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News

Engineering students to develop solar-powered drone

by Holly Cabrera on

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For their required MECH 463D1 Design 3 Mechanical Engineering Project course, four U3 Mechanical Engineering students aspire to build a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will exceed the continuous flight time of agriculture UAVs currently on the market.

A Design 3 course, commonly referred to as a “capstone project,” spans two semesters and requires students in their final year to develop a mechanical device from start to completion. In the past, students have created off-road vehicles, bridges, and concrete canoes for their Design 3 capstone projects.

Callaghan Wilmott, Elie Bou-Gharios, Matthew Morgan, and Adam Targui intend to create an autonomous solar-powered drone to detect changes in water density and crop stress on farms and, as a result, further the use of artificial intelligence technology in agriculture.  

The students will collaborate with three other teams of undergraduates from the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department to create the UAV. Assistant Professor Jovan Nedic (Mechanical Engineering), Associate Professor Brett Meyer (ECE), and Associate Professor Margaret Kalacska (Geography) will supervise the drone’s development.

“There are lots of questions that farmers would like to have answered but they either don’t have the technical expertise or the human resources to go and do this,” Meyer said. “So, this particular drone project would allow a farmer to […] keep better track of what’s happening with their crops [….] and ideally, [farmers] can do this all without needing to build their own drones or contract with people.”

While designing a project is a requirement of the McGill Engineering curriculum, the team insists that participating in the drone’s creation will not be exclusive to students in the Faculty of Engineering. In fact, Wilmott encourages non-engineering students to join the solar-powered UAV project in hopes of diversifying the skill set of their team as a whole. 

“We are dominated by engineering students […] and we do need skills that non-engineers can provide,” Wilmott said. “Creative skills like [web design], admittedly, we lack quite a bit [….] That’s one thing that we really need as a business. So, there are definitely opportunities for non-engineering students to get involved and we would definitely like to see that kind of involvement.” 

Beyond seeing out the planning and design for the drone, the team is also responsible for financing the project. To garner sponsorships, the team’s business lead Alexander Gobran, U2 Arts, focused on companies in the energy sector. Early sponsors for the drone include The McGill Institute for Aerospace Engineering, EDF Énergie Nouvelles, Canadian Solar, and Leclanché. According to Gobran, the drone’s selling point is its potential flight efficiency. 

“Right now a typical UAV used for land surveying must come down every 45 minutes to one hour to recharge or switch battery, which costs money and time,” Gobran wrote in an email to The McGill Tribune. “Our goal is to use solar energy to have our UAV fly for 10 hours which would provide great time and money savings. [….] It is also beneficial that UAV and solar technologies are at the forefront of modern innovation.”

Though the project is set to finish at the end of the Winter 2018 semester, the team hopes for the drone project to continue extracurricularly beyond that point. As Co-Directors of AERO McGill, a recognized Engineering Undergraduate Society design team, Wilmott and Targui aspire for the project to become a multi-year extracurricular enterprise that future students can continue to improve upon. 

“AERO has accepted to undertake the challenge of creating a solar-powered unmanned aerial system and has created a special projects division for that purpose,” Targui wrote in an email to the Tribune . “This project stemmed from our belief that it is important to push the boundaries of aviation.”

Student Life, The Tribune Tries

The Tribune Tastes: Cannoli

by Calvin Trottier-Chi on

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With school starting again, the sweet taste of summer is becoming a distant memory. To wrap up August, Montreal’s annual Italian Week showed residents of Little Italy and beyond how important good, home-cooked treats can be. Because cannoli took center stage at this year’s festivities, The McGill Tribune rolled out the dough to see if they could do these artisan pastries justice.

[one_third]

Ingredients

  • For the dough:
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons softened/melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 and ½ cup white wine
  • For the Filling:
  • 4 cups ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • For the Shells:
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 5 tablespoons shortening
  • 5-10 small metal tubes (you can get these at Dante’s Cooking Supply Store, or you can buy a tube of metal at a hardware store and cut it into three or four-inch length small tubes–just make sure the metal you buy is safe for cooking in hot oil)

[/one_third]

Directions

Part 1: Dough
1. Thoroughly mix the flour, sugar, salt, butter, and eggs in a large bowl.
2. As you mix the dough, stir in ½ cup of wine in small splashes.
3. Form the dough into a ball with your hands, gradually adding the remaining 1 cup of wine. Add more wine as needed until the dough sticks together.
4. Let the dough stand for 30 minutes.

Part 2: Filling
1. If the ricotta cheese is watery, drain it with a cheesecloth before prepping the filling.
2. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips, spreading them evenly throughout the filling.
4. Pour in the heavy whipping cream and whip until stiff peaks begin to form. This takes a lot of time and energy to whip by hand; it may be a good idea to use an electric mixer rather than a whisk.
5. Chill the filling in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow it to thicken.

Part 3: Shells
1. Use a rolling pin, or whatever cylindrical object you might have, to roll out the dough on a well-floured cutting board or countertop. As you roll, sprinkle flour generously whenever the dough feels sticky.
2. Find a cup with a diameter equal to the length of the cannoli tubes you’ll be using. Press the rim of the cup into the rolled dough, making circles.
3. Cut out the circles and set them aside. Clump the remaining dough together again so it can be rolled out again.
4.  Brush the surface of each dough circle with olive oil. Wrap the dough circles around canoli tubes, Making sure the two sides of the circle slightly overlap. Press the sides together to form a seam together.
5. Melt the shortening in a pot at about 170 degrees Celsius or medium-high heat. Allow the shortening to melt into an oily consistency.
6. Using a pair of metal tongs, individually place the shells (still wrapped around the tubes) in the oil. Hold the seam together with the tongs so that the shell does not unfold, and continuously flip the shell until all sides are fried and the entire shell is golden brown. This should take between 30 seconds and one minute.
7. After frying, place the shells on a paper towel with the seam side facing down, to allow the oil to drain off of them. Once the shells have cooled, remove the tubes from inside of them. .
8. Next, put the filling in a Ziploc bag, then cut off a small corner of the bag so you can squeeze it out. Stick your makeshift piping bag into one end of the shell, then gently squeeze the bag, slowly pulling it out as you go, until the filling just barely flares over the edge of the shell. Repeat on the other side.
9. Garnish your cannoli with powdered sugar, chocolate sauce, and whatever else might suit your fancy. When storing, keep them refrigerated, to ensure that the filling does not melt out.

This recipe has been adapted from Food.com.

Commentary, Opinion

Conscious eating: More than just labels

by Grey Gunning on

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What people refer to when they talk about organic food has become a point of contention. Technically, the term “organic” refers to a food item that is grown according to certain Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) standards; culturally, it is more expansive. To some people, going “organic” signifies leading a more ethical lifestyle. To others, it is an example of the financial inaccessibility of eco-friendly consumption. Whatever one’s thoughts are on eating organically, to consider eating as an act of consumption–both economically and physically—is not conducive to an environmentally conscious diet. It alienates the individual from the conditions under which the food was produced. To eat in a way that is environmentally responsible, it is necessary to alter one’s mindset surrounding food.

One must view eating as participation in an ecosystem, rather than a disjointed transaction, and make dietary choices accordingly. This means that there is no blanket fix, such as eating exclusively organic or local produce. Instead, the solution lies in small actions, each one approaching an affirmative answer to the question, “Are my eating choices in harmony with the ecosystem that produces my food?”

Marketplace signifiers such as “organic” might seem to indicate a more ethical choice, but this can be misleading. Organic food, firstly, is financially inaccessible to those who cannot participate in the consumer class. It is also a niche market–a subset of the food industry that only targets a specific population–and therefore does not have the capacity to affect change across all demographics. Eating organic is only one potential component of maintaining a conscientious and informed relationship with food.

To achieve this goal, one must be conscious of the consequences of consumption. For example, every meal has a carbon footprint, and it is the responsibility of the individual to mitigate the unnecessary expenditure of energy. Eating local is the most obvious way to be conscious of this, but other factors also come into play. It is more beneficial to eat seasonal foods or preserved foods than, say, fresh berries in January. The idea of going to the grocery store and purchasing whatever you like, at any time, is dangerous because it necessitates the unnecessary expenditure of energy to make sure that food is available out of season. Out of season food must be shipped hundreds or thousands of miles, wasting fuel. This is the epitome of viewing food as a consumer good, instead of a varied and cyclical subset of the natural environment.

 

To eat in a way that is environmentally responsible, it is necessary to alter one’s mindset surrounding food.

Another element to consider is the scale at which a food item is produced. For example, at its current scale, the beef industry is wasteful and destructive, an active threat to the global ecosystem. The production of four ounces of mass-produced beef creates the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as driving six and a half miles. This does not mean that cattle production as a whole is a horrible thing. Rather, it is the eater’s responsibility is to help shift the food culture from one that is absurdly meat-heavy to one in which meat is consumed more sparingly.

Finally, it is necessary to consider the livelihood of human beings. People too are a part of the biotic community. This is where eating organic produce may actually be of value, as certain pesticides are proven to have a connection with illnesses in farmworkers. Empathy for the people who produce the food one buys is the final link in the chain of compassionate eating.

The goals of a food production company are not always analogous to the goals of the environmentally-conscious eater. Likewise, the words “organic” or “local” do not necessarily indicate the most environmentally-conscious choice. It is only by reframing society’s perspective on food as a consumer good that one can enact legitimate change.

 

 

Grey Gunning is a U3 History major and occasional artist. She enjoys climbing, gardening, and cheesy 80's sci fi.

 

@mcgilltribop | [email protected]

 

 

 

Student Life

McGill 101

on

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Congratulations on starting your journey. While McGill is renowned for its academics and research, it can be extremely daunting to navigate, especially as a new student.

What you'll find below is articles answering some of those questions. The topics range across our sections—News, Opinion, Student Living, Features, Science and Technology, Arts and Entertainment, and Sports—and will help you navigate everything from intramural sports to how to affordably acquire textbooks.

If you like what you see and would like to get involved as a writer, photographer, or illustrator with the Trib, we accept all students—no application or prior experience required. In the mean time, make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and check out our website.

Our first print issue will be on stands across campus starting Sept. 12.

Good luck, 
The McGill Tribune

Basketball, Sports

Wayward Hayward: Loyalty in the modern NBA

by Alec Regino on

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On May 2, just weeks after losing his younger sister in a car accident, point guard Isaiah Thomas put up 53 points and carried the Boston Celtics to a comeback overtime victory against the Washington Wizards. It was an emotional performance and proved to be the highlight of Thomas’ postseason. After rallying to defeat the Wizards in seven games, Thomas’ Celtics were decimated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in five. Just months later, Boston traded Thomas—alongside forward Jae Crowder, center Ante Zizic, and picks—to the Cavaliers for point guard Kyrie Irving.

Though the Thomas-Irving deal was the crowning jewel in a summer full of blockbuster trades, Thomas also played a role in another transaction: Before the Celtics shipped him off, Thomas helped convince forward Gordon Hayward to leave the Utah Jazz in favour of a long-term commitment to the Celtics.

Unsurprisingly, Jazz fans were not happy with the move. Hayward spent his first seven years in the NBA with the Jazz, most of which took place in a rebuilding phase. They made the NBA playoffs just once before their all-star forward bolted for—pun intended—greener pastures. The organization did its best to do everything “the right way,” but after putting its trust in the process for years, the franchise was rewarded only with a single second-round sweep this year before losing its linchpin in free agency.

This story has grown familiar: As a free agent, the local hero leaves and becomes a traitorous villain. Like Hayward, LeBron James once abandoned the Cavaliers and Kevin Durant ditched the Thunder.

While it’s easy to throw out sweeping statements regarding an athlete’s loyalty, the situation is far more complex in reality. Stars are expected to fulfill many unreasonable expectations of success and commitment from fans, ownership, the media, and their teammates, but at the end of the day, monetary profit and team success supercede any supposed obligation. Many star players are forced to decide if they are willing to sacrifice their prime years to play for the middle-of-the-pack team that drafted them; otherwise, they can uproot themselves and hope to land with a legitimate championship contender.

These high-profile defectors are often criticized for their lack of loyalty. Truthfully, they should only be faulted for their sloppy execution. Hayward’s awkward announcement joins LeBron’s comically-miscalculated TV special, “The Decision,” and Durant’s laughable claim that he was taking the “hardest road” by joining a team that went 73-9 without him. In each case, the star had a plan to make his motives understood, but instead came off as ungrateful, delusional, and self-centered.  

LeBron toiled for years in a Cavs organization that never put pieces around him to succeed. In 2010, he left Cleveland to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami on the path to four conference championships and two NBA titles. Precisely one year before Hayward’s decision, Durant walked away from the Oklahoma City Thunder and a front office notorious for cutting costs and letting go of key players. In June, Durant helped the Warriors reclaim the NBA’s crown.

Gordon Hayward played for years without complaints. When presented with the chance to decide for himself, he chose the team that gave him the best chance to succeed.

In contrast, Isaiah Thomas was not given a choice. To the Celtics front office, Thomas was expendable as soon as they had the chance to flip him for a supposedly superior player.

The dynamic between players and owners is woefully unbalanced: The athletes provide the product and still are forced to choose between money, success, and popularity while owners reap the benefits of their work—and act out when they can’t. When players get the opportunity to make decisions for themselves, they should take it. It’s unfair to berate them for making a logical decision on their unique career paths.

Student Life

MyCourses revamped: Five new things you can do

by Audrey Carleton on

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Come the start of each school year, many McGill students feel their blood pressure rise as they open myCourses for the first time, exchanging their summer freedom for new academic goals and bucket lists. But those who took summer courses, worked on research, or neurotically spent the summer checking the site for Fall 2017 course syllabi likely encountered the new layout, quietly launched at dawn on May 29. The new site features a sleek, minimalist user interface that allows professors to customize banner images and toolbars for individual courses. Because navigating the new myCourses may feel daunting at first, The McGill Tribune explored the nooks and crannies of the new site to find its most user-friendly new features.

1. Pin your favorite courses, unpin the unnecessary ones

The most noticeable–and arguably, most noteworthy–change to the new layout of myCourses is its accessibility to the average internet user. While the roster of one’s courses was once plainly listed, it has been replaced by interactive image blocks that are easy on the eyes. Moreover, the default selection of courses that appear on the homepage are those in which one is currently enrolled; students can unpin courses and pin different ones to meet their needs. For example, if a professor leaves their myCourses page empty for the semester, students can unpin the course. In turn, they could then replace that course with an older one they’ve taken in the past, making it easier to access materials like study guides and lecture slides,  down the road. While the “pin” and “unpin” functions were available on the old myCourses, the new homepage layout makes this function more visible and easier to use—it is now simply a matter of hovering over the three dots in the top right corner of each course block and clicking.

2. Access your email and OneDrive with one click

Accessing McGill’s email service once required sifting through link after link. The homepage of the new myCourses now features a single hyperlink that directs to Outlook 365 and OneDrive. Students can now save themselves the extra bookmark and easily access their email while studying. Not only does this make contacting professors easier, but it also saves time, energy, and unnecessary stress. 

3. View your own activity level on a course page—as your professor sees it 

The myCourses update allows professors to view comprehensive reports on each student’s activity on the course page—including clicks on lecture slides and readings, login frequency, and amount of time spent on a course page—and students can now view the same information about themselves. Through the Progress function in the upper-right-hand toolbar, students can now view a write-up of their own myCourses activity for any given course in a similar display that professors receive. For students in courses that mark online participation, or for those looking to make a good impression on their professor, this function is useful for keeping tabs on one’s individual activity level in each class. 

4. Access myCourses more smoothly via mobile phone

There are a multitude of circumstances in which one may need to access myCourses from a phone or tablet: When finding a classroom number at the beginning of the semester, when desperately cramming information from lecture slides on the way to a midterm, or when checking the syllabus for the upcoming readings on the walk home from campus. Using myCourses on mobile once required scrolling through a sea of grey boxes reminiscent of early 2000’s internet browsers. But, the recent myCourses update provides a cleaner, more user-friendly mobile platform that looks identical to the desktop version, which makes the site easier to navigate on-the-go. 

5. Work on a customized home page 

Though each course page once came with a plethora of (often unused) functions—including announcement pages, discussion forums, and online quizzes—the new myCourses layout allows professors to remove any elements of their toolbar that are not necessary for the course, thus decluttering the online workspace. What’s more, professors can now select an icon image to appear with the course listed on the homepage, truly customizing the site for students. All in all, the new control that professors have over their course page ensures that students are working in a space that is geared specifically towards each class and its demands. 

Science & Technology

SciTech 101: Getting involved at McGill

by Oceane Marescal on

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With over 230 clubs at McGill, finding the perfect match may seem like a daunting task. Luckily for the burgeoning scientist or technology buff, there are plenty of opportunities at McGill to foster one’s enthusiasm for research, technology, medicine, and so much more.

 

For the star-struck space cadet: Astro McGill

A student-led organization whose main goal is to make astronomy accessible to the public, Astro McGill provides various opportunities for those interested in astrophysics and astronomy to cultivate their love for space.

Notably, the organization hosts“AstroNights”—public events that include talks given by professional astronomers or McGill professors—followed by night-sky observations using portable telescopes. “AstroNights” occur on the third Thursday of every month, and those interested can attend the next one on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in the McIntyre Medical Building, room 522.

Besides these family-friendly talks, AstroMcGill also hosts “Astronomy on Tap” events, inviting students to grab a beer with professional astronomers. These monthly gatherings at various Montreal bars feature a short astronomy presentation followed by trivia, games, and prizes.

 

For the super-coding feminist: McGill Women in Computer Science

Making up only 27 per cent of the students in their major, women in computer science have to stick together, and McGill’s WiCS club offers a chance to do just that.

Notably, McWiCS hosts a mentorship program they call “CSter,” which pairs incoming first-year women in computer science with older students or PhD mentors. Mentors provide guidance and advice, and are matched based on interests, personality, and goals.

In addition, the club holds introductory workshops exploring applications of computer science in gaming and cryptography, as well as interview preparation for job applications.

Recently, McGill Women in Computer Science ran a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised enough money to send two women to the Grace Hopper Celebration, the largest tech gathering for females in the world.

McWiCS will be hosting a hackathon next semester and is looking for new members to join their team.

 

For the adventure-seeking pilot: McGill Students’ Flying Club

Those dreaming of taking flight need look no further than the McGill Students’ Flying Club. With varying levels of dedication, the club is perfect for everyone: From those seeking a one-time thrill, to those who wish to get their pilot’s license.

The Flying Club’s “Pilot for a Day” events are hosted twice a semester and allow students to soar over Montreal for discounted prices. The next Pilot for a Day will take place at the beginning of October, and those interested should attend the club’s info session on Sept. 19 in the McConnell Engineering Building.

People who catch the ‘flying bug’ can further explore piloting through Ground School. These on-campus classes are geared towards making aviation education more accessible to the Montreal community and allow interested students to aquire their piloting license. Currently, the club offers courses for the Private and Glider Pilot Licenses, which would allow one to fly single-engine prop planes and gliders respectively.

The Flying Club also offers its members the opportunity to skydive, either outdoors from heights up to 13,500 feet, or indoors using a wind tunnel during the winter.

These three clubs are only a small sample of what McGill has to offer sci-tech-crazed students. The only way to find out which organizations are right for you is to get out there, get involved, and get excited about what McGill has to offer.

Arts & Entertainment, Film and TV

‘American Horror Story: Cult’ falls flat

by Morgan Davis on

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Shock value has always been a specialty of American Horror Story (AHS) creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. Continuously pushing the limits of cable television censorship, FX’s AHS has been a cult favourite for six seasons. Structured as an anthology, the series takes a different horror premise with each iteration, casting the same actors in different roles from season to season. Now entering its seventh installment, the show is taking that cult mentality literally. Using the United States’ severe political divide as a provocative starting point, the season begins on the night of Nov. 8, 2016—the date of the most recent American election. Unfortunately, rather than achieving poignancy, this effort to remain relevant and scandalous comes across as exploiting Americans’ political anxiety for profit.

The difference between Cult and its preceding seasons is that few have taken place in modern times or incorporated real-life events. Season three’s the Axeman of New Orleans  and the first season’s Black Dahlia of Los Angeles come to mind, but most of these “real world” events are often ghost stories or urban legends that have never been confirmed truths. This season, however, is taking AHS into unexplored territory by placing their characters and plot lines within fresh memories for its viewers. 

Finding an entertaining yet accurate depiction of the 2016 election is a challenge, and one that Murphy and Falchuk were unable to meet. By taking the radical personas from both ends of the American bipartisan system, AHS parodies a  political environment that is becoming increasingly threatening and overwhelming. While villainizing many Donald Trump supporters, AHS also manages to  awkwardly polarize liberal voters. 

When learning of Trump’s victory, Winter (Billie Lourd) blasts CNN for not issuing a trigger warning before announcing the election results and then asks herself with a somber urgency, “What happens if I get pregnant? Where do I get an abortion?” Satirizing extreme liberal sensitivity while simultaneously voicing legitimate fears in Trump’s America, the tonal balancing act strove for poignancy but fell somewhere in a decidedly cringey middle ground.

While I’m always one to enjoy horror movies and shows, the current state of American politics is arguably scarier than the witches, ghosts, and mutants that have previously been the focus of AHS. When we reduce television to its most basic form, it often serves as a sort of escapism for its viewers. By focusing on such a controversial topic AHS no longer fulfills this purpose. The show appears to go on a tangent to entice viewers and portray more relevant plots, but after experiencing such success in previous seasons, the unnecessary change serves to confuse rather than intrigue. 

Looking deeper into the origin of the horror genre, it’s understandable why AHS’s new theme drastically missed the mark. People love fear  because after the initial shock or scream, viewers have the privilege of reminding themselves that they’re safe and it’s just entertainment. The ideologies that are currently crawling out of the shadows due to the Trump’s encouragement; real-life horror rather than Hollywood entertainment. 

Mixing horror and social issues can be a delicate balance, but poignant when executed properly. David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows’s allusion to STIs or the compelling take on feminism in Robert Eggers’ The Witch are examples of how a nuanced approach to deeper social discussions can be highlighted through horror. Murphy and Falchuk refuse to be silenced on their opinions of Trump and his administration. While admirable, the platform for which they’ve chosen to display their commentary leaves no room for interpretation. It’s also important to acknowledge that the American election took place nine months before the AHS: Cult premiere date. By exhibiting polarizing reactions to Trump’s victory months later, the show delivers zero fresh insight to the issues that it so desperately wants to address. 

The real American horror story is that we are only less than one year into Trump’s term and the administration has been continuously working to invalidate the freedoms of its citizens. By spending millions of dollars to produce entertainment based on fictional characters living in Trump’s America, the seriousness of current issues and the people they affect are being diminished. The show’s viewers tune in every Tuesday to entertain themselves with fears of fictitious ghosts, demons, and killers. Trump’s America, unfortunately, is just too real and scary to be used as entertainment. 

Commentary, Opinion

Is Hydro-Quebec a criminal organization? The Pessamit problem

by Chloe Grant on

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Quebec’s tenacious energy provider, Hydro-Quebec, has been a disease to the Pessamit Innu people, who are native to the Betsiamites river basin in Eastern Quebec. Since 1952, these people have been forced to sacrifice their way and quality of life when Hydro-Quebec began installing two massive hydroelectric generating stations upstream of the Pessamit’s ancestral homeland.

More recently, in August 2016, a Massachusetts energy company called EverSource partnered with Hydro-Quebec and proposed the Northern Pass project in response to a new Massachusetts clean energy act. The hydropower transmission line would run from the Canadian Betsiamites dam, through New Hampshire, to power Massachusetts’ residents and businesses.

The Northern Pass is a destructive, imposter project that camouflages behind the namesakes of “clean” and “renewable” energy. It breaches a whole mess of national and international conservation treaties. By boycotting Hydro-Quebec, pressuring the university to divest relations, and lobbying the federal government to take action, McGill students have the power to prevent the Northern Pass project from progressing.

As it stands, depending on how many of the five available turbines are running to meet demand, the existing Betsiamites dam causes rapid water level fluctuations in the river. This has submerged the vital natural ecosystem that exists between the tributary and the forest, forcibly displacing the Pessamit people from their land and killing off many bankside species. The Pessamit liken these rivers to their travel routes or “highways”—they are now unsafe to travel due to debris and strong currents. The Betsiamites salmon are also at serious risk of complete extinction as a result of Hydro-Quebec’s heinous and imprudently implemented infrastructure that suffocates spawning grounds and prevents migration.

There are other proposed projects, including less crippling forms like wind and solar power, that could still meet Massachusetts’ energy requirements. Meanwhile, if the Northern Pass proposal succeeds, all five turbines in the Betsiamites dam will likely need to run constantly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The surviving salmon populations will become completely extinct, the Betsiamites ancestral homeland and rivershore ecotone entirely devastated, the people wholly displaced, and thousands of years of harmonious living and natural beauty eradicated.

The Northern Pass project is merely the latest episode in the continuously exploitative relationship between Hydro-Quebec and the Pessamit Innu people. In Hydro-Quebec’s typical steamroller fashion, the original dams were not built with consent from or compensation to the Pessamit Innu people in the 1950s. In fact, Hydro-Quebec explicitly breached constitutional obligations by building the Betsiamites dam without conducting any impact assessment studies. To this day, the Pessamit People are still waiting for their fact check and their fat cheque.

However, as their elders fail to achieve public recognition of this social and environmental injustice and its decimation of their nation’s traditional means of subsistence, unemployment in Pessamit communities has skyrocketed, and Pessamit youths betray defeat. The suicide rate for Pessamit young adults is five times higher than for Canadians of the same demographic.

There are hundreds of thousands of Hydro-Quebec customers who have equal boycott power. By stifling this story with distorted broadcasting, Hydro-Quebec is effectively pulling the wool over customers’ eyes while it warms them with its exploitative energy. Instead of thanking them by lining their pockets, Quebec residents and McGill students need to stand alongside the Pessamit people and Massachusetts supporters in their fight, and risk a little frostbite.

Further, the federal government has the power to penalize the environmental and social crimes that Hydro-Quebec and the Quebec government are committing. Most importantly, the Northern Pass violates the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic, which mandates that Canada apply the “Precautionary Approach” to salmon management––if any potential public or environmental harm is suspected, even if lacking scientific consensus, protective action must be taken.

With enough public outcry, especially from the younger generation that got him elected, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his administration will be obliged to hold the Quebec provincial government accountable for their offences by taking litigation against them to the Supreme Court.

In a recent viral video, the Prime Minister famously told the tale of his great-grandfather who emigrated to Canada. At the time, there were strict fishing rules imposed by local constables and Trudeau’s ancestor ostensibly proclaimed in a thick Scottish accent, “if you cannae fish you cannae live!”

A cute anecdote, no doubt, but the Pessamit Innu people are facing the same issue today. They cannot fish and they cannot live. Trudeau should respect the parallel he so neatly pointed out between his own origins and the injustices that the Pessamit Innu people are suffering.

McGill, News

Governance 101

by Calvin Trottier-Chi on

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  STUDENTS' SOCIETY OF MCGILL UNIVERSITY

Who They Are

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) is the representative and governing body for all students pursuing undergraduate and professional degrees at McGill. Its base of operations is the University Centre—also known as the Shatner Building, named after a particularly famous graduate. From there, it organizes student events, oversees close to 300 clubs, and negotiates with other governance bodies—like the Senate and Board of Governors—on behalf of its constituents. 

What They Do

SSMU is led by seven student executives who are elected at the end of each academic year. The SSMU Executive mandate includes supervising undergraduate clubs and extracurricular activities, managing and ensuring the sustainability of Gerts and other long-term operations, advocating for student interests in the Senate, and planning social events, including Frosh. SSMU’s policies are decided at the Legislative Council, where the executives sit with 30 councillors who represent both faculties and extracurricular clubs. Any councillor can propose a motion, which is then voted on at Council and may become law. Additionally, several councillors deliberate McGill policies at the McGill Senate. The Judicial Board, which ensures that SSMU adheres to its constitution, is comprised of seven students, predominantly from the Faculty of Law. Undergraduate students can directly influence SSMU by attending its General Assemblies and Referendums, both of which are held once every semester. 

Recent Events

Last academic year, SSMU enacted policies to provide cost-free birth control coverage and menstrual products for students. It also supported Floor Fellows in successfully bargaining with McGill for a wage, in addition to the room and board they had received previously. At the end of the Winter 2017 semester there were a number of resignations within SSMU. In April, SSMU announced the permanent closure of its student-run cafeteria, Sadie’s, for financial reasons. Currently, SSMU is drafting a Gendered and Sexualized Violence Policy. 

  POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS' SOCIETY

Who They Are

The Postgraduate Students’ Society (PGSS) is an association that represents graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at McGill. The Society is led by six executive officers, six supporting administrative staff members, and five commissioners who assist officers with coordinating activities and implementing policies. PGSS Council is the Society’s highest governing body, and consists of elected students from each postgraduate student association (PGSA). Each PGSA has a number of seats on Council proportional to the size of its student population. To reach quorum, one third of the councillors must be present at Council. PGSS Council is responsible for ensuring that policies reflect the values of constituents, approving and amending the PGSS budget, and holding officers accountable for their actions. 

What They Do

PGSS representatives speak on behalf of postgraduates, meeting once a month to debate and vote on policies related to the Society’s long-term vision. Additionally, it liaisons with other governance bodies at McGill and beyond. Part of PGSS’ mandate is to provide an accessible social environment and improve the quality of student life for postgraduate students. In doing so, the executive plans events for students, including cocktails, meditation hours, and workshops, most of which take place at its headquarters, the Thomson House. 

Recent Events

In an April 2017 referendum, PGSS renewed its Health and Dental Plan to increase the services available for students such as dental preventative services and physiotherapy coverage. Over the past few years, PGSS has prioritized the development of an Orientation Week for its students. This year, the third annual PGSS Orientation will conclude on Sept. 13, the programming for which includes pub and food crawls, a movie night, a barbecue, a Macdonald Campus Activity Day, and a bike tour. 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Who They Are

The McGill Board of Governors (BoG) is the university’s governing body, comprised of 25 voting members and two non-voting student observers. The voting members include two administrative staff—Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier and Chancellor Michael Meighen—two professors, two Senate representatives, three Alumni Association representatives, two professors, and two administrative and support staff representatives. Two students are voting members of the BoG: SSMU President Muna Tojiboeva and PGSS President Jacob Lavigne. Student observers from the McGill Association of Continuing Education Students (MACES) and the Macdonald Campus Students’ Society (MCSS) sit on the BoG as non-voting members. 

What They Do

The BoG serves as the final authority over all of the university’s academic, business, and financial affairs, and is responsible for the maintenance and administration of daily activities at McGill. The BoG is comprised of eight standing committees, including the Building and Property committee, the Finance committee, and the Committee to Advise on Matters of Social Responsibility. The BoG is scheduled to meet five times over this upcoming school year.

Recent Events

Over the course of 2016, the BoG held several open forums during which students were invited to voice their concerns over administrative decisions. Most notably, the Open Forum on Sustainability was held in September 2016 to address student concerns over the campus’ carbon footprint after the BoG’s vote against divesting from fossil fuel companies. The BoG also held a closed session on May 25 of this year, during which they voted to reappoint Principal and Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Fortier for a second five-year term, set to begin July 1, 2018.

SENATE

Who They Are

The Senate governs all academic policy at McGill, and includes representatives from all of McGill’s constituent groups, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, members of the Board of Governors, and alumni. Members of the Senate, called “Fellows,” are either elected, appointed, or given membership based on their office. Of the 21 student senators, 13 are elected by SSMU, including the SSMU President and Vice-President University Affairs. The remaining eight include two members of MACES, one member of MCSS, and five members of the PGSS, including a single postdoctoral scholar. 

What They Do

The Senate is mandated to govern academic policies, such as the development of curricula, regulations for admissions, and requirements for degrees, diplomas, and certificates. It additionally takes on a much broader role at McGill, including managing the university's libraries, developing its infrastructure, and administering Student Services. The Senate is comprised of nine standing committees, which include the Senate Steering Committee, the Committee on Libraries, and the Honorary Degrees and Convocations Committee. The Senate meets on a monthly basis, with its first session in September and its last in May. During Senate meetings, standing committees deliver reports, senators hold Question and Response sessions, and senators vote on policies and nominations.

Recent Events

On Nov 23, 2016, the Senate unanimously approved a Policy Against Sexual Violence, the first policy of its kind in McGill’s history. The policy defines sexual violence and creates university infrastructure for disclosing, reporting, and responding to such incidents at McGill. In May 2017, the Senate delivered a number of revisions and expansions to the Policy on Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Prohibited by Law and approved appointments to many staffed positions created by the Policy, most notably eight Assessors tasked with the intake and management of reports of sexual harassment.

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