1 March 2017

Editorial

Vote of no confidence Student politics isn't working

News

Pallin’ around

news

VPI resigns after taking position with provincial government Page 3

Page 8

Transit on campus Transit union, students raise concerns over safety Page 4 Sports

Upset central Win over UBC puts Bisons in final four Page 22

Vo l 1 0 2 · N o 2 4 · M a r c h 1 , 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. 24 March 1, 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

science

A consequence of climate change Canada’s glaciers are melting rapidly

comment@themanitoban.com

science & technology Editor Malak Abas

science@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Tobi Nifesi

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

page 12

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Sarah Doran

copy@themanitoban.com

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

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 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

arts

Winter wonderland Experiencing the Festival du Voyageur page 15

Volunteer Contributors

Corrections: The Jan. 25, 2017 issue was published with a cover date of 2015, which should have been 2017. Additionally, in the Feb. 15, 2017 issue, the article titled 'Five graduating players will make last run towards a championship' used a photo of the women’s basketball team instead of the men’s basketball team. We apologize for the errors.

comment

Will Gibson Janis Maudlin Anthony Labonte

Democratize, don’t politicize

MANITOBAN

Direct action necessary for a successful student movement page 10

Sari Habiluk Jesse Blackman Dylan Fijal

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News

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

UMSU vice-president internal resigns Adam Pawlak issued resignation more than two weeks after being appointed provincial minister’s assistant Garett Williams, staff, with files from Levi Garber

photo by garett williams

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nd then there were three.

2016 – represented UMSU in A second University of September and October meetings Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) with provincial minister of education executive member has stepped down and training Ian Wishart to discuss in less than six months as the union changes to the Manitoba Scholarship announced last week that vice-pres- and Bursary Initiative (MSBI). ident internal Adam Pawlak has subUnder the proposed changes, the mitted his resignation. scope of the MSBI will increase to The announcement came more just over $20 million, with a third of than two weeks after Pawlak was that – up to $6.75 million – coming appointed as a minister’s assis- from the province if post-secondary tant in the provincial Progressive institutions provide the remaining Conservative government on Feb. 7. $13.5 million.

According to a Feb. 8 Manitoba At the time, Pawlak said the Order in Council, finance minister changes “strengthen MSBI [...] and Cameron Friesen recommended put us on the right path so that everyPawlak’s appointment. one comes out on top.”

This leaves the five-member Multiple messages to Pawlak UMSU executive short two mem- went unreturned. UMSU president bers with the 2017 election begin- Tanjit Nagra said she is prohibited ning. Former vice-president student from commenting due to her ongoservices Jessica Smith stepped down ing campaign for re-election, along from her position in the fall. with vice-president external Wilfred An UMSU release issued Feb. 23 Sam-King. Dara Hallock, who is not said Pawlak accepted a position with running for re-election and the only the Manitoba provincial government other remaining executive member, but will remain on in a voluntary was out of the office until March 1. capacity to finalize ongoing projects.

Pawlak was present at the last The resignation notice followed UMSU regular council meeting the appointment by 16 days and was Feb. 16 but did not raise the issue of issued after the Manitoban reached his appointment and submitted only out to Pawlak for comment after a verbal report before leaving early. questions were raised about whether Several councillors reported only the government position represented learning of the appointment through a potential conflict of interest. the Feb. 23 UMSU release.

Pawlak – who worked for the Science Students’ Association provincial Progressive Conservative UMSU councillor Ashley Penner, Party between May 2015 and May who sat on the UMSU finance com-

mittee with Pawlak, said the government position is a clear conflict.

“I was shocked to see that he had already begun a new job,” she said.

Arts Student Body Council million capital renovation of IQ’s UMSU representative Serena Billiards Lounge, which is scheduled Gawryluk said she was sad and sur- to break ground this summer. He prised to hear Pawlak was stepping will remain involved with UMSU down. on a voluntary capacity to finalize “He was a great addition to the exec ongoing projects.

“It is, however, a and I really enjoyed my time working “It’s been an honour to serve with him on member services comthe students at the University of conflict of interest mittee and space revitalization com- Manitoba,” he said in a release. “A for an UMSU mittee,” she said. great opportunity arose to start my “He was very committed to his post-university career, but I will miss executive who is work on council and as much as I'm all of my wonderful colleagues here to be lobbying the sad to see him go, I wish him all the at UMSU.” best in his new position with the proPawlak’s resignation will go before government on vincial government.”

UMSU council at its next regular Pawlak was instrumental in the meeting March 9. His term was set behalf of students roll out of the universal transit pass to expire April 30. to also be working – branded the U-Pass – after taking UMSU council can vote to over negotiations from the previous appoint the incoming vice-president for the government” vice-president internal when taking finance and operations (the new title – Ashley Penner, for the vice president internal) and over office in the spring of 2016.

In December, Pawlak publicly vice-president student services to UMSU councillor accused Winnipeg Transit of reneg- their positions early following the ing on a commitment to support a 2017 executive elections.

“It’s unfortunate to see another grant that would compensate UMSU Voting is scheduled to run March executive leave before completing for some administrative fees relating 8 to 10. their term. It is, however, a conflict of to the program’s rollout. interest for an UMSU executive who After Pawlak argued UMSU’s is to be lobbying the government on case before the city’s executive policy behalf of students to also be working committee in December and through for the government.” follow-up meetings with Winnipeg UMSU by-laws do not explicitly Transit in January, the city’s comstate holding a position in government mittee on infrastructure and public presents a conflict and only calls for works recommended UMSU receive any appointee, signing authority, or a 0.5 per cent annual commission employee to recuse themselves from on all U-Pass sales, translating to participation in any decision they hold $26,000 over the next four years. a direct or indirect material interest in.

Pawlak was also involved in a $1

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News

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

Transit, campus safety questions raised after slaying of driver Union calls for dedicated police unit, students grapple with safety concerns Osho Samuel Adetunji, staff

photo by soraya atayee

about campus and tranQuestions sit safety in Winnipeg are being

charged with repeatedly assaulting a girl between 1982 and 1991. Fraser denied the charges.

On the Friday following the attack, a rally was attended by hundreds of transit workers demanding a safer work environment where they can peacefully do their jobs.

raised after the Feb. 14 killing of a 58-year-old Winnipeg Transit operator on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

Irvine Jubal Fraser was stabbed repeatedly in the early-morning hours by a passenger who refused to exit a bus at its final stop of the night on Dafoe Road, directly across from “It did not make me Taché Hall. feel unsafe, it made Fraser was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died me feel upset” – as a result of his injuries. Brian Kyle Taylor Nimchonok, Thomas, 22, was arrested trying to flee across the frozen Red River. He is third-year student facing second degree murder charges.

According to reports, Thomas has John Callahan, president of the convictions dating back to 2012 for crimes that include weapons offences, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) assault, and robbery. He has been in local 1505, said supports for bus operaand out of custody and was last on tors are insufficient to guarantee driver safety and called for a dediprobation in November.

Fraser himself was facing charges cated police transit unit. of sexual assault and sexual interfer“I am concerned about the lack of ence at the time of his death. He was safety initiatives that exist to meet the scheduled to face trial in January 2018. demands of today’s situation,” he said.

“The protocols, the response time, The trial was initially scheduled for October but Fraser failed to appear the support is inadequate on a day-tofor jury selection. day basis. We need dedicated police Court documents reveal that – part of the Winnipeg Police but Fraser was arrested in 2013 and dedicated solely to transit.”

He expressed concerns about the code of conduct for transit riders and the inability of the current transit inspectors – who he said are not adequately trained – to enforce its rules.

“We have the rider’s code of conduct but I don’t believe it is being enforced because the transit inspectors who we currently use to address those issues don’t have the ability to do anything,” he said.

“They don’t have the ability to arrest or detain individuals who may have infractions against the code of conduct.”

Callahan emphasized the need to secure the safety of both drivers and riders, noting a 2014 case where a driver suffered a broken nose after being punched in the face while driving a bus loaded with passengers.

“The safety of our members is only a part of it. What affects our members can affect the riding public,” he said.

“One of the fears that we have is that a possible worst-case scenario is if the driver has a bus full of people and he is in service and gets struck or knocked unconscious behind the wheel.”

The number of U of M students holding transit passes doubled in the

fall of 2016 with the rollout of the universal transit pass, dubbed the U-Pass.

More than 19,000 of the discounted passes have been issued.

Numbers provided by Callahan show that assaults on drivers reached a five-year low in 2014 with 39 attacks.

Sixty-two assaults were reported in 2015 and 45 in 2016.

Callahan made a plea to commuters and users of public transit system to start a conversation with the city in a bid to seek better safety strategies.

“I think our riders need to contact their city councillors and say that they are concerned, too, and they want greater safety initiatives in place to protect both themselves and our members because we go hand in hand. I think that is very important,” he said.

“They need to hear it loud and clear that people want to use public transit but they need it to be safe for them to do so.”

safety for bus drivers,” she added. “I don’t feel unsafe as a student but if I were a bus driver, I will absolutely feel unsafe.”

Nimchonok stressed her belief in the fundraising campaign despite learning of the charges facing Fraser at the time of his death.

“My feelings did not change,” she said, noting that the money raised is for the family Fraser left behind.

“I am very sorry that she [the alleged victim] would not get the justice that she deserves through a court of law because they did not end up going to court,” she said, “but he left behind a wife and a granddaughter who have already faced a lot of tragedy in the past year and my main goal is to lighten the burden for them.”

Japanese exchange student Yuto Takada said he was shocked to learn about the incident and feels the campus can be dangerous during the night.

“I feel unsafe on the bus,” he said.

“I am from Japan and it is [a] safer Students react Following the slaying, third-year place compared to Canada. I feel the biology student Taylor Nimchonok campus is safe but overnight it is so started a GoFundMe campaign to dangerous, so we have to be more raise funds to support Fraser’s family. careful.”

In less than two weeks, the campaign Sridhar Majety, an electrical raised more than $7,000. engineering graduate student who Nimchonok said she started the recently moved to Winnipeg, said campaign with the purpose of chan- he had seen the driver on campus a nelling the emotional response of the few times previously and was disappointed to learn an attack occurred community into a positive venture.

“Because I am really involved in on campus. social media, I noticed that a lot of “When I moved here, everyone people were feeling a lot of things,” said ‘downtown is not a safe area, the she said. university area is pretty safe.’ I was “They were very emotional about surprised to see that such an inciit and I knew that I was feeling very dent happened in the safest place in upset and I wanted to give students, Winnipeg,” he said. and give the community of the “It was not like it happened behind University of Manitoba, an opportu- walls or something – it was like the nity to harness what they were feeling centre of the university... It is really and try and turn it into something sad.” good.”

She echoed Callahan’s concern that drivers need a safer environment to do their work.

“It did not make me feel unsafe, it made me feel upset. It made me feel sad and I was very upset that something like this would happen on campus,” Nimchonok said.

“I do understand the need for more

VOL. 103 NO. 24 March 1, 2017

News

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UMSU general election campaign kicks off Two full slates and seven community representative candidates in the running Craig Adolphe, staff

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ampaigning for the 2017 The executive slates running are Universit y of Manitoba One UMSU and UMSU United.

Students’ Union (UMSU) General One UMSU is made up of Elections went into full swing this two incumbents, president Tanjit week, after the executive slates and Nagra and vice-president external individual community representa- Wilfred Sam-King. The slate also tives were announced during the includes former Strong UMSU February reading week. campaign manager Jehan Moorthy, Among the candidates are two full Arts Student Body Council senaslates running for the five executive tor Allison Kilgour, and St. Paul’s positions and seven individual can- College Student Association senior didates running to fill four of the five stick Jeremy Semchyshyn. community rep positions.

Nagra and Sam-King are both Voting, which will take place seeking re-election in their posionline for the first time this year, runs tions, while Moorthy is running for vice-president finance and operations from March 8 to 10.

(formerly known as vice-president internal), Kilgour for vice-president advocacy, and Semchyshyn for vicepresident student services.

Nigerian Students’ Association president Oyindamola Alaka is running for UMSU president with the UMSU United slate along with vicepresident external candidate Mathew Scammell, vice-president finance and operations candidate Stephen Paul-Michael, UMSU Aboriginal students’ representative and vicepresident advocacy candidate Chance Paupanekis, and former German Students’ Association president and

vice-president student services candidate Debbie Steinmann.

Community representative candidates

There are three candidates for international students’ representative: Abdul Qadir, Chris Otisi, and Christian Aliu.

Hifza Jalbani is running against Zobia Aamir for womyn’s representative.

LGBTTQ* representative candidate Sarah White and Aboriginal students’ representative candidate Noah Wilson are the only two

community rep candidates running unopposed.

There are no candidates running for students living with disabilities representative.

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News

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

University community affected by U.S. travel ban U of M students, researchers navigate new U.S. presidents’ executive order Ryan Catte

photo by Chantal zdan

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niversity of Manitoba research assistant and PhD candidate Elnaz Afsharipour was on her way to an engineering conference in San Francisco with her husband on Jan. 28 when she was denied access to the U.S. due to a recently-introduced travel ban.

Afsharipour and her husband are Iranian but have been living in Winnipeg for four years on student visas. The two were prevented from boarding their U.S.-bound flight at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

A day earlier, U.S. president Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing a 90-day ban on entry to the United States for citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

“If the current situation does not change, I am going to miss next year’s conference as well,” said Afsharipour shortly after.

“Since the largest events of many fields are usually held in [the United States], I am going to miss different academic conferences, seminars, competitions, exhibitions, and industrial events.”

On Feb. 3 – shortly after the Manitoban spoke with Afsharipour – a judge from the Washington state district court suspended the travel ban nationwide.

Afsharipour said the ban will not impede her academic progress from

moving forward. “[The] travel ban, with all its aspects, might prevent us from some events, but it is not making my academic career more difficult,” she said.

“My academic career will go greater than it was.”

Timeline

The executive order issued by Trump on Jan. 27 suspended travel for residents of the seven affected countries for 90 days and suspended refugee admissions for 120 days. The order applied to permanent U.S. residents as well as foreign visitors.

The ban’s implementation caused immediate chaos at U.S. airports and affected as many as 60,000 nonAmerican travellers.

The following day, a New York federal judge issued an emergency stay on the travel ban, releasing valid visa holders who were being detained in U.S. airports.

On Jan. 30, 2017, Washington state filed a lawsuit in federal court requesting a nationwide restraining order blocking the travel ban. Four more states and a number of individuals followed suit. By Feb. 10, some 20 lawsuits were working their way through the U.S. court system.

On Feb. 3, a Washington state district court suspended the ban nationwide and issued a temporary restraining order. On Feb. 9, an appeals court in Washington upheld the decision.

The Trump administration has since signaled it will not challenge the decision to the Supreme Court but will issue an amended order, expected sometime this week.

“Prior to being Iranian or a Canadian or an American or any other nationality, we are all human” – Ramin Soltanzadeh, U of M student subjected to U.S. travel ban University response

Only days after the executive order was signed, the U of M organized a pair of community events – one on the Fort Garry campus Jan. 31 and another on the Bannatyne campus Feb. 3 – to provide a safe space for students, faculty, and staff to open up and learn about available supports.

The Fort Garry event seconded as the de facto memorial to discuss the mass shooting that occurred in a Quebec City mosque only two days earlier that left six men dead.

Among the speakers at the Fort Garry event was Afsharipour’s hus-

band and fellow PhD student Ramin Soltanzadeh.

He said the travel restrictions have instilled a sense of anxiety about the future direction of the relationship between Middle Eastern nations and the new American administration and called on Canada to demonstrate to the global community its strength as a leader in multiculturalism.

“Prior to being Iranian or a Canadian or an American or any other nationality,” he said, “we are all human.”

According to Todd Mondor, dean of the faculty of graduate studies, the university has implemented a dual effort in response to the ban. First, the U of M is helping current graduate students pay for certain travel costs that they incurred due to the travel ban and second, the university is extending the application deadline for any potential graduate students from the seven affected countries as well as waiving the application fee.

Mondor indicated that more than 50 applicants have reached out for support since Feb. 2.

Law students dig deep

Earlier in February, 50 current law students at the University of Manitoba teamed up with students from each of the other 22 Canadian law schools to help U.S refugees entering Canada.

Maddie Pearlman, organizer of the U of M research sit-in, said, “The

U.S. executive orders on immigration, including the Muslim ban, present an access to justice issue on both sides of the border and we are doing what we can to respond.”

Since January, more than 130 asylum seekers have crossed the Canadian-U.S. border at Emerson, Manitoba, seeking refuge in Canada.

According to the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S., which has been in effect since 2004, individuals are required to claim refugee status in the first country they arrive in.

Human rights and immigration advocates have called for the agreement to be repealed and the students participating in the sit-in were researching avenues around the agreement under the premise the U.S. under the travel ban is no longer a safe country for refugees.

“Robson Hall students have a more comprehensive understanding of how safe-third-country agreements create circumstances in which refugees become extremely vulnerable in light of changing on-the-ground country conditions,” said Pearlman.

“Students have also become more interested in immigration law and policy.”

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

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The malaise of student politics Major reform is needed for the union to bear fruit again Shawn Garbutt, staff

Executives having ties to political parties like the NDP, Liberals, or Conservatives blurs the line between where representatives stand on issues and problematically moulds their vision for the student association they are charged to lead. Nor is such an arrangement conducive to the uncompromising, unapologetic advancement of policies that benefit students – especially when one of those parties assume government at the provincial or federal level.

graphic by kelly campbell

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ith another general election dawning on the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), the attentive student has to ask, “what’s the point?” The inattentive student asks, “there’s an election?” The serene student asks, “what’s UMSU?” When it comes to student politics, ignorance is bliss.

Briefly said, the state of student politics at is a failed one. First and foremost, its democratic process is defunct to the point of it being a laughing matter. Not only are elections for student officials dismal affairs – with more emphasis being placed on putting forward good angles for a camera-friendly campaign than policy content – but they also attract voter margins that couldn’t authorize leadership to run a roadside lemonade stand, let alone a multi-million dollar student organization.

UMSU’s highest-ever voter turnout fell at a mere 23.7 per cent, where it tends to hover in recent years. In the past, lows like 7 or 12 per cent were more typical.

Consequently, the student union is being steered by executives who are empowered by only a fraction of the student body they are meant to represent. There lies no valid claim to representation when less than a quarter of constituents show up to vote. Even less vote for the individuals who assume power. In student elections, results are ultimately artificial; the same people run in similar slates, and the winners end up being whoever has sat on the most faculty and departmental councils – in short, whoever has the most connections.

Democratic only in name, student politics is also as superficial as the shallow end of a kiddie pool. Lacking accountability because of a politically inactive student body, the stakes for executives are minimal and tend to land in the range of their own con-

cerns. And while lacking a legitimate majority mandate, UMSU is powered by the tyranny of the self-interested.

Rather than operating on a robust advocacy model, campaign platforms engineered by wannabe career politicians often capitalize on minor issues and matters surrounding the “student experience,” intent on avoiding the big questions.

UMSU is powered by the tyranny of the self-interested The times are calling for improved access to post-secondary through lower and even abolished tuition, a weightier distribution of funds to the academic poles of campus, and a paradigm shift toward humanistic education rather than the current corporate model: all things that require advocacy with a resounding voice and an iron fist to match.

Student election campaigns, on the other hand, tend to revolve around balanced budgets, improving campus parties, and minor commitments to incremental reform.

Meanwhile, governments and university administrations are hunkering down on austerity agendas, be it in the form of clawbacks or increased reliance on the private sector to produce public goods. With no radical counterproposals in sight, prospective executives instead repeat the oft-heard promise of guaranteeing a “voice at the table” during budget negotiations. Student politicians are bringing water pistols to a gun fight, be it unknowingly or through utter indifference.

Even when UMSU has bared its teeth in the past, the most notable instances have been a petty spat with the Canadian Federation of Students

or against its own interests, as when UMSU initially refused to comment on the university administration issuing sudden budget cuts. Indeed, UMSU and the CFS continue to this day their juvenile bickering, taking turns displaying shock at the other’s actions, and the union so far has failed to stop or even stall the ongoing budget reductions to academic units on campus.

It took UMSU weeks of deliberation before it could reach a stance on the UMFA strike. While the student union remained in talks with the administration during this period to ensure student needs were being addressed, their demands would have been sorely defanged as the executives had failed to procure a mandate from the student body regarding the strike until it was halfway over. It’s easy to see how this has a crippling effect on leveraging power, for any statements UMSU could have made toward the administration would be shadowed by the fact that the union was mired in confused disarray.

long-term benefits, who the strike was impacting most, who had the most to lose from the strike, whether it was the place of UMSU to even get involved, what the most strategic decision for UMSU was, and other such babbling malarkey.

This conduct illuminates the malaise that plagues student politics.

Low-stakes issues take the spotlight because those in power have no need to handle uncontroversial events with delicacy, and so it is easy to run with them and garner quick credentials.

High-stakes issues, on the other hand, end up bungled because the payout for issues like tuition reduction or budget negotiations is a long-term game, resulting primarily in benefits for future students. Those endeavours, holding no prospects for padding a curriculum vitae or promotional material for executive re-election, are either left high and dry or treated with such caution that action on the issue looks like inaction.

Student politics is broken. It’s undemocratic, and it’s self-serving.

While the CFS has long been accused of being NDP stomping grounds, essentially acting as poliThe winners end ticking boot camp for future party up being whoever hacks, so too has UMSU become a magnet for small-time party politics. has sat on the An executive this year, vice-president internal Adam Pawlak, has resigned most faculty and at his post in order to take on govdepartmental ernment work with the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives, while councils – in short, last year vice-president student serwhoever has the vices Jessica Morrison took a leave of absence before resigning in order most connections to work in Ottawa for the federal Liberals.

It was not clear what position Executives’ connections to estabUMSU was to have on the strike – lishment political parties conflates violating a historical principle of student interest with the interest of union solidarity – and discussion the party. This is ethically dubious, surrounding the topic was flush given student representatives are with red herrings. Discussions were meant to answer to the constituents run aground with talk of short- and who elected them, not party brass.

The union must become more invested in educating, agitating, and organizing the student body.

Otherwise, its declining advocacy role is doomed to become terminal In order to resurrect student politics, numerous radical steps are in order. Firstly, the spirit of democracy needs to be instilled in the student body. This means getting students to participate not only in the annual UMSU elections, but in town halls, consultations, and the regular goingson of UMSU council. The union must become more invested in educating, agitating, and organizing the student body. Otherwise, union executives will continue to be chosen through pseudo-election, and its declining advocacy role is doomed to become terminal.

The revival of mass student participation is also vital for curbing the current shallow, self-interested bent of union politics. Only through weaving a tighter-knit social fabric between elected representatives and constituents can the work of the union become centered on the pursuit of goals more meaningful than making campus pretty again.

Without major and radical restructuring to its existing incentive structures, student politics at large and UMSU specifically will only continue on as an institution that is symptomatic in its approach. The world is undergoing spastic changes with political turmoil to follow. The status quo is untenable.

Ultimately, a disregard for the underlying disease that afflicts student politics – apathy, political disengagement, and shrinking advocacy functions – will be fatal to progress.

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

Student elections make a difference, but you have to vote Jesse Blackman, volunteer staff

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t’s that time of year again. Your daily routine is going to become a hassle of nonstop electoral nonsense.

Classes will be interrupted with speeches. Candidate posters will cover the walls. People who would never consider speaking to you will be pretending to care about what you have to say, pining and pandering for your vote. It will become hard to navigate campus without someone commanding you to vote for someone you don’t know for some reason you can’t relate to because of promises you don’t care about.

And it seems like, worst of all, student elections are just a massive popularity contest. The hurdle to assuming office as an executive in the student union amounts to how many friends and friends of friends you can convince to cast a vote your way.

But dismissing student elections as an irrelevant popularity contest is a mistake, because believe it or not, election results have an impact.

As someone who has held an executive position, these claims may feel not only biased but wholly overstated.

But from my experience, I know firsthand that a candidate’s ideas and skillset have a concrete effect on the student experience on campus.

It will become hard to navigate campus without someone commanding you to vote for someone you don’t know for some reason you can’t relate to because of promises you don’t care about Executives and directors enter the student politics scene with a huge diversity of motivations, competencies, and abilities to follow through.

As with any election, this makes supporting the candidate who best represents your values to be, well, the point of the matter.

Student representatives primarily have influence over union finances, services, and events. They may, over their respective terms, commit an incredible amount of time, energy, and resources to leaving their mark on campus, hopefully making it a better place. Faced with a challenging situation, do you want a student politician to take action, fire off a tweet, or call a meeting at Joey’s?

Different candidates have a different set of priorities. Your vote may seem to be an irrelevant choice, and a simple one at that, but the impact of your vote is anything but frivolous.

The ballot you cast decides whether the student union spends money at

photo by miguel yetman

events like Frosh Fest or on services student initiative. Full-time students like the campus food bank, if travel at the U of M and U of W now have a funds send executives to Ottawa or U-Pass, not necessarily because most students to academic conferences, students want or benefit from it, but what kind of health plan students because more students showed up to have access to and how much they vote in favour of it (twice). will cost, if campus safe spaces are Take the example of the University a cause worth fighting for or just a of Manitoba strike from this past fall, cause worth fighting, how much when the executives of the University union employees are paid, if busi- of Manitoba Students’ Union took nesses grow or shrink, whether fight- criticism on the nose from all sides. ing tuition fees will be a practice or a First for their lack of action, then later rhetorical tool, if the pro-life student for taking a position on the strike. group will be recognized or rejected, A thick skin and an open mind are and if the province will be challenged useful tools for effectively fulfilling or applauded on their tuition policies. an elected position. It is safe to say that any executive team and board will handle pivotal situations differWhen it comes down ently; as constituents of the organization executives are steering, voting in to it, writing off student elections is the easiest way to make a difference. student elections is When considering who to support, the worst mistake it is worthwhile to consider someone’s history and their campaign platform. you can make If you get the chance, it’s worth asking candidates a difficult question When it comes down to it, writ- too. Though predictions are difficult ing off student elections is the worst to make, someone who campaigns on mistake you can make. What may eliminating tuition is probably more start as a small cause heralded during likely to take bold stances on issues campaign season may be carried for- than someone who campaigns for the ward and have a lasting impact of suc- best Frosh Fest ever. cessive years of students. The U-Pass Choosing which candidates to is a great example of this. The original elect, however, is more complex advocates will never personally use it, than assessing campaign taglines. but love it or hate it, the U-Pass was a Skillsets play a big factor in the ability

to advance the goals of the organization. It is easy to talk a great game, but actually accomplishing promises is where student leaders really show their worth. While big personalities can draw a lot of attention, it’s performance outside the spotlight that often makes the difference between advocacy and accomplishment.

When considering who to support, it is worthwhile to consider someone’s history and their campaign platform

ence outcomes.

So every vote does count in standard student elections. As much as that sounds glib, the fact that UMSU and the UWSA have had presidents decided by a double-digit vote swing in the past couple of years is a testament to how crucial engagement is for members. Greater turnout can give more legitimacy to the organization – that might not be such a bad thing.

Once elected, student politicians will have a title, decision-making power, a salary, and a claim to fame: representing students. So I strongly encourage you to take the time to consider proposed policies and competencies in relation to your own values and beliefs. Even taking the time to spoil a ballot makes a big statement.

The student movement can make a difference. It’s up to you to decide how that difference takes form.

It can also be challenging to judge how well a candidate will fill the position they are running for. Boasting Jesse Blackman is a former vicethe experience of being a church president external for the University of choir’s treasurer is great, but it doesn’t Winnipeg Student Association. give a lot of confidence in someone’s capacity to manage a multi-million dollar organization’s finances.

Ultimately, no matter how high or low the turn out, someone will win the election. Student politics generally tend toward lower turn outs, varying a little by the organization, and so this amplifies the power of individual voters to influ-

10 Comment

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

Democratizing campus is the only way to effectively oppose tuition hikes It’s time to abandon lobbying and move toward building a democratic student movement Dylan Fijal

graphic by aldo rios

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uition fees are a major barrier to accessing post-secondary education, and tuition fees have been on the rise. Between 1993-94 and 2014-15, tuition fees in Canada have tripled.

As students who have to bear this cost, it is in our interest to fight for universal access to post-secondary education. In short, this means abolishing tuition fees. Universal post-secondary education is also in the interest of society at large – free tuition means more people can have the opportunity to attend university and continue their education.

The Canadian Federation of Students has long been at the forefront of the fight for free tuition in Canada, and they’ve worked toward their goal through lobbying the federal and provincial governments.

Ultimately, these lobbying efforts have been ineffective, and tuition has continued to rise. If we are to see progress on abolishing tuition, we need to look beyond lobbying and start taking direct action. This begins with engaging in direct democratic organizing.

One example of the success of direct action is the 2012 Quebec student strike, or “Maple Spring.” In March 2011, the provincial government in Quebec, led by then-Premier Jean Charest, tabled a budget that would increase tuition fees by 75 per cent over five years. Students protested in response, which culminated in a student strike in the following February. As a result of the strike, Jean Charest’s government called a general election on Aug. 1, 2012. The

official opposition Parti Québécois was elected to a minority government and subsequently cancelled the tuition increase.

cally organizing across the country. outs in protest.

Setting up departmental student By strengthening student assoassociations where they don’t exist ciations at the departmental level, and reinvigorating existing depart- the student body will become more mental student associations that have involved in governing processes and become inactive is critical to building hopefully lead to a more democratic a truly pan-Canadian revolutionary campus. It would be through these If the Pallister student movement. avenues that a student strike could government does Here in Manitoba, the first test be made possible. of our new student movement may Such walkouts would be the lift the tuition cap, come this spring when the provin- beginning, and only a taste of what a cial government tables the budget for democratic student movement can do. we must organize 2017-18. It is possible that the Pallister mass student government may lift the tuition cap.

Dylan Fijal is a member of the Pallister has said that he may allow University of Manitoba Student Action walkouts in protest post-secondary institutions to raise Network. You can find the student group tuition beyond the tuition cap, which on Facebook at https://www.facebook.

As a result of direct action by stu- currently limits tuition increases to com/groups/UMSAN/ dents, tuition increases were halted. If the rate of inflation. If the Pallister we want to see tuition abolished, we government does lift the tuition cap, are going to need to start democrati- we must organize mass student walk-

VOL. 103 NO. 24 March 1, 2017

Comment 11

Conservatives have it wrong on Parliamentary motion condemning Islamaphobia Shaden Abusaleh, staff

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An important point to recognize hen Liberal MP Iqra Khalid leader Thomas Mulcair. tabled M-103, a parliamentary Most Conservative leadership is that M-103 is a motion, not a bill. motion that calls on the Standing candidates have spoken out against And so, the Conservative Party’s fears Committee on Canadian Heritage the motion, including the “tell-it-as- are not only unwarranted, but also to study and recommend solutions it-is” celebrity business mogul Kevin irrational. Whether or not M-103 to discrimination, systematic rac- O’Leary, who bravely called M-103 passes is irrelevant to Canadian law.

If M-103 passes, no changes will ism, and Islamophobia in Canada, “a slap in the face to other religions.”

Conservatives as the official opposi- But Kellie Leitch won this round by be made to the Canadian legal code. tion were quick to cook up a slew of going all out in her protest, launching There will be no new legal limitaimplausible arguments against the an online petition to stop the motion tions on the freedom of expression motion. The Tories deemed it vague with an image of a little blue-eyed or speech in any way, nor will the and the first step toward implement- girl – photoshopped from their origi- government be compelled to take ing Sharia blasphemy laws, which nal brown – with “M-103” taped over legislative action, and the Canadian would supposedly penalize those who her mouth whilst standing in front Charter of Rights and Freedoms will of a background image of the 2016 remain untouched. This means that criticize Islam.

Parliament Hill shooting. the motion contains no new legal And, just to score political points, recourse for anyone who decries Conservatives tabled their own ver- and publicly rails against Islam and To oppose a sion of M-103 last week. It called for Muslims. motion that calls a condemnation of all forms of racism M-103 is an opportunity for memand intolerance.

It specifically avoids bers of Parliament to use their platfor solidarity with mention of Islam and the discrimina- form and take a clear stance against Muslim Canadians tion Muslims face in the West. growing intolerance and hatred, and But, through their coldly-calto demonstrate how systematic racis both silly and culated ignorance, the Tories have ism and religious discrimination dangerous missed the point entirely. To begin, need to be taken seriously. It must let us break down M-103. be made explicit by our representaSimply put, M-103 is not proposed tives that Islamophobia has no place The Tories didn’t stop their slip- legislation. It merely asks the federal in Canadian society whatsoever. A pery slope argument there. They’ve government to: recognize the need to watered-down version of the motion called M-103 an infringement on free end “increasing public climate of hate will miss the point entirely. speech and a motion that unfairly and fear;” condemn Islamophobia A wave of anti-Muslim sentiment favours Muslims and Islam. Yet, and all other racism and religious dis- has swept throughout Europe and the curiously, Tories took no issues when crimination; request the Standing United States and has inevitably made they unanimously voted in support Committee on Canadian Heritage its way into Canada. The shooting in of a parliamentary motion in 2015 to study how the government can Quebec City that left six Canadian that deservedly condemned anti- develop strategies that work to reduce Muslims dead and the recent antiSemitism. Nor did the party raise and eliminate systematic racism and Muslim rally in front of a Toronto an uproar on limiting free speech religious discrimination, includ- mosque that called for a ban on Islam when Tories unanimously supported ing Islamophobia; and collect data did not magically appear out of thin an anti-Islamophobia motion tabled in order to provide context for hate air. Islamophobic rhetoric seems to in Parliament last October by NDP crime reports. be rising at an alarming rate and hate

crimes against Muslim-Canadians have more than doubled over a period spanning 2012-2014. And as recent events have shown – such as Brexit and the American election – populist right-wing outbursts precede spikes in police-reported hate crimes.

Growing irrational fear and hatred of Muslims doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. A case in point is the numerous threats and repulsive racial slurs that MP Iqra Khalid received after tabling M-103, which includes a YouTube video where she was threatened to be recorded while others shot her.

Arguing that “no religion should be singled out for special consideration” aligns Conservatives with the counterproductive “All Lives Matter” movement More than ever, there is good reason to specifically single out Islamophobia when discussing intolerance in Canada today, especially as thousands of Syrian and Iraqi refugees – most of whom happen to be Muslim – are making Canada their home.

Arguing that “no religion should be singled out for special consideration” aligns Conservatives with the counterproductive “All Lives Matter” movement. It prevents us from recognizing that these problems exist, that these problems are urgent, and that these problems need to be addressed as soon as possible before another fatal tragedy falls into our hands. To oppose a motion that calls for solidarity with Muslim Canadians is both silly and dangerous.

It is clear that Tory ethics need to be straightened out. Conservatives must recognize that tapping into Canadians’ worst fears by arguing that M-103 will result in anti-blasphemy laws and limits on free speech is a dangerous game to play. The ploy may win them a few extra seats in Parliament, but it is a costly trade-off.

It is up to the Conservatives to figure out their priorities. Whether human dignity will beat out cheap rhetoric is something that remains to be seen.

Science & technology 12 Science & Technology Editor: Malak Abas Contact: science@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Study shows Canadian glaciers are major contributor to sea level rise Surface melt has risen by 900 per cent in the last ten years Malak Abas, staff

melting of glaciers caused by global warming is a large factor in rising sea levels, and Canada has the secondlargest amount of Arctic ice in the world – behind Greenland – and therefore sits at the forefront of this dilemma.

photo provided By Ansgar Walk

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ccording to a new study, Canada’s glaciers are having a serious effect on rising sea levels.

As climate change begins to rear its ugly head, its consequences are already making a significant difference to Canada’s landscape. The study, which was the first long-term analysis of ice flow into the ocean, found that surface melt from glaciers

off the Queen Elizabeth Islands, a peak northern region shared between Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, had grown by 900 per cent between 2005 and 2015, jumping from an estimated three gigatons to 30 gigatons of melted ice per year.

Equally alarming is the shift in ice loss causation. The study states that prior to 2005, ice loss that could

be attributed to simply melting accounted for about 48 per cent of ice loss. Now, only ten years later, it appears to be the cause of about 90 percent of all ice loss.

Rising sea levels can have devastating effects on our planet, including increased earth erosion, more powerful and destructive storms, and of course, massive flooding. The quick

As climate change begins to rear its ugly head, its consequences are already making a significant difference to Canada’s landscape The northern part of Canada is not the only part of the country to feel the effects of global warming on their icebergs. Studies have shown that glaciers in British Columbia and Alberta are expected to lose up to 80 per cent of their volume before the year 2100.

As the race to slow down global warming continues, environmental scientists are constantly offering new ideas as to how we approach this possible catastrophe. Industrial engineer Peter Flynn of the University of Alberta was the first to propose an extremely hands-on approach to the rapidly declining ice: pump massive amounts of saltwater on top of the ice, creating a thicker, sturdier sea ice. Flynn himself warns that this should be treated as an absolute last resort idea, however.

Another possible option for rebuilding glaciers through Arctic geoengineering comes from Steve Desch, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University. He proposes that, through the use of wind turbines, Arctic sea water could be brought to the surface and re-frozen. Desch spoke on his proposal during an episode of CBC Radio’s The Current, and says that while millions of wind turbines would be needed, and the overall cost to implement this plan would reach 500 billion dollars, it must be considered in comparison to other very expensive human endeavors, and says that it is indeed possible.

Snail venom provides new hope for people suffering from chronic pain Malak Abas, staff

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Graphic by Caroline Norman

compound found in snail venom may be the future of treatment for severe chronic pain.

The peptide compound is called Rg1A, and it is found in the venom of the Conus regius sea snail, or the “crown cone” snail. These snails are particularly venomous, and have been known to even attack humans. In their original habitat (the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil) they use their venom as a means of paralyzing and even killing their prey.

Scientist’s current best treatment for severe pain is through the administration of opioid painkillers, such as fentanyl or oxycodone. Opioids work by binding to opioid receptors, protein receptors that exist in our nervous system, mainly in our brain and spinal cord but also found in our digestive tract. When bound, opioids can affect the nervous system by creating feelings of pleasure or pain relief. Unfortunately, opioid treatments are deeply flawed, as subjecting the human brain to this constant cause-and-effect reward system can transgress into an addiction. Opioid addiction can be so severe that one of the more successful treatments is taking methadone – another, less

addictive opioid medication – for the rest of the patient’s life.

This new research, published by scientists at the University of Utah through the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests an alternate approach to treating moderate to severe pain.

Doctors’ current best treatment for severe pain is through the administration of opioid painkillers, such as fentanyl or oxycodone Rodents were given a chemotherapy drug that causes skin hypersensitivity and the Rg1A compound, and were then compared with rodents who were given the chemotherapy drug, but not the compound. What they found was that the rodents given the Rg1A compound not only did not feel any pain, but actually matched rodents that had been genetically

bred to not have the pain pathway receptor at all. Through these rodent tests, researchers have found that Rg1A actually blocks a different pain receptor than opioids do, which could lead to pain relief that feels like opioids, but without the addictive quality.

Researchers are now working on pre-clinical testing of the snail venom as a method of drug therapy. This is not the first time snail venom has been used to treat pain, however – a pharmaceutical drug based on compounds from cone snails (this time, from the Conus magnus) already exists, and is marketed under the name Prialt. To ensure it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, Prialt is introduced directly into the nervous system through intrathecal infusion, meaning a direct injection into the spinal canal. Unfortunately, while effective, the side effects can be devastating, and range from dizziness and nausea to hallucinations and memory loss. These are side effects that scientists will have to look to remove from this new treatment.

VOL. 103 NO. 24 March 1, 2017

Science & Technology 13

NASA confirms discovery of seven Earth-like planets Just 39 light years away, the planets are warm and could host life Malak Abas, staff

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t’s not aliens, but we might be close: NASA scientists have confirmed the discovery of a solar system filled with Earth-like planets.

In a video streamed on NASA TV on Feb. 22, NASA confirmed that Belgian astronomers have found seven exoplanets (meaning planets that orbit a star, beyond our solar system) orbiting a star named TRAPPIST-1, approximately 39 light years away. The discovery is particularly exciting because the planets appear to be around the same size as Earth, and six of the seven exoplanets are in a zone that keeps a temperature between 0 and 100C, leading researchers to believe there is a possibility life exists, or has existed, in this solar system. Along with this, the fact that three of the seven exoplanets appear to have the surface temperature to sustain liquid provides another clue towards the sustainability of alien life.

There is no other known star system that hosts so many planets with a size and rocky texture so similar to Earth.

“Further observations will not only help determine whether they are rich in water, but also possibly

reveal whether any could have liquid water on their surfaces,” reads a NASA press release.

There are no other known star systems that host so many planets with a size and rocky texture so similar to Earth “The mass of the seventh and farthest exoplanet has not yet been estimated – scientists believe it could be an icy, "snowball-like" world, but further observations are needed.”

TRAPPIST-1 is younger than our sun and is expected to live another 10 trillion years, meaning if life has not yet formed, it may do so at some point.

It was discovered by the Trappist (which stands for Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope), which is stationed in the Atacama desert of Chile. TRAPPIST-1 was found using a process called transit photometry, which consists of

observing planets as they pass a host star, and using the light they procure and the shadows they cast to figure out physical aspects of the planet, including shape and size. It is a red dwarf star, and all seven of its exoplanets orbit very close to it; even its farthest planet orbits closer to TRAPPIST-1 than Mercury, the closest planet in our solar system, orbits the Sun. The next step for NASA and scientists worldwide is to continue observing TRAPPIST-1. The European Extremely Large Telescope (yes, that is its name) is still under construction, and slated to begin operation in 2024.

It will be particularly important to the study of TRAPPIST-1, as it will be able to detect water and organic material in the protoplanetary disks around stars.

Researchers believe that TRAPPIST-1 is not alone. While TRAPPIST-1 is the first of its kind discovered, astronomers believe that there are as many as 40 billion habitable planets in our galaxy alone.

Graphic provided by NASA JPL Caltech

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

graphic by aldo rios

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

A day at Festival du Voyageur One of Winnipeg’s biggest festivals continues to thrive Emelia Fournier and Olivia Michalczuk, staff

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mages of rain, melting snow, and slip and slide conditions are not usually associated with Winnipeg’s most beloved winter celebration, Festival du Voyageur. What was once a frozen winter wonderland with sculptures of intricate design have mushed into indecipherable heaps overnight that you can navigate carefully around through puddles and ice patches.

Though the weather that looms during this year’s edition of the festival is unlike the Winnipeg norm, the good vibes and high spirits associated with Festival du Voyageur assures that there will be good times within the many heated tents that feature some of Winnipeg’s best bands across several genres.

The downside of having such a mass of talent at a winter festival is that their performances are inside heated tents with limited capacity.

The daytime performances are more or less geared towards families and children on school field trips. The bands that perform at this time play songs that are easy on the ears and laced with fiddlers, gigueurs, and sweet French harmonies. Though the evening bands are primarily English, there is a good chance you will be surprised by a French greeting or verse, had Caribou, you can tell if it’s their if not a “hé ho” (festival lingo). first Festival if they assume you’re French performances continue speaking about the animal. Caribou into the night as fiddles can be heard is a traditional Quebecois beverage above the sounds of hard bass and that was created in the 17th century. rock music that permeates the cold The drink, made of Caribou blood winter air. The spirit of the lively fes- mixed with whiskey, is said to have tival is captured with every show and kept the woodsman and loggers band that performs, though they cut warm while trapping and hunting across different languages and genres. for the fur trade. The drink is now served with port or red wine, whiskey, and maple syrup, and if you’re lucky, Festival du Voyageur you can try it at the ice bar where it is served in a beautifully crafted glass is an embodiment made of ice. of the endurance Traditional meals are served in the tents to fill your bellies and of Winnipeggers warm your bones like tourtière (meat pie), soupe au pois (pea soup), or the and our ability to famous tire. Tire is a treat that’s made party even in terrible on the spot when warm maple syrup is carefully poured onto snow and weather conditions rolled up on a popsicle stick. Patience while the syrup freezes is rewarded, The evening shows are near inde- as you’re left with a homemade lolscribable, as the atmosphere is unlike lipop that is so sweet you will have the any other local festival. The warm energy to hop up and down, and side tent lined with sweet-smelling wood to side, to the sounds of the upcoming chips that get stuck in your scarves performances.

As you slide and shimmy your way and hair welcomes you in from the cold like a shot of Caribou. Colourful towards the stage, you will undoubtceinture f léchées, French finger- edly be greeted in French at least a woven belts, catch your eye as people handful of times, a gesture that can from all cultures wear them around be replied with a smile or similar their waist, as is tradition, or around greeting. One thing that is evident their heads like a badge of being a here is that everyone’s intention is a good time. After finally reaching the true voyageur.

The side of the tents and tables are indoors, there is nothing but wide lined with temporarily abandoned smiles all around.

The crowd creeps to the front as jackets, mittens, and scarves that have been deemed unnecessary due show time nears, and once the emcee to the amount of imported heat and introduces the band in both English close quarters with your neighbours and French, the audience is drawn to and newfound friends. the stage like heavily-packed moths It is wise to grab a traditional to a glowing flame. The lively perdrink at the bar before the bands formances provide the tempo for the begin. If you ask someone if they’ve group of gigueurs and swaying fans

photos provided by Stefanie Infantino

to party. The audience is at the mercy expands, Franco-Manitobans can amazing to see the site grow along of the band performing, behaving showcase their lively, celebratory with its audience – this way, there in such a supportive and enthusias- culture to more and more people. would be more room for dancing and tic way that the energy of the tent is The festival is remarkable in that it tent-hopping without getting stuck in that of film or fantasy. The end of has maintained its integrity while its another hour-long queue. the night is when you must dig for popularity has skyrocketed. While Festival du Voyageur is an your winter gear and perhaps have a some may disparage the influx of embodiment of the endurance of Caribou for the road and face the cold, Anglophone bands, the diverse lineup Winnipeggers and our ability to party much like the 17th century voyageurs. takes nothing away from the celebra- even in terrible weather conditions .

Over the years, the audience of tion of French-Canadian culture; It showcases Franco-Manitoban culFestival du Voyageur has grown rather, it has become more acces- ture and its ability to open its arms to considerably. The diversity of the sible. Festival is still run and largely the community in which it is a minormusical line up has seen the festi- attended by Franco-Manitobans. ity without assimilating itself. Until val develop from a small community This year, the queues were incred- next year, hé ho! event to one that attracts a large num- ibly long, and people had to be turned ber of Canadian Anglophones and away at the gate after 7:30 p.m. on Francophones, with some coming in some nights. Although physical from the United States. expansion could be a logistical As the audience of Festival nightmare for Festival, it would be

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Arts & Culture

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

The Broken Dreams Club provides needed support to local musicians Olivia Michalczuk, staff

photo provided by broken dreams club

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group of Winnipeg musicians have formed a collaborative dubbed the Broken Dreams Club to offer support in networking and recording their music.

Ei ghte en-y e a r- old L i no D’Ottavio, the co-founder of the Broken Dreams Club, records and mixes music in his basement alongside other young local artists, such as Sam Singer and Anton Danylko, who play in bands featured in the collective.

“I think it started partly as a joke when me and Sam [Singer] were

recording The Sam Singer LP and I said ‘maybe I should start a record label,’” D’Ottavio said.

“We both laughed and then I realized a record label required managing and effort so I figured I'd take a pointer from the Elephant 6 Recording Company and just have a free-to-join collective of me, hopefully producing cool hip people’s music, and having it all somewhat affiliated with everyone else. It's like a fun little community or something. ” The Broken Dreams Club’s name was derived from the idea that the

collective acknowledges that mak- mote their music. I mean, I'm by no more recording. We have a fun time, ing it big is not always in the cards means a promoter of any sort, but I'm they play some stuff, sometimes they for young musicians. It is meant to always happy to share good music.” get me to play some stuff, and then I encompass an ironic sense of humour D’Ottavio has some level of mix it all up and master it and release that isn’t nearly as dark as it seems. freedom through the availability of it whenever both me and whomever “It was kind of a good way to soften equipment in his home, his father else is involved is happy with it. It’s a blow of the kind of a boring inevitable broken process when I dreams that most, see it in words but “The goal is, I guess, just to give people if not all musiI swear it’s a fun a sort of support group of musicians cians, eventually time.” will face. A good Thus far, the to play in each other’s bands and help hint at the worstBroken Dreams each other with music” – Lino D’Ottavio, case scenario, just Club has produced in case. a small collecco-founder of the Broken Dreams Club “It also coincition of music and dentally seems to D’Ottavio is eager so far fit in well with the general, and Dino D’Ottavio having been in sev- to expand. Presently, the collective I hate to use this word, ‘aesthetic’ of eral popular local bands in the 90s. includes Pisces//, Bikers, Sam Singer, music written by people around my The steps to recording a song that Viewing Party, Mitch Merrick, Joko age in Winnipeg.” is ready to release is formed with a Tea, Felt, and C U LATER. While still in its infancy, the necessary framework but the fluid“I’ll basically work with anyone project is geared towards creating a ity of the Broken Dreams Club pro- who I enjoy or who I feel would be space for musicians to get familiar cess allows for artistic and creative interesting to work with. Thankfully with the recording process while freedom. a few people have felt I had enough still maintaining a safe and creative “The process is, well, with my own qualifications to work with them and atmosphere. music that I am writing is to write it allowed me to produce and play on “The goal is, I guess, just to give and then record it within my own their music which is pretty incredpeople a sort of support group of basement studio and mix it and mas- ibly tight.” musicians to play in each other’s ter it and such and release it, fairly bands and help each other with music standard,” said D’Ottavio. as well as to allow said musicians a “When other bands come in it’s the platform on which to release or pro- same idea, but with less writing and

Dirty Water Comics set to release debut publication Local writer depicts sailing adventures in new graphic novel Emelia Fournier, staff

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irty Water Comics, a new local publishing company founded

by Jamie Michaels, is launching their first publication, Canoe Boys, on Saturday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The launch will feature a reading of an excerpt from the graphic novel, a Q&A about canoeing to Mexico, and a book signing.

Canoe Boys is Jamie Michaels’ fictionalized account of his canoe trip from Winnipeg to Mexico with some childhood friends. He and two of his friends navigated rivers, lakes, and ocean in a 23-foot, 84-pound canoe – large by canoe standards, but dwarfed by other marine crafts along the way.

“I’ll tell you a plot twist to save you reading all the editions of the book – it’s actually much quicker if you fly,” Michaels said. “We did all our navigating by hand, nothing new school, everything old school, no cell phone assist. It was so poorly planned in retrospect.”

“Everything was kind of trial and error for us, and we kind of learned as we went,” said Michaels.

As they progressed towards their destination, the Canoe Boys – as they called themselves – learnt new and

different paddling techniques, por- rate the upstream struggle to reach taged way more than they intended the Mississippi River, the second to, and probably almost died a few issue will cover the quintessential times. Nevertheless, the trip allowed Americana of the Mississippi, and Michaels and his friends to take a risk, the third will depict the existential wrestle with nature, and challenge terror of canoeing the open ocean of the Gulf Coast. themselves.

“There’s such an unbridled joy in the Mississippi, then you come out, “I think the graphic and you’re just in this merciless, open inter-coastal waterway that feeds into novel is the most the Gulf of Mexico. Such a different dynamic medium. It’s experience,” said Michaels.

“There’s something so surreal about such a great interplay starting in Winnipeg where the river between texts and freezes over and you can skate on it, and by your own human power endimages that you can’t ing in an ocean where dolphins will pop up and pause beside your canoe.” really have another Michaels used journals from the format” – Jamie canoe trip to write Canoe Boys. He would write out scenes, then creMichaels, author ate storyboards to send over to his and founder of Dirty illustrator and childhood friend Evin Collis. His collaboration with Collis Water Comics helped bring his words to life. He started working on the project with The new graphic novel is intended Collis shortly after returning from to be a three-part series with each Mexico, and their efforts took about part representing an ideological facet five years to come to fruition. of the trip. The first issue will nar“I’m a bit of a perfectionist, so I

would even draw out very crude ting some of my work published constick figures and describe motion, ventionally, and I thought it was a and describe the scene, and Evin’s little bit eclectic, and a little bit out got a really good grasp of the world of the norm of what people are lookwe were trying to create. He did an ing at right now. It’s a little gritty,” amazing job of fleshing out the uni- Michaels said. verse,” said Michaels.

“We’re extremely grateful. It’s “I think the graphic novel is the always such a pleasure to see the most dynamic medium. It’s such a community come to support a local great interplay between texts and cultural project.” images that you can’t really have Michaels is hoping to open up a another format,” said Michaels. submissions process for Dirty Water The graphic novel allows Michaels Comics for ‘quality Canadian literato depict the stagnancy of house ture that’s a bit off of the beaten track’ parties through repetitive framing, by the end of 2017. the slow pace of canoeing through repeated imagery coupled with diaThe Canoe Boys launch will be logue, and juxtapose retrospective held at McNally Robinson at 7 p.m. on narration with events unfolding March 4. For more information, visit before the reader’s eyes. http://www.dirtywatercomics.com/ In the process of developing the graphic novel, Michaels started his publication company Dirty Water Comics. Michaels initially funded the project with his savings, then turned to Kickstarter to make the money back. Dirty Water Comics’ Kickstarter was highly successful, with over $10,000 raised.

“The writing is really where my heart lies, but I was looking at get-

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

Bisons debut highly-touted recruit and new coaching staff at press conference Jason Pchajek, staff

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t was a big day for Bison football on Feb. 23, as the club announced the commitment of a new star defensive tackle, a new offensive coordinator, and a special teams coordinator.

The new recruit – Cole Adamson

The big news coming out of Thursday’s press conference was the signing of 17-year-old Cole Adamson, a recent Oak Park grad and the team’s new defensive tackle. The six-footfive, 265lb kid was potentially the most sought after recruit in Canada, with Bison head coach Brian Dobie putting him in the same class as guys like former Bison and current New Orleans Saint defensive lineman David Onyemata and Bison offensive lineman Geoff Gray.

“He is going to be a great player. I believe he’s going to become one of the faces of our program” – Brian Dobie, Bison football head coach “He was recruited by everybody, and we all talk about recruiting battles, we all do across the country. It’s the biggest part of our job,” Dobie said. “It literally turned into a recruiting war.”

Dobie went on to list the schools Cole turned down, walking away from offers by Simon Fraser, UBC, Western, and McGill to stay and play in his hometown. From all accounts Adamson is a star in the making.

“There’s nothing missing. He’s a 90 average [student], taking very highend academic subjects,” Dobie said of their new tackle. “He is going to be a great player, I believe he’s going to become one of the faces of our program, I believe he’ll become an academic all-Canadian and a football all-Canadian.”

Despite the hype, Adamson was quite humble about the chance he was being given. When asked if the success of other Manitoba-produced linemen like Onyemata and Gray weighed on his decision, Adamson praised the program and was hopeful for the future.

“For them to make it that big into their career definitely shows that they had great coaching here and had the skills taught to them and the techniques to play at that next level,” Adamson said. “It’s exciting to have that same coaching that they had, and hopefully I can pursue to be like them.”

offensive coordinator Blair Atkinson Vaughan, and I feel like I’m ready and special teams coordinator Ryan for the job.”

Karhut.

Those fans worried that the Bisons Atkinson played for the Bisons O-line will have everything change from 2003 to 2005, and after a drastically heading into next season short stint with the Winnipeg Blue need not worry.

Bombers in 2006-07, he became the “It’s not going to change a ton,” receivers coach for the Bisons. He is Atkinson said of his approach. taking the reins from previous offen- “There’ll be a few tweaks here and sive coordinator Vaughan Mitchell. there, we’ll rip a few pages out, we’ll In his first season as the receivers add a few pages. We hope to control coach, the team won the 2007 Vanier the ball a little more than the previCup. Since then, Atkinson has had ous season.”

The new bosses – six of his players selected in the CFL Karrhut spent time playing for the Atkinson and Karhut draft and three sign as free agents.

University of Central Florida before The new tackle for the Bisons “Definitely something I’ve been joining the Bisons and then turning wasn’t the only one garnering praise. waiting patiently for,” Atkinson said. pro with the Montreal Alouettes in Dobie beamed at the group’s new “Definitely had a lot to learn from 2008. The former offensive lineman

photo by Jason Pchajek

returns to the team he helped lift the Vanier Cup with back in 2007, after getting some experience coaching at the high school, junior, and U Sports levels.

“The timing was just right,” Karhut said. “Stuff in life was trying to pull me back here and obviously the opportunity was open here at the same time. So it was just one of those things where timing fit. Everything was matching up perfectly so it was just time to do it.”

Although Dobie joked that both Karhut and Atkinson had Bisons tattooed on their hearts, Karhut took the sentiment more literally when discussing his feelings about returning.

“I literally have a Bison tattoo,” Karhut said with a chuckle. “It was always something in my mind when I got into coaching was to come back to be part of the Bison staff.”

With the experience shown by the two new members of the Bisons’ coaching staff, and the seemingly limitless potential of their new star, the 2017 football season is beginning to look like another banner year for the herd.

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VOL. 103 NO. 24 March 1, 2017

Bisons compete in the pool and at the track Kelsey Wog steals the show at national swimming championship for Manitoba Ryan Stelter, staff

Track and field

Both the Bison men’s and women’s track and field teams were close to podium finishes at the Canada West championships. The men finished in fourth place with 53 points and the women finished in fifth with 47.5 points. Trinity Western won the men’s title for the first time, and Alberta won the women’s title for the second year in a row.

photo provided by Yves Longpre

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his weekend, Bison athletes of the swimming team headed to Sherbrooke, Quebec to participate in the U Sports national championships. Members of the Bison track and field team headed to Regina, Saskatchewan for the Canada West track and field championship.

Swimming

It was Kelsey Wog once again grabbing headlines for the Bisons,

It was Kelsey Wog once again grabbing headlines for the Bisons, as she grabbed four medals – one gold, one silver, and two bronze

as she grabbed four medals – one gold, Wog collected another bronze in one silver, and two bronze. the individual medley with a time On the first day of the two-day On the first day of the competi- of 2:12.10. event, the Bisons had four podium tion, Wog grabbed her first gold with Wog’s performances helped the finishes. Third year Winnipeg native a time of 1:06.06 in the women’s 100 Bison women’s swim team finish in Brooke-Lynn Boyd grabbed gold in metre breaststroke. Afterwards, Wog 12th spot with 69 points, an improve- women’s shotput when she threw for simply stated to Bison Sports, “It was ment of eight places from last year’s 13.40 metres. Eric Guy earned a silver a pretty good swim.” national championships. The Bison medal in men’s hurdles with a time Wog finished second in the 50 men’s swim team tied for 22nd overall of 8.25 seconds, and Gee-ef Nkwonta got bronze in men’s long jump with a metre backstroke with a time of 30.99 with four points. seconds and third in the 200 metre 6.83 metre leap. backstroke with a time of 2:24.92.

Tayo Babalola earned bronze in the women’s 300 metre with a time of 39.85 seconds. Jessica Gundrum just missed out on the podium in the women’s pentathlon when she finished fourth with 3057 points.

The second day had two gold medals being placed around Bison athletes’ necks. Tegan Turner won the women’s 60 metre with a time of 7.42 seconds, setting the new record.

Alhaji Mansaray was the other gold medal recipient on day two, when he won the high jump with a 2.06 metre hop.

Nkwonta got back on the podium with a second place finish in the men’s triple jump with a 14.9 metre jump.

Rebekah Eckert also finished in second in the women’s triple jump, jumping for 11.87 metres. Eckert was selected as the Canada West female rookie of the year.

Adam Gundrum grabbed a bronze medal in the men’s heptathlon with 4462 points, and teammate Jean-Luc Perron was not far behind, finishing in fifth in the same event.

The Bisons will have a few representatives at the national championships in Edmonton as the top two athletes from each individual event qualify.

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Bisons eliminated from Canada West playoffs following loss to Pandas Jason Pchajek, staff

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ollowing a quarterfinal sweep of the Mount Royal Cougars, the Bisons women’s hockey team were back in action in the semi-finals against the University of Alberta Pandas. The Bisons were swept by the Pandas, losing 3-2 on Friday, and losing by the same score on Saturday.

Special teams were the story of the game, as three of the five goals in the game were scored on the power play Friday

The Bisons were set on their heels early against the Pandas but battled back, and ultimately fell 3-2 on Friday night.

Alberta got on the board first thanks to defender Abby Benning scoring on the power play. Benning took a pass at the point, stepping into a shot from just beyond the faceoff dot. The shot glanced off the glove of Rachel Dyck and into the Bisons’ net for the early 1-0 Pandas lead.

Lauryn Keen of the Bisons got

her team into the game early in the second period. Keen took a shot from below the goal line which snuck its way past Pandas goaltender Lindsey Post. Amy Boucher of Alberta answered a few minutes later, however, using a nice deke move to beat Dyck and make it 2-1 Pandas.

Alex Poznikoff of the Pandas scored early in the third period – again on the power play – to give her team a 3-1 lead. This was followed up by yet another power play goal by the Bisons, as Erica Rieder tucked a shot in tight by Post to cut the lead to 3-2.

Despite drawing close the Bisons couldn’t even things up, falling to Alberta 3-2 in game one of the bestof-three series. Special teams were the story of the game, as three of the five goals in the game were scored on the power play, with a fourth coming just as the offending player stepped Benning took a pass at the point unleashing a shot towards the goal. back on the ice.

The shot blew by two Bisons and one Pandas player, sneaking under Dyck’s Saturday The Bisons were back on the ice arm for the 1-0 lead.

The herd struck back in the second Saturday, attempting to stave off elimination and force a deciding on the power play, the way they did it game three against the Pandas. The all series long. A pass from the corner teams traded chances, but luck was by Alana Serhan went by two Pandas on Alberta’s side as they were able to players to Karissa Kirkup, who was book their ticket to the Canada West drifting into the slot. Kirkup ripped a conference final with a 3-2 win. shot low glove on Post to tie the game.

Alberta got back in front minutes Benning got Alberta on the board first for the second straight game. later in odd fashion. A point shot

photo by Star Roxas

missed the net and Dyck lost track of it, but Ashley Morin didn’t. She picked up the loose puck, rifling a shot off Dyck and in to give the Pandas a 2-1 lead.

Despite a 5-on-3 opportunity in the final few minutes of the game, the Bisons were unable to even the score, with Alberta snagging an empty net goal to make it 3-1. There was hope for the Bisons in the final seconds of the game, as Venla Hovi blasted home a point shot to bring her team within one.

However, this was as close as the herd could get and the Pandas took the game 3-2, winning the series in a two-game sweep. Alberta is now off to the Canada West final where all signs point to a showdown with the UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons will head home as a promising season comes to an all-too-early end.

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Sports

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

Bison men’s basketball advance to final four for second straight year Manitoba upsets #2 UBC with a sweep in Canada West quarter-finals Kellen Taniguchi, staff

game-high 10 points with just over six minutes to play, but the Thunderbirds responded with an 11-1 run to tie the game at 70. The UBC run was led

by Jordan Jensen-Whyte’s six points; the guard finished the game with 22 points. Basi hit a three to take a late lead, and Ilarion Bonhomme iced the game at the free throw line for the game one win. Bonhomme scored all of his 12 points in the final frame to help the Bisons secure the win.

Friday

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he Bison men’s basketball team a 102-77 loss at the beginning of the swept the Regina Cougars in season. their best-of-three play-in series last weekend, and continued their playoff Thursday success with a sweep of the secondThe Bisons and Thunderbirds ranked UBC Thunderbirds in the engaged in a tightly-contested affair Canada West quarter-finals. They in a game that included 14 lead won a close game 79-75 on Thursday, changes and six ties. Neither team and took a 98-96 overtime victory on was able to make noise in the openFriday night. ing half with strong defense holding With the series win, Manitoba the herd to 40 per cent shooting from advances to the Canada West final the field, and the T-birds to just 37.5 four for the second consecutive year per cent. and will once again play the Calgary AJ Basi led both sides in the openDinos with a spot in the conference ing half with 11 points, and continfinals on the line. The Bisons split ued to be effective in the second half, their season series with the sixth- finishing with 22 points. Manitoba ranked Dinos with an 85-81 win and was able to hold the leading scorer of

points with just 37 seconds to play.

UBC came up with a huge stop, and Jensen-Whyte with ice in his veins connected on two free throws to send the game to overtime.

Bonhomme scored all of his 12 points in the final frame to help the Bisons secure the win

The two teams engaged in yet another close game, with the Bisons winning a thriller 98-96 in overtime.

The overtime period featured four Once again, defense controlled the lead changes, but Manitoba got the photo by Star Roxas beginning of the game with nei- last laugh when they were down by ther team able to open up a big lead, one-point with 19 seconds remainthe Canada West, Connor Morgan, and Manitoba contained UBC star ing. Bonhomme missed a contested to just three first half points, help- Morgan, keeping him off the score three-point attempt, but Malik Irwin ing them take a slim 35-31 lead into sheet in the first half. Justus Alleyn snagged the rebound and passed it halftime. netted eight of his 16 points in the out to Basi, who connected on a Pace picked up in the second half, opening half, helping the herd take game-winning three with just six with eight lead changes in the third a 35-30 lead into the break. seconds left on the clock. The Bisons quarter alone. Teams exchanged The offensive floodgates opened completed the sweep in UBC, with baskets throughout the quarter with in the third quarter, with both teams Omoerah posting another doubleManitoba hanging onto a one-point exchanging looks throughout the double and Bonhomme leading the lead entering the final quarter of play. frame. With UBC leading 61-60 team with 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Keith Omoerah put up six points in late in the quarter, Manitoba strung the third, and finished the game with together nine consecutive points The Bisons and Dinos tip-off in a double-double of 17 points and 15 before the Thunderbirds connected Calgary on March 3 at 9 p.m. CT, with rebounds. on a late three, and Manitoba took a the winner advancing to the conference Manitoba gave themselves some 69-64 lead into the final quarter. finals on March 4. breathing room and opened the final The Bisons led by as many as nine quarter with a 7-0 run, which gave points in the fourth, but the T-Birds them a 61-53 lead. The Bisons led by a were able to cut the lead down to two

Bison volleyball teams out-dueled by Trinity Western in last regular season action Ryan Stelter, staff

year. DeJonckheere finished fifth in the Canada West in that category.

photo by Megan Colwell

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fter a conference bye last weekend, the University of Manitoba volleyball teams headed out west to play their final regular season series against the Trinity Western Spartans.

The men’s volleyball team were on the losing end of a sweep against the third-ranked Spartans, whilst the women continued their dreary 2017 by getting swept.

Men

It was a rare off weekend for the Bisons, having suffered their first defeat since late October on Friday.

The Bisons lost again on Saturday, this time by a score of 3-1.

The silver lining for the first-ranked Bisons is that because they won a set in Saturday’s defeat, they managed to finish first in the Canada West with a 21-3 record and will host the Canada West final four on Mar. 10-11.

All the sets were closely contested, as two of the top-ranked teams in Canada went toe-to-toe. Devren Dear finished with a combined 21 kills on the weekend; he finished the regular season with 309, averaging 3.96 a set – good enough for fourth in the conference.

Adam DeJonckheere had a .286 hitting percentage in both games against the Spartans; he had an overall hitting percentage of .308 on the

The play of rookie Kearley Abbott this season has to be commended, as she finished first for the Bisons in kills with 247 Women

The Bison women’s volleyball team did not have a great second half of the season, losing their last 12 games of the year. This included not picking up a set victory against the third-ranked Spartans team.

Josie Abbott finished the weekend with 15 kills, while Tori Studler only finished with a combined eight, her

lowest output of the season.

Second-year setter Sydney Booker finished the year with 786 assists, averaging 8.73 a set, finishing fourth in the Canada West. The play of rookie Kearley Abbott this season has to be commended, as she finished first for the Bisons in kills with 247 and first in kills per set with 2.66. Abbott will most likely be in the conversation on the Canada West all-rookie team, as well as the Bison female rookie of the year award.

The Bisons started out the season with a lot of promise, heading into the Christmas break sitting one game below .500. Then the wheels fell off a bit with the team only winning one game in the second half of the season, finishing the year 6-18. It is still an improvement from last season, when they finished 3-21 and were second last in the Canada West. There is lots to learn for this young team in the coming years.

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NHL Department of Player Safety needs to hand out consistent punishment Kellen Taniguchi, staff

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n Feb. 19 Winnipeg Jets defen- Pittsburgh Penguins a few days prior if there is any interference such as hit- body took the majority of the hit, Department of Player Safety elected seman Jacob Trouba laid a hit that received zero discipline. Malkin ting the player without making a play even if the head was contacted with to not suspend Kadri, which dissatison Ottawa Senators forward Mark clearly lifts himself off the ice before on the puck. They looked at all three first. They then looked to see if the fied the Canucks staff and players.

Stone, one that was clearly a hit to he hits Wheeler, giving him eleva- of these and decided that Malkin hit involved any sort of charging, but Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul the head that kept Stone out for the tion to deliver the head shot. It was a never crossed the line on any of them. what they believed was that Malkin Maurice also made some comments remainder of the game. Trouba was clear hit to the head, and all that fans Trouba on the other hand, mainly fell was bracing himself for a collision at about the suspension. Maurice is given a two-minute minor penalty, are asking for is consistency when it victim to the illegal contact to the the center of the ice. another person looking for some conand consequently had a meeting comes to the NHL’s Department of head infraction, as he made contact If you watch the replay of the sistency, and compared the incident with only Stone’s head when he could hit closely, an argument could and back to a hit that Bryan Little took with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

Player Safety to assess if a suspenWheeler stated after the Trouba have made a full body contact check. should be made that Malkin pro- last year from Tampa Bay’s Anton sion was required or not. On Feb. 20 suspension was revealed, that he had pelled himself up prior to contact Stralman. Little missed the remainwith Wheeler. Lastly, they would der of the 2015-16 season with some the decision was made, and Trouba no issue with the suspension, but At the end of was suspended for two games. It believes there needs to be some conhave to review if there was any inter- fractured vertebrae that resulted from doesn’t matter what team you cheer sistency when it comes to these deci- the day, fans in ference on the play, but even though the hit. Little was a defenseless skater for, Trouba’s hit was definitely a pun- sions. Malkin did not even receive a Wheeler never touched the puck they on the play, and when he was falling Winnipeg may ishable offense. believed he made an attempt to make down Stralman collided with him call about his hit on Wheeler, while Trouba’s absence was noticed Trouba got one right away. One key a play on the puck but Malkin got head on, and there was no punishnot be impressed when the Jets took on the Toronto difference between the two hits is there first. Overall, the hit to the ment even considered on Stralman’s with the twoMaple Leafs on Feb. 21. Winnipeg that Wheeler was able to get back head should have been enough for end. fell to Toronto 5-4 in overtime, with up and continue playing, while Stone Malkin to at least receive a phone At the end of the day, fans in game suspension the Jets defense unable to conjure up had to exit the game and miss a coucall, which the lack thereof is a cause Winnipeg may not be impressed given to Trouba, with an answer for the young, attack- ple of games following the hit. But for the fuss. with the two-game suspension given ing Leafs offense. Trouba has been the severity of the injury should not to Trouba, but he deserves the susbut he deserves one of, if not the most consistent come into play when deciding if a Other controversial hits pension. All Jets fans and the rest defenseman for Winnipeg and his suspension is needed. All hits to the Another controversial hit was of the NHL can hope for is that the the suspension absence came at an inopportune time head need to be disciplined to protect Toronto’s Nazem Kadri’s hit on for- Department of Player Safety lays out that could cost the Jets some valuable the players on the ice. ward Daniel Sedin this season on a clear rubric for suspensions so that points that are needed to make a run There are three things that the With all the controversy over why Nov. 5. Vancouver personnel made suspensions can be given out consistowards the postseason.

Department of Player Safety looks at Malkin was not suspended, NHL it clear that they expected Kadri to tently to protect the players on the ice.

The punishment enraged Jets when reviewing these hits. They must director of media relations John get suspended for the hit, which they fans and others around the league be able to see clear illegal contact to Dellapina released a report to the saw as a hit to the head. A case can because of a similar hit on Winnipeg the head, and decide if there was any Winnipeg Sun on how the Malkin hit be made that it was in fact a head captain Blake Wheeler that was charging or if the player lifted himself differed from the one Trouba laid out. shot, especially since Sedin’s helmet delivered by Evgeni Malkin of the to make the hit. They also look to see First they believed that Wheeler’s flew off on the play. However, the