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a, Arts & Entertainment

Roman Holiday

by Ilia Blinderman on

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Despite a longstanding love of film, I’ve never been drawn to Woody Allen’s neurotic charm.

My review of To Rome With Love, therefore, should have been nothing more than another addition to the burgeoning disappointment of the majority of film critics. In fact, I was so taken aback by its simple charm and unaffectedly playful honesty that I followed To Rome With Love with three more of Allen’s films.

Having proclaimed his love for New York, Barcelona, and Paris, Allen has finally turned towards this clever homage to Rome. The film follows four concurrent stories: a young architect (Jesse Eisenberg) falling in love with his girlfriend’s affected best friend (Ellen Page); a white-collar nobody (Roberto Benigni) who gains brusque, illustrious fame; a retired record company executive (Woody Allen) who attempts to recapture his glory days, and a provincial couple who have just moved to Rome. Apart from disappointingly flat performances surrounding Page and Eisenberg (excluding a brief appearance by Alec Baldwin), and Allen’s on-screen wife (Judy Davis) appearing somewhat forced, the cast is largely attuned to Allen’s vision.

The film’s impact, however, is much greater than the individual performances. While a number of critics hectored To Rome With Love for its absence of cohesion, this charge speaks more to a cerebral indolence on the part of the authors than to the quality of their subject. Allen’s object of study in these stories is allure: the siren call of fame, the desire to taste spurious grandeur. Such is Allen’s Rome –  deceptively glamorous; and in spite of its somewhat aggrandized romantic nature, simply another city filled with indelibly joyous bubbling life.

A Tseltal wood-carved jaguar greets visitors. (Carolina Millán Ronchetti / McGill Tribune)
a, Arts & Entertainment

Life and death meet the quotidien

by Carolina Millán Ronchetti on

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This September, the aesthetic of mortality is on display in Montreal for Life and Death, Expressions of Daily Activities in the Worldview of the Contemporary Indigenous Peoples, an exhibit at the Espacio Mexico exploring the spaces between the funeral and the festive.

The intimate venue, showcasing roughly 40 arts and crafts pieces from 14 of the 68 surviving indigenous groups in Mexico, is the country’s first state-supported exhibition of indigenous art at an international location. The majority of the pieces were created by young artists who blend ancient techniques learned in their close communities with avant-garde approaches.  By including works that represent traditional approaches and juxtaposing them with modern interpretations of indigenous art, the exhibit traces the cultural evolution of these communities while celebrating the survival of ancient techniques.

Phil Price, a member of the public relations department of the Mexican Contemporary Indigenous Art Museum (MAIC), explains that the exhibit aims to shape the contemporary portrayal of indigenous groups.

“[We seek …] a flip in the mentality with which indigenous groups are seen and more importantly how they see themselves,” Price said. “Indigenous groups are labelled in a rather general manner as ‘poor,’ referring specifically to an economic context. Widely ignored, however, is their incredibly rich culture, traditions, language and artistic knowledge.”

This richness of the groups’ culture and tradition is immediately apparent upon entering the exhibit. Organized geographically, the display guides viewers through the indigenous groups from the north, centre, and south of Mexico, showcasing arts and crafts in different media.

The central theme surrounding this panoply is the close relationship between life and death. From the northern desert areas of the nation, the exhibit explores pottery made with different types of clay and dyed with pastes consisting of crushed insects. String and percussion musical instruments, as well as traditional decorations used in ritual dances are also present.

The portrayal of indigenous groups belonging to Central Mexico is remarkably varied, forming an amalgam of the native and the European. Some of the more memorable displays included colourfully painted celebrations of nature and agriculture, mixing Christian imagery with indigenous Nahua symbols and mud skulls clad in nun attire, inspired by the national “Day of the Dead” celebration.

In the South, rainforest imagery permeates the artwork. These include an imposing carving of a jaguar, peyote-inspired art employing beads representing a creation myth, and traditional textiles.

Additionally, the exhibit showcases music samples from each region and traditional poetry, displayed in the original languages as well as in English and French.

Ulimately, the exhibition succeeds at showcasing the breadth and diversity of Mexican indigenous traditions. The striking differences in texture, media, and imagery vary starkly—from the austere neutral colours and rustic wooden shapes of the north, to the eclectic and intricate bead designs of the south.  Although the display depicts Mexico as a nation with remarkably vivid indigenous culture, the lack of focus hinders the overall effect of the exhibit. The various media employed make it much more difficult to connect to the character of each indigenous group. This leaves the exhibit toeing the treacherous line of tokenizing each indigenous group by reducing them to a single salient characteristic. A narrowing of scope would lead to a more true appreciation of the complexities characterizing each community.

Despite the loose connection between some of the selections, this artistic sampler accomplishes its aim of highlighting the resilience of indigenous culture in Mexico. While the display takes into account how different groups’ techniques often adapted to include European motifs and approaches, it also celebrates the survival of indigenous culture and traditional art forms despite centuries of colonization.

“[Our proposition is for] this expansive ancestral wisdom to be something not just consigned to history books,” Price said. “Instead, from this living and breathing diversity, contemporary society can learn as we ponder our own existence and look towards constructing a sustainable future for human beings and the planet.”

—Life and Death, Expressions of Daily Activities in the Worldview of the Contemporary Indigenous Peoples, brought by the Mexican Contemporary Indigenous Art Museum (MAIC) and organized by the NGO Espacios de Arte Nomada (EAN),  is on display until Sept. 14 at Espacio Mexico (2055 Peel St.) Admission is free of charge.

Last Gang Records
a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Purity Ring: Shrines

by Haley Kemp on

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The debut album from Montreal duo Purity Ring defies definability. Airy, synth-pop, electro: each label is only a piece of the puzzle. The picture only becomes clear once one listens to their tracks.

“Obedear” is a subdued single full of the swirling, jangling pop  that Purity Ring is known for. Lead singer Megan James has a pristine nymph-like voice, yet sings lyrics like “tear our skin up out from the bottom.” Such contrast gives Purity Ring an eerie, unexpected presence. With each listen, new notes, beats, sounds, and feelings are discovered.

A surprising strength of this album is that it simply doesn’t make much sense. While the lyrics may be clear to the duo, listeners are faced with abstract verses filled with word associations unlikely to be endorsed by Webster’s Dictionary. The line in “Amenamy,” “plug up your wormholes and give them/to feeders and spirits be freer” is just one of the many examples of Purity Ring’s avant-garde lyricism.

While the songs share similarities—which could also be a point of criticism— the album altogether is nothing short of breathtaking. Best listened to with a beer, comfy clothes, and preferably outside with a couple of friends, the wildfire word-of-mouth spread of Shrines has happened for good reason.

—Haley Kemp

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Mother Mother: The Sticks

by Hilary Dyck on

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Ever since the release of their debut album Touch Up in 2007, BC’s indie rock darlings Mother Mother have been know for their catchy rhythms and haunting harmonies. Three albums and a whirlwind global tour later, they have returned with The Sticks.

The Sticks aims for a cohesive theme, a feature absent from the group’s previous albums; both lyrically and structurally, the tracks attempt to distill the modern world. The general arc of the album aims at the contemporary lifestyle, beseeching man to “take off your cage, and go back to the wild.” The artists’ efforts, however, are mixed. While some songs create beautiful juxtapositions, others fall flat — relying on rhythmic sequences self-plagiarized from their previous work. The album’s lyrics are dark: songs like “Little Pistols” contrast soft violins and acoustic guitar with phrases like, “I want brimstone in my garden/I want roses set on fire.”

“Bit by Bit” is arguably one of the album’s strongest tracks. “Bit by bit I’m going to get my bricks back in the sticks”) skillfully ties in their motifs. It is one of the few non-acoustic songs that does not emerge as overbearing.

Mother Mother should, however, give more consideration to their thematic goals. Tracks are fattened with diagetic noise; the crooning children and cawing gulls do nothing except add bulk. The hypocrisy of an album that lyrically preaches natural simplicity but musically practices self-indulgent excess is difficult to miss.

Without a doubt, Mother Mother knows the formula for catchy songs. Their harmonies are strong and the band uses an assortment of instruments with noticeable adroitness.  Still, this formula is not groundbreaking. While The Sticks is palatable and conceptually interesting, it offers nothing we haven’t heard before.

—Hilary Dyck

a, Opinion

All the curiosity that’s fit to deliver

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The McGill Tribune has covered McGill and Montreal since 1981, initially as the official newspaper of the Student Society of McGill University (SSMU). Since its independence from SSMU in 2010, the Tribune has been operated autonomously by the Tribune Publication Society (TPS). All McGill students are automatically members of the TPS by virtue of their student dues, which support the newspaper, and anyone can attend the meetings of our Board of Directors.

We publish every week on Tuesdays, and cover issues of interest to the student body.  To meet this criteria, the Tribune does not adhere to a constitution or agenda when it comes to editorial stance.  Our editorial board changes annually, and the views of the paper fluctuate in accordance. Instead, what guides the Tribune is a consistent commitment to critical thinking and open-mindedness in our stories and editorials. We operate under the idea that we are a newspaper by and for McGill students, and we seek to report in a manner that encourages our readers to think inquisitively about issues of importance to the McGill community. This concept drives the way in which the Tribune presents facts, asks questions, and comments on student life.

Our brand of reporting is unique both naturally and by design. Students who choose to become editors of a student journal are internally motivated to cover issues they deem important to student life. They remain persistent in face of the often demanding task of recording student life at McGill.  Editors hail from diverse backgrounds, and are drawn to the Tribune’s even-keeled coverage and worldview. Each section has its own personality that changes year to year. As a result, our sections operate independently of the whole, and editors are fairly autonomous in choosing what they want to cover.

The analytical nature of our coverage is also structural: we editorialize on issues we choose to discuss and editorials are written based on a consensus we’ve reached following an extensive discussion. Rather than addressing each issue with a predetermined set of principles, editorials are written on a case-by-case basis. Our ideologically-varied editorial board allows for tough editorial meetings and a multifaceted analysis of the issues at hand. Our columnists boast a range of political views, because a broad range of opinions have their place at the Tribune. Our structure allows us to remain committed to critical thinking and to reflect the views of the current editorial board. As a result, during any given week, the Tribune’s editorial stance is not a foregone conclusion but subject to shift based on an analysis of the facts.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to separate a writer’s narrative from an ideal of objective fact. Therefore,  we seek instead to incorporate the views all those who wish to contribute, by having open and critical discussions on topics of interest to the community.   The Tribune’s commitment to tackling each issue anew, independently of a constitution and through a multifarious lens, can be best summed up by the tagline at the bottom of this year’s new logo: Curiosity Delivers.

It’s likely the coming year will be just as exciting and engaging as the last. As always, we will continue to work to cover McGill critically, fairly, and impartially. Make sure to pick us up every Tuesday and to check out our revamped website, www.thetribune.ca.  As always, we welcome your feedback in the form of letters to the editor sent to [email protected]. For up-to-date coverage, follow us on Twitter (@mcgill_tribune), like us on Facebook, and stay curious.

a, Opinion

A choice with no good options

by Joshua Freedman on

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The voting options in Quebec’s election yesterday were akin to the choice between being punched in the gut and being punched in the face; both are extremely painful or something to be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, the responsibility of an active citizen, especially in an election this important, forced me to choose between a slate of unappealing candidates.

The long-ruling Liberals were attractive in the sense that they were the most staunchly Federalist party contesting this election, and I was assured that no sovereignty shenanigans would happen under their watch.  They have also, rightly in my mind, pointed out that social spending in Quebec is out of control, although whether or not raising tuition fees is the appropriate response to this fact can be argued. However, the alleged corruption that wafts from the Charest government makes even holding my nose to vote for them would prove difficult.

The PQ ran an extremely nativist campaign. Pauline Marois threatened to empower French language laws, promising to make it harder for Francophone students to go to English CEGEPs. On one occasion, Marois even shamefully stated that crucifixes are acceptable in public venues, but other displays of religion are not.  The PQ has also stated that they will push for a new referendum, and it is not hard to imagine that they will try to extort Ottawa for a favoured status for Quebec based on perceived and imagined slights. On top of this, the PQ has flip-flopped on the tuition increase issue, opportunistically supporting the student protestors when it was popular, and then walking away slowly from this position when the opinion polls turned against them.

The new CAQ party at first seemed quite promising. They are comprised of former Federalist and Sovereigntists, and have proposed avoiding any referendum talks for the near future. Instead, the CAQ has suggested that Quebec should focus on pressing social and economic issues. While this seems admirable in theory, the reality is that leader Francois Legault had been very vague on how he would solve many of the problems facing Quebec. Not to mention the fact that Legault was a former PQ cabinet minister is troubling. Ludicrously, the CAQ has also mused about charging McGill medical graduates a fine if they practice outside of Quebec.  In addition, any political party that gives themselves an acronym that leads so easily to sophomoric jokes is probably not ready for the big-time.

Quebec Solidaire is a no-go for me, because like the PQ, they are a hard line sovereigntist party. Also, they also will be lucky to win any seat besides Amir Khadir’s, which, essentially, would make a vote for them feel wasted.

The only viable option in my mind was to vote for the Liberal party—the lesser of four evils. No, they aren’t very competent. Yes, they are probably corrupt. But at the end of the day, they are the most Anglo-friendly party relative to all others, and a vote for them seems like the best option for avoiding another referendum, keeping Canada united, and hopefully bringing social peace to Quebec. These facts alone, as disappointing as they are, had me checking a box next to Jacques Chagnon in Westmount-St Louis yesterday.

— Joshua Freedman

a, Opinion

Welcome to McGill

by Elisa Muyl on

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I have been at McGill and in Montreal for exactly three years now, give or take a few American Thanksgivings. When my parents left after driving me up to Montreal, being in a new place really hit home. What was I doing in Canada, alone? For the first few weeks of school, I felt like I was holding my breath. Now, I’ve made my home the Tribune office, and I know the nightly janitor by name.

It’s hard to know when exactly I stopped being new here and started being the person welcoming you in a column.  Getting comfortable here has been a long process, one that I think I’m only gradually undergoing. Many of you first arriving at McGill are experiencing something similar; for the first time in your life, you’re on your own. Transitioning to college is hard in general—and, in addition to the typical “college stuff” that you need to get used to, there’s a steep learning curve at McGill in particular. It’s a big school, in (what most people consider to be) a big city, and is notoriously bureaucratic and disjointed. The first time I realized how much red tape surrounded McGill was when I tried to register for courses and couldn’t figure out Minerva. This feeling came again when I emailed my advisor for help and she responded, “Please email someone else.” There was no immediate sense of community that I got.

Oddly, the impersonal experience at McGill is what I have grown to love about it. Sure, it’s tough, but it’s given me the opportunity to grow up in the best way possible: on my own. I’ve learned that if I want to get something done, the best way to do it is to get it done myself.

That said, this doesn’t mean that we’re completely on our own. Within McGill, there are many institutional and student-run organizations that can help to shrink and provide context to McGill’s big world. There are resources available to give you the help or the friendliness you need—but it’s up to you to ask. In my case, it was up me to gather up the courage to knock on the Tribune’s office door unsolicited. The independence I’ve learned at McGill isn’t a go-it-alone one, but one that’s given the confidence to begin to ask for help, to distinguish between the right and the wrong questions, and to know that if I want to do something, I need to be proactive in seeking out the next steps.

The Tribune has provided a smaller, more supportive world within McGill. At the Tribune, I’ve become a stronger writer, a more confident speaker, and hopefully more organized. All of this is to say that you can find your people or your “thing” here; but at McGill it’s incumbent upon you to take that first step.

I’m not particularly fit to give advice just because of my position at the Tribune—I have just been lucky enough to get the opportunity to share my experience with you. Though I expect I would have adjusted almost anywhere with a roof, a campus, and the offer of a degree, I feel very happy that I ended up here. It’s not for everyone, but for me, McGill’s size has offered an opportunity to learn how to do things myself, and the Tribune’s inclusiveness has afforded me the support I needed to grow in other ways. That was my experience: yours is your own, and it doesn’t matter what you do with it, as long as you know that it counts.

http://cache.graphicslib.viator.com/
a, Student Life

Things to do in Montreal with your parents

by Susan Westfall on

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School has begun and you are undoubtedly running around campus and beyond, discovering the new hotspots. Montreal has a wide variety of student-friendly haunts, but do not restrict yourself­—there are a lot of events outside the student bubble (and price range) for which you may want to save up. Also, you could take advantage of visits from your family and indulge yourself—and them, of course—to some of the finer (read: more expensive) attractions Montreal has to offer.

1. Hop-On, Hop-Off Double Decker Bus Tour

The best way to discover Montreal is to jump on this tour bus as it guides you through all of the must-see attractions. You are given the opportunity to get off the bus at 10 different locations to soak up the full Montreal experience. During the peak months, tours run every 30 minutes and take about 2 hours. The cost is $52.17 per person, so definitely indulge with your parents. For tour routes, visit:

http://www.quebectours.org/?event =offer.detail&offerId=5246

2. Kava Tours

Montreal, and Quebec in general, is the home to countless micro-breweries and vineyards. On this tantalizing wine-tasting adventure, explore the vineyards of Quebec and learn about their histories. Perhaps this could be your first experience with the famous French tradition of ‘wine-and-cheese’, but it certainly will not be your last! Tours are either half-day or full-day, priced at $89 or $129, respectively. For more information, visit:

http://www.kavatours.com/english/ 

3. Cirque Du Soleil

This world renowned circus has been taken to new levels of awe-inspiring choreography in the shows offered by this gravity defying band of acrobats. The Cirque du Soleil is a spectacle not to be missed, and what better place to see it than in its hometown, Montreal? The innovative acrobatic routines, impressive strength and graceful musicality  grow and improve with each new show, year after year, leaving its  audiences breathless. Ticket prices vary depending on the show, and range from $50 – $150. For details, visit:

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/welcome.aspx

4. Just For Laughs

The Just For Laughs festival runs annually in July, when hundreds of comedians come to Montreal for a variety of indoor and free outdoor performances over the course of a few days. Outside of the festival, you can find hilarious shows by world-renowned comedians year round. Tickets range from $50 – $100 depending on the artist, so it is definitely a place to bring your parents to the next time they are in town. For details on events, check out:

www.hahaha.com

5. Montreal Canadiens Hall of Fame

Whether you are new to Canada and need to be officially introduced to the world of hockey, or you just aren’t a Habs fan yet, you must entertain a visit to the museum of hockey’s legends. Explore the history of the greatest sport ever invented and get a thorough introduction to the rowdy nights and hockey fever that you are sure to hear and experience during the season. For information on admission prices and hours of operation, visit:

http://canadiens.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=59997

6. Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens is a 75-acre outdoor complex in which you can meander around for a relaxing afternoon. In autumn, be sure to visit the Magic of Lanterns, where countless lanterns are lit in honour of Chinese history. Normal rates for the Botanical Gardens are $17.75 for adults and $13.50 for student, but additional charges apply for entrance into special events. For more information, go to:

http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/jardin/en/menu.htm

7. O Noir

This restaurant is like no other in Montreal. For one, your senses will be elevated by a dining experience in complete darkness. Embrace what it’s like to be blind for a few hours—like every waiter and waitress serving you. That’s right, no watches, cell phones, matches or candles – complete darkness. O Noir is located at 1631 Saint Catherine Street, right in the heart of downtown Montreal near the Guy Concordia metro station. Unfortunately, the extreme uniqueness of this restaurant is reflected in its prices and a three course meal will cost you $41. For reservation details, visit:

www.onoir.com/montreal/en/#.UEdkH2hYu10

8. The Biodome

The Biodome is a unique nature experience. Simulations of four  ecosystems have been constructed inside the Velodrome, a cycling track made for the 1967 Olympics. In the Biodome, you can experience the tropical rain forests of South America, the marine ecosystems of the Saint-Lawrence, the forests of the Laurentians, and finally, the chilled Arctic and Antarctic. Prices for adults are $17.75, or $13.50 with a valid student card. For hours of operation, visit:

http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/site/site.php?langue=en

foture.net
a, Student Life

Ikea for Dummies

by Jacqui Galbraith on

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What does every student moving into their first apartment need, aside from a fire evacuation plan? A trip to Ikea, of course. My parents bought all of their furniture in the eighties and have unfortunately been able to make it last well into the new millennium. So, no Ikea for us. I was also led to believe that assembling Ikea furniture is comparable to wall painting on the scale of household chore fun—more enjoyable than vacuuming, but not quite as fun as hanging posters or artwork—it wasn’t the furniture I was excited for.

Going to Ikea for the first time was an event for me. My father rented an absolute tank of a vehicle to help my sister and me move our collective belongings from apartment to apartment, which of course meant we were driving in Montreal for the first time. In the end, my roommate’s iPhone was the only thing that saved us from an unexpected and inconvenient detour to Ottawa. By the time we actually made it to the store, I was confident that if we could handle the jungles of Montreal’s roadways, we could easily find our way through the store. But even if we hadn’t suddenly become master navigators, it wouldn’t have mattered because the good people of Ikea were considerate enough to include directions on the floor! We were directed through the store by a set of yellow arrows and some whimsical footprints, which only improved the experience in my opinion.

My roommates’ explanations of the pencil and note card system was quickly interrupted when I noticed a ball pit directly to the left of the entrance. I guess the idea is that people will bring their families for a fun day at Ikea, where children can don their numbered bibs and explore the toy section while adults wander through the showrooms.

By the time we made it to the cafeteria, we were ready for a break. I was delighted to find that you can purchase red wine or choose from a variety of beers should you find yourself in need of a pick-me-up during your excursion. Luckily, I didn’t have to waste any time deciding what I would get for lunch, because every single person I spoke to about my impending trip  told me, in no uncertain terms, that I had to get the Swedish meatballs. One of my roommates had actually been asked by her boyfriend to bring some back with her, since he couldn’t be there himself. I’ve also heard that some university students have a habit of making the trip out with the specific intention of purchasing this Scandinavian delicacy.

Eventually we went downstairs to pick up our boxes. After a surprisingly painless round with the self-checkout, we were out the door. We had to dodge a dauntingly long line for home delivery though, so take a car. If you don’t have one, go with a friend. If you don’t have any friends with cars, make some new ones. Of course, we also had to dodge the cheap frozen yogurt, hot dogs, and cinnamon buns that tempted us as we walked to the exit. Luckily, after those meatballs, we were able to resist.

The last chapter in my Ikea saga wrapped up back at my apartment, where I assembled my first piece of Ikea furniture: a bookcase. I now fully understand why people love assembling Ikea products so much. It’s not so hard that you get frustrated with it, but it’s just difficult enough, that you feel pretty darn good about yourself by the time you’re done. Just take the pieces, put them together and you have something new. If I hadn’t assembled it, it wouldn’t be a bookcase, but just a pile of wood and  a series of screws. Definitely an ego boost.

After all that, I guess I would call myself an Ikea convert. I’m still a fan of garage sales and the occasional Walmart trip, but Ikea has definitely moved up a few notches in my book. If you have the time and the means, I would seriously recommend a trip. Even if you don’t, I can almost guarantee that somewhere on McGill Classifieds, at this very moment, someone is selling something from Ikea. Just make sure you have a screwdriver!

a, Opinion

Students’ issues missing from campaign rhetoric

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On Tuesday, Quebeckers went to the polls in a historic election that seemed poised to change the future direction of the province. The election call came in August, amid the continually escalating student movement against tuition hikes that began early in January. One might have expected that the student issues that dominated the lead-up to the campaign would have continued to dominate the rhetoric of the major parties once the writ was dropped. This, however, did not materialize.

The student movement’s primary objective was to oppose a government that asked students to foot the bill for education before weeding out the inefficiencies and corruption present within its own administration. A move towards limiting government funding for education is antithetical to the values Quebec has based itself on since the Quiet Revolution. Clearly, the Liberal Party of Quebec was not a choice for the students.

The movement was not rooted in the desire for sovereignty nor the protection of Quebec values and culture. The Parti Québécois has attempted to court the student vote solely through its opposition of the Charest government and not by making promises on issues important to students. They hijacked the campaign to talk about sovereignty when, at the time, most of Quebec didn’t feel the issue deserved centre stage. Once elected, Ms. Marois announced that she would freeze the hike and repeal Bill 78. During the campaign, however, she was nearly silent. Clearly, the PQ was not a choice for the students on the issue.

Francois Legault of the Coalition Avenir Québec is not Jean Charest, but his policies on tuition echo the former Premier’s. He believes that the answer to the tuition question is to lower the hike while simultaneously forcing universities to “streamline their management.” Doing so would likely result in a further cutting of student services as well as a decrease in the quality of education that students receive and deserve. The CAQ was not a choice for the students.

Ironically, the issues that were most salient in media were not those that were of primary concern to the student movement. Instead, the common wedge issues of sovereignty and language laws dominated. None of the three major parties’ websites mention tuition fees in their key platform issues. Only the fourth-place party, Québec Solidaire, mentioned undergraduate tuition in its policy priorities.

The lack of emphasis on student issues during political campaigns is not a new phenomenon. It is widely known that students do not turn out on election days, and political parties treat them accordingly. Show up to the polls, and they will show some love.

It might be possible that Mr. Charest really did fear the students, as he made it very difficult for them to express themselves and vote. The timing of the election call, which meant campaigns were held in the summer, was inconvenient for students. Many, including the CAQ, accuse Mr. Charest of abruptly calling the election in the summer in order to pre-empt the Charbonneau Commission’s investigation into corruption slated for the fall. The timing, however, may have also been aimed at keeping students from the voting booth. The election took place at the beginning of September, just as many students returned to class. Large numbers of students from outside the province could not register to vote in time and, moreover, were outside Quebec for the majority of the campaign.

The lack of representation of student interests and discussion of student issues seemed disrespectful to those who were, in large part, the  reason this election was originally called. Polls may emerge in the upcoming weeks showing that students did not turn out to vote, and that the parties were smart in tiptoeing around the issue. Politics, however, should not be based merely on who comes out to vote, but on the needs and interests of all constituents.

 

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