Latest News

Science & Technology

Top Quebec discoveries of 2020 feature McGill brain cancer studies

by Daria Kiseleva on

More in Science & Technology:

For the year 2020, Quebec Science magazine’s annual list of top 10 scientific discoveries featured two studies on brain cancer led by McGill researchers. The list was selected by a jury of scientists and journalists and the top discovery will be determined by a public vote. Votes can be cast online until Feb. 8. 

Peter Pan cells initiate childhood brain tumours

A major challenge in treating childhood brain tumours, the deadliest form of childhood cancer, has been the shortage of knowledge about the origin cells of tumour subtypes and their development, especially in contrast to normal brain cells.

Research led by Dr. Claudia Kleinman of the Lady Davis Institute at the Jewish General Hospital, Dr. Nada Jabado of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), and Dr. Michael Taylor of The Hospital for Sick Children used powerful high-throughput technologies to analyze the individual characteristics of hundreds of thousands of brain cells.

The team created a comprehensive atlas of cell types that are present during the normal development of the pons and forebrain—key brain regions vulnerable to tumours. Data from several tumour types were mapped onto this atlas to successfully trace the origin cell populations where the cancer-causing mutations first occurred.

“We found that several of these tumours originate in the earliest stages of cell differentiation, and that in some cases, the mutations are likely prenatal,” Kleinman wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune.

Additionally, the failure of origin cells to differentiate during development—change from one type of cell into another—has been identified as a common source of several types of brain tumours.

“Like Peter Pan in Neverland, once the mutation happens, these cells refuse to progress into a mature state, ultimately leading to cancer,” Kleinman wrote.

The researchers observed that the removal of the mutation in one cell type of cancerous origin allowed the cells to progress further towards their normal development, demonstrating that it may be possible to reverse the “Peter Pan” effect.

Since tumour survival is only dependent on the cell of its origin for a limited time, a better understanding of this dependency may help in the design of therapies that target specific types of childhood brain cancers at their earliest stages.

A method to the madness of glioblastoma

Cancer therapeutics aim to exploit specific vulnerabilities of cancer-causing cells, but a major challenge is that tumours are generally heterogeneous, meaning they contain a diversity of cell types with different sensitivities to treatment. Glioblastoma, the most common adult primary brain cancer, has a survival rate of only 10 per cent, five years after receiving treatment. 

Research led by Dr. Kevin Petrecca of the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital of McGill University investigated the organization of different glioblastoma cells and their similarities.

Genetic data obtained from tens of thousands of single glioblastoma cells was analyzed to compare the development of clustered types of glioblastoma with that of normal cells. 

“[We discovered that] there are many types of glioblastoma cancer cells within each tumour, and these cell types follow a pattern of organization and evolution that recapitulates normal brain development,” Petrecca wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune.

Furthermore, the analysis identified a type of progenitor glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) that initiates a hierarchy of cell lineages of glioblastoma.

“Cancer stem cells give rise to four lineages of differentiated cancer cells,” Petrecca wrote. “Critically, the stem cells are the most proliferative.”

The high proliferation rate of GSCs—the fact that they divide most rapidly and contribute disproportionately towards tumour growth—makes them a promising target for therapy.

While GSCs were shown to be the most resistant to Temozolomide (TMZ), the current chemotherapy standard of treatment for glioblastoma, leveraging a compound that inhibits the function E2F4—a protein family that GSCs rely on for survival—has significantly reduced tumour growth and increased survival in a mouse model.

Basketball, Sports

130 years ago, McGill alumnus Dr. James Naismith invented basketball

by Reza Ali on

More in Basketball:

McGill students are known for their ingenuity. Succeeding at this institution requires exceptional problem solving abilities. Dr. James Naismith, member of the McGill class of 1887, invented one of the more creative solutions to a problem, a solution that is now the seventh most popular sport in the world: Basketball. 

On Dec. 21, 1891, Naismith was simply doing his job as a teacher at the Springfield YMCA gymnasium when he invented what would come to be known as basketball. The winter weather had kept his students from outdoor activities, and all other sports were too dangerous to be played indoors. Under orders from his superior at the time, Dr. Luther Gulick, Naismith was given 14 days to create an “athletic distraction” for his students, who were restless from constantly being indoors. 

Naismith revisited his childhood activities and remembered a game called “duck on a rock.” This game was more about dexterity than strength and involved tossing small stones to knock over a large rock, known as “the duck,” from its place on a tree stump.

Newly inspired, Naismith retrieved a soccer ball and two peach baskets. He cleared the court, and mounted the baskets on opposite sides. He divided the students into two teams of nine and told them the goal was to get the ball in the basket. And so, “basket ball” came to fruition. 

The original rules stipulated that the ball could be thrown or batted in any direction, but not with a closed fist. Additionally, most physical contact was banned as well as running with the ball. Infractions were punished with fouls that either removed a player from the game or gave points to the other team. Simplest of all, whichever team got the ball in the basket the most won.

The game grew in popularity as Naismith’s students continued playing and other schools began to look for indoor sports. As it spread through colleges, the game evolved, with additions such as backboards in 1895 and dribbling in 1901. 

The game spread during the First World War, bringing basketball overseas. In 1919, the Inter-Allied Games were held following the end of the war, where 18 countries sent players to compete in the first official international basketball games. 

In 1936, basketball became an Olympic sport, where Naismith threw the tip off and awarded the medals to the winning team. By 1949, the Basketball Association of America had merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association, or the NBA. 

Naismith’s accomplishments go far beyond the basketball court. At McGill, Naismith was also involved in football, soccer, gymnastics, and lacrosse. He was a three-year starter on the football team, in addition to participating in the first ever formal American football game. He also received the Wickstead Silver Medal and Wickstead Gold Medal for gymnastics in his junior and senior years. 

In addition to his sporting achievements, Naismith was incredibly gifted in academics. He graduated top 10 in McGill’s class of 1887 with an Honours B.A. in Philosophy and Hebrew. After graduation, Naismith earned another degree in theology. This became one of 11 academic degrees he would receive, including an M.D. from Gross Medical College in 1898 and an honorary Doctor of Divinity from McGill in 1939.Naismith’s legacy is best summed up by a simple anecdote: When basketball was first created, his students urged him to call it “Naismith Ball.” Naismith refused and used the name he preferred: “Basket ball.” In the face of popularity, Naismith remained focussed on his initial task of solving a problem as simply as possible.

Campus Spotlight, Student Life

From research paper to academic journal article

by Maya Mau on

More in Campus Spotlight:

Often, the life of an undergraduate research paper ends after it has been graded and relegated to a forgotten Word document. At McGill, however, undergraduate students can have their best papers published by one of dozens of scholarly journals that are completely authored, edited, and published by undergraduate students.

Of the 29 departmental associations under McGill’s Faculty of Arts, 18* responded to an email from The McGill Tribune stating that they have an undergraduate research journal. For most of these publications, submissions go through an extensive selection, peer review, and editing processes before they are published. 

The process of running a journal can be daunting as the publication process is complex and it is somewhat uncommon for undergraduates to have their work published. However, the McGill Library staff is committed to assisting undergraduates with research publication. Jessica Lange, scholarly communications and repository librarian, has worked at the McGill Library since 2009 and has seen a significant shift in the undergraduate research journal landscape.

“In around 2012, there was noticeably growing interest in undergraduate research,” Lange said. “It is not just graduate students and faculty that are interested in conducting research, so we began running workshops for undergraduates interested in research.”

Sandy Hervieux, McGill’s liaison librarian for Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion, assists with the McGill Journal of Political Studies’s publication process.

“Working with students writing papers for a course is very different from working with students publishing research journals,” Hervieux said. “In courses, it is about teaching students how to effectively do research and evaluate information. With editorial boards, it is more about the process of how a journal comes together and how to evaluate all of the different submissions that the editorial boards get.”

Lange agreed, emphasizing the significance of undergraduate research in broader scholarship.

“It’s important for editorial boards to understand their connection to the greater scholarly ecosystem,” Lange said. “We see our role as not only helping these editorial boards understand the process but also providing a continuity that journals have a difficult time maintaining when there is a new set of editors every fall.”

Michael David Miller, McGill’s associate librarian and liaison librarian for French Literature, Economics, and 2SLGBTQIA+ Studies, believes that the library has an important role in helping student-run editorial boards and authors understand the legal implications of publishing.

“At the beginning, none of the journals had copyright agreements,” Miller said. “Sometimes, seasoned politicians don’t want their undergraduate work to be published for all to see, so understanding the implications of putting things online is very important. Students have to be as good [at understanding the legal implications of online publication] as professional journalists because it’s being broadcast to the entire globe.”

Miller still stressed the value of getting published as an undergraduate.

“A lot of students that decide that they want to be published in an undergraduate journal will probably end up going on to graduate school, so they get a taste of what a master’s or PhD program might be like, because it’s going to require extensive research and disseminating their ideas,” Miller said. “At the undergraduate level, the stakes are lower and they are finding their academic voice. This makes them more comfortable in a master’s program.”

Although publishing a journal requires significant effort, McGill students should not shy away from the challenge. With so many undergraduate research journals, each writer and editor’s journey will be gratifying in a different way.

One such journal is the International Development Studies Students’ Association (IDSSA) journal Chrysalis. Although the journal is associated with the aforementioned students’ association, there is no stipulation on what department the papers must be written for, and the publication receives submissions across all departments, from Management to Islamic Studies. 

Robin Vochelet, U4 Arts, started working with Chrysalis in his second year when he was looking to become more involved on campus and saw a posting for Chrysalis editors. 

After a last minute application and two years as an editor, Vochlet now leads the Chrysalis team as editor-in-chief. 

“There are not a lot of editors, so the experience is very homey,” Vochelet said. “I love being the editor-in-chief because we receive all these papers on so many different topics that I wouldn’t necessarily stumble upon in my classes.”

According to Vochelet, International Development Studies is one of the most highly-enrolled programs in the Faculty of Arts. In order to be considered by Chrysalis, papers must have received a grade of at least an A- and be written for a 300-level class or above. 

“I had a paper published in the McGill Journal of Economics, so I’ve been a writer, an editor, and now the editor-in chief,” Vochelet said. “Whereas most students focus on research in graduate school, I love that undergraduates at McGill can build a passion for a topic through research. This often helps students narrow their academic interests and encourages students to continue their studies.”

Vochelet encourages all students who have written a paper fulfilling the criteria to submit to the publication and says that fear of rejection should not be a barrier.

“As lenient as your professors or teaching assistants might be, there is a reason you got that high grade,” Vochelet said. “At the end of the day, you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take. Even though it sounds cheesy, it’s always true, and it could lead to something great.”

Ruru Hogan, U1 Arts, became the editor-in-chief of the African Studies Students’ Association (ASSA) undergraduate journal during her second year at McGill. As an Anthropology and International Development double major with a minor in African Studies, Hogan has been able to examine African Studies from a variety of lenses. She loves that through the program she has been able to study Africa outside the focus of development.

Unlike some of the more established undergraduate journals on campus, Uhuru is only three years old. In addition, while most other journals are affiliated with a departmental student group, African Studies is not a department at McGill. Rather, it is considered a program under the jurisdiction of Islamic Studies. 

“Professor Khalid Medani has been at the forefront of ASSA’s growth and pushed for it to have a journal,” Hogan said. “We have been learning a lot about the process of publishing a journal as we go.”

Uhuru’s only criteria is that academic papers receive a grade of B+ or above. The journal accepts any essay, piece of literature, short story, or poem related to African or African American Studies.

“Papers do not have to be written for an ‘AFRI’ course,” Hogan said. “Being in a very small program is both a blessing and the curse. The community is intimate enough that we are able to reach out to students in the program whom we know and ask them to submit. However, one of the biggest struggles we have faced is publicizing our journal and encouraging people to submit their work.”

Growing a young publication and spreading awareness of its existence are difficult, but Hogan has nevertheless found the experience extremely rewarding.

“I love that being part of the journal allows me to be both academic and creative, and I love that being on the Uhuru editorial board has brought me into this very tight knit community,” Hogan said. 

*The undergraduate research journals affiliated with Arts undergraduate associations are: Branches (Environment), Canadian Content (Canadian Studies), Canons (Religion), Cannon (Art History and Communications), The Channel (English), Chrysalis (International Development), Fieldnotes (Geography), Field|Terrains (Anthropology), Fragments (Philosophy), Hirundo (Classics), Historical Discourses (History), JournalLing (Linguistics), Maktoub (Middle East), McGill Journal of Economics (Economics), McGill Journal of Political Studies (Political Studies), McGill Journal of Undergraduate Mathematics (Mathematics), PSI Journal (Psychology), and Uhuru (African Studies).

Student Life

Persevering in a plant-based lifestyle

by Josephine Wang on

More in Student Life:

With the new year well upon us, many have set resolutions to adopt new habits and achieve certain goals. One popular resolution is starting a primarily plant-based diet or living a vegan lifestyle, which is why, on Jan. 13, the Herbivore Society for Peace and Justice (HSPJ) held a virtual discussion, titled “Transitioning to a (More) Plant-Based Diet.” HSPJ is an organization that focusses on reducing the consumption and use of animal products to foster more ethical and sustainable personal practices. Throughout the month of January, HSPJ is hosting a month-long campaign, known as Veganary, to educate students about veganism and plant-based diets. 

The virtual event allowed people of all diets to engage in casual conversation and share their experiences with a plant-based diet. Students discussed their reasons for having plant-based diets, swapped fun recipes, and exchanged ways to stay motivated. Gabriel Yahya Haage, HSPJ’s Communications Head Organizer, shared some advice with the Tribune for someone new to veganism. 

“Finding the right substitutes in cooking can make the shift a lot easier,” Haage said. “Connecting with a vegan community is quite useful, as they can offer advice, both about cooking, as well as other aspects of avoiding animal products.”

The decision to transition from a meat-based to a plant-based diet is the often easiest part, but the meagre plant-based options at most restaurants and fast-food joints can make it hard to adhere to one’s goals. Even students who have been vegan for years can find it challenging to maintain this way of life. As with any other lifestyle change, going vegan or vegetarian requires consistency and a support system to maintain accountability. Jasmine Coulombe, U3 Science, shared how she has maintained her vegetarian diet for 12 years. 

“I always remind myself of why I initially became a vegetarian: To help stop animal cruelty. Watching documentaries and reading about animal farming and slaughterhouses really changed my perspective on eating meat,” Coulombe said. “However, it does get hard sometimes, especially at social gatherings. It’s important to remember that even if you fall off the wagon and eat meat, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Being vegetarian or vegan isn’t about being perfect, but rather just being more conscious of what you eat.”

The lengthy list of “can’t have” foods can be intimidating for new vegans. Cutting out meat, ice cream, and pizza deters many from going vegan because it feels extreme. Natalie Warren, HSPJ’s events head organizer, discussed the importance of transitioning slowly and finding a support system. 

“I wish I was more open to having conversations with other vegans when I was transitioning,” Warren said. “I wasn’t perfectly vegan, so I felt bad asking for advice. In reality, it’s not about being the ‘perfect vegan’ or ‘100% plant-based.’ I spent a lot of time looking at YouTube recipes and vegan YouTubers. This helped to an extent, but I […] don’t have access to the same foods. I could have learned a lot more food hacks and advice from the people around me.”

For those starting their plant-based journey, HSPJ is a great resource for staying accountable, learning new recipes, or talking to other like-minded people. Since members come from different backgrounds, cultures, and diets, it offers access to a wealth of perspectives on plant-based living. HSPJ will be hosting plenty of virtual events for vegans, vegetarians, and curious meat-eaters in the coming weeks of Veganuary. 

If you are interested in getting involved with HSPJ, send them a message through Facebook or an email at [email protected].

McGill, News

McGill adjusts teaching guidelines as second online semester begins

by Maya Watt on

More in McGill:

After collecting feedback from both students and teaching staff about the Fall 2020 semester, the McGill administration has updated its teaching guidelines with the hopes of improving the educational experience for staff and students while continuing to operate remotely.

Last semester, to avoid over-burdening students during a global pandemic with heavily weighted assessments, professors were encouraged to assign several low-weighted assessments to their classes resulting in testing on a more frequent basis. However, many students reported feeling overworked as they were constantly being assessed. 

In an email to The McGill Tribune, McGill Media Relations Officer Frédérique Mazerolle described the changes made in the new Guidelines for the Remote Teaching Context W2021 and how the McGill administration hopes these adapted guidelines will impact students and staff in Winter 2021 semester. 

“We fully acknowledge that many in our community have felt overwhelmed and overworked during the Fall 2020 semester,” Mazerolle wrote. “There has been close collaboration with Faculties in their preparation of the on-going semester and special attention has been being paid to the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. This includes looking at how to adapt course workloads to help students balance learning responsibilities with their personal lives.”

Another update to assessments this semester will limit the “no review testing” method, a form of testing that prevents students from moving backwards on MyCourses quiz pages. Additionally, a new “no penalty late period” will allow for the submission for final assessments after the last day of classes, but not exceeding the end of the final exam period, without any form of penalty.

Brendon Gillon, a professor in the Department of Linguistics, discussed how he adapted his teaching style for this semester by implementing changes in everything from class interaction with students to grading schemes.  

“When it comes to teaching, there have been a few small advantages and some substantial disadvantages,” Gillon said. “One important disadvantage is that [it is challenging to] interact with students personally. Another [challenge] is grading. Grading papers online takes more time, at least with the software we have. Indeed, in the large class I am about to teach, I am going to try to make as much [material] as possible machine gradable so as to lighten the work of the TAs.”

Despite experiencing setbacks, Gillion acknowledged the ways in which this unprecedented time for professors and students can be seen as an opportunity to expand his knowledge and skills as a professor.

“I have been forced to learn more about online teaching,” Gillion said. “That is good in the sense that it broadens my perspective and compels me to see new ways of doing things. If I end up finding some of these tools useful and adopting them, that will be [for] the good.”

Auston Sinclair, U3 Arts, told The McGill Tribune that online education has challenged his routine as a student. 

“For me, online learning has been an exercise in building and adhering to a routine without any outside structure,” Sinclair said. “Being constantly at home has meant being entirely in control of how I spend my time, in a way that I have found more daunting than liberating.”

Despite these challenges, Sinclair says that he is hopeful the online school experience will change for the better during the Winter 2021 semester.

“I hope to regain the sense of productivity and accomplishment that I felt I was missing in the fall semester,” Sinclair said. “Hopefully, that exercise of self-control and discipline is something that I can take with me moving forward, because I now know how idle I can feel when I don’t make the effort.”

Consultation
McGill, News

McGill Senate approves creation of a Global Engineering program

by Sarah Farnand on

More in McGill:

The McGill Senate held their monthly meeting on Jan. 20, presenting two motions that were passed as well as an update on the ongoing Fiat Lux project. 

McGill Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Christopher Manfredi began the meeting by presenting a motion to create a Joint B.Eng. program in Global Engineering with CentraleSupélec France. Students who elect to take the four-year program will spend the first two years in France and finish the final two years at McGill. The program will begin in the Fall 2023 semester at the earliest and aims to accept approximately 70 students, with each student afforded the opportunity to specialize in one of nine streams. 

“The aim of this new Bachelor of Engineering [program] is to train engineers who will be able to work in collaborative and interdisciplinary teams, in global settings,” Manfredi said.

Although the Senate approved the motion, the program still needs to be approved by the Bureau de Coopération Interuniversitaire (BCI), a private organization that acts as a coordination forum for all Quebec universities.

Manfredi brought forward another motion to rename the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics to the Department of Civil Engineering. He explained that the new name would more accurately represent the scope of teaching and research done in many Civil Engineering sub-disciplines, such as Environmental or Structural Engineering. Manfredi hopes that the change will alleviate confusion, as it will better align with the actual title of the undergraduate degree—B.Eng. in Civil Engineering. The motion was approved and will soon be considered by the McGill Board of Governors.

Associate Provost (Teaching and Academic Programs) Chris Buddle presented an update on behalf of the Committee on Libraries concerning library usage during the pandemic and the progression of the Fiat Lux project. The Fiat Lux project will redesign and rebuild the McLennan-Redpath Library Complex and is proceeding as planned, with the storage building that will house Rare Books and Special Collections scheduled to finish by Fall 2022. The phased renovation program is scheduled to start in the winter of 2023. 

Buddle discussed the Committee on Libraries Annual Report and how library usage during the pandemic has remained the same and been an important resource for students during the remote semesters.  

“This report doesn’t capture […] the very important role that the libraries have played during the pandemic,” Buddle said. “Both in terms of the availability of resources for researchers and students […] and the way the libraries have been used as study hubs and [are] ongoing in that way.”

The Fiat Lux project will place emphasis on creating more space for students and unique study spaces.

Sound Bite

“Minister of higher education Madame [Danielle] McCann is hopeful that the [COVID-19] situation will improve, particularly if we can accelerate the vaccinations of the vulnerable part of our [Quebec] populations. [The government is] looking for at least some light at the end of the tunnel. Apart from […] ensuring the health of the population and ensuring that we are all able to stay healthy, the government is very worried about the mental health of the population and particularly of students [….] For these reasons, we are very strongly encouraged by the minister and the premier to increase the opportunities for our students to be present in-person on our university campuses.”

-Suzanne Fortier, McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University

Moment of the meeting

At the beginning of the meeting, Senator David Eidelman and Senator Jim Engle-Warnick presented touching memorials for Dr. Clifford Kirk Osterland, from the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Barbara Nichols, from the Faculty of Social Work, respectively. Both Osterland and Nichols who passed away in 2020 were notable McGill professors who paved the way for future generations through their research and teaching.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘Pretend It’s a City’ is a New Yorker’s New York

by Bronte Grimmer on

More in Arts & Entertainment:

Oftentimes the quality of a work can be judged by the ease with which viewers consume it. This is certainly the case with Martin Scorsese’s new Netflix documentary series, Pretend It’s a City, featuring his longtime friend, author Fran Lebowitz. The 30-minute episodes of Pretend It’s a City fly by with the same poise as Scorsese’s best feature films. Lebowtiz’s magnetic, acerbic, and cut-to-the-bone wit comes through the screen, and by the end of the series, you cannot help but feel you’ve made a dear friend. 

Named after her personal manifesto, Pretend It’s a City is seven episodes of Lebowitz complaining about every topic imaginable. For those unfamiliar with Lebowitz or why a legendary director such as Scorcese would document her, consider that she’s been called the modern-day Dorothy Parker. Parker, part of New York’s Algonquin Round Table writer’s group of the 1920s, broke ground for women writers and was known for her elegant prose and killer wit. Lebowitz got her start at age 20, when she moved in the ‘70s from her hometown of Morristown, New Jersey to Manhattan, and landed a job as a columnist at Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. Lebowitz went on to pen two critically acclaimed books, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, until a serious case of writer’s block transformed her from professional writer to professional talker. Lebowitz’s opinions are eloquent, razor-sharp, and frank—all on glorious display in Pretend It’s a City. 

Every episode stitches together illuminating bits of conversations between Scorsese and Lebowtiz, as well as interviews with Spike Lee, David Letterman, Alec Baldwin, and Olivia Wilde from over the years. The conversations unfold as Lebowitz walks through the streets of New York City—her disapproving glances at her fellow man worth a thousand words—and at The Players social club in Manhattan. 

One quintessential New Yorker to the other, Scorsese prompts Lebowitz to discuss topics as serious as the #MeToo movement or as mundane as her distaste for former mayor Michael Bloomberg’s choice of street furniture. When Lebowitz turns to #MeToo, she explains why she will always believe the woman, as would anyone who was a young woman; Lebowitz relates how she was unable to get a job as a waitress in New York during her 20s because she wouldn’t sleep with the manager. Lebowitz’s takes on the reality of job-hunting as a woman and sexual harassment stem from her personal experiences, though they are as relevant in 2021 as they were in the ‘70s. 

Lebowitz’s thoughts on the #MeToo movement are about as heavy as Pretend It’s a City gets. For much of the series, you’ll catch yourself laughing uncontrollably like Scorsese, who is often guffawing at what comes out of Lebowitz’s mouth. So does Lee, who badgers Lebowitz in the fifth episode on why she hates sports. Lebowitz does not apologize to Lee, a sports fanatic. Lee continues to interrogate her, but if Pretend It’s a City teaches us one thing, it’s that Fran Lebowitz does not change her mind. When asked what she does on Super Bowl Sunday, Lebowitz tells Lee that it’s a very good day to go to a restaurant. She confesses that she went to the famed first Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier fight, and when Lee asks why, she describes the event as a  wonderful fashion and cultural event—completely on brand for Lebowitz. 

Engaging, clever, and one-of-a kind, Lebowitz’s charm and curmudgeonly wit will draw you to Pretend It’s A City. Finishing an episode is like finishing a New York hot dog—you wish there was more. Pretend It’s A City is documentary filmmaking in its prime, where viewers simply fall through episodes, owing to their brilliant editing and scene framing—and most importantly, the delightful presence of its subject.

Hockey, Sports

NHL season preview: The Canadiens off to a strong start

by Sarah Farnand on

More in Hockey:

The NHL season began on Jan. 13 under very different circumstances due to the ongoing pandemic. The league has been split up into the North division, encompassing all Canadian teams, and the East, West, and Central Divisions splitting the eastern, western, and central United States. The season will also be much shorter than previous seasons, with 56 games instead of 82. 

Going into the season, the favourites in the North Division were the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, with Joe Thorton and Nick Robertson currently injured, the season could take a very different turn. In the East Division, the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and Washington Capitals all have promising Stanley Cup prospects. 

The New York Rangers are not favoured to make it far in the playoffs this season, despite their first overall selection of Alexis Lafrenière in the 2020 draft. After much anticipation of his premier season in the NHL, Lafrenière has yet to tally any points in the four games he has played with the New York Rangers. Although he has been given plenty of time on the ice and has even played on the Rangers’ first line, he is facing an issue uncommon for most star hockey players: Passing too much. Lafrenière has made a mere five shots in his first four games, and while he is known for his playmaking ability, the Rangers current 1-2-1 record could definitely benefit from some more shots on net. 

In the Central Division, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, are favoured to repeat their success. Finally, in the West, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche are teams to keep an eye on. 

When staffers made their Stanley Cup predictions on the NHL website, 12 of the 15 believed the Avalanche would be the champions. After five games, the Avalanche have a 3-2-0 record, ranking them in the middle of their division. However, there are still over 50 games left in the season, and plenty is bound to change. The Avalanche are a skilled team led by superstar Nathan MacKinnon and other high performers like Nazim Kadri and Mikko Rantanen. Their team is significantly deeper than last season, making them a force to be reckoned with.

Although the Montreal Canadiens are not favourites to win the Stanley Cup this season, they have had a strong start. With an impressive 29 goals-for and 18 goals-against, the best goal differential in the league right now, and with 10 points, they are currently ranked first in their division and the league. 

However impressive their early performances, the Canadiens are known to start the season strong and fade as it progresses. With the shortened season, the Canadiens may be able to hold onto their momentum long enough to be in a good seed for the playoffs.

The Canadiens have added some power to both their offensive and defensive lines. Tyler Toffoli, traded from the Vancouver Canucks, has boasted five goals and eight points in six games, including two goals in a 7-3 victory against his former team. The Canadiens have also acquired Corey Perry from the Dallas Stars. In his debut in a Habs’ uniform on Jan. 23, he scored a goal and had four shots on net. 

In terms of defence, it appears that the Canadiens may have finally found a trustworthy backup goalie in Jake Allen. Allen, who has started in two of the six games so far, has won both games with four total goals-against. Allen was a starting goaltender for the Saint Louis Blues until the 2018-2019 season when Jordan Binnington took over the position, helping the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup victory. While Allen may have lost the spotlight, he has not lost any of his talent. Allen finished last season second in the NHL for his goals-against average of 2.15 and fourth for save percentage with .927. Ideally, Allen will be able to give goalie Carey Price the ability to rest without worrying about the fate of the team without him.

Features

To shred or not to shred

by Sophia Gorbounov on

More in Features:

When I reached the ripe age of three, my dad plopped me into my first pair of skis. As I slipped and slid down the bunny hills, there was no way of knowing that skiing, and later snowboarding, would become my only hobby.

Growing up in Ontario, winters were an unavoidable yearly occurrence. Even bundled in snow pants and three different scarves, I dreaded the cold. I greatly preferred summer to winter and counted the weeks until the temperature reached double digits. But, when I was eight years old, I made the switch from skiing to snowboarding. Suddenly, my enjoyment of winter increased, and I had something to look forward to during the cold months.

Every year, my family went on ski trips to New England. The mountains were big, and the snow was plentiful, allowing my younger self to learn and perfect her snowboarding. After many falls and a few near-death experiences, I became surer on my feet (or rather, one long foot). My standing-to-falling ratio steadily increased while my passion for the sport grew. I was finally on par with my older brother’s skiing speed and I started looking forward to the weeks spent on the mountain surrounded by snow.

With everyone in my family skiing in different comfort zones, I was often left to face the slopes alone. However, snowboarding on my own did not hinder the times I spent carving down hills. The current pandemic has put a long pause on many sports, especially team sports, but snowboarding has remained a source of solace and consistent bliss, even as the rest of my world continues to change every day.

Winter sports are a privilege I was lucky enough to have. Moving to Montreal, I learned about the numerous skiing and snowboarding communities at McGill and throughout Quebec. Student groups, like the McGill Outdoors Club and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Ski and Snowboard Club, also offer discounts to offset the costs of these activities. Even if skill levels vary between every person, the love and enjoyment of winter sports is something we can all share.

News, SSMU

Divest McGill presents progress on Metro Inc. boycott at SSMU Legislative Council

by Margaret Askey on

More in News:

Three student groups presented the missions of their respective organizations at the Jan. 14 Students’ Society of McGill University’s (SSMU) Legislative Council meeting. Divest McGill shared their ongoing boycott campaign to pressure McGill’s Board of Governors (BoG) to divest from the top 200 fossil fuel companies, McGill Students for Peace and Disarmament (SPD) presented a new research policy, and McGill Student Transport (MUST) put forward an application to become an official Independent Student Group (ISG).   

Samuel Helguero, 2L Law and representative of Divest McGill, explained the organization’s boycott of Metro Inc. and its various affiliated chains in Montreal. He clarified the relationship between McGill University, Metro Inc., and divestment.

“Divest is engaging in a boycott of Metro over its dissatisfaction [with] the McGill Board of Governors’ inability to pass a motion to [divest from] the fossil fuel industry,” Helguero said. “On the Board of Governors sits Vice-Chair Maryse Bertrand, who also earns a retainer of $120,000 and $500,000 in shares on the corporate board of Metro Inc. We are attempting to target […] her financial and professional interests in order to pressure her into supporting divestment.” 

Helguero was optimistic about the boycott’s effectiveness.

“We have two possible [results in mind],” Helguero said. “[Bertrand] can either reconsider her stance on McGill’s investments, or she can step down from the Board of Governors. I think both would be very fruitful in terms of promoting divestment at the university, as both would show members of the BoG that there are consequences to [fossil fuel investments].”

Divest McGill will present a motion to the SSMU Legislative Council later in January to encourage the student body to participate in boycott efforts.

SPD then presented a policy proposal that would require professors and departments at McGill to declare the potential applications of research to military weapons technology. Lia Holla, U2 Arts and Science and SPD representative, explained the policy’s potential impact and its goals.

“The SPD is developing this policy so that the McGill community can continue to make strides towards ethical research, not away from it,” Holla said. “[It is our goal] to advocate for transparent and ethical research on campus, in addition to creating a space for educational discussion about peace and disarmament.”

Alexis Zhou, U3 Arts and Coordinator for MUST, shared the organization’s proposal and their application to become an official SSMU ISG. This status would grant them financial resources toward their mandate of providing regional student transport that is cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

“After the pandemic, we hope to have direct bus routes to Toronto, New York, Boston, and [other areas of] Quebec,” Zhou said. “This service […] is a valuable tool for our students to be able to attend job interviews, search for job opportunities and internships, [and] empower our students to reach their potential.”

Zhou acknowledged that MUST would require student fees, and cited their plan’s 85.7 per cent approval rating in the Fall 2020 Referendum as evidence of student support.

“What we are proposing is a $3.50 student fee levy,” Zhou said. “That is the same amount as a single trip metro or bus pass with the STM [Société de transport de Montréal], and what we can get in exchange is unlimited weekend travel to surrounding regions for as little as $19 dollars each way for our students.”

Pending approval, MUST will become an official student body organization and provide regional transport services at low prices to the McGill student body.

Soundbite: “The [proposed] student fee levy will be opt-outable. We believe that every student at McGill should have the freedom to choose, and they should be able to decide whether to pay for this service or not. Everyone has the right to do so, and we respect the right of students to opt out.”—Alexis Zhou regarding MUST’s student fee, 

Moment of the Meeting: A motion for the renewal of the previous term’s Indigenous Solidarity Policy was unanimously approved by the Legislative Council.

1 … 362 363 364 365 366 … 1,364

Read the latest issue

Read the latest issue