Author: Robin Della Corte

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News

A year in review

Image via Flickr
Image via Flickr

A sea of red through the downtown core
Students and their supporters took to the streets en masse on March 22 to protest a tuition hike proposed by the Liberal provincial government at the time. The non-violent protest was estimated to have attracted more than 200,000 people and stretched for more than fifty city blocks. Monthly protests on the 22nd of each month became common afterwards, and eventually helped lead to the abolition of the hike following the Parti Québécois’ victory in the fall provincial election.

Concordia get slapped with $2-million fine
Then-Minister of Education Line Beauchamp cracked down on the university with a $2-million penalty for providing senior administrators with thousands of dollars in severance packages upon their departure. Beauchamp addressed her concerns in a letter to former Board of Governors Chair Peter Kruyt, denouncing the university for its spending of public funds and high turnovers of top employees. Beauchamp insisted that the province’s universities “be administered efficiently and rigorously” in early March. The fine was paid through a reserve account of the university’s later in the year.

Charbonneau Commission gets under way
On May 22, the Charbonneau Commission, set up by then-Premier Jean Charest following mounting public pressure to investigate corruption, began its two-year task of investigating corruption and collusion in the construction industry and political life in Quebec. With its almost entirely public testimonies and proceedings, the Commission has managed to shake up the city with tale after tale of bribery, questionable payouts and rigged bidding on contracts. Though still on-going, the testimony heard has led to the resignation of long-standing Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay, Laval Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt and Mascouche Mayor Richard Marcotte.

Photo courtesy of Concordia University.

Alan Shepard begins his term as president at Concordia
Alan Shepard began his five-year term Aug. 1 as president and vice-chancellor of Concordia University amidst harsh criticism over the university’s financial mismanagement. Shepard came to Concordia from Ryerson University in Toronto, where he served as provost vice-president academic.

Parti Québécois win provincial election
Following the victory of the Parti Québécois Sept. 4 with a minority government in a snap provincial election, Pauline Marois’ victory speech was cut short when an armed man tried to enter the building and fatally wounded a stage technician before fleeing. Police shortly apprehended the suspect, later identified as Richard Henry Bain. Denis Blanchette, the victim, was given a civic funeral attended by hundreds including Marois.

Allegations of mistreatment in homestays
Chinese exchange students began to come forward with allegations of mistreatment and abuse in their homestays, including not being fed properly, being overcharged and lied to before coming to Canada and afterwards. Peter Low, director of the Concordia China Student Recruitment Partner Program, came under fire over claims of money disappearing and incorrect information being given to students. Concordia University was also under scrutiny from all over the country, and groups such as the Concordia Student Union and the Off-Campus Housing and Job Bank stepped in to help find the best solution going forward with the issue brought to light by The Link.

Michael Applebaum’s win
After Gérald Tremblay stepped down as the mayor of Montreal since 2002, Michael Applebaum, an Anglophone mayor was chosen to steer the city of Montreal on Nov. 16. Applebaum beat opposition leader Richard Deschamps 31 votes to 29, resulting in three ballots rejected in the secret-ballot vote. He is the first English mayor to lead Montreal in the last 100 years. James John Guerin, who served from 1910-1912, was the last English mayor. Applebaum is also Montreal’s first Jewish mayor.

Image via Flickr

Language barriers within Montreal’s public transit
The Société de transport de Montréal was scrutinized this year for language barriers with English-speaking clientele. In May, third-year graphic design student at Dawson College Amanda Lenko, was refused the Between Stops services for speaking English on a bus late at night. In October, 23-year-old Mina Barak was allegedly attacked by an STM worker at De La Savane metro station when she had asked help in English from an employee.

Jun Lin’s death
Luka Rocco Magnotta was the target of an international manhunt after becoming the prime suspect in the dismemberment case of Concordia University student Jun Lin. Magnotta was arrested and charged with murder when he was found in a cafe in Berlin, after fleeing Montreal. Concordia raised $70,000 that helped cover the costs of Lin’s family’s stay in Montreal. The university also set up an award that will be given to a Chinese exchange student in need of financial assistance. Sixty-thousand dollars went to supporting the victim’s family and $10,000 went to the creation of a scholarship in his name.

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News

News Briefs

City in Brief

by Matthew Guité

→ Moving forward
The first meeting of Montreal’s new executive committee has been hailed as a collaborative success by its members following the signing of a major contract which would see a reduction in the amount the city pays into blue collar worker pensions. The contract was deemed a “historic agreement” by interim Mayor Michael Applebaum, who hopes to sign similar agreements with other employees, potentially saving Montreal up to $50 million annually. The committee includes members from all of Montreal’s major municipal parties and several independents, a factor which was a source of friction for the members of Applebaum’s previous party, Union Montréal, after he rejected their demand for five seats on the council and the position of chair.

→ Hide your iPhone, hide your Android
Five minors were arrested last week as part of an ongoing operation by Montreal Police to crack down on cellphone theft. The minors were suspected to be involved in as many as 10 robberies and were between 15 and 17 years old. Operation Match has been in effect since October. Cellphone theft is often a violent crime according to a statement released by the Montreal Police. It is hoped that new measures will help deter smartphone theft, as stolen phones will soon be tracked by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association in order to prevent them from being reactivated on a different network.

→ That’s your cue
The Parti Québécois’ Environment Minister Daniel Breton has announced he will be stepping down following a number of minor but embarrassing incidents from his past coming to light. Some of the charges against Breton from before he became involved in politics include speeding tickets, a ticket for driving with a suspended license, lying on employment insurance forms, not paying his rent and filing his taxes late. Though he at first denied the claims, Breton has since admitted that all the charges are accurate. Until recently, most of his traffic violation tickets were also unpaid. Breton will remain as a Member of the National Assembly for the Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacques riding and will keep his seat in the legislature.

→ More taxes!?
English public school boards in Quebec may be raising taxes to make up for a shortfall of up to $12 million in the Parti Québécois’ recent budget. At a meeting last week held to discuss the new budget and its potential impact on schools, the idea of raising school taxes was suggested as one way of making up for the deep cuts the new provincial government has made in order to eliminate the deficit. “Boards have to look somewhere to keep their funds up and the school taxes are their discretionary fund,” said Richard Goldfinch, president of the Quebec Provincial Association of Teachers. Officials suggested that the increase could take place off-island, as regions within the city are already at their maximum taxation.

– – – – –

Nation in Brief
by Robin Della Corte

→ Shark on the lam
The ban on the sale of shark fins in Toronto has been nullified by Ontario Superior Court Judge James Spence. In September, the ban was passed by city council as a bylaw by a vote of 38 to four for environmental and health reasons which members of the Chinese business community questioned. Often used in soup at traditional Chinese weddings, shark fins are considered a delicacy. Those who supported the bylaw stated that the notion of killing sharks only for their fins is inhumane. Spence said that it is not in the city’s mandate to impose bans of such a nature.

→ Don’t honk at me
A bus driver is in trouble after a heated argument with a pedestrian who refused to move out of the way from the front of his bus. The Saskatoon, B.C. employee was caught on film hurling colourful insults. “I think he did it just to prove a point,” Josh Swejda, a student who filmed the incident told CBC News. “I don’t think he liked the fact that he was honked at, so that’s what started the whole thing.” The bus driver, who asked others to intervene during the incident, has been suspended after the video made an appearance on YouTube due to his behaviour. Three individuals tried to step in with one caught pushing the pedestrian down after the bus drove off. Saskatoon police are now investigating the incident.

→ A first for everything
In an oddly green move Saskatchewan is the first province to approve a new procedure of dealing with bodies that involves liquifying the remains. The process, called alkaline hydrolysis, uses a pressurized chamber to reduce the body to liquid and bone. It has been used for medical cadavers and animal remains for years but is now being accepted as an alternative to cremation in Canada, whereas it’s been common practice in certain states for some time. It is similar to cremation but more environmentally friendly since it doesn’t produce smoke.

→ Who let the cat out?
The first feline rabies case since 2001 was reported by the New Brunswick Public Health Department last week. According to CBC News, the unvaccinated pet bit its owner after returning to the house and died the following day. Rabies in felines is extremely rare but is often seen in bats, raccoons and skunks. Since it is the first case in a decade, there is no need for panic, according to the president of the New Brunswick Veterinary Medical Association, Dr. Mary-Ellen Themens. She did emphasize, however, that it is should serve as a reminder that the disease still exists and that precautionary measures are mandatory.

– – – – –

World in Brief
by Matthew Guité

→ Rock ‘em, sock ‘em, eliminate ‘em
Researchers in England are planning to evaluate the possibility of technology rising up to wipe out the human race. Though the concept is often thought of as science fiction, researchers at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk say that the subject must be analyzed with a mature attitude. “The seriousness of these risks is difficult to assess, but that in itself seems a cause for concern, given how much is at stake,” the researchers said in a statement on their website. The theory is that robots will outsmart individuals and the world will find itself at the mercy of them. Subjects of study will include nanotechnology and artificial life.

→ A new status
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to approve an upgrade of Palestine’s status in order to grant it state recognition. The voting finished 138-9 in favour with 41 abstentions, with Canada and the United States both opposed. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the vote was the “last chance to save the two-state solution” with Israel, while Israel’s envoy to the UN said he believes that the move was a step backwards. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird explained before the vote why Canada would vote against the move, saying “We cannot support an initiative that we are firmly convinced will undermine the objective of reaching a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement for both sides.”

→ A game of chance
A town in Spain called Alameda has settled on an interesting way to combat their crippling unemployment: a job lottery. A handful of jobs as builders, street sweepers and cleaners are made available every few months to a pool of hundreds who put their names in for a chance to work for a short time. With 34 per cent unemployment in a town of just over 5,500, Mayor Juan Lorenzo Pinera has come up with the lottery as a way of sharing what little work his town hall is able to assign. The national unemployment rate in Spain is 25 per cent, rising to 52 per cent for those younger than 25.

→ Cut your losses and rob a bank
A 33-year-old inmate released for budgetary reasons was arrested less than an hour later for trying to rob a bank in Oregon. Christopher Franklin Weaver was released from prison Thursday morning at 11a.m. and police were called to the nearby bank robbery about an hour later. Weaver was in jail for parole violations relating to a sexual abuse conviction but was released along with approximately 30 inmates due to budget cuts. Earlier this year the jail was forced to close 96 beds also for budgetary reasons and since then dozens of inmates have been released on a weekly basis to make room for more dangerous individuals.

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Concordia Student Union News

Byelections allow CSU council to grow

The Concordia Student Union held byelections last week to fill the spots and elect new representatives from Arts and Science and the John Molson School of Business.

During the voting that took place from Nov. 27 to 29, only 465 Concordia undergraduate students cast their votes. The undergraduate student body is over 30,000.

Caroline Bourbonnière, Patrick Lefebvre, Justin Occhionero, Benjamin Prunty, Hardial Rosner, James Vaccaro and Ashley Walling ran to represent Arts and Science on council.

With the exception of Occhionero, all candidates were elected. Occhionero only lost by three votes, with 181 in his favour.

Anja Rajaonarivelo, Pierre Tardivo Martin and Eugene Gusman were elected to the vacant JMSB seats since there were four open spots during the byelections. Chief Electoral Officer Justin Holland of the CSU confirmed that only approximately 80 votes were cast for JMSB candidates.

Gusman stated that he was excited to sit on council but that the lack of interest from the student body and low voter turnout left him feeling disappointed.

“I want people to care a little more of what happens around them, whether it’s in school or in Montreal,” he said.

This concern was also voiced by Prunty, who said he wants to investigate student apathy.

“In a lot of ways, participation is the measure of legitimacy for political or representative bodies and we have to make sure that we are, in fact, legitimate,” said Prunty. “Increasing participation won’t be easy, but it must be done.”

For Lefebvre, he hopes to create an initiative to help students with disabilities and reduced mobility attend more school events.

“I also want to help create a fund to […] pay for aides who can help with feeding and bathroom needs of disabled students while at events,” said Lefebvre.

CSU President Schubert Laforest stated that he is pleased with the outcome of the byelections.

“I’m happy we’ll have a lot of new members, and great representatives representing the Arts and Science faculty,” he said. “But there is still a lot of concern about the Fine Arts faculty not having a representative. It’s something we definitely have to look into,” Laforest added.

– – – – –

BYELECTION RESULTS:

ARTS AND SCIENCE CANDIDATES:
Benjamin Prunty – 230 votes
James Vaccaro – 218 votes
Hardial Rosner – 215 votes
Caroline Bourbonnière – 209 votes
Patrick Lefebvre – 206 votes
Ashley Walling – 184 votes
Justin Occhionero – 181 votes

JOHN MOLSON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS CANDIDATES:
Pierre Tardivo Martin – 45 votes
Anja Rajaonarivelo – 39 votes
Eugene Gusman – 29 votes

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Opinions

Summing up the highlights 2012

Image via Flickr.

The year 2012 is coming to a close my dear friends, and what a year it’s been. From American politics to Montreal soccer, we’ve summed up some of the most interesting events of the past year here.

Image via Flickr.

Robin Della Corte
Assistant news editor

In a province that is so often identified by it’s language issues, having an English mayor elected in office is a very symbolic moment for many people around the Montreal area.

Michael Applebaum’s election not only shows diversity, but a change in the right direction. After Pauline’s Marois’ election, I was terrified to live in a province where language mattered more than economic and social issues and where putting money towards ‘language police’ was a priority. After Applebaum’s victory against a French-speaking candidate I felt as if, politically and socially, things had changed slightly. Applebaum, being both English and Jewish, was elected, and it seemed as though most of the people in power didn’t care so much as to what language he spoke, but actually what he was going to do to improve our city and have the job done right.

– – – – –

Stephanie La Leggia
Life editor

Image via Flickr.

Even with all the warnings and evacuation calls, Hurricane Sandy came as kind of a shock to me. Many underestimated its power and potential level of deconstruction, destroying homes and diminishing people’s lives and belongings to a suitcase.

Although I may live in Montreal, I’m a New Yorker at heart, travelling down at least three times year. With family and friends to worry about, I constantly checked CNN for updates. Although the video footages and article were quite alarming, it wasn’t until I saw photos of the aftermath that the horror of it really hit me; photos of people line-up to get their fill of gas, giant trees in the middle of the street, the diminished Jersey shore boardwalk, and people’s belonging scattered about like they were insignificant pieces of junk.

While some simply lost power in their skyscraper apartment building, others were not so lucky. When people think of New York, they narrow their focus to Manhattan, forgetting about the other burrows that were so badly hit, like Staten Island. Not to mention the damages the hurricane caused in Haiti. The photos of the aftermath and the personal stories of those without a home and insurance really put things in perspective for me. While my biggest concern may have been an assignment due by the end of the week, these survivors had to worry about basic needs like heating and food, needs that we take for granted on a daily basis.

You ask me what affected me most this year as 2012 comes to an end, it’s Hurricane Sandy, a hurricane so powerful it stood up against the Big Apple.

– – – – –

Image via Flickr.

Kevin Duarte
Sports editor

The event that affected me the most in 2012 was the Montreal Impact’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer. To start, I am a diehard football fan… the real one, played with a round ball on the floor. Football, or to make it less confusing, soccer, is an integral part of my life. Right up there with breathing and eating, I’d say. The Impact expansion into the MLS finally gave me a chance to watch some decent soccer in my hometown. Prior to this year, Montreal was playing in the second tier of North American Soccer, a league that never really meant much at all. This past year, they just finished their first season in North America’s top flight. Fans got a chance to see some world-class players visit Saputo Stadium. More importantly for me, someone who studies the game as a coach, it was the higher quality of the sport that I enjoyed the most.

– – – – –

Image via Flickr.

Casandra De Masi
Staff writer

Thousands watched, as did I, as Pauline Marois gave her acceptance speech in September. She had just become the first female premier of Quebec, and in the same night lived through an alleged assassination attempt. It all happened so quickly and it almost overshadowed the election itself. Throughout the election campaign, the wedge between the Francophone and the Anglophone community became larger and sharper. There were arguments and all-around ignorant behavior from both sides. This was the icing on the spoiled cake. As someone who lives and works in a French community, but was raised in a primarily English household, it just puzzled me as to why so much emphasis was being put on language, with so many other issues plaguing our province.

As horrible as the shooter’s actions were, especially because he killed an innocent man, he led people to a realization. People realized that, ‘Hey, maybe we should band together and focus on things that affect all of us, no matter what language we speak.’

That week, people came together, condemning this man’s actions. Just to see people agreeing that we should learn to coexist, that this silly war needs to end, was refreshing. It was hopeful. It didn’t last long, but knowing it is possible is what counts.

– – – – –

Image via Flickr.

Paula Rivas
Managing editor

An event that kept me on the edge of my seat, as odd as it may sound to many people my age, was Obama’s victory in the American elections. The buildup from the presidential debates left my head spinning and I was looking forward to the elections like a child waiting for Christmas Eve.

The day of this historic event, I turned off my phone, avoided plans with any of my friends, and watched the CNN coverage like a hawk while Wolf Blitzer and other A-team reporters announced the advancement of the polls. My heart jumped with excitement as the state I spent 10 years of my life in, Maryland, turned blue in support for Obama. The blue wave that followed as the hours passed made me swell with pride to again see a glimpse of the United States that I love — not the ugly, homophobic and closed-minded side, but the side that many Canadians unfortunately don’t get to see. I’m talking about a United States that stands up to defend women’s rights when archaic restrictions were being suggested to govern women’s bodies and also to defend Hispanics when immigration laws were threatening to throw out hard-working citizens.

My own family was once living illegally as Hispanics in the States and we felt the harsh reality of being treated like second-class citizens. But most of all, to defend an America devoted to the idea that coming together as one is stronger than the idea that every man is out there for themselves. Thanks Obama, you made my year.

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Opinions

Are Facebook couples pages a must or a bust?

Among the many tools offered on Facebook, a new feature was added onto the social network about two weeks ago: Facebook couples pages.

If you’re in a relationship, engaged or married then you’re eligible for this new tool. This tool allows couples to share a single Facebook account that integrates all the couples’ shared pictures, comments, mutual friends and events.

Essentially, this new tool is very similar to the “friendship page” that was created in 2010. This paged allowed you to see tagged photos, shared wall posts, interests, events and friends with anyone you were friends with on Facebook.

However, this new tool allows a couple to actually have their own page and edit it to their liking, with a cover photo and profile picture of their choice. By just signing into your’s or your partners Facebook under this link www.facebook.com/us, it will allow either one of you to view your couples page on Facebook.

With every other new tool introduced on Facebook comes the most anticipated thing of all: the reactions.

On the internet, many people were quick to say they were ‘disgusted’ with this new invention. I say, they don’t have a real argument.

First off, people make relationships public as soon as they decide to publish it on a social media site. Secondly, so what if the page exists? It’s not being forced on anyone. It’s optional. Thirdly, why start caring now? The friendship page that was launched almost two years ago is almost identical to this function, only this time there’s a potentially lovey-dovey cover photo.

Ph.D professor in developmental psychology at Concordia University, William M. Bukowski, stated that “the extent to which having a big public splash is a good idea depends on too many factors, desire for privacy, the desire to avoid causing hurt to previous romantic partners and one’s concern that over-sharing is not sign of wisdom.”

Bukoski stated that announcing and celebrating one’s committed relationship already exists. Every Sunday in the New York Times there are wedding announcements that allow anyone to see who is getting married.

If two people are happy with displaying their love publicly then good for them, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be proud to show who you’re dating, engaged or married to. I’m not saying to go flaunt it, nor to brag about it, but one does not need to keep it away from people, nor categorize it as “personal” and “private.”

Personal, in my opinion, is the salary you make, your vote in the election, your health, etc. I don’t see how choosing to have one’s relationship be displayed publicly can be harmful. If anything, it can be good.

Relationship expert Debra Macleod told CTV News that she applauds the couples page. Instead of being embarrassed or upset with the pictures and messages that are combined onto one Facebook, Macleod thinks it’s important for couples to be more public about their love.

“I don’t see it as you’re compromising your individuality,” she told CTV. “I just think your individuality and personality and uniqueness is made from more substantial stuff than your status on Facebook.”

Going to the extent of saying that this new tool is disgusting and it can potentially ruin your relationship, or that it’s invasion of privacy, is ridiculous. If you don’t want a couples page, don’t get one. It’s as easy as that.

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News

Rebuilding from the ground up

Concordia University Television will hold a General Assembly this Saturday to establish a proper governance structure in an effort to move forward following weeks of instability.

The future of CUTV remains unclear; clouded by uncertainty and fuelled by several unresolved issues. The campus television station underwent a slew of resignations, frozen funds and financial instability in recent weeks. CUTV experienced a rough transition period in separating from the Concordia Student Broadcasting Corporation coupled with a legally defunct Board of Directors. Following a second public meeting, a GA was unanimously voted for last Monday.

“I think everyone involved right now in the process of preparing for the GA shares one common goal,” said Sabine Friesinger, the sole director remaining on CUTV’s emergency provisional Board. “It is building a solid, democratic, inclusive and transparent structure that reflects the values of community media.”

Gabrielle Bouchard, the 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy peer support and trans advocacy co-ordinator, moderated both meetings in hopes of aiding the station to establish a plan to move forward. Bouchard also helped plan the upcoming GA because there was a “collective understanding to work together” and is currently facilitating conversation between active members of CUTV.

At the second meeting, everyone agreed that a GA was necessary to give a foundation to a new CUTV legal identity. According to the CUTV’s event page, the goal is to form bylaws, appoint an auditor who will assess the station’s finances, elect a new BoD and establish voting rights—all legal requirements of a Quebec not-for-profit organization.

Undergraduate students, volunteers, employees, donors and community partner organizations are eligible to vote.

“I hope to see an open and positive discussion and some good bylaws adopted,” Bouchard said. “I also hope that some great, strong and empathetic people will come forward and get elected on the board.”

It remains unknown as to where the GA will be held but Bouchard hopes to ask the Concordia Student Union for the seventh floor lounge and a list of all students to make identification easier when voting.

“Despite the gloomy period CUTV has gone through in the past weeks, the fact that members are stepping up and taking the time from their own busy schedules to continue to get things done at CUTV is one of the most positive things that could happen at this point,” Friesinger said. “I’m really encouraged by their determination and will to help the station move out of the impasse.”

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News

News Briefs

City in Brief

by Robin Della Corte

→ Now don’t screw it up
Alexandre Duplessis was elected as Laval’s interim mayor in a majority vote by Laval city councillors. Duplessis won by 15 votes while the other candidate, Jacques St-Jean, earned three in a secret ballot Friday. Duplessis has served as a councillor since 2005 and will take the place of Gilles Vaillancourt, the former mayor, until a municipal election next fall. Vaillancourt stepped down from his position on Nov. 9, after allegations of corruption stemming from the Charbonneau Commission. He served as mayor in Quebec’s third largest city for 23 years.

→ Shop till you drop
Quebecers were able to take advantage of Black Friday sales thanks to new regulations that came into effect this year. The new duty-free rules allow consumers from Canada to purchase more than ever before. Visitors can now spend $200 if they spend 24 hours in the U.S. and can benefit from an $800 duty-free limit if they stay for at least 48 hours. In order to compete with the sales south of the border, some Montreal stores offered their own deals to attract customers. Best Buy, Future Shop and Wal-Mart were among the many to promote a Canadian version of Black Friday this year while the city’s underground mall also offered discounts.

→ An icy tragedy
CBC News reported that a nine-year-old boy and his 64-year-old grandfather are dead after they were ice skating on a private lake in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. The grandfather tried to save the child when the ice broke but he also slipped into the water. The incident happened on Friday around 4:45 p.m. according to police. Other family members saw the incident from their house and tried to save the two.

→ Now that’s a bad call
After hearing anti-Semitic statements on the air, the Jewish organization B’nai Brith Canada is demanding an apology from a Quebec radio talk show host. Last week, a woman by the name of Maria called into Jacques Fabi’s late night radio talk show on 98.5 FM and attacked the Jewish population, praising the Holocaust. Fabi did not stop the woman, but just said “I’d never dare say such a thing” before saying the Jewish population is “sometimes annoying” on air. The conversation lasted four minutes.

– – – – –

Nation in Brief
by Matthew Guité

→ Trouble out west
Liberal leadership candidate Justin Trudeau apologized this week for comments he made in a television appearance two years ago where he said that Canada “isn’t doing well right now because it’s Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda. It doesn’t work.” The comments, which were given new life recently when Sun Media aired them again, caused outrage from Conservative members of Parliament in Ottawa, who called the comments insulting and divisive. Trudeau maintained that his comments have been misinterpreted and were aimed at Stephen Harper’s government and not Albertans in general.

→ Show me the money
Canada’s foreign policy may be moving from peacekeeping and promoting democracy to generating money in emerging markets by any means necessary according to a confidential document obtained by CBC News. The document, drafted by Foreign Affairs, deals with the Conservative government’s proposed foreign policy plan. The report stresses that Canada’s trade relations with new economies must deepen, and that “to succeed we will need to pursue political relationships in tandem with economic interests even where political interests or values may not align.” It goes on to state that Canada’s international agenda will be increasingly influenced by nations such as China who are interested in the northern resource development that Canada has access to.

→ Formal attire not required
Stephen Harper awarded Justin Bieber the Diamond Jubilee Medal this week, an award reserved for those who have made a significant contribution within Canada or an achievement abroad that brings credit to the nation. Bieber, who accepted the award at a ceremony in Ottawa that included his family, was in town to play a concert that night, and accepted the award in overalls and a T-shirt. Julie Vaux, a spokesperson for Harper, said that the event was “a light-hearted thing,” and that Harper and Bieber discussed ping pong and suggested getting together sometime to play.

→ The wrong kind of poles
Towns across Quebec are coming forward with complaints about utility poles that have been left in the middle of streets and crosswalks despite attempts to have them moved. Often due to roads being redone without removing the hydro poles beforehand, residents and officials from cities near Montreal and in the Eastern Townships have expressed concern that they may be dangerous to drivers. One pole was left in the middle of a highway in Johnville for two months before complaints to the media forced its removal. In the town of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, three utility poles have been left on a stretch of newly paved road for six months without any sign of removal.

– – – – –

World in Brief
by Robin Della Corte

→ Joy riding
A naked man climbed atop the statue of 19th century Prince George, Duke of Cambridge last week, where he was ordered down by London police officers three hours later. Around noon, the individual mounted the statue located in London’s Whitehall government district and balanced himself on the statue’s head in front of a crowd of people. The area is home to several government buildings, including the prime minister’s official residence and was cordoned off while emergency services pleaded for the man to descend. Once the police were able to coax him down, he was detained under Britain’s Mental Health Act.

→ Don’t speak out
Following alleged criticisms of China’s authorities on Twitter, a petition is circulating demanding the immediate release of a Chinese man. The Twitter user, @Stariver, likened the film Final Destination to the Communist Party 18th National Congress, calling the new leadership the sixth edition of the film series. The accused, Zhai Xiaobing, was arrested by authorities days before the new leaders were sworn in on Nov. 15. Hundreds have signed the petition in support of the individual in a nation where Twitter is officially blocked and closely monitored by the government. It remains uncertain as to how Zhai was identified.

→ What goes around comes around
Following a suspension in September during an investigation linked to publishing topless photos of Kate Middleton, the editor of the Irish Daily Star newspaper stepped down from his position. The tabloid’s editor, Michael O’Kane, gave the green light to have the pictures of Middleton sunbathing topless with Prince William while on a private vacation in France published in the Sept. 15 issue. While British newspapers chose not to publish the photos, publications in France, Italy, Sweden, Denmark and Ireland spread the uncensored photos. Both co-owners of the newspaper heavily criticized O’Kane’s decision to publish the pictures.

→ What’s in a name?
A bill was sent out by outgoing President Felipe Calderon of Mexico to change the official name of the country. Calderon wants congress to amend the name to simply Mexico instead of the current United Mexican States, which was adopted in 1824 in an attempt to model itself after America. The formal name, adopted after gaining independence from Spain, is mostly used on official documents but Mexico is the widely used name. The modification, first proposed in 2003, must be approved by both houses of congress and a majority of Mexico’s state legislature.

Categories
News

News Briefs

City in Brief
by Robin Della Corte

→ Old quarrels
Prime Minister Stephen Harper threw up his hands and said, “What can I say?” after being asked about the situation with the Canadian flag being removed from Quebec’s National Assembly. Le Soleil reported that the Parti Québécois has asked for the Canadian flag to be removed from the national assembly. Quebec Liberals believe it is “shocking and totally unacceptable,” CBC reported. When Harper made an appearance in Quebec City last Friday, he stated that he didn’t want to get involved with old quarrels and would rather focus on the economy.

→ A McDonalds stabbing
Police discovered a double-stabbing inside a McDonald’s restaurant on the corner of Villeray St. and St-Michel Blvd. at 4 a.m. Sunday that lead to the hospitalization of two men in their 20s, with one in critical condition. “[There are] many witnesses to meet with, and also in this case investigators will try to understand a little more about this conflict that degenerated between these three men,” Anie Lemieux, spokeswoman for the Montreal Police told CBC. The suspect, also believed to be in his 20s, fled the scene before police had arrived. Earlier that night, police were also called to a shooting near the intersection of Fleury St. and J. J. Gagnier St. in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough.

→ Lawyer up, Quebec
The provincial government is being taken to Quebec Superior Court this Thursday by several large retailers for the requirement to adopt French versions of their commercial trademarked names. The Office Québécois de la Langue Française want retailers to change their names to a generic French name or provide slogans explaining what their products are. While the law requires companies to have French names, this usually does not apply to brand names. Gap, Best Buy, Costco, Old Navy, Walmart and Guess will be represented by two law firms.

→ A lucky break
On Sunday afternoon, a resident of Laval was able to walk away from a helicopter crash northeast of Ottawa with little injuries. While police state that the 48-year-old man crashed into Lac Britannique before 1 p.m., the reasons for the crash are still unclear and he was the only person inside the helicopter. After the crash, the man was able to escape the helicopter and swim to shore. Lac Britannique is located approximately 70 kilometres northeast of downtown Ottawa, close to the small town of Saint-Sixte, Quebec. An investigation is now taking place from the transportation Safety Board.

– – – – –

Nation in Brief
by Robin Della Corte

→ Mo’ money mo’ problems
There have been reported problems with ticket machines in Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton. Individuals across Canada are discovering that the new $20 bills aren’t accepted everywhere. The new bill that was released earlier this month can’t process in certain machines. Both TransLink and Toronto’s GO Transit don’t accept the new bill. GO Transit discovered the problem while testing the bills and will need to upgrade their software in order for the machines to accept the new bills. New five and $10 bills are scheduled to be released by the end of 2013.

→ I beliebe
Thanks to a special gift from a generous young man, six-year-old Aleisha Hunter from Toronto will get to see Justin Bieber, her idol. Hunter, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at three years old, told CBC that listening to Bieber helped her endure her treatments. Thanks to five-year-old fellow Bieber fan, Jacob Leon, Hunter will get to see her idol perform on stage when he comes to Toronto. Leon said he gave his tickets away because he wanted to make somebody else happy. “Jacob is a different kind of five-year-old,” said his mother Devon. “He is the most giving, caring, helpful child.” It began when Jacob raised money for Pencils of Promise, a charity Bieber supports and led Leon to the idea.

→ Energy high
After a scare in the U.S. in relation to health problems associated with the 5-Hour Energy drink brand, Canada wants to renew calls for strengthened supervision on energy drinks. The American Food and Drug Administration has categorized many situations potentially linked to the 5-Hour Energy drinks (and others) associated with death and cardiac arrest since 2009. “We’ve been quite concerned about overuse or abuse of these seemingly natural products that are not as regulated as we want them to be. We want some regulation,” said Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, the CEO for the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. Health Canada has already started regulating new standards and energy drinks, reporting that as of this year, caffeine content will be mandatory.

→ Some constructive criticism
Marisol Simoes, the owner of an Ottawa restaurant, was sentenced to three months in jail and a two-year probation after she was declared guilty of libel against a food critic. Simoes was found guilty in September for sending offensive emails to the boss of Elayna Katz after Katz had published bad reviews of Simoes’ restaurant, Mambo Nuevo Latino, in 2009. Following the verdict, Katz told CBC that cyberbullying doesn’t only affect adolescents. Simoes has to take an anger management course, receive counseling and perform 200 hours of community service.

– – – – –

World in Brief
by Matthew Guité

→ Tensions mounting
Renewed attacks between Israel and Gaza have left dozens dead and the death toll mounting each day. Israel began bombarding Gaza and has prepared troops for a possible ground invasion, and Gaza has continued to fire short-range rockets into Israel. Israel claims to have hit over 200 targets in Gaza, including political offices, rocket sites and military bases. The United Kingdom and Egypt have both warned Israel against a ground invasion, but U.S. President Barack Obama said that his government is “fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself.”

→ Like giving crack to a baby
Don’t throw the cocaine out with the trick-or-treaters. That may not be how the saying goes but it is the reality of one man in the United Kingdom who was arrested for accidentally giving out bags of cocaine to children on Halloween. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the children’s father was an off-duty policeman. Talk about bad luck. The 23-year-old defendant was ordered to complete 130 hours of community service as well as paying a fine of 145 pounds.

→ Adopt a gargoyle
A cathedral in Milan has put its gargoyles up for adoption in the hopes of raising much-needed funds for renovations. Anyone who wishes to ‘adopt’ a gargoyle will have their name engraved underneath for a donation of at least 100,000 euros. The cathedral’s management are hoping to raise 25 million euros after the government cut its funding to the cathedral as part of ongoing austerity measures. Eight donations have already been made.

→ A deadly collision
Up to 50 children died in Egypt after a school bus taking them to kindergarten was hit by a speeding train. Barriers had not been lowered when the train was about to pass, resulting in the bus driving through just as the train arrived. The crossing guard who was allegedly asleep at the time has been arrested and Egypt’s transport minister has resigned along with the head of the railway authority. Eyewitnesses said that the force of the crash tore the bus in two. Families of the victims have begun searching for their children’s remains, but reports from the crash site indicate that many of the victims are unrecognizable.

Categories
Opinions

Doomsday: fact or fiction?

Image via Flickr
Image via Flickr

Doomsday is a mere month away—if you believe in that sort of thing. Brace yourself.

We can expect the apocalypse to occur on Dec. 21, according to the Mayan calendar that will end and begin a new term, which will begin our winter solstice.

The day is said to be the last day of the 13th baktun, or 144,000-day cycle of the Ancient Mayan calendar. The Ancient Mayans saw the end of the 13th baktun as the end of a full cycle.

Many people took this information and ran with it, saying that since the Mayan Calendar term ends on Dec. 21, 2012, this means that our earth will cease to live.

Wrong. Like any calendar, when a new year comes, we get a new one. Same exact concept here. A Mayan term has ended and a new cycle will now begin. It does not mean that the world as we know it will end due to the beginning of a new cycle.

Some may ask why we link the Mayan calendar to our doomsday. The answer is simple; because “many people who would like to believe in something that science can’t explain look to alternative sources of information on which to base their ideas,” explained Concordia University Professor Lorenzo DiTommaso, who teaches religion and studies global apocalyptism.

DiTommaso supports the idea that nothing will occur that day because “it assumes that the universe works in ways beyond scientific explanation.”

Marcello Canuto, the director of the Middle American Research Institute at Tulane University, told LiveScience website that the “13th baktun date was an important calendrical event that would have been celebrated by the ancient Mayans; however, they make no apocalyptic prophecies whatsoever regarding the date.”

Besides, not all believers of the Mayan apocalypse believe the world will turn into ashes.

“If there is change, it will be because we decide it, not because somebody or something has foreordained it,” DiTommaso said.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been the source of many answers to people’s concerns and worries on whether or not the world will end that day.

“Remember the Y2K scare? It came and went without much of a whimper because of adequate planning and analysis of the situation. Impressive movie special effects aside, Dec. 21, 2012, won’t be the end of the world as we know it. It will, however, be another winter solstice,” states NASA’s website.

Although some people believe the world will end on Dec. 21, others believe that it won’t necessarily end, but that something negative will happen.

The NASA website states that “nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.”

It seems social media truly blew this one out of proportion. This whole issue has made me so enraged with people who don’t know how to simply fact check and will believe anything that they are told. To my knowledge, no one ever paid any attention to the Mayan calendar before, but suddenly it’s the one thing we are going to base our whole existence and future on.

I’m sure everyone remembers the biblical “rapture” that was supposed to take place in May of this year? Well, like that day, I’ll be waiting for Dec. 21 to come and go, just to continue on with my life, nothing having changed.

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News

Michael Applebaum for the win

Image via Flickr.
Image via Flickr.

Now that the dust has settled in Montreal’s political spectrum, Michael Applebaum has been chosen to steer the city until next November’s election.

Applebaum ran as an independent candidate, beating official Union Montréal candidate Richard Deschamps with 31 votes to 29, with three spoiled ballots in the council’s secret ballot vote last Friday.

Applebaum, the former mayor of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, was sworn in as the 42nd mayor of Montreal yesterday morning. During his first 100 days as mayor, he stated that it will be dedicated to cleaning up the city.

“I will do everything to regain from you that which was stolen through corruption in the construction industry,” he told The Gazette. “I will do everything to regain your confidence and give you back your city.”

In an interview with The Concordian Monday, Applebaum’s press attaché, Jonathan Abecassis stated that, in regards to Applebaum’s election win, “[they] received a lot of overwhelming support, a lot of messages and comments, all feedback that was extremely positive.”

Applebaum is the first anglophone mayor to lead Montreal in the last 100 years. James John Guerin, who served from 1910-12, was the last English resident to serve as mayor.

“Now is the time to re-establish our bridges, to work together and to ensure that Montrealers can be proud of what we do as elected officials,” Applebaum said in council according to CBC News. “We will all work together, I assure you.”

The 49-year-old interim mayor pledges to build bridges by allowing members of opposition on Montreal’s executive committee.

Despite his loss, Applebaum is hoping to get Deschamps to come on board.

“In order for this to work, I would like to see a coalition and that includes Richard Deschamps,” Applebaum said. However, Deschamps has not yet revealed whether or not he’s interested in the offer.

During the interview, Abecassis stated that “[Applebaum and Deschamps] are meeting together as we speak. Applebaum made it clear right away that he wants a coalition of political parties working with him.”

During his candidate and acceptance speech, Applebaum spoke only in French. Abecassis stated that Applebaum understands that Montreal is a french-speaking city, so he will always speak French in council, unless addressed in English. Despite this, many criticisms have been made of his abilities to speak French.

“People understand what he’s saying, he just has an accent,” Abecassis said. “Even one of the leaders of opposition said Applebaum is lucky and she hopes she can speak English as [well] as Applebaum can speak French.”

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News

Tensions continue to rise at CUTV

Graphic by Jennifer Kwan.
Graphic by Jennifer Kwan.

Following weeks of legal troubles and a handful of resignations, members of Concordia University Television held a meeting to discuss how to move forward.

On June 1, a transitional agreement was put forth between CUTV and Concordia Student Broadcasting Corporation, the organization that supervised the governance of CUTV and the university’s student radio station, CJLO. This agreement meant that CUTV would be seen as a new, independent not-for-profit organization.

However, while in the midst of the transition process, CUTV faced an array of problems. CUTV currently has no tangible operating budget due to financial troubles that forced the university’s administration to step in and freeze the accounts in October.

In documents obtained by The Concordian, the statements of a PayPal account owned by CUTV revealed financial instability. In the months where the student strike movement was at its height, CUTV recorded a gain of more than $25,000 in a single month alone. Conversely, the financial statements from Oct. 1 to Oct. 24 reveal that CUTV’s funds dwindled from $3,724.73 to $333.42 prior to the university’s intervention.

Furthermore, the student-run organization lost its station manager, Laura Kneale, and the growing number of resignations for its provisional Board of Directors has rendered it legally defunct.

Legally, CUTV cannot appoint more members to its BoD since only one person remains as a director. Therefore, the station must either dissolve or have a judge legally appoint more members. During this changeover, members of the station neglected time limits concerning the transition agreement between themselves and the CSBC. They never managed to adopt any bylaws or hold general assemblies.

In an open letter published last Tuesday on the station’s website, Laith Marouf, former program director and current executive director of CUTV, stated that the student strike movement lead to less time for “implementing government structure.”

The first meeting, held in the basement of Concordia’s School of Community and Public Affairs, was called by Marouf in the same letter in order to garner support to “save” it.

In response, staff members of CUTV voiced their concerns and frustrations in their own letter. Staff members claimed that information was inaccessible to them and they were disappointed with the lack of communication and having to rely on external news sources for information. An article published in The Link detailed the legal challenges CUTV is facing and the authors of the letter claimed that “it has been disappointing and frustrating to watch from the outside as the station we contributed time and energy to seems to be crumbling.”

Students and members of the Concordia community attended the meeting to discuss what kind of guidelines need to be implemented and a way to move forward. At times, the conversation was contentious due to the inability to render a decision on who was considered a member of CUTV, the need to put forth bylaws and eventually hold a general assembly.

Marouf said that membership should be defined by volunteerism, and that while students of the university pay into the fee-levy group, only volunteers at CUTV should have voting rights.

This motion did not sit well with many in attendance, including Morgan Pudwell, the Concordia Student Union’s former VP advocacy and outreach.

“Undergraduate students deserve to be in that discussion,” said Pudwell.

Unable to reach a consensus on what defines membership, the meeting ended at an impasse with a second meeting held Monday evening to discuss the same matters.

The result of the second meeting was that voting rights at the upcoming General Assembly would extend to individuals who have been staff members since October 2011, donors and Concordia students.

The General Assembly is to be held the first weekend of December, though it is not yet known what day it will take place.

During both meetings, individuals suggested that personal attacks were unacceptable and impeded discussions from moving forward. Thursday, staff member Emily Campbell said the current atmosphere left her and others feeling unsafe about going to the station.

It was a reference to the mounting tensions between members within CUTV and the two letters published by different groups with opposing views. The letter issued on CUTV’s website claimed that the station was “under attack” by the CSBC who “positioned itself as the governing body of CUTV” and wanted to “shut it down.” Authors stated that CSBC President Justin Giovannetti was “engaged in a public campaign to undermine CUTV.”

However, in an interview with The Concordian, Marouf contradicted the statement on the website.

“The CSBC was not attempting to shut down CUTV. Its president, Justin Giovannetti, differed in his vision with CUTV members and staff and was not able to detach his inherent bias as both an employee of CTV, a corporate rival for our station, and his presidency on the Board of Directors of The Link,” Marouf said. “He was wearing too many hats.”

Giovannetti resigned from the CSBC Wednesday, marking yet another resignation. Giovannetti wrote in an email that “Few of you will be surprised when I say that I didn’t enjoy my past year as your president.”

He went on to write that “Tonight I was forced to make a choice between my employment and continuing to volunteer for a campus organization.”

Angelica Calcagnile, the CSBC’s vice-president, said that CUTV was now on its own.

“CUTV is no longer part of the CSBC, and we are no longer responsible for their decision-making, so it is up to their membership to improve the situation at the station,” she said. “That said, we support the development of a strong, unified and financially stable organization with a clear legal structure and demonstrated responsibility to Concordia’s students.”

The provisional BoD of CUTV that included Kneale, Marouf and staff member Abel Alegria dissolved in October. Wendy Kraus-Heitmann also stepped down as provisional emergency director of CUTV’s BoD earlier this month citing Marouf’s actions as the reason for her departure, and leaving Sabine Friesigner as the single director.

“[CUTV] is only holding meetings now because the staff went nuts after being mismanaged into the ground for months on end, and Laith and [his] friends are desperate to look good,” Kraus-Heitmann said. “Laith Marouf is not attempting to save CUTV. Laith Marouf is trying to save his job.”

Categories
News

Concordia University’s take on American politics

Concordia University held a conference that focused on the factors leading to the outcome of the 2012 presidential election and its impact on international affairs, last Thursday.

Professors Graham Dodds, Michael Lipson, Harold Chorney and Graham Carr each spoke about different issues concerning the candidates and the months leading up to the election.

Lipson focused on foreign policies that were discussed throughout the campaign between President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney, stating that Obama’s tactics garnered more support while Romney’s didn’t inspire confidence.

“Romney was never clear during the campaign of what he would do concerning foreign policies,” Lipson said. “Although Obama didn’t introduce new plans, he showed we can expect continuity of foreign policies.”

Furthermore, Lipson claimed that the debates were integral to the election and that he was “widely seen as winner of the third debate.”

Chorney strongly believes that Romney’s positions on abortion and women’s rights “were deeply insulting” in comparison with Obama’s “more sympathetic” stance that pushed Americans to favour Obama. Dodds, a political science professor, agreed with Chorney that Obama’s take on women’s right helped him win.

He further stated that Romney’s comments and views on hispanics and immigration were perceived as ignorant by a large portion of American citizens.

Chorney felt that Obama won because he “speaks beautifully” and has become an iconic figure in politics.

Carr, VP research and graduate studies, spoke about the implications of the election on Canada and political culture.

Carr believes Obama’s re-election will have an impact on Canada for several reasons. One being the Keystone XL pipeline that Romney advocated during his election. In January, Obama won the approval of environmentalists by rejecting the creation of a pipeline that would transport bitumen from Alberta to refineries in the Gulf of Mexico that would create jobs in both nations.

Orin Loft, a first-year sociology and anthropology student at Concordia, said that he was surprised with the outcome. While Loft didn’t necessarily support Obama’s success, he didn’t want Romney to win because “he’s completely out of touch with too many things like women’s rights, gay rights and economic standings of the middle class.”

“The women’s vote really helped him out,” said Loft about the Obama campaign. “Romney wasn’t really strong with that front.”

With files from Kalina Laframboise

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