Last Tuesday, the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) released their Campus Freedom Index for 2013, with the McGill administration receiving D’s in both policies and practices and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) receiving a D in policies and an F in practices. Since its release, however, the report has become the subject of debate on campus, with members of the McGill community criticizing the JCCF for its methodology and political background.
The JCCF report uses a letter-grade system of A to F to rate the freedom of speech on 45 public university campuses across Canada, in terms of the practices and policies of each university administration and student union.
The organization behind the report has received criticism for allegedly having a political agenda, as several key figures involved in the JCCF have been connected to conservative organizations including the Wildrose Alliance, the federal Reform Party, and the Manning Centre. SSMU Vice-President External Samuel Harris expressed skepticism regarding the validity of the organization behind the grades.
“Given the direct implication of this organization with the right-wing fringe, this report has no credibility,” Harris said.
According to Michael Kennedy, the centre’s communications and development coordinator, SSMU’s failing grade was partially a result of an incident that took place in 2009.
“SSMU Council […] warned the student group Choose Life that if it went ahead with a planned lecture by Jose Ruba titled ‘Echoes of the Holocaust,’ it would have its funding revoked,” Kennedy said.
The report also points to an incident in 2012 when SSMU requested that the group McGill Friends of Israel change the name of an event called “Israel-A-Party.” Harris explained that SSMU executives at the time requested the name change because it was parodying the term Apartheid during Israel Apartheid Week.
“The name of the ‘Israel A-Party’ event was meant to provoke and incite other student groups rather than focus on being its own event, which is something that the SSMU tries to avoid,” Harris said. “It has never been SSMU’s intention to stifle free speech or choose sides in what we know is a very contentious issue. And we do admit that it is a very fine line. But to call us a ‘failure’ on free speech […] is ridiculous.”
Elisabeth Gidengil, a political science professor at McGill, said that the report contains several methodological oversights.
“The grading scheme for student union practices is troubling,” Gidengil said. “[It] risks being somewhat subjective as there is no explicit linking back to the criteria that are used to award the grades.”
Gidengil suggested that the group could improve the methodology’s transparency by linking a description of each grade to the occurrence that caused it. She said the criteria for each letter grade are inconsistent, sometimes resulting in union and university policies being graded twice.
“Some criteria for a grade of A, D and F are spelled out but the only criterion for a B or C are the grades received for the student union’s policies,” Gidengil said. “These are default criteria, employed because the student union’s commitment to free speech has not been tested […] The latter wording is identical for awarding a B or C. The net result is that a union [or university] whose commitment has not been tested is effectively graded twice over on its policies.”
Gidengil added that the grades may not have been cross-validated.
“Did more than one person independently award grades and were the grades then compared?” she said. “If so, how were discrepancies resolved?”
Kennedy responded to criticism of the index’s credibility—both political and methodological—by saying that the authors are unbiased and that they condemn the censorship of many groups in addition to pro-life groups.
“The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is non-partisan, and dedicated to defending the human rights and constitutional freedoms of each and every Canadian,” Kennedy said. “The Campus Freedom Index makes clear that censorship can affect all students regardless of their views. There are many examples documented in the Index of censorship against both Students Against Israeli Apartheid and pro-Israel clubs, pro-life, and atheist clubs, partisans of all stripes, marijuana enthusiasts, and so on.”
McGill University has not released a statement on the index and does not plan to, according to Director of Internal Communications Doug Sweet.
“We don’t have any comment,” Sweet said. “The university made some very strong and clear statements about standing up for freedom of expression last year and we certainly stand by those statements.”
The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that the use of drug-sniffing police dogs on suspects is legal, as long as officers have “reasonable suspicion based on objective, ascertainable facts” that their suspects are engaged in illegal activity.
This case stems largely from a 2006 case in which Benjamin MacKenzie was pulled over for a minor traffic violation. The police claimed that his eyes appeared red and called in drug-detecting dogs, which led to the discovery of 14 kilograms of marijuana in MacKenzie’s trunk.
Critics of the decision have argued that while the police may catch offenders like MacKenzie this way, the permission to use methods like sniffer dogs means that police more frequently infringe upon the rights of innocent individuals based on a subjective understanding of what constitutes suspicious behaviour.
“[The ruling] has the effect of giving an enormous amount of deference to the instincts and subjective views of police officers, at the expense of some of the liberties we assumed were in place since the Charter came,” Benjamin Berger, law professor at York University, told The Globe and Mail.
Alberta named fastest growing province
New numbers released by Statistics Canada last Thursday show that Alberta has the fastest growing population in Canada. Alberta’s population increased by 3.4 per cent last year, while the entire population of Canada grew by only 1.2 per cent.
Statistics Canada attributes Alberta’s growth to “record levels of international migration and inter-provincial migration.” According to the report, Alberta has been the frontrunner in population growth over the last 30 years, with an increase of 50.8 per cent.
“Our relative economic conditions compared to the rest of Canada are really explaining why we’re seeing such an increase, particularly in inter-provincial migration,” Kate White, chief economist for the Alberta government, told The Edmonton Journal. “Compared to the rest of the world, which is still struggling to walk away from the great recession, the relative opportunity in Alberta is very good for international migrants as well.”
Following Alberta in growth were Nunavut (2.5 per cent) and Saskatchewan (1.9 per cent). All provinces showed some population growth with the exception of New Brunswick (-0.1 per cent), the Northwest Territories (-0.2 per cent), and Nova Scotia (-0.5 per cent).
Victims of bus accident to file lawsuit against company
The company involved in a Sept. 18 bus accident in Ottawa faces legal action following the incident. The potential multimillion-dollar lawsuit comes after the collision of a bus with a Via Rail train resulted in the death of six people, including the bus driver.
According to lawyers in Toronto, one person who was injured in the accident is looking to file a lawsuit against OC Transpo on behalf of all involved in the crash. This could include a class action lawsuit representing everyone involved in the crash, which could cost the company over $20 million, and a group action lawsuit representing the families of those killed, which could cost the company over $10 million.
Those injured in the collision, however, face potential complications regarding a court case because they have to complete several steps in the insurance process before they are able to sue for pain or suffering. However, this does not affect the families of those killed in the crash, who can file for death and funeral payments from their own insurers or the bus insurer.
Canada Revenue Agency faces allegations of corruption
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) came under fire last Wednesday when Radio-Canada revealed that the agency sent a refund cheque for over $380,000 to Nicolo Rizzuto, a jailed Quebec mob boss owing $1.5 million in unpaid taxes in 2007. Andrew Treusch, CRA commissioner, said the agency will be launching an internal investigation to discover the source of the cheque.
Over the course of Radio-Canada’s investigation, several former CRA employees have come forward with accusations of corruption within the agency. According to the employee who discovered the cheque, Jean-Pierre Paquette, it took the agency over a year to address the concerns he raised after discovering the incident.
“It’s become endemic; senior managers who are involved in a file take their retirement and a month later have become legal advisers or consultants on the same files for the other side,” the CBC quotes Paquette as saying. “It’s a huge conflict of interest.”
Eventually, these concerns resulted in a yearlong RCMP investigation, which has resulted in over 100 criminal charges against people who previously worked for the CRA.
New app encourages public to pressure businesses to comply with Bill 101
The Montreal chapter of the French language advocacy group Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste has released an online application designed to encourage the public to pressure businesses in the city to comply with Quebec’s French language laws.
First passed in 1977, the Charter of the French Langauge, also known as Bill 101, defines French as the language of the majority in Quebec, and outlines basic language rights in areas such as parliament, labour relations, and businesses. The app is called “Moi, j’achète en français,” and allows customers to rank and comment on a business based on their service in French.
The theory behind the app is that if Francophone Quebecers know that a business does not provide its service to their language standard, the business will lose profits. According to the organization, the application does not report businesses to the police for not properly adhering to Bill 101.
“A team of volunteers will follow up on the most pertinent files, and will take the actions necessary to find a solution with the businesses that have the worst scores,” the website explains.
The application is available online and as a smartphone application.
One would be hard-pressed to find a mainstream rock band that has evolved their sound as drastically, and with as much cohesion, as Kings of Leon. From the early country-blues of Youth and Young Manhood and Aha Shake Heartbreak, to far more melodic, alternative sounds of Come Around Sundown, the Kings of Leon have managed to keep a style in all their music as familiar as it is distinct.
It’s only fitting that the Followill brothers’ latest album, Mechanical Bull, is a culmination of all this evolution—eventually coalescing into an album that manages to both integrate and celebrate over 10 years of musical history.
The distinction from the Kings’ early work to their later albums can immediately be seen in their two singles, “Supersoaker” and “Wait For Me.” The former kicks off the album in an explosion of energy, with lyrics practically drenched in 1950s era Americana, before transitioning into tracks steeped in the same vibe that marked the Kings’ earlier, twangier pieces. While “Wait for Me” shifts the album into the far mellower, more melodious pieces that characterized albums like Only By the Night, both songs must be commended for the same spectacular bass lines that have come to distinguish many of the Kings’ work.
When it comes down to it, Mechanical Bull is an album that revels in the band’s history—playing with a kind of enthusiasm that will appeal to both old fans and new fans alike.
Whenever I listen to a new album, I try and envisage what type of movie the album would be the perfect soundtrack to. Tall Tall Shadow by Torontonian Basia Bulat would accompany an idiosyncratic rom-com—like (500) Days of Summer—or a quirky romantic dramedy—like last year’s Take This Waltz.
Why a romance? The combination of Bulat’s silky vocals, heartbroken lyrics, and folksy instrumentation all scream “bittersweet romance gone wrong,” but with a hopeful, Hollywood resolution. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, because Tall Tall Shadow is an engaging, fresh album—it just also happens to be rather cinematic.
Bulat injects “Shadow” with a feisty, acoustic spirit that propels the album from start to finish, particularly on “It Can’t Be You” and titular track “Tall Tall Shadow.” Here, defiant lyrics and melodies reach out and grasp the listener, instead of slapping them in the face.
That’s exactly what makes this album great: it has a subtle boldness instead of an obnoxious one. It creeps up on you, and it’s not until the last song that you realize you totally understand what Bulat is getting at with her album. Fortunately, the slower paced songs (“From Now On,” “The City With No Rivers,” “Never Let Me Go”) also hold their own, adding a dynamic aspect to the album instead of dragging it down. As Bulat’s fifth LP, Tall Tall Shadow is yet another quality release.
On Sept. 25, McGill’s Board of Governors released Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier’s contract. The release marks the first time the Board of Governors has voluntarily made the contract of a McGill principal public.
According to the contract, Fortier’s base salary is $390,000. In addition, the university will cover the cost of $3,000 for legal counsel regarding her contract, and a yearly sum of $2,000 for professional financial services.
Fortier’s contract also contains a 20 per cent potential bonus based on the merit of her annual performance, which is “subject to a review by the Chair in accordance with a set of mutually agreed upon goals, objectives, and targets,” according to the contract.
Chair of McGill’s Board of Governors Stuart Cobbett said that although Fortier’s base salary is higher than that of former principal Heather Munroe-Blum—who was the highest-paid principal in the province, with a base salary of $369,250—Fortier’s contract results in a substantially lower paycheque due to fewer benefits.
For example, Munroe-Blum’s contract stipulated a $4,000 per month allowance towards the use of her Montreal residence for university-related events, while Fortier will not receive an allowance, although she will be reimbursed for “reasonable expenses.”
“When we negotiated the contract with Fortier, we took into account the salary of Heather Munroe-Blum,” Cobbett said. “If you look at the cost of Fortier’s contract, it is more than three per cent less [than Munroe-Blum’s] in terms of total costs to the university.”
The three per cent reduction is the result of measures implemented by McGill for this academic year in order to meet budget cuts the Quebec government announced last December. Members of the upper administration have all received a three per cent decrease to their salaries.
McGill will cover Fortier’s expenses related to her role as principal, including university-related travel and event hosting, and a relocation allowance to cover the cost of moving to Montreal.
Cobbett said that Fortier’s contract was met by positive attention from the McGill community and media when it was released on Wednesday.
“[The contract was] well received. People much appreciate Fortier’s transparency and the simplicity of the contract,” he said.
The contract extends from Sept. 5, 2013 until June 30, 2018, with the opportunity for re-appointment.
Katie Larson, president of the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), said she thought Fortier’s salary was “reasonable” considering the standard salary for such a position. Larson said she supports Fortier’s decision to publish the contract.
“When it comes to Human Resources it is up to the individual to disclose information such as their contract, so I am glad that professor Fortier took the extra step not only to publish her salary, but also to disclose the other parts of her contract,” Larson said. “We will see how forthcoming she will be with the exact expenses, and whether her decision to publish this information will encourage other administrators to do the same.”
Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Dan the Automator, and Kid Koala return 13 long years after the release of their first album Deltron 3030 with one hell of a weird story.
Imagine the hip-hop equivalent of a rock opera, set a thousand years in the future, starring the alter egos of two of the most enigmatic characters ever to handle turntables and mics, as they wade through the post-apocalyptic ruins of a corporate-controlled universe. This, alongside a cast of featured artists as comically bizarre as it is extensive. Appearances range from Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, to actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to professional chef David Cheng. This is Deltron 3030: Event II.
The 16-song tracklist exemplifies the steadiness of Del’s rhythmic flow. Although his rhymes lack the lyrical deftness and complexity found in many of his previous works, it’s only to be expected—Event II is a narrative first and album second.
What really stands out is the production by Dan the Automator, characterized by deeply tolling bells, a dynamic mix of classical instrumentals, hard-hitting drums, and appropriately futuristic-sounding synths. Track 9, “Talent Supersedes (ft. Black Rob)” is a perfect example of this type of sound, incorporating common elements throughout the album in one track.
Featured artists’ performances are underwhelming at times, though among them are a few standout tracks—look for Mary Elizabeth Winstead of Scott Pilgrim fame on “Look Across the Sky,” and “What is this Loneliness” featuring Damon Albarn and Casual. The intermittent skits that punctuate the album also serve to keep things interesting while making for some good laughs.
The jury is still out on whether Event II has eclipsed its predecessor as an album, but it has undoubtedly done so as a project. In combining top-notch storytelling, a distinguished lineup of featured artists, and impeccable delivery, Deltron 3030: Event II makes for a modern day musical epic you’ll be playing on repeat for the foreseeable future.
Chicago Blackhawks: Can you say back-to-back championships? Because that’s what the Blackhawks have been thinking of all summer. With an amazing array of offence and defence, the Blackhawks aren’t worried about just getting by in the regular season. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Patrick Sharp headline what is undoubtedly the best top six in the Western Conference. In addition, their rich offence is matched by one of the best defensive lineups in the NHL, with both Jonny Oduya and Duncan Keith anchoring their back line. Meanwhile, between the pipes, Corey Crawford isn’t half bad either. They have speed, power, and finesse. The only question now is, can they be stopped?
Colorado Avalanche:After a disappointing season that was mercifully shortened due to the lockout, the Avalanche hope to turn a new leaf entering the 2013-2014 campaign. Over the summer, legendary alumni Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic assumed important roles within the organization, in a move designed to energize both the players and the fans. Colorado then selected Nathan MacKinnon first overall in the draft with the hope that the skilled centre will turn out to be another star in their already-strong nucleus of young players. Twenty-year-old captain Gabriel Landeskog is also looking to dominate this season after struggling with injuries for most of last year. The Avalanche look to have some serious dark horse potential in the West this season if Roy can bring the same intensity and competitive drive to coaching as he did when he strapped on the pads.
Dallas Stars:After missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year, the Dallas Stars’ push for the playoffs this year began in the off-season with a major shake-up of their roster. The acquisitions of Sergei Gonchar, Tyler Seguin, and Shawn Horcoff bring a mix of youth and leadership to an otherwise lackluster Dallas offence. The addition of Lindy Ruff behind the bench provides Dallas with a seasoned head coach who knows how to win not only in the regular season, but the playoffs as well. While these new acquisitions provide the Stars with a flurry of new weapons, their road back to the post-season will be a challenge in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Minnesota Wild:In the summer of 2012, the Wild spent over $200 million to snag two NHL superstars: Minnesota-born Zach Parise, and star blue-liner Ryan Suter. It seems the team is hoping its investment will finally translate into a winning season. The only major personnel changes in 2013 were the acquisition of center Jason Pominville and Matt Cooke. Young forward Mikael Granlund should provide a burst of talent, eager to make his mark on the NHL in his first full season. Nonetheless, the Wild are a few players short of making a real playoff push; a lack of depth and size will probably deny them a chance from sneaking into the playoffs.
Nashville Predators:The Predators are once again in dire need of some offensive firepower this year to compete with the rest of the league. Their off-season moves were little help—it will be a miracle if new signing Matt Cullen can even hit 35 points this season. The team’s chances lie on the shoulders of younger players such as Colin Wilson, Craig Smith, and Seth Jones. Nashville should have no problems defending in its own zone thanks to the superstar combo of Shea Weber and Pekka Rinne. It can only get better for the lowest scoring team in the league as they hope to climb out of the league’s cellar.
St. Louis Blues: Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Jay Bouwmeester—three All-Star calibre defencemen—are ready to headline the Blues’ attempt to ascend to the top of the Central Division. On paper, St. Louis has the capacity to dominate games defensively. If the offence can follow captain David Backes’ example and put points on the scoreboard, the Blues will be in good position. All they need now is to solidify their options in net, and St. Louis will have all the pieces to make a deep run in the post-season.
Winnipeg Jets:In order for the Winnipeg Jets to make a serious run at the playoffs this season, a lot will have to go right for the organization. Specifically, the Jets will rely upon goaltender Ondrej Pavelic to deliver top-notch performances on a nightly basis. Offensively, the Jets will need to find secondary scoring, a factor that eluded them last season. The Jets also have to make sure that they use home-ice to their advantage this year (the MTS Center is one of the loudest buildings in the NHL). If the Jets can stay healthy and get off to a good start, they will have a chance to compete in the Western Conference playoff race.
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks:An impressive regular season earned the Anaheim Ducks the second seed in the Western Conference. However, a first round upset to the Detroit Red Wings erased the sense of accomplishment. The Ducks’ star duo of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry remains, while starting goaltender Jonas Hiller should provide another solid season in net. The biggest question mark for Anaheim will be their defence, as veteran Sheldon Souray is likely out until January, and Francois Beauchemin is returning to the ice this season after knee surgery. As long as Getzlaf and Perry can offset the offensive loss of winger Bobby Ryan the Ducks should erase the dismay of last season and make a deep playoff run.
(via The Canadian Press)
Calgary Flames: Calgary’s future looks bleak as Jarome Iginla and Mikka Kiprusoff—two fan favourites who have embodied Flames hockey for a decade—are no longer with the organization. Without any major signings, the Flames seem content to continue rebuilding. They have a few good prospects in the pipeline, but lack the seasoning to make an impact this season. Flames fans will be spending most of this season watching their goaltender try to keep pucks out of the net. KHL star Karri Rämö will compete with Joey MacDonald for the honour to mask the mistakes of a talent deprived squad. If Calgary somehow makes it out of the NHL’s bottom five, the season will be deemed a success.
Edmonton Oilers: Every avid hockey fan has been patiently waiting for Edmonton to finally have its dominant breakout season. With budding superstars Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins anchoring their top six, the sky is the limit for this team. Young defenceman Justin Schultz will look to match last year’s point production and hopefully contribute defensively in his own zone. With the additions of veteran defenceman and new captain Andrew Ference, along with winger David Perron, the Oilers just might have what it takes to finally make a respectable playoff push. The only question that remains is whether goaltender Devan Dubnyk has the ability to carry an Oilers team brimming with potential to their first playoff berth since 2007.
Los Angeles Kings: Coming off a fifth-place finish in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings hope to bring back their fortunes of two years ago when they won the Stanley Cup. The Kings should be primed for another playoff run with the core of their title winning lineup still intact. Just as any championship team will tell you, the Kings’ success this year will depend largely on the play of goaltender, Jonathan Quick, a former Conn Smythe Trophy winner. Quick hopes to build upon his previous years of success and prove his status as an elite NHL goaltender and should lead Los Angeles deep into the post-season once again.
Phoenix Coyotes: The Phoenix Coyotes aim to return to the playoffs after a disappointing 10th-place finish in the lockout-shortened season. The Coyotes were relatively quiet in the offseason, as they believe they have a roster that can contend in the Western Conference. After all, it is virtually the same roster that captured a division title only two years ago. The one splash that the Coyotes did make was the addition of veteran forward Mike Ribeiro, who will provide a calming presence to the team. With a full training camp and complete 82-game season, the Coyotes feel confident that they will be able to return to the playoffs.
San Jose Sharks: After an upset sweep of the third-seeded Vancouver Canucks in last year’s playoffs and a narrow Game 7 loss to the Kings, the San Jose Sharks are looking to carry the momentum of its unexpected playoff run into this upcoming season. With nine consecutive playoff appearances under its belt, San Jose is still chasing after the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Championship. With young stars Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski locked in for the foreseeable future, as well as veteran leadership from Joe Thornton and Antti Niemi, the San Jose Sharks will undoubtedly be a force to contend with in the Western Conference.
Vancouver Canucks:The ever unpredictable John Tortorella debuts behind the bench for the Canucks this season. Vancouver’s notoriously critical fans and media should prepare for insult and belittlement at the hands of their extremely vocal coach. Vancouverites will be relieved to finally begin a season with a clear-cut option for no. 1 goaltender, Cory Schneider. Vancouver opted to trade Schneider and keep perennial scapegoat Roberto Luongo. Offensively, Swedish twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin will spearhead the squad once more along with gritty forward Ryan Kesler. If Luongo can finally live up to his $6.7 million contractg and the team as a whole starts playing with more heart, then a trip to the Western Conference finals is not out of the question.
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins:It’s very rare that a Stanley Cup runner-up makes it back to the final, but that is the task at hand for the Bruins this year. The off-season was a welcome period of rest for a roster that was hobbling by the end of the playoffs. The team returning this year is largely the same, although one-time future of the franchise Tyler Seguin was shipped to Dallas after a poor playoff performance and reports of off-ice problems. Loui Eriksson came back the other way and should provide offence as well as a veteran presence on the wing. Jarome Iginla, who spurned the Bruins at last year’s trade deadline, brings veteran leadership to a squad that has the capability to win it all.
Buffalo Sabres:Rebuilding is the name of the game in Buffalo. The Sabres have missed the playoffs in four of the past six years, and last season brought significant changes. Long-time coach Lindy Ruff was fired and Ron Rolston, coach of their AHL affiliate, was brought in as the interim head coach. The team’s core remains largely unchanged, but rumours of the exits of Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller floated around during the off-season and will only continue with the two slated to hit free agency following this season. If Buffalo’s playoff chances disappear early, both Vanek and Miller could find themselves on the block as the team moves towards a younger core.
Detroit Red Wings: Last season provided a scare for the most consistent franchise in the NHL, with the team just scraping into the playoffs and falling in the second round. As always, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will be the ones leading the charge once the puck drops this year. On top of that, a savvy front office was able to add Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss to supplement the production of the fan favourites. Defensively, Niklas Kronwall leads a unit that should play with the tenacity and grit that the ‘hockeytown’ loves to see. Detroit will undoubtedly make the playoffs once again on the backs of their veterans, but lack the youth to sustain a deep post-season run.
Florida Panthers: After signing veteran goaltender Tim Thomas to a one-year deal, some intrigue will definitely surround the Panthers this year. However, most people would agree that the team’s core is not ready to challenge for a post-season position in the immediate future. Despite a wealth of young talent in their system, they are probably still a few years away from contending in the newly formatted Atlantic division. Many of the components from Florida’s 2012 squad that won the Southeast Division are still in place, but unless a lot goes right for the Panthers as it did then, it will likely be another long season in Sunrise.
Montreal Canadiens: It has now been more than 20 years since the Habs last won a Stanley Cup. The team that finished second place last season has fans hoping that the end of that drought is just around the corner. Veterans Daniel Briere and Douglas Murray were brought in and should be welcome improvements over the outgoing Michael Ryder and Tomas Kaberle. The young core of Alex Galchenyuk, Brendan Gallagher, and P.K. Subban will also benefit from another year of development. The Canadiens limped into the post-season last year, bringing about questions as to how they would have fared over a full 82-game season. They are not the division favourites, but the Habs should be strong nonetheless.
Ottawa Senators:Despite being plagued by injuries Ottawa managed to squeak into the playoffs last season, largely due to a strong defence. Key players Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson, and goaltender Craig Anderson all missed significant time but are healthy to begin this season. The Senators also enter the post-Daniel Alfredsson era, as the captain of 13 years left for Detroit in the off-season. The Sens traded for right-winger Bobby Ryan, which should help fill the hole Alfredsson leaves on the first line. Clarke MacArthur will also help generate offence, which was a weak point last season. Provided they can stay healthy, Ottawa should be a playoff team.
Tampa Bay Lightning:The Lightning will be looking to turn the corner this season after buying out long-time captain and fan-favorite Vincent Lecavalier over the summer. The team is still thin on the blueline and lacks a bona fide number one goalie, despite Ben Bishop’s occasional flashes of brilliance. In Vinny’s absence, it is expected that the team’s 2009 second overall pick Victor Hedman will take on a more prominent role this year. With Steven Stamkos and Martin St Louis still on board, the Lightning shouldn’t have any problems scoring, but their offensive prowess will likely not be enough to get the Bolts into the playoffs this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs:The Leafs surprised many last year with a fifth-place finish and a trip to the playoffs. However, significant regression could be in store for Toronto this season. They were consistently outshot, and advanced statistics suggest that the team was quite lucky. Dave Nonis was one of the busier GMs this past off-season, trading for goaltender Jonathan Bernier and centre Dave Bolland, signing free agent David Clarkson, and re-signing several core players. While certainly improved, the Leafs still lack a true top-line centre and sit too close to the salary cap to make any significant moves. That said, this is still a fast, young team that could sneak into the playoffs and pose problems for their opposition.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes: Expectations are raised this season in Carolina as Kirk Muller begins his first full 82-game season behind the Hurricanes bench. The squad is counting on goaltender Cam Ward to have a bounce-back season if it plans on fighting for a playoff spot. Up front, the team will be highly dependent on the Staal brothers, Jeff Skinner and Alexander Semin to carry the load offensively. Ex-Hab Mike Komisarek will try to re-establish himself as an NHL-caliber defenceman after a disastrous stint with the Maple Leafs. If it all falls into place, the Hurricanes have a chance to sneak into the playoffs.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Believe it or not, the Jackets might actually be a threat this year. By signing one of the hottest free agents, Nathan Horton, they are looking more and more like contenders. The acquisition is indicative of how far the Jackets have come. They finally have an offensive lineup that can produce. Their defence is equally dependable, with Jack Johnson and James Wisneiwski leading a stout backline. Backing them up is Vezina Trophy winner, Sergei Bobrovsky, who returns for another season with the Jackets. With all that said, Columbus has a solid chance of making the playoffs this season.
New Jersey Devils: The scoring struggles that plagued the Devils last season have only been accentuated over the summer as top offensive threats, Ilya Kovalchuk and David Clarkson, have departed. The team will count on off-season acquisitions Jaromir Jagr and Ryan Clowe to add a desperately-needed scoring touch. Elsewhere, a strong defensive core that held opponents to a league-low 23 shots per game last season returns its key components and welcomes goaltender Cory Schneider. If the Devils can’t solve their offensive woes, they will miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.
New York Islanders: The Islanders managed to end a six-year playoff drought last season, and are expected to improve upon the result. Superstar John Tavares will be under pressure to perform not only as an elite scorer but also as a leader, taking over from former captain Mark Streit, who left for Philadelphia this summer. Streit’s departure also leaves a hole on the blueline that was not filled over the off-season. Instead, the defence will rely on the development of younger players such as Matt Donovan and Griffin Reinhart. If the Islanders want to win a playoff series for the first time since 1993, they will need to continue to mature as a squad.
New York Rangers:The Alain Vigneault experiment will certainly be interesting. The new head coach will allow for more freedom, and focus on individual play more than former bench boss John Tortorella. The keys for success will hinge on offensive output, as goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is one of the league’s best and has the luxury of playing behind a stout defence. Vigneault will attempt to get the most out of his star forwards, and also fix a powerplay that was among the league’s worst in the lockout-shortened season. Although they have the ability to be a top contender, it is more likely that the Rangers will spend the season fighting for a spot in the post-season.
Philadelphia Flyers: After missing the playoffs for only the second time since 1994, the Flyers had a busy off-season. They added two crucial veterans in centre Vincent Lecavalier and defenceman Mark Streit. The Flyers biggest move of the summer, however, was buying out the remaining portion of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov’s contract. They begin the season with two solid options to replace him in Steve Mason and Ray Emery, both of whom have had success starting in the past. Although the Flyers are not considered favourites to lift the Stanley Cup, they could get hot at the right time and make a lot of noise in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins:The Pittsburgh Penguins ended last season on a sour note, suffering a sweep at the hands of the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their elimination can be attributed to two main factors—a lack of scoring and poor goaltending. If the Penguins hope to hoist the Stanley Cup this season, their star-studded offence must find a way to produce against physically imposing teams. At the other end of the ice, goaltender Marc-André Fleury must rekindle the consistent brilliance that he displayed during Pittsburgh’s 2009 championship. If the Penguins play up to their potential this season, they will once again be a favourite to win the Stanley Cup.
Washington Capitals: The Washington Capitals will once again be an offensive juggernaut. With Alexander Ovechkin leading the charge following an MVP winning season, the team should light up the scoreboard more often than not. Mikhail Grabovski will look to bounce back this season, mitigating the loss of Mike Ribeiro to unrestricted free agency this summer. In net, Braden Holtby will try to solidify himself as the team’s undisputed number one goaltender. Overall though, Washington’s success will depend on its ability to shed its historical choking habit in the playoffs.
On Sept. 26, David Eidelman, vice-principal (health affairs) and dean of the Faculty of Medicine, announced changes to the faculty at the first Board of Governors meeting this academic year. The curriculum for the four-year undergraduate medical program offered by McGill’s Faculty of Medicine has undergone a major revision for the first time in 15 years, according to Eidelman. Changes include an increased focus on primary care and working in inter-professional teams.
The Faculty of Medicine currently faces challenges due to reduced funding. Additionally, the MUHC’s move to Glen Campus represents great opportunities, but also a shift in the practice of medicine that must be planned for and adapted to, according to Eidelman.
“[We’re in a] tough political environment, one in which the value of research and training individuals to build social capital is being challenged,” Eidelman said.
Eidelman also mentioned the proposed Charter of Values, which would limit the ability of public sector employees to wear conspicuous religious symbols or clothing in the workplace.
“This would have a devastating effect for our faculty,” Eidelman said.
Eidelman also announced that the Faculty of Medicine’s admission process will undergo its periodic external review on Oct. 8. The review will be led by Harold Reiter, the head of admissions services for DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster University. Armand Aalamian, a general practitioner in McGill’s Department of Family Medicine, will act as an internal reviewer.
“We regularly review all of our programs, typically every five years or so or when required in the context of a change or renewal of leadership,” Eidelman said. “As at least five years have passed since the last time we did this for admissions, we are doing it now.”
New Mental Health Program
Provost Anthony Masi announced that Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning) Ollivier Dyens is designing a new program to deal with mental health issues on campus, in response to an increase in the number of people seeking help for mental health problems across the country.
“The program is oriented towards stressors for students,” Masi said. “[Mental health is] one of the main stressors at the university.”
The program will be officially announced at the joint Board of Governors-Senate meeting on Nov. 12.
Award-winning Indo-Canadian playwright, Anusree Roy, has crafted a slightly humorous—yet incredibly captivating—one-woman play. Letters to My Grandma triggers sentiments of fear, horror, and awe.
Roy introduces viewers to a young Indian woman by the name of Malobee. While aiming to build a new life in Montreal, she struggles to adapt to Canadian society. Like her Hindu grandmother during the Indian partition in 1947, Malobee is faced with the prospect of living in a world that is not as accepting as she may have wished. Presented with a grandmother’s heartbreaking story of survival and sacrifice in this period, audiences are forced to question whether people’s judgment of one another has really changed over generations since.
The Teesri Duniya Theatre company is used to dealing with similar subject matter. It is dedicated to promoting and producing works that are socially relevant within various cultures. Established in 1981 as a South Asian theatre company, it now claims to promote multiculturalism, multilingualism, and acceptance among nations.
Although Letters to My Grandma is a multi-generational story presented to spectators in a fractured narrative, the impeccable acting put forth by the gifted Sehar Bojhani makes it fairly easy to follow. Having taken part in productions such as The Life of Jude and The Taming of the Shrew, she is able to brilliantly capture the personas of the four distinctive characters. Perfecting postures, accents, and character nuances, this one-woman show exceptionally showcases the different facets of the narrative. Bojhani’s talent of drawing people into the emotions of four different and uniquely lively women results in giggles, enchantment, and disbelief among the audience.
Letters to My Grandma features a modest set. Decorated with orange and red Indian drapes, set designer Stephanie Lambert and director Lib Spry must be commended for a rare form of subtle yet notable creativity. Whether situated in India’s treacherous war zones or Malobee’s humble bedroom, the set does a fine job of taking on the role of exceptionally different environments. For instance, Malobee’s bed easily takes on the form of a horrifically daunting escape truck. The crew’s proficient transformation of a simple North American bedroom into a 1947 Indian war zone is impressive. Its simplicity allows the audience to dive further into their imagination.
Coincidentally, the presentation of Letters to My Grandma comes with impeccable timing. With much controversy surrounding Quebec’s Charter of Values, the performance of this play in Montreal stands for more than just entertainment. After a well-deserved standing ovation for the cast and crew, a few words of reinforcement were shared with viewers.
“This is for Pauline,” says Rahul Varma, creative director of the Teesri Duniya Theatre, to the audience, pointing at the kurta pajama he wears. As an attentive audience listens he continues, “Equality doesn’t come by removing the hijab, it comes from removing the prejudice.”
This brief yet striking statement was followed by heavy applause, reminding people that Malobee’s obstacles are, in fact, extremely relevant.
Roy says that she has one main objective with her work: “I want people to know that change is possible no matter what.”
Letters to My Grandma plays until Oct. 13 at Centre Culturel Calixa-Lavallée (parc Lafontaine). Student tickets are $15 with valid photo ID.
Blackberry, the Canadian tech giant that once led global smartphone sales, has experienced a steep decline over the past three years. The company’s employees are facing huge layoffs, and its stock has dwindled below $9 per share. Despite this dismal deterioration—or perhaps because of it—Blackberry’s largest shareholder, Fairfax Financial Holdings, has offered to take Blackberry private in a $4.7 billion deal.
In the face of such a severe slump, Fairfax Financial CEO Prem Watsa, the so-called “Warren Buffet of Canada,” seems confident in his company’s ability to revive Blackberry’s stagnant situation. His optimism can be attributed to several significant assets that Blackberry still has. Among these is Blackberry’s powerful security system; a huge attraction for businesses and government clients. Second is Blackberry’s patent portfolio, which gives the company legal ownership of a wealth of intellectual property.
One branch of the company that Watsa is not particularly eager to acquire, however, is Blackberry’s hardware division. In the past four years, Blackberry’s smartphone market share has dwindled from nearly 50 per cent in 2009 to roughly 3 per cent currently; the largest decline that any smartphone maker has seen. If the takeover goes forward, it is highly unlikely that Fairfax Financial will continue to produce Blackberry handhelds.
The deterioration of Blackberry as a leading smartphone maker can be attributed to certain shortcomings on the part of the company, as well as powerful competition from competitors, namely Apple and Google’s Android operating system. One underlying flaw was Blackberry’s complacency. In the rapidly evolving smartphone industry, the ability to innovate and adapt to changes in consumer preferences is paramount. Apple revolutionized the smartphone industry with its sleek, streamlined, and easily navigable iPhones, and the Android offered increased functionality with its versatile, easily modified operating systems. Blackberry, which was both reluctant to abandon its signature keypad, and adamant in clinging to its niche of phones catered to businesspeople, quickly fell behind.
By the time that Blackberry finally released the Z10 last February, its first phone without a keypad and first new operating system in two years, it was already too late. Apple was already on its sixth generation iPhone, and Android had released several updates for the fourth version of its mobile operating system.
More recently, Apple’s latest iPhone release, as well as its heavily redesigned operating software, iOS 7, has completely overshadowed Blackberry as a contender in the smartphone market. Apple sold nine million of its new iPhones in the first weekend, compared to 2.7 million Blackberry 10 devices in the entire first quarter.
Blackberry’s reign as a leader in the smartphone market has come to a close. However, whether Fairfax Financial can actually restore some of the Canadian tech company’s former glory in its other divisions, or if the buyout is simply a last-ditch effort to salvage a large investment turned sour, is up for debate. A remaining source of hope for Canada’s prized technology company lies in Fairfax’s domestic approach to Blackberry’s restoration. Fairfax Financial is seeking Canadian equity, most likely in the form of pension funds, to complete the deal.
Spokesman Paul Rivett has been quoted stating that Fairfax is seeking “a strong Canadian solution” for the revival of what was once one of Canada’s most successful companies. Although it seems that Blackberry has lost its foothold in the smartphone industry in the face of American tech giants, a domestic recovery for the company’s more secure markets is possible, and could preserve Canadian influence in the global technology industry.
