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studentassociation.ca April 12- April 25, 2012
News
2 April 12-April 25, 2012
The Dialog
Prayer room desecrated By Corrie Sakaluk Dialog Reporter
Melinda Scott, Director of Student Experience at George Brown College (GBC), and Cindy Brownlee, Director of Education and Equity at the Student Association of GBC have confirmed recent acts of vandalism of religious materials in the Quiet Reflection Room at St. James Campus recently. Little additional information about the incidents is known, as the security department at GBC did not respond to The Dialog’s requests for comments. Brownlee said that, to her knowl edge, the “Incidents are said to be under investigation” by security, and that she herself was made aware of them by Student Association campaigns staff. Brownlee’s staff reported to her that “Prayer mats were thrown in the garbage with holy books, and that the room was left purposely messy.” According to Scott “The Quiet Reflection Rooms are important components of George Brown’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for students, staff and faculty across the college. It was disappointing to learn that the St. James space was treated in a disrespectful manner, and this is something that the college takes very seriously.”
Brownlee said, “It deeply saddens me to see such an important place treated with such disrespect. The prayer room is a place of reflection and religious practice. Toronto is a vibrant mosaic of people and religions. I would have hoped that others could see and respect its significance and value”. Scott said that “In collaboration with the office of Diversity, Equity & Human Rights Services, we will be undertaking a process to solicit feedback from users of the Quiet Reflection Rooms which will serve to inform a review of the guidelines for the use of the rooms, an assessment of the design of the spaces, and the development of multi-faith programming”. Scott also pointed out that, in the meantime, “Guidelines for the use of the rooms are clearly posted and the spaces are monitored on an on-going basis by the staff of the welcome desks”. Moving forward, Brownlee says that the Student Association plans to get in touch with various religious clubs and groups on campus to create “A coalition of support to end these actions”. She encourages any students interested in becoming a part of this initiative to contact her directly at sadiredueq@georgebrown.ca
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Managing Editor: Mick Sweetman SA Publications and Communications Coordinator: Mick Sweetman Dialog Published by: Student Association of George Brown college George Brown College student newspaper
Dialog Reporters: Matt Del Biondi Contact in person or mail: Room E122 - Casa Loma 142 Kendal Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1M3 Tel: 416-415-5000 ext. 6386 Fax: 416-415-2491 sapccoord@georgebrown.ca
Jason Miller Corrie Sakaluk Maverick Smith
The Dialog newspaper is published by the Dialog Collective under the auspices of the Student Association of George Brown College. The collective is comprised of student editors and reporters and is responsible for the overall vision and direction of the Dialog newspaper, as it coincides with the larger vision of mission of the Student Association. The cost of producing a monthly newspaper is in part defrayed by advertising revenue and largely subsidized by the Student Association. Occasionally, some advertisers, products and services do not reflect the policies of the SA.
Opinions expressed in the Dialog are not necessarily those of the Dialog Collective, the Student Association of George Brown College, or its editorial staff. 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 gratefully accepted. We request that articles be submitted as digital copies in plain-text (TXT) or rich-text (RTF) format. Letters to the editor can be sent in an email message to sapccoord@georgebrown.ca. Images should be in EPS format as vector images or TIF format (Mac or PC). We request that you submit a hard copy of your work. Originals only please.
The Dialog
News
April 12- April 25, 2012 3
New Student Association leaders elected By Corrie Sakaluk Dialog Reporter
In May a new group of Executive and Board representatives will begin their terms at the Student Association. The New Executive Committee will be a follows: • Director of Education and Equity: Mohammad Ali Aumeer • Director of Internal Affairs: Julia Mackenzie • Director of Public Relations: Alistair Courtney • Director of Finance and Operations: Deydriger Mora • Director of Student Life and Campus Relations: Suzan Osman Board Positions that have been elected include: • Casa Loma Campus Director: Nicolas Kiriakou • St James Campus Director: Halley Requena-Silva • Ryerson Campus Director: Mackenzie Deane • Business Representative: Jason Monaghan • Art and Design Representative: Brock Macaulay • Hospitality and Culinary Arts Representative: Real Nompumelelo Kunene • Construction and Engineering Tech Representative: Aman Arora • Liberal Arts and Preparatory Studies Representative: Chris Bourque Several Board positions remain vacant and will be re-opened during a by-election in the fall. These positions are: Waterfront Campus Director, Community Services and ECE Representative, Health Sciences Representative, Board of Governors Representative and ESL and Immigrant Education Representative.
Director of Public Relations (elect) Alistair Courtney, along with unelected Liberal Arts and Preparatory Studies candidate Lichelle Wint, were both initially not approved as candidates for the election according to rules outlined in the nomination package. However, according to Chief Returning Officer (CRO) Jason To, both candidates appealed to the Stu dent Association Board for an exemption from the rules that made them initially ineligible, and they were both granted that exemption. Deputy Returning Officer (DRO) Christopher Hubbarde said that there were “Multiple candidates who submitted nomination packages but who, for varying reasons that were all outlined in the nomination packages, were not approved. There’s a whole bunch of criteria, such as GPA, getting the correct number of signatures and from people in your actual constituency, and so on, that prospective candidates have to meet to be approved”. Hubbarde said that he and the CRO “Were told that the exemptions were granted to Courtney and Wint by the Student Association staff who were present at the Board meeting”. In the future, it would likely make more sense to have Board minutes documenting these proceedings forwarded to the CRO by the Board Chair, and filed with all other elections records. Hubbarde said, “There’s not a lot of institutional memory for elections at George Brown”. He and CRO To “Are trying to leave things in better and more easy to access shape for whoever proceeds us”. They are preparing a full report of recommendation for the SA Board. When asked about key recommendations To says that top-of-the-list will be to have a longer timeline. “The election had to start as soon as we were hired,” he says. “A longer lead time would be beneficial to do more comprehensive marketing
and a more comprehensive review of elections policies. There were some modifications made, but not necessarily as thorough as would have ideally been the case.” DRO Hubbarde agreed, saying, “We didn’t have time to adjust or make existing policies better because when we were hired we had to start handing out nomination packages right away”. In terms of voter turnout, this year there were new strategies implemented to increase the number of votes cast, and they seemed to work. Quorum for the Executive positions was around 800 students (5% of SA membership, i.e. fulltime students), and approximately 1200 cast ballots. “We created incentives for people to vote”, Hubbarde explained. “If you voted you could enter a draw to win a prize. And we set up in strategic locations in different buildings to accommodate students who may not come to the main campuses. For instance, to reach Art and Design students we set up at the Young Centre, and to reach ECE students we set up at the Ryerson Campus”. Instead of debates there were three informal meet-andgreets held between candidates and students, which To said he hoped would have “Run more smoothly and been more exciting.” Again, he cites time constraints and also limited of resources as reasons why these events were not what he pictured in his head when first conceived. What did he wish for that he hopes might be the case next year? “A DJ, fun ethnic foods and excited candidates!” To exclaimed.
Director of Education and Equity: Mohammad Ali Aumeer
Director of Internal Affairs: Julia Mackenzie
Director of Public Relations: Alistair Courtney
Director of Finance & Operations: Deydriger Mora
Director of Student Life & Campus: Suzan Osman
News
4 April 12 - April 25, 2012
The Dialog
New sex work laws change profession In terms of life and liberty, sex workers can now legally operate out of common bawdy-houses. The laws regarding sex work have This greatly reduces the risk that changed in Ontario. The majorsex workers will be killed or inity of the five judges who sit on jured when plying their trade. In the Ontario Court of Appeal have terms of security, sex workers can upheld most of the rulings made also hire security as long as the relationship is not exploitive. In addition, people can live on the avails of prostitution as long as they are not in what the Ontario Court of Appeal called ‘circumstances of exploitation.’ This is good news for landlords, roommates, partners and dependants of sex workers. The final ruling surrounding the Charter was the issue of the communication provision. This would have allowed sex workers to solicit clients on the street and other public places which was * but was rejected 3-2. “I feel like a citizen,” explained Valerie Scott, one of the sex workers who brought forward the case. “It’s just so nice to see that we’re now For just $29.95, walk in with your taxes, walk out with your refund. Instantly. brought out into soYou’ll also get a free SPC Card to save big at your favourite retailers.* ciety.” The effects of the ruling will not be felt immediately. There is a thirty day window in which the decision can be challenged. The change we make regarding the laws taxes painle $$ surrounding common & free SPC Card* bawdy-houses will be delayed for a year so Follow us on Twitter and Facebook hrblock.ca | 800-HRBLOCK (472-5625) that new legislation can be written deal© 2012 H&R Block Canada, Inc. *$29.95 valid for regular student tax preparation only. Cash Back service included. To qualify for student pricing, student must present either (i) a T2202a documenting 4 or ing with this ‘new’ more months of full-time attendance at a college or university during 2011 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires July 31, 2012. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada. SPC Card offers valid from 08/01/11 to 07/31/12 at participating locations in Canada only. For Cardholder only. Offers may vary, restrictions may apply. Usage may be restricted when used in conjunction kind of business. with any other offer or retailer loyalty card discounts. Cannot be used towards the purchase of gift cards or certificates. By Maverick Smith Dialog Reporter
by Ontario Superior Court judge Susan Himel in 2010. That landmark ruling said that all three of the laws surrounding sex work infringe on the rights set out in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the life, liberty and security of person, the fundamental prin-
ciples of justice and the freedom of expression. The Ontario Court of Appeal agreed that two of these laws were unconstitutional and said that the remedy for these violations is a change regarding where and how sex workers can ply their trade.
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April 12-April 25, 2012 5
The federal budget we could have had By Corrie Sakaluk Dialog Reporter
The Harper Conservatives announced their new budget on March 29, and disappointment abounds. From the education sector to peace activists, from artists to social innovators, the response has been swift and unequivocal. Frustration and alarm are palpable in interviews and public statements being made across the country. According to the federal government’s website, it is “An economic action plan for jobs, growth, and long term prosperity” that aims to eliminate the deficit by 2015. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), one of the most respected social research engines in Canada, begs to differ. The CCPA designs an alternative budget each year to show how it is possible to make different choices. In the preamble to the Alternative Federal Budget 2012, it states, “The federal government is planning an unprecedented fis¬cal austerity budget, claiming that massive cuts to public sector jobs, services, and social programs are necessary to pave the way for jobs and growth. But in fact the opposite is true. Austerity programs weaken the economy, and their implementation in many European countries has tipped the EU back into recession, fuelled unemployment, and in¬creased their debts and deficits.” “There is a better way to make the federal budget work for the rest of us,” it reads. “ The Alternative Federal Budget proposes a sweeping anti-austerity agenda that will yield high returns, boost productivity, stimulate private investment, and cre¬ate high valueadded jobs in activities that improve living standards and reduce income inequality.” In a press release from March 29, the CCPA predicts that “Once the government’s three rounds of spending cuts are fully implemented, they will have resulted in a total of over 70,000
full-time job cuts (35,000 in the public sector and 37,000 in the private sector) and could raise the unemployment rate to 7.8%”. “This may be a 2012 budget but it’s got the 1930s written all over it,” says CCPA Senior Economist David Macdonald. “Federal austerity, combined with provincial austerity budgets, will create a fiscal drag on Canada’s economy. We are dismantling public programs and peeling back income supports such as Old Age Security without asking profitable corporations and the wealthy among us to do their part. We saw a similar story unfold in the 1930s and it didn’t end well. History is repeating itself.” Erika Shaker, Director of the Education Project for the CCPA, voiced an array of concerns for students and about how the lack of support for education in this budget will damage our society in the long run. “The social and economic returns on investment in education are significant, but the budget ignores this social engine, choosing to cut its way to prosperity, and downsize its way to employment gains. The irony is that we have considerable fiscal room to invest in education, training and intellectual infrastructure, and to assist the provinces, which have considerably less fiscal room to manoeuvre, meet the increasing demand for higher education and training.” “This budget could have gone a long way to bridging the growing divide between generations,” Shaker said. “Instead it reinforces a reality of young people adjusting their aspirations of what they are capable of downward, based on
the sad recognition of how little society is willing to invest in them”. Shaker points to the student strike in Quebec as an example of the frustration and social upheavals we can expect as austerity and lack of educational investment take effect. “High levels of student debt coupled with 14% youth unemployment, the negative impact of debt loads on future employment opportunities and standard of living indicators, incomes remaining stagnant for the past two decades, and household debt at record levels means that the burden of postsecondary education is greater than ever for families and prospective students. This reality is precisely what the massive student strike in Quebec is about.”
Tonya Surman, Executive Director of Toronto-based Centre for Social Innovation echoes some of the CCPA’s language around history repeating itself by asking “Will a 19th century budget really make Canada stronger?” In Surman’s view, that positioning Canada as merely a water and resource supplier is a “Narrow-minded, short-term view that enslaves Canada to responding to the whims and needs of the real global leaders”. She points to the Compendium for the Civic Economy and countries like Denmark, France and Britain as examples where “An innovation culture is being built inside government” and expresses dismay that our federal budget Continued Page 8
6 April 12- April 25, 2012
News
The Dialog
Student activists occupy Minister’s office
has missed this important fact in the Ontario NDP and MPP for fee increase in Ontario. Despite their deficit reduction strategy.” changes to the Ontario Student Hamilton Centre. “I’m prepared Dialog Reporter With only a minority Assistance Program (OSAP), for to actually take the time to actually On March 27, Ontarians watched government, the Liberals need engage people in a conversation every $1 made available to stuas Dalton McGuinty’s Liberals re- dents in financial aid, $1.42 was the cooperation of at least two about this budget.” vealed their new provincial budget. clawed back in higher tuition fees. other Members of Parliament from “A lot of people don’t Despite being our self-proclaimed Funding programs that have also outside their own party to pass the want an election, but many, many people think it’s worth having one “Education Premier” organizaproposed budget. The Conservabeen identified for elimination over this” Horwath said of consultions in the education sector seem tives have all committed to vote include: the Ontario Work Study less than pleased with what Mcagainst the budget soon after it tations so far. “We’ve received a Program, the Textbook and TechGuinty’s budget has to offer. wide range of responses, but one nology Grant, the Queen Elizabeth was released, potentially forcing thing is common: people don’t feel According to Student AssociaII Aiming for the Top Scholarship, an election if the Liberals cannot that this budget treats everyone tion of George Brown College’s the Ontario Trust for Student Sup- gain the support of the NDP. (SAGBC) Director of Education “Students hope to see the fairly.” port, the Ontario Special Bursary and Equity Cindy Brownlee “The Ontario tuition grant turned into a The Liberals, who are curProgram, the Fellowship for the so-called education premier has rently in power, are trying to paint Study in French, the Aird Scholar- tuition fee reduction to fulfill the once again left students with raisLiberal’s 2011 election promise,” any lack of support for the budget ship, the Sir John A. MacDonald ing fees and class sizes and dimin- Scholarship, and the Ontario-Que- said CFS-O’s Sandy Hudson. “We on behalf of the NDP as being unishing quality”. need the opposition parties to be reasonable or irresponsible, due to bec Exchange Scholarship. Brownlee said that this is “The Ontario 2012 budstrong advocates for an affordable, the fact that such a lack of support why on April 5, “Students from get further downloads costs onto accessible post-secondary educacould lead to another provincial across the GTA, union members students, contributes to a cumulation system and demand changes election only 6 months after the from CUPE and OPSEU, and last one. tive tuition fee increase of up to 71 to this budget.” concerned activists from all over per cent since 2006 and eliminates The NDP has engaged in At this point Ontario Ontario joined together and colgrants that help Ontario’s poora public consultation strategy in Finance Minister Dwight Duncan lectively told Minister Murray est students,” said Sandy Hudwhich they have set up a toll-free has said “We have differences of enough, business cannot continue hotline and website to get feedopinion on a variety of issues, but son, chairperson of the Canadian as usual.” Federation of Students-Ontario back from voters about the prothe NDP are being responsible. This group of education (CFS-O). “Dalton McGuinty conposed budget. They report to have Unlike the Tories, they don’t want advocates also included a group tinues to betray students through heard from over 30,000 Ontarians to force an election.” known as Ontario and Quebec schemes, tuition fee increases and as of April 4. Duncan said the Liberals “I’m not drawing lines in consider an election “UnnecesStudents for a Free Education, and cuts to accessibility programs.” together they peacefully occupied “If you look behind the the sand and I’m not making knee- sary” and the wrong direction to the constituency offices of Glen numbers in the budget, the govjerk reactions like others have”, go in. “Most Ontarians don’t want ernment is providing less money an election,” he said. Murray, Minister of Training, said Andrea Horwath, Leader of Colleges and Universities from 11 to universities than recommended by a.m. until 5 p.m. At $6,640 for undergraduDon Drummond,” ate and $7,578 for graduate stusaid Constance Addents, tuition fees in Ontario are amson, President of already the highest in Canada. The Ontario ConfedStudents in Ontario currently owe eration of University a collective $9 billion in student Faculty Associations (OCUFA), which repdebt to the provincial and federal resents 17,000 memgovernments. Ontario also has the lowest per student funding bers in 27 faculty in Canada. At $10,222, Ontario associations across spends $3,500 less per student on Ontario “This leaves post-secondary education than the universities with $46 Canadian median and $15,000 less million less funding per student than Alberta, the prov- than even Drummond recommended. ince with the highest per student funding. University education is one of the best The Ontario government investments a govnow plans a $121 million cut in ernment can make to post-secondary education funding promote economic while increasing tuition fees by an average of 5% province-wide, growth. It is too bad that the government Students rally at Glen Murray’s office April 5, 2012 Photo: RSU / Brodie Metcalfe the seventh consecutive tuition By Corrie Sakaluk
7 April 12-April 25, 2012
News
The Dialog
Spirit of Quebec student strike hits Ontario By Jason Miller Dialog Reporter
Quebec students have been protesting the proposed $1,625 raise in tuition over the next five years. They want it to be scrapped and alternate measures be found to fund the deficit in the universities. Currently Quebec has the lowest tuition cost out of any Canadian province with an average of $2,272 per year according to Stats Canada compared to Ontario which pays over double that at $5,951 a year. However despite the low tuition costs, students feel that it is unfair to raise tuition which could force some students to consider other educational options. On March 7, the protest became violent as Riot Police removed the students and tear gas was used to disperse them from the area. Students were blocking the offices for the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ). One student was hit with a stun grenade at point blank range and had to be rushed to the hospital. There is a good chance that he will lose his vision in one eye.
While the act of protesting is great to see it is having mixed emotions at George Brown College. “I think that is great that it is happening,” Cindy Brownlee, George Brown’s Student Association’s Director of Education and Equity said. “Students are standing up for themselves and for the quality of education, but I also feel that it is unfortunate that it has to happen that way.” The tuition fee increase will raise the tuition about 75 per cent over the five years, which would still be lower than the average amount Ontario students pay. “To compare to Ontario where the situation is arguably much worse, there are reasons why we are not able to do what Quebec is doing,” Brownlee said. “Quebec has a good legislation in place that students have the right to organize and protest what their University or CGEP is doing without fearing any re-precautions. Ontario students do not have that same right.” Brownlee also feels that the Quebec and Ontario post-secondary students attitudes differ.
“Missing a day in class in Quebec is a lot cheaper, their entire tuition is around $2,000 so it is not a huge financial deal if you have to take the class again,” she said. “In Ontario it would be double that amount.” Brownlee feels that it is possible for students in Ontario to start becoming more aggressive in their protests because students are in a worse position. “It is definitely possible, recently a group of students and union members staged a sit in the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities which shut down the offices for a full eight hours basically with a message that business cannot continue as usual,” she said. “I would not be surprised if that starts happening all over the place so the government has to take notice. Is it going to get to the point where people are throwing bricks through windows? I don’t know, but it is certainly all the ingredients for the perfect storm.” Brownlee feels that with the continued push to lower tuition fees and make then fair for everyone will stay strong as a political
campaign. “In the last election every party had something to say about education.” she said. The protests in Quebec affect students in Ontario as well with a chain reaction. “Quebec is a model for accessible education and to lose that and have Quebec fall in line with the rest of the country and slowly privative education would not be good for Ontario students,” she said. “Students have to support what is happening in Quebec if we do not want our situation to get worse. If you lose the model you have nothing to go by.” There are many different ways you can get involved and help fight the rise in tuition fees. You can send a letter to a newspaper editor, make an appointment to see your MPP, or volunteer at the George Brown Student Association Office. Visit your closest one at Casa Loma or St. James campus or e-mail sabiredueq@georgebrown. ca
Students in Quebec have been on strike for two months protesting a 75 per cent hike in tuition. Photo: Hera Chan / The McGill Daily
News
8 April 12 - April 25, 2012
Federal budget cont.
lic consultation and environmental review process for resource projects, and clamping down on “Only recognizes two sectors in political advocacy and ‘foreign our country – the private sector donors’ in our charitable sector”. and government itself.” While the Canada Council “Where are citizens for the Arts and national museums and the collective citizen voices and galleries did not receive any of communities – the non-profit funding reductions, other cultural sector?” Surman asks. “Here we are with 7% of the GDP, with two institutions central to democratic discourse and the dissemination million employees, with millions of information have received cuts. of volunteers and with our values deeply rooted in improving public The CBC has been cut by 10% ($115 million) over three years, outcomes. Here we are, a sector willing to adapt, to learn, to inno- Telefilm’s budget is being cut by $10.6 million, and the National vate, to help make Canada better. Film Board is being cut by $6.7 Where are we in the budget?” She says that this budget is million. The Department of Cana“Missing the opportunity of social dian Heritage’s operating base of $2.8 billion has been cut by 6.9%. innovation to drive jobs and the The Canadian Peace Allieconomy... to generate and down- ance (CPA) draws attention to the stream jobs and wealth for Canapossibilities for investment that dians.” we could enjoy in Canada if less Surman is also alarmed at money was allocated for war and this budget’s “Restricting of pub-
The Dialog occupation. Defence Minister Peter MacKay has come under fire and even faced demands for his resignation from the Opposition as the increased cost of ten billion dollars for the purchase of fighter jets has become known to the Canadian public, a fact MacKay admits becoming aware of two years ago. “The cost of one F35 jet”, the CPA calculates, “Could pay to hire 1,400 nurses in Canada for a year. A contribution of one-sixth of the cost of the F35s or onefifth of the annual defence budget could provide free tuition to all post secondary students across the country for a year. Two billion dollars alone would retrofit all homes in Alberta needing energy efficiency upgrades, lowering emissions, and creating up to 22,000 direct and indirect jobs.” Statements by the CPA go
on to say that the budget “Shows an increase in military spending to a total of more than $20 billion for the year 2012” and that “Despite claims that the Harper government will be reducing military spending, the reality is that this reduction is simply a small haircut of $1.1 billion off of a massive structural budget increase as outlined by the Canada First Defence Strategy which calls for almost a half trillion dollars in spending by 2025.” Unfortunately, despite this wave of concern and discontent, the budget will be moving forward as planned due to the Conservative majority in Parliament. They do not require the cooperation of other parties to approve the budget and so the Canadian public is left being to cope with their decisions and dangerous social experiments.
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The Dialog
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April 12- April 25, 2012 9
Public finds Enviropig unappetizing By Maverick Smith Dialog Reporter
The idea of genetically modified (GM) anything, much less animals is still disturbing to many. This public fear regarding the safety of GM animals is the reason that a project being carried out at the University of Guelph to create a pig with less-polluting manure has been suspended, perhaps indefinitely. Carried out in the name of science, the project entailed taking mouse DNA and E.coli bacteria then incorporating them into the DNA of a Yorkshire pig. The result was an “Envriopig TM”, an end result that is protected by a patent, similar to other genetically modified organisms.
According to the University of Guelph website, this reason for the creation of this patented pig was to protect the environment. To quote from the website, “The low phosphorus manure from Enviropigs TM has a reduced environmental impact in areas where soil phosphorus exceeds desirable levels.” The results from the project are two-fold. By breaking down some indigestible feedstock that pigs eat, it makes the pig feed stretch farther, therefore reducing costs. Also, since the phosphorusladen manure from non-genetically modified pigs is a major cause of pollution as it eventually ends up in water, this genetically modified
patented pig “Reduces the potential of water pollution.” However, for potential consumers the fears of genetically modified pigs outweighed the benefits. For the researchers, this was a real tragedy. “I had the feeling in seven or eight or nine years that transgenic animals probably would be acceptable [after the first pig was created in 1999]. But I was wrong” reflects Cecil Forsberg, an emeritus professor of molecular and cellular biology at the university. Still, he has hope for the future, saying: “It’s time to stop the program until the rest of the world catches up. And it is going to catch up.”
Because the rest of the globe has yet to ‘catch up’ to the reality of genetically modified animals, the University of Guelph was unable to find any buyer for Enviropig TM despite the fact that it had been approved for reproduction in 2010. This was probably due to the fact that no government anywhere in the world has approved Enviropig TM as safe to eat or decided that it would become available to be sold commercially. The death knell for the Enviropig TM was when Ontario Pork pulled their funding. This funding had kept the project afloat for more than a decade. For activists, however this was a victory.
Sports
It is only a matter of time before every varsity athlete will leave the sport they love from a school they have called home. It is a tough time for many athletes who have dedicated their entire post-secondary lives to their sport have to say goodbye. But it does not mean that they will not be part of the sport again. Varsity athletes often cannot say goodbye to the sport that has given them so much and look to help future athletes develop and enjoy the sport they did as well. Albert Da Silva who is currently the Intramural Coordinator at Casa Loma campus used to wear the huskies blue and white. He has enjoyed his time at George Brown so much he knew once he graduated school he wanted to continue to be a part of the husky-nation. “It is like a family here,” referring to the athletics department and athletes. “I knew that once I graduated I wanted to return to the school.” That he did and has worked at the athletics department for over 20 years at almost every position within athletics including men’s and women’s basketball head coach. Da Silva was part of the Men’s Basketball team that won the 1975 OCAA gold medal, the first one for the team. Now another OCAA gold medalist in Badminton and decorated athlete, Dayvon Reid is graduating in the spring after four years with the huskies. He recently took home OCAA Male Badminton Player of the year. However it is not the end of his time with badminton, he has also previously played for the Jamaican Junior National team and wishes to continue to give back to a sport he has seen so much success in. Women’s Basketball player Marika Philips who won bronze OCAA bronze with the team will also graduate from the huskies and is upset that her time is already up.
Reporters play a key role in our student community. They gather information and prepare stories for our student publications and inform us about newsworthy events and happenings in our community. They present factual information on current issues and report on the actions of public officials, executives, and others who exercise power. We are currently looking for motivated students with a passion for storytelling to join our team. Please send a cover letter, resume and a sample of your writing to us at: sapccoord@georgebrown.ca
Tell McGuinty: YOU CAN’T CUT YOUR WAY TO PROSPERITY s
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Dialog Reporter
“I don’t even know what I will do,” Philips said. “I am going to miss it so much.” Even though they may be upset they are excited for the challenges ahead of them. Men’s basketball player Nana Ntim is also graduating in the spring and will miss the sport but for other reasons as well. ““I love basketball, and it kept me disciplined,” Ntim said in an interview with the Bradford Times. He graduated from civil engineering and is contemplating attending university in the fall. For now though he will finish up his time at George Brown and look into what is next for him. While teammate Brett Thomas has only played two years and is looking for to move on and make money. However he is not ruling out basketball down the road. “I still have three years of eligibility left,” Thomas said. “I plan on staying in shape so if I ever want to play college ball I will be prepared.” Graduating athletes have a bitter sweet feeling, they spend so much time with teams, coaches and athletic staff and are happy to complete their main goal of graduating but leave a sport and team behind. George Brown has a very close athletic community and for players to leave after their time can be tough because it has become such an important part of their lives. George Brown athletics prides itself on its small feel in a big college, and when all the graduating athletes finish their final regular season game flowers and a snap shot of them in action was presented to them to acknowledge their commitment to the sport. While in the fall the college will welcome a new batch of athletes there is always a special spot for those that have come and gone. As well George Brown hosts varsity versus alumni games to keep in contact with graduates and connect with them even after their time with the huskies.
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By Jason Miller
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Once a Husky always one
April 12 - April 25, 2012 10
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DAY OF ACTION
AGAINST CUTS April 21, 2012 – 3:00 to 5:00 pm Queen’s Park, Toronto (College St & University Ave) For information & endorsements, visit: Facebook: http://on.fb.me/A21NoCuts Promote the rally online: Twitter Hashtag: #A21NoCuts
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Clubs
11 April 12 - April 25, 2012
The Dialog
Student Association clubs list
Anime Vortex tsuko_kamonosuke@hotmail.com
Fine Dining ong_ray17@hotmail.com
Hakuna Matata lizbeth_lascano@hotmail.com
Power to Change p2c.gbc@gmail.com
Bachelor of Applied Business bab.association@gmail.com
Food & Beverage Club gbcFandB@hotmail.ca
Hillel @ George Brown gonialter@gmail.com
Bachelor of Business Hospitality Student Club (BABHS) Ahmad wafaahmad89@gmail.com
First Generation Club yuriy_ilyin@rogers.com
HIM Student Association hthande@georgebrown.ca
Professional Networking for the Construction Industry cgraystone@gmail.com
Game Developers Club gamedevsclub@gmail.com
Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure events.htlconnects@gmail.com
GBC Wine Tasting Association mandyschnurr@gmail.com
I Run T.O Club iruntoclothing@gmail.com
GBC Construction Professionals candaceharris_mk@hotmail.com
International Networking Club ddaswani@georgebrown.ca
George Brown Ski & Snowboard gbcskiandsnowboardclub@hotmail.ca
Mosaic Diversity Club urintosh2dani@yahoo.com
Grape Vinez rita.huynh@gmail.com
Muslim Student Association hahmadi@georgebrown.ca
Canadian Association Food Service Professionals atucker6@georgebrown.ca Canadian Nursing Student’s Association kathleen.kerr123@gmail.com Career Counselling Study Club (CCPC) Kipros1@gmail.com Cultural Connection Club yvonnecasey@rogers.com
Self Defense Club ugo.sibeudu@gmail.com South Asian Student Alliance shoaib1992@live.com Students for Non-Violence cgraystone@gmail.com Team Jamaica jessica.holder@hotmail.com The Gospel GBC staceyannneil@live.com
George Brown Chef School students Hee Moon Lee and Brandon Sibbick took top honours, while Jason Poon won the People’s Choice award for their breakfast-based creations at the third annual MINOR’S® Student Competition sponsored by Nestlé Professional on March 6, 2012. Held at the Adelaide campus of George Brown College, the competition challenged students to develop a unique breakfast dish. Contestants had fun experimenting to create unique and delicious breakfast entrees. The first and second year students competed for funds to be applied against their tuition. SECOND YEAR STUDENTS: 3rd Prize ($500): Corinne Bos 2nd Prize ($750): Youri Kim 1st Prize ($1,000): Hee Moon Lee
FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: 3rd Prize ($500): Alex Barton 2nd Prize ($750): Da In Jang 1st Prize ($1,000): Brandon Sibbick
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD: $400 (And a gift card from Student Association) – Jason Poon