Volume 43, Issue 10

Concordia Violated Accreditation Act, Unions Say

Sexual Violence Committee Under Fire for Potentially Illegal Appointments

Zachary Fortier

“Please wait, the meeting host will let you in soon,” read Julianna Smith’s computer screen for nearly half an hour on Jan. 18.

The Concordia Student Union’s external affairs and mobilization coordinator was waiting for Lisa White, chair of Concordia’s Standing Committee on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Violence, to admit her into the committee’s regularly scheduled meeting.

Smith never made it into the meeting, nor did her fellow CSU members or colleagues at the Graduate Students’ Association and the Teaching and Research Assistants at Concordia union. This is despite White having repeatedly made it clear to the union representatives they were welcome into the session.

For years, student members of the SMSV committee have felt unheard by the administration. In order to make effective change, the CSU, GSA and TRAC began boycotting the committee in October 2022. “We need to have the core belief that survivors matter. It’s not only a question of if something happened, but it’s about valuing someone’s experience,” Smith told The Link

Following the unions’ collective withdrawal from the SMSV committee on Oct. 5, 2022, the university rushed to patch the hole left by the boycott in order to comply with Quebec’s laws on sexual violence in universities. This meant hand-selecting students without the unions’ oversight. In taking such actions, the CSU claims Concordia violated its rights as a student union.

The SMSV committee was first created in 2018 following students’ denunciation of an allegedly mishandled sexual harassment case in Concordia’s English department. The committee’s purpose is “to coordinate University efforts to prevent and respond to Sexual Violence,” Concordia’s website claims.

Such a committee was not solely created out of the university’s volition, but because it needed to comply with new provincial standards on sexual violence in schools.

In 2017, the Liberal government passed the Act to prevent and fight sexual violence in higher education institutions—known as Bill 151.

Chapter 2.7 of Bill 151 states that “the educational institution must establish a standing committee made up of students, officers and personnel members, among others, to develop and review the

policy and make sure it is followed.”

The law continues: “The standing committee must, in addition, implement a process to ensure that students, officers, personnel members and their respective associations and unions are consulted during the policy development or review process.”

Typically, the SMSV committee is comprised of 16 members. Twelve of these seats are occupied by university employees and administrators. This leaves students with only four seats split amongst the CSU, GSA and TRAC. Though student representation is required, Bill 151 does not explicitly specify a ratio of

dent representatives on the committee was a constant hindrance to the process, Jamet-Lange added. “It’s not an equal balance at all—the numbers were stacked against us despite us acting together as a united front.”

Concordia has a long history of sexual misconduct. Well-documented instances of sexual violence earned Concordia a D- rating from Our Turn, a national action plan that examined 14 Canadian universities’ sexual violence policies, in 2017.

Under Bill 151, higher education institutions must have a fully functioning sexual violence

to fill the seats formerly belonging to the unions.

When Smith first heard SMSV would be having a meeting on Jan. 18, she was excited to state her team’s demands and to reinforce the boycott. When she was denied access, she lost hope. “We were confronted with blank screens. As time passed, it became abundantly clear that the administration does not actually care about the opinions of students,” she said. “They really only want students there to legitimize their committee.”

Upon hearing that the university appointed their own students to the committee, Jamet-Lange

or agreement, are called upon to sit or participate as student representatives on various councils, committees or other bodies in the institution.” The Act says appointments of students must come from accredited student unions, standards which the CSU and GSA meet.

Smith, as well as every CSU executive, believe Concordia violated the Accreditation Act by appointing its own student representatives to the SMSV committee. “Because of the Act, we are supposed to have a final say. By them bypassing us, they’re bypassing our rights,” she said. “They claim they’re doing this because of Bill 151.”

According to Concordia Spokesperson Vannina Maestracci, “these representatives decided to withdraw their participation and reiterated this decision several times since, including this January. We have an obligation under Bill 151 to continue the work of the Standing Committee with student participation.”

When asked about the CSU’s claims surrounding the potential violation of the Accreditation Act, Maestracci did not answer the question.

Since the boycott began in October, the CSU, GSA and TRAC have formed the Inter-Organizational Table for Feminist Affairs. On Jan. 18, ITFA published a list of demands to accompany the boycott.

students to administrators, which Concordia has used to systematically tip the scales against students.

For Hannah Jamet-Lange, TRAC member and former academic and advocacy coordinator at the CSU, there has never been a good time to be involved in the SMSV committee.

When Jamet-Lange was an executive at the CSU, they sat on the committee. “Even though, as students, we were bringing up issues we saw with the policy, they were put to the side and not addressed,” they said.

According to Jamet-Lange, very little voting actually took place in the committee. Because SMSV is an advisory committee and not directly a policy-making one, any student input is marginal at best, they said.

The abysmal amount of stu-

committee made up of staff, faculty, and students. Because one quarter of the committee walked out due to the boycott, the university needed to quickly fill those seats to remain operational.

The committee “has an obligation under Bill 151 to continue its work on sexual violence prevention and response,” White said in a written statement to The Link. “[W] e are ready to welcome the student representatives as members of the Standing Committee with prior knowledge of their participation. In the meantime, the committee will continue its work and has invited students to participate.”

CSU General Coordinator Fawaz Halloum and current Academic and Advocacy Coordinator Asli Isaaq confirmed that Concordia appointed students at-large

was frustrated. “By finding other students who are less knowledgeable, they are making sure they don’t break Bill 151,” they said. “They don’t represent the CSU, they don’t represent the GSA, they don’t represent TRAC. This is not the right approach.”

Concordia’s relationships with its student unions have only worsened due to its actions surrounding the SMSV committee. According to Quebec’s Act respecting the accreditation and financing of students’ associations, commonly referred to as the Accreditation Act, student unions have certain rights.

Section 32 of the Accreditation Act states that “[a]n accredited students’ association or alliance may, alone, appoint students who, under an Act, regulation, by-law, charter

The demands were printed and delivered to White’s office, Smith said. The university has not yet responded to the list of demands. ITFA’s letter is divided into three primary categories: student-led solutions, transparency and gender equity.

Most urgent is the demand for a survivor-centric committee that is stand-alone, meaning that sexual violence is not treated like any other academic offence. ITFA also wants Concordia to “recognize a new autonomous, student-and worker-run Standing Committee on Sexualized Abuses of Power that operates as the decision-making rather than advisory body presiding over all sexual violence policies and procedures.”

ITFA had created a petition for those wishing to support the boycott and reinforce the demands.

“We’re offering concrete solutions,” Smith added. “The administration should know that we are coming prepared with a better vision for this university’s sexual violence policy.”

PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

Fridge, Please! New Community Fridge Opens on Loyola Campus

Iness Rifay

Enuf, an environmental conservation organization focused on the waste crisis, launched a new community fridge service at the Loyola Campus on Jan. 23.

Titled “Megan’s Fridge,” the donation-based initiative works alongside The Hive free lunch to provide free food to community members dealing with food insecurity.

Enuf, the organization behind the fridge, has labored long and hard to see the inauguration. It was originally supposed to launch in the Fall 2022 semester due to issues with the Concordia administration.

The idea for a communal campus fridge originated before the pandemic, when Enuf reached out to many other community fridges in the surrounding area. When it came to finding a space for the fridge,

amongst other administrative tasks, the organization faced delays.

“We would really appreciate having more support from [the Concordia] administration,” said Enuf Community Coordinator Gabriela Lopes. “If [the administration] has your back, things happen a lot faster on campus. We want to have a good relationship with Concordia for the sake of the fridge.”

Despite facing hurdles, Enuf received enough donations to launch the project. Non-perishables such as boxed macaroni and cheese, canned food and instant ramen are stored next to the fridge. Sandwiches, fruit and other perishables can be found inside. All items remain up for grabs until they are all gone.

To replenish the fridge, Enuf relies on the kindness of others

and events where they can grab leftover food to give away. Those interested in donating should provide the expiration date of the item along with its main ingredients.

“It’s for the community and run by the community,” said Lopes. “If anyone has spare food to give, don’t hesitate.”

According to a 2016 survey by Meal Exchange, nearly 40 per cent of the post-secondary population is facing food insecurity. On the flip side, almost 60 per cent of all food produced, shipped, and placed in Canadian grocery stores is thrown out, despite a third of waste being salvageable.

“This is definitely something I see myself using,” said Enuf Graphic Design Coordinator Barbara Reddick. “That’s why I’m so

grateful for the food initiative. As a student, it’s tough financially.”

Up to 300 people met up at SC-200 to snag The Hive’s free lunch and to check out the two new fridges full of food. Many grabbed an extra sandwich or apple to go with their meal.

A few feet in front of the fridges stood Austen Osei, a volunteer helping out both The Hive and Enuf in the free food initiative. While giving out popcorn and coffee to students that walked by, he shared how great it felt to be participating.

“It shows that the Concordia community is willing to help each other,” said Osei. “With Megan’s Fridge especially, we’re telling people that it’s ok to ask for help, for food, and for other services.”

Advocates Dissect Canada’s LGBTQIA2S+ Action Plan

Public Policy Students at McGill Spark Policy Discourse Around the 2SLQBTQ+ Landscape Hannah Vogan

On Jan. 10, the McGill Faculty of Law’s Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism went ahead with a debate titled, “The Sex vs. Gender (Identity) Debate In the United Kingdom and the Divorce of LGB from T.”

The event featured Rob Wintemute, a law alum at McGill, and Professor of Human Rights Law at King’s College in the UK. The event was canceled midway once a group of trans advocate protesters entered the debate, throwing baking flour at Wintemute and unplugging his projector.

This event caused pushback from McGill’s trans community and allies, as Wintemute is a trustee of the LGB Alliance, a group associated with being pro-conversion therapy, and described by protesters as transphobic.

Eight days after protesters shut down the debate, an antithetical event took place.

Dominique Garreaud, alongside other members of the Public Policy Association of Graduate Students, hosted a crowd of over two dozen on the top floor of the Thomson House at McGill University to attend a panel on Canada's policies and how they intersect with the LGBTQIA2S+ community.

The crowd comprised much of the Max Bell School of Public Policy's cohort, as well as others

interested in public policy affecting Canada's queer population.

The panel served as a dissection of the Canadian federal government’s first action plan to "advancing rights and equality for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse people in Canada," released on Aug. 28, 2022.

When the panelists were asked about their thoughts on the new policy, they provided their critique.

Among the three speakers was Christopher Karas, a paralegal and federal litigant in the case of Karas VS Canadian Blood Services and Health Canada.

Another was Curt Wackett, program and policy research officer at Rainbow Railroad, which helps LGBTQIA2S+ refugees worldwide and provides them with assistance. Lastly, Jaime Sadgrove, manager of communications and advocacy at the Can-

adian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, was in attendance.

During 2020-2021, Rainbow Railroad reached out to provide input proceeding the plan; they devised a detailed four-part plan."We wrote an entire list of incredible, really thoughtful, considerate recommendations for the government to include," Wackett explained.

The government, however, did not use Rainbow Railroad’s suggestions. Wackett described the government implementing "nothing relating to refugees," which was perceived by the organization as “a slap in the face.”

"When you are consulted, you are asked to bring your voices to the table, and you're supposed to have those voices included," said Wackett.

Karas also brought up his experience about negotiating with the government about policy changes, in his case, with his lawsuit against Canadian Blood Services.

"Trying to do that [lobbying and advocacy] work can be challenging when [the government is] trying to implement these policies which we didn't ask for," said Karas.

Karas also mentioned the government's lack of responsibility when he tried to contact them about policy reform. He received a letter from the prime minister's office saying that it acknowledged his outcry for change in Canadian Blood Services' policy. The office has yet to respond further to his inquiry.

"It's frustrating when you are trying to work on policy issues, and those that you're dealing with are not being responsive to that, so you have to find ways to make them responsive or to persuade them," Karas described his method of making the government responsive was the lawsuit he filed. Yet, he mentioned even then, it can be tricky.

"We do very different work, the three of us. We work in dif-

ferent areas of policy making and have different backgrounds," said Sadgrove. They highlighted how their various experiences bring out the similarities in their work.

The panel was in place by PPAGS in pursuit of speaking to future public policymakers about the different policy issues faced by the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Canada.

Garreaud was the lead organizer of the panel, and a public policy student at the Maxwell School of Public Policy.

"While we were thinking about what we should organize, queerness as a topic came up and how important it is in policy making, and we decided to go with it. It's a very important topic; a lot of the cohort identifies as a part of the community, so it also speaks to them," said Garreaud.

"I'm queer, and I'm interested in a lot of policy issues regarding different groups […] it is going to be really interesting hearing from people who directly work on policy that is relating to queer communities, and it's really special to have a panellist with three people who all identify as queer. I don't think it is a very common thing," highlighted Hayley Krieger, a member of PPAG.

"It's nice to have this kind of discussion in a public space. This issue we don't see a lot in mainstream news," said Alison Clement, an attendee at the panel.

TRANS RIGHTS ACTIVIST CELESTE TRIANON LEADS THE PROTEST AT MCGILL, SHUTTING DOWN THE EVENT ON JAN.10.—PHOTO ANDRAÉ LERONE LEWIS

MEGAN'S FRIDGE HAS BEEN AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS SINCE JAN. 23—PHOTO INESS RIFAY

CURT WACKETT (LEFT), CHRISTOPHER KARAS (CENTER) AND JAIME SADGROVE (RIGHT) SPEAKING AT THE THOMSON HOUSE OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY ON JAN.18. —PHOTO HANNAH VOGAN

Reggie’s on the Verge of Collapse

Campus Bar Facing Risk of Bankruptcy

Olivia Integlia

Reggie’s, the student bar located on Concordia University’s downtown campus, is in the midst of a financial crisis. Shylah Wolfe, president of Reggie’s board of directors, described its current situation as “not good,” emphasizing that the bar “has always struggled financially.”

In 2011, Reggie’s was at the centre of a financial controversy after CUSACORP, a former for-profit wing of the Concordia Student Union that owned the bar was deemed “un-auditable” by an accounting firm. At the time, the campus bar was its greatest source of income.

In June 2015, Reggie’s abandoned CUSACORP and became a solidary cooperative the following year.

The bar’s current financial crisis began at the start of the pandemic, explained a worker who denounced the conditions at Reggie’s to The Link and wished to remain anonymous.

Given that the bar had to shut down for months on end due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the board took out a loan to secure the bar’s footing during this uncertain time, they explained. Wolfe confirmed that the first loan was taken out in 2020, and the second in 2021. “Technically, right now, we're liable for $40,000 to pay back by the end of 2023,” she said.

Reggie’s board is taking drastic steps. Since December 2022, the bar shut down its kitchen to reduce operation costs. Multiple staff members were laid off, said Jessica Bortnik, the operations manager, at a board meeting which took place on Jan. 16. “We don't like the fact that the kitchen has to be closed,

and […] we've had to lay off the [kitchen] workers,” Wolfe told The Link in a separate interview.

On Jan. 9, Reggie’s partially reopened its kitchen with a reduced menu, selling only snack items like gummy worms and chocolate-covered pretzels, as opposed to its typical hot menu.

“This [menu] is just a compromise from completely closing the bar […] this is the best we could do,” added Wolfe.

However, the lack of staff has weighed down on the staff’s general morale, stressed Sen Huang, a worker and board member, at the same board meeting. “No one deserves to work two jobs and get paid for only one,” he said.

Huang also alleged that the lack of staff led to violations of protocols established by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, stating that without kitchen staff, servers are not properly trained to put food on a plate.

This violation was deemed irrelevant following the kitchen’s reopening by the rest of the board. Wolfe has since denied these allegations. “To my knowledge, the server's job description and expectations have not changed,” she said. A worker who wished to remain anonymous has denied this. “We had to prepare food and take it directly to customers,” they told The Link

On Jan. 19, Reggie’s announced that it would be reintroducing a hot food menu, expecting to reach a minimum sales target of $21,000. The board also plans to re-hire two to three former kitchen staff. The menu will be further revised on Jan. 30.

Nonetheless, Reggie’s is still in a “very stressful” situation, explained

Wolfe, as the board of directors struggles to pay back the loan within the deadline. At the board meeting, members voted to kick out The Link and enter a closed session for the conversation regarding Reggie’s current financial state.

It is unclear how close Reggie’s is to repaying the loan—something that is of great concern to some. Former board member and current general manager of the CSU Robert Henri believes that the situation is worse than is being let on. “I'm always concerned with the lack of transparency in an organization that is student-led. “They're trying to hide that things are in pretty bad shape.” he said.

Nonetheless, Wolfe is hoping for a change. “I wish the CSU would be more willing to support us right now,” she said. “I expect them to come knocking on [the CSU’s] door again for financial support,” he said, specifying that the union is not enthusiastic to help this time.

Tensions continue to run high as members put the blame on various factors for this issue.

Wolfe, who became the board’s president in May 2022, was critical of the lack of action taken by past management to pay back the loan. “In my more frustrated moments, […] I do feel angry about some of the decisions I've inherited,” she expressed. “[Reggie’s] spent about three times the amount of money on food and labour for foods specifically,” she stated.

Previously, Reggie’s was managed by Nick Kisil. After Wolfe’s appointment, Kisil and Henri were asked to step down. However, some disagree with the blame put on past management. “I think [Kisil] was probably one of the best

if not the best managers that the organization had,” said Henri.

A Reggie’s employee who wished to remain anonymous for job security reasons and who worked with both Kisil and Bortnik stated that both managers made mistakes. “Nick really left the financials in shambles,” they stated, alleging that Reggie’s has not been profitable for years and is tens of thousands of dollars in debt. However, they also mentioned that the current board is supposedly making decisions that “do not work in practice” and have not bothered to patronize the bar.

Wolfe also pointed to issues of the former structure of Reggie’s. “It's been a historically pretty broey [male-dominated] place, and we got a new board of directors in May that really wanted to bring back some principles of cooperation,” she said.

Olivia Champagne, the John Molson School of Business student representative on the board, further emphasized Reggie’s history of valuing male employees above female employees. “This undervaluation of women's labour has a dollar figure attached to it which will become clear when the CNESST Equity investigation results, for the period of 2015-2020,” she added. These results were released on Jan. 23, however, not publicly shared as previously promised. When going to Reggie’s to view the report that was allegedly public, an employee initially said that the report was not yet released. However, after further inquiry, it was revealed that the report had been released and The Link was refused access to the document.

Concerned with fixing the gender unbalance, the new board members had been unable to respond to Reggie’s financial needs.

Not everyone agrees. A woman employee told The Link that this is not the cause of all their issues. “Even before [Kisil], Reggie’s wasn’t profitable and the decisions being made by the new board are not generating any more revenue.”

Yet they still have hope to recover. Champagne mentioned how Reggie’s received a grant to launch the Solidarity Supper Program—a pay-what-you-can program for students facing food insecurity on campus—every Tuesday evening.

“The Reggie’s Solidarity Supper Program is also acting as a proposed solution to the financial unfeasibility of Reggie’s current menu offerings whereby the kitchen operations need to be completely re-imagined otherwise face a complete shutdown,” she stated.

While the blame for the mismanagement remains disputed, attendees of the board meeting agreed they wanted the best for Reggie’s. “We want to make sure that we have meaningful work for people and […] keeping Reggie's open so that there's good jobs for workers and a bar for the students,” said Wolfe.

DESPITE FACING FINANCIAL ISSUES, REGGIE'S RE-INTRODUCED ITS HOT FOOD MENU ON JAN.19. KITCHEN HOURS ARE 12 P.M. TO 8 P.M., WHILE THE BAR IS OPEN FROM 11:30 A.M TO 1 A.M MONDAY TO WEDNESDAY AND UNTIL 2 A.M. THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS. —PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

“Our Right to Raise Our Flag”

Protesters in Montreal Denounce Israel’s Ban on Palestinian Flag

Sarah-Maria Khoueiry

“Red like our blood, green like our land, black for the hard days, and white for our hearts.” Protesters sang along, and others listened as this popular Arabic Palestinian revolution song played from a car’s speakers on Jan. 22 in parc Lafontaine.

Never had the song’s lyrics rang so true to protesters in Montreal until Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s new minister of national security, ordered the removal of Palestinian flags in public.

“For us it hits home—literally,” said Sarah, a protester who asked to withhold her last name. “It’s our pride. It’s our representation of home.”

The international Palestinian community has responded to the measure by rallying all over the world this weekend and raising their flag. Other cities involved in the Raise Your Flag Global Event include Edmonton and Charlotte, N.C..

In Montreal, the Palestinian community and supporters met at parc Lafontaine and attached flags to their car windows. They drove around and honked their horns all with the objective to “get

people talking about the Palestinian cause,” said protest organizer Mike Abdallah.

“Our goal is very clear,” Abdallah went on, “we’re saying it is our right to raise our flag; there’s nothing wrong with it. We’re telling the Zionist government that […] we will make sure to keep it high all over the world, not only in Palestine.”

The drive ended at the Israeli consulate located at 1 Westmount Square.

Lina Mateou, an Algerian woman looking to show her support, was draped in a scarf that showed off the colors of the Palestinian flag.

“I often participate in rallies and my heart is with them. People are getting killed, and they can’t even raise their flag,” Mateou stated. “My heart can’t take it. I think by protesting we can change things, but it takes time.”

When prompted about the minister’s comment about the association of the flag with terrorism, Mateou’s eyes widened. “Of course it’s not true,” she said. “They’re way in over their heads.”

Indeed, on Jan. 8, Ben Gvir made a statement ordering “the removal of flags supporting terrorism from the

public space and to stop the incitement against Israel.”

Abdallah was not surprised.“We’ve heard it before and it’s simply not true,” the organizer answered over the sound of the chants.

One might believe that the constant fight for their rights might take a toll on the protesters. This goes es-

pecially when the new ultranationalist Israeli government’s agenda pushes for major changes, both regarding Israeli politics and the treatment of Arabs in the country. But they remain steadfast in their resolve.

“This pushes us harder, if anything,” said Sarah. “This gives us that drive that we need to keep

going and make sure the entire world hears our voices.”

“Within our lifetime,” Abdallah concurred with a phrase often used when talking about the liberation of Palestine,“we’ll keep going as long as we’re alive, and as long as we need to, because I know Palestine will be free within our lifetime.”

CSU Drop-In Daycare Receives Government Funding

Union Hopes to Make Student Parent Life Easier

Maria Cholakova

For the past four years, the Concordia Student Union Daycare and Nursery has been a key resource for Concordia students and community members in need of childcare.

However, due to its structure, it couldn’t accommodate all parents’ wishes. To improve childcare access at Concordia, the CSU has been working on opening a drop-in centre.

On Dec. 20, 2022, the union received $150,000 in funding from the Quebec government meant for the creation of a drop-in service for student parents in need.

Fawaz Halloum, the CSU’s general coordinator, said this was a project very near and dear to his heart. Last year, he tried to enroll his toddler in the CSU’s daycare, but due to its structure, it didn’t fit with his student lifestyle. “I took advantage of the fact that I'm in a position of power where I can bring

a change and gave attention to parents like myself,” said Halloum.

Angela Meo, the CSU Daycare and Nursery director, expressed her excitement about the new developments in the near future.

“This is a project that student parents have been long awaiting that's going to be offered at Concordia,” explained Meo.

The drop-in service will allow parents to drop off their children at a location downtown for two to six hours while their parents finish up their lectures. This service will be separate from the CSU Daycare and Nursery, which has been operating for four years.

The difference between the two services is the amount of time the children are left in the care of the respective organizations. The daycare operates for six to nine hours a day, providing children with lunch, snacks, and activities. However,

due to this style of care, the daycare can’t offer drop-in services. “There's more of a routine established in the daycare,” explained Meo “There's a nap time and activities, whereas a drop-in center is more of two to six-hour service,” she said.

With the help of Meo, the Concordia University Student Parent Centre, a few mentors and encouraging CSU staff, the subsidy grant was filed and approved. The grant will be distributed in two, with $49,014 allocated for the Winter 2023 semester and $95,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. In addition, $10,000 were granted by the Quebec government for start-up costs like furniture and toys.

The grant will cover operating expenses like rent and overhead costs, however, it won’t make the daycare completely free. “There will be a small fee for parents because there will be operating costs.

We'll have to hire a coordinator and educators. Essentially the dayto-day costs,” Meo said. At this time, that amount is unknown, however, according to Meo, it won’t be an inaccessible sum.

In addition, the drop-in centre will utilize both the funds and parents’ fees to operate. This means that students who do not use this service will not pay fees.

To make daycare services as accessible as possible, CUSP works to help student parents with all their questions and concerns. Sumaiya Gangat, the coordinator at CUSP said the new developments will encourage parents to take advantage of the resources provided.

“We will see more student parents that will hang out at the university, helping to create the community that we have always tried to build for them,” said Gangat. “A supportive, caring, welcoming

place for the community to gather and share resources, ideas and advice,” she continued.

Most recently, the drop-in centre was in the process of signing a lease for a new space. It will most likely be located at the corner of St. Mathieu St. and de Maisonneuve Blvd. For now, the centre will only be available on the downtown campus but may expand to Loyola in the future, Meo told The Link

Although the drop-in daycare is facilitated and managed by the CSU, it is still under Concordia's jurisdiction. Vannina Maestracci, Concordia’s spokesperson, stated that due to a lack of suitable space on campus that meets the requirements of a drop-in daycare, Facilities Management introduced the CSU to “a company specializing in locating daycare spaces to help them identify options near campus.”

GRAPHIC ADAM GIBBARD

Residence Students at the Forefront of the Housing Crisis

Concordians Paying Unsustainable Rents in Residences

Clément Lechat

From the outside, the Evo at 777 Blvd Robert-Bourassa seems to be nothing more than a 108-metretall building from the 70s with brutalist architectural lines.

However, behind the facade of greyish concrete, steel and glass panels, the former Delta Centre-Ville hotel is an island of luxury in the heart of Montreal’s International District.

“It is luxurious,” admitted Shauna Shanbhag, a Concordia international student from India, sitting in the lobby’s comfortable red chairs. She can afford the Evo way of life because she works as a resident assistant for 20 hours per week. Her otherwise unsustainable rent is deducted from her paycheck.

Only a handful of Concordia residents receive this opportunity. Since August 2022, Concordia University has privatized two Evo floors for its community. A shared living arrangement in a building with a private gym, a pool with a view of Montreal’s skyline, and corridors full of paintings costs tenants $990 per month.

Even Concordia’s cheapest dorms, located at Hingston Hall on the Loyola campus, are not affordable for most occupants. The lowest rate, a shared room with two double beds and a sink is $553.19 monthly, accompanied by a mandatory meal plan of $2,675 for each semester.

The university denies the problem and has continued promoting its Mildoré and Evo accommodations. Nevertheless, many students are getting involved in reimagining student-based solutions to the crisis.

When Shanbhag arrived in Montreal in the winter of 2022, the Grey Nuns residence became her first home. “It was nice to have this adjustment period instead of

just landing and then moving to an apartment and starting to live independently for the first time,” she recalled.

However, Shanbhag soon started a quest for a more affordable and convenient place to live. “When I first applied to live at Grey Nuns, that was one thing holding me back,” she remembered. Meanwhile, she had asked to become a resident assistant at EVO, hoping she could remain there for a lower price.

Shanbhag organizes social events, looks over residents and keeps a walkie-talkie at all times in case of emergency. In exchange, she receives a 90 per cent discount on rent. Shanbhag will have to re-apply for this living arrangement at the end of the winter term. If she cannot obtain this position again, she will have no option but to leave.

Housing is affordable as long as the cost of rent does not represent more than 30 per cent of a tenant's monthly income, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Figures show that Concordia's cheapest shared dorm room on the Loyola Campus does not satisfy this criterion for most students, even for those earning $20,000 yearly.

Lauren Farley, the director of Concordia Residence Life, acknowledged that the Evo is more expensive than others. In addition, she claimed that the margin between what the university charges tenants and the rent they pay to the thirdparty provider is insignificant.

“Residence life is not necessarily for everyone,” Farley justified. To her, Concordia residences are more than simple rooms. They instead foster a feeling of community and are an “added value,” allowing undergraduates to integrate. “I feel very proud of the program we do and how much

effort we put into making it accessible but also desirable to students,” Farley emphasized.

Knowing that dorms are traditionally the cheapest option, their lack of affordability represents a paradigm shift; student housing has become a market opportunity for multinational companies in Montreal, like Evo’s owner, N-DCV Holdings. Its main shareholder traces back to a mailbox on the island of Jersey, long considered one of the world's worst tax-havens.

As Concordia’s facilities at Grey Nuns are aging, the university claims third-party agreements with Evo, and perhaps other providers in the future, are inevitable to honour the guaranteed housing promises made to first-year students from outside Quebec.

According to Farley, Grey Nuns currently lacks 250 beds because of renovations on the west side of the building. After a tough time during the COVID-19 pandemic, students are back in their residences. Farley said the occupancy rate is around 90 per cent for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The Evo is not the university’s only public-private partnership. It firmed its first agreement with the YWCA three years ago.

“I find [the Evo partnership] ridiculous, knowing that Concordia’s residences are already costly,” Karine Balé said. She arrived from Togo and lived at the Evo from September 2018 to April 2019. While the university had not set the private partnership at the time, room prices were almost as high.

Before leaving her home country, Balé searched the internet for accommodations, and Evo’s website appeared among the first. “I was reassured by the fact that there were videos

and comments. Other residences seemed sketchier,” Balé recalled.

The Woodnote Cooperative, a four-floor apartment building which opened its doors in 2020, is located at the corner of Papineau Avenue and Sherbrooke Street. The Concordia Student Union funded the project in partnership with UTILE, a non-profit organization specialized in student housing.

Prices start at $752 for a studio, which is 30 per cent cheaper than the local market. The rents can only increase by a maximum of 2 per cent yearly to reflect the impact of inflation on the building’s operational costs.

Four years later, Balé does not regret her decision to move out. She gained more privacy and saved money at the Woodnote. Luckily, her family supported her financially, unlike three-quarters of students who do not receive any aid to pay their rent, according to a UTILE 2021 report.

The lack of affordable beds in residences impacts the conventional market, according to Cédric Dussault, spokesman for the (Le Regroupement des comités logement et associations) RCLALQ, a social housing advocacy group. “Students are both victims and aggravating factors of the housing crisis,” he stressed. While they are poorer than the general population, their compound income is sometimes higher when they live with roommates, allowing them to rent family houses that are scarce in parts of Montreal.

Dussault thinks the provincial government has neglected student residence funding for too long to the detriment of the entire population. However, Concordia Residence Life cannot legally receive subsidies from Quebec because it is considered a

revenue-generating department.

It is unsure whether more money would improve the situation. Farley is open to the idea, although she denied that Concordia has a role to play in making housing more affordable. “Maybe as a very large institution in Montreal, we have a responsibility to have that conversation, but is it our responsibility specifically? That is difficult to say,” she said.

Balé, who studies economics, thinks that subsidies are useless if universities do not entirely rethink their housing system and business model.

“There would be more gains doing more interesting partnerships with non-profits or organizations interested in students’ wellbeing,'' she said.

As one of Woodnote’s provisional board members, Balé saw this affordable housing project evolve before her eyes. It became a 144-room hive designed to nurture a spirit of solidarity among neighbours, who can gather on a central wooden patio or inside a cozy communal room to watch movies.

Proximity to the university, reasonable rent, safety, and opportunities to gather and feel part of a community are four key elements housing must meet, according to Balé.

Thanks to her past involvement as a treasurer and a representative at UTILE’s board, Balé has become synonymous with Woodnote to many members, garnering the nickname “the co-op girl.”

Balé hopes the Woodnote will lead the way towards a different housing future that will answer students’ needs and include all stakeholders around the negotiation table–not only promoters. “Everything is possible,” said Balé. “Let’s open the pandora’s box.”

THE EVO STUDENT RESIDENCE IS ONE OF MANY PRIVATELY-RUN RESIDENCES IN THE CITY—PHOTO CLÉMENT LECHAT

Photo Essay: Dragon Parade Lights Up Chinatown

Year

On Jan. 21, hundreds of Montrealers from all different walks of life gathered in Chinatown for Lunar New Year. On the second day of the traditional three day festivities, a parade was led by community members.

The parade proceeded along De La Gauchetière St. between Saint-Laurent Blvd. and JeanneMance St.. The street was lit up with red and orange colours. Adults, children and even pets dressed up in festive clothing to participate.

The crowd was led by a dragon dance. Following right behind was the Montreal Fo Guang Shan and Montreal Chan Lion Dance Club, a troupe of the Montreal Chinese Chamber of Commerce performing a waist-drum show and members of the Tsingher association dressed in traditional Hanfu attire.

“This year is the year of the water rabbit and it is supposed to bring longevity, hope and prosperity so it is going to be an amazing year,” said Fen, a parade spectator. She stood, alongside her husband, mother and daughter, who watched in awe of the performances. For Fen, this year has special significance as her husband Billy was also born in a rabbit year. She was particularly pleased about the return of the parade, which took a hiatus during the pandemic. “As you see with the turnout, we are all here to celebrate,” she said.

Olivia Integlia Hundreds Gather to Celebrate Chinese Lunar New

Concordia Alumna Advocates for Artistic Innovation

The Quest to Repurpose BC Town’s Historic Drill Hall

Rossland—population 4,100—is a town hidden in the Kootenay Mountains of British Columbia. Despite its stature, Rossland has historically punched above its weight on the world stage. A hallowed ground for professional skiers, the town has produced three olympic medalists in the sport and has boasted a similar vitality in the field of technological innovation.

Inventions such as the flying steamshovel—an early helicopter prototype—and even the walkie talkie trace their origins back to Rossland.

One of the town’s buildings has played an outsized role in the development of this industrious community: the Rossland Drill Hall.

Built in 1904 to house local militia, the hall was later used to train garrisons fighting in the world wars. In the intervening decades, it has been used variously as a community hub, a school and a sporting centre— and the strain of its long years of service are beginning to show. According to a volunteer coalition of artists, researchers, and community figures known as the Rossland Arts Centre Society, there is still life to be drawn from the Drill Hall.

Lana Jamieson, one of the founders of RACS, explained that

the society intends to repurpose the space as a community arts centre. To this end, RACS has entered the National Trust for Canada’s Next Great Save—a vote-based competition that awards $50,000 to the most popular historical restoration project nation-wide.

Originally from northern British Columbia, Jamieson pursued a bachelor of fine arts at Concordia University, from which she graduated in 2010. Jamieson decided to relocate her family out west in 2014 after she and her partner stumbled upon the Kootenay town and fell in love with it. She explained how the idea to repurpose the Drill Hall as an arts centre arrived after she and a friend examined the building up close.

“It had been shuttered for a couple of years by that time. We walked around the back peering in the windows and it looked perfect,” said Jamieson. “Classrooms were complete, the floors looked good. I think we both had an ‘a-ha!’ moment and said what a great space this would be for an arts centre.”

From this initial encounter, Jamieson approached her co-worker and eventual RACS Board Member Sarah Taekema about the burgeon-

ing project. RACS was officially founded shortly after, in 2018, and hundreds of hours of volunteer labour by the organization began to repurpose the building.

Jamieson explained that funds are needed to help restore the Hall’s foundation and roof trusses in a manner that will respect the historical integrity of the building. She said following this, RACS hopes the Hall will become a hub for local artists in every respect—housing galleries, libraries, tool labs, sound studios and other important features.

In her capacity as Research Manager for the Rossland Museum, Taekema learned that anecdotes about the Hall are abundant within the community. In each personal story, the building took on a new guise: a dance hall, a sports facility, a centre for community events and more.

A passionate oil painter, Taekeme, explained she wants the Hall to be a space where artists can flourish, develop and generate ideas with each other.

“I am personally looking forward to setting up studios in the Hall. I would love to be able to set up my easel permanently […] in a space where I’m surrounded by

artists practicing all disciplines,” Taekema said.

Karina Farr, Co-Chair of the RACS Board, agreed. She said the Hall’s historic architecture serves as a visual reminder of the town’s history and where it can go from there.

“I hope to see drop-in programs for kids and adults where people can just come be creative and exercise their minds anytime they want to,” said Farr. “I’m also looking forward to seeing that beautiful stage in use. I imagine kids drama and dance classes there daily after school.”

For Jamieson, this project would be a huge boost for a town already teeming with artists. She explained that Rossland’s awe-inspiring scenery has lured countless families to the town—many of which are composed of the artistically-inclined.

“[Rossland] has attracted so many creative people and artists who have tried to cram micro-studios into their already tiny houses,” she said.

Jamieson explained that while there are several years of work ahead, regardless of the results, winning the Next Great Save’s $50,000 prize would allow RACS to reopen the Drill Hall’s doors at a hastened rate. As a result, new artistic programming could begin much earlier than anticipated, she said.

For Jamieson and many others at RACS, there is much excitement for this project even though restoration efforts will likely only develop over time.

“I am hopeful that we can complete the structural work and renovation in time for my own children to benefit from it, but I didn't start this project thinking it would be done in one or two years,” said Jamieson. “In my lifetime, I have probably planted one million trees and I won't see any of them grow. This feels a bit like that […] mostly, it will be there for future generations.”

My Birth Tree

Olivia Integlia

When my mother became pregnant with me, she planted a Ginkgo in the front house in my honour. This was a tradition she started when my older sister was born—the new tree representing the growth and prosperity that lies ahead.

The tree is beautiful. Its leaves, distinct from those of a maple or oak, are fan-shaped. The veins run straight, never anastomosing or merging together.

Over the years, I watched the tree grow. As a child, I’d stand tiptoed at the living room window to peek over at it. Each time I did, I saw its branches moving in the wind. In the summer, the tree came alive. Its leaves were bright green and ants slowly walked up

and down its trunk. By fall, the tree wept big tears of yellow leaves.

In rain and wind, I watched my neighbours’ trees snap like twigs while the Ginkgo stood tall. The world could be crumbling around it, but it was held down firmly by its roots. One morning, I looked up at it on my way to the hospital. The night before, a huge storm had taken down some of my neighbours’ trees. I sat in the car—anxious about my upcoming surgery— and watched my father navigate around trees fallen in the street.

Year after year, I aged through heartaches and triumphs and the tree remained unchanged—until its 20-year anniversary—when the tree matured. Cherry-shaped, chartreuse fruit filled each branch.

Upon falling to the ground, the fruit cracked open and a foul smell filled the air. Neighbours complained about it every time they walked by. Desperate to remove the smell, my father insisted the tree must be cut. It seemed like the Ginkgo was no longer adored.

Over time, I developed anxiety and depression. Heavy thoughts weighed down on me just as the fruit bent branches on the Ginkgo.

Every time I’d try to shake them off, they’d return with a vengeance. Despite everything going well in my life, I was a void, unable to overcome the feeling of unfulfillment. Just as no one recognized the tree’s beauty behind the fruit, I could not see the positivity right in front of my eyes. In the toughest moments, I worried those around me resented me as they did the Ginkgo.

I felt like this for years. The happiness from every success lasted seconds. On cold days when I lacked the strength to leave the house, I would cry and shake in rhythm with the Ginkgo’s shivering branches. And while things slowly became brighter, just as the tree’s leaves did each spring, every moment of beauty was cut short when the fruit sprouted in the summer.

Summer days were the hardest for me. Meaning in my life felt lost after school ended and my responsibilities went away. I spent my time contemplating what my purpose was—the stench of ripe Ginkgo fruit filling the air. “I am just as useless as a matured Ginkgo,” I thought to myself.

But day after day, the tree remained. Eventually, the smell of its

fruit paled in the face of its beauty. No one wanted to cut down my birth tree. It was too beautiful to give up. We learned that the mature tree would survive and regrow even if the fruit covering its branches were pruned every few months.

I too realized that I was showered with love all along, giving me the courage to prune my own fruit and grow to be more positive. We never ignored the

GRAPHIC MARILOU BRICKERT

beauty of the tree. We just did not like to see its beauty tainted by its fruit. But fruit can be cut, and so can the dark thoughts that fluttered through my head.

Even on the hardest days, I remind myself that I have the same strength as my birth tree. It was, after all, one of the few trees to survive the Hiroshima bombing.

Today, the Ginkgo still stands outside my front window.

Jaime Kerr

COURTESY LANA JAMIESON

Gambler

Pau Qureshi Klamburg

12 Questions for LIfe

12 Questions for Life

Sophie Dufresne

Across little town in the suburbs of island of Montreal named after a Quebec politician (not after the Costco brand).

Publishing company owned by a billion dollar corporation that claims to care about mental health but mistreats its employees.

Capitalism promotes this

Down

According to Hannah Bell, they suck. And I agree.

Silly little town in the suburbs of the island of Montreal named after a Quebec politician (not after the Costco brand).

Publishing company owned by a 60 billion dollar corporation that claims to care about mental health but mistreats its employees.

According to Hannah Bell, they suck. And I agree.

Concordia’s cheapest dorms, which are not very affordable. They come with a mandatory meal plan of over $2K per semester.

Our beloved student bar... or is it? IDK OLIVIA, IS IT?

Acronym of committee boycotted by student unions since October 2022 for mishandling survivors’ cases.

Concordia’s cheapest dorms, which are not very affordable. They come with a mandatory meal plan of over $2K per semester.

Our beloved student bar… or is it? IDK OLIVIA, IS IT?

Acronym of committee boycotted by student unions since October

promotes this unhealthy lifestyle by selling us the notion of productivity The CSU’s general coordinator

claims made with the intent to deceive the general public.

The finest sporting event to be hosted by ConU in recent history—according to Comp Sci students.

Mental health guru whose TV show has been airing for over a decade. He has a doctorate in clinical psychology, but his licence to practice psychology was revoked in 2013.

Love it or hate it, many of us use it daily to get around the city. For some, it’s the only reason we register as full-time students in the Fall before dropping half our classes.

GRAPHIC PAU QURESHI KLAMBURG

Sophie Dufresne

Community Through Computer Competition

ConUHacks Returns to JMSB

Conor Tomalty

During what should have been a tranquil Saturday morning in the John Molson School of Business, a sea of eager participants and tech mentor booths replaced the calm with an energized, positive atmosphere.

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ConUHacks returned in-person for its seventh iteration.

Attendees were tasked with navigating a 24-hour marathon on the Sir George Williams campus over the weekend of Jan. 21-22. Hosted by HackConcordia, the event itself saw a plethora of student participants from across Canada complete specific projects and tasks for a chance to win prizes. Outside the competition element, the venue provided sponsors, mentorship and workshops to help augment the skills of attendees.

Charlene Baay, co-president of HackConcordia, expressed her delight at the reintegration of ConUHacks on campus.

Baay said that with the 17 sponsors attending the event it was a chance for everyone to make and build connections. Baay and her team scheduled a variety of enjoyable activities coinciding with the event’s professional ventures. Items listed included “the anime club setting up anime to play throughout the event”, as well as video games, physical activities during the evening and food breaks where different groups could banter.

Yuvy Goodtime is a political science student who attended ConUHacks VII. Goodtime’s group worked on a presentation for sponsors at the event. The presentation was designed to incorporate innovative ideas to help with tech de-

velopment. Despite the competitive atmosphere, Goodtime praised the experience and first-hand discourse with fellow tech experts more than anything else.

“It’s our second time participating,” said Goodtime. “We also participated online last year. [The hackathon] is a big part of our academic journey.”

Goodtime elaborated on the differences between the year prior and the 2023 installment when he said, “In-person, it’s mainly the building of connections and actually getting to meet people who aren’t just a Discord handle or on social media.” He added that participants being from a variety of different programs allowed for ideas to prosper among strangers.

Groups were scattered across rooms on campus, with teams brainstorming and strategizing their next steps for a set project. Preparation for the overnight stay within the narrow confines proved to be challenging, yet not daunting for certain participants.

For the team of Tadg O’Hare, Nathan Coulas and Dhirran Piravaharaa, who wore neck pillows during their interview while waiting in line for lunch, comfort was ironically not a main focus.

“We just keep winging it. Posted up in our room,” said Coulas. Piravaharaa echoed this sentiment, saying, “Just keep working. Find a room and just grind.”

The team acknowledged that their room was cozy to start, aiding the speed with which their project could be constructed.

“We’ve got a bit of starting code done for an A.I. interactive journal,” O’Hare explained. Modelling their idea after the ChatG-

PT, an artificial intelligence built to interact in a conversational manner, their project’s premise was to “implement our own version of this [program],” said O’Hare. “But instead of a chat bot, it’s more of a journaling bot fit for larger responses.”

With motivation on their side, the team of three’s chants of “think it the best, dream it the best, do it the best” resonated throughout the mezzanine.

According to Toby Jones, HackConcordia’s executive of community, by the end of the second day, it was the biggest hackathon participation within Concordia and Quebec ever. The participation numbers beat the previous record established from the hackathon’s fifth installment. Over 800 hackers were admitted in-person. A total 780 from pre-registration and many more late-comers who joined after the event started. There were a total 138 projects that were submitted.

THE EVENT TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND IN CONCORDIA'S MB BUILDING—PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

ANSH, TAGD AND DHIRRAN'S TEAM MADE AN AI-POWERED PERSONAL DIARY—PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

THE WINNING TEAM WENT HOME WITH FOUR MACBOOK AIR—PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

THE ALUMNI AUDITORIUM WAS FULLY PACKED FOR THE AWARDS CEREMONY—PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

PHOTO IVAN DE JACQUELIN

Stingers’ Weekend Wrap-Up: Jan 19-22

Hockey Thrives, While Basketball Dives

Conor Tomalty

Let’s talk Stingers…

Women’s Hockey: Currently first in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec.

The Stingers women’s hockey team continued their provincial dominance this past weekend. Coach Julie Chu’s squad improved to 14-3-0 on the year, with wins against the Bishop’s university Gaiters and the Université de Montréal Carabins.

In their matchup against Bishop’s, a second period scoring spree led the Stringers to the victory. Forward Emilie Lavoie tallied two goals on five shots, while forward Jessymaude Drapeau registered three assists. With only one goal allowed by stud Stingers goaltender Alice Philbert in the terminal frame, the Stingers’ defence remained poised until the final horn sounded.

The bigger storyline presented itself in the game against second place Montréal. With vital standings position up for grabs, both teams received some additional support. Despite winning a gold medal in the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire games in Lake Placid, N.Y. a day prior, key teammates travelled back to La Belle Province to rejoin their university squads for the crucial head-to-head. These players included forwards Rosalie Begin-Cyr and team Canada captain Emmy Fecteau for Concordia and forward Audrey-Anne Veillette plus defencemen Kelly-Ann Nadeau and Annabel Faubert for Montréal.

The Stingers took charge right out the gate, blasting three goals past Carabins backstop Aube Racine during the first period. In the third period, the Stingers found themselves in penalty troubles. They drew four minor penalties in the frame; yet, it was thanks to Philbert saving 12 of the 13 shots taken in the 20-minute span that secured the win for her team.

With playoffs less than a month away, the Stingers must understand that single period success won’t always guarantee victory. Due to the strong competition that fills the RSEQ division, the playoff picture is still wide open.

Next game is against the Carleton University Ravens on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.

Men’s Hockey: Currently second in the Ontario University Athletics East division

The men’s team battled against the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks on Jan. 21. Taking on the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last year, the Stingers trounced their opponents by a score of 3-1. The victory marked the Stingers to a record of 14-7-0 on the campaign, although the penalty troubles for the team persisted throughout the contest.

Coach Marc-Andre Element’s team attracted six infractions for 23 minutes, including a game misconduct to defenceman Christopher Inniss, who was assessed a five-minute major for charging before being tossed from the game.

This Stingers team has just as much offensive tenacity as they do fire, but it’s thanks to this aggressive, and at times undisciplined, moxie that leads to the group getting burned.

The OUA East division is incredibly tight in the standings, with a mere four points separating the second place Stingers from the sixth placed university of Ottawa Gee-Gees. If this group can remain level-headed, then their playoff run will know no bounds.

Next game is against the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.

Women’s Basketball: Currently fourth in the RSEQ standings

The Stingers women’s basketball team squared off against Bishop’s twice last weekend. The top-seeded Bishop’s team expected a less difficult matchup against the struggling Concordia cohort, instead the Stingers brought their A game.

Concordia dropped game one, losing by two possession 75-71, but they shocked the league with an upset, mustering an offensive dynamism that led to a 71-68 win in game two. Veteran guard Areej Burgonio flexed her offensive prowess in both games with 21 and 32 points respectively.

With starting forward Serena Tchida sidelined with an injury, freshman forward Angela Batrla played key minutes in both contests. The second game saw Batrla rack up 38 minutes, shooting eight for 14 with 17 points and nine rebounds. If the first year big can

continue to impress, there may be more action coming her way in the rotation down the stretch.

With a 2-8 record, the Stingers are tied with the McGill University Martlets for the final playoff spot. If the Stingers remain persistent and feisty in the front court, that final spot, and consistent success may come their way.

Next game is against the Université du Québec à Montréal Citadins on Saturday, Jan, 26 at 6 p.m.

Men’s Basketball: Currently third in the RSEQ standings

The men’s team encountered a ‘new year, new me’ reputation that has proven detrimental. Not due to a lack of effort, but the Coach Rastko Popovic led team has yet to register a win in 2023.

They too battled against the mighty Bishop’s team twice over the weekend. The first game came down to a triple overtime clash, where the front court pressure provided by the Gaiters sealed the victory. Gaiters forward Charles Robert feasted on rebounds and muscled his way to 34 points in the game.

Even with the strenuous game one behind them, their away game in Lennoxville ended with more heartbreak. Concordia failed to meet the high volume of shot attempts taken by their opponents, being out shot 86 to 66. As the Gaiters’ forwards looked for second helpings, their might in the front court was daunting. Game two ended in an 86-77 loss for Concordia, meaning the Stingers have fallen to 5-5 on the year.

With playoffs fast approaching, the middle pack position in the standings may begin to feel uncomfortable. That being said, if the Stingers’ guard play and clutch shooting present themselves more frequently, their top dog status may be reawakened down the stretch.

Next game is against the UQAM Citadins on Friday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m.

Pop Psychology: Quick Fixes or Profitable Fictions?

Uncovering Ethical Violations

Dallas Calvert

Do the names Dr. Phil, and Jordan Peterson sound familiar to you? Perhaps you’ve scrolled through their social media pages, seen their content go viral, or read about one of their controversies. They seem to present themselves to their audiences as outlets for inspiration and advice, but they all have greater intentions: entertainment, of course, but most of all: publicity and profit.

These types of so-called mental health gurus claim to be one stop shops that provide unprecedented remedies for various diseases of the mind. Dr. Phil’s website, for example, describes his show as “the most comprehensive forum on mental health issues in the history of television.”

This fast and flashy way of repackaging clinical psychology contributes to the greater phenomenon—or epidemic—of pop psychology. The term itself is pretty self-explanatory. Pop—or popular—psychology refers to psychological theories, therapies, or other techniques that have gained attention through books, TV shows, Youtube, and other forms of media.

At a glance, this easily-digestible form of psychology may seem like an appealing way to get quickfixes for psychological issues. Granted, some psychologists who have been put in the spotlight are entirely legitimate. However, this isn’t always the case.

Dr. Phil, for example, does have a PhD in psychology, but his psychology license was revoked in 2013 following allegations of his misconduct and ethics violations. Even though he cannot legally practice as a psychologist, he continues to affirm his treating of guests and remains devoted to his image as a doctor. This is where the line of ethics in the mainstreaming of psychology becomes blurred—and overstepped.

It is wonderful to witness psychological teachings and theories become more accessible to those outside academic environments. But every advancement in accessibility of information has its drawbacks; it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish the professionals from the phonies and the facts from the fiction.

Misinformation is especially harmful in terms of psychology because it directly influences the mental wellbeing of the people consuming the content, who tend to already be vulnerable and in need of serious help. For the average person, the line that distinguishes grifters and actual mental health professionals who want you to be happier and healthier can also appear very blurred.

Psychologists who are mostly motivated by profit, like Dr. Phil, are perfect examples of grifters. Thankfully his reputation as a

public figure and doctor has been significantly charred since he went under fire for his scandalous actions towards both employees and guests. While his audiences are still large, they do not idolize him in the same way as before.

More recently, the Canadian psychologist, author, and controversial figure Jordan Peterson has been under similar public scrutiny. He is legitimately educated, boasting a PhD in psychology from McGill which he received in 1991, but his license as a clinical psychologist is under review as recently as 2023. This review was ordered by the College of Psychologists of Ontario who requested Dr. Peterson to do an additional “social media re-education” course following public statements he made.

Peterson earned a track record for making eyebrow raising remarks since becoming active on social media in 2016. His online presence took off that same year when he got a lot of media attention for one of his first controversies. A year later he decided to put a hold on his teaching and clinical practice to pursue life in the limelight. He has not shied away from expressing controversial views on women, masculinity, gender identity, and climate change (to name a few).

Some of his recent tweets were the flash point that led to the re-

view of his license as a psychologist. The CPO, whose mandate is to “protect the public interest by monitoring and regulating the practices of psychology” questioned the degrading nature of some of Peterson’s tweets and raised questions about his abilities as a mental health professional.

Peterson has denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the complaints were of political issues and are not related to his clients or practice as a psychologist. Peterson is not wrong in believing that freedom of expression allows you to say what you want but is wrong to think that expressing harmful views will not have consequences.

Mental health professionals who are also online influencers need to be more aware of the depth of their impact on audiences, let alone the breadth of the people that they reach. Thanks

GRAPHIC RENEE KENNEDY

to the wonderful advent of technology, information is accessible to billions of people all over the world. A lot of people use the Internet for quick answers to questions and don’t think critically about the advice that is offered. Psychologists in practice are responsible for wielding the power they have over people in especially vulnerable mental states, and should be held accountable for their actions as they could have potentially catastrophic consequences for consumers.

As a public figure in mental health, your client becomes essentially every individual on this planet; that includes women, trans people, racialized people and otherwise disenfranchised individuals. It becomes crucial to remember that ethics and morals should always come before publicity and profit.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

IVAN DE JACQUELIN

On Jan.21, Club Soda, in Place-des-Arts hosted an all night long music event as part of a city-financed pilot project to extend liquor permits and give a boost to Downtown's economy.

The city is sponsoring 10 events over the span of two months to evaluate the potential benefits. The full list can be found on MTL2424's website.

Submit your photos to photo@thelinknewspaper.ca

PHOTO

Don’t @ Me: New Year’s Resolutions Suck

Hannah Bell Building an Alternative Approach/Practice to Goal-Setting

the way you look, both things you cannot easily control. A 2017 survey by U.S. company Statista showed that 84 per cent of women feel the media holds them to unrealistic beauty standards. With the expectations surrounding women's appearances constantly fluctuating, trying to keep up with the trends is unhealthy and often unattainable.

By taking the time to focus on all of the positive aspects of your life, the self-pity narrative gets flipped around. In my experience, the good things in your life can benefit you most when you acknowledge them.

GRAPHIC RENEE KENNEDY

Something about the words “New Year's resolutions” sets my teeth on edge. The phrase has become intrinsically tied with weight loss, exercise and “healthy” eating.

In a culture of people in their wellness era, being in a constant state of self-improvement can be more damaging than encouraging. Appreciating the things that are already amazing about you and your life can be a much more beneficial approach. Rather than getting down on yourself about being an imperfect person, you can celebrate your strengths

and move into the new year motivated by self-respect instead of insecurity.

We are at a time now when hustle culture pushes the narrative that waking up at 5 a.m. and working around the clock are the steps to becoming a successful person. However, most can agree that this is entirely unrealistic. Setting unnecessarily high expectations for yourself is a recipe for anxiety, especially when it comes to New Year's resolutions. They are almost always tied to making more money or changing

I found myself at the end of December assessing all of the things that I disliked about myself. After several years of this, I decided to scrap the tradition entirely. This is not to say setting goals for yourself is a negative thing, but I believe the culture built around New Year's resolutions is the issue. Specifically, pushing yourself to accomplish surface-level goals out of obligation rather than a genuine desire for self-improvement.

I think a more valuable practice around the turnover of the new year would be to list the things that you are grateful for.

For as long as I can remember, I have had the habit of attempting to overwork and felt guilty whenever I failed to meet my unrealistic goal. This has led me to countless conversations with my therapist about how to better respond to the guilt. In those moments, my therapist has pushed me to think of all the things I did well instead of getting frustrated by my perceived failure. This has been an incredible motivator for me. It has lowered my anxiety and lifted my spirits to a place where I believed in myself enough to move forward.

Focusing on what I have accomplished helped me avoid getting bogged down by not fulfilling goals that were ultimately insignificant.

Life changes throughout the year and so do your goals and in-

West Island Winter Transit Blues

Why Can’t We Have Better Public Transit During the

Anthony Issa

In the stormy months of January and February, the lack of bus transportation in the West Island gets ridiculous.

When I was studying at John Abbott College, a few years ago, there was a day where I stood in line for two hours to take a bus home. It was in the middle of the afternoon, when most students had finished their class and were waiting to go home. There was a snowstorm that day and the roads were completely covered and very slippery causing delays in bus arrivals. People were lined up at the terminal as if they were getting ready to enter a line for an Osheaga concert. The lineup was so long that by the time the bus arrived there was only enough space for a quarter of the students. I waited for two other buses to arrive before even stepping foot in one.

By that time, my facial hair was covered in icicles, my hands were numb and I looked completely

frozen, like Jack Torrence at the end of The Shining Look, I’m from Beaconsfield, that fact alone indicates that I’m fairly comfortable for a Montreal student. I live at home, in the suburbs, and life is good.

But the problem with living in the suburbs is that the entire community is built like a never ending parking lot. If you live in a parking lot, you need a car which unfortunately is really expensive in our unstable economy. My only real options to get around are the Société de transport de Montréal buses or the exo train service.

I complain about the West Island’s sub-par commuting because the STM bus network at large has been dealing with systemic issues that have only exacerbated the issues of public transportation in the city of Montreal. This year, the STM has begun a public consultation project to rethink the bus net-

Winter?

work on the entire island. While the talks have come to a close and the results will be made public in 2023, I’m not hopeful that the core issues of bus transportation will be addressed. I became more skeptical after finding out that the STM had announced a huge $78 million deficit for 2023, and the need to impose cutbacks on the network such as scrapping its 10-minute maximum wait time for its main bus routes.

The network claims the deficit is caused by a decrease in ridership since the pandemic began and has been struggling to make back its lost income.This isn’t the first year the STM announced budget cuts either. In 2022, they announced a $43 million deficit with reduced service time on the bus network.

Without adequate funding from government bodies, the STM’s situation seems dire. As it stands, it looks like public transit is entering a downward trend

where services get worse for Montrealers and we are forced to pay a higher fare to use this lackluster transportation network.

The schedules for public transport are already terrible but they become even more of a pain during the winter. From my place, the buses can mainly transport me to CF Fairview mall or to Lionel-Groulx metro. If you plan on going anywhere else, you better prepare your trip hours in advance. Small trips from town to town can consume an entire afternoon by bus. For example, a trip from the north end of Beaconsfield all the way across highway 40 in Kirkland can sometimes take over an hour. By car it takes 15 minutes.

This was the situation before the announcement of budget cutbacks in bus circulation which will only cause more uncertainty. Travel times are likely to get worse if the STM continues

tentions. We saw a great example of this in 2020 when COVID-19 hit. Everything switched, and simply adapting to get through that year was a massive accomplishment. Why beat yourself up for not hitting the gym every day when you could have celebrated yourself for making it through unprecedented times every year since the pandemic?

I believe the most important, long-lasting and fulfilling goals come through experience. In contrast, resolutions are manufactured for its own sake. No wonder so many people have identical goals of exercising and eating healthier.

So, why wait until New Year's? Not only is January a particularly challenging time with shorter days and seasonal depression, but if you want to do something, do it. Don't wait for the day to come around at the end of December. Do the work for yourself now, and don't lose steam waiting for a symbolic restart.

GRAPHIC ALEXANDRA NACKLEY

on with lackluster funding. The only thing I’m certain of is that users of public transportation in the West Island will be standing and walking out in the cold a lot this winter. Best to invest in thick boots, a big warm coat and a nice pair of gloves.

Let’s Talk About Bell Let’s Talk

On Bell Let’s Talk Day 2022, Patricia Jaggernauth was live on air when she suffered a breakdown while opening up about mental health. Nine months later, she filed a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

Jaggernauth told CBC News that a systemic pattern of racism and sexism allowed her less experienced white colleagues to get job opportunities she would apply for knowing she was overqualified.

“If I’m there for 11 and a half years, I’m more than enough,” Jaggernauth told CBC News in reference to her freelancing work for Bell Media. “I'm always good enough to fill in but never good enough to invest in.”

During her time at Bell Media, Jaggernauth was never given a contract—much less full time employment with benefits and job security. She was only guaranteed two days of work per week but was often asked to fill in for absent hosts; sometimes working several weeks in a row with no days off.

Yet every January, Bell Canada never fails to unroll its advertising campaign for Bell Let’s Talk. This year, their mental health awareness day falls on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

According to their website, Bell Let’s Talk “promotes mental health awareness, acceptance and action built on 4 key pillars: Fighting stigma, improving access to care, supporting world-class research and leading by example in workplace mental health.” Let’s talk about that.

In February 2021, only a few weeks after their annual mental

health awareness campaign, Bell Media came under fire for terminating three sports radio stations across the country: Hamilton’s TSN 1150, Vancouver’s TSN 1040 and Winnipeg’s TSN 1290. This was a week after they cut over 200 jobs in Montreal and Toronto newsrooms. Almost worse than the cuts was the way Bell notified their employees of the layoffs.

Staff in Winnipeg’s and Vancouver’s TSN offices were reportedly informed of their stations' closure at the same time as the network’s listeners with almost identical corporate announcements. In Vancouver, the announcement was given on the air and it was abruptly followed by the song “Good Riddance” by Green Day. Yes, really. You can listen to it online.

Can Bell really boast about “leading by example in workplace mental health” on their website when they lay off employees left and right without proper notice? Vancouver’s TSN employees were told they had 30 minutes to clear personal items from their offices before “security implemented a ‘shutdown process.’” according to The Province. Workplace mental health was clearly not on the Bell Media corporate agenda that day.

To add insult to injury, Bell Media quickly destroyed some of their laid off employees’ archives, leaving them with no portfolio to show to potential employers. What a way to thank your employees, Bell.

2021 was not the only year Bell Media laid off an astronomic-

al number of journalists. Similar layoffs occurred in March 2022, leaving current personnel to wonder if their jobs will be on the line once the corporation stops

pretending to care about mental health awareness.

The Link condemns Bell for their performative and hypocritical mental health awareness

campaigns. The 60 billion dollar corporation’s consistent mistreatment of employees throughout the years exposes their true values: profit over people.

Volume 43, Issue 10

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Concordia University Hall Building, Room H-645 1455 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W. Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8 editor: 514-848-2424 x. 7407 arts: 514-848-2424 x. 5813 news: 514-848-2424 x. 8682 business: 514-848-7406 advertising: 514-848-7406

Corrections for Vol. 43, Issue 09:

In “The Condom Chronicles” p.16, the name of Juliette Uliana was misspelled. In “Lunar New Year with Lust Cove” p.11, it was mentioned that the future “venues will be wheelchair-accessible.” It should have indicated that the organizer hoped that they will be wheelchair-accessible. The Link regrets all the above mentioned errors.

GRAPHIC ALEXANDRA NACKLEY