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a, Montreal, News, PGSS, SSMU

PGSS, SSMU host joint summit on anti-austerity measures

by Cece Zhang on

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Members of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Council and the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) Council gathered for a joint meeting against austerity on Feb. 23. The joint council was the first of its kind, and through it, the two student unions produced a joint statement opposing provincial austerity measures. The two Councils approved two motions—one concerning the creation of a joint anti-austerity mobilization working group, and another on student priorities in McGill’s upcoming budget planning. 

Joint statement against austerity

The Councils passed a joint statement laying out how PGSS and SSMU would stand against the Quebec government’s stance on austerity. The joint statement also authorized the creation of a joint mobilization working group.

“SSMU and PGSS jointly reaffirm the following: Complete and definitive opposition to the austerity measures in their actual form; commitment to support other Quebec student associations in their efforts against such measures,” the statement reads. 

SSMU Medicine representative Joshua Chin expressed his reservations, questioning whether supporting other student unions in their measures against austerity would commit SSMU and PGSS if the other unions decided to strike.

“Will we be committing to supporting their strikes, and will it extend to SSMU and PGSS or even their constituent schools, faculties, or others?” Chin asked, proposing to remove the clause.

Other councillors spoke against removing this clause from the motion, stating that it did not necessitate SSMU and PGSS protesting with other student unions, and that stating support would help the overall movement against austerity.

“History in Quebec student movements show that when Quebec students are united, they have a much stronger voice and they are much more credible,” Frédérick Armstrong of the Post-graduate Philosophy Student Association said. “I would strongly disagree with striking that point, because internal debates should not hinder our efforts against such measures.”

Motion on student priorities in budget planning

The joint council also approved a motion regarding student priorities in upcoming budget planning. The motion identified nine areas of the McGill budget as priorities for students: Research opportunities and funding, diversity of course offerings, experiential learning opportunities, student space on campus, scholarships and financial aid resources, library services, and maintenance of staffing numbers. Councillors also proposed two additional amendments, covering areas of funding transparency and increased funding for student health and mental health services.

PGSS Health Commissioner Elizabeth Cawley brought forth an amendment calling for increased transparency from McGill on funding for services such as the Office of Student Disabilities (OSD). 

“Be it resolved that the SSMU and PGSS express their discontent with the current lack of transparency in funding transfers from the government of Quebec through the central administration earmarked for student services, and call on McGill to increase the transparency of these transfers,” the amendment reads. 

Cawley explained that despite repeated requests from the Student Services committee, McGill has not disclosed details regarding the specific allocation of the earmarked provincial funds. 

“When we made a formal request last year, we were simply told that ‘the university’s finances are audited both internally and externally on a regular basis’,” Cawley said. “Most recently […] there have been issues at UQÀM  [University of Quebec à Montreal] with transfers regarding students with disabilities [….] We want more transparency regarding these transfers and we’re not getting it.”

An amendment proposed by SSMU Medicine Senator David Benrimoh asking that SSMU and PGSS lobby McGill to provide student health, student mental health counselling services, and the OSD with sufficient funding was also passed.

Motion on the anti-austerity working group

A motion discussing the logistics behind the working group mandated by the joint statement was unable to pass before the joint council lost quorum. Discussion on the motion only served as a consultative measure and the motion will need to be passed by SSMU and PGSS in their respective Councils to take effect. 

PGSS External Affairs Officer Julien Ouellet presented the motion, stating that it would be a necessary step towards mobilizing the McGill community.

“To have an impact, we need to be able to mobilize,” Ouellet said. “To have a joint mobilization committee, which other associations within McGill could join, would help us raise awareness on issues such as austerity and to get people more riled up about decisions that will ultimately affect them on a very, very personal level.”

SSMU VP External Amina Moustaqim-Barrette cited concerns regarding the statement that the working group should only use “non-violent and non-defamatory strategies to reach its goal.” She was echoed by SSMU VP University Affairs Claire Stewart-Kanigan. 

“Tactically, it is essential to have disruptive practices of some kind, [but] even civil disobedience and things of that kind can be classified as violent in their creation of disruption to [the] regular functioning of things,” Stewart-Kanigan said. “By saying ‘non-violent,’ it’s giving into the idea you should be using the same word for punching someone in the face that you use for marching down the street and blocking cars, and that’s not something we should be endorsing in our formation of the committee.”

Ouellet maintained that the inclusion of ‘non-violent’ and ‘non-defamatory’ would increase the legitimacy of the working group. 

“Within McGill. we would have a better chance of attracting other accredited unions if we made [it] clear [that] we’re going to be mindful of [the] law,” he said. 

An amendment was passed changing the wording to read “without the express intent to cause physical or psychological harm to people.”

a, Student Life

Student movement establishes a healthy food system

by Keah Hansen on

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Food sustainability initiatives at McGill were scarce until about six years ago. However, with the launch of the student-founded and student-led McGill Food Systems Project (MFSP) in 2008, a culture of food sustainability has experienced a grassroots emergence, with students critically considering and addressing food sustainability issues. Achieving food sustainability at McGill has developed into a two-tier process: Student-initiated research on sustainability is institutionalized by administration to ensure its long-term practice. This innovative process has yielded impressive results, making McGill a leading university in Canadian food sustainability.

Student-initiated

McGill’s food sustainability initiative is a product of the MFSP. The MFSP was founded by three students: Dana Lahey, a sociology and anthropology major; Sarah Archibald, an agriculture and environmental science major; and Jonathan Glencross, an environment major, with assistance from McGill Food and Dining Services (MFDS), and the McGill Office of Sustainability (MOOS). The project’s goal was to create and implement a vision of food sustainability at McGill. Since its launch, two of the founding members, Lahey and Archibald, have graduated and are now project managers for a Toronto-based not-for-profit called Meal Exchange, which works with 35 universities in Canada to address sustainability issues within campuses. 

Ansel Renner, a senior leader of MFSP and U3 Environment student, reflected on the objectives of the project, which works with students to conduct Applied Student Research (ASR) on sustainability.  

“[The MFSP] exists to support student food initiatives with sustainability on campus, addressing the environmental, economic, and social components,” he explained.

Since its inception, the MFSP has supported many food sustainability initiatives at McGill. Projects include the first on-campus farmer’s market in Quebec at McGill’s downtown campus, the Farm to Plate Report, which addressed McGill’s food supply chain, monthly Local Food Days in the McGill dining halls, the McGill Feeding McGill partnership with Macdonald Farm to obtain produce for the residence cafeterias, the McGill Food and Dining Greenhouse Gas Audit, and a recent Constructive Consumerism report from student researchers.   

Renner and the MFSP team are currently working on a McGill Food Manifesto, which is one of the group’s new student-initiated projects. The official statement’s objective for the manifesto is to “create a baseline understanding between a diverse group of food service providers regarding topics such as responsible and ethical purchasing, common knowledge nutritional information, and vegetarian and vegan options.”

According to Renner, the progress of sustainability that McGill has made since MFSP’s founding is one that has flourished.  

“The scene in 2008 was completely different than it is today,” Renner said. “For example, McGill has one of the most expensive dining services, but the quality of the food has really improved and is a resounding conclusion.”

According to Renner, the amount of food wasted in Quebec calls for McGill’s increased involvement in sustainability.

“Quebec is the worst province for food waste in Canada,” he said. “Fifty per cent of food in Montreal is wasted, and most people aren’t aware of that.”

Renner recognized that this new project is more challenging than earlier initiatives.

“The food charter is a bigger undertaking [….] All the low-hanging fruit has been plucked,” he said. 

Renner said that he would like to see further growth of food sustainability awareness at McGill.

“I want McGill to continue to be a leader in Canada,” Renner said. “Six years ago, it was like entering a black box, so difficult to figure out where your food comes from [….] Now it’s easier.” 

McGill-institutionalized

Amelia Brinkerhoff, a fourth-year Environment student, is involved in the institutional aspect of food sustainability at McGill. She works with the MFDS as the Student Sustainability Coordinator. Brinkerhoff got involved with sustainability at McGill to ensure that food sustainability would become a priority and conversation point at McGill.

“After first year, I volunteered with the MFSP in an operational sense,” Brinkerhoff said. “Food sustainability is something I have always felt passionate about, [so I] got involved to continue with that vein.”

Brinkerhoff described why MFDS collaborates with MFSP for food sustainability initiatives.   

“[MFDS] works with [MFSP] because they do Applied Student Research,” Brinkerhoff said. “Every sustainable purchasing project is backed by student research.”

Since the release of the student-researched Farm to Plate Report, MFDS has increased its sustainability practices, such as purchasing local ingredients for the residence dining halls.      

“Forty per cent of everything we purchase is local [and sustainably, consciously chosen]—that tends to be our maximum right now,” Brinkerhoff explained.

According to its website, the MFDS defines Local Food Days as “purchasing seasonal food that has been produced, harvested, caught, or manufactured within a 500km radium of the downtown campus.”

However, Brinkerhoff said that “local” and “sustainable” are broad terms for the MFDS, with economic sustainability also considered along with environmental sustainability.

“We also strive for holistic financial sustainability and try to support Quebec’s local economy,” she said. 

According to Brinkerhoff, working with the Macdonald campus is also important because it is a local food connection and also part of McGill.  

“Local purchasing and working with [Macdonald farm] sets us apart,” Brinkerhoff said. “[MFDS] are the biggest purchasers of Mac produce, and we have worked closely with them to expand our relationship to include beef and eggs as well.”

Another current project in McGill’s dining halls is student composting.

“We have composted in the kitchens for three or four years, and have expanded it this Fall to the cafeterias,” Brinkerhoff explained. “Student feedback with composting has been mostly good. [They] are now more aware of what is going in and out.” 

According to Brinkerhoff, it is important for universities to engage in sustainability. 

“It seems hypocritical for an academic institution to generate research and have a knowledgeable and enthusiastic faculty, yet not engage in sustainability across the board,” she said. “We have an obligation to set an example in all facets of sustainability. Universities should support students in sustainability and sustainability projects—it’s [their duty].”

Despite its room for growth, Brinkerhoff believes McGill is a leader in food sustainability. 

“We definitely rank among the top [institutions in food sustainability] in Canada, and have been approached by other universities,” she said. “People are seeing that our student initiatives are being institutionalized.”

Campus involvement

For students interested in getting involved in the food sustainability culture at McGill, Renner offered three suggestions.

“First, start questioning what it is that you’re eating, where it came from, and who prepared it,” Renner said. “Also, get involved with the food sustainability culture at McGill. Consider joining the farmer’s market, Organic Campus, or one of the student-run cafes [….] Lastly, see something that you think could be improved.” 

Brinkerhoff further recommended that students try the new McGill-oriented sustainability app, “Myko,” which was launched by a team of McGill faculty and students.  The application seeks to educate users on sustainability issues, proposes possible solutions, and help establish goals for positive and lasting change.

Gal Kramer, U1 Geography, volunteers at Organic Campus, a Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) service that promotes local and organic food on campus.  Kramer also stressed the importance for students to be active in food sustainability. 

“Students have both the knowledge and resources to impact food sustainability in our communities,” she said. “This can be achieved through urban farming, a sustainable mindset and local agriculture. It is important because it is all linked to improving public health, and creating healthier societies in general.” 

a, Features

Les nuits illuminées

by Caity Hui on

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Glittering purple and blue, the snow was painted in the soft light of the churning ferris wheel, standing amidst a crowd of milling viewers in the heart of Place des Arts. In the background, a projection danced across the face of a building—one of many art installations at Montreal’s 12th edition of Nuit Blanche.

Each year, Montreal joins hundreds of other cities across the world in an annual celebration that showcases the arts. The concept stemmed from Helsinki’s Night of the Arts festival in 1989 and Jean Blaise, the founder of the Research Centre for Cultural Development in Nantes, France. He organized a festival known as Les Allumées—The Lighted Up—in Nantes in 1990, where he transformed the city into an outdoor art gallery from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., showcasing six different artists from six different cities. Twelve years later, Les Allumées inspired the first installation of Nuit Blanche in Paris—which was also directed by Blaise—and since then has spread to countries like Canada, Australia, and Chile. 

Unlike other cities, however, Nuit Blanche forms part of a greater initiative known as Montreal en lumière. The festival draws around 900,000 fans each year over a 10-day period to experience a range of visual and performing arts. This February, Montreal itself was the muse for its own festival. Renowned Montreal-based chefs contributed to the gastronomy aspect of the festival, while artists found inspiration from the city in the pieces they created for showcase.

Quotes:

“There were so many activities and fun things to see [in the] Place des Arts complex. The ambiance was appropriate for all ages, and I would definitely go again! […] It was great to see Place des Arts filled with so many happy people—everyone came [together] on the cold night to spend time with each other.”

 

— Veronica Li, U3 Arts

 

“Graffiti always struck me as something that belonged outside, defacing the side of my corner [depannéur.] So watching them paint right on the gallery wall seemed so wrong, but I couldn’t look away. It made me sad that it would get painted over for the next exhibition, but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Like Nuit Blanche itself, these murals are sort of a one-night-only deal.”

— Mingye Chen, U3 Arts & Science

“For someone who does not live downtown, one of the main reasons to go out on Nuit Blanche is that the metro is open all night. I do not have to worry about how I will get home or spending extra money on a taxi with a student budget. [It allows me] to wander to new places in Montreal. However, this year, I got so exhausted from walking and dancing—in a good way—that I just ended up cabbing.”

 

—Roman Radetskyy, U3 Microbiology & Immunology

“The event was bright and colourful, and a great way to get out of the McGill pocket and see the local music scene. The crowds were lively, which added to the excitement of the event. One of my favourite parts was roasting sausages and marshmallows by the fire pits.” 

 

 

—Katie Lee, U3 Pharmacology

 

a, McGill, News

Greenbriar to be converted into an upper-year residence for 2015-2016

by Shrinkhala Dawadi on

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The Greenbriar apartment-style residence will be designated for upper-year students beginning Fall 2015. The residence is located close to McGill’s downtown campus on University and primarily housing first-year students in studio-style and one-bedroom style apartments.

Director of Student Housing and Hospitality Services (SHHS) Janice Johnson explained that the change was motivated by the increased availability of beds overall in McGill residences and the current popularity of Greenbriar as an on-campus housing option for upper-year students—about 30 upper-year students apply to live in residence each year, most of whom choose Greenbriar. 

“Ever since we created [the residence] La Citadelle, we’ve got more beds than we need to meet the first-year student guarantee,” she said. “Looking at next year’s enrollment numbers […] we thought that Greenbriar was probably the place that would be the most attractive for upper-year [undergraduate] students.”

Second to fourth-year students would be able to apply to live in Greenbriar through a process independent of the general lottery system that is used to place first-year students in residences. 

“It’s more like applying to rent a space anywhere else,” Johnson explained. “We’ll have a web form for students to fill out an application [….] If we have a [first-year] student [who] has particular needs that Greenbriar would fit, I wouldn’t not put them there […] but we’re not going to be assigning a great swath [of first-year] students in Greenbriar.”

Leases for Greenbriar for the 2015-2016 school year would span 12 months, according to Johnson, although she said that she does not currently know how much rent would cost. Students would not be mandated to buy a meal plan.

Faye Siluk, U4 Education and Greenbriar floor fellow, explained that she believed some students might like the option of an upper-year residence.  

“Even though first year is so formative, I think a lot of students still need [the] sense of security and that guaranteed community that comes from [residence],” Siluk said. “It does bring a sense of safety that you maybe wouldn’t get if you’re a little bit young or inexperienced […] and that’s something that a lot of students as well as their families […] might appreciate.”

Siluk also spoke to the structure of the apartments within Greenbriar, stating that they allowed students to live more independently within the residence system.  

“Now that I’m in Greenbriar, I have a lot more privacy,” she said. “I have my own apartment and kitchen, [and] I do feel like I’ve been able to grow and develop [….] It makes sense to me that [an upper-year residence] would be Solin or Greenbriar, because it’s naturally going to be more independent.”

According to Johnson, Greenbriar will not have floor fellows in the 2015-2016 school year, although some on-site support would be provided for residents by relocating the MORE housing office to Greenbriar. 

“There will be an administrative presence in Greenbriar during the days […] in case students have questions, [but the] programming we [will] offer will be at a much more general level, [such as] inviting [students] to stuff that’s happening across residences,” she said.

Johnson continued to highlight that student consultation would take place throughout the year.

“We want to […] talk to students about what they might need and […] see if we need to create something specific for upper year students,” she said.

Siluk spoke to the challenge of creating a community of upper-year students in Greenbriar during the next school year.

“The fact that they’re upper-year students and that they have pre-established communities will make it more challenging than when you’re working with first years,” she said. “I think that if McGill set up some kind of hall council [for Greenbriar…] that plans events and gets given a budget […] than it would really help build a community [….] I do have faith that students make [communities] on their own, it might just be a longer process.”

a, Martlets, Sports

The week that was for McGill Athletics: March 10

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BY THE NUMBERS

4

Number of years in a row the Martlet basketball team has captured the RSEQ Championship.  

 

 

 

18

Points recorded by junior centre Melodie Daoust over the nine games she has played for the Martlet hockey team.  

 

 

 

283

Saves made by the Redmen hockey team’s starting goalkeeper Jacob Gervais-Chouinard over the team’s playoff run.  

 

 

 

Tribune Athletes of the Week

Jenning Leung

Basketball, Guard
Sophomore – Arts

It was a tough week for Leung and the rest of the Redmen basketball team after they bowed out of national title contention with a loss to Bishop’s in the RSEQ Championship game. Though it is likely a small consolation, Leung was impressive in both of McGill’s games this week, notching 10 points and a couple of steals against Concordia in the RSEQ Semifinals and 15 points, six assists, and four steals in the finals. The sophomore point guard will continue on next season as the team’s likely starter, after stealing the job from the graduating Ave Bross. If these performances are any kind of preview, the Redmen have good reason to be confident in their floor general going into next year. 

 

 

 

 

 

Mariam Sylla

Basketball, Forward
Junior – Science

Sylla gave the Martlets a top-tier performance when it was most needed this past week, leading McGill to its fourth consecutive RSEQ Championship. The Conakry, Guinea native collected double-doubles in both the semifinal game and championship, including a season-high 25 points in the latter. On the week, Sylla averaged 23.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game, all while shooting 61.2 per cent from the field and 81.8 per cent at the line. Her most important points came at the end of the championship game, as Sylla drained the game-winning basket with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Sylla was named game MVP of the finals, and after such an impressive season, should end up a CIS All-Canadian for the second consecutive year.

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond the box score

Redmen Hockey

After dominating the OUA East division to the tune of a 21-5 regular season record, the Redmen hockey team came within 61 seconds of punching their ticket to the CIS tournament. Down 1-0 with under two minutes left, the Windsor Lancers pulled goalie Peter Van Buskirk in a last-ditch effort to salvage their season. Mere seconds later, third-year Lancers forward Ryan Green deflected a shot from teammate Julian Luciani to send the game to overtime. McGill had held an edge in shots all game up to that point, and it looked like star goaltender Jacob Gervais-Chouinard had his second playoff shutout in the bag, but the wild goal proved too devastating to overcome for the Redmen, as Green would score the game-winner just five minutes into the extra period to claim the OUA men’s hockey bronze for Windsor.  

Fourth-year centre Guillaume Langelier-Parent put McGill up early in the third period on a pass from winger Neal Prokop, but that was all the offence the Redmen managed to muster. There were no heroics from superstar defenceman Samuel Labrecque, no big-time shots from junior winger Jonathan Brunelle, and no sight of McGill’s lethal power play unit, which was held scoreless on two overtime opportunities.  

After a miraculous playoff run that featured overtime victories, record-breaking performances, and astonishing individual efforts, this squad can be confident that it gave its best effort, and should be back with renewed energy and determination next season. Though the team expects to lose seven seniors to graduation, including Cedric McNicoll, Neal Prokop, Guillaume Langelier-Parent, Marc-Olivier Vachon and, Benoit Levesque, they will be strengthened by a host of core players returning.  

(Photos courtesy of McGill Athletics)

a, Campus Spotlight, Student Life

Campus Spotlight: ASB

by Tiffany Le on

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The “McGill bubble” often makes it difficult to explore the Montreal community. In response, the university started an Alternate Spring Break (ASB) initiative that aims to expand students’ horizons beyond the McGill campus. For students invested in social justice, ASB took place over reading week and offered the opportunity to discover local groups and organizations that play  major philanthropic roles in the city. It involved four days of volunteering and a fifth day to provide a recap of the experience. The events span four different fields with 11 organizations around Montreal.

“A lot of other universities have ASB programs–it is something that is starting to be offered a lot by universities as a complement to classroom learning,” explained Jean Murray, community event organizer for the Social Equity and Diversity Education (SEDE) Office. “There’s a lot that [students] can get out of service learning that they can’t get out of classes.”

Students were able to choose from categories that include health and wellness, food security, youth and education, and anti-poverty. The organizations dealing with each sector are all specialized, with work ranging from enhancing the quality of life among individuals living with HIV and AIDS, to workshops creating better awareness of and more access to healthy food. 

These organizations all play a big role in the Montreal community. Some participating organizations include Santropol Roulant—a Meals-on-Wheels service—to the St. James Drop-In Centre, which offers a safe and supportive environment for the marginalized or homeless.

“At the SEDE office, we’re not working with big international organizations,” Murray said. “We’re really trying to look in places that are for the community by the community. In doing so, students get to see a part of the Montreal community and engage with people who are in the city with them rather than far away.”

Each organization has its own activities planned for the week. Before registering, students can pick and choose between what the different work entails and are able to plan their weeks accordingly. Each day involves four hours of volunteering with many learning opportunities. Many of the programs develop new and valuable skills, from vermicomposting and fertilization to creating resource kits for children’s books. They also demand a variety of different skills. For instance, many of the organizations need help with maintenance jobs, while others are looking for help with food preparation and serving. Some of the more specialized work includes helping with language course registrations at a learning centre and creating a mural using book covers.

ASB is planned by the combined efforts of the SEDE office, Student Services’ Campus Life & Engagement office, and McGill’s School of Continuing Studies’ Personal and Cultural Enrichment (PACE) program. SEDE’s main focus is on fostering a better understanding among varying cultures and communities through education. They hope to develop a more respectful, diverse, and supportive campus. Similarly, PACE offers workshops throughout the year on different topics with the goal of fostering better personal development to lead to a more successful community.

“This is a partnership; we wanted the students to get a lot in terms of learning but we wanted the organizations to be getting a lot out of it as well,” Murray said. “Ideally, these partnerships that we have with these organizations [are] not a one-time thing. We try and stay involved with these organizations and have them participate in other events, such as Community Engagement Day. It’s a similar idea to ASB, but it happens [on] one day in October.”

The ASB program can also be taken as a one-credit Winter semester course, called CPAC 102: Topics in Volunteerism and Community Development. The course is offered through PACE and also includes readings and seven hours of lecture on top of the volunteer work.

 

a, Arts & Entertainment, Music

Deep Cuts: Songs called “Shine a Light”

by Matt Bobkin on

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“Shine a Light”

Artist: The Rolling Stones

Album: Exile on Main St.

Released: May 12, 1972

Though the Rolling Stones’ 1972 double album Exile on Main St. is now considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time, its penultimate track, “Shine a Light,” with its groovy, honky-tonk chorus that is nothing but uplifting, is a step above. Filled with sweet guitar riffs and a relentlessly jammy piano hook, “Shine a Light” is a hootenanny of a track, with beautiful daubs of gospel licks stuffed in there for good measure—without ever feeling bloated. Four minutes of shifting, soulful classic rock, this quintessential Stones cut is a slice of bliss from start to finish.

“Shine a Light”

Artist: Madonna

Album: Shine a Light EP

Year: 1980

The deepest cut of them all comes from the Queen of Pop, the almighty Madge herself—but from 1980, a few years before she became the Material Girl that we all know and love. Though it’s not quite the dance pop Madonna is known for, it still features her airy yet commanding voice, with hints of her future pop dominance, but this time on top of a buoyant bass line and shuffling drums. At a scant 101 seconds, this tune is gone too soon—as was Madonna’s embrace of this sound. Nonetheless, it makes a great impact during its brief runtime.

“Shine a Light”

Artist: Constantines

Album: Shine a Light

Released: August 19, 2003

One of the hits by Guelph, Ontario rockers, Constantines, “Shine a Light,” features irregular time signatures in verses that give way to a heavy chorus. Though not a bleak tune, it’s not a particularly uplifting one either, working to keep the listener on edge: Clean guitar noodling is juxtaposed with a heavy, walking bassline and eerie synths. Compounded with Bry Webb’s raspy, howling vocals, the track plays with mood before jolting to life for a gritty, guitar-driven rock climax. It’s fun, unsettling, and definitely not your standard rock tune, taking calculated breaks and bridges to maximize the impact of the song’s climaxes.

“Shine a Light”

Artist: Wolf Parade

Album: Apologies to the Queen Mary

Released: September 27, 2005

Coming off the heels of labelmates Constantines’ smash album/single of the same name, Montreal art-rockers Wolf Parade’s take on the phrase is a little happier in comparison. Built around a chugging chord progression, this lighthearted, stompy rocker features guitarist Dan Boeckner—now of Divine Fits and synth-rockers Operators—on the mic for some jagged, breathy vocals. With some jangly guitars in the background, Wolf Parade’s track is fun, synthy indie rock at its best, including a great, riff-filled climax to round things out. Though Wolf Parade is no longer active, its “Shine a Light” is just one of many great tunes to come out of the Montreal group—and a reminder of the sharp rock they crafted during their time together.

a, McGill, Montreal, News

Vigil for slain Egyptians held on McGill campus

by Laura Hanrahan on

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On Feb. 25, members of the Montreal community gathered at a vigil held on campus to pay their respects to the 21 Egyptian victims killed in Libya. 

A video released by Libyan Islamic State extremists on Feb. 15 showed the alleged execution of 21 captured members of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority.

Participants of the vigil stood outside the Redpath Museum, holding candles and signs commemorating the lives of the Egyptian victims. 

The vigil was organized by U1 McGill Arts student Gabrielle Anctil and Concordia student Antonious Petro, who said they hoped to bring attention to issues of violence that result from intolerance.

“This vigil wanted to serve as a reminder that, yes, in 2015, it is still possible to die because of your culture, religion, [or] ethnicity,” Anctil said. 

Vigil attendee Kelly Schwab,  a McGill alumni and current Concordia Masters student, stated that the event was moving and brought together members of the Montreal community.

“I think it turned out to be a beautiful event,” she said. “It was quite cold […] but it brought together quite a mix of the community—francophones, anglophones, Concordia, McGill, students, non-students. I think it was a very simple, very lovely statement about non-hate, expressed in a solemn walk to the steps of Redpath, and a brief trilingual speech on the loss of individuals to discrimination, hate, and violence. “

Petro and Anctil stated that they hoped that the vigil would serve as a platform for the Montreal community to be able to gather and contribute proactively to awareness of such issues.

“I think a lot of people feel powerless about these issues, and I think that it is very positive that we got together and showed our support,” Anctil said. “A lot of passerbys stopped and read our signs, so hopefully they felt touched by our message.”

According to Anctil, the vigil was also spurred by Petro’s personal connection to the victims. 

“[The idea for the vigil] came from [Petro] who grew up in the village where these people were from,” Anctil said. 

Schwab underscored the necessity of remembering the stories of people who were killed in Libya.

“The issue is important to me on a basic human level—I condemn the use of violence in all forms,” Schwab said. “In organizing this event, it was important not to focus on the action as one taken against the Coptic community specifically, but against individual lives—that these people were deserving of life, trying to make a better living than what was available to them in their own countries.” 

Schwab also highlighted that the vigil was a reminder of how injustice affects the lives of people around the world. 

“Its important for us to be aware of how others exist and live their daily lives,” she said. “The fact that […] these men had to go abroad to find work because of systemic failings in their own countries is traumatic in itself [….] The vigil for me was an active reminder to incorporate these thoughts into my life here in Montreal.”

a, Sports

From the cheap seats: UFC open day

by Zikomo Smith on

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Ifind it strange being in a room with multiple people who can easily beat me up. Especially when some of those people are only 5’3.”

And that is the position I was in for two hours at the Bell Centre on Feb. 25 for the UFC 186 open media session. I got my press pass at the door, got a coffee and sandwich at the complementary buffet, and entered the surreal world of the most popular organization of mixed martial arts (MMA). I was immediately struck by how accessible and willing to talk the athletes were. They all exuded a mixture of humility and confidence. They gave refreshingly candid opinions as opposed to the recycled platitudes we hear in so many mainstream sports.

They did not shy away from difficult questions about UFC legend Anderson Silva’s positive steroids test and doping in MMA. Everyone questioned agreed that steroids should be banned and drug cheats should be punished. However, some of the fighters were more empathetic towards steroid users than others. That side was represented by Demetrius “DJ” Johnson (the five-footer who could beat me up), who said that he believes that steroids do not totally invalidate a fighter’s achievements.

“Anderson Silva did some amazing things in the octogon whether he was on [performance enhancing drugs] or not,” Johnson said. “He still has to train. Yes he did cheat, but he still has to put the work in the gym […] and go into the octagon and knock this person out.”

Despite the sympathy, Johnson was adamant that he did not believe in steroid use, and that he was not tempted to use it. On the other side, TJ Dillashaw–defending UFC Bantamweight champion–was far more emphatic about steroids as cheating and a blight on the industry. 

Johnson also did not baulk at criticizing the exuberant and visionary UFC commissioner Dana White for allowing WWE wrestler CM Punk to join the company without a substantial background in MMA. 

“Next time I see [White] I am going to ask him, ‘How are you going to sign CM Punk to the best MMA organization,’” Dillashaw said. “I would not sign him. I would pay top dollar to get the best talent over someone like CM Punk […] who has never had one amateur fight or spar.”

With regards to UFC in Canada, Montreal veteran fighter Patrick Cote, who will face Joe Riggs at UFC 186, believed better grassroots development was needed to continue producing quality Canadian fighters.

“We have a lot of young fighters and prospects [who] want to fight but there is [no] serious organization to develop those young guys,” Cote explained.

Ever since MMA was legalized across Canada in 2010, the sport has blossomed. Canada has hosted the most UFC events outside of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. The first UFC event in Toronto sold  out with 55,000 tickets. This has been aided by the presence of the wildly popular superstar Georges St. Pierre, who would probably be elected as Premier of Quebec if he ran. Quebecers, and Canadians at large, have taken to UFC at an alarming rate.

“First and foremost, Canadians are sport fans […] so I think that we are a great sports nation and this is a great sport,” Head of UFC Canada Tom Wright explained. “Second is that we are as multicultural a country as you would find anywhere on the planet and […] our sport is as multicultural as any.”

Despite its status as a second-tier sport in Canada behind the usual suspects such as hockey, basketball, and football, MMA is truly awe-inspiring. Its athletes are probably in the best shape of any athletes on the planet–all muscle, coiled power, and fluid limbs. 

The open media day made the UFC seem very egalitarian. The athletes unabashadly shared their opinions. Wright seemed to connect personally with the fighters. This is an organization that seems to want to make the paying public a part of their world. I was sold. I got a star-struck photo with Cote. I even managed to make it through the session without taking a beating.

UFC 186 takes place on April 25  at the Bell Centre.

a, News, PGSS

Yony Bresler elected as PGSS interim secretary-general

by Shrinkhala Dawadi on

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On Feb. 24, Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS) of McGill University Chief Returning Officer (CRO) Colby Briggs announced that Yony Bresler had been elected as the PGSS interim secretary-general. Bresler, who assumed the role on Mar. 2, won with 55 per cent of the vote. Fellow candidate Saturnin Ndandala acquired 15.5 per cent of the vote. 29 per cent of voters voted ‘no opinion’ in the election,  with 974 students voting in total.

Bresler spoke about his goals moving forward, highlighting the need to improve transparency and his dedication to anti-austerity measures in response to budget cuts passed by the Quebec government last year.

“My goals are to work with the current team to help them achieve their goals in their respective portfolios […] taking steps to increase the transparency between the various governing bodies of PGSS and […] the members at large, and to represent graduate student interests broadly—in particular in relation to the planned austerity measures,” he said.

Bresler continued to explain that PGSS would be overseeing a working group against austerity, which was created in the organization’s joint council with the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) on Feb. 23. The group aims to mobilize the McGill community against austerity measures. 

According to Briggs, a contestation—a formal procedure which constests the validity the electoral results—was presented against one of the candidates during the contestation period, which ran from Feb. 25 to March 1. Briggs stated, however, the contestation would not likely affect Bresler’s win. 

“The current open contestation concerns the claimed background and experiences of one or both of the candidates,” Briggs said. “This being said, I highly doubt any changes will come to affect the results of the election.”

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