EDITORIAL
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Response to university budget shortfalls reflects lack of imagination pg. 6
Volume No. 34 Issue No. 10
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Getting started on your start-up
See inside for...
PROTESTS p. 2
Tips for becoming a student entrepreneur HAILEY MACKINNON Staff Writer
E
ver since a group of college students created Facebook from the confines of a dorm, the idea of student start-0 ups has gained credibility and traction amongst tech-savvy millennials The successful social networking company’s humble roots has offered inspiration for many young and ambitious student entrepreneurs. In fact, according to Rohit Agarwal, U3 Engineering student and the president of the McGill Entrepreneurship Society, university is the optimal time to start a company or an organization. “There was this amazing line from Sam Haffar [co-founder of Chegg] who started his company when he was a student,” Agarwal explained. “He said, ‘As a student, your standards of living are low and your expectations are high. Right now, you don’t have to afford a high level of living, and you don’t have to feed anyone. If you have an idea, its easy to get started right now.’”
Continued on pg. 8
(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)
Demonstration draws crowds of thousands in protest against austerity Proposed Arts student fee would fund Arts Internship Office following provincial cuts CECE ZHANG News Editor
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ean of Arts Christopher Manfredi presented a proposal for the creation of a new fee to the Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS) Council on Oct. 29. The proposed five-year fee for all Arts students would fund
the Arts Internship Office (AIO), which administers the Arts Internship Program (AIP), as well as go towards improving advising and career services for Arts students. Manfredi explained that part of the motivation to raise this fee is due to the Quebec government cutting a Ministère de
l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS) program that currently funds the AIO as part of provincial budget cuts. “Money that funds the people and the structure that makes the AIP run will end this [fiscal] year,” Manfredi said. “I have a great Arts Internship Program, I have a large amount of money
that donors have given us to provide rewards for Arts interns, but right now I’m in danger of not having an office to administer this program.”
Continued on pg. 3
Perfection continues as Redmen trounce Gee-Gees REMI LU Managing Editor
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ith less than a minute left in the game, junior midfielder Rufus Frost drifted to the corner of the field, out of sight of the Ottawa goalie. Spotting his teammate Anders Bjella curling around a number of Gee-Gees defenders, Frost cut in front of the net, his stick raised high in anticipation of the pass. In a flaw-
less display of team chemistry, Bjella whipped the ball to Frost, who held it just long enough to smoke a shot into the net. The final score: 13-4. The stat sheet: Frost’s first career hat-trick, and a berth in the Baggataway Cup Championship Tournament. Following last season’s upset loss to the Guelph Gryphons in the CUFLA Finals, the Redmen returned to the field this year with an intact roster. The team
proceeded to dominate the regular season, going 12-0 with an average margin of victory of 9.6 goals. In a league with constant player turnover, the Redmen’s continuity and team chemistry has been one of their greatest strengths. “Team camaraderie is our strongest talent this year,” said sophomore goalkeeper William Waesche. “[No] team will ever have every single player per-
forming at their optimal level every time they step on the field. However, you can have a team that gets along so well […] they can compensate for the areas that are underperforming on a given day.” This was evident from the beginning of the game, despite McGill’s slow start on the scoreboard. As the Redmen offence struggled to convert scoring opportunities, the team’s defence
held strong, sealing the field around Waesche as he prevented the Gee-Gees from taking the lead. However, McGill’s offensive struggles in the first quarter, combined with the team’s penalty count—the Redmen were whistled for eight of the 13 penalties called—gave them a mere 3-2 advantage after the opening frame.
Continued on pg. 20
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NEWS
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Elections SSMU volunteers resignation, petitioner drops Judicial Board case CEO, DEO positions to be reopened for applications, hiring bylaws to be reviewed SHRINKHALA DAWADI & NOAH SUTTON News Editor and Contributor
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en Fung, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Elections Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) has resigned following an agreement resolving the recent case that Alexei Simakov, U3 Arts, recently filed with the Judicial Board (J-Board) against the SSMU Executives, Elections SSMU, and the SSMU’s Board of Directors. In his petition, Simakov claimed that SSMU violated its constitution and bylaws by hiring Fung through improper procedures. Simakov and SSMU President Courtney Ayukawa released a joint statement on Oct. 30, announcing that as part of the agreement, SSMU would initiate a bylaw reform process. “Without delay, the SSMU shall review the bylaws relevant to hiring Elections SSMU
staff,” the joint statement reads. “Through its Legislative Council, the SSMU is committed to working, with the input of students, to address any existing uncertainties. The parties will cooperate to engage undergraduates in the reform process and to clarify the organization’s governing documents going forward.” Following their resignations, Fung and Deputy Elections Officer (DEO) David Koots will serve as interim CEO and DEO respectively, during which a hiring period for the positions will be reopened. Fung stated that the resignation was voluntary and that he and Koots will reapply to the positions of CEO and DEO. “Neither of us were involved in the hiring process, but since the Petitioner’s concerns were based on how we were hired, we drew no issue with reapplying for the positions,” Fung said. “We volunteered to step down as we
do not have personal stakes in Elections SSMU or the positions, and so that SSMU can move forward to clarify and improve the [hiring] process.” Simakov’s interpretation of the SSMU bylaws, as stated in his J-Board declaration, was contested by the SSMU executives. “The simple renewal of a contract does not require a recommendation from the Nominating Committee,” the Executive’s respondents statement to Simakov’s J-Board Case reads. “By L aw Book I 9 s. 2.2 [states that] ‘New Commissioners and Officers of the Society shall be hired on a yearly basis, prior to the commencement of the Fall term.’ Section 2.2 does not prohibit renewal of contracts and does not state the process in situations of renewed contracts [....] The CEO was not automatically rehired by the current or previous SSMU President. His renewal of contract was approved by the
Executive Committee in accordance with the Constitution and Byl aws.” As Simakov has agreed to drop the petition, the First Year Council (FYC) elections and Building Fee referendum question will not be invalidated. “The Elections SSMU team volunteering to resign does not affect SSMU referenda, elections, or the Society as a whole, because it was agreed in mediation that Ben Fung and David Koots will be CEO and DEO, respectively, in the interim,” Ayukawa said. According to Ayukawa, SSMU sought to settle this matter without a full J-Board hearing due to the prolonged process that the case would involve. “The reality of the matter is that Judicial Board cases and hearings demand time and resources, which the executives would prefer to put towards serving students and fulfilling our
mandates,” Ayukawa said. Simakov explained that his original intentions with the JBoard case were to seek invalidation of the Fall elections and referendum. “What we wanted going into this situation was an annulment, or invalidation of the referendum, [and] by extension, an invalidation of the FYC elections,” he said. “On top of which, we wanted an apology announcing the violation.” Going forward, Simakov hopes his petition will lead to bylaw reform. “What we want to see through these efforts is an objective and comprehensible set of bylaws,” he said. “We’re happy that Courtney and the executives did take the time to respond, [that] they were professional about it, and they didn’t dismiss us.”
Demonstration draws crowds of thousands in protest against austerity
Universities, social services among those affected by Liberal government’s budget cuts
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AISLINN KALOB Staff Writer
ast Friday, thousands of people including students, unions, and social service organizations gathered for a oneday strike and protest on the austerity measures being imposed by the Quebec government under Liberal Premier Philippe Couillard. The demonstration was declared illegal by the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) about 30 minutes after it began. The SPVM stated that the full itinerary for the march had not been provided in advance, but no arrests were made. More than 85 groups—including university and CEGEP students and professors, healthcare workers, non-profit organizations, feminist groups, and unions such as the Confederation of National Trade Unions (CSN) and the International Workers of the World (IWW)—attended the demonstration to display their opposition to the Liberal government’s proposed budget cuts. “We came out because of the austerity from the government in every social program, and health programs as well,” said Corinne Martin-Valois, a third-year social work student at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). “Personally, I will work in social organizations later
on. I don’t think we have a good future right now with our government, so that’s why I’m out here.” Healthcare workers in particular were protesting Loi 10, named “An Act to modify the organization and governance of the health and social services network, in particular by abolishing the regional agencies.” “Some of the cuts—what they’re going to do—is get rid of the top administration, and amalgamate more of the health centres,” said Barbara Bellingham of the Avante Women’s Centre in Bedford, Monteregie. “It will affect us [Anglophones] quite strongly,” she said. “It’s difficult for us to get services in English as it is; and now instead of talking to our local board of directors, we have to go all the way to Longueil to get special requests for English services.” The demonstration was organized by the non-profit organization, Non Aux Hausses, a coalition founded in 2009 to organize against cuts and privatization of social services. François Cloutier, a student protesting with his peers from CEGEP Bois de Boulogne explained that many students had different viewpoints on the issue. “We voted on a student strike on Wednesday, and since the vote was a majority, we decided that
Students protest in monster themed austerity march. (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) our student groups were against the austerity,” Cloutier said “Everybody has something to say, and that’s why we’re on the streets.” Many of the attendees were dressed in costume as the protest was themed “Austerity: A Horror Story.” “I came out to protest the austerity measures of the government with a couple of friends from the Medical Students’ Association of the University of Montreal,” said Edward Voyer,
a first-year student in Medicine. He was dressed in costume as a plague doctor, holding a sign that read, “Etudiantes en Medicine Contre la Peste Liberal.” McGill University will be among those affected by the government’s budget cuts. The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) General Assembly on Oct. 22 passed a motion that did not explicitly endorse a strike, but stated that SSMU would stand in solidarity against the austerity measures,
which would cut approximately $172 million from university funding. “[SSMU] is now mandated to inform and mobilize its members to participate in demonstrations in opposition to austerity measures,” SSMU VP External Amina Moustaqim-Barrette said. “Given this mandate, we will definitely be out representing the SSMU on Oct. 31 and in future protests.”
Proposed Arts student fee would fund Arts Internship Office following provincial cuts Potential $2.25 per credit fee to reform advising and career services
Manfredi proposed the creation of a student fee of $2.25 per credit to cover this deficit. The fee would be implemented in two stages. The first stage would aim to create a source of funding for the AIO in the future by raising $5 million over five years for an endowment fund, from which the AIO’s operating budget would come out of. Approximately $1.5 million of that would be raised from $1.50 per credit of the total fee, totalling around $300,000 annually. The remaining $3.5 million is expected to be raised through external fundraising. At the same time, $0.75 per credit of the fee would generate approximately $135,000 annually to cover the operational costs of the AIO. The difference of around $55,000 would then be made up by contributions from Faculty of Arts members. In the second phase, the AIO fee would be converted to an Arts advising and career services fee. The amount would remain the same—$2.25 per credit—generating approximately $405,000 annually. This money would go towards enhancing the capacity of the Arts advising and career services, according to Manfredi, with improvements such as increasing the number of advisors, student advisors, and administration support staff. “[They’re] basically two different projects. The first project is [to] get the AIO on a permanent, sound budget, so we never have to worry about what the government does,” Manfredi explained. “I still think enhancing career and advising services is important.” AUS president Ava Liu explained that she had originally been approached by the Dean with the idea of creating one fee for the improvement of advising and career services, but after consultation with the executive team, they decided to break the fee into two phases to improve transparency and give time for consultation.
McGill to implement hiring freeze for administrative staff in light of budget cuts Hospitality, travel spending, and non-essential equipment purchases will also be reduced SHRINKHALA DAWADI
CECE ZHANG News Editor
(Continued from page 1)
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News
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
“For advising, [...] the original idea of the fee was to, and still is, to support the salaries of a lot of [new] people [...] who we needed to hire [...]” Liu said. “We prioritize changing the system over just adding more advisors. To do an advising overhaul is the reason it’s called phase two, because it would take more consultation, we’re looking at doing a longer term project this year to figure out what we would like from advising, and then maybe in the Fall 2015 [...] putting that fee through a question. This was my approach to the problem, hence why there are two fees.” AUS VP Academic and Library Improvement Fund Coordnator Erin Sobat asked Manfredi what the university’s response was to the government cutting of funding for the AIO. “What has been the response from the provost and the deputy provost in terms of making up that loss in funding, especially given the principal’s commitment to experiential learning?” Sobat asked, referring to Principal Suzanne Fortier’s previous affirmations of the McGill commitment to offering all undergraduates opportunities to learn through practice and field work. In response, Manfredi said that the McGill administration understood the importance of the AIO. “We’re starting to have these conversations,” Manfredi said. “They understand that the AIP is a critical component of the McGill Commitment.” Manfredi continued to explain that AUS students would be able to decide whether to hold a referendum question in 2015. If held, the question would decide if the fee would be implemented at all. “What I would hope to do [...] is to have this question put forth to students next Spring, which would ask Arts students to approve a $2.25 per credit fee for the next five years to support the Arts Internship Office.”
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News Editor
ast Monday, Provost Anthony Masi held an open forum where he discussed the effects of the Quebec government’s recently announced budget cuts for the university sector on McGill’s financial situation. McGill’s budget for the 2015 fiscal year (FY2015) was approved by the Board of Governors last April and accounted for a $7 million deficit. An additional $9 million in funding for special projects was labelled as contingent upon receiving the expected amount from the government. In October, the provincial government announced a $15 million cut to McGill’s expected grant of $360 million for FY2015. The provincial government will also announce subsequent cuts—ranging from $4 million to $12 million—later this year or early next year. During the open forum, Masi explained that despite the precautionary measures taken by the administration while creating the FY2015 budget, in a worst-case scenario McGill’s operating budget deficit could reach $34 million as a result of the additional cuts imposed by the government. According to Masi, the uncertain timeline for future cuts will make it difficult for McGill to achieve a balanced budget for FY2015. “Those formal budget rules were only promulgated by the ministry to the university system in September,” he said. “Trying to manage variances—both positive and negative—that are due to cuts in the grant, make it much more difficult when they come so late in the fiscal year.” The Quebecois government’s grant comes with additional stipulations. McGill will have to reduce the administrative salary mass that is not based on instructional expenditures by two per cent and the administrative operating expenses by three per cent. Masi explained that McGill will impose a hiring freeze for all new external searches for administrative staff. “Right now there’s no immediate plan to claw back monies that have been allocat-
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ed to units [...] but there have to be restraints in ways the money is spent,” Masi said. “Salary mass is not necessarily the number of people [we hire, but] if we end the year not spending two percent less than when we started the year, the government will penalize us.” Further announcements by the McGill administration regarding spending restrictions will be made in January to allow for expenditure planning for the 2016 fiscal year (FY2016). “We have begun undertaking very detailed analyses of anticipated expenditure and [... we’re] looking at expenditure pattern on the local level,” Masi said. “Other expenditures that were approved may be postponed for [FY2016].” According to Masi, all non-essential equipment and furnishing purchases will be postponed. Travel and hospitality funding will also be reduced and the process through which applications for job reclassifications are considered will be reviewed. Masi spoke to McGill’s budgetary priorities for FY2016, which are in line with McGill’s mission statement. “The primary budget planning objective will be to minimize the effects on academic programs, which are the source of our [reputation,] our reach, and of course our revenues,” he said. “If students fail to come, if professors fail to generate research grants, then revenues go down.” According to Masi, McGill’s budgets have been more austere than those of other Quebec universities. He cited McGill’s immediate implementation of the budget cuts imposed by the previous provincial government as a reason for McGill’s relatively stable financial standing. “It’s clear that these cuts [...] will have significant financial implications for administrative units, faculties, schools and departments,” Masi said. “It isn’t yet a crisis because we have a strong base. We took the serious medicine [...] and we took the cuts.”
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News
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Seventh global food security conference addresses present challenges Disparities between Canadians, African food supply chains amongst discussed topics
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PHILIPPE DUMAIS Staff Writer
ast Tuesday and Wednesday, the McGill Institute for Global Food Security organized its seventh annual conference. Journalists, NGOs, scholars, and students gathered to discuss this year’s theme, Food Security Beyond 2015.
Infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa
The conference opened with a lecture by Professor Stephen McGurk, vice-president of the Program and Partnership Branch for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). McGurk drew a parallel between development in South-East Asia and Africa and spoke to the importance of infrastructure for food security. “Infrastructure allowed [Asia] to grow extremely rapidly at 45 per cent per year over the last 15 years,” he said. “I have increasingly seen things happening in sub-Saharan Africa
that are strikingly reminiscent of things that have been happening in East Asia.” McGurk continued to emphasize the role of research in this type of development. “We need to have partnerships that focus on [...] cuttingedge technologies that combine the best of field and food science with downstream solid business analysis, economics, and sociology,” he said. According to McGurk, the biggest challenge regarding food security remains the coordination of research at the international level and its application to supply chains in Africa. McGurk’s approach is to create the conditions so that the solutions emerge from local communities, like those of Nigeria, where women sell their vegetables at cooperatives. “The women in Nigeria already recognized the need for cooperatives to sell their vegetables because they need to negotiate with truck drivers and wholesale
market operators,” McGurk said. “They also need to start branding their vegetables and processing them into particular products to capture more of the value-added [....] We must build institutions to do this work better in these countries themselves.”
Food insecurity in Canada
The lack of food security among indigenous populations and methods of quantification of food security were also discussed as they applied to a Canadian context. Treena Delormier, a nutritionist and public health specialist from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, outlined the discrepancies between aboriginal populations and the average Canadian household, pointing at statistics that showed 27 per cent of aboriginal households across Canada experiencing food insecurity as opposed to 12 per cent for non-aboriginal households. “There is a serious crisis
of food insecurity in northern Canada, especially when we are talking about aboriginal populations,” Delormier said, citing a report of the Canadian Council of Academies. Delormier also argued that the solution must be comprehensive and include indigenous governance, traditions and values. The social determinants of health—such as income—were discussed in a presentation by Naomi Dachner, research manager in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. “Our single best predictor of the problem is household income,” Dachner said. “As household income increases, food insecurity decreases [.... This] also includes more general material deprivation and access to credit, savings, shelter costs, and other expenses.” Food security can impact Canadians in many ways, according to Dachner. The first and foremost is healthcare cost. Food in-
secure people tend to have more health issues. “When we look at health care utilization and costs in relation to other components, food insecure individuals cost about [two and a half] times what a food secure person would.” The vast array of topics presented at the conference drew students from different departments and levels of study. Nina Moutairou, a graduate student from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, commented on the global scope of the conference. “I am looking forward to the section on India, Kenya, and Ghana,” she said. “I would like to expand my knowledge on food security in developing countries. I’ve been here last year and the year before as well, and the conference has always done a good job at addressing these issues.”
Panellists discuss China’s environmental challenges
Society of China Studies aims to start interdisciplinary discussions
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CLEMENCE TAM Contributor
ast Friday, the Society of China Studies hosted a panel discussion to explore the issue of China’s environmental challenges. The panel consisted of assistant professor Juan Wang from the Department of Political Science; assistant professor Jill Baumgartner from the Department of Epidemiology; and visiting scholar Wenting Liang from the Department of Political Science. The panel discussed the causes and impacts of environmental degradation, the present situation in China, as well as thoughts regarding possible future policy prescriptions and actions that could be taken by the Chinese government. Approximately 70 participants attended the event. The first panel question asked Baumgartner about the impact that air pollution had on the health of people in China. Baumgartner spoke about a recurring study known as the Global Burden of Disease study, which examines risk factors for diseases and their possible impacts on health. “China has been shifting from diseases related to nutrition or infectious diseases [...] to cardiovascular disease, [Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and] chronic obstructive lung diseases,” Baumgartner said. “Air pollution has been a large part of that shift.” Baumgartner referred to cit-
ies such as London, which had once experienced heavy air pollution, as guidance for China in shaping future policy. “Part of it is changing behaviours—trying to get people to drive less and look at mass transit,” she said. “Part of it is switching to improved fuels inside homes.” In response to the question of how effective implementation of policies to reduce pollution would be, Wang explained that genuine political will to address the problem of pollution would rely on creating incentives for industries to change production methods. “If the government wants something to have positive impact, it will really be inducing certain behaviours instead of setting a standard,” Wang said. Liang also discussed the various aspects of the enforcement of environmental laws. “The public only [blames] the Ministry of Environmental Protection [and] the environmental law,” she said. “I think it is unfair to say this. The law is the last solution to resolve the question.” Wang disagreed, highlighting the importance the political structure of China plays in the ability and will to enforce laws. “The law is [...] one response to the environmental problem,” Wang said. “How well it will be enforced depends on the intention behind the
Panellists discussed the environmental challenges currently faced by China. (Cece Zhang / McGill Tribune) lawmaking and who are the actors involved in the implementation process. [Often] the Environmental Protection Bureau [is] either listening to the local government and not doing much to stop the polluting industries or [it is lacking] so much funding that it will allow pollution so [as to] fine the industry and keep the money for itself.” The event ended with a question and answer period. Jacky Zheng, a
U2 Arts student, asked the panellists whether there is a tendency to create an independent environmental protection police system to ensure the law enforcement and security of the regulation. In response, Wang explained that an environmental protection police system would have to be a coordination between various departments and organs of the government.
An organizer, Tianyu Zhang, said that the goal of the event was to create an interdisciplinary discussion. “Traditionally the [Society of China Studies] has focused on science issues just because of its member makeup,” Zhang said. “But we wanted to make the shift, and [the] environment seems like something that is the perfect thing to bring these two together.”
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
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News
Panel discusses efficacy of policy changes for Hong Kong democracy protests Cites current and historic economic and social shifts as reasons for unrest
PGSS succeeds in lobbying for lower international health care rates
Request for proposals mechanism increases bidding, keeping prices down
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Attendees participate in panel event on Hong Kong’s democracy issues.(Brooke Goosen / McGill Tribune)
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SARA CULLEN Contributor
ast Wednesday, the Asia Pacific Law Association of McGill (APLAM), an association of McGill Law students with an interest in the legal systems and cultures of the Asia Pacific region, hosted an open panel discussion on the current democratic crisis in Hong Kong. Panelists at Wednesday’s event included speakers Yves Tiberghien, associate professor of political science and director of the Institute for Asian Research at the University of British Columbia (UBC); Marie-Eve Reny, assistant professor of political science from Université de Montréal; and Jakub Adamski, course lecturer in the Faculty of Law at McGill University. The panelists covered topics such as the media coverage of the crisis, reasons for the initiation of protests, expected outcomes of the protests, current political tensions in Hong Kong, and police tactics that are unique to the 2014 protests. On Sept. 22, Hong Kong citizens staged ongoing pro-democracy protests concerning the 2017 election of Hong Kong’s next Chief Executive. In late August, the Chinese government stated that as a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong would be able to elect the next Chief Executive from a pool of candidates selected by the Central Chinese government. The pro-democracy protests were originally instigated by members of the Hong Kong Federation of Students and are being continued by the Occupy Central advocacy group for social disobedience in Hong Kong. According to Ramanujam, the pro-democracy protests will lead to a change in Chinese party law. “I think that in the immediate future, nothing dramatic is going to shift in Hong Kong,” Ramanujam said. “However, I do think [that China is making an] effort [... at] democratizing the party and the party’s behavior—making it more transparent, more accountable, and then going towards some sort of increased participation in terms of people.” Professor Tiberghien identified the root causes of the Umbrella Movement, as the protests have
been called, as the perception of rising inequality and decreasing opportunities for young people, concern over the ‘mainlandization’ of Hong Kong, frustration with the lack of innovation and proactivity in addressing new social, environmental, and economic problems, and a desire for the establishment of a “real democracy.” According to Adamski, it is important to recognize that Hong Kong is a unique region when seeking to understand the events surrounding the 2017 election. He discussed the region’s history as a hub for Asian Pacific trade and its current economy. “Manufacturing has ended effectively as a large [industry,]” Adamski said. “There is a lot of money coming into Hong Kong but many people are not profiting from that, hence the ‘occupy’ language [....] It’s about political rights, but it’s also about the growing perception that, effectively, Hong Kong is becoming more and more [of] a plaything, if not for what used to be Western foreigners, now for Chinese wealthy foreigners.” Reny predicted that the Hong Kong protests will not come to a violent end, the way events at Tiananmen Square did in 1989. However, according to Reny, police tactics such as group detentions, pepper spray, and tear gas had not been utilized prior to the 2014 protests. This change in tactics, in combination with the lack of organization among protesters, leads to uncertainty as protesters continue to occupy the streets of Hong Kong. “It’s not clear what [the Umbrella Movement’s] future plan of action is going to be,” Reny said. “[As] the sit-ins on the street go on, that uncertainty sends Beijing and the Hong Kong government […] signals that they shouldn’t worry too much about the protestors.” In their concluding remarks, panellists agreed that the current unrest in Hong Kong is a by-product of a crisis that is both social and economic. Although panellists shared the opinion that the ongoing protests will not affect an immediate change, they predicted that a slow shift in party policy will occur.
MORGAN ALEXANDER Arts and Entertainment Editor
ll international students at McGill insured with Blue Cross, a Canadian health insurance provider, will now have lower health-care rates following three years of lobbying by the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) of McGill to the university. Beginning in 2011, the PGSS lobbied the university to begin a competitive bidding process for alternate healthcare options, known as a request for proposals (RFP). The project was led in part by Jonathan Mooney, former secretary-general of PGSS, and PGSS Health Commissioner Elizabeth Crawley. “To negotiate the drop in prices, McGill announced publicly that they were seeking multiple proposals from different insurance companies for the international student insurance plan,” Mooney explained. “As a result, the companies, knowing that they were facing competition, offered the best possible price for the plan.” The immediate outcome of the RFP included lowered rates across the board, with decreases of $101 per year for individuals, $312 per year for individuals with dependents, and $549 per year for individuals with families. “This has impacted every international student in a positive way in that they pay less for the same service,” Crawley claimed. “As a student executive and health advocate, that outcome is a big win.” PGSS was able to work directly with McGill via the Advisory Committee on International Students (ACIS). Early into the process, the university expressed fears that Blue Cross would make a worse offer due to the added work involved in an RFP, as the process requires the company to not only negotiate prices but also provide corporate, financial, and product information. However at the April 2013 meeting, Director of International Students Services Pauline L’Écuyer formally approved the RFP after listening to student arguments in support of it. In January, Vice-Principal (Administration and Finance) Michael Di Grappa formally approved the extended use of the RFP. Mooney expanded upon the reasoning for the continued use of the RFP and the long-term goals of the policy. “Through the RFP, McGill was able to obtain a better rate on the premium paid by international students at McGill,” he said. “In addition, McGill put in place a system to ensure that every few years the contract for the plan would be bid on by multiple insurance companies to ensure that the premiums paid by students stay low.” International students currently pay three times more for health care than those covered under the Régie de L’assurance Maladie (RAMQ), which offers annual premiums ranging from no charge to $611. Ana Best, an international PhD student in the Department of Math and Statistics at McGill, expressed her view on the high rates of international healthcare rates. “While it’s fair that international students pay for their insurance, it’s unfair that they are charged three times the RAMQ rate for hospital treatment and are not treated in any medical facilities that are RAMQ only,” Best said. “These things really make illness and healthcare a hardship for international students at McGill, and both would be solved by allowing international students to pay into a RAMQ public option.” PGSS will continue working with McGill to negotiate lower health-care rates through the RFP, according to Mooney, who highlighted Di Grappa’s formal agreement to continue working with the RFP. Best praised the efforts of the PGSS executives in successfully lobbying McGill for the reduced healthcare charges. “The past [executive] teams at the PGSS have done a great job in pushing for improved health care for international students, and the current execs are pushing even harder to make [it] a reality,” Best stated. “It’s also great that McGill itself has been on board with pushing for change and improving the lives of international students.”
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Opinion
Tuesday November 4, 2014
editorial
THE Mcgill
Response to university budget shortfalls reflects lack of imagination the attitude around dealing with tuition hikes was far more frenzied than the desire to respond to the continued chipping away of funds and shifting of costs to students that is actually happening. This comes even though budget cuts and increases in user fees are simply the other side of the tuition
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ter of Values as a wedge issue, but also because of its duplicity on student issues. First the PQ opposed the Charest government’s tuition hikes, then instituted the first wave of major cuts to university budgets, then announced a tuition hike too small to actually remedy the funding situation,
Compared to the sustained organizing for various strikes and class-disrupting actions during the 2011-12 school year, this most recent set of cuts has been met with lukewarm motions at Post Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) and Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) General Assemblies (GAs), neither of which contained any real organizing actions.
and cost equation. Presuming no new revenue, to cover a shortfall, cuts must be made. Another issue that this latest controversy raises is the degree to which the provincial parties can be taken seriously on issues of higher education to begin with. In the last election, many McGill students believed that the Parti Quebecois (PQ) was best removed from its legislative majority, partly because of its use of the Char-
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On Oct. 27, McGill hosted a ‘town hall’ event to present its side of the renewed budget cuts it is making by order of Quebec’s provincial government, to the tune of 13 to 15 million dollars. These cuts come on top of downward adjustments made to McGill’s budget last year and the year before. In response to these provincial ‘austerity’ cuts, over 10,000 people from both student associations and provincial unions gathered to protest last Friday. The response on campus to these reductions has been muted. it has almost been as if there is a grim resignation to fewer resources for Teaching Assistants (TAs), fewer classes, and reduced opportunities to hire tenure-track professors. Compared to the sustained organizing for various strikes and class-disrupting actions during the 2011-12 school year, this most recent set of cuts has been met with lukewarm motions at Post Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) and Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) General Assemblies (GAs), neither of which contained any real organizing actions. This isn’t to say that the tactics or protests then were reasonable, but to rather note that
but large enough to demonstrate a lack of respect for the intelligence of a key member of the electoral coalition that gave itself power in the first place. With the Couillard Liberal government, we are seeing similar problems. Even during the election, it was clear that student issues were neglected, but there was enough of an exasperation with the antics of the PQ that it wasn’t a defining issue in the discourse on campus about the
election. Now, we are seeing the dubious result of this disconnect. Student votes are not necessarily influential enough to drive the party agendas beyond polling day in this province, and that leaves all of us in a bind. It’s difficult to see where advocacy efforts should be focused, considering the previous failures along the way. SSMU’s previous membership in the Table de Concertation Étudiante du Québec (TaCEQ)—a fledgling association of student associations designed to lobby at the provincial level that lacked focus and was beset by infighting—proved largely useless. Joining a student association for political weight was the right idea, but the organization lacked clout. Should SSMU join another group? It could set itself up for the same problems. Lobbying at the provincial level, while much harder, and with less potential for impact than lobbying at the McGill administrative level, is essential when it comes to the question of budgets, because McGill only gets a certain amount of free reign on its allocations. It is imperative that the SSMU executives this year, and in future years, can strike that balance.
COMMENTARY
The Ebola epidemic and the recent cases of infections in airports across western countries, shed light on the U.S’s. role as one of the leaders against the spread of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID). Global health already faced several EIDs, including bird flu, swine flu, and HIV/AIDS, and the U.S. was more than determined to act against them. Nevertheless, there is a major controversy on the degree to which state-level governments have been motivated by facts and fear in their policies to deal with the disease. Over the past few weeks, seven states have implemented a full scale prevention program against the spread of the virus, including the controversial and mandatory 21-day quarantine for anyone re-
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The quarantine policy conveys the idea that the disease needs now to be countered in the airports, when where it can and should be countered is in the West African countries.
administration has expressed skepticism about the regulations. What all of these institutions and groups point to is the underlying political reality of the quarantine—the use of the politics of fear. Brian Beutler, a senior editor for the New Republic, emphasized that the “issue with Ebola isn’t the virus itself so much as the paranoia about it.” This kind of disregard for established authorities in policy-
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CÉcile Richetta Contributor
making is uncalled for. More importantly, the quarantine policy has had unintended consequences. For example, it has deterred many volunteers from going abroad. This was the main concern of the nurse who was forcibly put into quarantine, even though she showed no sign of infection. With the support of civil right activists and health organizations, she described the way she was treated as “criminal” and “inhumane,” which
is the chief matter in question. With now more than 10,000 cases of infection and nearly 5,000 deaths, the role of medical volunteers in West Africa has become fundamental to the fight. But the quarantine policy turns the volunteering nurses and doctors into criminals and ‘incubators,’ a threat to American health. The quarantine policy conveys the idea that the disease needs now to be countered in the airports, whereas it
Managing Editors Mayaz Alam malam@mcgilltribune.com Jessica Fu jfu@mcgilltribune.com Remi Lu rlu@mcgilltribune.com Production Manager Sam Pinto spinto@mcgilltribune.com Creative Director Hayley Lim hlim@mcgilltribune.com News Editors Shrinkhala Dawadi and Cece Zhang news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editor Abraham Moussako opinion@mcgilltribune.com Science & Technology Editor Chloe Nevitt scitech@mcgilltribune.com Student Living Editor Natalie Wong studentliving@mcgilltribune.com Features Editor Caity Hui features@mcgilltribune.com Arts & Entertainment Editors Max Berger and Morgan Alexander arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editors Elie Waitzer and Wyatt Fine-Gagné sports@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Domitille Biehlmann and Cassie Lee design@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editors Jack Neal and L-A Benoit photo@mcgilltribune.com Copy Editor Adrien Hu copy@mcgilltribune.com Advertising Executives Eliott Demelier, Daniel Kang, and Mingye Chen ads@mcgilltribune.com Publisher Chad Ronalds
Fear stymies western response to Ebola
turning from Sierra Leone, Guinea, or Liberia, and who has potentially been in contact with people infected by the virus. While the U.S. is presenting itself as an actor for worldwide safety and security from EIDs thanks to programs like the ‘Global Health Security Agenda’, the quarantine policy is an example of how its domestic politics can have the opposite effect. It has been criticized as excessive by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Obama
Editor-in-Chief Jenny Shen editor@mcgilltribune.com
can and should be countered in the West African countries. Another damaging consequence concerns the renewal of media and popular representation of Africa as the ‘sick continent.’ Ebola, as it has come to be understood, is no longer just a disease but specifically an ‘African’ disease. This problem has been noted by Angelique Kidjo, who expressed her concerns over the “dehumanization of Africa” in a New York Times column. Africans have fought to reconstruct the image of their homeland; now scholars and journalists fear that the Ebola paranoia is going to reverse decades of improvements. There is an underlying risk of falling back to the view of a ‘dark and evil’ Africa. As Kidjo stated, “Do not let Ebola dehumanize Africa.”Africa is so much more than that, and the state-level quarantine policy does not support this mindset. The Ebola paranoia in the U.S. has nurtured a vicious cycle of fear, moving to a point where it is not grounded in science but rather in an irrational panic. To truly counter the disease, American policymakers must not succumb to this mass hysteria.
TPS Board of Directors
Yael Chapman, Jacqui Galbraith, Adrien Hu, Alycia Noe, Sam Pinto, Jenny Shen, Maryse Thomas, Nicolas Tuech
Staff Writers & Illustrators Cordelia Cho, Philippe Dumais, Keah Hansen, Max Joseph, Evelyn Kaczmarek, Aislinn Kalob, Tiffany Le, Chris Lutes, Claire Lyle, Hailey Mackinnon, Eleanor Milman, Alycia Noë, Laura Plamondon, Aaron Rose, Elli Slavitch, Zikomo Smith, Julie Vanderperre, Wilder Walker-Stewart, Lauren Wildgoose
Contributors Babur Ayanlar, Sara Cullen, Brooke Goossen, Sarah Ibrahim, Alexandra Konkina, Elizabeth McLellan, Martin Molceperes, Kia Poulliot, Cécile Richetta, Joshua Shapiro, Alexi Simakov, Noah Sutton, Clemence Tam
Tribune Office Shatner University Centre Suite 110, 3480 McTavish Montreal, QC H3A 0E7 T: 514.398.6789
The McGill 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 McGill 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 McGill Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.
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Opinion
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Ghomeshi’s case, broadcasting scandals
The practice of designing strategies to salvage the reputations of celebrities embroiled in scandals is very common. Denying, clarifying, justifying, and distancing are just a few of many strategies used by PR firms hired to deal with scandals. The sex and violence scandal currently surrounding broadcast personality Jian Ghomeshi is a perfect example of a carefully planned set of tactics designed to deflect responsibility and protect the image of a popular celebrity. Ghomeshi has already used many different methods to deny the allegations of abhorrent sexual violence made against him, but despite his calculated treatment of the allegations, Ghomeshi’s statements and public denials have only intensified the public’s
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Julie Vanderperre Columnist
employer reacting negatively to tering the claims of his accusers, focus on the scandal. From the very onset of the his unorthodox sexual practices. Ghomeshi has only focused more Ghomeshi scandal, his advisors Ghomeshi’s initial Facebook attention on the issue. The Toat Navigator—who have since statement is especially important ronto Star had considered pubparted ways with him, due to because of the speed with which lishing a story in May regardclaims from Navigator that Gho- information can travel on social ing the allegations made against meshi had lied about his situa- media. If Ghomeshi’s response Ghomeshi, but refrained due to inadequate tion—have made careproof to supful statements to deny port the lehis culpability and pregitimacy of serve his image. Even By confronting, denying, the accusabefore any formal aland countering the claims of his tions. In its legations were made accusers, Ghomeshi has only explanation public, Ghomeshi refocused more attention on the for publishleased a statement on issue. ing the first his public Facebook wave of alpage, denying his relegations of sponsibility for the alleged violence. This was a de- had been slower, people would his violence, the Star asserted liberate strategy that highlighted have quickly jumped onto the that Ghomeshi’s public statement the importance of having the first issue and started making their on Facebook provided enough word in a publicized scandal. own judgments based on whatev- justification for the Star to pubBy addressing the allegations er they had heard so far. Taking lish the first real news coverage before the media got a hold of too long to address a crisis and of the scandal; The imminent the scandal, Ghomeshi was able being forced to make a reactive publication of the article was arto influence the direction of the response can also seem too de- guably the catalyst that prompted CBC to fire Ghomeshi, and incitdiscussion rather than having to fensive. It seems as though the strate- ed a torrent of news stories. Had react to it. Ghomeshi’s Facebook status was effective because he gies used should have helped to Ghomeshi not attempted to deny was able to reframe the scandal alleviate the severity of the scan- the claims made against him, the as a completely different issue dal. In reality, however, the deni- media might never have even than what was put forth in the al- als and deflections seem to have picked up on the story. In fact, legations. Ghomeshi contended only added fuel to the fire. By if Ghomeshi had never made his that the scandal was his former confronting, denying, and coun- public statement and the scandal
didn’t reach the level of publicity that it has, the new allegations that have been made might never have come forward. From what we have seen with crisis management of celebrity cases, scandals would be much more short-lived and arguably less severe if the back and forth between the accusers and the defendant wasn’t so drawn out. If the person affected by the scandal came forward admitting to their mistakes in the beginning, the media attention would likely be much less intense. In the PR world, this strategy of admitting to one’s wrongdoings is known as ‘mortification.’ Judging by its name and how infrequently it is used, it is fair to say that mortification is not the preferred strategy for managing scandals. Indeed, we rarely see celebrities coming forward with the entire truth. Instead, elaborate excuses and distractions are fabricated to try to save face. In the end, however, these usually just end up making the scandal even more shameful when the truth is finally revealed.
Hysteria over FIPA unwarranted
Two years after the signing of the Foreign Investor Protection Agreement (FIPA), and over a month since it’s ratification, a small but vocal number of Canadians continue to cry out about the FIPA’s supposed perils. The Green Party has described it as an attack on our nation’s sovereignty, progressive publications have claimed that it would make us victim to 19th century colonialism, and a recent piece in the McGill Daily analogized the bill’s signing to Hitler’s Germany. These critics have lost touch with reality. Granted, the FIPA does undermine Canadian sovereignty, but so do the Convention on Cluster Munitions of 2008 and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention of 1930. By its very nature, an international agreement is a compromise by countries to con-
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Alexei Simakov Contributor
cede part of their sovereignty in is the Investment Canada Act. Ar- liberty to prohibit or restrict any a mutually beneficial exchange. ticle 4 promises “fair and equita- activities it deems necessary, it Calling the agreement ‘undemo- ble treatment and full protection just can’t ban Chinese companies cratic,’ which some on this cam- and security,” which is contin- while giving preferential regulapus have done, is equally nonsen- gent on being “in accordance with tions to Canadian ones. Others complain that the sical as the Harper government international law,” the same kind has received an electoral mandate of legal relationship we share FIPA will give Chinese companies in 2006, 2008, and most recently with our North American Free the right to sue the Canadian government for billions in damages. a majority in 2011. The Liberal Trade Act (NAFTA) partners. Nor are these exceptions lim- This right is shared by all CanaParty, hardly a Conservative ally, are in support of the FIPA. Even ited to existing regulations. The dians, companies in NAFTA ,and the Comthe New prehensive Democratic Economic Party won’t and Trade commit to By its very nature, an Agreement categorically international agreement is a (CETA), and rejecting the compromise by countries to the counagreement, concede part of their tries in dozinsisting that sovereignty in a mutually ens of other they would beneficial exchange. F TA - s i g n e d only revoke agreements. it “if it is not On what in the best claim that it would allow Chinese basis are we supposed to deny interests of Canadians.” Some claim the agreement corporations to block future en- this privilege to China? Allegawould allow Chinese corporations vironmental regulations against tions that these proceedings are to act above the law and pillage its interests is unfounded. Article held in secret also hold no water, the Canadian economy without 33 states in no uncertain terms as Article 28 states, “all docurestraint, derived from Article 3: that “nothing in this Agreement ments submitted to, or issued by, “Each [country] shall encourage shall be construed to prevent a the Tribunal shall also be publicinvestors of the other [country] to Contracting Party from adopt- ly available” and “hearings held make investments in its territory ing […] environmental measures under this Part shall be open to and admit such investments.” Un- […] necessary to protect human, the public.” The FIPA is so transfortunately, it seems they didn’t animal or plant life or health; or parent it allows you to go and atbother to finish the sentence: “In […] the conservation of living tend the trial. Outrage that these hearaccordance with its laws, regula- or non-living exhaustible natural tions, and rules,” amongst which resources.” Canada is at perfect ings will be presided over by an
independent arbitration panel instead of a Canadian court display a gross misunderstanding of how trade law works. This is the same process by which the United Nations settles disputes for the simple reason that having the hearing in one country versus another carries with it an undeniable presumption of bias. On the flipside, how do you like the sound of “Barrick Gold Corp. v. The People’s Republic of China” as overseen by the Politburo of the Communist Party? In this sense, criticizing the benefits that Chinese companies receive completely misses the whole point of the deal—that every one of those benefits will be guaranteed to Canadian companies as well. Canada currently runs an annual trade deficit of $30 billion with China—encouraging its investors and guaranteeing the safety of their assets is the way to start narrowing that gap. China’s economy contributes more than 15 per cent of world GDP and growing, but less than two per cent of total foreign direct investment in Canada. If Canadians want a brighter economic future they need to start re-orienting towards where the future is going to be, and the FIPA is how to start.
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Student Living Getting started on your start-up Tuesday, November 4 2014
Tips for becoming a student entrepreneur Hailey MacKinnon Staff Writer
(Continued from page 1) This sentiment was echoed by Clark Wiebe, U3 Science student and founder of Fit for a Cause (FFAC), an organization that raises funds through by-donation, student-led fitness classes, of which 100 per cent of the profits go to charity. Wiebe encourages those thinking of creating their own organization to get started now. “[University is] probably the best time of your life to start anything,” Wiebe said. “It’s the time where everyone that surrounds you believes, and is convinced anything is possible. You are never surrounded by that sort of environment for the rest of your life, and it’s a tremendous resource to have.” Contrary to popular perception, the idea behind a start-up does not have to be revolutionary or technologically innovative. It can exist alongside similar products, but it must have a Unique Selling Point (USP), backed by thorough and specific market research that ensures that the same product is not already out there. Take Snapchat, for example. Despite the fact that thousands of photo-sharing apps already existed, Snapchat added a USP where photos were only visible for up to 10 seconds. The company found its niche, and things clicked from there; the company is currently valued at $10 billion. “If you are not different, why would people come to you?” Agarwal said. “You should know what the problem is, and how your startup is solving it differently. Who are your clients and what are their needs and desires?” Furthermore, it is important to take inspiration from local needs. “You can get ideas from just looking around and thinking of products that solve the problems that surround you,” said Tom Zheng, a recent McGill graduate who co-founded Wildcard—a Montreal night-life membership card—while still in school. “The value of your company should be directly related to the value it is giving back to society.” In order to construct an idea, Agarwal suggested utilizing the resources at McGill—in particular other students. “Don’t think that if you tell someone else your idea they will steal it,” Agarwal said. “Frankly
speaking, this never happens because chances are some form of the idea already exists out in the world. But if you start talking to people, you get a lot more feedback and you get the opportunity to refine your idea.” Additionally, certain student groups on campus seek to help students in their ventures. McGill’s Entrepreneurship Society connects students with local Montreal venture funds, such as Real Ventures and iNovia Capital, which offer free consultations with venture capitalists that can answer tough questions about business or law, and perhaps even offer investment. According to Wiebe, professors can also be a useful resource. Similarly, students, alumni, and even faculty and staff members can enter the annual McGill Dobson Cup, a Dragon’s Denlike case competition where students from all faculties compete for start-up capital. Entering the Cup provides mentorship and validation of an idea by judges who have worked in industry for a number of years, and can provide advice on the merits of an idea. In addition to mentorship, it is the best opportunity for McGill students to get funding, offering over $60,000 in prize money. Another massive factor in a start-up is the quality of the team involved. “If the team is not thinking as one, if there are uneven levels of commitment or different ideas about the vision, it starts to go downhill,” Agarwal said. “But with a good team, you can survive […] the ups and the downs, even if the idea is not fool-proof.” Zheng echoed the importance of finding the right people to create a start-up. “You have to find someone who’s smarter than you, crazier than you, willing to take higher risks than you,” Zheng said. “If you find someone that is better at what you are doing than you, make that [person] your business partner. Finding a good business partner is like finding love; it just happens, and you know it’s right.” After the platform and the team have been solidified, the next step is simple: Get started. “People somehow think there is a set process,” Zheng said. “There isn’t. You have an idea in your head, you write it down, and you say, ‘What’s next?’” Above all else, start-up hopefuls must ensure they are fully to the steps necessary to creating their company. Both
The annual McGill Dobson Cup Start-Up Competition. (sanitru.com) Zheng and Agarwal agree that student entrepreneurship means you have to reorganize your priorities, as there are many sacrifices and risks that you must be prepared to take in order to keep the company afloat. “If you decide to make a commitment, you have to stay true to do it,” said Ameya Pendse, a U3 political science and history student who co-founded the Carte M Card student discount last October. “You can’t just think of a business idea and expect it to just happen. “There’s day-to-day work that you have to take into account, and if you’re a student, you have to understand that your grades are going to take a hit,” Pendse continued. “[My partner and I] would often miss whole days of class, each taking a different area of Montreal and going to over 50 businesses door-todoor. So before you make the commitment, make sure you want it that badly.” In addition to building the model, getting visibility for the product also takes work. “Social media is not enough,” Pendse said. “You need to have events, go to the Y-intersection, and stand there handing out free cards [to promote your product.]” Pendse stated that took a huge risk when building his company. In addition to missing class, he gambled his tuition money by using it as funding for his company. Fortunately, he was able to not only break even, but also make a profit from Carte M Card, although he acknowledges that this is often not the case.
In fact, most start-ups rarely see immediate profit, if any at all. Companies will fail over and over again before they succeed, which, due to the lack of glamour in failure, is rarely reported in the media. “There is this perception that startups are the short-cuts to success, but it just does not work like this,” Zheng said. “If you are in this for the money, you’re in the wrong business. You are in a space where companies don’t make money for a long time. And the same team that you see starting the big, successful company, has most likely failed 10 times before.” The prospect of failure and the immense commitment are often what deters students from starting their own startups. Zheng says the biggest roadblock he encountered was self-doubt as a result of these two factors. “When your GPA tanks [...], when you have gotten rejected multiple times, when you are not performing your duties, that gets to you, and you begin to question everything,” he said. “You are going to be critical of yourself and you are going to be disappointed in yourself.” So why continue despite the high failure rate and what Zheng refers to as an unspeakable stress? Because there is the possibility of success, and even if the company tanks, both Zheng and Pendse agree that the experience is worth it. “I learned how to make contracts,” Pendse said. “I learned how to deal with businesses, to negotiate, how different people operate, [and] basic business
skills. If we learn about any of those things at McGill it is all through a textbook. But to learn it by experience was very cool, especially at the age of 20.” Furthermore, Zheng remarked that for those who are driven, fear of failure will not be a barrier. “If you believe in what you believe in, you’re going to go for it and try to be among the [small per cent] of companies that succeed,” he said. “If you think you can succeed where others have failed, there’s no reason you shouldn’t do it.” In general, Zheng also stated the entrepreneurial path has been beneficial to his spirit and sense of self. “[I gained] the ability to understand that it isn’t that hard to change the world for the better,” Zheng said. “You gain skills but you also understand what you as an individual are capable of, and that you can do more than you thought you could.” Agarwal agreed, stating that there is no limitation to the possibility that you could contribute something meaningful to the world. “There’s always a problem and always a solution,” Agarwal said. “If you keep your eyes open and keep looking around, you never know when you can hit the billion-dollar idea.”
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Student Living
Tuesday, November 4 2014
: The Rocky Horror Picture Show A hectic, horrifying, hilarious first-hand experience Morgan Alexander & ShrinkHala Dawadi Arts & Entertainment Editor & News Editor We got to Imperial Cinema a little before 11 p.m., looking forward to a night of cult-movie debauchery. Right off the bat, however, it became clear that this night would be quite the experience—something we should’ve expected with all the hype that surrounds the annual live-action performance of Richard O’ Brien’s Rocky Horror Picture Show. The line outside of the theatre was massive; employees were standing on makeshift pedestals yelling out names of people still on the wait-list. Adding to the confusion was the swarm of people in various stages of dress and undress; people in sugar skull makeup, men in burlesque drag, and groups of people already in character milled around the theatre entrance vying for the few remaining tickets. Once we finally entered the theatre, the madness continued—no assigned seats meant scrambling around
looking for the best possible view that would still accommodate the amount of people you came with. Not an inconvenience at typical cinemas, but the addition of the already chaotic atmosphere made it seem like we were in fierce competition with everyone around me. When the show finally started, the actors that would perform along with the film emceed a quick fashion show. A couple dressed like they were being attacked by birds—à la the Alfred Hitchcock film—impressed us. Once the opening festivities ended and the film began, we were greeted by an explosion of shouts from the crowd. It was evident that for the vast majority of those in attendance, this was a beloved annual event. The overall sound quality of the film was sub-par, and the on-stage speaker’s commentary on the film quickly became tiring, as her continuous stream of comments were rarely humorous. The actors on stage spent the majority of their time simply mimicking the film as it played behind them, acting as a distraction rather
than enhancing the overall experience. We don’t mean to be over-critical of the performance— it was fun, and the audience members’ enthusiasm was undeniably contagious. While the constant commentary slightly diluted the experience, there were some standout moments of hilarity, such as when the speaker compared Dr. Frank-N-Furter with Pauline Marois. Additionally, when the actors on stage interpreted the show into improv sketches, as opposed to merely lip-syncing the action behind them, they greatly livened up the show. Performance-wise, the ‘interactive’ parts of the show that were meant to bring the production to life could certainly improve by merely focusing on quality over quantity. However, the
Fans return for the Rocky Horror Picture Show. (rockyhorror.com) audience in attendance didn’t seem to mind one bit. Ironically, it was moments of audience interaction—either through costumes, responses to the script, or prop usage—that ultimately stole the show. Long-term fans of Rocky Horror certainly would, and did, react well to this type of familial film-watching, but for those who either don’t know the film—or even
worse, don’t know what to expect— watching this live production comes off as nothing more than chaotic and disorderly, rather than fun and interactive. As far as we’re concerned, the best way to react is to grab the deepest red lipstick you own and embrace the show for all it is: Hectic, horrifying, and hilarious.
Bar Review: Ping Pong Club New ping-pong themed bar opens in the Mile End Tiffany Le Staff Writer Located where the Royal Phoenix Bar once stood in the Mile End, the Ping Pong Club (PPC) is a trendy new hangout that evokes nostalgic memories of favourite afterschool meeting spots. The casual restaurant and bar opened on Oct. 16, serving up a combination of finger foods and outstanding drinks, with TVs, a foosball table, and a pingpong table thrown into the mix. The PPC offers an affordable addition to the vibrant young neighbourhood of Montreal’s artistic district. According to owner Calvin Suggitt, the inspiration for the bar came from a nifty spot in Brooklyn, New York. “A lot of interesting people hung out [there] in the afternoons around picnic tables and PingPong tables,” Suggitt said. In line with its origins, the PPC is equipped with large cafeteria-style tables and smaller booth-style seating where friends can easily converge. One side of the PPC is taken over by a large mirrored bar. The place is lively and loud, with a DJ playing a wide selection of alternative and indie artists. Intimate conversa-
tion is not ideal in this setting, as it becomes hard to hear over the brassy laughter and rowdy banter of the typical PPC crowd. As there are a small number of tables to seat a large amount of people, it’s easy to make new friends with other patrons seated at the restaurant. The PPC is a clean minimalistic venue with little to no decor. The restaurant bar is dimly lit by modern light fixtures, yet still offers the cozy, familiar feeling of a great house party. The atmosphere brings to mind the relaxed days before university that were carelessly spent with friends. Suggitt and his design partner Nicholas Hamel stated that they wanted to invoke this feeling. “There is nothing like [it] in Montreal,” Suggitt said. A tentative food menu is currently in use, and the chefs are looking for feedback on its rotation of Mac n’ Cheese balls, Satay Saumon, and various finger foods. What really stood out was its house BBQ sauce, which is infused with a surprising kick of ginger. The Thursday night special consists of chicken wings, with options for ranch and blue cheese, or honey-drizzled and spicy. The spicy wings were dis-
appointingly mild—go for the significantly more flav o u r f u l blue cheese wings instead. The food tastes good, if not a little predictable. The PPC has the potential to be Enjoy a night out at a ping-pong themed bar. (Photo courtesy of Ping Pong Club) a great late The only setback is the shortalcohol. A whisky vanilla milknight food joint, but the kitchen unfortu- shake is hard to come by outside age of ping-pong tables at PPC. “For a place named after of this bar, and is wonderfully nately closes at 11 p.m. Ping-Pong tables, there [should] “[This] menu is based on delicious. Another interesting concept be more than one table to play the concept of [diner] burgers, sandwiches, and salads taken to is the cereal milk that is used at,” said Edward Park, a patron the next level, but is still in an in several PPC cocktails. The at PPC. The Mile End is one of the affordable price range,” Suggitt bar uses Kellogg cereal to flacommunities vour the milk and then filters the French-speaking said. The PPC’s real attractions flakes out. This does not alter the in downtown Montreal, and is are the creative and innovative milk’s taste in a bad way, but cre- definitely outside of the ‘McGill drinks that they offer. Popular ates an interesting flavour that is Bubble.’ The Ping Pong Club Montreal mixologist Andrew difficult to pinpoint. One of their may be a long trek from campus; Whibley, who recently returned charming beer-based cocktails, it might not be worth it for the from a Hennessey competition the Bière Noisette, combines ce- food, but on a night that calls in Sweden, created the menu in real milk, Hennessey, hazelnut for some unexpected and tasty collaboration with the owners. syrup, and their very own “Ping- drinks, there’s nowhere better. The milkshakes and smoothies Pong beer.” This is served uncercome in plastic soda cups, with emoniously in a sturdy red solo the added option of any choice of cup for the no-fuss drinker.
Faded R e d The rise and fall of radicalism at m c Gill
Sam Pinto
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he 1960s and 1970s are widely known as decades of extreme change, but few places in North America saw such a dramatic pivot in their social, economic, and political construct as Quebec. A time of radicalism, this period was characterized by new ideas flowing into the province from all directions. Such changes inspired left-leaning ideologies that created huge divisions within society—as well as at McGill, which featured a relatively strong Communist and Marxist presence on campus. Students with Communist ideologies would run for student government positions, several Marxist and radical groups existed on campus that would consistently write in The McGill Daily, and respected Marxist thinkers would speak at McGill at largescale events. While the causes of such change across the province were far-reaching and have led to dramatic impacts that can still be felt today, the presence of such radicalism has all but disappeared. The 1960s were marked by events that caused massive social movements that pushed the world toward the left of the spectrum. “There was enormous prosperity in the mid-1960s, and there was this lingering sense that maybe this isn’t quite enough—maybe we should be using all of this prosperity to reform society,” explained McGill University’s official historian, Peter McNally. Events such as the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the anti-nuclear movement all had a profound impact on how people behaved and addressed societal issues. New ideologies on the far left were also seen as a key component to curing the problems of society.
Transitions in Quebec Society At the same time, Quebec was undergoing its own era of radical transformation. The first wave of change in Quebec was sparked by the Quiet Revolution in the early 1960s, which led to a rapid social shift defined by the decline in power of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the increased influence of secularization and role of the government in society. With the new shift of power and innovation in Quebec came the idea of nationalism. The new slogan of the Quebecois became “Maîtres chez nous,” or “Masters of one’s own house.” As a unique minority group within Canada, French Canadians wanted the ability to take control of their own lives without the interference of a federal government that did not have its best interests at heart. They saw Anglophones—particularly those in Quebec—as the source of a major class divide within the province, a concept based on the ideas of Karl Marx. “Marx said that there was a divide between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, and we have this divide,” explained Dr. Jean-Philippe Warren, sociology professor and Research Chair on the Study of Quebec at Concordia University. “But it superimposes itself to another divide, between the French and the English. The English control
the economy and the French are all working class people.” The standard of living for French Canadians in comparison to Anglophones in Quebec was very low. In Montreal, it was extremely difficult for French Canadians to even attend university. “Education was really bad in Quebec for French speakers,” Warren said. “There was only one university in Montreal, [the Université de Montreal], to cater to the needs of the Francophone population, and there were two, if not three, English institutions.” The Quebecois perceived this as the elitist and privileged Anglophones of Quebec holding them back from their right to higher education. McGill, as an Anglophone university, was seen as the focal point of this debate. This tension cumulated into the McGill Français movement in 1969, where over 10,000 Quebecois leftists—including nationalists, unionists, and students—protested in favour of McGill becoming a French university for the francophone working class. “People [and students] on the left said, ‘We want to criticize McGill because its too elitist,’ and nationalist leaders said, ‘It’s a bastion of British xenophobia against French culture,’ so the nationalists, the students, and the leftists were all in agreement that something should be done about McGill,” Warren explained.
"At
was officially a university policy that a member of the Communist party could not be a member of the faculty, and McGill didn’t have a rule like that,” explained Professor John Hellman of the Department of History and Classical Studies, who arrived at McGill in 1969. “When I got here, it became very clear that people who were uncomfortable [about] their political views [in the U.S.] or considered Marxists were much more comfortable [in Montreal.]” As a result of this influx, highlevel officials in the Canadian government started noticing the issue of radicalism on Canadian campuses. “[Former head of the RCMP Security and Intelligence squad] W.H. Kelly, speaking to a Canadian Club luncheon, said that dozens of foreign professors and students who preach political extremism, and any foreigner who enters Canada to support separatism, should be told to leave the
“On the basis of an investigation of the political ideas of Mrs. Vaillancourt […] a telegram was sent to Mrs. Vaillancourt around Aug. 1 telling her that her one-year appointment was now being reconsidered,” explained the Daily article. “It was felt that Marlene Dixon in sociology and Vaillancourt in [political science] were too many radicals for beleaguered McGill to take.”
Leftist groups emerge on campus Radical left-leaning ideologies were not just coming from faculty members. Marxism was considered fashionable amongst the youth, and more often advocated by the student population. “It was in the air,” McNally explained. “People would go on marches [and] flaunt causes [....] How many were actually left-wing, and how many [were] in it for the excitement, I’m not sure. But it was primarily a phenomenon in the Faculty of Arts.” The McGill Daily, the primary student publication at the time, played a major role as an outlet for students to convey their beliefs and rally the student population around the issues taking place. “At that time the Daily was powerful,” McNally said. “The Daily would send out ‘We’re going to occupy the sociology floor,’ and you would get hundreds of students to show up.” The Daily frequently reported on the actions of the many radical groups on campus, in addition to covering the constant succession of protests for various causes taking place at McGill. The Daily even went as far as publishing articles promoting radical alternatives and proposals for how departments should run their curriculum, advocating for extreme actions against the student society and the McGill administration. With their headlines, The Daily captured the general student discontent that was taking place across campus and within classrooms. “Violence ends lecture,” “Econ profs do not trust any student judgments,” and “A program for McGill: Demands presented to Senate by the Radical Students’ Alliance,” reads some of their many headlines reporting upheaval. As a result of this student radicalism, occupying and disrupting classes became a common occurrence, and students who did not agree with the ideologies being discussed in classes would take significant measures to prevent professors from completing their lectures. At times, occupations and protests became violent, with police having to be called in on several occasions. “Students would interrupt,” Hellman explained. “I remember [some of them] vividly. There was a guy that
times, occupations and
protests became violent, with police having to be called in on several
Radicalism grows in McGill Faculty McGill, however, was also seeing a major change at this time with its own forms of growing radical and leftist groups. “McGill grew enormously in the 1960s,” McNally said. “It was hiring a lot of new faculty, many of them were Americans, and some of them came with radical left-wing views.” Many of these new faculty members were young, and brought forth new—and often times contentious— ideological views. Within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, these professors studied left-wing theories, including Marxism. The political situation in the United States, for the most part, contributed to the massive influx of left-leaning intellectuals joining the McGill faculty. “At McGill, the driving forces of Marxism came from American professors, who were mostly draft dodgers, and they were [a] powerful and potent element [that] brought this American activism to the rather mild and weak Canadian scene,” explained retired professor Joseph Schmidt from the Faculty of Arts. In addition, many universities in the U.S. cracked down on professors with left-leaning ideologies, preventing them from teaching their personal ideologies. “At Harvard, for example, it
occasions.” country,” reported the McGill Daily in 1969. Despite these sentiments, professors were not necessarily interested in preaching the ideals of Marxism. Rather, they were studying it as a science and using it to understand the societal problems of the time. Brian Young, a professor in the Department of History and Classical Studies who retired in 2009, used Marxism to understand the historical roots of Anglo-Francophone relations in Quebec. Young wrote an entire book observing how the class struggle could be observed through the construction of the Mont-Royal cemetery. However, the leftist and Marxist views of some of the members of the faculty created strong divisions amongst the departments, resulting in animosity and often times bitter confrontation, particularly in the departments of sociology and economics. “In both departments, you had what you could [consider] conservative forces and leftists,” Schmidt explained. “The split in the sociology department and especially in the economics department very soon turned personal, and became a kind of academic infighting that had nothing to do with the wider context.” In some cases, other faculty members and the administration even bullied individuals into leaving McGill, according a McGill Daily article in 1969. Political science professor Pauline Vaillancourt had the renewal of her contract rejected due to her supposed radical ideas. One professor at her alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley, even called her and her husband “bomb-throwing Maoists.”
would sit up in the front row, […] a tough guy [dressed] like Che Guevara. I would be talking about 19th century France […] and he would get up and he would say, ‘Professor, for heaven’s sakes, I mean, this is a story about class struggle, about the poor against the rich, what are you going off on a tangent again for?’”
The demise of Marxism While it may have appeared that the leftist and Marxist movements taking place in Quebec and at McGill were unified under one common cause, their agendas were widely diverse, and were often influenced by completely different events and issues. “At that time, Montreal was a witch’s cauldron [with] lots of forces of social unrest surfacing, that in many cases, had no connection with each other,” Schmidt explained. Many of the leftist and Marxist roots at McGill derived from national and international movements, while in Quebec, the left grew primarily out of the rise of French-Canadian nationalism. “So why was Marxism so weak in Quebec, then so strong in Quebec?” Warren said. “It has to do […] with a sudden surge of self, a society that lost […] its French Canadian identity and [was] looking for another one, probably [in] every direction, including counter-culture, the new age, [and] charismatic religious groups.” Warren argues that because of the expanded strength of the government and the new presence of unions in the provinces, people felt that as a collective, they had to revolutionize society to best suit the majority. “The problem with Marxism [today] is that no one believes that it can be a solution to society’s problems,” Warren said. Indeed, the radicalism that was once so prominent began to diminish in the 1970s. The passionate advance of the Quiet Revolution had subsided, and French-Anglo tensions were slowly becoming addressed, particularly with regards to university education. In the U.S., the unifying movements of civil rights and Vietnam had ended, and with them, the rebelliousness of the youth generation. With the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, the leftist powers of the world had become obsolete. The far-left and Marxist concepts were no longer seen as viable to create a successful and prosperous society. Today, these factions have more or less disappeared from society and from McGill. Many of the professors who were once considered radical have retired, and conflict within departments based on ideologies no longer exists. And while students today continue to protest and advocate for issues, as exemplified with the Maple Spring protest in 2012, the intensity and radicalism is nowhere near the extent that it once was.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Music soars, plot sinks in God Help The Girl Murdoch fails to live up to soundtrack expectations MORGAN ALEXANDER Arts & Entertainment Editor Focusing on the subtle insecurities and adult tragedies that plague young women emerging from adolescence, God Help the Girl provides a surreal look at an improbable situation. The film centres around Eve (Emily Browning), a young woman being treated for anorexia nervosa who aspires to be a musician. Visually, the film is simplistic, making the most of the lush Scottish countryside in which it’s shot, and utilizing wardrobe—as opposed to lighting—to show mood and plot shifts. Plot-wise, God Help the Girl is not only wholly unrealistic, but kitschy to a degree of being simply irritating. Opening with a scene of Eve deftly escaping from a psych ward, only to immediately fall into a musical number, brought the overall tone of the film into question—musical, comedy, drama, or something else entirely? The original idea for this film came from the mind of Stuart Murdoch, member of Glasgow-
based indie rock group Belle & Sebastian. Murdoch had the vision of creating an album, lyrically focused around the issues faced by young girls, that would be sung by multiple female artists and eventually transformed into a musical. The album was heavily influenced by Belle & Sebastian, to the extent that it featured two tracks (“Act of the Apostle” and “Funny Little Frog”) that were from one of the group’s earliest recordings. Reminiscent of classic British female pop groups, the record has a bubbly sound that is juxtaposed against lyrics dealing with heartbreak, drug abuse, and eating disorders. The overall effect is one of a contorted sense of carefree security, despite the clear insistence of pain and fear that permeates each lyric. The film fails to pick up on the subtle nuances of the album, making for a confusingly disjointed piece of cinema where there could have been nuanced drama woven through a comedic, young-adult-esque script. Awkward reminders of Eve’s disorder are splayed across scenes of band practice and empty romance. The
Emily Browning stars as a musical girl with a troubled history in Murdoch’s soundtrack-to-film production. (sundance.org) supporting characters are flat, and anything they might add to the plot comes across as meaningless, and ultimately, forgettable. The biggest misstep of the film occurs with its abrupt ending, one that, though predictable, counteracted any sense of decency and hope that the film had laid out beforehand. Overall, the movie was disappointingly minimal, particu-
larly when one considers the seriousness of the topics addressed throughout. Thankfully, the soundtrack was well-performed, and lacked none of the vibrancy it held in the original album. Each musical number was accompanied by whimsical scenes of the actors dancing in front of multi-coloured sets, all of which emphasized the dream-like sound each track possessed without appearing
too childlike. Sadly, without the soundtrack, it is unlikely that the plot of the movie would be able to hold its own as a legitimate production. The lack of character depth and development in combination with adult themes addressed in a childish script made the production come off as naive and unfinished. The moral of this story: Save yourself a ticket and stick to the soundtrack.
Birdman successfully walks a tightwire Michael Keaton makes waves as a washed-up fictional actor Chris Lutes Staff Writer I’ve often wondered why actors don’t just retire after starring in a high-grossing film. Presumably, they have more than enough money to do whatever they want for the rest of their lives, so what makes them turn away from a life of comfort? Is it fear of boredom? Is it ambition, or the desire for money or fame? Or is it the human impulse to keep moving? At its heart, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman is an answer to these questions, a two hour testament to not taking the easy way out. Birdman follows Michael Keaton, playing a fictionalized version of himself: A washedup actor most famous for playing a winged superhero in the early ’90s—Batman is changed to Birdman, presumably for legal reasons—following him through the days leading up to the premiere of the Broadway play that he’s writing, directing, and starring in. He has to contend with a co-star who’s brilliant, but difficult to work with (Edward Norton), a daughter just out of rehab (Emma Stone), and a critic from the New York Times threatening to lambaste his play. On
top of that, he has to deal with the fact that if his play fails, his career is basically over. Keaton is outstanding here, and Birdman is in the running for the best work of his career. He throws everything he’s got at the audience, never afraid to get ugly or unlikable. He plays a narcissicist who nonetheless manages to win the audience over by gradually revealing a deeply human and relatable source for his pain. He’s someone who, above all, derives his sense of self-worth entirely from the judgments of others, and is therefore afraid that if his play fails, he’ll be forgotten—or worse, only remembered as Birdman. Every aspect of the film emanates from his skewed point of view, which is why every character acts not as how they actually are, but how he perceives them to be. It’s why the groveling voice of his Birdman character seems to magically speak to him, or how he may or may not be able to move objects with his mind; reality bends around him. The supporting cast is also fantastic, elevating material that could ring false or sound hacky with less capable actors. Norton is the standout, giving us a strange blend of sincerity and bravado that frames him as the thematic antagonist.
Stone plays a different type of character than she usually does, showing a shade of vulnerability that isn’t present in any of her other work. Zach Galifanakis, Naomi Watts, and Amy Ryan round out the cast, as the straight-man characters who have to deal with Keaton’s outbursts and insecurities. The film is beautifully shot, capturing the exuberance and the immediacy of live theatre by keeping the camera constantly moving. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki earns his keep, making the film look absolutely gorgeous, shooting in a dim light that makes everything look more intimate. Outdoor scenes seem to always take place at the time of day where the lights of New York City start to overpower the light of the sun. The camera swoops between subplots, gracefully drifting from the narrow hallways and exposed pipes of behind-the-scenes to the
Michael Keaton and Edward Norton face off in Birdman. (latimes.com) majesty of the open stage. This out of focus or just off-centre—you serves as a counterbalance for the feel like it could all come crashing score, which is almost entirely down at any moment, but it never comprised of pounding, off-kilter does. Subplots begin and vanish drums and cymbals that ratchet the without mention, characters are claustrophobia and suspense up seemingly completely forgotten for even higher. The dialogue is pithy large sections of the film, and yet and vulgar, achieving the same none of that matters. Everything effect as the score. is simultaneously important and Though the decision to shoot unimportant, flitting into and out the entire film as if it were one of the periphery at a moment’s long contiguous take may seem notice. This is not a film concerned gimmicky, it feels like this is the only with story structure or character type of filmmaking that can really development or even nuance. It’s do justice to the inherent excitement asking, “What is happening right of live theatre. Everything is almost now?” and answering, “Everything.”
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Gas Girl’s flame is futile Play has thought-provoking themes but needs theatrical tweaking Evelyn Kaczmarek Staff Writer Written by Canadian playwright Donna Michelle St. Bernard, Gas Girls is an aesthetically intricate play that shares the story of two African girls who survive by trading sex for gasoline, which they then sell for cash. Loosely based on a real-life occurrence in Zimbabwe, the play has immense potential to tell these girls’ story and in turn, open up a dialogue about the global sex industry, female autonomy, and universal struggles. Although enjoyable, the play falls short of delivering a clear assertion to Canadian audiences—instead it is clouded by a monotonous plotline, mediocre acting, and problematic messages. Set in an unspecified borderland of Africa, “gas girls” Gigi (Virginia Griffith) and
Lola (Alexandra Laferrière) solicit highway truck drivers for gas, which their broker, Chickn (Jimmy Salami) converts to cash. Gigi serves as a mentor of sorts to the younger Lola, who often succumbs to men’s flirting and becomes emotionally attached. According to Gigi, interactions should be calculated transactions, nothing more. Gigi’s constant nagging toward Lola and Chickn quickly became overdone and distracted from the unfolding plot. Another distractor was the dialect used by the characters throughout the play. Muddled, grammatically incorrect, and unclearly defined, the dialect was a deliberate creation. Rather than isolating a specific area of Africa, the playwright seemed to want to play with the idea of universality. Although the events that take place are specific to the individuals, the struggles tran-
scend borders, culture, and race. This idea reoccurred throughout the play and there is no doubt that it is a powerful one. However, the true purpose of this spunky dialect—besides for perhaps its aesthetic value—feels a bit contradictory. The ambiguous “African” dialect almost generalizes a regional issue and reinforces the mistakenly blended North American view of Africa. “We all have the same struggle,” Gigi explains to Lola and Chickn. Universality as a concept is important in understanding the play, but really, what else does it do besides evoke empathy toward sex workers in this ambiguous “Africa.” As it professes it will, the play does much to initiate a discussion of sex workers and the abuse they suffer, as well as the autonomy and negotiation of power that they wager and deserve to maintain. The audience
is presented with the intricacies of the characters’ personalities and the nuances within their power struggles and economic hierarchy—something that is absent from much of the North American conversation regarding sex workers. The “Mr. Mann” character— probably the most successfully executed element of the production—stands in as a symbol for patriarchy in context of the play. A single actor (Chimwemwe Miller) portrays every man that the girls interact with as they work. Sometimes he is cold and cruel, while other times he shows the girls respect and kindness. Miller conveys Mr. Mann’s sadness, flaws, and diversity but also emphasizes his persistent continuity, reminding audiences that he is largely a product of a greater societal construction and cycle of abuse. The gas metaphor was a
strong aspect of the play. The actors engage in an opening dance that incorporates gasoline cans, artistically portraying the cyclical process of the girls’ transactions. Gas, which represents the girls’ livelihood, also serves as their greatest struggle—and, in this production, their ultimate downfall. In all, the plotline was overly clichéd, repetitive, and unclear. The dialogue was exhausting, and without an intermission for reflection time, the messages were never fully developed. Gas Girls most definitely has extensive potential and has some strong points, but fails to fully ignite. Gas Girls runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 8 at the Segal Centre (5170 Chemin de la Côte-SainteCatherine). Tickets start at $22.w
Weird Ass Game Show more normal than advertised Tame proceedings impede weekly event’s promise Martin Molpeceres Contributor I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I stepped into the Wiggle Room for the first time. Then again, what can one really expect when they show up for something called “The Weird Ass Game Show?” It seemed like no one really knew what it was, but with the spirit of Halloween buzzing in my chest, I stepped into the unknown and braced myself for a night of weirdness. It turns out it was a lot less weird than I thought. Advertised as a mixture of ’80s American quiz and contemporary Japanese game shows, the format of The Weird Ass Game Show has three ordinary contestants pair up with three slightly more famous “celebrities”—I recognized one of them as a stand-up comedian who ran open mic nights at Comedy Works. Each team then competes against one another in three rounds of games, and the team with the most points at the end wins a fabulous prize. The biggest problem The Weird Ass Game Show suffers from is the previously mentioned lack of weirdness. That’s not to say that games are anything as mundane as simple trivia questions, but after browsing Youtube and being exposed to the absolute insanity that is Japanese television, comparing oneself
to that level of ludicrousness is a bold claim to make—a claim that the Weird Ass Game Show doesn’t live up to. While the games themselves aren’t bad, they typically looked like the kind of thing that a group of quirky friends would do on any given Friday night. Such games included a 50/50 jellybean eating contest with Harry Potter esque flavors such as orange or vomit, and a mystery cocktail round where contestants had to guess ingredients with nothing but taste. One standout game that immediately livened things up was when Zelda, the lovely co-host, did an interpretive tapdance of a current event that the contestants were tasked with guessing. Otherwise, while initially amusing, most of these dragged on for a little longer than they probably should have. The contestants themselves also presented a problem for the show. While their banter
Contestants compete for prizes at The Wiggle Room. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune). was initially fun to watch, their easily distractible personalities quickly became less cute and more grating as we approached the second hour mark. And there lay the issue with the show: Had the games been a little crazier, or the players a little more focused, then the length wouldn’t have been felt as much. As it stood, by the end of the first hour, I found myself glancing at my watch, wondering how much more was left. This being said, kudos
must be given to the host of the show, who managed to imbue the proceedings with enough energy to keep things consistently entertaining—and it didn’t hurt that he liberally handed out free drinks to the audience. Additionally, the atmosphere of the Wiggle Room alone almost made it worth the price of admission, emanating a wonderful mix of old school design and quirkiness combined with modern burlesque theatre. Ultimately, while the show is a
little overly long and could use a little more weirdness, a lowticket price and atmospheric venue could make The Weird Ass Game Show a fun distraction with a group of friends. Otherwise, you’d best give this game show a pass. The Weird Ass Game Show takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday nights at The Wiggle Room (3874 Saint-Laurent). Admission is $10.
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
A tale of two musicians MAX BERGER Arts & Entertainment Editor When I heard Neil Young would be putting out an album on Nov. 4, the same day that Bruce Cockburn was set to release his autobiography, along with a nine-disc collection of career-spanning music, it got me thinking about how the two artists relate to one another. Young needs no introduction; he’s a renowned guitarist, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and arguably the most celebrated Canadian musician ever. Cockburn? Well, he’s a beloved Canadian musician too, but only in much smaller circles. Despite drawing no shortage of critical praise— when Stevie Ray Vaughan died, Eddie Van Halen was asked by a Rolling Stone interviewer what it felt like to be the world’s best guitarist and responded, “I don’t know, ask Bruce Cockburn”—and boasting a prolific catalogue of quality songs, it’s more likely than not that the average young Canadian has never heard of him.
This isn’t some kind of brazen injustice, and it’s not like the music industry has any responsibility to make sure the presence of an artist is equivalent to his or her skill; but by examining the career paths of Cockburn and Young—two artists that share an uncanny number of objective similarities, yet will come away with vastly different legacies—it becomes evident just how critical subjective factors like exposure and perception are in shaping popular music history. What’s ironic—but not in any way surprising—about the rise of Young as Canada’s preeminent musician is that it all started in the United States. Like Cockburn, he was born in Ontario in 1945, but in 1966, Young traveled with fellow Canadian bassist Bruce Palmer to Los Angeles and joined three other musicians to form the iconic band Buffalo Springfield. Although Buffalo Springfield split up fairly quickly, Young’s success with them allowed him to play alongside supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and gave him a wider audience for his solo releases than he would’ve had if he had tried to establish himself in Canada.
While Young was jamming with some of the most well known artists of the era, Cockburn dropped out of Boston’s Berklee College of Music and returned to Ontario where he played with far less glamorous bands like The Esquires, The Flying Circus, Olivus, and 3’s a Crowd. Towards the end of the 1960s though, he decided to pursue a solo career, and it was only with his upbeat, radio-friendly 1979 song “Wondering Where the Lions Are” did he finally start getting any notable recognition outside of Canada. Like Young, who, especially in recent years, has been an enormous advocate for political and environmental issues, Cockburn incorporated advocacy into his music and persona as well. In the 1980s, he began regularly visiting developing countries and addressing political causes. Another of his biggest and most politically charged songs, “If I Had a Rocket Launcher,” is about Guatemalan refugee camps in Mexico that were attacked by military helicopters—but it never quite transcended its era like Young’s “Ohio.” Essentially all of Cockburn’s individual songs have surprisingly little traction today. Growing up, I listened
constantly to Toronto classic rock radio station Q107 and, despite its Canadian content mandate, I can’t ever remember hearing one of his songs played by the station. In fact, Cockburn’s greatest impression to our generation is probably the popular Barenaked Ladies cover of “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”—and most listeners probably don’t realize that it was originally his song. Of course, the fact that Bruce Cockburn didn’t end up becoming Canada’s biggest musician means absolutely nothing to the artist himself. In a recent interview with Belleville’s The Intelligencer , Cockburn confessed: “I wanted people to come to the music. I wanted people to come to the shows. I didn’t want to be a ‘personality’ in public. I wanted to be anonymous.” Obviously, having an outlook like that makes it unlikely that he would’ve become a megastar, but what’s disappointing is that not even his most popular songs seem to resonate with our generation. Don’t get me wrong, I worship at the altar of Neil Young—but for every 30th time I heard “Heart of Gold” on the radio, it would’ve been nice to hear a little Bruce Cockburn next.
Ladies’ Book Night provides brutal honesty among hilarity American authors make their lives an open book Elizabeth McLellan Contributor Librarie Drawn and Quarterly, a snug little bookstore in the Plateau, welcomed four American writers—Mira Gonzalez, Elizabeth Ellen, Chloe Caldwell, and Chelsea Marti—to present their monotone yet dynamically comic collections in spoken word. The synergetic flow between the four writers is astounding, yet makes perfect sense. All four women write poetry, novellas, short stories, and everything in between. It was hard not to enjoy yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of the bookstore, despite how packed the venue was. However, the content of the writing could be a turn off for some. It is painfully truthful, and sometimes feels a bit like a list of ‘first-world problems.’ Each woman forcefully imposes her deepest, most taboo and dark secrets on us, inciting a sense of proximity and accessibility rarely achieved even with our closest confidants. Author Guillaume Morissette hosted the event with charming sincerity, introducing the authors with a selection of their tweets—which are, in fact, an integral volume of their writing. Unrestrained laughter ensued. Coming to the stand first, in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume, was Ellen. Her poetry is resistant to sending an email, to unconstrained loving, and to life. The sheer honesty and truthfulness of it is shocking—it puts a mirror up to your face, and forces you to look at the harsh reality of your existence. While it is powerful, it is somewhat unrelatable. These are specifically western middle
class issues, and while this does not detract from the poetry’s poignancy and value, it does narrow its scope. N e x t , C a l d w e l l presented a chapter from her novella entitled Women (2014), which delves into a relationship between a married woman and her much y o u n g e r mistress. This tumultuous relationship is presented in a factual and even conversational tone. Caldwell states that she “breaks all the Creative 101 rules, which [includes] Show, don’t tell.” Breaking through the boundaries of normative styles of writing, this narrative follows in the steps of the Italian Neorealists in its grit and realism. It’s a dark and somewhat pessimistic view. The poetry explodes into the new world of the internet, with online dating and new paradigms of thinking about gender identity, while always harking back to the age old quest for happiness. Martin followed Caldwell with an
Librarie Drawn and Quarterly draws a full crowd. (Photo courtesy of Guillaume Morissette) anti-poetic series of internal struggles, titled Even Though I Don’t Miss You (2013). The words form an oxymoron of the un-poetically poetic, and seemingly massive yet minuscule events in her life— like eating a pizza pocket completely frozen. The apathy with which she presents these events makes it strangely relatable and hilarious. Gonzalez was up next, and continued this unrelenting lack of desire for change. Her writing, entitled I Will Never Be Beautiful Enough to Make us Beautiful Together speaks to a generation living in
a daze of technological immersion, losing touch with the vivacity of living in the moment. Her writing, and speech is a selfdeprecating parody of ‘now.’ All of the works presented expressed the reality of an individual—significant in their specificity and the compassion they trigger. While this post-modern millennial generation of writers is distinct and fresh, but is not for everyone. Entering their realm, we need to break free of conservative shackles, and come ready to unfasten our preconceptions about writing and its grand aspirations.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Songs that give you the creeps
ALBUM REVIEWS Calvin Harris - Motion
Kia Pouliot Contributor
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) Artist: Nancy Sinatra Album: How Does That Grab You? Released: January 1, 1966
Originally written by Sonny Bono and recorded by Cher, this song has been covered by a number of great artists since then, but no version is quite so captivating—and unsettling—as Nancy Sinatra’s. Her vocals are languid and sultry, underpinned by a deep sense of melancholia. Though not necessarily creepy, the aura of nostalgic gloom in this song gets under one’s skin in an uncomfortable sort of way. The distorted guitar that echoes each line Sinatra sings, as if it was a mournful afterthought to her verse, accentuates this. This song resonates the deep violence that sometimes accompanies a broken heart.
Nearly seven years after his first album, I Created Disco (2007), Calvin Harris continues to be a relevant fixture at house parties, summer fes-
Artist: Sufjan Stevens Album: Illinois Released: July 5, 2005
Dead Hearts
Artist: Dead Man’s Bones Album: Dead Man’s Bones Released: October 6, 2009
“Dead Hearts” could be deemed a folksy lament: A song that seems to capture the chaotic and yet unbearably slow process of grieving for lost love. The nearly monotone vocals, repetitive strumming, and pulsing heartbeat throughout the song capture the monotony of grief; but the cacophony of exploding light bulbs somewhere in the middle serves as a reminder that it is not a smooth ride. The song builds slowly with an array of unusual sounds and then fades out with no real sense of closure, leaving the listener with a haunting feeling.
No Death
Artist: Mirel Wagner Album: Mirel Wagner Released: January 28, 2012
The endlessly recycled theme of undying love is darkly twisted in Mirel Wagner’s “No Death,” a song about a man, who, refusing to accept the passing of his lover, turns to necrophilia. The recording is sparse, nothing but her hypnotically repetitive acoustic guitar picking and haunting vocals. The raw bareness, rather than feeling incomplete, creates an uncomfortably intimate listening experience, allowing you to fully absorb the visceral imagery Wagner presents. Its story is bone-chillingly vivid with lyrics like, “Her hair is long/ Still smells like mud/ She answered to my kiss/ With a rotten tongue/ No death can tear us apart.”
Columbia
tivals, and clubs everywhere. His latest production, Motion, strays further away from the dancepop that defined his previous album, 18 Months (2012), and provides a more somber offering. Don’t worry though, all four singles still follow the standard Calvin Harris form. They are bouncy, up-beat, and bass-heavy—all critical elements that the Scottish DJ is known for incorporating. The two leading singles, “Under Control” (with Alesso ft. Hurts) and “Summer,” are typical Harris—they lack lyrical depth, although “Under Control” tries harder in this regard—but they make you want to get up and dance and dance and dance. Harris collaborates with a wide variety of artists including John Newman, Ellie Goulding, Gwen Stefani, and Big Sean. His skills as a producer are highlighted by his ability to mir-
Run The Jewels - Run the jewels 2
John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
When notorious serial killer and rapist John Wayne Gacy Jr.—responsible for the deaths of at least 33 young men— is the subject of a song, there’s no way that it could be anything but horrifying. However, Sufjan Stevens is not one for the cheap thrill, and his telling of the “Killer Clown” story is nuanced and thought provoking. The scariest thing about it is not the reference to the violence of Gacy; rather, that it forces the listener to empathize with him—however briefly. Stevens’ beautifully sung lyrics paint a rich snapshot into the psychology of a deranged murderer, and beg the listener to accept that although most people are not driven to commit the atrocities carried out by Gacy, we all have our own demons to battle.
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Stop whatever you’re doing and go download Run The Jewels 2. Screw your essays and midterms—sit down, hit play, and feel yourself melt into the beats of the fellows who are slaughtering the game. Run the Jewels—consisting of New York rapper/producer El-P and Atlanta rap-
ror the lyrical talents of the musicians he works with. Whether it is a collaboration with Goulding and her incredible vocal range or Sean and his rhymes, Harris is able to create enjoyable enough tracks. Where Motion falls short is in its disjointed feel—the album lacks a constant theme other than espousing ‘feel good’ music. Each of Harris’s albums sounds just like the last—the beats, the lyrics, and the collaborations all start blending together into one massive EDM DJ set. Harris has found his comfort zone and continues to make music that, though chart-topping, is hardly unique. Love him or hate him, two things are certain: Calvin Harris is here to stay, and you’ll probably hear him this weekend.
— - Mayaz alam
Mass appeal
per Killer Mike—started up officially in 2013, but the crew has history, and their contrasting sounds in collaboration with the likes of Diane Coffee and Zack De La Rocha make for one of the dopest mixtapes to drop in a long time. El-P has long been lauded by the “underground” community, only just recently getting some of the mainstream respect he deserves. Meanwhile Killer Mike made his debut back in 2000 on Outkast’s Stankonia. The two began collaborating in 2012, and this second album has provided the perfect blend of bully rap and electronic offbeats. Imagine an alien abduction taking place at an open mic night in downtown Atlanta, but double up on the cynicism and reel down the talent-less wastes of time—boom: Run The Jewels 2. “Early” takes the prize for most soulful electronic sound, but lyrically the track transcends the rest in terms of its deadly serious take on the issue of police brutality. Killer Mike continues the so-
cial commentary in “All Due Respect,” rapping his way through stereotypes and the lofty dreams of children with lyrics like “And Rin Tin Tin, ah hah hah look what I did again/ We the hooligans outside of school again.” The track flows into the undeniably ridiculous, sexually explicit “Love Again (Akinyele Back),” which incorporates the rapping styles of Gangsta Boo, making for an ironically romantic track that provides the necessary counter-balance to the more serious themes presented throughout the remainder of the album. The synchronization of El-P and Killer Mike explodes into a lyrically aggressive album rolling in gritty sophistication. An album like this doesn’t come out every day—it’s a progressive production. Hopefully, it will cause the duo’s popularity to soar.
- Morgan Alexander
What’s Happening In Montréal COMEDY — Grinders Comedy Lab Open Mic
Thursday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m., The Yellow Door (3625 Aylmer). Tickets $6.
Cheap laughs are the best laughs, and this place even lets you participate! Every Tuesday until Nov. 25, Theatre Sainte Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine E). Tickets $5.
MUSIC — Corner of the Sky: The Music of Stephen Schwartz
BALLET — Débile Métal and ‘We Used to See This’ Ballet can be really expensive; but this ballet isn’t, and you need more culture in your life! Thursday, Nov. 6-Saturday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m., Monument National (1182 Saint-Laurent). Tickets $19-$23.
MUSIC — SHYRE Although we can’t relive the carefree days of September in November, seeing this OAP band is the next best thing. Saturday, Nov. 8, doors at 7 p.m., Rack galerie (3714 Notre-Dame Ouest). Tickets $10-$12.
LITERATURE — An Evening of Poetry, Prose, and Music Take a break from your hectic studying and drinking schedule to soak up some prose and music in the heart of the ghetto.
A one-night-only celebration of the man who composed music for Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, and other Broadway hits. Thursday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., Segal Centre (5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine). Tickets starting at $22.
PERFORMANCE — Dance Me to the End On/Off Love It’s a Leonard Cohen tribute in the legendary artist’s hometown. Need we say more? Wednesday, Nov. 19-Saturday, Nov. 22, various times, Centaur Theatre (453 St-Francois-Xavier). Student tickets $28.
MUSIC — Snowday This duo’s string-incorporated electronic music will be the perfect remedy for what will probably be a snowy Montreal day. Sunday, Nov. 30, 9 p.m., Club Balattou (4372 Saint-Laurent). Tickets $10.
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Science & Technology
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Université de Montréal develops cancer drug detecting device Nanodevice provides rapid diagnosis ALEXANDRA KONKINA Contributor After six years of research, Professors Jean-François Masson and Joelle Pelletier from the Department of Chemistry at the Université de Montréal have successfully developed the latest cancer detection tool. Their team created a nanodevice that can be used to accurately measure a person’s blood for the commonly used, but toxic cancer treating drug methotrexate—in less than a minute. When in a patient’s bloodstream, methotrexate blocks dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) activity. DHFR is an enzyme that is pivotal for DNA synthesis. When the drug blocks the enzyme, cells can no longer divide, diminishing the spread of cancer. Methotrexate, though useful, can also damage the healthy cells of cancer patients and is quite toxic, making it necessary to monitor its concentration to minimize adverse side effects and effectively adjust patient dosage. “[The drug] has been popularly used for cancer treatment since the [1960s],” Pelletier said. “But the
methods for its testing have had slow development.” Prior to the development of this device, methotrexate detection involved very expensive and complicated platforms that required large groups of personnel. By using Pelletier’s knowledge of the DHFR enzyme and Masson’s specialization in the engineering and design of biomedical instruments and nanomaterials, the six-year project was largely a collaborative exploration. Masson described being driven by an effort to make this process more accessible, simple, and efficient for both patients and medical personnel. “We joined together based on the resources that were available to us at the time,” Pelletier explained. “We thought, ‘Where could we go with this? How could we make it into something useful?’” According to Masson, the incorporation of nanomaterials was a large part of what made the project particularly important. For their efficiency and reliability, nanodevices will be a large part of the future of medicine. The device relies on the operation of Surface Plasmon Resonance
(SPR), a system that uses chemical biosensors on a device’s surface— which, in this case, is composed of a thin layer of gold—to detect and compete with methotrexate in the tested blood sample. These gold surface nanoparticles measure the methotrexate concentration by chemically competing with the drug to block the enzyme—which is already present in the blood sample. The gold nanoparticles change color proportionally to the concentration of methotrexate in the tested blood. The test has proved to be both accurate and efficient, taking less than sixty seconds to deliver results identical to those that use more complicated technology. The successful implications of the project for methotrexate are by no means the end of the road for research of this kind—nor for Pelletier and Masson, who have received additional funding to continue with their project. A device like this one has the potential to reach past just methotrexate-only detection. The research conducted by Pelletier and Masson has also massively contributed to a better understanding of enzyme-based drug
resistances, as well as the ability for this form of chemical technology to detect specific antigens of different antibodies—which would allow for monitoring antibody level in a patient—a useful indicator of the effectiveness and course of treatment
for numerous diseases. Furthermore, the chemical sensitivity and accessibility of the device will continue to be improved upon in terms of monitoring progression, course of treatment, and the screening of different diseases.
Individuals with ICHTHYOSIS are needed for a research study in Montreal involving an approved topical treatment. Reimbursement will be $300 for four visits. CONTACT
derek.ganes@ganespharma.com
Alzheimer’s ABCs of Science
Clare lyle Staff Writer Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias affect an estimated 500,000 Canadians. A study by the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC) found the disease to be the second most feared by Canadians as they age, and with good reason—the disease leads to cognitive function resulting in impaired short-term memory, the inability to perform routine tasks, and as the disease progresses, the loss of longterm memories. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain caused by the very proteins that work to maintain normal brain function. When these proteins—Tau and beta-amyloid—fold into the wrong shape, they become toxic to neurons, eventually causing the death of brain cells. Researchers are currently exploring a wide range of treatments to deal with different aspects of the disease. Some studies have looked into altering the biochemical pathways that are suspected to cause the
proteins to misfold. So far, attempts to control the disease by treating amyloid-beta proteins have not produced any effective treatment options. Dr. Serge Gauthier, from the McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, offered an explanation. “The short story is that if you try [to treat] amyloid when the dementia is already obvious, it’s probably too late,” he said. Potential treatment of the other type of protein, Tau, is still being investigated. Current treatment options address the physiological and psychological effects of Alzheimer’s. Some psychiatric drugs may be used to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms such as aggression, agitation, and depression. A class of drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors, which increase the amount of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, have been found to reduce cognitive decline. Another drug called memantine, developed in part by McGill researchers, helps to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s by blocking chemical receptors in the brain. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s. Current drugs can reduce and slow down symptoms, but so far, no one has been able to reverse the progression of the disease. Once diagnosed, patients face an inevitable
decline. With such a grim prognosis, prevention and early detection of Alzheimer’s is a top priority. Luckily, there are several ways for people to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Living a healthy lifestyle is the single biggest way to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s later in life, according to the ASC. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and being socially engaged are all simple ways of improving overall health while helping to prevent a range of aging-related diseases, not just Alzheimer’s. In particular, exercise has been shown to have a protective effect. It increases the levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which causes the growth of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for memory. Having an intellectually stimulating job, playing sudoku, and even gardening have also been shown to be beneficiary. For men, marital status also plays a role. According to a study done at Harvard University, married men have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s than bachelors. There are a number of groups working to educate the public not only about prevention but also about living with the disease. The
Dr. Serge Gauthier (Photo courtesy of Douglas Mental Health Institute) Alzheimer Society of Montreal, for example, runs both fundraising and awareness programs to help make people more comfortable talking about Alzheimer’s. Society today has a complicated relationship with Alzheimer’s, in part because many people are unfamiliar with the disease. “There is definitely a stigma,” said Jessica Seidman, a counselor from the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. “Friends and family members [of patients] pull away because they don’t necessarily understand what to do, or they might not be comfortable in helping [the patient] through [the disease] because they’re very concerned about what the disease means and don’t know how to act.” While the average university
student may run a low risk of developing Alzheimer’s any time soon, chances are that most students will eventually know someone who does. A 2005 study published in Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders projected the worldwide prevalence of dementia to nearly triple between 2000 and 2040. “Just because someone has that diagnosis [of Alzheimer’s] doesn’t mean that they can’t live a fulfilling life and participate in the community,” Seidman said. This rise in Alzheimer’s patients makes it even more important for society to increase its familiarity with the disease. Events like Alzheimer Awareness Month in January, as well as many others, help to break down stereotypes of dementia.
17 Science & Technology This month in student research Movember starts ‘mo’ conversations
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Babur ayanlar Contributor
CHLOe Nevitt Science & Technology Editor By the end of November, many brothers, sons, and fathers will have grown an impressive amount of facial hair. As cool as these mustaches and goatees look, it isn’t lumberjack chic these men are trying to bring attention to—it’s men’s health. “Movember is a world-wide event where men shave on Nov. 1, and let their mustaches grow for men’s health,” said Vincent White, a spokesperson for Movember Canada. “[We] use the power of the mustache to engage in conversation [about] prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health.” Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, according to Movember Canada. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and of these, an estimated 4,000 will die from it. Consequently, 50 per cent of the funds collected by the organization go towards prostate cancer research. Through their partner, Prostate Cancer Canada, Movember funds go directly towards research. Movember Canada’s goals are to find treatments for more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, and build up survivorship programs. Dr. Michael Pollak, director of the Division of Cancer Prevention of the Department of Oncology at McGill, is currently working to develop treatments for prostate cancer. “Our own research involves understanding a little more about how prostate cancer is actually stimulated by testosterone,” Pollak said. “We know that male hormones stimulate the growth of prostate cancer, but we don’t know exactly how that works.” The prostate gland is responsible for producing fluid that protects and enriches sperm, and cancer begins to develop when cells from the prostate reproduce and mutate uncontrollably. The main problem facing doctors and researchers when trying to treat prostate cancer is the difficulty in detecting it. Prostate
cancer will usually develop without symptoms until the tumour is already in late stages of development. Recently, however, prostate cancer screening has come under scrutiny for its false positives. The controversial Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is one of the most commonly used prostate cancer exams. “The PSA test is a blood test that tends to be abnormal if people have prostate cancer,” Pollak said. “It’s [useful] to help tell how a man who has prostate cancer is doing, but it’s controversial if a healthy man should have a PSA test, [because] it picks up a lot of men who don’t have prostate cancer.” The PSA test is proving inefficient due to its sensitivity. Many healthy men will go through intense and invasive surgeries without having aggressive cancer. Instead, Dr. Pollak recommends a traditional rectal examination that is much less likely to result in a false positive. One risk factor for prostate cancer is age; as men get older, they are more and more likely to contract the disease, and the risk doubles if a man has a family history of prostate cancer. “Prostate cancer runs in my family,” stated Kieran Steer, a U3 Pharmacology student who plans on participating in Movember. “I think it’s important to put money into something that’s a prevalent problem in men, and I’m sure [the research] would help cure a lot of other cancers as well.” However, involvement doesn’t stop with men; White encourages women to get involved too. “‘Mo Sistas’ [women who support Movember] are the gate-keepers to family health,” White said. “We don’t encourage women to grow mustaches, but we do encourage them to take part.” Movember is about having conversations. A person should decide on the merits of a PSA test by having a discussion with a doctor. Movember aims to change the face of men’s health by changing men’s faces, where a mustache is a walking billboard to start the conversation.
You can spot Sanahan Vijayakumar on campus by his stylish French apparel, ear-to-ear grin, and fast paced chatter. The U2 materials engineer is an active member of the Engineering Undergraduate Society Council, and is known for his friendly attitude, passion, and outstanding success. Vijayakumar has been conducting research at McGill since he entered his program. In total, he has worked on three research projects in three different laboratories across the world, and has even been published in the Advanced Functional Materials Journal. Currently, he’s on the verge of doing it all again. It has been two years since Vijayakumar began working in the McGill Bio-Interference Lab, supervised by Professor Marta Cerruti. The research focuses on placing special biodegradable scaffolds in dental tissue in order to stimulate and induce the production of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA). “HCA is a calcite our bodies produce to initiate biomineralization,” Vijayakumar explained. Biomineralization is the growth of inorganic material in a living host. Through biomineralization, cells within a tissue can take up the new minerals and use them to relieve deficiency, thereby healing any damage, injury, or infection that the tissue may be suffering from. Scaffolds, combined with certain drugs, including antibiotics, are emerging as a new way to treat infections and holes along the gum lining. Moreover, the insertion of the scaffolds will also activate HCA production, which serves to fill up the holes in the gum lining. Vijayakumar is currently in charge of the production of the scaffolds and their structural analysis, using a scanning electron microscope to analyze whether the two building blocks— low and medium molecular weight chitosan— will bind. While his time at McGill has been important, these are just one of the many small steps that he’s taken in his research career. According to Vijayakumar one of the most interesting aspects of doing research is the di-
Sanahan Vijayakumar
(Babur Ayanlar / McGill Tribune) versity of sciences contributing to a project and interacting with co-workers from a multitude of scientific backgrounds. These collaborations have helped him along the way, too. He was able to find another research position in California in the summer of 2013, in a completely different area of research, due to his experience working with chitosan, a polysaccharide that the dental scaffolds in Cerruti’s research are made of. His new project, funded by the U.S. government, focuses on treating inflammations in the brain caused by post traumatic injuries. By coating drugs with chitosan, the complex can pass through the blood-brain barrier to treat the patients. Not surprisingly, when a visiting professor met Vijayakumar in California during his research, he offered him a position in Tours, France for the summer of 2015 because he was impressed by Vijayakumar’s work. The professor is working with silicon wafers for high-efficiency anodes, which would later be used in creating more advanced batteries. Even though he found new research positions through interacting with colleagues and professors, Vijayakumar attributes his qualifications for the two new positions he was offered to what he learned during his research at McGill.
Sports
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Tuesday, November 4, 2014
10 THINGS:
Sports’ greatest rivalries By mayaz alam (therichest.com) El Clasico: 93-89-48. Real Madrid and Barcelona are separated by only four wins after 85 years of an intense, hatred-filled rivalry. Real Madrid represents Spanish nationalism whereas Barcelona symbolizes the fight for Catalonian independence. Many rivalries claim to be more than just a game, but El Clasico is one of the few that can back that up. The Battle of Tobacco Road : Duke and North Carolina are separated by a mere nine miles of highway and often play with a conference championship on the line. The Tar Heels have reached 18 Final Fours to the Blue Devils’ 15, and have a five-four edge in National Championships as well. Duke, however, has had the upper hand in recent years, winning the tournament in 2010. Iron Bowl: The state of Alabama has no major professional sports teams. What it does have, however, is the most heated rivalry in college football. Either Auburn or Alabama has played in the last five National Championship games, and the state has produced four consecutive championship teams in that time span. Both teams are ranked in the top five this season, making another matchup with national title implications highly likely. Canada vs. USA Women’s Ice Hockey : When there are only two elite teams in a sport, there is bound to be friction. There have been 20 major international ice hockey tournaments since the inaugural World Championship in 1990. One of the two teams has won the gold medal at every single tournament and they have faced off against one another in the finals an astounding 19 times. Lakers vs. Celtics: The two franchises have combined to win nearly half of all NBA Championships, an outlandish statistic. Additionally, the Lakers and Celtics have needed to beat each other to win a title on multiple occasions. Both are going through a brief period of irrelevance, but it won’t last. Boston and Los Angeles are basketball’s titletowns.
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox : Bostonians and New Yorkers hate each other for a myriad of reasons, and the rivalry between the Red Sox and the Yankees only adds fuel to the fire. For 86 years, the Red Sox went title-less while the Yankees won 26 times. In recent years, the Red Sox have been more successful, with three World Series rings to the Yankees’ one in the past decade. Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Let’s call the oldest rivalry in the NHL a historic one, too, given the recent ineptitude of the Leafs. The two teams have met 715 times in the regular season and have combined to win the Stanley Cup 37 times. On the national scale, Toronto and Montreal are constantly being compared and judged against one another as well.
Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal : Men’s tennis has had its notable share of famous players. But Federer and Nadal have come to define the sport in the past decade. Federer is the embodiment of grace and surgical precision, while Nadal is all passion and fire. Both are in the conversation for greatest men’s tennis player in history, but the story is incomplete when just looking at one. Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady : The quarterback in American football is arguably the most scrutinized position in professional sports. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are already locks for the Hall of Fame, and have played almost their entire careers in constant juxtaposition. In a sport with nearly 1,700 active players, the narrative almost always revolves around two: Brady and Manning. Chris Evert vs. Martina Navratilova: They are two of the greatest women’s tennis players in history and they played each other in the championship game of tournaments 60 times. Unlike other rivalries that are based on mutual hatred or dislike, theirs was based on mutual respect and friendship. As the kids say these days: Game recognizes game.
Hockey — redmen 8, Badgers 1
Redmen cull Badger threat Rose, Le Sieur, Brunelle lead offensive barrage Zikomo Smith Staff Writer The McGill Redmen (6-2-0) routed the Brock Badgers (2-4-1) 8-1 on a frosty Halloween evening at McConnell Arena. One only had to look at the visitors’ bench in the third period to understand how thoroughly McGill had dominated Brock. Ashen-faced at the intermission, the Badgers saw a 6-1 deficit stretched to an 8-1 blowout over the course of the third period. McGill dominated all three periods of the game. They never trailed the Badgers, and only gave up one goal–on a power play in the last five minutes of the first period. Redmen Assistant Coach David Urquhart was pleased with the performance. “I think it was a good 60-minute game,” Urquhart said. “The entire team, all four lines and all 16 played the way we needed to play, the way we had talked about playing before the game.” McGill have shown consistent improvement over the course of the
season. This victory is its third in a row, and moves the team’s conference record to 6-2-0. The Redmen were exceptionally sharp on offence, outdoing Brock in almost every statistical category. They outshot the Badgers 41-33, and went 2-3 on their power plays in comparison to Brock’s 1-9. They also scored twice in shorthanded situations. The Redmen’s skating and control of the puck was the most impressive facet of their game. The eight goals were shared amongst five players, demonstrating how willing the Redmen were to create high-percentage shots with puck movement. McGill scored in every period, never letting up with its offensive onslaught. Junior wingers Max Le Sieur, Jonathan Brunelle, and David Rose scored in the sixth, 14th and 13th minutes of the first period, respectively. All three would then go on to tally another score in the second period. Finally, sophomore defenceman Etienne Boutet and senior centre Guillaume LangelierParent scored in the fourth and 19th
minutes of the third period with McGill’s superiority well established. “I think our skating was really effective tonight,” Urquhart said. “That was where we drew a lot of our success. We truly pushed the pace.” The Badgers had to travel 660 kilometres to the McConnell Arena, and seemed sluggish in comparison to the sharp and quick Redmen squad. “We had a team that had to travel a long way today to come play us,” Urquhart said. “They were on the bus for a long time today and I think our speed and our continued effort of skating was very effective.” McGill was also outstanding defensively. Goaltender Karel StLaurent made many athletic saves
McGill push the play into Badger territory. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune) and only conceded one goal. He was backed up by a consistent performance from his defencemen. Urquhart praised the resolve of his blue line and the strength of the team’s goaltending after the game. “[He] was strong and we played good team defence,” Urquhart said. “From the forwards to the [defence], right back to the goalie, everyone had a good effort. Something that we do throughout the course of the game is to [… ]fore-check relent-
lessly.” In comparison, Brock had to pull its starting goalie halfway through the contest. His replacement could not abate the flood of McGill goals. McGill continued its winning streak with a stunning 3-2 comefrom-behind victory against the York Lions (3-6-0) on Saturday. The Redmen will try to keep things rolling next Friday in Guelph as they prepare to take on the Gryphons.
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Sports
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
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REDMEN BASKETBALL
REDMEN BASKETBALL
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) Aaron Rose Staff Writer Coming off their second RSEQ Championship in as many years, the McGill Redmen seem poised to win another this season with a group of developing youngsters. Head Coach David DeAverio enters his fifth season with an astounding 15 underclassmen, including five freshmen. Veteran Ave Bross will likely take over the starting point guard position after former captain Simon Bibeau graduated this past year. While Bross’ defensive prowess will keep him in the starting lineup, don’t be surprised if Jenning Leung and freshman Jawara Pedrican make a push for playing time as the season progresses. Freshmen centre Noah Daoust will likely fill the void left by Nathan Joyal, while swingman Jeremie CasavantDubois expects to see significant minutes off the bench. “Simon and Nathan are two talented players who are very hard to replace,” senior swingman Vincent Dufort said. “That being said, we have some real good rookies that will make an immediate impact.” Dufort will be relied upon to provide significant production after leading the team in scoring and taking home RSEQ MVP honours last season. With so many underclassmen on the team, the Redmen still need to work out all their kinks. Dufort is confident that the team will work out their issues and improve on their first-round exit from the CIS playoffs last season. The Redmen open their season at home on Nov. 8 against the Bishop’s Gaiters in a rematch of last seasons RSEQ Championship game. If McGill can overcome the injuries and continue to develop young stars, look for McGill to clinch back-to-back-to-back championships and take another step towards a CIS Championship.
(Wendy Chen / McGill Tribune)
The McGill Martlets have been the team to beat in the RSEQ for the past three seasons, and don’t expect that to change any time soon. The squad looks to four-peat as conference champions this season and is hoping to bring home a medal at the CIS National Championships after a disappointing fifth-place finish last season. The Marlets have seven players returning but will sorely miss Helen Bibeau and Françoise Charest, two key starters from last year’s team. Expect Mariam Sylla to lead the way for the Martlets following a dominant 2013-2014 campaign in which she won RSEQ Player-of-the-Year honours while posting 14 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Seniors Dianna Ros and Gabriela Herbet return to the starting lineup and will be counted on to mentor the team’s four new rookies. Junior centre Alex Kiss-Rusk looks poised for a big season after an impressive showing during pre-season play, and first-year guard Marika Guerin will be expected to make an impact after starting all three games at the Redbird Classic. The Martlets currently sit fourth in the CIS rankings after a dominant pre-season that included sweeping the Redbird Classic in convincing fashion. If the new faces continue to play strong and the team’s veterans can improve on an excellent 2013-2014 season, a medal is within reach for these Martlets. They open their season at home against the Bishop’s Gaiters on Nov. 8. While Bishop’s won’t be much of a test for the Martlets, it will be a good taste of RSEQ basketball for the new freshmen before they head out to UQAM on Nov. 13 in a rematch of last year’s RSEQ Final.
Behind the bench: Happy days in the NBA MAx berger Arts & Entertainment Editor The fabric of a league rarely differs all that much on opening night from what it was the year before. While minor changes come in the form of regular operations like free agency, draft picks, retirements, and coaching hires, earth-shaking developments such as franchise expansion and rule changes are rare. When it’s all said and done though, not only is this year’s NBA an exception to that statement, but the developments that have taken place in the buildup to its 2014-2015 season have been overwhelmingly positive, providing plenty of excitement for the league’s future. Any discussion about the positive direction of the NBA needs to start with the person at the top of its food chain: Commissioner Adam Silver. Since replacing David Stern in February, Silver has become one of the most respected figures in sports. While Stern should certainly be applauded for his admirable success in expanding the league domestically and internationally, he was also known in league circles as an authoritative and monomaniacal, and his handling of certain league affairs— like the Seattle Supersonics’ relocation
and the Chris Paul trade veto—were dubious to say the least. Silver, on the other hand, operates with a gentle authority, and has drawn praise already for improved transparency and a willingness to entertain progressive ideas for lottery reform and other changes to the game. Most importantly though, when TMZ released the infamous tape containing Donald Sterling’s racist remarks, Silver responded swiftly and decisively, banning Sterling from the NBA for life. By acting in the manner that he did, Silver gained the trust of players and personnel across the league, and sent a firm message that the NBA does not tolerate such behaviour. While some might argue that it was an easy decision for Silver to make, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s timid handle on football’s league-wide domestic violence problem is proof that we shouldn’t take Silver for granted. Sterling’s departure paved the way for former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to purchase the Clippers for a record $2 billion this summer. Having Sterling gone and watching his longpathetic franchise fetch such a price is a dream scenario for the NBA, but it wasn’t even the only one that fell into its lap. While suffering through a campaign that would produce last
Adam Silver ushers in a new era (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Pottheiser) year’s lowest NBA win total, Milwau- the salary cap. kee Bucks fans were saddled with the None of this would matter though added weight of rumours that their if the NBA didn’t offer a strong onteam would be the next to relocate. court product, and there have been a This past May, however, the franchise number of positive developments that was bought by an ownership group that promise to make this season one of paid $550 million and vowed to keep the most exciting in recent memory. It the team in Milwaukee. To put that in all starts with LeBron James’ Cleveperspective, arguably the least valuable land homecoming, where he’s already NBA team is still worth more than all changed the Cavs’ toxic franchise culbut six NHL franchises—on par with ture. His return also gives superstars the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving a chance Bruins—according to Forbes. On top to finally taste post-season basketball. of all this, the NBA recently signed a Elsewhere, a talented Hornets team is lucrative $24 billion TV deal that will moving past the train wreck that was increase revenue league-wide and raise the Bobcats era, while Phil Jackson
and Stan Van Gundy are bringing the promise of stability to the Knicks and Pistons, respectively. Derrick Rose is returning from injury to play on his best Bulls team yet, Minnesota—and, more importantly, Anthony Bennett— is starting fresh after last year’s disappointment, and it’s one of the most promising rookie crops ever. Omer Asik is free from Houston’s bench, Utah’s bench is free from Tyrone Corbin, Dirk Nowitzki has been reunited with Tyson Chandler in Dallas, and Jeff Hornacek has a third starting-caliber point guard to unleash in Phoenix. Finally, a polished Bruno Caboclo is ready to lead the Raptors to a championship. Perhaps that last statement was a bit of a stretch. From its head offices to its locker rooms, the NBA is a vastly different league than it was heading into last season. It boasts an excellent first-year commissioner, new owners that were willing to pay top dollar to join, and a flurry of positive basketball moves— apologies to the Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, and especially Kobe Bryant. For all the change though, don’t be surprised if the season ends the same way it did last year: With Gregg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the San Antonio Spurs being crowned as NBA Champions.
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Sports
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Lacrosse — Redmen 13, GEE-GEEs 4
Perfection continues as Redmen trounce Gee-Gees Rufus Frost nets hat-trick as McGill advances to the Baggataway Cup REMI LU Managing Editor
(Continued from page 1) “We were sloppy on offence,” Head Coach Tim Murdoch said. “We weren’t shooting well at all [….] Our defence really saved us today [….] We had a lot of penalties against us, so we were man-down for a big chunk of the game.” McGill’s defence continued to hold tight, shutting out the Gee-Gees in the second and third quarters as the Redmen jumped out to a 9-2 lead. Alongside Frost, senior attackman Leland de Langley netted two goals, while a number of other Redmen tallied singles. With McGill’s leading scorer Spencer Bromley and co-captain Alex Rohrbach held in check, Frost stepped up to lead the team in scoring for the first time this season. According to Murdoch, Frost, a third-year midfielder out
of Park City, Utah, is a prime example of McGill’s deep roster. “We have depth through all positions, from goalie through attack,” Murdoch said. “It’s really hard to defend us because we have talent across the board— you don’t really know who to stop.” With the team closing in on another Finals appearance—it will be its third consecutive year if it manages to do so—the Redmen have recognized that they will need to strengthen their mental resolve if they are to capture the Baggataway Cup this season. “We can improve on playing at our highest level for a whole 80 minutes across the playing field,” Waesche said. “Unfortunately, this mental aspect of the game is one of the hardest things to accomplish, but luckily playoff season is a time where every player is tuned in and has the same goal of going home with [the Baggataway Cup] in hand.” The team will now prepare
The Redmen control possession en route to victory (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) for the final stretch of playoff games that will take place in Oshawa this year. McGill’s quarterfinal matchup is set to take place on Nov. 7, with possible semifinal and championship games scheduled for Nov. 8 and Nov. 9
respectively. In the meantime, Murdoch will continue to prepare his team to prevent another loss in the Finals this year. “We’re going to work extremely hard next week,” Mur-
doch said. “We have excellent conditioning on this team, [and] we’ll keep the conditioning going. We’ll keep the guys ramped up […] for the Final Four weekend.”
Athletes of the Week
David Rose
Brittney Fouracres
The third-year winger from Longueuil, Quebec, had a huge weekend for the Redmen hockey team, tallying five points over two games against Brock and York. Rose got off to a hot start against the Brock Badgers, scoring two goals before the second period was over to blow the game wide open. His most important shot, however, came the next night against the York Lions, finding the back of the net to tie it up at two apiece with three minutes left., before the Redmen pulled a win out with just six seconds remaining on the clock.
Alongside All-Star teammate Katia Clement-Heydra, Fouracres led an unstoppable offensive attack against the University of Ottawa on Saturday. The fourth year from Calgary, Alberta racked up three points on a goal and two assists as the Martlets sent the Gee-Gees packing in a 7-1 victory. A longtime fixture on the Martlet blueline, Fouracres has been outstanding for McGill thus far, and has stepped up her game on the offensive end of the ice.
Redmen Hockey–Right Wing Junior, Education
Save percentage for Redmen hockey goaltender Karel St-Laurent in the team’s 8-1 victory against Brock Friday night.
Martlet Hockey – Defenceman Senior, Engineering
REDMEN SOCCER It was a disappointing Halloween for the Redmen, as they were unable to advance past the semifinals of the RSEQ playoffs, losing 2-0 to top-seeded UQÀM. McGill fell behind in the first half and was unable to claw back into the game despite a strong second half performance. A comeback was made even more difficult thanks to the red card given to third-year Patrick Fusarini, which left McGill down one man for the remainder of the match. Though they were playing at a disadvantage, the Redmen offered up a strong second half performance, but were unable to break through UQÀM’s defence. For several seniors, the game was likely the last they will play in a McGill jersey. Alexander King, Jamie Allester, and Sebastian Munro are all expected to graduate, making way for younger talent as the Redmen continue their rebuilding process next season. REDMEN FOOTBALL The Redmen came up just short in the 28th annual Montreal Shrine Bowl game, falling 30-28 to the Concordia Stingers on a last-minute field goal from Stingers’ kicker Keegan Treloar. It marked the end of the season for McGill, capping a difficult campaign
(Photos courtesy of McGill Athletics)
Yards per carry that running back Raphael Casey earned in Saturday’s Shrine Bowl loss to Concordia. Casey ran for 80 yards in total and picked up a rushing touchdown as well.
Number of assists recorded by fourth-year setter Yasmeen Dawoodjee in Martlet volleyball’s victory against Sherbrooke over the weekend. She also served up three aces.
in which the Redmen were unable to win a game. Injuries meant that the Redmen fielded an extremely young roster for the game, with almost half of it being comprised of freshmen. That lack of experience was evident at times, as the Redmen committed 16 penalties, which amounted to 114 yards. This off-season may bring significant change to the Redmen program, as McGill will need to make a decision concerning who the team wants as its head coach moving forward. The majority of the team will be returning next season, however, with just eight players expected to graduate this year.