The Fulcrum - Vol 76 Issue 5

VOL. 76 ISSUE 5

sept. 24, 2015

This Week Days since the fireworks have not been used...

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IN THIS ISSUE Science matters P.4 David Suzuki speaks at U of O event

Folk in the City P.11 Ottawa music fest features famous indie folk acts Clash of the titans P.14 An in depth look of what’s driving the Uber-taxi conflict Gees take to fresh ice P.15 Woman’s team play in preseason tournament A word from the president P.19 Allan Rock opens up about his personal struggle with mental illness Di: This one’s for the boys P.23 Di responds to her male readers

NEWS And then there were four—VP

NEWS EDITOR

Eric Davidson news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061

finance steps down from SFUO

Taylor Davidson cites health reasons for resignation Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi Editor-In-Chief

T

aylor Davidson, vice-president of finance of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) resigned from her post at a Board of Administration meeting on Sept. 20. This is the second resignation of a member of the executive this year.

“I have a permanent illness that’s been particularly bad recently,” said Davidson, who didn’t attend the meeting. “I’m pursuing new treatment options but I haven’t been able to work properly or make it into the office.”

“I started feeling really sick about a month ago, so I knew if it got too bad then that’s what I

would have to do,” she continued.

“I didn’t feel it was fair to the students who elected me or my co-executives,” she said. “It was definitely the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.”

According to the SFUO constitution, the executive may appoint any federated body member to fill a vacant executive position until a by-election is held. “This by-election must be held between September 15 and October 31.”

The SFUO has not yet disclosed when the by-election will take place.

Davidson claimed the vicepresident finance position with 1,785 votes in the February elections, running on the Impact slate.

The six position executive committee is now down to four following Davidson’s resignation. SFUO president, David

Gakwerere, resigned on July 12, citing personal reasons.

Davidson did not wish to comment on the circumstances surrounding Gakwerere’s resignation.

Vice-president of communications, Roméo Ahimakin has been filling in for Gakwerere since his resignation. Ahimakin originally ran for the vicepresident social position in the SFUO elections, but lost to Hadi Wess by 39 votes.

The vice-president of communications position went vacant and a selection committee was charged with the task of finding a suitable candidate.

On April 8, Ahimakin was selected to be the vice-president of communications, while other candidates criticized the process.

Ahimakin has not responded to the Fulcrum’s request for comment.

VP finance Taylor Davidson has resigned, citing illness.

Photo: Marta Kierkus

David Suzuki weighs in on political environment at U of O event Former scientist and broadcaster encourages students to head to polls on Oct. 19

David Suzuki speaks about science in Canadian society.

Eric Davidson News Editor

David Suzuki delivered the keynote speech at an on-campus event discussing science, public policy and decision-

Photo: Eric Davidson

making in Canada to a large audience of students and community members on Sept. 21.

The crowd filled up the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) building up to the fifth floor, as they waited for the renowned environmentalist to take the stage.

Suzuki said he believes that in order for science to inform the debate on public policy, average Canadians need to understand it better.

“That’s why I went into television,” he said in an interview with the Fulcrum. “The poor status of science… is a reflection ultimately of scientific illiteracy among the general population.”

“At the heart of it,” he continued, “our challenge is that science should be as fundamental a part of our education as reading, writing and ‘rithmatic.”

The event also included a panel discussion on how science and evidence should be applied to public policy. The panel was made up of Debi Daviau, president of the Pro-

fessional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, Paul Dufour, director of Paulicy Works, Scott Findlay, associate professor at the U of O and director of the Institute of the Environment, and Munir Sheikh, the former chief statistician of Canada.

Some suggested that having more scientists in the public service and other areas of politics would advance the state of science in Canada. Though Suzuki agreed that it would be helpful, he said “it’s much more important that everyone, whether business people or lawyers, take science seriously.”

The event was sponsored by iVote, a non-partisan organisation that looks to bring students, academics, and politicians together for debates and

discussion about Canadian policy. Despite this, all of the speakers at the event were critical of the current government and its handling of science and scientists in Canada.

“There has been this terribly disillusioning process around science policy,” said Daviau.

During the Q and A section of the panel event, one fourthyear science student at the U of O voiced concerns about becoming a scientist in Canada.

“I don’t think they should be discouraged,” said Suzuki, when asked whether potential scientists in this country should be worried. “We need everybody in society to look at the world in a different way, and I think science people should be the same.”

4 | NEWS

Suzuki also emphasized that Canadians, especially young people, need to fill out a ballot on Oct. 19 if they want things to change.

“They have to vote if they care at all about the future,” he said. “What they do or do not do will reverberate through your entire lives.”

Although Suzuki believes it can be very difficult to affect the way adults vote, he sees hope in the future generations.

“When I look at children that say, ‘I don’t want any birthday presents, I want you to give me money so I can send it to the David Suzuki foundation, or World Wildlife Fund, that really touches me,” he said. “They see what the issues are.”

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U of O loses ground in top university rankings University drops 66 places in QS ranking Eric Davidson News Editor

The University of Ottawa dropped 66 places to 284th in the annual QS rankings, one of the most influential ranking systems in the world.

Its ranking also dropped among Canadian universities, from 11th to 13th.

U of O spokesman Patrick Charette said in an email that the school’s drop was partly due to a change in the way the rankings are calculated.

“We understand that the QS Rankings made the decision to dilute the very important ‘academic citations in life sciences’ category,” said Charette.

“As a result, our ranking has changed significantly.”

“We are disappointed by this change as it does not properly reflect our strengths and excellence,” he said.

But Simona Bizzozero, a spokeswoman for QS, told the Ottawa Citi-

zen that only 30 per cent of the drop was caused by this change, the rest being due to “a genuine deterioration in some indicators.”

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was ranked first, while McGill university was the highest-ranked Canadian school, coming in at number 24. The University of Toronto, traditionally considered the best in Canada, claimed the number 34 spot on the list.

Carleton was ranked in the mid500 range, with little change from last year.

Of course, the QS isn’t the only prestigious university ranking system.

“For 4 consecutive years, the University of Ottawa has been ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide by Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings,” Charette said in an email. The U of O currently sits at number 188.

The THE gives a heavy weight-

“We understand that the QS Rankings made the decision to dilute the very important ‘academic citations in life sciences’ category.” —Patrick Charette, U of O spokesperson

ing to citations, or the number of academic papers produced at a university (30 per cent). QS gives 20 per cent for citations in most categories, though it’s now less for “life sciences”.

International university rankings are relatively new, as both QS and THE started up in 2004. But they are becoming very important for universities looking to attract students and partner with other schools.

In the 2011 book Rankings and the Reshaping of Higher Education, author Ellen Hazelkorn argues that the impact can be widespread.

According to her analysis, rankings can influence the funding schools receive from their governments and determine which schools are desirable for partnerships. Universities in Brazil, for example, will generally not work with universities that don’t have top 500 status.

It can even affect immigration—in the Netherlands and Denmark, graduates from top universities face less stringent immigration requirements.

For the U of O, the rankings are important for promotion and as a measure of performance.

“Our University still ranks among the best universities in Canada and uOttawa researchers continue to excel,” said Charette.

Photo: Kim Wiens

Telfer unveils expanded finance centre New lab has more tech to increase students’ business savvy Eric Davidson News Editor

The Telfer School of Management launched its newly

renovated Financial Research and Learning Lab on Sept. 17, featuring new analysis tools for University of Ottawa students.

The new lab hopes to meet

the growing demand of exmpanding finance and accounting classes in Telfer.

“As we were seeing the success of (the lab), we started to think ‘what’s the next phase,

Telfer’s new Financial Research and Learning Lab has the same technology as traders on Wall Street.

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Photo: Eric Davidson

how are we going to expand this place?’” said Pouya Safi, the financial research and learning lab manager.

The lab contains computers with a Bloomberg Terminal, the same tool used by professionals on Wall Street, which can be used to extract and analyze data as well as make trades.

“It’s the most recognized financial research database,” said Safi. “It will prepare you for a job on Wall Street, Bay Street, and in the financial world in general.”

Located on the 12th floor of the Desmarais Building, the new space is a collaboration with the school’s library, and was initially opened in 2013.

But the new facility isn’t just for business students.

“We encourage students from other faculties to use it as well,” said Safi. “We have engineering students, we have

biochemistry students and economics students, that want to come use this base because they realize its importance.”

Safi also took the opportunity to launch the new Telfer Capital Fund, where 16 students will be using the tools in the lab to help invest money and manage a portfolio.

“The information and the analysis that we do using the terminals will now be incorporated into the Telfer Capital Fund,” said Safi.

“I use the lab for financial research on companies,” said Tyson Rigg, a fourth-year finance student and portfolio manager leader for the Telfer Capital Fund. Students then invest real money from sponsors, he continued.

The fund will also compete against similar groups from other Canadian universities, including Queen’s and Western, trying to choose the best

investments. They’re hoping the new hardware and increased computing power will help them confirm Telfer’s place among the top business schools in Canada.

“I think we have more than what it takes to outperform many of their benchmarks,” said Rigg.

“This lab provides us with real-time news on industry and the capital markets,” he continued. “It’s everything you could ever want in one terminal, there’s so much it can provide to us.”

Rigg and other students are hoping the lab can help them hone their investing skills and, eventually, make some money.

“We need to figure out what we can invest in today that will expand five years down the road,” he said.

The U of O and students like Rigg are betting that Telfer’s new lab can make this happen.

NEWS | 5

U of O using technology to beat mental illness

University of Ottawa student Jeff Perron’s app looks to reduce the effects of anxiety and depression.

Beatrice Au

Fulcrum Contributor

U of O launches virtual mental health clinic Social media and technology are often lamented for their isolating effects.

However, recent projects from the University of Ottawa are making use of this technology in a more positive way—to combat mental illness.

The University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute has recently launched a new online initiative, eMentalHealth.ca/Primary Care, which aims to help primary care physicians in supporting their patients with mental health needs.

This initiative is the first step in creating a virtual mental health clinic by providing users online e-therapies, ehealth coaches, psychiatrists available to answer questions from primary care workers on the phone, and a referral system to help navigate our complex care system.

“The (virtual mental health) clinic is part of our Vision 2020 initiative, which aims to reduce rates of suicide and suicidal behaviour in the Champ-

lain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) by 20 per cent by year 2020,” said Mireille St-Jean, undergraduate program director at the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa.

“The new website showcases a new decision support tool for managing depression and antidepressants,” said Simon Hatcher, vice-chair of Research for the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine.

The site is an offshoot of eMentalHealth.ca, an initiative developed by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. It’s site offers guides for mental health conditions, screening tools, a service directory to help physicians refer their patients, and handouts for patients and their families.

“The tool will help prescribers and their patients select an evidence-based treatment pathway that is often not easily available to non-specialists,” said Hatcher.

“The new website showcases a new decision support tool for managing depression and antidepressants,” said Simon Hatcher, vicechair of Research for the Department of Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine.

U of O student develops app to ease effects of mental illness But it’s not just the school whose developing new ways to treat mental illness—one student is trying to bolster ongoing mental health efforts at the U of O by developing an app called TruReach Health.

Jeff Perron, who is working towards his PhD in clinical psychology at the U of O, is taking on TruReach completely separately from his PhD work. He hopes to adapt TruReach to a range of mental health conditions.

It was born of frustrations with the lack of accessible services for the average person dealing with anxiety and depression.

“There’s really nothing that’s right there and instantly accessible to the average person,” said Perron.

The app is the product of years of research on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment.

“CBT is based around the idea that our thoughts, our feelings, and our behaviours are connected,” said Perron.

The goal of CBT is to train your

Photo courtesy of Jeff Perron.

“When it comes to depression and anxiety, the messaging is off, we need to help people understand that it’s normal to feel down at different points in your life.” mind to replace negative thought patterns and behaviours with more positive ones. Unlike other kinds of therapy, it doesn’t focus on understanding the origins of the problems.

Perron emphasizes that TruReach isn’t a health service and isn’t meant to replace face-to-face therapy, but instead a self-help resource that can support people dealing with problematic thinking patterns.

The app contains 18 five-minute or less lessons, which are easy to access and teach users cognitive behavioural skills at their convenience.

“For the younger generation, if it doesn’t work well, if it’s not easy to use, then we’re not going to use it, period,” said Perron.

What sets this app apart from others is the “thought journal” option.

In CBT, the use of a thought journal is not a new practice, but again, this platform of TruReach Health has made it more accessible to those who can’t afford, or don’t have time for tra-

6 | NEWS

ditional therapy.

Both Perron’s and the university’s initiatives highlight the changing role in the treatment of mental health.

“The delivery mechanisms have to change, we need to use technology to get therapy out to people,” said Perron, “otherwise we’re going to fall behind.”

“We’ve become accustomed to paying attention to our physical health,” he said, but “we need to get to the point where we pay just as much attention to our mental health.”

But we still have a ways to go, according to Perron.

“When it comes to depression and anxiety, the messaging is off, we need to help people understand that it’s normal to feel down at different points in your life.”

Perron’s TruReach health app can be found on Android and Apple app stores. The university’s resources can be found at www.eMentalHealth.ca/ Primary Care.

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News Briefs

Manhunt for Canada’s mostwanted bank thief ends Jeffrey James Shulman, a 53-year-old Canadian who has participated in many bank holdups and over 21 robberies, was caught by plainclothes police officers in Switzerland on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

He was seen driving on a Geneva street and was then taken into custody after five years on the run.

Jeffrey James Shulman, famously known as the Vaulter, faces extradition and the possibility of life behind bars.

“We are very pleased that Canada’s most no-

torious bank robber is finally in custody,” York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe told the Ottawa Citizen.

Ottawa police also believe that Jeffrey is responsible for multiple robberies that have taken place in Ottawa.

The total amount stolen from the Vaulter from the 21 robberies is not yet known.

York police authorities say there are several steps to be taken before Shulman can return to Canada.

—Sarah Miles

U of O project uses technology to improve life after a stroke iRecover featured at U of O Brain Health Awareness Week Maitland Shaheen Fulcrum Contributor

The University of Ottawa has partnered with the Ottawa Hospital on iRecover, a project that uses smart technology like iPads and Androids to treat stroke patients.

The project is led by Dale Corbett, scientific director and CEO of Heart and Stroke’s Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, and is a professor of Medicine at the U of O. Working alongside him are fellow professors Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi, a neurologist at the Ottawa Hospital, and Dr. David Park, the scientific director of the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute (uOBMRI).

Following a stroke, patients are forced to wait weeks, possibly months, for an opening in high-demand rehabilitation centres. In a limited hospital setting, patients are unable to

receive specialized therapy for regaining physical abilities, as well as cognitive abilities that rely on motor skills such as reading, writing, and speaking.

The goal of iRecover is to use technology to engage stroke patients and implement recovery strategies as quickly as possible. “It differs from the standard form of rehabilitation because it’s supposed to occur in parallel with the patient’s acute stay in the hospital,” saids Dowlatshahi.

“We use existing technologies, specifically mobile platforms like iPads and Androids, to deliver speech, language, cognition, and physiotherapies, all from the patient’s bed,” he said.

With a thorough understanding of brain disease as well as clinical experience in recovery, the doctors knew that the best care for patients involves quick action, it is often necessary for patients to receive treatment within three

hours of the event. iRecover focuses on “getting rehabilitation started as early as possible after stroke so that patients in recovery can maximize the end result for a better quality of life,” said Corbett, according to Tabaret magazine.

The new program has received an exceptional response. “We were very surprised to how quickly people took to this technology,” said Dowlatshahi.

“Across the board, they were adherent to all the therapies we asked them to try.” iRecover was among many projects presented during the U of O’s Brain Health Awareness week, which promoted the importance of brain health and neurological research. As incidents of stroke increase— there are over 60,000 a year in Canada—improving not only research, but also recovery methods, is crucial.

One of the most common and detrimental brain inju-

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ries, strokes affect all aspects of a person’s life, with results differing according to the affected parts of the brain.

“It’s something that, when damaged, has profound effects beyond the physical,” said

Dowlatshahi. “There’s emotional, cognitive, memory, and social aspects. It’s important not just to have acute therapies for just when the stroke happens, and preventative methods to stop them from hap-

pening, but we need recovery therapies.”

By introducing effective rehabilitation practices in the beginning stages of recovery, patients are given a head start back to a healthy life.

Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi talks about iRecover, a new initiative to help with stroke recovery.

Photo: Eric Davidson

NEWS | 7

Voting group says they’re tired of low student turnout

Apathy is Boring launches #5MMV awareness campaign Nicholas Robinson Fulcrum Contributor

In the 2011 Canadian federal election, less than 40 per cent of those under the age of 24 voted, continuing a downward trend of youth engagement in federal politics.

Apathy is Boring, a non-partisan, national organization is so sick of this.

“Our aim is to educate Canadian youth about democracy through art and technology,” said Cavan Riordan, the organization’s Research and Elections program coordinator.

The Montreal-based group, founded in 2004, is almost entirely run by youth, and is partnering with Elections Canada and several non-profits to boost youth voter turnout.

The group has started the #5MMV Campaign on social media, that raises awareness of the large number of youth voters —5.5 million—representing a significant electoral force.

But this group is often discouraged from voting.

Youth tend to face larger obstacles to voting, such as frequently moving and elections that fall within academic

sessions, when most students are busy studying.

Because voting is a habit —the more you vote the more likely you are to vote in the future—it’s especially important to start voting early, according to Riordan.

“Because youth are not expected to vote election campaigns of all major parties ignore youth,” he said. “Youth in turn are not inspired to vote so voter turnout stays low. Same thing next election cycle.”

Riordan says the habit can begin in any level of government in Canada, be it federal, provincial, municipal, or even in student union elections. Voter turnout in Student Federation of the University of Ottawa elections has traditionally hovered around 11 per cent.

Apathy is Boring is running a large ground campaign, getting volunteers to go to festivals and other events and talk about voting face-to-face with other youth.

According to Riordan, in-person interactions are far more effective at promoting electoral engagement, than holding formal conferences, which tend only to attract those who are al-

ready engaged.

Their work is especially important this election considering the recent changes in the Fair Elections Act that makes it more difficult for students to vote, as well as prohibits Elections Canada from advertising the elections, except for telling people where and when to vote.

Apathy is Boring has partnered with Elections Canada to disseminate their elections material, specifically their Ready to Vote guides.

Riordan believes there are positive signs for this year’s election. “I have high hopes that (youth voter turnout) will pass the 40-50% mark,” says Riordan, who also falls inside the 18-24 bracket.

“All opinion polls show a close race,” he said. “Historically close races have increased youth voter turnout rate for all demographics. This is the closest race ever.”

As of September 22, the CBC poll tracker says that there is only a 0.9 per cent difference between the first-place Conservatives and the third-place Liberals.

He is also encouraged by the 72-day

Members of Apathy is Boring work to promote voting among youth.

campaign—the longest in Canadian history—which gives voters more time to get informed and get organized.

Candidates and parties have never had so much available information

8 | NEWS

Photo courtesy of Cavan Riordan

online.

For more information on Apathy is Boring and how to get involved with the group, visit: http://www.apathyisboring.com/

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National News

Laurier introduces Hawk Pact to combat sexualized violence Initiative raises awareness of sexual assault at orientation week Meghan Gauvin The Sputnik

Ontario (CUP)—Alongside the typical promises of a high-energy time to help first-years adjust to student life at Laurier Brantford, this year campus administration is setting forth initiatives to ensure that students are aware of the university’s growing commitment to sexual assault awareness.

“We want to let everyone know that we’re making conversations about consent and sexual assault a priority during Orientation Week,” said Laurier Students’ Union in a Facebook post on Sept. 2.

One way that Laurier is hoping to educate incoming students about sexual assault is through the introduction of its new “Hawk Pact” workshop, which took place on campus during orientation week.

Catherine Mulvihill, director of student experience at the Waterloo campus, explained that Hawk Pact aims to cover topics of mental health, substance abuse and consent.

“These are all relevant subjects that we need to review,” said Mulvihill.

She addressed the fact that there are complexities to the nature of conversations about consent, and explained that Hawk Pact will be a first step.

Sexual assault awareness was a hot topic at Laurier’s orientation week.

“It’s a start to a really important conversation… It’s a broad introduction… we’re not trying to solve anything in that session but we want students to feel comfortable to start talking.”

“When we talk about substances and we talk about alcohol we do acknowledge when somebody is intoxicated… they can’t give consent,” said Mulvihill.

Hawk Pact will be introduced to Laurier Brantford’s first-years through a series of presentations by campus

leaders like, Adam Lawrence, dean of students, Laura Mae Lindo, director of The Diversity and Equity Office and Melissa DiLeo, from The Centre of Student Life and Engagement.

Orientation Week at Laurier Brantford also included the annual Mike Domitrz “Can I Kiss You” presentation, which has run on campus for the last five years. The presentation offers students a tangible explanation of consent and works to reiterate its importance.

Laurier’s Gender Violence Task Force is working with an organization made up of Laurier students and alum, called Advocates for a Student Culture of Consent (ASCC) to create Laurier’s first sexual assault policy and protocol.

Karly Rath, co-founder of ASCC, explained that by working to create a sexual assault policy, Laurier is making a commitment to help survivors of sexual assault, and “continue their education and life in the best way pos-

Photo: CC,The Sputnik

sible.”

ASCC will be presenting the policy to Laurier’s Senate on Nov. 20, and to the Board of Governors on Nov. 26.

Rath explained that Laurier’s Gender Violence Task Force is also currently working with advocacy groups within the student community to create a consent campaign called, “Consent is Golden: Do you get it?” The Laurier-wide campaign will begin this year and aims to focus on establishing the importance of consent.

Samara Canada report: dispelling myths about youth, apathy and politics Study shows youth vote impacted by direct contact with political leaders

Photo: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Selina Chignall iPolitics

iPolitics (CUP)—With a dismal voter turnout rate, young Canadians get stereotyped as being apathetic towards politics, but new research from Samara Canada busts that myth.

The report, released Sept. 9, found Canadians aged 18 to 29 were on average 11 per cent more likely than those

30 and older to be engaged in 18 different measures of civic and political participation, not including voting.

“It’s clear this generation cares a great deal about issues and their communities,” said Jane Hilderman, executive director of Samara Canada.

The findings come from Samara’s 2014 online Citizens’ Survey, which questioned approximately 2,400 Canadians about their political activity in the past year. These acts included signing a petition, volunteering for a charitable cause or working with others to solve a community problem.

But these high levels of engagement in both civic and political life haven’t translated into voting. In the 2011 federal election, only about 38 per cent of those aged 18 to 24, and roughly 45 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 voted. If this trend continues, it

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could spell trouble for the health of the country’s democracy, as there are roughly five million Canadians between the ages of 18 and 29.

According to the report, there are multiple reasons why millennials don’t vote: the parties’ messages don’t resonate with young voters, parties don’t try to reach out to this demographic, or—due to young people being more transient—the parties’ messages are not received.

Limited time, staff, and funding means politicians put their energy into reaching out to people they know will vote for them. With low voter turnout rates among youth, getting their support is being sidestepped in favour of those who are older and more likely to show up on election day.

The research shows in the

12-month period leading up to an election, only 55 per cent of those aged 18 to 29 had been contacted by a political leader. Three quarters of people aged 56 and above said they had been contacted.

“That’s a gap of 20 percentage points. That’s pretty big,” says Hilderman.

This discrepancy is concerning, she says, because if it continues, young people won’t feel invited or encouraged to participate in the election.

Samara’s research indicates contact with politicians can reinforce one’s ties to politics. Of those young voters who were contacted, 61 per cent said that elected officials decisions impacted their daily lives. For those who didn’t experience outreach, only 22 per cent held the same view.

However, since parties are trying

to get every vote they can, connecting with millennials can pay off on election day. According to the National Youth Survey of 2011, those who were contacted by a political leader were 15 per cent more likely to vote.

Getting millennials—and everyone else—out and voting is important.

Both for the political process, and for the health of the nation, says Hilderman. “Young people are going to be living with the legacy of the decisions that our political leaders are making today.”

With the election becoming a tight race, she says campaigns might have to think creatively on how they are going to win. It’s an opportunity for the parties to court the under-30 vote.

“Being able to tap into a new source of support could be the difference in winning or losing this election.”

NATIONAL NEWS | 9

Group says it’s no secret that students need to vote

Canadian Federation of Students looks to arm voters with information Spencer Van Dyk

CUP election Correspondent The Canadian Federation of Students’ (CFS) “It’s no secret” campaign is in full swing during this election period hoping to encourage students to vote.

Restrictions due to the passing of the Fair Elections Act in 2014 have made it more difficult for a number of students to vote. “(The ‘It’s no secret’ campaign) is to get students educated about postsecondary education issues, so that when they’re listening to candidates and political platforms, they’re familiar with the context of what’s going on and what to look for,” said AnneMarie Roy, deputy chair of the CFS. The Fair Elections Act states the Chief Electoral Officer is no longer charged with promoting the elections and encouraging voter turnout, which was at 38.8 per cent for the youth vote, measured as people aged 18–24, in the 2008 federal elections.

Also, the Act makes it more difficult for people to vote if their address is not up to date, as is often the case with students.

Roy said the “It’s no secret” campaign was started in response to the electoral reforms, specifically to drive youth voter turnout. She added that one of the goals of the campaign is to “get politicians to talk about our issues,” but also to encourage students to vote.

“We feel like this year it’s incredibly important for us to be on campuses, and also to do some outreach for the few campuses that are going to do advance polling,” she said.

The CFS is not the only organization campaigning to increase voter turnout. The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) launched its “Get out the Vote” campaign on Sept. 1, in collaboration with 23 student associations from across the country.

“The object of this campaign is to persuade students to vote and ensure their voices are heard,” said Erik Queenen, board chair for CASA, in a release. “It’s time students step up and determine how politics unfold in Canada.”

Vote Savvy is also trying to bolster the youth vote by partnering with universities, colleges, and other organizations to “promote political literacy.”

The organization hosts surveys to determine which political issues matter to students, and to demonstrate which parties are most aligned on those issues.

Roy said the government’s budget is a statement of its priorities, and that students should make every effort to be put on the agenda. She said tuition fees have tripled since the

Anne-Marie Roy promotes voting among students through the Canadian Federation of Students’ “It’s no secret campaign.

1990s, that current students have the highest student debt in history, and that the CFS is seeking solutions from politicians.

“It’s been a little bit disappointing

so far, we did hear a little bit from the Greens, and the Conservatives are talking about the same old thing: tax credits that we find are a little bit inefficient,” she said.

She added that CFS is participating in a Day of Action in collaboration with the Canadian Labour Congress, an organization representing Canada’s unions, which

10 | NATIONAL NEWS

Photo: Spencer Van Dyke

will coincide with campus advanced polls, which will be open on 39 college and university campuses from Oct. 5-8.

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ARTS&CULTURE

A&C EDITOR Allegra Morgado arts@thefulcrum.ca

(613) 695-0062

Ottawa bids farewell to summer at CityFolk

Annual folk music fest draws large crowds to Lansdowne Park allegra morgado arts & culture editor

T

he management team at CityFolk may have rebranded the festival this year, but they made sure that it stayed as true to its folk roots as possible.

Unlike its sister festival RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, which gets less and less bluesy every year, CityFolk was filled with folk acts big and small.

Van Morrison headlined the third night of the festival on Sept. 18. The 70-year-old Northern Irish singer attracted an older crowd, many of whom were wearing shirts with tour dates from the ‘90s.

Morrison abruptly began his set almost 10 minutes before the scheduled start time—a rare occurrence at concerts. The crowd was relatively relaxed and content to just listen to Morrison belt out a mix of songs from his 57-year career, except during big hits like “Moondance” and “Brown Eyed Girl,” where everyone sung along.

The end of Morrison’s set was almost as abrupt as the beginning, with him quickly thanking his band and the audience before walking off the stage. The singer barely chatted with the crowd, blending many of his songs together, and only taking miniscule breaks in between the occasional tune.

Sept. 19 was a dreary day weather-wise, but this didn’t prevent the festival from attracting large crowds for its evening acts. The Sheepdogs, a rock band from Saskatoon, performed at 6:45 p.m. for a soaked but excited crowd that rocked out to their hits like “Downtown” and “Feeling Good.”

The rain stopped minutes after they left the stage and the crew began setting up for the final act of the night, Of Monsters and Men. The Icelandic band mostly stuck to songs off of their 2015 album Beneath the Skin, including summer hit “Crystals,” but also included classics like “Mountain Sound” from their debut album, My Head Is an Animal.

Near the end of their set, they finally played “Little Talks,” the tune that everyone was waiting to hear, and the crowd danced and sang along to the energetic indie pop hit.

The group played one more song before exiting the stage, but came back for an encore of two songs, one being their 2013 single “Dirty Paws,” and thanked the crowd for coming out to their first show in Ottawa. As one of the lead vocalists Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir, said goodbye to the lively crowd, she said that she wished they could play longer, but promised that they would be back.

The final day of the festival, Sept. 20, featured British folk rocker Passenger. He interacted with the crowd in a playful way, joking around and graciously thanking everyone after each song.

Passenger played a mix of old and newer songs, encouraging the crowd to join him in the

thefulcrum.ca

Icelandic band Of Monsters and Men rocked out at their first-ever concert in Ottawa.

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

outro to “Scare Away the Dark,” closing his set.

However, the audience wanted more, and they continued to sing the outro until he came back on the stage for a two-song encore.

Wilco was the last band to perform on the main stage, ending the festival with more of a whimper than a bang. They began their set by playing their new album Star Wars in its entirety, before moving onto more well-known songs from their critically acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

The highlight of Wilco’s set was “Jesus, Etc.,” their most well known song from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

Although the festival’s new digs at Lansdowne Park were slightly more accessible than the previous location at Hog’s Back Park, there was a large divide between the stages unusual for festivals.

In order to go from the main Telus stage to the smaller Ravenlaw stage, festivalgoers had to leave the lawn and wait in another line to get into the Horticulture building, where the smaller stage was housed. Many fans opted to stick to one stage to avoid the constant lineups.

Although not drawing the same numbers as RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, CityFolk welcomed thousands of folk fans, proving that it is definitely an Ottawa staple that will continue to thrive in years to come. ­—With files from Spencer Murdock.

Passenger croons the crowd as he plays his hit “Let her Go.”

Photo: Marta Kierkus

ARTS & Culture | 11

Art gallery expansion includes U of O theatre

OAG announces $3.5 million fundraising goal allegra morgado arts & culture editor

On the morning of Sept. 17 media, politicians, and members of the local arts community met in the Confederation Ballroom III at the Westin Ottawa hotel for the launch of the Ottawa Art Gallery’s (OAG) “Art Now - l’art ici” campaign.

The event began at 8 a.m. with a speech by Alexandra Badzak, the OAG director and CEO, who welcomed the guests and introduced the board chair Lawson Hunter.

“The arts are vital to a vibrant community,” said Hunter to the crowd while discussing how the expansion of the gallery goes hand-in-hand with other projects in Ottawa, like the light rail transit.

Included in this expansion are new facilities for the University of Ottawa’s theatre department. The facilities will include a new 120-seat black box theatre, which is typically a simple performance space often used at universities for it’s versatility, as well as four studio-style classrooms.

These facilities will help grow the U of O’s theatre department, which is currently housed in Academic Hall, one of the oldest and smallest

buildings on campus.

The OAG’s new home at 60-70 Waller Street will be directly across the street from campus, next to the Rideau Centre, making it easily accessible to students. Those who are interested in visual arts can take advantage of the workshop spaces that will be available for public use in the new gallery space.

In order to make the dream of these new facilities a reality, the OAG is asking the public for help in raising money. Hunter announced the $3.5 million fundraising goal, $2.5 million construction and $1 million for programming and acquisitions of art for the gallery. The gallery has already raised just over $2 million.

Sara Angel, who is the founder and executive director of the Art Canada Institute at Massey College, University of Toronto, talked about the importance of art galleries in our world today. Angel discussed how galleries not only give us a window into our past, but also encourage us to share and learn with one another and with our community.

“Today the art gallery is about public engagement… about connecting with audi-

Lawson Hunterannounces the fundraising goal to the crowd at the “Art Now - l’art ici” campaign launch event.

ences,” said Angel during her speech.

The expansion, which is slated to be finished in 2017, will not only help the local arts

community grow, but help U of O’s own arts community grow with it.

The new facilities for the theatre department, the studios

Photo: Courtesy of Dwayne Brown.

for workshops, and permanent space for the prestigious Firestone Collection of Canadian Art, will give students a chance to learn about historic Cana-

dian art, while also exploring their own artistic expression.

For more information about the campaign and the gallery, visit http://artnow-artici.ca/.

The scientific method: approaching art with a new lens

Studio Sixty Six features abstract exhibit with U of O alumni maitland shaheen fulcrum contributor

It’s not a secret that Ottawa’s art scene is expanding and improving, and one of the city’s newest art galleries is proof of just that.

Last year, independent art gallery Studio Sixty Six opened for business at 66 Muriel Street in the Glebe. They have since amassed an impressive collection of local artwork and curated numerous successful exhibitions. The gallery’s current exhibit, Approaching Form, features four Ottawa artists, all of them alumni of the University of Ottawa.

One of the four artists featured, Gabriela Avila-Yiptong, recently completed her B.F.A. at the U of O and credits her time there as an element in her evolving artistry. Her paintings were inspired by landscape photographs, taken in areas that hold emotional significance to her.

“The theme really is memory and

U of O alumni combine science and art for abstract painting exhibit.

the psychological space you have when you experience these places,” she says. “Once I’ve taken the images that I’m drawn to, I collage them into something that doesn’t really make sense.”

She says that although her paint-

Photo: Maitland Shaheen.

ings maintain elements of representational imagery, her style has developed into “an abstract motif.”

Avila-Yiptong is not the only one who uses psychology as an inspiration for her art. Shelby Dawn Smith, also a B.F.A. graduate, says that her

minor in psychology is something that she often uses throughout her work.

“It’s very process oriented, I won’t really have a plan in mind when I go in to make my painting,” she says.

“I react to each gesture as I go. It usually ends up reflecting a subconscious kind of feeling. There is, even without your intent, always something underlying.”

All four artists featured in the exhibit are showing paintings inspired by elements of varying disciplines, including biology, the human body, psychology, and landscape.

Natalie Bruvels, one of the other painters in the exhibit, holds a B.S.C. in biology from the U of O, and uses this background in science in her art by focusing on the abstraction in anatomy. Jordan Clayton, the final painter featured, is a B.F.A. graduate whose paintings are inspired by microscopic organisms and scientific research.

12 | ARTS & CULTURE

Apart from participating in the exhibition, Smith is also organizing the U of O B.F.A. graduation show this year. This annual exhibit celebrates emerging artists who come from the U of O’s department of visual arts as they begin to pursue their professional careers. Studio Sixty Six’s current exhibit is a perfect example of the success these graduates can hope to achieve. “(It) really prepared me to enter the world of fine arts,” says Avila-Yiptong of her time at the U of O. “That’s something I really appreciated, and I was lucky to have such a good community at uOttawa.”

It’s clear that U of O graduates are a driving force in the development of Ottawa’s expanding art scene. As more and more talented artists graduate each year, the scene can only keep growing.

Approaching Form will be on display until Oct. 4 at Studio Sixty Six galleries, 66 Muriel Street, Suite 202.

thefulcrum.ca

Generous showcases the dirty truths about politics Local play satirizes the political world as federal election approaches Ryan pepper

fulcrum contributor There may be nothing better to get you in the mood for a federal election than a play about subversive, lying, cheating, backstabbing politicians, and the ruthless world they inhabit. Generous, is a play by Canadian playwright Michael Healey and was written over 10 years ago and is currently showing at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre.

The play opens with the ruling party on the verge of collapse as they face a vote of

non-confidence they fear they will not survive, and the immoral lengths they go to in an attempt to keep their power.

The second scene gives us another taste of depravity, this time in the world of business, through a woman who, as CEO of a huge oil and gas company, wants to do as little as she can for the environment and cares only about her next extra-marital affair.

What happens when a politician orders a murder to slip by in a vote? Comedy! And if Healey was aiming for a comedy he certainly succeeded,

with a cast of hilarious characters, rants against Canadian Tire, a quest to find Triscuits, a splendidly performed awkward post-sex scene, rants against twenty-somethings and excellent use of the word “fuckwit.”

Now that’s a good word.

Especially when it’s coming from the Prime Minister.

And yet making the audience laugh is only a piece of what this play really is. It fits squarely in the realm of dramedy, with strong elements of heartbreak. It’s also a textbook example of what

a satire should do—entertain, terrify, and deliver the harsh truths of life in a way that we can swallow.

Our heartstrings are tugged by the empathetic and sensitive Alex, by the hurt Lily, and her mother Maria, who uses a veneer of coldness and emotional detachment to hide great pain that she doesn’t understand.

Maria, played by Kristina Watt, a part-time professor in the University of Ottawa’s theatre department is the standout character, and acts as a foil to law clerk Alex.

Jacki Brabazoan, the assistant stage manager, is also a U of O alumna, with a minor in theatre.

Put on by the Great Canadian Theatre Company under the direction of Eric Coates, a former actor who spent four seasons with the popular Stratford Festival, this show is a fine start to the 2015-2016 season, and particularly pertinent in Canada’s current political atmosphere.

While the play’s primary goal is to be a political satire, it also succeeds at examining the human condition. The au-

dience is drawn in by the emotional moments in the play more than anything else. So if you’re already getting tired of the attack ads, false promises, or hearing about Justin Trudeau’s hair, take a break by getting in a quick laugh and maybe, for once, seeing a more human side of politics in Generous.

Generous runs from the Sept.

17 to 27th at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre, 1233 Wellington Street. Tickets are available for purchase online and in person at the box office.

Why it’s famous:

Madison McSweene y Fulcrum Contribut or

Produced by George Lucas, directed by The Muppets’ creator Jim Henson, and starring the legendary David Bowie, Labyrinth is a beloved cult classic about a teenage girl on a quest to rescue her kidnapped brother from the Goblin King.

The all-star cast and crew, including a young Jennifer Connelly, has drawn in audiences for almost thirty years.

Famous lines: Sarah: “Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great… You have no power over me.”

Jareth: “Everythin g that you wanted I have done.

You asked that the child be taken; I took him. You cowered before me; I was frightening . I have reordered time, I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you.”

Jareth: “Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave.”

Why you haven’t seen it:

More of a bizarre fairy tale than a traditional fantasy, yet too complex to be considered a children’s film, Labyrinth never fit comfortabl y within one genre, and doesn’t often get mentioned alongside classic fantasies like Lord of the Rings. It’s the epitome of a cult film.

Why it might be tough to get through : Labyrinth isn’t your average fantasy film. The conflict is centered more upon psychologi cal obstacles than physical, and you’re more likely to find riddles than swordfight s. So don’t go in expecting grand battles and fast-paced action.

Why you should see it anyway: Featuring original songs by David Bowie, MC Escher-ins pired sets, stunning Jim Henson puppetry, and a bizarre cast of goblins, fairies and monsters, Labyrinth is an imaginative masterpiec e. However, the film is equally adept

at depictin g the psycholo gical journey of the protagon ist as she grapples with guilt, trust and betrayal , and ultimate ly discover s her own power. The script cleverly riffs on fairy tale tropes without falling prey to irony, and surreal visuals immerse the viewer into an ever-shi fting land of illusion and deceptio n.

Fun facts: Canadia n children ’s writer Dennis Lee co-wrote the story with Henson, and the script was written

by Monty Python’s Terry Jones.

Sculptor Ron Mueck, known for hyper-re alistic nude sculptur es, was a puppete er on the film and provided the voice of the beast Ludo.

Most of the movies mentioned in Movies You Should Have Seen are available for loan at the Morisset Library!

thefulcrum.ca

ARTS & Culture | 13

S

ept. 16 marked an international day of protest against Uber. Rallies were held in cities ranging from Brussels to Brisbane to Ottawa, where cab drivers expressed their displeasure with the continued operation of the ride-sharing company.

“We are here to just protect our business, because I’ve been driving a cab for 20-25 years and I’ve never seen this kind of illegal cab before,” said Sam Roukoz, a local cab driver who protested outside of city hall on Sept. 16 with his fellow cab drivers, explaining that their business is down approximately 25 per cent since last year.

“Now we have to work seven days just to cover the last

Gilles LeVasseur, a lawyer and professor of law in economics at the Telfer School of Management, said that nobody thought a company like Uber “would impact so greatly and rapidly the stability of the (taxi cab) industry.”

But it did. Today Uber is worth over $50 billion, and is becoming a trendy transportation alternative for millennials and tech savvy adults alike.

Not only has Uber charmed the public with its cheap and convenient service, but it has also made it extremely easy for some to rake in a second source of income.

University of Ottawa alumnus Alex* has been a parttime Uber driver for almost a month now, and walked us

“I think (Uber) is the best thing for the consumer. Because it gives them a little variety and it puts some competition into the industry, which tends to drive down prices and increase the quality of the product.”—Alex, parttime Uber driver, U of O alumnus.

of that 20-25 per cent. That’s why we are here now. It’s too much. We can’t do that anymore.”

Relations between Ottawa taxi drivers and Uber drivers have been tense since the arrival of the ride-sharing company in the nation’s capital in October of 2014. Animosity between the two parties reached new heights this summer, when airport cab drivers went on strike to protest plans to raise their pick-up fees to five dollars.

Although the cab drivers hold their dispatcher Coventry Connections responsible for this fee increase, they also blame Uber for putting them in a tough financial spot in the first place.

Heated confrontations between Ottawa cab and Uber drivers—including a recent incident where a Blueline driver uttered a death threat to an Uber driver near the Château Laurier—are adding fuel to the fire.

However, the battle between Uber and Ottawa cab drivers is far from over and, in order for a victor to emerge, at least one party has to be willing to compromise.

Tale of the tape When looked at from afar both services perform the same basic function: they get you from point A to point B. However, as soon as you dive into the logistics of it all, you come to understand that they’re extremely different in practice.

Despite being contested by cab companies worldwide, the Uber ride-sharing app has been incredibly successful since its inception in 2009.

In cities like Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, and now Ottawa, Uber has shaken the taxi industry to its core, mainly because it offers customers the same amenities as a traditional taxi service but with the added benefits that come along with being a cutting-edge software company. *Alex’s last name is being withheld to protect his identity.

through the process that landed him a job.

“You sign up and you send in some documents, like your driver’s license, proof that you can work in Canada, and then they do a background check to make sure you don’t have any criminal affiliations and all that.”

Alex went on to explain that the whole process takes about five business days, which gives Uber enough time to make sure the driver’s car is no older than ten years and has been inspected by a mechanic.

Once he was hired, Alex, like all Uber drivers, began to pick up customers via the company’s smartphone app.

All the information a driver would need regarding transactions and dispatching can be found through the app as well.

Taxi drivers, on the other hand, go through a more complicated and costly process to acquire and maintain their job.

They are required to complete an intensive training course in order to get their taxi license. Their cars must also be inspected, and they can’t be more than eight years old.

A taxi driver is also re-

quired to have a taxi plate, expensive insurance, and must comply with city bylaws.

That last part is a major sticking point for Uber critics, who argue that the ride-sharing service is not subjected to these same rules.

“All these regulations, it’s all from the city, from the council. It’s not from us,” said Roukoz. “They put all these rules on us, for cameras, for metres, for the age of the car, for insurance, and now with Uber taxi and the illegal taxis we don’t see any (bylaws) over there.”

Needless to say, the two services operate under noticeably different business models.

Taxis are under the thumb of larger transportation companies, and the also must comply with city bylaws, and aren’t equipped with modern technological features.

Uber, on the other hand, has simple-to-use technological features that make it more accessible.

While Uber seems to have won the public’s support right now, it’s hard to ignore the giant Sword of Damocles that threatens to stop its drivers cold: the law.

Legal grey area All practicality aside, the legality of Uber is largely what sparked initial protests on behalf of taxi companies throughout the world.

Furthermore, the fluctuating legal status of Uber throughout the country demonstrates that there is no universal solution to solve the Uber-Taxi conflict.

While cities like Ottawa, Vancouver, and Calgary have deemed Uber’s operations illegal, Edmonton is considering legalizing the service on the condition that drivers earn a special license and are covered by commercial insurance.

Essentially, they want Uber to be a traditional cab service, which is something the

Can t servic fully is one going the

Jodie Côté-Mar Fulcrum Contr

these two ces peacecoexist, or e inevitably g to usurp e other?

rshall ributor & Kyle Darbyson Features Editor

company doesn’t want to do. Not being defined as a traditional taxi company affords Uber the legal wiggle room necessary to get a leg up on the competition in Ottawa, explains LeVasseur.

“Since the courts in Ontario have declared that this is not technically a ‘regular taxi’ activity, what needs does the City have to regulate Uber and enforce what is presently there?” he said.

Indeed, this legal ambiguity allows Uber to operate without requiring taxi licenses, plates, or extensive insurance from its drivers, which essentially explains why Uber fares are significantly lower than the average rate. They have no external costs for which they need to compensate.

This, according to local taxi drivers, is what is so unfair about this whole situation; that a company that is sharing the same industry and the same clientele is not subjected to the same laws because it follows a different business model.

“If they follow the same bylaws I follow, if they put a camera in their cars, they get a taxi license, if they have a taxi plate, if they have insurance, if they have all the safety features, sure,” said Amrik Singh, president of Ottawa’s taxi union, Unifor Local 1688. “We’re not afraid of competition, but the competition has to be fair.”

Of course, none of this has any real bearing on the consumer, who, in the end, is the deciding factor in which service comes out on top.

The customer is always right When it comes to public transportation, people almost always go for the cheaper and more effective service, which is what has given Uber the upper hand so far.

After talking to a number of students on the U of O campus, all of them sympathized with the plight of local taxi drivers, but guiltily admitted that they would continue to use Uber.

“It’s cheaper. I’m a student. That’s what I’m looking for, right?”

e x -

“We’re not afraid of competition, but the competition has to be fair.”— Amrik Singh, president of Unifor local 1688, Ottawa’s taxi union. plained third-year psychology student, Kaitlin Hare.

Customers are also very fond of Uber’s easy and effective app. People like its fluid use, and they know that the service is reliable and convenient since the integrated GPS function allows you to locate nearby rides almost instantaneously.

Cab companies, for the most part, don’t equip their drivers with the same kind of phone applications or online services. It’s not clear whether this is caused by institutionalized corruption or apathy that’s symptomatic of many aging industries, but this rejection of all things new and modern is definitely their biggest hindrance in this fight.

However, the cab drivers themselves shouldn’t be blamed for their service’s lack of technological panache.

When asked about whether or not taxis should be equipped with some of Uber’s features (driver ratings, dispatch information, phone apps, etc.), Singh agrees with the idea wholeheartedly.

“If there’s anything that needs to be changed it is technology… and that’s the duty of the taxi company. It is their duty to make sure the dispatch is up to 20th century,” he said.

Convenience over Safety Most of the cab drivers we talked to also contested that the customers’ safety is another big concern.

Many taxi drivers, including Roukoz, believe that Uber puts the life of its customers in harms way because of its lack of licensing and insurance.

Some Uber riders would argue that they don’t feel more or less safe in an Uber because of the company’s rating system, which allows bad drivers to be weeded out in a public forum.

In reality, both services have had shady incidents reported in the news and whether you’re taking a taxi or an Uber, you’re still entrusting your safety to a complete stranger.

While LeVasseur admits that Uber has the upper hand in the customer satisfaction department right

now, this might change somewhere down the line when the novelty of the service starts to wear off.

“Until there is, sadly to say, a tragedy that occurs, people will still take that risk. Because they see it as a short term opportunity. But then when they’ll be a crisis, for example, a major accident and you’ve got to ask yourself: ‘what is the coverage? What are the obligations of the driver’?”

Uber is so new a service and its organization is so shrouded in secrecy, that the answer to these questions are largely left without a clear answer.

Can’t we all just get along?

While people on both sides of the issue have plenty to disagree about, they can at least be united on one idea—if Uber and taxi companies are ever going to coexist together, some things will have to change.

Both the Uber and taxi drivers we talked to agree that their companies and services could operate peacefully. However, both have a different way of explaining the details of this coexistence.

“They can exist. If they have the same regulations, if they have the same insurance, (the) same plates. Why not? We don’t mind. But you have to be fair,” said Roukoz.

However, Uber drivers such as Alex believe this current competitive dynamic is working and will eventually breed better a service overall.

“I think (Uber) is the best thing for the consumer.

Because it gives them a little variety and it puts some competition into the industry, which tends to drive down prices and increase the quality of the product.”

This doesn’t mean that adaptation is impossible.

But given the fact that the public’s appetite for convenient service and peace of mind is insatiable, both sides are probably going to have to have to make some concessions in the future.

For this conflict to end, either taxi companies will have to adopt technology that will make their business more accessible, simple, and appealing, or Uber will have to drop the “renegade taxi” act altogether and play by the rules.

In the meantime, maybe you should take the bus and avoid this civic blood feud altogether.

SPORTS

SPORTS EDITOR Spencer Murdock sports@thefulcrum.ca

(613) 695-0062

Gee-Gees trample Lancers in dominant home win

Wendel and Stewart shine as Gees look forward to tough schedule ahead Spencer Murdock Sports Editor

F

ollowing a disappointing loss to McMaster, the Gee-Gees football team needed a turnaround performance before heading into the toughest stretch of their schedule.

The Gee-Gees turned in the most dominant effort of their season on Sept. 19, pounding the struggling Windsor Lancers 52-24.

Despite the steep margin of victory, it still doesn’t do justice to the Gees’ performance as they came out firing on all cylinders and didn’t ease up until the fourth quarter.

If you simply look to the performance of Gees’ quarterback Derek Wendel, the powerful win isn’t much of a surprise.

The fourth-year gunslinger absolutely carved the Lancers’ secondary up, completing 20 of 28 passes for 381 yards and five touchdowns.

Statistically speaking, Wendel’s name is all over the overall stats leaders in the nation ranking second in

touchdowns, third in yards per game, and sixth in completions. Of course a quarterback is only as good as the receivers around him, and Wendel has some serious weapons.

Fifth-year Ian Stewart is the go-to option in the Gee-Gee offence and he was fed the ball all game against the Lancers.

Stewart had eight catches for a staggering 188 yards and two touchdowns. The WendelStewart show was at its best on a 72-yard bomb that was close to being the pair’s third touchdown on the day.

Eyeing the schedule ahead, Wendel was taken out of the game and replaced with backup quarterback Victor Twynstra for the duration of the fourth quarter.

Windsor would get three touchdowns in ‘garbage time’ to ease their loss, but the damage was already done. The Lancer’s discipline wore thin late in the game, and a myriad of cheap shots and questionable calls plagued the waning minutes.

“The game might’ve gotten away from (the referees) a little bit,” said Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi. “I had a feeling the Windsor kids might’ve been a little frustrated and

been taking some shots at our guys. That’s all I was trying to get across to the officials.”

Apart from the late game issues, the Gee-Gees were still pleased with how the game came out, but the focus is on a bigger set of obstacles down the road.

Next on the schedule is Guelph who, along with Western, is the top team in the province, and is coming off a hard fought win over McMaster.

The trip to Guelph will be key to the rest of the Gee-Gees’ season—with a win, the Gees could be on their way to a home playoff game and potentially even a first round bye.

“Obviously we have a huge next couple of weeks coming up,” said Gee-Gee Ian Stewart.

“More of the better and midrange teams (are) all fighting for a playoff spot so every week gets more and more important.”

Stewart knows that their trip to Guelph next week marks the start of a considerably tougher schedule.

“Guelph is a good team as well, we know that, we’ve seen the film and we’ll have to dissect them all week and see what we can do against them.

The Gee-Gees’ offensive corp celebrates one of their many touchdowns.

I’m pretty confident in our offensive skills and think we can make some plays and get a win.”

Following Guelph, the Panda Game is scheduled for Oct. 3, Luckily for the Gees, the Ravens will have to travel to London to take on the undefeated Mustangs at their homecoming this weekend, a game that will not likely end well for

Carleton.

With the excitement of the thick of the year approaching, the team needs to be more focused than ever.

There has been a lot of talk on the difficulty of the GeeGees’ schedule this season, Barresi isn’t fazed.

“I was delighted to have this schedule,” said Barresi. “The thing that happens in games

Photo: Marta Kierkus

like this is what you see here, the second half comes and there’s a total loss of focus.

What we needed last week against Mac was a full 60 minute focus and we need to get ready and used to playing those types of games.”

The Gee-Gees take on the Guelph Gryphons on Sept.

26 at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed live on OUA.tv.

Women’s hockey takes to the ice in preseason action

Gees prepare for comeback year

Gee-Gees women’s hockey looks forward to a new season.

Photo: Marta Kierkus

Tima Hacini

Fulcrum Contributor The Gee-Gees women’s hockey team played at the University of Windsor in a preseason tournament against some stiff competition, hoping to set the tone for the season.

The team defeated the Manitoba Bisons in

their first exhibition game on Sept. 18 by a score of 4-2. The Gees prevailed in their matchup against the Bisons in a preseason game last year, so the win doesn’t exactly come as a surprise.

However, this year the Bisons welcomed 27-year-old forward Venla Hovi as an international recruit from Tampere, Finland. A twotime Olympian, Hovi has played for the Finnish National team since 2007. She competed in the Winter Olympics in 2010 and 2014, winning bronze in Vancouver.

Despite their A-list recruit, the Bisons struggled to tackle the momentum the Gee-Gees had built up during training camp.

“We had a great training camp,” said Yanick Evola, head coach of the Gee-Gees. “Our veteran players have shown the way during the first two weeks.”

Despite their success in facing Manitoba’s starstudded roster, the Gees couldn’t come through for a win against Windsor or Western. Nev-

ertheless, a valiant effort against the national champion Mustangs caught the attention of Evola.

“It was a really good weekend overall and a great way to prepare. We lost 4-3 to Western and we had lots of chances, it could have gone both ways.”

The team is currently looking to improve upon last season’s disappointing 8-12 record. They finished next-to-last in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) conference, just one place above the Carleton Ravens. The RSEQ is one of the most competitive conferences in Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS), boasting first and second nationally ranked McGill Martlets and Montreal Carabins.

The key this year for the Gee-Gees team is to improve their goal scoring as well as number of shots-per-game. Their schedule won’t get easier with regular matchups against the Martlets and Carabins, but that just means they need to prepare themselves as best as they can before the real action starts.

Exhibition games give a preview of the team’s

roster, and help the coach evaluate their players without pylons and skating drills in the equation.

Training camp is one thing, but real-game situations give the players a chance to think on the fly and react to plays as they happen, something that isn’t easily simulated during practice time.

Luckily the team has three more exhibition game opportunities at home, returning to the Minto Sports Complex on Sept. 26 and 27 to take on the Ryerson Rams and the York Lions. Following that, they will face the Queen’s Gaels on Oct. 3.

“We really like the team we have, but we know we will have to compete hard every day in order to have success in our really strong conference,’’ said Evola. “The girls are showing lots of good things so far, so I’m looking forward to seeing them develop and grow as a team.”

Modifications to the team’s roster are to be expected after their final exhibition games.

So far, according to Evola “the recruits have fulfilled the expectations” ahead of the team’s season, and home opener against rival Carleton Ravens on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.

16 | SPORTS

thefulcrum.ca

Check up on all the out of town scores from the past weekend between Sept. 16-20 OUA East Women’s Soccer: Ottawa 2, Nipissing 1 Laurentian 1, Carleton 0 Ryerson 1, RMC 0 Queen’s 1, Toronto 0 Nipissing 2, Carleton 0 Ottawa 4, Laurentian 1

RSEQ Women’s Rugby:

OUA Football: Ottawa 52, Windsor 24 York 23, Waterloo 14 Western 48, Queen’s 25 Guelph 33, McMaster 23 Carleton 19, Toronto 15

Concordia 29, McGill 14 Ottawa 91, Carleton 0 Laval 94, Sherbrooke 0 Ottawa 72, Bishop’s 5

Gee-Gees Women’s Hockey (Preseason): Ottawa 4, Manitoba 2 Windsor 4, Ottawa 2 Western 4, Ottawa 3

FulcFit food series: Mediterraneanstyle quinoa salad This salad is fresh, delicious, and healthy. A perfect mix for students!

Ingredients:

Photo: Allegra Morgado

Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi Editor-in-Chief

During the school year, it’s all too easy to let your eating habits slip. To help fight this, the Fulcrum has some essential recipes to keep you full and fit all year long.

This quick and delicious quinoa salad reci-

pe combines flavours from Greece to Morocco.

Substitute in some vegetable broth to make this meal vegan.

It’s also great for any student on the go, so don’t forget to make extra and pack it up for lunch tomorrow. With a $10-15 price tag, you’ll be sure to have a container of this mediterranean quinoa salad in your fridge all year long!

½ english cucumber, diced ¾ cup of grape tomatoes, in quarters ¼ red bell pepper ¼ green pepper ¼ purple pepper 1 cup of chickpeas 1 cup of red kidney beans 5 tablespoons greek spice 1 tablespoon oregano 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons salt 1 lemon Step 1: Cook the quinoa, and add to bowl (see below for full quinoa instructions).

Step 2: Dice the cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Feel free to use whichever colour of peppers you prefer. Add to bowl.

Step 3: Open the cans of chickpeas and red

kidney beans and measure out one cup of each. Rinse thoroughly before mixing with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 4: Add the spices, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Feel free to add more or less of whichever spice you prefer. Squeeze some lemon juice into the salad and mix thoroughly.

Serve chilled. Enjoy!

Quinoa recipe

225g quinoa 1 cup chicken broth 1 cup water Step 1: Pour the water and chicken broth into a pot. Cover until boiling.

Step 2: Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and cover again.

Step 3: Simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until water is evaporated. Fluff with a fork, and then add to the salad.

thefulcrum.ca

Sports | 17

S tephanie M ercier Holy Veale Fulcrum contributor

Mercier goes from stopping a puck to taking the pitch.

M

eet Stephanie Mercier. She’s a fifth-year nursing student, former goaltender on the women’s hockey team, and now a flanker on the women’s rugby team.

She may be new to rugby, after learning the sport in only three months, but this well-rounded athlete is making an impact after her transition to the sport for her final year as a Gee-Gee. We sat her down to get her thoughts on the team’s recent 91-0 triumph over the Carleton Ravens, what it takes to get in the rugby mindset, and her advice to new student athletes.

The Fulcrum: What prompted you to try out for rugby?

Mercier: Due to my nursing schedule this year, I couldn’t play hockey because there was no way I could make it to games. However, the first semester is all clinical work which means I could play a fall sport and concentrate on school during the second semester.

I had a couple of friends on the rugby team as I was doing the Student Athletic Council,and they told me to come try it out and see if I like it, and that I might have a shot at training camp. I then met with the coach and she told me I needed to play a little bit of rugby and know

Photos: Richard A. Whittaker

the game before I could come to the training camp. I stayed over the summer and played with one of the teams in Ottawa, learned the game and then went to training camp!

instead of going all out. You have to pace yourself.

mostly just concentrating on what I have to do in the game.

What do you like best about Gee-Gee’s rugby?

What are the major differences between hockey and rugby in how you approach the game?

The team is awesome, the coach is great, and it’s also a great opportunity to grow as an athlete. I’m constantly learning and the girls help me out and are so patient with me because I’m new. They are always there to explain and I really appreciate that.

Do you think you will continue to play after graduation?

I’m a goalie on the rink, so I wait for the game to come to me and I have to stay mentally calm the whole time.

I tend to fall back on my reflexes and have confidence in myself that I can stop a puck wherever it might go. In rugby I go to the play, I make the tackle, I’m running high on emotion and using that drive to go knock someone down or to get the ball or to run faster. I have to go be more intense and be more aggressive. I still have to keep calm and collected, but I’m a lot more aggressive than I would be waiting for a play and reacting to it. Another difference is the rugby season is two months going hard, and your body is tired every day.

You don’t feel good any time during the rugby season, whereas in hockey you train during the off-season, but you last through eight months and it’s more about maintenance throughout the year

Do you have any pre-game traditions?

I’ve been playing hockey for 20 years, so I definitely have my little ritual. I go in the room, re-tape my stick, place my pads, make sure my gloves are broken in properly, and of course listen to the same song, and make sure everything’s ready. For rugby I have my pump up music and stretch a little bit, but I’m

If I don’t break something! I’d like to and I have been playing club, and I really enjoyed playing with my team. If I’m around next summer I’ll definitely go back.

How did winning over the Ravens 91-0 feel?

It feels good. We go on and we don’t really concentrate on the score, we just have to keep doing what we can do and keep playing at the top of our game, regardless of the score. Of course it feels good to win but we have to stay concentrated. We can’t take it easy because we’re beating them by that margin. We have to stay focused on the game.

“In rugby I go to the play, I make the tackle, I’m running high on emotion and using that drive to go knock someone down or to get the ball or to run faster. I have to go be more intense and be more aggressive.”

18 | SPORTS

thefulcrum.ca

OPINIONS

OPINIONS EDITOR David Campion-Smith

opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062

Reach out for help

One in five Canadians will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives and young people are particularly vulnerable. University of Ottawa President Allan Rock looks back at his own experience, when he was an undergraduate, in hopes of encouraging students who are struggling to seek the help that is available on campus.

Photo: Marta Kierkus

Allan Rock

President, U of o It started when I was an undergrad in the Faculty of Arts here at uOttawa. I had just turned 18 and was still living at home. At first, I didn’t understand what was happening to me. I learned later that the sudden waves of paralyzing anxiety that swept over me more and more frequently were “panic attacks.” They struck especially when I was on campus: in the cafeteria, in corridors and even in class. My heart would pound, I would redden and perspire and struggle for control. I was sure that people around me could tell that I was “freaking out,” which made things all the worse.

Feeling very self-conscious, I began to avoid the campus. I came downtown only to go to class, and then hurried home.

I began to lose all of my confidence. I didn’t recognize my new self. I dropped out of activities and saw less of my friends.

I felt increasingly isolated and depressed. I just couldn’t understand why this was happening to me, or what I could do about it. It seemed that there was no one I could confide in. I didn’t feel that I could talk to my parents about it: they just wouldn’t understand.

I found it hard to admit to myself that I had a mental health issue. The very idea left me frightened and ashamed.

What did this mean for my future? Would I have to drop out of university? Who could I ask to help me?

My sister had just graduated as a nurse. She had moved away from home but she left a psychiatry text on our book shelf. I pored over it until I found passages that seemed to

describe my symptoms. And there I was: neurosis with associated anxiety and depression.

So now I knew (or thought I did) the nature of my problem.

But what about a solution?

I struggled on for many weeks, miserable and lonely.

Until one day when I was standing on the second floor of Simard, watching students in the lobby between two classes. I remember being overwhelmed by anxiety and feelings of isolation. I vowed to myself that I would do something, anything, to find a way forward.

That night I went through the Yellow Pages of the Ottawa phone book (a sort of ancestor of Google). I looked up “Psychiatrists” and found a list of ten or twelve names. It took me days to work up the courage to call, but I finally did: one at a time, telling their reception-

ists about my distress and asking for an appointment. They were all too busy, until one of the names I called answered the phone himself. He listened to my urgent plea for help and gave me an appointment for the very next day. I still remember the enormous relief I felt, just knowing that I was finally going to talk to someone about my secret.

I saw the psychiatrist every week for several months. I told no one, and especially not my parents. His professional services were not covered by medicare, and he usually charged $90 per session. There was simply no way that I could pay. In an act of kindness that I still find remarkable, he agreed not to charge me at all. (Many years later, when I was practising law in Toronto, I sent him a cheque with a note of thanks, expressing the hope that my contribution would enable him to see someone else in distress who could not pay.)

Over the next year, and with his kind help and advice, I regained my sense of perspective. I began to emerge from my self-imposed isolation. I engaged again, slowly and tentatively, with friends and campus activities. I came to understand myself better, with insights that helped me grow and develop as a person.

It was not easy for me to get help. And I was very lucky to find such a generous person.

He truly changed, and perhaps saved, my very life.

Many years have passed.

The world, and the University, have evolved. But some things remain the same. Anxiety, depression and other emotional issues are still very common on campus. And I know from my own experience how con-

fusing and upsetting these disorders can be. How they can make us feel isolated and alone.

But you are not alone.

One of the good things that has happened over time is that confidential counselling services are now so much more available on campus. Anyone who feels the need can arrange to see a counsellor quickly to be assessed.

Don’t try to solve these issues on your own. No need to find treatment by yourself.

Take advantage of the excel-

lent help that is available.

Call our counselling services and ask for their assistance.

Our counsellors are specially trained, sensitive to your concerns about privacy, and have a great deal of experience.

They will assure confidential treatment and follow-up.

Above all, don’t suffer by yourself. When I finally got help, it made all the difference. Over time, my symptoms diminished and then disappeared, never to return.

So please, do seek help. It is only a call away.

Feeling lost? Dealing with a problem? Want to talk to someone?

Contact the uOttawa SASS Counselling and Coaching Service: 613-562-5200 couns@uOttawa.ca Counselling services for: •

Personal issues: stress, anxiety, feelings of depression, loneliness, etc.

•

•

Relationship issues: romantic relationship difficulties, sexual concerns, roommate problems, family issues, etc.

•

Academic or career concerns: perfectionism, underachievement, low motivation, etc.

Developmental issues: identity development, adjustment to university, homesickness, etc.

Other campus resources

University of Ottawa Health Services

Walk-in clinic open 7 days/week

613-564-3950

http://www.uottawa.ca/health/

Protection Services 613-562-5800 ext. 5411 (24/7)

Community resources

Good 2 Talk (postsecondary student help line)

1-866-925-5454

thefulcrum.ca

OPINIONS | 19

Point/Counterpoint: Should people suffering from mental illness qualify for assisted suicide?

L

ast year, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the law that made doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients illegal, something that has already been legal in countries like the Netherlands since 2000. In recent years, European countries including the Netherlands have also made doctor-assisted suicide available for people suffering from mental illnesses as well as physical ones.

Mental illness affects 20 per cent of Canadians, and 25 per cent of deaths for people aged 15-24 are a result of suicide, according the to Canadian Mental Health Association. Should Canada consider extending doctor-assisted suicide to those suffering from mental illness as well?

No:Mental illness clouds a person’s judgement

Yes: Not offering doctor-assisted suicide to people with mental illness is discrimination

Maitland Shaheen Fulcrum Contributor

Those suffering from mental illness are not in a position to make the decision to apply for doctor-assisted suicide because their brain is not in a healthy frame of mind and their illness is clouding their judgement.

Assisted suicide is a respectful way to allow those with life-threatening illnesses to peacefully end their suffering. There’s a difference between assisted suicide in the cases of a senior fighting cancer and a young adult battling depression, because a person suffering from mental illness can still see their condition improve.

Mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder cause suicidal thoughts and tendencies, which can drastically worsen if not treated. These illnesses are deemed to be psychiatric disorders, which means that the brain is not completely healthy.

Someone dealing with depression is not in the mental state to fully consent to assisted suicide, because their illness may be drastically altering their state of mind.

Those dealing with mental illness severe enough to cause suicidal thoughts most likely believe that they have reached the peak of

20 | OPINIONS

Those who still may not be convinced should also consider Section 7 of the Charter: “the right to life, liberty and security of the person.” Doctor-assisted suicide allows all people to have control over their own lives rather than being denied access to it by a government.

By trapping individuals in a state of suffering, like a terminal illness, the government also acts

Photo: CC-detsang against the right to security of the person as well their suffering, and are ready to die. Those as the right to “not to be subjected to any cruel and feelings should not be ignored, however, unusual treatment or punishment” as it says in SecFulcrum Contributor proper treatment could help to change their tion 12 of the Charter.

Imagine two patients; one suffering from an inview drastically.

Pushing people away from the medical commucurable illness that over the course of a year slowly In addition doctors haven’t reached a connity pushes them away from treatment options for robs him or her of their muscular ability until they sensus on whether mental illnesses qualify their condition. A well-regulated assisted suicide die, and another, who suffers from a mental illness as terminal diseases. The U.S.-based National procedure for individuals with mental illnesses that leaves him incapable of participating in his dayAlliance for Mental Illness, claims “the early could actually encourage wider access to treatments, to-day life even while receiving treatment. treatment success rates for mental illness are because it will be exposing sufferers to various reShould only the one with the physical illness be 60-80 per cent.” sources. eligible for physician-assisted suicide?

Having any role in the death of someone Once patients enter the healthcare system and Section 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms mentally ill is taking advantage of their illask for doctor-assisted suicide they are opening states that, “every individual is equal before and unness and allowing their current status to conthemselves up to the other treatment options that der the law and has the right to the equal protection trol what might be a different outcome if they are available, and taking advantage of the resources and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” had the treatment they needed. The reality is available for them such as medication or therapy.

Refusing doctor-assisted suicide to someone bethat we don’t understand how certain parts Untreatable mental illnesses cause as much suffercause they have a mental illness is discrimination, of our brain and consciousness work let alone ing and loss of dignity as untreatable physical dispure and simple, This speaks to a larger societal issue have a definitive grasp on whether mental illeases—to suggest otherwise is to trivialize mental with mental illness in that we often refuse to see it ness is terminal or not. illness. as being a serious issue because there are few visible Assisted suicide is now a legal option to those resigns. It is much easier to dismiss the symptoms of quiring it, and one that must be extended to people depression than those of a broken bone. struggling with all forms of terminal illness.

Nicholas Robinson

thefulcrum.ca

New cafeteria is a step up from last year U of O’s new dining hall offers a much better selection Yawen Chen

Fulcrum Contributor A new school year is upon us, and along with it a new cafeteria. For those who haven’t had the chance to explore the “all-you-can-eat” affair compared to the old dining hall—picture a flip phone to smartphone scale upgrade.

Our shiny, new, iPhone of a cafeteria allows for the true customization of meals. With the wide array of options from DIY sandwich, pasta, and smoothie stations to a salad bar, dessert table and a waffle iron: we now have more choice than ever for a bargain price. Did I mention the chocolate milk on tap?

The cafeteria also caters to gluten intolerances, vegans, and vegetarians.

With the choices comes the ability to eat healthier.

Fresh vegetables and fruits are more accessible than ever.

There isn’t an additional cost anymore to grabbing a salad or adding a side of grilled veggies.

Not to mention that our new cafeteria is open 24/7, meaning you no longer need to leave campus to grab a bite during those late nights at the library.

With the new layout, furniture and beautiful new floors, it will be a fantastic study space during the quieter hours. The Food Services says students are welcome to stay as long as they want, so studying in the cafeteria will have its perks in the form of continuous access to caffeine and food.

There was nothing wrong

with the old cafeteria and it was still functional and reliable. But the old one was boring; it didn’t have a 4.7inch, LED-backlit widescreen multi‑touch display with IPS technology. This fancy new technology makes the area more enjoyable for students

as well as appealing to future students and visitors to the campus. Instead last year’s cafeteria had dry chicken and hard potatoes, which was also the meal with the highest food-for-money ratio.

There are some flaws however, with the “all-you-can-

eat” system making it easier for students to overeat, and the pay-at-the-gate policy making it impractical for students who want to grab a quick bite or study with friends.

But if students are going to overeat, the healthier options

available at the dining hall will hopefully mitigate the negative consequences, compared to an endless supply of ramen.

There are also a variety of other places on campus to grab food if you are looking for something less than a full

thefulcrum.ca

Photo: Eric Davidson

meal such as the cafeteria at SITE. The new cafeteria has some minor flaws, but overall it’s a much-needed improvement from last year, and will definitely become an asset to campus life at the U of O.

OPINIONS | 21

Facebooks new dislike button unleashes wave of brutally honest options Users revel in calling out friends and family on bullshit over social media Deborah Sogelola

Fulcrum Contributor Since its creation in 2004, Facebook has introduced its users to a new platform of social sharing and launched Myspace into social obscurity. It has become part of a global phenomenon, helping you keep track of your friends, as well as stalking the object of your affection online before meeting in person.

Recently it became Facebook official that Facebook will be introducing a new dislike button.

This button comes as great news to many users who will finally be able to tell their friend from the 5th grade how they really feel about their relationship status, and passive-

aggressively dislike pictures of friends having fun without them.

“This just means that Facebook is a more honest platform, now I feel like I can just be myself and express how I really feel,” said fourth-year English student Daniel Butler. Many people like Butler are excited, while others believe a dislike button is just not enough.

“There are just some things so agitating that a simple dislike is not enough to truly express the sentiments I feel,” said Sarah Fields, a second-year engineering student and avid Facebook user since 2006. “I need a button to let people know how I’m feeling without actually telling them. I need a ‘I don’t want to talk to you button’ or a

‘we’re not even friends button’.”

Popular among other user’s’ suggestions for buttons include a “Leave me alone” button as a response to the millions of Candy Crush and Farmville requests from people who seem to have endless amounts of spare time. Others suggested a “bullshit” button for all the inaccurate information circulating the platform, as well as a “that’s not how Facebook works” button for family members who ask about your welfare in the comment section of your pictures.

Other social media sites are now adding their own honesty buttons such as Instagrams new “no one needs to see this picture” button for pictures that probably shouldn’t have been

Photo:Kim Wiens

posted, as well as a “another picture of your food, seriously?” button for those who can’t stop sharing their latest meal. Another hotly anticipated feature is the “you’re so using a filter” for any friends who look a little too airbrushed in their #nofil-

ter posts.

Twitter is also getting set to unveil a line of buttons such as the “#notarealhastag” button for when users tweet random hashtags, as well as the “seriously no one cares” button just to let people know how they re-

ally feel about a tweet.

While the dislike button is in the works, some people are already arming themselves with uninformed commentary to oppose dislike button supporters. As with most things on Facebook it seems like people

Dont bother voting says student group

Stop the Student Vote points to current political calm Lucie Lebrun

Fulcrum Contributor

Photo: Kim Wiens

“Presumably, most of you reading this will not be voting in the upcoming election,” said chapter president Jane Smith. “To anyone that plans to partake in this redundant process, let me enlighten you as to why voting isn’t worth your time.”

Smith cited time constraints as a valid reason for students to spurn their democratic duties. “Between attending 8:30 a.m. lectures and clubbing ‘til dawn over in Gatineau, many students barely have enough time to squeeze in their recommended daily dose of Netflix,” Smith said. “How could we possibly find time to pay attention to what’s going on in our country, let alone figure out where to vote and how to register?”

John Donaldson is a second-year history student at

the University of Ottawa who isn’t planning to vote come Oct. 19. “Voting isn’t as easy as it looks, and unlike the rest of the Canadian population, millennials just don’t have enough leisure time to go out and vote,” Donaldson said.

“Student votes barely matter anyway. In the last election 1,125,200 eligible voters aged 18-24 didn’t bother voting,” Smith said. “Do they honestly think their vote could have had an impact?”

“I also feel like politicians don’t understand what student needs are,” said Donaldson. “They talk about cutting tuition but the most important issues facing students is the skyrocketing prices of ramen noodles and printer ink.”

Smith said the lack of controversy surrounding Canada’s current political landscape, means there’s no need to change the status quo.

“Canada’s been expertly able

22 | THE TOMATo

to hand things like the migrant crisis as well as Bill C-51 so there’s no reason for any changes.”

“I really feel like the baby boomers have done such an excellent job handling issues like climate change and the economy that my opinion isn’t needed,” said Donaldson.

“They care about the wellbeing of future generations, and their policies show it, so there’s no point in getting involved.”

Smith, left some final words for students.

“Above all, don’t forget that your life will be completely unaffected no matter who wins in October. Whether our next prime minister is Harper, Trudeau, Mulcair, or May, there will still be cheap apartments, high-paying jobs for university graduates and an endless line of voters with our best interests at heart.”

thefulcrum.ca

DISTRACTIONS

FEATURES EDITOR Kyle Darbyson

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062

Dear Di

Dear Di,

I was hooking up with this girl the other week, and out of nowhere she stuck her finger up my butt. It’s safe to say that I was pretty shocked. I’ve heard about this kind of thing before but I never thought it would happen to me.

What is it with women and men’s buttholes?

- Finger Invasion

Dear Di,

I have no issue getting erect on my own, but sometimes right before I have sex with a new partner my penis goes unexpectedly flaccid. If I’m in a relationship it will usually stop happening after the first few times, but I still have to ask: is this normal?

- Soft Serve

Dear FI, The simple answer is: The P-Spot. We all seem to know about the women’s G-Spot, yet we rarely talk about the men’s equivalent in the prostate gland. This greatly neglected erogenous zone is located about three-quarters of a finger within the anus and can be accessed through either the anus itself or the smooth skin between the anus and the testicles (this is called the perineum).

Clearly the woman who initiated this act on you is well-educated in the art of love making.

While stimulation of this area can result in a powerful orgasm, it’s always a better idea to talk about butt stuff outside the bedroom first. So if your sexual partner reaches for your booty and you’re not feeling it, let her/him know. Unfortunately, some men will go along with many sexual acts that they’re not comfortable with, out of fear of offending their partner (yes ladies, men experience the same anxiety as us).

On the other hand, don’t knock it till you try it!

It can be a bit daunting trying new things—especially since there’s a bit of a societal taboo on ‘anal’ activity—but don’t let that stop you from potentially enhancing your orgasm and overall sexual pleasure.

Pro tip: If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of a finger up your behind, you can always ask your partner to go down on you. While they are down there, they can create a fist and place it right above the anus and the testicles. The act of rapidly vibrating this area can trigger an intense orgasm.

Love, Di

Dear SS,

It’s nothing to worry about if you’re unable to get erect every single time. There are a number of men who struggle with this issue and it really comes down to a matter of anxiety. Unfortunately our society places a high emphasis on performance, and this kind of performance anxiety can stem from a number of concerns including body image, fear you won’t satisfy your partner, and fear of premature ejaculation (among others).

When we experience stress during sex our libido declines. In men one of the effects of stress is constricted blood vessels, which makes it difficult to maintain an erection. This may explain why, after a few times, you have no problem staying hard as you grow more comfortable with your sexual partner.

Many people forget that sex is as much a psychological activity as it is a physical one. Our mental state has a lot to do with our arousal. One night stands carry a higher pressure to perform, since many believe they only have one chance to impress their new partner. My advice would be to take it slow and indulge in foreplay to get you more comfortable with this person.

Most importantly, try not to be so hard on yourself. Sex is not picture-perfect like in the movies. Real-world sex is messy, wild, and full of mishaps.

If you’re in a relationship, talking to your partner about your anxieties can actually bring you closer as a couple and relieve some of the pressure. Move away from focusing on what you’re doing, and just try to enjoy the experience!

Love, Di Sex position of the week: The Ball Holder

To my adventurous male readers—next time you’re masturbating grab your scrotum with your free hand and pull down right before you ejaculate. This way, you can feel the semen travelling all the way up as they approach the exit. Trust me, it’ll be a wonderful new sensation.

thefulcrum.ca

DISTRACTIONS | 23

THRYLLABUS Sept. 25 to oct. 1, 2015 MUSIC arts Sports FUN Thinking

24 | DISTRACTIONS

Friday, Sept. 25

Nature Nocturne: Flock Together gala, Canadian Museum of Nature—8 p.m.

Capital Vélo Fest: Tour la Nuit, departs at Ottawa City Hall—7:30 p.m.

A Northern Tapestry, Centrepointe Theatre—7:30 p.m.

Chris de Burgh, the Hands of Man tour, TD Place—8 p.m.

Bollywood Dance Night, The Bourbon Room—10 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Gee-Gees Women’s Hockey vs. Concordia University, Exhibition Game, Minto Sports Complex—3 p.m.

Ottawa Senators vs Buffalo Sabres, preseason game, Canadian Tire Centre—7 p.m.

Ottawa Food Truck Rally, St. Charles Market—4 p.m.

Whiskey Ottawa Festival, Canadian War Museum—6 p.m.

Freedom Rally (raising awareness for human trafficking), PACT Ottawa, Immaculata High School—10 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27

Gee-Gees Women’s Hockey vs. York University, exhibition game, Minto Sports Complex—1 p.m.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Mayfair Theatre—1 p.m.

One World Film Festival, last day, Saint Paul University—9:30 p.m.

NAC Wind Quintet in Concert, Tabaret Hall —2 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 28

Karaoke night, free admission, LIVE! on Elgin—9 p.m.

Taco Truck Fest, opening day, Rue Université, U of O Campus—7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 29

Machine Gun Kelly, Algonquin Commons Theatre—7:30 p.m.

Paint Nite, drinks and painting, Café Nostalgica—7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 Samba (sequel to Intouchables), Bytowne Cinema—6:50 p.m.

Yoga on Parliament Hill, last day—12 p.m.

The Barber of Seville, National Arts Centre—8 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1

Kelly Clarkson, Piece by Piece tour, Canadian Tire Centre—7 p.m.

Ron Husband (Disney animator), lecture and Q and A, Algonquin Commons Theatre—7 p.m.

Oktoberfest Ottawa, opening day, Clarke Fields Park—6 p.m.

thefulcrum.ca

Join the pandamonium! tweet a photo of yourself holding a copy of the fulcrum to @fulcrumsports with #panda2015 to win 2 tickets to the panda game on oct. 3 Contest Ends Oct. 1st at 5 p.m.

thefulcrum.ca

DISTRACTIONS | 25

26 | LETTERS

thefulcrum.ca

EDITORIAL

Volume 76, Issue 5, September 24, 2015 Taking over the neighbourhood since 1942.

Phone: (613) 695-0061 | Fax: (613) 695-9006 631 King Edward Ave. Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5 Recycle this or we’ll geocache you.

Nadia “Morocco” Drissi ElBouzaidi Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca

dire straits

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The Green Party of Canada has pledged to eliminate tuition fees by 202, and write-off student debt above $10, 000.

I

n the midst of a tight election race, the top three party leaders have been travelling across Canada hoping to convince Canadians to vote for them, but an interesting proposal from the fourth-place Green Party seeking to claim the elusive 1824 vote, has grabbed the attention of students.

The Green Party revealed their 44-page platform on Sept. 9, which included a plan to eliminate post-secondary tuition by 2020. The plan also included the elimination of current or future student debt over $10,000, the abolishment of interest on student loans, and a measure to boost funding for bursaries.

While Canadian students have been demanding free post-secondary education for some time, the Green Party’s promise is a sign of changing tides, which have already been hitting the crags and cliffs of Atlantic Canada for some time.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced on Aug. 1 that it would be replacing provincial tuition loans with non-repayable grants.

Now in New Brunswick the government is looking to reform their postsecondary education system, includ-

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ing the idea of abolishing tuition.

“We’ll look at any program that will help us ensure that post-secondary education is accessible, affordable, and high quality,” said New Brunswick Premier, Brian Gallant, according to CTV. “In the first year of our budget, Minister Melanson has made sure that we are the government who has invested the most in education in the history of our province.”

It’s no coincidence that the Maritimes are the first to change a system that’s detrimental to students. A decreasing and aging population in on Canada’s East Coast means these provinces need to keep as many students as they can.

“Last year, 1,000 more people left PEI for other parts of Canada than arrived from them. The population of Nova Scotia has been falling since 2011, when it peaked at 948,000; over the next two decades, another 20,000 people are expected to leave,” according to the Globe and Mail. “New Brunswick is in similar straits. Between the middle of 2012 and the middle of last year, the population dropped by almost 2,000, to 754,524.”

In short, slashing tuition fees is a smart move for Atlantic Canada, and

soon it’ll be true for the rest of the country too.

However, if whichever party elected on Oct. 19 doesn’t reform current tuition programs, students in Canada’s Eastern provinces may still be racking up debt. Provincial student loan programs cover only 40 per cent of student loans, with the feds footing the rest of the bill.

Soon enough it’ll become clear that exorbitant tuition fees aren’t just a student issue. The Canadian government needs to provide affordable education for students mainly because of how it links up with one of the biggest issues this election, the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP).

Our country has a shrinking population, which means that a small number are going to be paying into a large pension plan. If millenials are barely making their loan payments or defaulting, how do you think they’ll be able to keep the CPP afloat?

A 2013 Statistics Canada report predicts that in 15 years, 25 per cent of Canadians will be over the age of 65, and again, these effects will be felt the most in the Atlantic provinces. This means a smaller and smaller proportion of Canadians (millenials, and

Photo: Kim Wiens

Gen Zs) will be bearing the larger and larger economic burden of aging baby boomers.

“During the same period, the working-age population—persons aged 15 to 64 years, most of them being in the labour force—would decrease according to all projection scenarios, from 68.6% in 2013 to about 60% in 2030,” says the report.

In September 2010 student debt in Canada reached $15 billion—the limit set by the Canadian Student Financial Assistance Act. The government responded by raising the limit to $19 billion, and reducing parliamentary oversight of the program.

During the recent Globe and Mail economic leaders’ debate, none of the three major leaders explained how their platforms would tackle student debt, let alone acknowledge it was an issue. The reality is political parties operate based on election cycles, they put their effort into programs that will yield results before the next election.

While the effects may not be felt by Oct. 19, the devastating result of crippling student debt will rear it’s ugly head on future election days to come, if the major political parties don’t act now.

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