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Montreal, News

Thousands rally in downtown Montreal to denounce the rise of far-right ideologies

by Cherry Wu on

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Thousands of activists took to the streets of downtown Montreal on Nov. 12 for the Large Demonstration Against Hate and Racism. The protest, which began at Place Émilie-Gamelin and involved over 160 local groups, lasted three hours as marchers energetically condemned the rise of far-right ideologies in Quebec.

According to the protest’s Call to Action, the organizers of the demonstration felt compelled to act following a number of discriminatory events in Quebec’s recent history. Among them were the passing of the Quebec Charter of Values—a set of regulations to restrict public workers from wearing religious symbols proposed by the Parti Quebecois (PQ) in 2013—and the Quebec City Mosque shooting in January 2017, during which six members of the Muslim community were fatally shot in a religiously-motivated hate crime. The Call to Action also called out politicians for apathy toward racist and xenophobic sentiment that is festering in Quebec today.

Bringing together approximately 5,000 participants, the demonstration remained largely peaceful. Anas Bouslikhane, an official spokesperson for the protest, intended for the demonstration to provide a platform for minorities in the province.

“We are seeing more crystallization of racism because of efforts from the far-right and from xenophobic groups to normalize this kind of discourse,” Bouslikhane said. “[This discourse tells people] that it is ok to criticize people [for their] racial, cultural, and religious beliefs.”

Given the deep-rooted legacy of student activism in Quebec, it was only fitting that student presence at the march was strong. Both McGill and Concordia sent contingents to the protest, who marched together down Ste.-Catherine street in the hour before the demonstration’s official start at Place Émilie-Gamelin.

In the months leading up to the protest, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) showed support by signing the demonstration’s Call to Action and passing a motion to endorse the protest at its Oct. 12 Legislative Council meeting. The motion was largely motivated by concern over alt-right propaganda within the McGill community. Carl Plowright, a second-year masters student in English at McGill who attended the demonstration, emphasized that the noticeable growth of far-right ideologies on campus was no longer an issue students could ignore.

“[Far-right ideologies] have absolutely reached campuses,” Plowright said. “I think there is definitely no question that students have both suffered the repercussions of the far-right and have actively been involved in unacceptable behaviour.”

The motion to endorse the demonstration also mandated SSMU Vice-President (VP) External Connor Spencer to organize a McGill delegation to attend. A firm advocate for student voices, Spencer highlighted the importance of student activism in Quebec, especially with regards to the passage of Bill 62. Known as the “religious neutrality law,” Bill 62’s provision banning the use of face coverings when receiving public services was widely criticized for implicitly targeting Muslim women who wear niqabs or burkas.

“When the student movement stands up and says something, people listen,” Spencer said. “We still don't know what this bill is going to look like […and] the Minister of Higher Education hasn’t decided whether it is going to affect university campuses, […but] it is important that [while everyone is] figuring out what Bill 62 is, we take a very strong stance and denounce racism.”

Vincent Mousseau, VP Internal of the Social Work Student Association (SAWA), marched with the McGill contingent at the demonstration. Mousseau reflected on how Bill 62 would limit access to employment in the field of social work in an interview with The McGill Tribune.

“[Bill 62] is going to directly affect not only the people who we are able to help on the front line as social workers, but also the rising islamophobia [from] this culture [that] is going to have a mass effect on our students,” Mousseau said.

By participating in the demonstration, marchers from McGill say that they aspired to raise student awareness of events occurring in the city beyond the campus. Jed Lenetsky, an organizer at Divest Mcgill, explained the importance of student engagement in such activism.

“Groups that are involved in doing social justice work at McGill really have the responsibility to take that work off campus,” Lenetsky told the Tribune. “McGill does not exist in a vacuum. If we are going to oppose right-wing ideology and fight for social justice on campus, we also have to do so off-campus.”

Lenetsky also called attention to the fact that McGill itself contributes to regressive ideologies, citing the administration’s decision to not divest from fossil fuels as evidence.

“[The McGill Administration] said that fossil fuels do not cause grave social injury,” Lenetsky said. “By saying that, they ignore the loss of lives and the loss of livelihoods that are going to be experienced and are experienced as a result of climate change. They are really echoing this colonial ideology that some lives outweigh other lives and other experiences.”

Beyond the frame of the demonstration, Li Li, a member of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), emphasized that activists must stand up for ethnic histories that are sometimes overlooked.

“I think, if people are willing, they can first go online and research how long different ethnicities have been [in North America],” Li said. “You have Chinese who helped build the railways. You have the Indigenous people who were here before anybody else.”

To maintain momentum in the weeks following the protest, Bouslikhane emphasized the importance of open and honest dialogue about the far-right on campus.

“I think McGill students have an important place in this work,” Bouslikhane said. “There are a lot of people from different origins at McGill […and] I encourage students to talk to each other [….] We shouldn’t be silent about [denouncing far-right ideologies.] Being complacent is being silent [and] that could lead to very tragic events.”

To avoid falling complacent to everyday injustices, Mousseau suggested that McGill students support Montreal-based organizations such as Solidarity Across Borders, which provides aid to groups affected by racism and racist immigration policies.

“We have shaped politics in this province and in this country. We need to continue doing that,” Mousseau said. “We won’t tolerate racism and fascism in our cities, and we won’t tolerate them in our country.”

Student Life, The Tribune Tries

The Tribune Tries: A waste-free week

by Mary Lynne Loftus on

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It’s no secret that humans have a problem with waste. Globally, we waste CDN $31 billion on uneaten food annually. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 42 per cent of greenhouse gases come from the production of plastic packaging and goods. As a student, I’m prone to contributing to these waste levels, largely because of my busy schedule. With little time to cook, I often grab meals on the go; coffee in disposable cups or sandwiches wrapped in plastic packaging, which I then toss without a thought about the landfill.

It wasn’t until I realized how much waste I was producing on any given day that I decided it was time for a change. In an effort to be more environmentally-friendly, I undertook a six-day challenge to go “waste-free.”

As simple as that sounds, it actually required a substantial amount of effort. Going “waste-free” entails producing as little trash as possible; people who live waste-free don’t use items that can’t be recycled or reused. To work this into my own life for the week, I brought my own lunches to school and limited how much takeout food I ate. I also made sure to always have reusable containers, an extra tote bag, and an empty reusable water bottle on hand to avoid consuming disposable products. I also tried more specific daily challenges—and while my success in doing so varied, the amount I learned from each one remained constant.

Monday: Do-It-Yourself toiletries

For the first day of the challenge, I made my own toothpaste, shampoo, and body wash. I stored them in reusable Tupperware containers and Mason jars, foregoing the plastic packaging that comes with store-bought products. While the products were not difficult to make, the necessary ingredients—like essential oils—were more costly than the packaged alternative. The body wash and shampoo turned out well and made my skin and hair feel softer. But in a standard week, I don’t know if I’d have the time or energy to make these over buying them. The toothpaste I made tasted chalky—I accidentally added too much baking soda—so I gave up and used my regular toothpaste. I was disappointed that it didn’t work and I’d recommend measuring out the ingredients carefully to anyone trying out this technique. Regardless, the toothpaste consistency might take some getting used to.

Tuesday: Donation day

My closet is overflowing with clothing that I don’t currently wear. It was only fitting that on the second day of this challenge, I clean out my chaotic closet and rid my life of this waste for good. Rather than ditching them in the garbage, I lugged my unused clothes to the Salvation Army in hopes that someone could repurpose them. In purging my closet, I realized just how wasteful some of my purchases were. While I tend to buy individual items I like without considering when or how I’ll wear them, I’m learning that when I shop, I need to think more about how to re-wear certain pieces—and thrift stores are certainly an option.

Wednesday: Paper-free note-taking

On the third day, I challenged myself to take lecture notes on my laptop instead of writing them by hand, which I usually do. Hand-writing notes helps me retain information, but at the end of each semester, I find that I’ve accumulated heaping piles of paper with notes that I’ll never read again. Even though laptops come with the distractions of the Internet, it’s an easy way to cut down on paper use.

Thursday: Miscellaneous waste reduction

Because so much of the waste I accumulate throughout the day are small tidbits that I use without realizing, I made a point to cut down on miscellaneous waste like straws and receipts. Not using straws was fairly easy because I carried a reusable water bottle around with me, but receipts are often printed automatically. For half the day, cashiers printed them out, and I’d have to recycle them. I realized that I needed to tell cashiers in advance that I didn’t want my receipt before it got printed. Though this adds an extra challenge, it’s easy and worthwhile to implement in the future.

Friday: Face mask Friday

Instead of celebrating the week’s end with our usual Sephora face masks, my friends and I made our own face masks out of natural ingredients. This cut out waste from unnecessary plastic packaging entirely. We used simple, inexpensive ingredients that we found at the grocery store: Honey, yogurt, and avocado. Avocado is deeply nourishing for the skin, while yogurt is great for refining pores. While the masks had a chunky consistency that we weren’t used to, they were much cheaper than those at Sephora, making this an easy practice to incorporate into daily life without breaking the bank. Pro-tip: Buy honey in bulk at Frenco.

Saturday: Shopping at a local farmer’s market

While I typically buy my groceries from a supermarket, which involves packaging galore, I went to Jean Talon market on the last day of my challenge to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. I came equipped with reusable bags to carry groceries, the trick to shopping plastic-free. Out of all of the week’s challenges, this was my favourite. In the same trip, I was able to support local farmers and treat myself to ice cream at Havre aux Glaces—which I ate out of my own Tupperware I’d brought with me.

My main takeaway from this experience is that there are numerous small ways to cut down on waste in everyday life, which I hope to maintain long beyond the end of the challenge. However, it is important to note that some methods of waste-free living are more reasonable than others. Buying clothes second-hand is cheaper than the alternative, but buying all groceries at local markets can take time and planning, which many students lack. Going waste-free can help students declutter their lives—while treating the planet right.

Science & Technology

New statistical measure calculates relationship between climate change and plant health

by Jade Prévost-Manuel on

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Climate change is altering seasonality as we know it; the average American winter has shrunk by more than one month over the last century. While this has received plenty of attention as a positive phenomenon for sun-starved North Americans, the impact that shorter winter seasons and changing photoperiods—the interval in 24 hours during which a plant or animal is exposed to light—have on the blooming and fruiting of plants has received little attention from scientists.

Skeptics have raised the question of whether differences in the timing of these events are a response to climate change, but winters that have progressively higher average temperatures have also correlated with prematurely blooming plants.

Data on these events is typically measured via surveys, which document the occurrence of early blooming events. However, they fail to indicate exactly when these events happen, limiting understanding of the scale of variation in timing caused by climate change.

A collaborative effort between researchers from McGill and Utah State University has uncovered a solution to the problem. On Nov. 6, the team published a study on a new statistical indicator that measures the effect of climate change on plants by extracting meaningful data on early blooms—taking into account when the plant first leafs-out, flowers, or sets fruit.

Research interests of McGill Associate Professor in the Department of Biology Jonathan Davies, a co-author of the study, range from the biogeography of disease, to plant responses to climate change. His previous work has demonstrated that warming experiments underestimate the extent to which plants are affected by climate change, and that significant differences exist between the observational data and experimental data of these experiments.

The lead author of the paper, William Pearse, assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Utah State University, commented on the current limitations of warming studies.

“Plant phenology, [or the study of periodic biological phenomena that are correlated with climatic conditions], provides a powerful symbol of how climate change is impacting our environment, and these changes can be observed both in nature and in the crops we plant and grow to feed ourselves,” Davies said in an interview with The McGill News Room on Nov. 6. “Because we have short memories, it is difficult, however, to determine whether the changes we observe today are unusual or if they simply represent natural variation from year-to-year.”

In an email to The McGill Tribune, Pearse elaborated on the difficulties involved in studying plant phrenology in a lab setting.

“Measuring is time-consuming,” Pearse wrote. “To be absolutely certain that you knew when a flower first opened, you’d have to return to it each day, maybe even more frequently, and record whether it was open or not.”

The new statistic estimator obtains meaningful data on phenological change by comparing past and present blooming times.

“Previously, it was difficult to measure phenology because it required so much intensive survey work,” Pearse explained. “Our metric […] makes it easier to collect even more data on phenology.”

Davies highlighted that big data collected by naturalists and herbaria—collections of dried and preserved specimens—are both important data resources for studying the effect of climate change on plants.

“These dusty specimens can provide new insights into how human activities have altered today’s climate, by contrasting the time a flower bloomed in the past, to observation in the present day,” Davies said.

Studies have shown that increases in variation are characteristics of natural systems approaching a state of change, or environmental limit. For Pearse, annual variations in blooming are important to study because flowering plants may have a limit.

“Flowers can’t just keep flowering earlier and earlier as the world warms under climate change,” Pearse said. “This increase in variation could be indicative of flowers approaching that limit. Of course, we need more studies to look into this.”

Student Life

“Let’s go to the dep first”: Looking at the depanneurs of Montreal

by Miguel Principe on

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Tucked on each corner of almost every bustling city and open at all hours, convenience stores are universally known as unpretentious places to get all the essentials. While the British call them ‘minimarts’ and the Japanese call them ‘konbinis,’ here in Quebec, they go by “depanneurs,” or “deps.”

Deps are ubiquitous all over Quebec, especially near McGill’s Downtown campus. Students around Montreal rely on them for everything from getting supplies for a pre, to satisfying late-night mac and cheese cravings. There are 13 depanneurs in the McGill area according to DepQuebec, each with its own unique story and quirks. While some are best known for their low prices, others demonstrate an unwavering commitment to serving their customers—for “25 hours” a day, no less. The McGill Tribune compiled a ranking and a price comparison chart for each of the best deps around, so that no last-minute request for red solo cups, candy, or crackers goes unmet.

Photos by Gabe Helfant and Margaux Delalex

BEAU-SOIR: BEST HOURS

In the Milton-Parc area, Beau-Soir attracts passersby with their cheeky “25 hours” sign. Though in actuality it’s only open 24 hours, seven days a week, this depanneur is there to satisfy students’ cravings around the clock. A first visit to this dep might be disorienting, however, as it lacks price tags to tell customers quickly what prices are. They do have a nice popcorn machine, though.

SUPER DEPANNEUR LA CITÉ: CHEAPEST GOODS OVERALL

Tucked away behind the Galeries du Parc entrance on the northwest corner of Prince Arthur and Parc streets, this depanneur can be easy to miss. But, upon entry, Super Depanneur La Cité reveals some of the cheapest prices on essentials compared to other deps. On top of all of this, it can be accessed completely indoors by those who live in New Rez or LaCité residence via the labyrinthian passageways of the Galeries du Parc shopping complex.

DEPANNEUR LINDELL: BEST ‘NON-DEP’ DEPANNEUR

Located on Prince Arthur and Sainte-Famille streets, Depanneur Lindell is the shop that many students know as the “flower dep.” From succulents to tulips, the small store sells plants of every kind, and friendly staff are available to answer every customer’s need. But beyond flora, this depanneur doesn’t offer much; it doesn’t sell late-night snack-food, PBR, or other typical dep purchases.

MARCHE J V T: BEST SUBSTITUTE FOR A GROCERY STORE

On the corner of Sainte Famille and Sherbrooke streets lies Marche J V T. This depanneur blurs the line between a dep and a grocery store, boasting the highest variety of products compared to other depanneurs on this list. Marche J V T’s produce section—an uncommon sight in other deps—makes for a good place to grab a few days’ worth of groceries if you don’t have time to trek to the grocery store. Plus, they have a wide selection of canned goods and beer, if you’re looking to stock up your pantry.

SUPER MARCHÉ BRITO:​ ​BEST ON​ TUESDAYS​ ​

Conveniently located next to Café Campus in the Prince Arthur strip, Super Marché Brito is the place to prepare for a pre on Tuesdays, offering the complete array of Four Loko flavours. ​On​ ​top​ ​of​ its ideal ​location, it has ​a​ mini​-bakery and a mini-deli selling a variety of fresh goods from sopressata to croissants, both of which ​other​ ​depanneurs are missing.​ ​​​However, ​this​ ​variety comes with a cost; Super Marché Brito’s prices​ ​are​ higher ​than​ ​other​ ​depanneurs.​ ​

MARCHÉ CAMPUS: THE “UPPER RESIDENCE SAVIOUR,” CHEAPEST ALCOHOL

For those living in an Upper Residence, knowing the nearest depanneur from their isolated location on top of the hill is important. At the corner of Durocher and Prince Arthur streets, Marché Campus is not only the closest depanneur to the Upper Residences, it’s also easily accessible to those living in the Milton-Parc Community. Knowing their demographic, alcohol is relatively cheap but other products, such as Cup Noodles or Kraft Dinner mac and cheese, have prices that are not as competitive.

GREEN’S SUPERETTE: BEST FOR  WINE

Just a block away on the corner of Durocher and Milton streets is Green’s Superette and its eye-catching green facade. This dep has relatively low alcohol prices, and the widest array of wines under $15, such as Nicholas Laloux and Silverthorne. However, its layout is relatively confusing, and one aisle is a dead end, making this a confusing destination for anyone who wanders in after a few drinks.

MARCHÉ BISSONNETTE: BEST PIT STOP

The closest depanneur to the Milton Gates is Marche Bissonnette, situated on Milton street between Lorne avenue and Aylmer street. Its location makes it an ideal pit stop on the way home from campus for many McGill students. But most else about it is lackluster, as its prices and variety are only average compared to other deps in the area. Its main asset is the lineup of ramen and cup noodles, which they have more of than a student likely needs.

Depanneurs Four Loko 12-pack of PBR Doritos 2 liters of milk Mac and cheese Ramen
Marche J V T, 181 Sherbrooke St W (2 for 6.99) 16.00 4.00 3.70 2.00 1.69
Marche Bisonette 4.00 15.00 4.00 3.75 2.50 2.00
Green's Superette (2 for 7.50) 14.00 4.00 3.80 2.95 Doesn't sell
Super Depanneur La Cité 3.79 13.50 4.00 2.60 1.79 1.50
Marché Campus 3.74 13.79 4.00 4.25 2.50 2.25
Depanneur Lindell Doesn't sell Doesn't sell 4.00 Doesn't sell 2.00 2.00
Marche Brito 4.00 14.00 4.00 4.00 2.29 1.99
Arts & Entertainment, Theatre

‘The Cradle Will Rock’ offers a snapshot of American socialist history

by Maxime Scraire on

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The McGill English Department’s production of The Cradle Will Rock will show Thursday, Nov. 30 to Saturday, Dec. 4. at Moyse Hall.

Today, Marc Blitzstein’s musical The Cradle Will Rock (1937) is remembered not for its content, but for the outrage sparked by its original production. Directed by Orson Welles (Citizen Kane), Cradle was shut down by the government four days before its opening night because of some important budget cuts and its radical pro-union stance. With sets and costumes guarded by federal police and performers forbidden from getting on stage by their union, Blitzstein rented a theatre and piano and set out to sing the musical alone in front of the largest audience he could attract. The Cradle Will Rock got a full house; cast-members chimed in from their seats, and modern theater history was made. It’s a great origin story, one that has a lot to say about the era’s tense fight for workers’ rights and the American government’s irrational fear of communism.

The work itself, which recounts Larry Foreman’s attempt to unionize Steeltown, pits America’s workers against the will of big bad capitalist Mr. Mister and his corrupted Liberty Committee, is of much lesser interest, dealing in broad strokes and simple rhetoric. Luckily, director and English Department professor Myrna Wyatt Selkirk chose to mix the two narratives, and her production is all the better for it.

As the lights go out, a pianist (Emmanuel Eustache on Thursday, Paul Keenan for all other performances) comes out on his own, the way Blitzstein must have 80 years ago. He sits behind his instrument, located in the middle of the plain stage between a prison cell and a tribunal. In the first scene, he directly addresses the audience. The music starts, and prostitute Moll (Mitchel Csmerak in drag) comes out from behind the audience, singing the famous “Moll’s Song (I’m Checkin’ Home Now)” as she walks down the aisle. These first few seconds signal one thing: In this play, the fourth wall does not exist. Characters come up and down the stage, crack jokes with audience members, and sit with the crowd to watch scenes from afar. As gimmick-y as it may sound, this is all part of a playful take on the piece’s famed history; an effort to recreate what it must have felt like to watch a play take place not on stage, but all around you. And it works.

This audacious meta-layer helps elevate a thin script.  Although acted and sung with commitment by an all-around game cast (special mentions to the charismatic lead Nick Vecchione and the naturally gifted singer and comic actress Maddy Corvino), there is simply no getting around the fact that Blitzstein’s blunt lyrics often sound more like angry union advertisements than thoughtful social satire. Most of the thematic exposition staggeringly on the nose, frequently rupturing audience engagement. The main theme of corruption of the social elite by the powerful few is so overwrought that it is hard not to cringe every time a worker calls a priest, a journalist, or an artist a “prostitute.” These characters, almost all stereotypes, are either too over-the-top or not enough. We quickly start to miss the grounded nature of Moll, who inexplicably spends most of the running-time watching the scenes unfold from the balcony.

Fortunately, there is enough frosting here to distract from this needlessly loud propaganda of a cake. The McGill Department of English Drama & Theatre Program’s The Cradle Will Rock is a fun time full of catchy tunes, willing performances, and interesting historical references. Just make sure to read about the play’s history before you buy your ticket.


Moyse Hall is located in the Arts Building at 835 Sherbrooke Street West. Tickets for The Cradle Will Rock can be purchased over the phone at (514) 398-6070 or via email at [email protected]

Commentary, Opinion

McGill Quebec Studies: Maintaining an international university’s local roots

by Grace Gunning on

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The existence of McGill’s Quebec Studies Program is currently up for debate, due to its low registration rates. It may seem logical to cut a niche program that does not attract many students. Quebec Studies is particularly specialized—it is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on a specific locality, and because of this, it does not attract the high number of students that a broader, more popular department can. With enrollment low, the continuation of this program might seem like an unnecessary financial burden for the university. But, McGill would be remiss to cut the department, as doing so would further alienate the school and its students from Quebecois culture, politics, and history. If anything, McGill should take steps to further promote this program and grow its enrollment, because it serves as a method of communication between the University and its unique locality.

There is a marked disconnect between many McGill students and the province they live in. On campus, the lack of knowledge about the Milton-Parc Community is representative of this—students, who are transient figures by nature, often forget the history of the space they are living in. The divide between students and Montreal residents also exists along language lines. As an anglophone institution with only 20.3 per cent of its students speaking French as a first language, McGill is an uncomfortable locus point for language tensions. This is a part of the university’s legacy. In 1969, Quebec passed Bill 63, which established French as a language of education in Quebec alongside English, after massive demonstrations advocating for the officialization of the French language in the province.

One of these demonstrations took place at McGill, as francophone students demanded that the school’s official language be changed to French. The Quebec Studies program must remain as a way for the university to look critically at its role in flashpoint moments such as this, and to ask crucial questions about the intersections between education, elitism, and language in a given community. The program allows students to look at not just the university—but also the province itself—with a self-reflective, critical lens. This is possible because the program is an interdisciplinary field, where students can study Quebec’s culture and politics today alongside its history.

Universities often have to face the problem of their status within their locality: Students are ephemeral, often highly-privileged figures, with an innate disconnect from the wider context of the places they live in.

Beyond its contributions to academic discourse in Quebec, the program provides a bridge between students and the wider Montreal and Quebec communities. Its special status as an affiliate of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Montreal allows its students to create positive ties with the city beyond the Roddick Gates. With this unique structure, the program seeks to integrate students into Quebec by providing them with local internships, connecting them with other universities, and potentially even encouraging them to stay in the province after graduation to further contribute to its communities. The Quebec Studies Program actively counters the effects of the “McGill bubble,” by establishing deep roots between its students and the province.

Universities often have to face the problem of their status within their locality: Students are ephemeral, often highly-privileged figures, with an innate disconnect from the wider context of the places they live in. Avoiding the typical university “bubble” is especially important at a school like McGill, which has historically contributed to local tensions as a massive, primarily anglophone institution within a French province. Even if enrollment in the Quebec Studies program is low right now, the program should be kept open as a sign of respect and engagement with the province it is situated in. Moreover, further efforts should be taken to promote and express its value to students. The Quebec studies program is essential because it offers a different paradigm of the university experience—one defined not by transience, but by deep connection with and understanding of the place and culture students find themselves in.

 

 

Grace Gunning is a U3 History major, occasional artist, and columnist for The McGill Tribune. She enjoys climbing, gardening, and cheesy 80's sci fi.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 
Features

The art of the steal

by Calvin Trottier-Chi on

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Classic scams like Nigerian princes in need of financial assistance and unexpected cruise tickets can seem childishly blatant, but they obscure an undercurrent of more threatening and manipulative exploitations. Over the summer, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police alerted people of an increase in fraudulent calls exploiting a duty so banal that citizens are often ignorant of its intricacies: Income tax returns.

 

Mary,* an international student at McGill University, was the victim of such a scam. Amid essay deadlines and caffeine-fueled sleep deprivation, she received a voicemail on Nov. 16. The call was from a Canadian number and the caller claimed to be an agent at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the government body that administers taxes nationally.

 

“The message said I was being investigated for tax evasion,” Mary said. “I’ve never had to file for taxes, but I thought it might’ve been a bureaucratic misunderstanding. Then [the agent] said there [was] a warrant out for my arrest, that they would come to the house in an hour, and if I didn’t pay the sum in total I would get arrested. So obviously I got extremely scared and I just couldn’t think clearly.”

 

The caller was quick to legitimize herself, providing Mary with a case number, transferring her to various superiors, and citing government legislation. She then concluded that Mary owed the CRA $4,200.83 and cited criminal charges to impose restrictions upon her.

 

“She set up this thing she called a protocol,” Mary said. “[…The] protocol basically had two rules. The first rule was [that] I could never hang up the phone […] because it would seem like I was evading the government. The second rule […] was that I couldn’t tell anyone that this was happening. She said if I told anyone what I was being investigated for or that I was under investigation, they would also be under investigation for collusion.”

Editorial, Opinion

Student mental health needs admin support, not “hygiene de vie”

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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In an Nov. 21 interview with the McGill Reporter, Ollivier Dyens, Deputy Provost (Student Life and Learning), shut down the possibility of a Fall reading week in the foreseeable future, despite 71.5 per cent of students declaring support for the break in an April 2015 Enrolment Services survey. In the absence of a reading break, he explained that students can mitigate mental health challenges by practicing good “hygiene de vie”—literally, “life hygiene.” According to Dyens, this means eating and sleeping well, staying active, exercising good time-management, and avoiding unhealthy substances like coffee, cigarettes, and unprescribed Ritalin. He failed to mention any support systems available at McGill, nor the magnitude of the mental health crisis on campuses.

While the “hygiene de vie” practices described by Dyens are certainly healthy, equating these habits with comprehensive mental health treatment strategies misunderstands the mental health challenges that university students—and particularly McGill students—face. Mental illnesses are complex, and often uncontrollable without professional treatment; presenting a laundry list of self-care tips as solutions to mental health issues trivializes the struggles of the brave people who endure them. More concerning, however, is the apparent disconnect between McGill students and the administration on mental health that Dyens’ comments illustrate. Reducing the mental health epidemic on campus to issues such as poor time management or too much coffee only perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental illnesses, and what they really consist of.

A mental health crisis is erupting on Canadian campuses. In a 2016 survey by the National College Health Assessment of 44,000 Canadian undergraduate students, 64.5 per cent of respondents had experienced severe anxiety, and 44.4 per cent indicated feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function. Now, more than ever, university administrations need to understand the unique pressures on students and provide adequate support for those struggling with mental health issues. So far, McGill has not made the grade. With the cuts to the university’s eating disorder program earlier this semester, long waitlists for counselling appointments, and the persistent lack of accessible, effective mental health services at McGill, students face an unwelcoming environment and an administration they feel isn’t listening to their needs.

 

Reducing the mental health epidemic on campus to issues such as poor time management or too much coffee only perpetuates the stigma surrounding mental illnesses, and what they really consist of.

Dyens was correct in acknowledging that students are responsible for their own mental health, but he was wrong in presenting this as a choice. Moreover, he was wrong to present simply maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle as an obvious, catch-all fix. Students suffering from mental illness are forced to cope with these challenges every single day, which makes it difficult for them to function properly or lead healthy lives. For students with eating or sleeping disorders, having a meal or getting enough rest are challenges in and of themselves.

It is key to recognize the role that McGill’s campus environment plays in sparking and exacerbating mental health issues. From the demanding academic environment, to the fast-paced social scene, to the pressure to be involved in extracurricular activities—not to mention the unwelcoming job market awaiting graduates—stress is inherent to student and McGill culture. There is a perception at McGill that in order to fit in, students must work themselves thin. The ‘work hard play hard’ dynamic prevails, leaving students to feel that there’s little room for self-care.

To lessen these stresses, dismantle this toxic culture, and help students fulfill their academic potential, the McGill administration must demonstrate an accurate and comprehensive understanding of mental health. This requires communicating in supportive and productive ways that show students the university cares and is receptive to student feedback. Furthermore, condescending students by telling them to practice “hygiene de vie” as a solution to anxiety only places further pressure on a demographic that already places extreme pressure on itself to succeed at university. The McGill administration should instead focus on providing the education and support necessary for students to be healthy and happy.

Every time a crucial service is scaled down, or a member of the administration expresses careless or insensitive views regarding mental health, students suffer as a result. Per its own description, the Student Life and Learning Office exists to “support students inside and outside of the classroom.” To that end, it is insufficient to divert attention to the logistics of implementing a Fall reading week, or offer self-care tips, in lieu of providing adequate—and desperately needed—resources: In the last three years, the number of students seeking mental-health or counselling services on campus has increased by 57 per cent. When it comes to responding to student mental health concerns, members of the McGill administration must demonstrate a better understanding.

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

Instagram, McGill, News

McGill announces its 2018 Rhodes Scholars

by Jackie Yao on

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On Nov. 20, the McGill community celebrated Alexander Lachapelle, Medical Doctorate and Master of Surgery, and Clare Lyle, U3 Science, who were selected to be the University’s 143rd and 144th Rhodes Scholars. One of the most prestigious scholarships in the world, the Rhodes Scholarship funds postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford for exceptional students across North America. The McGill Tribune spoke to both Rhodes recipients about their accomplishments, plans at Oxford, and projects they hope to complete in their final year at McGill.

Alexander Lachapelle

Lachapelle, who is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Medicine and Master of Surgery, is a representative for several medical associations, where he looks into how health policies are developed and what steps can be taken to improve patient care. The Terry Fox Humanitarian Award scholar has served on the executive board of the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), and has also represented the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) as its Liaison Officer.

Beyond his knack for health policy, Lachapelle’s main passion is technological innovation. Over the past academic year, he moved to New York City to intern at Imagen Technologies, a startup that applies artificial intelligence software to devices for medical diagnostic error prevention. For Lachapelle, working with machine learning to improve patient outcomes and diagnosis was an enriching glimpse into the future of healthcare.

“Although there are definitely lots of challenges in implementation, I think that if we can harness the power of these technologies, there would be a huge amount of potential to prolong life and improve patient health,” Lachapelle said.

While at Oxford, Lachapelle hopes to bridge connections between machine learning and healthcare. He plans to return to Montreal after receiving his post-graduate degree.

“I think Montreal has a really unique environment to learn medicine in,” Lachapelle said. “The diversity of people you meet here, both patients and healthcare professionals, is unrivaled probably anywhere else in the world.”

Clare Lyle

When Lyle, U3 Science, is not busy working toward her Joint Honours Math and Computer Science undergraduate degree, she spends her time working as the Director of HackMcGill and as the Vice-President Academic of McGill’s Computer Science Undergraduate Society (CSUS).

Lyle, who was also one of 34 Canadian students selected in 2014 for the Loran Scholarship—an undergraduate scholarship valued at $100,000—became interested in theoretical computer science after working at McGill’s Reasoning and Learning Lab. At the lab, Lyle looked into how statistics can predict algorithm behaviour.

In the summer of 2016, Lyle was an Explorer Intern at Microsoft, where she worked on a machine learning classifier for customer feedback. The following summer, she interned at Oxford, where she studied artificial intelligence and its implications for policy and society.

“I looked at public opinion on AI, implications of AI on security, [and] both cyber and national security,” Lyle said. “[This included] how governments can use AI either for military purposes or, if there is a dictatorship, how it can use machine learning to control what people are saying and detect dissent.”

Lyle, who plans to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in computer science at Oxford, was drawn to the university for its interdisciplinary analysis of technology on society. She intends to spend her last year at McGill preserving institutional memory for the student clubs in which she’s involved.

“I’ve been gradually easing people into more leadership positions in the organizations that I’ve been involved in, such as HackMcGill,” Lyle said. “Instead of me doing the agenda, I’ve been doing a rotating weekly agenda master so that everyone is familiar with how to write an agenda and how to run a meeting.”

Clare Lyle served as Online Editor at The McGill Tribune in the 2016-2017 academic year.

Hockey, Know Your Coach, Martlets, Sports

In conversation with Katia Clement-Heydra

by Wasif Husain on

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In her first year with the Martlet hockey team, forward Katia Clement-Heydra was named RSEQ rookie of the year, tallying 26 points to help her team capture their third national championship. After such a successful rookie campaign, Clement-Heydra only got better, ultimately cementing herself as one of the most talented players in Martlet history. She spent all four seasons top-three on the RSEQ points leaderboard and was twice named a first-team conference all-star. To top off her illustrious McGill career, Clement-Heydra was awarded the Brodrick Trophy (Canadian Interuniversity Sport female hockey player of the year) in her senior year after leading the Martlets to her second national championship.

Clement-Heydra is no stranger to success, and her many accomplishments at the university level set her up to transition smoothly into the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) in 2015. The CWHL has been around since 2007, and Clement-Heydra was drafted in the league’s ninth season by Les Canadiennes de Montréal. She sat down with The McGill Tribune to discuss her path to the pros.

“McGill prepared me well for the [CWHL],” Clement-Heydra said. “[At McGill], we played a quick game, which was quite structured, and that was a style that was needed in the league.  [As a Canadienne], you are playing against women now, who are much stronger, who skate faster and move the puck quicker. It does feel you have to start again. You’re like a baby, but playing at McGill helped a lot.”

In Clement-Heydra’s first year, the Canadiennes franchise went through a rebranding process that included affiliation with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, who now provide resources and marketing support to Les Canadiennes. Furthermore, they adopted the Habs’ classic branding, which helped to popularize the women’s game in Montreal.

“I think in the past three years in Montreal the [women’s] game has grown,” Clement-Heydra said. “The deal with the Habs helped a lot.”

She highlighted the importance of encouraging girls’ involvement in hockey and similar sports from an early age, in order to foster interest throughout their lives.

“Ringette is still [a big sport] in Montreal and getting girls to play hockey [and similar sports] will help grow the game,” Clement-Heydra said. “I think a lot more girls feel welcome to the play and see that they can go places playing hockey.”

The CWHL has also come a long way in 10 years in terms of paying players, attracting top talent, and expanding as far as China with two inclusion of the HC Kunlun Red Star and the Vanke Rays.

“The league has more parity than it ever has had,” Clement-Heydra said. “The expansion of the league has helped attract higher-end talent.”

Even after winning a Clarkson cup—the trophy awarded to the CWHL champions every year—this past season with the Canadiennes, she still appreciates her time at McGill.

“The first year at McGill was a dream come true, winning a championship all without losing a game that year,” Clement-Hydra said. “We had a veteran team with Olympians […. But] winning a championship in my fourth year was very rewarding, especially by winning in double OT. It made it better that we lost in the RSEQ finals that year and still came back [to win nationals]. We really earned it that year.”

Clement-Heydra has played with many great players over the years, but four specific teammates have stuck out to her over her career.

“I [have] loved playing with Charline Labonte and Ann-Sophie Bettez who both play on the Canadiennes with me after playing together at McGill,” Clement-Heydra said. “Also Cathy Chartrand, who is on the Canadiennes, and Gabrielle Davidson, who I played with on the Martlets.”

Alongside this contingent of prestigious Martlet hockey alumni, Clement-Heydra has continued to impress in the CWHL. At such a formative point in the league’s short history, she is hopeful that the CWHL will continue to drive development of women’s hockey.

“I don’t doubt that the women’s game will continue to grow, especially with all the success we have had internationally,” Clement-Heydra said. “People take notice and that will only lead to better things for women’s hockey.”

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