The McGill Tribune Vol. 29 Issue 21

COACHING CANADA TO GOLD, PAGE 19

NO DUMB BLONDES: YUKON BLONDE, PAGE 13

îMc GILL Published by the Students' Society of McGill University

Tribune www.mcgilltribune.com

Vol. 29 Issue 21 • 2 March 2010

We were there: photos from the Vancouver 2010 Games

Canada-1 slides towards a golden finish in the ladies’ bobsleigh at the Whistler Sliding Centre, see more Olympic coverage on PAGES 10-11

ADAM SCOTTI

W ith referendum vote, T ribune is poised for independence Newspaper was mandated to leave SSMU two years ago TORI CRAWFORD News Editor

In what Opinion Editor Matt Chesser called a “do-or-die” situation. The McGill Tri­ bune’s future will be determined by a SSMU referendum next week. Should the referendum question pass, the Tribune would become fully independent after 29 years as a publication under the auspices of the Students’ Society.

The referendum question asks SSMU

members if they would pay a $3 fee each semester to replace the financial support the Tribune currently receives from SSMU. The fee would supply approximately $120,000 per year to the newspaper, covering the majority of the Tribune’s operating costs.

The referendum is the climax of a twoyear process that began in 2008 when SSMU mandated that the Tribune become an inde­ pendent organization, a response to both the newspaper’s and the Society’s mutual con­ flicts of interest.

“We think [the Tribune] is a very excel­ lent paper,” said SSMU Vice-President Clubs and Services Sarah Olle. “However, we think

that it is inappropriate for a student govern­ ment to have a newspaper that reports upon that student government.”

SSMU also no longer wants to be legally liable for any content printed by the newspa­ per.

“If we print something that is libelous or slanderous, then SSMU as the organization is the one that would be sued for that,” said Chesser, who served as editor-in-chief last year.

While editors are optimistic that the ques­ tion will pass, they said that a defeat would strike a serious blow to the newspaper’s future.

The Tribune is currently dependent on SSMU

for its office space, insurance, and advertising manager, all of which the newspaper would be responsible for as an independent organiza­ tion. Without either the support of SSMU or a student fee, the Tribune would run yearly losses of approximately $100,000.

“Honestly, if the Tribune were to fail in this referendum, I don’t see how it can con­ tinue to exist in the form that it exists now,” Chesser said.

As a result, the newspaper plans to run an extensive campaign this week, involving handbills, canvassing, and posters featuring the slogan “29 Is Too Young to Die.” See CHESSER on page 2

Support our McGill Hockey teams as they play for a National Championship berth!

redbîrd

M A R T L E T H O C K E Y - OUA Cham pionship Game # i W ednesday, March 3 îg h o o vs. M ontréal Game 3 - Su nday, M arch 7 i4 h o o * i f n e c e ssa r y

McGill ATHLETICS & RECREATION

*

R E D M E N H O C K E Y - OUA Cham pionship Game #2 F riday, March 5 îg h o o vs. UQTR

SPO RTS SHOP

Best Prices on Campus! www.mcgiil.ca/athietics

(

M cG ill S p o r ts C o m p lex \ 4 7 5 a v e d es p in s J

5 1 4 -3 9 8 -15 3 9 ENTER TO W IN MONTREAL CANADIENS TICKETS WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY COKE PRODUCT AT CONCESSIONS

NEWS

2 • 2 March 2010

mcgilltribune.com

CITY

Survey finds Montrealers driving less, using more public transit More cars are entering the city, however MARIA FLORES Contributor

Montrealers are driving less, according to a survey conducted by the Metropolitan Transport Agency (AMT).

For the first time in the survey’s 40-year history, the number of trips taken per car has decreased, despite an increase in the number of cars entering the city.

“The survey shows that the AM T’s work is paying off,” Martine Rouette, an AMT spokesperson, wrote in an email to the Tri­ bune. “Despite the fast evolution of the auto­ mobile market, public transit is improving and citizens prefer to use it.”

Since 1970, the AMT has performed nine surveys on different modes of transportation.

The latest results indicate that the use of cars has decreased by one per cent since 2003, while the use of public transport has risen by 15 per cent. Evidence suggests that 51 per cent of the daily trips into the city are work-related, and that the majority of these jobs are still lo­ cated in the downtown area.

“W hat was found in the survey is very en­ couraging because it demonstrates that a large

number of Montrealers are leaving their cars behind,” Rouette wrote. “The AMT and the [Montreal Transport Association] are working together to increase public transportation and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. So far, the results have been successful.”

According to Julie Boulet, the Quebec Minister of Transport, efforts to improve pub­ lic transit by various provincial agencies have decreased car use.

The AMT is particularly responsible for the development of public transport in the Montreal Region and is directly linked to the Quebec Ministry of Transport. Although the ministry subsidizes the AMT, the agency ad­ ministers this funding independently.

Though the ministry is the main organi­ zation responsible for transportation-related matters, it remains in close cooperation with its public and private partners to offer appro­ priate and functional transportation systems. “[The result] is great because the efforts of the Ministry of Transport are not always evident. There are a lot of funds devoted an­ nually by the minister to the AMT as well as to the STM to, for instance, expand the metro network or increase bus frequency, so this is a way to prove it,” said Mario St-Pierre, direc­ tor of communications at Transport Quebec.

“The minister finances a lot of organisms of

JULIA WEBSTER

this kind that are there to provide usable pub­ lic transit.”

When asked about the results of the sur­ vey, Max Halparin, U3 Geography, speculated that improved public transit had made the dif­ ference.

“I suppose we are getting fed up with traffic and congestion and that public transit is actually a viable option in this city, especially for commuters,” he said.

But according to Halparin, the decrease in driving cannot be exclusively attributed to the work of the AMT. “Transit can’t be successful on its own.

W hat makes a place walkable, accessible, and livable without a car is planned surrounding, how we actually design spaces—I mean, the density and the mixture of land uses, and in addition to that there is a cultural factor.”

CAMPUS

Chesser calls criticizes Quebec’s language exam Dentistry grad vote “do-or-die” McGill alumna denied work permit after failing French test MATT ESSERT Contributor

Jennifer Plotnick, a recent graduate from the McGill Faculty of Dentistry, has found herself with an unenviable commute due to Quebec’s language requirements. After fail­ ing to meet the French language requirements for out-of-province professionals, Plotnick now drives nearly two hours every morning to practice dentistry in Plattsburgh, New York.

As an out-of-province student who stud­ ied at an English-language university, Plotnick was required to pass an exam administered by the Quebec Board of the French Language to prove her proficiency in French. This test prevents new professionals who lack French proficiency from obtaining permits to work in the province.

Dr. Paul Allison, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, said that students are encouraged to study for this test during their university years.

“We make it very clear to all of our stu­ dents,” Allison said. “If they want to practice in this province and they’re from out of the province, then they have to learn French and they have to [pass] the exams to be able to practice in the province.”

Plotnick, an American citizen, transferred to McGill with two years left in her degree and found it somewhat difficult to learn French on the McGill campus, where English is primar­ ily spoken. She maintained, however, that she

felt confident in her ability to speak French and deal with French-speaking patients.

“I actually learned a bunch of French,” Plotnick said. “I can actually speak French quite well, but not enough to pass an exam, which I think is really arbitrary.

“It’s known to be an exam that people don’t feel displays the kind of French that you know —it doesn’t show what you can do, in terms of speaking, in terms of writing.”

Because she was unable to pass the test while still in school and again after the re­ quired three-month waiting period, Plotnick is now in an uncomfortable situation trying to pay down her dental school debt.

“I just couldn’t take [any more time] off to learn French,” she said. “Because unfortu­ nately when you go into dental school, you ac­ crue a lot of debt, and with debt come monthly interest payments.”

Plotnick said she is frustrated, but recog­ nizes the need for the requirement.

“I see what their point is,” she said.

“They basically don’t want a bunch of Eng­ lish professionals to come here and just not work in French at all and not be able to speak French.”

The law is part of The Charter of French Language, or Bill 101, which holds that peo­ ple who work in any of the 45 regulated pro­ fessions in the province must speak French.

Martin Bergeron, a spokesperson for the Quebec Board of the French Language, ex­ plained that this is the law and that it is the duty of his office to uphold it.

“The law states that you need to learn French to work in a professional corporation

in Quebec,” Bergeron said.

Though the law may be clear, there are

“If they want to practice in this province ... then they have to learn French and they have to [pass] the exams.”

—Dr. Paul Allison, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry

numerous gaps that make it easier for some people to obtain the required permit to work in Quebec. Quebeckers from English high schools and CEGEPs are presumed be profi­ cient in French and are not required to pass the exam. Foreign-trained professionals coming to Quebec are eligible for up to three tempo­ rary permits over four years, allowing them to learn French while working in the province.

Anglophone students who graduate from an English-language university in Quebec are required to take this exam immediately after graduation. However, there is no possibility of securing the temporary work permits enjoyed by foreign-trained professionals.

Plotnick has tried to use this experience to inform other Anglophone students studying in Quebec by starting a Facebook group titled, “English speaking McGill grads for an equal chance to work in Montreal.”

“It would be a great warning to anyone at McGill to understand that if things aren’t changed and they ever plan on staying in Montreal, take French courses now,” she said.

Continued from COVER Should the question pass, the Tribune’s editorial board and coverage would remain substantially the same, but a number of other things would change.

“We will become more directly account­ able to the students,” Chesser said.

Like the McGill Daily, the Tribune would have a board of directors elected from the stu­ dent body. The board would have yearly meet­ ings at which students would be able to pro­ pose changes to the newspaper’s constitution and by-laws.

The newspaper has also had to engage in various negotiations to prepare itself for its new costs. To aid in the process, SSMU would exempt the Tribune from paying rent for its Shatner office next school year, loan it money to cover its initial insurance costs, and donate the office equipment that it currently lends from SSMU. Olle was optimistic about future relations between the two organizations.

“I am sure that we will continue to have a positive relationship,” she said.

Administrative changes aside, editors have agreed that the Tribune’s independence would be a significant part of its development as a publication.

“We really do think it’s a great idea,” said Thomas Quail, the current editor-in-chief. “It really legitimizes us as a school newspaper.

The strongest school newspapers across Can ada are independent organizations, and at 29 years old, it really is a natural step.”

Curiosity Delivers.

2 March 2010 • 3

NEWS ANALYSIS

Funding cuts may shut First Nations University’s doors for good Ottawa and Regina have slashed $ 12 million in funds SEAN WOOD Contributor

The First Nations University of Canada, North America’s only fully accredited Aborig­ inal university, has had a rough year.

The school’s future is up in the air after losing over $12 million dollars in provincial and federal funding cuts in late January and early February. The cuts were in response to a long, complicated series of administrative problems.

The university—which was founded in 1976 as the Saskatchewan Federated Indian College and has three campuses, all in Sas­ katchewan—has been in full crisis mode since Saskatchewan Advanced Education Minister Rob Norris’s February 3 announcement that the province would stop funding the school in September. Students have held multiple ral­ lies to try and save the institution, and faculty members have started a “Fund First Nations University Now!” blog.

Norris’s announcement stated that the province had “lost confidence in the gover­ nance and management of the school.” Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), which withdrew its $7.3 million annual support a few days later, cited similar reasons.

“For some time now, [we have] worked with the First Nations University of Canada to address long-standing and systemic govern­ ment and management issues,” said Margot Geduld, an INAC spokesperson.

In the short term, the two cuts were direct Vice-Chief and FNUC Board Chairman Morresponses to allegations of corruption by for­ ley Watson. Watson suspended and replaced mer chief financial officer Murray Westerlund. senior university managers and ordered an In a lawsuit filed on December 17, Westerlund audit of the school’s finances without the claimed that he was fired in early December approval of the Board. After an FSIN Task because he had submitted documents to an Force’s recommended remedies were ignored, auditor that revealed questionable spending the Association of Universities and Colleges of by the university’s administration. The docu­ Canada (AUCC) conducted its own investiga­ ments allegedly revealed that top administra­ tion. Concluding that the Board was violating tors had been taking big payouts for vacation the university’s independence, the AUCC put leave and had filed extravagant expenses for business trips.

But these allegations are only the latest episode in the school’s troubled history. The “While I continue to remain biggest issue has involved what many claim an active participant in these to be an overtly political Board of Governors discussions, I want to be clear that has repeatedly prioritized its own politi­ that the Canadian government cal interests over the university’s academic will no longer directly fund well-being. The Board has several members First Nations University of appointed by the tribal leaders of the Federa­ Canada.” tion of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN), —Chuck Strahl the governing body of all First Nations in the province.

Aboriginal education expert and 32-year FNUC faculty member Blair Stonechild criti­ FNUC on probation in April 2007. Although cized the way that chiefs have stubbornly held AUCC released the school from probation the the Board seats. following year, Stonechild filed an academic “There was a governance model here that freedom suit that led the Canadian Association was based on this concept of ‘Indian control of of University Teachers to censure it in 2008.

Indian education,”’ he said, “but [their] inter­ “The faculty believed that there had been pretation of that was that it meant that chiefs political interference, that there had been un­ were entitled to sit on the board, and they basi­ warranted intrusion into the affairs of the insti­ cally didn’t want to have it any other way, and tution,” said Stonechild, who filed the suit. they couldn’t understand any rationale for not The school appeared as though it might having it that way.” fold after the funding cuts, and it is far from The school’s problems began in February safe. However, Arizona lawyer Manley Begay 2005 with controversial actions by then-FSIN released an important report last week on the

CAMPUS

school’s government, and his recommenda­ tions for a depoliticized Board will be debated at the FSIN legislative assembly from March 8 to 9. And according to a February 17 report in the Regina Leader-Post, a working group will build a proposal in the upcoming weeks that would tie FNUC closer to the University of Regina.

Geduld said that the federal government will remain in “listening mode” to negotia­ tions between the province and the schools, but that, for now, INAC remains committed to its withdrawal. Indian and Northern Affairs M inister Chuck Strahl echoed these senti­ ments in a Leader-Post editorial last Tuesday.

“W hile I continue to remain an active participant in these discussions, I want to be clear that the Canadian government will no longer directly fund First Nations University of Canada,” Strahl wrote.

Both the province and the government have repeatedly voiced their concern for FNUC students.

“Our priority at this moment is the stu­ dents of the First Nations University o f Can­ ada,” Geldud said, “We’re working with our partners to provide students with the support needed to successfully complete their aca­ demic year.”

FNUC’s Students’ Association has orga­ nized a rally and spoken before the FSIN As­ sembly, but declined to comment in any detail on the crisis.

“We’re going to let the politics work themselves out,” said Vice President Cadmus Delorme.

CAMPUS

Grants fund phthalate research McGill scientists will examine materials in household products ANNE HALDANE Contributor

Researchers at McGill and affiliated in­ stitutions have received $5 million to study the effects of common synthetic substances on reproductive health.

Awarded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), the five-year grants will fund two multidisciplinary teams of re­ searchers from McGill University, the Re­ search Institute of McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), and several other univer­ sities in Quebec and Ontario.

Dr. Cindy Goodyer, of the RI-MUHC, and Dr. Barbara Hales, a professor of phar­ macology and therapeutics at McGill, are set to lead one of the teams. They will study the physiological effects of brominated flame re­ tardants (BFRs), which exist in many house­ hold products and accumulate in dust.

Goodyer has previously found that BFRs can become concentrated in human fetal tis­ sues, but the role of BFRs in reproductive development remains unclear. The team will investigate how chronic BFR exposure affects

humans, and will use analogous animal exper­ iments to manipulate levels of BFR exposure at various stages of development.

“We are especially interested in the de­ velopment of baby boys after in utero expo­ sures,” Hales said. “In adults, we want to see what happens to male and female fertility.”

Another team, led by Dr. Bernard Robaire of the RI-MUHC, plans to look at the impact of phthalates on male fertility. Phthalates, which are found in most plastics, have been suggest­ ed as potential environmental pollutants that may contribute to reduced sperm count.

In addition to using tissue cultures to study biochemical effects of phthalates, the team will run correlational studies of phtha­ late exposure, human sperm count, and testos­ terone levels. As a second part of the project, chemical engineers will synthesize and test new plasticizers to create benign alternatives to phthalates.

A group of ethicists are collaborating in both grants and will look at the social and legal aspects of the teams’ findings.

“Because phthalates are so widely used,” said Dr. Peter Chan, another RI-MUHC re­ searcher, “if we do find any kind of effect we can pass information on that will be useful for policymakers.”

ALICE WALKER

On February 18, Governor-General Michaëlle Jean spoke about youth engagement to the McGill community at M oyse Hall.

mcgilltribune.com

4 * 2 March 2010

INTERNATIONAL

In Brooklyn, fresh Montreal bagels now for sale by the dozen Two Montrealers deliver boxes o f bagels on Saturday mornings THEO MEYER News Editor

Minutes after they finished watching the Canadian Olympic hockey team defeat the Slovakians last Friday, Joel Tietolman and Jon Leitner walked into St.-Viateur Bagel, paid for the 115 dozen bagels they had pre-ordered, and began loading them in Tietolman’s Volk­ swagen Passat.

The bagels—90 dozen sesame, 15 dozen poppy seed, and a few dozen of assorted other varieties—were destined for Mile End Deli, a new restaurant serving Montreal-style Jewish deli food in the Boerum Hill neighbourhood of Brooklyn.

When Noah Bermanoff, an ex-Montrealer living in New York, opened Mile End two months ago, he had a bit of a problem getting Montreal bagels for the cream cheese-and-lox sandwiches he was serving at the deli. At first, he had bagels shipped overnight from Mon­ treal by FedEx, but these didn’t arrive until 10 a.m. the next day. In addition, snowstorms fur­ ther delayed delivery several times during the deli’s first weeks of business.

All of that changed when Tietolman, who had helped Bermanoff set up his deli in January, proposed importing the bagels from Montreal on the weekends. Around midnight on Friday nights, Tietolman and Leitner now leave Montreal in a car packed full of bagels, driving for six hours or so before crossing the Manhattan Bridge into Brooklyn at sunrise.

“They’re still soft when we get down to New York, which is the beauty of this op­ eration,” said Tietolman, who attended Mon­ treal’s Herzliah High School with Leitner and Bermanoff.

The duo made their second run to New York this weekend. When asked why they chose to export bagels from St.-Viateur over those of rival Fairmont Bagel, Tietolman and Leitner exchanged knowing glances.

“It’s our favourite bagel,” Leitner said with a laugh.

“There’s a St.-Viateur in Ville St.-Laurent, where we both grew up,” Tietolman added, “and that’s where our parents would run Sun­

Jon Leitner and Joel Tietolman packed 115 dozen bagels in Tietolman’s Volkswagen on Friday night. day morning to get bagels.”

Though Bermanoff still ships bagels by FedEx during the week for cream cheese-andlox, the deliveries have enabled him to sell fresh bagels by the dozen on the weekends.

And because he is saving on shipping, Ber­ manoff is now actually making money.

Bermanoff serves other Montreal comfort food as well, including smoked meat sand­ wiches and his version of the Wilensky’s Spe­ cial, the pressed bologna sandwich served at the famous Montreal deli. Mile End has also become the latest New York eatery to offer poutine, which Bermanoff makes with organic potatoes, homemade gravy, and what he calls “the most phenomenal cheese curds I’ve ever tasted” from a small farm in Maine.

Bermanoff estimated that about three-

quarters of Mile E nd’s customers are New Yorkers, with the remainder made up of Cana­ dian expatriates. A significant number are for­ mer McGill students, said Bermanoff—who is himself a McGill alumnus—looking for a smoked meat sandwich without making the trip to Montreal.

Business has been so good during Mile End’s first couple months that Bermanoff is looking to expand his operation, particularly his smoked meat production.

“I don’t have the space or refrigeration or smoking capacity to actually stay open for din­ ner, because the smoked meat sells out com­ pletely in the afternoon and I ’m more or less forced to close down,” Bermanoff said.

For their part, Tietolman and Leitner don’t plan on spending their weekends running ba­

ALICE WALKER

gels forever. Tietolman is a law student at the University of Ottawa and Leitner works in the family import-export business—an experience that has come in handy when filling out forms at the border. The duo plans to hire drivers to make the runs in the coming months and is considering an eventual expansion: multiple runs per week, maybe, or deliveries to loca­ tions in Manhattan as well.

For Bermanoff, who dropped out of law school and took out loans to open Mile End. getting back to his Montreal roots is the best part o f running his deli.

“It’s definitely a highlight of my day when someone comes in and we get to talk about Montreal and the good times we had at McGill,” Bermanoff said.

Curiosity Delivers.

2 March 2010 • 5

PROVINCE

SPEAKER ON CAMPUS

Tuition comments spark protest Courchesne hints at possible increases in coming years LAUREN HUDAK Contributor

In response to the Quebec Minister of Education Michelle Courchesne’s recent hint that tuition may increase in Quebec, a small group of McGill students gathered in protest at the Roddick Gates on February 18. Some carried signs reading, “Courchesne I can’t afford your lies” while others passed out flyers explaining that since the 2007 deregulation of tuition fees for Quebec and out-of-province students, tu­ ition has increased by approximately $100 per year. Courchesne’s recent statements seemed to confirm these students’fears that even larger tuition hikes are imminent in the near future.

In a February 11 La Presse article, Courchesne wrote, “I think that there is a con­ sensus that is being established in Quebec.

When I speak of consensus, I exclude students.

But one sees that, more and more, the impor­ tance of increasing tuition fees is apparent.”

Courchesne, however, did not definitively announce that there would be tuition increases, only that “one will see what [Quebec Minister of Finance Raymond] Bachand will announce in his budget,” which will be made public in March.

According to Myriam Zaidi, Arts repre­ sentative to the Students’ Society, “There was good momentum [behind the protest] because of the General Assembly that happened the week before where students voted against the self-funded tuition model and the increase of ancillary fees.”

“Does a consensus without the students’ advice really mean anything, in terms of con­ sensus?” Arts and Science student John-Eric Hansson stated in response to Courchesne’s statements. “Even if the tuition increases didn’t affect me. I would still be here. I am in solidar­ ity with all other students and that means that I also want to fight their tuition increases.”

McGill was one of many Quebec univer­ sities and CEGEPs to participate in the pro­ test on the 18th against the potential tuition increases. SSMU Vice-President External Se­ bastian Ronderos-Morgan called the event a “symbolic action in solidarity.”

“The event was intended to encourage more awareness amongst the student body as to this announcement, primarily because there was very little coverage in the English

O

ne

papers,” he said.

Talks of tuition increases and a lack of student input has been a growing trend in Que­ bec. In particular, Ronderos-Morgan pointed to a “pre-advisory budget” Quebec economic forum last January.

“The business community and various other important people were invited by the government to discuss the budget, but nobody from the union sector or the student sector was invited. In fact, they were not even allowed inside,” he said. Because of these events, Ronderos-Morgan labeled Courchesne “out of touch with students.”

Regardless of tuition increases in the short-term, the protest helped to shed light on the broader issue of financing education in Quebec. Many students fear that the recent self-funded tuition model of McGill’s Master of Business Administration program sets a negative precedent for other Quebec univer­ sities. Referencing the higher tuition fees in both public and private American universities, Joël Pedneault, Arts representative to SSMU, explained, “People do not want to see Ameri­ can inequalities in Quebec.”

“A study commissioned by SSMU in 2007 proved that as tuition fees increase, the level of government contribution to univer­ sity decreases, which is to say that [tuition increases] don’t necessarily, in the long run, improve the funding of the university,” added Ronderos-Morgan.

Approximately 52 per cent of McGill’s budget is subsidized by the government whereas less than 20 per cent comes from stu­ dent tuition fees.

“At what point would it actually become more profitable for universities to have tuition hikes at the point where they would be earn­ ing more from tuition than from government subsidies, which would essentially be a private model?” asked Ronderos-Morgan.

“At any rate, I hope that we can strike a balance in Quebec between accessible educa­ tion and not having an elite system,” Pedneault said. “Education should be a leveling factor in society, one that does not entrench inequali­ ties and create a hyper-educated elite. I would hope that universities, like CEGEPs are sup­ posed to create a cohesion within society,” Ronderos-Morgan added that there will be “more plans of attack” over the course of March with regards to the allegations of tu­ ition increases.

Fis h

j

A L IC E W A L K E R

Sir Richard Branson, noted entrepreneur and businessman, discussed the Virgin Group’s evolution at the Peter Brojde Leadership Lecture on February 16.

F ro n t D e sk R e c e p tio n is t -

F le x ib le hours P le a sa n t e n v iro n m e n t M ay be s tre s s fu l at tim e s U n d e rg ra d u a te s tu d e n ts o n ly C o m m e n cin g A u g u s t 2010

Tw o Fis h Re d Fis h N

ew s

Fis h

N ew s m e e t in g s a t 5:30 o n M o n d a y s in t h e T r ib u n e o f f ic e . _____________________________________ /

C o nta ct B arba ra -A nn M acD onald Brown B uilding, S uite 1200 o ffic e m a n a g e r@ ssm u .m cg ill.ca

Application Deadline March 12th, 2010 CV & Cover letter required

Opinion

6 * 2 March 2010

Ha i t i ’ s

real problem

On February 9, Max Silverman wrote an article that viewed the aid effort in Haiti through the prism of Naomi Klein’s “shock doctrine” theory. The shock doctrine pos­ its a theory of “disaster capitalism,” where practitioners take advantage of emergency or upheaval to force free market reforms onto a rebuilding country. While I know Max meant well in writing this piece, I disagree with many of his comments about Haiti.

Max refers to former President Jean-Ber­ trand Aristide as a “repeatedly elected popu­ list leader.” This is an exaggeration. Aristide refused to step down after the Haitian Parlia­ ment passed a non-confidence motion in 1991, leading to a military coup. When Aristide ran for a second term in 2000, the opposition pro­ tested after the Provisional Election Commis­ sion (CEP) declared Aristide victorious. The CEP—which Aristide controlled—declared victory for Aristide before the votes were even counted, and ignored constitutional stipula­ tions for runoffs in senatorial elections.

So I find it inappropriate to suggest that Aristide was some sort of “populist” hero, or that the U.N. stabilization mission in Haiti can be characterized as a case of white people thinking that they know what’s best for poor brack people. It’s those sorts of baseless accu­ sations that perpetuate racial conflict.

It’s not corporations that have left the Haitian economy in shambles. Neither is it globalization, sweatshops, or anything else re­ motely neo-liberal. The problem is socialism.

Socialism creates dependency on foreign loans and is anti-populist because it denies people their right to choice and personal ownership.

Socialism is the enemy of development.

According to the 2010 Index of Econom­ ic Freedom, Haiti is 141st on a list of the most economically free countries on Earth. While tariffs are average, Haiti suffers from crippling non-tariff barriers, import quotas, and customs corruption. A terrible export market worsens this: Haiti comes in 165th for the value of its exports, according to the CIA. Inflation

THE OVER-HYPED OLYMPICS The Winter Olympics are pointless. They feature sports that are generally boring to watch or better showcased in other competitions (at the X Games, for example). They cost a lot of money, create headaches for people living in host cities, and don’t attract enough tour­ ist dollars to offset the large taxpayer expense.

I can understand how the Olympics would be awesome for athletes—coming to the apex of your life’s goal—but I can’t see what anyone

is high, and the government distorts domes­ tic prices. There is little freedom to invest in Haiti, especially for foreigners. The wealth of the world is waiting at Haiti’s doorstep, but the government won’t let it come in.

A suffocating regulatory environment means that it takes, on average, 195 days to legally open a business in Haiti. The world average is 35 days. Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent of Haitians live below the poverty line—many employed illegally in black mar­ ket sales.

Property rights barely exist, according to the standards of the Index of Economic Freedom. All natural resources are considered property of the state (the state that, of course, doesn’t have the proper infrastructure to use them). Property can barely be considered ten­ able when a civil registry does not exist, and the informal system that has developed often has two individuals claiming the same piece of land, with whoever can bribe the judge com­ ing out on top.

The call for economic reform and inter­ national aid is not driven by the “white man’s burden.” Latinos, Asians, Africans, and other ethnicities from around the world have reached out to this impoverished nation. And while capitalist reform is necessary to ensure democ­ racy in Haiti, much more has to be done. The stabilization effort must invest in state infra­ structure to create the bureaucracy necessary for capitalism to thrive. This includes a strong judiciary, and independent agencies to act as oversight for a government with a history of corruption. The Haitians also need help from the private sector. Corporations have poured millions of dollars into reconstruction efforts.

Beer companies are shutting down their as­ sembly lines to bottle water instead. World Trade Center St. Louis organized thousands of units of “Medika Mamba”—a food endorsed by the WHO as excellent for specifically deal­ ing with malnourishment—to be shipped to Haiti. Several companies have matched their employee donations dollar for dollar.

Max has good intentions in trying to pro­ tect the Haitian people, but protectionism and foreign aid has been tried for more than 50 years and it has summarily failed. All it has done is fund corrupt Haitian governments who shackled their nation in poverty while hid­ ing behind the rhetoric of social justice and populism. It’s about time Haiti was given the chance to stand on its own two feet. Let’s give Haiti a dose of the free market.

else is getting out of the experience. It seems a little like a conversation about budget plan­ ning with a high-class hooker: boring, expen­ sive, and irrelevant.

There are plenty of Vancouver-specific reasons why the Olympics are a waste of time and money, but no matter the host city, I think they’ve outlived their welcome. The short­ lived patriotism that gets stirred up by the medal count doesn’t seem like a real measure of the athleticism of any particular country (or its value within the borders). Two of the ice dancers competing for Japan are from New Jersey, and their sister is competing for the Republic of Georgia. Whatever their heritage, the environment and resources that led them to compete were American. Who gets to claim superiority based on their merit? The Ameri­ cans, the Japanese, or the Georgians?

The reasons for watching the Olympics, either on TV or in person, are even more elu­

s u p r e s sin g d e b a t e :

On t a r i o ’ s LANGUAGE POLITICS

The Ontario legislature—like most po­ litical bodies representing a diverse range of opinions—is a place where it’s hard to achieve consensus. One in five children in Toronto go to school hungry in the morning and asthma and cancer-causing coal power generate much of the province’s electricity, but no consensus can be found among the provincial political parties to address such dire issues.

Yet last week, the members of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament put aside their partisan rivalries to pass a private member’s bill con­ demning the sixth annual Israeli Apartheid Week—a series of lectures, workshops, and events about the nature of Israel as an Apart­ heid system, which begins on university cam­ puses on Thursday.

Ontario New Democratic Party Member of Provincial Parliament Cheri DiNovi—nor­ mally one of the few legislators to use her brain instead of pandering to populist wisdom—ex­ plained that debate on the Middle East is en­ couraged, but using the term “Apartheid” was beyond the pale of acceptability.

Her explanation echoed opinion articles appearing across the country last week that voice a disingenuous and paternalistic pre­ scription: that young people should feel free to talk about Israel and Palestine, but only if you use the language that we outline for you. DiNovi recommended speaking of “occupation of Palestinian territory,” though I can’t imag­ ine the Conservative Member, Peter Shurman, who introduced the bill, would agree with that description. Shurman is the same white, Jewish Conservative man who said that using the word “Apartheid” is not only offensive to millions of black South Africans who suffered through South African Apartheid, but also “close to hate speech.”

I’m not an expert in international law.

Nor did I live under South African Apartheid and I’m certainly not a Palestinian living under Israeli control. And neither were, or are, Shur­ man, DiNovi, or any of the MPPs who voted

sive. As far as I can tell, people watch them on TV because they’re the only thing on. I’m not particularly interested in men’s mogul skiing or ice dancing, but if there’s nothing else to do at four o’clock on a Wednesday then sure, I’ll watch it. Going to see an event in person seems more like a way to generate envy than an act bom out of sincere desire to see a spandex-clad national representative slide around on ice. Well, I’m not jealous that you or some­ one your dad works for paid ridiculous sums of money to watch that bullshit.

All the Winter Olympic sports are bor­ ing as hell to watch probably because they are largely individual—as opposed to team— sports. I am not impressed or entertained by an athlete who skis cross-country faster or better than anyone else. (I’m not impressed by any­ one playing tennis, swimming, or running by themselves either, so this is not a winter-spe­ cific bias.) Hockey and figure skating are the

mcgilltribune.com

in favour of this bill.

But I personally first heard the term “Apartheid” applied to the occupied Pales­ tinian territories when Archbishop Desmond Tutu returned from an exploratory trip to the region almost a decade ago, echoing senti­ ments he had made a decade prior when he declared that if one changed the names of the places, “a description of what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank could describe events in [1989, Apartheid] South Africa.”

Tutu first came to international promi­ nence as a black South African leader calling for divestment from businesses profiting from South African Apartheid and for the imposi­ tion of sanctions on his own country. In 1984, his efforts were rewarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. Bishop Tutu later chaired the in­ ternationally praised Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which brought a rational and legalistic method of national closure to the irrational and barbaric period of Apartheid in South Africa. Certainly someone like Tutu is far better placed to make such a judgment than I am, than Shurman is, or than any of the read­ ers of this column are.

This doesn’t mean the “Israeli Apartheid” debate is over. There are South Africans who disagree with the label, finding it an inappro­ priate use of their suffering. Similarly, there are Palestinians who remind us that F-16 fight­ er jets never bombarded black South Africans in their homes or laid siege to their cities, and that perhaps the term “Apartheid” is too weak.

The debate over the use of the term “Apart­ heid” is far from over, and the ludicrous notion that the word “Apartheid” should be omitted from discussion needs to be rejected by all.

Rather, students and community members should check out this year’s lineup of speak­ ers in Montreal—which include a member of the Israeli parliament, a former South African anti-Apartheid activist, aboriginal youth, jour­ nalists, and academics—and refuse to give in to the intellectual bullies’ demands to curtail a legitimate discussion simply because they don’t like its implications.

A full schedule of events for Israeli Apartheid Week in Montreal can be found at montreal.apartheidweek.org

only sports that are fun to watch and even they are goofy and better presented in their tradi­ tional formats: NHL regular season games and Disney on Ice. Olympics-induced patriotism aside, I’m generally prouder to be from Min­ nesota than from the States, so a Wild game is more interesting to me than a Team USA one. Also, what can I get that Miracle didn’t already give me?

The Olympic Games should really just be a big weekend away for all the Olympic ath­ letes at a cottage. Forget building facilities in a mountain city and spending $90 million on TV rights. Pack everyone and their skis and skates onto a bus with a video camera, a hand­ ful of medals, and a few two-sixes, and I think everyone who was going to have fun, would.

Curiosity Delivers.

2 March 2010 *7

jm

E D IT O R IA L

gMCGlLL fÉTRIBUNE uu’w.mcgilltribune.com E D IT O R -IN -C H IE F Thom as Q uail editor@ m cgilltribune.com M A N A G IN G E D IT O R S Jam es G ilm an jgilm an@ m cgilltribune.com C arolyn Yates cyates@ m cgilltribune.com P R O D U C T IO N M A N A G E R A dam Scotti ascotti @ m cgilltribune.com N E W S E D IT O R S Tori C raw ford Steven H offer Theo M eyer new s@ m cgilltribune.com O P IN IO N E D IT O R M att C hesser opinion@ m cgilltribune.com F E A T U R E S E D IT O R S Shannon K im ball Brahna Siegelberg features@ m cgilltribune.com A R T S & E N T E R T A IN M E N T E D IT O R S K yle Carpenter Laura Tindal arts@ m cgilltribune.com S P O R T S E D IT O R K ailan Leung sports@ m cgilltribune.com P H O T O E D IT O R S A lice W alker Julia W ebster photo@ m cgilltribune.com

A double standard for Olympic women’s hockey One of the best things about the Olympic Games is its commitment to gender equality.

Eschewing the common male-dominated ath­ letic hierarchy, almost every event in both the Summer and Winter Games awards medals to both genders as equals. And after some of the great female athletic performances we’ve witnessed during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics—by Joannie Rochette, Petra Majdic, and Clara Hughes, to name just a few—it has been refreshing to see people who nor­ mally ignore women’s sports sit up and take notice.

That’s part of the reason why two recent controversies surrounding Olympic women’s hockey have been so disheartening—they re­ veal a disturbing double standard that still ex­ ists when it comes to female athletes.

Lopsided victories in round-robin play sparked the first of these controversies, as Canada and the U.S.A. steamrolled their com­ petition. That led to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge issuing an ominous warning for the future of the sport, saying that women’s hockey “cannot continue fto be an Olympic event] without improve­

ice of Canada Hockey Place, where several ment.”

Rogge is right to say that women’s hock­ players were photographed drinking beer and ey needs parity. The U.S. and Canada are vast­ champagne, and smoking cigars in the empty ly superior to every other country and, barring arena. The outcry was predictable from many a massive upset, will almost always meet in comers. “It is not what we want to see,” said the gold medal game. But, the fault doesn’t lie Gilbert Felli, executive director of the IOC. with the Americans or Canadians: it’s in the “I don’t think it’s a good promotion of sport way other nations fund female athletics. Many values.”

What’s hypocritical, however, is the countries that field weak female hockey teams, such as Russia, lavish funding upon men’s double standard. Canadian Olympic skeleton hockey teams while providing only a pittance champion Jon Montgomery was celebrated for the women. They deserve to be embar­ for doing much the same thing while walk­ rassed in blowouts for their lack of commit­ ing through Whistler village. On his way to a CTV interview, Montgomery walked down ment to growing the women’s game.

Women’s hockey needs to be given time the street, on-camera, while drinking from a to develop, like men’s hockey—where, in 1924 pitcher of beer he was handed by a fan. Mont­ for example, the Canadian men outscored their gomery was drinking in public, on national opposition 122-3. Rogge is right to shame na­ .television—yet no one protested. In fact, The tions that ignore women’s hockey at the ex­ Globe and Mail’s Stephen Bmnt called it one pense of male sports. Hopefully his words will of the best moments of the Olympics. be enough.

Both celebrations were spontaneous and The second controversy occurred after joyous—a well-deserved release for athletes photos surfaced of the Canadian women’s who train and abstain for years in order to hockey team celebrating after the gold medal reach the pinnacle of their sport. It’s disap­ game. The team’s post-game celebration pointing that only the female celebration was spilled out of the dressing room and onto the singled out for being “unsporting.”

Tribune misses the point of the endless Dr. Cornett letters.

Re: “Dr. Cornett’s favorite play? Monty Python’s Spamalot.” by Anait Keuchguerian (9.2.10) Under the banner of academic transpar­ ency, a recent student letter advocated the screening of Alanis Obomsawin’s documen­ tary about the remarkable teaching style of Norman Cornett, a professor whom McGill let go three years ago. Perhaps because the let­ ter contained a lengthy, and probably miscon­ ceived, disquisition on the various meanings of transparency, the editorial staff at the Tribune entitled the letter: “Dr. Cornett’s favourite play? Monty Python’s Spamalot.” This was no doubt intended as an exasperated comment on the volume of letters that the Tribune receives concerning him. It seems that the Tribune has missed the point: if normally apathetic uni­ versity students are writing letters frequently enough to bother the Trib, maybe their insis­ tence indicates a matter of great importance.

I believe this is a question of character for McGill, a question of how many ideas it is able to house. Cornett’s style of teaching is in­ deed unorthodox; that unorthodoxy has helped open many minds to new and wonderful ideas, which seems to me the quintessence of educa­

tion. McGill has deemed this style unworthy sis of a nuanced conflict.” This is simply ab­ of a place in its constellation of opportunities, surd. There is no hidden agenda behind Gaza an unfortunate error that has made this excel­ Remembrance Week. The sole purpose of this lent institution a lesser place. Many McGill event is to commemorate the atrocities that students, as well as luminaries in a number took place in Gaza a year ago, nothing more. of different fields, have recognized Cornett’s Claiming otherwise is a cheap attempt to over­ classes for what they are: a transformative ed­ look the thousands of lives that were lost as a ucational experience. They have protested the result of this war. This outlandish claim made administration’s decision and will continue to by Adam Winer comes as no surprise to me. push for its re-evaluation. A key step along the It is all too typical to hear shouts of outrage way is for people who haven’t had the privi­ whenever there is an event or symposium that lege of being taught by Cornett to see what displays how Israel, like any other state, is his classes are like, and Obomsawin’s docu­ capable of perpetrating violence against civil­ mentary provides a compelling introduction. I ians. therefore join those who are calling for an onWhat I take most offense to, however, is campus screening. McGill students have much Adam Winer’s claim that SPHR used the Goldto gain by finding out just what they are miss­ stone Report “as a starting point from which to ing. (Ed. note—A screening of Obomsawin’s demonize Israel and undermine its legitimacy documentary will be presented at 7 p.m. on as a state.” Believe it or not, Adam, this is not March 22 in LEA 132.) what SPHR is attempting to do. SPHR drew on —Fraser Dickson • this report because it is based on documented B.A. ‘09 facts to highlight how war crimes were com­ mitted by both, yes by both sides during “Op­ Fostering open dialogue. eration Cast Lead.” You simply cannot expect Re: “Why Gaza Remembrance Week a report to place equal emphasis on Israel and misses the point" by Adam Winer (26.1.10) Hamas when the Palestinian death toll greatly Although Adam Winer’s commentary outnumbers the Israeli death toll (this, after all, concludes on a somewhat optimistic note— would be biased). Lastly, by stating that SPHR calling on us to have open dialogue and broad­ used the Goldstone Report to demonize and en our knowledge about the Arab-Israeli con­ delegitimize Israel’s statehood, you are con­ flict—the manner in which he wrote his op-ed flating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, makes clear that he has yet to follow this im­ and such a statement does nothing to foster portant piece of advice. In the beginning of his open dialogue on campus. piece, Adam Winer makes the claim that the —Sarah Ghabrial whole purpose of Gaza Remembrance Week is PhD Middle Eastern History to “stifle dialogue and promote a simple analy­

D E S IG N E D IT O R S A lison Bailey Zoe Brew ster design@ m cgilltribune.com C O P Y E D IT O R C arolyn G régoire O N L IN E E D IT O R A lexandr C artasiov online@ m cgilltribune.com A D V E R T IS IN G M A N A G E R D allas Bentley cpm @ ssm u.m cgill.ca P U B L IS H E R C had Ronalds

CONTRIBUTORS Z o e D a n ie ls , M a tt E ssert, F ra n c e s c a F e re n c z i, M aria F lo re s, G race G lo w ic k i, A n n e H a ld a n e , L au ren H u d ak , S am J e s su la , Jo h n K elsey, Jay L a n d sm an , Iain M a c d o n a ld , B rittan y R a p p a p o rt, M a x im e S aw ick i, M ax S ilv e rm an , S h aw n S ten h o u se, B re n d a n S tev e n , H o lly S tew art, R y an T aylor, S e a n W ood

TRIBUNE OFFICES EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

Shatner U niversity C entre

Brow n Student Building

Suite 110, 3480 M cTavish

Suite 1200, 3600 M cTavish

M ontreal, Q C H 3A 1X9

M ontreal, Q C H 3A 1Y2

T: 514.398.6789

T: 514.398.6835 F: 514.398.7490

The McGill Tribune is an editorially autonomous newspaper pub­ lished by the Students’ Society o f McGill University in collabora­

/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ^

YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME— BUT YOU COULD BE.

tion with the Tribune Publication Society. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Students’ Society or McGill Uni­ versity. Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@mcgilltribune.

THE TRIBUNE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS NOW ACCEPTING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2010-11 ACADEMIC YEAR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE POSITION, PLEASE DROP OFF A PORTFOLIO THAT INCLUDES A COVER LETTER

com and must include the contributor’s name, program and year and contact information. Letters should be kept under 300 words and

DETAILING YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION, A CV, AND THREE RELEVANT WRITING OR DESIGN SAMPLES AT THE SSMU

submitted only to the Tribune. Submissions judged by the Tribune

OFFICE FRONT DESK (BROWN BUILDING, SUITE 1200) TO THE ATTENTION OF VP CLUBS AND SERVICES SARAH OLLE. THE

Publication Society to be libellous, sexist, racist, homophobic or sole­ ly promotional in nature will not be published. The Tribune reserves the right to edit all contributions. Editorials are decided upon and

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS MARCH 15 AT 5 P.M. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. HOWEVER, PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WITH

written by the editorial board. All other opinions are strictly those of

TRIBUNE-RELATED EXPERIENCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUTTHE APPLICATION PROCESS, OR WHATTHE POSITION

the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions o f the McGill

ENTAILS, PLEASE CONTACT EDITOR@MCGILLTRIBUNE.COM.

Tribune, its editors or its staff. Please recycle this newspaper.

V______________________________________________________________________________________ /

---------------------------------------- —

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->

THE FATE OF THIS PAPER LIES IN YOUR HANDS The Tribune is accepting applications for next y ea r’s editorial board, who will succeed our current crop o f brilliant and incredibly good-looking section editors. (And our studly Editor-in-Chief.)

The available positions are: M anaging Editor (2), Production M anager, New s E ditor (3), O pinion Editor, Features Editor (2), Arts & Entertain­ m ent Editor (2), Sports Editor (2), Photo Editor (2), D esign Editor (3), Copy Editor, and Online Editor If you w ould like to apply for any o f the positions, please drop off a cover letter addressed to E ditor-in-C hief Thom as Quail, a CV, and three relevant writing sam ples at the Tribune Office, Suite 110, in the Shatner Building. The deadline for applications is M arch 18 at 5 p.m. Late applica­ tions will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, contact editor@ m cgilltribune.com or the relevant section editor (their em ail addresses can be found in the m asthead, located on page seven.) G ood luck!

V____________________________

Co

r r e c t io n

________

The article “Far from hom e and close to anger in the G aza Strip,” (19.01.10) by Joel Entw istle incorrectly spelled the nam e o f R achel Corrie.

The article also incorrectly noted the num ber o f civilian cas­ ualties in O peration C ast Lead — originally, the article claim ed that the C ast L ead resulted in 1200 civilian casualties. But in fact, according to B ’tselem , there w ere 773 civilian casualties. The article also incorrectly noted that Israeli air strikes destroyed Pal­ estinian hospitals.

The Tribune regrets the errors.

- /

M O V IN G O U T O F REZ? It ’s t i m e t o v is it M o n t r e a l ’s m o s t im p r e s s iv e s t u d e n t a p a r t m e n t s !

STE CATHERINE STREET WEST RUE STE CATHERINE OUEST

Discover our incredible student apartments!

O u r s p a c io u s a n d m o d e rn 4 a n d 5 b e d r o o m a p a rtm e n ts c o m e c o m p le te w ith 2 full b a th ro o m s , p e r fe c t fo r y o u a n d y o u r ro o m m a te s . These s tu n n in g fu rn ish e d suites in c lu d e all utilities as w e ll as w ire d a n d w ireless In te rn e t a n d c a b le .

building amenities to enjoy!

T h e a tre -s ty le m o v ie ro o m • c a r d io ro o m w ith tre a d m ills , e llip tic a ls a n d b ic y c le s • w e ig h t ro o m w ith m a c h in e s a n d fre e w e ig h ts • m u sic ro o m s • s tu d y ro o m s to s a v e y o u a trip to th e lib ra ry w h e n it's e s p e c ia lly c o ld • g a m e ro o m w ith p o o l ta b le s , fo o s b a ll a n d v id e o g a m e system s • b u ild in g s p o n s o re d e v e n ts a n d o u tin g s • to n s m o re !

$

>

Limited space available. Reserve today!

C all 514.844.0999 for a tour or visit our website at www.515stecatherine.com .

Presents th e Spring Referenda Topics

C o m e o u t a n d V O T E in th e S p rin g

Q uestion RE: Body Sovereignty in SSMU Constitution

E le c tio n s fo r y o u r c h a n c e to W IN

Q uestion RE: Environm ent Fee

Q uestion RE: Daily Publications Society Fee Increase Q uestion RE: Policies on matters external to the Society

$ 1 0 0 0 V A C A T IO N

Q uestion RE: M cGill Tribune as an independent organization Q uestion RE: QPIRG by-law changes

ii

Q uestion RE: W USC Refugee Scholarship Fund Q uestion RE: Constitution Section III Question: RE: Creation o f Student Life Q uestion RE: TVM cGill Funding

Full text of referenda can be found at electionsmcgill.ca Ask the Candidates the Questions you Want to know!

I

; Senate/Referendum Debate: M arch 3rd

@4pm in Lev Bukhm an

.

j SSM U Executive Debate:

V O T IN G B E G IN S M A R C H S™ . 2010

M arch 4th @ 4pm in Lev Bukhm an

e '-

Curiosity Delivers.

Student living

2 March 2010» 9

FOOD GURU

X VS. Y

Cheese, herb and beer bread

Pro-Crosby vs. Anti-Crosby

FRANCESCA FERENCZI C ontributor

Beer bread is a savoury quickbread, much like a salty, dense pound cake. This specific reci­ pe is made with cheese, which seeps through the delicious bread. Rosemary and thyme impart a sophisticated flavour, but the real kicker is the beer, which acts as a levener and adds a yeasty un­ dertone. And who doesn’t have an extra bottle of beer lying around? The dough comes together in three minutes and can be used as sandwich bread, a snack, or a savoury breakfast pastry.

• • • • • • • • • •

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Pros On the ice: Crosby is sure to go down in history as one of the best playmakers in the NHL, making his teammates better with tons of assists. He is a great defensive player, but good on faceoffs, too.

Behaviour: Crosby is idolized by thou­ sands of young hockey players across the country. It's a big responsibility, and one that he has handled well. He’s stayed out of the tabloids, and is involved with lots of charities.

Crosby relishes his role as an ambassador, and helps to promote the game in Canada and around the world.

Olympics: He might not be the top goal scorer, but he came through in the clutch to win it for Canada. The attention opponents’ top lines paid to Crosby opened up space for other players like Toews, Perry, and Getzlaf.

How he makes me feel: In love, but also proud to be Canadian. Whether we like it or not, the best hockey player will be the best known Canadian around the world, so he's the perfect person to represent it.

Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cups + 2 tbsp. shredded cheese 1 tbsp. dried thyme 1 tbsp. dried rosemary 1 12-oz. bottle of beer 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tbsp. water (if needed) Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease a standard-sized loaf pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix in 3/4 cup of cheese and herbs.

Add the beer and mix until just combined.

Mix in the olive oil. There should be no dry flour left in the bowl. If there is, add the water and mix gently.

Pour batter into the pan and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Bake for 50-55 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Let cool on a rack for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Cons On the ice: Crosby spends more time whining about hats on the ice than handling the puck. Combined with avoiding fights and not playing aggressively, he might as well go back to playing Timbits hockey.

Looks: Crosby was hot when he was a dreamy 16-year-old. Now he’s 22, but he looks like he’s 14. Plus, a man who can’t grow a beard isn’t much of a man.

Olympics: His only point in the last three games was the game-winning goal in the final.

He’s like that slacker who does no work and brings down your group mark, but aces the final.

How he makes me feel: Inadequate. At 22, he’s the same age as me and has won a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medal, and mil­ lions of dollars. I’m going into my fifth year of undergrad.

Advantage: Pro-Crosby All of the cons are inarguable, but ultimately Crosby is the man who scored the golden goal. If Paul Henderson is still milking his game-winning goal 38 years after the Summit Series, Crosby’s got to get at least two days of gratitude, eh?

—Compiled by Tori Crawford and Laura Tindal

GIZMOS & GADGETS

First aid for computers, old or new Keep your computer fast fo r longer IAIN MACDONALD C ontributor

You’ve probably noticed that as your computer gets older, it seems to slow down.

While it is true that newer computers are fast­ er, this is no reason for your older computer to be any slower than the first day you got it.

Here are a number of steps that can keep your computer functioning like it’s brand new.

Fragmentation After a while, most files become frag­ mented—and split into parts—which can start to visibly affect performance. There are tools called disk defragmenters that will solve this problem. A disk defragmenter will analyze your hard drive and try to put the pieces of the puzzle back into one big picture. Defraggler is a disk defragmenter that provides a nice, simple-to-use interface. You should defragment your hard drive at least once a month to make your computer perform a bit quicker.

Your Internet browser is caching in Web browsers are lazy. If you visit a web­ site, it doesn’t want to have to re-download all of the components of the page, so instead, it saves the page contents on your computer.

Then when you re-visit the page, it just shows you the old contents (don’t worry, it checks if the website has changed or not). This infor­ mation is stored, along with saved passwords and history, in the cache. You can recover this space using a utility called Ccleaner. Ccleaner will clean up your internet cache and your trash can (only the one on your computer, un­ fortunately), and a few other space hoggers.

Memory ain’t what it used to be Every program uses memory and needs to reserve its own memory space, even if it won’t necessarily use it. If your computer is strapped for memory, you don’t want programs to re­ serve memory that they aren’t going to use.

A utility called cleanmem will automatically look at the program’s running and take back some memory from those processes.

Old computer, old programs Unused and non-essential programs can

slow down your machine, so remove them to free up hard disk space. But using the pro­ gram’s uninstaller doesn’t always remove ev­ erything. Using a program such as Revo Un­ installer will remove every trace of the pro­ gram, to get every bit of space back. If it takes more than a minute for your computer to turn on, you’re probably starting up non-essential programs with your computer. You can con­ trol which programs start up when you logon using an application called Autoruns.

In the lightweight division...

While utilities like Adobe PDF viewer and Photoshop are nice, they use a large amount of disk space, memory, and CPU resources.

Installing less resource-intensive alternatives can make your computer more efficient. Con­ sider using Foxit Reader for PDFs, or GIMP instead of Photoshop. If you’re wondering if a program is hogging resources, a Google search should reveal the answer, and can be used to find any “lightweight” alternatives.

Computers can get sick too With such a large array of threats ready to wreak havoc—including viruses, spyware,

trojans, worms, and keyloogers—you need to be ready for anything to attack your computer.

Fortunately, there are programs that will take care of this. In the free anti-virus category, Avira, AVG, and Avast have emerged as fa­ vourites (although there are dozens of others).

For removal of spyware, adware, and trojans, Ad-Aware free version does an excellent job.

Alternatives include Super Antispyware, Spybot Search&Destroy, and MalwareBytes AntiMalware.

New life If all else fails, try reinstalling the oper­ ating system. This will return your computer to its brand-new state (but also remove all of your data and settings, so backup!). You can re-install the operating system that came with the computer, or consider switching to an al­ ternative. Linux distributions are free and tend to run more efficiently than Windows and Mac operating systems. The most popular distribu­ tion, Ubuntu, features a pleasant graphical in­ terface, and performs all of the same functions as Windows.

VANCC 2

0

Top section: Bobsledders Heather Moyse (top left) and Shelly-Ann Brown (top right) had plenty to celebrate as Canada-1 and Canada-2 won gold and silver, respectively, at the Whistler Slic

12» 2 March 2010

2

Green Week March 2

Learn about working in the environ­ mental sector from McGill faculty. To register, go to myFuture.

4

The History of Sexuality March 4, 1-7 p.m.

Where: Leacock 232

The Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies presents a sym­ posium on the history of sexuality. Re­ freshments will be available.

5

Magic, Hypnosis, and the Brain Where: Redpath Museum March 5,5 p.m.

Join McGill neuroscientist and magi­ cian Amir Raz for a look at how the brain works under hypnosis. Followed by the 1953 film Houdini.

5

The Situation comes to Montreal Where: Time Supperclub March 5, 10 p.m.

Not sick of Jersey Shore yet? Mike “The Situation” hosts a fist-pumping night at Time Supperclub.

Last January, the 3000 non-academ ic casual workers o f M cG ill U n iversity have been certified as a labour union by the Quebec Labour Board. Eligible voters voted at 8 5 % in favour o f joining the A ssociation o f M cG ill U n iversity Support Em ployees - A M U S E / P SA C / FTQ;.

A M U S E is now the official union o f M cG ill’s non-academ ic casual workers.

W e are n ow setting up an organizational structure necessary to prepare us for negotiations o f the collective bargaining, through w h ich w e can im prove our w orking conditions. T h is is a major part o f w h y A M U S E w as established.

H ow ever, given the fluctuating num bers o f our the bargaining unit, m any o f us have not yet signed m em bership cards, and thus are not yet officially m em bers o f the union w ith the right to vote and participate form ally.

D o w rite to us if you are in this situation. W e w ill be able to arrange a m eeting w ith our representatives at your convenience for the purposes o f card signing.

Further, w e w ould also like to know o f your w orking conditions. W rite to us, if you have grievances and problem s that need redress. By know in g your basic needs and concerns, A M U S E w ill be an effective support and advocate o f M cG ill’s casual workers.

T h e presence o f A M U S E w ill d efin itely have a p ositive im pact on future w orking conditions at the U n iv ersity . Y et w e m ust follow up our victory in the ballots w ith a strong organization on the ground. W e m ust show strength and solidarity from the very beginning; and this is achieved on ly through your active in volvem en t.

Be in volved , contact us!

6

Southeast Asian Night Where: SSMU Ballroom March 6,7 p.m.

McGill’s Southeast Asian clubs pres­ ent cultural performances, fashion, food and education from South East Asian region.

local.am use@ gm ail.com

9

5

3

7

3 1

7

The Power of Movement Where: Sacred Heart School, 3536 Atwater When: March 7,11 a.m.

Strike your best yoga poses to ben­ efit arthritis and autoimmune research.

Bring your own mat and towel.

8

8 6

1

2

5

4

7

6

9

5

3 2

9 3

6 3

8

5

1

7

6

7

6

6

2

9

8

7

8

1

1 2

6

9

4 8

3 8

1

5

5

4

8

7

2

2

8

3 7

5

9

8

2

5

7

6

4

6

7 2

5

3

1

9

6

5

4

6

1

1

8

9 8 4 9

5

1

9

4

6

9 6

8

2

1

5

2

7

5

6 6

4

3

2

4 6

Curiosity Delivers.

A&JE

2 March 2010* 13

MUSIC

Vancouver rock band Yukon Blonde has more fun A name change comes with big name comparisons RYAN TAYLOR C ontributor

Alphababy really isn’t a respectable name for a rock band, especially if you’re a good one. Just ask Yukon Blonde, the Van­ couver four-piece who played 300 shows as Alphababy from their formation in 2005 until late 2008.

“We used to get, ‘Are you guys a kink band?”’ laughs guitarist/singer Brandon Scott.

“It was kind of unfortunate, but an eye-open­ er.”

This realization no doubt helped encour­ age the band to adopt the more appropriate moniker of Yukon Blonde, but there were other hints along the way that their former name just wasn’t that cool. Take, for instance, the promoter in Toronto who disliked the name so much he changed the marquee to read “Alphaboy.” Of that former tour-mate Jon-Rae Fletcher continuously preached the benefits of a new name when Alphababy was performing as his backing band. Whatever the tipping point, the band recognized the need for a change.

However, above all and regardless of the “cool” factor, going by Yukon Blonde gave the band a clean slate to take them in a new direction.

“We rented this new jam space and we really wanted to write a record and just lock it down and not play shows for a year and do a new sound,” says Scott. “We were still going to go with Alphababy but then we were like, ‘Screw this, lets start fresh,’ and wrote new songs. It’s been a nice refreshing moment.”

Since then, the name Yukon Blonde has fared much better.

“We’ve had no bad response yet. We get ‘Yukon Gold' every now and again, but I’m cool with that,” says Scott.

The band hasn’t done too badly either, winning praise from the National Post and making CBC’s list of “10 Canadian bands destined to break in 2010.”

Despite their newfound attention, the band has remained level-headed. “ It’s kind of ridiculous sometimes,” says Scott. “You’re like ‘Oh my goodness, this is outrageous,’ but I think so far our shows have been really successful and people have really got into it so we’ve been excited to see that happen,” says Scott.

Critics and fans alike have been drawn

MISSIONLESSDAYS/FL1CKR

Lead guitarist/singer Brandon Scott says the comparisons to 1970’s bands weren’t intentional, though his looks suggest otherwise.

B.C. benchwarmers will have the crowd on their feet this Friday. to the irresistible, harmony-drenched, sixtiesinspired rock found on the group’s self-titled debut. Comparisons to The Band, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and Fleetwood Mac abound, but Scott says the retro vibe wasn’t an entirely conscious decision.

“We wanted kind of a newer sound and we get the retro-rock thing now, but it came naturally from how we play. The way [singer/ guitarist Jeff Innés] usually demos his songs, they’re usually full of electronic drums and all this kind of stuff and then we add our touches and it gives it a sixties flavour I suppose.”

“We’re huge retro-rock fans for sure.

We like our classic rock and we like a lot of modem day stuff as well, so [the music has been] getting that kind of mix. I don’t know where [the Fleetwood Mac comparison is] coming from, but I like that band and I can’t complain.”

Aesthetically speaking, it probably didn’t hurt that the band recorded the entire album to tape mostly “live off the floor,” a long-time ambition that gives the songs a “classic” (i.e. warm) sound, something frequently lost in to­ day’s digital recording process.

“We’ve always wanted to try that,” says Scott. “We’ve always been used to doing it

YUKONBLONDE.COM

track by track by track where this time we could really feel each other out and get it done in one take.”

Even though they’ve already won the hearts of people across the country and re­ ceived critical acclaim, the band still finds their hometown the most difficult scene to break into. “[Vancouver] has its pretentious mo­ ments, but we’ve been really fortunate and had really good shows there,” says Scott.

“Trying to get a response from an audience is always tricky, but there it seems very tricky in comparison to other cities in Canada. It’s a good city. They know what they like and i| you can win over Vancouver then you’ve gof something going for you.”

Vancouver be damned, Yukon Blonde have nowhere to go but up. For now, they’re just enjoying the ride.

“Travelling, seeing new people, having fun every night is why I like doing this,” says Scott. “It’s nice being able to sell vinyl records every night. It’s pretty cool.”

Yukon Blonde play II Motore on Friday, March 5.

Pop Iffieforic LOST FRIENDS Lost fans, as the title suggests, are lost. These poor people have undergone a metaphorical crash of their usual TV view­ ing experience and have been abandoned on a virtual island, surrounded by strang­ ers, wondering what will occur next on this jarring roller coaster of a show.

Since the popular series began its allegedly all-revealing final season, a line in the sandy beach of the Pacific island has been drawn—no, not the recurring oppos­ ing ideologies of Jack and Locke. This time, it’s the audience that’s separated. On one side are the faithful fans, dying for ex­ planations and eager to have their count­ less theories proven or nullified. On the other side are a group of people we will

call “the Others,” composed of individuals who either watch or have merely heard of the show, but despise the opposing group.

Recently, the Others, through the Onion, have released a video entitled “Final sea­ son of Lost promises to make fans more annoying than ever.”

What have the faithful fans ever done to the world to deserve such animosity? I will admit that Lost fans have pushed the limits of fandom by creating innumerable blogs and virtual communities, but this is nothing new—haven’t we all met a Trekkie? Trekkies, in my opinion, are the ones who put the word “fan” in fanatic—not Lost fans. Have people really suffered from listening to theories of purgatory and alternate dimensions? Doubtful. Rather, I would claim that mankind has benefited from dabbling in fiction that lies a little outside of its comfort zone.

Lost doesn’t belong in the fantasy genre any more than Grey’s Anatomy does.

If you disagree, I challenge you to come up with a single event presented on Grey’s that you have personally experienced. I have been to many hospitals and have never had an elevator ride as exciting as the most mundane one on that show. The only difference between Grey’s and Lost is that Lost fans embrace the fact that they’re watching fiction, whereas Grey’s Anatomy can now be found in the motivation sec­ tion of medical school applications.

Lost fans are not only nerds who believe in mystical connections between people, they are people who want to es­ cape their everyday lives and dive into an alternate dimension where time travel and resurrection are ordinary occurrences.

Lost fans deserve the same credit as other TV-show admirers. What makes

their existence more annoying than Heroes or Gossip Girl addicts? I remember losing an entire hour of my life listening to some­ one trying to explain how Jack Bauer gets through an entire day without ever using the bathroom. As boring as that conversa­ tion (i.e. monologue) was, I respect this avid fan for his passion rather than despise him for his persistence.

Lost fans of the world beware: a black smoke of hate is headed your way.

And for those of you who are not inter­ ested in the show and find yourself having to hear someone’s perspective on it, let him talk. Who knows, maybe you’ll find out what the island is all about.

— Sam Jessula A&E Contributor

mcgilltribune .com

14 • 2 March 2010

Dead wives and daydreams test Leo’s sanity in Shutter Island DiCaprio and Scorcese unite fo r psychological thriller GRACE GLOWICKI C ontributor

Shutter Island, Martin Scorsese’s new psychological thriller, has dominated the box office since its release on February 19. Gross­ ing a mean $40.2 million, it also marks the illustrious director’s most successful opening weekend to date. Though not on par with his best films, Shutter Island reflects Scorsese’s genius simply by being meticulously put to­ gether, well-cast, and generally captivating—a feat that many films currently in theatres have failed to achieve. Dealing with the shaky defi­ nitions of crime, insanity, and reality, the film firmly holds the audience’s attention.

The plot follows US Marshall Teddy Dan­ iels (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has been sent to Shutter Island to investigate the report of a missing patient from Ashecliffe Hospital, an institution for the criminally insane. As soon as Teddy becomes certain that the doctors are illegally experimenting on patients, his grasp on reality is weakened by vivid nightmares and incapacitating migraines. Towards the end of the story, reality and fiction have furiously bled into one another, forcing the audience to decipher the truth. Set in 1954, the film trem­ bles with a combination of Cold War paranoia

and emotional trauma from World War II. As always, DiCaprio delivers a vigor­ ous performance, leaving even the most inert of audience members feeling exhausted. We identify with his Teddy throughout the entire film and fight alongside him to uncover the truth of Shutter Island. Perfectly embodying the thematic tension of the film, his last scene exudes a fantastic uncanniness that could only be conjured up by the likes of Leo. Also com­ mendable is Sir Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Dr. Cawley, a head psychiatrist at Ashecliffe who exudes an uncomfortable eeriness, play­ ing tricks on both Teddy and the audience.

Scorsese orchestrates surrealist scenes of nightmares, flashbacks and hallucinations in ways that are so hauntingly beautiful and vivid that they move like waking dreams.

Particularly captivating is Teddy’s nightmare in which his dead wife (Michelle Williams) bleeds water, smoulders red like embers, and finally turns to ash in his arms. Equally im­ pressive are Teddy’s reoccurring flashbacks of liberating a death camp during the war—in one we see a German officer bleeding to death in his office as Mahler blares from a gramophone and papers float around the room, invoking the mood of a sinister snow globe.

Scorsese references Hitchcock’s Vertigo, North by Northwest, The Case of Mr. Pelham, and Psycho in ways that merely index, but do not expand the themes of identity and psycho­

DiCaprio’s tie isn’t the craziest thing in the film by a long shot. sis “the master of suspense” first brought to the table. He also emulates aspects of many clas­ sic horror films: a storm blows in right when it should, doors fling open, the power goes out, cellos wail, crazy people jump out of the dark, and so on. However, these references come off as intentional rather than unimpressive. Scors­ ese cheekily appropriates throughout his en­

FILMDOCKET.COM

tire film, giving it the feel of a found-footage concoction, which emerges not as cheesy, but as entertaining pulp fiction.

Shutter Island is no Taxi Driver or Goodfellas, but it definitely deserves its current spot at number one.

Shutter Island is playing at Scotiabank Theatre.

MUSIC

We Are The City take on the rest of the country Kelowna band is the first Peak Performance Project winner BRITTANY RAPPAPORT C ontributor

After recently winning Vancouver’s firstever Peak Performance Project, a contest cre­ ated by radio station 100.5 The PEAK and Music BC to encourage up-and-coming artists based in British Columbia, We Are The City is humbly starting to realize that what lies ahead for them is going to be a huge departure from their beginnings.

“We [Cayne McKenzie and David Menzel] were friends and started jamming in grade eight and it was the most awful jams you could ever imagine,” says vocalist and keyboardist McKenzie. “He started on bass and I was on guitar, an awful purple one, and our main in­ fluence was P.O.D.” The boys from Kelowna have progressed a lot since these early days. McKenzie invited drummer Andrew Huculiak to join the band in high school after Huculiak’s screamo band fizzled out. Although the band fit together per­ fectly, they had no idea that the band’s future would be as promising as it’s become.

With Menzel on the guitar and Huculiak on drums, the three youthful composers were shocked to even be accepted into the Peak Performance Project alongside 490 other ap­ plicants.

“All the bands in the top 20 were amaz­ ing and then [to get into the] top three was just crazy,” McKenzie says. Inspired by artists like Mew, Radiohead, and Coldplay (they quickly realized P.O.D wasn’t their thing), We Are The City was one of only two indie bands to ad­ vance in the contest.

But McKenzie barely mentions that they won the entire competition, along with a whole lot of cash. This could be because, for them, it was never about winning but rather about making music together.

“It’s crazy that I’m getting paid for this, but I don’t think any of us are looking at it like that,” says McKenzie. “We’re not concerned with making money, we want to do this.”

The fact that they are now $ 150,000 richer hasn’t fazed We Are The City. “I feel like this is our test to see if we can really stay true even with tons of money ... I feel like we’re doing a pretty good job because for us it’s kind of like

the band is a friendship before anything,” says McKenzie.

Their tight-knit friendship is exactly what has helped the band propel themselves onto the Canadian indie music scene. “The three of us are best compared to a marriage, I don’t see anyone else more than I see them,” says McK­ enzie. “We all share a bed on our manager’s floor, work together all day, and then play to­ gether, so I sometimes spend more time with them than with myself.”

Despite its name, We Are The City’s debut album, In A Quiet World, is not very quiet at all. With a refreshing sound, heavy on the keys

while staying in the realm of pop-rock, the album—and the band—are full of potential.

“The fact that we love playing and writ ing music with each other and having that be able to come out of us ... as long as we keep [that] intact then I think we’ll be okay with not becoming too hot-headed. We’re not really guys like that anyways.”

On their Reckless Bravery Tour, We Are The City plays at The Green Room on March 6 at 9 p.m.

Curiosity Delivers.

2 March 2010 • 15

r

A & E IS L O O K IN G F O R E D IT O R S F O R N EX T S E M E S T E R

FILM

Cop Out lives up to its title Director Kevin Smith distances himselffrom buddy cop flop ALISON BAILEY D esign Editor

Kevin Smith’s supposed comedy, Cop Out, aims to be a big-budget action movie but falls flat with a potentially talented but ulti­ mately disappointing cast. Combine Smith’s lackluster directing efforts with a poor script written by Mark and Robb Cullen and medio­ cre performances by both Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, and you have a two-hour long movie that feels more like four, with only a handful of scenes that are laugh-out-loudworthy.

The film is essentially a rehash of many buddy cop films that were popular in the eight­ ies and nineties. This may have worked well for Lethal Weapon and Rush Hour, but in the case of Cop Out the Cullen brothers fail to capture the right balance between fast-paced action scenes and witty bantering that this type of movie requires.

The movie depicts two cops, Jimmy Monroe (Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges (Tracy Morgan), who have their badges taken away at the beginning of the film, a typical obstacle of the genre. Jimmy and Paul then face a number of misadventures while they try to relocate Jimmy’s stolen vintage baseball card, a prized ’52 Pafko, which leads them to encounter a thief named Dave (Sean William Scott), an attractive Hispanic woman (quintes­ sential to any testosterone-driven cop movie), and, of course, Mexican drug lords. As a side note, Ana de la Reguera, who plays the allur­ ing Mexican named Gabriela, seems to have been cast solely based on her looks and her ability to rant for long periods of time in Span­ ish, because she doesn’t bring anything else to the film.

The movie does succeed in one of the tra­ ditional aspects of the buddy cop genre: Cop Out is full of car chases and shoot-outs. Espe­ cially noteworthy is the scene in which Jimmy

and Paul’s vehicle is being pursued through a graveyard—a great example of what an action flick should be.

The hard-ass seriousness of Willis juxta­ posed with the immature and impulsive char­ acter of Morgan should yield an entertaining, odd-couple dynamic, but instead leaves the audience embittered by the lack of harmony between the two.

Morgan plays the same character he al­ ways plays: a childish, spontaneous, irrational caricature of himself. Despite this character being well received in 21-minute episodes of 30 Rock, 107 minutes of Morgan describing his bowel movements and yelling profanities becomes tiresome long before the credits ar­ rive. He does, however, have his comedic mo­ ments. One of the most entertaining scenes in the movie consists of Morgan’s character interrogating a suspect, using only quotations from various movies including Schindler’s List, Star Wars, and Beetlejuice.

Willis, on the other hand, puts on one of his most disappointing performances, re­ citing his lines as though he knows how bad they really are. Jimmy’s character could have easily have been more developed, but instead he is mostly overshadowed by the obnoxious jeering of Paul and forced into a bland role in which he mostly ends up babysitting his part­ ner.

However, the supporting role played by Sean William Scott is the best performance in the movie. His ADD, jokester character—who has a knack for climbing urban structures— outshines both Willis and Morgan. This film would have been better with more of Scott.

It’s no wonder Smith tried to distance himself from this movie and was quoted on his Twitter page saying that Cop Out was “not MY movie; a movie I was hired to di­ rect.” Whether Smith, the Cullens, Willis, or Morgan are to blame, the overuse of standard clichéd farces is the final straw in this attempt at a comedic buddy cop flick. Do yourself a favor and spend your time watching 30 Rock and The Fifth Element instead.

\

A

p p l ic a n t s m u s t s u b m it a c o v e r l e t t e r

AND

3W

,a CV,

R I T I N G S A M P L E S T O T H E T R I B U N E O F F IC E ,

A D D R E S S E D T O E D I T O R - I N - C H I E F T H O M A S Q U A IL .

A

p p l ic a t io n s a r e d u e m a r c h

18,

n o

later t h a n

5 P.M.

V

/

A T T E N T IO N :

Foreign Students S T O P PAYING FO REIG N STU D EN T F E E S Apply to become a permanent resident of Canada today.

An average refund with us is $1,000 Are you here on a student visa?

Do you wish to tranform your status to Permanent resident of Canada?

W e g e t you an average o f $1 ,0 0 0 on your tax refund, so you can do m ore o f w hat you w ant to do. G et It Right

No m atter what your situation our immigration professionals can help.

Student Tax Prep

H&R BLOCK

Call now for a CONFIDENTIAL consultation.

514 499-8082 Permanent residency - Family sponsorship-investors Citizenship - Visitor’s Visa - Work permit - Student Visa Caregiver - Refugees - Humanitarian - CAQ, CSQ The Canadian Immigration Council 400 St-Jacques Steet W. suite 500, Montréal , Qc, H2Y 1S1

www.immigrationcouncil.com

Click, call or com e over. | hrblock.ca | 800-HRBLOCK © 2009 H&R Block Canada, Inc. *$29.95 valid for regular student tax preparation only.

Student tax preparation with Cash Back option is $34.95. To qualify for student pricing, student must present either (i) a T2202a documenting 4 or more months of full-time attendance at a college or university during 2009 or (ii) a valid high school identification card. Expires July 31, 2010. Valid only at participating H&R Block locations in Canada.

mcgilltribune.com

16 *2 March 2010

Sunday. Film. The 82nd Annual Acad­ emy Awards.

There’s so much to enjoy during the Os­ cars: critiquing the dresses on the red carpet; gossiping about which star turned up with who; betting money on who will win even though you haven’t seen most of the movies.

As long as you’ve seen Avatar you’ll at least know half the movies being nominated. @ 8 p.m. on ABC.

Friday. Film. Alice In Wonderland.

Everyone seems to love Tim Burton. So much so that films like Edward Scissorhands and Mars Attacks! have become cult clas­ sics, while the Planet of the Apes remake and Batxpan Returns have largely been forgotten.

Lewis Carroll’s famed novel is the perfect outlet for Burton to satisfy his surrealist ten­ dencies, and let’s face it: we all just want to see our childhood Disney movie get a maca­ bre makeover. @ Scotiabank Theatre.

Saturday. Music. YACHT. An indie rock band that’s as strange as they are pretentious, YACHT are an electro duo made up of Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans. Their latest album, 2009’s See Mys­ tery Lights, was released on LCD Soündsystem’s DFA Records. If they’re not too busy remixing Nirvana songs or quoting Ezra Pound, they will be playing in Montreal this weekend. @ Le Belmont.

Thursday. Literature. “The Beast in Shakespeare.”

Tomlinson Professor of Shakespeare Studies, Paul Yachnin, looks at the role of animals in Shakespeare’s works, and par­ ticularly how society’s demeaning views of women and minorities during Shakspeares time placed them closer to animals on the hierarchy than humans. @ Moyse Hall, 5:30 p.m.

C D R EVIEW S

Interested in the fast-paced world of photojournalism?

Rebecca Ramone: The Flood Rebecca Ramone’s debut EP, The Flood, doesn’t start with a bang. Instead, the opening track features a repeating blues riff beneath Ramone’s delicate-yet-strong voice. The song shifts when the blues riff accelerates, hitting a grungy overdrive with thrashing symbols.

From there, the album takes off with track two, “Back in My Bed,” which opens with the same brand of addictive opening guitar riffs that made The White Stripes famous. Then, a few seconds into the song, it hits you: this isn’t girl-power rock, or even just a model plastered in front of a rock band (sorry, Emily Haines)—it’s just rock. Dirty, bluesy rock.

But it doesn’t stay that way. “Worryin”’ is a departure, but an album without depar­ tures is an album without risk. It’s a mix of pop, folk, and even has hints of jazz emanat­ ing from the drummer’s brushes. However, this is a nice platform for Ramone’s voice, as we get to hear her softer side against a soft background for a change. While it may not have started with a bang, the album goes out with one: “Like I Knew” returns to the blues rock feel that reigns supreme throughout The Flood, and it just might be the album’s best song. While it’s only a quick taste, it’s a promising start—after just 16 minutes it’s ob­ vious that Ramone is on to something. In the immortal words of Bucky Haight: “The way you play ... it’s yours. Keep it.”

—Kyle Carpenter

Holly Miranda: The Magician’s Private Library

Jay Malinowski: Bright Lights & Bruises

Holly Miranda is better known as the frontwoman for The Jealous Girlfriends, a Brooklyn-based rock band. Now flying solo, the indie-pop newcomer’s full-length debut, The Magician’s Private Library, shows that she’s got a flavour of her own.

Produced by Dave Siteck of TV on the Radio, the album was reportedly recorded primarily between 7 p.m. and 9 a.m., which is also the time of day most suitable for listen­ ing to it.

The opening track, “Forest Green, Oh Forest Green,” sets a chipper tone not re­ peated elsewhere on the album before mov­ ing into the more sombre “Joints.” One of the stronger tracks is “Waves,” which embodies the essence of the album, though with soft electronic melodies and a 5 a.m. feel that is more upbeat and heartfelt than the rest. An­ other standout track is “No One Just Is,” which combines soft vocals and disjointed beats for a truly synesthesiac experience.

The album has a cohesive feel, which is surprising considering the almost-but-notquite disjointed harmonies and blend of elec­ tronics. Miranda’s vocals make Feist com­ parisons inevitable, and while at times they’re buried by brass horns and artful keyboarding, her voice—though skilled—is rendered less important than the overall atmosphere of the album.

The Magician’s Private Library presents a dreamy musical landscape laced with hints of jazz, horns, and just a touch of magic.

Jay Malinowski is best known as the singer/lead guitarist for Bedouin Soundclash, but his solo album, Bright Lights & Bruises, shows that he can stand on his own. It con­ spicuously lacks the reggae feel of Bedouin Soundclash’s repertoire, but for non-reggae fans this is all the more reason to give Bright Lights & Bruises a chance.

The first two songs indicate a pattern on the album: the songs are chiefly piano songs or acoustic songs, but Malinowski manages to keep them from sounding bare. With very few exceptions—“Animal” being one—each song sounds rich, filled""' out by the vocals.

However, there are times when Malinowski's voice stretches too high and sounds whiny.

“Remembrance Day,” is guilty of this, which is especially noticeable because it’s followed by a similar yet much better use of his voice on “How It Comes Is How It Goes,” a strong acoustic track.

It’s hard to pick the best song, so with the illusion of being categorical instead of inde­ cisive, I’ll say that the best piano song is the opener, “There’s A Light”—an immediate at­ tention-grabber—while the best acoustic song is “Santa Monica,” the album’s first single.

There’s a lot to the album, and it rarely strays too far from the feeling of the previous song, but the mix of piano and acoustic songs keep it from being too repetitive. Reggae-haters, re­ joice! We can finally like Bedouin Soundclash (well, almost).

Join our photographers in covering news, arts, student living and sports.

—Kyle Carpenter —Carolyn Yates

V____________________ /

Sports

Curiosity Delivers.

2 March 2010 • 17

REDMEN H O C K E Y- MCGILL 6, CARLETON 2

Redmen roll to the second round, captain Turcotte suspended McGill finishes off Carleton, preps fo r showdown with UQTR MATT CHESSER O pinion Editor

The McGill Redmen played the Jekyll and Hyde game once again on Sunday night, as they showcased both incredible skill and a complete lack of discipline during a 6-2 win over the Carleton Ravens at McConnell Arena. The victory clinched the best-of-three OUA East semifinal for McGill, who won consecutive games after a surprising loss in the series opener.

When they weren’t spending time in the penalty box, the Redmen easily outclassed the overmatched Ravens. McGill led the CIS in scoring with 156 goals during the regular season, and boasts nine players who notched 25 or more points this year. They are unques­ tionably one of the most talented teams in the CIS—something that was evident on four goals that came as a result of beautiful cross­ ice passes on Sunday.

But the Redmen are also the third mostpenalized team in the CIS, and have a pen­ chant for taking selfish and unnecessary penal­ ties at inopportune times. They were assessed 33 penalty minutes in the first 15 minutes of play on Sunday night, which led to five Carle­ ton power-play opportunities—including two five-on-three advantages.

“The first time this team has seen me go ballistic [this season] was during the first intermission,” said McGill Head Coach Jim Webster. “We compete hard, and that’s a big part of why we’re a good team, but we can’t

keep taking stupid penalties like we did in the first period.”

McGill captain Yan Turcotte provided an illustrative example of the team’s capacity for both skill and undisciplined play during a fiveminute stretch in the first period. After draw­ ing a penalty and then scoring on the ensuing power-play, Turcotte was assessed a match penalty for spearing Carleton’s Andrew Self on a neutral zone faceoff less than four min­ utes later.

“He knew the ref was watching him and he still speared the guy in [the groin]. How stupid is that?” said Webster.

Turcotte incurs an automatic three-game suspension for the spear, and will miss the en­ tire OUA Eastern Conference Final series.

Evan Vossen led the way for McGill, set­ ting up Turcotte’s goal and then adding a pair of markers late in the first and third periods.

Francis Verrault-Paul—who was named the OUA East Most Valuable Player after leading the league in points—also scored twice, and Maxime Langalier-Parent chipped in a goal to round out the Redmen scoring.

“When our backs were against the wall we really played well—we could have had five or six more goals in that game as well,” said Webster. “Their goalie [Alexandre Archibauld] was unbelievable.”

The Redmen had opened the OUA East semifinal with a 5-2 loss on Feb 24. Carleton went 4-for-6 against McGill’s league-leading penalty kill unit, and Archibauld made 44 saves to power the Ravens to the first game upset victory.

“In the first game their power-play and our lack of discipline hurt us,” said Vossen.

ADAM SCOTTI

from [Archibauld]. He keeps them in games and makes big saves, and that’s something their team feeds off of.”

With the Redmen facing elimination on Friday, they answered back with a 5-1 victory over the Ravens at the Carleton University Ice House. Francis Verrault-Paul tallied two goals and an assist, and goaltender Hubert Morin made 21 saves to force the deciding game on Sunday night.

With the series victory, the Redmen ad­ vance to the OUA Eastern Conference Final, where they will face the UQTR Patriotes for the fifth time in the last six years. UQTR held

home ice advantage for the series.

“UQTR has experienced players that can score,” said Webster. “It’s not their skating or their speed that’s dangerous, it’s the fact that they’ve got several guys who scored 30 or more goals in the Quebec Major Hockey League. But I’m confident that we can beat them.”

The conference final begins on Wednes­ day at Le Colisée in Trois-Rivières. Game two is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday at McCo­ nnell Arena. If necessary, game three will be played in Trois-Rivières on Sunday.

TIIIR l) DON’T BETT ON IT The gold medal is back in its rightful place, safe for another four years. Canada fulfilled its destiny, and another chapter has been added to the legend of Sidney Crosby.

But as the last of the champagne is poured and celebrations across the country begin to die down, it’s already time to think ahead, and consider the troubling future of Olym­ pic men’s hockey.

As any hockey fan knows, NHL Com­ missioner Gary Bettman is considering bar­ ring NHL players from the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. A number of fac­ tors, Bettman says, contribute to a possible NHL no-show in 2014: the time differ­ ence between North America and Russia; scheduling conflicts; and the fact that the salaries of the players the NHL “lends” to the Olympics total roughly two billion dollars—money that the League would still pay even if its players were hurt in Olympic competition.

The reality, however, is that these variables have already been rendered null.

Bettman made a conscious choice in 1995 when the NHL finally allowed its players to participate in the Olympics at Nagano. He made a commitment, and it would be class­ less and unfair to break it.

The Olympics represent the best ath­ letic teams and individuals in the world.

“Amateur” athletes have fallen by the wayside, with guys like Michael Phelps and Shaun White raking in millions of dollars in endorsements. The Olympics are about showcasing the best. How excited were Canadians at the prospect of watching our country’s greatest players compete for gold on home ice? How excited were we to see Crosby, Nash, and Niedermeyer all playing together? Imagine being a Russian hockey fan four years from now, and having that same excitement being snatched away from you. No Malkin, no Semin, no Ovechkin.

Canadians experienced the euphoria of cheering for the nation’s best last week, Americans had it in 2002, and even the Ital­ ians were given a taste of it in 2006.

If one thing’s for sure, it’s that Russian NHLers expect to be able to play in front of their home crowd. If Bettman is set on

denying them that pleasure, he should have revealed his intentions long before the host country was announced.

This wouldn’t just affect the Russians, either—it would affect all the big hockey countries. Canada wouldn’t get to properly defend its title, as they’d be fielding minor leaguers against the far superior KHL play­ ers in Russia. Banning NHL players also wouldn’t be fair to teams that have vastly improved their place in the hockey world over the past few years, particularly the Americans.

USA Hockey has taken great strides as of late. A decade ago, Canadians and Europeans dominated the first round of the NHL entry draft, but in recent years, teams have used their top picks on an increasing number of talented young players from the States.

Coming into these Olympics, no one was willing to give the Americans a chance.

Critics said they were too young and too inexperienced. Some argued that a team composed of Canada’s rejects could still beat the Americans handily. But the US proved everyone wrong by making it within

one overtime goal of Olympic glory. The majority of their players are under 25, and by the time Sochi rolls around, they’ll be hitting their prime.

I can’t offer Mr. Bettman any substan­ tial economic reasons for backing down from his stance, but as a supposed fan of the game, he should recognize that allowing the best players in the world to compete for their countries is a matter of principle.

Ovechkin and Malkin have publicly stated that they plan to attend the 2014 Winter Olympics regardless of what the NHL says, and that they’ll pay whatever fines are levied. Personally, I applaud this act of rebellion. After all, these players alone earn millions of dollars for Bettman and the NHL. The League owes its top players the opportunity to play for their country, especially when the Games are in their country. When everything goes according to plan, the end result is pure magic—just look at what happened on Sun­ day afternoon.

— Shawn Stenhouse

mcgilltribune.com

18 • 2 March 2010

PRO FILE- MATHIEU DARCHE

Hometown hero comes full circle by suiting up for the Habs Dedication pays off fo r former Redmen star Darche MATT CHESSER Opinion Editor

Officially, the game between the Montre­ al Canadiens and the St. Louis Blues on Janu­ ary 20 was the 102nd of Mathieu Darche’s 10year professional career. But in many ways it felt a lot like his first.

On that cold Wednesday night, Darche played his first game for the Canadiens—the team he idolized while growing up in St. Lau­ rent, Quebec—in front of a raucous crowd at the Bell Centre. In doing so, he became the first McGill graduate to dress for the Habs in over 72 years.

“The first time I heard them say, ‘Accueil­ lons nos Canadiens’ I got goosebumps,” said Darche. “[Canadiens’ Head Coach] Jacques Martin put me in the starting lineup and I was

in a bit of a daze for the first few shifts. It felt special, a lot like it was my first game.”

Although he didn’t register a point in his first appearance, Darche has impressed the coaching staff enough to remain on the Habs’ roster for 13 games to date. For the journey­ man forward, who has spent his entire career bouncing between the NHL and the minor leagues, it’s only the third time he has played more than 10 games in the NHL in a single season.

“I’ve learned to never take anything for granted,” said Darche. “Even though things have gone well, I know I’ve got to prove my­ self every day I’m here.”

Darche is certainly no stranger to crit­ icism—he has had to prove himself to the doubters ever since his time as a member of the McGill Redmen. McGill had not produced an NHL player in nearly 50 years before Darche played his first NHL game in 2000. In over 100 years of Canadian university hockey,

Principal Heather Munroe-Blum invites

only 158 Canadian university players have made the leap to the NHL, as scouts focus most of their attention on prospects playing in the Canadian Hockey League or for American university teams.

While Darche hopes that he has drawn some attention to the quality of play in the CIS, he admits that he likely wouldn’t have attended McGill if he had wanted to seriously pursue a career in the NHL. “I never thought I’d play professional hockey,” said Darche. “It wasn’t until my se­ nior year that it became a possibility. I picked McGill because it was a great school, because my brother [J.R Darche] was already [attend­ ing McGill], and because they offered me the chance to play both football and hockey.”

The chance to play on the same football team as his brother was too enticing an oppor­ tunity for Darche to turn down. Both Darche brothers were talented linebackers—J.R would go on to play as a long snapper for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL—and played side-by-side in Mathieu’s freshman year. But Darche struggled to make the transition to varsity hockey in the winter semester. The 238-pounds he packed onto his 6’1” frame made him too heavy and slow to play hockey at a high level. After notch­ ing only one point in his first season with the hockey team, Darche decided to quit football and slim down to 228 pounds. The next season his point totals began to steadily climb above a point-per-game pace.

“J.P. is pretty much my best friend,” said Darche. “We’re each other’s biggest fan, and we’re both really proud of the fact that we made it professionally in our chosen sport— even though neither of us had the intention to

make a career out of playing sports.”

As Darche blossomed into an offensive powerhouse during his fourth year at McGill— he finished his final season with 62 points in 26 games—scouts began to take notice. By the end of the year, eight NHL teams made offers to Darche. He ultimately decided that signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets—an expan­ sion team entering their first season—would give him the best chance to earn a place on an NHL roster.

But success at the NHL level has been elusive for Darche. He played 24 games over three seasons with the Blue Jackets, and has subsequently spent time on the rosters of four NHL and six AHL teams—despite lead­ ing each of those AHL teams in goal scoring.

Darche’s best NHL season came in 2007-08 when he scored 22 points in 73 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“It’s hard to break in, no matter how well you do in the AHL,” said Darche. “You sign with teams as a free agent in training camp, but a lot of them already have their lines set, and you’re competing against first-round picks or guys with million-dollar contracts.

But I love playing, so I just had to keep work­ ing hard at it.”

Despite the difficult travel schedule in the AHL and the constant uprooting of his family—the 33-year-old Darche is married with young children—the McGill product doesn’t regret his decision to pursue a career in hockey.

“Sure, it’s been tough at times,” said Darche. “But I’m so lucky to have a job that I love. To have graduated from McGill and have made it into the Habs organization is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

M cG ill TRACK AND FIELD

Students, Faculty and Staff to an open forum to discuss issues of relevance to the M cG ill community.

:

f I t's o u r u n i v e r s i t y , l e t 's t a l k

M c G ill a b o u t it.

MAXIME SAWICKI

McGill placed 37 athletes—including nine gold medal winners—on the podium at the QSSF Track and Field Championships this past weekend. Redmen high-jumper Justin Darlington garnered performance-of-the-meet honors with a jump of 2.07 meters, while senior Alana Battiston broke the McGill women’s pentathalon record with 3,365 points.

All gold medalists qualified for the CIS National Championships, which will take place in Windsor, Ont., from March 11-13.

2 March 2010* 19

Curiosity Delivers.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - PETER SMITH

Gold-Smith: McGill coach discusses Canada’s journey to the top on leave for the Olympics] didn’t get to play quite as much as they would have liked. Do you think that was difficult for them, both having been through this before, and both having won gold medals before?

A: I’ll guarantee it was difficult. The players want to play, and when they don’t get a chance to play, it’s disappointing. They were great teammates, they were real professionals from start to finish. They were a big part of the success of this team—you can’t diminish their importance to this team, and how hard they worked. We have three great goaltenders, and we’re really blessed to have [them],

Fresh off helping Team Canada find its way to the top of the Olympic podium as an as­ sistant coach with the national women’s hock­ ey team, Martlet Head Coach Peter Smith took some time to talk to Tribune opinion editor Matt Chesser about all things hockey-related.

Q: What was the atmosphere like in Vancouver? You’ve been to other Olympic games, but how did Vancouver compare to those in terms of the feeling in the city?

A: It was terrific. Your perspective chang­ es, since you’re a Canadian and you’re in a Canadian city. [But taking] myself out of that perspective—and from the comments that I’ve heard from others—I think that it was abso­ lutely amazing what the people of Vancouver have done. The atmosphere in the downtown area every night was incredible; people were out, having a lot of fun, lots of music, lots of dancing, it was really great. The volunteers, and everyone else, were terrific.

Q: You’ve heard Jacques Rogge’s com­ ments about the need for improvement in international women’s hockey if it’s going to continue to be a part of the Olympics. What was your response upon hearing that?

A: I would agree. Women’s hockey has to improve. There are a number of other coun­ tries that need to put more time and money and effort into the development of their women’s hockey teams. And hopefully that will happen.

The hockey, across the board, has improved; every country has gotten better. The problem is that Canada and the US keep getting better as well.

Q: Does it worry you at all that people have drawn a comparison between wom­ en’s hockey and women’s softball, which recently had its Olympics status removed?

Are you worried about the future of wom­ en’s hockey?

A: First of all, I don’t spend a lot of time worrying. There is some concern there, though. I’m going to continue to do what­ ever I can to develop women’s hockey in this country, and if there are things that I can do elsewhere, then I’ll do that as well. The future of women’s hockey is very bright, both here in Canada and across the world. But I think patience is required. It took a long time for the men’s program to develop; Canada was beating everyone by big scores 60 years ago, and now the rest of the world has caught up.

The tournament here for the men was very competitive, and I think that’s the future for women’s hockey, but it’s going to require some patience.

Q: The other controversy surrounding the Canadian women’s hockey team was the celebration [drinking and smoking ci­ gars on the ice after the general public had left the arena] that took place after the gold medal game. What was your response to that?

A: It was regrettable. It’s too bad that it happened. The girls had won a pretty big game after a pretty big year. And in those situations, whether you win or whether you lose, you’re not always making rational decisions, you’re running on emotions—the players made some

decisions that they regret and certainly regret that they’ve ended up in the media. I think it was blown a little bit out of proportion. It was an unfortunate situation; it made people feel bad for a couple of days here. It was regret­ table and it won’t happen again.

Q: Being on home soil, did the Cana­ dian team feel a lot more pressure to win gold? And if so, do you think that affected the team in any way?

A: I’m not sure there was any more pres­ sure. Every time this team goes out there’s a certain amount of pressure to win. Potentially there were a few more distractions, because here in Canada we have a lot more friends and family. All those people are here to sup­ port you, which on one hand is great, but on the other hand, you’ve got to make sure they [have] tickets, and [that] they’re well taken care of. There’s a balance there. Maybe we were under the microscope a bit more, but I think hockey, wherever you play, is such a big deal in Canada, which is great.

hard all year on improving her skill-level. So no, it didn’t surprise me in the least. Catherine is a money player, she plays her best in the big games. And these games were no different.

Q: Was there a sense of personal pride in seeing how she has developed over the last few years?

A: Yes, I’m proud of all the players here.

And obviously for Catherine and Kim [StPierre] and Charline [Labonté ]—there’s more pride because I know them so well, and I had that wonderful opportunity to coach them at McGill.

Q: Obviously St-Pierre [a McGill graduate] and Labonté [a McGill student

I

Q: When you look back on this en­ tire experience, what stands out to you the most?

A: I say this a lot in coaching, and in general, you reap what you sow. Our team worked so hard to get to where it was. I think when we ended up winning that gold medal, it wasn’t a huge surprise, because of the amount of time we had put into it. The hard work pays off. There was a lot of satisfaction from that: working hard and getting the result that you wanted. Another thing—winning gold here in Canada was pretty special. That’s a once-ina-lifetime deal, and to be a small part of that was exciting.

Q: What does the future hold for you?

Are you coming back to McGill? Have you thought about your future with the national program?

A: I’ll be back to McGill on May 1. And I’m looking forward to that. I really missed McGill, I missed the Martlets, they’re doing great—I’m so happy and proud of them. I’ll be glad to get back ... In terms of the national program right now, I don’t have any plans. For me the future is at McGill.

—Compiled by Matt Chesser

Are you the

Q: You’ve been working with this team for quite some time. What impressed you most about the way they performed at the Olympics?

A: All year long, we preached the idea of teamwork and of playing an up-tempo game.

And they worked so hard all year long dur­ ing training in Calgary, they’re tired just about the whole year. They managed to bring great energy every game though. We also had real good leadership from our veteran players.

Q: I especially wanted to talk to you about the performance of McGill graduate Catherine Ward. I personally thought she was fantastic—she was out there in almost every situation, whether it was killing pen­ alties or on the power-play. Were you sur­ prised by how well she seemed to perform on such a big stage?

A: Not at all. Catherine is a very resilient player, she’s mentally tough, and she worked

%

ofSSMU? Get together a team of friends to prove you can make the best 3-course meal using our secret ingredient For details or to sign up by email (internal@ssmu.mcgiil.ca) to Alexandra Brown, VP Internal or via webform on facebook event.

Deadline to register March 8th.

j I