I was not a political person. Yet, my identity is politicized, and every action I have taken is seen as a political statement. Driven by the wave of demonstrations in 2020 against police brutality, systemic racism, and the oppression that weighs heavily on our community—including the African diaspora, Indigenous peoples,[Read More…]
Commentary
Major flaws in Montreal’s metro system leave McGill students at a loss
Montreal’s metro system has long been the lifeline of student life, whether it’s a late night out at Café Campus or an early 8 a.m. at Leacock Building. The metro system connects many major universities: Concordia, Université de Québec à Montréal (UQÀM), Université de Montréal (UdeM), Université de Sherbrooke, and[Read More…]
Happiness isn’t a formula—just ask The Little Prince
When an existential crisis knocks at your door, avoidance feels impossible. In such moments, finding meaning and addressing inner conflicts becomes urgent, even though it may be painful. In The Little Prince, Saint-Exupéry explores this search for meaning, teaching readers to view life through fresh, unclouded eyes, and to appreciate[Read More…]
Feeling overwhelmed? Try a flip phone
Smartphones have become indispensable tools in everyday life, making it easier to stay connected, navigate unfamiliar places, scan menus effortlessly, and access QR codes at events. However, that convenience comes at a high cost. Increasingly, research correlates anxiety, depression, and inattentiveness with smartphone use. As such, some young people are[Read More…]
Addressing the Indigenous homelessness crisis—if not now, when?
All too many Indigenous residents of Tiohtià:ke—the island known to many as Montreal—face truly dire circumstances. Only recently, however, through a conversation that I shared with a lovely Inuk man named Paulu, have I come to recognize both the profound gravity and pressing urgency of the situation. During our conversation,[Read More…]
McGill is leading in research but lagging in workers’ rights
McGill is continually ranked as a top research university in Canada, recently coming in second for medical research. Despite this status, the school consistently fails to adequately recognize the rights of its workers. From pushing its teaching assistants (TAs) to a hard strike for livable wages to undermining its law[Read More…]
Keep Calm! Carry On Providing Students with Mental Health Resources
As the haze of summer subsides and the anticipation of cold, isolating midterms and finals ensue, maintaining and nurturing one’s mental health becomes both harder and ever more critical. On Sept. 6, McGill informed the student body via email that the popular student services once provided through the Students’ Society[Read More…]
Silent stones: revisiting the forgotten in Montreal’s cemeteries
Graveyards occupy a uniquely taboo space that bridges the gap between the grieved and the grieving. They might almost be considered parks, yet they are not always viewed as sanctuaries. With 41 recognized cemeteries and a rich history of burial rites, Montreal stands as the resting grounds to 1.5 million[Read More…]
The people-pleasing is not pleasing the people
For many students, university marks the first leap into adulthood—living with strangers, assuming leadership roles, and meeting people from all walks of life. In both a university and workplace setting, young adults begin learning how to communicate with people they might not necessarily get along with, or even like. In[Read More…]
To fly or not to fly: Soaring into Canada’s Uncompetitive Skies
With midterms approaching at a rapid pace, McGill’s reading break is an alluring opportunity for well-deserved rest, gruelling last-minute study sessions, or maybe even a quick trip back home. Given that 50 per cent of McGill’s incoming students come from out-of-province or abroad, the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport can[Read More…]