The Other Press - Nov 16, 2021

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One measly twitch away from disaster Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

› COP26 was the incrementalist of incremental steps

Matthew Fraser Editor-in-Chief

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aybe I shouldn’t have been so hard on Greta Thunberg’s “blah blah” speech. COP26 came and went with a lot of nothing and even more disappointment. Flowery words were spoken, photos were taken, hands were shook and nothing was done. This entire climate change conference managed to go on without a single reference to the American lawyer Steven Donziger who was recently jailed as a by-product of having the temerity to sue a gas giant. Donziger successfully sued Chevron for $9.5 billion after they recklessly polluted large sections of Ecuador. The energy behemoth has yet to pay any of the damages and instead has focused their time, money and energy on punishing Donziger; orchestrating a trial that was condemned by the UN and Amnesty International that resulted in a two-year house arrest then doubling down on it through a second trial that resulted in a six-month prison sentence for a misdemeanour that no American lawyer has ever been jailed for. Donziger has at this point suffered more for suing a polluter than a polluter has ever suffered for their pollution. Yet this went unmentioned at COP26. The American government was all smiles and “better than Trump”-isms at the conference, yet they were cracked repeatedly by keen media observers. In one of the most heartwarming moments of the entire event, Abby Martin of the Empire Files takes advantage of some sort of women’s day initiative at the conference to level a formidable question to Nancy Pelosi. Martin questions the speaker of the house on how America can be taken seriously as a climate

leader when its military pollutes more than a hundred countries combined. Yass Queen, GrrlBoss SLAY!! Though I admit to having a latent fondness for former President Barack Obama, his speech at COP26 was roundly criticized and I certainly agree. As David Doel points out, Obama literally is the reason that America is one of the world's worst polluters and he has admitted so himself. For him to pirouette to the position that all countries need to do more and that poor workers need to be considered in the transition is evidence of his hypocrisy. Even if the speech was good, Obama is not the paragon we once thought him to be. But Canada deserves some kicks too, and I certainly won’t forget to give our own beautiful country the boot that it needs. In April of this year, Ontario, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick released a study that concluded that small modular reactors (SMRs) were feasible and could be built by 2028. These nuclear reactors have often been promoted as a method to addressing increasing power needs in remote or developing areas where renewables are either insufficient or too inconsistent. This also makes them a prime candidate to be exported to developing countries that are industrializing rapidly and turning to coal to meet their energy needs. Two such countries are India and China. These same two countries would issue a last-minute objection to the COP26 agreement to loosen the coal “phase out” to a coal “phase down.” Worst of all, the initial phase-out was largely toothless, to

begin with. If only a country like Canada could make good on its promise to lead the world's energy transition by offering to export its SMR knowledge to India and aid developing Asian and African nations. If only Canada would commit some of the billions of dollars it has spent propping up fossil fuels to spread its nuclear energy operations around the globe. Though SMRs (and really any single technology) are not a panacea to climate change, they would certainly help matters more than the empty promises made thus far. And maybe that is the real problem; people on the street are largely incognizant of these failures and are unwilling or unmotivated to launch these types of actions to pressure their governments into action. If more people would directly challenge the American government for increasing its military budget while turning a blind eye to its pollution, we could force a change. If we collectively boycotted Chevron for its actions against Donziger and pressured for his release and the compensation of the Ecuadorian people, we could make a change. But for all of these things, there's insufficient political drive and little to no public outcry. Oh, my revolutionary dreams are gone to dust once again after another conference.

The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tuition fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.

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Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

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Billy Bui Staff Photographer

Athena Little Illustrator

Arnaldo Fragozo Staff Photographer

Ash Sabinin Teppei Win Pyae Pyae Phyo (Hazel) Contributors

Udeshi Seneviratne Illustrator

Anna Machuik Staff Photographer

CJ Sommerfeld Staff Writer

Jorge Villeda Staff Photographer

Cover layout by Victoria Black and Christine Weenk Feature layout by Victoria Black and Christine Weenk

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News

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news // no. 3 • Canadian journalists report bullying and harassment • Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise recovered by VPD ...and that's everything!

Canadian journalists report bullying and harassment Matthew Fraser Editor-in-Chief n November 9, Ipsos polling released the results of an online survey of Canadian journalists and other media personnel. The survey was conducted between September 27 and October 13 with over 1000 respondents. The answers provided uncovered unsettling levels of bullying experienced by the respondents. The report as posted on the Ipsos website shows that seven in ten respondents were harassed online in the preceding year. 34 percent of the respondents said online harassment occurred monthly or more often while 35 percent reported no instances of online harassment. The remaining respondents had been harassed once every two to three months or slightly less often than that. 73 percent of respondents believed that online harassment had increased in the past two years but increases were also reported in phone-based, physical and in-person harassment. However, the nature of the online harassment was very abrasive. 34 percent reported receiving sexualized images or messages as well as rape/sexual assault threats while 30 percent reported receiving threats of a physical nature.

when the Peoples Party of Canada leader Maxime Bernier tweeted the contact information of three Candian journalists. According to CBC, Bernier’s tweet was followed by a 12-hour suspension from Twitter. In the tweet, Bernier referred to the three journalists as “idiots” and suggested his followers “play dirty” with them. Christy Somos, one of the journalists targeted, would later release screenshots of her email inbox following Bernier's

tweet. One such email expressed sexual violence towards Somos and urged her to kill herself. Ahmar Khan—another journalist Bernier exposed—received messages expressing both anti-semitic and Islamophobic stances. As both polarization and media mistrust increase, the continued safety of Canadian journalists may be further jeopardized.

A rash of shoplifting events causes worry to downtown retail personnel › Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise recovered by VPD Matthew Fraser Editor-in-Chief

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etween Thursday, November 4 and Sunday, November 7, thirty-two people were arrested in Vancouver due to shoplifting. Global News reports that the total value of goods recovered approached $18,000. Incidents included a weapon-wielding man stealing a box of donuts from a convenience store and a woman, accompanied by a man, who together stole 47 pairs of yoga pants worth nearly $6,000. The man was arrested once again on Monday after allegedly stealing more than $700 in cosmetics from a Robson Street store; he was also in breach of other court orders. 71 charges have been recommended following the weekend arrests. Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison expressed that shopliftings are often underreported, but that police are successful in apprehending offenders when they are alerted, as reported by Global News. Addison would also remark that the root of these issues is often “chronic offenders” dealing with “complex social needs, including addiction, poverty and mental illness.” In February of this year, CTV News reported a 260 percent increase in shoplifting cases that included weapons. The weapons used ranged from syringes to knives, guns and bear spray. When the police became aware of these numbers they launched “Project Arrow” to counter and deter ongoing shoplifting. The month-long project resulted in the arrests of 130 people and 268 charges recommended. 45 of those arrested were either wanted on outstanding warrants or in breach of bail conditions at the time of their arrest. The project also recovered an excess of $35,000 in stolen goods and 35 weapon seizures.

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

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Nearly a quarter of respondents received threats directed at their gender identity and just under a fifth received threats aimed at their ethnicity or nationality. When asked to explain the factors leading to or cited during these instances of harassment, the journalists cited media climate and accusations of being “fake news” (77 percent), attacks on their media employer (72 percent), the angle used in their stories (64 percent), alongside feelings related to COVID-19 (55 percent). These findings mirror a September 2019 analysis by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). The CPJ report focused on 115 female or gender non-conforming journalists in the US and Canada. The overwhelming majority of respondents reported that online harassment is the biggest threat to journalists (90 percent of US respondents and 71 percent of Canadian respondents). Sexual harassment ranked high with 35.3 percent of Canadian respondents listing it, while 49 percent of Americans surveyed reported it. At that time, 84 percent believed that journalism as a profession had become less safe in the past few years versus the four percent who felt it was safer. One salient example of this decrease in perceived safety occurred in September

Illustration by Anna Machuik

› A decreasing sense of safety amongst the Canadian media


Sports

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sports // no. 4 • Vancouver hosts Colorado, Winnipeg and Chicago at Rogers Arena • Alphonso Davies returns to Edmonton to play his first match in his hometown ...and that's everything!

Canada faces Mexico in crucial CONCACAF qualifying match Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

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he Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team is preparing for their second of two home matches at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. At the time of writing, the Canadians will play the first match against Costa Rica on November 12. Canada faces Mexico on November 16 and they are to be the most challenging opponent for Canada. Prior to the two matches in Edmonton, Canada was in third place in the CONCACAF final qualifying standings. Mexico is the leader with 14 points (four wins and two draws), followed by the US in second place with 10 points (three wins and two draws)—then Canada with 10 points (two wins and four draws). Mexico is currently ranked number 9 in the FIFA World Rankings. Canada has made a notable climb in the FIFA World Rankings. The Canadians began the year ranked number 72 and moved steadily to number 48. According to the Sporting News website, Mexico released their 26-man roster for the November qualifying matches. Head coach, Gerardo “Tata” Martino has a solid veteran lineup. Many of whom are established players playing in Europe: Nestor Araujo (Celta Vigo), “Tecatito” Corona (Porto), Andres Guardado (Real Betis), Hector Herrera (Atletico Madrid), Raul Jimenez (Wolves) and “Chucky” Lozano (Napoli). However, there were some notable omissions from the team. One of those players was veteran MLS player, Jonathan Dos Santos (LA Galaxy). Another player was Uriel Antuna, along with Chivas teammate, Alexis Vega—who had recently recovered from an injury. As well, several other young prospects failed to make the team: Gerardo Arteaga (23), Diego Lainez (21) and Jose Juan Macias (22). The Mexicans play the US on November 12, followed by the November 16 game against Canada. Canada’s roster is balanced with talent in all positions: goalkeeping, defence, midfielders and forwards. According to the Canadian Press, players like Milan Borjan, Tajon Buchanan, Jonathan David, Stephen Eustaquio, Atiba Hutchinson, Cyle Larin, and Jonathan Osorio—have all made key contributions to the team’s success. But star player, Alphonso Davies, has become the prominent face of the Canadian men’s National Soccer Team program. Notably, Edmonton is Davies’ adopted

hometown. According to a 2018 profile about Davies published on the Bundesliga website, he is a former refugee whose family fled the civil war in Liberia. The family stayed in Buduburam, a Ghanaian refugee camp—where Davies was born. The family later immigrated to Canada when Davies was five years old, eventually settling in Edmonton. Davies is excited to return to Edmonton representing Canada. “It’ll mean the world to me to see 50,000 plus fans,” he said during a media conference as reported by CTV News Edmonton. “To see all those people in the stadium supporting us will be amazing not just for our confidence but for the next generation of footballers that want to play for this country.” Davies has high expectations for himself and his teammates. “I think six points is our goal,” he said. “Two home games against two very good teams but we are here to win.” This will be Davies’ first game in his hometown since being a member of the Edmonton Strikers. In 2015, Davies left Edmonton to join the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency at age 14. In 2018, the Whitecaps transferred Davies to Bundesliga club, Bayern Munich—as part of a multi-million-dollar transfer agreement. Canada’s two games in Edmonton are pivotal matches if Canada wants to remain one of the top three teams who will automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Canada must accumulate points, whether it is a draw (one point) or a win (three points). If the

Photo by Teppei

› Alphonso Davies returns to Edmonton to play his first match in his hometown

team finishes in fourth place they will need to play a single game playoff match against a yet to be determined opponent. As such, the Canadians cannot risk losing any of their six remaining qualifying matches in 2022. After the Mexico match, Canada

has a short break. The Canadians will next face Honduras on January 27, 2022. The fans in Edmonton are ready. And most importantly, let us hope the Canadian men will also be ready.

CANADA’S REMAINING CONCACAF FINAL QUALIFYING MATCHES • Thursday, January 27, 2022: Honduras vs. Canada (road game) • Sunday, January 30, 2022: Canada vs. the United States (home game) • Wednesday, February 2, 2022: El Salvador vs. Canada (road game)

• Thursday, March 24, 2022: Costa Rica vs. Canada (road game) • Sunday, March 27, 2022: Canada vs. Jamaica (home game) • Wednesday, March 30, 2022: Panama vs. Canada (road game)


sports // no. 5

issue 11// vol 48

Canucks end power-play drought against Dallas Stars

Photo by Anna Machuik

› Vancouver hosts Colorado, Winnipeg and Chicago at Rogers Arena

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

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he Vancouver Canucks’ home game on November 7 against the Dallas Stars occurred during “Hockey Fights Cancer” night; the initiative partnered the Canucks with the Terry Fox Foundation. Perhaps, it was fitting that the Canucks demonstrated some of Terry Fox’s heart and determination that night. The Canucks scored four goals in the second period, en route to a decisive six to three win over the Dallas Stars. The Canucks also scored three times on the powerplay (on six opportunities); ending a zero for eighteen streak with the man advantage. The streak had begun during the start of their seven-game homestand versus the Minnesota Wild on October 26. Star centre, Elias Pettersson, who has been receiving criticism from fans and media about his performance, had a breakthrough game against the Stars. Pettersson had a three-point night (powerplay goal and two assists). He said it felt great to finally score a goal with the man advantage as the goal was Pettersson’s second of the season and his first goal in 10 games. “I like to play with instinct,” he said to the media after the game, as reported by the Canadian Press. “It showed today that it

worked out great for us. We just saw the play that was open, took it and shot the puck. Hopefully, we can continue this trend.” Sportsnet writer, Iain MacIntyre, says the Canucks’ victory over the Stars proved how important scoring on the powerplay is. “Clearly, more than the Canucks’ special teams are imperfect,” MacIntyre wrote. “But fixing the other stuff won’t matter until Vancouver solidifies its power play and penalty killing. At least for the power play, Sunday was a start.” Canucks coach, Travis Green, was pleased with his team’s effort—especially ending the power play futility streak. He believes his team has been lacking confidence, and when confidence has been removed from the overall team makeup—it will negatively affect the on-ice performance. “Confidence is a big thing,” he said during his post-game media conference as reported by The Province. “And when you don’t have it, it’s hard to get it back and [tonight] helped a lot. It’s probably a shooting goal that’s going to get you out of a funk and that’s exactly what happened.” Despite the success of the powerplay, the Canucks have other worrisome issues. Vancouver has allowed the first goal in nine of their first 11 games as reported by The Province. Penalty killing is another

problem. According to covers.com, which tracks the NHL’s penalty-killing stats, the Canucks’ PK is ranked last in the NHL, with a success rate of only 62.8 percent (as of November 12). In the game against Dallas, Vancouver conceded two powerplay goals on three Dallas powerplays. “You’re not happy about it,” said Travis Green. “Much like the power play, the penalty kill needs to be better, but I’m not complaining tonight. We got the win and that’s all that matters.” The Canucks finished their sevengame homestand on November 9, losing in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks by a score of three to two. Vancouver then began a three-game road trip that started in Colorado on November 11—Remembrance Day. It was a fitting irony, as the game was one that Canucks fans wish not to remember. The Avalanche embarrassed the Canucks by a score of seven to one. Vancouver finished the trip with stops in Vegas (November 13) and a rematch with the Ducks (November 14). In other NHL news, Alex Ovechkin scored his 741st career goal on November 8—in a home game versus the Buffalo Sabres. The goal ties “Ovi” with Brett Hull for fourth in all-time goals. “I just take it day by day,” Ovechkin told the media after the game as reported by the Associated

Press. “You know it’s nice to be in that company. It’s pretty big numbers, so just move on. Obviously, it’s nice to be tied but I still have a couple games left.” The Montreal Gazette reported Montreal Canadiens goalie, Carey Price, returned to the Habs on November 8. Price had spent 30 days in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. He has declined to speak with the media, but he will speak publicly when he believes it is the appropriate time. But Price did post a statement on his Instagram account on November 9, disclosing that he had entered a residential treatment facility in October to address an ongoing “substance use” issue after he let himself “get to a very dark place.” Price further elaborated: “Things had reached a point that I realized I needed to prioritize my health for both myself and for my family. Asking for help when you need it is what we encourage our kids to do. And it was what I needed to do [....] I appreciate all of the overwhelming support and well wishes. I please ask that the media and our hockey community continue to respect our privacy at this time. Your support and respect of this so far has been a critical piece to my recovery.”

CANUCKS SCHEDULE THIS WEEK (ALL GAMES AT ROGERS ARENA) • Wednesday, November 17 vs. Colorado Avalanche (6 pm) • Friday, November 19 vs. Winnipeg Jets (7 pm) • Sunday, November 21 vs. Chicago Blackhawks (5 pm)


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Arts

arts // no. 6 • A country band that reimagines their genre’s future • Island King: Elvis in Hawaii • ‘Light the Way’ preview ...and that's everything!

Island King: Elvis in Hawaii

Photo by Anna Machuik

› November marks the anniversary of the King’s final concerts in the 1950s

Brandon Yip Senior Columnist

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lvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was a phenomenon in his day. This month marks the anniversary of Presley’s final concert appearances of the 1950s. On November 10, 1957, Elvis performed two concerts at Honolulu Stadium. The next day, the King shook his hips to an audience of 10,000 people at the Schofield Barracks (Conroy Bowl). The performance would be Elvis’ final concert in the 1950s before entering the army. The handsome, hip-swivelling rock ‘n’ roll sensation and former truck driver from Tupelo, Mississippi—was on top of the entertainment world in 1957. According to Elvis biographer, Alan Hanson, in a January 2010 posting pointed out that the King had six number one hit singles from January 1956 to November 1957. Elvis’ third movie, Jailhouse Rock, was released on November 8, 1957. Elvis arrived in Honolulu at 9 am on November 9, 1957. He was aboard the USS Matsonia. The King was welcomed by the screaming of approximately 4,000 fans. Elvis met members of the press aboard prior to disembarking. Afterwards, Elvis and his road crew were escorted to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. According to the Travel at 60 website, the King stayed in room 14A in the Ocean Tower (today known as the Ali’i Tower). Tom Moffatt, a concert promoter,

who passed away in 2016, remembered how Presley’s concerts in Hawaii came to fruition. “Elvis had an open time period, and I think Colonel Parker remembered all the fan mail that kids wrote from Hawaii,” Moffatt said in a 2011 PBS Hawaii broadcast. “So to fill that one date that they needed, they decided to come to Hawaii. And that’s why Elvis came to Hawaii in November of 1957.” Before Elvis arrived in Hawaii, he sent a telegram to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin newspaper. The King wrote, “I know [that] I will enjoy your islands, [I] like to surf and swim. [I am] getting [a] good tan on board. [I] have read about Hawaiian hospitality and am eagerly looking forward to [the] same.” Moffatt recalled organizers removing the boxing ring from Honolulu Stadium to prepare Elvis’ very simple stage: “And just about one of the most memorable experiences, just introducing Elvis on stage, and watch what happened. And watch him on stage, with really no visual support that performers have today.” After Elvis’ matinee performance at Honolulu Stadium, he held a press conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Carousel Room. The King displayed his charm and sense of humour. He was asked by a reporter, “What’s the first thing you’ll look for in your wife?” Elvis quipped, “Female.” He was then asked if he felt he had an obligation to the public. The King replied, “I do feel an obligation. I’m very careful not to do anything that would disappoint my fans. I behave myself all

the time. People have preconceived ideas about me...it’s natural. I’ve often said I won’t like that person, and then found out he’s a nice guy.” According to the Elvis Australia fan club website, Elvis’ performance at Honolulu Stadium was not dissimilar to his previous live engagements. “[B]ut the screams drowned out his voice a great portion of the time,” the website stated. “Elvis had only to say, ‘Thank you very much,’ and the audience would come apart. He’d scratch his nose...another scream. He’d laugh...another scream. At times, Elvis seemed to deliberately drop his arm or wiggle his shoulder just to hear his fans react. He performed for about forty minutes. Surprisingly, he spent more time at the piano than he did with his guitar.” During his final song, “Hound Dog,” Elvis gave the audience a memorable sendoff. “As he sang the closing number, ‘Hound Dog,’ he sat down on the edge of the stage…and then jumped down, off the stage, onto the grass section in front of the stage,” stated once again from the Elvis Australia fan club website. “He rolled on the grass and moaned out the words to, ‘Hound Dog.’ He kissed a girl across the barricade set up to keep his audience away from the stage, grabbed a coconut hat and paraded with it on his head. After he finished the song, he stepped into a waiting car and sped out of sight.” On November 11, 1957, Elvis performed his final concert in the 1950s at the Schofield Barracks (Conroy Bowl). The

Hawaii-Lightning News was impressed with the show, as it reported on November 14: “You gotta give it to him—he’s a great showman! Elvis Presley, the one-man hurricane who took the rhythm and blues and turned it into a multi-million rock [‘n’] roll rampage literally wiggled his way into the Post Bowl Monday night and shook up the some 10,000 squealing, screaming fans. The hottest thing to hit this post since the Honest John, Elvis led his audience, majority [were teenage] girls, into a state of mass hysteria.” Significantly, Hawaii had a profound effect on Elvis. He returned to Hawaii several times for vacations. In March 1961, the King performed a benefit concert in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor’s Bloch Arena. The show supported the building of the USS Arizona Memorial. And that coincides with the latest documentary, Elvis and the USS Arizona (aired November 11 on PBS stations). In addition, Elvis made three motion pictures in Hawaii: Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) and Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966). Hawaii was also the site of his historic Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite concert on January 14, 1973—at the Honolulu International Center (now called Neal S. Blaisdell Center). Notably, in July 2007, a lifesized bronze statue of Elvis was unveiled outside the arena—solidifying his legacy in Hawaii. The King indeed left his mark in the Aloha State.


arts // no. 7

issue 11// vol 48 Craig Allan Business Manager

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cross much of the western world, no issue may be more prevalent on the minds of the masses than climate change. With the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) putting pressure on world leaders to work towards reducing emissions by a significant amount, the world is starting to demand action on this emerging cataclysmic threat. While the average person may not be able to attend the COP26 summit in Scotland, they can still see people bringing attention to the climate crisis here at Douglas College. This can be seen from the upcoming Douglas College theatre production called Light the Way. Light the Way consists of seven short plays regarding the effects climate change will have on the scientific, political, and everyday spectrums of life. Directed by Deborah Neville, the play is connected to the Climate Change Theatre Action 2021: Envisioning a Global Green New Deal. This organization supports the use of theatre as a way of expressing the message of climate action in congruence with the COP biannual conferences. For Douglas College’s production, there will also be two shows in which an interview segment follows the play with speakers from the David Suzuki Foundation who will talk with the crew and audience about how to create a sustainable Canada and protect the natural environment of the country. Some of the short plays include “Bedtime Story for my (Future) Daughter” by CaityShae Violette, “My Apology” by Keith Barker, and “Lifeday” by Jessica Huang. These plays were among 50 selected from around the world to showcase the dire circumstances of the planet and the need for sustainability worldwide. The plays will be occurring in the Laura C. Muir Performing Arts Theatre from November 17 to 20. Buy tickets at eventbite.com. Talkback performances will occur on the night shows for the 18 and 19. Shows range from $10.51 to $21.00. There will be no late entry.

‘Light the Way’ preview › A performance about

Illustration by Athena Little

climate change activism.

'Light the Way' consists of seven short plays regarding the effects climate change will have on the scientific, political, and everyday spectrums of life.

A country band that reimagines their genre’s future › ‘The Future’ album features a variety of song choices and themes Jonathan Pabico Senior Columnist

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s someone not well-versed in country music, I was immediately taken aback by Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats—American country artists who dared to mix and match genres to approach storytelling in disarming yet satisfying ways. Their newest album The Future was released November 5 and Rateliff wrote it based on his self-reflection during the lockdown. The band presents a multifaceted palette of themes and surprises that take their music in new directions. The album completely immersed me into the most unconventional country rock I’ve ever heard. Each song is emotionally contemplative, which makes them perfect to soothe your mind or provide exciting beats during your road trip. With his diverse soundscapes, Rateliff balances his raw and gruff vocals with humble stories to reflect his grit as an artist. The album also has incredible musical fusions of country rock with folk, R&B, and other unexpected genres. Every track feels different from the next with its own distinctive identity, and that enables the tracklist to keep you guessing by how unpredictable it is at every turn. At one point, you’re drawn into “Something Ain’t Right”, a country track with indie rock feels, then suddenly brought to the jazzier song, “Love Me Till I’m Gone.” The band’s bold

creative choices instill wholesome moods while redefining country rock. Rateliff and his band also provide encouraging themes for those that need it most. For instance, the track “What If I” mixes funky R&B arrangements and heart-wrenching country vocals with inspiring lyrics like “When only half of the cards are shown/Maybe as time goes on together, we’ll learn how to grow.” The song explores the strength to keep moving forward despite feeling doubts, fears, and uncertainties in our lives. Even mental health is a theme in the album through the track “I’m On Your Side”. Subdued drum beats, Rateliff’s fierce vocals, and upbeat saxophone blares are balanced with the song’s repeated lyrics “But if you ain’t alright, just remember/I’m on your side.” This soundscape evokes the need to support your loved ones throughout their journeys towards emotional well-being. The song constantly reminds us to tell those we care about that you’re always going to be there to lift them up. Eclectic albums featuring new sounds are certainly nothing new in the current music trends of today. Regardless, this collection still feels different because it’s not every day you hear country-rockers do more experimental repertoires. Rateliff and The Night Sweats’ new country album The Future provides excellent genre-mixing tracks ideal for

Cover of 'The Future' by Nathaniel Rateliff

that make it stand out among other country music

your travels and times when you feel low. With its themes, lyricism, and thrilling diversity of sounds, the album is accessible for new listeners getting into country music for the very first time. Fans

of the genre will especially find something refreshing to add to their musical adventures. So, get listening because this band is not one to miss.


A CHAT WITH VANCOUVER’S OWN JOHNNY 99 › A spotlight on the path which led him to ‘Words Left Unsaid’ and the North Country Collective

Teppei Contributor

f you live in the Metro Vancouver area and love to go to Country shows, you have most likely heard of or watched John Sponarski, better known as “Johnny 99.” He has built himself quite the reputation as a top-notch guitar player—not only in the city but across the country. Luckily for all of us AltCountry fans who enjoy songs where poetic lyrics intersect with substantial storytelling, Johnny 99 has just released his first full-length album titled Words Left Unsaid. Sponarski spoke with the Other Press to describe both his artistry and his journey thus far. The record consists of twelve songs that have been meticulously crafted the old-fashioned way so each phrase and chord matters. Twelve “handmade” songs have been created to last, as opposed to “fast-fashion,” massproduced songs. Reaching this point was not an easy, stream-lined trip for Johnny. It was more of a long and winding one where you must take a few different forest service roads to reach your final destination. When Sponarski was a kid growing up in Richmond, B.C., both he and his family had high hopes that he would be a professional hockey player. Most of his efforts and energy were focused on playing competitive sports and playing high-level hockey. Sponarski was fifteen when he started playing the guitar, around this same time he met a pal while skating. After becoming friends and talking about hobbies, Sponarski learnt that his new buddy played guitar as well. So, they decided to start a punk band together. This was Sponarski’s first approach to music and it was a collective one; he soon fell in love with it. After being part of that band for about a year, Sponarski decided to quit hockey, shattering his dad’s expectations for him to succeed in the sports world. “Once I started playing guitar it was all over. I did not care about anything else” says Sponarski. He was lucky enough to have full support from his high school music teacher, who was married to the bass player of DOA—a wellknown local punk band at the time, together they helped Sponarski and his band to get gigs throughout the Lower-Mainland and Vancouver Island area. “By the time I finished high school I was pretty certain I wanted to play music and I thought that the people I was playing with would follow me on that path. So I auditioned for VCC in Vancouver and got in with a condition to take a summer prep program where they provide you with a foundation to understand what you would be learning in College.” Sponarski spent the next four years in College, learning music to become a professional guitar player. The music program was very demanding and required all of Sponarski’s time and energy. He had to be focused on learning and playing the music he was taught, which deprived him of the opportunity to have a band or be creative. “I found myself in this spot where I had spent four years not playing music. It felt like I had lost this thing that was so important to me that was having a band and being devoted to creating with your friends”

Album Cover Art by Matthew Colin

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After college was over, Sponarski would go from not being part of any band at all, to playing in eight bands at the same time, but still not creating any music of his own. “I thought that if I went to school to be a guitar player, I was going to try hard to get gigs. After a period of five years, I felt totally lost. I did not have anything of my own. I did not know who I was or what I wanted or even liked.” Shortly thereafter, he met Harold Donnelly. Unbeknownst to Sponarski, this would be one of the most beneficial events for his life and music career. They instantly connected on different levels and started making music together. They would gather at Harold’s place once a week to write and play for hours. “Having that weekly thing in my calendar was a great thing to keep me accountable to create. We started writing together and before we knew it, we started recording. We just wanted to write songs; we did not really think about having a band, but it just happened. So, we recorded some songs in Harold’s basement. The band was called Portage and Main. We put out this first record. Our first gig was at the Anza Club, and it was sold out. All of a sudden, our songs were being played on CBC. It happened organically without really trying.”

Once I started playing guitar it was all over. I did not care about anything else

- John Sponarski


Photo by Victoria Black

“During that period of time, I met Elliot [C. Way] who would book our band to play at his old festival ‘Moonshinin‘ he did at his cabin in Langley. We played there and that day was sort of the inception of everything that was yet to come.” At that time, Harold Donnelly was still in school to become a music teacher and as the band toured the country, he would often be caught up with assignments. As a result, Donnelly began to lose interest in pursuing the live side of music and soon quit songwriting. Shortly after, the band disbanded. Sponarski explained this change by saying: “I had never felt deserving of doing it [songwriting] cause I have always been too hard on myself, but Harold’s positivity and support always balanced me out and allowed for this very prolific time in my life. So, when he left, I just felt absolutely incapable of doing it without him” Portage and Main’s break-up left John feeling uninspired and lost. He had gone from trying to be a professional guitar player to finding a purpose in pursuing a singer-songwriter career and having his own band. When his songwriting partner left, he took a break from writing songs and once again found himself involved with a handful of bands. While playing with local artist Rolla Olak, Olak randomly introduced Sponarski as ‘Johnny 99’. The name was taken from the title of a Bruce Springsteen song, and although Sponarski did not choose it himself, he found it fitting and decided to adopt it for his solo shows. “If you want to talk about the story of Springsteen’s song: guy kills the clerk[…] I have spent my whole life wanting to appear to be tough when at the heart of it, I am the absolute opposite. I am a soft and sensitive very communicative person. I really want to talk about feelings. I think in the spirit of trying to look like a badass, it makes sense. It is a shield I wear to [seem as if I were] hard.” During this period, Sponarski still managed to create some of his own tunes and play a few solo shows that came and went seemingly unnoticed. Regardless, they were enough to make an impression on Andy Bishop

(singer-songwriter in bands Red Cedar and White Ashfalls amongst others) who approached Sponarski and offered to release an EP through Light Organ Records. Around this time, Sponarski got hired as a guitar player for Aaron Pritchett’s band and would spend the following eight years touring with them. The urge to remain creative combined with a recent breakup with his long-term partner converged; Sponarski found himself writing one song after the other, and it motivated him to create his first full-length album. The pandemic hit while Sponarski was working on the demos for this album alongside Matt Kelly (City and Colour, Ben Rogers). Working on an album during those hard times was a silver lining since he could work day and night on his songs. It became his sole focus for the next four months. “Songs from this last album came out around a time after not only I had come out from this long-term relationship but also my friend Erik and my friend Bob did as well. So there [were] lots of conversations and time spent around this topic of broken hearts and failed relationships. I was processing my own heartbreak and also counselling my friends about their break-ups.” As the time spent with his friends continued, Sponarski began to blend his and their experiences into songs, fusing their ideas into a coherent piece. Many of the lyrics that resulted, focused on interpersonal relationships and how people treat one another. As for the album's title, Sponarski admits: “I can’t remember when I chose the title of the album, but I remember finding it was pretty encompassing. We don’t say things because we think we are protecting somebody or because we don’t want to make ourselves feel vulnerable. I wanted to write songs about other stuff but it just did not happen. That was all over the place.” Sponarski’s guitar playing influences go from country old-timers like Roy Nichols and Don Rich, to more contemporary artists like Nels Cline or Jeff Tweedy. His songwriting draws from solid and robust storytellers like John Prine and Neil Young. More than trying to emulate a specific sound, Sponarski has successfully pulled from what inspires him. He has found his individual way to craft and define his own voice. This only could have been achieved by all the ups, downs and determination that Sponarski has undoubtedly shown through his twenty-plus years in the music scene. This commitment to Vancouver’s music scene does not end with the music he makes nor the bands he is part of. Sponarski, alongside his friend and bandmate Elliot C. Way (The Wild North), have cofounded North Country Collective (NCC). This Collective was created to not only help those involved in the project but also help other local artists grow and progress in their careers. However, NCC is a collective, not a record label, allowing it to reach outside of the music scene. People that will benefit from their project range from photographers to food industry workers and venues here in the Vancouver area. For the time being, four artists are part of the Collective, but they are hoping to add more very soon. “Basically, it is a group of close friends who have been trying and failing for a long time, teaming up together and organizing to support each other and hopefully support others. The idea is to help us grow in our careers but also put a stamp [on] this scene and community that has existed in Vancouver for a long while.” Sponarski considers Vancouver's art scene to be contained and at times separate from the rest of Canada and the world, but he rejects the notion that what is happening outside of Vancouver is superior. “What we have here is very special. We have gone through all these ups and downs in this community. There was this golden era with all these people that supported it and allowed us to have festivals and singer-songwriters from different communities to come and share. It existed for a short period of time and it stopped.” “Words Left Unsaid” is NCC’s first release and you can check it out on your preferred streaming platform or pre-order a vinyl on NCC’s website.

John Sponarski considers Vancouver's art scene to be contained and at times separate from the rest of Canada and the world, but he rejects the notion that what is happening outside of Vancouver is superior.


Have an idea for a story?  lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca

Life & Style

life & style // no. 10 • Tips to spider-proof your home • The philosophy that resonates among minimalists ...and that's everything!

Say bye-bye spiders! › Tips to spider-proof your home

Ash Sabinin Contributor

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t’s getting chilly and everyone’s trying to escape the frigid winter wind outdoors, including spiders. Whether you absolutely freak out when faced with an eight-legged foe (like I do) or you would just prefer they not be crawling around your home, here are some tips and tricks to keep those critters away. The first priority is to ensure no more bugs can come in from outside, so check all your windows and doors for any cracks or crevices that might be letting spiders sneak inside. Any small holes in window screens or gaps left indoors are essentially welcome mats for any crawling critters looking for a warm place to hideout. Another good idea is to eliminate as many hiding spots or potential homes for spiders in your house as possible. Tidy up and dust any dark and cluttered areas, like the garage and closets, it’ll give them fewer places to hide and procreate while also making it easier for you to see and get rid of them.

Additionally, my favourite spider deterrent is peppermint. While most humans find mint to be a refreshing and delightful fragrance, many insects (including spiders) find it repulsive. There are so many ways to make your home smell minty and therefore deter spiders from hanging around, you could light a mint-scented candle or use a diffuser with mint essential oil. If you have peppermint essential oil, another method is to add about 15 to 20 drops into a spray bottle of water and spray around the house; especially around windows, doors and vents. You can also place either small bags or satchels of dried mint (or mint tea bags if that’s more convenient) around the home, especially in corners or areas that spiders like to hide in. If you don't enjoy the smell of peppermint, another option is eucalyptus, you can adapt most of the methods I just mentioned to use eucalyptus scents instead. Eucalyptus does a good job of repelling spiders so placing sprigs of eucalyptus around the house or spraying a eucalyptus essential oil and water mixture

will also help keep those pests away. If you have a green thumb, planting mint, eucalyptus or even lavender plants around the entrances to your house might also help keep spiders from venturing too close. If those scents don’t work for you, other natural options are citrus and cinnamon; try sprinkling cinnamon or crushed dried citrus peels around the house. Lighting scented candles or using room sprays to make the air fragrant can also steer spiders away. However, some people don’t like any of those scents so another way to make your house less appealing to spiders is by turning off unnecessary outdoor lights that might attract flies or other bugs and the spiders that want to feed on them. There’s an old folk tale that says placing “conkers” (more commonly known as horse chestnuts) around the house, near doors, windows, and in corners that spiders like to claim may help keep them away. Supposedly the oils created within the chestnuts repel spiders but there hasn’t been much research confirming this so I would recommend trying this along with other methods to have

a stronger impact. Be careful with this one though as conkers can be toxic especially when consumed by children or pets. Another idea, although quite a bit more complicated than some of these other methods is to get a cat! However, if you do get a cat, make sure to cover their food as it's believed the meaty smells can attract spiders which sort of defeats the purpose. Having a cat around to hunt down spiders by themselves will give you some peace of mind, but make sure you get a cat with energy to burn and a hunting spirit because I know my cats couldn’t care less about spiders and might even enjoy watching me panic when I see them. I’ve always had the worst luck with spiders, they always show up when I’m alone and defenceless and then it puts me on edge for the whole day so if I can avoid seeing them in the first place, I'll be happy. Hopefully, these tips will help all of us take back our homes from the invading spiders this winter and find some comfort in our spider-free space.

or short-term. Disclaimer: I'm not claiming that creating personal goals is a negative idea; that is not at all the point! Setting goals is a brilliant thing to do. It enables you to direct your life to be goal-oriented, determined, and purposeful. Lately, I have lived by minimalist ambitions to avoid feeling pressured and overwhelmed about my future. I struggled

to keep my thoughts free of tensions and anxiety as an overthinker who deliberately worries about my life. This was one of the goals that gave me an “A-ha!” moment right away. To be content in life with the profession I love, to be surrounded by loved ones, and to find joy and gratitude in the littlest things. That’s a life rich in quality to me. Relaxing my thoughts with these aspirations made me more relieved and serene, which is beneficial both psychologically and physically. Clarity of mind and a clear sense of purpose is awarded when practicing a minimal life. I’ve seen people who view minimalistic life as flawed, empty, and dull. To them, I want to pose a simple question. “What is your definition of a minimalistic life?” I'm just curious to hear what they have to say. There are no judgments to every response, and this is just about curiosity. A minimalist may not show their satisfaction and joy of living a life like this but, they are internally pleased and grateful for their choice. In closing, I would like to make a note that having a minimalistic life may differ for everyone whether it’s a lifestyle or thinking and maybe both! Quality of life is, once again, subjective, and inherently ambiguous.

Quality over Quantity › The philosophy that resonates among minimalists Win Pya Pyae Phyo (Hazel) Contributor

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y instant midnight thoughts whirled around in my head, pondering the concept of quality versus quantity. The first thing that came to mind was things and belongings on the surface. It is far more painful to let go of your materials the more attached you are to them. My heart is drained by the imagination of this unpleasant sensation. It fascinates me to imagine myself diving too deeply into this idea in general. To many of you, the idea of a minimalistic lifestyle could be simplifying your life to the things that truly serve a purpose. When you search the term "minimalistic lifestyle," you'll find images that reflect the themes of simplicity, clarity, and singleness. This, in my view, is the release from the desire to possess. It detracts from the consumerism cycle and dares to find happiness beyond. It reminds us to be thankful for what we already have. Furthermore, there is less clutter; plus cleaning and organizing take less time, leaving more time for priorities. Maintaining a clutter-free environment increases productivity and focus while minimizing stress and anxiety.

Additionally, being minimalistic does not always have to do with the things you own. This may vary from person to person, but what I'll be discussing is unquestionably a matter of personal preference. Goals you desire to reach and accomplish in your life can be tied to how I define a minimalistic living. It makes no difference whether the aims are long-term


Opinions

Have an idea for a story?  opinions@theotherpress.ca

opinions // no. 11 • COVID-19 denier dies • Joe Rogan is good, but he isn’t better than your doctor • Canadian succession ...and that's everything!

COVID-19 denier dies › Mak Parhar died the way he lived—unwilling to acknowledge facts and full of misinformation

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he Darwin Awards has lost a star candidate this month as Mak Parhar, a COVID-19 denier who had gained much notoriety has passed away. Parhar continued to operate his hot yoga studio despite restrictions against such studios and failed to quarantine last year after returning home from a Flat Earth conference. He was found dead in his New West home on November 4. Days before his preventable demise, Parhar was recording videos from his car, claiming to suffer from chills and coughing and wheezing throughout the video, He refused to believe that he may have COVID-19, because according to him “CONVID doesn’t exist.” As he told stories about walking around stores without a mask on, egging on anyone to get into a verbal argument with him, he questioned why his immune system was failing him. He refused to believe the all too likely truth: that he, an unvaccinated anti-masker, may have the disease that he refused to believe was real. And despite not believing in COVID-19, Parhar did not stop trying to cure his mystery illness. He, like many ill-advised people, decided to take ivermectin; a drug that is not a recognized COVID treatment. In the end, Parhar’s greatest accomplishment may be dodging the legal troubles he was facing, as he was supposed to stand trial for breaking quarantine rules regarding his failure to quarantine after attending a Flat Earth conference in the US. The trial is now postponed permanently due to the death of the plaintiff. This may all seem mean, but keep in mind that he tried to sue the government, claiming that police officers kidnapped him and took part in state-sponsored terrorism. Some readers may be thinking “This writer is being too mean. I mean the man just died. He needs to have more respect for the dead.” To this, I say, yes. I should be respectful of people who have passed on. However,

there are exceptions to that rule. This is a man who not only refused to take COVID-19 restriction seriously, but believed the disease didn’t exist. While it is not confirmed, it is highly likely, that he died of COVID-19; and while he was still sick, he walked around his neighbourhood—the same neighbourhood this paper is in—putting other, more venerable people in danger. Theoretically, he may have killed multiple people by infecting them with the virus while he championed this losing cause. He had no respect for his fellow citizens, so why should we have respect for him now? Along with this, Parhar also left a daughter behind. This is even more damning of his character. It shouldn’t matter if he did or didn’t believe in COVID-19. He had a responsibility to his daughter, who is now going to grow up without a father. As bad of an influence as Parhar could be, that is a monumental loss for a child. Parhar might be the true definition of a moron. He was someone who

refused to believe anything except that everything had to have some insidious nature behind it. He was a coward, who even when he was sick and claimed that he needed to pound Tylenol and Advil just to function, did not want to visit a hospital. Probably because he knew they would tell him the thing that he refused to believe: that COVID-19 exists and he had it. Similar to the Aaron Rogers case recently, it’s not about if you feel that your freedom is infringed by taking the vaccine, it’s about the fact that you are putting others in danger for your own selfishness. Parhar lived selfishly and died because of it. We can only hope that his delusional followers see his fate as the preventable tragedy it is, and begin to seek out vaccination clinics. Though that does not seem possible looking at all the videos championing him as a martyr and mourning his loss like he was some great hero. Parhar lived stupidly and from watching Parhar’s final video confessions, stupid does not always last forever.

Illustration by Athena Little

Craig Allan Business Manager


opinions // no. 12

theotherpress.ca

Aaron Rodgers and his medical consultant › Joe Rogan is good, but he isn’t Matthew Fraser Editor in Chief

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here's a weird thing that happens when people are extraordinarily successful in one or more endeavours; the people around them will at times react as if they have wide-reaching and intimate knowledge on unrelated things. This is always a strange thing to see. Most people would never assume that their bookkeeper or accountant has specialized knowledge on cars; generally, we don’t assume that the neighbourhood handyman has excellent legal advice, most people wouldn’t rush to their doctor for stock advice either. Yet somehow, people jump to the conclusion that success in one arena translates to global competency and skill. This issue was on display when Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers admitted to consulting Joe Rogan for COVID-19 advice. Now, the context of the comment was quite simple, Rodgers had been invited on to the Pat McAfee Show to discuss his recent COVID diagnoses. While explaining his situation, Rodgers intimated that he had consulted his “good friend” Joe Rogan on how best to deal with COVID. As you can guess or already know, this went instantly and horribly array. To be fair, Rogan did himself get COVID and did recover quite quickly; as a result, you can argue that his experience could be in some manner effective for

Rodgers. The problem is that Rogan is not a doctor and that COVID is more serious than a common cold. Though it makes perfect sense to consult your grandma's chicken soup recipe and a bottle of Dayquil for your sniffles, COVID (at this point) requires a step above in care. And this is the root of Aaron Rodgers’ screw-up. Rogan is an entertaining podcaster and interviewer, and he often has interesting things to say, but the man is not a repository of great medical information. His realm of expertise includes bow hunting, combat sports and DMT; none of those things are Ph.D. studies. In a way, asking Rogan for health care advice is like asking Micheal Phelps about jiu-jitsu; success in one place does not guarantee success elsewhere. Rodgers should have hopefully known that he should take any and all of Rogan’s health care advice with a grain or several of salt. However, even if a certified doctor agreed with the podcast host, he definitely shouldn’t have been announcing Rogan as his health consultant so openly. What soon followed was a plethora of memes and a rehashing of an earlier Australian comedy sketch where a dying man splutters “what does Joe Rogan say??” before succumbing to an allergic reaction. Though it's clearly hyperbolic that people refuse medicine that doesn’t have the Joe Rogan stamp of approval, the point that everyone except for Aaron Rodgers instantly understood is that Rogan is not a medical

Illustration by Udeshi Seneviratne

better than your doctor

Rogan is an entertaining podcaster and interviewer, and he often has interesting things to say, but the man is not a repository of great medical information. practitioner. His endorsement on some medical issues is immaterial. In Rodgers' defence, he does claim to be allergic to one ingredient in the mRNA vaccines and that the league does not have a medical exemption in place for people with legitimate issues. However, Rodgers initially gave the misleading answer that he had been "immunized." Though he would apologize for this answer later, it seemed to just be a compounding problem of

misleading answers and poor choices. Some doctors believe that COVID may never truly disappear, instead, subsiding into a flu-like annual reoccurrence where deaths are low but still an issue. Should that happen, then it probably will make more sense to consult friends and coworkers on how best to deal with COVID. Until then, we should probably leave the hardcore medical advice to the professionals.

Canadian succession

› Rogers family dispute is like the Roy family’s hot mess Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist

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n recent weeks, one of the major service providers and media empires in Canada had a dispute that went public and got everyone’s attention. It began when Rogers Communications’ Edward Rogers attempted to fire the company’s current CEO, Joe Natale. Natale then told the company’s Board of Directors which included some of Rogers’s family members and ended up removing him as the Chair of the Board. Last week, the BC Provincial Court ruled in favour of Edward that his decision to remove board members is legal and the company later decided to not appeal it. The main issue of the dispute is Edward Rogers removing five independent members on the board and replacing them with his allies. There was a clause in the Rogers Family Trust developed by his late father, Ted Rogers, that Edward has

the right to remove board members since he has a large share of the company. One CTV News reporter likened the dispute to watching the TV show Succession. The Emmy-winning show which is currently airing its third season has similarities to the Rogers family but also Rupert Murdoch and his family, which the show is loosely based on. In Succession, you have Logan Roy who is the CEO of Waystar/Royco. Despite him promising his oldest son, Kendall, that he will lead the company when he retires, he revises the rules of their family trust and deceives the people around him to try to keep power at the age of 80 despite having health issues. After Logan has a stroke, Kendall temporarily takes over the company and later finds out that the company has a lot of debt and that there might be more clauses. Even one of Kendall’s brothers who would also be his COO mentioned that while the company tries to recover from its losses and

restructures in an evolving digital world, things would be hard. Back to Rogers, they have a two-class stock system. There are Class B stocks where company officials can only invest and Class A stocks where individuals can invest as well as have their say on company decisions and sharing their wealth. Rogers mainly has Class A stocks where Edward Rogers has most of those shares; conversely, many companies including Facebook (renamed Meta) and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) have more balanced shares. The Rogers family dispute also happened during the middle of a merger between them and Shaw where they would not only acquire their services but also Corus Entertainment which manages Global and its networks. This would help Rogers which manages Citytv, Sportsnet, and other publications. The federal government has yet to approve the merger which could be affected by the dispute.

Going back to Succession, Waystar owns news media, publications, and amusement parks making them an old-fashioned company. In the first four episodes, Kendall and his team were able to acquire another company and that company’s CEO ends up getting a spot in Waystar’s Board of Directors. It is common today for companies to buy companies which can lead to less competition and possible rate increases. These uncanny similarities serve to make the comparison between the two situations more palpable. Both Kendall and his siblings and the Rogers family (including Edward’s mother) teamed up to prevent their patriarchs from having a lot of power, but the Rogers family was very open about their situation on social media. The family still fights for control of the company which could lead to a different landscape in Canadian business. However, when it comes to Succession and the Roy family’s hot mess so far, I think that Logan should retire.

The Rogers family dispute occurs amid a merger between them and Shaw where they would not only acquire their services but also Corus Entertainment which manages Global and its networks.


Comics

Comic by CJ Sommerfeld

It sure is getting chili out


BUDGET CONSULTATION Have your say in the next Douglas College budget. Stop by our table and share with us what you think Douglas College should consider in the 2022-2023 budget! From WIFI, parking, and services to tuition, education and technology - it all matters!

Tuesday Nov. 9th Wednesday Nov. 10th 10:30am-3:00pm NW Concourse

Wednesday Nov. 17th Thursday Nov. 18th 10:30am-3:00pm COQ AB Atrium


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