McGil Tribune Vol. 34 Issue 17

EDITORIAL

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 Volume No. 34 Issue No. 17

Tuition deregulation necessary, transparency paramount pg. 6

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BASiC breaks down barriers

See inside for...

MMFA exhibit p. 16

C2C conference highlights importance of interdisciplinary studies

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(Noah Sutton / McGill Tribune)

Redmen football player acquitted of assault charges, returns to team

Ongoing reviews to student-athlete varsity guide, athletic eligibility guidelines

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CECE ZHANG News Editor

cGill Redmen football player Luis-Andres Guimont-Mota charged with assault was acquitted last Thursday and has been reinstated in the team. GuimontMota, Management student and running back for the Redmen football team was arrested in September 2014 after his thenwife accused him of domestic violence. According to the Global

News, Guimont-Mota’s case was dropped when his then-wife did not show up to testify against him.

After Guimont-Mota’s arrest was made public in September, McGill administration issued a statement that he had been suspended from the team. The office of Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Ollivier Dyens later sent out a mass email to McGill students on Sept. 16, 2014, disclosing Guimont-Mo-

ta’s previous assault charge in 2010 without referring to him by name, and claiming he should not have been allowed to participate in the varsity sports team.

“This individual should not have been invited to join our team,” the message read. “That was not in accordance with the values of our community.”

The statement led to Redmen Head Coach Clint Uttley’s resignation, who said he could not work for an organization that

does not embrace equity and inclusiveness.

“The [...] statement does not represent my personal morals or values with regards to sport, recruiting, and life in general,” Uttley said at the time of his resignation.

Dyens said the university administration had communicated with the coaches and looked to make progress.

Continued on pg. 2

CASSIE LEE Design Editor

he sixth annual Combining Two Cultures (C2C) conference was held this past weekend at McGill. Hosted by the Bachelor of Arts and Science Integrative Council (BASiC), the event included presentations from McGill professors specializing in integrative techniques, intensive workshops, Montreal tours, and a networking social. Initially held in 2009 at McMaster University, the conference celebrates collaboration between students and encourages the development of interdisciplinary studies. This year, students from McMaster, Guelph, and Waterloo were also in attendance.

President of BASiC Matt Satterthwaite emphasized how crucial conferences like this can be for the development of the relatively new Arts & Science program at McGill.

“We’re still really trying to find our identity both as a program and as a council,” Satterthwaite said. “I think being able to host a national conference like this and allowing us to bring Arts&Sci kids from across Canada­ —[getting] their experiences and see what different schools are tackling as an arts and science program­—can help us better shape our program and increase our Art&Sci community here at McGill.”

Continued on pg. 19

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News

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

PGSS secretary-general resigns, cites personal issues

Nomination period for interim secretary-general underway, elections to be held in February

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ost-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) Secretary-General Juan Camilo Pinto submitted a letter of resignation on Jan. 20 to the PGSS Board of Directors (BoD). If Pinto’s resignation is approved by the next PGSS Council on Feb. 3, he will step down from his position on Feb. 16. A nomination period for an interim secretary-general will run until Feb. 9. The voting period for a subsequent special election will run from Feb. 18 to 24.

“I regret to inform you that I am resigning from my position as secretary-general of the PGSS for personal reasons.” Pinto’s resignation reads.

“Although it sadness [sic] me to leave, I deeply appreciate the assistance and support you provided me during my tenure.”

The PGSS BoD placed a motion of censure on Pinto on Nov. 13, stripping him of his human resources (HR) responsibilities. According to the report of PGSS Council Director Régine Debrosse at the Dec. 3 Council meeting, the BoD’s decision was motivated by several complaints about Pinto’s behaviour from PGSS staff members, including a complaint regarding Pinto’s conduct towards staff at the PGSS Halloween party.

According to PGSS Financial Affairs Officer Nikki Meadows, the censure motion was not solely a result of the incident at the PGSS Halloween party.

“The censure was based on conduct unbecoming of that member,” Meadows said. “There were also issues with staff. The Halloween issue was one staff member, but there were also other complaints from staff members about treatment and behaviour and how things were going, so it wasn’t simply a one incident thing that led to that censure.”

On Dec. 10, the PGSS executive team voted “No” during a vote of confidence regarding Pinto’s capabilities as Secretary-General. According to Meadows, The vote of confidence aimed to express the executives’ sentiment regarding Pinto after he had been given time to improve following his

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SHRINKHALA DAWADI, LAURA HANRAHAN News Editor, Contributor

PGSS SEC-GEN

RESIGNS (Cassie Lee / McGill Tribune)

censure.

“Our bylaws don’t have a prescription for what happens for a vote of confidence,” she explained. “It’s something that the Board of Directors felt was necessary, so they asked us to take it. I think the board wanted to see where the executive committee was after giving the secretary-general some time to try to fix some of the issues that had been brought forward.”

Pinto states that his resignation was not motivated by the vote of noconfidence or the censure.

“When the censure passed, I accepted my responsibility [for] the things that I was responsible for [and] I continued my work—proof of that is the CFS referendum,” he said, referring to the recent PGSS referendum that passed with a majority vote to disaffiliate from the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). “The reality is

that my research as a whole was suffering [....] It’s in rare cases that you have someone managing a research team plus being the president of an association, plus doing a PhD, plus doing sports. It’s a big combination that I had, so I had to pick something [to drop], and sadly it was PGSS.” Meadows cited communication difficulties as a main issue for the PGSS executives during Pinto’s term as secretary-general.

“If you read our bylaws, you see that one of the main hubs of communication is the secretary-general,” she said. “When that role is not functioning at optimum level, there’s going to be communication issues.”

Pinto explained that he initially had a different conception of the secretary-general’s responsibilities. “[In Colombia…] we approach things very directly,” he said. “It took

me a long time to realize that I’m in a position where the [secretary-general] is not technically president—it’s a person who’s in charge of communicating [....] It was for me a new thing to try and figure that out.”

Going forward, Meadows stated that she is confident that the PGSS executive team will be able to continue their work as usual.

“I’m hopeful; I think we have a team that can work with anyone,” Meadows said. “I think that with [the] uncertainty lifted [on] what’s going to happen with our internal conflicts [...] in some ways it makes it easier for everybody [....] We’re still making achievements on our portfolios, we’re still holding lots of events and doing lots of things, so in the end, the work still continues.”

Pinto stated that he feels he is leaving his position on a positive note.

“I’m very happy I had the opportunity to do this, I made an impact on the graduate committee, which was my purpose when I ran for secretarygeneral,” he said. “I leave on a happy note, I really like my job [...] and I wish I could do it more.”

He explained that he hopes future members of the PGSS executive will prepare thoroughly before running for office.

“Institutions like this, they not only need leaders, they need good people,” Pinto said. “They need people who are willing to follow the rules [...] who are thinking about the institution and not thinking about themselves [....] I will also say that a part of it is very taxing and people should study before doing this [...] I would advise people [...to] read the bylaws, and [to] understand the job very well.”

Redmen football player acquitted of assault charges, returns to team Ongoing reviews to student-athlete varsity guide, athletic eligibility guidelines CECE ZHANG News Editor

(Continued from page 1) “We’re moving forward with Athletics,” he later told the Tribune. “We’re building a good system now for all involved, for the whole community.”

Dyens commented on Gui-

mont-Mota’s acquittal and return to the team, saying that the suspension would be lifted.

“When we made the original statement, [it] said he shouldn’t have been recruited, but we did [recruit him],” Dyens said. “So now we’ve had a commitment to him, we’re going to honour that commitment [....] The charges for domestic abuse—he was sus-

pended for those charges, not for the previous ones.”

In the Sept. 16 email, Dyens referred to previous incidents with McGill athletes, and said there would be in-depth reviews of rules and regulations governing participation in varsity sports. He elaborated on the process further.

“We’re reviewing the Mc-

Gill varsity guide, to make clear [the] code of conduct,” Dyens said. “Athletes will be able to give their input [....] We’re also discussing [with] some coaches [on] principles on athletic eligibility, on what principles we can do that.”

Former Redmen quarterback Dallon Kuprowski commented on Guimont-Mota’s return to the

team.

“I’m no longer involved, but I assume [...] at this point he is just another varsity athlete who’s performing at McGill,” Kuprowski said. “[He] is expected to behave in a manner that falls in line with what McGill wishes to portray [and] what McGill expects of their student athletes.”

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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News

Rad Sex Week event exclusive to people of colour causes controversy on campus SUS Council passes motion supporting Queer McGill, will host similar events

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SHRINKHALA DAWADI News Editor

he Rad Sex Week workshop, Desires: A QT*POC Exploration, caused controversy on campus after organizers stated that the event was not open to white people.

“This workshop is closed to folks who identify as LGBT*QIA and as a person of color,” the event description reads. “‘A’ here denotes asexual, not ally. POC here denotes anyone who selfidentifies with the term [....] We will not be policing your selfidentity around race or skin tone: If you feel like you will benefit please come.”

The page had been edited to remove the phrase “white folks need not attended,” which had previously been included in the event description.

Rad Sex Week is hosted

by Queer McGill and will run

from Jan. 26 to Feb. 5. According to the Facebook page, Rad Sex Week constitutes a series of events that explore gender and sexuality through anti-oppressive, feminist, trans and queer friendly perspectives.

Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Ollivier Dyens stated that the McGill administration had corresponded with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) after receiving complaints from McGill students about the event.

“There was a complaint; we looked into it,” Dyens said. “The Quebec Charter of Human Rights says you can’t discriminate on different bases and race is one of them. We told [SSMU] that we understand why this is being done but we’re not comfortable with it. This is a SSMU club and this is SSMU’s responsibility.

Our role is to reach out to SSMU [...] but ultimately it’s their call.”

SSMU Vice-President University Affairs Claire StewartKanigan explained that she believed that the event was in accordance with SSMU’s Equity Policy.

“Our Equity Policy acknowledges that current and historical processes affect the safety and well-being of groups targeted by these processes,” she said. “Accordingly, we acknowledge that offering spaces to comfortably discuss lived experiences resulting from these processes is an important step in building safer, supportive environments.”

In light of the controversy surrounding Rad Sex Week, the Science Undergraduate Society’s (SUS) General Council passed a motion from the floor in support of Queer McGill and Rad Sex Week during their Jan. 26 Council meeting.

“Be it further resolved, that the SUS reaffirm its commitment

to the equitable treatment of all students and the promotion of safer spaces, as well as its belief in the necessity and propriety of closed POC spaces,” the motion read. “Be it further resolved, that the SUS work with Queer McGill in promoting Rad Sex Week, including but not limited to offering Queer McGill promotion of the event on the SUS Facebook, SUS Website, and SUS listserv.”

SSMU Science representative Zacheriah Houston cosponsored the motion with SUS Vice-President External Emily Boytinck. Houston explained that he co-sponsored the motion because he believed that Queer McGill and Rad Sex Week offered importance services to the McGill community.

“I initially heard about the controversy regarding Queer McGill’s decision to host the event when the QM Resource Coordinator emailed [...] Boytinck,

letting us know that they were looking for endorsements for the concept of closed-POC events,” Houston stated. “I support Queer McGill’s decision to hold this event, and was saddened by the negativity surrounding it. To me, the scope of the event was clearly within Queer McGill’s objective of creating [safer]spaces.”

The SUS is planning to host similar closed events in the future, said Boytinck.

“The SUS equity committee is working on a bunch [of initiatives] this semester, including on passing on this information for years to come.” Boytinck said.

“We’ve talked about creating queer science spaces, women in physical sciences spaces, people of colour in science spaces [....]

We’ll totally have allyship events where we welcome allies, but I definitely think it’s important to have closed events.”

Floor fellow contract negotions resume following training boycott

Floor fellows continue to push for collective agreement to address core values

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JULIA DICK Contributor

egotiations between the floor fellow bargaining unit of the Association of McGill University Support Employees (AMUSE) and the McGill administration continued on Jan. 30, following the floor fellow’s collective decision to boycott a training session on Jan. 24 and 25.

AMUSE and the administration have been in the process of negotiating a collective agreement since October. This collective agreement would be the result of a negotiating process between McGill and the floor fellow unit of AMUSE to alter the conditions of the current floor fellow contract. Recently, this process has been hindered by contention surrounding the inclusion of what the floor fellows have defined as core values, predominantly those of anti-oppression and harm reduction, into their contract.

The Director of Labour and Employee Relations at McGill Robert Comeau cited disagreements over what could be included in a collective agreement as the main cause for this roadblock.

“Normally, a collective agreement only defines the working conditions of the union members, so the attempt to include the ‘values associated with the role of floor fellows’ in the collective agreement is a significant departure from the norm,” he said.

Vice President floor fellow for AMUSE Christina Clemente

commented on why the floor fellows want to institutionalize core values into their collective agreement.

“Part of it is writing down something about the way that residence works and functions, that’s why we’re pushing to have our approaches and philosophies written down,” Clemente explained. “A big part of it is having concrete things that will give security that residences will operate in the way we think it should.

Another big thing is that the floor fellows should have some say in the decision making in what happens in residence, our jobs, and student life. We’re still working on that.”

The bargaining unit has agreed to hear a proposal from the McGill administration at the next negotiating session, which is scheduled for March. According to Amber Gross, AMUSE President, the administration appeared to be more responsive to the floor fellows’ requests since the boycott took place.

“We are happy to see that they are changing attitude and willing to work on strategies of including these values,” Gross said.

Comeau also expressed the administration’s satisfaction with the progress made during Friday’s session.

“While there is still a lot of work to do, we feel we may have found a way to address the union’s expectation that the ‘values’ that help govern the floor fellows roles will be included in the contract,” he stated.

However, Comeau did express disappointment at the floor fellows’ decision to boycott the training.

“Since the beginning of the negotiations, our negotiation committee has shown openness in addressing the floor fellows’ preoccupations,” he explained. “We would have appreciated it if the floor fellows had carried on business as usual; unfortunately the

Floor Fellows who [chose] not to participate will be the ones who lose out, because this training was to provide them with more tools to do their job.”

The bargaining unit and AMUSE contend that the boycott effectively demonstrated their position to the administration without negatively impacting their students.

“It is one of the only pressure tactics that we can use on the McGill administration that wouldn’t affect any of our students,” said Evan McIlroy, an elected bargaining representative for the floor fellow unit of AMUSE. Going forward, the floor fellows hope that the McGill community will take a stance on the negotiations, according to Gross.

“We want to put information

(Cassie Lee / McGill Tribune) out there but don’t want [the administration] to feel that we’re pressuring our students,” Gross said. “We will be looking to the SSMU [Students’ Society of McGill University] Council and other student associations to take a stance and support AMUSE.” The floor fellows emphasized that this support is based on making the facts of the situation available without compromising the floor fellows’ position as a student support system. McIlroy stated that the floor fellows are being cautious in terms of informing their own students about the negotiation process.

“There is a power-imbalance [between floor fellows and students] in certain ways, and we’re very aware of that,” he said.

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News

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

SSMU Council discusses council composition, tuition deregulation

Provost Masi reiterates McGill’s pro-deregulation stance CASSIE LEE Design Editor

School of Environment student campaigns for a seat on SSMU Council

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Legislative Council met last Thursday to discuss the possibility for the School of Environment to gain a seat on Council, McGill’s stance on tuition deregulation, and the possibility of joining FEUQ. Benjamin Ger, a member of the McGill Environment Student Society (MESS), spoke to Council regarding the addition of a School of Environment seat in SSMU Council.

Ger’s proposal was based on the grounds that Environment students do not have a large enough voice on campus, despite their faculty size of over 500 people.

“There are just no spots dedicated to us [on campus],” Ger said. “I wanted to change that.”

Medical councillor Joshua Chin pointed out that there are four Arts, three Science, and one Arts & Science representatives to Council. He argued that as the School of Environment currently has students in all three of these faculties, they already have a certain amount of representation through these councillors. According to Chin, adding another seat for the School of Environment runs the risk of overrepresentation.

Ger presented possible solutions to counter over-representation such as taking away environment students’ representation in the faculties of Arts & Science, Arts, and Science. Instead, he suggested, they would only be able to vote for an Environment representative.

Ger added that the current divi-

sion of the School of Environment’s constituency has led to a weakening of their collective voice.

“It’s very hard to get a [voiced] decision for us,” Ger said. “We are smaller than [the science and arts undergraduate societies] but we are over 500 students large.”

The last faculty to gain a seat in Council was Arts & Science in 2011, a faculty comprised of around 600 students. According to Arts & Science Senator Chloe Rourke, the addition was positive for the students of the Faculty of Arts & Science, who felt prior to this addition they were not properly represented.

“It’s a valuable person to have, just because it gives Arts & Science [students] a [...] direct link and a more [direct] representation,” she said.

Arts representative Lola Baraldi also spoke in favour of creating the additional Council seat.

“I think it would be very valuable from a sustainability point of view, especially since we don’t have as many sustainability coordinators as last year,” she said.

If Ger can collect the requisite 500 signatures, the decision to create a new Council seat for the School of Environment will be made by students this Winter Referendum period.

Provost discusses tuition deregulation

Provost Anthony Masi spoke regarding the issue of the deregulation of all remaining non-deregulated faculties for international students. Deregulated faculties currently include that of Management, Science, Engineering, and Law. Building upon discussion on deregulation at the Jan. 21 Senate meeting, Masi said deregulation would

Provost Masi spoke on deregulation of tuition for international students in all faculties. (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) allow McGill to retain more money from students tuition fees, particularly because money from the international student tuition supplement fee is currently collected by the provincial government and re-distributed across Quebec universities.

In response to a question as to how McGill would use the funds gained from deregulating tuition, Masi stated that although McGill has not worked out the exactly where the money is needed most, academics remain a top priority for the McGill administration.

FEUQ Presentation

Jonathan Bouchard, president of the Fédération Étudiante Universitaire du Québec (FEUQ), a Quebec student union, spoke on behalf of the organization at the Council meeting.

According to Bouchard, FEUQ lobbies the federal and provincial government for student rights.

“McGill has a university point

of view, where we try to have a more complete Quebec and student point of view,” he said.

FEUQ currently works with the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) Council to help lobby for equitable prices for student housing, offcampus work programs, and against tuition hikes. Another project includes pushing for legislation that renders unpaid internships illegal. Bouchard disagreed with Masi’s stance on deregulation, warning Council of the possible repercussions of the fee increase, which may lead to detrimental tuition hikes.

“French students are [experiencing] a tripling of their fees [...] so we’re doing as much as we can [to pressure] the government,” he said. “The benefits that [are] gained from international students will surely decrease.”

Although SSMU was a founding member of FEUQ in 1989, it disaffiliated in 2006 and is not currently a voting-member. Current afflilation with

FEUQ would result in approximately a $2.50 fee per student.

“What exactly can we get more with FEUQ than with we had with TACEQ?” Councillor Anikke Rioux asked referring to the Table de concertation étudiante du Québec (TACEQ), a student union that SSMU had been a part of, but disaffiliated from in 2014.

In response, Bouchard spoke to FEUQ’s national status.

“The advantage with FEUQ is [...] the capacity for its members to have a complete impact on [...] the national assembly [... and] on what is said on the national level.”

Council did not decide on their affiliation with FEUQ at Monday’s meeting.

New General Manager

Jennifer Varkonyi, SSMU’s new General Manager, attended her first Legislative Council on Thursday. Her first official day was Monday, Feb. 3.

MUS i-Week hosts workshop on cultural differences and the workplace

Highlights value of cultural awareness, perspectives gained from diversity CATHERINE-LAURE JUSTE Contributor

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he Management Undergraduate Society (MUS) Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources (OB/HR) student group organized a discussion for professionals and students to share their ideas on how to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace last Wednesday.

The event was part of i-Week, an annual series of events organized

by McGill International Student Services. According to the i-Week Facebook page, the week aimed to highlight the multicultural nature of the McGill community and to broaden intercultural awareness and understanding. Panellists at the workshop included Nathalie-Michèle Sylvain and Jay A. Hewlin, two professionals in the human resources industry who are also instructors at the Faculty of

Management.

Sylain began the workshop by explaining how cultural expectations shape people’s attitudes at the workplace.

“When one culture meets the other one, participants walk in the situation with [their own] mindset of what they think is normal [and] what they think the expectations are,” she said. “It is very important when you are in a cross-cultural context to never take anything for granted, to make sure you understand that your normal is not normal.”

Sylvain continued to highlight how diversity in the workforce could be a great asset.

“A company needs to understand that if you have a workforce that is of the same culture, you are looking at the world, at solutions from the same angle,” Sylvain said.

“When you have diversity [...] you have people who look at the same

situation but from different perspectives. That is your asset.”

Sylvain encouraged the students to learn more about other cultures.

“Gaining knowledge means reading newspapers of other cultures [...] by watching movies that are not [from] Hollywood,” she said. “ We are shaped by our culture. Remove that shape and get used to seeing and thinking in another way. That is how you acquire cultural intelligence.”

Qing-Qing Yang, U4 Management, co-president of the OB/HR network, and an organizer of the event, asked about the utility of affirmative action and its policies such as quotas, whereby a certain number of individuals from various underrepresented groups must constitute a certain percentage of the workers.

“How can we mitigate issues of non-diversity?” she asked the panellists.

In response, Sylvain described

the premise of quotas as a rigid structure that enforce diversity when it didn’t happen naturally in the workplace.

“The quotas were there because of bias [...] throughout the whole HR process,” Sylvain said. “A quota is good because it forces you to have five of this and three of that. Then maybe you start seeing different perspectives—and [it] becomes an asset [....] Quotas should be temporary.

After a while, you should not need them; it should be something natural.”

In the second part of the event, Hewlin encouraged students to examine their own cultural preferences.

“The most dangerous thing you can do is assume that you do not have a bias,” he said. “If you are not conscious of [your biases], you will act out in ways that are inconsistent with what you are trying to accomplish in terms of management.”

He also warned against being colour-blind—electing to treat individuals without regard to their race, culture, or ethnicity—in the workplace.

“There is something dangerous about saying ‘I don’t see colour, I don’t see race,’” Hewlin explained.

“Yes, you do, and it is okay [....]

What is not okay is to make determinants [based on it].”

Yang stated that she organized the event to aim to increase student awareness of the importance of human resources.

“We get carried away sometimes with technical work and forget that [human resources] is also an area that brings value by tying everyone’s hard work, knowledge, and experience together,” Yang explained. “The skills that one can learn from attending these workshops are applicable to all industries and fields.”

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

5

News

Amnesty International Canada delivers address on global Panel discusses Supreme Court ruling on constitutional struggle against torture amendments Speaker Alex Neve stresses importance of government accountability for practices

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The McGill Law Journal hosted Emmett Macfarlane and Alexander Pless in a talk on Senate Reference. (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) LAUREN WILDGOOSE

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Staff Writer

n Friday, the McGill Law Journal hosted “Democracy, Federalism, and the Rule of Law: The Implications of the Senate Reference,” a symposium that saw presenters from law faculties across Canada and the United States discuss the role of the Supreme Court of Canada in deciding how amendments could be made to the Canadian Constitution.

The panel was held in response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s April 2014 ruling that constitutional amendments on elections and term limits would only be valid if provinces signed their agreement to the amendment procedure. The discussion was hosted by Emmett Macfarlane, professor of po-

litical science at the University of Waterloo, and Alexander Pless, a litigator for the Attorney General of Canada at the Department of Justice and a McGill lecturer.

The ruling was made in response to the Harper government’s attempt to reform the Senate.

“The Court [...] emphasized the Senate’s role as a complementary rather than competitive body and noted that any changes that altered this role should be subject to provincial consent,” Macfarlane said.

Patrick Baud, a first year law student attending the event, explained the impact of the decision on Canadian citizens.

“This decision matters so much [... because] it’s the first time the Supreme Court has really comprehensively inter-

preted the rules in our constitution for how we change our institutions,” Baud said. “So if we ever wanted to change the way the prime minister gets to advise the Governor General about how to do things, or change the way that the House of Commons is structured, or make any of the kinds of changes to national institutions which people have talked about for many years in Canada, this decision is about the rules that would apply to that.”

Pless defined the concept of constitutional architecture and contrasted it with that of the living tree doctrine, explaining that the wider scope of constitutional architecture could make it more difficult to change amending procedures.

“This new notion that [the Supreme Court] introduced is an idea that the constitution has an architecture that can’t be changed without a constitutional amendment,” Pless said.

“It [states that the] constitution is not a static document, but an instrument capable of adapting with the times by way of evolutionary interpretation within the natural limits of the text, which accommodates and addresses the realities of modern life.”

Macfarlane identified two primary issues with the ruling, both related to the concept of constitutional architecture.

He argued that the Court’s approach introduced unnecessary ambiguity into its elaboration of the various amending procedures in Part 5 of the Constitution.

He also criticized the amendment procedures’ potential for interpretation.

Ultimately, Macfarlane’s concern was the effect of the ruling on the constitution’s clarity and its capacity for evolution. “[The ruling] means that the Court has arguably worsened the constitutional stasis that Canada finds itself in, and the Court’s reliance on constitutional architecture obscures rather than clarifies the dividing line between the various amending procedures,” Macfarlane said.

ABDUL MUIZ Contributor

ecretary General of Amnesty International Canada Alex Neve spoke on campus on Wednesday in an address on the complicated nature of torture as a human rights issue and its continued use despite being banned by international law. In his speech, he called upon attendees to stand in solidarity with Raif Badawi, a journalist who was publicly lashed by the Saudi government due to issuing allegedly derogatory statements about clerics.

Neve began his talk by quoting a line from Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“No one shall be subjected to torture […] and no exceptional circumstance whatsoever may be invoked as a justification for torture,” he quoted.

Neve then directed attention to torture taking place in Canada. He explained that the federal and provincial governments in Canada use the term ‘administrative segregation’ to denote solitary confinement, which was declared as torture by the United Nations (UN) in 2012.

According to Neve, solitary confinement has contributed to the deaths of prisoners such as Ashley Smith, a 19-year-old girl who committed suicide after she was isolated for long periods in correction centers, and Edward Christopher Snowshoe, a federal convict who committed suicide after 162 days in solitary confinement.

“Ashley Smith’s [...] death in custody was the subject of a coroner’s inquest in Ontario and there’s no question that the excessive, prolonged, punitive use of solitary confinement in her case killed her,” Neve explained.

Special Rapporteur on Terror Ben Emerson, an expert appointed by the UN Commission on Human Rights, also spoke, addressing the detrimental effects of solitary confinement to a UN general committee in 2011.

“Being confined in isolation produces severe and sometimes irreversible psychological

and physical effects including anxiety, depression [...] paranoia, self-mutilation, and suicide,” Emerson said.

Neve also stated in his speech that the Canadian government accepts intelligence obtained through torture and also shares that information with other intelligence agencies. He additionally highlighted that the UN committee against torture has called on Canada to revise policies of such nature in previous years.

“Rather than adopt and enforce [... the recommendations], the ministerial directions go in the exact opposite direction, authorizing what should instead be unconditionally forbidden,” Neve explained. “Last year, the government responded to the committee politely, saying they are content with the directions and [that] there will be no change.”

Attendee Illa Carrillo-Rodriguez, an Arts postdoctoral fellow, asked if there was an internationally-recognized definition of terrorism, and whether it was being used at the national level in Canada or elsewhere to justify torture.

In response, Neve said that a universal definition of terrorism did not exist on an international level.

“The one notion of having a treaty-based universally endorsed definition of terrorism [isn’t true],” Neve said. “One person’s freedom fighter is another person’s terrorist, and so how do you possibly craft legal definitions [of terrorism]?”

Attendee Fazal Khan, a U2 Engineering student, spoke to the importance of understanding torture and its connection to human rights.

“I think it is great to reflect and check yourself on the things which are destroying the moral fabric of this society and how we can stop those,” Khan said.

“As big as the issue of global torture and torture in Canada is, I think it is more important to understand that torture destroys the essence of human dignity and integrity […] and we need to stop it no matter who is subjected to it.”

Opinion

6

editorial

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 THE Mcgill

Tuition deregulation necessary, transparency paramount

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Although deregulation

might drive away some international students in the short term, it is a necessary step towards upholding McGill’s standing in the long run.

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At a Senate meeting held on Jan. 21, Provost Anthony Masi stated that McGill is pursuing deregulation of student fees for international students in the remainder of the regulated faculties.

The Faculties of Engineering, Management, Science, and Law have already been deregulated, and, as a result, have seen international student tuition increased by an average of nearly $20,000 per student. The proposed deregulation of the remaining faculties could help McGill to recover from continuing rounds of budget cuts administered by the provincial government. Although the tuition increases that would result from deregulation might drive away some international students in the short term, deregulating all faculties is a necessary step towards upholding McGill’s prominent standing in the long run.

If McGill does deregulate, students must be consulted and made aware of the future prices of tuition and how the additional revenue will be spent. This requires both a structured plan and transparency on the part of the administration, who must make it clear how the added tuition will benefit both current and prospective students.

In his response at the Senate meeting, Masi stated that the amount of tuition increases depends on careful market assessments and on the implications that deregulation would have on McGill’s position as Canada’s most international university. Details about the actual tuition increase and its implementation are still absent from the discussion. If

the university decides to move forward with deregulation, information regarding the amount of tuition increases and the plans for its allocation within the university’s budget should be made widely available to students.

Under a regulated system, the government determines the amount of supplemental tuition charged to international students. The provincial government then accumulates this surplus and redistributes it among all of the province’s public universities in the form of grants. McGill is harmed by this system, which reallocates funds from

internaional student tuitions based on overall student population, and results in most of the money going back to larger Quebec universities. With deregulation, McGill is given the right to determine international students’ supplemental tuition, and the university is able to keep this surplus instead of funneling it back to the government and receiving only a fraction in return. Deregulation therefore has the potential to benefit McGill more than any other university, since McGill has the largest proportion of international students.

While McGill’s significant international student population means that it could benefit greatly from deregulation, it also means that McGill has the most to lose. Substantial increases in tuition could deter international students from applying, which would in turn harm McGill’s reputation as a diverse and international university.

Should the remaining faculties be deregulated, actions must be taken to minimize the losses to diversity and the restricted financial accessibility of the university. This requires providing additional means of support and resources for international students, and ensuring that the newly generated revenue is being spent on visible improvements to the quality of education at McGill that will promote the university’s future success.

In response to concerns about the financial strain that a rise in tuition would place on international students, Masi and Principal Suzanne Fortier

have both cited McGill’s comprehensive bursary and financial aid programs.

McGill does, indeed, provide a significant amount of financial aid to its students, allocating 30 per cent of net new tuition to student aid programs each year. Naturally, though, Canadian students are prioritized in the allocation of aid. Moreover, international students of middle incomes, according to Canadian standards, who do not qualify for needbased aid may suffer the most if tuition costs become too burdensome. Deregulation will most likely deter some international students from attending McGill, but the administration should use this as an incentive to reach out to international students in other ways.

Improved access to financial advising, work study programs, and student loans could all help to mitigate the burden of raised tuition on international students.

Prospective students don’t only consider tuition when deciding whether or not to attend McGill—students, both international and Canadian, care about the facilities, the number of different classes that are offered, the quality of professors, and many other factors. By deregulating, McGill can hopefully gain the additional revenue that it needs to keep attracting the best students from around the world, while also providing the best possible services and opportunities for current students. Deregulation might drive away some international students, but it is a necessary step in ensuring McGill’s financial viability going forward.

Off the board

Voices in the media

Remi lu Managing Editor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s voice is steady and calm. He pauses to gather his thoughts before delivering his next point. I say this not because I’ve heard him speak, but because I’ve read every article he’s written for TIME Magazine. His first-person pieces have allowed readers to become familiar with his voice and the way he frames his thoughts. Abdul-Jabbar—a retired basketball superstar with six championships—is but one of the many celebrity figures who has decided to cut out the middleperson—the reporters—and publish his thoughts in his own words. This has sparked increasing fervour over the redun-

dant role of traditional journalists, right alongside the growing conversation regarding the ‘death of journalism.’

What this narrative fails to recognize, however, is the fact that celebrity voices in the media have always existed in parallel with professional journalists. In the world of sports media, recently retired baseball superstar Derek Jeter launched the much-hyped The Players’ Tribune last October, ostensibly as a platform for “the unfiltered voices of professional athletes.” Fears that athletes would leapfrog news outlets to publish their thoughts directly to an audience and negate the role of journalists have largely been unfounded. In the three months since The Players’ Tribune was created, the website has for the most part not capitalized on providing first-person insight into controversial issues.

The rest of the entertainment industry has entered this conversation as well, with figures such as Chris Rock and Taylor Swift attracting attention through their use of social media. In promotion of

his film Top Five, Rock penned an essay in The Hollywood Reporter and participated in two Q&A interviews regarding race within the contexts of Hollywood and the Ferguson shooting. In doing so, he was able to publish his thoughts directly, without the potential danger of a mouthpiece-journalist distorting his words.

Swift’s approach to media was more nuanced, with her entry into Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr serving as her method of self-crafted narration. By building a Tumblr following for her personal outfits that coincided with her move to New York City and her new musical direction with 1989, Swift was able to shift the media focus from her love life to a fresh, big-city image.

Yet, historically, journalists have never been rendered redundant because of a celebrity figure’s desire for a byline. Athletes have had written content attributed to them since the early days of baseball, when players would sit down with journalists and have their thoughts ghostwritten into a column. In addition, ghostwritten autobiographies

Editor-in-Chief Jenny Shen editor@mcgilltribune.com 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 Julie Vanderperre 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 Online Editor Matt Smith online@mcgilltribune.com Web Developer William Burgess webdev@mcgilltribune.com Advertising Executives Eliott Demelier, Daniel Kang, and Mingye Chen ads@mcgilltribune.com Publisher Chad Ronalds

TPS Board of Directors

Yael Chapman, Jacqui Galbraith, Adrien Hu, Alycia Noe, Sam Pinto, Jenny Shen, Maryse Thomas, Nicolas Tuech

have become the norm, with Kobe Bryant famously stating that he would write an autobiography if he were to publish one.

More recently, Twitter has been the headliner for unfiltered views, with tweets from celebrities and politicians prompting furor and analysis. In fact, it may be Twitter itself that is the best example of celebrity voices in the media flourishing in tandem with traditional journalism. With the global accessibility of Twitter and its non-partisan sorting system, celebrities and journalists have been able to use a nonhierarchical structure to have their voices heard in the media.

Perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that a journalist’s most crucial role—that of accountability and analysis—will never be nullified because of direct media usage by well-known figures. The very nature of keeping those in power accountable and providing critical analysis separates journalists from those with the sole purpose of having their voice heard.

Staff Writers & Illustrators Cordelia Cho, Philippe Dumais, Keah Hansen, Evelyn Kaczmarek, Aislinn Kalob, Tiffany Le, Chris Lutes, Claire Lyle, Eleanor Milman, Alycia Noë, Laura Plamondon, Aaron Rose, Elli Slavitch, Zikomo Smith, Lauren Wildgoose

Contributors Laura Benson-Armer, Alexander Bullis, Luka Ciklovan, Julia Dick, Emma Hameau, Laura Hanrahan, Justin Haverly, Sarah Ibrahim, Nick Jasinski, Natalie Jennings, Sophie Jewett, Catherine-Laure Juste, Lydia Kaprelian, Dan Moczula, Martin Molpeceres, Hayley Mortin, Catherine Mounier Desrochers, Abdul Muiz, Cecile Richetta, Joshua Shapiro, Anna St. Clair, Noah Sutton, Raphael Uribe Urango, Leslie Yao

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.

7

Opinion

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

COMMENTARY

Pope Francis’ foray into controversy

On Jan. 21, when asked about birth control and family planning for Catholic families, Pope Francis’ answer proved to greatly disappoint many people, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. While it is understandable that it is impossible to cater to the varied interests of more than one billion Catholic followers, two weeks ago Pope Francis deliberately and surprisingly decided to please the orthodox side. The disappointment was probably heightened by the fact that his election in March 2013, as a successor to the much more conservative Pope Benedict XVI, created great hope among liberals that there would be a

Pope Francis pushed for family reforms, including marriage for the divorced and greater acceptance of homosexuality, the final document drafted at the gathering was watered down, and eventually completely rejected. There seemed to be a growing division among Church ranks between the doctrinal purity supporters and the reformists—for whom things did not go “far enough.”

Pope Francis’ comments on birth control may have been a way of reassuring the more orthodox segments of his followers, showing that he is still committed to the core values of the Catholic Church. It also reminds us that Pope Francis is an egalitarian who initially clamoured for more social equity and promised to fight poverty. This is a clear example of how the public may have been naïve and confused Pope Francis’ apparent egalitarianism with a strong will for general reforms, including a new stance on contraception.

However, this positioning makes one wonder if a reform of the Church is possible at all without threatening its core val-

“

This positioning

makes one wonder if a reform of the Church is possible at all without threatening its core values, and hence without

endangering its very existence.

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Cecile Richetta Contributor

shift in ideology. There was a general sense of hope that Pope Francis would undertake radical reforms of the Catholic Church that would tackle controversial issues such as gay rights and recognition of divorce, and would foster a more open and sensible discussion regarding contraception.

What actually happened recently was a harsh return to doctrinal purity. Pope Francis made clear that the Catholic Church was still against birth control, claiming that there are “churchapproved” ways to be a responsible parent, and that Catholics therefore had no excuse to “breed like rabbits,” as he put it. While little attention should be given to the perhaps crude expression used, what should be addressed is the apparent conservatism and orthodoxy behind this message.

Perhaps the wind of reform and liberalism that Pope Francis seemed to bring with him carried people away, and expectations were too high. Already, in October 2014, the reformists were disappointed by the failure of the bishop gathering. While

ues, and hence without endangering its very existence. Pope Francis holds that the Church needs “to find a new balance.”

But not “breeding like rabbits” proves to be both a very dissatisfying balance and a very small step towards individual sexual responsibility. Actually, this “new balance” between no contraception and sexual restraint puts greater pressure on Catholics, who are left with no choice but to have a restricted approach to sexuality. It is indeed insensitive to blame people for being “irresponsible,” as Pope Francis did during an interview, when the Church-approved methods of family planning only include abstinence, or at least abstinence when women are most “fertile.”

Finally, Pope Francis consciously ignores the issue that contraception is not only about family planning, but also about general health and avoiding sexually transmitted infections. As Emily Rahaula stated in a TIME Magazine article, it is a matter of both public health and human rights.

One can wonder if drawing a line between contraception and responsibility is itself the responsible thing to do.

The story of the

Canadian middle class is not one of persistent stagnation, but one of initial hardship, followed by steady recovery and rising living standards.

{

There is an old saying that goes, “God must love the poor: He made so many of them.” Unfortunately for the poor, in Canadian political discourse, the ‘middle class’ captures all the attention of politicians. From Justin Trudeau and Thomas Mulcair on the centre-left, to Stephen Harper on the centre-right, politicians of all ideological stripes have various plans to help the middle class. Ostensibly beleaguered by stagnant wages and reduced economic prospects, the middle class is allegedly under strain. Given the overblown interest in those whose earnings put them in the middle of the income distribution, it is useful to ask ourselves how the middle class is actually faring. In reality, middle-income earners in Canada, though not without their problems, are faring reasonably

“

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Justin hatherly Contributor

well.

According to research, those around the middle of the income distribution, say those in the 60th percentile of income earners, have only seen a 15 per cent real rise in income since 1980, while in the same time period, the total size of the Canadian economy has doubled. Though this statistic is not false, it lacks context.

Canada experienced two particularly severe recessions in the early 1980s and 1990s. As a result of those two recessions, Statistics Canada data shows that the income of the average earner bottomed out in 1995 at approximately $40,000. Since then, the income of those people in the middle of the Canadian income distribution has risen steadily to just over $50,000 in the years preceding the 2008 financial crisis—a nearly 20 per cent increase. This income growth is true when looking at both market income (wages and salaries) and post tax and transfer income.

Thus, while the 15 per cent wage gain figure is not incorrect, it is deceptive. The story of the Canadian middle class is not one of persistent stagnation, but one of initial hardship, followed by steady recovery and rising living standards. Since Canada’s eco-

{

The exaggerated plight of Canada’s middle class

nomic nadir in the mid 1990s, the Canadian middle class has seen consistent rises in income.

Pundits also often sound the alarm about rising household debt. While it is true that the average amount of Canadian household debt has risen to 162

per cent of household disposable income, this does not mean that middle income Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck, crushed by an unsustainable debt burden. This is because debt only matters in relation to assets, wealth, and ability to service it.

According to Statistics Canada, as of 2012, the median net worth of Canadian households hit a record high of $243,800. This means that after accounting for its debts, the average household is still wealthier than it ever has been. If Canadians were becoming poorer and faced rising debts, this would be an important public policy problem. However, the rising debt faced by Canadians is offset by rising wealth. Since middle-income families have increasing resources and wealth to service their debt obligations, it becomes hard to argue that they are drowning in debt.

This is not to suggest that middle-income earners in Canada face no challenges. It is true that income growth has not been as fast as it once was. Goods and services that are consumed heavily by middle class Canadians, such as university educations, have gotten more and more expensive. But it is unhelpful for the plight of the middle class to be exaggerated as it can lead to

unsound policy where our efforts to improve the state of the middle class in Canada could be better spent elsewhere. For example, approximately nine per cent of Canadians live below the poverty line. While the proportion of Canadians living under the poverty line is much lower than those in many developing countries, the Canadian poor still have difficulties affording a decent standard of living. Within Canada, Aboriginals often face dismal economic prospects and suffer from a multitude of social problems, including higher suicide rates. In comparison, the plight of the middle class is not nearly as pressing.

The Canadian middle class, though not without challenges, is far from stagnation. Since the end of the volatile economic situation of the 1980s and 1990s, middle income Canadians have seen rising incomes and rising wealth. As a nation, Canada would be better placed trying to alleviate the far more prevalent and severe examples of human suffering that still persist in Canada, such as poverty. However, given its importance to many politicians’ electoral prospects, the middle class is likely to remain the at the centre of Canadian political discourse.

8

Student Living Round Table Tours

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Food tours connect the dots on Montreal’s food map Meghan Collie Contributor Montreal provides an incredible culinary experience that reveals and excels in an array of cultural eats and customs. One way to fully experience the city is through food, of which Montreal has no shortage.

However, Mélissa Simard, founder of Montreal’s Round Table Tours, does not think visiting individual restaurants is enough, because each restaurant is only one piece in the city’s puzzle. The diversity of Montreal’s cultural scene and the promise that it brought to the culinary stage therefore prompted the beginnings of the Round Table Tours.

Simard, a 32-year old McGill alumnus, has worked in the restaurant industry for six years before starting her blog “4 Coins de la table,” which covers topics ranging from group cleanses to the various food personalities she meets. This prompted her to conduct cooking workshops for just over three years before starting her food tour initiative in 2012.

Round Table Tours aims to expose participants to the intricate food industry network, as well as the stories and the cultures that both motivate and unite the different food personalities of the city. Each tour is a storytelling experience, using food to showcase the dedication behind each meal made every day. Simard is especially devoted to properly telling these stories because her connections with the industry are not sim-

A wide selection of meats and cheeses in Little Portugal. (Cassie Lee / McGill Tribune) ply business-related.

“It is a definite balance between personal and business connections with each of the stops on the tours,” Simard said.

Currently, there are four tours running: The Iberian tour, the “Summit of Wellbeing” tour, the Food Truck Montreal tour, and the Montreal Jewish Food tour. Simard hopes to add two supplementary tours to the repertoire by the end of this year, perhaps even extending outside of the downtown core.

The Iberian tour explores Montreal’s Little Portugal on foot through a series of tapas. This tour normally

runs at $160.00 per person, which may be outside the reach of most student budgets. The least expensive tour is the Jewish food tour, which costs $75.00 per person. Although these prices may seem steep, it is a worthwhile experience. Not only did the Iberian tour expose several fantastic restaurants situated among the plentiful clubs on Saint- Laurent, it also emphasized the Portuguese presence and its history in Montreal.

Simard’s presence is a great help, and the tour attracts tourists and newcomers alike as a secret entrance into the core of Montreal’s culture. According to Gabriel Sirois,

who recently moved to Montreal from Toronto, this tour provided an opportunity to learn more about the culture in Montreal. “[My favourite part of the tour] was actually getting to know the city,” Sirois said. “As a newcomer, it was a really good opportunity to learn some things you wouldn’t learn. It’s nice because it’s easy to browse on the Internet and get information, but actually talking to people creates two-way conversations. Ideas spring up and you get recommendations you wouldn’t find otherwise.”

For students moving to a new

city like Montreal, it is difficult to discover the hearts of the different cultures and lifestyles within the city. Backgrounds provided by Simard at each stop on the tour were not only informative, but gave life to what were just four walls with a kitchen mere minutes before. This tour emphasizes the life of the family behind each restaurant scene— moving the business forward while maintaining the authenticity of the food they serve.

Simard believes that the culture of food within a city plays a large part in defining the identity of the large-scale community. Milkyway Sirois, Sirois’ wife, agreed with this sentiment.

“There are a lot more cultural restaurants here, which definitely says a lot about the population,” she said. “I expected there to be more of a French influence, but the amount of ethnic restaurants shows that there are definitely lots of different populations living in the city.”

Overall, Simard succeeds in uncovering the stories behind the food at each of her stops. It is clear she has a passion for the Montreal food industry and the people working hard to maintain its vibrancy. Her tours connect the food suppliers to the retailers and to the restaurants themselves, revealing the true cycle of hard work and determination behind Montreal’s world-renowned culture of food.

individuals eat, they are really only impressed by the first two or three bites because the brain gets easily distracted. Thus, Pintxo seeks to keep everyone as thrilled as they were with the first bite—they did not disappoint when they wowed participants with seasoned clams and prawns, amongst other dishes.

The masterminds at Pintxo perfectly paired their tapas with a full, oaky red wine. cooking oils to wines. The centrepiece of the store, though, was meeting the butcher in the back room, to which Simard’s tours are granted access. The participants also receive Fine dining at the Round Table Tours. (Cassie Lee / McGill Tribune) a firsthand run-through of the powerful machines. Each parLibrarie Espagnole has expanded to Librarie Espagnole/ Épicerie ticipant also got their own spicy a full-sized specialty grocer, importGourmet sausage to take home. ing a variety of items from Spain, 3811 Blvd Saint-Laurent This location is the start of the Argentina, and Uruguay.

Iberian Tour, a historic landmark that Casa Tapas opened in 1964 to a large number of Chouriçôr Inc. 266 Rue Rachel Est immigrants from Portugal and Spain 4031 Rue de Bullion Though it was a bit of a hike, who settled in what is now known The next stop of the Iberian getting to try the food at the legendas Montreal’s Little Portugal. Origi- Tour was a small, white-walled gro- ary Casa Tapas was worth it. The nally a bookstore where patrons cery store on the corner of de Bul- waiters and owners were hospitable could find their favourite imported lion and Duluth. The foods in the and kind, all glad to see Simard. magazine or newspaper from home, store were ranged from imported Upon being seated, participants re-

ceived a glass of very sweet white wine that perfectly complemented the spiced shrimp, stuffed eggplant, and baked asparagus placed in front of us. Simard used to work at Casa Tapas, and she explained that the restaurant opened in 1993 as one of Montreal’s premier tapas spots.

True to her word, by 6:00 p.m., the restaurant quickly filled up.

Pintxo 256 Rue Roy Est

Pronounced “pincho,” the name of this restaurant refers to a small snack popular in Spain. Pintxo aims to provide flavour bursts in small doses, so that the consumer doesn’t get bored with just one flavour. Simard explained that when

Boca Iberica 12 Rue Rachel Ouest

At the final stop of the Iberian Tour, Simard took participants to experience tapas, complemented with traditional Portuguese blood sausage. The food was not only great, but the atmosphere was simultaneously warm and modern. With light hardwood floors, dimly lit hanging lights, and wooden tables, the mood at Iberica was definitely memorable.

This stop served the most meat, which was tender and cooked to perfection. For dessert, they served a moist pumpkin cake, which found the perfect combination between sweet and nutty, a fantastic way to end the tour.

9

Student Living

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Campus Spotlight: UNICEF Students unite to raise awareness and aid for children in impoverished conditions Laura Plamondon Staff Writer

McGill’s chapter of UNICEF has grown into a very different organization today from its conception in 2001. UNICEF McGill has changed radically over the past two years, growing in structural capacity, team spirit, support, and attendance from students. Over the past year specifically, UNICEF McGill has evolved from a fundraising charity that mainly hosted low-key events and bake sales to an association that gathers over 80 to 100 members every week.

UNICEF McGill welcomes all students who are interested in committing themselves to children’s rights and would like to help children around the world get the support they need for survival and healthy development. Copresidents Irfani Ausri, U3 Physiology, and D’Arcy Williams, U3 Honours International Development Studies, explained what first inspired them to get involved with UNICEF. “I am a physiology student and would potentially want a career in medicine, and I believe that knowing the social aspects of health care is crucial,” Ausri said. “I found that getting involved with UNICEF McGill enabled me to understand these social aspects.”

Williams shared a similar sentiment.

“I grew up in a family that was heavily involved in UNICEF, and I find that UNICEF is a cause that everyone can rally behind,” Williams said. “I also felt strongly about advocating for children’s rights and felt I was making a meaningful contribution.”

UNICEF McGill’s core aim is to sensitize McGill students to the impoverished circumstances that some children have to grow up in around the world, while also fundraising to tackle worldwide issues related to children’s rights. The association organizes bake sales and other fundraisers such as their “Dare to wear” day, where professors are sponsored by their students to dress up for Halloween; last year, the initiative which generated $6,000.

UNICEF McGill recently hosted UNICEF Week, which included a mix of advocacy and fundraising events, featuring a club event at Blizzarts on Thursday night called Turn up for humanity, as well as a coffeehouse at Gerts Bar on Monday evening.

Williams and Ausri are thrilled with the success McGill UNICEF has achieved in the past few years.

“When we first joined UNICEF McGill [four years ago], the annual goal

UNICEF Week’s last event: Coffeehouse at Gerts. (L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune) the chapter was trying to achieve was around $5,000,” Williams said. “Last year, we received $11,000 in donations and last semester, we were able to get $14,000.”

“What I find the most heart-warming is that we know the money collected is going straight to fixing the problems and isn’t spent on administrative expenses,” Ausri added.

Williams added that one of the most important improvements within the chapter is the growth of the relationships between the community and the ability of the executive team and members to work together effectively.

“We have the best exec team a president could wish for,” said Williams.

New member Charlotte Cailliarec, U1 Arts, shared a similar sentiment.

Queen

various assignments to be completed in the weeks prior to the crowning, and whoever finished the most was crowned queen. Bonhomme himself crowned the queen with an extravagant white crown. The stage area immediately lit up with fireworks and traditional Quebec folk music filled the speakers. Soon afterward, an unnamed DJ took the

“Even though I am a new member, both the other members and the execs have been very friendly, welcoming, and enthusiastic,” she said.

UNICEF McGill has kicked off the new year to a strong and united start, with high attendance at its various events during UNICEF Week and a growth in both membership and community.

Keeping it cool at Carnaval de Quebec Sam Pinto Production Manager Before midterms start to constrict your weekends, take a short trip off to Quebec City—the old, charming, and snowy provincial capital just a three-hour drive away.

Every year, the city hosts Carnaval de Québec, one of the world’s largest winter festivals, going on from now until Feb. 15. Almost a million people attend the festival each year, and each week offers new exciting events, ranging from the World Snowshoe Championship, the International Snow Sculpture event to the masquerade winter ball. If you are willing to face the bitter cold for countless hours, then Carnaval is an opportunity not worth missing.

Bonhomme’s Ice Palace

The Ice Palace is a staple of the Carnival festivities. The large castle shaped as a snowflake provides an enthusiasm one might get from entering the palace from Frozen, even if it is not of the same magnitude. The massive ice bricks tower at least 20 feet in height, dividing the castle into multiple rooms.

You can sit upon Bonhomme’s—

the festival’s snowman mascot— throne, warm your numb hands by the fire, or, if you want to relax for a little longer, hang out in one of the beach chairs. The evening is the ideal time to explore the palace, as blue lights cast an eerie, yet surreal glow onto the large bricks of ice.

Hot tub

Most nights at Carnaval reach a bitter -25C. While large fires litter the park grounds, the best and most exciting way to stay warm is to hop into one of the steamy hot tubs. Only a handful of festivalgoers actually take the time to enjoy the tubs; crowds of people spectate those rare few in a mix of astonishment and envy. There are multiple tubs to choose from, so you can take a bath solo or enjoy it with a large group of friends. While the alternative is to sit in one of the enclosed sauna rooms, the hot tubs will provide far more of a story to take home with you. Careful not to put your hair entirely into the tub, or be prepared to feel your locks quickly transform into icicles as the night progresses. Also remember to bring your own bathing suit and towel.

Crowning of the Carnaval

Bonhomme’s Ice Palace at Carnaval de Quebec. (Lesly Yao / McGill Tribune) The opening ceremony on Jan. 30 welcomed the festival with music, fireworks, and dancing. The main event of the evening included the crowning of the Carnaval Queen, who was picked amongst seven different Duchesses who represented various districts across the city. The Duchesses were assigned

stage to play hits from 2005 while a crowd danced their hearts out in snow pants. Such events take place every Friday and Saturday night, but if you are looking for a more exciting atmosphere with more modern music, it would be best to stick to Igloofest. For a more wild evening after the Carnival festivities, head to bars on Rue St. Jean.

Student Living

10

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Student of theBy Week Keah Hansen

Rabab Wali U3 Environment (Photo courtesy of L-A Benoit)

Rabab Wali has a down-to-earth attitude as well as an impressive track record of academic and extracurricular success, complemented by the visionary goals she has for her future. Wali is a full-time U3 student majoring in Environment and minoring in International Development Studies. Along with her commitment to school, she has been engaged in research in her field, is a committee member of the SUS Environment Committee, and volunteers regularly with the Muslim Student Association.

Interested in the crossroads of sustainability and social justice, Wali investigated structural racism in the food system in Montreal, specifically in Park Extension borough, for her ENVR 401 research project during the Fall semester.

“My research involved investigating ways in which people of colour or low income groups may be denied access to resources through unintentional institutional structures,” said Wali. “It was a lot of fun because we could do interviews with the residents [....] Park [Extension] is one of the most diverse communities in North America.”

Wali and her team have applied to present their findings to the Quebec Public Integrative Research Council (QPIRC) in late March, as it is a Montreal-based community study. Wali

also engaged in research this past summer, spending three months working as a research assistant for a PhD candidate studying plant pathology in Kashmir.

In addition to her involvement in environmental research at McGill and abroad, Wali is a committee member of the SUS Environment Committee. She attributes her involvement to her dedication to environmental issues outside the classroom.

“Environment is my major, but I want to see what people in my major are doing around me, to be immersed in what I’m studying,” Wali said.

The committee’s mandate explains that it “strives to foster a culture of sustainability within SUS by maintaining purchasing policies that favour environmentally benign and socially responsible products and services.” Green Week is among one of several projects she has helped organize.

“Green week is a week of sustainable-focused events occurring [in] the third week of March to raise awareness of environmental issues,” Wali said. One of the highlights of the event is Eco-Couture.

“During Eco-Couture, we promote sustainable fashion.” According to Wali, the Eco-Couture event is used to break the traditional boundaries of sustainability to enter cultural modes.

“I take pride in serving sustainably grown and harvested produce, meats, and seafood because food tastes better when its ingredients are the products of thoughtful stewardship,” Dammann said.

Dammann also believes in utilizing the whole animal, featuring at least one dish with offal (organ meats), because it gives the customer the chance to experiment with new foods. “[Using offal] preserves an overlooked part of our culinary heritage,” DamMaison Publique’s striking handmade wooden bar. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune) mann said.

One of the classic dishes at Maison Publique is the maiale tonnato, a riff on the Italian classic vitello ance. On its outer brick façade, with new specials written on a tonnato. Tonnato is a traditional there is a mural of the classic Mon- chalkboard above the kitchen win- Italian sauce made from tuna, antreal Molson brewery. Inside is a dow—as well as a staple menu dis- chovies, and capers. Damman pairs striking handmade wooden bar. played on pieces of paper posted this creamy sauce with thinly sliced The walls are covered with antique on the wall. Options include gnudi house-cured pork. The flavours wallpaper and accented by a tin with deer ragu, fried rabbit, pork, contrast to create a wonderful mixceiling. Maison Publique deviates clams, and sautéed cabbage with ture, with the tonnato sauce highfrom pretentious designs; its sim- water chestnuts and bacon. Ac- lighting the saltiness of the cured ple, home-like interior accentuates cording to Dammann, he prioritizes meat. This dish brilliantly displays the flavour and quality of his food Drammann’s cooking philosophy, its purpose— to serve good food. which is to have fun playing with The menu changes daily— above all else.

Maison Publique

Renowned chef Derek Dammann delivers on all dishes Alycia Noë Staff Writer Chef Derek Dammann, alum of Jamie Oliver’s London flagship restaurant Fifteen, opened up Maison Publique in October 2012. A casual neighbourhood pub where one can find both good food and drink, Maison Publique also featuresa cozy and welcoming ambi-

Wali hails from many different global regions and cultures. She was born in Ireland, raised in the United Arab Emirates, and is Pakistani. She attributes her interest in global sustainability to this unique upbringing.

“I think exposure to different cultures is the best way to develop new ideas and ways of thinking,” she said.

“Every place has something to offer and opens up perspectives.”

Her cultural roots and history have also encouraged her to volunteer with the Muslim Student Association. She has contributed time to the association by organizing ski trips for the members and fundraising for events through ticket sales.

Wali reflected on what has contributed to making her time at McGill excellent, noting the innovative research as a highlight of the institution.

“I love it because you constantly hear of professors conducting amazing research,” she said. “It’s a great place to meet people doing amazing things [....]

The campus is also incredibly diverse.”

Wali has exciting and ambitious professional goals for herself in the future.

“I hope to work in humanitarian assistance in relief organizations, particularly in the Middle East [in Yemen and Palestine],” she said.

McGill Tribune: What is your favourite spot in Montreal?

Rabab Wali: The Jacque Cartier Clock Tower.

MT: What is your favourite winter activity?

RW: In the United Arab Emirates it is hot all the time, so I was super excited about snow. I love skating.

Snowmen are super hard though.

MT: Coffee or tea?

RW: I love tea, but I drink coffee for the caffeine.

MT: Most memorable children’s book?

RW: Everything by Enid Blyton, a British author who wrote short stories.

nominate a

student of the week!

Email us at studentliving@ mcgilltribune.com

established classics.

Dammann is willing to take risks with his menu at Maison Publique. For example, one of the specials of the day last summer was pork tartare. Until recently, it would have been considered harmful to eat raw pork, but Dammann said he responsibly sourced the pork from a personal friend and farmer, and prepared it with care.

A specialty of Maison Publique is its brunch menu. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m., Dammann offers classical British pub food that is simple, but cooked brilliantly. The English breakfast for two is a great way to start off the weekend. It is a meat-focused feast with pork chops, bacon, sausages, and marrow served with baked beans and a side of bubble and squeak (sautéed potatoes and cabbage). For a smaller option, try the bangers (English breakfast sausages) and mash topped with gravy and peas.

It is a crowd-pleasing favourite, as it pairs the luxurious fattiness of the homemade sausage with the creamy mashed potatoes and fresh peas.

Maison Publique is without a doubt one of the best restaurants in Montreal and it is definitely worth the visit. For vegetarians or vegans, however, this may not be the best option, as Dammann truly loves cooking with meat.

11

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

IGLOOFEST Only Montreal knows how to have an outdoor rave in sub-zero temperatures. Since 2007, Igloofest has attracted 85,000 fans each year who are willing to brave the winter weather and dance for hours on end in high spirits.

Ending this weekned for the 2015 installment, Igloofest— hosted in Old Port—is an experience unlike anything else.

(Jack Neal, L-A Benoit / McGill Tribune)

Should you stay or should you

McGill graduates remaining in Montrèal encounter both unique challenges and

By Max Berger

F

or the majority of incoming, outof-province McGill students, the choice to study at McGill over other universities is a fairly easy one. Between the school’s renowned academic reputation, diverse student body, as well as extracurricular and research opportunities, there’s already enough to attract most prospective students to McGill—and that’s all before considering its exceptional location.

Living in downtown Montreal, McGill students are afforded the rare opportunity of being steps away from a barrage of nightlife, artistic activity, unique neighbourhoods, and wideranging food options—not to mention the fact that there’s a mountain in the middle of the city. It’s the type of urban environment that young adults around the world jump at for the chance to live in, and for many McGill graduates, it is the perfect place to get their professional feet wet in for the first time.

Despite the attractions of working in Montreal, there is a very real apprehension among Anglophone students about doing so, and it may be holding them back from a post-graduation future in a city in which they’ve already invested several years.

To a certain degree, that fear is warranted. Before young graduates can start thinking about a Montreal life that doesn’t involve midterms or all-nighters in libraries, they need to find a job— which is where the worries begin. While Montreal is a bilingual city, it’s no secret that tensions over the use of the English language are prevalent—at both the municipal and provincial levels—and, as the past few decades have shown us, this uncertainty can carry occupational ramifications.

For many years, Montreal was Canada’s largest city in terms of both population and economic activity; however, over the course of the 20th century, Toronto surpassed it on both counts.

The gap between the two municipalities widened dramatically after the then recently formed Parti Québécois (PQ) was elected in 1976 with a separatist agenda. In the ensuing decade, a significant number of anglophones left Montreal, many migrating to Toronto for the comparative stability it offered.

Tensions hardly settled down in Quebec, which underwent two separate referenda—spearheaded by the PQ—in 1980 and 1995 that would have resulted in the province seceding from Canada had they passed. Although Quebec never separated, Montreal’s economy never returned to its former levels of national competitiveness. Research conducted by the Conference Board of Canada and École des Hautes Études commerciales

de Montréal (HEC Montréal) found that if Montreal had experienced the average rate of economic growth in Canada over the past 25 years, per capita income in the city would be $2,780 higher than it is now.

Even during the short period of time that most of this year’s graduating class has spent at McGill, there has been no shortage of political drama affecting the Montreal workplace. The most famous example is the Quebec Charter of Values, which was proposed in fall 2013

by Pauline Marois’ PQ government and called for the banning of religious symbols (except for the cross, which is “culturally significant” to Quebec) in the workplace. Such a movement would have alienated much of Montreal’s workforce had it been adopted. Prior to meddling with public religious expression, the PQ was vigorously increasing the use of French in public services— many students may remember when ‘Pastagate’ broke out in early 2013 after a government food inspector sent a warning to the restaurant Buonanotte on Boulevard Saint-Laurent near Milton, demanding that they change the names of Italian food items on their menu to their French equivalents.

With this type of recent history in the city, it can certainly seem as if the deck is stacked against any anglophone student hoping to find success by staying in Montreal. Even though the political landscape has shifted—Marois’ PQ minority was replaced by a Liberal majority government last April—there’s no recent evidence to suggest that the overall economic one has improved at all. Still, favourable conditions do not always guarantee success, and unfavourable conditions certainly don’t guarantee failure—it all comes down to an individuals’ ability to use their skills to their advantage or to adapt to what’s out there. In spite of the city’s circumstances, many recent graduates have found viable ways of staying in Montreal. For some, that involves continuing on the path that they started on at McGill; for others, like Suzanne Dergacheva (BMus 2007), it means finding an entirely different niche in the professional world.

“I knew that I wanted to do something different and I didn’t want to start off with an entry-level job, like I think a lot of music graduates end up doing,” Dergacheva said. “The idea of starting a business really appealed to me, and my boyfriend suggested we start a web developing company together. I didn’t know anything about web development, so I started to teach myself the basics in my last semester at McGill.”

The two of them co-founded

“It became more apparent as I kept studying [at McGill] that I really loved Montreal and the music scene, so it was definitely a place that I wanted to be in after finishing school.”

MontrEal Evolving Web shortly after graduating, and in the seven and a half years since, Dergacheva has implemented websites for McGill, Travelocity, A&E Television, and the Government of Canada— an impressive feat for someone who graduated with minimal computer science experience.

Her success, though, is representative of Montreal’s active tech industry, according to fellow McGill graduate

Marina Byezhanova (BComm 2004).

Byezhanova works for Pronexia, an Outremont headhunting company looking to “refute old-school recruiting practices” and help job candidates in specific ways that are tailored to the modern generation.

“We deal a lot with tech companies and the start-up scene, and Quebec is great [in] supporting those companies,” Byezhanova explained. “There

are amazing investors, really nice venture capitalist firms that support these businesses, and there’s [assistance] from the government [for] technology credits and supporting them as well, so that helps. Even if we were comparing to Toronto, where salaries might be a bit higher, we get really nice technical talent thanks to that.”

Another organization that pays careful attention to the Montreal job

u go?

d rewards

Design by Hayley Lim landscape is McGill’s Career Planning Service (CaPS), which helps students determine their career paths and find jobs, hosting over 300 career-related events throughout the year. In her recent experience, CaPS director Darlene Hnatchuk has identified several other fields that are especially encouraging for anglophone students who want to work in Montreal right now.

“Typically the sectors that are recruiting more heavily would be aero-

space, IT, health and social services, consulting, non-profits, education, [and] finance,” Hnatchuk said.

And, as Dergacheva added, there’s an important job pool that tends to fly under the radar.

“It gets overlooked but [there are] a lot of jobs at McGill and at the MUHC (McGill University Health Centre), the English hospital network,” she said.

“Most of those are English jobs.”

Hnatchuk, in her position, has also

had the chance to observe the broader ways in which the city’s economy has shifted over time.

“Probably one of the biggest trends we’ve seen is the decrease in the manufacturing sector and the increase in the services sector,” she noted. “Services is very, very large. We’re talking about professional and technical services, we’re not just talking about retail, which people often associate with services.”

One thing that has stayed consist-

ent over the years in Montreal is its vibrant artistic community. Few cities in the world can compete with Montreal in terms of fostering an environment that encourages the creation and consumption of art and other cultural activities.

Even in a city like Montreal, though, making a living off one’s artistic talent alone can be a daunting prospect. Like Dergacheva, many McGill arts students and enthusiasts will go on to pursue other professional avenues; Nova Scotia native Andrew Boudreau is another graduate from McGill’s Schulich School of Music (BMus 2013) who remained in Montreal, but he stayed specifically to find music-related work.

“It became more apparent as I kept studying [at McGill] that I really loved Montreal and the music scene, so it was definitely a place that I wanted to be in after finishing school,” said Boudreau.

To set himself up for that transition, Boudreau capitalized on the connections he could build during his time at McGill and also began teaching on the side—a steady job that has helped him balance out the challenge earning income by performing consistently.

“I had already been performing a little bit while I was in school and also teaching a little bit,” Boudreau recalled.

“I teach privately—[not] through an institution—so I had a couple of students when I was still at McGill, and once I finished I had a better chance to expand my teaching studio and the same thing for performing [….] One of the things that really helped, obviously, would be all the people I knew from studying at McGill. There were a couple professors I had the chance to play with while I was studying, and I continued to play with a few of them after I was done studying as well.”

One of the realities of having an English-speaking university in a bilingual city is that anglophone students from out of town develop a strong attachment to the city, but never learn to speak French fluently; as such, they feel pressured to leave. There are certainly many jobs to be had in Montreal that either do not require French, or are only looking for employees to have a basic, functional understanding of it.

However, it’s hard for any workplace to fully escape the spectre of the French language.

“I would say that one of the challenges of living in Montreal is the bilingualism—[or] more a company’s fear of what bilingual expectations and metrics they should be meeting,” Byezhanova explained. “There are quite a few companies in Montreal that are anglophone [where] you don’t need much French to operate [….] But we noticed, prior to the most recent provincial elections, a few of these companies started getting nervous and focusing not on hiring people based on skill, but hiring people who would be fluent in French, just to make sure that they would be protecting themselves should there be a government investigation.”

Although it appears that those ‘Pastagate’-like types of worries have died down in Montreal for the foreseeable future, learning French is still a worthwhile investment—both in terms of improving job prospects and getting more out of the city. McGill offers many undergraduate courses in French

instruction, but students often cannot take those courses because of other academic requirements or an unwillingness to take on a new language when they’re focused so intensely on other areas of study. Fortunately, there are several accessible options available for Montrealers who want to learn French but are not in school. These include certain government-sponsored programs and classes with private organizations such as the Commission Scolaire de Montreal, Youth Employment Services Montreal, and CLC Montreal.

Finding desirable work in Montreal may prove to be more challenging for anglophone graduates than it would be in other North American cities, but for those who do, there’s a real reward—the chance to experience an incredible city in a completely different way, removed from student life and immersed in the city. Still, especially for those whose primary university friends have moved away, it doesn’t hurt to move into that phase of life with a large network of fellow graduates, which is something that the McGill Young Alumni (MYA) organization—led by its current president, Dergacheva—has built.

“We organize events in Montreal for students [who] have graduated in the last 10 years, specifically to help them connect with other young alumni,” Dergacheva explained. “We have events that are purely social [….] We do some sports events—like every summer we have a volleyball event— [and] we go snowshoeing up the mountain. [There are] pub nights [and we] also have career oriented events like networking and mentoring workshops [….] We’ll have 60 to 80 people come out to an event usually, and we have at least one event every month.”

In terms of living situations, young graduates tend to move to neighbourhoods that the more adventurous McGill students enjoy branching out to.

“A lot of people end up [in the Plateau and Mile End], [which are] just great [places] to live,” Dergacheva said. “It’s also getting more expensive, so [there are] people moving out now to the Atwater area, around the [Lachine] Canal, and even St. Henri, which is a little bit further, and then up by the Jean Talon market. There [are] people going up there—maybe not quite as much just when they’re graduating university, maybe a few years later.”

It’s that fantastic balance of community and culture that, in spite of the obstacles and challenges which can arise for out-of-town graduates, has drawn Boudreau and others to stay in Montreal after their time at McGill came to a close. Regardless of whether or not one’s end goal involves settling down in Montreal, it’s hard to argue against holding onto the city for a little bit longer.

“I’m certainly still thinking about [staying here long-term],” Boudreau said. “I’m really happy to be here right now, and I have the opportunity to be a part of some really great projects, so I’m definitely not bored and I’m not itching to get out of Montreal [....]

But I kind of have the feeling that if I did move, I would be thinking about Montreal pretty regularly, because it’s a pretty great spot to be.”

14

Peer Reviews Players’ Theatre Round Dance

The cast attends practice in Players’ Theatre (Emma Hameau / McGill Tribune) Morgan alexander Arts & Entertainment Editor When watching student productions, it’s easy to ignore the behind-the-scenes work that goes into creating a single show. From lighting and set design to casting and directing, every element of these productions is under the control of individual students.

Off stage, many of these same players simultaneously spend their time enrolled

in class, working part-time jobs, or participating in other extracurricular activities.

Hannah Kirby, a U4 Mathematics and Theatre student with a minor in music, is one of those studentsdirecting the last Players’ Theatre show of the season, Round Dance. It is her first time directing, but the third of four productions she’ll be involved in during the 2014-2015 school year alone.

“I wake up at five a.m.,” Kirby

explained. “I’m working on two plays this semester and I have a part-time job [....] I [also] try to train at least once a week with [the varsity soccer team].”

With the play premiering in less than three weeks, Kirby is beginning to feel the pressure to bring everything together. Because Players’ was showing The Creation of the World and Other Business, the cast for Round Dance has had to practice in various other locations around campus—a task that has proven

Cult Classic

Alex Bullis Contributor When listening to the complex, polished, and innovative sounds of Cult Classic’s latest singles, one could be easily forgiven for mistaking the dramatic and trancelike music of self-described “creampop” Montreal band Cult Classic for that of a band with years more experience together.

Despite forming just over a year ago, they have the charismatic swagger and experimental nature of a band established in the scene for many years.

“We’re for people who expect

Cult Classic takes the stage at La Vitriola (Lauren Benson-Armer / McGill Tribune) something different more than anything,” said vocalist and guitarist Chris Steward. “We try to be as unpredictable as possible with our music.”

‘Unpredictable’ is an apt choice of words when describing the unique tone the band has established—their distinctive sound can be hard to pin down with the folk singer-songwriter influences of vocalist/keyboardist Rosie Long Decter and the groovy jazz background of drummer Austin Pine. This diversity forms a striking yet engaging complement to the

band’s quintessential dreampop and shoegaze sound. Their predominantly collaborative songwriting style allows the essence of each member’s unique backgrounds to shine throughout their catalogue.

The members of Cult Classic have made a substantial name for themselves in the local scene. Their focus has taken them from rough practices in the basement of Gardner Hall to playing high-profile shows with Fleeces and Arkells within the span of months, and they show no signs of slowing down as they head into the studio in the

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 difficult to accomplish.

“We try to rehearse in SSMU, in the basement mostly, but there are always times when the room booking gets messed up,” Kirby said. “So there have been times where we’ve gone over to Sherbrooke 688 and looked for an empty classroom.”

Now that they’re beginning to move into the actual theatre space, however, a whole new set of problems has arisen. A primary problem is that sawdust causes the fire alarms to go off—a significant inconvenience when you’re trying to build the set. Technical problems are often rife in theatre spaces at McGill, but Kirby is remaining optimistic, if not realistic.

“I’m not really afraid of anything,” Kirby said. “I hope the technical elements come together well [....] I have so much confidence in my actors but sometimes the sound cue just breaks, or the computer breaks, the light stops working, and that’s when you have to improvise.”

Technical difficulties aside, Kirby’s enthusiasm for the play is palpable. Round Dance was written by Arthur Schnitzler in 1897, but Kirby believes the overall themes presented in the original script, along with her adaptations, will make it accessible for a modern audience.

“It’s a play that was written over 100 years ago, but it’s still very present today,” Kirby explained. “I am thinking a lot about the universality of the relationships that are presented in the play. In that sense, I like to think of [Round Dance] as timeless.”

As for her cast and crew, it’s all about working together and keeping things fun.

“I love meetings—communication is super important,” Kirby said. “My job is to know the play super well and be really present in rehearsals so that I can react to whatever they’re offering, whatever they’re bringing to the table, so that together we can bring it to the next level.”

While Players’ Theatre doesn’t follow a specific pattern in picking its productions—the directors apply with a show in mind—this year has come with easy-to-define themes and a series of strong performances.

“September—hilarious,” Kirby quipped. “October: Oh, What A Lovely War. Very interesting ensemble work, a different type of plot, really interesting themes. November was really philosophical and intense [....] I haven’t seen the January show yet.”

As for Round Dance, which will be showing just after Valentine’s Day, Kirby promised a topical show for the Hallmark™ holiday.

“It’s all about sex,” Kirby said.

“It’s perfect for the broken-hearted.

Perfect for the in-love. Probably better for the broken-hearted [....] It’s theatre— you have to be there.”

Round Dance will be performed from Feb. 18 to 21 and Feb. 25 to 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the McGill Players’ Theatre (3480 McTavish). Tickets are $6 for students, and $10 for the general public.

upcoming weeks to begin the recording of their debut EP. It promises to be their most carefully produced and calculated recording work yet.

In the past, the band has entirely self-produced its releases, often working long distance on projects to record and mix singles.

“We recorded a song over the summer from like four or five different countries, just sending it back and forth on Facebook,” said Long Decter.

For their newest sessions, they will be consulting a recording engineer for assistance, upgrading their recording technology, and working every step of the way together as one.

“It’s kind of opening up a new dimension to the way people have heard the songs live,” says Steward. “Every time we go into the producing of a song, we think of a billion ideas [....] It’s going to be a bit more cohesive than our previous work.”

That type of cohesion is not only a focus of their upcoming EP, but of their sound as a whole. While the incorporation of smooth, flowing transitions between songs to generate a unified tone has been a central focus of their recording efforts for some time, they intend to step it up by working to generate a more atmospheric live show as well, generating a feel and sound that more closely parallels their recorded work.

“A lot of what we’ve been trying to do is to bring as many of our recorded aspects of a song [as

possible] into the live show, and make them sound good as well, which is a challenge,” Steward explained. “I want to get to a point where everything is electronically connected [....] We want to keep the human live aspect of it, but at the same time we want everything to sound as polished and as good on stage as possible.”

Their swift rise has not been without difficulties. They found that the local music scene was more challenging to enter than they had expected.

“Montreal is definitely unique in terms of its music scene, but it’s a matter of finding your way into it,” says Long Decter.

The lineup has seen extensive changes even within the band’s short history—most recently the addition of bassist Tom Gould. While changes in lineup can often cause struggle in the creative output and unity of a group, the members of Cult Classic said that they are genuinely excited about the new directions and perspectives Gould brings to the band’s catalogue.

“Chris will show me a cool bass line, and I’ll just Kim Deal-ify it,” Steward quipped.

Cult Classic has proven itself in a strong way in its first year of existence.

If the past is any indication, we can expect truly big things from the bands upcoming EP and future performances.

Without a doubt, Cult Classic is a band to keep a close eye on in the coming months.

15

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Waiting for August a tender portrait, but not much else Not enough depth in foreign coming-of-age film anna st. clair Contributor Waiting for August, directed by Teodora Ana Mihai, tells the story of 15-year-old Georgiana and her six siblings, who live together in a Romanian housing project. The pack of children must adjust to life when their mother goes to Italy to find work and Georgiana takes on the role of both mother and sister. The daily struggles of Georgiana and her siblings are at times both touching and relatable. Yet the movie spends far too much time doting on the mundanities of domestic life to fill up its 90 minutes.

The colour scheme of the film is light and peachy, suggesting that this is a world inhabited and ruled by children.

At times their lives seem normal, mundane, and culturally typical that you wonder why the subject is worthy of a documentary at all. For one of the children, his life revolves around what toys he does and does not have, just like a normal kindergartener. The children are blissfully unaware of their family’s circumstances and cry about not getting to eat an endless amount of ice cream, or not getting as many toys as they had hoped.

The signs of the children’s

poverty are always present to us, yet they seem not to notice. The tiny, dilapidated apartment causes the scenes to appear cramped, creating a sense that there is always more movement and commotion going on just out of frame.

It’s always a mystery as to how many people are packed into the one bed that they all share.

Like with most childhoods in the modern, globalized world, the presence of computer games, clothing, TV, and sweets isn’t lacking. Yet at other times ,there are cultural peculiarities: While the older brother spends most of his time playing video games like a typical teenager, Georgiana spends most of her time cleaning and cooking.

While the concept had potential, there just wasn’t enough material for a 90-minute fly-on-the-wall documentary. We get tedious scene after tedious scene of Georgiana writing grocery lists, getting ready for school, cleaning, and cooking, as the younger children whine, shout, fight, and play.

If the film succeeds in anything, it’s in presenting the universal nature of childhood—especially the remarkable ability of children to make a playground out of literally anything, including swinging from the top of the bedroom door.

Two brothers refuse to let poverty get them down in Waiting for August (latimes.com) Most of the film’s plot is in the grind of daily life. There is a sense that at any moment, a dramatic tragedy could unfold, before you realize that Georgiana mostly has things under control. There are strings of petty problems, though the larger problems seem to fizzle out.

In one scene, a nun threatens to

send the children to an orphanage, claiming it’s not right to have them living without a mother. This causes distress for Georgiana—fear that she’ll be sent to an orphanage, questioning if her mother made the right decision.

Ultimately, she is allowed to remain in the apartment. In another scene, Georgiana is found crying over failing

to get the grade needed to get into a good high school, yet there is never a follow up on what high school she ends up going to.

While the film overall provides a solid narrative, its inability to add depth to the plot, choosing instead to focus on the humdrum and mundane, is ultimately its downfall.

Serpent’s Lullaby adds eerie beauty to Medusa myth Montreal filmmaker gives bold thrills in short film Sophie jeweTT Contributor Serpent’s Lullaby, a 2014 short film that has been garnering buzz on the festival circuit and recently made its Canadian premiere in Toronto, is a deeply disturbing and undeniably fascinating take on the myth of Medusa in a modern setting.

Its eerie motifs—arguably on par with those of American Horror Story—combined with a heartbreaking performance by Montreal’s own Jenimay Walker and superb directing by awardwinning filmmaker Patricia Chica makes Serpent’s Lullaby an enchanting watch.

The film depicts a mysterious woman living reclusively in a mansion with her newborn baby, when tragedy strikes one night. The woman withdraws into a deep depression, with only her art collection and ‘pet’ snakes to keep her company.

Slowly, the audience realizes that the newborn was not her first. In fact, when a necropolis of undersized skulls appears in her backyard, the viewer becomes less sympathetic and highly suspicious of the woman in apparent grief. The

audience’s ensuing belief that the protagonist will prove to be the monster we suspect drives the story forward.

With short films, it’s critical how the filmmaker makes use of the limited time, and one weakness of Serpent’s Lullaby is that it moves slowly in certain scenes. Important plot points could have been made more efficiently and less emphasis been placed on setting the tone. However, one cannot help but admire Chica’s ability to captivate the audience and examine a broad range of emotions in less than 13 minutes.

Credit also goes to Sean O’Bryan Smith’s excellent music selection and score, which truly inspires a sense of dread and unnerve. One of the greatest moments occurs when the viewer has grown accustomed to the rattling of a serpent in the background, when suddenly, the sound becomes the rattling of a baby’s toy instead— the mixture of surprise and horror is tremendously enjoyable.

An interesting parallel can be drawn between Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent and Walker’s Medusa—both are traditional villains, but perhaps with a more human and sympathetic story

that is worth exploring.

Like Maleficent, Medusa lives alone in a state of perpetual mourning, having lost what she values most.

Both Maleficent and Medusa are victims of their own demons— although in this short film, the fate of Medusa is decidedly more tragic.

Chica discovered the screenplay by Charles Hall as she was submitting it for the second installment of the ABCs of Death anthology.

Having watched the atrocious first anthology, Hall had good judgment in giving it to Chica instead. The short is well-shot, catching all the right angles for the most sinister effects and fully utilizing the excellent contrast between Walker’s Medusa and the cookie-cutter role of the soccer mom played by Annabella Hart.

Equally disturbing and compassionate with a beautifully

A modern-day Medusa takes the spotlihgt in Patricia Chica’s latest short film (Hayley Mortin / McGill Tribune) haunting ending, Serpent’s Lullaby does not disappoint. The team behind the short film, led

by Chica, has managed to create an unexpected and emotional

story. Serpent’s Lullaby is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys the thrills and chills of the horror genre.

16

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

MMFA examines French Orientalism narrative of 1800s Exhibit unpacks legacy of stereotyping and offers modern response Luka Ciklovan Contributor

In the midst of the frozen pipes, depressing darkness, and the icy sidewalks that accompany a typical Montreal winter, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts ( ) is almost taunting the city to attend its sun-filled Marvels and Mirages of exhibit currently on display.

Focusing on the juxtaposition between the “staged pictorial” works of French artists—most notably Benjamin-Constant (1845-1902)—and “documented realities” embodied in various drawings and photographs, the exhibit sets out to simultaneously reveal the raw beauty and gross stereotyping that characterizes the genre. The brilliantly succeeds in stimulating viewers’ imaginations, drawing them into a temporal snapshot of the past like moths to a light, only to smack them out of their stupor with pieces that reveal the stereotypes they might have just bought into.

As a direct result of Napoleon’s campaign into Egypt and Syria in 17981801 and France’s colonial acquisition of Algeria in 1830, French Orientalism reflected the French public’s growing curiosity towards North African culture.

Faced with a culture that was close geographically—yet so religiously and politically different—French artists, such as Benjamin-Constant, took to

painting the hectic city life, serene desert landscapes, and women of the Orient.

European fascination, however, quickly blurred into a form of romanticized stereotyping. The Orient as a whole was overly eroticized, women were objectified as mere components of a harem, and an increasing sense of North Africa’s ‘timelessness’, or lack of history, pervaded this inherently Eurocentric and colonial art style. This historical narrative behind Orientalism unfolds alongside the stunning art pieces of the exhibit in the form of wallmounted paragraphs beside each work of art, and crucially grounds viewers in reality when faced with the “golden cage” of the harem.

From the very entrance of the exhibit the beauty and scale of the paintings are immediately apparent.

George Rochegrosse’s Salome Dancing Before King Herod captures the complex intricacies of Moorish Architecture, captivating due to the fact that the buildings themselves seem impossible to build, let alone paint.

Benjamin-Constant’s massive paintings The Last Rebels and The King Of Morocco Leaving to Receive a European Embassy both offer a glimpse into North African political organization, depicting the Sultan accompanied by the traditional royal parasol, and are stimulating from a historical

perspective.

At the same time, grand distortions of history are also frequent and most clearly seen in the Death of Cleopatra, by Jean AndreRixens, where history borders erotic-fantasy.

T h e highlights of the exhibit, however, are the three contemporary A woman observes one of the many pieces on display at the MMFA exhibit (Noah Sutton / McGill Tribune) Moroccan artists Yasmina Bouziane, Lalla Essaydi and, “voyeuristic gaze” and address the the chance to be genuinely swayed Majida Khattari, “who were invited issues of “confining cultural attitudes.” by the dreamy Orientalist depictions to address these stereotypes” found The works of all three Moroccan of 19th century North African culture, in Orientalism. Lalla Essaydi’s piece artists seek to reclaim the artistic but in a way culturally correct that Harem No. 2 is particularly striking— tradition embodied in Orientalism, manages to still preserve the aesthetic her photograph portrays a woman but divorce it from the objectifying beauty of the movement.

Marvels and Mirages of wearing a patterned blue dress seated and restricting ideologies that unfortunately accompany it. This Orientalism runs until May 31, upon a divan with the same pattern.

This direct union between object modern endeavour, after spending 2015 at the Montreal Museum of and human, a critical response to the more than an hour and a half immersed Fine Arts (1380 Sherbrooke Ouest). objectification of women found in in historically pejorative—albeit Student admission is $12 and $10 on Oriental art, is powerfully effective in aesthetically beautiful—art pieces was Wednesday evenings. bringing these pejorative stereotypes a nice conclusion to the exhibit.

Marvels and Mirages of to the fore. Essaydi “overwrites” the body of women to divert the common Orientalism ultimately offers viewers

What’s in a name?

Dan moczula Contributor Viet Cong’s new self-titled album manages to make me feel excited about guitar-heavy jams despite living in an age where there is a glut of such music.

This Calgary four-piece is on the cusp of the almost unobtainable—a career in indie rock. However, what’s up with that name?

Is it a political statement? Do the members of Viet Cong want to critique American foreign policy and bait the political right? Or do Viet Cong seek to take on the name of an anti-American military group, ironically, to offend people of Vietnamese descent? In an interview with Impose Magazine, bassist-vocalist Matt Flegel elaborates on the band’s name choice.

“The Viet Cong were always the badasses in movies,” he said. “I’ve looked into it a bit more since then, but I didn’t really know the history of it.”

This apolitical theme runs through their music. Viet Cong lyrics are solely about the personal—fear of death, alienation, and ennui. On “Pointless Existence” Flegel sings, “If we’re lucky maybe we will get old and die” over the faintest suggestion of a bass line and skittering drums.

Yet despite the intent and innocence—or maybe ignorance—of the band, both the right and left were offended by the name. And though the name is perfect fodder for the right-wing outrage machine, political conservatives are relatively uninvolved in indie rock, so the majority of their most vocal critics are members of the left.

Viet Cong has no Vietnamese members, making their connection to the name suspect. That isn’t to say that if a group of Vietnamese or VietnameseCanadian artists chose the name instead of four white guys from Calgary that they would be free from criticism; rather, different dynamics would be at play.

The Viet Cong were a Communist/ Vietnamese nationalist guerrilla group which operated in South Vietnam during U.S. occupation. The Viet Cong did not call themselves by that name, instead referring to themselves as the National Liberation Front. The name Viet Cong was a pejorative term created and used by Americans and their allies to refer to Vietnamese Communists.

Now for a dramatic understatement: The Viet Cong occupy a complicated place in Vietnamese history. Some Vietnamese viewed them as freedom fighters battling longstanding western occupation, while other Vietnamese people were brutally

killed or alienated by their violent guerilla campaigns. In fact, the violence of the Vietnam War was a major impetus of Vietnamese immigration to North America.

The cruel irony is that many immigrants who fled Vietnam faced multiple barriers after settling in North America. Especially in an American context, Vietnamese immigrants were discriminated against and ‘Viet Cong’ became a slur used to denigrate the Vietnamese who had fled the group’s violence.

What does that have to do with a great post-rock band from Calgary?

Nothing. Viet Cong’s music is brutal, austere, and overpowering. The juxtapostion of pop culture and war memories is meant to stir these types of emotion, but different groups of people have different experiences with this name.

When I saw Viet Cong this past weekend at a packed Bar le Ritz PDB, I was incredibly impressed with the band. Exuding the confident air of a

Viet Cong preforms at Bar le Ritz PDB (Dan Moczula / McGill Tribune). band who has found its groove after a series of near brushes with critical acclaim, the band commanded the room throughout the show. On the 11-minute album closer “Death,” the entire room swayed back and forth in unison as the song and show built to an ear-ringing end.

I don’t think its name makes them a ‘bad’ band, but using the title Viet Cong as a sort of ahistorical signifier of loud and aggressive indie rock is incredibly myopic.

However, the band is not rushing to defend its name. In the same interview with Impose Magazine, guitarist Monty Munro said, “We

didn’t mean it to be offensive to anyone. But we do understand [....] I’m not gonna be indignant if someone’s upset about it.”

Although there is a lot to talk about in Viet Cong’s music, the name warrants the same level of discussion and analysis. From Pitchfork’s mostlywhite “People’s List” to the bassist of DIIV’s hateful reddit rants, there has been much criticism about the demographics of indie rock and the attitudes it breeds. Listening to critics instead of defending problematic actions should be the first step towards a more inclusive musical movement.

17

ALBUM REVIEWS Tuesday, February 3, 2015

CAIRO - A History of Reasons Maple music Vancouver-based indie rock group CAIRO, after garnering significant regional attention from the release of the music video for its single “A History of Reasons,” has delivered a full-length debut album that lives up to its hype.

It is by no means groundbreaking, but is still a perfectly listenable amalgamation of folksy indie drama and mainstream pop.

The performances on the album are of exceptionally high quality for a first release, and each song is written with an impressive degree of vision.

The skillful orchestration of dramatic drum fills, resonating violin melodies,

and sweeping vocal harmonies give tracks such as “Kingdom” a powerful sense of urgency.

While the instrumentation is strong, the definitive weak point in the album is the lyrics, which are often distracting and overthought. The content feels forced, and is more reminiscent of 2000s-era emo than the introspective poetry the band advertises. The liner notes only serve to further this issue, awkwardly framing wistful excerpts upon Tumblr-esque black and white imagery. When combined with the dramatic feel of the music, the lyrics sometimes confer a feeling of

histrionics and melodrama rather than theatricality.

Although at times it can take itself far too seriously, A History of Reasons is still a completely respectable debut.

More than anything, it indicates the promise the band holds, and shows listeners that with refinements, CAIRO hold the potential to become a staple of the Canadian indie rock scene.

and not much else. The result is akin to a series of reflective diary entries whimsically coming to life—totally private, and not for outside observations.

But here they are: Nine supremely well-crafted songs that bleed emotional insecurity. The almost amateurish instrumentals work in stark contrast to the intense state of confusion and loss she clearly feels.

“People’s faces blend together like a watercolour you can’t remember,” she opens with on “Games That I Play”—a statement that encompasses more than most of her musical peers would hope to accomplish in a lifetime. Standout track “Back, Baby” is a song that walks a fabulous line you didn’t know you wanted to hear between The Carpenters and Jenny

Lewis. On album closer “On Your Own Love Again,” she tells her lover “you’re just on your own,” but with the knowing feeling that in fact, she’s the one alone.

Overall, the entire record remains true to its ’60s and ’70s aesthetic—it sounds old. And although it does begin to sound a lot like the “watercolour you can’t remember” that she references, it’s impossible to deny the old-world craftsmanship and songwriting that went into making this record, and for that, it’s brilliant.

— - Alexander Bullis

Jessica Pratt - On your own love again Drag City Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt is only 27 years old but returns on her second studio album, On Your Own Love Again, with an incredibly mature sound, reminiscent of an era long gone. Pratt’s music has a strong ’60s folk sound and with picked acoustic guitar and raw, bending vocals, this record delivers as an almost ethereal piece of work.

Superficially nothing more than a break-up record, delving behind the surface of the songs reveals themes more complicated than just that of the loss of a lover. Rather, the lyrics allude to the loss of loving as an instrinsic step towards loneliness. Her strikingly Kate Bush-esque voice—both haunting and somehow calming—is supported by a number of guitars

-— Jack Neal

The High dials - In the A>.m. wilds Maplemusic The fifth and latest studio album

by The High Dials, a Montreal-based indie band, explores familiar territory by mixing pop and electronica with folk inspired melodies. The album successfully creates a distinct atmosphere while providing more traditional listeners with grounded and catchy melodies, despite suffering from a few subpar tracks.

Adopting low-key vocals and computerized beats, the album bears a marked stylistic resemblance to The Strokes, with the occasional sprinkling of MGMT for when the tracks take a more psychedelic turn. Most of the

songs find their strength in the distinct melodies, which gradually vitalize their more stylistic elements. It is also impressive to see how well many of the tracks meld together conceptually as the album leaps from more popcentered tracks like “Yestergraves” to acoustic focused songs like “Flower on the Vines.”

This is not to say that the album is without its faults. Some of the tracks leave a lot to be desired, particularly the dreary “Evil Twin,” which, despite a somewhat pleasant guitar riff, is plagued by bored sounding vocals and lazy, subpar lyrics.

That being said, on the whole In the A.M. Wilds constitutes a solid musical experience that has gained The High Dials at least one new fan.

Don’t just watch a performance, review it.

Email arts@mcgilltribune.com to contribute.

-— Martin Molpeceres

18

Science & Technology

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Academia Week highlights 2015 See more online

Week-long series of lectures, workshops, symposiums, and seminars educate the public Dr. Robert Zatorre’s talk is music to the audience’s ears. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune)

the sound of music

The light at the end of the tunnel

THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE

Clare Lyle Staff Writer

Morgan alexander Arts & Entertainment Editor

Clare Lyle Staff Writer

SUS Academia Week kicked off on Monday with Dr. Robert Zatorre, a neuroscientist who studies how the brain processes music and seeks to explore the neurological basis of the answer to this question.

Music has been around for about as long as humans have. Archaeologists have found bone flutes dating back approximately 35,000 years and have found music in every culture, from the familiar diatonic scale to the maqams of the Middle East.

To find out why music is so pervasive, scientists have turned their attention to the brain. Early brain stimulation studies in the 1960s found that when certain areas of the brain were electrically stimulated, patients were hearing music. As neuroimaging technologies grew more sophisticated, scientists were able to pinpoint exactly which brain regions are activated by music.

One interesting discovery from these studies is that there is a large overlap between the brain areas activated when individuals imagine music and when they hear music. The specific structures involved are located in a range of areas in the brain, from the frontal cortex to the temporal regions located near the ears.

But beyond mapping brain regions associated with music, Zatorre’s research explores why humans like music in the first place. A survey of McGill students found that it ranked above food, money, and art as a source of enjoyment, and similar studies have found that it consistently ranks in the top 10 sources of pleasure.

Listening to music activates similar pathways in the brain that eating food and taking drugs like cocaine and amphetamines do. It also increases production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure.

To study this phenomenon more closely, Zatorre looks at the physiological experience of “chills” when listening to music. Functional brain imaging techniques allow researchers to look at what’s going on in subjects’ brains in almost real time as they undergo a chill.

At the moment a subject experiences a chill, skin temperature decreases, heart rate goes up, and certain brain regions are activated. There are two major areas that light up: One in the leading-up to the chill, found in the front of the brain and associated with cognition, and another associated with the moments after the chill, found in the back of the brain and associated with emotions.

Zatorre says that it’s this interplay between brain structures that makes music so enjoyable.

“Humans have found a way to link up these two [brain structures] in ways we don’t yet understand, such that what starts off as an abstract set of sounds ends up being pleasure by virtue of these two systems working in sync,” Zatorre summarized.

When we talk about death, we typically approach it from the religious and philosophical side of things. However, as part of SUS Academia Week, two speakers took the floor on Tuesday to discuss the physical realities of death.

The first speaker was Christine Gaspar, president of the Cryonics Society of Canada. Cryonics, which involves cooling a recently deceased person to liquid nitrogen temperatures in order to keep their body preserved indefinitely, was introduced in 1962 by Robert Ettinger and has been increasing in popularity ever since.

The basic premise behind this technology, as described by Gaspar, is that “the survival of the structure means the survival of the person.” By preserving the body through the process of cryonics, scientists hope to be maintain patients in a form of suspended animation until the future, at which point medicine will have advanced to a degree where treatment options are available to them.

“Cryonics should be viewed as an ambulance,” Gaspar explained. “What we’re arguing is that the expert medical staff at the hospital, not 30 minutes from here but 30 years from now, will be able to take what was considered lethal today and, as a matter of routine, prepare and treat it successfully.”

As part of her lecture, Gaspar addressed the many questions and uncertainties people had regarding the effectiveness of cryonics, and acknowledging certain flaws in the technology.

“The chances are not great for this to succeed,” Gaspar admitted.

“But [...] the alternative is just to be put into the ground—and you are not coming back at that point.”

Ultimately, Gaspar relented that much of the discomfort people feel towards cryonics is primarily ethically based.

“I get a lot of vitriol about this—how dare I try to mess with the natural human life span?” Gaspar said. “And I look at this with a different moral argument [....] It’s rooted in human dignity and human life. I don’t know when I’m going to die, but I’d like to do everything I can and do everything within my power to [delay it].”

The next speaker, Professor Geoffrey Noël, Director of the Anatomical Sciences Division at McGill, took the talk in a different direction to focus on what happens when people donate their bodies to science. First focusing on the importance of becoming an organ donor, Noël started with a basic discussion on how one applies to have their body donated to science, before moving into a more technical discussion of what donated bodies can be used for.

“Most of the people wanting to work with these bodies are medical students,” Noël explained. “That’s still the case; but after that [is] the training of residents. These bodies are [also] used for a lot of research [....] Biomechanical studies—you don’t want a surgeon to see if you have the full mobility of your arm after surgery, you want them to know beforehand. There are some imaging techniques [...] and finally of course there’s the need to test new surgical approaches.”

Noël proceeded to describe various discoveries made through the use of using donated bodies in research, including the design of new prosthetics and improved treatments for scoliosis.

Noël concluded his talk by driving home the ultimate benefit that donated bodies provide to those utilizing them. Everyone is different, he explained, and that’s what practitioners need to learn. Ultimately, the best way to do this is by practicing on as many different cadavers as possible, making donated bodies invaluable.

On Thursday, physics professor Robert Brandenberger introduced his talk by asking the audience questions that sought to push the limits of scientific inquiry.

“The goal of cosmology is to understand the origin and early life of the universe,” Bradenberger said.

“Where does the universe come from? What is spacetime? Was there a Big Bang? If there wasn’t a big bang, what was [there]? These are the types of questions which humanity has asked for centuries, and for a long time, these questions were thought to be outside the realm of science.”

Now, however, answers to these questions lie within the domain of physics. Admittedly, the physics required to answer these questions is different from what’s covered in high school or PHYS 101.

Physicists need to use Einstein’s theory of general relativity to describe the universe on a large scale. To describe the universe on scales smaller than the size of atoms, however, the rules of quantum mechanics are required.

“Matter can be described on large scales by classical physics, but on small scales, classical physics breaks down—that’s where quantum mechanics takes over. If you want to describe the early universe, you need quantum mechanics. But the quantum mechanics you learn in the most advanced undergraduate physics class is inconsistent with Einstein’s theory of general relativity. So you need something better, and this is where you need superstring theory,” explained Brandenberger.

According to string theory, matter at its most elementary level is made up of tiny vibrating strings. The way that these strings vibrate determines their properties—just like the way a guitar string’s vibration determines what note it produces.

String theory is just one theory that attempts to describe the origins of the universe, and Brandenberger spent much of his talk describing the birth of the universe itself. Current evidence suggests that about 13 billion years ago, the universe was incredibly small, then it exploded outward, expanding exponentially in an “inflationary period” before settling down to a slower growth rate.

“That’s the Big Bang,” Brandenberger said. “It’s a point, a finite time back, when the density and temperature were infinite.”

The notion of infinity is at odds with what physicists observe in the universe. Ovens do not produce an infinite amount of heat, and events occur in finite amounts of time. Nonetheless, this picture of the early universe is currently the most plausible one.

Brandenberger’s presentation revealed there is much we do know about the universe—its composition, growth, and constituent particles—but there is even more that we still need to learn.

19

Science & Technology

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

BASiC breaks down barriers C2C conference highlights importance of interdisciplinary studies

This month in

STudent research

Safina Adatia From left to right: Dr. Susan Law, Safina Adatia, Jennifer Somera, Marie-France Brizard. (Photo courtesy of Safina Adatia) chloe Nevitt, LYDIA KAPRELIAN Science & Technology Editor, Contributor New mothers are already under stressful situations, and to help minimize this, Safina Adatia has been studying the effect noise has on new mothers. Adatia, a student pursuing a Master of Science degree in family medicine, conducts her research in the postpartum ward of St. Mary’s Hospital in Montreal.

The idea for the project came from the nursing staff’s realization that the noise levels in the hospital were affecting the mothers.

“This really spoke to me because I thought this was something that could have an immediate impact on a new mom,” Adatia explained.

After giving birth, mothers and their newborns need time to rest. Often, though, rest is interrupted by nurses, doctors, and excited family members, Under Adatia’s observant eye, St. Mary’s, one of the largest birthing centers in Montreal, is conducting a pilot project to institute quiet time for the mothers and newborns to bond and rest peacefully.

The project is currently being run in four phases.

“We’re in the pre-implimentation phase,” explained Adatia. “We’re evaluating the current environment and measuring the number of interruptions that people are experiencing.”

To do this, Adatia measures decibel levels of noise activity in the postpartum ward. She also conducts interviews with patients to determine comfort levels. “[A] lot of new moms wished they had [a quiet-time intervention after] giving birth,” Adatia said. “[Many think] it would be amaz-

ing to have this hour, hour-and-a-half period to rest.”

The next steps, Adatia explained, will be analyzing and interpreting their obtained results. From this data, the team will enter the implementation phase and conduct trials. The fourth phase will be post-implementation, when the team decides if its work has resulted in a difference in the mothers’ experiences.

“Hopefully, quiet time gives mothers the ability [to recognize that] their own mental health is important,” explained Adatia.

Self-care and adequate resting time for mothers is essential, as there is evidence to show that acute sleep deprivation can lead to increased risk of postpartum mental disorders and vascular dysfunction.

“In terms of the moms, I hope […] that [they] appreciate the quiet time, and take the idea of self-care beyond their time at the hospital,” Adatia said.

The feedback has been positive, she explained.

“Everyone thinks it’s a good idea–it seems like common sense,” Adatia said.

While the benefits of a mandated quiet time may not be in hot debate, Adatia has encountered some obstacles in her research.

“Basically, I think the biggest difficulty is the coordination,” she admitted. “When you have doctors, nurses, [and] labs with [different] schedules, you need to work around it.”

With so many moving parts that are involved with providing postpartum care, Adatia is working hard to find time for a daily 60to-90 minute break.

“Despite the logistical nightmare, this is an issue that requires attention,” Adatia said.

Fenster addresses the audience on the psychological effects of marketing. (Jack Neal / McGill Tribune) caSSie lee Design Editor

(Continued from page 1) Last year’s conference was held at Guelph University by Arts & Science student Kamelia Valkova and her own BASiC committee. Currently in her last year at Guelph, Valkova is working on a thesis that focuses on interdisciplinary studies and stresses the importance of collaboration, especially in an integrative program.

“It’s valuable to be able to network with other students from other programs because it gives you insight into what’s good about your own program and how other programs are doing theirs,” said Valkova. “I find that every year I’ve been able to talk about what things I’m studying, and I find I always enrich my own experiences.”

Speakers for the conference included many Art&Sci professors including Ariel Fenster, Ian Gold, Margaret Somervile, and Samer Faraj.

Due to a last-minute illness, professor Gabriella Coleman was not able to speak.

The presentations focused on bringing together multiple disciplines to tackle previously stagnate subjects and bring forth new, inspiring, and enlightened ideas. Gold spoke about combining philosophical theories of social defence mechanisms such as threat and suspicion

with neurological brain functions to rationalize strange beliefs. Later that day, Fenster, chemistry professor at McGill, gave a light-hearted presentation of social calculations of risks using food and wine as a backdrop for the discussion.

Other cross-disciplinary discussions of the weekend included neuroethics, consciousness, programming, and cross-disciplinary collaboration in health care systems. The conference consistently encouraged understanding the importance of not only bringing two different subjects together, but also building and working with them to create a whole new field greater than the sum of its parts.

Hayley Throne and Rebecca Little attend a very similar program at Waterloo, one that integrates environmental studies within a multitude of faculties and programs. Both believe that integrative studies are monumental to many fields usually considered singular.

“The reality is real world problems don’t fall into a singular discipline, and we need experts that have knowledge of various disciplines but also people who are able to communicate with them and are able to get them to collaborate,” Little said “Our biggest social problems are beyond one scope,” Throne said.

“Being able to work together is the right way to tackle problems.”

Next year’s C2C will be held at Waterloo University in Waterloo Ontario.

Sports

20

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Know Your Coaches Peter Smith - MarTlet Hockey

Dennis Barrett – Track and Field

RachEle BEliveau – Marlet Volleyball Rachèle Béliveau held a 500-463-2 record in 965 career contests entering the 20142015 season—the most wins by any coach in any sport in the history of McGill. Béliveau, a Sherbrooke, Québec native, played volleyball at the Université de Sherbrooke for five seasons between 1982 and 1989, leading the team to three consecutive RSEQ titles. In the process, she was a two-time All-Canadian and was inducted in the Vert et Or Hall of Fame in 2009.

Béliveau also appeared for the Canadian national team between 1983 and 1986 and represented her country at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. As coach, Béliveau has earned RSEQ Coach-of-the-Year four times and led the Martlets to their first ever conference championship in volleyball in the 2001-2002 season.

Dennis Barrett has had success as both an athlete and coach at McGill, and is currently in his 30th season as a coach. After transferring to McGill from the NCAA in 1981, Barrett led the Redmen to the Québec track and field title and earned AllCanadian status–the first track athlete from McGill to do so. Since then he has coached 42 more athletes to All-Canadian honours in track and an additional 20 in cross-country. In the 1981-1982 season, Barrett placed second in Nationals for the 600m and set multiple school track records including a 1:27.92 in the 4x200m relay, a record that still stands today.

Barrett has received RSEQ Coach-of-the-Year 22 times in track and 32 times in cross-country. He has led the Redmen to 10 titles in cross-country and six in track and field, and the Martlets to 22 cross-country and 16 track and field titles.

Marc Mounicot – Redmen soccer

By Nick Jasinski

Jose-Luis Valdes – Martlet Soccer

Marc Mounicot has been coach of the Redmen soccer team since January 2013 after serving as head coach of the Martlet soccer team for the previous 15 seasons.

He led the Redmen to a 6-2-4 record and a third-place finish in the RSEQ this past season. As Martlet coach, Mounicot held a .815 regular season winning percentage in 203 games. He was selected the RSEQ Coach-ofthe-Year four times and won CIS Coach-of-the-Year in 2009. He guided the Martlets to eight Quebec titles and four medals at the CIS National Championships. Mounicot ranks fifth on McGill’s all-time scoring list, having played on the team for three seasons from 1994 to 1997 as a striker, scoring 26 goals in 54 career games. A twotime All-Canadian, Mounicot led the RSEQ in scoring in his final season and was voted conference player of the year. That same season, Mounicot won the Bill Searles Trophy as team MVP and co-captained McGill to the 1997 National Championship title.

Jose-Luis Valdes became the coach for Martlet soccer following former coach Marc Mounicot’s departure to coach the Redmen soccer team in January 2013. In his first season as coach, Valdes led the Martlets to an 8-3-3 RSEQ record, good for a third-place finish in the conference. Valdes had previously served 11 seasons as an assistant coach for the Martlet soccer team from 2001 to 2011 under Mounicot, helping win five conference titles during that period. Valdes played goalkeeper for the Redmen from 2001 to 2004, graduating in 2005 with a degree in physical and health education. He has been appointed to the coaching staff for the CIS women’s soccer squad that will be competing at the FISU World University Summer Games in South Korea in July 2015.

Martlets 7, Ravens 2

McGill bounces back from tough loss, blows out Ravens Davidson sets school record on her way to a hat trick Zikomo smith Staff Writer The Martlets (12-4) ended an emotionally draining weekend by dominating the Carleton Ravens (312) 7-2. McGill responded to a 5-0 loss in its previous outing to the CIS No. 1 ranked Montréal Carabins with a complete performance. Junior forward Gabrielle Davidson, who has enjoyed success against the Ravens before, let fly a school-record 22 shots on goal on the way to her second hat trick against Carleton this season. She now has an impressive 15 goals in just 16 games.

The Martlets were able to bounce back from an uncharacteristic blowout loss in typical fashion with stout defence and a rabid offensive effort.

“I would not say that there were structural adjustments made to our game,” Martlets Head Coach Peter Smith said. “Before the game, we talked about things that we needed to do [differently] [….] Our defensive zone coverage was way better today; our offensive zone was terrific. [With 68] shots on goal, you cannot complain.”

At the end of the first period McGill had 17 shots on goal and Carleton had just two in total. McGill’s skating and passing game was excellent as always, with Davidson frequently gliding past the Ravens’ defenders. Nine minutes into the game, star forward Katia Clement-Heydra provided a neat assist to Davidson to tie things at 1-1. The Martlets dominated in the shot column and in the neutral zone.

The scoreboard, somehow, read 2-1 in favour of Carleton at the end of the frame, with sloppy defending by the home squad allowing the Ravens to make the most of their lone shots on net.

McGill’s play appeared lethargic early on, as the players were perhaps still feeling the demoralizing effects from their 5-0 loss the day before. The Martlets were caught twice on turnovers, resulting in easy Carleton goals.

“I did not think we had great puck support,” Smith said. “We did not have great transition in the first period.

I thought in the second period we had better support on the puck and better transition on the puck.”

The lethargy may have also been,

in part, a result of Carleton’s game plan. The Ravens never committed too many players when they had the puck, while McGill’s forwards forechecked relentlessly.

The Ravens continued to frustrate McGill into the second period, but the Martlets didn’t appear panicked.

McGill was rewarded with two goals in quick succession to bring the score to 3-2. The Martlets’ momentum continued into the third period, and four minutes into the final frame, Davidson cut through the Ravens’ defence to pot her second goal of the game. Three minutes later, forward Jordan McDonnell scored a stunner from the top Carleton’s zone to put McGill up 5-2.

5’3” forward Pamela Psihgios and Davidson each contributed another goal, capping off a four-goal third pe-

Logan Murray fires a shot on net. (Remi Lu / McGill Tribune) riod to complete the rout.

The game, however, ended on an unfortunate note when Ravens’ player Laura-Marie Bianconi slammed Martlet defender Kelsie Moffat into the boards with just seconds left on the clock. The display was representative of Carleton’s frustration with the game’s outcome.

McGill, however, was not without its own issues.

“I think that the players have a lot of regrets over the game [against

the Carabins],” Smith said. “We made some mistakes that we do not normally make. We need to tighten that up. Overall the weekend was a good learning experience. Today we played a four-line game. We had everybody going. There were no passengers in the game today.

That is what we need to have when we play against a team like Montreal.”

The Martlets will now have just under a week to rest before playing the Concordia Stingers (6-6-3) Feb. 7.

Sports

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

21

NBA Conferences

Although the NBA has a lot of things going right for it at the moment, years of disparity between the Western and Eastern Conference have caused many to wonder if some change in conference structure is needed. This gap

has been especially clear this season, with Western Conference teams winning .677 per cent of games against Eastern Conference opponents. This week, Changing The Game explores how best to deal with this inequality. (dimemag.com)

Fewer Games, More Meaning

The current disparity between the quality of the Eastern and Western Conferences is glaring. But as anyone who has taken an introductory economics class can tell you, markets are never fully in equilibrium—the level of talent in the NBA naturally fluctuates over time. From 1980 to 1989, teams from the East won over 50 per cent of games played. Inequalities take time to correct, and will often overcorrect if the market is interfered with. Instead of quick-fix radical realignment proposals, the solution to the NBA’s parity woes should aim to shorten the duration of these deviations from the equilibrium. This could be accomplished by shortening the regular season schedule from 83 games to 56. In addition to giving each game more meaning, a shorter regular season would

add a dimension of unpredictability that would stifle the effect of a talent glut in either conference. Over an 82-game slate, the force of regression inevitably erodes away at the winning percentages of less talented teams. With fewer games, there would be more surprises, less injuries, and more excitement. While this proposal would reduce equilibrium on a season-byseason basis, it would eliminate long eras of dominance by either conference. Yes, a shorter season would mean less revenue for players and owners, but it would also contribute towards the long-term viability of a league that is already swimming in money.

-–Elie Waitzer

Time to get wild While the most attractive option for fans may be to reduce the number of games in a season, it seems unlikely that owners and players would be willing to take the pay cut that would come along with it. If the 82-game season is going to remain, the league should explore the possibility of several wild card spots, with a fewer number of guaranteed slots for each conference. For example, each conference could be allotted six guaranteed playoff spots, with four wild cards pulled from either conference, and awarded based on best overall record.

While this would not solve issues related to disparity in strength-of-schedule between Western and Eastern Conference teams, it would mostly elimi-

Although the disparity between the horrid Eastern Conference and the grueling Western Conference has been a major talking point in recent seasons, trying to create parity between the conferences is a short-sighted solution. Relative strength between the East and the West is continuously on a pendulum, it’s just that in recent years, that pendulum has swung in favour of the Western Conference. Surely, given enough time, the balance of power within the NBA will shift back. The greater problem at hand, however, is that of the geographic discrepancies within the divisions as they are currently constructed. The Northwest Division includes teams from Oregon, Minnesota, Utah, Colorado, and Oklahoma. Only one of those states is in the ‘Northwest.’ Additionally, both the Memphis

Grizzlies and the New Orleans Pelicans are improperly placed in the Southwest Division when they would more aptly be placed in the Southeast.

The solution should be to scrap the notion of conferences altogether and institute divisions of six teams each that are geographically compact. The Minnesota Timberwolves would join the Central Division and the Grizzlies and Pelicans would move to the Southeast, while the remaining Western Conference teams would be split up into new Pacific and Southwest Divisions. The top 16 teams would make the playoffs and would be seeded according to regular season record, making the first 82 games worth something.

-–Mayaz Alam

The best of the Best

nate the possibility of below-.500 teams sneaking into the playoffs as a low seed in a weak conference. A system like this would mean that this year, the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder would land in the playoffs and the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets would stay home in the post-season. Hardly anyone would argue that the Heat or Hornets are more deserving. Perhaps the best part about this system would be that it is easy to implement and would require no negotiations– the same cannot be said about shortening the length of the season.

Stay closer to home

–Wyatt Fine-Gagné

The NBA should keep its current conference structure, but only for determining the schedule. The playoffs would then consist of the top 16 teams in the NBA, regardless of their ranking within their respective divisions or conferences. The immediate result of the changed playoff structure would be more competitive playoff games, as the best overall teams in any given season would automatically be given a ticket to the post-season. This proposed structure would also result in a more logical methodology for playoff seeding.

Regular season rivalries would remain intact, and travel distances would not be altered. Each team would still play their four divisional opponents four times a year and would have to plan accordingly, but the simple fix of redoing the playoff seeding would endorse a more competitive and fair post-season for the NBA’s teams and fans.

–Joe Khamma r

Sports

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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Behind the bench : Canadian uprising Raphael uribe arango Contributor Although Canada is known for producing hockey players and winter sport athletes, it may come as a surprise to some that the great white North is responsible for producing some extraordinary NBA talent in recent years. This influx of Canadian talent stems firstly from the influx of young Canadian basketball players into U.S. college programs. Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett, Tyler Ennis, and Cory Joseph have all made it through the U.S. college system and found some degree of success.

Their talent flourished at the collegiate level, which gave them an excellent preparation for the NBA. Canada and its native players have had to accept that basketball programs in the U.S.—with their superior funding—provide greater support and preparation for prospective NBA players. Canadian basketball programs at the college level simply cannot compete with the scholarships and funding that U.S. basketball programs have.

Another factor behind the rise of Canadian-born players in the NBA is in large part due to the

growing popularity of basketball in Canada. The Toronto Raptors are the only NBA team in Canada and the popularity of basketball in this country, particularly around the Toronto area, is largely dependent on their success. Most of Canada’s NBA talent grew up in or around Toronto, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if many of these Canadian players grew up watching or supporting the Raptors. Furthermore, Raptor players act as ambassadors of the sport throughout Canada, and are role models to many young and aspiring basketball players all over the nation.

Canada’s close geographical proximity to the U.S. is another more obvious reason for the rise of Canadian basketball players in the NBA. The influence of the NBA can easily leak into Canada through sport networks and exhibition games, which encourage young basketball players in Canada to aspire to play in the NBA. Young Canadian basketball players just have to look across the border if they want to play at a higher level in college before the NBA. The future looks very bright for Canadian basketball on the international stage. With Steve

Andrew Wiggins is one of several talented young Canadians currently playing in the NBA (nbapassion.com).

Nash as general manager of the national team, Canada should be a top competitor at the next FIBA World Championships, as well as the Olympic games. Though it is unlikely that Canada will topple the almighty Americans anytime soon, Canada could very well have the makings of a basketball powerhouse.

With basketball increasing in popularity in Canada, another franchise could potentially set up camp in either Montreal or Vancouver.

Ideally, the Toronto Raptors will

eventually no longer be the lone Canadian NBA franchise. Perhaps currently improving performance and the ever-growing support for the Raptors might convince the NBA that Canada deserves a second NBA franchise.

There is plenty of hope for the future of Canadian basketball, especially with the influx of new talent. It is possible that a feedback effect will take place, with players like Wiggins and Joseph inspiring many more young Canadians to persevere in the sport. As long

as Canada does not heap too much pressure on its young basketball prodigies and instead allows the talent to flourish, it will continue to see a greater pool of talent develop.

Canadian basketball players themselves can also be very hopeful indeed. The recognition that these players are receiving from their home country does not go unnoticed. This should motivate many more younger basketball players in Canada to train and compete with American athletes for a place in the NBA.

Volleyball – Carabins 3, Martlets 0

Martlets can’t find mojo, fall flat against Carabins Hot start not enough to take down division-leading Montréal Catherine Mounier-Desrochers Contributor The McGill Martlets (11-6) fell to the Université de Montréal Carabins (14-3) 3-0 Friday. Despite strong teamwork and a hot start, the Martlets could not overcome the Carabins’ potent attack, dropping all three sets.

As the match started, the Martlets seemed confident, especially after winning 3-2 in their last meeting against division-leading Montréal. McGill delivered a solid performance in a captivating match, fighting hard to win the third set 17-15 in its opponents’ gym.

With only two weeks left before the RSEQ semifinals, and the Martlets stuck in a three-way tie for second place in the four-team division, both teams were very aware of how crucial the game was. The atmosphere was intense in Love Competition Hall, and with the support of a large home crowd, the team’s spirits were high.

The first set was punctuated by even play from both sides as McGill tried to surprise its opponent for the second time in a row.

McGill succeeded in putting up a good fight for most of the first set, but couldn’t keep it up, losing 2517.

As the game progressed, the

Carabins gained confidence, and it showed in their aggressive offence.

With 33 kills, they had McGill’s defence on the ropes all game. Despite leading for some time during the first set, things fell apart for the Martlets in the next two, which McGill dropped 25-13 and 25-8.

Montréal seemed truly motivated to get revenge for last week’s dramatic upset, and showcased a balanced attack for the crowd.

They put a lot of pressure on McGill’s defence and serve reception, making it difficult for them to create on offence.

“The last time we played Montréal, we were able to suprise them with various plays and we served very well,” said Head Coach Rachèle Béliveau. “[This time,] the Carabins were dominant at the net and their serve reception was better.”

Montréal also benefited from a strong blocking game, registering 11 blocks compared to just five for McGill. Martlet rookie middle Myriam Robitaille was a bright spot on the night, turning in a solid performance at the net with four kills and three blocks.

“Last week against Montreal, we served really [well] and were able to destabilize their serve reception and their [offence,] but tonight we were more defensive than

The Martlets couldn’t break through against Montreal on Friday. (Remi Lu / McGill Athletics) aggressive,” Robitaille said. “We have to create more attacking opportunities.”

Despite great effort and determination by sophomore libero Marjolaine Ste-Marie on defence, the Carabins’ outside hitters proved to be too much, using their height to their advantage. Martlet veteran power-hitter Ashley Norfleet and setter Marie-Christine Lapointe still managed to get five kills each with the help of star setter Yasmeen Dawoodjee’s steady performance.

This season has been very back-and-forth thus far for the Martlets, who have registered at least one win and one loss to every team in their division. The Carabins sit atop the RSEQ with 14 wins, but McGill, Sherbrooke (116), and Laval (11-6) are all tied for second with 11 wins.

“For the last games of the season, we’ll concentrate on us as a team, and try to play more aggressively at the net,” Robataille explained. We [aren’t talking] about

playoff games yet because we are really focusing on those last decisive matches.”

After a dramatic 3-2 win against Laval Saturday, the Martlets will look to ride the momentum and solidify their playoff chances with a win against Sherbrooke this Friday. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. at Love Competition Hall, and will be the Martlets’ last home game of the year before embarking on a two-game road trip to cap off the regular season.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

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Sports

Tribune Athletes of the Week

Redmen Basketball The last-place UQÀM Citadins (2-7) had the RSEQ-leading Redmen (7-2) basketball squad sweating this past weekend, splitting a two game series to register their first win against McGill in their past eight tries.

After going up 66-40 after three quarters on Thursday at home, the Redmen lost their focus, weathering a 25-15 run by UQÀM in the final frame to escape with a 71-65 win. Sophomore forward François Bourque was phenomenal for the Redmen once again, recording his league-leading fourth double-double on 13 points and 14 boards. Freshmen Jeremie Cassavant-Dubois and Noah Daoust were pleasant surprises for the Redmen off the bench, each contributing double figures. Despite getting the win, the Redmen looked shaky all game, shooting just 20 per cent from beyond the arc and turning the ball over 21 times.

The shooting woes, which have plagued McGill all season, continued in the second game of the series on Saturday night. After leading 33-27 at halftime, the Redmen crumbled down the stretch, falling to the Citadins 65-59 to break their six game winning streak. Despite another double-double from Bourque, who posted a game-high 18 points in the contest, McGill’s shooters couldn’t find the bottom of the net all night, shooting 35 per cent from the floor, 29 per cent from three, and 56 per cent from the charity stripe. Even the Redmen can’t expect to stroll to a win against a cellar-dweller while giving away points at the line. It wasn’t all bad news though: Captain Vincent Dufort came back from an undisclosed illness looking healthy and in form, scoring 10 points in his usual starting role. With six games left in the season, the Redmen have a comfortable two-game lead on second-place Laval, but certainly can’t afford to be losing games against UQÀM down the stretch. They face Concordia next Thursday at 8 p.m. in Love Competition Hall.

Gabrielle Davidson

François Bourque

Gabrielle Davidson, Hockey, Forward Junior – Management

Basketball, Forward Sophomore – Arts

Following a breakout sophomore season, Davidson has shown further dominance of the RSEQ. In her junior year, she has tallied 15 goals in just 16 games so far, notching a hat trick in a weekend rout of the Carleton Ravens. Although she was held scoreless in Friday’s contest against the Montreal Carabins, Davidson has been a force on the wing for the Martlets this season. The native of Pointe-Claire, Quebec is currently fourth in the CIS in points and fifth in goals, and will surely be vying for post-season honours if the Martlets are able to repeat their successes from last year.

Bourque, a 6’6” sophomore from Terrebonne, Quebec, was once again instrumental for the Redmen as an interior presence in their two games against the UQAM Citadins over the weekend, averaging 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. Bourque was efficient from the field as well, shooting a shade under 50 per cent. A now twotime Tribune Athlete-of-the-Week, Bourque has made enormous strides in his second season with the Redmen and has a promising career ahead of him.

(Photos courtesy of McGill Athletics)

Redmen HOCKEY The Redmen (19-5-0) remain in sole possession of first place in the OUA East standings, beating the UOIT Ridgebacks 4-1 on Saturday to stay ahead of Carleton and UQTR. Senior centre Marc-Olivier Vachon was the star for McGill, scoring two goals on five shots. McGill never trailed in the game, finishing with a commanding 51-31 edge in shots.

Additionally, second-year goalie Jacob Gervais-Chouinard came six seconds away from adding yet another shutout to his impressive resume.

Gervais-Chouinard now leads all CIS goalies with a .946 save percentage, and is tied for first with a goals against average of 1.67. Last week’s Tribune Athlete-of-the-Week Samuel Labrecque stayed red-hot, tallying a goal in the contest for his 10th of the season. He leads all CIS defencemen in points with 20. With two games left before the end of the regular season, the Redmen are looking poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. They will face Concordia in the annual Corey Cup next Friday at 7:30 p.m at Ed Meagher Arena.

Martlet Basketball After being handed their first loss of the season by the secondplace UQÀM Citadins (7-3) on Thursday night, the Martlets (9-1) came into Saturday’s rematch looking to set the record straight and maintain their hold on first place in the RSEQ standings. In a defensive showdown that came right down to the wire, Alex Kiss-Rusk drained a buzzer-beating jumper from the elbow to win it 57-55 for McGill. Kiss-Rusk, the team’s starting centre, led the Martlets with 15 points on 58 per cent shooting. She filled out the rest of the box score with nine rebounds, two blocks and two assists. Down 27-22 at halftime, the Martlets went on a run in the third quarter led by Kiss-Rusk and sophomore forward Jenn Silver to retake the lead heading into the fourth. After committing seven turnovers through the first three quarters, starting point guard Diana Ros settled down in the final frame, distributing the ball to Kiss-Rusk, Silver, and Mariam Sylla in the paint. Ros finished with five points, six assists, and two steals. The Martlets will meet the Citadins once more before the regular season ends, in what should be a tantalizing matchup of conference titans. They host Concordia next Thursday at 6 p.m. in Love Competition Hall.

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Number of games in which Martlet hockey forward Gabrielle Davidson has been held pointless this season, the third of which came this past Friday in McGill’s 5-0 loss to Montreal.

Average margin by which the Redmen hockey team has outshot its opponents this season, scoring on just over 10 per cent of those shots.

Average number of rebounds that sophomore Redmen forward François Bourque pulls down per game, good enough to make Bourque the RSEQ leader in that category.

Total number of days it had been since the Martlet basketball last went into double-overtime prior to this past Thursday’s loss to UQÀM.

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