21 October 2015

MANITOBAN the

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

SCIENCE

Around the world Manitoba Museum hosts Earth Explorers exhibit Page 13

NEWS

Canada voted for change Trudeau, Liberals win majority government Page 3

SPORTS

Starting off the season Volleyball teams play Huskies at home opener Page 22

VO L 1 0 2 · N O 1 0 · O C TO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Craig Adolphe

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Adam Owczar

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Michelle Arentsen

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EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITOR Ethan Cabel

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

FEATURES EDITOR Dana Hatherly

features@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Evan Tremblay

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Siddall

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Chantelle Dubois

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

SPORTS EDITOR Mike Still

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

COPY EDITOR Tom Ingram

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

COMMENT

NEWS

DESIGN

Rivalry on Roslyn over new residence

Climate crisis

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Osborne Village is not a suburbs substitute page 9

Vandana Shiva lecture brings fossil fuel issues to the forefront

DESIGN EDITOR Bradly Wohlgemuth GRAPHICS EDITOR Bram Keast

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

PHOTO EDITOR Carolyne Kroeker

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

DESIGN ASSOCIATE vacant GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Kelly Campbell

page 5

PHOTO ASSOCIATE Chantal Zdan

REPORTERS

NEWS Garett Williams NEWS Aleah Isaak NEWS Samuel Osho SCIENCE Malak Abas ARTS & CULTURE Olivia Michalczuk ARTS & CULTURE vacant SPORTS Andy Che ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR Sarah Doran

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

ARTS & CULTURE

Underground music scene comes to light

Local writer releases book on Winnipeg music history page 17 SPORTS

Bisons battle back

Win against the Rams keeps perfect road record page 23

Design Design Editor: Bradly Wohlgemuth Contact: design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775 Graphics Editor: Bram Keast Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775 Photo Editor: Carolyne Kroeker Contact: photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Devon Hanel Eric MacLise David Grad Raylene Paci Emelia Fournier

Ryan Capar Caitlin Griffith Tobi Nifesi Ryan Stelter Alex Michaels

Evan McIntosh Garett Williams Caroline Norman Malak Abas

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News

News Editor: Ethan Cabel Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Liberals sweep Winnipeg in their return to majority government U of M sees increased voter turnout on campus under Elections Canada pilot project CRAIG ADOLPHE AND DANA HATHERLY, STAFF

Students celebrate Liberal majority at the Hub

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new group of MPs are headed to Ottawa to form Parliament after Justin Trudeau’s Liberals won a majority government on Oct. 19.

The Liberal Party swept in constituencies across the country, siphoning support from both the Conservatives and NDP, ultimately garnering 39.5 per cent of the popular vote which translated to a whopping 184 seats.

The strong showing represented a major return to form for the party which had been relegated to third party status after the 2011 election.

The Conservative Party won 99 seats with 31.9 per cent of the popular vote, the NDP won 44 with 19.7 per cent of the vote, the Bloc Québécois won 10 seats with 4.7 per cent of the vote, and the Greens won one seat with 3.5 per cent of the vote.

seats, Ouellette and Eyolfson’s wins federal election. Youth have seen over longtime MPs Pat Martin of similarly low turnout in the electhe NDP and Steven Fletcher of the tions preceding it: 37.4 per cent in Conservative Party were not pre- 2008, 43.8 per cent in 2006, and 37.3 dicted by early polls. per cent in 2004.

With Daniel Blaikie reclaimIn response to consistently low ing Elmwood-Transcona from turnout, Elections Canada put Conservative incumbent Lawrence forward efforts into a pilot project Toet in a race decided by 51 votes, the reaching out to underrepresented Conservatives were effectively shut demographics, including students, out of Winnipeg. this election.

These efforts included setting up temporary offices at campuses, youth The Liberals saw their centres, and Friendship Centres – non-profit community centres which holdings in Winnipeg provide services primarily to indigenous people – across the country. increase from a In Manitoba these included four offices open from Oct. 5-8 at the single seat won in University of Manitoba, Brandon the 2011 election to Friendship Centre, Dauphin Friendship Centre, and Portage seven on Monday Manitoba results Friendship Centre, where people The Liberals saw their holdings were able to drop in to register and in Winnipeg increase from a single Rural Manitoba did not show vote early. seat won in the 2011 election to seven any party changes with Niki Ashton Over 70,000 people registered to on Monday. Incumbent MP for holding onto Churchill-Keewatinook vote and cast their ballots through Winnipeg North Kevin Lamoureux Aski for the NDP and the five south- more than 50 offices set up as part of will be joined by new Liberal MPs ern seats remaining Conservative. the pilot project across the country.

Dan Vandal for Saint Boniface-Saint These included incumbent MPs Over 1,000 eligible voters cast their Vital, Terry Duguid for Winnipeg Candice Bergen for Portage-Lisgar, ballots at the U of M polls located South, Jim Carr for Winnipeg South James Bezan for Selkirk-Interlake- in Pembina Hall on its Fort Garry Centre, MaryAnn Mihychuk for Eastman, Ted Falk for Provencher, campus, compared to only 25 parKildonan-St. Paul, Robert-Falcon Robert Sopuck for Dauphin-Swan ticipants in the last federal election's Ouellette for Winnipeg Centre, and River-Neepawa, and Larry Maguire special polls.

Doug Eyolfson for Charleswood-St. for Brandon-Souris.

University of Manitoba Students’ James-Assiniboia-Headingley.

Union president Jeremiah Kopp While Vandal, Duguid, and Carr Youth turnout spoke highly of the program and was showed strong early polling numIn 2011, only 38.8 per cent of thrilled to see such a high turnout bers and were projected to win their Canadians aged 18-24 voted in the among students.

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

“Polls were central, but not thoroughfare […] we tried to make it as convenient as possible and increase awareness.”

Kopp said his executive used Facebook and email to reach out to students. The student union also spread the message with bullhorns riding aboard golf carts to transport students to and from the polling stations across campus.

Kopp told the Manitoban about his reaction to the overall results of the federal vote.

Over 1,000 eligible voters casted their ballots at the U of M polls, compared to only 25 participants in the last federal election's special polls “I thought it was a really positive change. I’m glad that Stephen Harper was voted out,” he said.

But Kopp was not surprised at the outcome based on student response and trends in the polls. He said he believed the student vote made a major impact, adding that “there were a lot of anti-Harper sentiments, a lot of people saying ‘anything but

Harper.’”

Kopp, who has been tied to the Liberals for over a decade and serves as past president on the Young Liberals of Manitoba executive, said that the majority government outcome “shows the strong will of the people.”

Michael Barkman, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of StudentsManitoba, praised the work of his provincial and national-level organizations for relatively high voter turnout at post-secondary campuses across Canada.

“Youth came out to vote in record numbers thanks to the Canadian Federation of Students’s efforts to get polling stations on campus,” said Barkman.

Barkman stated his opinion about the youth vote in an email to the Manitoban.

“Youth were tired of years of Conservative neglect and were motivated to elect a government that would support student issues. The Liberal Party presented a platform that featured student issues, including debt relief until graduates are making at least $25,000 and an increase to Canada Student Grants for lowincome students.”

Barkman said he hopes that students across Canada will hold the new government to account on their campaign promises and advocate for accessible and quality education for Canadian students.

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News

News Editor: Ethan Cabel Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

University of Manitoba launches $500 million Front and Centre campaign amid criticism Stable public funding preferable to private donations, says faculty union SAMUEL OSHO, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba launched its $500 million Front and Centre fundraising campaign earlier this month to much fanfare, but some critics claim that private funding could undermine the public nature of the university in the long term.

The Front and Centre campaign will be a three-year journey to raise a staggering $500 million toward several of the university’s strategic goals.

While the campaign officially launched earlier this month, the $500 million goal was set in November 2014, with the university collecting donations over the last 11 months.

On Friday, Oct. 9, the government of Manitoba committed $150 million to the campaign, thereby bringing the total raised to $365,294,636.20 toward Front and Centre’s $500 million goal.

But despite a great start to the campaign, critics argue that an influx of private donations could endanger the public mission of the university.

Mark Hudson, president of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA), told the Manitoban that the ongoing campaign places too much authority in the hands of private contributors.

“There has been this long-term historic pull back of public funding by

both the federal and provincial gov- long-term push to try and re-establish We should not be relying on private ernments that has left the university the priority of post-secondary edu- sources,” he said, adding that public with little choice cation funding both funding sources are generally relibut to appeal to provincially and fed- able and stable over the long term in “Our concern philanthropists in erally,” he said. comparison with the kind of funding order to finance the “The responsibil- received from one-time fundraising largely is ity of the university campaigns. university’s programs,” Hudson is to push and make a Barkman said that a great deal with the said. case that this should of the new money will be going to determination be a public priority. capital projects at the U of M, “which “It leaves the future direction My proposed option does not help the overall accessibilof our future will be to relaunch ity and quality of post-secondary of the university trajectory the conversation education.” essentially in the about getting both hands of those John Danakas, executive direcbeing put in the federal and tor of public affairs at the U of M, donors. They get to the hands of provincial govern- stressed the importance of the camdictate what kind ments more actively paign, stating that it has five priority of project would PHOTO BY EVAN MCINTOSH a small group be funded and that involved in fund- areas known as its “case for support” will have a huge ing post-secondary based on the real financial needs of of donors” – education.”

University of Manitoba; they idenimpact on the overthe university.

Mark Hudson, Michael all direction of the “The campaign is taken to the com- tified those areas of need for support.

Barkman, chairper- munity. Front and Centre has been For example, in indigenous achieveuniversity [...] Our president, concern largely is son for the Canadian presented to the community through ment, funds are being sought to supUniversity with the determiFe d e r a t i o n o f what is referred to as a case for sup- port the International Centre for Students-Manitoba nation of our future port [...] So right now, the case for Truth and Reconciliation. In graduof Manitoba trajectory being also said that a public support has indigenous achievement, ate student support, most of the supuniversity like the U graduate student support, research port being sought is for fellowships put in the hands Faculty of M should not rely excellence, outstanding student expe- because that is what the graduate of a small group of Association on funding from pri- rience, and places and spaces as the students identified as a need.” donors.” vate sources, stating five priorities identified in the case Hudson argues that there are other that such funding for support,” he said. ways to generate necessary funds that sources are unstable.

“Those five priorities were estabdo not involve a massive private fun“The money going into post- lished and identified by the univerdraising effort. secondary institutions in Manitoba sity community, by staff, students, “The alternatives are to engage in a should be coming from public sources. faculties, and leadership from the

Faculty union opposes teaching load increase Faculty of arts instructors must teach 24 credit hours after guideline changes ALEAH ISAAK, STAFF

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hanges to the instructor workload in the faculty of arts have sparked criticism from the University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA).

As of Sept. 2, instructors in the faculty are required to provide 24 credit hours of teaching unless they are also involved in significant service to the university. These changes came as part of an update to the Faculty of Arts Teaching Responsibility Guidelines.

Previously, the guidelines stipulated that instructors were required to provide between 18 and 24 hours along with additional service to the university.

UMFA raised concerns about the policy changes in their September newsletter, calling it a “reversal of onus.”

The new policy requires instructors to prove that they have significant service duties to warrant less than 24 credit hours of teaching, with the faculty union arguing that this constitutes a substantial increase in workload.

These changes apply solely to instructors that fall under the UMFA

collective bargaining agreement with the university.

Instructors are defined as university teachers involved in some combination of the tasks of a regular faculty member but not solely those to do with teaching. As such, they juggle different quantities of the responsibilities of a faculty member, which include teaching, administration, research, and additional services.

Services or administrative duties may include outreach to the community, serving on a committee, or overseeing a student club.

These responsibilities only become significant enough to reduce teaching hours if they exceed the expected normal amount.

The changes were first presented to the faculty of arts council on Feb. 12, 2014 and came into effect Sept. 2 of this year.

“Instructors in the faculty of arts, as well as instructors from other faculties who have heard about this change in arts, have expressed to UMFA their deep concerns about the policy change,” said Mark Hudson, UMFA’s president. “‘Deep concerns’ is actually an

understatement,” he added.

The changes mean either more time involved in preparing for classes or taking on more service hours. The association feels that the changes may result in instructors not having enough time with each student, Hudson added.

An ad hoc committee of the arts faculty council was created to address the proposed changes to the 2010 guidelines.

The committee supported the dean’s move to clarify teaching loads in the 2010 guidelines. However, they moved to recommend that the faculty establish 18 credit hours as the regular teaching load for instructors.

The minutes of the April 13 faculty of arts council meeting point out that 15 of the 18 faculty of arts instructors are employed at 18 credit hours and that 24 credit hours had been the exception up until this year.

The committee felt that this relatively small group of staff were being unfairly penalized for budget cuts to the faculty.

They recommended that 24 credit hours be seen as the maximum limit of a full timetable, with the policy

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

changed to clarify that 18 credit hours is the normal amount.

The faculty union would like the dean to consider the recommendations of the committee, Hudson said.

According to John Danakas, executive director of public affairs at the U of M, the policy has not been changed significantly.

The changes offer further clarification on the responsibilities of instructors, he said, adding that the policy from 2010 was ambiguous in its language and that the changes will allow for more simplified tracking of

extra services in order to be the same for all instructors.

“After a year and a half of consultation there has been a move to a process that is effectively the same, but a proper discussion occurs each year as the timetable is developed over what these instructors are doing in lieu of service or in lieu of teaching,” he said.

“The dean had considered the feedback from faculty council over 18 months and, as a result, had made changes to how the guideline will work.”

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

News

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Vandana Shiva backs U of M fossil fuel divestment Environmental activist speaks on campus, advocates divestment, return to local agriculture GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

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he push to see the University of the capacity of the Earth to not just Manitoba divest its holdings in absorb the additional carbon dioxide carbon-burning industries was put but [it creates] new problems that we into a global context on Oct. 8 when didn’t have before,” she said, explainrenowned environmental and social ing the whole cycle has a negative activist Vandana Shiva bridged the impact on once sustainable, selfgap between climate change, indus- sufficient communities. trial agriculture, and fossil fuel consumption in a wide-ranging speech “We need to get at the university.

Shiva was originally trained as a rid of the dead, physicist, earning her PhD from the University of Western Ontario before black carbon that shifting to environmental research for is fossil fuels [...] It the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Management should have stayed in Bangalore, India. underground – that Shiva is the founder of the Navdanya, a network of seed keepis where Mother ers and organic producers across 18 Indian states. She is a staunch envi- Nature put it [and] ronmental activist and proponent of that is where she fair trade. Her numerous accolades include being named Time’s environ- intended it to be” mental hero in 2003 and one of the – Vandana Shiva, seven most powerful women on the globe by Forbes in 2015. environmental In an hour-long address to more activist than a hundred students, faculty, and community members gathered in the atrium of the engineering building at the U of M, Shiva explained how “The most important part of that long-distance, industrialized agricul- long-distance, globalized system of ture is responsible for 40 per cent of food is that instead of hundreds of the greenhouse gasses released into thousands of people getting work in the atmosphere. a healthy food system, you get five Coupled with the chemical fertil- corporations dominating the system,” izers used in modern, mechanized Shiva told the Manitoban following farm production – which she referred her presentation. to as pure fossil fuels – Shiva argued “Each community must be food that “we are literally eating oil.” secure,” she added. “Every bit of soil “The climate problem is not just an must be climate secure. And it’s these energy problem [...] It’s a food prob- multiple levels of security, building lem first and foremost,” she said. from the bottom up, that will help us As the first guest of this year’s with reducing emissions and adaptUniversity of Manitoba Students’ ing to whatever momentum [there] Union (UMSU) Speaker Series, already is.”

Shiva spoke in support of the orgaIn order to reduce the current nization’s drive to pressure the U of levels of carbon dioxide to 350 parts M to divest its $64 million interest per million from its current level of out of the oil, gas, and coal sectors.

400 – which climate scientists argue is Reliance on a false thesis that one necessary to maintain a livable planet region disproportionately affected by – Shiva said it will take more than a climate change-related drought and simple reduction in the burning of soil degradation can be aided by ship- fossil fuels. ping agricultural products in from She argued poor land use policies, afar only serves to compound the contributing to mass deforestation greenhouse gas problem, said Shiva. and industrial agriculture, have dis“Basically, what you have is a fossil mantled nature’s process for filtering fuel food system and it is destroying carbon out of the air through “the

PHOTO BY GARETT WILLIAMS

most efficient solar system in the sil fuel is a metaphor,” Shiva told the world – the green leaf in our plants.” Manitoban.

Refocusing on sustainable agriculture through recycling organic “The most important matter and increasing biodiversity will work to reverse the buildup of part of that longgreenhouse gasses by rebuilding the distance, globalized filter, she said.

“A solar panel can reduce emis- system of food is that sions but it cannot recycle carbon – that only living eco-systems can do,” instead of hundreds Shiva said. of thousands of “We need to get rid of the dead, black carbon that is fossil fuels,” people getting work she added. “It should have stayed underground – that is where Mother in a healthy food Nature put it [and] that is where she system, you get intended it to be.”

While divesting the U of M’s stake five corporations out of the energy industry wouldn’t dominating have an immediate, direct impact on fossil fuel consumption, Shiva said the system” – it’s incumbent on intellectual instituVandana Shiva tions to break free of the dominant, carbon-reliant mindset and chart a new course toward sustainable agriculture and energy.

“That’s why I talk about fossilized “Fossil fuel is not just the substance minds and, sadly, the fossil fuel domithat was fossilized underground, fos- nation is making universities retreat,

go backwards.”

The UMSU push for divestment is essentially just getting underway, having only officially been adopted in a motion passed in the spring.

However, Shiva said connecting the union’s action as part of the global divestment movement can push momentum back in a productive direction.

“Course correction isn’t happening because continuing on the same path in the short term is paying off for a very, very tiny segment, while all the others bear the burdens of losing livelihoods, losing security, losing their very lives and homes,” she said.

“I just feel we are at such a critical threshold, as a species, in our evolutionary terms, that we need to reflect on the kind of conditions we need to create, consciously, through actions like divestment, through actions like spreading organic and returning carbon to the soil, in order to even have a chance that we will be around.”

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News

News Editor: Ethan Cabel Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Mentorship program helps at-risk pregnant women, report finds Program improves social service access, prenatal care ALEAH ISAAK, STAFF

child and family services, and hous- among certain demographic groups ing were affected. like low-income women.

InSight began in 1998 and offers In its comparison between InSight one-on-one mentoring to women at participants and pregnant women risk of having children with FASD. who were drinking and on income The program has intake offices assistance outside the program, the across Manitoba and serves about report was not able to come to any 240 women at a time. firm conclusions about differences Women may be referred to the in the rates of alcohol use between program by a health care provider or the two groups. by self-referral and are able to access “Decreased use of alcohol during the mentoring services for a three year pregnancy is suggested but could not period. The study examined the out- be confirmed in this sample,” the comes of the program for 226 women report states. who had participated between 2001 Out of 156 participants for whom data was available, 19.4 per cent were and 2008.

Chelsea Ruth, lead author of the able to maintain a low-risk pattern of study and a research scientist at the drinking throughout their pregnancy Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, – 9.6 per cent of this group were able told the Manitoban that instead of to abstain from alcohol entirely. This GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST only focusing on whether or not means that 81 per cent were still using women quit drinking, it was impor- alcohol in a high-risk manner during he Manitoba Centre for Health tant to “look at all the other things the program.

Policy at the University of they have achieved because you canThe report also found a significant Manitoba recently released an analy- not look at an outcome in isolation.” increase in prenatal visits by women sis of the InSight Mentoring Program, For example, upon entry 26 per enrolled in the InSight program.

“We were very pleasantly surprised a provincial program intended to help cent of women were not using a food prevent the development of Fetal bank but needed one, while upon by how well [InSight] did in getting Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). completion of the program this [participants] to engage with prenatal care. Prenatal care is important The study focused on the pro- dropped to 9.5 per cent. gram’s relative ability to reduce alcoAccording to the report, 11 per on many levels but it also represents hol consumption during pregnancy, cent of Canadian women report using engagement with the health care and also analyzed how access to social alcohol during pregnancy, with rates system [...] It is another opportunity services such as income assistance, of alcohol use disproportionately high to help them access social services,”

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Ruth said.

This flexibility helps build trust After women exited the program between mentors and program parthere were some who had difficulty ticipants. It is not only about havmaintaining the changes. ing a healthy pregnancy but having The report recommends an exten- a healthy mother to provide for her sion of the program beyond three child, she said. years. This would give women more “For most of the women in our time to further develop social sup- program, they are using substances ports needed to maintain gains made. to cope with other life challenges [...]

One-on-one mentoring consti- That is what we need to address to tutes the structural foundation of the make it possible to find a different program, according to Jill Isbister, way to cope with these stresses.” program and policy consultant in the In 2012, the Canada FASD area of FASD prevention and the pro- Research Network conducted a qualigram manager at InSight. tative evaluation of FASD prevention “[Mentors] are able to form a close mentoring programs that included relationship because they have the Insight Manitoba. time to do so. We have small case In interviews conducted by the loads and are able to work with network, participants shared some [women] over a number of years,” of their thoughts on how mentoring Isbister told the Manitoban. had made a difference in their lives.

Mentors may offer services such Having someone to support them, as transportation to appointments, even if they were not fully abstainassistance in navigating social sup- ing from alcohol, helped participants port systems, and guidance based on across jurisdictions to keep going respect and trust. and believe in their own success, Mentors are also able to tailor the the report concluded. They felt less program to suit the needs of each par- judged and yet still held accountable ticipant so that the participant can for their actions. set her own goals for success. Just as each woman is unique and complex, so is the mentorship required to help her achieve her goals, according to Isbister.

Canada’s supply management system imposes heavy burden on households, says report Authors advocate dismantling supply management in dairy and poultry SAMUEL OSHO, STAFF

paper on the ment of economics, authored the Canada increases the prices of dairy impact of the paper, titled “Milked and Feathered: and poultry products above what they trade agreement The Regressive Welfare Effects of will be without the policy and the on the current Canada’s Supply Management policy imposes a heavy burden on supply manage- Regime.” households – particularly poor housement system for The paper is a comparative study holds that spend a large share of their Canadian dairy of the dairy and poultry market with income on food,” Cardwell told the and pou ltr y and without the supply management Manitoban. products. system.

The TPP deal will result in small The paper argues that, as a result increases in the amount of dairy Supply management is a sys- of supply management, low-income and poultry products that will be tem whereby the Canadians spend a disproportionate imported into the country due to the federal govern- share of their annual income on dairy decrease in import tariffs negotiated ment imposes and poultry products when compared as part of the deal. production quo- with higher-income Canadians.

Cardwell, Lawley, and Xiang estitas and restricts Cardwell, Lawley, and Xiang mate that the TPP deal will result in imports on dairy found that the current supply man- $400 million of annual savings for and pou ltr y agement system results in the poorest Canadian consumers. That amounts GRAPHIC BY CAROLINE NORMAN products, thus households spending approximately to $6 billion in savings over 15 years. limiting compe- 2.3 per cent ($339) more of their annual This led to the announcement by n Oct. 5, 2015, after five days of tition for Canadian producers. This income on dairy and poultry products the federal government of a compenintense negotiations, Canada system subsequently drives up the when compared to what they would sation plan for Canadian producers agreed to a tentative trade deal called prices paid for these products by pay in a hypothetical liberalized mar- of dairy and poultry products to the the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Canadian consumers. ket. Meanwhile, the richest house- tune of $4.3 billion over 15 years. alongside 11 other countries.

Ryan Cardwell and Chad Lawley, holds spend 0.5 per cent ($554) more “TPP is a negotiation between a In the wake of recent speculations professors in the department of agri- of their annual income than under a number of countries in which Canada about the potential implications of business and agricultural econom- liberalized market. has agreed to allow a very small the deal, two University of Manitoba ics at the U of M, and Di Xiang, a “We discovered that the supply increase in the quantity of dairy and professors published a research sessional instructor in the depart- management regime that we have in poultry products that can come into

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Canada [...] The price for dairy and poultry products in Canada might go down by a very small amount, by just a few cents,” Cardwell said.

“In general, in most cases, trade agreements are good for consumers, prices are going to come down with trade agreements and that is what we expect to happen with dairy and poultry products.”

However, the authors also found that the supply management system comes at a steep cost that is not markedly offset by the TPP deal. And despite the results of their report and the burden of the supply management system on Canadian consumers, Cardwell told the Manitoban that it is very unlikely that any government will scrap the policy.

“We have been through several trade agreements which provided the government the opportunity to unravel the system and make use of the opportunity,” he said.

“It seems that all national parties have pledged their allegiance to this and it is very unlikely that it will be going anywhere.”

Editorial

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Editor-In-Chief: Craig Adolphe Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Saving the CBC What a national broadcaster means to Canada CRAIG ADOLPHE, STAFF

million in cuts to the CBC in the 90s, but if they hold to their promises this time around the future is likely to be much brighter for the broadcaster.

That’s good news, because in the final days of the election some of the other major players in Canadian media began to show their true colours – pointing out a dark truth about the state of our national media: it’s not ours.

The media landscape

The Globe and Mail is currently under fire for their awkward election endorsement. In their pre-election editorial, the Globe and Mail endorsed the Conservative Party while criticizing Stephen Harper and calling for a change in leadership.

If the Liberals hold to their promises the future is bound to be much brighter for the broadcaster

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

The CBC has been hobbled.

Party has simultaneously painted the and Gilles Duceppe (the latter two Decades of funding cuts under CBC as a haven for liberal elites and being the Bloq Québécois’s two most both the Liberal and Conservative party enemies in order to rally the recent leaders) didn’t respond to governments and political interfer- base and raise funds.

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting’s ence through board appointments The hack-and-slash approach to requests.

by Stephen Harper have severely public services is a common first-step In each of their interviews and hampered the national broadcaster’s in neoliberal privatization efforts – through other public announceability to meet its mandate: to “pro- something we can simultaneously see ments each party (other than the vide radio and television services occurring with Canada Post. First the Conservatives) has made promises incorporating a wide range of pro- public services are cut and reduced regarding how to manage the CBC. gramming that informs, enlightens ensuring quality drops and then as The difference between Liberal, NDP, and entertains,” according to the 1991 dissatisfaction with the level of ser- and Green commitments to the CBC Broadcasting Act. vices grows the public services can be are relatively indistinct with each The government’s 2012 budget scrapped altogether and replaced by promising to undo the most recent alone cut the CBC’s budget by $115 private, profit-driven providers. round of cuts, with the Liberals and million over the next three years. In Greens also promising additional mid-April the job losses in the past Future prospects funding. year numbered over 1,400 across the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting All three criticized the system country including 23 in Manitoba in worked to make funding for the under which the prime minister the last round of cuts.

CBC and an end to political inter- appoints individuals to the board, And now, under increasing ference priorities in the election, which has led to nine of the current financial pressure, the broadcaster effectively putting them amongst 11 members being Conservative party has announced plans to sell off all other non-profits working to keep donors. The NDP and Green party of their property across the country the Conservatives from winning the said if elected they would change the with the intent to move or lease back election. system of governance to reduce politiany working space required for their You may have seen their “I vote cal interference and the Liberals said own operations.

CBC” yard signs or television com- they would review it.

Stephen Harper has continued to mercials. The group conducted sitWe’ll have to see whether the deny that any cuts have even taken down interviews through 2015 with newly elected Liberal government place, saying the government hasn’t three of the five major party leaders – follows through with their commitcut the CBC’s budget and that any Thomas Mulcair, Elizabeth May, and ments. Some reservations are cerproblems they’re facing are the result Justin Trudeau all participated, while tainly valid since under Chrétien the of a loss of viewers. The Conservative Stephen Harper, Mario Beaulieu, Liberals actually imposed about $400

People have been showing their contempt using the hashtag #MoreGlobeEndorsements, offering mockery with endorsements such as “I endorse the Globe but not the Mail,” “The News, but not Huey Lewis,” and “Mordor, but not Sauron.”

Endorsing the party and not the leader is laughable for a number of reasons, not least of which the fact that Harper has been the only person elected to lead the party since it was formed in 2003 through a merger of the Reform and Progressive Conservative parties, meaning there is no Harperless Conservative Party for us to know and look back on affectionately. The Conservative Party we’ve had is the only Conservative Party there has ever been – although since Harper announced his plan to resign his leadership it looks like we’ll have a chance to find out what a Harperless Conservative Party does look like.

The Globe and Mail ’s editor-inchief David Walmsley said that the decision of the endorsement was his own but that he had talked to the publisher about it first. This was a change from the process that was used for the paper’s controversial 2014 provincial endorsement of Ontario Conservative leader Tim Hudak. The Hudak endorsement was the result of a last minute override by Walmsley after the editorial board went through a lengthy process to collectively decide on endorsing Liberal leader Kathleen Wynne.

Postmedia Network Inc. – the largest publisher of English-language daily newspapers in Canada, which owns the National Post (Canada’s only other national daily newspaper), the Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Ottawa Citizen, Windsor Star, Montreal Gazette, and a variety

of locally tailored Sun newspapers, among others – are also facing criticism for their endorsement of Harper.

The Edmonton Journal ’s columnist Paula Simons stated that the decision for the Journal to endorse Harper was made by the paper’s owners as opposed to its editors.

On Friday, independent news outlet CANADALAND reported that Andrew Coyne, comment and editorial editor for the Postmedia’s flagship publication the National Post, had signed off on running the company’s editorial but that he had planned on running his own article with a separate endorsement – which Coyne later confirmed was for the NDP. However, CANADALAND stated that Coyne’s article had been nixed. Since then Coyne has announced his resignation as editor but explained that he would be staying on as a columnist.

In the week before the election our own Postmedia paper, the Winnipeg Sun, ran hackneyed, owner-inspired editorials such as “Our choice is clear – Stephen Harper,” and “No change best change,” on top of equally unpalatable but more conventionally issue-oriented pieces such as “Maternity leave extension flawed,” which argued against an extension of Canada’s parental leave, calling it “a non-starter.” This is a position that could only be taken by a person who has to pay for the parental leaves of others.

It’s ironic to see flagship Canadian media outlets calling for four more years of Conservative leadership considering the party has been so antagonistic towards the media, particularly during the election.

The endorsements ring particularly hollow as polling (along with the actual election results) consistently showed the majority of Canadians wanted Harper and his party gone.

The awkward gap between the will of the public and the will of the few individuals who own a majority of our media outlets is rarely exposed in such transparent terms.

We’ve seen a high turnout in this election. People have shown their disapproval off the current regime by calling for a new government. But if people are concerned about who’s running their government they should be equally concerned about who’s running their media. It’s a narrowing few with similar tastes.

The model we’ve used to fund the majority of our media has led to an effective monopoly by a select corporate class and these endorsements have shown that when they want us to think something they’re willing to interfere in the editorial process to make it happen.

It’s not enough to have a national broadcaster alone – maybe we should start exploring other options in community owned media. But in the meantime, thank God for the CBC.

9

Raging on Roslyn

Comment Comment Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Opposition to tower development little more than suburbanite NIMBYism EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

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here is predictable opposition scape, and a step towards making the her opposition to others living in lose one nice house to rest their to the erection of a new seven- neighbourhood more people-friendly. slightly more than the same density eyes on, and the city will become, storey, 78-unit condo tower on Roslyn To be blunt, the kind of people who at essentially the same location. by a small measure, more of a city.

Rd. As usual with almost any devel- cannot conceive of anything less Dennistoun House is not unique or opment proposal, the opposition than 1.5 parking stalls per resident important architecturally. It would Osborne Village is comes mostly from local residents are not the kind of people we should have been a net loss to see it replaced offended at the idea of any change, be taking advice on city planning by another building of similar density. not the suburbs – with a smattering of know-it-alls who from. We’ll never become less reliIt is a net gain to see it replaced by which is precisely assume that their personal opinions ant on cars if we keep building for another building of higher density. constitute sound urban planning car-reliance even in the most built-up There are some people – far too why people want policy. parts of our cities. many – who do not understand that Some people are outraged that city Others take umbrage at the num- to live there there is a difference between city has approved a variance allowing a ber of units proposed for the site. The living and suburb living. You canlower-than-mandated number of Winnipeg Free Press quotes local resinot export the joys and varieties of parking spaces (70 instead of 94), dent Joan Hodgson as saying, “The This project might well be out of city living to the suburbs, and you with no extra visitor parking. They residents in the area are opposed place on a quiet residential street in should not saddle the densest and seem curiously oblivious to the fact because the size of the project is too the suburbs, but Osborne Village has most beloved neighbourhood in that the people who want to move big for the land that is available.” little in common with the suburbs – Winnipeg with the flaccid lifestyle The beauty of a tower, of course, which is precisely why people want and architecture that form the gold into Winnipeg’s most densely populated neighbourhood, a stone’s throw is that the footprint of the land to live there. Arguments based on standard of suburbs. The people who from downtown, may not need park- it is built on has no bearing to the damaging the character of the neigh- live in Osborne Village and object to ing stalls. Not everyone lives in a number of units it can support. The bourhood extend this strange point any change that makes it more like a suburb, and a major damper on the majority of the residents in the area of view to absurdity; the neighbour- dense, vibrant city core are, despite quality of life of those who do not already live in towers, including the hood is dense and urbane, the fin- their postal code, suburbanites – subis the provision of parking, parking, four tallest residential structures in est example of city living between urbanites who couldn’t stand to live parking everywhere for those who do. the city. Hodgson herself lives in a Toronto and Vancouver. in the suburbs, which are the comReducing the number of park- seven-storey structure, though with The development will involve the munities that result when people like ing stalls is an efficient use of land, fewer units than the proposed build- demolition of Dennistoun House, them get their way. a benefit to the walkability of the ing. It is difficult to imagine anything which is a fine old building – and neighbourhood and the local street- other than NIMBYism animating nothing more. Local residents will

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

The reactionary Pope Conservatism isn’t bad, but it can never be called radical DEVON HANEL, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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he papacy has never enjoyed as moral conviction need the weight of glowing a reception as today, and the Vatican behind them and second notably among progressives. Pope that the Pope is a progressive radical.

Francis has been met with praise Hardly a week after the Charlie for his strong condemnations of Hebdo shooting, Pope Francis (though “unbridled capitalism” and the visible not endorsing violence) remarked that inequities and environmental degra- this kind of murderous response is dation it has produced. This focus on “normal” and to be expected if one social justice, the pontiff’s seemingly insults the faith of others. Instead of humble, compassionate persona, has standing up for the liberal – and, I convinced many on the left that he thought, progressive – value of freeis to be considered a “radical pope” dom of expression, Pope Francis gave and a force for institutional change. remarks that almost suggest he might I think caution needs to be urged in be head of an institution with a hisapplying this label, largely because tory of censorship. If you thought this many of the moral positions of the vulgar defense of faith was supposed Catholic Church are fundamentally to be replaced with liberty and pluconservative in nature. ralism, then you would have forgotNow, this is not a problem arising ten the traditionalist nature of the from an impressionable left; rather, it Catholic Church. is the message, made nearly unanimous by the media, that Pope Francis The phrase “radical is a go-to moral authority – the voice who has authority to lend credibility pope” is and always to existing social movements.

When the Vatican comes to its will be an oxymoron senses on a moral issue the immediate reaction should be “about time” and not “thank you for affirming our Suppose you’re not much conexisting views.” That being said, there cerned with the rights of sinners. is no doubt the Pope helps to serve a Well, take the Pope’s view that samepractical function by raising aware- sex marriage is not just a threat to ness, particularly on climate change the traditional family but, by extenwhere general conservative opinion is sion, a “threat to society itself.” It is one of denial and action is woefully true that Pope Francis is generally lacking. What needs to be rejected, more respectful than his predecessors however, is first the idea that those of on this issue, but we should expect

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

more than just a civil tone from a man whom Jonathan Freedland called the “new hero of the left.” Or consider his view that euthanasia is a “sin against God.” Or perhaps his recent canonization of Junípero Serra, an 18th-century Spanish missionary whose subjugation of the indigenous population of California led to untold misery – an act which was nothing short of colonial in terms of ideology.

The Pope is no feminist, either. He opposes the ordination of women into the priesthood, saying “that cannot be done.” He is an enemy also of both abortion and the use of contraception. Katha Pollitt is incisive on this

point, saying the Earth “will never be healed of its economic, social, and ecological ills as long as women cannot control their fertility.”

With the growing population of the planet, resources will only become increasingly inaccessible for an evergreater number of people. Granting women the ability to determine their future can greatly reduce this level of poverty and suffering. To oppose such a simple issue as contraception, and to instead suggest that Catholics not breed “like rabbits,” is to be more than indelicate, it is to be downright reactionary.

While Pope Francis is correct

about the need for action on climate change and poverty, it should be recognized that this action is not going to be achieved top-down from the fossilized traditions of the Vatican, but instead from those at the bottom who insist on thinking for themselves, who become their own moral authors, and who fight for a more just society.

So when Pope Francis tells us “I’m not really a leftie,” I believe him; the phrase “radical pope” is and always will be an oxymoron.

10 Comment

Comment Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Tom Ingram’s article, “Give us a break,” appeared in the Oct. 7 issue of the Manitoban. In it he argues that students should not be blamed for low turnout at Bison sporting events on campus. Mike Still’s response originally appeared on our website last week, when we did not produce a print issue, and sparked a wave of discussion about Bisons attendance.

Re: Give us a break

Students not at fault for low attendance at Bison games MIKE STILL, STAFF

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week ago, I wrote a sports piece and not have to worry about fishing entitled “Build it and they will out the cash to get in. come,” which discussed what Bison Sports has been doing to try and Why Bison Sports means encourage fans to come out to sport- so much to me ing events. In this piece, I stated it’s While I’m at it, I also feel it’s also up to students to do their part important for me to explain why I and show up to the games. get so fired up when talking about Similarly, I wrote an editorial last fan attendance at Bison games, and March which essentially criticized why I accidentally got carried away our university for having such low in both of my articles. fan turnout. I used words such as “abysmal” and “pathetic” to describe When you attend our attendance.

I would to apologize on both any sporting event counts, for trying to put the bulk of on campus you’re the blame on the students for not showing up. not only supporting In his article “Give us a break,” Tom Ingram states “there just isn’t the team on the time for many students to attend footfield, you’re also ball games even if they wanted to. It’s nothing short of cruel to suggest they joining together in are in some way letting somebody community with the down by prioritizing school, work, and other responsibilities over foot- people around you ball – which, let’s not forget, is not the main purpose of a university.”

He is right. As a student, you For me, it’s a euphoric feeling, and have no obligation to attend a foot- something that is near indescribable. ball, basketball, soccer, hockey, or To have the Big Horns pounding volleyball game. It’s your choice, and their drums, children on the edge of trying to guilt-trip you into going is their seat, and students side by side, by no means effective. The comments harmoniously chanting “Go Bisons I made were insensitive, and frankly, Go!” is a feeling that brings me great just plain rude. joy, and brings back so many fond With that being said, I would like memories. to vouch for why I love attending I remember attending my first ever sporting events on campus, and, like Bison football game in 2005, at age 10.

I should have done originally, why I It was an experience I will never forthink it would be fun for you to go as get. The team was still playing at the well. There will be no guilt-tripping old university stadium, and I recall or finger pointing involved. with fondness seeing them run out of the locker room and onto the field.

What are some of the They were like gods to me, and as a benefits of going to a game? peewee football player myself at the When you attend any sporting time, I brought a notepad with me to event on campus you’re not only take notes on how I could improve supporting the team on the field, as a player based on the technique of you’re also joining together in com- those playing in the game. munity with the people around you.

The energy in the stands was For two to three hours, no matter electric, and I completely immersed your background, you’re in unity with myself in the experience. That experiyour peers. It’s a fun social activity, ence included being able to step onto and also a great way to meet people. the field post-game to get autographs Personally speaking, I met the love from the players. Being able to stand of my life via a sporting event. beside them and ask questions was a Secondly, it’s a great stress release. dream come true. One player specifiI’m a student just like the rest of cally changed my life forever, and I you. I study hard and work hard, and will never forget what he did for me. every once in a while, it’s nice to get His name was Dave Beakley, a away and forget about the pressures defensive back. Much like myself, of university life. Now, I understand he wasn’t the biggest player on the that sporting events aren’t for every- field, but he was fearless. He took on one. For some, reading a book, play- players twice his size and came out ing an instrument, or going for a walk on top. I wanted to play the game in may be some of the activities that are the same way he did. preferred. I would encourage you to I approached “Beaks” – as he was come out to just one game, though, known by his teammates – after the just to see and feel the energy con- game and showed him my notepad. tained in a single building.

We played the same position, and I Who knows, you may have a good told him I wanted to be just like him time and come back again. The games when I got older. He looked at me are free for U of M students, so you with a smile, and said that was an can come whenever you have time honour. He then escorted me, along

GRAPHIC BY CAROLINE NORMAN

Matt Henry broke his femur in the 2007 Vanier Cup game, and his team rallied around him and brought back a ring, and I remember when Jeremy Botelho took a missed field goal back a CIS-record 129 yards to the house in 2009.

I am, and always These are all things I will never forget. I am and always will be a will be a Bison fan Bison fan through and through.

When I started covering the team through and through in my second year at the U of M, it was yet another dream come true. I missed a Bison game for the next nine have developed relationships with a years afterward. number of players on a number of I remember Beaks, I remember teams that I will always hold close the hard-hitting linebacker Kenton to my heart.

Onofrychuk, I remember the calm Whether that be the openness of and collected quarterback John “the BC boys,” Jordan Yantz, Jordan Makie, and I remember the clutch Linnen, and Matt Sawyer in 2014, or kicker Scott Dixon. the humour of Wilfred Sam-King I remember when running back and Oyinko Akinola of the men’s with my dad, to the locker room for a tour.

As a 10-year-old who had dreams of playing the game for a long time, that moment changed my life. I never

track and field team in 2015, there isn’t an encounter I’ve had with a Bison athlete that hasn’t been positive.

The recollection I have of my time both in the stands and in the press box of Bison sporting events has been nothing short of spectacular. I know how hard these athletes train, and I also know how loud our fans cheer.

You don’t have to come out if you don’t want to. But, if you have time and aren’t doing anything else on a Friday or Saturday night, I’d suggest checking out a game. If your experience has been anything like mine, you won’t be disappointed.

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Comment 11

RE: Give us a break As a campus, we should be encouraging what we have for fan support already DAVID GRAD

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’m also not a fan of calling attendance pathetic or voicing frustration at the student body for not attending. Using that kind of language and shaping that sort of argument creates a right and wrong, and presupposes a moral high ground.

Going to a sports game is supposed to be fun; celebrate the fact that students did come out. Highlight their experience and work to making it better. If it’s a good experience, more people will come out the next time because of the atmosphere around the game.

Publicly shaming poor attendance or saying there is a problem doesn’t encourage anyone to want to attend. It probably turns people off from wanting to go, as it puts a cloud of negativity over what should be a fun expression of school spirit.

It also takes away from highlighting the athletes’ positive performance by focusing on negativity.

Using appreciative inquiry, we should be looking at what’s gone well, and continue to do what’s gone well and build on it. Baby steps. Fandom and school spirit won’t grow over night, but slowly over years.

To me, it is a huge success if

even 20 more people think going to a Bison game is something they want to do. Let’s make it something they remember and want to continue doing. Celebrate and highlight what the people that do attend enjoy and get out of it.

It only took six fans to help bring out the best of a talented women's volleyball team in Regina in 2013 If this interests others, they will come: word will spread. If it doesn’t, well, sports aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. For them, enthusiasm or school spirit might mean getting engaged in student government, student groups, or other ways.

Maybe someone wants to just come, get an education, and leave.

I feel that person may miss out on what was a great experience for me, but maybe it isn’t for them.

In short, we should enjoy what

we have. If it is truly good, over time more people will want to be part of it. It just takes a few people at a time; there’s no need to try and guilt people into attending or shame people for not being interested in school sports.

That’s just guaranteed to turn people away and create negativity around fandom and Bison sports, because we made it feel unfriendly.

It’s a sports game – it should be a fun social activity that contributes to campus culture. Don’t detract from it by singling out or criticizing shaming those who do not share an interest in sports or that brand of school spirit.

Let’s show some love for the 2,800 people that do come out, and the groups that come out to basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Let’s not make them feel unappreciated. I think it’s amazing that 2,800 came out; attendance can only increase if the experience gets better.

I love that The Big Horns get 8-10 people to other games. That’s awesome, and maybe in a few years it grows to 20 or 30.

It only took six fans to help bring out the best of a talented women’s volleyball team in Regina in 2013.

Every fan counts in large amounts!

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

RE: Give us a break Homecoming attendance a microcosm for school apathy ERIC MACLISE

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n his response to Tom Ingram’s Oct. this year, but did not walk across gardens and a concert at the U of M 8 article “Give us a break,” Mike Still campus for the Bisons football home- during the first week of school, but apologized for “trying to put the bulk of coming game. While this comes after that we’re home by 2 p.m. any the blame on students for not showing across as funny, it highlights a huge chance we get. up” to Bisons Sports events. While I issue plaguing our university: lack of The low attendance at the Bisons think Still’s Sept. 30 article was taken school spirit. football homecoming game is a out of context by Ingram, Still’s editoLet me clarify, I am not blam- microcosm of apathy at the University rial from last March was more critical, ing students for this. I’m a student of Manitoba. Bisons Sports wants arguing that despite incentives encour- and I would also much rather go more students at their games, the aging students to attend, “home game to Western’s homecoming. There’s Black Hole Theatre wants more supattendance is still abysmal.” more spirit, more people sporting port, UMSU would like more buzz I would like to shift the discus- Mustangs attire – it’s a way better around Mental Health Awareness sion on low attendance at Bisons party. week, and the Manitoban wants more football home games, specifically volunteers. the Homecoming game that drew I believe that an increase in supThe low attendance 2,800 fans on Oct. 3 this year. port for Bisons football games would While Ingram is correct in clearsee some spill over into other areas. at the Bison Football ing students of any obligation to With all the student groups and attend sporting events, there is an events on campus, increasing engageHomecoming game obligation on the part of the uniment becomes an overwhelming task. is a microcosm versity, UMSU, Student Life, and I suggest first focusing on Bisons footBisons Sports to instill a culture ball games, believing that if students of apathy at where Bisons football is seen as a go to games, have fun, and buy Bisons the University fun, “cool” event. After that, it is up merchandise, they will become more to the students to choose whether to invested in the university community. of Manitoba attend games. Ingram comments that We have to start somewhere, and Bisons football is only short of league when you think of highly spirited averages for attendance by hundreds, With that culture of spirit, universities like Western or many in but Bisons Sports are not trying to be Western had 10,291 fans for their the U.S., what is the first evidence of average, and this university should homecoming game on Sept. 26. that spirit that comes to mind? For not settle for average.

Western does not have a higher ratio me, it’s the student support of sports I know several University of football fans than the University and the football games. of Manitoba students who f lew of Manitoba. Rather, the culture that I acknowledge that comparing the to London, Ont. for Western exists at Western fosters larger sup- University of Manitoba to Western University’s homecoming weekend port for school events. There are beer is not entirely fair. London is a uni-

versity town and we are a commuter radio station 101.5 UMFM started campus. However, that should not doing this, and it drastically increased prohibit the U of M from striving the station’s reach and engagement. for more.

Bisons Sports is putting money into I feel safe in assuming a good print and radio ads, which are great chunk of Western or Arizona State for reaching the community, but I (an extreme example, I know) home- would argue that they don’t reach the coming fans are not necessarily foot- necessary demographic of students. ball fans. Many are there to drink Play a game at 1 p.m. on a Friday. a lot of alcohol, party, and support It addresses the commuter campus their school. Luckily for us, IGF has issue: The game is already free for a great tailgate/pre-gaming Plaza students, and now you wouldn’t have outside Gate 2. Let’s work with the to worry about getting them back to Bombers to make use of that space campus like you do for a night game. with food, drinks, and DJs two hours This would hurt your community fans before Bisons football games. working day jobs, but it should be Second, there should be socials on seen as an investment in the student campus after every game. Our (we’re market. in this together) highest attendance So whether it’s Bisons Athletics, this year was on Sept. 11 when there or the Get Out to Vote campaign, I was a post-game social on the IGF hope we can discuss ways to increase concourse. They don’t necessarily student engagement. UMSU has have to be in the stadium; use the started several great initiatives this multi-purpose room in University year. Hopefully these are the early Center. stages of creating a culture where stuMany students still don’t know dents get involved, because once the when games are. Bisons Sports should opportunities and awareness exist, it start creating Facebook events for the is the students’ responsibility to decide homecoming game, and pay the small whether they want to contribute to amount needed to have it promoted strengthening the university comwithin Facebook. We “like” so many munity and increasing school spirit. things that Facebook cannot include it all in our news feeds; paid promo- Eric MacLise hosts Covering tions are a sure-fire way to separate the Spread 10 a.m. Tuesdays yourself from the pack. Our campus on 101.5 UMFM.

Science & technology 12 Science & Technology Editor: Chantelle Dubois Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Notes from the Star Field Space in Israel CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

PHOTO BY CHANTELLE DUBOIS

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travelled from Vienna to Jerusalem tations. This included several indi- table etiquette would become diffor the Space Generation Congress viduals from NASA, the Israeli Space ferent in zero-gravity environments.

(SGC), held Oct. 8 to 10, and the Agency, the Mexican Space Agency, It is always interesting for me, as an International Astronautical Congress Lockheed Martin, the International engineering student, to hear about (IAC), held Oct. 11 to 16. This was my Astronautical Foundation, and the the perspectives of other disciplines. second time attending both of these European Commission.

At the end of the third day of the conferences, and like last time, I left congress, a gala dinner was held at PHOTO PROVIDED BY CHANTELLE DUBOIS feeling incredibly inspired, excited, the Belgium House at the Hebrew and motivated to continue searching University of Jerusalem. The dinHiguchi’s for my place in the space sector. ner was sponsored by Lockheed Walter Natynczyk. However, he was future space missions, in collaborapresentation detailed Martin The SGC was held at the and had the heads of NASA, absent from the plenary so I assumed tion with other nations.

Bloomfield Science Museum in the European Space Agency, the that it was possible he did not make I sincerely appreciated that how various aspects Jerusalem, and 126 delegates from Italian Space Agency, the Israeli it to the congress.

Laporte took the time to meet with 41 countries participated. These del- and philosophies Space Agency, and various imporAfter the plenary, I headed to the us, despite how informally I had egates, who were students and young tant figures from Lockheed Martin SGAC’s booth in the exhibition hall. contacted him. He exchanged busiof human culture professionals between the ages of 18 in attendance.

When I arrived I was informed that ness cards with us and joined us for a would change once The keynote speakers for the gala the president of the Canadian Space group photo before departing. and 35, were selected competitively based on applications to attend. They dinner were Wanda Sigur, vice- Agency had stopped by to ask about The next day I attended a reception we become a multicame from a variety of professional president and manager of civil space our work mere moments before I had where I ran into someone I knew as and educational backgrounds, includ- planetary species. at Lockheed Martin, Jan Wörner, arrived. a judge from the Canadian Satellite ing law, policy, engineering, science, director general of the European When I had heard that he was in Design Challenge. He does spaceLike how humans and business.

Space Agency, and Charles Bolden, fact at the congress, I immediately related work for Canadian Defence The delegates were separated into administrator of NASA. They all took to searching for his contact Research and Development, and he would no longer one of five different working groups spoke on the importance of the information to try and arrange a and I ended up having an insightful covering several different perspec- identify nationally, next generation of space leaders and meeting. I had no real agenda other discussion about the job climate for tives and topical issues: nanosatel- but by their planet, explorers and of international col- than to introduce myself to him, Canadians looking for space work, lite policy, space exploration, space laboration in future space missions. and sent an email simply asking if space-related graduate education in Internet, Earth observation for cli- the concept of up The latter point would be a common he was willing to meet sometime Canada, and about the competition mate change monitoring and mantheme in the IAC that followed. during the congress. I figured the itself. He gave me a lot of advice and down would agement, and supporting the growth Although the SGC was now worst that could happen was that he about my future. of entrepreneurial activities in the behind me, the five-day IAC would would decline.

Near the end of the reception, change, and table space sector. prove to be just as busy. The IAC I was pleasantly surprised when he Laporte joined us for some discusetiquette would Subject matter experts guided welcomes roughly 3,500 delegates per responded that same afternoon. We sion unrelated to space. It was at the discussions of each work group, year from a diverse range of back- arranged a meeting for the upcom- that moment that I really felt like I become different and the results will be eventually grounds in academia and industry. ing Wednesday. I decided to contact had truly made the most out of this in zero-gravity compiled into a formal report and For five days, various panels, pre- other Canadian university students congress. I managed to connect with presented to the United Nations sentations, receptions, and special from the Canadian Satellite Design one of the most important figures in environments Committee on the Peaceful Uses of events are held, this year centering Challenge who were also at the IAC Canada’s space sector, and apparently Outer Space technical subcommittee. on the theme “Space – The Gateway that week and invited them to join. left a good enough impression that he I had signed up for the nanosatelOne of the presentations that I for Mankind’s Future.”

The meeting with Laporte went would stop by to talk to me. lite policy work group, but spent most found most interesting came from Throughout the week I felt as very well. Students from Concordia I leave Israel now with a handful of my time assisting the organizing Kiyoshi Higuchi, who is the president though I was constantly zipping University, two of my colleagues of business cards with new and fasciteam with various tasks throughout of the International Astronautical from one end of the International from the University of Manitoba, and nating connections, several Facebook the event. I did occasionally drop in Foundation and vice-president of Conference Center to the other, one fellow SGAC member from the requests from new friends located to try and participate in the ongo- the Japanese Aerospace eXploration attending meetings and talking to International Space University joined around the world, and many memoing discussion on how to manage Group (JAXA). He presented work people. One of the main events held me. The majority of the discussion ries with familiar faces belonging to the increasing accessibility of low on cosmo-anthropology, detail- every year at the IAC is the Heads of revolved around our participation the Space Generation family. Most Earth orbit for nanosatellites being ing how various aspects and phi- Agencies plenary. This year represen- in the Canadian Satellite Design importantly, I leave feeling even more launched by non-commercial enti- losophies of human culture would tatives from the U.S. (NASA), Russia Challenge and our experiences connected to the space industry. ties. The results of this discussion I change once we become a multi- (ROSCOSMOS), China (ISRO), as Canadian students with space have to save for the SGAC to report planetary species. This touched on Europe (ESA), Japan (JAXA), and ambitions.

Chantelle Dubois is currently internon, but the work group developed things like how humans would no Israel (ISA) were present.

Laporte spoke about reviving the ing with the Space Generation Earlier this year, Sylvain Laporte agency’s outreach program, which Advisory Council in Vienna, and very interesting recommendations longer identify nationally, but by on the matter. their planet (instead of a Canadian, assumed the role as the president of had been slowly phased out over the will be writing about her experiIn between work group discussion I become an Earthling), the concept the Canadian Space Agency, suc- years and has been virtually non- ences in the Notes from the Star periods, guest speakers gave presen- of up and down would change, and ceeding Luc Brûlé and General existent for a while. He also talked Field series for the Manitoban. pragmatically about Canada’s role in

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Science & Technology 13

Earth Explorers now at the Manitoba Museum National Geographic’s exhibit has arrived in Winnipeg MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY MALAK ABAS

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he diverse nature of our planet on your smartphone or tablet. There has always inspired curiosity are several areas in the exhibit that in people young and old. National provide an interactive experience if Geographic, in association with scanned using the app.

Global Experience Specialists, Earth Explorers appeals to all appeals to that curiosity with their ages. Adults will enjoy the in-depth exhibition National Geographic descriptions of the environments Presents: Earth Explorers, which and the explorers who are studyarrived at the Manitoba Museum ing them at every eco-zone. The as part of its tour across North interactive elements of the exhibit, America on Oct. 3. It is an immer- such as the thermal camera at the sive experience of some of the most Arctic cabin or the touchable fake interesting places on Earth. animal droppings, will appeal to The exhibition features five dif- kids and parents alike. ferent environments and a base.

While the official blog of the The Base Camp begins the exhibit Manitoba Museum says that the and features an off-road vehicle. exhibit is most suitable for children Other stations include a visit to in Grade 3 and up, the museum is the African savannah which has also offering a specialized version a virtual hot air balloon that visi- of the Earth Explorers programtors can step into, a model of the ming designed for pre-school aged living conditions in the Arctic, an children from 9 a.m. to noon most interactive look at the Himalayas Mondays for the duration of the through the Mountains and Caves exhibit. installation, the variety of insects in Along with Mini-Explorer the Amazon rainforests, and – my Mondays, the museum is also personal favorite – an interactive offering a program in association model submersible that uses sur- with Petland. On select days for the rounding video to mimic deep-sea duration of the exhibit, pet coundiving. sellors from Petland will be at the These eco-zones all offer their exhibit with live animals. own separate activities. While I had the opportunity to visit there is plenty of reading mate- the Earth Explorers exhibit right rial, National Geographic has also before it officially opened. The visuprovided an app to pair with the als were beautiful, a trademark of exhibit. Before visiting, down- National Geographic at this point, load the “Earth Explorers Air and the various sculptures (such Experience” app, available for as a great white shark fitted with a both Android and iOS platforms, ‘crittercam,’ a tool used by explorers

and photographers) were colorful and interesting. A personal favorite feature of the exhibit was the focus on the people who help us decipher our world – National Geographic’s scientists, filmmakers, and photographers. Both text and video content provide insight into how and why these people are so motivated to discover the unknown. The fact that I’m an adult did not stop me from enjoying even the most kid-friendly features, such as the crystals displayed at the cave area of the exhibit, or the ice plate at the Polar installation that lets you test how well different gloves fare against the cold winter.

The Manitoba Museum has always been a pillar of the science community in Manitoba, and their determination to provide worldclass exhibits has been proven time and time again. This time is no different. Whether you are already a nature enthusiast, or just curious about what there is to see and do, visit the Earth Explorers exhibit.

This virtual trip around the world is accessible, innovative, and a lot of fun.

For specific dates for both MiniExplorer Mondays and Petland visits, or more information about the Earth Explorers exhibit, please visit the Manitoba Museum’s website: www.manitobamuseum.ca

Diversions Graphics Editor: Bram Keast Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Ready, set, art Competitive painting event seeks to promote local talent OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

their places around their roped off easels at the centre of the room, brushes at the ready. Once the timer began, the painting commenced as spectators systematically circled the artists. Some of the artists outlined their paintings quite quickly while others took the slow and steady approach, revealing the subject of the painting in the final minutes.

The circling became less and less smooth as spectators’ steps were interrupted by beautiful landscapes, portraits, and abstract subjects that grasped their attention. Regardless of style and strategy, the crowd was kept on their toes as they watched beautiful works of art come together before their eyes.

“The nature of the interaction between artist and audience is unique” – Kelley Morrell, artist and Art Battle competitor

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s artists, friends, family, and curious spectators arrived at the lobby of the Centennial Concert Hall on Oct. 9, six easels patiently awaited 20-minute masterpieces constructed by the paintbrushes of 12 talented locals for the Winnipeg Art Battle.

Simon Plashkes and Chris Pemberton created Art Battle in 2009 and since then it has grown in popularity. Winnipeg’s Art Battle event is one of many nationwide that seek to bring people together through art, regardless of their knowledge on the subject.

There are two rounds of painters that are given a white canvas, their choice of tools, paint, and exactly 20 minutes to transform their blank canvas to a masterpiece worthy of taking them to the final round for a

“The second-round piece had a story and meaning for me and an element of whimsy that allowed me to enjoy the process even more.

I wanted to create the best-quality piece I could given the 20-minute time frame challenge.”

The artists all seemed to be proud of their pieces and grateful for the experience at Art Battle regardless of the outcome. Art Battle meant much more than winning a title to the artists, spectators, and organizers.

“The nature of the interaction between artist and audience is unique,” said Morrell.

“Generally, artists work in seclusion and with a liberty of time to create and peruse. Under the pressure to create based on time while being observed, realizing that your work will later be voted on, is somewhat unnerving and that adds another unpredictable element to creating.”

“For the audience to be a part of that allows for a mutual respect and excitement that is unique in its experiential nature. Ultimately, I appreciate the aspect of the encounter of artist-in-process as entertainment, and the somewhat intimate interaction of the supporters with the artists.”

Chech believes that the effect Art Battle has on Winnipeg is contributing to our cultural scene in a positive way.

“Now in our second year, Winnipeg’s Art Battle has grown proving our province most definitely supports the awareness of fine arts and the talent of the artists competing. I feel Art Battle has made a significant contribution to this.”

“We as a province need to our support local artists and buy their local artwork. I want to help fellow artists have their talents recognized, regardless of winning the title as Winnipeg’s Art Battle champion. We have artists wanting to compete repeatedly for the love of the battle but mostly for their passion for art,” she added.

Twelve artists with very unique styles had the opportunity to share their work thanks to the Art Battle event.

After the first and second rounds, the third-round paintings already looked familiar and emulated the style you could attribute to the artist that you had watched create once before. The experience itself was a unique treat for any art lover, appreciator, or the curious.

After the paintings were completed, the spectators were asked to vote on their favourite as the next group prepared their tools to paint their competitive pieces.

The winners of the first round were Jola Liebzeit’s work, a woman painted on an abstract blue and green background, and second-time competitor Kelley Morrell with a fantastic rainbow-pastel Canadian landscape.

The voting was followed by a silent auction in which the works of art could be purchased by bid, with half the proceeds going to the artist: a rare and fantastic opportunity to own a piece of art that you watched being created before your eyes.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ART BATTLE WINNIPEG “I wanted to create a piece that chance to be crowned the Art Battle hand the struggle that comes with someone would feel connected with champion. being a ‘starving artist.’ I felt that enough to want to bid on,” said Art Battle was an opportunity to Liebzeit. break that stereotype and promote The second round, like the first, Six easels patiently fellow local artists and their talents was a 20-minute painting round folso we become ‘surviving artists,’” said lowed by a vote and auction. awaited 20-minute Kristi-Marie Chech, the organizer Taisa Matthews’s night-time and host of Winnipeg Art Battle. mountain scene and David Oro’s masterpieces “I loved the concept behind Art whimsical 20s-style female silhouette constructed by the Battle: bringing awareness to the with a modern twist won the remainart community by building rela- ing two finalist spots. paintbrushes of 12 tionships between people who may The four winners faced off in a talented locals not know a lot about art and artists final round in which the artists were themselves [...] By bringing this event to produce a second painting to deterto Winnipeg, my goal was to put mine who would be the Winnipeg The next Winnipeg Art Battle will The competition encourages Winnipeg and Manitoba artists on Art Battle champion. spectators to buy and support local the map. Much to my surprise, I have Jola Liebzeit came out victori- take place in spring of 2016. For more by building a connection with the had artists travel from outside our ous with an intriguing and abstract information visit www.artbattle.ca or artist and works of art being created province to be a part of Winnipeg’s female silhouette with many appeal- www.facebook.com/artbattlecanada before them.

Art Battle.” ing components that snagged her the “As an artist myself, I know firstThe first round of six artists took win.

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Arts & Culture

Of basements and barrooms

Dance on over to UMSwing

Local writer and Toban alum talks music history

A look at 15 years of swing dancing on campus

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RAYLENE PACI, VOLUNTEER STAFF

EMELIA FOURNIER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETERNAL CAVALIER PRESS

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he 90s birthed many of the University of Manitoba’s current students as well as huge noise and punk rock bands like Nirvana, Hole, Propagandhi, and Kittens.

The latter two emerged from little isolated Winnipeg.

Despite producing influential and popular underground rock bands like the aforementioned Propagandhi and Kittens – as well as the Weakerthans, Dead Ranch, and many more – Winnipeg’s alternative rock scene in the 90s has not been the subject of any real comprehensive work. Until now.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I talked to writer and journalist Sheldon Birnie about his upcoming book, Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg’s Underground 1990-2010, which is set to be released at the Windsor Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Birnie is a local freelance writer and alumnus of the Manitoban. He has written numerous articles on the subject of Winnipeg’s music scene, particularly from the 90s.

Suitably, the title of his latest work even references a lyric from one of its prominent subjects, the Weakerthans.

According to Birnie, the idea for a book of oral history on Winnipeg’s underground rock scene stemmed from the sheer mass of material on the topic and the uniqueness of the period.

Music-centric Canadian publisher Eternal Cavalier Press was interested in the project, as were the subjects of the book.

Birnie was able to use Winnipeg’s small size to his advantage. For the most part, he was able to arrange interviews easily either through his own contacts and his contacts’ contacts that he had made over the years of participating in Winnipeg’s interconnected music scene.

“With a couple exceptions, people were really keen to share, to talk [...] It’s kind of cool that people are still interested in the work that was so important to them back then,” said Birnie.

While bands like Propagandhi, the Weakerthans, and Red Fisher – all of whom are featured heavily in Missing Like Teeth – did have commercial success, none of them went into making music with recognition

as a goal.

“The biggest goal was, y’know, play the Albert and maybe make a seven-incher or a tape. There was no, ‘we’re gonna get on this circuit, we’re gonna get this grant,’ it was to try to do something different,” Birnie said.

“People were just doing what they wanted to. They weren’t doing what they thought would make them successful in any way.”

As we all know, Winnipeg is geographically isolated, and it takes about eight hours to get anywhere.

This isolation has been minimized nowadays with the advent of the Internet, and local bands are able to market themselves on a larger scale.

Touring and distribution in the 90s was an old-fashioned process that required a lot more time and effort, so for the most part the bands’ priorities lay in the production of music for its own sake and for the local scene.

There were also a multitude of all-ages shows in the 90s, particularly at the West End Cultural Centre. These shows allowed kids to get into alternative and underground music before their driver’s licences and later the internet made it accessible to them.

While the distribution and touring processes of the 90s music scene may be archaic today, the sound itself is still out there.

When Birnie sees local noise rock and metal bands like Tunic or Dead Ranch perform, he thinks “oh yeah, this kind of weird, strange, dark noise is still happening in Winnipeg and that’s really cool.”

According to Birnie, even basement and house concerts exist now as much as they did in the 90s.

“There’s always something real original and strange going on in the basements of the Winnipeg scene, I don’t think that’ll really ever change.”

Sheldon Birnie will be discussing Missing Like Teeth at the Winnipeg Anarchist Book Fair at the Millennium Library on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. His book release party will be held at the Windsor Hotel at 10 p.m. and will feature performances by Johnny Sizzle and Breath Grenades.

Cover at the Windsor is $5.

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

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allet. Jazz. Tap. These are just “Many people do not realize how these regular lessons. Coming up a few dance classes you might big UMSwing really is. We are one this month is the Michael Jackson have taken as a child at the urging of the largest groups on campus. “Thriller” workshop on Oct. 31 at 4 of your mother. You might have Over the last 15 years, thanks to p.m. in St. John’s College. Tickets been horrible or you might have the hard work of all current and are available through Answers in even continued throughout your past executive members, we have University Centre and attendees adolescent and adult life. But have hundreds of members,” she said. are encouraged to bring out their you ever heard of swing dancing? best costumes to learn the iconic Enter UMSwing, a student-run dance routine just in time for group right here at the University of “You don’t need a Halloween.

Manitoba whose aim is to provide Other opportunities UMSwing partner or previous cost-effective swing dance lessons recommends students to check to anyone wishing to try something out include events run through dance experience. new and learn a few moves along different organizations such as Swing dance is the way.

Hepcat Studios and Swing Dance Swing dancing is a wide genre Winnipeg. a great way to comprising several forms of dance.

Beginners should consider exercise, meet new These can range from the beginner the Saturday Night Swingout at favourite, Lindy Hop, all the way Ted Motyka Dance Studio where people, and have to the high-energy and fast-paced they’re invited to drop in for an Charleston. Both types of dance introductory lesson before the fun” – Christine can trace their development all the dance begins later that night.

St. Martin, director way back to 1920s America in the For those hesitant to step out rising age of jazz music. onto the dance floor, St. Martin of publicity and Although the height of swing’s insists that aspiring dancers from promotions, popularity in the aforementioned all walks of life can find it easy to “swing era,” by the late 90s a fullget into.

UMSwing on swing revival was gearing up, “Everyone, absolutely everyone, setting the stage for the UMSwing comes out to these events. I have student group to form in January This semester, the student been on the scene for about four 2000. Before UMSwing, there were organization is offering Lindy years and I have danced with all limited options for Winnipeggers Hop and Blues on Tuesdays at 6 ages and all types of people. Even who wanted to dance the night and 7:30p.m. respectively in room those who think they have two left away to Benny Goodman and other 204 at St. John’s College on the Fort feet,” she said. swing bandleaders of that time.

Garry campus, as well as the Jive “You don’t need a partner or As UMSwing now continues and Balboa on Fridays at the same previous dance experience. Swing into its 15th year, Christine St. times in room 201. A new series of dance is a great way to exercise, Martin, the group’s director of pub- lessons will be started for the winter meet new people and have fun.” licity and promotions, shared her term as well. enthusiasm about the growth of the UMSwing hosts special events For more information on upcoming organization with the Manitoban. throughout the year in addition to events and lessons, visit umswing.ca

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Pages by and for the people Millennium Library to host independent literature festival RYAN CAPAR

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n Oct. 24, Toronto-based for Broken Pencil; they have been who are a part of other organizations Broken Pencil Magazine, a pub- around as long as the magazine has. and activist organizations in the city.” lication dedicated to “zine culture and “We held our first Canzine fair Canzine 2015 will mark the second the independent arts” will present in 1995 at the now-defunct Spadina time Broken Pencil Magazine and the Canadian zine event Canzine 2015 Hotel in Toronto with a skeleton Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair have in Winnipeg. Broken Pencil Magazine crew of volunteers and hours of hard collaborated. The first was last year. will once again join forces with the labour,” said Lang.

Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair, unitSince that time, the meaning of ing Winnipeg’s literature and zine- Canzine has not wavered: not sur- “Expect to see loving population with both events prisingly, that meaning is simply to under one roof. support those involved in zine culture. over 25 vendors of “Hal’s goal with Canzine was to zines, comics, small This year’s Canzine festival will be held at the Millennium Library from have a non-exclusive, non-curated press books, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free gathering space where zine makers with a suggested $5 donation. could sell their wares to a curious indie art from all The success of the relationship public,” said Lang.

Similarly, and according to the between Broken Pencil and the over Manitoba and Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair is a group’s online bio, the Winnipeg result of the commonalities both Anarchist Bookfair began as a way beyond” – Alison organizations share when it comes to “create space for people to share Lang, editor, Broken to values, literature, and the inde- anti-capitalist ideas and culture, and Pencil Magazine present viable living alternatives pendent arts.

According to the magazine’s edi- through radical literature and free tor Alison Lang, “Broken Pencil is skill-sharing given as mutual aid to currently the world’s only magazine any and all who partake.”

The idea of joining forces can be devoted solely to zine culture and the The organization held its first credited to Winnipeg Anarchist “Bookfair and DIY Fest” back in 2009 Bookfair member Tim Brandt. independent arts.”

Founded in 1995 by Hal and has continued to do so annually. “[Brandt] had known about Wayne Antony, a co-publisher Canzine and started talking to them Niedzviecki, Broken Pencil has not only been able to gain success over the at Fernwood Publishing and one before last year. I think they were just years but has given a voice to writers of the people involved in organiz- doing it in Vancouver and Toronto, and zine enthusiasts alike by provid- ing the Bookfair since its inception, so he asked them if they’d be intering them a platform to showcase their explained to the Manitoban that “we ested in doing it in Winnipeg, and just come together to do the book fair. then when time came to start talking talents.

Canzine festivals are nothing new It’s just people who are interested in it, about the Anarchist Bookfair for last

year, he just came to one of the meet- including an introduction to unionings and said ‘so what do you think, ism by the International Workers of should we join up with Canzine and the World and the Radical Reading broaden our audience and base a little Series, which features authors bit?’ And we all thought, well, let’s Sheldon Birnie, Jeanne Randolph, give it a try and see how it goes, and and Ariel Gordon. it worked out quite well,” said Antony.

It has proven to be a great move, For more information on Canzine one in which both Broken Pencil and 2015, go to www.brokenpenthe Winnipeg Anarchist Bookfair cil.com/canzine-winnipeg and seem to benefit, and so do those living wpgbookfairdiyfest.com in Winnipeg.

“This partnership has been an amazing way for Broken Pencil to become exposed to the many brilliant artists, writers, activists and performers in Winnipeg,” said Lang.

This year’s Canzine promises to accommodate both newcomers and those who have attended in the years past.

“Expect to see over 25 vendors of zines, comics, small press books, and indie art from all over Manitoba and beyond,” said Lang.

The festival features zinesters Kristin Nelson and Leslie Corbay and will also hold a panel on accessibility this year.

Other fun events include the 1-2 Punch Book Pitch “where anyone can come and pitch their book idea to our panel of judges and receive glowing praise or tough love,” said Lang.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BROKEN PENCIL MAGAZINE There are workshops as well,

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

SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, STAFF

TOBI NIFESI

Delhi 2 Dublin We’re All Desi 5/5

Lindsey White Renegade 4.5/5

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his album is loud as hell and all the better because of it.

To introduce world music collective Delhi 2 Dublin’s latest album We’re All Desi in such a manner might seem rude, even trite.

Even if it is, it’s still a significant part of what makes this album so instantly engaging. We’re All Desi is by no means easy-listening music.

This is the album you put on when you’re ready to party, hit the gym, put on your dancing shoes, or anything else that involves working up a sweat and having a great time.

Following on the heels of the group’s remix and live albums of 2014, We’re All Desi continues Delhi 2 Dublin’s tried and true melting pot of traditional Celtic and Indian instruments with modern electronic music. This time, however, the group has joined forces with producer Nick Middleton, a man who has made his own name in music as half of electronic dance duo the Funk Hunters.

Possibly due to Middleton’s

influence, We’re All Desi sports at what it does. If you like electhe group’s strongest emphasis tronic music, you’ll love this album. on purely electronic music to date. Perhaps you don’t, but chances are The interwoven fiddle, sitar, and you could still find something about tabla parts Delhi 2 Dublin fans We’re All Desi to draw you in. Just have surely come to know and love play it loud, play it proud, and let are still there, but they’ve become the music take care of the rest. noticeably infrequent in the wake of the album’s throbbing bass, wob- www.delhi2dublin.com bling synth lines, and forceful, pronounced drum rhythms.

As if to underscore Middleton’s influence, the Funk Hunters even guest on two of the album’s strongest tracks – “Fool’s Gold” and “Strumph.” The former is a loud-ass club banger that could motivate the stuffiest of crowds onto the dance floor, while the latter is a slowburning funk-influenced number that sports a neat sitar interlude and a groovy slap-bass line.

Vocalist Sanjay Seran still brings his charismatic blend of rapping and singing in both English and Punjabi. He’s got a calm yet cathartic lyrical flow reminiscent of modern-day Eminem when he raps, while his singing is as booming and passionate as ever.

A perfect score is subjective, PHOTO PROVIDED BY DELHI 2 DUBLIN but this album couldn’t be better

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eleased eight years after her previous album This is Now, Lindsey White’s Renegade expands on her ability to experiment with different sounds and instruments and fuse them with classic folk-rock tunes.

This album showcases a stylish coalescence of a number of instruments – each coming in at their finest hour. Be it the brass in “My Best Shot,” the violin in “Asylum,” or the strings in “Bugs,” each instrument works well and helps to produce a stimulating sound.

The album touches on a few musical genres, ranging from classic folk music on “Equinox” to the soulful “Headingley” to the rockinfused “Monster” – almost every track touches on more than one genre. That being said, my favorite track on the album has to be “Unwell” – a beautiful blend of bossa nova, jazz, and folk.

Tracks like “Bugs,” “Monster,” and “Heart Strike” do well to accent White’s vocal prowess. Her lyrics sway between optimism, resilience,

and melancholia. These themes resonate throughout the album and appropriately sum up the album’s title.

The lyrics, sung by White and backdropped with fancy instrumentation, do well to tell a story of a strong-willed fighter.

Renegade sounds like the love child of Regina Spektor’s Far and Florence and the Machine’s Lungs.

It’s a well-crafted experimental album.

If you are a fan of groovy folkrock or you just need some good music to chill out to, you will find what you need on this album. www.lindseywhite.com

PHOTO PROVIDED BY LINDSEY WHITE

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Arts & Culture

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Sports Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Resiliency in Regina Bisons battle back to steal victory away from the Rams RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

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he Manitoba Bisons football team carry. He also caught three balls for locked horns with the Regina 30 yards. The five-foot-nine back out Rams on Saturday and emerged with of Thorold, Ont. made a statement a 49-46 victory. The win helps keep on Saturday, carrying the bulk of the the Bisons’ perfect road record and load with Jamel Lyles playing only on keeps their cross-province rivals win- special teams. less on the year.

The herd fell in close games against both the University of British It is well known Columbia and Calgary earler in the year, but were able to pull this one out. that the Bisons Ryan Jones proved to be the hero have a very strong on the night; his 41-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter was the backfield. All three game winner.

Jones went four for four on the day, of the running his longest being the game-winning backs possess their kick. He’s only missed four field goals own abilities to on the year and also has 60 points this season. chew up yards Bison pivot Theo Deezar played another solid game, going 29 of 39 and racking up 339 yards. He added four touchdowns as well, and for the No starters, no problem Manitoba was playing without second consecutive game he did not four starters on defence, two of throw an interception.

Deezar has thrown 17 touchdowns them being linebackers – DJ Lalama on the year, placing him in a tie for and Brett MacFarlane. The defence third-most in the CIS. His 371 yards did well adjusting after halftime, per game also put him second in that allowing only 16 points in the second category. half.

Mitchell Harrison led the defence Christie carrying the load with six tackles, and the whole unit It is well known that the Bisons got in the game. Fourteen players have a very strong backfield. All recorded at least two tackles. three of the running backs possess their own abilities to chew up yards. Walker the Swiss Army knife On Saturday, it was Alex Christie’s Jesse Walker had another big moment in the spotlight. game, scoring on both a rushing and Christie ran for 93 yards on 13 receiving play. Walker has scored a attempts, averaging seven yards per major in every game but two so far

in 2015.

The rookie made eight grabs for 105 yards, bringing his total up to 463 on the year. Walker also proved to be a threat in the backfield, rushing for 46 yards on three carries. This was his best output on the year from behind the line of scrimmage.

Manitoba now sits in a tie for second in the conference with the UBC Thunderbirds. They are riding a three-game winning streak and will hope to continue their run of form against Alberta this weekend at Investors Group Field.

Manitoba now sits in a tie for second in the conference with the UBC Thunderbirds The last time the Bisons played the Golden Bears, in week four, the herd came out 42-32 victors. The Bears will be looking for revenge, and it should be a key battle in the standings. Alberta are four points behind Manitoba and will hope to gain ground on the herd.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PHOTO PROVIDED BY B2 DIGITAL IMAGING

Bisons march into unfamiliar territory Women’s soccer drops both weekend games facing Pacific Division sides ANDY CHE, STAFF

H

olding onto third spot in the Prairie Division, the Manitoba Bisons travelled west to visit Fraser Valley and Trinity Western of the Pacific Division this weekend. While the herd mounted an admirable comeback effort against the Fraser Valley Cascades in a 3-2 defeat on Friday, the Bisons were thrashed 6-0 by the Trinity Western Spartans, who sit on top of the Pacific table.

The back-to-back defeats mark the first time this season that Manitoba has been unable to finish a weekend with more than a point.

Bisons vs. Fraser Valley

It was an action-packed first half when Manitoba visited the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday evening.

Goals from Monika Levarsky and Shelby Beck saw Fraser Valley take a 2-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes of the first half.

By first half injury time, the Cascades had taken a comfortable 3-0 margin with defender Tristan

Corneil striking off a set piece from Beck.

ball when she sent in Alyssa Daley, a minute, earning the Spartans a pen29th minute substitute, for a chipped alty. Alessandra Oliverio converted finish past keeper Kayla Klim. the spot kick for her 10th goal of the The Cascades kept the Bisons at CIS season and Manitoba found bay for majority of the second half. themselves once again trailing 3-0 The Bisons’ defeat In the 85th minute, Daley played in the first half. marks their heaviest through winger Selina Speranza Isabella Di Trocchio added a who then chipped her finish over fourth goal to widen the gap in the competitive loss in substitute keeper Emily Harold for 4­ 0­­­th minute, reducing any chances of four years. On that a 3-2 score. a Manitoba comeback – a feat accomThe late push to earn a draw at plished by the Bisons on three sepaoccasion, Manitoba Fraser Valley’s expense would not rate occasions this season. materialize as the Bisons lost for the Down 4-0, the herd did not do dropped a 6-0 first time in four matches. The early much to help their cause, having only decision to the goal conceded by Wilford also ended taken two shots in the first 45 minutes, the Bisons’ spell of over 300 consecu- both off target.

Alberta Pandas in tive minutes keeping a clean sheet.

Veteran goalkeeper Chloe Werle the final weekend replaced Wilford at halftime and Bisons vs. Trinity Western managed to keep the Spartans’ of the 2011 season The Bisons travelled to Langley, attack subdued for the better part of B.C. to face Trinity Western the very 35 minutes. next day. Within the first 10 minutes, Halftime substitute Brooklyn With two shots on target and fac- history repeated itself as Manitoba Tidder rounded off a dominating ing a 3-0 deficit, the Bisons pressed conceded two early goals through a night for Trinity Western by playing during the little time that they had. Krista Gommeringer brace. through defender Amy Gartke for an Bisons goalkeeper Madison Wilford The striker’s cross was then 82nd-minute goal. Tidder then struck unleashed her ability to play the long impeded by a handball in the 21st at 88 minutes to take the lead to 6-0.

Trinity Western’s frontline produced 30 attempts at goal during the 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the Bisons lacked inspiration in their attack, failing to force a single save out of Spartan keepers Ally Williamson and Rachel Sydor.

The Bisons’ defeat marks their heaviest competitive loss in four years.

On that occasion, Manitoba dropped a similar 6-0 game to the Alberta Pandas in the final weekend of the 2011 season.

Despite back-to-back defeats, the herd still occupies third place in the table ahead of the MacEwan Griffins, who have a match in hand.

The Manitoba Bisons return home next weekend to host the Regina Cougars and Saskatchewan Huskies on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Sports

21

Bisons clawed by Cougars Women’s hockey drops two straight games to resilient Mount Royal ANDY CHE, STAFF

W

ith a 2-2 record heading into the third weekend of the CIS season, the University of Manitoba Bisons women’s hockey team were hoping to climb up the Canada West standings against Mount Royal. Heading into the matchups at Wayne Fleming Arena, the odds were against the Cougars who were winless in four games and had scored only four goals in that timeframe.

At the Bisons’ expense, Mount Royal notched two away wins – a 1-0 shutout on Friday and a 2-1 comeback on Saturday. The weekend sweep propelled the Cougars above Manitoba in the standings. The herd now sits second last in the Canada West division, having lost three consecutive games.

Friday’s Matchup

It took until 5:45 of the third period for the game to see its first and only goal, with Cougars forward Kennedy Bozek capitalizing on a rebound after Bison goaltender Rachel Dyck denied Hali Reardon. Mount Royal was able to hang on from there for their first win of the season.

Much of the credit in the Cougars’ victory could be given to goalie Jess Ross, who turned aside 31 shots for a spectacular shutout performance.

Manitoba had their chances in this game, but they couldn’t beat the iron.

Coming off a hat-trick last weekend, Alanna Sharman snapped a low-blocker shot off the post midway through the second period. Later on, Charity Price lifted a backhand shot in the slot over Ross’s high glove and hit the post for the second time in the period.

Even in defeat, Dyck stood out for the Bisons, making 14 saves and bail-

ing her team from a couple of nearPincott, who impressed by denydisastrous turnovers in the defensive ing Sharman on three separate breakzone. aways, registered 26 saves for Mount Despite their fluidity in the offen- Royal’s second win of the CIS season. sive zone, Manitoba was shut out for Manitoba’s Schubert was also sharp, the second time this season, equaling making 26 saves in the loss. their entire total for regular season last year.

The Manitoba Bisons hit the “I didn’t think we were ready to ice again next week when they play tonight. It took us too long to get visit the University of British going,” said head coach Jon Rempel Columbia Thunderbirds. post-game. “As a group we got a little bit out of our game plan and a little frustrated at the end.”

Saturday’s Matchup

As seen in Friday’s performance, the Bisons and Cougars experienced some disciplinary issues combining for 18 minutes in penalties. Effective powerplay opportunities would play into their second meeting of the weekend as well, which saw both teams opt for a change of goaltenders ahead of the game.

Amanda Schubert replaced Dyck in the Manitoba net, while Mount Royal swapped Friday’s first star Ross for Emma Pincott.

After a scoreless first period, Manitoba broke the deadlock. Alana Serhan notched her first goal of the season on the powerplay, with linemate Sharman registering her teamleading sixth point.

Eventually, it was penalty trouble which killed the lead and the herd’s momentum. Less than two minutes after trailing, the Cougars capitalized on the powerplay through Rachel Piitz to level the score.

Five minutes into the third period, Manitoba found themselves down five on three, with blue-liners Erin Kucheravy and Erica Rieder in the box. Carley Bertram scored at 15:49 to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.

PHOTOS BY CHANTAL ZDAN

Powerplay prowess Mount Royal stellar with extra attacker, sweep Bisons in men’s hockey MIKE STILL, STAFF

T

he University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team ran into a hot Mount Royal Cougars powerplay unit over the weekend, falling 6-1 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. Overall, the home squad went 4 for 6 with the extra skater, and also recorded a short-handed goal, while the herd

was 0 for 5.

Friday’s game featured a threegoal first period for the Cougars, where Bison goalie Justin Paulic was peppered with 17 shots. Manitoba was never able to bounce back, registering just 18 shots all told.

The Bisons took an early penalty and Mount Royal made them pay, as Matthew Brown potted the first marker of the game at just 5:58. The Cougars would add a second tally at 10:54, but the goal that really blew the wind out of the Bisons’ sails was Tyler Fiddler’s, which was scored with just one second left in the opening frame.

To make matters worse, it was a short-handed goal, as the herd had gone on a powerplay with 27 seconds left in the first.

The rest is history, as the Cougars would add three more goals – two of which were scored with the man advantage, to secure the win.

The rematch on Saturday featured a fast-paced second period, where three of the four goals were scored Manitoba’s Liam Bilton did manage to get the herd on the board with less than two minutes to go in the

third, but it was far too late to matter.

The rematch on Saturday featured a fast-paced second period, where three of the game’s four goals were scored.

It was a bit of déjà vu for the Bisons, as Mount Royal opened the scoring on the powerplay yet again, this time in the middle period. Once more, it was Brown with the goal.

The Bisons stayed determined, though, tying the game up at 9:04 courtesy of their top line. Brett Stovin would get the equalizer, with assists going to his linemates Shaq Merasty and Jordan DePape.

The tie was short-lived, however, as Cody Cartier – who’s been a thorn in the Bisons’ side on many occasions throughout his career, scored the

game-winning goal at 11:17.

The Cougars would add an insurance tally at 18:06 of the third to put the icing on top of their weekend sweep.

For Mount Royal, the two wins were their first in a young Canada West hockey season, as they improved their record to 2-1-1. With the backto-back losses, the Bisons fell to 1-2-1.

Next up for Manitoba is a home series this weekend against the UBC Thunderbirds, who have yet to lose in regulation play this year. Game times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

22

Sports

Sports Editor: Mike Still Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Opposite outcomes Men’s volleyball sweeps home opener, women fall in two tight contests MIKE STILL, STAFF

PHOTOS BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

T

he University of Manitoba Bisons volleyball squads got their 2015-16 regular season started last weekend, taking on the Saskatchewan Huskies at Investors Group Athletic Centre. The men continued their momentum from the pre-season where they went 6-1, while the women weren’t able to finish off their cross-province rivals.

Men

The fifth-ranked men’s squad showed they will be a force to be reckoned with this season, emerging with a dominant 3-0 win (25-16, 25-21, 25-22) on Friday and a comefrom-behind 3-2 win (27-29, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12) on Saturday.

It was a well-rounded performance from the herd, with five different players recording at least 10 kills over the two games. Left side hitters Adam DeJonckheere and Kevin Falconer led the way with 22 and 21 kills respectively. Fellow left side hitter Josh Goossen, who saw his first regular season action on Saturday, also impressed with 15 kills in the rematch.

The men got contributions from their entire lineup – especially in game two, when nine different players had at least three digs.

This is a unit with a lot of depth, a fact that Bisons head coach Garth Pischke commented on post-game.

“Very good. Totally different than last year and that’s what really hurt us,” Pischke said.

“We had a couple injuries, and we didn’t really have guys with enough experience, but we’ve got some real quality guys who didn’t get on the floor [on Friday] and

they’re going to be a really big part of this game.”

The men got contributions from their entire lineup – especially in game two, when nine different players had at least three digs Women

The women didn’t fare as well as their counterparts, as the Huskies came back in both contests to win 3-2 (20-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-22, 15-10) on Friday and 3-2 (23-25, 30-28, 23-25, 25-18, 15-13) on Saturday.

The home squad gave up set leads of 2-0 in game one and 2-1 in game two.

Despite the losses, Manitoba did get strong play from their veterans.

Middle hitter Jordana Milne led the team in kills on both nights, with 13 on Friday and 14 on Saturday, while libero Caleigh Dobie had a total of 41 digs over the weekend, and middle hitter Sarah Klassen had eight blocks.

Both units will now head to UBC to take on the Thunderbirds on Oct. 23 and 24. Game times are 8 and 7 p.m. for the women, and 9 and 8 p.m. for the men.

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Sports

23

Halftime report Taking a look at where the Bisons soccer and football teams stand MIKE STILL, STAFF

The University of Manitoba Bisons soccer and football teams have impressed in the first half of the season. Below is a look at how both squads stack up in the standings, along with a brief analysis of each.

Football

Manitoba is currently ranked eighth in the nation and is also fresh off of a come-from-behind 49-46 victory over the Regina Rams this past weekend. They have now won three straight games with their only two losses coming against UBC and Calgary, who are ranked ninth and first nationally.

Their offence has been electric all season long, and the statistics back

up that statement.

Quarterback Theo Deezar leads the conference with 17 passing touchdowns and is also second in the Canada West in passing yards, with 2,227. Freshman running back Jamel Lyles has also been a terror for opposing defences and stands fourth in the conference with 544 rushing yards. His all-purpose stats are even more impressive, as he leads the conference with 1,271 combined rushing, receiving, and kick/punt return yards.

In terms of receiving, veteran Alex Vitt and rookie Jesse Walker have been Deezar’s favourite targets.

Vitt is third in the conference with 685 yards, and Walker is sixth with 463. The two slotbacks offer a great

complement for their pivot, as Vitt is a smart, physical player who runs crisp routes while Walker is more of a finesse player who’s difficult to bring down in space due to his speed.

Defensively, the Bisons have suffered a few setbacks due to injury, but are still capable of making big plays at any time. The one major stat that stands out, however, is passing yards per game, where the herd are second last in the conference, giving up an average of 370.2.

This is a bend-but-don’t-break unit, though, and a number of players have stepped up in 2015.

Half back Jayden McKoy leads the team and is 11th in the conference with 34 tackles, while defensive

Team

Record

Calgary-*

6-0

UBC-X

4-2

Manitoba

4-2

Alberta

2-4

Saskatchewan

2-4

Regina

0-6

tackle David Onyemata is fourth in the conference with 3.5 sacks along with 27 tackles. Defensive end Evan Foster has also been a dominant force, with 31.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. For interceptions, cornerback Eric Plett leads the team with two.

Soccer

The Bisons have just two regular season games left and have guaranteed themselves a playoff berth and at least a fourth-place finish. Depending what happens this weekend, they could finish as high as second in the conference standings.

The team has gotten great production from a number of players, which has shown on the scoreboard and in

NOTE: Two games left. Top 4 teams qualify for post-season, with top two hosting semi-final X=clinched playoff birth *=clinched home-field advantage in playoffs East

Team

Record (W-L-T)

Points

Saskatchewan-X

9-3

27

Calgary-X

7-3-2

23

MacEwan-X

6-3-3

21

Manitoba-X

6-4-2

20

Lethbridge

2-7-3

9

Mount Royal

2-8-2

8

Regina

1-9-2

5

Winnipeg

1-10-1

4

Team

Record (W-L-T)

Points

UBC-X

10-1-1

31

Trinity Western-X

9-1-2

29

UFV-X

8-3-1

25

Victoria-X

7-2-3

24

Alberta-X

6-5-1

19

Thompson Rivers-X

4-6-2

14

UBC Okanagan

1-7-4

7

UNBC

1-8-3

6

NOTE: Two games left. Top 6 teams in each division qualify for post-season X=clinched playoff birth

West

NOTE: Two games left. Top 6 teams in each division qualify for post-season X=clinched playoff birth

the standings.

Forward Bruna Mavignier leads the team with six goals and eight points. Right behind her are midfielder Megan Graca, with seven points, along with forward Alanna Shaw and midfielder Selina Speranza, who both have six points. Graca is also the team leader in assists, with five.

In terms of goalkeeping, rookie sensation Madison Wilford has recorded three shutouts, good for a tie for fourth in the conference. Her nine goals against are also fourth in the Canada West. Veteran Chloe Werle has also impressed. Her 48 saves were good for eighth in the conference.

24

Sports

VOL. 102 NO. 10 October 21, 2015

Come TOgether It’s hard not to love Canada’s only MLB team ALEX MICHAELS AND MIKE STILL, STAFF

M

ajor League Baseball’s (MLB) longest playoff slump finally ended in 2015. For the first time since winning the World Series in 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays are back in the hunt for October and the entire nation is buzzing about this team’s chances to make a push for the championship.

After coming back from a 2-0 American League Divisional Series (ALDS) deficit last week to beat the Texas Rangers, Toronto is now one step closer to bringing a banner back to the six. They are currently facing the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series.

In order to fully understand this team’s progress, a bit of backstory is necessary.

The Jays made key moves to bolster their lineup and rotation in order to make a deep run in the post-season.

Prior to the 2015 campaign they acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson, who is now a frontrunner for the American League’s Most Valuable Player award.

The team also brought in some Canadian talent behind the plate in Russell Martin, who is a great leader and the team’s “quarterback” at backcatcher.

As if that wasn’t enough, they went out and acquired Troy Tulowitzki, who is a gold glove short stop and is going to be a mainstay in their lineup for years to come. As an added bonus they brought in David Price to be their bona fide ace. Both players were acquired just before the trade deadline, and have been integral to this team’s success.

The lineup is scary up and down.

The Jays have players who can steal bases, hit for average, and hit the ball over the fence, so there is no real weak point offensively.

The team also led the league in

three offensive categories – runs developed their game with the scored with 891, home runs with 232 Vancouver Canadians, the current and runs batted in with 852.

Northwest League affiliate of the Since the trade deadline the Blue Jays, from 2011-12.

Jays went 48-23, which was the Finally, there’s the veteran presbest record in baseball. They also ence of José Bautista and Edwin leapfrogged the New York Yankees Encarnación, who joined the team en route to winning the division in 2008 and 2009 respectively. It title. This was a squad who were was fitting that Bautista – who has four-and-a-half games back head- the longest tenure on the team of ing into the second half of the year. any player, was the one who sent the Jays onto the next round of the playoffs, with a three-run homer Whether or not in game five, with the game tied at three all. you’re a baseball Blue Jays fever is alive and well. fan, it’s hard not Regular season and playoff games have consistently sold out, and Jays to fall in love with jerseys and shirts are flying off the the only MLB team racks.

Not only have they been scoring north of the border a ton on the field but off the field as well.

Whether or not you’re a baseball fan, it’s hard not to fall in love with the only MLB team north of the border. There are so many storylines which make this unit a thrill to follow.

First, there’s the resilience of 24-year-old pitcher Marcus Stroman, who’s come back in full force from a torn ACL in the spring, providing the Jays with a brilliant one-two punch along with Price.

Then, there’s the youth movement. Second baseman Ryan Goins, who’s 27, and centre fielder Kevin Pillar, who’s 26, have provided this group with sound fielding and clutch batting down the stretch, while 23-year-old starter turned reliever Aaron Sanchez and 20-year-old closer Roberto Osuna have thrown smoke out of the bullpen. Both also stepped up in Toronto’s ALDS victory over the Rangers.

Stroman, Sanchez, Pillar, and Osuna also all have a prior Canadian connection. All four

The Jays have players who can steal bases, hit for average, and hit the ball over the fence, so there is no real weak point offensively The Canadian viewership in late September and early October was tremendous, with over a million people tuning in to watch the Jays’ series against both the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

The entire nation is holding their collective breath hoping and praying that it will be the year that the Jays can go all the way to the World Series, and win it all for a city and an entire country that is dying for a championship.