Volume 48, Issue 9

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 9 Volume 48

November 15 2021

themedium.ca

ELECTRIC CARS

ACADEMY OF MEDICINE

LOST IN JAPAN

You may be wondering, why does this matter? It matters because in allowing our fascination with Tesla and Elon Musk to dominate the conversation, we are allowing other car manufacturers to go unscrutinised and unscathed.

Amidst the unique and innovative buildings at the University of Toronto Mississauga, there sits a curious silver building between the Communication, Culture, and Technology and Davis buildings: the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex.

The artistry that the four members—Addison Johnson, Karl Von Estorff, James Wiseman, and Chris Hoekstra—bring is honest and youthful, giving their audience a look into the future while clutching onto the past.

>> read more on page 06

>> read more on page 08

>> read more on page 11

NEWS

Muslim Association of Canada to launch digital programs to combat Islamophobia May Alsaigh News Editor

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n response to the recent rise of hate crimes against the Muslim community, Ontario announced it will be investing $300,000 into educational programs aimed toward addressing issues of Islamophobia. Stephen Lecce, the Ontario Minister of Education, will allocate $225,000 to the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) and $75,000 to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM).

In effort to combat these issues, MAC will use the grant to create digital resources that will educate students and parents about prejudice towards Muslims in Canada.

>> MAC continues on page 02

OPINION

FEATURES

The horror of Astroworld

Changing our habits around waste management is necessary for the sake of the environment and our health

Aia Jaber Contributor

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right lights, thousands of people, and music that we listen to on repeat—a concert is an experience unlike any other. It is a chance to bond with the strangers around you as you finally see the artist you had decided was worth the money. A concert, for some, ignites passion, excitement, and an adrenaline rush. It’s unfortunate to say that Travis Scott’s festival was the first and last concert many will go to with eight attendees dead and 300 more injured.

Social media platforms burst into flames almost immediately after the concert. Many were mourning the individuals lost, while the vast majority of social media users were furious with Scott’s ignorance of the whole ordeal including his inability to stop performing while clearly dangerous activity was taking place.

In videos now taken down, fans were seen yelling to Scott and his crew to stop the show as individuals dropped dead quite rapidly. While it appears that a great number of people died and were injured due to the intense pushing and crowding at the concert, there is an investigation now underway due to an individual or group injecting concertgoers, as well as a security guard, with some form of narcotics.

The concert was in flames far before Travis began to sing. >> ASTROWORLD continues on page 07

Prisha Maneka Nuckchady Associate Features Editor

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anadians generate more than 30 million tons of waste every year. This emits around 27 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and accounts for 20 per cent of national methane emissions. The economy has long romanticized the use of plastics for their affordability, malleability, durability, and convenience. As a result of our human consumption, the environment has taken a toll.

David Passmore is a sessional lecturer from the department of geology at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). He currently teaches ENV320: Managing Our Waste, a course that addresses the “philosophical, social, and management challenges associated with waste in Canadian and international contexts.” Professor Passmore also explores how waste management has evolved over the years.

According to him, waste management has become a priority concern, on par with climate change and soci-

etal issues. This is because waste disposal significantly contributes to global warming. In fact, the waste sector is responsible for six per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.

Part of our failure to consider the severity of waste is that we’re unaware of what happens beyond the blue bin.

Perhaps it could be that most of us would be happy not knowing, as it convinces us that we’re doing good. Of course, we are, but simply committing to recycling is not enough. “Only about nine per cent of the products we submit to recycling via our blue box actually ends up being recycled,” says Professor Passmore. So, what exactly happens after we’ve sorted out our waste into their respective bins?

Professor Passmore states that most of our “recyclables” end up back in landfills, and a small portion is even incinerated. That is partly because many of them end up being unsuitable for recycling—be it because of chemicals or their composition. With our current technology and financial means, this makes a small portion of plastics genuinely suitable for recycling.

Our efforts to reduce waste in Canada and globally have largely revolved around recycling. >>WASTE continues on page 09

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NEWS

Editor | May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

Muslim Association of Canada to launch digital programs to combat Islamophobia Ministry of Education devotes $300,000 in allegiance to local Muslim organizations across Ontario.

May Alsaigh News Editor

>> MAC continued frrom page 01 Meanwhile, NCCM will focus on serving Muslim newcomers and new students attending schools in Ontario.

Reaching over 150,000 Canadians across the country, MAC places an emphasis on education and community mobilization as a primary method to help Muslims thrive as members of the general public. Through engaging in dialogue with interfaith communities and various groups, MAC has been preparing the implementation of digital tools for months ahead. These tools will be made available to not just students, but to any member of the general public as well.

In an interview with The Medium, Memona Hossain, a director at MAC and a senior executive at the national council of the association, discusses the significance of this grant, as well as the organization’s prospective plans to tackle these issues. She mentions that the transition toward online education for both students and instructors enabled the organization to take on this project of developing digital platforms for the community.

“In terms of what’s being done and where this project is headed, it’s meant to be a very easy access, practical [and] concise resource

for educators, community leaders, and anybody that is willing to address Islamophobia within the sphere of education.”

The project will consist of massive open online courses, also known as MOOCs, that will be accessible to the public. So far, MAC has developed workshops, videos, and infographics to equip educators with engaging content for students and the community. Expected to launch in the coming months, the courses will be geared towards dismantling Islamophobia within educational institutions. MAC plans to offer these instruments through an easily-accessible platform for individuals, not limited to students, to readily download and watch.

A primary goal of the organization is to equip any individual with the knowledge and awareness on how to support Muslims within their sphere—whether within a classroom or any school community. Additionally, registration will be made easy for those struggling with technology.

Through an “anti-racism and diversity lens,” the organization will use these resources to raise awareness about Islamophobia and discrimination. Hossain states that these tools will incorporate “objectives that are tied to learning outcomes as per the Ontario curriculum guidelines.”

Individuals can expect these courses to align with Ontario’s curriculum goals for junior and senior levels. “With this grant, what we’ve been able to do is streamline [this work] and specifically cater it to exactly what the Ministry of Education needs.”

A large component that fueled MAC to develop these courses was the demand to support Muslims in any means necessary during these challenging times. This includes connecting with the provincial government to establish protocols for opening places of worship across the country during Covid-19 restrictions.

“These resources and this [capacity] to develop MOOCs gives us the ability to cater to different demographics [and] this gives us the ability to do it across the country and other spaces.

We always dream big and want to do more by connecting with community needs wherever it’s possible.”

Hossain states an important aspect of this project is also accepting feedback from stakeholders, educators, and students to maximize what is being delivered to the com-

munity and ensure the information is beneficial.

“The biggest thing to overcoming [Islamophobia] is to understand what the authentic narrative of Muslims is by connecting with them.” Hossain stresses one’s inclination of learning is an essential first step to supporting Muslims.

Through recognizing the transgressions that Islamophobia imposes upon the Muslim community, the Canadian government is beginning to take measures towards addressing the realities that many Muslim’s face.

Anyone, including students and professors at the University of Toronto Mississauga, can access these resources to learn more about Muslims and how to fight against Islamophobia. With these tools being made available to any member of the public, individuals at the university can use what is learned to help make campus a safer community.

UTMSU continues to fight against the mandated leave of absence policy Since 2018, eight U of T students have been put on leave, according to UTMSU president.

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UTMSU/ INSTAGRAM HAYDEN MAK/THE MEDIUM

Isik Vera Senel UTMSU Correspondent

he controversial University-Mandated Leave of Absence Policy (UMLAP) continues to be a source of concern for students. In an email interview with The Medium, University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) President Mitra Yakubi discussed the union’s efforts to push back against the policy.

Approved by the Governing Council in June 2018, the policy was developed to address mental health issues of students during times of distress, such as exam periods.

“This policy has been frowned upon by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, students across all three campuses, and across the country for its lack of care, and the University’s perceived desire to dispose of students who are experiencing mental health issues,” states Yakubi.

Since the implementation of the UMLAP in 2018, eight U of T students have been put on leave, which, according to Yakubi, is a much higher number than any other North American university with a leave of absence policy.

Several students have expressed concerns regarding the UMLAP to the UTMSU, criticizing the policy for further stigmatizing mental health. Students have also indicated that the policy does not provide them with sufficient support.

“Alongside our sister unions, the UTMSU will continue to advocate against this policy that takes away students’ consent

and further marginalizes and stigmatizes mental health,” stated Yakubi.

On October 26, the UTMSU hosted a UMLAP Phone Zap to push against the policy. During the event, more than 300 emails and 30 phone calls were made in only 30 minutes to those working within the Governing Council.

“The purpose of the phone zap was for students to share their thoughts, feedback, and demands about the UMLAP directly with decision makers on Governing Council who will receive recommendations and a report from the committee reviewing the policy,” indicates Yakubi.

In upcoming months, these recommendations will be presented to the UTM Campus Council, the UTSC Campus Council, and the Governing Council. In the meantime, the UTMSU plans on hosting several more events to let the university administration know how students feel about the policy.

“Our end goal is to remove the UMLAP completely because there is no way to amend or improve the policy without negatively impacting students,” mentions Yakubi. “We are here to remind the University that students need comprehensive and empathetic mental health support and resources, not policies that penalize students who are going through a challenging time.”

03

Ontario government cuts baseline education The 2021-2022 fiscal period will see a shortfall of $500 million in education funding, compared to the 2021 Ontario budget.

Larry Lau Associate News Editor

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hroughout the past few weeks, the Ontario government has come under fire because of education budget cuts, yet maintaining support for extensive infrastructure projects such as Highway 413 and the planned Bradford Bypass. In early November, the Liberal Party revealed that half a billion dollars will be cut from Premier Doug Ford’s education budget.

The decision was made due to the Ontario government’s 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario on November 4. Comparison of the current fiscal review with the 2021 Budget – Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy released on March 24 reveals that the baseline education budget for the 2021-2022 period has been cut by around $500 million.

While the review also contains information about infrastructure projects, governmental revenues, and sector budgets, the portion on education spending for the upcoming fiscal years has been questioned. In this context, “education spending” does not include postsecondary education spending, which has a separate category in the budget.

The new $30.8 billion education budget will be falling short of the promised $31.3 billion reported earlier this year. In response to comments on the education budget cut, the Ministry of Education stated

that while the baseline budget fell by $500 million, the government has allocated “Covid-19 Time Limited Funding” to the education sector, totaling about $760 million. As such, the ministry puts forth that the total education budget for the 2021-2022 academic year in fact increased by $260 million from its March 2024 value, netting a totaled budget of $31.56 billion.

Similarly, Education Minister Stephen Lecce stated that the actual spending for public education reported on book is not representative of the true situation.

This decrease in baseline education spending reportedly translates into increased spending in other sectors that make vital contributions to Ontario’s public education system.

Notably, health sector spending includes around $86 million that would be devoted to education through the doubling of school nurses on duty. Factoring in other sectors and governmental investments, it is claimed that there is a total increase of $230 million in education spending.

The fact remains that after the limited funding from Covid-19 relief expires, the baseline education budget will not see its promised increase to $31.3 million.

In the same light, this cut aligns with the worrying information unearthed by the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA). In their report, OECTA states that when one-time vouchers are removed from families and childcare tax benefits, the education budget for 2021, including limited Covid-19 funding, essentially saw a decline of around $1 billion from that of 2020. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) stated similar concerns.

U of T acts against the current ongoing climate crisis President Meric Gertler announces the university’s commitment to reduce harmful gasses by pledging to divest from fossil fuel companies.

Haya Abu Ghosh Associate Opinion Editor

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n a recent announcement, President Meric Gertler of the University of Toronto (U of T) reveals the university will be ‘climate positive,’ meaning more emissions will be curbed than emitted. Hoping to achieve this by 2050, Gertler also announces U of T will divest from direct investments in fossil fuels in a $4 billion financial endowment.

In the aforementioned letter, Gertler states that the university is committed to net zero carbon emissions in their plan to fight against the climate crisis. He writes, “the growing severity of the climate crisis now demands bold actions that have both substantive and symbolic impact.” With the ongoing environmental concerns, investments in eco-friendly tools are essential.

Gertler continues to say, “to achieve this goal, we will transform our energy and utility infrastructure, and adopt leading-edge building design and retrofits to reduce our GHG emissions.”

In the next 12 months, the University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation (UTAM) will be the ones to divest from direct

investments in companies associated with fossil fuels. As such, UTAM will be collaborating with United Nations (UN)-convened Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance to achieve this goal.

With a group of 61 institutional investors, this organization represents $10 trillion assets in aim to transition portfolios to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within 30 years. That said, U of T will be the first university in the world to connect with these institutional investors.

In 2019, U of T set the goal for a Low-Carbon Action Plan by 2030 a reduction of 37 per cent of GHG emissions. To achieve this, U of T will change the infrastructure designs to reduce emission gases. Additionally, U of T is collaborating with McGill University in 2020 in a program named Climate Charter for Canadian Universities. The purpose of the program is to reduce the carbon-dioxide footprint in the institutions.

Before U of T’s decision to divest from fossil fuels, there have been several petitions circulating for universities and other organizations to eliminate investments in fossil fuel companies.

One petition, for instance, is directed to the Governing Council to overturn the 2016 decision to not divest.

Assistant Professor Trevor Porter, working in the geography, geomatics, and environment department, shares some insight in an email

interview with The Medium. Porter states that “[moving] toward ‘net-zero’ is a meaningful step towards reducing U of T’s carbon footprint.” He continues, “investment dollars that would be available to fossil fuel companies to fund resource exploration and extraction will now be put to better use by companies working to innovate and reduce the cost of green energy technologies.”

Porter also comments on what students can do to reduce the effects of pollution as he states, “at a personal level, being mindful of one’s carbon footprint, meaning the greenhouse gases produced as the result of personal activities (e.g., travel, energy consumption, diet type, etc.), is a useful start.”

“While this may not sound like a lot, the rate of change is unusual in at least the last 10,000 years and the consequences of this warming are potentially dire. This warming is causing glacier melt, global sea level rise, increased severity of extreme weather and wildfires, and more. Climate warming amplifies these threats to global society.”

With the climate crisis only worsening, U of T’s decision to address these issues through collaboration with influential investors is leading the campus in the right direction. The reduction of emission gases will significantly benefit both the community and the environment.

04

U of T says no to sexual violence President Meric Getler releases a statement based on the recent reports of sexual violence while offering a call to action for students.

Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

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ith the recent rise of sexual violence occurring on Ontario university campuses, President Meric Gertler of the University of Toronto has issued a public statement for university members late last month. In the announcement, Gertler reminds students and faculty of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment that came into effect in 2017.

“The University of Toronto commits to building the best systems and practices to protect all members of our community from sexual violence, to support survivors, and to foster a culture of consent, accountability, and respect,” Gertler states.

According to the policy, the university plans to place emphasis on sexual violence policies and practices. Questions like “what are the best practices to address the barriers to reporting and to provide support for survivors?” and “how do we appropriately account for power dynamics that are inherent in institutions of higher learning?” will be prioritized for the safety of the community.

Loridee De Villa, a second- year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga majoring in biology for health science, demands for action to be taken by the three

campuses. “We need the university to care for our well-being as much as they [care for] any professor or researcher and realize that contributions to the school should not have any impact whether we are treated with dignity or given justice,” she says.

Gertler also urges students and faculty to seek support from U of T’s Sexual Violence

Prevention and Support Centre. Members of the centre provide support to victims of sexual assault by offering office hours from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre is open to all three campuses for students, faculty, staff, and librarians.

The centre offers a number of resources,

ANETE LUSINA/PEXELS

including counseling, medical services, academic or workplace accommodations, financial aid, and legal aid. Currently, the centre is taking appointments remotely through video or phone conferencing.

The centre is also working on #CheckInForConsent campaign as a way to spread awareness about sexual violence. The centre is also working on #CheckInForConsent campaign as a way to spread awareness about sexual violence through sharing promotional materials for prevention and support. Many can be downloaded and are posted on their website.

The centre has also implemented a sexual violence education and prevention module that would provide training to students, staff, and faculty at U of T. As stated on their website, “completion [of the module] is strongly encouraged and constitutes an important step toward creating a campus environment in which all members of the university community can study, work, and live free from sexual violence.”

Though the experiences of students are often overlooked at some universities, U of T makes it clear that it will provide its community with the necessary tools to overcome these issues. Sexual assault is a serious crime and requires continuous, rigorous support from educational institutions in order to foster safe environments for their students.

Return to in-person learning arrives earlier than expected for UTM students Students voice their concerns through petitions and meetings in response to recent announcement of in-person learning this winter.

May Alsaigh News Editor

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n October 1, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) announced it will be offering the majority of courses in-person this winter term in January 2022. Currently, nearly 85 per cent of courses have been switched to in-person instruction. While some students are excited for this change, others have indicated it to be rather abrupt.

More than 99 per cent of students have declared their vaccination status, prompting the transition from an online delivery mode to in-person. The university is confident physical activities, social events, and co-curricular student programs will resume at a safe and comfortable pace for both students and faculty.

Students can find updated delivery methods for their selected courses on ACORN as well as the academic timetable.

In a recent public announcement, Principal Alexandra Gillespie of UTM mentions that the university will work closely with Peel Public Health to ensure a smooth transition. Mask policies, vaccine requirements, and the UCheck health screening system, along with other safety measures, will continue to be in effect during the winter term.

“We have a formal responsibility to offer most of our courses on campus; any permanent changes to move classes online after the pandemic will require governance approval,” Gillespie states.

International students can seek help by connecting with UTM’s International Education Centre (IEC). The centre will

offer students with one-on-one assistance and group presentations to advise them on their next steps. The IEC also offers immigration advising support for additional help.

The university recognizes that some students may be subject to quarantine for the first two weeks of the winter term and will be offering a deadline to add and drop courses by January 23, 2022.

International students are also eligible for an International Leave of Absence, which requires documented proof for their inability to attend campus. They are able to request a leave of one term, either in the fall or winter, or one academic session for a maximum of two consecutive years.

Further, many students have expressed their concerns in a meeting hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga Student Union (UTMSU) earlier last week. In fact, several are calling on the university to provide more options in the winter term.

Alex Aurica, a fourth-year student at UTM, has created an online petition demanding the choice for online or dual delivery methods in the winter term. So far, the petition has over 2500 signatures with a goal of 5000.

With residence being filled up so quickly, many students that were expecting a full year of online courses are now facing challenges moving back to campus. Maddy Glover, a third-year student who is a don on Oscar Peterson Hall’s third floor, recognizes that this is one of the biggest problems she finds in her residence.

Completing a double major in psychology and linguistics, Glover also mentions, “I’m really nervous, but I’m also

really excited to see the campus lively again.”

The return to in-person learning has left some excited while others conflicted with managing their schedule before the winter semester. Students have made it clear to the university that it is up to the institution to provide them with adequate support in the coming few months.

Other students who are also encountering difficulties with the transition can reach out to multiple centres at the university, including UTM’s Office of the Registrar and the Centre for Student Engagement. Both offices offer scheduled app oi nt me nt s through email and p h o n e to those struggling in their academic career.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Provost editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Elisa Nguyen managing@themedium.ca News May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

05

OPINION

Editorial

Are group projects really fair?

Opinion Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

When you’re paying for your education, your grades should only be reflective of your efforts.

Features Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca A&E Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca Sports Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca Photo Hayden Mak photos@themedium.ca Design Manjot Pabla design@themedium.ca Copy Juliana Stacey juliana@themedium.ca Miguel DaSilva miguel@themedium.ca Social Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Videographer Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES & APPOINTED ROLES Larry Lau, News Razia Saleh, News Kareena Kailass, Opinion Haya Abu Ghosh, Opinion Dalainey Gervais, Features Prisha Nuckchady, Features Dellannia Segreti, Sports Gladys Lou, Photo Simrah Siddiqui, Photo Isik Vera Senel, UTMSU Correspondent Julia Skoczypiec, Theatre Erindale Correspondent Robert Bui, Campus Athletics Correspondent

TO CONTRI BUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

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Editor | Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

WILLIAM FORTUNATO/PEXELS

The Medium

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roup projects are inevitable; everyone, at one time or another, has been faced with the daunting task of collaborating with other people for class credit. For some, the words “group project” signify hours of extra work agonizing over the portions assigned to them and to other group members. For others, collaborative course work means working on other courses while dumping responsibility onto group members who will make up for their lack of effort.

While some studies champion the importance of group projects in the development of collaboration and time management skills, many assignments and grading schemes fail to take into account disparities in individual effort. At the post-secondary level students are already dealing with copious amounts of stress as we balance intense course loads with much-needed sleep and social interaction.

What we don’t need is to be worrying about whether someone has time to complete their share of a project worth 45 per cent of your final grade, or whether the group will have time to meet with conflicting class and work schedules. There’s also the added complication of differing opinions and ideas which often lead to friction between group members.

At an institution where students pay for their education, it is imperative that students are given a fair chance to earn grades that reflect their own abilities. When you have multiple people working on the same project there are minimal ways to truly determine the contribution each student makes, with many relying on honour systems and student feedback.

While it would be ignorant to say that group projects provide no benefits whatsoever, it is important for instructors to consider marking collaborative work in ways that acknowledge each student’s individual contributions. Bottom line: a student’s final grade should never be dependent on the efforts of other people.

Daylight savings is risky for our health The chances of mental and physical health issues increase when the sun goes down earlier in the day.

Kareena Kailass Associate Opinion Editor

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ith the recent switch from daylight saving time to standard time, many are finding themselves, confused, disoriented, and exhausted. According to Global News, this phenomenon is caused by the “mismatch between the local clock and our body’s internal clock.” Because of the impact this change has on our health there is a growing discussion to abolish day light savings and stick with the standard time all year-round instead.

Colleen Carney, a Professor and Sleep Specialist at Ryerson University tells Global News that the time change acts like simulated jetlag to our bodies, because the symptoms of mental and physical fatigue are almost uncannily similar. Carney explains that many people have difficulties sleeping and due to this their metabolism “takes a hit,” as does their eating routine.

A 2019 report in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that heart attack rates increased in the weeks following both time changes. A 2016 study in Finland also demonstrated that strokerelated hospitalizations increased in just two days after the switch in time. In other words, daylight savings is correlated with increased risk of heart attack and strokes.

Mental health is also at stake because there is a link to depression due to decreased exposure to light. Lack of exposure to sunlight is shown to lower serotonin levels which is associated with higher risk of major depression and seasonal depression. It is simple: if we don’t change the clocks, we lower the risk of having these impacts, at least a little bit.

There is also evidence of the time change resulting in many ac-

cidents. A 2011 analysis of police statistics found that nine more pedestrians were hurt or killed in accidents during the week of the time change, when compared to the weeks prior and after. It is also noted that workplace injuries are increased in this time.

Because of the unnecessarily detrimental effects of the time change, some places have already begun strictly adhering to standard time. In Canada, Yukon Territory, Saskatchewan, and some areas of British Columbia and Quebec already strictly hold to standard time and do not change their clocks anymore.

Moving away from this time change and sticking to daylight saving time alone is an extremely beneficial move for us. Due to the evenings getting darker earlier, people are found to be much less active in the evenings. By avoiding the switch in time and keeping it brighter later into the evening, people may be more motivated and active, rather than simply ending their day shortly after having their last meal of the day.

As students, we are under constant stress and pressure to keep up with coursework, jobs, and our family and social lives. With our mental and physical wellbeing already on the line, the addition of this early darkness only drags our energy down and makes us feel even more exhausted than we already are. By abolishing the time change, we simultaneously raise our chances of eliminating many of the unnecessary stressors that we subject our minds and bodies to, and give ourselves a greater chance at a stable, constant rhythm for our bodies—a sense of stability that is imperative to the body.

Despite the change only being an hour difference, the effects are huge on many, and may take up to a few weeks for the body to adjust to the new rhythm. And soon enough, we are back to square one when we change our clocks again in the spring.

06

: Rekindling a friendship one text at a time Friendships drift apart, but it is never too late to catch up.

Elizabeth Provost Editor-in-Chief

Dear Liz, I used to be very close friends with this girl for a few years.

Then, the pandemic hit, and she stopped talking to me. The friendship didn’t end on bad terms, it was more that life (school, work, stress) got in the way, and we slowly drifted to the wayside. At first, I was rather sad and confused, but after eight months of no communication in either direction, I made peace with the situation. On occasion, I wonder how she’s doing and whether I should reach out. One part of me worries she no longer wants to be friends, while another worries that she does and feels similarly hesitant to message me. How much time and space apart becomes too much time and space?

Signed, Sleepless in Scarborough Dear Sleepless in Scarborough,

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he answer is pretty simple, message her! If you’re spending so much time thinking about it, there must be something you miss from your friendship with her.

Whether it’s a misunderstanding, bad blood, or as you say, drifting to the wayside, reaching out to those around you can make a difference. You don’t have anything to lose. It’s never too late to catch up. Especially if you think of the person often.

The pandemic has been overwhelming for us all. We’ve distanced ourselves from those around us to take care of ourselves and make sense of the situation. There’s no blame here.

If you really need the full answer, here’s a possible text for you to send:

DAVID VON DIEMAR/UNSPLASH

Electric cars aren’t as environmentally friendly as we think they are Companies like Tesla lack transparency in their data and continue to emit gasses.

Hema Ramnarine Contributor

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valuating the environmental impact and legacy of electric vehicles (EVs) is complicated for various reasons. At this point, it’s almost a bore to enumerate the problems with Tesla as a company, from their lack of emissions data transparency, to their will-they-won’t-they relationship with cryptocurrency, to their rocky record on labour relations. However, we should not overemphasize their role in the EV space or lose sight of the greater issues. In Canada, Tesla only represents around 1 in 4 new electric vehicles in 2020, according to Statistics Canada and the company’s own filings.

An electric vehicle’s environmental impact goes beyond its emissions. Cars and their batteries need to be as lightweight as possible and require rare materials and lithium batteries to ensure the most bang for your buck. But these rare metals must be mined somehow, and the emissions of their production actually exceeds those of regular vehicles.

When you reach the end of your EV’s life, the lithium battery that cleanly powered your vehicle also poses a dilemma.

With the batteries weighing almost a ton, they still require plenty of energy to responsibly recycle them. Though gaspowered cars will still emit far more pollution than their electric counterparts during their lifespan, these problems are not ones we can or should ignore.

For electricity to have any meaningful impact on climate change we need widespread electrification. Electric homes and electrified industrial processes need to join electric cars on the market on a wider scale if we are to have any hope of substantially fighting climate change through innovative technology.

The electrification of our society needs to become a larger conversation, and improving our electric vehicles is part of it.

However, we need to break the pattern of discussion. For far too long, Tesla has dominated the conversation on electric cars, despite only contributing roughly 24 per cent of new EVs in Canada. While they might have been the first to market, they are not by any means the biggest manufacturer of electric vehicles.

In 2020, over 54,000 zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) were registered in Canada, with almost three-quarters of these being battery-electric vehicles (as opposed to plug-in hybrids or hydrogen cell vehicles). Only 9,400 of these were manufactured by Tesla.

You may be wondering, why does this matter? It matters because in allowing our fascination with Tesla and Elon Musk to dominate the conversation, we are allowing other car manufacturers to go unscrutinised and unscathed. Other manufacturers, it should be noted, whose main commodities continue to be gas-powered vehicles, unlike Tesla. While many have decried Tesla’s lack of transparency, we can’t allow it to cloud the main issue.

Though companies like Ford and Toyota, the manufacturers of the most purchased cars in Canada in 2020, may be open about their levels of emissions and their carbon footprints, this should not excuse them. Transparency without action only goes so far. Instead, we should use this transparency as a tool to pressure these manufacturers into adopting more environmentally friendly practices and manufacturing cleaner products. To ignore their impact, or to allow ourselves to be distracted by louder but less meaningful voices, is to put our planet further at risk. This is not to say we allow those other players to go unchecked. Rather, we must give these seemingly “less controversial” players the same attention that we do their counterparts.

Hey! How are you doing? And how haven’t we spoken since last March!!? I was thinking about you today and that one time (insert shared memory). I’d love to catch up sometime soon.

With love,

By: Reid Fournier

07

The horror of Astroworld Eight dead and hundreds more injured as the concert erupted into chaos following overcapacity and criminal injections.

Aia Jaber Contributor

>> ASTROWORLD continued from page 01 After 50,000 tickets were sold, Travis Scott tweeted how he “is still sneaking the wild ones in” which inevitably lead to the mob swelling. This tweet was then deleted following the tragedy. While Travis Scott claims he had not seen the catastrophe that was his concert, destructive fans were seen climbing the emergency vehicles that had arrived to help the wounded and dead. The terrifying animal instinct and mob mentality that must’ve taken over those people in that moment, to the point where they became primitive and borderline evil, has resulted in devastating loss. The youngest of the injured is a ten-year-old boy who remains in the hospital in critical condition.

Travis Scott has since released a public apology and has claimed he will help the victims and their families but has not specified how. Fans remain outraged at his blatant ignorance of the chaos ensued at his own concert. Many have shed light on an incident from 2015 where Travis Scott stopped an entire show because his shoe was missing. He

then cursed at the individual who had taken his shoe and told his fans to attack them.

There was apparently no clear bag policy enforced which is a norm at most concerts to ensure the safety of all. So, while Travis Scott claims he was unaware of the chaos during his concert, the vast majority of people are unable to comprehend how he claims ignorance when countless climbed his stage and told him and his crew that people were dying.

Travis Scott, his crew, the tech, as well as the raging disrespectful concertgoers, deserve to be held accountable for the devastating losses, as well as the unimaginable trauma and anxiety this will cause for all affected.

For those who have been to concerts, and for those who have not, there seems to be an out-of-body experience when amidst such a setting. You’re surrounded by thousands and thousands of people, who enjoy the same music as you, as you’re all waiting more than an hour for your favourite artist to come on stage and perform. Besides the stage lights, you’re in darkness, with no idea of what kind of person is beside you. Adrenaline starts pumping and you forget the outside world. By the time you leave the concert, it’s nearly midnight and you’re still dazed from the exhilarating show you just witnesses. If you go with friends, you often leave the venue feeling closer than ever because in those moments, it’s you, your loved ones, and thousands of other people vibing harmoniously.

There are no words to express the pain that the families of the dead must feel, as well as the level of anxiety the concertgoers must now have. A concert is supposed to end with safe and fun memories that last forever, in a positive way. It is not a warzone nor a place to die but Travis Scott, his team, and the mind-numbing zombies that perpetrated the crime too, have blood on their hands.

FRANK SCHWICHTENBERG

The darkness behind the flashy lights of in Dubai The UAE’s promises of sustainability, opportunity, and mobility have been betrayed by the country itself.

Hamna Riaz Contributor

L

ast week, I was one of the first few thousands to attend the 2020 Expo in Dubai.

It opened on October 11, 2021, and estimates 25 million attendees in the six months it will be open. The expo is a global event that takes place every half decade with the mission to find solutions to some of the challenges that humanity faces. These challenges are transformed into themes and through this each contributor develops activities and displays the ways they can use their technology and culture to tackle them. While it is rooted in technosolutionism—using technology and engineering to solve global issues— the underlying incentive is to increase tourism and commerce rates for the host country, while the participating countries display the best of their people and technology.

For an event promoting sustainability, opportunity, and mobility, the intentions of Expo 2020 are anything but that.

At first glance, the Expo felt surreal—a giant display of the latest technology and skills from around the world in one place.

It was like a land of its own, with the beautiful buildings, robots rolling around the decorated halls, and buggies full of people to navigate the giant sections. It was evident that each pavilion had been carefully crafted to display elements of the country’s culture.

However, this awe was not long-lasting.

As I grew curious about the creation of such a beautiful display, I was brought back to reality. It became too difficult to digest

the beauty of the architecture when I knew the laborious hands that built it will be, and probably already have been, forgotten.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is well known for its expensive lifestyle and innovative environment that attracts millions of tourists every year. However, this lavish lifestyle is almost exclusively a reality for Emirati locals and Western expats. The majority of UAE’s wealth is held by Emiratis, in fact, the top one per cent of the individuals hold 50 per cent of the country’s wealth. Immigrants make up most of the population and also the majority living below the poverty line. There is a stigma against Emirati locals working in private service because those jobs are deemed less respectable and as a result, those sectors are dominated by immigrants earning low wages. While the streets are littered with supercars, millions of citizens struggle to provide for themselves. This disparity of income is reflected in the Expo 2020.

UAE was selected for the Expo in 2015

and has spent approximately US $6.8 billion to the development while the poverty rate remains 19.5 per cent. The government has a disproportional interest in tourism in comparison to the betterment of lives for the layman living within their own country. The focus of the expo is to build a better future but in the discussion of how to get there, we often neglect the bigger question, who deserves this future? UAE, like much of the world, is focused on walking towards a future while leaving so many behind.

The 2020 Expo made three main false promises: sustainability, opportunity, and mobility.

UAE’s lavish lifestyle and man-made islands are both detrimental to the environment. The unusual usage of private jets and oil consumption is part of the reason why, in 2020, their carbon dioxide emissions were 20.7 tons per capita. While this amount is less than in 2008 when UAE had the worst carbon footprint per person in the world,

HAMNA RIAZ/THE MEDIUM

it is still a significant amount. The desire to constantly innovate and create iconic structures and islands is greater than the desire for the well-being of the planet. Externally, UAE supports occupying entities that commit water apartheid, uproot decade old olive trees, and dump toxins into the Palestinian West Bank.

The significant wealth gap hinders the opportunity for growth as, the amount of work one must do to provide for one’s family is majorly dependent on their ethnicity. Emiratis and Western Expats are given more opportunities to excel with rules. For example, companies with more than 100 employees must include a certain number of Emiratis.

The mobility district focuses on making information, ideas and goods easily accessible around the world, grounding itself in the belief that by creating an open global society the world will become harmonious.

However, for this to be effective, it is vital that there be harmony within the nation itself. It is impossible to expect global cooperation when there are obvious wage discrepancies and tensions at a smaller scale. Additionally, it is counterproductive to vouch for an open world yet support blockades and occupation.

All in all, while the wonders of the Expo are countless, to truly enjoy them, the level of cognitive dissonance required is immeasurable. Every theme emphasized has been betrayed by the country itself. Every brick has been laid by an underpaid hand. Every light you see masks the country’s darkness. It is time to acknowledge that no matter how tall you try to build a building, unless the foundation is strong, it will inevitably collapse.

Ask yourselves, who is this helping?

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features

Editor | Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

Do you commute by bus or by car?

With the rising price of gas, students reflect on which method of transportation is best for them– and the costs that come with it.

Haya Abu Ghosh Associate Opinion Editor

R

ight now, the average price for regular gas in Ontario is $1.46 per litre with steadily increasing fluctuations that may near $2.00 per litre—an extremely expensive price tag.

The sudden inflation of petroleum prices in the Greater Toronto Area stems from the Covid-19 pandemic, as suppliers are now producing less oil.

Other forms of transportation include public transit, where University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) students can carry a U-pass covered by tuition fees. However, the U-pass is only valid for MiWay buses in Mississauga.

Those who need to travel from neighbouring cities are required to pay extra fares and spend hours navigating to campus. From an economic and productivity perspective, this form of transportation does not appeal to most students.

Previous studies have linked long commuting distances to higher rates of obesity, stress, anxiety, and depression. One case study examined the effects of commuting long distances and the impact it has on domestic work. Researchers found that many participants experienced mental stress after a prolonged commute from work to home; in particular, stress while driving in traffic, or while in an overcrowded train. For those in intimate relationships, the responsibilities of household chores become a burden. According to the study, both parties had low energy to complete household chores after long commutes. This ponders the question: which form of transportation is the most convenient and sustainable for students?

“In the first years of my undergrad I took the bus. Later on, my commute was mostly by car,”

says Komalroop Kaler, an English, professional writing and communication, and creative writing student at UTM. Commuting by bus took her nearly two hours to get to campus; by car it was only 45 minutes. “[In] bus rides, I had ample time to read my favourite novel or pen lines to my next poem.”

Even though Kaler utilized the extra time on the bus to stay productive, her favourite method of transportation is by car—it allows her to reach campus on time for her classes.

Sarah Abdelgalil, another UTM student specializing in biology agrees. “Back in first year, the two-hour commute made me feel really tired both at university and at home; not having the energy to study productively.” After her first year, Abdelgalil commuted to campus by car, a short drive of about 15 minutes. She feels more comfortable since she “can get to campus really quickly and efficiently rather than having to take two buses to go to university and back.” Abdelgalil and Kaler concur that the best form of transportation is by car. But nowadays, driving to campus adds extra expenses to a student’s budget. As winter approaches, cars consume more gas—and with that, more visits to the pump.

Of course, the frequency at which students fill up their gas tanks depends on how far they live, how economic their car is, and how often they drive to campus. The average gas tank size for smaller vehicles is 40 litres, while larger vehicles is 60 litres. Assuming the frequency of visits to the pump is weekly, students would spend a monthly average of $230 for smaller vehicles and $340 for larger ones with today’s gas prices. Not to mention the $15 daily parking fees on campus.

“Gas has definitely gotten way more expensive lately. I don’t live very close, so it adds up,” expresses Sarah Hashish, a political science and criminology student, who also commutes by car. She commutes from another city, where

the drive is only about 30 minutes compared to a bus commute of close to two hours. Taking the bus brought several struggles for Hashish.

She had to constantly think about the train and multiple buses she’d have to take, as well as the routes, time, and cost. In her conclusion, she believes that her car “is the best thing for me right now.”

From the students we interviewed, they all agreed that commuting by car is the most efficient and productive form of transportation. It’s reliable and it saves time and energy.

To them, commuting by car is the best option from a mental and economic perspective. But what about its environmental impact?

Matthew Adams is a geography, geomatics, and environment assistant professor at UTM. His research focuses on our exposure to air contaminants in urban environments. According to him, when children ride the school bus in the early morning, they are exposed to a lot of pollution. “School buses are typically ventilated through the windows. For [those] that travel on major roads, in traffic, and in congestion, you can get fairly high concentrations of air pollution entering the school bus—a major challenge,” he says. The same can be said for anyone who takes public transportation through busy roads.

Like school buses, public transit travels through several congested areas to reach their destination, sometimes taking longer than expected. The long and congested bus rides can expose students to prolonged air pollution.

Professor Adams encourages students to take part in physical activity as it will improve mental health and overall well-being.

Children and uni-

versity students can participate in active means of transportation when possible. Professor Adams further comments on these modes: “Active transportation modes where students can get physical activity is a great opportunity, and we know other modes like cycling or walking have other benefits along with improvements to mental health. This is also a big opportunity to reduce some of our carbon dioxide emissions.”

The inefficiency of buses is clear among UTM students. Commuting by car saves time, energy, and reduces exposure to air pollution—but it also creates more pollution. The possibility of being congested in traffic can also negatively impact students’ overall well-being.

According to Professor Adams, prolonged car idling contributes to air pollution, and this is where active modes of transportation are favoured. In contrast, school buses and public buses have open windows that bring in fumes and pollutants from traffic.

Whether you ride the bus or commute by car, the pros and cons of each method ultimately depend on you. If you live far from campus, perhaps driving is the best option as it will save you time and energy. If you live near campus, then taking the bus for a short amount of time will reduce exposure to pollutants and your carbon footprint.

What goes on in the Mississauga Academy of Medicine?

The curious Terrence Donnelly Heath Sciences Complex consists of a bustling student life and lifelong experiences.

Irtaqa Arif Contributor

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midst the unique and innovative buildings at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), there sits a curious silver building between the Communication, Culture, and Technology and Davis buildings: the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex (TDHSC). Opened in 2011, the building was named after benefactor Terrence Donnelly, an advocate for health care

improvements and supporter of medical research and patient care. The four-story building is home to multiple departments and graduate studies on campus. Two floors are dedicated to the biomedical communications graduate program, as well as the undergraduate department of anthropology—including its offices and research labs. The majority of the TDHSC is dedicated to the Mississauga Academy of Medicine (MAM), which is one of four academies as part of U of T’s MD program.

Each academy—FitzGerald Academy, Mississauga Academy of Medicine, Peters-Boyd Academy, and Wightman-Berris Academy—comprises a cluster of affiliated hospitals where medical school students obtain their education and experi-

ence. Accepted medical school students are assigned to each academy based on their preference and availability. Prospective students commonly apply to the MD program in their third or fourth year of undergraduate studies. All applications are completed through the Ontario Medical School Application Service, where one application is submitted for U of T’s MD program.

Dr. Sarah McClennan is the academy director of MAM, one of four academy directors at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and an emergency physician at Trillium Health Partners. >> MAM continues on page 09

09 >> MAM continued from page 08 She shares that students take one of four pathways when applying: the MD/PhD program, the Black Student Application Program, Indigenous Student Application Program, and the general pathway. Following application review and interviews, roughly 250 students are accepted into the MD program each year, and only 54 of those students are selected to join the MAM. Dr. Prem Nichani, a recent graduate of the U of T MD program and MAM, is a Ophthalmology resident in the Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Sciences at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Nichani chose to complete his undergraduate studies at Laurier University due to its community-like atmosphere and optimal opportunities. He became interested in pursuing medicine following a familial history of illnesses. While having the preference of attending the downtown MD program, he was selected to attend MAM. Dr. Nichani ultimately believes that this was the best decision for his career trajectory.

“First, I am happy to be at U of T, [and] second, I am happier that I was given the opportunity to be at Mississauga,” says. Dr. Nichani. “[MAM] offers the best of both worlds. [The] opportunities at Mississauga are unlike any other.” While MAM still offers the same curriculum as the one in downtown Toronto, it gives students more opportunities for direct interactions with faculty in hospitals and hands-on learning. Chosen as the class co-president for four years, Dr. Nichani found additional opportunities to interact with the faculty downtown as well.

In their first year, MAM students have group lectures that are broadcasted from either of the two locations. Medical students can see their peers at the other locations and participate live. The first two years of medical school include small-group learning, where case-based learning—applying knowledge to real-world scenarios—is emphasized. Students also learn clinical skills in a hospital setting. At MAM, students complete their medical training at the three Trillium Health Partners hospital locations.

According to Dr. McClennan, the academy director of MAM, the local faculty at MAM is made of physicians that are appointed with the U of T MD program. In their third year, students do their clerkship, a practice that requires them to be at the hospital full-time. Here, they complete rotations in hospital units such as emergency, internal medicine, and psychiatry. In their fourth year, they take electives in additional institutions to gain experience in the field they are interested in. This opportunity allows them to build networks as well.

ZHENG CAO/THE MEDIUM

“Being a doctor is one thing, but now you are deciding what type of doctor you want to be,” explains Dr. Nichani. Some examples of electives include transition to residency (doctors in training), ethical dilemma, diversity, and inclusion.

“Part of being in medical school [is being a part of the] medical student society. [There are] numerable clubs including sports, advocacy groups, and leadership opportunities,” explains Dr. McClennan. “One of the benefits of being in Mississauga is the best of both worlds: get [the] local community feel with all the opportunities available at downtown.”

A variety of clubs are offered for medical students at MAM

such as teaching opportunities, and homeless and cancer initiatives. Students also take part in creative endeavors such as DaffyDil: The Musical, a theatrical production written, produced, directed, and performed by the Faculty of Medicine students.

This creative outlet raises money and donates it to the Canadian Cancer Society, now raising more than $600,000.

While research during medical school is not needed, it is recommended. Students can work with research coordinators at MAM and take part in research that best suits them. Dr. Nichani strongly encourages students to take part in research: “[The] only way innovation progresses in medicine is through research.”

After earning their MD degree, MAM graduates apply for residency positions through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) to continue their training. Dr. McClennan shares that the CaRMS match is done well, where 96 per cent of students are matched to the program of their choice. However, acceptance depends on their clinical experience, research activities, activities making up their curriculum vitae, as well as evaluation received from superiors in their rotations. Grades are only evaluated based on a pass or fail basis. Additional factors include their interest in the field that the student is pursuing, personal statements, and how they perform in interviews.

Interviews determine whether medical graduates are a good fit for the residency position. “Be yourself, not your ideal self that isn’t actually you,” advises Dr. Nichani. “[Otherwise], you may end up regretting it.” He concludes that regardless of their pathway students should pursue something they are genuinely interested in and enjoy.

With its diverse methods of learning and hands-on engagement, medical students at MAM gain valuable clinical experience and get involved in the community. They integrate and experience student life across the downtown and Mississauga campuses. Eventually, MAM graduates become prospective residency students, having gained the knowledge and experience they require to be capable doctors and serve in the medical field.

Changing our habits around waste management is necessary for the sake of the environment and our health Recycled plastics often end up in landfills and with the current rate of waste disposal, Canada won’t have enough room to store it all.

Prisha Maneka Nuckchady Associate Features Editor

>>WASTE continued from page 01 Professor Passmore notes that this trend is a return to the norm.

“Make it, use it, and chuck it away: a mindset characteristic only of the 20th century,” he explains, adding that “rethinking our lifestyle” is needed.

Up until the 20th century, humans have always reused and recycled their products. After all, it was effective, and there’s no point throwing away something you can get more use out of. As Professor Passmore puts it, industrialization introduced the concept of throwing things away without thinking about it. In other words, we grew accustomed to the convenience of plastics.

Many European countries encourage citizens to reuse plastics.

For instance, Professor Passmore shares that in restaurants, consumers pay a small deposit on their takeaway containers. These containers are designed to be re-used, perhaps for storage at home, or they can simply take them back to the restaurant for their next order. Similarly, UTM has been encouraging students to use OZZI 2GO containers when ordering food from the canteen. Yet, it feels like not enough students use it. This shows that many of us still need to change our lifestyle choices.

In addition, waste disposal in our oceans, beaches, and rivers is far too common. This is why American YouTubers Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast) and Mark Rober launched #TeamSeas, a global initiative that aims to raise $30 million by the end of 2021 to remove 30 million pounds of waste from oceans, beaches, and rivers around the world—one dollar per pound. The #TeamSeas cleanup project is in collaboration with two non-profits, including The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit foundation that aims to “clean up 90 per cent of floating ocean plastic pollution.”

Half of the funds raised by #TeamSeas will go to The Ocean

Cleanup, while the other half will be given to their second collaborator Ocean Conservancy. Each of these non-profit organizations will be responsible for eliminating 15 million pounds of waste.

While Professor Passmore believes #TeamSeas is an incredible initiative that shows a lot of promise, he notes that microplastics remain a concern. Microplastics are minuscule bits of plastics that are not visible to the naked eye. These microplastics are indigested by marine animals, which contribute to the destruction of marine life. “I was really distressed to learn that even paper teabags use plastics in those bags too,” he elaborates. “[This ensures that the bag] retains its shape.”

Microplastics are a critical issue. While environmental concerns remain a priority, concerns about the impacts that they bring to our health are emerging. So far, the research is still ongoing. “It is estimated that the average person ends up ingesting five grams of plastics, corresponding to millions of microplastics weekly, which is roughly equivalent to a credit card,” notes Professor Passmore.

For him and many experts, one of the most important things we can do is incorporate sustainability into our circular economy.

This will help change our mindsets. Professor Passmore stresses that our economy and our producers need to stop relying on plastics. He emphasizes that we must educate consumers about buying sustainable products. This could be done by subsidizing biodegradable substitutes—only then will our consumption of plastics decrease.

We must keep expanding our range of biodegradable substi-

tutes and change our “throw away when done” mindset.

Since most of our plastic waste ends up in landfills, this creates problems for the government. “Experts have said that Canadian landfills won’t suffice,” concludes Professor Passmore. “We’ll need 16 new landfills by 2050, given our rate of waste disposal.”

In 2016, the Ontario government imposed a goal of reaching zero waste by 2050 using a strategy that revolves around circular economy. This circular economy design involves the following: designing long-lasting and sustainable products; producing them to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; distributing said products to consumers; reusing and repairing products; and recycling. A key element of this scheme is that producers will be responsible for their products from the start to the end of the product’s life cycle.

This means that they will be responsible for recovering the materials from their products, including packaging. Consequently, the amount of waste sent to landfills will decrease.

While we’ve long been aware that greenhouse gas emissions from waste are a catalyst for climate change, the newly discovered consumption of microplastics could have additional effects on our health. It is therefore of paramount importance that we migrate away from plastic consumption and choose sustainable products instead.

JOHN CAMERON/UNSPLASH

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Arts

Editor | Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca

A journey of growth with author April Joy T. Abit UTM alumna shares past PWC publications and reflects on the complicated reality of career paths.

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s people enter the workforce and leave behind adolescence stride by stride, there is a never-ending fear to settle and establish ourselves in terms of our careers, relationships, and sense of selves. However, University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) alumna April Joy T. Abit emphasizes that growth is a process.

Abit’s initial career path did not go as planned. Before she immigrated to Canada in 2016, she earned her nursing degree in the Philippines. Abit describes the unfortunate reality that her education, skilled as it may be, was unable to grant her a career in the Canadian medical field.

At UTM, she pursued a double major in the psychology and Professional Writing and Communication programs (PWC) as she realized her interests in both subjects. In 2020, she earned her Honours Bachelor of Science.

Abit graduated with publications from the PWC program, including her book Storm Surge as well as two short stories, “Catch” and “Ampule,” which were chosen for There: Stories About Places Near and Far—a collection of stories compiled and edited by PWC professor Robert Grant Price.

“Catch” and “Ampule” are originally part of a portfolio titled Point A to Point B that Abit wrote for PWC’s WRI370:

Writing About Place course. In this portfolio, she details the fraught and tense atmosphere of her nursing internship days, contrasting two instances that display her growth as a medical professional. In one scenario, she struggles as she assists a delivery. In another, she simply checks on the patients, and it is business as usual.

While Abit fell in love with the PWC program during her university years, she does not have a professional interest in writing. Currently, she plans to return to studying medicine.

“Our decisions are always a result of our learned experiences,” Abit says, explaining why she spent a lengthy amount of time exploring career options.

When it comes to reaching goals and having a sense of self figured out, Abit confidently states, “Not everything is high stakes. It’s okay to not know what you want to do right now.

Your growth isn’t linear, and you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Progress is different for everyone.”

JEANNE BERNADETTE ZULUETA

Shreya Joshi Staff Writer

A generation’s experience told in ROM’s #MyPandemicStory Showcasing how the pandemic rippled through the creative minds of Ontario’s youth.

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Shruti Kamath Contributor

“[Esc]” by Aerin

s the number of vaccinated individuals increased in Canada, the daily lives of people have returned to some semblance of what they used to be prior to the sudden lockdown that began in the spring of 2020. Although it may be tempting to look toward the future, it is necessary to reflect on the implications of the pandemic— particularly on people who cannot effectively express themselves.

On October 23, The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) unveiled their new exhibit “#MyPandemicStory: Youth Create Portraits of a Pandemic,” featuring art about the pandemic from children in Ontario ages four to 18. This wide age range provides diverse experiences documented through various media.

The exhibit was announced in March, which marked the first full year of Covid-19 related restrictions in Canada. As a result, some of these children did not remember life apart from the pandemic, while others had to see their future plans fade away due to the lockdown.

While traditional artwork, like drawings and paintings, was prominent, the exhibit featured many other formats of media that the children used as an outlet for their creativity. Digital art, origami, clay sculptures, vlogs, videos, photo-

graphs, poems, essays, collages, and dance performances were among the many ways in which these children showcased their talents and experiences during the pandemic.

With over 2,300 submissions, the ROM chose 60 pieces to display on the first floor of the gallery—free of charge and available for public viewing until March 27, 2022. All 2,300 submissions can also be viewed on the ROM website’s digital exhibition.

Some youths portrayed the effect that the repetitive and monotonous routines of the lockdown had on their mental health, such as in “[Esc]” by Aerin—a piece of digital artwork where a girl is seen lying still on her bed while her surroundings subtly change. In a description of their work, Aerin commented that “[this scene represents] a feeling of helplessness and stagnation […] nothing really happens and nothing is accomplished.”

Other youths shared how art helped them manage the difficulties of lockdown. Regarding their piece titled “Appreciation,” Gurleen stated that “something good came out of the pandemic.

Being quarantined […] made me think creatively, make a self [discovery], and find a [therapeutic] expressive outlet.” This painting featured a girl in

colour weighed down by responsibilities, staring at a black and white reflection in the mirror— which reflects the darkness of the pandemic.

In contrast with darker imagery, other artists wanted to share a message of hope. In “Sperare,” a painting that features a withered tree surrounded by cherry blossoms, Lorie wrote “the blossom trees show that eventually, a new season will begin, and the trees will flower. ‘Sperare’ means to hope, to wish, and to wait.”

For this gallery—which marks the first crowdsourced exhibition at the ROM—a panel of external advisors from various areas of expertise, such as psychology and education, were consulted prior to the curation of the physical exhibit.

The art of a generation will represent their experiences. It is important to view these artworks, all of which encompassed the voices of a generation that was tasked with the heavy burden of understanding and coping with the complexities of a pandemic. To understand, we must acknowledge.

This exhibit countered the isolation that the pandemic brought. The similarity in the themes and emotions conveyed in the artworks created a feeling of community, one that was based on these shared and relatable experiences.

Bury Me at the Crossroads

Gray Mornings

In the Autumn Gold

Dagale Mohammed

Komalroop Kaler

Kaitlyn Matthews

Bury me at the crossroads so that I remain when gone Flesh renewed, familiar but estranged from who I am or was Leave me at that juncture to taunt fate, while it gnarls my limbs A brilliant convergence, a terrifying dawn!

Bury me at the crossroads, my death irresolute in its finality But don’t fret for me, my three-headed mistress will keep me full wanting, never satisfied so that I may drink with the monstrous, and sleep with the foul, the damned dancing on my arms Let me feast and be feasted upon, When she has sucked and plucked all that is good in me, all that I have to offer She’ll leave me to starve hands outstretched, empty Her gales of laughter leave me shaking and bare, her airy whispers full of promise I will die and she will return, molding me from my ashes, no memories of strife So, bury me at the crossroads, for I have lived here all my life

A silver puddle floods my rose garden my knees scrape against the cold cement floor I smudge water droplets off glossy leaves sweet Rain, chilly August winds coalesce pink petals fall and drift toward green grass I sweep the softness back into brown soil Wet cascades kissing the back of my neck like a mother’s hug Rain drapes my body I close my eyes, I bow my head and smile stretching my arms, I lock my body tight slippery fingers cradle my spirit nails dig into my rose-coloured jacket I nestle my head into her warm chest like a child I cocoon into her lap as she combs through my tangled, brown hair strands she sings hymns into my ears and lets go

Look, a moth flutters toward the moon, the misty clouds, the evening sky. The neighbourhood is washed in hazy gold, tender and wistful— Like the shade of late autumn light in your kitchen window and your mother’s fingers, dipped in coconut oil or skinning an unripe mango, sprinkling the cut fruit with salt. And the gold-brown chapati dough your father flattens against the pan as dead leaves skitter across empty lamplit roads and gather by the broken fence in the yard.

This autumn evening is only a graveyard for the wreckage of childhood; the surface of the day splinters, and the twilight beneath is soft and fragile. The world, like a child holding her breath, her nose pressed against cold kitchen windowpanes, watching each memory in the golden dusk tremble, flutter.

Local indie pop-rock band Lost in Japan gains nationwide attention From the band’s beginnings to their upcoming album, Lost in Japan shares their musical highlights with The Medium.

Paige France Staff Writer

“W

hy you hiding? Are you lost? I’d search the world despite all the costs,” blares Lost in Japan’s hit, “Lonely,” from radio stations across Canada. London, Ontario’s newest rising band boasts a fresh indie pop-rock perspective intertwined with a ramshackle collection of extremely intimate, yet exhilarating lyrics influenced by the sorrowful acceptance of growing up.

The artistry that the four members—Addison Johnson (lead vocals and guitar), Karl Von Estorff (bass), James Wiseman (drums), and Chris Hoekstra (lead guitar and vocals)— bring is honest and youthful, giving their audience a look into the future while clutching onto the past. Their message of this youthful discovery is cognizant of their origin. The band’s birthplace can be traced back to where they first met in the bustling hallways of Fanshawe College, all while enrolled in the Music Industry Arts program (MIA).

“Addison, James, [and I] were in the same year, and we started jamming together in the second year of college,” Hoekstra explains in an exclusive interview with The Medium. “Karl was a year below us in the same program, and we met him while seeing him at gigs around town.”

Creating music has always been the paramount desire for each member. Von Estorff was inspired by Crazy Frog, Wiseman was assigned to drums in the seventh grade, Hoekstra gravitated toward the guitar due to his father’s passion for the instrument, and after misidentifying his acoustic guitar in sixth-grade band, Johnson deemed himself a bass player. With

these beginnings, each member came together to put their individual talents to good use.

Starting as a solo act, Johnson started the band when he began searching for other musicians to back him up. After playing a couple of gigs for Johnson, the tetrad realized how cohesively they meshed. From there, Lost in Japan united and the rest is history. As for the inspiration behind the elusive band name, Hoekstra says that he could “tell you the real reason, but then all the magic behind it would be gone. We wouldn’t want that now, would we?” Despite a lack of explanation, it is satisfying enough for their refreshing sound to pull listeners through the lulls of the pandemic.

In times of Covid-19, Lost in Japan conveys a message that is both relatable and honest. “Our most recent EP, ‘Somedays,’ is about adapting to change that really flips you on your head, forc-

ing you to decide where to go from there. I feel like everyone can relate to this topic because of the change this global pandemic has brought on all of us,” Hoekstra says. “We want new fans to know that our music instills a message of honesty, love, and fun.”

One of Lost in Japan’s most memorable moments is when their song “Animals,” from their debut EP, was selected to advertise the 2019 JUNO Awards. This was not the first time the band has collaborated with the academy. With the hopes of exploring and expanding on new sounds, “Somedays” was produced by JUNO award-winning producer and Fanshawe professor Dan Brodbeck at Sugar Shack Studios in London. Coming full circle, Fanshawe has provided the band with their education and has contributed toward the music to spearhead their careers. And for good reason, as they con-

MATT GUARRASI/SPECTRELIGHT PHOTO

tinually embrace the purity of imperfection, concocting an unending quest for evolution.

The pandemic enabled the band to hit new heights of success. Already making its mark on the Canadian music industry, Lost in Japan quickly asserted itself as a band to watch out for only four years after its formation. With a tight competition of 2,000 submissions, their song, “Lonely,” won the public-voted 2021 Corus Entertainment Radio summer song contest, featuring a cash prize of $20,000 and extensive radio time. The band plans to use the award earnings to record their sophomore LP, with its first single “Red Line” released on October 15.

“Lonely” is a spunky hit that has a likeness to the music of the Canadian rock band Arkells; Lost in Japan reveals that their biggest musical inspiration is this Hamilton-formed hitmaker because of their ability to draw from their own personal experiences. It is their biggest hope to one day open for Arkells. Hoekstra says, “I feel like this has been our opener goal for a while!”

Beginning to orient themselves back on stage and performing gigs, the band explains how much they missed the fan and audience dynamic. “The energy from our fans makes it so fun to rock as hard as we possibly can. It feels like the best feeling in the world when we’re up there on stage in front of a packed-out venue,” says Hoekstra.

To expand their sonic palette, the band is preparing for the release of their aforementioned next album. “We cannot wait for all the fans to hear the different sounds we’ve been working with,” says Hoekstra. “Also, we will be playing more live shows, so keep an eye out for us if we are playing near you!” As listeners await the new album, Lost in Japan still has plenty of songs to get lost in for now. The success of the local band is, to put it plainly, music to our ears.

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sports & health

Editor | Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca

WEEKLY EXERCISE SERIES: Swimming Swimming benefits the cardiovascular system, helps build muscle strength, and boosts cognitive function.

Anjalli Becharbhai Staff Writer

S

wimming is one of the best exercises to improve cardiovascular endurance. It strengthens the lungs and the heart, while lowering blood pressure and controlling blood sugar levels to help prevent diabetes. This exercise offers a full body workout by focusing on continuous arm and leg movements.

The RAWC plans to open their pool facilities back up in the 2022-2023 academic year.

There are three main swimming strokes beginners can engage in when learning how to swim: freestyle, backstroke, and breastroke. The freestyle stroke focuses on speed; it requires you to keep a straight stance in the water without your head, hips, or feet sinking.

The backstroke encompasses forward arm movements and flutter kicks. This movement will strengthen your arms and offer a workout that is more challenging to build muscle strength and endurance.

The breaststroke is a lower body workout. When performing a backstroke swimmers push their arms against the water to the side and bend their knees to their hips, mimicking a frog.

When participating in swimming lessons, it is important to have the appropriate gear to make the swimming experience more enjoyable. Swimmers should invest in a good pair of goggles and a nosepiece to prevent chlorine from getting into their eyes and nose. A cap can also be worn to prevent hair from blocking your face.

The Medium spoke to student athlete Mahaylia Datars, a second-year student studying human biology and nutrition at UofT’s St. George campus. She discussed how she started with swimming and how watching competitions inspired her to join UofT’s swim team.

Datars explained, “I started swimming with a swim club when I was around six years old. I started because I loved the water when I was younger and was fascinated when I would see the compet-

itive swimmers. 12 years later I am now swimming for UofT.” She further revealed how she manages stress when preparing for competitions: “Larger competitions can have an added amount of stress as there is the pressure to perform for yourself and for your team. However, day to day training provides me with an outlet to express emotions I can’t find the words for and has overall made me into the person I am today.”

She also sheds light on how swimmers can improve their swimming techniques: “While you’re swimming, pick one thing at a time to focus on and improve upon. Whether that be your head position, turns, catch, […] by picking one thing to put your attention towards, it becomes more manageable to improve your overall swimming technique [and] abilities.”

Swimming is an exercise that encourages you to take on new challenges while providing an array of techniques suitable to you. It is a way for individuals to destress and channel their emotions into something that benefits their health and mental wellbeing.

How to ward off seasonal depression The cold weather can have a negative impact on your mood and lifestyle. Here are some ways to help combat this.

Lexey Burns Contributor

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o you feel fine during the summer, but negative emotions always creep up again in the winter?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression people normally experience when the days get shorter, and the weather gets colder. It also doesn’t help that midterms and exams happen, only adding extra stress.

Some of the symptoms of SAD include feelings of sadness or serious mood switches, lack of energy, hunger for carbohydrates, feelings of irritation, hopelessness and worthlessness, loss of interest in pre-

vious hobbies, decreased sex drive, a change in sleep schedule, and thoughts of death and suicide.

Here are some tips and resources that can help you cope with SAD.

Exercise? (or extra fries) Don’t wait until the new year to hit the gym.

Due to the changing weather, it’s not very tempting to go outside in the cold when you can stay cozy and warm in bed.

According to a scholarly article by Dr. Ashish Sharma, Dr. Vishal Madaan and Dr. Frederick Petty, exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods. It also improves self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal. The gym is filled with people high off endorphins and creatine, so if you’re comfortable, ask someone for a spot or to show you their form.

Boom, instant workout buddy.

Insider Tip: The gym is always crowded with people not knowing what they’re doing after New Year’s as people tackle that common weight loss resolution. If you feel uncomfortable working out in a crowded space (either because of performance anxiety

or Covid-19 anxiety), try hitting the gym before that 2022 rush.

Gym setting not your thing? There are so many different ways to get active including getting involved in UTM Intramurals, using the trails along campus, or even taking the stairs.

Get those steps in! You’ll thank yourself later.

Get Social!

Trust me, I’d rather curl up on the couch by a fire with a cup of tea and a good book as the months get colder, but many people need to socialize for their wellbeing.

Get people together for a game night, or even have them over to watch the new episode of a show you all enjoy.

If you’re not keen on social gatherings just yet, Zoom has been our social saviour over the pandemic. There are many online games where you can play with your friends without needing to be in the same room. Some classic favourites are Among Us, Skribbl.io, Werewolf, Secret Hitler, and Kahoot.

Stick to a routine Many people find having a daily routine helps keep them productive. Instead of sleeping until noon one day and waking up at 6 a.m. the next, it’s important to settle your circadian rhythm during these months of physical darkness.

Some things to include in your routine are journaling, foods with Vitamin D or supple-

ments, and reading for ten minutes before bed.

Routines help create healthy habits and combat burnout. Burnout also contributes to SAD as the gradual accumulation of stress leads to mental and emotional exhaustion, a decrease in interpersonal relationships, and loss of productivity at work or school.

Take these tips into consideration when you’re not feeling yourself this winter, but note that these ideas won’t work for everyone. If you do not currently incorporate these practices into your daily routine, don’t throw yourself in headfirst. Moderation is key. Working out for a week straight is going to leave you sore and never wanting to return to the gym again, and suddenly waking up at 6 a.m. every day is going to leave you hitting snooze more.

Reach out There is no shame in asking for help. The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Health & Counselling Centre offers personal counselling, group counselling, and psychiatric care to students who are experiencing a variety of challenges!

Additionally, various free phone and text help and support lines, such as Good 2 Talk Student Helpline at 1-866-925-5454 and Connex Ontario Mental Health Helpline at 1-866531-2600, exist for you. You can use these services for casual personal counselling, gaining solution-focused coping strategies, and other specific services found on their websites.