Volume 17 Issue 5 – November 8, 2017
The Sputnik, We Orbit Around you News, pg. 3
POLICE TRAIN AT SANDERSON
Tactical training scenario took place at the theatre
Features, pg. 6
REMEMBRANCE DAY
On Nov. 11, remember those who fought for us
Arts & Culture, pg. 9
CANADA AND VIDEO GAMES
Sports, pg. 11
HOCKEY TEAM MAKES SEMIS
One of the world’s fastest The women’s extramural growing gaming industries team heading for victory
Opinion, pg. 12
PLANNING TO TAKE A TRIP?
Think about the places you’re travelling to
Service Restrictions Quebec’s new bill prevents religious expression Opinion, pg. 12
JAMAAL OWUSU-ANSAH/DESIGN MANAGER
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What’s your favorite thing about fall?
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03 NEWS EDITOR SHREYA SHAH news@thesputnik.ca
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR AVERY MCISAAC assistantnews@thesputnik.ca
POLICE
VIVIAN YAN/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
Tactical police training at Sanderson SHREYA SHAH NEWS EDITOR
On Nov 1, the Sanderson Centre become the training grounds for an armed Emergency Response Team (ERT) from the Brantford and Waterloo Police Services. The training consisted of a mock active killer situation with a hostage negotiation and lasted from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The training consisted of a mock active killer situation with a hostage negotiation
The Sanderson centre became an interesting scene with the presence of dozens of heavily armoured police members, a 19,000 pound light armour vehicle, and a Brantford Police Services drone. “As a team on our own, we train once a month, but once every year
we do a major scenario which utilizes other partner agencies, including the Waterloo police. We deploy a full incident command which we don’t normally do on training days but we’ve got a full man post with an incident commander, which is an instructor from our service.,” stated Sergeant Jim Sawkins. “We’ve got negotiators up there that are involved with a negotiation as part of the scenario...it just depends on the scenario, but if it involves the fire department, we’ve got the fire command here as well, hydro might be involved. It all depends on the complexity of the scenario.” 13 ERT members from Brantford and 20 from Waterloo participated in the training, alongside 24 volunteer students from the Police Foundations program at Mohawk college. The students, who benefited greatly from this learning opportunity, played various roles, including victims. The scenario started with an active shooter entering the theatre. As a show was screening, two suspects walked in and gunshots were fired. A few students simulated injuries and the ERT members did rescues.
The first suspect was shot and arrested within 20 seconds of the shooting incident. First aid treatment for the suspect was provided. The second suspect took a hostage, starting a new chain of events in which negotiators become ac-
The first suspect was shot and arrested within 20 seconds of the shooting incident. First aid treatment for the suspect was provided
tive in the scenario. Sergeant Chris Grantham, who spent a few months organizing and preparing for this training, emphasized the importance of working together as a team in a high stress situation. “Because this is an ERT scenario we pulled back patrol (officers) a little bit. Our ER team members were dispatched here with radio calls. And we had myself and other members playing the role of
VIVIAN YAN/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
ER Team officers demonstrate a stacked position used for tactical entries.
patrol on the radio, just to get the guys more stressed and things like that. That’s the purpose of these scenarios. We want to throw as much stress (as possible). Things are happening and moving fast and you have to make good tactical decisions, and hopefully have a good outcome for the situation”, said Grantham. None of the Emergency Response Team members have any information about the training
Things are happening and moving fast and you have to make good tactical decisions, and hopefully have a good outcome for the situation -Sgt Grantham, Brantford Police Services
VIVIAN YAN/LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
before it starts. The script for the training and the roles of the shooters and victims is kept strictly secret. The focus of the training is to help officers learn to work under
intense pressures. “We basically go through these major incidents and then do a debrief as a whole. Our team, Waterloo’s team, all of the incident command, all of the negotiators, and the role-players get together in one room,” stated Grantham, “And we go through and just pick apart the scenario and ask ‘why did we do this, why this action instead of this one’, it’s just great for learning; it’s all about moving forward.” The trainings, while random, are often designed to mimic recent real-life incidents. This training focused on a potential mass shooting scenario in a very public and crowded place. Sawkins expressed that despite Brantford being a smaller city, it is not a city that is immune to attacks of any form. “We trained after the Century 6 shooting in Colorado. We have also done the Brantford Airport five or six years after 9/11,” stated Sgt Grantham. The recent deadly shooting in the small town of Sutherland Springs, Texas, and other gun attacks across North America bring to attention the importance of well trained and skilled Emergency Response teams and services.
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
IMMUNIZATION
Is the flu shot needed? AVERY MCISAAC ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
With fall finally arriving and temperatures dropping, it is around this time of year illness really starts to spread. More specifically influenza, better known as the flu, starts making an appearance. As a result around this time of the year places such as Shoppers Drug Mart and The Brant County Health Unit start recommending that people get the flu shot. There has been a lot of debate and misinformation spread about whether the flu shot isactually helpful or necessary.
Almost one-third of Canadians aged twelve and older got a flu vaccination in 20132014 -Statistics Canada
Despite this, according to Statistics Canada almost one-third of Canadians aged twelve and older got a flu vaccination in 2013-2014. Although, when compared to other provinces from 2003 to 2013-
2014, Ontario is the only one with a decreased rate ofcitizens choosing to get the flu shot. The Brant County Health Unit explains the flu as a virus that affects the lungs and can cause serious illness especially in young children and the elderly. Influenza reportedly causes an average of 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths in Canada each year. Because of this, The Brant County Health Unit recommends everyone six months or older get the flu shot every year. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), does a study each year to see how effective the flu shot really is. They recently found that getting the flu shot reduces the risk of contracting the flu by40-60%. The effectiveness does vary depending on the strand ofthe flu virus. The current flu shot protects against influenza A (H1N1) and B more than Influenza A (H3N2). The CDC explains the effectiveness of the flu shot is largely dependent on two different factors. The first is the characteristics of the person receiving the shot, such as age and health. The second is the similarity between the flu virus being spread that particular season and the flu shot itself. If there isn’t a similarity in the two there willbe less of a benefit to getting the shot.
There is an argument to be made that only high priority people, including pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions, children aged 6 months to 5 years, people over the age of 65, and a few other select populations should get the flu shot. However the problem with this is that healthy people who are not vaccinated can cary the flu virus and pass itonto people who have no yet been vaccinated.
It takes two weeks after receiving the flu shot for the body to build up an immunity.
-Ruth Gratton, Manager at the Brantf County Health Unit
To put it simply, everyone should get the flu shot to prevent spreading the virus and to help protect anyone who is more vulnerable. The CDC explained the multiple benefits of receiving the flu shot. They include many things like protecting at risk populations and reducing the risk of getting the flu at all. But interestingly even if some-
ANNA PRINCIPATO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Getting the flu shot can be beneficial for many reasons, though is still debated
one does get the flu, their illness and symptoms will be more mild, if they have recieved the vaccine. According to Ruth Gratton, who is a manager at the Brant County Health Unit and specializes in
infectious diseases, it takes two weeks after receiving the flu shot for the body to build up an immunity. Because of this it is recommended to get the flu shot as early as possible.
ACTIVISM
Setsuko Thurlow wins nobel peace prize nuclear weapons. Thurlow has given countless speeches across Canada to share her experience with nuclear war-
People missing body parts, children crying for their parents, the horrible, sickening effects of the radiation. -Setsuko Thrulow, explaining the horrors she witnessed
MEGHAN SLOTEGRAAF STAFF WRITER
Setsuko Thurlow, an 85-year old survivor of the Hiroshima bombing during WWII, will be jointly accepting the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
ADRIENNE HOE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
She will be accepting this reward alongside the director of ICAN, Beatrice Fihn, in Oslo, Norway in December. Thurlow has been a leading figure in ICAN since its inception in 2007. ICAN is a coalition of nongovernmental organizations in 100 countries who have spent the past decade advocating for a ban on
fare and to inspire people to take action for disarmament. She has been warning governments for decades to ban nuclear weapons so no city will ever again face the same level of destruction as Hiroshima. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Thurlow said, “It has been such a privilege to work with so many passionate and inspirational ICAN campaigners around the world over the past decade,” She then continued, “The Nobel Peace Prize is a powerful tool that we can now use to advance our cause.” Thurlow visited Laurier Brantford last year to share her experience of the disaster that struck Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. She told staff and students about the horrors she witnessed as a young girl; people missing body parts, children crying for their parents, the horrible, sickening effects of the radiation. She recalled that the worst thing she saw was a person carrying
their own eyeballs in their hand. Thurlow was a 13-year old resident of Hiroshima when the US dropped the first of two nuclear bombs on Japan. She was an intelligent Grade 8 student tasked with decoding messages from the front at Hiroshima’s Japanese army headquarters, along with several other young girls. The girls were just beginning their first day of work, when Thurlow saw a bluish flash outside the window. She then remembers flying through the air and landing amidst a pile of rubble, her classmates crying, “God help me, mother help me.” Many of Thurlow’s classmates and family members were killed by the blast, others died days, even weeks later, from the radiation poisoning. After attending colleges in Japan and the United States, Thurlow married a Canadian man in the US and then immigrated to Canada in 1955. She is now a resident of Toronto and has devoted her life to social work. Thurlow has devoted most of her life to promoting peace and advocating for a ban on nuclear weapons. She played a lead role in the creation of the Landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. On March 28, 2017, negotiations began between many of the world’s nations regarding the prohibition of nuclear weapons. After weeks of negotiations, the treaty was finalized on July 7, 2017 and adopted by 122 nations. At the closing session, Thurlow addressed the diplomats in the
room, saying, “I’ve been waiting for this day for seven decades. And I am overjoyed that it has finally arrived.” She then continued, “This is the beginning of the end of nuclear weapons. To the leaders of countries across the world, I beseech you: if you love this planet, you will sign this treaty. Nuclear weapons have always been immoral. Now they are also illegal. Together, let us go forth and change the world.”
To leaders of countries across the world, I beseeach you: if you love this planet, you will sign this treaty. -Setsuko Thrulow
She received a standing ovation. Canada, however, refused to sign this treaty and Thurlow has been urging Prime Minister Trudeau to change his mind. She asked how Trudeau would feel, being a father of three, if he had to watch his own children be incinerated, melted, or carbonized. “That’s what happened in front of me,” she said in an interview with the Globe and Mail. “And I watched the city full of those people who melted. My four-yearold nephew had that fate.” She will continue pressuring the Prime Minister, hoping he changes his mind, for the safety of our country and the good of humanity.
THE SPUTNIK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8 , 2017
NEWS
05
FOOD BANK
Christmas Basket Program dilemma HYRRA CHUGHTAI STAFF WRITER
nered with Medix College, they do a big a food and toy drive for us. We are involved with our kettle kickoff as well; Salvation Kettle is our main fundraising initiative so we often need volunteers for that. On the days of distribution for our food and toy drive. We have people who takes others around to pick out toys for their kids.”
The Christmas Basket Programs runs every year in Brantford since the 1930’s providing everyone the Christmas they deserve with food and toys. Run by the Brantford Food Bank and Salvation Army, The Christmas Basket Program said this year they do not have a place to distribute their goods. The event is held to provide needs for families that find it very difficult around Christmas time. According to the Brantford Food Bank website last year alone they provided toys to 2,184 children and about 5,400 people a Christmas Basket. “We’ve actually had a number of decrease in families over the
We were using that facility for the last 4 years but now that wasn’t avalaible so I had to search for a property. -William Ratelband, Salvation Army
years. It has its high peaks and its low peaks, depending on how things are going in our community, like jobs, so some years are higher than others.” said Cindy Oliver, the Manager of the Food Bank and
Last year alone they provided toys to 2,184 children and about 5,400 people a Christmas Basket
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Distribution for Brantford. The entire process of collecting items until Christmas is a handful, trying to find as many people to donate as possible and the right people to ask. Many people each year see the cause and try to help in any way they can. “We have a Build-a-Bear program where we buy a lot of product and in groups they make their own bear. So, they are all stuffed so then we are able to give those out as gifts,” said William Ratelband, the Family Services Coordinator for the Salvation Army. He continued, “We have Angel Tree, which is toy related usually, homeless survival kits, stocking stuffers, and then an access to a company asking for donations as
well. People come on board that might assist with a truck for Christmas time, all those kinds of things.” This year the food bank had come across an issue of where they would be distributing their baskets. Their location was unavailable and now in a short time span are looking to find a new place. “Our previous location was a donated space and that place was full...[w]e’ve looked at quite a few different places in the community and I think we have one in mind.” said Oliver. There is an opening in a unit on the north end of Brantford according to Ratelband. “We were using that facility for the last 4 years but now that wasn’t available this year so I had
to search for a property. We have secured the place...17 Woodyatt Drive Unit 2, which is about 10,000 square feet and is a great space so we were fortunate to be able to secure that.” said Ratelband. Now that a place might be assured, the Food Bank and Salvation Army is still looking for volunteers to dedicate their time to help out with families in need. “Trying to get the word out to media and other TV or paper... we have events that we run, we have a toy drive in partnership with EMS Paramedics, Giant Tiger, that’s going to be December 2nd this year, we have Stuff a Bus at Freshco this year, so that’s being a third year running this year on that,” Ratelband continued, “We try to get some exposure, we’ve part-
-Brantford Food Bank
Many families can’t, unfortunately, make it to the location where items are being distributed so, there are alternatives for families, having things being delivered to them. “People can help to deliver the hampers. That’s the thing that we need. “People on delivery day come and take the hampers out to people that have no transportation to come and pick them up, so that’s the biggest need we have and that’s going to be on December 22nd. People have to contact us and sign up to volunteer for that day.” said Oliver.
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FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
07
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. - John McCrae, 1915
JAMAAL OWUSU-ANSAH/DESIGN MANAGER
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017 ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR ALEXANDRIA CLEMENT arts@thesputnik.ca
DOCUMENTARIES
Documentary recommendations to binge Feeling blue between holidays? Kick back, grab a snack, and check out a few of these documentaries! ALEXANDRIA CLEMENT ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
We’re now in that post-Halloween, pre-holidays slump, so if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for a Netflix binge to wash away that pre-winter boredom. Here are a couple documentary recommendations for you to binge before the holidays! TRUE CRIME Forensic Files (1996-) Netflix Anyone who talks down on Forensic Files needs to re-evaluate those opinions, because there’s very little more entertaining and more plentiful than Forensic Files. The entire collection is on Netflix and even though more than half of it is pretty dated, it’s good, solid, short-form true crime. Bonus: if you even make it halfway through this collection, you’ll probably get pretty good at guessing who the suspect is! Buzzfeed: Unsolved: True Crime Youtube This one’s all up on Youtube, and while the “Buzzfeed” might make you a little skeptical, Unsolved is truly a gift from Youtube at its finest. Watching Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara discuss the JFK assassination, or the “Terrifying axeman” of New Orleans , is both informational and entertaining. And if true crime freaks you out, there’s no need to be nervous. Each case is unsolved, so you’ll always know how it ends! Dear Zachary (2008) Netflix This harrowing yet beautiful documentary is both crushing and reaffirming. This documentarian’s best friend is murdered, and so he goes to the ends of the world to hear from those who loved him in order to create a piece of work for his son to view. This documentary takes shocking turns and it is absolutely recommended that you do not read up on it beforehand. Also, if you find tears embarrassing, maybe keep this one away from your Netflix hangout seassions and watch it alone.
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INTEREST My Scientology Movie (2015) Netflix Louis Theroux, BBC’s awkward and confrontational documentarian, attempts to find his way into one of the world’s most secretive and confidential organizations/religions. What follows is a clever mishmash of activities and loopholes, as well as a genuinely thrilling look at the response and mysterious repercussions of his actions. Best Of Enemies (2015) Netflix “Best Of Enemies” is perhaps the best documentary on this list. This historical documentary focuses on the rivalry between William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal in 1968 and onward. It focuses primarily on the events leading up to and the aftermath of their infamous political debates during the 1968 American election. A must-watch for any Gore Vidal fan.
The Celluloid Closet (1995) iTunes This historical documentary discusses LGBTQ people in film back to the beginning of cinema. Big names such as Susan Sarandon, Harvey Fierstein and Tom Hanks, and is narrated by “Grace and Frankie” star Lily Tomlin. While slightly dated now, many issues in the film are still prevalent today, and are both interesting and important to learn about.
Virunga (2014) Netflix
PEOPLE An Honest Liar (2014) Netflix
This documentary follows the conservation efforts in the Congo’s Virunga National Park. The work follows the work to protect the world’s last mountain gorillas from poaching, oil exploitation in the area, and war. This documentary is a tear-jerker, but is also incredibly interesting and investigative. This is a great watch for anyone interested in animals, environmental conservation, politics or journalism.
“An Honest Liar” is the story of James Randi, a skeptic who debunked and disproved dozens of so-called psychics and faith healers. Randi was a magician who was passionate about the tricks of Harry Houdini, who then retired and dedicated his life to his public exposés. The documentary takes a twist as Randi’s longtime partner is revealed to have been living under a false identity.
Planet Earth I & II (2006 and 2016) Netflix
Frozen Planet (2011) Netflix
The Private Dirk Bogarde (2001) Youtube
It’s likely everyone has already seen Planet Earth I, but Planet Earth II is also out on Netflix now, with more stunning shots than ever, so it is worth a re-watch. There’s not much that’s more relaxing than sitting up on the couch late at night with a snack and a friend to watch hummingbirds fly in slow motion, or watch field mice evade predators in tall grass.
“Frozen Planet” covers the two poles through their seasons, and the struggles the animals and environment face in their tough conditions. The two polar regions differ greatly, and this documentary highlights those interesting differences. From an environmentalist standpoint, this film highlights many environmental issues faced on earth.
This doc was made after silver screen matinée star Dirk Bogarde passed away in 1999. You may not know many of his films, but the film is an interesting piece on Hollywood cinema history and is a beautifully shot story on an earlycinema star, and the oddly somber life he led.
NATURE
GAMING
Super Mario Odyssey ALEXANDRIA CLEMENT ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
Nintendo’s long-anticipated game “Super Mario Odyssey” has finally been released! The game features the open, explorationbased format seen previously in Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario 64. The game was released to international critical acclaim, with many calling it the best game in the series. The game was announced at E3 back in June with an impressive trailer.
The game was the most talkedabout feature at the exposition. Odyssey is familiar to Super Mario fans, in its exploratory similarity to Super Mario 64, but also holds many new features. Notably, Mario can now throw his hat (named “Cappy”) at many beings and objects, taking their form, and this is an important aspect of the gameplay throughout the game. The game also uses this tool in its co-op. The game follows a 3D design similar to Super Mario 3D World. The game received universal
acclaim after its release and sold more than 2 million copies in the first 3 days. Metacritic gives the game 97%. The game is being praised for its originality, whilst also being likened to Super Mario 64. It is rare that a game is able to both break free of its tried and true formula, and honor its own legacy by staying true to itself. “Super Mario Odyssey” stands up to its hype, and manages to hold its own in a competitive market. The game is available on Nintendo Switch.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
THE SPUTNIK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
ARTS & CULTURE
09
MUSIC
Barbershop quartets are in full swing
Yes, barbershop quartets are out there, and they’re looking to contribute to the community and have fun! ALEXANDRIA CLEMENT ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
You may think barbershop quartets are a relic of the past, but they are alive and well. Just last week, the Sanderson Centre featured a barbershop quartet and chorus competition. One of the winning groups of that competition was Harbourtown Sound, the Hamilton chapter of the Ontario District of the Barbershop Harmony Society. A barbershop quartet is a group of four men singing in a tight harmony, usually on varied pitches. Though a staple at the turn of the century, they came to large popularity again in the revival period of the 1940s. Paul Wagg has been involved in barbershop harmony for 16 years. He took it up after sustaining an injury that made participating in sports more difficult. Though he began his barbershop harmony career in Kitchener-Waterloo, he moved on to Harbourtown Sound in Hamilton, which participates in
competition. “When you sing in a quartet, the hair on the back of your arms stand up when you sing the chords.” Said Wagg. “When people hear it, who’ve never heard it before, you can’t believe how good it is.” Quartets consist of men of all ages, so the groups are accessible to anyone. Some members could have barbershop careers spanning their entire lives, while some could still be in high school. “It’s amazing how well they get along together as soon as you start to sing.” Said Wagg. “A 96 year old doesn’t have a lot in common with a 16 year old, but as soon as they start to sing, it doesn’t matter.” Harbourtown Sound participates in many charity events, and is having two Christmas shows, as well as one at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre which will be sponsored by the Rotary Club in Burlington. The event will donate half of the proceeds from the show, tickets to which are about $50 per ticket, to their project to inoculate
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
children for polio. The government of Canada will match this donation, and the Bill Gates Foundation will match it again. “The thought is that we’re going to raise $168,000 with one show, and we’re going to be part of that.” Said Wagg.
The spirit of the group is a big part of barbershop harmony. Wagg describes being part of Harbourtown Sound as simply fun. “It’s every bit as much of a team sport as hockey or baseball.” Said Wagg. Harbourtown Sound rehearses
at Millgrove Community Centre in Hamilton. Any men interested in singing are encouraged to check out a rehearsal no strings attached and see if being a part of a barbershop harmony looks fun for them! You could find a new and interesting team to be a part of!
GAMING
Video games for meaningful change Dr Steve Wilcox talks Game Design and Development, as well as gaming for impactful social change
They struggle to be creative in a way that other forms of culture production and art forms don’t. -DR STEVE WILCOX
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
ALEXANDRIA CLEMENT ARTS AND CULTURE
Canada is huge for video games right now. In 2015 there were 472 active studios making games in Canada. There are now nearly 600. To take a look at the powerhouse that Canada is in video games, it’s important to take a look at games themselves. There’s no need to look further than Laurier Brantford itself, with its Game Design and Development program. Dr Scott Nicholson heads the Game Design and Development program, and came into it with a
We’re looking at how to design games that have that social impact to them. -DR STEVE WILCOX
perspective on games and their ability to change and influence people, and to share ideas. Games can be a way to engage people in new ways to share knowledge and learn. Dr Steve Wilcox, assistant professor for the
Game Design and Development program, brings up an emphasis on social change. “We are not just a game design program.” Said Wilcox. “We’re looking at how to design games that have that social impact to them.” Laurier’s Game Design and Development program wants to place this emphasis on social change and learning alongside the technical and entertainment aspect of gaming and game design. “We’re learning how we can design games to influence our players to maybe learn a new idea, or develop healthier eating habits, or do other sorts of things that could positively impact their lives.”
Said Wilcox. “Foldit” is a good example of a game that encourages impactful and positive change. The game uses the player to better help scientists understand the makeup of viruses like the HIV virus, by allowing the player to “fold” and compact the structures of proteins. The goal of this game is to have players working on proteins with unknown structures, to help scientists better, and more quickly, understand them. “The role that games can play in our culture is much more diverse than we allow them to be today.” Said Wilcox. “They can take on a role to allow us to try out new behaviors in our daily lives that
we haven’t necessarily tried yet… they’re essentially spaces in which you’re free to try and fail, and not have to deal with undue consequences of that failure.” Games and the gaming industry still have many flaws and limits to it as of yet. There are issues in diversity to speak of (the industry is still overwhelmingly male). Furthermore, the industry is resistant to changing its tried and true models. Dr. Wilcox used the example of the Call of Duty franchise, which just this past weekend released “Call Of Duty: WW2”. “They struggle to be creative in a way that other forms of culture production and other art forms don’t.” Said Wilcox. Another issue is the concept of loot boxes, and whether or not these purchasable in-game loot boxes may count as gambling, and thereby might count as a gambling addiction threat. The game industry in Canada is steadily growing, and Canada is a large producer of indie games. “Cuphead”, which is a recent critical success and long-anticipated indie run-and-gun game, was developed in Toronto and Saskatchewan. The Mass Effect franchise was also developed by Canadian company Bioware. Summer’s recent survival game “The Long Dark” was also developed and sponsored in Canada, and even takes place in northern Quebec, with many recognizable Canadian features.
THE SPUTNIK
10
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017 SPORTS EDITOR JESSA BRAUN sports@thesputnik.ca
VARSITY
LB Golden Hawks headed to Nationals
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY SIMON CROWLEY
SEVEN LAURIER BRANTFORD VARSITY CROSS-COUNTRY MEMBERS SHOWED LAURIER CAN BRING IT BY QUALIFYING FOR NATIONALS AT FANSHAWE COLLEGE OCT. 28
HANNAH KASTEIN SPORTS WRITER
The Laurier Brantford varsity crosscountry team had a big showing at the provincial championships on October 28th at Fanshawe College with seven Golden Hawks qualifying for the national championship. How the athletes raced at provincials would determine if they would be able to race at the national championships at College Lionel-Groulx in Saint-Therese, Que. Cory Currie, the head coach, was very proud of how hard the athletes worked to get there. “The team worked their butts off this season with a lot of the work needing to bedone in the summer time,” he said. “It was about being
consistent each week and each day. They ran six times a week plus strength training, watching what they eat, getting to bed early and sacrificing to get to this level.” The top seven teams and top 25 runners in both the men’s and women’s Ontario championship races are given the opportunity to compete in the Canadian championship race on Nov. 11. Seven Golden Hawks will be heading to Quebec, with the men qualifying as a team, and Jessa Braun and Sarah Maier qualifying as individuals. Braun finished 19th and Maier placed 25th overall in the women’s race. Laurier’s men’s team, Ahad Naim, Drew Horner, Simon Crowley, Craig Van Manen and Jerrett Putt, came 6th as a team, with
Naim and Horner being the top runners, finishing 17th an 28th, respectively. The women’s team, Jessa Braun, Sarah Maier, Kyra Lawton and Anne McDermott, came 10th. This is only the second year that Laurier Brantford competed as a varsity team, and it is a huge improvement from last year. Last year the men’s team came 17th at OCAA championships. Individually Braun and Maier placed 36th and 42nd, respectively. “The boys team is very strong and took this year to another level,” said Currie. “The girls, Sarah Maier and Jessa Braun have worked so hard this summer to put themselves in the position to make nationals and that’s what they did at OCAA.”
There were 106 runners in the men’s race and 88 runners in the women’s.
This is Laurier Brantford’s first varsity team ever to make it to nationals and it’s something they will have memories of for a lifetime. -Cory Currie, coach
Janelle Hanna of Fanshawe College took first place from the
defending 2016 OCAA champion, Mary Strain. Hanna finished the 6km race in a time of 26:37. Fanshawe’s Jordan Kadlecik took the title for the men’s 10km, finishing in a time of 26:37. Fanshawe also won both the men and women’s team titles, proving again to be very strong competitors. Laurier Brantford’s team will be leaving for Quebec on the 9th of November and coming back on the 12th. All their hard work over the summer and first semester has come down to this moment and Currie is very excited. “This is Laurier Brantford’s first varsity team ever to make it to nationals and it’s something they will have memories of for a lifetime.”
CLUBS
WLU Brantford scores women’s soccer team LAURA BANNIER SPORTS WRITER
The newest Laurier Brantford sports club was officially approved on Oct. 5: the women’s soccer club. The team had their first practice this past Friday, on Nov. 8. Practices will likely take place at least once a week at the Xcelerator Centre in Brantford. The club doesn’t waste its time, because they already have a first game scheduled. It will take place in Paris against Brantford Galaxy U18 team on Nov. 18. Throughout the year, exhibition games will be scheduled against local teams but also against nearby college teams. Next year, Laurier Brantford may have its first varsity indoor women’s soccer team. The purpose of this year’s club is to raise interest and funding, and turn the players into future varsity athletes. At the end of the year, it may be
possible for the team to take part in a varsity tournament and get a taste of what the varsity competition will be like. Third year Jessa Braun and fourth year Jerrett Putt took the initiative to establish the club. Braun will be team captain on the field, but will also deal with behind-the-scenes logistics such as dealing with budgets and organizing fundraising events. Putt will take on the coaching role. “I’m super excited to give the girls an outlet for them to be able to kick the ball around,” said Putt. Creating this club gives female soccer players an opportunity to kick a ball around, but it also puts the Brantford campus a step closer to gender equality. Laurier Athletics established the Brantford men’s varsity soccer team two years ago, drawing in the males who played for the co-ed extramural team and leaving the females with no opportunities to play soccer.
“My personal end goal for the club is to set that foundation for women’s varsity next year,” said Putt. “I think that would be a great legacy for the girls and I to leave behind.”
My personal goal for this club is to set that foudation for women’s varsity next year. I think that would be a great legacy for the girls and I to leave behind. -Jerrett Putt, coach
The team plans to do a bottle drive in the near future. The date is yet to be determined. *Braun is also the sports editor for the Sputnik.
ADRIENNE HOE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
THE SPUTNIK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
EXTRAMURALS
SPORTS
11
Women’s basketball team places second JESSA BRAUN SPORTS EDITOR
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY SHARYNE WILLIAMS
THE WOMEN’S EXTRAMURAL BASKETBALL TEAM HOLDS THEIR FAIR PLAY AWARD.
Laurier Brantford’s women’s extramural basketball team claimed two titles at their tournament Friday. The Golden Hawks finished not only as finalists, but were also given the Fair Play award. The girls lost in the championship game to Humber North, the tournament’s host team. “I’m super proud of the girls and it was definitely a great developmental opportunity that showed me what we have to work on to be ready for next,” said the team’s
coach, Melisa Trojanovic. “They did great and I couldn’t be happier.” The Golden Hawks played the tournament with only six girls. Though fatigued, they had to play five games in one day. Three of those games were back to back. “The girls worked really hard when the realization that they would have to play the entirety of five games occurred,” said Trojanovic. “They took it like real champs.” The tournament was roundrobin style until the final game The Golden Hawks had to play Humber North a total of three
times. Humber led by a lot for two of the three games, but only beat the Golden Hawks by nine points in the other game. The team of seven consists entirely of rookies, except for one returner, Jessica Boere. “Right now the main goal is to develop the girls for next year,” said Trojanovic. “With the majority being rookies, these girls will continue to play with one another for the next three years and team chemistry can really truly be developed. But that doesn’t go without saying I hope we can make it to the finals once again and maybe even win the following tournaments.”
EXTRAMURALS
Women’s hockey team makes semis JESSA BRAUN SPORTS EDITOR
The Laurier Brantford women’s extramural hockey team made it to the semi finals in their tournament Thursday. After winning their first three games, the Golden Hawks lost 2-1 to the Fanshawe Falcons in the semi-final game. The tournament took place in Orillia and was hosted by Georgian and Lakehead Orillia campuses. It was the Golden Hawks’ first competition of the season. “I was impressed with the performance of our ladies’ team considering we only had one team practice prior to the tournament,” said head coach Doug Cooper. Cooper says Laurier was the only team to score on Fanshawe at the tournament. The Golden Hawks were also the only team to keep Fanshawe down to two goals or less. With Fanshawe being the toughest team at the tournament, this was a feat for the Golden Hawks. “The chemistry we have really shone through at the tournament,” said Laurier team captain Jess
Dettman.“This year I think we’re going to have a strong team. We’re more of a family and there’s connection between every player.” The Golden Hawks lost a handful of key players this year, including graduates Samantha Crumpton, Samantha Keen, Shannon McQueen, Katrina Moczerad and Melissa Briden. “We’ve filled these holes with the rookies and as we continue they’ll grow,” said Dettman. Cooper is also confident the team will have a successful year. “As the coach I was able to roll through the lines confident that each player was going to contribute in the success of the team in the tournament,” he said. Dettman says the new coaching staff, Cooper and Eric Collins, will contribute to the team’s triumph this year. “Our coaches are in it to win it,” said Dettman. “You want the competitiveness from your coaches.” Now that the bar has been set, Cooper hopes to win the next tournament at Humber North. “I believe in this team to achieve more,” he said.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY JARRET PUTT
THE GOLDEN HAWKS ON THE BENCH CONGRATULATE THEIR FELLOW TEAMMATES AFTER SCORING A GOAL IN ORILLIA..
WORLD
The variations in university athletics LAURA BANNIER SPORTS WRITER
ADRIENNE HOE/GRAPHICS EDITOR
As an exchange student from France, what I was most excited about before my arrival at Laurier Brantford was having a gym at university. You might think it’s a normal thing, but for me it’s not. Having a gym is not the only thing that differs from my French university. Since we don’t have a gym, the university does its best to offer the students a wide range of sports classes. To be able to take part, each student may pay a €22 fee at the beginning of the year. Then you can register for three different classes each semester. I took part in the zumba class, the circuit training class and the
track and field class during my two years at my French university. The instructors are often regular teachers who are interested in a particular sport and choose to give time to these classes after their working hours. Even with this wide range of choices, very few students choose to participate. As a result, there were only two of my 25 classmates to take part in these sports. For a lot of people the main excuse is the fact that the hours aren’t convenient. I’m glad I have a place like Wilkes Gym to practice sports. I haven’t had the chance to try the gym equipment yet, but I’m looking forward to doing it. Another difference is varsity sports. We don’t have any varsity teams at my French university except a
rugby team. There are also no such things at homecoming games. We don’t even have a field for the team. Being a part of the cross-country team is the best way for me to experience varsity sports. I used to run back in France too, but on my own. We don’t have running clubs, like Run Laurier, for example. To sum up, I’m practicing sports here at Laurier in a more collective way, either when running with my team, with the club or going to the gym to take part in any boot camp session. Whatever it may be, I won’t be alone. In France, I would go to my class, practice, and then go home. I think the main difference is that here I never feel alone.
THE SPUTNIK
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2017
12 OPINION EDITOR MEGHAN GAUVIN opinion@thesputnik.ca
Vacation to some is reality to others Before you book your flight for this year’s trip, research how you can help support hurricane survivors MEGHAN GAUVIN OPINION EDITOR
It’s almost an unspoken rule amongst Canadians that vacations are meant to take place when the weather is at its most unbearable. Primetime for these holidays are planned anywhere between November until February or March.
It seems unfair that we can pick and choose with such freedom when we want to use these countries for their sun and sand. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
I distinctly remember looking at my friends with a mixture of confusion and disapproval when they suggested waiting untill July to go on our trip to Mexico. Why on earth would we sit through this horrible winter just to escape once the sun has reappeared? While flights and resorts are unbelievably cheaper during the offseason, it seemed almost wrong not to schedule our vacation so we could skip out on the snow for a week in the midst of our long winter. With Halloween behind us, Canadians are getting ready to go on their dream vacations. In fact, I have already heard of multiple friends and family mem-
bers who are counting down the days till they take off for Cuba. As much as I wish I was going in their place, I can’t help but wonder what this means for the devastated areas who were, and still are, struggling from the aftermath of hurricane Irma. It seems unfair that we can pick and choose with such freedom when we want to use these countries for their sun and sand. How convenient for North Americans that we can sit back and watch in horror as millions of lives are ruined across the globe just to turn around months later and use them as our “escape” from the snow – as though we are the ones who need to escape. Irma was not alone either. Soon thereafter hurricanes Maria and Harvey joined in and destroyed
many islands in the Caribbean. Hurricane Maria hit Dominica on September 18 as a category 5 storm and left 98% of the island’s homes with significant damage. Only a couple days later Puerto Rico suffered a similar fate and lost all electricity. From the comfort of our living rooms, we had sympathy for these people and their struggle. But for how long did we care about this horrific event and the people it harmed? As media coverage died down, so did our concern and our sympathy. As fast as Irma snatched our attention by destroying homes, families and lives, Canadians just as quickly reverted back to the safety of our everyday problems. And we soon forgot all about the destruc-
tion of the impacted countries. Some might argue that we are helping said countries economy by vacationing and therefore spending money in these places. If we are being honest with ourselves, this is never the reason for our travels and It most likely was not part of the decision-making process when choosing a destination. I’m not saying don’t go on vacation, but at the very least recognize that there is a social obligation that comes along with the privilege of living in an area where natural disasters are never a major issue. Or there should be anyway. This winter, if you decide to take a trip to one of the countries affected by Irma, or any of the hurricanes that hit this past August/ September, look into what you can
do that might help families who were impacted. For example, some Red Cross and United Way organizations are calling for volunteers to help with relief efforts. You can also donate funds to charities that are aiding hurricane victims. Lastly, you could look into what supplies are needed in the area and bring some with you. You could have an extraordinary impact on survivors with the simplest action. Some of the areas that were affected by the hurricanes include Cuba, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Florida and Hispaniola, to name a few. Do any of these places sound familiar? I am sure that most of us have vis-
Before you book, see how you can help. As visitors to these islands and countries, we owe them, at the very least, our support.
ited at least one of these beautiful places before. I know I have. Before you book, see how you can help. As visitors to these islands and countries, we owe them, at the very least, our support.
Bill 62-safety or religious segregation?
Government dictates what Muslim women can and cannot wear on city bus in Quebec MEGHAN GAUVIN OPINION EDITOR
Banning a piece of religious apparel is a form of oppression, simple as that. Refusing public service to those who do not comply with Quebec’s
Bill 62 was created out of fear, fear of the unknown, which has led to a legislation that creates an even bigger divide between Canadians.
Bill 62 is the exact same thing. The bill, which was passed last month, requires people to have their face uncovered while using certain forms of public service. An example of this is the public transportation system. The new law specifically targets a small group of Muslim women who choose to wear the Niqab, a religious garment that covers the entire face with the exception of
the eyes. According to multiple news sources, less than 100 women in Quebec actuallywear this article of faith. It is a fairly common western ideology that the Niqab is a form of oppression and that women are forced to wear this article of clothing by their controlling husbands and fathers. The irony is too clear to miss and yet simultaneously goes way over the heads of a lot of the people in North America. What people do not seem to understand is that forcing women to take off their Niqab, or anything else they choose to wear, is just as oppressive as forcing women to wear something they don’t want to. By ordering women to take off their Niqab the government is taking away their choice, and therefore, their freedom of expression. It seemed that we were progressing in women’s rights in other ways. In a sense, North America started to make big changes on the opposite end of the spectrum. People are becoming more and more accepting of women showing their body in ways that has always been accepted in men. For example, in Ontario, it is no longer illegal for women to be topless in public. Why is it that we
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
are able to accept women’s choice when it comes to showing less, but take away their choice when they decide to cover up? Is this really in the name of freedom? It is difficult for the western world to accept what they do not understand. Although many Canadians would like to consider our country multicultural, we are not as accepting of values that come from the East because of a distorted
view of what their culture means for women. And yet, most of us have never experienced their world in a meaningful way. In fact, our only understanding of this culture is from what we see on television. Whether this is coming from news or popular culture, our view of the eastern world, and especially those of Muslim faith, is directly linked to terror and violence.
There is also a misconception that only people who have moved to Canada, either through immigration or as a refugee, are the ones who choose to wear these traditional garments. In reality, many Canadian born Muslim women are choosing to wear the niqab. Bill 62 was created out of fear, fear of the unknown, which has led to a legislation that creates an even bigger divide between Canadians.