12 February 2020

NEWS

“We will shut the city down” Hundreds take to streets after arrests on Wet’suwet’en territory

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 2 2 · F e b r ua ry 1 2 , 2 0 2 0 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO BA N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 22 February 12, 2020

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

U of M diversity task force begins work this week

Interviewing students, staff, faculty on ‘obstacles and inequalities’ faced on campus GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

SPORTS

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

See you seniors

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

comment@themanitoban.com

Herd splits final weekend

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Grace Paizen

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eginning this week, the president’s task force on equity, diversity and inclusion is asking for student perspective on what the U of M can do to address “obstacles and inequalities” that students are facing.

“This is one piece of a larger project,” said Karen Schwartz, faculty relations officer in the office of the vice-provost and vice-president academic.

The task force, established in 2019, has set the goal to investigate what the U of M is currently doing to identify and eliminate obstacles, what is needed to support these principles, what are considered best

practices and what are the next steps dents, faculty and staff. In these The discussions will remain prifocus groups, students will remain vate and will be used only for the to advance the university.

The purpose of the task force’s final report.

“We just want to make it as safe a space “We just want to make report on the task it as safe a space as possias possible for people to respond to the ble for people to respond force’s questions” — Karen Schwartz, faculty findings to the questions,” said Schwartz. is set to relations officer in the office of the be subFor those who are interprovost and vice-president academic mitted to ested but unable to attend or would rather remain the presicompletely anonymous, dent by September 2020 along with its unidentified while they discuss their the same questions used in the focus perspectives on what the university is groups are also online for students, recommendations.

The task force’s current effort currently doing and what it could be faculty or staff to respond to.

The first focus group for students is to conduct focus groups for stu- doing to improve.

on the Fort Garry campus is Feb. 13 in the UMSU Council Chambers from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Any students are welcome to attend.

There will be specific focus groups held for graduate students and international students to discuss more specific challenges.

The focus groups run on the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses until late March.

A complete list of dates and times will soon be posted to the task force’s website.

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

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sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

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ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Megan Pietrus

megan@themanitoban.com

COPY ASSOCIATE Ursula Chojko-Bolec

DESIGN

Senate discusses response to provincial mandate letter

Drafted response drew criticism from students who said U of M’s stance not strong enough GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

DESIGN EDITOR Joshua Wesey

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

“I understand that we cannot always fight back, but this, for me, is a joyless indicator of how disciplines like my own suffer in the current political climate of Manitoba” — Julia Minarik, GSA senator

graphics@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Kellie Huynh GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela

AUDIO AND VIDEO

VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

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AUDIO EDITOR Joseph Gonzales

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PHOTO ASSOCIATE Alex Decebal-Cuza PHOTO ASSOCIATE Ally Gonzalo VIDEO ASSOCIATE Nish Joshi VIDEO ASSOCIATE Paul Stabell

ARTS AND CULTURE

AUDIO ASSOCIATE Tino Hove

Back from camp

Brkn Love plays the ’Peg Feb. 23

REPORTERS

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NEWS Damien Davis

NEWS Gillian Brown

NEWS Amira Tekle NEWS (INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS) Kayla Lariviere COLUMNIST Cam Cannon COLUMNIST Meagan Hughes ARTS & CULTURE Kaelen Bell ARTS & CULTURE Zachary Sigurdson SPORTS Isaiah Wagner

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JENNIFER CARNEIRO ANTHONY NARDELLA

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

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tions Corporation.

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

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

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Minarik said she will be meeting with Susan Prentice — an arts facUMSU vice-president advocacy ulty senator who drafted the letter Sarah Bonner-Proulx, who sits on — in the coming weeks to try to write the senate, said it is important the student concerns regarding the uniuniversity takes a firm position. versity’s response.

“We really need to be doing more At the senate meeting, Minarik, because of how large an impact this who is completing a master’s degree has a potential to have,” she said. in philosophy, recalled a departmen“I am not expecting the university tal letter to a donor that she said cento make substantial change, if any,” sored her research. she said, “but that doesn’t mean that “For me this was a heavy reminder we shouldn’t be voicing our concerns of the way the world outside of my and proposing some changes in what department values my research and, we would really like to see and why broadly, it was a heavy reminder of we think this is so troubling.” the current game that we constantly Graduate students’ senator Julia have to play with those that fund us,” PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

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tudent representatives on the and that future funding will be conuniversity’s senate are “cautiously tingent on successful student outoptimistic” that their concerns with a comes based on a to-be-determined recent provincial mandate letter will measurement. be raised in the university’s official The proposed response said the response. university is a “complex institution, A draft letter discussed when the one that does much more than simsenate met last week was criticized by ply train students for today’s labour students beforehand for not taking a market.” strong enough position challenging “Higher education has social, as the province’s strategic direction for well as individual, benefits,” it reads.

“We provide a public good that helps post-secondary institutions.

The provincial mandate letter sug- to promote wisdom and to build a just, gests programs must more closely inclusive and prosperous province for align with labour market demands all people.”

Facebook is so 2015.

Write a letter to the editor, Write an article, Take a photograph, Draw a graphic,

she said.

“I understand that we cannot always fight back, but this, for me, is a joyless indicator of how disciplines like my own suffer in the current political climate of Manitoba.”

Peter Blunden, a faculty senator from the science faculty, said in the meeting that he was concerned with the provocative tone some of the letter takes — with phrases like “more than simply train students” — and pressed for a more positive approach.

“The statement was drafted in response to a rather utilitarian view of higher education,” he said in an email.

“I don’t disagree with the statement, but I think it could be seen as unnecessarily defensive. I would like to see an acknowledgement that practical knowledge, technical skills and career preparation are indeed important and necessary, but that a university education provides more than this.”

Prentice said she welcomed the input of the senators and is planning to return to the meeting in March with a formal statement.

“Although it’s an unusual step for senate to take,” she said, “I think it’s quite timely and I feel proud to be part of a senate that wants to affirm that the university is a public good with a broad mandate that must be valued.”

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News

VOL. 106 NO. 22 February 12, 2020

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News

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After days of arrests on Wet’suwet’en territory, Winnipeg comes together to call for justice

Hundreds opposing the construction of Coastal GasLink pipeline and ensuing crackdown by police march to Portage and Main intersection to ‘disrupt business as usual until the RCMP stand down’ MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTOS BY ALLY GONZALO

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fter arrests on Wet’suwet’en posed pipeline would cross through an alternate route.”

After a Supreme Court ruling in territory filled the weekend and Wet’suwet’en territory, where heredispilled into Monday, a peaceful pro- tary chiefs say they do not consent to December permitted an extended test in solidarity with land defend- the pipeline being built. injunction to continue construcers disrupted traffic in downtown Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie, one of the tion of the Coastal GasLink pipeWinnipeg during rush hour the organizers of the action, called the line, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs same day. arrests “unacceptable.” responded by issuing an eviction Hundreds of Winnipeggers “We are here to resist the colonial notice to Coastal GasLink. marched from Portage Place to the agenda,” she said.

Last week, the RCMP announced intersection of Portage and Main to, “And stand in solidarity with it would be enforcing the ruling. as co-organizer Manitoba Energy Wet’suwet’en, those at the Unist’ot’en That same day, six people were Justice Coalition stated, “disrupt camp and the Gidimt’en camp who arrested for obstruction. business as usual until the RCMP have been arrested for literally proFour more arrests were announced stand down and leave Wet’suwet’en tecting themselves […] and even Thursday, and 11 people were arrested territory.” doing ceremony.”

Saturday at a checkpoint that had Those marching oppose the Emily Amos, another organizer, been previously regarded as a safe $6.6 billion, 670-kilometre Coastal said the goal was to “send a message” place for land defenders to gather.

GasLink pipeline being built with the to the Canadian government.

Statements published by the intention of carrying natural gas from “We’re hoping that the RCMP Unist’ot’en camp on social media northeastern British Columbia to a moves off of Wet’suwet’en territory Monday confirmed seven more terminal in Kitimat, B.C. The pro- and [Coastal GasLink pipeline] finds arrests, including the detainment of

camp founder Freda Huson.

Journalists on site have also accused the RCMP of interfering with fair reporting of the conflict after members of the media were reportedly detained by police and told not to film members of the RCMP who were brandishing assault weapons.

Several organizations — including the Canadian Association of Journalists and Amnesty International — have released statements condemning the crackdown on journalists in Wet’suwet’en.

Lavoie called the arrests “unacceptable” and said they only strengthened the resolve of those standing in solidarity.

“We will shut the city down to be taken seriously,” she said.

“Our people have every right and every jurisdiction to say ‘No’ to Coastal GasLink, and we need a government that understands and respects Indigenous title and Indigenous law, and that’s not what they’re doing. That’s not what this government was doing. That’s not what they’re enforcing.

“The [Progressive Conservative] government isn’t understanding that, the federal government doesn’t understand that, the Crown isn’t understanding that, the RCMP isn’t understanding that. And that’s why we’re here — because we understand that. We get it. They don’t.”

— With files from Gillian Brown

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU executive advocates for summer U-Pass to city Proposal would make U-Pass a year-round service by extending winter pass to August AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

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ith UMSU’s U-Pass referendum deciding the organization’s future with the program set for Feb. 12 to 14, two of the union’s executives continued the organization’s advocacy for approval of a summer expansion for the pass before Winnipeg’s infrastructure renewal and public works committee Feb. 4.

UMSU’s proposal for a summer U-Pass aims to extend the winter pass to the end of August, rendering the U-Pass a year-round service.

The option of a summer U-Pass will

gram altogether.

The appearance of UMSU vicepresident finance and operations Mbuli Matshe and vice-president student life Jelynn Dela Cruz before the committee is the latest in a series of arguments UMSU executives have made to the city over recent months.

Dela Cruz asked the committee for a “budget referral” and continued consideration of the implementation of a summer U-Pass.

Matshe branded the U-Pass program a “massive success” in a push ahead of the U-Pass referendum to PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA lobby councillors to approve the summer extension. According to Matshe, appear as an option on the ranked 23,057 students have activated their ballot in the upcoming U-Pass ref- U-Passes over the course of this erendum, despite the proposal yet to school year.

“Overall, 90 per cent of our memreceive the go-ahead from the city.

There will be three options on bers [are] using the U-Pass program,” the referendum’s ranked ballot: an he said. option to continue membership in Students who are enrolled in the U-Pass program with a price full-time studies over the winter increase of $24.50, bringing the total term would be eligible for the sumcost to $160.75 per term; another to mer U-Pass “regardless of their sumcontinue in the program and imple- mer schedule,” said Matshe. The full ment a summer U-Pass at a further cost of the winter-summer spanning increased cost and a final option to U-Pass would be $237.90. cease membership in the U-Pass proDela Cruz told the committee the

“Providing affordable transit to students in financial need creates a more accessible pathway to education” — UMSU VP student life Jelynn Dela Cruz U-Pass is a vital service many students depend on, particularly lowincome students.

The cost of a post-secondary pass is significantly higher than the U-Pass, costing $81.65 per month this year — $653.20 total for the eightmonth academic year — compared to today’s U-Pass which currently amounts to $272.50 per school year, or $34.06 per month.

The $24.50 cost increase per term originally proposed by the city will bring the eight-month U-Pass to a total cost of $321.50 for eight months

— approximately 51 per cent cheaper than the eight-month post-secondary pass.

The summer extension to the U-Pass would increase the cost to $398.65 for a full 12-month period, still about 39 per cent cheaper than the eight-month post-secondary pass.

“Monthly regular passes for the summer term could easily equate to the cost of a single [U of M] course,” Dela Cruz said.

“It’s no question students who depend on transit are, on aggregate, more likely to be in lower income brackets among the student body,” she said.

“Providing affordable transit to students in financial need creates a more accessible pathway to education.”

She noted that the idea of a 12-month U-Pass is not a new one, and has been adopted by a number of Canadian post-secondary institutions.

“Many other universities such as UOttawa, McMaster, Queen’s and Western have a summer U-Pass expansion, or 12-month U-Pass […] very similar to the model that we are proposing.”

Weather woes won’t limit outfall reconstruction Fall flood, winter snowfall not impediments to riverbank restoration JENNIFER CARNEIRO

period,” Clark said. “On the other hand, slope failures can cause movement of large volumes of riverbank very suddenly. In this case, several metres of bank width could become instantly unusable.”

“What we have had to do is be really creative with how we approach the project” — Emily Sinclair, project manager

PHOTO BY MATTHEW DOERING

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he fall precipitation and winter snowfall are increasing the vigilance of the riverbank restoration crews as the winter level of the Red River is several feet higher than average.

Emily Sinclair, a project manager with the U of M’s architectural and engineering services, said that, as with all outdoor projects, scheduling around the weather is important.

“What we have had to do is be really creative with how we approach the project, as we are watching the water level continue to go down,” she

said. “We have to just be mindful of the fact that the water level is flexible.”

In spring 2018, an outfall pipe collapse compromised the Fort Garry land drainage network. The outfall is part of the university’s land drainage, where it empties into the river. After the pipe collapsed, water had to be redirected overland.

The weather challenges from a winter storm in mid-October put the project on hold briefly before work continued Oct. 21. The current second phase includes reconstruction of the outfall chamber and pipe followed

by riverbank restoration and corridor reforestation. The project is located on the south side of campus near Drake Centre and Alumni Lane.

The project is continuing as is for now.

Riverbank instability can cause surface erosion which can be seen along most of the Red River, Shawn Clark, a civil engineering professor at the U of M, said.

“Surface erosion can cause a gradual loss of land, which may be imperceptible from year to year but accumulates over a large time

“One of the closest examples would be just north of the Fort Garry campus in the old golf course area,” Clark said. “There are a few signs that warn of bank stability issues, and when you stand there you can see the large volume of riverbank that used to be many metres higher before the sudden failure occurred.”

According to Sinclair, the forward-thinking aspect of the project is important “to prepare ourselves for the future development on campus.”

This stability should be of concern to any property owner and specifically the U of M campus as several metres of the bank could quickly become unusable.

Another aspect of the project is the natural state and functionality of the riverbank ecosystem, which is crucial to the biodiversity and holds the gradual transition between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

“In addition to the infrastructure renewal, we are doing a quite sizeable river stabilization at the same time because the bank [area] along that side of the river is eroding and there’s a few buildings that are close to the riverbank in that area.”

Sinclair said the reconstruction will use naturally occurring vegetation — in combination with engineered stabilization — instead of typical sod or grass mix, while also doing succession planting, which entails setting up plants in a way to make the plants “take over […] and help with the stabilization process.”

The reforestation project requires the removal of 200 metres of mid to lower bank trees. Sinclair said the team is “being very selective in what we’re removing and only removing trees that are absolutely necessary.”

During this process, the second phase of the project seeks to protect as many trees as possible by repurposing them as finished projects, lumber, art pieces, plant bedding and mulch.

Once the process is completed, continued reforestation and native revegetation will rejuvenate the riverbank corridor.

WWW.UMSU.CA | 204-474-UMSU (8678) | 101 UMSU UNIVERSITY CENTRE

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Malak Abas Contact: editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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Comment

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Competitive gaming builds skills outside virtual world From social skills to problem solving, esports benefit many different aspects of people’s lives JOSHUA WESEY, STAFF

Poor legislation and stigma endangers sex workers

End criminalization and treat sex work like the legitimate work it is MEAGAN HUGHES, STAFF

one voluntarily engages in sex work.

Viersen’s comments reflect a viewpoint about sex work that is not just wholly inaccurate, but incredibly harmful to sex workers.

One of the misconceptions about sex work is that sex workers do not choose this field of work willingly and are forced into it through sex trafficking.

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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espite being around for centuries, sex work remains a deeply stigmatized profession.

False information and generalizations continue to hinder the development of a more realistic and progressive social narrative regarding this field of work.

An example of this stigma came up during a recent debate in the House of Commons over the decision to grant day parole to a convicted murderer who allegedly proceeded to murder a sex worker.

On Feb. 4, members of Parliament (MPs) debated a motion introduced by the Conservative Party asking the House of Commons to “condemn” a decision made by the Parole Board of Canada. The board granted parole to

an inmate serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife.

The accused inmate, Eustachio Gallese, had been living in a correctional facility since March 2019. As per his parole documents, Gallese could only engage with women for the sole purpose of satisfying his sexual needs.

Conservative MP Arnold Viersen was debating with NDP MP Laurel Collins, who asked Viersen to consider the role that legislation passed by the former government led by Stephen Harper effectively criminalizing sex work could have played in Marylène Levesque’s death.

Viersen responded by asking Collins if she herself had ever “considered” sex work, as he believes no

Regardless of the social stigma and ignorance that surrounds it, sex work is real work and all workers deserve rights People do choose to engage in this type of work and for their own reasons. A 2015 study from Leeds University found that 91 per cent of U.K. sex-worker respondents found sex work “flexible,” with two thirds saying it’s “fun” and over half finding it rewarding.

In Canada, a study from the

Canadian Institutes of Health held up to any legal safety standards.

Research found that 70 per cent of Workers are also forced to meet with sex workers are satisfied with their clients in potentially unsafe places job in the industry, while 68 per due to the criminalization of commucent feel secure in their employment. nicating about sexual services. They Regardless of the social stigma and are left to fend for themselves in the ignorance that surrounds it, sex work darker corners of society. is real work and all workers deserve Conversely, legalizing aspects of rights. There are an estimated one to sex work has been linked to lower two million sex workers in the U.S. rates of sexually transmitted infecalone. tions and lower instances of rape.

In 2014, the Conservative governBasically, Viersen is projecting — ment — then led by Stephen Harper with his own extreme views and his — passed Bill C-36, the Protection of party’s horrific policies that have only Communities and Exploited Persons further endangered sex workers like Act. Bill C-36 made purchasing sex- Levesque. ual services, communication with the Further casualties and violence purpose of selling sexual services and can be avoided if Canada creates a obtaining profits from sex work or harm-reduction framework rather advertising sex work entirely illegal, than tries to abolish sex work but stipulates that those who sell their altogether. own sexual services are absolved of One could compare the fight criminal liability. against sex work to the war on drugs.

Bill C-36 does not help sex work- If we are aware that people will parers because it prevents them from ticipate in an activity whether it is being able to properly screen their legal or not, why would we not wish clients to protect themselves from to make them safer? potentially violent and dangerous The best way for our government individuals. to help sex workers is to admit that By forcing sex workers into meet- Bill C-36 has been a complete failing clients on the streets and in hid- ure and to work with sex workers to ing, the potential for violent crimes rewrite legislation to ensure that no against them increases as their profes- more unnecessary violence occurs sion remains unregulated and is not before Canada learns its lesson.

Save the U-Pass

Students must stand up for sustainability JAKOB SANDERSON, UMSU PRESIDENT

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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s a competitive gamer — or These tournaments are beginning time is a factor. off-putting. esports player — I am constantly to have multimillion-dollar prize Problem solving is another area in finding myself trying to describe pools, with the money increasing which esports have taught me skills the benefits of playing first-person as these different games continue that I can transfer to life. In Rainbow It’s important that shooter (FPS) games and how these to grow. This is making the esports Six Siege, a large part of the gameplay people don’t lose skills transfer into other aspects of scene increasingly attractive to new is attempting to counter your oppomy life. players, and this is in part why the nent’s set up and adapt your strategies track of the benefits Currently, I play Tom Clancy’s scene is beginning to explode in in order to nullify their strategies. In that esports bring Rainbow Six Siege on a PC, but I have popularity. But with this increased order to do this, pattern recognition been playing FPS games competi- popularity comes a seeming stigmais imperative. tively for about five years. Over this tization of esports being a waste of The ability to quickly assess my time, I have come to realize that even time. It’s important that people don’t Another way that communication opponent’s set up and play style can though many people see video games lose track of the many benefits that is built through competitive gaming determine whether or not my team as a waste of time, there are so many esports bring. is through the ability to both give and spends rounds at a disadvantage. If I benefits to gaming that have helped One of the most important skills receive feedback in a constructive way. cannot recognize the patterns within me in many aspects of life. both within esports and elsewhere The way that you tell someone some- my opponent’s gameplay, then I canSimilar to traditional sports, in life is communication. Playing on thing can often determine how they not properly adapt my own play style esports typically feature a group of competitive teams forced me to learn will react. It is almost always prefer- and strategies to counter them. This teammates all playing and communi- how to communicate not only quickly able to present critical feedback in a occurs not only within gaming, but cating together. In Rainbow Six Siege, but also effectively. Being able to tell constructive way so as not to make also in workplaces, at school and in this team is made up of five players, a my teammate where an opponent the person receiving the feedback other situations where improvisation coach and often an analyst. However, is quickly and accurately can often defensive or angry. and adaptation must occur. esports differ from traditional sports make the difference between my Conversely, hearing critical feedStaying calm within a highin that they are often played online, teammate or my opponent winning back from many different sources pressure situation is something that and different team members can live the fight. This transfers into other such as teammates and coaches has most gamers are familiar with and on opposite sides of the world. Players aspects of life where I can better com- helped me learn not to take this type can benefit from. are not constrained by location like municate my ideas to classmates or of feedback personally.

When you are the last person alive they are in traditional sports. professors and can break down ideas This helped me realize that when on your team and the entire enemy Esports are continuing to grow in and communicate only the most someone points out mistakes or team is still up, it can be quite tense. popularity and there are now numer- essential pieces required for my idea areas in which I need to improve, I Not only are you putting pressure on ous tournaments for many different to get through, instead of rambling can learn from that even if the way yourself to win the round for your games and genres across the globe. and giving excess information when they present the material can be team, but your teammates may also

be pressuring you and the opposing team may heckle you. This leads to intense situations where you put extra pressure on yourself and end up playing far worse than you would have otherwise played. Learning to shut out all of these distractions and just play your game the same way as normal is a skill that transfers into many high-pressure situations. Similar to driving in congested traffic during a snowstorm — which can be quite overstimulating — it is incredibly helpful to be able to tune out all distractions and focus on the task at hand.

The esports community is beginning to thrive. The player base of games is exponentially growing, and this is leading to more games being played competitively.

During this time of growth, it is important that we not lose sight of the benefits that esports bring.

By promoting esports as a way to grow social skills and teach problem solving, we are changing the conversation from one where esports are seen in a negative light to one where esports have something valuable to teach everyone.

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t is easier to diagnose a problem than to solve it. And it’s harder still to come up with a solution that a majority of your friends, colleagues and compatriots can support.

The day-to-day workings of technocracy and democracy lack the ability to cut through the airwaves like a rally or a social media movement.

But nonetheless, there are examples of solutions that in their own small way make a difference in addressing even the most intimidating problems our world presents us with.

When it comes to standing up against the climate emergency we have placed ourselves in, the U-Pass program is one such small — but integral — solution. This Wednesday through Friday, every UMSU mem-

ber has an opportunity to be part of working with the city to give students a chance to vote for one of these three that solution. another option: pay an additional options and I hope that for the sake of How does it work and where did $77.15 — less than the cost of a one- our student body, for the city and for month post-secondary pass — to have the planet, we choose an option that it come from?

The U-Pass program began after a your winter U-Pass extended into the saves the U-Pass program. successful referendum in 2014. summer, creating a year-round pass.

Matthew Doering wrote an excelEvery full-time student in the It’s hard to overstate what a strong lent article in the Jan. 29 edition of the transit service area is automatically option this is.

Manitoban breaking down each proenrolled at a rate that is currently Averaged over 12 months, this posal in the referendum, and made a $136.25 per semester over the fall and would give us one of the most afford- compelling case for the affordability winter terms. able U-Passes among all U15 universi- of either U-Pass option on the balThis equates to a monthly rate ties in Canada, despite the city facing lot. For the 59 per cent of U of M of just $34.06 — a major discount a budgetary backlog and a provincial students who are daily transit users, from the $81.65 cost of a monthly government that has gutted funding ensuring the U-Pass program stays in post-secondary pass this year. The for transit service. effect should be a financial imperaOn the flip side, if we back out of tive. But when it comes to fighting universality of the program is necessary to keep costs low for each user, the program entirely it will leave us back against a climate emergency as well as to incentivize folks who as one of few U15 schools without a and adopting the policies that are would otherwise primarily drive to U-Pass. necessary to do so, we must go much use transit more often and reduce So my friends, these are your further. emissions across the city. options: preserve the U-Pass program We cannot stand up for our planet After four years, the program as you’ve known it for the past two only when it is convenient. has been so successful at the U of M years, expand the U-Pass program Without support from a broad and University of Winnipeg that the into the summer months, or pass up spectrum of the student body there is city wishes to expand it to Red River a cost increase and discontinue the no guarantee that the city will select College.

U-Pass program. the U-Pass as one of the programs But due to budget constraints, the Don’t see your perfect option to survive what may be a round of expansion of the program necessi- there? I get it. But the reality is that substantial cuts come budget time. tates a cost increase for each school the U-Pass is not just an UMSU pro- We need students to approach this to $160.75 per term — an increase of gram. We have a partner in the City U-Pass vote with the same energy $6.12 per month. On a monthly basis, of Winnipeg we have to work with. and urgency that we took with us to this is still less than half the cost that And they have to work with the prov- the streets of Winnipeg in September a post-secondary pass would be in ince. Advocacy is hard. Technocracy for the global climate strike. the fall. is harder. And democracy is often The reality is that revolution Meanwhile, UMSU has been hardest. But this week each of you has doesn’t happen in a day. The action

we need to take on climate change is indeed drastic, but drastic action may look more like a combination of U-Passes, carbon taxes, worker transition policies, fracking bans and solar panels than it does a storming of the Bastille.

And this week’s vote is one extremely necessary step in that revolution.

Since the U-Pass came into effect it has increased transit usage to and from the U of M by 25 per cent, plausibly taking up to 5,000 cars off the roads each day. But in UMSU’s latest survey, 19 per cent of students who predominantly use the bus as their mode of transport said they would switch back to driving if the U-Pass were removed.

It is integral that every student recognizes the impact programs like the U-Pass, and the students who use them, can have in our war on the climate emergency.

And it is integral that every student commits themselves to an element of sacrifice to ensure we do not retreat from the crucial battles we’ve already won.

Because the reality is that we aren’t truly at war with the climate. As a wise man once said, “We are at war with ourselves.” This week we can do our part to win it.

10 Comment

University of Manitoba Graduate Students' Association

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

GENERAL

Coronavirus panic a veil for xenophobia, racism Racist tropes reveal just how little has changed since the scapegoating of years past

ELECTION

Run for a UMGSA Executive position. Help grad students. Make a difference on campus.

Nomination Period: February 3 - 14

KELLIE HUYNH, STAFF

President

VP Finance & Administration

VP Services & Support

VP Academic

Senator

Senator

How to run for a UMGSA Executive position: 1. Go to

www.umgsa.org/umgsa2020election/

2. Complete & print the Nomination Form 3. Collect 10 signatures from other grad students 4. Drop off the form at 221 UMSU University Centre before 4pm on Friday, February 14th For a detailed description of each position, visit www.umgsa.org/umgsa2020election/

www.umgsa.org

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

W

ith the appearance of a new not commonly eaten. What people from the university.

Dr. Li Wenliang was the coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, repeatedly failed to research in the But it is clear that the psychowhistleblower who discovered the But it is clear that 2019-nCoV. Like a folktale hero, Li comes an old enemy. Despite sta- report suspecting links between bat logical response to such an outbreak tistics, medical journals and news flu and 2019-nCoV is that there is one is fear and, as a result, xenophobia. did his best to warn people of the the psychological reports that contradict it, people have or more intermediary species con- As an institution with adequate spread of the virus after its discovery response to such latched on to the extremely harmful necting the two viruses. resources and information, it is UC in December, but was soon quespropaganda spread like wildfire on Victims of such racist misinforma- Berkeley’s duty to inform the general tioned by authorities and silenced an outbreak is fear, the internet, worsening the climate tion include Chinese restaurants like public about viruses such as 2019for “spreading rumours.” and as a result around the virus.

Wuhan Noodle 1950 in Markham, nCoV and ease public anxiety instead In addition, the government’s The outbreak exposes a deeper Ont. of justifying xenophobia as a normal choice of priorities — the building xenophobia age-old virus within North American The family-run restaurant has psychological response. of a new facility rather than supplying society: xenophobia-fuelled racism. received a number of prank calls The consequences of this type of local medical authorities with proper One particular video of a soup inquiring about bat soup since the misinformation can be seen throughprotection — will only increase the made with bats has circulated after spread of misinformation linking the out the history of North America The 2003 SARS outbreak globally severity of the 2019-nCoV spreading. scientists suspected a link between restaurant to the disease. using East Asian minorities as reported 8,096 cases and 774 deaths, Anxiety over the new virus is bat flu and the 2019-nCoV. The owner says that two thirds of xenophobic scapegoats. From the with a mortality rate of about 10 per warranted and taking precautions The video spread like wildfire with the restaurant’s customers were lost head tax of Canada’s 1885 Chinese cent. to avoid illness is important. But the accusation that regular consump- as a result. Many Chinese businesses Immigration Act to the Japanese Meanwhile, the World Health concern should only abound around tion of bat soup in Wuhan, China, is have similar stories, as Chinatowns internment camps of the Second Organization reports that the sea- those who have traveled to the the origin of 2019-nCoV, which in across the world — from New York World War. sonal flu causes three to five mil- province of Wuhan and those who hand is a flagrant racist lie. to Paris — have seen a decrease in It is mandatory to understand lion cases of severe illness and up to have come in direct contact with an The lie was propagated to revenue as xenophobia spreads. the 2019-nCoV and how it compares. 650,000 deaths every year. infected person. demonize Chinese culture, alienThe University of California, As of press time, there were 43,102 In Canada alone, out of the 12,200 The racist and xenophobic accusaating its cuisine. The truth behind Berkeley responded to the outbreak cases of the virus, with 464 outside hospitalized cases of the influenza tions directed at East Asian people as the video can be found in a matter on Jan. 30 with a post outlining “com- of China — accounting for about annually 3,500 have died. If there a consequence of hysteria and misof minutes. The infamous bat soup mon reactions” to the disease on its one per cent — and a total of 1,018 is any criticism to be thrown at information, however, are not only video was filmed three years ago Be Well Cal Instagram page, list- deaths, including two deaths outside the spread of the virus it should be unproductive but just as harmful in Palau, Micronesia — far outside ing xenophobia as a normal reaction. of China, and 4,043 recoveries. directed at the incompetence of the when the true problems clearly sit of China where the soup is served The online response prompted the This makes the mortality rate of government of China in properly within those who are accountable for as a delicacy — which means it is removal of the post and an apology the 2019-nCoV around two per cent. handling the outbreak. our safety.

12 Comment

13

Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Diversions Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

Continued cuts hurt our most vulnerable citizens Balancing the budget on the backs of the most marginalized will have irreversible consequences CAM CANNON, STAFF

practice and procedure and simply thinking people shouldn’t have been receiving that money in the first place, as hundreds of marginalized people lose a significant chunk of their income, likely adding to their ignorance the fact that the government is in the process of developing a new program to assist these same people — so what’s the big deal?

GRAPHIC BY ERENEST ZARZUELA

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ith cuts to people with disabilities, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has blood on his hands.

Let’s talk about mental health and the Manitoba government.

Specifically, about how the government under Pallister has made the decision to kick the most vulnerable of us living with severe mental health disabilities while we’re down. As of Feb. 1, changes have been made to the way benefits are given under the portable housing benefit (PHB), a benefit intended as a rent supplement for those with unstable living conditions that hinder progress while living with disabilities such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia.

The PHB was introduced in 2011 by the former NDP government to provide up to $200 per month in additional benefits to assist people with mental health disabilities — by sup-

plementing the difference between the cost of rent and employment and income assistance — in securing safe, adequate housing on the private market.

For many, the benefit has made the difference between being able to not only just scrape by, but to have other necessities such as internet, phones and bus passes to participate positively in the community.

When struggling with disabilities that make working either completely unfeasible or considerably more difficult, this subsidy can be the difference between just surviving and having the opportunity to navigate life in a meaningful way — by accessing the necessary resources and support it takes to do so. Formerly, in practice at least, the PHB was a guaranteed benefit of up to $200 per month in addition to what was received through Rent Assist, the portion

of EIA benefits meant to help with housing costs for those that qualified.

The newly implemented changes are to the formula for calculating the benefit — now, the PHB is meant to simply cover the difference between Rent Assist benefits and the actual cost of rent for recipients.

This means that approximately 550 people receiving the PHB will be negatively affected — by either having their benefits reduced or cancelled altogether.

On the surface, this seems like a politically-convenient move that’s easy to cover for — for a government trying to balance the budget, it makes sense to crack down on programs that aren’t working the way they should be on paper.

I’m sure there are people who will take the side of Pallister and the Progressive Conservatives on this one, taking a look at the gap between

in this province is already woefully inadequate, with those receiving benefits already struggling to find affordable housing on the private market, Manitoba Housing facing a waiting list of 8,449 applicants and the government selling off what public housing exists.

The Pallister-led government has already announced plans to privatize the Public Interest Law Centre, which typically provides legal serPallister seems bent vices to marginalized people making human rights complaints — as some on kicking us while people are already threatening to do we’re down and over these changes. The supports that do exist are being rolled back, as is making sure we one of our only legal means of fighting back. don’t get up again Pallister seems bent on kicking us while we’re down and making sure we don’t get up again.

The big deal is that, already, comThese types of cuts to benefits are munity health-care providers are bald-faced transfers of wealth from reporting an uptick in suicidal idea- some of the most marginalized peotion among clients affected by the ple in our province to those wealthy changes. Some of the most marginal- enough to actually benefit from tax ized people in the province, who are cuts in a meaningful way. At this disproportionately living in poverty, point the cycle is familiar to anyone are losing a significant part of what paying attention: reduce spending, relief is available to them. cut taxes, reduce spending, cut taxes What are these people supposed to ad infinitum. do in the meantime? Simply wait and The rich get richer while the rest hope for a government that will help of us suffer, most of all marginalized them instead of one that has done people like those of us living with nothing but attempt to achieve its severe mental health disabilities. goal of balancing the budget? This is Wherever it rears its head, it may be a purely ideological goal that ignores different in appearance, but neolibthe economic reality that reducing eralism is always the same in form. government spending like they are The blame for any deaths resulting tends to result in economic recession from these changes rests squarely at and depression. the feet of Brian Pallister and the The social assistance available Progressive Conservative party.

City all talk, no action in addressing rampant bike thefts

Winnipeg’s chickens are coming home to roost with an unaddressed drug crisis KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

B

ike theft is a huge issue in services and parks passed a motion registration ridiculous in its report Winnipeg. It may be what’s forcing everyone with a bike to reg- released in May. contributing to the fact that, despite ister it.

In the end, it’s obvious that the Winnipeg having the highest rate of Of course, this committee did not city should not be in the business of people who live within five kilome- have the forethought to formulate collecting fees and data, and it knows tres of their workplace, Winnipeg has exactly how it intended to enforce a it. lower rates of cycling to work than law like this, but, like so many other Rather, city council should be Canada’s eight largest metropolitan decisions made by the city without preventing the type of situation that areas. consulting the cyclists that they nega- leads to thousands of bike thefts every And the problem is only getting tively affect, it was passed anyway. year. progressively worse year after year.

And yet, there’s absolutely no data So far, ludicrous solutions in In 2012, 717 bikes were reported stolen to suggest that this type of legislation Winnipeg have ranged from authorito the police. By 2015, that number will actually do anything to prevent tarianism in the form of forced regclimbed to over 1,000. In 2018 there bike thefts. istration to police spending valuable were almost 700 thefts reported in Just like legislation that forces time and resources with bait bikes in July and August alone. cyclists to license each bike they an attempt to catch thieves in the act.

Nowadays, it seems both the own, this type of legislation is effecThese are not real solutions. police and city council have lost tively just a tax for the government They’re nonsensical, ineffective solutrack of how many are stolen every to collect — a tax that will now be tions that are clearly not working. But year, with estimates ranging between charged to the tune of $6.88 per bike even more important is that they’re 2,000 and 3,000. in Winnipeg. just a Band-Aid on a gargantuan, But worry not, cyclists. City counThis tax is in addition to the city’s gushing, gangrenous wound. cil devised a plan to solve the issue. own report — along with the opinBut Band-Aid solutions are what In preparation for the cycling sea- ion of most of the bike retailers in Winnipeg city council does best. son ahead, the city’s standing policy Winnipeg — effectively calling the In response to robberies at Liquor committee on protection, community entire idea of enforcing mandatory Mart stores, simply install prison-like

controlled entrances that will be in every store by spring. In response to violence on Winnipeg Transit buses, put up shields on almost every bus — which, similar to the Liquor Mart entrances, will be on every bus by spring.

City council has fallen into the recurring cycle of reacting to a problem with the appearance of a solution while simultaneously ignoring the problem that has permeated every facet of our society.

Governments should not be building walls between people deemed to be violent and those deemed to be safe.

Instead, it should treat every person with the dignity and respect they deserve and reach out and help those who are struggling.

Just take a moment to consider the countless dollars — in terms of both money and resources — Winnipeg has spent on short-sighted solutions when the city should have put all

of it into combatting the root of all of the problems: the out-of-control meth and opioid epidemic. But to councillors, bikes are the real issue.

Councillor Ross Eadie has even gone so far as to say bike theft is fuelling the epidemic.

Bikes are not the fuel to the crisis’s fire. City council’s inaction is.

Winnipeg desperately needs supervised injection sites for those who have a dependency on hard drugs but want to stay alive, and treatment centres and detox facilities for those trying hard to get clean.

Come spring, I’m not going to register my bikes and I suspect that many in my position — who own vintage bikes of little value — will do the same.

Instead, I’ll advocate for a city council made up of people who understand that building walls can’t keep a population safe, but that fostering a population made up of healthy, prosperous people will.

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

VOL. 106 NO. 22 February 12, 2020

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Celebrating another year of Festival du Voyageur The ‘Manitoban’ gives recommendations for a great time at Voyageur Park

Arts & Culture

15

A cinematic showcase of black Canadian talent

The third annual Afro Prairie Film Festival returns to Winnipeg for Black History Month GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

ARTS AND CULTURE STAFF

I

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FESTIVAL DU VOYAGEUR

T

he 51st annual Festival du Voyageur begins Feb. 14 and runs until Feb. 23. With lots to see, listen and taste this year, the arts and culture staff are offering you our festival recommendations.

From musicians to hear and reenactments to see, to previewing this year’s celebration of Indigenous cultures, these are our best picks for a great time during our chilly Winnipeg winter.

Kaelen Bell, reporter

It’s difficult to recommend any one specific band or artist at Festival du Voyageur — it’s the kaleidoscopic whole that makes it what it is, the wide variety of echoes that create a dense tapestry of sound and culture.

However, there is a myriad of particularly exciting artists playing this year’s festival, and we’ve got a brief rundown of some of 2020’s can’t-miss shows — though really you can’t go wrong.

Micah Visser’s solo project Boniface has been making waves globally in recent years, expanding Visser’s neon-hued sound beyond the borders of Manitoba. Boniface’s selftitled debut record makes good on the promise of an electrifying live show, and the performance at the festival can promise glitter and teary-eyed dancing in equal measure.

If the glitter and dancing seems enticing, sans tears, the feel-good electronic throb of Rich Aucoin is probably the ticket. Aucoin’s deathobsessed dance parties are one-ofa-kind, dressing dark themes in

unrelenting, psychedelic colour.

On Saturday night, 3Peat’s show will bring the expected energy — their stylish production and interlocking flows cast a hypnotic spell.

For those looking for a slightly quieter escape, the beautifully soft sound of Veneer will be the show to catch — a stellar local example of the enduring power of guitar, drums and bass. The same can be said for Liam Duncan’s gentle folk rock and Pierre Guitard’s French new wave guitar pop, a wash of warm air to temper

choices for an evening at the festival, and the best advice is to catch as much music as possible in as many genres and moods as you can muster.

Grace Paizen, editor

This year, Festival du Voyageur is making an effort to highlight Indigenous cultures by adding several Indigenous-focused events to this year’s roster. In fact, the logo of this year’s festival was designed by OjiCree artist Jordan Stranger. With so many events to choose from, here are my picks.

In collaboration with the Manito Ultimately, there Ahbee Festival, Festival du Voyageur is hosting four separate introductory are no poor choices powwow presentations. As an interfor an evening active event, you can look forward to being introduced to different regalia, at the festival dance styles and drum songs. You even get the chance to participate in the friendship round dance. the outside chill.

On Feb. 20, you will get a chance It seems too obvious to recom- to meet Manitoban author Beatrice mend catching a Royal Canoe set Mosionier. Undoubtedly more well— the band has been a Winnipeg known amongst the high school comstalwart for years. But if the recent munity for the high school version of ice show at the Forks is any indication, her book In Search of April Raintree, the band’s only become better with festival-goers will get the chance to time. There’s a particularly Winnipeg hear Mosionier read from two of her sensation to hearing Royal Canoe’s works as well as recount stories from eerie undulations out in the snow, and her life. Any book lover would jump it would be a mistake to miss them at this opportunity to meet the author this time around. and get to know her even more.

And if groove is what you’re after, This Louis Riel Day, festival-goers JayWood’s new-found funk is a good are in for a treat. There is a one-day way to warm yourself up, showcas- only Indigenous Makers Market ing music that is a satisfying blend of featuring local bead workers and deep rhythm and jangling indie-pop. Indigenous artists.

Ultimately, there are no poor Don’t miss out on a great way to

support local artists and witness their impeccable talent.

On the topic of remarkable talent, Jaime Black, founder of the REDress Project — a project that utilizes aesthetic protest art to bring awareness to missing and murdered Indigenous women — is creating an art installation as well as a performance art piece for the festival. A sure-to-be-moving art piece and an emotional performance, this is an event not to miss.

For my final pick, I recommend a classic Festival du Voyageur sight — snow sculptures. The snow sculptures at the festival and around the city are always marvels of our snowy world.

Don’t miss a chance to see snow molded in all its glory into beautiful pieces of art that can stir the hearts of even the least nostalgic.

Interpretation hours at the fort, where you can learn more about the fort’s history, run throughout the festival, and — as a bonus — the view from the fort is absolutely spectacular.

You can also warm yourself up at the fort’s outdoor bar and by the bonfires while you enjoy the music, the stories and the fire juggler. Each night at the Hivernants’ Cabin is a kitchen party with music, dancing and songs.

For something a bit more actionoriented, there is the Red River Skirmish on both Feb. 16 and 23. La Compagnie de La Vérendrye and the Forces of Lord Selkirk will be performing military drills with muskets, demonstrating how battles were fought. Get there early to get a good view.

And for a more hands-on expeZachary Sigurdson, reporter rience, Voyageur Apprentice If it’s cold — which it will be — Workshops run at select times for the I always recommend going to Fort duration of the festival. Now is your Gibraltar. chance to learn traditional hands-on Regardless of the weather, the fort crafting from experienced artists and remains one of the best places to be craftspeople. Learn Métis beading, at the festival. From learning about tinsmithing, carving, woodworking, the conflicts between the North paper marbling and more. This — West Company and the Hudson’s more than any other event — is how Bay Company trade empires to learn- knowledge and skills are passed down ing from blacksmiths, carpenters to future generations. and other traditional craftsmen at The reality of living in a historic the festival, there is lots to discover period can often be lost on us until and explore. we get our hands dirty and experience Fort Gibraltar’s long history from it ourselves.

1809 to present is full of battles, raids, So, if you have the time this year, destruction and restorations. It’s a go check out Fort Gibraltar and the reminder of the often violent compe- many brilliant and talented historic tition between various trading com- interpreters working hard in the bitpanies for many of the same resources. ter cold.

n celebration of Black History came and left Winnipeg so quickly,” Month, the third annual Afro as Joy puts it.

Prairie Film Festival returns to Joy believes this year’s programWinnipeg Feb. 19 to 23. ming team made certain the film The festival supports black repre- selection was both broad and diverse.

Films range from French, German sentation in film as well as black participation behind the scenes of the film and Kenyan cinema to the Golden industry. Jointly presented by Black Globe- and Oscar-nominated film Space Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Harriet and award-winning Queen Film Group, festival director Alexa & Slim.

However, the film festival isn’t just Joy is looking forward to another great festival of representation. about new films.

“We provide a platform for emergThere is an array of older films ing and established black Canadian being screened, some in tribute to the work of late actors.

“Throwback would be a good [festival] theme,” Joy said. “We’re doing “The last day we a couple films that [feature] African screen our new American actors and filmmakers who black Canadian short passed on […] The original Dolemite because Dolemite [is my Name] is films” — Alexa Joy, streaming on Netflix, so we’re throwing it back.” festival director There are also networking and acting workshops that occur during the festival for those who wish to get involved. filmmakers,” she said.

IMAGE PROVIDED BY AFRO PRAIRIE FILM FESTIVAL The Platform Gallery is hostThe festival is full of the accomplishments of black Canadian film- ing the Networking Luncheon for screenwriters get to showcase their He used to work at the Winnipeg films [this year],” Joy said. makers, screening Phillip Pike’s Our Womxn in Film Feb. 22 and an acting short films.

Film Group. All of the work he did “Each year they just keep getting “The last day we screen our new — the films he did — were very politi- better and better, so we’re really Dance of Revolution, Bisong Taiwo’s masterclass hosted by Tonya Williams Time Sleeper as well as Winston at the Winnipeg Film Group’s Black black Canadian short films,” Joy said. cally conscious and engaging. And he excited to announce the winner at “We give an award at the end of the obviously [died] before his time and the end of the festival.”

Washington Moxam’s Barbara James. Lodge Studio Feb. 23. we named that in his memory.”

Alongside the Canadian-made What could also be considered the festival.” films, the festival is also featuring highlight of the festival is the new “It’s Best Black Canadian Shorts.

The films up for the Winston For more information about the Afro films from black filmmakers around black Canadian short films competi- We named it in honour of Winston W. Moxam Award for Best Black the world, as well as cinematic hits tion, where established and emerg- Washington Moxam who was a pio- Canadian Short will be screening Prairie Film Festival visit blackspacewpg.ca. For showtimes at Cinematheque from this past year — “films that ing black Canadian directors and neer filmmaker in Manitoba, a black Feb. 23 at Cinematheque.

“We have about seven competing visit winnipeg filmgroup.com. filmmaker, who passed away in 2011.

A 1940s spin on a 1980s Schwarzenegger classic ‘Commando: The Radio Play’ returns to the Gas Station Arts Centre for one night only ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

O

ne of the 2019 Winnipeg Fringe could exist for Schwarzenegger, Falvo Theatre Festival fan favourites knew the movie’s objective cheesiness is returning to the stage for one was perfect for a comedy show. night only. Commando: The Radio “It’s a movie with some of the Play comes to the Gas Station Arts Centre Feb. 22.

Featuring the voice talents of “It’s a movie with Cathy Herbert, Sam McLean and Will O’Donnell, and starring alu- some of the minum sheets and broken heads of best one-liners celery in the skilled hands of foley artist Cory Falvo, it’s bigger, better from Arnold and more polished than ever. If you [Schwarzenegger]” missed it at Fringe or are already obsessed, you have one more oppor- — Cory Falvo, tunity to relive the magic. foley artist Who would have thought about taking the 1985 Arnold Schwarzenegger action vehicle and adapting it into a 1940s-style radio best one-liners from Arnold play? Well, Cory Falvo did.

[Schwarzenegger],” Falvo said. “It’s Though making a radio play not a cult hit in the way some cult hits seemed like an interesting concept where we’re kind of sick of them. If to Falvo, finding an old radio play to I did The Room — we’ve seen it, I’m perform just didn’t seem to coalesce. done. If we did Die Hard, I mean, “Then, I had seen Commando that would just turn people away.” recently and I kind of thought, ‘What In fact, true to the original movie, if I adapt something modern?’” Falvo O’Donnell maintains the iconic said.

Austrian accent for the entire proThe apotheosis of an R-rated 1980s duction. Meanwhile, Herbert and shoot-em-up with as cliché a role as McLean take the remaining roles,

PHOTO PROVIDED BY GAS STATION ARTS CENTRE

and Falvo performs the sound effects.

Is this the last time we’ll see “My plan going into this show was Commando: The Radio Play on the just to make something that I thought Winnipeg stage? Possibly, thinks was funny, that I liked, that I didn’t Falvo. care if people were going to hate it,” “We had the choice of doing mulFalvo said. tiple shows, but decided we would “But then to get the response that rather do one show with a full thea[…] people actually thought it was as tre,” Falvo wrote in an email. “We funny as I did and actually were really wanted to guarantee it would be a big into it was very, very rewarding and event with a lot of energy.” gratifying.”

In fact, the one-night show is a

less messy alternative to a longer run of shows when crushing vegetables is the main source of sound effects.

“If you’re going to work with fruits and produce, wipe off your table, so that you’re not covered in fruit flies during a performance.”

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

VOL. 106 NO. 22 February 12, 2020

16

Sports

17

‘It was tough but it was good to watch’

From summer camp to the spotlight

Brkn Love’s Justin Benlolo shares his musical journey

Bisons women’s hockey closes season with split, gives touching tribute to graduating seniors

KAELEN BELL, STAFF

JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Benlolo remembers his first Justin song clearly. Instead of it being

about teen angst or first love, it was about summer camp.

“I used to do sleepover camps when I was younger, so I would be away for like two months in the summer with all my friends,” he said.

“And I was like, ‘Man, you know what would be really cool? Everybody would think it was super sick if I wrote a song and played it,’ you know?

And it worked.”

These precocious beginnings make sense. Benlolo was always a showperson, a classic-rock obsessive who grew up performing in musical theatre and idolizing the rock stars his musician uncle introduced him to.

“He wasn’t a singer himself, but he showed me enough bands that made me sort of in awe over the rock star thing,” Benlolo said.

Benlolo described his own summer camp song — a lightweight fare about tetherball, hanging out with friends and childhood bliss — as a personal turning point.

“I was like, ‘Wow, if I can write a song, that means I’m a real musician now,’ you know? Not just a guy who plays for fun,” he said.

That hopefulness can be heard pumping through the furious, classicrock-biting music of Brkn Love, the self-titled debut of Benlolo’s band.

The record pays homage to the rock

heroes of his youth and to the sounds that ignited his childhood passions.

Recorded live-to-tape with producer Joel Hamilton, the stories on Brkn Love go far beyond his summer camp beginnings.

“I would say it all comes down to self-expression. I just wanted to have an outlet for things that I can’t say in everyday conversation,” Benlolo said.

“Things I probably should be telling a therapist, but I’m just telling the

“I just wanted to have an outlet for things that I can’t say in everyday conversation” — Justin Benlolo, musician world,” he added.

The record’s personal storytelling is accentuated by its raw production — a new way to look at music for the typically meticulous Benlolo, who had previously spent hours rerecording takes and agonizing over his performance.

“My problem is that, when you go down that rabbit hole — you end up

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BRKN LOVE

doing [approximately] 20 takes — and all of a sudden it’s like, ‘Fuck, is the 20th take really that much better than the second one?’” he said.

The live-to-tape method helped him focus on capturing the energy of his live shows, its limitations becoming the record’s greatest asset.

“There’s no going back and fixing it — I mean, sure, you can, but then you’ve got to cut up the tape and tape the tape together with, like, a piece of scotch tape,” he said.

Benlolo says that it’s still surreal change people through his music. He sometimes — that he needs to make still creates in the spirit of connection, these production decisions, that peo- of bringing people together, just like ple will hear these songs at all. he did all those years ago at summer It’s the realization of the dream camp. he’d held since he was just a kid with “What I look forward to is people a guitar. hearing the songs, hearing the words, “If I can [play music] and actually and actually connecting with them make a career out of it — that’s all and potentially helping them out.”

I’ve ever wanted since I was 11 or 12 years old,” he said.

Brkn Love plays the Park Theatre However, he says the real gift is Feb. 23 opening for Royal Tusk’s Thunder the opportunity to connect and to on the Tundra tour.

SCIENCE RENDEZVOUS WINNIPEG

PHOTO BY ANTHONY NARDELLA

W

ith playoffs out of reach, the U of M Bisons women’s hockey team looked to make a statement in its season finale against the University of Alberta Pandas.

Consider the statement made, as the herd split the final weekend to close the season at 10-17-1.

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Kate Gregoire is here, and she’s going to fill nets in Canada West.

The rookie continued a torrid second-half scoring pace Friday, picking up her seventh and eighth goals of the season.

The goals gave her six in her past six games and pushed her into sole possession of the goal-scoring lead for Manitoba.

“There is some growth stuff that has to happen — that clearly has happened, kid can score goals,” Bisons head coach Jon Rempel said.

“We knew that when she got here.”

She opened the scoring early, as Jordyn Zacharias fed the puck through a crowd to Gregoire standing just outside the blue paint. The rookie picked up the pass, turned and stuffed the puck through the wickets on Halle Oswald to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead just over three minutes into the game.

The Bisons held the lead until flipped the puck to Gregoire with the second, where Kennedy Ganser speed. Oswald slid across but pulled the Pandas even on the power Gregoire ripped the shot below her play. arm to get Manitoba back in front Autumn MacDougall sent the at 2-1. puck through the slot and Ganser “When you have a young team, you got a quick shot away. have to wait until some of them are Erin Fargey stretched out to make ready to do certain things and can feel the save but couldn’t get a piece of the puck as it sailed by and the game was tied 1-1.

“I get called On the next play Chelsea Dearsley feisty a lot for it, came in on Fargey and gave the Bisons netminder a whack. Fargey but it is what it answered with a shove of her own. is” — Erin Fargey, The exchange is the latest in the Alberta-born goalie’s increased will- Bisons women’s ingness to defend her crease by force. hockey goalie “I really don’t like people in my crease, that’s the end of it,” Fargey said.

“I like to be at the top of the blue paint, I feel like I’m able to track comfortable,” Rempel said. pucks better, I’m able to make my “At the beginning of the year saves, so when people are in there before training camp even started I’m going to push.

I had [Gregoire] penciled with “I get called feisty a lot for it, but [Zacharias] but it was never quite it is what it is.” the right time to make the move.

The game remained tied heading And when I made the move it was into the third, where Zacharias and the right time.”

Gregoire combined again to regain Zacharias potted an empty-netter, the lead. and despite a late goal by Ganser, the The two broke into the Pandas Bisons held on to shock the first-place zone on a 2-on-1, and Zacharias Pandas 3-2.

Saturday

With tributes finished, there was It was an emotional game still a game to play, and unlike Friday, Saturday, as the Bisons honoured a Alberta came out firing. pair of graduating players before puck Abby Benning opened the scoring, drop.Fans inside Wayne Fleming pouncing on a loose puck in the slot Arena were treated to a pair of touch- and firing in off the foot of Schubert. ing video tributes. One for Zacharias Then seconds later, Madison Willan and the other for Amanda Schubert, broke free in the high slot and got a as both will graduate at season’s end. piece of a Cayle Dillon shot, tipping “It’s nice to relive a little bit it by Schubert to give the Pandas a from the past and hear such kind quick 2-0 lead in the first. words from my former teammates,” Regan Wright and MacDougall Zacharias said. added a pair of shorthanded goals to “It was tough but it was good to give Alberta the 4-0 win. watch.”

Post-game, both Schubert and Schubert was similarly emotional Zacharias reflected on their careers. about the tributes.

For the Bisons fifth-year netminder, Hers featured reflections from the chance to return home to her long-time goaltending partner Manitoba was everything she could Rachel Dyck, and roommate Alana have hoped for.

Serhan.

“If you can be a good person it “It was great, like those are all my doesn’t really matter how you play best friends that I played with and as a hockey player,” Schubert said.

Serhan — I still live with her and “It’s great that I can also be a half she’s one of my best friends and she’ll decent hockey player too […] I just be my best friend for probably ever,” loved being in the dressing room and she said. that’s what I missed most.

“And it just goes to show that the “I went to Finland and I played Bisons program isn’t about hockey, hockey and it was great, but […] I it’s about the friendships and it’s missed the dressing room — I missed about the culture of working hard the game too but it’s more the atmosand being the best that you can be phere of the players and how that part […] and it was great to hear them say goes. That’s what I love about hockey those things.” so much.”

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Sports

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VOL. 106 NO. 22 February 12, 2020

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bison Briefs JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Men’s hockey swept into playoffs

With its post-season fate still undetermined, the Bisons men’s hockey team closed out the season with a tough test against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Friday’s contest was one to forget for the U of M — an 8-0 loss to the Golden Bears.

The U of A blew the doors off the rink in the first, with five goals in 12 minutes to take a 5-0 lead. It was held off the scoresheet in the second, but added three more markers in the third for the win. Tyler Brown was shelled for 41 shots in the game, stopping 33.

With a 4-0 loss by the University of Regina Cougars the same night, the U of M clinched a playoff spot.

The Bisons fared better Saturday, but fell 5-2 to the U of A to close the season on an eight-game losing skid. Down 3-0 entering the second, Brady Pouteau and Adam Henry found the back of the net to make it 3-2, but that’s as close as the U of M got.

Noah Philp closed the period with a goal and Tyler Soy added the empty netter for the win.

The Bobcats answered, pushing set three deep into extra points, getting on the board with a 34-32 win. A 25-13 fourth setwin by BU pushed the game to a deciding fifth, where the herd finally put its provincial opponent away 15-13.

Game two was not as close, as the Bisons beat the Bobcats in straight sets 3-0 to close out the weekend.

A big 25-17 opening-set win quieted the home crowd in Brandon, a 25-21 second-set win made the crowd worried and a 25-22 third sent them home disappointed.

The wins put the U of M at 4-18 on the season, out of playoff contention but ahead of the last-place University of Regina Cougars.

Next stop, playoffs

Leading by example

Men lock down bye, women clinch spot in basketball finale

Bisons basketball vet Rashawn Browne a major piece to record-breaking season

JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

The Bisons kept the Bobcats at arm’s length the rest of the way to finish the season with a win.

The U of M finishes the regular season at 16-4 but falls to fourth in the conference based on RPI. With a bye to the second round, the herd will await the winner of the competition between Brandon University and the University of Victoria Vikes.

Women’s basketball

Losses put men’s volleyball playoff hopes in danger

With a chance to put its playoff hopes into its own hands, the Bisons men’s volleyball team dropped the ball in a tough series against the University of Brandon Bobcats.

Brandon University made quick work of the Bisons on both nights, winning both 3-0 in straight sets.

Now 7-13 on the season, the Women’s volleyball Bisons currently sit ninth in sweeps aside Bobcats the conference, one win back of With playoffs already out of the eighth-place Mount Royal reach, the Bisons women’s vol- University Cougars. With two leyball club at least got itself out games remaining on the schedule, of last in the conference with a the Bisons will need to win both pair of wins over the Brandon to ensure a shot at making the University Bobcats. post-season.

Game one of the weekThe club will still need help end series was a war, but the from the 11-9 University of Bisons came out with a scrappy Winnipeg Wesmen, who face 3-2 win. The herd opened the the Cougars next weekend. The match with a 27-25 set-one win, U of M meanwhile will face the and put the Bobcats against it 9-11 University of Saskatchewan with a strong 25-20 second set. Huskies.

ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

T

here were playoff implications abounding over the weekend for the U of M Bisons basketball teams.

While the men looked to lock down a bye to the second round, the women had to win to clinch a spot in the dance. After the Bisons took three of four from the Brandon University Bobcats, both were accomplished.

Men’s basketball

When you’re fighting for your playoff life, you’ve got to play desperate.

Such was the case Friday as the Bobcats edged out the Bisons 90-87 to get into playoff position.

The game was all U of M in the first half, as the herd shot above 50 per cent from the field and was lights-out from range. Heading into halftime the Bisons had a commanding 49-36 lead.

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

After a tight third quarter where the Bobcats kept the U of M at bay, BU started the comeback in the fourth.

With 3:17 to go, down 85-80, Shun Williams went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line kicking off an eight-point run to give Brandon an 88-85 lead.

Cameron O’Hara briefly got the herd within one, but a pair of Dominique Dennis free throws closed out the win for Brandon.

The loss seemed to wake up the herd, as it closed out the regular season with a dominant 78-58 win.

Things got going early for the U of M, as the club outscored the visiting Bobcats 24-14 in the opening quarter.

Joel Adu-Quaye kicked off an 11-point run for the Bisons to start the second quarter, and the herd closed it with a 10-point run to build a 49-20 lead at the half.

All it needed was a win, and the Bisons women’s basketball team decided to grab two just in case with a season-ending sweep of the Bobcats.

The action got started Friday with a big 84-72 win by the U of M to clinch a playoff spot.

A huge 31-point first quarter set the tone for the herd, but it only held a 43-31 lead heading into the half.

Both sides traded baskets the rest of the way, with identical 15-15 and 26-26 scores to close out the game.

Emma Thompson led the herd with 18 points on the night, while Lauren Bartlett held things down below the basket with a game-high seven rebounds.

With the playoffs locked down, the Bobcats looked to catch the Bisons sleeping Saturday, but despite a lead at the half, the Bisons rallied to an 86-76 win and weekend sweep.

Coming out of halftime, the Bisons faced a 51-44 deficit, but the club was undeterred.

An Addison Martin layup kicked off a 19-point run for the herd, who added seven more points in the quarter, outscoring BU 26-8.

The U of M held on to the lead in the fourth to complete the sweep.

With both wins, the U of M finishes the year at 9-11, good for 10th in the conference. Its playoff journey will begin against the seventhplace University of Victoria Vikes.

T

he U of M Bisons men’s basket- turn their attention to the Canada ball team is having a year for the West playoffs, where the club is record books. expected to make some noise. With After a weekend split with the a first-round bye, the U of M will Brandon University Bobcats, the have some rest before its championteam finished with a 16-4 record. ship push begins.

This record is the best in program “Our plan for playoffs is to just history, and helped give the Bisons simply continue to get better every a bye to the second round of the game until there are no more games left,” Browne said.

Canada West playoffs.

With a third of the herd in its “Whether that’s first round of playrookie season, the way for this impressive season was paved by the “If anything, performances from veteran players like Rashawn Browne, James Wagner Winnipeg felt more and Keiran Zziwa. like home than the Fifth-year guard Browne has taken on a leadership role in his final other places” — season, and has proven that he can Rashawn Browne, lead on — and off — the court.

“As a fifth year it is very important Bisons men’s for me to lead [by] example,” Browne basketball guard said.

“I want to see the program grow in the years to come and because of that I have to show the guys how to offs or deep into nationals our only conduct themselves when they’re in goal has been to improve every time.”

With Browne being a strong that role.”

Browne has taken the conference asset to the team, other players have by storm this season, averaging 19.6 stepped up to the plate and helped are also averaging career highs which points per game, good for fourth him with the goal of winning games. means they are also attracting more overall in Canada West. Tack on a A great player always has great attention and making it easier on me.” third-best 99 assists and conference- teammates to help them, and Browne Teammates are people who stay best 94-for-121 free throw shooting, believes this is the case for the 2019-20 with you your whole life and can and Browne has shown this season Bisons, with whom he’s put together make any place feel like home. For he can be an offensive dynamo. the best season of his university career. Toronto-born Browne, this is exactly Browne has taken on a star role “Me scoring has a lot less to do the case with the Bisons. and has led a Manitoba team to a with me than with my teammates,” “My transition to Winnipeg was record-breaking season.

Browne said. very easy,” he said.

“Guys like [Zziwa] and [Wagner] Now Browne and the herd will “Before [Winnipeg] I was in

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

New Mexico and Pennsylvania for three years, so I was already used to being away from home. If anything, Winnipeg felt more like home than the other places.”

Basketball does not always last forever and that is something Browne knows and has prepared himself well for after he graduates this year. A future basketball career is something that he has always wanted, but he also

has a secure backup plan.

“My plan for after the season is to sign with an agent and see what I would be worth moneywise overseas and if the money seems to be worth leaving my life behind again I would strongly consider it,” he said.

“If not, I would love to [pursue] a career in residential real estate.”

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20

Sports

Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bisons basketball brings beef to Bobcats ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA, STAFF

Autumn Agar pulls up for a shot against the Brandon University Bobcats.

Risto Zimbakov (2) and James Wagner move to block a layup by Brandon University’s Anthony Tsegakele (7).