19 June 2019

FEATURE

Showing Pride in the ’Peg

City comes out to celebrate LGBTTQ* community

NEWS

Crunching numbers

PAGE 9

SPORTS

Goalie change

U of M budget includes tuition increase, new priorities

Herd loses champ but regains veteran

PAGE 3

PAGE 12

EDITORIAL

Canned choice Misplaced machine menaces matriculates PAGE 5

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 1 · J U N E 1 9 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

Index

2

VOL. 106 NO. 1 June 19, 2019

COMMENT

Confronting reality

Social media companies must address online dangers PAGE 7

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

comment@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Emelia Fournier

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

copy@themanitoban.com

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

VISUAL CONTENT CO-ORDINATOR Quincy Houdayer

visual@themanitoban.com

NEWS

UMSU goes east

Student federation gathers in Ottawa PAGE 4

MANITOBAN 109 HELEN GLASS U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

GENERAL INQUIRIES & ADVERTISING Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: manitoban@themanitoban.com FREE MEDIA Campus Plus Media Services Phone: 1.780.421.1000 Email: advertise@free-media.ca

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #589160

ARTS AND CULTURE

Old stories, new voices

Strike! The Musical hits Rainbow Stage PAGE 11

Design Design Editor: Kellie Huynh Contact: design@themanitoban.com Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com Visual content co-ordinator: Quincy Houdayer Contact: visual@themanitoban.com

A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs, or pieces of art of reasonable length and/or substance published in three different issues of the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban staff meeting. Elected representatives and non-students may be excluded from holding votes as volunteer staff members in accordance with the Manitoban Constitution.

The Manitoban is the official student newspaper of the University of Manitoba. It is published monthly during the summer and each week of regular classes during the academic year by the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation.

The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

The newspaper’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas, and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Manitoban serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism.

Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines. The Manitoban reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, ableist or libellous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. Editorials in the Manitoban are signed and represent the opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of the Manitoban staff, Editorial Board, or the publisher.

All contents are ©2019 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

3

News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Tuition increases for second consecutive year Budget includes new student supports, lacks Indigenous initiatives funding MALAK ABAS, STAFF

I

t will be more expensive to be a U of M student again this year.

The university has approved its budget and laid out its fiscal priorities for the upcoming school year, including a 3.75 per cent increase in tuition, after a one per cent reduction in the U of M’s operating grant, or $3.5 million, was introduced in Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government’s 2019-20 budget in March.

The increase is just over half of last year’s tuition increase of 6.6 per cent.

While the general operating fund budget submission by the U of M board of governors says total enrolment is “expected to remain static,” tuition revenue will increase $10.3 million and the overall operating budget will increase by $11.3 million.

Additional funding to combat racism, sexual violence

mum of between 25 and 30 per cent of the funding will be put toward anti-racism efforts.

“My understanding at this point is that a very large portion of that is going to be going specifically toward anti-Indigenous racism,” he said.

“We understand the rationale for those tuition increases” — Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president Indigenous initiatives funding not shown in budget

The 2017-18 budget recommended a fiscal-only amount of $500,000 to be used for the Indigenous initiatives fund.

Danakas said this Indigenous initiatives fund was for “special projects and programs that were funded.”

“And there will be more in the future.”

The 2018-19 Indigenous initiatives fund was part of the university’s 2015-2020 strategic plan and has been allocated to 13 projects including a summer interdisciplinary studio course and the hiring of Indigenous Elders-in-residence. The fund supported 13 projects in 2017-18 and 22 in 2016-17. Sanderson said discussions within the budget advisory committee included Indigenous student support.

“There has been a lot of movement in terms of Indigenous language programs, a lot of great work done by the University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association as well as faculty within the department of Native studies,” he said.

This is the first U of M budget Notable allocations of this increase in a decade where the word include $250,000 to “anti-racism ini- “Indigenous”— or “Aboriginal,” in tiatives and sexual violence supports.” earlier budgets — ­­­­ is not included.

U of M spokesperson John While the university continues to Danakas said while there were no make good on its National Centre for solid programs in place for the fund- Truth and Reconciliation funding Budget prioritizes ing yet, discussions are ongoing. goal — which is in its fourth of five healthcare shift for “Counselling services and others years — the Indigenous initiatives international students, will be looking into how best to uti- funding which had a place in every additional student supports lize the new funding,” he said.

U of M budget since 2016 no longer After the provincial government UMSU president Jakob Sanderson appears. cancelled healthcare coverage for said the union is advocating for some Despite this, Danakas said fund- international students in 2018, the of this funding to go toward a sexual ing for Indigenous achievement is U of M covered health insurance violence resource centre, and while ongoing, and funds from prior years coverage costs for the 2018-19 year. conversations are “preliminary and will continue to be used this year, This year, however, students will be confidential,” he said a proposal referring to Indigenous scholars expected to pay a mandatory healthregarding a possible resource centre funding from previous years’ budgets. care fee. had been submitted months prior by “In years past, there have been oneThe university has allotted the office of human rights and con- time allotments for a particular pro- $835,000 to, as the budget documents flict management. ject, and there may not be this year, put it, “assist international students “We’re in meetings consistently but the ongoing funding for projects in the transition” out of provincial about the planning around that,” he and programs like Indigenous schol- healthcare. said. ars continues,” he said.

The budget also includes an “It’s something we have every In the 2018-19 budget, $500,000 additional $1.7 million for awards, expectation will go forward.” was allocated to the Indigenous ini- bursaries and scholarships for underAccording to Sanderson, a mini- tiatives fund. graduate and graduate students.

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

UMSU supports budget despite disappointment

Despite expressing concerns with the increases to student fees, both Sanderson and UMSU’s vicepresident advocacy Sarah BonnerProulx voted in support of the 2019-20 budget, which neither had done after the 6.6 per cent tuition increase last year.

Sanderson said the budget’s additional allocation to student resources and the UMSU executive’s recognition of additional cuts from the province were the reasoning for UMSU’s support.

“With the type of funding losses the university’s faced due to the provincial cuts the last two years, we understand the rationale for those

tuition increases,” he said.

Previous years have shown varying responses to U of M budgets by UMSU executives. In the 2016-17 school year, the UMSU executive voted against the U of M budget, which did not include a tuition increase — as the cap on tuition hikes in the province had not been lifted yet — but did include a three per cent cut to funding across campus.

In the 2017-18 school year, there were no budgetary cuts, and outside of cost of inflation, no increase to tuition for domestic or international students.

The UMSU executive supported that year’s budget.

Sanderson said, this year, UMSU wanted to respond to the university’s efforts with a “sign of good faith.”

UMGSA runoff elects previously disqualified candidate New vice-president services and support lists U-Pass, improving UMGSA events as priorities TY BRASS, STAFF

A

fter issuing an apology and hold- Mahder Teffera and senators Julia and Eric Gagnon. After mishandling The apology email issued by the ing a runoff election in May, Minarik and Ehsan Tahmasebian. a number of complaints and appeals, UMGSA concerned a number of the U of M graduate students’ assoOn the UMGSA website, Efobi the elections committee was dis- people and was sent to the entire ciation (UMGSA) has announced lists his priorities as VPSS as improv- solved entirely and the results were graduate student body.

Okechukwu Efobi has been elected ing the U-Pass transit services to not ratified by council. Efobi's disA second email announced the vice-president services and support campus, advocating for international qualification was not upheld. runoff election for which voting took (VPSS). student place May 15-16.

Efobi beat out Eric Gagnon health covThe results of who had been named VPSS before erage and “If our rules and procedure were followed, things the election were the original election’s results were improving ratified at the May certainly would not have played out as they dissolved.

UMGSA 22 UMGSA counThe runoff resulted in Efobi events. did” — Eric Gagnon, VPSS candidate for UMGSA cil meeting. receiving 268 (54 per cent) of the votes Efobi In an email to to Eric Gagnon’s 225 (46 per cent). declined the Manitoban, Efobi will serve alongside UMGSA to comment when contacted by the A new elections committee was Gagnon said he was unsure if president Carl Neumann, vice-pres- Manitoban. formed and the council passed a he would stay involved with the ident finance and administration Voting for the VPSS position dur- motion put forward by Gagnon to UMGSA, but said he was happy to Cody Ross, vice-president academic ing the initial election period held in hold a runoff election for the VPSS have worked with the association.

Roxie Koohgoli, HSGSA president March ended in a tie between Efobi position.

“I’m really proud of all the work I

did for our association this year, and I wouldn’t have any regrets if I decided to move on to other things,” he said.

He referred to “steps” the UMGSA council will be taking, which he believes will “ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”

“What I believe this entire election has demonstrated to everyone involved is how important it is for an association to follow its own rules and procedures. Not only does this damage the image and reputation of our association, but it also has some very real human costs,” he said.

“If our rules and procedure were followed, things certainly would not have played out as they did.”

4

News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com/ ty@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Canadian Federation of Students congregates in Ottawa UMSU executive presented two motions, both turned down MALAK ABAS, STAFF

M

embers of the Canadian Federation of Students from across the country gathered in Ottawa last week for the federation’s yearly national general meeting (NGM).

The entire UMSU executive was in attendance, as well as international community representative Victoria Nwabuisi, Indigenous students’ representative and University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA) co-president Alicia Kubrakovich and science students’ association representative Brendan Scott. UMSU members in attendance represented the local 103 member group.

“I think it was again disappointing to see motions that we think would benefit our students […] be turned down” — Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president Despite the long-documented conflict between UMSU and the federation over the past few years — and the fact that the union's executive recommended UMSU leave the federation in November 2018 — UMSU president Jakob Sanderson called the meeting “cordial.”

“I think we made some strong relationships there.”

Part of the Circle

It was Kubrakovich’s first time at a Canadian Federation of Students NGM, and along with serving as a provincial representative of the organizational and services development committee, also acted as a new member of the federation’s Circle of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students.

She called her time at the NGM a “learning experience.”

“Coming in as a fresh new face as a representative of the Indigenous community here on campus, I came in with an open mindset on what to expect,” she said.

The Circle brought forward and had two motions passed.

The first called on the federation to “take a public stance on the removal of mandatory Indigenous curriculums in high schools.”

The second called on the federation to “study the [missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and two-spirit people] final report and find ways to implement its calls to justice within the CFS organization and its member locals.”

Kubrakovich added that she was “proud of everyone that was involved” in the passing of both motions.

UMSU presents two motions

Along with the two motions local 103 submitted to the NGM this year, the union also pulled a motion, before it came to a vote.

The motion would have recommended the federation adopt a proportional representation model, essentially allowing UMSU more voting power, something Sanderson said would reflect the amount of money UMSU contributes to the Canadian Federation of Students overall.

“This was just another motion that we submitted to try and make the Canadian Federation of Students a little bit more in line with the needs of UMSU as well as other large student unions,” he said.

“However, we felt that we had two other motions that were more pressing and more [accurately] reflected issues that our students had raised throughout the year, and frankly, the feedback we got on this motion was that it was very unlikely it would pass.”

The other motion that was put forward by local 103 was to separate provincial and national membership in the Canadian Federation of Students.

“This routed from a lot of discussion from the board where people, while acknowledging that there are other federal advocacy options out there, that’s more difficult to do provincially,” Sanderson said.

The motion was defeated, and Sanderson said he would continue to push for a student advocacy group not tied to the Canadian Federation of Students.

“I remain steadfast in that I think that it would be in all students in Manitoba’s benefit to start something in Manitoba that doesn’t tie to any other federation so that we can actually incorporate all student unions in Manitoba […] but I did acknowledge it might give us a head start if we were able to start with the infrastructure of [the Canadian Federation of Students] Manitoba, while making the change nationally,” he said.

The other motion brought forward by UMSU recommended the Canadian Federation of Students cover, according to Sanderson, “up to $10,000” of costs for member locals to bring member-at-large delegates who identify as racialized or Indigenous to “increase marginalized representation at the federation’s national level.”

The 2018-19 UMSU executive faced criticism after not attending the Grand Entry — which typically signifies the beginning of a powwow — held at last year’s annual general meeting.

During the discussion around this motion, Sanderson apologized to Indigenous and racialized UMSU members who felt they were not being fairly represented and emphasized the union’s dedication to implement positive change.

“I acknowledged that UMSU needs to do a lot more to ensure representation of [black, Indigenous and

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

people of colour] students,” he said.

“And that this motion — whether or not it passed — should inspire UMSU, the [Canadian Federation of Students] and other student union leaders to think critically about the space we occupy, the potential we have to leverage our privilege for positive change and how we can better

represent marginalized students and, more importantly, create space for those students to represent themselves with our support.”

This motion was defeated at the NGM but was referred to the federation’s national executive for review.

Sanderson said the defeat of both motions was disheartening.

“I think it was again disappointing to see motions that we think would benefit our students, and I think specifically that last motion, one that would really benefit students across the country, be turned down,” he said.

“So I wouldn’t say that our view of the federation has changed a lot since the last [meeting].”

5

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Malak Abas Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

The curious case of the offending vending machine

New Coca-Cola machine placement reveals a deeper disregard for architectural heritage EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

I

n UMSU University Centre, beside tic sensibility regarding human needs. the cashier's office, there is a cozy To practice architecture — to place little nook with a built-in bench. that bench — requires two university Low enough to feel intimate, shel- degrees and years of apprenticeship. tered enough to provide a sense of It is the life’s work of someone dediprivacy, long enough to accommo- cated to making the physical world date multiple people, it is the sort of a bit more beautiful, a bit more element that we need more of in our functional. buildings.

For decades, that bit of design That placement of this bench and continued to function not only as nook was determined by an archi- intended, but actually became more tect. Following decades of schooling valuable as a built element: there is and training, a university-educated an electrical outlet in the nook, and professional determined that a bench people now frequently sit there with was called for there. People do not charging laptops or phones. For decbecome architects to design HVAC ades, the daily lives of people sitting systems, they become architects so in the nook have been a little bit that, in this world, there is a nice better, because someone took care place to sit just when you think you and thought to improve the physical begin to feel you might like to sit. world.

Although non-architects familiar That bench makes the University with the work of Frank Gehry and of Manitoba a better, more humane, other “starchitects” might be forgiven more beautiful place. for thinking otherwise, the work of And then someone put a Cocaan architect is one of rigorous, pains- Cola vending machine in the nook, taking analysis blended with an artis- blocking a portion of the bench from

use, lending to the still-accessible portions all the intimate charm of a service corridor.

Was this an approved action, or opportunism? Was it done by employees of the university (who, once upon a time, paid someone to create that bench), or by employees of the vending machine company? Is it late-stage capitalism run amok, or institutional ignorance?

Was this an approved action, or opportunism?

Whatever the reason, there is in the placement of that vending machine something ominous. The work of an educated professional suddenly undone is an increasingly common sight, but it is truly jarring to see such disregard for knowledge

and skill from the very institution This treatment of its architectural responsible for fostering these things heritage by the university is particuin society. larly jarring to see in light of arguIf the vending machine seems ments recently put forward by the a small thing, easily corrected, it administration regarding the physical represents an increasingly common plant of the university. In response attitude of disregard towards the to the (since passed) proposal to give achievements of the past. T. S. Eliot several buildings on campus heritfamously wrote “I will show you fear age protection, the administration in a handful of dust,” and in this initially argued that such protecway the placement of this vending tions were unnecessary, as it had its machine is the reason our streets are own system of maintaining historic full of litter, the biosphere is collaps- buildings. ing, our cities are crumbling. People If it cannot properly place a vendfail to think or take ownership of the ing machine, then it is truly laughable effects of their actions, and step by to suggest that the university has the step the world becomes worse. knowledge or the will to maintain There is already another vend- such historic gems as the John A. ing machine directly across the hall, Russell Building. which blocks nothing but a blank Whatever the reason for the wall. placement of the offending vending Is it too much to suggest that that machine, it should be moved. The was the logical spot to place this University of Manitoba has a faculty one? Is it too much to suggest that of architecture, and the least it could we decrease the number of machines do would be to act like the fruits of peddling sugar water on campus? that education have value.

7

Comment Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Social media moguls must confront white supremacy Shoddy algorithms and bans are insufficient to battle hatred KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

I

n the wake of recent controversy, it is clear that tech companies still do not understand the seriousness of the space in which they operate.

On June 11, journalist David Neiwert was handed the news that his Twitter account was suspended from the platform. Users who attempted to view his account were given a message that read “@ DavidNeiwert’s account is temporarily unavailable because it violates the Twitter media policy.”

The presumed reasoning behind the suspension was due to Neiwert’s cover photo: the cover of his most recent book, Alt America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump.

The cover features the stars of the American flag, which are topped by hoods of the Ku Klux Klan.

In a similar vein, YouTube recently rolled out a series of blanket bans in an attempt to rid the platform of hateful content. This crackdown eventually led to the deletion of many educational videos and channels regarding the Holocaust.

This included an entire channel run by California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism and clips of Hitler’s speeches put up by academics who focus on the study of the Second World War. These channels and videos were only reinstated after prominent media organizations inquired about the reasoning behind the bans.

It is not difficult to understand why the approach taken by Twitter, YouTube and similar organizations in response to the rise of white supremacy is hollow. It is because while algorithms have promptly forced historical videos off the platforms, truly hateful content remains unscathed.

People who profit off of revenue made by putting out content for the sole purpose of inciting hate continue to be given a gigantic platform

to do so.

Far-right extremist Ben Shapiro uses both Twitter and YouTube to carry his message of hatred far and wide.

This is why when a white supremacist killed six people who were worshipping inside of a Quebec mosque in 2017, it was revealed that, in the month prior, the shooter had visited Shapiro’s Twitter feed 93 times.

The shooter had similarly visited the feeds of many other conspiracypeddling, hate-mongering white supremacists, many of whom continue to remain on either or both platforms to say what they please.

Given the disturbing reality, it is clear that media platforms like Twitter and YouTube must change considerably. This begins with a reassessment of what these companies have become.

While companies like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube started off as humble websites used by only a few, they have rapidly grown into colossal mega corporations used by billions of people.

Twitter itself has grown into such an important platform that it is used by an American president to introduce domestic and foreign policy, and by opposing countries to threaten war.

The present-day reality is that the days of hastily thrown together rules and policies related to hate speech and of faulty, unreliable algorithms cutting it are gone.

The solution must be multifaceted to its core.

Gone are the days where YouTube can hide behind the number of hours of video on its platform, and similarly Twitter and Facebook with the volume of tweets and posts.

These companies are no longer the startups run from tech geeks’ basements they once were. Rather, the parent companies of YouTube and Google, Facebook and Twitter

posted revenues in excess of US$136, $55 and $3 billion respectively in 2018.

If these companies truly intend to combat the horror that is white supremacy, while leaving historical content alone, they have all the resources in the world at their fingertips to do so.

Shareholders will never make strides to improve the treatment of society’s most vulnerable when the profit from far-right hatred is lining their pockets Some combative approaches would include allowing scholars and legal experts to debate the issue of hate content and to draft an entirely new code of conduct. Platforms cannot continue to enforce archaic rules which are entirely self-serving.

Further, media companies must hire and rely on a multitude of journalists to assess cases of hate speech, rather than primitive algorithms which are not even approaching the line of being sufficient.

These solutions, however, would certainly affect the bottom line which is almost assuredly the reason they have not been adopted in the first place. Shareholders will never make strides to improve the treatment of society’s most vulnerable when the profit from far-right hatred is lining their pockets.

This is why countries with a large influence on the international stage must force social media platforms to the correct position. Human life depends on it.

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

Comment

8

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Transit workers embroiled in a Faustian bargain The city tries to incite a strike with poisonous labour negotiations JACOB SINGLETON

W

innipeg Transit workers are Effective June 3, ATU local 1505 that were the product of decades long under the current trade regime in ing such a poisonous pill for transit refusing to sign a new city announced its drivers would cease all struggle for so many new hires? This North America. workers to swallow demonstrates the contract in what is turning out to be voluntary overtime. type of deal with the devil, however, These two-tier wage schemes adversarial relationship the city is a significant labour battle.

The precise language and provi- has been effective at degrading many are truly a Faustian bargain, trade taking, under mayor Brian Bowman’s The Amalgamated Transit sions of the contract in question are union jobs in Canada. realities notwithstanding. Beyond leadership, toward organized labour.

Union (ATU) local 1505 — the not available. Both ATU local 1505 For example, in 2012 the Canadian diminishing the quality of a job, these Arguably, Bowman is angling union representing Winnipeg tran- and the city have mostly conducted Auto Workers union agreed to estab- two-tier systems develop a natural for transit workers to go on strike sit drivers, mechanics and workers negotiations in private. lish a two-tiered wage scheme for new antagonism between new hires and to imperil the patrons of Winnipeg — announced that its membership Nevertheless, there is a detail of hires at Ford Motor Company and old hires. Those on the second tier Transit. The proposed contract is an voted overwhelmingly to reject the the city’s proposal for ATU local General Motors Company (GM). have lower wages and often fewer outright provocation which may force city’s second contract offer May 31. 1505 released which demonstrates Existing workers would maintain benefits. This inevitably produces a many who rely on transit workers into Winnipeg Transit workers have been the Faustian bardisgruntled view a desperate situation if transit workworking without a contract since the gain laid before of the union’s ers strike. Perhaps the ultimate goal Why would union members destroy the current one expired in January.

Winnipeg Transit effectiveness for of the city is to have ATU local 1505 The contract proposed to ATU workers. and allegiance swallow their poisonous pill with the jobs and benefits that were the product local 1505 is not a good one. It offered ATU local 1505 to new hires. public supporting the act. of decades long struggle for new hires? pay increases that are below the rate of president Aleem Overall, the twoBut given the solidarity ATU local inflation and seemed to fail to address Chaudhary said tier system can 1505 has built with its patrons and the working condition issues related to the city wanted maintain support actions of organized labour recently, safety ATU local 1505 has identified the new contract to include the abil- their wages under the newly passed for union leadership in the imme- it is likely that Bowman’s plan will as important to its membership. ity to hire 200 part time bus opera- model, while new hires would start diacy, but it can mark the death knell backfire.

In an attempt to put pressure on tors paid “at wages $10 less than the at a lower wage and take nearly twice for sustained support and the social Patrons will see that it is the city the city to get serious about nego- average for regular operators with no as long to reach the highest wage on base for a union in the long run. who holds the key to stable public tiations, the ATU has implemented pension or benefits.” the pay scale.

ATU local 1505 will never accept transit labour and it is threatening its some innovative job actions. On May While passing the contract would The central pressure on auto work- the city’s Faustian bargain. Winnipeg stability with bad contract proposals.

14, Winnipeg Transit bus drivers did have meant Winnipeg Transit work- ers at the time, which continues into Transit drivers serve 130,000 passenWinnipeg Transit’s management not collect fares from passengers. This ers could keep what they have bar- the present, was the spectre of out- gers every day. should end its games and let transit placed pressure on the city to move gained for over their bargaining sourcing. Ford and GM have inteUnlike the two-tiered deals workers continue providing an essentoward ATU local 1505’s demands history, it would have meant dooming grated production and sale of their afforded to auto unions, the city tial service for the city. while building solidarity with pas- many new hires to a life of precarity. vehicles throughout North America. cannot simply transplant these Enough is enough. sengers. This fare strike was the first On the surface, this offer seems The possibility of moving a produc- Winnipeggers to a lower-wage pool The city must end its Faustian of its kind to be held in any North ridiculous. Why would union mem- tion facility to a low-wage portion of labour. schemes and sign ATU local 1505’s American city. bers destroy the jobs and benefits of the U.S. or Mexico is a real threat However, the very act of propos- proposed contract.

Stepping up in solidarity QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

Winnipeggers turned out Saturday at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in support of local and international migrants and refugees.

9

Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Reflection, celebration and community QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

Pride president Muhammad Ahsan speaks to the crowd gathered at the legislature, stating the importance of the event and reminding everyone of the important role that people of colour have played in Pride’s past.

Twins Abigail and Tabitha Morran grew up near Steinbach, a predominantly conservative, Christian community. They hope that others who have had a similar upbringing can see them and see people who are comfortable with their identity and have “come through the gauntlet and are thriving.”

Winnipeggers of all ages took to the streets for this year’s Pride parade.

Winnipeg Pride’s 2019 theme “Pride of Colour” sought to recognize the intersections between sexuality and racial diversity, and promoted inclusion in the city’s LGBTTQ* community.

Local author and transgender activist Shandi Strong leads the 2019 Trans March down Broadway.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

10

The Ma ni to ba n presents:

•Gonzo festival bulletinsthe horror!• •Folk Fest performer interviews• •Photo essays• Summer issues hit stands: July........24 August......21 or find us online at themanitoban.com

PALLISTER-BABY HAS a plan for the climate crisis...

Ga. Us molupti ossimusdante il exceperio quiae plique num conestis exerspe verchil ignimint aliatio nserumque volecus.

Bissita tibusa volore molorepudis si non perchiliquae cus volor aborpor sitatiu saperit atur?

Suntet eumque essi quia quis porum es sam eatur si nobis nonsequatia doluptati cone et ommolut lautae veliquo blaut omniet et vellanda soluptur, a velesti animint parchilla previous NDP government b id magnat volupiet atemodis iunt expedi cus, voluptatur?

Itat. Occullore, comnis qui con conectaerro volut od magnima gniendit aditat quam eum as sam, ariam evelest isciunt aut et mi, nobitUptas ne nobiti accumet magnihi ligenis aut ut apit aut ab ime explat aut est imoditaqui quam doluptat harum ad quatem quiae lam, qui ius acest ape ipsum voluptu rehent, cum eicilitis dolut aspelessin perumquas quia delia que nem es illupta tinullaceped ex eos

...but, y’know, election blackout.

Arts & Culture

11

Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Local musical retells 1919 Winnipeg General Strike

Winnipeg playwright talks new Rainbow Stage production MEGAN PIETRUS

S

trike! The Musical is at Rainbow same kind of policies today.”

Stage through July 5 for the cenSchur said the musical is “edutenary of the 1919 Winnipeg General cational in an edifying kind of way.”

Strike.

The musical provides an opporThe musical is set during the tunity for Winnipeggers to learn Winnipeg General Strike and fol- more about their history, according lows the story of lovers Stefan and to Schur.

Rebecca as they grapple with a soci“It’s really about how divisiveness ety rife with social inequality and can send society in the wrong [direcdiscrimination. tion],” he said.

Strike! The Musical is based on the The Rainbow Stage production book of the same title co-written by of Strike! features new set design Danny Schur and Rick Chafe. Schur by Stratford designer Douglas also wrote the music and lyrics for Paraschuk and new music with a Strike!, calling the musical “the quin- modern take. tessential Winnipeg scrappy underSome of the characters sing in difdog story.” ferent styles of music.

While the musical is about the “The songs that are sung by the Winnipeg General Strike, it deals character Emma, they’re like hip hop, with many other social issues that radio cool.

Schur described as “eerily topical.”

“It just doesn’t matter anymore that “It's really about the discrimi- convention of historic show equals nation that was going on towards historic music,” he said. immigrants, people of color, [and] “There still is some historic and Indigenous and Métis people, and some ethnic music [...] it’s somewhere it’s really about nativism,” said Schur. between The Greatest Showman and He said the Winnipeg General RENT.” Strike has “become a metaphor for The play breaks from traditional it’s so endearing,” he said. today.” musicals by having the music per“Even a five- to eight-year-old kid “We’re actually backsliding in formed predominantly onstage. will be really taken with what they’re terms of people’s economic com- The actors play instruments as well, doing onstage.” fort, and the business of right-wing alongside a three-person band perThese youngest cast members are populism among governments and forming on the side of the stage. “right up there with the adults, all the using divisive tactics — all that stuff Strike! is an all-ages show and time,” said Schur. was kind of the underpinning of the includes three young actors doubling Schur hopes Strike! will not only General Strike,” Schur said. as musicians, Malacai Hiebert, Jonah entertain, but will also encourage “It’s like they took a handbook Hiebert and Shiloh Hiebert. audiences to speak up for their beliefs. from the time and are using those “They’re stunning to watch and “Sometimes I think we can be

PHOTO BY ROBERT TINKER

somewhat apathetic and think some“I think people will be surprised one else is going to do it. when they leave,” he said.

“You cannot watch this [musical] “I think they’ll say, ‘My God, this is without wanting to stand up and go the equal of a Broadway production.’” do something, whether it’s vote in the election or just make some difference, it’s really inspiring in that You can catch Strike! The Musical way,” he said. at Rainbow Stage from June 18 to 28 Strike! is one of the few locally- and July 2 to 5. Tickets can be purchased written productions to be put on by online at rainbowstage.ca or by calling Rainbow Stage.

204-989-0888.

Free concert brings workers’ rights to the forefront Strike anniversary prompts Manitobans to rise up EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

O

ld Market Square was crowded guitar and backup vocals for Sweet there’s just no way that we could supJune 8 with people standing in Alibi. port ourselves with the income from the rain for a free concert commemoShe said performing at Rise Up the music industry,” said Anderson. rating the 1919 Winnipeg General prompted her to learn more about the In order for musicians to keep Strike.

Winnipeg General Strike. their art accessible but also make a Rise Up 100: Songs for the Next “They didn’t teach [the 1919 strike] living, they rely on grants for a large Century featured full sets by Sweet in schools [...] which seems bizarre part of their income.

Alibi, Leonard Sumner, Two Crows now that I’m looking at how big it Anderson said she and her felfor Comfort, John K. Samson, Ani was,” said Anderson. low musicians have seen their funds DiFranco and Bruce Cockburn at the According to Anderson, being a dwindle since Brian Pallister became Cube open-air stage. musician comes with its own unique the premier of Manitoba. labour issues.

“The Conservative government “A lot of people don’t see [being a definitely cut funding for the arts, musician] as a job [...] they don’t really and I noticed that right as soon as “We’ve got talent see all the work that’s behind it,” said [Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister] here” — Michelle Anderson. came in,” she said.

People often underestimate the Anderson said a grant that Sweet Gawronsky, MGEU cost of hiring musicians and fail to Alibi relied on “ just completely president take into account to consider the disappeared, it just went as soon as practice time, investment in equip- [Pallister] came to power, it was like, ment, time spent in rehearsals and OK, there’s no longer money there.” travel time that goes into a gig, said Funding arts benefits everyone, Manitoba’s unions hosted the Anderson. including the artists trying to make concert, which was sponsored by the “Sometimes we’re not making even a living, Anderson said.

Manitoba Government and General minimum wage for what we’re doing, “Music is kind of healthcare [...]

Employees’ Union (MGEU), with and I don’t think people understand it helps with people’s mental health.” programming by the Winnipeg Folk that,” she said.

Festival.

Without gaining massive main- Prioritize Manitobans, stream success, musicians are often not budget cuts The working musician financially precarious.

MGEU president Michelle Michelle Anderson plays banjo, “We all have jobs on the side, Gawronsky said Rise Up 100 was

envisioned as an opportunity to tion, the arts and other public services gather people together in solidarity and government jobs, Gawronsky with workers of the past and present. said it is important to fight to main“This is just another way for tain the gains made by workers of [MGEU] to be able to give back to the past. our community,” said Gawronsky.

“Manitobans need to be reminded, Gawronsky said government need to remember that we do need to funds would be better spent putting stand together and we need to stand back into the community, rather for what we deserve, what our rights than hiring out-of-province private are and what we need to have as serconsultants who help decide where vices in Manitoba,” said Gawronksy. budget cuts can be made.

Gawronsky’s message to the “The 1919 strike serves as a reminder Pallister government is to “stop cutthat we do have a voice as labour and ting programs, stop cutting services, we can fight back against govern- stop cutting jobs.” ment decisions, employers’ deci“Take the money that they’re using sions that really affect hard-working for these private consultants, out-of Manitobans,” said Gawronsky. province private consultants, and put Gawronsky also wants elected it into the arts in Manitoba," said officials to remember their role in Gawronsky. ensuring public services are provided “We’ve got talent here." and to respect and value their workers.

“We’re not asking for extra, we’re For more information on the MGEU, not asking for more,” said Gawronsky. visit mgeu.ca. For more Winnipeg “We’re just asking to be treated General Strike-related events, visit equally and to be treated fairly and mfl.ca/1919. that’s for all workers, whether they’re unionized or not, that needs to stand for all workers.”

In the light of governments cutting funding for medical care, educa-

Sports

12

Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

All-star shakeup shifts Bisons women’s hockey team

Analysis: Departure of Taraschuk and return of Schubert leave lingering questions JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Fargey finally gets her shot

PROVIDED BY U SPORTS

T

he U of M Bisons women’s out in 2019-20. hockey team’s crease will look a The shake up between the pipes bit different — but also very familiar did not stop there, though, as in April — next season. the Bisons announced veteran goalie On April 16, the Winnipeg Free Amanda Schubert will be returning Press published an article where to the Manitoba crease to finish her national championship winning net- final year of eligibility. minder Lauren Taraschuk announced Along with Schubert’s return the she would not be returning to the Bisons added goaltender Kaitlyn Bisons. After two solid seasons, the Nault to the recruitment class.

Winnipeg-born goalie is taking a step Now with the dust settling from back from competitive hockey. a whirlwind of moves in the blue This move immediately thrust paint there are some questions to be rookie goalie Erin Fargey into the answered. The herd’s goaltending spotlight, but with only four games situation has gone from a certainty under her belt in Canada West, fans to an unknown quantity and it will be are right to have questions about how good to know what to expect heading the goaltending situation will shake into the new season.

work. The one thing holding most ’80s and ’90s goaltending style of “just Bisons fans did not get to see goalies back is a slow release. This get your body in front of the puck.” much of Langdon-born Fargey dur- slow release is where patient and wellThe more rubber they face, the ing her rookie season, but in the four positioned netminders like Fargey better they play. brief glimpses they got, she shone. thrive, and are able to glean where This style of play has helped The Albertan had a 1.27 goals- a shooter is aiming before the puck Schubert lead the Bisons to specagainst-average and .934 save per- comes off the stick and to get in posi- tacular victories in the past such as centage — the latter identical to tion to make the stop. the quintuple overtime win over the Taraschuk through 24 starts — while Larger netminders like Taraschuk University of Saskatchewan Huskies picking up two wins, including a can survive on raw size alone if need in the 2016 Canada West playoffs. shutout. be, but it is up to those like Fargey The Winnipegger stopped 66 Fargey is a technically sound to make up the difference with of the 67 shots she faced against goaltender with good vision and has technique. the Huskies, outdueling Cassidy the raw talent to make any team she Size is also a major factor in what Hendricks at the other end for plays with a championship contender. makes the Bisons returning veteran, over two hours of play as Manitoba The fact she was left on the bench so Schubert, an intriguing acquisition. claimed the 2-1 win. often during the 2018-19 campaign Schubert’s play has also brought while Taraschuk tied for the greatest Stability the word her to the professional ranks. She number of games played among con- with Schubert was part of KJT in the Finnish Liiga, ference goaltenders is a head scratcher.

Whereas Taraschuk was one of the the Finnish Elite League, during the That being said, this lack of play- tallest netminders in the conference 2017-18 season before returning the ing time may be exactly what Fargey — standing six-feet tall — Schubert Canada. needs to make the difference next is the smallest.

The win over Saskatchewan and season.

At five-foot-two, what Schubert time overseas also exemplify what Early career setbacks have not lacks in height she makes up for in Schubert has over Fargey in spades: stopped her before, as the 19-year-old compete. experience. was cut from three different teams in A great comparison for Schubert She has earned the trust of Bisons a single year while playing in Alberta is former Bisons men’s hockey goalie head coach Jon Rempel to play in but overcame the disappointment to Byron Spriggs. While neither are the important situations and whether she win a provincial title. most solidly technical goalies they will act in a platoon role or as Fargey’s Now Fargey needs to channel a both have the athleticism to keep backup, the attitude Schubert brings year spent riding the pine into a year them fighting to stop pucks long to the rink and the knowledge she can commanding the crease, and she has after the technique of other goalies impart on the young puck stopper the skills to succeed in this endeavour. has worn down. will be invaluable.

There is explosiveness to Fargey’s The longer a play goes on, and No matter how Rempel and the movements when she needs to make the more a goalie has to move, the Bisons coaching staff decide to deploy a stop, but her sound positioning is easier it is to get the puck past them. the two netminders, they will have what really makes her special.

Schubert and Spriggs are the excep- two determined and talented women In the modern game all shooters tions to this rule, getting better the ready to keep Manitoba’s winning have the accuracy to make goalies more they move, representing the old pedigree alive.

E-sports Expo Launches QUINCY HOUDAYER

Teams fight for a win in a CS: Go tournament at the inaugural Manitoba eSports Expo.

Fans look on as the final League of Legends tournament begins.

Local vendors and cosplayers Vanessa Friesen and Georgia Loewen sell their art at the Expo.