Issue for November 25, 2024

THE VARSITY

NEWS

Canadian government’s latest handbook seeks to solidify working definition of antisemitism

NEWS U of T community members, city councillor react to proposed bike lane removal

T HE VA RSI T Y

Vol. CXLV, No. 11

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Canadian government’s handbook seeks to solidify working definition of antisemitism Faculty, students weigh in on the handbook and definition

Damola Omole Associate News Editor

Content warning: This article mentions antisemitism and genocide

On October 31, the Canadian government published the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism: a guiding document intended to help Canadians recognize and combat antisemitism in various settings. This handbook builds on Canada’s 2019 adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism as part of its Anti-Racism Strategy.

The handbook traces Canada’s antisemitism back to the 1930s and 1940s when the Canadian government enacted an immigration policy that prevented entry to Canada for “peoples that were seen to be unassimilable” — including Jewish people. It cites the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel as the driving force for a new wave of antisemitism in Canada.

While the IHRA definition is not a legal document, the handbook is supposed to serve as a reference in practical scenarios across fields including education, civil services, law enforcement, and public policy. The Canadian government aims to promote the use of this across societal institutions to foster greater awareness of antisemitism and its various forms.

Breaking down the handbook

The handbook has four key elements: the Core Definition, the Preamble, the Illustrative Examples, and the Postscript. The Core Definition provides a broad outline of the definition of antisemitism, describing the term as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” This includes both verbal and physical acts against Jewish individuals, community institutions, and property.

The Preamble contextualizes antisemitism in relation to issues including common myths and stereotypes about Jewish people, and provides guidance for differentiating antisemitic rhetoric from legitimate criticism of Israel. It clarifies that criticism of Israel, akin to criticism directed at other countries, is not inherently antisemitic. But it notes that “applying double standards” to Israel or holding Jewish people collectively responsible for Israel’s actions may indicate an antisemitic bias.

The Illustrative Examples section outlines 11 common instances of antisemitism — including Holocaust denial, accusations of dual loyalty of Jewish citizens to Israel, and claims that Jewish people control global institutions. The handbook also identifies denial or distortion of the October 7 Hamas attacks as a form of antisemitism — drawing parallels to Holocaust denialism.

Finally, the Postscript clarifies that while the definition is a tool for awareness and recognition, it does not override existing laws or criminalize antisemitic acts independently of existing hate crime laws. However, the handbook emphasizes that antisemitic motives may influence criminal charges if hate crime elements are identified.

Rising antisemitism

Co-president of Hillel UofT, Matan Frankl, relayed

CORRECTIONS

his perspective on the handbook in an email to The Varsity.

“I would gauge the definition as sufficient in outlining a basic and graspable conception of antisemitism,” Frankl wrote. “The definition itself uses straightforward, broad terms, while the intricacies are found in the IHRA’s “illustrations and contemporary examples.””

“There are certain applications or invocations of the definition that can be read uneasily. Still, I do not think this takes away from the rhetorical and functional role the IHRA’s definition embodies,” he explained.

“I would love to say that the handbook’s creation and promotion helps [deter] antisemitic sentiments in Canada, but speaking from experience, I would not say this is the case,” Frankl added, referring to the spike in antisemitic hate crimes in Canada. This year, 56 per cent of reported hate crimes in Toronto were classified as antisemitic.

According to Statistics Canada, Jewish people experienced over 70 per cent of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2023, despite only making up one per cent of Canada’s overall population.

U of T faculty members chime in Members of the U of T community also shared their thoughts on the handbook’s release and its antisemitism definition.

Renan Levine — an associate professor of political science at U of T with a research interest in Israeli politics — wrote in an email to The Varsity that, “I think the first two categories are crucial,” referring to the Core Definition and the Preamble.

“People often complain that they are not sure what is, and what is not, appropriate to say [about Jewish people], especially when they are motivated to complain about Israel. Definitions like IHRA provide an important set of guidelines and resolve uncertainty.”

Levine also spoke about the limitations of the definition.

“[The IHRA definition] cannot be the final word on what is, or is not, antisemitic. But, it is not going anywhere, and at a minimum, people should read it and be aware of what many in the Jewish community consider a crucial test for assessing antisemitism,” he explained. “At the same time, all should recognize that the IHRA is not the only definition.”

Deborah Cowen — a professor of geography and planning and Steering Committee member of the Jewish Faculty Network — wrote to The Varsity in an email that, “The IHRA definition is not only a discursive and legal tool for silencing critiques of genocide, but is itself profoundly antisemitic.”

Cowen noted that the definition has been criticized by international civil society organizations

for “collapsing critique of the State of Israel with actual antisemitism: the hatred of Jews as Jews.” She also added that, “On campuses, where this definition has been adopted, [the definition] has been used to intimidate and silence student groups, labour unions, academic departments and faculty associations that are committed to justice for Palestinians.”

Cowen views the handbook’s implementation as more harmful than helpful, stating, “If these efforts are effective at anything, it is only in the suppression of pro-Palestine speech, including from a large and growing proportion of diasporic Jewish communities.”

Implications for pro-Palestinian advocacy

Since the Canadian government adopted the IHRA handbook, several organizations and U of T community members, have raised concerns over the definition’s implications for pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Sara Rasikh — a spokesperson for UofT Occupy for Palestine and second-year masters student studying social justice education — told The Varsity in an email that “It is crucial to focus on enforcing the robust protections that already exist against discrimination, without imposing definitions that could be weaponized to silence legitimate dissent. The IHRA definition and its application are problematic, especially within academic contexts.”

Rasikh explained how the lead author of the original IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, has problematized the application of this definition to campus speech. In a 2017 opinion article in The Post and Courier, Stern noted how applying the definition could lead campus administrators to “fear lawsuits when outside groups complain about anti-Israel expression, and the University doesn’t punish, stop or denounce it.”

In an email to The Varsity, Sheryl Nestel — a retired U of T professor and member of Independent Jewish Voices Canada — wrote that “this definition will be used to censure and punish pro-Palestine speech.”

“This is a definition that operates through the erasure of Palestinians and their claims to selfdetermination, which are continuously under threat by the Israeli occupation, and of the fundamental human right to protest actions taken by any state,” she wrote.

Rasikh also noted that, “Applying the IHRA definition to police discourse prevents essential conversations about human rights abuses and the complex power dynamics at play in Israel [and]Palestine.” She added, “In this context, these actions are not just ineffective; they are actively harmful, as they prioritize shielding a genocidal, apartheid state from criticism over addressing the real and pressing issue of antisemitism.”

In Issue 10 of The Varsity, an Opinion article titled “Opinion: Flawed journalism is costing Palestinians their lives” has been updated to reflect that the illustrator is Bana Cheraghi.

In Issue 10 of The Varsity, a News article titled “U of T faculty members called into Dean’s office for supporting Palestine on social media” has been updated to include

Associate Professor Ruth Marshall’s association with the Department of Political Science.

In Issue 10 of The Varsity, a News article tiled “Governing Council debates motion to condemn antisemitism across campus” has been updated to reflect that U of T’s most recent review of the sexual violence policy was completed in July 2022.

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UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese discusses Palestine at U of T

Albanese urges global powers’ compliance with international law

Ajeetha Vithiyananthan Managing Editor, Internal

Content warning: This article discusses genocide and antisemitism.

On November 7, Francesca Albanese — the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories occupied since 1967 — addressed a packed 500seat auditorium at the Medical Sciences Building. The event, organized by Tkarón:to Students in Solidarity with Palestine (TSSP) and various other groups, focused on her latest October report, “Genocide as colonial erasure.”

Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 Israelis, the Israeli military’s response has killed over 44,000 Palestinians.

In July, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion declaring Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, and in January, it called on Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians.

Despite this, Israel has continued its military actions in Gaza and escalated attacks against

Hezbollah, killing over 700 people in Lebanon in September.

On November 22, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.

“Obligations under international law”

Before her appointment as Special Rapporteur in May 2022, Albanese spent over a decade advising the UN, governments, and civil society on human rights law as an international lawyer and academic.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories is an independent expert appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate Israel’s international law violations.

As Special Rapporteur, Albanese has authored five major reports addressing Palestinians’ selfdetermination, deprivation of liberty, violated childhood, genocide, and displacement through settler colonialism. Her talk at U of T focused on findings from her most recent reports.

Albanese began her remarks with a land acknowledgement, recognizing the “victims of all genocides, past and present.”

Her speech focused on land, settler colonialism, and genocide in international law. In her March report, “Anatomy of a Genocide,” she identified three reasonable grounds to believe Israel committed genocide against Palestinians: killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to bring about the group’s physical destruction in

Later, Albanese highlighted the importance of establishing Israel’s actions as genocide rather than as another crime against humanity. Despite the latter being easier to prove, she noted that, “Genocide [is] characteristic [of Israel’s actions] because [it] hinges upon the determination to destroy a people,” Albanese responded. “I don’t think we should give in because of strategic considerations. In my view, this would betray what is happening to the people.”

In her latest report, Albanese emphasized

PEARS demands improved review process on U of T Sexual Violence Policy

Students raise concerns, next policy review set for 2025

Damola Omole Associate News Editor

On November 7, the Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, Response, for Survivors Project (PEARS) Project issued a letter to the university to “check in” on the review of U of T’s Sexual Violence Policy, set to occur in 2025. The PEARS Project is a grassroots, trauma-informed coalition that provides support and resources to survivors of sexual violence across U of T.

In a post to Instagram, the PEARS Project referenced their previous concerns with U of T accepting the sexual violence policy review recommendations in 2022. These criticisms were centred around demands for the policy to be more survivor-centric and accessible.

In anticipation of the university’s upcoming sexual violence policy review, the PEARS Project is calling for “a number of changes that still need to be made in order to protect, help, and advocate for the victims of sexual violence at the University of Toronto.”

PEARS letter

U of T’s revised Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment is a document that contains the university’s commitments and reporting process for sexual violence on campus.

In its letter, the PEARS Project expressed skepticism toward the university review team, citing its 2022 review of the policy, stating that “within consultation and feedback sessions, it was apparent that the policy review team had a lack of knowledge surrounding the existing University of Toronto Sexual Violence Policy.”

In 2022, the review was co-chaired by Linda Johnston, the former dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, the former director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office.

“It is important for members of the university community to be fully informed when looking at this review, and by failing to make this information explicit, the university fails to give its community the chance to form a full and fair perspective on this review,” the letter read.

genocidal intent as the key distinction from other crimes against humanity, arguing that “control of the land… [is] central to understand[ing] the intent that drives Israel’s genocide.”

She encouraged the audience to “step outside [their] Western understanding of land,” emphasizing that Israel seeks to acquire the land while Palestinians find the land “integral to their existence” — as any Indigenous people do.

Albanese described the destruction in the occupied Palestinian territories as “what… settler colonial genocide looks like.” Settler colonialism involves a group taking control of land by displacing the Indigenous population and replacing it with settlers.

Citing the ICJ’s opinion, Albanese explained that the court’s member states, including Canada, have “clear obligations under international law toward the Palestinian people” that she argued are not being upheld.

Albanese recommended that Canada align with ICJ provisional measures by reviewing and suspending its free trade agreement with Israel, prohibiting Canadian citizens from serving in the Israeli military, and holding accountable any Canadians and companies selling Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.

Criticism and support

Since her appointment as rapporteur, Albanese has garnered significant international attention, with critics accusing her of antisemitic and anti-Israel bias before taking on the role. During her tour of North American universities, several individuals and organizations attempted to shut down her talks.

Hillel Ontario called on U of T to “[Stop] platform[ing] speakers under the guise of academic freedom,” referring to Albanese as one of those who “perpetuate dangerous antisemitic hate and terrorist propaganda.”

Registered attendees received an email before the event about the venue location and instructions to “conceal any keffiyehs, flags, and other symbols of Palestine solidarity” inside the venue to “avoid potential disruptions or safety concerns.”

In a statement to The Varsity, Sara Rasikh, an Occupy for Palestine (O4P) spokesperson and second-year masters student studying social justice education, noted that five counter-protesters were present, with two sitting by the doors during the event. Rasikh claimed that the counter-protesters were associated with the Jewish Defence League

Since 2016, the Ontario government has been requiring all postsecondary institutions to review their sexual violence policies every three years. U of T began its most recent review in October 2021 and completed it in July 2022.

At the end of the letter on Instagram, the PEARS Project critiqued the reliability of the university’s review process as a whole.

“This review process is not trauma-informed or survivor-centric, which can discourage survivor participation,” wrote the letter. “The three-year review cycle makes it difficult for students to effectively participate in a review process, as the majority graduate within a four-year time period.”

In a statement to The Varsity, a U of T spokesperson wrote that the next review is scheduled to begin in 2025, “and will take into consideration [the PEARS Project’s] views and those of other students, as well as staff, faculty and librarians.”

Section 8 of U of T’s policy states that every policy review “will include members of the University community, including students, staff and faculty, and will amend the [policy] as appropriate.”

Policy concerns

PEARS’ Policy Project Lead Taylor Stetka wrote in a message to The Varsity about the importance of an external policy review.

“Internal reviews only allow systemic issues in [U of T’s] policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment to be overlooked,” wrote Stetka. “The university’s reluctance to use an external reviewer who understands [g]ender-[b]ased [v]iolence ignores the intersectionality and reality of this issue.”

(JDL), a recognized right-wing terrorist group in the US.

However, The Varsity was unable to independently verify the number of counterprotesters present and their affiliation with the JDL.

A day before the event, 30 Jewish organizations issued a statement in support of Albanese, denouncing the “toxic smear campaigns to silence her and to harm her human rights mandate.” They rejected the antisemitism allegations as “unfounded and recklessly incite[d]” and condemned the weaponization of antisemitism, particularly through the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition.

Q&A highlights

The second half of the event featured a Q&A session moderated by Chandni Desai — an assistant professor in critical studies of equity and solidarity — and Dania Majid — the co-founder and president of the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association.

During the event, a few audience members asked about the UN’s role in identifying and preventing genocide.

“We should neither overestimate nor romanticize the United Nations,” Albanese said, emphasizing that member states have the responsibility to respect international law and prevent genocide.

“Palestine today is a test for international law,” she said. “Clearly… there has been a failure of upholding legal principles [...] It has taken nine months to pass the resolution ordering a ceasefire, and when it was passed, it has not been applied.”

Upon being asked why she condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks, which some in the audience characterized as “the right of the Palestinian people to armed resistance,” Albanese acknowledged the frustration that some may feel about this rhetoric but emphasized that every civilian has a right to life.

She clarified, however, that condemning violence against civilians does not negate the right to resist occupation. “[That right] exists under international law, and it exists for Palestinian people… as recognized by the General Assembly.”

Albanese concluded her remarks by praising the youth in attendance for their activism, many of whom were affiliated with TSSP and O4P, the latter of which organized the encampment at King’s College Circle.

“We cannot allow the live-streamed genocide and its associated apathy to desensitize us to the violence, normalize the oppression, and dissociate us from its moral failure, legitimizing the legitimate,” said Albanese. “Humanism is the only, and I would go as far as saying, the final resistance we have against the inhuman practices and injustices that disfigure human history.”

The PEARS Project Co-Directors Micah Kalisch and Lusayo Simwaka wrote about the significance of their demands in a message to The Varsity “PEARS has written to the University of Toronto in order to demand accountability,” they stated. Simwaka and Kalisch then explained that during the 2021–2022 policy review cycle, the Governing Council confirmed that an external review was possible.

“As [the council] reach[es] their legally obligated review period, we still have not heard anything with respect to their review process,” they said.

Klark Janowski — a fourth-year women and gender studies major and former member of the PEARS Project — wrote in a message to The Varsity on her experiences in the struggle for policy review.

“It’s not an easy feat to be a student and have to ask to be treated with respect and consideration,” wrote Janowski. “To have to stand in front of those in charge and beg to be taken seriously is incredibly demeaning and exhausting.”

Anaum Sajanlal — a third-year majoring in history and critical equity studies — wrote in a message to The Varsity about the importance of student activism regarding U of T’s sexual violence policy.

“It’s heartbreaking and infuriating. [H]ealing from sexual violence, supporting each other, and having to fight the university on top of that is a burden we should not have to bear,” wrote Sajanlal. “Survivors deserve better. U of T has to either step up and listen to the people who know what they’re talking about, or drop the act and stop wasting our time.”

Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese speaks to students and faculty on her report “Genocide as colonial erasure.”

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U of T community members, city councillor react to proposed bike lane removal

Provincial government proposes removal of bike lanes along Yonge Street, University Avenue, Bloor Street

Matthew Bain Varsity Contributor

Those who regularly bike around U of T were in for a shock when Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his plan to remove three of the largest bicycle lanes within Toronto. Under the provincial government’s proposed Bill 212 — Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, the bike lanes running along Yonge Street, University Avenue, and Bloor Street — which were completed this year — are all slated to be removed.

The three lanes cost $27 million to install and will reportedly cost an additional $48 million to remove. If the legislation is passed, the provincial government would be given the authority to examine other bike lanes for possible elimination if they have replaced a regular lane of traffic.

When two worlds collide

Toronto’s City Hall has responded to Ford’s plans with fierce resistance.

“This is complete overreach by the provincial government. We’re talking about provincial interference in a matter that they have no right to do,” said Toronto City Councillor Dianne Saxe in an interview with The Varsity. Saxe represents Ward 11 University-Rosedale, which covers the UTSG campus.

“The bike lanes are a necessary and essential part of keeping the cost of living down, improving mobility, increasing safety, climate action, air

quality — all things which are high priority for the people of the city of Toronto,” she explained.

Toronto councillors have been expanding access for cyclists, with the City’s recent plan to install 140 kilometres of bicycle lanes on various streets and new bike racks being installed constantly. If passed, Bill 212 would require municipalities to seek provincial approval to allow new bike lanes that would remove an existing traffic lane.

U of T weighs in

Opponents of the bike lanes claim that the infrastructure causes congestion in the downtown area, needlessly reduces space that could be better used for cars, and endangers cyclists. Ford claimed that the bike lanes were “bringing traffic in our cities to a standstill” and that his cabinet was returning “sanity to bike lane decisions.”

According to an Abacus Data poll, 55 per cent of respondents living in Ontario approve of the premier’s proposal to force municipalities to get provincial approval for bike lanes that would interfere with vehicular traffic.

However, U of T community members have raised concerns over the provincial government’s plans.

Twoey Gray works as the outreach coordinator for Bikechain, a free shop to service and borrow bikes at UTSG and the surrounding area. “Everyone coming into our shop lately asks about the legislation. Nobody’s happy

Union representing public colleges votes for strike mandate

U of T students in joint programs may be affected by strike

Julianne Wisner Varsity Contributor

Since October 17, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) — which represents employees at numerous Ontario public colleges — has supported a strike mandate. 79 per cent of OPSEU’s voting members support a potential strike if a deal with the College Employer Council (CEC) — a representing agent of the 24 Ontario

OPSEU’s concerns primarily focus on job precarity, including increased job insecurity, reduced teaching time, and fewer vacation days.

Although this strike pertains to public colleges, some students at U of T may still be affected, as the university has joint programs with these colleges, such as the journalism program with Centennial College at UTSC and the theatre and drama program with

about it. Everyone is equally confused [about] why drivers would want that,” she said in an interview with The Varsity Gray continued, “I think I’ve definitely heard from cyclists coming into the shop that they feel more confident biking in the city with bike lanes in new places. People are hungry for more bike lanes. They would really appreciate that the bike lanes that exist continue to exist.”

Yassin Mostafa is a fourth-year student studying mathematics, computer science, and physics and a regular cyclist. In an interview with The Varsity, Mostafa mentioned how he felt far safer with the added protection bike lanes offered.

“I feel unsafe sometimes just being a [cyclist] next to a truck or a car,” Mostafa said. Discussing the various issues of getting around the city, he said, “I know legally a biker is supposed to be allowed on the roads, but legality is different than reality.”

Research from a 2021 Travel Behaviour and Society journal study on perceptions of safety

showed that bike lanes can foster a more environmentally friendly city and cause people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the added protections from dedicated bike lanes serve to guard pedestrians, cars, and cyclists from one another, which can prevent collision rates. Since 2006, there have been on average 47 cyclist and automobile collisions every year across the GTA.

Erol Boran — a professor of German literature, language and theatre at U of T — made clear his opposition to the proposed bike lane removals.

“It took so long to get where we are now, and we’re not even halfway there yet,” he said, referring to the lengthy construction period required for installing bike lanes. “[T]hat was a very annoying, difficult, and dangerous time.”

“I do drive a car, but I also drive a bike, and so I can kind of identify with both sides,” Boran explained. “I do see that traffic is a huge problem here, but I think there are much better ways of solving this problem than going in this direction.”

The last College strike demanding academic autonomy and longer contracts ran from October 15 to November 21, 2017, during which the Ontario legislature passed a bill that forced them back to work.

Lack of communication

Virag Takacs, a third-year UTSC student in the joint journalism program, spoke with The Varsity about the strike and her concerns over a lack of communication about potential strike action.

Takacs explained that communication about the strike had been limited for students.

“[I] didn’t get a contact from either U of T or Centennial… I found out mostly through word of mouth,” she said. “[We’re] reliant on these institutions… and right now, it doesn’t feel like they are [communicating with us].”

Centennial last provided an update on negotiations on November 6, stating that

Accessing professors

Takacs mentioned that the strike may also impact students’ ability to access their professors.

“If our professor leaves for a strike for various days, then essentially, we don’t have a professor,” she said. She added, “I’m not sure how office hours [will be affected by the] strike. In-person meetings with professors… might not be possible because of it,” she said.

Takacs also expressed concern over the potential impact of a long-term strike on students in joint programs like hers. “[If professors] aren’t there, we can’t really have an education… In the long run, that would mean we’re essentially not [taking] the classes, so we would probably not be able to graduate at the same time like we would want [to],” she said.

In an email to The Varsity, a university spokesperson wrote, “Information about colleges, including for students in joint programs, is available [through Ontario Colleges’ website] and the respective colleges:

“We work closely with our college partners to [keep] students [informed] of what is happening and the options available to them, and to minimize disruption as much as possible,” the

Bike lane at Bloor and St. George Street, Premier Ford proposes to remove it.

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Business & Labour

A week in the life of a Rotman Commerce student

Balancing academics, extracurriculars, and career goals

Avin De Associate Opinion Editor

Navigating life as a Rotman Commerce student involves balancing classes and extracurriculars while making pivotal academic decisions — like selecting a specialization or pursuing internships. As a third-year finance and economics specialist with a focus on international business, my week is packed with lectures, tutorials, and extracurriculars. Here’s a typical week in my life that you can use to learn how to excel at Rotman.

Monday

My week kicks off with ECO209 — Macroeconomic Theory and Policy (for Commerce), a threehour lecture from 2:00–5:00 pm. This course is essential for understanding macroeconomic frameworks and policies, offering insight into the forces that shape global markets and inform policy decisions. Staying on top of material requires a disciplined study routine, but support is readily available through office hours, teaching assistants, and academic advisors. For first-year students, I recommend solidifying your grasp of ECO101 — Principle of Microeconomics and ECO102 — Principles of Macroeconomics theory, as they form the foundation for success in advanced courses like ECO209.

After ECO209, I head to ENG270 — Intro to Postcolonial and Colonial Writing, a three-hour lecture from 6:00–9:00 pm. This course provides a refreshing change of pace for me, offering literary perspectives that illuminates historical and cultural narratives beyond the scope of traditional economic theory. Six hours of lectures in one day can be daunting, but for students interested

in interdisciplinary subjects, literature or history electives can be incredibly rewarding. These courses not only provide a break from commerce’s number heavy topics but also foster analytical skills and critical thinking by encouraging students to interpret complex texts and consider diverse viewpoints.

Tuesday

On Tuesdays, I start with HIS267 — Business History at 9:00 am, followed by my ECO320 — Economic Analysis of Law tutorial at 11:00 am, both two hours long. Tutorials have been invaluable for deepening my understanding of the material as they foster collaborative learning and engaging discussions in a more intimate setting.

In an interview with The Varsity, Ahan Kalra Mathur — a third-year management specialist with a focus on finance and strategy — shared his thoughts on large class sizes and the pressure to keep up. He encouraged new students not to feel intimidated by the environment and to ask questions. “At first, asking questions might feel difficult with so many people around, but it’s the best way to learn, and I would definitely ask more if I could do it over,” he said. Additionally, consider joining Registered Study Groups or seeking advice from professors on study strategies. Allocating specific hours to each course has been key to managing my time and course load at Rotman.

Wednesday

This day is dedicated to my second ECO320 lecture from 11:00 am–1:00 pm, followed by RSM333 — Corporate Finance, from 5:00–7:00 pm, a core course for my finance specialization. This course is

Holiday on budget

Christmas shopping under economic uncertainty

Edith

Wong

Varsity Contributor

Holiday shopping is about expressing appreciation through a thoughtful, meaningful gift. But when prices of goods have increased 10.2 per cent over the last three years, consumers are rethinking their spending decisions on this year’s presents.

Although Canadians’ holiday spending is forecasted to increase by 10 per cent this year, this growth reflects higher prices instead of more purchases, as consumers have to shop more consciously with their budgets. Navigating high costs with marketing strategies and a renewed focus on emotional gift-giving, university students and businesses alike are preparing for Christmas in the wake of current economic circumstances.

On the down low

For students, holiday shopping this year may be more selective, given the already limited budget for most. First-year U of T student Gillian Boms has already given her shopping list some thought. Boms doesn’t have a job and plans on cutting down her expenses for Christmas by looking at more cost-effective alternatives for her loved ones.

“I have an idea of different [gifts] I can get for people,” Boms said in an interview with The Varsity. “I wouldn’t look at getting them something different entirely, but look at getting something more convenient price-wise. My dad loves coffee, so instead of coffee beans, I could get him a mug […] or something in the same region.”

Bom’s approach is reflective of broader trends. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers’ survey found that 77 per cent of shoppers plan to spend the same amount or less money on gifts this year compared to last year. Correspondingly, her budget for her dad’s gift this year is $30 instead of last year’s $50.

Like shoppers, businesses have also noticed the recent financial uncertainty. Peter and Paul’s Gifts — a gift basket store located in Vaughan, Ontario — has noticed smaller orders. “[Customers] are still ordering, but not at the higher price point,” said the store’s Chief Operations Officer, Katherine Eliopoulos in an interview with The Varsity. In addition to fewer sales of higher-priced items lately, the business has also experienced higher prices in item production.

Eliopoulos expresses the difficulty in balancing these higher production costs and lower sale prices, “we’ve really experienced the high inflation in shipping because we import a lot of our own [products].” Eliopoulos explains that they “really try and maintain the best price so long as our costs are covered… [and] people are still interested in ordering.” However, Peter and Paul’s Gifts have also adapted by appealing to a Gen-Z audience through their marketing strategies — such as using more social media platforms and showcasing their sustainability efforts, hoping to attract more customers despite economic difficulties.

Experiential gifts

Keeping low prices can attract more customers, but giving the impression that prices are being reduced is also effective. Tarun Dewan — a marketing professor at UTSC — describes holiday shopping as being tied to shoppers’ emotions, such as excitement for Christmas or nostalgia for family experiences. “Encouraging holiday season shopping is less about price… and much more about how emotional it can be, about how many emotions things can be connected to.”

Research in marketing has also shown that prices typically go up in December since major promotions and deals like Black Friday or Cyber Monday give shoppers the impression of reduced costs and saving more money. Therefore,

November 26, 2024

varsity.ca/category/business biz@thevarsity.ca

essential for anyone pursuing a finance specialist. If you’re considering a path in finance, I recommend attending finance and networking events listed on the Rotman Commerce (RC) Portal for all things Rotman. Upcoming events include Rotman Commerce Interview Assistance, and even KPMG’s Management Consulting Practice Information Session. You can also join Rotman clubs, such as the RC Sustainable Business or the RC Innovation Group, to expand your network. Exposure to these events, clubs, and even your own network can help you determine if a specialization aligns with your interests and career goals. For me, taking RSM332 — Capital Market Theory solidified my decision to specialize in finance, due to its investment challenge, involving simulating real-time stock analysis, investing decisions, and deciding where best to put your money forward. For you, a passion for management might spark in RSM100 — Intro to Management, or an interest in accounting could emerge in RSM219 — Intro to Financial Accounting.

Choosing a specialization isn’t always straightforward, though. I encourage first-years to take introductory courses across various commerce disciplines seriously to better understand their fit within Rotman. Still unsure? Meet with academic advisors for guidance on course selection and specialization decisions. With

Thursday, Friday, and the weekend Thursday and Friday are lecture-free, which might sound relaxing, but these days are filled with essay writing, group assignments, exam preparation, and job applications.

I also use these days to attend networking events. I recommend researching the attendees or companies beforehand, preparing thoughtful questions, and practicing a concise personal introduction that highlights your interests and goals. Actively engaging in conversations, exchanging contact information, and following up afterward can also help solidify connections and leave a lasting impression. In an interview with The Varsity, Rayomand Daroga — an assistant professor at Rotman School of Management — emphasized the importance of building a diverse social network. “Make sure you spend at least an hour a day getting to meet people in the program,” he explained. “Building a network is so important [for] help[ing] you find the next job.”

Navigating the Rotman journey can feel daunting, especially in first-year. However, with a balanced schedule, a willingness to explore diverse courses, and support from peers and professors, you’ll be well on your way to a rewarding and successful experience — just as I was!

marketers should capitalize on these emotional aspects and take the opportunity to adapt to production by “[increasing] their prices just that tiny little bit” — as sales would not be impacted as much, as Professor Dewan suggested.

Beyond budgeting, shoppers are notably placing more value on experiential rather than material gifts — a preference shaped by both economic and emotional considerations. In Bom’s case, “going back to California for reading week [was] one of my Christmas gifts,” she explains. For Christmas, her family usually tries to do “a family experience as [their] big gift, and then smaller presents.”

Cindy Chan — a U of T marketing program assistant professor researching the role of gift-giving in shaping relationships — explains the benefits of experiential gifts. “We find that experiential gifts are more effective at strengthening relationships between recipients and their gift-giver, and even when gifts are equally well-liked,” Chan notes.

“Going to a sports game, to a concert, or to a spa… tend to be more emotionally evocative types of experiences.” This type of present is typically more emotionally connecting and a thoughtful alternative for budget-conscious shoppers.

Professor Chan suggests that gift cards to movie

theatres or performances can eliminate the social risk of giving presents to people they are not friends with. She suggests that holiday shoppers interested in experiential gifts will boost the sales of industries such as travel, entertainment, and hospitality. Likewise, Canadians are forecasted to spend 21 per cent more on travel and 20 per cent more on entertainment this holiday season than last year for Christmas. It seems that this year, consumers are more likely to consider experiential gifts than they were during previous holiday seasons.

As the holidays approach, consumers and businesses alike are adjusting to higher prices through different gift-giving approaches and marketing strategies. However, it is important to remember that a lower budget does not mean a less meaningful gift. According to Professor Chan, “gift-givers tend to think that they need to spend a lot on gifts, that there’s a positive correlation between how much you spend and how much the gift will be appreciated. But recipients don’t show this strong correlation.” In other words, gifts are still thoughtful regardless of their monetary value. At the end of the day, the spirit of giving gifts during Christmas is not about the money you spend but the meaning behind the gesture.

16 hours of lectures completed over three days, my school week wraps up here.

Prices of goods have increased 10.2 per cent over the last three years.

Navigating the life of a Rotman Commerce student is demanding yet rewarding. AKSAAMAI ORMONBEKOVA/THEVARSITY

Arts & Culture

November 26, 2024

thevarsity.ca/category/arts-culture arts@thevarsity.ca

Choosing life after the unexpected death of my dad

The centre cannot hold

Sophie Cherubin Varsity Contributor

For as long as I have been alive, I have felt that what it meant to live with my dad is what it meant to breathe. My life cannot exist without him, and he keeps me alive. Consequently, I had always imagined that when my dad’s life ended, mine would too. But as my dad took his last breath, mine miraculously kept going.

The morning of September 6 started extraordinarily dull. I got up — albeit a bit later than I had wanted to — made my breakfast and watched some TV. While I prepared my bagel, I called both my parents as I usually would to check in on them and their walk with our dog, Yoshi. Neither of them answered, but I didn’t think much of it. About 30 minutes later my mom called me to let me know that my dad had died suddenly during their morning coffee run.

In an instant, the event I feared the most became a reality. I was now living in a world without my dad.

Not only was my dad a great parent, but he was my best friend in every sense of the term. During my tumultuous teenage years, I spent the majority of my free time at home. When the world seemed disinterested in me, my dad was the one person in this world who seemed to understand who I was.

Our relationship continued to grow when I moved from outside the GTA to downtown Toronto for university. Every challenge life threw in my direction — whether it was about relationships or school — presented my dad and me with another

opportunity for our relationship to grow and evolve. My dad always had an opinion on everything. Even if we disagreed on how to approach a particular obstacle in my life, I knew he supported whatever decision I made. What surpassed his intense conviction on a given topic was his love for me — all he ever wanted was for me to be happy.

Now that my dad has died, I find myself in the same position he found himself in when he was around my age. His mom died after a brief illness when he was in his early 20s: his life was only beginning and mine hadn’t even started.

As I stand in my dad’s shoes a generation later, I reflect on the way he chose to live his life following his mom’s death. Not only did my dad choose to pursue a good life, but he cherished every second that he was gifted with. If my dad had given up on life, he would’ve never met me: his “favourite person.”

Although I can intellectualize and rationalize my dad’s death to the limits of my abilities, I am still left with a profound emptiness as the result of losing a parent that I do not ever see fading. My life’s most joyous moments with my father will now be tinged with bittersweetness. There will be an empty chair at our family Christmas gatherings, a reminder that my best friend is gone and will never come back. Memories of my dad will make me cry because no matter how cheerful they may have been, I know I will never be able to create new memories with him. My dad’s life was stolen from him, and because he is no longer here, the absence of all that we could have shared together will echo through every day.

Campy horror: Celebrating monstrosity and subverting the norm

Unsurprisingly, the news of my dad’s death elicited many unwelcomed and bewildering responses from those who came to know of it. Some people felt entitled to immediately know his cause of death, while others simply ghosted me when I needed their support the most. The realm of a grieving young adult is one I never thought I’d find myself in. Above all, I’ve noticed a certain standard response to death: a kind of distant, impersonal pity directed at the family left behind.

Understandably, the spotlight rests on my family — others direct their sorrow toward us rather than the person who actually lost his life.

In the hours following my dad’s death, I realized that this tragedy didn’t happen to my mom, my brother, our dog, or me. Death happened to Marino Cherubin. While I recognize that my family’s grief is valid and justifiable, we are secondary to his death. Our mourning matters, but I feel that the bulk of others’ sadness should be directed toward my dad, honouring his life above all.

My family gets to live with the anguish of his loss, whereas my dad does not get to live with anything — he is dead. So now, the question is, what do I do with the life he gave me? What do I do without my favourite person?

When I reflect on the years we shared, I find solace in knowing that I will never live with the burden of not having said how I truly felt about him. My dad made sure to tell me every day of my life that he loved me, creating an environment where I felt comfortable doing the same. I can say with great confidence that my dad died knowing that he was the centre of my universe.

Although my dad’s death was unexpected and unfathomable, I feel that he prepared me for this moment. My dad raised me to be capable enough to live in a world without him. It is because of my dad that I will be able to continue living.

The cycle of untimely death seems to have begun again. My dad lived more of his life without his mom than with her and now the same fate has been handed to me. Not only do I want to continue living, but I have never felt such a desire to do so as I do now.

For the first time in my life, I don’t want to survive merely; I want to live truly. So, I have come to welcome the pain that has come with my dad’s death — it exists solely as a testament to the depth of the love that we shared. I welcome all the hardship that lies ahead because that is what it means to live, and I’m finally ready to begin.

to almost unanimously negative critical reception. An early reviewer for Time Magazine called it “campy trash,” attributing the play’s initial success in London to a “kinky” British fascination with “transvestism.”

Camp gives queer artists and audiences a place to centre themselves

Historically, the horror genre has conventionally reinforced traditional gender norms. The blonde ‘bimbo’ dies first, no one listens to the hysterical woman — despite her sense of real danger — and the ‘final girl’ survives as a reward for her purity. The unspoken rules of surviving a slasher — made explicit in slasher parody Scream — include: don’t have sex, don’t drink, and don’t do drugs. In this context, characters are punished for deviating from traditional moral and religious ideals.

However, mainstream horror movie monsters often disrupt gender norms, either serving as the explicit source of horror, like Buffalo Bill from The Silence of the Lambs, or through more subtly incongruous gender presentation such as Regan from The Exorcist. In these films, the monsters’ gender transgressions often necessitate their destruction, imprisonment, or ‘saving,’ as they threaten the stability of a traditional white and middle-class family. These representations can be harmful to queer audiences, who may find it difficult to connect with a genre that signals their destruction.

Subverting fear through camp

This is where ‘campy’ horror comes in; a genre that embraces and celebrates its audience. Camp uses parody, humour, and theatricality to challenge the ‘natural order.’ Rather than merely disrupting norms, campy horror subverts genre expectations by poking fun at social anxieties, placing them within a politically charged and contested context.

Critics frequently downplay the value of campy horror, often dismissing it as silly or even dangerous.

Audiences conflate the genre with ‘so-bad-it’sgood’ movies, as seen in this campy-horror list that includes both Sleepaway Camp — a notorious flop — and Jennifer’s Body, which is a masterpiece.

Despite its reputation as a guilty pleasure, campy horror holds real value, particularly for queer audiences. It serves as both a critique of traditional ideals and a reclamation of characteristics that mainstream cinema has often demonized. One enduring example is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a movie musical that blends science fiction with B-grade movie tropes. The film follows Janet and Brad, a couple whose car breaks down in front of a gothic castle inhabited by Frank, — an alien glam rock star — his henchmen, and Rocky, a hunky Frankenstein’s monster. This film plays with and subverts traditional gender roles and expectations by placing these “monstrous” characters at the center of the narrative.

The guilt associated with campy horror stems from the threat it poses to neatly packaged, virtuous gender norms. It embraces unresolved gender transgressions and celebrates monstrosity rather than attempting to contain it. These transgressions often involve non-normative gender expressions and unabashed displays of sexuality. In mainstream horror, monsters are frightening because they embody deep-seated cultural fears rooted in traditional religious values. Campy horror subverts this by portraying these monsters in a way that does not vilify their transgressions but instead embraces them.

An example from Rocky Horror Picture Show

is when Frank plays seductress, tempting both Janet and Brad in two nearly identical scenes — distinguished only by the curtains, first pink and then blue — effectively foiling their plans to save themselves for marriage.

Through his sexual freedom, Frank embodies the fear that queerness will destroy the nuclear family. The fun part of Rocky Horror Picture Show is that rather than being silenced or relegated to the margins, Frank is the star of the movie. Janet and Brad — a conventional, straight, white couple — embody typical horror protagonists but fade into the background, becoming passive spectators to Frank’s musical numbers. The ease with which Frank quickly seduces both Janet and Brad suggests that traditional values are not as powerful or natural as the cultural imagination insists.

Rocky Horror Picture Show features characters that challenge the power of the natural order. Frank, the monster, defies easy categorization within the gender binary, threatening to dismantle it entirely.

In mainstream horror, such a threat is intolerable. The protagonists are horrified by the monster’s transgressions and quickly set out to resolve them.

But Rocky Horror Picture Show is unafraid to play in this space. Much of the movie is spent revelling in the Transylvanians’ gender transgressions, and even Brad — the show’s ‘straight man’ — engages in his own ‘monstrous’ acts and sexual exploits. This threat is the reason camp cannot be openly enjoyed in the mainstream.

Rocky Horror Picture Show’s legacy of queer liberation

Rocky Horror Picture Show debuted in the 1970s

Camp does not concern itself with mainstream taste; it provides a space for those harmed by the dominant order to subvert its tools and play with them on their own terms. Engaging with camp is not just about enjoying bad taste; it expands the meaning of “good taste” by introducing a value system that caters to queer audiences, indulging aesthetic devices like irony and exaggeration to artistic effect. It gives queer artists and audiences a place to centre themselves. As a result, when Rocky Horror Picture Show predictably missed the mark with mainstream reviewers, it went underground, gaining a cult following through midnight showings.

Rocky Horror Picture Show has little concern for Brad and Janet. At the end of the movie, Frank is killed by his henchmen, who fly back to their home planet. Janet and Brad are left behind, unsure of how to proceed. While the ending is not necessarily a happy one, it invites hopeful readings, primarily because Janet and Brad cannot simply return to their old lives. They have seen and done things that have changed them forever. Campy horror fans often struggle to leave the monsters behind; even if they die in the movie, they live on through fandom. Thus, Rocky Horror Picture Show maintains its cult status almost 50 years after its release, with regular stage performances, screenings, and an audience participation culture that celebrates rather than silences monsters. Midnight screenings allow audiences to immerse themselves in the world of the movie by dressing up as the characters they identify with. They also provide a space to find community and belonging through audience participation, yelling and throwing things at the screen at specific moments.

Campy horror brings queerness to the forefront, reclaiming harmful horror tropes and providing much-needed positive representation. Beneath its surface of silliness and artifice, the genre is both confrontational and political. It allows queer audiences — who may see themselves reflected in monsters — to find a place for themselves.

NABILA IRREZA/THE VARSITY

Sofia Moniz

Associate Arts & Culture Editor

CHLOE WESTON/THE VARSITY

Authority, polarization, and compassion: a conversation with Professor Mark Kingwell

Objective truth is neither the ultimate goal nor the thing that matters the most

Following the November release of his latest polemical work, Question Authority — a provocative critique of contemporary culture and politics — I sat down at Trinity College with Professor Mark Kingwell from the Department of Philosophy to discuss his ideas and arguments from the book. Question Authority is an immense achievement of rigour and reason. Through a blend of critical passion and personal reflection, Kingwell elevates philosophy and political theory into an exercise in radical optimism. To my surprise, despite his keen insight into the failures of our social and political systems, Kingwell expressed striking hope for the humanity within them. As we sat down in that corner of Strachan Hall to talk, I had no idea what wonder I would witness.

“nothing is natural until we make it so,” calling nature a sham and suggesting it has become a human invention, constantly redefined to suit the ideologies of the time. How do you see this shifting our understanding of nature — and what we consider “natural” — shaping not just how we extract physical resources like oil and gas, but also how we derive meaning and construct identity?

MK: The critique of naturalization from Barthes challenges claims of what is “natural” by exposing their ideological roots. For example, the idea that a family must consist of a man, a woman, and biological children is often framed as “natural,” but this arrangement is not inevitable or necessary — as other family structures exist. Denaturalizing such assumptions reveals their contingency and opens space for critical reflection. The second layer of this critique is the concept of “nature” itself. Even as we question naturalized norms, we often assume a “natural world,” which is also a human construct. With climate change, we’re seeing the limits of this construct, especially our framing of the natural world as a collection of “resources” for human extraction. In a sense, we’re seeing the revenge of our circumstances upon our arrogance, and if we don’t recognize these constructs and critically pivot our behaviour, we risk losing the world altogether.

critiques, with a questioning of authority.

Divine Angubua, The Varsity: What do you see as the central purpose of your book, and how did your decision to blend polemic and meditation shape its narrative and your presence as the writer within the text?

Professor Mark Kingwell: I’ve never fully believed in the fiction of the objective observer, so I wanted to use personal anecdotes to ground philosophical arguments and destabilize the idea of textual authority. When considering the nature of authority, delivering authoritative-sounding claims about the crisis in authority felt like an obvious performative contradiction, especially since one central feature of that crisis currently is the broader loss of faith in universities and expertise.

Concerning polemic and meditation, I wanted to combine two forms often seen as distinct or even oppositional. Polemic is a passionate, actiondriven argument, while meditation is reflective and withdrawn. I wanted to show how meditation can be a form of passionate engagement and how effective polemic relies on thoughtful reflection.

TV: In Question Authority, you mention affective polarization. How do you see the rise of affective polarization in contemporary democracies shaping our current political landscape?

MK: Affective polarization certainly underpins the current, obvious political and ideological divides, often stemming from deeper emotions and the assumption that one’s feelings are self-evidently justified. This shapes both identity and action. By allowing this, we fail to examine the passions and desires beneath political disagreements, preventing us from questioning what we truly want or aim to achieve, which creates a psychological dysfunction akin to addiction, where we become fixated on the dopamine rush of being right or dominating others,

TV: Do you think compassionate skepticism can function not just as a neutral means of communication but as a transformative force in today’s climate — reshaping both discourse and our embodied selves?

MK: Skepticism should always be present, but with compassion, we must recognize others as vulnerable and capable of suffering, not necessarily indulging their emotions but understanding our shared humanity. This creates a framework for interrelation, where despite disagreement, we approach each other with skepticism while recognizing the shared project of being here together. It’s an optimistic view of interpersonal relations, but that’s the role of philosophers.

TV: This brings us to language, where much of this engagement unfolds. Given language’s central role in sense-making and power dynamics, especially in the context of American politics in a post-Trump, pre-Trump, and now intra-Trump world, how do you see the purpose of language evolving? You’ve written that “language is the battleground for shaping meaning and distributing power.” You also mention a dialectical method that thrives on the tension between opposing positions. Could you expand on this?

MK: I mean, language is never neutral. It encodes and extends power, shaping relationships of dominance and submission, but it’s also great for its infinite subversive capability. The very structures language creates and maintains can also be undermined through its use. The dialectic exists within language as human activity — as order, as well as resistance. Language is where possibilities for both normalization and disruption emerge — it’s the central place for me.

TV: In Question Authority, you reference philosopher Roland Barthes’ idea that

: In your book, you mention philosopher Dan Williams’ idea that misinformation and superstition aren’t distortions but rather the natural epistemic state. Through the lens of compassionate skepticism, what does this reveal

MK: That’s an important point about misinformation. People often treat it as an aberrant phenomenon, but it’s more accurate to see reliable information as a rare, hard-won achievement — a relatively recent evolutionary development. Compassionate skepticism plays a vital role here, not only in guarding against deception but also in committing to the shared project of creating meaningful, reliable communication. Many people think their responsibility ends with identifying and resisting misinformation, but that’s only half the battle. We also have a positive duty to contribute to truthful, constructive discourse.

TV: Does this suggest that, despite the inherent artifice of our lives, living meaningfully requires us to consciously craft and share our stories while embracing each other’s joys and pains?

MK: Not to sound too grandiose, but the shared stories we tell must come from a collective effort to shape our discursive imaginations. These stories are fictional or contingent not because they’re false, but because their truth is part of our larger world-building capacity. We are capable of creating either good or bad worlds. The goal, I hope, is to build a better one.

TV: So, what I gather from what you’re saying is that the pursuit of objective truth is not the ultimate goal, or the thing that matters the most?

MK: It’s a false trail, and revealing its contingency is important, not just because objective truth has historically been used to exploit people, but because it’s simply wrong, albeit in a pretty interesting way. In the book, I suggest that our craving for certainty becomes a kind of toxin, a metaphorical addiction. Objective truth is like the pusher on the corner, offering fleeting hits of certainty, which feel good but ultimately cost more. Recognizing this contingency shouldn’t make us pessimistic; rather, it should emancipate us, opening up the potential for the infinite project of creating a better world — one where our imaginations and engagement with others give us real power. Even in the most difficult circumstances, human imagination offers possibilities. I’m optimistic, partly because, to me, there’s no alternative.

TV: In a journalistic context where the “natural” is revealed as socially constructed, can the pursuit of objectivity itself create distortions? What dangers does unchecked reason pose, and how can journalism avoid becoming complicit

must be distinguishable from facts. The real danger of polarization is that people retreat into their bubbles and stay there, which isn’t good for anyone.

TV: When objectivity is used as a blunt instrument, stripped of awareness of its biases and limitations, do you think it can be as dangerous — if not more so — than an unapologetically biased narrative? In this context, is the journalist ever truly an artist of truth, or does this make them vulnerable to becoming an unwitting agent of subtle misdirection?

MK: There are definitely people who become the unwitting actors you describe — people addicted to their own opinions, whose certainty reinforces their beliefs. These make dangerous journalists, as they use objectivity as a blunt instrument to assert, “This is the truth.” An activist journalist is less dangerous though because their agenda is more transparent. Ideally, what we need is a dialectical fusion of both: a commitment to accuracy without objectivity becoming this blunt tool while avoiding the activism that only serves a personal agenda, and serving the public good by fostering a vigorous discourse in democratic societies.

The press, as the fourth estate, is supposed to critically check the power of the other three estates — the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners or townspeople (Third Estate) — safeguarding against corruption and depredations of government. If journalists embrace this noble role, they do the world a service, but their devotion should curb any tendency toward extreme activism and blind objectivity.

The press, as the fourth estate, is supposed to critically check the power of the other three estates — the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners or townspeople (Third Estate) — safeguarding against corruption and depredations of government. If journalists embrace this noble role, they do the world a service, but their devotion should curb any tendency toward extreme activism and blind objectivity.

Divine Angubua Arts & Culture Editor

Language is where possibilities for both normalization and disruption emerge.

COURTESY OF CLAIRE FORAN

Music, identity, and the Horseshoe Tavern

A reflection of finding one’s place at Toronto’s most legendary music venue

Downie mentions? They’re from the stage at the Horseshoe Tavern.

spiral.

As I was ushered into the Horseshoe Tavern by a burly security guard on a windy Saturday night, one thing was immediately clear: I was out of place. Despite my freshly cut bangs and oversized cowboy boots that I intentionally chose to look the part, I wasn’t nearly cool enough for the legendary Queen Street West establishment.

As a book and media studies student who reads extensively in my spare time, I’m drawn to journalism for its ability to immerse you in any subject of interest. Reading writer and journalist Joan Didion’s profound observations on the complexities of the human experience inspired me to explore human identity myself as a 20-something constantly seeking to understand who I am. Wanting to research how music shapes personal identity, I looked for a place with a rich history and community. As someone who has always loved music, the Horseshoe Tavern seemed perfect after my mother suggested it, prompting me to start digging into its story.

To me, the Horseshoe Tavern is Toronto’s most iconic concert venue. Originally a bar frequented by bike gangs, it later transformed into a concert hotspot, hosting a myriad of internationally acclaimed artists from the 1950s onward — including The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, The Pixies, and The Police. By fostering an environment independent of mainstream pressures and supportive of young artists, the Horseshoe Tavern helped Canadian bands like The Tragically Hip and The Phantoms rise to fame. Ever listened to The Tragically Hip’s song, “Bobcaygeon?” Those “checkerboard floors” lead singer Gordon

When I eagerly emailed the venue owner, Jeff Cohen, to interview him about music and the community surrounding the Horseshoe Tavern, he responded: “Just ask [for] Andrew to direct you to Teddy, the bartender.” So, I bought a ticket to that night’s show, featuring the Vancouver-based punk rock band Veal — and thus my investigation began.

Searching for Teddy

With only the name “Andrew” to base my search on, I observed my surroundings and planned my next move. Everyone at the Horseshoe Tavern seemed so comfortable in their seats. When I walked in, I didn’t feel like I was entering a bar, but rather someone’s family home. I felt like a door-todoor salesperson, desperately trying to sell myself as cool. Uncertain, I made my way to the bar counter and stood there.

As I waited for the bartender’s attention — though not the one I was looking for — I began to observe: every leg at the bar was crossed with style, every figure exuding suavity while hunched over the red felt pool table, carefully eyeing the ball to sink it. A group of friends huddled by the A&W pickup window inside the Horseshoe Tavern, chewing on burgers and engaged in drunken conversation. Women whispered into their partners’ ears, while a man raised a finger to signal the bartender, swiftly receiving a beer in return.

And then there was me, standing next to these regulars in their designated seats, arms awkwardly resting on the bar. Just as I wondered whether I should pull out my ID — knowing I looked under 25 — a voice snapped me out of my self-conscious

“I’ll be with ya in just a second,” a woman chimed in my direction as she placed another draught in front of a patron next to me. But I wasn’t intending to order a drink — I was trying to find Teddy, the bartender. When the woman finally glanced at me, signalling that it was my turn, I asked where I could find Andrew, to find Teddy. “Oh, Teddy’s at the stage bar,” she said. “There’s another bar?” I asked, surprised. Immediately after, I croaked, “Oh, right! Thanks!” and faked a confident waltz past the pool table toward the ticket-only stage area.

The bar behind the bar

The stage area wasn’t fancy: black-and-white checkered floors, padded metal chairs, and long wooden planks for tables sticky with years of drinking to bands like Talking Heads, The Shins, Mitski, and Big Thief. It was undeniably tasteful.

The stage gleamed with a sparkly confetti backdrop and miniature disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The walls were painted black, adorned with gold records, green and red string lights, and painted cowboy murals. This room had an identity all on its own.

I had arrived about half an hour before the show to talk to Teddy and had some time to observe my surroundings. Sipping a Bud Light he had cracked open for me, I watched from my seat in the front row as the room quickly began to fill. To my left was the stage bar, where two bartenders were deep in conversation with a couple of patrons who seemed like comfortable regulars. One of them must have been Teddy but of course, I approached the wrong one.

After approaching the wrong bartender Andrew,

who pointed me overtly toward the man I was looking for, I finally found myself face-to-face with Teddy. With his slicked-back hair, pierced ears, denim button-down, and green bandana around his neck, it suddenly made sense that this was the guy I had been searching for. Just to be sure, I asked, “Is Teddy working tonight?”

He threw up his arms and laughed.

Teddy Fury is a charismatic man with unmistakable charm. He radiates coolness. Even before he told me that his favourite show at the Horseshoe Tavern was when The Rolling Stones played in 1997, I could’ve already guessed he’d served Keith Richards a beer. He’s one of those people whose presence lingers in your mind long after the encounter. His style is so intense that when you’re in front of him, you can’t help but think, I’m an idiot: of course, that’s Teddy.

Thus began our conversation about music, identity, and his time at the legendary Horseshoe Tavern. In addition to being a fan of the music scene, Teddy frequented the Horseshoe Tavern as “a professional, so-called professional rock-androll musician.”

In the ’70s and ’80s, the Horseshoe Tavern was the go-to place for aspiring musicians. “You know, people get record deals out of [performing],” Teddy said. “I did that for a long time. And when I got burnt out and couldn’t really do it for a living anymore, a guy named X-Ray MacRae… offered me a job.”

Michael MacRae, the former owner of the Horseshoe Tavern, passed away in January. When the young Teddy had told MacRae he had no bartending experience, MacRae responded, “Well we’ve seen you on this side of the bar,” referring to the stage. “You’ll be pretty good on the other side!”

Olivia Belovich

Varsity Contributor

Teddy is an extremely busy man, and I was lucky to get 10 minutes of his time on a Saturday night. While I would have loved to listen endlessly to stories of his experiences with musical legends, I left him to his work after having him pose for a photo, during which he insisted on holding up his favourite red bottle opener. I thanked him, we shook hands, and I took my seat.

The show of the night

Getting to go backstage at the Horseshoe Tavern felt like I was now part of a secret. The opening performance of the night was from Toronto-based guitarist Nichol Robertson, who played a funkysounding successful tune that excited the growing crowd. The main show of the night featured Veal, a nihilistic late-1990s punk-rock band on a comeback tour. I didn’t know any of the songs they were playing, but I immediately found myself tapping my foot and nodding along with the crowd of passionate fans.

I love exploring different genres of music and have always found that music plays an important part in my identity. My knowledge of music lies mostly in the classic rock genre, as that was what I grew up listening to with my mother. Being unfamiliar with the sounds of punk rock, Veal was refreshing, intense, and undeniably intriguing. Listening to them play was like drinking a big can of Red Bull, which got my blood stirring again after Nichol Robertson’s jazzy, slow-cooked grooves.

I was buzzing with excitement after my conversation with Teddy. His openness eased my nerves as I let myself fall into the world of Veal. My mind ventured into thinking about the venue itself, rather than about my place in it.

Concerts hosted in larger venues like the Budweiser Stage in Toronto tend to be suffocating and uncomfortable. You’d struggle to relax and lack room to dance when standing in an unwelcoming concrete stadium so far away from the main stage where you can’t even hear or see the artist. Veal’s set was unlike any concert-going experience I had prior because I felt like I could both move and breathe freely.

The Saturday night at the Horseshoe Tavern was filled with couples rushing up from their seats to hold each other for a dance. People were dressed like cowboys, yelling along with an angry song about Parkdale, and throwing their arms, legs, and bodies around in a frenzy of movement. The venue was filled with guitarists on the stage poking at the hanging disco balls which sparkled with delight. One band member’s wife sang backup vocals in beautiful harmony before later joining the crowd, hugging and dancing along with us.

I felt a profound sense of community I have rarely seen in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world which left people riddled with social anxieties. For those few hours at the Horseshoe Tavern, time was suspended. It didn’t matter who was a regular, who Teddy was, or who I was. I saw strangers become friends and first dates become something more.

At one point, I turned back and noticed Teddy swaying along to the music. I caught his eye and he smiled at me as if to say “These guys rock, right?” At that moment, what he told me about his love for the Horseshoe Tavern echoed in my mind.

“When I’m getting ready to come here, it's more like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m going to the Horseshoe.’ It’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m going to work.’ It’s not that kind of environment.”

An immersive experience with music is precisely what the Horseshoe Tavern fosters. The entire room was completely immersed at that moment, and I noticed I didn’t see any phone for the first time in a long while. The crowd was there because they liked the band, or live music, or the Horseshoe Tavern, or Toronto, or Teddy.

Identity Later, long after that night at the Horseshoe Tavern, I reflected on how organically the concertgoers embraced their identities at the concert. In their book Readings for Diversity and Social Justice, authors Gwyn Kirk and Margo Okazawa-Rey explore the formations of identity and how it shapes a person. They explain in their chapter “Identities and social locations,” how variations in identity can be formed through formalized institutions such as schools, laws, and the media before self-chosen communities and relationships. These formalized social systems consequently

Getting to go backstage at the Horseshoe Tavern felt like I was now part of a secret. ” “

alienate individuals whose identities cannot fit easily into established norms. This can severely affect a person’s sense of self if their identities are rejected by mainstream society before they can form relationships that endorse their uniqueness.

For individuals struggling to find a community where they feel like they can express their unique identities — or try to become a new version of themselves — places like the Horseshoe Tavern that foster openness and embrace connection are essential places for identity formation.

Teddy himself pushes the boundaries of his comfort zone when he plays music on the Horseshoe Tavern’s checkerboard stage, despite his insecurities about his skills. “I’m a much better drummer than I am at guitar. I wouldn’t play guitar in public.” He added that, despite this, “I have played guitar here. Twice! But… anytime I play here, really, I just play drums.”

I remember wondering how many people chatting, clinking drinks, dancing, or just listening, found some part of themselves there that night. For me, it meant getting over my insecurities and realizing that everyone was just looking to have a good time, enjoy some music, and converse with Teddy.

Music and identity beyond the Horseshoe Tavern

Dan Martins is a local musician who considers the Horseshoe Tavern a special place. He frequents the venue both as a guest and as a musician.

Martins grew up in what he calls the “MuchMusic generation” — a generation part of watching the Canadian television channel established in the 1980s dedicated primarily to featuring music videos. Music had been a prominent part of Martins’ household growing up, where both of his parents played instruments throughout his life. His childhood had made music “the biggest part of [his] identity”.

By attending shows and performing at the Horseshoe Tavern, Martins was not only able to realize his passion for music, but also develop self-confidence and skills as a musician, and form stronger connections with others. When Martins looked back at times in his life when he felt out of place, he said that music has always helped him find his identity and the Horseshoe Tavern gave him a sense of belonging. “When you step foot in the back room where the stage is, you instantly feel like you’re a part of something,” he said.

Similarly, Teddy said that music is an essential part of him and that the Horseshoe Tavern had helped him foster it. “[The owners] basically said you can have a job until you die […] as of a couple of weeks ago, I've been here 37 years!” When Teddy first started working at the Horseshoe Tavern almost four decades ago, he also felt out of place — like Martins.

“[The Horseshoe Tavern has] influenced my life in a lot of ways because the guys who own it are… shy and they don't like doing front-of-house stuff,” he said, referring to jobs such as hosting and bartending, gesturing toward a group of guys moving boxes behind the bar. Teddy explained that working at the Horseshoe helped him foster such a unique identity that he gets publicly recognized.

For instance, when visiting his sister in New York, he heard someone on the street say, “Hey! It’s Teddy from the Horseshoe Tavern!” Another time, when he was taking a late-night flight from California, the airport detection dogs were brought out and surrounded him. “I haven’t smoked pot in like 40 years — I [was] good,” he said. “But it was really funny, I was like, ‘Oh man, I’m tired, I just want to go home…’ [Then] the customs guy goes, ‘Teddy from the Horseshoe!’ So I was in and out, it was great.” Teddy’s relationship with the Horseshoe Tavern has helped foster an identity that precedes him.

After my conversation with him, I forgot about my embarrassment at being ID’d at the coolest establishment I had ever been to.

There is something undeniably infectious about the atmosphere at the Horseshoe. Perhaps a conversation with Teddy might offer you insight into your own identity if you need it. If you ever find yourself at the Horseshoe Tavern in a pair of boots a few sizes too big, ask for Teddy the bartender. You might only get a hold of him for only a few minutes but know that he’ll always be at the stage bar in the back, likely deep in conversation with a strangerturned-friend.

The iconic "checkerboard floors” that The Tragically Hip references in their song "Bobcaygeon".

OLIVIA BELOVICH/THEVARSITY

Nichol Robertson opening for Veal.

OLIVIA BELOVICH/THEVARSITY

November 26, 2024

thevarsity.ca/category/science science@thevarsity.ca

Meet the student redefining space communication with her own magazine

At the age of five, Riyam Ojaimi first experienced curiosity for space — planning a mass migration to Saturn, which later developed into a lifelong fascination with quantum physics and astrophysics.

Ojaimi — now a first-year life sciences student at UTM — recalls discovering her love for astrophysics through the portals opened by the cinematic universes of Stranger Things and Marvel’s multiverses. Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania introduces viewers to the mind-bending realities of the quantum realm.

What started as a childhood fascination grew as Ojaimi joined youth astronomy societies and advocacy groups for women in STEM fields, even mingling with astronauts at conferences in Sweden, where she used to live. It also helped her overcome social anxiety. “At that age, it’s kind of common for people to get nervous around big crowds, [but] I loved doing everything.”

However, back in Sweden, Ojaimi’s mentors and superiors undervalued her, and she struggled to gain recognition for her work. As the constant need to be seen and heard drained Ojaimi, she emphasized the importance of knowing when to stop proving oneself to others — a lesson shaped by her experiences as a woman of colour with immigrant parents.

“As women of colour, we’re taught to keep running, but sometimes, you have to learn when your values aren’t as valued as you want them to be to make a change,” said Ojaimi.

A key thought behind starting Space Point is channelling Ojaimi’s knowledge, experience, and skills into creating something where she could control her achievements and recognition.

Ojaimi worked as a photographer, editor, and illustrator in her high school magazine, which initiated her love for storytelling — all of which she brought to her own space-themed publication Space Point

“As women of colour, we’re taught to keep running, but sometimes, you have to learn when your values aren’t as valued as you want them to be to make a change,” said Ojaimi.

Space Point:

The meeting place for all things ‘space’ Ojaimi single-handedly creates content and illustrations, and manages the magazine’s social media — all while balancing her studies and research.

Space Point magazine, founded in July, features educational posts on space and astronomy. Ojaimi said in an interview with The Varsity that “most people are interested in space because of how cool and beautiful it is, but the actual science and explanations behind it can be daunting.” “People do want to know about that and Space Point takes the heavy scientific stuff and puts it into a beautiful visualization offered across formats,” she added.

The website, alongside its social media counterparts, offers illustrations in vibrant colours. Each post has striking photos accompanied by diagrams that help break down the information from the magazine and blog posts.

The first issue has been up for three months, with its second recently published on November 1. Each issue has a theme that the magazine’s content follows. For example, the theme for the latest issue was ‘The Multiverse’ — the sci-fi category that drew Ojaimi into learning about space as a teenager and made her a hardcore Marvel fan.

Outside of the magazine the site also offers weekly blog posts on various new developments in the field of astronomy. These posts also include any new information related to recent discoveries and the scope for future explorations. One series is the ‘Cosmic Files’ on the planets in our solar system. Each Cosmic File explains the composition, characteristics, and the process of formation for the planets in our solar system and beyond. Another set of posts covers mind-bogglers like the Fermi Paradox, black holes, and time travel.

Future aspirations

Looking forward, Space Point will launch an online educational series which will feature several different introductory courses in astronomy for anyone with no background in the subject. Currently, Ojaimi is focusing on developing an introductory course in astronomy called “The Voyage.”

“‘The Voyage’ takes you through everything, from Earth to Mars and the Moon, and different galaxies,” she said. “It’s an introductory course for everything you need to know about space in order to do other courses.”

Right now, Ojaimi will focus on growth and consistency so the magazine can reach an

audience that can get familiar with the magazine and decide if they want to invest further in Space Point. Ojaimi also plans to sell physical copies of the magazine by next summer. “A lot of people have requested physical copies, so that’s one of the big things I have in mind,” she said.

Eventually, she plans to connect her project as a student researcher in UTM’s Biology department with Space Point Ojaimi’s project explores how space flight affects astronauts’ physical and mental states. From topics on brain metabolism to energy consumption and hypoxia — which is the shortness of oxygen in our bodily systems — which she hopes to connect to future Space Point editions.

When she first started this magazine, her friends and families couldn’t see her full vision. She could only enact her ideas after promoting Space Point online and receiving hundreds of positive reactions from her followers. “I started seeing the potential in Space Point when I saw how people reacted to it. Because I created a whole other world in my head, I didn’t know how people would react and that my love for space would be reciprocated that way,” Ojaimi said.

Through Space Point, Ojaimi sets an example to the next generation of science communicators and women in STEM.

For Ojaimi, this is just the beginning. Her next steps? Ojaimi, as a registered attendee, will participate in NASA’s Human Research Program Investigators’ Workshop, an annual event focusing on research on space biology and improvements to human space flight.

Khaleda H. Khan Varsity Contributor

Space Point Publications is an astronomy magazine, founded and run by Riyam Ojaimi. COURTESY OF ZAINAB MOHAMMAD

Decolonizing psychedelic science

The West’s psychedelic revolution is made possible through science’s colonial legacies

Mashiyat

Ahmed Associate Science Editor

As many psychology and neuroscience students have heard in lectures, discussions surrounding psychedelics and their treatment implications have proliferated with increased research into their therapeutic success in alleviating mental health disorders. Even if you aren’t a STEM student, psychedelics like magic mushrooms have entered recreational spaces as more young adults are moving away from alcohol usage and experimenting with hallucinogens.

As a hallucinogenic fungus, magic mushrooms contain ingredients that interact with the brain and mind to trigger changes in perception. Depending on the dose, it can even alter our metaphysical belief systems. For some, psychedelics are reminiscent of the counterculture craze that dominated the zeitgeist of the 1960s, where liberal attitudes towards love, sex, and politics paralleled a surge in the recreational consumption of these narcotics.

For many leading Western scientists such as Timothy Leary and Roland Griffiths, psychedelics represent the future of mental health treatment and neurological research. In several studies, psilocybin — the active ingredient in magic mushrooms — has been found effective in treating severe depressive disorders that do not respond to conventional treatment plans like medications and therapy.

However, psychedelic usage in treatments did not start with Western medicine. These mindaltering substances have been woven into the rich tapestry of Mexico’s Indigenous people’s ways of life, beliefs, and rituals for over 10,000 years. The fungus’ popularity in the Western consciousness is an expression of modern science’s colonial and exclusionary legacy.

The colonizer’s touch:

An Indigenous history of psychedelics

In southern Mexico in 1955, an American banker and ethnomycologist — who studies the uses of fungi in various cultures — Gordon Wasson, made it his life’s mission to explore the sacred uses of psychedelic mushrooms. Wasson and his wife found many Indigenous communities in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, where he saw local communities using mushroom species — later identified as mescaline and psilocybin — in ceremonies and practices.

Wasson met María Sabina, a local poet and spiritual teacher or medicine woman who used magic mushrooms as essential ingredients during ceremonies to promote spiritual healing, reconciliation with divinity, introspection, and other forms of spiritual insights. As a part of the Mazatec People — an Indigenous Mesoamerican community in southern Mexico — Sabina’s ceremonial duties were exclusive to members of the community, and not for outsiders like Wasson.

According to University of Sydney postgraduate researcher Anna Lutkajtis, in spiritual ceremonies called velada, a spiritual teacher guides individuals as they eat magic mushrooms to “cure the spirit, communicate with Mazatec deities, ask profound questions, and seek guidance from an ‘ultimate source.’” In the psychedelic-induced states of consciousness, which are marked by hallucinations and striking thought patterns, a cacophony of music and prayers erupt, and tobacco use follows.

Wasson was fascinated with this ritual. After convincing Sabina to allow him to participate in these ceremonies, Wasson gathered insights on the practices and brought them back to the US, eventually publishing multiple articles in 1957 on these ceremonies. By publishing the details of a closed spiritual practice, Wasson completely betrayed Sabina and Mazatec’s trust and right to privacy.

The echoes of colonization

Following Wasson’s betrayal, psychedelic use captured the scientific and public interest in the West, kickstarting a mass development of synthetic alternatives of psilocybin and other substances and leading to an increase in publications in the late 1950s. But even so, scientists from leading American and British universities would only begin to explore the surface of psychedelic research as they studied its therapeutic potential in controlled experimental settings.

Soon after, psychedelics leaked into the 1960s’ cultural landscape, where mostly economically privileged individuals would go on to recreationally use them in ways conflicting with the traditional roots of psychedelics in Indigenous culture and spirituality. Western governing bodies and morals did not care about the ways psychedelics were brought to the West — and how could they, when the very ‘discovery’ of these psychedelics is rooted in theft?

For the better part of the 1960s, psychedelics bolstered the ‘free love’ movement — an acceptance of untethered forms of love — and other socialist counterculture movements. In Oaxaca, Sabina’s village received an abundance of visitors who wanted to experiment with psychedelics but were unaware of their spiritual significance to the Indigenous experience.

Thus began a rampage of famous artists, hippies, and other countercultural groups exploiting the spiritual and cultural body of knowledge psychedelics held, turning local beliefs into forms of tourism, entertainment, and faux enlightenment. This continued for many years after Wasson’s betrayal, resulting in immense cultural, psychological, and spiritual trauma for the local Indigenous communities of southern Mexico and beyond.

Sabina and her fellow villagers reported blasphemous sightings of non-locals in the community disrespecting psychedelics by using them inappropriately through partying, consuming them with alcohol, and performing sexual acts while high. Soon, the region’s Indigenous communities known for safeguarding these psychedelic plants were seen as an annoyance to be overcome for access to the psychedelics.

The medicalization and misappropriation of psychedelics

Psychedelic-assisted therapies are becoming increasingly popular as a line of treatment and research. They combine talk therapy with the physical and mental health relief effects of psilocybin to treat disorders like depression and PTSD. According to the medical journal The Lancet, this therapeutic approach “has a more direct impact on brain activity, which can result in profound insights and promote introspection, emotional release, and cognitive [thinking] shifts,” especially considering that depression is characterized by absolutist, pessimistic, and black-and-white thinking.

Many Pacific Northwest and Mexican Indigenous communities recognize sacred plants — including psychedelics like magic mushrooms — as having a sort of personhood, with several Indigenous stories describing the land as a living being. When interacting with Wasson, Sabina called the sacred mushrooms niños santos or the saint children in Spanish.

The way Indigenous people safeguard and understand their sacred ways is difficult to

translate into the West’s mainstream biomedical model of health, which pursues health through a medicalized and individualistic lens. In the West, our understanding of psychedelics is reduced to therapeutic agents that promise better outcomes for our worsening mental health crises. While this outlook can be useful, it also oversimplifies and disregards the role of traditional and community connections in healing, which is as important as the psychedelic substance itself.

Psychedelics are not an instantaneous magical panacea to mental health and disease. Their success is dependent on multiple factors and ultimately on the capacity to embrace deep, often mystical and uncomfortable subjective experiences. Noo drug can ease this process, let alone be solely responsible for it.

Is awareness and rectification enough?

As the popularity of psychedelics grows, so will the interest of pharmaceutical companies and other corporations to pounce on the expected financial profit these psychedelics have. As a student in a STEM program, I agree that psychedelics are an important asset in mental health treatment, but there is a cost of pharmaceutical industries pushing the frontiers of scientific innovation. There is undeniably imperialist baggage, rooted particularly in extractivism and exclusion, that follows the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics enjoyed by the West at the expense of Indigenous communities.

Even if we urge or mandate scientists and those in the therapy industry to integrate holistic and Indigenous-informed lenses into treatment and research, or to address the colonial history of psychedelics, it still won’t be enough to undo the damage. We can’t work within the margins of a system that is fundamentally disconnected from Indigenous ways of knowing and then expect the same system to honour the spiritual sanctity of psychedelics.

While there has been no formal apology by institutions or Wasson for the exploitation behind his popularization of psychedelics to a Western audience, many Indigenous scholars and artists have suggested that revisiting psychedelic history is a good place to start. According to Indigenous mental health specialist LisaNa Macias Red Bear, “We can’t start the history of psychedelics in the ’60s in the Americas; that needs to stop. We [Indigenous people] used this medicine before Jesus Christ walked this Earth.”

How do robots feel?

Exploring the morphology and structures in robotics

By grasping objects with our fingers — mugs, pens, clothes, and much more — we are able to make inferences and deductions about that object based on our physical interaction with it. Now, imagine that your otherwise dexterous and sensitive fingers were replaced with flimsy hot dogs with no touch sensors. You’d struggle to hold and derive information about the countless objects we encounter in our daily lives.

In essence, the task of holding an object is dependent on your fingers as much as it is on your brain. The same is true of robots and their bodies, says Audrey Sedal, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at McGill University. On October 25, Sedal delivered a talk on robot morphology as part of the U of T Robotics Institute Seminar Series.

Testing morphology in walking bots

Sedal specializes in robotics, the field of technology that deals with the construction of robots or machines that replicate human ability or movement. Robotics creates varied products: robots that

assemble cars, perform surgeries, paint, deliver food, and more. The ratio of robots to humans in the global manufacturing industry as of 2024 is one to 71. In her talk, Sedal noted the critical role of robot morphology — the study of how a robot’s physical structure impacts its performance — in making design decisions that are effective for the robot to reach its assigned goal. In her seminar talk, she notes how the “structure and the actual physical existence of the robot in its environment is equally important.” To exhibit how a robot’s structure and physical body influence its data collection and processing, Sedal and her team at McGill’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Centre for Intelligent Machines devised a sophisticated experiment.

In the experiment, Sedal and her team developed a framework to monitor the movement of several robots — each with separate designs — along a flattened cardboard box. As part of their investigation, they constructed some of the robots with auxetic materials — which are materials that increase in width when stretched — as opposed to growing more narrow. A notable example of an auxetic material would be human tendons.

Sedal attached the robots to pneumatic tethering

Breakthrough artificial heart implantation success

Titanium-based artificial heart transforms man into a real-life Tony Stark

tubes — typically used in soft robots — which provided input to a computer modelling program to assess what type of information the robots’ sensors acquired about the cardboard surface’s texture and durability. Sedal and her team then measured a variety of physical data that impacted the robot’s walking ability.

The researchers developed a machine learning algorithm, which then evaluated the robots’ movement. As each robot walked, the algorithm retained which behaviour produced successful results, refining the robots’ walking processes with each iteration. Then, Sedal graphed the results alongside the robots’ sensory data, which allowed her to visualize the relationship between each robot, the robot’s collected data, and its walking performance.

The importance of symmetry in robot design Sedal and her team found that robots with an asymmetric design — three legs — performed better than those with a symmetric design — four legs — due to pivoting mechanisms inherent in the asymmetric robots’ structure. A pivoting mechanism is any device that aids in rotation, like a knee or a joint. For a robot, this refers to its metal

Marvel fans are familiar with the story of Tony Stark and his artificial heart — the “arc reactor” — which allowed him to survive after experiencing a life-threatening heart injury. Until now, artificial organs at this level of function were just a fictional concept.

Biomedical scientists at BiVACOR, a USbased medical device company, have made the concept a reality by developing the Total Artificial Heart (TAH) which can revolutionize medical treatment for patients dealing with heart failure. This artificial heart may not be as flashy as Tony Stark’s or come with Iron Man’s suits, but it aims to save the lives of patients with severe heart failure — much like the arc reactor.

Although in its early stages of in-human implantation, the TAH has already saved two lives and, with continued success, it has the potential to become a viable alternative to traditional heart transplants.

What is heart failure?

Heart failure is a condition in which the muscles of the heart cannot pump enough volumes of blood to meet the body’s demand for blood and oxygen. The human heart has four chambers, two of which are the left and right ventricles that pump blood out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Heart failure can affect the left, right, and sometimes even both ventricles. Biventricular heart failure occurs when both the left and right ventricles of the heart are affected. Heart failure affects at least 26 million people worldwide and the Heart and Stroke Foundation

estimates that up to 750,000 Canadians live with heart failure, and 100,000 are diagnosed each year. Heart transplants are reserved for patients with severe heart failure, for whom drug therapy is limited and would be relatively ineffective compared to a transplant. However, with only approximately 6,000 donor hearts globally available each year, many patients who need a transplant cannot receive a donor heart.

Revolutionizing artificial heart therapy

BiVACOR is a company specializing in designing medical devices and is currently in its clinical stages, meaning its products are being tested on humans in a clinical setting. The company’s founder Daniel Timms is credited for inventing the TAH. His journey in creating this revolutionary medical device began with applying his biomedical engineering knowledge while working with his plumber father to experiment with constructing devices similar to heart valves using water pumps.

BiVACOR aims to demonstrate the TAH’s commercial application and viability to encourage additional investments. These investments would be used for the TAH’s full commercialization, so that patients who require a heart transplant will no longer need to wait years for a potential donor. As of December 2023, 3,428 Canadians were waiting to receive a heart transplant.

With the commercialization of TAHs, patients will have access to them and can improve their quality of life much faster.

How does the TAH work?

BiVACOR’s TAH is a biventricular blood pump providing blood to both the systemic — or full

body — and pulmonary — lung-specific — circulations. It’s designed to be a long-term replacement for a recipient’s heart, mainly for patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure: the most severe form of heart failure that can only be treated with transplants or implanted assist devices.

For patients with severe univentricular heart failure — ventricle failure of only one valve — the TAH may only be used in specific cases where a left ventricular assist device is not a recommended form of treatment. The TAH can also act as a short-term heart replacement for a patient on a transplant waiting list.

The TAH combines a centrifugal rotary pump to transport fluids and magnetic levitation, which holds items in space using opposing magnetic poles to suspend a rotor — the part that spins — between the two pumping chambers to propel blood through both of the circulatory pathways. Unlike a heart, the TAH requires no valves, contracting ventricle chambers, or a diaphragm. It comes with an external controller and rechargeable battery system for untethered operation.

The TAH is small, compact, and suitable for the bodies of most men and women. Despite the small size of the TAH, it’s capable of pumping blood at 12 litres of blood per minute, which is enough blood flow for an adult man undergoing strenuous exercise.

The first concern that may come to mind with a mechanical heart is the possibility of metal corrosion. However, the TAH is constructed from titanium which is compatible with biological materials such as human bodies, corrosion resistance, and strength.

joints that allow it to walk.

Different robot types performed better or worse according to their sensor input. Based on the robots’ design structure, the more asymmetrical robots gained more direct and concise information from its surroundings. Their three legs covered more of the cardboard surface, so they were able to incorporate more data into its walking program and, as a result, walked better than the symmetric robots.

When asked about what improvements could be made to the experiment, Sedal noted how the team might use other surface textures — like plastic or foam, which are easier to move on — to lessen the impact of friction on the data the robots gathered as they walked.

Sedal has offered critical insight into the future of morphological research and robotics in general. The development of robots that can gauge and assess their own movement as they walk is promising. Imagine robotics waiters that get increasingly faster and more efficient with each order or a robot that is able to walk, turn, and stop as smoothly as a human.

Sedal’s research is a positive step in the direction of human-like machines — an exciting future!

Successful in-human implantations

On July 9, BiVACOR conducted its first FDAapproved in-human implantation of the TAH at the Texas Heart Institute on a 57-year-old patient who was a man on a waiting list for a heart transplant with end-stage heart failure. The patient had the TAH for a total of eight days, after which a donor heart was made available.

A few weeks later, a second implantation was performed at the Duke University Hospital. The 34 year-old-patient, Donavon Harbison, experienced biventricular heart failure and was grateful for the new life with the TAH. Harbinson went on to say, “I’m like, OK, I am going to be Tony Stark… I’m about to come out with a shiny piece in my chest that keeps me alive.”

With restored circulation, the TAH allowed Harbison to regain enough strength within 10 days to also undergo a heart transplant and receive a donor’s heart. Both implantations demonstrated the TAH’s aforementioned shortterm use as a “bridge-to-transplant” solution.

Looking to the future:

Where science meets sci-fi

An artificial heart may just be the beginning. Even though currently the TAH has been used as a stop-gap for patients waiting for a heart transplant, it opened many possibilities. Imagine a future in which other organs — especially those most prone to developing illnesses — can be replaced with artificial versions. Although certain organs such as the brain are too complex to be replaced, other organs such as the bladder, stomach, and lungs, may be replaceable with artificial implants like the TAH.

While reading about the TAH, I couldn’t help but make a connection to the many scifi novels, films, and series that depict human cyborgs, and how this breakthrough may be one of the many steps that lead to something similar to that concept. Some may view this advancement and become worried, whereas others may yearn for such a future. Is it possible that we may see humans undergo cybernetic enhancements or cosmetics in the form of mechanical integrations? Only time will tell. In the meantime, we should all welcome and embrace any such invention that helps save or improve lives, whether the invention is of natural or mechanical origin.

Gabriel Andrus Varsity Contributor

JAYLIN KIM/THE VARSITY

Arunveer Sidhu Varsity Contributor

In October, Audrey Sedal, assistant professor at McGill, delivered a talk on soft robot structure. COURTESY OF AMANDA HACIO, ROBOTICS INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

Opinion

November 26, 2024

thevarsity.ca/cateogory/opinion

opinion@thevarsity.ca

Protecting the Amazon rainforest and its Indigenous peoples is

a

global

responsibility

Unpacking Canada’s haunting presence in the Amazon

individuals who speak approximately 300 different languages.

In the Amazon rainforest, the lands, cultures, and Indigenous tribes’ ways of life are directly threatened by the destruction.

While the Amazon has faced long-scale devastation, under former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro’s leadership, deforestation reached a 15-year high in 2021. However, the responsibility for this largescale decimation is not limited to Brazil — Canada is also complicit in exploiting Amazonian resources.

Deforestation in the Amazon will have long-term, irreversible consequences for our climate, but the crisis extends beyond environmental impact. I believe deforestation is a serious violation of human rights, and Canada’s haunting presence in the Amazon directly threatens Indigenous peoples and their survival which depends on the land.

What does it mean to destroy the Amazon Rainforest?

Environmentally, the rapid deforestation of the Amazon destroys the most biodiverse forests in the world, disrupting ecosystems, weakening climate resilience, and depleting vital resources. The Amazon acts as a carbon sink — absorbing more carbon than it releases into the atmosphere — which helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Currently, the rainforest absorbs 150–200 billion tons of carbon, so its deforestation would further exacerbate global warming and accelerate climate crises.

However, the destruction of the Amazon signifies much more than just ecological damage; it threatens the very existence of Indigenous communities that have thrived there for approximately 32,000–39,000 years. The region is home to 47 million people, including around 2.2 million Indigenous

Destructing this region could soon leave people without homes or communities, ultimately erasing entire cultures. Some of the communities in the region include the Tikuna, Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau (Jupau), Awa, Korubo, Kawahiva, Yanomami, Akuntsu, and Piripikura tribes, and many others.

These communities not only depend on the Amazon but are also the reason one of the most vital resources on Earth remains standing today. The tribes’ traditional practices promote sustainable forest management, and much of their beliefs are deeply rooted in protecting the environment, emphasizing the connection between people and the land.

By continuing to ignore the plight of Indigenous communities and the vital ecosystems they protect, we contribute to endangering their lives and risk losing a future of healing for the Earth. And while the Amazon’s destruction continues to imperil these communities, I believe Canada’s role warrants deeper scrutiny.

The Canadian factor Canadian and Brazilian relations date back to 1866, and remain strong to this day. Amid the rainforest’s destruction, the Canadian government has launched initiatives aimed at supporting Indigenous peoples during the climate crisis.

The first initiative is the Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia program, funded through a $9.5 million partnership with the World Food Programme. This funding, allocated for the 2023–2024 to 2027–2028 fiscal years, supports projects in local Indigenous and rural communities.

While I believe this initiative is a commendable effort to support the livelihood of the Amazon’s

Rightward political shift in France can teach us a lesson in Canada

Trusting politicians may be a failed endeavour — we should turn toward community

significant understatement.

“Scratch a liberal and a fascist bleeds” remains a sharp critique from the left. It suggests that a liberal only maintains their political stance under fairweather conditions, but would ultimately side with the right and betray their professed ideology when faced with the possibility of actual leftist rule.

I believe the recent French legislative election, held on June 30 and July 7 across two rounds, is a salient example of this phenomenon. Despite the left-wing coalition New Popular Front (NFP) winning the popular vote and securing the majority seats in the French parliament, there is not a single NFP member among the major French ministers. Instead, in the aftermath of the legislative election in September, French President and leader of the centrist party, Emmanuel Macron, appointed conservative politician Michael Barnier as Prime Minister.

This decision followed Macron’s dissolving the parliament in June and subsequently calling for snap elections — ordering the legislative election much earlier than originally scheduled for 2027 — which he said was to prevent the far-right from coming to power in France. Macron stated that he could not be resigned to the far-right’s progress ”everywhere in the continent.’” News outlets described the new ruling government in France as being “dominated by conservatives and centrists,” but I think this is a

I believe Macron violated the French people’s trust by playing into the hands of the conservatives and far-right. By trusting their left-wing leader, the French were dealt a government dominated by conservatives. Meanwhile, in Canada, we seem to be facing an inverse problem: the Canadian public is turning toward conservative leadership due to a lack of trust in the current left-wing leadership.

Macron’s betrayal

In a speech, Macron described the snap elections as an “act of trust,” claiming he was dissolving the parliament to give the French people the power to decide and prevent the further rise of the far-right. In response, various leftist parties rallied together, calling for unity to prevent the far-right from coming to power.

But in my opinion, it was Macron who betrayed the trust of the people by allowing France to be governed by conservatives at the ministerial level. Cabinet members in France are not solely appointed by the prime minister; they must be selected between the prime minister and the president’s agreement. As such, Macron was complicit in forming a cabinet completely devoid of France’s most popular party’s representation.

Following the NFP’s victory, Macron released a “letter to the French people” declaring that “no one has won,” referencing how no single party won a majority in parliament. While the NFP won

Indigenous tribes, Canada still contributes to the rainforest’s rapid deforestation. Canada also has a longstanding history of cultural genocide against Indigenous communities within its own borders, and its mistreatment now extends to Indigenous people in other parts of the world. According to Amazon Watch — a non-profit organization which advocates for the rainforest and Indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin — Canada is a “key culprit in Amazon destruction.”

Over the past 30 years, Canada has built significant mining investments in Latin America. According to a 2023 Amazon Watch report titled Unmasking Canada: Rights Violations across Latin America campaign, 16 Canadian companies, supported by Canadian banks, are involved in 27 mining and eight oil extraction projects across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. 10 of these projects directly jeopardized the livelihoods of at least 16 Indigenous ethnic groups in the Amazon region.

Additionally, one of the biggest trade agreements that Canada is involved in is MERCOSUR — Mercado Común del Sur (Southern Common Market) — a 1991 agreement established between the four founding countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its purpose is to generate business and investment opportunities by integrating national economies into the international market.

However, MERCOSUR also prioritizes economic growth through expanding agricultural

more seats than any other party, it lacked the absolute majority required for one party to govern alone. However, Macron’s refusal to appoint NFP-endorsed candidate Lucie Castets as prime minister suggested to me that his “no one has won” sentiment applied exclusively to the NFP.

The French people placed their trust in Macron, which he thanked them for by completely sidelining the resurgent left and handing the reins to a conservative coalition that would dance to the farright’s tune.

Poilievre and ‘reasonable conservatives’ Similarly, Canadians should be careful when placing their trust in liberal politicians. In May 2023, the NDP criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for rising housing prices, his unfulfilled environmental commitments, and for allowing anti-abortion organizations to maintain charity status.

In May 2024, a commentator at the National Post criticized Trudeau for distancing himself from provincial premiers, centralizing power in the Prime Minister’s Office despite promises of decentralization, and overseeing stagnant economic growth. These evident Liberal missteps are eroding the party’s popularity, seemingly guaranteeing a Conservative victory in the upcoming federal election.

Depending on who you ask, a Conservative victory might be seen as positive. After nearly a decade of Liberal rule, some might welcome new faces with fresh approaches. But I wouldn’t go that far.

Among other conservative-populist policies Canadians may recognize from their southern neighbours, Poillievre has promised to cut immigration, lower taxes, and cap federal spending.

Although he has tried to present himself as a reasonable politician, Poilievre failed to condemn Canada-based white nationalist group Diagolon during an April parliamentary hearing after the group’s symbol was seen on a trailer truck Poillievre

business and trade, which contributes to the widespread deforestation of the Amazon. As of 2021, Canada was negotiating additional MERCOSUR agreements during Bolsonaro’s presidency, furthering their complicity in the deforestation of the rainforest.

While Canada is aiding the protection of the Amazon’s Indigenous communities amid the deforestation crisis, this does not negate the fact that Canada simultaneously continues to play a role in their destruction through its involvement in industrial mining in the Amazon.

I urge you all to consider not only the impact this will have on our lives outside of the Amazon — as all human survival depends on global environmental wellbeing — but also the millions of Indigenous peoples whose very source of life is being obliterated. This is a profound moral responsibility that demands urgent global action, particularly from Canada which prides itself on being an environmental leader through measures like Prime Minister Trudeau’s carbon tax and the Paris Agreement.

Canada must hold itself accountable to these principles and stop supporting practices that contribute to environmental destruction, ensuring that its actions align with the values it projects.

Vesa Lunji is a second-year student at University College studying health & disease and cell & molecular biology. She is an International Affairs columnist for The Varsity’s Opinion section.

entered while attending an anti-carbon tax protest. In the same hearing, Poilievre called Trudeau a “wacko” for the prime minister’s support of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy and was subsequently kicked out of parliament.

Turning toward community

I believe there is a valuable lesson to be drawn from these two cases — our engagement in politics should not be limited to relying on and trusting our politicians to enact changes. I see ample evidence that most politicians, perhaps not due to personal fault but rather the structures they operate within, are incapable of enacting proactive, meaningful change.

The French people put their trust in their political leadership, only to be handed a conservative government. The Canadian public, having lost trust in their political leader, will probably be dealt a conservative government. Is there no alternative? I believe it is time to turn toward our communities and support local organizations that are making tangible efforts to better the lives of those who need it most. For example, the Democratic Socialists of Canada’s tenant organizing program advocates against paying exorbitant rent for sub-par landlord service. There are also community-specific groups like the Jane and Finch Action against Poverty organization which works on combating economic inequality in their community and holds events educating its residents on various governmental aid programs.

Any change, no matter how small, makes an impact. As Vladimir Lenin once said, “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”

Oleksii Varlamov is a third-year student at St. Michael’s College studying philosophy. He is the secretary of the Philosophy Course Union and an International Affairs columnist for The Varsity’s Opinion section.

Vesa Lunji International Affairs Columnist

Oleksii Varlamov International Affairs Columnist

JENNIFER AHN/THE VARSITY

Sports

November 26, 2024 thevarsity.ca/section/sports sports@thevarsity.ca

Blue’s women's hockey fall 3–1 to Western in first home loss

James Bullanoff Deputy News Editor

On November 22, the Varsity Blues women’s ice hockey team faced off against the Western Mustangs in the first of their four-game home stand.

Prior to the game, the Blues had defeated the Mustangs 2–1 during their pre-season game and were riding a seven-game active win streak against the Mustangs in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) competition. The Blues returned home after a 4–2 victory over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on November 16.

After being undefeated at home, the Blue suffered their first home loss of the season, falling 3–1 to the Mustangs in a tough upset.

What happened?

During the game, the Mustangs took control early. Forward Haylie Kirkpatrick scored the first goal within the opening three minutes, giving the Mustangs a 1–0 lead. The Blues battled back, but the Mustangs maintained their momentum. Rookie goalie Lyla McKinnon was able to make 11 saves for the Blues in the first period, despite being outshot 12–6.

First of four-game home-stand ends in defeat

McKinnon stepped up early in the second period, facing increased pressure from the Mustangs. The Blues gained momentum with several major chances but were still unable to finish. They got their first power play of the game just around 15 minutes into the second period but couldn’t capitalize. After killing the power play, the Mustangs regained their energy, but McKinnon stood tall in the net.

Eventually, the Blues couldn’t handle the pressure, and on a breakaway, Kirkpatrick scored her second goal in the final two seconds of the period, giving the Mustangs a 2–0 lead over the Blues.

In the third period, the Blues got on the board after 17 shots, with a goal from forward Christina Alexiou, making it a 2–1 game. Her third goal of the season was assisted by forwards Kaitlyn McKnight and Sophie Grawbarger.

The Blues pushed for an equalizer. A tripping penalty on defense Jaia Freer in the final minutes of the game cost them heavily, as the Mustangs went on the power play.

McKinnon finished the game with 26 saves and was pulled as an extra attacker on the Mustangs’ power play. Unfortunately, Mustangs forward Elizabeth Gauthier scored an empty-net goal to secure a 3–1 win.

What’s next?

The Varsity Blues faced the Guelph Gryphons on November 23, during their fifth annual Pride Night game, falling by a score of 4–3. The Blues are now 7–6 on the season and sit in third place in the OUA East division.

The team continues their four-game home stand with back-toback games against the Windsor Lancers and the Waterloo Warriors on November 29 and 30, with puck drop at 7:00 pm.

The bird is dead — Jays season comes to merciful end

Reviewing the 2024 Toronto Blue Jays season

Kepler Pyle

On September 29, the Toronto Blue Jays lost their final game of the year to the Miami Marlins. However, it didn’t really matter, as they had been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention a week earlier. In fact, it felt as though the season had been over for weeks — if not months — before that.

A sweep at home by the basement-dwelling Marlins was the cherry on top of an underwhelming season for the Blue Jays. The disappointment started last October when the team managed only a single run in two games of the American League Wild Card Series. This theme persisted throughout the year, with the pitching staff arguably being the strongest in the American League, while the offense was mediocre at best.

After their 2023 playoff exit, the 74–88 Blue Jays entered the offseason with a clear need for a big bat to drive in the runners left on base: a category in which they ranked 29th out of 30 teams. For a brief moment, it seemed the front office recognized this. They began the free agency period targeting Shohei Ohtani, but that short-lived dream ended when he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. There was a rumour of a Juan Soto trade, but that, too, fell through when he was dealt to the New York Yankees.

Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins, somewhat bizarrely, opted for a retool instead of pursuing a slugger. A handful of minor signings were made despite the loss of premier third baseman Matt Chapman and the need to bolster the rotation and bullpen after a strong, though likely unsustainable, campaign. Yet, as opening day approached, it became clear that the biggest free agent addition would be then-39-year-old designated hitter Justin Turner.

The 2024 season got off to a shaky start, to say the least.

Alek Manoah was out until May after a dramatic regression in performance in 2023. Kevin Gausman, who had been sidelined by right shoulder fatigue in spring training, didn’t quite look like the pitcher who had finished top 10 in Cy Young Award voting each of the past three years.

Offensive leaders Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer posted a combined on-base-plus-slugging-percentage under .600 by the end of April. On top of the offensive downturn and confusion with the starting rotation, the bullpen, which had been so

effective in 2023, was now dead last in earnedrun-average across the majors.

Unsurprisingly, they fell below .500 on April 30 and never recovered. Despite Guerrero’s resurgence to his 2021 form, they became sellers at the trade deadline, parting ways with, among others, reliever Yimi Garcia, utility infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and catcher Danny Jansen in exchange for prospects. The blockbuster move came with the trade of Yusei Kikuchi, who netted three of the Houston Astros’ topranked prospects: pitcher Jake Bloss, outfielder Joey Loperfido, and infielder Will Wagner. While the returns for the players they gave up seem favourable, prospect development in MLB is rarely a sure thing, and the outcome remains to be seen.

But regardless of how their newly acquired assets performed, the 2024 Blue Jays season was a disaster. Coming off consecutive playoff appearances, this was supposed to be a team that was within its championship window, but they found themselves 14 games below .500 at the end of game 162.

The lion’s share of the blame falls squarely on the Atkins administration. The flaws within the organization were glaringly obvious, yet the front office made no efforts to address them. As a result, the outlook roster’s future is far from optimistic, as they find themselves in a similar situation this year.

The offence once again needs at least one, but likely two, significant signings in the offseason. The bullpen requires a complete overhaul, and both Bichette and Guerrero are entering their final year of team control. With this year’s deep free agent class headlined by generational hitter Juan Soto, and the team being owned by billionaire corporation Rogers, there should be enough talent and financial resources to fill in the gaps. If the Blue Jays want to avoid an outright rebuild, the biggest targets would likely be an offensive outfielder — either Soto or Teoscar Hernández — and a third baseman like Alex Bregman. Alternatively, and far less likely, the team could move Guerrero back to third and acquire Christian Walker or Pete Alonso to play first base.

Whichever of these paths they choose to follow, the next three months will be pivotal for the franchise. It will determine whether the team can bring the World Series back to Canada or go down as one of the worst examples of squandered talent in recent memory.

Blues forward Taylor Delahey corrals the puck. COURTESY OF SEYRAN MAMMADOV CC VARSITY BLUES MEDIA

Varsity Contributor

CHLOE WESTON/THE VARSITY

Looking

for

running trails around U of T?

For “runnin’ through the 6ix with my woes”

Martin Goodman Trail at Lakeshore

Living in the heart of the largest city in Canada can be overwhelming and sometimes, all you need is a good run. The Varsity has collected below a list of potential trails for your next run, jog, workout, walk, or bike ride.

For your safety please ensure to double-check the trails online in case of construction notices, and bring a map and water for your run!

Trails close to UTSG

Queen’s Park

At approximately 800 metres long, this trail loops around Queen’s Park and is the shortest on this list. However, it is also the most accessible and the closest option to U of T. If you live on or near campus and want to do a quick walk or workout during your break, Queen’s Park is your destination.

The

Rubin Beshi Business & Labour Editor

The Martin Goodman Trail spans over 20 kilometres along Toronto’s lakeshore. After a 5–10 minute subway ride to Union Station, walk south to Queen’s Quay to a bike trail stretching across the harbourfront. This trail is mostly flat and perfect for easy long runs, with few traffic lights. Alongside views of the lake and the Toronto skyline, it also leads into scenic parks such as Trillium Park and Coronation Park. The trail is easily accessible at multiple points and close to the TTC, making it easy to turn back whenever needed.

Central Tech Stadium

About a 10–15 minute walk east of Spadina along Harbord Street, the Central Tech Stadium track is the closest track to U of T apart from that of the Varsity Stadium. The 400 metre outdoor track is open to the public and is perfect for track and running workouts. Since it’s owned by the nearby Central Technical School, the track is only open

to the public after school hours. So, make sure to check its operating hours before you head down there!

Other trails in Toronto

Lower Don Valley and Brickworks

This picturesque nature trail allows for medium to long runs, with a single loop covering approximately 9.5 kilometres and options to extend the distance further. This trail is located near the Don Valley Parkway and can be accessed at Castle Frank or Broadview Station from Line 2. Although most of the trails are flat, there are some hills near its entrances and exits. Access to these trails can be confusing so ensure that you have a map handy.

Toronto Islands

The cluster of tiny islands located just off the shore of the city is also home to beautiful nature trails and skyline views. The longest stretch — from Ward Island to Halan’s Point — is around 5.5 kilometres.

The islands are popular during the summer but some also visit during its off-season, from around late-October to mid-April. Since a ferry is required to get to the islands, check the Toronto Islands website to get ferry tickets or other updates.

Woodbine Beach Boardwalk

Near Lake Ontario, the boardwalk stretches from Woodbine Beach to the Beaches neighbourhood for over eight kilometres. The terrain is mostly flat, which makes for an easy run. This area is also popular in the summer with many facilities, such as a playground, outdoor fitness equipment, beach volleyball courts, and picnic shelters, as well as cafés open near the beaches.

High Park

A 10–15 minute subway ride from UTSG, High Park provides multiple loops and trails and a nature escape in the city. The trail includes some hills and is perfect for long runs away from Toronto traffic.

new UCL format is bad for football culture

UEFA Mafia strikes again, injuring players in its wake

The 2024–2025 season of Europe’s premier club football tournament introduced a new UEFA Champions League (UCL) format, replacing the group stages with a league stage.

The UCL is football’s most coveted club competition — as well as its most popular — with an estimated 450 million viewers watching Real Madrid defeat Borussia Dortmund in the final last season on June 1. As a Barcelona fan, I was sadly one of those 450 million.

The new league stage places teams in the same standing, with each team playing against eight others. The UCL also now features four extra teams, bringing the total up to 36 from 32. The changes to the UCL format have sparked

controversy, with critics arguing that they harm European football culture and force players to endure more games at the expense of their health — all in the name of increasing revenue.

How the new format works

Since 1960, the UCL has featured 32 teams.

Until last season, the competition consisted of five rounds: the group stages, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. The group stages consisted of eight groups, with four teams per group. Each team in a group played the others twice, home and away, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.

Now, the new format is referred to as a “Swiss model”. All 36 teams are placed in the same standing, with each team playing against eight others — four at home and four away.

At the end of the league stage, the top eight teams will automatically advance to the round of 16. Teams ranked ninth to 24th will enter a twolegged playoff round, with the winner of each matchup also advancing to the round of 16. The ninth- to 16th- ranked teams are seeded, and will play the second leg at home against the 17th- to 24th- ranked teams.

The bottom 12 teams at the end of the league phase are automatically eliminated while the rest of the tournament, from the round of 16 onward, remains unchanged from the previous UCL format.

Overall, this new format has increased the number of games from 96 in the old group stage to a new 144, with every team playing at least two additional games.

UEFA Mafia

UEFA has recently begun commercializing the sport at the expense of its players and football culture. For example, the organization introduced the Nations League in 2018 — an international European tournament that replaced exhibition matches — to increase viewership and sell more profitable broadcasting rights for international matches.

To me, this format change is no exception. UEFA expects to generate over $1.7 billion in revenue this season, primarily from broadcasting rights which have risen due to the additional games. The operating fund of the competition has also increased by almost $600 million from last season, bringing the total to over $3.5 billion, which will be distributed among teams based on their performance in the competition.

UEFA’s official website states that the new format is designed to “increase the number of meaningful matches… throughout the competition.”

In other words, the new format is designed to line the pockets of UEFA executives and club shareholders under what I see as the guise of being

“more meaningful” matches. Instead, we are left with an overly complicated system that includes unnecessary league stage and playoff matches. I believe this overloads fans with UCL games and lessens the importance of domestic European leagues, which erodes Europe’s traditional football culture.

Injuries, more injuries

An even more problematic issue I see is UEFA cramming more games into players’ schedules.

ESPN reported that this season will be the longest club campaign in football history, mainly due to the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup to feature 32 teams, up from the previous seven. The UEFA Nations League has also contributed to longer seasons by increasing the number of international games teams play each year.

These added games have caused the football community’s widespread condemnation for being harmful and exhausting to players. Manchester City midfielder and 2024 Ballon D’Or winner Rodri suggested players should go on strike to protest the excessive number of games, only to tear his anterior cruciate ligament six days later on September 27.

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, who claimed at the beginning of the season that “we can’t play 72 games [in a season],” saw his season cut short after suffering two torn ligaments and a tendon injury in an October match. UEFA’s greedy new UCL format seems to me like another step toward prioritizing profits over players’ health.

“[The new format] will make a more unpredictable and more interesting competition” UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin claimed. I agree that the new format is making things more unpredictable — for all the wrong reasons.

TianTian Dong Varsity Contributor

VICKY HUANG/THE VARSITY

Subliminal Messaging