24 July 2019

FEATURE

“So full of love and beauty” Sweltering sun doesn't stop iconic Folk Festival's fun

NEWS

An unhealthy balance

UMSU’s international healthcare worries PAGE 3

PAGE 10

SPORTS

One last shot Schubert returns to Bisons crease PAGE 12

EDITORIAL

The people of Portage Place An illogical investment PAGE 5

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 2 · J U LY 2 4 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 2 July 24, 2019

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

COMMENT

Manitoba’s progressive evisceration

Provincial austerity is killing social democracy

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

visual@themanitoban.com

PAGE 7

MANITOBAN ARTS AND CULTURE

Dirt, sweat and tears

Music festival brings joy and discomfort PAGE 11

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

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News

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

International student healthcare costs sharply increase UMSU opposes coverage hike, hopes to reverse province’s decision TY BRASS, STAFF

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ith international students in must pay for the cost of the procedure Manitoba set to begin paying plus an additional 200 per cent.

“This is a very direct result of a profor healthcare coverage for the 201920 year, a June 25 board of governors’ vincial government decision,” he said.

Sanderson was critical of the provdecision will have them paying even ince’s decision, not only because of more than expected to this point.

The U of M board of governors how it will affect international stuapproved an amended contract dents but also the provincial economy, increasing the rate for international calling it “short-sighted.”

“The cost of international healthstudent healthcare at its June 25 meeting. care at the original rate is about $3.2 The amended contract increases million,” he said. “The amount the full-year rate to $864, up from that international students generate $606 last year. This increase comes for the provincial economy is $400 less than a year after the province million.” cut universal healthcare coverage for “And that’s assuming that every international students in September international student simply goes home to their original country or 2018.

After the cut, the U of M moves out of Manitoba as soon as announced it would cover interna- they’re done their degree. That’s just tional student healthcare premiums $400 million in revenue while they’re for the 2018-19 year. It was expected a student, never mind the type of students would pay a $606 premium highly skilled employees that they this year, but with the increase stu- will eventually become once they are dents will now pay an additional $258. no longer a student.”

A statement posted to UMSU's Sanderson said that while UMSU website and social media said the is disappointed with the provincial student union “opposes significant government’s decision and the uniincreases to international student versity’s lack of action to combat it, they are appreciative of the unihealthcare.”

The statement said UMSU vice- versity’s allocation of $500,000 in president advocacy Sarah Bonner- needs-based bursaries in the 2019Proulx and president Jakob Sanderson 2020 budget which will hopefully “voiced significant opposition to this alleviate some of the burden caused increase, and to the university’s lack by the increased rate. of action in attempting to combat “Understanding that the university the provincial government’s short- did not make this decision to increase sighted decision” at the board of gov- the premiums, we are grateful that ernors’ meeting. the university has heeded UMSU’s Sanderson said in an interview advice to establish a significant hardthat the increase is a result of the ship fund,” he said. “However, we are provincial government’s decision very disappointed that the univerto hike the non-resident healthcare sity’s senior leadership did not take a surcharge from 75 per cent to 200 per more active role in sitting down with cent. the government, trying to negotiThe increased surcharge means ate with regional health authorities that if an international student and exhausting every bullet in their requires an operation, their insurer chamber, so to speak, to try to prevent

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

this from happening.”

UMSU’s online statement also Canadian Federation of Students] Not only will international stu- mentioned an open letter to the min- Manitoba.” dents be negatively impacted by the ister of health and the premier calling Sanderson mentioned plans for a increased premium, Sanderson said, for international student healthcare letter-writing day in August and a it may harm the university itself due to be reinstated and the increased rally on the steps of the legislature to a likely before the provincial decrease in election, but neither international “This university just became a lot less financially yet have set dates. enrolment “We have been attractive for students” rates, which working, back since he c a l led February and March, — Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president a “financial to write up a number of necessity” due policy briefs in the lead to provincial budget cuts. surcharge for non-resident healthcare up to the provincial election,” he said.

“This university just became a lot to be reduced.

“We established 10 major prioriless financially attractive for students,” “We have circulated this [letter] ties that we are asking all parties to he said. within a number of student groups on incorporate, and we wrote up very “That is a very unattractive position campus that represent a high propor- detailed briefs on five core priorifor this university to be forced into tion of international students,” said ties of those, and one of those was when trying to attract international Sanderson. “We have also sent this the reinstatement of international students here, and we are just frankly open letter to all other student unions healthcare. at a loss for why the university didn’t at Manitoba universities and colleges “We look forward to continuing make a real strong, concerted push and asked them to sign on, and we to make this a major issue in the to avoid this situation.” are also in discussions with [the provincial election.”

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News

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

UMSU to create four policy-building working groups Indigenous working group put on hold until September, three initiated TY BRASS, STAFF

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MSU is in the process of creating four working groups, three of which are to influence policy concerning their communities of focus and one of which will direct $20,000 toward initiatives chosen by the group’s members.

Two motions passed unanimously at the June 24 UMSU board of directors meeting that proposed the creation of a sustainability working group and a mental health working group. A third motion for an Indigenous working group was tabled until the Sept.

12 board meeting. A fourth, the participatory budgeting working group, was created in May. UMSU president Jakob Sanderson said the creation of the working groups for this year is a result of the success of last year’s working groups, which is mainly measured by student engagement.

“We instigated a number of working groups last year, a few of which were really quite successful, and we just wanted to continue those again this year,” he said.

“The engagement level was high,” said Sanderson. “When we had meetings we had a solid stable of students that were consistently showing up that were bringing forward input.”

Sanderson also pointed toward UMSU’s sustainability week, which

took place in March, as an example Indigenous Students’ Association group decides how to use its money. of the sustainability working group’s for their feedback,” he said.

“There’s really four steps to it,” effectiveness.

“It was generally positive, and then explained Sanderson. “Step one is The sustainability and mental we heard later on that they wanted collection of submissions. That’s were health working groups were first to incorporate more feedback from we advertise what the group is doing, created in the 2018-19 year while the all of the different Indigenous stu- we advertise it on social media as well Indigenous working group is brand dent groups on campus and that they as a week of tabling, and we simply new. Because these groups are not would be able to do that by the time get people to submit any ideas, they standing committees established in we get to the September meeting.” don’t have to be fully costed or estiThe participatory budgeting mated, just broad priorities that stuUMSU’s governing documents they must be reformed each year. group is also returning from last year. dents think UMSU should spend that Previous working groups have According to its establishing motion, participatory budgeting money on.”

“Step two is, once included a university policies a certain deadline “We instigated a number of working groups, a is passed, we’ll go working group and an acces- few of which were really quite successful, and through and review sible education all of the priorities we just wanted to continue those again this that people have working group.

This year’s year” — Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president submitted. We’ll identify the ones that incarnation of the sustainabilare touched on by the ity working group will have a differ- the group is meant to “establish and highest number of people both digient structure than last year, this year supervise the democratic process of a tally and physically, and we’ll go back being chaired by two people rather portion of the UMSU budget.” and cost out what are some actually The group has been allocated tangible things we could do. than just Sanderson, with one being Sanderson and the other being an $20,000 — the same as last year — “Step three is the decision. So we’ll elected student-at-large. which, aside from roughly $1,000 for then go back to the students picking According to Sanderson, the operating costs, is to be spent on ini- probably three to five options,” he tabling of the Indigenous working tiatives decided upon by its members. said. “Then whatever the most people group motion was meant to allow for A Bannatyne campus participatory vote for is the one that we do and more consultation with Indigenous budgeting group will also be created, that leads us to step four which is students. which has already been allocated a implementation.”

“When we originally crafted it, separate $10,000.

Unlike the other groups and last we reached out to the co-presidents Sanderson also discussed how year’s participatory budgeting group, from the University of Manitoba the participatory budgeting working this year’s participatory budgeting

group has a limited number of spaces, which Sanderson explained is due to the amount of money it controls.

“This year there is a cap on how many students will be a part of that, just on the basis that that is the only one of the working groups that has the discretion to spend a substantial amount of money and so having a little bit more of a structure in terms of who is coming out to every single meeting is a little more important there,” he said.

“Whereas [with] the other working groups, we are perfectly happy for people to drop in to every one or two meetings, and of course we want to have an established, consistent presence, but if someone wants to come to their first meeting in January that’s totally fine and everyone is welcome and everyone can vote.”

UMSU is currently accepting applications from students to sit on the sustainability, mental health or participatory budgeting working groups.

The participatory budgeting group has four spaces available for applicants, while the other will accept an unlimited number of students.

Sanderson said that when meetings will begin varies by group, but he hopes all working groups will begin meetings by September.

UMSU to index summer fees to inflation in 2020 Students previously paid $5 baseline fee TY BRASS, STAFF

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MSU fees for summer students “We’ve been indexing our fall and between summer term fees and fall ally enrolled in courses at a particular are increasing. winter fees going back the last few and winter term fees is an attempt time, UMSU’s advocacy work isn’t Until now, the UMSU summer fee years at least,” he said. “And for what- to ensure fairness in respect to how particularly done that way. We don’t for full-time students has remained ever reason, when the motion would much each student gives to UMSU advocate for students that take fall at an even $5, while fall and winter have been passed to index those fees, and what they effectively get back in courses and then, if they take a winfees increased with inflation. As per summer just wasn’t included, so we’re UMSU’s work. ter semester off, immediately stop a motion put forward by the UMSU just putting sumadvocating for executive committee at the June 24 mer on the same their interests.”

UMSU board of directors meeting, playing field as Sanderson sug“It is not going to be a very large increase” the organization’s summer fees will the fall and wingested UMSU’s — Jakob Sanderson, UMSU president advocacy work be indexed to inflation beginning ter fees. with the summer 2020 term.

“It is not going extends equally The motion was passed unani- to be a very large to all students mously by the board which, as the increase. The inflation of five dollars “There are a large number of stu- regardless of when they are registered motion document notes, holds the is not particularly substantial.” dents that would take enough courses for courses and so summer students authority to approve any membership UMSU fees for the fall and winter to be classified as UMSU members should not be subjected to pay higher fee increases at or below inflation. terms are indexed to inflation with in the fall and in the winter, and then fees.

According to UMSU president the 2018-19 fees being $225.16, or not in the summer — in fact, that’s “The idea is that someone that is Jakob Sanderson, summer fees not $112.58 per term, considerably more the majority of students,” he said. only taking courses in the fall and being indexed until now has been a than summer term fees.

“But, while the UMSU fee struc- winter isn’t only getting two-thirds “past oversight that is being corrected.”

Sanderson said the discrepancy ture is very dependent on who is actu- of the advocacy work from UMSU

that someone taking courses in the fall, winter and summer is getting,” he said.

“And so the idea that they would only be paying two-thirds the amount of fees as someone that is taking summer courses as well isn’t particularly fair. So that’s why it’s quite a low fee for the summer, just to cover some of the basic operations that we’re able to do to continue providing service in the summer.”

Sanderson said that there are no plans to increase summer fees past inflation.

“Per the UMSU Act, no fee can be increased beyond inflation without a referendum of the student body, and there would be no plans at this time to increase the summer fee [past inflation].”

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

City spaces must be protected Portage Place purchase make city’s priorities apparent MALAK ABAS, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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s downtown Winnipeg safe? turning it into a less accessible space? safe place to bring your children. town, including a headline-grabbing This deceptively complicated The idea that the answer to people Any person who has ever worked “grocery store.” It would be an excitquestion has been a point of dis- feeling unsafe in places where people in a mall setting knows that many ing service for downtown residents, cussion for the city after it was congregate is to take away the con- of a community’s most vulnerable where more access to affordable announced earlier this month that gregation area, rather than working groups — low-income people, home- fresh food options would be welToronto investment firm Starlight on the actual reasons people feel that less people, young children and senior comed, if the store wasn’t already Investments had offered to purchase way, is absurd. citizens — are the people who get the being described as a “boutique groPortage Place Shopping Centre for One might consider any additional most out of a mall’s open hours. Until cery experience.” Only time will tell $69.9 million with the intention of housing in downtown Winnipeg the bus stop was closed at the end of if the grocery will be of service to the turning it into a residential area. to be a good thing, an answer to a May, people without cars could still majority of downtown residents or City councillor Jeff Browaty called growing population and a growing be dropped off right by the Portage only to a privileged few. the mall “a blight on our downtown economy. This may be true, but if we Place front doors. For years, Portage If the city was willing to let the and on our city” during discussion parse the numbers — a 2017 report by Place Shopping Centre has acted as sale go on for the relatively cheap of whether to approve the purchase. the University of Winnipeg’s institute a community space. price of about $70 million, imagine Premier Brian Pallister noted that of urban studies what it could even as a 6-foot-8 man he had run lists the median have accomUrban development does not have to mean into trouble in the area and said income of people plished had it he had heard multiple reports of living downtown high-end housing and artisanal grocery stores chosen to take Winnipeg residents feeling unsafe as $21,857, a full Portage Place there. Last week, city council unani- 39 per cent lower and convert it mously decided to approve the sale than the median city-wide total This has been an especially dis- into a space that still had the best despite hearing from people living in income — it becomes more appar- tressing year for anyone keeping track interests of the community at heart. the area who say they were not prop- ent who the sale will benefit. The of community spaces in Winnipeg The possibilities are wide-ranging: erly consulted on what the future of lower-income community that calls — earlier this year, the Millennium if the majority of people living downthe mall should be. downtown home, many of whom Library installed “security measures,” town make nearly 40 per cent less Many of the city’s leaders have are Indigenous or newcomers to the including bag checks and metal than the rest of the city, would it not listed citizen safety as a core reason country, will be priced out of their detectors, which critics say by nature be in the city’s best interest to provide for approving the purchase. The logic own neighbourhoods. disproportionately target homeless accessible job services to the people here is confusing at best — the mall, Malls like Portage Place are not and lower-income visitors. living there? a publicly accessible space, has a repu- just shopping centres. They are free Just last week, True North People living downtown are more tation for being unsafe. How, then, to enter, provide a place for people Development announced several new likely to be new immigrants to the will downtown residents benefit from to congregate and offer a relatively businesses it was developing down- city, and less likely to be gainfully

employed than the average among the rest of the city.

Daycare services, affordable spaces for local entrepreneurs from marginalized groups to set up shop, meeting areas — the space could be entirely revitalized, but remain publicly accessible, to meet the needs of the actual area.

Urban development does not have to mean high-end housing and artisanal grocery stores.

We need public spaces for people of all income levels to comfortably exist — to connect, to find shelter from Winnipeg’s notoriously hot summers and cold winters, to access services without the constant demand to purchase or the threat of overintrusive policing.

It’s worth mentioning that while the city was working on installing aggressive security measures at the Millennium Library and voting to turn Portage Place Mall into a private space, two people have died this month from the heat wave enveloping the city.

With this sale, those meant to represent the people of Winnipeg have proven what they really advocate for: the interests of wealthy gentrifiers.

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

Pallister government exposes fatal flaw of Canada’s social democracy Maintaining “humane capitalism” is a recipe for perpetual loss KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

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hen Manitobans voted in a Progressive Conservative (PC) majority government in 2016, the extent of the damage the government would do to the system was still unknown.

Now, in 2019, that damage is abundantly clear. The government has closed three of Winnipeg’s six essential emergency rooms and reduced front-line nurses by more than 550 between 2017 and 2018.

Simply put, the PCs have, and continue to, dismantle Manitoba’s healthcare system from the inside out.

The austerity of the PC government has not been limited to healthcare. Recently, it was revealed that Pallister had plans to gut Manitoba Public Insurance with the plan of eventually privatizing it.

This is far from a surprise. Since early in his tenure, Pallister had f loated the idea of healthcare premiums.

Due to the unpopular position of the policy, Pallister was forced to abandon this idea almost immediately after floating it.

But the master plan is far from over. Pallister is demonstrating over and over that the only way to achieve his final goal of privatization is to convince Manitobans that the government-run social programs they love and rely on are somehow not working.

In order to do this, each must be dismantled from the inside out through cuts and layoffs. Manitobans have seen this same pattern play out in healthcare, education and public transportation.

In only three years, Pallister’s PCs

have managed to make a significant dent in many government-run industries and social programs.

This is one of the core issues with the system Canada prides itself on: social democracy is such a volatile institution that a single government, in only a matter of a few years, can all but eviscerate the welfare state which took decades to build up.

This pattern has further manifested itself in federal politics when, after years of cuts to the scientific community by former prime minister Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are still struggling to reverse the damage done by a single government.

More than just bad-faith governments, the instability of Canada’s system is further seen in the way Canadian governments interact with private industry and owners of the largest companies.

Not only failing to adequately regulate them — often due to ties between those owners and government officials — the government system are to first make governments often loses the most important battles more accountable to the people they due to an imbalance of power. should represent by ensuring the The result of this system is evident programs of the welfare state, that in statistics showing CEO compensa- so many members of the public rely tion steadily increasing faster than the on, are much harder to chip away at. median pay, while the programs that Governments should never be able the most vulnerable need to rely on to cut key parts of the social safety net are either cut or nonexistent. when those nets benefit thousands of In Manitoba, these issues cannot people and maintain a high level of be missed — in the form of a gigan- popularity. tic, unaddressed opioid epidemic, an Next, and most importantly, entirely inadequate $11.35 per hour Canada as a whole must transition minimum wage and the cost of pre- away from the system that incenscription drugs getting less and less tivizes governments like Pallister’s. affordable for Canadians.

As long as our governments mainThe solutions to this inhumane tain their close relationship with

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

the CEOs of private industry, laws passed will continue to benefit those who have the most.

This means transitioning away from the social democratic “humane capitalism” Canada prides itself on, to a system where workers control their own workplace.

For years at both the provincial and federal level, Canadian lawmakers have been stifled by the power of private industry owners, leading to the watered-down laws which get passed.

This power imbalance has been on display in federal politics most recently as the federal Liberal gov-

ernment purchased — overvaluing it by $1.2 billion — a pipeline at the expense of the taxpayer, ignored the wrongdoing of SNC-Lavalin and bailed out Bombardier to the tune of $372.5 million, leading to senior executive pay increases of 50 per cent.

It is clear that these gaping holes in Canada’s system will not be addressed by simply voting out right-wing governments of austerity like Manitoba’s PCs or Harper’s Conservatives.

Rather, Canada must reimagine a far more humane system that rewards the hard work of every worker, where no one is forgotten.

Punishments for unmowed grass a sign of deeper societal issues City bylaw reinforces a cultural dominance EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

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t is a particular type of human per- City of Winnipeg will add the fine they think that long grass is more more liveable. What do lawns do, point, there is no reason for the city sonality that demands conformity to your property taxes. attractive? Even if, for cultural rea- other than make physical an inner to punish those who allow it. with their own ideals in even the The mown lawn is a bastard land- sons, they do not see any need to do monotony and sterility which festers This is about one segment of the most mundane aspects of life, and scape, unsustainable and, in this cli- so? in the suburbs? population — the dominant segment punishes with the apparatus of the mate, unnatural. Manor houses in This is not about “neighbourhood Unmown grass (think natural- — using the law to reinforce its domstate those who dare to live differently England (where the climate is both liveability.” If it was, Lukes would be ized areas) offers habitat for benefi- inance. Aesthetic justifications are from themselves. wetter and milder) had vast grass trumpeting fines and enforcement for cial insects, maintains soil moisture being deployed to justify the ethical If those who would control you lawns, which were and generally position taken by Lukes and others can control the small acts of inde- “mown” by flocks contributes to the like her, namely that only a particular pendence with which we adorn our of sheep and cows. There are many reasons to allow grass to grow ecological health kind of neighbour, living a particular lives and differentiate ourselves from In England, on of our city. It is lifestyle, as expressed by a particular others, the small acts by which we large farming long, but, more to the point, there is no reason also more resistant length of grass, is desirable. affirm our world views and literally estates, a lawn is than mown lawns Weeds are not a particular kind for the city to punish those who allow it live out our truth, they have no need the logical result to drought. of plant, but a general descriptor to boast of their control of the big of a particular Ornamental humans apply to plants they do not things. They have already won. type of land use. grasses are grown like.

Whoever “they” may be, Waverly When the English came to North homeowners who cut down healthy, for their seed heads, but the standWhen someone uses the growth West councillor Janice Lukes is happy America — well, I’m sure you know decades-old trees at a time when the ard lawn will have offending seed of plants they do not care for to justo be on the winning team. where this is going. city faces losing 40 per cent of its tree heads dancing in the breeze if left tify punishing you for doing someLukes is of the opinion that some The settler fixation on the mown cover in the next 10 years. But there alone. The increased space taken up thing different from them, they are tough love — tough to the tune of front lawn might be a quaint cul- are no such fees. by unmown plants slows down the a particular kind of person. They are $250 — will help homeowners “take tural trait, were it not so aggressively Trees provide a host of benefits, flow of water across the ground, and the kind who seeks dominion over a little more pride in the properties enforced. It is one thing to mow your including filtering pollutants from captures more water when it rains to other lifeforms not to nurse them they own and maintain them.” own lawn — that is personal prefer- the air, lowering temperatures lessen soil erosion. but, as with grass, to constantly cut Or, less euphemistically, if your ence. But to demand that everyone during the summer and providing There are many reasons to allow and maim to reassure themselves of grass is longer than six inches the else mow theirs the same? Even if shade: they make neighbourhoods grass to grow long, but, more to the their own power.

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Comment

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

Inflated international health premiums harm us all Conservatives must recognize the economic importance of international students JAKOB SANDERSON, UMSU PRESIDENT

One week ago in Greenville, South Carolina, the president of the United States stood at his lectern while hordes of MAGA-clad supporters showered the room with chants of “send her back” aimed at Somali-American Repr. Ilhan Omar. These racist attacks were met with Trump’s nods of tacit approval.

Such moments of racist, exclusionary rhetoric barge through the consciousness of even the most casual of political observers. When it emerges from our southern neighbour, it allows Canadians to universally pat ourselves on the back for being such an inclusive utopia.

These instances have cleared plenty of space for an equally damaging policy agenda to thrive in conformance to this disturbing zeitgeist. The separation of families at the American southern border, questions of citizenship on the

census and an immigration ban on tional students buy into the univer- ernment’s projection from just Muslim majority nations all fall sal provincial health care plan upon 16 months ago. When combined with recent increases to tuition, this within the ideology that the “oth- earning their study visa. ers” — non-citizens, non-whites, Manitoba’s current government, becomes a severe financial burden. minorities of all intersections — however, has instead caused premi- But the populist beauty of such polare the threat to the “real” citizens’ ums to skyrocket by comparison. icies is that we are taught to not care. welfare.

Our government chose to leave each Do you see how American altHow lucky are we to not live in university to find a private provider. right policies can arrive at your The plight of international stu- Manitoban doorstep? We are told such a place? that these are simply the hard Many proponents of these draconian policies are also often against choices we must make, to shave $3 the expansion of healthcare cover- But make no mistake, million off the deficit and get “value for money.” age for uninsured citizens —some the removal of who go so far as to describe calls I don’t believe the government is racist.

They may genuinely think for the provision of healthcare international health to undocumented immigrants as this was a necessary, prudent financare subsidization, beneath the priorities of veterans cial decision.

The right’s best works of art and middle-class citizens. privatization require economic legitimacy as Consider now the recent actions their frame.

by Manitoba’s government with of insurance regards to healthcare for interEconomics plays better with and increase of national students and it becomes suburban voters, and with politicians who are already inclined to hard not to reckon that “Friendly premiums is bad accept austerity as optimal policy.

Manitoba” is becoming increasingly economic policy But make no mistake, the unwilling to live up to its moniker. removal of international health In the spring of 2018, the government ceased to fund international care subsidization, privatization of student healthcare, putting an end dents continued when the gov- insurance and increase of premiums to a policy that had been in place ernment directed regional health is bad economic policy.

No matter your social and culsince 2012. Last year, the govern- authorities to increase the surcharge ment claimed that premiums would on healthcare for non-residents tural world view, we need to oppose likely be in the range of $400 — a from 75 to 200 per cent. As a result, this. reasonable estimate given British University of Manitoba internaIf Manitoba’s international stuColumbia and Alberta have premi- tional student premiums will rise to dent enrolment increased by just ums within this range — as part of $864 per student beginning Sept. 1. 0.75 per cent, the $3 million saved their plan which mandates internaThis rate is double the gov- by cutting international student

healthcare coverage would be easily offset in economic growth.

When Manitoba became the first province to cover international healthcare in 2012, we were joined

by New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, with British Columbia following suit — starting January 2020.

Recognizing the economic value they present, the federal government is set to invest $148 million over five years, part of which will be used to recruit international students to Canada.

With increased competition Canada-wide, Manitoba needs international students more than the students need Manitoba. Given these additional financial barriers in Manitoba, an international student is more likely to choose a friendlier destination.

In Canada we often remark that diversity is our strength. Regardless of whether you recognize the positive manner in which international students enrich the social and cultural fabric of our society, it is irrefutable that this slogan applies to our economy.

We call on all provincial parties to act in the best interests of all students and commit to restoring international healthcare coverage prior to the Sept. 10 election.

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

PALLISTER-BABY is the reason for those cops at Folk Fest

Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

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Fest Folks

EMELIA FOURNIER AND QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

“Folk Fest is just a break from life where you just come and everything is how it should be and everyone is caring and giving and open to everything and you have the chance to discover new music.”

— Sean Burkowski Burkowski has attended 12 Folk Fests

“Folk Fest is an amazing time, I mean it’s somewhere people go and just can let go of all of their troubles of their life and just celebrate the sunshine and good music and good people.”

— Luther Souso 2019 marks Souso’s third Folk Fest

“This place is so full of love and beauty. It’s mainly the way people treat each other at places like festivals that absolutely makes my heart want to burst. It’s like people are at their best selves, and they’re so respectful and loving.” ­— Yvonne Janzen Janzen has been attending Folk Fest since she was a baby and has spent the past 12 Folk Fests camping at the festival

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

Traipsing through the heat and the storms Our staffers go to Folk Fest and live to tell the tale

Folkies take refuge in Red Tent Safe space provides services to marginalized groups

EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

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have been going to Folk Fest since I was really little — a baby, maybe? I don’t remember. Even though I’ve attended about 20 Folk Fests, each year manages to bring a different experience. I’ve met so many Folk Festers as I’ve grown up — camping opens up a whole new world. Yet going back each year feels like coming home in its own way.

This year, I felt like I knew people almost everywhere I went.

Folk Fest is always a nightmare for finding specific people and coordinating with friends — this year I let myself kind of just drift to where I needed to be, always seeming to find a friendly face.

I’ll be honest — sometimes I find the sheer size of Folk Fest PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER overwhelming, and at times I yearned for the more intimate to try to help the band remember the whole crowd was whipped into Manitoba festivals. The strange their own lyrics. It was one of my a frenzy at Big Blue @ Night. The addition of visibly armed police favourite shows of the weekend. haunting harmonies of Half Moon I cried at Death Cab for Cutie’s Run are still echoing through my officers also added to the discomfort I felt at times — who brings a set during their performance body. gun to Folk Fest? Way to ruin the of “Transatlanticism,” a song I I managed to catch Begonia’s vibe, man. also cried over when I was 14. I set on the sweltering Sunday, Despite this, my 2019 Folk Fest also danced surprisingly hard to which was ridiculously good, as is her standard. was a predominantly positive Unfortunately This year, I felt like I knew people experience. The by that point I’m campground pretty sure I was almost everywhere I went starting to get is st unn ing enough on its heat stroke, so I own, watching didn’t enjoy anything that day as much as I could sunrises, sunsets and lightning Alvvays, which I always associated storms from Pope’s Hill. The with hipsters swaying slowly. After have. I always forget how much of a mission it is to simply survive now-defunct band the Middle people were crowd-surfing during Coast reunited under the Times their set, I have a whole new appre- at a five-day festival in the middle of July — but I made it through, Change(d) tent on the Friday night ciation for that band now. I danced losing only a pair of flip-flops and at 2 a.m., where the bandmates unsurprisingly hard to the Turkish some electrolytes. shared one mic and the crowd had psych-folk band Altın Gün, where EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

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he sunset on the first day of the West. Overall, there was a nice the Winnipeg Folk Fest was melting-pot vibe, suggesting that perhaps the most beautiful I have the cumulative effect of small fesever seen in Manitoba. It’s too easy tivals in Manitoba is finally starting to forget that Birds Hill Provincial to be felt. There were more young Park is a stunningly beautiful loca- kids than I remember (a group sang tion immediately adjacent to the me an a cappella rendition of “Old city.

Town Road” from start to end), which was charming.

On the object manipulation Turkish psych-folk front, Ziggy Alberts (returning later this year to the West End act Altın Gün was Cultural Centre), laid out two sets of tempo-switching folk perfect some of the best for staff twirling to, and Turkish music I’ve ever psych-folk act Altın Gün was some of the best music I’ve ever contact contact juggled to juggled to. Mammút, taking the stage after Altın Gün, was the standout act of the festival, with Compared to the last time I was the band building up, and feedat Folk Fest (three years ago), there ing off, the crowd’s energy for the were noticeably fewer old-timers entire show. and noticeably more Countryfest Singer-songwriter Sonny War’s types, offset by a growing presence hauntingly beautiful set was a of attendees who clearly cut their highlight of the folk shows I saw, teeth at electronic music festivals in and the vocal strength of Combo

Chimbita’s “tropical futurism” was a highlight of Green Ash on Friday and the workshops on Saturday.

The sun and heat reached an intensity rarely seen in my youth, both terrifying and vivifying — it made the festival experience seem more essential, both futuristic and primal. Seeing the good job the enviro crew did of emptying the garbage bins, despite the heat, did more than any other single part of the festival to make me want to live sustainably to support the local culture that lead to the festival, and cemented my intention to volunteer in the future.

Although beyond the control of festival organizers, the noticeable presence of armed police officers — which I have never before seen at any festival — was a low point, and directly affected my enjoyment (and that of everyone else I discussed it with). Nothing kills the festival vibe like a dude in a bulletproof vest with a gun on his belt.

MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY BUIO ASSIS

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hile the Winnipeg Folk At WFF, part of the Red Tent’s Festival (WFF) recruits purpose is to provide a refuge from multiple volunteers for a variety of the party atmosphere that often services, the Red Tent provides one arises throughout the weekend, of the most important resources Muchikekwanape said.

— a safe space amongst the music “From what I’ve heard, it’s a little and fun. more chaotic at night, just because The Red Tent is a Winnipeg- that’s when everyone’s partying and based service focused specifically on getting down and dirty, and there’s creating, as explained on the Red more issues at that time,” she said.

Tent’s Facebook page, “safer spaces Volunteer co-ordinators are for women, trans and two-spirit the backbone of the Red Tent, people” through services including and, according to the project’s training sessions for local organiza- Facebook page, many of them are tions and partnering with events. “health educators or work in the This year, the Red Tent, which social health field at community takes its name from Indigenous health centres around the city in cultural origins, set up shop at the one capacity or another.”

“We also provide crisis response, WFF campground and festival there’s always a counsellor on call grounds.

The tents are run by volunteers for situations if someone has expe— one of those volunteers, Rain rienced sexual assault or harassMuchikekwanape, described the ment or something like that,” service as being “like a pop-up Muchikekwanape said. resource centre.”

Creating a space for diverse “It’s just a safe space for them if groups at events like WFF is espethey want to collect some resources cially important, Muchikekwanape or supplies, or if they just want to said. hang out and draw or read or just “I do think it’s very important chill,” she said. for a festival like this, just because This is Muchikekwanape’s sec- there’s not a lot of awareness around ond year volunteering with Folk marginalized identities, I think, Fest, but her first working with and it is pretty white-washed, I the Red Tent. think,” she said.

“There’s a lot of lack of diversity, She said many of the people who visit the Red Tent are looking for and so people who are a marginalhygienic or safe-sex products — ized identity don’t feel entirely, I while the space is specifically for don’t want to say, comfortable […] marginalized groups attending the It can just feel a little bit isolating.” festival, people of all genders are Muchikekwanape said her own welcome to certain resources. experience of being the “only non“We mostly have women come white person in [her] camp” spoke in for menstrual products, some- to this and emphasized the need times we’ll have a guy come in for for spaces like the Red Tent for condoms and stuff like that,” she festival-goers. said.

“I think it’s just important to have The Red Tent has been a staple a space where you can feel safe and at Winnipeg events since its for- yourself,” she said. mation in 2011 — just this year its “Which I think is something that volunteers have provided its services doesn’t happen a lot when you’re to several local celebrations includ- constantly surrounded by straight, ing Festival du Voyageur and Pride cis white folks who don’t entirely festivities. understand your struggle.”

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

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Checking in with your Bisons atheletes Two Bisons don maple leaf and one goes pro in busy summer JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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Thailand gave Canada a tough test Stovin gets pro deal able two-way centre, capable of play- continued to make waves on the ing as both a forward and defender international stage in July, with early in game two, with the two sides in United Kingdom an appearance wearing the maple battling it out in a long opening set.

The hockey journey for Bisons when called upon.

Canada took a 1-0 lead in the match men’s hockey captain Brett Stovin Dundee finished 10th of eleven leaf at the 2019 FINA World with a 28-26 win, and then rolled on continues, as the Stony Mountain teams in the EIHL standings in the Championships in Gwangju, South to the victory with 25-22 and 25-16 native has signed with the Kitmart 2018-19 season with a 23-25-12 record, Korea.

Dundee Stars of the United just four points behind the Coventry Competing in the 200-metre indiwins in sets two and three.

Bujan dons the The first hiccup came against Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League Blaze for the final playoff spot. vidual medley, Wog posted a strong red and white Russia on July 7 when team Canada (EIHL).

Stovin will be joined by fellow U time of 2:10.54 in the qualifying heats.

Bisons women’s volleyball libero only took a single set in a 3-1 loss, Details of the deal were not Sports alum Anthony Beauregard, The time was good for sixth overall Cassie Bujan got her summer started who also signed with Dundee. and qualified Wog for the semifinals.

This was then discouragingly fol- announced. off in the best way possible. The lowed by a sound Beauregard is It was in the semifinals where Anola-born player ended her final 3-0 defeat by a product of Wog fell behind. season with the herd by representing Hungary in the Her time of 2:12.96 gave the the Concordia The Stars gain a valuable two-way centre, Winnipeg swimmer a 15th overall her program, and nation, at the 2019 quarter-finals on University Universiade in Naples, Italy.

Stingers program, finish in the semifinals, and this July 8. capable of playing as both a forward Canada got the tournament where he played result was not fast enough to make The loss against and defender when called upon started off right, opening the pre- the Hungarian two seasons before it to the finals. liminary round with back-to-back side d ropped joining the Laval Fellow Canadian Sydney Pickrem 3-0 wins over Mexico and Thailand. Canada to the losRockets of the took bronze in the 200-metre medAgainst Mexico, Canada came ing bracket, and a date with Brazil.

An injury-plagued 2018-19 season American Hockey league. ley finals with a 2:08.70 finish, just out swinging with a 25-20 opening Despite early promise with a 25-19 saw Stovin only suit up for 22 games, Beauregard spent the 2018-19 sea- 1.17 seconds behind gold medalist set win, and a lopsided 25-14 win in opening set win, the Canadians then in which he recorded 14 points — son in the East Coast Hockey League Katinka Hosszu of Hungary. set two put its opponent on the ropes. lost three straight sets to Brazil, los- seven goals and seven assists. He with the Brampton Beast.

Wog will turn her attention to Mexico gave the Canadians all they ing the match 3-1. finished his U Sports career with 79 July 25, when she will compete in the could muster in set three, but Canada FINA women’s 200-metre breastCanada closed out the tournament points — 27 goals and 52 assists — in Wog continues Olympic quest walked away with a 25-22 set win and with a 3-0 loss to the Czech Republic, 101 career games with Manitoba. stroke event. the match.

With Stovin the Stars gain a valuBisons swimmer Kelsey Wog finishing eighth at the tournament. he summer months may be long for many members of U of M Bisons programs, but, for a select few, June and July have been filled with international — and in one case professional — recognition.

Schubert comes home Veteran netminder jumps at chance of final year with herd JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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fter a short stint playing profes- Taraschuk and Devan Johnson, and Schubert said. sionally overseas, a veteran Bison all it took was a text to Bisons assisShe will likely be relied on heavily is coming home to the Prairies. tant coach Sean Fisher. for her professional experience.

Long-time U of M Bisons womAlthough the exchange and all This experience is also something en’s hockey team goaltender Amanda thought of a return started as a bit of Schubert says will help her readjust Schubert will rejoin the herd to play a joke, Fisher got Schubert to contact to competitive hockey after a year off. out her final year of eligibility in the head coach Jon Rempel, and from “I think that it was just the mindset 2019-20 season. of going out [on Previously the the ice] and you “I’m just going to work hard, and I know I Winnipeg-born had nothing to netminder played she said. really only have a year left so there’s nothing lose,” the 2017-18 sea“I think that’s son with KJT of a mindset we left to lose for me” — Amanda Schubert, Finland’s Liiga can have [on the Bisons women’s hockey goaltender Women, returnBisons].” ing to Winnipeg “I mean, facing to coach at the as many shots as I Rink Hockey Academy during the there it got real. did when I was out there definitely 2018-19 season. The decision to come “We were just playing it off and helped, but more than skill-wise it back to the Bisons, though, was a then I was like ‘I kind of want to was more of a mindset that I think no-brainer for Schubert. see what Jon says’ and he was like I’m coming back with” Schubert said.

“I just wanted to keep playing ‘If you’re serious we should meet up,’” Schubert’s familiarity with the hockey,” she said. she said.

Manitoba coaching staff will also be “Coaching is great and I love the Their face-to-face meeting lasted a a benefit, especially her close relagame, but I don’t think I was fully couple hours and by the end Schubert tionship with assistant coach — and ready to give up playing. And I think was back in the fold. former teammate — Venla Hovi. that was a big part of it, the whole Rempel expressed interest in hav“It’s nice that I know them and dressing room atmosphere, the game, ing a veteran presence in the dressing for Venla — knowing her on a more just competitive hockey. room, with the herd getting signifi- personal level rather than just like a “I love those things and that’s cantly younger and greener in the coach — I think she brings a lot of something I missed […] It’s cool upcoming season. good to the staff, and I think what A large part of Schubert’s role she brings in the sense of experience that this opportunity came up and it’s something I couldn’t say not to with the team in her final year will is also going to be a big thing for us,” or wouldn’t say no to. undoubtedly be mentoring rookie Schubert said.

“You can only do it for so long and netminder Kaitlyn Nault, and secSchubert herself has built quite time goes so fast and this doesn’t hap- ond-year backstop Erin Fargey. But the coaching resume, and while she is pen every day.”

Schubert is not coming back to the focused on playing her best game on The process behind her return was herd just to be a mentor. the ice, she will remain head goalie fairly simple. She knew the herd had “I’m just going to work hard, and coach with Rink Hockey Academy’s lost much of its goaltending depth I know I really only have a year left women’s program for the upcoming with the departures of Lauren so there’s nothing left to lose for me,” season.

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

“I’m going to be pretty busy with hockey, and one thing that I think I learned from coaching is that I learned to basically work hard,” she said.

“I don’t like when a goalie comes to an ice-time and then is slacking and making excuses as to why they can’t do whatever it is we’re asking them to do.”

The life split between playing and coaching has already seemingly paid dividends for the Bisons, as Schubert will bring a small cheering section to her games this season.

“It’ll be interesting and I already have some of my athletes telling me they’re looking forward to coming to some of the games, so that’s pretty cool.”