Capilano Courier | Vol. 49, Issue 15.

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE 15

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COFFEE CONUNDRUM

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

Starbucks abandons plans for kiosk in CapU library after a structural beam forces too many changes to its design.

A look at luxury car culture in Vancouver — a city with more supercars per capita than anywhere else in North America.

JANUARY 25 - 31 | 2016

CORPORATE COVER-UPS: MONEY VS. MORALS

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C O NTE NTS

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Cover Art

Editor's Desk

News

Opinions

08 TINY HOUSES

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DO YOU EVEN SIFT, BRO?

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Special Feature

Arts & Culture

Columns

Humour

MARIA CENTOLA

THE STAFF Andy Rice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

editor@capilanocourier.com Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

carlo.capcourier@gmail.com Therese Guieb

IF I HAD $6,000,000

STARBUCKS PLANS HIT A WALL

SPOILER ALERT: GAME OF THRONES

COLUMNISTS Marissa Del Mistro Marissa is a recent graduate from Dalhousie University, where she studied international development and law. She’s new to the Vancouver life and is using much of her free time to master the ins and outs of the big city. She loves studying but also having not to study – so she loves to study for the joys of learning. Her column will shine a light on the victims of injustices and discrimination in modern society.

opinions.capcourier@gmail.com Gabriel Scorgie FEATURES EDITOR

specialfeatures.capcourier@gmail.com Christine Beyleveldt

Cristian Fowlie ART DIRECTOR

artdirector.capcourier@gmail.com

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 15

Syd Danger PRODUCTION MANAGER

pm.capcourier@gmail.com

COVER ART

Megan Collinson ART

Brenna Mackinder ART

ART

Calvin DeGroot From an early age, Calvin deGroot has worked to perfect the art of freeform dance in the realm of sweaty nightclubs everywhere.

You can expect the same hard work, flexibility and dedication in his radical new column, Down to Earth. He’ll be discussing environmental issues and will be using the sensibilities of freeform dance to illustrate why these issues matter.

He’s one with nature.

Natalie Murray ART

Makenzie Murdock WORDS

Scott Barkemeyer WORDS

CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

reporter.capcourier@gmail.com

Maria Centola

Kyle Papilla

news@capilanocourier.com Kevin Kapenda

A MISGUIDED GUIDE TO ATTRACTING SPORTS FANS

CONTRIBUTORS

EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

OPINIONS EDITOR

CHRISTY CLARK'S KINDER MORGAN SURPRISE

Syd Danger Hailing from Tamriel, Syd Danger, the rogue Khajit, traversed many mountains and seas to deliver her columns to us. With her +3 lightning damage Sword of Duquesne and +4 speed Infinity Cloak, Syd fought off numerous wyverns and goblins that stood in her way. Her mission is to relay cheat codes and answers to FAQs presented by n00bs regarding all things nerd.

Steve Tornes WORDS

Jenifer Zschoerper WORDS

Brooke Allan WORDS

Alva Tang COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER

Graeme Findlay

community.capcourier@gmail.com

WORDS

Tianyi Bao BUSINESS MANAGER

Eric Wong WORDS

businessmanager.capcourier@gmail.com Brandon Kostinuk WEB COORDINATOR

web.capcourier@gmail.com THE CAPILANO COURIER is an autonomous, democratically-run student newspaper. Literary and visual submissions are welcomed. All submissions are subject to editing for brevity, taste and legality. The Capilano Courier will not publish material deemed by the collective to exhibit sexism, racism or homophobia. The views expressed by the contributing writers are not necessarily those of the Capilano Courier Publishing Society.

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EDI TO R 'S D E SK If I had $6,000,000…

Andy Rice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

the hell of it. The going rate for a onelitre bottle of Heinz is about $4 right now. You could get 1.5 million litres — roughly the size of an Alberta oil spill — for that price. And for an extra $500,000 the CSU could plumb it into every faucet on campus, offering complimentary fries to go with. Now that’s a health plan I can get behind!

Further to BNL’s advice, the CSU could also buy a green dress — but not a real green dress, that’s cruel. So how about one that’s been designed by Vera Wang herself and is adorned with 2,009 male peacock feathers? That doesn’t sound cruel at all, now does it.

If none of these ideas sound appealing, I suppose the CSU could just hire a stripper and be done with it. Don’t ask me how I know this, but it costs around $350 per hour to get a high-class peeler from PoCo to make the trek over to North Vancouver.

Six million dollars could buy you over 17,142 hours of adult entertainment — literally two years of round-theclock stripping if that’s what you really wanted. (I think I just discovered a new way to torture my sims!) And while the idea of poor Candy or Nathan dancing themselves to death in the Maple Lounge does sound a bit sadistic, it might be the most economically responsible option considering the cost of inflation — financial inflation, that is.

In all seriousness, there’s no reason to freak out about the CSU’s $6 million building just yet. I’m sure there will be a referendum and plenty of consultation before this proposal moves forward, but in a world where Kim Kardashian spends $2,500 a week on beauty products, don’t let those big numbers pass you over. That’s a lot of money and you should definitely be playing heads-up hockey when the time comes time to spend your student dollars here on campus.

Or, you could play real hockey and make $6 million like Canucks goalie, Ryan Miller.

THE VOICEBOX with Carlo Javier

This will be your best year! http:/ashscrt.com/lvz8

No spam messages please!

I heard your art director won an award.

Can I have him as my prize?

No, you may not.

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Saw some of ya’ll at the Rail Jam, yeah I did, the two of you just hung out at the chilli line. So much for community outreach.

Umm first of all, we did have a tent but we didn’t wanna die young because of all the second hand smoke we were getting.

Second, you can’t blame us for enjoying some of the best red thai curry soup we’ve had in weeks.

The Voicebox is back! If you have any questions, concerns or any other bitchin’ to do, text it over to our boy Carlo at 778-865-2649. “Please text me,” he says. “No one else does.”

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO.15

In addition to my duties as the Courier’s editor-in-chief, I also serve as our copy editor behind the scenes.

(Yes, you can blame me for all the corny titles and obvious spelling mistakes.)

Among other things, this means that I get a sneak peek at everything our editors and contributors are working on, usually a few days before it goes to print. It’s kind of the best thing ever.

So when I found out that the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) was planning on spending around $6 million on a new standalone student space sometime in the near future [“Building a hub,” page 3], I had a few days to stew on it before I needed to write this editorial — and stew I did.

Almost instantly, that Barenaked Ladies (BNL) song came to mind — you know, the one where Ed Robertson and Steven Page fantasize about what they’d do if they had a million dollars.

I began thinking, what could the CSU could do with literally six times that much?

First of all, they could buy the yacht for their year-end yacht party instead of renting the Queen of Diamonds for $5,000 a night. Renting is for suckers (…says the guy who currently rents a basement suite for a small fortune).

Why run a $3,500 deficit on a party when you could sink $6 million into it instead?

Or how about building a giant gold statue of CSU president Zach Renwick hoisted high upon the shoulders of their ever-handsome outreach coordinator, John Morrison III. I bet their beards would look fantastic made out of Swarovski crystals.

Another idea involves the installation of a chairlift in time for next year’s UnCapped Rail Jam. Whistler Blackcomb just put one in for around that price, so it would be entirely feasible for the CSU to do the same.

Sure, the artificial snow machines would cost a little extra, but think of the time they’d save for all the poor students from the Outdoor Recreation Management program who had to go around picking up zamboni dust from local rinks last week.

Seeing how CapU is home to three thriving music programs, perhaps the CSU would be wise to spend the money on a high-profile concert instead.

The Eagles once charged $6 million to perform one song for some rich dude in New York, but if you’ve been watching the news lately you’ll know that maybe this isn’t the best time to hire the Eagles. (RIP, Glenn Frey.)

So let’s go back to BNL for a second.

Sure, nobody is going to pay $6 million to see them perform, but how about taking their song’s advice buying a bunch of “really expensive ketchups” — just for

NEWS Starbucks bucks plans for campus kiosk Replacement tenant found after structural beam derails design Andy Rice EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 15

Plans for a full-service Starbucks outside the Capilano University library have literally hit a wall.

Construction was halted in late 2015 after workers discovered a steel support post running diagonally through the building. The franchise was set to open back in November in a portion of hallway adjacent to the CSU Treehouse (LB 131).

“We found that there was a structural beam that goes almost at a 45-degree angle where the front counter was supposed to be,” explained Sidharth Mohan, director of food services for Chartwells. “It’s a structural beam, it was going to be very, very expensive to move it. We went back to Starbucks to see if they could rework their design to accommodate that, but they’re a big company and they declined, to say it politely.”

Mohan said there are no plans “at the moment” to house the Seattle chain elsewhere on campus.

“It was a set design, they call it a global kiosk, and they said ‘take it or leave it’ and it was too expensive to reroute that beam so we decided to let it go.”

The project stood in limbo for several weeks until Mohan and the University’s contract services department were able to secure a replacement franchise. Ultimately, they decided to partner with Good Earth Coffeehouse, a smaller chain based out of Calgary. If all goes well, the location will be up and running midway through the spring semester.

Student earns top five spot in sales competition CapU triumphs among 250 participants in AMA Makenzie Murdock CONTRIBUTOR

Whoever said you can’t mix business with pleasure might have gotten it wrong — at least when it comes to being named as a finalist in an international marketing challenge.

Capilano University Business student, Richard Harvey, placed fifth in the American Marketing Association (AMA)’s Outbound Sales competition, an annual

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“End of February, early March, that is what my understanding is from the contractor,” said Mohan. “Good Earth is working with that beam in mind for their design, so hopefully everything falls into place soon and then we can start construction.”

Founded in 1991, Good Earth currently has 40 locations, including three in Victoria.

The company is undergoing a significant expansion into the Lower Mainland with several more stores set to open later this year.

“They’re organic, fair trade, everything is freshly-baked, freshly-made,” said Mohan.

“This is actually done on site. It’s the smallest establishment [we’re working with] and something that I think will fit well.”

Over the summer, Chartwells will be bringing even more dining options to campus, including Tex-Mex fare from Austin Grill and the first-ever Canadian location of Bal’s Spice Kitchen. There will be a heightened focus on

healthy options within the Birch cafeteria, where a salad bar and smoothie station will take centre stage. The current pizza oven will be replaced by a Hearthstone model made of brick.

There are cosmetic changes coming as well.

“In the summer, the whole seating area will be gutted, the upper floor,” said Mohan, adding that new furniture will be brought in, as well as mobile charging stations and a multimedia wall. “I’m really excited about the summer when the big change comes in. I’ve seen it in pictures, I’ve seen it in conceptualization drawings but actually being involved in having that happen and bringing it to campus is very exciting.”

According to Mark Clifford, Capilano University’s director of contract services and capital planning, “Chartwells will invest approximately $1.8 million towards improvements in the area” over the course of its contract. The company will also provide “$5,000 per year towards a student

scholarship fund and $10,000 per year towards a Student Experience Fund – a total of $15,000 per year directed towards Capilano University students.”

Chartwells took over as CapU’s exclusive food services provider on June 22, 2015, with 15-year term that allows for a 90-day cancellation without cause. A selection committee, made up of Sacha Fabry (Capilano Students’ Union), Paul Gruber (administration), Tania Alekson (faculty) and Jonathon Keller (staff), chose Compass Group Canada over Aramark and Sodexo after a competitive bid process. Chartwells pays the University a percentage of gross sales for the right to operate on campus, with CapU’s annual return being dependent on revenue.

event that brings marketing students together to compete on a national level.

The annual case competition began in 1986 for undergraduates at schools affiliated with the AMA and brings top marketing students together to work on a challenge submitted by a sponsoring organization.

The 2015 sponsor was TEKsystems, the largest private talent management firm in the world. By competing in this hands-on competition, students were provided the opportunity to work with other collegiate students on a problem that illustrates a real life situation that one would come across in the marketing field.

Harvey heard about the opportunity to join the competition through an email that was passed down to him through the president of the Capilano University Marketing Association (CAPUMA). “CAPUMA is the association that is a part of the AMA and they get all the information of competitions like this one,” explained Harvey.

The event took place in the fall of 2015 and was conducted on the phone to test candidates’ oral communication skills in

three stages. “The first call is basically trying to set up a second interview with a potential client. After this stage only 60 people go through to the next round,” he said. “Next, you are finding out the needs of the client. The final round with only about 15 people left is where you link the client to an employer and make sure they would be a good match.”

Harvey’s top-five finish landed him in an enviable spot among students from various universities and colleges across North America, including Penn State and University of Wisconsin.

Harvey believes that his role as the director of internal relations at CAPUMA helped him learn the skills needed to compete in the AMA competition. “I contact professors or establish relationships between professors if they want to collaborate on an event. I guess I’m one of the first contacts for the faculty,” he said. “CAPUMA is a cool social group where I utilize my experience in event management with a very good support circle.”

By placing in the top five, Harvey has

free entry into the AMA International Collegiate Conference taking place in New Orleans this coming March. There, he will participate in the AMA International Sales Competition, sponsored by ABC Supply Co. Inc., which is another opportunity to work with AMA marketing students in a similar capacity.

Harvey encourages other students to challenge themselves at these types of competitions, to step out of their comfort zone and try it out. “Do it, just go for it,” he advised. “I wanted to gain experience no matter how I finished — 250 other people don’t place so what’s the worst that can happen. Joining opportunities like this one is a fun way to test your knowledge and ability against people who are interested in the same thing as you.”

For more information on current and future dining options at CapU, visit Dineoncampus. ca/capilano.

@CAPILANOCOURIER

Building a hub CSU reveals plans to construct $6 million student centre Christine Beyleveldt CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

Move over, Maple. The Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) is considering the construction of a new student union building on Capilano University’s North Vancouver campus. Although the project remains in the initial stages of planning, it could be the next addition to the maze of concrete structures scattered across the grounds, at an estimated cost of $6 million.

“Two years ago, the board had made a strategic plan for 2019 and in it is the pursuit of a student union building operating on the North Vancouver campus, so we’re bound by that to keep pursuing,” said Sacha Fabry, the CSU’s vice president of university relations. In January, the CSU released a proposal reasoning for new student spaces and outlining their goals over the next few years to bring the project

Sportsplex gets in shape New exercise facilities to open in coming months Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

which aren’t adequate space because they’re always filled, they’re always loud.”

In light of requests made by students over the years, Renwick added his hope for a part-time bar on campus. “I don’t personally think it’s possible for us to have our own food service on campus,” he said. “I don’t think we could compete with Chartwells.” However, he suggested that a pop-up bar similar to the one present at the UBC Engineering Student centre might be a possibility.

The issue of student housing was also raised, however, living quarters are more difficult to install than student centres. “The university has been attempting for years to get student housing,” noted Fabry. “The difficulty lies in the university not being able to take on debt.”

At this point in time, nothing can be guaranteed, except the CSU’s devotion to eventually creating a new student hub.

First, the CSU has deigned to establish a sub-committee with student and university representations. Then, it will consult with design firms and look into selecting architects and contractors. Finally, it will conduct stakeholder meetings and interview clubs and collectives on campus to determine what would be beneficial. Once these preliminary

interviews are complete, a referendum will be held to present a layout and pricing estimates to students who will vote to either accept or reject an increase in their fees to build the new student union centre.

Once approved, the marketing campaign will begin. In the meantime, the CSU has looked into student union buildings on other campuses across Greater Vancouver, including the UBC Arts Undergraduate Student Centre, Engineering Student Centre and Langara Student Union.

If a new student union building were to be constructed, CapU would be the owner but the CSU would be responsible for its construction. “We lease the spaces from the university,” said Fabry.

The CSU has prepared its estimate of the total cost of the building by taking figures from other student union buildings. The UBC student centres cost approximately $5 million each to construct and the Langara project was nearly $7 million. However, UBC’s student population is nearly 10 times that of CapU’s, and each student pays $90 per semester toward student union building renewal, equating to about $11 million each year, whereas the CSU takes in about $2.5 million from students each year, on average, after combining all student fees.

WORTH THE WEIGHT:

Since Dec. 23, 2015, Capilano University’s weight room has been closed for renovations. By mid-February it will swap places with the current multipurpose room in the Sportsplex before being converted into a new multi-use space for yoga and dance, in time for the summer semester.

DRAINING WHEELS:

For several weeks, crews have been busy replacing drainage pipes outside the library, Centre for International Experience (CIE) and Continuing Education offices to resolve a hydrostatic pressure issue.

SETTING IT STRAIGHT: Last week’s What’s new with the CSU? article stated incorrectly that Taylor Wilson, vice president of external relations, moved a motion to spend up to $1,900 from the Union’s marketing budget to increase outdoor advertisement for the CSU. The motion was brought forward during a separate Executive Committee meeting, held Dec. 4, 2015, but was ultimately postponed. The Courier regrets this error.

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO.15

receptionist’s desk will allow the space to be open for longer hours. Doig further added that once the multi-use activity room opens, it would create a more diverse space which will then allow CapU to offer an expanded set of fitness programs.

The funding that was used for the improvements came from general reserves, which were made available after CapU qualified for a Provincial Government Carbon Neutral Funding for its boiler upgrades. The money received from the ministry then allowed Doig to divert some of her regular budget towards the renovations of CapU’s fitness facilities.

At the moment, Doig said that there is no major construction work planned for CapU and that much of work that the Facilities Department is currently doing applies to planned preventative maintenance programs.

The drainage work happening around the library, the Centre for International Education (CIE) offices and Continuing Education offices pertains to an issue with hydrostatic pressure. The project also led to the replacement of the floors immediately outside the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) Library Lounge with polished concrete. “It’s healthier and it’s easier to clean,” Doig said.

The department is also currently working on a project that aims to replace the elevator in the library building. Part of Doig’s responsibilities include the drafting of both a five and 10-year plan that details which parts of the campus’ current infrastructure will need to be replaced. However, the implementation of these plans is ultimately contingent on the funding that CapU receives.

/CAPILANOCOURIER

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Capilano University’s fitness amenities have been temporarily closed for renovations.

According to facilities director, Susan Doig, the current multi-purpose room and fitness centre are getting redeveloped in order to provide a better fitness experience for students.

“We are upgrading the multi-purpose room to become the weight room,” she said.

Every weight, bicycles and other lifting equipment will be transferred to the multipurpose room. The new space will reopen around the first two weeks of February as CapU’s new weight room.

Meanwhile, the fitness centre will be completely renovated into a new multiuse activity room, which is estimated to be finished around the end of March. The update will include the replacement of the women’s showers and the introduction of new equipment. The old weight room will be cleared out and reshaped to allow freeform activities such as yoga or dance.

Doig explained that the renovations were put forward in order to provide a safer, more functional and more comfortable workout area for students. Furthermore, moving the weight room closer to the

to fruition.

“Cap has a lot of core issues when it comes to student engagement,” said Fabry.

“We have difficulty showing off our collective spaces.” Considering many of CapU’s clubs and student affiliations operate out of the CSU administration spaces, there isn’t a large presence on campus.

The CSU’s vice president of internal relations, Zach Renwick, believes that a student hub will increase the popularity of many student organizations. He recently conducted a review of student union buildings on other campuses to see what kinds of additional resources could be provided.

“Student groups are actually able to grow and expand student amenities,” he said.

“We’d really like to have a better resource for our clubs, but also for the queer resource centre, women’s centre, First Nations [centre] and international [centre].”

Aside from administrative spaces, he believes the university also lacks communal areas for student engagement. “There are few spaces on campus for students to hang out, relax, study,” Fabry explained. “Right now, the only two we operate, beside the collective spaces of course, are the Maple Lounge and the CSU Library Lounge,

@CAPILANOCOURIER

CAP YOU WHO YOU

Mika Chow

Despite the great opportunity, Chow struggled adjusting with her move to Virginia, “I just didn’t feel like I fit in.

I hated it, so I left.” Chow’s stint in Hampton was followed by a red shirt year at the University of Hawaii in Hilo.

One of the lifestyle challenges that Chow and many other student-athletes face is finding the balance between academics and athletics. For a while, Chow saw volleyball as her primary reason for attending CapU. “I like my program now, but at the time I was just like, ‘ok I am here to play volleyball and I need to find something to study,’” she said.

This view appears common across most college and university athletes. Often, their sport becomes the priority in life and daily practices and training regiments fill an already busy schedule. On top of the team practices, Chow has specialized training for her position and a personal trainer to boot.

The veteran players bring not only their experience on the court to the team, they also have an added role on helping rookies transition into the life of a student-athlete at the university level. As one of the senior players on the team, Chow fills the position of a back-row leader and uses her experiences to help guide the younger players as they grow into the life of a collegiate student-athlete.

As for her team, Chow treasures the group’s close-knit atmosphere, citing it as an important element to their journey towards success, “My current team is the one that I feel I have fit best in,” she said.

“There is no backstabbing or cliques. The other teams that I have played on have had cliques. I mean, we are all girls so there is some drama, but we are together.”

Looking towards her future with the sport, Chow aims to focus on beach volleyball, “As a female player you have three options, you play professionally, you play rec or you play beach,” she explained. On the academic side, Chow aims to translate her impending Communications degree to law school.

The ultimate competitor Scott Barkemeyer CONTRIBUTOR

Athletes tend to have differing personas on and off the court. Some may be tentative and meek, but once the whistle is blown, they morph into a wholly different identity.

For Mika Chow, fifth-year player for Capilano University’s Women’s volleyball team, her competitive spirit isn’t just an aura that’s apparent when she’s defending her team’s ground – it’s a part of her life.

“I don’t want to lose,” she said. “I don’t care if it’s the Grouse Grind or the Olympics.”

Chow began her career with the Blues as a setter, orchestrating the team’s offensive game plan. In recent years, she’s transitioned to a position that’s starkly different from the one that she started with. As the team’s libero, Chow serves as the Blues’ defensive anchor. The position is generally reserved for the team’s premier defensive specialist, as the libero is often tasked with receiving the opposing team’s attacks.

Chow’s excellence in her craft is best exhibited by her league-leading total and per set averages in digs, the act of preventing an opponent’s high-velocity spike from touching the ground. She has maintained her lead in digs throughout the season, and it’s a position she’s adamant in keeping. “I had a nightmare just last night that someone overtook me,” she said, referencing her lead.

Chow was still in Japan when she got the invite to play for CapU. After discussing the opportunity with her mother, the person who first gave her the love of the sport, it became clear that it was her’s for the taking. While in Japan, Chow had the experience of playing for a few different schools, and she originally received an offer from Hampton University in Virginia.

NUMBERS ON THE BOARD

Several athletes of the Capilano Blues varsity program are gaining recognition as among the best at their position in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST).

Check out some of the Blues’ best on court producers.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Matthew Graham

2nd

3.73

Brendan Cairns

1st

4.48

IN THE LEAGUE

IN THE LEAGUE

DIGS PER GAME

KILLS PER GAME

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Mika Chow Kira Sutcliffe Kolby Richter

1 nd 2 nd 2 st

IN THE LEAGUE

IN THE LEAGUE

IN THE LEAGUE

4.96 3.28 0.90 DIGS PER SET

KILLS PER SET

BLOCKS PER SET

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Martin Bogajev

1

st

IN THE LEAGUE

20.11

POINTS PER GAME

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

4th

IN THE LEAGUE

7

REBOUNDS PER GAME

— SCOTT BARKEMEYER

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— VANCOUVER SPORTS PICTURES

THE CAPILANO COURIER

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 15

Carmel M’Bikata

O P I NI O N S Kinder Morgan surprise Clark's rejection of pipeline extension has underlying agenda Kevin Kapenda OPINIONS EDITOR

In politics, there is no greater weapon than the wedge issue. The wedge issue is usually a controversial example of a much larger debate that is used as a tool to turn voters against political opponents. For the past three years in Burnaby, Vancouver and the North Shore, the most notable wedge issue has by far been the controversial twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline. The project has been used by environmental groups and most notably the NDP and Green parties to attack Premier Clark’s record on supporting

the oil industry. Because this wedge issue has become such a powerful weapon against the BC Liberals, Premier Clark finally decided not to endorse the project on Jan. 11. While she argues it’s because Kinder Morgan has not met her “five conditions”, it’s evident that her decision to oppose the project has more to do with next year’s election than policy.

Kinder Morgan’s plan to twin an existing pipeline through Burnaby Mountain was doomed from the beginning. In a community known for its left-leaning voting record, and SFU’s progressive culture, there was no way Kinder Morgan could have built a pipeline through Burnaby without a fistfight. Protesters clashed with police and work crews in the area for months, while Burnaby mayor and NDP supporter Derek Corrigan has spent the last two years trying stop the project in court. Despite years of local opposition, Premier Clark refused to shut her door on Kinder Morgan – until earlier this month.

Premier Clark leads a party that is

both red and blue, but mainly more right than centrist. While their political ideology is flexible, the party’s support for oil and energy is very clear. The BC Liberals are a party of energy development, whether it’s mining, natural gas or hydro. Though Clark’s rejection of the Trans Mountain pipeline may seem contradictory, it is by no means legacy-defining. It is one pipeline project that would have yielded very few benefits for BC in the long run, and more importantly, would have been used to campaign against her in 2017.

After two years of constant campaigning in BC, voters will unfortunately not be getting a break from politics anytime soon. BC will very much be in campaign mode for most of this year, as the parties gear up for our provincial election in May of 2017. Clark will be running for re-election and will want as few wedge issues as possible slowing her down as she leads her party into battle next year. Trans Mountain was a left-wing pariah that was eating away at her soft support and riling up first-time voters who could very well have a

huge influence on next year’s election. Clark knows where her base is, and it’s in areas where energy voters are more passionate, like in the Thompson-Okanagan, Peace River Valley, Shuswap region and Surrey.

The lawn signs telling residents to say “no to more tankers on our coasts” that cover patches of grass along highways and roads from New Westminster to West Vancouver are why Clark could not afford to say yes to Kinder Morgan. It’s a wedge issue that has just become too large and exhausting to deal with in Vancouver suburbs where she’ll need to hold on to the seats she’s already got to get re-elected next year. Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) voters will blanket the Interior and South Fraser with red and blue districts come 2017, but it’s giving less ammunition to NDP voters down here that will only make the Liberals chances’ of being re-elected even more bulletproof 13 months from now. While she has opted to surprise Kinder Morgan with a no, she won’t be able to backtrack from the Site C Dam or LNG projects, which will surely make 2016 an interesting year for BC politics.

— BRENNA MACKINDER

Stick it in me Gabriel Scorgie FEATURES EDITOR

themselves or their friends with them.

Though you won’t see people getting their whole arm tattooed by a sewing needle, almost anything is possible to stick ’n’ poke if the idea is simple.

These kinds of tattoos go back at least 8,000 years, way before the trashy Sailor Jerry style that made them so infamous.

A mummy found in Egypt actually had a moustache tattooed on their face, proving to hipsters that there really is no such thing as being original anymore. Queen Victoria allegedly had a tattoo of a Tiger fighting a Python, because she was way more badass than you and your shitty infinity symbol ever will be.

In some ways, these DIY tattoos are better than the ones people get at professional shops. An argument could be made that most people would be better off printing a stencil and getting there friend to ink them, rather than shelling out $150 for a professional artist to tattoo a small snowflake on their wrist. The most common tattoos are ones that literally anyone could do. People could save themselves time, money and get a cool story out of it as well.

Stick ’n’ poke tattoos aren’t for everyone.

They probably aren’t even for most people.

It takes a certain type of person to trust themselves, a bottle of Walmart ink and a safety pin to do something that will last forever.

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If there’s one thing our generation loves, it’s high quality, detailed tattoos. We’re willing to pay upwards of $150 an hour to get them and we’ll travel all over the world to be inked by certain artists who have waitlists of over a year. Getting a tattoo done by Scott Campbell is akin to having a Van Gogh hanging on your wall — and at nearly the same price.

But there’s also a subculture of people who prefer the messy style of early tattoos: the stick ’n’ poke.

Stick ’n’ poke tattoos meet none of

the requirements of mainstream tattoos.

They aren’t high quality, the lines aren’t straight, they’re cheap, easy and they’re usually highly visible – either going on people’s hands or fingers. It’s the punk rock of tattooing; the beauty is in the chaos. All you need is some black India ink (which can be bought at Walmart for under $5) and a safety pin and you’re ready to make your parents sad.

The appeal of these tattoos depends on the person. Some people like that each tattoo will be unique to the individual, as they will make their own mistakes and develop their own style. Others like the freedom of coming up with their own designs and inking

THE CAPILANO COURIER

Understanding the appeal of DIY tattoos

@CAPILANOCOURIER

Refugee crisis creates moral dilemma Who do we help first?

Steve Tornes CONTRIBUTOR

We are living in a broken world. ISIS is committing mass genocide, rape, and is destroying United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites across the Middle East.

“Any man’s death diminishes me,” wrote John Donne, “because I am involved in mankind.” As members of humanity, we have a responsibility to help others.

Whether they be on the streets of Vancouver, or in some far off place such as Syria, Iraq, Mexico, Colombia, Congo or Nigeria, we can’t stand by and do nothing. At the same time, we are unable to help everyone. Given our limited resources and abilities, who do we help and in what order?

The new Liberal government has

@CAPILANOCOURIER

/CAPILANOCOURIER

committed to bringing in 25,000 refugees from Syria, which has slowed the processing of other refugees around the world. Although this may seem unfair, this policy is better in the long run.

The main criticism is that although all refugees are at risk of death and persecution, some groups may be harder to process than others. The problem is that there is already a backlog of three years, according to Tom Denton, executive director of the Hospitality House Refugee in Winnipeg. In other words, since these other refugees are taking longer to process, they are waiting longer, while also being at risk of persecution. This is unfair to these individuals.

However, the crisis in Syria is terrifying because it’s a destabilizing force. Greece, already reeling from almost defaulting on loans, austerity and referendums, is now forced to take in a large influx of refugees.

There is also a growing rise of xenophobia, caused by the fear of a world changing too quickly. By giving priority to Syrian refugees, it gives all the surrounding regions a respite. Jordan for instance, according to the UN Refugee Agency as of December 2015, has registered 633,466 Syrian refugees.

Asylum seekers, often without proper legal paperwork, are also fleeing the conflict into

other regions, such as the European Union.

Sometimes, the immediacy of a large scale situation means that the common good is better than the strict fairness that judges every circumstance as identical.

Furthermore, since the crisis in Syria is large in scope, it means that people are more aware of this humanitarian crisis. While the heightened awareness can be overpowering to the other refugees, it will probably also lead to an increase in donations overall.

If you were to donate to Doctors without Borders, although they do have a presence in Syria, the donation will be used to help people elsewhere in the world.

In a perfect world, we would be able to process all refugees in a thorough, yet efficient manner. Instead, we are limited in our scope. However, this is also one of those world scenarios which is a test to our generation. We can’t do nothing. In the 90s, the Rwandan Genocide took place and the world collectively promised to never this this kind of calamity happen again. The Syrian crisis is also horrific in how it affects the regions around it.

This is not an isolated incident. As the pastor Martin Niemöller wrote, “Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — because I am not a Jew / Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.”

to regular restaurants and coffee shops — in other words, making it accessible to everyone. A disadvantage of having that goal is that people will subconsciously link that to a cheap place. They’ll ask themselves, ‘Should I be a customer at a place that everyone can afford?’

Even if the building was made of glass and the coffee actually tasted good, people would always go back to that status point.

Many would even be willing to pay an extra $3 for the same cup of coffee if it meant they wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen there. And that is Starbucks’ business model in a nutshell.

In addition to outfitting all of its

Canadian locations with McCafé products, McDonalds has opened two standalone McCafé locations in Toronto with plans for more Canadian franchises in the coming year. And despite being a separate spinoff with its own menu, the famous “Mc” still appears in front of the name. That alone is McDonalds’ greatest weakness in the coffee market, and they’re going to be stuck with it forever. Nobody wants to think about a McDouble at 7 o’clock in the morning when all they really want is a Double Double — but they will be.

Another powerful point that will hold back McCafé’s success is the fact that today’s

First cup is the cheapest Why McCafé doesn’t stand a chance against Starbucks Jenifer Zschoerper

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For years, McDonalds has been synonymous with the McMuffin, the McChicken and the McRib. Lately, however, the fast food giant’s plans for world domination have resulted in hundreds of McCafés popping up around the globe.

While this may come as good news to coffee fans, it’s an unwelcome sight for those who are currently dominating the market share — companies like Starbucks and Tim Horton’s. Good thing they have nothing to worry about.

Starbucks has made coffee a destination, an experience and even a status symbol.

The company’s marketing strategy also includes merchandise, which makes each location more than just a restaurant that sells beverages, baked goods and small meals. Brewing Starbucks beans at home or drinking tea from a branded mug makes us feel special — and even if McDonalds were to put its logo on the same kinds of merchandise, it would never hold the same prestige.

McDonalds is a fast food restaurant. Its mascot is a clown. It serves greasy food in a location you might bring your family to, but certainly not your boss. With coffee culture being so closely tied to the corporate world, this will be a big problem for McCafé. We humans try hard to hide that we care about those details, but status is what ultimately influences our final decisions on a lot of things.

McDonalds’ mission is to provide fast food at a considerably lower cost compared

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— TAYLOR LEE

CONTRIBUTOR

society is so obsessed with health, sculptural bodies and beauty. Even if McCafé is selling the very same croissant as Starbucks, humans are programmed to hear the word “McDonalds” and think, ’oh no, this is going to cost me an extra hour at the gym.”

If McDonalds can make some amendments to the identity of its McCafé concept — and maybe even its flagship brand as well — then Starbucks may end up losing some casual grab-and-go customers after all. But apart from that, it will be very hard to replace the charm of this Italianinspired coffeehouse chain and conquer the hearts of its adoring fans.

FE ATU R E S

THE PROS AND CONS OF TINY HOUSES entertainment purposes or raising a family, such accommodations may prove to be more challenging. It’s been shown that reducing clutter has health benefits, including increasing one’s ability to focus and process information because there aren’t as many distractions, but being sufficiently cramped can have the opposite effect.

“Maybe people aren’t designed to live in that small a space,” said Howes. “I guess the main concern is [whether it’s] affecting the happiness of your life by downsizing so much.”

THE CAPILANO COURIER

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VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO.15

Whether you’re looking for a studio apartment on the Granville strip or a cottage overlooking the narrow beach in Deep Cove, finding a place to call home can be a herculean task in Vancouver’s rapidly-inflating housing bubble.

For the average home-seeking millennial, the price of real estate and the longing for a simpler lifestyle is the driving force behind the appeal of micro living quarters. “After decades of pushing the limits of human dwellings, Canada’s unbridled passion for square footage is coming to an end,” wrote National Post reporter Tristen Hopper.

Dan Howes and Dawn-Marie Small, an adventurous couple seeking the pleasures of a simpler, downsized life, signed a contract with Rewild Homes in December 2015. Howes cited their experience in the southeast Pacific as chief motivation for downsizing. “We went to Thailand in 2014 and Vietnam in 2015 and we saw the lifestyle, the whole culture over there if you’ve ever visited is [very] different,” said Howes. “These are families living in a lot smaller quarters and they’re very happy.”

A family of seven will sleep in a one or two bedroom flat, whereas North Americans typically lust for large, open floor plans.

“If anyone could afford it, they want as big as possible,” said Royal LePage Sussex real estate agent, Al Sutton. “This type of [smaller] design is appealing to people who are wanting to get into the market at the lower level, and it’s a cool idea because you can actually have ownership and real estate and it’s a place to live as well, of course.”

“In my opinion it’s our parents’ generation that has the ‘American Dream’ where you have two cars, a big house, all this stuff, and my generation, we’re not interested in all that,” Howes explained. “[Also], the cost side of it is another really important part, because houses going for half a million dollars nowadays is kind of insane.”

A 3,000-square-foot home isn’t practical, or even desirable, to most millennials. “I would say in that size of dwelling that affordability is the driving factor for them,” Sutton explained. Few, if any, actually want

For that reason, they are built primarily with weight and stability in mind. Micro condos are typically designed as self-sufficient indoor units, condensing 3,000 square feet of real estate is condensed into a much smaller footprint.

According to Rewild’s website, Rewildhomes.com, “Whether you're looking for a completely off-grid cabin or a luxury home with all the amenities of a full-size house, we can make it happen.”

At the end of the day, a tiny home may be perfect for a couple on the road, but for

— ANNIE CHANG

Christine Beyleveldt CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

to squeeze themselves into cramped quarters.

According to Sutton, a 200-square-foot micro condo is simply too small for some and several thousand square feet is unaffordable, but the more popular sized apartments hover at around 500 square feet. “I think part of it is there’s a sort of uniqueness to seeing how much you can fit in a smaller space and doing it efficiently,” he said.

To the south in Portland and to the east in Toronto, micro condos are incredibly popular – one-room apartments measuring just a couple hundred square feet in size, with foldable beds and convertible storage space, flip-up countertops and spiralling staircases. All of the basic necessities fit cozily into the design while remaining elegant. “It’s got all the comforts of home. There’s not too much you’ve got to leave out,” said Howes.

However, Vancouverites have been slower to catch on. “We haven’t seen a broad impact on the North Shore yet,” said Sutton. The smallest apartments on Lonsdale are in the 500 square footage range and are laid out like condos rather than convertible one room spaces. “But I mean it’s just a matter of time where we’re going to see more and more of this,” he added.

In the Pacific Northwest, mobile homes hold a more rustic appeal. For Howes and Small, it’s the ability to take their home on the road. “Tiny homes themselves are traditionally built on trailers,” said Howes. “If we were to build it on a foundation or anything like that, we would have to own property, we can never move it, and then you’re paying property tax.”

Tiny homes aren’t only making the prospect of downsizing attractive, but sustainable as well.

Like a regular home, the trailer is equipped to function on its own. Howes and Small have decided to replace their traditional stove with countertop hotplates and their toilet with a composting system. Since the house is set on a trailer instead of a foundation, clunky pipes aren’t practical. The composting toilet recycles waste and provides all the nutrients for the garden, and apparently doesn’t reek either.

Rewild Homes prides itself on constructing sustainable, luxurious one-room homes across Vancouver Island. According to the company’s website, shrinking is a great way to live simply, sustainably and debt free. The average one-bedroom apartment in central Vancouver rents for $1,500 per month, considering the majority of Millennials can’t afford to buy. A stylish home on wheels comes in anywhere between $20,000 and $60,000.

Since these homes are packaged as big mobile boxes, one might ask about the difference between a tiny house and a trailer. A trailer is designed for camping, where you can perform the majority of your activities outdoors and rely on the caravan as sleeping quarters.

SEEING DOL

WHY CORPORATIONS A

Therese Guieb EXECUTIVE NEWS EDITOR

Christine Beyleveldt CAMPUS CORRESPONDENT

It hardly comes as a surprise each time a corporate scandal breaks the news, whether it’s FIFA being accused of fraud or Martin Shkreli ramping up the cost of pills used to treat HIV by nearly 5,000 per cent.

In the end, it’s almost always about the money, regardless of public safety or ethical conduct. Business ethics is hard to define, considering that so many of our name brand corporations like to promote their ethical conduct on the front lines, but keep secret what happens behind closed doors. As long as the cash keeps flowing, nobody is any the wiser, unless the law becomes involved.

businesses only cater to the shareholder theory. “He [Friedman] understood what businesses are supposed to do and in particular corporations only make money for their stockholders and stakeholders.

That means as long as they are playing by the rules of the game, so obeying the local laws and restrictions, anything playing within the rules is going to be morally acceptable,” explained Jennifer Johnson, a Philosophy professor of business ethics at Capilano University. “What you take to be unethical depends on what you take to be the moral responsibility of the business,” she added.

The stakeholder theory, coined by Edward Freeman, identifies that the

EAT THE RICH

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DEFINING BUSINESS ETHICS Business ethics is a term that does not have a particular definition adhered to it.

However, a prominent concept attributed to business ethics is actions and behaviours that are perceive as morally right or wrong.

In Defining ‘business ethics’: Like nailing Jell-O to a wall, author Philip Lewis argued that decisions made in a business are always linked to the businessman’s impression of ethics. This begs the question: on what grounds is an activity considered as an unethical practice?

Unethical activities are not necessarily breaking rules and regulations. As a society, our view is that businesses should create standards that uphold moral responsibilities.

There are two theories that argue what the moral responsibilities of businesses are.

These are called shareholder theory and stakeholder theory. Shareholder theory argues that the responsibility of a business is merely to increase profits while the stakeholder theory asserts that a business is to improve things in the community, which includes its employees and customers.

In 1970, American economist Milton Friedman wrote an article for the New York Times Magazine about the social responsibility of a business, arguing that

9

Under this Act, provisions of a corporation that are released to the public that don’t meet the company’s own ethical standards can be forcefully repealed. “For example, if Volkswagen sold cars that were supposed to meet pollution control standards set by the government and they didn’t, because VW used deficient technology, this would be covered under this Act,” explained Holloway.

“Other unethical practices are dealt with under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection (BCPC) Act,” remarked Holloway.

The BCPC Act prohibits unethical or unfair working practices from taking place within the company, and it’s enforced through contracts and licensing with each particular corporation. Some of terms laid out in the BPCP include preventative measures to halt deceptive or unconscionable practices and unsolicited goods or services.

moral responsibility of a business should be to a wider community other than itself.

Stakeholders are people who can be affected by the actions of the business. Freeman pointed out that this theory is essential to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a business. CSR is the self-regulation of a corporation that is conformed in the business model of its operation. “It’s not merely people who own stock,” noted Johnson on who the stakeholders in a business are, “but also it can be employees, it can be the community in which the company is based and it can even be customers.”

In terms of legal action, there are several methods to rein in the damage caused by unethical corporations. “There are several laws in BC that provide people a remedy for unethical business practices,” said Vancouver-based lawyer Rod Holloway.

“The Sale of Goods Act has provisions that allow a consumer to rescind (end) a contract for the sale of goods and for damages where the goods don’t meet the description the seller has provided or where they are not fit for the purpose for which they were sold.”

In September 2015, Germany’s biggest car manufacturer made waves when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disclosed Volkswagen’s shameful secret.

The automaker’s latest line of diesel vehicles, claimed by the company to be clean energy, were in fact rigged with an emissions control switch that brought emissions down to meet acceptable levels during testing. In reality, the engines were emitting nearly four times the legal level. In this instance, there’s no question to be had about Volkswagen’s ethics. “Volkswagen [was] breaking the rules in terms of lying,” said Johnson. “They lied to their customers, they put in this cheating device, there’s no question that’s unethical.”

It’s easy to comprehend Volkswagen’s

decision to install the emissions control switch over producing a cleaner engine, but that doesn’t make it right. “The pressure on VW engineers to deliver a clean diesel, or one delivering both good fuel economy and

low emissions, was titanic,” wrote Aaron Robinson from the Car and Driver blog.

Volkswagen’s corporate decision to cheat the system stemmed from corporate greed.

Joel Bakan is a professor of Law at the University of British Columbia. In his book, The Corporation, Bakan defines business mandate as being a relentless pursuit of capital with disregard of consequences.

Taking Volkswagen’s initiative as an example, the manufacturer was pushing diesel engines in an effort to make a quick buck. Rather than investing the time and resources to come up with a cleaner solution, one that would undoubtedly have been more eco-friendly than what Volkswagen did produce, the line was pushed out as fast as possible in order to rake in as much cash as possible, without even taking the legal and environmental consequences into consideration. In his book’s online description he argues, “The corporation's unbridled self-interest victimizes individuals, society, and, when it goes awry, even shareholders and can cause corporations to self-destruct."

One corporate scandal that flew under the radar in North America several years ago was dubbed the Chinese milk scandal. In 2008, around 54,000 infants, most of whom lived in the Gansu province, were hospitalized.

Six died of kidney stones. The problem was a case of melamine – an organic compound usually found in the production of plastics – being used as a substitute for protein in baby formula manufactured by the Sanlu Group.

Unlike Volkswagen, which was driven by shameless promotion of unclean products, the Sanlu Group had no claim to be using nutritious substances in their products. But nonetheless, both companies knew what they were doing was wrong.

Nearly everyone who makes above a minimum wage can afford to buy a cup of Starbucks coffee each morning. While Starbucks prides itself on its workplace ethics, sadly those practices only apply to the baristas who make the coffee, but not to the plantation workers who grow and harvest the beans. As Bakan describes in his book, “While corporate social responsibility in some instances does much good, it is often merely a token gesture, serving to mask the corporation's true character.”

In 2007, a delegation of Starbucks baristas working in New York travelled to Ethiopia to meet the farmers who grew their coffee beans. While baristas working behind the counter are protected by unions and make a minimum wage, the farmers, they discovered, were being paid approximately 50 cents per pound of harvested beans — roughly two per cent of

LLAR SIGNS

ACT UNETHICALLY

IN A RICH MAN’S WORLD Choosing to consciously act in an ethical and morally responsible manner could be difficult for business owners, since their actions may affect their success. Money is one of the biggest factors that influences businesses in their decisions. “There are a lot of financial incentives to short term stock price that drive so many business decisions,” said Johnson, “And those kinds of incentives

New York Times, Burke’s actions were highly commended by the public and the business industry because his corporation was the first to ever recall a product. In addition, Tylenol accounted for 17 per cent of the entire profit of the corporation, which meant spending almost over $100 million to recall the product. Relaunching it cost the company millions as well.

Burke was included in the National Business Hall of Fame in 1990 and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 for his work in handling the crisis in the way that he did. Burke knew that a financial crisis and loss of reputation had to be faced by the corporation once he made his decision. Although Johnson & Johnson faced the one of the most horrific tragedies in the business industry, it still managed to pull itself back up. The corporation has become a “pharmaceutical powerhouse” and has continued to be a part of medical breakthroughs ever since.

TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN

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can be morally problematic.”

Although this might be the case for corporations, there are still many businesses that choose to operate ethically, even if the outcome would affect them negatively.

Take for example the company Johnson & Johnson. In 1982, it undertook a massive recall of approximately 31 million bottles of Tylenol painkiller capsules after seven people died in Chicago from ingesting the product. It was reported that the capsules contained quantities of cyanide, a type of colourless, odourless and tasteless gas.

Johnson & Johnson’s top grossing product was Tylenol at the time; however, the corporation did not think twice about pulling the drug from store shelves once the incidents occurred.

James Burke, CEO of Johnson & Johnson at the time, was reported to be the executive responsible for deciding the recall of the product. According to the

A corporation’s success can fluctuate over time. Ongoing competition is always present and businesses need to adapt to the changes that occur. Operating a business under ethical standards may be challenging for most, due to factors such as finance and the demands of consumers. A positive image and reputation can lead to a prosperous business venture. Attracting loyal customers, retaining employees, having a positive work environment and avoiding legal problems are some of the benefits of being an ethically operated business, according to an article by the Houston Chronicle. However, the demand of achieving good publicity may lead businesses to falsify their ethical actions. “There’s now some marketplace pressure to appear to be an ethical company but there’s a worry that appearance isn’t necessarily reliable,” stated Johnson.

According to Huffington Post, impact investing is a concept that has become more dominant in the 21st century. Investors look at a company’s sustainability and societal contributions instead of only focusing on its profitability. The article reported that an investor for Tesla Motors, an electric vehicle car manufacturer, raised $400 million for a “social impact fund.”

TOMS Shoes, an apparel brand based in California, is known for its impact investing and DIY art looks for espadrilles. The

company has a business model called “one for one.” The model states that for every pair of shoes sold, a pair of shoes is given to people in a poverty-stricken country. TOMS has caught the attention of competitors and consumers due to its ethical and socially responsible business model. TOMS CEO, Blake Mykoskie has developed a business model designed to help those in need. But is the company really helping?

“With TOMS Shoes, people think that they are an ethical company because when you buy a pair of shoes they give away another pair of shoes,” said Johnson, “That’s actually not an ethical motto. Is it really that they want to be giving away these things or it is that it’s kind of showy and it makes them look good?”

TOMS’ business model has been one of the most controversial ones in the industry with economics and business experts questioning it. In an article by the Economist, it stated that the buy-one-giveone model of TOMS is actually not helpful to the impoverished countries that it is giving free shoes to, but instead it is more likely “replacing the local market” in that country.

It may be that it’s helping a small group of people but in the bigger picture, it is causing citizens in that impoverished country to buy fewer shoes and apparel, which hurts its overall economy.

The demand for businesses to be more socially responsible calls for the development of standards to spot which companies are being honest. “Something that I think is worrisome right now is it’s sort of popular to look like you are an ethically responsible company, but it’s difficult for us to assess how ethically responsible companies actually are,” said Johnson. With so many secrets circulating throughout corporate headquarters, it’s hard to determine who is telling the truth. Thankfully, the media lets the public in on the nuances of corporate scandal, but by the time it is exposed, it’s usually too late and the damage has already been done.

— MARIA CENTOLA

the value Starbucks placed on the beans it sold. In order for families working on these plantations to come close to making wages, two million children were forced into labour on the plantations. In the case of Starbucks, the corporation promotes itself as an ethical company. What we see are the smiling faces behind the counter making latte art, but the growers in third world countries are hidden from view.

CALENDAR

25 MONDAY

$1 OFF GROWLER FILLS DEEP COVE BREWERS AND DISTILLERS

3-11 PM • $11

Well it’s not free beer, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers is now offering CapU students $1 off on a growler fill (usually $12) every Monday. According to Urbandictionary.com, “growler” is slang for “A mean, butch-looking pussy.” I promise you it means something totally different in the beer industry.

26 TUESDAY

BLUE RODEO

WEDNESDAY

ROGERS ARENA

Since forming in 1984, Jim Cuddy, Greg Keelor and Bazil Donovan have kept Blue Rodeo alive, making an annual trek through the Canadian winter to perform. The fact that they’ve also stayed alive is somewhat of a miracle. No, not because they’re in their 60s now — because driving a tour van in the snow is like fucking the Grim Reaper without a condom.

When I was younger, I used to think the Nashville Predators were a notorious group of sex offenders from Tennessee.

Nobody ever told me otherwise. It wasn’t until adulthood when I finally realized they were just a hockey team — and a harmless one at that. So harmless that even the Canucks might be able to pull off a win with this matchup!

TRAVEL BEST BETS RICHMOND PUBLIC LIBRARY

7 PM • FREE

This is more of a PSA than a suggestion that you actually attend this event. You know the lady who hosts the Travel Best Bets segment on Global News? Yeah, this is her talking for a solid hour-and-a-half. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. The plus side is that it’s in Richmond, so you’ll be one step closer to escaping her naggy voice forever.

28 THURSDAY

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 15 THE CAPILANO COURIER

PACIFIC COLISEUM

6 PM • $24.65-$55.50 I was really, really hoping this was a celebrity boxing match, but it isn’t. It’s actually a Top Prospect showcase with Cherry, 81, and Orr, 67, presiding as ceremonial team captains while 40 of the CHL’s most NHL-worthy players play their hearts out. Could you imagine if it was a boxing match, though?

Cherry’s Buffalo Plaid gloves would be hysterical.

WINERY, BREWERY AND DISTILLERY TOUR WATERFRONT STATION

6 PM • $78.50

Don’t worry, this isn’t one of the mafia’s famous threats — it’s a dinner hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium and Red Truck Brewing Company. And before you balk at the price, just know that it includes a four-course meal, tax and gratuities, four beer pairings, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium galleries and exhibits. You’re welcome.

Everything about this event makes me happy: it’s 19+, there’s tons of alcohol and no accommodations will be made for gluten or dairy allergies. You meet inside Waterfront Station, pile into a van and visit Odd Society Spirits, Vancouver Urban Winery and Big Rock Urban Eatery to go behind the scenes of Vancouver’s craft liquor scene. Best. Thursday. Ever.

TRIBUTE TO BILLY STRAYHORN BLUESHORE CENTRE

8 PM • $27-$30 Live at the Bloosh! CapU’s premiere jazz ensembles, Nitecap and A-Band, are presenting a tribute to American composer Billy Strayhorn. Aside from having a fantastic last name and composing “Take the A Train”, Strayhorn worked with the Duke Ellington Big Band for over 30 years, writing beautiful songs that made all of his soloists sound like hot shit.

VANCITY THEATRE

SUNDAY

BOBBY ORR VS. DON CHERRY

6:30 PM • $110

VANCOUVER SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

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The plan is simple: gather a bunch of people together in a room and have them read their old journals, poems and essays live on stage. I’ve been told that the readers list is full now, so you’ll just have to settle for a spot in the audience, laughing hysterically at all the weird and embarrassing things some other little dweeb wrote down as a kid.

7 PM • $46.25-$198.25 + SC

VANCOUVER AQUARIUM

FRIDAY

8 PM • $10

7 PM • $29.50-$79.50 + SC

FEAST WITH THE FISH

29

COTTAGE BISTRO

CANUCKS VS. PREDATORS

ORPHEUM THEATRE

27

TEEN ANGST NIGHT

30 SATURDAY

PROTOHACK VANCOUVER SPACEKRAFT

9:30 AM • $10 At first, I was a little scared of this event. ProtoHack sounds an awful lot like a muscle growth supplement — and one that’ll probably hack your anus to shreds, given its name. I was relieved to find that this is actually a workshop where non-coders show up to create something out of nothing, prototyping an idea with a team of other amateur builders. Yay! My anus is safe.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT BRENTWOOD BRENTWOOD TOWN CENTRE

ALL WEEKEND • $11-$55

1 PM • FREE

The number nine seems to be a recurring theme at this year’s Vancouver Short Film Festival: nine female directors, nine student films and even a nine-year-old filmmaker. All in all, there’s a total of 23 short films are on the menu — and if any of them belong to CapU students or alumni, we have yet to hear about it. Google was no help.

Celebrate the Year of the Monkey with a day’s worth of events that sound kind of Asian — featuring Chinese calligraphers, lion dances, balloon artists, a live DJ, “traditionally-dressed greeters” and origami artisans. Now I’m pretty sure origami is a Japanese thing, but points to Brentwood Mall for getting within at least 3,045 kilometres of political correctitude!

WINTER FARMERS MARKET HASTINGS PARK

10 AM • FREE PARKING Winter might just be my favourite season for produce, and the Hastings Park Farmers Market certainly didn’t disappoint when I paid a recent visit. Squash, root vegetables and leafy greens were all in abundance at the PNE fairgrounds, along with the most perfect looking kiwis I’ve ever seen — grown in Abbotsford of all places. Support your local kiwi farmer!

CULINARY PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR BELLA GELATERIA & PIZZERIA

2 PM • $78.50

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For those who enjoy taking pictures of their food, this DineOut Vancouver event is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. You’ll be touring Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown district with the folks from Off the Eaten Track and Vancouver Photowalks, who I’m sure super-keeners just like you. The price includes food, beverages and photography tips! 19+. No vegans allowed.

CHINESE NEW YEAR AT BRENTWOOD

SHORTS

Malibu Anderson Paak Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Pusha T Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

In what could be the most unprecedented move in the history of Catholic Church since Moses split the sea, Pope Francis found another way to break past the traditionally fundamentalist principles of religion. He released a pop album.

Pope Francis: Wake Up! is a concoction fuelled by nominal Christian hymns amalgamated with progressive rock and pop rock influences, while laced with the Pope’s sermons (spoken in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and English). Although releasing a musical album is not foreign to previous leaders of the papal office, Francis is the first one to drop a full-fledged pop album – thus adding another bullet to his growing reputation as Christianity’s foremost progressive leader.

Musically, the album is reminiscent of a lavish church service. The choirs and solo vocalists are given the opportunity to shine, and they’re often placed as a prelude to Francis’ sermons. Although the elements of soft rock and adult contemporary give the album the vibes of your local karaoke bar, they do work as fitting environments for Francis’ speech. As a whole, the album works in further illustrating Francis’ humanity. Papal figures have always seemed shrouded in mystique and the fact the album was produced only grows Francis’ legend. Dope Francis.

Kelela Cristian Fowlie AWARD WINNER

"I'd do anything for the high" confesses Kelela amidst pulsing synths and distorted vocals on end track "The High.” Her voice echoes hypnotically. The walls move in slow motion. She isn't singing about any kind of narcotic. Instead, her six-track EP, Hallucinogen, is a trip through the natural highs and lows of desire, sex and love.

The 30-year-old American singer and songwriter first gained acclaim from music critics with her debut mixtape, Cut 4 Me. Kelela developed the album by adding vocals to ready-made electronic tracks from cutting edge producers. With Hallucinogen, Kelela works more intimately with exciting producers like Arca (Kanye West, Bjork, FKA Twigs) and DJ Dahi (Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Tinashe).

Acting as writer, vocalist, producer and soundboard, Kelela brings together her diverse collaborators into a unique sound.

The result is a lush combination of trip-hop, trap, and R&B. Like the effects of a hallucinogen, this EP warps the familiar by distorting R&B song structures with synthetic sounds. Metallic percussion and warped melodies envelope Kelela's hazy vocals. At times her voice is at risk of being lost in the background, while in other moments she is commanding.

The EP often plays at a sedate pace, but is revived with the exhilarating rush of “Rewind,” an unlikely club banger. On the opposite end of the spectrum is title track, “Hallucinogen,” an abstract song with indecipherable vocals and organic beats.

The track was recorded by Kelela and Arca in a single take, and showcases the singer at her most experimental. Kelela’s ability to move between such diverse sounds positions her as an exciting new artist, and her upcoming debut album is sure to be unique and engaging.

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“Ask Ye’ who’s loyalty more realer / Ask P who’s core’s a drug dealer,” Pusha T raps in “Intro,” the opening track of his latest release, King Push – The Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude. The shoutouts to Kanye West and Pharrell are expected. After all, Pusha T has split his career working under West’s GOOD Music label and as one half of Clipse, rapping over beats produced by Pharrell.

For the most part, Pusha T’s hard-hitting bars that epitomize the phrase “real talk” have been overshadowed by the big-name producers he’s worked with. In his latest album, he further cements his stature as bona fide solo star, a reputation he finally developed after his critically-acclaimed debut album two years ago, My Name is My Name.

Pusha T goes against the grain.

When rap grew out of the gangsta phase and delved into the introspective lyrics one might find in a Drake or J.Cole album, Pusha T held his ground with his grit and grind style. When rap got enamoured with elements of house and ambient music, he stuck to roaring drums and the soulful splendour of West.

More than anything, Pusha T stands firm with identity. He knows who he is and that’s what’ll be rapping about – even if it’s about his pride as a notorious dope dealer. “My barcode is Netflix Narcos / Part on the side of my ‘fro like Pablo / No hablo I sell blow,” he raps in album highlight, “Untouchable.”

With a small 10-song track list, The Prelude succeeds in accomplishing its simple goal: set a standard for Pusha T’s upcoming album of the same name, King Push. Pusha T’s process is a clear: this album was a near surprise release and it might not even sell to a wider audience, but even though this might just be a few drops in the ocean, Pusha T’s next move will most certainly make a giant splash.

Carlo Javier

Hallucinogen EP

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Over the years, Dr. Dre has amassed an incredible number of pupils from the farthest corners of hip-hop’s underground scene. Most of them never see the light of day. Those who do make it, well, let’s just say they’re guys like Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.

That group alone places 29-year-old singer Anderson Paak among impressive company.

After years of work in LA’s funk and hip-hop scenes, Paak found himself in eight out of the 16 songs in the Doctor’s surprise album Compton, excelling as an auxiliary figure in an album that epitomizes grandiose.

With Malibu he shows that he can shine on his own, too.

Although the full support of hip-hop’s first billionaire can be a titanic head start, Paak still has to find a way to separate him from the crowded pack of the R&B scene.

Thankfully, he’s got a certain skill that most urban contemporary singers just don’t have: the boy can rap his ass off.

Initially thought off as a pure vocalist in the vein of Curtis Mayfield or Frank Ocean, Paak surprises in Malibu with rousing wordplay and introspective storytelling, “Word to the liquor that killed my grandpa liver,” he raps in album highlight “The Waters.”

Not only does Paak illustrate conversational context in his rhymes, he also possesses a rapping style that sounds eerily similar to Lamar’s signature distorted robotic voice.

The similarities aren’t all for the better however. Malibu’s vibe stands somewhere between Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and Ocean’s Channel Orange. It’s built on a strong foundation of percussion and is then peppered with luscious and vibrant elements of funk and soul. It’s got showstealing bars from both Rapsody and The Game, as well as ethereal vocal work from BJ The Chicago Kid, whose performance is probably the closest thing to D’Angelo that we’ve heard since, well… D’Angelo himself.

Comparison does breed contempt. This one just breeds pressure. Does Paak come close to his clear influences? He’s more or less halfway there, but he does stumble at times when his amalgamation of hip-hop and funk may seem overambitious. One thing’s for sure — when he’s good, he’s damn good.

King Push – Pope The Darkest Francis: Before Dawn: Wake Up! The Prelude Pope Francis

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ARTS & CULTURE Pair returns from Toronto with advice for students Brooke Allan CONTRIBUTOR

Capilano University’s Motion Picture Arts (MOPA) program is known to be the birthplace for innovative and imaginative producers, directors and screenwriters. Matt Drake and James Brown are no exception.

Both were honoured earlier this month during Canada’s Top 10 Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival’s winter event, which played on screens from coast to coast.

Drake was recognized for his work as producer on Balmoral Hotel, a 10-minute

Role call Lack of diversity casts controversy on local theatre company Carlo Javier

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EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Casting decisions have never been as scrutinized as they are today. Every facet of an actor’s synergy with his or her character gets micromanaged by the audience. One aspect that has routinely found itself under the spotlight is the availability of roles to a diverse group of actors.

Despite the rising integration of multiculturalism and diversity in platforms of mass media, issues regarding the “whiteness” of roles provided for both stage and screen remain.

“I have seen a lot more white people cast,” said Kate Boutilier, a second-year Acting for Stage and Screen (ASAS) student at Capilano University. “There aren’t a lot of roles that are specific on race, and when they are open-ended on race they usually seem to cast white actors.”

Such was the case at one Vancouver theatre company earlier this month, igniting a scathingly critical letter addressed to Haberdashery Productions and the Firehall Arts Centre regarding a production of the Broadway show, The Motherfucker with the Hat. The letter, signed “The Latino theatre community and its allies,” cites the production’s decision to cast two out of the three Puerto Rican New Yorker roles with non-Latino actors. However, the main source of ire stems from the community’s knowledge that, “only one Latino actor was approached for the supporting Latino role.”

The letter also denounces Haberdashery for neglecting to search and audition for the role with an actor of the same ethnic background.

Despite the critique, the Latino theatre community is keen to address that it has been a steadfast supporter of Firehall’s contribution in diversifying local productions. They also make it clear that their complaints follow suit to how sensitive casting in the past has marginalized actors

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short based on the life of a homeless First Nations sex worker in the Downtown Eastside. Directed by Wayne Wapeemukwa, the film explores the woman’s lifetime of anguish and ecstasy. Balmoral Hotel’s success hasn’t just been confined to Canada, either.

The film is beginning to make its way around the world, taking on the international spotlight.

Brown, whose days in the program date back to when CapU was still Cap College, produced a short entitled Never Steady, Never Still. It was one of the feature films being presented at the festival. Never Steady, Never Still is about a young man who returns home from working the rigs after a tragic accident, only to discover his mother’s Parkinson’s disease is much more advanced than he thought. The film is about how he deals with it,” says Brown.

The pair, who were recently in Toronto attending the festival, had a lot to say about their roles in the film industry.

“My career is still very young and I think that's what excites me the most about it,” said

Drake. “I've only been at this for five years and I'm lucky enough to work in a few different areas of the industry that I really love, so the most exciting part for me is not really knowing what opportunities will present themselves and when one aspect of my career will one pull me in a certain direction.”

Similar to his own humble beginnings, Brown recalls the MOPA program’s formative years — long before the $31 million Bosa Centre for Film and Animation towered over the campus.

“It was a diverse training program, and is even more diverse now… I think the teachers/faculty had a significant impact on my training,” he said. “It was personal development as much as it was professional.

Instructors like Seanna McPherson, Murray Stiller and Michael Thoma were fantastic at blending the practical with the theoretical within the scope of their lesson plans, a mixture of which makes for a higher caliber of filmmaking.”

So — knowing what they knew then and

what they know now — what would the two producers tell current MOPA students who are aspiring members of the film industry?

“Make the films that really matter and are important to you,” said Drake.

“Ask yourself, ‘Why do I want to make this film?’ and ‘Why is it important that this story is told?’ That's the best way, I find, to ensure that a truly unique and creative voice comes through in your work and ultimately be competitive and successful in the market you're targeting.”

“Diversify your training,” said Brown.

“From a production standpoint, producers need to know about all departments — not necessarily be an expert, but know how each department runs and what the limitations are.

The more you know the more you can plan for success. In terms of finding and developing projects, you’ve got to stay tuned to the markets to know what they are looking for, but not to say you can’t make projects for arts sake either. Just know what you want to do it for and once you’ve committed be prepared to take it all the way.”

from other cultures, namely of AfricanCanadian, Asian and First Nations descent.

Another Canadian theatre company, Alberta Theatre Projects, recently garnered praise from the Latino community for its production of The Motherfucker with the Hat after flying in Latino actors from Vancouver and Toronto to fill the roles. But unfortunately, not everyone has the budget or resources to outsource performers from other provinces.

“I think it depends on what pool you’re searching in,” said second year ASAS student Aliya Boulanger. “For example, we did a show [at CapU] where we all played people of different races, but because it was a practicum show, we only had access to 21 actors to play all these different roles.”

Although script loyalty is of substantial value, there can still be levels of limitation placed on a production. These restrictions may hamper the search and finalization of a cast that adheres to the calls of a script.

The controversy not only correlates with issues surrounding the lack of diversity in major movie roles in Hollywood, it also harkens back to a choice between ethnic appropriation and performance. At what point does talent and performance exceed the ethnic compatibility of an actor to a certain role?

“If the ethnic background furthers the plot in some way and is therefore integral enough to the playwright’s vision then you should stick to that, or if you’re trying to represent the culture then you want to do that properly,” said Mikaela Macht, a second-year ASAS student.

Donna Spencer, artistic producer of the Firehall Arts Centre, released a statement in defence of the production, voicing that although no Puerto Rican actors were cast and only one Latino was selected, the casting decision ultimately echoed the playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis’ words that the roles can be, “cast multi-ethnically as long as it

is true to the intent of the work.”

Guirgis himself expressed his support for the casting, finding solace in the fact that at least the roles were distributed.

According to Global News the production ultimately chose a mix of Chilean, South Asian, Italian and Caucasian actors for the cast. And although major changes won’t be possible for this version of The Motherfucker with the Hat, the Latino theatre community hopes that the open letter might stir waves of change for future casting calls.

“What we ask for is that we be afforded the same consideration as other ethnic minority groups,” the group wrote. “There are very few parts explicitly written for Latinos in this city. When they do exist, they have mostly been created by our own writings. When an opportunity such as this comes up, we would like to be considered because we would like to have some say in how our image is portrayed.”

— KYLE PAPILLA

MOPA grads honoured at TIFF event

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Do you even sift, bro?

— NATALIE MURRAY

Cooking from scratch has Millennials scratching their heads Graeme Findlay CONTRIBUTOR

If there is a meal more satisfying and comforting than the traditional Christmas dinner we all were recently able to indulge in, you’d be very hard-pressed to find it.

But would you be able to cook the turkey, mashed potatoes and all the fixings if it was your turn to host? How about a lasagna?

An omelette? A stir fry? If the answer is ‘no’ then you aren’t alone.

According to a survey conducted by Sobeys in 2014, only 31 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds in Canada feel confident when working in the kitchen, as opposed to 48 per cent of Canadians aged 50 and older. This isn’t to say that Millennials aren’t capable of cooking from scratch — it’s just that most seem to prefer not to.

With work, school and other endeavours to balance, eating take-out or ready-made meals can often be the answer for busy students. For many, the convenience is too good to pass up. But if time wasn’t a factor, would our generation have the skills and desire to create mouthwatering dishes?

Chef David Robertson believes there is some untapped potential there.

In 2009, he and his wife Sara opened the Dirty Apron Cooking School on Beatty Street in Vancouver. Since then, he’s had people from all walks of life coming in to learn. “The demographic is pretty mixed, but I’d say an average age of our clientele is late 30s to early 40s, and about 60 per cent women to 40 per cent men,” he said. “We get everybody from college students to retired people.”

Robertson feels that cooking is trendier now than it has been in the past. “If you go back 20 years, we didn’t get the cooking shows on the Food Network as we do

I spy a Ferrari Vancouver named supercar capital of North America

what they’d hoped. One in five students didn’t feel confident peeling vegetables, and a third of all were unable to properly make an omelette. Over 63 per cent were unable to make Shepherd’s Pie without a recipe.

Christmas dinner, it seems, would be out of the question there, too.

As Millennials start to crave their favourite dishes from childhood, nostalgia may well become the driving factor behind the development of some basic cooking skills.

Or maybe the world’s definition of holiday meals will have to change altogether.

Taquitos and ramen, anyone?

2,100 automobiles worth $150,000 or higher were registered with ICBC in 2014 alone.

McLaren, a British supercar manufacturer, has been selling cars to the public since 2012. Their vehicles are generally priced from around $300,000 and up. Despite the high price of these cars, automakers are selling more each year and the dealership believes that there will be a continuous increase in the number of supercars roaming Vancouver.

“We are showing growth year over year.

We had a sellout year last year, and we anticipate that it will be even better this year,” said Bryan Lam, sales manager at McLaren Vancouver. Despite an increasing number of foreign investors in the city, Lam and his sales team are visited by a wide demographic at their West 2nd Avenue showroom. “You have VPs, you have entrepreneurs, you have venture capitalists and you also have younger students buying supercars in general.”

Oscar Yu, a lot attendant at The BMW Store on Burrard Street, noted that for the

foreign buyers of supercars, status plays a big role. “I mean, technically it would make much more sense to buy a brand new Honda,” he said. “It’s more than enough for a commuter.”

Yu pointed out that the supercars are being used as a status symbol and not for their intended purpose, which is to take them to the race track. “More often than not, younger adults coming over from China or Korea have large sums of money and buy something extremely expensive and totally use it for the wrong purpose.”

The trend is something he believes will continue as long as foreign money pours into the city. However, there’s been a spike in homegrown interest as well. One Vancouver startup, Scenic Rush, is capitalizing on the city’s surge in supercar popularity by handing over the keys to its fleet of luxury vehicles for a day of driving on the Sea-toSky highway.

The company offers four supercars to choose from, including a Ferrari F430 Spider and Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-

4. For as little as $495, customers can drive the two-hour, 80-kilometre stretch of road from West Vancouver to Porteau Cove, swapping out at various points along the way. Gas and insurance are included in the rental — a bargain considering some luxury car owners pay upwards of $10,000 per year for insurance.

With the rising number of supercars on the road and the desire for current owners to upgrade, the city is likely going to see more used vehicles on the roads as well. “All those supercars five years from today are going to be depreciating in value and there are going to be more in the used car lots, waiting to be sold with the depreciated value,” said Richard Ibarra, a marketing student from BCIT. With the lower price tag, even more potential buyers will see an opportunity to own their dream car. “I guess the only downside is that it doesn’t have warranty,” he joked. But then again, anyone with $250,000 to spend on their vehicle probably isn’t going to be too worried about missing out on a new muffler or two.

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Walking around downtown Vancouver, it’s not uncommon to find a Ferrari parked along a curb or a Lamborghini driving down the street. That’s because the city is the supercar capital of North America, according to statistics from ICBC. Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of fast automobiles to be seen and heard around the city.

“In West Vancouver, one in every 142 people owns a luxury vehicle. In Richmond, it’s one in 577 while in Vancouver it’s one in 615,” stated an article by Global News. That amounts to more supercars per capita than New York, Toronto and even Miami. Over

Vancouver itself is a city with a growing food scene, and a prime example of this is the Dine Out festival happening this month.

“Vancouver is a cooking city, it is a foodie city. The natural interest is there,” said Robertson. “I see that in the 200 young kids that we teach every summer. There is more of an interest in the younger generation and I feel we will see more of that.”

While there appears to be hope for the city of Vancouver, what about the rest of the world? Sainsburys, one of the United Kingdom’s most prevalent grocery stories, conducted a survey of their own with English students in 2014. The results? Not

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Eric Wong CONTRIBUTOR

today, so there is a different feel to it,” he said. Recipe apps like FoodGawker and social media channels like Buzzfeed Tasty have also helped to offer guidance and inspiration in our current era of technology.

Robertson remains optimistic, not only for the current generation of Millennials who are learning how to cook, but also for those who may be inspired to become chefs or pursue a further passion for cooking.

“You’ll find out very quickly, that it is a labour of love. I find the Dirty Apron is a great way for people to test the waters and find out if this is really a passion for them,” he said.

C O L U MN S The mute button Canadian confinement Marissa Del Mistro COLUMNIST

Canadians who have been lucky enough to travel have likely engaged in the popular discourse about how great it is to be Canadian. Globally, we are recognized as friendly, polite and funny, as a nation and a diverse land that is rich in history. The influx of multicultural diversity equates a smorgasbord of languages, ethnic groups and culture — a reputation built from the forward thinking of citizens and selected government leaders, all in an attempt to maintain a positive country, and in turn, reputation.

The Human Rights Act, established in 1977, is a tangible outcome to protect citizens, disregarding ethnic origin, skin colour, gender or disability. But there is a particular issue that seems to be in retrograde. As a major part of Canadian heritage, why are there so many of our Aboriginal people in our prisons?

First Nations currently make up more than a quarter of the prison population across Canada. For Aboriginal women, the truth is even more dismal. The rise of the incarcerated Aboriginal female has been climbing over the last decade, growing by nearly 90 per cent with little indication of a decline. One in three female inmates in prison are Aboriginal — twofold in complication for women, due to the bigotry of being a lady and for being First Nations.

While pervasive in the judicial system, racial profiling is not the only answer behind the overwhelming penitentiary rates. It is neither as simple as Aboriginals committing more crimes nor as simple as being the victims of a disproportionate criminal system either. The report, entitled

Down to earth Site C is eating all the pie in the Peace!

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Calvin DeGroot COLUMNIST

Earlier this year, on the stunning Peace River, BC Hydro began clear cutting forests to prepare for the early stages of constructing their newest Clean Energy Project, the Site C Dam. The Site C Mega-Dam is a $9 billion hydroelectric dam that could not be farther from a Clean Energy Project. This dam will flood close to 100 kilometres of British Columbia’s most productive farmland and critical wildlife territory, while destroying important wetlands and fish habitat. The 13,000 acres of farmland that will be flooded are able to produce enough food for all of Northern British Columbia.

But it gets a lot worse. In fact, I like to look at the Site C Dam like one of those older, uglier Dracula-style vampires. The more the

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— MEGAN COLLINSON

Popular shows like Making a Murderer highlight the injustices of the American judicial system. But is Canada receiving the same reality check?

Marginalized, focuses on the negative legacy of colonization and lasting damages continuing to deprecate the Aboriginal women, cornering these women into the oppression of laws, racism and violence.

The long term discrimination and social inequality has impoverished Aboriginal women into a cycle of minority injustice. The extraction of proper social services, adequate health care and access to education only increases the likelihood of crime.

When sentenced, individuals are ranked in minimum, medium or maximum security. Statistics state that Aboriginal women are more likely to be placed under maximum security than other women.

Often, this is because they do not adjust well to the prison lifestyle and engage in self-harm. What the ranking lacks is the cultural understanding of the emotional, physical and sexual abuse, which could have resulted in similar behaviour outside of prison. Statistics also reveal that 90 per

cent of Aboriginal women have reported abuse prior to penitentiary service.

The current methods of high security detainment place women far from their home and families, distanced from other inmates and under strict surveillance.

They are excluded from prison programming, activities and the sense of community.

Serving time in maximum security hampers an Aboriginal woman’s chances of getting transferred to a lower security ranking confinement. Over 75 per cent of First Nations offenders remain in high security until their release date – 10 per cent higher than a non-Aboriginal.

Furthermore, once released they are denied quality rehabilitation programs and are lacking both gender specificity and cultural understanding.

It is important to note the condition of the female Aboriginal inmates’ mental health. They are confined to the scars of

generations of minority injustices. Years of disproportionate treatment socially, emotionally and judicially can often lead to the deterioration of their mental health.

This is only worsened due to the maximum security and lack of interactions – deteriorating their chances of escaping the cycle of minority issues once integrating back to everyday life.

Dawn Harvard, president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada has said, “I'm not shocked by this. This is unfortunately the direct result of what happens when a particular people are oppressed in their own territory.” Harvard is concerned about the result of non-violent crimes that are worsened because of their treatment once in prison. D i s c o u r s e about the reality of these marginalized women, who happen to be Aboriginal, must continue. With more awareness comes more discussion, and with enough momentum, change may come.

sun shines on it, the uglier it gets (unlike the stunning Twilight and True Blood-era vampires). This project is a complete waste of money financed by the good law-abiding taxpayers of BC. The costs of construction are severely underestimated and will likely exceed $10 billion, not to mention the massive external expenses due to the destruction of productive farmland and eradication of economically important fish and wildlife. These costs could actually bankrupt BC Hydro entirely, which might not be a bad thing depending on how much you hate the crown corporation. Hilariously, this dam is going to take so long to build that during its construction, there will be major advances in hydroelectric technology that would have way less of an environmental impact.

For a dam that BC Hydro is calling a “Clean Energy Project”, Site C has quite the dirty side. The 10-year construction phase will see 3,500,000,000 cubic metres of concrete poured and 500,000 cubic metres of wood burned. This is more than enough concrete to build a sidewalk around the

entire planet, twice.

The only reason it’s being built is not to produce enough electricity to meet the demand for the electricity hungry lifestyle we have grown accustomed to here in Vancouver, but to provide the energy required for the “booming” natural gas industry. Both hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and the process of liquefying natural gas require massive amounts of electricity.

Let me paint this morbid picture of what we radical environmentalists are calling BC’s “Carbon Corridor.” A massive dam is built in the beautiful Peace River region that will produce enough electricity to power 450,000 homes. But instead of using that energy to power homes, trains or cars, it is transmitted across the province to provide the power to extract natural gas, which is then piped to the coast where it is liquefied and put on tankers. These tankers cross the Pacific Ocean and where upon arrival is turned into gas and burned for consumption.

Despite this, there is a surprising

lacklustre effort from the big green environmental NGO’s in BC to campaign to stop the project. Aside from the Wilderness Committee and recent efforts from our pal David Suzuki (who seems to get more radical every year), nobody is really talking about the project. Construction is already underway with massive amounts of clearing and the early stages of river diversion. This is happening despite the fact that the dam is the subject of six different lawsuits against the provincial and federal governments that have not been resolved.

The community of the Peace River region remains divided on the dam, as many farmers, ranchers and Indigenous people remain adamantly opposed. However, with the recent tanking of the oil and gas sector, the construction of the dam is one of the only remaining prospects for work – but with the oil and gas sector struggling, what then is the point of it? The age of fossil fuel is finally drawing to a close. Just think of what we could accomplish with $10 billion of investment in transit, renewable energy and electric transportation infrastructure.

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Spoiler Alert The end of Game of Thrones Syd Danger KNOWS NOTHING

There are no shortages of fan theories when it comes to George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones. The ending of the acclaimed HBO series has produced thousands of articles, Reddit threads and endless irritating spoiler-filled text messages from your roommate. We’ve watched our favourite characters get slaughtered and discovered new favourite characters – only to watch them die horrifically as well. At some point, we have all turned off the TV and screamed, “When will it end?!?” Never, HBO hopes.

With season six right around the corner, fans have begun frantically trying to guess the ending of their favourite series, all the while HBO continues to push for more seasons and spin-offs.

From a business standpoint, it makes sense: Game of Thrones makes money. A ton of money. Despite being the most illegally downloaded TV series in history and giving each episode a budget of about $6 million, it still rakes in the views. Of course HBO would want to beat that horse until its completely dead — and then light it on fire just in case it comes back to life.

But does it make sense for Game of Thrones to evolve from

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a TV adaptation of a beloved book series into a multimedia franchise?

The world of Westeros has enough stories to fuel several other series, a video game collection and even feature-length films.

A prologue of young Robert Baratheon conquering the Targaryens, the fall of Valyria or the story of Nymeria, the warrior queen, are just some of the popular stories within the expansive fantasy world that Martin has created. The fear is that without the books to take content from, the world that fans have become so attached to will become watered down, distorted and, well, it could suck. The upcoming season is the first to have been written without source material, and will most likely set the tone for the inevitable barrage of spin-off series.

Personally, as long as there is a full, extensive look at Hodor’s back story and rise to superstardom, I’m on board.

Another huge worry is that Martin could die before he even gets to finish the books.

After a quick Wikipedia check, I confirmed that he’s 140 years old, has the beard of someone who lives in their mother’s basement and that these worries are legitimate. In response to these very distressing concerns, Martin has shared the ending with show runners David Benioff and Dan Weiss, who then promised to try their very best to not milk the show for all its worth. A tentative ending for eight seasons was set, which, if I’m being honest, sounds about right. As much as I love tuning in every week to stress-eat and awkwardly watch girls in brothels finger each other to spice up a Littlefinger monologue, the end is inevitable.

Whether you believe in R + L = J, the rebirth of Azor Ahai or that everyone will just be slaughtered in a giant bloody murder heap, the end of Game of Thrones will happen. Whether HBO will let the series die with dignity or suck out every dollar it can remains to be seen. We know all men must die, but all shows must die as well.

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— SYD DANGER

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Write for Us!

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HUMOUR TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME A misguided guide to increasing fan awareness for Blues sports

I once attended a Blues women’s volleyball game to talk to this girl, only to get shut down like a weak volley. Luckily for me, there were hardly any people in the stands to see it happen, save for maybe a few devoted family members. I don’t even think there were any friends there. Not friends of mine, anyways.

The point is, the Capilano University community could really make a better effort to attend the Blues’ home games — not to see displays of tomfoolery such as myself, but to support an athletic program that’s truly beginning to excel. (Well… most of them, at least. I’m not gonna say who’s not doing too well right now. I’m not.)

With all that in mind, here are some tactics that I believe the University should implement as a means to increase the fanbase of its athletics department. Right now, we’re sitting at an average of about six ultra-competitive fathers, so let’s aim for double digits. Baby steps.

FREE CHILI Once in a while, the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) will host a general meeting where its executives will show attending students the previous, ongoing and planned expenses of the CSU. There’s usually a projector showing pages upon pages of financial statements, charts and graphs, filled with numbers that really don’t seem all that interesting – until you realize that those numbers pertain to your fees, or the upcoming year-end yacht party.

(Intentional $3,500 deficit?! What the…)

What’s truly interesting is how the CSU always manages to draw a crowd of students, despite the often-dense presentations. How do they do it? Easy. Chili.

Apparently, people love chili. If the CSU can draw nearly 100 students to attend a discussion about how much money a new popcorn maker is going to cost, why can’t the Blues?

MEET AND GREET THE HALFTIME SHOWS PRESIDENT I know for a fact that basketball games There’s only so much time left before CapU president, Kris Bulcroft, leaves the premises for good – and it’s not because she’s getting cut like the Studio Arts program.

Before she goes, wouldn’t it be a nice gesture if the campus community got one last opportunity to meet her? Exactly.

So let’s have Kris at a booth outside the courts selling hotdogs, taking photos with students or signing autographs. We could even have the lovely Margaux performing a halftime show, like those dogs at bigger sporting events that jump through hoops and obstacles to excite the crowd.

Let’s even light the hoop on fire!

have a halftime – I played it throughout my younger days, until I stopped growing taller and started growing wider. With CapU’s litany of arts-based programs, there should be no shortages of halftime entertainment acts. The school can enlist performances from the best of the Jazz Studies program, the Acting for Stage and Screen program and the celebrity-producing IDEA program.

We can even have a donut-eating contest, a hula-hoop contest and a rap battle.

As long as we have those dudes that the CSU gets to emcee the Rail Jam, we’ll have a good time.

— CRISTIAN FOWLIE

Carlo Javier EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR

There aren’t many better ways to impress your date than taking them to the hottest sporting event on this side of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. Or, make it a bro date and bring a friend. If everyone showed up using the buddy system, there’d be double the attendance in no time and I wouldn’t need to write this guide. (Or maybe I would. At best, we’re stuck at 12 ultra-competitive fathers now…) Just make sure to eat before the games because there will be no concession stands to fill your needs and by the time the games end, everything will be closed. Also, bring a flask, the only thing worse than watching your home team lose is watching them lose while you’re sober.

Get lucky!

Just because you have some company doesn’t mean it's good company. The athletics department can do way worse than enticing CapU’s single and lonely demographic.

Set it up as something like a Tinder night.

Everyone can set their distance settings to the smallest possible option and boom — not only do you have an exciting volleyball game, but you can also potentially gather dozens and dozens of thirsty college students who have nowhere better to be on a Friday night.

Who knows, maybe some of the players are on Tinder too. (Like that girl on the basketball team you’ve had your eye on all semester. She shoots left, but I’ll bet you she swipes right!)

You’ve got to admit, this is a great idea.

Oh come on. Take a joke.

18

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO.15

MAKE IT SINGLES NIGHT CHEERLEADERS…?

THE CAPILANO COURIER

MAKE IT DATE NIGHT

CABOOSE Q

THINKING CAP

HOROSCOPES

The CSU is estimating a cost of $6 million for a planned new building. What would you do for Capilano University if you had $6 million to spare?

IF YOUR BIRTHDAY IS THIS WEEK:

No one will post on your wall this year.

ARIES (March 21 - April 19):

If you thought last week was rough, you’ll be blown away by this week.

“I’d probably just improve the stuff that we already have here.”

— Megan Patrick, Fourth year Communications

“Maybe I’ll invest in a culinary program that will be integrated in the cafeteria.”

— Elliot Harada, First year Motion Picture Arts

TAURUS (April 20 - May 20):

Upcoming events will cement your belief that life is much safer behind locked doors.

LIBRA (SEPT. 22 - OCT. 23):

More and more friends are starting to get engaged and have children. Don’t worry, they’re the ones making the terrible mistakes.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 - NOV. 21):

You’ll realize that good friends tell their friends when they have a bad idea, but true friends know when to have the camera ready.

GEMINI (May 21 - June 20):

Netflix will not so subtly push you to do something else when it starts asking, “why are you still watching?” after every three episodes.

“Wait, there’s gonna be a $6 million building?”

— Scott Barkemeyer, Third year Business Administration

“I would probably just make some of the buildings better or get better supplies.”

— Jeremy Winlker, Third year Arts and Sciences

CANCER (June 21 - July 22):

Re-watching The Walking Dead has made you realize that you’re more likely to be one of the zombies that gets locked in a trunk than one of Rick’s survivors.

LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22):

This won’t be the first time your mouth has gotten you into trouble. It will be the first

MASTER OF DIGITAL MEDIA

time it’s gotten you stabbed, though.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18):

If you think you’re having a bad week, just remember it isn’t as bad as Hugh Glass’s week was in The Revenant.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20):

Don’t worry, nobody’s surprised you don’t have any plans this Valentine’s Day.

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SUDOKU

VOLUME 49 ISSUE NO. 15

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19):

Never underestimate the power of silence.

Especially when the alternative is often people giving you bad news.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 21):

Re-framing how you view yourself will change your life. You’re not an alcoholic, you just follow a strict drinking regimen.

INFO SESSION JANUARY 27th

THE CAPILANO COURIER

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21):

Once again, your feelings of impending doom and gloom leading to nothing will have you debating the pros and cons of feeling useless and stupid instead.

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