Over The Edge
UNBC’s Independent Student Newspaper est. 1994
Timberwolves impress in home opener See pages 14 & 15
Volume 22, Issue 1
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September 15, 2015 ote-newspaper@unbc.ca
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Next deadline: September 23
On behalf of myself, Production Coordinator Hannah Rizun and Publisher Shawn Caldera, I hope to see you around town, campus, and at the voting booth.
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Over The Edge is the University of Northern British Columbia’s independent student newspaper. Our office is located on the 2nd floor of the NUSC building in room 6-350. We are an equal opportunity publication which represents students in the UNBC and Prince George community. Our publication supports student writing by welcoming news, arts, sports, culture and opinion articles, as well as photography, comics, and creative writing submissions.
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yourself and your country to vote. If you do not vote, the rest of us do not want to hear you complaining about who is running the country - you had your chance.
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I would urge all students eligible to vote to
get informed on who the candidates in their ridings are and what they and their parties stand for. For our part, we will be running information on parties and candidates, but there is tons of other information floating around the Internet. All Canadians should have a say in choosing their government, no matter what party they vote for. It is the best feature of living in a democracy to be able to hold the ruling powers accountable for their actions. No matter if you vote NDP, Conservative, or Liberal, you owe it to
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ello students, and welcome to volume 22 of Over The Edge. As we have been for the previous 21 volumes of existence, we continue to be dedicated to providing UNBC students and the greater community with stories and information that is relevant and interesting. Over the coming months, we will be covering important events and topics, especially the upcoming federal election on October 19.
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UNBC Life
News from NUGSS Duncan Watkinson President | NUGSS
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f you are a new student, welcome to UNBC! If you are a returning student, welcome back! As leisurely as I wish it was for you, I’m happy to say that this summer was a positive and productive one for the Northern Undergraduate Student Society! For students returning and new, feel welcome to come on down to the NUGSS office (in building 6) to learn more about your Health and Dental plan, new clubs on the go, different events you can attend, and any other issues that concern the dialogue of the UNBC community. Remember the services that are available for you! NUGSS is your place! Head on up to the office, start a conversation, ask what you can do to better the UNBC community. We all have a role to play. Best wishes in the year ahead.
Duncan Watkinson | NUGSS
The Moose Hide Campaign: Join the movement Roland Gurney President | UNBC Moose Hide Campaign
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would like to invite all the men on campus to come chat with me about The Moose Hide Campaign.
violence. Violence is an issue that affects everyone from all walks of life: Rich, poor, aboriginal and non-aboriginal.
The Moose Hide Campaign is a grassroots movement of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Men who are standing up against violence towards women and children.
Violence on university campuses is not acceptable. We need to honour and respect women. As men, we need to convey the message that violence against women will not be tolerated.
By wearing a piece of moose hide on your clothing, it signifies your commitment to honouring, respecting, and protecting the women and children in your life and working together with other men to end violence against women and children.
On an early August morning in 2011, an Aboriginal man named Paul Lacerte and his daughter Raven were hunting moose near the infamous Highway of Tears, a section of Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert, where dozens of women have gone missing or been found murdered.
Our vision is to spread the Moose Hide Campaign to organizations, communities, and governments throughout Canada. The UNBC Moose Hide Campaign Club will spread awareness and talk about the issues that affect our communities, especially
They had brought down a moose that would help feed the family for the winter and provide a moose hide for cultural purposes. As the daughter was skinning the moose her father started thinking. They were so near the highway that has brought so
much sorrow to communities, and here was his young daughter, deserving of a life free of violence. That’s when the idea sprang to life! What if they used the moose hide to inspire men to become involved in the movement to end violence towards Aboriginal women and children? Together with family and friends they cut up the moose hide into small squares and started the Moose Hide Campaign. The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres (BCAAFC) has been the host agency for the Campaign since its inception, embracing its alignment with its provincial strategic framework called, “Taking Action to End Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Children”.
We will stand up with women and children and we will speak out against violence towards them. We will support each other as men and we will hold each other accountable. We will teach our young about the true meaning of love and respect, and we will be healthy role models for them. We encourage you to take action, make the pledge, and stand up to end violence towards women and children.
Our goal is to end violence towards women and children. To help achieve this, the Moose Hide Campaign will distribute 1 million moose hide squares across Canada within the next 10 years. Moosehidecampaign.ca
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UNBC Life
UNBC Musical Production Auditions Tierney Watkinson Contributor
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ive years ago, UNBC’s Musical Productions Group was founded by Arielle Bernier, a student with a dream.
UFM
Shop At The UFM Arctica Cunningham UFM Development Assistant
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tart this school year off right by shopping at the University Farmers’ Market! Every Tuesday, from September to April, the UFM is held in the NUSC Event Space from 11:00am to 3:00pm. With over twenty local vendors selling products they have made, baked, or grown themselves, grocery shopping does not get any more convenient. Moreover, shopping at the UFM is a great way to support local entrepreneurs and the local economy. Shopping at the Farmers’ Market is also better for the environment, since the products have not been shipped over long distances, are not excessively packaged, and are not full of chemicals and preservatives. Furthermore, when you purchase something from the Farmers’ Market, you are buying the product directly from the person that created it, so they can answer any questions you may have, allowing you to be a more informed consumer. The best feature of the UFM is the incredible variety of products for sale. We have local seasonal produce for sale from P & R Organics and Cariboo Growers, providing the perfect ingredients for soups, stir fries, and much more. If you have not tried Stan’s homemade salsa yet, make sure you stop by his table at the next market because he is always happy to hand out a free sample. Birthe
makes delicious jams and jellies with fruit that she has grown herself, a perfect addition to the delicious homemade bread from Shergood Gardens. One of our new vendors this year is Willow River Cracker Company, with four delectable cracker flavours. You can buy local, freerange sausage and bacon from SLR Meats, and later in the semester Garrendenny Farms will also be selling free-range chicken and beef. Blue Mountain Honey seems to have every flavour of honey imaginable, perfect for toast, tea and baking. We also have a number of vendors that sell artisan crafts, perfect for gifts or to treat yourself. Finally, we have a number of hot food vendors, with both meat and vegetarian options, as well as bannock and hand-made ice cream so you can always find a snack or meal in between your classes on Tuesdays. The UFM is also a great place to meet up with friends and find some time to relax during a stressful school day. We run a variety of fun events, from petting zoos and chef demonstrations to clothing swaps! To stay up to date with our latest events and market news, be sure to like our “University Farmers’ Market” page on Facebook, and pop in every Tuesday from 11:00am to 3:00pm in the NUSC Event Space!
Months later, the dream became a reality when she and her new castmates presented Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog in the Canfor Theatre for the very first time. It was a small but well-received production, with a two-dimensional cardboard van as the main prop. The production was directed and funded by Arielle herself and was executed by a group of people who would remain friends for years to come. Since its creation, the Musical Productions group has continued to grow and take on bigger and bigger projects. Year two saw Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling, and the following year the club presented another fan favourite: “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Last year, the group presented Avenue Q, a Broadway musical comedy with a story that resonated with many students for its subject matter: Questioning one’s purpose. The props, including the puppets and the entire street set, were yet again hand-made by cast members with hours of painstaking work. It was the largest, most frightening
show the group had ever had to produce, but under Arielle’s direction, they did it. Over the years, props have become threedimensional. Sound systems have become more complicated, spotlights have become multi-coloured, and the cast as a whole has become larger and more talented than ever before. The musical accompaniment has become a live band, and the lights and sound are handled masterfully by volunteers and professionals alike. This year, the club will be presenting not one, but two shows. Selections from A Very Potter Musical will be performed at this year's first annual Yule Ball (date to be decided), and the group is exploring its darkly humorous side yet again with The Addams Family—A new musical comedy being performed this coming spring. Do you have the music in you? Auditions for both shows will be held on Sunday, September 27 at 1:00pm in the Canfor Theatre. If you are interested in trying out for a part or would like to be involved with set design, lighting, or any other aspect of the shows, be sure to email Arielle Bernier at unbcmusical@gmail.com, and request to join the Facebook page “UNBC Musical Productions” for updates!
Rugby Recruitment Tierney Watkinson Contributor
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he UNBC Rugby teams are now recruiting!
Both the men’s and women’s teams are excited to accept new members. Experience is not necessary and all fitness levels are welcome. Whether you have been playing for years or have never before tackled someone; all you need is the desire to play the game. Rugby is the perfect sport for someone who is not afraid to hit the dirt once in a while; however, this sport is not all about hitting. Join a rugby team, and
its members will become your family. The first, highly anticipated tournament is the “Gobbler” in Abbotsford, traditionally scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend. Joining the club does not mean you are obligated to attend every tournament, although the experience is not one to miss! Practices as the UNBC teams are still to be determined. If you are interested in joining or would like to check out a practice, please contact Johanne Jensen, Club President of the women’s team, at unbcwrfc@gmail.com! Or request to join the “UNBC Women’s Rugby” or “UNBC Rugby” Facebook pages.
World Suicide Prevention Day Tierney Watkinson Contributor
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orld Suicide Prevention Day was September 10. Did you know that?
“Prevention Day” would suggest that suicide is something akin to a disease, something catchable and unpredictable. But this is not what suicide is. Suicide is tragedy. Unromantic, devastating tragedy. Suicide is and forever will be inextricably connected to depression. Depression does not make sense, and never will. For every single person, the symptoms and triggers are different and these vary in severity. People with depression have been unfairly called weak, diseased, or disabled, all of which infer that those suffering from it are lesser. Depression is the silent cancer. Depression cannot be categorized. It should not be scoffed at because to be depressed is not to be merely sad. It is being unable to see a light but feeling like everyone around you is seeing fireworks. It is the inability to feel joy or excitement no matter the occasion. It is being unable to sleep even when you are exhausted. It is feeling alone no matter who you are with. It is the feeling that nothing matters, that nothing will ever matter; that you don’t matter and the world will go on without you because no one needs you. Suicide is entirely preventable. But depression, its root cause, is often not something you can see. Having a friend with depression is frightening. It is frustrating, and it is wearing. You should not feel obligated to be a friend’s personal life raft if you feel like you cannot handle it, no matter how much you love them. However, do not simply pass them off to another friend or just walk away. If they will not seek out help, let someone know. Tell a relative, or tell a counselor. It is not your job to carry someone, especially if you feel like you yourself are barely standing. However, you should never ever just let someone fall. Helping someone with depression is not necessarily the equivalent of carrying Frodo to Mordor. Often all that anyone needs is the reminder that they are thought of.
UNBC Life
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Message that friend you haven’t talked to in a few weeks. Phone your family. Give the people around you some sign that you are thinking of them. If you have ever experienced depression, then you know that the last thing you want to do is to drag other people down with you. Do not wait for people to come to you offering help, because, again, depression is rarely visible. Create something, be it a story or an abstract painting or an entire kitchen unit crafted with your bare hands. Force yourself to open your mouth and tell someone how you feel. You don’t have to tell them all of it. Sharing pieces of yourself with another person is a freedom. There are thousands of people in this city alone; if you don’t find what you seek here, there will be chances elsewhere. Here at UNBC, join a club. Find people with similar interests. Whether it is a sports team or a writing club, finding something to be passionate about with other people will keep you creating and keep you moving. Those people will become your family, and you will become theirs. Facing your future, and all of the stress associated with obtaining a degree, as a group is much easier than facing it alone. As long as you are breathing, you can move forward. Suicide Prevention Day is most definitely something we should all be aware of. However, it should not be the focus of a single day a year. Always pay attention to and love the people around you. Most importantly, live.
DON’T LOSE OUT! There is a small competition open now for UNBC awards that were not taken up over the summer and/or any new awards that can be offered which will apply to the 2015 September and 2016 January Semesters. Take a quick look at your Student Online Services / Financial Aid / Award Application portal via http://www.unbc.ca/current-students to view the Entrance Awards, In-Course Awards, General Awards & Graduate Awards that are still available and submit your online awards application to have an opportunity to cash in! Deadline for September Online Award Applications (and Supporting Documents if required) is: October 12, 2015.
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Election 2015 rock the boat. They say only they have the experience and knowhow to navigate this treacherous time. With Islamic terrorism in the Middle East, a falling Canadian dollar and an uncertain global economy, the Conservatives are hoping to show that change is not what Canada needs. A balanced budget has been one of the main pillars of the Conservative platform for many elections; they are toting that the budget is balanced and it is because of strong conservative policies. However, if the budget is truly balanced this has yet to been seen. The balanced budget was achieved not solely by cuts in spending or increases in revenue, but the one time sale of General Motors shares that government had as part of its investment portfolio. After the election the deficit may return.
Election 2015: The issues at stake
So what are the conservatives promising us with this election? Some of their best hits are here such as, strong fiscal choices to keep the budget balanced. They also drive home the idea of paying less taxes and keeping more money in the private person’s pocket. The CPC has promised to cut taxes on EI and other payroll taxes by 2017. This would effectively leave more money on your paycheque, though it also leaves less money in EI and CPP benefits as well. One of the more controversial positions has been the income-splitting program for families with children under the age of 18. This would be up to $50,000 annually.
Grant Bachand Contributor
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chool is back up and we find ourselves right in the middle of a federal election. This election seems to be a very competitive one with no one party polling decisively ahead of the others. Nanos polling by CTV has indicated that all the parties are in a tie, and it is very likely that the election will be a tight one. BC is being looked at as the place where the winner of the election will be decided, whereas in past elections the winner has already been decided before BC polls are closed or counted. It is important that as voters we are well educated in the parties and what their vision to help the country is. Here you will find a breakdown of all the parties and give you an idea of what their campaign promises are.
The Conservative Party of Canada Let’s start with the Conservative Party of Canada, the current governing party. The merger of the Canadian Alliance Party and the Progressive Conservative Party in 2003 created the modern Conservatives, unifying the right, as the Liberals and New Democratic
How does it work? Say we have a couple, Jim and Jill. Jim, who makes $100,000 a year and his wife Jill, she makes $30,000. Jim, under the old tax system has to pay tax on his whole $100,000 income and Jill has to pay on her whole $30,000 income. At the end of the year they would pay $23,794.89 in taxes. Under the new system Jim can transfer some of his money to Jill so they both have to pay taxes on $65,000 in income each. This would lower the amount the family has to pay in taxes to $20,141.86 saving the family $3,653.03 in taxes. The Conservatives have made many more promises such as resurrecting the “life means life” legislation, which would ensure prisoners who are given life in prison, stay in prison for their whole lives. They would also spend $200 million to improve high-speed and broadband Internet in rural areas. Government contribution to RESPs will be raised so that families earning up to $44,000 would get $200 for the first $500 put away for a child’s higher education plan each year. Families earning $88,000 would receive $100 on the first $500 each year. The Conservatives have a compelling platform, and they have been the governing party for a long time. That though may not be enough to help them get another government, due to high levels of voter dissatisfaction with them and people asking for change in government. The only question now is if change does come what will it look like.
The Liberal Party of Canada Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has attacked the Conservatives constantly about their performance as the governing party. They have spoken about the deficits the Conservatives have run with little to no growth in the economy. The idea of deficits is not something they are shying away from; they are the only ones
cbc.ca Party have kept the left divided. This party has been in power since 2006 when they defeated the Liberals led by Paul Martin. In that time they have seen a war in Afghanistan and a major recession in 2008. The Conservatives have confronted many issues that faced Canada, however some of the decisions that they have made have angered some Canadians like the decision to pull out of the Kyoto Protocol in 2011 and the passing of Bill C-51. They have also done things that have helped Canadians such as, introducing the Tax Free Savings Account, which is a great savings tool for young Canadians. The Conservatives have been hammering home the idea that now is not the time to
cbc.ca
News out of all the major parties to say they will run deficits. Which is a risky move because the word “deficit” has been considered a dirty word for elections. Major deficit spending has been used to stimulate the economy in the past, by investing in infrastructure; the Harper Government used deficit spending in 2008 during the financial crisis. Like a play out of FDR’s playbook, but this Keynesian move may not be enough. Some economists do say that the economy needs to grow, though infrastructure investments are not seen by all as the best way to achieve this. As the CBC has reported infrastructure investments take a long time to get underway and growth to the economy is needed right away. This means that the move by the Liberals to grow the economy many not happen for years after the election.
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The NDP also want to lower taxes on Small Business to encourage that sector to grow. A reduction in small business taxes is expected to build the sector that tends to be a community centric sector. This tax cut comes with a tax hike on large corporations. They want to raise the tax rates to “pre-Harper” levels, which is expected to not price Canadian products out of the market but also increase government revenues enough to pay for many of their social program ideas. Programs like a national child care program, and investments in infrastructure and income supplements to poor seniors.
The Liberals have other things on their platform such as electoral reform, legalization of marijuana, creation of a new tax bracket for high earning Canadians and the amendment of Bill C-51’s problematic areas. The main target of the Liberals is the middle class of Canadians. Their rhetoric so far in this election has been for the wealthiest of Canadians to do more so that poor and middle class Canadians get more help. This may help the majority of Canadians, however some are skeptical that the money that will be created by taxing more on wealthy Canadian isn’t going to be enough to pay for everything the Liberals is promising. Lowering the taxes on “middle class” Canadians is another pillar in the platform, if you make between $44,701-$89,401 a year, if the Liberals win, expect your taxes to go from 22% to 20.5%. Though if you make over $200,000 a year the Liberals want to create a new tax bracket for you where you will pay 33% on your income. The same income splitting tax credit the Conservatives talked about, the Liberals will do away with. They claim the income splitting only helps the richest of Canadians and does nothing for poor and single Canadians. The Liberals want to create investments in clean technologies, in forestry, fisheries, mining energy and farming of around $200 million a year. Also another $100 million in organizations that promote clean technology firms. This idea is to bolster the economy and move the country towards greener goals. Working along with the provinces to help reach lower emission rates and focus on climate change oriented goals will be part of the Liberals main goals in terms of the environment. Justin Trudeau has worked at making the government more open and reducing power of the Prime Minister’s Office. The Liberals tote the idea of opener caucus meetings and more regional voices in federal politics. He wishes to move away from the style Harper has used during his time as Prime Minister, which has been very controlled and non-transparent. Trudeau has accused the PMO’s office of being too strong and he looks back to his father, Pierre Elliot Trudeau as the starting point of this build up of power. Trudeau frequently sights an example of this dedication to this idea as the releasing of Liberal Senators from party lines and removal from caucus.
The New Democratic Party of Canada The Liberal party now fights with the New Democratic Party for the left’s vote and if polls are any indication of elections, the Liberals could be playing opposition or even move back to be the governing party. The NDP have certainly evolved over the years, moving from a third party, to official opposition, to possibly being the governing party. The NDP who for many elections were seen as a “half ” party are certainly showing their muscles in this election. With the leadership of Thomas Mulcair the NDP are dominating in the polls. In Quebec, they are polling way ahead of any other parties Liberals and Bloc and here in BC they are fighting with the Liberals for leadership in the polls. One of the main pillars of the their plan is a $15 an hour minimum wage increase. This wage increase would be mandated to all federally regulated entities so this includes banks, insurance corporations, government organizations, and certain provincial organizations. The hope is that once the federal government makes this change it will force the private economy to follow suit and all minimum wages will go up. The NDP will work with the provinces to ensure that they also follow suit and raise their wages as well, though that could be a long term goal and not obtained for sometime after the election.
huffingtonpost.ca Thomas Mulcair has said that the NDP will have a balanced budget in the first year of their mandate. Whether the budget is balanced depends on the extent of the current recession and the government’s ability to turn things around right off the bat. A balanced budget is always good for an election but it actually happening is another issue entirely. Understanding our political parties is the first step to making an informed vote on October 19th. The best thing you can do to ensure that you vote for the party that best represents your values is to understand what is important to you and research the different parties and what they stand for. Regardless who wins this year’s elections is bound to be an important one, ultimately impacting Canadian society.
Don’t forget to vote October 19th!
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Election 2015
Democracy does not work unless we do: A guide on how and where to vote Monique Gendron Team Member
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t is happening. The election ads are spinning, the mud slinging has begun, and strange, oddly colored, square flowers are popping up all over town. It is hunting season, and we are the prey.
The problem is, not all of us make that vital choice. In the last federal election held in 2011, only 61.4 percent of registered voters turned out to vote, and only 40.5 percent of youth. All of us here in university are eligible to vote, so why aren’t we? Maybe we’re too busy studying and writing papers. Maybe we feel we can’t make a difference. It has been proven that those who do not vote the first year they are able to are less likely to ever vote again. You are making your own decisions and that includes voting for the government that you want. So here are some reasons to get out and vote. Change won’t happen unless if you make the change. Voting does not happen on its own. Nobody is going to lift your hand and check that box.The government you want to lead your future won’t come about until you make the effort it requires to bring them into power. Not voting is not a statement. Choosing not to vote is not making a statement: it does not say anything at all. If you really want to make a statement and show how you feel, get out and vote for what you believe is right. Make sure your voter registration slip has made it to the government. It does not do any good if you try to vote and find that your registration has gotten lost in the mail. If you have not done this yet, you can check your registration on Election Canada’s website, www.elections.ca. This site also works if you trashed your registration and want to change your mind. You should receive a voter information card in the mail by October 2, detailing locations and times to vote at. If you do not receive this letter, you should check your registration. If you are an out-of-town student, make sure you register in the location you wish to vote in - it would be somewhat problematic if you register your home address as Halifax and show up to vote in Prince George. If you don’t have a piece of identification proving you live in Prince George, you’ll need to take an oath; in other words, you need two pieces of identification, plus someone who “must show proof of identity and address, be registered in the same polling division, and attest for only one person.” If you’re being confused by all the noise generated by the political parties, take a step back and breathe. Ignore the fusses and struggles and do some research of your own. Find out for yourself which party aligns itself the best with your views and beliefs and go vote for them. Approach some of the party representatives in your riding and get them to answer some of your questions. If it’s all still confusing, ask someone you know what to do. Most universities have a polling station on campus. UNBC usually does. Even if there isn’t, there should be one somewhere nearby. Even if you can’t do that, there is an easier way still - apply to vote by Special Ballot. This means you can vote by mail. It’s super easy, and only takes a few moments once you receive it, you can apply to vote by mail here: www.elections.ca/Voting-by-mail. If you are a student that is eligible to vote in a non-Prince George riding, you can either vote by mail, or vote at the local Elections Canada office at the intersection between 20th Avenue and Redwood Street during an advance polling day or the general election day. Polling stations have a 12-hour time limit. It is far easier to get to a polling station on time than it might be to get to a lecture on time. Polls in BC open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Make sure you bring one piece of government-issued photo ID and two other pieces of identification - such as a social insurance card, birth certificate or passport - as well as your voter information card. If you don’t have it on October 19, don’t worry. It isn’t a requirement to be able to vote. There are plenty of reasons to get out and vote. This is your chance to make change and create the world you want for your future.
Monique Gendron
Opinion
Conservative Attacks on Supreme Court a Danger to Canada James Mangan Team Member
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he Conservative government’s attacks on the Supreme Court constitute the single greatest threat to Canada’s democracy. Over the past decade, the Conservative Party has been launching a misinformation campaign against the Supreme Court in an attempt to convince Canadians that this institution is superseding the legislative power of Canada’s elected representatives.
Either Mr. Harper believes that Canadians do not understand how the Supreme Court operates, or he does not actually understand how Canada’s institutions of governance work. The Supreme Court is the highest appeals court in Canada, and therefore its decisions are legally binding on all other Canadian courts. When legislation is passed through the House of Commons and Senate, and is granted royal assent by the Governor General, it becomes law. If Canadians believe that this law violates their rights, or is in any other way unconstitutional, they have the legal right to challenge it in court. If the Supreme Court rules that a bill is unconstitutional, it must be returned to the House of Commons and subjected to reform. As a result, Supreme Court judges are often chosen from among the top legal minds in the nation. The Conservative government has often spoken out against Canada’s institutions of governance, claiming that legislation should not be determined by unelected institutions. However, the Supreme Court has no power in drafting or changing legislation. That role lies exclusively in Parliament. Rather, the Supreme Court, through extensive legal knowledge, is able to determine the constitutionality of bills that have been passed by Canada’s elected representatives. The decisions made in the Supreme Court are determined through the interpretation of law, rather than the judges’ individual ideology. As a result, many of the Conservative’s bills have been found to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Some of the Conservative policies that have been deemed unconstitutional include mandatory minimum sentencing, denial of safe injection sites, and the elimination of extra credit for inmates who spend time in jail before their sentencing. As a result, the Conservatives continually disrespect the Supreme Court, claiming that it is either acting inappropriately, or that it is seeking to supersede parliament. The Conservatives attacked Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin when the Supreme Court
CTV News
ruled that the Conservative’s Supreme Court appointee Marc Nadon was ineligible. The Conservatives claimed that Chief Justice McLachlin had inappropriately attempted to contact the government regarding the case while it was being ruled. A scathing letter with the signatures of 11 former Canadian Bar Association presidents released on May 6, 2014 explains how this claim was false, since Chief Justice McLaughlin provided her input before Justice Marc Nadon’s nomination, which the presidents describe as a “long-standing tradition.” The presidents state that Mr. Harper’s actions undermine the Supreme Court’s ability to “render justice objectively and fairly.” The government approached the Supreme Court regarding the issue of Senate Reform, and inquired as to whether they’d be able to pursue Senate Reform without enacting the Amending Formula. The Supreme Court (and any high school student who took Social Studies 10) informed the government that this was not possible. However, on April 25, 2014, Stephen Harper informed television viewers that the Supreme Court had decided to choose the “Status Quo” on the issue of Senate Reform. This statement was purposefully disingenuous, since the Supreme Court can only interpret the constitutionality of Mr. Harper’s inquiry. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that legislation forcing Medical Marijuana users to ingest marijuana through their lungs is unconstitutional. They ruled that medical marijuana users have the right to choose the most comfortable means to ingest marijuana. The Conservative government took this opportunity to portray the Supreme Court as attempting to “normalize marijuana use” by superseding the House of Commons. Mr. Harper is not stupid, so it is unlikely that he doesn’t understand exactly how the Supreme Court works. As a result, one must conclude that these direct attacks against the Supreme Court are an attempt to misinform Canadians of the role of the one institution in Canada with the power to disrupt unconstitutional legislation.
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Election 2015 ctvnews.ca
Real Senate Reform James Mangan Team Member
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t has taken almost 150 years, but Canadians may be close to a reform of the Senate.
Canada has been largely devoid of Constitutional conversations ever since the Quebec Referendum of 1995. This collective censorship has allowed Canadians to bury our pressing democratic problems deep underneath the surface. However, much like how an earthquake is caused by the release of built-up pressure, the Conservative Party’s senate scandal has brought the issue of the Senate back to the public spotlight. While the purpose of the House of Commons is to represent Canadians in Parliament by population (each Member of Parliament represents anywhere from 63,000 to 120,000 Canadians), the Senate represents Canada by its various regions. Western Canada is represented by 24 senators, Ontario receives 24, Quebec receives 24, and the Maritimes receive 24. Newfoundland and Labrador, as the most recent province to join confederation, receives 6 seats in the Senate, while each of the territories receive 1. This distribution of seats is intended to balance the population difference throughout Canada. Without the Senate, Ontario and Quebec would receive a disproportionate voice in parliament. Senators provide Parliament with “Sober Second Thought.” Since Senators are appointed for life rather than elected, they do not need to worry about re-election concerns that sometimes plague Members of Parliament. Therefore, if a government is passing a popular but unconstitutional
bill, the senate has the ability to return the legislation to the House of Commons without fear of consequence in the Senator’s home constituency. This role is ideologically meant to balance what may be popular with what is right for Canada. Unfortunately, in recent years, the image of the Senate has fallen significantly. When it emerged that Conservative Senator Mike Duffy had been filing inappropriate expense claims for his residence in Prince Edward Island, and that the Prime Minister’s Office had paid off the invalid expense claims, Canadians received real insight into the partisan and entitled nature of the Senate. After 20 years of quiet complacency, Canadians are finally demanding reform. The Conservatives and NDP have both promised radical reformation to the Senate. The Conservatives have traditionally argued in favour of either an elected Senate, or an abolished Senate. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent solution has been to cease electing Senators until the Premiers can reach a consensus on how to reform the senate. This action, according to a Maclean’s article published July 24, 2015, is currently depriving the provinces of their constitutionally guaranteed representation in parliament. “Proven Leadership,” Mr. Harper? On the other side of the aisle, Mr. Mulcair has vowed that an NDP government would completely abolish the Senate. Throughout the election, they have started petitions in which Canadians can sign to
support abolition. However, signed petitions do not have the legitimacy to change the constitution. Both the Conservatives and the NDP have been vocal in their push for reform, but neither have indicated how they would go about implementing reform in a constitutionally legitimate manner. The Senate is entrenched into the Constitution Act, 1867. It’s not enough for political parties to just ignore the Senate and hope the problem takes care of itself, or wish it away. Senate Reform requires the enactment of the Amending Formula in order to change the Constitution. The only party to make any change to the senate has been the Liberal Party, who expelled every senator from the Liberal Caucus in January of 2014. The “Ex-Liberal” senators still consider themselves to be Liberals, and many Canadians view this as a token change. Nonetheless, it’s still the most substantive reform to be made concerning the Senate. If Canadians are going to demand Senate reform, then they need to demand constitutional Senate reforms. It’s not enough that parties support senate reform, they must be expected to outline how they will reform the Senate. They must be expected to propose an institutional alternative that promotes regional representation in Parliament. They must be expected to propose a plausible plan that would successfully pass the Amending Formula. Otherwise, Canadians may have to wait another 150 years before the Senate is reformed.
Culture 11
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12
Culture
4 Action Movies to
Help Stave Off Boredom
Colin Slark Editor in Chief
cop, recruits one of the remaining Yulaws to help him stop evil Yulaw from gaining ultimate power. With crazy action scenes and an intense performance from Jet Li as several Yulaws, The One is a great way to kill a couple hours. Memorable quote: “I am Yulaw! I am nobody’s bitch! You are mine.” Commando (1985) Never before or since this movie has there been a film so corny, yet so lovable. Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is the greatest soldier in the world, but has retired in order to raise his daughter. One day, his daughter is kidnapped and to get her back, he must undertake a mission to assassinate a South American dictator for a group of mercenaries. Matrix quickly escapes the grasp of his handlers and goes into action to rescue his daughter, and kill the men who kidnapped her. The action scenes are extremely well done and there is a good sense of humour about the movie, but the
Y
ou might remember that old Monty Python bit where someone’s cat is stuck in a rut, and the only solution to the problem is to confuse it. Previously science had thought that this method only worked on felines, but a new study has proven that a good confusing can shake human beings out of a rut. If you are a human being, say, a university student in need of a distraction from school work over the coming semesters, try watching one of these stupid action movies to help you recover your focus. Warning: the movies on this list are sure to amuse and confuse you. Tango & Cash (1989) Tango (Sylvester Stallone) is a stuck-up, loose cannon cop. Cash (Kurt Russell) is a slobby, loose cannon cop. Both of them are so good at their jobs that LA’s most dangerous drug kingpin frames them for murder, and has them sent to a maximum security prison that he controls. Tango and Cash hate each other, but are forced to work together to save their lives, and catch the bad
guy. With baffling internal logic, elaborate and nonsensical set pieces, and unnatural dialogue, Tango & Cash transcends being a bad movie and becomes a fantastic picture of action films that were made before irony became a major feature of dumb action films. Memorable quote: “I see you’re not counting calories. Maybe you’re too busy counting the money they paid you to set us up!” The One (2001) Jet Li stars in this science fiction take on Highlander. In this fictional reality, there exist a large number of parallel universes that have a multi-dimensional police force to oversee law and order throughout all the worlds. One of these dimensional cops, Gabriel Yulaw (Jet Li), discovers that when a version of a person in one dimension is killed, all that person’s life force is distributed to all his or her counterparts across the multiverse. Yulaw goes on a killing spree, growing more and more powerful until only a handful of Yulaw remain.
dialogue and characterization turns a rote revenge story into an endearing popcorn flick. Memorable quote: “Remember Sully when I said I’d kill you last? I lied.” They Live (1988) Recently deceased Canadian wrestling legend “Rowdy” Roddy Piper stars in this silly action movie as John Nada, a drifter that accidentally stumbles into a conspiracy. After finding a pair of seemingly magic sunglasses, Nada is able to see the real truth behind the world; that humanity is being controlled by a sinister external force. Armed with his magic sunglasses and a shotgun,Nada sets out to free the human face from tyranny, vigilante style. Decidedly sillier and less star studded than director John Carpenter’s other 1980s classics, They Live manages to be stupid fun, but also manages an interesting critique on consumer culture and wealth. Memorable quote: “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I’m all out of bubblegum.”
Culture 13
Review: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
The Imitation Game | Black Bear Pictures
Colin Slark Editor In Chief
After a lengthy and challenging development cycle during which the studio developing the game was dismantled by its parent company, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is finally out, being the first new full length entry (excluding handheld games, remakes, and side stories) since 2008’s Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Taking place immediately after last year’s mini-sized entry Ground Zeroes, The Phantom Pain is both a terrific achievement, and a disappointment. Gone are the awkward controls of previous entries in the series, replaced by not just competent, but excellent controls. The gameplay is more accessible than ever because of easy to acquire methods of transportation and the way the game lets the player solve problems in many different manners according to what supplies they
have with them on a mission. The open world maps, a first for the series, are seamless, and frame rates are rock solid. It manages to look fantastic on current-gen consoles, while managing to hold its own in its previous-gen iterations. Technically, the game is a marvel. It is too bad that it falls flat in the area where Metal Gear games usually shine; the story. The stories in previous Metal Gear games have never been masterpieces, but they have always managed to be absolutely fascinating. Their blend of science-fiction technology, commentary on real world events and issues, and super spy stories are typically flamboyant, but are very subdued in The Phantom Pain. MGS4 had 8 hours of cinematics, and that drew complaints from fans who kind of wished they could skip some of the endless exposition and get
right into the action. Director and series creator Hideo Kojima’s response seems to have been to drastically neuter the length of cutscenes. They are still present, but are much shorter, and much of the game’s backstory and narrative is contained within cassette tapes that the player can listen to as they play. Do you want to find out what happened to several characters that have disappeared since 2010’s Peace Walker? That information is hidden away in tapes. Want to figure out basic details about some of your partners in arms? That information is found in tapes. The main character, Snake, having been quite verbose in previous entries (and now voiced by Kiefer Sutherland), is much quieter than he used to be. The story still has some interesting moments, like the scareinducing prologue and some interesting discussion of the power of language, but fails
to explain some of the stranger choices they made, or come to a satisfactory conclusion. Some subplots remain unresolved, and cut content that has been discovered amongst the game’s files suggest that the game was not finished when it was shipped. All this leaves MGSV in a strange position. Its easy to learn controls make it accessible to newcomers to the series, but the lack of explanations within the narrative make it incredibly obtuse except to people who already know a great deal about the series’ lore. Ultimately it is worth playing because it is so fun to play, but since series creator Hideo Kojima no longer works for Konami, the last Metal Gear game fails to answer questions fans wanted the answers to, and wrap the series up properly.
Sports
UNBC
UNBC
UNBC
Brady Stark | OTE
Sports 15
T-Wolves Women Open With Spirited Home Draw Brady Stark Team Member
I
n the first game of the 2015 regular season for the UNBC Timberwolves, the women put on quite a show in front of a loud crowd in P.G. Playing against their rival, the Heat, from the T-Wolves came out on fire with a plethora of chances on the Heat goalkeeper Joella Koblischke, but she stood tall and kept her team in the game. With the roaring of the crowd, the ladies in gold charged up field with crisp passes and fancy moves. Around halfway through the first half of the game, Sydney Hall broke open the score with a beauty dangle on the left side of the field before a nice touch of the ball, put it up and over the keeper for the lead. To have the wherewithal to fend off the tight defense of the Heat and angle the ball perfectly over the head of the keeper, was reminiscent of Christine Sinclair during the recent World Cup. And as the time wound down on the first half, the momentum was clearly on the side of the home team; all that changed in the second half. The UBC-O Heat came out in the second half with the burning desire to at least tie the game up and leave P.G with at least one point. For the longest time, UNBC seemed able to deny the Heat the goal they sorely deserved as wave after wave to attacking blue crashed the Timberwolves net, but goalkeeper Jordan Hall was equal to the task. One would lose track of how many times Hall had to come out of her net to either snatch up the ball in her gloves or kick the ball out of bounds just to alleviate the pressure. Time after time the Heat made beautiful crosses into the T-Wolves penalty box, but Hall caught the ball every time to keep her team up by one. One of the most intense moments happened in approximately the 75th minutes when striker Michelle Smith sprung free of the UNBC defenders and walked right into the penalty box on the left side before blasting a shot in the bottom left of the net, with the reflexes that would have made Catwoman jealous, Hall stretched out her right arm to keep the ball out and force a corner kick for the opponents.
However, the Heat were not to be denied. With less than 5 minutes left in the game, the Heat were awarded a corner kick. Once again, Courtney Hemmerling of the Heat place the ball exactly where she wanted in the middle of the penalty and in a mad scramble that confused even the most astute fan, Ally Ferronato bounced the ball off of her chested and directed past a sprawling Jordan Hall to tie the game at 1 apiece. The game ended as a 1-1 draw. Both teams had their moments to shine and the defenses of both teams were really the stars of the game. The women of the match had to be Fionna Raymond of the UNBC Timberwolves and Justine Drosdovech of the Heat. Despite having a last name that is a nightmare to pronounce, Drosdovech was always at the right spot at the right time. Every time midfielders such as Tianna Rossi or Sydney Hall decided to streak down the side of the field, Drosdovech was there to deny them a quality scoring chance; likewise with Raymond. Not only did Raymond have impeccable defensive skills, her positioning was really the highlight of her amazing performance. Working in tandem with Tanya Grob, the back line was nearly impenetrable the whole night. As the season continues, look for these two defenders to get even stronger as they get more and more familiar with each other’s tendencies. A fantastic evening with 20 degree weather was capped off by a performance that Timberwolves fans are hoping is a positive sign towards seeing the women get their first playoff berth in the CIS.
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