212,000 animals used in UBC research
As part of an attempt to become more transparent about animal experimentation on campus, the University of British Columbia revealed Friday that it had used nearly 212,000 animals for research purposes in 2010. The Vancouver Sun reported that the overwhelming majority of animals were rodents, and that only 31 animals underwent procedures that were considered “most invasive.” Animal rights organizations have criticized the university for not providing information to the public about their research involving animals. Brian Vincent, the director of STOP UBC Animal Research, called on the university to provide even more information to the public. Helen Burt, UBC’s associate vice-president, research and international, said revealing more information would put their research integrity at risk.
Same-sex couple kiss for gay rights at Tims
Thirty protesters gathered in front of a Tim Hortons in Blenheim, Ontario on Thursday, where a lesbian couple was asked to leave for kissing outside the store in October. Patricia Pattenden, 23, said she felt lucky for the support voiced at the rally, while girlfriend Riley Duckworth, 25, said it helped promote gay rights. According to Postmedia, twenty other protesters were present, some of whom said public displays of affection are inappropriate. Duckworth maintained that the couple had pecked each other on the cheek. They are asking for an apology from the Tim Hortons assistant manager who then asked them to leave the premises. They kissed briefly in front of the coffee shop at the crowd’s urging on Thursday.
The beaver: sooooo 19th century
Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton proposed to her fellow senators on Thursday that the polar bear should replace the beaver as one of Canada’s official emblems. Eaton thinks Canada’s “most majestic and splendid mammal” is a better representation of modern-day Canada than the “dentally defective rodent.” According to the CBC, Eaton did admit that the beaver played a role in founding Canada, as the value of its pelts fueled the fur trade which opened up the country. The government has no plans to change the national symbol, a sentiment echoed by the public. An informal CBC poll showed that around 78 per cent of respondents had voted to keep the beaver in the online poll by press time.
Salvation at the spa
A British Columbia salon is offering a day at the spa to people who participated in the Stanley Cup riots if they turn themselves into police, CTV reported. Eccotique Spas&Salons owner Milajne Soligo said he will give a $50 gift certificate to rioters who own up to crimes committed in June after the Canucks lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals to the Boston Bruins. The unrest cost the City of Vancouver millions of dollars worth of damage. The gift certificates will only be activated if the boutique is shown an official arrest form. The Vancouver Police have made 40 charges so far in the riots.
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