October 21, 2019
THE VARSITY The University of Toronto’s Student Newspaper Since 1880
Vol. CXL, No. 7
What you need to know for the 2019 federal election Breaking down policy platforms for the four major parties
Mikaela Toone Associate News Editor
As young people are part of the largest voting bloc in the country, each of the major parties have platform proposals made with students in mind. With election day quickly approaching, The Varsity looks into all four major party platforms on the biggest issues facing students. Cost of postsecondary education Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau has vowed to increase Canada student grants and provide a two-year grace period after graduation before individuals need to begin paying off their student loans. Additionally, graduates will not be obliged to begin loan payments until they reach an income of $35,000 per year. Andrew Scheer’s Conservative Party platform does not specifically address tuition; however, it does promise to increase government contributions to the Registered Education Savings Plans, from a 20 per cent to 30 per cent grant for every dollar invested. Also, in order for colleges and universities to be eligible for research grants, they must meet a “commitment to free speech and academic freedom” requirement. Jagmeet Singh promises that the New Democratic Party (NDP) would work with the provinces to move toward making “post-secondary education part of [the] public education system.” The NDP also pledges to increase student grants and end interest on federal student loans. For the Green Party, Elizabeth May would make “college and university tuition free for all Canadian students.” The Greens also noted that
postsecondary education access for Indigenous peoples is a key part of treaty obligations. No party mentions plans specifically for international student tuition in their platform. Repatriation of Indigenous artifacts and remains All four major parties affirmed their commitment to reconciliation. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission emphasizes, among other things, the importance of returning Indigenous artifacts and remains to their communities upon their demands. The Liberals specifically highlighted repatriation of Indigenous cultural property in their platform. According to a 2017 investigation by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, out of the 12 universities contacted, U of T “has the highest number of Indigenous human remains, with 550 individuals, all of which are bone fragments.” Transit The Liberal platform pledges to make federal funding for public transit permanent and predictable to keep up with rising costs of construction. Scheer would implement a “Green Public Transit Tax Credit” which promises a credit for transit passes that allow unlimited travel on subways and busses. The Conservatives would also prioritize infrastructure projects, including the expansion of TTC services. The NDP committed to working with provinces and municipalities to move toward fare-free public transit. In addition, it would “modernize and expand” transit, with a focus on low carbon projects.
The Green Party would develop a national transportation strategy with the goal of reaching net zero carbon for on-ground public transportation by 2040. This would focus on developing rail services and building high-speed rail connecting Toronto, Ottawa, and Québec City. Housing and health care Trudeau’s platform notes the National Housing Strategy the Liberals implemented, which built affordable housing. In addition, they promise to reduce cell phone bills by 25 per cent, and implement universal pharma care. The Conservative housing policies relate specifically to homeowners and buyers. Scheer says widespread tax cuts would add money in Canadian pockets. Its platform makes no mention of universal pharma care, but it promises to “improve access to medications.” Singh promises to create 500,000 affordable housing units over the next ten years. The NDP would cap cell phone bills to align with the global average. It would also implement universal pharma care and take steps toward providing more accessible mental health care. May’s platform pledges to make housing “a legally protected fundamental human right for all Canadians and permanent residents.” The Green platform supports universal pharma care and would also see the implementation of a “Guaranteed Liveable Income,” a “negative income tax” to replace other federal transfers such as social assistance, disability support, and child tax benefits. Employment and wages The Liberals vow to take a more “intersectional”
approach to job initiatives, such as making the Youth Employment Strategy further consider racialized and Indigenous youth. Additionally, Trudeau’s party would create a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, rising with inflation, starting in 2020. The Conservative platform includes a promise to work with colleges and universities to ensure that their curricula prepare students for the demands of the job market. In addition to implementing a $15 federal minimum wage covering 900,000 workers, the NDP would ban unpaid internships that are not part of education programs. The platform also vows to add gender identity and expression and sexual orientation to the Employment Equity Act. The Greens would also implement a $15 federal minimum wage. Their main focus is creating new jobs in a “green economy” and allowing for a “just transition” for workers in fossil fuel sectors. Immigration The Liberals commits to making the citizenship application free for permanent residents. The Conservative Party notes that international students educated in Canada “are ideal candidates” for economic immigration and that it would work to keep them here after graduation. The NDP prioritizes family reunification and promises to end the cap on applications to sponsor parents and grandparents. Earlier this year, the cap was reached in less than 11 minutes. The Green Party vows to speed up the family reunification process, and ameliorate the pathway for international students to apply for permanent residency and citizenship.
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“You have power that students don’t”: protests continue as students demand better mental health support Vol. CXL, No. 7 21 Sussex Avenue, Suite 306 Toronto, ON M5S 1J6 (416) 946-7600 thevarsity.ca
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Calls for repeal of university-mandated leave policy, majority representation in policy consultations at Business Board Hannah Carty Associate News Editor
As part of a continuing effort by the U of T Mental Health Policy Council (UTMH), an advocacy group created in the wake of a student death in September, students protested outside of Simcoe Hall during a meeting of the Governing Council’s Business Board on October 7. Speakers included student representatives from the Black Students’ Association, Leap UofT, independent student activists, and local elected officials. Bhutilla Karpoche, MPP Parkdale–High Park, spoke at the rally in support of greater access to mental health care: “In the past year, I have listened to young people, listened to families, listened to frontline workers, and the state of our mental health care system in this province is shameful.” Even with the resources that are available, mental health support “is virtually non-existent
for young people. It is a group that has been completely ignored,” said Karpoche. “We have to continue to organize so that we don’t just leave today’s rally and come back next time when there is another crisis.” Chris Glover, MPP Spadina–Fort York, agreed with Karpoche, saying, “Absolutely, the university must do more to support mental wellness on this campus.” He additionally criticized the provincial government’s cuts to education as being a factor in the rise of mental health issues. “Cost and access to education is an incredible stress on students,” said Glover. Inside the Business Board meeting, four students were given speaking rights, though comments were heard from other students who attended the meeting. One of the four students, Sarah Colburn, appealed to the Business Board and its financial
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The protests were held outside Simcoe Hall on October 7. ANDY TAKAGI/THE VARSITY
power at the university: “You have power that students don’t.” She criticized the Boundless fundraising campaign, which raised $2.6 billion, while the university has only allocated $3 million for mental health in the past three years. “We are here because we are asking you to use your power and your position to enact the changes that we can’t,” said Colburn. “It is clear from your public posturing and media stance that you have the money.” She pointed out that between 2014 and 2019, the number of students registered with accessibility services with a mental illness as their primary impairment doubled. “But we have not seen the staff and funding capacities of those bodies double.” “We are equally as concerned about the issues that you raised. We do need to do better when it comes to issues around anti-Black racism, when it comes to issues around mental health,” responded Kelly Hannah-Moffat, Vice President, Human Resources and Equity. In an interview with The Varsity, Mercer Palmer, an organizer with UTMH and recent U of T graduate, explained what the protestors are demanding from the administration. Their first demand is that the university accepts “students with the intention of having them graduate,” meaning that the university needs to provide better services for students’ mental and physical health. Secondly, they demand “serious policy change,” such as the repeal of the university-mandated leave of absence policy. “The third demand is nothing about us without us,” he said, referencing the eponymous report put out by U of T students last April, where they demand majority representation in all mental health policy creation. “We cannot allow the university to continue to make decisions on our behalf without consulting us.”
U of T students, city advocates call on federal parties to invest in Toronto’s mental health Advocates call for $300 million yearly investment in Toronto’s mental health services Adam A. Lam Science Editor
Content warning: Discussions of suicide. Advocates from across Toronto, including executives of the University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU), called on the federal parties to commit to expanding the city’s funding for mental health and addiction services. At an October 10 press conference at City Hall, they specifically asked for $300 million per year in mental health service investments in Toronto. The community members included city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, as well as representatives of Gerstein’s Crisis Centre and the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto. “We know that 20 per cent of Canadians experience mental health and addiction issues,” said Wong-Tam at the conference. She remarked that the city needs the federal government’s support to expand its mental health services in order to better care for its growing population. Joshua Bowman, UTSU President, further underscored the impact of the mental health crisis at U of T. He noted that 46 per cent of postsecondary students have reported feeling too depressed to function, and 65 per cent reporting persisting overwhelming anxiety. “These aren’t just statistics — these are friends, these are family members. These are our classmates,” he said. “This is a reality that students at the University of Toronto have grown all too ac-
Advocates call on federal parties to commit $300 million to mental health funding for Toronto at City Hall. COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF KRISTYN WONG-TAM
customed to.” In an interview with The Varsity, Bowman recalled that Wong-Tam invited UTSU representatives to speak at the conference, as part of her call was for expanded mental health funding specifically at postsecondary institutions. Mayor John Tory endorsed the advocacy efforts later that day, writing that he joins them in “calling on the federal parties to commit to meaningful investments… to address [the] growing mental health and addictions crises.” Responses from federal parties A Green Party spokesperson wrote to The Varsity
that the Greens would commit $1 billion annually to community treatment programs for mental health, addiction, and autism in Canada. The Greens would also mark $100 million for suicide prevention, and $100 million to address the opioid crisis, according to the spokesperson. It is further committed to providing pharma care. A Liberal Party spokesperson wrote to The Varsity that it will “begin negotiations with the provinces and territories to establish clear national standards for access to mental health services.” The New Democratic Party and the Conservatives did not respond to The Varsity’s requests for comment.
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OCTOBER 21, 2019
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Postsecondary TTC fares may be reduced in response to Ford government’s policies
Motion result of advocacy by the University of Toronto Students’ Union
TTC fares could soon be cheaper for postsecondary students. ALEXANDRA SCANDOLO/THE VARSITY
Adam A. Lam Science Editor
Students may soon be seeing lower TTC fares as Toronto City Council passed a motion at the start of this month for the TTC’s governance board to explore options for further discounted fares for postsecondary students. The Toronto City Council consideration stemmed from the Ontario government’s decisions to implement the Student Choice Initiative (SCI), which enables university students to opt out of non-essential incidental fees, and to reduce postsecondary financial aid from the Ontario Student Assistance Program. In a 22–1 vote, the council passed a consideration titled, “Exploring Options for Affordable Toronto Transit Commission Fares for PostSecondary Students.” The motion was introduced by Councillor Mike Layton and was seconded by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. It passed without amendments. Motion motivated to address affordability crisis By passing the proposal, City Council has requested the TTC Commission Board — the City of Toronto agency that oversees the TTC’s policy matters — to review options for lower fares for
postsecondary students. Potential options include a lower single fare and a further discounted monthly transit pass for postsecondary students. The council has also further requested the board to take the Ontario government’s changes to the universities’ fee systems into account, and to “report back in the 2020 Budget process.” “The costs of commuting [are] one of the most pressing affordability issues facing those attending post-secondary institutions,” wrote Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão in an email to The Varsity. Bailão voted to pass the motion. “I supported this motion at Toronto City Council because I believe we need to review options about how we can assist students in our City.” Motion opposed by Councillor Holyday Councillor Stephen Holyday was the sole council member who opposed the motion. In an interview with The Varsity, he explained his belief that the motion may ultimately result in increased costs for non-postsecondary students. To fund further discounts for postsecondary students, Holyday said that fares for other groups, such as adults, may increase. He also contended that it could result in a heavier burden on taxpayers. Yana Sadeghi Varsity Contributor
LGBTOUT celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 24. STEVEN LEE/THE VARSITY
The Breakdown: LGBTOUT’s 50th anniversary The history of Canada’s oldest LGBTQ+ student organization
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Trans People of the University of Toronto (LGBTOUT) celebrated its 50th anniversary on October 24. Since its inception in 1969, the organization has undergone several major transformations, and is continuously evolving. Yet another major transformation may be underway as the club contends with the effects of the provincial government’s Student Choice Initiative (SCI). History of LGBTOUT Fifty years ago, in mid-October, an ad was put out in The Varsity seeking “anyone interested in
Holyday sees the motion as a “swipe at the provincial government’s policies,” as he is unsupportive of disunity between the council and other orders of government. Layton disputed the justification for Holyday’s position. He said that while it is possible that fares for non-postsecondary students may increase, it was not a certainty. He also maintained that the TTC has other sources of revenue to fund the discount. Layton further noted that there are different ways for the board to balance the TTC’s budget. He said that it would be atypical for the board to fund the discount by adjusting fare prices for other uses. Instead, it may be funded by the tax revenue provided by the city to the TTC. He further emphasized that the motion is a continuation of a standing position of the City Council. “We had a program to provide subsidies to postsecondary students, and then the provincial government changed their fare system for postsecondary students,” Layton said. “Now we have to adjust our program in order to meet the reality of this new opt-out policy.” Origins from U of T student advocacy The consideration was prompted by an open letdiscussing the establishment of a student homophile association.” By October 24, a small group of students had congregated and founded what was then called the University of Toronto Homophile Association (UTHA). Of the students present at the UTHA’s first meeting, only one was a woman. The majority of the other attendees were white, cisgender men. During this time, it was still common for people to be fired from the workplace because of their sexual orientation. Many were also targeted on campus for their sexuality. In accordance with this context, the UTHA primarily worked toward promoting equality in professional spaces. By 1984, the UTHA had renamed itself as the Gays and Lesbians at U of T. Although the club’s new name fostered a more inclusive environment, students in the LGBTQ+ community still faced many of the same challenges. During the club’s Gay and Lesbian Awareness Week, St. Michael’s College refused to play Michael, a Gay Son, a movie that follows a young man’s decision to come out to his parents and his experiences participating in an LGBTQ+ peer support group. In 1998, the organization finally settled on its current name: LGBTOUT. LGBTOUT’s current role LGBTOUT has since expanded its reach at the University of Toronto. Today, it holds drop-in sessions on a daily basis where students can find community or confide in volunteers for peer support. The organization also holds a number of events throughout the year, including open mic nights, arts and crafts socials, and drag shows. LGBTOUT further works alongside the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office to bring Queer Orientation to the U of T community. LGBTOUT’s current mission aims to pro-
ter sent to the council by multiple Ontario student unions, including the University of Toronto Student Union (UTSU), the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union, the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union, and the Scarborough Campus Students’ Union. Lucas Granger, UTSU Vice-President, External Affairs, explained to The Varsity that the efforts originated with the failure of the UTSU to fund U-Pass in the 2018 referendum, which Granger said would have lowered fees for commuters. Due to the SCI, the Ontario government has mandated that “only those transit pass programs with fully executed agreements” prior to January 17 can be considered compulsory. In September, Granger spoke at a community liaison meeting between student unions and city representatives. He later explained the circumstances in a meeting with Layton, who introduced a relevant motion to the council. Granger then drafted an open letter to the council in favour of the motion, ahead of its vote. According to him, he also emailed student unions across Toronto to support the letter. As the TTC’s governance board explores options, Granger plans to continue to advocate for and pursue lower transit fares for postsecondary students. mote awareness about LGBTQ+ issues, as well as advocate for the fair treatment of LGBTQ+ students. The incumbent executive team has also extended LGBTOUT’s goals to support other equity-seeking organizations. Administrative Director Cheryl Quan wrote to The Varsity, “LGBTOUT is an inherently political organization and as such we should not shy away from affirming our support for other marginalized communities and their causes.” In the wake of the SCI Since being elected to office in 2018, Premier Doug Ford has introduced several reforms that affect postsecondary education. A cornerstone policy is the SCI, which allows students to opt out of paying incidental fees for student groups that are considered “non-essential” under the government’s framework. For the fall 2019 term, 25 per cent of students opted out of LGBTOUT’s $0.50 levy. This means that the club will receive significantly less funding than in past years. Quan recounted, “After 17 years of fighting and four failed referenda, 2016 was the year things finally changed, and the 2016-2017 academic year was the first time we actually had sufficient funds with which to run events and programming.” The SCI has been enacted just three years after LGBTOUT first raised their levy. “Now, with the introduction of the SCI and, of course, the rise of right-wing hate groups at UofT and in Toronto, our work and safety are in jeopardy now more than ever,” wrote Quan. Although LGBTOUT may be in a more financially vulnerable position, it is still confident that it will be able to continue offering great programming for the U of T community.
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Mississauga–Erin Mills
University–Rosedale
Chrystia Freeland
Scarborough–Rouge Park
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Helen-Claire Tingling
Kathryn Mannie Deputy News Editor
Hannah Carty Associate News Editor
Chrystia Freeland is the Liberal candidate running for re-election as MP for the University– Rosedale riding, where the UTSG campus is located. She is the current minister of foreign affairs and is the former minister of international trade. Following a career in journalism, Freeland began pursuing politics in 2013. “We are seeing in too many countries — where you have a group of people in the country who are left behind — that that creates an opportunity for irresponsible politicians to whip up a sort of angry nativist sentiment,” Freeland said in a recent interview with the CBC. In recent years, students and young people have emerged as a significant force in advocating for the environment. U of T students have been critical of the government’s decision to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline. In response to such criticism, Freeland said, “We need to be a combination of ambitious
Helen-Claire Tingling is the Conservative MP candidate for the University–Rosedale riding, where the UTSG campus is located. She has experience in both the private and public sectors, including as a consultant for the Ontario government. Tingling was slated to attend an all-candidates debate for the riding, but cancelled due to an illness. In a self-published article, Tingling wrote, “I chose the [Conservative Party] because it recognizes that if we work hard, we should be able to buy a home, save for retirement, and care for our children and parents as they age.” The Varsity has reached out to Tingling for comment.
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about our goals, [and] pragmatic about how we’re going to get there.” She further noted that “unless a person is prepared to say we can stop using fossil fuel tomorrow, there is absolutely no reason to say we should not be using fossil fuels that come from Canada.” The Varsity has reached out to Freeland for comment.
Iqra Khalid
Hani Tawfilis
Rochelle Raveendran Varsity Contributor
Andy Takagi News Editor
Iqra Khalid is the Liberal candidate running for re-election as MP for the Mississauga–Erin Mills riding, where the UTM campus is located. After her election in 2015, Khalid came to national attention in December 2016 for tabling Motion 103, which called for a condemnation of “Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination.” The motion was opposed by some Conservative MPs, who called it an attack on free speech and freedom of expression. Although the motion passed, it stirred debate online and caused protests and demonstrations throughout the country. In August 2018, Khalid made national news again after giving a community service award to Amin El-Maoued, the public relations chief of Palestine House, who was accused of antiSemitism. Though Khalid later apologized and rescinded the award, she was criticized again this September for meeting with El-Maoued at his home in Mississauga, prompting the Conservative Party to call on Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau to “fire” Khalid.
Hani Tawfilis is the Conservative candidate for Mississauga–Erin Mills, where the UTM campus is located. Tawfilis declined to attend a candidate debate at UTM, instead opting for a meet-and-greet with the UTM Campus Conservatives, according to Mississauga. com. Tawfilis is a pharmacy store owner, licensed pharmacist, and according to the Conservative Party website, a spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Community. The Varsity has reached out to Tawfilis for comment.
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Most recently, Khalid spoke out in support of Trudeau after several photos and a video emerged of him wearing blackface and brownface. Khalid emphasized that the prime minister’s actions do not detract from his term in office. “I’ve seen him put his money where his mouth is. I’ve seen him really go above and beyond to make sure that he’s standing with vulnerable communities to really speak out against racism,” she said.
Gary Anandasangaree
Bobby Singh
Andy Takagi News Editor
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Gary Anandasangaree is the Liberal candidate running for re-election as MP for the Scarborough–Rouge Park riding, where the UTSC campus is located. Outside of federal politics, Anandasangaree is a human rights lawyer and community activist. In an interview with The Varsity, Anandasangaree discussed the importance of students in this election. “I feel that that U of T and [postsecondary education] is probably our most important stakeholder in the riding,” he said. He went on to point to rising postsecondary education costs as the top issue for students, emphasizing the party’s commitment to affordable education. In particular, Anandasangaree pointed out the Ford government’s cuts to universities and colleges as “two steps forward, two steps back.” He referred to the burden that a reduction in provincial funding had on federal scholarships. On pictures showing Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau in blackface and brownface,
Bobby Singh is the Conservative MP candidate for the Scarborough–Rouge Park riding, where the UTSC campus is located. Singh is an entrepreneur with degrees from York University and U of T. At a federal candidates debate hosted by UTSC, Singh said his top policy priority if elected would be “reducing taxes and expenditures.” Singh noted that certain areas of his riding are living at or below the poverty line and stated tax cuts would help address this challenge. With regard to the climate crisis, Singh acknowledged that “immediate… action is required.” However, he disagrees with carbon tax measures on the basis that they “unfairly penalize [local] companies.” Singh would rather see carbon absorption policy to address the climate crisis. The Conservative candidate also called for greater inter-party cooperation. Singh has been involved in a number of organizations working to address issues such as accessibility and inclusivity in relation to education.
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and the message it may send to racialized students, Anandasangaree said: “Justin Trudeau is a friend of mine. He is someone I deeply respect. He… made several mistakes on this front and I think he’s taken full ownership of it.” — With files from Kate Reeve
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According to Toronto.com, at an event in Malvern, Singh criticized Trudeau’s wearing of brownface and blackface and said that he would “support a (national) anti-racism strategy, but not the one tabled by the Liberals.” The official Conservative Party platform does not feature the words “race” or “racism.” The Varsity has reached out to Singh for comment.
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OCTOBER 21, 2019
Melissa Jean-Baptiste Vajda
Tim Grant Andy Takagi News Editor
Melissa Jean-Baptiste Vajda is the New Democratic Party (NDP) MP candidate for the University–Rosedale riding, where the UTSG campus is located. Her background is in law, and she currently works at a legal clinic focusing on housing and worker’s rights. At a debate earlier this month, Vajda said that her motivation for running in the election derives, in part, from her work at a legal clinic dealing with housing issues. “The housing crisis is really affecting our community. Young people are having a hard time starting out and it’s not getting any better. We’re spending less and less on a national housing strategy.” To combat the housing crisis, the NDP’s plan involves building 500,000 rental units across Canada. Vajda wrote to The Varsity, speaking on mental health at U of T: “I support students organizing for mental health support in recognition of the university-wide mental health crisis, and especially in light of the recent tragic death at the U
Tim Grant is the Green Party MP candidate for the University–Rosedale riding, where the UTSG campus is located. Grant also ran as an MPP candidate in the 2018 provincial election for the same riding. The former chair of the Harbord Village Residents Association (HVRA) runs his campaign out of his office tucked away in the Korean Senior Citizens Society on Grace Street. Grant’s priority for students is addressing housing affordability. “The students face the same problem that everyone faces, which is the lack of affordable housing anywhere in the city,” he said. He cited his time on the HVRA, where he regularly interacted with students. In an interview with The Varsity, Grant also expressed concern about landlords taking advantage of student renters. He also talked at length about his party’s universal basic income plan, as well its intention to make postsecondary education free. “Providing universities with the support that compensates them for the loss of tuition income
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of T campus. I support the call for accessible 24hour counseling and a commitment to include students in all potential reforms around these issues.” Repeating her party’s stance on cuts to postsecondary education, Vajda wrote, “[The NDP is] committed to working with our partners at the provincial level to expand access to grants and stabilize funding for internal college and university clubs and media.”
Remo Boscarino-Gaetano
Mikaela Toone Associate News Editor
Hannah Carty Associate News Editor
Salman Tariq is the New Democratic Party (NDP) MP candidate for the Mississauga– Erin Mills riding, where the UTM campus is located. Outside of politics, Tariq connects international students to academic opportunities through his work as a consultant. Tariq’s top priorities include lowering student debt, implementing universal pharma care, and creating more affordable housing and internet services. At a federal candidates debate held at UTM on October 2, Tariq elaborated on his promises related to student debt. According to Mississauga.com, Tariq pledged that the NDP would get rid of interest on student loans and criticized the Liberals for not having done this already. In addition, Tariq promised that the NDP would create more grants for postsecondary students. The Conservative candidate for the same riding, Hani Tawfilis, was absent from the
Remo Boscarino-Gaetano is the Green Party MP candidate for the Mississauga–Erin Mills, riding, where the UTM campus is located. Currently an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, Boscarino-Gaetano identified the two most important issues facing students as being the climate crisis and the rising cost of living. “I chose to run for the Green Party not only for its clear commitments on climate change, but also for its socially progressive values,” wrote Boscarino-Gaetano in an email to The Varsity. The Green Party plans to make all postsecondary education free and forgive all student debt owed to the federal government. It also plans to remove the two per cent cap on increases in funding for Indigenous students. On the topic of student mental health, BoscarinoGaetano wrote that he agrees that the federal government needs to do more. Regarding the environment, BoscarinoGaetano firmly believes that “universities should absolutely divest from fossil fuels,” and “[invest] in clean technology, as that is the clear path that
debate, opting instead to attend a meetand-greet organized by the UTM Campus Conservatives. Tariq responded to Tawfilis’ absence at the debate, writing to Mississauga.com, “all people who put their name on the ballot should be available to speak to the constituents.” The Varsity has reached out to Tariq for comment.
Kingsley Kwok
Kingsley Kwok is the New Democratic Party (NDP) MP candidate for the Scarborough– Rouge Park riding, where the UTSC campus is located. Kwok is a registered respiratory therapist at Scarborough General Hospital and president of his union for health workers in his region. At a candidate debate organized by UTSC, Kwok stated that his top policy priority upon election would be to “fight the climate crisis like we want to win.” Kwok criticized the Liberal government at a past debate for responding too slowly to the climate crisis. Kwok stated that his party’s approach to the climate crisis would include a carbon tax, while simultaneously creating new jobs. Kwok also recognized the contributions students make to protesting political issues, citing specifically an 18-year-old student who was in critical condition after being shot by police at a protest in Hong Kong. Kwok supports raising taxes for higherincome individuals and corporations so that
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government programs can remain intact. In order to advocate against funding cuts, Kwok was one of the creators of the Scarborough Health Coalition. Kwok claimed that “nothing is more important than health care,” and endorsed the NDP plan to implement a universal pharma care program. The Varsity has reached out to Kwok for comment.
COURTESY OF THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
the rest of the world is travelling and we cannot afford to get left behind.” “I’m disgusted by the Ford government’s attacks on students,” wrote Boscarino-Gaetano, calling the Student Choice Initiative (SCI) “an affront to our rights as students.” He hopes that the SCI will be overturned in the ongoing court case.
Jessica Hamilton Brooklyn Baly Varsity Contributor
Jessica Hamilton is the Green Party MP candidate for the Scarborough–Rouge Park riding, where the UTSC campus is located. Hamilton works as a therapist for children diagnosed with autism. In an interview with The Varsity, Hamilton said she decided to run for parliament after a disheartening experience with her local MP, which made her realize that “there was nobody actually looking out for us, there was nobody who could actually speak on behalf of us, and the status quo wasn’t working anymore.” On student debt among postsecondary students, Hamilton referenced the Green Party’s plan to forgive federal debt for individuals who currently have student debt, and to move toward free tuition for postsecondary education. On the issue of mental health, specifically within the UTSC campus, Hamilton expressed her intention of interacting with the Scarborough– Rouge Park community on a more personal level. Hamilton also mentioned the Green Party’s plan to establish a mental health minister who
KATHRYN MANNIE/THE VARSITY
would oversee how mental health solutions and preventative measures could be put into place at the provincial and municipal levels. On the climate crisis, Hamilton mentioned the Green Party’s goal of moving into a clean economy through the elimination of fossil fuels and the investment in a clean energy grid. — With files from Kathryn Mannie.
Scarborough–Rouge Park
Mikaela Toone Associate News Editor
COURTESY OF THE NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
[from free tuition] also helps them become more independent institutions and not dependant on corporate dollars,” said Grant, who also condemned the Ford government’s postsecondary education reforms. On the Green Party’s postsecondary education platform, Grant described the plan to incentivize universities and colleges to increase professor-student ratios, and reduce contract positions in favour of tenure positions.
Mississauga–Erin Mills
Salman Tariq
DINA DONG/THE VARSITY
University–Rosedale
Hannah Carty Associate News Editor
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Business
October 21, 2019 var.st/business biz@thevarsity.ca
The Explainer: Student loans
Do you know where to start after you graduate? Spencer Y. Ki Science Correspondent
In every U of T student’s life, there comes a point when the good times must end. It is at this point that student loan debt becomes a reality. In school, student loans may seem to not be an urgent concern, with more immediate problems at hand, such as academic performance and the living expenses, taking precedence. However, post-academic finances are a subject worth tackling sooner rather than later, as 77 per cent of Canadian graduates regret their student debt decisions.
NSLSC. Alternatively, the SecureKey Sign-In Partner system allows one to log in with the same information they use to access online services at certain eligible financial institutions. Registration can be done in under 20 minutes, and only requires a Social Insurance Number.
Different homes, different loans The most important factor to consider when looking to pay off student loans is where that funding came from in the first place. While domestic loan-takers almost always take federal funding via the National Student Loan Service Centre (NSLSC), the provincial portion could come from a number of agencies, depending on their home province. This is a distinction without a difference for students from Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, as the relevant provincial agencies cooperate with the NSLSC to consolidate loan payment. However, the Government of Yukon Territory does not offer its own student loan program to students. Likewise, the Government of Québec does not offer its own student loan service, but instead guarantees student loans taken from private companies. Students from the remaining provinces and territories will have to pay two separate student loan providers: both the NSLSC for the federal portion of their loan, and the relevant provincial agency. International students and students who have borrowed from private lenders need to verify details of their repayment with their respective loan providers. Students who received funding from U of T via the University of Toronto Advance Planning for Students financial aid program do not need to repay them, as funding is provided through grants.
Interest and Repayment Plans The ideal scenario for any student is paying the entirety of their debt — seen in the “Amount Owing” section of the NSLSC website’s “Loan Summary” — immediately after leaving their studies, and before any interest accrues. While this may be feasible for people with smaller loans or significant savings, the majority of former students will have to deal with interest accruing as they partially pay their debt on a monthly basis. Payees have two types of interest rate: fixed or variable. Both rates rely on the NSLSC’s prime rate. As the name implies, a prime rate is the interest rate at which a financial institution lends money to its favoured borrowers. The NSLSC calculates its prime rate by taking BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank, RBC, and TD Canada Trust’s prime rates, discarding the highest and lowest values, then averaging the remaining three. Note that this is different from the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate, which is sometimes called “the prime rate.” A variable interest rate, also referred to as a floating interest rate, is subject to change depending on the economy. For example, the NSLSC currently has set their variable rate to the prime rate plus 2.5 per cent. This resulted in an interest rate of 6.2 per cent on federal student loan monthly payments for most of last year when the prime rate was 3.7 per cent. However, the aforementioned banks raised their prime interest rates to 3.95 per cent last October, resulting in a 6.45 per cent variable interest rate since then. Alternatively, a fixed interest rate accrues higher interest immediately, but stays at the same rate no matter the state of the economy. The current NSLSC fixed interest rate is the prime rate plus five per cent. Following the example above, someone who chose a fixed interest rate before last October would have originally paid interest at a higher rate of 8.7 per cent, but their payments would still include only 8.7 per cent today, unaffected by the fluctuations from the banks. It is important to note that the NSLSC will use the floating rate by default until a payee specifically ‘locks in’ a fixed rate through the website. Despite some provinces and territories handling provincial student loan payments through
Using the National Student Loan Service Centre The federal government and the Government of Ontario have agreed to handle all loan repayment through the federal NSLSC, the provider that handles loan repayment for students receiving aid from the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). Although many students may have already registered with the NSLSC when first applying for a loan, a recent complete overhaul of their login system has required all existing users to reregister through the new system. Registrants have two methods of access to choose from. Creating a GCKey login will allow users to access other Government of Canada online programs with the same credentials, username, and password, used to access the
the NSLSC, the option between two rates may only be given for the federal portion of one’s student loan. For example, OSAP accrues at a floating rate of the prime rate plus one per cent, whether the federal portion takes fixed or floating rates. The NSLSC defaults to planning monthly payments for 114 months — the average payment time in Canada — but the time frames vary, as can be seen on their loan payment estimator. Repayment assistance and tax credits It is reasonable to assume that recent graduates may not have the means to support monthly payments while first establishing their careers, and a number of tools exist to provide financial support. The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) is primary among these, accessible on the NSLSC website. Dependent on family income, RAP applicants may be eligible to reduce their monthly payments, or eliminate them entirely. However, this does not mean that the debt is eliminated. Specific sections of RAP cater to those with permanent and severe permanent disabilities. After five years on RAP, or 10 years after graduation, eligible RAP applicants may also receive debt forgiveness, where the federal and provincial governments pay off portions of the loan themselves. Even those who are ineligible for RAP can receive debt relief in the form of tax credits. Line 319 of a Canadian tax return allows the declaration of interest paid on a student loan in that year. Eligible tax credits will be deducted from the payee’s required tax payment for that year. This is a non-refundable tax credit, meaning that a declaration will never result in ‘cash back’ to the payee, only a deduction from what is owed. However, interest declarations can be made on payments up to five years in the past, so the Canada Revenue Agency recommends carrying the declaration forward to future years, if one does not expect to owe much tax for the current year.
CAROLINE BIEL/THE VARSITY
Are you sure you’re leaving already? While many undergraduates enter the workforce as soon as possible after graduation, many others move on to graduate or second-entry undergraduate programs. In general, full-time students do not have to pay off any student loans, but there is a time limit attached to this: the maximum amount of time a student is allowed to stay enrolled in school payment-free is 340 weeks. This is increased to 400 weeks for students in a doctoral program. Regardless, once out of full-time school for good, recent graduates have a six month “grace period” after graduation where payments are not expected by the NSLSC. At present, interest accrues on the federal portion of the student loan during this period. The grace period for provincial loans varies by province or territory. Ontario graduates in the class of 2019 and older have a period of six months as well, and additionally do not accrue interest on their loans during this period. Recent budget changes to interest rates and the grace period Recent provincial and federal budgetary changes mean that precise figures will differ for graduates of the class of 2020 and beyond. Chief among these changes are those to the federal interest rates after November 1. As previously mentioned, the current NSLSC floating interest rate is the prime rate plus 2.5 per cent; this will decrease to only the prime rate. Likewise, the fixed rate is decreasing to the prime rate plus two per cent, down from the prime rate plus five per cent. Provincial and territorial loans remain unaffected by the change in the federal budget. The federal grace period of OSAP recipients will ‘switch’ with their provincial grace period. While both periods remain at six months, interest on the federal portion of the loan will no longer accrue during this period, while interest will now accrue on the provincial portion. Finally, more support is being put in place for individuals who may have difficulty repaying their federal loans. The government will provide expanded assistance to RAP applicants with permanent and severe permanent disabilities by broadening the definition of “severe permanent disabilities” and removing restrictions on recipients. For anyone who has been forced to lapse in their payments, federal debts may now be rehabilitated, and improve one’s financial standing. This is accomplished by adding the existing interest to the remaining original loan amount and making two payments on the new amount.
Comment
October 21, 2019 var.st/comment comment@thevarsity.ca
For economic growth, vote Conservative
In four years, the Liberals have done little good for the Canadian economy Asal Arefi Varsity Contributor
The federal election is close, and surrounding discussion is focused more on politicians’ pasts than their party’s platform. Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau’s brownface and blackface incidents during his teaching years, and Liberal MP candidate Jaime Battiste’s past homophobic and sexist tweets are both setting the stage. No one seems to be interested in talking about the state of the Canadian economy. However, voters — especially students — must take economic sustainability into consideration. Growth cannot be achieved if we allow economic policy to continue as it has these past four years. As Matthew Lau wrote in an opinion piece for the Financial Post, “if the most important issue to voters is the economy, then one thing is for certain: the Liberals deserve to lose.” The Liberal government has been in power since 2015, and during these four years, it has done nothing but present Canadians with failed promises, broken pledges, and an immense deficit. Trudeau has shown his extreme amateurism with a 2015 promise of a balanced budget by 2019 — a promise which was broken after a string of yearly deficits. To rub salt in the wound, Trudeau used taxpayer money to pay for his $215,000 Bahamas vacation. What happened to budgeting? Foreign policy has also cost us under the Liberal government. The reality of Liberal foreign policies has been the exact opposite of its 2015 promises. Rather than restoring Canada’s credibility, the Liberals have chosen virtue-signalling over its real diplomacy, which has damaged Can-
ada’s economic relationships. Take the 2018 scandal between Chrystia Freeland, who is running for re-election as the University–Rosedale MP, and the Saudi Arabian government. As the foreign affairs minister, Freeland strongly criticized the arrests of human rights activists by the Saudi government, leading to the Saudis expelling the Canadian ambassador, withdrawing investments from Canada, and threatening to end Saudi-Canadian student exchange programs. Canada is not a global superpower, and it is not a smart move to make other countries angry. It’s as if the Liberal Party truly believes Canada could become the world’s first moral superpower. It is time for the Canadian government to think of the economy rather than morals, but it seems Liberals would rather cherish morality in exchange for foreign investments. The Conservative government may not have been the all-inclusive, welcoming paradise that the Liberals dream of. However, as Lau noted, Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita growth was comparable to that of the US during Stephen Harper’s time in office. This was not the case under Trudeau: in the last four years, Canada’s real GDP per capita increased by 2.7 per cent, versus the US’ 6.3 per cent — and the Americans have Donald Trump as their president. Not only is GDP growth per capita suffering, but Trudeau’s promises on budgeting and debt also seem to have vanished alongside his other pledges during his 2015 election campaign.
While it may be misleading to solely contribute a nation’s economic status to the actions of its political leaders, the impact of our government’s economic policies on the economy cannot be ignored. Government policies set the stage for positive economic growth. It’s impossible to have a debt-free nation, but making a promise of a $9.5 billion in 2018, compared to the $19 billion reality, is simply a nightmare. For the 2019 campaign, the Liberals are including $9.3 billion in new spending for 2020–2021, with the deficit rising to $27.4 billion. Given the current economic trends, a return to a balanced budget may not appear until at least 2040. On the other hand, Scheer promises to balance the budget in five years, which will surely relieve some of the national debt. Lau addressed critics who point to the decline of oil prices in 2015 as the reason for subpar economic performance under the Liberals. However, when one considers that the price of oil started to recover in 2016, just as the Liberals took office, it becomes evident that external price fluctuations are not to blame. The problem is not what the state of the economy was in 2015, but rather Trudeau’s horrific economic policies. While Liberals promise to “make life more affordable for Canadian families,” they are actually adding on to Canadian middle-class taxes. Just consider, as Lau did, the increased burden of the payroll tax, marginal income tax, and small business investment taxes under their administration. Another concerning policy is the Liberals’ draw to deferred taxes. Lau pointed out that around $75 billion in these taxes were added, which means future tax bills to be footed by the public. Scheer has promised to erase the immense trade deficit and cut taxes, cancelling $1.5 billion in corporate handouts and subsidies. It is in Canada’s best interest to trust the Conservative’s promises to fix the Canadian tax problem and trade deficit rather than the Liberal pledge to add more debt to the already-indebted country. With the Liberals in power, there is no going forward, only sinking deeper in piles of taxes, debt, and deficits. With the surge of taxes, public debt, trade deficits, and slow GDP growth, even the Liberal party can agree that the economy hasn’t been at its best under its watch. Overspending, billions in corporate handouts and subsidies, using tax money for unrelated business, and creating billions in deficits and public debt with a stagnating growth rate of real GDP per capita, all under the good name that the Liberals are the ‘more moral political party,’ perhaps it is time to think about whether Canada needs morality or diplomacy. The Liberal party has created damage to Canada that has significantly affected Canadian society. It is by voting that we can show our concern and make our voices heard. The government has power over a nation, but it is society who gives power to the government of their choice. We can be part of the decision-making process and create changes within our community and country — if you do not make the decision for yourself, others will make it for you. Everyone wants to be on the ‘good side’ when it comes to voting, but how are you to value the morality of the Liberal government when it has been handing out broken promises and lies during its four years of power? In the coming weeks, students must vote for the party that best understands their economic interests — vote Conservative. Asal Arefi is a first-year Social Sciences student at University College.
Liberals policies have left Canada economically behind. COURTESY OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA
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COMMENT
comment@thevarsity.ca
Op-ed: Green Party policy is shaped by commitments to equity and sustainability Katya Godwin Varsity Contributor
Young Greens at UTM on challenging the status quo, meaningful environmental and social change
The federal elections are an opportunity for Canadians to shape a government that is able to make substantive changes in order to tackle the climate crisis. The rise of movements like Fridays for the Future is a response to government inaction in regards to the climate crisis, the severity of which was brought to light by the United Nations’ (UN) 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. To keep global warming levels below 1.5 degrees celsius, we must reduce our net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 — a monumental task. Avoidance is not an option if we want to achieve this goal. The Green Party is the only party that has a plan to address climate change in a meaningful way. The Green Party would ensure emission reductions of 60 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. The NDP does not give an official estimate, but when the math is done, it comes to around 38 per cent below 2005 levels, which is almost at the 40 per cent requirement if we want to be on track to hit net zero by 2050. The Conservatives and Liberals both have the same target of 30 per cent below 2005 levels. However, the Conservatives have little chance of reaching these levels with their current policy proposals. A strong environmental platform is not the only reason to consider voting Green. The Greens have a plan for pretty much anything you can think of. Here are a few reasons I decided to get involved and start the Young Greens at UTM. Access to education is still impeded by the price of postsecondary education. The financial burden of accumulating student debt affects postsecondary academic choices, but it does not have to be this way. Elizabeth May and the Green Party would work toward solving this problem by elimi-
nating tuition fees for Canadian students and forgiving federal student debt. A national pharma care plan is an essential part of any health care system. Being unable to afford medication leads to hundreds of preventable deaths each year. Last year over 700,000 Canadians borrowed money to cover their prescription drug costs. Not only would national pharma care lift a burden off numerous families in Canada, but it could also save the government money. By renegotiating and using our combined buying power as a country, we can obtain medication at a fraction of its current cost. As a settler-colonial state, Canada has a lot to dismantle regarding the colonial policies and structures which remain present in policy, infrastructure, education, and amongst many inadequate social systems. With legislation such as the Indian Act, geographic barriers to education, access to clean water, inadequate housing and higher incarceration rates, working toward truth and reconciliation is an effort that must continue in earnest. The Green Party of Canada would re-introduce legislation to embed the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights into the law. The party plans to work in partnership with First Nations groups to dismantle the Indian Act by establishing self-governance — but only with freely given and informed consent. Bringing an end to boil water advisories, and respecting court’s rulings on matters such as compensation due to child welfare disparities are key aspects of the Greens’ vision and understanding of reconciliation. The Green Party will redirect funding for these social projects by closing loopholes that allow Canadians to operate offshore bank accounts in tax
havens. In addition, we the Greens will ask virtual giants like Netflix and Amazon to pay their fair share of taxes, and will end fossil fuel subsidies and corporate tax breaks. There are means of funding available; it’s just a matter of where we direct it. In the fight against climate change, the transition to a green economy is essential. This plan must include everyone, from First Nations peoples to oil and gas workers. Canada’s economy must adopt fair and sustainable practices. Transitioning our economy toward sustainable energy must take into consideration workers who will be affected by these job changes. The Green Party hopes to work closely to create jobs in the renewable energy sector and to help workers transition into these new roles. Young voters make up the largest voting bloc in Canada. If you do not know where to start, CBC’s Vote Compass gives a good overview of the party platforms. There, you can take a quiz that aligns your beliefs with the party that most closely shares your positions. To check for your voter registration status, consult the Elections Canada website. Our future, whatever you want it to look like, depends heavily on the outcome of this election. We have 11 years to take meaningful action on climate change and for that to happen, we must implement measures immediately. No other party is as dedicated to confronting the climate crisis as we are. Students, voters, keep this in mind when you cast your vote. The Greens are not afraid to make unprecedented strides toward meaningful change. Katya Godwin is a first-year Life Sciences student at UTM. She is the president of the Young Greens at UTM.
The Green Party hopes to engage students through meaningful social and environmental policy. COURTESY OF THE GREEN PARTY OF CANADA
Has Justin Trudeau mastered the art of the apology? Canadians have been quick to forgive and forget Liberal controversies Julia Hookong-Taylor Varsity Contributor
DIANA PHAM/THE VARSITY
When pictures and videos of Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau in brownface and blackface surfaced last month, the nation’s collective jaw dropped. Many Canadians were left feeling betrayed by a leader who has branded himself as an ally of marginalized people and a champion of diversity. It also seemed like the relatively tame campaign season was about to be turned on its head. In the wake of Trudeau’s scandal, it may come as a surprise that support for the Liberal Party of Canada has remained relatively unchanged. The Liberal Party did not suffer any substantial loss of support in the polls, nor did any other party see meaningful gains following the publication of the images. Our attention seems to have instead shifted rather quickly toward other aspects of the election. The lack of a substantial dip in Liberal support in the polls and the willingness of Canadians to forgive this issue leads to unanswered questions. Chiefly, why were we so quick to move on? A possible explanation exists in a very simple concept: an apology. More specifically, the fact that Trudeau actually gave one. Although it is a rather low bar to set, we rarely hear politicians actually apologize for the things they do wrong, and this election is no exception. Back in August, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer came under fire for refusing to apologize for a speech he gave in 2005 regarding his stance on same-sex marriage. We have become accustomed to watching leaders pivot their way out of apologizing instead of facing issues head on. Enter Trudeau, who apologized the same night the initial image surfaced, and again the next day after additional images were brought to light. His apology, for all intents and purposes, was well-executed. He pointed to his own privilege as a “massive blind spot,” acknowledged that the behaviour was unacceptable, and reinforced how sorry he was. Once again, a low bar. But the
quick reaction gave the scandal little room to breathe and forced voters to make a snap decision about whether they believed him to be sincere. Judging by the almost unmoving nature of the polls, perhaps Trudeau’s affinity for apologies has paid off. But it would be unwise to give any politician too much credit. There are many factors that contribute to party support in the lead-up to an election: party loyalty, the quality of local representation, inaccurate or unreliable polling data, et cetera. The unchanging nature of the polls speaks not only to the effects of Trudeau’s apology but also to the already close nature of this race. It may have stopped the Liberals from hemorrhaging, but it cannot account for the entirety of the campaign. While it may not account for the direction of the campaign as a whole, the Liberal leader’s apology does stand out, especially when compared to other kinds of leadership impacting the lives of students. Students don’t often see their own leaders apologize in such a straightforward manner. An adequate apology and acknowledgement of failure does not remedy what Trudeau did, but it does create the opportunity to engage with the issues of privilege that he pointed to. Leaders at U of T should take note of Trudeau’s conduct. Without acknowledgement of problems and causes, issues cannot even begin to be adequately addressed. October 21 will reveal whether Trudeau and his party have done enough. U of T accounts for a large, diverse mass of potential voters, many of whom are living in a riding currently held by the Liberal Party’s Chrystia Freeland. If this issue remains at the top of the list for students, they will make it known on election day. Julia Hookong-Taylor is a fifth-year Political Science student at St. Michael’s College.
Editorial
October 21, 2019 var.st/comment editorial@thevarsity.ca
October 21, 2019 var.st/comment editorial@thevarsity.ca
Editorial
The Varsity endorses a Liberal minority government with an NDP–Green balance of power
A progressive partnership will best serve students, youth, democracy
IRIS DENG/THE VARSITY
The Varsity Editorial Board
Ahead of the 2015 federal election, our editorial board asked students to vote strategically for progressive candidates and kick Stephen Harper out of office. The Conservatives did not stand for students four years ago — and certainly do not now. From billions in tax cuts that would inevitably jeopardize programs and services that youth and vulnerable communities rely on; to inadequate action on the climate crisis; to tying postsecondary research grants to ‘free speech’ — which we know in Ontario is a “dog whistle for far-right voters” — it is clear that we cannot afford another Conservative government. That being said, the Liberals have failed to live up to progressive expectations. They do not deserve a second majority mandate. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau broke his cornerstone promise on electoral reform. He broke ethical rules in the SNC-Lavalin scandal, and he expelled two women cabinet ministers from his caucus for publicly standing up against conduct. He nationalized a major oil pipeline despite Indigenous resistance. And he is challenging a Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that calls for federal compensation to First Nations children who were separated from their families by child welfare services. We should not have to settle for another Liberal or Conservative majority that governs with a blank cheque. While the two are in a close race for first place, fortunately, neither is projected to approximate the required 170 seats for a majority. Instead, we must embrace the increasingly likely outcome of a minority government this election. Under this hung Parliament scenario, a dominant party would have to solicit the confidence of one or more of the smaller parties in order to govern. Although minority governments are criticized for instability and gridlock, they provide an opportunity for true democracy: parties must compromise, collaborate, and build consensus. Ideal for youth who want positive reform is a Liberal minority government that partners with other forward-looking national parties — namely the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Green Party. If the NDP and the Greens win enough seats to hold the balance of power in Parliament, they can hold the Liberal Party to account for its claim to progressivism and demand more action on key issues that youth care about. That could mean a bolder climate plan that does not contradictorily commit to oil pipelines, meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, electoral reform, and student debt relief. To make this a reality, we must vote strategically once again. Vote for the Liberals if you live in a Liberal-Conservative battleground riding. Vote for the NDP, Green, or a progressive Independent candidate if they have strong support in your riding, instead of the Liberal or Conservative. Reviewing comprehensive, riding-specific polls — such as the 338Canada project — can help you make your decision. Youth have more power than ever this elec-
tion. For the first time, voters aged 18–38 will constitute the largest voting demographic — so let’s make the most of it. Below, you can find our review of six key issues that matter to youth voters. We hope it will convince you to make a progressive choice on October 21. Education The cost of education is the one topic that concerns all students. An ideal education platform would ease financial burdens, especially through free tuition and student debt forgiveness. Parties should especially dedicate resources toward Indigenous students, who have historically seen lower educational attainment due to the many institutionalized barriers set against them. The party that comes closest to this ideal are the Greens, who have promised to tackle all of the above. It has committed to abolishing tuition, forgiving existing federal student debt, and increasing support for Indigenous students. The NDP promises to eliminate federal interest on student loans while working toward free tuition by capping and reducing costs in conjunction with the provinces and territories. Instead of lowering tuition, the Liberals and Conservatives opt to use band-aid solutions, such as increasing grants and support for the Registered Education Savings Plan, respectively. While helpful, neither plans would tackle the root issue of rising costs. Ultimately, only the Greens and NDP are addressing the rising costs of education with plans to lower overall cost and provide real relief for students. Climate crisis The climate crisis is our generation’s greatest challenge. In order to bring us closer to a sustainable future, we must take immediate and bold action to reduce carbon emissions in line with Canada’s Paris Accord targets. Given their loyalty to oil and gas development, the Conservatives naturally lack any real climate plan. They oppose the Liberals’ federal carbon tax, even though it is a centrist, market-based strategy that mainstream economists claim is an effective strategy to reduce emissions. However, both parties agree on building the controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX). This will only amplify Canada’s emissions problem and delay the necessary transition away from fossil fuels. The NDP and the Greens intend to do more to tackle emissions. Both oppose the TMX and support stronger versions of the carbon tax. The NDP is committed to ending fossil fuel subsidies and investing in the transition to renewable energy and hundreds of thousands of new, green jobs. The Greens have promised millions of green jobs and have, by far, the boldest climate strategy, which includes an end to all new fossil fuel projects. They intend to double Canada’s Paris Accord targets, which is more than any
other party. The Liberals, NDP, and Greens all agree, to varying degrees, to incentivize or invest in zeroemission or electric vehicles and transit. Reconciliation The next government must do more for meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Conservative Andrew Scheer is the only main party leader not in support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), in part to move forward with his proposed energy corridor. He has expressed disagreement with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) inquiry’s final report, which found that genocide was committed against Indigenous women and girls. While the Liberals have plans to implement UNDRIP and have published the MMIWG inquiry’s report, the Trudeau government’s record is questionable. Despite many promises, key Liberal decisions — such as the purchase of the TMX and failure to efficiently eliminate all long-term boil water advisories — have been disappointing. The NDP plans to eliminate all drinking water advisories for First Nations communities and issue a taskforce on mould in reserve housing. It intends to implement UNDRIP and address systemic violence against Indigenous women and girls. The Green Party also plans to implement the recommendations of UNDRIP, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the MMIWG inquiry’s report. Health care Given U of T’s mental health crisis, students are acutely aware of the need for institutional support. Canada boasts free doctor and hospital visits, but citizens without insurance are still largely left to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions and other services, including psychiatric ones. Many young people face challenges when paying for much-needed medications. When an estimated 700,000 Canadians skip food purchases to pay for prescriptions, the need for health care improvement is clear. The Conservatives have expressed a desire to dismiss pharma care plans and instead address the existing ‘gaps’ in coverage. Both the Liberal and NDP parties support improving pharma care, with the NDP including coverage for mental health services, dental, and vision care. The Greens plan to extend health care coverage to include universal pharma care, as well as implement dental care for low-income Canadians. We do not have time to wait for ‘gaps’ to be evaluated — we need a commitment to broader coverage, and we need it as soon as possible. Employment Finding employment with decent compensation is essential for students who need to finance their
education and living expenses. In 2018, 43 per cent of minimum-wage workers were under the age of 25. Youth need the minimum wage, which varies across provinces, to compensate for their cost of living. Accordingly, the Liberals, NDP, and Greens have all committed to raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. A research review by the current federal government has concluded that minimum wage increases would increase job stability and reduce wage inequality. The Conservatives have no plans to implement a federal minimum wage. The Liberals also promise to pass federal legislation for those employed by ride-sharing acts, as well as to establish reliable benefits for seasonal workers, which could improve the quality of life for students in these fields. The NDP and Greens also aim to ban unpaid internships if they do not count for school credit, which could better help students support their studies. Housing For student renters and new graduates seeking homes, affordable housing remains a major dilemma. 35 per cent of Toronto residents aged 15–29 spend over 50 per cent of their income on rent. The NDP and Greens have both proposed the construction of new affordable housing units over the next decade, with the NDP’s plan being most ambitious at 500,000 units and the Greens at 25,000 new rental homes and 15,000 rehabilitated homes in the next decade. The Greens have proposed changes to legislation that protect housing as a fundamental human right and amend laws that prevent Indigenous organizations from accessing Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation financing. The Liberals have proposed a number of financial incentives for retrofitting or constructing homes to meet certified zero-emission status. The Greens and NDP have made efforts toward alleviating financial barriers for low-income buyers and renters, policies which will have direct benefits for low- and middle-income student renters and first-time home buyers. With a significantly weaker housing policy, the Liberals plan to move forward with their First-Time Home Buyer Incentive. The Conservatives are alone in providing no means to alleviate financially-burdened low-income renters. This election, youth have the power to choose a government that actually works for them. On October 21, make your voice heard and vote for the party that has your best interests in mind. The Varsity’s editorial board is elected by the masthead at the beginning of each semester. For more information about the editorial policy, email editorial@ thevarsity.ca.
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FEATURES
What’s sustainable, affordable, and green all over? A day in the life behind handlebars in Toronto
Writer: Amelia Eaton Illustrator/Photographer: Joshua Chua, Iris Deng, Dina Dong, Samantha Yao
Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford once compared cycling in Toronto to swimming with sharks — “Sooner or later, you’re going to get bitten.” As a cyclist, I think he’s right. If you cycle every day in Toronto, eventually you will be cut off, harassed, or made to fear for your life in some way or another. However, I’ll never be able to accept the conclusion Ford was implying — that roads are meant to be for cars. Right now, cycling in Toronto is dangerous, but that doesn’t mean that it has to be. Unfortunately, while our municipal leadership has changed, the reality of our streets for cyclists has not. John Tory’s “Vision Zero” promised that pedestrian and cycling deaths would decrease through a focus on improving infrastructure and reducing speed limits. However, since his announcement, the number of cyclists who have been killed or seriously injured has actually increased. Every morning I leave my house, bike through one of Toronto’s beautiful parks, pass the kids in my neighbourhood walking to school, and say ‘hi’ to my local crossing guards. While enjoying this idyllic part of my commute, I am bracing myself to get on Danforth Avenue. With parking on both sides, intense rush-hour traffic, and no bike lane, the adrenaline rush from this stretch of road wakes me up more than my morning coffee does.
Although cycling seems to have gained prominence in the past two decades, it’s actually a fixture of Toronto’s history. Today about 29 cyclists take King Street westbound into downtown from 6–6:30 am. In 1895 this number was 395. There’s no reason we couldn’t return to those numbers. We know we need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. While much of hitting emissions targets will require innovation and creativity, one way of making our commutes release zero emissions has been in front of us all along. On my bike, I hold my breath, ring my bell so I don’t get doored, and stay extra vigilant until I make it to the Prince Edward Viaduct — the protected bike lane of my dreams. This is a ‘super highway’ that anti-cycling pundits bemoan. While the cars idle on the bridge, the cyclists are constantly in motion. It’s the fastest part of my trip, and also the least stressful; I can just pedal and breathe deeply. Being protected by posts every few metres, there’s no need to keep my eyes on the cars — but even then, my guard is never fully down. The barriers are more for visibility than actual protection, and I’ve seen them knocked over before — a reminder that drivers don’t always treat them as the protective barriers that they are. Still, even with my anxiety always in the back-
features@thevarsity.ca ground, I wouldn’t want to get to campus any other way. I save $6.50 in subway fare, get daily exercise, and have time to think about the day ahead. When you’re cycling, you can’t tune out your commute with your phone or a book. There’s nothing to do but pedal, think, and literally try not to die. One day when I got to the viaduct, it was completely filled with climate activists. They cheered on the cyclists as we rode past. The scene reminded me of a photo I saw of a New York City street that was empty of cars during an event. Someone had commented on how calm this photo looked, that perhaps New York — and therefore, maybe Toronto — isn’t ‘full’ so much as it is full of cars. That day, as I looked out across the bridge and saw people talking, singing, and walking, it was easy to imagine that once, roads were meant to be like this: for the people. Suddenly, the protected bike lane spits me out near Castle Frank, with only a solid white line painted on the road to keep motorists and cyclists apart. Worse still, the downtown stretch of my route has only a picture of a bicycle to mark the bike lane. Unsurprisingly, cars and delivery vans treat it as a drop-off point or parking spot, which means that cyclists have to regularly swerve into traffic to avoid colliding with stopped cars. It’s hard to imagine who benefits from all the chaos on the roads in downtown Toronto. If the constant cacophony of blaring horns and screeching brakes doesn’t make for a good driving experience, then it certainly doesn’t make for a good cycling one. Pulled up to the red light at Bay Street, a cyclist in front of me once remarked that rush hour impatience was back with a vengeance. Then, with a shrug, she said, “but I love cycling,” and pedaled off when the light turned green. She was right. After so many days, you become acclimated to the chaos. Unless you get lucky, or live very close to where you work, you’ll probably have to go through a high stress traffic zone if you choose to cycle, which scares a lot of potential cyclists away. This chaos and risk intimidated me too at first — every close call brought me closer to quitting and getting back on the TTC. Then, at some point this year, cycling became a part of my identity. People don’t say, “I’m a driver” or “I’m a subway rider” with the same spirit that people say, “I’m a cyclist.” There’s a large and growing accessibility disparity between cyclists, though. From helmets to reflective vests, the market for protective cycling gear is booming. However, to me, cycling should be safe for everyone, not just those who can shell out for the brightest lights or the best windbreakers. More affluent cyclists, to an extent, have the ability to buy out of some of the dangers that cyclists face. However, the onus should not be on the cyclist to spend extra money to protect themselves. We all have the right to get around the city, and, until transit becomes free, cycling remains the most cost-effective option. While a lack of infrastructure is definitely to blame, with inadequate bike lanes and protective measures, there is also a toxic culture surrounding cycling, as motorists use cars to intimidate and harass cyclists. Getting past the stoplight at Yonge and Bloor, my handlebar tapped a driver’s side mirror. While it wasn’t damaged, the driver cut me off in the middle of the intersection and yelled at me to pull over. When I did, he and his passenger berated me for ‘hitting’ his car. There’s no real choice in a position like this but to meekly apologize and pedal on, even if you feel like you’ve done nothing wrong. The sheer weight and size difference between our vehicles and his overreaction made me scared. And yet, there’s a unique camaraderie between cyclists born out of all of this anxiety. Once when I signalled to turn right off of Danforth Avenue before stopping at a red light, I checked behind me to see if any cars were turning. Another cyclist told me, “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.” For every nasty interaction and every potential collision, I’ve also felt a strong sense of community on my daily commute. I hope that as better policy, infrastructure, and traffic law enforcement come to fruition, this community will get bigger. After all, cycling as a group — albeit a group of strangers — feels a lot safer than travelling alone.
Arts & Culture
October 21, 2019 var.st/arts arts@thevarsity.ca
How to get crackin’ as an engineering student at U of T Eight pro tips to make the pinkie ring worth it Harry Khachatrian Varsity Contributor SHANNA HUNTER/THE VARSITY
Like the coming of the new year, it was always inevitable. Starbucks’ pumpkin spice lattes make their seasonal reprise as autumn takes hold, drawing a heavy curtain on the last sultry summer days. You look back, lamenting the end of your halcyon high-school era. Your first year of university is a period you spend preparing to propel yourself into your next academic epoch. The whole year is a limbo between high school and university, which was best described by Alice Cooper in 1970: “I’m a boy and I’m a man… I’m eighteen and I like it.” It’s an exciting, albeit unsure time in your life. On one hand, you’re flushed with fortitude, having emerged from high school unscathed. On the other, you stare ahead at the uncharted waters of your college campus in trepidation at what scholarly turbulences lie before you. If this mental cocktail of eagerness and apprehension sounds at all familiar, don’t worry. For those of you who have been admonished of the difficulties of engineering, I hope to quell those fears with some advice and tips I wish I’d have had when I was in my first year. Forgot high-school calculus? Don’t sweat it There is always a group of first-year students flushed with anxiety at the thought of walking into a first-year math course with the everythingI-learned-in-high-school part of their brains scrubbed spotless over the summer, like one of Dexter Morgan’s crime scenes. If this sounds like you, you might even be thinking, “Who needs a social life? I’d better spend my fall semester poring over old calculus textbooks, and maybe even read ahead.” Stop right there. Your professors are not expecting you to remember every nuance of last year’s math. On the contrary, they assume you spent your summer
like any 18 year old who just graduated from high school, and, as a consequence, forgot everything. They teach you exactly what you need to know from scratch, which brings us to the second point. Don’t fall behind Warren Buffet has two rules when it comes to investing. The first is to never lose money, and the second is to never forget rule one. In engineering, the first rule to follow is to not fall behind. You can guess the second. Just because your professor starts the semester in first gear does not mean you should be fooled into thinking that you'll be coasting into final exams. If you think the class is moving too slowly, miss lectures at your own risk; speaking from experience, skipping lectures by telling yourself you already know everything is a sure way to place yourself in academic peril. Sure, today you are sleeping through an introduction to limits, but within a week the chalkboards look like the set pieces from Good Will Hunting.
graduate research. That’s where you come in: professors always start the first lecture of the semester by writing their office location on the board. If something isn’t clear in a subsequent lecture or in your problem sets, don’t hesitate to drop by and ask the professor any questions that pop into your head. Just be sure to attempt to understand the problems by yourself first. Professors, like pro-sports talent scouts, are always looking for hard-working, ambitious students. There’s no better way to put yourself on their radars than attending their office hours and showing your ravenous appetite for learning. Years later, one might just reach out to you with a job opportunity or research position. If nothing else, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the course material.
Be resourceful! At one point or another, students in pursuit of their iron rings will wallow in frustration and angst, and think, “How on earth am I going to pass this?” Not to worry! At U of T — and at university more broadly — there is a plethora of resources available to you.
Teaching assistants Whatever the course, its teaching assistants (TAs) will likely be graduate students who took it themselves as undergraduates. Like Sherpas who guide climbers up the Himalayan mountains, the TAs have scaled the hills and valleys of your course syllabus, and are there to guide you through them. Moreover, if they have taught the same class multiple times, they will have marked previous assignments and exams, and seen where students tend to struggle. They are an invaluable resource, and can help you overcome any hardship.
Professors’ office hours The one thing all your first-year lectures will have in common is a professor eager to lend a helping hand. But it’s a two-way street. While professors have been in your shoes before, and understand the trials and tribulations of first-year engineering, they also need new bright candidates for
courses.skule.ca You may or may not have heard about it yet, but aside from Quercus — and Stack Overflow, for you electrical and computer engineering students — the most useful website during your time here is courses.skule.ca. This website contains past years’ final exams and midterms, many of which
also contain solutions, for nearly every course you will be taking in your undergraduate years. It’s a vital resource; not just in studying for exams, but also for gauging the course itself as it progresses. How do you know which lectures are the most important? Which topics to pay more attention to? You can find out all this by simply glancing over old midterms and exams. Based on the types of questions your professor tends to ask, you should have a good assessment of how your understanding of the course even before the midterm approaches. Make friends You are entering a program with hundreds of classmates of whom, at best, you know a handful. But fear not: making friends is the easiest thing you will do as an engineering student. Orientation week is a great opportunity to get to know your peers, so be sure to socialize. The person sitting next to you in orientation may be the person you’ll be asking to help with problem sets in a few weeks. Before you go to a professor’s office hours or emailing the TA, the first and best way to tackle a challenge is by sitting down in one of the many large libraries on campus with a study group. The key point is that you should not worry. Sure, engineering is a challenging program, but you probably did not come here because it was going to be easy. You wanted a challenge — and a job, upon graduation. You are now part of a community of hard-hatwearing students who can chant gleeful engineering cheers. Those of you with early birthdays can take special joy in the paeans to Pilsner, and you can all prepare for the next chapter of your academic lives.
Why do we strike and what happens next? A month after the Global Climate Strike in Toront, a U of T student reflects on the place and power of mass non-cooperation Grace King Varsity Contributor
It was still dark when I arrived at Queen’s Park to set up for the Global Climate Strike, the sun rising from behind the tall shapes of the Financial District in the distance. At 6:00 am, the stage crew was just beginning to unload, but already a steady line of media vans had filled up the Queen’s Park side lot. Hours before people from all corners of the GTA would stream onto the park lawns with their signs demanding climate justice for all, journalists and organizers like myself stood in the cold morning air, waiting to see the story of September 27 unfold before us. To pull a term from the organizing theory of Mark and Paul Engler, the Global Climate Strike on September 27 represented “a moment of the whirlwind.” The whirlwind can be described as any instance of mass non-cooperation which draws participation from all corners and all walks of life, building an irresistible wave of momentum that everyday citizens are compelled to join. Such whirlwinds are the driving force behind mass disruptions of institutional power. To name some well-known examples: the moment of the whirlwind was a key trigger for the collective breaking-down of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the explosion of the Arab Spring uprising in 2011,
and, more recently, the flood of protests during the women’s marches in 2017. Put into context alongside past whirlwind moments, it is easy to understand the considerable weight of a 50,000-strong Climate Strike in Toronto, even though the city does not have a notable history of mass protests. Looking back at the strike nearly a month later, I remember my early-morning anticipation at Queen’s Park, and my initial uncertainty regarding whether we’d have even 10,000 people show up — it is crucial that we remember the strike as an extraordinary social moment for climate justice. Criticism and interrogation have their own place looking back, but using critique as a tool to promote cynicism and disillusionment about the power of social movements is not helpful or useful. Cynicism does not win social goods. That kind of criticism does not win a liveable planet, Indigenous sovereignty, or status for all. The criticism that social movements need should focus on the movement’s ability to put Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities at the front, to interrogate and unsettle white power within movements, to confront and improve the movement’s inclusion, and improve access to
ensure no community is left behind. This criticism is not just useful, it is necessary. Let us look back at the strike and imagine how we can continue to improve our social movements, and not On September 27, Toronto participated in the Global Climate Strike. look back and suggest ALOYSIUS WONG/THE VARSITY that the 50,000 bodies on the streets of Toronto were just an Instagram opportunity. Climate Justice Toronto or Fridays For Future, 50,000 is a movement. 50,000 is a whirlwind. are plugging young people across the country into The power of a social movement is measured the fight for a liveable planet and you can join us. through its ability to retain members of the pubIn other words: if you left the Climate Strike lic and install them into the fabric of the move- feeling dissatisfied or disillusioned, you can find ment in the weeks, months, and years to come, power and bravery by diving into the work that following the moment of the whirlwind. is being done on the ground in solidarity with Although the moment of the whirlwind is frontline communities targeted by the climate critical in launching mass protest, it is the work crisis. of building relationships which allows any mass movement to achieve its goal. Disclosure: Grace King was a Climate Justice ToThe youth groups which backed the strike, like ronto organizer during the climate march.
var.st/arts
OCTOBER 21, 2019
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What’s it like having an IUD?
Victoria McIntyre Varsity Contributor
Let’s talk about sex, birth control, and how to become a work of art
I love having my copper Intrauterine device (IUD). As an individual who does not like the idea of having hormones added to their body, but does want the highest level of protection during sex — it was the perfect option. If you don’t know, an IUD is a small, T-shaped device with two hanging strings, that you can get inserted into your uterus. Yup, sounds terrifying. At least, that’s what was running through my brain while I sat fidgeting in the waiting room for 40 minutes. When I was considering getting the copper IUD, there was a major downside. It increases period cramps and flow, and is typically recommended for people who have lighter menstruation cycles. But hey, I already had a painkiller prescription for my cramps: you know, the type of pain where you have to imagine you’re a Viking warrior with a stab wound — those menstrual cramps. Fun. My doctor’s response to my IUD request was something along the lines of, “Are you sure? Let me give you another prescription too, just in case.” This naturally made me more apprehensive of the procedure, but I knew that any hormonal option would impact me more than extra cramps. I also knew that I could get my IUD taken out anytime after its insertion — the myth that you’re trapped with it for the next five years is not true. It is, of course, better to wait two months and see how your body adjusts, but after that, do whatever you want! Now, having had my IUD for a year, my cramps have remained exactly the same. People often hold on to what’s conventional and I’m grateful to have access to any method of birth
Adulting 101: So you think you can launder?
Your parents were right — there is a correct way to do your laundry and you’re definitely doing it wrong
control around me at all, but I also know that I should have the final choice over what goes into my body. What works for one person might not be what’s right for someone else. That is to say, my experience is just one story. When I was growing up, no one taught me about any options beyond abstinence and the pill. That’s why I think it’s important to talk about other forms of contraception, like the IUD. When I finally got into the insertion room, my doctor was nowhere in sight. After 20 minutes of staring at the harsh fluorescent lights, eyes roving over cheap ceiling tiles with my back pressed into the operation table, I heard a knock at the door. She came in to tell me that they were waiting for the instruments to cool down from their time in the dishwasher, which gave me a whole host of visuals that I didn’t ask for. When she returned, she placed a little plastic tool inside of me that held the area open, sprayed an antiseptic down there, then talked me through the insertion cramps. I’m endeavouring to be nothing but honest and informative — and maybe, just maybe, slightly entertaining. Afterward, I rated the pain of having the IUD placed inside of me as a seven out of 10. This may seem like an arbitrary detail, but I want it out there for any person trying to decide what they want to do to have a fun, safe sex life. I’ve had enough friends ask me about it and then decide to get one themselves, that I wanted to share with a bigger audience. I didn’t have any cramps after the operation was done. I even went to a party that night. However, some people have reported experiencing pain afterward,
so it’s not out of the realm of possibility. You don’t feel the IUD itself inside of you at all. You don’t beep going through airport security or anything like that either. Although, I do like to think that the fact that it’s up there makes me a cyborg. I made the customary second appointment to have my thread checked a few months later. The threads allow the doctor to ensure that the IUD is sitting correctly in your reproductive system. My IUD is soft and high enough in your cervix that it shouldn’t be noticeable. It also curls up with time into a practically non-existent little ball. Like birth control pills, for a reason that I don’t understand, the copper IUD has a name. Only instead of sounding like something a kid would name their Barbie doll, it’s called the Mona Lisa. So, if you do decide to go ahead and get one, keep in mind that you are officially a work of art.
Abhya Adlakha Varsity Contributor
2. Best way to load a washing machine? Use the Palm Rule You need to give your clothes enough space to tumble and spin. If you overload the washer, then your clothes won’t get washed properly. On the other hand, if its not loaded enough, then you’re wasting water. Hence, the palm trick! Place your hand in the drum, and if your hand fits between your clothes and the wall of the drum, then you have the perfect load size.
Do any of us really know how to do laundry? Last Sunday, I pulled out my new white shirt from the washer and it was stained pink — just a massive, in-your-face blotch on my shirt a day before an interview. How could this happen to me? I’ve been doing laundry for the past four years, and now it turns out that after all this time I’ve been doing it all wrong. If you’re anything like me, you probably take a pile of dirty clothes, shove them into the washing machine, throw in detergent, pick both the cycle and temperature based on absolutely no logic, and then let the beautiful pièce de résistance do its magic. Well, if you can relate to the above, then this is for you. And to those of you rolling your eyes, good for you. You’re nailin’ adulting. Love that — but I can’t relate. After the last astronomical disaster, I finally went ahead and did some research. I typed “how to do laundry” on Google, and there it was: a long, verbose list of articles claiming to know the secret to doing laundry perfectly. There was an entire page dedicated to whites, a different one for knitwear, another one for colours — each with their own list of instructions. But don’t worry, I won’t bore you with the details of each of them. I know we’re all busy U of T students, which only gives us time to skim through online readings before getting back to our actual readings. So, I’ve compiled a brief list of things that’ll help you preserve your Canada Goose jackets, woolen sweaters, and your white shirts for a little longer — or, at least, until after the interview. 1. Do not mix your whites with colours. Come on, don’t do it! I know that we’re all lazy and that nobody wants to do two cycles, but mixing really ruins your garms. Even if there’s no colour leak, the materials for the two are usually quite different and your whites will get damaged.
TROY LAWRENCE/THE VARSITY
3. Know your laundry symbols You know those tiny white clothing labels that are sewn on the inside of your clothes and have all these fancy shapes that are practically incomprehensible? Yes, those! They are important. Some clothes can’t be washed with bleach, some need to be washed with cold water, and some shouldn’t be washed at all! Knowing these could really save your clothes from damage.
cycle for jeans, non-cotton items, knits, and polyesters, and a delicate cycle for wool, silk, and other fragile garments. Great, you finally know what the permanent-press cycle is used for! 6. A few things that you should never, ever put in the dryer Silk, lace, activewear, and pantyhose — now you know why your tights get torn so quickly! Also: those dryer sheets? They can actually be bad for your health. According to a few doctors, they might even be bad for your skin. So, even if you don’t take anything away from this article — and continue to shove all your clothes into one load, or take your laundry back to your parents house every two weeks — you can at least save money on those dryer sheets!
4. Now, about your knitwear — this is important to know because we live in a freezer for eight months First, it’s never a good idea to wash your wool clothes often. Every time you wash them, a little more damage is done to the fibres. If you can’t eat a burrito right and end up spilling sauce on your sweaters, just clean the stain using bleach or stain remover, but please, remember to first check if you’re allowed to use bleach. Secondly, if you want to wash ‘unstructured’ wool pieces, like sweaters, blankets, and scarves, wash them on a delicate cycle in the washer. Always use cool water and gentle detergent; otherwise, it will shrink. 5. A little more complicated advice on the type of wash cycle, but stay with me… Try using normal or regular cycle for whites, sheets, towels, undergarments, and socks. Always use a permanent-press
FIONA TUNG/THE VARSITY
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THE VARSITY
ARTS & CULTURE
arts@thevarsity.ca
Photographer: Jadine Ngan
Science
October 21, 2019 var.st/science science@thevarsity.ca
Where do Canada’s federal parties stand on research funding? Research funding has been on an upward trend, but problems remain
Federal parties vary on policies for supporting research in Canada. TROY LAWRENCE/THE VARSITY
Aanya Bahl Varsity Contributor
The hubbub of election season sees parties and candidates promoting and revamping policies and agendas, but there’s one policy discussion that has yet to materialize — government funding for fundamental science research. The platforms of the Conservative Party, Liberal Party, and New Democratic Party (NDP) all have sparse information on science research, though the Green Party has provided a detailed strategy on funding.
Science research funding is lower than it was 10 years ago. The three main agencies that finance most of Canada’s federal research — the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR); and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) — have substantially decreased the amount of funding they’re willing to give, with the approval rate of grant applications by these agencies dropping to as low as 13 per cent. Since winning the last federal election in 2015, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau appointed Dr. Kirsty Duncan as the chief scientific officer. Duncan commissioned an expert panel to carry out the fundamental science review, surveying the current landscape of science research in Canada. In a 2015 mandate letter to the minister of science, Trudeau committed to the creation of more opportunities for students in STEM and business programs, enhanced research funding across the board, and strengthened recognition of the importance of fundamental research in discovery. According to the federal government, these mandates have been fulfilled. However, the Canadian Association of University Teachers has contended that federal research funding has not been optimally allocated. The Liberals allotted $900 million to science research from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, but the association maintains that it did not make a substantial impact on the larger science community. It wrote that the amount was only shared between 13 postsecondary institutes and their researchers. Voters might expect a more coherent plan for
Examining disinformation ahead of Canada’s federal election U of T researchers observe potential election interference efforts on Twitter Kaitlyn Simpson Varsity Contributor
Earlier this summer, reports surfaced that possible automated pro-Trump Twitter accounts from the United States were using hashtags to interfere in Canada’s upcoming federal election. These alleged bots — broadly defined as nonhuman actors created to mimic human behaviour online — can contribute to an already-existing problem of disinformation and ‘fake news.’ While Twitter has denied any large-scale disinformation campaigns, others have suggested that manipulation attempts are simply a reality of today’s social media landscape. Amid the proliferation of false information online, how could one spot bots in their feed? #TrudeauMustGo Perhaps the most infamous case of social media election interference is the Russian online disinformation campaign. According to the Mueller report, it is alleged to have contributed to the election of Donald Trump. However, as campaigning heats up for Canada’s federal election on October 21, U of T researchers have been looking into how automated social media accounts could be generating and spreading digital disinformation at home. Dr. Alexei Abrahams, a research fellow at The Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, has assisted researcher Dr. Marc Owen Jones in exploring the contentious issue. By examining 34,000 tweets posted between September 3 and 5 of this year, Jones found that
15 per cent of the approximately 4,896 accounts using #TrudeauMustGo were linked to American far-right-wing politics. According to Jones, the behaviour of these accounts was consistent with that of political bots or orchestrated ‘trolls.’ In July, the National Observer reported on similar bot interference after #TrudeauMustGo became a trending topic on Canadian Twitter. In this instance, 31,600 tweets posted between July 16–17 were analyzed, with some accounts displaying “indicators of inauthentic activity.” In an email to The Varsity, Abrahams confirmed that he and Jones were collecting data, but maintained that the “Canadian elections are not a major target for inauthentic, coordinated behavior.” Abrahams discussed the potential consequences of disinformation online in a recent interview with CTV News. “You reach a place, when you’re exposed to so much misinformation, that you’re agnostic toward any sort of information,” he said. “It ultimately leads to a sort of withdrawal from political life and from the activity of inquiring, because you just become frustrated and skeptical, then ultimately disenchanted.” Automated disinformation While much of the conversation around automated social media accounts and their contribution to new concerns surrounding ‘fake news’ involves the United States and the United Kingdom, there have been multiple documented cases of attempted election interference in Canada.
research funding developed by each of the main parties. In the absence of a clear commitment to science research funding from the Liberals, the NDP, and the Conservatives, The Varsity reached out to party representatives. Different parties’ pledges to research funding According to a spokesperson from the Liberal Party, the party plans on providing $354.7 million over five years, and $90.1 million per year ongoing, to the CIHR. It also plans to invest $265 million in the SSHRC. A spokesperson for the NDP wrote that they will work with universities and health professionals to make sure that public research on critical health issues continues to flourish, and will invest in public agriculture research. A representative from the Green Party referred to its in-depth funding strategy, which mentions that it plans on incorporating conclusions of the Fundamental Science Review and increasing funding to postsecondary institutions and universities for science research. The Conservatives did not respond to The Varsity’s request for comment. U of T professor highlights reticence on science funding A major issue for voters is that none of the parties seem to want to talk about science research funding in-depth, according to an op-ed to the Toronto Star written by Dr. David Naylor, a former U of T President, and Dr. Mark Lautens, a professor at U of T’s Department of Chemistry. Lautens underscored the importance of federal research investment in an interview with The Varsity. He noted that it enables scientists to improve the public’s quality of life by developing disease therapies, finding solutions to environmental issues, and bettering waste reduction. He noted that funding also provides research opportunities In 2017, university professors Fenwick McKelvey and Elizabeth Dubois released a study on the role of bots in the Canadian media landscape. The study found that Canada has not critically engaged with the role of bots in its democratic processes. Citing the 2015 federal election campaign, McKelvey and Dubois illustrated how frequent automated tweets using the #cdnpoli hashtag amplified anti-Stephen Harper sentiment. However, the researchers also highlighted the potential of bots for positive political engagement, including automated accounts created to increase government transparency. More recently, Global Affairs Canada shared a report by Rapid Response Mechanism — a G7 response coordination group — outlining how “coordinated inauthentic [online] behaviour” was present during Alberta’s 2019 provincial election. While the report notes that the ‘inauthentic behaviour’ did not seriously interfere in the election, the existence of the coordinated disinformation has some questioning the power of bots in democratic processes. Other reports have suggested that bot activity had amplified the tweets of now-Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, during his provincial election campaign last year. How to spot and prevent disinformation Dr. Brett Caraway, an assistant professor at U of T’s Institute of Communication, Culture, Information & Technology, discussed the pressing concerns of false reporting in democratic institutions in an interview with The Varsity. “When you have bots or fake news outlets, any sort of party that is interested in influencing a political outcome in an election, it creates some very real level of confusion over facts,” he said. “And that’s the part that I think is so dangerous to a healthy thriving democracy.”
to better train the country’s future researchers. Lautens has supported the rebound of federal funding since cuts in the mid-2000s, but he still believes that “a lot more needs to be done.” He highlighted the low rates of CIHR grant approval for medical research funding as a critical area of improvement. What’s at stake for students? Farah Qaiser, a Master’s student in molecular genetics at U of T and a head spokesperson for #VoteScience, a national nonpartisan effort to advocate for science in the upcoming election, explained how voters can learn more about the parties’ positions on supporting research. In an email to The Varsity, Qaiser advocated for voters to reach out to their candidates as soon as possible to ask where they stand on science issues that matter to their electorate — such as funding research or better supporting the “next generation of scientists.” She recommended voters to do so by reaching out to candidates in-person, calling, emailing, or using the #VoteScience campaign’s email form. To learn more, Qaiser further recommended students check CBC’s non-partisan science and environmental policy debate between federal candidates, as well as the conclusions of a survey sent to the federal parties to determine their environmental policies. The Evidence for Democracy advocacy group, along with members of the #VoteScience campaign, have also published results of a questionnaire sent to the federal parties about their positions on science policy. The Liberals, NDP, and Greens submitted responses to the survey. According to Evidence for Democracy, the Conservatives “declined to participate due to time constraints.”
Automated bots have contributed to the problem of disinformation and ‘fake news.’ IRIS DENG/THE VARSITY
When asked how users could protect themselves from being exposed to or perpetuating disinformation, Caraway outlined several measures. Users should question anonymous sources, examine URLs for proper sourcing, identify the dates on articles, read beyond headlines, check multiple sources, and put in effort when reading and sharing content. Broadly, however, he believes that the government should take more measures to promote media literacy because it is “just as important as learning to read and write at this stage.” According to Caraway, media literacy education should focus on three components: how to find authoritative information, how to value different kinds of information, and how to meaningfully participate in political discourse online. “All of us are in the position of being broadcasters today,” he said. “And being in that position of a broadcaster comes with responsibility and obligation to engage in ethical political discourse.” Disclosure: Kaitlyn Simpson previously served as Volume 139 Managing Online Editor of The Varsity, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Varsity Publications Inc.
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THE VARSITY
SCIENCE
science@thevarsity.ca
No country for fake news
Canadian political news found “relatively clean” of misinformation, according to the Digital Democracy Project The findings of the project have been released as research memos, which are available for reading on its website. The Varsity highlighted its major findings below.
Researchers have been observing how Canadians consume media and how it affects their politics. JULIEN BALBONTIN/THE VARSITY
Spencer Y. Ki Science Correspondent
With ‘fake news’ and hyper-partisanship now seemingly the norm south of the border, experts closer to home studying the ebbs and flows of Canadian political streams are watching for signs of similar developments. As it turns out, the results are encouraging. In the months running up to Canada’s October 21 federal election, researchers at the Digital Democracy Project have been observing how Canadians consume media and how such consumption interacts with their politics. The project is managed by the Public Policy Forum — an independent think tank — and includes academics from universities across Canada. U of T affiliated participants include the project’s Head of the Survey Analysis Team Dr. Peter Loewen, a professor at U of T’s Department of Political Science; Lead Survey Analyst Dr. Eric Merkley, a postdoctoral fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy; and Digital Democracy Fellow Stephanie MacLellan, who graduated with a Master of Global Affairs from the Munk School in 2016.
“Media, Knowledge and Misinformation” In the project’s first memo, released on August 8, researchers surveyed Canadians and determined that the public is most likely to receive news from traditional, mainstream sources. CBC News was the leading outlet, with 42 per cent of participants reportedly consuming CBC reporting in the past week, followed closely by televised CTV News in second place, at 41 per cent of participants. This consumption of CBC and CTV reporting was uniform regardless of declared party affiliation, although Progressive Conservative (PC) Party supporters held a slight preference for CTV over the CBC. In comparison, the explicitly right-wing news site Rebel Media was reportedly read by 22 per cent of PC supporters in the last week, while explicitly left-wing news site Rabble.ca was read by 10 per cent of New Democratic Party (NDP) supporters in the past week. “The Climate Change Conundrum” The second research memo was published on August 29, and examined which issues matter most to Canadians. A survey found that supporters of the Liberal Party were most likely to hold health care as the most important issue of the federal election. The economy and the environment were not far behind, taking the second and third place of importance, respectively. In contrast, PC supporters were overwhelmingly likely to prioritize the economy, with immigration and refugee issues and taxes following. Finally, NDP supporters were most likely to prioritize the environment, with health care and the economy coming after.
“Polarization and its Discontents” In the third research memo, published on September 12, the project tackled the issue of political polarization. The memo differentiates between two different types of polarization. The first type, affective polarization, is defined as the dislike of an individual or party due to their membership in a group in opposition to one’s own. By contrast, ideological polarization is the dislike of an individual or party due to the policies they support, rather than their membership. Researchers found evidence of affective polarization among the Canadian populace. However, the memo concluded that this polarization did not seem to arise from ‘echo chambers’ — environments where people encounter only views similar to their own — due to the fairly uniform media that Canadians consume as reported in the first memo. “Talking Past Each Other on Immigration” The fourth research memo from September 26 addressed the rise of populist nativist politics in the Western world and its effects on immigration issues. While the memo noted the rise of the nativist People’s Party of Canada, it also reported that Canadians were unlikely to be zealous in their views on immigration, and that they are open to changing their opinions when addressed with facts. In particular, the memo described two trials in which respondents were asked to report on their attitudes towards immigration. In one trial, a 2018 Conference Board of Canada report detailing the positive impact of immigration on the economy was given to respondents to read beforehand. Of the respondents who read the report, 63 per cent responded with positive attitudes toward immigration, compared to the 57 per cent of respondents who had not read the report. “Fact-Checking, Blackface and the Media” In the fifth research memo, published on October 3, researchers reported the public’s attitude toward fact-checking in journalism. It was found that 73 per cent of Canadians responded with a desire to see more fact-checking, with equal sup-
port among left-leaning and right-leaning voters. The memo also covered the topic of Trudeau's brownface and blackface scandal. Observations of social media trends found that despite widespread discourse on the day the scandal was reported, interest in the incident rapidly declined on both social and traditional media by the third day. “Political Advertising on Facebook” The most recent research memo, published on October 10, covered partisan expenditure on Facebook ads during the campaign period. Researchers found that the Liberal Party had spent slightly over $1 million on ads between September 11 and October 4, with the Conservative Party spending $640,000 and the NDP spending $230,000 during the same period. Out of non-party actors, the right wing organisation Canada Proud spent the most during the same period, buying $123,000 worth of Facebook ads. For comparison, the second largest nonparty spender was the anti-Conservative Party organisation North99, which spent $29,000 on Facebook ads during the period. What comes next? Following the conclusion of the federal election, the project is preparing to release a final, comprehensive report next March. “A big part of the project has been gathering all kinds of data that we haven’t had a chance to report on week-to-week during the campaign — including YouTube and Reddit content as well as more comprehensive Facebook data,” wrote MacLellan to The Varsity. “The next few months will be spent analyzing those findings.” In the meantime, the released research memos indicate that despite some concerns, ‘fake news’ is not a particularly Canadian problem. Project researchers still emphasize that it’s important to pay attention to what you pay attention to. “One thing that I think is an important takeaway from our project is that some of what we think we know about the relationship between the media and citizens is the result of a lazy interpolation of trends in the United States to the Canadian context,” wrote Merkley to The Varsity. “Orchestrated misinformation isn’t necessary for citizens to be misinformed about politics.”
The future of psychedelic science
Potential of research to treat mental health problems discussed at Toronto Psychedelic Science Conference Lucinda Zhu Varsity Contributor
The promise of psychedelics research in a wide range of fields was explored at the Mapping the Mind: 2019 Psychedelic Science Conference at U of T’s Earth Sciences Centre in September. Psychedelics are a class of mind-altering chemicals with therapeutic potential. The conference aimed to promote public education of psychedelic science and research in the field. It featured 10 speakers, including U of T professors, from a wide array of fields, such as psychiatry, pharmacology, and law. Each speaker discussed their unique perspective on the future of psychedelic research. Dr. David Nichols: psychedelic science researcher The conference began with Dr. David Nichols, a respected pharmacologist and medicinal chemist from Purdue University, who has been widely known for his prolific work on psychedelic science since 1969. Nichols has mainly worked with rats to study the effect of psychedelics on animal brains. Over his years of research, he has developed a strong faith in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Patients with mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, often display dysfunc-
tional brain connectivity. Psychedelics can be used for treatment in these cases because they lead to a global increase in brain cell communications. When Nichols began psychedelics research he faced difficulties receiving funding, as well as controversy due to the subject of his research. However, Nichols has described the field in recent years as “blossoming,” as it begins to demonstrate some promising prospects. In support of psychedelic science research, Nichols founded the Heffter Research Institute in 1993. The institute works closely with some of the top universities in the world such as Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Yale University, and the University of Zurich. “What we work on today, [I] never imagined we’d have them in my lifetime,” Nichols said. When asked about his hope for the future, he commented, “[If] at least the trajectory is going in the right direction, I will be happy.” In the future, when patients find themselves in crisis, Nichols hopes that they can experience at least one psychedelic session with their psychiatrists. His vision for the future was met with lasting applause from the audience.
From left to right, panelists Drs. Matthew Johnson, David Nichols, and Mendel Kaelen discussed the promise of psychedelics research. COURTESY OF ANDRIJA DIMITRIJEVIC/MAPPPING THE MIND
Dr. Srinivas Rao: psychedelics as antidepressants in pharmacology After a short break, the conference introduced the audience to a different perspective from Dr. Srinivas Rao, Chief Scientific Officer at ATAI Life Sciences AG and former CEO of Kyalin Biosciences. Rao’s companies mainly work on the development of rapid-acting antidepressant drugs based on psilocybin and ketamine. These chemicals may lead to more compelling effects in contrast to the numerous limitations of conventional antidepressants such as poor compliance, delayed efficacy, and negative side effects. For example, patients who are treated with ketamine have demonstrated rapid relief of depression symptoms and fewer side effects than with other drugs. According to Rao, the US Food and
Drug Administration recently approved an esketamine medicine targeted for treatment-resistant depression, sold under the name SPRAVATO. The drug is a nasal spray that needs to be administered in a supervised setting. A patient who has had a treatment session with the psychedelic described their experience as giving them “the ability to step back,” which Rao further elaborated on as “the ability to give you the distance that you need from all the negative thinking.” The success of SPRAVATO is a lucky case. As Rao emphasized, the development of such drugs can take almost a decade, yet still fail to succeed on the market despite FDA approval. Currently, Rao’s companies are testing psilocybin in early clinical trials, and he remains hopeful for the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in treating depression.
var.st/science
OCTOBER 21, 2019
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How do you become a U of T student researcher in machine learning? Seven student researchers share their experiences and insights at AI Student Panel Talk
According to panel members, an effective strategy includes cold-emailing professors for research opportunities. JINYU HOU/THE VARSITY
Annie Lu Varsity Contributor
Seven U of T students discussed their experiences and insights as machine learning researchers at the AI Student Panel Talk. The talk was organized by the AI Squared Forum, and took place in the Bahen Centre of Information Technology in September. At the panel, the speakers answered moderator-curated questions and questions from the audience, with topics ranging from learning resources, personal development, and time management, to advice for making the first step in research. What skills and personal qualities are necessary? The speakers shared the skills and qualities they believe are important to become a good student researcher. Their answers can be grouped into three main categories: personality, technical skills, and social skills.
Astronomy PhD student named a 2019 Vanier Scholar for research on exoplanets
Emily Deibert studies exoplanet atmospheres, while writing as a science journalist
CARISSA CHEN/THE VARSITY
Kyle Hsu, an undergraduate student studying engineering science who is researching at the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, believed resilience and self-confidence are key qualities to have. Knowing programming tools and languages, as well as abstract symbol manipulation, is also crucial to understand machine learning research. Since most research projects cannot be done without cooperation, student researchers also need to develop social and communication skills. Where can students get hands-on experiences? Winnie Xu, a third-year undergraduate student researching robotics at the Vector Institute, said that she learns with online tutorials. The speakers also recommended participating in Kaggle competitions and Hackathons, as completing a project from start to end is a valuable experience, both in learning technical skills and in project management. While it can be difficult to finish a project, Jacob Kelly, a third-year undergraduate student
conducting research at the Vector Institute, recommended joining topical student clubs as a way to learn together and find a supportive community. In addition, Hsu mentioned that reproducing a published research paper is another great way to develop a deeper understanding of the topic students may be interested in. According to the panelists, the best ways to stay up-to-date with the latest news of machine learning research include following active researchers on Twitter, subscribing to technical blogs, and auditing graduate-level machine learning courses. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are also helpful resources. A question from an audience member concerned how the speakers got into machine learning in the first place. MOOCs were mentioned again and again, so the moderator asked the panel: “Who took a MOOC when you got started?” Five out of seven speakers raised their hands.
How can students get their first research opportunity? For students looking to get involved in research, finding the first opportunity is often the most difficult. Getting a personal connection could make the process much easier, such as by reaching out to alumni. But most speakers on the panel started with cold-emailing professors; some sent up to 100 emails trying to find a position, and a few got a reply after one or two months. The speakers also suggested strategies for cold emailing. For example, applicants should tailor their emails to specific professors and mention why they think their research is interesting. The panelists also recommended students to attach a résumé, list all the relevant courses and projects, and keep the email short — usually no more than a couple paragraphs. Disclosure: Annie Lu is a member of the U of T Machine Learning Intelligence Team, one of the groups that organized the student panel.
Javiera Gutierrez Duran Associate Science Editor
Emily Deibert, a third-year PhD student in the Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics, supervised by Dr. Suresh Sivanandam and Dr. Ray Jayawardhana, was named a 2019 Vanier Scholar. The highly prestigious distinction, granted by the Government of Canada, awards $50,000 per year over three years to doctoral students, who exemplify leadership and excellence in scholarly achievement, to support their research. Deibert’s research on planets in the far-flung reaches of the universe Deibert studies the atmosphere of exoplanets — planets that orbit stars outside of our solar system. Some of her research has focused on the atmospheric sodium of exoplanets smaller than Saturn, as well as enigmatic rocky planets discovered by NASA’s Kepler mission. Astronomers have extensively studied the atmosphere of planets closer to home, but there are many unknowns about those of exoplanets. Such exoplanets include those that are larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, as well as those the size of Jupiter, which are very close to their stars. The lack of planets with similar parameters in our solar system presents a gap in our knowledge of the atmosphere of extraterrestrial planets, which Deibert is working to bridge with her research. Telescopes grounded on Earth, which Deibert uses to study the exoplanets’ atmospheres, are more powerful than those in space. However, a disadvantage of their placement is that it causes them to capture information from the Earth’s atmosphere as well as those of exoplanets. The interference is caused by data from small particles in Earth’s atmosphere that are captured in measurements, noted Deibert. A focus of her thesis will be on developing ways to sift through this noise from the Earth-based particles to find
the desired information from exoplanets. Deibert’s research will enable us to understand the universe at large. It might also have important applications for Earth. A better understanding of how atmospheres work in distant planets, she noted, could inform our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere as well. Deibert’s work in science communication Apart from her work in research, Deibert also focuses on science journalism and science communication. Having studied English during her undergraduate degree at U of T, Deibert aimed to continue writing while completing her doctorate. As an undergraduate, she has contributed to The Strand, Victoria College’s student newspaper, and several creative fiction journals. As a writer with The Varsity, she has also covered events such as ComSciConCAN conference, Canada’s first science communication conference for graduate students. She said that her Varsity experience helped her gain confidence when reporting on scientific issues and developments. Currently, Deibert works for Research2Reality, a publication focused on research and innovation, as well as other media outlets. Science journalism is important to Deibert: “A lot of our day to day lives revolve around science and technology,” she said, “[but] people aren’t always necessarily informed about that, or don’t know how science and technology impacts their lives.” Through another lens, Deibert said, “It’s important that people are interested and care about what we’re doing because a lot of it relies on public funding.”
Part of Deibert’s thesis will focus on developing ways to best use telescopes grounded on Earth. COURTESY OF EMILY DEIBERT
Science communication could also help inspire the next generation of women scientists. “I definitely think that with science journalism and science communication, we have the power to highlight women in science,” said Deibert. “I think that’s really important not only for people in the field now, but then for younger people wanting to get into the fields.”
Sports
October 21, 2019 var.st/sports sports@thevarsity.ca
While all three gyms offer a range of accessibility services, more can be done to improve them. SHANNA HUNTER, TOM KUHN, STEVEN LEE/ THE VARSITY
Opinion: U of T’s gyms aren’t accessible to all
An analysis of the accessibility services at the St. George campus facilities Laura Ashwood Associate Sports Editor
U of T’s St. George campus offers lots of athletics facilities to help you work up a sweat. The Hart House gym, Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, and Athletic Centre (AC) collectively offer anything a gym rat could dream of for getting active. However, one question must be asked: are these gyms accessible for all? First, let’s look into Hart House, U of T’s multidisciplinary space. On its website, Hart House states that it “is proud of [its] continued effort to facilitate the inclusion of campus and community members of all abilities into [its] facilities and services.” Implemented measures in the building include elevator access to all floors, some accessible washrooms, lower counters, accessible doorways, and some barrier-free building entrances. However, Hart House seems to be lacking some gym-specific accessibility amenities. The change rooms are not easy to get to, as they re-
quire a trip down some stairs. The facility layout on the whole is also difficult to maneuver, featuring many staircases, narrow hallways, and confusing layouts. Furthermore, the top floor, which boasts a track that encircles some cardio and weight machines, is crowded with equipment. Luckily, there is usually a lot of staff around who are ready to help, but nevertheless the disjointed layout leaves much to be desired. The Goldring Centre is next on our list. This gym notably features an elevator, automatic doors, and accessible entrance gates when you scan your T-Card, in addition to the regular turnstiles. Accessible change rooms are on the second floor, and there are also alternate change rooms available to cater directly to those with specific needs: there are accessible, all-gender, and family change rooms, all with shower and washroom amenities. Goldring is also well-staffed, meaning there will always be someone nearby to help if something is out of reach, or if you need help
with a machine. The facilities are also very wellkept and state-of-the-art, however, the main gym consists of three stories, which means it may be difficult for some to use the entire space. The final option is the AC. Although the AC may be accessible in its program inclusivity, offering a staggering number of facilities for a wide range of athletics, its actual infrastructure is incompatible for someone who is not completely mobile. The AC boasts of its “seven gymnasia, three pools… strength and conditioning centre, indoor track, dance studio, cardio machines, tennis and squash courts, and steam rooms,” but its counterintuitive layout and multiple barriers for entry restrict some who may want to use these spaces. The change rooms and restrooms, for example, although accessible, are hard to get to, being located in the
basement and requiring visitors to go down a flight of stairs. There are also tricky turnstiles that members need to walk through, and even once you’re in the main facility, getting around can be quite confusing for even the best of us. One Google reviewer aptly called it “a big maze,” referring to the design and size of the building, which makes navigation especially difficult, and can lead to a lot of wasted time walking in circles. It seems like every gym is lacking in some way or another when it comes to accessibility, so while it’s important to choose the facility that best suits your needs, it’s clearly time for U of T to raise its bar for accessibility standards at all of its gyms.
Opinion: In conversation with U of T Raptors fans
The defending champions look to remain competitive after the loss of two key starters Imran Virani Varsity Contributor
After winning the NBA Championship this past June, the Raptors are in a unique position to start the 2019–2020 NBA season. Despite being the defending champions, they are still considered underdogs. ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Sports Illustrated all do not list the Raptors as a top-eight team in their preseason power rankings. Analytics website FiveThirtyEight gave them just a two per cent chance of repeating as NBA champions. These tempered expectations are understandable: very few teams lose two starters — one of them being arguably the best player in the NBA, Kawhi Leonard — in the offseason and still remain competitive, much less title contenders. What is left is a mixture of wily playoff veterans, like Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka, alongside young talent like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby. The latter will be asked to step into even greater roles with the absence of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Despite these losses, the Raptors can still compete for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. Team President Masai Ujiri will have to decide whether he wants to run it back with the roster he
has or liquidate his assets by trading away veterans and betting on the youth. The precariousness of this position has not been lost on the numerous U of T Raptor fans. However, it is undercut with a sense of optimism that comes from having witnessed history as a Canadian team won the NBA Championship for the first time — a feat that awed even the most casual of Raptors fans. “I’m a bandwagoner, “ admitted third-year life sciences student Deepak — but that didn’t stop him and other fairweather fans from being drawn into the fervour that swept Toronto. “The energy I felt when the Raptors won was incredible. It felt like the whole city went absolutely nuts… and I think the after-effects of that are still here.” These good feelings even extend to the departures of Leonard and Green. “It’s heartbreaking,” acknowledged Dillon, a second-year engineering student, “[but] I would have been more resentful if they hadn’t won. I think the mindset now is ‘thank you, you won us a championship. If you want to leave now and do other things, more power to you. You don’t owe us anything.’” Though interviewed students conceded that the Raptors’ ceiling had been lowered, they also ex-
pressed their strong faith in the Raptors front office, with Masai Ujiri being mentioned glowingly. Thomas, a third-year medical science student, said “Masai is a special kind of genius… The Kawhi trade showed that he was willing to take big risks, [DeMar DeRozan] was loved by everyone and [Ujiri] knew that… but the trade gave us a championship… I have faith he knows what he’s doing.” This faith is not without the expectation that the Raptors remain competitive. A general consensus among interviewees was that the rebuild should be held off for at least this year, and that the Raptors still have the talent to be a mid-tier playoff team. “We just re-signed [Lowry], and if the young guys take another leap, I don’t see why we can’t win a playoff round,” reasoned Dillon. He and others said that calls to ‘blow it up’ can wait for the offseason, or, as Thomas suggested, “at least until the trade deadline if they’re very bad.” This season may not come with the expectations
The Raptors are coming off of a long playoff run that was capped of with an NBA Championship. DINA DONG/THE VARSITY
of a typical defending champion, but fans still expect the Raptors to be successful, and the afterglow of that magical time in June allows for them to believe in both the present and the future of this organization. The Raptors will start their 2019–2020 campaign with a banner raising ceremony at Scotiabank Arena, followed by a matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans on the NBA’s opening day. The game will be followed by a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers — for the fans who are still not over the departure of Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green, who signed with the Clippers and Lakers, respectively.
var.st/sports
OCTOBER 21, 2019
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Blues win high scoring affair against downtown rivals Nathan Hodgin scores overtime goal as Toronto outlasts Ryerson The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s hockey team defeated their most fierce rival this Saturday in a thrilling fast-paced matchup. This win gave the Blues a 3–2 record, and vaulted them a point above Ryerson University in the Ontario University Athletics standings early in the season. Early in the first period, forward Oliver Benwell made a cross-ice pass to Toronto’s leading scorer David Thompson and one-timed the puck past
Silas Le Blanc Sports Editor
The Blues won a nail-biter against their rivals. MATTHEW AZEVEDO/ THE VARSITY
Ryerson goalie Troy Timpano for an early 1–0 lead. The play got physical fast, and after a scrum in front of the net, Toronto forward Scott Kirton, and Ryerson’s Holden Cook were assessed offsetting roughing penalties, while Blues defenseman Riley Bruce was given an extra slashing penalty. Though Toronto was able to kill off the Ryerson powerplay, Ryerson got a quick goal shortly after, as a shot from Cavin Leth was tipped in by forward Marcus Hinds. After Ryerson’s Matt Mistele was given a minor penalty, Toronto struck right back when a point shot from Toronto defenceman Evan MacEachern soared over the glove of Timpano to give Toronto a 2–1 lead. However, Toronto was unable to stay disciplined, as penalties from Riley Bruce and Scott Kirton gave Ryerson a 28-second five-on-three, which was all the time they needed to score the equalizer before the end of the first period. In the second period, Kirton almost had a chance at redemption, stealing the puck from Ryerson defender Jered Walsh on the blue line to give himself a breakaway, but was ultimately unable to capitalize on it. Toronto was able to break the tie when Nathan Hudgin made a crossice pass right in front of the Ryerson net and gave Thompson an easy tap-in for his second goal of the game. After a scramble in front of the Toronto net,
Ryerson was able to put up another equalizer when Blues goalie Alex Bishop seemed to think it was kicked in, but after discussion between the referees it was ruled a goal. Toward the end of the period, Blues forward Kyle Potts used his size and speed to beat the Rams’ defenseman and tuck it in the net, regaining the lead. In the third period, Ryerson was once again able to tie up the game, with a deflection in front of the net by forward David Miller. The Blues answered back with another goal of their own, with forward Hunter Atchison making a crisp cross-ice pass to Nathan Hudgin, who sniped it past Timpano for the go-ahead goal. Ryerson was able to get one more goal — a rebound shot in by forward Mathew Santos — to force overtime. As is typically the case in three-on-three overtime, the play was very fast paced, with odd-man rushes going back and forth, and chances happening at each end. The Blues broke the deadlock when Hudgin made a backhand pass to defenseman Brendan Bornstein. Bornstein made a beautiful spinning backhand give-and-go pass back to Hudgin, who then corralled the puck with his skate and shot it past Timpano for the winning goal. Thompson and Hudgin each had two goals, while forward Joey Manchurek quietly tallied three assists, and goalie Alex Bishop made 31 saves for the win. Toronto’s next home game will be on November 2, when they take on Laurentian University.
Blues drop final game of the season to Guelph
Senior players get warm send-off, Sequeira breaks long-standing Blues record Silas Le Blanc Sports Editor
The Toronto Varsity Blues closed out their 2019 campaign with a 40–26 loss against the playoffbound Guelph Gryphons. The game began by celebrating the senior players who were playing their last game of the season. This included Mathew Duffy, Jeffrey Lam, Christian Krcilek, Matt Loenhart, Ethan Shafer, Malcom Campbell, Julian Romano, Eddie Nam, Jordan Gillespie, Matthew Renaud, and Damoy Robinson. “I just wanted them to go out and enjoy the experience,” Head Coach Greg Marshall said of his senior players. “I wanted the rest of the guys to go out and battle hard for them and finish this off the right way… But if we’re not going to get a win, at least play hard and show some guts, and I thought we did that.” Guelph and Toronto both went two and out on their first drives, before quarterback Clay Sequeira threw a bomb to receiver Will Corby for a 99-yard touchdown on the first play of Toronto’s next drive. With this pass, Sequeira broke a
Varsity Blues record for most touchdown passes in a single season, a record which was previously held by former NFL player Dan Feraday, who had 22 touchdowns in the 1981 season. “He’s had a great year,” Marshall said of his quarterback. “We ask a lot of him. He really responded well and the exciting part is we get him back for another year hopefully — and he had an outstanding year.” At the next kickoff, the Guelph receiver slipped in the endzone, which gave Toronto an extra point. Guelph marched down the field and made a field goal to bring the score to 8–3 for Toronto. This would be the last time Toronto had the lead in the game, as Guelph would drive down the field after a Toronto two and out and tack on another touchdown to take a 10–8 lead. Guelph was also able to score on their next drive, bringing the score to 17–8. On Toronto’s next drive, the bad field position led to Sequeria being pressured by the Guelph defense in the endzone, and forced him to throw the ball away. The referee called intentional grounding on this play,
and Toronto gave up two points and the ball. Toronto was able to force two turnovers, with a fumble recovery, and an interception by defensive back Jamal Johnson, but were unable to capitalize on either opportunity. However, Toronto was able to get a touchdown and a two point conversion just before half-time, with Sequeria finding receiver Nolan Lovegrove on both plays. On the first play of the second half, Guelph was able to march down the field and score another touchdown, making it 26–16. After Toronto was forced to punt on their next drive, Guelph made it all the way to Toronto’s one-yard line on first and made a field goal. The Blues defense stopped Guelph from running the ball into the endzone on first down, and forced a fumble on second down to prevent Guelph from getting any points from the play. After a beautiful pass to around the midfield from Sequeira, Guelph was able to secure an interception. While Toronto’s next drive saw them get a field goal, Guelph was able to answer with a touchdown, bringing the score to 33–19. Guelph missed a field goal on their next drive,
but managed to secure a fumble and was able to tack on another touchdown, to give their offense 40 points. On Guelph’s last drive of the game, Toronto recovered a fumble inside the Gryphons’ five-yard line, and Sequeria threw the short touchdown pass with no time left on the clock to make the final score 40–26. “[Guelph’s] a good football team. Our kids battled hard, they just made a few more plays than we did. We were running out of bodies there at the end a little bit on the [defense] line, and the linebackers. We had three [defensive linemen],” Marshall continued. “I give our kids credit — they battled hard, they never gave up. And I’m proud of them for that,” he remarked. “Obviously we moved the dial. We are… a better team at this point in the season than we were last year, so we’ve gained a little momentum in that regard,” he said on the growth that the Blues have seen this season. “A lot of our young guys have gotten experience. We need some more work in the weight room and on the field, and hopefully we’ll be better next year for it.”
The Blues finish their season and look to keep up the momentum during winter training. JESEE MCDOUGALL/THE VARSITY
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OCTOBER 21, 2019
ISSUE 5A NSWERS
ARE YOU A MILLENNIAL LOOKING TO MEET PEOPLE YOUR AGE IN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT? Try Intro to Social Dancing with a Scottish flair. Dancing is about fun and exercise with no partner needed. Everyone is welcome! First week free/ Rest $10/class ($8 for students)
ST THOMAS’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, 383 HURON STREET JUST SOUTH OF BLOOR NEAR ST GEORGE STATION.
Thursdays at 7:30 from Oct 24 to Dec. 12. Details at dancescottish.ca/ Millennials.html