In my first high school political science course, I had a friend who was very clever and well-informed—the kind of self-identified young intellectual that read the New York Times like scripture. One class, he got into an argument on electoral reform in Canada with another very clever and well-informed student.[Read More…]
Opinion
Opinions from our editorial board and contributors.
Clarifying the McGill context at Carnival and future events
What is the “McGill context?” When do student activities count as a McGill event? Are events hosted off-campus still considered a McGill context? What about Frosh, or a house party in Milton-Parc? These are difficult, but nonetheless important, questions because some of McGill’s policies only apply to a McGill context.[Read More…]
McGill administration must support the independence of student societies
On Feb. 17, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Executive Committee released a statement requesting the resignation of Igor Sadikov from his positions as a director and as an Arts representative to the SSMU Legislative Council. The request comes after Sadikov tweeted “punch a zionist [sic] today,” which the[Read More…]
Is there an upside to the O’Leary candidacy?
It’s been an odd political year. As news from the United States continues to descend into absurdity, in Canada the Conservative Party leadership race drudges on, complete with a cast of characters large enough to carry a Marvel movie. The Conservative race came to McGill on Feb. 13, as TV[Read More…]
Montreal must unite in the noble cause for winter cycling
Montreal has recently become the battleground of a grand, revolutionary conflict: The winter cyclists’ struggle to cross the Jacques Cartier Bridge in the face of oppressive civil authorities. The city exercised a tyrannical measure when it resolved to close the bicycle path of the Jacques Cartier Bridge for the winter.[Read More…]
Winter 2017 SSMU General Assembly Endorsements
Motion Regarding Policy Against Ancillary Fee Increases: “Yes” Ancillary fees are non-opt-outable fees that are charged to students to fund various student service units, including Student Services, Athletics and Recreation, the World University Services Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, Access McGill, and Athletics Facilities Improvement. Current estimates from the university[Read More…]
Laughing Matters: Squirrel slander put to rest
McGill has been the target of some vile chattering. As good McGillians, we must stand up for our grey friends—mostly because they can’t speak for themselves. Ladies and gentlemen, I am addressing the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) student newspaper, The Ubyssey, and one article’s boast that UBC’s squirrels are[Read More…]
Trudeau’s carbon tax policies are burden for the Canadian economy
The Liberal Government plans to fight climate change with compulsory provincial carbon pricing schemes. However, these measures are not suitable considering Canada’s current economic predicament. The imposition of carbon tax schemes represents the Liberals’ commitment to burdensome and ineffective ways of combatting climate change. These taxes raise energy prices for[Read More…]
Montreal needs a better shovel for snowy sidewalks
Everyone’s been there—walking around Montreal when all of a sudden you find yourself looking up at the sky from your backside. Whether sober, drunk, or somewhere in between, Montreal’s sidewalks represent the single most dangerous threat to any student. Snowy, slippery wipe-outs are commonplace, and those who find themselves victim[Read More…]
Students must hold representatives accountable through appropriate channels
A tweet from Arts Representative to the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) Igor Sadikov, reading “punch a zionist today,” has been subject to intense controversy for inciting violence against Zionist students. Thus far, the debate surrounding the tweet and, in particular, Sadikov’s interpretation of Zionism, has been understandably divisive[Read More…]