Chefs for change Jan. 5, 2014 by The Dialog

CHEFS FOR CHANGE George Brown College chefs offer tips to chef school apprentice Ross Constandse on how to give back to the community through his cooking

P.8

Albert DaSilva has had a monumental impact on GBC P.6 Jan. 5–25, 2015

A look “IN”side the future of the school of design P.11

A sexual assault policy should already exist at George Brown P.10 GBC Student Newspaper • Founded 1982

NEWS Jan. 5–25, 2015

Toronto’s high childcare fees are unaffordable: report five years costs $998 a month. The report indicates that Torontonians pay the most in infant and toddler care fees, and are among the highest in a cross-section of 22 other Canadian cities, and for women, MAVERICK SMITH these high child-care fees make up approxiSTAFF REPORTER mately 34 per cent to 35 per cent of their total income, according to the report. “Womyn make up the vast majority of service This meticulously researched data supsector workers and part-time workers, yet we ports Kealey’s belief that “the lack of a do not have a child-care system that allows universal, government funded, progressive part time workers or workers with untradi- child-care system is one of the social mechational hours to access subsidized child care,” nisms that marginalizes womyn’s economic, said Shana Kealey, co-founder of the George social and political capacity.” Brown College parent’s association, via email. The report outlines how this reality ac According to a report by David Macdon- tually plays out in the lives of Canadian ald and Martha Friendly called The Parent parents, stating that “Canadian parents Trap: Child Care Fees in Canada’s Big Cities are working parents.” done through the Canadian Centre for Policy It discusses the realities faced by families that Alternatives (CCPA), showed that for infants rely on child care to be able to work, as well as one and a half years or under, child-care costs that women’s labour force participation tends $1,676 a month. For toddlers one and a half to be closely tied to availability and affordability to three years the cost is $1,324 a month, while of child care. Where child care is readily availpreschool fees for children between three to able and affordable, the report also states that

Women need childcare to work, but can’t work enough to pay for childcare

women’s participation in the labour force as well priorities, with Canada’s spending on early as birth rates often hold steady or increase. childhood education and care (ECEC) being be Being a parent, Kealey has observed this tween 0.2 per cent and 0.34 per cent of the nafirst-hand and as a result of her lived experi- tion’s GDP, half the average compared to other ences she believes that, “a child-care policy is countries in the Organization for Economic really all about understanding the lived realities Co-operation and Development (OECD). of families, being committed to the economic, The consequences of this failure to prosocial and political inclusion of womyn and pri- vide adequate spending on ECEC are broad, oritizing the best possible care for our future and according to the report, “affordable generation. The financial costs of designing child care isn’t just important for parents, it’s and implementing a safe, affordable, universal important to Canada’s economy.” child-care system do not compare to the costs After looking at these statistics, Kealey’s of leaving womyn and children behind.” question for the Canadian government about Despite the beliefs of parents like Kealey and their priorities is simple, “investing in womyn the conclusions of The Parent Trap, it would and children is investing in our future. What is appear the Canadian government has other more important than that?”

Correction

In the Dec. 1 issue an article on the band Colours incorrectly spelled Yousuf Ghafory’s name and stated that he from Evanistan, Pakistan. He is from Afghanistan. Shivangi Kalra’s name was also misspelled, and she was misidentified as a Humber College student. She is a student at the University of Guelph. The Dialog regrets the errors.

THE DIALOG IS... Managing Editor Mick Sweetman Assistant Editor Tina Todaro Art Director/Illustrator Samantha Bullis Photo/Video Editor Michael Nguyen Staff Reporters Aneesa Mustapha Brittany Barber (Sports) Dora Liu Maverick Smith Yuliya Prisyazhnaya

SAGBC STUDENT ADMISSION (VALID FOR 1 GENERAL ADMISSION) ........................................................................ $10 GREAT ESCAPE

(INCLUDES 2 GENERAL ADMISSIONS 2 REGULAR SOFT DRINKS & 1 REGULAR POPCORN) ....................................................................................... $30

CHILD ADVENTURE

(VALID FOR 1 CHILD ADMISSION AND 1 KID’S TRAY COMBO WHICH INCLUDES A DRINK, POPCORN & TREAT) ......................................................... $13

All prices include HST. Regular admission is $12.99 without sagbc discount.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

Contributors L.A. Bonté Thomas Chung Paige Winkle Follow us on Social Media! Facebook.com/thedialogonline Twitter: @dialogGBC Drop by or contact The Dialog at: Room E122 - Casa Loma 142 Kendal Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1M3 www.dialog.studentassociation.ca Tel: 416-415-5000 ext. 2764 Fax: 416-415-2491 dialog@georgebrown.ca

The Dialog newspaper is published by The Dialog Collective with the support of the Student Association of George Brown College. The collective is responsible for the overall vision and direction of The Dialog newspaper, as it coincides with the larger vision and mission of the Student Association. The cost of producing a monthly newspaper is in part defrayed by advertising revenue and largely subsidized by student fees. Occasionally, some advertisers, products and services do not reflect the policies of the Student Association. Opinions expressed in The Dialog are not necessarily those of The Dialog Collective, the Student Association of George Brown College, or its editorial staff.

The Dialog newspaper is published by The Dialog Collective with the support of the Student Association of George Brown College.

The Dialog will not publish any material that attempts to incite violence or hatred against individuals or groups, particularly based on race, national origin, ethnicity, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. Contributions to The Dialog are always welcome. We request that articles be submitted as digital copies in plain-text (TXT) or richtext (RTF) format. Letters to the editor can be sent in an email message to dialog@georgebrown.ca. Images should be in EPS format for vector files or in TIFF format at 300 dpi for raster files.

The Dialog is a member of CUP, the Canadian University Press

DAILY CHECK UP Jan. 5–25, 2015

January 5–25 MONDAY

TUESDAY

5 Winter 2015 term starts. St. James Orientation Events 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Kings Lounge, St. James campus

Chris Ruggiero: One-Man Variety Show 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Main lobby, Waterfront campus

Casa Loma Orientation Events 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Student Centre, Casa Loma campus

13 Video Game Week events 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Kings Lounge, St. James campus

Video Game Week events 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Student Centre, Casa Loma campus

Winter Semester Clubs Fair 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Lower cafeteria, A building, St. James campus

Last day to apply for transfer credits (exemptions), drop a course, or withdraw from a program with a partial refund

Norman Ng: Magic Show 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Student Centre, Casa Loma campus Chris Ruggiero: One-Man Variety Show 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Kings Lounge, St. James campus

FRIDAY 9

Wayne Hoffman: Mentalist Show 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Kings Lounge, St. James campus

Treehouse Talks 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. More information available at treehousegroup.org/treehouse-talks

Video Game Week events 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Main lobby, Waterfront campus

GBC Deal or No Deal 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 5th floor SHE building, Ryerson campus

THURSDAY 8

Last day to add a course to your schedule or transfer programs or sections

WEDNESDAY

Video Game Week events (Board games) 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 5th floor SHE building, Ryerson campus

GBC Deal or No Deal 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Student Centre, Casa Loma campus

DANCEWEEKEND 2015 7 p.m. Fleck Dance Theatre, 207 Queens Quay W. More information at danceontario.ca

GBC Deal or No Deal 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Kings Lounge, St. James campus

GBC Deal or No Deal 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Student Centre, Casa Loma campus

All decisions on transfer credits (exemptions) finalized Battle of the Campuses: Paintball outing Shuttles leave St. James and Casa Loma at 6 p.m. SGT Splatters, 54 Wingold Ave. Tickets $15 for students and $20 for guests

Report casts a harsh light on child poverty in Toronto Child poverty and lowincome rates are closely connected in the city MAVERICK SMITH STAFF REPORTER

A report entitled The Hidden Epidemic: Child and Family Poverty in Toronto and sponsored by the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) has been released that casts the state of child poverty in Toronto in a harsh light. Nearly a third of all children under eighteen in Toronto live in poverty, which is a stunning statistic given that the report states that “November 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the House of Commons’ unanimous resolution to seek to achieve the goal of eliminating poverty among Canadian children by the year 2000.”

Even the coalition who co-authored the report were shocked by this and other “bleak news” generated by the report. “We were shocked just to find poverty rates or low-income rates at 29 per cent overall,” said Michael Polanyi, community worker at the CAS of Toronto and lead author of the report. Converted from the data collected in 2012, this works out to approximately 145,890 individuals and numbers that show, that “not all children in Toronto start life on an equal footing.” It also shows where those individuals live and this report may strip many Torontonians of their illusions, revealing “a massive and growing polarization of income in the city.” Between 40 per cent to 63 per cent of these poverty-stricken children live in one of 15 geographic pockets in the city, areas that include Regent Park, Oakridge, Thorncliffe Park and Moss Park, accord-

ing to the report, drawing back the comfortable multicultural mask through which Torontonians see their city. The 2011 National Household Survey discussed in the report how people of African and Middle Eastern backgrounds in Toronto are three times more likely to be living on low incomes than people of European backgrounds. Breaking down these numbers further shows that 41 per cent of people with Southern and East African backgrounds live below the low income measure, while only 12 per cent of people have a British Isles background. The analysis presented concluded that these overarching themes produced this child poverty epidemic, and “to best address child poverty, Toronto must acknowledge and resolve the institutional, structural and systemic barriers that give rise to inequities.” Mayor John Tory has declared a willingness

to meet this challenge, saying of the report, “if there ever was a wake-up call, this would be it.” So far the federal government has stayed silent about the findings of this report. They state that, “the decision (of the federal government) to cancel the mandatory long-form census and replace it with the voluntary National Household Survey means there is no single, reliable source of statistical data that track the situation of children in families most vulnerable to poverty. “ The authors of this report echo the 2013 assertion of Campaign 2000 – missing data means child poverty will be underestimated. “Tracking the experiences of marginalized groups through a mandatory census is crucial to the design of effective poverty reduction initiatives. Campaign 2000 strongly urges the federal government to reinstate the mandatory long form census or a similarly reliable data source immediately.”

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

NEWS Jan. 5–25, 2015

Deaf coffee chat at the C.A.C.

Students are working themselves to debt

Bringing the Deaf* community together over cookies and coffee

RACHEL WARD

MAVERICK SMITH STAFF REPORTER

“This room is small,” said Brian Ghov, grinning as he took in the crowded room. “There should be more space.” The reason for his good humour is obvious as the Deaf Coffee Chat has attracted many more people than anticipated, even using the most optimistic estimates. At the busiest point of the hour-long event, the crowd spills out over the entire room in the Community Action Centre, filling the couches and chairs in the main lounge room. Given how popular this event is, this was the first social hangout that Sheethal Kudva plans to make into a monthly event. Plans have been made for the event to be held again in January, and it will be advertised on leaflets dispersed throughout the college, as well as posted on Facebook. Profoundly deaf herself, Kudva organized this gathering to give people from the Deaf* community at George Brown College (GBC) the chance to hang out, and many students agree with her on the importance of having events like this. “I feel like it is important to keep social hangouts like this alive,” explained Randi Larmour, a hearing student in the ASL and deaf studies program. “It gives hearing students an opportunity to practice their ASL and meet people in the Deaf* community.” College students are not the only ones who like this informal social gathering, the professors do as well. “I’m glad to see my hearing ASL students from three different groups (classes) meet each other and use sign language,” said professor Susan DaDalt, who is also Deaf and teaches ASL at GBC. The Deaf Coffee Chat brings the hearing, deafened and Deaf GBC students, interpreters and professors together, to mingle and have free cookies and coffee. The event will be held at St. James campus on a monthly basis.

With increasing tuition and loan debts, students are working while in school CANADIAN UNIVERSITY PRESS LABOUR BUREAU CHIEF

HALIFAX (CUP) — Most students work while in school, and it’s not for the job experience. Almost three quarters of students find they can’t otherwise afford the cost, according to a survey by CIBC. Riley Matson drives 20 minutes each way to attend school at University of Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. She lives with her parents to save on expenses, and works three to four days a week at a naturopath office. Matson said her courses demand a heavy workload and balancing classes with employment can be challenging at times. “I need to work to live,” she said, echoing many other students in the same position. In the end, post-secondary education pays off; Statistics Canada has found graduates are more likely to find jobs and make more money. According to StatsCan, 43

per cent of college students take on loans to pay for school, graduating with an average debt load of at least $14,900. According to StatsCan, half of undergraduate students take on loans to pay for school, graduating with an average debt load of $26,000. The average undergraduate tuition comes to almost $6,000 a year, according to StatCan, while the average college tuition cost about $3,800 per year, according to the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. On average, students work 17 hours per week, said a recent report on non-first year undergraduates found by the Canadian University Survey Consortium. It found one third of upper year undergrads are looking for work and can’t find it. Almost half of students with jobs say it negatively affects their schoolwork. The more hours they work, said the report, the worse their grades become. Michaela Sam, a student at the University of King’s College, has seen the effects of this across the country, through her work as chairperson of the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Federation of Students. “I know students across the board that have at least two, if not three jobs, that

work full-time hours, try to keep up with their studies, that aren’t able to,” said Sam. “That’s hugely problematic because it means our students aren’t able to focus on their education.” The CFS advocates for lower tuition, more repayable loans and increased public funding, among other solutions. Matson is taking a general arts degree, but her work for a naturopathic doctor has encouraged her to switch to sciences to eventually become a doctor. Matson wants to attend Simon Fraser University because she said it is has more science courses. However, the tuition at SFU is higher. The school is a two-hour train ride from her home in Walnut Grove, so she would have to move out. Her family saved using a registered education savings plan, but Matson said she will need a student loan in two years, sooner if she moves. Her parents, said Matson, “really push me for more higher education.” She works a minimum of 20 hours a week during the semester and bumps that to full time during the break. More scholarships or bursaries would help, said Matson, but for now, she takes a reduced course load and studies in the evenings.

PHOTO: FLICKR USER ALPER ÇUGUN (CC by 2.0)

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

NEWS

Jan. 5–25, 2015

Express Entry no guarantee for citizenship

Crime near campus TINA TODARO ASSISTANT EDITOR

Sexual assault in alley near Queen St. E and Sherbourne Street On Monday, Dec. 2 around 12:45 a.m. a woman, 30, was sexually assaulted by a man in an alleyway while walking in the Queen St. East and Sherbourne St. area. Police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the subject who is described as having a dark complexion and being about 20-30 years old with a thin build and wide nose. He was wearing a red hoodie, loose-fitting pants, and had an earring in his right ear.

Online system provides an opportunity to apply for permanent residency YULIYA PRISYAZHNAYA STAFF REPORTER

Express Entry will help international students apply for permanent residence in Canada. This new electronic system will be launched in January by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). There a lot of concerns about the lack of transparency of Express Entry, and according to Richard Kurland, an immigration lawyer and policy analyst, “it is worth a try, but the design flaw is there is no transparency, oversight, or accountability for the operation of the new system. It is a recipe for political interference.” According to a press release by CIC, “Canada needs high levels of immigration to meet the current and future labour mar-

a maximum of 500 points for “core human capital factors” such as age, education level, language proficiency and work experience in Canada, and a maximum of 100 points for “skill transferability factors,” which include a combination of education level, foreign work experience and a certificate in the trades. Once the high-ranked candidates are chosen, these candidates will have 60 days to apply for permanent residence and those who are not chosen by the system can apply again after 12 months. This program will provide more opportunities for immigrants to quickly become Canadian citizens, but “completing an online Express Entry profile does not guarantee that a candidate will receive an Invitation to apply for permanent residence,” according to the release. For now, immigrants only know how to apply with Express Entry, but as for how the system will rank them and whether it will be fair, there are no guarantees.

Elevator indecency near Church St. and Gould Street. On Friday, Nov. 21 a woman, 38, got into an elevator in the Church Street and Gould Street area. It was reported that an unknown man got in as well and when the doors closed, he proceeded to commit an indecent act. The subject is described as black, with a dark complexion, 38-45 years of age, 5’10” with brown eyes and a beard. He was wearing black glasses, a maroon toque, blue hoodie and blue nylon track pants. The Toronto Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man wanted in this investigation.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

ILLUSTRATION: SAM BULLIS/THE DIALOG

ket needs, which will ensure our economic growth and long-term prosperity,” This online system by CIC will be able to select immigrants from federal immigration programs such as the federal skilled worker program, the federal skilled trades program, and the Canadian experience class. To begin the application process international students will need to create an online profile, and provide information on their education, work skills and experience, language ability, and other required information. Placed in a pool, each candidate will be ranked and “only the highest-ranked candidates (those deemed to have the best chances for economic success), and those with qualifying offers of arranged employment or provincial/territorial nominations, will be invited to apply for permanent residence,” according to the press release. For skilled immigrants there is also a point system put in place. They can also receive 1,200 points based on components in two categories:

Ryerson: Do ya wanna fight?! On Wednesday, Dec. 3 around 8:30 p.m., Ryerson University security and emergency services were informed of an incident that took place on the north-east corner of the Gould and Victoria Street intersection. The subject who was walking northbound on the east side of Victoria Street, bumped into the victim who was walking eastbound on the north side of Gould Street. The victim apologized to the subject and was acknowledged by being asked if he wanted to fight and then kicked in the leg and struck by the subject on his right thigh area. The victim walked away from the subject continuing eastbound, and the subject was last seen walking northbound on the east sidewalk of Victoria Street. The subject is described as male, with a dark complexion, and waring a grey “Toronto Maple Leafs” toque, black winter coat, dark blue jeans, red sweat shirt, black back pack, and ear buds headphones.

SPORTS Jan. 5–25, 2015

Albert DaSilva has had a monumental impact on GBC 41 years of loyalty, the Casa Loma gym may be named in his honour

Intramural Co-ordinator Albert DaSilva contributions to GBC athletics reach far beyond the court.

BRITTANY BARBER STAFF REPORTER

If you think your heart is big, wait until you meet Albert DaSilva. At George Brown College (GBC) Casa Loma campus, the gymnasium is under construction and will be until the fall of 2015. Students are advocating for the gym to be named the Albert DaSilva Athletic Centre, already nicknamed the DaSilva Den. Albert DaSilva’s official title is the intramural co-ordinator at GBC but that doesn’t cover half of his involvement for students and athletes. He has been a part of the Huskies ever since Alex Barbier, the late athletic manager, recruited him from Central Commerce High School in the 1970s to play and attend George Brown. When Barbier retired, his legacy went on not only through the renaming of the St. James campus gym, but also through the hearts of students and staff like DaSilva. “George Brown is home away from home. It’s too bad that Barbier is gone because he meant a lot not just to me but to the students of George Brown,” said DaSilva emotionally. “From the first day that I met him I could see I was in good hands, and I could see how he operated with the student population. It doesn’t matter who it was, small groups or large groups, they were always first. I took a liking to that.” DaSilva is a whole-hearted man who sweats passion for GBC through his coaching and by acting as a confidant for many students. This year is his 32nd year as full-time staff member for George Brown and he has watched as the Casa Loma gym was built and now as it is renovated. DaSilva has been involved with the athletics department since 1973 while also being a student at GBC. Although he has had the opportunity to retire for about 10 years now, he can’t seem to pry himself away. Ricardo Brown, a basketball point guard for the Huskies, has had the opportunity to know DaSilva since he was 19 years old. Now 27, Brown knows Dasilva’s effect on people. “He has put his trust in a lot of people and pretty much treated all of the varsity athletes as his family. He will give you food, bus fare if you need it, advice and will talk to people and try to get them jobs,” said Brown. “He would always be willing to reach his hand out to help anybody.” Leanne Prade, a first year student in the sport and events marketing program, and a

setter on the women’s varsity volleyball team, feels that DaSilva deserves to have the gym renamed after him. “It’s a good reflection as to how the school looks, (and) he’s been a big part of the school with how he gives back and his relationship with the students; not even just with the athletes but the school as a whole,” said Prade. “(With) every student he meets, he has a positive outlook on everything and he talks to everybody. He’s able to be around to celebrate this instead of a lot of times when people have things named after them and they’re not here.” Akai Nettey, a fifth year business-finance student and a point and shooting guard for the men’s basketball team agrees saying, “he always looks after everyone else before he looks after himself, and he’s always giving back so the idea of the (gym) renaming would be a great idea and he deserves it.” DaSilva also gives back to the community. He has volunteered for 10 years for the Toronto Triple Threat basketball, coaching boys and girls 10-18 years old. He also organizes basketball tournaments for junior and senior boys, as well as the varsity men’s basketball tournaments. He also wants to be a part of the negative

and positive parts of the students’ lives. “When a student is not happy or when they are happy, I want to be part of that enjoyment,” said DaSilva. “It’s not always when its negative, you have to be involved when it’s a positive thing and reinforce it.” One word to sum up Dasilva’s influence on GBC would be “amigo,” which is also DaSilva’s catch phrase, and something he calls many of the students. The petition to rename the gym can be found in the athletic department. According to Ed Marks, manager of athletics, “something like this has never happened before, and it could take as little as 10 signatures or as many as 100.” Ultimately it is up to senior management to make the change, and Marks says, “if there’s a significant amount of people wanting this, then I think it makes the college compelled to really look it.” It is uncertain if there is a policy of renaming a building after someone who is still present at the school, but with enough enthusiasm from students the currently nameless Casa Loma gym may be called the DaSilva Den after all. PHOTO: THOMAS CHUNG/GBC ATHLETICS

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

SPORTS Jan. 5–25, 2015

Reflecting on the Huskies’ losing season

Wolfpack Ticker Women’s basketball Loyalist 62 – George Brown 50 Top scorers: Jessica Ramkeesoon, 17 and Cori Browne, 14 St. Lawrence 80 – George Brown 36 Top scorers: Cori Browne, 8; Chanel Kasusula, 6 and Jessica Ramkeesoon, 6 Durham 61 – George Brown 36 Top scorers: Cori Browne, 14; Angel Mbikay, 12; Melissa Vilar, 11 and Jessica Ramkeesoon, 10

Curtis Baanee keeps the ball away from the Centennial Colts at the Frankie Gyamfi memorial basketball game on Friday Nov. 21. The men’s basketball team currently has five wins and four losses so far this year.

Men’s basketball George Brown 97 – 69 Top scorers: Kasey Morris, 20; Akai Nettey, 16; Kevon Mascoe, 16; Fidel Benjamin, 11 Loyalist 105 – George Brown 97 in OT Top scorers: Akai Nettey, 22; Kevon Mascoe, 19; Curtis Baanee, 11 St. Lawrence 61 – George Brown 54 Top scorers: Curtis Baanee, 18 and Ted Johnson, 12 Durham 85 – George Brown 54 Top scorers: Akai Nettey, 18 and Ricardo Brown, 9

Men’s basketball team was the only team to have more wins than losses BRITTANY BARBER STAFF REPORTER

If you’ve been involved in sports you’ve probably been taught that they are about how you play the game rather than who wins or loses. Even if you don’t play sports, we all know this is not as true as our coaches make it out to be. At George Brown College (GBC) student athletes have worked hard, but unfortunately the majority of our Huskies athletes have faced more defeat than triumph. The fall semester began with varsity tryouts for baseball, basketball, soccer, with the women’s and men’s soccer teams starting the Huskies’ fall season. The co-ed cross-country teams had a better start and finish, with the women placing 6th in the province leading to nationals, and Eliud Lagat placing 10th for the men and qualifying for the second time in Ontario. Soccer should have started on Sept. 5, but all the wind and rain brought disappointment with it. Only the women were able to play before that game was postponed because of a major thunderstorm warning.

That was the first and last day that the women’s soccer team captain, Katie Turner, stepped onto the field as she suffered a nasty fall resulting in two fractured bones in her right ankle. The women’s soccer team finished their season with 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 tied game, although they finished on a higher note than to the men’s team which suffered 0 wins, 4 losses, and 3 ties. It may have been in the air for the Huskies, but the losses just kept coming. The baseball season began on Sept. 13 with a double-header and didn’t make it to home base in time before being defeated both times by St. Clair, wrapping up the season with a harsh ending. The Huskies baseball team had 3 wins and a whopping 17 losses this season. There is still time for the Huskies to show their rivals why they should “#FearThePack,” a hashtag often used on Twitter by Huskies supporters, players and staff. The season is not over for the volleyball, basketball and badminton teams, who still have an average of 9.25 games left before the year’s end. Taking a month-long break from the whirlwind of the game to focus on studies and relaxation, the volleyball and basketball team will not resume playing until the start of January

when each team will enter into a tournament. The men’s team will have resumed their season after the holidays, competing in the Niagara College tournament with the women’s team at the Durham College tournament from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4. Both volleyball teams seem to have an eye on each other and an eye on the court as their seasons look identical to each other. With 3 wins and 6 losses there are still nine games left for the Huskies volleyball teams to show what they’re made of. As for the basketball team, hopefully the women can return from the holidays with faster feet and a winning mentality to come back from their tough 1 win and 7 loss start of the season. Eight more games left in the season make it possible for the girls to accomplish victory after all. At this point in the season, the men’s basketball team is most likely to represent the #FearThePack label with 5 wins and 4 losses. They have a total of 10 games to look forward to in the near future, hoping to make up for the losses they have suffered. Even with a less than impressive year for the Huskies, there is always time to work on skills and improve on their game whether it is for next year or for the rest of the season. After all, they are a hungry Husky pack.

Men’s volleyball Trent 3 – George Brown 0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-23) George Brown 3–Algonquin 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-22) Top scorers: Stephen Duong, 27 attacks, 15 kills and 10 digs; Edwin Sheon, 25 attacks, 15 digs and 11 kills; Leighton Peart, 12 digs, 10 attacks and 5 kills; Eoghan Bracken-Murphy, 36 assists and 3 digs Durham 3 – George Brown 0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-19) Top scorers: Edwin Sheon, 11 digs and 5 kills; Stephen Duong, 9 kills; Eoghan Bracken-Murphy, 9 digs

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

PHOTO: BRITTANY BARBER/THE DIALOG

Women’s volleyball George Brown 3 – Algonquin 2 (25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 15-25, 16-14) Top scorers: Michelle Lo, 33 attacks, 16 digs and 11 kills; Brittney Gee, 28 attacks and 26 digs; Katharine Allward, 18 digs; Patricia Niengue, 11 kills and 21 attacks Durham 3 – George Brown 0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-19) Top scorers: Katie Allward, 8 digs; Michelle Lo, 6 kills and 5 digs; Patricia Niengue, 5 kills

FEATURE Jan. 5–25, 2015

CHEFS FOR CHANGE George Brown College chefs offer tips to chef school apprentice Ross Constandse on how to give back to the community through cooking DORA LIU STAFF REPORTER

Ross Constandse started Chefs for Change to channel his culinary skills towards helping those in need. PHOTO: DORA LIU/THE DIALOG

Coming from a middle-class family, Ross Constandse, 20, is a cook apprentice in the chef school of George Brown College (GBC). “I didn’t have many hardships in my life,” he says. When he was in grade nine, he set up a fund called “Pink Wheels” to help the breast cancer patients and their families as part of a school assignment. This little Pink Wheels raised a couple of thousand dollars and made Constandse feel good and want to continue his charity work. “Coming to Toronto every day from my home Oakville, seeing all the homeless people on the street and their suffering, it opened my eyes and I wanted to do something. I thought: ‘do they have something missing?’ ” said Constandse. “For a living we (chefs) make the people happy, we feed the people, so why not help the people who cannot help themselves? Use our skills to actually help someone, help the society—to give back!” In September, Constandse started up 8

a project called “Chefs for Change.” He wanted to use his culinary skills to help the homeless and the needy. He set up a website and a Facebook page in the name of “Chefs for Change” calling on people to donate or contact him to help provide teaching or preparing healthy meals. At the same time, he also embarked on his own crusading in the streets of Toronto handing out food to the homeless from time to time. It sounds quite good with this beginning, but when asked what is his plan was, who his sponsors were, when he will have his next event or even how often he goes to feed the needy, this nice gentleman’s answers were unsure. He just bought the ingredients with his own money and prepared and cooked the food by himself. For three months he didn’t get any donations from his website and didn’t update the Facebook page. It seems he has passion and a kind heart but no experience to know how to do it.

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

This may frustrate his dedication and diminish the chances of making society better. So, let’s help him help us. GBC has a number of benevolent chefs and professors who have volunteered for charities successfully for a long time. Let’s hear their experiences and Constandse will surely know what to do next. Amy Symington and Gilda’s Club Nearly all the chef school or nutrition students know that Amy Symington is the nutrition and kitchen program co-ordinator at Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto (GCGT), a non-profit organization that provides support for cancer survivors and their family members. Each semester, Symington makes a request for volunteers. Students who have participated in the supper club in the past often tell other students of their positive experience at Gilda’s and how they have enjoyed working with Symington and the Gilda’s Club members.

This supper program has been running for just over two years. As a nutritionist and a chef, Symington designs healthy recipes and even cooks every Tuesday for the cancer recovery members and their families. Cooking for 30 to 50 people per dinner, Symington says she feels “very rewarded and happy to contribute to something meaningful.” Symington’s mother also suffered from breast cancer, and she says, “I always wanted to do volunteer work in my areas of interest, and so I searched for a charity that is well-established and has similar beliefs. Then I found Gilda’s.” She has volunteered for Gilda’s since graduating from GBC. When she came back from England after completing her master’s degree in applied human nutrition, she made use of her education and experience and decided to help out with Gilda’s, which was a newly developed supper program. Two years later it continues to run and helps benefit many people whose lives have been touched by cancer.

FEATURE Jan. 5–25, 2015

Tips for Constandse: • “Network as much as possible and connect with everyone no matter their role or profession.” • “Volunteer as frequently as you can in the areas that you are most interested in.” Nathan Hogan and Montgomery’s Inn Youth Project Chef Hogan started volunteering when he was in high school as a basketball coach. When he became a chef, he didn’t mind giving up his time to cook for the needy or teach someone who needed to know how to cook. For Chef Hogan, learning to cook is not only a necessary life skill, it’s training for a person on learning how to become a good team player. “My (basketball) coach taught me be discipline, taught me don’t be selfish, to sacrifice, taught me to work hard … those are life skills, not just for basketball. And I thought those are the same things as cooking in a kitchen,” said Chef Hogan. Last year, he held three cooking classes for Montgomery’s Inn Youth Project. Montgomery’s Inn is a community museum in Etobicoke which also acts a place for different community programs. “There were about 15 kids in a class. They may come from financial unstable backgrounds, they may have learning issues,” said Chef Hogan. “We taught them basic stuff on how to cook fresh pasta, how to make Caesar salad.” Chef Hogan said he let them pair in teams and worked together. He found that some of the kids changed from shy to more confident and outgoing saying, “one of the kids told me, ‘Yeah, I did the green curry for my family and they liked it.’ That also motivates me to continue these kinds of jobs.” Tips for Constandse: • “Sponsorship is a big deal!” • “Get some funding. Do some research on government funding and volunteer at shelters to get all the outlets from there.” John Higgins and SKETCH Toronto Chef Higgins has worked in the culinary industry for over 30 years and has been volunteering for as long. “It’s so natural for a chef to give foods to others,” said Higgins. As the director of George Brown’s chef school, cooking for charity and teaching the underprivileged for free is part of his job. “I do an average of 15 events a year,” said Higgins. His charity work is mostly big funding events, such as an 800-person charity dinner for Star Elite Foundation. However, for his own balance, Chef Higgins says he loves more low key, fun and creative volunteer work for humble and quiet charities. At the end of October, Chef Higgins participated in a small youth art group from SKETCH Toronto’s culinary arts program. “It was not fundraising, it was not cooking. We just sat there talking about food. But wow! Their

energy … they are so powerful,” said Higgins. He says SKECTCH Toronto is a centre using art to help young people find a focus in life, and that “you can do carpentry, you can do floral decoration, you can do music, and they also have a food program as well.” “(Every time) they will cook for an evening. Maybe I bring them a chef if they missed one, but mostly I just give advice in different ways. I love the people who run this program. They are very creative. And I realized that they are not a bureaucracy; they don’t have a lot of blah blah blah. They just ... do some things,” said Higgins, who was not there to cook. He was excited for how food will bring the youth together to work out something, which made him very interested and more willing to spend his time on it. Tips for Constandse: • “Charity is not just giving your time, it is like a company, it’s about planning, preparation, hygiene, transparency, who are your targets and what they really need.” • “Work with the charities or join current volunteer callings.” John Seung Jae Lee and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Chef Lee has worked for charity for 10 years. His volunteer resume is lengthy: Gilda’s Club, United Way (Kids Cook to Care), Slow Food, Second Harvest, West End Parents Coop, Second Base Youth Shelter and a lot of one-off events over the years. What makes Chef Lee most proud is a cooking class he created at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for both recovering addiction clients and the inpatient youth department. His idea was to help children find a way to feed themselves when their parents were unable to do so. After the success of that program, he was then asked to take on the very challenging job of teaching youth groups who were suffering with serious mental health and personality issues, who had been admitted under 24-hour supervision. “I am still running this program and just started my third group. Only a few of the people from my original group have successfully applied and have become culinary students at GBC through the ACET (assistant cook extended training) program,” said Chef Lee. “When I see them thriving and enjoying food, I am always reminded of the importance of what food can do to affect the emotions of those who are empowered by it. The challenge of dealing with young adults struggling with mental health issues has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” Tips for Constandse: • “Just reach out and make an effort. No charity would be adverse to having a skilled professional on hand.” • “If you want to do the charity for your own satisfaction, it is not charity.”

SKETCH participants plate their creations at one of the organization’s events attended by Chef Higgins. PHOTO: SONYA REYNOLDS/SKETCH

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Jan. 5–25, 2015

Gender-neutral toys make more considerate gifts MAVERICK SMITH Pink items are for girls and blue ones are for boys, and dividing clothing and toys along these gendered colours is still a normal practice. However, interestingly enough, a hundred years ago the reverse was true, blue for girls and pink for boys. This concept of how gender colour connotations can change reveals that colour is not inherently linked to gender, but constructed by society as a gender stereotype. Understanding the socially-constructed nature of gender opens the door to the concept of gender-neutral toys, a concept that many Canadians should remember this holiday season. A photo that has circulated widely in recent weeks, believed to be from Lego manufacturers to customers stating that, “the urge to create is equally strong in all children. Boys and girls. It’s the imagination that counts. Not skill. You build whatever comes into your head, the way you want it. A bed or a truck. A dolls house or a spaceship. A lot of boys like dolls houses. They’re more human than spaceships. A lot of girls prefer spaceships. They’re more exciting than dolls houses. The most important thing is to put the right material in their hands and let them create whatever appeals to them.” Given how a cursory look at the chil-

dren’s section of department stores reveals items that are separated based on if they’re intended for girls or boys, it seems that people in this day and age have forgotten this kind of wisdom, wisdom being the correct word to describe these sentiments. Which toys a child plays with should not be pre-determined based on if they are assigned the gender of male or female by society. Girls may want to play with dinosaurs and tool sets while boys may want to play with dolls or Easy-Bake ovens. These realities reveal that it makes little sense to put toys into gender-based categories, and that it is better to create one category of toys for all children, freeing them from the rigid norms of society, and removing the artificial limits placed on their imaginations.

Which toys a child plays with should not be pre-determined based on if they are assigned the gender of male or female by society

In light of an investigation done by the Toronto Star about sexual assaults at Canadian post-secondary institutions, Ontario’s 24 public colleges have finally agreed to create sexual assault policies. The ongoing issue of sexual assault is very common in Canada, but it’s as if this issue is being viewed as new and that now is the right time to establish a policy. There is no right time to implement a policy that would protect students on campus; a policy should have been put in place a long time ago. In 2013, the Ontario Women’s Directorate and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities published a detailed, 46-page resource guide on developing a response to sexual violence for Ontario’s colleges and universities. The guide included a wide consultation of student organizations and experts in sexual violence prevention, including George Brown College’s own assaulted women’s and children’s counsellor advocate program. This report was published over a year ago and should have been used in drafting a college sexual assault policy.

How many more reports, guidelines, consultations and frameworks need to be developed? How many more courageous survivors have to come forward for the issue to finally be addressed? According to the Department of Justice Canada’s Factsheet on Dating Violence, published in 2003, on-campus sexual assaults usually occur within the first eight weeks of school. During orientation there needs to be a proactive education campaign done by the college on sexual violence. In addition to a visible education campaign, it should be addressed by faculty and included in course outlines during the first week of classes, as plagiarism and other policies are. The only mention of sexual assault in George Brown’s Prevention of Discrimination and Harassment Policy is buried in the definition of sexual harassment. It should be made more visible and accessible. Students need to know that if a sexual assault occurs that the college will believe them and something will be done to ensure their safety.

Letters and comments Email us at: dialog@georgebrown.ca

Editorial Cartoon SAM BULLIS ART DIRECTOR

THE TOP TOY FOR GIRLS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WAS A MIGHTY STEP FORWARD FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN WITH A WIDE RANGE OF STIMULATING AND EMPOWERED CAREER OPTIONS: - Sexy scientest - Sexy volleyball coach - Sexy dental hygienist - Sexy ambassador - Sexy accounts receivable clerk - Sexy c.f.o. - Sexy president - Sexy meter maid - Sexy proctologist - Sexy nuclear physicist

A sexual assault policy should already exist

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

Re: “International politics can ruin friendships”, Nov.17-30 I was surprised by this satirical article. The article beings saying there is misunderstanding between Ukrainians and Russians living in Canada about events overseas, and then continued by insulting Ukrainians! The joke did not translate well. Instead of sounding like the article was mocking contemporary Russian propaganda, it felt like the article was communicating something it actually wanted the reader to believe. The quote from Julia Babicheva is gross and offensive when she says, “I’ve never separated Russians and Ukrainians into two different nations, we all originate from the same country and I don’t see almost any cultural differences between (them)” Does it mean that Ukraine, Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, and other sovereign and independent countries should not exist because they had historically been occupied by Russia, and their native culture and languages were suppressed under Tsarist then Soviet Russian occupation?

Journalism should inform people, not tell them to look away. Ukrainian student Alona Pak was quoted in the article saying, “We don’t have evidence about these events, and we can only guess what is going on there. Russians and Ukrainians don’t need to prove who is right and who is wrong because we will never know the real truth.” Ignorance should be revealed. Yes, there is confusion is a war zone where people are dying. But the truth exists. In a free and democratic society, citizens should ask questions and should expect answers to eventually be provided. Yes, morality does not matter. “Russians and Ukrainians don’t need to prove who is right and who is wrong” because the person with the gun will survive and no one will comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Ludwik Antoniuk Sorry @DialogGBC but someones gotta say it, the Dec 6/VAW memorial article should have been front page… shame on you Cordelia @LowlifeLady

ARTS & LIFE

Jan. 5–25, 2015

A look ‘IN’side the future of the school of design Annual poster show doubles as a soft launch for new retail venture ANEESA MUSTAPHA STAFF REPORTER

On Nov. 27, George Brown College’s (GBC) school of design held it’s annual poster show, also acting as a soft launch for the new “IN” store opening. The poster show featured designs by second year graphic design students in the advertising and corporate programs. The students were each given a fictitious client, in this case a restaurant, and were to design a poster for the restaurant without resorting to clichés. “My poster is about the main dish served at a fine dining Greek restaurant, which is octopus and lemons,” said Marcus Farias, a second-year graphic design student. “I really wanted to incorporate food somehow but not make it like typical fine dining posters. There’s a lot depth in the poster design.” Each student’s poster was for sale dur-

ing the event for $40 each, with the proceeds going toward student bursaries and awards that they would be eligible to apply for in the future. “I am so excited that my poster is one of the few that sold,” said Victoria Little, a second year graphic design student. “I am super flattered, it’s a wonderful feeling and I feel very touched.” Along with the opportunity to have their work purchased, the posters were also judged by a panel of experts who chose six winning posters. 13 judges, all of whom are school of design alumni, chose six winners: Christopher Katende, Michael Shea, Kat Blade, Raymond Nayton, Ian S. Cant and Kristine Buerano, who was also awarded best in show. “I didn’t think it was going to happen, it’s really humbling and I’m really thankful that they chose me for that,” said Buerano. For the first time, the judges also awarded honourable mentions to four students who they felt deserved it. “The judging was so close this year because there were so many good pieces that we usually hand out six awards but we re-

ally need to give some honourable mentions for the great work done this year,” said Prof. Jerri Johnson. The event doubled as a soft launch for the school of design’s new store and e-magazine, called “IN.” The store, which is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., currently only carries the School of Design line, which reflects the needs of everyday students. According to special projects co-ordinator Lori Endes, she plans to increase the amount of products in the store and to carry products designed by students. “We wanted to create a retail venture where students could learn about entrepreneurship and (where) students could develop designs that could potentially sell,” said Endes. “We will hold competitions so students can submit designs, and the winning designs will be put on products.” The new e-magazine, which began as a class project, is part catalogue and part story content. The magazine will feature stories about staff, faculty and students as well as the products being produced at the school. The official launch of the IN store and e-magazine will take place on Jan. 21.

Left: Victoria Little excitedly shows off her recently sold poster, saying, “I am so excited that my poster is one of the few that sold but I am super flattered that it sold, it’s a wonderful feeling but I feel very touched.” Right: Visitors check out the new space and new products at the School of Design’s IN retail venture. Above Right: Winner Christopher Katende accepts an award for his work from professor Jerri Johnson. PHOTO:s ANEESA MUSTAPHA/THE DIALOG

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca 11

BUSINESS Jan. 5–25, 2015

Business program credits transferable Province-wide agreement allows business diploma students to transfer credits DORA LIU STAFF REPORTER

Business students are now able to transfer their credits from one institution to another. On Nov. 25, Ontario’s 24 colleges signed a new province-wide agreement that will recognize a student’s previous years’ credits when they switch from a business diploma program to the same program at a different college. “This is a breakthrough agreement among all colleges that will help eliminate duplication and cut costs for students,” said David Agnew, president of Seneca College and chair of Colleges Ontario. Colleges Ontario and the Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) said that this agreement applies to students in the accounting, business administration, human resources and

marketing programs. The transfer will be on a yearly basis, but business students who transfer at the end of their first or second year will receive full credit for their completed courses. “Not all colleges have exactly the same mix of courses or the same content in each course,” said Karen Horsman, manager of media relations and communications at Colleges Ontario. “The college-wide agreement for transfer at the end of each year of study is based on the premise that no matter what the mix of courses and content is, all colleges agreed that students will have met the same learning outcomes at the end of each year of the business program that the agreement applies to.” However, the full credit transfer may not be applied to past students. According to Horsman, “past students could possibly receive consideration on a case by case basis, and based on the policies of the receiving college,” which means for the previous students it would be an application not a transfer. All the transfer application procedures

differ from college to college and “students can apply to transfer under the Heads of Business (HOB) transfer agreement systemwide protocol through the Ontario Colleges Application Service (OCAS),” according to George Brown College (GBC); students are required to apply for advanced standing once they have begun the application process through OCAS. The application will then be routed to GBC and will follow its advanced standing process done by admissions at the college. To inquire about the HOB transfer agreement, and to review and discuss options, current GBC business students can contact Megan Carter, student solutions representative at megan.carter@georgebrown.ca, as well as visit GBC’s centre for business administration and support office. Students are also encouraged to contact the transfer advisors at other Ontario colleges and universities as the transfer may have a fee; for more information they can visit www.ontransfer.ca.

GBC given silver STARS sustainability rating YULIYA PRISYAZHNAYA STAFF REPORTER

George Brown College (GBC) was the first college in Ontario to receive a silver rating in the new second version of the Sustainability Tracking and Assessment Rating System (STARS), a self-reporting system that tracks their progress. “We are proud that George Brown College has obtained a silver rating in our first submission,” said Anne Sado, president of GBC in a press release. “The STARS submission process has enabled us to identify areas where the college is already a leader in terms of sustainability performance.” This year GBC received a 48.96 overall score for sustainability. The STARS system helps track how well colleges are doing in environmental, social and economic sustainability. Its version 2.0 allows GBC’s green team to perform curriculum sustainability audits thoroughly. GBC’s scorecard highlights the college’s rating. The college has received points for 84 per cent of its programs containing one learning outcome related to social, environmental and economic sustainability; for work done by diversity, equity and human rights; for its commitment to green building, design and construction through the Waterfront campus; and for innovative programs including the school of design’s interdisciplinary design strategy, the food innovation and research studio (FIRSt) and research in denturism for recycling wastes like dental acrylilc resin and non-clinical wax. The green team has been performing sustainability audits and gathering information for a year. Their main goal is to get a gold rating, according to Stephanie Foster, sustainability coordinator for the green team. With a new self-rating system in place it will be easier to know the where the weaknesses in sustainability lie and which areas at the college need improvement.

ILLUSTRATION: SAM BULLIS WITH ASSETS FROM ICONSMIND.COM CC BY 3.0

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

ARTS & LIFE

Jan. 5–25, 2015

Master Chef Bing Yao Qu demonstrates his technique for preparing perfect dumplings.

Recipe: Breakfast Quinoa Ingredients 1 cup quinoa, rinsed 1 cup whole milk 1 cup water 1/3 cup dried blueberries 1/3 cup dried cranberries 1/3 cup honey

Instructions In a medium saucepan add rinsed quinoa, water, and whole milk, bringing it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce to low heat and simmer it for about 15 minutes; then turn off the heat. With the lid on, let the quinoa sit for another five minutes, while loosening up the quinoa gently with a fork. In the same pot, add dried berries, walnuts, and honey, mixing it thoroughly with a spatula. Once that is done, it can be served making sure it’s warm.

PHOTO: DORA LIU/THE DIALOG

Chef Bing Yao Qu shows cooking skills

DORA LIU STAFF REPORTER

Everyone has their own comfort foods, but we are never too tired to taste some of the world’s delicacies. At George Brown College’s (GBC) chef school, chefs and students are never too tired to learn from the world’s masters. In late November, the head of the Shanghai Institute of Tourism’s master chef Bing Yao Qu, was invited to visit GBC as part of the Culinary Cities of the World—Shanghai celebration. Chef Qu’s first event was a dumpling making demonstration at St. James campus. He spent a few seconds chopping the

PHOTO: DORA LIU/THE DIALOG

mushrooms, chives, Chinese leeks and shrimps for stuffing. His diced ingredients were as fine and uniform as machine-made brunoise and the dumplings’ fresh wrappers were rolled smoothly and thinly. He then spent another few seconds sealing the dumplings’ edges with balanced pleats— his fingers working harmoniously like Glenn Gould playing the piano. The audience was amazed with his dumpling art, that the chefs and students never looked away. Chef John Higgins, director of the chef school, and Chef Jason Inniss, professor of the chef school and supervisor of The Café, were all paying attention to Chef Qu’s hands. Although they were not obligated to attend the event, they came by themselves to learn from the expert; Inniss used his smartphone to take pictures and videos, capturing every crucial step. Having worked in the culinary industry in China for over 40 years, Chef Qu is a true master. He has worked as a top chef in different high class hotels in Shanghai, and has also taught Chinese cuisine at the Shanghai Institute of Tourism for 17 years, so there is no doubt that he has culinary skills. For his first time visiting Canada he wasted no time learning from our chefs, going to markets, and examining our local ingre-

dients. Tasting and testing each ingredient carefully he reached the conclusion that, “most of the ingredients I needed were found here, and they are fresher and safer than in China. That is what we should learn.” Chef Qu’s second event was a gala dinner at the Chefs House, where he brought his secret recipes for Peking Duck and Chinese style foie gras to the menu. “This Peking Duck was made using the Guangdong cooking method to deal with the inner section. That will make the duck meat juicy but the skin still crispy,” said Chef Qu. When talking about his newly developed spicy and brittle foie gras he said, he uses Sichuan spices as the marinating ingredients, and that the foie gras would be sweet, sour, spicy and crispy. Tickets for the gala dinner were $95 per person, and the consensus was that the guests were very satisfied, although the menu didn’t include any dumpling dishes. “Oh yes, actually my profession is not making dumplings,” said Chef Qu. “I very seldom make dumplings, my profession is to make dishes.” Judging by the overwhelmingly positive reaction of the demonstration audience to his dumplings, it was surprising to learn that dumpling making is one of Chef Qu’s least important skills.

Renowned Chinese chef takes part in dumpling making demo at St. James

This recipe was provided by Wai Mei Wong, a student in the culinary skills chef training program who moved from Hong Kong to Canada in 2013. Wong has always enjoyed cooking Canton style food and in the past few years has found a great interest in exploring a diverse range of western ingredients and cooking techniques.

PHOTO: WAI MEI WONG

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca 13

LOVE & SEX Ladies first: A story about making the first move Lauren Raquel believes that women should take the initiative YULIYA PRISYAZHNAYA STAFF REPORTER

It’s a common trope in heterosexual relationships that the man has to make the first move. What happens when a man doesn’t approach a woman he is interested in or doesn’t make the first move? Should women just stand by and hope that “Mr. Right” will come to their doorstep? One student has her own story. “Many women today are expecting men to approach them, when men themselves know of this concept,” said Lauren Raquel, a special events planning student at George Brown College (GBC). “Men are beginning to feel pressured, when women are easily gliding through compliment after compliment.” Raquel also says that, “this is when the ideology of guys making the first move comes to an end,” and that now it’s the woman’s turn to make the first move or step if she is interested. Having met her boyfriend John at a mutual friend’s birthday, she said that “the moment I met him we connected instantly, it’s as if the stars were aligning.” After the party she could not stop thinking about him and instead of waiting for him to add her on Facebook, she decided to make the first move and add him. “This story gets even crazier,” said Raquel. “I already had John as a friend on Facebook, and this was when we began to speak.” They were very similar. They liked and enjoyed the same things, but there

were some obstacles to their relationship at the time. “John and I had a confusing path to our unfolding relationship,” said Raquel. “We were hooking up only when we were intoxicated, and even hooking up with other people (only me not him), but we knew we liked each other but we never officially said we were boyfriend and girlfriend.” They had never discussed what they felt for each other, but they knew. “I was beginning to get fed up with the hooking up and the confusion. We were stuck in some limbo where I did not know what to call him,” said Raquel, wondering if she should she call him her boyfriend, friends with benefits, or just a friend. She needed to know. In the summer of 2010, they went to the beach with friends. “We were alone together, and sober, and our friends were running around in the sand. John and I were just talking and cracking jokes,” said Raquel, who then made the first move. “I leaned in for a first ‘sober’ kiss.” As of today the couple has been together for four years. They live together, travel together, and even have a dog. Women can’t always expect the guy to read between the lines even when they can’t be any more affectionate. “We need that extra push to get things done, and done right,” said Raquel. “Women need to create a new ideology, that women need to make the first move as well.” Making the first move shows that women can get something out of any situation, even approaching Mr. Right. This account represents the perspective of one student and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of The Dialog.

Casey Mecija advocates for LGBTQ rights through art

PHOTO: ANEESA MUSTAPHA/THE DIALOG

Casey Mecija shows award winning film and performs at Queering the Waterfront ANEESA MUSTAPHA STAFF REPORTER

Lauren Raquel, a special events planning student PHOTO:YULIYA PRISYAZHNAYA/THE DIALOG

ARTS & LIFE

Jan. 5–25, 2015

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca

On Nov. 27, Casey Mecija visited George Brown College’s (GBC) Waterfront campus as a feature at the monthly Queering the Waterfront event. Mecija is an accomplished artist, community organizer, queer woman and advocate for LGBTQ rights. She is also the former lead singer and songwriter for the group Ohbijou, who are now pursuing individual careers. At the Queering the Waterfront event she showed a short film called “My Father, Francis,” which was her first solo venture into visual arts and short films, receiving the WIFTT award (Women in Film and Television in Toronto) at the Reel Asian International Film Festival in 2013. The film was also chosen to screen at the 2014 Inside Out LGBT Film Fes-

tival in Toronto. Mecija also displayed her singing abilities by performing her song “Balikbayan,” which in English refers to a box containing items sent overseas by Filipinos. Describing the song as being personal to her as a Filipino woman, she also said that “this song is about the struggles Filipinos go through to create a safe life for their families.” She says that it was important for her to come to GBC because of the work being done for the LGBTQ community. “I wanted to come to George Brown because I think this institution has a lot of great programming and organizing happening for the LGBTQ community and I have to support the efforts of the positive space program, it’s really important to me,” said Mecija. Queering the Waterfront is a monthly meet-up for LGBTQ students at George Brown taking place on the last Thursday of every month. For more from Mecija students can follow her on twitter at @CaseyMecija.

PUZZLES & FUN Jan. 5–25, 2015

Comics L.A. BONTÉ CARLETON UNIVERSITY

Puzzle

PAIGE WINKLE SPECIAL TO THE DIALOG

Sudoku

SOLUTION

ENN LAW: CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LAWYER Ekaterina Neouimina Juris Doctor To place an ad in our next issue, contact us at dialog@georgebrown.ca or (416) 415-5000 (ext. 2764). Colour ads and a variety of sizes are available.

W: www.ennlaw.com E: info@ennlaw.com T: 647-778-1104 401 Bay Street, Suite 1600 Toronto, ON, M5H 2Y4

- study permits - work permits - citizenship - express entry (by appointment only)

The Dialog • dialog.studentassociation.ca 15

TAKE OUR LOVE & SEX SURVEY! and see the sexy results in our Feb. 9 Love & Sex Issue. Visit dialog.studentassociation.ca to take the survey!