16 August 2017

feature

Selling a story

The life of a Fringe Fest solo performer

News

Starving Students

Study examines food insecurity among U of M students Page 3

Page 10

comment

Employee Evaluation The problems with Pallister Page 7 News

Theatre community Syrian refugees find home on stage Page 4 Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 3 · Au g u st 1 6 , 2 0 1 7 · w w w.t h e m an i to b an .co m

Index

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VOL. 104 NO. 3 August 16, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

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Editorial

Managing Editor Malak Abas

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News Editor Imreet Kaur

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News Editor Shaden Abuselah

levi@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Garbutt

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science & technology Editor vacant

science@themanitoban.com

Arts

arts & Culture Editor Olivia Michalczuk

Punk Party

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Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

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Local supergroup has a riot

Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

page 12

Design

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Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

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Photo Editor Asha Nelson

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video Editor Paymun Nematollahi

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Sports

Return of the Herd

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Editorial

Healthcare, Damned to Hell Have Mercy on Our Souls

page 6

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News

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News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Study examines extent of food insecurity among U of M students Based on survey of more than 500 respondents, onethird of U of M students face food insecurity Shaden Abusaleh, staff

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lightly more than one-third of University of Manitoba students surveyed in a 2015-16 study reported facing food insecurity.

The study surveyed 548 students to examine the extent of food insecurity among both undergraduate and graduate students and found 35.3 per cent of respondents to be “food insecure.”

Of these, 25.3 per cent were labelled moderately food insecure, while 11.8 per cent were considered severe.

Food insecurity at the household level is experienced when people can not purchase enough food for balanced meals, according to the survey.

The peer-reviewed article, “Student Food Insecurity at the University of Manitoba,” was published in May by U of M research assistant Meghan Entz, and associate professors Joyce Slater and Annette Aur élie Desmarais.

Entz said the study contributes to the emerging research on food insecurity at Canadian post-secondary institutions through the addition of a Manitoba perspective.

“Really we just wanted [this study] to be comparable to what else is being done,” Entz said. “Dr. Joyce Slater and Dr. Annette Desmarais - who I was working for, who hired me on heard about this research being done and were just really interested in adding a Manitoban perspective to it and sort of making sure that Manitoban students were accounted for and represented in this new research.”

Research on several campuses conducted by Meal Exchange - a non-profit organization aimed at eradicating food insecurity on university campuses - assess the prevalence of food insecurity among the university student population in Canada.

The five institutions previously surveyed include Dalhousie University, Lakehead University, Brock University, Ryerson University, and the University of Calgary.

The results of these studies reveal that the average rate of food insecurity among these institutions is 39.2 per cent, four points higher than what was reported at the U of M. However, it was in the severe insecurity that the U of M climbed to near the top of the pack.

“Interestingly, we found that our rates of severe food insecurity were the second highest, second only to Lakehead University in Ontario,” Entz said, noting more than 14 per cent of students at the Thunder Bay university reported having severe issues accessing food.

The U of M study also found that

photo by asha nelson

certain demographic groups were more vulnerable to food insecurity than others. According to the study, newcomer, exchange, and Indigenous students are significantly more likely to experience food insecurity. Nearly three quarters of Indigenous students and one third of newcomer and exchange students assessed were food insecure.

Food insecurity and mental health

the increased advocacy and concern surrounding students’ mental health.

“I would say mental health is an increasing area that we’re looking into and I think you cannot isolate students’ mental health from their ability to access the food that they need, and from maybe the increased burdens that students face in trying to access the food that they need,” said Entz.

Less than four per cent of respondents also identified as having to engage in unconventional coping mechanisms, such as “dumpster diving” or theft. Some respondents further described times when buying food was sacrificed to pay for tuition fees or textbooks because there was no longer enough money to meet all expenses.

lowing Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. However, Manitoba’s tuition fees are projected to increase.

The provincial government recently passed Bill 31, which replaces existing legislation that capped tuition increases at the rate of inflation, allowing for hikes of five per cent above inflation annually. This will come into effect in 2018.

“Interestingly, we

The study also pointed to the found that our effect food insecurity plays on mental health. rates of severe food “When students don’t have the insecurity were the basic foods that they need and they have these additional stressors and second highest” of how to access healthy nutritious food, universities studied I think that it’s inherent that mental health suffers," said Entz.

Financial barriers - Meghan Entz , "And I think mental health, obviIn addition to limited time, ously, is not unassociated with physi- respondents referenced several finan- research assistant cal health." cial barriers that affected their food The study reveals that students security. Low income and financial who experienced food insecurity obligations were significant factors.

The study considered the likelihood were significantly more likely to The primary financial barrier identi- of tuition fee increases, noting that experience poor to fair mental and fied was high food costs. “should this occur, student food insephysical health than those who were The high cost of food was identi- curity could rise, unless loans and other food secure. fied by one-fifth of all respondents, financial aid to students were increased Consequently, this has negative and 70 per cent who identified their and made more available.” effects on students’ grades, extracur- access as insecure.

“Taking into account the fact that our ricular activities and social lives. Two Additional financial barriers iden- rates of food insecurity are about on par thirds of the students surveyed cited tified include tuition fees, housing - we have quite high rates of severe food their mental and physical health as costs, and inadequate financial sup- insecurity - I think an increase in tuition being negatively impacted by food port in the form of loans or grants, fees and the successful removal of the insecurity. despite Manitoba’s relatively low cap on tuition fees [and no longer] tying Entz elaborated on the importance tuition and housing costs. tuition fees to inflation, would be very of looking into the impact food inseManitobans pay the third low- concerning for post-secondary students curity has on mental health, citing est tuition fees in the country, fol- in Manitoba, and at the University of

Manitoba,” said Entz.

The study reveals that food insecurity is a reality for more than one third of students surveyed at the U of M, and that more than one in 10 surveyed were severely food insecure.

“I think this study indicated that among a population of sampled students at the U of M, students are struggling with the financial burdens that they face and this is affecting their food insecurity which subsequently affects different parts of their life – particularly health, grades, ability to participate in extracurricular activities,” said Entz.

She added that with this in mind, steps toward alleviating food insecurity need to include thinking critically about financial barriers and the possible impacts of increasing them.

This includes looking at ways to reduce financial burdens through accessible, affordable housing and taking a critical perspective on the future of tuition fees.

The study explains that tackling food insecurity on campus should be the joint task of university administrators, student services, and provincial policy makers.

“This survey was a really excellent pilot study," said Entz.

"It was a great first look into how our students are experiencing food insecurity here."

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Summer theatre program challenges negative stereotypes surrounding Syrian refugees Sawa Theatre aims to connect young Syrian refugees with local theatre community Imreet Kaur, staff

makes theatre more authentic. It also focuses on bringing the theatre community and the participants together by making theatre interesting for the participants, the families of participants and the broader arts and culture community.

Patterson pointed out that there has been an increased effort to create arts funding programs that promote diversity in theatre.

Participants take the stage at the Gas Station Arts Centre, rehearsing for their final performance, Sept. 8 and 9.

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awa Theatre is a summer theatre program that aims to “foster creativity, promote personal growth, and encourage solidarity” between new and local Canadians in Winnipeg.

Sawa – which means “together” in Arabic – was co-founded by U of M students and local theatre artists in April 2016. With a shared vision for theatre as a platform for social change, the program’s founders have set the theatre apart from other programs offered in the city, as Sawa was specifically created to serve Syrian refugees.

Run in English and Arabic, Sawa is a “community ambition” that hopes to provide a safe space for young Syrian refugees to express themselves freely and enhance their English language skills through interactive workshop s and rehearsal sessions.

Overcoming the language barrier is among the greatest challenges facing many Syrian refugees.

Through a series of workshops, participants are provided the opportunity to learn useful skills - from communication to team building.

During the workshops and content creation sessions participants, alongside a playwright, develop a script based on their collective ideas, personalities, and creativity. Once a script is put together and translated into Arabic, rehearsals are held at the Gas Station Arts Centre.

Sawa Theatre’s artistic director, Al-Montaser Al-Jajeh, spoke on the program’s aim to challenge and debunk some of the existing negative stereotypes surrounding Syrian refugees.

“We are trying to break the negative stigma attached to the image of a refugee , the image of a refugee stuck in a tent,” Al-Jajeh said.

Gislina Patterson hosted content creation sessions to incorporate participant’s ideas and personality into a script.

He added that this image of a refugee is accompanied with overwhelming “feelings of pity and misery.”

“Some people think that women in hijab cannot sing, act, or dance. This is wrong.

Through Sawa we are showing the exact opposite ” Ghadir Alnajar, Sawa Theatre participant Al-Jajeh explained that Sawa aims to represent newcomers in a new light, one that shows that much like Sawa’s audience, the actors on stage “are normal people who can make people laugh through their art.”

Further, Sawa Theatre’s participants hope to show that refugees are not a burden on the system, but are rather productive community members that have a lot to offer.

Speaking on what Sawa means to him, Al-Jajeh said “I cannot put into words what Sawa is for me. Sawa is family to me.”

Diversity and the role of theatre

Gislina Patterson is the artistic associate who links Sawa to the local theatre community. She focuses on promoting diversity within the theatre community in Winnipeg.

“Different voices bring different perspectives and experiences , which makes theatre more powerful and truthful," Patterson said.

“The contribution of Sawa is a huge gift to the theatre community of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Canada.”

Patterson explained that the participants’ whole-hearted contribution

“Different voices bring different perspectives and experiences which makes theatre more powerful and truthful ” Gislina Patterson, Sawa Theatre Artistic Associate “The funding asks to focus on the stories of newcomers, ” she said.

“When theatre companies choose to focus on personal stories of newcomers, they are producing the art for Eurocentric audiences to give them a very basic introduction of the newcomers and their struggles.”

Sawa Theatre has committed to steering away from creating performances solely based on personal stories and struggles. This aligns with the program’s goal to break common stereotypes that limit the identities of refugees to their struggles alone.

Sawa Theatre’s 2016 production was titled Junun, Arabic for ”madness.” The production was based on the participants’ wish to stage a group therapy session in a psychiatric ward.

“The script development process was very organic last year,” Patterson said. “The script evolved depending on what the participants wanted to do, were willing to do and determine what our capabilities were.”

This gives the participants an opportunity to create a “new piece of theatre that can become a part of the fabric of arts and culture in Winnipeg,” she said.

This year, Sawa Theatre is producing an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland titled Alice in the Land of Wonders, an Arabic translation.

The theme of the production is “less realist and more magical,” allowing the participants to experiment with different artistic styles within the play.

“My aim was to use the ideas, scenes and the aesthetics as jumping off points for the play,” Patterson said,

adding that some participants wanted to be brand new characters and play very specific roles. The adaptation will feature a mix between classic and original characters.

Commenting on the personal growth of the youth who participated last year, Patterson said “they have definitely grown as artists as compared to last year, as the participants are more grounded and focused than last year.”

Participant testimonials

Ghadir Alnajar is a 15-year-old high school student who arrived to Winnipeg eight months ago. She said she likes her new home very much.

“I like the nature and how respectful and friendly people are, ” Alnajar said.

“It was a challenge to learn a new language, make new friends and learn about the culture but Sawa has helped me a lot ,” she added.

Alnajar is one of the participants who plays a lead character in Alice in the Land of Wonders.

Reflecting on her role in the play, she said, “ the most special thing about my character in the play is that my sister in real life plays my sister in the play.”

Theatre is an integral part of Syrian culture and Aljanar mentioned that it is important to showcase it.

“Some people think that women in hijab cannot sing, act, or dance,” she said.

“This is wrong. Through Sawa we are showing the exact opposite.”

Ibraheem Sarhan, also 15, left Syria roughly three years ago to escape the civil war. Sarhan left to seek medical attention in Jordan, where he was involved in a few theatre productions working alongside prominent Syrian directors.

“I got involved in Sawa as I wanted to get involved within my community and I like acting,” he said.

“Sawa is integral in building the Syrian community [in Winnipeg] along with learning life skills that help build our future here in Canada.”

Alice in the Land of Wonders will be staged at Gas Station Arts Centre, located at 445 River Avenue, on Sept.

8 and 9 starting at 7 p.m.

VOL. 104 NO. 3 August 16, 2017

News

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Kinew pledges to stand-up for newcomers Provincial NDP leadership candidate promises to strike immigrant application fee, bring back family reunification Shaden Abusaleh, staff

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rovincial NDP leadership candidate Wab Kinew announced plans Monday to “increase and improve immigration” by removing the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program’s (MPNP) $500 immigrant application fee and pushing to increase opportunities for family reunification.

“We know that immigration is responsible for a big part of the growth in our province - economic growth and population growth,” he said.

“And in order to keep our province on a productive path and on a healthy growth curve, we want to make sure that we are bringing in many, many immigrants to our province.”

Provincial Nominee Program

The MPNP encourages immigration to Manitoba based on employable skills, such as language and labour skills. The program only focuses on the selection of “economic immigrants” who can prove long-term employability or who can demonstrate their ability to start a business in Manitoba.

Overseas applicants and international students interested in applying for the program are assessed through a point system. Points are added based on age, education and training, work experience, and language skills.

Approved nominees then begin the process to obtain a permanent resident visa and then Canadian citizenship by applying through Citizenship

and Immigration Canada.

In November, premier Brian Pallister announced changes to MPNP that require approved nominees pay a non-refundable $500 fee, which came into effect in May.

“We know that immigration is responsible for a big part of growth in our province - economic growth and population growth” - Wab Kinew, provincial NDP leadership candidate.

Calling it “an unnecessary impediment to immigration,” Kinew promised to repeal the charge. "In some cases, it actually acts to discriminate against people without resources who have the work ethic, who have the drive, who have the smarts and the willpower to succeed in our society,” he said.

“And we should be welcoming them with open arms.”

Kinew projected the annual cost of scrapping the $500 application fee would run $2 million.

photo by Asha Nelson

Kinew also promised to negotiate with the federal government to focus on reigniting the family reunification stream of the provincial nominee program for Manitoba with the hopes of encouraging more newcomers to remain in Manitoba.

“Changes that the Pallister government have made focus exclusively on bringing in, you know, people based on employment and ability to start a

business,” Kinew said.

“We also want to say that having a family member here and being able to join your family, your community here, should also be a reason identified by the Manitoba government to come here.”

This would, Kinew said, be a part of an effort to retain people in Manitoba for the long term.

“We want people to stay here and

make their lives here for many, many years, even for many generations,” he said.

Kinew added that part of his broader immigration strategy is working toward increasing and improving settlement services, such as skills training and English language education.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

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Manitoba government sacrificing healthcare on the altar of austerity ‘Progressive’ Conservative reforms to Manitoba health counter conducive to purported goals Shawn Garbutt, staff

graphic by kelly campbell

“T

he only thing better than working care providers and available tonight in Manitoba is hospital resources – will lend itself tomorrow,” crowed Progressive to efficiency, only the gods of ausConservative (PC) leader Brian terity know. What we do know is Pallister the night of his election win. that the government went into high When speaking to a throng of party gear in order to justify its budgetary faithfuls – devotees, even – the future beatdown. sounded bright. With the NDP’s 17-year-old political machine dismantled, Pallister, overjoyed, waxed The PC’s justification poetic.

“All Manitobans are going to walk for sweeping out into a beautiful spring morning and they're going to look up and the austerity measures sky's going to be blue," he added. comes down to fearYet clouds have since gathered on the Manitoban horizon. Swept in by mongering built the winds of austerity, the Tories’ blue on a foundation skies – known federally as the Grits’ “sunny ways” – have been obscured as of curated Pallister assumed office and began misinformation queuing up social programs for the chopping block.

The latest target comprises a massive network of workers and complex Passing the buck social infrastructure which forms the In a recent interview with the bedrock of the modern welfare state: Winnipeg Free Press, Pallister defends lined up next at the budgetary guil- his budget-cutting battle royale by lotine is healthcare. citing the looming threat of a $1 bilPallister’s penny-pinching PCs lion deficit, for which he heaped have outlined a plan to gut an elabo- responsibility upon the previous rate system of healthcare provision NDP government. However, this is in the name of efficiency, no less. a red herring exposed by his very own At a time when Manitoba is cur- finance minister, Cameron Friesen. rently without a renewed long-term Upon assuming office, Friesen agreement on federal health trans- released information on the 2015-16 fers, which the government claims fiscal year that shows an updated would cost the province $2.2 billion projected deficit of only $846 million. in reduced funds over the course of Evidently thinking ahead to the next a decade under current negotiations, election, financial doom and gloom the best and brightest advice com- is and continues to be strategically ing from the premier’s office was laid out in order to prop up the newly to respond in kind with provincial minted Pallister government’s starcancellations and cuts to healthcare ring role as the economic savior of projects totalling over $1 billion. the province.

The logic at play here isn’t befitting Pallister further claimed that of a first-year philosophy class, let cuts were due because the province’s alone the inner circle of government spending had outpaced both reason policy wonks. How a cumulative $3 and other provinces’, without any billion reduction in healthcare spend- evidence showing tangible improveing – and a consequent reduction in ments in care. Yet another misnomer:

a 2015 report issued by the Canadian This while the population continues care provision, it at least lent itself Institute for Health Information to age, leading to the placement of to providing medical infrastructure shows that while Manitoba spends more and more elderly people into to rural communities. At any rate, more per capita than the national care. Nothing quite like marginally serious government policy does not average, Newfoundland and financing public healthcare at the just slash and dash, especially when Labrador actually tops the chart. personal expense of senior citizens. program replacements are necessary.

Per capita spending on healthcare The strategy behind Pallister’s healthcare reforms stems from in Manitoba is a mere hundreds of dollars away from the spending of fel- Changes to two reports. The first was ordered low Prairie provinces Saskatchewan by the prior NDP government and healthcare should and Alberta. Additionally, the cost of co-authored by a doctor at a health providing healthcare has been rising care consulting firm. This report was hone in on not only provincially and nationally, released publicly and recommended but globally, something today’s gov- innovative policy the consolidation of emergency care ernment has acknowledged. Existing resources in fewer hospitals, which measures and provincial spending hardly amounts the PCs clearly took heed of. The to the bureaucratic healthcare behe- building a wider, yet report also called for investment in moth the Pallister government now mental health, maternal health, and targeted, service claims to have begun slaying. palliative care among 10 other identiThe PC government has also been fied priority areas. net – not shredding working overtime in its broader rheThe second report was conducted it altogether torical justification of the looming

by KPMG, an accounting firm workcuts. Mentions of past government ing in the private sector. The governwaste, bureaucratic bloat, and talk of ment sought out KPMG in order to the need to make hard decisions conWhat this government thinks it identify inefficiencies in Manitoba’s stitutes all of the PCs PR portfolio. has in money sense, it loses in com- healthcare system. Alarmingly, this Unfortunately, it has paid off; with mon sense: the basic principle of social report has not been released to the only major unions mobilizing orga- security is to ensure no constituent public. nized resistance against Pallister, he falls below a bare minimum of lived The Pallister government’s actions remains Canada’s second most popu- decency. Decency does not include - backed by the arguments of unaclar premier – but only until the targets forcing someone who is meant to live countable financial specialists preof his cuts begin to feel the sting. under universal healthcare to pay for sented in a secret report – amount necessary physical therapy. What is as to preliminary attempts to carve out What’s at stake wicked as it is indecent is the govern- markets in Manitoba healthcare for The new financially-focused gov- ment contemplating the introduction efficiency’s sake. The importing of ernment of Manitoba has dictated of a surcharge for incontinence pads, market logic from the private secto the Winnipeg Regional Health adult diapers, blankets, and wash- tor into public health constitutes the Authority (WRHA) that it must cloths. Then again, why be clothed crux of the PC’s reforms: it explains shrink spending by $83 million this when budgets can be balanced? the apparent trend toward privatizabudget year. The WRHA has also Alas, the rollbacks keep coming. tion of certain health services, the been instructed to reduce non-unionintroduction of surcharges, cuts, and ized management positions by 15 per widespread job reductions.

Reliance on a cent, which comes to a tally of 132 The PC’s plans may make sense, or positions. even begin to be tolerably palatable, if profit motive will And let’s not forget about the these changes were to a different secnot save us front-line. Health care aides – the tor. Yet market logic will not produce bread and butter of care provision, the results being sought in healthif you will – are caught in limbo as care because the profit motive is not the province finagles to find just how Society has grown aware of the proper to the administration and close to the bone it can get away with importance of treating mental health delivery of care in a publicly funded cutting. All union representatives as part of providing adequate care. universal healthcare system. have been told is that as many as 215 The Manitoba government has not: Changes to healthcare should health care aide positions are in jeop- cuts have made it so one recreational hone in on innovative policy measures ardy and that the WRHA will seek therapist will be left, where there and building a wider, yet targeted, to provide but cannot guarantee new are currently three, to cover five service net – not shredding it altoemployment for those laid off. mental health units at the Health gether. For the sake of public health, Health care aides perform the Sciences Centre. Adding insult to state-run care provision requires a duties necessary for the functioning injury, Pallister’s rejection of the dynamic, robustly resourced appaof any halfway decent hospital. That federal government’s health transfer ratus so that it can meet the needs of the province has failed to be even agreement meant a rejection of funds the people. This calls for the investbasically transparent in its direc- targeted for expanding mental health ment and repurposing of our current tives is cruel and unusual for both services. Alongside funding cuts and framework, rather than divestment the under-appreciated workers whose denials, the government lacks a con- or disposal. livelihoods these cuts threaten and tingency plan for mental health that While the anxiety to act to the vulnerable patients who rely on goes beyond its general strategy of improve the efficiency of the healtthe aides. Privitization of both adult “spend less.” care system is understandable, the outpatient physiotherapy and occuAmid growing recognition of the Manitoba government’s newfound pational therapy services have also damage being done to rural com- reliance on market logic will not save been announced. munities due to lacklustre funding us; it will only condemn those whom I suppose that while austerity from governments, cuts have resulted are subjected to its whim to a lower means government must spend less in rural Manitoba - in the grips of standard of health, sacrifices on the on its citizens, that doesn’t mean the a critical shortage of doctors - los- altar of austerity. citizens can’t pick up the slack and ing a multimillion dollar provincial spend more themselves. Economics tax incentive that helped position 101 with Pallister and the penny medical students outside of urban pinching PCs also includes raising centres. While the tax incentive was fees for services unique to seniors. not a perfect solution to equalize

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Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

The Problems with Pallister: carbon, cannabis, cost of living, and Costa Rica Manitoba deserves leadership, which it is not getting Evan Tremblay, staff

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ince being elected in April of 2016, Brian Pallister has proven himself woefully inadequate to the job of being our premier. There have naturally been gaffes, which we expect and accept of politicians, if they apologize – Pallister admitted, for instance, that it was “the wrong choice of words ” to refer to tensions over Indigenous hunting rights as “becoming a race war.” But it is his consistent lack of leadership and failure to legislate on issues of immediate concern to the present health, and future wellbeing, of Manitobans that speak to his failure to do what is, at the end of the day, his job – one for which he takes home $173,714 a year.

What, Pallister worry?

The most concerning abdication of responsibility on the part of our premier, as well as that which has the gravest consequences for Manitobans, is his inexplicable failure to produce a carbon plan. The federal government requires each province to create a plan to reduce carbon emissions by the end of this year; Manitoba and Saskatchewan remain the only provinces yet to produce one. If one is not created by the end of the year, Manitoba will lose out on access to a total of $66 million earmarked to help it in its transition.

By failing to create a carbon plan, Pallister is not only shirking his moral responsibility to do a part in preventing the worst of climate change: he is depriving the province of resources.

His reasoning – that Manitoba deserves special consideration in reductions to be made because of the amount of hydropower it produces – is infantile. We will need a carbon plan in the future, and delaying the creation of one deprives us of federal funding in the present, makes our transition to a sustainable economy more painful in the future, and will rest forever as a moral stain on our relationship to others.

And what is Pallister doing, on behalf of all Manitobans? He is seeking a legal opinion on whether the federal government can impose on Manitoba what it should be doing on its own. Humans are typically bad at recognizing and reacting to long-term threats, but that is why we elect people to see to our long-term interests for us. The actions of the leader of our province on this matter looks like nothing so much as Nero fiddling as Rome burns.

Let them eat propane

If Pallister is failing to make plans for the long-term, slow-moving disaster of climate change, he is no better in a situation where an immediate, recognizable disaster calls for leadership. The town of Churchill has been without a rail connection since May 23, when flooding rendered inoperable the rail line that is the main source

graphic by kelly campbell

of supplies – including food – for the town of 900. Leadership, in this situation, would involve the premier announcing that however difficult and whatever the cost, the people of Churchill could rest easy knowing that their families will have access to food over the fast-approaching winter.

The actions of the leader of our province on carbon looks like nothing so much as Nero fiddling as Rome burns Instead, Pallister’s approach has been to wait and see what move the federal government makes in dealing with Omnitrax, the American company refusing to make the needed repairs to the line and which also controls the shuttered Port of Churchill. In a province unwilling to make sorely needed plans to address climate change, the type of emergency occurring in Churchill may become ever more common; it is terrifying that our premier seems to feel it beneath him to take a leadership role in assuring us that Manitobans, no matter how isolated, can depend on their provincial government in

times of natural disaster.

Said Mike Spence, mayor of Churchill: “This is about the absence of leadership of federal and provincial elected representatives to this ongoing emergency.” The provincial government has put forward the stopgap plan of shipping propane to Churchill over the winter, so that its residents can heat their homes. Ensuring people do not freeze to death should be the bare minimum - not the sum total - of the government’s response to this or any other crisis.

Legislate it

self, as a student, in his place: “I know I have 11 more weeks to complete this project, but I haven ’t started it yet; could I have a 12-week extension?”

Ensuring people do not freeze to death should be the bare minimum - not the sum total - of the government’s response to this or any other crisis

The majority of Canadians, and the majority of Manitobans, believe that recreational use of marijuana should be legal. And it will be – starting July of 2018. This is based on legislation that will be put forward by the What happens in Costa Rica… federal government, and Manitoba, And then there are the emails. Or being one member of a federation, rather, the lack of emails. Pallister must comply with all federal laws. spends an inordinate amount of time Beyond introducing penalties for at a vacation home in Costa Rica. driving while high, Pallister has Wouldn’t it be nice to have a premier done nothing to set up a framework with enough pride in our province to for the legal selling of marijuana in vacation in the Whiteshell? While Manitoba, as he is required to do by there, he has minimal communiJuly 2018. cation with the government he is He has called on the federal gov- nominally the head of, while what ernment to give him and the other communication he does have passes premiers more time to write the through his unelected wife and her required legislation – he wants a non-government email account. This year’s extension – despite having not is not acceptable for a normal adult yet begun to draft any. Drafting legis- in a normal job, let alone the premier lation is what legislators do. It is their of an entire province. job. It is Pallister’s job. Imagine yourThe most charitable interpretation

of Pallister’s justification for this – he thought his actions were acceptable, and reasonable – is that he has no clear understanding of how modern technology works, or the expectations we have on how our elected officials do their job. The more likely explanation is that he was purposefully trying to avoid having the details of his communications becoming public record.

Whatever the explanation, in responding to questions on this subject, he makes it very clear that he is personally offended that anyone would dare question his actions.

L’état, c’est Pallister

Pallister’s style of governing seems closer to that of a king – or perhaps a certain sitting American president – than that of a premier. He addresses the issues he wants to address, legislates when he wants to legislate, and ignores the rest.

Being the premier of Manitoba is an excellent gig, if you can get it. In a world wracked by wars and famines, poverty and disease, Manitoba knows a peaceful prosperity that is eclipsed only by the wealthier provinces and states in the other great democracies of the West. To be the premier of such a place as this, is to be blessed with the task of shepherding progress, rather than burdened with the charge staving off disaster.

Brian Pallister does not seem to be up to the task.

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Comment

Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

Unpopular Conservative party in need of a rebrand Politics of fear not working for federal Tories Levi Garber

photo provided by senado federal

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unny ways don’t pay the bills,” quipped a rosy-faced Andrew Scheer after he won the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada by a hair in May. Maybe not Mr. Scheer, but they sure have made Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government popular.

According to an online poll conducted by Abacus Data during July, the Trudeau Liberals would receive the support of 43 per cent of Canadians aged 18 and over were an election held today, while only 31 per cent said they support the Conservatives. The NDP fell to a dismal 16 per cent of support Canadawide, but I will save that sob story for another day.

This is obviously good news for the ruling Liberals. Just over halfway through their first mandate, they can celebrate higher popularity then when they were elected with a large majority in October, 2015, representing the support of 40 per cent of voters.

Reading the poll’s results, however, the Liberals’ comfortable popularity was less surprising than the Conservatives’ uncomfortable unpopularity at a time when the latter should have been – by their accounts – gaining support.

Abacus’ online poll surveyed 2,036 Canadians between July 14-18, just days after news broke that the Trudeau government had reached a $10.5 million settlement with Omar Khadr and apologized to the former Guantanamo Bay

prisoner. That move has continued to elicit scorn from right-leaning Canadians and vocal opposition from the Conservative caucus in Ottawa.

Unless the Conservatives widen their tent and preach more progressive values to Canadians, they will be doomed to suffer the same fate in 2019 as they did in 2015 Conservative MPs quickly took to the airwaves and column pages to voice their intense disapproval with the decision, including Calgary Conservative MP Michelle Rempel, who went so far as to make an appearance on Fox News for the sake of shaming the government.

“Most Canadians, I think, are quite outraged and quite disappointed by this state of affairs,” Rempel told Fox News political commentator T ucker Carlson, seated in front of a graphic of Khadr that read “Terrorist Payday.”

Rempel was at least somewhat correct when she told Carlson’s audience that most Canadians are disappointed in the Khadr decision. The same Abacus poll found that 55 per

cent of Canadians think the Liberals the Khadr settlement. It’s just not did “a poor job” with their approach working. to the Khadr settlement.

To boot, Andrew Scheer – who That being said, “are you outraged takes no offence to being labeled by this state of affairs?” is not a ques- “Harper with a smile ” – has a popution pollsters ask in political surveys. larity of only 20 per cent CanadaHowever, if the Conservatives wide, according to the Abacus poll. hoped this strong show of discontent His disapproval rating is 22 per would bolster right-leaning support, cent, which means that 58 per cent or at least chip away at Trudeau’s of respondents, when asked about popularity, they are wrong. The data Scheer, at best responded: “Andrew has spoken and most Canadians are who?” At worst, 58 per cent of responsimply not buying into the right’s ploy dents know exactly who he is and do to stir up American-style populist not support him. anger toward the Liberals on this issue. If the Conservatives won’t take heed of these poll results, they should The data has spoken, at least work on making the opposiand most Canadians tion benches comfy, as they will be spending another election cycle there. are simply not buying Harper-style fear tactics – like into the right’s ploy making a fuss over women in niqabs taking the citizenship oath, or intro- to stir up American ducing a “barbaric practices hotline” style populist anger – flat out failed to produce returns at the ballot box in 2015. Canadians chose to elect a party and leader who rejected those ideas out-front.

The Tories need to start putting More re c ent ly, for mer a progressive foot forward and work Conservative leadership candidate on delivering a clear message to Kellie Lietch ’s proposed so-called Canadian voters as the 2019 election Canadian values test for immigrants approaches. The federal NDP is about flopped massively, garnering the to elect its new leader in the fall, and Ontario MP a paltry eight per cent once that happens, both opposition of Conservative votes in a doomed parties are going to have to be laserbid to helm the party – even after she focused on defeating the high-flying doubled down on the divisive notion. Liberals.

Ignoring all the tell-tale signs, It’s time for a rebrand among the the Conservatives continue with Conservative ranks. the practice of scorn and anger, as Scheer did well to name one of his seen through their acidic reaction to former leadership opponents, Lisa

Raitt, as deputy leader of the party.

Raitt, who is as progressive as a conservative can be on social issues , has her work cut out for her in selling the Conservative brand to a modern and increasingly socially liberal Canada.

The new Conservative leader also made the right choice in keeping Brad Trost - a Tory so socially conservative it made one feel they were watching a leadership race from the 1950s every time he spoke - out of his shadow cabinet. Scheer, who is socially conservative himself, must ensure that people like Raitt drown out voices like Trost’s in the ongoing struggle for popular support.

Merely choosing a good team, however, is not nearly enough if the Conservatives want to be viewed as a viable alternative to the Liberals in a couple years’ time. They need to start selling a positive conservative vision for the country to win over Canadians, and to stop relying on childish fits whenever Trudeau does something they don't like as a main electoral strategy.

Unless the Conservatives widen their tent and begin to preach more progressive values to Canadians, they will be doomed to suffer the same fate in 2019 as they did in 2015.

That, more than anything, will be their new rosy-faced leader’s test in the months to come.

Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com

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A Manitoba Fringe Theatre Festival street performer stretches out his donation hat while balancing on a pole held up by four audience members.

The trials and tribulations of the Fringe Fest solo performer Pitching the show is half the battle Malak Abas, staff

Photos by Asha Nelson

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hether it’s handing out flyers, performing Fringe Fest hustle, and just how much work goes “The more you connect with somebody,” he added, free monologues for strangers in lineups, or into curating an audience for a show on your own. “the more likely they are to see your show.” promoting yourself on social media, many performThere is a sense of selling one’s self in the act of The amount of time performers spend flyering ers at The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival have building an audience for a one-person show. Most and otherwise drumming up an audience varies to devote a large amount of their time drumming solo performers do all of their own “flyering”– the from performer to performer. up an audience for their show. colloquial term for handing out programs and other Wendy Froberg, who stars in A Woman of While this is a reality for all Fringe Fest pro- small items while encouraging crowds to come and a Certain Age, admited that “quite a lot” of her ductions, many solo performers face a particularly check out your show. day is spent just on creating and maintaining strenuous challenge – promoting the show on their Ryan Adam Wells, who has done eight Winnipeg viewer interest. own.

Fringe Festivals – but Fringe Fest is celebrating its 30th anniversary this whose current show, summer and in those three decades it has grown to Beers About Songs, marks become a veritable powerhouse – it is the second- only his second year in largest event of its kind in North America. solo performance – said Within its 188 shows are found every genre imag- he believes there is an art inable, with performances dedicated to comedy, to flyering. horror, drama, and even shows about Fringe itself.

“You’ve got to be able A particularly unique breed is the one-person to pitch the show in a way performance. that sounds appealing to Many of the shows are written, directed, adver- people,” Wells said. tised, and performed by just one artist. Quite a few “So basically, you’re are autobiographical, and all of them seek to tell condensing an hour-long a story. show into a three-second Part of the story, however, is behind the scenes sentence. Something of the solo Fringe performance. that’s enticing, that peoThe Manitoban spoke with several solo perform- ple want to see, and that ers at this year’s Fringe Fest on what goes into the can start a conversation.”

It’s a quick turn-around for festival venues, as stage technicians open and close their curtains anywhere from four to eight times a day.

VOL. 104 NO. 3 August 16, 2017

With flyers in hand, actor Jem Rolls hits the busy line-ups on a quest to sell The Inventor of all Things.

Features

The one and only star of A Fatal Step, Jill Vice, promotes her show amongst a sea of posters and performing promoters. For solo performers like her, hustling up an audience is a big part of the Fringe Fest experience.

“I think I’m a believer in that personal touch,” she said.

“Posters are fine, program is fine, I try to work shows on a regular basis in terms of the lineups. Every hour, I’m looking for something or I’m at something, and in between you’re doing social media and other kinds of things to promote your show. So it’s pretty constant.”

Erin Rodgers, a performer who hails from Toronto and whose show Tough focuses on her personal journey leaving her comfort zone, also spends several hours every day engaging with strangers while handing out flyers and rub-on tattoos.

Rodgers noted that while newer, alternative methods for building a viewership such as social media can be an influential factor in getting her show out there, it still takes a backseat to the personal intimacy that building 3 Aussie street performer engages the audience through comedy to score For the full 10 days of Fringe, the cube is an audience for a show at the Fringe some extra cash in the hat. transformed into a circus-like gathering of entertainers and theatre-enthusiasts. calls for.

“I think social media is part of it,” Rodgers said. the sole performer in your own show, and the onus “I could be making more money if I was out hit“It’s like, if I had a bow and arrow, it’s one of is on you to speak with strangers and drum up a ting the lineups every day, I just choose not to do that my arrows. dialogue in hopes of building an audience. because it takes so much energy from me.”

Also, I love TJ Dawe, who was at Fringe this year performStruggles aside, there was a common thread that Instagram, ing his self-directed show Roller Coaster, has been united every performer interviewed: the desire to I’m a big, big involved in over 100 fringe festivals. In that time, he create art that engages the audience. The Fringe fan of it, so has created his own coping mechanisms to combat Fest provides a sort of symbiotic relationship – perwe have a lot these feelings. formers provide a service in of fun doing terms of entertainment and “That kind of thing silly things doesn’t come easily to me enlightenment and viewers, “The more you connect on Instagram. at all. I’m very shy and I find hopefully, respond. with somebody, the more “But I do it quite difficult to engage Rodgers has had a parthink there’s with strangers,” Dawe said. likely they are to see your ticularly warm response nothing like from Winnipeg audiences, “I’ve been doing this for show” – Ryan Adam Wells, and has found that now and meeting 20 years. So at the beginpeople face to ning, I had to overcome again, people will actually Young performers search for empty spots for Beers About Songs face. You get that, and get out of my come up to her and ask to their posters along Main street. With 188 shows at Fringe Fest, competition is tough. to connect shell and do it. And the way see her flyers and inquire with people, I tricked myself into doing it was to turn it into a about her show, something that she says is unique and get them excited about the show. I think it all performance. So I would turn engaging with people to the city. works together. in lineups into this fast-talking pattern.”

“It’s like being in a movie,” Rodgers said.

"Honestly, that’s also my favourite part.”

Dawe has what he describes as a “kind of organic” “You know where you’re in a movie, and someOne of the most common obstacles many Fringe set audience, which he attributes to a combination one walks in, and they’re the popular kid, and performers seem to face – and to some extent, com- of his shows’ quality, and the word of mouth that everyone’s like ‘tell me more’" mon to many performers in general – is overcoming comes with decades of building a brand.

“It’s like they did a musical in real life. So, yeah, shyness or anxiety.

He no longer does any flyering. it’s a dream.”

These feelings can be exacerbated when you are “It ’s not like I sell out every show,” he said.

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

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Winnipeg punk supergroup Agapito discuss their recently released EP 3 Song Demo marks the first release for the newly formed band Craig Adolphe

photo provided by craig adolphe

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local punk supergroup made rock aggression with hints of meloditheir first formal stamp on the cism, comparable to Fugazi in tone Winnipeg music scene last month. and diversity of sound.

After playing their first live show The band had few expectations at the Handsome Daughter on Dec. in terms of musical tone or direction 29, Agapito – named after lead vocal- going in to the writing process. ist Jim Agapito – let their first studio “I think when we just went in, we recordings drop on July 7. The aptly just wanted to do something that just named 3 Song Demo features original sounded like us,” Nash said. content from the four-piece band.

“I guess we’re not really trying to Agapito consists of Agapito go for like a certain genre or anything on vocals, Ryan Nash, of Union like that. We wanted to sound raw Stockyards and One Of These Days, and dirty a little bit. I think we all on guitar, Jordan McConnell, of The have pretty wide musical tastes, you Duhks, on bass, and Mike Peters, of know? Like, we all like all kinds of Cancer Bats and Julie & The Wrong stuff. It all kind of seeps in there a Guys, on drums. little bit.”

The four bandmates have extensive “It’s hard to describe what this personal histories, with some rela- band really is,” Agapito said. “Every tionships dating back as much as 20 guy comes from a different kind of years. Nash, McConnell, and Peters world. I like soul music and that’s have strong roots in both Winnipeg definitely not like what I think we and Canada’s music scenes – Nash sound like, but I also like punk rock and Peters even played in hardcore and I like melodic stuff. And then punk bands together in the early there’s a lot of funk in it, like groovy 2000s – while Agapito works as a stuff, which I really like too. So I documentary filmmaker and film mean, it’s hard to say.” technician in the University of The band’s writing process generManitoba film studies program. ally starts with riffs from Nash on The band’s live performances have guitar that are transformed by the been sparse so far, limited by Peters’ layers added by McConnell and out-of-province touring schedule Agapito. but Agapito puts on a wild live show.

“It seems to be just like, when we’re The instrumentalists are consummate writing music, it starts off one way, performers with a tight sound, and like there’ll be one riff, it sort of has their frontman brings a frantic energy a vibe, and by the time the song is live shows that’s enthralling. done, it’s totally f**king different,” McConnell said.

3 Song Demo “The songs take on a life of their The brief EP is a burst of punk- own. And everybody adds something

that’s really cool somewhere along the way that sort of shifts the perspective of the song. And so it just sort of grows like that. It’s a really organic process.”

Nash agreed, adding “I think it’s just the result of a bunch of guys who trust each other musically. So, we just let it go and see what happens.”

“I think it’s just the result of a bunch of guys who trust each other musically. So, we just let it go and see what happens” – Ryan Nash, guitar Agapito writes the band’s lyrics, and draws on personal experiences to do so. The first track, ”No Pipeline, No Problems!” features the EP’s most explicitly political lyrics, based on his experience speaking with an Indigenous matriarch while in Haida Gwaii, B.C ., who opposed pipeline expansion into her ancestral lands and challenged other local Indigenous leaders who were partnering with companies in the energy sector.

“I like to read a lot and I like to write all the time,” he said. “And […] these guys are great musicians and in

terms of singing, I just go for it. I’m just the kind of guy that, if we start playing, I’m just gonna start singing and I’ll start looking at things I jot down, and I’ll just start going for it.

“I mean I have no ego, I don’t give a shit. I’m not embarrassed.”

Musical freedom

With three esteemed musicians being joined by the newcomer Agapito on vocals, and as a new group with no previous history, the band has a solid foundation and a strong platform to experiment musically.

“I like playing with these guys especially because it helps me grow as a musician,” Peters said. “I get to try different things and be more creative in different ways. It’s awesome.

I do have bands that I’m trying to pay my bills with. So, with those bands [it’s as if], I have to write the part for the kids to sing along to, ‘cause like that’s what they like."

“This band has no fans yet,” he added, “so we can do whatever we want.”

“The freedom to do that is there,” McConnell said. “There’s no producer saying, ‘That’s not going to fly on the radio.’ And [we don’t have to] worry about if something seems kind of out there, to not go there, and see what’s going to happen.”

All the instrumentalists in the band expressed excitement over the possibilities the new group gave them.

“For me, in the last 12 years or so, music’s kind of been my job,” said

Peters. “This has been like Monday night’s jam night, drinking beer with the buddies […] It’s been almost refreshing in a way. Kind of like how you do it when you’re a kid.”

“It’s been interesting to me in a similar way,” McConnell said. “The Duhks, when I was playing in that band, […] you know we had a record deal and we had these records we needed to make every year-and-ahalf or two years, and it was always a really intense process […] They were fairly big records that we were making in Nashville, with you know with some fancy producers. And you know, that’s great, it’s one thing. But this has been just way more fun. It’s been about fun, at least for me, since the beginning.”

“I thought we’d jam, and I thought I would suck at bass,” said McConnell, who put down his guitar and picked up a bass just for this band. “You know it’d be this fun thing, and we’d all hang out and drink some beers on Monday night and jam but it seemed to click pretty well and it was just so much fun that it was like ‘OK, you’ve gotta keep doing this.’”

Agapito is already working on a second, three-song digital EP and a music video, both of which they are expecting to put online in the coming months.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com

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comic by scott lercher

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Sports Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Alexandra Anderson skates in Team Canada Showcase Camp Jason Pchajek

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lexandra Anderson of the Bison U SPORTS women’s hockey.” women’s hockey team has had Anderson joined 20 other U her accomplishments over this past SPORTS women’s hockey players season rewarded. who travelled to Calgary for the nine The blueliner hailing from day camp.

Winnipeg was selected by Hockey Canada to take part in its Summer Showcase Camp.

During the 2016-17 During the 2016-17 U SPORTS U SPORTS season, season, Anderson collected 18 points – four goals and 14 assists – in 27 games, Anderson collected good for ninth in team scoring and 18 points – four goals fourth among Bisons defenders. She also added a goal in four games durand 14 assists – in ing the 2016-17 Canada West Playoffs.

This was a significant jump from 27 games, good for the goal and two assists she notched the previous year. In her rookie sea- ninth in team scoring son, she snagged two assists in 19 and fourth amongst games, adding a goal and assist in Bisons defenders the Canada West playoffs.

The Summer Showcase was a great opportunity for Anderson ahead of her fourth year on the Bisons’ blue Canada West was well repline. The invite is one that Bisons resented, with Alex Poznikoff , head coach Jon Rempel said he feels Alberta, Cassandra Vilgrain, UBC, Jaycee Magwood, Regina, Kaitlin is well deserved.

“We are very happy for Alex,” Willoughby, Saskatchewan, Kelly Rempel said to Bisons Sports prior Murray, UBC, and Lindsey Post, to the Showcase.

Alberta, all being selected for the U “I believe this will be another step SPORTS team.

Hockey Canada’s Summer forward for her from both a development and confidence perspective Showcase is modelled after a highheading into this season. I know that performance program, including Alex will do an excellent job repre- off-ice workouts, media training, senting our Bisons program as well as and nutritional classes for players.

photo provided by jeff miller

The U SPORTS players also played exhibition games against Canada’s National Women’s Development Team, and the national women’s team from Japan. The U SPORTS All-Stars split their two games with the Canadian national team.

The Summer Showcase invite is just another notch on Anderson’s belt, after a fantastic year wearing brown and gold. She, along with Rachel Dyck, Lauryn Keen, Venla Hovi, and Erica Rieder, were named as Canada West All-Stars.

Hockey Canada also invited Keen, Reider, and Sharman, to the showcase, but they were unable to attend.

The All-Star nods and Summer Showcase invite also reflect well on Rempel and the Bisons Women’s Hockey Program as a whole.

The Winnipeg-born defender joins Rieder and Alanna Sharman in getting a well-deserved look from Hockey Canada. Reider and Sharman were selected to don the red and white during the Winter Universiade this past February in Khazakhstan.

Anderson will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge when she’s back patrolling the University of Manitoba blue line during the 2017-18 Bisons season. The women’s squad

will be looking forward to improving on their 16-7-3-2 record, good for 56 points and third in the conference.

With all-stars Dyck, Keen, and Hovi, Team Canada alumni Rieder, and Sharman, along with the now even more developed Anderson, the Herd are likely to see a better result than the second-round loss during the 2017 Canada West Playoffs.

The 2017-18 Bisons season kicks off with a weekend series against UBC, October 6th and 7th, with the home opener coming a week later, Oct. 13-14 against the University of Alberta - the same team that ended the Bisons ’ season a year ago.

Alhaji Mansaray finishes outdoor track season in style The Defending U SPORTS gold medalist places third at Jeux de la Francophonie in Côte d’Ivoire Mike Still

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ison high jumper Alhaji Mansaray said.

Mansaray jumped onto the “I came back and had a meet at podium with a bronze medal at the home and it didn’t go well either.

2017 Jeux de la Francophone in Côte Then I went to nationals and it didn’t d’Ivoire this July. go well, so it was a really bad season.”

When asked about his 2.16 metre, bronze medal-earning performance at the 2017 Jeux de la Francophonie – “I would probably say the Francophonie Games – Mansaray that was the best was blunt and to the point.

“I had given up on my season. meet I’ve been to When I came here [to C’ôte d’Ivoir] by far, just because and I competed, I was like, ‘I still have a meet and I need to pump of the energy and myself up and get over it and just do it,’” he said. the people that “I actually wanted to jump higher came out to watch” than I did, but where I finished I was happy with, because at the end of the – Alhaji Mansaray, day it was better than what I had been Bison high jumper doing all year.”

The defending U SPORTS gold medalist has been battling a knee injury for the better part of the last The games served as Mansaray’s four seasons and it affected his per- last meet of the outdoor season and he formances entering the games. couldn’t have picked a better time to “I went to Europe and competed in shine, given that he was participating Germany and it didn’t go well. Then I against some of the top athletes from took some time off and just travelled,” countries such as Belgium and France.

“Competition wise it was great,” he said. “I had people, obviously, that were way better than me and were jumping higher than me. I just ended up showing up that day.”

Mansaray now has two international medals to his name, after previously earning a bronze medal in El Salvador.

The four-time U SPORTS medalist also noted how critical the

not every day that you get to meet people like that and we’re athletes, too, so we understand how the sport works.”

Aside from the talented athletes all around him, Mansaray said he was also taken aback by the resounding support the local fans provided.

“They were so into the event, they would clap and cheer and it was so loud in there it felt like you were watching a soccer game,” he said.

“They were just excited to watch us jump.

“I was actually using that energy to make me jump higher, it was really photo by mike still good. I would probably say that was the best meet I’ve been to by far, just networking between athletes is, espe- because of the energy and the people cially considering that he plans to that came out to watch.” continue training in other countries The fifth year Bison will now put going forward. his focus toward the indoor season “It’s pretty cool,” he said. “You and defending his high jump crown meet new people and next year when against the rest of the nation.

I want to go to Belgium or someThe first meet for Mansaray thing to compete, I have someone and the Bisons is on Nov. 24 at that would be like ‘oh, I’ll take care the James Daly Fieldhouse at the of you.’ annual Brown & Gold & White “That aspect of it I love because it’s intersquad event.

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Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Father-son duo of Claude and Simon Berube bring impressive resumes to 2017 Canada Summer games Mike Still

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photo by mike still

rack and field success runs in the family for University of Manitoba track and field head coach Claude Berube and his son Simon.

Claude has evaluated and coached some of the all-time best athletes in Manitoba during his 21 years at the helm for the Bisons. When his son Simon started in the sport as a teenager, he provided some sage advice. “[Simon] started out wanting to be a long-distance runner, running 3000 [metres], and now he’s realized that his potential, at the moment anyways, is 400s, 800s and then eventually to start moving up to the longer races, but right now the 800 is his best event,” the elder Berube said.

Looking at Simon’s results over the past few years affirms the switch to the middle distances was the right choice. He’s performed well at nationals, seeing steady developments in his times.

Claude says their relationship on the track is positive but comes with its hiccups.

“We’re good but we’ll both admit that there are moments when we find it difficult being father-son and a coach,” he said.

“At first there was a lot of knocking heads but now it’s smoothing out and that kind of thing – and that’s part of the relationship between an athlete and a coach and that’s obviously more difficult when it’s family.”

Now entering his third year on the Bisons track and field team, Simon continues to receive valuable tutelage from his father.

“Running is not just physical, it’s very mental also,” Simon said. “He’s trained me well mentally, so I feel like I’m ready for every race I run.”

From a coach’s perspective, Claude says the biggest change he’s noticed is his son’s confidence.

“The 800 [metre] has improved a lot,” Claude said. “In high school, he was breaking just under two minutes and now he’s in the low 1:50s. There’s been some big improvements there and I think it’s also come from the confidence of racing.

“In the past, he laid back and let other guys do the work and now he’s not scared to go to the front and push the pace and there’s a lot more confidence in his running.”

During the Canada Summer Games, the duo were a part of the large Bison contingent representing Manitoba on their home track which, according to Simon, adds a bit more excitement to the competition.

“It’s really special competing in front of my dad, obviously, and my whole family and friends watching.

It’s a great environment,” he said.

“I haven’t seen a track meet like this in a while. There’s a lot of hype around the events, so it’s fun competing here.”

Abbott sisters hitting it off in beach volleyball Mike Still

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win sisters Kearley and Josie Abbott are two of the top indoor volleyball players in Manitoba.

They are coming off a tremendous showing in their rookie campaigns with the University of Manitoba Bisons, and now the duo are making their mark on the beach volleyball scene after representing Manitoba in the sand at the Canada Summer Games.

The Saint Mary’s Academy alumni each started playing the indoor game in Grade 8, but it wasn’t until four seasons ago that the five-foot-eleven outside hitters made the move to the outdoor game.

“I like being out in the sun, I like spending my summers in the sun, and also it’s just great cross-training,” said Josie when asked about transitioning to beach.

“To do this, I’m getting better at indoor and to be playing indoor I’m

getting better at beach.”

It didn’t take long for the sisters to become comfortable playing in the sand, due partially to their ability to lean on each other, especially if one is being targeted.

“It’s kind of a give-and-take relationship,” Kearley said. “When [the opponents] are going after me, Josie kind of tends to step up but when they’re going after Josie, I tend to step up and be the leader on the court.”

Their camaraderie and teamwork was evident early on, as the pair took home gold in their debut at the under-16 Eastern National Beach Championships in 2014. It was the first national title at the under-16 level for a Manitoba team since Taylor Pischke and Rachel Cockrell did so in 2008. That’s pretty good company, considering the success the two former Bisons have had over the past decade.

“We’ve definitely grown as a pair,” Kearley said.

Fast-forward to 2017 when the duo represented Manitoba all week in their own backyard.

“I think it’s really exciting because “I like being out in the at all the other events we’ve played at, we’ve never been at home in front of sun, I like spending our friends, family and just Manitoba supporters, so I think it just makes it my summers in the extra special, the experience,” Kearley sun, and also it’s just said.

The sisters got off to a strong start great cross-training” in their first round-robin game on July 30, with a straight sets victory – – Josie Abbott, Bison 21-13, 21-13 – over New Brunswick at women’s volleyball the Sargent Park Beach Volleyball Centre.

“It was very exciting just seeing “Our first year we didn’t really everybody out in this beautiful venue. know a lot about it [beach volleyball], We were happy with the way it went but we were able to win the Eastern and we’re ready to build off today,” Championships and then every sea- Josie said. son since then we’ve just been makBoth agreed that the communicaing little growths leading up to the tion and support they offer each other [Canada] games.” as siblings is a big part as to why their

team dynamic has worked so well up to this point.

“We can find the problem without offending each other and fix it really quick,” Josie said.

“It also helps to have someone with you all the time to practice when you want to practice and when it’s a good time for you,” Kearley added. “And also just having a support system – we’re best friends.”

Manitoba finished fifth at the Summer Games after getting knocked out in the quarter finals by British Columbia.

VOL. 104 NO. 3 August 16, 2017

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Bison men’s hockey team is heading to Europe for the preseason Ryan Stelter, staff

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he Bison men’s hockey team is the North American professional kicking off season preparations side of the sport during a stint in the in Europe later this month.

East Coast Hockey League with the Manitoba will be headed to Missouri Mavericks.

Scotland and Northern Ireland to play a series of preseason games “Expectations for our against European pro teams. This is the third time the Bison hockey proteam, throughout gram has gone to Europe for a tour. the dressing room, The tour will run from Aug. 26-31.

The Bisons will play a pair of games are we’re going to against the Belfast Giants on Aug. 26 win” – Brett Stovin, and 27. On Aug. 29, they will play the Edinburgh Capitals and the tour will Bison forward wrap up Aug. 31 with a match against the Braehead Clan.

“We try to do this every four to five “I’ve seen the North American side years so that when players play for of it during my time in Missouri,” he the Bisons they get this exceptional said. “It’s a completely different game opportunity once during their playing when you go overseas. I’m excited to career with the Bisons,” said Bisons see what the game is like over there and hopefully I get the chance to talk head coach Mike Sirant.

For third year forward Brett to some people over there and get to Stovin, it will be his first trip to know the game.”

Europe. Despite having never crossed Stovin has not seen a lot of the Atlantic before, Stovin is focused European hockey games but he says on hockey, as he has aspirations of there are differences from the North playing in Europe ne day.

American game.

“I think the biggest difference for “I’m focused on hockey already,” he said. “I want to play over there in me when I watch is the skill level with the next couple years and I want to the puck and the puck movement,” he be in the lineup and I want to play said. “In Europe, it’s more of a laid well. I am excited to see the different back skating style where you move the puck using your hockey smarts culture, though.”

Stovin has already experienced and your skill level a lot more.

photo provided by jeff miller

“I find Europeans are actually more skilled than North Americans.”

The level of competition in Europe will be a good test for this Bison team heading into the season.

“We’re going to receive some excellent competition from the teams in the Elite Ice Hockey League ” Sirant said . “That will provide us with great team development in preparation for Canada West regular season.”

The trip will not only be focused on hockey: Sirant says it’s important

the team gets a cultural experience as well.

“We’ll plan sightseeing opportunities so the guys get to really experience the country that we’re visiting, in addition to having time on their own to explore,” he said.

As soon as the Bisons get back from the trip, they will dive right into their regular preseason, with multiple games scheduled against Canada West competition.

The Bisons are hoping to be one of the top dogs in the very competitive

Canada West conference this season.

Stovin said the confidence is high in the Bison locker room.

“To be completely honest, I see us being a force to be reckoned with,” he said. “Expectations for our team, throughout the dressing room, are we’re going to win, and that we’re going to contend for the championship this year.”

Bisons boast talent from all over the world Manitoba set to host nationals for the first time with a well-rounded roster Mike Still

I

f you ask the head coach of the national level against the best teams women’s soccer team, Vanessa in Canada, and it couldn’t have come Martinez Lagunas, there’s no better at a better time based on the way time to be excited about soccer at the Manitoba’s roster is shaping up.

University of Manitoba.

“I’m very excited about this group In June, Investors Group Field because it’s a great combination of hosted Canada and Costa Rica in a returning players and new players,” women’s national team match, and said Martinez Lagunas. “I think that this month Manitoba hosted the the mix is going to be very exciting Canada Summer Games , which and it’s just going to help us keep included both men’s and women’s showing progress.” soccer.

A multitude of returning players Now, the university is taking will help anchor the Bisons in 2017, the next step and in November led by midfielder Amanda Wong, the Bisons will host the 2017 U who returns for her third year as SPORTS Women’s Soccer National captain. She’s also fresh off of a stint Championship for the first time in as one of Team Manitoba’s assistant program history. coaches for the Canada Summer “A big portion of the [national Games. championship] bid was to show that Midf ielder/defender Emma our team has progressed throughout Romanica, an incoming recruit and the years, and they [the voting com- former captain of the St. Mary’s mittee] saw that since 2013, the team Academy team, was on Manitoba’s has gotten better and better every roster, and Martinez Lagunas noted year, so definitely that was huge,” the importance of both players’ parMartinez Lagunas said. ticipation in the games.

“If the team had not shown prog“They’ve already had the experiress, even with the facilities, we ence of being at home with the preswould have never gotten the national sure on,” she said. championship.”

“The Canada Summer Games are This is the first time the Bisons very similar to our national champiwill get the chance to play at the onship, so definitely that experience

photo by miguel yetman

is going to help them translate onto the field and just help to transform the pressure of being at home to help improve your performance.”

Martinez Lagunas seems to add a bit of international flavour to her team’s roster every year, and 2017 will be no different with German midfielder Florin Wagner entering the fold.

The 22-year-old was one of the best players in the German state of Saxony and was also in the pool for the U16 and U17 German national team in the past.

She has a prior connection with Martinez Lagunas, as the latter had

the opportunity to work with her dur- rience of the student athletes,” ing her time as a coach in Germany. Martinez Lagunas said. “[Florin] is going to be a great addi“They learn a lot from their teamtion to our team and her experience mates, from other cultures, from is going to be so valuable for what other languages and from other types we’re going for this season,” Martinez of soccer.”

Lagunas said.

Other players to keep an eye out With the addition of Wagner, for this year are third year midthe Bisons now have three inter- fielder Sara Schur, who developed national recruits on their ros- into a starter last season and will be ter: fourth year Brazilian striker an assistant captain in 2017, as well Bruna Mavignier and second year as second year Shaylyn Dyck, who American midfielder Abby Eggers was both rookie and defender of the are both returning for the 2017 year in 2016. season.

Manitoba kicks off the regular season “I like to have groups that are at home against the Regina Cougars on diverse. It just enriches the expe- Friday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m.

18

Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Veteran Bison team looking to bounce back from last season Nearly 70 players return for what should be a promising season for Manitoba Mike Still

photo by mike still

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here is no time like the present signed as a priority free agent with for the 2017 iteration of the U of the Green Bay Packers. While his M Bisons football team. exit will have a profound effect on The herd is looking to put a disap- the offensive line, the team should pointing 3-5 record from 2016 in the be just fine on up front with veterans rear-view mirror, and optimism is such as Reid McMorris, Anthony high, with 66 players returning from Daley, Matt and Tom Clarkson, Zack last season.

Williams, Myles Rose-Standish, and Jordan Medal all back for another Offence campaign.

Offensively, the team returns 11 of 12 starters. However, one of the “The offence has biggest changes occurring within the coaching staff is receivers coach been productive Blaire Atkinson taking over the reigns from Vaughn Mitchell as for years, and offensive co-ordinator.

“In terms of Blaire Atkinson put- we’re always near ting his brand on the offence, it’s the top of the his brand. Vaughn Mitchell had his country” – Brian brand, and both brands are great brands, they really are,” said head Dobie head coach coach Brian Dobie . of Bison football “The offence has been productive for years, and we’re always near the top of the country. This [offence] is just different than coach Mitchell’s “The plus side is the other four somewhat.” starters and all the other guys [who Player-wise, the only subtraction return]," Dobie said. from last season’s starting 12 is offen“Geoff’s the only offensive lineman sive lineman Geoff Gray, who was that we lost, they’re [the rest of the

lineman] all back. You can’t make an excuse for losing Geoff Gray to the NFL is the message there.”

When discussing the offence it is impossible not to mention the return of running back Jamel Lyles, the Canada West Rookie of the Year for 2015 with the Bisons who set a new single-season rushing record last year during his time with the Westshore Rebels of the British Columbia Football Conference .

“He’s a beast, he’s that good. And he’s unquestionably, undoubtedly, one of the absolute elite backs in the nation,” Dobie said. “That’s a longproven and done deal.”

One of the hardest aspects to replace of the three players is simply their knowledge and understanding of the playbook, having been with, and started for, the squad for numerous seasons.

“As soon as you lose fifth year guys you lose all that experience, so there’s going to be a learning curve with whoever wins the MAC [middle linebacker] and WILL [weak side linebacker] spots, but we’ve got some good kids there that we’re excited about,” Dobie said.

“The MAC and WILL battles, I hope, will accelerate the learning and performance curve because they are going to have to compete.

Defence “Nobody’s going to get it handed Manitoba returns eight players on to them and coast.” the defensive side of the ball but will Players to watch for in the batneed to replace the production of tle for the MAC and WILL spots linebackers DJ Lalama and Bami include veterans Donovan Gregoire, Adewale, as well as defensive end James Mau, Caleb Abraham, and Evan Foster.

Kyle Gordon.

“The box [defensive line and lineThe secondary isn’t as much of backers] is going to be an adventure a concern for Dobie and his staff. to sort out,” Dobie said. “We have The team loses former captain Cam four really good starters that we’ve Teschuk but retains the rest of the invested in and we think highly of, unit. Injuries were a huge factor in the but we’ve got to replace three.” defensive backfield a year ago, which

resulted in a number of players seeing action at some point, therefore increasing the depth the squad will have in 2017.

The secondary sees a lot of returnees: Jayden McKoy, safety Tyler Fong, and cornerback/half back Marcel Arruda-Welch – the latter two being back after season-ending injuries in 2016. Cornerbacks Akeeno Williams and Evinn Lyons-Keely, along with halfback Keenan Onyebuchi will provide stability to the group, while Schneider Charles returns after a year’s absence. Impact recruit Shae Weekes out of St. Paul’s is also likely to factor in.

“I think it’s the best overall group we’ve had here at Manitoba since the 2007 Vanier Cup group,” Dobie said.

“It’s going to be very competitive. We’re very deep there and very talented on the top, so that’s a big plus.”

The Bisons kick off their season at Investors Group Field on Friday, Sept.

1, in a battle against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Game time is 7 p.m.

VOL. 104 NO. 3 August 16, 2017

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Fantasy Football Draft Preview What to know before you head into this year’s draft Michael Bell

graphic by kelly campbell

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ell folks, the summer's almost Know where all the free drove me crazy last year. Watch the Don't be afraid to ment, like trades and free agent over and it's almost time to agents have gone injuries. You need to know Quincy go off the board pickups. That's where the fun lies. If go back to school. I'm talking about This is basic. For example, you Enunwa is out for the year. But if you I do my research, and if there's a you feel bad about your draft, don't fantasy football school. This is an need to know Adrian Peterson now pinned your fantasy hopes on a Jets guy I really want I often jump two be discouraged. Remember, it's only uncredited fall session course and plays for the New Orleans Saints. WR, then there's probably no help rounds or more to get him. If people the beginning. To give a nod to my I'm the professor, “The Fantasy Prof.” Brandin Cooks is with the Patriots, for you anyway. laugh at me, I don't care. I will be colleagues in the Faculty of Science: Over the next five months, we will and so on. Not only do you have to And what to do about Ezekiel laughing at them when I hoist the your fantasy team is organic. It's a be studying what it takes to build a figure out where people are – and Elliot? Possibly suspended for half fantasy trophy. If you're curious living, breathing thing. It changes. team and achieve the ultimate glory: avoid getting chided when you select the fantasy season. He's a pass now about average draft position and what And when you lose your WR1 to a a fantasy football championship.

Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the first round. But how bad do round players are going, I highly rec- torn ACL, it changes a lot. Roll with I call myself “The Fantasy Prof ” – psst, he plays for the Eagles – but you want Elliot? If you're bold, do ommend checking out www.fanta- the changes, embrace them. because I'm a commissioner and I have figure out how they will be used. Will you take him in the second or third? sycaluclator.com. The lesson here: you Remember: preparation, strategy, a few fantasy championships under my Cooks get lost in the Patriots' jug- This forces you to be savvy for the rest have to live with most of these players roll with the changes. Yes, you're trybelt. I've been playing fantasy football gernaut offense? Too many mouths of the draft. for the next four months. Like a dorm ing to win a championship. But if for a long time. How long? We were a to feed? These are all things you need roommate. Make sure you can get fantasy football is going to dominate young bunch of U of M students and to consider.

The draft along, target the players you want, your life, you might as well take it the internet was just getting popuYou can't just walk into an exam and go after them. somewhat seriously. But if you take lar. We did everything by paper and Training camp battles without studying and say, "hey, I got it too seriously then your friends start mailed out the results. Thinking on and preseason this." Like any good student, you Don't be afraid to to stage interventions, your GPA will it now, I can't believe that happened.

This is where social media is your need to be prepared. You've kept throw darts take a hit, and your significant other What I offer with this column is a friend. And maybe try watching a track of training camps, position Injuries always happen. In the might break up with you.

Fantasy football, in the end, mentor, perhaps a guide through the few games. For example, is Joe Mixon battles and injuries. Now you have middle or later rounds, take a chance long and winding road of a fantasy actually beating out Gio Bernard and your rankings. Maybe a bit of a strat- on a backup or an RB stuck in a com- should be fun. It's about finding balseason. Hopefully, we can avoid a few Jeremy Hill? Is the rook ie living egy, but know your league, know your mittee situation. Say a first-string RB ance. You have school, food, family, Winnipeg potholes along the way. A up to the hype? If you're drafting rules. gets hurt and I have the backup. Well, love, and friendship. If you leave a prof can be also be a friend, a confi- Mixon in round three or four then well, look what I have, an automatic bit of room for fantasy football, how dante, maybe even a shoulder to cry you need to know this stuff. Watch Have a strategy RB1. Throw a couple darts, you might much better can life get? on – especially after your opponent's the training camp battles. Watch the Don't be afraid to diverge. Be flex- hit a bullseye. bye week fill-in blows up in a match games. Figure out the depth charts. ible. What if you're a two-runningThe Fantasy Prof 's office hours are you were supposed to win.

This knowledge will help you when backs-in-the-first-two-rounds kind Take kickers and defence last 24/7, for any fantasy related questions, We know you have other fantasy it's draft time. of person and Odell Beckham Jr. is This has been said before and often. he can be reached at thefantasyprof@ sites to visit. But I'm offering a little staring you in the face at the number So I will say it again: take kickers and gmail.com local perspective, astute fantasy advice, Injuries and suspensions five or six spot? Well, sorry Melvin defense last. and maybe a few laughs along the way.

Watch for these both in training Gordon, you're not on my team this In my opinion, here are some keys camp and pre-season. Who just tore year. Must take Beckham in my The draft is just the beginning of the journey to getting back into the fantasy groove an Achilles? Who’s recovering from humble, professorial opinion. and starting the season on the right a concussion? Who is nursing a bad It's a foundation, yes. But so note. hammy? How's Julio Jones' toe? This much relies on in-season manage-