Digital Edition - May 26, 1997 by SPOKENewspaper

29th Year

Conestoga College, Kitchener

— No. 16

av 26. 1997

New drug Conestoga

rate increase for

RWAM

an enhancement to group health coverage that provides up to 20 per cent off the

by improved service, the Doon

price of glasses at a

Student Association (DSA) vicepresident of student affairs said

Cleaves said students should notice an improvement in services.

13.

Service

RWAM

Insurance Administrators Inc.

The agreement shows student

will

that a sin-

pay

$83.37,

including provincial sales tax, for

while a student who chooses family coverage will pay $166.71. the plan,

According to the 1996-97 student procedures guide,

went

“It

was get

this year’s rate

lot

to the old one, “but

The new plan

who

will continue to

which

allows students to use their student cards to avoid paying the full cost

of their prescription at the frfiarmacy counter. Problems with the pay-direct service offered by Seaboard Life this year were a factor which led the DSA to search for a new insurance plan. Cleaves said.

did Some

student

accounts were not

when

accessible

more.’

v-p of student affairs

lies.

entered programs in January

and February paid $40.38 and $37.35 respectively. In 1997, January intake students

numbers into their computer systems.

Students

who opt-out of the plan

the Sept. 15 deadline will get

outlines a

reimbursement cheques faster than they did before. Cleaves added. Cleaves said it wasn’t fair that

plan similar to the old one. The 1997-98 plan will cover 80

some students received reimbursement cheques weeks ahead of oth-

per cent of the cost of prescription drugs, including oral contracep-

ers

The new agreement

maximum

to a

annual

benefit of $2,000 per person.

Doon

students can have the fee

refunded ilar

they already have sim-

coverage, while students from

charged but

cally

may

receive their reimbursement at the

same

time.

Jones and the

medical

based upon a model used by

situation,

by Preferred Vision Services out-of-country

students should

to students,

Inc.

request

coverage if they want it. Smoking-cessation products will not be covered by the new plan. New services include a discount on prescription glasses provided

and

under the former plan. Because RWAM will receive all of the necessary information from the DSA and mail cheques direct-

Cleaves said if the DSA can’t answer a student’s concern, it will direct him or her to RWAM’s tollfree telephone number. is an He added that experienced insurance provider for post-secondary institutions, noting that the Conestoga plan is

other campuses are not automati-

RWAM

Students By Corey Jubenville

may

Ontario Student Assistance

Program (OSAP) rules aimounced by the provincial government may be a mixed blessing for Ontario’s college and university students. Under the new rules, 80 per cent

money a

$600 ing

will

student earns over

be calculated

how much

in assess-

assistance the stu-

receive from grants and bursaries

means

Trust

Fund

calculated in the

assessment.

money

students

according to a document released by Finance Minister Ernie Eves. Eves announced the creation of the

the provincial government money instead of being used to access

expressed concern that OSAP will offset any gains

less

means they

money from

the

will receive

government

to use as disposable cash.

Money from

the fund will be

who, for

financial reasons,

would

Some

by the

student

trust

have changes to

leaders

made

fund and will not be

plan

is to

rules put the

money

into an

financing.

endowed bursary fund. The government offer was originally good from May, 1996 to

offer of

to a government matching money, Ontario colleges and universities raised

March, 1997. By this time the college was supposed to have collected all the money they wanted the

over $250 million in funds. Over $235,000 has been pledged

province to match. However, Ontario colleges have

Conestoga College. However, money has been collected. To date, no money has actually been given out, but the

graduate.

also

being used to save

said the fund

fund in 1996.

new OSAP

not otherwise be able to attend,

This could lead to students having less debt to carry when they

used to assist qualified individuals

dent receives.

This

rest of the

get less under

such as the Student Opportunity

Jones washes up after a training exercise near Conestoga College, May 16. crew from Kitchener fire station 6 were getting experience in a real fire (Photo by Tony Kobiinyk) putting out a fire they set that morning.

Firefighter tori

Wilfrid Laurier University.

insurance.

New

cists get the right information.

Cleaves said.

.-5

r..

pharma-

their cards to help ensure

pay $51.58 and February intake students will pay $48.63,

^ i

dents will have stickers attached to

will

tives,

pharmacists entered their card

In September, stu-

students

Single

did get a

offer a pay-direct service,

Gerry Cleaves,

DSA

more.”

lot

$60.57 for single

and $121.14 for fami-

provider.

the cost of the

up, but

students

PVS

went up,” he said referring to new plan compared

“It

Gerry Cleaves provided Spoke with a copy of a new drug plan agreement for 1997-98, signed April 18 by former DSA vicepresident of students affairs Bev Cutone and an olficer of

gle

going

says Preferred Vision

College students’ prescriptiondrug plan should be accompanied

May

A pamphlet provided to the DSA

Kylie

Hose

cost more

will By Tim

plan

response

used to help students.

received another year to collect

Vicki Smallwood, chairwoman of the Ontario wing of the Canadian Federation of Students

only part of the

funds, according to Conestoga’s

executive director of community relations,

Wayne Hussey.

College council meets final time before faii term By Tim

Suggestions for improving the operation of council

Kylie

routine

Madeleine Poynter, vice-chair-

members before meetings,

ing for their recommendations for improving council on May

make discussion of certain

the job binders in the a recent environmental engineering graduate, looks through (Photo by Bob Puersten) 1 6 May on Niki, brother, her with office Student Employment

Recommendations were made

year term and that an academic committee be established.

For council’s future agenda,

Student job rate high, says college Job postings are only one of a range of services offered by the

By Bob Puersten The 1996-97 school year has

student

employment

office.

been a healthy year for job opportunities, according to Conestoga College’s manager of student employment, alumni affairs, and

Students, for instance, can drop off their resume to be critiqued free of charge, said Wright.

co-operative education.

access to a resume printing service and a resume word processing.

“We have

posted over

,200 jobs

year in our office,” said Mary Wright. “That’s over the total that we posted for the entire year last this

year.”

Wright said the student

that statistics kept

employment

office are

kept on a September-to-August basis, so there are still four months

For a

fee, as well, students

have

With the printing service copies are 10 cents per sheet, if printed on white paper, or 15 cents per sheet if a resume-quality paper is being used.

With the word processing service students submit their resume in a

months

case minor changes

need to be made. Information on writing resumes and cover letters, as well as on interview skills,

recommended improvements to the way council

months

communicates, suggesting minutes be distributed by e-mail and more effort be put into pro-

first six

of charge for the

who

Students

graduation.

after

have registered with the service will have their resume automatically sent to prospective employers. After six months, alumni who

student

Position

DSA

hires

The

May

Doon

Student Association voted to accept Steve

Harris for the position of enter-

tainment manager. The job pays $1,325 a year.

who was the promotions on the DSA last year, had been rehired for the same position Harris,

assistant

He said he has had some help from Gavin Fitzpatrick, who was the DSA’s 1996-97 entertainment manager. Now, he said, he is on own. “Gavin will help if I get in a jam, but I have to start experiencing things and dealing with them on my own. I pretty much have to go on my own initiative and skill,”

his

lounge

how he

for

administration

and full-

time students.

profile

another term on council. Also leaving will be: Mark Bramer, Mary Wright, Bev Cutone and

Susan Garlick,

Greg

Bums

of the recreation-

leadership program will the

new

become

vice-chairman.

Correction in the

Stepien’s

May 20

incovenience

name was

edition of

may have

spelled incorrectly below the page 6 photo regrets the error and any

SPOKE. SPOKE caused.

said

done.

September.

manager, resigned at the end of April, he presented the DSA with a proposal that he take over the

ment manager,

said Harris.

Harris already has

some

ideas

DSA

president Chris

“We

executive

the

for

hiring

DSA

filled, the

without a promotions

during this time that planning for the coming school year must be

will

Kroeker be

will

position

be sending out adver-

tisements with the student welcome packages which go out

promotions assistant and

about what students will see during the 1997-98 school year. “I’m not as far over as Gavin, in

looking forward to his new job. “I’m a people person. I love going out and meeting people.

terms of things like the Torture King. I’m not really into that, so you might not see anything that

the time

position.

Harris said he enjoyed his role

also like to entertain. I’m a third-

and

student

broadcasting

open up a

lot

in the future

he said. manager, entertainment As Harris said he will have the opportunity to learn more about the in broadcasting,”

farfetched.

some unique,

would

to see

different things next

Not everything, however, be

will

can still Harris said expect to see Yuk Yuk comedians, as well as up-and-coming bands students

ers.

manager

especiallly

Harris’ transition to entertain-

ment manager was

effective

May

would

put

Conestoga students “I

August

the

mail.

when people

That’s

are mot-

to get involved, so we should get a good turnout,” said

ivated

Kroeker.

Kroeker said there are certain for this position.

“Someone with a

different.

during weekday nooners. Harris’ goal as entertainment

area,

qualities a person should posses

year,” said Harris.

dealing with agents and perform-

Doon

Gerry Cleaves representing

keep planning, if I’m always ahead of schedule, hopefully nothing will go wrong.” With the position of entertain-

hired as the 1997-98 entertainment

ing

accomplish

will

his goals, Harris has a plan: “If

assistant.

entertainment

ser-

about half the

filled for

cially important for the entertain-

of avenues for

community

vices, Eleanor Conlin represent-

nooners,” he said.

However, Harris said that when Tanya McLean, who had been

this position will

applied arts and

will

representing

a lot of people out for nooners and stuff. I would like to see the

ment manager

Harris said.

The summer months

this year.

year

on council

Lou Dyck

extension 562.

currently

council’s

the college.

Ron

said.

are espe-

as the

jecting

also

registering, stu-

student

New members include:

Poynter will not be serving

Members

dents are asked to provide six to eight copies of their resume,

Wright

college council meet-

new entertainment manager

At an executive meeting on

(DSA)

office for six

When

tration fee.

support for faculty,

The next

changes hands

By Lynne Thompson 12, the

employment

and

education

a resume referAlso ral! service, said Wright. It is free is

ly basis,” said Wright.

student

Wright.

college

issues.

“We also have a jobs hotline that students can call into to find out about the opportunities on a week-

the

office, said

discussion

and a discussion on academic

employment is located in Room 2B04. The jobs hotline can be reached at 748-5220

employment

on commer-

management

copies on resume stock. Any additional copies are extra. The students resume is kept on disk in the

available

are

advertising

quality

wish to continue using the service are charged a $25 annual adminis-

The job postings are updated daily, separated by program and

ing will be Sept. 8.

washrooms,

typed format. It is then retyped into the computer, using a style chosen by the student from a number of suggestions. For $15, the student receives one copy of the resume on white paper and 10

left for this year.

curriculum-delivery methodologies, a report from the school of

employment student career resource centre, both in handouts and resource books. available

currently are limited

two three-year terms.

to serving

cial

office’s

Members

members recommended hearing more evaluation of altemative-

business, a report

available in the

issues

less uncomfortable. It was also recommended that members serve only one three-

in five areas.

set-

ting time limits for reports being presented, and finding a way to

meeting

12, at the council’s last

before September. Ritu Pareek,

included: distributing reports to

of college council, presented the results of an April survey of council members ask-

woman

shows

will enjoy.

and not afraid

The

to get involved

with

position of promotions assis-

pays

tant

want

to get

Kroeker.

of energy

students.”

like to see a lot

student involvement.

lot

would be good because they will occasionally be called to emcee events. They should be creative, approachable for students, open

$880

year,

said

Steve Harris, a third-year broadcasting student and the nevi entertainment manager, is hard at work in the DSA office.

DSA

(Photo by Lynne Thompson)

College applications reflect good

Bv Hiintpr Malrnim By Hunter Malcolm

programs, down from 10 12,555 time last year. i

Despite the tentative enrolment statistics

which suggest that applictions for certain programs have declined since last year, Conestoga registrar Fred Harris sees the numbers as a reflection of the economy. “If you look at the trends in enrolment, one will notice that when the economy is strong less people are enrolling in schools”, said Harris.

In what Harris called a “perverse good side,” people will forgo enrolling in schools in order to find work when the job markets are stronger.

-Ua

at the

- > *

same

in the

ual people applying because each prospec-

Harris points out that despite percentage changes regarding program application

of average of this ratio at Conestoga is 5.3 to 1 or, in other words, there have been more than five applications, not individual people, for each space avail-

numbers

able.

Conestoga student

tive

two or more programs.

that the

relevent statistics at

time of year, before offers of acceptance

this

unemployment rate

in the

in fact display not but rather an increase

numbers of people actually out look-

ing for work.

“As the economy improves, people feel a renewed sense of confidence in the possibilof getting a job. When the economy declines, as it did during the first half of the 1990s, you see more people applying to ity

schools, in order to better their chances of securing employment when the job market is

thinner and therefore

more competative”,

Harris said.

As ing

the

since

1996,

the

be pickstatistics of to

Conestoga’s program applications seem to support Harris’s theory.

The registrar’s office at Conestoga has recorded a 2.95 per cent decrease in program applications, as of May 6. There were 12,185 applications to various

one looks

at the

“I

would be concerned if this were to contwo years in a row,” said business

tinue for

department chairman Bill Easdale. Easdale said that business programs saw a tremendous increase in applications starting in 1995 which continued through 1996.

there

changes in

September

the business department overall will have

ness program so appealing to students, he

received 4,000 applications which would actually exceed last years total of 3,630. Easdale ’s confidence, in large measure, is

said.

this

Rather than enrolling into programs with a narrow field of focus, such as microcomput-

based on the only program within the business department to show an increase in application numbers.

er administration, the application

The general business program has so far more applications than at the same time last year, an increase of 24.88 per

perpetuate proffessional long-term flexibili-

what he

ty-

Easdale said that the application figures are a reflection of prospective students responding to what the business community

calls a

wants.

“seamless education.” After students have completed their studies at Conestoga they have the opportunity to apply to certain universities in order to

“We have already begun to receive applications for the general business program next year, up until now that was unheard of,”

“The job market today requires

Easdale

get a bachelor’s degree after just one year. ty,”

numbers

indicate that people are interested in building a broader base of education in order to

Easdale sees these figures as a representation of a trend towards

computer administration have seen declines of 12.31 and 12.79 per cent respectively. However the accounting program has received 570 applications as of May 6, the second-best numbers ever. As well, the microcomputer-administration program

strong

still

cent.

very good and the apparent decline is only relative to last year’s numbers. Programs such as accounting and micro-

a strong pool of prospective stu-

Applied arts has more than nine applications per place while health sciences has more Aan seven.

received 108

said the current, tentative figures are

is still

dents.

It’s that pattern of continuing one’s education to better prepare for the changing market which makes the general busi-

Easdale predicted that by

ness department does not see the decline in his department as a cause for worry.

year

4.99 and 14.22 per cent respectively, the capacity ratios prove that at this point

maintains a five-to-one capacity ratio to draw from.

still

economy has appeared

to the figures recorded as

Applications for business Conestoga program application numbers September enrolment may currently appear to be down, but the head of the busi-

last

applied arts or health sciences, which seem indicate significant decreases of

6, the overall

Therefore,

for

from

According

May

numbers

application

to this year in a particular division such as

grams.

initially applies for

economy

...

•

bers to the actual capacity of individual pro-

By Hunter Malcolm

much fewer jobs,

The number of program applications does number of individ-

not, however, reflect the

Harris said statistics showing an increase

and confirmations are processed, is the number ratio of this year’s application num-

said.

said that overall, the business depart-

ment has a strong application base again

flexibili-

Easdale said.

this year.

School nurse unavailable for

summer at Doon

By Scott Nicholson

This will be the second summer without a nurse scheduled at the college, she said. Last summer Radigan was in the

After June 25, Conestoga’s Doon will be without a nurse

campus

until the

beginning of the next

health office

Trish Weiler,

who

would come

took over the

from Carol Ann Nelson on Feb. 12, will be gone for the months of

assistance at school during the

July and August.

months of July and August, they

Radigan,

health, safety

who

If a student

can

oversees the

and environmental

Canadian

college

get

most

typical

school-related injuries.

For students with any questions or concerns regarding sexually transmitted diseases, Radigan said

she could offer pamphlets on the matter give referals to counselling

Farmers’ Knowledge...

Farmers’ Seeds.

Sunrayce, so if we put in a good show, we will consider ourselves

Two basic ingredients for \.,.y

successful.”

securing the world's food

Clements said the winners are determined by the accumulated time used to complete the entire

supply.

race.

Time

penalties

are

batteries, leaving the race route

Support use Canada's food security

also

added for any infraction of the rules such as having to change and speeding. “We would like

all

or community agencies.

budget power for the duration of^, and cash donated are totalled. we’ll' win,” unlikely the day’s journey will mean am “It’s slower pace. * Clements said. “But it’s not necessary that we win. We’re the first Universities and colleges fi-om

changes are aU that is required to all over North America have prepare Conestoga’s entry for the Sunrayce splar-powered car race ^entered the 10-day event in which the solar cars will travel from in June, according to Brent Indianapolis, Ind. to Colorado Clements, the team’s electronics Springs, Colo. manager. Each leg of the race will range Clements said lock washers from about 75 to 250 kilometres used on the car did not conform to Clements said. Sunrayce rules and must be At a recent inspection of the car changed. There was also concern in Indianapolis, Clements said about whether electrical switches he viewed many cars the in the car have sufficient current Conestoga team would be comcapacity to operate safely. The team is also waiting for two peting against “When we saw the other team’s new electric motors that will indecars, ours was as technically pendently power the front wheels sophisticated as any one of them,” of the car. Once completed, Clements said he said. But the $62,000 price tag of Conestoga’s car pales in comthe car should be able to reach parison to some teams that have speeds of up to 100 kilometres cars worth about $2 million when per hour or more. But posted the value of materials, services speed limits and the necessity to

to the health office,

aid and can handle

rather than a 12-

Solar car almost ready for Sunrayce Minor electrical and mechanical

come

security guards are trained in first

department's budget, Radigan said the nurse’s position became a 10-

month contract month contract.

still

does require medical

Radigan said. She said that she, as well as

department said that Weiler is on a 10-month contract. Due to a reduced number of students, a decreased demand for the nurse and fewer dollars in the

By tony Kobiinyk

into the office,” she

said.

health office as co-ordinator of the

manager and Brent Clements, electronics manager^display the almost jphoto byTony Kobiinyk) completed solar car scheldued to compete in Sunrayce June 19 to 28.

herself.

college’s nursing responsibilities

Kim

Jennifer Levitt, aerobody

“There were days when no one

term.

compete well

against Waterloo,” he said. “Sixth is the best a Canadian team has finished in a Sunrayce compe-

place

tition.”

Clements said the solar car should be ready for testing in a Conestoga parking lot by the end of the month.

programs

Please make your pledge to

and 234-9335 for Ottawa calls. number 006 4758 09 10

Africa and Asia.

56 Sparks Street Ottawa K1P5B1 (613) 234-6827, FAX (613) 234-6842 uscanada@web.net

use

by calling: 1-800-5656 use

IVIy

contribution $.

enclosed

(Postdated cheques are welcome)

Name:. Address:

Registration

(Please

and

indicate Apt. No.

and Postal Code)

— SPOKE, May 26, 1997

Page 4

SPOKE

perspective

Home don't

where the heart

Society should not

devalue teenagers

know about my

break-ins of occurred in the southwest part of Guelph on the

Iclassmates, but story ideas always

manage

invade what's

of about

left

brain cells at

trying to sing

are

through

the

Way

Milky is

stars

the

dancing

moon

happens

usually

and

course,

when

daylight

They had smashed a win-

the

dow

to sleep.

to gain entry, but there

really wasn't

comes only

much

was stolen and the damage enough for me to make a worthwhile claim to my insurance company. Except my incident had occurred at the northinflicted wasn't

frag-

my memory

west part of town.

One theme, however, seems to keep reappearing, and when I hear Tom Jones

possible they

"We

It's Not Unusual in ads for Mike Myers' new picture, Austin Powers, it comes rushing back to me as fast as

belting out

most people

know have

Kids,

uncontrollable urge to stay connected to their roots, especially those who've land-

ed in Canada from foreign shores. I figure if Tom Jones has the power to make me miss my homeland, other people must

Armenian Club and Schwaben Club make sense to me. These gathering spots give people a taste of their birthplace and inter-

ests.

when

myself in the mood for fish and chips and a pint of Newcastle Brown, or get the urge to drive on the right (left) side of the road or sit on Personally,

find

the top level of a doubledecker, can't

know

hop on a Concorde and roar across

the Atlantic

Ocean

London

afternoon, for that matter. there. If

we can handle

feel at

the smoke,

is. (British people must have heard about cancer by now, but you'd never

Suddenly, places like the Polish Hall,

common

pitch-black rainy winter afternoon, or any

that

gered.

allow them to share their

—

go down do the next best thing to the pub and watch some real football (soccer) with the rest of the poor sods. You can't beat sitting in a pub on a I

home

miss theirs, when the right buttons are pushed and the right emotions are trig-

for the

afternoon.

sergeant

this

think the kids

may have had

made

wheels.

It's

to your area," the

sergeant told me.

Ali's shuffle.

realize

to steal.

In fact, the stuff that

bank.

to the

stealthy marauders.

ments of them remain

me when my Jeep

report that

had also fallen victim

back in bed and write these fascinating columns in my head. But, of I lie

13. That's

what the police told I called to

when

May

evening of

4 a.m. It

rash

know

it).

swear I went into a Loch Ness pub years ago and every person in it was and it wasn't just tobacco. smoking Could this explain the numerous sightings of their monster? Anyway, there are always a dozen blokes in the bar who conveniently have dental appointments on afternoons of big I

—

matches.

The beer flows freely and accents as London fog bounce around

throughout Britain that upon hearing somebody speak, you can tell which side of the street they come from, let alone

what town.

Now,

rivalries at football

exist. But, instead

opposing fans into the paths of oncoming locomotives, the weapon used to maim the enemy in th^ ppb is nothing more than darts at each other or pushing

Throughout the matches, supporters of both teams howl with laughter at immaculately timed barbs, fired at the opposition in rapier-like fashion. Most of them unprintable, of course.

But at the day's end, when the match is long over, local rivalries have been buried under numerous pints of lager. It

doesn't matter

port,

the lively establishments.

team to

been said the accents are so unique

responsible for the break-ins. Actually, the job on

vehicle did

seem

pretty amateur. After

which team you sup"home"

realize they're all the

us, even though they 5,000 kilometres away. Cheerio.

may be

all,

who would break into

a Jeep that essentially didn't have any goodies in it? It's a waste of time for a thief, and a nuisance for the victim. But the mention of kids continued to bother me. I

wondered what kind of kids drive around

night breaking into vehicles? Were they poor kids or bad kids? Or were they kids who had nothing else to

do and were just looking

for kicks?

If they did

razor-shag) wit.

thick as the

It's

matches do

of hooligans throwing

thought. Kids with a car, no less. The seemed convinced teenagers were

seems

teens

just

then it brings a multitude of disturbing thoughts for

are becoming the

kicks,

to mind.

Where do

unwitting victims of

teenagers

learn to be destruc-

a society

that is

tive rather than con-

structive

up speed

picking

and creative

with their time? I suppose one argument is that there is a natural element of chaos to being a teenager and that incidents such as this one are bound to happen, whether we nurture and Ill

reinforce proper social ethics or not.

Employees deserve fairness and respect t's

the

employed

shoplifters

world's

The reasoning behind

residents

preventing

but

the last thing

the

his mind.

electronic

watch his employees and

hate their employers.

devices

These feelings of contempt have existed for centuries and are sure to last for many more. Constant demands

monitor every word they say, white watching them on a television in his

instead

of requests,

employee

to ask

"how high" when told to jump are traditions in most job scenes. No one can argue employers have cerrights to demand a standard of accomplishment from their workers. But when the head honchos degrade, humiliate and dangle the threat of being fired over the heads of the workers, all employer rights should go out the window. Complaints from many employees at a Waterloo establishment display employee tain

its

clearest form.

The owner of

the

company has

set

cameras and microphones around the entire store. This may sound logical for

must pay for her education, no way she can afford to be unem-

fact she there's

ployed.

The owner preys on these feelings. He knows the economy is poor and jobs are scarce, so he pushes the limits of the

world? Are working parents relying on television and video games, inundated with violence, to entertain children when they are too busy?

workers.

victims of a society that

Some employees have gone as far as to compare the conditions of this business establishment to those of modern-day sweatshops. These environments are unclean, unsafe and unethical. Workers are dispensable numbers and their wel-

has less and less time for them. Combine this with less money for education and social programs which provide them with a productive outlet for their energy, and there's a problem. Perhaps teenagers aren't aware of the essential

fare is meaningless.

productive

Granted, employees should not be spending their time chatting, but if the conversation pertains to the company, they should not be degraded. The sad part is the owner doesn't care

about what he does to the emotions of his

workers.

A couple weeks ago, one employee told to put flyers

herself in the

Employers have breaking points.

was

on car windshields by

downtown Kitchener

park-

ing garages.

The fact she could have been raped, abducted or even killed for the sake of a cheap retail store was simply disregarded. If she had refused, she says, her job would have been in jeopardy. Given her current financial state and the

to realize people

No one

has to

have

yelled

or punished to be encouraged to do a

job.

Everyone has

rights

—

rights

which

should be taken seriously. If an employee is treated unethically, he or she should speak to the labor board as

seems

life skills

like teens are

becoming is

the unwitting picking up speed and

and conventions necessary

members of society. Maybe

become

they need

interactions with caring and inspiring mentors in order to cultivate a proactive civic conscience. I could be out of line with these thoughts, but

what

a couple of teenagers wearing the latest and playing a

clothes, sporting stylish haircuts

new-release

on the stereo in dad's car were on the night of May 13?

arrested for the break-ins

soon as possible. Measures can be taken to ensure fair treatment and safe working

SPOKE

conditions.

After lives,

all,

workers should not risk their

their

sanity

for

the

of employment.

Advertising manager: Lynn Jackson; Faculty supervisor: Jerry Frank is

children are not

two workers, or, heaven forbid, three, workers are caught talking, he immediately phones the store and threatens their

to intimidate the

SPOKE is published and produced weekly by the journalism students of Conestoga College.

address

more and more

as far as they will

Editor: Ellen Douglas; Photo editors: Tony Kobilnyk and Pat Craton; Production manager: H61dne Beaulieu;

SPOKE’S

law

office.

jobs.

the expectation of an

abuse in

unfair judgments and

purposes,

security

not a secret most

I of

But what

being encouraged to develop these social morals right from an early age? Is our society devaluing the importance of chil dren, and leaving naive and impressionable kids to fend for themselves in an increasingly amoral

299 Doon Valley Dr., Room 4B 15,Kitchener, Ontario, Phone: 748-5366 Fax: 748-5971.

N2G 4M4.

sake

mainly funded from S«)tember to

May by

Doon Student Association (DSA). The views and opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of Conestoga College or the DSA. Advertisers in SPOKE are not endorsed by the DSA unless their advertisements contain the DSA logo. SPOKE shall not be liable for any damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the amount paid for the space. Unsolicited submissions must be sent to the editor by 9:30 a.m. Monday. Submissions are subject to acceptance or rejection and should be clearly written or wped; a WordPerfect or Word file would be helpful. Submissions must not contain any libellous statements and may be accompanied by an illustration (such as a photograph). the

sports

Condors begin search By Andrea Bailey

James

will begin looking for

assistant coach.

Scouting for a

new Condors’

coach at Conestoga College began May 15, and, so far, two names have made an impres-

mind

sion.

look into that person

Kevin Hergate, a head coach in the Waterloo Minor Hockey system, and Robert Hooper, a head coach in the Kitchener Minor Hockey system, have caught the attention of Ian James,

have

“We

are looking for

who has been a head coach

looking

“We are

definitely

first

someone who

the

at the triple

for in a coach.

look-

level or at the ”

university level

ing for some-

one who has been a head coach at the triple

comfortable with,”

and see

Martindale,

qualifications

“We would

says

men seem

both

what can be done. If it doesn’t work out with that person, we would begin looking elsewhere.” The scouting process follows the departure of former head coach Tony Martindale and former assistant coach Jason Romanko. James says

Conestoga’s manager of athletics and recreation.

James

that

says James.

lead the

Condors

for

the past

two

from the day he became head coach Ian Janies that he want.

A level or

coach

at the university level,”

he says.

program and

student, finished his

has since

left the college.

James says once a new coaching staff is in place, hopefully

the

first

process

week for

around

in June, the scouting

new

players

will

at the

university level.

choose will be a joint decision

Athletes using the ice pad at the Keimeth E. Hunter Recreation Centre this summer will be skating on new ice. Recent problems with aged major components in the refrigeration

room

shut

down

the arena

at Wilfrid Laurier University. The job came with the opportunity to

mer ice

suitable

coach

chosen.

eventually

become head coach of

Up and away

just athletes.

choices.” talent

number

one.

The play-

our varsity teams, sochockey, whatever, are never all

They

strive for aca-

demic achievement as well.” James says try-outs for the 199798 hockey team will begin Sept. 5

hockey

cer,

and academics are

athletics

treated as

Conestoga

for

excellence,” he says.

Waterloo area. From there, we’ll have tryouts and make some

won’t be the only qualification he will be looking for in a player.

developmental

Once a

mission

ers

“Both

at the

were able to fix before they lost the ice for up to

pated, so workers

during April while the units were fixed between the winter and sum-

able to develop

“The College

relying

Recreation Centre.

College recreation centre receives new ice surface

So it wasn’t a surprise when he took an assistant coaching position

skills in the players.”

on the new coach to bring me some names of players he has worked with in the Kitchener-

James says

“The players we consider and

“The person must have strong hockey experience and he must be -

coach,” says James. “I

begin.

clear

, r Manager of athletics and recreation ,

between myself and the head

By Rebecca Eby

seasons,

made

Golden Hawks.

— Page 5

hockey coach

for

Romanko, a former journalism

“In some cases, a coach already has a preferred assistant coach in

hockey

the

SPOKE, May 26, 1997

seasons.

Ian James, director of the recreation centre, said the repairs

were

completed just on time. “We were hurrying to get the ice back in for May because we have our youth hockey league on Saturdays and then the, adult on Sundays,” he said. Summer hockey schools will also use the ice surface, and public skates continue throughout the

three months down. “We caught

painted with lines and reflooded to meet the regulation 2 cm thick-

in a surprise break-

ness, Schlei said.

Milner said the procedure was for through the facility renewal budget and the operating

in the very early

stages, so therefore

paid

could take

on basically as a preventative maintenance job,” he said. James said the system, which uses brine to take heat from the concrete surface under the ice and it

uses

ammonia

had

to basically

budget.

“The cost was Schlei

to cool the brine,

new

be gutted and

He ice

The cause of the problem was ammonia leaking into the brine in

lines

two

had to be replaced, said manager of physical

skaters

ice surface.

noted, though, that since the

new and are

relatively thin, the

and

brighter

defined.

chillers so that these large

exchangers

total,”

won’t notice any differences in the

rebuilt.

heat

said

of he said. probably

in the area

$65,000 to $70,000

said that as the ice thickens

with the ice resurfacer then using a front-end loader to break and lift up the bot-

over time because of flooding after every use, the lines slowly dull and chip away. Other repairs to the arena facilities in April included fixing some of the white boards and replacing the kick strips at both ends of the

Sundays. Peter Schlei, lead hand at the recreation centre for physical

tom

ice.

completed, the floor was chilled to

received their annual coat of fresh

resources, said the quality of the

C and then flooded. Following this, the ice was spray painted white, flooded again.

paint and the floors in the dressing

summer

from

2-3

p.m.

was not hurt by the rush. He said the problem was antici-

repairs

resource, Barry Milner. Schlei said the old

removed by shaving

ice

was

layers.

After the equipment repairs were

Also,

-4 or -5

the

dressing

rooms

rooms were upgraded from vinyl to more user-friendly rubber.

DSA Used Textbook Sale August 25

Do you have textbooks to You

could have them sold

sell? at the

DSA Used Textbook Sale Textbook Drop

off Dates

Drop off your textbooks to the DSA Office April 28 to August 15 No

books

will

be accepted after August 15 ^

Mitch Free, a second year computer programming student, takes a few practice shots at the recreation centre on May 15. Photo by Andrea Bailey

More information available the

DSA Office or call 748-5131

around campus Groundskeepers ready for tree-planting season to establish

By Alison Shadbolt A hundred

at the

be planted Conestoga College

Doon campus

as part of the col-

June

trees will

lege’s tree-planting program. Each year about 200 trees are

planted on the grounds, 100 in the spring and 100 in September or

October.

belie the temperature by

announcing

(Photo by H616ne Beaulieu)

arrival of spring.

Spring blooming at college wood

By Alison Shadbolt

tect

Spring has been a little kinder than it was last year to the grounds of Conestoga College’s Doon campus. A long winter and an extremely wet spring caused many of the plants from the previous fall to rot last May, said Peter Higgins, head

groundskeeper

Conestoga

for

College.

“Most things this spring,”

coming well

are

with

this

year

keeping up

growth.

the

all

The

time of year for the groundskeepers begins when the snow melts and continues through

busiest

when convocation in June growth slows because of heat, he said.

The duces

grass grows quickly and protall

seed stems on about 25

acres of Conestoga College property,

said

them from lawn mowers and

keep the soil cool and moist. Flower gardens are also growing and require constant care, said Higgins. The plants must be staked up, weeded and mulched to make future weeding easier. Armual flowers are added in spring and any plants that didn’t survive the winter are replaced, he said. He grows flowers in his greenhouse at home and any extras are planted at the college.

said.

In fact, one of Higgins’s biggest

problems

chips to prevent weeds, pro-

Higgins.

Mowing

keep the grounds attractive for convocation takes much of the groundskeepers’ time. He said they must spray around

“TTiere’s always something new,”

said Higgins.

“They say a good

garden never stays the same. always changing.”

It’s

Higgins said he’s been busy sweeping up the dirt, sand and garbage from winter. Now he has other things to contend with.

“The worst thing is trying to groundhogs and critters

keep

back,” he said. “They’re

all

over

the place.”

Groundhogs

are especially a nui-

sance in the sports

fields,

said

Higgins.

“When

you’re chasing after a fly

you want to do a groundhog hole,”

ball the last thing

the trees and brick patios to kill

step

weeds. Trees are mulched with

said.

left

him with

little

chance

mer

made

sum-

The decision should be

week. A second groundskeeper, Peter Charlton, works in the mornings. this

Charlton was hired when a time groundskeeper retired

full-

last

trees,

but you’ve

college president John Tibbits four or five years ago. Putt said.

“There has been tree planting for 20-odd years,” he said. “It was sort of hit and miss as we put up a new building or as we needed some

between

costs

planting

“We do

try to get trees that are

fairly well established,”

said.

pay $500 a year, we’d be planting trees that were “If

we want

three or four inches high.” Higgins said the trees are usually

15 to 18 feet ized and started.

New

They

tall.

mulched

are fertil-

to help get

them

trees are staked for

about two years. “Stakes keep the wind from blowing the top of the tree, shaking the devil of

new

Trees added during landscaping new buildings and parking lots

for

Government has made heavy cuts to Conestoga’s funding over the last few years, including

almost halving grants for repairs, alterations and maintenance, he

“We

haven’t bled to death yet, tighter than it used to be,” said Putt. “I couldn’t go out and justify to the auditors that I bought but

it’s

on a building repair budget.” Donations from retiring staff, an adopt-a-tree program and a deal

trees

growing season.”

$4,000 and $7,000 a year, depending on the size and type of tree and whether they are on sale, said Putt.

the

year.

tree

said.

did lose a number of trees, which Sheridan (Nurseries) guarantees,” Higgins said. “So they

“We

The

student will be hired this year

to help.

trees,

lost the

to care

for established areas. Higgins said he’s hoping a

started

the program. Putt said.

bring back

With so much maintenance to do and so few staff members, Higgins said he’s glad he has more time this year to keep up with the work. Landscaping around the business wing and tree planting last spring

approach

on campus was

are included in the budget for those projects and are not part of

Putt, director of physical

Peter groundskeeper Head Higgins said he would prefer to start planting as soon as possible. Last year they were planted in June and the heat was hard on the

Doon

planned

will put in the spring set,” said

resources.

Daffodils outsido door five at

planting

visual screening.”

David

SEASON —

in the ground,”

been a little chilly, so there’s really no rush at the moment, but probably in the next month we “It’s

‘TISTHE

down

said Higgins.

and pulling off

root hairs that are trying

with Sheridan Nurseries help to fund the tree planting program, he said.

Gord

Sigel, a retired

academic

support professor from Conestoga about four years ago, donated several hundred trees near Homer Watson Boulevard, said Putt. “There have been all sorts of

attempts to raise don’t have to take

so we out of other

money it

he said. “And it still seems be working fairly well. The costs for what we’ve achieved have been fairly reasonable over areas,”

the years.”

“We’ve never been over staffed,” said Higgins; “The whole idea was of bodies, so when we got someone back I ended up with somebody for mornings to get rid

only.” If

more money were

available,

Higgins said he would like to see a trail through the forested areas and dedicated trees on campus.

When could

this

become

reality?

“Not until the government up a little money,” Higgins

frees said,

“because unfortunately there are things that need the money more than that.”

Cancer society warns about danger of successive summer tanning By Scott Nicholson

Cancer Society, people who work outdoors or

the days

sun’s rays

grow

longer, the

grow stronger and more

of us will be spending time out-

are blond or red-

cool water.

The

Canadian

Dermatology

burning than people with darker

Association reports that skin can be burned by ^e sun in 10 min-

skin.

utes, so the best thing to

headed are

A bum

doors.

who

a greater risk of

a sign of skin

damage

do is wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least 15.

this time, year at Every Canadians rejoice as they shed their toques and parkas and don their shorts and sandals. It is important, however, to remember

and the damage builds with each

cause blistering.

long pants, according to the asso-

the dangers of the sun.

“The last thing you should do is pop the blisters,” she said. “The open sores can lead to infection.” She recommended that if the

ciation.

In an effort to look good, we darken our skin and throw caution wind, all the while the to not realizing that the effects of causing could be sun the

carcinomas.

According

the

Canadian

The

sunburn.

nurse at Conestoga said severe sunburns Trish

bum

Weiler,

serious,

the

may

require

Otherwise, the best thing to do is to cool the body down slowly with

medical

treatment.

wearing sunwear a wide-brimmed a long, loose-fitting shirt and alternative to

screen hat,

Although the dangers of the sun have been apparent for a number of years, Weiler suspects there are the

some people, particularly in 18-25-year age group, who

feel

they are invincible to the

still

power of the

sun.

SPRING CLEANING

—

Peter Higgins of the groundskeeping department whippersnips the lawn near the pond behind Doon campus. (Photo by Bob Puersten)

student

life

SPOKE, May 26,

— Page 7

1997

School counsellors guided at conference _

weeks 13,000

By Colleen Cassidy regular and adult high schools, as

employment counselling

agencies, attended a conference at

Conestoga College May 16. The purpose of the conference was to learn about the programs

cialist,

Leith said most of the rejection letters were sent, not because the applicants were not good candi-

can better explain programs and admission requirements to their students and clients.

counsellors.

Jennifer Leith, Conestoga’s asso-

few

said the criterion for accepis based on the

requirement, she said.

general level high school program.

The overall mark, depending on the program must be a specific mark, while the marks for mandatory courses also must meet a min-

Lauren Divell, an admissions has long been a misunderstanding about what a community college is. It is not an institution that was set

imum

marks, as well as higher marks in the courses that are mandatory for the program they applied to, or, in

specialist, said there

standard.

for acceptance, while in others,

she said.

only English is needed. As well, courses that are specific

lor

been higher.

student for college.

unable

said the

Bill

Weber, a guidance counselCentral

Huron

District

Due

Doon’s literacy Conestoga College has its

now

lab,

which

more effort. “One of the reasons

Students receiving help for learn-

through

disabilities

ing

average intelligence, said specialMarian co-ordinator needs

fracking report released

they have to be gifted because others (with the same affliction) would have given up by now. They have tremendous work

May

1997 showed that more than

Mainland, many are relieved after getting an assess-

According

with learning disabilities. “A lot of people think that learn-

means slow

said Mainland.

ment

However, “they ’re

average range of intelligence; many of them are in a

at least in the

superior range.” In fact, students with the impair-

ment have only one or two parts of

for learning disabilities to many things they

find out there are

learner,” I

are

good

at.

“After years and years of being told they are stupid and that they are not trying, they don’t even

know

they have strengths,” said

Mainland.

From there, the students

their brain that

are taught to use the things they

ly.

are really

function improperThis means, in certain areas, there is a significant discrepancy

between the students intelligence and their level of academic performance. Some students with learning disabilities have to work 10 times as hard for school projects to produce the

same

Mainland.

quality

well,

result,

many of

said

the

have found very creative and complex ways of covering up

students

exceptionally well in

good

at to

enhance

their

school performance.

According to

literature

from Ae

special-needs office, a learning disability is not a result of such things as below average intelligence, being academically unpre-

pared, laziness or having poor physical Also, habits. study

impairments, cultural differences, and disturbances emotional English as a second language are

to perform one area but

experiences serious difficulties in another. Some examples are a stu-

dent

who has excellent math

skills

but poor language skills, poor written expression but good verbal expression, sophisticated written work which has poor spelling or the ability to learn concepts quickly but lacking

ethic.”

half of the students receiving services from special needs are those

ing disability

love work-

level,

Mainland in a recent interview. This comes after an annual statistical

ing with these students is because they are highly motivated,” said Mainland. “In order for these students to even make it to the college

Conestoga’s special-needs department have an average or above

who seems

when

explaining

them on paper.

The

grammar,”

and

She added the Internet was an

way

to provide tutori-

designed are having difficulty with classes, located in Room 2B22, which is across from Door 5. To assist students, the lab has a

some software hasn’t yet been purchased or found. However, Nicholas said Internet

number of software programs

access

utilize.

Nicholas

that

sciences

are

net-

worked. Networking allows students to access the programs from

student

to help students in calcu-

physics

appropriate

health

be used

who

Inte

week The

literacy

open

met access, Nicholas said. “The reason we have the Internet is that we have book-marked tutorials on the Internet that can

Nicholas said.

of September.

math and grammar. Nicholas added there are also two CD-ROM programs for the

means

lab is also the only comput-

er lab in the school with

lus,

said there are two algebra programs and a skills bank, which is

things done which, again,

The

working

then,

tutor, they will

and see where the mis-

lab will close until the second

which they can

classes.

with a grammar

hours of operation for

ogy

takes are.”

to assist students

not related to the disability. key sign of the problem

age them to take math and technol-

critique

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. These hours will be in place until August 18 when the

their disabilities in order to get

that

lab

the lab, said lab hours are

by Greg BIsch

impress upon the

must do they well in their courses, and encourstudents

ability of tutors,

the summer semester. Myrna Nicholas, co-ordinator of

Learning disabled smart, report says

thing he can do, he

The best

said, is try to

own words and

to a decrease in the avail-

reduced

U^lab co-ordinator Myrna Nicholas displays a

lege.

dents will go in and write in their

By Craig Vallbacka

sonware

in the general level, to attend col-

summer term

Literacy lab hours reduced for

potential

said he is concerned because becoming more and more difficult for a student, especially one it is

meet university requirements a education. at an chance Community colleges were set up to meet the educational and training needs and demands for the community they were set up in, to

the cases of mature students, their equivalency exam scores may have

who are

to give students

marks of those students who have studied in the advanced level will be increased by 20. She said some programs require both math and English to qualify

Watson

said Clin Secondary School in Clinton, he attended the conference to find out what the application process at Conestoga consists of. Weber said he was looking for information on hbw to prepare a

tr> to

tance into college

dates, but because those accepted may have received higher overall

Several staff and faculty members of the college spoke to the

enmp programs nrnorams must be he comsome pleted with a minimum mark

I \x7ofo,-.n admissions o/imiceirtnc specnA. Watson, Leona

have been

Leith said.

that are offered, so the counsellors

ciate registrar, said in the last

letters

mailed to applicants. Seven thousand of the letters have contained offers of acceptance to Conestoga, and 6,000 have been letters of rejection,

About 120 counsellors from both well as

I.**

als as quickly as they could, as

also available to students

who want

to use

work on

school-related project research.

But, she said, this will change in September when a 60-computer Internet lab opens.

Access to the literacy lab is available to any full-time registered student with student identifipart-time

cation. Nicholas said

any of the computer terminals in the lab. The lab also has CD-

students or continuing education students can use the lab “if they

ROMs

can come in the day and they have

which are not networked, but can be obtained by asking the

the

that

tutor.

For students who are not using Windows, there is a program available called Professor assist with certain

The

their registration sheet. I prefer

literacy

DOS

DOS programs.

lab

also

computers

being

are

used.”

The

lab’s

summer schedule

will

continue to restrict students to two of usage. consecutive hours

has

WordPerfect 6. have we reason “The WordPerfect 6,” said Nicholas, “is not as a clean-cut program for anyone to use. What it’s used for stuis, because it’s a literacy lab,

Nicholas said the reason for

some

students get

on the

this is

Internet

and lose track of time, missing their classes. Also, the limitation

allows the tutor to inform students

when a computer will be

available

if all are in use.

Sanctuary Summer Hours

Monday - Thursday 7 am Fridays 7

am - 5 pm

-OON

S/c,.

% R

Closed on Weekends your lunch break Stop by for a game of pool or watch TV dwng activities for the summer If you have any suggestions for students stop by the E)SA Office and let us Know!

Page 8

— SP®fe, May

Student

26, 1997

life

stoga holds 10th annual book By

Ian S. Pi

often busy

when the company

fair

come to visit. Bob Monarch Books of company attends many colreps

Trattner, a representative for

On May

13 the

ling resource centre hosted the

Canada Limited, said his lege book fairs in springtime so teachers can examine

companies sent representatives

the books thoroughly and have their orders delivered by the beginning of classes in September. He added that college bookstores are usually given 20 per cent off the suggested retail price and the indi-

10th annual bool^ll

Canadian publijf up display!

various books and videotapes in

to set

the blue cafeter!

examine them

he faculty were then invited to if any might be useful in the rams. If a faculty member wants

teaching of their j

a book to be use

an order for it. Jake Huschilt,

he has attended

lectronics faculty

said

sell

and finds them helpful, jnce, which is better. It gives you le representatives, and it’s more lid the focus is on the books, not

relaxed.” Huschil

on work, which said the fair

ticularly helpful

Heather Charles she decided to finding an ad forJ th|

when

‘R©\ljnd’ starts Then they

program tha^^as suspended from the Detwmfer Centre for

af» being

year^ias

again.

Woods^ faculty at the Detweiler Cent* said the proGeorge

gram was suspen^d because of a

demand «»r the skills that apprentices would receive in the electrical machihery apparatus lack of

rewinding and repair appreniceship (rewind) prc^ram.

before Christmas of 1998.

International Education took place

people already travelling long dis-

Woods

said

government cut-

backs have caused some changes to the program. For example: the number of hours an apprentice attends classes has been reduced to 6,000 from 8,000. Now, more of the class time is dedicated theory rather that hands on learning. He said the course used to be longer so students could get some

the the basic level of the rewind

So far, the provincial government hasn’t instructed the centre

said,

for thosi skills

the

begin-

ning to increase within the electrical

trade.

said

apprentices are taking the course

between

Woods return

May

5 and

May 30.

said the apprentices will to

their

jobs

until

they will come back to the college and complete

program

Just before Christmas.

In the spring of 1998 they will

practical training,

begin a second class. She said

they’re always ready to run a sec-

return to Conestoga to start the

ond

advanced level of the course.

instructs

and if the government them to, they will.

class,

The

May

meeting

annual

the

Association

7-8

the

University

Guelph.

The event was

also the regional

meeting for the Canadian Bureau of International Education, and was a joint venture between Conestoga College and University of Guelph. Karen Vanderkruk, an international

student

adviser

Conestoga College, attended the two-day seminar, which was designed for advisers of international programs from various colleges and universities in Ontario.

Only four colleges attended the seminar in Guelph. “I think it’s because of time frame,” Vanderkruk said. “A lot of them were not either available to attend because they’ve got other commitments during that time frame, or what happened is funding might have been a problem because of distance,” she said. “They have to stay over, so that could have been another issue.

tances to

commute

all

Humber

Londpn;

Toronto;

Barry Myette graduated from the electrimotor and apparatus rewinding and repair apprenticeship program (rewind) at Conestoga College six years ago and he’s

back

to teach the

same courses

to basic

rewind apprentice students. Myette said George Woods, a faculty member at the Detweiler Centre, asked him to instruct the first class of rewind apprenlevel

tices since the

program was suspended a

year ago.

The basic level of the apprenticeship program started May 5 and will end May 30.

immigration, she said. “Basically the workshops that they held were related to what we deal with, but

was also

Barry Myette instructs a class. (Photo by Colleen Cassidy)

some of

the stu-

come

across, or just

handle

this situation.

how So

training to teach college,”

Myette said. Although he has travelled to, and worked in, several cities in Canada because his wife has a job where she gets transferred and he “follows her around”, he has only taught at Conestoga and Elmira District High School. Myette said he became interested in working in the electrical trade when he was

dents in the basic level rewind program that he taught at Elmira District high school. Myette says he keeps coming back to teach because he wants to pursue a teach-

and

work

for the

has

company

worked there

more or

“It’s

less finding out

what plan has been

in place.

Some

said his father,

who worked

Electric in Lindsay for

say,

in the business longer than

bers, so they’ve been, shall

have.”

Conestoga College has between

30 and 40

international students

attending

during the regular school year, she said. About 12 are attending during the summer term in the general arts and science language option program. There are no other seminars planned for this summer, Vanderkruk said. “It’s hard to get

the

number of colleges and

sities

univer-

together without having a

conflict of time.”

instructor trical field

and his decision

to enter the

trade.

Myette said now people who work in the have to be a jack-of-all

electrical field trades.

well as being knowledgeable about the

electrical trade, they

need

know how

use computers. They also need to have a strong knowledge of plumbing, sheet metal

work and

said

carpentry, he said.

men who

started in the field

years ago are getting laid off and younger workers are staying on because they have these skills.

Some of the older men are returning to school to learn the skills but that may not help because they are still 20 years older than the

men just

starting out.

Myette said with all the changes towards more technology and educational demands

part-

within the electrical trade,

until

government has made such significant funding cutbacks and changed the program

recently.

was

a lot of exchange in that sense.”

“You need to go to teachers’ college to teach high school and elementary school, but you don’t need any specific teaching

him

did

there

He will be starting teachers’ college in September.

time,

to bring

an awareness to what some of the institutions are doing over others,” she said, “and to kind of share some of the things that they’ve

hired

teaching

hundreds and hundreds of num-

School. is

mind?

Vanderkruk said some of the workshops at the seminar covered topics like liabilities and waivers, and exchange programs. A representative from the consulate in Buffalo was there to talk about

in high school. His electrical teacher encouraged him to pursue it as a career. Myette said his teacher’s neighbor who owned Jordan Electric, in Lindsay, Ont.,

said he

how

there a plan in

of the institutions are dealing with

Myette said this is the fifth time he has instructed at Conestoga since he completed the apprenticeship program. He has also taught electrical and technology courses as a teaching assistant at Elmira District High

Scarborough.

ing career. He plans on teaching high school electrical and technology courses.

cal

handled?

Some students that were visiting from overseas in the past have ended up getting very sick or even dying, she said. Crisis management involves assessing the affect those incidents have on other students, Vanderkruk said.

from from

Centennial

crisis

international students,

University of Guelph. The other colleges that attended besides Conestoga were Fanshawe

from

management, she said, if something happened to one of the

Conestoga College in Kitchener from Guelph and back again, so both days were spent at the

Former ‘rewind’ apprentice student returns as an By Colleen Cassidy

way

the

meet

One workshop was devoted

previous years they actually

Ontario

and they will com-

November when

demand

WoDds

‘In

plete the advanced level shortly

now that has to be learned in the shop. Mary Love, administrator at the Detweiler Centre, said in the past another group of apprentices have started in a second basic rewind course when the first group has gone back to their jobs; the two groups have alternated between work and school.

However,

L.A. Livingston

had one day at the university and one day at the college.” It wouldn’t have made sense, she said, for

offered

started

Bob Coons (left) and Jake Huschilt, both electronics faculty members, examine one of the books on display at the book fair held on May 1 3 in the blue cafeteria. (Photo by lan s. Palmer)

•'^t^rnational-student advisers

will return to their jobs

until the fall

about a year,

By Colleen ^ssidy

nearly 10

said the displays provide a helpful service to fac-

and students alike. “There is no minimum order and the books can be delivered whenever they want them. We have everything from anthropology to zoology. The faculty get to keep the books we send so they can go through them with a fine-toothed comb.” Jill Douglas, co-ordinator of the LRC, said 28 representatives from 16 companies attended the fair. She said most were returnees to the event. ulty

search-

her faculty mail box. lir is an ideal setup because she

books above the suggested price because of the “Most institutions

are looking for every nickel they can find.”

a new course. )mmunications co-ordinator, said the fair for the first time after

ing for a textbool

price.

financial pressure they are under.

be the case when a representaduring the year.

tive visits the coll

She also said

member,

own

its

Chris Stahl, senior sales representative for Addison, Wesley, Longman, said most colleges and universities

ifair

(

“They come allj more time to tall

vidual store sets

bookstore was asked to place

General

years, probably

also contributed to his interest in the elec-

it’s

ironic that

the

curriculum so drastically.

He said the current curriculum would have been good about 10 years ago.

Election ‘97

A slim majority of students said make a real

First year nursing student

Dettman

differ-

ence in the upcoming federal elecdon.

about elections but has

thetic ,

students were responding to

become more

emmcnt”

and that their vote will make a dif-

issues.

ference. Five of the 14, however. said they will probably not boUier

because Canada’s political scene remains the same regardless of who is in power. First year micro computer software student Ren6 Johaimsen said it is the same result no matter

which party you choose to elect “Judging from past results of past promises,” Johannsen said,

seems each candidate’s main

platform never really

came

true.

interested this time.

am really frustrated

“I

time

with gov-

she said, “So yes, this

will vote.”

Other students planning to vote

was important

said their ballot

because

alt

“The

election will

going for like

affect things I

vote changing much. “I don’t think anything

Frank

Pigden,

accounting

will

please anyway. I don’t really ihbik they listen to anytiiing the public

has got to say,” Kropf said. Other students surveyed said they feel a general sense of confusion or apathy about the election, “I don’t really care,” said Vaiji in her first year

Kunjan

of a general

“I don’t

know who

to vote for.

turned 18 last year so this will be

By Bob Puersten

count. “I voted in the last election

and health care

—

14 lead-

really

quite

moderator

said

Anne Medina

to give voters a

chance to find out a about the important choice they will be making on June 2. Prime Minster and Liberal leader Jean Chretien said this is time to little bit

debate ideas. This

democracy

action.

Over the course of the debate, party leaders took advantage of the

important.”

Among those who said their vote would make a difference in how

own

forum as a bully pulpit for

made a sense of

Vaiji

year General

Business

public responsibility,

“Every

vote

counts,”

said

third year

mechanical engineering student, “If you don’t vote in the election

then you really don’t have a right to complain about what the poUti; cians are doing wrong.” Second year Early ^hildliood Education (ECE) student Came Southcott said she wants her vote to count for herself as

much a.s for

the election. “I plan to vote tor my own self. If I don’t vote, I don’t 1

right to complain.

M.ark Spittal year General

think

Frank Pigden year Accounting

Jane Kropf year Nursing

Business

a real difference in wh.it the parties are doing.” there

Chretien

pressed

with the question of how a job is government through created, intervention or by “massive tax which would provide relief’

money

Progressive Conservative leader Jean Charest, when asked by a

member

of the debate fending off attacks

“Our future, as a

our people.”

the other leaders.

former the government for problems the current government

on the education of

blamed

Conservative is

country, depends

Andrew Telegdi,

Liberal incumbent, Kitchener-Waterloo riding.

facing.

Cuts were needed due to the

for investment.

of the audience what he to provide tax relief for

would do

with young children, simply reiterated his policy to cut unemployment insurance premifamilies

ums, which he says will kill jobs, and cut income tax rates by 10 per cent.

their party platforms.

Kunjan

Rene Johannsen St year Micro Computer Software

Canadians are governed, many

Further,

straightword,

and

will vole again. Jobs are important

create jobs.

May

The purpose of the was ers’ debate

year

first

vote will count because the issues

have any

business program.

ECE

.student, also thinks his

Murray Dammeicr, a

change because £ think they will go ahead and do whatever they

2nd year

jobs.”

elected.”

year nursing

year Nursing

1st

Carrie Soutthcott

3rd year Mechanical Engineering

Mark

General Business student Spittal said,

difference for their first

Murray Dammeicr

Dettman

same views on important

the

said they felt their vote

Jane Kropf,

Jill

candidates don’t share

“Every year they do their job as is and see what they can do to get

student, also said she can’t sec her

Jill

was once apa-

said she

an informal survey on Doon campus on May 14. ’fhe survey was done a day after the party leaders debated in Toronto. Of the 14 interviewed, nine said they feel it is important to vote

“it

$42-billion

deficit

inherited

YOU!

Both Charest and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe chastised the prime minister for employment insurance premiums 1993.

being excessive. Chretien responded by saying premiums had been reduced and it

had been the former Conservative government which had raised the

When Global News anchor Peter Kent Preston

pressed Reform leader Manning on what should

Also,

when asked how a PC gov-

The only time the audience applauded throughout the debate

natural

was when Charest said “If there’s one commitment I’ve made to my

agriculture,

fisheries,

simply reiterated his party’s poli-

combined

cy of cutting taxes to consumers

sustainable development. Chretien, meanwhile, spent

so they can use the

money

payroll tax.

ernment would protect the environment, Charest said that the

be done about profitable corporations laying people off. Manning

resources

ministries

would be

new

ministry of

into a

diction Talk

most

is that I’m going to pass on to them the country I received from my parents.”

children

know dad, you are the one that messed up our country. You work 50 to 70 hours a lived so high ojf the hog in the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s; I have to is not the prodigal today Canada with problem the is week to pay for it! My conclusion

“My son

son,

it is

said to me, ‘You

want YOUR opinion.

the prodigal father!’

Write the

— Page 9

the point.”

in a tecent surve#*that they think

The

1997

second time voting and I did not vote last year. I just don’t see

By Ross BraOO

their vote will

SPOKE, May 26,

Kitchener-Centre Reform candidate Ronald Wil sonjj

editor.

— SPOKE, May

Page 10

Election '97

26, 1997

Women’s By Sarah Smith

issues vary by a gun.”

The

plan

also

various

lists

campaign platforms

the plan. “Massive job losses in

identify

industry, clerical occupations, hos-

groups,”

target

changes to the justice system made

pitals, child care

1997 federal election each approach women’s issues somewhat differently, according to campaign literature and conversations with party members. NDP and Liberal campaign liter-

by the federal government for the prevention and alleviation of the

falling largely

Kitchener-Waterloo riding.

The four main

political parties

the

ature both contain sections refer-

ring to Canadian

women and

the

planned changes to issues which directly affect them, such as job equality and crime prevention, while PC and Reform Party literature make no specific references to women. The Liberal plan contains a passage titled Safe Communities

which states that the current government has enacted amendments to the criminal law to give women and children increased protection against domestic violence.

“A

women’s issue is gun gun registration,” said

big

control,

Andrew

Telegdi,

the

Liberal

MP and candidate of the Kitchener-Waterloo riding. “Every six days a woman gets killed

impact of crime, such as eliminating intoxication as a defence

and education are on women.” The party platform emphasizes improving employment and pay

are

equity, a stronger public sector.

which particularly

Kavanagh

said the Conservatives

planning

changes in areas

in 1

997

“When you

talk

about women’s issues, they’re men’s issues as

a wife has breast cancer,

citizens’ issues.

women’s

it’s all

issue,

affects the family,

for violent crimes, and restricting

access to personal

files to protect

the privacy rights of victims.

The

literature also says achieving

women con-

equality for Canadian

and increasing child care spaces. “The NDP is the one party prepared to fight for an agenda

women’s equality,” says the literature. “Our fight for jobs, for for

tinues to be a high priority for the

education and for health

Liberals.

particular benefit to

According to the NDP plan, A for Canada’s Future, the current government is ruining good jobs for women and pushing

Framework

women

it’s

into poverty.

“Canadian women are being pushed into marginal jobs,” says

The PC

women.”

on the other hand,

party,

does not make specific references to women’s issues in its plan. Let the Future Begin: Jean Charest’s Plan for Canada’s Next Century.

“A

lot

Andrew

buy

of times they don’t clearly

annually.

Harris’

issue,

which received so

attention during the 1993

federal campaign,

any

air play this

getting

In 1993, the Liberal

promised

little,

time around.

to create

amounts

amounted

per

to $1.2

Telegdi cent

said

tax

to approximately

cut

$4.9

billion per year.

“We our

cut because

finances

we had

order,”

to get

said

“They cut four times as much because they wanted to give Telegdi.

a tax cut that benefits the people at the top income echelons. It just

increased child poverty dramatically.”

Part of the problem, according to

Ted

Martin,

New

Democratic

families, regardless of

in the riding

of Kitchener-Waterloo

such as education, safer

Woolstencroft said the issue is a of personal philosophy regarding who takes responsibility; either

Under Charest, first ministers would hold conferences to determine minimum standards for outstanding social issues and would have to agree to meet those standards before they would be issued any tax points. Martin said the

NDP

supports

transfers could be

any interest in the plan. Progressive Conservative candidate Lynn Woolstencroft said in an interview, the provinces were unable to match the money offered

in national standards and national programs. There are some rights that were ceded to the provinces but they can bring in a national child care program.”

because “the Liberals cut cash

But,

said Martin,

Reform

“The

federal

right to bring

candidate

Mike

ture

employment insurance

“I believe

body,

not just their

own

political

said the

“Anytime you lower a tax, it makes it more viable for employers to hire more people,” she said. “So that looks good for women, who are 52 per cent of the labor

tice

force.”

Lynn Woolstencroft, the PC cansame riding, says

domestic violence

another con-

system, but makes no gender

specifications.

“When you issues,

talk

they’re

about women’s

men’s issues as

well; they’re citizens’ issues,” said

Connolly. “If a wife has breast cancer, it affects the family, so it’s not only a women’s issue, it’s all our issue.”

election Talk “If there’s one commitment I’ve made to my children it’s that I’m going to pass on to them the country I received from my parents.”

Jean Charest, federal leader

of the Progressive Conservative party

election Talk The only choice

two separate countries.”

Gilles

Duceppe, federal leader

Facts

of the Bloc

Quebecois

and figures

Stats show day care declining over the years By H^ldne Beaulieu

Over three million children,

NDP would immedi-

day care plan. what the Liberals advocated last time; to create 150,000 new licenced day care positions.” Martin said, “Recent studies have shown that $1 spent in early childhood education will result in a $7 saving later on. That saving comes in the form of crime prevention and ately bring in a

“We’re

The last time Canada had a national day care

program was over 50 years ago during World War II when 30 per cent of all workers were

advocating

women.

“The needs of the people have to come before the needs of the corporations!'

New

Democratic Party

candidate, Kitchener-centre riding

mothers with young children are in the work force. 1986 13 per cent of children had licenced care. By 1996 the number had risen to only 16 per cent 1990 the Tories under Brian Mulroney pledged to have a national day care program by 1993. 1993 the Liberal Red Book promised to create up to 1 50,000 child care spaces over four years.

There

are 362,618 licenced day care spots in Canada,

Sources:

Why

and under, have parents who work or study over 20 hours per week. 1971 the number of licenced spaces rose annually by 10-16 per cent; 1990, 7.6 per cent; 1991, 2.9 per cent.

In Ontario 73 day-care centres

Today over 50 per cent of

social programs.”

Lucy Harrison, candidate, Kitchener-Waterloo riding

party plan states Reform’s

healthcare, education and the jus-

Did you know:

geted.

party.” Lynn Woolstencraft, Progressive Conservative

The

intentions to increase spending

payroll tax.

election Talk

MP is an MP for every-

as a

ture.”

easily tar-

r Oleetlon Talk

She

said the party also plans to restruc-

“If you single out groups, you tend to divide people,” said Connolly. “That’s what divides the fabric of our multicultural struc-

ple.

have

government has the

said

candi-

government or the peo-

riding, is that the Liberals

Quebec and British Columbia were the only provinces to show

Reform

matter

to 150,000

pledged $720 million to child care, contingent upon the provinces matching the amount. At the time,

streets,

health care and job training.

“Give it to the individual, give them the choice,” Connolly said.

revising the system so provincial

payments into one lump sum called the Canada Health and Social Transfer (CHST) making it difficult to target where money will be spent.

all citizens,

the

for

K-W

rolled all transfer

treatment for

whether

work or care home.

Party representative for the

December of 1995 Ottawa

women’s

A Fresh Start for

into the

in the

Red Book

child care spaces over four years.

all

their children at

billion

money

form of a child care deduction. The same deduction would be extended to

holds one-fifth of the $600 billion national debt,

The

hands of parents

they go out to

Ontario,

“The population has to push the provinces on it. There’s a limit to what the Feds can do.” Day care, which falls under provincial jurisdiction, was declared a government priority almost 10 years ago when Brian Mulroney’s Tories first announced their commitment to implement-

much

said

Connolly said upon election his party intends to put

which

cuts

Telegdi.

ing a national child care program.

into the scheme.

plan,

Mike Coimolly,

not only a

didate in the

campaign

federal

its

also does not

address

date in the riding of KitchenerWaterloo.

Mike Connolly, Reform candidate

provinces into providing it, according to Kitchener-Waterloo

incumbent

The Reform Party specifically

Canadians. The party believes in

well; they’re

our issue.”

Canadians want day care for their children, they’re the ones who are going to have to push the

Liberal

said.

fair

transfers to the provinces by 40 per cent. Something Jean Cretien finally admitted last week.” However, Telegdi said provinces had a choice about whether or not

cern of the party. “In terms of punishment for the abuse of women, I think we’re stronger than any other party,” she

issues in

federal election

By Heldne Beaulieu

women.

affect

Child care not priority for candidates

said

Suzanne Kavanagh, the campaign manager of the PC office in the

have closed over the past

two years.

There

are 25,000 children waiting for subsidized

spaces while 12-14,000 full-fee spaces sit

between $500 to $800 per month, per child. Day care workers earn an average wage of $18,000 annually.

Cana^ invests only one per cent of its Gross National Product in children while

European countries invest three per cent.

a national child care program.

Association of Canada;

The Gender

empty.

In Ontario, day care fees run

Child Care Advocacy

of Cutbacks, Canadian Dimension, March-April 1994; Kitchener-Waterloo Record, April 25, 1990; Politics

Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Feb. 16, 1996; Toronto Star, Jan. 28, 1997.

Election '97

SPOKE, May 2

— Page 11

Federal parties appeal to youth on Int^net By Craig Vallbacka The

has gone to first

campaign a new level. For the

federal election

time, the Internet

playing a

role in a federal election.

the

four national parties, Conservatives,

All

the

Progressive Liberals,

New

the

Democratic

(NDP) and the Reform Party as well as a number of lesserknown parties, have Internet

Party

addresses.

Brian Tanguay, associate professor of political science at Wilfrid

he thinks

Laurier University, said

the sites are geared towards people

under 30 years old. “At this point, it’s a good way of attracting certain kinds of voters,” he said, “because the Internet is basically a youth-orientated phe-

a really effective tool of political marketing.” For anyone who wants informa-

puter technology.”

it’s abundant on all of The party’s have full documentation on their party platform and most information can be downloaded to your own comput-

Although relatively easy to find on the Internet, the sites tend to be slow and are sometimes incom-

tion though,

the sites.

“One

thing that

dinary

is it

Eleetion Talk

“They tend

does allow people to

load

despite

thing that struck

a lot of patience,” Tanguay said. “For a number of users right now, the web sites are probably quite

the

means of communica-

the Internet.

transcripts, press releases, party

infancy, sites

gressive

eral.ca

ous election. I think that is at least, in part, a function of the new com-

of other

sites.

Although

the sites are in their

Quebec

J “1

Election Talk

the

to Kitchener-Centre

"mediator’s

words,

Manning could only play a limit; ed role in the debafe. conceded that witli Wilson young French Quebecers, who are known to be a key force in the separation movement, there

gual country.

language problem. “(However), 1 would beseech the Quebec young people to listen to .

“They gave tlje right to Upper Canada to speak in their own Ian-? guage, have their and develop their to

own religion, own culture.

go back to 1774,” said

in a recent interview. for a leader of “Therefore it is another party not to be able to

Wilson

we have a won-

—

in spite derful country of the politicians.”

Mike Connolly, Reform Party candidate, Kitchener-

Waterloo

riding

speak (the language).” This comes after the May 15, 1997 French version of the federal debate in which Preston Manning had to be dubbed over in French as he addressed the francophone

TelevisecJ election The leaders of the ties

—

five

the Liberals,

major par-

Reform

Party,

Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic party and the Bloc squared-off in the Quebecois

—

English language debate

May

14.

Jobs, medicare and social programs, government choices on the economy, national unity, and how well Parliament serves Canadians were issues that were discussed. In the area of jobs, both Reform Manning and leader Preston Progressive Conservative leader

Jean Charest said that tax cuts

were the way to relieve unemployment for Canadians. Meanwhile, New Democratic Party leader Alexa McDonough said the Canadian government should have targets in job creation, “the

same way we

reduce the deficit.” government should

set targets to

well, the

reinvest

education, research and develop-

ment, says

McDonough; balance

work opportunties, so that one third of the work force isn’t over-

are:

worked, as well as reinvest in the economy; and stop cuts to government programs. “You can’t shrink your way to prosperity,”

McDonough

said.

Prime Minister and Liberal leader Jean Chretien, defending his record, said by reducing the deficit, interest rates

were lowered

creating economic activity and, therefore, jobs. That, along with

Team Canada added 93.000 to the

Pro-

the

www.libLiberals,

NDP f

issue.s and his compassion and concern to keep Canada together,” said Wilson. He added that conmiunication would

be a two-way street and that Quebec’s youth would have to articulate their needs rather tlian just be angry. However, the province has seemed to be the party’s last priority in terms of Reform

have

Canadian economy

jobs

in the

Reform option

1 1

A...^

and

Reform.

Wilson also noted that there have been several francophone prime Jean including ministers, well

Chretien,

guarantee with the provinces, providing tax points to the provinces so that no other federal govern-

ment could cut unilaterally Liberals had done.

like the

said the Chretien

government had $7 billion from social program tranfers, while Charest and Manning wanted to

bilingual

leaders in all the other parties,

a strong separatist

Quebec

buL

movement

still exists.

“Let’s take

out of the non-

accountable leader’s hands,” said Wilson. "Let’s not do it at the top Let’s do

level.

grassroots to

essary because of the deficit left

tax.

TT«14?

Half of

«11 all unemployed are employment insur-

in poverty,

McDonough

and social pro-

grams “as seven out of 10 of the provinces had done.” area of government In the choices on the economy, Charest said choices need to be made and chastised he spending $10

Chretien million

for art

for the Millenium.

McDonough be

fairer, as

said taxes need to

some

rich people

profitable corporations

pay

and

little

that

Quebecois

Quebec and

wants to Manning’s! show them!

“willing to

^Minister and said [ Chretien

well.

Liberal-lea

“cold words”

that with

voters to fire their

liament

members of par-

they break their promissupported the concept.

None “You can’t have

a byelection

every month,” Chretien said. In the area of national unity, Duceppe said the only solution

was

for

Quebec

become

sovereign nation.

“The only choice is two separate countries,” said Duceppe. Chretien, Charest and Manning debated the nature of the distinct Chretien and clause. society Charest said the clause confers no on Quebec. powers special Manning said he tried to pass an amendment in which no extra powers would be transferred to

Quebec, only

for

unified Cal

onH Chatj^^^Hoting. and

it it

McDonoM^^^B prosperity

and

jobs were 4j^^^Puefense against separatism.

said.

government accountability more important?” asked Manning. Chretien, asked then He McDonough, and Charest whether “Isn’t

es.

said the government

cast

political

health care.

should balance the budget and then reinvest some of surpluses

19,

shing

they support recall, the ability of

a fundamenof Canada,”

]

seem

by the former PC government and, when the money became available, $1.5 billion was reinvested in is

tones who are Igh about the le stated in a /-Newsbroad-

tliey are

May

the that

ance, while 600,000 children are

into health care

on Ited stance

torm'ers didn’t

Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe wanted the federal government to return transfers to Quebec. Chretien said the cuts were nec-

Manning

However,! Conservatil recently

Quebec

their

Iparliament. Progressive Ir Jean Charest

toward Qi

was in reference Reform’s campaign platform

respectively.

characteristic

with

Reform me

willing to

legislation

lid

grassroots.” This

inelligible for

“Social solidarity

tin the draw-

average

t>ling

Canadian ing of ifl through

Reforra-Ct

Chretien said.

posed negotiating a health care

rid-

cut $12 billion and $15 billion

tal

ing in health care and education, ended up cutting $4 billion in transfer payments. Charest pro-

Quebec

ings.

that they are accountable to the

representation.

area of medicare and social programs, Charest said Chretien, after guaranteeing fundthe

McDonough

is still growing and in the June 2 election there will be the

party

people,

Preston Manning’s -

past year.

while having many candidates in all other provinces, not one riding in Quebec had a Refonn candidate. Wilson pointed out that the

debate gives viewers .

By Bob Puersten

bilingual federal leader in a bilin-

You have “I think

tor lives,

www.ndp.i www.refor

1993 federal election,,

Li the

audience in English,

‘

L r

addresses

Internet

Craig Vallbacka)

Reform According

and the Internet will definitemove up in importance relative the other forms of marketing.”

The

www.pcpa Cd

Tanguay said “the web

and merchandise information, and links to a number

accessible on

membership

Refonn candidate Ronald Wilson, events in Upper Canada in 1774 make it OK for Refonn leader Treston Manning to be a non-

Redmann

web]

of the federal political parties

of every candidate, daily updates on the campaign, speech

youth

Examples

ings

such as lawn signs, are much less in evidence then in any previ-

ByGregBisch;

referring to the separatist-

*»

“They’re extremely cumbersome and I think you have to use

Kitchener-Centre Liberal

•

repeated

be idealis-

candidate Karen

to use,

ever has before.

at that age.”

tic

didn’t

the Internet is playing a larger role

“One

graphing the growth of unpaid corporate taxes,

extraor-

Another problem with the sites is abundance of information. Aside from carrying the political platforms, the sites have full list-

tion,

site

frustrating.”

traditional

a kind of information source then

NDP

think over the long term, that will

t-ttn

such as a chart

site aspects,

have an effect in making voters more aware and probably more critical.” Tanguay said he thinks

ing votes. is

Some on the

attempts.

will play a large role in influenc-

stage and their function

its

download the entire party program, whereas before, people would have had to go to the party office to get that,” Tanguay said. “This makes it easier to access that kind of information, and I

than

more of

is fairly

not without

plete.

er.

nomenon.” However, Tanguay said he does not think the Internet sites

“I think they’re in their infancy

The technology flaws though.

have Chretien

vote with the separatists to defeat

the

ai^

how

well

-i^es

Canadians, Duceppe reiM|||ted Quebec’s need to separate ana said the Bloc was

Parliament

Ottawa

defend Quebec’s

interests.

Charest said the

last

Parliament

government unchecked, able to do whatever it wanted. “Mr. Chretien, for all intents and purposes was skating alone on the ice shooting pucks into an empty left

the

net,” said Charest.

Election Talk

“The multi-lateral agreement on investment is like NAFTA on steriods.”

Ted Martin,

NDP

candidate,

Kitchener-Waterloo riding

— SPOKE, May

Page 12

entertainment

26, 1997

CD review

treble charger creates perfect Ru Anita By Anita

Filouciri Filevski

Krcc bass

ino ing

i*j ^ r__ charger have been a solid force in the music scene since their debut in 1994.

1in/»c lines,

block-rocking riiythms, and sugary vocals. But Toronto band treble charger has long since perfected the process.

In the quest to create the ultimate

pop song, few bands can claim they’ve penned the perfect combi-

As one of

nation of dizzying guitars, pulsat-

the

And

while a lot of indie bands since then have fizzled out, treble charger continually come out on

more successful

indie rock bands in Canada, treble

pop sound

•

top because they know how to keep it real. They love to play music, and it shows.

MuchMusic threw

Nowhere is this more evident than on Maybe It’s Me, the band’s

Remember

and

current

first

major

label

release.

With lead vocals shared evenly by guiiarists Greig Nori and Bill

Maybe It’s offers a variety of musical stylings, rangPriddle,

ing from the almost anthem-like first single Friend of Mine, to the re-released power pop of Red, to the riffy guitar wars of Kareen.

And

with the recent addition of

drammer Trevor MacGregor, group

the

dynamics can only get

solid disc after another.

“nc 17” saw the band take over the indie airwaves with the powerfully descriptive Red: 1994’s

“Saw you lookin’ for a light/face painted cigarette white/You asked the cleanest boy you found/couldn’t see line

up are Rosie Martin, Trevor MacGregor, Greig Nori and

red Bill

By Anita

Filevski

interested in playing a group show.

one way, he says, the local bands support the scene, but he’s getting stressed out because nobody returns the favor. “There are a lot of good performIn

Tike

Name play

three places you’d locally

that

you

haven’t played already.

“Ummm

Centre in the Square,” answers Like A Blue guitarist Jeff Davis, laughing. Davis, a former Conestoga College general arts and sciences

scheduled to perform at the Old Button Factory

major, says the closing of downtown’s Volcano club has made it

Triance,

difficult

for his

band

book

shows.

no volume control on the

drums.”

Davis

ers here,” he says, “but they don’t

actively pursue gigs.”

A Blue is

May

minus

24,

Newly

who

singer

will

recruited backing vocalist

fill

Volcano’s

the

sound system, and incredible advertising as a huge draw for professional

large stage size,

Elliot

in for Triance.

“Our songs pop

sound. “The key not typical key changes. They’re well-crafted as

changes

are

to the quick-fix kind of

songs.”

Like A Blue has already recorded a five-song demo, featuring Other People, which appears on

local bands.

Wilfrid

But with that gone, what’s left? “You have to make your own venues,” he says. Davis doubles as the band’s booking agent/business manager,

Network 1997 Taster disc. But Davis is hesitant to describe the band’s sound as Brit pop.

—and

periodically

owners

calls

to see if they’d

up club interest-

ed in hosting a show. Most of the time, more than one band ends up on the bill so the owner can draw a bigger crowd. “I think I’m a good PR person,” says Davis, describing his typical

day on the phone. “But word of

mouth

is still

the best advertising.”

Davis usually phones other local bands himself to see of they’d be

Laurier

Musicians’

Earlier reviews have likened the

band’s sound quality to Suede and Shed Seven, comparing Triance ’s charismatic stage presence to the likes

of Brett Anderson and Rick

Witter.

And

yet at the

same

they are also compared to Rolling Stones and TTie Who.

time,

The

But Davis says Like A Blue’s songs have a more unique style and are taking their own shape. Davis writes all the opening guitar melodies and says he periodically gives the

make

“I usually have a certain idea about a song, usually a verse and a chorus,” he says, describing the songwriting process. “Tavi often

thinks the chorus

better as a

verse.”

for guitars, Davis creates his

sounds on two Gibsons. They’re copies, he says, but adds that he prefers Gibsons to Fenders because he likes a more classiclooking guitar.

He in

also says Gibsons are thicker

sound and he’s more comfort-

able with them.

are unconventional,”

says Davis of the band’s definitive guitar

opposed credits

Tavi

currently in B.C.

and tamborine player Jonah

hard to play a lot of venues because we can’t be loud,” says Davis of the band’s tendency to play at maximum volume. “In smaller places it’s hard because “It’s

there’s

turned around/As the from your wrinkled

dress/pictures of the people you’ve

impressed/hang on the walls

Unconventional songs Quick.

fades

guys homework.

“I’m entirely

self-taught,”

and the same glasses ing to steal her shine?

clothes,

With

this kind of track record, easy to see how early successes can contaminate a band, but treble charger seem stronger than

ever.

Friend of Mine, the

on Maybe

It’t

if you’re

But they’re trying not

think

to hap-

pen,” Davis says.

the

band’s

vocals.

In Stupid Thing to Say, Priddle puts forth the confusion people feel during relationships with his best, slightly higher-than-normal

Weezer-esque vocals. In Ever She Flows, the song just as the

title

indicates: a contin-

uous stream of dream-like pop, with vocals by three of the four members. So go out and buy Maybe It's

Me.

contains

some of

treble

charger’s best stuff to date, and of course, it’s guaranteed to be one of those discs you play the whole way through the first time you pop it into your disc player. If not, well then,

maybe

says Like

it’s

me.

A Blue do a few local gigs, and once September rolls around, they’ll In the meantime. Like

Blue

technically

but the big factor is money. They don’t have the financial backing to record.

for now, playing live has to

suffice.

about that name?

come up the name,” Davis says. “Tavi did, so I’m not sure why. I think it’s the sound, it “I didn’t

rolls off the tongue.”

branch out to Toronto and hopefully be playing every week.

smiles.

for future recordings, Davis

to record right now,

will

most

capabilities, complete crushing guitars, honey drenched melodies, and taunting

And what

it.

just waiting for

track

the

with

good enough

He laughs. So far, audience response has been good. The band has been together for about a year, and no one has criticized them yet.

“We

first

Me,

Blue unique

says proudly, “so Gibson, reading this ...”

about

tiy-'^

it’s

.’’ .

goes to a treble charger show only to find, to her disgust, another girl with the same hairstyle, same

power pop

But through all this variety, treble charger continue to produce one

new

the girl in the white

and the the nerdy glasses who

MacGregor brings his love of old school punk rock such as Black Flag and The Descendants to the

more independent rock bands Sebadoh and Pavement.

of treble charger’s

shirt

representative

Teenage Fanclub and the Posies. Still, Nori and Priddle prefer

Members

the lead-off song. Morale, into heavy rotation.

stronger.

band, while bassist Rosie Martin worships guitar pop greats like

Priddle.

1995’s self= title saw the band take over the video world after

looks up from his guitar and

“Just think L.A.B. for future t-shirts.”

It’ll

be great