8 January 2014

Local campaign raises awareness; politicians and athletes follow suit

Caleigh MaCDonalD, staff

As the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia approach, activists around the world are attempting to fight against the legislation signed into law on June 30 by President Vladimir Putin, which made it illegal to publicly expose “nontraditional sexual relations” to minors. stuDent campaign supports lgBttQ* rights in russia

Dayne Moyer is a University of Winnipeg student and founder of Gold Medal Message (GMM), a campaign designed to show support for Russia’s LGBTTQ* community. The campaign involves a Change.org petition to have Canadian Olympic athletes wear a rainbow patch or pin on their clothing as a symbol of support for Russia’s LGBTTQ* community.

To explain the logic behind his approach to protesting, Moyer cited historic examples where the Olympics acted as a vehicle for social change.

“GMM is, more than anything, a campaign designed to publicly demonstrate on an international stage that more people support LGBTTQ* rights than oppose them. It is about asking our representatives to boldly proclaim internationally that as Canadians, athletes, and fans, we see the systemic oppression of LGBTTQ* people anywhere in the world as an injustice.”

Moyer’s petition currently has over 38,000 signatures, and has secured funding from Wristband Guy – a vendor that has promised to donate enough wristbands for every Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athlete who wants to show their support.

Pride Winnipeg also expressed its full support for GMM, creating a task force to work with other Pride organizations across Canada. petitions anD protesters Discourage olympic sponsorship

Others have staged protests globally to speak out against the Russian legislation.

Julianne Howell in Ohio began a petition to try and push major corporate sponsors—Coca-Cola, for example— into backing out of the games as a means of protest. The petition currently has more than 219,500 signatures of its desired 300,000.

Coca-Cola in particular has been heavily targeted by protesters. Gay rights group All Out has sent over 150,000 emails to Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent urging him to take a stance against the inequality of Russia’s law. The group further arranged for three billboard-covered trucks to park in front of the Coca-Cola headquarters in Atlanta. The sequence of billboards read: “Coca-Cola,” “Don’t Stay Bottled Up,” and “Speak Out Against Russia’s Anti-Gay Laws.”

Protesters hit the company again during Coca-Cola’s truck marketing campaign in Brighton, U.K. Ten activists turned up to launch a surprise demonstration against the corporation, urging them to break their silence on the issue and demand protection for Russia’s LGBTTQ* community. The Coca-Cola corporation posted photos of the anti-Coke protesters on their

own promotional website, but have since removed them.

McDonalds is facing similar backlash, but both companies have issued statements saying that while they do not condone the anti-gay laws put into place, they also do not believe that the games should be relocated away from Sochi.

Moyer said that pulling corporate sponsorships as a form of protest is the wrong thing to do.

“Pulling sponsorship or boycotting is problematic in multiple ways but primarily an issue because it isn’t what the LGBTTQ* community in Russia wants. Working towards international reform and change only works when it is in co-operation with the people you are trying to help.”

“Ultimately, either of those responses would have an intensely negative effect on Russia’s LGBTTQ* community,” said Moyer.

PoLitiCiAnS wiLL not Attend gA meS

In what may be a subtler refutation of the anti-gay Russian laws, certain high-ranking political officials have refused to attend the games.

German president Joachim Gauck was reported to have declined his Sochi invitation by German weekly Der Spiegel. His decision is “understood to be a response to the Russian government’s violations of human rights and harassment of the opposition.”

The announcement was closely followed by that of Viviane Reding, vice-president of the European Union Commission. Reding tweeted on Dec. 9 that she “will certainly not go to Sochi as long as minorities are treated the way they are under the current Russian legislation.”

French president François Hollande announced that neither he nor any highranking French official will attend the games, though he has remained silent on his reasons.

Hollande’s announcement came exactly one week after Gauck’s, and five days before U.S. President Barack Obama announced that, for the first time since 2000, the U.S. would not be sending their president, vice-president, first lady, or a current cabinet secretary to attend the opening ceremony.

Furthermore, Obama’s Sochi Olympic delegation lists one homosexual athlete and a second who came out to the public two days later.

Obama’s official announcement stated he was unable to attend the games due to scheduling, but that he “is extremely proud of [the] U.S. athletes and looks forward to cheering them on from Washington.” The statement continued that the delegates “will showcase to the world the best of America: diversity, determination and teamwork.” russian anti-gay laws amBiguous

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said that they will be setting up Russian-governmentapproved “protest zones” for those who wish to make a statement.

The vague wording of the law suggests that, while it is not illegal to be

gay in Russia per se, the definition of what might constitute pro-homosexual “propaganda” is unclear.

A list issued by LGBTTQ* activists in Russia pointed out this lack of clear definitions in the law, and outlined 18 points that they felt were particularly unclear - for example, whether a homosexual couple could kiss or hold hands in public.

Paraphernalia such as Moyer’s wristbands could potentially be breaking the law if worn in Russia, though the IOC has delivered assurances that the security of Olympic participants and attendees will not be affected by Russian legislation.

Moyer hopes to counteract this threat by making his protest a unified team effort as opposed to scattered individuals trying to demonstrate on their own.

“GMM is a campaign urging athletes to make one large public statement together, during one event. [ . . . ] Athletes are less likely to feel harsh penalties if they all make a statement together. If international teams leave select members to make a statement alone, they leave them more at risk both to penalty from the IOC and to public backlash.” olympians support wristBanDs

As of yet there has been no official response from the Canadian Olympic team, or any action to add an official patch, pin, or other adornment to the team’s uniforms. Athletes are being approached and asked on an individual basis to consent to wearing the wristbands.

Thus far Olympic hockey player Sami Jo Small and biathlete Megan Imrie have both indicated their support for the idea should the Canadian Olympic Committee approve it. They are joined globally by New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup, who has also committed to wearing a pride pin.

Skjellerup, who came out after his first Olympics in Vancouver 2010, is determined to make a statement in Sochi. “I will be myself in Russia,” said Skjellerup. “And at the moment that is illegal. [ . . . ] Sochi gives us an opportunity to highlight Russia’s anti-gay propaganda laws and say ‘this is wrong.’ Don’t underestimate how powerful that could be.”

Dayne Moyer has no intentions of giving up or letting his campaign die with the Winter Olympics.

“I find violations against human rights in any country offensive and understand that Russia is only one in a laundry list of offenders. However, the Olympics [provide] an international platform to raise awareness about these laws. The Summer Olympics will next be held in Brazil—the international capital of transgender murder—and I believe a similar campaign to raise awareness and promote social reform is important for that country as well.”

The Winter Games are scheduled to begin on Feb. 7 and conclude on Feb. 23.

U-Pass gains critical support from city hall

Could

in place for January 2015

The push to get Winnipeg university students access to a universal bus pass, or U-Pass, gained an important endorsement from Mayor Sam Katz in December.

Low interest rates, financialization, and inequality driving up borrowing

It’s a new year and Canadians are still spending – a lot. According to a newly released report by consumer credit agency TransUnion, indebtedness has been growing steadily for years. That trend is expected to continue into 2014.

According to the report, non-mortgage debt is predicted to increase to an all-time high of $28,853 per average Canadian, up four per cent from 2013 levels, and up over 40 per cent from 2007 levels.

Mortgage debt has also been increasing quickly – especially since 2002 as housing prices skyrocketed. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, the average sale price of a home in Canada rose 98 per cent during the 2000s.

This, combined with persistently low interest rates over the period, encouraged Canadians to borrow more, pushing debt levels to all-time highs.

Being wary of the increasing citizen debt and the possibility that a housing bubble could form in real estate, the government has taken several steps over the years to tighten borrowing requirements for mortgages.

Despite the stop-gap measures introduced by the government to cool the housing market, both mortgage and non-mortgage debt (such as lines of credit) have continued to rise Canadian banks and financial institutions were largely spared from the financial crisis in 2008-09 and have been lending briskly, as low rates tend to increase consumer demand.

The main tool for restraining borrowing—raising interest rates— has not been used, however, as the Bank of Canada is reluctant to raise rates for fear of choking off the nascent economic recovery.

Thankfully, the TransUnion report

also predicted a cheerier piece of financial news. Even though debt levels have risen, overall delinquency rates have declined since 2009 from 2.87 per cent, down 1.76 per cent in 2013, and are projected to continue to decline to 1.66 per cent in 2014.

To explain these trends in

Canadian consumer habits, Michael Silver, a financial adviser with the Wealth Planning Group, points to new financial tools that allow Canadians to borrow more easily.

“In the past, people used to save up for things, whereas now there are mechanisms that allow people to buy things immediately,” Silver told the Manitoban

Silver also suggested that stagnant incomes have increased the impetus for Canadians to borrow more.

“Salaries for some have not grown as fast as in the past, and so these folks need to borrow in order for their spending to continue to grow,” he said.

University of Manitoba economics professor Robert Chernomas agrees that the financialization of the country’s economy has contributed to the increases in borrowing, but also highlights structural changes within the economy as driving the phenomenon.

“The working and middle classes have seen their incomes stagnate or rise much more slowly than the top income earners, and have had to borrow to maintain their standard of living. We can see this in the dramatic growth in inequality in this country,” said Chernomas.

“The biggest risk is that when interest rates eventually do go up, people will not be able to service their debts. This could mean that either growth is curtailed because people aren’t able to spend like they were, or that

bankruptcies increase if spending isn’t decreased. Either outcome results in less economic growth,” explained Silver.

There are numerous ways to measure levels of debt; the most common being debt-to-income and debt-toasset ratios. Both of these have been rising over the last dozen or so years for consumers, but the declining delinquency rate since 2009 suggests that Canadians are taking on debts wisely, and are able to pay them off.

Chernomas, however, cautioned that the more debt people take on, the more it opens up the possibility of a small downturn spilling over into a larger economic crisis.

“This unprecedented debt-to-income ratio makes our economy fragile – susceptible to recession or depression,” said Chernomas.

This raises concerns that growth could suddenly disappear if the price of oil were to drop, since their prices are more volatile than those for manufacturers.

Silver recommends that policy makers introduce legislation to reduce predatory lending, and rules for socalled “do not pay” schemes.

“These ‘do not pay plans’ are misleading [ . . . ] they are paying for it eventually. It structures the payment so that the bill comes due with really high interest and often comes due all at once. People usually don’t budget very well in those sorts of situations.”

Silver mused that improved consumer education could, in the longterm, help to mitigate the problem of soaring personal debt.

“There should be financial planning classes in high schools. Young people have very little knowledge of how debt and credit works, and how to use it properly.”

After an executive policy committee meeting on Dec. 13, Katz told reporters that council would work with student unions from both the universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg to put forward a January motion that would make the U-Pass a reality. This comes on the heels of city hall’s announcement that Winnipeg’s rapid transit corridor will soon be expanded. Following the expansion, the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus will connect to the northern part of the system, which currently ends at Jubilee Ave.

In April 2013 the city council’s public works committee unanimously backed the U-Pass idea.

The U-Pass would see all undergraduate students at the U of M and U of W pay into a program that guarantees unlimited and reducedcost access to Winnipeg Transit during the regular September to April school year.

The cost of the program is projected to be $283 per student, with city and provincial governments covering $133. Students would pay the remainder. The current cost of a student bus pass is $66.25 per month. The U-Pass cost is much lower per student because the program would combine the purchasing power of 34,000 undergraduates – not all of whom would be riding the bus.

The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) also supports the U-Pass initiative. Bilan Arte, Manitoba representative of CFS, points to numerous potential benefits.

“Student ridership has increased dramatically in other cities that have similar programs, and students will often continue to use public transit after they graduate and buy a full-cost adult transit pass,” Arte said to the Manitoban

“A major benefit of this increased ridership for Winnipeg Transit is the opportunity and the resources to expand and fully develop a modern, sustainable, and comprehensive transit system for our city.”

UMSU vice-president external Christian Pierce also foresees positive change coming from the U-Pass.

“In addition to using it to get

to and from school, students could use Winnipeg Transit as they please to get to other key destinations around the city; it would also help build a true public transit culture which does not currently exist in Winnipeg,” he said.

According to Arte, even with support from CFS , the students, and student unions at both the U of M and U of W, obstacles have still arisen.

“The single largest challenge has been getting city councillors to understand the positive economic and social impact the U-Pass will have on the city [and] that any public investment received will be offset in the long-term by cost-savings in infrastructure repairs and increased transit ridership,” she explained.

Pierce and Arte both noted city councillor Jenny Gerbasi’s support of the program. Others in city council, including Dan Vandal, Brian Mayes, and Mayor Sam Katz, are now adding their weight – a signal that the initiative is gaining momentum at city hall.

Similar programs exist in many other large Canadian urban centres and have seen public transportation use increase as a result. Winnipeg Transit estimated that student use of public transportation would increase at least 20 per cent if all students were given bus passes.

Originally, the U-Pass program was projected to begin in September 2014. That date has since been changed to January 2015.

“A lot of students don’t realize that this is a long process. Once the funding is secure, Winnipeg Transit will need about a year to order more buses, hire more drivers, and increase service routes,” said Pierce.

Arte is confident that the U-Pass initiative will succeed.

“As more and more cities implement programs like these and students continue to pressure city councillors, we’re confident that the City of Winnipeg will see its advantages and follow suit.”

UMSU members voted on the issue in a November referendum last year, with 74 per cent supporting the idea of a U-Pass.

That unmistakably thick, heady fog of impractical resolutions and implacably glass-half-full attitudes permeates the air: it’s the New Year.

I know I’m never more purposeful than I am in January. One year ends, another begins. A fresh start. A new chance to reinvent ourselves and get it right this time. Or something? The problem is that, well-intentioned if not a tad naïve as we creatures are wont to be, this newfound sense of determination comes with an expiration date, often dissipating into the ether as January comes to an end.

Right now, people are scuttling to their neighbourhood gyms with lemming-like haste, bent on shedding the sedentary lifestyle habits the holidays afford. Others attack their lofty to-do lists, often set in the haze of tryptophan and ceaseless imbibification—to read x amount of books this year, to pay off student loans, to spend more meaningful time with friends and family—with virginal eagerness.

Still others wisely scoff at the thought; self-improvement, broadly defined—especially in light of how fashionable it seems to be at this time of year—is a fantastical carrot on a string meant to temporarily distract us from our terminally sorry lot in life.

Not to be a fly in the ointment, but it seems the pessimists have a point here. It might just be that slightly cynical edge of mine getting in the way, but anecdotally, there doesn’t appear to be a linear relationship between the meteoric rise in sales of self-help books this time of year and the resultant amount of happiness and accomplishment in the universe.

Is there any sense in even trying? Are our clichéd resolutions destined for failure? The most sensible attitude to adopt with respect to all this irrepressible hopefulness is one of ambivalence and cautious optimism.

We are often the engineers of our own demise when it comes to goal-setting; sometimes there are perfectly accessible and preventable reasons for this that we ignore at our peril. We pretend, we externalize, we rationalize the reasons why we can’t or don’t honour these agreements, setting psychological boobey traps for ourselves along the way.

I am as imperfect as the rest, often actively avoiding or otherwise doing things that make my life more difficult than it ought to be.

But I am also subject to the very same Pollyanna forces motivating everyone else to be better, to do better. And there are a few simple strategies I’ve found semi-effective in helping to keep the goal-setting wheels from falling off that I’d like to impart. Note: I think these provide a good foundation where other goals may find sturdy ground.

uSe A dAy- PLAnner

It seems true on an intuitive level that those who keep tangible, written versions of their daily affairs are more likely to meet deadlines, keep appointments, and be generally less neurotic human beings.

I should be a salaried employee for the amount that I’ve been evangelizing on the behalf of Blueline day-planners (or the generic Staples brand) over the last five years. I’ve used many agendas in my day, but until Blueline, none has made me excited to ritualistically sit down on Sunday mornings and fill out my schedule.

There doesn’t appear to be a linear relationship between the meteoric rise in sales of selfhelp books this time of year and the resultant amount of happiness and accomplishment in the universe

Each seven-day week is broken down into 15-minute blocks in these planners.

One strategy I’ve adopted is to spend about 30 minutes every Sunday filling in every single 15-minute block of time in the week to come with something, starting with penciling in high priority and non-negotiable things such as deadlines and class and work times, then when to eat, study, meditate, exercise, spend time with family/friends, and so on down the line.

Available at Staples for about $15, they come in undated versions, without the typical calendar year dates included, that are great for several reasons. If you get swallowed up by a particularly unruly, disorganized week and forget to fill out your planner, the dateless pages make it so that valuable planning space has not been lost with the trappings of time, but instead may be used for plotting out next week’s schedule.

It’s good to have a roadmap so that when detours occur, you can cut your losses and get back on course.

meDitate

The subtext to “meditate” should really be “do yoga/exercise regularly,” but meditation, I’ve found, can have one of the most profound impacts on attentiveness, irritability, and the ability to be compassionate toward your fellow hominid – all pillars for sustainable goal-setting.

A few years ago I had a panic attack.

It was likely induced through a combination of caffeine overconsumption, sleepdeprivation, and irregular eating – the tripartite plight of countless university students.

A trip to the old sawbones yielded a prescription to cut caffeine out of my diet. This did not last, naturally. However, meditation was suggested to me as a possible non-pharmaceutical intervention for anxiety in the past, so I sought out a couple meditation groups in the city and began meditating for 15 minutes in the morning before breakfast and 15 minutes before dinner in the afternoon.

Taking up meditation is much easier and more enjoyable in the presence of a mentor or in a group of experienced meditators. One group (winnipegmeditation.org) that occasionally meets at either the U of W or the Millennium Library is comprised of some devotees of the since-deceased guru Sri Chinmoy. Another is the Winnipeg Insight Meditation Group, which meets on Sunday mornings at Yoga North’s new location at 894 Westminster Ave., and again on Wednesday evenings at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, 755 Elm St. (More info at: winnipeginsightmeditation.shawwebspace.ca.)

If you’re on the shy side or would prefer to start on your own, find yourself instructional audio recordings by Doctor Jon Kabat-Zinn. There are several available on YouTube or for download on iTunes.

You needn’t be into religion, supernatural hokum, or superstitious Wolseleyite new age wisdom to enjoy the benefits of mediation, though you may have to bite your tongue on occasion should you decide to participate in some of the meditation groups found around the city.

when you fail, fail more gently

If you fail to accomplish a goal, don’t beat yourself up. Get back to the basics: re-examine and reset your goals accordingly. You need only grant yourself permission.

In the face of unreached goals, try to remember to be kind and gentle with yourself. Sometimes we don’t meet goals because we lose sight of whatever motivated us to set them to start with, or we change and our goals change along with us. The point is to always cultivate an atmosphere of gentle, nonjudgmental, constant reflection.

I know the line between banality and wisdom is blurring at a rapid pace here. Just remember that an internal dialogue concerning self-improvement can always be reopened – regardless of the time of year.

Myths about Mandela

Anti-apartheid leader’s legacy co-opted by conservatives

b rian l atour

W

ith the death of Nelson Mandela on Dec. 5, the world lost an interesting political figure and a powerful leader in the struggle against racism and colonialism.

Mandela was a political figure who was constantly evolving, and one who was not without contradictions. His transition from anti-colonial revolutionary to a universally respected elder statesman is one with few parallels in modern history. While he was a key leader in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, many veterans of the struggle, such as Ronnie Kasrils, have argued that the goal of economic liberation was abandoned on the eve of the African National Congress (ANC) taking power; thus, the work of liberating the people of South Africa from oppression was never completed.

Mandela’s name carries weight in the West, where he gained a level of recognition and near-universal respect

virtually unheard of for anti-colonial African revolutionaries. Yet, there are also a lot of myths about Mandela in our collective consciousness.

mAndeLA mythS

Especially in the West, we have an image of Mandela as a peaceful activist, who defeated apartheid purely by force of spirit rather than by force of arms. This isn’t quite true; faced with the increasing brutality of the South African apartheid state, he recognized the need for self-defence and armed struggle against oppression. Mandela was a founder of the Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC, and assisted with procuring arms from sympathetic anticolonial leaders.

Of course, noting that his struggle was not entirely peaceful is not a criticism of Mandela. History is full of freedom fighters who took up arms against oppression, and surely those

subjected to the brutality of apartheid have a right to self-defence.

Also, while Mandela is currently looked up to with nearly ubiquitous respect and reverence, there was a time when this was not the case. In fact, many leading political figures who issued sappy statements in the days following Mandela’s death, as politicians are wont to do whenever an elder statesman of such high esteem passes on, were vocally opposed to the ANC’s agenda of ending apartheid in the 1980s.

hyPoCritiCAL euLogieS?

For example, let us look at our prime minister, Stephen Harper, who, shortly after Mandela’s death, issued a statement referring to Mandela as one of the world’s “great moral leaders and statesman.” This is a far cry from the young Stephen Harper who, in the late 1980s, was a founding member of the Northern Foundation, an

organization dedicated to keeping Mandela in jail and keeping white minority rule alive in South Africa.

Many other prominent figures in the conservative and neoconservative movement such as Conrad Black, Peter Worthington, and Ted Byfield were intimately associated with proapartheid activism.

At least Rob Anders—the Calgary MP who several years ago was the only one to vote against bestowing honorary citizenship on Mandela, and appeared to stick to his views after Mandela’s death—gets some points for consistency.

But is it possible that these political figures, who so courageously praised Mandela once he was gone and came out against apartheid only 20 years after it might have made a difference, have recognized their mistakes and turned over a new leaf? Sadly, we are seeing little in the way of genuine apologies and selfreflection from the conservatives who supported apartheid in the 80s. Not to mention that many of these figures, Harper included, are repeating their mistakes with vocal support for Israeli apartheid.

the PALeStine ConneCtion

Perhaps the most hypocritical eulogy for the late anti-apartheid leader came from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who runs a little apartheid state of his own. While Netanyahu praised Mandela, calling him a “moral leader,” he at least had the common decency to skip the funeral. After all, I’m sure it is not lost on him that Mandela said that “our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians,” or that Israel was one of apartheid South Africa’s staunchest allies, even when it was quickly running out of friends on the international scene.

The irony comes in the fact that Israel practices apartheid, as defined under international law, against its Palestinian population. Palestinians in Gaza have been subjected to a long and brutal siege, and find themselves living in what is essentially an open-air prison. In the West Bank, Israel is laying the foundations for a Palestinian Bantustan, with a system of settlements, checkpoints, and Israeli-only roads that Palestinians aren’t even allowed to cross.

The other interesting connection here is the parallel between the movement against apartheid in South Africa and the movement against Israeli apartheid.

South African apartheid was, unfortunately, not met with nearuniversal condemnation until at least its dying days. For many years, to be against apartheid was to commit oneself to a lonely struggle, trying to raise awareness about South Africa and find ways to apply political and economic pressure to end apartheid half a world away.

Long before the Canadian government even started to (half-heartedly) criticize the apartheid regime,

Canadians in churches, labour unions, and universities worked tirelessly, urging our political leaders to come out against apartheid and Canadian businesses to stop doing business with South Africa. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement for Palestinian rights today is inspired by the global movement for a boycott of apartheid South Africa.

The current anti-apartheid movement is also subjected to many of the same attacks as its predecessor. The familiar refrain that to support Palestine is to support terrorism or religious fundamentalism echoes the claim that to oppose South Africa’s apartheid regime is to support communism.

The Israeli government’s hasbara initiatives often bear an eerie similarity to the propaganda efforts of the South African regime. Radio RSA, the South African government’s international news service, given the unenviable task of defending the indefensible, tried to play up South Africa as a progressive society interested in peace, where blacks were better off than in other African countries, and which is being unfairly singled out by anti-apartheid activists for BDS, a tactic which is futile and counterproductive anyway.

These themes are all too familiar to anyone subjected to today’s proIsrael propaganda. It is quite ironic to see Zionists today, while claiming that Israel is not an apartheid state, inadvertently echoing pro-apartheid propaganda from the 80s.

Locally, both the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the South African embassy engaged in espionage against the Manitoba Coalition of Organizations Against Apartheid. Two University of Manitoba students were paid by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the South Africans to gather intelligence on anti-apartheid activists in Manitoba and set up proapartheid front groups in the late 1980s. In the early 2010s, that would seem almost unnecessary; our own student union now quite openly bans anti-apartheid student groups with little opposition.

In response to Mandela’s passing, we would do well to reflect upon our place in the world and the yearning for freedom felt by many people around the world. Despite the myth of Canada as the peacemaker, Canadian foreign policy has often been motivated more by business and imperial interests than by altruism – as it was during the era when Canadian businesses continued to do business with the South African apartheid state. Not to mention the horrible treatment that the Canadian state inflicts upon its own indigenous people.

The struggle is not over until all have achieved freedom, both political and economic.

New Reform Act could be revolutionary for Canada

tariq s ohail, volunteer staff

Over the past couple of decades, especially in the last 10 years, Canadians have become more disengaged from parliament. Fifty-five per cent of Canadians surveyed recently were pleased with how Canadian democracy works. In the past year, parliament and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) have been plagued by a Senate expense scandal, the growing clout of the PMO in the legislative system, and the interference of the PMO in a Senate expense audit.

Michael Chong, Conservative MP for Wellington-Halton Hills in Ontario, proposed a private bill called the Reform Act, 2013 on Dec. 3. The bill has received a lot of attention because of the current political climate it’s been introduced in and the change it could bring about for Canadian politics.

The bill proposes to amend Canada’s Elections Act and Parliament of Canada Act. If the Reform Act is passed into law, it would come into effect one week following the next federal election.

The bill has three main focus points.

First is that the party’s electoral district association would elect a nomination officer through a majority vote. The officer would have the final say in nominating a candidate for election in the local riding. Currently, the party

leader has the final say in who should be endorsed by the party.

Second is that registered political parties would have by-laws that allow the party’s caucus in parliament to initiate a leadership review of the party leader.

Third is that the bill would codify the expulsion and readmission of caucus chairs. Expulsion and readmission of members into caucus would require a majority vote through a secret ballot. According to Michael Chong, the power bestowed on MPs has been eroding and losing its function. The executive and legislative branches are supposed to be separate and independent, but that is not the current situation in Canada.

As it is, the PM has too much power and control, through discipline, of his own caucus members. This, in my opinion, removes the ability of MPs to properly voice their constituents’ concerns, as they are forced to follow the party line. It also removes the capability of MPs to properly execute their functions as a check and balance on the executive branch, and hold it to account. If this bill were to become law, it would strengthen Canadian democracy, and restore that vital trust and confidence that should exist between the people and the government.

One potential concern about the bill

is that it could make Canadian politics highly unstable. However, I believe Canadian government would become more effective, not more volatile, with the adoption of said bill.

For example, a leadership review would require 15 per cent of the caucus to vote and majority of those voters to remove the party leader. The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia have similar laws, as they are all Westminster parliamentary systems, and from 1965 to 2008, only three sitting prime ministers in all three of those countries have been ousted. It is rare for majority governments to eject a sitting prime minister unless there is a serious loss of confidence among the caucus members. The way Canada’s system would function would be no different from the way the Westminster parliamentary system works in other countries.

This bill would be a revolutionary act in Canada if it were to pass. It could make citizens more engaged in politics, encourage responsible government, and ensure future governments would be held accountable.

I remain optimistic, but such a seismic shift in power from the PMO to MPs is still a long shot.

Doomed planet can shed light on our own demise

e lizabeth Drewni K , staff

We know that in about five billion years our sun will expand and destroy Earth. The question is, do we know what kind of changes Earth will go through in the time it takes for that to happen?

A team of 11 scientists, working in Spain at the German-Spanish Astronomical Center, collected data on the newly discovered Jupitersized planet, Kepler-91b, which may offer some insight into the process

of planets being engulfed by their host stars. The planet is predicted to be engulfed by its star in less than 55 million years, a mere blink on astronomical timescales. Since the planet is so close to its demise, it

provides a good basis of study to learn more about planets approaching their death.

Kepler-91b orbits the star Kepler-91, located 3,360 light years from Earth. This star is a red giant, and has a mass just under one and a half times that of our sun. The radius, however, is about six times larger. When Kepler-91 was first discovered, it was initially thought to be the second sun in a binary star system, as a second signature was detected in close proximity to the star. Upon further investigation, this second signature was determined to be the star’s closest planet, Kepler-91b.

So far, there have not been many planets discovered orbiting stars in the red giant category or higher. One of the reasons that this discovery holds great value and importance is because the “evolution of planetary systems is intimately linked to the evolution of their host star,” according to the paper discussing Kepler-91b, published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics

Because of the dearth of statistical data for planets orbiting stars

within the giant category (like Kepler-91), “the question of how planets die remains open,” the paper explains.

It is thought that the planet is in its final stages before being engulfed by its star, as its orbital radius is approximately 11 million km. By comparison, Mercury (the planet closest to our star) is located 58 million km away from the sun. Earth is 150 million km away from the sun.

Kepler-91b takes approximately 6.25 Earth days to orbit its star; Mercury takes 88 days. Since Kepler-91b is remarkably close to its star, it is believed that more than 36 per cent of the planet’s sky is covered by the star during the day (compared to 0.0005 per cent of the Earth sky being covered by the sun), and that the star illuminates approximately 70 per cent of the planet’s atmosphere. Using Kepler-91b as an observational model, scientists can predict how the Earth may respond to the expansion of our sun in the future.

An episode in the so-called “Science Wars”

toM i ngra M , staff

I

n 1996, New York University physics professor Alan Sokal tried an experiment: he wrote an article satirizing deconstructionist philosophy and its abuses of scientific terminology, packed it full of quotes from brand-name intellectuals and scientific gibberish, sent it to a cultural studies journal under false pretences, and actually succeeded in getting it published. At no point in the process was a reviewer knowledgeable in science consulted.

Moral of the story: the humanities are an intellectually bankrupt waste of time, so we can safely ignore sissy literary theorists and dump all our money into applied science and technology, right?

When you look at the situation a little closer, however, it becomes clearer that no such unequivocal conclusions can be drawn from the Sokal hoax. First of all, there are some mitigating factors that Sokal’s enthusiastic defenders (such as Richard Dawkins) usually neglect to mention.

Social Text, the journal in question, was not a peer-reviewed journal at the time; it was more of a magazine aimed at an academic audience, and did not have the field-defining function of, say, the Journal of Low Temperature Physics It is not as big of a deal as we have been

led to believe for the editors of Social Text to assume that a scientific expert was not deceiving them in matters of science.

Sokal’s article was rejected at first. This is because, to an observer educated in the humanities but unfamiliar in science, it comes off as rather quaint, try-hard, and ill-informed. This suggested to the Social Text editors that Sokal was a scientist interested in the intersection between his field and their own, but not quite comfortable with the rather difficult subject matter he was working with.

The editors only decided to publish the article when they were running a feature on “Science Wars,” into which it would fit nicely. The fact that it was below their usual editorial standards would be less important than the fact that it was the only contribution by a real scientist.

The editors made some suggestions for substantial changes to the article – including cutting some of the most egregious content, which looked as bad to them as it does to anyone. However, Sokal was adamant that his article be published as he submitted it. It is, perhaps, unfortunate that the editors were not more resolute in their calls for changes, but anyone who has

edited a publication will sympathize with them.

The idea that Sokal’s experiment represents a wholesale refutation of big chunks of the humanities is admittedly an extreme one that he does not share. Sokal’s goal in pulling off the hoax was partly political.

“I’m an unabashed Old Leftist who never quite understood how deconstruction was supposed to help the working class,” he wrote in an afterword to the hoax. “And I’m a stodgy old scientist who believes, naively, that there exists an external world, that there exist objective truths about that world, and that my job is to discover some of them.”

Another major concern for Sokal was philosophers and literary critics making reference to scientific concepts they did not quite understand. In his paper he quotes or makes reference to several examples; perhaps the most illustrative one is the feminist philosopher Luce Irigaray arguing that Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation is “sexed” because “it privileges the speed of light over other speeds that are vitally necessary to us.”

As far as I can tell, it was Richard Dawkins, in a review of a book pub-

lished by Sokal and his colleague Jean Bricmont, who popularized the idea that the Sokal hoax proves that deconstructionist philosophers and literary theorists are intellectual frauds using obscure language to hide the fact that they have nothing to say. This, in turn, has strongly influenced the way the hoax is invoked in informal contexts.

Some of the claims that Sokal discusses in his many writings about the hoax are indeed very silly. The Irigaray quotes about masculine physics are the obvious example. But there are many others that are not obviously nonsensical, and Sokal and his allies have an obnoxious habit of holding examples up for mockery without explaining exactly why they are supposedly funny or subjecting them to a detailed and sympathetic reading.

This apparently bothered the mathematician Gabriel Stolzenberg, who wrote numerous essays analyzing Sokal’s and others’ readings of deconstructionist philosophers and science studies scholars. Stolzenberg shows that some of what Sokal believed to be obviously risible claims about science can be read in a sensible way.

Sokal pointed to one quote from the French philosophers Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari as an example of absurd talk about chaos theory. Stolzenberg pointed out that the two Frenchmen were not talking about chaos theory at all (they used the word “chaos” in its ordinary, not mathematical, sense). Sokal appears to have noticed this, because a later book fixed the mistake (without acknowledging it).

Other examples are too numerous and detailed to discuss here, but suffice it to say that a very large asterisk must be placed next to Sokal’s claims that postmodernists frequently misunderstand or distort scientific ideas.

Stephen Hilgartner, a sociologist who studies science and technology, published an article in the journal Science, Technology, and Human Values in which he compares the Sokal hoax to a similar experiment that had been carried out in 1987. In this experiment, social worker William Epstein submitted two versions of a falsified paper to social work journals: one version showing that social work interventions were effective, and the other showing that they were ineffective. The papers were otherwise identical.

The purpose of Epstein’s experiment was to test whether the journals in question had a bias for studies that confirmed the basic tenets of their field. Although there have been arguments over his methodology, Epstein’s experiment was controlled and scientific, and he never allowed the papers to go to print. When the experiment was finally published, no one was interested in the substance of his research, only the question of whether it was ethical or not. Epstein was brought in front of a review panel and nearly expelled from his profession.

The gist of Hilgartner’s comparison is that the Sokal hoax tells us practically nothing about academic standards in the humanities. Sokal did not make any attempt to make his experiment scientific, the logic underlying his choice of Social Text as a target was rather fuzzy, his ethical standards were considerably more lax than Epstein’s, and his analysis consisted of what Hilgartner termed the “voila method”: pointing to a single case and assuming the conclusion is self-evident.

Sokal won in the court of public opinion because his experiment provided a good talking point for pundits like Rush Limbaugh and George Will, and he was not academically censured because there was no ethical review board to haul him in front of.

The unfortunately undramatic conclusion that must be drawn from all this is that the situation is ambivalent. Science is extraordinarily complex, and the sociology of science is equally complex. And don’t get me started on postmodernist thought. The people at the forefront of these fields are mostly acting in more or less good faith, and when they make mistakes they tend to be small ones that are not that big a deal.

The Social Text fiasco is a tempest in a teapot with a long history and aftermath that need to be grasped in order to fully understand its significance – which is substantially smaller than you might have been told. There are structural problems with every field, and there are also people who are dedicated to working on these problems. When thinking of science in general and this episode of its history in particular, it’s best not to look for heroes, villains, and impostors. That way lies madness.

Ancient species of flowering plant absorbs genes of algae and moss

e lizabeth Drewni K , staff

Scientists from Indiana University have shown that a rare tropical plant absorbs the genes of other plant species. Amborella trichopoda, a shrub found on the island of New Caledonia 750 miles from the coast of Australia, carries the complete mitochondrial genomes of three species of algae, one moss species, and the genomic fragments of other species of flowering plants.

“We found the first evidence that mitochondria of flowering plants and green algae, whose last common ancestor existed over a billion years ago, undergo fusion by the same mechanism,” said Danny Rice, one of the lead scientists on the project.

Mitochondrial fusion is instrumental in a process called Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT). In HGT, DNA from one organism is able to enter and be incorporated into another

As the only survivor from one of the two oldest lineages of flowering plants, A. trichopoda has had ample time to acquire these changes to its mitochondrial genome. One of the ways mitochondria undergo these changes is through a process known as mitochondrial fusion, in which two mitochondria merge within one cell.

organism. Horizontal Gene Transfer is an important evolutionary force in organisms such as bacteria, Archaea, and unicellular eukaryotic organisms such as protozoa, amoeba, or plankton

There has been little evidence of HGT functioning as a genetic mechanism in multicellular eukaryotic organisms like fungi, plants, and animals. With this new information collected on A. trichopoda, it is evident that HGT in plants is not only possible, but recent and widespread.

In fact, A. trichopoda is the largest example of HGT in any known

organism. Furthermore, it is the first time in which scientists see an example of an organelle genome absorbing a complete foreign genome. It is also the first time that a land plant has been shown to acquire genes from an aquatic species of plant, like the green algae.

This work on A. trichopoda gives scientists insight into the mechanisms of HGT. In this case, it occurs by direct physical contact. A whole mitochondrion is captured by A. trichopoda when the cells of both the host and parasite plants come into contact. The mitochondria then fuse,

and the genes within them are recombined so that all of the genes fit into the single host mitochondrion. In this way, A. trichopoda has acquired entire mitochondrial genomes from algae and moss species.

Jeff Palmer, another one of the lead scientists on the study, explains that this research provides “compelling evidence that mitochondrial fusion is the driving force for mitochondrial gene transfer ” Further research involving Amborella will help illuminate the ancestral states of important genes in flowering plants.

event Listings

The arts events to attend this weekend

Friday, Jan. 10 Empower

The Purple Room at FRAME

Friday, Jan. 10

Present At Hand by Matthieu Sabourin aceartinc.

Friday, Jan. 10

The High Thunderers / Lonely Vulcans / Valley Girl Special / Bunk Mustangs The Windsor Hotel

Thursday, Jan. 16 - Feb. 15

Water Memory Table by Patrick Mahon Gallery 1C03 at the University of Winnipeg

Thursday, Jan. 16

Vernissage: L'avènement de Marie-Andrée Houde La Maison des artistes visuels

Friday, Jan. 10

c. ladd / beefdonut / Rory Friesen & the Poets of Good The Cavern

Wednesday, Jan. 8

Greg Rekus / Dust Rhinos /

for the Bad

/ Mad Young

/

(PA) The Park Theatre

Ar ts & Culture

Compendium Artist Market set to open in April 2014

a nastasia ChipelsK i, staff

If all goes according to plan, 2014 will mark the fruition of a dream eight years in the making, and the conclusion of over three years of dogged determination. This April, Ryan Poworoznik hopes to hold the grand opening for the Compendium Artist Market at 564 1/2 Main Street.

While he had long held the dream of opening a graphic design studio and art gallery, after graduating from Red River College (studying graphic arts and photography) he began to get serious about penning a business plan.

“My main focus was still the art gallery portion, but there were now other aspects I wanted to incorporate,” Poworoznik tells the Manitoban. “It started off with a photography studio, then a juice bar, then a craft market, and then expanding the juice bar to include coffee as well. Every part seemed to work well together, and some were even necessary from a financial standpoint.”

While his dream has held steady for the most part, securing funding for the project has been “one of the longest and hardest battles I’ve ever fought,” says Poworoznik.

He spent a year hearing from banks and other organizations that he didn’t qualify for loans and grants, and endured many frustrating and drawn-out negotiations. On a personal level, he’s also had difficulty with aspects of communication and networking due to a stutter.

“People call or want to talk on the phone, and that’s not something I’m comfortable doing. [ . . . ] I’m still happy to talk to anyone who wants to, it just might be difficult to express my thoughts in the way that I’d like to.”

Poworoznik found help in early 2013, when Vicki Anne Melo joined the project and took on some of the responsibility for communications as creative director. A freelance writer by trade, Melo has been blogging for Compendium and posting interviews with local artists over the past few

months.

In between setbacks and positive moves forward, Poworoznik has seen concrete interest growing in the project.

“I’ve also talked to a ton of people that are interested in what I’m doing, want to help, and can’t wait for us to open. It’s been quite uplifting and appreciated,” says Melo.

Poworoznik also takes heart in the other successful ventures he’s witnessed over the past few years, and hopes that his experience could also be of use to others who are dreaming up their own projects.

“I’m happy to see other young entrepreneurs following their dreams. With that being said, if I can provide anyone with more information about my experiences in starting a business to help them start theirs, I would be glad to do so.”

Giving back to the community has been a constant fixture in Poworoznik’s plans for the creative hub of Compendium.

“We’ll be providing information on our social media outlets about various social issues, as well as having printed information in our shop. We also plan on having speakers and screening documentaries and films on different topics,” says Poworoznik.

Another key topic for Compendium is environmental responsibility, and a commitment to green practices is evident through their construction choices and plans for using recyclable products and sourcing local produce in the coffee and juice bar.

Compendium is currently inviting advance bookings for various types of events, including film screenings, pop-up dinners, fashion shows, small concerts, workshops, and more, and they will be booking artists and craft shows soon as well.

Read more about Compendium at artistmarket.ca, and follow them on Facebook for the latest news about bookings and the grand opening.

Art gallery Zsa

Zsa West showcases Study for the Canadian Museum of Human Wrongs by Paul Zacharias

lu K as thiessen, staff

Eight months before the grand opening of the controversial Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR), a small and heroic venture in Winnipeg’s Chinatown presents an exhibition addressing the difficulties in such an endeavour.

The place is Zsa Zsa West, run by Andrew Harwood, a student at the University of Manitoba completing a master’s degree in fine arts. It is in the location of the former gallery known as Golden City Fine Art on Pacific Avenue. The event showcases the work of Winkler-born artist Paul Zacharias in an exhibition called Study for the Canadian Museum of Human Wrongs

Harwood explained in an interview with the Manitoban that Zsa Zsa West is not a gallery or a studio.

“It’s somewhere between an artist-run centre and a private art gallery. This confuses Manitobans.”

Harwood is proud of the grit and imperfection there. “I have no interest in becoming a publiclyfunded gallery. Maybe I’m just a Liberal or something terrible like that. I’ve done all of the public stuff, and it’s valuable for still emerging artists who still can’t be commercial, but it limits what you can do.”

Zacharias echoes this sentiment, explaining shows that couldn’t be done at publiclyfunded venues are possible at Zsa Zsa.

“There’s a line in my intro where

I say we think we’re the tough luck cousins of the jewelled empires of the U.K. and the U.S.A., but really we’re more empire enablers. You couldn’t say some things I do with these works at a publiclyfunded show. At Andrew’s you can be more controversial.”

An eerie video trailer for the exhibition combines imagery reminiscent of Buffalo Bill’s hairraising lair in the film version of The Silence of the Lambs , alongside the music of Spaghetti Western favourite Ennio Morricone, which begins with powerful chanting that evokes indigenous percussion and vocal music, and German electronic artist Pole.

Also in the trailer, we see an eternally burning book. Hands craft objects of slavery and violence: a severed human foot caught in a fur trap. Hands hold a chainsaw in the frozen wasteland, followed by the sound of the machine revving up and blood curling down the drain of a sink.

Zacharias is known for his paintings on canvases of wood, and he plans to perhaps include paintings in the show, but the exhibition as an installation—in this case, a museum—is a new move for him.

“I work a lot in film as a scenic artist,” says Zacharias. “We do quite a bit of both sculpture and painting, painting in the threedimensional aspect – that’s kind of where some of the techniques for this show have come out.”

Much debate has occurred around the issue of whether the

CMHR should be more celebratory or mournful, whether it should focus on successes of human rights or travesties.

Zacharias has no reserves about showcasing the horrid side of Canadian history.

“It’s still a look at the ugly Canadians. The part of us that we don’t like to talk about.”

There is a hint of playful humour in the show. The CMHR is embroiled in so much serious controversy that debates over what to present continue to occur, and there is concern over what is the right way to promote the museum.

Zacharias says he had more freedom because he wasn’t funded, which limited the amount of work he could put into the show, but he could try new and difficult things because he was not focused on selling works.

In creating the idea of a museum of human wrongs, there is no proper way to address suffering.

“I think when you talk about Canadian history, if you’re missing the voice of Native people, you’re missing a huge chunk of it,” says Zacharias.

The artist does not purport to correct any style of presentation expected from the CMHR. Study is a dark and frightening vision, coupled with a bit of cheekiness.

The exhibition opens Friday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. at Zsa Zsa West, located at 211 Pacific Avenue in Winnipeg.

Urban Shaman hosts Returning, a multimedia exhibition that draws on previous works by Cree Métis visual artist

staff

Visual artist Jason Baerg has recently gone back to his hometown of Sarnia, Ontario—a place in which he has not lived since 1995—as part of an artist residency program at the Judith and Norman ALIX Art Gallery. Having last been here in 2010, Baerg is also making a short jaunt to Winnipeg as part of an exhibition of his work.

It is appropriate, as he revisits past locales, that his current show is titled Returning

Baerg explains in an interview with the Manitoban that after years of moving from place to place, his sense of home stretches across the globe. His current residency radically altered his understanding of his past.

“My previous relationships have preceded journeys. When I’m traveling places those relationships open doors.”

He emphasizes that this show highlights his relationships with indigenous communities and his heritage as a Cree Métis artist.

Returning draws on two different bodies of work: Relations, begun during his residency in Winnipeg, and Nomadic Bounce, created as part of his residency through the school of art at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2012.

As part of the former opportunity, he worked with young artists at Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre,

the latter was part of an indigenous residency exchange program between the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the University of Lethbridge.

Relations consists of digitally abstracted images of community members with whom he worked at Ndinawe. A special occurrence took place while working on images of one particular person.

“Every time I clicked for those random abstractions to appear, [digitally formed images of] birds kept coming forward. I talked to him after and he said he is a member of a Bird Clan.”

“Nomadic Bounce really talks about the travelling journey of traditional knowledge,” says Baerg.

He was hosted by a Maori artist in New Zealand, which contributed to a transnational concept of indigenous knowledge.

Baerg says that when this exhibition was shown at Saskatoon’s Mendel Art Gallery, he conceived of the display of the works as the image of a solar-powered speed train. “They [people who inspired the works and visitors to the show] are now taking us into the future. It’s a mode for reclamation and empowerment.”

Today, Baerg’s work is becoming more collaborative.

He describes his desire to release his ownership of the digital media he creates, to let the people who inspire his work and the curators who

present it become the owners of the work, while he maintains copyright of physical creations.

“I have allowed myself to relieve myself of ownership in the work. I hope that one day the work is a legacy, that one day the pieces become playful for curators.”

Baerg says that the show’s title is both about drawing on the past and providing something which can be accessed again in the future.

“I’m really thankful to be raised in the Aboriginal way. You have to do a bit of research and observe protocol. You have to do a lot of listening and observing. There’s a certain kind of empowerment that happens with that humbling.”

As part of this show he will be conducting workshops with young artists at both Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre and Art City.

“It’s an honour to present in Métis territory, to present at Urban Shaman, to work with Ndinawe and Art City and the art community in Winnipeg. I have tremendous respect for the artists in Winnipeg.”

Come see the exhibition of Baerg’s work at Urban Shaman (Suite 203-290 McDermot Avenue in the Exchange District). The show opens Jan. 17, with a reception and an artist’s talk at 9 p.m., and runs to Feb. 22.

Review: Mood Indigo

Mi Chael Carlisle

French director Michel Gondry has had quite an unusual filmography, ranging from the beloved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to the poorly received superhero flick The Green Hornet. He began his film career in 1989, directing a now-obscure French short, then got his big break directing music videos for the Icelandic singer Bjork. Mood Indigo is his latest picture, and it is making waves with audiences worldwide.

Romain Duris and Audrey Tautou star in this peculiar flick about a woman stricken with a strange illness caused by a flower developing in her lungs.

This modern French fantasy is filled to the brim with surreal imagery that captures the mind and captivates the heart. It has a dream-like atmosphere which shows that even in suffering there is tremendous beauty. Too often we hear that there are no new ideas in 21st-century cinema; however, Mood Indigo proves the pessimists wrong. This is an inspired film that not only demonstrates that cinema has no boundaries, but that the imagination is limitless as well. Gondry has created a truly breathtaking experience

The cinematography is astounding, giving us triumphant images that make this picture feel like a unique experience. Both main actors, Romain Duris (Heartbreaker) and Audrey Tautou (Amelie) are at the top of their game when it comes to their remarkable acting. The score really sells the dreamy nature of the picture; it is subtle but inspires creativity. I was also impressed by the dialogue and overall screenplay Gondry presents; every line feels natural and not forced, which greatly intrigues the audience.

Mood Indigo is a profound movie, based on a pretty great book. Gondry’s film is closest in visual style with the pictures made by British director Terry Gilliam (Brazil ). So if you enjoy Gilliam’s flicks, then you will definitely enjoy this one. 5/5

Check out more of Michael’s reviews at goodbadcritic.blogspot.ca, and catch a screening of Mood Indigo at Cinematheque (100 Arthur Street) on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 9 p.m.).

Top local bands of 2013

Ihate year-end lists. The past is irrelevant and the future is everything. So, flying in the face of that hatred, let’s cherry pick the bands that I’ve written about over the last year who are destined for greatness in 2014.

the PSyChiCS

Space rangers and aliens of all shapes and sizes better prepare themselves for the impending invasion of earth. The Psychics are leading a revolution of acts that push the boundaries of performance by embracing a B-movie aesthetic and a love of jazzy improvisational rock. They give you tripped out music and a reason to dress up like a wacky space alien.

the uncanny valley girls

The formula is simple. Take three valley girls named Ashley. Give them an organ, a guitar, and a drum set. Ask them to write songs about the real important stuff—their hopes, fears, dreams—and you will get one of the best bands that has ever existed. Mark my words – they will save rock and roll.

kinDest cuts

There is something about the howl and moan of sleek minimal synths that fit the loneliness of Winnipeg. The isolation of -40 C wind chill and empty streets is woven into the poetic tapestry of drum machine, synths, and vocals that inhabit Kindest Cuts’ debut cassette. It stays sharp after multiple listens and never wavers in its promise to lay bare its inner workings for the entire world to see.

BeefDonut

This is a band I’ve been able to watch grow and change over the last year. It’s been an experience that you only get when you take part in your local music scene, watching the band evolve from show to show.

In the beginning beefdonut was just its main songwriter playing along with pre-recorded tracks. Now beefdonut performs with the rhythm section from Kato Destroy and a backup singer. Their new album coming out in the spring is gonna make 2014 feel like 1996. Don’t understand? I’ll explain when the album comes out.

10 movies to help you get through the rest of winter

Mi Chael Carlisle

the greAt BeAuty Paolo Sorrentino’s surreal masterpiece is as close to a Federico Fellini flick as any modern filmmaker can get; for that he should be commended.

the woLF oF wALL Street

A tale of depravity, decadence, and debauchery; Martin Scorsese’s newest picture is his greatest, and most controversial, since his gangster epic Goodfellas

12 yeArS A SLAve

Steve McQueen’s latest project takes its subject matter extremely seriously, which is a refreshing discourse from nonsensical fantasies like Django Unchained.

the dAnCe oF reALity

At 84, Alejandro Jodorowsky proves that he can still shock and entertain us. This beautiful autobiography of the old man’s life is filled with so much surreal imagery that it should come with its own instruction manual.

BLue iS the wArmeSt CoLor

Despite its NC-17 rating, Blue is an odyssey of self-discovery, sexual identity, and the nature of love.

Le PASSé

Asghar Farhadi’s newest flick Le Passe, a fantastic domestic drama, proves that he is not a one-hit wonder and will surely continue to produce Academy-Award-caliber films.

BLue JASmine

Woody Allen has a masterpiece on his hands. Blue Jasmine is a modern A Streetcar Named Desire, but not even Marlon Brando, who played Stanley in Elia Kazan’s 1951 version, would be able to handle 2013’s Blanche.

Jeune et JoLie

Very few North Americans have heard of the great François Ozon. If you haven’t, Jeune et Jolie is definitely a great place to start. It is sexy and seductive, with a hint of suspense.

Like FAther, Like Son Hirokazu Koreeda has made a great family flick that is not full of the usual cliché sentimentality. Honest and thought-provoking, it will truly encourage you to reflect on your own family life.

tArget PrACtiCe

A purely Canadian film, Target Practice will touch your heart and stir your soul. It plays like a childhood memory and although there are very dramatic moments, you can’t help but experience intense feelings of nostalgia.

5 makers who made my life better

Just the gooDs

It’s rare to find a skin care line that doesn’t market based on gender or through pointing out made-up flaws. The products offered by Just the Goods are pared down where they need to be—in external glitz and lofty promises— leaving just what is needed, often with a sweetsmelling flourish. I use the lip scrub as a tasty treat for sun or wind-chapped lips, and the hand and body lotions are the first I’ve found that haven’t left me vacillating between itchy reptile skin and an oily mess.

The business practices are just as balanced and transparent, which makes Just the Goods truly affordable for basics, and an easy splurge for tiny luxuries.

snootsie

After hearing “Awesome purse, where’d you find it?” answered with “Snootsie” twice in one day, my curiosity was piqued. Tesh Kosowan’s purses are gorgeous, but her vintage-style bicycle bag really took my summer to the next level. It’s rugged yet stylish, and deceptively spacious. If it’s full, external d-rings add the option of strapping an extra sweater or picnic blanket on the outside. I didn’t have a compatible saddle; Kosowan went the extra mile and offered a hardware set that made it work perfectly.

flora anD farmer

I had fallen out of love with toast until I discovered Flora and Farmer’s “delightfully daring” jam combinations. The smaller jars offer an opportunity to experiment with flavours like Hot & Smokey Tomato & Pineapple or Maple Ginger Blueberry. It’s hard to pick a favourite and I’ll probably keep exploring the impressive roster of tastes for many breakfasts to come.

roy liang

Liang’s silk-screened re-imaginings of local iconography always inspire a chuckle. When I saw his Louis Riel-Vuitton design, which weaves symbols for Confusion Corner, the Jets, and Salisbury House into the high fashion designer’s classic pattern, I realized that it was time to buy myself a little gift as well.

lennarD taylor

I’ve often been torn between fashion and function – between comfort and the desire to carry my belongings on my person. The Lennard Taylor holsters changed all that, offering wearable pockets and making me question my need for a purse. They’re well-made, adjustable, and fashionably versatile – well worth saving up for.

6 impressive young people

lu K as thiessen, staff

Search online about teens in Winnipeg and most of the results suggest that young people are constantly on their worst behaviour. Such a cursory view ignores exquisite talents and successes of teens in this city. The following review of five great achievements of young people in Winnipeg during 2013 suggests that there is much more to teenagers in the city of muddy waters.

a aron woJnowksi, 18

Vincent Massey Collegiate graduate, along with Christian Lunny, 18, and 12th-grader David Bell, both from St. Paul’s High School at the time, created the app MUSI, which allows users to create personal playlists using Youtube, rather than rely on premade playlists on sites like Songza and 8tracks.

Daniel huang, 16

In grade 11 at the time, at St. John’sRavenscourt, won fifth place at the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada in Ottawa for discovering a possible new way to combat the deadliest brain cancer.

vivek Bhagria , 18

A student (and now graduate) of Dakota Collegiate in 2013, was chosen as the only Manitoban out of 30 athletes to represent Canada at the World Dwarf Games last August at Michigan State University where he and Team Canada won bronze for volleyball.

alyssa nepinak, 13

Was in grade seven at Arthur E. Wright last year, walked from Winnipeg to Ottawa, leaving March 28 and arriving in Ottawa May 13. Nepinak was one of the youngest members of Youth4Lakes, a group in support of the Idle No More movement.

*honour ABLe mention: ryan pistorius

A student at St. John’s-Ravenscourt, was named the world’s top debater and public speaker for high school students amongst 80 others from 16 countries at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship in Brisbane, Australia in 2012.

In the areas of digital technology, public speaking, cutting-edge medical developments, athletic prowess, and social activism, teens in Winnipeg are at the forefront not only in our city, province, and country, but globally.

Time may come for Winnipeg Jets to can coach Claude

MarC l agaCe, staff

Sitting well out of playoff contention heading into the second half of the 2012-13 season, the clock might be winding down on Claude Noel’s time as head coach of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets continue to flirt with a winning record under Noel’s coaching, but have failed to turn the corner and shed the reputation for mediocrity that has hung over the franchise since its inception as the Atlanta Thrashers.

Through 42 games this season, the Jets have 43 points and a record of 19-21-5. They sit one point ahead of the Central Division’s basementdwelling Nashville Predators, and seven points back from a Western Conference wild card spot. The Jets are going to require a strong January, with 15 games remaining before the NHL takes a break for the Sochi Olympics.

The Jets have talented veterans like Bryan Little, who leads the team in points and is on pace to have a career year; Blake Wheeler, who will play for Team USA at the

Olympics; Dustin Byfuglien; and Zach Bogosian. They also have promising young talent like Mark Scheifele and Jacob Trouba, who have the potential to be the future leaders of the Jets franchise.

The division realignment that moved the Jets from the Southeast Division to the Central has exposed the Jets as playoff pretenders

Unfortunately, the division realignment that moved the Jets from the Southeast Division to the Central has exposed the Jets as playoff pretenders. While it was exciting to watch the Jets jockey

for the lowly Southeast Division crown, with Chicago, St. Louis, and Colorado set for many years of successful seasons to come, the Jets will have to make a big move to make up ground on the division leaders. Part of that will come through the draft, but more importantly through smart player development and game planning by the coaching staff.

Remember Alexander Burmistrov? The Russian centre was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, and pushed into the starting lineup the following season. Instead of taking an extra year or two to develop in the minor leagues, Burmistrov fizzled out in the NHL and now plays in the KHL.

I bring up Burmistrov as an example of how decisions made by coaches and management can contribute to the stunted growth of a young player’s development. So far, the team has given other prospects the time to develop and grow before transitioning them into the pros, and Noel has given Scheifele and Trouba plenty of ice time. With his AHL coaching background, player development should be one of Noel’s strengths.

The question Jets fans should be asking themselves is whether Noel has done enough to keep his job secure. You have to wonder whether Noel would have ever been in the conversation for the Jets’ head coach position if he weren’t already working for True North as the head coach of the Manitoba Moose. True North gave Noel the nod, and hasn’t had much success to show for the decision through two seasons in the NHL.

The grace period for Claude Noel has long ended. The fantasy of raising a Southeast Division banner to the MTS Centre rafters never materialized. The Jets have a month before the hockey world turns their attention to Sochi. The reality is that unless something changes in Winnipeg, making the playoffs in the wild Western Conference will just be another unrealized fantasy for Jets fans.

How the top NHL Draft prospects have performed

Mi K e still, staff

The World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC) has consistently provided NHL prospects with a chance to showcase their skills on a larger stage. While a poor performance can affect when a player gets drafted, a strong performance has historically spring-boarded players up the draft board. For example, Nino Niederreiter of Switzerland was a late first round projection heading into the World Juniors. He vaulted into the top five in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft based on his strong play in the tournament (6G, 10A-7 games). Here is a breakdown of four top-ranked prospects, and how they have performed in the World Juniors.

and three assists through five games, and has provided tons of energy in the offensive zone, alongside 16-year-old Connor McDavid and 18-year-old Bo

this season. The big factor that sets Ekblad apart is his size. At 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, he can be an intimidating physical force on the ice.

Sam Reinhart, centre, Canada (Kootenay Ice, WHL) Reinhart is a heavy favourite to go first overall in this year’s NHL Draft. Before heading to the World Juniors, he had 16 goals and 50 points in 33 games with the Kootenay Ice. His performance in the tournament has not dampened his draft stock. Reinhart registered two goals

His work on both the power play and penalty kill has also been an asset to Team Canada.

Aaron Ekblad, defence, Canada (Barrie Colts, OHL) Ekblad and Reinhart are currently in a close fight for the top spot in the draft. Ekblad has 10 goals and 25 points in 29 games with Barrie

While he had just one goal and one assist in five games, it is his overall workhorse performance that has shone. He is a part of the second-line defensive pairing with Derrick Pouliot, and logged quality minutes throughout the tournament as an even strength defender as well as on the penalty kill. Ekblad’s hardworking play and heavy ice time was key in the first three games of the tournament. He stepped up as veteran Griffin Reinhart served the final three games of his suspension from last year. Based on his play, he is still in prime contention to be a definite top two pick this year.

Leon Draisaitl, centre, Germany (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL)

Some have said that Draisaitl may be the best prospect to come out of Germany since Dennis Seidenberg in 2001. Draisaitl has 18 goals and 51 points in 33 games playing for Prince Albert this season.

What I learned in 2013 about Winnipeg's sports teams

This past year was full of challenges for Winnipeg sports teams. The Bombers and Goldeyes failed to make the playoffs and the Jets have continued to struggle. Despite the shortcomings, there are still many bright spots to look forward to as we head into 2014. Here are a few things I have learned about each team, and what to expect in 2014.

goldeyes

The Winnipeg Goldeyes entered 2013 coming off their first championship since 1994. The season got off to a strong start, starting 8-0 on the road. It was the dog days of the mid-season that cost them a playoff spot, as the Goldeyes fell to as much as 12 games under .500. Despite a strong finish and a 56-44 record, the Goldeyes failed to make the post-season.

The team will return three key players in 2014, including two-time MVP Josh Mazzola. He had another productive season in 2013, with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. Reliever Brendan Lafferty went 5-2, and set a Goldeyes record by appearing in 53 games out of the bullpen. Infielder Amos Ramon will also be back for a third season. He registered eight home runs and 52 RBI last season. If the Goldeyes can add some quality young players to match the

veterans they have at almost every position, they should be in good shape to improve on a season that ended with a winning record and tons of optimism.

Jets

The Winnipeg Jets seem to be continuing in a never-ending circle of mediocrity. The team has managed just three wins in a row so far this season, a clear indication of the lacking consistency. Injuries had an effect on the team in 2013, as only seven players have played in every game so far this season. The defence have struggled the most: Grant Clitsome and Paul Postma are both on the injured reserve, Jacob Trouba incurred a scary neck injury, and Zach Bogosian, who has been the defensive dynamo for the team, also lost a significant chunk of ice time.

Another cause for concern is their lack of depth at forward. Andrew Ladd, Blake Wheeler, and Bryan Little—who make up the first line— are three of the top four scorers. In the face of these failures, there are a few pleasant surprises on the team this season.

After scoring just 14 points in the lockout-shortened season a year ago, Olli Jokinen has stepped up his game, tallying 26 points, including 10

goals, so far this season. The future also looks bright for the Jets, as centre Mark Scheifele and defenceman Jacob Trouba have added energy and productivity to the team. Scheifele is eighth in rookie scoring with 20 points, and Jacob Trouba has shown flashes of brilliance. Al Montoya has also been strong in net, proving his abilities with an 8-3-1 record, and a 2.02 goals against average.

Things aren’t looking too good for the Jets heading into the New Year; with a 19-20-5 record, Winnipeg sits in second last place in the tough Central Division. Even with another disappointing start, there are pieces in place to improve in the years to come.

Blue Bombers

Heading into the World Juniors, he had the potential to be a top five pick. His performance for Germany has not helped facilitate that prediction. While he does have two goals and two assists in five games, his undisciplined play has cost him. Draisaitl has a total of 52 penalty minutes, including a pair of game misconducts. The fact that he picked up more penalty minutes in five games than his total season points in the WHL is not something that will appease scouts.

Ivan Barbashev, centre, Russia (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL) Barbashev came into the tournament as a potential top-15 draft pick. He has produced 13 goals and 37 points in 29 games this season, and is one of the QMJHL’s best prospects. Of all the draft-eligible players heading to the World Juniors, he had the most to gain, as a strong performance had the potential to bump him into the top 10.

Because he was the youngest player on a strong Russian team, Barbashev played mainly on the third line. He managed just one goal and one assist in six games, but that should not have hurt his draft stock, as he played with

a lot of energy and gave his team some quality chances. His familiarity with the North American game will aid his position in the draft as well.

* * *

You may be asking yourself, “what about the Jets’ prospects?”

The Winnipeg Jets had two players represent Canada at this year’s tournament: first-round Jets draft pick defenceman Josh Morrissey and second-round forward Nic Petan. Both Morrissey and Petan had strong World Juniors campaigns, and the future looks bright for Winnipeg.

Morrissey has two assists in five games, and was active on both the penalty kill and power play. His leadership and poise leading a strong defensive corps have not gone unnoticed.

Nic Petan had a breakout tournament, scoring four goals and one assist. His game-winning goal against Slovakia proved he can come through in the clutch. Petan has been all over the ice in the tournament, and will definitely add scoring prowess for the Jets.

iLLuStRatiON by SCOtt FORD

for the team. He has CFL experience and a connection to the team having played 11 years as fullback for the Bombers. He also has a business history, as co-founder and CEO of Pinnacle, the largest recruitment firm in Manitoba.

Miller took a step in the right

assistant general managers who will also assist with scouting. The hiring of Mike O’Shea as head coach is also a positive move for the club.

Coming off an abysmal 3-15 record, it appears there is nowhere to go but up for the Blue Bombers. The firings of general manager Joe Mack and president Garth Buchko were the first steps in the right direction for a team that had their worst record since 1998.

Wade Miller, who was appointed as acting CEO, is the right decision

direction when he promoted assistant general manager Kyle Walters to the full GM position. Walters has knowledge of the team and league already, having worked with Mack. He also won a Grey Cup when he played for the Tiger-Cats in 1999.

Walters has already made quite a few quality decisions, including hiring Danny McManus and Ted Goveia as

O’Shea has over 20 years of CFL experience as both a player and coach, and has won four Grey Cups. He has plenty of experience on the defensive side of the ball, where he played linebacker. He is also a strong special teams guru, helping to turn Chad Owens into one of the best returners in the game in Toronto. With a young receiving group remaining mainly intact, as well as a veteran front four, the Blue Bombers have some key pieces on both sides of the ball. It is important to keep the offensive line healthy, and snag a young quarterback like Zach Collaros. He proved his worth on the Toronto team that had O’Shea as their special teams co-ordinator. If Winnipeg can do that, they may be looking at one of the greatest turnarounds in CFL history.

PHOtO by bEibEi Lu

The best is yet to come

Canadian tennis stronger than ever heading into 2014

aDa M peleshaty, volunteer staff

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his past year saw the first glimpse into what appears to be a very bright future for Canadian tennis.

Three of Canada’s top players are coming off career bests in 2013 heading into the 2014 Australian Open, which starts on Jan. 13. Expectations are high for Milos Raonic, Vasek Pospisil, and Eugenie Bouchard as they await their seeding for the main singles draws at the first tennis Grand Slam of 2014.

Milos Raonic made history for Canadian tennis in 2013, notwithstanding some difficulty.

Last year, the “Maple Leaf Missile” reached the Round of 16 in the Australian Open for the second time in three years before losing to Roger Federer. In February, Raonic won the SAP Open in San Jose for the third year in a row.

Three months later, Raonic dropped longtime coach Galo Blanco in favour of former World #3 Ivan Ljubicic. The switch sent Raonic into a summer slump as he adjusted.

Worries about the 23-year-old vanished when he reached the Montreal Rogers Cup final in August. It was the first Masterslevel final for Raonic, and the first time a Canadian has reached the men’s singles final at the premiere Canadian tennis event in 55 years. Despite losing to Rafael Nadal, he climbed to a career-high #10 Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) World Tour ranking, the first Canadian male to do so.

After another tournament win in Thailand, reaching the Round of 16 at the U.S. Open for the first time and leading Canada to the Davis Cup semifinals, he was awarded the Lionel Conacher Award for Canadian male athlete of the year by the Canadian Press.

Vasek Pospisil entered 2013 playing in Raonic’s shadow, and while he hasn’t achieved the same success as Raonic, it was a stellar year that currently has him ranked at a career-high #32 in the ATP.

He began the year with a bout of mononucleosis and fell out of the top 100. After recovering, he won an ATP Challenger event in Vancouver, and a week later reached the semifinal of the Rogers Cup, falling to Raonic. With doubles partner Daniel Nestor, he helped Canada secure Davis Cup doubles victories in marathon five-set matches against Italy and Serbia. His versatility could make him a highly-ranked player in both singles and doubles very soon.

Eugenie Bouchard had a very promising year of growth as a professional in 2013, after starting out ranked #144 in the world. By the end of 2013, many believed she could become the best female tennis player Canada has ever produced. Her potential is still not fully realized, but Bouchard showed she could compete with the best in women’s tennis.

At Wimbledon, Bouchard defeated former Grand Slam champion Ana Ivanovic. She also won the first set against top-ranked tennis superstar Serena Williams at a U.S. Open warm-up event (the Western & Southern Open) in a losing effort. Bouchard reached her first Women’s Tennis Association final at the HP Open in Japan but lost to former doubles Grand Slam champion Sam Stosur.

By year’s end, Bouchard had risen to #32 in the world and was named the Women’s Tennis Association Newcomer of the Year. Bouchard’s success led to her being awarded the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award for Canadian female athlete of the year by the Canadian Press. The Australian Open is an opportunity for the three players to get off to a strong start in the New Year. For Raonic, he will attempt advance to his first-ever Grand Slam quarter-final. For the other two, it will be their first main draw appearance Down Under. 2014 could be the beginning of something really special for Canadian tennis.

Bison briefs

Basketball

Both Bison basketball teams finished off 2013 by participating in a non-conference tournament.

The women’s team travelled to Halifax to play at Saint Mary’s University for Thunder Selects CIS Holiday Classic. The Bisons managed a win over Dalhousie 71-69, but lost 57-84 to the hosts and 63-80 to the University of Western Ontario.

The men’s team stayed home for the holidays and played in the Wesmen Classic hosted by the University of Winnipeg. The Bisons came out strong and defeated Valley City 71-62, but lost to the Wesmen in the semifinals 61-73. The men would settle for bronze in the tournament after beating Regina 89-82.

Canada West basketball action resumes at Investors Group Athletic Centre this weekend, on Jan. 10 and 11, as Manitoba hosts Trinity Western and Fraser Valley.

hockey

The Bison women’s hockey team started the New Year with a pair of home victories over the University

of Saskatchewan, and are working their way up the Canada West standings in the final stretch of the season. Manitoba looked to avenge a pair of road losses from the two teams’ first meeting back in October.

Kyleigh Palmer scored both Bison goals, her second coming as the game-winner, in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Cougars on Jan. 3. Palmer opened the scoring late in the second period on the power play, and Saskatchewan tied it up in the final second of the frame.

Maggie Litchfield-Medd had an assist on both Bison goals on the night.

The following evening, Bison Meagan Vestby stepped up. Vestby opened the scoring on the power play in the first period, and knotted the game-winner unassisted midway through the third period.

The Bisons completed the weekend sweep with a 3-2 win. Palmer notched her team-leading 10th goal of the season, while Dee-Ana Marion was solid in net for her second win of the weekend.

The Bison men’s hockey team had a tough time in Saskatoon, as they followed up a shootout

loss with a regulation loss to the University of Saskatchewan.

Manitoba showed a lot of heart after Saskatchewan went up 3-0 midway through the game; the Bisons stormed back to take a 4-3 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the third. Unfortunately, the Huskies would force overtime and clinch the extra point in the shootout. Ian Duval had three assists and Aaron Lewadniuk had two goals for the Bisons during their third period surge that saw the herd score three goals within three and a half minutes.

In the rematch the following day, the Bisons were able to strike first, as Taylor Dickin scored on the power play in the first period. But the power play marker was effectively wiped out by two shorthanded goals in the second period, and a third even strength goal that clinched the Saskatchewan victory 3-2.

The men return home to host the Mount Royal Cougars on Jan. 10 and 11 at 7 p.m., while the women travel to Mount Royal for their pair of weekend games.