesn’t come for free.

Clubs funding helps the hundreds of clubs at the university exist, either through annual galas or simple movie nights. But during the 2023-24 year, clubs experienced significant delays — both with funding and communication of said funding — from the University of Ottawa’s Students Union (UOSU). With turnover complications in both the union and clubs, overwhelming demand, and multiple lines of communication, funding can be a challenge. With a new academic year under

way, and a new team tackling the clubs portfolio, both union members and club executives feel hopeful that club funding will be handled in a more efficient and honest way.

When did it all go wrong?

For the 202324 academic year, the student life commissioner became responsible for the clubs and services portfolio — thus dissolving the previous role of clubs and services commissioner.

Before this time, former student life commissioner and current UOSU director for social sciences, Rayne Daprato, explains that the ‘first-come, first-serve’ funding model occurred during the summer of 2023. At the time, Daprato was hired as the interim student life commissioner when the responsibilities of clubs were not yet under their supervision.

At this time, the clubs office established a “firstcome, first-served” funding model for clubs, with summer 2023 funding being

approved on a “caseby-case” basis. This model proved troublesome, however, as some clubs who applied in summer or fall would receive significantly larger portions than clubs who applied in the winter.

“Clubs were asked to submit their applications for funding and the idea was that UOSU would give out as much funding as possible to the clubs,” Daprato explained in an email statement. “If that meant we were out of funding in the winter, so be it.”

As a result, the club funding remainder in the union budget was evenly distributed between the fall and winter semesters and then lowered by the same percentage, so every club could receive some funding. Daprato also reiterates that during this period, clubs could apply for up to $6,000 each, and many members of the clubs office had accepted that no funding would be sent during the winter.

“What was approved in the sum-

mer was thousands and thousands of dollars, and then in fall, that amount was a lot smaller. By winter 2024, the leftover funding available for club funding was a small fraction,” explained UOSU student life coordinator and president of the uOttawa Theatre Club, Sydney Williams.

“And so in the summer, we would see clubs receiving $6,000 (…) I will say myself, my club was approved for $1,500. And then in winter, no club was approved for more than $360,” she explained. “So my club went from receiving $1,500 in the summer to only $273 in winter, despite our applications being identical.”

Britney Achu, the outgoing president of the Black Student Leaders Association (BSLA), said that her club received only $483 after submitting their annual budget to the Union.

“We [the BSLA] understand that there is a set pool of money, and we know that we’re privileged enough that we have a bit

of funding that we can tap into or look at other revenues to try and find funding,” she said. “So we try our best to ask for the bare minimum when it comes to our events, knowing that we want there to be enough for other clubs to also have funding to provide for their members.”

Achu says this amount was not the minimum $500 of club funding that the union had pledged for administrative details, such as bank account fees and website domain.

Maya Tuchenhagen, president of the Outdoors Club and fourth-year health sciences student, says that obtaining club funding has been really challenging due to inconsistencies with the application process and communication with union members.

“In the past couple of years, we’ve tried to actually not apply for club funding. Because we understand the challenges of applying, figuring out the application process as it changes every year, and then not even knowing if we’re able

Amira Benjamin

to run the events.”

As a result, several clubs have resorted to searching for funds through alternate means. In the case of the Outdoors Club, this is

in membership fees from its approximate 300 members, or in the case of the Black Student Leaders Association, grants and sponsorships.

“Our previ-

ous club president really emphasized finding opportunities that we could get funding elsewhere,” said Achu. “So we try our best to send out sponsorship pack-

ages [to venues]; we try our best to look at areas to apply for grants.”

However, by the Winter General Assembly (held in March 2024), there

were still some clubs who applied in the summer and had yet to receive their approved funding and spoke out about this delay.

By the begin-

Photo: Pavel Nangfack/Fulcrum

ning of September, coordinator Williams said she was still resolving the issues with the previous club funding, a year later. “We really want to make sure that the timeline is accessible to clubs, and it’s clear and makes sense. It also gives them enough time to get that funding and use it, [rather than] waste their time, months and months following.”

Something to give each other

The delays in club funding and inconsistencies in communication between club executives and Union members can lead to frustration and delays, especially when clubs are planning for big or regular events for their members.

Tuchenhagan explained that the Outdoors Club does not make money from events, with their financial goals being to break even every year. For larger, more expensive events, such as a gala, they utilize their yearly membership fees to subsidize costs.

These finances were complicated by the fact that the Outdoors Club had a technical issue with logging into their club’s account. Tuchenhagan was

in contact with a member of the Union about the issues, but the communication never reached a conclusion.

“We were running the gala at the end of March, and it takes a lot of money to run a gala, and it was our first time running a gala,” she said. “It was extremely stressful to not have funding, and we ended up being at a loss at the end of the event.”

“It would have just been a lot more stress-free if we had that financial stability.”

For Achu and the BSLA, club executives have underestimated the attendance of their annual events, ranging from simple movie nights to their annual galas. “We’re starting to realize that the supplies that we need [has to increase] to meet the needs of the students coming to our events,” she said.

Achu elaborated that most of the BSLA’s events are held at the beginning of the academic year to attract new members, as well as Christmas dinners for international students staying in the city and events for Black History Month in February. “We’ve [asked ourselves] ‘how can we provide

that service on campus for students?’ It’s meals, it’s games, it’s community.”

“Without adequate funding from UOSU and without it being on time (…), we cannot plan for these big events efficiently,” she said. Achu credits other executive members taking interest in finance and past club financial records for being able to manage club funding. “How do we fund other revenues of funding such that we can still keep up with demand and still keep up with demand and still keep up with the events that we want to run?”

Achu additionally recounts attending the clubs town hall meeting last year, and following up with the union about more questions and outstanding fees for previously hosting an event. She said the responses felt very bureaucratic and shallow. “We were really hopeful because they actually sat with us, they actually listened… for us it seemed like a jump in the right direction. But then after a while, it was like, ‘where have we taken a few steps forward?’”

Projected numbers

For the 2024-

25 year, UOSU has committed to distributing around $370,000 in club funding (before optouts), allocating an even 30-35 per cent each semester — summer, fall and winter — to applicants.

UOSU interim operations commissioner, Greg Coleman, explains that students voting for the $4.99 club funding levy in the fall by-election has helped the union observe a more consistent budget for club funding.

“The budget we’re expecting to have for this budget is significantly higher than what the union maintained in the past,” he elaborated. “Because it’s a specific levy, it was protected from some of the [UOSU membership] cuts that were voted on this past year.”

However, Coleman describes that funding enforcement will look different in the current year, due to the simultaneous increase in funding, demand, and more equal distribution between semesters. Total funding will be raised around $150,000 from last year’s $213,000 budget line.

Both Tuchenhagan and Achu have had a more positive

experience interacting with UOSU members after the start of a new mandate. The Outdoors Club was not alerted about the deadline for fall club funding, thus continuing frustrations.

Board member Daprato acknowledges that although most clubs did receive less funding and tensions against UOSU continued, she believed that during her term, she and her team worked closely with clubs and communicated more as a strength.

“I hope the board members on the Clubs Committee can continue to look at the relationship between the clubs and the UOSU, and the systems that hold these two parties together,” she said. “I encourage club members to stay involved and engaged. When we shout at people and stay frustrated at the systems in the shadows, very little can happen that is helpful or productive.”

OPINIONS

The looming threat of Trumpism — and what it means for Canada

What is exactly at stake for Canada at the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election this November?

The 2024 U.S. presidential election will be a defining moment not only for Americans, but also for democracies across the world, and Canada, as its northern neighbour, will certainly feel its impact. Vice-President Kamala Harris, who recently replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic Party candidate due to the many concerns that he may not have the fitness to serve a second term, has unexpectedly proved to meaningfully challenge the looming threat of a second term of Trump.

Last Tuesday, the presidential debate between the two candidates particularly highlighted the kind of hopeful presidency Harris could bring to the U.S in 2025. While Trump fear-mongered about migration, Harris debated with a kind of confidence and hopeful tone to “turn the page” from an era of Trump politics, allowing her charisma to shine as a candidate. Her debate perfor-

mance was a foil to the angry, bitter, and negative attitude that Trump brought to the table.

For Donald Trump, a poll done by Pew Research has shown that the majority of Americans see the former President as dishonest and mean-spirited, with 56 per cent saying they don’t like his conduct. He is also the first convicted felon to run for President, as he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records in his recent hush money trial.

Nonetheless, despite Trump’s subpar debate performance and legal liabilities, the real question remains: what happens if Trump does prevail in this next election?

Two student writers from the Fulcrum, Rhys Matthew and Grace Kim-Shin, discuss the major implications of the upcoming presidential election, and how its results could affect Canadian politics.

Economic implications

Since coming into office, the

Biden administration has been able to work cooperatively with the Canadian government on many issues. The Canada-US trading relationship has grown, with Canada-US trade figures increasing exponentially since 2021. Harris’ election this fall would likely see a continuation of this relationship and would very likely be “business as usual” for the Canadian economy.

A Trump re-election, however, would potentially devastate the Canadian economy. During his first term in office, the former President tore up NAFTA and implemented huge tariffs on vital Canadian aluminum exports.

Since leaving office, Trump’s economic stances have not softened. He has currently said that the U.S, under his leadership, would impose a 10 per cent tariff on all imports, a measure that would have horrific implications for Canadian agriculture and industry.

Newly in the line of fire during a

second Trump term may be Canada’s wheat farmers. Although tariffs on agricultural product trade were left at zero during the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiation, Trump’s new tariff promises leave new uncertainty for all of Canada’s agricultural industry. Unprotected by the Canadian supply management system, the industry exports $707 million dollars worth of wheat to the US every year, and the prospect of tariffs from its third largest export recipient, along with the many challenges already being faced by farmers due to climate change, puts the industry in serious peril.

However,

the threat facing the Canadian industry is greater than that facing any specific sector. Canada currently does two-thirds of its trade with the US, and a Trump re-election puts all of it at risk.

Trumpism threatens Canadian values and democracy

By the end

of Trump’s last presidential term, he dismantled citizen trust in democracy and brought a wave of populist politics across North America. He left office and triggered the January 6 U.S Capitol Attack, an event representing the culminated effect of the misinformation-fuelled politics he practiced throughout his mandate, especially during the pandemic and on abortion rights.

Sharing close cultural ties with the U.S., another Trump term risks the resurgence of the kind of instability and political rhetoric displayed during the 2022 Freedom Convoy in Ottawa, which showed striking similarities to the U.S Capitol Attack. The Convoy exposed Canada as nothttps://www. cbsnews.com/news/ trump-charges-conviction-guilty-verdict/ being spared from the kind of disinformation and distrust in democratic institutions the U.S had increasingly experienced.

Canada faces unique political problems due to its

Rhys Matthew & Grace Kim-Shin

history and parliamentary system. There has undoubtedly been rising conflicts between provinces and increasing provincial distrust toward Ottawa, as shown in recent confrontations between Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the feds on critical energy policy; continuous conflict on carbon pricing; and increases in anti-immigrant sentiment. These conditions make Canada an ideal breeding ground for further deterioration of national cohesion if Trumpism prevails in our neighbouring

political climate. The U.S no longer a reliable partner on the international stage? Trump’s first presidential term definitively put the U.S’s legitimacy as a reliable international partner into question.

The U.S has always been a major partner in many international forums, but Trump’s seeming disinclination to multilateral cooperation can destabilize important international agreements. In his last term, Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, which was a big blow

to international cooperation on climate change action. If the U.S continues to go down this route and fails to provide important leadership on critical global issues, the international community faces a future of increasing uncertainty. Canada will need to prepare to strengthen its position on the global stage as it risks losing the stability and support offered by the U.S. if Trump wins a reelection.

What’s next for Canada?

Not only will

You should care about the news, actually.

Canada have to pay attention to the U.S election in November, but we are also anticipating an upcoming federal election in the next year. With the Conservative Party showing favourable numbers in the polls, it is hard to avoid the thought that the Liberals will be gone after almost 10 years in power.

It is a critical turning point for Canadian politics and we will have to pay close attention to the kind of dangers a president like Trump could pose to our country both culturally and econom-

ically. We also need to be vigilant about the growing changes in our own political landscape as we risk falling into a more conservative government– a thought reminiscent of the Harper era.

As the world is facing a multitude of crises simultaneously, whether it be cost of living, housing, or climate change, it’s clear that this presidential election may just bring about even more unpredictable and contentious change to Canada and the international community.

contemporary issues have bred contemporary barriers — for both writers and readers

Kyla Perry

Challenges to publishing quality news stories grow continuously as the years pass. Similarly, the challenges to accessing quality news stories reflect this. Contemporary issues have bred contemporary barriers, ones both writers and readers feel profoundly. The transformation of technology and media seen in the 21st century has made publishing and accessing breaking news easier than ever before — or so it seems.

Information transports quick-

ly, just as quickly as disinformation is exacerbated by ever-multiplying media outlets, each claiming to be “more true”

than the last. Where does this leave the common consumer of news? I would argue, nowhere at all.

Digital news is undoubtedly dominating Western media. In the 2019-2020 publication year, the U of O’s the Fulcrum officially transitioned to a digital-only news outlet, joining a slew of major news publishers in strict digital formats such as Vox, Politico, HuffPost,

News stands are becoming hard to find around campus. Photo: Andrew Wilimek/Fulcrum

Slate, and Al Jazeera (English).

The popularity of digital news can largely be attributed to convenience and opportunity throughout the 21st century’s proliferation of news. Immediate distribution, real-time updates, and a mostly global reach all allow publications to release a higher quantity of stories at a faster rate than print. In the average 1.286 seconds it takes to load a webpage, consumers are made front-seat audience members to virtually any current news. But innovation always brings new challenges; the convenience, speed, and quantity of digital news can be equally disadvantageous.

Consumers are empowered with the autonomy to choose their news, sometimes out of hundreds of publishers for a single story. But this can result in mass feelings of reader fatigue and anxiety. Additionally, this oversaturation has promoted an indiscriminate and intense polarization of news.

This is a challenge for both consumer and publisher. Consumer engagement becomes a publishing nightmare; a zero-sum game where quality

news cannot keep up with an oversaturated market, and the publishing of fast and poor quality news garners clicks and thus, monetary support, encouraging publishers to sacrifice quality.

For consumers, finding quality news is often not a satisfactory outcome given the effort and time demanded to get there. This inadvertently leads consumers to poor-quality news, which encourages the further spread of disinformation, and ultimately, reinforces a standard of distrust between the consumers and publishers. The results of this can be observed through intense audience fragmentation-echo chamber phenomena or the general popularity of desensitized anti-news attitudes.

Despite the developing difficulties of modern-day news, quality news does exist. To find it, I suggest that you ask yourself what stories matter the most to you, and when you find them, be critical of factors that merit good publishing. Depth, accuracy, clarity, bias, diverse perspectives, transparency, and adherence to ethical standards are all good things to consider.

Understanding the objectives of the writer is crucial when discerning the news you are choosing. Ask yourselves what the author stands to gain and means to achieve. Is the choice of rhetorical language meant to provoke you or persuade you? Are you being informed or entertained? Are the authors presenting information or presenting a critical opinion?

News is changing and journalism is transforming to meet the modern needs of the modern consumer. Revolutionary ideas tend to prevail during times of adversary, and change is coming to fruition. Outlets such as the 2018 founded GroundNews, allow consumers to see political bias of the articles they are choosing. NewsGuard, a browser plug-in, identifies bias, reliability and recently, safeguards users against AI written information. Or PressReader, which allows access to global magazines and journals, allowing you to see how stories are covered differently across the world.

Ultimately, the core of news is stories, and to love stories is

to be human. Stories ask questions that guarantee answers. They have beginnings with guaranteed ends and they have actions that are guaranteed to have meaning. Our existence, collectively and individually, guarantees nothing. So when we can’t find the answers, we often take the time to create them ourselves.

We give our questions answers, even if they don’t align with reality. In times of humanity’s uncertainty, the value of truth is too often undermined by the value of certainty, and the legacy of news throughout COVID-19 is a solemn reminder of this. We must be wary and perceptive of the narratives ourselves and others create in our aspiration for security and how they may be instrumentally weaponized to achieve goals we don’t align with.

While these barriers both publishers and consumers face are challenging, we mustn’t ignore the privilege of this struggle. So long as Canadians live with freedom of thought, belief, opinion, expression, and press, we will need to work together to establish a standard of quality

news that promotes cohesion, collaboration, and a culture that upholds human dignity and freedom. In this era of calamitous falsities and sensationalized performances of journalism, the anecdote is likely critical thinking, and if we so choose, we can become champions of responsible journalism and informed discourse. One candle creates a shadow, but many light the way, lest we allow democracy to die in the darkness.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Books: A love letter to an institution

Say your final goodbyes to the little shop on the corner. Benjamin Books closes their doors after 35 years in business

The University of Ottawa campus and surrounding area have changed since 2022. For U of O first-years, our campus feels unfamiliar and new. Studying away from home is a big deal. Whether you drive

into campus from Orléans each day or have travelled across an ocean to be here, having a comfortable and familiar learning environment can influence the start of your fall term. For returning students, however, our campus may also look slightly unfamiliar and new.

Local businesses that have collaborated with the U of O or its professors have closed their doors and have fundamentally changed the atmosphere of the surrounding Sandy Hill area. Streets close to our school, such as Osgoode St. and Laurier Ave. E, have been affected by these changes.

Historical examples of this phenomenon include the changes that have occurred in Byward Market. Staggering numbers of businesses of all varieties have been dissipating for many reasons, ranging from low profits and rising rent costs to

owner retirement.

Restaurants, jewellery stores, bookstores, and butchers, all permanently closing or changing their business models to adapt to a more digitized market. The one that may hit closest to home for U of O students is, without much doubt, Benjamin Books.

Benjamin Books, as pictured in 2019, was a staple of Osgoode St., sandwiched in between Father and Sons, Circle K, and 3 Brothers Shawarma. Photo: Parker Townes/Fulcrum Archives

Losing a store like Benjamin Books, one so closely knitted into the fabric of the university, feels like the loss of a limb. For more than three decades, the shop supplied students like me with the reading materials they needed for their studying. Many professors in the English department, my department, asked their students to get their books from this store in an effort to support this local business rather than from a digital market or the campus store.

I remember as a first-year student nervously entering the store with a long list of texts by many diverse authors. I was greeted nicely, and the owner handed me the books I needed in a pre-organized stack. The store itself was beautiful and brought some colour to the Osgoode St. strip; its exterior was emerald green and old-fashioned and the sign above the door was shabby and said, “Benjamin” in a little font and “Books” in a huge font that covered a large portion of the sign.

In the windows, books were piled high, with some nicer-looking editions or more well-known titles leaning against the piles. Inside, if

you could guess, even more books. The store walls were lined with shelves going up to the roof at least 20 feet, all blanketed with texts. I can only imagine the shop must have been so worn out by the weight of the heavy books inside because no matter where you stepped, you could hear the wear on those creaking floors.

Benjamin

Books was that really good kind of old. The kind that makes grandparents and cathedrals feel so important. The kind that gave you ginger tea when you were sick and caramels when you weren’t. Before it closed, I made a tradition of stopping in each week to grab a two-dollar novella or book of poems, and they always comforted me greatly no matter my mood. If I arrived in a blizzard, the store warmed me; if I arrived in a fog, the books cleared my head. Everything about that place was perfect in my eyes.

To top it off, the two men who ran the store matched it nicely; they were scruffy, on the older side, and were overly offensively polite. Finally, and most sadly, their prices may never be seen in any bookstore again.

Maybe to a passerby who never went inside, all this doesn’t seem that special. To some students, I’m sure it was just a gap between 3 Brothers Shawarma and Circle K. To other students, though, it was more than just an old store that reeked of pulp.

With Benjamin Books being gone for almost seven months now, student patrons have turned to the campus store and the digital versions of their texts as best they can. Benjamin Books was an institution of the University of Ottawa’s history, and students will feel its absence for months to come. The owner, Mordecai Bubis, made known his desire to keep the store present on campus in some way. In an interview from late last year, Bubis stated, “I’m not yet aggressively looking for a buyer for the Osgoode store collection. I’d really prefer

that [the U of O] take over this space and keep the historical connection going.”

This was a wonderful idea that unfortunately came and went as Mr. Bubis entered semi-retirement and decided to switch his business to a primarily online version of what it once was. I think that the situation speaks to something important regarding the ways that our university is slowly changing.

For one, this underscores the undeniable trend of digitization in university settings. As more local businesses transition out of school spaces, students who prefer to keep the traditional analogue style of studying alive through the support of stores like this are left out to dry — a tradition that Bubis states in the same interview is “fundamental to academia.”

So now we’re left wondering what’s

next for the students. A more pessimistic Fulcrum contributor might believe that this is the end—that with analogue studying becoming more difficult to engage in, generative AI will take over school spaces and plagiarism will continue to run rampant. Thinking of myself as a more optimistic Fulcrum contributor, however, I will say only this: the University of Ottawa is experiencing a dramatic change, and it will be up to the students of our school, the new and old, those in STEM and those in the arts, to decide how they want that change to play out.

Benjamin Books, seen in its last days of operations in March 2024. Photo: Matt Osborne/Fulcrum Archives

T MAT

When all else fails, build a tunnel!

Bigger and better is always the answer…right?

Ottawa is a city populated by a large percentage of students, thanks to being home to Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. However, it is not designed to ease student life.

Bus routes are long, complicated and often late. Bike lanes begin and end haphazardly. And nearly every student has a friend who has gotten into some sort of collision while riding a Bird scooter.

Like most North American cities, it is designed for cars. With the federal workers returning to work in-person, the city is flooded with gridlock traffic. This impacts students since it delays buses and keeps popular routes inaccessible for quick commute.

Luckily your two favorite politicians — Mark Sutcliffe and Premier Doug Ford — have a solution! The City of Ottawa plans to build an underground tunnel between the two major universities to reduce traffic.

The Tomato interviewed city planner and member of Mark Sutcliffe’s staff, Rhodes Block, for his thoughts on the tunnel.

“We’ve consulted with Premier Doug Ford and plan to model this project on the excellent work he has been doing with the 401 highway in Toronto,” said Block. “It is essential for the people of Ottawa that we eliminate traffic congestion. This can be accomplished by brute force and determination.”

Block has

been criticized by citizens of the city for his lack of oversight on timely construction projects in the city. One U of O club called Students for 15-minute Cities, have dubbed the city-planner ‘Road Block’.

When asked about the logistics of the project, Block responded, “Obviously, construction takes time. But, I promise we can finish this project in a year with no effect on current traffic routes. The city will be better for it in 2026!”

Block added excitedly, “Our plans

also include making this tunnel a tourist attraction. The tunnel will run under the Rideau Canal. The tunnel will boast a clear ceiling to view the vibrancy of the canal.”

To comment on the complexity of the project the Tomato interviewed engineering professor at the University of Ottawa, Bill I. Bridges, who shook his head in disbelief. “Firstly, the only thing you will see in the Rideau Canal are floating traffic cones!”

“Not to mention this is a multi-billion dollar project

that would take more than 15 years to accomplish. All it will do in the end is worsen existing problems and add to the tensions between students and ‘Road Block’. ” He added. Whether or not the tunnel is built will be decided by the result of next year’s Panda Game; Carleton for the tunnel and U of O against. Based on the results of the past year, it is possible this tunnel is nothing to worry about.

Sydney Grenier
Photo: Matt Osborne/Fulcrum

DEAR DI

Howl in bed, not at the moon. IF HE’S GONNA RIP YOUR FURNITURE AND NOT YOUR CLOTHES, GHOST ‘EM

Dear Di,

So like, I’ve been seeing this new guy recently. He’s a real hairy hunk: beautiful mane, thick eyebrows — and he’s so sweet, like a golden retriever! Whenever I drop my things, he always fetches them for me and to be honest, it’s nice to have a hottie look at you like a hungry wolf every now and then. That’s nice and all but when we went on our last date, he was acting weird — scratch marks on the dinner table, howling when his food arrived, and staring out the window at the moon. I feel like he didn’t pay enough attention to me during our date. What should I do?

Sincerely, Beware-wolf

Dear BW,

It sounds like you’ve got yourself a bit of a wild catch! I know it’s sometimes fun to tame a beast, but you gotta remember that a little messiness is expected.

As for the weirdness on your last date – I know I can act a little weird when I’m hungry too and he may still be a little nervous going out with you! Maybe instead of howling at that juicy steak that was coming to your table, he was trying to compliment you? I might be barking up the wrong tree though.

I would suggest sitting down and talking with him, if you’re worried things aren’t gonna work out then you gotta get serious. Sometimes we let little annoyances build-up — don’t like the howling, staring off into the moon, shredding and shedding? Let him explain himself! If he doesn’t say “I may look at the moon but I’ve still got stars in my eyes for you,” dump him!

Remember, dating is all about mutual attraction and respect — if his behaviour doesn’t exactly howl “super sexy” to you, then it might be a good idea to call it off before things get too hairy.

There’s many ways to dump a shaggy guy but if you’re worried things aren’t gonna go well, you can always ghost him! It’s seasonally appropriate AND effective at avoiding confrontation. Though keep note that it can backfire if you run into each other frequently and that it may make your Halloween party costume a bit more difficult to pull off. Nothing says awkward like working with an ex on a group project for your seminar.

Next time though, try not to date on a full moon and watch out for anyone overly obsessed with Twilight.

Sincerely,

MEDIA

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President

Keelan Buck

ChaiR & CONTINUITY Representative

Emma Godmere

Secretary

Devin Beauregard

Treasurer

Ria Kunkulol

University Representative

Bhanu Bhakta Acharya

Contributor Representative

Siena Domaradzki-Kim

Student RepresentativeS

Gabrielle Douglas

Agape Williams

Executive Director

Simon Coakeley

Editors-in-chief

Kavi Vidya Achar

Andrew Wilimek

If you are interested in joining our Board of Directors, we would love to hear from you. Please contact president@thefulcrum.ca for more information.

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