December 2024

VOCAL CORD

What are you looking forward to doing during the holidays?

ARTS

JANUARY

CORD

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE

MULTIMEDIA

Aysia

NEWS

"Getting to rest." - Isabella Dahms, fourth-year sociology student.

"I'm most excited about going to Chicago with my friends on a nice trip. We're going to go watch the Chicago Bulls." - Anthony Kostin, rst-year kinesiology student.

" Food. Home cooked meals." - Ti any, employee at Frank's Co ee Haus.

WARDAH ARAIN/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Waterloo Park in the snow.

" Hanging out with my friends and just not having school, you know. Having that break and sleeping in." - Yisak Chanako, economics and accounting student.

" I am most excited to go to Vancouver. " - Tegan, rst year lm student..

NEWS DIRECTOR

SANGJUN HAN newsdirector@thecord.ca

TECHNOLOGY

New human rights impact assessment tool launched

Tool created by organizations including the OHRC to help developers assess AI systems for human rights compliance

SANGJUN HAN NEWS DIRECTOR

On Nov. 6, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) and the Law Commission of Ontario (LCO) released a new digital tool, The Human Rights Impact Assessment Tool (HRIA), to help developers and organizations assess their AI systems for human rights compliance.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a tool that can help with decision-making, reduce human error by analysing reliable data and information, and increase productivity in the workplace.

“It has great potential to benefit society and advance social and economic prosperity,” the OHRC said.

HRIA is used to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of human rights impacts, provide practical guidance on human rights impacts, and identify practical mitigation strategies and remedies to address bias and discrimination from AI systems.

Nye Thomas, the executive director of the Law Commission of Ontario, said AI systems could contain bias due to the data they possess.

However, AI systems still need legal obligations to comply with provincial and federal human rights legislation.

“The missing piece to meet these obligations is a tool, some instrument to help developers assess human rights and evaluate human rights compliance in their AI systems,” Thomas said.

“HRIA is for people who don’t have human rights law backgrounds. It was a challenge to turn complicated legal concepts into a step-by-step guide,” he said.

The HRIA has two parts: Part A is an AI system assessment for human rights implications.

In this section, organizations asked questions about the purpose

of AI, the system’s significance and the treatment of individual Canadians and communities.

Part B is about mitigation. After the AI system gets categorized, Part B provides a series of questions to assist organizations in minimizing identified human rights issues in the given AI system.

“The whole purpose is to ensure that the AI system an organization uses runs smoothly before they publicly access it,” Thomas said.

He also said the HRIA will help organizations continually think about promoting and protecting human rights in their AI systems.

Thomas said the OHRC and LCO are trying to give the AI community, developers, entrepreneurs,

startups and large organizations a tool to help them meet their legal obligations and avoid human rights issues witnessed in the past.

“The purpose of the HRIA is to be preventive, so it’s to help encourage organizations to comply with thinking about AI and human rights and to give them a stepby-step guide for how to achieve human rights compliance,” he said.

“It is essential that the opportunities, benefits, and protections associated with the use of AI be available to all Ontarians without discrimination,” said the OHRC.

AI systems have a potentially high risk of human rights violations where they produce results based on characteristics protected under

human rights legislation, such as race, sex, age or disability.

It could lead to flawed, inaccurate, and unintended discriminatory actions by employers, service providers or other organizations to the public.

Before releasing the tool, Thomas said the OHRC and LCO spoke to various individuals, including those from the public and private sectors within the provincial and federal government. These sectors were interested in the new technology because they saw the need for a tool that helps identify human rights regulations while using artificial intelligence in the workplace.

“The HRIA launched on Nov. 6 and initial responses from stakeholders in the AI sector have been positive. Given its recent launch, the OHRC is unaware of any organizations that have used the HRIA,” said the OHRC.

Thomas and the OHRC hope organizations and government sectors can reduce human rights violations caused by AI systems in different workplace settings through HRIA.

“Not all AI issues are black and white. It’s our job to recognize mistakes made by AI and address them accordingly,” Thomas said.

“It is essential that the opportunities, benefits, and protections associated with the use of AI be available to all Ontarians without discrimination,” the OHRC said.

Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 recognizes UDHR

Document that enshrines fundamental human rights celebrated across district school boards

SANGJUN HAN NEWS DIRECTOR

Human Rights Day, celebrated on Dec. 10, is an annual day honouring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on Dec. 10, 1948. The UDHR is a document that enshrines fundamental human rights that are unable to be taken away and apply to everyone regardless of status including race, colour or religion.

It is also a blueprint for laws and policies at the international, national and local levels.

Canada celebrates this day by recognizing and learning about the UDHR and honouring the number of conventions and declarations adopted through the UN system that cover a spectrum of different human rights. Canadians are encouraged to take the day to

recognize and honour various human rights that impact our daily lives and empower us to speak up for our own rights and the rights of others.

“It’s being creative in how you use the day. I sometimes see it as a conversation topic around your dinner table,” said Joan Broughton, an information officer for the United Nations Association in Canada. The Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) said their interpretation of Human Rights Day is to promote and enforce human rights, engage in relationships embodying principles of dignity and respect and create a culture of human rights compliance and accountability. They do this by engaging in various educational activities and collaborative initiatives, such as public awareness campaigns, presentations, workshops and conferences. They also participate in intergovernmental task forces and receive delegations across the globe.

“We have the opportunity to change perceptions by speaking against hate speech, correcting

misinformation and countering disinformation,” said the OHRC in a press release.

Regional school boards, such as the Waterloo District School Board (WRDSB), celebrate this annual day by bringing guest speakers or holding symposiums for primary and secondary students.

They even formed a Human Rights Branch in 2020 to create and implement human rights-related policies and procedures. “Human Rights Day is a day that we focus on and think about what human rights means to us as a school board specifically,” said Deepa Ahluwalia, a human rights and equity advisor at the Waterloo Region District School Board. “It helps us to put some attention on and focus on what we’re doing as a school board to build a human rights culture at the Waterloo Region District School Board.”

Deepa also explains that Human Rights Day helps create a working and learning environment free from discrimination and harassment by hosting workshops in schools and providing services

from the Waterloo Regional District School Board’s Human Rights Branch.

Last year, the United Nations (UN) used the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” to celebrate the day and is planning to reuse last year’s theme this year. Though the UN website posts different themes to celebrate this annual day each year, Broughton said the themes used in organizational websites only celebrate certain parts of human rights. “The United Nations theme will always be broad because they leave it up to the organizations and the members of the states to say within this

framework, these are our priorities, or this is the focus we want to put on it,” Broughton said.

She explains that Human Rights Day originated as a day to celebrate specific themes related to human rights. It’s a day when the UN focused on human rights as a particular issue in the human agenda.

“There is a long list of international days declared by the UN that cover a wide variety of topics,” Broughton said “You define the agenda that you want to focus on that day that fits within the parameters of your focus related to human rights.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/JAMIE MERE

SANGJUN HAN/NEWS DIRECTOR

Sandowne Public School, located at 265 Sandowne Dr. in Waterloo.

Madison Green develops electric vehicle project

Utilizing electric vehicles to help Indigenous communities connect through the ImaGENation mentorship program

SANGJUN HAN NEWS DIRECTOR

In April, Madison Green, a project and research assistant at RFS energy consulting and a participant in the ImaGENation Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, started a new Electric Vehicle (EV) project called Teionkwayenawà:kon (pronounced dayohn-gway-ahn-ah-wah-gohn), to provide transportation and help Indigenous communities connect.

The project is still in its initial planning stages. Green started this project through the ImaGENation Indigenous Youth Mentorship Program, a program supporting Indigenous youth-led clean energy projects.

Her main objective with this project is to increase cultural connection. Green said her project addresses many aspects, such as connecting Indigenous communities, providing eco-friendly transportation services, breaking down transportation barriers and decreasing emissions while inspiring other Indigenous youth to pursue their passions and projects.

Green’s project received support from various organizations, such as The Willow River Centre.

However, due to working on the project as an individual and not as an organization, Green is not eligible for many funding opportunities.

The project funding she will receive from ImaGENation will end in September 2025. She says that transportation is a barrier to Indigenous wellness, and this inspired her to develop an electric shuttle so that Indigenous community members can connect with each other.

With the help of a partnership, Green will be able to secure funding and further support that can bring Teionkwayenawà:ko to life.

I lost language, I lost my connection to land and tradition. Without connection, our people are here, but our spirits are lost.

- Madison Green, project and research assistant at RFS.

Green will also host an awareness event for the urban Indigenous community to hear from industry experts and plans to share a final report outlining the steps of the project and address the challenges she faced.

“When we lose our sense of community, we often isolate ourselves and experience declines in mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness,” Green said, explaining how it is important for Indigenous communities to stay connected through traditions and culture.

When she moved to Kitchener,

Green felt disconnected and lost from her traditions.

“I lost language, I lost my connection to land and tradition.

Without connection, our people are here, but our spirits are lost,” Green said.

As Green became more established and could afford public transportation, she was able to reconnect with her community later in life.

She hopes Indigenous youths will use her report to implement her project in their communities.

“The City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo sit directly on the Haldimand Tract, and I feel that their support of my project would be an amazing opportunity to address various calls to action regarding the wellness of Indigenous people and to work toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities, as well as individuals that displaced from their home reserves,” she said.

“Willow River Center is literally sort of following alongside that ideology that we must be able to come together to gather for free, without a barrier on our lands,” said Amy Smoke, one of the co-founders of the Willow River Centre.

Willow River Center is an open community space for Indigenous and Racialized Indigenous youth and grassroots members.

Smoke said Green’s project would benefit the centre by helping local Indigenous groups travel to Willow River when hosting ceremonies, such as moon ceremonies.

“One of the issues we have when bringing Indigenous communities together is transportation, funding, and access to space, especially for surrounding First Nations like Six Nations of the Grand River,” Smoke said.

Smoke said they like that the EV project uses sustainable resources that don’t support pipeline industries such as Shell, Encore and Suncor.

According to Green, Teionkwayenawà:kon primarily focuses on shuttles, which are affordable and efficient and can help Indigenous groups travel to faraway destinations without financial problems.

“Currently, many Tri-Cities people have to pay $20+ each way to the ceremony, so even for a group of 10 people would mean $400 collectively spent to get to a ceremony and back home,” she said.

So far, Green hasn’t had any problems running her program thanks to the staff at ImaGENation. The organization is also helping her identify any mistakes in her project.

“I would say that my biggest problem is receiving funding to purchase the vehicle,” Green said.

Increasing teacher diversity event held on Waterloo campus

Laurier played host to third annual event on Nov. 20

MADALYN MOSTACCI MANAGING EDITOR

On Nov. 20, the third annual Increasing Teacher Diversity event was held on the Waterloo campus.

Organized by Laurier’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization coalition (EDI&I), the event brings together high school students from across Waterloo with aims to inspire future educators from equity-deserving groups.

“We ask the students who come to our event, how many of you have teachers that look like you or have had teachers that look like you? there are very few,” said Jennifer Straub, professor in the faculty of education and co-chair of the EDI&I coalition.

Students arrived at 9 a.m. and had a full day of events. On the schedule was an Indigenous Circle Opening, a Q&A panel of current teacher candidates, campus tours and a human library where students could interact with

racialized teaching candidates and faculty at various stations. Lunch, a photo booth and networking opportunities were also available for students. Straub said that there have been some improvements since the EDI&I’s first teacher diversity event. In 2022, the event saw 50 students whereas this year and last around 100 students were in attendance.

“This year we had so much more interest from school boards and now we plan to do another teacher diversity event in Brantford in the spring,” Straub said.

Grade 11 student Isabella Figueiredo and grade 12 student

Angelina Anello from St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, attended the event for the first time.

“It’s been nice to network and make connections with people and just ask some questions that research alone can’t answer,”

Figueiredo said.

“I really like hearing other people’s experiences too. This university seems like a good environment,”

Anello said.

There is a considerable teacher diversity gap in Ontario. As of 2014,

only ten per cent of secondary school teachers and nine per cent of elementary and kindergarten teachers were from racialized groups.

“Diversity is one of the foundational building blocks to create more inclusive environments. In this context, we’re focusing on schools, but we know schools are part of a larger ecosystem that correlate with faculties of education, the non-profit organizations, the families they serve,” said Ardavan Eizadirad, assistant professor in the faculty of education and EDI&I co-chair. “We are planting some seeds here around people and being intentional, letting them know we see you, we’re here to support you.”

Having students from different secondary schools interact is another powerful component of the event, Straub said. “They come to the event, they’re a little shy at first. At the end of the day, they’re exchanging Instagram and they’re making those connections so that hopefully when they do come to campus, there are a few friendly faces that they recognize.”

Eizadirad concluded by noting

that the event ultimately aims to support students entering the next phase of their life.

“We’re trying to make the decisions easier and let folks know there’s a network of caring adults

in different roles they can tap into to identify what their future goals are. We’re encouraging them to go into teaching, but success can look like many different pathways and we’re okay with that,” he said.

MADALYN MOSTACCI/MANAGING EDITOR Isabella Figueirdo (left) and Angelina Anello (right).

REVIEWING THE 2024 STUDENTS’ UNION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In an unprecedented action by the Students’ Union board, 10 directors have chosen not to participate in e Cord’s annual reviews due to the way that they are formatted. Typically, reviews are collected from one-on-one interviews with each board member, where they are given the opportunity to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of fellow board members. ese reviews are not recorded, and answers are not attributed to speci c directors. is allows members of the board to be as candid as they would like, making it easier to reach a consensus on quality of performance. Reviews have been completed in this way for many years and were already in progress when e Cord learned of this change. Two board members still chose to participate, and we thank them for their commitment to the transparency and accountability that is integral to healthy board operations.

President Jesseau took on the role of President this year, following in the footsteps of previous President Megan Spenler.

President Jesseau began the year with overseeing the orientation week events on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses.

Described as open and friendly, President Jesseau has worked to maintain a positive relationship with the board by attending various board events and providing information

Chair Russo has demonstrated her care for the operations of the Students’ Union after taking on the role of Chair this year.

While she did not campaign, Chair Russo took on the role due to her desire to become involved with the student body and help address their concerns.

and clari cation when needed during board meetings.

His work focusing on student engagement directly by connecting with the Laurier community has been appreciated over the course of his term thus far.

Chair

She is thanked for her participation during board meetings and her regular communication with the board.

Described as being communicative and a good listener, Chair Russo is e cient at her job and keeps board meetings running smoothly.

She has successfully implemented changes to the board that she wished to see and is knowledgeable of board procedures.

Vice

Habtemichael could not complete a board review with e Cord at this time.

Director Espiritu could not complete a board review with e Cord at this time.

**NOAH ESPIRITU

GABRIELLE RUSSO CHAIR

BEN JESSEAU PRESIDENT

**AVINASH GODSE

Director Godse could not complete a board review with e Cord at this time.

**LULIA HABTEMICHAEL VICE CHAIR DIRECTOR DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR

Director Rubinoff has focused this semester on improving the board’s financial transparency and continuing to assist the board on the ownership and linkage committee.

Described as efficient and experienced, Director Rubinoff has been an active participant in board meetings and has communicated when he has had to miss a meeting or join remotely.

DIRECTOR

Director Bounket could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director St. George could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director St. George could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director Ijam could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director Ijam could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director Nakshatra could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

DIRECTOR

Director Russolo could not complete a board review with The Cord at this time.

GRIFFIN ST. GEORGE

BILAL TARIQ

AYA IJAM

NICOLE LEHECKA

DEVANANDA NAKSHATRA

ANYA RUSSOLO

NATALIE BOUNKET

DANIEL RUBINOFF

• Mistletoe

• December

• Gifts

• Snow ake

• Holidays

• Lights

• Cranberry

• Snowman

• Festivities

Dear Life is your opportunity to write a letter to life, allowing you to vent your anger with life’s little frustrations in a completely public form. All submissions to Dear Life are anonymous, should be no longer than 100 words and must be addressed to your life. Submissions will be minimally edited for grammar, spelling or punctuation. All submissions must be sent to the QR code by December 30 to be featured in our January issue.

Dear Life

Dear Life, When will you end…?

Dear Life,

Why are you cruel to us? You came to us yet you torture us in every way possible. Even the happiness feels like an emotional torture.

Dear Life, ey say everyday is a new day. But sometimes that’s a big lie when nothing is new.

Dear Life, Will you set me free, ever? If so, when? If not, don’t reply.

Dear Life, Do you have beef with me that I am unaware of?

Dear Life,

Why do you put me on a roller coaster that’s not fun at all? All you do is put me high up then suddenly put me at my lowest. You do this all day. Aren’t you getting tired?

CORD-O-SCOPES

Aries (March 21 — April 19)

Take this month to mentally prepare for an ambitious and busy new year. For now, unwind, unplug and enjoy the calm before a hectic yet full lling storm.

Gemini (May 21 — June 21)

You will nd new opporutnities to extend your social circle. Be open to fresh faces, casual interactions and saying yes to new situations.

Leo (July 23 — Aug. 22)

As we head into a new term, take December to nd a space on campus that is all your own. Browse around and test out the di erent energy each space provides you.

Libra (Sept. 22 — Oct. 23)

is Decemeber, love may feel especially warm for Libra. Whether this is platonic or romantic love, don’t shy away from telling that certain someone you are thinking about them.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 — Dec. 21)

As joy and love is in the air, don’t be shocked if a new or familiar face expresses their true feelings toward you. For now, decide if you are ready to accept it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 — Feb. 18)

December is a time to embrace your creativity. Take the remainder of the year to browse di erent clubs on campus and join the ones you like the most in the new year.

Taurus (April 20 — May 20)

In December you will nd a surge of new energy. Try putting it toward long-term goals you had perviously held. However, be mindful of over-committing your- self this exam season.

Cancer (June 22 — July 22)

December will be a time of self-re ection for Cancer. As the new year gets closer, think about what you want to leave behind in 2024.

Virgo (Aug. 23 — Sept. 22)

December is a great time to give back. Try to re ect on who in your life needs a little extra love and make sure to show it, Virgo. is could be through quality time, words of a rmation or gift giving!

Scorpio (Oct. 24 — Nov. 21)

December is a time to dive deep into personal growth for Scorpio. Trust your instincts and let go of whatever is holding you back. Most importantly, welcome change with open arms.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 — Jan. 19)

As deadlines approach, December will challenge your resilience. Be sure to stay organized, remain consistent and trust your capabilities. A much deserved break is on its way soon.

Pisces (Feb. 19 — March 20)

Trust your intuition and apply it to your academic endeavors this month. By balancing your natural cre- ativity with dedication, you’ll de nitely see tangible success before the year ends.

Editorial

Editor’s Note:

OPINION EDITOR

ABIGAIL DOMBROVSKY

opinion@thecord.ca

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Closing out the year

According to a study done by Time2Play in 2023, 1,000 Canadians were surveyed and 48 per cent of respondents lacked the motivation to keep their New Years resolutions throughout the year.

If I had taken part in the study, I would have answered the same.

As we gear up for the new year and enjoy the last month of 2024, many of us will like the time to reassess our priorities as we move into a fresh year.

Do you plan to start a new workout routine, take up a new hobby or make time for self-care?

e opportunities are endless.

Before you get started on your list of resolutions, I encourage you to pause and take some time to re ect on what you have accomplished in 2024 — the big successes and the small ones.

is year was one that I feel I will re ect on fondly as the years go on — at the beginning of 2023, I was in a far less positive place.

While I had recently graduated, I felt unstable in my personal life and it re ected on the time I took for self-care — isolating myself.

Now, going into 2025, I have hope for my future and feel thankful for the community I’ve found myself in.

If you’re going into your last term at Laurier in the new year, you might feel anxious about what could be coming next.

You might be wondering whether you want to study more or take a break to work for a bit.

If there’s any piece of advice I can give you, it’s this — don’t feel pressured to make a choice right now.

Rely on the community you have around you and remember that there’s more to life than school and work.

Having meaningful connections with others is critical to success in every area of our lives.

It might feel tempting to make one of your new year’s resolutions

“ gure out what I’m doing with my life”, but you’d be surprised at what you can fall into naturally without giving it too much thought.

Is there a hobby you’ve put aside or a passion that you don’t make enough time for?

Give it more time in the new year and you could be surprised by the fruits of your labour.

For me, the hobby I wasn’t practicing was writing.

I know this sounds funny, given my role at e Cord.

However, after nishing my undergraduate program at Laurier last year, I felt burnt out when it came to writing creatively.

I was so used to writing academic papers (and articles) that I had entirely forgotten how to write for pleasure.

en, this year, I happened to fall in love with writing poems after spending far too much time on Pinterest.

e form of self-expression I discovered by writing poetry, entirely separate from both my academic work and my job, has given me great joy.

By experimenting with my poetry, I have become a stronger writer and discovered parts about myself that I wasn’t aware of before.

While I’ve tried journalling to get my thoughts out on paper, I have found that writing poetry has a similar impact (but I’m better at doing it consistently).

I haven’t shared my work publicly, but I have let some trusted friends read it.

However, there are still some I have written entirely for myself that no one will ever see.

You might not be a writer, but I’m sure that there’s a hobby you have been neglecting in favour of keeping up with your schoolwork. is year, try out a new year’s resolution that helps you become more consistent with it.

e most important thing is to set time aside for it — don’t get bogged down by thinking you have to become an “expert”.

As the snow ies and January blows in, don’t disregard your new year’s resolutions.

Just make sure they are ones that you are motivated to keep.

THE CORD IS PUBLISHED BY WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

205 REGINA ST. N., WATERLOO

WLUSP ADMINISTRATION

CHAIR Umaymah Suhail

VICE-CHAIR Jacob Segal Rice

COMMUNITY DIRECTOR Shelby Blackley

COMMUNITY DIRECTOR VACANT

STUDENT DIRECTOR Elisha Felician

STUDENT DIRECTOR Madalyn Mostacci

TREASURER Tusharika Tyagi

SECRETARY Nate Dawes

PRESIDENT Umaymah Suhail president@wlusp.com

FINANCE MANAGER Randy Moore randy@pv3tax.com

e politics of bike lanes in KW

While driving, many drivers silently curse somebody riding a bike on the road.

rough no fault of their own, bike riders often disturb drivers by being too close to cars or causing congestion as tra c veers around them.

It is important to note that these faultless cyclists are not to be confused with those who blatantly ignore stop signs, yield signals and tra c lights.

Nevertheless, one of the only things that has repeatedly reduced driver’s frustration and ensured biker safety is the installation of proper bike lanes.

On Nov. 5, Kitchener-Waterloo regional councilors shared their plans to improve bike lanes in the region and design separated cycle lanes in six areas including King St. between University Ave and Weber St. N.

ADVERTISING MANAGER Ayden Elworthy ads@wlusp.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kurtis Rideout ed@wlusp.com

HR MANAGER Makenzie Worton hr@wlusp.com

While the Waterloo Region currently has a detailed plan that considers how all users would be impacted by these changes, the province recently passed a bill that may halt the process.

e government of Ontario has claimed that bike lanes contribute to gridlock. Bill 212 or the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time

Act requires municipalities to get provincial approval to install cycle lanes if a lane of tra c has to be removed.

As with any decision impacting a signi cant population, there are advantages and disadvantages.

In 2020, the Waterloo Region saw 72,400 post-secondary students enrolled in full-time programs.

Of that number, it is likely that many students use bikes to get around and would therefore bene t from improved cycle lanes. ose who must commute to work or those who attend elementary or secondary school in the region could also bene t from increased accessibility.

Conversely, the construction of new bike lanes would undoubtedly cause tra c in the region during the duration of the build.

Data services lead at Eco-Counter, a company that collects pedestrian and cycle tra c data, David Beitel, explained in an interview with CBC that while the addition of tra c lanes improves congestion for a short period of time, within a year or two tra c returns to being as bad or worse than it was before.

Additionally, in an evidence review on transport and travel in Europe, the term “induced demand” is used to debunk the claim that more tra c lanes reduce trafc. e term means that the more lanes of tra c that are available to drivers causes them to want to drive more rather than explore other options. is leads to more

cars on the road.

Regardless of which side you take on this bike debacle, I am for the construction of separated bike lanes in the region.

However, further discourse stems from this debate regarding the role of the province in municipal jurisdiction.

Bill 212 directly asserts the government of Ontario’s presence in municipal decision making as each city must get any cycle lane and tra c reconstruction plans approved before moving forward. e stipulations outlined in the bill are surprising as Doug Ford’s government has previously been described in an opinion article by David Moscrop for TVO as handso , with each municipal government, for the most part, operating without signi cant provincial interference.

As I see it, nobody knows what will bene t a municipality more than the municipality itself. Each population voted in the mayor they believed would do the best for the community and they now trust that their city’s government will make decisions with their speci c needs in mind.

Only time will tell, but Bill 212 could be a relatively small contribution to a larger future role of the province in municipal government.

All in all, I say build the cycle lanes and leave the municipal governments alone. Most importantly, obey the rules of the road even if you are on a bike.

BRONTË BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

RYTHAM SAHNI/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MADALYN MOSTACCI MANAGING EDITOR

e true spirit of the holidays: Giving back to those who need it most

Volunteer contributor Isma Shaikh explores Kitchener’s Tiny Home Takeout and their work in the community

The holiday season is often painted in hues of joy and festivity—bright lights wrapped around houses, families gathered around tables overflowing with delicious food and the warmth of togetherness filling the air.

For many, it’s a time surrounded by family while embracing the blessings of the past year.

However, for others, the holidays are a stark reminder of what is missing—warmth, love, and a place to call home.

While the rest of the world spins in a swirl of holiday cheer, there are countless individuals who slip through the cracks, hidden in plain sight.

These are the individuals who sadly don’t have the luxury of safety, com- fort or a hot meal.

This is why, more than ever, the act of giving back becomes not just a gesture of goodwill but a lifeline.

One such place of compassion is Tiny Home Takeout at 56 Duke St. W. in Kitchener.

The organization collaborates with St. Mary Our Lady of The Seven Sorrows Church, a sanctuary where the hungry are fed and the isolated discover a sense of belonging.

Every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tiny Home Takeout serves freshly made hot dinners—free of charge—to anyone who needs it.

The food is made from

I’m motivated to work here because I know what it means to be able to help people — to serve people from all walks of life, but especially those who are struggling. “ “

- Michelle Lanting, a worker at Tiny Home Takeout.

food donations given to the church or food that Tiny Home buys with monetary donations. This act in itself is infused with a powerful effort to bring a semblance of normalcy to lives ravaged by poverty, homelessness, and hardship, — offering nourishment to the body and soul.

I had the immense privilege of meeting with Todd, a regular guest of Tiny Home Takeout while outside serving food.

Last year, Todd lived in a home that frequently donated to Tiny Home Takeout and would offer a kind word to those in need while passing through.

But that was then —Today, Todd’s life has been upended in a way he could have never imagined. He sleeps under a bush, with no certainty about tomorrow.

For Todd, the cold, bitter reality of home- lessness didn’t arrive as a gradual descent—it hit suddenly and without warning. He found himself on the street, relying on the very services he once supported.

The one thing that an- chors him now is the hot meals he receives from Tiny Home Takeout every night, a brief but essential moment of comfort in his otherwise uncertain world.

“I look forward to coming here every day, but it’s not only that, it’s the people.” Todd said, his voice laced with appreciativeness and hope.

“There’s a lot of people

in my situation, and the resources that Tiny Home provides are really great, and if we had more places like this, it would be wonderful, he said.

Todd’s story is a pain- ful reminder that life can change in an instant.

What seems stable today may vanish tomorrow, and we all must recognize the fragile thread that connects us to our stability.

This is why we should never take our lives for granted nor judge anyone else for theirs.

Before Todd became homeless, he didn’t have much, yet he still found the compassion to donate as often as he could.

Now, Todd is in an unimaginable predicament and relies on the compassion of others.

Michelle Lanting, a worker at Tiny Home Takeout, echoes this sentiment when asked why she is so dedicated to the organi- zation’s cause.

“I’m motivated to work here because I know what it means to be able to help people—to serve people from all walks of life, but especially those who are struggling. It’s about treating them with dignity and respect and seeing them respond in such a positive way.” she said.

Volunteers like Lanting are the backbone of this initiative.

She points out that while the need for help is great year-round, the holidays bring even more

urgency to their work.

As the months get colder and the rest of the world is engulfed in the warm embrace of their family, many struggle.

According to a Maru Public Opinion poll, one in three Canadians experience loneliness during the holiday season due to the immense commercialization of the holidays, creating the expectation of nonstop joy.

We need to combat that isolation by creating a place where people can feel like they belong.

“We’re creating a com- munity here,” Lanting said. “We give people shelter; we give them food; but most of all, we give them dignity. That’s something that everyone deserves, no matter where they are in life.”

Many of the guests to Tiny Home Takeout, although appreciative of receiving a hot meal, go to feel a sense of connection.They go to see others who may be struggling as well as a reminder that they are not alone.

Tiny Home Takeout is not simply a place to receive hot meals, but rather to receive a sense of belonging and importance. People of all ages, those with disabilities and single parents, all come together.

As we reflect on the meaning of the holidays, it is essential to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Whether it’s donating your time and your re-

sources or simply offering a kind word, there are countless ways to give back. The need is especially urgent during the winter months, when cold and isolation threaten to take away even the smallest glimmer of hope.

Volunteering with Tiny Home is just one of the many Waterloo based organizations to give back at this holiday season, others include St. John’s kitchen, Kitchen Helper at Ray of Hope and The Salvation Army,

During the holiday season, think of people like Todd, who are surviving on the kindness of strangers, and of volunteers such as Lanting, whose work brings light to the darkest corners of our communities.

The holidays are represented with gift giving; however, it is crucial to remember that gift giving is not just about material presents to those you know.

It’s about offering hope, comfort, and connecting with those who feel forgotten. Whether it’s through the work of organizations like Tiny Home Takeout or in our own small acts of kindness, we all have the power to make a difference.

After all, the true meaning of the holidays is found not in what we receive but in what we give.

This holiday season, make sure to take a step toward those who need you most. Their journey may be difficult, but with your help, it doesn’t have to be walked alone.

VACANT

arts@thecord.ca

LIZZDREW TAKE ON THE ‘LOO

Run, don’t walk, to Waterloo’s BBQ Village

Laurier students, University of Waterloo students, families, friends and anyone who cares to listen — run, do not walk to this month’s reviewed restaurant, BBQ Village located just down the street from the Frank Peters Building at 140 University Ave. W.

We kid you not, this restaurant has it all, except for a live band. is restaurant opened recently and has become quite the topic of conversation — and for good reason.

e variety of BBQ Village’s menu is unmatched. ey have a plethora of options ranging from Korean staples to sandwiches and 17 mouth-watering avours of their signature fried chicken.

As soon as we sat down, we noticed the delicious drinks sitting at nearby tables calling our name. Considering it was dinner time, and we were both feeling co ee, your trusty duo decided to have a shared glass of their homemade iced co ee. We can’t promise you the same as it may have been a slight oversight by our kind wait sta , but this delectable drink was waived from our bill.

To start, we ordered the bulgogi fries, which were highly recommended to us.

e dish had a avor pro le unlike anything we had ever eaten before, combining the natural saltiness of the meat and fries with an almost overpoweringly sweet sauce. Lizzie unfortunately wasn’t a fan of the chosen sweet-like sauce and expected a far more savoury accompaniment.

Andrew, now on his fourth straight review of eating fried chicken, got the honey garlic fried chicken as his entree. Words cannot describe how good it was. e chicken was crunchy and moist, and the sauce was tangy and rich — making for a food coma-inducing basket of food. In fact, Andrew couldn’t nish a majority of it, a testament to the to-die for avours it packs, overwhelming your small-stomached reviewer.

Lizzie decided to opt for the bibimbap, a Korean home food classic made up of assorted vegetables such as sliced carrot, bean sprouts, sauteed spinach and beef over steamed rice.

is is all topped with a perfectly cooked fried egg (for our new readers, Andrew for some stupid reason hates eggs).

is dish gets an A+ in Lizzie’s book, as the mix of vegetables and tender meat made for an excellent dish as each bite granted an abundance of rich avours and textures.

In addition to the menagerie of amazing food, we were served complimentary strawberry ice cream.

e surprise end-of-meal treat had an interesting consistency similar to gelato, and served as the perfect cap to this extraordinary (and might we say hardy) meal.

For this special 10th edition of “LizzDrew Take On e ‘Loo”, we wanted something truly special and we got it. Normally we leave it up to the reader to decide to stop by the places we review, but today we are telling you to go. When you do, tell them LizzDrew sent you!

Ratings

Ambiance: 9 out of 10

Drinks: 9 out of 10

Food: 10 out of 10

A ordability: 9 out of 10

Let’s make wellness shots

Whether it is due to the cold weather or the upcoming exam season, this time of year can be rough.

Feeling drained and burnt out is completely normal, but there is something you can do about it.

I started making this recipe last year, and it has remained a staple of my morning routine ever since.

ese detox shots are the perfect way to start your day, providing an amazing energy boost that will wake up your body and mind.

e natural ingredients used in this recipe are a source of major health bene ts, including improved digestion, cognitive function and gut health.

Equipment is is what you’ll need to beat the winter blues: A cutting board, a bowl, a blender, a knife and shot glasses.

Ingredients

• 1 small ginger root

• 3 lemons

• 1 orange

• 1/4 teaspoon of tumeric powder

• 1 tablespoon of honey

• 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne

CLUB SPOTLIGHT

Start by washing your ginger root and roughly chopping it with the peel on.

Set this aside and cut your lemons in half, juicing them into a separate bowl and adding the juice to a blender with your ginger. Use the back of your knife to slide the orange o your cutting board and into the blender, along with any additional juice.

Finally, add a spoonful of honey

and spices.

Turn your blender on medium speed for 30 seconds or until smooth.

Distribute the juice mixture evenly amongst your shot glasses and store in the fridge.

Personally, I ordered a four-pack of juice shot bottles from Amazon for $15.

It’s a great investment if you plan on making these regularly, since

they have leak-proof lids which will maximize freshness.

Plus, they o er a convenient means of storage and portion control. As an alternative, you can use regular shot glasses and seal them with plastic wrap or store the liquid in a resealable cup that can be used to pour individual servings.

I recommend taking your juice shot rst thing in the morning with a glass of water, to improve mental

performance and cleanse your gut.

If you continue taking these shots, you’ll begin to notice bene ts over time,such as reduced bloating, brighter skin, increased energy levels and improved immunity.

If you’re feeling under the weather, looking for a way to spice up your mornings, or otherwise exhausted this recipe is calling your name.

Laurier fashion society a place for self expression

While some university students choose to enjoy their lectures in sweats and slides, there are some who hold fashion and style to utmost importance.

Almost all clubs at Laurier hold creativity and self-expression as a value, and the Laurier Fashion Society (LFS) is no exception.

Upon discovering LFS, I had been under the assumption that Laurier had some secret fashion program, and this was just their student society.

However, after scrolling through their aesthetically impressive Instagram page, I realized that LFS is more than just a club — it is a melting pot of majors who have a shared love for fashion or any creative expression.

“Right when I accepted my Laurier o er, I followed a bunch of Instagram accounts, and one of them reposted an LFS story, saying, ‘Hey, we're hiring directors.’ I clicked on that right away, because in my high school, we had a fashion show, and I was a part of it,” said rst-year BBA student Alina Khawaja, the director of models for LFS.

Ghamra Salman, a third-year political science student explained that she got involved with LFS after having “dabbled in it a very tiny bit [fashion] — but this year, I want to take the experience to another level, which I did by applying to become VP of models with LFS.”

While Khawaja is a rst-year student, she still has a good understanding of LFS’s role as a place for those who wish to express their creativity through the medium of fashion before joining.

“To be able to work as a team to recreate the process of photoshoots and fashion related events but with a twist such as guaranteed uniqueness and acceptance that society seems to still struggle with today [is the purpose of the club],” she said.

Salman discussed how she wants people to “leave our events feeling inspired and empowered, whether it's through the creativity of our designs, the energy of our models or the stories we tell through our shows and photo shoots.”

is year, the club has done monthly photoshoots which will be continued throughout the rest of the year as well as their ‘a blind date with a t’ series.

Where students receive a surprise fashion bag containing a cu-

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SADIYA

Fashion for Change show held on March 23, 2023.

rated out t. Next semester may see the return of a LFS fashion show.

“It has been super fun [being a part of the club]. Especially when meeting the team in person, you realize how welcoming a community they are and how much experience you can learn from them,” Khawaja said. Khawaja’s favorite designers are Christian Dior, Versace and Christian Louboutin. She hopes to own her own pair of red bottoms one day.

Salman said one of her favourite

designers is Zuhair Murad, specically wedding couture.

“[LFS is a] platform where students can come together, express themselves, build con dence, and connect with other like minded individuals, while also gaining hands on experience in the fashion industry. I know a lot of people don't have previous experience in this industry, but would like to get involved, and I believe that we are the perfect place for that,” Salman concluded.

MADDIE MCGRATH ARTS & LIFE CONTRIBUTOR

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/MADDIE MCGRATH Juice shot.

HAADIA AHMAD ARTS & LIFE CONTRIBUTOR

TEEPLE.

‘Tis the season for holiday pop

It’s time — whether your holiday greeting is bah humbug, merry Christmas or seasons greetings, there is no escaping festive music in December. For many, December marks the start of when it is socially acceptable to listen to Christmas carols and other holiday music. But what’s on the Christmas playlists of students at Laurier?

Love or hate her, it is undeniable that Mariah Carey has had a large impact on festive music. “She’s got the number one Christmas song in my opinion,” said Nick, a music student at Laurier.

It was common for Carey’s peers and other artists in the 90s and early 2000s to release holiday themed albums. If you’re looking for a few standards to play over the season, try Michael Bublé’s Let it Snow (2003) and Christmas (2011), Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful Christmas (1997), Johnny Cash’s Christmas with Johnny Cash (2003) and Enya’s And Winter Came... (2008).

The popularization of holiday music started in the 1930s, but it is the holiday pop of the 1950s to 1970s that laid the blueprint for artists like Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé. Many notable artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, John Lenon and Elvis have all released Christmas

albums. Elvis’s Christmas Album (1957) holds the record for the best-selling Christmas album of all time with over two hundred million copies sold worldwide. Many of Elvis’ Christmas originals have been covered by an astonishing range of artists. Whether you’re a fan of the king of rock and roll or not, no Christmas playlist is complete without an Elvis original or cover.

As more contemporary artists rose to top the charts, a new generation of holiday pop has emerged. Contemporary pop icons like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Justin Beiber have all released their versions of holiday pop albums.

Taylor Swift’s The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection was released in 2007 and contains six tracks — four of which are covers. “Christmases When You Were Mine” and “Christmas Must Be Something More” were both penned by a young Taylor Swift.

Ariana Grande, like the queen of Christmas pop, is another whistle-note aficionado intent on making her mark in the Christmas genre. Grande released her first Christmas EP Christmas Kisses in 2013, followed by Christmas and Chill in 2015. Grande’s holiday pop is perfect for creating a cheery holiday vibe.

Justin Beiber’s Under the Mistletoe is a collection of Christmas covers including a collaboration with the queen of Christmas pop, Mariah Carey.

Their take on “All I Want for Christmas” is iconic and a hit for a reason. The well-known lyrics with

a modern update are sure to have you singing along.

Newly minted pop princess

Sabrina Carpenter released a Christmas EP in 2023 titled fruitcake. The six-track EP starts off with “A Nonsense Christmas,” where Carpenter puts a fun spin on her hit “Nonsense” from her album Emails I Can’t Send (2022).

The track is fun, a little bit moody, and authentically infused with Carpenter’s whimsical charm. Throughout the album, the tone gets a little heavier with songs like cindy lou who and santa doesn’t know you like I do.

The EP closes out with a cover of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Carpenter expertly delivers exactly what her listeners want: A festive and moody but most importantly fun spin on holiday pop.

“I appreciate some new holiday Christmas songs. That’s why I like fruitcake so much,” said Elizabeth, a third-year health science student when talking about fruitcake, which is her favourite holiday album.

Another rising star to stream this holiday season is Laufey – more specifically, her holiday EP, A Very Laufey Holiday

Four out of five tracks are covers - The original track is called “Love to Keep Me Warm” and it is in collaboration with dodie. This album is perfect for listeners of modern jazz. Whether or not you’re a fan of holiday pop music, consider diving into the genre this holiday season and listen to old and contemporary artists to expand your musical palette.

An examination of Laurier’s rich arts scene

With over 1,300 international students currently attending Wilfrid Laurier University and a Strategic Plan for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, it is apparent the university aspires to play host to a diverse and welcoming community of students.

One of the many ways students connect is through the arts, something that spans back to the very first cave paintings. But what kind of artistic expression can be discovered at Laurier?

With over a hundred countries and cultures diversifying Laurier’s campus, the variety of art found in Waterloo is rich.

In the Laurier community, bands, choirs and clubs naturally form over the semester.

From the school’s competitive dance team, K-pop groups, visual arts club, ancient music society, cheerleading squad and photography club Laurier is flourishing with a social community of arts positive people.

Two free use pianos are located in the concourse and underneath

the main underpass of the music building.

Both are consistently used by curious students.

One student highlighting Laurier’s musical talent is Amanda Braam, an indie dreampop singer with her band Amanda and the Paper Cranes.

Amanda is learning about music therapy through Laurier’s music program while also performing around the Waterloo area.

“I love the music community around here. I feel like it’s the per-

fect size. We have a lot of musical diversity. We’re like a tightknit community and everyone’s very supportive and uplifting,” Braam said. “I was playing a gig counterpoint brewery in Kitchener just last week, playing music from this 90s Canadian indie band, very dad rock type vibes, then I saw some dude that was working in the back - he turns to me and gives me this look of ‘I know that song’, and I got that feeling of connecting with someone without saying anything.”

Another student led band is

Perchance, a band started by Jesse Jones, Roisin Polgar, Olive Ledroit and Joe Moric, a group of first year students in different majors who all connect through their love of music.

“Perchance can be summed up as a group of wacky people who share a mutual interest in music and good times. The band is a project brought on by a mutual love for alternative/indie rock of all forms,” the members of Perchance said.

When it comes to the behind-

the-scenes of the music community, the members of Perchance highlighted their love for local venues, “going to watch local venues has been a great experience. Talking with members from performing bands after the show, and hearing they share a Laurier background is very motivating. The fact we could reach this same point if we keep up our efforts is very inspiring.”

On the Waterloo campus, posters can be found on the walls for various venues, festivals and concerts in the area.

Posters like ‘Ladies to the Soul’ taking place from Nov. 21 to 28 at The Jazz Room starring Quisha Wint and her band can be found, or the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society (KWCMS) performing at the Martin Luther Community College on Dec. 8. School affiliated events happen just as frequently.

The ‘Forever Golden’ collaborative mural painting runs weekly at the Branford campus, allowing the community to take part in creating a new mural in celebration of the Research and Academic Centre in celebration of the campus’ 25thanniversary.

Similarly, the Waterloo campus showcases many musical performances by students of the faculty of music throughout the year.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SABRINA CARPENTER ON YOUTUBE Album art for Sabrina Carpenter’s fruitcake

SNEH LEIGHL

CLARA ROSE ARTS CONTRIBUTOR

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/FANI HSIEH

An American’s thoughts on the recent election results

This article was cross-published with the Community Edition.

Some of my earliest memories are of Massachusetts. After a weeklong trip to New York City when I was ten, I cried for hours on the drive home.

I still spell “color" without the “u” and when I watched this year’s Summer Olympics, I cheered Team USA despite having lived in Canada since I was four years old.

I love the Bangladeshi heritage of my parents and the Canadian culture I grew up with but I have always seen myself returning home to the U.S.A eventually. I would even argue that the plurality of my identity only makes me more American.

What is America after all if not a land of immigrants?

My feelings around being American have naturally grown more complicated as I’ve grown older. I have seen how my government uses taxpayer dollars to unleash violence abroad. I was born in Texas on Mar. 27, 2003—while my mother was holding me in her arms for the first time in the hospital, the U.S. was viciously invading Iraq.

Currently, U.S.-funded state violence helps Israel wipe out entire family lines and kill Palestinians like Rafeef Dayer, a 10 year-old in Gaza who was killed by a plane while eating lunch with her family in a garden near their home.

Every time I read another headline in the news about the brutalization of another child, whether an injured bomb victim in Palestine or a child sexual assault

survivor in the South forced to give birth to her rapist’s child, I wonder how on earth we got here.

Writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin once said, “I love America more than any other country in this world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.”

It’s precisely because I care about America that I refuse to mince words when I say how disheartened and angry I feel when I see just how many people voted for an administration that will actively endanger the environment, women, people of colour both at home and abroad and queer folks.

Progress will not come from an institution or government, but from its people.

When I visited Minnesota last summer, I was surprised by how fast a crowd of mostly white country fans were to take me under their wing and invite me to come dancing with them.

They asked me about my life in earnest and ensured I got home safe. They took me in and took good care of me.

I hardly know what to make of the fact that some of them might have voted for the same president-elect who will actively fuel violence against brown-skinned people like me.

What I do know is that, in their hearts, they are kind-hearted and decent—and that’s why I refuse to lose hope.

Donald Trump is many things but at his core, he is a conman.

He has duped America once again into believing that he can fix their financial woes (it is no wonder that the single biggest issue for all voters was the economy) even though Nobel Prize-winning economists agree that Harris’ plan for the economy was “vastly superior” to Trump’s.

Still, it is hard for me to fully blame the Southerner living in poverty who voted for Trump out of ignorance and fear, who uses immigrants as a scapegoat for the larger issue of rising wealth inequality.

Combating evil, whether passive ignorance or outright cruelty, requires the long, soul-stirring work that goes well beyond casting a ballot.

The America I still believe in does not live within the confines of a government administration but rather in its inhabitants, and the long-lasting connections formed between them in communities.

When my mother first immigrated to New York in the 90s, she told me that women in her building, a French widow and Pakistani lady, took her in and took good care of her. They went grocery shopping together and practiced English. They told stories.

We need consciousness-raising and to be clear-eyed in our understanding of where real evil lives. It is not in one another, but in the ultra-wealthy and powerful who exploit our pains and fears so that we lash out against another and stay divided.

America, for all its faults, was founded on a national promise to stand together against tyranny. The plaque on the Statue of Liberty is inscribed with a poem titled “The New Colossus" by writer Emma Lazarus.

“Give me your tired, your poor,/ Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,” the plaque reads.

I once read it as a promise. I now take it as a pledge.

The next four years ahead of us will be long and harrowing, no doubt. But these colors do not run from a fight—and neither will I.

NADIA KHAN OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ JESSI WOOD

Off The Ropes Studio and the athleticism of wrestling

ETHAN CURRY OPINION CONTRIBUTOR

Before entering the ring at the Registry Theatre in April for Off The Ropes Studio’s “The Masters of the Registry” event, “Roughhouse” Jeff Black took the microphone to vent his frustrations about the young students of his wrestling school refusing to take his mentorship seriously.

After hearing this verbal onslaught, Poppa Squatz leapt into the ring to defend the kids against Black’s comments. Black would go on to win the match, but would not get the last laugh — the students he took shots at would storm the ring while he was celebrating.

This chaos was my introduction to Off The Ropes Studio, a woman-owned, independent professional wrestling school located at 40 Lancaster St. W. in Kitchener.

They host shows monthly and have booked venues such as the Legion, Registry Theatre and The Museum as well as being present at Canada Day festivities and Oktoberfest. Like many, I used to be a diehard wrestling fan, falling out of love with the sport around the time I entered high school. Fortunately, I have found my passion for professional wrestling re-ignited over the past two years.

However, my exposure to profes-

sional wrestling had been exclusively through major companies like the WWE, where there are massive budgets for costumes, pyrotechnics and overall pageantry.

Delving into the independent scene was new to me.

Despite not having the same level of theatrics, Off The Ropes Studio created an intimate atmosphere; wrestlers would respond directly to the heckling by some of the audience members, change their behavior in response to a chant that the crowd made up and found creative uses for props that kids in the stands gave them.

One thing I found myself drawn to is the different body types that were framed as powerful at Off The Ropes Studio. When watching wrestling on television, while many of the performers have different aesthetics and builds, there is an overall archetype of professional wrestler. That is, someone who is over six-foot tall, unbelievably ripped and lean. The reasoning for this makes sense to a degree — studios are selling sports as entertainment so they may gravitate to athletes who look as if they could credibly beat you up and who are attractive enough to be a television star. However, this can be reductive — there are many unbelievably talented athletes who do not fit this mold who would benefit from getting opportunities in wrestling.

Off The Ropes Studio showcases talents that fit within a wide range of heights and weights and they are having fantastic matches. This is

important to me, as I am someone who has faced significant weight bias — I am quite fat, and it is difficult to confidently navigate the world when the social expectation is that I should be ashamed of my body and how I look.

Many would say that my appearance is indicative of my own personal failing (ignoring credible research that much of people’s weight gain is genetic) and proof of a fundamental lack of athleticism on my behalf. To be able to see people of all body types be strong and imposing in the ring, not inspite of their differences in body type, but because they were able to leverage their differences in height or weight and use that to their advantage to try and win the match is inspiring.

I find this relationship uniquely empowering because the nature of professional wrestling is one where the performer is always framed as someone who is a credible fighter.

To authentically engage in wrestling, you have to believe that a wrestler who doesn’t have the appearance of your preconception of an athlete can win — which forces the viewer to challenge their perceptionds and understand how the performer is presenting themselves to see where their strength comes from.

This creates a validating and welcoming environment for those on the margins and forces people to reconsider their understandings of power — inside and outside the ring.

Sarnia’s rich connection with Ontario hockey

JASMINE ABEL SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

Sarnia, Ontario is a small city in southern Ontario with a rich history when it comes to hockey.

It is home to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team, the Sarnia Sting, an organization that has produced several well-known players.

Sarnia is also home to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) team the Sarnia Legionnaires, formerly known as the Sarnia Ranson Bees.

On top of those teams, Sarnia is recognized for hosting the International Silver Stick tournament every year, a minor hockey tournament where teams from North America come to compete.

Most recently, Sarnia hosted Hockey Canada’s 2024 Under 17 World Challenge, where Canada White beat Canada Red in the finals, winning the gold medal.

The Sarnia Sting has produced a few notable National Hockey League (NHL) players.

Jordan Kyrou, who currently plays for the St. Louis Blues, played for the Sting for his entire OHL career.

Jakob Chychrun was also a member of the Sting for two years

before going on to play with the Arizona Coytes. He currently plays for the Washington Capitals.

Steven Stamkos played for the Sarnia Sting for two years and went on to have a successful NHL career, where he was captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning for ten years. Currently, he plays for the Nashville Predators.

Sarnia’s impact on hockey extends beyond producing players, as the city has been home to successful figures off the ice, showing that careers in hockey thrive beyond the rink.

Jim McKellar is an amateur scout for the Chicago Blackhawks who

grew up in Sarnia.

He started his hockey career working with the Sarnia Sting before becoming the Assistant General Manager of the London Knights OHL team for eleven years.

From there, he became an amateur scout for the Blackhawks and has been working with them since 2011.

“The Sarnia Ranson Bees were a very strong organization when I was a kid, and it still is to this day.

It’s a good organization and I think there’s a lot of players finding their way into the OHL and finding their way into college hockey,” McKellar said. “Obviously, the Sting are a

huge presence in town, but I think the history in Sarnia predates them with the Sarnia Bees and a lot of players moving on and making it to the NHL.”

McKellar also noted that there are a few former NHL players that were born in Sarnia, including Dino Ciccarelli, who played in the NHL for almost twenty years before retiring and becoming the owner of the Sarnia Sting from 1994 to 2009.

“The ownership group there does a great job,” McKellar said when asked about the Sting organization. “I know they have a great presence in the community.

It’s a great organization that has produced a lot of draft picks, and a lot of players that are finding their way. I think the organization has a great footprint on the town.”

His most recently scouted player from Sarnia was Ethan Del Mastro, who played for the Sting for one season and is now in the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

A lot of people may not know Sarnia’s history, but it can be found everywhere when you look for it.

The Wilfrid Laurier University men’s hockey team has a few former members of the Sarnia Sting on their roster, including first-year communications studies major Justin O’Donnell, first-year arts major Brendan Anderson, and first-year arts major Ryan Pryce.

Sarnia, Ontario, has established itself as a hub of hockey excellence, with a legacy that spans generations and impacts both players and the broader hockey community. From hosting tournaments to producing NHL stars, Sarnia’s contributions to the sport are undeniable.

This small southern Ontario city embodies a rich tradition of hockey, combining a deep respect for its history with a commitment to nurturing future talent.

Sarnia continues to leave a lasting mark on the game for fans and players alike, it’s clear that Sarnia isn’t just a city that loves hockey, it’s a city that helps shape its future.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/OFF THE ROPES STUDIO ON YOUTUBE Roughhouse Jeff Black vs. Poppa Squatz.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SARNIA STING ON YOUTUBE Press conference with Ethan Maillet and Jack Bodin.

oughts while rewatching Gilmore Girls in 2024

It’s that time of year again. With the warm weather gone, people across the world are settling into their yearly tradition: Rewatching Gilmore Girls

For me, this year marks my rst rewatch. While I’ve seen a lot of the show more than once out of order, last year my girlfriend had me go through the entire thing as it was meant to be watched.

As someone who dismissed the show for years, I have to say I was surprised at how much I loved it.

I had no idea what I was missing. e cozy vibes, the beautiful sets and Kirk’s consistent presence quickly drew me in.

With a total runtime of 149 hours, 153 if you include the reboot and less if you’re like me and skip the intro and episodes you don’t like (the Donna Reed one), there’s a lot to take in.

When you watch through the show the rst time, you nd yourself holding a lot of opinions and judgments that will change as the show goes on.

What opinions of mine have I found myself second guessing now that I’m watching the show with full knowledge of what happens? Have any stayed the same?

To get the easiest one out of the way rst, I still hate Christopher.

Not only is he a bad father to Rory and a bad boyfriend to Lorelai, he doesn’t learn from his mistakes.

We watch him consistently make promises he doesn’t keep, not to mention that he got two girls pregnant 17 years apart from each other. While we’re on the subject of love interests, I have to make my status as a member of Team Jess clear.

Dean is a whiny misogynist who yelled at Rory for trying to get into Harvard. My only change in opinion about Dean has to do with him

cheating on his wife with Rory.

When I rst watched the episode, I was one of the many who put almost equal blame on Rory and Dean.

However, my girlfriend who has seen the show more times than I can count helped me understand that Dean is more at fault.

Dean tells Rory about his marriage like it’s a horri c relationship where Lindsay forces him to work 100 hours a week and does nothing.

In reality, Lindsay is a loving wife who does anything she can to

make Dean happy.

Now, I’ll admit that Rory seeing Dean after him and Lindsay split up is not a good choice on her part, but the poor girl was manipulated by a tree with anger issues.

During my rst watch, I was rooting for Rory and Logan a lot more than I was on my second watch. Logan’s smart and charming, but that’s where the positives end.

His father gave Rory a total identity crisis and he only made it worse.

I’m not afraid to say that Rory

is her worst self when she’s with Logan and him cheating on his ancée with her gives me Dean ashbacks. What about Jess? First, I am in no way excusing what Jess did at that party. at was wrong and he deserved to get beat up for it.

My appreciation for Jess comes from his unwavering support of Rory. If Jess had had better examples of love in his life and not an almost spin-o show, he would have been Rory’s best boyfriend. Rory and Jess share the most common interests and have the best chemistry. Jess always pushed Rory to be her best self and was unfairly hated by Stars Hollow.

I hope they felt bad about driving him away.

Among all my angrily typed opinions about the men of Gilmore Girls is my biggest realization from my rewatch: e Gilmore girls deserve more slack.

Lorelei isn’t the best mother, but she raised a valedictorian and Yale graduate on her own with no help from anyone else.

She can’t be expected to be perfect, and she ultimately did a pretty damn good job.

Rory deserves some slack as well. While she made a lot of mistakes along the way, she made up for them in the end despite her less than ideal childhood and managed to become an impressive adult. I tried to come up with a pun using the theme song to end this article, but I’ve got nothing so just go listen to it yourself and don’t skip it like I do.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/MS MOJO ON YOUTUBE Rory Gilmore.

JACK VROLYK RADIO LAURIER STATION MANAGER

SPORTS EDITOR

BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN sports@thecord.ca

MEN’S FOOTBALL

Golden Hawks soar to Vanier Cup after historic season

BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN

SPORTS EDITOR

JASMINE ABEL

SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks football team is flying high, riding the momentum of an undefeated regular season (8-0) and capturing the 116th Yates Cup with a commanding 51-36 victory over the Western Mustangs.

Their postseason journey has seen them triumph in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) semifinals against Queen’s, the Yates Cup, and the Uteck Bowl against the Bishops, earning a berth in the Vanier Cup against Université Laval.

Under head coach Michael Faulds, the Golden Hawks have showcased excellence on both sides of the ball, orchestrating a high-powered offense that averaged 35.5 points per game during the regular season and earning his OUA Coach of the Year nod.

Fourth-year kinesiology quarterback Taylor Elgersma, the team’s leader and OUA Most Valuable Player also claimed U SPORTS Second Team All-Canadian honours last season, solidifying his position as one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks.

The defensive firepower from third-year sociology major Johari Hastings and second-year geography Tayshaun Jackson gained them recognition as OUA all-stars. Hastings, a halfback, earned a firstteam nod for his impressive 29.5 total tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and three pass break-ups.

Jackson, a first-year defensive back, was named to the first team after contributing 351 rushing yards, 434 kickoff return yards and 449 punt return yards.

Their efforts helped Laurier hold opponents to an average of just 14.3 points per game, the best in the OUA.

The team’s accolades this season include nine OUA All-Star selections and Faulds being named for his tactical brilliance.

In the semifinals, Laurier faced the resilient Queen’s University Gaels but emerged with a 29-21 victory. The Golden Hawks dominated the second quarter, scoring 23 points.

After a slow start, Laurier took control in the second quarter with Elgersma throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Jordan, followed by a safety to tie the game at 12-12.

Elgersma then added two more touchdown passes: A 31-yarder to Ryan Hughes and a 23-yard strike to Layomi Ojutalayo with just eight seconds left in the half. This gave Laurier a 26-12 lead.

Laurier’s defense shone, forcing

a safety and a critical interception by Ethan Gregorcic, which set up a touchdown late in the second quarter.

“We knew their defense was strong. Our defense stepped up big—two third-down stops in the second half and a pick in the first half. Offensively, we need to finish drives better, but in the playoffs, it’s about finding a way to win,” Elgersma said.

Second year receiver Jessie Wilkins, who had several key catches during the game, praised his teammates: “I give a big shoutout to the O-line, the DBs, and our linebackers. Everybody brought it down as a whole team. It’s just about having that dog in you—you got to have that dog in you,” he said.

The Golden Hawks outgained the Gaels with 464 total yards to Queen’s 354, showcasing their balanced attack.

Adding a touch of camaraderie, Elgersma shared a lighthearted playoff tradition.

“We all got the playoff blonde in right now. Take a look here in the locker room, you’ll see a bunch of guys with some bleach in it—showing our belief that we’re gonna get this thing done this year,” he said.

The win against Queen’s was a testament to Laurier’s resilience and teamwork.

It also set the stage for their showdown against Western in the Yates Cup, where the Golden Hawks would continue their pursuit of perfection.

Laurier’s triumph over Western in the 116th Yates Cup marked a pivotal moment in their season.

Before a roaring crowd of 5,000 fans at Knight-Newbrough Field, Laurier put on an offensive showing.

We knew their defense was strong. Our defense stepped up big—two third-down stops in the second half and a pick in the first half.

- Taylor Elgersma, team leader and OUA Most Valuable Player.

Western opened with a touchdown, but Laurier responded immediately, with Tayshaun Jackson finding the end zone.

By halftime, the Golden Hawks led 31-17, with touchdowns from second-year Ryan Hughes, fifthyear psychology major Ethan Jordan and fifth-year sociology major Tanner Nelmes.

Elgersma finished with over 300 passing yards, and kicker Dawson Hodge contributed 15 points, including two crucial field goals in the fourth quarter.

Third-year psychology major

Darion Bacik-Hadden was injured later in the game but not before he completed another successful pass to second-year psychology major Khalil Derman who scored Laurier’s sixth touchdown.

The Golden Hawks’ resounding 51-31 victory in the Yates Cup was a historic moment for the team, fourth-year psychology major OL Cooper Hamilton reflected on the culmination of years of effort.

“I’m one of the senior guys on the team, and I’ve been here for five or six years, so it feels nice to finally come to this moment. All the hard work that we put in over the years, all the 6 a.m. runs in the winter and early lifts and stuff, it feels great when this moment pays off,” Hamilton said.

The win marks a significant milestone for the Golden Hawks and showcases the dedication of the players. Veteran receiver and fourth-year business student Ryan Speight reflected on the win.

“Coming in here four years ago now, this is all I ever dreamt of. This was our goal in the beginning so it’s just, it’s awesome that we finally did it,” he said.

Laurier continued their dominance in the Uteck Bowl, defeating the Bishop’s Gaiters 48-17 in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

The Hawks jumped to a 34-3 halftime lead, thanks to explosive plays including a 74-yard touchdown reception by Ryan Hughes.

Though the Bishop’s mounted a second-half comeback, Laurier’s balanced attack sealed the win.

Finally, Laurier turned its sights to the 59th Vanier Cup, held in Richardson Stadium, Kingston, where they faced Université Laval—a rematch of their 2016 defeat.

This marked Laurier’s first Vanier Cup appearance since that loss, and the team was eager to cement their place in history.

Unfortunately, Laurier’s Vanier Cup run ended in a narrow 22-17 loss to Laval on Nov. 23.

Laval’s kicker Felipe Forteza was instrumental, scoring five field goals, including the decisive 18-yarder late in the fourth quarter.

Laurier rallied from an early 11-0 deficit, with Taylor Elgersma throwing touchdown passes to Ryan Hughes and Jaxon Stebbings.

Dawson Hodge’s fourth-quarter field goal brought the Golden Hawks within two points, but a late safety and Laval’s defense secured the win.

Following the heartbreaking conclusion to a historic season, head coach Michael Faulds offered heartfelt advice to his team in a postgame interview with 519 Sports Online:

Though the outcome was bittersweet, Laurier’s remarkable season stands as a testament to resilience and unity, laying the groundwork for a promising future.

BIRNAVAN

BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN/SPORTS EDITOR Golden Hawk no. 66 Tom Chascqewski.

Laurier suffers brutal loss against Varsity Blues

The Wilfrid Laurier University men’s hockey team suffered a loss against the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Nov. 10, with a final score of 6-2.

The game escalated quickly, with the Varsity Blues scoring their first goal three minutes into the first period on first year goaltender Tristan Malboeuf.

Both teams roughed each other up, accumulating a total of 14 penalty minutes for each team.

Toronto showed some very strong offence in the first period. They passed the puck seamlessly and the Golden Hawks struggled to intercept their passes.

They always seemed to have a player in the perfect position to grab the puck and get a shot in the net.

Along with passing well, the Varsity Blues had a man screening goaltender Malboeuf out front, a hockey tactic where a player positions themselves directly in front of the opposing goaltender to obstruct their view of the puck.

This makes it more difficult for the goaltender to see incoming shots. Their second goal of the

night came as a result of screening the goalie.

With Malboeuf unable to see past the player, they sank the puck into the net for the second time.

Following the second goal of the night, Toronto took back-toback penalties, leaving the Golden Hawks with a two-man advantage for 45 seconds.

Unfortunately, they did not benefit and the Golden Hawks finished the period two goals behind.

The Varsity Blues came out strong after intermission, scoring their third goal of the night just over three minutes into the second period.

With Laurier behind by three goals, the extra curriculars started ramping up as the players started to fight.

Toronto took a 2-minute penalty for hooking, allowing Laurier the chance to score on the power play.

Fourth-year arts major Patrick Brown took advantage, scoring Laurier’s first goal of the night.

About halfway through the period, Laurier was catching up in shots at 16-16, but both teams failed to sink another puck for the rest of the period.

They continued to skate up and down the ice, with Toronto keeping a fast pace for the Golden Hawks.

“They’re a fast team,” said fourth-year arts major Sam Rhodes. “They took advantage of some turnovers we had, getting the puck up quick, and then ultimately

buried their chances but I thought we were right there with them. We were close in shots, and we had a few good looks.”

The Golden Hawks kept up the pace into the third period, where the fights really picked up. A fight broke out after a whistle, leaving Laurier with a 2-man disadvantage. This allowed the Varsity Blues to grab their fourth goal of the game.

Following this goal, a Toronto player managed to take out two Laurier players in one hit, leaving Toronto forward Ben Woodhouse alone in front of goaltender Malboeuf and giving them their fifth goal.

While the Golden Hawks were leading in shots, it was no use as Malboeuf had to face a total of 39 shots due to a lackluster defensive performance, only mitigating 33 of them with little help from his defense.

First-year arts major Brendan Anderson commented on the Golden Hawks performance. “It’s a tough loss but I think we’re building…we got to come together as a team,” he said.

Laurier’s Bryce Sutherland, a second-year arts major, was able to score their second and final goal of the game about halfway through the third period.

It was quickly followed by the Varsity Blue’s sixth goal of the game just a few minutes later.

“The effort was there,” said

Rhodes. “It was unfortunate they were able to score so many on us but we’re keeping our heads up and we’re just looking on to the next game.”

With one more fight in the last minute of the game, the period came to an end with a final score of 6-2 in favour of Toronto.

The Golden Hawks were on the road for their next games on Nov. 15 and 16, with back-toback games against the Nipissing University Lakers. Unfortunately, Laurier lost these games with the final scores being 4-1 and 3-4. .

From down big to on top: Laurier’s epic rally

In a thrilling display of determination, the Wilfrid Laurier University’s men’s basketball team pulled off one of the most exhilarating comebacks of the season, defeating the Ontario Tech University Ridgebacks in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.

From the opening tip, it was clear Laurier was in for a tough game. Ontario Tech dominated the first quarter with fast-paced offense and solid defense.

Despite early fouls, fourth-year guard Taye Donald drew key free throws contributing most of Laurier’s points. However, the Golden Hawks struggled to adjust defensively, and Ontario Tech ended the first quarter leading 16-9.

The second quarter saw Laurier facing an even steeper challenge. Ontario Tech extended their lead to 25-37 by halftime. Despite some positive individual efforts, the Golden Hawks were unable

to string together enough counter-attacking plays to close the gap. The third quarter marked a shift in momentum. Laurier came out with renewed intensity, especially on defense.

Taye Donald began to speed up the game, scoring several quick baskets to reduce the deficit to 3045. His scoring burst kept Laurier in the game, but it was clear that the team needed to work cohesively.

Laurier’s defense picked up with key stops, including a critical block

and rebound sequence in the final minutes of the third.

Even so, Laurier trailed 52-43 heading into the final quarter.

As the fourth quarter began, Laurier’s defense ramped up. The Golden Hawks’ transition defense became suffocating, with Ontario Tech’s Zubair Seyed spending more time running the floor than seeking out shot opportunities. Laurier forced turnovers and capitalized in transition, with Donald and Ethan Passley leading the charge.

With two minutes left, the score was tied 63-63, and the cluster of Ontario Tech supporters were rowdy in the stands. With just 20 seconds remaining, the ball was in the hands of first year forward Aidan Whalen, who had been exceptional on defense throughout the game.

As the shot clock wound down, Whalen was fouled and sent to the free-throw line for two shots. Whalen sank the first free throw, getting Laurier its first lead of the night with a score of 64-63.

In a tactical move, he deliberately missed the second free throw to prevent Ontario Tech from regaining possession. The strategy worked, and Laurier retained possession, denying Ontario Tech a final shot.

After the game, head coach Cavell Johnson shared his thoughts on the team’s composure and resilience while navigating the challenges of his first season at Laurier.

“We have a good group of guys who don’t panic and continue to play strong. My biggest goal this season has been to help the players grow in confidence, both as individuals and as a team,” Johnson said.

Fourth-year OUA All-Star Taye Donald shared his mindset going into the fourth.

“We knew we had to speed up. In terms of offense, we knew we were down and had to get out. It was all about turning the pressure up,” he said.

What started as a tough game quickly turned into a dramatic comeback for the Golden Hawks. With key performances from Donald, Whalen and Passley, Laurier showed they are ready to overcome any challenge—no matter how big the deficit.

JASMINE

JASMINE ABEL/SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR Laurier vs. Varsity Blues on Nov. 10.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/MERVIN JOSEPH JACOB Laurier vs. York Lions on Jan. 13, 2023.

ISMA SHAIKH SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR

ATHLETIC COMPLEX HOURS

MONDAYS - THURSDAYS

6 a.m. - 11 p.m.

FRIDAYS

6 a.m. - 9 p.m.

SATURDAYS

8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

SUNDAYS

8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

RESULTS

FRIDAY, NOV. 1, 2024

Women’s Basketball vs Ottawa

6:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 57-74

Men’s Ice Hockey at UQTR

7:00 p.m.

Colisee Jean-Guy Talbot, Trois-Rivieres

L 1-6

Men’s Basketball vs Ottawa

8:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 68-86

SATURDAY, NOV. 2, 2024

Football vs Queen’s

1:00 p.m.

Knight-Newbrough Field, University Stadium W 29-21

Men’s Ice Hockey at McGill

5:30 p.m.

Place Bell - Community Rink (Laval, Que)

L 3-9

Women’s Basketball vs Carleton

6:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 73-76

Men’s Basketball vs Carleton

8:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 60-69

SUNDAY, NOV. 3, 2024

Women’s Ice Hockey at TMU

2:15 p.m.

Mattamy Athletic Centre, Toronto W 2-0

FRIDAY, NOV. 8, 2024

Women’s Basketball at Laurentian

6:00 p.m.

Ben Avery Gym, Sudbury W 73-63

Women’s Ice Hockey vs Ottawa

7:00 p.m.

Sun Life Financial Arena, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex

L 2-6

Men’s Basketball at Laurentian

8:00 p.m.

Ben Avery Gym, Sudbury L 55-61

SATURDAY, NOV. 9, 2024

Women’s Curling vs Toronto

9:00 a.m.

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph W 9-8

Women’s Curling vs Brock

12:30 p,m.

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph W 7-5

Football vs Western 1:00 p.m.

Knight-Newbrough Field, University Stadium W 51-31

Swimming vs Golden Hawks TriMeet

3:00 p.m.

Laurier Athletic Complex Pool, Waterloo

Cross Country vs U SPORTS

Cross-Country Championships

3:00 p.m.

Mission Recreation Park

Men’s Ice Hockey at Windsor 4:00 p.m.

Capri Pizzeria Recreation Centre, Windsor L 1-4

Women’s Basketball at Nipissing

6:00 p.m.

Robert J Surtees Athletic Centre, North Bay W 78-61

Women’s Ice Hockey vs Ontario Tech

7:00 p.m.

Sun Life Financial Arena, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex L 1-2

Men’s Basketball at Nipissing 8:00 p.m.

Robert J Surtees Athletic Centre, North Bay L 73-85

SUNDAY, NOV. 10, 2024

Women’s Curling vs McMaster 9:00 a.m.

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph W 5-1

Women’s Curling vs Ontario Tech 12:30 PM

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph L 3-6

Women’s Curling vs Waterloo 4:00 p.m.

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph L 5-6

Men’s Ice Hockey vs Toronto 5:00 p.m.

Sun Life Financial Arena, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex L 2-6

FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 2024

Women’s Basketball vs Ontario Tech

6:00 PM

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo W 75-39

Men’s Ice Hockey at Nipissing 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Gardens, North Bay L 1-4

Men’s Basketball vs Ontario Tech 8:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo W 64-63

SATURDAY, NOV. 16, 2024

Football at Bishop’s 12:00 p.m.

Coulter Field, Lennoxville QC W 48-24

Women’s Ice Hockey at Waterloo 2:00 p.m.

Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound L 0-6

Women’s Basketball vs Queen’s 6:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 42-57

Men’s Ice Hockey at Nipissing 7:00 p.m.

Memorial Gardens, North Bay L 3-4

Men’s Basketball vs Queen’s 8:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 89-93

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20, 2024

Women’s Basketball at Brock 6:00 PM

Bob Davis Gym, St. Catharines L 44-50

Men’s Basketball at Brock 8:00 p.m.

Bob Davis Gym, St. Catharines L 64-90

FRIDAY, NOV. 22, 2024

Women’s Ice Hockey at York 5:00 p.m.

Canlan Ice Sports, Toronto W 4-2

Women’s Basketball vs TMU 6:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 58-68

Men’s Ice Hockey vs Ottawa

7:00 p.m.

Sun Life Financial Arena, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex L 1-2

Men’s Basketball vs TMU 8:00 p.m.

Athletic Complex Gym, Waterloo L 78-85

SATURDAY, NOV. 23, 2024

Women’s Curling vs McMaster 9:00 a.m.

Guelph Curling Club, Guelph W 5-1

Football vs Laval 1:00 p.m.

Richardson Stadium, Kingston L 17-22

Men’s Ice Hockey at York 7:15 p.m.

Canlan Ice Sports, Toronto W 5-2

Women’s Ice Hockey at Nipissing 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Gardens, North Bay L 0-4

SUNDAY, NOV. 16, 2024

Swimming at Dean Boles Divisional Championships Eleanor Misener Aquatic Centre, St. Catherines.

THURSDAY, NOV. 28, 2024

Women’s Ice Hockey at Guelph 7:30 p.m.

Gryphon Centre Arena, Guelph W 4-3

FRIDAY, NOV. 29, 2024

Ringette vs TBD Mississauga, Ontario

MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIOMISSISSAUGA TOURNAMENT

Women’s Basketball at Lakehead 6:00 p.m.

C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse, Thunder Bay

Men’s Basketball at Lakehead 8:00 p.m.

C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse, Thunder Bay

SATURDAY, NOV. 30, 2024

Ringette vs TBD Mississauga, Ontario

Indoor Track at 49th Annual Bob Vigars Season Opener Thompson Arena, London

Men’s Curling at Toronto B 9:00 a.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Women’s Curling at TMU 9:00 a.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Women’s Curling vs Mohawk 1:00 p.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Men’s Curling vs TMU 1:00 p.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Men’s Ice Hockey at Brock 2:00 p.m.

Canada Games Park, St. Catherines

Men’s Curling at York 4:00 p.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Women’s Curling at Humber 4:00 p.m.

Thornhill Curling Club, Thornhill

Women’s Ice Hockey vs Brock 6:45 p.m.

Southwood Arena, Woodstock

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ JASMINE ABEL Yates Cup game on Nov. 9, 2024.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ JASMINE ABEL Yates Cup game on Nov. 9, 2024.