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Features

Making an icon

by Marie Labrosse on

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Most know Leonard Cohen as the first vocalist of the iconic “Hallelujah.” Others may know him as a poet, a musician, a novelist, or a songwriter. Some may even know him as a painter. And that’s exactly how he would have wanted it. He is a jack-of-all-trades, who deftly evades any labels we may try to ascribe to him, preferring instead to lurk in the shadows of changeability with a fickle smirk.

Leonard Cohen’s artistic career was prolific, to say the least. This in itself makes it difficult to attribute any strict epithet to him or his work. Over the course of his life, Cohen published 12 books—10 poetry collections as well as two novels, ///Beautiful Losers/// and ///The Favorite Game///. The publishing house McClelland & Stewart also plans to bring out a final posthumous anthology, ///The Flame///, in October 2018. Completed in the last months of Cohen’s life, the collection will be made up of previously unpublished poetry, notebook excerpts, and illustrations by Cohen himself. Writing was Cohen’s initial calling and he only turned to music later in life: He released his first album, ///Songs of Leonard Cohen/// (1967), at age 33. He had already enjoyed some degree of public acclaim for his four published poetry collections and his first novel. Between 1967 and 2016 he then released 25 albums, and collaborated on tracks with other accomplished artists such as Herbie Hancock and Bob Dylan. Cohen passed away in November 2016.

Student Life

Conscious clothing: Ethical fashion in Montreal

by Leyla Moy on

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Many students know about Nike’s use of sweatshop labour, but when it comes to the brands they love, the desire to buy comfortable, trendy athletic wear tends to trump the desire to shop with a guilt-free conscience. Consumers share a sense of collective denial of their influence on the deeply flawed world of fashion, believing that they, as individuals, cannot change the larger system, and thus changing their shopping behaviour will have little effect.

Teen Vogue reported in July that fast-fashion brands, such as Zara, H&M, and ASOS, sourced materials from factories that were polluting local waterways and emitting noxious gases in their production of viscose, a silk lookalike that is cheaper to produce. The quickly-changing tides of consumer taste in fast fashion have led to an irresponsible consumption culture; trends fade too fast for brands to keep up while sourcing sustainably and employing fair labour practices.

“When most people shop, […] they don’t really reflect on what they buy,” Marine Trouillez, U1 Management and fashion devotee, said. “Fashion changes so quickly that it’s just thrown away.”

To alleviate their contributions to the issue, mass-market labels are quick to jump on what has become a trendy ethical bandwagon. H&M now places garment collection boxes in stores for a ‘take-back’ recycling program and releases a recycled denim collection annually.

Yet, despite the troubling influence of fast fashion, there is promise for change in Montreal’s local-clothing scene. Montreal-native Genevieve Paquette founded Kazak, an ethical clothing and accessory line, after a trip to Mongolia. The project quickly evolved into Les Coureurs de Jupons, a storefront that showcases 110 local designers. Paquette uses material from couch companies that would otherwise be thrown away and produces her designs locally, reducing emissions from transportation. For Paquette, a local focus is key for both the brand’s sustainability and its heart.

“[I] relate to the people in my store and my neighbourhood,” Paquette said. “I know them, and that keeps me […] grounded to the people around me, grounded to my customers.”

This personal connection between designer and customer contrasts the impersonality of global mass-market brands lining Sainte-Catherine street. In Paquette’s eyes, connecting her brand to her customers was crucial to opening up a dialogue. In understanding materials, production, and inspiration, shoppers learn the story behind their clothes.

OÖM is another Montreal-based clothing store that focuses on its environmental footprint; it places a focus on sustainable textiles, such as organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, and flax.

Larger brands founded on the principles of sustainability and ethical production have also emerged worldwide. Everlane and Reformation bring simplicity and slickness to a predominantly-online consumer base while providing the total cost of production and environmental impact—including pounds of waste, gallons of water, and CO2 emission levels—of every item on sale.

The cost of purchasing new ethically-sourced and fair-trade clothes can stretch a student’s budget. But it’s still possible to subvert the fast-fashion buying cycle; Montreal is home to several stores that are kind to students’ wallets and consciences. Perusing the city’s many thrift shops is one way to add high-quality used pieces to a wardrobe while staying budget-conscious. Another option is simply cutting down on consumption and assembling a workable capsule wardrobe of a small number of versatile essentials to mix and match for any situation.

“Since I became more aware of fast fashion [and its downsides], I’ve definitely shopped less,” Chelsea Jang, U0 Arts, said.  “When I do buy something, 99 per cent of the time it’s something I love wearing and […] am proud to wear.”

Interrupting the vicious cycle of cheap production and high turnover can change consumers’ mindsets around clothes as well. Students have the power to combat the idea that clothing is disposable; whether that means capping consumption, recycling used pieces, or supporting more responsible brands, valuing where clothes come from will go a long way.

Editorial, Opinion

Fall 2017 SSMU Referendum Endorsements

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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Motion Regarding Sustainability Projects Fund Fee Referendum Question: “Yes”

The Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF) is an open fund that students can apply to to finance community projects and environmentally friendly ideas, thereby promoting sustainable initiatives across campus. Some projects sponsored by the SPF currently are The Plate Club, Rez Life, the McGill Farmers’ Market, and Community Engagement Day. This motion does not change the nature of the SPF on campus, rather, it is an increase in fees from $0.53 to $0.55 per credit. This increase incorporates the estimated inflation for the the next five years, until the fee is brought up again in 2023. The SPF was founded in 2009 by the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU), the Macdonald Campus Students’ Society (MCSS), and the Post-Graduate Students’ Society (PGSS), in collaboration with the McGill administration. McGill matches every student contribution. In sum, this motion promotes the continuation of sustainable community building, empowers students to take initiative on this front, and facilitates student participation and leadership.

Motion Regarding First Year Council Fee Referendum Question: “Yes”

First Year Council (FYC) is an elected SSMU body that represents and organizes social events for all first-year students, regardless of academic program, residence, or age. It aims to ease students’ transition into university and consolidates relations across all first-year organizations on campus. This fee will support the Council’s activities and events, and was first approved in Winter 2014. FYC has encountered some difficulties in the past: It failed its service review in 2016, for not meeting the requirements of a “Service,” and needing stronger “Executive-level” support. However, now under the portfolio of the Vice-President (VP) Internal, the Council is broadening its scope to cater to more underrepresented groups—such as off-campus students and varsity athletes. According to current Vice-President (VP) Internal Maya Koparkar, it is also planning on conducting sustainability initiatives. While the $0.50 fee is opt-outable, the FYC provides new students an opportunity to get involved in the McGill community and engage with fellow students.

Motion Regarding Peer Support Centre Fee Referendum Question: “Yes”

The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a SSMU student service that provides one-on-one support for a range of student needs, from general support and listening services to suggesting appropriate resources. This motion would create an opt-outable fee of $0.62 for a designated fund for the PSC, charged to all SSMU members from Fall 2017 until renewal in Winter 2021. As McGill’s pattern of deprioritizing mental health issues bleeds into another school year, the PSC strives to address the waitlists and gaps in the administration’s services. The PSC is run entirely by student volunteers, who commit to hours of rigorous training to prepare themselves to help anyone who walks through their doors. Unlike McGill Counselling Services, the PSC is available on a walk-in basis, or by appointment. Located in room 411 in the University Centre, the PSC offers a reliable, accessible support system for students in need. A sustainable source of funding would provide it needed security.

Motion Regarding Renewal of the SSMU Ambassador Fee: “Yes”

The SSMU Ambassador Fund, established in 2010, subsidizes McGill student clubs and services to attend academic competitions and conferences in Canada and abroad. Through SSMU’s Funding Committee, student clubs and services can consult SSMU to plan and receive funding for cost-effective trips that help further their education. One of the most applied for of SSMU’s funds, the Ambassador Fund has subsidized a diversity of projects, including the Chemical Engineering Student’s Society (ChESS) Council’s trip to the Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference in Quebec City, the McGill Muggle Quidditch Club attendance at the Canadian Eastern Regional Quidditch Championship in Mississauga, and the McGill Formula Electric’s presentations at local CEGEPS. Without a renewal of the fund’s opt-outable fee of $2 per student per semester, many clubs and affiliated organizations would be unable to send their members on such trips, and students would lose valuable opportunities to interact with peers and professionals outside of McGill.

Motion Regarding the Proposed Bike Centre Facility: “Yes”

The proposed bike centre facility is a jointly-funded effort between SSMU, McGill University, and the SPF, with $800,000 coming each from the former two and $300,000 from the latter. In a 2016 plebiscite, 83 per cent of undergraduate students indicated strong support for this project. SSMU’s portion of the funding will be withdrawn by McGill from the existing Internally Restricted Endowment Fund (IREF); therefore, it does not come out of SSMU’s operating budget and students are not paying for this facility. The bike centre is an ideal use for this fund, as the IREF has numerous restrictions placed on it, making it difficult to access. For example, funds must be spent on improvements to the University Centre, and cannot be used for profit generation. A significant portion of the seemingly hefty cost to this project goes towards renovating the parking garage underneath the SSMU building that is currently vacant. This renovation will repurpose the space to house parking for 350 bikes, shower facilities, a new space for The Flat Bike Collective, and additional space for SSMU clubs and operations. This project is much more than just an additional 350 bike parking spots: It represents a symbolic commitment by McGill and SSMU to sustainable and active transportation, it makes it easier for cyclists to bike to school throughout the year, and it will benefit students by upgrading a currently unused space.

McGill, News

SUS talks upcoming events and constitutional change for FUSS

by Caitlyn Atkinson on

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The Science Undergraduate Society (SUS) held its bi-weekly General Council meeting on Nov. 1 to discuss upcoming social events, student mental health, and a motion to approve changes to the Freshman Undergraduate Science Society’s (FUSS) electoral by-laws.

 

Gert's Event Night promotes community bonding and a possible science bar

Following a brief question and announcement period, Vice-President (VP) Academic Ellie Joung reported on academic events taking place over the next few weeks. VP Internal Soud Kharusi focused his report on upcoming social events. The Society's first social event night, titled Kill the Keg, will take place on Nov. 7 at Gert's. In addition to giving students in the faculty an opportunity to socialize, Kharusi feels the event will serve as a measure to gauge student interest in opening a science bar, similar to those of other faculties, such as Bar des Arts and Blues Pub. 

“We’ll see how [Kill the Keg] goes,” Kharusi said. “It’s kind of a trial run to see how a science bar would actually turn out. Based on this event and the next couple of weeks, we’ll decide whether or not to move forward with the project.”

The SUS also plans to host a wine and cheese event on Nov. 16 to introduce themselves to first-year students.

VP External Michelle Guo reported that the SUS Environment Committee’s (SUSEC) first vegan baking workshop, held on Oct. 27, was successful. She also discussed SUS Charity month, which began on Oct. 31 and will run until the end of November. The committee plans to raise money for the Children’s Wish Foundation throughout the month with samosa sales; other committees were also invited to propose fundraising ideas, but only samosa sales have been planned thus far.

 

SUS survey on student mental health

Guo also updated Council on the SUS survey on student mental health. The survey was released on Oct. 29, but has since been taken down at the request of Dean of Science Bruce Lennox , who asked to review and approve it for re-posting. When announcing the survey’s removal, Guo emphasized the SUS’s commitment to student wellness.

“It’s very important for [Lennox], and also the students to know that we genuinely care about their wellness,” Guo said. “And if that’s not on board with [Lennox…] that shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll go forward with [the survey, regardless].”

 

Motion to approve changes made to FUSS constitution passes

Council addressed VP Communications Reem Mandil’s proposed motion for changes to the FUSS constitution. The motion’s primary objective is to officially replace “Freshman” with the term “First Year” to be equally inclusive to U1 and U0 students in their first year at McGill.

The motion also sought to eliminate the election of first-year students to Council, and rather have the Council select candidate for the executive positions of FUSS from a pool of applicants that includes both U0 and U1 students. Previously, only U0 students were hired by the FUSS. Mandil cited low candidacy interest, minimal electoral participation, and the need to ensure the qualifications of candidates as reasons to forego the elections, without resistance from the Council.

The motion also suggests removing bylaw 2.4 of the SUS Constitution, which states the Presidential candidates need a minimum of 30 constituent signatures, and those running for other executive positions need 25. Without an election, the bylaw would therefore be unnecessary.

The Constitutional Affairs Committee (CAC) approved all proposed changes after they were reported in the previous Council meeting. Following the question period, SUS President Jasmine Leung expressed her support for removing the electoral process and thus the motion itself.

“[Mandil] has had a lot of experience with the actual electoral process of FUSS and how much effort goes into that election and how little is actually gained from having it.” Leung said. “The amount of people that come out to put themselves out there to be elected is never the same amount of positions that are available.”

With all votes in favour and two abstentions, the motion to alter the official title of FUSS and its constitution passed.

SUS Council will next meet on Nov. 15.

 
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that SUS consulted Dean of Students Chris Buddle about its survey on mental health. In fact, SUS consulted Dean of Science Bruce Lennox. The Tribune regrets this error.
Science & Technology

Printing in 3D: Easy as 1-2-3

by Oceane Marescal on

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For many, 3D printing seems futuristic and inaccessible. However, in reality 3D printing is easy, available, and relatively cheap. Those looking to get involved need look no further than right here at McGill.  

Christophe Paganon is one of four board members of the McGill 3D Printing Design Team (M3DP) and has been involved with “everything 3D printing” at McGill for the past two years. He explained the different aspects of his club, as well as how McGill students can get started in the growing and exciting field of 3D printing.   

The first responsibility of the M3DP Design Team is competition. According to Paganon, members of the team compete in online 3D modelling challenges where they create  computer aided design (CAD) for various objects, which can range from jewelry to GoPro mounts.

The innovation lab—a mix of open projects and student initiatives—is the club’s second area of interest.

“This [lab] is [for] more open projects,” Paganon said. “[If] a student has an innovative initiative, something they want to build [using] 3D printing, we facilitate this. We have four or five projects this year. We are making a prosthetic hand for a student at McGill. That’s the project I am working on.”

The club also hopes to make 3D printing more sustainable by using recycled plastic bottles to make 3D printer filament, the material used for printing.

The club has also partnered with the Redpath Museum for the past three years to scan artifacts from the museum. The scans are then used to make a digital museum where you can view models of fossils, rotate them, and look into them. The project is still in the works, but the club hopes the digital museum will be accessible online sometime in the near future.

For students who want to try their hand at 3D printing, there are plenty of resources at McGill to get started. The first thing to learn is how to use CAD software. CAD software creates a 3D model, which can then be used by the printer to create the object of interest. M3DP offers CAD training classes—starting at the beginning of next semester.

Once students familiarize themselves with CAD, 3D printing at McGill is actually quite accessible.

“It’s crazy how available 3D printing is at McGill and people don’t actually know about it,” Paganon said.

McGill students and faculty have access to 3D printers and scanners in the McLennan Library Research Commons, Room B. Users need only complete a short training session, create an account, and reserve a time prior to printing.

Chantal Petgrave, a 3D printing peer tutor, described the training sessions and gave some words of reassurance for beginners. Tutors guide inexperienced students through useful tutorial websites, among other tools.

“[We] explain how to book [printers] and how to use our software in order to ready the designs for printing […] as well as how to pay for prints and what to do in case a print fails,” Petgrave said. “[Beginners] do not have to worry because we have 3D printing peer tutors who are here to help.”

Another easy way to get involved is through The Cube, McGill’s largest operating 3D printing service run by the Engineering Undergraduate Society. Anna Henley, manager of this service, claims that The Cube differs from other 3D printing options on campus because of its quality customer service.

“Our techs are quite experienced, and we provide a bunch of ways for students who are inexperienced and unsure about a design to seek advice,” Henley said.

The Cube helps prepare users who don’t know how to use CAD software with a mentor to help make their ideas a reality.

Henley has seen a variety of “cool prints” at The Cube since its foundation in 2015. These prints include anatomical models of hearts that can be taken apart into sections, and a model of a brain for which the model was constructed from an actual patient scan. Right now, The Cube is working on printing keychains for various student groups.

Whether it be a prosthetic hand or a heart replica, the possibilities for 3D models are endless. All one has to do is get involved, get excited, and get printing!

Editorial, Opinion

If SSMU Council won’t stand up for campus press, students must

by McGill Tribune Editorial Board on

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For some, campus publications have become proxies for different opinions on recent Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) controversies, most notably the Oct. 22 SSMU General Assembly and divisions within the executive.

The Nov. 2 SSMU Legislative Council meeting saw a surreal turn of events in this trend, when the Council failed to pass a motion endorsing a “yes” vote to the Daily Publications Society’s (DPS) upcoming existence referendum. The DPS funds the publication of student newspapers Le Délit and The McGill Daily. Held every five years, the referendum asks students to fund the DPS through a non-opt-outable fee. For undergraduate students, this is $6 per student per semester. During the Jan. 2013 referendum, Council endorsed the DPS’ existence near unanimously.

Regardless of current views on SSMU, the Council’s failure to endorse the DPS’ existence is shameful. It is a failure to endorse a diversity of independent publications—and, by extension, a critical, balanced, and representative campus press, an essential tenet of SSMU’s democratic legitimacy.

Council members who voted against the motion, including SSMU President Muna Tojiboeva, argued that it would seem like an endorsement of The McGill Daily specifically, and the paper’s current editorial stances—in particular, in support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Others claimed that they did not want to influence how their constituents should vote. Moreover, councillors took issue with backing a fee that requires all students to support the paper, including those who disagree with the political views it publishes.

However, that is precisely the point of any non-opt-outable student fee—that its recipient’s purpose is of significant value to the student body as a whole, even if individual students disagree with it or do not directly make use of it. As members of SSMU, all undergraduate students pay fees that support clubs and services across campus—and across political lines, from Socialist Fightback to Conservative McGill—because SSMU and students recognize that it is valuable to have a diversity of voices on campus. Likewise, and as council members who focused solely on the Daily’s commentary section failed to recognize, the DPS is vital to all students because it maintains an independent and varied campus press.

DPS publications are essential to McGill’s media ecosystem. They comprise two of the three independent student newspaper on campus. Each paper’s respective commentary and news sections balance the others, even when they align, but especially when they conflict. In the Daily’s case, it has served that ecosystem for over 100 years. Over that time, editorial lines have changed with each respective editorial board. If students or student leaders feel that the Daily is unrepresentative of their political views—or even exclusionary of them—they should absolutely correct the record, either through their own commentary, a letter to the editor, or at the paper’s Annual General Meeting.

 

When divisive politics warp public conversations, on campus or off, maintaining a free and diverse press is more vital than ever.

But if the DPS’ upcoming existence referendum fails to pass, both Le Délit and The McGill Daily will cease to exist. Crucially, the former is the school’s only Francophone news publication. Council members who voted against the motion to advance grievances with the Daily’s editorial stances were willing to treat Le Délit—and all of the French-speaking students that it serves—as collateral damage. These members’ main arguments against the Daily concerned inclusive representation of an entire student body in campus press—the hypocrisy is stunning.

Further, the value of any paper is far more than its editorial slant. The DPS publications cover arts and culture, sports, and technology, all through a student lens. Moreover, in the absence of a McGill journalism program, the DPS plays an essential educational role. For McGill students interested in journalism, Le Délit and The McGill Daily provide opportunities to cultivate invaluable skills and experience.

Fundamentally, both papers share and execute a chief responsibility of the student press: To hold SSMU governing bodies accountable. Last Winter semester, the Daily broke the story on sexual assault and sexual violence allegations against former vice-president external David Aird. The exposure culminated in Aird resigning, as well as former president Ben Ger stepping down amid allegations of gendered violence. It also renewed a vital conversation about gaps in campus sexual assault policy, at the SSMU and administrative levels. The Daily held SSMU accountable in a situation where SSMU was failing. That is what our newspapers exist to do, and no single campus publication can do it alone. A vote against the DPS is a vote to cut off two major sources of democratic accountability.

At the meeting, a councillor concerned about SSMU endorsing the Daily cited the current political climate on campus. They had it backwards. When divisive politics warp public conversations, on campus or off, maintaining a free and diverse press is more vital than ever. Voting on the DPS existence referendum opens Nov. 13. On Nov. 2, SSMU Council failed to see the necessity of a varied, independent campus press. It’s up to students to correct that.

 

News, SSMU

Open letter to SSMU executives denounces Fall 2017 General Assembly

by Jackie Yao on

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On Oct. 27, former Student’s Society of McGill University (SSMU) engineering senator Alexander Dow, U3 Engineering, submitted an open letter to the McGill administration in response to the Oct. 23 SSMU General Assembly (GA). The petition, which expresses SSMU members’ dissatisfaction with the GA’s failure to represent the greater student population, received a total of 468 signatures. Tre Mansdoerfer, U3 Engineering, also contributed to writing the letter.

The petition calls for the 100-student quorum currently constitutionally required for SSMU GAs to be raised substantially. Despite the fact that 100 students is less than 0.5 per cent of the undergraduate student population, the GA rarely reaches quorum unless controversial topics are on the agenda. In response to the letter, the SSMU Board of Directors (BoD) voted on Oct. 29 to add a question of raising quorum to 350. Referendum questions are typically approved via motion by the SSMU Legislative Council or through a vote at the GA.  

The first concern that the letter addresses is the allegations of rising anti-Semitism and  disrespect for ideological differences on campus, especially in light of Noah Lew’s failure to be ratified as a member of the BoD. Dow believes polarization within SSMU has caused tension among the student body.

“What we ideally want is [for SSMU] to remain a place where we can respect student opinions,” Dow said. “Universities are where we share and exchange ideas, not cut out ones that we don’t believe.”

According to the second section of the letter, the goal of raising quorum is to prevent any vocal minority from unilaterally controlling and undermining democracy in GA votes in the future. If quorum is not reached, the GA becomes a consultative forum, which cannot pass resolutions. However, the minutes from the forum can be attached to SSMU’s online referenda, which have higher voter turnouts.

In 2012, SSMU amended its constitution so that all resolutions passed at the GA must later be sent to an online vote for ratification. Given that many students are unable to attend GAs, the open letter calls for the Oct. 23 GA motions to be online referenda questions and for the GA to be a consultative forum.

To SSMU Vice-President Student Life Jemark Earle, the nomination of all 10 directors, including those who failed to secure a seat at the BoD, should be included in an online vote.

“To elect directors to SSMU, we need a greater percentage [of students] to weigh in on this matter,” Earle said. “I think that all [nominations] should go to referendum.”

The number of signatures on the petition, which exceeds the number of students who were present at the fall GA, demonstrates many students’ distaste for how important governance decisions are made. Earle says he commends the initiative of the letter and hopes to see the outlined concerns pushed toward resolution.

“I love when discussion happens,” Earle said. “As an executive, I think it’s well within my mandate to […] represent all opinions on campus. I think that the [disapprovals] outlined in the open letter to SSMU executives were all valid [points].”

For Annalise Patzer, U0 Nursing, the open letter holds SSMU accountable for hostility she’s seen on campus.

“Considering [how anti-Semitism] is happening at a level that is supposed to be the student representation for our university, [my Jewish friends] were concerned about how they are supposed to navigate university,” Patzer wrote to The McGill Tribune. “I just think the open letter is calling McGill and SSMU to take responsibility for this negative culture and image and harm they have created on campus.”

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the petition called for quorum to be raised to 350. In fact, the petition only calls for the quorum to be raised substantially while the motion to the Board of Directors calls for the quorum to be raised to 350. The Tribune regrets this error.

Hockey, Sports

From the cheap seats: Laval Rocket firing on all cylinders

by Owen Gibbs on

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Like millions of other Canadians, my perfect Saturday evening consists of sitting down in front of the TV and watching Hockey Night in Canada. When I decided to attend McGill, I was excited to move to the home of the oldest and most legendary hockey team in history: The Montreal Canadiens. For many, there is no greater Montreal experience than to witness a match in person. Unfortunately, however, the Canadiens have some of the highest ticket prices in professional hockey. A back-row seat plus food and drinks at a game against a good team can cost upward of $100, which is completely unaffordable on a student budget.

Enter the Laval Rocket. The Rocket are the Canadiens’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, playing in the minor leagues, one tier below the National Hockey League (NHL). This is the Rocket’s first season in Laval, since moving from St. John’s. The team serves as a place for Habs prospects, like Nikita Scherbak, to develop their skills, and for veterans to continue playing once they are no longer fit for the NHL. Last week, I ventured out to Laval and took in a match against the Toronto Marlies.

The AHL lacks star power, so game attendance was understandably low. However, this is Montreal, so the fans who did attend were passionate and enthusiastic. They gave the arena an electric rhythm, making the game even more exciting. Even though the Rocket lost 3-0, the fans continued to cheer long after it became clear that Laval was not going to win. At many sports games, the experience is only as good as the fans—their level of enthusiasm can make or break a game. In this case, the exuberant fans certainly made the trek worthwhile.

As for the in-arena experience, Laval has done well to create a home for the newly-relocated team. La Place Bell was built for the Rocket just prior to this season, so all facilities are brand-new and in top condition. Everything was clean, and seats were inviting and comfortable. A number of concession stands in the lobby served a wide range of food and drinks—including poutine, sushi, and ice cream—all at strangely reasonable prices. Sporting events are notorious for charging exorbitant amounts for concession fare, but the prices at La Place Bell were akin to those at a standard inexpensive restaurant.

There are only a few flaws with the arena: The sparsely decorated lobby and exterior give little indication that the arena houses the Laval Rocket. There is also only one entrance to the arena, which makes finding seats on the opposite side inconvenient. Additionally, the arena is not heated, so spectators would be wise to bring a warm jacket.

Still, Laval Rocket games are very accessible to university students. My seat was just three rows behind the Rocket bench and situated near centre ice. While this kind of seat at a Habs game would cost hundreds of dollars, I paid less than $50. All seats at La Place Bell are a reasonable distance from the ice and can be priced as low as $25. Furthermore, the arena is right next to the Montmorency metro station at the end of the Orange Line that runs through Downtown Montreal, easing transportation to Rocket games—in fact, transit from McGill campus took only 45 minutes.

Overall, the Laval Rocket serve as a perfectly good entertainment alternative to the Montreal Canadiens, and they are accessible for fans of all levels. Hockey is the most Canadian of sports, but you don’t need to slash your grocery budget to see the pros—just hop on the Métro.

Student Life

TEDxMontrealWomen built bridges and broke barriers with this year’s feminist speakers

by Emma Carr on

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On Nov. 5, Théâtre Saint-Denis hosted the fourth annual TEDxMontrealWomen conference, to bring together feminist minds. Since 2013, the independent, volunteer-led conference has presented innovative solutions for emerging social, political, and scientific problems to Montrealers. Predominantly organized by women, the event provides a platform for the work of emerging feminist thinkers. This year’s conference featured 18 speakers, including doctors, musicians, and activists. Presentations ranged from musical inspiration to indigenous rights, with the theme of ‘bridges’ linking them all together.

Each speaker’s unique interpretation of ‘bridges’ was shaped by their work and individual experiences. The focus primarily stayed on physical and metaphorical links currently shaping society at global and local levels. The program noted that building bridges is important because they can provide connections across people of different races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Saima Shah, a clinical hypnotherapist and expert on the workings of the subconscious mind, spoke about challenging one’s limits. She prompted the audience to understand their subconscious by addressing their fears and anxieties.

“[I was attracted to participating in the conference] because of the theme, ‘bridges,’” Shah said in an interview with The McGill Tribune. “Bridges to the conscious mind [and] the subconscious mind [….] Connecting to ourselves helps us to connect to the rest of the world as well. I was very intrigued by the theme, and I thought it was perfect.”

Rachel Kiddell-Monroe, a human rights activist, presented on civil society’s role in determining a nation’s prosperity and conflict levels. For her, the TEDxMontrealWomen conference highlights the unique perspective women bring to global conversations. She was drawn to the event for this reason.

“Women have a very particular message to give, and a very particular approach to trying to reach out to people,” Kiddell-Monroe said in an interview with the Tribune. “I think that the attitude that we have as women and the talent, and the voice that we can bring into this is going to be very important, so it’s really great that this is a forum for that voice to be heard.”

Kiddell-Monroe explained that by featuring femme speakers, the conference and its organizers are able to inspire those passionate about helping others to become activists. In her talk, she shared her experience working with marginalized groups in Indonesia and Rwanda, and encouraged listeners to be more inclusive toward others.

“[Empathy] really has an impact on people’s lives,” Kiddell-Monroe told the Tribune. “The ripples of those acts can really affect policy and how people are thinking, and it creates a shift in society. I want to use my first-hand experience and try to get that message out to make people feel that there is more than they [can] do.”

Other speakers, such as Carol Devine, an environmental activist and McGill alumna, addressed the need to understand the ties between human activity and its direct consequences on the environment. Devine spoke about her research in Antarctica, which influenced her to consider the environmental impact of plastic pollution on endangered ecosystems.

“I’m talking about marine debris,” Devine said in an interview with the Tribune. “[I became interested in [this area of study] when I led this clean-up expedition in Antarctica, and there was a lot of land pollution, and that was 20 years ago. Our understanding about how our world interweave is growing and growing, and [it’s becoming increasingly clear] we need to get a grip on our fossil fuel consumption.”

Even though presenters interpreted the theme in a variety of ways, the takeaway of the conference was that ‘bridges’ are powerful tools for understanding the world around us and tackling the problems faced by younger generations.

“[With] fences people suffer more than ever, so we need bridges, physical bridges and metaphorical bridges between peoples,” Devine said. “We are more similar than we think and what’s different is not going to kill us.”

Opinion

RE: The Oct. 23 General Assembly

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Editor's note: After the Students' Society of McGill University (SSMU) Fall 2017 General Assembly (GA), and subsequent controversy on campus, the Tribune is accepting letters representing students’ current views on SSMU. Click on any of the titles below to read current submissions. If you would like to join the conversation please send a 600-word letter to [email protected]. If you would like to join in on the conversation for any of the other motions being debated at the GA, we welcome your opinions as well.

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