The Tribune Vol. 43 Issue 12

The Tribune TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023 | VOL. 43 | ISSUE 12

THETRIBUNE.CA | @THETRIBUNECA

Published by the SPT, a student society of McGill University

EDITORIAL

FEATURE

STUDENT LIFE

Montreal’s 2024 budget fails to address the city’s most critical issues

McGill’s evolving faithscape: Exploring religion on campus

You Reddit here first: No bad questions November

PG. 8-9

PG. 5

PG. 7

(The Tribune)

Montreal students travel to Ottawa to demand Canadian government call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza PG. 2

SSMU Policy Against Genocide in Palestine suspended due to B’nai Brith court case McGill claims policy is in breach of SSMU constitution and MoA Eliza Lee Staff Writer

O

n Tuesday, Nov. 21, the Quebec Superior Court ordered the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) to postpone the ratification of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine until a final verdict is reached at a court hearing in March 2024. A McGill student filed the injunction with the backing of Jew-

ish service organization B’nai Brith Canada, who believe the policy should not have been allowed to appear in the fall referendum.

The injunction comes after students voted in favour of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine question in the fall referendum, with 78.7 per cent of non-abstaining students voting “Yes.” The policy would mandate that SSMU adopt an official position of solidarity with Palestinian students by publicly denouncing Israel’s siege on Gaza and putting pressure on McGill to divest from

An Ode to Studio Art and why McGill’s curriculum needs it Lulu Calame Contributor

A

t the beginning of this semester, I found myself eating lunch with a new dorm acquaintance, and making the usual smalltalk about classes. Adddrop deadlines were coming up, exacerbating the already nagging sense of

directionlessness that is so fundamental to collegiate studentdom, and the two of us felt just as lost as everyone else.

But it was with surprising resolution that my lunchmate told me she had dropped one of her classes, and signed up, instead, for an art class held outside of McGill. McGill doesn’t have any studio

art courses, she told me, so she thought it made more sense to put that tuition money towards a class she really wanted to take.

While I felt just as confused about my own path and future career as anyone else, I left the table feeling certain that McGill’s curriculum is in desperate need of studio art.

PG.6

companies supporting Israel. Until the SSMU Board of Directors ratifies the policy, SSMU cannot act upon it. In a statement, SSMU wrote that it plans on contesting the injunction request in court, but will postpone the ratification until March.

In an email to The Tribune SSMU President Alexandre Ashkir emphasized the organization’s commitment to upholding student democracy and maintaining an “open dialogue” with students.

PG. 3

TNC Theatre brings ‘Importance of Being Earnest’ out of the closet Lesbian recasting of classic comedy celebrates queerness while keeping Wilde’s trademark wit Ella Paulin SciTech Editor

A

s I took my seat among a sea of Doc Martens and flamboyantly vintage clothing, I began to feel underdressed for this performance where everything from the audi-

ence to the antique couch was stylish, carefully chosen, and, above all, queer.

Tuesday Night Café (TNC) Theatre’s contemporary, lesbian rendition of Oscar Wilde’s 1895 comedy The Importance of Being Earnest brought Wilde’s queer subtext into the spot-

light. The colourful script centres on two upper-class dandies who both lead elaborate double-lives in order to split their time between the country and the city. The twist: Both leading male characters are delightfully recast as women for this production.

PG.11

2

NEWS

news@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

Montreal students flock to Ottawa to demand Canadian government call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza

SPHR McGill and PYM Montreal among thousands of attendees Jasjot Grewal News Editor Content Warning: Mentions of death, violence, genocide, domestic abuse, and rape On Nov. 25, thousands of people from all across Canada marched in Ottawa to stand with Palestine and demand that the Canadian federal government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The event was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), the Association of Palestinian Arab Canadians, Labour 4 Palestine, and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle Canada. Groups including Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill and PYM Montreal mobilized dozens of buses for hundreds of Montrealers to travel to Ottawa. Thousands gathered in the field in front of Parliament Hill at 1 p.m., listening to speeches and chants from various organizers and guest speakers, and then marched around downtown Ottawa beginning at 3:30 p.m

According to Al Jazeera, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in roughly 240 others being taken hostage, Israel has targeted medical infrastructure, destroyed and damaged over 278,000 residential buildings, and cut off access to water and electricity in Gaza.

Over 14,854 Palestinians have been killed, of which more than 6,150 are children, as of Nov. 27. On Nov. 22, Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting and the release of a number of hostages. The temporary truce, which came into effect on Nov. 24 at 7 a.m., also dictates that humanitarian convoys and relief aid be let into Gaza. As of Nov. 27, the deal has been extended by two days, according to Qatar. Israel has released more than 100 imprisoned Palestinian and Hamas has released 58 Israeli hostages as of Nov. 27, according to The Washington Post.

Speakers on Parliament Hill demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemn the Israeli government’s actions and call for a permanent end to the war instead of a pause. Previously, Trudeau has attested to Israel’s “right to self-defence.”

In an interview with The Tribune, PYM member and media spokesperson Yara Shoufani called for the Canadian government to demand an end to the violence in Gaza and the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

“Gaza has been under blockade for over 17 years, whereby Israel controls Gaza’s access to air, land, and sea, effectively making an open-air prison. We’re here to demand that the

siege be lifted and demand an end to Canada’s complicity in Israel’s genocide,” Shoufani said. “Currently, there are [around 10,000] Palestinians who are held hostage in Israeli prisons.

Some of them are children, some of them are under administrative detention [....] So, we’re calling for the liberation of all our prisoners and the liberation of Palestine.”

Sophie Arseneault, BA’ 23 and another march attendee, emphasized the need for institutions to also abide by the demands posed to the government in an interview with The Tribune.

“I find that academic institutions such as McGill have a really big responsibility given the platform that they have, but also in terms of the weight that they hold in research and in academic publications to call for a government to again be held responsible in its responsibility to uphold international humanitarian law,” Arseneault said.

In an interview with The Tribune, Alex*, a member of SPHR McGill who attended the march, pointed out the importance of representing the student front in the movement for Palestinian liberation in Ottawa and called out McGill for its Israeli investments. One of McGill’s investments includes $515, 381 into Lockheed Martin—the world’s largest arms producer, which provides the Israeli military with air and ground weapons. McGill additionally invests $500,000 into Airbus—an aerospace corporation that has partnered with Israeli Aerospace Industries to develop surveillance drones used in Gaza.

“The goal of a mass rally like this is to show the strength we have in numbers, and to demonstrate the sort of popular power of the movement,” Alex said. “It’s deeply important that McGill is able to follow in a call for a ceasefire and publicly condemn the genocide in Palestine. But also, as we put pressure on the Canadian government, we also have to recognize that McGill as an institution is complicit in Zionism for its investments in weapons manufacturers and exchange programs to Israel.”

In a message to the McGill community on Nov. 2, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Deep Saini wrote that a university “should remain impartial with respect to political questions” and should focus on upholding institutional values. McGill’s Director of Institutional Relations, Michel Proulx, echoed this sentiment in a written statement to The Tribune, stating that McGill’s scope is limited to what happens at the university.

“Weighing in on geopolitical crises around the world lies beyond a university’s mandate and role. Our academic mission is most faithfully served when institutional views are limited to what happens here on our campuses, so that all students, faculty, and staff feel included as members of our community, regardless of their identities and personal beliefs,” Proulx wrote.

At around 3:30 p.m., the crowd dispersed to Wellington Street—the road in front of Parliament Hill—to begin marching east toward Dalhousie Street. Accompanied by drummers, organizers of the event chanted “Free, Free, Palestine,” “SoSo-So-Solidarité, avec, avec, avec la Palestine,” and various other refrains into megaphones.

and I relate on a minute scale as an individual who has experienced oppression,” Belson said. “I just can’t believe that my people [...] are using our faith to commit genocide [....] I don’t want my religion to fall into the pits of Zionism.”

Tracy Teif, a Jewish mother among the protestors, expressed the sorrow that she has felt over Israel’s actions. She echoed the need for distinction between Judaism and Israel in an interview with The Tribune.

“I don’t know how we walk back from what we’ve done.

I’m Jewish, and I’m a Jewish mother,” Teif said. “The more we stand up and say no to genocide, the more people will understand that Israel is not Judaism.”

Some supporters rushed to the roofs of nearby public buildings, waving Palestinian flags, lighting flares, and chanting from the rooftops. Upon reaching the intersection of Dalhousie Street and York Street, the march turned left on York, heading toward Sussex Street. Marchers approached the Ottawa sign situated on York, which was adorned with children’s coffins covered in Palestinian flags, kids’ toys, and small bags tied up to illustrate a child’s body.

Photos by Mason Bramadat (The Tribune)

In an interview with The Tribune, Ruby Belson, a Jewish attendee who travelled from Montreal, explained that their attendance was motivated by personally experiencing forms of oppression in the past, alluding to their sign which read “Rape Survivors for Palestine.” Belson emphasized the necessity to separate Judaism from the actions of the Israeli state.

“I’m a survivor of domestic abuse, and I’m a survivor of rape. I see what’s going on in Palestine, I see the oppression

Marchers then turned toward Sussex, heading back to Parliament Hill. Once again, supporters flooded the field in front of Parliament Hill. Speakers gave their closing remarks, thanking attendees for travelling from across Canada to be present for the event. They encouraged everyone to mobilize strikes on Nov. 29 in schools, unions, and businesses, in support of Palestine. The event officially ended at around 5:15 p.m., at which point a few hundred people remained gathered in front of the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council. *Alex’s name has been changed to preserve their confidentiality.

Bus tickets for The Tribune to travel to Ottawa were discounted by PYM. This did not impact the writing or editing of the piece.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

news@thetribune.ca

NEWS

3

SSMU Policy Against Genocide in Palestine suspended due to B’nai Brith court case McGill claims policy is in breach of SSMU constitution and MoA Eliza Lee Staff Writer Continued from page 1.

“By adding to the burden of ratification, the university threatens a democratic vote and as such the legitimacy of all student democracy,” Ashkir wrote. “[SSMU] must always operate by mandate; for the time being that mandate is fighting in court for the right of the democratic process to express itself fully and to its end.”

In a statement issued on Nov. 17, B’nai Brith reaffirmed their support for the McGill student who filed the injunction, who wishes to remain anonymous. In July 2022, the organization also backed a McGill student in a lawsuit against SSMU and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) McGill for attempting to pass the Palestine Solidarity Policy. “[W]e believe [the policy] represents a serious threat to the rights of Jews at McGill University.” B’nai Brith wrote online.

On Wednesday Nov. 8, prior to the end of the referendum voting period, the Office

of the Deputy Provost notified the Society that the university believed that the Policy, if ratified, was a violation of SSMU’s constitution. In accordance with section 12.1.2 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with McGill University, this would also put SSMU in default of the MoA. SSMU notified students of the notice of default from McGill on Monday, Nov. 20, after the voting period had ended.

In an email to The Tribune, McGill Media Relations Officer Frédérique Mazerolle explained that McGill believes that SSMU has breached the constitution’s preamble, which states that “the Society shall endeavour to facilitate communications and interaction between all students from all McGill communities” and “to act in the best interests of [SSMU] members as a whole.”

“The view of McGill’s senior administration remains that the proposed policy, if adopted, will sharpen divisions in our community at a time when many students are already distressed,” Mazerolle wrote. “McGill’s leadership team has been working diligently over the last weeks to keep our campus discourse safe and responsible and

to put in place measures to support students and colleagues who feel especially vulnerable and hurt at this time, notably those who are Muslim, Jewish, and Arab.”

In a Nov. 23 Instagram post, SPHR McGill denounced SSMU’s decision to delay the ratification of the policy and called for SSMU to act in accordance with students’ vote in favour of the policy.

“Instead of representing the vote of its constituents, the SSMU acted on this policy in a court of law without our notice or consultation, in spaces where student voices were conveniently absent,” SPHR wrote online. “The SSMU, representing the collective student voice on the legal front of this battle, must heed the demands of the students they represent.”

In an email to The Tribune, Law Students for Palestine at McGill maintained that the policy does not violate SSMU’s constitution and that SSMU acted in accordance with Internal Regulations of Elections and Referenda.

“While students have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Policy Against Genocide in Palestine, an injunction to

which SSMU has consented is alarming and contrary to the democratic process,” the group wrote. “We will continue to encourage the SSMU to abide by the will of its students as represented in the referendum vote.”

On Oct. 9, McGill called for SSMU to remove the university name from the SPHR McGill’s name, citing an MoA violation. (Sofia Stankovic / The Tribune)

Judge rules to reinstate archaeological panel at Mohawk Mothers’ request Decision comes after Oct. 27 court date over the enforcement of the settlement agreement Jasjot Grewal News Editor Content Warning: Mentions of death and abuse

O

n Nov. 20, Justice Gregory Moore ruled to reinstate the court-mandated expert archaeological panel that oversees the ongoing investigation into McGill’s New Vic Project site, where the Kanien’kehá:ka Kahnistensera’s (Mohawk Mothers) suspect that there may be unmarked Indigenous graves. The decision comes after the Mohawk Mothers’ last appearance in court on Oct. 27, during which they asked Justice Moore for a safeguard order to “ensure compliance with” the settlement agreement between all parties—including McGill, the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI), the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH), the City of Montreal, and the Attorney General of Canada.

The panel—composed of three archaeologists whom the Mohawk Mothers, McGill, and the SQI jointly appointed— is responsible for assessing the site and recommending specific archaeological techniques to identify whether there are unmarked graves on the site. This process is known as “mapping.”

On April 6, 2023, when the settlement agreement was signed, all parties agreed to be bound by the recommendations of the panel regarding techniques and service providers, as stated in Article 13 of the agreement. On Aug. 3, however, the defendants unilaterally disbanded the panel, declaring the mandate of the panel to be fulfilled despite the Mothers’ and Office of the Independent Special Interlocutor’s belief that mapping

is an ongoing process with no end date, a position they voiced in the last court hearing.

Nonetheless, excavation and construction on the New Vic site have continued without the archaeological experts.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mohawk Mother Kwetiio explained that the reinstatement of the panel indicates Justice Moore’s approval of the Mothers’ interpretation of the agreement, and allows for the investigation to proceed in alignment with the Mothers’ wishes.

“This means this investigation will actually come back to best practices now.

That’s what it means for us,” Kwetiio said.

“For us, that’s a big victory, because that was the whole intention from the beginning.”

In an interview with The Tribune, anthropologist and associate of the Mothers Philippe Blouin expressed that the panel’s reinstatement will also allow for the Mothers and the court-appointed cultural monitors to be appropriately informed of updates in the investigation. Both parties are present during excavation on the site to oversee the investigation and ensure all techniques follow Indigenous protocols.

“Every time, these last months, when there’s work, [the Mothers] will be told [on Friday afternoon] there’s work [on the next Monday],” Blouin said. “We’re always running after basic information of what the plans are exactly [....] So that’ll have to change too because the panel will have to be involved in every step.”

In a written statement to The Tribune, the SQI explained that as the ruling does not halt work, excavation will continue on the site without interruption. McGill media relations officer Frédérique Mazerolle echoed

this sentiment in a written statement to The Tribune, asserting that McGill will investigate the ramifications of Justice Moore’s decision in the upcoming days.

“We will study the decision and its implications more fully in the days to come. In the meantime, as per the court’s decision, the work at the site may continue. We will provide an update in due course,” Mazerolle wrote.

Blouin explained that the Mohawk Mothers believe that work should be halted until the panel returns to work, and challenged McGill’s decision to continue work in the interim.

“The only part of the judgment McGill mentioned [in its email to all students] is that work is not stopping,” Blouin said. “Yes, the judge didn’t issue an injunction that stops all

the work, but it’s just common sense that we have to do this very fast. There’s a court order to bring [the panel] back. It has to be done immediately.”

Kwetiio believes that the steps that McGill takes amid this ruling will be critical in illustrating how the investigation will proceed.

“Whatever the response is from the university to this judgement is going to show the direction they’re going to take,” Kwetiio said. “Hopefully, it is in a spirit of reconciliation. I’m still remaining optimistic that people can, or organizations can, do the right thing.”

The next court date is on Dec. 1. The parties are expected to discuss the issue of archives and records related to the investigation.

Work on the site did not pause in the three weeks Justice Moore took to make a decision. (Mason Bramadat / The Tribune)

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

news@thetribune.ca

AGSEM completes contentious fifth round of negotiations over TA contracts with McGill Meeting discussed article 6 of CA covering discrimination and sexual violence policies Galia Pakman Arrojo Contributor Content Warning: Discrimination, sexual violence

A

fifth round of negotiations between McGill and the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM) over teaching assistants (TAs)’ collective contract took place on Nov. 22. According to a press release sent to The Tribune by AGSEM, the primary issue on the table was what they referred to as its point of “greatest divergence” between both sides’ proposals: The protection of TAs from discrimination and sexual violence.

Following the expiration of McGill TAs’ last collective agreement (CA) in July 2023, AGSEM has demanded that their next CA include improvements to TAs’ wages and health care, better protections against physical and psychological harm, and changes to the application and selection processes of candidates. Bargaining meetings with the university on these demands have been ongoing since Sept. 21.

Wednesday’s meeting opened with a return to the primary subject of the previous bargaining meeting on Nov. 14: McGill’s application and hiring policies for TAs. According to AGSEM bargaining committee member Nick Vieira, the parties engaged in a “productive discussion” on how applicants may rank their course preferences when applying to become TAs and the timeline under which unions are informed about the university’s hiring lists.

The meeting then shifted to a discussion of Article 6 of the CA, which describes TAs’ rights and protections regarding discrimination, harassment,

and sexual violence. According to Vieira, the parties clashed on multiple points, beginning with a disagreement surrounding AGSEM’s request that McGill specify certain scenarios or instances of harassment that TAs frequently face in the language of the CA. “Particular forms of harassment [that] have been brought to AGSEM’s attention by its members [include] misgendering, patronizing, insulting, or demeaning comments, and sexually-oriented remarks that create a negative work environment,” Vieira explained.

According to Vieira, McGill argued that the CA’s existing language implicitly includes such cases and did not agree to specify them further.

According to the union’s members, however, taking the extra step to name specific instances of what might constitute harassment is crucial for individuals’ ability to address and report such cases of inappropriate conduct.

“Naming precise examples of the forms that harassment can take, such as refusing to use a TA’s chosen name, sends a clear message to individual TAs that such forms of harassment will not be tolerated in the workplace, that there is no doubt that what they are experiencing is harassment, and that the TA should not hesitate to seek legal help,” Loïc Nassif, a member of AGSEM’s delegates’ council who attended the meeting, wrote in an email to The Tribune.

The meeting also witnessed contention regarding ASGEM’s proposal that the CA explicitly protect TAs from retaliation if they report harassment. Vieira explained that McGill representatives expressed concern that AGSEM’s proposal would prevent action in cases of “unfounded” complaints where McGill might wish to impose penalties on the plaintiff. The discussion

reached a standstill when AGSEM argued that such retaliation would be in violation of Quebec labour laws—specifically Chapter 1, Article 14— and McGill responded that AGSEM’s proposed protections were thus unnecessary.

The parties also failed to agree on whether the CA should include a blanket policy for TAs to discontinue contact with their alleged harassers.

The union proposed this suggestion, with McGill holding that judging such events on a case-by-case basis was an adequate measure.

The parties were able to find common ground elsewhere. One of McGill’s initial proposals was to strike the current language in Article 6, deferring instead to their university-wide policies of

harassment and discrimination. This proposal was ultimately dropped. “[This decision] protects the CA from being changed without warning by McGill, a body that may not have the best interests of AGSEM in mind,” Aire McCall, member of AGSEM’s executive committee, wrote to The Tribune. “It also works to keep the CA self-contained and consistent, which makes it more approachable.”

Future bargaining meetings have been set for Nov. 28 and Dec. 5th.

In an email to The Tribune regarding the Nov. 22 bargaining session, McGill stated that it will not make any comments about the ongoing negotiation process.

Meetings have been hybrid since the onset of negotiations to make them more accessible to both parties. (AGSEM)

The Tribune Explains: McGill’s ban of WeChat

McGill has banned the platform on university-managed devices, citing security concerns

Olivier Croston Contributor

O

n Oct. 16, McGill announced a ban on the installation and use of the application WeChat on McGill-owned and managed devices, effective immediately. WeChat is an instant messaging and social media app developed

by Chinese company Tencent, with an estimated 1 billion monthly users.

What does this policy mean?

People will no longer be able to install or use WeChat on McGill-issued devices, including desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, tablets, and research-funded devices. The directive also states that the application must be uninstalled from all McGill devices that currently have it.

Why has this policy been introduced?

McGill made its announcement in compliance with the Quebec government’s recent directive introduced Nov. 3. The Act respecting the governance and management of the information resources of public bodies and government enterprises banned the use and installation of WeChat at all government and public institutions, which includes McGill.

Previously, the Canadian government banned WeChat on Oct. 30, with Treasury Board President Anita Anand, who oversees public administration,

stating that WeChat “present[ed] an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security.” This, however, did not require McGill to enact an immediate ban of the app, as the legislation focused exclusively on government devices. The introduction of legislation by the Quebec government, which broadened the scope of this restriction, caused McGill to enact such a directive.

The Canadian government also banned TikTok in February on government and publicsector devices over similar security concerns. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called this move “a first step […] to be making sure that we’re keeping Canadians safe.” McGill has also followed this ban by forbidding TikTok on university-managed devices in February of this year, again obligated by the introduction of Quebec legislation.

Daniel Béland, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, pointed out in an email to The Tribune that this ban comes as a result of increasingly fraught point in Chinese-Canadian relations. He explicitly spoke to the souring of the relationship due to the Meng Wanzhou extradition dispute and the detention of two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig.

“Protecting government information is a key priority, and other jurisdictions, including the European Union and the United States, have recently adopted similar bans on TikTok,” Béland explained. “This is an international trend, and Canada is not alone doing this.”

How has the McGill community reacted to this directive?

Some Chinese students, such as Qizhou Edward Huang, U3 Science, worry about the impact of the ban on Chinese students who rely on WeChat to communicate with their families.

“For those that are poor and maybe own a university device, they might have to [un]install [WeChat] and their communication with their family will be hugely impacted,” Huang said.

“Now they have to, if they are using university devices, [...] switch, which is a great challenge on their parents […] because these [user interfaces] are not easy to use [for older generations].”

Academics such as Béland, however, are supportive of such a move, citing the need to protect the collection and storage of users’ private data.

“This is a significant concern indeed, and McGill is, and must remain, vigilant about this,” Béland wrote.

While this directive focuses on the banning of WeChat on McGill-owned and managed devices, the use and downloading of both WeChat and TikTok is still allowed on personal devices, with no network ban currently in place.

However, McGill does caution that users should remain vigilant when using apps such as WeChat and TikTok, which can access personal information and have been accused of passing on user’s private data to the ruling Chinese

Communist Party. Within the email addressed to the wider McGill community, both Marc Denoncourt, Associate Vice-Principal of IT, and Alex Aragona, Director of IT Infrastructure and Information Security, recommended that students and members of staff do not store protected and regulated university data, such as student records or passwords, on devices on which the application has been installed.

The Canadian government cites concerns over the CCP’s access to users’ data as the reason for its ban. (Irina Zhang / The Tribune)

opinion@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

T

OPINION

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Matthew Molinaro editor@thetribune.ca

Montreal’s 2024 budget inflates a ballooning SPVM, while crucial accessibility issues go unaddressed

Creative Director Mika Drygas mdrygas@thetribune.ca

The Tribune Editorial Board

EDITORIAL BOARD

Managing Editors Lily Cason lcason@thetribune.ca Arian Kamel akamel@thetribune.ca Tillie Burlock tburlock@thetribune.ca News Editors Shani Laskin, Jasjot Grewal, & Caroline Sun news@thetribune.ca Opinion Editors Chloé Kichenane, Liliana Mason, & Monique Kasonga opinion@thetribune.ca Science & Technology Editors Ella Paulin & Athina Sitou scitech@thetribune.ca Student Life Editors Abby McCormick & Dante Ventulieri studentlife@thetribune.ca Features Editor Harry North features@thetribune.ca Arts & Entertainment Editors Dana Prather & Suzanna Graham arts@thetribune.ca Sports Editors Anoushka Oke & Julie Ferreyra sports@thetribune.ca Design Editors Drea Garcia & Sofia Stankovic design@thetribune.ca Photo Editor Mason Bramadat photo@thetribune.ca Multimedia Editor Anna Chudakov & Alyssa Razavi Mastali multimedia@thetribune.ca Web Developer Jiajia Li webdev@thetribune.ca Copy Editor Matthew Adelberg copy@thetribune.ca Social Media Editor Sainka Walia socialmedia@thetribune.ca Business Manager Sophie Smith business@thetribune.ca

nnounced on Nov. 15, Montreal’s 2024 budget raises serious concerns regarding the skewed allocation of funds accompanying the 3.5 per cent spending increase. The municipal government allocated the majority of the budget to investments in public transit––which is receiving a budget increase of $48.4 million, bringing it up to $715.6 million for the year––and the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM)–– whose budget will be increased by $35 million to $821 million. This tax hike however does not consider houselessness, alternatives to policing, and accessibility widely.

Just shy of $7 billion, the budget will result in a 4.9 per cent hike in taxes for Montreal homeowners–– an even higher rate than last year’s 4.1 per cent increase.

Although raising taxes allows the government to provide vital public services, the budget’s allocation of funds grossly misuses Montrealers’ money. Despite some potential benefits for citizens, the budget not only fails to commit to accessible public services but also further empowers the abusive SPVM. Undoubtedly, the drastic

increase in police funding is the most dangerous element of the new budget. Much of the police budget increase will go towards the hiring of 225 more police officers. The increase supports the misconception that more hiring will decrease overtime and stress, thereby improving policing practices. This overlooks the reality that the root problem resides within the policing institution itself, and that simply addressing officers’ working hours will not provide a solution.

Hiring more officers contributes to over-policing wherein officers assert discretionary power under a systemically racist institution by disproportionately targeting Black and Indigenous peoples, and other racialized communities.

In dialogue with mental health professionals and social workers, the city must invest in alternative methods of conflict de-escalation and care.

Montreal does not need more police officers. This decision willfully misinterprets crime’s root causes, doubling down on the enforcement system rather than taking real action to address the underlying issues. By overinvesting in policing, the Montreal government deprives other social

OFF THE BOARD

Grounds for delight

A

Mika Drygas Creative Director

TPS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ghazal Azizi, Ella Gomes, Shani Laskin,Eliza Lee, Matthew Molinaro, Jacob Northfield, Ella Paulin & Sophie Smith

STAFF Ella Buckingham, Roberto Concepcion, Kellie Elrick, Maria Gheorghiu, Ellie Griffiths-Barnhart, Naomi Gupta, Charlotte Hayes, Eliza Lee, Madigan McMahon, Atticus O’Rourke Rusin, Jayda Smith, Solenne Trequesser, Isla Vaillant, Eliza Wang, Katherine Weaver, Abby Zhu

CONTRIBUTORS MG Arreza, Lulu Calame, Zoe Chapman, Olivier Croston, Jordana Curnoe, Aimee DeLong, Claire Dominici, Mia Helfrich, Maïa Salhofer, Bianca Sugunasiri, K. Coco Zhang, Marco Zeppilli

TRIBUNE OFFICE 3480 McTavish, Suite 110 Montreal, QC H3A 0E7 - T: (519) 546-8263

The Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the Société de Publication de la Tribune, a student society of McGill University. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of The Tribune and the Société de Publication de la Tribune, and does not necessarily represent the views of McGill University. Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@ mcgilltribune.com and must include the contributor’s name, program and year and contact information.

Letters should be kept under 300 words and submitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by the Tribune Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or solely promotional in nature will not be published. The Tribune reserves the right to edit all contributions. Editorials are decided upon and written by the editorial board. All other opinions are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Tribune, its editors or its staff.

A

s winter rolls in, my gait has begun to resemble the shuffle of a dejected penguin.

Head permanently bowed for fear that one poorly planned step will result in death by slippage, my walks to campus now provoke a deep sense of mourning for warmer, and more posturally vertical, days gone by. These long consultations with the Milton sidewalk, however, have enlivened my affection for all things groundrelated.

The establishment (romantics, well-being experts, my mother) is

adamant about the importance of looking upward. Look at the sky, they say–quit slouching and ditch that grumpy aura. Sure, the sky has its perks—the sun, for instance— but can we stop with the lookingdown slander? The ground is where life is!

The sky may be magnificent in its grandness, but the ground houses endless intricacy, from the cushiness of rich soil to the dotted coarseness of asphalt. Tiny creatures can, at any moment, crawl over a pebble and into one’s view. Even the scratchy gray of a sidewalk square is, in my view, far more texturally interesting than a spotless slice of clear blue. In the fall, I love to see leaves descend from their pompous treetop perch and gather playfully at my feet, and to hear their snicker as I sweep them aside.

The summer camp I went to as a kid laid claim to a large rocky ledge looking out on Georgian Bay. Slightly removed from the main grounds, it was a special space for reflection and commemoration.

Laying flat on its sandy surface with my cabin-mates as we peered down at the lake, the momentousness of our girlhood and friendship would wash over me with all the drama of a coming-of-age movie. We staked

services––such as safe injection sites, affordable housing, and shelters––of the necessary funding to provide for communities.

The institution of policing as a whole fails to viably support many marginalized groups, including queer people, people suffering from mental illness, and sexual assault survivors—who often face violence from the police. For many officers, joining the police force represents power and control, contributing to the dangerous legacy and practices of the SPVM. When reckoning with the history of policing in Canada and North America, we must note its roots in slavery and settler colonialism. Police aim to control every aspect of individual people’s lives, producing regulated citizens. As such, police take autonomy away from individuals, imposing on communities and violently punishing those who do not conform.

One of the more positive aspects of the budget is the allocation of $34 million to provide free OPUS cards for senior citizens––an integral accessibility service for a well-planned city.

However, this does not address transportation issues facing many other communities. Students, especially those who commute

our entire life’s trust in that big rock, our bodies glued to it as it held us above the drop in mighty stillness.

In more recent times, some of my fondest memories have been formed sitting slumped on rocks after a night of outdoor dancing, suddenly so much more aware of their comfort. Leaning on one another in silent exhaustion, my friends and I would watch the new day materialize from the safety of this sturdy, ancient surface. So often depicted as unwelcoming and harsh, rocky terrain can offer the peace of constancy in a world of haste.

Winter grounds, covered in snow and ice, have their own ways of communicating life. Crisscrossing tire marks on snow-dusted roads, diverse in their density and opacity, tell us about the directions in which people have been travelling. Sled marks and scattered pilings of snow reveal a world of people making space for themselves and their kin. A mess of footprints on a busy street corner, a rare animal track on a doorstep.

Every day, new paths and patterns can be seen stretching all around.

The winter ground offers us an ephemeral tracing of life as it is lived and skirts away.

5

to school, face excessively high OPUS prices. Moreover, the recent talks about severely cutting certain transit services, including closing the Metro at 11 p.m., stopping intercity buses at 9 p.m., and withdrawing trains from the Orange, Green, and Yellow lines should concern Montrealers. These changes would drastically affect students and the general Montreal community, implementing devastating barriers to safe and accessible transportation.

Although this funding matters, it cannot come at the expense of the metro’s accessibility to vulnerable populations.

Montreal’s municipal government must re-allocate this budget to other services that work toward addressing the root issues causing crime and increasing the accessibility of public services for everyone. Premier Legault must immediately revoke his denials of systemic racism and prejudice in Quebec to take tangible steps toward redressing the inequalities that marginalized communities face every day. In this process, McGill students must lead the charge by getting involved in the communities around them, listening, learning, and taking action.

While I miss being able to plop down on an outdoor surface of my choosing without immediately turning into an icicle, I have found the floor of my apartment to be a respectable substitute during the colder months. Being at the bottom of a room summons a feeling of cocoonedness, of being held by the walls and furniture that tower on all sides. Sitting in a chair, legs hidden underneath a table, or sinking into a couch, I tend to grow irritated by the feeling that I am abandoning my corporeality. Cross-legged on the floor, I find myself whole and compact. Additionally, a migration to floor-level always generates a more satisfying feeling of closeness with whomever one is sitting, removing all possibility for stiffness or pretension. Kneeto-knee on our living room rug, silliness and vulnerability flourish together.

What was the point of all this mushy recounting? I want us to build a world of curiosity and affection from the ground up.

Armed with an appreciation for what is too often cast as mundane, cold, and rigid, there is very little that can bring you down… except for the boundless allure of the ground, of course. The floor is yours!

OPINION

6

COMMENTARY Monique Kasonga & Isla Vaillant Opinion Editor & Staff Writer

P

hotographs serve as timeless reminders of our lives and permanent homes for our precious memories. Without them, recollections fade unnoticed; so we snap pictures through joy and sorrow, to create a visual record of our journey through life. As cameras embedded in our cellphones have become an omnipresent part of our daily routines, the excessive capture of countless photos has damaged our ability to retain that journey at all. When we take pictures, we are transferring the duty of remembering what really happened to an external device. This proliferation of photographic documentation threatens to reshape the foundation of our memories. If these patterns continue, we risk compromising the way we recall life experiences, particularly during pivotal stages of life such as university years.

Our generation is the first one to have the unique privilege of documenting its own youth digitally. No longer solely relying on oral stories

COMMENTARY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

opinion@thetribune.ca

A snapshot of the perils of our phone-first recollection era from elders; now, intergenerational groups can effortlessly share thousands of pictures capturing real, lived experiences. As university students, the urge to capture every second through the various photo-focused apps on our phones can be overwhelming and almost irresistible in face of the desire for mementos that will be cherished for years to come.

But equally pressing is the longing to have real, tangible memories of what being a student at McGill has felt like.

While there’s no harm in snapping a photo of friends enjoying a sunny day outside Redpath, taking 20 more during the same hour might be excessive. Curating a small, meaningful collection of photos is its own unique beauty.

Take a cherished photo of your grandparents, for example. A faded, yellowing polaroid of a smiling face, such a gift because there is only one like it. We imbue these images with significance and value specifically because they are rare and precious. Now imagine what your children will see of your life: Thousands upon thousands of selfies and TikToks, every stage of your adolescence documented in

gnarly detail, every piece of documentation made more derivative by the sheer quantity of the rest.

For those who find this argument too sentimental, you can direct your attention to a more immediate and significant concern: The actual remoulding of our memories under the influence of photography. Have you ever attempted to recall an event from a few weeks or months back, and turned to your camera roll to recreate it in your mind? But what happens when, instead of recalling a beautiful experience as it happened, we can only grasp it through the pictures we took of it?

This might seem far-fetched, but our phones are one step ahead of us, employing vocabulary that ontologically relates photographs to our process of memory retention. Photos saved on Snapchat are called “memories,” and the platform notifies users of daily “flashbacks” from their camera roll, serving as reminders of past events. This vocabulary may seem harmless, but with so many lives lived through phone screens, what is there to separate a real memory from one crafted for you by an app?

Photography as a helpful tool or a harmful hindrance? (Eaters Collective / Unsplash.com) Research from Yale University indicates that documenting experiences via photography can enhance one’s connection to them by encouraging deeper immersion in the moment. Yet, the smartphone era’s photo abundance risks diluting authenticity as constant picture-taking prioritizes quantity over genuine immersion, potentially compromising the memories formed.

While using a camera as a visual diary is a helpful documentarian practice, it is inevitable that this culture

of digital recording will pervade our psychology. Moving through the day with phone in hand, ready to mindlessly snap photos of anything, might seem beneficial to later recollection, but it will only cause harm to our memories in the long run. There is a saying about taking pictures of your food in restaurants: “The phone eats first.” When reflecting on a life documented through the lens of a camera, it may well be that the phone remembers first too.

An Ode to Studio Art and why McGill’s curriculum needs it

Lulu Calame Contributor Continued from page 1.

Despite the central reason behind McGill’s lack of studio art being that UQÀM and Concordia University receive government funding to support their respective programs, many at McGill have felt similarly about the void in the university’s curriculum. In Art History and Communications Studies (AHCS), students and faculty have worked to combat this by transitioning the course ARTH 474–– Studies in Later 18th and 19th Century Art 3––to include a “Drawing for Art Historians” component.

Odd as it may seem, taking studio arts classes have gone hand-in-hand with my academic success. My notetaking, for instance, has become functional on both an informational and a visual level, where I give colour, format, and illustration as much validity as the denotations of words themselves.

On a formulaic level, studio art is fundamental to so many of McGill’s strongest disciplines: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and architecture, to name a few. Studio art

classes would give McGill’s curriculum––and its students––an essential foundation of creativity, innovation, and three-dimensionalism (both literally and figuratively). Studio art practice would be useful in a range of fields, whether that be for architectural conceptualization, for mechanical trial and error, or simply for a break from content-heavy courses with a paintbrush and a canvas.

The importance of thinking with one’s hands––using tangible materials like clay, oil paint, steel, or wire––cannot be stressed enough. Navigating physical relationships of materials and their properties engages the body and the mind simultaneously in a way that any other kind of thesis-building, book-reading, project-proposing, or derivation-taking does not. Any student who takes a sculpture class will find their range of conceptualization suddenly much broader, more original, and both more aesthetically and mechanically impressive.

On a psychological level, studio art is healthy. Walking away from a computer is a good start unto itself, but the frustrations and victories that occur in a studio are of a different species than those encountered anywhere else.

In my own case, though I never considered

pursuing art, I always considered it important to be able to work long hours on something I was proud of, without feeling like my work was another inevitable hurdle in the longer path towards a career.

In a prestigious, academically-distilled environment such as McGill, coursework often feels stiflingly pervasive. Studio art gives the mind a chance to exercise different cognitive muscles. In the same way an athlete must let their muscles rest in between high-intensity workouts in order to get stronger, the brain, too, needs a rest from the whirlwinds of papers and lab work in order to maintain its highest quality.

Many schools recognize the applicability of studio art, such as Northwestern University, where they offer a structural art course as part of their civil engineering program. This course emphasizes the connection between form and mechanics, which is essential to quality civil engineering. In tune with the initiatives taken

by AHCS faculty at McGill, Northwestern provides an example of integrating studio art into an existing curriculum. For the sake of the quality and efficacy of McGill’s entire curriculum, as well as the general wellbeing and creativity of its students, the university would benefit from the addition of studio art.

Studio art classes are both fundamental to many of McGill’s academic programs, but also an undervalued medium with which students can think outside the box, and find space at school to get away from school. (Claire Dominici / The Tribune)

ERRATA An article published in the Nov. 21, 2023 issue (“Students vote in favour of Policy Against Genocide in Palestine, reject SSMU Base Fee increase”) stated that 31.5 per cent of students cast a ballot in the Fall 2023 SSMU referendum. In fact, 35.1 per cent of students voted. The Tribune regrets this error.

An article published in the November 13, 2023 issue (“AGSEM and McGill’s third bargaining meeting: New demands over collective agreement”) stated that AGSEM had not touched on non-monetary proposals as of the time of publication. In fact, the union had only discussed non-monetary proposals.

An article published in the November 21, 2023 issue (“Students craft pins and ribbons in solidarity with the Mohawk Mothers”) stated that Justice Gregory Moore was going to announce his ruling on Dec. 1. In fact, Justice Moore released his ruling on Nov. 20.

studentlife@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

STUDENT LIFE

7

The Tribune’s declassified finals survival guide

How to balance academics with self-care Abby McCormick Student Life Editor

W

ith temperatures rapidly dropping, a light layer of snow enveloping the front lawn of campus, and course evaluations opening up, it can only mean one thing: Finals are almost here. This is often an anxietyinducing time for McGill students as we pull allnighters in the library, drink copious amounts of Red Bull, and forget about everything that doesn’t involve school. Unfortunately, this exclusive focus on academics during finals can often lead to burnout and poor academic performance. Luckily, there are tons of ways to promote self-care during finals season without your grades taking a hit. Here is The Tribune’s declassified finals survival guide.

Exercise Exercising might be the last thing on your mind as you’re heading into finals. But, it is one of the best ways to stay refreshed and healthy during this stressful time. Exercise releases feel-good hormones called endorphins, which have been proven to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health. Staying fit also enhances your concentration, making it easier to study for longer periods of time. So, head out for a hike, go for a free lane swim at the McGill gym, or even just walk around your neighbourhood—your GPA may thank you.

Vary your study spaces It might be tempting to spend the entirety of finals season camped out in McLennan or your liv-

ing room. But, research has shown that changing up your study space can help with recalling facts and minimizing distractions. If you spend too long in the same study space, it becomes too comfortable, which often translates into less focus on the task at hand. Going to a new café or switching up libraries can help alleviate this.

learn more information, but also retain it for longer. By spacing out the material, you can focus on a specific subset during each session, without feeling pressured to cover everything at once. Spaced practice is particularly effective when you plan a schedule ahead of time, with clear objectives for each study session.

Don’t neglect your social life Just because it’s finals season doesn’t mean that you should shut yourself off from those around you. Staying in touch with friends and family, whether it be an evening out or a quick FaceTime chat, is beneficial for both your physical and mental health. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety. So, grab your friends and take a study break by heading out to your local thrift store or a holiday market.

Sleep, sleep, sleep While you might be inclined to stay up all night finishing your research paper or memorizing those last couple of terms before your exam— don’t! Sleep is one of the most important ways for you to prepare for your finals. Sleep deprivation

Study smarter Instead of re-reading your notes and hoping for the best, use retrieval practice to help you recall information more effectively this finals season. Retrieval practice, also known as the testing effect, is a strategy that involves actively recalling information to help strengthen your memory traces. This can include taking practice tests, using flashcards, teaching the information to others, and answering questions aloud. Research has found that these techniques help improve your memory by engaging in active cognitive processes as opposed to passive ones, like simply highlighting or reading your notes.

Spacing out your study sessions, also known as repetition, has been found to not only help you

causes increased stress levels and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep helps with retaining key information learned during the day, which is especially vital for memorization-heavy final exams.

The quality of your sleep is also important.

Make sure to make your sleep environment cool, dark, and quiet to maximize the cognitive benefits of sleep. Following a regular sleep schedule and putting your phone away at least 30 minutes before bed are also crucial ways to help you stay alert during the day.

With a focus on self-care, you can avoid burnout this finals season and ace your remaining exams and assignments. You’ve got this!

Make sure to take some time off from studying by practicing a hobby. (Mason Bramadat / The Tribune)

You Reddit here first: No bad questions November

McGill’s best and brightest serve, slay, and delay your brain cells from showing up to exams on time Suzanna Graham & Chloé Kichenane Arts & Opinion Editor Entertainment Editor

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAA.

t’s a Friday—already the weekend for Desautels students—and you need to vent and gather reassurance that other students are having a worse finals season than you. You don’t exit your bedroom and talk to your roommates. Instead, you turn to r/mcgill, McGill’s online campus. The subreddit boasts over 57,000 members and countless more casual scrollers. Here are some of the most notable posts from November, notorious for the joy and hope they bring students as we approach finals.

Why are people having a sing-along in the library - u/lolakitty199 r/mcgill, if anything, is a great place to rant. This is not the first time we’ve heard of shenanigans in the library, and we’re sure it won’t be the last. Unless these people were part of the a cappella group that was visiting classrooms last week (and they nicely asked professors to sing), there is no reason we should be decking the halls in this place of study. Maybe the real reason McLennan is being renovated is to cleanse it of this energy.

I

Saw a mouse in my bathroom - u/OkInvestment901 As fellow university students, we too would rather ask pest-related questions on a public forum than call an inspector, landlord, or worse, parents. Mice disappearing into wall crevices is a popular occurrence in the Milton Parc and Plateau neighbourhoods—one of us even left behind their own complimentary mouse pet in a move last May. Comments on this post range in their helpfulness. From advice on what traps to buy from Canadian Tire (not sponsored) to Speedy Gonzales quotes, you can rest assured that every question is a gamble on whether advice will garner a chuckle, or actually be useful.

AAAAAAAAAAAA - u/socoandcompany

Discouraged after bad grade - u/arkansasgirl Most of us have been here. Whether it was a test harder than expected, a time where you didn’t understand the instructions, or simply a bad day, we’ve all been disappointed with a grade. Luckily, terminally online McGillians were there to help out this user with kind words and advice. Students suggested talking to a teaching assistant (TA), peer editing, and not being so hard on oneself. It’s nice to know that despite all the jokes, we’re all just stressed-out university students trying to get our silly little piece of paper.

THE FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE DID ME DIRTY - u/lolitart17

This one hits home.

Whether it is three exams scheduled on the first day, or none until the very last and all your friends have gone home, the final exam schedule will always find its way to make you cry.

Don’t listen to the haters who mention the complex logistics of scheduling almost 30,000 undergraduate students without conflicts—this one is about Montreal has been announcing ever-increasing bike infrastrucyou and no one else, loli- ture projects, including the expansion of secure bike paths. (Sofia tart17! Feel free to use the Stankovic / The Tribune) final exam schedule as an excuse for your grades this semester, we will you to burnout. Our advice? University is a allow it. four-year-long journey, so take it one step at a time, and you might just end up achieving WiFi on campus - u/BonusWorth way more than you expect!

Functioning WiFi? No, sorry, that would be way too much to ask. What are you going Where did all the geese go? - u/midwinto demand next? Affordable food options? ter_stars McGill students have some kind of nerve.

Finally, we’re asking the real questions.

We had personally never thought about this, should i be doing more? u/Affectionate_ but now that you mention it, thousands of Being43 questions are running through our heads: Oh god, here it comes: the age-old ques- What about the goats? Or the otters? Where tion of “Am I doing enough”? You ask your- have they gone, for God’s sake?! Among the self first as a first year but, trust me, chances answers given by users in this thread, we beare you will not find an answer until you lieve the most convincing is indeed the lanwalk across that stage in your pretty gown. guage laws. Think about it: Geese are unable However, it seems like trying to keep up to speak French. Their anglicizing effect on with a 3.7+ GPA while getting internships the province must have prompted the Quebec and leading student clubs could quickly lead government to let the geese go.

A

M

cape: s th ai f g n i v l o v e s ’ l l i cG

t twelve years old, I became acutely aware of how my family’s approach to religion diverged from that of my peers at my Christian school and church. The defining moment was when a Catholic friend visited and remarked on a unique feature in our home: A photo of Jesus facing a photo of the Buddha. My friend found it odd. But, my upbringing was marked by a belief, instilled by my parents, that all religions and forms of spirituality hold valuable insight for humanity. Although it is now obvious to me that not everyone had been taught the same, at the time, my friend’s reaction to the photos came as a shock.

Despite recognizing religion’s imperfections as I grew older—its polarizing potential, and its historical role in inflicting suffering—my curiosity about religious differences has persisted.

Recently, while reflecting on my lack of interaction with religion since starting university, I began to ponder whether my deep fascination with religion’s impact on the world stemmed from my upbringing. How did my perspective compare to that of fellow students at McGill?

In pursuit of answers, The Tribune ran a survey from Nov. 7 to Nov. 20 to gauge and understand McGill students’ sentiments regarding religion and spirituality, collecting a total of 112 responses. The results were telling: More than half of the respondents believed their peers were not religious, a presumption that aligned with the actual data. Despite the relatively small cohort of responses compared to the university population, the majority of McGill students in the survey reported not identifying with any specific religion or spirituality.

However, the survey revealed a more nuanced picture of campus life. Nearly 60 per cent of surveyed students think that McGill has created an inclusive environment on campus where all religions are welcome without discrimination. Additionally, most students who identified with a particular faith felt that their rights to religious freedom were well protected on campus.

The survey revealed varied perspectives on what religion and spirituality mean to McGill students. Many viewed spirituality as a personal journey and a connection to a greater force, possibly with higher powers and the supernatural. In their responses, students focused on how the practice of spirituality differentiates itself from religion because it is more personal, while others said it was just as community-based.

Students articulated religion as an institutionalized embodiment of spirituality, offering a narrative to contextualize one’s existence and a structured belief-system for understanding life.

One anonymous respondee noted: “I am not a religious person, but I see the appeal of a support system and community that religion fos-

Moving toward religio

ters. I also see it as a source of comfort for anxiety surrounding existentialism and life-cycles.”

With these insights in mind, I had a discussion with Gerbern Oegema, a religious studies professor at McGill, where he highlighted that there has been a significant uptick in student enrollment in the Religious Studies department over the past decade. Our conversation unearthed a crucial realization—an evident gap in early religious education. The convergence of secularization and shifts in educational policies in Canada has resulted in a generation possessing limited knowledge of religion. While prioritizing the secularization of education is imperative, I wondered whether students aspire to bridge this knowledge gap, aiming for a deeper understanding of diverse ways of life and philosophies.

Oegema emphasized the rapidly-growing contingent of nursing students in the program, eager to study religion as a means to better care for patients from diverse backgrounds. “[The nursing students] said, now, we work in hospitals with religious people who are sick or dying, and we know nothing about religion, and we want to know more about it,” Oegema said. “So that’s one very important reason why students come to [religion] classes; namely, that they know nothing about it.”

According to Oegama, the absence of religious education at home and in schools has presented an unfed curiosity about the basics of religion, propelling students into further study. Despite the prevailing notion that society has moved beyond the realm of religion, a point solidified by the fact that polls have shown that Quebecers are least likely to believe in a God, Oegama said he has observed a resurgence of interest among young individuals. He attributed this to young people having profound questions about existence, unencumbered by the biases against marginalized groups that often accompany religious traditions. These questions, often centered around what one’s purpose is here on earth, delve into existential inquiries about the meaning of life, echoing the queries posed by ancient religious texts presented and studied in courses centered on religion. McGill offers an ample amount of religious studies courses across various departments, offering a plurality of perspectives within the field of study— with courses centered on Abrahamic religions and South and East Asian religions, for instance.

The McGill’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, a branch of McGill Student Services, aims to provide multi-faith resources and programming for students’ religious and spiritual well-being. There are currently 32 faith clubs and organizations on campus, indicating that the university is a space where

By Monique Kason Illustration by Sofia St religious and spiritual plurality can thrive.

However, despite a majority from the survey feeling their religious self-expression is protected on campus, over 67 per cent said that they did not believe McGill students displayed their religiosity publicly. And of those who were religious, around 54 per cent, expressed difficulty in finding a community of those who shared their beliefs at the university.

Tanner Patterson, U1 Arts, captured the essence of the at times contentious nature of the religious atmosphere on campus. “Religion is an incredibly polarizing topic because it’s pretty much every single person saying that they know what the actual meaning of living is. So, everyone’s going to disagree with each other.”

Clearly, it is not only people of differing religious groups in dispute but also those within the same faith. In the survey, the ove r wh e l m i n g majority of McGill students said that their social circle is not of the same religious or spiritual backgrounds as theirs.

Delving into the social dynamics at McGill, Lucas Fuhrman, U2 Arts, described his friends’ religions, noting a mix of Catholics, i n d iv i d u a l s from various other religious backgrounds, and those with no religious affiliations.

However, Fuhr man acknowledged that interf a i t h

Exploring religion on cam p u s ous plurality on campus

nga, Opinion Editor tankovic, Design Editor exchanges are often contingent on one’s social connections on campus. Academically, Fuhrman touched upon the atmosphere the university fosters, mentioning that while the administration may take certain stances on issues, students still navigate a contested space where diverse opinions coexist. Additionally, he expressed his belief that McGill’s current cohort is less religious. Attributing this shift to the multifaceted challenges of contemporary life, Fuhrman asserted these hardships could prompt individuals to distance themselves from traditional religious teachings.

Although 55 per cent of polled students were not religious before coming to McGill, almost 10 per cent of McGill students had previously identified with a religious affiliation but no longer do so. A common explanation I observed was finding incompatibilities with personal views and lifestyle requirements within organized religion that cause alienation in those communities.

W h e n asked about McGill student’s relationship to religion, Hannah Marken, U2 Arts, offered her perspective on our generation’s trajectory away from traditional religious beliefs.

“I think that maybe there’s a stronger disbelief of what relig ions stand for and a lot

of the ideas that are associated with it. A lot of young people don’t resonate with them anymore.”

This phenomenon traces back to how students in the survey reported that they are opting not to display their religiosity publicly. Many choose privacy, fearing discrimination—particularly if they follow minority religions— meaning religions outside of Christianity, due to over half of the Canadian population being part of the Christian faith. Particularly in the context of Quebec legislation, Bill 21 illustrates how the province does not foster a safe environment for those part of the Islamic faith.

Concerns extend to negative perceptions of various religious groups and reluctance due to complex faith relationships or safety concerns amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia. My conversation with a U2 Religious Studies student, Charlie Zacks, emphasized this.

Growing up with a Catholic mother and Jewish father, Zacks had exposure to both faiths, attending an American Christian private school, Methodist Church, Hebrew school, and synagogue. However, he identified as an atheist during his teenage years due to the prescriptive nature of religious teachings he encountered. Zacks finds McGill’s Religious Studies department diverse, featuring a wide age range and international representation, but also observes a general apathy toward religion outside an academic context. While there are well-supported on-campus religious organizations, he feels that acceptance depends on fitting into specific pre-established groups.

“So is McGill overall accepting of people’s religiosity? Yes, insofar as it’s part of the accepted religiosity. This, in my opinion, is not a McGill problem specifically; but, McGill could do things to better this issue. This is an issue of how people view and interact with religion at large.” Zacks said.

“It’s the fact that some groups and some specific elements of certain groups are able to qualify as acceptable and because of that, anything outside of the acceptable facet of religion, or that specific religious group is then immediately disqualifying for them.”

Zacks pinpointed a notable gap in basic understanding of religion among Canadians—particularly those born between 1995 and 2004. He attributed this to the rise of atheism during that era, with popular crusaders of atheism such as Richard Dawkins gaining fame. This trend, he noted, has led to a skeptical and unsympathetic attitude toward religion, particularly when engaging with different religious beliefs on campus. Emphasizing the need for open-mindedness, Zacks suggests that understanding religion with empathy and understanding can mitigate campus tensions and foster inclusivity. He advocates for a sympathetic approach to religious studies, seeking to bridge gaps in understanding and promote a more inclusive community.

The impact of religion in shaping human development is often overlooked and undervalued. From the names of the days of the week to Western legal systems, humanity’s earliest beliefs about the universe have influenced various aspects of our lives. Recognizing the profound impact of religion is crucial in our daily interactions and, on a broader scale, in understanding how it influences legislation and policy. It stresses the interconnectedness between personal convictions, societal values, and the legal framework. Time and time again, personal convictions surrounding religion have allowed for divisive policies to be implemented worldwide— from Bill 21’s disproportionate exclusion of Muslim women in Quebec’s public sector, to the criminalization of homosexuality in Ghana.

In the midst of shifting sentiments away from traditional religious structures, it’s crucial to acknowledge the enduring importance of religion and spirituality. While organized religion may be losing its grip, my experience speaking to students underscores the unwavering youthful quest for answers to existential questions, proving that religion and its philosophies and texts are here to stay.

While contemporary events have a more immediate impact, a comprehensive understanding of human progress requires delving into the beliefs that shaped societies. Acknowledging not just what was believed but how deeply those beliefs were held is essential for comprehending actions and events throughout history.

To reconcile with this truth, the influence of religion should be transparent rather than concealed behind rhetoric about complete secularism. Although religion is a personal matter, understanding it and its history becomes crucial in comprehending the behaviour of those around us and the societal norms that persist. Embracing the historical-religious foundations openly, particularly within an academic context, can lead to a more profound understanding of our world and foster a more accepting and informed society, where freedom of expression prevails.

Shared questions about mortality and virtuous actions will persist across generations, though traditional avenues—churches, mosques, and synagogues, for example—no longer hold the same influence. Rather than completely losing religion, our generation appears to be shedding many aspects of organized religion and the value of its institutions. McGill students can envision a future with thriving interfaith discussions and harmonious coexistence, as long as the value of studying how religion has influenced and continues to influence the world continues to hold importance. A more empathetic approach, grounded in a profound understanding of religion, is crucial as we navigate the complexities of individual and communal beliefs.

STUDENT LIFE

studentlife@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

Circle of Fashion’s ‘Pamplemousse’ makes its return at Bar le 21

“All About Students” features a stunning collection of student writing and photography Naomi Gupta & Mia Helfrich Staff Writer Contributor

B

ar le 21 buzzed with activity as McGill students, all swathed in eye-catching attire, swarmed the venue on Nov. 16.

The bar’s rustic wooden beams and soft lighting illuminated the throngs of students sporting original outfits—some of which they crafted themselves. Attendees pored over the new release of this semester’s edition of Pamplemousse—Circle of Fashion’s (COF’s) 78-page magazine brimming with eye-catching photos, diverse interviews, and personal articles exploring the intersection between fashion and identity.

As McGill’s main fashion and design club, COF aims to provide a space for the university’s designers, models, photographers, writers, and graphic designers to express their originality and showcase their work. Manon Fillon-Ashida,U3 Arts, founded the club in September 2022, after she realized that there was a lack of creative outlets on campus for fashion enthusiasts of all types.

When I came here, I didn’t “I think really like what I was studying. it was partially because I

didn’t have [a] creative space.

I express fashion creativity through sewing, and I didn’t have that, so that’s why I wanted to create a space where people could do what they wanted,

”

Fillon-Ashida said in an interview with The Tribune.

Fillon-Ashida emphasized the club’s accessibility. She credited its success to its openness to various forms of creativity, which she contrasted to her experience in other fashion clubs at the university.

“When I started at McGill, I joined a bunch of fashion-related clubs, and they were so restrictive,” she shared. “I remember that I contributed to one club and wrote an article, and they told me that they couldn’t publish it because they were more focused on ‘high-end fashion.’ What’s the purpose of a club if you can’t contribute to it?”

Indeed, most contributions—unless COF is required to comply with certain constraints— are welcomed and eventually accepted, whether they’re related to writing, photography, modeling, or designing.

“COF allows students to do whatever they want; we’re never going to turn someone down unless their work is super controversial,” FillonAshida added.

Pamplemousse’s second issue: All About Students The club’s fashion magazine— Pamplemousse—is a semester-long project that gives student graphic designers, photographers, writers, and editors the opportunity to collaborate and showcase their passions.

Since its creation, each edition of the magazine has focused on a different theme. Its first volume, published in Spring 2023, revolved around local Montreal and McGill-owned businesses—ranging from shops to vintage stores. This semester’s edition, which Thursday night’s celebration was centred around, focuses on the intersection between students’ upbringing and their personal sense of self-expression.

This issue explores fashion “Anastasia from a deeper perspective,” Van Ryswyk, COF’s VP Magazine and U2 Arts said. “Interviews focused on how your city, or where you’re from, influences you as a person. It influences what you wear. In that sense, anything and everything can be fashion.

”

As VP Magazine, Van Ryswyk oversaw the magazine’s production. She discussed its creative process, starting with the recruitment of artists, creators, and writers to fill the magazine’s pages.

“Planning is the longest and most challenging part,” she explained. “For a while, I was just communicating with people and getting updates on their project status, which is a lot of back and forth with everyone.”

COF sat down with 16 McGill students to gain insight into how their personal upbringings were related to their fashionrelated aspirations. These interviews are featured on pages nine to 24 of the magazine.

Van Ryswyk then organized the magazine’s photoshoots, editorials, and student interviews alongside COF’s VP Photography, Melody Bucchino, U4 Science. Bucchino shot several of the magazine’s photoshoots, including the cover. In an interview with The Tribune, she described the experience as “incredible.”

“This edition’s theme, ‘All About Students,’ allowed me to meet such an amazing and diverse group of students.

I think that I’ve grown a lot as a photographer as a result,” Bucchino shared.

“The magazine did a really awesome job in showcasing the creativity and diversity of fashion amongst McGill students.”

Once interviews, photoshoots, and articles were finished, Van Ryswyk worked on the layout, along with the help of five

graphic editors. She then revised the final draft of the magazine to make sure everything—from format to budgeting— aligned with the club’s initial vision to uplift students and create quality content.

COF’s second edition has greatly evolved from its first; from editing to writing and the organization of the magazine, as COF’s VP Magazine explained.

“Last semester, I had about 1015 writers, five editors, and a few photographers,” Van Ryswyk revealed.

“We did interviews using Google Forms, and that was hard to organize. So this year I wanted to focus more on [expanding] the magazine.”

She went on to explain that she’s hoping to give more freedom to writers in future editions, so that more people could contribute. She also recognized the lack of variety of the fine art forms involved in this edition of Pamplemousse and said she strives to draw more artists to the club for future editions.

When asked about COF’s ideas for future magazines, Van Ryswyk revealed her hopes for a theme involving both sports and fashion.

Photos by Vincent Allard & Circle of Fashion McGill

“For the next magazine, we’re hoping to discuss something along the lines of sports and fashion,” she teased. “I really want to talk about leisure throughout history and on campus and understand that through writing and imagery. I’d also like to learn more about the role of varsity sports in identity—how you present yourself. There are a lot of different ways we can approach that—but that’s still a work in progress,” she explained.

Since its beginning last year, COF’s audience has grown exponentially. The club has racked up thousands of followers between its Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Between the months of September to December, the club has hosted sold-out runaways, pop-up events, and workshops, which continue to encourage artistry in all its forms and bridge the gap between McGill and the larger Montreal community.

Copies of Pamplemousse will be available in print for $12 at SSMU’s winter market on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Naomi Gupta is a magazine and blog editor for Circle of Fashion McGill.

Founded in 2022 by a Political Science and Economics student, Circle of Fashion has provided an outlet for design-oriented students and has grown to run a magazine, podcast, and events.

10

arts@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11

Where’s the hair, Harry?

Harry Styles fans grapple with the loss of his luscious locks and style

Aimee DeLong Contributor

I

n Nov. 2023, the entertainment world was shocked to hear the news that one of their very best had been lost. Millennials still harbouring crushes from their teen years and diehard fans alike were devastated when they discovered what happened to Harry Styles. No, the man himself isn’t dead—but his hair, along with some desirability, sure is.

Beauty isn’t everything, but Styles’ most recent move to get a buzz cut remains questionable, to say the least. From the boyish curls in 2011 to his lion’s mane in 2015, one of the singer’s most defining features has always been his hair. After all, his name is Harry Styles, so what is he without hair to style? Baldy Unstylish simply does not have the same ring to it.

This move cannot be attributed to an impending midlife crisis. There’s speculation of reasonable rationalities, such as wanting to be more anonymous in public. The singer-songwriter is a mere 29 years old and has produced numerous chart-toppers in the past few years, including ‘As It Was’ and ‘Watermelon Sugar.’ The star won Album of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards for his work on Harry’s House, and he even debuted his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the end of Eternals. There is no shortage of success in Styles’ life. Who knows—maybe the stress of making another album is getting to him, or perhaps this is his response to Taylor Swift’s recent re-release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), whose romantic tracks about Styles do not paint him in the best light. Regardless of the reason, there is no true way to justify this tremendous loss. Maybe Taylor Swift

was wrong; he may finally be going out of style.

I am not the only fan to be outraged by this move.

Members of the public have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to comment on how the new ‘do has affected them.

“To everyone posting the pic of Harry Styles with his shaved head please stop it’s hurting me emotionally, mentally and physically,” one X user stated. Meanwhile, another fan noted the gravity of the situation, asking, “you’re laughing? harry styles got a buzz cut and you’re laughing?”

His hair was an inspiration to us all. He proved to the world that not only is there merit to the man bun, but that the slick-backed look is more than a cautionary tale against the excessive-hair-gel look that John Travolta popularized in Grease.

Every generation has its turning point. Between the World Wars and Y2K, previous generations have had their fair share of drastic events. Who’s to say that this isn’t ours? The trauma of this hairdo is already affecting the McGill population.

“When I woke up to see that the rumours were true, I didn’t know how to go on with my day,” Sophia Longo, U2 Science, said in an interview with The Tribune.

The extent of the damage this haircut has incurred is not yet known; we cannot imagine the havoc this could wreak on students’ performances on final exams.

In the end, it’s what’s on the inside that matters— haircuts cannot determine a person’s worth. That is, for everyone except Harry Styles. Even a casual observer could tell that half of the artist’s magic is hidden in his hair. Shaving his head is an act tantamount to removing a unicorn’s horn or stripping a tiger of its stripes. No matter how many of his songs top the charts, they will

After years of impeccable haircuts, Harry Styles shaves off his silky strands. (Mason Bramadat / The Tribune) never be enough to sit atop his head. So Harry, if you’re reading this, then I beg of you—be hairy again.

TNC Theatre brings ‘Importance of Being Earnest’ out of the closet Lesbian recasting of classic comedy celebrates queerness while keeping Wilde’s trademark wit Ella Paulin Scitech Editor Continued from page 1 Jack (Maite Kramarz, U3 Arts) resides at his country estate along with her ward, Cecily (Jaimie Coplan, U1 Arts), and uses the alter ego Earnest to sneak off to New York City and cover for her extravagant exploits. On the other hand, Algernon (Celeste Gunnell-Joyce, U1 Arts) relies on her imaginary longsuffering friend Bunbury, whose poor health always requires her to escape into the country.

Kramarz, who plays Jack with a tireless sense of respectability and neuroticism, serves as the perfect foil to Gunnell-Joyce’s Algernon, who hits the flamboyant, Wildean gestures of a donothing dandy spot on.

When, by chance, Algernon finds out about Jack’s double life, she realizes that they both engage in what she calls “Bunburying.” She’s determined to infiltrate Jack’s country estate, posing as Jack’s reckless sister Earnest. As both of their lies begin to unravel, their contradictory personalities shine with Wilde’s witty dialogue turning increasingly back-handed.

Throughout the play, the actors handled Wilde’s circuitous language with ease, spitting pointed insults and not-sosubtle digs at society as though it was second nature.

“I was surprised at myself—and I was talking to all my cast members about this—that we were able to remember everything we were supposed to say in all these weirdly twisty lines,” Kramarz said in an interview with The Tribune.

As Jack and Algernon’s double lives crumble around them, Lady Bracknell (Megan Danbrook, MA ‘23) stole the show with her formidable portrayal of an overbearing aristocrat’s vain attempts to maintain an honourable, Victorian facade. The love interests—Gwendolyn (Ellie Mota, U1 Arts) for Jack and Cecily for Algernon—dazzled with their spoton takedowns of upper-class feminine stereotypes.

After immersing myself in two hours of Wilde’s biting satire—which holds up remarkably well today—I retired to TNC Theatre’s tiny, lime-green office to speak with director Carmen Mancuso (U3 Arts) about the inspiration behind the show.

“When we were choosing a play, we were really looking to find something really iconic and really fun that we could stage in kind of a new way,” Mancuso explained. “One thing that I really loved about [TNC] is that their mandate— their idea—is always about taking [a] traditional part of the canon and flipping it around.”

The Importance of Being Earnest presented a perfect opportunity for this, with its gay subtext begging to burst out of the closet with a more explicitly queer staging. “When I was reading through

At the play’s first premiere in 1895, the father of Wilde’s lover planned to interrupt the performance, leading to Wilde’s prosecution and eventual imprisonment for ‘gross indecency.’ (TNC Theatre) it, I kept finding moments where it was like [...] ‘Oh my God. They sound so gay. This sounds like lesbians I know,’” Mancuso noted.

While Wilde, famously sentenced to hard labour and two years of jail for his homosexuality, had to keep his play anchored within Victorian heteronormativity, TNC Theatre took the opportunity to bring queerness to the forefront by recasting the play with primarily women leads.

“Our dream for something like this is that it’s a way of celebrating what’s in the play,” Mancuso said. “Of bringing out that very obvious—if you can even call it—subtext, and really kind of celebrating that in the open as something that’s alive and there and living.”

Arts and Entertainment Editor Dana Prather is Executive Director of Tuesday Night Café Theatre and was not involved in the publication of this article.

12

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

arts@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

Matt Rife’s Netflix special ‘Natural Selection’ is disconcerting and misogynistic

The comedian’s most recent controversy surrounds sexism and ableism Jordana Curnoe Contributor CW: Mentions of ableism and misogyny

M

att Rife’s new Netflix special is supposedly a comedy; I didn’t find it very funny.

The 28-year-old comedian and actor from Ohio has recently received a lot of backlash from his special, Natural Selection, which was released on Nov. 15.

Rife is facing criticism that his special contains blatantly sexist and ableist jokes. In response to the backlash, he told The New York Times that he doesn’t think anybody should feel mad just because he was trying to make people laugh.

He is either unaware of what is offensive or is overconfident

in his assertion that people are wrong for being upset.

The problem isn’t that Rife wants to try for edgier humour; it’s important to take risks in comedy, and not everyone will like every joke—especially when it mentions oppressed people. The main reason why people are bothered is that Natural Selection is quite different from the comedy that made him famous. His comedy career first started to gain popularity when clips of his flirtatious crowd work—which greatly contrasts the juvenile comedy style of Natural Selection—began circulating on YouTube and Facebook. In an interview with Variety, Rife said his special is intended “way more for guys,” which, to him, translates to the jokes being at the expense of women and autistic

Matt Rife began his career in comedy at age 15 when he performed at his school’s talent show. (nz.shoetoe.com)

people. His opening joke, used for “testing the water” with his audience, was that Baltimore is “ratchet” and that women with black eyes should hide in the kitchen. Although humour is extremely subjective, fans aren’t satisfied with the new Rife who thinks domestic violence is a joke.

Rife has remarked in the past that his following consists mostly of women on the “very female dominant” TikTok, and this abrupt change in style marks an evident desire to appeal to a more maledominated audience. It’s okay if he wants to write for men, but I question why he decided to do this at the cost of his primary audience.

People don’t need to cancel him, because he’s cancelled himself by deliberately ridiculing the people who have supported him the most.

The real cherry on top of all of this was his “apology,” which he posted to his Instagram Story on Nov. 20. Along with the caption, “If you’ve ever been offended by a joke I’ve told – here’s a link to my official apology,” he shared a link to a website selling special needs helmets for adults and children. Is it subjectively funny that he managed to make himself look even worse by leaning into the criticisms that his comedy is ableist? Yes, it is.

After the special’s release, Rife’s previous controversies have begun circulating on social media. Most notably, he touched

the then 18-year-old Zendaya’s face without her permission on the show Wild ‘N Out in 2015 during a game called “Talking Spit,” where players try to make someone spit out their water, usually from laughing. Rife’s initial attempts to make the actress spit out her water weren’t successful, so he tried to get a reaction out of her by touching her face. In the clip, Zendaya is visibly uncomfortable, and her teammates rush to defend her. He also posted a sincedeleted tweet that perpetuated anti-Asian sentiments, referencing what at the time was the novel Coronavirus, by targeting the cast of the Korean film Parasite in his caption: “Everyone at the #Oscars waiting to see if the cast of Parasite coughs.”

This new style he’s going for is not funny, and is certainly not okay either. It took me a while to realize why he seems so familiar—he reminds me of middle-school boys trying to earn their peers’ approval. He has the bad habit of making jokes that are blatantly sexist, ableist, or racist in order to please others, specifically men. Although men do not inherently appreciate this type of humour, men are Rife’s intended audience. Rife needs to take note that discriminatory humour shouldn’t be considered a form of humour, but a form of bullying.

Hot Take ‘Call Me By Your Name,’ I mean ‘Saltburn,’ was a little too inspired by other cultural touchstones Ella Buckingham Staff Writer

A

grandiose family mansion in the countryside. Airy aesthetics to make Pinterest connoisseurs swoon.

Startling sexual scenes that leave crowds reeling. If these elements sound familiar, they probably are, having appeared in Call Me By Your Name and other relatively recent groundbreaking films. Though Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi delivered impactful performances, these increasingly common tropes and attempts to make the film palatable for mass media distorted the film’s attempt at subversive social commentary.

Also, there should be a cap at three disturbing sexual encounters in a film; not only does each additional scene lessen their intensity, but it is also just gross.

The metamorphosis of Coriolanus Snow ‘The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ complicates good and evil Bianca Sugunasiri Contributor Spoilers for The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes; mentions of violence.

A

villain is made from an innocent soul shattered to the point their humanity is forgotten. An enraptured audience feels compelled to watch this slow descent into madness, the arc of a villain so brutally destroyed. The prequel film for The Hunger Games trilogy, A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is the perfect example of this.

Anticipating its release on Nov. 17, an influx of Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) thirst edits flooded TikTok to a degree that nearly rivalled the inescapable circulation of the 2014 Josh Hutcherson edit.

To anyone familiar with the original Hunger Games trilogy, this response may be perplexing. President Coriolanus Snow, the maniacal mastermind who perpetrates the notorious Hunger Games, forces the districts to shackle children in a death battle as punishment for the districts’ attempted rebellion. A manifestation

of pure malevolence, he spearheads the government which orchestrates these games as entertainment for the rich and frivolous. Why, then, is an entire storyline dedicated to his journey?

Villains serve as foils to protagonists, compelling them into the journey through which they unearth their heroism. However, an audience will always desire the omitted narrative uncovering how a villain came to be. We crave, more than anything, complexity in characters. Thus, the attraction of A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes lies in its obsessive examination of Coriolanus Snow’s infamous origins.

A character who renders an audience conflicted is rare; to do this in the face of pre-established hatred is even more extraordinary.

Most viewers walked into the theatre expecting some maudlin backstory, poorly attempting to justify Snow’s horrific actions against innumerable innocents. They found, instead, an earnest young man with a desire to provide for his impoverished family.

A golden-haired youth with his heart in his throat at the thought of twisting a jubilant performer into a murderer,

merely to appease the Capitol.

Looking at the child-like innocence of a boy, simple and caring, inspires empathy in the audience. Within the film’s first 20 minutes, Coriolanus joins the tributes as the Capitol displays them in a zoo cage to gain his tribute, Lucy Grey’s (Rachel Zegler) trust. From the moment she enters the arena, Coriolanus shackles himself to his monitor, raw anguish reflected in his eyes. This heartwrenching moment reminds the audience that he too began as a child victimized by a perverse post-war system of “reform.”

The film details Snow’s descent into depravity. Key moments progressively dismantle him until he splinters into the man we know as President Snow. The first flicker of his character comes when he bludgeons a tribute to death in self-defence, shocked by his loss of control. As the film progresses, each death makes the steps toward darkness easier. In a climactic fit of rage, discovering Lucy’s betrayal, he attempts to kill his love. So far, Lucy has served as a metaphorical representation of his heart and with this act he attempts to extinguish

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is based on the prequel novel to Suzanne Collins’ famed dystopian action-adventure trilogy.

(Zoe Chapman / The Tribune) the final ounces of his morality.

This marks the definitive shattering of his integrity, facilitating his metamorphosis from the innocence of Coriolanus to the malevolence of President Snow.

The Head Gamemaker of the tenth games, Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) asks Snow what the purpose of the Hunger Games is.

He replies, “The whole world is an arena, and we need the Hunger Games to remind us who we are.”

Now enthralled in the confines of the games, Coriolanus sees himself as the Victor willing to do anything and everything to come out on top. With a corrupted soul, Snow falls into the footsteps of his father (who incited the idea of the games), no longer the bright-eyed boy with a golden heart and curls. We exit the theatre with the cold pang of loss. The last fringes of our hope for him flicker out with the cinema lights; we should have known better.

scitech@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

13

McGill event brings public health experts to boldly strategize against misinformation Insights on the primary drivers of health-related falsities include epistemic trespassing K. Coco Zhang Contributor

O

n Nov. 23, McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences hosted an event titled “How do we handle disinformation agents in public health? Understanding the challenges and tackling mis and disinformation in public health.” The faculty invited public health experts from universities across Canada to discuss the rise in health misinformation as well as strategies to address challenges associated with science communication and public health messaging. Some of the topics they explored included COVID-19 vaccines, systemic marginalization and epistemic trespassing.

Timothy Caulfield, a professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta and Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, began by highlighting popular myths about COVID-19 vaccines. These myths ranged from the vaccines’ supposed magnetic effects to infusing vaccines in salad dressings and detoxing vaccines with snake venom kits, bleach, or cupping.

“The public has been subjected to misinformation even though it is absurd. This absurdity has spilled over into how people think about vaccines and, more broadly, public health,” Caulfield said. “This spillover effect is impacting the uptake of vaccines around the world. Although the reduced vaccine uptake is

caused by a multitude of factors, it is almost entirely the result of misinformation.”

In addition to an increase in vaccination hesitancy, the spread of health-related misinformation has other negative consequences, including mental health problems and hateful rhetoric.

“The current head of the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] believes that the decrease in life expectancy of around 25 years in the United States is a direct result of the spread of misinformation,” Caulfield noted.

Social media stands out among other sources of misinformation like websites, social groups, and podcasts because of how widely and aggressively its algorithms can push fake news. Caulfield pointed out that about 20 per cent of the content that the algorithms push out contains some degree of misinformation; this figure is closer to 50 per cent for content related to COVID-19 vaccines. Celebrities wield significant influence on the spread of misleading information with 20 per cent of all misinformation stemming from a celebrity.

Annick Gauthier, a virologist and physician in McGill’s Department of Family Medicine, followed by discussing the role of youth education in combating inaccurate information.

“I’ve always believed that educating youth is the best way of educating everyone.

If we teach the children critical thinking skills, such as where you get your information from and how you judge the information, that ac-

tually spreads into the families,” Gauthier explained.

Ananya Banerjee, an assistant professor in McGill’s School of Population and Global Health, brought another perspective on ways to address the spread of false information. She shared her first-hand experience working with trusted community leaders in systemically-mar- Among various social media platforms, health misinformation was the ginalized communities, most common on X, previously known as Twitter. (Anastasia Nelen / such as Parc Extension, unsplash.com) who have historical mistrust in medicine and misinformation: Epistemic trespassing—when science. people step into domains where they lack exThe vaccination rate in Parc Extension pertise. was falling behind when COVID-19 vaccines “When you jump into an area that is not first rolled out. However, it rapidly caught yours, you can do serious harm,” Pai said. “I up and exceeded the overall rate in Greater really want scientists, doctors, and other health Montreal due to the powerful role community professionals to become a lot more critical in leaders played in conveying public health mes- how we think about [vaccines] and not jump sages. into epistemic trespassing.”

“We need to invest more in trusted comOverall, this event encouraged the audimunity leaders and make them health ambas- ence to reflect on their own encounters with sadors to help overcome misinformation,” Ba- health misinformation, especially during the nerjee suggested.

COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed to concrete Following this, Madhukar Pai, Canada actions that both academics and the wider pubResearch Chair in Epidemiology and Global lic can take to promote a healthier information Health at McGill, pinpointed a key cause of landscape.

McGill and AI: A new chapter unfolds for student writers at the narrative frontier The Bull & Bear and McSway discuss AI writing tools in education, journalism, and the publishing industry MG Arreza Contributor

AI

writing tools have caused an unforeseen plot twist in the evolving narrative of writing, ushering human writers into a thrilling new chapter of creativity. Yet, this new frontier calls for a thoughtful approach, and writers must explore AI’s possibilities with caution and consideration. Once upon a time, there was a sense of certainty that everything we read was written by another person. The fact that the first two unedited sentences of this article were generated by OpenAI’s ChatGPT shows that this is no longer the case.

In this week’s ‘McGill and AI’ series installment, The Tribune interviewed Lucia Linaje-Ferrel of the McSway Poetry Collective and Vishwa Srinivasan of The Bull & Bear to gain insights into AI’s growing influence in the university and industry writing spheres.

Srinivasan, U2 Desautels, is the Business and Economy Editor for The Bull & Bear. He has observed a growing familiarity and interest in AI on campus and among student journalists.

“I think pretty much everyone I know uses some form of generative AI tools, most commonly, of course, ChatGPT,” he noted.

Linaje-Ferrel, U3 Arts and Co-President

of McSway, conversely, has noticed a more cautious approach within creative writing circles.

“I feel like there’s some tentative exploration. As long as it’s just play, people are willing to do it,” Linaje-Ferrel said. “But, I definitely don’t get a sense of people throwing themselves at AI.” With an estimated one in three students having used ChatGPT to write an assignment, AI has drastically changed how students learn. In a lecture at Cambridge, OpenAI CEO and Co-founder Sam Altman insightfully compared restrictive policies on AI usage to the initial classroom bans on Google and Wikipedia. Although archaic notions by today’s standards, the same arguments are resurfacing in conversations around AI tools.

“Cracking down on AI seems a little misguided,” Srinivasan explained. “Generally, people our age, at least among the student community, have a good understanding of what AI is good for, and what AI is not very good for.”

Linaje-Ferrel similarly highlighted the challenges of managing AI use on campus.

“Just today, I had a class where the professor told us that we were not allowed to use AI in our essays. The fact is that these policies trying to regulate AI are all so new.

It’s at a very early stage where it’s difficult to know what’s gonna happen next.”

Outside of academia, there is growing to think about,” Linaje-Ferrel added. “When concern over the potential of AI to displace we see AI, as creative people, we see it as a writers across industries. challenge to the human element of creativity, “Some Bloomberg reporters, for exam- and also to career opportunities.” ple, those that report on acquisitions or stock Integrating AI into writing is not just trends, can be replaced,” Srinivasan said. about adapting a new tool; it is about rede“That’s one of those tasks that can be auto- fining the partnership between creativity mated. People that write user manuals, they and technology—where AI becomes an ally might have their jobs taken away.” in the pursuit of storytelling and truth. In Linaje-Ferrel has also observed AI’s this unfolding tale of technological evolugrowing presence in creative publishing tion, educators and young writers are wellspaces. positioned to author the future, dictating our “I do get the sense that some writing is relationship with AI in the chapters to come. kind of up for grabs. It’s a question of whether or not people who sell products really put [AIwritten content] up for sale,” Linaje-Ferrel said. “[For example], you can clearly tell that some publishers switched from using a human translator to AI.” Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn’s CEO, recently released Impromptu, a book entirely written

by ChatGPT. Its mostly positive reception showcases AI’s impressive and rapidly improving abilities.

“We might see a lot of AI- OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT has had a tumultuous generated books on the shelves, couple of weeks, with the board removing CEO Sam Altman even if they don’t have good before reinstating him several days later. (Mason Bramadat / The writing, which is kind of weird Tribune)

14

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

scitech@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

SciTech Reviews: ‘The World in a Grain’

The World in a Grain provides for a whirlwind whip around the world of sand.

Atticus O’Rourke Rusin Staff Writer

T

he world as we know it would not be the same without the small but infinitely useful substance of sand. Incorporated into critically important products such as concrete and beauty processes such as microdermabrasion, sand finds its way into nearly every crevice of our lives. Author Vince Beiser knows this intimately; in fact, he wrote an entire book about it. From tracking the advent of concrete to chronicling the rise of Sand Mafias in India, The World in a Grain highlights what makes sand such a profoundly important substance.

Beiser breaks down the meteoric rise of sand from a dusty sign of desolation to one of the most sought-after natural resources. His strength lies in how effectively he transforms seemingly mundane topics, such as road paving and fracking—breaking open rock formations to extract the oil inside—into immensely readable material. However, some of his writing feels contrived, as if is attempting to persuade himself that sand is as amazing as he wants his readers to believe.

The book begins with a sweeping summary of everyday tasks which, unbeknownst to the average individual, involve sand. From sand in your toothpaste, to sand in nearly every building you see driving down the road, Beiser’s opening effectively establishes the

unexpected presence of sand in everyday circumstances, instantly hooking the reader’s attention.

Another strength lies in his eyewitness accounts of more recent phenomena, such as the building of giant islands in Dubai—a landbuilding process that has significantly expanded the buildable territory along Dubai’s coast.

Beiser’s conversation with the real estate entrepreneur Josef Kleindienst is a great introduction to this practice. Kleindienst, Beiser relates, is the owner of Mini-Germany—part of Dubai’s project to construct miniature versions of Europe along their coastline. Laughably absurd, the chapter delves into a fascinating deep dive on similar projects around the globe, citing the fabrication of islands on the coasts of numerous countries intended to expand their coastlines.

The use of sand in fracking is another prime example of Beiser’s journalistic skill.

Covering the contentious debate surrounding fracking, Beiser provides vivid descriptions of individuals residing in areas where frac sand mining has gained momentum. The author thoroughly covers the fracking debate: From those who oppose the mining, citing health concerns and the threat to natural beauty, to those who support the process due to the money coming in from leasing their land. Although resulting in a fairly ambiguous conclusion—that no one knows what the lasting effects of frac sand mining will be—the nuance

developed through his interviews allow the readers to come to their own opinion.

Beiser’s key theme throughout the book is, “the use of sand in one form led to more of its use in another.” This sentiment gives a sense of interconnection between every application of sand. While a compelling point, it seems equally applicable to many materials that are in demand for construction and electronics in modern society. The forced grandiosity doesn’t stop there; he insists on comparing sand to an army. This need to provide enhanced levels of importance to what, from

the examples given, is already an obviously important material detracts from the book’s force. It makes the reader doubt the author, as if he himself is not convinced of its true value.

Beiser’s lofty statements are, as he so often likes to remind his reader, like building on the coast–counterproductive. As the sea swells, the buildings fall into disrepair.

As Beiser’s statements become grandiose, his book becomes less persuasive—all the same, relying on his journalistic prowess and readability, Beiser displays the simply incredible world in a grain.

There are an estimated 7.5 billion grains of sand in the world. ( Mason Bramadat )

S

everal regions of your brain, such as Wernicke’s area and the left temporal region, are currently hard at work as you read this Tribune article.

With its approximately 86 billion neurons, the adult human brain fascinates not only neuroscientists, but all sorts of individuals, including students, artists, and writers.

This fascination comes with a huge array of widely-disseminated myths. So grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in as you learn some of the science behind two exciting neuroscience myths.

Do we really only use 10 per cent of our brain capacity?

If you have ever watched Limitless, please disregard the drug dealer Vernon’s statement that “we can only access 20 per cent of our brain.” Many neuroimaging studies attest that we do not only use 10 or 20 per cent of our brain. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), for example, has shown the dynamic interplay of neural activity that beautifully interweaves brain areas that are both near and remote anatomically. Every daily task that we accomplish—from sensory processing to more complex cognitive functions—requires numerous specific brain regions.

In fact, simply by listening to music,

you already engage at least four different brain areas: The nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and the cerebellum for emotional processing, as well as the temporal lobe, which itself contains many subregions responsible for our auditory functions. According to the book This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

by McGill neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, musical rhythm and pitch changes solicit motor movement areas of the brain—for example, when hearing a melody. It also engages language areas when lyrics are present, and since repetition is a major aspect of music, our brains rely on memory systems when listening to our favourite songs on repeat. Depending on the task you are carrying out, almost your entire brain works tirelessly by engaging several brain regions.

Do we only use our left hemisphere when we do multiplications?

For all the lucky McGill students who have had to learn about multiple integrals and Taylor series in MATH 222, you were not only using your left hemisphere while you were solving those math problems. In reality, whenever we use logic and analytical thinking, we employ various brain areas, such as the frontal and parietal lobes of both the left and right hemispheres. Our brain’s anatomy also allows for the interhemispheric transfer of information thanks

to the corpus callosum.

Now for all the Arts students who need to come up with eloquent, creative ideas in their political science and international development classes, it is not just your right hemisphere that does the work. According to a Scientific American article, creativity is a “whole brain process” that encompasses both the left and right hemispheres, so neither one gets jealous for being less active. When you are at the McLennan library trying to finish that 15-page essay at 2:00 a.m., your brain is trying to fire on all cylinders and turns on both the left superior frontal gyrus (SFL) and the right cerebellum, along with plenty of other areas.

We use our whole brain, and logic and creativity reside in both of our hemispheres Your Wernicke’s area and left temporal region will soon take a break after reading this article, but you now know that whatever activity you do next, you will be using more than just 10 per cent of your brain. No matter what you do afterward, whether you will apply more logic or creativity, both your left and right hemispheres will help you accomplish your task.

Loo ko u t fo rt

Athina Sitou Science & Technology Editor

facts series for more myth cience myths and debunk Neuros ing (D e h t n i rea G t n e arcia llm a t Avil ins a/ t x The e n Trib e h une

How much of our brains do we use, and is the left hemisphere the brain’s analytical centre?

)

Neuroscience myths and facts: What is going on up there?

sports@thetribune.ca

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

SPORTS

15

Derek Silva calls for a National Inquiry into abuse in Canadian sport in Fall ‘23 Eakin lecture “The System is Broken” discussed structures of abuse in Canadian sport Anoushka Oke & Tillie Burlock Sports Editor Managing Editor

O

n Nov. 22, Western University Associate Professor of Sociology and visiting Eakin Fellow scholar Derek Silva delivered the biannual Eakin lecture. The McGill Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC) awarded the Eakin Visiting Fellowship, which recognizes a PhD-level scholar whose area of study is related to Canada, to Silva for his research in sociocultural studies of sport, labour, racism, and punishment.

Daniel Béland, MISC’s Director, introduced Silva and gave a brief description of his work.

Silva opened with a content warning for those in the room who may be sensitive to discussions of abuse before acknowledging his position as a settler scholar operating on Indigenous lands and recognizing the work of Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang in identifying “settler moves to innocence.”

In his talk, Silva outlined the scope and pervasiveness of abuse in Canadian sport, concluding the lecture with a call to action for the federal government to open a national inquiry into abuse and harm in Canadian sport. He recounted Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson’s disqualification from the 1988 Summer Olympics, outlining the moral panic that ensued when Canadians realized sport had a “dark side.” The ensuing Dubin Inquiry into drug use in sport found that at every level of Canadian sports, individuals had either accepted or even encouraged the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

“As a Black immigrant to Canada, Johnson was easily framed as a doper and as a bad outcome in Canadian sport, obfuscating the fact that Johnson was enabled by an entire system made up by people who encouraged the very act of using performance-enhancing drugs, a system built and funded by the Canadian government,” Silva said.

Much of this systemic failure, Silva explained, stems from a pressure to win at any cost. He noted that the Dubin Inquiry illuminated the fatal flaw of emphasizing athletic dominance within Canadian sport. Despite Dubin’s warning that this system allows abuse to permeate, the Canadian government has continued to pour money into programs that emphasize winning at all costs. “[The Own the Podium and RBC Training Ground initiatives] illuminate the very shift Dubin condemned away from mass participation in sport to an obsessive focus on winning athletic competitions at the highest level,” Silva said.

“Creating a system in which winning is the only thing that matters creates an environment where harm and abuse are not only made possible, but perhaps even more profound.”

Silva outlined his experiences discussing abuse in Canadian sport with athletes such as Kim Shore and Ciara McCormack who have experienced sports-related abuse firsthand.

From medical malpractice in injury treatment to obscured reports of sexual harassment, Canadian sport has fostered a culture where removing barriers to winning matters more than the safety and well-being of athletes.

During a question period following the lecture, Silva explained that this cycle of abuse pervades university sports as well, as education and athletics are largely incompatible.

“A lot of the problems that we see happening in sport in universities can stem from the coupling of education to athletics,” he said. “[This] makes it [...] more likely for folks to experience some of the harms and traumas that exist in coaching relationships and administrative relationships.”

The way that Silva sees it, Sport Canada has failed to keep athletes safe, and a survivor-led National Inquiry is the only way to truly hold it accountable and prevent further harm.

“It’s time to rebuild trust in the Canadian sports system, and this has to begin with a full, clear, and robust understanding of the depth and the scope of the problems,” Silva explained. “The only way to understand the scope is, in my view—[and] in the view of countless survivors that I’ve spoken with—the launch of a National Inquiry into harm and abuse, with the objective of gaining the full understanding of just how embedded harm is in is within the Canadian Sport system.”

As a member of Scholars Against Abuse in Canadian Sport––a movement dedicated to securing an independent

Silva argues that a National Inquiry would likely only cost 3.2 per cent of the budget allocated to funding elite sport, sport NGOs and hosting international sporting events by Sport Canada (Tima Miroshnichenko / pexels.com) judicial inquiry to examine reports of abuse across the Canadian sport system––Silva joins morethantwodozenCanadiansportsorganizations in calling on the federal government to act.

Managing Editor Tillie Burlock is a student in Silva’s Fall 2023 CANS401 seminar taught at McGill.

Do not hold your breath waiting for an NBA team in Montreal There are many hurdles to clear before the league expands to La Belle Province Marco Zeppilli Contributor

I

n an appearance on the broadcast of a game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics on Nov. 13, National Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver was asked about the league’s plans for expansion. Silver mentioned the possibility of the league one day further expanding internationally, potentially adding teams in cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, and Mexico City. While this is welcome news for basketball fans in Montreal and Quebec at large, NBA expansion to any of the aforementioned cities is far from imminent.

The NBA’s timeline for expansion is made clear by the commissioner’s previous statements. With the league’s current media rights deal expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season, the league must first focus its efforts on negotiating a new TV rights package––an essential part of the league’s revenue stream. Once this issue is settled, the league has expressed interest in adding two more teams, bringing their total to 32. All indications suggest that the

NBA will first expand to Las Vegas and Seattle. This has not been kept secret: Michael Fortier, the leading public figure in Montreal’s prospective ownership group, conceded as much earlier this year.

From there, it is unclear how quickly the NBA will want to expand to 34 or 36 teams. Adding too many expansion teams in rapid succession may have adverse consequences on talent dilution, with spots on NBA rosters being awarded to players who would not have made the cut in a league with fewer teams.

The commissioner’s comments on the matter do not represent a binding commitment from the league to Montreal, Vancouver, or Mexico City. In fact, Silver’s comments are likely to drive up the bidding price for potential suitors.

When the league formally begins its expansion process, having many markets vying for a small number of openings drives up the buy-in price. Interested markets can also serve as leverage for clubs in public financing negotiations. If one of the league’s existing teams is in need of a new arena and local government officials are unable or unwilling to pony up public funds, other markets can be seen as relocation threats.

This has been the case in Major League Baseball, with negotiations for public funding of a new facility in Oakland failing to bear fruit, recently leading to a unanimous ownership vote approving the team’s relocation to Las Vegas.

Non-coincidentally, the three markets mentioned by the commissioner recently hosted contests as part of the league’s Canada Series and Global Games.

The success of these recent events gave Silver the opportunity to talk up the league’s popularity on a global scale. In October, the Bell Centre hosted a preseason game between the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring Canadians Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Luguentz Dort, the latter of whom grew up in Montréal-Nord.

The event was a success for the NBA, with a sold-out crowd of local hoops fans in attendance helping to cement Montreal’s status as a city that is ready and able to support an NBA team.

Postgame talk further pushed the agenda, with GilgeousAlexander, donning the Montreal Canadiens’ Sainte-Flanelle, stating his belief that the NBA should award a team to Montreal, a sentiment that

Despite NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s recent comments, expansion to Montreal is far from imminent. (Ameer Basheer and Thom Milkovic / unsplash.com) the Raptors’ Chris Boucher echoed.

Montreal has the makings of a city that can support an NBA team.

It is one of the biggest markets in the United States and Canada that does not currently have an NBA franchise. It is home to a suitable arena in the downtown core. There has also been publicly stated interest from a group of local business people in bringing an expansion team to Montreal. And yet, several

hurdles must first be cleared before any significant progress is made in bringing a team to Montreal.

While hoops fans in Montreal may hope to one day have an NBA team to call their own, it likely will not happen for quite some time.

However, if and when that time comes, one can only hope it will lead to seeing a bit less Toronto Raptors apparel being worn on the streets of Montreal.

16

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 2023

sports@thetribune.ca

Varsity Round Up: Redbird Basketball clinch first season win in nailbiting victory

What you may have missed in McGill varsity sports the week of Nov. 23-26 Tillie Burlock Managing Editor Redbirds Hockey Riding the momentum of a threegame win streak, the Redbirds (9–5–1) faced off against the Concordia Stingers (9–6) on Nov. 23, in a highly anticipated showdown between Montreal rivals.

The spotlight fell on goaltender Alexis Shank, who put on a remarkable show with 22 saves in the first period alone, setting the stage for winger Charles-Antoine Dumont to score the decisive goal late in the second period.

Shank’s heroics continued throughout, ultimately making 44 saves in total—a new McGill record—and securing a 1-0 victory for the Redbirds.

The Redbirds then set off filled with confidence to Thunder Bay, ON, to face the Lakehead Thunderwolves (8–7–1) on Nov. 25. In the penalty filled affair, McGill tallied up a total of 62-penalty minutes with Scott Walford taking 10-minute misconduct and Zach Gallant taking a game misconduct early in the third period. Eric Uba netted McGill’s first goal to tie the game 1-1 after Lakehead struck first. After conceding two unanswered Thunderwolves goals, McGill’s Mikisiw Awashish scored his second of the season to bring the score to 3-2. However, a slew of penalties that followed allowed Lakehead to score one last goal before the period closed, eventually culminating in a costly 5-3 loss for the Redbirds that caused them

According to McGill Athletics, the 111-61 loss marked the most points allowed by a Redbirds basketball team since Jan. 20, 1989, when McGill gave up 118 points to the Concordia Stingers. (Maïa Salhofer / The Tribune)

to fall from third to fourth in the Ontario University Athletics East Division.

The Redbirds will next play against the Queen’s Gaels (11–4) on Dec. 1 Redbirds Basketball With three straight losses to start the season, the Redbirds (1–5) looked to start fresh against the Bishop’s Gaiters (4–1) on Nov. 23. A tight first quarter left McGill trailing 30-29; however, the game quickly got out of hand with the Gaiters scoring 28 points to McGill’s 10 in the second quarter. After heading into the second half down 58-39, things went from bad to worse for the Redbirds as the Gaiters outscored them 15-14 and 38-8 in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. McGill ultimately fell 11161, their worst loss of the season.

On Nov. 25, with little to lose, the Redbirds took the court again against the undefeated UQÀM Citadins (4–1).

With Sean Herscovitch’s 23 points leading the way, McGill stunned the RSEQ division leaders. The Redbirds got out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter 22-10. The second quarter saw UQÀM cut their deficit down, ending the first half 36-30.

McGill regained their footing in the third quarter, scoring 19 points to UQÀM’s 15; however, the final frame saw the Citadins threaten, with 19 points to McGill’s 11. The

Redbirds ultimately snuck away with a 66-64 victory for their first win of the season.

The Redbirds will play their next game on Jan. 11, 2024 against the Concordia Stingers (3–1) Martlets Basketball On the heels of back-to-back losses, the Martlets (3–3) looked to take home a win against the Bishop’s Gaiters (2–3) on Nov. 23. Despite McGill taking home a 57-53 win in their first matchup of the season, the Gaiters were simply too much for the Martlets, burying 80 points––the most against the Martlets this season. The Martlets were down 22-9 after the first quarter, but were able to outscore the Gaiters 21-18 in the second. Down 40-30 at the half, the game quickly got out of reach from the Martlets with Bishop’s outscoring them 14-12 and 26-9, in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

Much like the Redbirds, the Martlets found their rhythm against the UQÀM Citadins (0–5) on Nov. 25 in a 61-52 victory. The win ended a three-game losing streak for McGill and brought their season record to an even 3–3. After taking an 11-10 lead out of the opening quarter, the Martlets extended the margin to 28-22 entering the second half. McGill maintained a steady pace throughout, holding a five-

point lead after the third quarter and outscoring the Citadins 19-15 in the final frame. Lily Rose Chatila led the Martlets with 12 points in the game.

The Martlets play their next regular season game against the Concordia Stingers (3–2) on Jan. 11, 2023.

Redbirds Hockey: Thurs. 23rd Nov: W 1-0 vs Concordia Sat. 25th Nov.: L 3-5 at Lakehead Thunder Bay Martlets Basketball: Thurs. 23rd Nov: L 51-80 at Bishop’s Sat. 25th Nov: W 61-52 vs UQÀM Redbird Basketball: Thurs. 23rd Nov.: L 61-111 at Bishop’s Sat. 25th Nov: W 66-64 vs UQÀM Martlets Volleyball: Fri. 24th Nov.: L 2-3 at Laval Martlets Hockey: Fri. 24th Nov.: L 1-4 vs Carleton Sat. 25th Nov.: L 1-5 at Concordia

Speeding in the Spotlight: A Review of the Las Vegas Grand Prix

As the F1 season comes to a close, the Vegas GP raises concerns over the safety of drivers.

Julie Ferreyra & Maïa Salhofer Spoers Editor Contributor

O

n Nov. 16, Formula 1 (F1) made its first stop in Sin City since 1982. As the third and final American race of the calendar, the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP) is the penultimate race of the F1 season, one week before the Abu Dhabi GP kicks off almost 13,200 kilometres away. The decision to have back-to-back races located so far apart raises concerns about the environmental impact of the F1 season.

However, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s (FIA) questionable environmental ethics were nowhere near the greatest concern of the disastrous weekend that was the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Despite ticket prices dropping by up to 62 per cent before the event, the LVGP was one of the most economically successful F1 races in history, with an estimated $1.2 billion in economic impact for the city of Las Vegas. The race brought 315,000 fans, with non-refundable tickets and hotel deposits, and their expenses ensured the race’s financial success.

The LVGP faced significant technical issues from the get-go. In an attempt to cater to the European audience’s time zones, the race was set at night, not accounting for the extremely cold temperatures of the desert. On race day, the weather forecast predicted a minimum of seven

Banking on its success, F1 and the city of Las Vegas signed a 10-year contract before the race even happened. (Jenda-Kubeš / pexels.com) degrees Celsius, prompting Pirelli, the official tire supplier of the FIA, to raise concerns about the drivers’ safety.

Mario Isola, the head of Pirelli, explained that cold reduces tire grip, increasing the chances of losing control of the car. This requires constant control of pace since the slightest slump in rhythm could put lives at risk simply from the tires cooling down. The only feasible solution was to change tires more frequently, as they are kept in heated blankets, going against Pirelli’s climate change action goal to limit the number of tires used. As the FIA decided to go forward with the race, McLaren driver Lando Norris’ accident came close to proving Firelli’s concerns. While officially the incident was caused by a bump on the track, the lack of grip

on the tires heavily contributed to Norris losing control of his car and ultimately crashing into the barrier.

Despite starting on time, the LVGP came to a halt less than ten minutes after the Free Practice 1 (FP1) race began. One of the manhole covers was not properly bolted down, causing it to fly up, destroying the bottom of Carlos Sainz’s car––including his power unit––and sending sparks flying. The damages forced Ferrari to replace the car’s energy store––a set of batteries converting energy accumulated into electrical energy––despite each team only being allowed to replace them once per season.

Ferrari requested an exemption from the regulations, citing external circumstances outside the team’s control, which the

stewards denied, resulting in a ten-place grid penalty for Sainz.

This situation made fans wonder how such an incident was possible. FIA rules require that the initial inspection of tracks happens one day prior to the cars getting on them, yet the inspection only occurred at 3:30 a.m. (PST) on Thursday for the Strip Circuit. Moreover, recent changes in the Sporting Code loosened the level of exigence that the regulatory institution should have, granting the FIA the discretion to declare the circuit’s safety.

The subsequent inspection and repair of the track caused the FP2 to be pushed back to 2:30 a.m. PST on Friday. After the announcement of the delay, ticket-holders who had been waiting on the strip were forced to leave the venue. Many fans were single-day ticket holders for Thursday and their only solace was a $200 voucher to the official shop. On Nov. 18, Dimopoulos Law Firm filed a class-action lawsuit regarding the compensation of fans.

As talks of expanding the calendar resurface annually, the safety of the drivers and the audience must remain of utmost importance.

After the extreme heat of the Qatar Grand Prix, the LVGP seemed to be the nail in the coffin for fans and drivers alike, encouraging them to ask for better conditions. Despite the remainder of the weekend carrying on relatively smoothly and Max Verstappen whisking away with another win, the FIA must unequivocally prioritize safety over superficial glamour and marketing ploys.