The Fulcrum- Volume 77, Issue 25

VOL. 77 ISSUE 25

April 6, 2017

Not your run of the mill

TRAVEL ISSUE

Roasted to perfection in the heart of Ottawa We offer you the highest quality freshly roasted coffees from around the world Beans - cafe - subscriptions wholesale - retail baked goods - sandwiches

Bring this ad and receive 20% off of your purchase *excludes retail merchandise

Cafe: 317 Wilbrod Street Monday - Friday 7:30 - 7:00PM Saturday 8:30 - 7:00PM Sunday 8:30 - 6:00PM Roastery Cafe: 35 Laurel Street

Happy Goat Coffee supports the environment and sustainable development which empowers small farmers and local economies

In this week’s issue... follow us on twitter @the _ FUlcrum

Overtime pay at the BOA P. 5 SFUO execs discuss compensation for extra hours in the office

Trans Day of Visibility celebrates life P. 9 U of O students and alum opens inaugural event at the Human Rights Memorial The Travel Issue P. 11 Everything you need for a fantastic summer adventure, and more

ADULT & YOUTH SESSIONS

ROUND 5 APRIL 24, 2017 - JUNE 17, 2017

TRY A FREE DROP IN CLASS! DOWNTOWN AT 321 KING EDWARD AVE

LEARN MORE & SIGN UP AT:

PHOENIXBOXING.CA

GET YOUR ASS TO CLASS

Year-end Cavalry Awards P. 19 The votes are in! See which GeeGees came out on top in this edition of the Cavalry Awards With justice we stand P. 21 Police solidarity wristbands show lack of respect for fairness and impartiality of our justice system Putting the lust in Wanderlust P. 27 How to keep your international affairs in order

NEWS

NEWS EDITOR

Graham Robertson news@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0061 @_grahamr

Executive overtime pay discussed at April 2 BOA meeting

Meeting sees talk on freedom of the press, Dorimain’s March 5 statements Graham Robertson news editor

O

n Sunday, April 2, the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Board of Administration (BOA) held their last regularly scheduled meeting of the 2017–18 school year.

Motion on executive overtime pay On the days leading up to the meeting, a point of contention among students was a proposed motion by SFUO vice-president of finance Rizki Rachiq regarding overtime pay for executives. This motion came in light of a vote at the March 14 General Assembly (GA) that overturned a proposed $6,200 pay raise for each executive.

According to Rachiq, the reasoning behind the motion was to compensate executives for the extra hours they put in, as he says that many executives work more than

their designated 40 hours per week.

“I’m not saying we need to be paid (overtime) every week,” said Rachiq, noting that executives put in lengthy hours in instances such as 101 Week.

Rachiq cited the April 1 volunteer gala as another example of this, saying that vice-president social Hadi Wess was in the office until 5 a.m. the night before the event.

According to Rachiq, executives would track their overtime using a time-punch in the office, and the comptroller general would keep track of these extra hours.

“The comptroller general is there to hold execs accountable,” he said.

Lukas Hashem, a proxy for the Faculty of Medicine representative, asked if the overtime pay would really be necessary if there were weeks when executives worked less than 40 hours per week, as the pay would balance itself out.

Wess responded to this

question by saying that there are no weeks when executives work fewer hours than their designated 40 per week.

Faculty of Engineering representative Jeffry Colin then asked what would happen in a situation in the future where executives were simply wasting their time in the office to extend their hours in order to receive overtime pay. Colin also noted that there may not be a mechanism in place to deal with this issue.

Rachiq responded by saying that the executives would hold each other accountable, along with the comptroller general.

Due to time constraints, this motion was pushed forward to a subsequent special meeting.

brought forward her complaints against president Roméo Ahimakin at the March 5 BOA meeting.

While she did not retract what she had initially said, she expressed regret for using a proxy (Faduma Wais) rather than calling into the meeting or having the statement emailed out to board members.

“What I’ve said is what I’ve said because that’s what I’ve lived,” said Dorimain.

Dorimain also apologized that Wais, along with the Fulcrum and incoming Faculty of Science representative Michel Antoun, were negatively impacted by the interpersonal conflicts between executives. All three parties in question were listed in a notice of action on March 22 from Ahimakin regarding Dorimain’s statement.

Following up on Dorimain’s update, Ahimakin said that the SFUO is currently looking at bringing in counsellors to help them deal with these interpersonal conflicts.

Ahimakin then moved on

Follow-up on March 5 statements by Dorimain As part of her executive updates, vice-president of university affairs Vanessa Dorimain apologized to the board for the way she

to his own updates, saying that while he “appreciates the successes we’ve built here,” he believes that the SFUO is moving in a direction of “uncertainty … and chaos.”

According to Ahimakin, there is a “complete lack of supervision” over the executive by faculty representatives and a lack of respect in upholding the SFUO constitution.

“We manage millions of dollars without any significant internal policies to guide that,” continued Ahimakin, stressing that faculty directors need to take a more active role in the management of the federation.

Ahimakin then discussed the way in which Dorimain brought forward her complaints, calling them “completely untrue” and that they have affected “all of (his) interactions” since the March 5 meeting.

According to Ahimakin, Dorimain should have brought her complaints to the Disciplinary Committee before making an open statement at a board meeting, so that these allegations could be properly investigated.

Ahimakin later said that “the day will come” when the emails he has received from his colleagues will be released, since he has been unable to make them public yet.

“Every year we have executives teaming up against one,” said Ahimakin.

Question on freedom of campus press Nicholas Robinson, a former BOA member from the Faculty of Science, addressed the executive about whether or not they believe in freedom of the press.

This question came in light of members of the SFUO exec attending the Annual General Meeting of the U of O’s Francophone student newspaper la Rotonde to allegedly obtain seats on their board,

The April 2 BOA meeting was held at Roger-Guindon Hall.

thefulcrum.ca

and Ahimakin’s notice of action to the Fulcrum.

“We were there, we were listening,” Rachiq responded, saying that he was interested in learning about the functioning of la Rotonde and wanted to get more information.

Dorimain continued by saying that she has no issue with articles written about her, as long as they are wellresearched.

According to Dorimain, the only article she has ever had an issue with—written by either campus paper—was la Rotonde’s story on the alleged U-Pass scandal, since she believes it was not wellresearched. According to Dorimain, she was only contacted for a statement once.

Ahimakin continued by saying that he recognizes the work done by both newspapers and that limiting the freedom of the press is not the intention of the executive. However, he said that he was dissatisfied with the way the Fulcrum covered the March 5 BOA meeting and that investigation should have taken place before a story was published.

Incoming vice-president of equity Leila Moumouni-Tchouassi also noted that both newspapers are important to the functioning of the campus and the way in which students receive information, specifically in the coverage of student-led initiatives.

Other business The board also voted in favour of requiring a twothirds vote by the BOA to overturn motions from future GA’s. Aside from this, committee reports were read with recommendations put forward, along with the ratification of the new SFUO logo.

Two subsequent special meetings of the BOA will take place in April, with dates to be confirmed.

Photo: Kyle Darbyson.

NEWS | 5

U of O profs to co-parent child outside romantic relationship Case extends beyond joint custody according to profs, both recognized as parents Zainab Al-Mehdar Associate News Editor

Two University of Ottawa law professors have become the first women in Canada to co-parent a child outside of a romantic relationship.

In an interview with the Fulcrum on March 31, Natasha Bakht and Lynda Collins said that it all began when Bakht opted to conceive a child in 2009 using donor sperm, and Collins, her long-time best friend, chose to be her “birth coach.”

“In terms of the lived reality of our family, we already had been a family for years,” said Collins.

According to both women, Collins often attended parent-teacher meetings and doctor appointments for Bakht’s son, Elaan, while still not officially being recognized as a legal guardian. “(Collins) was acting as a

parent for (Elaan), and we just wanted law to catch up with life,” said Bakht.

The two women decided to go through the Children’s Law Reform Act, which allows anyone to apply to a court and self-declare to be the parent of a child.

By the time they took their case to court in 2015, Bakht and Collins’ case was a first: two platonic friends choosing to co-parent a child in Canada.

To win their case, Bakht and Collins had to provide documentation proving that Collins would be a suitable and qualified parent to Elaan. This is particularly important because Elaan was born with a severe form of cerebral palsy that means he requires constant care.

“We got the declaration within a matter of months” continued Collins. “The only reason it took us so long to gather all those affidavits was it was a rough

Natasha Bakht (left) and Lynda Collins pose with their son, Elaan.

couple of years—Elaan was in and out of hospitals.”

Bakht explained that the challenge was not over getting Collins joint custody, but over making her the legal parent of Bakht’s son.

According to Bakht, joint

Photo: Zainab Al-Mehdar.

custody refers to a grandparent or an aunt, which can easily be granted by the court, but “to be declared a parent in this context is special.”

“It’s a lifelong relationship that can’t be undone,”

continued Collins.

What this means for the family is that if Collins were to write a will, Elaan would be eligible as her next-of-kin, whereas the situation would be much different for someone who

has joint custody.

Bakht also believes that winning this case provides her with a sense of security since, if anything happens to her, “there is another parent there who’s going to take care of (Elaan).”

According to the two women, they “expected a small story to come out,” but instead they have received “so much interest,” and hope to share their story with the general public.

Being a family law professor, Bakht hopes that other people can learn from their unique arrangement.

In terms of their own families’ reaction to winning their case, Bakht said, “we have been very fortunate that people have been incredibly positive.”

To these long-time best friends, they were already a family to begin with— winning this recent court case was just a simple formality.

Ottawa in talks of becoming sanctuary city

U of O profs weigh in on what this new status could mean for residents city “has a lot of benefits because it will allow all municipal services to be open and accessible to people regardless of their immigration status, considering that people pay taxes regardless of their status.”

In response to arguments that sanctuary cities are more prone to undocumented immigrants, Veronis believes “That could be a possibility … but most of the so-called ‘illegal’ people who come to Canada from the United States are most likely legitimate asylum claimants, so I don’t see a problem.”

The Fulcrum also spoke with David Moffette, a sociologist and assistant professor at the U of O’s Department of Criminology, who specializes in immigration and the role of criminal law in immigrant communities.

According to Moffette,

Eric Davison

Fulcrum Freelancer On March 30, Ottawa City councillors met to discuss the possibility of giving the nation’s capital the official status of a sanctuary city.

A sanctuary city refers to a municipality that does not check for proof of residency before providing services.

In Ottawa, this can include anything from memberships at public pools and libraries to accessing sexual assault crisis centres.

The original idea for giving Ottawa the status of a sanctuary city was brought forward by councillor Catherine McKenney (Somerset ward), who offered an open invitation for public input.

So, at the March 30 meeting, the city council heard from over two dozen members of the community,

6 | NEWS

City council may come to a decision as early as April 12.

including religious leaders and local activists.

Despite impassioned pleas by figures like Mohammed Zakaria Khan, president of the Ottawa Muslim Association, and Jamie Liew, a refugee lawyer and law professor at the University of Ottawa, the municipal government did not make a formal decision on the subject, even though official action could be taken as early as April 12.

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

The topic of sanctuary cities has recently entered the spotlight following a renewed focus on undocumented immigration in western politics and, most notably, United States President Donald Trump’s pledge to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.

According to Luisa Veronis, a social geographer and professor from the U of O’s Faculty of Arts, making Ottawa an official sanctuary

the popular image of an illegal resident is often incorrect.

“This is not necessarily (a) refugee—it can be someone on a student visa, international students at the U of O whose visas expired before they finished, while legally they still can be here.”

According to Moffette, the image of what a sanctuary city actually is has been stretched beyond its intended meeting, since this status does not involve any new services nor does it affect provincial pro-

grams such as healthcare and welfare.

“There’s a lot of resistance for it … it’s a pretty down to earth, simple idea, I believe, and so discussion right now to adapt a policy like this in Ottawa, a few councillors are very reticent about it. I think they don’t really like that we’re saying that people are not granting (access to services to some people). They like to pretend it’s all beautiful in Ottawa.”

—With files from Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi.__

thefulcrum.ca

NO HASSLE STORAGE FOR STUDENTS Available at Dymon’s Prince of Wales location ONLY. (Prince of Wales at Hunt Club)

FREE Truck and Driver at MOVE-IN We Sell BOXES, MOVING and PACKING Supplies at Ottawa’s Best Prices.

Moving back in September? Ask us about our Truck and Driver Special Student Rates.

(613) 721-0099 27 Auriga Drive (Prince of Wales at Hunt Club)

SAFE • CONVENIENT • SECURE

A&C EDITOR Anchal Sharma arts@thefulcrum.ca

ARTS&CULTURE

(613) 695-0062 @imtherocks

The Junos make a triumphant return to Ottawa

Award show’s 2017 edition boasts new talent, unforgettable legends Madison McSweeney Fulcrum Freelancer

T

he 2017 Juno Awards in Ottawa were characterized by passionate performances and moving moments.

The awards broadcast, held at the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday, was hosted by rock icon Bryan Adams and comedian Russell Peters. The co-hosts spent much of the night playfully ribbing each other, with Peters notably questioning Adams’ choice to perform 2015 single “You Belong to Me” instead of an older hit.

Of course, Adams’ rocking performance quickly proved the comedian wrong.

The highest honours of the weekend were awarded to Canadian legends Leonard Cohen and The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie.

The late Leonard Cohen was awarded Artist of the Year (which

seems like a bit of an understatement) as well as Album of the Year for the excellent You Want it Darker.

Downie won Alternative Album of the Year as well as Songwriter of the Year for Secret Path, with The Hip taking home Rock Album of the Year as well as Group of the Year. Downie’s touching prerecorded acceptance speech placed a firm focus on Indigenous issues, while The Hip scored one of the night’s most memorable moments as they resisted the wrap-up music: “This is my arena, not yours!” declared guitarist Paul Langlois.

Later in the evening, alt-folk songstress Feist paid tribute to Cohen with a cover of his “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye,” which Cohen’s son Adam deemed “beautiful, touching, and understated.”

The younger Cohen, who was on-hand to accept awards on his father’s behalf, also revealed that he’d tried to recruit Feist to contribute vocals on You Want It Darker.

But those weren’t the only showstopping moments at the 2017 Ju-

nos.

The broadcast was kicked off by a provocative number by A Tribe Called Red and experimental throat-singer Tanya Tagaq, followed by a fiery performance by Country Album of the Year nominee Dallas Smith. The “fire” here is literal as well as figurative, since the tattooed country-rocker utilized some wicked pyrotechnics.

Country-pop phenom Jess Moskaluke, who took home the award for Country Album of the Year, would later highlight Smith and herself as examples of the musical “diversity” of the genre.

Next up was the always-solid pop sensation Shawn Mendes, belting out his hit “Mercy.”

Eighteen-year-old Mendes, who is gaining a reputation as one of the nicest guys on the Canadian music scene, would later win the Fan Choice Award—his first ever Juno.

The award was fitting, considering he credits “the energy of the fans” for motivating his performances.

Alternative Album of the Year

winners July Talk turned in an energetic performance of “Picturing Love,” which featured lead vocalists Peter Dreimanis and Leah Fay making the most of the large stage.

“You don’t even notice you’re playing,” reflected Dreimanis on their profile-raising performance. “You just black out. Not in a bad way.”

Another highlight of the broadcast was The Strumbellas performing their delightfully catchy folk-pop hit “Spirits.” In what may have been the biggest coup of the weekend, the self-described “quirky” group beat out Drake and the Weeknd for Single of the Year.

Lead singer Simon Ward even showed up shoeless to the postawards scrum on Saturday, having been so assured of a loss that he removed them during the nontelevised gala.

“My wife said, ‘You should put on your shoes,’ (but I said) ‘We’re not gonna win, it’s all good,’” he recounted.

The two best performances on Sunday night came from Rock Al-

bum of the Year nominees Billy Talent, who paid tribute to Gord Downie during their incendiary performance of “Afraid of Heights,” and Arkells, who brought out a gospel choir to back them up on “Drake’s Dad.” Drake’s real-life dad, who appeared in the video for the track, was unfortunately unable to witness the spectacle: “We actually invited Dennis (Graham) to be here, but he has to shoot a commercial,” explained lead singer Max Kerman.

The nostalgic but forwardlooking tone of the ceremony was summed up by the evening’s final performance, which saw the night’s performers join Bryan Adams for a “Summer of ‘69” sing-along.

Overall, the 2017 Junos mixed spectacle with reflection, and struck a perfect balance between honouring Canadian legends while showcasing the potential of younger artists.

To see a full list of this year’s winners, please visit the Junos’ official website.

U of O BFA grad show opens in visual arts building ARC encompasses works from over 30 artists in multi-level gallery Bair, a fellow fourth-year arts student.

Even though the visual arts building at 100 Laurier Avenue may seem large, space runs out quickly when 34 graduating artists are displaying their art pieces from the top floor to the sub-basement. Fortunately, the tight-knit atmosphere of the fine arts program makes conflict resolution easy.

“Because we’re so few we’re so close together, so even the little conflicts we may have here and there are resolved so quickly, just because we’re all friends” said Bair. “We’re in a really unique and special position where we’re working with our friends.”

While ARC might be the last show of their undergraduate careers, they don’t look at it as an ending. Instead, it’s just a culmination of the practices they’ve learned in school.

“Even though it’s in an academic setting, and it’s the fruits

Ryan Pepper

fulcrum freelancer On April 21, a little bit of everything will be on display at the visual arts building for this year’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) grad show, ARC. ARC is the culmination of four years of study in the BFA, and it’s the last chance for undergrads to display their artistic talent before the end of their university careers. The exhibit is run entirely by students, who are responsible for promotion, organizing the vernissage, and making the gallery’s catalogue.

“This exhibition is not geared towards a specific theme, so whatever is being presented is really the practice of the individual artist,” said Alexia LeanaKokozaki, a fourth-year arts student.

“It’s really just bringing together all of our personal research, and it’s just providing a space to exhibit our work,” added Rebecca

8 | ARTS & CULTURE

Rebecca Bair is an event organizer, and a featured artist in the show.

of our whole schooling,” said Leana-Kokozaki. “Our whole pro-

world.”

The show carries some weight in the Ottawa art community as well. Representatives from various galleries visit and often hand out awards that can help make an artist known to the wider Ottawa community.

But regardless of whether awards are won or art is sold, the night is still tremendously important to the graduating artists.

It gives them a chance to show off the craft they’ve been honing for years to an eager public.

“I think that seeing people interact with your art and seeing people be interested in your art is almost a prize in itself,” said Bair. “To have external feedback or just interest in general feels so sweet.”

ARC opens at 7 p.m. on April 21 and runs until April 24. Admission is free. For more information, check out ARC’s official website and Facebook page.

Photo: Courtesy of ARC grad show.

gram is really a training of how to survive and thrive in the art

thefulcrum.ca

U of O students and alum hold first Trans Day of Visibility gathering

Inaugural event emphasizes the power and danger of visibility in the trans community Savannah Awde editor-in-chief

In spite of an untimely but classic Ottawa snow storm, a group of trans citizens, activists, and allies gathered at the Human Rights Monument on Friday March 31 to kick off Ottawa’s first ever Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) event.

According to the event page, “TDOV aims to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people around the globe while fighting cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge of the trans community.”

The event was organized by University of Ottawa alum Zac Johnstone and U of O students Lyra Evans and Mikayla Vattiata, and saw a full agenda of songs, speeches, and poetry.

“A lot of the time we only really see the media talking about trans folks when somebody’s dead,” said Johnstone.

With that in mind, they hoped to “counter that narrative” by bringing TDOV to Ottawa.

“We’re not talking about the

Event organizer Zac Johnstone addressing the crowd.

people we’ve lost, we’re talking about the people who are still here,” Johnstone explained.

“And we’re talking about their amazing resiliency, and their power, and the power of taking up that space.”

Or, as Evans puts it, “why is it that there is a whole month for Pride, and one day for trans people, and it’s a sad one?”

And so, TDOV’s Ottawa ren-

Photo: Allegra Morgado.

dition was born.

To begin the gathering, attendee Sharp Dopler was invited to the microphone to perform an acknowledgement that the gathering was being held on unceded and unsurrendered Algonquin territory.

After the land acknowledgement Johnstone swung the event into high-tempo, leading the chant, “When trans

communities are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” Cheers of “respect existence or expect resistance” from those in attendance also echoed through the busy hum of Elgin Street.

The event continued with a performance by trans singersongwriter Alexandre Campbell, who sang an original song about their experience during

transition, which was met with wild applause from the audience.

Next, trans artist Faraday staged a soulful rendition of Macklemore’s “Same Love.” The audience sang along to the lyrics “she keeps me warm,” in a spellbounding moment.

Although the event was meant to empower trans folks, a common message touted by event organizers and speakers was that the concept of visibility presents a bit of a “doubleedged sword.”

Evans believes part of understanding visibility is looking at how our norms in acknowledging the transgender community have changed. Through her conversations with others, she’s noticed that fifteen years ago some trans folks “didn’t have to worry about going into the washroom, or crossing the border, or those sorts of things because transness was on nobody’s radar.”

And with the movement towards visibility becoming increasingly common, there are

some day-to-day problems that Johnstone says trans people will inevitably deal with.

“Being visible means you’re going to be stared at, it means you’re going to be given strange looks on the street, it often means as a trans person you can’t go out in public without people scrutinizing you in some way, shape, or form,” they said.

“Especially for black folks and trans women of colour, there is a heightened risk of being visible, because we know what the rates of violence are.”

In order to increase the empowerment of trans people through visibility, both Johnstone and Evans emphasized the importance of involvement from allies in the Ottawa community.

“It’s important for people to know that these events are not closed to trans people,” said Evans.

“You are more than welcome to attend and share with your friends, and show support in any way you want or can.”

U of O sound poetry group entertains crowd at Happy Goat Coffee Co. Prof spearheading Rhombus 19 aims to transcend English department’s “conservative” image Ophelia John

Fulcrum Contributor What would you call an ensemble of 13 artists that expand on traditional poetry? At the University of Ottawa, we call it Rhombus 19.

This U of O club is the brainchild of professor Robert Stacey, who is looking to unite undergrads, postgrads, and faculty members in the hopes of bringing attention to alternative types of poetry.

“The name is arbitrary because I always thought the most pretentious names involved a shape and a number,” Stacey explained. “It was something immature I decided from my undergrad.”

On Saturday, April 1, the group performed at Happy Goat Coffee Co. in Hintonburg.

The show expanded from traditional poetry, giving way to performance art that emphasizes phonetic sounds and primordial vocalizations over conventional language.

In other words: sound poetry.

At the clubs’ debut performance, covers, adaptations, and original pieces were used

thefulcrum.ca

to thoroughly amuse the crowd. Every word or noise was so well-rehearsed, yet there was still room for improv and spontaneity. According to Stacey, these pieces operated within loose frameworks for a general idea allowing for some elements of surprise.

“This group is more than just sound poetry. It’s any kind of poetry that you wouldn’t normally see. We wanted to work on collaborations that were and weren’t designed for ensemble pieces.”

Performances included a scene from Hamlet done entirely in the Klingon, an outstanding motorized razor impression, as well as a sonnet reading in English from all ages, including an interpretation 200 years from now.

As an audience member, hearing sounds in the place of words can create an instant connection to the message being conveyed.

For example, there was a piece performed by the whole cast that involved only using the sound “Oh,” which was read in a number of different ways. “Oh” may seem really straightforward until

you hear how many interpretations can be mined from it depending on the feeling. This piece had the whole audience in stitches, as we were shown that a pornographic pronunciation of “Oh” is quite different from a realistic “Oh.” Because of the freedom that comes from using sounds to express an experience, humour was layered into almost every performance so perfectly. As Stacey said, “sometimes there are no words for a feeling.” Since words can be limiting, the cast made sounds available to them.

According cast member Izzie Solis-Lozano, most of the group didn’t know what sound poetry was until joining the ensemble. She explained that there is a lot of creative freedom when you are not limited by your words, and students are able to take pieces intended for one performer and adapt it as they see fit.

More than anything, Stacey hopes that Rhombus 19 will at least provoke some kind of shift in attitude in the realm of academia.

“The group was created for two purposes,” he said. “One

was to produce collegiality across different levels of the department. The second was … because the English department has a rep of doing conservative things. We bring fun, goofiness, and something

avant-garde to a ‘conservative’ department.”

If students are interested in becoming part of a great collaboration, Stacey encourages them to attend the open calls that are held in the first few

weeks of school in September.

The group might not be for everyone, but if you’re willing to experiment bridging literature and different visual/auditory components this might be the club for you.

ARTS & CULTURE | 9

Campus creations: From poetry to prose

Email arts@thefulcrum.ca to submit your work to the Fulcrum.

Punk Poem

By Madison McSweeney

Take care; eat soup drink water and cough into your arm.

Best advice ever

By Sandy El-Bitar

Gasoline smell filters in: is the microwave on the fritz again, or should we be alarmed?

The weekday 1-2-3-4s along with the regularity of a power chord and drumbeat in a punk song; Is the monitor glow melting my eyeballs out And should I be alarmed?

And will the paper shredder ever suck me up and pull me into its abyss? into a black hole dragging through dimensions and ending in a wastebin: Just some red with the shreds in the bottom of a waste-bin.

When I am not doing well, I seek therapy in Chinese food ... Yes yes, I know ... I should be in control of my emotions ... Perversion of food is not healthy ... I can’t serve two masters “food” and “God”... To eat or not to eat is not always the question ... “Which came first: the french fries or the poutine?” is not supposed to be my main dilemma in life ... I know, but I don’t care.

So yea, a Chinese food restaurant represents all the therapies combined. It is a better psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist...

Mighty spring rolls, rice wraps, fried shrimps with cashew and holly sesame balls ... Adding to all the comfort that it provides, it never lets you leave without counselling; Fortune Cookies.

I admit that counselling was the part I was seeking the most this time.

I am not feeling well. I am tormented

And Johnny Ramone rolls his eyes at the nineties sub-par soundtrack and smashes his guitar and declares unilateral war and the offending iPhone screen cracks.

Joey Ramone’s demented choir sings from within my burst eardrum As I strain for the news of the newest gaffe from the morning’s first press scrum.

About the author Madison McSweeney is a fourth-year political science and communications student at the University of Ottawa.

She is a staff writer for the Fulcrum and her original fiction has been published in Dark Horizons: An Anthology of Dark Science Fiction.

The doctor says my health is fine but the government’s not, and I should be alarmed; But it’s okay, just a viral thing, with no real long-term harm.

Just shared keyboard bacteria and recycled airplane air;

with contradictions. I am obsessed with “what ifs” and “whys”. I am tired. I am exhausted.

I needed counselling the most.

And here comes the one advice I am looking for. I believe that the universal energy united to guide me.

Karma, faith, God, and serendipity gathered to direct my next step in this fortune cookie.

“Next time, order the shrimp”.

Wow! Like seriously, wow!

I thank God for the enlightenment.

Yes man, next time order the shrimp.

You don’t know if he is good for you?

Order the shrimp.

Not sure about the chemotherapy?

Order the shrimp.

Lost between two careers? Order the shrimp.

Confused about your sexual orientation? Order the shrimp.

Considering plastic surgery? Order the shrimp.

You want to overcome a broken heart? Order the shrimp.

movies have seen Stand by Me (1986) Most people tend to think that summer is all about fun and excitement. Then there are wet blankets like myself, who believe that this time of year is better spent on quiet selfreflection.

Luckily, Rob Reiner’s classic

10 | ARTS & CULTURE

coming-of-age drama Stand by Me caters to both audiences.

For such a simple story— where four childhood friends go on a hike to recover the corpse of a missing boy— this movie covers a lot of emotional ground. Not only does the 90-minute runtime expertly map out the joys of early adolescence, but it also shows how this childlike innocence can be twisted until it is completely unrecognizable.

Even if that sounds too depressing you shouldn’t shy away, as the film sprinkles in enough childish profanity, campfire stories, and wilderness exploration to make the heavy themes more palatable.

Now, in the wrong hands these dueling tones would result in a film that feels totally schizophrenic. But thanks to Reiner’s sharp direction and relatable performances from the four main leads (including

a young Wil Wheaton), these whimsical and melancholic elements work in perfect unison.

And since this story takes place throughout Labour Day weekend, Stand by Me is the perfect film to help you live out the very last bit of summer before you return to school.

—Kyle Darbyson.

er. Sure the plot is ridiculous, but it seems like the filmmakers know it. At one point Johnny even asks, “you’re sayin’ the FBI’s gonna pay me to learn to surf?”

While undercover, Johnny befriends Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), a prominent surfer with a questionable income source, and things get morally complicated from there.

Released in July 1991, Point Break is very much the ideal summer action thriller, with a good mix of gorgeous beach shots and tense action sequences.

While it may be corny by today’s standards, it’s still full of memorable moments.

The emotional chase scene where Johnny empties his gun in the air rather than use it to stop Bodhi is particularly noteworthy. In fact, this scene is even satirized in Hot Fuzz 16 years later to hilarious effect.

Point Break may not have

Point Break (1991) Point Break, not to be confused with the 2015 remake, is a cult thriller that puts extreme sports and crime dramas into a box and wraps it with an early 90s bow.

The film’s plot revolves around a gang of bank robbers that have gone on a crime spree, knocking over 27 banks in three years.

The FBI have reason to believe that the gang members may actually be surfers, and assign rookie agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) to go undercov-

About the author Sandy El-Bitar was born and raised in Lebanon. She graduated from the theatre program at Lebanese University, acted in numerous plays, worked as a clown doctor in four different hospitals, and travelled to perform in several countries. In Canada, she studied recreation and leisure services. Currently, she works as a life enrichment aid in palliative and end of life care, where she integrates art, play, and humour into therapy. She is also completing her BA in psychology at the University of Ottawa. You can reach her at selbi006@uottawa.ca.

Email arts@thefulcrum.ca to submit your work to the Fulcrum.

Summer edition

you should

Four months of lazing around on the beach, patio drinks, and just generally taking in the great outdoors is almost here. Of course, not all of us are as adventurous as the people we follow on Instagram.

So instead of forcing yourself to hike up a steep path or go barreling down some dangerous waves, why not watch a highly paid actor do it instead?

With that in mind, the Fulcrum has come up with a list of the best summer movies to help you shake off the weight of this past semester—without subjecting yourself to a nasty sunburn.

Your father died? Order the shrimp.

Lost between shooting yourself and using a rope? Order the shrimp.

Searching for the truth? Order the shrimp man!

Next time, order the shrink, I mean, order the shrimp…and that’s it!

received critical acclaim when it was released, and suffers from some stiff acting, but that doesn’t really matter because it knows what it wants to be: A summer popcorn flick that’ll make you want to learn how to surf.

Preferably, on the American taxpayers’ dime.

—Miguel Marchildon.

The Avengers (2012) We’ve all been there. The “what to watch next?” phase of Netflix binge-watching.

You can always fire up your laptop and type “classic summer movies” into Google, which gets you typical search results like Grease and Mamma Mia. If you keep scrolling you’ll go past the comedy section (everyone loves comedy, right?) where Wet Hot American Summer or National Lampoon’s Vacation take up residence. Even though these are all great entertainment, some-

thing’s still missing.

However, there is one movie that offers everything. From intense action, to comic relief, to heartwarming moments, The Avengers can satisfy everyone’s taste.

Besides, it’s hard to say “no” to these characters that we’ve come to know over the years.

Who doesn’t love Robert Downey Jr.’s particular brand of sarcasm, and how it contrasts with Chris Evans’ straight laced Captain America? And how can we not ship Hawkeye and Black Widow together?

Plus the first Avengers movie does the impossible, and manages to juggle a variety of genres that appeal to a wide variety of people.

So, make sure to add this blockbuster to your list of summer movies because, let’s be real here, there will be more than one.

—Neha Virk. _

thefulcrum.ca

The Travel Issue

Photos: Nadia Helal, Veronika Cencen, Janoah Wilsie, Parker Townes.

Immigrants get the job done

A showcase of personal journeys to Canada Still a little salty

Montreal ‘76

Hustlin’ in the 6

My dad often travelled from New Jersey to Canada to fish and visit his friends at Sharbot Lake, Ontario.

On such a trip in the late 1980s he was invited to a friend’s wedding where he met a woman from nearby Belleville. His friend Frank, an Algonquian fiddle player, described the meeting as “love at first sight.” They stayed in touch and a few years later got married and my dad immigrated to Canada.

Whenever he’s asked about how they met my dad says that he went on a fishing trip and ended up getting caught … by his wife.

The Marchildon family history in Canada goes back to the French colonial period. My grandfather likes to remind us how the story starts with our paternal ancestor Rene-Henri Marchelidon.

Rene, who was baptized in 1711, came from a peasant family. Not content to farm, he decided to sell salt on the side.

But the king of France had a monopoly on salt to fund his armies, so Rene got caught in 1737 and was given a choice: rot in the king’s jail or take a one-way fare on the next boat to New France.

And so, my family has been in Canada for 280 years for trafficking in salt.

—Justin Patrick.

—Miguel Marchildon.

My dad has always told us that he was inspired to immigrate to Canada from Morocco after seeing Montreal on display during the 1976 Summer Olympics.

I’ve also grown up hearing about Nadia Comaneci, the 14-year-old Romanian gymnast who was the first Olympic gymnast to score a perfect 10 in 1976. My parents didn’t initially intend to name me Nadia, but settled on it because it’s easier to spell and pronounce in English than their first choice.

My dad put me in gymnastics as a child because of my name, but my mediocrity dashed his dreams of Olympic glory. His aspirations of a gold medal for me have outlived my actual gymnastics career by several decades now.

He doesn’t bring it up too often anymore … when we’re not in Olympic years, that is. I guess I just have to become a doctor, lawyer, or prime minister now.

My parents immigrated to Toronto from India in the early ‘90s, and their story reflects those of many other immigrant parents.

For example, my dad had an established engineering career in India, but it took him some time to find a stable job when he moved here, in large part because many engineering firms in Toronto didn’t recognize his education and credentials. My parents lived with some extended family for a few months until they found a place of their own, but many days were spent adjusting to not having their close friends, parents, and siblings with them.

Adjusting to a new life isn’t always easy for immigrants, but having the support of relatives, neighbours, and new friends eventually makes you feel right at home.

Sometimes it’s good to get caught

Not everything to his taste My dad always had these elaborate stories of growing up as a destitute orphan in Egypt and how he arrived in this country with nothing, which is somewhat exaggerated.

His disdain for ketchup and fast food never ceased, often announcing he had never eaten a McDonald’s hamburger and never would. While sitting in what was called “the immigrant hotel,” where they stuck you when you first arrived, he said he looked out the window at the piles of snow and wished he had ended up in Australia.

But all these years later here I am, a ketchup-loving and burger-eating Canadian. Sorry dad.

—Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

—Graham Robertson.

—Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi.

, Infrogm Photo: CC

P h o t o:

CC , P 1 9

9.

Photo: CC, Post of Ro

mania .

ation of N

ew O rlean

s.

The facts behind Canada’s immigration policy

Layout: Courtesy of Government of Canada.

Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi Features Editor

Canadian system characterized by precarity and lack of support

With the rise of populist politics and a growing antiglobalization angst, immigration has become a hotbutton issue once again. The Fulcrum spoke with two Universit y of Ottawa experts to separate fact from fiction when it comes to immigration policy, economics, and integration in the Great White North.

What does our immigration system look like?

First of all, Canada’s immigration system can be divided into two main categories: Permanent residents, which include economic, family and refugee classes, and temporar y workers. Visas are granted depending on which category individuals fit under, and the federal government uses a points system to assess potential immigrants for certain types of visas.

Policy is concentrated at the federal level, except for the province of Quebec. Therefore, immigrants who want to move to Quebec have to apply to that province directly.

According to Luisa Veronis, a professor in the department of geography, environment, and geomatics at the U of O, immigration has served two main purposes in Canada: population growth and economic development.

“In terms of immigration policy, it’s become increasingly selective,” said Veronis. “Things have changed last year due to the Syrian refugee situation, but up to last year the number of refugees that were admitted in Canada had been declining.”

In recent years Canada has decreased the number of family reunification visas, and increased the number of visas for skilled workers and temporar y foreign workers.

Veronis believes this selectiveness is a problem, because it allows for a gendered and race dimension of immigration. For example, the majority of women who enter Canada come under family reunification visas, which are less prioritized than visas for highly skilled workers.

“Canada’s immigration policy is no longer racist the way it was before 1967 when the so-called points system was implemented,” said Veronis. “Nevertheless, you have to pay a fee of $1,500 to apply, so not everyone can come to Canada. It’s selective in that sense.”

This selective vetting process is constantly on the mind of David Moffette, a professor in the department of criminology at the U of O. “There’s been in the last, probably 12 years, a decrease of permanent landed immigrant visas from the get-go,” said Moffette, who correlates this decrease to an increase in temporar y workers, such as seasonal agricultural workers and live-in caregivers under the Federal Skilled Workers Program.

Those who come to Canada as temporar y workers are usually here for a few years, but a select few can then apply for permanent residency.

However, while the federal government prioritizes skilled workers, there is a lack of support for professionals when they arrive, and their credentials often go unrecognized. The process to get their credentials recognized is lengthy, and they often can’t afford to go back to school right away.

“Well one doesn’t contradict the other. You can want to attract professionals, (but) it doesn’t mean they’ll find a job,” said Veronis. “The federal government thinks we need skilled workers, now what happens when they’re here is not the problem of the federal government.”

Precarious work Even when they manage to wade through all this bureaucratic red tape, immigrants who enter Canada often face uncertain circumstances.

“I’m assuming that the government thinks that what they want is workers and not immigrants,” said Moffette. “I think that the consequences is that there are more and more people in precarious immigration status.”

One major issue is that temporar y workers are dependent on their employers for more than their wages.

“If they lose their job, they lose their possibilit y of applying for permanent residency,” explains Moffette.

This dynamic puts people at risk of abusive work environments and human rights violations.

In late 2016, the Trudeau government announced that they would be doing away with the four-year limit for temporar y foreign workers. The previous rule stated that temporar y foreign workers could only work in Canada for four years, and couldn’t re-apply until they’ve lived abroad for four years.

However, after scrapping this rule, the Liberal government did not articulate a clear path to citizenship for temporar y foreign workers, so chances are they will continue to work in unsettling circumstances.

“Immigration is about growing roots, and in order to be able to do that … you need to know that you’ll be able to stay,” said Moffette. “I think temporar y permits prevent integration. People aren’t going to really start building networks … if they know they can’t stay.”

Settlement and integration While the government generally doesn’t directly provide settlement services, it does provide funding for NGOs and para-governmental organizations. Funding is split between federal and provincial governments and services are developed across all sorts of sectors.

“Over time there’s been a reduction of settlement services that are culturally and linguistically sensitive to people’s needs,” said Veronis.

Once again, skilled workers are the main focus when it comes to services. This means “that people who came under family reunification, particularly spouses, have

less access to services which may lead to things like isolation and so on and so forth,” said Veronis.

In addition, while municipal governments don’t get to participate in the development of immigration policy, they often provide most of the services. This can lead to disagreements between levels of government in dealing with immigration, especially when it comes to issues like sanctuar y cities.

Another set of hurdles for integration includes negative stereotypes, and the rise of racist politics.

“This has real consequences,” according to Moffette.

“I think it normalizes hate, it normalizes racism, it transcribes it into a language that it’s not about racism it’s about equality, it’s about getting what you deserve, it’s about not having your stuff stolen from you, it’s about defending Canadian values,” he said.

“But by doing that, you’re saying immigrants don’t have Canadian values.”

Not your average walk in the park

The best way to check out Canada’s most unique natural spots Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi & Miguel Marchildon Features Editor & Fulcrum Freelancer This summer the Canadian government is offering free national park passes in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary. So lace up your boots, pack some sunscreen, and forget your phone, because this summer you can see the Great White North like you never have before.

Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba Having worked at Riding Mountain National Park for two summers as a Visitor Service Attendant, I can’t recommend this spot enough.

This park is located on an escarpment in northwestern Manitoba that punctuates the prairie landscape. As it encompasses three distinct ecosystems, you can find a large assortment of Canadian mammals—from moose, to elk, bears, and bison.

While this local animal population can lead to some enchanting sights, you still have to take the proper precautions.

One summer, I was able to convince my family and my roommate to come with me on a 75 km hike. We only had a weekend, and about 5 km into the trail I realized that my roommate was

Photo: CC, W-van.

carrying over a kilo of extra weight in raw meat in bear country. But, as luck would have it, everyone finished the gruelling hike in one piece.

Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia If you find yourself traveling across British Columbia this summer, make sure you check out the great outdoors and not just a vibrant urban centre like Vancouver. One of best sites you can stumble across is Pacific Rim National Park the Island, which consists of three geographically separate units—Long Beach, Broken Group Islands, and West Coast Trail.

The Long Beach unit is a sweet beach spot where you can swim, tan, or explore the nearby areas. Long Beach is also located close to Tofino, a local surfing hotspot. The Broken Group Islands is, you guessed it, a collection of small islands and rocks located only by boat.

Finally, the West Coast Trail features a breathtaking 75 km route.

If you can make it the whole way, you’ll get to see some wonderful sites like temperate rainforests, sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, sea arches, sea stacks, and beaches.

Ukkusiksalik National Park, Nunavut Ukkusiksalik National Park is a great destination for those (very few) of us who are actually sad to see the snow

melting.

For the rest of us, the chilly temperature is still worth braving to see one of Canada’s northernmost parks. Animal lovers will love this spot, since polar bear, grizzly, arctic wolf, and caribou sightings are common (just make sure to keep your distance). If you love marine life then you can also paddle to an inland sea to meet some beluga whales and seals.

Plus, if you’re lucky, you might get a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.

Fathom Five National Marine Park, Ontario For history buffs, Fathom Five National Park is the place for you.

This park, located on Lake Huron, is home to nearly two dozen shipwrecks.

You can learn about the harrowing journeys of the unfortunate sailors who lost their lives on those vessels— and who knows, you might run into one of their ghosts. You can even go scuba diving or take a glass bottom boat tour.

Under the water is also the famed “submerged waterfall,” a structure formed as a result of melting glaciers, increasing water levels, and land formations. The waterfall is now hidden under Georgian Bay, but it is still an important geological location nonetheless.

The park also features 420-millionyear old dolomite rock formations, lush forests, and the rare calypso orchid.

Photo: CC, Paul Gierszewski.

Illustration: Neha Virk.

While provincial parks are not covered under the free national park passes program, here are a few beautiful parks located closer to Ottawa.

Petroglyphs Provincial Park, Ontario This park, located northeast of Peterborough, hosts the largest collection of ancient First Nations rock carvings (petroglyphs) in Ontario. This site was lost until 1954, when it was “re-discovered” by prospector Everett Davis.

Today, you can visit this National Historic Site of Canada, and learn about the fascinating mythologies of the Ojibway (Nishnaabe) tribe carved into the rocks. You can also check out the Learning Place Visitor Centre to find out more about the their traditions through the teachings of the medicine wheel.

Nearby is also the stunning McGinnis Lake, a beautiful blue-green body of water which is also one of only a few meromictic lakes in Canada, meaning that the layers of water don’t intermix .

Sandbanks Provincial Park, Ontario If you’re looking for clear water and white sandy beaches, Sandbanks is the place for you. You’ll (almost) feel like you’re in the Caribbean if you visit at the height of summer.

This park, located in Prince Edward County just south of Belleville, boasts the world’s largest baymouth barrier dune formation.

The park also features more traditional amenities such as hiking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds.

Photo: CC, Norm Andreiw.

Explore Indigenous communities in Canada this summer

Indigenous peoples showcase Aboriginal culture beyond confederation

jumps in the world—First Nations people would hunt them by stampeding them over a cliff. The buffalo was an extremely important animal for plains First Nations, according to Macdougall, since they provided a variety of resources.

“Everything can be used from that animal, and so the animal is deeply revered amongst plains tribes in Canada and the U.S.” In addition, this World Heritage Site was developed by Parks Canada in partnership with the Blackfoot Nation.

“So the Blackfoot Nation has a great deal to do there in terms of producing the story, so it’s not being told about them. They’re articulating their own experience in that place.”

Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi

Features Editor

While the country is gearing up for a massive celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation, it’s also important to note the accomplishments of Indigenous peoples before 1867.

In the 2011 National Household Survey, almost 1.5 million Canadians identified as having an Aboriginal identity. Around 850,000 of those people identified as First Nations, while 451,795 identified as Métis, and 59,445 as Inuit.

All in all, these people comprise hundreds of tribes from all across the country.

To understand the importance of the increasing presence of Indigenous culture in mainstream Canadian life, one has to acknowledge the history of their oppression. Since first contact with European explorers, their cultures have been under threat. In addition to the numerous atrocities committed against them, various governments have also instituted methods to destroy their unique cultures.

For example, residential schools were active from 1876 to 1996 in Canada with the aim of assimilating Indigenous peoples by forcing them to abandon their languages and cultural practices. These schools were also the site of horrific abuse.

The Potlatch ceremony, a practice of many Aboriginal nations of the Pacific Northwest, was banned from 1885 to 1951. Until 1960, First Nations people in Canada had to lose their treaty status in order to vote in a federal election.

“I think from an Aboriginal perspective… leading up to the end of the 20th century, they had no control over the production of storytelling,” says to Brenda Macdougall. “It’s a main part of who anybody is, to be able to articulate your own national story.”

Macdougall is a University of Ottawa professor in the department of geography, environment, and geomatics, as well as the Chair in Métis Research and a member of the university’s Aboriginal Education Council.

According to Dr. Daniel Millette, a Carleton University architectural historian who is also a member of the Indigenous Place Making Council, “I’ll tell you one thing right from the get-go, there is, what I would characterize, a new architectural landscape, an Indigenous architectural landscape, emerging throughout Canada that almost no one is paying attention to.”

In this spirit, here are a variety of landmarks and cultural centres around the country where you can go to learn more about the complex history of Canada.

Counter-Confederation movements (online) The first place you can go is absolutely free:

Photo: CC, US Embassy Canada.

Twitter and Facebook.

Macdougall highlights online activities of Native Peoples who “are trying to produce counter-narratives to Canada’s 150, not simply accepting the notion of being included inside of it.”

It’s important to note that Indigenous peoples have lived in North America for thousands of years before Christopher Columbus, or even vikings, “discovered” it.

“It’s a matter of producing the counter-narratives, for some it’s very much about a protest, and for others there’s simply re-storying, finding ways to articulate a history that doesn’t just add native people in, in convenient places, but makes them central to the narrative,” says Macdougall.

One such individual is Cree artist Kent Monkman, who created a t-shirt satirizing the “Fathers of Confederation” at Charlottetown, or “The Daddies.” The shirts feature an upsidedown version of the #Canada150 logo and the text “150 years of Colonialism.”

Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations.

The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre celebrates both nations’ history, and was designed by architect Alfred Waugh, who included elders from both communities in designing the centre.

According to the centre’s website, “The building is designed to evoke the longhouses of our Squamish people and the Istken (traditional earthen pit house) of our Lil’wat people with a modern architectural interpretation.”

Head-smashed-in Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site (Fort Macleod, Alberta) This location features one of the world’s oldest, largest, and best-preserved buffalo

Osoyoos First Nation—MK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre (Osoyoos, British Columbia) This cultural centre is situated in Canada’s only desert in the Okanagan.

According to Millette, this centre serves as a celebration of both the people that lived in this area, as well as the environment itself. “They wanted to celebrate the desert, the sands, the sensitivity of the ecosystem, and their culture.”

For any planner or architect, therefore, “the most important thing to do when engaging with Indigenous communities, is to invite the full community to participate within the design process,” he said.

The centre also features many indoor and outdoor exhibit galleries, displays, and many other fascinating learning opportunities.

Museum of History (Ottawa, Ontario) A major change coming to Ottawa’s Museum of History, come Canada Day, is a greater inclusion of First Nations’ history in the Canada Hall section.

Originally the Canada Hall was separate from the First Peoples Hall, which was located in the lower part of the museum, and centred on Canada since colonization. The Canada Hall is currently closed for renovation but will reopen on July 1, featuring the history of Canada far before European settlement.

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (Whistler, British Columbia) While Whistler is known for being a skiing destination, and all-around tourist trap, it’s also seated on traditional lands of both the

Photo: CC, Kyle Pearce.

Beach vacay on a budget How I made it to Miami on $160 a month shanèl dear

advertising manager Never in my life did I think I could afford a trip during school.

Don’t laugh, but after watching Pixar’s Up, and seeing how that old couple never got to go on their dream vacation, I knew I needed to travel now. But instead of travelling to a South American rainforest, I set my sights on the Ultra Miami Music festival in March 2015.

Caution: you may want to drop out of school and go on your dream vacation after reading these steps.

I told my friends about my trip and my financial obligation to it and they understood. They did their best not to get me involved in activities that required a lot of money. I learned that a $10 bottle of wine and a game of Cards Against Humanity can be just as

fun as a night out at the club.

Getting there I saved money on the flight by booking it last minute—I paid $450 literally four days before I

“Travelling alone is great, but having a friend to go with who is in a similar financial situation is the best. We kept each other motivated and helped each other out where we could.”

Saving up As a student, it was really hard to create a budget for this trip.

The festival ticket was $550, the plane ticket was $450, Airbnb was $150, and I had about $150 in spending money. My income was about $160 a month and I had no credit card.

But I did have my OSAP, so after paying my tuition I used the leftover money to pay for my ticket. First tip: If you are going to a music festival make sure to go for the payment plan option so you can pay for the ticket in installments.

The festival was at the end of March, so I had six months to save up enough money. I did some research to find the cheapest way to fly into Miami, then I saved about $80 from each paycheck. Two months before my trip I worked extra hours to increase my income, and was able to squeeze out about $160 more for spending money.

Needless to say, it was super hard. Being in second year, there was a lot of pressure to go out with friends and eat out constantly. You really have to sacrifice your social life and keep your eye on the prize.

left. Living in Ottawa definitely helps put the odds in my favour, since I have three airports to choose from within driving distance. I drove to Plattsburg, New York, and flew to Miami from there because they had the cheapest deal. When looking for flights make sure to use sites like Expedia and Flight Centre because they give you a ton of options.

My friend had a credit card, so we used it to pay for the Airbnb with the intention of paying it off when we returned. If you have the funds and can pay for it before, that’s obviously great too.

Travelling alone is great, but having a friend to go with who is in a similar financial situation is the best. We kept each other motivated and helped each other out where we could.

On the ground Before you get to your destination, make sure to research all the places you want to visit and see if you can get there by bus from your hotel or Airbnb so you can save money. Once you arrive, do a grocery run and buy some snacks, a pack of water, and some simple breakfast items like pita and peanut butter that you can eat.

The best part about the States is that food and booze are dirt cheap. I ended up spending $30 on food and $15 on booze my whole trip.

When you get to the music festival, buy one water bottle and make sure to hold on to it for the whole day as they have refill stations. At $5 a bottle you do not want to buy more than one.

All in all, I didn’t have the most lavish trip, but I did go to one of the biggest music festivals in the world—and the experience alone was worth it.

Bottom line: Don’t wait until you are done university to travel.

Do it now!

Photo: Shanèl Dear.

Pictures and pages to inspire your adventures The best travel experiences depicted in books and films If you’ve got the travel bug, but can’t decide on a place, check out these books and movies for some instant inspiration.

The Year of Miss Agnes

by Kirkpatrick Hill This was the first book I ever read that inspired me to pack my bags and see the world.

It tells the story of a classroom of children in the wilderness of Alaska in 1948.

Teachers from mainland United States never stay long because they cannot handle the culture shock. But this year, the children finally get a mainland American teacher who cares about them named Miss Agnes.

Although it’s a story written for children, it deals with the clash of cultures that inevitably happens while travelling and has always highlighted, to me, the importance of learning about the rest of the world.

—Janoah Willsie.

To the Lighthouse

by Virginia Woolf Over the past few years my back-toschool ritual has involved re-reading Virginia Woolf’s To The Lighthouse.

This novel, set on the Isle of Skye in northern Scotland, is a perfect read for the hazy heat of August. It tells the story of the Ramsay family, lead by their mesmerizing matriarch Mrs. Ramsay, at their summer home. The rambling prose focuses on thoughts and observations as it delves into the complexity of familial bonds.

Woolf’s expert descriptions might just entice you to visit the Godrevy lighthouse in Cornwall, England, the real-life structure that inspired the breathtaking landscape in the novel.

—Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi.

Castle Rock

BY STEPHEN KING For horror fans, there is no setting more iconic than one of Stephen King’s idyllic but eerie New England towns. In 2012, my family took a literary road trip to King’s hometown of Bangor, Maine, which is as close as you can get to stepping into one of his novels.

Photo: CC, Ms Glenda Ortiz.

The inspiration behind Derry and Castle Rock, Bangor is home to the graveyard from Pet Sematary, the Paul Bunyan statue and standpipe from It. The seaside town is also home to King’s private home, distinguished by its cobweb windowpanes and foreboding wrought iron gate.

—Madison McSweeney.

Whale Rider I have dreamed of visiting New Zealand ever since I first watched Whale Rider.

This 2002 drama follows the story of a Maori girl named Pai, who wants to inherit the leadership of their tribe from her grandfather. But because she is female, she is not permitted to take up that title.

Whale Rider masterfully intertwines the beauty of New Zealand with the rich Maori culture to produce a story that is heartwarming and inspirational.

—Janoah Willsie.

Into the Wild Into The Wild tells the story of Chris-

topher “Alexander Supertramp” McCandless, an American hiker and minimalist who gained international fame after an ill-fated trip to Alaska.

McCandless’ views on human relationships, the mental drag of material wealth, and his reckless attitude made him a controversial figure. However, he embodies everything I love about backpacking and served as an inspiration for me both at home and abroad.

Although several adaptations of his life have been produced, the 2007 film starring Emile Hirsch paints his character in the multifaceted light his legacy deserves.

—Eric Davison.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona I’m not Woody Allen’s biggest fan, but the man does make some great travel films.

Midnight in Paris and Vicky Cristina Barcelona are two of my favourites. The latter is about two girlfriends who spend a summer traveling in Spain. The film portrayed the warm country and its people

Edits: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik

so charmingly I even ended up visiting beautiful Barcelona myself.

I have visited over 30 countries, but that trip to Spain will always be in my top five.

—Nadia Helal.

Stealing Beauty This Bernardo Bertolucci drama follows Lucy Harmon, a 19-year-old woman who visits her late mother’s best friend in her lush Tuscan villa.

This film has an optimal mix of Liv-Tylerdancing-to-Courtney-Love-in-polka-dots nostalgia and modern worries about mental health and sexuality. Lucy doesn’t let a disappointing love interest stop her from exploring the breathtaking countryside and all of the charming characters that inhabit it. You’ll definitely want to move to Italy after laying your eyes on the view, the houses, and even the gorgeous pizza parlour where they grab a bite to eat.

Plus, this movie features a delightfully bitchy Rachel Weiss. What’s not to love?

—Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi.

Nightmare travel experiences

You’ll only laugh because you weren’t there While seeing the world is a dream for many of us, every now and then you hit some bumps in the road and it turns into a nightmare.

The Burj Khalifa I was travelling to Dhaka for an internship, and my supervisor had purchased my flights through a travel agent. Well, the agent booked my flights on Biman Bangladesh, a sub-par airline with a notorious reputation of delays.

Let’s just say I spent an unexpected 27 hours in Dubai and missed my first day of work. On the upside, I did get to see the Burj Khalifa.

—Miguel Marchildon.

That last drink Don’t travel hungover. This has happened to me on multiple occasions and every time I regret it. If you think going through airport security is bad sober, try doing it slightly nauseous with a pounding headache, reeking of alcohol and poor decisions.

—David Campion-Smith.

Snoring all over the world Since I’m still a student, I often stay in hostels while travelling to save money and to meet other young people. Most of the time, it’s an excellent experience.

But once, after a great day in Prague, I returned to the dorm to find two men who had just arrived. They must have had pneumonia, because they were snoring and choking so loudly and so erratically in their sleep that it was absolutely impossible for anyone else to fall asleep. After a few hours, the rest of us gave up trying and the two men dozed peacefully until 8 a.m.

—Janoah Willsie.

The strangest place to find a diaper If you ever go to Marrakech, Morocco, you can’t miss the famed Jemaa elFna, a beautiful plaza filled with shops, restaurants, and even some animals.

One evening while in town with a friend we decided to take photos with two monkeys, who seemed less than happy to see us (to be fair, I doubt they’re treated very well). It was all fun and games until our handlers decided to get the monkeys to sit on our heads. While the monkey was perched on my head, I realized that it was wearing a diaper. My friend was a lot more resistant to her sudden visitor, and rushedly handed the monkey back to the handler.

Needless to say, we didn’t try to take photos with the snakes after that.

—Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi.

Illustration: CC, GDJ. Edits:Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

SPORTS

cavalry awards

SPORTS EDITOR Nico Laliberté sports@thefulcrum.ca

@nico_laliberte @FulcrumSports

Nico Laliberté & Zack Goobie

Sports Editor & Associate Sports Editor

Every school year the Fulcrum gives out Cavalry Awards for the best that varsity athletics has to offer. You’ve cast your votes, so here are this semester’s winners.

Male M.v.p.

Photo: Marta Kierkus.

Caleb Agada men’s basketball

Fifth-year senior Caleb Agada ended his career as a Gee-Gee in impressive fashion.

The Burlington, Ontario native was the heart and soul of the men’s basketball team, contributing equally well on both sides of the floor. The economics student played in 17 regular season games, averaging a team high of 14.9 points and an incredible 2.9 steals per contest. Agada was huge on the defensive end time and time again, earning him recognition as the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and U Sports defensive player of the year for the second year in a row.

Head

coach

Andy

Derouin

looked to Agada to make big play after big play, and he didn’t fail to produce for his coach.

Agada stepped up when the Gees needed him most, scoring 24 and 22 points in both OUA final four games against Ryerson and Brock, respectively.

Because of all these accomplishments, Agada was named to the OUA first all-star team for the third year in a row.

The hustle that this guard showcased this year was unrivaled, and he will go down as one of the fiercest competitors to ever step onto the court at Montpetit Hall.

Runner-up: Montana Champagne, swimming.

feMale M.v.p.

Photo: Kyle Darbyson.

Mélodie Bouchard women’s hockey

Now in her second year, women’s hockey superstar Mélodie Bouchard picked up right where she left off last season.

Bouchard started this year on a tear, putting up six goals and 14 points in her first four games.

She cooled off a bit at the end of the season, but that was probably at least partially due to her leaving for Kazakhstan for two weeks to play for Canada at the Winter Universiade at the end of January. Bouchard still managed 23 points in 18 games,

thefulcrum.ca

good enough to end up third in the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec conference. Bouchard made a habit of scoring when it mattered, finishing the season with five game-winning goals, to ultimately place fifth in the country.

Next season, there’s no doubt that Bouchard will still be seen as the primary offensive weapon for her team.

Runner-up: Tania Bambi, track and field.

Sports | 19

cavalry awards

Rookie m.v.p.

Photo: Courtesy of Marc Bourget.

Kevin Domingue Men’s hockey

Kevin Domingue was the offensive catalyst for a very young U of O men’s hockey team.

The Laval, Quebec native finished the year with 31 points in 28 games, which included 16 goals, allowing him to finish fifth in the OUA. Following a good three-year junior hockey career, which included a season with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, Domingue emerged as the Gees’ best offensive weapon.

The most noticeable aspect of Domingue’s overall game is his speed, which he would use to beat defensemen by bursting down

the wing. The freshman had a knack for scoring big, netting an OUA-leading five game-winning goals. One of the main keys to the Gees’ incredible winning streak after Christmas was Domingue’s ability to score 13 points in eight games in January. His offensive touch around the net, combined with his great vision, makes him totally deserving of this award.

The Gees will continue to look his way for offensive prowess moving forward.

Runner-up: Amélie Hachey, women’s basketball.

Coach of the semester

Photo: Courtesy ofMarc Bourget.

Patrick Grandmaître men’s hockey

The Hull, Quebec native really motivated his players to buy into his program, especially in the second half of the season where the team went on an incredible 8–1–2 run. Despite losing in the first round to Queen’s University, the Gees took the nationally ranked team to a deciding third game, where they ended up falling.

Patrick Grandmaître was key to the great success the men’s hockey team experienced in their first year back from a two-year absence.

Grandmaître’s style of play generated an outstanding 35.7 shots per game, resulting in the Gees finishing the regular season with a respectable 15–8–5 record. Despite being shorthanded for a significant portion of the regular season, Grandmaître’s penalty kill constantly frustrated opposing powerplays.

At the start of the season, the young team needed a coach to provide leadership and institute a positive locker room culture, and that’s exactly what they got from Grandmaître.

Fan Favourite men’s hockey

Amazingly, with a roster full of rookies, the U of O men’s hockey team made the playoffs in their first year back.

Mathieu Newcomb was the star for the Gees, scoring two goals including the game winner in the second overtime period. The fans in attendance were constantly on the edge of their seats as both goalies made save after save. Gees goalie Graham Hunt had one of his best games of the year on Feb. 17, saving 38 of 40 shots fired his way.

The win against a top U Sports team served as a huge statement for the rebooted U of O men’s hockey program.

While this squad constantly surprised onlookers throughout the year, their status as fan favourites can be encapsulated in their Feb. 17 home playoff game against Queen’s.

Now, the Gees entered this first-round matchup as heavy underdogs, since Queen’s was ranked third in the U Sports Top 10 at the time. After losing game one in doubleovertime, the action returned to the U of O for game two. Fans were treated to a backand-forth game that went down to the wire.

20 | SPORTS

Despite the series not going the Gees’ way, this home playoff win was well worth the price of admission for supporters and a sign of more great things to come.

Photo: Courtesy ofMarc Bourget.

thefulcrum.ca

OPINIONS

OPINIONS EDITOR Eric Davidson

opinions@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @eric_davidson93

With justice we stand, with division we fall Police wristbands undermine public trust in Canada’s law enforcement Savannah Awde Editor-in-Chief

O

n March 29, the CBC reported that members of the Ottawa Police Service began donning bracelets in solidarity with Const. Daniel Montsion, who was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Abdirahman Abdi last July.

While these officers are free to wear whatever they want off duty, this particular item raises some important points of concern which ultimately undermine the credibility of the Ottawa police.

First of all, the death of Abdi did not go under the radar—it prompted a major outcry from the public and debates around police brutality.

Witnesses to the confrontation that ultimately led to Abdi’s death were shocked by the force used against Abdi, and a woman who recorded

the entire encounter told the CBC that “it looked like the police could have taken a different approach in the situation.”

This fatal confrontation is especially toxic in its implications for the black community in Ottawa. As black folks have long faced disproportionate scrutiny and violence from police officers, many saw this incident as the latest in a long line of racially motivated actions.

After Abdi’s death, journalist Desmond Cole wrote in an article for the Ottawa Citizen that “the most dangerous thing we can do right now is entertain the possibility that Abdi’s treatment was justified.” Cole goes on to list a number of behaviours by Montsion that the public has a duty to question if we hope to hold our law enforcement to a high standard.

For example, when it was clear that Abdi had sustained severe injuries during his arrest, why did the police, according to witness Shukri Samater, tell bystanders not to call

Members of the Ottawa Police Service are wearing bracelets in support of Const. Daniel Montsion.

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

911? Why did the police, according to another eyewitness, continue beating Abdi after he was handcuffed?

These might be hard questions, but they are questions that must be answered before taking a position of solidarity with the defendant.

And that brings me to the next

glaring problem with these wristbands—they completely undermine the constitutional idea of “equal before and under the law” that is so central to our justice system. By blindly presuming the innocence of a fellow police officer in the name of “brotherhood,” without first letting Canadian law dictate their guilt or

innocence, the police have likely lost a great deal of trust from the Ottawa public.

Realistically, how can we feel confident in the Ottawa Police Service’s ability to handle cases in the name of the law, rather than on the basis of their personal biases, when some of its members are so quick to defend someone with no legal basis for doing so?

When it comes to matters of law enforcement, impartiality and fairness are both key. Based on witness testimony, there are many reasons to believe that, when detaining Abdi, the police did not act with these principles in mind.

So, Ottawa police, please scrap the wristbands and start salvaging your relationship with the black community and the city of Ottawa at large.

You cannot afford to give the public any more reason to believe that the guiding tenets of our legal system aren’t respected by Ottawa law enforcement.

Is the new federal budget a good deal for students?

Document promises more financial aid, but many roadblocks still exist Eric Davidson

opinions editor

Between essays, exams, and Netflix, it’s safe to assume that most students weren’t waiting on tenterhooks for the federal government to release the new budget.

All in all, it wasn’t an earthshattering document, but its contents could have an impact on students’ schooling and lifestyle. And while several parts of the budget were good for education, there were some drawbacks for students as well.

Let’s start with the fun stuff.

One of the more talked about outcomes of the budget is that ride-sharing apps like Uber will now be taxed like taxis, with riders having to pay HST, which will lead to higher prices if you’re running late to a class or on your way home from a night out.

There was, sadly, a higher tax imposed on alcohol, though

Finance Minister Bill Morneau released the new federal budget on March 22.

it seems like it will make no noticeable impact on prices students pay for their beer.

But the budget goes much further in terms of educa-

tion, making some structural changes to how the system works.

One of the biggest changes is the increased funding for In-

Photo: CC, Kmathewm.

digenous students in post-secondary education. The government will allocate $90 million over the next two years to the Post-Secondary Student Sup-

port Program for this purpose.

The government has also pledged to do a “comprehensive and collaborative review” with First Nations communities to make sure federal programs supporting Indigenous students are working. However, there are doubts that this action will be carried out in a way that leads to real change.

Even if you’re not going to be a full-time student, this budget is good news for you. It signals a plan to expand eligibility for Canada Student Grants for part-time students. The government also plans to expand eligibility to these grants for students with dependent children.

The budget also promises to make it easier for adults to go back to school, since adults going from working back to school often have trouble qualifying for loans or grants.

To solve this problem, the budget promises to debut a

thefulcrum.ca

“pilot project,” spending $287.2 million over three years to “test new approaches.” However, no details are provided, and there are concerns that too many roadblocks exist, like getting the provinces to agree on a system to use.

Other than that, the budget does raise some concerns, like the fact that it does little to ease the repayment process for student loans. However, there’s hope that this issue could be dealt with in the future.

A budget doesn’t set anything in stone, but it spells out a plan at the very least.

This document contains many promising ideas that could improve life for several different types of students. However, it also fails to provide a clear roadmap to achieve to these goals in a lot of places, and that will need to be ironed out before all of the government’s plans can come to fruition.

OPINIONS | 21

The SFUO is failing to follow its constitution

This year’s executive has violated the spirit and the letter of guiding document Eric Davidson opinions editor

At the April 2 meeting of the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO)’s Board of Administration (BOA), president Roméo Ahimakin said that the federation was not doing a good job following its constitution, and he worried where this could lead the student executive in the coming years.

Because I’m a giant nerd, I took a look at the constitution and came to the same conclusion—the SFUO needs to do some serious reading over the summer.

After all, members of the executive have directly disobeyed the constitution this year on multiple occasions.

For example, a Disciplinary Committee report at the March 12 BOA meeting found that vice-president equity Morissa Ellis had, at one time, been registered as a full-time student, when the constitution says executives can’t take more

than seven credits (around two classes) per semester (section 3.2.7.2.1).

At the April 2 BOA meeting, other board members stopped vice-president social Hadi Wess from disclosing his course load this year, while the constitution states execs must make this information available at the start of each semester (section 3.2.7.2.5).

And then there’s the fact that a major position, the executive coordinator, doesn’t have its roles and responsibilities spelled out in the constitution, as other positions do. This means that students can’t hold that person accountable, even if they know the position exists.

Why should the SFUO care?

Because if a member of the federation is found to be in significant breach of the constitution they can be impeached, either by the board or by student petition brought to the constitutional committee (section 3.9).

But what can the SFUO do

SFUO president Roméo Ahimakin raised concerns that the SFUO constitution is not being followed at the April 2 BOA. Photo: Kyle Darbyson.

to improve their standing with their own rules and regulations?

For one, they can make use of the information sessions with the chair of the federation that are laid out in the constitution (section 3.1.10.1.1).

These information sessions

outline topics like Robert’s Rules of Order, and they can even go over specific areas of the constitution where there’s been slack.

The organization can also ensure that the online version of the constitution on their site is up to date so students can

stay informed. Constitutional changes are made throughout the year, and the most current version of the document is not always available.

Finally, individual members should make a point of reading the constitution in its entirety. It’s a long document, but

if you’re elected to serve the students it’s only fair you have to do your homework. And the student body can read it as well. If a student can refine their complaints to specific areas of the constitution broken by the SFUO, it will be much easier to enact quantifiable change.

Besides, there are some hidden gems in that document.

Like section 3.12.1.6, which states that alcohol is not prohibited at SFUO meetings (although a subsequent section says drunk people will be asked to leave).

But outside of that goofiness, all of the serious policy guidelines of the organization are in there too. So, for anyone looking to improve the federation for the next academic year, it’s worth taking a look at the constitution.

For a more comprehensive list of constitutional violations, please read the online version of this article on the Fulcrum’s official website.

It’s time to make Ottawa a sanctuary city

Ensuring people’s safety and maintaining Canada’s reputation are worth it eric davidson opinions Editor

A debate has emerged in Ottawa, one that has spread from the smallest coffee shops to the corridors of city hall. Should the nation’s capital officially become a sanctuary city?

Now, “sanctuary city” is a fairly nebulous term in a legal sense, but in general these cities make a point of not cracking down on illegal immigrants. In Canada, obtaining this status still won’t stop the Border Services Agency from deporting people. Instead, municipal services, like public health providers or even police forces, tell their staff not to ask people about their immigration status.

South of the border, major cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans have all passed such leg-

On March 30, Ottawa City councillors debated adopting sanctuary city status.

islation. Many of these cities stopped cooperating long before United States President Donald Trump even began running for office under blatantly anti-immigrant and xenophobic platforms, but all have reaffirmed their stance following his elec-

tion.

In Canada, a clearer divide is beginning to appear.

Toronto declared itself a sanctuary city in 2013, followed a year later by Hamilton. Four years later, London, Ontario obtained a similar status

Photo: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

in response to Trump’s policies against refugees.

A month later, Montreal followed.

This leads us to our current discussion, where the major Canadian cities like Ottawa, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg are in the middle of debat-

ing whether or not they should lend a welcoming hand to those in need of aid across the globe.

For humanitarian reasons, there is only one correct answer in this debate: yes.

While being a sanctuary city does not guarantee protection from deportation, it does make the life of a refugee or migrant slightly more welcoming. This is the first step in encouraging families to select Canada as their new residence, something that is vital to the future of our economic growth. And you can bet people who are considering immigrating here legally are watching how we treat other immigrants, illegal or otherwise.

Right now, these refugees and migrants who are fleeing war-torn countries or the United

22 | OPINIONS

States generally head for Toronto, knowing they are more likely to succeed in Canada’s biggest city.

If they could be encouraged to come to Ottawa instead, and be given the proper tools, they could build a life here, which would encourage some much-needed economic development.

Cities like Winnipeg and Regina are in the same boat, and should be embracing a chance to demonstrate what makes Canada different. Sanctuary cities may not be legally binding in a lot of cases, but it is the first step in making people feel welcome.

This kind of legislative change will at least encourage Parliament to think differently, which is important if we want to keep up Canada’s reputation of being a safe place for everyone.

thefulcrum.ca

SFUO recommends etiquette guide for those seeking office

Board of Administration candidates finally know when to bow and curtsy eric davidson tomato Editor After all the concerns over the recent Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) elections, the organization has decided to step up and finally make some big changes.

At an April 2 Board of Administration (BOA) meeting, vice-president of university affairs Danessa Vorimain gave a report on behalf of the elections committee, and suggested a way to make SFUO elections better for everyone— by establishing some good clean rules for polite behaviour.

After hearing that some candidates for board positions had been badmouthing the SFUO during the election period, the execs realized changes had to be made.

“People criticizing the SFUO and its members for all the school

The SFUO is moving to introduce new rules for elections.

to see? How will that help anyone?” said vice-president finance Richie Lachic. “As a side note, I’d like to say that the secretary of the SFUO likes to kick babies in his spare time.”

So, in a matter of days, the

Photo: Marta Kierkus, CC, 95C.

elections committee produced a handy guide on what people can and cannot say when they run for office.

“It’s the only way ensure good democracy, right?” said SFUO vice-president of services and

communications Crancesco Faruso. “I’m all for free speech, but constructive criticism is just a bridge too far.”

The guide starts by spelling out specific terms that are forbidden from future election debates.

“No candidate shall call the SFUO ‘corrupt,’ or ‘inept,’ or refer to it as a ‘place where student funds go to die.’”

The guide continues.

“No candidate shall say that the SFUO doesn’t listen to the voice of students. And anyone who doesn’t believe us can shut the hell up.”

The guide also contains provisions which specify that BOA candidates should bow and curtsy before they launch ad hominem attacks at each other.

“I think this guide is a step in the right direction,” said Phil Moore, a first-year philosophy student. “Honestly, it’ll be easier

if I don’t have to keep getting my hopes up every year that things will change in the SFUO.” “Of course, this document is the best way to fix student elections,” said Timmy Stevens. “What else can they do? Are they going start actually counting the ballots properly or let their polling staff work the right hours? Ridiculous!”

The guide even addresses nonSFUO students directly, urging them to channel their criticisms of the SFUO executive into a more useful vehicles.

“The GA is where we give students a voice and real power,” said Vorimain, before the entire executive broke down laughing.

On April. 5, Faruso said the SFUO is very happy with the new document and may make similar guidelines in the coming months.

Sources say the next text will be titled Proper behaviour for campus media outlets.

Bizarre columns rock Conservative leadership race

Strange Globe and Mail article becomes a template for political marketing machine Eric Davidson Tomato Editor Last week, in the midst of Trump-dominated headlines, one story from north of the border managed to break through—Leah McLaren’s column about trying to personally breastfeed someone else’s baby.

“Wait, what?” asked the entire Internet.

In the end, the Globe and Mail suspended McLaren, even though they did not explain how multiple editors thought it was a good idea to release this strange story in the first place.

Since the baby in question belonged to Michael Chong, a candidate for leadership of the Conservative party, this incident proved to have some weird silver lining for his campaign.

“The truth is, I’ve seen a lot more name recognition since this stranger announced she

tried to breastfeed my baby,” said Chong.

Other candidates have taken notice and responded with a similar media strategy.

“It’s genius!” exclaimed Deepak Obhrai, another Conservative leadership candidate. “Why try and manipulate the news cycle when you can get attention from literally the weirdest story ever?”

“Michael Chong has stumbled onto a gold mine here,” said Maxime Bernier, a fellow leadership hopeful. “Although I’m pretty sure he got the idea from documents I accidently left at his house.”

“Please, this is just another politician getting votes because people are hearing their name in the media,” said Kevin O’Leary, a part-time politician and full-time TV show host. “Why can’t leaders just focus on policy like I do?”

Some candidates are taking

thefulcrum.ca

Strange columns featuring obscure Conservative leadership hopefuls are appearing everywhere.

this marketing strategy one step further, and are actually paying columnists to write even stranger pieces about them. This has resulted in a string of bizarre news headlines, all of which feature a different Conservative lead-

ership candidate.

“I really enjoyed ‘My dance-off with Lisa Raitt’s grandmother,’” said Thomas Brown, a bemused Ottawa citizen. “And of course ‘The joys of navigating the Amazon River in a canoe with

Photo: CC Jon S, brokinhrt2.

Chris Alexander’ was similarly compelling.”

“My personal favourite was ‘That time Stephen Blaney farted next to me on an airplane,’” said Samantha Aldrin, another Ottawa resident.

“I liked ‘Trout fishing with a guy who looked like Jack Thompson,’” said Richard Dale, a Toronto resident.

“Okay, there is no candidate named Jack Thompson, but there are so many candidates in this race would you really have known?”

While this new media tactic has enjoyed a lot of success, some of the new columns have fallen flat.

“A serious policy discussion with Brad Trost” did so poorly online that the Toronto Star fired the journalist who wrote it and issued an official apology.

Despite a strong showing of support for the new strategy, there was one holdout among the Conservative leadership candidates.

“Guys, this is ridiculous.

We need to campaign the right way,” said Kellie Leitch.

“You know, like scapegoating immigrants.”

THE TOMATo | 23

DISTRACTIONS Dear Di,

Dear Di

FEATURES EDITOR Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi

features@thefulcrum.ca (613) 695-0062 @nadsdeb

Dear Di,

I’m currently on an internship abroad in Italy and have been dating a local guy. I’m coming back to Canada in a couple of weeks, and I don’t really know how to approach the situation. We’re both really invested in this relationship, but I don’t know if me going back home means we have to break up. How should I approach this? Is this relationship worth maintaining despite me leaving?

-Putting the “Lust” in “Wanderlust”

I’m going on a two-week vacation with some friends this summer. We’re pretty big party-goers, and I do enjoy casual hookups on nights out. Are there any precautions I should take if I’m sleeping with people abroad?

-Horny Sexcapades Dear HS,

It’s definitely common for young travellers to have romantic flings abroad, even though they can get a little tricky—especially when you can see your trip coming to an end.

First things first, remember this old cliché: communication is key.

You’re better off hitting your partner with the hard questions right away than waiting until you’re at the departure gate, and being told that your relationship is over.

Try to set things straight with him right now and see if he personally envisions a future with you, regardless of distance. You may be pleasantly surprised to hear him say that he’s willing to do long-distance and come visit you on the regular.

Of course, for this romance to go beyond borders you have to be down for a long-distance relationship. A great way to go about surviving this kind of arrangement is to plan visits in advance. This will give you both something to look forward to, and will allow you to see your relationship extend into the future.

Also, don’t be afraid to rely on technology to keep the flame going.

Skype dates, sexting, and phone sex are all great ways to help fill the void, and might even bring a little spice to your relationship (just be careful about how much you share).

However this pans out, be sure to make the most out of your last few weeks abroad, with or without the romance!

Whether you’re travelling abroad or at home, the same precautionary rules apply when it comes to sex.

Make sure you don’t forget to pack condoms, since protection against infection and pregnancy is still necessary when you travel. Although you can most likely buy them on-site, you’ll feel most comfortable carrying your own stash of rubbers, especially because brands and prices tend to differ from country to country.

If you’re a woman who sleeps with men, you should get everything birth control-related sorted out before you leave—don’t hesitate to meet with your doctor if you want a little more reassurance.

If you’re on the pill, make sure you keep taking your daily dose at the same time locally. So, if you regularly take it at 6 p.m. EST, and you go to London, you should be taking your birth control at 11 p.m. in London.

If you decide to go home with someone, make sure your friends know where you’re going at all times and ensure that they can reach you. Conversely, if you’re playing host to your new love affair at your hotel or Airbnb, make sure it’s okay with your travelling partners.

Although they may not mind you having a sexual fling, they might not appreciate it encroaching on their temporary living space. If you’re staying in a hostel, try to not forget about fellow travelers, as you run the risk of making a few enemies overnight if things get too rowdy.

Ultimately, as long as you take proper precautions you should have no issues getting down with locals when you’re abroad.

Love, Di

Love, Di

Dear PLW,

24 | DISTRACTIONS

thefulcrum.ca

summer 2017

THRYLLABUS

MUSIC arts Sports FUN

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Arts Centre

Major’s Hill, and Victoria Island This showcase of Indigenous talent provides an astounding display of art from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups, as well as artists from all over the country on National Aboriginal Day.

Thursday, April 27–Tuesday, May 2

Over 1,000 artists from a variety of disciplines (from cuisine to circus) will gather during the Canada Scene Festival. You’ll see interesting art installations in the main lobby (which are free to view) and have the chance to attend some of the 100 events that are planned.

Ottawa International Writers Festival, Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks Street

Friday, June 16–Sunday June, 18

This festival brings together lovers of the written word from all over the world. Check it out and hear from some of the finest authors of the 21st century, from politics to poetry.

Saturday, June 10–Sunday, June 11 Ottawa Dog Festival, RA Centre, free admission This weekend event is perfect for dog lovers (so pretty much anyone reading this). Come by and see the cutest professional puppers from the Rideau River Dock Diving competition to the Dog Lover’s Day lure course. There’s also games, competitions, and food trucks to indulge in.

Thursday June 15–Sunday, July 23

Thinking

Canada Scene Festival, National

Ottawa Beer Fest, Lansdowne Park Bored with your basic brew? Visit the sixth Ottawa Craft Beer Festival in mid-June and discover the hidden gems of the Ontario beer industry.

Friday, June 16–Saturday, June 17 Glowfair, Bank Street For one weekend, Bank Street will be converted into a mesmerizing celebration of music, light, and art. You’ll be able to see shops, music, street performers, and a silent disco, all in a effervescent atmosphere.

Tuesday, June 20–Sunday, June 25 Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival and Competition Pow Wow, Vincent Massey Park,

Saturday, July 1 Canada Day, National Capital Region In case you’ve somehow missed it, Canada will be celebrating 150 years since Confederation. There will be a variety of events all across the Nation’s Capital if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of Parliament Hill, such as events on Major Hill’s Park and at the Canadian Museum of History.

Monday, August 21–Sunday, August 27 Ottawa Capital Pride, Bank Street Village After a rocky 2016, Capital Pride is back and better than ever. Help celebrate this glorious return with Ottawa’s LGBTQ+ community.

This year features events like the Rainbow Flag Raising Tour, Family Picnic in the Park, Human Rights Vigil, and the Capital Pride Pageant, all culminating with the Capital Pride Parade.

thefulcrum.ca

DISTRACTIONS | 25

Fixing the SFUO in Mental health is a priority nine easy steps

LETTERs TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor,

On behalf of the University’s administration, I want to respond to the recent letter to the editor concerning uOttawa’s mental health services. Our community was deeply saddened by the tragic incident last week and I want to assure all members, especially students, that uOttawa is fully committed to ensuring the well-being of our students and staff and ensuring they have access to the services they require. We want everyone who is part of our campus to be able to access the tools they require to succeed in their studies and work and to be able to participate fully in university life. This, of course, includes having access to mental health services.

We know that one in five Canadians will experience a mental illness during their lives and that young people are particularly vulnerable. At uOttawa,

we strive to ensure students can access the services they require either through SASS or other means. While SASS does provide counselling services, sometimes more specialized assistance is required and we must rely on our provincial health system for these resources. Sometimes, it can take time for these services to be available.

Is it perfect? Sadly, no. We work within our means and there are delays and we are working to address wait time related issues. Recently, we have begun to work closely with partners, including the SFUO, to determine how we can speed up the time it takes for students to get the help they need. Ensuring our students have access to mental health resources is a top priority and we are committed to improving our services.

—Michel Laurier, Vice-President, Academic and Provost

Seriously, we have way too much quinoa Dear Editor, The Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) Food Bank believes that students should not have to chose between buying textbooks and putting food on the table. Due to soaring tuition fees and a high cost of living, the SFUO Food Bank plays an essential role on our campus. However, we recognize that increased government funding for post-secondary education would alleviate the financial barriers faced by U of O students. Until society adequately funds post-secondary education, the SFUO Food Bank will keep fighting to improve food security on campus.

to their internalized stigma towards food banks.

Gee-Gees, we need your help. We challenge you to examine your own biases against food banks. We ask you to gently recommend our service to your friends. We even want you to consider visiting the Food Bank. It’s like shopping … except that we can give you things for FREE! There is truly no shame in picking up eggs and a few boxes of pasta. We want you to cook a kick-ass spaghetti carbonara that feeds you the night before your big exam! We can give you the popcorn that fuels your next Netflix binge.

I am writing to the Fulcrum for one reason: the SFUO Food Bank needs your help! We are bursting at the seams with a surplus of food and need help giving that food away. We have promoted our service as much as possible, and yet, our shelves remain full. We think that we know why…

U of O students need to rally behind the de-stigmatization of food banks and the fight for increased food security.

We need lower tuition fees and labour laws that benefit millennials. However, right now, we really just want you to come take the excess quinoa off our hands. Seriously, we have way too much quinoa.

When students see a sign advertising “free pizza,” they stop in their tracks and run towards the scent of delicious mozzarella. However, students shy away from visiting the Food Bank due

—Kathryn LeBlanc, event supervisor at the SFUO food bank and incoming SFUO vice-president of services and communications.

Dear Editor,

The 2016-17 year has been an annus horribilis for the SFUO: multiple U-Pass scandals, executives suing and bullying each other, an utter lack of transparency, stripping back most of the GA’s powers without warning, repeatedly violating the constitution, open attacks on the freedom of the press, brutal austerity paired with prolific exec benefits, irregular elections, and the list goes on and on.

The response to the last GA is typical: after it reached quorum for the first time and overturned a massive exec salary hike, the exec chose to belittle the students who showed up, stripped the GA of the few powers it had left, and asked the BOA for an another pay raise.

The SFUO is becoming a corrupt and authoritarian student government. Power is being centralized in the hands of the executive, checks and balances are weakened and close to non-existent, while transparency and the rule of law are shunted aside in the name of the best interests of the federation. Proposed reform and protest that isn’t approved by those at the top of the SFUO is shot down or scorned, while those same ones at the top treat students with patronising disdain, and then enrich themselves from the public purse.

The SFUO is also becoming a failing student government. Most students spend most of their university lives outside of the little U of O bubble, with the SFUO floating disconnectedly in the distance having little impact in their lives, except for the over $3,000 that it will cost each student by the time they graduate. The SFUO is also failing to have any significant presence in the big issues that students and campus face today, and is losing itself internally in its bureaucracy and poisonous work atmosphere.

It’s long past time to say it clearly and loudly: the SFUO needs radical reform, and it needs it now. Without a democratic students’ revolution of sorts, the SFUO risks slipping into a toxic, expensive, unsalvageable, stagnant irrelevancy. The SFUO is broken, but it is still worth saving, and it needs saving.

The alternative is unambiguously bad for all of us in this university community.

That reform needs to throw open the doors to the SFUO, prioritize empowering individual students, and should be

based on values of democracy, transparency, and student culture. Above all, that reform needs to be real and solid, not just vague rhetoric. Some of the most important reforms are:

• Widespread electoral reform, including online voting, the single transferable vote system, and a “None of the above” option on ballots.

• The creation of the Student Court, as the independent judicial body of the federation.

• The creation of a Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) Review Committee, a big push for CFS reform (such as directly electing Annual Meeting delegates), and a referendum on CFS membership.

• The creation of a Student Centre Renewal Committee, to begin planning a new student centre for campus.

• The creation of a Transparency Review Committee to fix the federation’s lack of transparency and to ensure much greater preservation and access to information.

• A digital federation fit for the 21st century, including a new website, much better use of social media, and e-petitions.

• A clubs system that works, including restoring club funding, much more club support, and a Clubs’ Council.

• A seventh exec position—a VP Student Affairs to manage clubs and services.

• Strengthening our democratic institutions, including expanding the BOA and giving it a more active role, and reinstating the GA as the highest legislative body.

It’s also time for the SFUO to look into moving beyond incorporation and the corresponding corporatisation of the student movement, and should start fighting for provincial legislation on student governance—an Ontario Student Government Act. In 1965, Jock Turcot said that “unity we shall find in our common goals and interests, as students first, as citizens second, and as human beings of the world.”

Never has unity seemed more distant than it is today. And that, more than anything, is the story of the SFUO to date: the loss of vision and of potential. That potential is not lost permanently though, it’s just a matter of finding it once more. Then perhaps the SFUO can finally find the unity, the pride and the spirit that students need.

—Nicholas Robinson, third-year physics student at the U of O.

26 | LETTERS

thefulcrum.ca

EDITORIAL

Volume 77, Issue 25, april 6, 2017 Working (unpaid) overtime since 1942.

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

Savannah “Ivan Coyote” Awde Editor-in-Chief editor@thefulcrum.ca

the fulcrum editorial board takes on the world

Kim “Greer Langton” Wiens Production Manager production@thefulcrum.ca Kyle “Wachowski” Darbyson Managing Editor content@thefulcrum.ca Graham “Gigi Gorgeous” Robertson News Editor news@thefulcrum.ca Anchal “Zachary Drucker” Sharma Arts and Culture Editor arts@thefulcrum.ca Nadia “Janet Mock” Drissi ElBouzaidi Features Editor features@thefulcrum.ca Nico “Justin Vivian Bond” Laliberte Sports Editor sports@thefulcrum.ca Eric “Cindy Darling” Davidson Opinions Editor opinions@thefulcrum.ca Jaclyn “Laverne Cox” McRae-Sadik Visual Editor visual@thefulcrum.ca

Montreal, Quebec.

Ibague, Columbia.

Courtesy of Zainab Al-Mehdar.

Courtesy of Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

David “Rae Spoon” Campion-Smith Social Media Coordinator social@thefulcrum.ca Zainab “Caitlyn Jenner” Al-Mehdar Associate News Editor associate.news@thefulcrum.ca Zack “Lili Elbe” Goobie Associate Sports Editor associatesports@thefulcrum.ca Jodie “Katastrophe” Coté-Marshall Associate Features Editor associate.features@thefulcrum.ca Marta “Anohni” Kierkus Staff Photographer photographer@thefulcrum.ca Lucas “Cooper Lee Bombardier” Ghosn General Manager manager@thefulcrum.ca Shanèl “Ru Paul” Dear Advertising Representative ads@thefulcrum.ca

Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Courtesy of Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Reine “Kate Bornstein” Tejares Webmaster webmaster@thefulcrum.ca

Contributors

Marrakech, Morocco.

Courtesy of Savannah Awde.

Eric “Ryan Cassata” Davison Rowan “Skylar Kergil” Markovitch Ophelia “Silas Howard” John Madison “Loren Cameron” McSweeney Sandy “El Kazovsky” El-Bitar Neha “Jennifer Diane Reitz” Virk Miguel “Alexandre Campbell” Marchildon Ryan “Faraday” Pepper Justin “Wu Tsang” Patrick Nadia “Amos Mac” Helal Janoah “Vaginal Davis” Willsie Veronika “Yishay Garbasz” Cencen Parker “Rhys Ernst” Townes Peter “Micha Cárdenas” Baccin-Smith

Board of Directors

Raghad “Kiam Marcelo Junio” Sheikh-Khalil Will “Tona Brown” Hume Kate “Lucas Silveira” Murray Jonathan “Heather Cassils” Rausseo Mackenzie “Namoli Brennet” Gray Niharika “Yishay Garbasz” Namulla Thivya “Mina Caputo” Naganathan Julia “Mya Byrne” Miraflores Fadi “Van Binfa” Azzi Spencer “Kortney Ryan Ziegler” Murdock Marguerite “Nick Mwaluko” Gollish Cover: Jaclyn McRae-Sadik.

Yellowknife, North West Territories.

thefulcrum.ca

Courtesy of Kyle Darbyson.

Rocky Mountains, British Columbia.

Courtesy of Nico Laliberté.

EDITORIAL | 27

Vo t e d O t t a w a ’ s # 1 Student Living Facility b y FAC E S M a g a z i n e .

tour today 111 Cooper St Ottawa, ON K2P 2E3

All new leases receive one year of free Netflix.

613-912-9800

1eleven.ca