30 September 2015

MANITOBAN the

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

NEWS

Fossil fuel investment burning out Environmentalists call for divestment Page 3

ARTS & CULTURE

Party at the Park Winnipeg’s beloved theatre celebrates 10 years Page 19

SPORTS

Pitiful participation Attendance at Bisons games underwhelms Page 24

VO L 1 0 2 · N O 8 · S E P T E M B E R 3 0, 2 0 1 5 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

EDITORIAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Craig Adolphe

Downtown renaissance not supporting residents

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Adam Owczar

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Michelle Arentsen

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Winnipeg needs to revitalize city centre revitalization efforts

EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITOR Ethan Cabel

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

page 6

FEATURES EDITOR Dana Hatherly

features@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Evan Tremblay

comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Siddall

me@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Chantelle Dubois

science@themanitoban.com/ 474.6529

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

SPORTS EDITOR Mike Still

sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

COPY EDITOR Tom Ingram

copy@themanitoban.com/ 474.6520

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Bradly Wohlgemuth

design@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

GRAPHICS EDITOR Bram Keast

graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

PHOTO EDITOR Carolyne Kroeker

photo@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

DESIGN ASSOCIATE vacant GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE vacant PHOTO ASSOCIATE Chantal Zdan

REPORTERS

SCIENCE

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

Love birds

New study reveals the nature of zebra finch attraction

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

page 14 ARTS & CULTURE

In a galaxy not so far away A review of a galactic rock comedy page 20 SPORTS

Second chances

Amir Ali returns after ACL tear

page 25

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

Osho Samuel Adetunji Stephanie Johnston Kai Chochinov Ryan Stelter Justin Ladia Kailey Trevithick

Will Gibson Sarah Walker Dwayne Larson Marie-Francis Hollier Jeff Miller

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News

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

UMSU moves forward with divestment campaign Student union seeks divestment of $64 million in university petroleum investments GARETT WILLIAMS, STAFF

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

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ollowing the lead of universities, pension funds, and philanthropic foundations worldwide, the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) is building a movement to push the university to divest its holdings from the fossil fuel industry.

Acting on a motion passed by UMSU council in the spring, Astitwa Thapa, vice-president external for UMSU, has been spreading the word, collecting signatures, and meeting with other student and faculty associations.

He seeks to build a support base to compel the university to eliminate its $64-million interest in the oil, gas, and coal sectors.

“It’s the right thing to do,” he said.

“It’s as simple as that. It’s the right thing to do – it makes social sense, it makes environmental sense, and it makes economic sense.”

In a resolution passed with nearunanimous support at its April 6 meeting, the union formally endorsed the campaign led by the Divest Manitoba student group and Fossil Free Canada. Citing environmental concerns, the resolution calls on the association to lobby the University of Manitoba Board of Governors to divest university funds from public equity and corporate bonds that include fossil fuels within five years.

As of June 2015, the University Investment Trust was valued at $632 million, with slightly more than 10 per cent invested in fossil fuel-linked industries.

John Danakas, executive director of public affairs at the U of M, told the Manitoban that “the University of Manitoba is recognized internationally for its leadership in climate change research” and noted the school has hosted Søren Rysgaard,

the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Arctic Geomicrobiology and Climate Change, since 2010.

Alongside Rysgaard, more than 100 researchers and graduate students studying out of the Clayton H. Riddell faculty of environment, earth, and resources are probing the causes and consequences of global warming.

Thapa said the university needs to set an example in the community by moving its financial portfolio in line with its environmental accomplishments elsewhere.

“If we are calling ourselves trailblazers and defenders, then let’s act like one,” he said.

“Let’s be a role model in our society [...] The University of Manitoba prides itself in being a leader in the 21st century – then be a leader by divesting from fossil fuels.”

On top of the investment trust, a pension plan valued at $1.126 billion has a nearly 6.5-per cent – or $73-million – stake in fossil-fuel related industries.

While a separate entity, the plan – administered on behalf of members of the University of Manitoba Faculty Association, the Canadian Union of Public Employees local 3909, the Association of Employees Supporting Educational Services, and nonunionized staff – is controlled by a pension committee that reports to the board of governors.

Shirley Thompson, an associate professor with the U of M’s Natural Resources Institute, signed Thapa’s petition and said faculty can use the fund to make a powerful statement.

Citing previous divestment campaigns moving funds away from companies doing business with the South African apartheid regime in the 1970s and 1980s and the tobacco industry in the 1990s, Thompson said the money

can yield positive social returns if it’s funnelled into renewable and sustainable energy solutions.

“Do we want to continue on that [fossil fuel] path or do we want to find a new path?” she said.

“No, we don’t want to give more power to oil companies and tweak their system – we want to change the path.”

“It’s the right thing to do – it makes social sense, it makes environmental sense, and it makes economic sense” – Astitwa Thapa, vice-president external, UMSU Varied opinions

Opinion is varied on the consequences and effectiveness of divestment, with critics claiming the largely symbolic move will do little to affect consumer demand and rising global temperatures while ultimately hurting the bottom line of university endowments.

Nearly a year ago, Dalhousie University’s board of governors voted against moving about $20 million out of the fossil fuel sector. George McLellan, head of the board’s investment committee, told CBC that divesting would hurt the university in the long run.

“If we turn our back on a number of companies, why would they put money in here?” he said.

Despite the resistance, campaigns have sprouted at more than 20 universities across Canada but so far only Concordia University in Montreal has taken steps away from fossil fuel industries with a $5-million sustainable investment fund dedicated to divestment and social and ethical investing.

Students at the University of Winnipeg began a divestment campaign in January, leading the university’s administration to commit to a risk assessment study determining the impact of moving six per cent – nearly $3.54 million – of a $59 million endowment fund away from fossil fuels.

Peyton Veitch, president of the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association and a student representative on the committee struck to undertake the assessment, said the campaign has garnered support from various student and faculty groups.

“What students are saying is that divestment not only makes sense from a moral and ethical and environmental point of view,” he said.

“But a lot of financial experts would maintain that it makes good fiscal sense as well.”

A recent report from investment firm Impax Asset Management backs divestment supporters’ claims that a fossil fuel-free portfolio can still yield positive returns with a lower carbon footprint.

The report, titled “Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Investment Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment” analyzed returns over five years from April 2008 to April 2013 and found a fossil-free portfolio would have improved returns over the industry analyst MSCI world index by almost 0.5 per cent.

However, a study commissioned

by the Independent Petroleum Association of America released at the beginning of September claims divestment would result in long-term investment shortfalls.

Studying the endowment values of five American universities – Harvard, Yale, MIT, Columbia, and New York University – the report said “a reduction in endowment fund returns as a consequence of divestment would have material impacts on an endowment’s ability to fund a university’s key institutional goals.”

Considering a 50-year history of returns, the study concluded a divested portfolio averaged across the five universities would have yielded 0.23 per cent lower returns. However, critics of the study say the half-century timeline fails to account for an increase in cost in oil production in the last decade.

The fossil fuel divestment campaign emerged in 2011 when a handful of campuses began to call on school administrations to divest holdings out of the fossil fuel industry. Thirty Canadian university campuses have initiated divestment campaigns as of this year.

According to a report measuring the growth of the movement released just last week by Arabella Advisors, more than 436 institutions and more than 2,000 individuals in 43 countries have committed to divest $2.6 trillion in assets from fossil fuel companies.

The second annual edition of this report outlined a fifty-fold increase in total divestment commitment. In 2014, the Arabella Advisors reported 181 institutions and 656 individuals had committed to the cause, representing over $50 billion.

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News

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

Perry Bellegarde speaks at University of Manitoba National chief calls for action on First Nations education ALEAH ISAAK, STAFF

the way forward when it comes to closing that gap in living standards.

First Nations receive approximately $6,500 per child for education, while the provincial education average is around $10,500 per child and the French-language school system can be up to $20,000 per child.

For Bellegarde, education does GRAPHIC BY KELLY CAMPBELL not only include public education. erry Bellegarde, national chief While math and science, reading and for the Assembly of First Nations writing skills, and post-secondary (AFN) spoke at the University of education are important, “equally Manitoba last week, outlining the important on the other hand, is their priorities of the AFN going into the identity, who you are, and where you federal election. come from. Your languages, your The speech, which detailed the ceremonies.” central planks of the AFN polBellegarde began as national chief icy document “Closing the Gap,” on Dec. 10, 2014. He came into the referred to the difference in quality of position at the AFN after the former life experienced between indigenous national chief, Shawn Atleo, resigned and non-indigenous Canadians. in the midst of controversy over Bill Canada as a whole is ranked C-33, the First Nations Control of sixth to eighth on the Human First Nations Education Act. Development Index (HDI), while The “Closing the Gap” report calls First Nations are ranked between for the federal government to work 63rd and 78th, according to the AFN. again with First Nations to impleBellegarde called for the two-per ment this act. cent federal funding cap for programs Work by previous national chief and services on First Nations reserves, Shawn Atleo with the Conservative which was put in place in 1996, to government to implement Bill C-33 be lifted. was met with strong criticism. Many Since then provincial governments regional chiefs felt that Bill C-33 did have received funding increases of not respect First Nations’ sovereignty, three to six per cent annually from and that the funds promised were the federal government for similar inadequate. Conversations came to services and programming. a standstill last year that led to the Bellegarde said that education is Atleo’s resignation.

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The legislation would have 30 per cent, according to Richards. dren were forced to attend mandaincreased federal funding and proHe is hopeful that talks on the tory boarding schools between the vided a new structure for administer- Education Act will resume after the 1880s and the mid-1990s. The report ing education on reserves. federal election on Oct. 19. released 96 recommendations for The Manitoban asked Michael Deborah Young, the U of M’s action to bring further reconciliaMendelson, senior scholar at the executive lead for indigenous achieve- tion to Canada.

Caledon Institute of Social Policy ment, told the Manitoban that postThe TRC recommendations and author of the report “Improving secondary institutions play a critical include more funding for indigenous Education on Reserves: A First role in closing the gap between First Canadians who would like to obtain Nations Education Authority Act,” Nations and the rest of Canada. a post-secondary education but are One of the strategic priorities in unable due to lack of funds, funding if there is hope for a broad agreement with the federal government. the U of M’s 2015-2020 strategic plan to train post-secondary educators in “The main requirement is that all is “Creating pathways to Indigenous indigenous peoples’ knowledge and First Nations have to be able to opt achievement.” teaching methods, and co-operation in or out, and not be forced to fall This means creating a welcom- between Aboriginal peoples, the under a new act as they were under ing space for students when they Social Sciences and Humanities the Education Act proposed by the first arrive on campus, Young said, Research Council, and the National Harper government,” Mendelson adding that resources need to be Centre for Truth and Reconciliation said in an email. culturally sensitive with a focus on to establish research programs on Treaties speak of the right of First relationship-building. what reconciliation means in Canada.

Nations to have adequately funded “Our university is committed to The U of M is home to the National education. However, laws are still ensuring that First Nations, Metis, Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, needed to govern the process, as and Inuit students are supported at which holds records and oral history Mendelson outlines in another all stages of their learning journey,” on the residential school system. The Caledon Institute report, “A Second Young said. collection is located in Chancellor’s The university has projected that Hall, 177 Dysart Road.

Look at the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act.” by 2026, 19 per cent of students at the Further discussion on “Closing John Richards, professor at Simon U of M will be indigenous. the Gap” will be held on Oct. 7 in an Fraser University’s school of public The Truth and Reconciliation open forum on First Nations and the policy, was a part of negotiations over Commission (TRC) report was 2015 federal election. The event will be Bill C-33 and regrets that an agree- released in early June and made held at River Cree Resort in Enoch, ment was not reached. several recommendations for the Alta. All federal party leaders have In terms of education, Richards improvement of the First Nations been invited to the forum. also cites high school completion as education system.

The commission gathered research being critically important for future success. Manitoba in particular has and collected survivors’ stories from a low high school graduation rate for the Indian residential school system, students living on reserves – around in which 150,000 indigenous chil-

Canada needs improved environmental protections, says lawyer Environmental lawyer David Boyd speaks at U of M Robson Hall OSHO SAMUEL ADETUNJI

Boyd, an adjunct professor in “Two weeks after we found out He further told the audience resource and environmental man- that we were going to be a parents, about his shocking discoveries from agement at Simon Fraser University, an American health organization, an environmental study he conducted talked extensively about his new Environmental Working Group, with a team of researchers in Canada. book, which is a compendium of the put out a profound study in which “Capacity crowd of the MTS ongoing environmental degradation they took samples from the umbilical Centre is around 16,000 people and of Canada, the arguable negligence cords of a bunch of new born infants that is a conservative estimate of of the government, the effect of pol- in the United States and tested those how many people die prematurely lution on human health, the role of blood samples for the presence of in Canada every year because of strong environmental laws, and pre- industrial chemicals and what they exposure to environmental hazards,” scriptions for a healthier environment. found was a brew of heavy metals, he said.

Boyd has been a long-time envi- pesticide residues,” Boyd said.

“We looked at four major categoPHOTO BY DANA HATHERLY ronmental activist and is one of “And I thought, ‘Oh my god, we ries – we looked at the effect of enviCanada’s leading environmental are about to be parents. This is going ronmental pollution and degradation anada needs to vastly improve lawyers, having advised govern- to be something I am going to work on respiratory illness, cardiovascular its environmental laws and ments from Canada to Sweden on on into the foreseeable future.’” disease, cancer, and birth defects. We regulations in order to protect the environmental issues and served as He attributed the environmental used the same methodology as the health and environmental well-being the executive director of the Sierra impact primarily to air pollution and World Health Organization. What of Canadians. That was the primary Legal Defense Fund. One of Boyd’s weak environmental standards. we found was around 10,000-25,000 message conveyed in a lecture hosted primary research interests is the “One in eight Canadian children deaths a year, between 80,000 and by the University of Manitoba faculty potential of enshrining the right to suffer from asthma. Radon exposure 200,000 hospitalizations, hundreds of law at Robson Hall last Thursday, live in a healthy environment as a is the number one cause of lung can- of thousands of hospital days, milSept. 24. constitutional right for Canadians. cer in Canadians who don’t smoke lions of restricted activity days for The presenter was environmenIt took Boyd 10 years to write his – killing between 2,000 and 3,000 people with pre-existing respiratory tal lawyer David R. Boyd, author book, a process that began after he Canadians every year. Scientists have disorders like asthma.” of Cleaner, Greener, Healthier: A heard some shocking news in June linked low-level pesticide exposures Boyd expressed hope as he shared Prescription for Stronger Canadian 2005 shortly after he found out that to the onset of Parkinson’s disease in stories about one of his books titled Environmental Laws and Policies. his wife was pregnant. human beings,” Boyd said.

Optimistic Environmentalist, which

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focused on solar energy opportunities and stories of endangered species that were close to extinction but are back in large numbers.

Boyd told the Manitoban that he would like to see the university embrace environmental conservation.

“One thing that I would say can happen at the University of Manitoba that would be great will be to install solar panels on the roofs of these buildings,” he said.

The role of the government in addressing environmental problems is to establish stronger guidelines that will abate the ongoing damage to the environment.

“The way forward [for the Canadian government] is to recognize that all Canadians have the right to live in a healthy environment and to put forward a national environmental health action plan with swift action that will enable us to catch up with environmental leaders like the European Union,” he said.

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

News

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Holocaust Survivors in Canada offers cautionary tale, says author University of Manitoba Press launches book on Canadian Holocaust survivors from 1947-1955 ETHAN CABEL, STAFF

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s young Canadian scholar Adara fact that they were primarily young, Goldberg began her PhD dis- they were able-bodied, they may have sertation for the Strassler Center for had a child or two, most of them born Holocaust and Genocide Studies at in the aftermath of the war, often in Clark University in Worcester, Mass., displaced persons camps,” Goldberg she sought a moment of clarity in her said, adding that this cohort was interviews with Canadian Holocaust healthy and often had employable skills because Canadian immigration survivors and their families.

It didn’t take long to find that policy at that time prohibited entry moment – in fact, it happened in her for older Jewish immigrants as well first interview, with Lola, a distant as those with chronic illnesses. cousin by marriage.

“I was a little bit overwhelmed. She “Our government was telling me stories that I wasn’t necessarily at that moment prepared is not responsible to respond to, and yet when we for the death of 6 touched upon this issue of coming to Canada, and what life was like million Jews, but had for her, and how the community [...] the decision been responded, and she replied that ‘we were called greenies, what more do made to broaden you need to know?’” Goldberg said. our immigration “Greenies” was a derogatory term used to refer to new Jewish immirequirements, grants after the Second World War. “That was really striking and that surely more people reminded me that there was so much could have been that I had to learn, and there was so much that could be shared with me.” rescued before In a small gathering at McNally the start of the Robinson Booksellers last weekend, the University of Manitoba Press Second World War” launched Goldberg’s book Holocaust Survivors in Canada: Exclusion, – Adara Goldberg, Inclusion, Transformation 1947-1955, a comprehensive account of the experi- author, Holocaust ence of the 35,000 Holocaust surviv- Survivors in Canada ors who immigrated to Canada in the decade after the Second World War, “From late 1950 to 1955, which is based on her dissertation research.

The book was written on the basis where my study concludes, you find of over 100 interviews with Holocaust that this group becomes far more survivors and their families all diverse. Many more people with larover the country, all conducted by ger families, older survivors who are Goldberg. She wrote the book while coming to their children or to other simultaneously working as the edu- relatives. You also had people who cation director for the Vancouver had experiences of resettlement, the people for whom Canada was not Holocaust Education Centre.

The book is meant to fill a void the first stop in trying to build a life, in the research around Holocaust so the group really becomes much survivors in Canada, according to larger and much richer at this point.

Goldberg, where most of the research And this is also something that isn’t is centred on specific immigration reflected very well in much of the policies or the distinct regional literature on the subject [...] we only experiences of Holocaust survivors really talk about the young ablein areas like Montreal, Toronto, or bodied, for the most part.”

Winnipeg.

The two waves encountered very What Goldberg found were dis- different Canadian contexts, with the tinct commonalities in the experi- first wave largely arriving in the midst ences of Holocaust survivors across of a post-war economic and labour Canadian regions – notably, a per- boom in which able-bodied workers vasive sense that survivors were were needed, according to Goldberg. outsiders even within their own “This is why, when we think about communities. It was not until the the generosity of Canada opening its subsequent build-up of Jewish com- doors to post-war refugees, we need munity supports and government to be careful not to romanticize this social services that this sense of iso- moment – Canada needed workers. lation eventually abated.

These were skilled labourers, they What Goldberg found were two were young, they would pose a mindistinct waves of Jewish immigration imal threat to Canadian society and in the decade after the Second World national values,” she said.

War. The first wave took place from This first wave could only come to late 1947 to 1950, while the second Canada in one of three ways, accordwave took place from late 1950 to 1955. ing to Goldberg – either as labourers, “When we are talking about sur- war orphans through the Canadian vivors who came to Canada in the Jewish Congress-administered War first wave of immigration [...] the Orphan Project, or through sponsorsheer commonalities really were the ship by a close relative in the country.

Among Goldberg’s most important discoveries in archival research was a report conducted by Mary Palevsky, a former caseworker with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

Palevsky, at the request of the Canadian Jewish Congress, compiled a survey report in 1949 of Jewish refugee settlement in Montreal and Toronto, which represented 85 per cent of the Canadian Jewish community.

“When we think about the generosity of Canada opening its doors to post-war refugees, we need to be careful not to romanticize this moment – Canada needed workers; these were skilled labourers, they were young, they would pose a minimum threat to Canadian society and national values” – Adara Goldberg The report revealed that social services and community support for first-wave immigrants was sorely lacking.

“Confronted by the need to extend its limited resources to meet the

urgent and almost unlimited needs of the immigrants, the program collapsed at pressure points and emergency measures had to be improvised from day to day,” the report states.

But after 1950, with the expansion of immigration law to permit the arrival of more Jewish immigrants, government social service provision was stronger and the Jewish community was larger and more prepared for new arrivals.

“They came to social services that were more developed, social workers who had better training, and also organizations and communities that PHOTO PROVIDED BY ARIEL GORDON had a better sense of the distinct needs of this particular immigrant group,” Goldberg said of the second War prevented the country from savwave. ing as many lives as it could have, she “Where they did struggle differ- said. Moreover, the eventual immiently was that, in this delay, in these gration and successful integration of few extra years, they had already tried Holocaust survivors in the decade to resettle in many cases at least once after the war reveals the profound and those hadn’t necessarily been contributions refugees can make to successful attempts, coupled with Canada’s social fabric. the fact that many of them were a “About 5,000 Jewish refugees did bit older, it was a different experi- come to Canada between 1933 and ence [...] They really did encounter 1945, but most of them came in by a different Canada and a different chance, they came in accidentally, Canadian Jewish community than others came in under false guises [...] their brethren had even three or four what we could have done was save years earlier.” more people,” Goldberg said.

“Our government is not responCautionary tale sible for the death of 6 million Jews, Given the current Syrian refugee but had the decision been made to crisis roiling Europe and the Middle broaden our immigration requireEast, culminating in the image of ments, surely more people could have young Alan Kurdi's body washed been rescued before the start of the up on a Turkish beach, Goldberg Second World War at the very least, believes her book can potentially so what that reminds us today is that inform current Canadian immigra- we do have a choice, and we know tion and refugee policy, or at least act what can happen when we ignore as a cautionary tale. warning calls.”

The restrictive immigration and refugee policies of the Canadian government during the Second World

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

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Take care of the community Winnipeg should prioritize existing downtown residents over flashy urban development SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

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here are big plans for Winnipeg’s the wake of the establishment’s open- of Winnipeg’s urban centre. downtown. Our urban landscape ing, True North CEO Jim Ludlow For example, how many easily needs to be transformed. We need to told Metro News that Winnipeg’s accessible grocery stores are located elicit real change and make innova- downtown was “undergoing an downtown? How many places carry tive decisions to revitalize the city’s exceptional renaissance.” fresh produce? How many public Today, local media is abuzz with parks actually exist downtown and centre. the latest news about local develop- moreover, how many can accommoDoes this sound familiar yet?

Of course it does. If you’ve kept ment corporation CentreVenture’s date a child’s need to play? up to date with urban development new hope: SkyCity. SkyCity will be The OurWinnipeg plans outline and planning in Winnipeg for long Winnipeg’s largest skyscraper, and some “key directions” for downtown: enough, chances are you’ve heard is slated to be a massive condomin- to “promote and enable a mix of resithis sort of rhetoric bandied about ium complex. That is to assume, of dential development options” that by the media every time a new idea course, that developer Fortress Real include accommodating residential is presented that is sure to “revitalize” Developments actually begins con- needs, establishing communities struction at some point.

Winnipeg’s downtown area. downtown, and making active, safe In 2011, then-mayor Sam Katz told streets. the Globe and Mail he wished for a These are all good ideas, and are downtown that wouldn’t empty as fundamentally important to having While SkyCity soon as the work day ended, praga good, thriving neighborhood. The might technically matically noting that this type of problem is that they aren’t actuchange would take more than a few ally being put into practice in the be creating new years to happen. neighborhood that already exists Shortly after, a 25-year develop- housing options, downtown. ment plan called “OurWinnipeg” So who lives downtown now? these options just was approved by the city. The plan Quite a variety of people, actually. divided downtown into university, People just like you and I. As of June aren’t realistic retail, SHED (sports/hospitality/ 2014, downtown Winnipeg boasts a for your typical entertainment), and commercial population of approximately 30,000. zones in hopes of developing each.

This population is quite diverse in downtown resident The plan itself describes Winnipeg’s age, closely paralleling the populadowntown as, first and foremost, “the tion demographics of the broader Yet, among all the triumphant Winnipeg Metropolitan Area, with entertainment, cultural, and ecoannouncements hailing new urban the majority of residents being nomic heart of our city.”

A couple years later, in 2013, True development in Winnipeg, there between 20 and 64 years of age.

Residents, particularly the young North Sports & Entertainment stands one significant failure. A failopened Shark Club, a new casino ure none of the development plans professionals and students who located in one of downtown’s three noted above has addressed: a failure make up a significant portion of major shopping centres, Cityplace. In to provide for the existing residents the downtown population, cite the

conveniently close proximity to work to cater to existing residents. Perhaps and post-secondary institutions like new condominiums will attract more the University of Winnipeg and Red affluent residents, ones who can take River College as their primary reason advantage of the myriad pricey resfor living downtown. Students typi- taurants and nightlife entertainments cally live on a small budget, young already offered in Winnipeg’s urban professionals are still establishing centre. themselves, and many of the older The problem is, it’s not nearly citizens that have also chosen to call enough. If the City of Winnipeg downtown home are bound to be on was willing to financially incentiva fixed income, thus limiting their ize Winnipeggers with $10,000 loans spending choices. to move into riverside condos just two While SkyCity might technically years ago, then how can we logically be creating new housing options, expect to effectively entice new resithese options just aren’t realistic for dents with a tall building? your typical downtown resident. A We can’t, but more importantly condominium of this scale and social we shouldn’t want to. The city might prominence will inevitably come with want the affluent class to start migrata hefty price tag. ing downtown, but they clearly don’t You encounter the same problem if want to – and there are already people you look at the non-residential devel- living downtown who have their own opments downtown of late. A new needs. casino, the Canadian Museum for Bearing all this in mind, the Human Rights, and the Winnipeg logical conclusion is that the City of Jets are all attractive things to the Winnipeg simply doesn’t “know its average Winnipegger. People will audience.” come downtown and spend money Set the grandiose plans for an to see and experience these things, architectural renaissance aside, and that generates revenue, which is Winnipeg. Prioritize grocery stores good. However, much like the con- and modest, affordable housing that dos, all of these things are function- reflects the demographic that’s actually irrelevant to actual downtown ally likely to live downtown. residents, the vast majority of whom The economic growth will be slow simply don’t occupy a high enough and without flair, but as a certain oftincome bracket to need or enjoy these criticized former mayor of Winnipeg types of amenities with any regularity. once said, “you can’t correct the misPerhaps, one might argue, the takes of the past in just a year or two.”

OurWinnipeg plan isn’t supposed

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Speak no evil

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

Corporate greed is evil, whether we call it that or not EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

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here was a time when you could call something evil and people knew what you meant. They understood that you were not speaking in hyperbole. They understood that evil is one of the central players in the human drama, a thing that will not perish from the earth. Nowadays, to call something evil is to invite scorn and a sniggering assumption of provincialism. To be labelled as “religious” or “spiritual,” words which have of late gained a patina of ironic contempt.

The slow-motion disaster that has been our culture’s embrace of postmodernism, in which no viewpoint enjoys special privilege or validity, has robbed us of the language needed to discuss even the concept of evil, which presumes certain immutable truths. What we do not discuss, we are prone to forget exists. Men who do not believe in evil cannot believe that they (or anyone) serve it. They are perhaps the most likely to do evil.

The artistic (and thus spiritual) embrace of postmodernism has been accompanied by widespread implementation of the principles of globalization in economics. The currently under negotiation Trans-Pacific Partnership, once adopted, will be the most advanced manifestation of this system yet realized. It will be a crystallization of trends which see the bleeding of the poor of money, jobs, and dignity for the sake of increasing the wealth of the few.

Like postmodernism, globalization is empty of moral values or judgements. Human ideals are cast aside, and the poverty and economic inequality resulting from this system are accepted because no moral caveats are placed on the accumulation of capital through profit.

Together, postmodernism and globalization give birth to neoliberalism. This is a fearsome system that refuses the validity of moral criticism – it could be called evil, if we still accepted as a culture that things can be evil. A system is not conscious; by itself it cannot be evil.

But there are men behind the corporations, those entities which are the chief beneficiaries of neoliberalism.

Despite unnerving legal arguments to the contrary, a corporation is not a person. It cannot be evil. But the men who make decisions for that corporation certainly can be.

Consider what is no more than a particularly glaring recent example of corporate malfeasance: the rigging of cars by Volkswagen with software designed to deceive regulators during fuel emissions tests, thus allowing cars that pollute much more than the legal amount of emissions to be sold. The justification? None has been offered so far, but the reason for this cannot be anything but pure greed on the part of decision makers within the company. For the sake of increasing their already obscene wealth, they purposefully deceived regulators and purposefully increased their role in polluting an already weakened planet.

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

Harming the collective good for the sake of their own wealth. Mammon, that used to be called, in a time when men could recognize specific forms of evil.

We are entering into a time when for individuals with compromised seems almost lit by the sickly light of evil can be openly done with near immune systems – especially people a golden calf. After a few moments impunity. The economic and cul- suffering from HIV. Under Shkreli, of watching Shkreli’s face, it hits you tural system we live under has no Turing Pharmaceuticals increased – the man is evil. Not possessed-byenergy, will, or desire to punish it. the price of Daraprim from US$13.50 the-devil evil. But he believes what General Motors (GM) was recently per pill to US$750 per pill. Without a he’s saying, and what he’s saying is found guilty of selling cars with a well-known corporate avatar to hide evil.

The slow-motion known defect that has killed at least behind, Shkreli must defend his own If it seems hyperbolic to call 174 people. Again, what could be actions in the court of public opinion. another human evil, then I would disaster that has GM’s motive but profit? How can He does not seem particularly wor- observe that a healthy dog will recbeen our culture’s we describe people who make deci- ried about negative verdict. It is clear ognize a rabid dog. Shkreli honestly sions which permit human deaths he recognizes nothing wrong in his believes that increasing the price of embrace of postas collateral to profit, and then lie to actions. a drug people need to stay alive by modernism has investigators in an attempt to hide Shkreli has appeared in video more than 5,000 per cent is perfectly this, except as evil? But still, that interviews defending this price fine, if it is justified in terms of profits. robbed us of the word is not even whispered; no GM increase, and thus we are treated There is no ulterior motive. No grand language needed executive will face jail time. to the expressions of his face as he conspiracy. It’s out in the open, and it GM and Volkswagen exist as claims “The drug was unprofitable has no shame at its nakedness. to discuss even the logos; we think of them as a whole, at the former price, so any company If only poetry can suffice to as personalities – what they would producing it would be losing money. describe the empty windows into concept of evil call their branding. One undeniable At this price, it’s a reasonable profit, Shkreli’s soul, nothing else but poetry result of this is that the sins of the not excessive at all.” The drug has can capture the cruelty and the horThe CEO of Volkswagen has corporation do not accrue, in the been produced since 1953 under free- ror of the system which produced apologized. “I personally am deeply minds of the public, on individuals, wheeling capitalism; one assumes a such a man. Though he has suddenly sorry that we have broken the trust no matter how great their personal profit was being made. After the become the most visible face of that of our customers and the public,” he involvement in offences. interviewer asks “you see how greedy system, he is not unique. He is one of said, as if the crime was a misunderLesser-known corporations and this move looks?” he responds with a growing number of vessels for the standing and not something that firms cannot offer this cloak of ano- “Yeah, I could see how it looks greedy. emptiness Allen Ginsberg describes could not have been done without nymity, leaving specific individuals in But I think there’s a lot of altruistic in “Howl”: “With the absolute heart malice aforethought. full sight, exposed for what they are. properties to it.” He then flashes a of the poem of life butchered out of It is hardly the mea culpa that Thus it is that the scorn of the world is tight smile that comes nowhere close their own bodies” such men are, and human decency would demand. It has focused on one Martin Shkreli. to reaching his eyes. their kingdom is “Moloch whose all the insincerity of a child apologizShkreli is the CEO of Turing “And his eyes have all the seem- mind is pure machinery! Moloch ing for stealing a cookie. What is the Pharmaceuticals, which recently ing of a demon’s that is dreaming,” whose blood is running money! lesson learned when evil exposed is acquired the right to produce Edgar Allen Poe said of a certain bird Moloch whose fingers are ten armies!” so easily excused? That evil no longer Daraprim, used to treat toxoplasmosis, of ill-omen. There is an emptiness It terrifies me that such men walk needs to bother about staying hidden. a parasitic infection which is deadly there behind his eyes. His pale face the earth.

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Features Features Editor: Dana Hatherly Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Mr. Martin goes to Ottawa Media misses the mark in Winnipeg Centre debate coverage CRAIG ADOLPHE, STAFF

betweens between members of the public and the federal bureaucracy in cases where it was failing them.

It’s understandable that work in which you can see people benefiting from your intervention would be the most emotionally satisfying. And the fact that MPs can win over voters by personally advocating for them certainly doesn’t discourage the practice, but ultimately this is not meant to be the main work of an MP.

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n September 16 the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ hosted an election forum featuring candidates in the Winnipeg Centre riding.

The forum garnered attention in the media – including CBC, CTV News, Global News, the Winnipeg Free Press, the Winnipeg Sun, and the Metro, among others – because of foul language used by incumbent NDP MP Pat Martin, who called Green Party candidate Don Woodstock a “son of a bitch.”

What garnered little attention was an interesting accusation

by Woodstock in the lead up to Martin’s comment. Woodstock criticized Martin for not doing enough to directly help people in the riding coping with mental health issues and addiction.

Roughly halfway through the two-hour event, Woodstock asked Martin how many people with mental health issues he had helped in his 28 years working in the neighbourhood, 18 of which he had spent serving as an MP. Martin argued that in his time as an MP his staff had done a great deal to help people who came to his office, including assisting with 10,000 immigration cases.

“You’re insulting my staff who work diligently to help people that walk into my office on a regular basis,” Martin said. “They have a reputation that is second to none.”

Woodstock responded, “I said you.

You have a staff that does it, see. You answered correctly. And to the staff, good on you guys. Good job. But Mr. Martin, it comes to you, the question is: how many times in the 28 years have you –” before being cut off by Martin.

It was in the middle of Woodstock’s attack that Martin mouthed his salty rebuttal. Although he wasn’t near his microphone it was clear what he had said.

While the media was quick to pounce on Martin’s language as the main story coming out of the forum – it’s an easy story to write – they didn’t really take note of the implications of Woodstock’s criticism. Woodstock’s issue seems to be that Martin has not personally dealt with people coming to his office, a point he continued to argue after the forum.

“He doesn’t live here. Period. End of story,” Woodstock said in a postforum interview. “If he had lived here he would have seen the problems, he would have seen the issues, he would be able to address them. But he can’t address them so he depends on his staff, paid people, to do his work, while he goes off and pretends he’s the cat’s meow.”

Liberal candidate Robert-Falcon Ouellette, who has been criticized

“If he had lived here he would have seen the problems, he would have seen the issues, he would be able to address them. But he can’t address them so he depends on his staff, paid people, to do his work, while he goes off and pretends he’s the cat’s meow” – Don Woodstock, Green Party candidate, Winnipeg Centre

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

by both Woodstock and Martin for trying to represent the riding while living in St. Vital, told the media that if elected he would spend seven days a week working in the riding.

During the forum, he also proposed an advocacy program for people having difficulty dealing with police after being the victim of crime, the intent being to have an advocate take information through a phone service and bring it to the local MP in order to have those issues addressed.

“It’s just a quick idea. It’s easy, it’s simple to do, and it doesn’t cost a lot of money. Just a lot of my time, but you know, I’m here for your service,” Ouellette told the crowd.

The main theme in both Woodstock and Ouellette’s statements is the idea of MP as social worker, but this isn’t what MPs are

actually supposed to do. MPs are selected from across the country to ensure each area is represented in Parliament. Their primary responsibility is to work in Ottawa, writing, reviewing, and passing legislation for the country as a whole.

To ensure they have adequate outreach and are receiving feedback from the community, each MP hires staff to represent them in their constituency – dealing with members of the public and acting as a representative for them while they work in the country’s capital.

Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, co-founders of Samara Canada, a non-profit focused on increasing civic engagement, interviewed former MPs about their experiences in their 2014 book “Tragedy in the Commons.”

In the book, Loat and MacMillan write that a common problem facing new MPs is confusion about their responsibilities after first being elected.

Loat and MacMillan noted they were “taken aback” by the variety of answers they got when asking MPs how they spent their time. They argued that the diversity of responses they received was reflective of a lack of a clear job description for MPs and a lack of direction from parties once newly elected members first appear in Ottawa.

Although there were a variety of answers, one common response from MPs was that they and their staff spent a large amount of time and took the most personal satisfaction from work as front-line service people, in which they acted as go-

Their job is not to act as a personal ombudsman to a patchwork federal bureaucracy. Instead, it’s their responsibility to pass legislation that might improve the bureaucracy and develop a system in which those bureaucracies don’t fail the public (at least not as often).

Beyond the practical matter of how an MP’s time is spent, there’s also a larger matter of principle at play. A system in which quality of service to members of the public is dependent on who they know doesn’t correspond to the Canadian ideal of good government.

While the people of Winnipeg Centre will only be able to elect a single person to represent them as MP, it would appear not every candidate has the same idea of what an MP is responsible for doing. Whoever is elected to represent Winnipeg Centre on Oct. 19 will have to think about exactly what job they’re being elected to do.

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Features

Features Editor: Dana Hatherly Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Conservative candidate dips out of U of M debate Tory boycott of public events not uniform across Canada DANA HATHERLY, STAFF

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

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iven the Conservatives’ track held by the University of Manitoba record of skipping public Students’ Union (UMSU) and the debates, not many people were University of Manitoba Faculty shocked when Gordon Giesbrecht, Association, slated for Oct. 5. Green Conservative candidate for the Party candidate Adam Smith, Winnipeg South riding and a pro- Brianne Goertzen of the NDP, and fessor at the University of Manitoba, Liberal contender Terry Duguid have declined an invite to an all-candidates’ all confirmed their attendance at the event. debate at the university.

All Winnipeg South candidates According to UMSU, Giesbrecht’s were invited to the U of M debate campaign office issued a statement

confirming that he was unavailable in London, Ont. to attend debates before the election at any time.

Ending the boycott Event organizers were critical of The Conservatives have been critihis decision to decline their invitation. cized for dodging public events and “As an incubator for research and interviews all over Canada. innovation, the university and the Contrary to popular belief, sevstudents deserve a conversation on eral local Tory candidates and senior the federal government’s role in post- campaign workers said they were not secondary education,” said Astitwa advised to avoid media interviews Thapa, vice-president external for or decline debates, according to the UMSU, in a written statement.

Winnipeg Free Press. They reported This is not the first example of a that local candidates have been relalocal Conservative candidate refusing tively accessible. to attend public events in the past Ted Falk, Conservative candidate week. Elmwood-Transcona candi- for the Provencher riding, agreed to date Lawrence Toet did not attend a attend a debate scheduled for Oct. 1, forum last Tuesday held by the Public after shunning all debates and evadService Alliance of Canada and St. ing reporters throughout the 2013 Boniface-St. Vital candidate François by-election.

Catellier backed out of an interview Across the country, Conservative with CBC the next day. Catellier also Party candidates have not uniformly refused to participate in a debate at ruled out debates held by student the Université de Saint-Boniface. groups and unions on university Conservative candidates across grounds. Saskatoon-University the country have felt the negative Conservative candidate Brad Trost backlash of not showing up to pub- spoke at St. Thomas More College lic events, such as the mocking of on Sept. 18 for a crowd of mostly London North Centre candidate Liberal and NDP supporters. Fred Susan Truppe after she declined to DeLorey, the Conservative candiattend a debate hosted by the student date for Central Nova, also attended union at Huron University College a recent all-candidates’ debate at St.

Francis Xavier University.

At Winnipeg’s own Sisler High School, students were thrilled when all four invited candidates were present at their Winnipeg North forum organized by a political student group.

The students prepared a list of questions sent out to candidates prior to the forum, CBC reported.

Students said they made the decision to provide their questions ahead of time after seeing media coverage of Conservative candidates ducking debates, interviews, and forums.

Winnipeg North Conservative candidate Harpreet Turka said he was unaware that he was the determining factor in the students’ decision.

He accepted the invite, attended the forum, and read from his script, for the most part – as did NDP candidate Levy Abad, whereas the Green Party’s John Redekopp and Liberal incumbent Kevin Lamoureux reportedly spoke off the cuff.

Sisler students were pleased that all candidates were in attendance to share their priorities and policies, regardless of the scripted responses.

‘Old stock Canadian’ defends against coded racism A response to Harper’s pledge to cut health care for refugees EVAN TREMBLAY, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY JUSTIN LADIA

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here is nothing inherently wrong with the phrase “old stock Canadian” used by federal Conservative leader Stephen Harper in the recent leaders’ debate to defend cuts to health care for refugees.

The families of some people have been in this country longer than the families of others; that’s a fact. If the phrase had been used by anyone other than Harper, I would have assumed they were using it to describe either

the First Nations or the Québécois, descendants of the first settlers of New France.

Apparently not.

Quick to distance himself from the potentially racist implications of such a phrase, Harper later said that by “old stock Canadians” he meant: “Canadians who have been the descendants of immigrants for one or more generations.”

Although this might fly for a

general dinner table discussion, There is plenty of room in Canada If racist is too strong a word, xenosuch a broad definition of “old stock for a variety of viewpoints and life- phobe is not.

Canadians” cannot be reconciled styles – it would be strange indeed if I think that Harper is a fearwith Harper’s pointed use of the a country so vast were as uniform in monger, conjuring up exaggerated term. He was ascribing a very specific outlook as Harper seems to think it is. threats of terrorism to rule through attitude to his reference of “old stock fear. I also think that Harper is in the Canadians” – a kind of rabid distrust pocket of the petroleum industry, as If racist is too of refugees’ motives that apparently he muzzles environmental scientists exists among his Conservative base, and fails to enact national policies strong a word, but not, in my experience, with most that have any real chance of stopping xenophobe is not Canadians. climate change.

This is a recurring theme in Harper’s policies on the environHarper’s narrative of Canada: one ment, the economy, and foreign relaof us versus them, in which the defiMy family was amongst those tions are the absolute antithesis of nition of “them” may shift to suit his named Canadiens long before the everything that I, as an “old stock needs at any given time.

Dominion of Canada was founded. Canadian,” value and hold dear. He Harper is notably lacking in that Every time that Harper invokes does not speak for me. most typically Canadian of traits, “Canadians” (old or new) and I am Canadian, and Harper quiet understatement. He sees ene- “Canadian values,” he is using the is, too. We’re both entitled to hold mies at the gates where Canadians are primary name by which my family and express our (wildly divergent) used to seeing people with different has identified itself for over 400 years. points of view, as are all Canadians viewpoints.

I am frequently brought to the edge – whether they’ve been here for milLiberal leader Justin Trudeau of tears, seeing him use this name lennia or a single day. hit the nail on the head when he to justify government oppression, Harper needs to stop conflating said, “Mr. Harper is yet again stigmatization of minorities, envi- his own views with the views of the highlighting that he doesn't believe ronmental degradation, and naked Canadian majority. We’re all one that a Canadian is a Canadian is a mean-spiritedness. big family in Canada, but Harper Canadian, and that there are different I think that Harper is a racist should wake up to the fact that if he categories of Canadian.” based on his well-known and docu- chooses to speak in terms of division Canada is a diverse place, filled mented comments about mosques, and xenophobia, then he’s the black with diverse people. This is our head scarves, and refugees, coupled sheep. strength and pride. Our provinces with his lack of willingness to work are the size of nations and our borders with First Nations communities as extend “a mari usque ad mare.” equals.

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

Features

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The aesthetics of voting Style trumps substance in electoral decisions TOM INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

Do you know who you’re voting for come Oct. 19? I have an idea, albeit a vague one.

I’m leaning toward the NDP and Thomas Mulcair. I feel a strong pull in this direction that is hard to explain – though it is certainly not based on any dispassionate consideration of policies.

Before you laugh, consider the source of your own opinion. Of the people I know, only the wellinformed ones have considered in detail what the party leaders say they will do. Only the uncommonly wellinformed ones have tempered this with an evaluation of what the leaders actually intend to do and the likelihood they will be able to accomplish these plans.

The vast majority of the people I know, and I include myself in this group, were already leaning in one direction due to their upbringing and current circumstances. The subsequent campaigning has shifted opinions somewhat, but mainly it has reinforced familiar messages. For most of us, style has played a greater role than substance in shaping our opinions.

If I had to identify the one thing that led me to see Mulcair as especially prime ministerial, it would not be a policy he promised, but an offhand comment he made.

During a question period last year, when Mulcair was questioning parliamentary secretary Paul Calandra on the subject of troop deployment in

Iraq, Calandra repeatedly responded Promethean heroism. with a condemnation of an obscure former NDP staffer’s opinions on Politics and branding Israel – a totally unrelated subIn his documentary series The ject, obviously meant to deflect the Century of the Self, Adam Curtis question. traces the introduction of a Freudian Mulcair appealed to the House of conception of the self into advertisCommons Speaker, Andrew Scheer, ing and the subsequent adaptation of who refused to intervene. advertising theory to politics, thus creating a conception of democracy where the public isn’t in charge, but The brands that rather the public’s desires: a situation that is much easier to manipulate.

Canada’s federal The brands that Canada’s federal parties are trying to parties are trying to project are eviin everything from the policies project are evident in dent they choose to emphasize ($15 minimum wage) and the criticisms they everything from the level at their rivals (“Just Not Ready”) policies they choose to their choice of candidates: the Liberals get trusted career politicians, to emphasize and the the NDP get respected community criticisms they level leaders, and the Conservatives get random schmoes who have firm at their rivals to their handshakes but are otherwise not ready for prime time. choice of candidates So the NDP doesn’t appeal to me because of some special knowledge or “Well, Mr. Speaker, that does not judgment on my part. They appeal to speak very favourably about your neu- me because of a combination of my trality in this house,” Mulcair replied. deeply orange upbringing and certain For this Mulcair lost the opportunity personal qualities that were semito ask the rest of his questions. deliberately targeted in Mulcair’s It is debatable whether Mulcair parliamentary outburst. was genuinely owed an answer or Like commercial branding, polsimply grandstanding on a point itical branding works by harnessing where he held the moral but not the targeted hatred as much as targeted procedural high ground. But given adoration. For example, the fact that the sort of person I am, I found this I, a buzzkill dweeb with a degree in futile exchange had an aspect of classical music, dislike top-40 radio

is part of the appeal of top-40 radio. thing along these lines; what my best This principle largely explains the self would want on reflection doesn’t tumescent hatred of Conservative enter into the discussion. leader Stephen Harper by urban intellectuals and other lefty types The bleak truth across Canada. The Harper brand Specialists, the people with the is designed to appeal to a particu- time and inclination to fully underlar sort of person and is repulsive to stand the major issues of public policy, the people it is not aimed at. “Who are somewhat immune to this brandcould possibly like this guy?” we’re ing effect. But they are keenly aware supposed to think – and the fact of just how narrow the field of policy that Harper is an eminently mock- options actually is. And there are only able poindexter makes thinking this a few of them – too few to make much very easy. of a difference.

In fact, quite a large number of This federal election is not going to people like Harper. His frequent be decided by a sober consideration of public appearances with his family the issues. It will be decided by a clash and references to them in speeches of collective egos in which individposition him as the family-oriented ual thought is largely irrelevant. The candidate. He is arguably handsome three major parties each have their and has a modest ability at the piano – own well-oiled branding machines, both qualities which make old people and these have brought them into an squeal with delight. unprecedented deadlock that is only Although he’s as much Ottawa likely to be broken by a fluke. elite as the next guy, he’s branded In the midst of all this, there’s as a Western maverick from outside not much you as an individual can the establishment. This thrills the do with your vote to get the policies Stetson and pocket-protector crowds you think you want. While we have both, and generally makes even left- our absurd little arguments about wing Westerners see him as “our man” whether or not we should vote and in a way Mulcair or Liberal leader for whom, the forces that shape our Justin Trudeau could never be. world move on, serenely oblivious Note that it’s irrelevant whether to our pleas. One day our perfect the Conservatives’ policies under Skinner box will be complete and Harper are good for Canada or not. there will be no need for any of us to I think they aren’t, but if I’m being exert effort in decision-making again. honest with myself, I have to admit In the meantime, get ready for that I arrived at this belief first and change! Vote NDP! justified it later. It was a foregone conclusion that I would believe some-

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Features

Features Editor: Dana Hatherly Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

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

Physician-assisted suicide Exploring a sensitive issue CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

Physician-assisted suicide is a sensitive and polarizing topic among Canadians. For some, the choice to die with the assistance of a physician in the face of terminal illness, severe disability, or lowered quality of life is a right that they want to be given. For others, the sanctity of life, the protection of the vulnerable, and the trust between doctors and their patients take precedence.

Soon, voters will be electing the next Federal government. This government will be responsible for overseeing the outcome of a Supreme Court ruling earlier in 2015 that declared laws preventing physicians from assisting patients with suicide invalid.

The ruling deemed that the current laws were not justified under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, violating the right to life, liberty, and security of the person. Being denied the autonomous choice of death takes away the choice of bodily integrity, and therefore the right to liberty. Additionally, being forced to endure intolerable suffering was found to infringe on the right to security of the person.

The ruling states that a competent adult can consent to physicianassisted suicide if they are “suffering intolerably” due to their “grievous and irremediable” condition.

Prior to this ruling, it was possible

that physicians could be charged with sician-assisted suicide is very personal. in similar circumstances. anyone of any age may request an murder or manslaughter for helping The argument against physician- assisted death if they are terminally Fletcher became quadriplegic a patient die. The Criminal Code of when he was 23 after a vehicle colli- assisted suicide can be just as per- ill. For a child to request an assisted Canada makes aiding or abetting a sion with a moose in 1996. He relies suasive. While those who support suicide, it has to be proven that they suicide illegal. on 24-hour care for all his basic needs. physician-assisted suicide strongly understand what they are requesting, The federal and provincial gov- After the accident, he continued to believe it is a choice to be made and they must undergo evaluation ernments were given a year from the suffer from complications, and dur- willingly, those opposed suggest by physicians and psychologists, and date of the February 2015 ruling to ing a 2012 surgery, he asked that the that there will be instances where have approval from their parents. develop laws overseeing physician- surgeons walk away from the operat- a patient might be pressured into In the summer of 2015, a 24-yearassisted suicide. ing table if brain damage would leave the choice by their families, by their old Belgian woman was granted an him “cognitively impaired.” physician, by economic circum- assisted suicide due to emotional In 2014 Fletcher presented two stances, or the belief that it is their suffering from a lifelong affliction bills in the House of Commons only option. of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Regardless of where regarding physician-assisted death.

It is also possible that an assisted She was considered to have been sufCanadians stand on The first bill would allow physicians to death could fail and leave the indi- fering excessively and endlessly. assist patients in dying, and the other vidual in worse condition than before Some other issues Canadians the topic, it is clearly would create a commission to keep the attempt. and lawmakers must consider: How time for it to be track of physician-assisted deaths, Importantly, it potentially gives would a physician-assisted suicide be collect data, report to Parliament, physicians too much power over who carried out once requested? Is there discussed, especially and to help improve oversight. lives and dies. a timeline between when the request The Conservative party, of which Currently, physician-assisted is made and when it is completed? in light of an Fletcher is a member, does not sup- suicide is legal in Switzerland, What if a patient diagnosed with impending election port physician-assisted death, and Albania, the Netherlands, Colombia, dementia didn’t want the suicide to so Fletcher introduced the bills as a Belgium, Luxembourg, and the U.S. occur until a future date? What safeprivate member. states of Oregon and Washington. guards will be in place to protect the In July, five months after the It is clear why Fletcher feels Switzerland is the only country which vulnerable? How many times should court’s ruling, the Conservative gov- strongly about this topic; in an unex- permits foreigners to seek physician- a patient have to request an assisted ernment assigned a panel to discuss pected accident his life completely assisted suicide. suicide before it is granted? the issue and to report the results changed, and in the years following When considering a Canada Regardless of where Canadians after the October federal election. It he endured suffering, loss of inde- where physician-assisted suicide is stand on the topic, it is clearly time for appears likely that an extension on pendence, lowered quality of life, and legal, it may be important to consider it to be discussed, especially in light the ruling will have to be requested physical pain from complications. At how the laws and culture surrounding of an impending election. by the new government, according to the very least, he wished to have had assisted suicide have evolved in other Justice Minister Peter MacKay. the choice to die if his situation were countries.

For Steven Fletcher, the Member to deteriorate further, and would In Belgium, physician-assisted of Parliament for Charleswood-St. hope that his loved ones have the suicide became legal in 2002. In James-Assiniboia, the matter of phy- choice if they ever find themselves 2014, the laws were extended so that

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Science & Technology

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

The discreet charm of the zebra finch Flirtatious birds are helping humans understand the biology of falling in love MALAK ABAS, STAFF

Due to the monogamous nature of zebra finches, the birds had to be convinced that their partners had died. They were placed in smaller cages for a few months to encourage them to connect, and afterwards they were all released into a group aviary.

Due to the monogamous nature of zebra finches, the birds had to be convinced that their partners had died GRAPHIC BY BRAM KEAST

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uman beings and zebra finches Zebra finches look for a mate for don’t seem likely to have much life and are socially monogamous the in common, but new studies show vast majority of the time. Couples that we agree on at least one front: raise their chicks together and share parenting duties. There are a few love is a complicated thing.

Most animals appear to choose other animals that are monogamous their mate based on physical or for life as well – beavers, for example genetic traits that would result in an – but what makes the zebra finch so increased chance at healthy reproduc- special is how they choose their sigtion, and with this in mind it’s easy nificant other.

There are no real physical attrito pass off the idea of “love” as an emotion exclusive to humans. These butes that determine which male birds are proving that this is not nec- finches the females (who do the choosing) will find most attractive. essarily the case.

Zebra finches (Taeniopygia gut- While there are some male finches tata) are small, cute, and very popular that are considered generally attracas pets. They are quick to adapt to tive to all female finches, this was their environment, are less likely to shown to not make a difference become ill than most birds, and they when it came to the female finch’s waste no time attempting to breed. final choice.

It turns out, much like humans This, however, does not mean that often try to claim, looks really don’t they are not choosy.

matter to the zebra finch. In fact, like humans, female finches have attributes that they personally prefer in male finches that may differ from their fellow females.

A study by Malika Ihle of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Seewiesen, Germany, wanted to test just how important letting zebra finches “fall in love” was to their likeliness to reproduce.

Ihle, along with a team of researchers, proceeded to let 160 single zebra finches to get to know each other in groups of 20 males to 20 females. When the birds had found a partner, which was visible when they began to groom each other, half were allowed to love the one they were with, and the other half were broken up and re-paired with a finch they did not choose.

What happened next was surprising. Throughout the extensive amount of recorded observation, there was a constant: the finches in the arranged partnerships were three times more likely to produce unfertilized eggs. The love-struck finches, on the other hand, were 37 per cent more likely to have their chicks survive.

In the partnerships forced by human intervention there was also a greater chance of the chicks dying within 48 hours of hatching.

Researchers observed that the male finches were notably less interested in raising their offspring and that the females were less interested in their male partners.

The researchers also switched eggs between the two different couple types, and found that this did not affect the likelihood of the embryo surviving, which suggests that the determining factor is parental care.

Reproduction was not the only thing affected in the forced couples.

Female finches were much less likely to respond when courted by their male partners, and the males were more likely to pursue other females and act in a promiscuous manner.

Looks may not matter to the zebra finch, but the ability to choose their partner obviously does. It is unlikely, however, that zebra finches choose their mate due to genetic compatibility, as scientists have yet to find an evolved trait that would allow females to be able to know which males are indirectly compatible with them. The most likely answer is that zebra finches make the choice based on behavioral compatibility.

This also explains why the zebra finches that naturally chose each other were more likely to have healthy offspring. Female finches do not all find the same behaviours attractive. Male finches, however, all find the same quality in a female finch attractive: parental compatibility with the female. The ability to be a good parent seems more important to the female zebra finch than physical or genetic attributes.

So does this have a human application? Maybe. We are not birds, but what we have in common with the zebra finch is enough for us to understand their plight. The need for compatibility in a significant other, the despair of a loveless marriage – these are not just soap opera tropes. They might be biological desires that have basis in evolutionary traits. So if you haven’t found that special someone, don’t delete Tinder just yet. Being a hopeless romantic might just be evolution’s way of making sure you’re partnered with the perfect mate.

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

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Notes from the Star Field Discussing the future of space applications and the launch industry at the European Space Policy Institute autumn conference CHANTELLE DUBOIS, STAFF

PHOTO BY CHANTELLE DUBOIS

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he European Space Policy reusability is becoming a more Institute (ESPI) is a think economical option. The presentank organization for space policy, tation had a systems engineering established by the European Space approach, with details on how Agency Council and the Austrian reusability of certain stages of the Research Promotion Agency in rocket impacted costs, the emerg2002. ESPI’s purpose is to provide ing demand for small satellite advisory services to European pol- launchers, and the CNES’s goal icy-makers on issues relating to the of reducing launch costs to 10,000 space sector and to create awareness euros per kilogram by 2020. of developing space technologies and their applications.

Overall, the The head office of the Space Generation Advisory Council European Space (SGAC), the organization I am Policy Institute interning with, is in the same building as ESPI’s. While they autumn conference are completely separate organizations, many of their goals overlap, was a very exciting such as generating awareness of introduction to space policy and being a catalyst for global co-operation. life in the Space I was lucky to start my internGeneration Advisory ship on the same day as the beginning of ESPI’s 9th annual autumn Council office conference. This year’s theme was “Access to Space and the Evolution of Space Activities,” and the twoDalBello made the interestday conference featured speakers ing comment that only 551 people from Austria, France, Germany, have ever been to space, touched the Netherlands, China, and the on the SpaceShipTwo accident U.S. The speakers came from a (which killed one pilot and injured mix of academic and industry another) and how the company backgrounds. has responded in overcoming the The crowd was a combination tragedy, and talked about Virgin of older professionals, young pro- Galactic’s LauncherOne – a fessionals, and students. Many of planned launch vehicle for small the delegates I spoke to had back- satellites. grounds in policy, law, government, Schwartz went into the ethics and international relations, with of resource exploitation of celessome engineers in the mix. I even tial objects using the International met one philosopher.

Telecommunication Union’s system While every presentation was for managing radio frequencies and interesting, a few that stood out to orbits as a model. He believed that me were the ones given by CNES a regulating body should ensure director of launchers Jean-Marc that these resources are not used Astorg, Virgin Galactic’s vice- in a way that is trivial or frivolous. president of business development Additionally, to guarantee that and governmental affairs Richard using resources has a positive social DalBello, and James Schwartz, and economic impact and that all assistant professor from Wichita nations have equal access to them, State University. a committee should be established Astorg discussed new Ariane to oversee near-Earth resource rocket design concepts and how exploitation.

During one of the breaks I had the opportunity to be part of a discussion with DalBello about space traffic management and how it could potentially be regulated. One recurring sentiment that I have encountered over the last year-and-a-half since I started attending space conferences was that space debris and managing orbital traffic is an issue that needs to be addressed.

One reason for this is that the rising popularity and accessibility of the cubesat platform has meant that a lot more small satellites are making their way to orbit, and not all of them are being tracked or have de-orbiting capabilities. The cubesat platform is being used widely in academic and commercial settings, and gaining popularity due to their relatively low cost and short build-time.

There have already been incidences in the recent past of inactive satellites colliding with other satellites, creating space debris. If this happens too often, there could be a day where certain orbits become unusable. With increasing numbers of satellites in low Earth orbit, collisions could potentially begin to happen more often.

The U of M’s Space Applications and Technology Society has considered this issue before, and is currently working on solutions so that if our nano-satellite is launched, it doesn’t remain in orbit for an excessive amount of time after its useful lifespan ends.

Overall, the ESPI autumn conference was a very exciting introduction to life in the SGAC office.

Chantelle Dubois is currently interning with the Space Generation Advisory Council in Vienna, and will be writing about her experiences in the Notes from the Star Field series for the Manitoban.

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

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

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VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

Diversions

IVORY BUFFALO THE

Aging slob disappointed with professional athlete’s performance Overweight dad calls player’s competence into question MURV BERKLEY, STAFF

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orty-eight-year-old Gordon Berger is up in arms after seeing what he called an underwhelming performance by CFL quarterback Jeff McMann in a televised game over the weekend.

The overweight father of two

identified numerous instances where the professional athlete was unable to outperform other professional athletes as evidence of his general incompetence.

“You see that throw? That was garbage! I don’t know why they don’t just

trade this guy,” Berger yelled to no one in particular after an incomplete pass by McMann.

“His range is really nothing to write home about,” added Berger, who last threw a football at age 16.

The Ivory Buffalo reached out to

ILLUSTRATION BY BRAM KEAST

Jeff McMann for reaction to Berger’s criticism but did not hear back by press time.

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

The Park’s pinnacles

Park Theatre staff and performers reminisce as venue’s 10-year anniversary approaches OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

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he Park Theatre is a very well- crowd and having them carry her all known and cherished venue in the way out of the venue, into the lobby Winnipeg where arts and entertain- and to the merch area.” ment are recognized and celebrated “Random, silly things like that are all year round. always great to see and they are things The old-school movie theatre that people will always remember.”

The sense of creating those façade with flashing lights begging you to notice the weekend line-up is moments for the audience and perjust as enticing as the crowd of show- formers is evident to those who hold goers below. They range from Rocky the Park Theatre dear. Romi Mayes, Horror Picture Show attendees in tights local musician and Sunday night feato toqued teenagers awaiting an awe- ture in the anniversary show series, inspiring performance for only 10 bucks. describes the venue as “monumental If you bow to common sense, you will in the constant development and mainfind yourself in the beautifully reno- tenance of the reputable thriving arts vated Park Theatre. scene in Winnipeg” and calls it “one of The venue screams “Winnipeg” [her] favourite places to perform and to from the welcoming, friendly bartend- see performances.” ers serving Standard lagers non-stop in Headliner of the Sunday night the lobby to the theatre itself. Inside, show Scott Nolan described the Park you’ll feel like it’s a crime to be so close Theatre as “an anchor for the whole to the talent until they hop off the stage neighbourhood.” after their performance and humbly A recent illness forced local punk accept your praise and ask your name. rock band The Ripperz to alter their The sense of community is contagious Friday night set for the upcoming and you always leave feeling like you anniversary show weekend to a solo set performed by band member Chris were a part of something special.

This weekend marks the 10th anni- Sawatzky. versary of the Park and many local “I think the Park Theatre accomfavourites are honouring the venue modating this is the neighbourly thing with four days of talent-filled shows to do. I really like playing that room,” from Oct. 1-4. said Sawatzky.

Promotions and talent buyer Kevin The Park Theatre’s role has changed Mozden wanted to showcase all the during the lives of many, including unique talent they have to offer. local musician Kieran West, who origi“No two nights will be alike. We nally attended shows there as a teenager. have really booked something for every “Those artists and those shows are musical taste this weekend,” he said. what inspired me and showed me that The Park Theatre wasn’t always the I could be doing the same thing,” West venue we know and love today. Owner told the Manitoban.

Erick Casselman made thorough renWest has now gone on to play shows ovations to get the establishment in solo and as the lead singer of Kieran working condition.

West and his Buffalo Band in events “It had literally sat empty for almost such as the Park Theatre’s former con25 years. The electrical, the heating, cert series Heartworn Highways and cooling, the roof, plumbing – there was as an opener for Western Canadian nothing that wasn’t rebuilt or replaced,” Music Award winner Del Barber. West said Casselman. has also earned himself a slot in the Starting off as a humble coffee Sunday night anniversary showcase shop with DVD rentals, after a while alongside local folk/country artist the stage began to be used for perfor- Richard Inman. mances. Investments in the PA sysSo what makes the Park Theatre tem and lighting then created a perfect stand out to locals in such a positive way? venue to produce a variety of shows.

“I think one of the things that is so Over the past 10 years, the Park unique is just the diversity of our proTheatre has hosted a number of great gramming here,” said Mozden. acts.

“We are welcoming to pretty much “There have been so many amazing anything. We have hosted events for nights and great memories in this room, nearly every genre of music thinkable every night stands out as a highlight,” on top of doing comedy events, film screenings, poetry readings, plays, and said Casselman.

“If I could be so bold to pick a few, it much more. We’ve hosted birthday would be JP Hoe recording his live beta parties for children, retirement gatherproject here, the night Imaginary Cities ings, socials, and weddings. The room and Royal Canoe played the same show looks great and really lends itself well back-to-back, back-to-back sold-out to just about any kind of event you can nights with Said the Whale, the think of.”

Strumbellas show with the entire room Casselman and his team make the singing along, Jen Kirkman’s night of Park Theatre accessible to a variety of talent and he doesn’t plan to slow down comedy, and Hannibal Burress.”

Mozden had some highlights as anytime soon. well. One was “when Mac DeMarco “We have a lot in store for Winnipeg, – playing to a sold-out crowd in June of and are looking forward to another 10 2014 – crowd-surfed all the way from the years and more with this amazing city.” stage to the bar at the back of the room, ordered a drink, then was carried all For more information and to purchase the way back to the stage by the crowd.” tickets online for the Park Theatre’s “The other was when Alvvays played 10th anniversary weekend, please here and lead singer Molly Rankin fin- visit www.parktheatervideo.com/ ished their show by jumping into the event-calendar/category/park10/.

PHOTOS BY DWAYNE LARSON

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Arts & Culture

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

While you’re waiting for Episode VII A review of Celebrations Dinner Theatre’s production of Star Warz KAI CHOCHINOV

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CELEBRATIONS DINNER THEATRE

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f you’re anything like me, you’ve After some tasty soup and spent countless hours over the salad to start, the Empire’s new past year scouring the Internet for PR man Kristoff came up on stage new tidbits about Star Wars: Episode to introduce himself. Then, with VII. A teaser-trailer here, a leaked no explanation other than that he image of the Millennium Falcon enjoyed dancing, he began to sing there. The wait for the release of The “My Sharona.” Don’t worry, it made Force Awakens on Dec. 18 has only as little sense as it sounds like it did. gotten harder as the date grows Off to the side, a screen began to nearer. show the traditional text scrolling In an attempt to mollify my off into space. “In a galaxy far, far building need for anything Star away...” it said, followed by, “Yes, Wars, I decided on a change of even further away than Transcona.” course – after all, a person can If you found that funny, then only spend so much time staring this show’s humour is for you. at a blurry image of a bearded Luke The show’s greatest weakness Skywalker. I pulled myself away was its writing. Now, I wasn’t from my computer screen and expecting a Galactic Rock Comedy headed over to Celebrations Dinner to be Shakespeare, but I was hoping Theatre to see their production of for some clever parody.

Star Warz: A Galactic Rock Comedy.

The main character was NASA When I entered the theatre, a astronaut Luke Skyrocker. He giddy smile was glued to my face. appeared in the galaxy through a Rom Fantini and Jamie Cooney’s strange wormhole while searchset design was gorgeous. The stage ing for his lost lover. He bumps had been turned into the interior of into Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han one the Galactic Empire’s Imperial Solo (who oddly don’t have parody Star Destroyers. If an image doesn’t names), who take him on a journey immediately come to mind, think to destroy the Death Star. At that sci-fi spaceship set. point, the plot more or less follows Everything was made of high- that of Star Wars: Episode IV. tech-looking metal panels. Sliding The music was not what I was doors stood on either side of the expecting. I was ready for Star stage and multi-coloured, brightly Wars-themed classic rock parolit buttons covered nearly every dies. Instead, what they gave me surface. At the centre of the stage, were classic rock covers by people a ramp led up to an upper plat- in Star Wars costumes (albeit very form and the “window” of the nice ones), followed by Star Warsship. Through the window (with themed interludes. the clever use of video projection), Most times, the songs were tied one could see the starry expanse of into the plot by a single line. For space and – in the distance – the example, when asked who he is, Death Star.

Han Solo sings the Steve Miller

Band’s “The Joker,” which begins with the line, “Some people call me the space cowboy.” Perfect. Very fitting, until the song continues and it’s just a guy dressed as Han Solo singing a cover. Sadly, that example is one of the better ones. Many of the songs were forced into the show for no conceivable reason other than that they were popular rock songs.

Thankfully, all of the performers were quite strong. Brad Zacharias as Luke Skyrocker and Kesinee Haney as Princess Leia had the standout voices, while Corey James’s charmingly over-confident Han Solo and Len Harvey’s wacky old man Obi-Wan gave the strongest acting performances.

So, is it worth seeing? Well, for the student price of $46, and accounting for the fact that you get a four-course meal with the show, it’s not a horrible value. If you enjoy over-the-top silly humour, classic rock covers, and of course Star Wars, then it’s certainly not the worst way you could spend your money and your evening.

But, did it satisfy my Star Wars cravings while I wait for the new movie? No, it didn’t. But in all fairness, until I’m sitting in that theatre on December 18, I doubt anything will.

If you’re interested in seeing Star Warz, the show runs until Oct. 10. For details and tickets, visit www.celebrations.ca.

Arts & Culture

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

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

OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, STAFF

OLIVIA MICHALCZUK, STAFF

Carly Dow Ingrained 4.5/5

The Sheepdogs Future Nostalgia 4/5

T. Nautilus T. Nautilus 4/5

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t is no surprise that Ingrained graced the National top 10 charts in the folk/roots/blues category and subsequently carried Carly Dow on tour across Canada.

Ingrained is instrumentally tight with a variety of contributions including a soulful harmonica in the song “Casanova,” and a bluesy guitar crawl through “This Dress.”

A stomp-and-clap keeps the beat for the extremely strong opening folk-march “Olive Branch,” which has incredible harmonies and powerful lyrics, a foreshadowing for the album’s fantastic vocal lead.

Dow uses lyrics to tell fantastic, emotional, and poetic stories, as is illustrated in “Down the Road” and “All Sleep Tonight.” There is no particular stand-out track in this album because all the songs are fantastic and different in their own right.

There are a variety of songs that cater to a range of moods, thoughts, and emotions. The morose vibe of “Soil to Dust” is amazing, especially for such an upbeat song. Your heart jumps when a track opens with a capella vocals because it is such a clear and soulful instrument and a treat to enjoy independently.

The fact that Dow

IMAGE PROVIDED BY OLA VOLA

recorded parts of the album in the Visitor Centre of Riding Mountain National Park adds to the folksy charm and sense of intimacy intertwined into the incredible music performances.

I highly recommend this album to anyone who is in Folk Fest withdrawal and needs something to tide him or her over until next summer. www.carlydowmusic.com

onestly, I was a little found T. Nautilus to be the apprehensive about exact opposite of what I was reviewing this album at first. expecting based on the album The band’s self-titled release artwork. The opening song of of 2012, produced by drumthe album, “A Weird Nautilus,” mer Patrick Carney of awardis intriguing yet very slowwinning blues-rock revival duo IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE SHEEPDOGS going, similar to that of a IMAGE PROVIDED BY T. NAUTILUS The Black Keys, didn’t grab grade-seven band concert that me at all. In fact, the fuzzed- band has created an album full eventually builds in to some forced the song to linger and out, muddy tones of tracks like of brighter, catchier songs that sort of modern sea-shanty lose the potential for a strong “Feeling Good” and “Alright forsake none of the bluesy rock with new-school instrumental finish or perfect simplicity.

OK” just sounded like a rehash and roll credibility built over contributions. An odd com- On the other hand, “Silencer” of Carney’s own band. bination, yet it turns out to be ended so abruptly that I wasn’t the band’s nine-year career.

That being said, I’m glad If you’re one of the many a pretty impressive evolution. even expecting it and I found I set my worries aside and who did like the band’s last At this point you have no idea myself comparing it to somegave Future Nostalgia a listen. effort, fear not. There are still what to expect. one putting a stick through From the moment the album’s plenty of swampy, sleazy numThe album is upbeat and your bicycle spokes as you’re opening track “I’m Gonna bers on Future Nostalgia guar- very catchy, with a really cruising along.

Be Myself ” hit my ears, any anteed to please any blues-rock cool arrangement. The vocal I would highly recommend preconceived worries I had revivalist. “Back Down” and performances are strong and listening to it more than once about this album repeating “Help Us All” stick to this the lyrics are well placed and before you make a full judgits predecessor were crushed dynamic, with considerable meaningful. “Down on the ment because there is a lot beneath bright, ringing chords, riffy flair (it’s The Sheepdogs, Ground” and “Feel it Now” going on and this album can a soaring Hammond organ, after all). With the new are fantastic – they are the be pretty weird. With this and the band’s signature har- album’s brighter production two songs on the album that in mind, the album will find monized guitar leads. All of and renewed emphasis on I couldn’t stop listening to. itself back in the CD player these cohesive elements form tight, catchy song arrange- They’re so interesting and both over and over again and I’m the perfect musical lovech- ments, I like these songs too. have awesome melodies that adding quite a few songs to my ild between Thin Lizzy and In short: if you’re already will be stuck in your head all local music collection.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a won- a fan of The Sheepdogs, you day. It reminds me of Foster derful way to begin an album. won’t be disappointed. If you the People with a hint of www.tnautilus.bandcamp.com Perhaps it was frontman couldn’t really get into their Winnipeg and just the right Ewan Currie’s decision to last release, give this one a try. amount of experimentation. produce the album himself If you’ve never heard these There are a variety of layalongside engineer Matt guys, but you’ve got a pen- ers in all the songs with tons Ross-Sprang, or perhaps the chant for classic rock crossbred of instrumental sounds comgroup’s new Winnipeg-born with Band of Horses and The ing in pleasingly odd places. lead guitarist Rusty Matyas Black Keys, what are you wait- However, I sometimes found brought the pop sensibilities of ing for? the odd noises and vocals incohis old band Imaginary Cities herent and random in the midinto the mix. Either way, the www.thesheepdogs.com dle of songs. Sometimes they

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Arts & Culture

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

Ready to launch Local indie rock/pop duo release long-awaited second album SEAMUS HAMILTON-PATTISON, STAFF

type of songwriting with particular gusto, sounding for all the world like Japandroids had cleaned up their guitar sound and added in some Pavement-esque melodicism to their vocal arrangements.

PHOTO BY MARIE-FRANCE HOLLIER

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ocal indie rock/pop duo Cannon Bros. are set to release their second full-length album Dream City on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Good Will Social Club.

Dream City is the follow-up to the band’s 2011 release Firecracker/ Cloudglow and sounds like a perfectly logical progression from its predecessor.

The opening track and lead single The rest of the album continues of the album “Can’t Sleep” provides in the same vein, for the most part. no elaborate introduction to the Almost every track is under three album; it simply crashes in with minutes in length and nearly all of a jangly, reverb-drenched guitar them showcase the group’s uniquely keeping time to a driving, simplistic refined blend of jangly pop melodies drumbeat. Vocalist/drummer/guitar- and blaring, discordant indie-rock ist Alannah Walker’s sharp, nasally, guitar tone. “Totally Crushed” – sung quirky, and charming vocals begin by other vocalist/guitarist/drumthe first verse shortly after. mer Cole Woods – exemplifies this

away from having basslines and more guitar overdubs – stuff like that. We didn’t shy away from having it sound more like a full band.”

Containing 19 songs, Dream City is long for an album, especially when considering the current popularity of EPs (brief, four-to-five track releases) “This time, we didn’t among local acts.

“We wanted all those songs on shy away from there, and they’re not very long [...] having basslines To me, it doesn’t feel super long. If we had gone with like 12 and they were and more guitar the length that they are, it would have overdubs – stuff like been a pretty short album,” Walker told the Manitoban. that. We didn’t shy Walker also addressed the band’s away from having four-year hiatus between releases, closing the interview reinforcing her it sound more like a excitement at its imminent release.

“We started recording this album full band” – Alannah maybe two years ago, with the intenWalker, Cannon Bros. tion of finishing it more quickly than we did. It didn’t take us long to finish actually recording it, but the lyrics Walker attributes the formation weren’t finalized and so we had to of Cannon Bros. to her and Woods’ go back and do that [...] I would say acquisition of drum kits, which the main reason is, probably, after we prompted the two to start playing finished touring I wanted to finish my songs together. The band began out degree. That became my number-one of a casual and mutual appreciation priority,” said Walker. for music and appears to have contin“We’re really excited to release ued to exist in such a manner, with this album, and I know it’s been a both Walker and Woods switching long time coming. We just hope that between the roles of drummer, gui- people enjoy it.” tarist, and vocalist as they see fit.

“The way we wrote and put the Cannon Bros. will be joined by songs together is pretty much exactly special guests Shotgun Jimmie and the same,” Walker said of the new Iansucks for the Dream City album album. release on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the “With our first album, we wanted Good Will Social Club. Tickets can it to sound like a two-piece. So any be purchased for $10 at the Good of the bass on that album is just low Will Social Club, Music Traders, keyboard: subtle, and not really and online at www.ticketfly.com. noticeable. This time, we didn’t shy

Old concept, new deli New sandwich shop in West Broadway embraces traditional kosher-style deli food STEPHANIE JOHNSTON

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alling all sandwich lovers: a and how it originated.” sourced. For Hochman, this is more Hochman’s first venture into the sandwich shops, with a Stella’s, new deli concept restaurant has A single sandwich equipped with than a business; it’s a “labour of love.” restaurant business was Fitzroy, an Subway, and The Tallest Poppy suropened on Sherbrook St., and it’s sure meat, bread, and mustard may seem a The restaurant business has been American-style restaurant featuring rounding Sherbrook Street Deli. to satisfy any appetite. bit stingy for its $8.75-$10.50 price tag, Hochman’s bread and butter long tapas and bar food. Fitzroy closed Hochman sees no conf lict This isn’t your local grocery but it’s stacked high enough to give before the opening of his deli. after three years when Hochman between the restaurants, saying store deli counter. Sherbrook Street anyone the meat decided to turn “everything is very different, each Delicatessen has taken the busi- sweats. the space into with their own specialty.” ness back to the golden age of delis “Our most popthe new home of For Hochman, the difference Hochman has a do-it-all attitude when (think New York circa 1990) to show ular sandwich has Sherbrook Street comes with respecting the tradition it comes to food preparation, with all Winnipeg what sandwiches are three ingredients,” Deli. Opening of the delicatessen and adding his really about. Serving kosher deli fare, said Hochman. a deli has been passion and experience. The most ingredients, from mustard to smoked Sherbrook Street Deli is about more To him, the key to Hochman’s dream important thing, Hochman says, is meat, hand-crafted in house. Anything than your average ham and turkey. success is to “focus since he was 12 to “show love of the product. If [the The menu features a variety of on the simple years old, and he is ingredients] were store-bought, it he can’t make is locally sourced sandwiches, most with no more than things and do it not looking back. would just be a business.” four ingredients, along with soups really well – that’s “Fitzroy was and salads. The restaurant offers both how classics are made.”

Hochman’s passion progressed fun, but it wasn’t well received,” said Located at 102 Sherbrook St., sit-down and take-out options, as Hochman has a do-it-all attitude from washing dishes in the kitchen Hochman.

Sherbrook Street Delicatessen is well as “cuts” or “scoops” for at-home when it comes to food preparation, at summer camp to helping his Zaida “[The deli] is a better move – sand- open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. sandwich making. with all ingredients, from mustard to and Baba cook at home to completing wiches are very approachable.”

Owner Jon Hochman hopes to smoked meat, hand-crafted in house. the Culinary Arts program at Red Winnipeg’s West Broadway “stay true to the concept of the deli Anything he can’t make is locally River College. neighbourhood is no stranger to

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

Arts & Culture

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

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Build it and they will come?

Bison Sports pushes for better attendance at games MIKE STILL, STAFF

PHOTO BY CAROLYNE KROEKER

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n September 2013, the University of Manitoba Bisons football team played their first ever home game in the newly built Investors Group Field (IGF). The field has a capacity of 33,422, but the Bisons saw only 6,435 fans come out to support the herd. Unfortunately, that number is the most that Manitoba has ever had come out to watch a Bison game at IGF. So far in 2015, numbers have been low again. A total of 3,291 fans came out to Manitoba’s home opener, and the following week only 2,406 showed up for the herd’s matchup against University of British Columbia (UBC).

The university has 24,903 students enrolled full time for the fall 2015 term and with the addition of the sports and recreation fee this year, each one of those individuals gets in free for any Bison game on campus. With that knowledge, one would think it would be pretty simple to pack the stadium. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

Roxanne Scarth, who’s responsible for marketing, sponsorship, and ticketing for Bison Sports, noted that there were staff and athletes set up all over campus during the first week of school, trying to educate and inform students about the new fee and the importance of coming out to support their fellow students.

“We had a lot of tables set up, such as in University Centre, and had athletes there, as well as Billy the Bison, to try and connect with the students one-on-one and create awareness about the fee,” Scarth said.

“Also, when [students] activate their passes at the Active Living Centre and get a sticker, they’re all being told again verbally.”

Bison Sports has also been working with the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU), using their resources to help advertise the free admission to Bisons games.

“With the students and the student fee, we’ve been relying on internal partners like UMSU to help with that communication,” Scarth said. “We’ve been using UMSU’s televisions to put [information on the athletic fee] on, and that kind of partnership.”

Bison Sports are making sure that students are aware. The rest is up to individuals to take the initiative and show up.

Working with a budget

Bison Sports’s ability to promote athletic events is also hampered by their budget and number of staff.

“If you look at other schools, like the University of Alberta, or Calgary, or UBC, their athletic department, not including coaches, has about 12-15 core staff people. In Bison Sports, we only have six core staff people, so we

have to look at what we’re able to do within our 35 hours a week that’s realistic,” Scarth said.

“We try to do our best, and we offer the best quality of entertainment that we can, but it’s hard to get to everything.”

Out of the three universities Scarth mentioned, UBC stands out.

They were in a similar boat in terms of fan attendance up until a few seasons ago, but a change in funding to the athletic department has helped.

One strong example of this change was the 6,950 fans they had come out to their homecoming game this year, which is more than both of the Bisons’ first two home games combined.

“If you look at UBC, they’ve pumped a lot of money into athletics the last few years, so that also correlates to the university taking from, in my opinion, a huge backing and support of athletics,” Scarth said.

“That means other departments like student life, or residence, are also engaging and connecting. We’re starting to get there, but it’s going to take some time.”

Scarth also added that budget cuts, which came into effect this year, had a strong effect on the athletic department, which is included in the faculty of kinesiology and recreation management.

“Because a lot of our costs are fixed costs, because of travel, we had to

look at other areas that we had to Importance of homefield advantage tighten up on,” Scarth said.

Despite the cuts, the faculty of While Bison Sports is working kinesiology and recreation manage- hard to create an optimal fan experiment is doing their best to make ence, it’s still up to the students and promising changes in order to hope- fans to do their part and actually fully get students more excited about show up.

Bison linebacker and captain DJ heading to sporting events.

“Our dean, Douglas Brown, who’s Lalama emphasized the importance a big supporter of sport and recre- of home field advantage. ation, is working on a strategic plan “Football is the ultimate team for our faculty, to kind of get a busi- sport, and momentum can change ness plan, to sort of bridge some of the pace of a series, game, or season. those gaps [in resources and fund- Fans can have a huge impact on the ing],” Scarth said. above,” Lalama said.

Structurally within Bison Sports, “IGF is the best facility in the Scarth has also been happy with a country when it comes to football. number of things that have already We are a nationally ranked team, and been accomplished. the support at home would only make “We’ve gotten a new website, it tougher on opposing teams to come which has been really big, obviously in and compete, while elevating our IGF is another addition, and now own levels of play while at home.” the Active Living Centre, so we have Lalama also touched on the atmosome really great facilities that are sphere that a large crowd helps create. coming to fruition which have been “When we travel to Montreal or in the works for a long time,” Scarth Saskatoon and see 8,500 fans, it’s said. exciting. It brings up the energy from “Other things have also been work- both teams, and makes the game ing on, like getting a new Billy the what it’s supposed to be,” Lalama said.

Bison costume, working on market“It creates an atmosphere where ing and branding with the univer- the home team often succeeds, and sity’s marketing and communications if not, at least gives them a distinct office, and trying to have a unified advantage. The students at U of M visual identity for Bison Sports.” could very much impact our next two home games. Show up, and we won’t disappoint.”

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

Sports

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Pushing forward Bison basketball player’s astounding return to the court after ACL surgery MIKE STILL, STAFF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BISON SPORTS

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eptember 14, 2014 is a day Amir Ali worked hard during his rehab, Ali won’t soon forget. pushing himself for six weeks. He Ali, a University of Manitoba sat out all of the pre-season before Bisons men’s basketball player, was making his return to the court for doing a normal transition drill in the opening series of the year against practice. “I was just attacking the Trinity Western. rim, same move I’ve done a million Ali would log a total of 18 mintimes,” he said. utes that weekend, as well as the next, “I think I got myself caught a little against Regina. His knee, while still behind the backboard, and went a bit a bit wonky, was improving. too far and tried to cut back. It was a normal basketball play, happens all the time. All of a sudden, boom, “It was literally a knee goes.” year ago last week Ali had torn his ACL. Up until that day, he had never had a knee that I got hurt, and problem in his career. The timing I had no clue that couldn’t have been any worse, as he was named a co-captain for the sec- this was how it was ond consecutive year in 2014-15, and going to go. It’s crazy was just putting the final touches into what was supposed to be a memo- how things change rable final year with the herd when fast” – Amir Ali the injury occurred.

At first, Ali was in denial, but that quickly turned to frustration when he realized his career might be over.

Friday, Nov. 14, against the “It’s just one of those things where it’s Brandon Bobcats was an entirely like, fifth year, is this really happen- different story. ing right now of all times,” Ali said.

“It was during that fifth game, Since Ali had already graduated right at my first shift, it came out from the U of M, and was coming bad,” Ali said. “It was way different back just to play his final year with than normally. That one rattled the the Bisons, he chose to try and reha- cage, I was like, ‘oh shoot, this is bad.’” bilitate the knee and get on the court Ali would have surgery in January for the 2014-15 season.

2015, and at that point he didn’t know

if he was going to play again. He ping back on the court in 2015-16. mer dean of the U of M’s college of would meet with Dean Kriellaars, “If I had played another game, then medicine. an associate professor in the U of M’s I think my appeal process would have A little while later the two met department of physical therapy, to been an actual process, but because I up, and Wade helped Ali in making weigh the options. didn’t actually break any of the rules, his decision, which was ultimately to For the second time in four or pass that limit, then it was okay,” try to defer his acceptance to medmonths, Ali began the rehabilita- Ali said. ical school in order to focus solely on tion process, this time post-surgery. basketball.

He improved drastically in a short Wade introduced Ali to Bruce It was a tough amount of time and was quick to Martin, director of postgraduate credit Kriellaars’s program, which medical education at the U of M, who summer, with was intensive but worked. Three days was able to help him make arrangerehabilitation three after surgery, Ali was already walking ments to defer. without crutches.

“We talked about it, and he was times a day, but Ali “Dean is the best at what he does, awesome, such a nice guy,” Ali said. fought through. but it’s because he works you into the “He presented me with my options of ground,” Ali said. “It was 12 sessions deferring, and at that point, I kind All he had to do a week for seven months, essentially.” of knew that I wanted to be playing now was wait It was a tough summer, with rehaagain.” bilitation three times a day, but Ali Ali was reserved a spot in next fought through. All he had to do now year’s class, and will start medical was wait.

About a week after hearing the school in August 2016. positive news, Ali found out he got Fate dealt Ali a cruel hand, but Big decisions to make early acceptance into medical school patience and hard work slowly turned In mid-May, two important at the U of M. While he was excited, his negatives into positives. His knee events occurred in Ali’s life. The first he also knew he had a big decision to feels good, he has his educational was being informed that he got his make. His knee wasn’t at 100 per cent future figured out, and now he can fifth year back due to the medical yet, and it would be tough to try and focus solely on helping win a Canada redshirt rule. balance athletics with medical school. West basketball banner for Manitoba.

A player who played over five About a month before med school “It was literally a year ago last week games of the regular season wouldn’t started, Ali got another blessing in that I got hurt, and I had no clue that be eligible for medical redshirt status, disguise. this was how it was going to go,” Ali making the timing of Ali’s setback a He was asked to speak at the said. “It’s crazy how things change fortunate one in that regard. If his re- Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club’s fast.” injury had occurred a day later, then annual general meeting, where he he may not have had a chance of step- met a man named John Wade, a for-

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Sports

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

Bisons bounce back Manitoba outscores Alberta 26-7 in second half, snaps two-game losing streak RYAN STELTER, VOLUNTEER STAFF

PHOTO BY JEFF MILLER

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he University of Manitoba Bisons football team headed into Friday night’s game against Alberta desperate for a win after two disappointing losses against UBC and Calgary. After trailing by nine at halftime, the Bisons would complete a second half comeback, winning 42-32.

Star performances from running back Jamel Lyles and slotback Alex Vitt helped spur the herd to victory.

The Bisons showed their resolve from the very beginning.

Quarterback Theo Deezar started the game by throwing an interception on Manitoba’s first drive, but the Bison defence held, with Braden McCarthy recovering a fumble on the ensuing Alberta possession.

Manitoba got on the board right after that on a one-yard run from Cameron Fox. Alberta responded with a touchdown of their own shortly after. The Golden Bears and Bisons traded scores in the second quarter, with Alberta leading 25-16 at the half.

Manitoba opened up the second half with a four-play, 60-yard touchdown drive capped off with a 21-yard pass to receiver Jesse Walker.

The Golden Bears scored on their very next drive to keep Manitoba at bay.

Alberta was not prepared for Lyles in the second half, however.

The running back completely took over. He put the momentum in the Bisons’ hands on a wonderful 73-yard punt return at the end of the third quarter, levelling the score at 32.

Manitoba couldn’t be stopped after that, as they outscored the Bears 10-0 in the fourth quarter.

Lyles added another touchdown and Ryan Jones scored a field goal with five minutes remaining to make it a two-possession game for Alberta.

The Golden Bears attempted to make a comeback, but that effort was stymied by an interception by Brett MacFarlane. The win brings the Bisons back to .500 and keeps their perfect road record intact.

Mr. All-Purpose

Lyles has been dubbed “Mr. AllPurpose,” and rightly so: he collected 258 yards in total offence for the Bisons.

He was a beast in the backfield specifically, racking up 119 yards on 14 attempts and scoring a touchdown. The Surrey, B.C. product now has 416 rushing yards total on the year and is averaging 104 yards a game.

Lyles has been dubbed “Mr. AllPurpose,” and rightly so: he collected 258 yards in total offence for the Bisons Spreading the love

The Bison receiving core were all involved in this game, with seven receivers making at least one grab.

Vitt led the pack with six catches and 131 yards. Walker also continued his touchdown streak, scoring in his third straight game, while Anthony Dyck scored his first CIS touchdown in this game as well.

Shutting it down

The Bison defence also performed very well in this game, recording three sacks. McCarthy, a defensive end, had two, while defensive tackle David Onyemata added a sack of his own as well as eight tackles.

Defensive end/tackle Evan Foster led Manitoba with nine tackles. He is the team leader in that category this season with 22.5.

That also puts him eighth in the Canada West conference.

The win puts the Bisons in a tie with multiple teams for second place in the conference. Manitoba heads back home for homecoming weekend against the Regina Rams this weekend, who are winless so far this year.

VOL. 102 NO. 8 September 30, 2015

Sports

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Another weekend, another turnaround Keepers Werle, Wilford star in matchups ahead of IGF derby clash ANDY CHE, STAFF

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he University of Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer team is certainly developing a good way of responding to deficits. Following a tough loss to the Calgary Dinos on Saturday, the Bisons hammered the Lethbridge Pronghorns 3-0 on Sunday.

The victory against Lethbridge will provide some needed comfort before their derby match against the Winnipeg Wesmen at Investors Group Field on Oct. 9. It also caps off another weekend which saw the Bisons respond to a loss with a resounding victory.

Calgary vs. Manitoba

The Dinos and Bisons kicked off their match in excruciatingly windy conditions – a major contributing factor in the performance for both sides. Calgary goalkeeper Erica Fox was under early pressure when she faced Bisons strikers Camille Plett and Alanna Shaw on breakaways, but she was equal to them.

Calgary took the lead through Jordan Smith’s curling effort that

flew past Chloe Werle’s reach. Ten tom left corner. minutes later, Manitoba responded Speaking after the 3-1 loss, coach through Shaw, who rounded Fox and Vanessa Martinez-Lagunas discussed finished for the equalizer. her game plans for their meeting Heading past the half-hour mark, against the Lethbridge Pronghorns. the wind nearly took its toll on Fox. “You need to believe that no matter Megan Graca’s ambitious half volley what obstacle comes your way, you from a distance slipped through the can overcome it. We lost the game but hands of the goalkeeper before ping- we haven’t lost the battle so we have ing the crossbar. Werle was almost the opportunity tomorrow to finish celebrating an extraordinary goal of with a successful weekend.” her own when her long ball traveled the length of the pitch and bounced Lethbridge vs. Manitoba half, the Bisons began to run away The Bisons swapped goalkeep- with it. Plett’s strike saw the Bisons just past Fox’s post.

Just after halftime, Werle pro- ers for their second matchup of the take a commanding 3-0 lead, yet duced her finest save of the match weekend, with Wilford replacing the Pronghorns continued to prove by tipping away a Maddison Fritze Werle ahead of their visit from the themselves a threat.

At the 75-minute mark, Emily drive from 20 yards at full stretch. Pronghorns.

The Bisons’ number one was kept Within the opening half of the Felker forced a save from Wilford and busy, making 14 saves. first 45 minutes, Manitoba had then the Bison goalie denied striker At the 69th minute, the Dinos already gotten off to the ideal start. Lindsay Amatto with two more saves snatched the go-ahead goal through Shaw played through winger Selina in succession to keep Lethbridge at Mollee Ramsay’s strike, which Speranza to draw first blood for the bay. slipped through the grasp of Werle, Bisons. After 20 minutes, the lead The goalkeeper played the entire despite the keeper being able to get was extended to 2-0 through Elyce 90 minutes, keeping the Dinos’ score her hands on it. Three minutes later, Molyneaux’s premiere goal of the sheet clean while making an astoundCalgary cushioned their lead through season. ing 14 saves.

Ten minutes into the second With their fourth victory of the Fritze, converting a drive to the bot-

PHOTO BY CHANTAL ZDAN

CIS campaign, the Bisons have matched last season’s mark with six competitive matches remaining before the playoffs. It’s a clear indication that the Manitoba Bisons are improving and will continue to do so for the rest of the year.

The herd will take a break for the upcoming week before their derby match at IGF and the Duckworth Challenge. Finishing on a high note with three points and a clean sheet to boot, the Bisons have generated some much-needed momentum and confidence ahead of the critical match.