17 January 2018

EDITORIAL

Canadian values strike again

Tim Hortons treatment of workers deserves a different kind of roast

COMMENT

Want to defeat Trump and the alt-right?

They just might do the job for you PAGE 11

SPORTS

Bouncing back Bison Claire Harvey returns after ACL tear PAGE 23

ARTS & CULTURE

Unconventional ice breaker Magic club set to improve social skills PAGE 9 VO L 1 0 4 · N O 1 9 · J A N UA RY 1 7, 2 0 1 8 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

PAGE 8

Index

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VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Sohni Tappia

NEWS

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Off to the races

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Ryan Catte

UM ecoMotion prepares for competition

EDITORIAL

PAGE 6

me@themanitoban.com

MANAGING EDITOR Malak Abas NEWS EDITOR Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Shaden Abusaleh

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Shawn Huberdeau

comment@themanitoban.com

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Olivia Michalczuk

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

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

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

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

SPORTS

COMMENT

Saskatchewan showdown

Trading in parliament’s moral economy

Bisons and Huskies split a pair in Manitoba PAGE 19

exchanging vice for the pretence of virtue PAGE 9

Check the Manitoban’s website and Facebook page for: • A preview of Black Hole Theatre's upcoming show Pith!

Design Design Editor: Bram Keast Contact: design@themanitoban.com Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com Photo Editor: Asha Nelson Contact: photo@themanitoban.com

Will Gibson Sam Thompson Erin Meagan Schwartz

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News

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

Kinew criticizes opening of for-profit clinic Residents discuss access to healthcare, privatization at town hall gathering hosted by NDP leader IMREET KAUR, STAFF

M

anitoba’s NDP is criticizing of the opening of Prota clinic, a private, for-profit medical testing facility in Winnipeg.

In a letter dated Jan. 3, Manitoba NDP leader Wab Kinew and NDP health critic Andrew Swan requested the federal minster of health, Petitpas Taylor, examine whether the clinic is in violation of the Canada Health Act (CHA) for charging Manitobans for necessary medical tests.

“What I do know is that in other provinces, their citizens are able to access services and in Manitoba they have not been able to and I don’t understand why we should be treated as second class Canadians” - Kelvin Goertzen, provincial minister of health The private clinic offers echocardiograms for $650 for those who can afford to pay for testing out of pocket.

The NDP letter said this creates a “VIP health system for the wealthy in our communities” while it drains “resources and trained staff from the public system, and hurts the quality of care we can all expect, leaving the rest of us with second class care.”

The provincial government has not objected to the private clinic and argued that such clinics have been operating in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan for many years.

Kelvin Goertzen, Manitoba minister of health, seniors and active living, said not offering these services will make Manitobans “second-tier Canadians.”

“If those services are available for purchase in other provinces, there is no legal reason, then, they shouldn’t be available in Manitoba, and I don’t know why the NDP would want to subrogate Manitobans to secondclass Canadians,” Goertzen told reporters.

The NDP letter argues that privatizing essential elements of the healthcare system does not solve the problem of wait times and that creating a service fee for health care runs against the health act.

“Encouraging profiteering in our health system is against the values of public health that Canadians and

Provincial NDP leader Wab Kinew and Uzoma Asagwara, a local physchiatric nurse, host a healthcare town hall meeting attended by more than 100 community members at the West Broadway Community Ministry Jan. 13. PHOTOS BY ASHA NELSON

Manitobans hold dear and that is enshrined in law,” the letter reads.

“The challenges of illness are difficult enough without getting a bill in the mail afterwards.”

The letter argues accessing healthcare should not be “determined by the size of your bank account” and that it should be accessible to all regardless of socio-economic status.

Goertzen retorted that the system is already being interfered with “in that way” given the availability of existing private clinics in other provinces that offer tests.

According to Goertzen, tests are not subject to the CHA as the “feds haven’t acted on any of those prov- a local psychiatric nurse, hosted more than 100 people, many of whom inces.” He added that Manitobans a town hall at the West Broadway spoke about the social determinants should not be treated differently.

Community Ministry Jan. 13 to of health, which include housing, Goertzen said income, genhe hopes the clinder, race, sexual “Encouraging profiteering in our health ic's opening has a orientation, first positive effect on system is against the values of public health language, and wait times in the religion. that Canadians and Manitoba hold dear, province.

Asagwara said “What I do these “determiand that is enshrined in law. The challenges know is that in nants can act as of illness are difficult enough without other provinces, barriers to accesstheir citizens are ing health care” getting a bill in the mail afterwards” – Wab and the governable to access services and in ment should invest Kinew, leader of the Manitoba NDP Manitoba they in preventative have not been care for the overall able to, and I don’t understand why discuss the state of health care in well-being of people. we should be treated as second-class Manitoba, access to mental health “I heard a lot today about the Canadians,” he said. services, and to explore policy options needs around mental health in our surrounding mental health and community - particularly with addicHealthcare town hall addictions in the province. tions - but also just mental health in Kinew and Uzoma Asagwara, The town hall was attended by general and how people face barriers

and they feel as though maybe they are not being heard, or they are not able to access some of the treatment that they need if they have a mental health issue,” Kinew said in an interview.

“I also think that one of the big things that stood out to me was the amount of people who talked about social determinants of health, like poverty or housing issues, and how that can impact peoples’ well-being and I think that is where, as a government and as political leaders, we need to focus more of our attention,” he added.

Kinew again expressed his criticism of for-profit diagnostic clinics and said the language being used by the provincial government is concerning. “They are going to use a similar approach in other areas,” he said.

“My concern for what that will mean for the health care system overall is that it could potentially drain the talent out of public health care towards the private health care system,” he added.

Kinew said he is looking forward to engaging with the federal minister of health to discuss the issue in detail.

“They have acknowledged that they have received the letter," he said, "but we haven’t had the some of follow up.

So we’re still waiting on [that]."

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News

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

Federal minister Navdeep Bains leads Q and A session Minister of innovation, science, and economic development talks government, sustainable development, and social innovation QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

F

ederal minister of innovation, science, and economic development Navdeep Bains took part in a Q and A session on the government’s role in sustainable development and social innovation with U of M students Jan. 8.

Held in the Engineering Information & Technology Complex atrium and hosted by director of the Asper School of Business’s Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, La Royce Batchelor, the session’s theme was created around Canada’s continued innovation at home.

“We are here to ask some questions, truly in a representative government fashion,” Batchelor said.

“Something that a lot of other countries don’t get to do.”

The role of government in innovation

The first question posed to the minister was on the Canadian government’s role in the innovation sector.

Bains said the Canadian government today is particularly crucial within the realm of many emerging global markets that place the country in the context of “a global innovation race.”

“We are competing with other jurisdictions when it comes to innovation,” he said.

Bains said the government can best serve innovation by using its abil-

fixture of Canada’s global trade agenda, citing the government's goal to “double the cleantech market share for Canada globally” as an example.

Social innovation

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

ity “to bring industry and academia together to solve problems.”

“The role of government is to put out our ability to bring people together, and to deal with these areas that are challenges for us,” he said.

“Innovation is about challenging the status quo. It’s about solving problems. It's about better outcomes, for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren.”

Bains also emphasized that the government's capacity to engage in this global innovation race is through driving innovation and creating “the conditions for innovation to succeed.”

Sustainable development

Bains noted that the pivotal sustainable development change forwarded by the current Liberal government has been to ensure “the environment and the economy go hand in hand.” This, he continued, creates a “compelling case” for meaningful growth.

Bains highlighted that the government’s increased focus on qualitative data analyzed through Statistics Canada has enabled it to formulate tangible targets for sustainable growth in Canada’s the clean technology (cleantech) sector.

Cleantech refers to technologies,

processes, or services that reduce or eliminate harmful environmental impacts through energy efficiency improvements.

“We wanted to understand the cleantech sector - the cleantech market in Canada - and last year, we measured this information,” he said.

Bains said the clean technology sector represents three per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product, with about 274,000 Canadians employed in the sector nationwide.

“This is an area where we are making big investments,” he said.

The minister added that sustainable development is an important

Asked about the social role in determining the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development’s programs, Bains said the government has emphasized “promoting diversity” by being “inclusive in our approach when it comes to economic policy.”

“This is about making sure that we look at our Indigenous population, young people, more women, people of visible minorities,” he said. “We have that lens when we talk about creating programs and incentives.”

Bains said that the way the government implements this view is by examining social challenges such as poverty, and then asking questions like, “How can we inject innovation in that?”

“When we have programs that we assign, or funding that we assign, we actually have a social lens to it,” he said.

“We say, ‘What problem are you trying to solve and how would that impact your community in a positive way?’”

UMSU to hold plebiscite on continued membership with Canadian Federation of Students DIANA UBOKUDOM, STAFF

U

MSU is preparing to hold a pleb- verbally harassed by CFS-MB execuDele Ojewole, interim chair- open for two days - Jan. 31 and Feb. iscite asking U of M students if tives during the CFS annual national person of CFS - Manitoba, said the 2. Online votes will be tallied on simthey want to continue their member- general meeting last year. federation has always been commit- plyvoting.com. A polling station will ship in the Canadian Federation of “UMSU has had several issues with ted to working with UMSU, as well also be set up in front of the UMSU Students (CFS). this organization,” said Nagra. as other student unions in Manitoba, office in University Centre.

The motion to hold the plebiscite The plebiscite will ask students: to advance the interests of students was approved by UMSU council in “Do you believe UMSU should in the province.

IQ’s “grand re-opening” the fall at its Nov. 9 meeting. U of M remain a member of the Canadian He said CFS “intends to continue IQ’s Café & Billiards had its students are assessed a $14.98 annual Federation of Students, at a cost of working with the UMSU executives grand re-opening Jan. 11 after renoCFS membership fee. $14.98 per student per year?” and students at the University of vations over the summer and the first UMSU president Tanjit Nagra When challenged whether the Manitoba.” part of the fall semester. said the vote will allow students to question posed is leading for its Ojewole noted that in the fall The renovations were the first sigexpress their opinions on the work- including the annual fee, Nagra said of 2017, UMSU and CFS worked nificant improvements the space has ing relationship between UMSU and “That was approved by UMSU coun- together to advocate for students undergone in 18 years. The café was CFS. cil. It was approved by a board of 49 and campaign against Bill 31 - the initially scheduled to fully reopen "It’s not a referendum. It’s non- voting members with input from all Advanced Education Administration last fall. binding," she said. "It’s essentially faculties and all different residences, Amendment Act. The bill rolled back UMSU council initially approved to get the students’ input on the colleges, and community groups. So legislation put in place by the NDP spending up to $1 million in January relationship with the Canadian ultimately it was their decision to go in 2012 that capped tuition increases 2017. An additional $200,000 was Federation of Students.” with that wording choice.” to inflation. approved in the fall to cover cost Nagra said the plebiscite will dirNagra also noted that UMSU “As recent as this fall, we had over- overruns. ect the future of both organizations. council reserves the right to deter- whelming supports and responses The café had a soft opening in What Nagra described as “per- mine the final course of action on the from University of Manitoba students September. sonal issues” also led to the council’s future relationship between UMSU by participating in our Education for Nagra said requirements like perdecision to approve the plebiscite and CFS regardless of the outcome All Campaign,” he said. mits and certain construction work motion. She has claimed she was of the non-binding vote.

Voting on the plebiscite will be had delayed the initial re-opening,

even though UMSU was ready to proceed.

Some of the improvements to the café include: professional-grade Diamond League pool tables, a stateof-the-art audio visual and speaker system, USB plug-ins and power outlets at every table.

Ayobami Ige, who is in his final year of computer science, expressed his admiration for the newly improved area, while also commenting on some of the things he missed having prior to renovating the space.

“The new place is beautiful, it looks good," he said, noting the elimination of separate study space. “There is no separation anymore - which used to be an option.”

“That’s just the only set back," he added, "but overall, I think I like it.”

VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

News

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U of M international students express worry, hope in response to Iranian protests Thousands arrested, reports of torture in Iran uprising SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

O

ngoing protests in Iran, which began on Dec. 28, mark what Reuter's has referred to as the country’s “most audacious challenge to its clerical leadership” in nearly a decade.

Demonstrations in reaction to Iran’s weakening economy, rising food and fuel prices, and widespread corruption began in the country’s second largest city, Mashhad. Online videos showed crowds of hundreds gathered in Mashhad chanting things like “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Rouhani.”

Hassan Rouhani is Iran’s president and was re-elected in May. According to activists, protests in Iran have spread to include up to 130 cities and towns.

On Jan. 9, it was reported that up to 3,700 Iranians had been arrested during the protests, with reports emerging that many have been tortured. Of those arrested, 90 per cent are under the age of 25 years old.

Violent clashes between protesters and security forces have resulted in at least 21 deaths.

U of M fourth-year biology student Behnam Beizaei, who immigrated from Iran to Winnipeg seven years ago, spoke of the economic hardships faced by the Iranian people, particularly young Iranians.

“It’s rooted in the frustration,” he said. “Like many of the countries in [the] Middle East, Iran has also a population of young people who are the majority. So when you have a lot of young people, they need jobs, they need to have enough income to start a family.”

“I know that there are some sort of inequalities,” Beizaei continued.

“There is a gap. There is a gap between very poor people and very rich people.

And most of the people in the middle class, they’re kind of getting divided between these two, and a lot of them are leaving the country, like my own family.”

Beizaei noted that the economic frustrations stem from high levels of inflation, unemployment, and prices of goods.

Improving the Iranian economy

was an important part of Rouhani’s political agenda when he campaigned.

This included signing the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iranian Nuclear Deal.

The agreement between the Iranian government and the P5+1 countries - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, plus Germany - saw Iran agree to heavy restrictions on its nuclear development program to relieve the country of US and European-backed economic sanctions.

“Maybe our appearances are different, but we’re all after the same thing” - Amin Montazeri, second year U1 student In spite of the four to five per cent growth in the country’s gross domestic product under Rouhani, Iran’s economy remains in trouble, with inflation sitting at 9.6 per cent, unemployment rates at nearly 13 per cent, and youth unemployment at almost 29 per cent.

Iran’s youth, who make up more than 60 per cent of the country’s population, have been the driving force of the recent protests.

Second-year U1 student, Amin Montazeri, called the protests “worrisome.”

“If there was going to be a clear revolution in Iran, it could be a second Syria,” he said.

“I’ve been away from home for a long time,” Montazeri explained. “So I haven’t lived in [Iranian] society to tell you authentically that this is what the people are experiencing.”

“The economic [troubles] that are being piled up on people,” Montazeri continued, “that’s the main thing that’s driving the protests.”

Such economic struggles include an increase in the price of fuel and other basic goods by roughly 40 per cent. This, combined with an outbreak of bird flu which killed between 15 and 17 million chickens, resulted in a spike in the price of eggs by up to 50 per cent.

A leak of Rouhani's new budget, which proposes an end of subsidies to the poor, tax increases, and an increase to fuel prices, all while military expenditures climb, appears to have acted as a catalyst for the protests.

While the uprising in Iran began in response to a stagnant economy, Iranian students protest at the University of Tehran on Dec. 30 2017 as these ongoing protests have now a part of the widespread demonstrations that took place across the evolved into a deeper political dis- country. PHOTO FROM GETTY IMAGES approval of the country’s government, with protestors calling for the have access to open internet that is just came to the street" to demonoverthrow of Iran’s supreme leader not filtered, and we can talk to each strate against the Iranian regime.

- where fundamental, uncontested there and see if we can do anything.”

"But after [an] hour, the revolutionauthority rests.

Adding to this, Montazeri high- ary guard just came," he said. "They Iran’s government is composed lighted the importance of sympathy started hitting people." of a combination of elected officials and understanding.

As soon as the protests turned – members of the legislature and the “I think what keeps us connected violent, he fled. president – and an unelected cleric, as a human race is empathy,” he said.

"The day after, the parents, they currently led by Supreme Leader Ali “Many people aren’t involved or aware were looking for their kids all the Khamenei, who has the authority to of what is happening in the Middle time. They were asking other people override the presidency's policy deci- East. I think if we see something in where are their kids, but no answer," sions. Basic rights, like the freedom a headline - a BBC, CNN headline - he said. "No one would answer and of expression, are tightly controlled don’t just turn away. Maybe consider that's really hard.” by the government. that there are these people that are “You see the mother crying all the “I just feel bad for the parents fighting for their human rights.” time in front of the police station and of those people that were killed,” “Maybe our appearances are differ- asking for her kids and it's really hard Montazeri said. “Because most of ent, but we’re all after the same thing.” to see that." them are like our age, maybe a bit He expressed his frustration in older, university students.”

From ground zero the government's failure to meet “That’s what I resent about what is Another U of M student, who the needs of the Iranian population, happening.” recently returned from Iran and saying Rouhani’s reelection was supWhile the protests in Iran have requested anonymity, said the pro- posed to bring about positive change died down, the anger and tensions tests in his hometown, Sari - located to the country. But the economic remain. in northern Iran - were unexpected. grievances worsened.

Beizaei said the protests affect “My hometown [stood] up for one "I don't want to say that, but someIranians living both at home and day [and] they destroyed us,” he said, times they are calling our country [a] abroad. referring to Iran's Revolutionary dangerous country," he said. "Our “ Anything that happens in [the] Guard Corps - a branch of Iran’s people are not terrorists. Our people Middle East kind of affects the life in armed forces led by Qasem Soleimani. are really nice people." here [in Canada] in general,” he said.

“The security destroyed everyone," "I feel like this country should get “Every Iranian that is living in he said. “Two of my friends, they changed. My people deserve more Iran and outside, they do feel the got arrested and I couldn’t say bye deserve better lives." frustration.” to them.”

“We are fortunate that we have He said what started out as lunch access to free press [in Canada],” he with friends quickly turned dangeradded. “We can talk to people, we ous when “around 500, 600 people

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News

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

UM ecoMotion preparing for April competition University of Manitoba’s Shell Eco-Marathon team set to compete in Sonoma, California SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

U of M's EcoMotion placed 14 out of 17 teams in its first Shell Eco-Marathon competition in Detroit, Michigan, in April.

U

M ecoMotion - a design team of over 50 engineering students - is designing and building an efficient, battery-powered vehicle that will compete in the Shell Eco-marathon Americas 2018 competition.

The competition, held at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, will run from April 19 to 22.

UM ecoMotion is the first and only Shell Eco-Marathon team at the University of Manitoba. The team formed in September 2016.

Fourth-year electrical engineering student and UM ecoMotion’s communications lead, Alan Huynh, said that while most competitions focus on performance and speed, the Shell Eco-Marathon competition is “about efficiency - so more about towards the future of sustainability, especially with electric vehicles.”

“This competition is a little bit different than the usual ones,” he said.

“This one is based on the efficiency of your vehicle, so how far you can go on one litre of gasoline or how many kilowatt joules you use per lap.”

UM ecoMotion’s beginnings

Huynh reflected on the team’s beginnings, noting that forming the eco-marathon team posed initial challenges. “ It wasn’t very easy at first,” he said.

“Being a new team, you need to create your brand awareness.”

“Last year, being a first-year team,

it’s very difficult getting funding and support,” he added. “We needed to prove to people and sponsors, specifically, that we are going to take them seriously, use their funding and resources responsibly.”

“Seeing something that you put work into and seeing it run for the very first time and seeing it move, it’s priceless” – Alan Huynh, UM ecoMotion communications lead Huynh said that the team’s funding comes from a combination of sources which include private sponsors UM ecoMotion reaches out to, and different groups at the university such as Friends of Engineering, the University of Manitoba Engineering Society, and the Faculty of Eng ineering Endowment Fund.

An additional difficulty, Huynh said, was the team’s small starting group size which made it “quite impossible to build a vehicle, and design, and get members and funding.”

Now with over 50 members from a variety of engineering disciplines on the team - including biosystems, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering - Huynh said the number of group members is no longer a challenge.

The team participated in its first Shell Eco-Marathon competition last April in Detroit, Michigan, where they placed 14 out of 17 on-track competitors with an efficiency of 80.1km/kWh. On-track competitors are teams that pass technical inspection, a 10-stage process ensuring the battery-powered vehicle complies with the competition’s rules and is safe to drive on the track.

Lynn Le, fourth-year mechanical engineering student, said, “In my opinion, our team did absolutely fantastic and surpassed all my expectations.”

“I remember panicking in January about the vehicle,” she said. “At the time, in my section, nothing was definite in design.”

“My doubt of the vehicle being able to be completed continued with me even through me helping load the parts of the vehicle into the trailer to head off to Detroit for the competition.

“My doubt lasted until Alan [Huynh], our driver, completed a lap around the track. When I saw our vehicle finishing the first lap out of 10, I was ecstatic. I remember look-

ing at other members of the team and yelling to each other that we made a lap. At that point, my doubt for the team disappeared.”

Off to the West Coast

Andrew Saygnavong, a fourth year mechanical engineering student, said his decision to join UM ecoMotion stemmed from his interests in the automotive industry and renewable energy.

“The team fit my interest perfectly as I am able to work on a vehicle that could potentially help the environment,” he said. “As fossil fuels slowly become more depleted on earth, it really intrigued me that the designs this team creates could potentially be used in the industry, in the near future.”

Le and Huy nh echoed Saygnavong, highlighting their interests in sustainability as a primary factor in their decision to join the eco-marathon team.

For this year’s competition, Huynh said that the preparation was immediate - it began as soon as the team returned from Detroit.

“Design of this newer vehicle started basically right away when we came back because we were so excited,” he said, adding that the team’s goal is to reduce the vehicle’s weight.

Huynh also said that with the design already finished, the team is

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALAN HUYNH

in the process of manufacturing the battery-powered vehicle and speaking with potential funders and sponsors to get it built.

“The thing I’m looking forward to seeing it run for the first time,” Huynh said. “Seeing something that you put work into and seeing that run for the very first time and seeing it move - it’s priceless.”

Both Le and Saygnavong added that they hope the team will improve efficiency and place higher than last year.

Beyond competition

In addition to their preparation for April’s competition, Huynh said UM ecoMotion’s goal is to engage in youth outreach. Huynh said this involves expanding young people's interest in STEM careers - careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics - and working towards a sustainable future.

“We need to get them interested about these electrical vehicles and sustainable living now so when they are our age they know what to do,” he said.

“Last year the team started with about 20 to 25 members and our team has about doubled from that number,” Saygnavong said.

“More and more people are understanding the energy problem that we face and are eager to join our team.”

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

8

Canada’s favourite coffee isn’t so fresh after all Benefit cuts following Ontario minimum wage increase more than just economic theory MALAK ABAS, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY SCOTT LERCHER

“I

t is with great regret that Ron blames “the lack of assistance and Joyce Jr. Enterprise Ltd (Tim financial help from our head office Hortons) finds it necessary to make and from the government.” the following changes to our incentive programs, paid breaks, and The silencing of the policies.”

So began the document that minimum-wage changed the lives of employees at one employee seems to Tim Hortons location in Cobourg, Ont., just last week. The document be the end game which employees were forced to sign in acknowledgment of its content - for the other players explained that due to a recent raise in this game in Ontario’s minimum wage, workers would lose some of the benefits they had previously enjoyed.

This included breaks no longer The government the letter vaguely being paid and changes to dental refers to is most likely lead by and health benefits that, depending Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. on seniority, would force employees Wynne ushered in Bill 148, the Fair to pay between 50 to 75 per cent of the Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, in cost of their benefits. Workers would November 2016, which brought about also lose incentives that Tim Hortons a jump in minimum wage from $11.40 previously offered for working six to $14.00, with plans to increase it months without taking a sick day, to $15.00 in 2019. This resulted in and for working on their birthday. several Tim Hortons franchise Perhaps the most dystopian operators, and other businesses in facet of the letter - more dystopian Ontario, resorting to dire measures even than offering minimum-wage in an attempt to recoup some of their employees incentives for not getting inevitable losses. sick - is the borderline conversaThat’s where Jeri and Ron are tional tone the letter signs off with: pointing the finger of blame. While “Sincerely, Jeri, Ron, and Lisa.” they attempt to present themselves as The Jeri and Ron in question here struggling business owners through are, in fact, Jeri Lynn Horton-Joyce avenues like the Great White North and Ron Joyce Jr., the married chil- Franchisee Association, Ron’s father, dren of Tim Hortons co-creators Tim Ron Joyce Sr., is worth $1.39 billion Horton and Ron Joyce. They also own today. Jeri and Ron themselves are this particular franchise. The letter currently scraping by as struggling

business owners in their “winter their minimum wage workers. They home” in Florida. blame Katherine Wynne, another However, Wynne, who has since wealthy, powerful person. Wynne called the Tim Hortons cuts “the act fires back, effectively asking the franof a bully,” has something to gain chise owners to pick on someone their from this massive jump in wages. own size. The Tim Hortons corporIt’s an election year in Ontario, and ate arm releases a statement waxing while six in 10 voters approve of the poetic about “brand values” and said minimum wage increase, Wynne it does not support this “rogue group” herself held a 70 per cent disapproval of restaurant owners. And while the rating in June 2017 as the leader of corporate side of things, another the Liberal Party that is generally group of rich and powerful people, polling second to the Progressive bravely states that “Tim Hortons Conservatives. Yet critics of Wynne team members should never be used and the new labour law note that such to further an agenda or be treated a quick and large increase in wages as just an ‘expense,’” Tim Hortons could result in thousands of potential employees in Scarborough have been job losses. forced to surrender their tips into the Whether or not the cause-and- till at the end of the day. effect between wage increases and A lot of voices are being heard job losses is a real phenomenon - a in this brouhaha, but none less so literature review by the Canadian than those at its centre. Tim Hortons Labour Congress in 2015 suggests holds an important place in Canada’s that “it is difficult to say with convic- economic landscape - not because tion how the two factors are related, if of its saccharine, cloying depiction they are at all” - a cynic could argue of itself as a producer of “Canadian that Wynne’s highly-publicized values” in commercials and adveranger at this franchise is a grab at tisements - but because of the funcvotes. Restaurants Canada’s interim tion it serves for low-wage earners vice-president, Steve Virtue, has said in Canada. It provides a steppingthat because of Wynne’s refusal to stone job for students and part-time communicate with small business workers, but also offers an option for owners, the province has “pitted older people, people without the preowners against employees.” requisites to work in more specialized Let’s recap: Jeri and Ron, chil- careers, and newcomers to Canada to dren of some of the most successful make a steady income. The wages at business owners in Canadian his- Tim Hortons were never exactly lush, tory, feel great regret about forcing but the health and dental benefits borderline inhumane conditions on offered - those same benefits now

being denied at some Ontario locations - were enough to at least make the thankless job of food service relatively remunerative.

The silencing of the minimumwage employee seems to be the end game for the other players in this game. In Whitby, Tim Hortons owners Susan and Jason Holman “encouraged” employees to contact Wynne to protest Bill 148, suggesting in the same letter they tell Wynne that the employee will not be voting Liberal in the upcoming election.

The fact that these employees are so vulnerable to the whims of franchise owners speaks to a gaping hole in Ontario’s labour laws, which makes it difficult for franchise workers to unionize and engage in collective bargaining.

While Bill 148 brings a lot of benefits to Ontario, from banning mandatory high heels to changes to paid vacation leave, employees within franchises such as Tim Hortons are still not able to easily, safely unionize.

While Bill 148 did introduce “cardbased” union certification, it still only applies to certain careers and services, leaving what are arguably some of the most vulnerable workers in Canada between a rock and a hard place.

There seems to be no real system of ethics for these wealthy business owners to adhere to - while there are rules in place to qualify you as a potential Tim Hortons franchise owner - one must have a net worth of $1.5 million, along with $500,000 in liquid assets, to even be considered - there seems to be a sort of free-for-all mentality when it comes to the wellbeing of the employees that keep the owners’ massive wealth flowing.

As the billion-dollar corporation continues to ignore the strife of its labourers, and its million-dollar phalanges continue to impose on their employees in unethical ways, the single mother, the student, and the newcomer to Canada working at Jeri and Ron’s Tim Hortons locations are left with the short end of the stick.

While the greed of their employers continues its unchecked growth, and - even after Wynne’s minimum wage increase - employees find themselves taking home less money at the end of the day than before, one must wonder: where are those Canadian values we’re always bragging about?

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

The banality of bourgeois ethics Consternation over Trudeau simply doing as the rich do misses the moral mark SHAWN HUBERDEAU, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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ristotle became a crucial figure in the Western canon of moral philosophy through his specific and germinal inquiry into the nature of virtue and what it means to lead a good life.

Aristotle thought virtues were practices conducive to human flourishing, cultivated by reason and habituation, further claiming that to know virtue is simply to behave as the virtuous individual does. The pretence of morality paraded about by our parliamentary officers is more fitting of the later, 20th century German critical theorist Adorno’s conclusion - that to live a good life in modern society is impossible.

A year-long debate has raged in political circles over whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s acceptance of a free vacation to a privately-owned island - extended to him by the Aga Khan, reportedly a Trudeau family friend, multimillionaire spiritual leader of Nizari Ismaili Muslims, and head of two Canadian organizations registered to lobby the federal government - constituted a breach in federal ethics law. For what it is worth, the former ethics commissioner Mary Dawson concluded that Trudeau was guilty of breaching four codes of ethical conduct as laid out in the Conflict of Interest Act, the legislation which guides and gives the office of the ethics commissioner its mandate.

There are two elements of tragicomedy at play here. First is that the ethics commissioner has no real power. As punishment, Trudeau has been chastised as making an “unfortunate” decision that should have been presented to Dawson’s office for consideration. Dawson further

stated that the negative publicity surrounding Trudeau’s violation of ethics laws sufficed as punishment for his misdeeds - for a prime minister who is treated by the press as a celebrity in his own right, no less.

Yet second, and more tragically comical, or comedically tragic, is the entire farce upheld by this fanciful office of the ethics commissioner and its so-called ethics law.

The trials and tribulations Trudeau was subjected to are treated as serious formal procedures, as if these parliamentary structures carry legitimate moral weight. Yet distilled down to its essence, the ethical quandary at hand may be put simply: when is it morally inappropriate for one millionaire to accept a vacation to the private island of another millionaire?

Merely framing this question as one worthy of ethical investigation is rank with absurdity. The prime minister - whose office is one of the most powerful institutions in Canada when governing over a parliamentary majority - eloped with wealthy lobbying interests on privately owned land. This is an obscene display of nonchalant opulence in a time when unprecedented economic inequality wracks the livelihoods of people whose informed interests are meant to be dutifully served by the prime minister of a representative democracy.

There is nothing representative of the people of Canada in currying the favour of the rich and powerful, nor in basking in the luxury that power grants. Like former interim leader of the federal Conservative Party Rona Ambrose, who vacationed on a billionaire’s yacht while in a seat

of public power, Trudeau’s actions speak to a fundamentally compromised morality. Gorging oneself on cloud nine in previously unimaginable excess, while there are pressing problems of public policy at hand, is a gross violation of the principles of equality that underwrite democracy.

One may protest that Trudeau was on a private vacation, and so the details of his vacation are private and outside the scope of public adjudication. This would be to spout bourgeois apologetics: despite his uniquely sleek and shiny prime ministerial aesthetic, Trudeau is a public servant.

In holding the highest public office the state has to offer, Trudeau has consigned himself to four years of answering to the people.

Moreover, the invocation of private affairs here is a confused one, for many citizens formally said to be represented by the prime minister lack the economic status necessary to entertain “private affairs” of the like involved in globe-running vacationing - or to even take a vacation to the nearest campsite. On these grounds, it is perfectly reasonable not only to demand answers and rectification from Trudeau, but also to denigrate the practice of prosperous private vacations from a public official whose mandate it is to seek and materialize the interest of a public whose situation is a poor one.

So long as the public fails to see its interests realized, the private actions of those in public office are worthy of scrutiny and condemnation.

In 2018, 121 First Nations are under boil water advisories. Millions of Canadians are reported to live in poverty. Debt loads are at record

levels as contractual job insecurity spreads its corrosive affect across the economy, destroying traditional long-term employment that played a role in bringing prosperity to earlier generations. The security net baby boomers were enmeshed in, a major equalizing factor that contributed to decent quality of life for their generation, is now being shredded by the application of a neoliberal logic of individuation and privatization to governmental social services.

So long as the public fails to see its interests realized, the private actions of those in public office are worthily under the purview of scrutiny and condemnation Of course, bourgeois flights of fancy consisting in gluttonous material consumption is the standard decorum of ruling political classes across the globe. Yet the mere existence of this style of political practice - wining and dining diplomacy, if you will - is evidence of its moral corruption, not justification for its continuation. Should we wish to install a proper ethical framework to guide the actions taken by individuals vested with the authority of parliament, we must first render obsolete

the disconnect between our state’s peoples and our state’s rulers.

Focusing on the premise of Trudeau's action instead of the structural makeup of the context which tends toward such action is both a distraction from, and a trivialization of, a system that is unjust in and of itself.

"Parliamentary ethics" under capitalism represent an attempt to legitimate immoral behaviour through installing a formal façade of moralism. Indeed, an office like that of the ethics commissioner is but a crude instrument of legitimation, one which obfuscates the mortal sins of a ruling class awash with a flood of cash while ever-expanding segments of the people they are supposed to serve are starved of the dignity of possessing even basic necessities.

There is no moral authority in an office of these stripes: only a display of the banality of a bourgeois ethics, whose main moral currency trades in the optics of pomp and circumstance.

If this office manufactures a moral to be found in Trudeau’s encounter vacation with the Aga Khan, it is that the rich and powerful must be more wary in adhering to an abstract code of ethics that deals not with substantive actions but rather formalities and presentation.

We must reject this bourgeois ethics that would deem acceptable a depraved act on the condition that it is performed in an acceptable fashion. Should we ever achieve virtuous conduct among the ranks of our rulers, it will be in abolishing the unjust system that leads to the basic, problematic, material distinction between ruler and ruled.

10 Comment

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

The toxic politics of charisma Personalities of politicians influence voters more than the policies they represent KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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n today’s political climate, it is no wonder people like Mark Zuckerberg, Kevin O’Leary, and, most recently, Oprah Winfrey have been regarded as legitimate candidates for political office.

As we are now neighbours of a country with a sitting president who previously made a living as a reality TV host, it should not be surprising that any public figure who manages to successfully live out life on camera can now be seriously considered for the top job in politics.

There are many reasons someone in the bottom 90 per cent may feel compelled to support their favourite celebrities politically, especially recently. With income inequality growing throughout North America, and politicians appearing to do little to appease their voters - where leaders are either part of or allied to the one per cent - voters may feel they have little left to lose.

But the most telling reason is the fact that politics in Canada and the United States are by and large the domain of politicians who are extraordinarily charismatic. Cults of personalities are set up to dominate elections that are increasingly framed as horse races. Now, it is important to note that this is positive in some aspects. Having charisma - especially as the leader of a country - can lead to positive relationships with other world leaders, international organizations, and generally improved diplomacy. The detrimental side of this position is that we often have leaders that simply appeal to the public with poise instead of good policy.

This is nothing new in politics.

Staging politicians has been prominent ever since the TV set became a home staple in the 1950s and ‘60s.

John F. Kennedy was one of the first to effectively use TV as a way to communicate directly with Americans and promote his image, which played a signigicant part in his 1960 election to president. In Canada, John Diefenbaker was used TV to craft himself as a personable, relatable character. When his opponent Louis St-Laurent failed to embrace the platform, it arguably cost him and the Liberals the 1957 federal election.

snowball effect of electing more and great diplomacy in various ways. For While Trudeau is only about halfmore “likeable” candidates whose example, through the U.S.’s disarm- way through his four-year term, he policies fail to represent the people ing of Iran’s nuclear program, and has not been all that different from who vote for them. attempts at improving relations with Harper when it comes down to policy.

Today in Canada and the U.S. we Cuba, and Canada’s attempt at find- Trudeau approved two major pipehave leaders who rely on their pub- ing a nonviolent solution to the North lines just a year into his term, he has licity and image more than policy. Korean crisis. failed to forward any kind of meanPrevious U.S. president Barack ingful legislation to reform the loopObama was elected at age 47 after hole allowing wealthy Canadians to Politicians are gaining publicity for his keynote dodge taxes in offshore havens, and address at the 2004 Democratic his government followed through no longer held National Convention - a speech with an arms sale to Saudi Arabia. accountable by their which had a combined audience When people feel as if character of nine million people. Although and rhetoric is directly correlated polparty’s platform, but icy, things only get worse. It is then Obama offered a progressive direction for the country, much of his that television celebrities come into rather by an image popularity during his presidential the equation. There is a troubling disthat the public had run was built upon his debates with connect between reality and fantasy John McCain, where he was able to in the mind of someone who thinks subscribed to We have created demonstrate his personable character. that an immensely wealthy billionaire a snowball effect Most recently, Canadians elected has the priorities of the lower- and Justin Trudeau, who defeated Stephen The real issue comes when discuss- middle-class families in mind. Yet of electing more Harper in the 2015 federal election. ing their true policy. When it comes the celebrity ranks of the upper class Despite campaigning heavily on a down to it, both of these leaders have still have broad appeal to people upset and more ‘likeable’ middle-class tax cut, Trudeau's great- been nothing but slightly more pro- with current governments due to their candidates whose est appeal seemed to be his youthful, gressive versions of their successors, popularity and suave personalities on fresh, and polished look - an alterna- even though they were elected on the TV shows viewed by millions. policies fail to tive to the dated, outlived Harper, premise of offering something far difWhat has become clear is that we represent the people who represented the past. Through ferent. Obama will be remembered as a society are hooked on a political debates, he was able to put his cha- primarily for his implementation of system not based on policy, but on who vote for them risma and ability to identify with his insurance company cash-grab who is captivating. If we want good, young voters in particular on display. healthcare bill - which will likely soon representative policy, then we must Even to this day, Trudeau’s down- be dismantled under the Republican look beyond the slim-fitted suit jacket What came along with this new to-earth approach to politics has government anyway - and the fact and perfectly styled hair and elect a age of political showmanship was a been extremely successful. He has he was the first black president in candidate who has our best interests watering down of policy. Politicians maintained a constant 52.7 per cent America’s history. An escalation of - and not their own best ratings - in are no longer held accountable to in popularity ratings, and consist- drone strikes and deportation rates as mind. their party’s platform, but rather to ently gets standing ovations in town well as a continuation of George W. an image the public has subscribed hall meetings when responding to Bush’s war in Iraq and Afghanistan to. In turn, these policies became questions or hecklers alike. also contribute to Obama’s legacy, something that, election after elecThrough both Obama’s and along with his doing little to fix a tion, have benefited less and less of Trudeau’s charismatic nature, both corrupt campaign finance system and the population. We have created a Canada and the U.S. have exercised private prison system.

VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

Comment 11

Fire and Fury: How to best eradicate the political illiteracy that is the alt-right The world can be a much happier place, but only once the left stops imitating the techniques of populist movements QUDUS ABUSALEH, STAFF

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here is something quite peculiar about the current state of democracy in the United States.

One does not have to go far back to find a time when a Trump presidency was an idea as ludicrous as his career in the television industry. Even after blowing away the likes of Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio to become the Republican candidate for the presidency, the majority of the country’s news outlets still neglected his chances of overpowering Democrat Hillary Clinton’s status quo appeal.

In hindsight, this may be a sign of journalistic ineptitude. But, allegedly, Trump’s own campaign team was also sure of his defeat - right up to the night of the election. This bizarre narrative was explicitly revealed in Michael Wolff’s spellbinding new book, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.

According to Wolff, Trump's entire presidential campaign was simply an elaborate endeavour to heighten the worldwide recognition of his brand. According to Wolff’s book, Trump comically remarked at the outset of the presidential race to one of his aids that by running for president, he could be “the most famous man in the world.”

Fast forward to election night: as a Trump victory grew more probable as voting results poured in, Wolff said his son Donald Jr. told a friend that his father “looked as if he had seen a ghost,” and that his wife "Melania was in tears.” So, it turns out that Trump was in sync with what most Americans think: he is in no way fit for the presidency.

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

the rallying cries of critics to release for formal liberties to be applied to “Trump University.” An entire anthol- to fight back. In all honesty, the way audio tapes authenticating his sources society as a whole. To learn from the ogy outlining the hypocrisies and Trump is presented in Wolff’s book and claims to have done many on- agendas of civil movements over the shortcomings of Trump, pre- and is nothing short of what was already the-record interviews while writing last century is to transfer this inclu- post-presidency, can be quite easily evident - he simply is not fit for the his book. sivity into how we behave in our rela- assembled through elementary online presidency. So, the best course of Through projects like Wolff ’s, tionships with other people and in research. action moving forward is for Wolff opponents of Trump and the alt-right society generally. to authenticate his sources, then to are depositing their interests and disWhile mobilizing around policy have his narrative available to the content into the same schismatic bank is one thing, some of the left’s ten- The world can be a alt-right, without using it as a source that promises more social disorder. dency to construct their mobilization that creates further division among much happier place, What this idea The essence of what was wrong with around the premises of hate-spewthe American people. Do not use but only once the Trump’s campaign has been its ill- ing attacks and name calling of its Trump’s blunders as a launch pad for represents should devised populist and alarmist rhetoric opponents is simply an imitation to name-calling, personal attacks, and spreading hate against his followers. not be noted as naive that has proven divisive amongst the the very formulation of the alt-right left stops imitating American populace. Who would have strategies they deem unwelcome. By Focus on mobilizing around policy, the techniques of passivism; instead, thought that modern-day America, understanding this, these segments of not around the promoters of policy populist movements you dislike. supposedly the face of Western lib- the left should change their rhetoric it should be seen as eral democracy and democratization and show optimism that historical Let Trump be Trump for the couthe left’s opportunity efforts worldwide, would be a place redundancies - racist, misogynistic, ple of years he has. Let his presidency where neo-Nazi movements and and xenophobic convictions - can What is most telling in this is that and the position that the alt-right to disassociate blatant anti-immigration notions slowly die out. It is arrogant to imply Trump often tends to provide for his holds be maintained, because, when themselves from the could garner legitimacy by virtue of the existence of a higher-moral own setbacks because he appears to it is all over, it will be regarded as the ‘neutral’ positions its leadership ground where the opposition to the be unable to fish out just what exactly failure of the alt-right. Let it prove to same techniques that the maintains? alt-right fails to disengage with the it is that he is doing. This pattern can itself that it is inapplicable and wrong.

Indeed, in light of the whitesame divisive techniques that com- also be said true of alt-right move- What this idea represents should not have been historically supremacist Charlottesville rally, prise a large chunk of the alt-right’s ments: their demise can be easily be noted as naive passivism. Instead, prevalent in the President Trump confidently relayed relishes. hastened if we leave them alone to it should be seen as the left’s opporthat “there is blame on both sides.”

It Yes, Trump is a self-proclaimed sit back and enjoy a drink of intro- tunity to disassociate themselves from alt-right domain is clear that Trump represents a bleak business mogul - but one that has spection, with acerbic undertones of the same techniques that have been aspect of American culture that is declared bankruptcy six times during realizing their ignorance on many historically prevalent in the alt-right Fire and Fury has dominated deviant and lagging in the ideology the course of his adult life. Trump contemporary issues. No, immigrants domain. Do not add more fuel to American political conversation since of American democracy’s progression has criticized the exportation of do not steal jobs. No, terrorism is not their fire by allowing a defensive zeal its first excerpt was released online by in its domestic arena. But, one thing American manufacturing into China a phenomenon that began with 9/11. to motivate their movements. the New York Magazine on Jan. 3. The we can learn from the liberties that - and yet all the production of one of No, there is no scientific basis for a It is not too idealistic to hope that, book is already a best seller with over have been manifested following civil his clothing lines takes place, yes, in ‘superior’ race. When they finally for once and for all, the alt-right can a million orders in the U.S. alone - it movements over the last century is to China. In a state of the union address wake from their ‘introspective’ coma, die out on their own. was only fully released to the public transform moral beliefs into state- to Congress, he remarked that ‘edu- the alt-right will register the stunning cation is the civil rights issue of our magnitude of their political illiteracy. on Jan. 5. There is, however, one slight sanctioned codes of behaviour. conundrum with how Wolff’s narIn calling for the recognition of time’ - yet the New York Attorney Just how do you get these staterative has been taken up by the left, their liberty, movements mobiliz- General sued Trump for $40 million ments under review by their very proespecially as he has yet to respond to ing around their moral beliefs called for defrauding students through ponents? Do not give them a reason

12 Comment

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

Don’t get too excited for Uber, Winnipeg Ridesharing company fraught with poor driver treatment, sexual harassment allegations LEVI GARBER, STAFF

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ecently, following my landing at the airport in Ottawa, I opened the Uber app to get a lift to my apartment. The app promptly linked me with a ride that would arrive within two minutes.

My phone soon lit up with a text.

It was from my allocated Uber driver: “Hi are you going to Gatineau, this [is] –Uber by the way!” Confused, as I don’t live anywhere near Gatineau, and the ride I had ordered was already set to my address in Ottawa, I responded negatively, giving the name of the neighbourhood I do live in.

My Uber driver promptly cancelled my ride and the app quickly tried to reassign me a lift. The wait for my next Uber driver would be over 10 minutes, so I gave up and took a taxi instead.

Upon doing some research the next day into how and why Uber drivers would be able to cancel a trip, I discovered that drivers are not informed of a customer’s intended destination until they pick the rider up. Uber drivers have to contact riders by text to ask where they want to go if they want to know before picking them up. Hence, a confusing text message asking if I would like to go to Quebec.

Strangely, in such a case that the rider answers the text and the destination is not to the driver’s liking, the Uber driver is supposed to ask

the customer to cancel the trip out of courtesy. In my case, the driver cancelled the trip from their end.

Sound a bit confusing? Well, for drivers, it’s just one of many frustrating hurdles to jump through to work for Uber.

Uber can be a great service, but until it adequately addresses its sexual harassment and driver retention problems, Uber will not be a great company As Winnipeg prepares to roll out the red carpet for the ride-sharing company, which expected to land on the streets as early as March 1, this is a good opportunity to outline the serious issues Uber drivers and staff have faced over the last few years.

Some of the company’s main ethical pitfalls lie in its treatment of drivers, the workers that provide the multi-billion dollar corporation the vast majority of its income.

Although Uber offers prospective

drivers a flexible schedule, drivers are on the hook to pay for the car, fuel, insurance, and an iPhone - no other smartphone will do - to connect to the app while on the job. Drivers enjoy no benefits from Uber and if one is sick or gets in an accident, there is no safety net provided by the company.

Many of these failures, including a frayed relationship between Uber’s drivers and management over proper compensation, have led drivers to vote with their feet.

In April 2017, CNBC reported PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER that only four per cent of Uber drivers stay with the company longer than reports of a toxic workplace culture tion company is considering making one year. for women. a movie about it.

The problem is getting so bad that Susan Fowler, an engineer who Of course, there are numerous in the summer Uber executive Aaron worked at Uber between November advantages to having Uber drivers on Schildkrout admitted the company 2015 and December 2016, outlined her the streets of Winnipeg. Right now, needed to work harder to accommo- manager’s propositions to her for sex the ratio of taxis to people in the city date drivers’ demands: “These driv- and constant sexist remarks in a blog is one cab to every 1,555 Winnipeggers. ers are our most important partners,” post that went viral last year.

That means long wait times and poor he said. “But historically we haven’t Fowler described incidents such as service from the city’s taxi companies done the best job of honouring that her director explaining that the rea- that could be addressed by ridesharpartnership.” son there were fewer women working ing companies entering the market.

It’s not just the company’s atti- at Uber over time was because “the However, let’s not overlook the tude towards drivers that Uber needs women of Uber just needed to step company’s flaws while downloadto change, however. According to up and be better engineers.” ing their app in anticipation of their women who worked for Uber as When Fowler left Uber, she said arrival. Uber can be a great service, engineers, the company has a seri- that of the over 150 engineers on the but until it adequately addresses its ous sexual harassment and misogyny “site reliability” teams, only three per sexual harassment and driver retenproblem. cent were women. tion problems, Uber will not be a In June, the Guardian reported Multiple women at the company great company. that Uber had fired more than 20 have supported Fowler’s accounts, employees after an investigation and the issue was so widespread it into sexual harassment claims and is rumoured a Hollywood produc-

13

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

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Notes to notes

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

An album and show review of Heavy Bell’s By Grand Central Station inspired by Elizabeth Smart novel JEN DOERKSEN AND OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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eavy Bell has crafted a full and evocative narrative in their new album, By Grand Central Station, which was released Jan.12, one day before the first show of their tour in Winnipeg on at the West End Cultural Centre.

The album, was composed by locals Matt Peters and Tom Keenan and it is based on the 1945 novel and masterpiece of poetic prose By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept

by Elizabeth Smart. Some of the album's lyrics are taken directly from the novel and set to music, which sounds much more like an animated journey or personal tale than a popy, folky album arranged with more strings than usual.

Peters is best known as front person in local indie-pop band, Royal Canoe, and Keenan for acting as well as songwriting. The two have collaborated on a stage production of Shakespeare’s The Winters’ Tale and Richard II, By Grand Central Station is another ambitious move by the duo for their first album which moves farther away from their typical musical projects into a realm of proseinspired experimentation. “Monterey” opens with a simple melody on piano, rising gently until joined by string instruments and Peters’ and Keenan’s vocals which are sung in unison for the majority of the album. They sing a short story over the simple and swaying piano line, and gentle horns reach up to fill the space with motion when the vocals go quiet. The combination of elements makes for a catchy, instinctually poppy song played by an unexpected arrangement

Matt Peters (left) and Tom Keenan (right) unveil their long-term project, Heavy Bell, at the West End Cultural Centre Jan 13.

PHOTO BY ASHA NELSON

five “Hottest Tickets in Canada” by The lyrical and instrumental heartbreak, as well as clips of Smart Triumphant first showing reading passages directly from her The show opened with the simple the Globe and Mail, which left Heavy phrasing made the duo’s ambitious novel. It sounds almost churchlike, and sweet quirkiness of Christine Bell with high expectations from the effort of converting a novel with nonbetween the chamber orchestra and Fellows. The solo folk-pop artists audience. Simply put, they delivered. rhyming and ununiform lines to a choral arrangements, and is reminis- sang captivating tunes including Aside from the core eight musicians, piece of music a successful venture. cent of old English ballads performed songs of her best friend, Carmen, and theatre actresses Sarah Constible The emphasis on certain words and by wandering minstrels. Peters and her bird, Pickles. Fellows fittingly and Alissa Watson joined the stage syllables, which created a song rather “The novel chronicles Keenan are stepping into an ancient also shared some of her favourite to recite passages from the novel, and than a simple recitation of prose was tradition in releasing this album, one poems set to music, which was a great local singer Begonia, who performed beautifully executed, the music fola love affair [Smart] that is not seen often in today’s pop transition to the headlining perfor- on the album, was announced earlier lowing the time signature created by has with a married culture. mance. The audience was in the palm in the day as a special guest for the the prose rather than having the prose However, the album retains a of her hand as she took people on Winnipeg show. fit in to a box of typical song structure. writer from England.

In an interview, Peters explained The album took eight years to crecontemporary feeling, weaving pop a journey of metaphorical lyricism The songs are mostly melodies into trumpets and cellos and that was by turns charming, funny, the process of finding musicians for ate, though the initial composition of the various instruments involved in and heart-melting, while plucking the live shows, as there were so many the songs took place over the course snapshots of her bringing this story to life. The album along on her ukulele or behind the people involved in the creation of the of a few days. The supergroup of prointense inner journey moves through moments of joy, light- keys of the piano, Fellows’ crystal- album. “For this coming tour we had fessional musicians were extremely heartedness, moments of pause, reflec- clear voice echoed over the crowd in to tighten the arrangements a bit to tuned in to one another, with attenthrough this volatile tion, and some somber moments of a spoken style that is typical in the pare down the ensemble to eight play- tive eyes on one another and wellquiet and lamentation. folk-pop genre. ers and we wanted instrumentalists choreographed, seamless timing, relationship - the Some highlights include the speed For those unaware of the context who could do double duty as singers,” nodding in unison while the songs ecstatic highs and and playfulness in “O Waste of Moon,” of the show and album, Peters and he said. flowed from one to another with no “It’s almost entirely a new cast of space lost to banter. the pensive and captive rhythms of Keenan introduced the poetic novel the debilitating The show comes highly recom“I Am Going to Have a Child,” the and the history of the project to the players for the live show. We’re lucky subtle yet vibrant Begonia on harmony, audience, before playing the album we live in a city with so much to offer mended.

It was a perfect combination lows” - Matt Peters and an overall mastery of composition. from beginning to end. in that regard.” of recited prose, ambient music, pop, of Heavy Bell Peters and Keenan make full use of In an interview, Peters described Peters and Keenan sang primar- and orchestral sounds. The universal their instrumental and compositional the show as a stand-alone piece ily in unison slipping in and out of theme of love was at the core of the talent to escalate, simmer, diminish inspired by Smart’s novel. “Our harmony. All but two of the eight novel, album, and performance, with The entirety of the album, which and prolong the emotional movement intention was never to tell the story of core musicians on stage sang as well all its highs and lows set to music that took eight years to complete, is of the narrative. Often the duo keeps the novel with this album. We tried as played their respective instru- was so varied across the performance, marked by the careful composition things sparse and effective, leaving to choose passages that felt the most ments which gave the performance also seemed to carry a feeling univera varied landscape, at one point the sal accessibility. of each song. The album continues to space for the weight of each note to lyrical and vibrant,” he said.

“The novel chronicles a love affair many voices flowed into a cascading “It Is Coming,” which picks up where settle onto your skin.

Heavy Bell has begun as a [Smart] has with a married writer waterfall of sound with a perfectly Visit heavybell.com to purchase the first song left off to continue our journey with Smart. A gentle choir remarkable and outstanding ensem- from England. The songs are mostly executed round passed from member tickets for upcoming tour dates, to snapshots of her intense inner journey to talented member. The harmonies listen to the album, and lyrics. joins in for some of the song, match- ble with their first release. ing the melody being performed on Winnipeg was the first stop through this volatile relationship - of the pure and clear voices brought other instruments. of seven for Heavy Bell, as they the ecstatic highs and the debilitating Smart’s prose to life and conveyed the emotion of the words into a living, Selections of the novel create the embark on a tour with their long- lows.”

The show was named one of the moving piece. lyrics centered on themes of love and awaited album.

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Arts & Culture

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

Top 10 local albums of 2017 Host of podcast Witchpolice Radio’s top picks of the year SAM THOMPSON

wizard Keith Price assembled an allstar crew of local jazz instrumentalists for his double quartet, and created a powerful record that will burrow into your brain more and more with every listen. The five tracks (three of which exceed 10 minutes in length) showcase the subtlety and versatility of the players, centred around a driving, improvisational groove. The band performed this material live at indie festivals and alongside bands of genres other than jazz last year. The group's rock and electronic influences have given it an interesting appeal within the broader Winnipeg music scene.

VICTORY LAP ALBUM ARTWORK

10. Roger's Arsenal - Too Many Hats

90s grunge, noise and more - to create a glorious, fuzz-filled cacophony.

DOUBLE QUARTET ALBUM ARTWORK

album's release, but it's hard to think of a better way to remember him than by blasting Brumation in all of its sludgy, grimy glory.

2. Propagandhi - Victory Lap

Guitar wizard Keith Price assembled an all-star crew of local jazz instrumentalists for his double quartet, and created a powerful record that will burrow into your brain more and more with every listen

Improbably, Propagandhi keeps Absolutely gorgeous folk songs 7. Skylar Bouchard getting better with age. At a point in by ex-Autumn Still member Roger - Tired of the City their careers when most bands settle Arsenault, whose stripped-down solo Singer-song w riter Sk yla r 4. E.GG - Est. 1873 into just playing the old stuff people numbers are fleshed out with an all- Bouchard's debut may seem like a Hip-hop act 3PEAT's secret want to hear, the local punk icons star lineup of local sidemen. A voice typical folk/troubadour album on the weapon, rapper E.GG, brings his continue to up the ante with each you won't soon forget. surface, but the honesty in his lyrics signature lyricism to Est. 1873 and release. Since their heyday in the mid9. Smoky Tiger - Great and the casual, like-someone-you've- applies it to a stark, bleak soundscape 90s, Propagandhi has continued to Western Gold known-your-whole-life delivery created by producer Rayny. E.GG's increase the heaviness, technicality, A long-in-the-works masterpiece make it stand out. Expect big things. second solo album is loosely based raw speed, and, most surprisingly, by one of Manitoba's most original 6. TUSK - Headroom around Winnipeg's secret history, emotional heft of their songs. For sons. With a hyper-local focus on Super heavy monster sounds. and is as dark and cold-sounding as their new release, Propagandhi conthe people and events that shaped Clearly indebted to grunge, but his 2016 debut album, Alverstone, tinues to create pieces of music that, this province's history, the inimita- drenched in layers of atmosphere, was warm and lush. as always, make you think but also ble Smoky Tiger has released what is Headroom is a throwback sound 3. Black Cloud - Void make you feel. possibly the definitive explanation of done right by turning it into someBlack Cloud proves they don't 1. The Keith Price Double why so many of us take pride in living thing wholly new and unique. need vocals to convey a message. It's Quartet – Double Quartet Sam Thompson is the host of in such an isolated, inhospitable part 5. Dead Ranch - Brumation a point that the local post-rockers When you're talking about a band Witchpolice Radio, a podcast that has of the world.

Brumation is a monster record, make abundantly clear on their third whose last project was a completely featured interviews with local musi8. Mmars - Fuzzstronaut with rising stars, Dead Ranch, ful- release. Void is an absolute power- deconstructed version of one of cin- cians since 2012. The show's entire With a sound way bigger than filling all of the promise shown on house of instrumental beauty, deeply ema's most iconic soundtracks (The 260+ episode archive can be found at you'd expect from a duo, young their previous releases. Tragically, layered atmosphere, and just enough Good, The Bad & The Ugly), you know http://www.witchpolice.com, and noisemakers Mmars dig deep into guitarist/vocalist Chad Scheon- punk-rock aggression slipping in with his next release will be something archival episodes can also be heard on records that are before their time - Alsop passed away shortly after the perfect timing. equally adventurous. In 2017, guitar Sundays at midnight on UMFM 101.5.

VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

Arts & Culture

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The wacky world of VanGaalen Chad VanGaalen discusses his various projects and upcoming Prairie tour starting in Winnipeg on Jan. 19 JEN DOERKSEN, STAFF

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ulti-faceted artist Chad can result in unusable material. Van VanGaalen is starting a nine- Gaalen ended up going back to music day Prairie-province-tour starting in he wrote six years ago, before his Winnipeg on Friday, Jan. 19, at The fifth full-length album Shrink Dust, Good Will Social Club. which was released in 2014.

VanGaalen recently released Light “I had to start with songs written Information in September, and has before my last album, and people since toured parts of Europe, the U.S., forgot about those songs, and then and Canada. everyone was like ‘This is great!’”

Known for more than just his VanGaalen said. music, VanGaalen also animates and Light Information includes some produces videos, produces music, and of the old tracks all the way up to writes soundtracks. Currently, he is songs written as recently as the day scoring a TV show on Adult Swim the album was being pressed. Van called Dream Corp LLC. Gaalen’s daughters Esme and Pip “My favourite thing to do in the were playing in the backyard durworld is to make soundtracks for this ing one of his recording sessions and super weird show,” Van Gaalen said. he asked them to come in and sing “They never think my songs are weird.” on one of his tracks last minute. “I To write an album, VanGaalen called [record label] Sub Pop and said said he simply shares his music often, ‘You have to phone the record plant until feedback says it is listenable. and tell them not to print the record,’ PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHAD VANGAALEN Using unconventional instruments, because I had a song that my daughlike a box of insects used on a score for ters sing on, ‘Static Shape’, and that “I’ve been putting that stuff out for tivity. His work is boundless, and the VanGaalen is stopping in Dream Corp LLC, makes it difficult literally happened in the moment,” years on cassette as [alias] Black Mold subject matter often disturbing yet Saskatoon, Calgary, Red Deer, and to have songs that sound like they VanGaalen said. and nobody cares,” he said. engaging,” Guezen said. “The perfect Edmonton after Winnipeg. While belong together on a record.

“And I was like ‘oh, they’re going “It’s definitely what I’m most proud DIY musician on such a large scale,” he said he looks forward to perform“I’ll just keep sending out songs till to lose their minds if I put them on of.” he added. ing and seeing loved ones, he is not people are like ‘This is like a record of a record,’ and Sub Pop was willing VanGaalen said “Prep Piano and VanGaalen will be releasing excited to be touring the Prairies in songs[...] where you are singing and to do it.”

770” was the only song, of five, pre- another video shortly, and is head- mid-winter. playing instruments that are actual The new album offers a few viously released as Black Mold that ing off to Germany in April for an “I have kids, so I’m always worried instruments and not just pieces of glimpses into VanGaalen’s love made it onto the album. animation festival. when I’m on the road that I’m going driftwood you’re throwing into the for sound and soundtrack. Most Winnipeg musician, and fan of “I’ve never sat on a panel before but to die on the road,” he said. corner,’” VanGaalen said. clearly, “Prep Piano and 770” dem- VanGaalen Daniel Guezen will be I’m excited about taking my visual VanGaalen said this album onstrates the weight and sensation attending the show on Jan. 19. art a little more seriously these days,” Chad VanGaalen will perform was hard to write songs for Light of clear sound, before growing into a “For me, Chad Vangaalen repre- VanGaalen said. “I like the idea of with Mauno at The Good Will Information because he tends to slightly disturbing, short procession sents what you can do when you don't hanging drawings on the wall and Social Club on Jan. 19. Tickets not give himself boundaries, which of phrases. place many limitations on your crea- not having to perform the drawings.” are still available for $20.50.

Break the ace Magic club at the University of Manitoba created to improve social skills OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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niversity of Manitoba student zone,” he said. get people out to the show early and Wyatt Mak is starting a club Mak started practising magic have a more varied show in terms of that uses magic and illusions as an when he was 14, a period of time in entertainment,” he said. unconventional vehicle for practicing his life when he was depressed. Magic Mak stressed that when he does social skills. gave him the ability to believe in him- magic he is not trying to sell his The groups name, Attraction, is self and have hope for the future. skills to anyone but rather just make derived from the a connection, and title of the book maybe even a “Doing magic is everything, have fun, meet Law of Attraction: friend. His focus The Science of on developing people, that is one thing I like, it’s all about the issocial Attracting More of skills while What You Want and connection” - Wyatt Mak, founder of Attraction still having fun.

Less of What You “You come to Don't. He chose me [or] I come to the name because magic helped him Magic has not only helped him you, we chill together, and then we accomplish his goal of having a better with social skills but has also offered make [a] connection at the same time, and more successful life, something him the opportunity to perform in and then I have more friends,” he said. he learned from the book.

Winnipeg as part of the duo Jack of “Doing magic is everything, have Though magic may seem like an Ace Magic. Mak, with fellow magi- fun, meet people, that is one thing unusual way to practice social skills, cian Jason Fiola, opened for musi- I like, it’s all about the connection.”

Mak claims it is a great way to put cians Black Cloud at The Handsome yourself out there and face your fears. Daughter last November. Black For more information on Attraction, “The point of the club is self- Cloud’s bassist, Grant Danyluk, contact Wyatt Mak at myvoicedevelopment because magic is not booked them for the show because it willgowithyou@gmail.com. only just doing tricks, it’s actually was two of his bandmates’ birthdays, approaching something that you and he wanted it to feel more like a fear, like approaching people in the birthday party. “The magicians were street [...] one of the most important fantastic and having them perform things is [to] get out of your comfort before the bands was a great way to

University of Manitoba’s very own magician Wyatt Mak. PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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Arts & Culture

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

19

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

Top-ranked Bisons earn split against Huskies at home JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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week after earning a split against the University of Alberta Pandas, the number one ranked University of Manitoba women’s hockey team were back at home to take on the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

The two games were low-scoring defensive battles, and the Bisons walked away with a split.

Friday

The Bisons came out flat in the opening game and did not recover, falling 3-1 to the Huskies.

Saskatchewan got on the board first after a Danielle Nogier backhander was stopped by Manitoba netminder Rachel Dyck and the puck fell loose in the crease. Kayla Kirwan got on the loose puck and lifted it past Dyck to give the Huskies the early 1-0 lead.

Manitoba turned up the intensity coming in the final frame and after Rachel Lundberg extended the visitors’ lead to two, the Bisons finally responded. A Lauryn Keen shot from an odd angle bounced off a player in front of the net and past formerBison Jessica Vance, cutting the lead back to one.

The Huskies added an empty netter and Vance made 22 stops to topple the top team in the nation.

Manitoba showed life in the third period after failing to apply any pressure to the Huskies in their end, a point raised by head coach Jon Rempel after the game.

"They were more prepared to play than we were for whatever reason," he said. "I thought they were way hungrier off the start and we were flat footed for the better part of two periods."

Bison defender Erica Rieder chases down a Huskie at the Wayne Fleming Arena.

Saturday

The game was scrappy and tight, but the Bisons were able to pull together a 1-0 win to salvage the weekend.

The herd got out to an early lead after a shot from captain Caitlin Fyten found its way through a crowd but was stopped by Vance. Nicole Carswell jumped on the loose puck, kicking it to her stick and snapping it home.

The teams traded chances throughout the rest of the game, but

both goaltenders stood tall for their netminders with a 0.84 goals against sides. average.

The Huskies came close to knotTaraschuk made 26 saves in the ting the score in the final moments. win, picking up her third shutout of With Vance pulled, Saskatchewan the season. At the other end, Vance turned multiple shots toward Bisons made 19 saves. goaltender Lauren Taraschuk. The The series marks the end of the rookie stood tall, preserving the 1-0 Bisons’ schedule against the top half shutout win for the Bisons. of the Canada West conference. With With the win, Taraschuk ties no more games against top teams like her goalie-partner Dyck with seven the University of British Columbia, wins on the season. The two sit tied Alberta, and Saskatchewan, on paper for second in wins in the conference, the Bisons schedule appears to look while Taraschuk continues to lead all easier, but Rempel noted that they

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

were not thinking the same.

“I would say it’s still pretty tough,” he said. “I’d say it’s different because we’re playing teams with a different mentality, they’re scraping and clawing to get in, they’re fighting for two playoff spots.”

The Bisons remain at home and will take on the Mount Royal University Cougars at the Wayne Fleming Arena on Jan. 19 at 7:00 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 1:00 p.m.

Bison Briefs Men’s hockey swept in Saskatchewan, track and field teams travel to North Dakota RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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his weekend, the ninth-ranked Bison men’s hockey team was swept on the road in Saskatoon against the fourth-ranked University of Saskatchewan. The Bison track and field teams were south of the 49th for a meet at North Dakota State University.

swered goals to win 6-2. Remi West best.

Laurencelle remained hot, scoring Manitoba remains in third in the in his second straight game for the Canada West, three points up on the Bisons. Defenseman Adam Henry University of British Columbia and inked his name on the scoresheet by Mount Royal University. The Bisons scoring a goal and an assist. Byron remain on the road for a date against Spriggs finished with 34 saves on the the Mount Royal University Cougars night. on Jan. 19-20.

Saturday was a closer game, with Men’s hockey swept the Huskies potting a late empty-net- Bisons collect medals at aside in Saskatoon ter to take a 4-1 win. Blake Heinrich Thundering Herd Classic A week removed from a sweep was the lone goal scorer for the Bisons.

The Bison track and field team was of the University of Alberta Golden His third period marker drew the in Fargo, ND, for the Thundering Bears, the Bisons were looking to Bisons within one, but a powerplay Herd Classic hosted by North Dakota keep things rolling. Those aspirations goal from Jesse Forsberg late in the State University. Below are some of were put to rest, with the Huskies third effectively sealed it. Spriggs the highlights of Bison athletes at handing the Bisons their first two was again busy in goal, making 39 the event . losses of 2018. saves in the loss. Spriggs has faced After levelling the score at two 603 shots on goal this year - the most Women’s 60m Hurdles: in the second period on Friday, the in the Canada West - and he has also Bronze: Sophia Mbabaali (9.09) Huskies exploded with four unan- played over 1,000 minutes, a Canada Fourth: Jade Vilela (9.12)

Men’s 400m

Fourth: Miguel Morrison (50.61)

Women’s 60m

Gold: Tegan Turner (7.48)

Men’s 60m

Bronze: Marcel Dufault (7.00)

Women’s 800m

Bronze: Nicola Odaisky (2:17.55) Men’s 1000m Silver: Simon Berube (2:29.49) Bronze Brandon Pinsent-Oxley (2:30.12)

Women’s 600m

Bronze: Rebekah Sass (1:35.33) Men’s 600m Gold: Tristan Allen (1:21.33)

Women’s 200m

Gold: Tegan Turner (24.62) Men’s 3000m Fourth: Daniel Heschuk (8:57.63)

Women’s 4x400 Relay

Fourth: 3:59.73 (Rebekah Sass, Erin White, Jessica Gundrum, Sophia Mbabaali)

Men’s 4x400 Relay

Silver: 3:19.94 (Tristan Allen, Simon Berube, Shane Dillon, Luc Deleau)

Men’s Triple Jump

Bronze: Oyinko Akinola (14.57m)

Men’ s High Jump

Fourth: Nathan Smith (1.94m)

VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

Sports

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Women’s volleyball split Spartans, men’s volleyball swept RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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his weekend the Bison volleyball programs welcomed some top tier competition.

The Trinity Western University Spartans have both good men’s and women’s programs, with the women ranked eighth and the men ranked number one in Canada. The women were able to earn a surprising split, while the men were swept, but not without a fight.

Women

and her sister Kearley also finished with 11. Bujan finished with 19 digs, and now leads the country with 281.

“We played a real strong match on [Friday] but we’ve got to be able to back up that level of commitment and intensity and kind of stick-to-itness,” Bentley said.

“I am really proud of the team, I really thought we played well and battled hard” - Garth Pischke, Bison men’s volleyball head coach

On Friday night the Bisons managed a 3-1 victory. After falling 25-20 in the first set the Bisons stormed out and won three straight sets to snap their four-game losing streak. Kearley Abbott finished with 18 kills and two service aces, with Cassie Bujan coming up with a team best 18 digs.

The Saturday rematch started out well for the Bisons, taking the first set 25-19. Manitoba then seemed to fall Men out of sorts, losing the next two. In The last time the Spartans were the fourth set the Bisons were down in town for the Canada West Final by as much as 21-11 but fought back to Four last season, the Bisons were a make the score 24-21, before eventu- completely different team. When the ally losing off a net violation.

Bisons and Spartans met in the final “We just started playing too late it was a clash of the two best teams in the fourth set,” said head coach in the country.

Ken Bentley.

“We’re a pretty different team this “We really made some poor hitting year,” said head coach Garth Pischke. errors early on and put us in a hole “I really don’t think anyone gave it a and had we managed the first part thought other than it’s a chance to of that set better we would’ve had a learn a little bit about ourselves.” better chance to win obviously.”

This season saw a lot of turn over Josie Abbott finished with 11 kills, for head coach Pischke’s squad, but

Bison Adam DeJonckheere goes in for an attack against the Trinity Western University Spartans at the Investors Group Athletic Centre. PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

the ninth-ranked Bisons put up a fight against the number-one ranked Spartans.

On Friday the Bisons fell in four sets, after taking the first set the Spartans took over. It was the veterans getting it done offensively for Manitoba with Scott Vercaigne smacking home 13 kills, with Adam DeJonckheere and Kevin Negus collecting 11.

Manitoba fell into an early hole on Saturday, being down 2-0, but fought back to win the third set. The Spartans won the fourth set 25-20 to sweep the weekend series and extend their winning streak to 11.

“I am really proud of the team, I really thought we played well and battled hard,” Pischke said.

“We battled right to the last point, we did a lot of good things, we made

the odd mistake here and there but not very many, unfortunately that team doesn’t make many mistakes at all.”

The Bison volleyball programs stay in Winnipeg next weekend for a home-and-home series against the University of Winnipeg.

The 27th annual Duckworth Challenge commences on Jan.18.

Bison basketball teams swept at home by Victoria RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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week removed from sweeping the University of Lethbridge, the Bison basketball programs found themselves on the receiving end of a sweep this weekend.

The Bison men’s basketball team lost 81-76 on Saturday and 86-76 Sunday to the University of Victoria VIkes. The women did not fare much better, falling 71-68 on Saturday and 90-78 on Sunday.

Men

In the opening game of the two-game series against the Vikes, Manitoba was dealt an early blow with starter Joey Nitychoruk being forced to leave due to injury. This forced head coach Kirby Schepp to rely on his bench, with sophomore guard James Wagner still not available.

Opportunity came knocking for rookies Cameron O’Hara and Wyatt Tait. The former finished with five points and five rebounds, the latter finished with four rebounds, six points, and two steals.

“We’re losing two starting forwards and I was really proud of [how] the first-year guys played,” Schepp said.

“We’re losing two starting forwards and I was really proud of [how] the first-year guys played” - Kirby Schepp, Bison men’s basketball head coach “They’re learning, they’re making mistakes all the time but they’re playing tough against a really tough physical team, I’m proud of the way they performed under really tough circumstances.”

The game came down to the wire and some questionable officiating calls

Bison captain Justus Alleyn (#6) drives for the lay up past Victoria’s Jake Newman (#6). PHOTO BY JOE OCZERKLEWICZ

we didn’t execute.”

Brittanie Parisien had a chance to tie the game in the dying seconds but her three-point attempt did not drop.

Taylor Randall played all 40 minutes, scoring 25 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

On Sunday the Bisons had a better start, finding themselves down by two after the first quarter, but the Vikes pulled away in the second quarter, up 45-37 at the half. Manitoba attempted to make the comeback but an 8-1 run in the last two minutes of the fourth stymied their chances.

Manitoba’s record is back at .500 sitting at 8-8 and in eighth place in the Canada West, with the top 12 making the playoffs.

caused a stir on the Bison bench, but the Women hometown herd fell by just four points.

A slow start plagued the Bisons On Sunday, the Bisons were eager in the opening game on Friday, with for a split, but unfortunately a poor the Vikes outscoring the home side final quarter allowed the Vikes to pull 29-13 in the opening 10 minutes. away with the sweep. Justus Alleyn was Manitoba attempted to make up for dominant, playing 38 minutes and scor- it in the third quarter by going on a ing 35 points, two rebounds, and five ridiculous 21-2 run to go up by one The Bisons will play a home-andassists. Victoria’s depth helped them in heading into the fourth. home against the University of this game, scoring 40 points from the “We had to, we had no choice, we Winnipeg next weekend, with the bench, with Manitoba only scoring 10. gave that up in the fourth quarter,” Duckworth Challenge games hapThe Bisons are now 10-6 on the year, said head coach Michele Sung. “I pening Friday at 6 and 8 p.m. at and sit in fifth place in the Canada West . still think we didn’t execute great Investors Group Athletic Centre. down the stretch, which I think we totally could’ve won that game, but

22

Sports

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

Stone wall senior Rachel Dyck talks championship race and handing over the reigns JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Bison goalie Rachel Dyck makes a save against Saskatchewan Huskies.

B

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

orn in the Interlake Rachel finally having the streak snapped by even more expectations are being “She was always my goalie partner wearing brown and gold.

Dyck took the long road to the Alberta. During the streak, she had placed on this crop of young talent. and we had a very close relationship, “It’s been a wild ride,” she said with University of Manitoba. a sparkling 1.00 goals against average Chief among them being a cham- so seeing her go and getting a new a laugh.

Her hometown of Winnipeg and .930 save percentage. pionship title - something Dyck is goalie partner was different at first.”

“I can’t really believe it’s been five Beach sits 30 minutes north of a Her team is also living up to confident is attainable.

Schubert is now playing profes- years already. It doesn’t feel like it’s Manitoba Junior Hockey League expectations, and is ranked number “I think every year it’s been our sionally in Finland for KJT, while been that long but at the same time market - Selkirk - and around an hour one in the country coming out of the goal,” she said.

Dyck has built a strong relationship it feels like I’ve been here forever. I from her new home in Winnipeg. holiday break.

“I think this year more than ever with her new partner. don’t have anything bad to say about Dyck joined the Bisons during we can see it happening, but I think “I think it’s been nice to be able my time here, I really enjoyed it, my the 2013-14 season, but saw limited we just kind of have to take it one to learn off of each other,” she said. teammates and everyone that’s come action until taking over the crease “It’s been a wild weekend at a time and see where that “She’s done really well for us so far and here the past five years have been a year later. In her first starter camgets us. Not look too far ahead but the I think for the team as well it’s good amazing, and yeah I think this team ride” - Rachel Dyck, paign, she led her team to a 16-4-0-1 possibility of it happening is, I think, to have two goalies who they know is only going to get better. record, setting a career benchmark exciting for us.” can win and they trust.”

Dyck will likely reach, or even Bison women’s in wins. She has since proven herExpectations were also high for Taraschuk has been off to a blaz- eclipse, the 50 career win mark by hockey goalie self to be one of the best and most the goaltender herself after earning ing start in her U SPORTS career, the end of the season, and her steldependable starters in the conference, all-star honours following a lights- posting a Canada West-leading 0.84 lar 1.87 career goals against average, consistently leading the conference out season in 2016-17. She posted a goals against average to go along with .914 save percentage, and 11 shutouts in almost every statistical category.

“It’s been pretty cool to kind of 1.51 goals against average, .931 save a .958 save percentage. She also has would make any netminder jealous.

But this season has been full of ups see our results pay off,” Dyck said. percentage and five shutouts during three shutouts and sits tied with Dyck However, the prospect of bringing and downs for the Bison goaltender. “We’ve been pretty close in the past the campaign. at seven wins. home a national championship in her While her personal stats have dipped to being ranked number one but now Dyck is in the final year of her Dyck noted how her and final year is, for Dyck, a success that slightly - a 2.25 goals against aver- having it actually be ranked number tenure with the herd, and will be Taraschuk push each other to succeed. would far surpass the others. age down from a 1.51 last season, for one is pretty sweet.” succeeded by heir-apparent Lauren “I mean obviously I want to play It would be “kind of a cherry on instance - Dyck is still winning and It is the first time in Bisons history Taraschuk. It was expected by many every game,” she said. “It pushed me top,” she said. “Yeah that would be currently sits second in Canada West that the women’s hockey program has that Dyck would retain complete con- to work harder in practice and earn pretty sick. That’s definitely the goal with seven wins through 11 contests. been ranked number one. trol of the crease while the Bisons those starts.” but, like I said, don’t want to look Following some early season It is a “pretty huge accomplish- chased a championship, but she has The veteran netminder has still too far ahead.” stumbles, she has regained her all- ment,” Dyck said. “I think our team is split time with the rookie sensation. taken the lion’s share of starts this star form. After opening the season kind of just taking it in stride and not “I was definitely different having a season - 12 as opposed to Taraschuk’s with a 2-2 record, Dyck rattled off five letting it get to our heads or anything.” rookie come in because for the past nine - but she was still hopeful for straight regulation wins - good for 15 With the ranking and Manitoba’s four years I’ve played with Amanda the success of the program once she points in a deep conference - before dominance over the past few seasons, Schubert,” Dyck said. leaves and beyond happy for her time

VOL. 104 NO. 19 January 17, 2018

Sports

23

Comeback kid Claire Harvey is back, and in a big way for the Bisons RYAN STELTER, STAFF

I

n a game against the University of British Columbia in January 2016, Bison women’s basketball player Claire Harvey went for a routine crossover.

“I just got a rebound and I was bringing the ball up the floor, I did a crossover, same thing I’ve done a million times before and I just fell and I was in a lot of pain,” Harvey said.

“I knew exactly what had happened.

People were trying to tell me that it wasn’t but I knew what it was for sure.”

Harvey had torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), an injury she had experienced in her grade 10 year at Fort Richmond Collegiate.

The road to recovery after an ACL tear is a long one. The ACL is one of the key ligaments that stabilizes the knee joint and after undergoing surgery, the standard rehab time is seven to nine months, though it can also stretch longer.

Knowing she was set for a long spell on the sidelines, Harvey was determined not to dwell on it.

“It was demoralizing, but I knew I had to be there for my teammates because they were still playing and they had to finish up the season,” she said. “I made it a point that I was not sulking on the bench. I was actually supporting my teammates and being there for them.”

The Bisons finished that year with a 1-19 record, dead last in the Canada West. Harvey potentially could have returned for the 2016-17 season, but elected to sit it out.

“I was able to get my surgery fairly quickly and I was actually able to play that season, but I decided to take the extra time and prepare myself a little bit more so that I could be the best I could be for the team,” she said.

Harvey said that decision was met with a bit of criticism, but she said she knew the extra time would pay off. She was right and has become a regular starter for the Bisons this season.

“It’s really good to be a part of that and be a big contributor. But there are a lot of people who aren’t playing but are a big contributor to my personal

Harvey got into the game of basketball through her father, Malcolm, and pointed to his support throughout her career - no matter what she decided to do. Harvey had opportunities to go to a few different schools after high school but elected to join the Bisons and help them rebuild.

After years of sitting in the Canada West basement, Manitoba is challenging for the playoffs.

“It was demoralizing, but I knew I had to be there for my teammates because they were still playing” - Claire Harvey, Bison women’s basketball

Bison Claire Harvey (#11) sets for shot after a foul.

sanity sometimes,” she said.

“Especially if I’m having a bad game or a bad practice. They’re the ones in practice that are making me better. They have a lot to do with my success and it’s not just me, as well as

the players I play with on the floor.”

Originally a perimeter player, Harvey has made the transition to playing post, and has done well adapting to her new position, averaging 6.9 rebounds a game and leading

PHOTO BY JOE OCZERKLEWICZ

the conference in blocks with 31.

“It’s been a big change, I’ve had to be a lot more physical because I am a lot smaller than a lot of the posts in the league but I think I’ve grown into my role pretty well,” she said.

“When you’ve experienced losing so much it makes winning all that much better,” Harvey said. “It was even to the point where losing was a regular thing, and you develop almost no reaction to it. It’s a numb feeling.

You should be so pissed off that you want to work that much harder to win.”

Hall of Fame NFL coach Vince Lombardi once said that “Winning is a habit, unfortunately so is losing.”

A habit the Bisons have broken this season, it seems, and it was a series against the University of Regina early in the season that opened their eyes.

In the Friday game, the Bisons were stomped 85-48, but on Saturday lost by only three points, falling 72-69.

“That was our TSN turning point for the season. We realized that even though we had lost, we made huge improvements in just one day against a team that was ranked second,” Harvey said.

“We really proved to ourselves and to a lot of people that we could make a run to playoffs and even the CanWest championship.”