15 February 2017

EDITORIAL

Mental illness isn’t a crime Give treatment, not punishment

SPORTS

Kingston calling

Bison women’s hockey team poised to go far in the playoffs PAGE 20

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NEWS

Love shouldn't hurt Valentine's Day campaign challenges domestic violence PAGE 5 COMMENT

Standing with newcomers New fees portray immigrants as a burden PAGE 7 VO L 1 0 2 · N O 2 3 · F E B R UA RY 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

Index

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VOL. 103 NO. 23 February 15, 2017

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Craig Adolphe

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Daniel Parys

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Vacant

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Siddall

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Levi Garber

levi@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Shawn Garbutt

comment@themanitoban.com

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Malak Abas

science@themanitoban.com

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Tobi Nifesi

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Sarah Doran

copy@themanitoban.com

ARTS

DESIGN

Murders she wrote

DESIGN EDITOR Bram Keast

SCIENCE

Royal Mantoba Theatre Centre celebrates Agatha Christie

Women in science

Day of recognition is the next step in bringing equality to STEM

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design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

PHOTO EDITOR Miguel Yetman

photo@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Kellie Huynh GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Aldo Rios PHOTO ASSOCIATE Chantal Zdan

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PHOTO ASSOCIATE Star Roxas PHOTO ASSOCIATE Megan Colwell

REPORTERS

NEWS Osho Samuel Adetunji NEWS Diana Ubokudom NEWS Seamus Hamilton-Pattison COLUMNIST Jeremiah Kopp COLUMNIST Shaden Abusaleh ARTS & CULTURE Olivia Michalczuk ARTS & CULTURE Emelia Fournier SPORTS Kellen Taniguchi SPORTS Jason Pchajek COPY Joseph Gonzalez

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

Will Gibson Janis Maudlin Scott Lercher

SPORTS

Same old, same old

Sari Habiluk Anthony Labonté Stefi Anne Divina

Anthony Huynh

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News

News Editors: Garett Williams & Levi Garber Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Winnipeg Transit recommends $39,000 to UMSU for U-Pass commission, implementation costs UMSU and UWSA reach tentative agreement with Winnipeg Transit over U-Pass costs LEVI GARBER, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY MEGAN COLWELL

T

he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) is nearing an agreement with the City of Winnipeg to recoup some of the costs surrounding the U-Pass.

A city hall committee on infrastructure and public works is recommending UMSU and the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association (UWSA) each receive a 0.5 per cent annual commission on all U-Pass sales, translating to $26,000 annually for UMSU over the next four years – the length of the current U-Pass contract – and $7,500 annually for the UWSA. The committee also recommends both student unions receive compensation of up to 50 per cent of costs related to implementing the universal bus pass. The committee estimates that covering half of implementation costs for each union would translate to $13,000 for UMSU and $10,000 for the UWSA. The two student unions would only receive a one-time compensation payment for implementation of the

pass, according the committee report. ing the agreement would demonstrate The U-Pass is a universal transit the city’s continued commitment to pass available to all full-time under- the U-Pass program. grad and graduate students at the U of M and University of Winnipeg for a “Our goal is and reduced fee payable with tuition. The recommendation would apply to any always has been future U-Pass partners such as Red to make sure all River College as well.

The standing policy commitstudents have the tee on infrastructure renewal and opportunity to get to public works, made up of four city councillors, Winnipeg Transit direcuniversity to further tor David Wardrop, and two other their educations” – public service officials, announced the recommendation on Jan. 31, folMarty Morantz, lowing a meeting between student union officials and Winnipeg Transit city councillor on Jan. 24.

The terms of covering half of all U-Pass implementation costs have “The U-Pass is an example of a yet to be determined, however, and cooperative effort between Winnipeg UMSU vice president internal Adam Transit and its partners to provide Pawlak said another meeting between low-cost bus service to university union officials and Winnipeg Transit students in the city,” he said in the is needed to finalize the agreement.

Jan. 27 release.

Committee chair Coun. Marty “Our goal is and always has been Morantz said in a release that approv- to make sure all students have the

opportunity to get to university to further their educations.”

The potential agreement comes after UMSU claimed in December that Winnipeg Transit reneged on a commitment to support a grant that would compensate the union for some administrative fees relating to the pass.

UMSU issued a release in December claiming the city failed to negotiate in good faith after the transit department removed a $27,000 grant request from its 2017 budget proposal. Pawlak said in December that Wardrop had agreed to support the grant request for the first two years of the U-Pass contract.

Student union reaction

Pawlak said he is pleased with the new agreement, calling it “a big win for students.”

“Not only do students get to enjoy the service of the U-Pass but they can [also] know that the union is not suffering with massive administration and implementation costs because of

this product,” Pawlak said in an email.

“We are getting our fair deal and saving so much, rather than paying additional student money on just running the program,” he said. “Funds we are saving can now be used to invest in other union activities and help avoid deficits.”

UWSA president Kevin Settee said that he is also satisfied with the recommendation.

“We applaud the City of Winnipeg for strengthening our partnership and joint commitment to the U-Pass program,” Settee said in the Jan. 27 press release issued by the city.

“We look forward to further cultivating opportunities that increase students’ accessibility to public transit.”

The estimated total transfer of $56,500 from the city to UMSU and UWSA will be included in Winnipeg Transit’s 2017 budget, according to the release, and will need to be passed by city council.

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News

News Editors: Garett Williams & Levi Garber Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU Mental Health Awareness Week challenges stigma head-on Week of events aimed at pulling mental illness out of the shadows OSHO SAMUEL ADETUNJI, STAFF

T

he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) is leading into the February reading week break by hosting Mental Health Awareness Week.

ing people living with mental health Student Services in the spring of 2016, dents to take some time on reading diseases.

44 per cent of students interviewed week to participate in healthy copThe week-long event kicked off indicated that they felt so depressed it ing strategies for stress,” she added.

Monday with a self-love photo booth was difficult to function at one point “This can include getting outside and from Active Minds and art therapy over the last 12 months. More than being active, reading a book, or simsessions. The Graduate Students’ 64 per cent reported suffering from ply watching some Netflix.”

Association lounge was also trans- overwhelming anxiety and two per According to David Ness, director formed into a relaxation room, an cent said they have attempted suicide of the U of M student counselling initiative of one of UMSU’s partners, in the past year. centre, events like UMSU’s awareHealthy U. ness week foster connections among Other activities scheduled for the people in the community and can week include pet therapy sessions, “It’s all about bring them closer to useful inforfurther art therapy sessions, and a mation that can help address their breaking down social media contest where students situations. can post a picture of themselves tak- the stigma that “Events like the one UMSU is ing part in stress-relieving activities. planning [...] help to encourage surrounds mental UMSU vice-president advocacy people to be open and connect with Dara Hallock stressed the need for others and get support and to address health and mental increased mental health awareness their difficulties rather than just stay illness” - Dara on campus, while also encouraging silent and maybe have their difficulstudents to pay attention to their own ties become worse,” he said.

Hallock, UMSU vice health and seek help when the need Hallock said that the main mesarises. sage of the UMSU-led campaign president advocacy “There is stigma that surrounds is to bring mental illness out of the those who face mental illness shadows.

Hallock said there is a connecthroughout their lives but what “It’s all about breaking down the many people may not recognize is tion between the 2017 February read- stigma that surrounds mental health that although one in five Canadians ing week and the preceding Mental and mental illness,” she said, “so that live with mental illness, five of five of Health Awareness Week, as the if we normalize talking about it, we us have mental health, and we need to two events encourage students to can start supporting those that need take measures to maintain our mental take a break from academic activi- it and help everyone live a healthier ties to focus on managing the stress and well life. health,” she said.

“It is important – especially as stu- of the semester and increasing their dents who face many responsibilities productivity.

“Reading week has historically and stressors – to take time to check PHOTO BY MIGUEL YETMAN in with ourselves and reach out for been looked at as a chance for stuhelp if we are having a tough time dents to take a break from the stress of university and studying to help Several activities have been emotionally or physically.” planned for this week aimed at According to a survey of more them catch up on some work, but also both arming students with the right than 43,000 Canadian post-second- with themselves and their own lives,” information about mental health ary students released by the Canadian she said.

“We are hoping to promote stuand breaking down the stigma fac- Association of College and University

VOL. 103 NO. 23 February 15, 2017

News

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Arts Student Body Council hosts Valentine’s Day campaign to combat domestic violence Event supports local non-profit that provides services for women and children fleeing abuse DIANA UBOKUDOM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EKLLY CAMPBELL

T

he University of Manitoba’s Arts Student Body Council (ASBC) is lifting the veil on domestic violence for Valentine’s Day. On Tuesday, the ASBC partnered with the University of Manitoba Students’ Union, the Womyn’s Centre, the Justice for Women student group, and a handful of other student organizations in a day-long event aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence.

Allison Kilgour, an ASBC senator and a lead organizer, said activities ranged from educational to interactive, including a fundraising effort to support Winnipeg’s Alpha House Project – a non-profit organization that provides services for women and children fleeing abusive relationships.

She said hosting the event on Valentine’s Day was a deliberate attempt to bring attention to the reality that not all relationships should be commemorated.

“We thought it would be a little provocative – a little kind of pushing

the norm – to have an event on the versity community. they are even being abused,” she said.

“It's kind of a second-chance orgavery stereotypical day of celebrating “I think the whole day is fabulous,” “So [it is] recognizing that just because nization that helps women get their love and relationships to discuss the she said. “I think that it is very impor- they are nice on one day doesn't mean lives back on track and gives them an fact that not all relationships should tant to be raising the awareness of that it's okay what they are doing.” anonymous place to do that,” she said. be celebrated and that domestic domestic violence, the impacts on Beyond providing shelter and The event was aided by addiviolence is a huge issue, not just society, on women, children – any housing to women and children tional support from the Women’s in Canada, but transitioning away and Gender Studies Students’ around the world,” from violence, Association, the University of “I think that it is very important to be raising A lpha House Manitoba Aboriginal Students’ she said.

Kilgour noted provides counsel- Association, the student chapter the awareness of domestic violence, the that a woman ling to women of Jack.org UManitoba, and the impacts on society, on women, children – is killed by her and children to University of Manitoba Muslim intimate partner any way we can break the cycle and getting help build back Student Association. every six days in self-confidence Hennessey said the funds raised the word out” – Liz Millward, women’s Canada, a staand self-reliance will go toward lifting the spirits of tistic she called so they can live the families at Alpha House. and gender studies associate professor overwhelming. independently.

“We like to do activities for the “Not only is it a Hennessey families,” she said. good time in the semester to plan way we can break the cycle and [get] noted the shelter also helps clients “The spring break is coming up something like this, but the fact that the word out.” navigate the legal system and find [and] our families don't have a lot of it is on Valentine’s Day is going to Hennessey echoed Kilgour in not- suitable housing and community money, they're all low-income. Even really get people thinking ‘I need to ing the significance of planning such supports. taking them on an outing is somebe cautious of my relationship,’” she an event on Valentine’s Day. Kilgour said the long-term thing they normally don't get to do.” said.

“When you think of Valentine’s approach adopted by Alpha House Cherie Hennessey, executive Day, you think about love and it is the main reason the proceeds director of Alpha House Project, coincides, right, because there's lot from the event will be donated to welcomed the support from the uni- of people who don't understand that the organization.

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

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Justice served with the absolute discharge of Vince Li Attitudes toward mental illness, disorders in need of a paradigm shift SHAWN GARBUTT, STAFF

crime takes place and take steps to address those features.

Progress demands proactive approaches when it comes to dealing with those suffering from mental illness at the margins of society; a ham-handed punitive approach that is the inevitable outcome of law and order politics will only exacerbate deep-rooted ills, ultimately leaving them to fester.

It's important to remember that Li’s attack on McLean in the Greyhound bus was as anomalous as it was gruesome

GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL

T

he absolute discharge of Vince Li that extends beyond the mere fact – now going by a different name that the patient is mentally ill, then – by the Manitoba Criminal Code the review board is compelled to issue Review Board is hopefully the last of an absolute discharge. This is the a series of events that have haunted precedent the review board considthe province ever since the tragic ered when examining Li’s case. And death of Tim McLean in July 2008. it would seem that Li has given no A story too gruesome for the small- indication over the last eight years time prairie town by which it took to suggest he poses even a marginal place, McLean was decapitated and threat to society now that he’s being cannibalized by Li on a Greyhound treated. To say otherwise would bus west of Portage la Prairie. Li suf- require singling out his mental illfered from undiagnosed schizophre- ness as being culpable under the law. nia at the time and was caught in the grips of a psychotic episode when he The likelihood of attacked and killed McLean.

Having been found not criminally an NCR individual responsible (NCR) for his actions, Li has spent just under a decade at difcommitting a ferent psychiatric clinics and supervised homes where he has received “serious, violent treatment for his mental illness. Dr. re-offence” falls Steven Kremer, the psychiatrist who at a negligible testified at a hearing with the review board in 2015 regarding Li’s move to a 0.6 per cent group home, gave testimony that suggested Li was dedicated to improving his condition and had in fact achieved Beyond his psychotic break on the much of that during his time in care. Greyhound bus, back when he was Doctors that have been involved with undiagnosed with paranoid schizotreating Li have reported that he is phrenia, Li’s record is crystal clear. a model patient that shows a keen There is absolutely no evidence to suginterest in simply getting better. gest he would re-offend now that he In 1999, the Supreme Court of is under treatment, and it is nonsenCanada ruled that unless it can be sical to claim Li would stop taking shown that the NCR patient in ques- his medication when he has shown tion poses a “significant threat” to outstanding devotion to continuing public safety, proven with evidence his treatment program and crippling

regret over what transpired on the currently being espoused by those Greyhound bus. opposed to Li’s return to freedom.

It is most troubling that many of The study found that rates of recidithose who have come out against the vism (a return to criminal activity) review board’s decision to grant Li are extraordinarily low for NCR absolute discharge do seem to think individuals, who are half as likely that having a psychotic disorder to recommit than the general prison like schizophrenia is grounds for populations. Findings also show that persecution. the likelihood of a NCR individual When discussion arises around committing a “serious, violent rethis controversial topic, it is often said offence” falls at a negligible 0.6 per that to release Li is simply too great a cent. risk to take. But adopting this logic Indeed, the study also linked 31 leads one down an unsettling path – per cent of NCR individuals to subif it’s true that some risks are simply stance abuse problems while 71 per too great to take, then what risks are cent received governmental income these exactly? Who quantifies the supplementation. This only goes to risk? Should every violent offender show that such mentally ill offenders be put under lock and key for eternity, are not criminals but those in need all for the sake of risk aversion? Do of aid. Society requires more supwe want the state to enact a judicial port systems, not a court that pursues system that punishes people on the excessively punitive measures. basis of “what ifs”? Should the justice To claim that the mentally ill are system swoop down on every individ- a danger to society, unrepentant and ual diagnosed with paranoid schizo- irreparable, is a gross mischaracterphrenia and cage them as though they ization as well as dehumanizing to are feral beasts? those who suffer from treatable psyIt’s important to remember chotic disorders – not to mention a that Li’s attack on McLean in the falsified account of NCR offenders.

Greyhound bus was as anomalous What the justice system needs as it was gruesome. Yet even that now is a more comprehensive, restoris beside the fact, for the data col- ative approach. In modern society, lected on NCR offenders shows that law and order should not be the tough-on-crime rhetoric is entirely punitive revolving door we see in misplaced.

Manitoba. Yet this is integral to the A 2015 study conducted by the current retributive paradigm, which Mental Health Commission of would sooner jail an offender than Canada dispels many of the myths examine the conditions in which

I can only begin to imagine the depths of misery Tim McLeans’s mother has been swallowed in since the loss of her son. She and her family are as much a victim as her son.

Yet as much as we want to support the McLeans, we must also remember that mental illness is treatable, and living with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia is possible. We cannot forego the broader issue: mental illness continues to lurk just beyond the confines of acceptable public discourse, and remains highly stigmatized even when openly acknowledged.

Li himself, in an interview with a representative of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada about the incident that has brought him infamy, said that while he was glad he was still alive, he still felt the RCMP should have killed him that night on the Greyhound bus – a night etched into his mind. The memory of that night, Li says, will never allow him happiness.

Vincent Li deserves a second chance. The man is more than his illness, and with continued treatment, recovery and reintegration into society is more than plausible. Li’s remembrance of his traumatic deed should be price enough to pay, and to continue his suffering beyond the trauma he already experiences would be the farthest thing from justice.

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Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Immigrants won’t accept Pallister’s changes to Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program ANTHONY HUYNH, WITH FILES FROM SHAWN GARBUTT

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n Nov. 25, 2016, Premier Brian Pallister announced changes to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Effective April 2017, successfully nominated applicants will be forced to pay a $500 fee in order to have their immigration papers processed. This new draconian measure by the Manitoban government is reminiscent of the Chinese head tax that was imposed on Chinese immigrants between 1885 and 1923 . The Chinese head tax was especially egregious because it singled out Chinese immigrants during a time when they were the primary reason for the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway – but the primary evil is that immigrants were being singled out as a tax resource.

Only now, all immigrants are being targeted.

In response to Pallister’s actions, members of the immigrant community mobilized together on Dec. 5 at Broadway United Church to challenge the government’s new Labour Market Strategy for immigrants.

From this meeting, the Save MPNP coalition was formed.

The newly attached fee is simply a cash grab that places a financial burden on immigrant families. The Pallister government has said that the $500 fee will be used for investment into language support programs and other resources for immigrants.

However, the MPNP already expects nominees in the economic class –

identified in 2008 as the largest of the program – to enter Canada with a high level of English competency.

But this is beside the point. The proposal is essentially to issue user-fees to immigrants for resources the government ought to already be implementing with funds from general tax schemes, which newcomers will be contributing to.

The new fees are xenophobic and portray immigrants as a burden, linking newcomers to welfare However, instead of viewing the new head tax as merely an economic attack, the changes to the MPNP are a much grander attack on the immigrant community. The new fees are xenophobic and portray immigrants as a burden, linking newcomers to welfare. Yet according to Statistics Canada, the rate of employment for landed immigrants is higher than that for Manitoban-born residents .

Indeed, the Canadian economy was built on the backs of immigrants – similarly, migrants new to Manitoba are hardly a net drain.

In addition, the MPNP is moving

GRAPHIC BY ALDO RIOS

away from family sponsorship and community connection to employerdriven nominations , which will make bringing family and friends more difficult unless they already have jobs. This would not only make workers more vulnerable to abuses and exploitation in the workplace but also jeopardize the high retention rate of immigrants staying in Manitoba under the MPNP .

As is the reality with other immigrants, many are forced to participate in precarious working conditions where their labour is valued but their human potential is not. More generally, the changes to the MPNP have ramifications not only for immigrants but for racialized workers who are

Canadian citizens and permanent the government do as they please, residents. Immigrants are already what will prevent them from impostreated as mere means for business ing another burden on the immigrant interests – making public policy community? explicit in that statement will only further harm newcomers as they conOn Feb. 28, 2017, assemble with Save tinue to be viewed as capital invest- the MPNP Coalition at Broadway ments instead of people. Racialized United Church at 6:30 p.m. as we march workers are already subject to racist to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly and xenophobic language, “stealing and make our demands known to Canadian jobs,” as common national- Pallister. Anthony Huynh is a member ist rhetoric goes. This won’t be helped of the Save the MPNP Coalition. You by having a government that only can find the group on Facebook at https:// cares about immigrants as economic www.facebook.com/savempnp/ for more stimulus. information .

As Manitobans, we must act together and work together, and stand in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters. If we let

Pallister begins lining Crown corporations up at the chopping block SHADEN ABUSALEH, STAFF

W

ith madness unfolding below by 30 per cent and 900 employees at our border, it is often difficult large will be laid off – nearly oneto keep track of what is happening sixth of the workforce. on our own doorstep. Manitoba preManitoba Hydro CEO Kelvin mier Brian Pallister is rolling back on Shepherd explained that the cuts promises he made during his election made would save the utility between campaign by pursuing shortsighted, $60 million to $65 million a year. But economically impractical solutions, these cuts will not be enough to stop including his plan to implement rate increases of at least 10 per cent per regulatory cutbacks by axing two year that Manitobans will face over regulations for every new regulation the next five years. The double-digit introduced as legislation – a one-step- rate increases will have a significant forward, two-steps-backwards policy. impact, especially on low-income, Most recently, the provincial gov- energy-poor families who will likely ernment announced that it would face hardships while austerity meaproceed with cuts targeting Crown sures continue to be doled out as the corporations. Manitoba Liquor so-called “Progressive” Conservatives and Lotteries and Manitoba Public get settled in government.

Insurance are expected to engage in One of Canada’s top employers, “management reduction” amounting Manitoba Hydro is one of the most to 15 per cent of employees. Laying important job creators in the province. blame on the previous NDP govern- It provides high quality jobs, good ment for failing to address bureau- pay and benefits, and helps boost cratic over-hiring, Pallister also incomes throughout Manitoba that announced that further cuts will be keep our economy going. Adopting made toward Manitoba Hydro as austerity measures and throwing out executive positions are to be reduced 900 jobs from our economy, reducing

state involvement, and hoping that the invisible hand will figure things out is not a sound strategy and will hinder rather than boost the economy.

Taking away 900 well-paid jobs will notably impact our province’s economy for the worse The cuts made at Manitoba Hydro have been met with strong criticism

by NDP labour critic Tom Lindsey, who explained how this ill-advised move will result in the loss of an important number of skilled workers, inevitably hurting Manitoba Hydro in the long-term as “it will force Hydro to rely more heavily on contract and out-of-province labour to fit the gaps Pallister is creating.”

There are so many unanswered

questions. Are the employees being laid off young and mid-career workers, or are they on the brink of retirement? Will these 900 workers be able to find equivalent professional jobs?

If so, how? What support systems will be put in place? How exactly will these workers be compensated? How will these cuts consequently affect Manitobans who rely on Manitoba Hydro’s services?

Taking away 900 well-paid jobs will notably impact our province’s economy for the worse.

But as has been clearly demonstrated through the government’s unwanted and unwarranted involvement in the UMFA strike, Pallister dislikes anything that remotely looks like the public sector. The families and workers affected will definitely be hurt by these cuts, and those hit hardest won’t be able to find reprieve in Costa Rica.

The doom and gloom scenario that Pallister’s government has been spinning gives them the excuse they need

to shrink government and go after public-sector workers. It also sets up Manitoba Hydro for a major intervention, perhaps of the private kind.

Pallister claims his mission is to make Manitoba the “most-improved province” in Canada. While it isn't clear how he intends to measure this improvement, it is difficult to imagine how the loss of 900 decent jobs in a small economy like ours and doubledigit increases to Hydro rates will improve anyone’s lives.

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Comment

Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Trudeau right to scrap electoral reform More pressing matters require federal attention JEREMIAH KOPP, STAFF

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rime Minister Justin Trudeau may have reneged on an election promise in discarding his commitment to electoral reform, but he was

Politicians are often charged with beneficiaries. The other alternative breaking promises and changing their would be proportional representation. minds on issues. If it is done purely This model would more accurately for political expediency, this will reek reflect the views of the population, of hypocrisy and disenfranchise vot- but it could result in representation ers. It is unfortunate, however, that for fringe groups that could hold this charge is often applied broadly the balance of power in coalition even when it makes sense to alter the governments. legislative agenda.

Electoral reform has never been Given the instability a burning election issue outside of university campuses or political cirof present global cles. The reality is that more directly affairs, is this impactful subject areas, such as the economy, job creation, healthcare, really the time to environmental stewardship, and others will always be more import- be tinkering with ant to the average Canadian voter. our governing Electoral reform is also an enormous undertaking, one with consequences institutions? that may not be immediately discernable. Given the instability within present global affairs, is this really While some will charge that this the time to be tinkering with our will result in greater cooperation and governing institutions? better governance, the reality is that it The first problem with electoral would create confusing legislation. If reform is deciding what alternative a coalition government is comprised PHOTO BY MIGUEL YETMAN model should be used in lieu of the of a myriad of politically heterogencurrent first-past-the-post system. eous parties, concessions would have right to do so. Electoral reform is not The ranked ballot model would be to be made to minority partners in a pressing need for Canadian dem- viewed as too self-serving and there- government. This gives undue influocracy, nor are the potential pitfalls fore politically untenable, given that ence to radical and fringe groups in worth the risk. the Liberals would be the likely an effort to preserve stability. It also

results in more elections, given that no one party would have a strong mandate. More time is spent running elections every two years than managing the affairs of the nation, something that Canadians would surely tire of.

The old adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is applicable to this debate. While the system may not be perfect, it works well and is wellknown. This model has been used since confederation and has created the two-and-a-half party system that our country has become so familiar with as we’ve oscillated between Liberal and Conservative governments since 1867. Our current model allows for thorough debate and discourse without allowing fringe views into governance positions.

Canada’s legislative powers are premised in the constitution on the belief in “peace, order, and good-government;” rushed and unpredictable electoral reform flies in the face of this covenant. In deciding to remain with our current model, Trudeau should be commended for making the right decision in a difficult situation.

Science & technology 10 Science & Technology Editor: Malak Abas Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Building a movement to support women in science and tech Day of recognition, brought forward by the UN, hopes to bring light to underrepresented women in science STEFI ANNE DIVINA

GRAPHIC BY ALDO RIOS

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ast weekend marked the sec“Girls continue to face stereotypes ond annual International Day and social and cultural restrictions, of Women and Girls in Science limiting access to education and (IDWGS). The day, which takes funding for research, preventing place on Feb. 11, was first brought them from scientific careers and forward by the United Nations with reaching their full potential,” Bokova a resolution in 2015. It’s meant to rec- said. ognize the important contributions “Women remain a minority in sciof women and girls to science and ence research and decision-making.” technology.

The resolution of the United In light of the International Day Nations with combined efforts of subof Women and Girls in Science, sidiary groups such as UNESCO and the United Nations Educational, the United Nations Entity for Gender Scientific, and Cultural Organization Equality and Empowerment of (UNESCO) director-general Irina Women (UN-Women); other groups Bokova released a statement that called such as the International Nations the day an “opportunity for all to take Entity for Gender Equality (ITU); a stand for girls and women in science.” and movements like the International

Day for Women and Girls in Science highlight the contribution of women and girls in science and technology.

While the percentages of women graduating with a bachelor’s degree in all STEM-related fields but biological sciences and psychology is still significantly lower than men, projects like these work to empower women working in science-related fields such as the life sciences and engineering.

On March 14, 2011, the United Nations and the Commission on the Status of Women agreed to continuously work on increasing women’s participation, access, and work in the field of science and technology.

Giving women and girls full access to the innovations of the science and technology world is deemed imperative by the UN and its partners in attaining gender equality and empowering women.

While the stigma when it comes to women working outside of the home has decreased over the past decades, statistics show that in STEM fields, women remain widely underrepresented. Even to this day, women seem less likely to join and learn about fields such as engineering or computer science, although over half of all bachelor’s degrees in biology are now earned by women.

As a university student, it is easy to assume that because there are so many women studying around you the Canadian educational system must be equal in terms of opportu-

nities for both men and women. This, however, is not the case. According to studies released by Statistics Canada as recently as 2015, not only are female Canadian university graduates consistently less likely to choose a degree in STEM, regardless of tested mathematical ability, and those who do choose a STEM degree and work in the field still, on average, earn less than their male peers.

be courageous in the pursuit of their dreams,” Kirsty Duncan, Canada’s minister of science, said in a filmed statement for the site.

“I also want to ask your parents and grandparents, your brothers and sisters, your teachers, professors, and friends to support your desire to discover.”

As a University of Manitoba student, studying microbiology and women’s and gender studies has taught me many things about the “Women remain way the STEM fields work for men and women today. While I like to a minority in think that both genders are given equal opportunities when it comes science research to research and representation in the and decisionworkforce, it seems that there is still quite a bit of work left to do. making” – Irina With enough support and encourBokova, UNESCO agement from society, the goal of equality – not only in STEM, but director-general in other aspects as well – will hopefully be achievable. While there are While there is still much work to some discouraging statistics, there do, the Canadian government is tak- are some signs of progress – there are ing steps to promote the inclusivity more women working as engineers, of women and girls in STEM fields, for example, in many developing including a new social media cam- countries. The International Day of paign, called “Choose Science.” On Women and Girls in Science being the Choose Science website, there celebrated every year may just be the are links to educational programs next step to bringing equality to the for girls, along with suggestions for world of science and technology. parents and teachers looking to get young women interested in science.

“One of my goals now is to encourage more young women to be curious, to challenge the norm and to

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Science & Technology 11

Tyrant alpha chimp killed, cannibalized in rare intra-tribe murder Recent study offers a look in the complicated and often violent lives of Fongoli chimps MALAK ABAS, STAFF

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recent study has theorized that led the chimps to react so violently a chimpanzee murder so grisly towards their former alpha, but and rare that it left the anthropologist suggests that the last straw for the leading the study “disturbed” was Fongoli apes came when Foudouko most likely about sex. attempted to court a female chimp The story is reminiscent of a gang- in heat. The Fongoli community is ster movie. The researchers involved concentrated with males, and comwith this study have been studying petition in regards to sex is especially a group of chimps in western Africa fierce amongst them. referred to as Fongoli chimps since 2005. Fongoli chimps have been witChimps are prone nessed using rocks and sticks as tools, and are very intelligent – their daily to violence against life consists of creating and testing other chimps – but alliances within their community.

Their leader in 2005, named killing a chimp Foudouko, was known to the researchers as being the alpha male, within their own and was nicknamed “Saddam” for community is his tyrannical style of leadership.

The group’s beta male, Mamadou, very rare led alongside Foudouko. However, in 2007, Mamadou suffered a leg injury, allowing other males in the Jill Pruetz, who led the study, community an opportunity to chase attributes this skewed ratio in part Foudouko out of Fongoli. to poaching, as female chimpanzees Foudouko disappeared. Even in Senegal are often taken and used the researchers assumed that he to breed infants sold in the pet trade. had died. To their surprise, howChimps are prone to violence ever, Foudouko returned nine against other chimps – but killing a months later. Mamadou’s brother, chimp within their own community David, was now the new alpha, and is very rare. So rare, in fact, that this Mamadou remained the beta. While is only the ninth time researchers certain chimps welcomed his return, have been able to film it happening.

Foudouko was forced to live on the The graphic video shows Foudouko outskirts of Fongoli, amongst the being stomped on, beaten, and evenchimps that had suffered under his tually cannibalized. rule. He was frequently chased and While the attack was strange and attacked by the chimps he once ruled. disturbing, it also provides a wealth The study just published in the of information for chimpanzee International Journal of Primatology, researchers. While Foudouko’s body provides no clear answer as to what was buried by the anthropologists, it

PHOTO PROVIDED BY WILLIAM WARBY

will later be exhumed and studied.

It also provides interesting insight into chimps’ understanding of death.

Foudouko’s body was attacked long after he had died, and researchers also noted that even after the body had been buried by them, the other chimpanzees made fearful calls all

through the night, leading researchers to believe they were still afraid of Foudouko returning.

While Foudouko is gone, the drama of the Fongoli community continues. Mamadou has since been exiled from the community, presumably because of his alliance to

Foudouko after his return, and David faces similar violent backlash in the form of random attacks from other members of the Fongoli chimps.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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COMIC BY SCOTT LERCHER

ILLUSTRATION BY ALDO RIOS

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Tobi Nifesi Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Master Playwright Festival celebrates Agatha Christie Local thespians showcase some of the English author’s best works OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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rom Feb. 8 to 26, the Royal Manitoba Theatre Company (RMTC) is honouring the late English author Agatha Christie at the Master Playwright Festival. This year’s edition is the 17th installment of the annual festival, which takes on a selected number of works from a celebrated artist.

The Master Playwright Festival provides opportunities for both professional and emerging artists from a variety of organizations and independent theatre companies to produce work under the umbrella of a larger festival. It also provides patrons with an opportunity to thoroughly immerse themselves in the works of a renowned playwright. The first Master Playwright Festival took place in 2001, across eight venues, and featured 15 plays written by Samuel Beckett. Since then, the festival has grown and featured many wellknown writers.

Agatha Christie is one of the world’s best selling novelists, with over 66 detective novels, 150 short stories, and 20 plays in her extensive body of work. One of her most well known and celebrated works is The Mousetrap, and with 26,000 showings, it is the longest continuously running play in history.

“We hope to reveal the shining truth about this beloved playwright and her unquestioned mastery of our art form,” said Steven Schipper, the artistic director of the RMTC. Agatha Christie is only the second woman to be honoured by the RMTC Festival and the first mystery writer. The festival will include some of her popular novels such as And Then There Were None, showing at the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre, and Murder on the Orient Express, showing at the Dalnavert Museum.

“Audiences love plays about detectives and the mysteries they solve, but they are devilishly difficult to write.

Christie had to lay out clues that somehow keep us from guessing the identity of the murderer, yet make the climactic revelation seem obvious in retrospect. The characters must be sympathetic yet suspicious,” said Schipper.

“The murder must create suspense but not disgust. The dialogue must be both clever and realistic. The conclusion must satisfy us intellectually and emotionally. And the themes

– love, justice, redemption – must resonate with an audience even after the whodunit is solved. It’s a wonder any writer bothers trying, let alone mastering the bloody things.”

The festival features 15 plays on stages at different local theatres, and includes free lectures. Amongst the several theatre companies partaking in the festival are the Dramatic Theatre, the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre, and the Tara Players.

“With ChristieFest, we hope to reveal the shining truth about this beloved playwright and her unquestioned mastery of our art form” – Steven Schipper, artistic director, RMTC Erin Meagan Schwartz, the producer of the modern adaptation of The Hollow, which has all its six shows sold out at the Rudolf Rocker Cultural Centre, found it challenging yet fulfilling to translate Christie’s work into a modern perspective along with her talented compilation of local performers and creators. The cast and crew include University of Manitoba student Elena HowardScott, who will be playing a lead role in the performance, and directors Frances Koncan, an AnishinaabeSlovenian writer and director, and Angelica Schwartz, a theatre production graduate from Langara College’s Studio 58.

“I find Agatha Christie's work interesting, especially The Hollow, because of the way she writes women in the show. They are often very cunning and complex behind the veneer of poise,” said Schwartz.

“Having Agatha Christie as the second female master playwright in the 17th year of the RMTC festival is wonderful, and I am glad that her and her work are being celebrated.”

The Tara Players Theatre Company will be putting on a production of Love from a Stranger,

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NATIONAL MEDIA MUSEUM

an adaptation of the 1924 Christie mystery novel Philomel Cottage.

Production teams involved in the festival have expressed their appreciation for the festival and delight over honouring Christie at this year’s festival.

“We are always so pleased to be a part of the RMTC Master Playwright Festival as it really helps us to reach new audiences and support some of the best writers in the

industry,” said Danielle Savage, the being highlighted by talented pergeneral manager of the Tara Players. formers at various venues across the As one of the venues for the fes- city. tival, the Dalnavert Museum has embraced the work of Christie as For more information about venues, inspiration for a detective- and mys- show times, and tickets for the Royal tery-themed month of programming Manitoba Theatre Company’s 2017 as well, which can be found on their Master Playwright Festival, visit www. website. royalmtc.ca With over a week left in the festival, there is still a chance to catch some of the amazing works that are

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Tobi Nifesi Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Festival du Voyageur hosts outdoor fashion show and first winter Pride event EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

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estival du Voyageur has grown to be Manitoba’s biggest winter celebration. While the events at Festival’s main site at Fort Gibraltor are sure to be fun, the Manitoban took a look at some of the lesser known events that readers may find interesting.

Winter Pride Celebration

As part of Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg’s first ever Winter Pride Celebration will take place on Feb. 18.

The celebration will involve a skating event along the river trail, followed by a dance party and an afterparty at Jekyll and Hyde’s . All of the events are free and open to everyone.

Craig Larkins , Winter Pride Celebration’s organizer, grew up in Winnipeg going to Festival du Voyageur. He noticed there was a gap in LGBTTQ* celebrations during the winter months.

“Winnipeg is a winter city. Why are we not celebrating Pride in the winter?” said Larkins.

When he lived in Calgary, Larkins attended the Calgary Stampede’s LGBTTQ* events, and thought something similar could work with Festival. His goal was to create an

inclusive community event during seven-year-old Rylee Sandberg , an walks of life modeling in the show. has become so fast-fashion that we winter, so it made sense for Larkins Anishnaabe, Cree, and Métis hoop The models were selected based on have forgotten the craft,” said Lavack. to pair up with Manitoba’s biggest dancer. Larkins’ event company, their community involvement. They Mass-produced, sweatshop-crewinter festival.

Room Service #WPG , has lined up will also have the help of choreog- ated fashion has become the norm, “They’ve been so helpful. From DJs and a drag performance for the rapher and model trainer Carly Van and the low prices of rapidly changing Ryssel. styles of clothes available at stores organizing, to marketing, to even night as well.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone The fashion show is a commu- like H&M and Wal-Mart make it sound equipment, Festival has been awesome to work with,” said Larkins. to come together and have a happy nity-building event for local fashion difficult for local designers to break The idea of having a winter Pride moment. Everything is so negative designers themselves. The fashion into the fashion market. event seems so obvious for a winter right now, so just come and dance, designing industry is usually cutFashion on Ice brings Winnipeg’s city like Winnipeg. The daytime and be proud of who you are and throat and competitive, and very local designers to members of the community that may be looking skate allows families to get out and happy to be who you are,” said difficult to get into.

“Having a fashion show that to buy more ethically, sustainablycelebrate with their loved ones. The Larkins. outdoor component of the events – reunites designers creates a sense made clothing, but are not aware of of community,” said Lavack. The the wide range available to them in the Great Winter Pride Skate and Fashion on Ice the Winter Pride Party – will be As it has for the past few years, designers are able to network and their own city. It also showcases the Festival will also include Fashion on see their pieces combined together strength of Winnipeg’s community hosted at Rendez-Vous on Ice. “It’s nice to draw all the important Ice, a show that will showcase local on different models. as a whole through the models thempeople in your life into something designers and models. The fashion The show will highlight the variety selves, celebrating all different kinds that’s important to you,” said Larkins. show will be held on Sunday, Feb. 19 of styles available from local design- of talent.

While gay bars can provide a com- at 4 p.m. at Rendez-Vous on Ice. This ers. Working with the Forks Trading

For more information on the Festival munity-building safe space, they are year, the show has almost doubled Company, the fashion pieces shownot accessible to teenagers and chil- in size, featuring local designers and cased will be available for purchase du Voyageur’s events, visit https://fesdren, as well as other friends and fam- 50 models. at the Forks. The items are affordable, tivalvoyageur.mb.ca/en/. To see a full “These people are chosen, submit unlike fashion showcased at many listing of their official sites, visit https:// ily. With these free and public events associated with Festival, LGBTTQ* themselves as a candidate and then other fashion shows. festivalvoyageur.mb.ca/en/festival/ people are able to celebrate with choose based on fact that they’re “Fashion started off as a creative official-sites/ friends, family, and the community. mentors, inspirational,” said Lili thing. Fashion was social change, The opening ceremony for the Lavack , local designer and organizer like when Yves St-Laurent created a Winter Pride celebration will fea- of Fashion on Ice. line of trousers for women, that was ture two-spirited members of the There will be photographers, law- a part of the feminist movement. It Indigenous community, as well as yers, artists, and individuals from all used to be very value-oriented, and

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Sports Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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Prepping for the post-season push Bison women’s hockey team is set to take on Mount Royal in promising playoff year JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

PHOTO BY STAR ROXAS

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eading into the final week- depth. The emergence of Lauryn end of the regular season, the Keen was a factor. Keen finished the University of Manitoba Bisons were regular season with nine goals and neck and neck with the University of 25 assists, and was first amongst all Alberta Pandas. With one final series players in Canada West, blowing by to decide who would take second her career-high of 18 points set back place behind the powerhouse UBC during the 2014-15 season.

Not only does the team have the Thunderbirds, the team fought hard but dropped the series in a two-game firepower that let them blow teams sweep, falling to third in Canada like the Calgary Dinos – who the West and drawing the Mount Royal Bisons outscored 12-3 on the year – and the Lethbridge Pronghorns Cougars in the first round.

With a playoff spot locked and a – outscoring them 18-2 – out of the matchup set, the path to a potential water, but they have an all-star in goal championship is becoming clearer with Rachel Dyck. Dyck finished the and clearer. This group of Bisons, year with a 1.51 goals against average under the watchful eye of head and .931 save percentage, placing first coach Jon Rempel, has put up a stel- amongst Canada West goaltenders lar record, often bowling over oppo- in wins. nents on their way to a third place finish. Expectations are as high as Perhaps the greatest ever for the herd, which looks like a championship-caliber squad every strength of this time they hit the ice.

When down to four skaters the team has likewise had major success, playing their system to almost perfection, helped out by the stellar play of Dyck throughout the year.

Perhaps the greatest strength of this Bisons squad is their ability to adapt to different games. Whether they’re banging bodies with teams like the Saskatchewan or facing offensive powerhouses like Alberta, the team has consistently shown that they can play many different types of games when called upon. However they tend to play best when they are under the structure imposed by Rempel and the rest of the coaching staff, moving the puck well and crashing the net.

If the Bisons continue to show this structure, while getting depth scoring and more stellar play in goal, they will have no problem making noise in the Canada West playoffs.

Keys to success: firepower, goaltending, special teams and versatility

Biggest roadblock: the Thunderbirds

Numerous times throughout the season, the Bisons were without key contributors. Alanna Sharman, who recently pulled on the red and white for her country, missed a large stretch before the holiday break with a knee injury. Likewise, Venla Hovi, who is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals and 15 assists, missed some time.

These injuries did not slow down a Bisons team that boasts enviable

Bisons squad is their ability to adapt to different games

There is no bigger threat to the success of a deep run in the playoffs for Manitoba than the UBC Special teams have also been a Thunderbirds. point of pride for the herd, as they The trap teams often fall into have consistently ranked near or at when playing UBC seems to be the top in both power play and pen- their greatest strength: their abilalty kill percentages. The team moves ity to build off momentum. Teams the puck exceptionally well with the consistently fall behind in games man advantage, often taking teams against the Thunderbirds, and then down with crisp cross-ice passes or get buried by their strong system. You using open points to power in goals. need not look further into the season

results than the 6-1 drumming of the Calgary Dinos and a 4-3 win against the Bisons that turned into a track meet.

There is no bigger threat to the success of a deep run in the playoffs for Manitoba than the UBC Thunderbirds Teams will either get buried, or face a tough slog against an experienced and strong defensive club.

Thankfully for the Bisons faithful, the team has already found out how to silence the Thunderbirds potent offence. In the last series between the two teams, Manitoba in fact outscored the Thunderbirds by a combined 5-4 in the series split. The first of these games was a 2-0 shutout win where the Bisons were able to weather the storm, shutting down the Thunderbirds with tight checking, riding a brilliant performance

by Dyck and their special teams to victory.

The following game was the aforementioned 4-3 track meet where the Bisons were playing from behind for most of the game and couldn’t keep up with the UBC attack. If the

Bisons are able to lock down and grind out an early lead against the Thunderbirds, they have a strong chance to take control of a seemingly eventual playoff showdown.

Round one: the Cougars

The Bisons will play in the quarterfinal next weekend. Because of their losses to Alberta they will not receive a first round bye. Instead of enjoying a bye, the Bisons will play a best-of-3 series against the Mount Royal Cougars in front of a home crowd.

This matchup is quite favorable for the Bisons, as they won the season series against the Cougars three games to one, outscoring them 11-6 over that stretch. Bison netminder Dyck may be the happiest member of the team, as she recorded two of her league-leading five shutouts against the Cougars this year.

For this series the Bisons should aim to capitalize on the disciplinary issues Mount Royal has had against them this season. Across all four games the Cougars were handed 16 penalties, giving the Bisons six power play goals. On the flip side, Mount Royal netted one power play goal across 11 chances.

Should Rempel and his coaching staff stick to the plan and turn to their star goalie, the rest of the team should have no problem burying Mount Royal with a balanced attack and power play supremacy.

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Bison athletes get hair cut in support of cancer survivors Athletes donate their locks, raise funds for cancer research RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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rowing out the flow has been we weren’t quite there for the length. something hockey players have We decided to wait a year and grow been doing for decades, from Jaromir it out,” he said.

Jagr’s legendary locks in the 1990s to Cancer has touched almost everyPatrick Kane’s playoff mullet of today. one, and Wasylak has had his own Jonah Wasylak and Brett Stovin of experience with the disease as his the Bison men’s hockey team, as well grandma was diagnosed with it. as Liam Grace of the Bison football “My grandma was diagnosed with team, snipped their hair on Feb. 9 in breast cancer four years ago,” he said. support of cancer research.

“She’s beaten [it], she’s good, but still it’s a scary thing. It’s not everyday you hear the positive stories. We just wanted to use our personal experi“We just wanted to ences and help raise awareness for use our personal everyone.”

Stovin said afterwards that experiences and help although it was strange to have all raise awareness for his hair cut, he felt good knowing it was going to be used for a good cause. everyone” – Jonah “It was quite a good feeling seeing Wasylak, Bison men’s all the hair go into that bag,” he said.

“It’s nice to know someone is going hockey forward to be happy about receiving a wig out of this.”

In Stovin’s case, cancer has The trio had their hair cut to make affected many members of his fama wig for cancer patients experiencing ily, as well as a member of the men’s hair loss. Wasylak said that both he hockey team, so this was special cause and Stovin wanted to do this last year for him. but they didn’t have the length to do “It kind of runs in my family,” he it. You need about seven ponytails said. “Everywhere you look, it’s there to make a wig; between Wasylak, – it takes so much courage to fight it.

Stovin, and Grace, they collected 20. It was like if they have the courage “We thought about last year, but to fight an illness like that, we can

PHOTO BY ASAD AMAN

cut our hair and do a small little bit to help out.”

Both Stovin and Wasylak have been sporting the longer hair for quite some time, and Stovin is feeling quite different after the cut.

“There’s not going to be any hair in my mouth when I’m eating, there’s

definitely a nice cool breeze on my ears,” Stovin said with a laugh.

Along with the wigs the athletes were able to donate, both Stovin and Wasylak set up a GoFundMe to raise money for their cause. They started with a goal of $500 but that was quickly surpassed and they then

set a goal of $4,000, which they nearly accomplished. Before the Bisons took to the ice on Feb. 10 against the Alberta Golden Bears, Stovin and Wasylak presented a cheque of $3,755 to the Canadian Cancer Society.

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Sports

Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bison men’s volleyball team wins 20th straight, women’s team lose 10th in a row RYAN STELTER, STAFF

victories with the Griffins winning the fifth and decisive set 17-15. Tori Studler had 13 kills for the herd, with rookie captain Kearley Abbott hitting 12. Studler also registered a team-best 16 digs, along with Cassie Bujan who also had 16.

The Bisons head into their conference bye with a 21-1 record and sit atop the Canada West standings

PHOTO BY STAR ROXAS

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he Bison volleyball teams rolled fidence. They dismantled the Griffins into Edmonton this weekend to in straight sets on Friday. They had play a two-game series against the an impressive hitting percentage of MacEwan Griffins. The men’s vol- .536 on the night, compared to the leyball team brought their winning Griffins’ .175. Adam DeJonckheere streak to 20 with two straight wins, hit a team-best 12 kills, with Devren and the women’s volleyball team Dear registering the only ace of the extended their losing streak to 10 evening. with two straight losses.

It was more of the same on Saturday, with the Bisons dispatchMen ing the Griffins in three straight sets The first-ranked Bisons came once again. The Bisons were led by into this weekend loaded with con- Evan Jackson this time, who ham-

mered home 16 kills. MacEwan was They have the second-best hitting not much of a test for the top-ranked percentage in the Canada West with Bison team, as they were dominated .315 – the Spartans are first at .316. in almost every single statistical category.

Women The Bisons head into their conferThe Bison women’s volleyball ence bye with a 21-1 record and sit atop team saw another disappointing the Canada West standings. They weekend, as they had their losing have only lost 14 sets all year, which streak extended. Since beating the is the lowest in the Canada West. The Winnipeg Wesmen on Jan. 7, the Bisons will have two weeks to prepare Bisons have yet to win. for a big clash against the secondOn Friday, the Bisons lost in ranked Trinity Western Spartans. five sets. The teams exchanged set

Saturday was more of the same, as the Bisons lost another close match against the Griffins, losing in five sets. After losing the first set, the Bisons won the next two, but then the Griffins won the next two to take the match victory. Studler led the Bisons again in kills, with rookie Darby Coughlin hitting 12 kills.

The Bisons still have an outside shot at making the playoffs, with two games remaining against the Trinity Western Spartans. Manitoba sits four points back of the final playoff spot, and will need a lot to go right for them in order to make the playoffs, starting with sweeping the Spartans, who are second in the Canada West with a 17-3 record.

The Bison volleyball teams have a week off before they head out to Langley, B.C. on Feb. 24-25 against the Trinity Western Spartans.

Bisons split the Golden Bears at home RYAN STELTER, STAFF

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his weekend, the sixth-ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears came to play a two-game series against the University of Manitoba men’s hockey team. The Bisons lost 4-2 on Friday night, but rebounded with a 2-1 win on Saturday night.

Friday

The Bisons lost 4-2 in a rough affair against the Bears on Friday night in the first of the back-to-back.

Riley Kieser opened the scoring for the Bears when he threw a low shot far side under Byron Spriggs’ pad early in the first. Five minutes later, Remi Laurencelle struck back for the Bisons shorthanded, when he fired a hard slap shot under the glove of Bears netminder Brendan Burke.

Justin Augert put the home team 3-2. Baillie cut into the Bisons’ zone The effort was there, we competed the game through former Steinbach in the lead on the power play after and roofed a backhand shot over hard, and we’ll have to bounce back Piston Jonah Wasylak, as he scored some great puck work. Laurencelle Spriggs. Minutes later, Stefane tomorrow.” his fourth of the season. Brett Brooks picked up an assist on the play, his Leagult pounced on a rebound to and Liam Bilton drew the other two second point of Saturday assists on the play. the night. The Captain DePape scored the eventual game “It’s a tough loss for us tonight. The Bisons led the Jordan DePape, winner with a slap shot on the power Bears 2-1 after a defenseman Lee play, his team-leading 12th goal of the effort was there” – Mike Sirant, Bison chippy opening Christensen, and year. With the split, the Bisons manmen’s hockey head coach 20 minutes. w inger Jesse aged to hold on to fifth place in the Halfway Paradis all suited Canada West. Manitoba finished the through the secup in their last year with a 14-12-2 record, after going ond period on a Bears power play, make it 4-2 for Alberta. Manitoba home game as Bisons on Saturday. 8-3-1 in the second half the season. defenseman Jason Fram went high pushed late with the net empty, but It was DePape who played hero, as his blocker on Spriggs from the point eventually lost. third period goal won the game for Manitoba goes on the road Feb. 17-19 to make the score 2-2. That scoreline “I thought we played real well. We the Bisons to split the Golden Bears. to play the Mount Royal Cougars in the held as the teams went to the dress- were playing our game and we were Ryan Rehill scored the open- Canada West quarterfinals. ing rooms at the second intermission. playing fast, playing physical,” Bison ing goal for Alberta on the power Ten minutes into the third period, head coach Mike Sirant said post- play. That was the only scoring in Tyson Baillie put the Bears ahead game. “It’s a tough loss for us tonight. the first 20 minutes. The Bisons tied

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Five graduating players will make last run towards a championship No shortage of confidence with Bisons entering basketball playoffs KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba men’s basketball team has qualified for the playoffs, and will be the fifth seed. The Bisons will host the 12-seed Regina Cougars in a play-in series that will run from Feb. 16-18.

Manitoba swept their weekend series against Regina on Jan. 13-14, winning by scores of 93-81 and 84-75. They also came out on top in their quarterfinal matchup at the Wesmen Classic during the holiday break, winning 100-79.

The Bisons opened the season with a 2-6 record, playing some of the topranked teams early on. They were able to win 10 of their final 12 conference games to finish with a record of 12-8.

“We had a tough start. We still weren’t happy with the losses and thought we should have won some of those games,” Bison guard AJ Basi said. “We saw the second half and we saw where we needed to finish at record-wise to be able to host a playoff series at home.”

If the herd is able to take down the Cougars, they have a tough road to make it to the Canada West Final Four.

“We feel like we can play with anybody when we’re playing our game,” Bison guard Ilarion Bonhomme said.

“We’ve had some weekends where we kind of got away from that a little bit, and Coach has been harping on that and we’re trying to get back to it.”

Although Manitoba opened the season poorly, they were able to beat the Calgary Dinos 85-81 on the road in their season opener. The Dinos are one of the top four teams in the league and so are the UBC Thunderbirds, who the Bisons were able to play close with, losing by scores of 96-89 and 75-72 back in November. Despite losing those matchups earlier in the season, the Bisons can take some positives from them.

“It doesn’t matter who we've got to play or where it is, we have full confidence that we can beat anyone in the league” – AJ Basi, Bisons guard

(Bonhomme, Basi, Keith Omoerah, Jonathan Alexander, and Brett Jewell) graduating after this year’s playoff run. This is the last chance for these players who will take a lot away from their time being a Bison.

“The first day I came here, I see all these guys in the gym getting in extra shots, because to be good every team has two hours of practice in a day,” Bonhomme said. “These guys do so much outside of those two hours, and the coaching was amazing.”

With the regular season coming to an end, the graduating players know that the most important part of the game is still up for grabs, and this is the last chance for these players to become champions.

“Before this year is done I think the most important part is still there,” Basi said. “That’s to make a run in the playoffs and try to bring a banner to the gym here.”

There is no shortage of confidence in the Bison locker room, and when Basi was asked if he believed this team has what it takes to make a deep playoff run, he needed just one word to answer. “Absolutely,” Basi said.

“It gives us some confidence knowing that if we have to go to any other gyms, we can beat them on any given night,” Basi said. “It doesn’t matter The Bisons host the Regina Cougars who we’ve got to play or where it is, on Feb. 16-18 at the Investors Group we have full confidence that we can Athletic Centre; tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. beat anyone in the league.” for all games.

Manitoba holds a very veteran lineup, with five of their players

PHOTO BY STAR ROXAS

Bisons sweep Mount Royal Cougars to end regular season KELLEN TANIGUCHI, STAFF

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his weekend, the Bison men’s basketball team played host to the Mount Royal Cougars to wrap up their regular season. The Bisons came away with a sweep, but it was not all that easy, as they won 72-71 on Friday and 71-68 on Saturday.

Friday

time up 39-29. Justus Alleyn scored 10 of his 16 points in the opening half.

“I thought we’ve been coming up kind of flat lately, and to have a good first quarter was nice to see” – AJ Basi, Bison guard

On Friday Bisons got in the win column with a heart-stopping 72-71 victory over the Mount Royal Cougars.

Manitoba stormed the court early on, going on an 8-0 run, and following it up with a 9-0 run to put them up 19-3. The teams exchanged Mount Royal accelerated to a 16-0 points throughout the remainder of the quarter, with the Bisons taking run early in the third to steal the lead and put them up 48-43. Rookie James a 27-14 lead into the second.

The Cougars were able to slow Wagner was huge for Manitoba, things down in the second, keeping keeping pace with Mount Royal Manitoba to just 12 points within the and scoring the next nine points for quarter. Manitoba’s defense contin- Manitoba, contributing to the Bisons’ ued to roll, holding the Cougars to 15 54-52 lead.

The teams were back-and-forth points. Brett Jewel ended the frame with a vicious dunk, energizing the for the entirety of the fourth, and AJ fans, and sending the herd into half- Basi collected eight of his 12 points in

the frame. The game was tied at 71 in the dying seconds when Alleyn was fouled on his attempt with just 1.8 seconds to play and made no mistake, giving Manitoba a one-point win.

The home side’s first half wasn’t great last weekend in Brandon, but the strong effort in the first quarter saved them in this game.

“It was nice to see us have a good start,” Basi said postgame. “I thought we’ve been coming up kind of flat lately, and to have a good first quarter was nice to see.”

frame with a forceful dunk from team-high 16 points in the fourth.

Jonathan Alexander.

This was the final regular seaManitoba stole the lead early in son home game for the Bisons, and the second quarter and expanded it their five graduating players (Basi, with a 12-0 run to lead 32-20. Alleyn Omoerah, Jewell, Alexander, and scored eight of his game-high 20 llarion Bonhomme) were honoured points in the second, helping the pre-game.

Bisons take a 34-25 lead into halftime.

“Special night,” Schepp said. “It’s The start of the third quarter was just nice to have a special night for competitive, with the teams exchang- those guys and to be able to recoging looks until the visitors were able nize them.” to string together eight points and cut the lead down to just two. The The Bisons will host a play-in series Bisons didn’t panic, and Malik Irwin running from Feb. 16-18 at the Investors hit a buzzer-beater three to give his Group Athletic Centre; tip-off for all Saturday side a 56-50 lead entering the final games will be at 7:30 p.m. CT. On Saturday, the Bisons again quarter of play. defeated the Mount Royal Cougars Mount Royal came out firing in a thrilling 71-68 game. With the and outscored the home team 9-2 win, Manitoba finishes their regular early on, to take a 59-58 lead. The season schedule with a 12-8 record, Cougars led 68-67 late, with Keith including 10 of their last 12 confer- Omoerah answering with a layup. ence matchups.

The Bisons defense forced a turnoThe first half was much like the ver on the next play, and Jewell hit one from the day prior, with the home a mid-range shot to put Manitoba side getting out to an early lead. After up 71-68; they held on for the victrailing 16-11 thanks to an 8-0 Cougar tory. Derek Wolf led Mount Royal’s run, the Bisons ended the opening comeback attempt, scoring six of his

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Sports

VOL. 103 NO. 23 February 15, 2017

Bison women’s hockey team swept out

by Alberta to end regular season JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

and pounded the Bisons. Dyck gave her side a chance to win, but it wasn’t enough as Manitoba was swept with a 2-1 loss.

Alanna Sharman, fresh off her stint with Team Canada at the FISU games, got the Bisons ahead in the early going. Sharman broke into the Pandas’ zone with speed, pulling the forehand-backhand move Bisons fans have become accustomed to seeing.

Post couldn’t quite keep up as the puck slid past her to give the Bisons the 1-0 lead.

Heading into Friday’s action, Manitoba looked like they were on a mission after winning six in row

PHOTO BY MIGUEL YETMAN

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he last weekend of the Bisons’ season was definitely an important one, as they closed it out in Alberta.

This series was to decide which team could lock down second place in the Canada West. The Bisons played hard throughout the weekend, but were swept by the hometown Pandas.

Friday

Heading into Friday’s action, Manitoba looked like they were on a mission after winning six in row.

They fought hard but ultimately dropped a 5-2 decision to the Pandas,

who took sole possession of second place based on the tiebreaker.

Alberta got on the board first, early into the opening frame. Ashley Morin picked up the puck in the slot, ripping a quick wrister by Rachel Dyck to give the Pandas the 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes after the opening goal, Jordyn Zacharias netted her 11th of the year to tie the game. A Lauryn Keen wraparound attempt was stopped by Lindsey Post of the Pandas, but the rebound popped out to Zacharias. She got enough on the puck to lift it over Post to make it 1-1.

Thirty-nine seconds later Alberta responded – a loose puck in front of the Manitoba net found its way onto the stick of Jaslin Sawatzky, who beat Dyck to make it 2-1.

Before the first period was out, the Pandas extended their lead thanks to Lisa Lloyd. Abby Benning took the puck at the point, ripping a point shot on goal. Lloyd was in the right place and time, tipping the shot past Dyck.

Just over a minute into the third, Lloyd snagged her second of the season to put Manitoba in a 4-1 hole.

A glimmer of hope came in the

The Pandas came right back, shelling the Bisons’ net and finally in the final minutes of the second frame, one got through. Erica Nelson sent a pass cross-ice to Amy Boucher, who was coming in with a head of steam.

Boucher snapped a shot past the blocker of Dyck to tie the game 1-1.

Lloyd played the hero again for her team, picking up her third goal of the year and second game-winner of the series. Another loose puck was the undoing of the Bisons, as Hannah Fouillard was able to get it over to Lloyd, who beat Dyck to seal the game 2-1.

form of a Megan Neduzak goal midway through the frame. Neduzak was able to beat Post in tight with a shot, cutting the Alberta lead to two. This was as close as the Bisons got. Autumn MacDougall picked up Manitoba will now host the Canada an empty net goal and Alberta took West quarterfinals on Feb. 17-19 at the the game 5-2.

Wayne Fleming Arena against the Mount Royal Cougars.

Saturday

The two sides came back together Saturday for a matinee matchup where the Bisons were playing to secure third place in Canada West.

Alberta took control of the game early