vol 107, iss 04, September 9, 2020

NEWS

“We are going to be stuck with a crisis” U of M researchers study health effects of vaping

NEWS

ARTS AND CULTURE

National video games day

Minimum wage, maximum worry

Staff picks to celebrate with PAGE 13

PAGE 6

What living in poverty means for Manitobans PAGE 9 COMMENT

Guaranteed basic income Free money will make living standards worse in the long run PAGE 9 VO L 1 0 7 · N O 0 4 · S e p t e m b e r 0 9 , 2 0 2 0 · W W W.T H EM A N I TO B A N .CO M

2

Index

VOL. 107 NO. 04 September 09, 2020

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matthew Doering

editor@themanitoban.com / 590.6446

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Diego Castro

ads@themanitoban.com / 881.0663

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Ty Brass

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Amira Tekle

amira@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE

NEWS EDITOR Gillian Brown

gillian@themanitoban.com

Talking ‘Transplant’

COMMENT EDITOR Lucas Edmond

comment@themanitoban.com

An interview with Joseph Kay

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah

arts@themanitoban.com

PAGE 14

SPORTS EDITOR Isaiah Wagner

sports@themanitoban.com

RESEARCH & TECH EDITOR Sarah Doran

research@themanitoban.com

JUNIOR RESEARCH EDITOR Mario Mendez Diaz

mario@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Ursula Chojko-Bolec

copy@themanitoban.com

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Joshua Wesey

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Jenelle McCann

graphics@themanitoban.com

VISUAL COMM. DEVELOPER Evan Tremblay

evan@themanitoban.com

AUDIO AND VIDEO

PHOTO EDITOR Alex Decebal-Cuza

SPORTS

visual@themanitoban.com

U-Sports reversal

audio@themanitoban.com

AUDIO EDITOR Tino Hove VIDEO EDITOR Nish Joshi

Good news for Bisons

video@themanitoban.com

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kathy Dinh

social@themanitoban.com

PAGE 16

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

Dominique Wightman

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

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

tions Corporation.

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

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

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

All contents are ©2020 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

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

GENERAL INQUIRIES & ADVERTISING Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: manitoban@themanitoban.com FREE MEDIA: CAMPUS PLUS MEDIA SERVICES Phone: 1.780.421.1000 Email: advertise@free-media.ca

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #589160

3

News

News Editors: Gillian brown and Amira tekle Contact: gillian@themanitoban.com amira @themanitoban.com

U of M holds off on online sexual violence reporting tool Eleven Manitoba post-secondary institutions have already signed on AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA

E

leven of Manitoba’s colleges and universities have signed on with Respect, Empower, Educate Survivors (REES), an online sexual violence reporting tool tailored to the needs of post-secondary campuses.

The only institution yet to do so is the U of M. Mary Lobson, the founder of REES, describes the platform as a “social purpose technology company.”

She said they are “creating [a] trauma-informed, survivor-centred online platform for reporting sexual violence.”

REES works by customizing itself to each post-secondary campus it serves, Lobson said.

“It contains within it specific campus information and resources that will contain your specific sexual violence policy […] and it also includes campus-specific supports and resources that are available.”

REES also links users to community supports in their broader area.

“It’s also customized to your specific geographic community,” Lobson said. “So, in Winnipeg we would have community supports as well,

like Klinic [Community Health] [and] Ka Ni Kanichihk.”

Survivors of sexual violence can also send their records recorded through REES directly to a designated person within their institution.

“So in the case of the U of M, if they were to use [REES], there could be potential that it could just go directly to the Sexual Violence Resource Centre in an effort to reduce the number of times that a survivor needs to tell their story.”

Lobson said she doesn’t know why the U of M hasn’t signed on with her platform, and that she has met with university and UMSU officials multiple times.

Joel Lebois — chair of the Sexual Violence Steering Committee (SVSC) and U of M human rights counsel — noted that the independent review released by the U of M, titled “Responding to Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination at the University of Manitoba: A Path Forward,” did not include REES among its 43 recommendations.

Lebois said the SVSC met with Lobson June 17. He said the presentation of REES shown was an “incomplete rough draft or beta version of the system.”

He noted that the U of M had a meeting scheduled with Lobson for

March 18 but rescheduled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but said a “group of campus experts” will be reviewing REES to see if it is a fit for the U of M. “That group will be reaching out to REES in September with further questions, feedback and concerns if any,” Lebois said.

[We are] creating [a] trauma-informed, survivor-centred online platform for reporting sexual violence — Mary Lobson, founder Laurie Schnarr, vice-provost (students) at the U of M said the university is “very interested” in REES, but did note the incomplete state of REES at the June 17 presentation.

“The committee discussed this project and agreed that there was limited information available given that REES was not complete at the time of the presentation, and that the system cannot be reviewed indepen-

dently,” Schnarr said.

UMSU vice-president student life Savannah Szocs said UMSU supports the launch of the program at the U of M. “UMSU is displeased with the way the university has handled this opportunity, and we as a student union formally recommended that the university take this program on,” she said.

Szocs noted that no final decisions have been made about whether REES will be implemented at the U of M. She said the SVSC, which she sits on, has formed a subcommittee to explore REES further.

Schnarr said online reporting tools like REES will be important for the future of sexual violence reporting at the U of M but noted that there are some parts of the platform the U of M wants to look into first.

“We need more information in order to assess the privacy impact of the REES project, since it is a thirdparty reporting mechanism that is not controlled by the university and cannot be accessed by the university,” she said.

“This raises questions regarding privacy and data collection, as well as whether the project will meet the university’s accessibility obligations.”

U of M pilots Respondus anti-cheating software Software accesses webcams, uses artificial intelligence to curb cheating AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

on its website as a “pioneer of online testing applications,” is the software the U of M piloted in order to monitor students taking exams.

Video segments with potential exam violations are flagged for the instructor

PHOTO BY ALEXANDERDECEBAL-CUZA

T

he U of M piloted a program over the summer term to remotely monitor students writing exams online.

Due to the onset of the COVID-

19 pandemic, most classes have been shifted online since the latter portion of the winter term and most examinations have taken place remotely since then.

The U of M is allowing instructors to choose whether they want to use the monitoring software in their courses for the fall 2020 term.

Respondus, which describes itself

The company’s software watches students’ webcams as they write exams and locks students’ browsers so they cannot leave the exam until it is finished.

According to the Respondus website, “powerful analytics are used to detect suspicious behaviours during an exam session.

Video segments with potential exam violations are flagged for the instructor.”

Respondus also uses artificial intelligence to monitor students’ physical movements as well as keyboard and mouse use to detect cheating.

The U of M issues penalties for

academic dishonesty — including cheating on assessments — ranging from failure of the course to expulsion.

In an effort to mitigate academic dishonesty in the faculty of science, dean Stefi Baum said many classes will see “lower-stakes assessments, rather than putting everything into a final or huge midterm.”

She said her goal is to “change the cost-benefit analysis” to ensure students have less incentive to cheat on their exams and assignments.

Dean of agricultural and food sciences, Martin Scanlon, said limiting high-stress situations is a priority of his faculty as well. The fall semester will see grading based on smaller assignments spread across the term instead of having one exam making up a larger percentage of their final grade.

Records of academic dishonesty are kept by the university, and a notation noting any transgressions appear on records and on official university transcripts if a student is expelled or suspended from the university due to academic dishonesty.

— with files from Gillian Brown

4

News

News Editors: Gillian Brown and Amira Tekle Contact: gillian@themanitoban.com amira@themanitoban.com

Sociology professor champions childcare

Newly-appointed Duff Roblin professor to continue research on families and public policy SARAH DORAN, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

T

he University of Manitoba faculty care as a young woman in Toronto, education is exactly as essential as of arts named Susan Prentice, a Ont. Both her master’s degree and physical infrastructure and education professor in the department of sociol- PhD examined social movements infrastructure. ogy and criminology, the new Duff campaigning for change, particularly “That’s that tipping point, and Roblin professor of government on around feminism and childcare. Her I think that this pandemic might Sept. 1. work led to her appointment as the have made enough people realize it The position, an endowed chair Margaret Laurence chair in women’s — that there’s a real chance to invest named for the former Manitoba studies. and create the services that children premier, is a three-year term that “It was an absolutely dream job for and families and especially women requires the holder to give at least a freshly-minted academic, because really need.” one public lecture a year and orga- my job for my first three years was The university community is no nize at least one conference, as well to try to make connections between exception. About one in 10 university as overseeing the Duff Roblin gradu- women in the academy and women in students in Canada is a parent, with ate fellowships at the University of the community, and to try to promote much higher proportions of parents Winnipeg. greater equity,” Prentice said. among college students. Faculty and As the Duff Roblin professor, “That was my mandate. So, it staff have childcare needs as well, and Prentice is expected to focus on com- wasn’t just what I did, it was actually all three categories have to navigate munity outreach and education that my job. It was a magnificent way to around irregular schedules. will help advance understanding of launch a career, so getting this Duff Despite this, the U of M has only Canadian government policy. For an Roblin position now feels like a lovely 138 childcare spaces on campus and academic whose research focuses on continuation.” the U of W has 96. the intersection of feminism, families Prentice is taking on the role at Elsewhere, the University of and the economy, with a particular a critical time for her field. With a Saskatchewan has 200; the University interest in childcare, the new role is national crisis comes opportunity, of British Columbia, just under a chance to build on decades of past she said, and suggested Canada’s 600; the University of Toronto, 148; research. “impressive” response to the sudden McGill University, 110; and the “For a long time, a classical view fiscal downturn through financial University of Ottawa, just 49. of politics just said that politicians support for those suddenly without “I’ve been part of a campaign to try and professional staff, bureaucrats, jobs could clear the way to rebuild an to expand childcare on campus, and were the ones who designed policies,” economy better than the one before we did grow the system a little bit, but Prentice said. it — one that considers early educa- there is a huge amount of work to do,” “But it’s very clear from mountains tion and childcare an essential public Prentice said. of research that social movements, service.

“I mean, I think childcare on actors in civil society, change political Prentice said, “150 years ago, if you campus is as essential as libraries. decisions and can promote better pol- said ‘Our kids need educating, we Nobody would say you could have a icy. […] So, I’ve been very interested need a school,’ people would have university without a library. We need in my whole career to think about this given you a fight.” books. Well, how do students and relationship between actors outside “But now today we would say, ‘Hey, staff and faculty work if they don’t the state and actors inside the state, of course we need to build schools. have childcare?” and the actual ways in which policy Who cares if they cost hundreds of A major theme of Prentice’s work gets made and can be challenged and millions of dollars to build?’” she deals with how the issue of accessiimproved.” continued. ble and affordable childcare impacts Prentice first grew interested in “And we haven’t yet tipped over every aspect of an economy, not the topic while working with an the same way to think the provi- just individual families. As Canada activist group concentrating on day- sion of early childhood care and ponders how to bounce back from a

recession that is disproportionately affecting women-dominated fields, Prentice is adamant that childcare is a necessity for everyone, even people who do not have children.

“The intriguing thing about childcare as a service is, of course, you could say that the children are the clients — the children are the ones

“Early childhood care and education is exactly as essential as physical infrastructure” — Susan Prentice, sociology professor who attend the program — but so are the parents, because they’re getting the benefit, particularly when they use childcare to work or study,” she said.

“But you could also say so do employers, because they have workers who can come to work.”

The Caring About Care project, which ran from 2016-2019, was Prentice’s second collaboration with a team of colleagues from Brock University and Ryerson University.

Research involved extensive interviews with early childhood educators to get firsthand accounts of what kinds of supports are needed in the field, as well as an analysis of the limitations in childcare policies represented by different parties in the 2018 Ontario provincial election.

In addition to a number of academic journal articles, the project also produced a book titled Caring for Children: Social Movements and Public Policy in Canada. Prentice emphasized the importance of doing qualitative research, especially in social sciences, to help provide concrete evidence and data that can be used to help groups lobby for more effective policy.

“The people actually doing the work know a whole lot more than the people at the top, all the time,” she said.

“We’ve done lots of interviews and made a real point of trying to take these insights that we learned and share them with communities of practice.”

Prentice is building on the results of the Caring About Care project in a new seven-year project funded by a Connection partnership grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The official title of the project is “What is the best policy mix for diverse Canadian families with young children? Reimagining Canadian family policies” and research will be divided into three separate streams: employment, parental leave and childcare.

Prentice is working in the childcare stream, along with a combination of advocacy groups, professional associations and think tanks that focus on public policy.

“It’s a fantastic team,” Prentice said.

“I am so looking forward to the synergy between this partnership grant and the Duff Roblin chair, and my interest in working on public policy that is women- and family-friendly.”

VOL. 107 NO. 04 September 09, 2020

News

5

Classes adapt to U of M COVID-19 rules

STEM labs, field courses postponed to adhere to current safety guidelines GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

T

his semester in STEM faculties, of the faculty of agricultural and food remote classes are posing chal- sciences. lenges for educators and students To allow for that across all departwhen it comes to what is typically ments, Stefi Baum, dean of the fachands-on learning. ulty of science, said several lab courses The deans of the faculties of sci- in the faculty have been modified for ence, environment and agricultural online learning, with two or three and food sciences say their primary on-campus labs so students acquire goals are to ensure that the courses “necessary skill sets” for their degree maintain their academic integrity and programs. that students’ graduations are delayed According to Baum, courses held as little as possible. in-person for the fall semester were “We want all the students to get chosen by determining which could out of those courses, as much as is only achieve the educational outpossible, the normal learning out- comes on-campus and which could comes,” said Martin Scanlon, dean be conducted according to COVID-

19 safety requirements.

Classes with what Scanlon called “essential in-person components” have been either postponed to the extended fall term from Jan. 5 to 15 or cancelled altogether for the year.

In the faculty of environment, earth and resources, acting dean Andrew Frederiksen said they have had less difficulty moving courses in the department of environment and geography online, but in geological sciences, a few courses have been cancelled.

A modified schedule for “essential courses” in the department with specific technological needs aims to keep one class at a time in the Wallace building for lab work.

Frederiksen said the courses dropped are “nothing that’s actually a required course for a program and nothing that will delay a student’s graduation.”

The biggest losses for the department, he said, are the cancellations of required field courses that would normally be conducted in the spring semester. Students with those requirements unfulfilled will have their graduation delayed.

Frederiksen remains hopeful that the field classes will be able to run in the spring of 2021.

“We’re keeping things going and

just dealing with the situation as it changes on us.”

He said that in geological science programs, degree programs are designed to fit requirements for professional registration under Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, requirements that dictate which courses must be present, and that

“We’re keeping things going and just dealing with the situation as it changes on us” — Andrew Frederiksen, acting dean of faculty of environment, earth and resources those requirements include having taken a field course during their postsecondary studies.

In the faculty of agricultural and food sciences, Scanlon said his prior-

ity is that students gain the manual skills needed for practical application in their fields. Because of this, the faculty has needed to cancel one class based in a greenhouse due to the necessity of the environment and the inability to properly socially distance.

In all three faculties, graduate students are still able to continue their research. Labs are running under strict social distancing guidelines, and students have been asked to conduct most work from home.

Students in the faculty of agricultural and food sciences are encouraged to work on their theses from home rather than lab work, Scanlon said.

In the faculty of science, Baum reports higher undergraduate enrolment than before.

She said since classes have moved online, the faculty has been able to accommodate more students.

“We’re putting on more course sections and increasing caps on things, so, in some ways, because we’re not restricted by physical space in a classroom […] we can accommodate more students through this remote approach.

“So, if it works then, at least for science, for this year, we should be OK.”

UWSA executives resign after racism allegations Former executives share experiences with ‘racist’ association GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

A

s a result of racism allegations, a be against.” blackface scandal and an internal In his resignation letter on Aug. 5, human rights investigation, former Hussein referred to the association as University of Winnipeg Students’ the “most toxic” work environment he Association (UWSA) president Jibril has ever experienced.

Hussein and vice-president external He reported on his Instagram that affairs Breanna Belisle have resigned. at the June 16 UWSA board meetAfter Hussein’s resignation, he ing, a board member accused him of released a statement which said, “the “using [his] Blackness as a shield” in UWSA prides itself on standing up response to the allegations against the for all BIPOC students, staff and executive slate weeks prior. community members.

He went on to claim “the asso“However, I believe that this is not ciation is racist,” and that it called the case and this institution sadly per- into question his racial identity and petuates the same pervasive racism remained complacent when violent and prejudice they claim to actively threats against the executive team

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

were brought to the board’s attention at a June 12 meeting.

Belisle’s letter backed Hussein’s concern and disappointment with the “continued perpetuation of pervasive racism and prejudice within the UWSA.” At a June 16 meeting, the executive board was placed on paid leave while an independent investigation of the allegations was conducted by the university’s human rights and diversity office (HRDO). Hussein and Belisle resigned before the investigation’s completion.

This resignation follows com-

plaints against the association’s handling of racism dating back to February, when former executives Noelle Sagher and Mahlet Cuff claimed to be harassed and intimidated on the basis of their gender and race by David Teffaine and Sam Cohn, volunteers working for the current slate’s campaign during elections.

Sagher said her reports to the chief elections commissioner of this intimidation were denied and undermined.

During elections, when the current slate was elected, Teffaine assumed a position with the board as student-at-large on the financial subcommittee.

After allegations in early June, an investigation request was filed on behalf of the UWSA executive and a video was released by the three executives and Teffaine addressing allegations against the executive board and against unnamed members.

The following day, a photo was released of Teffaine in blackface and he was removed from his positions with the association.

After their resignations, both Hussein’s and Belisle’s statements corroborated that the executive board

had been barred from a number of meetings discussing budgets due to what Hussein described as a “potential conflict of interest.”

UWSA vice-president student affairs Melanie William remains on the executive board and is co-operating with the ongoing investigation.

This fall, the UWSA will hold an annual by-election to fill seats unfulfilled by the last election.

There have been two other instances where an executive position has been re-elected during a by-election. One in 2005, when there was no candidate on the ballot for what was then the position of vice-president internal and one in 2006, where a full executive slate was elected, but the vice-president internal position was vacated and then re-elected in the by-election.

An association spokesperson said in a statement the board is working with an external consultant to restructure the organization to “ensure the integrity of UWSA democratic processes, to create antioppressive leadership models and to minimize the harm caused to students from underserved communities.”

6

News

News Editors: Gillian Brown and Amira Tekle Contact: gillian@themanitoban.com amira@themanitoban.com

Life in poverty report calls for higher minimum wage Economics assistant professor recommends improvements to provincial policy SARAH DORAN, STAFF

“One of the big differences, though, this time around, was that workers

T

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JESSE HAJER

he Canadian Centre for Policy co-author, Ellen Smirl, to conclude Alternatives (CCPA) released a that the current provincial minimum report Aug. 27 co-authored by Jesse wage of $11.65 is inadequate as a living Hajer, an assistant professor in eco- wage, echoing the 2001 report’s findnomics and the labour studies pro- ings. Hajer and Smirl recommended a gram at the U of M. The report, titled “significant” increase in the minimum “Surviving on Minimum Wage: Lived wage, as well as mandating advance Experiences of Manitoba Workers a notice of shift scheduling changes, nd Policy Implications,” is an update granting paid time off and the estabon a 2001 CCPA study which exam- lishment of a comprehensive poverty ined living conditions of minimum- reduction plan. wage workers and people living in “The findings in the sense that the poverty in Manitoba. minimum wage is too low are the Interviews with workers in same, and a lot of the struggles that Winnipeg and Brandon combined workers faced trying to make ends with quantitative analysis from the meet on the minimum wage were entire province led Hajer and his similar,” Hajer said.

“Workers were very much focused on […] the working conditions under which they were trying to survive” — Jesse Hajer, co-author and assistant professor were very much focused on not just the wage, but the working conditions under which they were trying to survive.”

A major complaint was that even if the provincial minimum wage rose to $15 an hour — which the report uses as an example — the new income wouldn’t necessarily mean workers would be able to get enough hours at their jobs to meaningfully improve their lives. Many people working at

or near minimum wage do not have set hours, and sick days — whether paid or unpaid — are very rare. Only one of the 42 workers interviewed reported receiving any kind of benefits from their employer.

Hajer explained that many socioeconomic forces often combine to create what academics call complex poverty, which manifest as “poverty traps” — essentially, the idea that once someone experiences this type of poverty, it is extremely difficult to get back to a less precarious financial situation because one factor often leads to several others.

While the research for the report was completed before COVID-19 hit Canada, Hajer said the pandemic only exacerbated problems that were already there.

“My sense would be that the additional stress and anxiety on minimum-wage workers of the COVID-19 crises is likely significant, both because they’re on the front lines and they have more exposure, they’re at a greater risk, but also because they were disproportionately impacted by the job losses that took place in the pandemic,” he said.

“So, while a big chunk of minimum-wage workers continued to

work, in the restaurant industry, for example, there were huge numbers of layoffs, and a lot of those jobs are minimum wage jobs, too.”

However, Hajer said he wasn’t convinced about the potential of a national basic universal income — the source of a growin g national movement — in solving economic woes for minimum-wage workers.

He spoke about the need for jobs in sectors like childcare and climate change being more important.

“There’s a lot of work where we could be hiring people to do this work and paying them to do that work, and on the other hand we have a lot of people who can’t find work, who want to work,” Hajer said.

“I think a basic income can be part of the discussion, but I’m also concerned that the focus on the basic income isn’t going to solve all sorts of other problems that exist, and that are tied really closely to the problems basic income is supposed to solve.

“If we’re really talking about alleviating poverty and creating an inclusive society, I think the best way to do that is to support public services that directly meet other needs that we have.”

U of M professor to study long-term effects of vaping Research will further knowledge of the dangers of e-cigarettes MARIO MENDEZ DIAZ, STAFF

T

he University of Manitoba has the potential to become one of Canada’s leading universities studying the health effects of vaping.

Along with two other U of M research projects, assistant professor Chris Pascoe was awarded a research grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to study the effects of vaping on teenagers and young adults.

The knowledge that Pascoe and other researchers will uncover is intended to build the evidence base on which future policies and regulations will address vaping in Canada.

“With the rapid rise in vaping in

effort with the goal of characterizing the type of damage happening, if any, in people between 15 and 25 years of age. “We’re not going in there looking for damage, we’re looking to see what the lung is doing and let it tell us what needs to be researched,” said Pascoe.

The project’s hypothesis is that vaping creates scarring as well as early signs of disease that would be uncommon in a young person’s lungs.

To achieve this, the research project will primarily look at lung tissue from otherwise healthy young people who may show early signs of future PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER illness caused by vaping. “[The study’s participants] aren’t sick. They aren’t Canada, particularly among youth, like traditional smokers, they don’t more research is urgently needed have lung disease as somebody who to understand the long-term health smokes for 40 [to] 50 years. What effects of vaping,” said Judy Bray, vice we’re hoping is that we can see early president, research at the Canadian signs of disease, because our concern Cancer Society. is that those early signs, that damage, Much of the current knowledge that scarring within the lung could around the long-term effects of vap- be leading to something bigger later ing is based on animal models and on,” said Pascoe. cells.

Acute lung damage, such as the “While it’s a good starting point to damage caused by illegal or unreguunderstand whether there is anything lated substances in vaping products potentially hazardous there, it’s no that may result in lung injury, is betsubstitute for what’s happening in ter understood and not within the people,” Pascoe said. project’s scope.

This is where his research comes in.

History repeating itself?

Pascoe’s project is a year-long Pascoe thinks the emerging vap-

ing industry has borrowed value proposals like the ones used for tobacco products in the past. Vaping devices are being marketed toward young people as trendy and in some instances as a health product — an aid to stop smoking.

“At some point we are going to be stuck with a crisis of probably lung disease and people being addicted to these devices” — Chris Pascoe, assistant professor “In 20 years’ time if this follows any trend like what we saw with traditional cigarettes […] at some point we are going to be stuck with a crisis of probably lung disease and people being addicted to these devices,” he said.

Health Canada has created new

legislation regulating vaping advertisements. The new rules — which came into effect in August 2020 — aim to protect youth from advertisements which might induce them to try vaping.

Juul, a vaping company, claimed its product is targeted toward adults only. Pascoe and many other experts think otherwise.

“I don’t think you will find somebody who readily admits that they are targeting young people, but with flavours like bubble gum and cotton candy […] these are not marketed to adults,” Pascoe said. “Whether they say they intend to or not, they are definitely targeting children and young people who would want these kinds of flavours.”

Pascoe sees a need for the research he will be undertaking as he believes the amount of information we currently have about the long-term effects of vaping may be insufficient to protect Canadians.

“There [isn’t] a tax or any kind of health warning that we are able to put out right now like we do with cigarettes, because we just don’t have that information,” said Pascoe. “[Vaping] is so new that we don’t understand the full breadth of the negative effects of these things.”

7

Diversions Graphics Editor: Jenelle McCann Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com /

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Matthew Doering Contact: editor@themanitoban.com

8

Cancel culture is not new but it is legitimate

Criticism of leftists practicing cancel culture is short-sighted LUCAS EDMOND, STAFF

T

his summer has witnessed an influx of op-eds about a so-called “illiberal” cancel culture growing within leftist movements.

Cancel culture is defined as the practice of withdrawing support for public figures, businesses or institutions for expressing controversial opinions or actions.

Beginning with Harper’s Magazine’s “Letter on Justice and Open Debate” published earlier this summer, cancel culture has become a bit of a buzz word and, lately, even a way to delegitimize political movements for perceived intolerance of free speech.

But cancel culture is not new or even growing on the left side of the political spectrum — it has always existed as an atomized political expression no matter where one falls ideologically.

For the most part, it seems natural to withdraw support for a public figure with exposed contradictions to an individual’s ethics — so why is the left being attacked for a political expression everyone seems to partake in?

The difference now appears to fall on changing attitudes toward hegemonic cultural practices that have been rooted in intolerance pertaining to race, sex and gender.

With issues such as combating homophobia, transphobia, racism, misogyny or rape culture at the forefront of many progressive social agen-

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCAN

das, there is little room for promoting contradicts your ethical stance is a fight for improved working condi- figures and their platforms provides a powerful individuals that embody perfectly acceptable tactic of protest. tions and wages. Similarly, in 1911 course of action that is easy and effecand normalize these attitudes.

And it is not new. the suffragettes of England would tive for people with less of a power to It seems people in positions of The suffrage, civil rights and stage a historic boycott of the annual influence public perceptions. power are uncomfortable with the labour movements have utilized boy- government census, transforming the To this point, it should always be a fact that cancel culture challenges cotting support for particular figures, papers into a platform to display their priority to attempt to dissuade people their privileges, which have histori- businesses and laws in order to get political grievances — writing things from toxic and hateful beliefs. But, cally been protected by a society that like “I will not supply these particu- in the case of uneven power dynamhas bred conformity over embracing lars until I have my rights as a citizen. ics between popular public figures social diversity.

The difference now Votes for women” and “dumb politi- with the ability to influence and the It is a response to a changing intelcally, blind to the census, deaf to the average individual lacking a platappears to fall on lectual environment that no longer enumerator.” form, one’s voice may be muffled or Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, the go unheard. lets controversial opinions slide as changing attitudes simply “harmless,” or finds nothing American civil rights movement In this context, cancel culture toward hegemonic remarkable about a gay couple kissing would attempt to desegregate the seems like a justifiable method of goodbye at the bus stop or a student dollar by boycotting businesses that action. cultural practices reading bell hooks in a literature class. promoted intolerant views in the What is the point of having “open that have been Although much must still be hopes that companies would gradu- discussion,” as Harper’s letter sugachieved in the intellectual world to reform their policies due to rev- gests, when one’s voice can be simply rooted in intolerance ally alleviate our ailing racial, cultural, enue loss. ignored? gender and sexual bigotry, the culture Instead of being seen as an insidiIt is crucial to understand that pertaining to race, of intolerance has met a new impasse ous ploy by leftists to undermine peo- there is absolutely nothing unique sex and gender for people who have the power to ple’s careers, cancel culture should about cancel culture. It is simply a influence through fame or money. hn be understood as a method of direct response to unethical stances of And although free speech isn’t a action that transcends punishments public figures who rely on support cause the left can afford to abandon, their agendas and points across. It is sanctioned by the state — making it, from the public for their livelihoods cancel culture does not necessarily not a unique development brought in a sense, more democratic.

— a reality which many people have restrict people’s right to speak like the on by the Black Lives Matter or the This point is important both in decided to exploit to discipline the letter in Harper’s Magazine suggests #MeToo movements. It is simply a principle and pragmatically for left- powerful. it does — it merely provides a way continuation of the social rights activ- ists and progressives.

When individuals decry the toxic of holding individuals accountable ism that preceded us.

Reaching to direct action as a nature of cancel culture, they are for the things they have expressed The boycott was originally popu- mode of protest is crucial in step- simultaneously speaking against or acted on. larized by Charles Stewart Parnell ping toward a more radical demo- those traumatized by their hateful In an age where anything you see in 19th century Ireland as a way cratic transformation of our society words and actions. or hear can be commodified, adver- to protest landlords attempting to from within.

Cancel culture provides a powertised and sold, having the ability to raise rents and evict their tenants.

Relying on the state to transform ful voice to victims of intolerance and withdraw your consumption of some- It would later be widely adopted our cultural institutions would be a they should not be silenced. one’s music, hot takes or business for by labour unions as a tactic to gain direct contradiction of this very prinexpressing a sentiment that directly better leverage over employers and ciple and cancelling support for public

Comment Comment Editor: Lucas Edmond Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

10

A guaranteed basic income will make the rich richer History shows basic incomes hurt the working class, we must fight for a reduced workday LUCAS EDMOND, STAFF

W

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

ith the Canadian Emergency the working class with reduced hourly In essence, Speenhamland could possibly incentivize this — time is money, after all.

Response Benefit coming to its wages and reduced political leverage. allowed employers to exploit the transition.

Beyond this, a four-hour workday conclusion at the end of September Although appearing to be a surplus value of workers’ time even Without human labour, the bar- has the potential to eliminate unemand the COVID-19 pandemic still in paradox — after all, how could free further. By extension, this widened gaining power of the working class ployment, opening up a significant full swing, the federal government is money lead to a poorer working class? the inequality gap. would be demolished. It would be portion of positions if employers reviewing a new benefit that could — there is a fairly simple economic In time, productivity reduced and forced to appeal to the capitalist class decide to maintain their original draw Canada closer to adopting a logic to this process that can be exem- so did overall economic output — for a subsistence in order to buy prod- hours of operation. guaranteed basic income — a policy plified by the pre-capitalist English with the economic deflation, income ucts back from those same people. that has been discussed for several Speenhamland system adopted in supports were also reduced and the The inequality gap would snowball Although many decades.

1795. long-term agency of the working poor as the state would essentially be subA guaranteed income would subSpeenhamland was adopted by was degraded by rampant govern- sidizing people’s livings which would people may think the sidize wages in order to give every- the English government to help alle- ment paternalism. eventually end up back in the pockets four-hour workday body a base living standard. Unlike viate pressures on families caused When Speenhamland ended in of wealthy business owners. welfare, guaranteed basic incomes by the rising price of grain. The 1834, an even more sinister paterThe point of productive policy sounds like a fantasy, are unconditional. state actively subsidized household nalism took its place to reform the should not be to diminish the agency Derek Holt, a head administrator incomes to ensure every man of a “idle” working poor. The Dickensian and freedom of working people — it wasn’t long ago at Scotiabank in Toronto, Ont., has household could afford roughly 25 workhouse would terrorize the unem- it should be to empower them and that the eight-hour said the new economic recovery ben- pounds of bread a week and an addi- ployed and impoverished, funneling reduce their exploitation. workday did, too efits that will be utilized for the next tional loaf and a half for each family them into abusive surveillance houses A reduced workday could serve as 12 months could result in a permanent member. It essentially served as the to ensure idleness was stamped out an alternative to a guaranteed basic guaranteed income sometime in the world’s first guaranteed basic income. of the population. But idleness was income. It would have the intended near future.

While in the short term this policy not a problem of personal attitudes effects of a basic income without Although many people may think With debates ramping up about a worked to alleviate significant eco- toward work, it was merely a problem diluting the working class’ agency. the four-hour workday sounds like a guaranteed basic income, it is time to nomic pressures, in the long run it produced by exploitation and lack of Further, it would come directly from fantasy, it wasn’t long ago that the reflect whether it actually benefits the served to demolish the agency of the employment. the pockets of the capitalist class in eight-hour workday did, too. Now it material interests of the working class working poor and undermine their Now, a similar situation could be the form of wages instead of jumping is hard to imagine a weekday withand if not, what causes we should be standard of living. on the horizon. through bureaucratic mazes. out it. fighting for to advance our interests.

Karl Polanyi, a prolific histoThe biggest incentive for a basic Reducing the workday to four Reduced work weeks have been While appearing to be a gener- rian and anthropologist of the 20th income lately has been to ensure a hours and maintaining levels of pay championed by labour unions for over ous step in the right direction, his- century, wrote that Speenhamland base living standard before machines with inflation would act as a natural a century for a reason. If we want tory has shown that adopting a basic topped up wages unconditionally and, completely replace human labour. redistributor of wealth. The less of to establish a more equitable world, income policy could be disastrous for as a result, employers would actively Unfortunately, this is exactly the your time employers have to exploit, guaranteed basic income is not the the working poor — not only would hire workers at below-subsistence situation the working class should the less surplus they can extract, place to look — the future rests with this benefit employers in the long run, wages. The additional costs were then attempt to prevent for as long as pos- thereby costing them more money the four-hour day. but it could rip the carpet from under shouldered by the local government. sible. And adopting a basic income and saving the working class theirs

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

12

Wit and intimacy in quintessentially ‘Winnipeg’ film Sean Garrity’s latest work shines a light on the city and its local talent DOMINIQUE WIGHTMAN

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BEDBUG FILMS

S

ean Garrity’s latest film I Propose We Never See Each Other Again After Tonight is an intimate, authentic and humorous exploration of life and love within Winnipeg and its Filipino diaspora.

Described as “[a] romantic comedy about love, and loss, and winter, and banana sauce,” the film follows a love affair between Iris DelaCruz and Simon Friesen in the midst of a Winnipeg winter.

The relationship is disrupted when Simon, afraid of long-term commitment, suggests he and Iris take a break. Interpreting this as any normal person would, Iris sleeps with another man. Soon, Simon invites himself back into Iris’s life. While their rekindled relationship goes smoothly enough initially, things get complicated once Iris realizes her decision was the result of a serious miscommunication.

Garrity’s previous work has gar-

nered comparison to films by David Cronenberg, Atom Egoyan and Luis Buñuel. His latest film, though, has more in common with the work of Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow, being a mostly-successful combination of raunch and heart buoyed by snappy dialogue.

The film’s best moments are its dialogue sequences, which Garrity refers to as the poetry of the halfsentence. Garrity’s script balances wit with intimacy, allowing lead actors Hera Nalam and Kristian Jordan to express their complete range of emotion.

Nalam, who plays Iris, shines alongside her Filipino co-stars, whose contributions to Garrity’s script enliven a series of emotional and humorous highlights.

Incorporating a pidgin of Tagalog and English — referred to by Garrity as “Taglish” — into Iris’s immigrant home, the film subverts the dialogic

conventions of family drama and comedy of manners in a respectful showcase of Filipino identity.

Garrity’s heartfelt recognition of Winnipeg and its Filipino community helps the film overcome its minor weaknesses.

While not a technical tour-deforce, Garrity’s confident direction creates an effective synergy of form and content.

Andrew Forbes’s handheld camerawork combines with Garrity’s intentionally clumsy dialogue to create an informal authenticity. Forbes crea-

tively navigates the film’s indoor and narrative arc, is never introduced. outdoor locations, proudly displaying His work life is only explored in a Winnipeg landmarks. brief comedic vignette and the most Divorced from its significance as important decision he makes in the a “Winnipeg” movie, the film does film is explored entirely in his absence. have its flaws.

This would not be an issue if The film maintains a fairly light- Garrity presented Iris as the film’s hearted, PG-13 approach to sexual- exclusive protagonist. However, he ity, which effectively contributes to a establishes Simon in a co-protagonist quirky, lighthearted tone. A sequence role, causing this inequality to stand where Simon and Iris passionately out. disrobe their five layers of winter Still, Garrity’s heartfelt recogniapparel is particularly humorous. tion of Winnipeg and its Filipino This tone is disrupted in the film’s community helps the film overcome final 20 minutes by an explicit sex its minor weaknesses. The film scene, which is more jarring than should serve as a treat for cinephiles emotional. seeking an independent alternative Further, Iris is afforded character to Christopher Nolan’s opportunistic development at the expense of Simon. monopoly on summer movies.

Iris’s character development occurs within a meticulously conI Propose We Never See Each structed nexus between her family Other Again After Tonight is one of life, romantic affairs and personal the only new films in Winnipeg theatres. growth.

It is currently playing at Cineplex Odeon Simon’s family, despite the impor- McGillivray Cinemas and Cinema City tance of his family history to the film’s Northgate.

VOL. 107 NO. 04 September 09, 2020

Arts & Culture

13

A little something special for National Video Games Day The Manitoban staff names games that took up too much of their time during quarantine STAFF

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

W

ith the novel coronavirus pandemic still running rampant in the real world, many have turned to the video game world for comfort and conversation during long hours spent self-isolating, allowing friends to connect and play with each other remotely. In honour of National Video Games Day on Sept. 12, the staff at the Manitoban has compiled a short list of what we’ve been playing over the past few months to celebrate all the things we love about gaming.

The story begins with the protag- enduring popularity. Discussions success as it is in Dark Souls. and content, Silent Hill 2 provides onist, whose name and gender are about the game often focus on its Everything is deliberate. an engaging combination of combat determined by the player, rescuing a punishing difficulty that provides Every location visited, every and puzzle gameplay to express its trio of students from a band of ruffi- the backbone for its gameplay, but enemy encounter, every item acquired poignant meditation on guilt and loss. ans in a remote village. As luck would I find the reason I keep returning to over its roughly 30-hour journey Incorporating a diversity of aeshave it, the teens are the leaders of the game — and what sets Dark Souls means something, all contributing to thetic and narrative influences, Silent the titular three houses, as well as apart from so many other great games a complex and captivating narrative. Hill 2 challenges the audience with its Uncovering another piece in the nuanced and metaphorical approach future rulers of Fódlan, the fictional — is its narrative. continent where the story is set. They Few stories in video games are puzzle of one of the game’s many to difficult subject matter. It manages are all eager for the protagonist to join interwoven stories by merely read- to operate at the visceral and emotheir ranks, but the player can only ing an item description or even just tional extremes of the horror genre choose one side to fight for. examining your surroundings feels while retaining a fundamental senMany have turned Until their next playthrough, that rewarding in a way that is impossi- sitivity in its storytelling, flawlessly to the video game is. ble in anything besides a video game realizing the artistic potential of early Fire Emblem: Three Houses Though Fire Emblem is a long- world for comfort because it requires the player to act. 2000s console gaming.

Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah, standing franchise — going on its While most other video games The combat mechanics and graphand conversation arts and culture editor 30th year in 2020 — the developers at aim to mimic the language of film, ics are understandably dated, yet Intelligent Systems managed to keep Dark Souls speaks in terms that only ageing graphics pose no problem to during the long Heralding the series’ triumphant things fresh by incorporating new this burgeoning medium is capable the game’s thoroughly constructed hours spent return to home consoles last year, Fire gameplay elements into Three Houses, of when conveying its narrative. It atmosphere.

Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical role- such as exploration, side quests and remains unique and it is exactly what Creative camera angles, inspired self-isolating playing game with elements of visual mini games to supplement the corother games should strive for. level design and Konami’s emphasis novels and social simulators all rolled nerstone combat and social elements on mind-bending and disturbing into one experience that’s not only that keep fans of the series coming Silent Hill 2 puzzle sequences in place of combat unique on the Nintendo Switch, but back for more. able to justify their presence within Dominique Wightman draws strength from simplicity and is in gaming as a whole. the medium, but Dark Souls breaks as enjoyable today on next-gen conThree Houses presents an intricate Dark Souls the traditional mould of video game Revisited nearly 20 years after its soles as it was on PlayStation 2. story with colourful characters, a Ty Brass, managing editor stories being told through cutscenes initial release, Konami’s survivalmemorable soundtrack and high and non-interactive dialogue. horror magnum opus Silent Hill 2 replay value that features 3D aniNearly nine years after its release, Environmental storytelling is pre- has stood the test of time. mated cutscenes and fully voiced Dark Souls remains a unique video sent in many other games but rarely, A ground-breaking expansion of dialogue for maximum immersion. game despite its strong sales and if ever, to quite the same extent and the survival-horror genre in form

14

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

‘Transplant’ creator discusses show’s move to U.S.

Joseph Kay brings honesty, empathy to medical drama SHAYLYN MAHARAJ-POLIAH, STAFF

about developing a medical drama, and after reading about how hard it is for international medical graduates to qualify for residency spots in Canada, I had the idea about grounding a medical show in the experience of a refugee,” said Kay. “The market for medical dramas tends to be more soap and melodrama, and I wanted our show to, instead of that, be as grounded and as emotionally honest as possible.”

F

ans of the Canadian medical grant experience with an ensemble drama Transplant are going to medical drama. have to make room in the fandom Transplant follows the story as the show made its American of Syrian doctor, Bashir “Bash” television debut this past week on Hamed, played by Hamza Haq, and NBC. The 13-part series aired Sept. his younger sister, Amira, played by 1, immediately following the live Sirena Gulamgaus. After fleeing broadcast of America’s Got Talent. It their war-torn country and arriving joins NBC’s current lineup of medical in Canada, Bash must balance builddramas, including New Amsterdam ing a life for himself and his sister and the demands of his new residency at and Chicago Med. Transplant first aired in Canada a busy Toronto hospital. in February and quickly became the The cast is rounded out by most-watched scripted show on tele- Laurence Leboeuf, Ayisha Issa, Jim vision. It sets itself apart from similar Watson and John Hannah.

Joseph Kay, the creator of the shows by incorporating the immi-

story of one man’s struggle to start his life over. We hope to give those issues […] a human face and build empathy for his experience.”

In addition to Transplant, Kay’s writing credits include CBC’s This Life and This Is Wonderland, CBS’s Ransom, Netflix’s Frontier, Global’s Bomb Girls and HBO Canada’s Living in Your Car. Kay’s advice for young, aspiring writers is the simple but tried and true adage that practice makes perfect.

“The first draft is always bad,” Kay said.

“We do strive to “Show it to your friends, encourbe a grounded, age honest and unmerciful feedback, then rewrite and get better. There’s emotionally honest no such thing as an overnight sucstory of one man’s cess, it’s always the product of years of hard work.” struggle to start PHOTO PROVIDED BY GATPR Though fans on both sides of the border may have to wait a while for a his life over” — show, believes this new take on the second season due to the worldwide old classic television genre “has a Joseph Kay, writer pandemic situation, Kay confirms chance to attract audiences who love there are definitely plans for one in medical stories, but to also pull in the future. viewers looking for another way in.”

With the current political cli“[It’s] being written right now.”

Kay — who was born in Winnipeg mate in the U.S., Kay hopes for the and grew up in the River Heights and show to play “a meaningful role” in If you missed out on its original run, Tuxedo areas — also serves as the the conversation surrounding the Transplant is currently rerunning on show’s writer, director, showrunner Black Lives Matter movement, the CTV on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. The full series and executive producer and said the impending presidential election and is also currently available to stream on idea came to him after the 2016 U.S. immigration bans. ctv.ca.

“Our show isn’t political, it’s enterelection, when immigration was a hot topic and Canada saw an influx tainment,” Kay said, “but we do strive of Syrian refugees. to be a grounded, emotionally honest “I was talking to some producers

15

Sports Sports Editor: Isaiah Wagner Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

Wagner’s 2020 NHL mock draft Lafrenière goes first overall, some surprises ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

Askarov is the number one goalie prospect in the draft class. The Wild are in need of a goalie now. Although Askarov is not NHL-ready, he would be a great replacement for Devan Dubnyk and has the potential to be a future top goaltender.

10. Winnipeg Jets — Jake Sanderson

(myNHLdraft - Seth Jarvis) The Jets lost many defencemen last season and never really replaced them. Sanderson is just what the Jets need — he is an elite skater who has a physical presence that can change a game.

11. Nashville Predators — Jack Quinn

(myNHLdraft — Jake Sanderson)

W

Quinn is another prolific scorer ith the NHL entry draft on need of some defensive help. Drysdale Oct. 9 and 10 set to feature is the number one defenceman in this in this draft. His offensive abilities some of the league’s next big talent draft and he could provide Detroit are complemented by his defensive and the teams they will be playing for, with their future top-pairing defence- presence on the ice. every fan has their own opinions on men. Drysdale is an elite puck mover who will be going where and when. with the vision and skill compara- 12. Florida Panthers Here is my mock draft with a lit- ble to rookie phenomenon Quinn — Kaiden Guhle tle bit of insight on the players and Hughes. (myNHLdraft — Jack Quinn) their fit with the team. I have given MyNHLdraft picks as well for an 5. Ottawa Senators As the Panthers blue line ages, the need for young talent becomes insight on other hockey analysts picks. — Marco Rossi (myNHLdraft — Jamie Drysdale) desperate. Guhle is the perfect two1. New York Rangers way defenceman the team will be — Alexis Lafrenière Rossi stands at 5’9 but plays way looking for. (myNHLdraft — Lafrenière) bigger than he is. He is an elite scorer and has an insane hockey IQ. Rossi 13. Carolina Hurricanes The sure number one pick in flew up the rankings this year after — Anton Lundell this year’s draft will be a Ranger. his great year in the Ontario Hockey (myNHLdraft — Yaroslav Askarov) Lafrenière has the size, speed and League for the Ottawa 67’s. This junskill to be an elite player in the NHL ior player would be a great fit for the Lundell is a very talented 200-foot for years to come. His outstanding Senators. centre. This means that he makes elite level of strength on the puck and plays in the offensive and defensive zones of the ice. skills on the ice should set him up 6. Anaheim Ducks for success when the puck drops for — Cole Perfetti the Rangers home-opener. (myNHLdraft — Marco Rossi) 14. Edmonton Oilers

2. Los Angeles Kings — Quinton Byfield

(myNHLdraft — Quinton Byfield)

With improved skating, Perfetti could turn out to be one of the best players in the draft class. He is a shootout wizard and has a variety of moves in his back pocket to beat the goalies at an NHL level.

— Seth Jarvis

(myNHLdraft - Dawson Mercer) Ultimately skilled Jarvis could be exactly what Connor McDavid may be looking for. A strong winger to play with McDavid would be an ideal selection here.

The Kings have plenty of high-calibre prospects in the system. Byfield would add power and skill down the middle and could ultimately be the 7. New Jersey Devils future replacement of aging Anze — Lucas Raymond 15. Toronto Maple Leafs Kopitar. Byfield is a mountain of a (myNHLdraft - Alexander Holtz) — Braden Schneider man standing at 6’4 and 214 pounds (myNHLdraft — Braden Schneider) and could possibly step in and make Another elite scorer is primed The possibility of losing a few an impact in the Kings lineup right to go in the top 10 of the draft. The away.

Swedish forward would be a great fit key pieces of their defence core is in in the Devils lineup alongside nota- play for the Leafs. The hard-hitting 3. Ottawa Senators ble previous first-overall picks Nico Schneider could be a key piece for — Tim Stützle Hischier and Jack Hughes. years to come. (myNHLdraft — Tim Stützle) Stützle is in competition for the best hands in the entire draft class.

The German-born player is perfect for the North American game with his extreme level of skill, speed and his intense competitive spirit.

4. Detroit Red Wings — Jamie Drysdale

(myNHLdraft — Lucas Raymond) The Red Wings are in desperate

8.Buffalo Sabres — Alexander Holtz

16. Montreal Canadiens — Dawson Mercer

Similar to Raymond, Holtz has a lethal release. The unhappy Jack Eichel could change his mind very quick after the drafting of Holtz.

The Canadiens continue the search for their number one centre.

The addition of defensive forward Mercer would be a great completion for their other suitors.

(myNHLdraft — Cole Perfetti)

9. Minnesota Wild — Yaroslav Askarov

(myNHLdraft - Anton Lundell)

(myNHLdraft — Noel Gunler)

17. Chicago Blackhawks — Connor Zary

(myNHLdraft — Connor Zary) The Blackhawks would be getting a very competitive all-around player in Zary. He is a very good playmaker and an above-average defensive player.

18. New Jersey Devils - Noel Gunler

(myNHLdraft — Rodion Amirov) Gunler is a bit of a wildcard pick.

He is a good-sized player with elite offensive abilities. His potential is unknown and could end up a steal for the Devils.

19. Calgary Flames — Rodion Amirov

(myNHLdraft — Dylan Holloway) The Russian-born player could be a steal at number 19 for the Flames.

He has high offensive talent and a natural goal-scorers touch.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets — Dylan Holloway

(myNHLdraft — Jan Mysak-New Jersey Devils) The big, 200-foot player would be a great addition to the Blue Jackets.

His big frame would enhance his puck protection skills.

21. New York Rangers — Jan Mysak

(myNHLdraft — Mavrik BourqueColumbus Blue Jackets)

The hard-working forward is someone who can sit in the minors for the Avalanche and continue to develop his offensive skill.

26. Boston Bruins — Thomas Bordeleau

(myNHLdraft — William WallinderSt Louis Blues) Bordeleau is an all-around great player. He is very offensive and defensive-minded and would fit very well in a Bruins uniform.

27. Ottawa Senators — Hendrix Lapierre

(myNHLdraft — Tyson FoersterAnaheim Ducks) The Senators could get their third forward of the draft. They may take a chance on a skilled forward in Lapierre.

28. Dallas Stars — Lukas Reichel

(myNHLdraft — Helge GransPhiladelphia Flyers) Reichel plays a high-tempo game by creating offensive plays and scoring creative goals.

29. Philadelphia Flyers — Zion Nybeck

(myNHLdraft — Zion NybeckColorado Avalanche The combination of skill and speed makes up for the lack of size that Nybeck possesses.

The Rangers could select another forward in this draft with Mysak.

He is a very smooth player with soft 30. Vegas Golden Knights — Ryan O’Rourke hands and a quick release. (myNHLdraft — Roni Hirvonen22. Washington Capitals San Jose Sharks)

— William Wallinder

(myNHLdraft — Jacob PerreaultOttawa Senators) The Capitals could get a tall defenceman who is a great puck mover. Wallinder is also a very good skater.

23. St. Louis Blues — Mavrik Bourque

(myNHLdraft — Hendrix LapierreDallas Stars)

One of the flashiest players in the draft, Bourque has great hands and could be a very good centre for the Blues in the future.

24.New Jersey Devils — Jacob Perreault

(myNHLdraft — Kaiden GuhleNew York Rangers) The Devils may get an all-around offensive player. Perreault has great vision and an above-average release.

25. Colorado Avalanche — John-Jason Peterka

(myNHLdraft - John-Jason PeterkaWashington Capitals)

O’Rourke is a defenceman who is capable of competing game in and game out against the other team’s top guys.

31. San Jose Sharks — Brendan Brisson

(myNHLdraft — Lukas ReichelVegas Golden Knights) The highly skilled centre would be a great fit for the Sharks. Brisson is an elite playmaker and is very competitive.

16

Sports

Sports Editor: Isaiah Wagner Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

CFL cancels 2020 season

U-Sports reverses football eligibility rule for the 2021 season

Fans disappointed but understanding of cancellation ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

D

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, U-Sports decided they would not change their football player eligibility rule and, as a result, many players would be losing a year of eligibility due to the cancelled season.

The previous rule stated that players who turn 25 years of age this year will be losing a year of eligibility due to the cancellation of the 2020 season.

Recent discussions have decided U-Sports will be switching its decision — it will be allowing 25-year-olds to play in the 2021 season.

This means any players who would have been eligible to play in the 2020 season are still eligible to play in the 2021 season and can continue to remain training this season.

This is great news for the players.

It gives the older players one last chance to win a championship, something they may have thought they were going to lose.

This ultimately impacts eight Bison football players who will be ready to go for the 2021 season.

T

he Canadian Football League (CFL) was planning on playing a shortened season this upcoming fall.

Due to financial complications, it has been decided that the 2020 season will be cancelled and that the league will resume in 2021.

This is hard news for many fans of the CFL, but especially those of the reigning Grey Cup champs, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Blue Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12 last season to win the 2019 Grey Cup championship.

University of Manitoba student and long-time Bomber fan Devyn Turner is disappointed by the fact that the season is cancelled.

“It sucks to say, but I think it is a

good thing that the season is cancelled,” Turner said.

“With many cases rising, safety needs to be the number one priority,” he added.

Earlier this summer, Winnipeg was chosen as the hub city for all of the CFL games in the event the league and players could reach an agreement.

Winnipeg as a hub city would have meant that every game of the season would be played in Winnipeg and that every player would live there for the duration of the season.

As cool and interesting as that would have been, it also would have brought a lot of people and players to Winnipeg and could have potentially made Winnipeg a hot

spot for COVID-19.

“With many cases rising, safety needs to be the number one priority” — Devyn Turner, fan Many Bomber fans must feel this way, too.

It is important to remain safe.

Safety must be the number one priority of the CFL and their fans, no matter how disappointing it must be.

“As a Bomber fan, I feel very sad,”

Turner said.

“I was hoping for a chance to be back-to-back champions, but I guess we will have to wait.”

Turner has decided to not branch off to other activities, but instead he wants to watch more sports.

“Instead of watching the CFL, I will definitely be more focused on other leagues such as the National Football League and the National Hockey League,” Turner said Bomber fans can now focus their attention to their favorite NFL team or shift over to the Winnipeg Jets later this year.

Although fans will not be able to watch the Jets in the NHL playoffs, the NHL’s regular season should be starting in December.