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Vol. CXLV, No. 13 MASTHEAD
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The Varsity acknowledges that our office is built on the traditional territory of several First Nations, including the Huron-Wendat, the Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit. Journalists have historically harmed Indigenous communities by overlooking their stories, contributing to stereotypes, and telling their stories without their input. Therefore, we make this acknowledgement as a starting point for our responsibility to tell those stories more accurately, critically, and in accordance with the wishes of Indigenous Peoples.
SCSU members vote to create BOD position, donate to Gaza fundraiser during Annual Members’ Meeting
Union members present 2024–2025 budget, discuss ongoing campaign efforts
On November 27, the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union (SCSU) held its Annual Members’ Meeting — formerly known as its Annual General Meeting — at the UTSC Student Centre.
Union members presented the SCSU’s 2024–2025 budget and passed motions to create an Indigenous Students Director position and donate money to an international fundraiser for Gaza. The meeting concluded with executive reports highlighting the union’s work over the fall semester.
The union originally scheduled the meeting for 4:00 pm, but SCSU President Hunain Sindhu did not call the meeting to order until 4:40 pm. Approximately 50 UTSC students were present and the union has yet to announce the date of its winter members meeting.
SCSU’s 2024–2025 budget
Vice-President (VP) Operations Jena Bah presented the union’s 2024–2025 budget. Their Health & Dental Plan was their largest source of revenue, amounting to $5,784,990. The SCSU’s total expenses amounted to $7,518,261. Their largest expense was the Health & Dental Plan disbursements at $4,744,777.
In total, the union’s budget saw a surplus of $235,025 and the motion to approve the budget carried.
Review of motions: To be or not to be
The meeting agenda included revising eight motions submitted by UTSC students, two of which passed, two defeated, and four dissolved.
The first motion called to implement an Indigenous students director position who would hold the same rights as any Board of Directors (BOD) member, including participating in BOD meetings, being appointed to committees, and receiving an honorarium upon completing their term.
According to the motion, the Indigenous students director would be tasked with “advocating for the rights of Indigenous students at [UTSC] and promoting Indigenous culture through hosting and/or assisting with Indigenous cultural events.”
After consideration, students voted to pass the motion with an amendment which struck
a clause that stated: “The identity of the candidates is not limited to the Indigenous communities that are based in so-called Canada.”
The next motion on the meeting agenda called for the implementation of a Black students director who would have the same responsibilities as other BOD members.
Additionally, the Black students director would be tasked with “advocating for the rights of Black students at [UTSC] and promoting culture from Black communities through hosting and/or assisting with cultural events.” Multiple students voted against the motion, with one arguing that there were already established groups and initiatives on campus that did so.
After student debate, the motion was defeated.
Another motion called for the SCSU to support a Student Strike for Palestine (SS4P) campaign at UTSC that “aims to unite all proPalestine students and groups to end [U of T’s] complicity through a student strike to disrupt the university’s operation[s].” The motion stated that the SCSU work with the SS4P group to organize a one-day student strike, within the first four weeks of the winter semester.
Multiple students debated this motion, with some raising concerns about the fast timeline for organizing a large-scale strike, the SS4P not having any Palestinian students in their group, and the lack of time to prepare for a potential police presence on campus.
One student asked the SCSU why they would push back on the strike, given that the VP External Omar Mousa is a Palestinian student.
In response, Mousa noted that he was not against the strike itself, but called fast-tracking the steps to organize the strike “a recipe for disaster.”
Sindhu noted that the union previously met with the group to discuss their demands and requested that they get Palestinian representation before future collaborations with the union.
After students debated the motion for nearly one hour, it was defeated.
The last motion on the meeting agenda called for the SCSU to make a donation to an international fundraiser by the Palestinian Youth Movement, aiming to raise money to provide essential services for displaced people in Gaza.
Sindhu explained that the union has money allocations in its budget for donations
specifically, allowing it to donate $500 to a single cause per term.
After consideration, students voted to carry the motion.
Not up for debate
Since none of the students at the meeting moved or seconded many of the motions on the agenda, they were not considered by union members.
One was on “accountability and respect for campus events in SCSU-led political activities.” It claimed that the SCSU-led walkout in solidarity with Palestine on October 10 disrupted a campus Health & Wellness Event and called on the SCSU president to sign an apology letter on behalf of the union to the Health & Wellness Centre director, post the apology on the SCSU’s Instagram account, and promote future Health and Wellness Centre events as “a way of making amends.”
Two of the motions called for the union to ensure that vendors associated with the SCSU refrain from displaying or selling items with violent or discriminatory images.
Finally, one motion claimed that many UTSC students “expressed concern over their student fees being allocated to support political activities that may not align with the views of all students,” in reference to the SCSU’s use of union funds to support pro-Palestine events on campus. It called for the union to publish its audited financial statements for the 2023–2024 fiscal year to increase “transparency and accountability of SCSU funds.”
Executive reports
The meeting concluded with SCSU executives delivering reports highlighting their accomplishments over the fall term.
VP Academics Zanira Manesiya discussed the union’s advocacy for more inclusive academic policies, including the SCSU’s continued efforts to extend the CR/NCR deadline at UTSC and lower the GPA cutoff for academic good standing from 1.6 to 1.5 to align with UTSG and UTM.
She added that the union was advocating for more prayer spaces across UTSC buildings and establishing a formal definition of antiPalestinian racism.
Additionally, Manesiya discussed the union’s campaign efforts to increase affordability for international students, by reinstating public healthcare coverage and supporting students affected by global crises, by creating awareness and fundraising through their Global Action Task Force.
Sindhu highlighted a union meeting with university administration where the executives discussed the UTSC’s Campus Farm, in light of students and faculty raising concerns over the non-renewal of the Campus Farm Coordinator’s contract.
Union members also discussed upcoming initiatives and events. Sindhu discussed a redesign of the Student Centre, noting that service centres would be relocated to different buildings. Manesiya highlighted the union’s efforts to better promote students’ mental health by having more Health and Wellness counsellors at future SCSU events.
After executive reports concluded around 7:30 pm, the meeting adjourned at 7:48 pm.
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SCSU meets for the Annual Members Meeting.
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UTGSU AGM calls for opposition to protest user guide, international student cap
Members discuss honorary degree, executive portfolios
Matthew Molinaro Graduate Bureau Chief
On December 5, the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union (UTGSU) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) to discuss financial positions, present the Executive Committee’s reports of the semester, amend bylaws, and pass member initiated motions.
Other business involved members passing a new honorarium system for directors and a status change from a committee to a caucus for the Mental Health Committee GradMinds.
Executive reports
The AGM opened with the executives’ reports on the progress made on their portfolios.
UTGSU Vice-President (VP) Finance Farshad Murtada informed the audience of the union’s good financial standing from the audit and discussed the new financial measures that will soon be going into effect, including the Graduate Indigenous Student Bursary.
President Amir Moghadam reflected on the year since the 2023 AGM by highlighting the 90 per cent increase in the UTGSU building use at 16 Bancroft Avenue and a nearly doubling the amount of UTGSU grants and funds per grant. Moghadam invited the students to celebrate the union standing “stronger than ever before.”
VP Academics 1 & 2 Ameer Ali focused on events and programming, including GradFest which saw this year’s participation triple from 400 to 1200 attendees. Ali also drew attention to job opportunities created by the UTGSU and building maintenance on the UTGSU building’s gym and the free store.
VP External Jady Liang discussed her ongoing work on mental health through events such as art therapy and the launch of the Mental Health
Campaign, Grad Thrive.
VP Academics 3 & 4 Julian Nickel spoke about the recent graduate base funding increase, which the UTGSU has criticized for not covering certain masters students, professional students, and international students. For Nickel, these issues require ongoing advocacy to ensure adequate coverage for these students as well as for funding to meet the cost of living.
VP Internal Friedemann Krannich reported to the AGM about bylaw amendments that the Governance Committee had worked on. As there were at least 10 amendments to consider, Krannich argued in favour of an omnibus motion where students either approve or reject all the amendments being presented at once.
Executive Director Corey Scott presented the Health and Dental Referendum. Scott explained that, because the referendum’s current language allows the UTGSU Board of Directors to increase the fee of the health and dental plan at any rate, he is suggesting a referendum question to update the language of the plan to protect students going forward. This referendum question would place a “clear and decisive gap” on permitted fee increases. The voting period for the referendum started on December 4 and ended on December 7 at 9:00 am. Voting was online and required students’ UTORID and password.
Derecognition of honorary degree
At the 2023 AGM, a motion to prepare a submission to the U of T Standing Committee on Recognition for the derecognition of Duncan Campbell Scott’s honorary degree was tasked and referred to the 2024 UTGSU AGM.
Scott was a Canadian confederation poet and deputy superintendent of the Canadian
Department of Indian Affairs, which oversaw the enforcement and expansion of residential schools, a system of cultural genocide that Scott argued would help “get rid of the Indian problem.”
The motion included making a submission to the committee to address how Scott’s actions and values stood in opposition to the university’s and informing students of a campaign to rescind his degree.
After brief deliberation about the precedent the move would make, the members voted to pass the motion.
Advocacy motions
In the final few motions, Moghadam moved three efforts for the UTGSU: to form or join a GTA-wide
transit coalition, to formally oppose the User Guide to U of T Policies on Protests, and to formally oppose the federal government’s cap on postsecondary international student study permits.
All three motions would require UTGSU to engage in mobilization, discussion, and consciousness raising about better policies and procedures for transit, protest, and international student inclusion.
Moghadam and Nickel discussed how Toronto’s expensive transit prices required a coalitional response to getting better services and deals for students. Nickel also spoke on the guide, arguing that it would seriously impact how the UTGSU and student groups go about bringing change at the university.
International Students Caucus Chair Elaine Yu emphasized how international students already face existing barriers in housing, healthcare, and funding in Toronto and urged students to vote for the motion to address this effort. All three motions carried.
The AGM closed with Moghadam offering thanks to the attendees, executives, and fulltime and part-time staff.
Governing Council continues debate on motion to condemn antisemitism
Members hear 2024–2025 budget update, encampment review set for spring
Bullanoff Deputy News Editor
On December 19, U of T’s Governing Council met to discuss a budget update for the 2024–2025 academic year. During the meeting, U of T President Meric Gertler updated the council on a review of the summer’s student encampment in support of Palestine. Members also continued to debate a motion to condemn antisemitism that was raised during the council’s November meeting.
President’s report
In his president’s report, Gertler gave an update on the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Discrimination Working Group’s formation. This included its mandate to review U of T’s current programming, processes, and practices and to make recommendations to advance the inclusion and belonging of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian community members.
The group will consult with the university community, commencing in early 2025 and delivering a final report with recommendations to senior leadership.
Gertler mentioned that the university has launched consultations for a draft Guide to Law and Policy regarding Antisemitism and AntiIsraeli Discrimination at U of T. This follows U of T students and groups calling on the university to better address antisemitism on campus.
Gertler added that “input and comments from all corners of our university community are indeed welcome” with a deadline for submitting input of January 31. Voting will be online and require students’ UTORID and password.
Gertler concluded his report with an update on the university commissioning a retrospective analysis on the student encampment that took place over May and June last year.
The university finalized its selection of the consulting firm, enlisting Deloitte LLP — one of the four major global accounting firms — to assist with the analysis.
Gertler noted that the firm will review the university’s critical incident response based on its handling of the encampment to improve future response. Deloitte is expected to complete its analysis by spring 2025.
Budget update
During the meeting, Vice-President and Provost Trevor Young gave an update on the university’s 2024–2025 budget.
Anna Kennedy — chair of the Governing Council — mentioned that typically the council doesn’t give mid-year budget updates but decided to because it’s “hearing a lot recently about universities running deficits, particularly in Ontario.”
U of T currently has a balanced budget — where expected revenue and planned expenses are the same — of $3.52 billion. 67 per cent of its revenue comes from tuition and fees, with international tuition making up 42 per cent of revenue.
In terms of enrolment, U of T saw a six per cent decrease in international students, going from 5,320 in fall 2023 to 5,012 in fall 2024. This follows the federal government imposing a twoyear cap on international student study permits in January 2024, with tighter restrictions announced in September last year.
“This is significantly better than other institutions that are talking about 30 per cent or higher changes,” said Young. “This is remarkably different from that.”
There was also an eight per cent increase in the number of domestic students enrolled at U of T from 11,041 in fall 2023 to 12,010 in fall 2024, which “reflects a return to strong retention rates after a dip towards the end of the pandemic,” according to Young.
Lieutenant Governor in Council Member David Jacobs shared concerns over international tuition, stating “that [the] volume of money as compared to what it probably costs to educate those students is grossly imbalanced.”
Young responded, “We know there [are] risks going ahead, and we are looking at how we’re going to manage that. So that’s where we are. But you’re right, it’s a big number and it’s a major issue.”
Call to condemn antisemitism again Kennedy provided an update on a motion brought forward at the November Governing Council meeting to condemn antisemitism on campus.
The motion reads, “The Governing Council of the University of Toronto condemns the acts of antisemitism that occurred at the encampment as well as ongoing antisemitism on its campuses. We advise the administration to implement strategies to effectively protect students, faculty and staff from this form of discrimination.”
The judge presiding over the university’s
injunction case stated in his ruling in July that there is no evidence suggesting any named protesters or encampment members were involved in antisemitism.
During the last meeting, there was a debate over the difference between putting forward a motion and a matter. This eventually led to the motion being pushed to the December 3 Executive Committee — the committee responsible for setting the agenda of meetings of the Governing Council — for review on whether the motion would go to the latter.
“In the discussion, [the Executive Committee] members were clear in their condemnation of antisemitism and their support of the university’s anti-discrimination efforts,” said Kennedy. “Based on the discussion, there was broad consensus that the motion should not be brought forward to this Governing Council meeting.”
Before the end of the meeting, Jacobs mentioned that eight months ago this motion was brought forward and failed two to 10 at the Executive Committee, but “we do have a tremendous amount of acts of antisemitism that have happened over those eight months.”
“The correct amount of antisemitism at the University of Toronto should be zero,” said Jacobs. “I think that given the fact that despite the good work that the administration has done, it behooves us as the governing body of the university to both recognize and condemn antisemitism.”
Jacobs asked the board to agree to hear the motion at the next meeting so that it could be voted upon.
Kennedy added that Jacobs is invoking section 53 of the governing bylaws, which states that for the motion to be heard by the Governing Council, it requires a vote with a two-thirds majority.
After debate over the purpose of the motion and clarity on what members would be voting for, the motion to discuss the antisemitism motion didn’t pass and will not proceed to the Executive Committee.
James
UTGSU meets for their Annual General Meeting. AKSAAMAI ORMONBEKOVA/THE VARSITY
Presence of external security groups on campus sparks concerns among U of T students
Over the past few months, organizations like Magen Herut Canada have established a presence on the UTSG campus, raising concerns among students and groups at U of T advocating for Palestine amid Israel’s war on Gaza. According to their website, Magen Herut Canada “aims to create a volunteerdriven community safety and patrol network across North America, with local teams focused on protecting [Jewish] communities through surveillance, safety, and training initiatives.”
Magen Herut Canada is a registered charity that coordinates with JForce — a private security firm “focused on protecting Jewish communities through surveillance, safety, and training initiatives.”
The groups have been seen patrolling several university campuses, including U of T and Toronto Metropolitan University. Magen Herut Canada’s volunteers, wearing black T-shirts identifying them as part of a “Surveillance Team,” have appeared at numerous proPalestine events across Toronto.
Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killed at least 1,139 people and captured over 200 hostages. Since then, Israel’s attack on Gaza has killed at least 45,805 and injured over 100,000.
Intimidation and impact on free expression In an email to The Varsity, Sara Rasikh — a second-year masters student at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and a spokesperson for UofT Occupy for Palestine (O4P) — wrote that Magen Herut Canada’s presence on campus has raised significant concerns due to its “connections to far-right ideologies and its role in fostering an intimidating environment for Muslim, Palestinian, Arab, and brown students.”
In response to this concern, Magen Herut Canada founder Aaron Hadida noted in an email to The Varsity that, “[we] embrace all cultures and religions.”
Rasikh claimed the group was involved in incidents such as a confrontation with protesters at King’s College Circle during a rally organized by O4P, where U of T’s Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) claims counter-protesters used Islamophobic slurs and engaged in other forms of harassment.
Hadida claimed that during this rally, Magen Herut Canada members were only on College Street, not King’s College Circle.
Rasikh explained that “Magen Herut’s presence has created a hostile and unsafe environment for students advocating for Palestinian liberation. The intimidation tactics, including displays of violent slogans and symbols, have contributed to a chilling effect on free expression.”
Hadida wrote that he welcomes the opportunity to address people’s concerns about Magen Herut Canada’s conduct. “I will not endeavour to address vague claims, that may very well be baseless,” he wrote.
In a recent poll by the MSA, 80 per cent of respondents noted feeling unsafe on campus because of the presence of far-right groups.
Calls for action
Despite repeated efforts by student organizations like O4P and the MSA to raise their concerns about the presence of these groups on campus with the university, they argue that the administration’s response has been inadequate.
In a previous statement to The Varsity, a U of T spokesperson noted that the university has not made any changes to its protest and free speech policies and referred to the FAQ page on free speech that states “The University must allow the fullest range of debate. It should not
limit that debate by preordaining conclusions, or punishing or inhibiting the reasonable exercise of free speech.”
She noted that the failure to take a strong stance against groups like Magen Herut Canada has worsened the situation. “The university must prioritize student safety over abstract commitments to free speech that allow for the normalization of hate and extremism,” she wrote. “A failure to act decisively against these threats erodes trust and compromises the well-being of the student body.”
In an email to The Varsity, a university spokesperson wrote that “only police and Campus Safety officers have the authority to provide security services and enforce the law on University of Toronto campuses.”
They added that, “Individuals and groups not otherwise legally restricted are allowed in publicly accessible outdoor spaces on our campuses as long as they abide by the law and university policies.” According to the spokesperson, those found violating U of T policy may be asked to leave, be issued a trespass notice, or face arrest in cases of suspected crimes.
Rasikh emphasized a broader issue at play: “The systemic failure of institutions to address rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism reflects broader societal dynamics where marginalized groups are continually silenced. U of T must not only ban known agitators… but also commit to repairing the harm caused by their inaction.”
The U of T spokesperson noted that “the university supports the well-being and safety of all members of the University of Toronto community with robust resources and supports, including those designed to meet the unique needs of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim community members.”
Beyond calls to university action, Magen Herut Canada’s status as a registered charity has come under scrutiny, with an online petition calling for the removal of their charitable status receiving over 11,000 signatures as of writing. Student groups, including O4P, have taken to social media to call on the Canada Revenue Agency to suspend Magen Herut Canada’s charity status which allows the group to grant their donors’ tax credits.
If you or someone you know has experienced harassment or discrimination based on race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin,
citizenship and/or creed at U of T, report the incident to the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity office: https://antiracism.utoronto.ca/ help/.
You can report incidents of anti-Muslim racism through the National Council of Canadian Muslims’ Hate Crime Reporting form at https://www.nccm.ca/programs/incidentreport-form/.
If you or someone you know has experienced Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim racism, or is in distress, you can contact:
• Canadian Muslim Counselling at 437886-6309 or info@muslimcounselling. ca
• Islamophobia Support Line at 416-6138729
• Nisa Helpline at 1-888-315-6472 or info@nisahelpline.com
• Naseeha Mental Health at 1-866-6273342
• Khalil Center at 1-855-554-2545 or info@khalilcenter.com
• Muslim Women Support Line at 647622-2221 or gbv@ccmw.com
Protesters at King’s College Circle, where Magen Herut Canada members were seen patrolling campus.
Asmi Khanna Associate News Editor
Corbin
Business & Labour
Who pays the price for Trump’s 25 per
cent tariff threat?
Professors speak on how Trump’s tariff threats could shake the foundation of Canadian industries
Anuj Manchanda Varsity Contributor
Picture this: You’re at a diplomatic meeting where President Donald Trump threatens a massive 25 per cent tariff on all your exports, and then halfjokingly suggests your country should become America’s 51st state.
That unusual scene unfolded between Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, unsettling Canada’s trade-dependent economy. Canada is deeply connected to the US market, with bilateral trade — trade exclusively between the two countries — exceeding $960.9 billion in 2022. Any attempt to impose a blanket tariff, which applies to all goods equally, could trigger a domino effect across industries and, as many experts warn, hinder economic growth for both nations.
What are tariffs, really?
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods. Historically, countries have used them to protect local industries from foreign competition, raise government revenue, or gain leverage in trade negotiations. However, tariffs can backfire — goods often become more expensive for consumers, supply chains are disrupted, and countries on the receiving end frequently retaliate. In some cases, this tit-for-tat escalation can escalate into a trade war.
Joseph Steinberg, an associate professor of macroeconomics at U of T, highlights the power imbalance in this scenario. “The tariffs will hurt Canada[’]s economy a lot more than the [US],” he wrote in an email to The Varsity. “You can already see some anticipation of [this] in the exchange rate.” The Canadian dollar typically depreciates when such threats arise. For example, the Canadian dollar took a hit in 2018 amid Trump-imposed US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Industry by industry: auto, agriculture, energy
Few sectors illustrate the complexity of USCanadian trade as vividly as the auto industry.
Parts and finished vehicles cross the border seamlessly every day. Major automakers like Stellantis, GM, and Ford maintain manufacturing efficiency by depending on “just-in-time” delivery models — a strategy that focuses on reducing inventory by receiving goods exactly when they are needed.
Steinberg noted that the auto sector is “the biggest example” of how interconnected supply chains amplify the damage caused by tariffs.
Meanwhile, Jorge Merladet — a finance professor at IE University in Spain — sees the auto sector as emblematic of a broader shift in corporate strategy. “Tariffs will accelerate and twist the ongoing change,” Merladet wrote in an email to The Varsity. “Even though we might not like it, [this can] partially [achieve Trump’s] desired effect.”
Agriculture is another sector where there could be a swift impact. While the proposed tariff targets Canadian imports, it’s not uncommon for Canada to retaliate with its own countermeasures, and agriculture is often an easy target. Both American farmers exporting to Canada and Canadian farmers relying on US markets could feel the pinch if trade relations sour.
Steinberg, however, highlights an opportunity hidden in the crisis for Canada. He explained that dumping dairy supply management might enrage Québec farmers because they’d have to pay higher prices for the products, but it’d be great for Canadian consumers since they have more variety to choose from.
Energy is another key component of the USCanada trade relationship. Canada supplies more than half of the crude oil that the US imports.
Canada Post workers end 32-day strike
Union receives five per cent wage increase on collective agreement expiring May 22
Samm Mohibuddin
Varsity Contributor
As the clock hit 12:01 am on November 15, 2024, approximately 55,000 postal workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) launched a nationwide strike. Their key demands included a 24 per cent wage increase over four years to match inflation, enhanced pension plans, and improved working conditions.
The strike came during a challenging financial period for Canada Post, the Crown corporation responsible for postal service.
Strapped for cash
Canada Post is grappling with significant financial strain, having accumulated approximately three billion dollars in losses since 2018. The Crown corporation reported a $748 million loss in 2023, with an additional $315 million deficit in the most recent quarter. Due to financial difficulties, a dispute arose between management and employees.
Management has labelled the current business model as “unsustainable” and responded to CUPW by laying off workers in order to employ less costly part-time employees. Conversely, the CUPW attributes the financial strain to past investment decisions, arguing that Canada Post over-invested to meet a temporary surge in parcel delivery demand. This, they claim, has hindered the company’s ability to maintain business relationships with key partners such as Amazon.
Strike & gig economy
CUPW’s strike had immediate and widespread effects, halting mail and parcel deliveries across Canada during the busy holiday season. Businesses, particularly small enterprises reliant on e-commerce, suffered significant financial losses due to undelivered orders. Meanwhile, people in remote and rural areas experienced delays in receiving essential items such as medications and government documents. Essential items, such as passports — over 180,000 of which were delayed — left many holidaymakers anxious during the disruptions.
The strike underscored the vital role of postal services in Canada's economy and daily life, sparking national debates on labour rights, economic equity, and the sustainability of postal operations. Additionally, it highlighted Canada Post’s increased reliance on part-time workers within the ‘gig’ economy, who are temporary workers without fixed long-term contracts.
According to Statistics Canada, 871,000 people held jobs consistent with characteristics of the gig economy, while another 1.5 million engaged in gig work from October to December 2022.
This trend is largely driven by low-cost private companies hiring delivery workers as “independent contractors.” By classifying workers this way, companies can bypass regulations such as overtime pay and workhour rules, which determine the maximum number of hours employees can work per
January 7, 2025
varsity.ca/category/business biz@thevarsity.ca
A new tariff could lead to higher costs at the pump for Americans, exacerbating inflationary pressures.
Meanwhile, demand for Canadian oil might drop if refiners seek cheaper substitutes elsewhere.
U of T Economics Assistant Professor Florian Dendorfer draws upon classical trade theory — which posits that countries benefit from trade by specializing in producing goods they can make most efficiently and trading them for goods they produce less efficiently.
“Expect Canadian export prices to rise,” Dendorfer wrote in an email to The Varsity “If retailers pass tariffs onto consumers, [US] consumers will undoubtedly feel the impact. The side with fewer substitutes — in this case, US regions relying heavily on Canadian oil — ends up bearing a larger share of the tariff burden.”
Economic and political fallout
Despite the disparities in market size, both countries probably stand to lose if hostilities escalate. Canada relies on the US for approximately 63.4 per cent of its total trade, making it particularly vulnerable. The US, however, faces potential repercussions ranging from higher consumer prices to political blowback from businesses caught in the crossfire.
week. Moreover, these workers face greater challenges in unionizing, often left with limited protections and bargaining power.
Beyond this issue, the rise of alternative delivery options like Amazon and FedEx has further weakened the leverage of Canada Post workers.
In the e-commerce sector, Canada Post’s market share plummeted from 62 per cent in 2019 to just 29 per cent by 2023. This decline underscores the erosion of Canada Post’s once-dominant position and some of the factors contributing to its financial losses.
The strike itself added to these challenges, costing Canada Post an estimated 76 million in damages for each business day.
Temporary fix
Following the start of the strike, Canada Post implemented contingency measures to maintain operations, but disruptions, particularly in rural areas, continued to escalate. Government-led mediation efforts on November 25 failed to bridge the divide, with CUPW rejecting Canada Post's wage offer of 11.97 per cent over four years. A few days later, Canada Post began temporarily laying off workers on strike.
On December 9, Canada Post announced that it had received the latest proposals from the CUPW. The corporation was “extremely disappointed,” stating that the union’s actions “appears to be to widen the gap in negotiations, rather than close it.” Canada Post was frustrated by the union’s adjusted
“Any tariff scheme long-term incentivises inefficiency and inflation. It must be considered in itself plus its retaliatory effects” Merladet wrote. In an era of already high global political risk, such threats only compound uncertainties for multinational firms.
Meanwhile, Steinberg adds a policy angle for Canada. “We’ve already been falling behind the U.S. in terms of economic growth, so this new threat makes boosting investment and innovation even more urgent […] maybe it would help get Trump off our backs.”
Drawing the borders — and the lessons Trump’s offhand remark about Canada becoming the 51st state may have been tongue-in-cheek, but the underlying tariff threat is far from trivial. From the auto sector to the energy supply, this proposed 25 per cent levy could ripple through both economies, inflating consumer prices, choking key industries, and intensifying political tensions.
As Merladet wrote, “Never [before] have… consumption and investment been so U.S.centric [...] The tariffs will accelerate and twist further the ongoing change.”
Firms will adapt, but at what cost? As Dendorfer expressed, tariffs punish both sides more than they help.
wage demand, which decreased from 24 per cent to 19 per cent over four years.
At this point in negotiations, the union expressed frustration with Canada Post’s proposals, although Canada Post countered that they had not received a formal response.
Shortly afterward, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced that the dispute would be referred to the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). If the board determines that an agreement is unlikely by the end of 2024, it could mandate the nearly 55,000 workers to return to work under their current contract, effective until May 22.
By December 15, CIRB declared the negotiations to be at a stalemate and mandated a return to work by December 17.
On December 17, Canada Post announced that it had agreed with the CUPW to implement a five per cent wage increase, retroactive to the day after the collective agreements expired on December 31, 2023 and January 31, 2024. This agreement ended the strike and workers resumed regular service. The arrangement will remain in effect until
VICKY HUANG/THEVARSITY
Opinion
January 7, 2025
thevarsity.ca/category/opinion opinion@thevarsity.ca
Luigi Mangione unveils America’s broken healthcare system
Hero or outlaw? Vigilante or villain?
Mishaal Sabir
Varsity Contributor
To begin, let’s establish a moral framework: murder is objectively wrong. Taking another life cannot and should not be justified in a civil society. Yet, in the court of public opinion, the lines blur when individuals like Luigi Mangione emerge — figures who channel the frustration of an entire generation into sudden shocking acts.
The cultural fascination with vigilante justice is nothing new. These icons operate under a moral code of their own design, often stepping in where institutions fail. From Batman to The Godfather and John Q., society has long heroized those who defy the system in the name of the perceived greater good. Now, Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate with an impressive academic record and seemingly wholesome demeanour, finds himself at the centre of this narrative.
When Mangione allegedly shot and killed insurance company UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Brian Thompson in New York on December 4, the internet reacted not with universal condemnation, but with admiration and even outright support. This shouldn’t be surprising — I believe it reflects the deep-seated cynicism and distrust that young people feel toward the institutions meant to protect and serve them.
The case of Mangione exemplifies society’s troubling admiration for vigilante justice, revealing its disillusionment with failing institutions and highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform to address economic and healthcare injustices.
How Mangione became a symbol Mangione’s online footprint paints a picture of a bright, accomplished individual who, by most accounts, seemed poised to thrive within the system. Yet, reports suggest he was burdened by intense grievances against the US healthcare industry, which many Americans share. His alleged manifesto points to frustration with soaring medical
costs, bureaucratic hurdles, and a pervasive sense that the healthcare system prioritizes profit over human life.
Consider this: studies estimate that nearly 45,000 Americans die annually due to lack of health insurance. To put that into perspective, that’s more than 120 preventable deaths a day — losses not caused by violence or crime but by economic barriers.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical executives and health insurance CEOs continue to rake in record profits. Additionally, in 2021, Thompson was widely criticized for UnitedHealthcare’s plan to deny coverage for “non-emergent” visits to hospital emergency rooms to curb company costs. The company rolled back on the plan after criticism from individuals and the American Hospital Association.
When Mangione was dragged out of the courtroom in his orange prison clothes, he exclaimed that something was “an insult to the intelligence of the American people” — likely referring, in my opinion, to the dysfunctional US healthcare system. His words resonated because they reflected the widespread frustration felt by many in the court of public opinion.
Disillusionment isn’t limited to healthcare. From stagnant wages to unaffordable housing, younger American generations increasingly feel left behind by institutions that promise opportunity but deliver inequality. Healthcare feels particularly egregious, as it is a system where one’s economic standing can dictate life and death.
Murder by omission versus commission?
I believe Mangione’s case exposes troubling inconsistencies in how the legal system defines and prosecutes acts of violence. He faces terrorism charges for the killing of a single man, while corporate decisions in the healthcare industry — linked to tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year — remain unaccountable.
This stark contrast raises unsettling questions for me: why is Mangione labelled a terrorist for
targeting one executive, while insurance companies that deny coverage or set exorbitant prices — contributing to the deaths of thousands annually — operate without criminal liability? And how can the justice system justify branding Mangione a terrorist, while treating the systemic denial of care as regular protocol rather than a moral or legal crime?
In cases like the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting, which resulted in 10 fatalities, and the 2022 Brooklyn subway attack, which injured 10 people, the perpetrators were charged with terrorism for indiscriminate violence aimed at civilians. Yet, Mangione’s actions, though unlawful, appear more personal — supposedly driven by frustration with the healthcare system’s perceived exploitation and injustice.
This then begs the question, who is Mangione terrorizing?
I see the terrorism charges and possible death penalty against Mangione as suggesting a legal double standard: violence against individuals in positions of power is swiftly condemned, while corporate policies that perpetuate suffering and death receive far less scrutiny. This disparity fuels public cynicism, reinforcing the belief that the legal system prioritizes corporate interests over the lives of ordinary Americans.
Romanticizing the vigilante
To me, public reactions to Mangione echo the
We need better housing policies for immigrants, refugees, international students
The growing housing crisis demands action to uphold Canada's inclusivity commitments
Vesa Lunji International Affairs Columnist
Immigration to Canada is often driven by the pursuit of better economic opportunities. However, for many Canadian immigrants, that dream is becoming increasingly out of reach.
Immigrants compose 23 per cent of Canada’s population as of 2021, and 92 per cent of Canadian population growth in 2024 stem from immigration. Meanwhile, the country’s housing crisis has reached unprecedented levels. As the housing crisis escalates, a critical question remains: is Canada fulfilling its promise to financially support its newly welcomed immigrant population, or is it merely supporting certain demographics of immigrants?
Canada has many programs, such as the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR), which aim to resettle refugees by giving volunteer groups and settlement organizations the opportunity to sponsor them. However, it remains difficult for refugees to secure stable housing, primarily due to financial support systems like the GovernmentAssisted Refugees and Ontario Works programs that create confusing transition processes, as well as language barriers.
Additionally, Canada has the second-highest house-price-to-income ratio in the world, leaving countless immigrants displaced or grappling with financial strain and housing insecurity. The stark disparity in housing availability among
visible minorities and low-income communities disproportionately affects many immigrants and international students, whom Canada has pledged to support through various campaigns, particularly through encouraging international students to “Study, work and stay.”
I believe Canada must address the systemic inequities within the housing market by prioritizing affordable housing development, ensuring fair treatment for all renters, and following through on the promises it makes to attract newcomers.
Affordable housing crisis for international students
“Study, work and stay” is the slogan from the 2018 federal government campaign designed to attract more international students to Canada. The phrase seemingly implies that for newcomers, prioritizing education and employment will serve as a pathway to permanent residency.
Despite Canada’s accreditation as a global leader in education, the housing conditions faced by international students — whom the country has encouraged to come — make it difficult for them to pursue the education they came for and nearly impossible to “stay.” An international student at George Brown College told CBC in 2023, “I am always moments away from a mental breakdown, just from the stress of wondering if I’m going to be homeless.”
High rent prices in major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver are leaving students with
very few affordable housing options, many of which involve exploitative situations. GSL Global, a global network providing information on student lifestyles, reports that landlords have been engaging in discriminatory practices, such as demanding large payments upfront from international students.
It seems to me that while Canada has been successful in attracting international students, the financial hardship and inadequate living conditions caused by the country’s rising housing crisis will ultimately drive them away. International students already face higher tuition fees, and the challenges of adapting to life in a foreign country with the added burden of affording basic necessities will make their stay in Canada unsustainable.
PSR’s promise versus Canada’s housing crisis
Canada’s implementation of the PSR initiative is commendable, but it is not without its flaws.
The program allows specific Canadian groups — including Sponsorship Agreement Holders, Groups of Five, or Community Sponsors — to sponsor international refugees by providing housing, food, and emotional care for up to one year.
The program also includes options such as the Blended Visa Office-Referred program, which reduces financial burdens by prioritizing the most vulnerable refugees’ entry, and the Joint Assistance Sponsorship program, which supports refugees with special needs for up to 24 months with government assistance.
glorification of vigilantes in popular culture. John Q., portrayed by Denzel Washington, held an entire hospital hostage to secure life-saving surgery for his son. Audiences didn’t cheer because they supported violence, but because they felt the injustice was too blatant to ignore.
Mangione’s case taps into this same narrative. Many people view him not as a criminal, but as someone who took matters into his own hands — a product of a society that continuously fails to reform itself.
However, I believe glorifying vigilantism carries inherent dangers. It legitimizes violence as a form of protest, eroding trust in lawful avenues for change. Yet, this is precisely the paradox confronting much of the world today: as institutions break down, the public sees vigilantes as the only viable answer. Therefore, the solution isn’t to celebrate Mangione but to address the underlying factors that made him a symbol of defiance. Healthcare reform, income equality, and systemic accountability are the true solutions — not bullets or public spectacles. Until meaningful change occurs, figures like Mangione will continue to emerge, embodying the anger of a nation fed up with injustice.
Mishaal Sabir is a fourth-year student at University College studying political science, criminology and socio-legal studies, and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
However, the PSR program depends entirely on the willingness and resources of private sponsors, making it an unreliable solution to the systematic problems of finding housing for refugees. For many, the harsh reality of overcrowded shelters and temporary accommodations quickly undermines the promise of stability in Canada, even with PSR arrangements in place.
Refugees in Canada are often plagued with uncertainty and a lack of safety; one refugee described a city-operated shelter in Toronto she was placed in as “the worst nightmare of my life.” The shelter was reportedly poorly heated, overcrowded, and plagued by incidents of sexual harassment. I believe that while the PSR initiative offers a hopeful remedy to some aspects of the housing crisis, it remains a temporary solution to what is clearly a structural, long-term problem.
Addressing the barriers to affordable housing
Most people in Canada — immigrants, refugees, international students, and citizens alike — are facing harsher ramifications of the housing crisis. While Canada has implemented relief programs like PSR and preached “Study, work and stay,” it still fails to address the deep-rooted structural barriers, such as discriminatory practices in the rental market, and the growing gap between wages and housing costs, which continue to prevent vulnerable populations from securing long-term, stable housing.
Canada needs to take accountability for their shortcomings in claiming to be open and welcoming to immigrants, international students, and refugees. Too many people continue to be displaced amid the housing crisis. If Canada is to live up to its reputation as a welcoming nation, it cannot afford to neglect the needs of its ever-growing population.
Vesa Lunji is a second-year student at University College studying health & disease and cell & molecular biology. She is an International Affairs columnist for The Varsity's Opinion section.
VICKY HUANG/THE VARSITY
VICKY HUANG/THE VARSITY
The death of the magazine and print media is causing intellectual decay
How we’ve moved from ‘printellectualism’ to digital brain death
Shontia Sanders Associate Opinion Editor
Gone are the days when the Carrie Bradshaws of the world carried crisp copies of Vogue in their handbags. Peculiar are the lingering few who still indulge in physical newspapers or encyclopedias. Now we have e-fashion, e-news, and e-literature. The glossy sheen of a new magazine and the crisp smell of a freshly opened book now feel like distant, almost forgotten luxuries.
The shift from print to digital readership reflects the rise of digital alternatives in historically printdominated industries driven by technological advancements, accessibility, and convenience — three attractive selling points of digital media.
Classic fashion and lifestyle magazines, like Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Cosmopolitan, have reported declining print sales in recent years, signaling the end of an era when print magazines were central to pop culture. In my view, popular media’s shift from print to digital engagement has been detrimental to our media literacy and critical thinking skills.
From long-form to short-form
BookTok has emerged as a thriving community for readers on TikTok, Pinterest is becoming a popular
destination for fashion and art enthusiasts, and Substack is evolving into a key platform for aspiring writers to share their work and get paid for it.
In the past, readers spent significantly more time flipping through print magazines, newspapers, and books. But digital users can now easily curate their feeds. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram that dominate the digital sphere prioritize short video formats and minimal text. These platforms enable us to fastforward through uninteresting content and consume dozens of short-form posts in mere minutes. However, this convenience may come at a cost.
‘TikTok brain’ refers to the harmful effects of short-form content on attention spans. Pediatrician and literacy researcher John Hutton describes TikTok as a “dopamine machine,” highlighting how it diminishes users’ attention spans. The platform achieves this by delivering quick dopamine boosts, allowing users to engage solely with enjoyable content and effortlessly filter out unwanted material with the swipe of a finger.
Neuroscientist Patrick Porter similarly explains that TikTok and other platforms promoting shortform, easily digestible media are “changing the way people use their brains.” By simplifying and minimizing knowledge to make media more digestible, these platforms weaken our literacy and critical thinking skills, rewiring our brains to function more like search engines than information storage hubs.
Societal expectations are misguiding our New Year’s resolutions
Why New Year’s resolutions fade and how to embrace change on our own terms
Jazmeet Saxena
Varsity Contributor
Every year, we experience the same cycle. “New Year, New Me” as the saying goes. Suddenly, we’re motivated to drastically change ourselves. Whether it revolves around outer beauty or inner growth, this desire seems to strike everyone in January.
Gyms become crowded with overly ambitious and disingenuously committed individuals supposedly ready to bring forth a better version of themselves.
However, almost 70 per cent of Candians fail to stick to their New Year’s resolutions.
If you ask me, the real winners in this scenario are the industries: beauty and wellness, diet and nutrition, and self-help and personal development. New years resolutions give these industries the opportunity to capitalize on society’s short-term obsession with self-improvement.Therefore, I believe that we must all be more conscious of what real change looks like as we enter the new year, and realize growth can happen all year round.
The need to change
As humans, I believe most of us feel a natural
need to evolve. While change is a part of life, forcing it isn’t. However, when New Year comes around, I often hear talk about vision boards and friends asking, “So what’s your New Year’s resolution?”
long-form content, such as feature articles, celebrity interviews, and editorial letters, many of which routinely spanned multiple pages. Print readers tend to spend more time flipping through pages and reading, engage more deeply, and absorb information better than digital readers.
I don’t believe the artistic axis to magazines and other traditional forms of print media has translated too well to the short-form digital media landscape. Instead, the focus is increasingly becoming all about procuring views, likes, and engagement — ultimately, to generate revenue.
Sponsored posts and suspiciously overenthusiastic product review spiels have transformed the digital media space into an ‘adpocalypse.’ The shift in terminology reflects the broader transition from art to advertising: what were once articles and reviews about fashion, clothing, and books have now predominantly become ‘content.’
Comment section consumption I believe print magazine readers are more likely to develop unique opinions about the fashion, art, and literature they engage with. Meanwhile, digital readers of blogs and social media posts engage not only with the media itself but also interact with the opinions of other consumers, as users can easily and instantly share and comment on the same content.
This, I believe, reinforces the pressure for unnecessary change.
“Oh, maybe I’ll go to the gym, or I’ll stop dating and just focus on myself,” we hear ourselves say as if any of that ever lasts. True change requires discipline and a genuine desire to change. For most people, I believe it’s not that we lack motivation — it’s that we haven’t fully committed to putting in the effort.
This diminishes users’ ability to form unique, individual opinions from critically engaging with media. It’s difficult to maintain your perspective on a clothing item or a literary work when everyone
Aestheticization is another example of the impact
the popularity of self-help books, cookbooks, supplements, fitness gear sponsorships, and almost every store is running a New Year’s sale. The human desire for change is clearly a huge profit to many
Student experiences
Naysa D’Souza, a first-year journalism student The Varsity that the new year makes her anxious. She sets ambitious goals but hasn’t been as passionate about them in the last two years. She wrote, “None of my goals are not compulsory, [but] I still always want to see improvement in myself.”
Then why do we even try if, subconsciously, we know we’re eventually going to give up and start the same cycle next year? I think this happens for one of two reasons. One: to match the efforts of those around us, which basically means we’re just being influenced. Two: to impress ourselves and feel good, even if it’s only for the moment.
Going to the gym feels great when you go once or twice. Then, you start getting tired and lazy. “Oh, but it’s so hard to reach the protein intake, and it’s so tiring to force myself to keep going and, man, do I hate controlling my diet!” I’ve noticed that a lot of people tend to want results without the effort.
This is where cosmetic, fitness, and fashion industries thrive, promoting products with flashy slogans like ‘This weight loss plan will help you lose 10 kilograms in one month!’ This also fuels
of collective consumption. Enjoying specific books, music genres, and fashion styles has sneakily become a way to define a person’s entire persona, influencing their willingness to interact with others based on whether they share the same ‘aesthetic.’ Social media has also fueled intense virtue signalling — performative yet ultimately hollow displays of morality or ‘coolness.’ Hyperspecific niches, like ‘Lana Del Rey Americana’ and ‘blueberry milk nails clean girl’ are another phenomenon that goes hand in hand with virtue signalling. By emphasizing highly specific, mutually exclusive categorizations in aesthetic expression, these niches exclude anyone who doesn’t meet all the criteria required to claim subscription to the niche.
Artistic niches are nothing new; what is new is the extent to which we allow them to limit our engagement — not only with media but also with people outside our rigid niches, ultimately trapping us in our artistic echo chambers.
Curate critical thinking, not content
The death of the magazine and other print media can undoubtedly be attributed to rising technology and digitization. However impending the slow disappearance of iconic and cherished forms of print may seem, what remains within our control is the ability to refresh and refine our critical thinking, engagement, and consumption skills.
Limiting daily habits, like doom-scrolling and overindulgence in digital media, is one way to halt technological brain rot in its tracks. Another is to consciously engage with hobbies that have been co-opted by technology in their original, technology-free forms, by stepping outside of digital spheres to reconnect with them.
We don’t have to consult TikTok for analyses of our favourite books or fashion ‘inspo.’ Instead, we might consider more intimate, small-scale forums — like engaging in critical, independent thought or having discussions with friends rather than usernames.
We can, and should, take a proactive approach to prevent digital brain death from taking over.
Shontia Sanders is a third-year student at St. Michael’s College studying political science. She is an associate Opinion editor for The Varsity and an associate editor for POLIS.
So what do I do now?
To truly achieve your goals, you need consistency and discipline. If the idea of having a fit body and overall healthy lifestyle excites you, imagine how fulfilling it would feel to truly achieve it. Whether you want to be a millionaire by 25 or change for the better, you won’t get there by merely wishing for it every New Year.
Change can happen at any moment. Don’t wait for society’s expectations — do it the second you feel the strength to. If you want to nourish your mind with healthier information, for example,
In my opinion, this is realistic — working sustainably toward your goals is better than overloading yourself. Just because social media presents an ideal of people quickly becoming rich and fit through extreme ‘glow-ups’ doesn’t mean you need to chase that unrealistic standard. Instead, I believe we should focus on just being better, not perfect.
Also a first-year journalism student at UTSC, Dunia Mohammed Abdel Karim Khalil wrote in an email to The Varsity that, “The new year isn’t adding any new emotions onto me.” She always has goals, and the New Year neither adds or removes any; they remain consistent throughout the year. Although, she did work on a vision board
limit screen time and try reading a book instead. I recently ended my year reading Being and Time by Martin Heidegger, and even just one day of a digital detox can work wonders. The right book can hook you and pull you away from the draining habit of mindlessly scrolling on social media.
Remember, goals should evolve over time, and the pressure of a fixed deadline can be more demotivating than anything. If you stay dedicated to your personal growth in a healthy, sustainable way, I’m confident that meaningful change will follow. True growth occurs regardless of the calendar.
Jazmeet Saxena is a first-year student at UTSC studying journalism.
VICKY HUANG/THE VARSITY
Celebrating non-linear success stories
Jessica Han Varsity Staff
Content warning:
Sometimes achieving success isn’t always a pretty picture — and that’s okay
This article discusses misogyny and sexism.
Academic success for students can hang above our heads due to parental expectations, but it is also deeply part of popular culture. Media glamorizes academic rigour through social media trends — such as the dark academia aesthetic, which romanticizes an obsession with knowledge — and in movies — from dramas like Good Will Hunting to comedies like Legally Blonde — with a genius protagonist whose intelligence will be validated by an Ivy League professor.
I interviewed three U of T students and alumni about their nonlinear success stories, and here is what they had to say.
“It’s so important to genuinely believe that you do belong.”
When fourth-year student Vanessa Wiltshire was in high school, she was a selfdescribed “ambitious student” with a clear academic plan. Then, at the age of 16, she was blindsided by a lung cancer diagnosis for which she had to undergo extensive treatment. She failed courses and it took her seven years to complete high school.
Once she graduated high school — still recovering from her tiresome battle with cancer — her next step was university. One month shy of her 21st birthday, Wiltshire began her undergraduate degree in 2014.
“I was already a mature student,” said Wiltshire about entering her first-year as an almost 21-year-old, “and felt ‘behind.’” She was struggling with severe mental health challenges, but she carried on, choosing to specialize in human geography and minor in geographic information systems.
Fall of 2021, Wiltshire stepped foot on campus once more. She passed all her classes every semester over the next three years at U of T. During these three years, she recognized her limits, asked for help, prioritized her well-being, and made decisions that put herself first — things she did not do in the past.
By asking her physician to identify her as a student with a permanent disability, she was able to take a reduced course load and receive financial support, both of which helped alleviate the stress that overburdened her in previous years.
have nevertheless earned your identity as a student.
“Regardless of your personal journey,
By reaching out to mental health resources on campus, and by communicating with her instructors, Wiltshire found the strength she needs to succeed.
“I finally feel adequately supported by my school… including my really incredible department, geography and planning — shout out to them, they’re so amazing,” she said.
For the longest time, Wiltshire did not feel like she belonged at U of T. She felt “a sense of otherness,” which isolated her. She was insecure about not progressing through school like everyone else seemed to be.
The value of academic validation by high marks or genius is predominantly emphasized in academia, especially in institutions with strong reputations like U of T.
However, a successful academic experience shouldn’t only be defined by grades but also by each student’s ability to prevail. It should be determined by the blood, sweat, and tears students shed when they overcome personal issues and societal expectations, regardless of their GPA or how long it took them to triumph over the obstacles that once held them back.
Non-linear success stories portray life’s unrelenting challenges and people’s capacity to persevere and overcome.
Her first year at U of T was a success and she passed all her courses. Still, obstacles arose. In the summer of 2015, Wiltshire failed her first university course — the first of several. The following three years involved other course failures and late withdrawals. She was eventually placed on a one-year restriction from the financial aid program OSAP in the summer of 2017 and was forced to leave the university.
“I was forced to leave school, and my mental health was the worst [it] had ever been. I felt like a failure. I wasn’t sure I belonged at U of T or belonged at university… I felt really, really awful about myself,” she said.
Wiltshire described this period of cyclically failing some courses, withdrawing from others, and taking semesters off on repeat as “so demoralizing.”
Tired of failing courses, and compromising her mental health by pushing herself to take courses she was going to fail, she decided to take a break and “did some soul-searching.”
She reconsidered whether university was the right place for her and looked into college programs as an alternative. Eventually, Wiltshire decided that she would finish what she started.
“I acknowledged that I had put so much work into completing
my degree, and I truly believed that I was capable. I didn’t want to give up and walk away from something that meant the world to me.”
“[It] used to make me so insecure when I would be in classes with students, [and they talked about] taking six credits so they could finish in three years,” Wiltshire said.
Over the course of Wiltshire’s journey, she came to understand that academic success isn’t always linear.
Although Wiltshire still faces challenges, especially with her mental health, the difference between previous years and now is that she finally feels supported and accepted — and that feeling makes all the difference.
Wiltshire came forward to share her story to inspire others who may be facing similar struggles in their academic journeys. As Wiltshire says: “It’s easy to fall into this trap of belief that everyone else is on this very straight, linear path, and you’re the only one whose journey looks a little bit different.”
“Then from that, [it feels] like a judgment call on you that you’re lesser than in some way, or you’re a worse student… you’re a worse person. It’s just so easy for it to snowball into all these really negative thoughts and beliefs about yourself.”
Wiltshire wants to let other students know they are not alone. Whether you are taking three or ten years to graduate, you
whether it aligns with the traditional four-year university experience, you belong,” she said.
“It’s so important to genuinely believe that you do belong.”
Wiltshire’s story subverts academic standards of success: she didn’t get the perfect grades or graduate within the four-year timeline. Instead, her success stems from her ability to deal with the personal struggles she encountered and still prevail in the end. Despite the mental and physical health hurdles that led to many of her academic challenges, she kept going until she felt confident in her sense of success.
“I’m proud of myself, and I know that when I finally get to walk across that stage at Convocation Hall, all the tears and struggles and petitions will have been worth it.”
Vanessa Wiltshire will be graduating this coming spring, 2025.
“It has taught me to never give up” Robert Killoran has his own academic success story to tell. It is not one of obtaining the highest GPA but rather one of perseverance and overcoming defeatism that spanned almost 30 years.
Upholding the social expectation of entering university the fall after graduating high school, Killoran enrolled at UTSC in the fall of 1996 to study political science. His first year of university did not go well and he was put on academic probation in the spring of 1997 — which would last until the summer of 2023.
“I went back for my second year, and I didn’t even officially drop out of school,” Killoran recounted in an interview with The Varsity. “In about January or February of my second year, I just put my hands up and said, ‘I don’t really want to be here. This is kind of a waste of my time.’”
He decided to go and find a job before coming back to school again two years later. Between 1999 and 2003, however, Robert was in and out of school — re-enrolling and then leaving due to
suspensions and academic probations.
It was February of 2002 when Killoran decided to take a pause. “I basically just ran out of steam, and I was like, ‘You know what? I just don’t think school is for me.’ It it,” he said.
While still enrolled in courses, he left the university but did not officially withdraw. This would become his biggest mistake: the zeros on his transcript as a result of not officially dropping out haunted him, and his tanked GPA hung over his head.
“I had a bunch of library books I had to return to the library. I didn’t. I was on campus, and I threw them in the garbage. I was just — I just had it with school… mentally, emotionally, I [just] did not want to do it.”
Thinking he was done with school, Killoran entered the workforce in 2003. For five years, it would continue to bother him that he never finished university. Finally, in 2008, Killoran had decided again to finish what he started.
those having doubts about themselves and says that it’s never too late to achieve your goals and dreams, no matter how long it can take or how many roadblocks there are. He wants them to know learning is neither a race nor a competition. His personal journey began with feelings of defeat but ended with triumph.
Killoran graduated in 2024 — 28 years after he started his degree. “[My experience] has taught me to never give up.”
“I feel like I’m in control of my life”
Shanaya Seddiqui was 16 years old when she moved from Pakistan to Canada for an arranged marriage. Now, she is in her thirties and a third-year mental health studies student at UTSC.
decision was to go back to school,” Seddiqui explained.
Overcoming the struggles and challenges of her life gave Seddiqui a sense of resilience and determination.
“I feel like I will be able to overcome [anything] because nothing is permanent. The obstacles that [do] come my way, I will be thinking [of them] in a way that it is temporary and it’s going to pass.”
Seddiqui mustered the courage to share her story because she wanted to let others know that no matter who you are or where you are from, nothing should hinder you from pursuing what you want, and education does not require a certain age.
“I felt more disappointed in myself for wasting time and money and having nothing to show for it,” Killoran explained. “Some people do not have the opportunity to go to university, yet I did several times. All those times, I took it for granted. I felt worse… not because I did not have the chance to go but rather [because] I had the chance, several times, and I blew it.”
Returning to school was no easy feat: Killoran debated between transferring universities and restarting with a fresh transcript. Eventually, he decided to stay at U of T. He reached out to the Academic Resource Centre at UTSC as well as the academic counsellors in the political science department for help. He finally re-enrolled in 2018 after years of deliberation and overcoming a sense of defeatism.
“It bothered me for years that I squandered the opportunity to finish what I had started. People… always told me that [a] trait of mine was that if I put my mind
to something — I would see it to the end.”
Killoran had to pay a fine for the library books he threw out.
He returned with a GPA of 0.75 and had to increase it to 1.6 in order to graduate. He had to add more programs to his degree, a major in public policy and a minor in public law because his GPA was so low; he wouldn’t be able to increase it with only a specialist in political science. Killoran was also still on academic probation.
“From 2018 until 2024, I was getting As or Bs and it was like moving an iceberg for my GPA because after a while it wasn’t moving anymore. It was a 1.2, then a 1.23, and… over time, slowly and slowly, it was just inching towards that 1.6,” Killoran said.
“It’s a horrible [GPA], but that’s what I was striving to hit because I knew I had two years of those zeros, those F marks, that were not really a reflection of what I knew. It was a reflection of being too immature to officially drop out of school and that’s why that decision just haunted me throughout the whole way.”
Being born and having lived her early life in Afghanistan, Seddiqui had a strict upbringing. She battled many stigmas and social pressures due to her gender, like adhering to a strict dress code and being forced to stay home. When she was very young, she and her family immigrated to Pakistan. At 16, Seddiqui was made to pack her bags and leave her family in Pakistan to enter an arranged marriage with a man who lived in Canada.
“All of a sudden, you’re going into a new family that you know nothing about, and even the person that you’re marrying, you know nothing about him,” said Seddiqui. The decision to leave was her family’s decision, not her own.
When she first arrived in Canada, Seddiqui finished high school and did a year of college, but she couldn’t continue her studies. Despite being in Canada, where Seddiqui says “a woman has a say [in] what they want and what they don’t want,” she felt she had little control of her life once she officially entered her arranged marriage.
“I was crying constantly for so long [here] that I had to see a doctor… because it was difficult to accept what was going on in my life,” she recalled.
Seddiqui said she was in her marriage “for quite a few years.” One day, she was finally able to get a divorce.
Although Seddiqui’s divorce meant she had more autonomy over life — which included the freedom to pursue higher education — her battle was not over. Seddiqui faced a lack of support from Afghan communities in Canada. Due to the deep-rooted stigmas for women in Afghan culture, even once a woman was granted a divorce, the idea that she could pursue a life of independence was unacceptable.
But Seddiqui would not sit at home — she eventually decided to go back to school.
The academic transcripts Seddiqui had were not accepted by Canadian institutions, and the schools she previously attended in Pakistan were not recognized. She had to start again as a grade 12 student to get the necessary credits in order to become an undergraduate student at U of T. At the same time, Seddiqui had to work to support her family, as they had immigrated to Switzerland to achieve a better life, shortly after she had moved to Canada.
When Seddiqui was eventually accepted into UTSC, she finally had the means to pursue the path that she had always wanted for herself: education. “I feel like I’m in control of my life. And I feel like I can make a decision for myself.
Trying to help others who may be in similar situations, she created a club at UTSC called the Mature and Transitional Year Students Program Association. Through the club, she attempts to help other mature and transitional year students — students who must take prerequisite courses with the university before registering for an undergraduate degree — by supporting them in the face of their obstacles and advocating for them. Seddiqui is sharing her story not to be pitied or to be seen as a victim. Rather, she wants others to have faith in themselves, be persistent in pursuing their goals, and know that they can overcome anything — they too can succeed.
“I’m telling my story for others to know that you don’t have to suffer in silence. You don’t have to feel like you’re being victimized. [Instead,] you’re just like, ‘Yeah, something happened, and I can overcome it.’”
Arts & Culture
George Yonemori is Stay(ing) Golden
January 7, 2025
thevarsity.ca/category/arts-culture arts@thevarsity.ca
UTSC student paves the way for creative Scarborough youth through non-profit organization
Kismet
Lally Varsity Contributor
George Yonemori is an English student at UTSC, an award-winning writer, and the co-creative director of Stay Golden, a non-profit organization. He describes the organization as “a very simple project run by complicated people.”
He explains that Stay Golden’s main goal is “to provide Scarborough youth with arts mentorship and community.” George recalls the origins of Stay Golden: “When our founder and executive director, [Henry Sales] ‘Shoolie,’ started as a spoken word poet, he had to commute downtown late into the night for opportunities. Stay Golden ensures Scarborough youth no longer have to make that journey.”
By offering local creative workshops, Stay Golden ensures that Scarborough youth are connected to mentorship and community.
Periodically, every Thursday, creative writing workshops are held in the library at Agincourt Baptist Church in Scarborough. In his conversation with The Varsity, George said that he started writing when he was 15, and that it was “just a hobby.”
It was a year after, in 2020, when George attended after-school workshops run by Shoolie and became inspired. “I found community, mentorship, and the motivation to keep going,” he said. By participating in these workshops himself as an events planner intern, he found the motivation to pursue what he loves. Now, he is the co-creative director.
One of George’s most notable achievements with Stay Golden was securing funding for the organization. “We didn’t have any funding in 2022, and I just got out of a relationship. I needed a distraction, and there was this grant I could apply for.” He wrote a piece for the grant and secured $170,000 for Stay Golden.
Not only did he secure such a large grant, but Global News featured him, giving Stay Golden a nationwide platform in February 2024. “It felt incredible… my culmination as an artist after five years of performing, writing, and rejection. Getting that email from Global News saying, ‘hey, we want you on TV for a national audience’ was surreal — I even had relatives in Edmonton watching live.” He described how amazing it felt to have himself and his organization shared nationally.
When asked what he gains from running a nonprofit organization, George said, “Purpose. I find that purpose is a hot commodity in the modern world, and we’re so sick with options of things to do, but… we don’t [always] find the motivation to [act on them].” He explained that Stay Golden gives him a sense of purpose and is the most exciting part of his week.
His sense of success comes from the happiness of his workshop participants. When asked about his definition of success, he replied, “I suppose when a kid tells you that it’s the best part of their week, and that it helps them learn more about themselves.”
George’s advice for those interested in starting or getting involved with non-profit organizations is to “find the right people to build it with, because you can’t do this alone. You can’t build a community by yourself.”
He also offers another piece of advice: “A successful person is not someone who gets five acceptance letters. A successful person is someone who gets 50 rejection letters and celebrates their five acceptance letters.”
George emphasizes throughout the conversation that success is not possible without failure. He discloses that he submits his own work every day, facing constant rejection, but continues to push forward. He spends about six hours daily on social media, promoting Stay Golden through their
Instagram, @staygoldenoutreach. He exemplifies how hard work and criticism are essential to achieving success.
“Art is a great way to introduce empathy, because empathy isn’t something you can learn. Empathy is something you feel. And when you feel a poem or a short story, you feel the other person’s feelings.” George explained. This sense of empathy through creative writing demonstrates why Stay Golden is such an important outlet for its participants.
George, who has a mixed heritage of Chinese and Egyptian descent, elaborates on the demographics of the Agincourt community: “Agincourt’s youth are predominantly second-generation East and South Asian immigrants… One of the main pillars of Stay Golden is to have BIPOC guest artists who can speak about the immigrant experience [and] speak about mental health in a racialized household.”
By providing the community of Scarborough with BIPOC creative voices and guest artists, Stay Golden amplifies voices often left unheard.
The Varsity had the opportunity to hear from Lily Tadevosyan, a three-time Stay Golden graduate who led her own workshop in November 2024. She shared how Stay Golden helped her rediscover writing after the pandemic and provided a creative outlet.
“I stopped writing after sixth grade during COVID because I didn’t see the meaning in it… There was nowhere my work felt accepted. Coming here changed that — I performed poetry live for the first time, which was so important, especially with a poem close to my heart, written during a hard time, which is where the best poems come from.” Lily reflected on how Stay Golden allowed her to keep doing what she loves and be heard for it.
The subtle subversion of Dogfight: The Musical
Learning the meaning of recognizing a shared humanity
Sofia Moniz
Associate Arts & Culture Editor
From November 28–30, 2024, Thaumatrope Theatre presented Dogfight: The Musical to the stage, under the direction of the company’s founder Isabella Cesari. Since its launch in 2022, Thaumatrope Theatre has been dedicated to creating opportunities for early-career artists in Toronto, featuring many U of T alumni and students contributing to its productions. Cesari describes Dogfight as a story centred on “forgiveness and understanding as tools for building self-worth and resilience.”
Naiveté and rude awakening
In November 1963, a young American marine, Eddie Birdlace (Nick Cikoja), and his friends Boland (Tobi Omooba) and Bernstein (Sam Pike) host a party on the eve of their deployment to Vietnam. The event, known as a ‘dogfight,’ is a cruel
competition where the goal is to bring the ‘ugliest’ date, with a cash prize awaiting the winner.
In an early, high-energy group number, Eddie and his friends prowl for women to charm and bring to the party. Among them is Rose (Jay Roomes), a naive waitress and aspiring musician, whom Eddie finally convinces to join him after several failed attempts with others. Though initially hesitant, Rose eventually agrees, swayed by Eddie’s persistence.
In a poignant solo number, the audience sees Rose preparing for the evening, her excitement palpable as she revels in the thought of finally being asked on a date — completely oblivious to the event’s cruel true purpose. Roomes portrays Rose with a sweetness and shyness that make her endearing, rendering the scene all the more devastating.
In the bathroom, Marcy (Madi Morelli), a sex worker hired by one of Eddie’s friends to help him win the dogfight, reveals the nature of the party to Rose during the song “Dogfight.” Though Marcy
and Rose initially seem like opposites, this moment unveils their likeness in a new side of Rose, as she stands up for herself and holds firm to her ideals. Roomes’s Rose and Morelli’s Marcy deliver a powerful duet, channelling a much-needed expression of rage and vocal intensity at this point in the show.
Rose leaves the bathroom in shock and humiliation. The tension reaches its peak near the end of the first act when Rose confronts Eddie, slapping him and delivering a searing rebuke, expressing her anger and pain. During the November 29 showing, this moment of catharsis prompted the audience to erupt in cheers.
Rose is naive and idealistic, but in their own way, so are the marines. They use the dogfight to flaunt their perceived superiority, dehumanizing their dates by objectifying their perceived ugliness — a final masculinizing ritual before leaving for Vietnam. In 1963, years before the controversial draft, these men volunteered for war, treating it as just another rite of passage, like getting matching tattoos or forcing awkward sexual encounters.
They imagine themselves returning as ‘hometown heroes,’ but the horrors of the Vietnam battlefield shatter their illusions. In a disorienting combat scene marked by intense shadows and orange lighting, Eddie and his friends chant their catchphrase: “We three bees have a mighty sting and we come prepared for anything.” One by one, they fall, leaving until Eddie is left alone.
Compassion and shared humanity
When Eddie returns from Vietnam, he is far from
When asked how it felt to go from being a workshop participant to a workshop lead, Lily said, “It makes me emotional… I’m just really grateful for the opportunities and all the things that I’ve learned… It feels very inspiring, because [Yonemori] inspired me, and all the other workshops inspired me, and now I get to have maybe a fraction of the same influence on other people.” Lily’s experiences working with George through Stay Golden have motivated her to do for others what he did for her: provide creative youth with inspiration and passion.
“[George] help[s] me talk about the more emotional topics and helped me write from the heart, which helps me understand how I feel…” Lily is just one of many participants who have both grown and been inspired through Stay Golden workshops. As a source of therapy for some, George and the organization work to embrace emotion, helping youth find reprieve through the arts.
George is a clear mentor to so many of the youth attending Stay Golden workshops, but he also has mentors of his own. Shoolie, author Kern Carter, and poet Patrick de Belen are all important figures in George’s life. Skilled creators such as Carter and de Belen have also served as guest speakers in previous workshops, introducing participants to the impactful and inspiring perspectives of BIPOC creatives.
“I always knew I wanted to help people, and this is really helping people.” George’s support extends beyond physical needs to emotional support as well. Through Stay Golden, he has been instrumental in guiding the creative youth of Scarborough through expression and creation.
the hero he imagined. He has no one waiting for him and is consumed by guilt. In many ways, he finds himself in a similar position to Rose at the end of Act 1 — objectified, this time as a casualty of the American military-industrial complex, much like how he used Rose as a pawn in his performance of masculinity during the dogfight.
Having lost touch with Rose, after completely breaking his promise to write to her from Vietnam, Eddie eventually finds her again. She is visibly older, more mature, and subdued. In the final scene, Eddie meets her as he truly is — broken from the war, no longer possessing the youthful bravado he had in the first act. He no longer attempts to charm her or impress her with tricks. This time, their meeting is simply two people recognizing their shared humanity.
Discussing her directorial choices in the final scene, Cesari said: “It was important to me that Rose’s choice to embrace Eddie and forgive him for not keeping in contact with her [does] not appear to be her fulfilling her duty of empathy as a woman, but that it be an expression of her personal beliefs which she has expressed throughout the story.”
Although Dogfight is set in a specific historical moment, the story it tells remains timeless because the themes it explores are universal. Dogfight is about ugliness, but it isn’t simply a plea for Eddie to learn to see Rose as beautiful or to recognize the value of inner beauty. The ugliness of the women at the dogfight is secondary to the deeper ugliness of the cultural narratives that shape them. Dogfight is a love story, in a sense, but it avoids becoming the romance it might have easily turned into. The tension that once existed between Rose and Eddie — her nervousness, his conflicted nature — disappears when they meet again, replaced by forgiveness, understanding, and compassion.
Yonemori explained that Stay Golden provides him with a sense of purpose. KISMET LALLY/THE VARSITY
Dogfight is a love story, in a sense, but not a romance. COURTESY OF ISABELLA CESARI
Place, Loss, and Selfhood in Best Canadian Essays 2025
What makes an essay “Canadian?” and why does this matter?
Divine Angubua Arts & Culture Editor
In reading and thinking about Best Canadian Essays 2025 , edited by Emily Urquhart, I sought not only to understand Urquhart’s selections but also to explore the meaning of the essay as a literary form. What makes an essay “Canadian?” and why does this matter?
This collection — curated by Urquhart after a year of careful reading, rereading, and arranging — occupies a space between identity, experience, and self-discovery. The themes may not be new, but by weaving personal narratives of Canadians into the collective consciousness, each essay amplifies a distinct voice; tells a story; and transforms the ordinary into something novel through an infusion of personality.
In an interview with The Varsity, Urquhart — editor of nonfiction for The New Quarterly and a sessional lecturer in communication in the sciences at the University of Waterloo — explained how the ending to Robert Penn Warren’s long poem Audubon: A Vision , referenced in the collection’s introduction, influenced her editorial approach. “A boy, stood / By a dirt road, in first dark, and heard / The great geese hoot northward… Tell me a story / In this century, and moment, of mania,” the poem reads.
Urquhart describes how Warren’s poem guided the collection toward recurring themes of landscape, mania, and story. As I read the selection, I was struck by how these motifs drew me into a quiet sense of wonder at how the best essays balance truth and conceit equally to convince and affect. I found that every choice in the collection served a
larger truth — or at least a version of it — a glimpse into the elusive, often passive mental mindscape we call Canada.
Transience, place, and the self
One of the anthology’s standouts — Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s strikingly brief essay, “The Breathing Lands” — encapsulates a confluence of style, argument, and idea. Simpson addresses a second-person, ‘you,’ taking inventory of a shared, fraught and misaligned intimacy before using language to dissolve that connection, ultimately propelling herself toward “the Breathing Lands,” a place I interpreted as being northwards in contrast to the tortured ‘other’ who “went South, back to your revolution.”
Urquhart, in acknowledging the essay’s profound poetics and its complex grief over the separation from a loved one, explained how “place” — in the context of Canada, as both a physical location and idea — is a matter of perspective, coming from all over the world or “from the ground beneath your feet.”
This theme of transience also emerges in the collection: contemplating the temporariness of our relationships, the impermanence of place without the people we love, and the evolving nature of self.
This relationship between place and identity similarly appears in Mitchell Consky’s “Notes from Grief Camp,” where Consky — working at a summer camp for grieving children after his father’s passing — attempts to guide both them and himself to “find solace in the outdoors.” There is an interesting game of “the north wind blows,” — which I interpreted as self-referential to the larger ethos of the collection — pain shared, the recognition of
TCDS’s Murder on the Orient Express chugged
along to positive reception
The production gave the central ethical theme of the play its due respect
diminished by the various accents the actors were asked to put on.
happiness inside the intensity of grief, and the acceptance that “togetherness makes sorrow easier to bear.”
Writing as mediation and negotiation
Certain people and spaces illuminate despair and alchemize it through writing as a mode of negotiation.
When Consky leans against a cedar, he unravels first before being lifted by a “lightness.” Similarly, when Ariel Gordon leans against an old elm in “Rotten,” she reflects, “Maybe life is just standing as close as you can to a tree. Feeling connected to the world, for however long you’ve both got.” Here the pain from a cervix “rotten” with HPV, the anxiety surrounding book launches, and “climatechanged heat stress” are softened.
In the collection’s first essay, Helen Humphreys’ “The Boiler Room,” a sudden silence in friendly conversation uncovers a hidden history of sexual abuse. Through writing, Humphreys relives and relieves this trauma, emerging with a deeper appreciation for her innocence and the limit beyond which the passive nature of the artist’s mind makes room for trespass. James Cairns, in “My Struggle and ‘My Struggle,’” uses writing and reading like tunnels leading to another side of himself, revisiting a tumultuous mid-life crisis against the looming spectre of death.
In this collection, under the notion of transience and the fleeting nature of things, reading and writing mediate between the permanent and the ephemeral.
In Rebecca Kempe’s “The ‘Beauty’ of My Existence,” a pointed critique of the pressures placed on Black writers to produce work focused on their racial identity, the collection reaches a complex turning point. In turning away from writing as a subject to bring the conventions of Canadian publishing under critique, Kempe’s essay challenges the commodification of identity politics in Canadian publishing. What makes Kempe’s essay compelling is that it could easily fall into the very trap it criticizes by engaging with identity-based narratives in order to challenge them. Writing identity-based as
resistance can inadvertently turn a writer into a token, presenting them as a “mouthpiece.” Yet, Kempe, ever self-aware, chooses to disrupt this by centring the body of her 11th grade self. This essay carries an earnest absurdity similar to Tom Rachman’s “Confessions of a Literary Schlub,” which humorously critiques the oddity of selling books in an era where being a good writer is no longer enough; writers must also be effective influencers.
Children and Childhood
As in Kempe’s piece, the most undeniable marvel of Best Canadian Essays 2025 is the exploration of themes about and around children and childhood. Kempe mightily disturbs publishing conventions by tracing the fetishization of identity back to her experiences as a gifted Black child. Humphreys offers an affecting and unsettling examination of her girlhood, and how it was consumed as a human resource for pleasure.
Michelle Cyca, in “Big Babies” challenges anti-child sentiment in public spaces, where babies are resented as much for crying as for laughing too loudly. Similarly, Vance Wright’s “Birth Stories, Adoption, and Myths” delves into the trauma of severance in the child adoption process, critiquing the social expectation of gratitude imposed on adopted children.
In Best Canadian Essays 2025, the child emerges as both a symbol and a catalyst for reflection, subtly guiding the readers toward a more inclusive, compassionate, and vivid future. From the boy in Warren’s poem to the essays that centre on childhood perspectives, children serve as poignant reminders of humanity’s potential and the need for collective care in this century and moment of mania. Urquhart’s thoughtful curation challenges Canada to honour its young so that future generations can live freely — not as disruptions but as integral contributors to an evolving narrative. It is reconciliation foregrounded in a history of systemic harm to children. Through its exploration of place, identity, and community, the anthology gestures “northward” to a Canada rooted in renewal, responsibility, and hope — a signal we all ought to follow.
The famed locomotive made a station stop at U of T this year with the Trinity College Dramatic Society (TCDS) production of Murder on the Orient Express, directed by Kit Dixon and adapted by Ken Ludwig from Agatha Christie’s classic novel of the same name.
Noah Rudder leads the ensemble cast as Hercule Poirot — Belgian, not French! — mustachioed detective extraordinaire. En route to London from Istanbul in the 1930s, Poirot encounters his old friend M. Bouc (Juan Parra) who works with the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, the company that operates the Orient Express.
Also aboard is a diverse cast of characters that make up the rest of the ensemble. After a tumultuous night, the train wakes to the murder of businessman Samuel Ratchett (James Higgins). However, there seems to be no clear culprit, as everyone has an alibi. Poirot takes on the case and begins his investigation to uncover whodunnit.
Precision and personalities
Simple lighting choices effectively translated a complicated script with time jumps and flashbacks for the stage. The sound effects were crisp, and scene transitions seamless. While a couple of the suit pants could’ve used some quick ironing, the costumes were period-accurate and embodied the characters’ personalities.
Before delving into the performances in more detail, I must note that some thoroughly competent performances were severely
Despite the talented cast, this decision ultimately harmed each portrayal. This is a play centred on an extravagant ensemble, where the eccentricity of the characters relies on their exaggerated personalities, as reflected in their mannerisms and dialogue — not their accents. Half the job of an actor is to speak effectively to an audience, and anything that interferes with immersion should be avoided. Even Rudder’s Poirot, I felt, was held back. A potentially unforgettable performance from a charismatic actor playing a beloved character began to feel like a parody. Camp is part of the appeal; artificiality is not.
That said, Rudder’s performance was otherwise excellent. He captured the detective’s meticulous cadence and embodied the spirit of the character through his physicality. Some of his best work occurred in the background, as he snooped around the train car, peeking out from behind newspapers. Rudder provided a solid anchor for the rest of the cast, with Parra’s Bouc serving as the perfect lieutenant. Parra particularly excelled in pacing his dialogue, seamlessly navigating the audience’s chuckles, where others struggled.
Dorothea Unwin’s commanding portrayal of hardened Scottish veteran Arbuthnot, scarred by the trenches of WWI, was formidable, and definitely one of the standout performances. Their scenes opposite Mollie Guest’s adequate portrayal of the neurotic Ms. Debenham did justice to what was arguably the most significant subplot in the show. The steamy interactions on the steam engine displayed real chemistry, which is crucial —
especially considering that a lack of chemistry was a flaw in one of TCDS’s biggest productions last spring.
Aliyah Kashkari’s Mrs. Hubbard felt quite authentic, skillfully balancing a bombastic American demeanour with melancholic undertones. Though, I’d say the character was presented as far too youthful for someone in her mid-50s. With her somewhat anachronistic valley-girl voice and ageless attire, it might’ve been helpful to age her up through costuming. This is particularly important since Hubbard’s age is central to one of the story’s major reveals and could confuse those unfamiliar with the plot.
Yana Shamis and Alyssa Santoro played off each other well as Princess Dragomiroff and Greta Ohlsson, matching the energy expected from a Russian heiress and a nervous missionary in her temporary employ. However, it was hard to hear Shamis at times, and her delicate coo would have benefitted from a stage mic or from being placed closer to the front of the stage. In Ludwig’s abridgment of the story, Greta takes on the role of two characters from the book. Santoro did well with what she was given, offering an energetic portrayal of a daughter of God who is surprisingly cool with murder.
Perhaps it was easier for us in the audience to accept Ratchett’s murder, because Higgins played such a real bastard. Impressively Boston, and convincingly Mafioso, Higgins was just over the top enough to suit the script without ever feeling like a
mostly inconsequential character
and made him a charming presence, while Emi Sunahara-Meadows brought an appropriate awkwardness to head waiter Michel. The stunning Taylor French played Countess Andrenyi, and her performance certainly enraptured the audience, just as she did Poirot. French’s monotonous, straightto-the-point delivery worked for the disenchanted character, and her monologue during the emotional interrogation scene was perfectly adroit.
A first-class production
Placing Poirot’s final speech offstage, in the middle of the audience under a dim light, was a brilliant directorial choice, and Rudder’s delivery was utterly dignified. The production gave the play’s central ethical theme the respect it deserved. Even among the cast and crew, according to Dixon, Poirot’s ultimate decision was contentious — and Rudder’s awareness of this came through in his nuanced portrayal of the inspector.
About 40 people, including cast, crew, and the TCDS producers were involved in the staging of Murder on the Orient Express at U of T. “I won’t say I bit off more than I could chew because I did pull it off,” said Dixon in an interview with The Varsity. “But it was very ambitious of me to choose this play, especially for my first time directing.”
But the ambition paid off. The show was not to be missed, and it’s clear why. Much like the firstclass coach — the play was nearly always sold out.
cartoon. Kieran Ramos as Hector MacQueen took a
in Ludwig’s script
Sulaiman Hashim Khan Theatre Columnist
Noah Rudder leads the ensemble cast as Hercule Poirot. COURTESY OF KIERAN RESURRECCION
January 7, 2025
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The future of cancer screening and detection
Spoiler alert: It’s a lot of AI
Parmin Sedigh Varsity Contributor
“The first step to solving a problem is recognizing that one exists” is a helpful framework to keep in mind in many domains of life, including in medicine. On the whole, humans are pretty great at identifying problems.
However, there is a notable exception: cancer treatment. Screening for many cancer types continues to be riddled with limitations, barring clinicians and patients alike from quickly understanding the nature and scope of the illnesses’ effects.
As with other health challenges facing society, an aging population will exacerbate the current burden of cancer treatment on the health system. There will soon be a larger number of patients diagnosed with cancer and those who may succumb to the illness. Will there come a time when that’s no longer true?
AI to the rescue
Improving cancer screening and detection has been scientists’ goal for decades. But now, they are equipped with numerous new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). An example is ClarityDX Prostate, a machine-learning model for prostate cancer screening developed by scientists at U of T, the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta, Johns Hopkins University, and others.
Currently, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is used as the first-line screening method or a first test for prostate cancer screening. After drawing blood, the patient’s PSA level is checked. A high amount of PSA could indicate the presence of cancer. But there are many false positives — as many as 75 per cent through this method. Drinking and having other prostate-related conditions, like inflammation and urinary tract infections are associated with false positives. Many factors apart from the presence of prostate cancer can result in elevated PSA levels.
Not only is a false positive anxiety-provoking, but it also leads to unnecessary biopsies — removing bodily tissue for examination by microscope — that can have complications including bleeding, infection, and numbness. The ClarityDX Prostate model aims to act as a second line of screening following a suspected case of prostate cancer prior to the patient moving forward with invasive and expensive detection methods like biopsies.
ClarityDX Prostate captured cases at a similar rate as other tests — such as PSA — but flagged significantly fewer false positives. This is likely because the model takes in several inputs apart from PSA such as age and previous biopsy results, providing a more complete picture of the patient’s cancer risk. Ultimately, despite prostate cancer screening being widespread, the screening tests continue to recognize many false positives. Even with ClarityDX’s significant improvement, the specificity sits at 35 per cent, compared to the specificity of mammograms at over 90 per cent.
ClarityDX Prostate is a step in the right direction, but there remains room for growth.
Genetic predisposition and new advances
While the environment plays a large role in the development of some forms of cancer, some people also have strong genetic predispositions to developing certain cancers. This includes patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and LiFraumeni syndrome, an incurable disorder where a gene that usually suppresses tumour growth is mutated, predisposing carriers to developing cancer. Most of these patients develop one or more cancers during their lifetime.
In 2011, scientists and clinicians led by David Malkin — U of T alumnus and senior staff oncologist at SickKids Hospital — developed the Toronto Protocol for Li-Fraumeni syndrome patients. The Toronto Protocol involved following patients with extensive and frequent blood
tests, ultrasounds, MRIs, and more. They found that patients undergoing surveillance as per the protocol were much more likely to fare well over time.
Now, Malkin, Trevor Pugh — senior scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre — and their team are endeavouring to further improve care for these patients by using a novel three-platform approach to monitor patients with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. The three platforms all look at an aspect of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). As cells naturally die in the body, they shed DNA. When tumour cells die, they shed DNA too, and this ctDNA is then analyzed via three approaches: changes to genetic sequence, the methylation signature — determined by the parts of DNA that have a marker on them which impacts which proteins are produced by a cell — and how large the fragments of DNA are.
However, “Why [are we] doing all three of them?... What we found… is that in any one patient, they won’t necessarily [...] have all three things going on. They either [had] a methylation signature, a new mutation… or they had smaller fragments,” explained Malkin in an interview with The Varsity
When analyzing the ctDNA of patients who had active cancer, they detected the presence of the cancer using one or more of the platforms
Opinion: Ontario’s ban on international medical students isn’t solving the right problem
Archee Khamar
Exploring the impact of Ontario’s new medical school policy
Varsity Contributor
By 2026, the Ontario government will effectively bar international students from attending medical schools, reserving 95 per cent of spots for Ontario residents and the remainder for students from other parts of Canada. This legislation that Ontario Premier Doug Ford proposed aims to address the province’s physician shortage by prioritizing domestic students and ensuring that medical graduates stay and work in Ontario. While this policy may sound like a solution to this problem, I believe it risks unintended consequences that could limit the diversity and innovation crucial to Ontario’s healthcare system.
A quick fix to a growing problem?
Ontario’s healthcare system faces mounting challenges, with over 2.5 million people lacking access to a family doctor. Ford announced that medical school spots would soon be “100 per cent Canadian,” citing historical data suggesting international students once occupied 18 per cent of medical school seats. However, to the surprise of many, provincial data from the 2023–2024 academic year reveals that international students made up just 0.26 per cent of Ontario medical school enrolment — just 10 students out of 3,833 enrolled.
Amirali Nikoo, a third-year international student studying human biology and biochemistry at UTSC, shared his perspective on the policy in an email to The Varsity: “Frankly, I don’t think this policy significantly changes the situation for
international students… [minimal] seats in Ontario went to international students even before this policy took effect. Most of the international premed students I know never seriously considered pursuing spots in Ontario’s medical schools — or even Canadian schools in general.”
Nikoo also questioned the policy’s effectiveness in increasing domestic enrolment, “The fact that this policy doesn’t meaningfully affect my situation suggests it probably doesn’t move the needle forward for domestic students either.”
However, he acknowledged that other policy components, such as the Ontario Learn and Stay grant, might have a more meaningful impact. The grant offers funding to Ontario students who will work in the region they studied in, covering tuition, books, and other student costs.
For domestic pre-med students, like Amsa Umapathithasan — a third-year student studying psychology and health studies at UTSC — the policy is seen as a step toward improving the chances of securing a spot in medical school. “Domestic students are more likely to stay in the province after graduation,” said Umapathithasan.
The price of diversity
As a domestic pre-med student who spent much of my life abroad, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing various healthcare systems firsthand. This exposure has deepened my appreciation for the vital role international students play in medical schools worldwide, including Ontario’s medical schools and healthcare system. Diverse backgrounds bring invaluable insights into different healthcare models and challenges, which can
foster innovation in areas like public health, rural healthcare, and medical research that require wider views of health.
International students don’t simply fill seats — they bring new perspectives into Canada that can create needed changes and innovations in medical research and healthcare practices, helping the Ontario healthcare system remain competitive on a global stage. By excluding them, Ontario risks losing not only a key source of fresh ideas and creative solutions but also new talent and highachieving individuals who could drive innovation and improve the province’s healthcare system. Moreover, if Canada closes its doors to international students, other countries and top institutions — including prestigious Ivy League schools in the US — will welcome them with open arms. I believe students eager to pursue a career in medicine won’t wait for opportunities in Canada — they will find them elsewhere. In my view, Ontario — and by extension, Canada — risks losing some of the best and brightest minds in the field if it fails to even allow international students a chance to apply and contribute to the healthcare system.
Finding a common ground: A suggested approach to holistic admissions
The government’s policy may address immediate concerns about physician numbers but I don’t think it tackles the structural issues within Ontario’s healthcare system. Therefore, we need to consider a more inclusive approach — one that could strike a balance between alleviating the province’s physician shortage and preserving diversity and innovation.
with high specificity. But the most exciting part?
Several patients “Who did not have any clinical manifestation of cancer whatsoever that we could detect in any other way… had one… of these abnormalities in their circulating tumour DNA, suggesting that there may be at least a very tiny cancer somewhere that… would presumably grow out [with time].”
The idea is to complement the classical surveillance laid out in the Toronto Protocol with this three-platform approach. If the ctDNA analysis flags a suspicious signal suggesting something may be awry, classical detection techniques like MRIs or CTs would come in to dig deeper.
More recently, Pugh, Malkin, and their team have used a machine learning model to look specifically at the fragmentation of ctDNA, finding that certain patterns in the DNA could be used to accurately distinguish between healthy patients and those with Li-Fraumeni syndrome who were cancer-free at that time.
There is a lot of exciting research on the horizon for cancer screening and detection. But at the end of the day, none of this would be possible without patients volunteering to participate in studies and clinical trials. “It’s a new feature in the funding landscape and [they’re] a new member of team science,” Pugh explained in an interview with The Varsity
I propose a solution that involves reserving 90 per cent of medical school seats for inprovince students, five per cent for out-ofprovince Canadian students, and five per cent for exceptional international candidates.
These international applicants could be selected based on strict criteria, such as academic excellence, a demonstrated commitment to working in underserved areas, and a mandatory service agreement to practice in Ontario for a specified number of years after graduation. If no international candidates meet these standards in a given academic year, the remaining seats could be reallocated to domestic students.
This flexible approach ensures that Ontario prioritizes its healthcare needs without entirely barring international talent. It allows medical schools to retain global competitiveness while ensuring that all graduates contribute meaningfully to the province.
The path forward
Ontario’s medical schools must address the physician shortage while ensuring long-term excellence. Reserving all seats for domestic students may seem like a practical step toward retaining physicians in the province, but the complete exclusion of international students risks missing out on valuable diversity and innovation. I see a more inclusive policy — paired with expanded initiatives like the Learn and Stay program — helping create a workforce that is both locally committed and globally informed.
Ontario’s healthcare challenges require more than quick fixes. They need visionary solutions. By fostering an environment that values both homegrown and global perspectives, Ontario can lay the foundation for a healthcare system that is not only diverse and innovative but also resilient and well-staffed — ready to meet the complex demands of tomorrow.
SIMONA AGOSTINO/THE VARSITY
U of T Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton wins the Nobel Prize in Physics
Groundbreaking AI developments from the 1980s earned the 2024
prize
On October 8, U of T Computer Science Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton was sitting in a cheap hotel room in California when he received a call — he had just been named as a co-winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics. Known to many as the ‘Godfather of AI,’ Hinton was notably shocked to receive the award.
The Nobel Foundation awarded the prize to both Hinton and John J. Hopfield, an American physicist and professor emeritus of Princeton University. According to the official Nobel Prize press release, they were selected “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.”
Neurons, networks, and nodes
A neural network refers to interconnected systems of neurons — or nerve cells — in the brain. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are machine learning models inspired by our own complex biological neural network. Each ANN is made of layers of interconnected artificial neurons, or nodes.
The strength of these nodes can be trained to
Opinion:
select for stronger connections between nodes of similar weight or importance. The more important the node is, the stronger its connections will be. In a way, the strength of each connection is like a weighted average for a course — each assignment or exam is worth a certain amount, but doing better on one assignment will also impact the outcome of the others. ‘Training’ an ANN is what makes the network seem like artificial ‘intelligence’ (AI). If you can teach something to a machine, it can learn and evolve.
The Hopfield network:
A spin on associative memory In 1982, Hopfield created a neural network using the concept of spin in physics, in which the total energy of a spin system is the sum of the weighted values of each part of the system.
Spin is the atomic property that makes it so that each atom is like a tiny magnet, and is attached to other atoms. The spin of neighbouring atoms can affect each other, making materials behave differently depending on what they’re made of. Similarly, the total energy in the network is equated to the total energy of a spin model; where each node has a value and the nodes’ connections
vary in strength, which affects how the network behaves as a whole. Each node in the Hopfield network is connected to every other node, with different weights for each connection.
The Hopfield network can save and reproduce patterns based on an inputted image made of black or white pixels — assigning values of ‘zero’ for black and ‘one’ for white. The network runs the pattern through each node of its system, adjusting the weights of each node until the connections — or their energies — match that of the training image. In physics terms, it continues processing until the difference between the image and the network’s connections is the smallest.
The Hopfield network can generalize new images, recalling and refining patterns based on its associative memory, or ability to remember the connections between unrelated items. Once trained with multiple images, it continues processing until the pattern is closest to the one saved in its memory.
Statistical physics and the Boltzmann machine
In 1985, Hinton used statistical physics concepts to build on Hopfield’s work. Statistical physics involves applying statistical methods to large groups of multiple elements or particles that would be difficult to identify independently. It considers the collective system of molecules — groups of connected atoms — as a whole unit, analyzing the various components and the states in which they can occur. Boltzmann’s formula calculates the statistical behaviour of such a system or what the distribution of molecules would be at different energy levels. In Hinton’s machine, this formula determines the probability of each node’s patterns.
The Boltzmann machine has two types of nodes: visible and hidden. The visible nodes receive and read out information, while the hidden nodes’ connections contribute to the network’s energy as a whole. This machine is trained with examples that are likely to occur when the machine is running so that it can recognize familiar traits in whatever pattern is fed to it next. The remarkable part of the Boltzmann machine is that it can create entirely new patterns based on what it was trained with.
Both Hopfield and Hinton’s physics-based neural networks laid the foundation for the current success and popularity of machine learning. This
UN COP29 holds first ‘Digitalisation Day’, highlighting need for actionable change
DE Technology plays an essential role in climate change — but will it help or hurt?
Lauren Nicole Robinson
Varsity Contributor
The UN’s 29th annual Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) was not without controversy. Bringing together climate scientists, business leaders, Indigenous representatives, and activists, the 2024 conference highlighted the need for real action against the climate crisis and the importance of using technology that helps our planet and its people.
Oil: God’s gift?
Climate leaders at COP28 in 2023 called for the tech industry to take action against the climate crisis in light of their role in the long-term shift in average temperatures and weather conditions.
2024’s COP29 caused much upset which dominated the conference’s conversation. President of Azerbaijan and host of COP29 Ilham Aliyev praised oil as a “gift of god” and prompted similar statements from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ Secretary General Haitham al-Ghais and the Natural Gas lobby unsurprisingly in favour of fossil fuels. Coupled with underwhelming climate finance targets, these comments undermined the conference’s ambitious proposal for reform in the tech industries. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) walked out after being denied increased funding to fight the climate crisis. When they returned, the conference agreed on $300 billion of funding, when $500 billion was called for.
Technology has the potential to both accelerate
and hinder climate progress. Implementing technological solutions is essential to curbing the effects of the climate crisis, a discussion that Digitalisation Day aimed to provoke.
work made early strides in AI that exploded into the large language models, search engine assistants, and image search algorithms that we know today. Hinton had plenty to say about the Nobel Prize, as well as current and future developments in AI.
The future of AI and other messages from Hinton
The day the Nobel Prize announced the winners, U of T held a press conference with Hinton. Global news outlets asked about the rapidly changing field of AI, his reception to the news, and his advice for future researchers seeking to follow in his footsteps.
Hinton emphasized the importance of AI safety, as with increasingly powerful models, a comparable effort to keep its use safe and responsible is needed. He stated that this safety would come from the developers, as opposed to the individuals using it, especially since larger companies would have both the resources and responsibility to conduct such research on AI safety.
Speaking of resources, the prize money, which is 11 million Swedish kronor or about $1.4 million, will be split equally between the two winners. Hinton plans to donate his share to multiple charities, including one that provides jobs for neurodiverse young adults. When asked about a message for professors and students persisting with research efforts that not everyone believes is worthwhile, Hinton responded with this:
“So long as you believe in something and you can’t see why that’s wrong — like, the brain has to work somehow so we have to figure out how it learns the connection strengths to make it work — keep working on it and don’t let people tell you it’s nonsense if you can’t see why it’s nonsense.”
When Hinton was just starting out in AI research, many people believed neural networks would never work or that the brain was too complex to create an imitation of. As we now know, AI is very capable of understanding and producing language, with large language models like ChatGPT gaining more popularity. Receiving the Nobel Prize is proof of the merit of the collaborative efforts of multiple researchers who have worked with ANNs for decades.
As U of T President Meric Gertler puts it best, “[Hinton has] literally created new ways of thinking about thinking and learning.”
The establishment of Green Digital Action in 2023 prompted the first-ever Digitalisation Day 2024 at COP, outlining ways digital technologies can boost climate action. Notably, the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action received over 1,000 endorsements from governments, companies, civil society organizations, international and regional organizations, and other stakeholders.
But what is a declaration or an endorsement worth?
Empty words
Ultimately, declarations from the UN are not legally binding. An endorsement doesn’t require a country to incorporate a document into their nation’s laws.
I feel that an endorsement serves as a glorified pat on the back for world leaders, leaving them with a false sense of accomplishment.
I feel that the COP29 declaration is littered with a slew of pragmatic phrases that, while highlighting the environmental costs of artificial intelligence (AI), fail to provide a framework for implementing tech-based solutions for the climate crisis. More importantly, endorsing a COP declaration doesn’t hold world leaders accountable for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Many in the environmental activism space have grown disillusioned with COP conferences and the ambitious goals they set out. As such, many have begun to adopt the attitude of climate activist
‘stop pretending’ that the COP process will lead to meaningful action on the climate crisis. Our climate leaders continuously warn us to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to avoid climate catastrophe. And amid such warnings, many feel there is little time to waste.
Can green AI be our alternative future?
However, there exists an alternative future. One where rising electricity needs incentivize us to create green , based on renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, and increase the efficiency of AI, so that it uses less power and energy. Even as AI expands its reach, we can dramatically reduce the amount of greenhouse gases it creates.
This concept isn’t a novel one. The need for green AI was also a key topic during the AI for Good Global Summit, held by the International Telecommunication Union — the UN’s agency for information and communications — in cooperation with other UN agencies earlier this year.
One initiative — a collaboration between Google and the World Meteorological Organization — predicted riverine floods up to seven days in advance by combining two AI models: the Hydrogenic Model and the Inundation Model.
Using the Hydrologic Model, Flood Hub can foresee the amount of water flowing in a river. With the Inundation Model, the AI shows what areas will be affected and how high the water level will be.
Crucially, the model provides warning before climate disasters occur, limiting deaths and damage in the 80 countries where FloodHub is available. Flood warning systems will become increasingly essential in the coming years as the climate crisis ramps up the frequency and intensity of weather events.
Another Google operation called Project Contrails was created to limit the environmental impact of airplane usage. Condensation trails — or contrails — are clouds formed behind airplanes when water vapour in the air condenses around tiny particles of soot and other pollutants emitted by airplane engines, trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere.
Project Contrails uses AI to project when and where contrails will form based on weather data, satellite data, and flight data. It is important to note that contrails only comprise roughly 35 per cent of aviation’s global warming impact, with carbon dioxide emissions being the largest contributor.
AI’s quiet environmental costs
With AI, power comes at a great cost: energy. Data centres — which house the infrastructure needed for AI computations — used an estimated 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2022 to meet AI demands. In two years, the electricity consumed by data centres, AI, and the cryptocurrency sector will reach roughly 1,000 TWh. This technology offers an undeniable lifeline for predicting and preventing disaster. Simultaneously, building more fossil fuel plants to generate the energy required for AI and data centres further exacerbates the climate crisis. Can emerging AI-based technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures create a positive difference? Or are the growing energy and resource demands of data centers too much? Will they be counterproductive to the same climate conditions these models are trying to solve?
The best time for world leaders to step up and invest in green AI has passed. The second best time? Now.
Medha Surajpal Science Editor
JOHAN JARNESTAD/THE ROYAL SWEDISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Who is the Varsity Blues GOAT?
Jake Takeuchi Sports Editor
Known colloquially as the GOAT debate, the quest for a consensus on the “greatest of all time” is one of the most fascinating, relentless, and divisive discussions in sports.
In my opinion, two GOAT debates stand out as the most notorious in sports history. On one hand is the rivalry between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, whose intense competition and fervent fandoms drove the last two decades of soccer. On the other is the timeless, cross-era debate between basketball legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
In other sports, the GOATs are undisputed — Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods, and Simone Biles come to mind. There are even debates about the GOAT of GOATs, matching up the most dominant athletes across different sports. Each of these conversations merit an entire article of its own.
What makes these debates so divisive and intense is the fact that there often is no right answer. Opinions are shaped by age, fandom, and nationality. Can we fairly compare Babe Ruth’s era in the racially segregated ‘Negro League’ age of baseball with the analytically-driven, international game of today, where Shohei Ohtani competes against an average of 150 kilometres per hour pitches? What about the inherent challenges of a cross-gender debate between Serena Williams, the undisputed women’s tennis GOAT, and your pick among Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or Novak Djokovic for the throne of tennis’ best? Should Olympic medals outweigh world records in individual sports like swimming and track and field? How do we factor in different race distances and events? The questions are endless, as are the criteria with which one can build a GOAT argument for an athlete.
Over 552 U of T athletes, staff, and alumni have participated in the Olympics. Nominating a single GOAT from the thousands of athletes who have donned U of T colours since the Varsity Blues football team’s establishment in 1877 is no easy task. The U of T Sports Hall of Fame is filled with incredible athletes and achievements worthy of honourable mention.
Nonetheless, The Varsity has compiled a subjective list of four athletes deserving consideration as the Varsity Blues’ GOAT, based on the following three criteria: achievements as a Varsity Blue, general sporting achievements, and overall legacy. An athlete’s coaching career — both as a Blue and beyond — is also part of the conversation.
The first criterion makes the GOAT debate unique to former Varsity Blues by emphasizing an athlete’s individual and team achievements as a Varsity Blue. Unfortunately, athletes such as Paralympian Stephanie Dixon are ineligible for GOAT consideration. Despite earning a masters degree from the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at U of T in 2023 — and an astonishing 19 Paralympic medals — Dixon never competed competitively as a Varsity Blue. As a result, Dixon and other U of T alumni without Varsity Blues experience cannot be considered.
Vicky Sunohara
The Varsity Blues women’s ice hockey team is spoiled for choice when it comes to legends. A strong argument can be made for Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jayna Hefford as a GOAT.
Her treasure trove of Olympic medals — four gold and one silver — and International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Women’s Championships accolades — seven gold and five silver — highlights a remarkable résumé filled with athletic achievements.
because Smythe drew inspiration from the colours of his beloved alumni hockey team.
However, the women’s ice hockey GOAT at U of T is likely current Varsity Blues women’s ice hockey Head Coach Vicky Sunohara. What sets Sunohara apart from her former teammate Hefford is her outstanding contributions as a Varsity Blue. While Sunohara has fewer Olympic medals (two gold, one silver) and IIHF World Championship hardware (seven gold, one silver), she boasts two provincial titles and a provincial Rookie of the Year award with the Varsity Blues.
Hefford, by contrast, played only a single season for the Blues, earning a provincial silver medal during her lone campaign. Both are U of T Sports Hall of Fame inductees, widely regarded as some of the greatest women’s ice hockey players of all time, with achievements too numerous to list in a single article.
The final nail in the coffin for Sunohara’s GOAT nomination is her immense contribution to women’s hockey as a coach. In her 14 years — and counting — behind the Blues’ bench, the Scarborough native has won two additional Ontario University Athletics (OUA) titles, along with three national and three provincial Coach of the Year awards. In the 2019–2020 season, Sunohara earned OUA Female Coach of the Year honours across all sports. Last season, her team fell just short of a national title. Sunohara also serves as the current head coach of the U18 Women’s Canadian National Team and as a Coaching Consultant of the Toronto Sceptres. The Blues are fortunate to have a living legend running the team, and Sunohara is surely in contention to be a Varsity Blues GOAT.
Varsity Blues Legacy: 5/5
Sporting Achievements: 4/5
Legacy: 4/5
Conn Smythe
Another hockey heavy hitter comes in the form of Conn Smythe, a Varsity Blues alumnus from the class of 1920. Smythe is best known today as the namesake of the prestigious Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s playoff MVP. He was also the founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Gardens, which underscores why Smythe deserves consideration as a Varsity Blues GOAT. The Leafs actually wear blue sweaters
Smythe captained the Blues’ Junior Hockey Team to a provincial championship in 1915, and played on the senior team in 1919. He also served as the head coach for the Blues from 1923 to 1926, leading the team to six intercollegiate and provincial titles. Additionally, Smythe also led the ‘The Varsity Grads,’ a team composed of Blues’ alumni, to an Olympic gold medal at the 1928 St. Moritz Olympics.
A significant limitation to Smythe’s GOAT claim is his relatively brief career as an active hockey player. Smythe enlisted in 1915, serving in World War I in both the artillery and air force, and was a prisoner of war from 1917 until the end of the war. His prime sporting years were dedicated to Canada during a period when sports understandably took a backseat. As a result, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Smythe as a builder rather than a player. Nevertheless, Smythe’s immense impact on Toronto’s history makes it hard not to consider him a potential GOAT.
Varsity Blues Legacy : 4/5
lone season at U of T in 2004. She also claimed national championship All-Star honours. Unfortunately, many of Moyse’s collegiate achievements came with the Warriors, where she completed her undergraduate studies. In terms of versatility and sheer athletic ability, Moyse’ GOAT candidacy is second to none.
Varsity Blues Legacy : 2/5
Sporting Achievements : 5/5 Legacy : 4/5
Kylie Masse
Sporting Achievements : N/A Legacy : 5/5
Heather Moyse
Legend says that if you look up ‘athlete’ in a dictionary, a picture of Heather Moyse will appear. Remarkably, Moyse is a Canadian international representative in not just one, but three — yes, three — sports: rugby, bobsleigh, and cycling. And it doesn’t stop there — the all-rounder also competed for a year on the varsity soccer team for the Waterloo Warriors.
In rugby, Moyse represented Canada on both the 15s and 7s teams, competing in the 2006 and 2010 Rugby World Cups, and earning a silver medal at the 2013 World Rugby Sevens tournament. She was a leading try scorer in both World Cup tournaments and is a Rugby Hall of Fame inductee.
In bobsleigh, Moyse is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, in addition to her impressive collection of World Championship medals (two bronze) and Bobsleigh World Cup medals (six gold, six silver, four bronze) medals. In 2012, the four-time Olympian competed at the PanAmerican Cycling Championships, where she placed fourth.
As a Varsity Blue, Moyse competed on both the rugby and track and field teams, earning all-Canadian honours in both sports during her
Last but certainly not least is current Team Canada swimming captain Kylie Masse. As a Varsity Blue, Masse was nothing short of dominant. She won five straight OUA championships, five consecutive OUA women’s swimmer of the year, was a first-team All-Star for five years running, and claimed OUA women’s Rookie of the Year honours. Nationally, Masse won four straight U Sports backstroke events, and was named U Sports Female Swimmer of the Year for four consecutive years. She is also the only athlete, man or woman, to win The U of T Varsity Athlete of the Year award for four straight years. Hers is an unprecedented, sparkling Blues career. On the international stage Masse has two silver and three bronze medals from her four Olympic appearances. The backstroke specialist also holds the all-time record for World Championships medals, earning at least one medal in 15 consecutive major international championships and Olympic Games. There’s not much more to say about the Canadian legend in her prime.
Varsity Blues Legacy: 5/5
Sporting Achievements: 5/5 Legacy: TBD
What truly separates Masse from the other candidates is that she has forged her legacy in a sport where Canada has not traditionally been dominant. While Moyse would be a severely underrated candidate for GOAT, the fact that her best collegiate achievements came at the hands of rivals Waterloo is a sore spot. Furthermore, Masse is yet to complete her career or forge a coaching or builder legacy like Sunohara or Smythe. In both individual and team accomplishments at the Varsity Blues level, Masse is unmatched. In her five consecutive years at the provincial championships, Masse did not lose a single individual or relay race. Masse is The Varsity’s pick for the Blues’ GOAT.
New Year’s resolution: Let’s hit the gym
Which fitness facility near UTSG is best for you?
Emily Rosevear Varsity Contributor
With New Year’s resolutions sending more people to the gym, it’s important to find the one that’s the right fit for you. As an employee of the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education under Sport & Rec and a studentathlete, I’ve visited my fair share of gyms near campus. Because of this, I can confidently say that each facility has notable differences and strengths. The type of workout you perform and your skill level will be the deciding factors in your gym selection.
Hart House Fitness Centre
While the Hart House gym has weight and utility rooms, the top floor is where it truly shines. Here, you’ll find a track and an extensive selection of cardio machines, including rowing machines, treadmills, stationary bikes, and more.
Address : 7 Hart House Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 3H3
Suggested Experience : Beginner
Best Workout : Cardio
Athletic Centre Field House (ACFH) and gymnasiums
The ACFH is located on the third floor of the Athletic Centre (AC) and features divided spaces that house drop-in sports, all surrounded by a track. In the fieldhouse periphery, you’ll find cardio and weight machines in the back right corner, while free weights are located in the front left. Additionally, many of U of T’s fitness classes and workouts are held here, either in the divided spaces or the various AC gymnasiums — perfect if you need guidance from an instructor or extra motivation.
Address: Third floor, 55 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6
Suggested Experience: Beginner/Intermediate Best Workout: Drop-in Sports, Strength (Free Weights/Machines), Classes/Instructed Workouts
Strength and Conditioning Centre (SCC) and Weightlifting Zone (WLZ)
On the ground floor of the AC, you’ll find the SCC. This faculty offers Women’s Only Hours — a designated time for women-identifying participants to use the area exclusively. Additionally, the WLZ is one of the few places where you’re permitted to drop weights — gyms usually prohibit this as it may cause injuries or damage to equipment. As a result, it’s no surprise that the strength of these gyms lies in strength workouts with free weights and benches.
Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport
The Goldring gym is located on the second and third floors of the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. The top floor features squat racks, numerous benches, and weights, with additional space for weightlifting. The lower level provides space for yoga mats and callisthenics exercises. Throughout the rest of Goldring, you can find drop-in sports in the gymnasium and group classes held in the fitness studio.
Address: First floor, 55 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 2W6
Suggested Experience: Intermediate/Advanced Best Workout: Strength (Free Weights/Benches), Women’s Only Hours
Address: 100 Devonshire Pl, Toronto, ON M5S 2C9
Suggested Experience: Intermediate/Advanced Best Workout: Strength (Racks/Benches/Free Weights), Class/Instructed Workouts, Calisthenics
Planet Fitness College Park
Though the U of T gyms are comprehensive, the flexibility and diversity of commercial gyms can still be useful. Commercial gyms are able to offer a wide-range of equipment and a high number of machines in exchange for increased business. Each U of T gym has specific hours and limited opening times, with no gym open later than 7:00 pm, or earlier than 9:00 am on Saturdays or Sundays. So, if you’re looking to work out outside the hours, a 24/7 gym like Planet Fitness might be a budget-friendly option for you.
Address: 444 Yonge St Units G1 And G4, Toronto, ON M5B 2H4
Suggested Experience: Any Best Workout: Any
Top
Joy of Dance Centre
Though the U of T fitness facilities offer many classes, the barre class — a toning, body-weightlifting workout — is one I’ve found lacking. The classes tend to lean more toward pilates than ballet and often don’t even involve a barre. So if you’re looking to improve your flexibility and strength through dance, a great alternative just beside Broadview station, not far from campus, is the Joy of Dance Centre.
Address: 95 Danforth Ave #302, Toronto, ON M4K 1N2
Suggested Experience: Any Best Workout: Barre/Dance Classes
Ultimately, the fitness facility you choose will play a significant role in helping you achieve your 2025 fitness goals. However, the most important part of reaching those goals is showing up — both at the gym and for yourself — no matter what facility you use.
2024 saw a wide range of inspiring and intriguing sports movies. Many of these films gained heightened popularity on social media, such as Challengers, while others featured athlete-producers like LeBron James in Rez Ball. As 2024 comes to a close, let’s reflect on the top five movies with high audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Letterboxd.
5. The Underdoggs
With mixed reviews, The Underdoggs lands at the bottom of the list. The film recounts the story of Jaycen Jennings (Snoop Dogg), an ex-professional football player who, after being involved in a car accident, is sentenced to community service. He begins coaching a children’s football team, viewing it as an opportunity to turn his life and career around.
Fans of the films praised it as a wellcrafted modern story and an enjoyable lighthearted comedy. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes highlight Snoop Dogg’s charisma, placing some entertainment value on the film, though some also mention it’s a comedy not suited for everyone. While some viewers felt that obscene language was expected in a Snoop Dogg movie, many others felt that the frequent cursing, alcohol, and drug abuse from both the children
and
and promoted inappropriate behaviour.
4. The Beautiful Game
Inspired by the Homeless World Cup — an international street football tournament played by people experiencing homelessness to give them a sense of community — The Beautiful Game follows the story of an English soccer team competing in the Cup after their manager, Mal (Bill Nighy), adds a new member, Vinny (Michael Ward), a talented striker. While most sports films focus on winners and their challenges in becoming champions, this film highlights promising athletes who didn’t reach the top but found success in another way. The Beautiful Game explores emotions and values in sports that are often overlooked: humility, empathy, and forgiveness.
Although the storyline was refreshing to most viewers, some noted that the writing didn’t do the film justice. The beginning felt rushed, there was minimal opportunity for character development, and some scenes failed to capture the emotional progression of certain parts of the story. The movie was almost beautiful.
3. Unstoppable
Unstoppable is the true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome): a wrestler who, despite being born with one leg, defied norms by winning a national championship for Arizona State University. The film
five sports movies of 2024 Challengers leads a year of heartfelt, diverse sporting stories
also delves into the wrestler’s familial and financial challenges, providing depth and showcasing Robles’ determination in the face of adversity.
Most audiences admired the incredible performances of Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez, who played Judy Robles, Anthony’s mother. Despite the inspiring story, some criticized the storyline as overly generic and predictable, resembling many other films about perseverance and overcoming challenges.
2. Rez Ball
The runner-up on this list is Rez Ball: the story of an American Navajo basketball team that prevails despite the recent loss of their teammate, bringing together themes of perseverance, teamwork, and leadership. An essential and unique aspect of this film is the incorporation of US Navajo traditions and realities, along with its subtle yet powerful portrayal of women’s strength and abilities in sports.
The film boasts above-average cinematography, decent acting, and for most viewers, an empowering and authentic narrative tied to Diné bizaad — the language of the Navajo Nation, or Diné, meaning ‘the people’. The pacing and dialogue effectively highlight the progression of the characters’ emotions and the authenticity of their stories.
Though the film is not based on a true story, it is inspired by certain aspects of Navajo communities
in the US. As some viewers have pointed out, this fact diminishes the story’s intrigue, making it feel highly predictable and similar to other underdog sports films. The storyline of a small-town or minority sports team facing internal challenges, such as violence, drugs, and the loss of a teammate, but managing to persevere through the season to become champions is a repeated plot in many other sports movies (e.g., McFarland, USA and The Miracle Season).
1. Challengers
At the top of the list is Challengers, with the highest ratings of the list on Letterboxd and IMDb. This story blends romance and sport, using tennis as a metaphor within a love triangle. Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) is a former talented and famous tennis player who, after an injury ends her career, begins coaching her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist). Their relationship intensifies when Art must face Tashi’s ex-boyfriend and his former best friend, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor).
The film showcases incredible acting from the lead actors, and most audience reviews praised the storyline as captivating. Unfortunately, the frequent timeline changes were confusing at times, making it difficult to follow the story’s progression. Although I found Tashi’s obsession with tennis made her manipulative in her relationships, making them toxic and unappealing, the creativity of using tennis as a metaphor was unique and intriguing.
the adults in the film undermined the story
TianTian Dong Varsity Contributor
Challengers brilliantly captured the bouncy fun of tennis. TIANTIAN DONG/THE VARSITY
The Hart House Fitness Centre is ideal for cardio workouts.
BRENNAN KARUNARATNE/THE VARSITY
