the carillon
“Desperados Under the Eaves” Wow, elections are in the air.
Newly sworn-in PM Mark Carney is expected to make the call soon.
And URSU elections are wrapping up today. So get out there and vote if you haven’t already.
We’re happy to deliver our seventeenth issue of volume 67 to you. This issue has a mix of local and national coverage, and our community section has a wonderful focus on things close to home.
We hope that you find the issue interesting and engaging. Looking to share your thoughts? Drop by Riddell Centre Rm. 227 and pay us a visit. We’re always happy to chat about past issues, ideas for the future, and hear what you love and/or hate about the paper!
Have a story to share? Our section editors want to hear it. Pitch a story for issue 18. Need some ideas? Our pitch list is live.
Until next time.
Illegitimi non carborundum
the staff
editor-in-chief vacant editor@carillonregina.com
executive director ziyang li business@carillonregina.com
production coordinator annika hadden production@carillonregina.com
web technician jebrael muhammad web@carillonregina.com
news editor zinia jaswal news@carillonregina.com
community editor emma mcgill community@carillonregina.com
op-ed editor shivangi sharma op-ed@carillonregina.com
editorial consultant kevin o’connor
staff writer amina salah
staff writer hana grace
news writer nazeemah noorally news writer jackson rennebohm
community writer pall agarwal
contributors contributers, contrib, contrib
board of directors
muhammad zuhruf muhammad zarooq, mohammad akib hossain, tayef ahmed, austin stadnyk, jeremy beam
the paper
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The Carillon welcomes contributions.
Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are entirely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.
The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization.
land acknowledgement
The Carillon is written on Treaty 4 territory. As such, staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The Carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without demonstrating our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of this land to its sacred place. the manifesto
In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over sixty years.
In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a belltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower.
The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student. the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe
Chaos at WC meeting
As Hana Grace reports, runner Jonathan Podbielski is racking up the accolades, but he admits it’s tough sometimes to balance athletics and academics.
Contributor Emilie Wren is ticked off at scalpers who gouge game card collectors like her.
Students’ union elections p.4
Women’s b-baller garnering awards p.7
Women’s Centre’s annual general meeting abruptly adjourned following disruption
Following incident, U of R president says university has zero tolerance for hate, misogyny, racism
the carillon staff
The annual general meeting of the University of Regina Women’s Centre was just getting underway on March 14, when something loud, unpleasant and unexpected happened.
Several people in the crowd started talking, disrupted the proceedings and the event was quickly adjourned.
Protective services officers were called in and at one point were asking certain attendees to leave.
Now, the University of Regina says it’s investigating exactly what happened.
On Monday, U of R president Jeff Keshen sent a letter to all students, faculty and staff.
“As an institution, we take this matter very seriously. We are currently investigating all pertinent information and are prepared to take appropriate action, Keshen said.
“Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the University of Regina. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and welcoming community, and it is important that conduct of employees, students, and third parties on our campus reflect our Respectful University Policy. There is zero tolerance for hate, racism, misogyny, and intimidation at the University of Regina.”
The AGM was billed as an opportunity for the women’s centre to discuss the work it does and let people show their support.
With about 100 people in attendance, it began with a blessing from knowledge keeper Kenny Awasis, but things very quickly took a turn.
Some attendees spoke from the crowd, indicating they were unhappy with the proceedings because some people were “fasting.”
One person approached the table where Awasis was speaking and interrupted the blessing.
A woman said she believed that the appointment of the chair had not been
decided yet and she wanted to clarify the situation during the meeting.
Board member Debra Schubert tried to announce how to vote for the board’s executive but multiple discussions continued. Schubert told attendees that there would be time for questions at the end and not to interrupt the meeting or it would be adjourned.
Shortly after, the meeting was indeed adjourned.
The protective services officers got involved in clearing the room, but later when the The Carillion reached out to the unit, they declined to comment.
In an Instagram post later, Schubert said what happened with the people who disrupted the meeting was
“disgusting” and disrespectful.
“The violence and disruption we witnessed were rooted in misogyny, plain and simple,” Schubert said in the post. “This incident is a stark reminder of why we need safe spaces for women students of all backgrounds. Ensuring safety and respect for women is not up for debate, and we must remain focused on that priority.”
The annual general meeting is going to be rescheduled, with the date yet to be announced.
The UR Women’s Centre has been in the news in recent months after the students’ union, URSU, passed a motion in support of holding a student referendum on cutting funding to the
organization. It gets much of its budget from a $6 student levy.
The Carillon has reported that the students’ union says that URWC has not been in compliance with its agreements, in terms of finances, board elections and other matters.
The Carillon also reported last year that URWC says it has encountered “hostility” from and been “targeted” by the students’ union.
In response to the Instagram post, the women’s centre received a number of online comments, including “We stand strong with you” and “Nothing but my endless support”.
“This incident is a stark reminder of why we need safe spaces for women students of all backgrounds. Ensuring safety and respect for women is not up for debate, and we must remain focused on that priority,” URWC spokesperson Debra Schubert via Instagram
The U of R president says the incident is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken. Image: Pixabay
Have you voted? URSU elections wrap up Friday
The students’ union says preliminary results should be out March 22
news writer
URSU elections to determine your representatives are wrapping up, but there may still be time to cast your vote.
The University of Regina Student Union general elections began March 20 and end on March 21.
If you are reading this in time, you may be a position to do a little research. The list of candidates running for the general elections are up on the official website of URSU.
Elections must be regularly held (general and by-elections) to maintain a complete board of directors. A referendum can also be called by URSU to have students vote on structural changes to student-supported levies.
This year, there is only one candidate running for president: Hamza Rehan. With no opposition, Rehan is expected to be acclaimed to the position.
Two of the three vice-president positions are also set to be filled by acclamation.
A variety of other students are
standing for the different board of director positions. However, there are couple of position slots which are vacant such as board of directors for Centre for Continuing Education, First Nations
tion. However, there was no response from them.
Voting for the candidates typically takes place online and the link is accessible to University of Regina webmail accounts. Pre-
Canada, of Social Work and of La Cite.
The Carillon reached out to URSU for statements regarding voting and the upcoming elec-
the rules? The URSU Election and Referendum Bylaw, the URSU Constitution and The Non-Profit Corporations Act provide an explanation of the election and campaigning regulations as they concern candidates and campaign groups.
Engaging in these elections is a valuable opportunity to shape your student experience at the University of Regina. Your vote can impact how URSU represents your interests and advocates for the issues that matter to you the most.
liminary results are expected to be announced March 22, with the ratification of the results set for March 25.
Need some more info about
Regina Folk Festival shutting down for good
Event had its roots at the university in 1969
still struggling, and in some cases, pausing or ceasing operations.”
After 55 years, the Regina Folk Festival is shutting down permanently.
Earlier this month, the organization announced that this summer’s outdoor showcase for folk and many other types of music was cancelled.
Even worse, the organization is dissolving.
“Despite the dedicated efforts of staff and board, it is no longer possible to continue producing the festival due to financial constraints and reduced operational capacity. The time has come to say goodbye to the Regina Folk Festival,” the group said on its Facebook page.
In the same post, the organization says it was hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The live music sector in Canada has suffered greatly over the last five years and we are not immune,” the post said. “Although there’s been a gradual recovery, many festivals and venues are
The move means Regina will lose one of its premier annual events, a draw for residents and tourists alike.
The format has changed over the decades but for many years, the multi–day summer event has been held in Victoria Park, with free events and vendors during the day and paid events in the evening.
The roots of the folk festival go back to 1969, when the first event was held on what is now the U of R campus (but back then was the Regina campus of the University of Saskatchewan).
The festival has seen musicians like Megan Nash, Mavis Staples, k.d. lang and Tegan and Sara take to the stage.
Your vote counts unless you forget, then it is just a box
Illustration: Sketchify Philippines manipulated by Annika Hadden
nazeemah noorally
the carillon staff
The outdoor festival has been a showcase for nationally and internationally famous performers. Image: Regina Folk Festival/Facebook
Understanding tariffs might help you cope with the tough times ahead, says Tatiana Levit
jackson rennebohm news writer
It’s a stressful time of year for students right now, with essays due, final exams looming and job applications being sent out.
Adding to that uneasiness is the economic uncertainty of the ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
Politicians and experts are predicting dire consequences for the economy if the wide-ranging tariffs triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump last for long.
So how is your typical U of R students supposed to respond?
Tatiana Levit has some ideas.
She’s an assistant professor in the faculty of business administration who is currently discussing tariffs in her international marketing course (BUS 415).
“I noticed that even our students who are in business school might not always understand the complexity of how [tariffs] work,” she said.
Yet it’s important for all students to get their heads around what’s happen-
ing and make plans to cope with the changes, she says.
“I don’t want to bring more stress to our students,” she said. “They are already stressed. There is already a lot of pressure, in terms of how to survive in this economy. But unfortunately, things might get worse.”
It’s hard to turn on the TV or scroll through your phone without getting bombarded with the latest tariff developments.
Trump in particular has been a firehose of announcements that seemingly change from day to day.
Earlier in the month, the U.S. slapped 25 per cent levies on steel and aluminum being imported from Canada.
Canada responded with $30 billion worth of counter-tariffs on goods imported from the U.S.
Meanwhile, China recently announced tariffs on Canadian canola oil and meal, peas, fish, seafood and pork products.
That was in retaliation for Canada’s making it more expensive to import Chinese steel, aluminum and electric vehicles.
Levit says Trump has sown some confusion about who ultimately pays the tariffs.
U. S. tariffs are a tax paid for by American companies and passed along to American consumers and the same principle applies to the Canadian counter-tariffs.
“Who pays the tax? Well, again, it’s Canadians who pay that import tax,” she said.
“It’s either the Canadian company that pays it or, eventually, the Canadian consumers.”
Though Canada’s exporters will not be the ones paying the raised import tax directly, exports will be affected, and that impact will be felt throughout the nation, she said.
It’s an unfortunate development, she says.
“With the U.S., we were the two countries who had the closest trade relationship in the world, and both were very reliant on each other,” she said. “Canada, of course, much more, because about 74 per cent of our exports go into the states.”
Levit also weighed in on the “Buy Canadian” movement that has been
growing exponentially throughout the country.
“The push that stores see from consumers right now for Canadian products, will make them less willing to buy imported goods and they will use local vendors more,” she said.
“For individuals, whether or not they participate in that [movement], that will be the reality anyway.”
As for students?
“I would say that if it’s something that you can afford to do, then you can do as much or as little as you can,” she said.
“Even a little contribution helps if you change one type of product and buy it from a local producer.”
That could mean, for example, going to a local restaurant twice a month instead of once a month.
Finally, Levit has some words of encouragement for students worried about the current state of affairs.
“I would say stay optimistic,” she said. “Strong economies, like Canada’s, have the resilience to withstand blows like that — things will return to normal.”
“I don’t want to bring more stress to our students. They are already stressed. There is already a lot of pressure, in terms of how to survive in this economy. But unfortunately, things might get worse.”
marketing professor Tatiana Levit
Cougars track and field star receives Canada West
Jonathan Podbielski named Men’s Track Athlete of the Year
Jonathan Podbielski is no stranger to the podium. In his last three seasons with the University of Regina (U of R) Track & Field and Cross Country programs, Podbielski has earned over 15 accolades. With the current season comes two of his biggest awards to date: Canada West Men’s Track Athlete of the Year and the Performance of the Meet award. He recently set a Canada West record at the meet for a 1,500-metre run in three minutes and 45 seconds, the fastest anyone ran for that specific event at the Canada West Championship.
Podbielski ran the weekend of March 8 and placed third, taking home a bronze medal. He was very candid about his race weekend: “I was going for a win, and I ended up actually coming down with a sickness. I threw up eight times during the weekend, so it took me out of two of my three races.”
Before, he had “absolutely no setbacks all season long. No injuries. Like zero on the pain scale. No illnesses all year up until 30 minutes before the most important race of the season so it’s very, very disappointing and very poor timing.”
Podbielski is currently recovering from the weekend’s race. “I’m still in that ‘mourning period’ right now, just from this last weekend, missing U SPORTS nationals. This last weekend and missing that team were probably the two biggest setbacks I’ve ever experienced in the sport. I did my best to move on from what it was and realizing that it’s not a failure unless you completely give up.”
Podbielski’s mental framework is sharp and he presents himself with a maturity that belies his 20 years.
“Obviously, having fun is like something you want to achieve, but like, winning is how you have fun. And that’s kind of like the whole mindset there is: we’re here to win. We’re not here to participate,” he said.
“I’m very grateful for all the experiences, the goal is always to reach the top, and if you’re not, if you don’t believe you can reach the top, then you probably won’t. So that should always be the goal. That’s kind of my mindset behind it. I’ve got a little bit of backlash for saying that just because people think that it’s kind of an arrogant mindset or it’s putting down people who don’t always win. And I don’t think that’s the case.”
Podbielski’s “winners” mindset has definitely served him well over the last three Track and Cross Country seasons, to the point of earning national coverage; Canada Running Magazine mentioned Podbielski in three separate articles between Sept. and Oct. 2023. In three separate power rankings, Podbielski’s name was thrown in as a high individual contender.
“I think the more media recognition you [get], the more you have to lose, the more people expect you to do well versus when you’re kind of the underdog and no one’s really giving you all this media recognition,” shared Podbielski. “Honestly, I prefer to be more like the underdog, I guess, because it’s always better to come out of the shadows and have success that way, rather than try and hold on to success. But regardless, all kinds of experiences are valuable and whether it’s being the underdog or being the favorite, it’s all a good experience. It’s all meaningful.”
If his mindset was not enough to prove
“His proudest achievement to date is his U20 National win in the 1,500 metre.”
his maturity as an athlete, try this on for size: Podbielski was also named the University of Regina Varsity Sport Male Athlete of the Year in 2023. Out of all the nominated male athletes in the U of R’s six male division varsity clubs, he was the top performing athlete.
“Track Athlete of the Year last year was definitely a big accomplishment. It definitely meant a lot, just because there’s so many good football players and obviously, as you know, and so many good basketball players that I was up against, and a lot of them were fifth years, so it was kind of unexpected that they’d give it to a second year over, like, some graduating fifth years who spent their whole time here. But I was really, really honored and really grateful to receive that award.”
Podbielski wasn’t aiming for the award at the start of his sophomore season. “I try to stay away from chasing after things that are subjective because that’s not really where I find the most enjoyment. I kind of like chasing after goals that are solely on me to achieve because I feel more fulfill-
ment in achieving those things rather than a subjective award that might not be chosen correctly. It meant a lot but for me, the big goals are my kind of personal goals, not subjective goals.”
Podbielski says his proudest achievement to date is his U20 National win in the 1,500 metre.
“That’s the one that means the most to me just because that was the year I missed Team Canada, and I was kind of the underdog in that race. There was a big favourite that everyone kind of thought would win, and kind of everyone counted me out. I kind of just proved everyone wrong. I worked really hard that season and earned it.”
So, how does someone like Podbielski, track star and Honours Actuarial Science major, balance all the elements of university life?
“I don’t actually think it’s possible to do everything at once. I think you kind of have to put some things on the back burner at times and move things around. So, when the track season is on, the focus is probably
more track than school but as soon as it’s over, my focus switches, and then I try to recover some of my academics. And I’d be lying if I said I haven’t failed a few midterms before, but the point is, you don’t have to be consistent in the 80s, just as long as you recover and kind of learn and make sure everything stays afloat. When you’re really grounded on your long-term goals, it’s less tough when you think about your goals and what you really want long term, then the short-term opportunity of going out sometimes doesn’t hurt as bad.”
Podbielski still has two years left in his U SPORTS eligibility. His long-term goal is to make the Canadian National team: “I’d love to represent Canada at some stage or in some capacity.”
Podbielski’s season has now wrapped up for the year after the March championship weekend. Next up will be the fall Cross Country season happening when classes resume for the Fall 2025 semester.
hana grace staff writer
If you run fast enough, you can balance school and star athleticism. Image: Arthur Ward
Cougars player earns highest U SPORTS academic award
Basketball player Jade Belmore of Regina making her mark
hana grace staff writer
If you follow the University of Regina’s Women’s Cougars basketball team, then you are no stranger to the name Jade Belmore. Belmore, who played 745 minutes on the court this season and averaged 18.9 points per game, has been a staple player for four seasons. She has collected many awards over the last few years, including University of Regina Female Athlete of the Year, but the biggest one came this season when she was selected as one of eight U SPORTS Academic All Canadian Athletes and was selected for an All-Star team.
Every season, the universities in the U SPORTS league nominate athletes from any sport in their programing that have an 80 per cent or higher academic average. There is no limit to how many athletes one institution can nominate. However, there is one male and one female athlete selected for U SPORTS Conference; four conferences select two athletes each, totaling eight athletes from across Canada. Belmore was selected as one out of as many as 4,900 nominees. This is the first time a U of R athlete has been selected since 2009 when men’s hockey player Kyle Ross became the Canada West male winner.
Belmore, a Regina native, has a deep appreciation for the Saskatchewan basketball community and how they have influenced her up to this point.
“I’ve been provided with tons of opportunities within the province,” Belmore said. “It specifically started when, after high school, I started to take it a little bit more seriously and
started to do the more elite camps or tournaments. I would say it has totally given me the most exposure to be able to then play on the Cougars.”
The women’s basketball scene exploded this season with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA). Belmore is excited about the accolades coming to her sport.
“I feel like it’s kind of blown up, which is amazing. Like, I obviously knew that for a long time, that it will. It would have had its time at some point,” she said. “But it’s really cool to kind of be in that upbringing and still be able to play basketball and playing
the sport during this time is absolutely incredible. Not a lot of people will get to experience that. It’s so cool to see in front of my eyes.”
It is not lost on Belmore the talent that is emerging in the women’s basketball circuit: “I’ve been able to actually play against Brink, and Haley Van Lith is with some three-on-three Team Canada stuff. So just being able to actually compete with some of those athletes is really cool. I’m very fortunate to have had those opportunities. It’s very special for me, just being somebody from a smaller town, compared to those people who are kind of in the big leagues. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of, for sure.”
Belmore, who is in her fourth and final year of her Kinesiology degree, still has another year of eligibility with the Women’s Basketball program. She is currently applying for Master’s Programs and participating in her field work placement with Basketball Saskatchewan. She also received the Canada West Student-Athlete Community Service award on March 7.
Belmore’s words of advice for the younger generation of women’s basketball players are “keep going and keep working hard because there’s never an end to being better.”
“Belmore, a Regina native, has a deep appreciation for the Saskatchewan basketball community.”
Community editor Emma McGill’s pop culture quiz!
Test
your knowledge of internet, world, and Regina culture
As a nod to past pop culture quizzes found in the Carillon archives from decades ago, it’s time to test how well you’ve kept up with the times, the internet, and the University of Regina (U of R) campus news. Pull out a writing utensil and put your phone away (no cheating)!
1. What is The name of Chappell Roan’s newest single?
a) “Plumbing”
b) “THe Subway”
c) “The Dentist”
d) “The Giver”
2. What film won BEst Picture at the 2025 OsCars?
a) Wicked
b) Anora
c) Shrek 5
d) The Substance
3. What was the nAme of the U of R food contract which was cancelled in the spring of 2024?
a) Chick ‘N’ Tendees
b) FoodExpress
c) Chartwells
d) Greenhearts
4. Who is the president of the U of R?
a) Dianne Ford
b) Jeff Keshen
c) Glen Campbell
d) Garry Sherbert
5. Who are the best best frIends?
a) Bert and Ernie
b) Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
c) Lauren and Erik
d) Green and Pink
6. What actress plays aduLt Shauna in Yellowjackets?
a) Sophie Nélisse
b) Cynthia Erivo
c) Melanie Lynskey
d) Christina Ricci
7. What did the OwL offer as a featured beverage on Saint Patrick’s day?
a) Cider
b) Regular beer
c) Green beer
d) Blue Guinness
8. Who are Maude ApatOw’s parents?
a) Judd Apatow and Angelina
Jolie
b) Ben Affleck and Iris Apatow
c) Leslie Mann and Judd Apa
tow
d) Idina Menzel and Curious
George
9. How much does the URSU bus pass cost?
a) $293
b) $55
c) $10.50
d) $90
10. Who was the director of Wolfcop?
a) Lowell DeaN
b) Leo Fafard
c) Ryan Reynolds
d) Annika Hadden
1a) What should the Chick ‘N’ Tendees bird be named?
a) Bert
b) Ernie
c) Sara Bareilles
d) Peter
1b) What is the Carillon’s motto?
a) “Don’t rock the boat, sink it”
b) “Hold onto your student values”
c) “Don’t Let the bastards get you down”
d) “Let’s eat, Grandma”
1c) When was the CarillOn founded?
a) 1973
b) 1982
c) 1926
d) 1935
1d) How many bus stops are on campus?
a) 10
b) 5
c) 7
d) 35
15. Who is the current dean of MAP?
a) David Dick
b) Susan Johnston
c) Gregory Hawk
d) Ayo Edebiri
16. Where is the snowflake art on the floor on campus?
a) Lot 17
b) Paskwaw Tower
c) College West
d) Research and Innovation
Centre
17. What film did Greta Gerwig first direct?
a) Frances Ha
b) Ladybird
c) Ammonite
d) Little Women
18. On what floor of College West is the moVie theatre?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
19. Which music dEpartment final concert is happening first this spring?
a) Trombone Ensemble
b) University Concert Band
c) Clairo
d) Wind Ensemble
20. Which Regina artS/music venue used to be a church?
a) The Exchange
b) Gabbos
c) The Artesian
d) The Mercury
21. Who is Colter Wall’s dad?
a) Tammy Wall
b) Brad Wall
c) Tim Wallz
d) Berlin Wall
22. Which Canadian citY was Joni Mitchell born in?
a) Saskatoon
b) Winnipeg
c) Hamilton
d) Fort Macleod
23. What Canadian city is Neil YOung from?
a) Swift Current
b) Vancouver
c) Calgary
d) Winnipeg
24. Where is the closest ski hill to Regina?
a) Mission Ridge
b) Hidden Valley
c) Asessippi
d) Table MoUntain
25. What is the naMe of the groundhog?
a) Phillip
b) Shadow Sharon
c) Punxsutawney Phil
d) Springtime Susan
26. Which pub has free live music every Friday night?
a) Shannon’s
b) O’Hanlon’s
c) The OWl
d) Vic’s Tavern
27. Who was the first dog in space?
a) Bob Dylan
b) LaikA
c) Lucky
d) Meeko
28. Who were the four sisters in the 1990s television series Charmed?
a) Leo, Piper, Primrose, Margaret
b) Piper, Primrose, Pepper, Phoebe
c) Prue, Phoebe, Piper, Paige
d) Sophie, Heather, Madison, Courtney
Keep an eye out for the answers next issue! P.S. Did you find the secret message hidden within this quiz?
Card scalpers called the bane of Pokémon fans
People
emilie
said to be scooping up cards to be resold at inflated prices
wren contributor
Scalping collectibles like Pokémon cards isn’t an honourable way to make a living, it just isn’t.
From my point of view, there are too many people trying to pretend that it is. Which is why scalpers need to be told to take a hike.
Card collecting has existed since the 1800s, with tobacco companies selling sports cards with their products. Since then, it has grown, with a major spike in sales since the 1990s, when trading card games began hitting shelves.
At the end of the day, card collecting is a hobby, no matter the types of cards you collect.
In the case of Pokémon, there is also a game part tied into the same collectible cards. It is designed for kids.
Seems to me there are way too many fully-grown men who are buying up all of the stock of this children’s card game just for the sake of a fast profit.
I have loved Pokémon for over 10 years now. That’s getting close to half of my lifetime. When I fell into that fandom and hobby, it was super easy to collect cards. Sure, I didn’t have much money at that time, since I was a child (you know, the intended audience), but I could still access cards if I worked for it. One good round of vacuuming my parents’ cars was sure to do the trick.
After that, I could easily walk into a certain big box store to pick out my favourite pack of cards, pay the retail price of $6, and walk out the door.
It was simple. It was fun.
I loved collecting cards from all of the different series. I would take the time to admire the artwork. I would go crazy and jump for joy when I pulled a rare card. I would be jealous of my little brother whenever he got a rare card that I wanted. Regular things that you would expect from a child.
And guess what? I still do that. Even as a grown-up 10 years later.
Now, I’m lucky. As an adult, I have actual adult money to be able to purchase Pokémon cards whenever I want. I could very easily just go crazy and spend $100, money that I should probably be saving for something more important.
Now, I should be able to easily walk into
that big box store and pay that same low, suggested retail price for a pack of cards. Better yet, I should be able to walk into a local card store, like Sanctuary Games in Moose Jaw, to pay the retail price to someone who isn’t a giant megacorporation.
But for some reason, I can’t!
It’s something that frustrates me to no end.
Pokémon scalpers, I’m convinced, are snapping up the product and ruining the hobby.
These are not the kind of business people deserving of praise.
Reselling Pokémon cards at outrageous mark-ups is not cool. I would say the same thing for anyone who buys up all of a single product just so they can live out their Monopoly dreams.
During the 2020 lockdowns, there was a significant boom in the Pokémon card market. Influencers like Logan Paul helped spark the sudden popularity. Prices for cards skyrocketed, from vintage sets and rare cards from newer sets. Considering that people were looking for new hobbies and different sources of income during
that same period, it made sense that there would be people trying to make a business out of the card game.
However scalpers came on the scene, buying up any Pokémon card products they could find and then listing them online at much-inflated prices.
The scalping has only gotten worse over the years, with all sorts of quick-buck artists getting into the practice.
Videos are floating around on the internet featuring people caught in stampedes in a Costco just to get their hands on a new Pokémon card set.
Thieves have driven cars into the doors of local card shops. People have been in fist fights inside stores.
I should not be paying $40 for a single pack of Pokémon cards. Not when they are priced at $6 a piece on the official Pokémon Center website.
Mind you, old sets can sell for a profit and I’m fine with that. But it does not make sense that sets that have only just been released, like the latest Prismatic Evolutions, are being sold at a 400 per cent markup.
There is nothing wrong with selling
things at market price. Or if you happen to stumble upon an old pack sitting in your parents’ basement and then decide to sell it at the current market price. Sets like the original Base Set or Jungle Set do sell single packs at a pretty hefty price tag. But those are vintage and hard to find.
Instead, we have scalpers buying up all the stock in a single area, and even online directly from the source by using bots to make bulk orders. The ordinary collector isn’t able to access even a single pack for $6.
Greed is ruining this hobby. It’s impossible to have fun here anymore. People are just too selfish. They are choosing to hyperinflate these prices.
This has got to end.
My parting shot to card scalpers everywhere: if you find yourself fist-fighting people in a big-box store over a children’s card game, you really need a new vocation.
“Greed is ruining this hobby. It’s impossible to have fun here anymore. People are just too selfish.”
Scalping is the bane of a card collector’s existence
Illustration: Becris, Roman R via Canva manipulated by Annika Hadden
Just say no to doom scrolling, phone addiction
How unplugging can change the quality of your life
amina salah staff writer
Wi-Fi is like oxygen in the world we live in currently. From the moment we wake up, to when we hit the hay, we are scrolling, clicking, swiping, and refreshing feeds as if our lives depended on it. Being online is second nature to most of us. But, if you are anything like me, there will be a time when you will get exhausted from being online and being in a digital fishbowl. What if, instead of being glued to our screens, we took a step back to…wait for it…to simply exist?!
Unplugging from social media sounds like something only monks and hippies in wellness retreats do, but hear me out, going offline is an absolute game changer. For starters, it forces you to be actually present. When you’re not refreshing your Twitter feed or TikTok page every five seconds or checking if your latest post got enough likes, you start noticing things: the way the sunlight hits the trees, the sound of the birds in the morning, the breeze through your hair. You start noticing life. Without the presence of constant digital distractions, you engage more, listen better, and experience life wholeheartedly, as opposed to going through it via a screen.
“It’s just like our parents say, ‘It’s because of that damn phone.’ Maybe all they are onto something after all.
The most beautiful thing about going off social media is the peace and quiet. No notifications ringing. No group chats going off like a never-ending fireworks show. You are left with that little voice in your head. This can be scary for many people, and that is completely normal. However, I challenge you to allow yourself to be bored, to just simply let your thoughts pass by. Boredom is not the enemy, my
friends. It is where creativity is born and thrives. By going offline, you are giving your brain the opportunity to just wander, wonder, create, and process things with less background noise.
It can be shocking how much calmer you feel when your brain isn’t constantly trying to keep up with information from millions of people all at once. It’s just like our parents say, “It’s because of that
damn phone.” Maybe they are onto something after all.
I have found that deleting all my social media has improved the quality of my life. I have more time for myself. I have more time for my hobbies. I have more time to get to know myself. I’m not focused on trends or what is going viral all the time. I have no idea what is going on in the world. And as someone whose natural disposition is being anxious, this has truly helped me. It might be considered ignorance to not be aware of what is happening around me, but there is a reason why the iconic adage “ignorance is bliss” exists. I don’t want to know.
The reality, however, is that going offline is not completely realistic for everyone. Many people rely on social media for communication, for school, for work, or simply for fun. It is important nonetheless to set boundaries such as having a tech-free morning or evening or having times in your life where you are unplugged from social media. It is important to take that break every once in a while. You owe it to yourself to recharge and get realigned with yourself. Social media is not going anywhere. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to step away from it. Trust me, the internet will still be there when you want to get back to doom scrolling.
The truth about vampires: Does reality bite?
Let’s think about the so-called powers of our favourite fictional bloodsuckers
amina salah staff writer
Vampires, also commonly known as night owls, are the poster children for immortality, and as seen in Hollywood, some of the most dramatic characters on screen. Whether you first encountered them through the gothic horror of Dracula, the cringeworthy trainwreck that is Twilight, or the chaos that is The Vampire Diaries, chances are you’ve definitely grown up with some very niche ideas about what vampires are. These ideas, as mentioned, are heavily inspired by TV and books. The interesting thing is that a majority of what we know about vampires seems to be completely made up. I know, I’m just as shocked.
Let’s start with the most wellknown myth that is remixed to be a fact about vampires: that they are allergic to sunlight. This is the biggest myth that pop culture has forced upon us. We have all seen it, the moment the first ray of sun hits a vampire’s skin, they either burst into complete flames as seen in The Vampire Diaries, or they start shimmering like a disco ball as seen in Twilight. The interesting thing is that classic vampire folklore does not mention anything about the sun being a mortal enemy for vampires. Even the OG vampire, Dracula, casually walks around in the daylight, although he is seemingly weaker during the day. In The Vampire Diaries, vampires wear what are called daylight rings so that they can walk outside during the day. It wasn’t until Hollywood decided it would make for dramatic visuals that all of a sudden, we started seeing vampires turning into dust the second a speck of sunlight hit their skin. This myth or fact never really made sense to me. Vampires are supposed to be these powerful creatures, but they burst into flames under sunlight? That seems a little antithetical.
Another power that vampires use to lord over others is their immortality. They don’t age, they don’t die (unless you get creative with a stake, or sunlight). Most importantly, they never lose their good-looks. In theory, this sounds very powerful. However, I can’t help but think that immortality just sounds exhausting. Imagine having to keep up with trends, re-learning how to use new technology every few decades, and pretending to be a high school student for 100 years (looking at you Edward Cullen and Stefan Salvatore). Not to mention, who in their right mind would want to be a high school student forever? That just sounds like torture to me. The Vampire Diaries did a really great job at showcasing how a never-ending life can mess with a person’s head. The audience saw how the characters constantly struggled between their pasts as humans and their new lives as vampires. Immortality sounds cool, but it comes with some serious existential crises. Forget a midlife crisis, or a quarter life crisis, immortality just sounds like one crisis after the other forever.
One other thing that vampires are known for is their super speed. Vampires are always zooming around. They
move so fast that the human eye can barely detect them. The Vampire Diaries took this to a brand new level by making their speed look almost cartoonish, with vampires flying from one place to another in the blink of an eye. It makes sense that creatures designed to hunt would need to be quick, but it doesn’t make sense that they still bother walking to places sometimes. If you can be anywhere in a second, who would you bother with walking? I would be in Rome one day, and in Seoul in the next. I would live the life of a travel influencer if I was a vampire. If only, my friends. If only.
Moving on, there is also the concept of compulsion. In shows such as The Vampire Diaries, vampires can control people’s minds with just by looking at them. This makes the subjects forget things, spill certain beans, and essentially, become their puppets. This, I think, is a very interesting vampire power. It is also incredibly horrifying. The idea of compulsion is rooted in old vampire myths, where vampires
were said to have a hypnotic gaze that could lure their victims. In pop culture, it has been turned into a tool that is used for other manipulative purposes to, of course, add more drama to the plot! It makes for toxic and complicated relationships between vampires and humans, which to many is good television.
There is also the power of shapeshifting. Classic vampire lore showcased vampires as powerful creatures that could turn into bats and wolves. I have noticed that modern vampire fiction has mostly abandoned this power. Twilight for example kept the vampires locked into one consistent form.
There is also the idea that vampires don’t need to breathe. This is a very confusing power to me. They’re undead, but they also gasp dramatically when stabbed, and they pant when they are running. This is a power that is riddled with unexplained inconsistencies.
The reality is that vampires do not need to make perfect sense. Many of
us watch or read fantasy fiction, not for the facts, but just so that we can engage with something that is fun. Vampires are entertaining. Whether they’re moving at a lightning-fast speed, controlling minds, or sulking and brooding in dark hallways, vampires have an aura of mystery and intrigue. This is the actual power that makes them so fascinating. Pop culture has given us so many different versions of what a vampire can be, and that is what makes them very entertaining. The only issue I am sad about is that at the current time, there are very few fantasy books or TV shows about vampires. This is why I always go back to shows such as Buffy: The Vampire Slayer and The Vampire Diaries. The fact of the matter is that whether they’re terrifying creatures of the night, or emotionally tortured immortals struggling with their feelings, there is one thing to be certain about, and that is that vampires will never go out of style.
“The fact of the matter is that whether they’re terrifying creatures of the night, or emotionally tortured immortals struggling with their feelings, there is one thing to be certain about, and that is that vampires will never go out of style.”
Illustration: heyrabbiticons, manopjk, Trendify, rionm from Getty Images, via Canva manipulated by Annika Hadden
