15 November 2017

NEWS

Tuition hikes on the horizon Bill 31 is now law

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NEWS

Toward reconciliation

UMSU to implement ReconciliAction PAGE 5

COMMENT

Singled out Confronting Antisemitism on Canadian campuses PAGE 11

SPORTS

Hometown Herd impresses Bisons finish sixth at women’s soccer nationals PAGE 16 VO L 1 0 4 · N O 1 3 · N OV E M B E R 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Sohni Tappia

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ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Ryan Catte

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITOR Shaden Abusaleh

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

There’s an app for that

COMMENT EDITOR Shawn Huberdeau

comment@themanitoban.com

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Olivia Michalczuk

arts@themanitoban.com

Calculating the human cost of massive cellphone consumption

SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

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DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Bram Keast

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

PHOTO EDITOR Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

SOCIAL EDITOR Carolyne Kroeker

social@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Kellie Huynh GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela PHOTO ASSOCIATE Chantal Zdan PHOTO ASSOCIATE Quincy Houdayer

REPORTERS

ARTS

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Qudus Abusaleh

Five-star show has another go

GENERAL ASSIGNMENT Diana-Abasi Ubokudom COLUMNIST Levi Garber COLUMNIST Kenny Ingram ARTS & CULTURE Jen Doerksen SPORTS Jason Pchajek COPY ASSOCIATE Matthew Doering

Fringe play Heavenly Bodies returns to the stage PAGE 13

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

COMMENT

Reclaiming Allahu Akbar A history lesson PAGE 10

Will Gibson Anthony Labonté Jared Gauthier Michael Bell

Hayden Mekai Mushinski Erin Meagan Schwartz

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News

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Bill 31 passes despite student opposition

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

The Advanced Education Administration Act allows Manitoba universities to increase tuition fees five per cent plus inflation annually, relaxes restrictions on course related fees SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

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ollowing an all-night legislative session, Bill 31 - introduced in March - passed its third reading with a majority early morning on Nov. 10.

The Advanced Education Administration Act lifts a cap on tuition hikes that has held increases to inf lation since 2012 and will remove restrictions on course related fees. Universities in Manitoba will be free to increase tuition fees by up to five per cent plus inflation annually beginning September 2018.

Proceedings at the legislature were delayed for about four hour Nov. 9 following a sound system malfunction. Nine bills were then debated and voted on in a marathon session that lasted until 4 a.m. the next morning.

Bill 31 was second-last law to be voted in at 2:20 a.m.

Annie Beach, aboriginal student commissioner for the Canadian Federation of Students - Manitoba (CFS-MB), said the federation is upset the Progressive Conservative government did not listen to students’ concerns regarding the bill.

Almost 50 people spoke overwhelmingly against Bill 31 at a committee hearing on Oct. 25.

This included representatives from CFS-MB, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), and private citizens.

During question period Thursday, NDP education critic Matt Wiebe urged minister of education and training Ian Wishart to remove Bill 31.

“The government doesn’t have its priorities straight,” he said. “The government is more concerned about the premier’s arbitrary austerity targets rather than concerned about keeping tuition affordable.”

Wishart responded by saying the PCs are “ working constructively with our post-secondary education institutions to make sure that we have a long-term, sustainable program,” and complemented the PCs’ “robust” Manitoba Scholarship and Bursary Initiative (MSBI) program.

Premier Brian Pallister’s single campaign promise regarding postsecondary education was an $11 million increase in provincial funding to the MSBI program, bringing the total to $20 million, $13 million of which will be raised from the private sector. Pallister pledged to fulfill this promise by the end of the 2018 fiscal year.

According to information obtained by the NDP through a freedom-of-information request, just over $1.8 million in private funding has been raised so far.

Students protest Bill 31 at the Manitoba legislature.

released strings of signed postcards, and dropped leaflets onto the chamber floor. The students were then escorted out of the chamber.

Speaker Myrna Driedger called the students action “A very serious offence,” and “not something that we take lightly.”

“I am very concerned to see that happen,” Driedger told the MLAs and the gallery, “and I’m really hoping that there was no participation by anybody in this room to encourage those students to do that.”

Beach, who was among the students protesting at the gallery, said the action was a final attempt to “try to get our voices heard right before they vote on the bill and hopefully change their minds.”

“We did as much as we could to follow democratic process and our voices weren’t being heard or valued

by PC MLAs,” Beach said. “We had over 4,000 students sign petition postcards, proving that it’s not just a small group of students - it’s not just the Canadian Federation of Students that are opposing the bill.”

“We tried as much to be clear that students oppose the bill and we weren’t listened to so it’s too bad that the government doesn’t really value its students and doesn’t value the economic future of Manitoba,” she added.

Students shift focus onto universities

Beach said now that the bill has passed, CFS-MB will take its fight directly to university administrations.

“We’ll be focusing on the presidents of the universities in ensuring that they don’t take advantage of this bill after it being passed,” she said.

“So we’ll probably do more outreach Question period protest at individual universities and target With four minutes left in ques- specific university representatives and tion period, about two dozen students administration.” in two sections of the public gallery UMSU president Tanjit Nagra unfolded “Stop Bill 31” banners, said, “At this point, we need to focus

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

our efforts at the U of M board of 2007 by the NDP, offered gradu- under this new law.” governors, and ensure that we are ates up to 60 per cent rebate on the Universities in Manitoba had their advocating for the board to not imple- total amount of tuition fees paid over operating grants frozen in the 2017 ment higher tuition fees just because their time in post-secondary educa- provincial budget at the 2016-17 level, the government has given them the tion, capped at $2,500 per year and following several years of annual 2.5 licence to do so.” $25,000 in total. The rebate paid out per cent increases under the NDP In January, the U of M board of $58.5 million a year in tuition rebates. government. Provincial allocations governors experienced its largest onethis year totalled more than $363.1 time turnover in several years after million to the U of M individually the government appointed 11 new and approximately $704.6 million members to the board responsible “We did as much to all provincial post-secondary for overseeing the administrative and institutions. as we could to business concerns of the university. 12 Kinew said that while he “can’t of the 23 positions on the board are condone,” the students’ protest in follow democratic government appointments. the gallery, the government’s failure U of M executive director of public to engage their concerns left them process and our affairs John Danakas said in an email discontented. that “the university is still in the pro- voices weren’t being “I think this nonviolent protest that cess of its strategic resource planning happened [Thursday] does show how heard or valued by for the upcoming year,” adding that frustrated a lot of students are, first of PC MLAs” – Annie while final decisions have not been all with the tuition hikes, but second reached, “there is a firm commitment of all the fact that they came to comBeach, CFS-MB to ensure post-secondary studies at mittee to voice their opposition and it the University of Manitoba remain doesn’t appear that the government aboriginal student accessible.” listened to them in any way,” he said. commissioner In a release posted on UM Today “There was no amendment to in March following the Progressive the bill, there was no let’s meet you Conservatives’ announcement of halfway from Pallister’s side of the Bill 31, U of M president and vicetable and so I think it just shows the chancellor David Barnard indicated Position of the opposition frustration that a lot of students are the university will take advantage of Manitoba NDP leader Wab feeling.” the opportunity to increase fees.

Kinew said the passing of Bill 31 into “There’s always the chance to “At the University of Manitoba law is “a sign that things are going to change government,” Kinew added, we have maintained consistently get a little bit harder for students and “and we’ve been very clear that if we’re that increasing tuition rates to bring their families in Manitoba.” elected in 2020, we’d repeal this bill.” them more in line with those at simiCalling it “the wrong direction,” Kinew a dded that in addition to lar universities across Canada will Kinew added, “We’re disappointed repealing the bill, if elected, the NDP help achieve this goal” of the U of with it but we’re also energized will address other barriers facing stuM being a “modern, well-equipped, because we know that students need dents’ access to post-secondary edunationally and internationally com- us to stand up for them that much cation, including social and mental petitive,” university. more and so we’re committed to health barriers.

Barnard added that additional doing that.”

Kinew reiterated his promise to funds would allow the university to Kinew also criticized the govern- commit to a post-secondary tuition provide more students with improved ment’s freezing of operating grants fee waiver program for young peoscholarships and bursaries and to universities. ple coming out of the child-welfare enhance programming and facilities “I think that it’s sort of like a one- system. at the U of M. two punch against students because The legislature is now on a break In its 2017/18 budget, the provin- Pallister’s frozen operating grants,” until Nov. 21 when the PC governcial government scrapped the tuition he said. ment will announce its plans for the fee income tax rebate for graduates “So it means that there’s a ton of coming year in a speech from the who stay in Manitoba. pressure on administrations to raise throne.

The tax measure, introduced in tuition by the maximum allowed

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News

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

Students protesting Bill 31 escorted out of the Legislative Building IMREET KAUR, STAFF

PHOTOS BY ASHA NELSON

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tudents and others partaking in a peaceful sit-in protest to oppose Bill 31 outside Premier Brian Pallister’s office were escorted out of the Legislative Building Nov. 8.

The protesters were opposing Bill 31 - the Advanced Education Administration Amendment Act that was introduced to the legislature in March. The bill rolls back legislation put in place by the NDP in 2012 that holds tuition increases to the rate of inflation.

The bill went back to the legislature for a third and final reading Nov. 9. Following an all-night legislative session, the bill was passed into law in the early morning hours on Nov. 10. The bill permits post-secondary

institutions to increase tuition by five per cent on top of the rate of inflation annually beginning in the 2018/19 academic year. The law also lifts restrictions on course-related fees.

Annie Beach, aboriginal commissioner for Canadian Federation of Students-Mantioba (CFS-MB), said the students aimed for the protest to be peaceful and respectful, without blocking any doorways.

“Our goal for the day was to peacefully and respectfully demonstrate, the last day before the provincial government [was] to vote on the bill, to share our voices and opinions one last time on behalf of over 4,000 students who oppose Bill 31,” Beach said.

According to Beach, security per-

sonnel told the protesting students “We made it to the front entrance they were not allowed to perform lobby of the legislature, and even had acts of protest inside the Legislative our visitor passes removed."

Building.

U of M Arts Student Body “We were not chanting, simply Council president Jakob Sanderson reading books and quietly working said student leaders were representing on homework for classes we are cur- their peers. rently in,” Beach said.

“Student leaders are not delinBeach said that 10 minutes into quents or trouble-makers,” he said. the sit-in, security guards arrived “We have been devoting countless and said they had received a com- hours and energy the last few months plaint via phone call about students to trying to stop a bill the students we being a possible threat and disrupting represent and go to class with each business. day have told us they do not want.”

“The security offered, and then More than 50 people voiced their revoked, the option of sitting in the concerns, and overwhelmingly spoke library of the [legislature], and told against, Bill 31 at a committee hearing us we needed to leave the premises on Oct. 25. altogether," said Beach.

The hearing was attended by

representatives from University of Manitoba Students’ Union, University of Winnipeg Students’ Union, Brandon University Students’ Union, Manitoba Federation of Labour, and CFS-MB. “We are not selfish,” added Sanderson. “We are looking out for students and prospective [students] that are less privileged than ourselves and who need an accessible path to post-secondary education in order to improve their lives and the lives of their family.”

During the Nov. 10 question period, Pallister referred to the sitin protest as a “rebellion.”

Toward the end of the question period, students seated in the public gallery unfolded banners reading "Stop Bill 31" and dropped leaflets onto the chamber floor.

Following the protest, the students were escorted out of the public gallery.

Sanderson called the instance of the students participating in the sit-in being escorted out “deeply concerning.”

He said that the Manitoba legislature is a “people’s house” and citizens wanting to participate in the democratic process should be able to do so.

“This should especially apply to students who are the future of this province and who are often derided for their apathy.”

UMSU criticized for short notice, poor publicity of AGMs Only two students appeared at Nov. 8 meeting DIANA ABASI-UBOKUDOM, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba cratic organization. It’s supposed to that UMSU’s by-laws mandate only “Instead of just posting on the Nagra said that she was “open to Students’ Union (UMSU) is be run by the students, for the stu- 36 hours of notice before calling an Facebook [page], they should also suggestions from students on how being criticized for poorly promoting dents,” Fijal said in an interview.

AGM, which he said is even worse be posting on the billboards around we can improve AGM attendance.” its annual general meetings (AGM) “And for a democratic organization, than one week’s notice. campus,” he said.

“I honestly think if UMSU did after only two students attended the the AGM should be one of, if not the, Because UMSU gave a short Fijal noted that although low a much better job of letting people most recent attempted meet Nov. 8. most important events for the orga- notice about the AGM, Fijal stated attendance could also be attributed know this was happening, then I The AGM did not go ahead as nization where all the membership that it seemed like a deliberate to students’ disinterest, UMSU holds think people would be more enthuit failed to meet a quorum of 200 had a chance to come and put forward attempt to keep students from attend- a bigger share of the blame in this. siastic about attending,” Fijal said. members. their own motions, make decisions, ing the meeting.

UMSU president Tanjit Nagra Fijal said that the trend of low UMSU notified students about and cut things out,” he added.

“To me, if I didn’t know any better, said students may not be attending attendance at AGMs means only the AGM through Facebook on Nov. Fijal said that he would have been it blatantly looks like obstructionism,” AGMs because bi-weekly UMSU one thing: UMSU is “really bad at 2, less than a week before the meeting interested in attending the meeting he said, adding, “I think they should council meetings are open to stu- publicizing general meetings.” was scheduled to take place at the U to make his voice heard but his busy have been better about publicizing it.” dents as well, and so students could Following the low-attendance at of M’s Bannatyne campus downtown. schedule and short notice made it Fijal said UMSU should give have preference on which meetings the AGM this year, UMSU posted Dylan Fijal, a second-year soci- impossible. more notice to students of future to attend.

Facebook events for its council meetology student at the University “An AGM is a big thing,” he said. meetings and sufficiently publicize “I cannot speak to why students ings for the rest of the year. UMSU of Manitoba, criticized UMSU “It takes a while for people to get them, noting that simply announcing have consistently not shown up to also scheduled and posted its winter through a comment on its Facebook things in order. Sometimes you need AGMs on Facebook is not enough as AGMs,” she said.

AGM on its Facebook page, which page regarding the short notice of to reschedule things.” it fails to reach the broad membership.

“If I were to speculate, I would will be held on March 27. the meeting.

Fijal suggested that at least four Fijal said that UMSU should assume it is because our bi-weekly In his comments, Fijal questioned weeks’ notice should be given ahead undertake additional student out- UMSU council meetings are open UMSU’s actions as an attempt to of AGMs to encourage student reach initiatives such as class talks to to all students also, so any UMSU obstruct student democracy. attendance. engage more students in the demo- member can come and put forward, “UMSU is supposedly a demoFijal said he was surprised to learn cratic process. second, or discuss motions.”

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

News

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UMSU encourages university to develop Aboriginal language degree program “ReconciliAction” campaign to foster Truth and Reconciliation on campus DIANA ABASI-UBOKUDOM, STAFF

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t its regular council meeting Nov. 9, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) passed a motion to advocate to the university to follow through on the Truth And Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendations to post-secondary institutions.

As part of the TRC’s ongoing initiatives in Canada, UMSU will implement the ReconciliAction campaign and advocate to the university administration to implement TRC’s Call to Action 16.

The TRC, which was established to investigate legacy of Canada’s residential school system, issued a report with 94 calls to action in 2015 to move toward reconciliation and building Noah Wilson, Indigenous students’ rep and co-president of UMASA, said the U of M should take a leadership role in implementing the PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON meaningful relationships between Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous tant for the university to be proac“I think the Aboriginal Students’ U of M, but also across the country. on campus and the University of Canadians. tive in implementing Aboriginal Association really felt like this is “With Migizii Agamik, with the Manitoba “should, without a doubt, Call to action 16 urges post-sec- language degree programs as a way something that not only Indigenous Aboriginal Students’ Association, be the one spearheading issues like ondary institutions to “create univer- of reviving Indigenous languages. people can champion, but non- with the highest growing Indigenous this .” sity and college degree and diploma “It’s not just reconciliation. It’s not Indigenous as well,” he said, “because population in Canada, the demand is With regards to the timeline of the programs in Aboriginal languages.” just about talking," said Wilson. "It’s ReconciliAction is something that already there and it’s been there for project, Wilson said the campaign Noah Wilson, Indigenous stu- about acting on it and being the ones everyone in Canada has to be a long time,” he said. “We’re just fol- will likely be kick-started around dents’ representative and co-presi- to make sure that there is the revi- involved in - it’s not just Indigenous lowing through on what we’ve heard the time of Indigenous Awareness dent of the University of Manitoba talization of Indigenous languages, people .” from the students already .” week on campus, but he also added Speaking on the inspiration Through the creation of that timelines are being set as the Aboriginal Students’ Association, revitalization of Indigenous cultures.” said it is imperative the university Wilson added that doing so will behind the ReconciliAction cam- Aboriginal language programs, campaign progresses. responds to the TRC’s calls to action “make sure that we provide a chance paign, Wilson said it came from the Wilson said the university can set “Just the fact that the [UMSU] given that it is situated on Treaty 1 for the future generations to learn survivors of residential schools, given an example for other universities to just passed this motion goes a long territory - the traditional lands the language.” that they were now being presented emulate. way to ensuring that the University of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Wilson said that although with the “opportunity to teach the “I think by moving this motion, of Manitoba makes this a priority Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the programs would focus spe- young ones the languages.” it sends not only a message to the for the future to come,” said Wilson. the homeland of the Métis Nation. cifically on Indigenous languages, Wilson also said with the increas- administration, it sends a message to Wilson said that beyond having ReconciliAction is an inclusive ing Indigenous population in Canada, universities across the entire country,” conversations which border around campaign, one that should involve Aboriginal language programs are Wilson said, adding that the National now in high demand, not only at the Centre for Truth and Reconciliation truth and reconciliation, it is impor- everyone in Canada .

UMSU to hold plebiscite on CFS membership UMSU council approved a motion for a non-binding referendum regarding its CFS membership in January 2018 SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba remain a member of the Canadian students, calling for the national Students’ Union (UMSU) Federation of Students, at a cost of union to advocate for international approved a motion at its Nov. 9 meet- $14.98 per student per year?” student fee increases to be locked ing to prepare a plebiscite - a nonUMSU president Tanjit Nagra at the same percentage increase as binding referendum - for January 2018 said that the motion follows a con- domestic students. asking UMSU members whether frontational relationship between Nagra said that now that a plebithey wish to continue their member- UMSU and CFS. scite has been set for the winter term, ship with the Canadian Federation of “I was very clear with UMSU students will be properly informed on Students (CFS) membership. council that I need direction from the subject of the plebiscite “through The motion was initially moved by them to know how to work effectively their student email as ballots are sent Arthur Coelho Reis - representative with the CFS,” Nagra said. “This was this way through [online] voting.” from the St. Paul’s College Students’ the outcome.”

Nagra added that although a plan Association - in August and was “A plebiscite is a non-binding ref- is yet to be set, “the [UMSU] marketreferred to the UMSU governance erendum,” she added, “and this is ing team will be creating a plan to committee. merely an avenue to get the student share information effectively with A motion to “continue [the] cur- opinion on what has been a very con- students - including the use of our rent relationship with Canadian troversial issue.” social media platforms, and other traFederation of Students,” moved UMSU demanded an apology ditional means of marketing, such as by aboriginal students’ representa- from CFS in December, claiming posters, newspapers, etcetera.” tive Noah Wilson, was defeated at that its executive members verbally Annie Beach, aboriginal student UMSU’s regular council meeting in harassed Nagra. The harassment commissioner for CFS-MB, said it is August. allegedly took place after UMSU “unfortunate” that UMSU is considerThe plebiscite will ask students: brought forward a motion that would ing its relationship with CFS. “Do you believe UMSU should amend CFS’s policy on international “I think it’s too bad, because I think

CFS does lots of work here at the U of M,” she said. “And especially if [Bill 31] has passed it’s probably good to keep that relationship with the CFS to make sure that we do as much as we can for students here.”

Bill 31 passed its third reading with a majority early Friday morning. The Advanced Education Administration Act lifts a cap on tuition hikes that has held increases to inflation since 2012 and will remove restrictions on course related fees. Universities in Manitoba will be free to increase tuition fees by up to five per cent plus inflation annually beginning September 2018.

Speaking on the motion, Coelho Reis said the plebiscite “will allow us representatives to democratically survey our membership on their opinion on the matter.”

“The motion passed on Thursday is to democratically offer the students

an opportunity to direct their representatives on how pursue a resolution on the matter,” he added. “I believe I can speak on behalf of most councillors when I say that we will continue to do our best to advocate on the behalf of our membership.”

Nagra said that while she cannot speak on decertifying at this point, UMSU itself is involved in other federal advocacy efforts.

“I was in Ottawa this past week on Parliament Hill with student unions from other [research intensive universities] and we are lobbying the federal government with various asks pertaining to undergraduate students, Indigenous students, and the Canadian Federal Students Loans Program,” she said.

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News

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

Province, Ottawa trade barbs over climate plan Climate activists unmoved by made-in-Manitoba carbon tax scheme IMREET KAUR, STAFF

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remier Brian Pallister plans to introduce a $25 per tonne carbon tax starting in 2018 over the next four years, defying Ottawa’s directive.

The federal government has demanded that provinces establish a carbon tax that would start at $10 per tonne in 2018 and steadily increase to $50 per tonne by 2022. Under this framework, all revenues collected by the federal government will be redistributed to the provinces and used as they see fit.

The national framework aims to reduce carbon emissions by setting a minimum price on carbon and tackling climate change through emissions reduction across all sectors of the economy by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.

The federal framework also aims to ensure that Canada remains competitive in the global low-carbon economy by investing in green energy.

The proposed federal tax would cost Manitobans about five cents a litre on the price of gasoline, and also increase the cost of natural gas.

“Our Climate and Green Plan is realistic, practical, measurable, and will exceed the emissions reductions the federal backstop would achieve,” said Rochelle Squires, Manitoba’s minister of sustainable development, adding that the plan deserves recognition for it’s focus on reducing emissions instead of fixating tax levels onto the provinces.

Pallister refused to sign onto the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change in December 2016. Manitoba is the only province other than Saskatchewan that did not sign onto the national

climate change framework.

98 per cent of its energy through The PC’s released their five-year renewable resources, which can be climate plan last month after the attributed to early investments in government concluded consultations hydroelectricity. from environmental advocates and businesses in March this year, and argue that their scheme, A Made in “The document is a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, sort of grab bag of will cost Manitobans less and will result in greater reduction in emis- potentially positive sions than Ottawa’s plan. environmental Catherine McKenna, federal minister of environment and climate actions, but change, commended the provincial without actual government on taking the initial steps to curb emissions, calling it a commitments from step in the right direction.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the government, we the details of Manitoba’s plan,” she can’t know whether wrote in a post to Facebook. “But I also want to be very clear: We’ve laid it will be effective”out the price schedule we need to see, which reaches $50 per tonne by 2022 - Manitoba Energy well beyond the $25 per tonne carbon Justice Coalition price Manitoba is proposing."

Insisting that the province will ultimately have to follow the guide“To hear that we need to ‘up our lines set out in the national frame- game’ is misguided and focuses solely work, McKenna said, “We’ll be on taxation, as opposed to the more assessing each province and territory important goal of reducing carbon each year on whether their approach emissions,” Squires said. to pricing pollution meets the stanPallister also expressed his disdard we’ve set. content with McKenna’s comments “So when Manitoba moves forward and said that the federal government with this proposal, they’ll be in good should use some “foresight” to avoid shape for the first year and the second a costly legal challenge as the provinyear. After that, they’ll need to up cial plan is as good as the federal plan. their game. The details matter. But Pallister argued that the proposed today’s plan is a step forward towards carbon tax at $25 per tonne is more a cleaner economy in Canada.” just and fair. Speaking to reporters Squires expressed her concerns on Oct. 31, he said, “We are ready to regarding McKenna’s comments, say- be measured on our green plan.” ing that the province is a national “And if I am right, and our plan leader in clean energy and produces works better than theirs, they would

have no right to come in and arbitrarily introduce a higher tax,” he added.

Environmental group says PC plan merely “another consultation document”

Manitoba Energ y Justice Coalition (MEJC), a grassroots organization working toward environmental and social justice, said in a written response, “Despite calling it ‘A Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan,’ it’s really another consultation document, with a lot of statements about what ‘could’ be done.

“The document is a sort of grab bag of potentially positive environmental actions, but without actual commitments from the government, we can’t know whether it will be effective.”

MEJC said that the Manitoba government’s suggested flat rate of $25 per tonne will produce some additional revenue in the short term but in the long term it would result in the province receiving less funding, which would be helpful in “preventing catastrophic climate change,” through investments in clean energy.

The coalition also claims the Manitoba plan does not meet the stringency test, a test that sets benchmarks for increasing the price per tonne set out in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.

MEJC said that Manitoba’s refusal to sign on to the PanCanadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change means that the province “will likely be left out of our $66 million share of additional federal funding.”

It also fails to encourage carbon emitters to alter their behaviour and reduce emissions.

“Without a predictable, increasing price on carbon it is a real risk that consumers will just absorb the cost of the initial price increase and then continue on polluting,” MEJC said.

MEJC said the provincial plan “all but ensures that the federal government will still step in to impose an additional carbon tax to get to $50 per tonne by 2022, and we will likely get costly court battles as the province continues pick a fight with Ottawa.”

Wab Kinew, Leader of the Opposition in Manitoba, said the plan fails to explain how the carbon tax will be used to invest in making the province more climate change resistant and critiqued Manitoba Hydro’s requested price hikes.

"Particularly with the Hydro rate increases that are happening under Pallister's watch, families in Manitoba could get the worst of both worlds," Kinew told CBC News.

"They could get skyrocketing home heating costs, not just on the natural gas side but also on the hydroelectric side.”

Math students challenge “unfair” midterm Nearly 90 students enrolled in MATH 2720 have signed petition contesting “nonsense midterms, unfair testing methods” QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

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ctuarial science students enrolled in the MATH 2720 multivariable calculus course are challenging what they are charging was an unfair midterm exam.

“A few of us students believe that the midterms that we have been tested on have not been a fair representation of what we have been taught,” reads an online petition published by Lawrence Urbanski on Nov. 9. By press time, the petition had 87 signatures out of a goal of 94.

The petition does not call for any specific action to be taken but calls for support in asking administration to either raise the curve to boost marks or have optional assignments made

available to reduce the weight of the final exam and give students a chance to raise their individual grades.

The Manitoban was contacted by a student enrolled in the course who said the math department organized a review session with graduate students who went over a previous exam to facilitate an understanding of what to look for when preparing for the MATH 2720 mid-term.

“Based on the previous exam, I felt I was extremely prepared for this exam because the questions were straightforward, I could answer them all without any hesitation,” said the student, who asked to remain anonymous. “But [the midterm] was

nowhere near this format or the dif- Once those facts have been collected what are we going to do.” ficulty of questions.” we will respond to the MATH 2720 The comment section below the When the students received their students.” petition is replete with students, grades back Nov. 9, a mass email was Students are holding out for a mostly anonymous, grieving the quickly circulated contesting the fair- response from the department as disparity between the exam and the ness of the test. According to the stu- the Nov. 17 voluntary withdrawal study material. dent, the class average on the exam deadline approaches.

“I had gone over ever practice was 48 per cent.

The student who contacted the problem at least three times and the “It wasn’t a representation of what Manitoban highlighted that the practice midterm given at the study we knew, not a representation of the importance of the course is rooted in session multiple times, and this textbook or [the professor’s] notes,” the fact it is a prerequisite for further midterm was nothing like any of the said the student. courses in their program. questions,” wrote Matt Adamson.

Mathematics department head “I am almost screwed right now “This was the first time in my uniStephen Kirkland said in an email when it comes to that course,” he said. versity career that I had sat down in that the matter is being looked into. “That course is required for every other an exam where I thought to myself “The department of mathematics course after it. You can’t take any- ‘I don’t know how to answer these is in the process of gathering fac- more courses and it's only offered in questions.’” tual information regarding the issue. the fall. So it leaves a lot of wondering

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

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Putting a price tag on cell phone production extends beyond sales Human rights violations allowed by industry’s biggest players price out ethical consumption SHAWN HUBERDEAU, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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ddressing the plight of workers across the globe? There’s not an app for that.

But there are an apps for all that is trivial: from flinging birds into structures for compulsive yet idle gaming to blasé photoshopping for the Instagram-savvy. All this comes into our lives through the handy nature of our inseparable relationship with smartphones and a particular kind of rampant consumer culture that has grown out of them.

The collective expense, however, amounts to more than the year-long contracts customers sign in order to get their latest fix of techno-luxury.

In 2014 alone, companies such as Samsung and Apple produced together no less than 94 new cell phone models. Apple itself released two, while Samsung churned out 56 new models. But quantity isn’t quality, especially in terms of labour practices: both mega-corporations have been accused and found guilty of widespread labour violations, if not what could be properly characterized as human rights violations.

That is, labour rights are human rights.

As a central mode of organization in human lives - and an essential, brute fact of living - work rights should be similarly endowed to indi-

viduals as is the case when it comes to other liberal platitudes, of the likes of life, liberty, and property, so long as we live in a rights-oriented society.

Unlike its fellow abstract rights, however, work rights must be materially meaningful.

The cellphone industry in North America is an exercise in opulence; to sustain this opulence requires the brutal subjugation of a workforce that is necessarily disposable This is not the case in most areas of work-life, especially so for the regime of cellphone production that dominates the manufacturing world over, a world conveniently located for the most part outside the immediate sphere of Western society. There,

human rights violations via labour rights violations are crucial cogs in the profit machine.

A 2016 report issued by the Internationa l Trade Union Confederation found that 94 per cent of Samsung’s supply chain workers were being paid poverty wages in radically unsafe conditions. Efforts of workers to build political power under the solidarity of an organized union were also prohibited, as Samsung forbids the formation of unions among the rank and file of those workers whose manual labour constitutes the backbone of their production line and thus of the profit machine itself.

Samsung even provides instructions to its managerial staff on how to identify and isolate union-friendly employees from acting out on the rights granted to them by international law, as codified through the United Nations.

Now, Apple and Samsung don't only compete in terms of sales. The two multinational corporations are also neck-and-neck when it comes to labour practices of the heinous kind just mentioned. Apple, for instance, dealt with the public relations fallout of a suicide epidemic at one of the Chinese factories that produce its wares in 2010 when 14 workers jumped to their deaths. Another 18

workers attempted suicide, while 20 ing others to a lifetime of stools and were persuaded by factory officials squatting. not to make the leap. Media exposure The cellphone industry in North after the facts uncovered prepared America is an exercise in opulence. To suicide notes that described condi- sustain this requires the brutal subtions conducive only for slave labour. jugation of a workforce that is necesBoth Apple and Samsung have sarily disposable. In the midst of the been accused of advancing negli- newest and most dazzling releases of gent procedures for ensuring child shining supercomputers which fit in labour is not a part of their supply the palm of our hands, we must ask chain. Human rights watch organiza- ourselves: is it worth it? tion Amnesty International reported Not in terms of the brute monthat children working in mines for etary value. Cellphones, while the extraction of materials used in artificially suppressed in price by phone production - namely, cobalt crypto-feudal labour practices, are for lithium-ion batteries - was a wide- just as surely inflated in price by the spread practice in the Democratic mechanisms of modern markets Republic of the Congo. When asked dominated by brand value. Rather,

by Amnesty International as to the is the iPhone X or upcoming Galaxy source of the phone materials used X worth the humanity it costs to proin their production lines, Apple and duce endless streams of upgrades and Samsung refused to disclose the nec- improvements? essary information that would clear It’s fairly easy to catch a glimpse of their names - or, condemn them. your reflection in the slickest phones Again, a necessary enabling fea- on the market. Knowing what went ture of our smartphone feeding frenzy into making such a phone, will you be is precisely these kinds of labour able to hold your gaze? A mainstay of practices. Were workers to be paid left-wing Internet humour is the jokea dignified wage and receive proper turned-theory that there exists no compensation, for instance, then the ethical consumption under capitalism. glitz and glam of a cellphone would If only reality could be so humorous. cost Western consumers to contract into bonded labour themselves. Yet wanting to perpetually recline in a La-Z-Boy does not justify sentenc-

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

Canada Liberal Party’s hypocrisy matches its members’ personal wealth KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

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iberal governments, like those under Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin, seem to have a sterling silver reputation to many middle- and working-class families.

Even though the Liberals often campaigned in a more progressive way than they governed, support for the party’s leaders averaged a strong constant throughout their times in power.

On average, Chrétien and Martin both achieved mostly positive approval ratings of a tentative 50 per cent during their combined thirteen years of governance, contrasted with past Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who averaged an approval rating of 27 per cent.

Even in the most recent federal election, the Liberals campaigned with the promise of cutting taxes for the middle class and raising them for the wealthiest one per cent.

However, the true colours of many prominent figures, including some associated with the present government, came to light recently when a large data leak flooded the internet.

The Paradise Papers are evidence of the widespread practice of holding offshore financial accounts for the purpose of tax avoidance. Canadians for Tax Fairness estimated this results in an annual $10 to $15 billion in lost tax revenue. All three of the aforementioned prime ministers were

mentioned in these documents. munication with Canada.

Most prominently mentioned Also exposed was Chrétien. were Chrétien and Martin, as well According to the data, he lobbied for as a chief fundraiser for the Liberal an East African oil project, and was Party of Canada, Stephen Bronfman. granted 100,000 options. The chief Conservatives do not get off the hook fundraiser for the Liberal Party of either: under the previous Harper Canada, Bronfman, and his investgovernment, the use of offshore tax ment firm Claridge Inc. was also a key havens more than doubled. player in a US $60 million offshore The epitome of corruption in trust in the Cayman Islands. This Canadian politics, Mulroney’s inclu- alone may have cost the Canadian sion in the Paradise Papers is hardly government millions of dollars in surprising. lost revenue.

In 1993 and 1994, the former prime No doubt these bombshells illusminister took $300,000 cash from trate a deep-rooted hypocrisy within GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA a German businessman and tried - the Liberal party. If the Liberals are poorly - to cover it up and avoid going to continue to run on the issue Bronfman described himself as - hiding their cash in safe havens at paying tax, before eventually being of strengthening the middle class, a “proud Canadian” in a statement the expense of middle- and workfound out. they must put laws in place that will recently. But when it comes to his ing-class Canadians, it is time for the But when it comes to Mulroney’s ensure everyone in Canada - regard- businesses and personal wealth, he is country to re-think its tax code. But Liberal counterparts, the revelations less of their income bracket - pays apparently not proud enough to pay let us call the current tax code what are truly eye-opening, if only because their fair share of taxes. Not long the Canadian percentages of taxes it is: corporate and personal income tax dodging, and stealing from the they point to a deep political disso- after winning the 2015 federal elec- that apply to him and his business. nance held in the Canadian “liberal” tion, Justin Trudeau himself said “tax As it is in Canada, we hardly have average Canadian. This is lost money party known for campaigning on fair- evasion is something we take very an outrageous tax-rate for large cor- that could have gone toward improvporations - our effective rate of only ing healthcare, education, affordable ness and middle-class interests. seriously."

Martin’s former company, Canada But that is hard to believe, see- 26.5 per cent is among the lowest rates housing, social security, as well as reducing poverty and homelessness.

Steamship Lines, is front and centre in ing as his own party had a billionaire in the G20.

While it is in a corporation’s best the leaks. It is listed as one of the “larg- chief fundraiser who went out of his Unfortunately, what Bronfman est clients” of the offshore firm offer- way to avoid paying Canadian taxes and his party does not understand is interests to make the largest profit ing tax havens to the uber-wealthy. on his investment company’s prof- that you cannot simply be a Canadian it can, when the quest for profit is Having not only created many new its. Bronfman is no stranger to these when it benefits you and your com- outsourced onto the backs of millions offshore entities, and shifted many practices either: a corporate law firm panies - you must also be a Canadian of hardworking Canadians, corporaof its subsidiaries from Barbados to representing Bronfman played a key when it comes to paying your fair tions have gone too far.

Bermuda in an effort to further avoid role in killing legislation as far back share of taxes.

If you have former prime mintaxation, the corporation also urged as 1999 which would have addressed offshore authorities to in sparse com- the issue of offshore tax loopholes. isters - from both sides of the aisle

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

Battling Islamophobia does not rest solely on the shoulders of Muslims Allahu Akbar discourse needs to re-centre itself on what Westerners are doing to stop Islamophobia QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

Egyptians protest in Cairo calling for democracy.

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PHOTO FROM NEW STATESMAN

n Halloween, a Uzbek immi- 420 million speakers. It is a phrase grant drove his truck through a that is embedded deep into the daily bike trail in New York City and left vocabularies of Christian, Jewish, eight victims dead in the process. He and Muslim Arabs. then proceeded to celebrate his terrorism by shouting, “Allahu Akbar.”

Immediately, the Arabic phrase stole How on earth can most national headlines. one understand a There is no need for the use of anecdotes in my confrontation of language, history, the far-right rhetoric of Islam being culture, and religion inherently a propagation of extremist ideology and nothing more. Instead, by ‘examining’ all it is better to examine the phrase through a single often regarded as the embodiment of everything wrong with Islam: phrase or action Allahu Akbar, which can be translated English as either “God is the carried out by greatest” or “God is greater.” extremist groups The origins of the phrase Allahu Akbar predates the English language on the margins itself, first appearing as early as the of their society?

2nd century BCE. It is a phrase in a language that, according to the first Arabic dictionary Kitab al-Ayn, contains over 12.3 million words. It is a Yet Western ethnocentrism finds phrase in a language that is official it credible to undermine the extenin 27 countries. Allahu Akbar is a sive and rich history of the Arab phrase in a language that is one of six and Muslim world by asserting that official United Nation languages. It is Allahu Akbar is nothing more than a a phrase in a language that is the fifth dangerous, repressive and violent fixmost spoken worldwide, with over ture of terrorism. How on earth can

one understand a language, history, One such large-scale demonstraculture, and religion by "examining” tions is when Muslim Syrians would all through a single phrase or action be observing Friday prayers in the carried out by extremist groups on the mosques, Christian Syrians, among margins of Muslim society? other religious groups, would wait at Allahu Akbar is not inherently the doors until prayer was complete. the crusading zeal it is made out to Then, as a cohesive unit, they would be. It is a celebration of life. It is a take to the streets. Friday prayers that phrase that brings millions of diverse took place across the country - which individuals together every single all began with Allahu Akbar - were day through the daily prayers that able to mobilize hundreds of thoubegin with pronouncing the great- sands of citizens, of different backness of God. Allahu Akbar, along grounds and religions, into one voice with “Inshallah” (God willing) and against the repressive Syrian regime.

“Bismillah” (in the name of God) is Having the protests start from the used daily in many parts of the world mosques was integral in helping peoby Arabic people of all religions. If ple realize that they were not alone you invite a Christian Arabic speaker in their endeavour, spurring them to to an event, they might respond with conquer their fears. a “Yes, I’ll be there Inshallah.” If you ask a Jewish Arabic athlete what they say before their competitions, they it is not the Muslim might tell you it is “Bismillah.” If you ask a Muslim Arabic-speaking activ- individual’s duty ist about how millions of people were to continuously able to mobilize in the Arab Spring, have to separate they’ll tell you all about the role of Allahu Akbar. themselves from It is important to contextualize the way people felt about mobiliz- the actions of the ing during the Arab Spring in 2011. terrorist; rather, it is The last time Syrians assembled in a large group against the government, the duty of Western in the early 1980s, they were received ethnocentrism by a 27-day assault that resulted in the estimated deaths of over 25,000 to realize its own people. One of the ways they did this ignorance was through the binding power of the phrase Allahu Akbar. It was an important political tool in building solidarity and was an important step The mosques became the hub of in mobilizing hundreds of thousands mobilization where people gathered of citizens of different backgrounds and shared deep-rooted feelings of and religions into one voice against solidarity. In one way or another, Allahu Akbar had a role in binding the repressive Syrian regime.

The initial large-scale demon- the citizenry. Funnily enough, the strations in the Syrian uprisings argument can then be made that that began in 2011 happened every Allahu Akbar played a role in the Friday. The role of Allahu Akbar in mobilization of the Syrian people the Syrian Uprising is rooted in the toward more - wait for it - democracy. fact that of mosques being key in the Clearly, then, Allahu Akbar exists mobilization of the citizenry. far and wide outside the domain of

terrorism. The Arabic language has emerged and transformed over thousands of years. The usage of the phrase in the daily lives of Arabs of varying religious backgrounds is an essential note to consider. The linkage of Allahu Akbar to terrorism is supplemented by the idea that it spearheads an extremist movement that is against “Western values.” But, the communal feature of the phrase has had the opposite effect: it instead enabled the progress of democratic movements in the Arab Spring.

Reclaiming Allahu Akbar is to see the world not just in black-and-white.

Many people have written on reclaiming Allahu Akbar from the unholy grasp of terrorism after the attack in New York. Most of these articles, however, centered around the authors’ own experiences with the phrase. This included examples of them using it in beautiful but personal anecdotes such as the birth of a child, passing an exam, and even being served a beautiful dish of juicy kebabs.

This narrative, although important in our increasingly Islamophobic society, merely appeases Western prejudices. The presentation of a rhetoric similar to the Not in My Name movement in 2015, where Muslims made viral their condemnation of the Charlie Hebdo attack, should not be seen as the only right opponent to the imbecile binding of Allahu Akbar to terrorism.

It is not the duty of a sexual assault victim to eradicate sexual assault. It is the duty of everyone to make no room for its occurrence. Similarly, it is not the Muslim individuals’ duty to continuously have to separate themselves from the actions of the terrorist; rather, it is the duty of Western ethnocentrism to realize its own ignorance. The misinformed individual is no closer to the truth than the uninformed.

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

Comment 11

Anti-Israel movements need to call out antiSemitism from within their ranks LEVI GARBER, STAFF

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hey applauded as they humiliated him.

When Noah Lew’s name was put forward for ratification as an elected member of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) board of directors at a general assembly meeting last month, students cheered as they voted “no.”

Was it because of Lew’s positions on university issues? Or some conflict of interest that would impact his ability to serve on a student union board of directors?

No. They voted to kick Lew out of McGill student politics because he had affiliations with Jewish political organizations.

Singling out Jewish students and kicking them off boards because they have ties to pro-Israel groups won’t serve any other purpose than to conflate the anti-Israel movement with an anti-Semitic one Lew himself took it one step further and claimed he was targeted solely because of his Jewish identity.

To anyone involved in, or following, student politics - who cares about campus issues at McGill or any other university or college in the country Lew’s ouster should raise eyebrows.

For was Lew voted out because he had ties to Jewish political organizations, or was his removal the most recent incident of a growing trend of anti-Semitism on Canadian university campuses?

Democratize SSMU, an active McGill student group that has close ties with the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement, said they targeted Lew in the lead up to the vote because of his affiliations with pro-Israel groups like the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee.

The group singled out Lew and two other student politicians in protest literature earlier this year, alleging they were involved in “layers of corruption” and a system of political favouritism in appointing board members on McGill’s student council.

Democratize SSMU later apologized and admitted they were “insensitive to anti-Semitic tropes” in targeting the three students. However, the damage had already been done.

Without any discussion or debate, Lew was voted out in an act of pitiless spite.

When a group uses anti-Semitic tropes to have a Jewish student humiliated and then admits it, a mere apology is not enough to reconcile for the damage done.

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Soon after Lew was ousted, pubWhile my experiences with antilic outcry from B’nai B’rith, a large Semitism were quite minimal comJewish service organization, led pared to students at other universities McGill to investigate the matter and across the country, the problem is set up a “support line,” where students only getting worse. could report incidents of religious or In July 2011, the Canadian govethnic intolerance. ernment released a report from the As a Jewish student who attended Parliamentary Coalition to Combat the University of Manitoba for my Anti-Semitism that looked into antiundergrad, I saw first-hand the anti- Semitic incidents on university camSemitic vitriol written and spoken puses across the country. about Jewish people by students The report pointed to a large who mask their hatred as simply number of anti-Semitic occurrences anti-Israel. between 2004-2009, including a I can tell you a “support line” is not 2008 anti-Israel rally at McMaster nearly enough to fix that.

University in Hamilton where proWhen I began studying at the testors allegedly chanted “Death to U of M in 2012, I didn’t think anti- Jews.”

Semitism was a problem on campus The report also included details because I hadn’t experienced any. of an incident at York University in As the year went on, I found swas- Toronto in 2009 where Jewish stutikas drawn on bulletin boards out- dents were “barricaded” in the Jewish side the Jewish Students’ Association student lounge by a group of proteslounge, had arguments with a student tors who banged on the walls yelling in my first year politics course about things like: “Zionism equals racism!” the merits of an academic’s master’s Daniel Ferman, a Jewish student thesis that called white Jews racist, there, testified to the parliamentary and heard someone in the hallway coalition that slogans like “Fucking refer to Israelis as “those pigs occupy- Jew!” and “Die, Jew!” were yelled as ing Gaza.” the besieged students were escorted Throughout history, including in out safely by police.

Nazi Germany, Jews were likened Since the report was published, to pigs in anti-Semitic propaganda anti-Semitic incidents across the to mock the observance of Jewish country have risen, not declined. dietary law, or kashrut, which proIn 2010, two Carleton students hibits the consumption of pig. were assaulted outside a bar for vocal-

izing their support for Israel. After one was punched in the back of the head, his attacker allegedly said: “I fucking hit you, you Jew.” These examples only provide a small glimpse of the problem, as it has been growing worse, year after year.

When a group uses anti-Semitic tropes to have a Jewish student humiliated and then admits it, a mere apology is not enough to reconcile for the damage done This year, B’nai B’rith, which has been tracking anti-Semitic incidents in Canada for 35 years, said there were 1,728 anti-Semitic incidents reported in 2016. That is a 26 per cent increase from 2015.

That is an alarming figure.

There is clearly a difference between criticizing the actions of the Israeli government and anti-Semitism. I myself disagree with many of Israel’s policies toward Palestinians

and am not afraid to vocalize those disagreements with my community.

Groups that criticize Israel have the right to exist and vocalize their positions on university campuses.

However, these groups must reject and loudly shame members who use their platform of legitimate debate to attack Jewish students for simply being active in their communities.

If they fail to do so, these movements risk becoming completely hijacked by the anti-Semitic voices that fuel these re-occurring controversies on university campuses.

It is possible to have a civilized debate on the future of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict on university campuses, but singling out Jewish students and kicking them off boards because they have ties to pro-Israel groups won’t serve any other purpose than to conflate the anti-Israel movement with an anti-Semitic one.

For years, I have been called a number of ridiculous things by members of both sides of the debate for voicing my own opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Never, though, do I take more offence then when I am singled out for being Jewish.

I have never done anything that would warrant being targeted in that way. Neither has Noah Lew.

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

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

Five-star show has another go Production of feminist play Heavenly Bodies returns to the stage JEN DOERKSEN, STAFF

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ew alternative theatre company Happy/Accidents is staging another run of the solo performance Heavenly Bodies, the story of the relationship between a young woman with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and an older handyman who has come to work at her home. The show debuted at the 2016 Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, and earned five stars that year from the Winnipeg Free Press.

“We lose the voice of the young women that I think we desperately need to be hearing” – Gislina Patterson, solo performer and writer of Heavenly Bodies Gislina Patterson, the writer and solo performer of the show, said she Writer and solo performer Gislina Patterson on the set of Heavenly Bodies, which takes place from November 16-19 at the Prairie Theatre Exchange.

PHOTO BY JEN DOERKSEN is looking forward to the changes relationship between her character even when it is from the perspective Angelica Schwartz, artistic direc- she said. “But it comes to a point at they have made.

“Specifically, for this show, I really and the older male character, who in of younger women, it’s written or tor of Happy/Accidents and stage the end of the show where you have want to create a sense that you’re com- time betrays her trust. The play deals directed by men,” she said. “When manager for the play, said. “So it can to choose who you believe, so for me ing into a space that isn’t yours, that with sexual assault with deliberate exclusively men are creating media appeal to the younger people who it was really striking and I kept coming back to it.” belongs to women and you’re invited nuance. about these situations, we lose the can’t afford to see a show.”

Patterson is currently part of the “We don’t want to right away just voice of the young women that I Schwartz founded Happy/ into,” Gislina Patterson said. “It’s hard to do that in a festival setting.” mark someone as the villain and think we desperately need to be Accidents in January, and Heavenly Happy/Accidents team, alongside This run of shows allows for more someone as the oppressed or victim,” hearing.”

Bodies is the first show in a season Heavenly Bodies producers Erin stage set-up than Fringe, according Arrow said. “It’s more complicated Happy/Accidents is running the of three different performances Meagan Schwartz and Angelica to director Zorya Arrow. than that,” she added. play on a pay-what-you-can model throughout the winter. Schwartz Schwartz, and sound designer Davis Patterson said she wrote the story to make theatre more accessible to said the play was her favourite at the Plett.

“To be able to have a four-show run and the space is ours, we’ve been with the intent to strengthen the people that cannot typically afford Winning Fringe Theatre Festival in 2016. working in the space already, we’ve voice of young women telling sto- to see shows in theatre.

The play will run from Nov. 16-19 at “Gislina found ways to talk about the Prairie Theatre Exchange been getting really comfortable and ries about relationships between older “We’re starting with online ticket set up,” Arrow said. men and younger women. sales from $5-$50 and no one is turned complex themes of an older man Patterson is the only performer in “So often, that is media is made away at the door, so at the door preying on a younger woman but the show, and she acts out a complex from the perspective of the men, and you can pay anything or not at all,” telling it in a woman’s perceptive,”

From homework to home design A gallery review and design student perspective on “Where Architects Live” HAYDEN MEKAI MUSHINSKI

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he Winnipeg Architecture This thought - the home of the Though they were not educated here, the viewer that these homes did not Foundation’s (WAF) “Where future - after all the books, exams, their practice led them to living in just appear. It reminded the viewer Architects Live” exhibit, ran from and hours spent at school, resonated Winnipeg. that architecture takes time.

Sept. 1 to Oct. 27. The exhibit con- through the exhibit. It was present The exhibit was set up in WAF’s There is value in looking toward sisted of photos, text, books, and upon entering the exhibit, viewing office, which is shared with 5468796 the time after school is over and not video that let one peer into where the first images and remained after Architecture at 266 McDermot letting the current deadline take priarchitects live. The homes presented leaving. Homes ority over one’s were those designed by architects for of University entire life. This This image in the mind of what the home will themselves, an interesting concept to of Manitoba image in the have access to. Most of the time, one alumni includmind of what be when time in the classroom is over can serve the experiences an architect’s work as that i ng Bu r ton home will which was designed for someone else, Stovel, Patricia be when time in as a framework for a vision of the future. their client.

Kettner, and the classroom is It is probably safe to say that Dennis over can serve as most students reading this have not Carterwere presented. Homes of Avenue. The presence of ongoing a framework for a vision of the future. designed and built their own home. It some non-alumni architects, such work beside the exhibit enhanced the Where do the notebooks being writis also probably safe to say that most as John A. Russell - a member of the viewer’s experience because it wasn’t a ten in now fit on the bookshelf in that students entertain the idea of own- faculty of architecture for 38 years silent viewing. The constant sound of future home? Does the photograph ing a home in the future. Despite the and a familiar name on campus with the architecture office, from shuffling from last week’s concert fit in a frame millennial student debt and essential the architecture building named in papers to computers, and work related on the wall? Does this image of that renting culture, one can still dream. his honour - were presented as well. comments between staff reminded home embody the current work lead-

ing up to it? Are the experiences as a student part of that home or are they far removed and forgotten?

Maybe these architects had an image of their future homes in mind when they were over-caffeinated students at U of M, or maybe they didn’t.

Maybe students today can use the idea of a home to think macrocosmically regarding current schoolwork.

The Winnipeg Architecture Foundation’s next exhibit is A.J. DONAHUE: EXPERIMENTS IN DESIGN. Nov. 3 to Dec. 15, Thursdays and Fridays 9:00AM-4:30PM. Curated by Mathew Lacosse.

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Arts & Culture

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

Family-friendly fundraiser “For Pete’s Sake”

Have yourself a funky little Christmas The Funk Hunter’s return for another Funk the Hall Holiday Show

Circus-themed event to help pay rehabilitation costs for spinal cord injury

JARED GAUTHIER

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OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

Peter Baergen Warkentin (left), was paralyzed from the chest down following a hockey accident.

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY SAMANTHA HALAS

n Nov. 25, friends, fam- everyone, something that Kroeker ily, and supporters of Peter said should be ensured whenever Baergen Warkentin will gather possible in event planning. at The Skyview Ballroom in the “It's particularly important for Marlborough Hotel to raise funds this event to be both physically to relieve financial stress stemming accessible and generally welcomfrom a recent spinal cord injury that ing to a wide variety of people, left him paralyzed from the chest since it's a benefit for someone down. who, because of his injury, is going While playing hockey with to face increased barriers to parfriends on Sept. 30, Baergen ticipating in certain activities,” said Warkentin broke three vertebrae Kroeker. after crashing headfirst into the Friends, family, and strangboards. ers have rallied together to help All the proceeds from ticket and Baergen Warkentin since the day auction sales will go toward costs of the accident, said Kroeker. From related to Baergen Warkentin’s hospital visits, to donating funds injury and post hospital readjust- online people who heard Baregen ment. The fundraiser, branded Warkentin’s story have been helpFor Pete’s Sake, is organized by ful so far and continue to support. his partner Samantha Halas, a People in the community have professional contortionist and been offering prizes, use of venues, antipodist - someone who juggles and volunteer hours to help raise with their feet. Halas has gotten funds to ease the financial stress together some of her performer that comes with such a devastatfriends to host a child-friendly, ing injury. cruelty-free circus which, accord“I've heard a couple of stories of ing to the event’s Facebook page, people, who had never even met will include interactive games like Pete, donating to his cause after “a laser installation, face painting, hearing about his accident,” said learning circus skills, fantastical Kroeker. balloon creations by Sleepy the Baergen Warkentin’s current Clown and much more.” crowd-funding page on YouCaring “It might be more accurate has so far raised $60,850 with the to call this event a ‘variety show help of 459 donors. with a strong circus flavour,’” said “It's quite inspiring to me, to Baergen Warkentin’s friend of 20 think of somebody being so sensiyears, Thomas Kroeker. tive and empathic to the suffering “It's going to feature a lot of of another human that they're able different kinds of entertainment: to transcend the barriers of social music, really great raffle and silent distance and make a caring gesture,” auction prizes, and also a bunch said Kroeker. of stuff that one might put under “It's serves as an example to a circus heading, like contortion, everyone, certainly to me, to keep dance, and generally impressive our hearts open to those around us physical feats.” who are suffering in various ways, The event will feature DJ’s and to be generous to them.”

Jay and Kay, as well as DJ Delf Leopard, with the music ending Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at 1:00 a.m. at the door (children by donation).

The event page points out that Tickets are available at Jonnies Sticky the event aims to be accessible for Buns, Music Trader, and Cousin’s Deli & Lounge.

anadian classic funk and hip to tour the world with him,” said building a little more onto it,” said hop inspired electronic music Middleton.

Smith. “We definitely like keeping duo, The Funk Hunters, are packIn 2015, The Funk Hunters some secrets up our sleeves.” ing up the sleigh and heading east debuted their Funk the Halls When asked what Winnipeg from their hometown on the west Holiday Show over two nights should expect this December, coast for another year of the Funk in front of sold out crowds at Smith was tight-lipped. the Halls Holiday Show.

Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom.

“We’re just in the final stages of Based in Vancouver, Nick “It was a bit of a wild experiment announcing our special guest for Middleton and Duncan Smith and it just went so well, and we were the night,” he said. “Without giving have spent the last decade making like ‘Woah, we should tour this,’” too much away, I think you can just a name for themselves in the elec- said Middleton. expect some Christmas funky flair tronic music game. to be in full effect.”

“We got into it about 10 years ago, The Funk Hunters offered an “I think you can right at that time electronic music early Christmas gift in October really was starting to break,” said with the release of their latest single just expect some Middleton. “We’ve been riding that “Hands Up (Raise Your Fist)” feaChristmas funky wave for the last 10 years.” turing vocalist Leo Napier. The duo Known for their colourful visual will be releasing an anticipated new flair to be in full and musical collaborations with artalbum, Typecast, in 2018. effect” -Duncan ists across all genres and working a “I took a large part of this year number of instruments from those to work on a new Funk Hunters Smith of The genres into their music, The Funk album,” said Middleton. “The Funk Hunters Hunters have stunned international album has about 10 or so features. audiences with their unique sound It’s pretty diverse with all genres, and stage presence. plus some amazing vocalists and “I think we’re lucky,” said From there, the tour grew. In collaborators.”

Middleton. “We’ve been sur- 2016, Funk the Halls hit several citIf you don’t already have tickets, rounded by an amazing, talented ies, including Calgary, Edmonton, you’ll want to add this show to your group of musicians.” and Winnipeg, with Chali 2na as Christmas wish list.

Their music has led to numerous one of the special guests. high-profile artists features, includNow in its third year, the tour The Funk Hunters take the stage at ing Jurassic 5 MC, Chali 2na. has expanded across Canada, going The Park Theatre Dec. 14 for another “It’s been a dream come true as far as Halifax. year of the Funk the Halls Holiday to work with Chali, and getting “Each year, I think we’ve been Show.

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

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’Toban turntable Want us to review your band? Email arts@themanitoban.com today!

JEN DOERKSEN, STAFF

IsKwé The Fight Within 3/5

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he new album from IsKwé, called The Fight Within, is a grand experience of heavy electronic music.

Dedicated vocal lines take flight in a landscape marked with rocky hills of percussion, covered in the soft deep greens of synths. Overall, the album carries an epic feel, each song building into large sounds that carry over a few bars at a time, while maintaining a weight and an almost dark seriousness.

IsKwé is an Indigenous singersongwriter from Winnipeg. Many songs deal with content related to IsKwé’s community, like “Nobody Knows,” which contains lyrics about missing and murdered Indigenous women. Despite the serious content throughout the album, many songs are upbeat with modern and dancey electronic sounds.

The album opens with a prelude that IsKwé produced herself, the only track she created entirely on her own.

“Ice Walker” starts off with soft synths over a cackling percussive line, before gradually building into a full stop.

The next song follows at a similar tempo, but with a decidedly crisp drumbeat that pulls listeners into a gentle head bob.

The third song, “Healers,” starts

off with the line “This one is written for my people, who are still hurting, divided by the many lines of faith,” then begins to build tempo through the vocal line while sharing more on the ongoing struggle of IsKwé’s community. She samples a line saying “rise up” under distortion so as to sound like it is far away, or from a radio. The vocal line continues to build before pulling back again, starting over in creating that momentum, though it ends without reaching any definitive climax.

Dedicated vocal lines take flight in a landscape marked with rocky hills of percussion, covered in the soft deep greens of synths Gradual builds continue throughout the album, creating a pattern of soft valleys with quiet lyrics that climb into mountainous choruses, where IsKwé’s voice takes centre stage. The use of synth, occasional guitar, and electronic drums create an almost synthetic natural landscape

that resembles a northern terrain with the complex geography of the Canadian Shield.

Most songs keep a typical clublike dance beat, but brought to a slow groove that can pull on the head and the heart but do not quite move the feet. Listening to this album with headphones, or something that offers detailed articulation for each noise, shows the overall shape and ambience best. The sounds IsKwé uses give colour and character to each song, as there is not a ton of variance in song structure, but instead more exploration of soundscapes.

The album picks up at “Disturbed,” finally kicking into a full dance beat.

The single “Nobody Knows,” keeps up the quicker rhythm, and comes through with more vocal intensity than any song before it. Things are brought back down in “Sometimes,” before ending on a sweet note that changes tone from the rest of the album ever so slightly. Vocal lines shift away from the gentle to the soaring, ending in a consistent, driving low and loud murmur.

IsKwé is currently on tour after releasing the new album, and said she will be in Winnipeg later this year for a show.

Electronic artist Iskwe performing at the Festival Du Voyageur on February 25, 2017

PHOTOS BY JEN DOERKSEN

Funny women making and supporting change Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser supports Sarasvàti Productions OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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ilarious folks will be tickling funny bones to raise funds for life-changing theatre at The King’s Head Pub and Eatery on Nov. 15. The Women’s Comedy Night Fundraiser will feature some of the funniest women in the local stand-up game including Anjali Sandhu, Kate Schellenberg, Florence Spence, and Heather Witherden to raise money to provide opportunities for women theatre artists.

The show will be hosted by Sarasvàti Productions, a local theatre company that strives to transform society through theatre by addressing social issues while supporting emerging artists.

Angie St. Mars, associate producer of Sarasvàti Productions, thought the Women’s Comedy Night would be a fitting event.

“As a theatre company, we work hard to provide a platform for marginalized voices and to promote equity on Canadian stages," said St. Mars. "Our fundraisers are not a production but we want them to serve our mandate."

St. Mars said the fundraiser show is a great opportunity for women to

enjoy and feel connected to a comedic performance.

“Everybody wants to see themselves reflected on stage, but not everybody gets that opportunity as often,” she said.

“Women are hungry to hear jokes that speak to their specific experiences. When someone can make you laugh about an experience you’ve been in it feels amazing - it’s connective, it’s cathartic.”

Dana Smith is a local stand-up and sketch comedian who regularly performs across North America.

Smith also hosts the Women's Open Mic Comedy show on the first Friday of every month at Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub, which she recommends for any woman wanting to give stand-up a try.

“It's an incredibly welcoming room and home to a lot of first timers,” she said.

Smith said that women face many barriers that that exist beyond just comedy, but there are more women in comedy and more shows available to them than in the past.

Women are funny and they are proving it, she said. If anyone disagrees, “I don't talk to those people.

They've obviously chosen to ignore reality.”

The fundraiser show sold out last year and is almost sold out this year, with less than 20 tickets available for the 9:30 p.m. show. The 7:00 p.m. show is already sold out.

St. Mars said she is not surprised.

“Stand-up is great because the comedian has all the control," she said.

"Women doing stand-up can write and deliver exactly what they way to say, exactly how they want to say it. Plus, the women doing comedy in Winnipeg right now are frickin’ hilarious.”

The show will take place at The Kings Head Pub and Eatery on Nov. 15. Tickets for the 7:00 show are sold out, tickets for the 9:30 show are available for $15 at sarasvati.com.

Dana Smith, local comedian and host of the Women’s Comedy Show fundraiser for Savarsati Productions.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DANA SMITH

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

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Bisons surprise at women’s soccer nationals Hosts come away with sixth place finish, higher than many expected RYAN STELTER, STAFF

If Millham didn’t finish it off, it was Victoria Wulff who surely sunk the Bisons, scoring early in the second half to make it 4-0. Manitoba didn’t give up, however. Sara Schur, the fourth-year midfielder who was all over the attacking third for Manitoba, ruined the clean sheet for Vikes keeper Puck Louwes.

“I really hope that the players that experience this just become more willing to be here every year” - Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, Bison head coach Université de Montréal Carabins defeat Cape Breton University Capers to win Gold at the 2017 Women’s Soccer National Championship hosted by the University of Manitoba on Nov. 12, 2017 at the Subway Soccer South Soccer Complex.

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he weather moved the U midfielder Rebecca Martin said after were the class of the Canada West, SPORTS women’s soccer Manitoba crushed the University of and just proved to be too much, scornational championships inside, but Guelph in the consolation semifinals. ing four after the halftime break. that was OK for the University of “I think we did it,” captain Amanda “Overall the team gave everything Manitoba Bisons.

Wong said, finishing off her team- they could,” said head coach Vanessa Before the tournament started, mate’s point.

Martinez Lagunas after the Bisons many would have pegged the host The start of the tournament didn’t were eliminated from the championBisons to finish dead last. Those look so bright for the Bisons, who ship bracket. doubters had some merit to back opened with a 4-0 loss in the quarter Just 24 hours after a tough loss to that up. With an unconvincing 4-7-3 finals to Canada West champions Trinity Western, the Bisons faced record, and averaging only 1.14 goals and eventual bronze medal winners, a tough test in the champions of per game, it certainly looked on paper Trinity Western University.

Ontario, the Guelph Gryphons. that Manitoba was outmatched.

Spurred on by the 800 fans Manitoba made quick work of the But soccer isn’t played on paper crammed into the confines of the Gryphons, scoring five goals in the and the Bisons managed to make a Subway Soccer South Complex, the first half to win 5-1 and stamping their statement finishing in sixth place.

Bisons moved the ball with preci- mark on this national tournament.

“We just wanted to prove to every- sion and quickness, throwing the Wong became the first ever Bison to one that we deserved to be here,” Spartans off guard. Trinity Western score at a national tournament.

PHOTO BY JOE OCZERKLEWICZ

“The mindset was to give it our best,” Martinez Lagunas said. “We really wanted to redeem ourselves from [Thursday] because we thought we played a fantastic first half but not a very good second half and everyone was really mad about that.”

After beating the Gryphons in decisive fashion, it was a date with the University of Victoria Vikes in the consolation final on Sunday for Martinez Lagunas and her squad.

The Vikes, runners up in the Canada West, scored two quick goals in the opening 20 minutes to stun the hometown Bisons. Caitlin Millham seemed to twist the dagger even more when she scored just before halftime.

“Nobody expected us to [finish in sixth and] as I said on Friday it was a huge achievement for our program,” Martinez Lagunas said. “I’m really proud of the girls for what they did, they see that they can do it, it’s just a matter of being consistent, and it’s a big challenge.”

Having gotten the taste at the national level, Martinez Lagunas is hungry to play at this level again.

“The experience to be at nationals and to play against the best teams in the country is a huge opportunity for us,” she said. “I really hope that the players that experience this just become more willing to be here every year.”

Men’s basketball sweeps Griffins RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba men’s basketball team earned a sweep of the MacEwan University Griffins over the weekend.

The Bisons improved their record to 5-1 and sit in fourth place in the Canada West.

Friday

James Wagner took the reins Friday, scoring 31 points and pulling in eight rebounds in the 80-75 defeat of the Griffins. A back-and-forth first quarter had the Bisons leading by 21-19 early. A late-half three pointer from the Griffins clipped the Bisons lead but Manitoba remained ahead by a slim 34-33 at the half.

MacEwan stormed out of the halftime break going on an 8-0 run to start the third quarter. Manitoba answered back with their own run, posting a 12-0 streak to regain the

Bison guard #4 Rashawn Browne looking for a scoring opportunity against the McEwan Griffins during Saturday night’s game.

lead. MacEwan then hit a threepointer but a dunk by Wagner started off an 8-0 Bisons run to end the quarter with Manitoba up 58-49.

The Griffins rallied in the final

quarter to give the Bisons a bit of a scare, but a Wagner jumper with the score knotted at 75 and a minute left helped push Manitoba to a victory.

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

Saturday

scoring 27 points, two rebounds, and four assists. Alleyn is now averaging 22.8 points per game, placing him third in the Canada West. Wagner is not far behind in seventh, averaging 20.2.

The first quarter was relatively close, but the Bisons held a 17-13 lead after 10 minutes of play. Manitoba pulled away in the second quarter, scoring 25 points to lead the Griffins 42-27.

Manitoba outscored MacEwan 13-8 in the third quarter and laid off the gas a bit in the fourth quarter, with the Griffins actually outscoring the Bisons 20-19.

The Bisons will head out to Calgary On Saturday the Bisons estab- to play the Mount Royal University lished their dominance in a 74-55 win Cougars on Nov. 17-18. The Cougars to complete the sweep. It was Justus are 2-4 on the year.

Alleyn who led the way for Manitoba,

Sports

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

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Bisons sweep Cougars in crucial series Manitoba women’s hockey club moves into second place in the Canada West JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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his weekend the sixth-ranked University of Manitoba women’s hockey team looked to keep rolling, with a series against the University of Regina Cougars. Manitoba battled hard, taking the series with a sweep at home.

Manitoba now holds a 7-3 record and sits in second place in the Canada West, a single point back of the firstplaced University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

Friday

The first game of the weekend was all Manitoba. The home side was running on all cylinders, and despite some key injuries came out with a 4-0 shutout win.The Bisons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening moments.

A misplay behind the net by Cougars goaltender Morgan Baker landed on the stick of Jordyn Zacharias. Baker tried to get back but Zacharias was able to flip the puck by Baker for her fourth of the season.

Zacharias scored again early in the second frame. Megan Neduzak threw a pass from the side boards to make the game 4-0 Bisons. the high slot for a waiting Zacharias, Despite a number of great scoring who ripped a shot on goal. The laser opportunities for Regina, the Bisons went past Baker’s glove and into the shut the door, taking Friday’s game top corner for a 2-0 Bisons lead.

4-0. Rookie goalie Lauren Taraschuk Lauryn Keen extended Manitoba’s made 20 saves in the game to pick up lead at the end of the middle frame her second straight shutout of the sending a shot on goal from an odd season.

“It’s been tough coming in as a angle, the puck bouncing off Baker rookie and not really expecting to and in.

Sheridan Oswald added another play much really,” Taraschuk said. for the herd with five minutes to go “But getting the opportunity and in the game. She picked up an outlet giving it all I have is good to come pass and broke into the zone all alone. out with another win.”

Fighting off multiple Regina defenders, she got the puck on net. The puck Saturday The second game of the weekend took an odd bounce into the net to

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

series was a more back-and-forth affair, with both teams controlling the game at different points. The Bisons capitalized on back-to-back powerplay opportunities late in the game, taking the 2-1 win and sweeping the Cougars.

The game was scoreless until the second when Regina's Tamara McVannel broke the deadlock. After controlling the pace of play for most of the second frame, McVannel snuck a shot below the pad of Taraschuk to make it 1-0 Cougars. This ended Taraschuk’s shutout streak at 147:08.

From there, the game went back to a deadlock until a scary scene

unfolded. Alexandra Anderson was as well as I did yesterday, so I was checked into the stanchion, forc- happy that I could contribute with ing her to leave the game for which that goal in the end,” Oswald said.

Martina Maskova was assessed a “Sometimes you have games like that game misconduct. This, along with and you have to do the little stuff an earlier penalty, put the Bisons on right and help out in that way.” a 5-on-3.

Erica Rieder tied the game on Manitoba hosts the University of the powerplay, ripping a shot from Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Wayne the high slot that snuck by Regina Fleming Arena on Nov. 17-18. goaltender Jane Kish .

Courtlyn Oswald played the hero for the Bisons, taking a cross-ice pass from Alana Serhan and burying the puck with 30 seconds left to lift the Bisons over the Cougars 2-1.

“I definitely thought I did not play

Bison men’s hockey tosses Regina aside, women’s volleyball split Alberta RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba Bison men’s hockey team swept the University of Regina Cougars this weekend, and the Bison volleyball teams were swept against the University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Men’s hockey continues to roll

After sweeping the Mount Royal University Cougars, the Bisons were looking to continue their good run of form.

They smacked the Cougars on Friday night, registering a 6-1 win. Six different players scored for Manitoba.

Quintin Lisoway scored his first goal since Oct. 7, and registered an assist.

Brett Brooks had a goal, as well as two assists, in the win. Byron Spriggs made 31 saves between the pipes.

Dasan Sydora got the start for Manitoba on Saturday afternoon,

making 46 saves in the double overtime 6-5 win. The Bisons led 5-4 until late in the third when the Cougars scored with 56 seconds remaining to level the score. Kamerin Nault was the overtime hero, scoring his second goal of the weekend and fifth of the campaign.

The pair of wins puts the Bisons in fourth in the Canada West with a 6-4 record 10 games into the season.

Manitoba is one point back of third placed Calgary ahead of a road series against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Nov. 17-18.

Women’s volleyball split, men trip up

The women’s team fared better games into the season. than their male counterparts, manSecond year right side hitter aging a split against the Pandas. The Kearley Abbott had a combined 25 Bisons move to 2-4 and are tied for kills on the weekend for Manitoba. second last in the Canada West six Abbott is averaging 3.08 kills per

after being swept aside by the Golden Bears.

Fifth year left side hitter Adam DeJonckheere led Manitoba both nights, combining for 17 kills on the weekend. DeJonckheere is now up to 68 on the year and entered the top 10 all time in the Canada West points with 1,307.5. Manitoba now sits in a tie for 10th place in the Canada West.

The Bisons will head home this weekend to take on the MacEwan University Griffins in a two-game series at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

set, good enough for eighth in the Canada West.

The third ranked men’s team could potentially fall out of the U SPORTS top 10 with their record falling to 1-5

18

Sports

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

I wanted to pitch like Roy Halladay JOE GONZALES, VOLUNTEER STAFF

as if it was that easy. In 2017 he still does this.

When Doc was on the mound, there was no way you could get me to leave the TV. If I had to drive around with my dad, you’d bet that he’d flip on the radio so we could tune in to hear what magic Halladay was dealing from the mound.

Halladay was a beacon of optimism and hope in the sea of mediocrity that was the Blue Jays. Every year of not reaching the postseason was a disappointment, but on the days when Doc was on the mound, it he made it seem that the team was going to be alright. Even against the powerhouse Yankees and Red Sox, it didn’t Forget the sticks mean anything. He came to work to and pucks, I do his business, and then left as if it was just another day at the office. wanted to pitch I was 14 by the time Halladay was like Roy Halladay traded to the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the start of the 2010 season, and I wasn’t upset at all. I mean, this It was a Friday, June 7, 2002. My was a guy who was constantly putting dad was starting to watch the Blue the team, and dare I say the country’s Jays as they hosted the Colorado baseball fans, on his back, trying to Rockies, playing at what was formerly help Canada’s only - after the Expos known as - and for some fans, still relocated in 2004 - major league baseis - the Skydome. I don’t remember ball team push for a postseason berth much from that day, and seeing as not seen since 1993.

The man deserved to chase a ring. how I was able to watch the game I must have finished my addition and When he threw the 20th perfect subtraction homework, or something game in MLB history, it was as if he to that effect. My dad told me to pay did it in a Jays’ uniform, too. When attention, because Roy Halladay was he threw the second ever postseason pitching. At that time, the name had no-hitter, I cheered for him as if he no value to me. It was unlike when threw it wearing number 32 in blue.

I heard names like Martin Brodeur Though Halladay never had a or Steve Yzerman, so what was the chance to win a ring, I think most big deal? fans would agree with me when I say Maybe it was the movement on his he’ll always be a champion in some pitches. Maybe it was the efficiency respect in our lives. Whether it’s he worked with. Maybe it was the through what he did on the mound or culmination of those factors and then how he acted like a genuine, friendly some that displayed complete domi- human being off of it, I can only guess nance. Whatever it was, I realized that I’m one of many people he had what the big deal was. This man on an impact on, even though we had the mound had stuff that wanted me never formally met. to keep watching. The way that he The kid who loved hockey still GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY came on, did his work, and walked loves it to a certain extent; I am off, it was admirable. It was badass. Canadian, after all. My love for the very least we had a team in the And it was something that childhood baseball has manifested itself in Manitoba Moose that had a major dreams are made of. Forget the sticks learning about it, writing about it, league connection as the farm team and pucks, I wanted to pitch like Roy and surrounding myself constantly for the Vancouver Canucks. At the Halladay. The stat line for that game, with the game, all because of a guy time, actively watching and following by the way, was a complete game who wowed the imagination and baseball seemed trivial. two-hit shutout in 106 pitches - 73 wonder of some seven-year-old from After Halladay’s shaky entrance for strikes.

Winnipeg who never really gave baseinto the major leagues in 1998 After that, the only Jays games ball a real chance up until that point. which included being optioned to I wanted to watch were games I still wish I could pitch like Roy the minors in 2000 - his coming- Halladay was pitching. Even as a Halladay.

Rest easy, Doc. out party happened in 2002, when seven-year-old, I knew this team still he was named an All-Star for the sucked, my evidence mainly coming first time in his career. 2002 was also from my dad yelling at the television the year Canada’s men’s and women’s set, complaining so-and-so should or hockey teams won the gold medal at shouldn’t have tried to hit that ball, the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. I remember the men’s game being exhilarating to watch, huddled around the television with my family watching Canada defeat the neighbouring rivals the United States in dominating fashion.

But the Olympics are only two weeks, after all, and hockey season comes to an end around June. So at that point in time it seemed sports had come to an end for the year, and so I had to distract myself with other matters. As a seven-year-old, that included bothering my dad.

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fter retirement, Roy ‘Doc’ Halladay once mentioned in an interview, “I’ve been dreaming about flying since I was boy but was only able to become a pilot once I retired from baseball.”

On Nov. 7, that dream was cut short after a flying accident off the Gulf of Mexico took his life. Mere moments after the news broke, an outpouring of stories and condolences were told and shared by teammates, opponents, fans, and anyone else that had a chance to witness the man that was Roy Halladay, a testament to the

character he brought on and off the field.

My personal story and connection with Halladay is that of a young sports fan who was trying to find the excitement my dad found in baseball.

Growing up, the only sport I felt I really loved was hockey. I hadn’t yet been born when the Blue Jays won their back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, and so I didn’t really have that connection as a fan my dad did with those euphoric moments for the franchise. I was more of a hockey kid, like most of my friends, and at

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

Sports

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The 2018 Miracle on Ice? U SPORTS and Hockey Canada should partner to send players to the Olympics JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

With the NHL keeping its players off the Olympic ice, an opportunity has opened up for Hockey Canada to partner with U SPORTS.

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hile Canada may not be able to recapture the magic of the American 1980 "Miracle on Ice," it may be time for U SPORTS and Hockey Canada to start believing in miracles.

During the 2017 NHL playoffs, the NHL made the fateful announcement that there would be no participation by the league in the upcoming South Korean Winter Olympics. This brought on a wave of continued condemnation from fans and players.

Additionally, some NHL owners are in favour of their players participating in the 2018 Olympics.

Despite the backlash, the NHL forged ahead. Even following news that a secondary schedule had been made to include an Olympic break, the decision stands to this day. Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, and the other major national sports programs that rely on NHL players for participation have to seek other avenues.

Numerous international and invitational tournaments have featured ad hoc national squads, as International Ice Hockey Federation members

now lacking NHL talent try to pull together a competitive roster comprised mainly of talent from Russia’s premier pro league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). However, with recent reports the KHL will boycott the Olympics - due to the fallout of the Russian doping scandal - even these plans may be on their way out.

In this time of turmoil, it may be best for Hockey Canada and USA Hockey to return to their roots in order to field a competitive international squad.

Prior to the 1988 Olympics, participation was limited to amateur athletes, with the last eight Winter Olympic Games allowing for professional participation. Now, with the loss of NHL players, and potentially KHL players, Hockey Canada has a unique opportunity to help grow the game, while shining a spotlight on some of their largely ignored university talent.

With the presence of top tier junior hockey through the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) - which includes the Western Hockey League,

Ontario Hockey League, and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League - as well as the ever present Junior A and Junior B ranks, collegiate hockey has taken an unnecessary back seat in Canada.

The road to the NHL for any player growing up in Canada seems paved by a path through the CHL or in some cases the NCAA. This does not necessarily have to be the case.

Derek Ryan, of the Carolina Hurricanes, is one of the most high-profile examples of a former U SPORTS talent now plying his trade in the professional ranks. A graduate of the powerhouse University of Alberta Golden Bears program, Ryan has recorded 37 points - 16 goals and 21 assists - through 87 NHL games.

Like Alberta, the University of New Brunswick has proven to be a professional-talent generating machine. Francis Beauvillier played with the Varsity Reds from 2014 to 2017, recording 54 points - 26 goals and 28 assists - in 74 games before signing with the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League.

While the University of Manitoba

PHOTO BY MEGAN COLWELL

has not produced an NHL player tunity for Hockey Canada and U since Stu Grimson began his NHL SPORTS to come together in a career 1988, there is professional expe- meaningful way. By constructing a rience present.

U SPORTS all-star team and takAfter red-shirting the last season, ing them to PyeongChang, Hockey Michael St. Croix is off to a great Canada can help build the profile start with the Bisons, notching three of Canadian collegiate hockey to goals and eight assists through 10 become a destination for players. games. The Winnipeg-born forward For U SPORTS, more eyes on is a former New York Rangers draft their talent could lead to more interpick, and spent three years playing est, more sponsorships, and further professional hockey in their farm growth of their brand. Furthermore, system. In his final year he recorded U SPORTS players will have the 11 goals and 29 assists in 66 games for chance to train and play for worldthe Greenville Swamp Rabbits. class coaches and against top talent.

Jordon Cooke, the star University U SPORTS already compiles an of Saskatchewan Huskies goalie, was all-star team to play a two game exhinamed to Canada’s 2017 Spengler bition series against Canada’s World Cup roster. While he did not see Junior squad in December each year. any action, he was able to learn from Why not send them to South Korea the pros and train with world class this year? coaches.

U SPORTS men’s hockey represents an untapped gold mine of talent: Ryan, Beauvillier, St. Croix, and Cooke show it is not just a final stop for overaged junior players.

The lack of NHL - and maybe KHL - talent at the upcoming Olympics represents a great oppor-

20

Sports

VOL. 104 NO. 13 November 15, 2017

The art of the fantasy deal MICHAEL BELL , VOLUNTEER STAFF

W

ell, we've reached an imporIn exchange for a stud, offer to buy tant part of the season. your trading partner(s) a monthly bus Congratulations on making it this pass. If they take a car to school, a far. Your team has managed to sur- tank of gas is more than fair. A half vive injuries, a few bye-apocalypses, a tank, even fairer. and also that recent Thursday Night Seahawks game with the lime green jerseys. If you watched the game in If you're not 4K, I feel sorry for your retinas. But willing to give up I'm here to talk trades and making deals. We've reached the point in something good, the season where your league trading deadline is close to passing. Or if it then maybe you're has passed, then hopefully this article not ready to trade will at least be an entertaining read.

Now, you're probably reading, or have read, many articles about this issue, so this is probably old news. For Offer to shovel their sidewalk or example, when you're in a position driveway. But only one, not both. of strength, you may just need some Straight up blackmail. Let's call depth pieces to bolster your playoff it for what it is. run. If you're middle of the pack, Shoot them text after text until trade a position you are strong in for they're completely texted into suba position where you are weak. And mission, and they can only say yes to if your team is doing poorly, there's your trade. And if they still say no, not much you can do. Well, not so manage to snag their Netflix passfast. I may have a few trading ideas word and watch stuff they'd never for all you bottom-feeders out there: watch and totally mess with their A Jedi mind trick. Always classic. "recommended" list.

The sympathy trade. Mention your pet is in the hospital - dog, cat, parrot, whatever - and then try to get, say, Todd Gurley for either an injured player or someone on your roster who would never see the starting lineup unless hell froze over. But caution, this strategy almost never works.

Beer pong. Who knows? A little beer and a little pong could help seal the deal.

And finally, just lie. Flat out fake news it. Tell them Ezekel Elliott is actually not suspended, he got another injunction and you're willing to trade Zeke for one their studs.

But make sure to target owners who don't pay much attention to football and almost hardly use the internet.

In all seriousness, the simple reality of trading is this - you need to give up something good to get something good. Don't be that owner who tries to trade a kicker for Kareem Hunt.

It's not good for the league, and you're just embarrassing yourself. If you're not willing to give up something good, then maybe you're not ready to trade. And nobody says you have to

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KEITH ALLISON

make a deal either. There's something to be said for going to war with the players you have.

But be reasonable and be openminded. And know who you're trading with. You should know their lineup - obviously if they're desperate for wide receivers, you're not going to trade them a running back. Also know their psychology. It's a bit like the game Cards Against Humanity.

Ultimately, how you win that game is not by being the most outrageous, but by knowing the psychology of

your opponents. So that's how you can win the trade. Know their team, but know the person more.

Next week's article will be a mailbag. From Wednesday Nov. 15 to Saturday Nov. 18, email any fantasy related questions to thefantasyprof@gmail.com. I will try to publish a few fun answers as we all try to gear up for the end of the season.