McGill Tribune: What are some clubs that you’re in on campus?
Brendan Edge: I’m the Vice President of the Beta Omega Chapter— McGill Chapter— of Delta Lambda Phi, which is a fraternity at McGill. It’s a fraternity for gay, bisexual and progressive men [….] We’re Canada’s first gay fraternity. We just participated in Pride [Week] this past summer, which we’re pretty proud of, and we’re starting our Fall rush coming up. Over the past two years, I’ve [also] participated in a number of theatre productions. I was in Sweeney Todd my first year —I was Tobey, the little kid— [….] The past two years, I was in the [McGill University Rowing Club (MURC)].
MT: Can you tell me a little more about the Montreal Pride event?
BT: This is the first time our chapter has participated [in] representing the fraternity in the Pride celebrations. We participated in two portions of [the week-long event]. We [also] did
Community Day where we set up a booth in the Gay Village on Sainte Catherine Street. We ended up meeting some alumni from other chapters in the States who graduated a long time ago, but hadn’t known that we were going to be up here. Four of our brothers, myself included, marched in the Pride parade.
MT: Is being in a fraternity similar to how it’s depicted in the movies?
BT: Some of the fraternities have frat houses, other sororities and fraternities don’t [….] There are some very special bonds. You really become brothers, or for sororities, sisters. You reach that level of a family. And you don’t have to love every single member of your family; you can have that cousin that annoys you.
MT: Any advice you have for first-years?
BT: Get out and do a lot. I joined the rowing team in my first year, which is something I’d never done before. I tried something new; I made tons of new friends, had such a great experience, and I took so much away from it. It really helped shape my life now. Don’t get overwhelmed by the workload, [because] it’ll all work out in the end [….] Try something new, try something that you might worry that you are not going to be good at, but give it a shot.
MT: Where do you picture yourself in 10 years?
BT: If I get into law school […] I will be practicing law, and hopefully will be on my way to getting a seat in the House of Commons. If I don’t get into law school, then I’m doing my masters and my doctorate in either Canadian Studies or History. So 10 years from now I’ll still be in school, more than likely!
MT: What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow?
BT: Hopefully it would be a lot of money. I would make sure that I had enough money set aside for undergraduate and then whatever I do afterwards. I would make sure my family’s debts were all paid off and that my brother and sister have enough money as well for their education. I would buy a large house in Montreal, and fix it up and potentially donate it to the frat. I would also like to give money to organizations that have helped shape me—back home, in high school, in Montreal— and to some general goodwill organizations, stuff like animal shelters [and] Red Cross.
MT: What’s your favorite place in the world?
BT: Georgian Bay, Ontario [….] It’s sometimes called the sixth Great Lake, it’s huge and beautiful, and right on the Canadian Shield. So you [have] those igneous rocks that are just beautifully designed, and these white pines that are bent to the wind [….] When you’re surrounded by forest, it’s got a level of peace that’s just so calming [….] It’s paradise for me.
MT: If you were stranded on an island and could only have one thing with you, what would you ask for?
BT: I would ask for a fully loaded Kindle, with every book in the English language on it. As long as I can read, I’m good. I can build a charger out of coconuts!
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