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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Bronte Behling
editor@thecord.ca
MANAGING EDITIOR Madalyn Mostacci managingeditor@thecord.ca
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Rytham Sahni
creative@thecord.ca
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DIRECTOR
Aysia Steiner multimedia@thecord.ca
NEWS DIRECTOR Hari Adnani newsdirector@thecord.ca
BRONTE BEHLING/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sticky note posted on a post in the concourse.
CONTRIBUTORS
ARTS EDITOR VACANT arts@thecord.ca
OPINION EDITOR Abigail Dombrovsky opinion@thecord.ca
SPORTS EDITOR Birnavan Varnacumaaran sports@thecord.ca
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Santosh Chandrasekar news@thecord.ca
PHOTO EDITOR Vraj Pandya photo@thecord.ca
LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Wardah Arain photos@thecord.ca
EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING HEAD Simran Gajbhiye events@thecord.ca
Harleen Kaur Dhillon Andrew Eaton Jewel Friedmann Elizabeth Mendez Jack Vrolyk
EDITOR’S CHOICE
In detailing Upside of Maybe’s rise, Michael discussed the di erent approach to songwriting that one must adapt to as they
Vrolyk
DAYS AND WARMER WEATHER
GUESS // CHARLIE XCX, BILLIE EILISH
HOUDINI // DUA LIPA
SEPTEMBER // EARTH, WIND & FIRE
THIS CHARMING MAN // THE SMITHS
LAST NITE // THE STROKES
HERE COMES YOUR MAN // PIXIES
ARCHIE, MARRY ME // ALVVAYS
PINK PONY CLUB // CHAPPELL ROAN
PINK PAPER HEARTS // AMANDA BRAAM
PIAZZA, NEW YORK CATCHER // BELLE AND SEBASTIAN
WE’RE GOING TO BE FRIENDS // THE WHITE STRIPES
THERE SHE GOES // SIXPENCE NONE THE RICHER
BABY I’M YOURS // CASS ELLIOT
I WILL // THE BEATLES
AUTUMN LEAVES // ED SHEERAN
ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU // THE MOLDY PEACHES
BLISTER IN THE SUN // VIOLENT FEMMES
AIN’T NO LOVE IN OKLAHOMA // LUKE COMBS
FIGHTER // THUNDER QUEENS
APPLE // CHARLI XCX
GUILTY AS SIN? // TAYLOR SWIFT
DIET PEPSI // ADDISON RAE
"Meeting new people, making new friends and having fun on campus." - Sherri, rst-year communications student.
"I'd like to say graduating, honestly." Shumba, fourth-year biology student.
"Getting to know more people!" Vanessa, rst-year master's of health sciences student.
"Having lots of hobbies I enjoy." Syed, recent computer science graduate.
"Finishing my master's program and clicking more photos." Vraj, fourth-year master's of applied computing student.
HARI ADNANI newsdirector@thecord.ca
Activists speak up on lack of women’s shelters in KW
Closure of YWKW shelter exposes the region’s need for more shelter beds for women
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
In March of this year, it was announced that the Young Women’s Christian Association of Kitchener-Waterloo (YWKW) would be closing their 66-bed emergency shelter location formerly located at 84 Frederick St. On July 1, the Region of Waterloo took possession of the building.
In a 2023 Women’s Homelessness in Cambridge study completed by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Cambridge (YWCA), it was found that the Waterloo Region currently has 562 adult shelter beds. Of these, only 78 are designated explicitly for women.
“I was witnessing women being turned away from shelter. I’ve even in the past called for myself on behalf of women who need shelter, and there were no spaces. So, I guess just seeing this gender inequity existing in real life and these services was a shock,” said a representative for wrwomenshelternow, an Instagram account dedicated to advocating for equal shelter access for cis, trans and non-binary individuals across the Region.
While beds not explicitly for women do exist across the Region, a study by Project Willow in 2022 found that 73 per cent of participants avoided utilizing co-ed shelters due to safety concerns.
One such co-ed shelter is located at 1668 King St. E. in Kitchener and is operated by e Working Centre.
“ e King Street shelter is just dorms - like a dormitory with 100 people sleeping in three di erent rooms. ey’re not sectioned o by anything,” said Joe Mancini, co-creator of e Working Centre. “I think it’s really important that a [women’s shelter] gets reestablished.”
Organizations such as Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCS) operate two emergency shelters for female identifying and gender-diverse individuals (Kitchener’s Anselma House and Cambridge’s Haven House), but these locations only house individuals and their children who are experiencing domestic violence.
e King Street shelter is just dorms—like a dormitory with 100 people sleeping in three di erent rooms.
vember at Grace Bible Chapel on Grand Avenue S.
Funding for the project comes directly from the Region, the YWCA’s funding application getting approved in December of 2023.
“[ e Region] have been fabulous partners. ey’ve listened to what we said, they have allowed us to introduce this new model of service for the women that will be in our shelter. ey have been good partners with us in establishing a temporary space and eventually permanent space,” said Kim Decker, the Chief Executive O cer of the YWCA.
When asked about the closure and sale of their 84 Frederick St. emergency shelter location to the Region, a representative from the YWKW stated that they are not making any further comment on the situation.
On their website, the YWKW state that they are focused on their plan to “design a bold model that not only addresses the root causes of systemic homelessness but also empowers women and provides a continuum of supports for them based on their needs.”
Ripple Effects of Violence
“If you’ve been renovicted, evicted or broke up with your partner and now have nowhere to go, but you weren’t being you weren’t experiencing domestic violence, you aren’t eligible to stay there,” said the representative from wrwomenshelternow.
While the YWCA does not currently provide services to homeless women, they will be opening a temporary shelter in mid-No-
Currently, there has been no opening date set for the YWKW’s former emergency shelter at 84 Frederick St. - though the location will remain a shelter. e Region states they plan to open this location after transitioning from their 1668 King St. E. location to the newly purchased property.
e new site will utilize a Housing-First operating model to “support individuals in their housing journey through access to on-site programming, including health, addictions, and employment support,” as stated in a July 29 news brief.
83% have stayed in a housing situation that is abusive or violent because it felt safer than being homeless
73% have avoided using co-ed emergency shelter services because of safety concerns.
69% have avoided using the police or decided not to report a situation of violence because it felt unsafe
BRONTE BEHLING
- Joe Mancini, co-creator of e Working Centre.
Ontario expands scope of care pharmacists can provide
Pharmacist Diana Dimian weighs in on the impact of government’s decision
After the Ontario government’s decision to expand pharmacists’ scope of care in January, 2023, 99 per cent of pharmacies began writing prescriptions for common ailments such as pink eye, urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cold sores, resulting in over one million assessments since last year according to a recent government news release.
Today, the government is considering adding 14 more common ailments to the program as well as some vaccines and tests.
e program enables Canadians to seek necessary medical expertise without the often -long wait times that exist to book appointments with family doctors. Initially, the government said pharmacists could begin prescribing for 13 common ailments. en, the program was expanded with six more in October, 2023. e continued expansion of the program will provide Canadians with “more convenient care closer to home,” according to the Ontario government.
Diana Dimian is a local phar-
macist at University Pharmacy, located across from Wilfrid Laurier University on King Street. Dimian said the volume of patients and workload due to the expansion is heavily dependent on the pharmacy. At busier pharmacies, patients may have to make appointments to ensure they are helped. On the other hand, she said many independent pharmacies wish more people would take advantage of the services o ered.
“We were expecting more people to come in asking for prescriptions, I feel like there’s poor communication,” said Dimian on how the expansion has gone. “I’m still
getting prescriptions from walk-in clinics for stu that pharmacists can prescribe.”
Dimian is still receiving prescriptions from walk-in clinics for acne, oral thrush, UTIs and more.
Dimian said on average, University Pharmacy writes three or four prescriptions a week and so the additional workload is minimal as the process is simple. She said at other pharmacies, however, the workload is more intense, especially during u shot season in the fall.
Dimian said her primary concern about the expansion is that many of the patients she treats are not aware of the full scope of phar-
macists’ practice, but this gives them a chance to educate patients.
“It builds more trust and helps to make a better relationship between pharmacists and patients,” said Dimian. “It’s giving us opportunities to prove that we are well-educated and quali ed.”
Building on the ability to prescribe for common ailments, the provincial government is exploring the possibilities of expanding in other directions. is includes ordering speci c lab tests and allowing pharmacy technicians to administer additional vaccines, such as tetanus and diphtheria. e expansion will also include
government-funded vaccines. Initially these vaccines had to be done at the doctor’s o ce, but now they can be administered through pharmacies as well. Dimian said that this change will save time for all parties involved.
e expansion has allowed for more accessible healthcare as well, as the only requirement to receive a prescription is to bring your Ontario health card. E ective Jan. 1, 2023, the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) mandated the completion of a training module designed “to ensure pharmacists fully understand their ethical, legal, and professional obligations when prescribing for minor ailments” before pharmacists can write prescriptions.
“ anks to the Government of Ontario’s investment in the pharmacy sector through programs like the assessment and treatment of minor ailments, communities have trusted their local pharmacy teams to deliver the high-quality care they need and deserve,” said Justin Bates, the CEO of the Ontario Pharmacists Association, re ecting on the expansion. “As Ontarians seek accessible and convenient ways to access care, Ontario’s pharmacy professionals are ready with the knowledge and expertise to safely and e ectively do more to meet their healthcare needs in a setting of their choice.”
Renoviction surge across Waterloo continues
Local landlords schedule renovations across rental properties to increase rent for tenants
On June 17, city council voted to review Waterloo's Residential Licensing Bylaw to ensure a way to protect renters from facing what the city calls "renovictions." is is a recent trend where landlords undertake minor renovation work and use this as a reason to evict tenants.
ere are many situations where landlords might implement renovictions, including cases of apartment damages, nonpayment of rent, refusal of mandatory eviction, etc. But Grant Curlew, the licensing and standards manager at the City of Waterloo said: "Landlords want to collect more rent and use renovictions, as a way to displace tenants that are paying low rent and replace them with new tenants that they can charge a higher rent."
Since 2017, the City of Waterloo has undergone a "renoviction surge," that has only been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis according to the Ontario Renoviction Report
(2024) created by e Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) Canada, an independent national organization of low and moderate-income people.
ey noticed a trend of increased renovictions in 2017 using the Ontario housing data to keep track. is trend sees landlords use two eviction notices to evict would-be renoviction victims. e rst is an N12 where landlords evict tenants to move themselves or their families into the unit. e second is an N13 where tenants are evicted for renovations.
Curlew said certain renoviction cases are done legally in cases where landlords need to evict a tenant to complete necessary upgrades to a unit. However, they must have a prescribed process through the landlord-tenant board to do so.
An extreme renovation case took place earlier this year on Feb. 28 at 250 Frederick St. in Kitchener, where an anonymous tenant and landlord engaged in an intense argument that later involved local authorities.
Curlew said that from a bylaw perspective, the city is aware of the few instances where tenants are impacted by evictions related to renovations. While researching the
case, the city estimated roughly 20 to 30 renovictions occur every year in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. He said the housing crisis might be one reason for the increasing renoviction surge.
He said the city is potentially considering a renoviction bylaw, which other cities like Hamilton are also exploring. Acer Bonaparte, the chair of the Waterloo Region chapter of ACORN, said he believes this might be the solution to the renoviction crisis.
"It will de nitely help the problem, and it will help quell it. But we de nitely need support even higher up from the provinces and federal government to implement strong tenant protection and tenant rights," said Bonaparte.
Bonaparte said the crisis started when the Ford government passed legislation on July 20, 2020, that weakened tenant protections and sped up legal evictions.
Bill 184 removed tenants' ability to defend against eviction by raising tenant rights issues, such as disrepair, at their hearing unless they submitted evidence in advance.
e new law also gave landlords the ability to pressure tenants into onerous terms of rent payment and then apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) for an eviction
order without a hearing if ever the tenant was a day late or a dollar short on the prescribed installments.
He said the numbers from the landlord-tenant board indicate that Toronto has the highest number of renoviction cases involving N12 and N13 measures, but notes that those numbers are from people who reported to the landlord-tenant board on renovictions. So, the numbers could be underrepresenting the true scope of the renoviction cases.
e City of Waterloo has not
announced any further action regarding the renoviction cases, but wanted to pursue a di erent option.
Grant Curlew said the rst solution they thought of was to create support tenant programs with nancial support and investigate legal support programs the city could provide funding or support to. e City of Waterloo is also considering funds for multi-unit residential acquisition programs to support nonpro ts and cooperative housing purchases to make it more a ordable.
BRONTE BEHLING/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF University Pharmacy, 240 King St. N.
HARI ADNANI NEWS DIRECTOR
SANGJUN HAN SUMMER REPORTER
SANGJUN HAN/SUMMER REPORTER e Humble Lotus, 350 King St. E.
ICJ calls Israel to “make reparations” for Palestine occupation New ruling prompts comments from student activists at Laurier
e International Court of Justice ruled in e Hague in July that Israel’s occupation of Palestine is “unlawful” and calls for Israel to “make reparations for the damage caused.”
e ruling is an advisory opinion that was requested by the General Assembly in 2022.
e ICJ opinion is not legally binding, although the ruling has the potential to in uence other countries’ actions.
e ICJ summarizes and criticizes Israel’s occupation of Palestine since 1967 and “excludes consideration of conduct by Israel in the Gaza Strip in response to the attack carried out against it by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October 2023.”
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 39,897 Palestinians were killed between Oct. 7, 2023 and Aug. 13, 2024.
According to the Israeli military, in the same timeframe more than
1,530 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed.
“Israel has an obligation to bring an end to its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible,” said Part VII of the Summary of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion “Israel is also under an obligation to provide full reparation for the damage caused by its internationally wrongful acts to all natural or legal persons concerned.”
Omar Elmallah graduated this past spring from Wilfrid Laurier University and majored in kinesiology.
Elmallah said he is actively involved in advocating for Palestinian justice and has been attending protests since he was seven.
“When you’re involved in this issue and you hear so much about what’s happening and the world doesn’t really seem to care, that can be very frustrating,” said Elmallah. “I was de nitely very surprised when the ICJ ruling came out.”
e non-binding nature of the ruling is a concern for Elmallah, who said he feels the ruling is not enough to prompt the change in Israel’s actions that is needed for the Palestinian people.
Oren Katz is a fourth-year arts undergraduate student at Laurier who is a member of Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) Waterloo Region and the Palestinian Justice Club (PJC).
“I think it’s the responsibility of global powers who do recognize the ICJ to make statements on this, to do what they can to get involved and ght instead of just letting the genocide in Gaza continue,” said Katz.
Katz said they believe this ruling will be empowering to continue conversations around the con ict for Palestinians in the diaspora.
ey also said the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is an opportunity to re ect on their Jewish identity and values.
“Making the world a safer place for Jewish people does not mean allowing any of us to act with impunity. It means holding all people, regardless of their identity, accountable for their involvement in structural violence and genocide,” said Katz. “I am just as proud to be Jewish as I am to be pro-Palestine.”
According to B’nai Brith Canada, a Jewish advocacy organization, the number of antisemitic incidents in Canada has doubled
between 2022 and 2023 and has now reached a record high.
According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), since Oct. 7, the organization has seen a 1,300 per cent increase in Islamophobic incidents reported to it.
In an email to e Cord, Jessie Greenspan, Hillel Ontario’s campus director for both Laurier and the University of Waterloo, said Hillel is concerned for the well-be-
ing of Jewish students as they return to campus this fall.
Hillel International is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world.
“We call on university leadership to unequivocally state that antisemitism will not be tolerated, ensure the safety of Jewish students, and swiftly hold accountable those who seek to cause harm to the experience of Jewish students,” she said.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/RB PHOTO ON FLICKR e International Court of Justice in e Hague.
HARI ADNANI NEWS DIRECTOR
University of Waterloo land hosts new joint hospital
Construction for new location to be fully completed by the year 2039
On July 22, the City of Waterloo announced their plan to build a new hospital at David Johnston Research + Technology Park, a site owned by the University of Waterloo, to provide more healthcare services and employment opportunities.
e new hospital is a joint venture between Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital to plan for the future of hospital-based services in Kitchener-Waterloo as part of the broader healthcare system in the Waterloo Region. is partnership is called the Building the Future of Care Together redevelopment project.
“ e city is certainly very supportive of the new hospital within the City of Waterloo,” said Dorthy McCabe, the mayor of the City of Waterloo.
e government of Ontario approved a $ 5 million capital planning grant to build the new “state-of-the-art” hospital and modernize existing hospital buildings in April 2022.
ere were initially ve possible sites for new hospital construction in November 2023 before three locations were short-listed.
McCabe said the city chose the park as its new construction site so they could integrate some of the University of Waterloo’s research and technology services.
She said the hospital will o er co-op, research and employment opportunities through partnerships between the organizations involved including Grand River Hospital, St. Mary’s General Hospital, the University of Waterloo and tech companies in the area, such as OpenText.
“Not only does the location make great sense in terms of patient accessibility, but it also allows our organizations to deepen our relationship even further for the bene t of the communities we serve,” said Mark Fam, the president of St. Mary’s General Hospital, in a media release.
Fam said that by 2050, the
population of Waterloo Region will become 1 million through a press release published on the Region of Waterloo website, and the already existing hospitals in the KW area are too small to meet current and anticipated demand.
“ e number one reason for the new hospital is need,” said Fam, describing how Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital can’t accommodate the “rapidly growing and increasingly diverse demand of the communities.”
Hospital services won’t be limited to just the citizens in Waterloo. It will expand to southwestern Ontario, Owen Sound and Tobermory. McCabe said the city
Student housing a multi-faceted issue
As semester starts, students face housing shortages
Many students experience a struggle when looking for housing accommodations in university areas.
Sivamrutha Kayilaasan is one of these students, who recently nished a bachelor’s degree in honours science at the University of Waterloo and was accepted into a master’s degree program at Wilfrid Laurier University in mid-July.
She said this is exciting news, but she now has to look for housing in Waterloo once again.
“Looking for housing can really come down to the luck of the draw and the process is exhausting,” Kayilaasan said. “Looking for a place to live in a short span of time before school starts wasn’t my main concern, it was the fast-moving market.”
She said there were a lot of
postings online for places up for rent over the summer, but from the many she replied to, only a few got back to her.
In some of the postings Kayilaasan found when looking for places she could sublet from Conestoga College students, she said the poster o ered the option of sharing a bedroom with someone else. is has been an issue near Conestoga College’s Waterloo campus, but even more so at the college’s Doon campus in Kitchener.
According to CTV News and a report funded by Ontario’s Big City Mayors, it found a 1,579 per cent growth in international students at Conestoga College since 2014.
Yet, Waterloo Region Councillor Michael Harris said to CTV News earlier this year that there have been no developments of new student residence buildings, which resulted in many international students living in inhumane conditions. Harris said he spoke to one student who told him he was living in a house with 13 other students.
From the landlord’s perspective,
some raise concerns about leasing to students when considering leasing turnover, property damage, yard maintenance, noise complaints and nes.
Aksaya Ghetheeswaran is a local landlord’s daughter who owns a house on Marshall Street, a road that is a less than 10-minute walk to Laurier campus. She said the idea of uneasiness when it comes to leasing to students versus families can deter landlords from buying a property in a university area.
“ e unpredictability of renting to students and how they upkeep the property is something to think about when choosing where to get a rental property,” Ghetheeswaran said. is experience is in the sense of living habits and cleanliness of the house and when it comes to paying rent.
Ghetheeswaran’s family says e ective communication with tenants is important to build a relationship and a rapport to prevent any misunderstandings that can result in a neglect of the property and even a ne from the city.
adding more potential programs related to rehab sciences.
e two hospitals are continuing their discussion with the UW’s engineering and architecture team on leveraging the school, researchers and students in the hospital’s planning, design and construction and what the students’ and researchers’ involvement would be.
“It certainly opens up a lot of opportunities and potential for them to increase what’s already happening at the University of Waterloo,” said McCabe.
He also explained how the new hospital construction will bene t the local economy through increased employment opportunities at the hospitals and the university and expand potentially to innovation and tech sectors.
hopes to create a chain of hospitals around Ontario to provide as many healthcare services as possible.
In a press release on the Building the Future of Care Together website, the president of the University of Waterloo, Vivek Goel, said he doesn’t just want to use the new hospital as a teaching tool and research hub for students.
He also wants it to be an innovation institute that works closely with other Ontario hospitals to create new technologies and ideas and apply them to the healthcare system.
He said that UW is trying to introduce new programs such as pharmacy and optometry and
Ron Gagnon, the president and CEO of Grand River Hospital, said the hospital is in the planning stages of developing the functional design of the new hospital location and the KW and Freeport campuses.
“ rough each phase of the redevelopment, the goal is to refresh, renew, and modernize the healthcare experience in Waterloo Region,” he said.
e project also continuously involves community consultations to ensure citizens are aware of future decisions regarding this project, including a public survey for feedback on the two hospitals merging into a single organization
“To date, we’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the redevelopment project and the recently announced site,” said Gagnon.
She said landlords can deal with nes in di erent ways. Her family stipulates in the contracts for their tenants that if they incur nes for acts like not mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway, then the
tenants must pay.
All this considered, Ghetheeswaran said what makes landlords want to rent in areas like Waterloo is the constant high demand for housing from students.
SANGJUN HAN/SUMMER REPORTER David Johnston Research and Technology Park.
SANGJUN HAN SUMMER REPORTER
WARDAH ARAIN/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER For rent sign in Wilfrid Laurier University area.
JEWEL FRIEDMANN NEWS CONTRIBUTOR
Alcohol privatization leads to widespread LCBO strike
Over 9,000 LCBO employees go on labour strike to protest Ford government’s fast-tracked plan
After Ontario’s conservative government fast-tracked their plan to expand the privatization of alcohol in the province, 10,000 Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) employees went on a labour strike from July 5 to 22.
e strike negotiations were between the LCBO employees represented by the Ontario Public Service & Employment Union (OPSEU) and the LCBO.
Employees voted to ratify a new three-year agreement on July 21 which includes job security and wage improvements from the provincial government.
While an expansion of alcoholic o erings at grocery, convenience and big-box stores was on the horizon for 2026, issues emerged in the province with the government’s decision back in May to fast-track the expansion to give opportunities to the private alcohol sector.
With the fast-track, by the end of this October, any grocery, convenience and big-box store will be able to sell alcoholic beverages if they apply for a permit to do so.
Ready-to-drink beverages were a major point of con ict during the negotiation, as they are the fastest growing alcoholic beverage in popularity and responsible for 9.1 per cent of sales in 2023.
“If they want to negotiate over [ready-to-drink beverages], the deal’s o . I’m going to repeat that: that ship has sailed,” said Ford at a news conference on July 10 in an Etobicoke brewery.
High-alcohol spirits are not going to be a part of the expansion and will continue to be sold exclusively at the LCBO. Wholesaling will also continue to be done by the LCBO.
e increase in availability of alcohol is a serious cause for concern for health advocates in Ontario.
In a statement issued in 2023, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) expressed their disagreement with the decision.
“Emphasizing convenience will come at the expense of the health of Ontarians,” the statement reads.
“Evidence shows that the expansion of alcohol availability, especially through private
retail outlets, results in increased consumption and ultimately more alcohol-attributable hospitalizations, diseases, and deaths.”
OPSEU’s primary concern throughout the strike was that the privatization of alcohol sales would lead to the detriment of the LCBO and its employees.
“I don’t think it’s the end of the road for the LCBO at all,” said an employee of the LCBO and incoming fourth-year environmental science student at Wilfrid Laurier University, who would not like their name published due to a risk of losing their job.
ey said one of their concerns about the expansion is the increase in theft and potential danger facing locally owned businesses. According to the Alcohol Research Group (ARG), an increase in liquor stores results in an increase in violent crimes.
“A person running their own convenience store, that’s their own livelihood, that’s their own product,” the LCBO employee said. ey said at the LCBO, employees are instructed to not interfere with theft and to write an incident report after each occurrence.
e LCBO employee said they fear that locally owned convenience stores, such as the ones that will soon be selling alcohol, will not have the same policies in place, leading to an increased risk for the employees.
In a statement released on July 4, OPSEU said the government’s decision to expand private alcohol sales will take away much of the funding the LCBO provides to health care, education and other public services.
According to the LCBO’s 2023 annual report, $2.58 billion was transferred to the Ontario government in dividends and over $14.6 million was reinvested into the community via partners for community development.
According to Statistics Canada, from 2022 to 2023, the net income of liquor authorities in Ontario was around $2.46 billion, excluding taxes.
In Alberta, where the sale of alcohol has been privatized since 1993, that same statistic was $846 million.
Adjusted for population, Ontario’s revenue per capita was $164.64 and Alberta’s was $193.55. Alberta’s income in this case is generated by their liquor markup, a policy in place that is similar to one at the LCBO.
1,000 - Approximate number of local wineries,
1,200 - Approximate number of grocery stores, LCBO Convenience Outlets, The Beer Store locations and bars/restaurants that sell takeaway alcohol across Ontario
HARI ADNANI NEWS DIRECTOR
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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 September 19 to be featured in our October issue.
Dear Life
Dear Life, I genuinely don’t get why dating in this generation feels like a job interview. Are people that emotionally distant? I get that you are hurt, but that gives you no right to hurt people who just want better for you. Hookups, fwbs, sneaky links? How did this generation fail. People who justify cheating out of boredom are the most pathetic people you will ever meet.
Dear Life,
What have you done to the economy? My dad can no longer hire as many minimum wage workers to run his company and now I have to choose between a yacht and a sports car. I wanted both. Why have you made my life so hard? Now I can no longer travel to Europe every few months. On top of that, my dad limited my access to my trust fund so now I have to nd a man in nance, trust fund, 6”5, blue eyes.
I sincerely hope you recover from this sickness, Life.
Dear Life,
I want to hold on to you. I want to nd the will to love you. But when am I going to be rewarded? All you gave me was fake happiness and then you tore it away as fast as it came. You leave me emp- ty often, yet I still yearn for the lustful lies you tell me. Dear Life, I’m sick of this cycle. I’m growing impatient. Why are you a constant struggle? Why do you attack me in every corner I seek refuge in? I hope you know I actually don’t get stronger everytime you poison me. I just slowly fall out of love with you. Dear Life, when am I going to love you again?
CORD-O-SCOPES
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Your plans for the new term involve taking an extensive look at clubs and organizations to join and signing up for far too many. Make sure to be realistic with your expectations!
Gemini (May 21 - June 21)
Your plans for the new term involve making new connections, going to networking events and applying to work with too many clubs. Make sure to avoid burnout!
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)
Your plans for the new term involve signing up to creative clubs and convincing yourself that you should try out for a musical theatre production. Make sure to ask a close friend for an opinion rst!
Libra (Sept. 22 - Oct. 23)
Your plans for the new term involve setting aside time to reorganize your workspace in order to create a relaxing environment. Make sure to not overspend on new decor!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21)
Your plans for the new term involve managing your very busy social calendar and joining a sports team to keep up with your physical tness. Make sure to take rest days!
Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18)
Your plans for the new term involve signing up for a book club and pulling out the journals you’ve forgotten about. Make sure to be realistic about your goals and take time for creative writing!
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Your plans for the new term involve creating a detailed course schedule that accounts for every dead- line and exam. Make sure to schedule breaks!
Cancer (June 22 - July 22)
Your plans for the new term involve making time for an extensive six-step skincare routine every night. Make sure to keep an eye on your pocketbook and use up every product!
Virgo (Aug. 23- Sept. 22)
Your plans for the new term involve getting ready for co-op or nding two part-time jobs to grow your bank account. Don’t forget to make time for friends and family!
Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 21)
Your plans for the new term involve setting up your social calendar and planning out elaborate dates for you and your partner or best friend. Don’t forget to take time for rest!
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
Your plans for the new term involve planning your Halloween party ahead of time so you can top your celebration from last year. Don’t forget to take your friends’ opinions into account!
Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20)
Your plans for the new term involve delving back into self help books and making sure your friends take time for self-care. Don’t forget to make time for selfcare and relaxation for yourself!
Puzzle 1 Puzzle 2
Puzzle 3 Puzzle 4 Solutions 1 2 3 4
Twisted Indian Fusion Street Food
247 King St. N. Unit 1A, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y8. twistedindian.com
+1 226-647-5500
e Sobo
308 King St. N. Unit #115, Waterloo, ON N2J 0G4. thesobo.ca
+1 226-255-1516
Osmow’s Shawarma
210 King St. N., Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y7. osmows.com
+1 519-884-0818
Church’s Texas Chicken
247 King St. N. Unit number 4, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y8. ontario.churchstexaschicken.com
+1 226-647-6300
Fat Bastard Burrito Co.
255 King St. N. #7, Waterloo, ON N2J 4V2. www.fatbastardburrito.ca
+1 519-208-5222
Mucho Burrito Fresh Mexican Grill
220 King St. N., Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y7. locations.muchoburrito.com
+1 519-885-1916
241 Pizza
258 King St. N., Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y9. www.241pizza.com
+1 519-804-0241
Gino’s Pizza
253 King St. N. Unit 2, Waterloo, ON N2J 2Y8. www.ginospizza.ca
+1 519-747-4466
Meltwich Food Co.
255 King St. N. #2, Waterloo, ON N2J 4V2. www.meltwich.com
+1 519-208-3040
Chatime
255 King St. N. #9, Waterloo, ON N2J 4V2. chatime.ca
Chatbots and the Online News Act
Summer reporter Sangjun Han explores the consequences of AI technology.
Chatbots used Microsoft-backedbyopen
AI, Google Gemini and Meta Data use Canadian news content to train their AI systems, but AI companies are not paying these outlets for their content.
The federal govern- ment is whetherinvestigating AI companies fall under the newly im- plemented Bill C-18, the Online News Act.
The government en- acted the Online News Act on June 22, 2023, to ensure that dominant platforms compensate news companies when their content is available on their services.
The Government of Canada website said that the Online News Act creates a bargaining framework to ensure that websites compen- sate news businesses fairly. It encourages the platforms to reach voluntary agreementscommercial with news businesses.
Artificial intelligence has impacted various industries since the 80s, when the first expert system came into the commercial market, known as XCON.
It was designed to assist in the ordering of computer systems by automatically picking components based on the customer’s needs.
Since then, AI started changing industry operations, including healthcare, marketing, finance, education, entertainment, manufacturing, agriculture, retail and banking.
Recently, AI compa- nies changed journal- ism by using publisher content to expand their knowledge, edit articles, provide SEO for jour- nalists to keep up with recent trends and so much more.
Different companies that use Canadian news content had until June 10, 2024, to notify Cana-
da’s broadcasting reg- ulators, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), whether the law applies to any of their plat- forms.
The commission is in charge of determining if AI services are repro- ducing news as defined in the law, said Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge.
The CRTC team has yet to reveal which companies fall under the Online News Act, while the Ottawa gov- ernment are still debating on their decision on whether Canadian news publishers should get paid by AI companies for using their content.
Mirabella Salem, a media relations officer at CRTC, said in an email that as an independent tribunal, the CRTC can only act based on the information they received about the Online News Act and the AI companies involved.
For now, there have been no applications to the CRTC alleging that AI companies are breaching the law or arguing how AI compa- nies would be subjected to or not respecting the Online News Act.
The federal govern- ment isn’t answering questions and inquiries about whether artificial intelligence companies, such as Google, should pay Canadian news publishers for content that their chatbots are using freely.
However, corpora- tions, such as Meta, said in a press release that their AI programs are exempt from the Online News Act because their system draws infor- mation from different sources on the web, not restricted by the legisla- tion. The same applies to other AI programs.
Google’s chatbot uses Canadian news as part
of its training data and doesn’t necessarily “steal content without paying,” said Matt Hat- field, the executive director of Open Media.
The CEO of Microsoft’s AI, Mustafa Suleyman, said machine-learning companies can use online content to train neural networks because it’s what he calls “freeware.”
Even part-time Laurier business law professor and lawyer, Brandon Mattalo, said AI companies are not taking news content directly from the source, so they would not be violating the Online News Act.
“The way the language models work is it’s just pattern — effectively, a form of pattern recogni- tion and then it’s creating new content based on what’s in the original content. Now, there are some instances where things are being repro- duced, so it could be reproduced by mistake,” he said, stating how as long as the AI isn’t di- rectly referencing direct news sources, then AI companies are not vio- lating the act.
However, the law still stipulates that AI plat- forms violate the law if they share news or repurpose it on their online platform.
In response, on June 7, 2024, Google decided to pay Canadian news publishers $100 mil- lion annually and Meta blocked news links from its Instagram and Face- book platforms for Ca- nadian users to comply with the law.
Christopher Waddell, the program director of media production and design at Carlton Uni- versity, said that while Canada hasn’t decided whether AI companies should pay for Cana- dian news content, he understands how some publishers like the New York Times believe what these companies are doing is illegal.
He explains how publishers in the United States think ChatGPT is using information illegally to expand its knowledge and data- base.
An example would be the New York Times suing Microsoft for using the publishers’ material.
He also said he doesn’t know whether similar court cases are happening in Canada but believes the Canadian publishers will use the case in New York, as an example to decide what they should do about AI companies us- ing Canadian publisher content.
But Waddell said he thinks AI companies using publisher content is a grey area because there are still ongoing debates within the Canadian government on whether it is illegal.
He said although AI seems to be a looming threat to journalism by providing factual in- formation faster while editing texts, the jour- nalism industry will not disappear, as tradition- al reporting, not only brings more reliable information compared to AI, but it also can’t replace human intuition and expertise.
Randy Boswell, an as- sociate journalism pro- fessor at Carlton University said companies profiting from AI-gener- ated news should compensate Canadian news sources.
“The reason for that is because the present Canadian government, at least, has acknowledged that news organi- zations are producing a really important public good, which is informa- tion that helps citizens understand what’s hap- pening in their commu- nities,” Boswell said.
He also said he thinks the Online News Act was created because Canada recognizes jour- nalism as an important
industry and believes they deserve compen- sation.
However, Alexander Capolongo, a sec- ond-year user experi- ence design student at Wilfrid Laurier University said, AI companies who use news content to train their systems might infringe on many policies upheld by the Canadian government, including the Online News Act.
“I believe that Canadian media companies and their publications should get paid because AI companies are using intellectual property,” he said, stating that even if AI companies are not using news pub- lisher sources directly, they’re still using intel- lectual property to train their AIs.
As of now, the Canadian government is debating whether AI companies should pay Canadian publishers.
In a New York Times technology podcast, Hard Fork host, Casey Newton asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about whether the Online News Act should, in fact, also cover AI companies.
He said AI platforms using Canadian content should act responsi- bly, instead of letting the government decide what they should do.
“Can we put the onus of leadership and re- sponsibility that goes with it increasingly on platforms — around journalism, around pro- tection of free speech, but also protection against hate speech? Can we find those balances?” Trudeau said in episode 86 of Hard Fork.
A statement from the House of Commons states they’re closely monitoring artificial in- telligence development and its implications for the news media sector.
“The way the language models work is it’s just pattern — effectively, a form of pattern recognition and then it’s creating new content based on what’s in the original content. Now, there are some instances where things are being reproduced, so it could be reproduced by mistake.
- Brandon Mattalo, part-time Laurier business law professor and lawyer.
Arts & Life
LOCAL PUBS
VACANT
arts@thecord.ca
e best bars and venues in Waterloo
September has rolled in and frosh week is upon us once again. Students are back in Waterloo with plenty of time to explore new bars and venues.
As a fourth-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University, I have had my fair share of great and not-sogreat nights spent at various places around Waterloo.
With the help of my personal experiences and some input from other members of the Kitchener-Waterloo community, I have compiled a list of the best bars and venues that incoming or returning students should make a part of their semester.
Midnight Run Cafe
At rst glance, Midnight Run looks like your average indie co ee shop.
It is a great place to grab a latte and dive into the books during the day, however, I want to highlight the duality of the café.
Some nights throughout the month, Midnight Run is open late and converts to a venue that hosts comedians, poetry nights, live music and open mics.
e café’s interior is charming, aesthetically pleasing and fairly small, o ering a close-knit feel to their events.
Nate Savoy, the event manager at Midnight Run, said the café started hosting events in January, 2023.
At the time, they only hosted live music and open mics.
“We try to create a collaborative space for creatives and any ways people want to express themselves,” said Savoy.
Information on upcoming events and ticketing can be found on Midnight Run’s Instagram and website.
Pin Up Arcade Bar
If you are looking for a place that diverges from the traditional bar scene, Pin Up Arcade Bar is worth the visit.
For $8 you have free play of all the arcade games Pin Up has to o er.
You can nd classics like foosball, skee-ball and pinball as well as Mortal Kombat, racing games and Dance Dance Revolution. Every Sunday the arcade hosts karaoke.
“I just think [Pin Up] is a fun alternative to the bar scene. It’s somewhere that’s fun and interactive,” said Che Curnew, the owner of the Pin Up Arcade Bar. “It’s a bar with something to do, rather than a bar just to go and drink.”
Curnew added that Pin Up is family friendly until 10 p.m. e bar then becomes 17 plus, o ering alcoholic drinks for purchase for those 19 and older.
Abe Erb
It does not take long to notice
that bars in Waterloo tend to become quite rowdy on weekends. Abe Erb o ers an alternative while still being located on King Street.
Named after Waterloo’s founder Abraham Erb, Abe Erb has craft beers, cocktails and a delicious menu that features local suppliers.
e Waterloo location has a rustic interior with a sizable amount of seating.
Tony eodosiou, the general manager of Abe Erb Uptown Waterloo,said the bar has happy hour every day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
He also added that Abe Erb hosts trivia every ursday night as well as live music on occasion.
“It’s worth highlighting the fact that [all Abe Erb locations] have beer shops, so people can come in and take beer to go,” said eodosiou.
Information on events can be found on Abe Erb’s Instagram and website.
e Pub on King
While it has become a Laurier tradition to frequent e Pub on King on Tuesdays and ursdays for cheap beer, there are other aspects of the pub that put it on this list.
During patio season, e Pub on King has a secluded seating area that comes with a special menu.
From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., all food is $7.95 and cocktails are $6.75.
e dance oor can get very cramped on a busy night, but the music is always reliable, you can expect to hear a bit of every genre.
Stratford’s Upside of Maybe plays Blues Festival
Local music group Upside of Maybe performed at the Kitchener Blues Festival on Saturday, Aug 10 at 1:30 p.m. on the OLG Clock Tower Stage in Victoria Park. Admission was free.
I got to sit down in the Radio Laurier studio with Michael Bannerman, the group’s vocalist and acoustic guitarist.
He describes Upside of Maybe’s sound as “acoustic rock” and speaks passionately about his 30 years as a musician.
Bannerman, and his brother Scott, who provides vocals, keyboard and accordion in Upside of Maybe, started in Stratford, Ontario when Michael was in Grade 11 and Scott was in Grade 10. ey were initially part of a group called Lost Coin.
“Literally, like we would skip school possibly on Fridays, jump in the van, drive all the way to Minnesota, play like a 45-minute gig and
jump in and drive all the way back and sleep in the parking lot in the morning,” Michael said, reminiscing about the band’s origin. Upside of Maybe contains three of the original members of Lost Coin, Michael, Scott and Troy Locker (vocals/percussion), as well as some newer talent, John Munroe (bass) and Andy Horrocks (electric guitar).
On their website, Upside of Maybe describes their music as “family friendly, roots-based pop/rock.” Family is obviously important
to Michael, who is a father himself and speaks proudly of his oldest son, a ddle player and member of his own punk rock group.
e roots aspect of Upside Of Maybe’s music is clear through its style but also its form.
While teasing a new album, Michael emphasizes the storytelling of the band’s music.
“A lot of the songs will be very heavy rock, but they’re stories.
ey’re storytelling,” said Michael, describing how the band’s songs should be sung around a camp re.
Upside of Maybe’s music is steeped in these themes of storytelling and community.
In their 2021 EP “All Who Wander”, the opening track All Who Wander Are Not Lost shares a story of travel and re ection laid over a groovy piano ri . e addition of a roots-style guitar line along with steady drums and bass creates a line that makes you move while appreciating the story being told.
In detailing Upside of Maybe’s rise, Michael discussed the di erent approach to songwriting
that one must adapt to as they play bigger and bigger venues.
“ ere’s a reason Coldplay and U2 and Taylor Swift can ll these huge auditoriums. ey’re writing songs that t that,” he said.
What Michael is referring to here is how artists playing bigger venues work the size of the venue into the mix. While Upside of Maybe have played in a variety of venues, Michael describes his ideal venue as one ideal for building connections with fans.
“I want people to go home and feel like ‘I know who that guy is’” he said.
roughout my chat with Michael, his passion for the community created through music shone through.
In a world full of burnout and overworking, Michael and his fellow bandmates still work hard and love what they do. Like the wanderer in All Who Wander Are Not Lost, Upside of Maybe travels the country and collects metaphorical pieces of the places they visit.
From bars in Saskatchewan to stadiums in Hamilton, they serve as an example of how Canadian musicians are all made up of the same yet ever-changing materials.
MADALYN MOSTACCI MANAGING EDITOR
SANGJUN HAN/SUMMER REPORTER Pub on King.
JACK VROLYK RADIO LAURIER STATION MANAGER
SANGJUN HAN/SUMMER REPORTER Prohibition Warehouse.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/KARI GREY
e cover image for Upside of Maybe’s album “All Who Wander.”
Nexus 50th annual art exhibit displays work by graduating UW fine arts students
Over the spring, The University of Waterloo Art Gallery hosted its 50th annual art exhibit, Nexus, for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic in a renewed partnership with the Region of Waterloo.
This was an opportunity for graduating fine arts students at the University of Waterloo to showcase their work to the public. From September 2023 until March 2024, fourth-year students worked on art pieces to be judged by the Region of Waterloo Public Art Advisory Committee, which consists of one regional counsellor and ten community members volunteering from the region.
“I think it’s a great way to get your name out there,” said Deborah Odia, a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s honours arts and business program.
Every year, the members of the Public Art Advisory Committee select the best art pieces from the exhibit to showcase in buildings around the area. For this year, they decided to showcase the art pieces at the Region of Waterloo
Ayr Branch Library located at 137 Stanley St. in Ayr, Ontario.
The five selected art pieces from this year’s exhibition are “Spotlight, Cookie Factory, Copycat, Mask” by Jee-In Lee, “Unity” by Ro Miles, “By Candlelight” by Odia, “City of Vacant Spaces II” by Ariel Rossiter and “Freefall” by Echo Vetteretto.
Each selected artists received $450 for the loan of their work.
“Creating art for the exhibit offered a good process of learning and self-development, and we had a lot of help from our professors with feedback,” said Odia when asked about her experience at the exhibition. She says the support she received from the faculty motivated her to try her best to create new art for the exhibit.
The UW fine arts program started its annual partnership with the region of Waterloo in 2008 and underwent a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the fine arts exhibits took place remotely and participants engaged with the art through a specialized online catalogue showcasing the artwork of the graduating students in 2020.
This program offers professional development and networking opportunities with industry professionals for students to enhance their careers and create an industry presence by showcasing their work. This is also a chance for
students to build their portfolios for future art careers, whether in design or printing.
Another graduate from the UW’s fine arts program, Miles, said the program helped her overcome her fear of showing her art to her peers.
“It was a great show, and the opportunity of us all exhibiting our work together solidified communal ties,” she said.
While the region is pausing art funds for September 2023, this didn’t deter the students from pursuing their passion for the arts. “It felt quite disappointing and made me a bit nervous,” Miles said. “But when we heard that the Region is supporting the Nexus Exhibit this year, it felt like the Region was reaching back to show support and make real contributions to their robust and even growing art community. It felt like we were understood and valued in that way.”
Miles said she also thought the exhibit “was cool for young emerging artists.”
“It can be a little too scary to put yourself out there and find places where your works get appreciated,” she said.
Miles, who showcased her work at the Nexus art exhibit say that they hope that the Region will continue to support aspiring artists in the area and encourage fine arts students to participate in the exhibitions.
SANGJUN HAN SUMMER REPORTER
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SCOTT LEE “Unity” by Ro Miles.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SCOTT LEE
“Spotlight”, “Cookie Factory”, “Copycat” and “Mask” by Jee-In Lee.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SCOTT LEE
“By Candlelight” by Deborah Odia.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SCOTT LEE
“City of Vacant Spaces II” by Ariel Rossiter.
e other pub on King: Morty’s
ANDREW EATON
ARTS
& LIFE CONTRIBUTOR
MENDEZ
ELIZABETH
& LIFE CONTRIBUTOR
ARTS
Blast from the past — this month’s review from your favourite foodie duo is about a Waterloo staple since the early 1980s: Morty’s Pub – located on 272 King St. N.
Strikingly deceiving when looking at its outer shell, Lizzie and Andrew were amazed at the structure and layout of this 43-year-old pub.
Sporting vintage beer signs and sports jerseys as decor, this tavern hits you with cozy hometown warmth the second you enter, with a winding and cramped layout (as every good pub should have).
Our table was incredibly atmospheric with a secluded setting and TVs showcasing the Paris Olympics for our viewing pleasure.
is all contributed to a meal that we had on our minds all day.
As Morty’s is a pub. Andrew thought it was only right to order from their extensive selection of beers on tap, choosing a light and creamy creemore.
Lizzie, once again being ever the puritan, got…water.
No appetizers for us, as the mains caught our eye as soon as we hit the menu. A good decision indeed, as the portion sizes at Morty’s are not for the faint of heart.
Andrew, ever the basic diner and oblivious to the redundancy between this and our previous review, once again got the Morty’s version of a bu alo chicken wrap.
Unfortunately, the bu alo hot sauce that the chicken was dressed in was too hot for his tastes and the overall wrap was about average, or at least that’s what he concluded from the four bites he took before rushing to Lizzie’s water.
Complimenting the wrap was an order of double-fried fries, which as is often the case, got split reactions from your food reviewers.
Andrew found them far too crispy for his liking, whereas Lizzie thought they were not totally irredeemable.
Our two cents is that for those who have gnarly hangovers or just need something greasy, Morty’s may be your next stop shop for fries.
Lizzie ordered the infamous Mom’s Chilli, looking to compare it to her own mother’s dish.
Verdict is: Lizzie’s mom has met her match! Paired with mouth-watering cheesy garlic bread and perfectly crunchy corn chips, the ensemble packed nice avour and a strong punch of spice. Combined, both the avour and the spice made the dish a true standout to your reviewers.
What is important to note is that the pub’s cozy, vintage are can also be a negative. Flies were a de nite issue during our meal, but not a true deal-breaker. at’s because for two, the meal came out to a very reasonable $70, including two beers. In comparison to many other restaurants, this is quite a ordable.
For cheap eats that can accommodate small dates like ours and big groups of friends and family, Morty’s is an inviting and a ordable place to go for a meal near Wilfrid Laurier University. If nothing else, give it a try for the vibes and convenience. If you do decide to try it, tell them LizzDrew sent you.
Ratings:
Ambiance: 6 out of 10
Drinks: 6 out of 10
Food: 7.5 out of 10
A ordability: 7.5 out of 10
House of the Dragon Season 2 continues worldbuilding
BRONTE BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
After much anticipation and speculation from fans of HBO’s House of the Dragon, the television series adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the second season of the show HBO’s House of the Dragon commenced on Jun. 16 and concluded on Aug. 3.
With a total of eight episodes, the season falls two episodes shorter than the rst season with ten episodes.
e season picks up directly after the ending of season one, following the death of Lucerys Velaryon, who is played by Elliot Grihault). Raw from the death of her son, Rhaenyra Targaryen, played byEmma D’Arcy, must come to terms with ghting for her right to the Iron rone after being usurped by her half-brother, Aegon Targaryen, played by Tom Glynn-Carney.
With Rhaenyra and her children labelled as “team black” while Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke and her children are labelled as “team green,” both sides of the Targaryen con ict have their chance to shine during season two. Cooke’s performance of Alicent
is raw and introspective, encouraging the audience to both sympathize with and feel disdain for the character’s choice in actions (and allegiances) during the season.
Cooke especially shines in her scenes with Fabien Frankle as the infamous Criston Cole throughout the season as their characters grapple with having a guilty conscious.
Key to team green’s narrative are the characters of Aegon ), Aemond Targaryen, played by Ewan Mitchell and Helaena Targaryen, played by Phia Saban.
Every actor plays o one another naturally, their chemistry as siblings is the beating heart of the show’s focus on family dynamics – especially as the majority of the season takes place at King’s Landing.
While all three actors previously appeared at the end of season one, their roles in season two are pivotal.
Saban in particular shines during one of the season’s darkest moments, portraying the haunted nature of her character’s grief expertly.
Also of note is the brotherly rivalry between Aegon and Aemond. Glynn-Carney said in an interview with Esquire Magazine that his understanding of Aegon is someone who is “intensely ambitious and incapable of pursuing the things he sets for himself.”
Conversely, in the same
interview Mitchell describes his presentation of Aemond in season one as “a character that was entirely black,” while in season two he couldn’t wait to “turn him gray.”
Returning to make up team black are Rhaenyra, Daemon Targaryen, played by Matt Smith, Jace Velaryon, played by Harry Collett, Rhaenys Targaryen, played byEve Best and Corlys Velaryon, played by Steve Toussaint.
D’Arcy’s portrayal of Rhaenyra continues to be one of the standout performances of the show, and Best has the opportunity to show the depth of Rhaenys’s character and connection to her dragon, Meleys, during one of the few battles shown throughout season two.
While Smith has arguably less to do this season as he returns to the role of Daemon, he still has the opportunity to explore his character’s internal struggle between supporting Rhaenyra in her bid for the throne while still desiring the crown himself.
For those expecting more action and battle scenes than the rst season, the second season of House of the Dragon will likely be a disappointment.
For those who enjoy the political drama aspects of the rst season and desire an even deeper look into the psyche of the show’s main characters, the season is a triumph.
Of the two groups, I am the latter.
e season nale, “ e Queen Who Ever Was,” is likely to divide viewers – the episode deviating far from the events portrayed in Fire & Blood as it attempts to leave viewers on a cli hanger. With a score of 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb, it is the second lowest rated episode this season behind episode six, “Smallfolk.”
Overall, I enjoyed Season 2 of House of the Dragon equally – if not more – than season 1 and give it a cumulative rating of 9 out of 10. With Season 3 set to be released sometime in 2026, fans of the Game of rones extended universe can look forward to another prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, when it airs in 2025.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/MAX ON YOUTUBE Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in Season 2.
Editor’s Note:
Are free menstrual products enough?
On July 29, the Ontario government announced they signed a three-year deal with Shoppers Drug Mart to make menstrual products free in schools. It is an extension of the Menstrual Equity Initiative, which launched in 2021.
During the first year of the deal, Shoppers Drug Mart will provide 1,380 dispensers to assist in the delivery process.
There will also be an increase of free menstrual products, from 23 million in 2021 to 26 million this year. The products will be available to all school boards and school authorities across Ontario, including the Centre Jules-Léger in Ottawa
As many applaud the government for this act, I would like to call attention to the fact that this is the same government which infamously disposed of OHIP+ on March 31, 2023, a service that provided access to prescription contraception – another expensive form of personal care many who have periods take to manage their cycles.
While an increase of 3 million free menstrual products will support a greater number of Canadian students who do not currently have access to menstrual products, it does not solve the issues posed by the rising costs of personal care items.
With the average income of Ontarians ages 15 and up sitting at $58,700 in 2022 according to Statistics Canada, the monthly costs associated with menstrual products are not affordable for many who rely on them to operate and do not have access to a school or workplace that provides them for free.
In a 2023 public opinion research survey completed by Environics Research on behalf of Women and Gender Equality Canada, it was reported that one in six Canadians who menstruate have
experienced period poverty or the inability of an individual to afford and access menstrual products, education and services. This changes to one in four Canadians when including households that earn less than $40,000 a year.
Periods do not stop outside of the workplace or classroom, and those who have a cycle are still tasked with purchasing menstrual products or prescription medications to manage it.
As someone who suffers from painful cramps, I personally spend money each month on over-the-counter medications such as Advil and Tylenol so I can continue to function in the workplace.
The cost of these medications on top of the price I pay for menstruation products becomes more unsustainable as inflation continues to soar.
Worse still is the continued shame felt by those who undergo menstruation.
A 2020 study completed by Always and Plan Canada found that 61 per cent of women ages 18 to 70 try to hide that they’re on their period from those around them. The same study reports that people feel more comfortable speaking openly about sex and politics than they do about periods.
While the inclusion of free period products at schools helps to elevate some experiencing period poverty, it does not address the ongoing issue of guilt from having a period across Canada – especially among those still in school.
In the same study from Always and Plan Canada, it was found that a staggering 58 per cent of girls ages 13 to 21 felt shame or embarrassment about their own period. Of these, 50 per cent have lied about being on their period.
Will the continued shame around menstruation, despite the initiative’s aims, impact the use of the free period products on offer? There is no easy answer to this question, and it remains to be seen if an increase in free menstrual products in schools has an impact on these issues. THE CORD
EDITORIAL CARTOON
Paris’ Olympic pollution problem
In 2015, Paris was chosen to host this year’s summer Olympic games.
Following the announcementg, the city made a promise they could not keep – to hold the marathon swimming and triathlon events in a cleaned Seine.
Paris uses a combined sewer system, meaning that stormwater and wastewater share the same pipes.
When those pipes reach capacity, sewage flows into the Seine rather than a treatment plant. In other words, for a century, that river has been contaminated with feces. poop.
I also want to add, aside from a few exceptions, swimming in the Seine has been banned since 1923 due to its extreme pollution levels.
Ahead of the games, the city outlined a 1.5 billion dollar plan to get the river’s water quality up to standard in time for the Olympics.
Since their bid in 2015, Parisian officials have insisted the Seine would be event ready in time for the Olympics – even going as far to say that there is no backup plan.
However, if the water quality is not up to standard before the events run, the Paris games will move the marathon swimming event to an indoor stadium and the triathlon will run as a duathlon, dropping the swimming portion of the sport.
In the case of a triathlete, dropping a portion of the sport they have dedicated their lives to completely discredits their years of work. It also disrupts the way they compete in it.
On July 30, three hours before the event, the men’s triathlon trial was postponed due to unsafe water quality in the Seine.
While the triathlon events ended up being held in the Seine, it is disrespectful that the athletes did not know if they would be competing that day or if the swimming portion would be dropped.
She took a dip in a wetsuit that covered most of her skincompared to the revealing attire athletes compete in.
On July 15, bacteria levels in the Seine barely cleared regulated levels and officials have been monitoring water quality daily.
Let’s say the river continues to be eligible to compete in on the day of each event, why should these athletes be forced to compete in water that barely meets the standard.
Parisians have been advocating for decades that the Seine needed to be cleaned. Now that the world’s eyes will be on Paris, a billion dollars has been shed to clean the river.
A ‘Shit in the Seine’ protest took off ahead of Hidalgo’s dip in hopes to voice the citizen’s disdain of their governments spending habits.
VICE-CHAIR
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY
SECRETARY
My gripe with Paris’ promise does not stem from the amount of money the city is pumping into the river; improving water quality in any manner is a huge positive.
My disapproval of this empty promise is the negative impact it has on athletes and Parisian citizens.
Paris had not hosted the Olympics in a century. Since the 1924 games, Paris has become one of the most romanticized places in the world – an image the city would want to uphold.
While having events take place in the heart of the city undoubtedly feeds into that romanticized image, athlete safety should without a doubt take priority over that.
Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, promised to swim in the river to prove it is safe to do so.
Yes, citizens will get to reap the benefits following the games. However, will it take hosting another games for Paris to take other major problems in their city seriously?
If Paris hosts an Olympic games every 100 years, their air-pollution, homelessness and inequality issues will also be backed by billions of dollars by 2324.
The Olympics are a rich tradition that unites the world. But I hope host cities in the future use Paris as an example to not make promises they cannot keep as it negatively affects the people who enjoy the games the most.
MADALYN MOSTACCI MANAGING EDITOR
BRONTE BEHLING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
RYTHAM SAHNI/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
OPINION EDITOR
ABIGAIL DOMBROVSKY
opinion@thecord.ca
Inflation causes students to choose blue collar jobs
SHERYL WILSON MADAKKAI LEAD REPORTER
Many students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree or have already graduated are still looking for jobs that fit the degree they earned.
With high inflation and unemployment rates of 6.2 per cent, these students are forced to look for labor or blue-collar jobs to pay their bills.
Canada focuses on filling labor or skilled trade jobs due to its labor shortage, which has been caused due to various reasons, including having an aging population and many jobs having the option of working remotely.
Known for its beautiful landscapes and scenic mountains, Canada is facing issues with its economy, with no change in gross domestic product (GDP) growth since 2023.
The GDP rate was 1.5 per cent in 2023 and remains unchanged in 2024.
Data released by Statistics Canada on July 16 shows that even
though the inflation rate has seemingly slowed by 2.7 per cent since June, the price of basic amenities, such as groceries, is still high.
Minder Kaur, who graduated with a hospitality and accounting degree from Seneca College, chose to work at a grocery store rather than working in her respective field.
“They were offering too low of a salary, which I could not afford at this moment with my rent, groceries and phone bills,” she said.
Currently, she earns $19.89 per hour, whereas jobs in her respective field were offering minimum wage.
Due to the rise of unemployment, Kaur is still struggling to find a job with a salary that helps her with everyday bills and fits her major.
Like Kaur, I came as an international student to Canada with a dream to become a journalist.
I hold a bachelor’s degree majoring in Journalism and yet I still struggle to build a life here.
I have been forced to put my career aspirations on hold so that I can continue to survive in this economy while working odd jobs. But I am holding onto my dream of becoming a journalist.
According to Statistics Canada, international students on average
are the highest tuition fee payers in Canada, while also providing an economic boost to the Canadian economy.
According to the Government of Canada’s Economic impact of international Education in Canada’s 2022 report, the contribution of international students including their annual expenditure on education and standard of living is $37.7 billion, which is 1.2 per cent of Canada’s GDP.
In recent years, housing infrastructure and expensive groceries have caused a lot of students and immigrants to go back to their respective countries.
According to Statistics Canada, reverse migration increased by 17.5 per cent over the last 20 years. This is the highest it has been since 1980.
The challenging factor impacting this increase is basic affordability. A lot of students like Kaur have changed their major, with high demanding labor jobs in Canada winning out over their dream jobs. To survive in Canada, it feels as if you must choose money or your career passion. Basic amenities, housing, goods and services should be affordable for all those working full-time hours in a career of their choosing, without having the fear of not being able to pay their bills.
Disney, terms and conditions and reading the fine print
MADALYN MOSTACCI
MANAGING EDITOR
How many times have you scrolled to the bottom of a terms and conditions list and clicked accept instinctively?
I’m sure many of you have never actually taken the time to read every paragraph of the lengthy document, myself included. However, a new case involving a tragic death and the Walt Disney Company has drawn attention to the terms and agreements documents many of us skip over.
Last October at Raglan Road Irish Pub, a restaurant at Walt Disney World Florida’s Disney Springs, Kanokporn Tangsuan was served food containing dairy and nuts after being reassured by staff members that her meal was allergen free.
On their website, the restaurant advertises that they are open to “allergy friendly requests” and that a manager can discuss an “Allergy Menu” with each guest.
Four months later, Tangsuan’s husband, Jeffery Piccolo, filed a lawsuit against Disney. Piccolo is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 USD as well as other costs covered such as medical expenses and loss of income.
Piccolo’s lawyers want to take the case to court, however the
magical conglomerate initially stated that any disputes would have to be settled out of court due to an arbitration clause, or a clause in a contract which ensures you agree to settle any dispute out of court, that was hidden in the terms and conditions of a Disney Plus free trial that Piccolo signed up for in 2019.
Essentially, Piccolo signed away his right to take his case to court because he did not study the fine print of a three-month free trial for a streaming service he signed up for five years ago.
This situation is obviously a sad example of corporate greed. While Disney has recently agreed to allow the case to go to court regardless of the clause, it is still cruel and
almost dystopian that the company, worth billions of dollars, would even try to enforce their sneaky terms and conditions when somebody’s life was taken away by a mistake they made.
However, I believe this case has shed light on an issue many of us have looked over in the past – arbitration clauses and the fact that there is no real regulation on what companies can hide in their fine print.
We now know that Disney has included, and will try to enforce, an arbitration clause in the terms and conditions of their streaming service, ESPN accounts and when purchasing theme park tickets on the Disney website.
In the case of Disney, their
arbitration clause is put in place so those who have accepted their terms and conditions cannot exercise their right to fair trial as they have already agreed to settle out of court should a dispute arise.
Disney is not the only corporation that has embedded an arbitration clause in their fine print.
Companies like Airbnb and Walmart mention the clause in their terms and conditions. Apple payments do as well and Amazon has recently ended theirs.
According to the Government of Canada, a contract is binding when three of the following contributions are true; (1) a contract is made, (2) there is an offer and acceptance and (3) both parties receive something for their promises.
Terms and conditions follow each of those contributions, therefore whatever is written in the fine print is legally binding once we click accept.
There is no doubt that these companies know their terms and conditions are being overlooked. They must be aware that the average person does not sit down and dissect every word of legalese when making an account they very well may never use again. But I do not think it is unfair to say that people’s rights should not be taken away due to this.
Yes, companies are allowed to put what they want in their terms and conditions, that is the reason they have people sign them. However, if they want to avoid any shock that may arise once the contents of their terms and conditions are discovered or inform their consumers of them in a way that does not require a law degree, a summarization of each term and condition could be included. That way consumers can skim the lengthy document while still having the option to read in depth if they choose.
Piccolo’s lawsuit has been scheduled to be discussed by judges on Oct. 2.
After learning more about them, I probably will continue to not read the terms and conditions and neither will you. However, it will be interesting to see what precedent Piccolo’s case sets in regard to the regulation of terms and conditions.
RYTHAM SAHINI/CREATIVE DIRECTOR
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/LIVING THE DREAM ON YOUTUBE
Raglan Road Irish Pub, located at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World.
Are bike lines needed in Kitchener-Waterloo?
e Region of Waterloo plans to repurpose two of the four lanes on Benton Street and Frederick Street in Kitchener.
Is adding more a wise decision to make, considering the ongoing nancial crisis spurred by a population increase in the region?
In 2018, the Region of Waterloo identi ed this project in their transportation master plan with council-directed sta members to create an interim improvement plan on April 12, 2022, which has still not been released to the public.
So far, it has been revealed that $1.6 million is going towards resurfacing and painting the bike road while the budget for the second phase has not been revealed.
e rst phase adds cycling lanes on Benton Street, then on Frederick Street.
e plan is to use two of the four lanes on these two streets and draw one-way lanes following tra c. is phase is scheduled to be completed by 2025. while the next phase is to replace the underground infrastructure on Fredrick and Benton Street, which will provide a better pathway to the Frederick ION station and provide safe walking and cycling accommodations.
is phase will focus more on the design, funding and utilities of the project. e new bike route plan allows individuals who do not use automated forms of transportation to explore other means of getting around the city.
With the recent population increase in the region, it is necessary to provide more funding for the transportation sector. Currently, Waterloo is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada and by the end of 2023, the estimated population of Waterloo was 154,440 with a student population of 34,550.
According to residential development statistics, it is evident that the Region of Waterloo is currently falling behind in providing transportation accommodation for the increase in population.
e city should focus on these matters before moving on to other renovation and improvement projects. It can be hard to weigh which city investments are more important than others.
However, city development protests such as one that happened to call out the addition of bike lanes in Galt in June encourages people to hold the city to be mindful of where their money is being allotted. Despite nancial insecurities in the region, Kornel Musci, the transportation planning manager at the Region of Waterloo, said the bike road can form a good connection between Kitchener and the ION station, and I agree that developing a road network for better commuting is a necessary improvement.
Musci said the region hasn’t considered all the nancial aspects intertwined in the project and could potentially take funding from other regional projects.
He also said any unforeseen costs would be manageable, but he’s taking his time with the project’s construction because his team needs to consider the region’s budget, which he did not reveal, along with any additional costs and factors that might later contribute to the project.
At this point, the project still has many gaps regarding its budget and plans, leaving concerned citizens to wonder if the city will take their future tax dollars if later issues arise, such as any delays, mistakes or needing to purchase more material.
Although the operation seems costly with the additional add-ons needed for the construction, the region did not seem concerned about the required and undisclosed budget.
However, with the ongoing budgetary crisis, it’s better to leave decisions like this until reaching economic stability.
PRESENTS THE FILMS OF
AKIRA KUROSAWA
EXPERIENCE THE GROUNDBREAKING STORYTELLING AND VISUAL TECHNIQUES THAT REVOLUTIONIZED GLOBAL CINEMA. SCREENING AT THE PRINCESS ORIGINAL CINEMA THIS FALL.
SANGJUN HAN SUMMER REPORTER
IKIRU (TO LIVE)
SEVEN SAMURAI: NEW 4K RESTORATION
SANGJUN HAN/SUMMER REPORTER Corner of Benton and Frederick Street.
The art of giving and taking criticism
HARLEEN KAUR DHILLON TCE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
What a wonderful thing it is that we have art in this world. Whether it be painting or poetry or pottery-the ability to express ourselves and share ourselves with others is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful aspects of the human condition.
Art is our desire to communicate, to process, to connect, to create—and a million other desires I cannot imagine.
It makes sense, then that artists are deeply attached to the art that they create. However, as artists and as people, we need to focus on growing and developing. Part of that process is learning to take and give criticism.
Taking Criticism
I’ve heard art--or whatever project a person has worked on for a while—described as their “baby”. They have fed it and cared for it and probably stayed up many nights for it. There is a lot of emotion attached to all creation and art.
Understand first the intention and the purpose of your art—what is it that you are conveying? Who is the intended audience? Be confident in your message and its value. Know that what you create has value, that you as an artist have a talent worth honing and that you as a person are worthy of others’ attention and time.
Although it is easier said than
done, when taking criticism, it is important to set your emotions aside. The goal is not to protect your own feelings from being hurt—hurt, too, is a vessel for growth. The goal is to grow your art and your self.
Remember that the criticism is of the project or the artwork, not of you as a person or an artist. Engage directly with the content of the critique.
If it reveals your own biases for consideration, that is an unexpected and useful side effect.
In giving criticism, a person may be intentionally or unintentionally hurtful. Even then, it is important to parse out the useful information from the emotions you may experience
This does not mean that you must repress your emotions. Rather, accept that you feel them and cope with them separately from the process of bettering your technical skills. In the moment, you can feel them, recognize them and choose to focus on the criticism.
This also includes criticism that you may think is unfair or unwarranted, especially when coming from a person you consider unjustified or hypocritical in offering you advice or is someone that you do not particularly like. In these situations, it becomes even more necessary to take a moment to consider if what the other person is saying holds some validity, since you would not want your own ego or emotions to get in the way of your growth.
This process of delaying your emotions is difficult to learn, but one that can serve you well. One way I fulfill this process is by letting
the emotion have its initial presence and remind myself that it is neither the entirety of my reaction nor the director of my behaviour. This is a conscious process, one that requires an amount of practice before it becomes natural.
While I have taken the time to reflect and consider others’ opinions, it is possible in that process to lose sight of your intention.
I recognize these moments when there are too many voices I’m remembering, too many points that I’m considering by catching myself thinking in endless circles.
Sometimes, after taking in a lot of information, I’ll notice myself ruminating on the same few points, stuck in the same thought and unable to move the thought process onward.
I went through that process while writing this article—when I talked to some of my friends about this topic, I took everything they had to say into consideration. This is why I’m writing this over a week after I said I would have it in (sorry, Bronte).
In these moments, we must go back to the beginning and remember the purpose, the message and the intended audience of our art. We must take in the critique, consider opinions and then decide for ourselves what makes the most sense to achieving our purpose.
Giving criticism
Now you know the secrets of being good at taking criticism, but you should not assume that others have the same knowledge.
Remember that the artist is not obligated to listen to your advice. Assume always that another person could take your criticism
poorly or not at all. Their emotions are valid and your criticism should be kind and straightforward.
I believe that the hamburger/ sandwich method, or giving a compliment, following it with a critique and then adding a compliment after - is deeply disrespectful.
It dismisses the importance of the critique, and is also an insult to the intellect and maturity of both the critic and the criticized.
It is important to share what is good about art, however, to require positivity to surround critique demonstrates that the positive comments also have a negative edge.
Criticism is not by default negative, rude or unwarranted--it is necessary analysis that aids in betterment of both the art and the artist.
As such, false or forced compliments only flatter the ego and do not serve the art or the artist.
When giving criticism, consid-
er how much of yourself you are willing to give to the other person. This includes your expertise, time and energy. You are not obligated to give more than you are willing or compensated for.
In my case, as an editor, I am required to look over people’s work and help them create the best art they can.
I am required by my position to give more of time and expertise to contributors. It is up to you to decide what your role is and how well you can fulfill it.
If a person chooses not to listen to your criticism because they are overly attached to their creation, then it is not your obligation to make them listen to you.
Above all, be kind—this is not the place for brutal honesty, only honesty. Regardless of the quality of the art, it took effort for the artist to create.
In criticizing the art, one must not forget the intrinsic value that it has.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/JOSHUA AWOLADE
Sports
MEN’S SOCCER
A season of growth and determination for Laurier men’s soccer
BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN SPORTS EDITOR
e Wilfrid Laurier University men’s soccer team, under the experienced guidance of coach Mario Halapir, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth after making the playo s last season.
For context, the men’s soccer program underwent a reset four years ago that forced the team to invest heavily into player recruitment, with the hopes of bringing back the historical dominance that won them national and provincial titles in the past.
“We had to start from scratch, we had to ll every position. e biggest part of it was nding players that were committed to playing [at a professional level],” said Halapir. “Now we’re back in the playo s [and] every game was competitive, there was no game I felt we couldn’t win.”
With over 30 years of experience in soccer, Halpir has forged his whole lifestyle and career around the sport he loves. He has managed numerous teams and programs, including the Kitchener Soccer Club with its representing team and academy system, and has run
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
a soccer retail business called “ e Sports Link Inc” since 1992.
His nearly 25-year tenure with Laurier has been marked by a deep appreciation for the small school environment and its close-knit community.
“Laurier is very close to me. I went there as a student, and with the Alumni Field being redone for us and playing on it last year, it was something special,” he said.
Since becoming coach, Halapir has focused on building a strong foundation, particularly in goalkeeping, utilizing key recruits like goalkeepers David Carrano and Shane Pereira.
“Both now have one year of experience after they were put into the forefront from the beginning, at a position that is mentally
challenging for rst-year players,” Halapir said.
Last season, the Golden Hawks men’s soccer team faced their challenges head-on, which re ected in their defensive statistics. e team conceded 12 goals, with their defense working tirelessly to keep opponents at bay.
Despite facing 106 shots with 57 on target, the team’s shot percentage against stood at .113, while their shots on goal percentage against was .538.
e team also faced three penalty kicks, all of which resulted in goals, and endured six game-winning goals against them. ese statistics underscore the team’s determination and the critical role of defense in their overall strategy.
e previous season concluded
Laurier women’s basketball prepares for upcoming 2024-25 season
Wilfrid Laurier University's women’s basketball team is eagerly preparing for the 2024-25 season with a renewed sense of ambition and determination.
After ending the 2023 regular season with an overall record of 13-9, the Golden Hawks are looking forward to building on their successes and addressing their challenges.
Dylann Mazzuchin, a fourthyear health-science student and team veteran, re ected on the team’s performance last season.
"Last year was a really competitive year for us. We went into the season with more experience, which gave us an edge we hadn't had before,” said Mazzuchin. e team has many returning veterans heading into this season. Fourth-year key players Miranda Campbell, Mazzuchin and Cassidy Hirtle are ones to look out for this
season.
ird-year players like Kate White, Janet Agege, Isabel Cotton and Britton Graves will also be crucial to the success of the Golden Hawks.
Campbell, a fourth-year business student, is strong in transition, good at nishing at the rim, developing outside shooting and is an excellent rebounder.
Hirtle is a strong outside shooter, a good overall player and the team's top scorer.
Mazzuchin is a good rebounder, smart player and capable of shooting the three and defending.
“ ey sort of got thrown into it in their rst and second year because after the pandemic, our roster was sort of gutted, and they were asked to take on a leadership role early, which maybe wasn’t fair,” said manager of the women’s basketball operations and head coach Paul Falco about his fourth-year stars.
“But they did a good job and stepped up to the challenge, and now they know the importance of being strong leaders and bringing that team- rst attitude to practice and games every day.”
Key matchups this season include rivals like the University
of Guelph Gryphons, Western University Mustangs, University of Windsor Lancers and University of Waterloo Warriors.
e team’s approach to scouting and game planning involves focusing on limiting key opponents and sticking to their defensive strategies.
“Every game in our division is intense. e OUA has become very competitive, and any game can go either way on any given day,” Mazzuchin said.
Known for her versatility and defensive prowess, Mazzuchin aims to enhance her o ensive game this season.
“I’m a versatile player and go where my team needs me. I play multiple positions and focus a lot on defense,” she said. “ is season, I aim to enhance my o ensive game to be a bigger threat.”
Speed and the ability to create opportunities both o ensively and defensively are crucial.
e team recruits committed players who work hard on strength, conditioning and skills.
“We need to continue being a really good transition team with our quickness, as we’re not the tallest team in the league,” said
with a signi cant playo appearance, marking their rst since 2017. e playo game against McMaster was a hard-fought battle, remaining scoreless until late in the rst extra time period.
Recognition of individual excellence came in the form of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West division second-team all-star selections for fourth-year defender Andra Neptune and third-year mid elder Sam Ghouli.
Neptune’s steadfast presence in the defense was crucial, as he played every minute of the playo game and has been a cornerstone in the team’s rebuilding process.
Ghouli, one of the team’s leading goal scorers, has been instrumental in driving the team’s o ensive play and contributing to their
overall performance. eir achievements re ect not only their individual talents but also the collective e ort and spirit of the Laurier men’s Soccer team.
As the new season approaches, the Golden Hawks are poised to build on their progress, driven by Halapir’s strategic vision and the players’ dedication.
e upcoming season is not just about competing but also about continuing the journey of growth, unity and determination that denes Laurier men’s Soccer.
“One key aspect for this year is that we continue to commit to improving in how we actually defend the goal to limit the other team from scoring,” said Halapir. “I want us to be a di cult team to play against, but also when we get the ball, I want us to be a threat.” is year’s season kicked o on Aug. 30 against Brock University at the Varsity Soccer eld in St. Catharines. Key dates on the schedule include the home opener against the Algoma University underbirds on Sept. 8, the highly anticipated battle of Waterloo against the University of Waterloo Warriors on Sept. 13 and 15, and Senior Night on Oct. 9 against the University of Windsor Lancers.
Other notable matches include confrontations with York University Lions, University of McMaster Marauders, University of Guelph Gryphons and Western University Mustangs.
Falco. “ is means we must create opportunities on o ence, but also be a pest on defence and create turnovers. And we like to play an unsel sh brand of basketball as that makes us better.”
e 2024-25 season opener is set for Oct. 25 against the York University Lions. e Golden Hawks will have an early chance for revenge
against the McMaster University Mauraders on Oct. 27. eir home debut is scheduled for Nov. 1 against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees, followed by a tough challenge against the Carleton University Ravens on Nov. 2. e much-anticipated battle of Waterloo will take place on Jan. 24, 2025.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/WILL HUANG McMaster Marauders vs. WLU, 2014.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SADMAN SAKIB RAHMAN Ryerson Rams vs. WLU, 2018.
BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN SPORTS EDITOR
Discover the latest at Laurier’s Athletic Complex
is year, Wilfrid Laurier University’s Athletic Complex stands as a vibrant cornerstone of student life, o ering an array of facilities and programming designed to elevate your tness journey and foster community spirit.
Situated at the intersection of King Street North and University Avenue West on the Waterloo campus, the Laurier Athletic Complex provides a hub of activity and engagement for students.
e complex features a state-ofthe-art three-court gymnasium, an Olympic-length pool, and a fully equipped tness centre, all of which cater to diverse workout needs. Whether you’re an avid swimmer, a tness enthusiast or someone looking to start their health journey, these facilities provide a tting environment.
e Hawk Lounge, past the entrance of the Athletic Complex, adds a touch of relaxation, o ering a comfortable space to unwind between workouts or catch up with friends.
For those who enjoy a bit of competition or are looking to pick up a new skill, the complex is home to two international squash courts and a climbing wall, adding unique elements to your tness routine. Additionally, with two multipurpose classrooms and three studios, the complex supports a wide range of activities from dance classes to yoga sessions.
Each space is designed to accommodate both individual and group activities, ensuring that everyone can nd a program that ts their schedule and interests.
Students can access all these amenities with their OneCard, covered by their tuition. To reserve studio and multipurpose room spaces for personal or group use, students are encouraged to visit
the Laurier Recreation Membership page.
e Hawk Desk, conveniently located at the entrance, acts as the central hub for all facility-related inquiries.
e friendly sta there are available to assist with a variety of needs, from purchasing tickets for varsity games to handling any other athletics and recreation-related questions. e Hawk Desk is also the point of contact for visiting teams, providing essential support for game-day needs.
In addition to the Athletic Complex, Laurier’s campus is enriched by the recently upgraded Alumni Field and the University Stadium.
Alumni Field, a full-size FIFA soccer and World Rugby pitch, now features enhanced seating and modern amenities thanks to a signi cant $4.7 million touch up. is facility supports a range of sports and is available for student drop-in use during the summer months, o ering exible hours for recreational play.
University Stadium, located at 81 Seagram Dr., provides a versatile space for various recreation programs and sports activities.
With features such as the Knight-Newbrough Field and multiple multipurpose rooms, it supports both intramurals and sport club games, enhancing the overall athletic experience at Laurier.
As part of the ongoing Seagram Drive Athletics and Recreation redevelopment project, Laurier is poised to further elevate its facilities and community engagement.
Phase 1 of this ambitious project has been approved, setting the stage for future enhancements that will continue to promote health and wellness across campus.
is year’s updates and facilities at the Laurier Athletic Complex represent a signi cant commitment to supporting student health, well-being and community connection. With these exciting o erings, there has never been a better time to explore the opportunities available and get involved in the vibrant athletic community at Laurier.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/TIMOTHY HARRISON e front of Laurier’s Athletics Complex.
BIRNAVAN VARNACUMAARAN SPORTS EDITOR
ATHLETIC COMPLEX HOURS
MONDAYS - THURSDAYS
6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
FRIDAYS
6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
SATURDAYS
8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
SUNDAYS
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
COMPOSITE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, SEPT. 1, 2024
Baseball at Toronto Dan Lang Field, Scarborough
DAN LANG FIELD, SCARBO OUGH
Women’s Rugby at Toronto 12:00 p.m.
VARSITY CENTRE, TORONTO
Women’s Soccer at York
1:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, TORONTO
Men’s Soccer at York
3:15 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, TORONTO
TUESDAY, SEPT. 3, 2024
Baseball vs. Guelph
7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4, 2024
Baseball vs. Sheridan
7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7, 2024
Baseball at Western TBA
LABATT PARK, LONDON
Football vs. Guelph
1:00 p.m.
UNIVERSITY STADIUM, KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD
Men’s Rugby at Guelph
3:00 p.m.
VARSITY FIELD, GUELPH
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8, 2024
Women’s Rugby vs. Western 12:00 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
Baseball vs. Brock 12:00 p.m.
ARNOLD ANDERSON STADIUM, BRANTFORD
Women’s Soccer vs. Algoma
1:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Men’s Lacrosse at University of Toronto
2:00 p.m.
VARSITY STADIUM, TORONTO
Baseball vs. Brock
3:00 p.m.
ARNOLD ANDERSON STADIUM, BRANTFORD
Men’s Soccer vs. Algoma
3:15 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Men’s Lacrosse vs. University of Guelph
1:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Women’s Soccer at Waterloo 1:00 p.m.
WARRIOR FIELD, WATERLOO
Men’s Soccer at Waterloo 3:15 p.m.
WARRIOR FIELD, WATERLOO
Men’s Rugby vs. Western 3:30 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 2024
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10, 2024
Baseball vs. Ontario
7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11, 2024
Baseball vs. Fanshawe
7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
FRIDAY, SEPT. 13, 2024
Golf at Guelph Fall Kickoff 12:30 p.m.
GUELPH LAKES GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, GUELPH
Women’s Soccer vs. Waterloo 6:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Toronto 7:00 p.m.
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ARENA, WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX
Men’s Soccer vs. Waterloo 8:15 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, 2024
Baseball at Guelph TBA
HASTINGS STADIUM, GUELPH
Football vs. Western 1:00 P.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Waterloo 6:00 p.m.
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ARENA, WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, 2024
Baseball at McMaster TBA VOLUNTEER FIELD, HAMILTON
Women’s Lacrosse at Guelph
8:30 a.m.
GRYPHON SOCCER COMPLEX, GUELPH
Women’s Lacrosse vs. McMaster 12:00 p.m.
GRYPHON SOCCER COMPLEX, GUELPH
Golf at Queen’s Bert Kea Invitational
12:00 p.m.
CATARAQUI GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, KINGSTON
Women’s Rugby vs. McMaster
12:00 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
12:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
Football at Waterloo 1:00 p.m.
WARRIOR FIELD, WATERLOO
Baseball vs. Windsor
3:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Western 3:30 p.m.
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ARENA, WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX
Women’s Lacrosse vs. Trent 4:45 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Golf at Western Invitational 10:30 a.m.
ST. THOMAS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, UNION
TUESDAY, SEPT. 17, 2024
Baseball at Waterloo TBA JACK COUCH PARK, KITCHENER
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18, 2024
Baseball vs. Toronto Mets U18 7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
Men’s Ice Hockey vs. York
7:00 p.m.
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ARENA, WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX
THURSDAY, SEPT. 19, 2024
RING at Guelph Guelph Tournament
L 3-7
Men’s Basketball at Humber
TBA
HUMBER ATHLETIC CENTRE, TORONTO
Men’s Ice Hockey vs. Queen’s 6:00 p.m.
SUN LIFE FINANCIAL ARENA, WATERLOO MEMORIAL RECREATION COMPLEX
FRIDAY, SEPT. 20, 2024
Women’s Soccer vs. McMaster 6:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Women’s Ice Hockey at TMU 6:15 p.m.
MATTAMY ATHLETIC CENTRE, TORONTO
Men’s Lacrosse at McMaster University 8:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, HAMILTON
Men’s Soccer vs. McMaster 8:15 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21, 2024
Men’s Ice Hockey at Western
TBA WESTERN FAIR SPORTS CENTRE, LONDON
Women’s Rugby at York
TBA ALUMNI FIELD, TORONTO
Women’s Lacrosse vs. Toronto
8:00 a.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Baseball vs. Windsor
Golf vs. Laurier/Waterloo Men’s Invitational
1:00 p.m. & 10:00 a.m.
REBEL CREEK GOLF CLUB & GREY SILO GOLF CLUB
Men’s Lacrosse vs. Nipissing University
1:30 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29, 2024
Golf at Waterloo Women’s Invitational 10:00 a.m.
CAMBRIDGE GOLF CLUB, CAMBRIDGE
SUNDAY, SEPT. 22, 2024
Golf at Brock Invitational
TBA
SAWMILL GOLF COURSE, FENWICK
Baseball vs. Ontario Blue Jays U17
12:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
Women’s Lacrosse at Ontario Tech 4:45 p.m.
VASO’S FIELD, OSHAWA
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24, 2024
Baseball vs. Tri-City Giants U18
7:00 p.m.
BECHTEL PARK, WATERLOO
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25, 2024
Baseball at Great Lakes Canadians U18
7:00 p.m.
ROYAL FIELD, THAMES CENTRE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 2024
Men’s Ice Hockey at Ontario Tech 6:00 p.m.
CAMPUS ICE CENTRE, OSHAWA
Women’s Ice Hockey at Guelph 7:30 p.m.
GRYPHON CENTRE ARENA, GUELPH
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27, 2024
Women’s Soccer vs. Guelph 6:00 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
Men’s Basketball vs. Centennial 8:00 p.m.
ATHLETIC COMPLEX GYM, WATERLOO
Men’s Soccer vs. Guelph 8:15 p.m.
ALUMNI FIELD, WATERLOO
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28, 2024
Baseball at Waterloo TBA
JACK COUCH PARK, KITCHENER
Golf at Waterloo Women’s Invitational
10:00 a.m.
CAMBRIDGE GOLF CLUB, CAMBRIDGE
Women’s Ice Hockey at Brock 12:00 p.m.
CANADA GAMES PARK, ST. CATHERINES
Football vs. Ottawa 1:00 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
Golf vs. Laurier/Waterloo Men’s Invitational
1:00 p.m. & 10:00 a.m.
REBEL CREEK GOLF CLUB & GREY SILO GOLF CLUB
Women’s Lacrosse at McGill 9:45 a.m.
JUSTIN CHIU STADIUM, PETERBOROUGH
Women’s Rugby vs. Guelph 12:00 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
Women’s Soccer at Guelph 1:00 p.m.
GRYPHON SOCCER COMPLEX, GUELPH
Women’s Lacrosse at Queen’s 3:00 p.m.
JUSTIN CHIU STADIUM, PETERBOROUGH
Men’s Soccer at Guelph 3:15 p.m.
GRYPHON SOCCER COMPLEX, GUELPH
Men’s Rugby vs. Waterloo 3:30 p.m.
KNIGHT-NEWBROUGH FIELD, UNIVERSITY STADIUM
MONDAY, SEPT. 30, 2024
Golf at Gryphon Invitational 10:00 a.m.
CUTTEN FIELDS, GUELPH
Men’s Lacrosse at University of Guelph 7:00 p.m.
GRYPHON SOCCER COMPLEX, GUELPH