Hiba Kamel, a third-year McGill PhD student, stood up poised and palpably angry at McGill’s asbestos town hall on Sept. 22. “Some of us are traumatized. Some of us have actually interacted with the dust,” she said. Kamel is a researcher in the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences department. She is[Read More…]
Articles by Harry North
Asbestos dangers at McGill prompted Quebec regulator interventions, new report reveals
Asbestos dangers to workers at McGill University’s Macdonald campus caused Quebec regulators to intervene on three occasions between 2021 and 2023, a new internal report has revealed. The Internal Audit Final Report of the Macdonald Campus Asbestos Investigation, which was released to the McGill community on Sept. 18, detailed the[Read More…]
Asbestos in Canada: A forgotten killer remains at large
Once touted as Canada’s ‘white gold’. Now it’s banned—but its legacy lingers. Experts believe asbestos exposures still kill thousands each year
Independent grocery market to open in the SSMU building
An independent grocery market aiming to beat chain prices and support farmers and small businesses in Quebec is coming to the University Centre at the end of August. Les Fermes du Marché, the brainchild of McGill graduate Maude Laroche, BA ‘23, will sell everyday items, including fruit, vegetables, and bread,[Read More…]
McGill’s campus hot dog stand is losing its spark
Finding a meal simpler than a hot dog is a hard sell. It was The New York Times sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan who coined the term in the early 1900s. Now it’s a North American street food staple, with Nathan’s World Hot Dog Eating Contest taking place at Coney Island[Read More…]
“One of hundreds”: Student group platforms McGill’s street harassment stories
Content Warning: Mention of sexual harassment, assault Walk Them Home Montreal, a McGill student group dedicated to tackling street harassment in Montreal, began sharing students’ anonymous testimonies of harassment over Instagram on March 16. The group reports receiving over 100 submissions since January 2023. Students submit their stories using the[Read More…]
SSMU must tackle its low election turnouts head-on
The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) executive elections and Winter referendum took place last week, and I think it’s time we address the elephant in the room: No one gives a toss. Voter turnout came to a meagre 16.7 per cent, a slight rise from 12.9 per cent the[Read More…]
Food Q&A: Surviving lunch at McGill
Campus food. It’s what everyone’s talking about. High prices, insufficient options, and food quality to rival the mouldy scraps in the back of your freezer. I dread to think what Gordon Ramsay would do if he ever got the McGill Food and Dining Services team by the collar, but I[Read More…]
Along Party Lines: In conversation with the Honourable Marc Miller
When Marc Miller started helping high-school friend and current Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau fundraise in 2008, he was a practicing lawyer, not particularly involved in politics. Fifteen years later, Miller has now been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing McGill’s riding for eight years and became the Minister[Read More…]
McGill’s academic freedom policy is rude-imentary
Last April, to appease their older rural voters, the Quebec government unveiled a new policy concerning academic freedom in schools and universities: Bill 32. Naturally, the policy had little to do with Quebec’s rural population and very much to do with enforcing its definition of academic freedom upon universities, prompting[Read More…]
Martlets’ basketball misses playoffs in crushing defeat to Concordia Stingers
It wasn’t meant to be for the McGill Martlets (3–11) in their must-win showdown against the Concordia Stingers (4–11) on Saturday, Feb. 18. In an emotional farewell to senior players Jessica Salanon and Amélie Rochon in their final home game, the Martlets were unable to contain Stingers star Areej Burgonio,[Read More…]
Closure of asbestos-ridden Stewart Biology building disrupts teaching and research for weeks
Following the closure of the Stewart Biology Building on Feb. 6 after burst water pipes led to an exposure risk to asbestos, all classes and research in the building have been moved or cancelled. Students and professors have also grown frustrated from a lack of information and logistical challenges caring[Read More…]
Local Stories: The fabulous Miami Minx
The lights flicker and the poised audience draws to silence. Old school jazz or perhaps Michael Bublé’s ‘Feeling Good’ kicks off, and Miami Minx strides out beaming a flirtatious smile. She commands the room. After strutting around the bar floor and teasing the audience—dashing to the left and back again—she[Read More…]
Local Stories: The Montreal book man
When Adrian King-Edwards, the owner of The Word Bookstore, started selling second-hand books from his living room in 1973, carefree hippies would occasionally arrive barefoot. The scores of thronging students also caught the attention of local police. Adrian, who had recently graduated from McGill as an English literature major, put[Read More…]
McGill’s new library must provide students with better, more affordable food
McGill has a food problem. The provision of affordable campus food is a myth. But this time next year, one of the main campus food sources and perhaps the epicentre of the problem, Redpath Café, will be torn down along with the McLennan and Redpath libraries to make way for[Read More…]
Micro restaurant Vivace makes you feel at home
Let me introduce a new term to your gourmet palate: Micro restaurant. As in, a restaurant the size of a stamp, with only a handful of tables, owned and run by the chef. Unlike larger restaurants, micro restaurants allow chefs to try out new recipes in a more intimate, interactive[Read More…]
Milton B offers students a convenient alternative to the McGill libraries
There is not an hour in the day when a tired, hungover, deadline-pegged McGill student cannot seek refuge in the Milton B cafeteria. Tucked in on the corner of Avenue Parc and Rue Milton, Milton B was originally a 24-hour Second Cup and five years ago, it rebranded and reopened.[Read More…]
Community spirit thrives at Chabad’s Shabbat dinner
Every Friday night, Chabad at McGill hosts its weekly Shabbat dinner for the local student and downtown Jewish community. This is something I’ve always wanted to write about. There’s nothing more cultural than food—and the occasion it brings. So, this week, my friend Maya and I joined the other 100-something[Read More…]
Why McGill needs a uniform
There goes one. Oh, and another—and another. Sorry, don’t mind me, I’m just sitting on the benches outside McLennan counting the number of McGill students dressed like extroverted, self-obsessed melons. Have you noticed McGill students have this rather psychotic fixation on dressing uniquely? Well, of course you have. The pathway[Read More…]
Patati Patata is the charming, local diner we all love
Oh, I’m exhausted. Now there’s an opening sentence to remember. I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to yawn in your face. It’s 6:30 p.m. on a Saturday and St. Laurent is subdued. It’s not deserted—the street’s just napping before the partying commences. Normally I’m able to find some time to write,[Read More…]
The official 2022 McGill Residence cafeteria rankings
Pull up a stool and listen in. This is the official 2022 McGill Residence cafeteria rankings. No ifs, buts, or maybes—this is it. Along with the ranking, this also serves as a write-up for the places where McGill provides students with the most important commodity of all. And no, it’s[Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: Responding to The T on Campus
I’ve decided to go on holiday to the Opinion section this week. I would have preferred Barbados or Mexico, but alas, no flights. Normally I write restaurant reviews in the Student Life section, which is awfully fun. But this week, I’m reviewing your hot takes on campus. Let’s not overthink[Read More…]
Dispensaire Microbrasserie: Brilliant beer by locals for locals
Microbreweries have exploded in popularity in recent years. Not literally exploded, of course, that’d be horrific—we’d all be covered in yeast. According to the Association des microbreweries du Quebec, there’s been a 50 per cent increase in the number of microbreweries in the last four years. And so it follows:[Read More…]
Jacopo lacks the quality to justify its prices
My parents were in town last week, so we did the classic rounds of the city. Old Port, St. Laurent, a tour of McGill campus—you know the drill. They’ve never been to Montreal before and, indeed, they had their observations: “Are there any old people here?”—yes, you! “Has anyone ever[Read More…]
Café Q&A: Your guide to Montreal’s cafés
Two things have come up time and time again this week. First, I’ve received quite a few: “Oh, by the way, I’m so sorry for your loss”’s lately. It’s because, well, I’m not sure if you’ve heard, it has kind of been on the down low recently, but Queen Elizabeth[Read More…]
Foodies breathe life into the Olympic Park at First Fridays
I had a disagreement with a couple of friends recently. Don’t worry, there were no tears shed. It was just about how many friends we have at McGill who are proper “foodies”. You know, the sort who actually enjoy cooking and don’t rely on President’s Choice frozen pizza to suffice.[Read More…]
Convenience and coffee at Café Humble Lion
Out of my way, out of my way. Trying to get through here, please. C’mon guys, can you not see I’m racing? It’s 9 a.m. and I haven’t had my morning fix. Not drugs, but coffee—my socially acceptable cocaine. Two black Americanos every day, religiously. Three cups if I’m lucky,[Read More…]
Auprès de ma blonde falls short on Mediterranean delights
Score: 1/5 starsPrice: $$ For those who aren’t familiar with it, Mediterranean cuisine is a complex term. I mostly think of it as Greek––and while Greek food is Mediterranean, not all Mediterranean food is Greek. There’s a big slice from Turkey, the South of Italy, France, North Africa, and the[Read More…]
Serving locals loaves: A taste of Paris at Le Toledo
That smell. My, isn’t it wonderful? Warm and yeasty like a Dutchman’s front pocket. It’s a smell that has fuelled nations, built pyramids, and gotten Julius Caesar out of bed! Do you smell it? Unblocking your nose might help; I know hay fever has been killer this year. Smell it[Read More…]