The Money Issue by The Link Newspaper

VOLUME 42, ISSUE 02 November 2021 thelinknewspaper.ca

THE MONEY ISSUE

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WEEKLY PITCH MEETINGS TUESDAYS 5:30 P.M. ON ZOOM thelinknewspaper.ca

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VOLUME 42, ISSUE 2

Table of Contents

THE MONEY ISSUE

ANTI-CAPITALIST CROSSWORD

EDITORIAL A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

AFFORDABLE MEAL RECIPES

QUEBEC’S ECONOMIC GROWTH DURING COVID-19

WHAT YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE SCRIPT SAYS ABOUT YOU

THE SOCIAL TABOO OF DISCUSSING SALARIES

HOW ARTISTS CHOOSE TO MONETIZE THEIR ART

HOCKEY IS EXPENSIVE

CHEAP WINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

FICTION: GILDED BUTTERFLIES

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON TEXTBOOKS

POETRY: MY STUDENT OPUS CARD WILL PUT MY THERAPIST OUT OF BUSINESS

PERSONAL ESSAY: UNIVERSITY IS A LUXURY THAT MANY POOR STUDENTS CAN’T AFFORD

THE LIMITATIONS OF ARTS FUNDING PROGRAMS

PLAYLIST: MONEY MOVES

COMIC: FANTA

DUMPSTER DIVING IN MONTREAL

“Honey, The Link is downtown.” since 1980

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CROSSWORD

Capitalism? More like crapitalism Capitalism? More like crapitalism Crossword by Sophie Dufresne / Graphic Joey Bruce

2 3

4 5 6

10 11

Across 2. a gender-neutral title leftists use 7. marx's sugar daddy 8. a theory for a taxing system based on delusion and lies 9. a misleading name for a cruel economic system 10. a fundamental characteristic of capitalism (noun) 11. also known as the spectre haunting Europe Answers on page 17, don’t cheat ;)

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Down 1. the awareness that one is a cog in the machine of capitalism 3. a capitalist dystopia our southern neighbours mistake for a patriotic mantra 4. a french word many people misspell 5. rich white dude who went to space 6. a person who acquired a large sum of money

EDITORIAL

Editorial: Money is a crucial denominator for most people in the world. The desire to achieve financial stability affects nearly every crevice of our lives, from the quality of food we eat, to our living spaces and conditions, our mental health, and even the roles we take on in society. As students, money also affects our grades, how much of ourselves we dedicate to studies, what textbooks we can afford, where we can study, and what resources we have access to. We go through a lot of stress in our day-to-day lives, and financial instability only adds to that. Even a single night can have major consequences, leaving you feeling like all your hard work has gone to waste. Simply put, we try juggling so many things at once that we can’t always afford to dedicate ourselves to one thing in particular. We have our course loads, internships, side jobs, hobbies, and other commitments that make it nearly impossible to be financially stable, let alone comfortable. The Money Issue aims to reveal the many struggles we go through during our degrees, and how they all relate to money. Simultaneously, this issue will provide Concordia’s community with tips, recipes, and hopefully the motivation to finish our semester in one piece. With any luck, this issue will give us all a sense of relatability, and, maybe, we’ll realize that a lot of our individual problems are really the struggles of our demographic. Between midterms and finals, we’re all going through it one way or another. In this magazine, we critique the socio-political systems that have brought us to a point where we’d need five roommates in a three and a half to afford rent, while also poking fun at our situations. As an advocacy publication, The Link aims to highlight the needs of local communities— especially in terms of financial needs. We cover textbook accessibility, financial aid, food accessibility, and the many consequences of living below the poverty line. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there, and sure enough, we have capitalism to thank for it. As a publication, we seek to uncover how money and economics have contributed to the thin line that separates power from poverty, as well as the effects of this duality. Thus, in this issue, we highlight communities in Montreal that are seeking alternative methods to save money. Take a page out of this magazine and save a buck! You can thank us later.

Graphic Emma McSharry

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Affordable meals for the soul Taking it one meal at a time by Gabriela Vasquez-Rondon

Minute ramen reinvented Every student, whether they still live at home or on their own, has crossed paths with a pack of instant noodles. It could’ve happened on a late night study session or even in-between mid-afternoon classes. Whatever the context, we’ve all been there. Although there’s nothing wrong with a half-seasoned soupy ramen, here’s a recipe that’ll leave you full and content in no time. You will need: - Instant noodles - Green onions, plus whatever veggies you have in your fridge - One onion - More garlic cloves than you think necessary - Soy sauce - Teriyaki sauce - Tofu - As many spices as your little heart desires. This recipe uses paprika, curcuma, cumin, and your regular salt and pepper combo

Photos Stella Mazurek

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Step one Prepping is key when you want to cook efficiently, so wash and chop all of your vegetables and tofu before actually cooking anything. Step two Take out a pan and turn your stove to medium heat. Let it warm up then pour a generous amount of olive oil in the pan. Add the onion and garlic and wait for them to turn golden brown. Step three Turn the stove on low heat then add in the tofu—which should be cut into little cubes—and mix in all of your spices until the tofu is golden. Add olive oil to the tofu while mixing in the spices so they blend better. You can then add whatever veggies you’d like. Cover for 20 minutes until the tofu is chewy. Step four While the tofu cooks, boil water to cook the noodles. You can add the seasoning pack that comes with the noodles. Keep some of the noodle water for later. Step five When the tofu is toasty and golden, add the noodles, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce. The amount is up to your preference, but the mixture will most likely be thick and highly concentrated in flavour. Add some of the water you kept, until the texture and flavour is to your liking, then let it simmer until it’s no longer watery. Add the green onions, and voilà! You just made yourself a portion of noodles that’ll make your study session a bit less painful, one bite at a time.

STUDENT LIFE

Simplest chicken dish ever One often forgets that cooking meat is not as time consuming as it seems. This recipe should take less than 30 minutes to make—which is perfect for when you’re hungry and can’t be bothered to prep extensively. Step one Like the ramen recipe, take out a pan and turn your stovetop to medium heat. Let it warm up, then pour a generous amount of olive oil in the pan. Add your onion and garlic—leave a small amount to the side—and wait for them to turn golden brown.

You will need:

Step two While the onion and garlic fry, prep the chicken with all of the spices. It’s a process I prefer to do by hand on the cutting board, since it’s easier to blend the spices with the chicken. Dice the tomato and green onions and set aside. Lower the stove heat, place the chicken in the pan, and oil it up! Add the tomato and green onions when you feel like it, depending on how cooked you want them.

- One tomato

Step three Take out a pot and turn on the stove to high heat. Add a bit of olive oil and the garlic and onion leftovers you left on the side earlier, green onions can also be incorporated. You’ll have to be quick because the ingredients will cook rapidly. Before the onion and garlic darken completely, pour one cup of water and half a cup of rice in the pot. Let simmer until the water evaporates completely. Add a bit of olive oil so the rice doesn’t ball-up.

- Whatever cut of chicken that was on sale that day

- One onion and once again, more garlic cloves you’d expect - Curcuma, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper - Green onions - Half a cup of rice

Step four Be mindful of the cooking process of both the chicken and rice. The rice should be fully cooked before the chicken, and don’t forget to turn the meat over so it cooks evenly. Eat up! You can find more affordable and time efficient recipes on The Link website. NOV EMBER 2021

Quebec’s COVID-19 economy: An advantage for larger industries Quebec’s biggest industrial sectors flourish in the midst of a global crisis

by Eric Pahmer Graphic Nanor Froundjian

lthough certain sectors of Quebec’s economy remain battered from the pandemic, many were able not only to survive, but to become stronger. Each of the following industries, through their size, savvy, and indispensable natures, emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever. Insurance According to Canadian Underwriter, the insurance industry’s net income grew by 54.73 per cent last year, expanding from about $3.9 billion in 2019 to $6 billion in 2020. Certain claims, like those related to accidents or car trouble, decreased, but premiums have stayed the same or increased. This means that companies have paid out less money, while collecting the same profits. When it came to types of insurance where the risk of payout was higher, so were the prices. Health and property claims rose, but insurance companies hiked their premiums, keeping them from losing money as victims of the pandemic demanded their due. The insurance industry is diverse, and rare are the companies that specialize exclusively in only one type of insurance. Thus, the profitable divisions of companies can help the struggling ones stay afloat. In a context where people are at an increased risk of losing their jobs, health, or businesses, insurance is an essential service. Thus, companies can very confidently extract more money from their consumers. Although customers can and do complain, they still have to buy the product.

Telecom Although reporting lower profits during the pandemic, Canada’s telecom giants have all benefited from advantageous government stipends and favourable legislation. In 2021, most are performing at full capacity. In fact, Canada’s Big Three—Bell Media, Rogers, and Telus—all report significant growth. Currently, the profit margins for Canadian cell phone plans are among the highest in the world. Around 40 per cent of a Canadian’s phone bill goes straight to the company. In most countries, that percentage is closer to 20. These margins come on top of already heightened prices. Because Canada has a very low population density over such a large land mass, building infrastructure in many of the country’s more remote areas is an expensive endeavor. During the pandemic, the government has decided to address the problem by heavily investing in infrastructure, essentially helping telecom companies reach new consumer segments that might have previously been too expensive to invest in. The government has allocated close to $7 billion, entrusting Canada’s largest telecom companies with bridging this rural-urban gap. Although most of Canada’s population lives in cities, many people in remote areas, such as Indigeneous communities or farmers, are neglected when it comes to internet and cell service. Notably, the Yukon has the slowest internet download speeds in the country, while also paying much

NEWS

more than anyone in the major cities. For comparison, a Montreal resident can get an unlimited internet package for around $60, while a similar package would cost about three times that amount for a Yukoner. Banks Banks have also reported growth since the start of the pandemic. Given that Canada’s top five businesses are banks or financial firms, it is no surprise that the sector was quick to recover, standing five per cent taller than it did in February 2020. The government also instituted the insured mortgage purchase program, which helped struggling Canadians pay back their loans. “Government programs really helped people and businesses keep their heads above water,” said Hélène Bégin, an economist for Desjardins. “We actually saw bankruptcies go down.” Although banks report that more customers were trying to take out loans and defer payments, they report higher profits, notably at the cost of mass layoffs in the pandemic’s early days. Real estate Sales, demand, and prices have continued to soar. This trend precedes the pandemic, but has been heavily exacerbated by it. Montreal’s vacancy rate currently sits at a stark 2.1 per cent, on par with similar situations in Toronto and VanNOV EMBER 2021

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couver. In Montreal, rental prices have risen for both industrial and residential spaces. However, the real estate market outside of the city has also seen a boom. People who were able to work from home are likely to make more money than those who don’t. “A lot of people actually managed to save money,” said Bégin. Many decided to move, or purchase another home, driving up sales in the suburbs. Further out, Quebec’s regions have also seen a spike of Montrealers involved in their real estate markets. The injection of more homes into the market has also stagnated. As demand for housing increased during the pandemic, people were willing to pay much more than usual. “Poor management of demand led to an accelerated surge in prices,” wrote the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers in a recent report. Construction The pandemic has been seen by some as a time to catch up to Quebec’s housing deficit, and the construction industry is thriving. 2020 was the sector’s best year since 2014. In fact, 2020 saw the most new home builds being started in Quebec since the 1980s. Notably, Mayor Valérie Plante has also committed to building more social housing. In one measure, the city would force developers to include social housing in any new construction project over a certain size lest they face a fine. Whether the program would apply Montreal-wide is undecided. In a separate measure, almost $80 million has also been allocated to building new affordable housing. However, obstacles such as rising construction prices and the current labour shortages have caused significant delays in both the public and private sectors. The construction industry is doing well, but customers may have to wait to reap the rewards.

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STUDENT LIFE

What your customer service script says about you Astrology, but for minimum wage workers by Sheena Macmillan Graphic Emma McSharry

“Oh, hi! How can I help you?” You pitch your voice at least three octaves higher when serving customers, effortlessly transitioning between your regular voice and this soft, airy iteration when someone walks through the door. You keep a clean distinction between your work and your life, and keep co-workers at arm’s length. You’re a worker of mystery. “Hello! How’s it going? Were you looking for something specific today?” You’re an eager extrovert who genuinely enjoys helping out nice customers. As soon as you make eye contact with them, you’re at their service. Working alone in a boutique might not be the best fit for you, but at least there’s a steady stream of customers to keep you occupied. “Bonjour, hi. Suivant, next.” Existence is pain when you work in fast food. The never ending rolodex of hungry customers would get on anyone’s nerves, but with your all-star team of coworkers, you can face anything. Remember to lean on your work friends, and discuss your salaries. “Si vous remplissez le sondage sur le reçu, vous courez la chance de gagner $1,000 en carte-cadeaux.” You are a broken record, and the only song you play is about the benefits of joining your employer’s loyalty program. Try putting your talents to use in other avenues. Maybe a career in music is the next move!

“Yes, the vegetarian meal does not have meat in it.” You’re used to answering obvious questions. If you’re up for a change, consider going into elementary education. Find out the answer to the classic question, “Why?” “Did anyone help you today?” If the answer is no, you put down your work friend’s name, as you should! You’re a team player who always looks out for their friends. You’re an honest shift lead who lets people leave early instead of making up tasks to keep everyone busy until the end of the night. “Sorry, that’s not my department.” The anthem of the big box store worker. You’re great at what you know, but as soon as you step out of that box, you’re a fish out of water. Your foundation is strong, so now it’s time to branch out. Knowledge is power. Find yourself wondering what the heck goes on in different departments? It’s time to give in that department transfer form. *Unrelenting eye contact* You’re tired of speaking, so you let your eyes do the talking. You trust that if someone needs something, they’ll reach out for help. We’re all adults, after all. Despite your silence at work, words of affirmation are your primary love language.

@seenamac

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The social taboo of discussing salaries: should salaries be disclosed? Women’s studies professor, librarian, and trans rights advocate agree that employers should be more transparent about salary by Sophie Dufresne Professor Chantal Maillé, who has taught women’s studies at Concordia since 1989, explained that unequal pay between men and women only became illegal in 1976 thanks to the work of feminists who uncovered the truth behind gender wage gaps. These feminists, more radical than their predecessors, were more successful in gaining equal rights with men. They were; however, largely composed of cisgender, white, middle-class, highly educated women. Disparities between classes and ethnicities are still ongoing today, as well as disparities between cisgender and transgender people. “Today, it is clear that there are still gaps in salaries, but these gaps are not only based on gender. They are even more complex,” said Maillé. “If you are using an intersectional lens, you know that you have to look beyond gender categories because they only give averages.” “Clearly, what these companies are doing is that they’re making sure that employees—by not discussing their salaries—do not become aware that there might be gaps, or that there might be discrimination,” said Maillé. To illustrate her point, the professor summarized a study conducted by women journalists for Radio-Canada in 2004. In this study, they discovered the highest salary attributed to women in Radio-Canada was equal to the lowest salary attributed to men working in the same field. This discrepancy was partly due to how the journalists’ salaries were based on notoriety, Maillé explained. “Part of the salary was negoT HEL INK NE W SPA P ER .C A

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tiated between the employee and the employer, and when you have these kinds of informal negotiations, gaps are introduced,” she said. In Ontario, the Sunshine List, which is available to the public, is a document that reports the salaries of government employees who earn over $100,000 yearly. “This is the kind of exercise that can only be beneficial to all. I think when people are not allowed to disclose their salaries, it introduces biases and inequalities,” said Maillé. If someone finds out a coworker is being paid more than they are, they will question their situation. But if they are kept in the dark, they are powerless, she continued. Isabelle Lamoureux, the librarian at the Simone de Beauvoir Institute’s library, reiterated the importance of transparency surrounding salary. “I’m also a tutor, and in some companies, they even have you sign documents that do not allow you to share your salary with other employees,” Lamoureux said.

“When people are not allowed to disclose their salaries, it introduces biases and inequalities.” -Chantal Maillé

She explained how her fellow colleagues believed it was strange that they weren’t allowed to discuss their salaries. It did not take them long to find out that some people were making more than others, and their employers were purposefully hiding this from them. “I think all salaries should be disclosed because when there are rules, you have to apply them,” Lamoureux said. “There are no rules when you don’t need to divulge anyone’s salary, which allows your boss to do whatever [they] want.” Maillé also spoke about how People of Colour, emphasizing Indigenous people, are underrepresented in universities. This leads to biases being made against them, which result in lower salaries, less promotions, and less opportunities for affected minorities. The Canadian Association of University Teachers releases annual reports comparing salaries between universities and between different social identities. Every year, Maillé said, they find inequalities. “But at least now, we have the tools to document these biases and to find strategies to overcome them,” said Maillé. Celeste Trianon, the trans rights advocate for the Centre for Gender Advocacy, spoke about how the wage gap affects trans and non-binary people in Canada. “Oftentimes, people think of the

wage gap as something that is limited to women being paid less than men, or POC being paid less than white persons,” said Trianon. “However, this fails to account for the sheer income disparity between trans* persons and cis persons.” Trianon explained that for every dollar that a white cisgender man makes, a trans* person will earn, on average, 53 cents. This is partly due to unemployment rates being twice as high among transgender* folks than they are among cisgender folks, they said. “There is clearly still a large amount of ‘under-the-carpet’ transphobia going on, despite it having been outlawed in Canada by Bill C-16 and in Quebec by Bill 103,” said Trianon. “Making sure that employers and corporations are held accountable for causing trans* unemployment, underemployment and wage discrimination is the first of many steps that must be taken.” *The notation “trans*” is to include non-binary people within the trans* umbrella.

Graphic Maria Chabelnik NOV EMBER 2021

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Putting a price tag on art An inside look on the value of experience and connections in the art industry by Asia Mason

ricing art is rarely an exact science. Usually, it comes down to reading the room and the relative success of an artist within their community. For most artists, the price of an art piece is directly related to the experience of an established artist. “Your prices go higher as your CV gets a little better,” said multidisciplinary artist Sarah-Mecca Abdourahman. Many emerging artists underprice their work in hopes of making a sale. However, this approach often changes after the realization that pricing is a reflection of more than the individual piece. Visual artist Marie-Danielle Duval said she doesn’t have many paintings in storage for that reason. “I sold a lot of [paintings] too cheap, and I don’t regret that. But I’ve adjusted my prices [since then],” she said. “I think sometimes it’s good to make [the price] higher and just wait for the right person.” Once a price has been established, that becomes the starting point for pricing in the future. As an artist’s name becomes more recognized, all previous works become more valuable. A steady climb in pricing will often be seen as an artist establishes themselves within their practice and builds their name. Artists have to consider their reputation with their past clients in hopes that they’ll become collectors. “If you’ve already sold a piece that’s this size for $2,000, you can’t make a new one and sell it for $500 because your client will be like, ‘Well, why did I waste my money?’” said textile artist Sophia Borowska. Particularly with prospective collectors, artists are creating what might become long-term relationships with clients. Out of respect for collectors, and at the risk of putting their reputations at stake, artists can’t go T HEL INK NE W SPA P ER .C A

FRINGE ARTS

back on their prices. Those outside the industry might view the prices as steep, but visual artist Kate Picone feels that buying art requires a level of mutual respect and acknowledgment. Creating visual art as a serious endeavor is expensive for any artist, but it’s about more than just paying the rent on time. When a collector buys a piece from an artist, they’re investing in their craft. “[They] enjoy your artwork enough to financially compensate you for it [...] and they see the value in [your work] because what you’re bringing to your community is valuable,” said Picone. Size is the most standardized way to distinguish prices from any given artist. For Borowska, an 8 by 12-inch image printed on cloth might run between $300 and $450, whereas something much larger could cost somewhere in the thousands. For Duval, sizing is the most neutral way to establish the pricing process. “You cannot really justify the price just because you put [in] a few more hours or it’s your favourite,” she said.” Picone, however, said that even with size as a factor, it can be an impossible task to quantify what your craft is worth. Although Picone doesn’t make her living completely off of her paintings, the money she does get sustains her craft and builds her confidence. “Of course I want to be able to make more money and be financially successful in art,” she said. “But it’s [also] about all the things I want to talk about through art.” “It’s not only [about] the time it took me to create one piece, but all the work that went into my artistic practice that I didn’t get paid for,” said Picone when asked what a price represents. Another indirect factor of pricing can come from how the work is chosen for display. For Picone, the context of how pieces are shown is an important aspect of how the work is publicly received, ultimately affecting the price. “[Having spaces] that display [the work] in the way that I want them to be experienced by others is a really important factor,” she said. Spaces that allow that level of control are usually NOV EMBER 2021

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galleries that help establish an artist’s name and, in the end, elevate their worth. Artists must also consider if a gallery is taking a percentage of their sales. It is not unusual to see an increase in price so the artist is still making a respectable amount of money after the gallery takes their cut. The flip side of this extra fee is the benefit of being in a space that complements the artwork. Picone thinks a good gallery encourages conversation, letting buyers learn about the backstory of each piece, which for her, enriches the exchange. “Here’s my work, here’s an understanding of why I’m even doing this, and the reasoning behind what I create,” she said regarding the meaning behind art pieces. Selling art in a group context can also influence pricing. In Picone’s earlier experiences with group shows, not knowing her peers put her at a disadvantage in recognizing where she fit in. “There’s so many things you don’t know about the other artists, so you don’t know why they’re pricing their things at a certain level,” she explained. Collaboration within the arts community influences artists’ prices. “People were a little mad at me [because] there’s people who put their work for $3,500, and then I make them look bad because mine [...] were like $1,000,” said Montreal painter Chloé Gagnon. Going forward, while Picone does plan to be aware of pricing trends from her peers, she will ultimately use her own development as an artist as a reference point. “When I first started [pricing], I was completely winging it. I had no idea, so at least now there’s a bracket that I can stay [in] that I know I can’t go under.” For Picone, creating art isn’t about the money. “I paint because I have something to say and I wanna share that,” she said.

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Picone strated pursuing art as a serious endeavour in 2016.

FRINGE ARTS

Artists’ Instagram accounts: Chloé Gagnon

@chloegagnon.art

Sophia Borowska @sophiaborowska

Sarah-Mecca Abdourahman @thesmecca

Kate Picone @kate.picone

Marie-Danielle Duval @mdanielled

Crossword answers Across 2: Comrad 7: Engels 8: Trickle down economics 9: Ethical capitalism 10: Exploitation 11: Communism 12: Marx Down

Kate Picone sits in her studio located in the Janino Lapin Gallery. Photos Asia Mason

1: Class consciousness 3: The American Dream 4: Bourgeoisie 5: Jeff Bezos 6: Billionaire 9: Elon Musk NOV EMBER 2021

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Spending costs for hockey limit future prospects

Getting into the game takes zeal, sacrifice, and sometimes a bit of financial support by Peter Vryonis Photo Caroline Marsh

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SPORTS

Chase Harwell of the Stingers Men’s hockey team shares the sacrifices his family made so he could play hockey. Photo Caroline Marsh

ockey is a beautiful game that combines a multitude of skills and takes extreme levels of coordination to excel in. But it is also very expensive, and the majority of elite hockey players, at least in Canada, come from high-income families. Getting into the game is hard enough as it is. Staying in it is even harder because of the monetary demand. To compete at a high level in any sport, it takes sacrifice. Zachary Zorn, a third-year player for the Concordia Stingers men’s hockey team, had to give up a lot to get to where he is today. A native of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Zorn had to travel 3,200 km to be a member of this team. “When I was 14, I ended up moving away from my family to British Columbia, and it was really expensive,” said Zorn. “[Luckily], the NWT has a great funding program for students from there, and they help pay for living expenses.”

“I also had great teammates whose parents helped me pay for [equipment]. My dad was making me use wooden sticks.” -Chase Harwell

The goal for Stingers players is to compete professionally, and they get to play for free once they are good enough to reach the junior level. However, they cannot get there without training intensely from a young age. Getting started can be costly, and may not be an option for low-income families. “I was lucky enough to get opportunities to play for free,” said Chase Harwell, a member of the Stingers team whose parents struggled financially to put him through hockey. “I also had great teammates whose parents helped me pay for [equipment]. My dad was making me use wooden sticks.” “The game is for everybody,” said Harwell, who is also an advocate for getting more People of Colour involved in the sport. Harwell is a role model on and off the ice for this team, and has donated many of his old sticks to the less fortunate. Harwell also coaches hockey in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce area. “We NOV EMBER 2021

SPORTS

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have canned food drives, so why not have a hockey stick drive to get some more kids [involved]?” Stingers head coach MarcAndré Élement works as a field coordinator for CCM Hockey, who sponsor the Stingers’ hockey equipment and gear. He knows exactly how expensive intensive hockey can get. “Minor hockey has to do some more equipment donations,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that so many kids don’t have the chance to play.” Despite the efforts to grow the game, and to introduce it to more young kids, there is still a mentality that deters lower income families from getting involved in hockey. The game has grown, but its demographic has not. When asked what can be done to make the game more inclusive, Harwell suggested introducing hockey in school systems.“I think the sport can be better if it’s for everybody,” he said. “With all this money flowing around, where is it going?” Harwell questions where the money allocated in minor hockey goes and if it is being recirculated in the right areas. If sign-up costs weren’t so expensive due to arena reservations alone, perhaps leftover funds would be better distributed between low-income players. Affordable sports, like basketball and soccer, are accessible thanks to cheaper equipment, but hockey’s exorbitant costs limit the participation rate.

Stinger’s men’s hockey player Zachary Zorn moved from the Northwest Territories to pursue his hockey career. Photo Caroline Marsh

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STUDENT LIFE

Stop whining and start wine-ing

Cheap wine recommendations for university students by Meghan Kerr

During the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, my family and I needed something to keep us sane. Lo and behold, we stumbled upon a fun new hobby: wine tasting. Needless to say, wine tasting definitely made quarantine a lot easier to enjoy for my family, and I absolutely loved it. Now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased and my family has been spending less time at home, my parents are far less willing to fund my wine drinking habits, meaning I need to pay for my own beverages. Now, I want to share what I’ve learned with other university students who want to try new drinks without ending up broke in the process. The first thing to consider is that even for something under $10, you are entitled to wine that doesn’t taste like gasoline. Secondly, to get the cheapest wines, always buy them from the SAQ because the tax is already included, so what you see is what you get in terms of price. Here are my suggestions for wines you can find that both taste great and won’t break the bank.

Think of us the next time you go to the SAQ. Photo Sheena Macmillan

Tisdale Pinot Noir (SAQ code 14023297) $9.10 at the SAQ

Fontana di Papa (SAQ code 711) $8.80 at the SAQ

Lindeman’s Bin 85 Pinot Grigio (SAQ code 13993929) $10.90 at the SAQ

This is a light and very fruity red wine from California. When you drink it, you should be able to taste notes of cherry, raspberry, plum, and vanilla if you aren’t too drunk already. This wine is best enjoyed with cheese and crackers, or just a bag of chips.

This white wine comes all the way from Lazio, Italy, in 1L bottles and costs less than $10. With its floral notes and sharp tang, it is super easy to drink the whole thing! This wine is excellent when paired with anything deep-fried.

This wine comes from Australia and goes with pretty much anything. It’s delicate with notes of peach and other white fruits. It’s not super sweet though, so it won’t give you an awful headache the next day. Trust me when I say, the best way to have this wine is with bagels and lox for brunch.

We’ve had enough whining, so cheers to the start of your wine journey instead! NOV EMBER 2021

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GILDED

Butterflies

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by M

jon Cha

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Graphic Joey Bruce

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Graphic Maria Chabelnik As she walked through crowded streets, and her glance caressed buildings she would probably never walk into, she thought of elevators. She thought of nice elevators, the kind of elevators with a clean mirror and rectangular handles, the kind with nice buttons that are cold to the touch and whose borders light up in colours when you press them. Those elevators only exist in the nicest of buildings. She then thought of the kind of elevators one wants to avoid, with rugs that lost their original shade years ago and are now coloured by substances that are up to interpretation. But, why was she thinking of elevators? She was distracted that morning, or, rather, she wanted to distract herself. She had woken up to an automated text message from her phone carrier stating that her phone bill was ready to be paid. After the act, she realized she had a stunting $2.57 left in her bank account. But she would get paid in two days; this wasn’t an emergency. She had an apartment to go back to, food in her fridge, an OPUS card, and three gigabytes of data: what else could she need? Still, two days of walking around a city to get places means two days of walking by all kinds of stores. She inevitably walked next to a coffee shop. The idea of latte art and boxed oat milk, for which they charge you

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50 cents more, invaded her mind. She wanted a coffee. Not the filtered coffee from her Keurig machine; she wanted… a coffee made by a barista… a coffee, and maybe even a croissant. But alas, not today. She wasn’t poor, but she wasn’t rich either. She was, quite simply, a student; more specifically, a student without a trust fund provided by her parents. She didn’t even know what a trust fund was. And what had she done to get her bank account to $2? What had she spent her money on? Well, she had spent it on food, mostly. Not the cheapest food, but still food. She had spent it at coffee shops while studying, she had spent it on lunches on the days she had long breaks. She spent it on one long island iced tea, and half a pitcher of a fruity drink (the name she couldn’t remember). She spent it on a pair of pants that were on sale. She spent it on rent, groceries, her phone bill, and her monthly OPUS card. That was it. Still, she had almost no money left for the next two days. Was it annoying? Yes. Had she been in that situation before? Yes, and she would certainly be in it again in the coming months. It is almost impossible not to be in that situation when you are a student (who isn’t rich, but isn’t poor either; a student without a trust fund, whatever that means). She sped up her walk. She didn’t want to look at the coffee shop anymore; it upset her. She was almost at the metro. She was in time for class, at least. She didn’t want to miss a minute of this lecture. She had gotten a C in the midterm, which dragged down her average in that class. This C would, one way or another, affect her GPA for the worse. She had to make up for it. It was a ridiculous midterm too—a test on Shakespeare. It was hard to find the relevancy of it. However, she remembered his plays, she remembered his poetry. He was worth studying. She remembered five heartbeats in a line, and gilded butterflies, and Megan Fox, and, was she really dating Machine Gun Kelly now? But, was it worth it, after all? The hours worked at shitty jobs, smiling at customers that yelled at her in return. Was it worth it, living in a small apartment that had no space for a dining table? Was it worth it, to have studied for hours and still have gotten a shit grade, because her eyes couldn’t stay open after her shift, and because her mind couldn’t memorize both the order in which she had to place the new scented candles at work and Shakespeare’s wife’s name? Was she laughing at gilded butterflies, or were they laughing at her? She couldn’t say. The metro stopped. It was one of those stops where the door opens on the other side, and she felt awkward for a second, holding on to the bar, with her back facing the doors. She turned around. The next stop was hers. The train started advancing. She turned around again. The metro arrived exactly 15 minutes before her class started. It was a five minute walk. She was right on time. Today had the potential of being a good day, despite what her bank account said. She left the metro station, the breeze welcomed her back into the outside world. The weather was not bad today, she had her favourite jacket on and it felt warm. She was wearing the pants she had bought last week, they were wide-legged, comfortable. Her tote bag wasn’t too heavy either, since she only had one class. Her left shoulder was only holding the weight of one book, her agenda, and her pencil case. The day had the potential of being a good day. She went into the building and decided to stand on the right side of the escalators—she had time today. She walked into her classroom and took a seat in the middle of the room. There was no one next to her, another small thing to celebrate. As the professor entered, she took one last look at her phone. She had received a text from a friend. She opened the message. “Hey, I think you might have forgotten but I paid for your food at the Thai place the other day and you said you’d pay me back. I’m kinda running low on money right now, could you transfer me the money?”

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A frugal spender’s guide to textbook shopping Helpful tips on how to be a full-time student on a budget by Marianne Liendo-Dufort

’ve always loved the back-to-school season. Going to Staples with my mom to buy new notebooks, pencils, and binders was my favourite part of the new school year. Being an adult and figuring out how to manage time and a budget has been intimidating. Each course usually requires its own set of specific books, specific gear, and always a very specific kind of motivation. This September, I was feeling extra motivated after a year of talking to my computer. The next thing I knew, I was sitting in a classroom listening to my professor discuss the course syllabus. When the professor brought up the books required for her course, I began to worry about my expenses. She explained how one of her required textbooks was quite expensive, but said it would be useful for other classes. After class, I went to the Book Stop, Concordia’s apparel and textbook store, and looked at the price of said textbook. When I saw that the sale price was $115, I felt instantaneous relief as I’m used to paying more than $200 for my books. The relief at the idea of paying that amount of money, on top of other school fees, felt unreal. Books are becoming increasingly expensive, according to Maclean’s, with students spending on average $773 per year on school books. I’ve been a student for longer than I would like to admit, meaning I know my options when it comes to getting books at a lower price. There are many other resources online where you can find help. Websites such as Khan Academy, Chegg, and Paul’s Online Notes are real life savers when struggling to understand a new concept learned in class. However, other alternatives exist as well. T HEL INK NE W SPA P ER .C A

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Book Stop The school store does provide some options other than purchasing brand new books, such as rentals, used, and digital versions. Brian Layne, who works at the Book Stop, hinted at global warming and the pandemic to explain the prices of textbooks. Textbooks require paper, and paper comes from wood. Layne explained that the fires on the western coastline reduced the availability of wood on the market. This consequently decreased paper production, which has made it harder to print enough textbooks for everyone. Layne added that the pandemic caused delays in textbook productions as publishers and warehouses have had to adjust their workflow according to government guidelines. This means that if a component of the supply chain was located in a high-risk COVID-19 area, the facility had to fully shut down until further notice. Consequently, the supply chain was stalled, and buyers—such as students—were bound to wait until the restrictions were lifted and production resumed. Older editions Previous textbook editions can often be found at a lower price. Consult with your professor before purchasing a previous edition, as the information might have been updated in the more recent edition and your assignments might change accordingly. eBooks Online versions of textbooks are often cheaper than the physical book, but they tend to have an expiration date. Double-check how long you will need the book to avoid re-purchasing it for another semester. Some books come with a code for online assignments. Although the code only comes with the purchase of the textbook, you can sometimes purchase the code alone for a lesser price. Library The library has a lot of textbooks, some available to borrow while others are available on course reserves. There is a scanner available to students, which allows them to either e-mail the pages scanned or upload them on a USB drive. This is fully free and will only require some patience while scanning the required pages. Student groups Check with your peers. We’re all in the same boat. We all want to save money where we can. Online groups, such as those on Facebook and Discord, can help you find the books you need. There are also groups on Facebook where students sell their used books at a reduced price.

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POE TRY

My student OPUS card will put my therapist out of business by Stella Mazurek

Photo Stella Mazurek Graphic Eva Wilson

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GUY-CONCORDIA The metro’s hot breath, suffocating, surrounding, at each stop dead air through hair, is soothing stuff the city down my throat and console me PEEL the ride is way too long when you’re in a hurry and much too short when it needs to be there for you; cradling your neck in a nap, giving your legs their first sit of the day, letting a mind zone away PLACE-DES-ARTS the white noise of whistling tracks pressurized gasps of rail gaps are comforting BERRI-UQAM I must be saving money because my student OPUS card costs half as much as a therapy session. I want to stay below ground, let people mill around me and sound the alarm of reassurance. SHERBROOKE the streets above demand commitment to be there, is to be aware, productive, conscious, with direction MONT-ROYAL I wanted six more stops tonight. LAURIER I’m not ready to open my front door yet. I swear there was another set of escalators to get out of this station. one day, I’ll ride to the end of the line, and pay no mind to seeing shame or wasted time in simple pleasures

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Financial aid is not enough for students living in poverty By Diane Yeung

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poor students can’t afford

University is a luxury that many

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grew up in Brooklyn with a brother and an immigrant single mom, our family income dipping below the poverty line for much of my childhood. Experiencing bouts of poverty in my youth caused what psychologists call trauma due to poverty. I cut school for the first time in fifth grade, assuming my first job as my mother’s translator when we applied for food stamps and welfare. Cutting school later became a compulsion, leading me to eventually drop out of high school. I somehow managed to make it into a community college, but barely made it through the second semester. I dropped out of college 15 years ago despite qualifying for financial aid. Our family income was low enough that, even while working fulltime, I was able to demonstrate financial need for tuition relief. But there were so many other barriers as a student coming from a poor background, including pressures from jam-packed schedules, chronic stress, and exhaustion. Despite what some believe, a financial-aid-to-bachelor’s-degree pipeline simply does not exist. I began working when I was 14 years old. And by 16 years old, I was paying for our electricity and phone bills with a full-time job as a personal assistant that paid $7 an hour. At 18 years old, I found a job as a receptionist that paid marginally more at $10 an hour, and kept this job throughout my time at the community college. Attending college with a 9 to 5 job meant I could only take night classes on top of the hour and a half commute each way between the office, school, and home. The subway was where I studied, rested, and ate meals. The long commutes also meant that nearly all of my time spent on campus was in classrooms. Any time outside of class would be spent in the bursar’s or registration offices. Between income tax statements, letters of intent, and gathering transcripts, it felt like I spent more time on proving I needed aid than the actual education I was working towards. As a result, I never saw the in-

side of the library or cafeteria. Participating in student life was an elusive luxury. It was hard to imagine how I’d possibly squeeze in extracurricular activities, join student clubs, or work unpaid internships since I was working 40 hours a week and commuting for another 12. My weekends were spent panicking over the backlog of schoolwork that piled up during the week, as I struggled to maintain the full-time course load that financial aid mandated. I can’t remember the GPA I needed to maintain my financial aid status, but I vividly remember that I’d be in a constant scramble to keep my head above water. Every assignment felt like an impossible battle against time. The closer I got to failing my classes, the less I cared about them. Eventually, I walked off of my university campus and never went back. I didn’t speak to an academic advisor or notify the school that I was dropping out—I simply had no capacity to declare that I was giving up. A couple of years later, my brother graduated high school and enrolled at a university in Long Island, just two hours away from Brooklyn. He attended a state university that was at least four times the price of a community college, and still had to work despite having two scholarships and financial aid. For the next five years, I watched joylessly as he struggled the way I did— working as a busboy on the weekends, commuting hours from campus to the city, only to make $4 an hour before tips. When my younger brother graduated from college, it didn’t feel like an achievement for my mother and I. Instead, we felt heavy and sick with memories of my teenage brother working until 1 a.m. on the weekends, studying on the train back to campus on Sunday nights. Nevertheless, I beamed with pride on his graduation day, knowing he conquered every hurdle that stood in his way. During the pandemic, I returned to university like so many others. After working 12 years as a designer in the fashion industry, it was hard to give up the salary and position I had worked so hard for. But in many ways, the decision to pursue a bachelor’s degree was a luxury in itself. This time, I’m acutely NOV EMBER 2021

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aware that pursuing an undergraduate degree remains a privilege for those who came from backgrounds similar to mine. From financially independent students to those living below the poverty line, the road to graduation is riddled with obstacles. According to Dr. Eric Weissman of the University of New Brunswick, up to four per cent of postsecondary students across Canada are experiencing homelessness. Nationwide studies by non-profit Meal Exchange say that almost 40 per cent of Canadian students are facing food insecurity. Unsurprisingly, these studies suggest that financial insecurity among postsecondary

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Photos courtesy Diane Yeung A family picture for my baby brother’s 5th birthday.

students is present today, on campuses across the nation. When I think of Concordia’s 24-hour libraries and free lunches at The Hive and People’s Potato, I am reminded that these are crucial services for the students among us who need them most. For poor students—some of whom we pass by in hallways, sit beside in classrooms, share rides in elevators with—meeting immediate needs like food and shelter are their primary concern. My recent return to university was made possible by more than a decade of hustle in the private sector, an incredibly supportive partner, and

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My friend Sammi and I in 6th grade just outside of the cafeteria.

the generosity of friends and family. But the more it took for my experience to resemble what was advertised in university brochures, the more certain I became that dropping out was my only option years ago. At the time, the cost of a ticket out of poverty was simply too high. But if poor students face such overwhelming odds on their road to graduation, then perhaps education is less of a right than it is a privilege.

“Despite what some believe, a financial-aid-to-bachelor’s-degree pipeline simply does not exist.”

A portrait of me in 7th grade.

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Embracing the arts one dollar at a time

Will art die when funds run dry? by Amanda Teixeira

inancial aid can be hard to come by. For some art programs, it is the difference between staying open and abandoning an impactful project. The government of Quebec has several resources to ensure funding for the city’s arts and culture scene, including initiatives like the Conseil des arts de Montréal and the Conseil des arts et lettres du Québec. However, many art businesses say they do not meet the criteria for funding. Nedia El Khouri, from Viva Vida Art Gallery in Pointe-Claire, said the pandemic prompted the cancellation of many events and left the gallery’s doors closed for most of last year. With its closure, Khouri looked to the government for financial aid, and, while they were provided with rent relief and wage subsidy, it did not make up for the loss of almost a year’s worth of revenue. Because her gallery is not a non-profit, Khouri was not able to ask for many of the grants made available in Quebec. Art galleries are pillars of education in the arts sector, but if you make a living off them, there’s no opportunity for government funding. “We promote art education [...] through special exhibitions such as an annual mental health exhibition involving schools and health institutions,” said Khouri. The gallery offers a variety of art programs for adults and kids. They also have group shows where they have a call to artists and they submit work for a specific exhibition. They work tirelessly to represent the artists they work with while also being very involved in their community. Michael Fitzgerald, owner at Chase Art Gallery in Beaconsfield, faced a similar problem as Khouri when he was denied funding for his gallery. “Years ago we tried a few funding avenues for the T HEL INK NE W SPA P ER .C A

gallery and for some of our artists, but we were always told our gallery was too commercial, and that our artists were too mainstream,” said Fitzgerald. “From what we were told, funding usually goes to artists who are not mainstream and who are not selling their works.” While some local artists and galleries may not be finding the funding they want during hard times, Concordia is trying to prioritize art programs internally. “The budget for the 2020-2021 academic year shows that the faculty of fine arts was allocated a budget per full-time student that is at least 60 per cent higher than other faculties at the university,” said the university’s spokesperson, Vannina Maestracci. “Concordia bases budgets for each faculty on needs and then each faculty distributes it with its departments, following consultations and assessments of needs.” The Canadian Council for the Arts also reported giving $64.1 million in grants to arts organizations and $19.3 million to artists in Quebec during 2019 and 2020. While the road to funding for the arts may not be an easy one, it is clear some still understand the importance it holds, and how it allows for growth in vibrant art communities. Other arts programs have managed to stay afloat– not because of government funding, but because of private donors. Dr. Irene Feher, who runs the Live Your Music workshop and seminar at Concordia, says the focus of the program is to encourage students in any discipline to allow music to help their mental and physical well-being. “Music activities tend to be associated with a high level of skill and training,” said Feher. “In [this] case we [are] all full of music, and music is going to make you feel great.” In 2019, Feher received an anonymous donation that would allow the program to run for three years. While the

NEWS

money helped facilitate the work, getting the funding was not easy. She met with the Concordia University Alumni Association to pitch her project. Feher not only needed to prove how the program could change lives as a concept, but had to show how it already was. “My responsibility is to collect as much [information] as I can because what they are interested in is what the project is giving, and how it is impacting people,” she said. Feher collected research from workshops she was already conducting at the time, including testimonies from those who attended and video footage of participants enjoying the program. Feher received the anonymous donation with a note simply saying music had changed the donor’s life, and they hoped the program would do the same for others. With this being the final year of the funding from the three-year donation, Feher hopes for more to keep the program going next year. Funding allows for the distribution of arts. Feher says the responsibility of those in art programs must show the impact of art in individuals’ lives. The road to funding is not easy but in the end it is worth the effort.

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The money moves playlist Bumpin’ tunes for the daily grind by Stella Mazurek Money – Pink Floyd money machine – 100 gecs 4 American Dollars – U.S. Girls SUGARPARENTS – Aminé (feat. Rico Nasty) Bills, Bills, Bills – Destiny’s Child Million Dollar Bills – Lorde Money Power Glory – Lana Del Rey Dollars & Cents – Radiohead Money, Money, Money – ABBA Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani (feat. Eve) JEWELZ – Anderson .Paak Rich – Cosmo Sheldrake (feat. Anndreyah Vargas) Dollar – Electric Guest Run the Jewels – Run The Jewels Doing It for the Money – Foster the People Shopping Cart – Parallel Dance Ensemble How Much A Dollar Cost – Kendrick Lamar (feat. James Fauntleroy & Ronald Isley) Million Dollar Bill – Whitney Houston Millionaire – Kelis (feat. André 3000) Super Rich Kids – Frank Ocean (feat. Earl Sweatshirt)

ce, y Bru e o J hics rry Grap McSha a Emm

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Fanta | by Joey Bruce

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COMIC

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Food’s

second chance

What dumpster diving says about

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“I

our relationship to food by Esteban Cuevas

t was crazy. It was really beautiful food that looked like it was directly off the shelves of the grocery store.” This is how Alex, a Montreal-based artist who wished to not have their name disclosed due to privacy reasons, recalled the first time they went dumpster diving. Alex became interested in dumpster diving when their roommate brought home food they found diving. The lockdown had greatly affected both their artistic income at the start of the pandemic, and with more time on their hands, Alex decided to try it out. “I realized there was an abundance of food,” said Alex, who explained how dumpster diving, paired with the help of food banks, allowed them to put food on the table without having to step inside a grocery store since last October. The practice of dumpster diving is simple. Usually, a diver travels to a few locations—any business that deals with food like grocery stores. Armed with multiple bags and a backpack, divers then scavenge for any edible food through boxes and dumpsters found in back alleys. Sometimes, items that are still salvageable are displayed in containers left outside, or are left uncovered on top of plastic bags, allowing divers to easily grab what they need. Alternatively, they must either untie the bags and check what contents lie within, or they make a small hole on the sides to recover whatever is inside. “Part of my motivation [is] to oppose exaggerated consumerism,” said Gabo Champagne, a Montreal-based multidisciplinary artist who has been dumpster diving for seven years. Like many other divers, Champagne is concerned about edible food being thrown away, and counteracts it by dumpster diving. “But also, I do it to feed myself in a less expensive way.” “I have a very low income,” she said. “So it helps me live a better quality of life, because I can do dumpster diving and not be short with my money at the end of the month.” There are many reasons to partake in this particular activity. However, most divers, like Champagne, feel strongly about salvaging the edible food that is thrown away. “It’s food waste,” said Em Clarke, who started diving last year during the pandemic after her income was affected. While saving money was a driving factor that incited the practice, Clarke wanted to salvage food that would normally be wasted. “Everything that we pull out of here, we are perfectly comfortable eating, or putting in our bodies. If we didn’t do that, it would be going into a landfill site,” Clarke said. “There are so many areas of inefficiency in our entire food production cycle—from harvesting, to shifting, to selling. It feels irresponsible to let this go to waste.” Clarke pointed out that there’s nothing wrong with most of the food divers find, except for a few cosmetic imperfections, like an onion showing physical damage from a knife NOV EMBER 2021

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cut, or a carrot with an odd shape. Some items have imperfections due to lack of freshness. In other common instances, food gets thrown out if not sold fast enough, and replaced by fresher products. “Lots of [it] is perfectly good food that should be made available, regardless of its appearance,” said Clarke on stores that throw away food they can no longer sell. Instead, she wished they would find alternatives for people who could make good use of it. “It makes no sense that we would throw out so much good food while some people on the planet are unable to have a meal a day,” said Champagne. “I just don’t see why I would ever decide to do grocery shopping while there is so much food in the garbage. It makes no sense to me.” The divers pointed out a certain aspect of dumpster diving: the unpredictability of what you can find.

“I just don’t see why I would ever decide to do grocery shopping, while there is so much food in the garbage. It makes no sense for me.” -Gabo Champagne

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Dumpster diving is an inconsistent way to put food on the table as one never knows what they will find. “Sometimes you go around and you find nothing. Sometimes you’ll go and it’s paradise on earth,” said Alex. Champagne, who dumpster dives a couple times per week, said she once found a few lobsters that lasted her the entire week. On another occasion, she found a great amount of craft beer that lasted an entire month between her and her roommates. “It’s the moment of my life where I ate the most quality food ever that I didn’t get from my parents,” she said about a time she was able to fill multiple bags with organic food. Dumpster diving also comes with its own set of rules. Jumping fences or doing anything illegal is off the table, as is tearing open every bag in sight and leaving a mess behind. Leaving a mess in a business’ backyard is one of the easiest ways to get

a lock placed on a container, according to the divers. Staying for a few minutes, taking the necessities, and leaving the place as if one had never been there is one of the most crucial parts of dumpster diving etiquette. For this reason, as Champagne pointed out, divers must maintain a certain balance when talking about diving locations. Even if it’s the community’s responsibility to guide beginners to places where they can dive, bringing too much attention to certain spots can attract unwanted attention by people who may not understand or disagree with the practice. “It really disrupts the ecosystem of dumpster diving when spots are disclaimed to a lot of people,” said Champagne when asked about which general areas she goes to. It is customary to only take what one needs, and leave the rest behind. If there is an abundance of food or produce, there could be others who could make use of it. “You can’t take too much, because things don’t last super long,” said Alex. “You take what you can eat or [it gets wasted] and it’s not worth it. ” Other barriers include social stigmatization since it is difficult to associate edible food with garbage, at least for people who know little about the dumpster diving practice. Alex explained how dumpster diving being perceived as something dirty is an inaccurate idea spread by the media. “Many people who may need it are not aware of it, so I think it’s important to talk about it,” said Alex regarding an occasion where they introduced dumpster diving to a friend that became unemployed due to the pandemic. Champagne and Clarke mentioned how getting a foot in the door could seem intimidating at first. There is always a “certain psychological barrier” that needs to be crossed, as Champagne said. According to all three divers, it is common to be introduced to the practice of diving by friends or acquaintances. Similarly, there are social media groups and forums that exist for people to get acquainted with the rules and places to explore. “I like to think of it as a com-

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munal activity,” said Clarke, who was first introduced by an experienced diver, and who goes diving with roommates on a weekly basis. Dumpster diving has its upsides and downsides, and there are many reasons to participate. While it is a response to food waste, Clarke pointed out its disadvantages. “I cannot think of dumpster diving as a superior solution to more organized forms [of saving food],” she said. To Clarke, diving cannot fix food waste. She believes that other more organized forms of food services, like food banks, are more effective approaches. According to her, dumpster diving can be very time consuming and unpredictable, she hopes for more organized solutions by local communities or by the government. “I think we need to culturally move away from [wasting aesthetically imperfect food],” she said. “Systems must be put in place to funnel the food to [food banks or other similar institutions that could distribute it more efficiently.]”

Divers take care not to overpluck the spots they frequent, and leave the places as they found them.

Photos Esteban Cuevas

“There are so many areas of inefficiency in our entire food production cycle–from harvesting, to shifting, to selling. It feels irresponsible to let this go to waste.” -Em Clarke

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Sheena Macmillan Elias Grigoriadis Nanor Froundjian Stella Mazurek OPEN OPEN Mariana Chajon Oliveros OPEN Olivia Piché Peter Vryonis Gabriela Vasquez-Rondon Caroline Marsh Aude Simon Joey Bruce Reina Ephrahim

Editor-in-Chief Coordinating Editor Managing Editor Creative Director Co-News Editors Features Editor Community Editor Fringe Arts Editor Sports Editor Opinions Editor Photo Editor Video Editor Graphics Editor Copy Editor

MASTHEAD

CONTRIBUTORS Amanda Teixeira Asia Mason Diane Yeung Emma McSharry Eric Palmer Esteban Cuevas

Eva Wilson Maria Chabelnik Marianne Liendo-Dufort Meghan Kerr Sophie Dufresne Special thanks to France Lemire

COVER

Stella Mazurek

HOUSE ADS

Joey Bruce Caroline Marsh Olivier Cadotte Casandra Pigeon Diane Yeung Thomas Quinn Sheena Macmillan Laura Beeston Michelle Pucci Rachel Boucher Colin Harris Hebdo-Litho

Volume 42, Issue 2 Tuesday, November 2, 2021 The Link Office: Concordia University Hall Building, Room H-645 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 Editorial: 514-848-2424 x. 7405 News: 514-848-2424 x. 8682 Business: 514-848-7406 Advertising: 514-848-7406

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PRINTER The Link is published four times during the academic year by The Link Publication Society Inc. Content is independent of the university and student associations (ECA, CASA, ASFA, FASA, CSU, AVEQ). Editorial policy is set by an elected board as provided for in The Link’s constitution. Any student is welcome to work on The Link and become a voting staff member. Material appearing in The Link may not be reproduced without prior written permission from The Link. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters 400 words or less will be published, space permitting. The letters deadline is Fridays at 4 p.m. The Link reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and length and refuse those deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, libellous, or otherwise contrary to The Link ’s statement of principles. The Link acknowledges our location on unceded Indigenous land. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of these lands and waters. Tiohtiá:ke is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations.

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