The Ontarion - 185.7

185.7 | Nov, 1, 2018

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ON the Radar COMPILED BY MATTEO CIMELLARO B R A Z I L’ S FA R - R I G H T CANDIDATE WINS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Brazil’s incoming president has won the national election 55 per cent to 44 per cent against Sao Paulo’s former mayor Fernando Haddad. Bolsonaro has supported military dictatorship during his time as a Brazilian councillor and has been called homophobic, fascist, and misogynist by critics.

Supporters, including women, have said his hard-line agenda on crime gives them hope, the New York Times reports.

LABOUR LAWS DROPPED

BY FORD GOVERNMENT With Bill 47, otherwise known as the Making Ontario Open for Business Act, the Ford government intends to prevent the previously planned increase to the minimum wage.

Last year’s Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act raised the minimum to $14 per hour on Jan. 1, 2018 and put in place a plan to raise it to $15 per hour on Jan. 1, 2019. If passed, the new bill would scrap pro-labour policies such as equal pay for equal work for part-time workers as well as mandated paid sick days.

PITTSBURGH SHOOTING LEAVES 11 DEAD One of the 11 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting deaths was that of Toronto-born Joyce Fienberg, 75.

The shooting, which happened Saturday, Oct. 29, was incited by anti-semitic, hate rhetoric on far-right Internet forums, as well as anti-semitic conspiracies that surround Jewish investor, George Soros, have been promoted and propagated by U.S. President Donald Trump. $800,000 SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED FOR INDIGENOUS STUDENTS Hy d r o O ne w i l l pr o v id e $400,000 worth of funding for Indigenous post-secondary students through Indspire’s Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program from 2018 to 2022. The Government of Canada will match Hydro One’s funding, elevating the program’s total to $800,000.

Applications can be completed online at indspire.ca and must be received between Feb. 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1 each year.

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The controversy of the Cannabis Act WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH BILL C-45?

E L L A H A RV E Y

YOU’RE PROBABLY AT least anecdotally aware of the drama surrounding the recent legalization of cannabis in Canada. This type of legislation is naturally controversial, just as the usage of cannabis products is controversial.

However, the reasons why the Cannabis Act (a.k.a. Bill C-45) has caused such contention on Parliament Hill may not be what you think. What’s all the fuss about?

Let’s start at the beginning.

What is Bill C-45, and what exactly does it do? The changes this bill proposed to make to the Canadian Constitution are summarized in the official title of the bill: “An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code, and other Acts.”

This bill set out to legalize cannabis by removing it from the list of controlled substances in Canada and to amend the Criminal Code, so that the possession and use of controlled amounts of recreational cannabis, and the growing and cultivation of up to four plants, is legal. Seems straightforward, no?

Apart from the public discourse about cannabis legalization, the bill has caused plenty of contention in Parliament, especially in the Senate. The Senate presented several significant amendments to the bill, many of which were seen by many as controversial and almost antagonistic, according to the Globe and Mail. For example, one proposed amendment from the Senate would have allowed provinces a clear-cut path to ban the cultivation of cannabis at home.

Granted, two provinces (Quebec and Manitoba) have already banned growing cannabis at home, but the inclusion of this provision in the federal regulations would have made it much easier for other provinces to ban at-home cultivation.

However, simplifying the legal path to banning home grown cannabis interferes with one of the main purposes of the Cannabis Act, which is to curtail the illegal weed market.

Banning the cultivation of cannabis at home would create something of a double standard for the production of other controlled substances at home, as the production of beer, wine, and tobacco is permitted by federal law.

Other controversial Senate amendments included provisions to ban the sale of cannabis ‘swag,’ and called for the creation of a central registry of anyone involved in cannabis companies. Although the House allowed 27 amendments from the Senate to be incorporated into the bill, they outright rejected 13 — including the three mentioned above.

Outside the context of the Bill C-45 debates, there has also been a significant amount of criticism regarding the government’s preparation of the public for legalization.

Currently, the Liberals plan to spend $100 million over six years on public education and raising awareness about cannabis use, as well as to monitor its usage by the public. So far, the government claims to have distributed educational material to the public by mail, over the radio, online (via Facebook Messenger bots and surveys), and through partnerships with organizations like the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

The Opposition has called this preparation insufficient. Among other things, the Conservatives claim the Liberals failed to meaningfully prevent public confusion around the legalization of cannabis. A notable proponent of this viewpoint is Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu (Sarnia-Lambton,

Ont.), who is also the Conservative health critic. She has been vocal about her opinion that the government has failed to conduct enough targeted outreach to young people to ensure they are aware of the health risks. NDP health critic Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway, B.C.) had similar things to say about the government’s preparation for the big day. He alleged that the Liberals failed to take adequate measures to ensure that legalization actually diminishes the presence of illegal cannabis in the market.

As it happens, there is something t o be said about this particular criticism of the legalization process. Canada clearly lacks adequate infrastructure for legal distribution methods for cannabis.

The current process for licensing establishments to sell cannabis is highly restrictive, and led to the shortage of legal cannabis that Canadians saw shortly after Oct. 17. As per Bill C-45, figuring out the distribution mechanisms for cannabis is not the federal government’s responsibility, but has instead been left up to the provinces to sort out. However, that doesn’t mean some sort of federal support for building an adequate distribution infrastructure should be out of the picture.

Overall, it is important to remember that the job of the Opposition Critics is to be, well, just that — critical of the government. As it stands, it seems the worst these designated critics can say is that the government didn’t prepare adequately for this

monumental new change in legislation, which represents the reversal of a 95-year-long prohibition.

The Liberals claim that while things may seem rushed, this kind of confusion would have happened regardless of whether the law came into force one or 20 years from when Bill C-45 was given Royal Assent. However, it’s quite obvious why this law is coming into force right now. The legalization of cannabis in Canada was a big part of Trudeau’s campaign platform in 2015, so it makes a great deal of sense for Trudeau to want his legalization bill to come into force well ahead of the next election. It’s always good to be able to prove to the public that one can follow through on one’s promises when building a political platform.

Writer’s note and disclaimer: My name is Ella; I’m a U of G alumna, and I intern for Elizabeth May — MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands and the leader of the Green Party of Canada (GPC). As Ms. May’s intern, I attend parliamentary committees, correspond with constituents, attend legislative affairs, and work closely with her legislative assistants. The catch is, I have no prior experience with or knowledge of politics. This column details my experiences learning about the political culture and proceedings on Parliament Hill. My views are my own, and do not represent those of the GPC or of The Honourable Elizabeth May, MP.

With the arrival of legalalization the provinces, and the country, are still trying to figure out how people will get their cannabis. | Photo obtained via CTV

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What’s Legal?

University of Guelph policy • No use of cannabis in residence or on campus • No growing of cannabis • Medical marijuana use permitted with written consent • Possession of dried cannabis permitted • Cannabis delivery to residence not permitted • Sale of cannabis not permitted • Edibles not permitted

Government of Ontario: LEGAL • 30 grams of dried cannabis; four plants per private residential dwelling • Private residential dwellings (including a front porch, balcony, and backyard) • Many outdoor public places, such as sidewalks and parks • Designated guest rooms in hotels, motels, and inns • Controlled areas in residential care facilities, psychiatric facilities, veterans’ facilities, and residential hospices • Boats and vehicles when used as a temporary or permanent living space and not in operational use (excludes boats carrying passengers)

Government of Ontario: ILLEGAL • Enclosed public spaces and all workplaces • Indoor common areas of condominiums, apartment buildings, and university residences • Schools and school grounds, and within 20 metres of the grounds of a school and/or community centre • Restaurant and bar patios, and public spaces within nine metres of a patio or door • Child-care centres, home child-care centres, and where an early years program or service is provided • Children’s playgrounds Outdoor grounds of hospitals and certain Ontario government buildings Publicly owned sporting areas (except golf courses) • Vehicles and boats that are being operated by the user (in the case of all forms of consumption) or under someone’s care or control (in the case of cannabis being smoked or vaped) • Driving under the influence of marijuana • Possession or use of cannabis under the age of 19

Compiled by Cat Cooper

Canadaland investigation reveals Kielburger’s WE brand linked to child labour CHARITY AND FOR-PROFIT COMPANY MAY NOT BE AS ETHICAL AS CONSUMERS ARE LED TO BELIEVE T I M OT H Y S H U H

IN AN AGE when consumers seem to be more informed about a company’s products than most of an organization’s own employees, Canada’s own mega-charity, WE, has risked their own reputation.

According to Canadaland, the organization has partnered with large corporations who regularly disregard WE’s mission statement in their everyday business practices.

Canadaland is a crowdsourced investigative newspaper and podcast that attempts to uncover the truth behind hot button topics. One of their most recent pieces by Jaren Kerr investigates the controversies surrounding Craig Kielburger’s WE Movement.

Kielburger’s WE is made up of a private, for-profit organization titled Me to WE, as well as a not-for-profit called WE Charity. In addition, WE has expanded its reach with a slew of projects including WE Schools, WE Trips, WE Day, and WE Villages. While the organization has been renowned for its philanthropic and humanitarian accomplishments

since its inception 23 years ago — when Kielburger was 13 — critics note that WE’s foundational values seem lost in recent years.

WE’s mission statement revolves around empowering young people to change the world with their everyday consumer choices. But as Kerr reveals throughout his three-year investigation in the Canadaland series, Inside WE, the organization has in fact partnered with three brands that rely on unethical labour in their supply chains.

In his article, Kerr interviews several former WE employees about the organization’s corporate partnerships. These conversations exposed the supposed truth behind WE’s partnership with Kellogg’s, Hershey’s, and Unilever. Kerr writes that the organization promotes products made by all three companies.

When asked if they refuse to partner with companies whose products are made in part by children, WE did not deny this claim.

So the question remains — how do large corporations benefit from

partnering with WE? After highlighting the investments and partnerships by WE, Kerr explains what the advantages are for the organization’s large corporate partners. The companies benefit from an enriched reputation of their corporate social responsibility. In addition, these corporations are able to sponsor WE Day and enjoy heavy promotion to high school students through marketing and merchandise gifted in loot bags.

While Leah Meers, the former head of WE Day, told Canadaland “the intention behind WE Day programming is to make it 100 per cent educational in nature and free from any products or services associated with corporate partners,” Kerr’s investigation questions the motives behind WE Day. As Kerr’s investigation strives to gain more credibility, various attempts have been made to interview employees of Kellogg’s, Unilever, and Hershey’s, with no responses from the three corporations. The executive director of WE Charity, Scott Baker, declined to answer any questions from Kerr

or Canadaland because he believes the newspaper “does not operate with a commitment to facts, unbiased reporting, or basic journalistic integrity.”

Kerr’s investigation is still in the process of establishing credibility, and without comment from current employees of WE, it remains unlikely the story will receive

global traction. That being said, Kerr received a response from WE that read: “We recognize that no company is ‘perfect,’ but we take a 360-analysis to determine the overall socially responsible practices of the business.”

It appears the time is now for WE to perform a 360-analysis of their own social responsibility.

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TH E O NTA R I O N

19th Annual Animal Welfare Forum sees another success OVER 100 ATTENDEES LEARN ABOUT RESEARCH, LAW, AND MORE | CARLEIGH CATHCART

L e f t: A n i m a l we lf a re m atte r s .

P h o to o b t a i n e d v i a W i k i m e d i a Commons.

Above: Ontario Vetenary College, Animal Welfare Club logo.

ON SATURDAY, Oct. 13, the Ontario Veterinar y College’s Animal Welfare Club hosted its 19th annual Animal Welfare Forum. Over a hundred student, faculty, and public registrants enjoyed a free day of education (and lunch!) from a variety of experts in the field of animal welfare.

DR. MELANIE GRAHAM

The day got off to a fascinating start with Dr. Melanie Graham’s talk, “Creating a 3Rs culture that supports science, innovation, and animal welfare.” Graham — a researcher currently focused on the treatment of diabetes with cell-based therapies (and mother to Felix the diabetic cat) — spoke to the audience about the impact of lab animal welfare on the results and applicability of research.

Emphasizing the 3Rs of animal-based research (replacement, reduc tion, a nd ref inement), Graham explained that we can create a climate supporting choice

for research animals, and allow for their participation in their own care. Additionally, proper training of animal handlers in the lab can result in a more positive experience for all research participants.

“We can actually foster a remarkable relationship from what likely started off as something fearful,” she said during her talk.

Pointing out that negative affective states of these animals can compromise research results, she asserted both the possibility for and the many benefits of “animal-centric care and clinic-focused science.”

DR. CHARLOTTE BLATTNER

Switching gears following Graham’s talk was Harvard Law School post-doctoral fellow Dr. Charlotte Blattner. Having studied areas of animal law at several educational institutions, Blattner was quick to point out the flaws of our current protections for the voiceless.

Blattner noted that while some bodies are starting to acknowledge that animals need our protection

regardless of the interest of ownership, current laws only protect animals in the context of them as property.

“At the end of the day, these laws are made by humans, for humans,” said Blattner, who went on to ask where animals fit into this picture While most animal-related court cases today run under the jurisdiction of criminal law, which is prohibitive, proponents are fighting for more powerful administrative law, which is prescriptive.

These “third generational animal laws,” as Blattner refers to them, are less costly — facilitating easier litigation and, most importantly, doing more to not only protect animals against abuse, but ensure their needs are met.

An obstacle to such progress is the concept of value incongruence, that is, the changing of the perception of our values to match our behaviour. This approach is what dictates a response of horror to the suggestion of eating a beloved pet while happily indulging in the

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consumption of a hamburger or using cruel mousetraps to eliminate what we see as vermin. Yet Blattner notes a significant flaw in this type of thinking — we often forget that as humans, we too are animals. How do we reconcile these realities?

In her closing, Blattner urged the audience to consider what they could do to improve the welfare of all animals.

“Are our current measures really the only options? Are we okay with our current ‘scale’ of humane, or can we push it further?” she asks.

DR. SARA DUBOIS

Following an ethically sourced meal over the lunch hour, the University of British Columbia’s Dr. Sara Dubois spoke about the components of compassionate conservation and veterinarians’ roles in its pursuit.

Highlighting an intriguing divide in science, Dubois mentioned the common need to ‘compete’ among different disciplines of science. Components of fields are often pitted against one another: veterinary science versus biology, welfare versus conservation, and so on. Yet while Dubois argues that these aspects need not be mutually exclusive, the underlying factor often comes back to convenience for humans.

When making conservation and management choices, our decisions tend to favour certain species over others (with our own having the top priority). Dubois said that we seek to protect human life and livelihood, reduce or eradicate unwanted species, and “pursue science at any cost.” Some species experience the “tragedy of being too common,” she said, referring to the false idea that some populations are okay to kill given their high numbers.

Other significant issues around wildlife and conservation include inadvertent harm inflicted by

…animals need our protection regardless of the interest of ownership. well-meaning humans (for example, taking home what one believes is an abandoned baby rabbit) and wildlife tourism. In the case of the latter, Dubois stressed the importance of being informed, given the many ethical problems surrounding practices such as elephant riding, swimming with dolphins, and photos with tigers.

Dubois concluded with a comment regarding the complicated nature to ethical conservation of pandas and other species, noting the answers may be elusive, but still must be sought. “[It] isn’t always black and white,” she quipped in her talk.

DR. DEREK HALEY

Closing the day was OVC’s own Dr. Derek Haley, who provided insight into the bonds formed between mothers and their young, including human influence in both building and breaking those bonds.

As with many species, young farm animals are weaned from their mothers. While the time of weaning depends on the species and type of production, conventional “out of sight, out of mind” weaning practices appear to cause significant distress for both mothers and their offspring.

Haley shared with the audience the advantages of some relatively novel methods, including fenceline weaning and nose flaps, which may result in a smoother transition for animals being weaned.

Haley’s rather convincing impression of a moo kept the audience in deep captivation while his talk presented some new management strategies worth contemplating from a welfare and production standpoint.

Overall, the 2018 forum brought together folks from a variety of backgrounds for an informative, engaging day of learning, discussing, (and hopefully) improving the current state of animal welfare in our society and throughout the world.

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@theontarion The burden of sustainability shouldn’t fall on consumers, but it does WHAT WILL YOU DO TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE? K AREN K . TRAN

EARLIER THIS OCTOBER, the United Nations IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) published a special report on global warming that stated that if global temperatures rose two degrees Celsius or more (compared to pre-industrial levels), the global sea level would be at least 10 centimetres higher, and 70 to 90 per cent of coral reefs would die off. This is compared to the small chance that the world will be able to limit the global temperatures to a rise of only 1.5 degrees Celsius.

What does that all mean? It means that climate change is inevitable. It means that the optimistic result would be for the sea level to only rise a few centimetres instead of a full 10, and that at least some of the coral reefs will survive instead of all of them dying. It means that experts have already accepted that climate change is irreversible.

The IPCC report states that achieving this technically possible 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature limit “would require rapid and far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society… [such as] transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities.” Governments and their citizens would have to change everything they know about their current lifestyles. Entire industries will have to become sustainable.

This means using eco-friendly packaging, organic practices, renewable energy sources, and consuming little to no animal products, among other strategies.

Currently, eco-friendly and sustainable products aren’t readily available. I know this as a consumer

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who struggles to navigate grocery stores and malls to find sustainable options. For example, even though I became vegetarian to reduce my environmental impact, I have to buy tofu and other alternative food products that are packaged in plastic because there aren’t any other options. Since this summer, I started baking homemade bread just so I wouldn’t waste the bag that grocery store bread comes packaged in. I know that it’s not reasonable for me to expect other people to follow suit and bake their own bread, but I encourage everyone to do something to reduce their environmental impact.

Following a plant-based diet is one of the most helpful ways to reduce your environmental impact, due to the amount of freshwater, food, land, and other resources are being inefficiently used to farm meat.

But if you can’t commit to going veg, there are plenty of other ways to make a difference. Whether you start baking your own bread like me, or choose your own way to prevent climate change, just do something to help.

The burden shouldn’t land on consumers to seek out sustainable products — every product should just be sustainable. But the fact is, most companies will not make any changes if people still buy their products. Governments should provide accessible and wellorganized public transit instead of people buying electric vehicles.

Restaurants won’t stop packaging your takeout orders in Styrofoam if you keep ordering. Don’t wait for someone else to force you to be

more eco-friendly and don’t complain about taxes that will fund sustainable practices.

Change starts with the individual. You can make a difference.

For the sake of the world and everyone and everything that lives in it, please try.

Yo u c a n re duce yo ur e nv iro n m e nt a l im p a c t by :

• Ditching disposable plastics (bringing your own bag when you shop, using your own mug, saying no to straws, bringing food containers for takeout/ leftovers at restaurants, and/ or using bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic) • Taking public transit or carpooling • Shopping local (food and other products sourced from your neighbourhood produce less gas emissions because they don’t need to be transported very far to get to you) • Eating organic (synthetic fertilizers and pesticides harm the ecosystem) • Eating less meat (cutting out beef can greatly reduce your impact, even if you still eat other types of meat) • Recycling (or better yet, reusing or completely reducing your use of the products you recycle. At the very least, please learn how to sort your recyclables properly)

Ways you can positively impact the evironment and help slow down climate change. | Photos obtained via Wikimedia Commons

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CONTRIBUTORS Cara Aitchison Carleigh Cathcart Cat Cooper Nanci Dos Santos Danna Ellner Tasha Falconer Mitchell Gracie Ella Harvey Jude Keefe Minyoung Kim Nicole Mior Iyess Sassi Mannan Sharma Timothy Shuh Laura Vautour

The Ontarion is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. Since The Ontarion undertakes the publishing of student work, the opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of The Ontarion staff and Board of Directors. The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all material deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, or otherwise unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. Material of any form appearing in this newspaper is copyrighted 2017 and cannot be reprinted without the approval of the Editor-in-Chief. The Ontarion retains the right of first publication on all material. In the event that an advertiser is not satisfied with an advertisement in the newspaper, they must notify The Ontarion within four working days of publication. The Ontarion will not be held responsible for advertising mistakes beyond the cost of advertisement.

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A legal celebration: Yes We Cannabis!

EBAR’S FIRST ANNUAL LIBERATION PARTY S TO RY & P H OTO S BY N I C O L E M I O R

FOR MANY OF US, the legalization of cannabis has been a political movement that was hotly anticipated. Guelph’s eBar held an exhilarating event on Oct. 17, in honour of celebrating the day when cannabis was legalized. The event at eBar was a night of chill music, delicious food, victory speeches, and more. With the contribution of so many people producing all the right party essentials, the legalization of cannabis will be a day that many won’t forget.

The vibe at eBar was certainly suitable for the event. The background music was a mix of funk, reggae, and hip-hop tunes delivered by DJ Todd Britton — the type of music that makes one feel good. eBar described this playlist as “weedy classics.” More on the theme of cannabis culture, the catering was a variety of classic foods you’d reach for when you get the munchies. The atmosphere of the night was aesthetically pleasing, and with colorful lights and art all around me I truly felt mellow. The crowd consisted of mostly adults, which makes sense since most have waited years for this liberation.

Following the multiple political speakers who shared their views on legal marijuana, I had a chance to chat with 2018 Guelph mayoral candidate Aggie Mlynarz, who wanted to say “10/17 blaze it.” Mlynarz’s perspective on the passing of this bill is that it is a good thing. “I am very happy to stop thinking prohibition is the way to approach cannabis,” she told The Ontarion.

Mlynarz stated that this progression is the best way to end the black market and to “horse it out of the gate.” I asked Mlynarz how she thinks this legalization will affect the student culture in Guelph. She stated that she believes “it’s important to have conversation about stigma, mental health, and that you don’t need to use cannabis to self-medicate; there are other ways to access help.” eBar’s first annual cannabis celebration was the perfect way to spend this historical moment.

As everyone danced, conversed, socialized, and laughed, I was further convinced that this liberation was something beneficial because of the energy in the atmosphere.

As Mlynarz stated, it is “a matter

Guelphites celebrate the legalization of cannabis at the eBar. Speeches were given by members of the community such as 2018 Guelph mayoral candidate Aggie Mlynarz.

of the city of Guelph, of local businesses coming together to ensure access to cannabis is safe, legal, and finally accessible.”

I am very happy to stop thinking prohibition is the way to approach cannabis…

O N N E TF LI X

Along with the Gods: Part 1 - The Two Worlds KOREAN LIVE-ACTION MOVIE EXPLORES THE AFTERLIFE M I N YO U N G K I M

DO YOU BELIEVE in the afterlife? If you do, you will definitely find the Korean film Along with the Gods exceptionally interesting. The movie begins with the death of the firefighter named Ja-hong and continues through as he encounters the three angels of death (a.k.a. Grim Reapers), and begins his journey of the afterlife. Throughout his journey, he stands in the seven trials held by the underworld gods, based on the sins in his life.

As the movie is originally based on a famous Korean online webtoon (Along with the Gods by artist Joo Ho-min), the movie is highly acclaimed as a successful ‘one source – multi-use’ example, The film, Along with the Gods, is based on the Korean webtoon of the same name. | Photo obtained via iTunes

and secured box office success by recording over 10 million viewers in South Korea. Even part two of the movie Along with the Gods: The last 49 days has already been released, thanks to its success.

This movie is based on the Buddhist view of the world and is a good chance for viewers to take a look at how Buddhists see the other side of the world. Not only is the movie full of excitement with the vivid depiction on the fantasized world of the afterlife, but will also allow viewers to take a step back and think about the true value of life.

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Oxfam Guelph collects feminine hygiene products for women in need U OF G’S OXFAM CHAPTER HOSTS THEIR ANNUAL “TRICK OR TAMPON” MENSTRUAL PRODUCT DRIVE IYESS SASSI

ALTHOUGH CAMPUS MAY still be covered in spiders and fake blood, the scariest thing for some is that within our own community, many women can’t afford or don’t have access to menstrual hygiene products on a regular basis.

Guelph’s Oxfam chapter set out to put an end to this horror story.

On Oct. 24 and 25, they hosted their annual Trick or Tampon menstrual hygiene product drive at The Bullring. Their goal was to collect donations of menstrual hygiene products (tampons and pads) or monetary donations that would go to women’s shelters in Guelph. The event was geared specifically toward bringing attention

to the fact that people are very rarely donating tampons and pads the same way they donate canned goods, yet they’re a necessity for half of the population.

The president of the Oxfam Guelph chapter, Manvi Bhalla, stated that “there is a demonstrated need for increased accessibility to these products — which are a part of the daily functioning life of 50 per cent of the population. A lack in accessibility to these products is a fundamental human rights issue that contributes to gender-based disparities.”

During the event, Oxfam members were able to provide an outlet for women to discuss the lack of

recognition of women’s issues like the major expense of menstrual products or the stigma surrounding menstruation. Additionally, they were able to educate many of their fellow students by explaining the importance of menstrual hygiene and that a diva cup is not a sassy mug.

Overall, Oxfam Guelph met its goal of increasing access to pads and tampons for local women in need, as well as being able to engage our community with conversations aimed at reducing stigma surrounding menstruation.

Oxfam at Guelph’s Trick or Tampon event collected feminine hygiene donations and raised awareness for donating tampons and pads. | Photo

by Jordan Bloom

Apricity album review: The warmth of sun in the winter HARRISON SHARES HIS GOOD VIBES WITH US MANNAN SHARMA

FOLLOWING HARRISON’S debut LP Checkpoint Titanium, Apricity was released on Oct. 12.

This album is defined as “the warmth of the sun in winter,” representing his emergence from depression as well as providing the tone of the record. The album, produced by Harrison, features artists such as Ralph

a nd D a n iel a A nd r a de , a nd collaborates with BA DBA DNOTG OOD’s Matty Tavares, iaamSaam, and other producers.

The first track, “Celica Supra,” sets the tone of the album. It’s an energetic track that combines ’80s synth and electronic funk.

The following track, “Atmosphere,” features vocals from

TOP TEN ALBUMS

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

SANDRO PERRI* In Another Life (Constellation)

JOCK TEARS* Bad Boys (Inky)

SARAH DAVACHI* Gave in Rest (Ba Da Bing!)

DUMB* Seeing Green (Mint)

DILLY DALLY* Heaven (Dine Alone)

CAT POWER Wanderer (Domino)

LINDSAY BEAVER* Tough As Love (Alligator)

VISHTEN* Horizons (Self-Released)

ACID BUNNY* High School Fantasy (Bent River)

KALLE MATTSON* Youth (Self-Released) *Canadian Artist

Andrade. The track has an upbeat tune and merges synth with the keyboard beautifully. “Next Blue” and “Wavestation” are tracks that pull the listener into the mind of Harrison and makes the listener feel like they’re on top of the world. Tracks such as “Believe in Love” and “Your Girl” rely on the vocals of their respective artists, Aaron Tiem and Ralph, to create a soothing and relaxing tune. Overall, the music is meant to develop a sense of bliss for its listeners and it does so successfully.

Harrison’s new album represents his emergence from depression. | Images obtained via iTunes

The ’80s and synth inspire the setting of Apricity, but Harrison introduces his spin to it by implementing elements of hiphop and funk. Apricity is soothing but strong. It’s relaxing but fastpaced. It’s a blast to the past but feels modern. Vocals bring a new setting to the album and pair wonderfully with the production.

It’s reminiscent of artists such as Daft Punk and Majid Jordan, but

Harrison builds upon his previous work and inspirations to tell us a story. The record is an otherworldly experience that takes you on a trip. So sit back and enjoy the ride.

CANNABIS

ON CAMPUS

O

STORY BY NANCI DOS SANTOS | PHOTOS BY ALORA GRIFFITHS

n Oct. 17, 2018, the Federal Government legalized cannabis across Canada. It is now legal for individuals who are 19 years of age or older — 18 years of age in Alberta and Quebec — to purchase, grow, and use cannabis. According to the Government of Canada website, cannabis is not allowed in work settings or in motorized vehicles. Those with medical reasons will have exceptions on campus (an email to residents states that “individuals requiring the medical use of cannabis must contact Student Housing Services to discuss the requirement”).

No 54%

Yes 46%

Q & A WITH G U E LPH:

Pot or not? Will you be lighting up to celebrate the legalization of marijuana?

RE SU LTS: Yes, 420 blaze it: 46% No, I don’t care for it: 54%

U OF G RESIDENCE POLICIES

Within the next 12 months, the University of Guelph will work hard to develop a cannabis policy across campus. The University has banned the use of cannabis on campus for the duration of this policy formation period. As of now, cannabis will fall under the smoking policy. This means that the consumption of cannabis by vaping, pipe, bong, or blunts is not permitted within residence buildings or anywhere on campus.

Residences will be umbrellaed under this policy, which prohibits growing, distributing, or consuming cannabis on campus.

However, students and guests within residences who are over 19 years of age are allowed to possess a maximum of 30 grams of dried cannabis. Edibles, fresh cannabis, oils, seeds, and other forms of consumption will not be allowed in residence. Dried cannabis is to be kept inside students’ rooms and not be carried in the hallways, stairwells, or any form of public setting within the residences — an email sent to students reads: “When transporting from your room to your place of consumption you must do so directly.” Cannabis deliveries to dormitories from the Ontario Cannabis Store website will also not be allowed.

The University of Guelph will later determine what (if any) paraphernalia those on campus will be allowed to use in residence; this determination will be based on documentation compiled by residence staff.

Documentation will include strength of odour from dorms, the making or consumption of banned homemade edibles, and the underage consumption of cannabis. Documentation provided will allow the University to come up with a solution that will benefit both the campus and Guelph communities.

Nicole Barkwill, a senior Residence Assistant (RA) at U of G, told The Ontarion that based on the data being documented, RA staff will “have to see how [cannabis …] is going to have a significant impact on residence communities before we determine if dried cannabis can be prepared inside a student’s room,” and noted that “students can use a grinder to prepare their dried cannabis or roll joints in their rooms at the moment, but if we notice that things like the scent are having an impact on other people living in residence communities then limitations may have to be put in place.”

“If it does impact [the] community, students will be required to dispose their cannabis and clean any paraphernalia that

is in use,” Barkwill continued. “Management is still looking into exactly how we will go about disposal.”

PHARMACEUTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF CANNABIS ON CAMPUS

With cannabis being legalized, opportunities for cannabis use in various settings, from restaurants and grocery stores to healthcare arise. Pharmaceutical distribution of cannabis through the UC Pharmacy has not yet been decided, but it is currently not out of the question.

Srdjan Sucevic, pharmacist at the UC Pharmacy, told The Ontarion that “as a pharmacist, I am very cautious in terms of use of cannabis in young population. [The] young population is particularly sensitive to side effects and accumulation of cannabis in their bodies, which makes them prone to different types of psychoses, mainly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.”

Due to a lack of research, the shortand long-term effects of the consumption of cannabis have not been definitively determined. Although some research has shown that long-term use of cannabis can increase the risk of psychosis, the effect is small and shows to have a stronger correlation in individuals with a family history of psychotic disorders.

In comparison, cannabis has proven to reduce seizures by 50 per cent or more in patients with epilepsy according to the following two studies: “Evidence for cannabis and cannabinoids for epilepsy: a systematic review of controlled and observational evidence” and “Meta-Analysis: Cannabis Compound Reduces Seizures in DrugResistant Epilepsy.”

Additionally, a study conducted by Zach Walsh, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia, has found that cannabis can curb anxiety: “In general, people who use cannabis say it helps them relax and reduces anxiety.”

Walsh also expresses his concerns about the consumption of cannabis by individuals with schizophrenia or with a family history of psychotic disorders, believing that “cannabis should be treated the same as other medicines,” and that “it should be held to the same standards and subject to the same risk-versus-benefit evaluations.”

Sucevic also acknowledged an upside to legal cannabis: “[The] only positive change in the society is that cannabis sale is now going to be controlled. The product is going

to be clean and [with] proper dosage.”

Regardless, distribution of cannabis on campus for medicinal use remains to be clarified. Sucevic notes that he does not have approval for dispensing cannabis, but if the policy becomes mandated then he will be dispensing for medical purposes only — not for recreational use.

CANNABIS CULTURE VS. ACCEPTANCE

Andrew Hathaway — associate professor in the U of G sociology department — researches cannabis use in marginalized and mainstreams populations.

For Hathaway, the acceptance of cannabis culture and legalization are directly correlated, even causal.

“In some ways, change in law is a reflection of cannabis becoming normalized,” Hathaway told The Ontarion “change in law perhaps led to more mainstream acceptance as well as the fact that [cannabis] has become more increasingly mainstream which probably accounts for the reason behind legalization.”

He further commented that the legalization of cannabis will curb social stigma and explains that we are able to talk about harm reduction more openly than during prohibition.

“You can talk about harm reduction now, as previously when a drug is illegal; it’s a

lot harder to talk about harm reduction because it almost seems like it’s condoning it,” Hathaway further explains that legalization allows for “more open discussion of drug education and access to treatment, instead of a just say no approach.”

CANNABIS ON CAMPUS

Cannabis culture on campus is a contested and controversial issue at the moment, but prohibition has just ended. The possibility clubs and classes that focus on cannabis growth and usage seems inevitable given the same courses and clubs exist for beer and wine. Hathaway mentions that clubs and classes could potentially be formed just like the Grape and Wine Science course (HORT*1120) offered at the University of Guelph, or like the Cannabis growing certificate at Niagara College.

“We’re definitely seeing an expansion in courses being offered,” Hathaway continued. “[There’ll] definitely be a growth of programs to providing certificates for certified growers.”

Hathaway also noted that the administration will ultimately decide if campus businesses will sell cannabis to students, like alcohol, or if it will be barred like tobacco products. When asked if there was a possibility that cannabis culture will be so acceptable that bars and cafés like Brass Taps or Bull Ring would ever sell cannabis, Hathaway emphasizes that our campus policies are undecided and will be for a considerable time, but it ultimately seems unlikely.

“It’s a complicated issue that is being worked through at higher levels,” Hathaway said, “it is highly unlikely that we’re going to see cannabis sales from the Brass Taps any time soon.”

Hathaway also noted that now that cannabis is legalized it will become less taboo and deviant. Much like what happened in the Netherlands when they decriminalized cannabis, Hathaway said legalization may have the effect of making cannabis “boring,” in a counter-cultural sense, and so might make it less appealing to young people.

If this is the case, perhaps the normalization and responsible use of cannabis may see wider acceptance on campus, particularly as those raised at a time when cannabis has been legalized graduate and acquire positions of power. Only time will tell because currently, it’s like prohibition never ended.

10

SPORTS & HEALTH THE ONTARION

1 1 | CA N NA BI S & M E NTA L HE A LTH

1 2 | WEED & SEXUAL ITY

@theontarion

Seven practical ways to quit smoking cannabis LEGALIZATION DOESN’T MEAN YOU CAN’T QUIT, IF THAT’S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO L AU R A VAU TO U R

The recent legalization of cannabis in Canada comes with a certain amount of hesitancy for some. While many cannabis users claim it is not addictive and more habitual, it is worth mentioning that depending on several factors, specifically your genetics and life experiences, you can be more prone to addiction whether it be cannabis or something else.

If you find yourself not being able to control your consumption, here are some practical ways to quit smoking cannabis.

you receive support, quitting will ultimately be your responsibility; it takes a lot of discipline and determination to quit smoking. Do not blame anyone through this process and do not quit for anyone but yourself.

1. FIND SUPPORT

3. NEW SCHEDULE AND ALTERNATIVES

Tell someone who will support you in your endeavour of quitting, preferably someone who does not smoke. Plan your process. While

2. NO TOBACCO

Avoid mixing cannabis with tobacco. Tobacco has been proven to cause cancer and is extremely addictive, especially with tailormade cigarettes that have additives and other chemicals.

If you’re finding yourself dependent on cannabis around the clock, eliminate your morning tokes.

Consider moving to edibles in the evening to wean yourself off, especially if you are a regular smoker.

If you choose to opt for edibles, consider how much you weigh and how many milligrams of THC are in the edible. Do your research before consuming them. It is wiser to take smaller amounts and build from that.

4. STAY BUSY

Find something to do that you enjoy during the time you would usually spend smoking. In my personal experience, I found listening to music and writing in my journal helped me through my process of quitting both cannabis and tobacco.

5. EXERCISE

We all need physical activity in some form. We need our lungs to be healthy in order to function, and smoking is proven to harm our lungs, whether it’s cannabis, tobacco, or something else. Go to the gym or go for a walk in the

evening rather than smoking and move out of your comfort zone.

It is worth it, not only to release endorphins, but to relieve tension and frustration.

6. TIDY UP

There is evidence that cleanliness and removing clutter from your living space improves your mental clarity. Quitting is difficult, and temptation will rear its ugly head. Throw out your smoking paraphernalia. It will be much easier to resist temptation when your living space is orderly and you don’t have reminders of smoking.

the gratitude you have for yourself and for those around you, who have supported you through this process.

Keep in mind that your choices today have an impact not only on your future self, but also on your family, the community, and future generations. Be wise and be safe while you consume cannabis.

7. TREAT YOURSELF

This is a journey and it is taxing. When you reach a planned milestone, do something nice for yourself! Go out for dinner, buy a new book or do something stimulating that isn’t smoking cannabis.

Reward your behaviour ­— celebrating your hard reduction is extremely important and improves

Illustration obtained via Wikimedia Commons

GRYPHON SCOREBOARD

Compiled by Rachel Weitz

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Gryphons 6, *Trent Excalibur 8 *Gryphons 4, Brock Badgers 2 *Gryphons 5, Western Mustangs 7

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 

*Gryphons 70, Western Mustangs 40

Gryphons 15, *Laurier Golden Hawks 3 *Gryphons 21, Laurentian Voyageurs 3

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WOMEN’S SOCCER 

Gryphons 80, *Mount Royal Cougars 98 *Gryphons 81, Toronto Varsity Blues 75 *Gryphons 86, Cape Breton Capers 79 *Gryphons 77, Western Mustangs 87

Gryphons 1, *Western Mustangs 0 Gryphons 5, *Windsor Lancers 0

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*Gryphons 1, Toronto Varsity Blues 2 *Gryphons 3, Western Mustangs 0 FOOTBALL 

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Gryphons 7, *Queen’s Gaels 1 Gryphons 4, *RMC Paladins 0 Gryphons 0, *Cornell Big Red 7 *Gryphons 1, Carleton Ravens 3

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Gryphons 1, *Western Mustangs 0 Gryphons 1, *Windsor Lancers 4 WOMEN’S RUGBY 

*Gryphons 39, Queen’s Gaels 14 MEN’S RUGBY 

Gryphons 41, *Laurier Golden Hawks 10

I S SU E 18 5.7

TH E O NTA R I O N .CO M

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11

Cannabis and mental illness:

What you need to know

U OF G RESEARCHER WARNS STUDENTS ABOUT THE NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MARIJUANA USE

DA N N A E L L N E R

IT IS COMMON knowledge that cannabis is very popular among teens and young adults. Users often mention its soft effects compared to alcohol and hard drugs Plus, the lack of nicotine leads people to believe it is not addictive.

The truth is, while the negative outcomes of alcohol and hard drugs are well understood — liver damage, addiction, overdose, etc.

— the negative effects of cannabis are usually denied. To clear up the fog (pun intended), I interviewed the University of Guelph’s principal investigator, Dr. Jibran Khokhar, who studies the linked effects of cannabis use with other substances (such as alcohol and nicotine), as well as the effects of cannabis use in adolescence, on mental illnesses later on in life.

Khokhar has been studying neuropharmacology — the study of how drugs affect cellular processes in the nervous system — for many years. At the University of Toronto and Dartmouth College, he specifically looked at the co-use of different substances on disease.

Since joining U of G 10 months ago, his lab has been studying the effects of co-use of substances on serious mental illnesses. Cannabis is one of the substances they study.

“Patients with schizophrenia or other serious mental illnesses use drugs at higher rates,” said Dr. Khokhar in an interview with The Ontarion. He added that “drug use by itself, during critical periods such as adolescence, has been associated with the development of serious mental illness. Even though the association is there, we can’t really know for sure [if it causes the illness], or what the causal direction is. Whether it’s schizophrenia that causes substance use, or whether it’s substance use that causes schizophrenia.” This is the purpose of his lab work, to better understand the relationship between the two.

Khokar told The Ontarion that some of the key results his lab has discovered show that “adolescent exposure to drugs can result in long-term changes in both brain

circuitry as well as reward related behaviours.” Other results have shown that “animal models of schizophrenia show a dysfunction in their brain reward circuit that make them more likely to use substances.”

In order to get these results, Khokhar explained that he and his team are approaching this question from both “a developmental angle” and “through genetic models.”

One of the new directions of the research that Khokhar does is his methodology; he studies the effects of two substances together as opposed to one at a time. Khokhar said the reason for this comes from epidemiological studies.

He goes on to say that many adolescents use two drugs simultaneously. Khokhar noted that “with alcohol and nicotine it’s something like 80 per cent of patients that have an alcohol use disorder also have tobacco use disorder and vice versa. So there’s a lot of poly-drug use, as it is often called.” Many students commonly use alcohol and cannabis together. Khokhar warns students that the effects of multiple drugs together are more intense than using each one individually. He even referred to this phenomenon as “scary.”

Cannabis is a common way of self-medicating anxiety and depression. The self-medication hypothesis can somewhat debunk this popular method. Khokhar stated that evidence isn’t in suppor t of self-medicating with cannabis, bringing up Dr. Tony P. George’s work, who is a researcher at CAMH. “[George’s research] has shown that if you take somebody who has schizophrenia, and who uses cannabis, and if you can get them to be abstinent from their cannabis, you actually see an improvement in their depressive [and] cognitive symptoms.”

The true focus of Khokhar’s lab is studying the long-term effects of cannabis use. He explained that “brain-imaging studies have [shown] that cannabis use can alter brain structure and function in the long-term.”

Professor Jibran Khokhar studies the co-use of drug substances, including cannabis, and how they impact the mental health of users. | Photo courtesy of Jibran Khokhar

If you’re interested in learning more about the research available on this subject, Khokhar recommends looking for reliable sources, such as PubMed. To find out more about the specific research conducted in Khokhar’s lab, you can follow him or his lab on Twitter, or personally get in touch with him at jkhokhar@uoguelph.ca. To stay up to date with new findings in Khokhar’s lab you can follow his personal and lab twitter accounts:  @DrJKhokhar @JKhokharLab

CREDIT: ALORA GRIFFITHS

Khokhar’s lab research has a direct impact on cannabis legislation. He and his team recently attended a diverse panel discussion held at Western University regarding cannabis legalization.

Among the panel members were a philosopher, two pharmacologists, a medical marijuana doctor, and an MPP from London, Ont. Khokhar found that “the big take home that I came away from this with is that we need a lot more research. And hopefully, the

Government [of Canada] and universities will see that and support research [in this field].”

His general view on the legalization of cannabis? He sees this as “a 30 million people [sic] experiment.”

His final comments expressed that he is looking to the future social implications that the legalization of marijuana will bring about. Said Khokhar, “I’m hoping we come away from it [with] a net positive.”

…the effects of multiple drugs together are more intense than using each one individually.

12

S P O RT S & H E A LTH

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N OVEM B ER 1 , 2018

TH E O NTA R I O N

TALK N E R DY TO M E

Having sex and getting high — what you may not know SEX, DRUGS, AND ROCK AND ROLL TA S H A FA LC O N E R

ON OCT. 17, the legalization of cannabis took effect. Research on the impact of cannabis on sexual activity is limited, and more will need to be done now that Canadians are able to legally use cannabis.

Of the few studies that have been done on the impact of cannabis on sexual activity, the main message is: it varies. Researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) note that not everyone has the same reaction to cannabis and that people’s reactions can change from one use to the next.

Researchers Andrew Sun and Michael Eisenberg recently found that people who use cannabis more often have more sex, but there are many other factors as to why this might be. It could be that personality plays a role, in that there may be a personality trait that influences both sexual activity and cannabis use.

Researchers from Saint Louis University asked females if they had ever used cannabis before engaging in sex and what the impact on their pleasure, sex drive, orgasm, and lubrication was. About one third of females had used cannabis before sex. One quarter of those females did not know what impact cannabis had

on their sexual interactions.

Most females in the Saint Louis University study saw an increase in pleasure, sex drive, and pleasure in orgasm. While few saw a decrease in these areas, many females (up to 26 per cent) saw no change at all. One issue related to cannabis use before sex for females may be a lack of lubrication. The results showed that 17 per cent of females experienced a decrease in their lubrication.

Lubrication may not be the only issue with cannabis use. A study out of Australia by Anthony Smith and his colleagues found that cannabis use is sometimes associated with problems regarding orgasm, including the inability to reach it, or either reaching orgasm too quickly or too slowly.

This finding was replicated in a study done by Andrew Hathaway, an associate professor at the University of Guelph, involving participants from Toronto. Hathaway found that 23 per cent of people had experienced inability to reach orgasm while under the influence of cannabis and 15 per cent of people attributed this phenomenon to their cannabis use.

Hathaway also found that only 26 per cent of people felt that cannabis made them feel aroused

Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 The Downtown Theatre Project presents BUG by Tracy Letts Various times, The Making-Box

Nov. 2 USS Bonavista Tour w/ special guests The Elwins, Shotty Horroh 7 p.m. Guelph Concert Theatre

Nov. 3 Surefire Sweat Toronto jazz, funk, afrobeat, and street music band 7 p.m. Silence

Nov. 4 Sunday Night Cinema: Inside Out Free admission, along with free popcorn 4:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. THRN 1200

Nov. 5 T-Shirt Distribution The Wellness Education Centre will be handing out free 1 in 5 t-shirts!

12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Raithby Porch

Have you ever smoked cannabis before sex? | Illustration by Cara Aitchison.

while 29 per cent of people experienced a lack of sexual interest when under the inf luence of cannabis.

Being under the influence of cannabis during sexual activity often impacts the length of the sexual activity. Hathaway found that 66 per cent of participants had experienced prolonged sex at least once. Experts at UCSB note that this is likely an illusion as cannabis distorts the user’s perception

of time.

There are some consequences of using cannabis before sexual activity. Some studies find that those who use cannabis before sex are more likely to take sexual risks, such as foregoing protection, which can lead to the contraction of STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

Tina Gunderson and colleagues found that smoking cannabis impacts sperm. Smoking cannabis once a week can result in a 29

per cent decrease in men’s sperm count. Not only does cannabis affect the quantity of sperm, but it can also negatively impact the quality of sperm.

Last but not least, being intoxicated impacts your ability to give and understand consent.

As cannabis is made legal in Canada, it is important to consider both the benefits and risks of being under the influence during sexual activity.

Beyond Territorial Acknowledgement This event will be led by visiting Elder Jan Sherman and will explore how to move beyond territorial acknowledgements based on traditional teachings about the land.

1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aboriginal Resource Centre

Perfectionism and Procrastination Workshop Learn how to manage perfectionism and procrastination, and become an overall more effective student.

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. McLaughlin Library 384

Nov. 8

New issue of The Ontarion on stands

Fitness and Yoga Class De-stress with a fitness workout, and then cool down with yoga and meditation at this free class!

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Peter Clark Hall

M e d it ate to Re ge n e rate Workshop This workshop introduces Sahaja Yoga meditation and leads you in a collective guided meditation with music.

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. UC 442

Nov. 6 UC Courtyard Fair Learn about all the resources available to support you on campus, through interactive displays from different campus groups.

10a.m. to 4 p.m. UC Courtyard How to Help a Friend Workshop Learn how to best support a friend who is struggling with their mental health. Free refreshments!

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. UC 430

Nov. 7

Mindful Drawing: The Zentangle Method Workshop Try out guided mindful drawing at this workshop run by a Certified Zentangle Teacher, no art experience required. Free refreshments!

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. ROZH 106 “Let’s Talk Mental Health” Panel A panel of U of G staff and students will share their own experiences with mental health challenges.

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MACN 105

iChats Are you an international student?

Come out to meet fellow international students and chat about what mental wellness means to you.

12 p.m. to 1 p.m. UC 535

OPINION

13

THE ONTARION

1 4 | C E L E B R I TY OPI NI ONS

0 5 | C L IMATE C HANGE

@theontarion

A U of G student’s review of Guelph’s own Garden Fresh Box

Letter to the editor

FRESH PRODUCE DELIVERY ALTERNATIVE

NEXT WEEK THE largest mental health initiative on campus is happening — 1 in 5 Mental Well-being Awareness Week will be running from Nov. 4 to 10! The name highlights the fact that 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental health problem or illness each year, according to Statistics Canada.

The week is organized by the Wellness Education Centre in collaboration with different campus partners. The goal is to reduce stigma around mental health through various events (see page 12 for more). These events aim to promote conversations around mental wellness, such as our “Let’s Talk Mental Health” panel, where staff and students will share their experiences with mental health challenges.

Another goal of this week is to make students aware of all the mental wellness resources available on campus. The UC Courtyard Fair will showcase resources and services offered by different campus groups, including Athletics, the Student Support Network, and Learning Services, through interactive displays.

The week will also be running various workshops that aim to improve and maintain your mental wellness, including workshops on perfectionism and procrastination, fitness, yoga, and meditation. Several events focus on improving mental wellness through different forms of artistic expression, such as workshops on drumming, mindful drawing and expressive writing. Overall, the wide variety of workshops and events aim to include all students with different interests, and to demonstrate the many different aspects of mental wellness.

All of these events are free for staff and students, so we hope to see you at an event during 1 in 5 Mental Well-being Awareness Week!

—Melanie Katz, Peer at Wellness Education Centre

S TO RY, M A P & P H OTO BY J U D E K E E F E

AS A STUDENT liv ing of f campus, meal planning is crucial in allowing me to stretch funds and stay healthy. The Garden Fresh Box is the kind of grocery solution I’ve learned to look for when I move to a new place because it enables me to create healthy, reg ular options for restricted diets every day.

The main goal of this program and all projects under The SEED’s management is to reduce food insecurity and improve community relationships over food. Regular pop-up Community Food Markets are hosted around the city on a rotating weekly schedule for those who would prefer to hand select items rather than get a pre-sorted box of all healthy produce items.

The Dublin Street United Church Food Security and Sustainability speaker series kicked off with a local focus on Oct. 23. At the event, Gavin Dandy, an entrepreneurial farmer at the nearby Everdale Farm, explained the multi-dimensional scope of the six unique social enterprise projects managed by The SEED throughout Guelph and Wellington County. While other initiatives like the Youth Farm and Souper Heroes have emerged through dedication by Dandy and the team behind this social enterprise, the Garden Fresh Box distribution system has recently changed hands to become part of this unified strategy on tackling food insecurity. It was created by the

Guelph Community Health Centre network around a decade ago, and has since become a trusted option for a food secure solution to high prices and a further increase in imported food. Dandy explained that when the project was adopted

by The SEED a few years ago, this food-first community organization was able to expand the scope of its impact to include more pickup locations and funding sources.

Nominal payments allow the program to reduce dependence on government grant funding, providing lasting stability for those who rely on this evolving program.

Pricing is designed to be on a sliding scale at 30 to 50 per cent reduced from typical grocery prices, to encourage all members of the community to participate in a farmers’ market-style shopping experience and to encourage the purchase of vegetables, especially those grown locally. Produce is sourced primarily through local distribution networks, including items grown beyond Guelph, but with the intention of featuring local growers as supply and pricing allows. This program is currently managed by The SEED, with source funding rooted in United Way par tnerships in Guelph striving to improve food access to Guelph citizens. It was created by the Guelph Community Health Centre network around a decade ago, and has since become a trusted option for a food secure solution to high prices and

Entrepreneurial farmer, Gavin Dandy during presentation at the SEED.

Location of the U of G Campus Food Bank and other pick-up locations.

increasingly imported supermarket food. Similar to a seasonal CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) prepaid arrangement with a single farm, the order is made in advance to plan the harvest accordingly, reducing oversupply that can lead to food waste. Such programs exist throughout North America and are designed to feature a variety of produce items in stock. Garden Fresh Box operates similarly, with a diligent team organizing items from all kinds of sources into the required number of boxes. These are distributed to pick-up locations throughout the region on the third Wednesday of each month. Twelve pick-up places are in Guelph as well as one each in Fergus and Cambridge.

I was drawn to the Garden Fresh Box as a way to experience local food resources on a student budget.

I ordered it again because of the great client experience I had the first time and because the items are easy to use in regular cooking.

Potatoes so easily become home fries while carrots and broccoli are a quick steam away from a side dish. Of course, there are always too many onions — creative soups and pickle makers could benefit from any extra onions!

These alternative produce distribution methods intrigue me, especially when made convenient and affordable. In fact, in researching Guelph earlier this year I learned about The SEED, Guelph’s Community Food Project organization, and their work dedicated to tackling food insecurity. Experiencing it in person was a treat.

O c to b er’s o rd er featu red a dive r se sel ecti o n of Onta ri o s o urce d l o ca l i tem s:

• Apples (approximately 5x) • Carrots (1 bag) • Broccoli (2 bunches) • Mushrooms (approximately 1/2 pound) • Onions (1 bag) • Yellow potatoes (10 small to medium) • Tomatoes (2) • Zucchini (1 large) • R a inb ow cha rd (1 bunch, organic) • Additionally, items sourced from beyond Ontario were included to round out a normal produce purchase with: • Oranges (3) • Bananas (3) • Lettuce (1 large head, from Que.) • Avocado (2) My order also came with a newsletter detailing the items included (ensuring I was collecting what I had paid for), some recipe suggestions, and details about placing the next order in time for delivery.

How to ha nd l e a m o nth’s wo r t h of pro d u ce d el i vered at t h e s am e ti m e: 1. Take

half an hour to organize new items in your fridge. Does anything need to be cut or portioned to fit? Handle these items first. (I have had to do this with large cauliflower and lettuce).

2. Identify any items that might spoil first (either existing items in your crisper drawer, or fragile items from the box). Place these at the front or on top so they’ll be used first.

3. Plan a meal using these fragile items as inspiration. A stir-fry is a reliable strategy to quickly salvage most produce items before they become wasted food.

The Ontarion reserves the right to edit or refuse all letters deemed sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist, advertorial, libelous, or otherwise oppressive or unfit for publication as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. We ask that letters be kept to a maximum of 300 words. We will edit longer letters at our discretion. All letters must include a full name and phone number (numbers not published), including those which are intended to remain anonymous. The Ontarion may occasionally print anonymous letters when personal safety is an issue.

O PI N I O N

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N OVEM B ER 1 , 2018

TH E O NTA R I O N

Why do we believe celebrities?

REFLECTING ON WHY CELEBRITIES’ OPINIONS MATTER POST KANYE AT THE WHITE HOUSE C AT C O O P E R

DO CELEBRITIES influence people’s decisions more than experts? According to a few studies, the answer is yes. From health and wellness to politics and current events, celebrities seem to be the ones people turn to for advice and direction, and they’re easy to believe, packaging their opinions in a tear-jerking personal story or enthusiastic advertisement.

Celebrities can help raise awareness about an important cause; for example, celebrities who raise awareness for breast cancer can encourage women to identify it early and get treated.

It can also mean misinformation is spread very quickly, like in the case of Jenny McCarthy, whose claims about vaccinations causing autism are still in circulation among the general public.

While celebrities taking sides politically seems fairly harmless in comparison to health-related misinformation. Celebrity influence is bought and sold on both sides of the political spectrum.

Just as celebrities are paid to sell products on their social media feeds, they can also be paid to support a candidate or political party.

Arguably, the two most watched celebrities in

this political sphere are Kanye West and Taylor Swift. West has faced immense backlash for his support of President Donald Trump and his recent visit to the White House. Many, including Snoop Dogg, have insulted or denounced the rapper, calling him an “Uncle Tom,” a reference to the character from the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The phrase has become a catch-all term for a perceived race betrayer who sides with the oppressor, as many people feel that by supporting Trump, West has betrayed black Americans.

However, West’s recent support of a progressive candidate for mayor in his home city of Chicago, Amara Enyia, has been raising some eyebrows; she’s a far cry from Trump and denounces many of the president’s policies.

Swift is the other side of this very divided coin.

Until recently, she has famously refused to comment on politics or who she supports, to much criticism. When she came out as a democrat, the public praised her, while a smaller group of her fan base criticized her choice.

These two celebrities represent the deep polarization of the public. While many support and

denounce both parties, it would be unfair to both sides to pretend they don’t represent very complex issues and hold many three-dimensional beliefs.

The problem is with the very black and white representation of these two sides, one as an ultimate evil and one as the unquestionable good.

We should not be listening to Swift or West.

Whether or not they are being paid or coerced into their roles, both them and many, many others like them are just selling their position, publicized by the media and directly connecting to millions of fans through social media. By listening to them and not experts, who likely know more of the nuances behind many of the things celebrities advocate for, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and to others around us by propagating false information presented to us by celebrities. Instead of believing everything celebrities say, conduct independent research or read reports by experts to get to the bottom of what really is and isn’t true, especially if it involves your health, wellbeing, or country.

Swift is the other side of this very divided coin. Until recently, she has famously refused to comment on politics or who she supports, to much criticism. When she came out as a democrat, the public praised her, while a smaller group of her fan base criticized her choice.

CREDIT: ELITE DAILY

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CROSSWORD CLUES Down

1. Anarchist Goldman

1. Poet _ St. Vincent Millay

5. Ascends

2. TV horse

10. Calf-length skirt

3. Pulverize potatoes

14. Dull

4. Soak up

15. Boxing venue

5. Managed

16. Western Indians

6. Wrathful emotion

17. Nitti’s nemesis

7. Cong. meeting

18. Bind homes

8. Keyboard key

19. Just right

9. Talks back to

20. Committee type

10. Person who mutinies

22. Official sitting

11. Langston Hughes poem

24. Type of tomato

12. Faculty head

27. Bit attachment

13. Believer’s suffix

28. While wine

21. Soft drink choice

32. Facial expression used by

23. Do a number

Elvis Presley

25. Lanai neighbor

35. Lance on the bench

26. Fish

36. Zero

28. TV handyman Bob

38. Columbus’s birthplace

29. Pisa place

40. Metallica drummer Ulrich

30. Water wheel

42. Hipbone

31. Young bird

44. Loud, deep utterance,

33. _ Gay

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34. Way to cook

45. AKA

37. Cup-shaped flower

47. Acclaim

39. Stuck, after “in”

49. Baton Rouge sch.

41. Mocking

50. Fenced areas

43. Boy or man

52. Unit of power

46. Neb. neighbor

54. Paint crudely

48. Nonsense

56. Mexican money

51. Sweltering

57. Pamphlet

53. Employee

60. _ Perot

55. Kentucky college

64. Fishing reel

57. Life stories

65. Head lock

58. Writer Sarah _ Jewett

68. Retain

59. Eye drop

69. Author Morrison

61. Vintner’s prefix

70. Gaucho’s rope

62. Religious offshoot

71. Suffix with exist

63. Graf

72. Wait _!

64. School org.

73. Threads

66. RR stop

74. Routine

67. Airline to Oslo

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