SPRING 2019 Scraping by since 2009 VOL. 11, NO. 6

The city may be able to ra- are eligible for the Equipass, yet Julia Szwarc tionalize its current approach few of them are taking advan- During the week of Feb- to transit because, despite pop- tage of it. In 2017 just 2,600 ruary 4-10, Free Transit Otta- ulation growth, ridership has passes were sold each month. wa challenged Ottawa’s City declined in recent years. How- This probably because of the Councilors and Mayor to take ever, it is diffi cult to blame onerous application process. It the Transit Week Challenge. citizens for avoiding a system requires applicants to provide The idea was simple: To get the that is becoming increasingly information regarding the in- people who make decisions expensive while not serving come of all individuals in their FORD’S TENTACLES: DEGRADING about public transit to experi- their needs. household, to submit forms in ence the system fi rsthand. person or by mail, to wait up To the surprise of the orga- AFFORDABILITY to 30-days to receive approval, OSAP, UNDERMINING STUDENT ORGS nizers, the majority of Council followed by another in-person chose to participate. Some, such Despite being organized visit to receive a Presto card. as Shawn Menard, Laura Dudas, by Free Transit Ottawa, the So while the Equipass and Theresa Kavanagh, enthusi- issue of affordability rarely might provide a welcome dis- astically took the challenge. surfaced in the councillor’s count for a narrowly-defi ned Allan Hubley and Jean comments during the Transit group of people living on a Cloutier, Chair and Vice Chair Week Challenge. This is not en- low income in the city, the low of the Transit Committee re- tirely surprising – Ottawa city uptake of the pass (and high spectively, were initially unre- councillors make over $90,000 costs of administering the pro- sponsive but eventually suc- annually and transit fares gram) suggests that it is inade- cumbed to the public pressure would be a nominal expense quate for addressing the transit demanding that they take part. for them. While affordabili- needs of low income commu- HERONGATE: EVICTIONS, PLAYWRIGHT UNPACKS Others, such as Mayor Jim Wat- ty was not one of the barriers nities in Ottawa. “NORMAL FEMALE son and Barrhaven Councillor faced by city councillors using These issues also raise a BELOW-GRADE MAINTENANCE, Jan Harder, turned the challenge transit, it is a problem for many broader question – why should DEVELOPER INFLUENCE BEHAVIOUR” down, citing their busy sched- people living on a low income. anyone living in Ottawa have to ules as prohibiting them from Under the current model, pay a fare to use transit? taking transit during the week. 43% of OC Transo’s funding comes from passenger and TRANSIT AS A WET’SUWET’EN NATION SERVICE ISSUES ‘other’ revenue, with the re- PUBLIC SERVICE mainder being covered by mu- AND ALLIES PROTEST Throughout the week many nicipal contributions and gas There are over 100 munic- PAGE 4 of the councillors took to Twit- tax funding. This heavy reli- ipalities worldwide in which POLICING AND ATTACKS UNIVERSITY FOR ter to document their com- ance on fare revenue presents a transit is free, with notable Mike Hermida & Tim Kitz The second call to action mutes and reported experiences greater burden on people with examples including Dunkirk, denounced “violent, mili- LEARNING, NOT all too familiar to regular transit low incomes, since the fare France and Tallinn, Estonia. In On March 16, a cold but tarized raids, destruction of JOBS riders. Buses were frequently constitutes a higher percentage addition to being an egalitarian otherwise sunny Saturday, personal property, continued late, cancelled, or didn’t stop be- of their income. social policy, making transit approximately 30 people harassment and threats” from cause they were too full. Stops OC Transpo fares have free to users has the potential to marched through downtown the RCMP, as well as “defam- PAGE 5 were icy and some trips were been increasing by 2.5% on dramatically increase ridership Ottawa and dropped a banner ing and untrue statements by exponentially slower by transit. average per year since 2011, and thereby help to reduce car- in the Rideau Centre, in soli- the government and industry.” ALL WORK Overall they encountered a tran- which is signifi cantly higher bon emissions, air pollution, darity with the Wet’suwet’en Indigenous Solidarity Ot- IS WORK sit system that is unreliable, in- than the infl ation rate of 1.6%. and congestion in the city. Nation. tawa responded by organiz- convenient, and not expansive This also gives us some of the Free transit movements The march was a response ing this action. Armed only enough to reach many commu- highest fares in the country. are gaining traction in both to a call to action posted less with a giant red banner, a PAGE 6 nities within the city. Council plans to raise fares Ottawa and Toronto, largely than 24 hours before to the mega-phone and some con- Currently, the transit sys- again in 2019 for all users, in- because they have the poten- Earth First! Newswire and It’s tagious energy, the crowd of FIGHTING THE tem is designed to get com- cluding for the Equipass pro- tial to address both social in- Going Down. This “Second Indigenous and settler sup- STUDENT CHOICE muters back and forth between gram which offers approxi- equality and environmental International Call to Action porters marched from Confed- home and downtown — and mately half price transit fares for sustainability. for Gidimt’en, the Wet’su- eration Park up to and through INITIATIVE even this is done poorly. For citizens who have a net income Recent reports that indi- wet’en & Indigenous Peoples” the Rideau Centre mall. They people living on low incomes, below $20,998 and who are cate we have a closing 12-year called on allies to “step up enthusiastically chanted things doing shift work, commuting not receiving Ontario Disability window to signifi cantly reduce for a second International like “Respect Indigenous Sov- PAGE 7 between suburbs, or trying to Support or transportation bene- carbon emissions in order Day of Action in solidarity ereignty! Water is Life! Water access services and shopping fi ts from Social Services. to prevent disastrous climate with Gidimt’en Checkpoint, is Sacred! Stop the pipelines! LES SANS- during off-peak hours, the sys- OC Transpo estimates that breakdown. Wet’suwet’en Frontlines, and Stop the hatred!” CULOTTES tem is nearly unworkable. a mere 8,800 people in Ottawa CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 all Indigenous Peoples across After making a lap of the Turtle Island.” mall, the banner was dropped The fi rst day of action in a high traffi c and high-vis- PAGE 11 took place on Jan. 8, after ibility location, where an im- the RCMP unilaterally moved promptu freestyle hip-hop PUBLIC HEALTH into Wet’suwet’en territory show was delivered via mega- GAYZONE the day before, dismantled phone, drawing cheers from a the Gidimt’en checkpoint, crowd of Saturday shoppers and arrested 14 land protec- and mall workers. PAGE 12 tors. The checkpoint was set Rideau Centre security up by the Gidimt’en clan of showed up, but were ignored ANTI-69 the Wet’suwet’en to support as they could not be heard FORUM the Unist’ot’en camp, which over the chanting, cheering has denied Wet’suwet’en land and dancing. access to pipeline companies Police were called and PAGE 14 since 2010. about fi ve or six of offi cers In Ottawa, the fi rst day of showed up and began cutting DISABLED PEOPLE action saw protestors storm down the banner, which — ARE HOT into a government building in through some clever negotia- Ottawa and disrupt a speech tions — was given back to the to be delivered by Prime Min- supporters. ister Justin Trudeau CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Art: Julia Szwarc Art: Brad Evoy EDITORIAL

of white people around the overdue at this point? A WHITE APOLOGY world, for the heinous attacks We know that we white peo- committed by white suprema- ple are a minority on a global FOR THE NEW cist Nazis in New Zealand. scale and that many of us came We would like to extend to your countries as strangers our apology to say we’re sorry — who you welcomed. Believe ZEALAND MOSQUE for all the horrible shit we’ve it or not, many of us just want done over the years. From the to integrate peacefully into MASSACRE AND Atlantic Slave Trade — where international society and live many African Muslims were quietly as good global citizens. OTHER SUPREMACIST enslaved by Europeans and Despite what you may pick up North Americans — to count- from the media, not all white ATROCITIES less bombings and invasions people are vile, violent, fascistic of Middle East countries, haters. (Surprising, huh?) white people have caused a lot Look, some of us are even of pain and suffering. prepared to appear on the news Closer to home, overt and program of your choice with covert acts of Islamophobia are carefully groomed hair and a regular occurrences in Cana- nice suit and tie. Speaking in a The Leveller is a publication covering news, current events, and culture da. Not that long ago, Québec measured, moderate, profound- at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa/Gatin- eau region and, to a lesser extent, the wider world. It is intended to passed Bill 62, banning anyone ly reasonable tone we will say: provide readers with a lively portrait of their campuses and commu- from receiving provincial or “We recognize that there nities and of the events that give them meaning. It is also intended to municipal services while wear- are problems in our commu- be a forum for provocative editorializing and lively debate on issues ing a niqab or burqa. Further, nity. Many of our disenfran- of concern to students, staff, and faculty as well as Ottawa residents. Muslims in Canada are regular- chised young people have been ly subject to racist and offensive seduced by dark and radical The Leveller leans left, meaning it challenges power and privilege and treatment by their white peers. forces. They have taken refuge sides with people over private property. It is also democratic, mean- ing that it favours open discussion over silencing and secrecy. Within And that’s to say nothing of in vile fantasies and danger- these very general boundaries, the Leveller is primarily interested in our own little mass-murdering, ous ideologies that provide the being interesting, in saying something worth saying and worth read- mosque-attacking brat-fascist false comfort, that scapegoat ing about. Alexandre Bissonnette. others for the failures of our Here at The Leveller, we own culture.” The Leveller needs you. It needs you to read it, talk about it, discuss it don’t condone such actions. To (After all, you may have no- with your friends, agree with it, disagree with it, write a letter, write the contrary, we actively try to ticed that we’ve built a totally a story (or send in a story idea), join in the producing of it, or just denounce it. It needs you—or someone like you—to edit it, to guide stop them. In our 10 years of ecocidal, genocidal, suicidal, it towards maturity, to give it fi nancial security and someplace warm existence, our dedicated jour- and utterly unsustainable sys- and safe to live. Ultimately it needs you to become a more truly dem- nalists have written numerous tem over here. Don’t worry, we ocratic and representative paper. articles challenging phenom- won’t say that on TV — the ad- Neo-Nazi turned anti-racist activist Shannon Foley Martinez. Shannon Foley activist anti-racist turned Neo-Nazi enons like Islamophobia and vertisers wouldn’t stand for it. The Leveller is an ambitious little rag. It wants to be simultaneous- It seems to be a trend that, and tragedy of this event. Israeli apartheid. We’ll keep it euphemistic. But ly irreverent and important, to demand responsibility from others Away from our computer you’ll know what we mean.) while it shakes it off itself, to be a fun-house mirror we can laugh at after a Muslim commits an at- This act was particularly ourselves in and a map we can use to fi nd ourselves and our city in. tack, Imams and Muslim lead- gruesome because it was live screens and style guides, we “Recognizing that there is a It wants to be your coolest, most in-the-know friend and your social ers have to apologize on be- streamed on social media for show up for solidarity rallies problem is the fi rst step to re- conscience at the same time. It continues to have its work cut out half of all Muslims. However, the world to see. and anti-racist marches. We covering from it,” we’ll intone for it. whenever similar atrocities are Those involved in produc- try to get in the way every time soothingly. carried out by white folk, no ing The Leveller tend to be a di- fascists and supremacists skitter And we mean it. Because The Leveller is published every month during the school year. It is free. such apology is expected. verse bunch from a variety of out from under whatever slimy these nationalists, these su- On Jan. 15, two mosques backgrounds. But as we look rock they call home. We speak premacists, these fascists — The Leveller and its editors have no phone or offi ce, but can be con- in Christchurch, New Zealand around the room while put- up when friends and fami- they don’t understand the true tacted with letters of love or hate at: became the victims of white ting the fi nal touches on this lies indulge in stereotyping or meaning of being white. fascist terrorist Brenton Harri- particular issue, we’re looking ‘edgy’ jokes. In the words of former son Tarrant. The attack left at pretty pale. Anyways, the purpose of this Neo-Nazi turned anti-racist ac- least 50 people dead and 40 So, in response to the New editorial is to provide an apol- tivist Shannon Foley Martinez, others injured. Zealand attacks, The Leveller ogy in the name of white peo- “as a white person, it is my re- There are really no adequate would like to apologize to the ple to Muslims of all shapes, sponsibility to dismantle white words to express the heartbreak Muslim community, on behalf colours, and sizes. Surely that’s supremacy.”

Editors Jacqueline Atkinson Lauren Scott Managing Editor Timothy Kitz Production & Design Adam Ashby Gibbard Guest Editors Emma Chamberlain As we part ways with you dear reader, having completed our 11th Volume, The Leveller is facing an existential Mike Hermida crisis. When we prepare to launch Volume 12 in September our funding and thus our future will remain uncer- Contributors Jacqueline Atkinson tain. If Doug Ford’s Student Choice Initiative is successfully implemented, we expect a massive loss of funding. Emma Chamberlain (See our feature on pages 8-9 for details.) Ryan Conrad Carleton graduate students, when you register for courses next year please “opt in” to support The Leveller Andy Crosby with a couple of your tuition dollars. For just $1.75 — the price of a shitty coffee or ramen packet – you can help Brad Evoy keep independent, community-based, power-challenging journalism alive. We promise to keep fighting for your Gary Kinsman interests on the pages of this paper! Tim Kitz Mike Hermida Everybody else, consider getting involved or becoming a sustainer or subscriber. If you have any ideas for how Tom Hooper we can raise some cash to keep us afloat, please get in touch. Neal Rockwell As always, we can be reached at [email protected], or in all the usual social media places. Julia Szwarc Sam Whittle If you’re angry and concerned about the Ford government’s cuts to post-secondary education, join a coalition Kristen Williams meetings every Thursday from 5-7pm in the grad students’ lounge (6th floor Unicentre) to strategize a coordi- Photography Tori Bergeron nated fight against OSAP cuts and the Student Choice Initiative. For more information contact & Illustration Ryan Conrad [email protected]. Genderless Nipples You can also get involved with the Ottawa Coalition Against Ford! Andrés Gerlotti www.facebook.com/OttawaCoalitionAgainstFord Asam Ashby Gibbard Jerald Moldenhauer Neal Rockwell Julia Szwar Proofreaders Emma Chamberlain Neal Rockwell Distribution Guillaume Beaulieu-Blais Jen Duford Web Publisher Yasmine Ghania Social Media Offi cer Maria-Helena Pacelli Operations Manager Andy Crosby Governing Board Krishna E Bera Fazeela Jiwa Ajay Parasram

Les Sans-Culottes Auteure Alice Pacquet

2 NEWS

lation surrounding how these types of relationships are per- mitted to be conducted. People he story of Heron Gate, have an unfortunate tendency a massive low-income to adopt a blasé attitude to an T housing complex in Alta environment of quasi-insti- Vista has featured prominent- tutionalized grifting because ly in the pages of this paper many of these activities are not since last September. In May of strictly illegal. 2018, corporate landlord Tim- Ironically, the fact that these bercreek informed 105 families relationships and transactions that they were being evicted by are not illegal testifi es to the

September 30, their homes to [Left] Heron Gate depth of regulatory capture be demolished to make way for townhouses being by business interests. There is demolished. luxury apartments. [Right] Bryanna an alarming normalization of Parrish holding the These familes were living in woefully small space practices which are fundamen- a block of aging townhomes in heater Timbercreek tally inimical to the democratic gave her when the the Herongate neigbourhood, heat broke down in process. her Herongate tower. bordered by Sandalwood Dr. Photos: Neal Rockwell Baycrest Dr. and Heron Rd. COUNTERING INTUITIONS Most of the affected residents were immigrants, a large por- In a certain way I feel like the tion forming an important So- conclusions to my Leveller piec- mali community. es are becoming repetitive in Since January there has that they all follow the format: been a growing challenge by This misery is particularly residents to Timbercreek’s above guideline rent increases CITY HALL AND DEVELOPER (AGI) in two Heron Gate tower INSIDER GRAFT HERONGATE RESIDENTS CONTEND WITH BROKEN HEATING, BROKEN + blocks located on Cedarwood HEARTLESS INCREASINGLY Dr. PIPES AND A RENT INCREASE, WHILE COUNCILOR JAN HARDER AND FINANCIALIZED REAL ESTATE MARKET As this is the fi nal scheduled + edition of The Leveller until DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT JACK STIRLING KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY EXTREMELY LOW VACANCY next September, it seems fi tting other maintenance problems. years and has been organizing to go a long ways to explaining fundraiser for Harder and that RATE IN OTTAWA = to offer a summary of where Like Parrish, he also experi- with the Herongate Tenant Co- how Timbercreek can so effort- she considers him an “old MISERY FOR LOW things stand at the moment, in- enced infestation issues — of alition since the end of 2018. lessly demovict residents and friend.” INCOME TENANTS cluding tenants ongoing strug- bedbugs, in his case. Timber- The break happened in the systematically neglect proper- Recently it has come to my gle for decent living standards. creek had likewise implement- evening, on one of the cold- ties, despite the way this fl outs attention that one Alison Stir- notable among the Herongate I also wanted to follow-up on ed an extermination process est days of the year. Mast said bylaw regulations. ling is currently working as residents whose situation I’ve my fi rst Leveller article high- that didn’t work. that the fi re-fi ghters who were In September, I wrote about an aid for Harder. At the same been reporting on for the last lighting the cosy links between Jonas said that in the end, called to deal with the incident how Peter Hume was in busi- time Alison Stirling’s LinkedIn ten months. Their rents keep Timbercreek consultant Jack he ended up paying around were up to their ankles in water. ness with Jack Stirling as plan- page lists her current job as a going up and their living condi- Stirling and city planning chair $1,000 out of pocket to hire his Crews worked diligently for the ning consultants who help project manager for the Stir- tions are crappy to a level which Jan Harder. own exterminators and pay for next 24 hours to contain the developers streamline devel- ling Group — that is to say Jack does not even manage to meet hotel bills and storage fees in accident. opment proposals through the Stirling’s consulting fi rm. The low-level legal norms. Timber- A COLD RECEPTION order to regulate the problem. In Mast’s estimation this city government. LinkedIn profi le has no men- creek has engaged in a pattern He was never reimbursed. process was about as orderly Hume is the ex-councillor tion of her working for Harder. of systematic neglect, aided by Demolition crews began Jonas also explained that as could be expected, given for Alta-Vista (the ward of Her- Alison is presumably Jack’s hobbled and ineffectual munic- tearing down townhouses one of the elevators consistent- the circumstances. But she was ongate) and former chair of daughter — but ironclad verifi - ipal regulatory bodies. at Herongate in late January, ly malfunctions. This puts resi- critical of the way Timbercreek the city’s Planning Committee. cation proved elusive. The Stir- This time I think I’ll leave a process that is now nearly dents in an unpleasant bind, he dealt with the repairs and reme- Stirling is a former developer ling Group has no web presence off not with my usual formula, complete. I visited the site on said, because the stairway was diation process – which didn’t cum Nepean planning com- and the elder Stirling seemingly but with something else Tam- the January 25. Work was pro- fi lled with a terrible stench. Ei- even begin until a month after- missioner cum Minto executive prefers to keep an extreme- my Mast said to me. She and ceeding quickly, yet there was ther people had to wait a hell- wards. “The problem has been cum planning consultant. ly limited public profi le. So I her husband were originally an almost laid-back, casual ishly long time for the elevator communication with tenants All of this is relevant because posed these two questions to from Alberta but have lived in quality to the movements of or take the stairs — and, as he afterwards” she said. Stirling is consulting for Tim- Councillor Harder’s offi ce: Ottawa for the past 17 years. the solitary excavator. It effort- put it, “you literally have to Mast explained that be- bercreek on their Herongate For the fi rst 12 they lived in lessly tore through the walls of plug your nose in the staircase. tween February 25 and March project. Hume, while not offi - 1) “Do you think there’s any- Centretown, until the building houses, which until recently It smells like poop.” 1, workers came to complete cially involved, has very close thing inappropriate about they rented was destroyed in a had been homes to a thriving, While the reader might repairs to damaged houses ties to Jean Cloutier, the current Jack Stirling’s daughter, Al- fi re. They’ve lived in Herongate mainly immigrant community. be forgiven for thinking that without any prior notifi cation. councillor for Alta Vista. In fact ison Stirling working both for the past fi ve. Down the street, residents maintenance is far from Tim- They arrived wearing full haz- Hume managed both of Clout- as an aide for you and at Mast told me, “I’ve been of Heron Gate’s two towers on bercreek’s top priority, it has mat suits and respirators and ier’s election campaigns. the same time working super happy here. I really love Cedarwood Drive had their recently applied to the Ontar- simply announced that tenants Hume and Stirling are also for her father’s consulting this neighbourhood. It’s part of own diffi culties. Heating sys- io Landlord and Tenant Board needed to leave while they were connected to Barrhaven coun- fi rm, The Stirling Group?” what made Ottawa feel home. tems in both towers had been for an above guideline rent working. cillor Jan Harder, who is the I didn’t feel at home in Ottawa malfunctioning during a peri- increase — while citing main- Repairs typically took be- current chair of the Planning 2) “Do you think this gives the fi rst 12 years I lived here.” od of extreme cold. The prob- tenance expenditures as a pri- tween one and two days and Committee, as well as being the impression that de- She highlighted the openness lem persisted for several weeks. mary rationale, ironically. As a residents were permitted to re- a member of the Finance and velopers have too much of her neighbours and the I spoke to Bryanna Parrish, previous Leveller article reports, turn to their homes in the eve- Economic Development Com- infl uence at City Hall?” strength of the community, a young single mother who de- Timbercreek is seeking a rent nings. Yet they were disturbed mittee and the Planning Advi- something she had never ex- scribed how the problem was increase of 2.07 per cent above to fi nd warning signs fi xed to sory Committee. Since Harder didn’t respond perienced in a similar way else- affecting her daughter. “She’s the province’s 2019 guideline the exteriors of their homes Harder used to organize a to my questions and I wasn’t where in the city. almost three years old and you of 1.8 per cent — for a total outlining a litany of hazards, little-publicized event called able to get in touch with either This is another message that know, it’s freezing,” she said. “I increase of 3.87 per cent. including asbestos warnings. the Jan Harder Charity Golf Stirling, I can’t say with 100% numerous people have stressed send her to bed in sweaters.” Tenants organizing with the Tenants were in no way Tournament, where a handful certainty that Alison is in fact to me since I began reporting Parrish said that when she Herongate Tenant Coalition briefed about these repairs or of councillors got together to Jack’s daughter. on this story — and I think it complained to the rental offi ce rejected this increase at a Land- any hazards that may have play golf with developers and At the very least, they are bears repeating. Stereotypes they provided her with a tiny lord and Tenant Board Hearing been associated with them. ask for sponsorship money. closely related. Alison shares about Herongate persist across space heater, which she stat- on January 18. The decision After the remediation efforts Senior bureaucrats in the plan- his last name, is approximately Ottawa and it’s easy to focus on ed was inadequate to heat her has now been delayed until it were completed, people simply ning department also attended. one generation younger than what is wrong about it. It is im- apartment. This solution also can be heard at a second “Mer- moved back into their homes As reported in the CBC, the him, and is presently listed as portant, however, to recognize passed on heating costs to her its Hearing,” which will offer a and the signs were removed. optics of this event became working for his consultancy. that the fi ght to save Herongate electric bill, which she said was fi nal ruling on the above guide- This harkens back to an- more unseemly once Hard- She also previously worked as from gentrifi cation is not sim- just one more burden on top line increase. The date for this other issue in October. When er was appointed chair of the a junior sales representative ply about helping people in of the $1,265 per month she hearing is yet to be determined. workers fi rst began preparing Planning Committee. But for Minto at the same time a precarious situation, or as a already pays for the one bed- Given the state of the tow- recently vacated townhouses rather than stopping the event, that Jack worked for the same half-measure to prevent victim- room apartment. ers, Jonas offered “it’s abso- for demolition, asbestos warn- its name was simply changed company as the Vice President ized people from being even Parrish also explained that lutely crazy to raise the rent ing signs were affi xed to doors. to the Just Happy Golf Tour- of Land Development and Ac- further victimized. It is a fi ght since moving in the previous like that!” Similarly no residents were nament and its organization quisitions. to preserve something which is July, her apartment had been given notice — despite the Oc- was outsourced to Hume and I continue to fi nd myself in fact strong, vital and unique overrun by cockroaches. De- AREA SUBJECT TO FLOODING cupational Health and Safety Stirling. bemused by the way things across the city. spite several half-hearted efforts Act requiring surrounding res- Stirling’s relationship with are done at Ottawa City Hall. Because of common pre- by Timbercreek, the infestation There was also a recent in- idents to be given “Designated Harder goes back at least to the There is an extreme casualness conceptions, many people continued. Things were so bad cident on January 30 where a Substances Reports” whenever late 1990s, before amalgama- and fl uidity with which devel- might fi nd it hard to believe that cockroach waste products water-main broke, fl ooding a asbestos is present and work is tion, when he was the Nepean opers (and their agents) mingle that someone like Mast could were aggravating her daughter’s number of Cedarwood town- about to commence. Planning Commissioner and and even blend with elected prefer Herongate to Centre- asthma. houses. she was a Nepean councillor. offi cials. Developers become town. It is a reality that fl ies in I also spoke with a resident I spoke to Tammy Mast A STIRLING REPUTATION Another CBC article from last councillors, councillors be- the face of Timbercreek’s mar- from the adjacent Cedarwood about the fl ooding. Mast, who September notes that Planning come developers; professional keting about “revitalization.” tower who gave his name as lives across the street from Lastly, I wanted to touch on is City Hall’s most powerful relationships and friendships I think this is a good message Jonas. Apart from the malfunc- the fl ooded homes, has been the issue of developer infl uence committee. It further notes that become indistinguishable. to close on for this last Leveller tioning heating, he described a Herongate resident for fi ve at city hall. This infl uence seems Stirling organized a campaign There is inadequate regu- edition of the season.

3 CAMPUS

sity education in Canada. No promotes “Sports, Music and they teach as being meaning- bility to train their employees. wonder students are using this Arts” and the Aarhus Universi- ful to ‘whatever profession you The burden should lie with as a marker for what program ty in Denmark points to study- eventually choose.’ There are them. But instead individu- to chose. ing there as a way to “make countless ways the academic als — and the public, through Since 1990, the number of friends for life.” pursuit of knowledge benefits government funding — are in- Canadian university graduates University for the Europe- society without contributing creasingly paying for this. Em- has doubled (Department of an student isn’t always about to employability, though. ployment training is being dis- Finance Canada, Job Report). training for a career; it’s about For example, better histor- guised as university education. Employment rates, however, growing as an individual, a ical knowledge can help us Considering the promise of have not followed suit. member of society better understand who we are, employment that universities Employment is dropping The European model address injustices, and make give, it’s alarming to know that and job vacancies are increas- structures university educa- better decisions. The pursuit of graduates are frequently look- ing, suggesting that it’s not a tion as a means to help indi- pure knowledge in fields like ing to post-degree programs lack of openings causing this viduals gain knowledge, not science and philosophy is also in colleges. In a desperate at- dilemma. If university is meant train students as employees. an expression of human curi- tempt to seem more ‘employ- to answer all our employment University education should osity — of our drive to investi- able,’ university graduates are woes then why are graduates be a catalyst for the develop- gate and understand the world enrolling in college courses less employable now than ever ment of citizens, not cogs in and ourselves. Knowledge is a after graduating to give them- before? the system of corporate prof- human need and a worthwhile selves a better chance in the

Universities in Canada Sceptics will argue that its. Most European Universi- goal in itself. ring of candidates. should educate for the some career paths require the ties promote learning for the Yet Canadian universities Graduates are facing a sake of knowledge, not careers. intense training that only a sake of learning and give the are so wound up on ensuring harsh reality that university Photo: Andrés Gerlotti, unsplash.com university course can offer. student the freedom to en- students are employed the education may not give them a This rings true for some cases, joy studying without being moment they accept their cer- career, leaving many to doubt such as medical careers. How- chained to employment. tificate that they neglect the whether the program they’ve ever it’s entirely possible to Of course this doesn’t importance of having knowl- dedicated years of their lives LEARNING FOR THE study medical science just for mean that one can’t then go edge beyond what is applica- to was really of any interest to the sake of knowledge and not on to use their knowledge and ble to labour. them. Studying at universi- follow it though to a job. May- experience to develop a career. With the cost of university ties needs to return to its true SAKE OF LEARNING be it’s time to consider that the Instead graduates are able to tuition burning a hole in our meaning, to give knowledge degree itself isn’t just for em- choose courses that may not pockets, we need to consider and form people as individu- REMEMBERING THAT UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS ployment purposes. be directly linked to a job — who is benefiting from this in- als and members of society. ABOUT MORE THAN JUST EMPLOYMENT Take for instance most Eu- in liberal arts, for example — vestment. Employers want an Changing the expectation tion needn’t be dependent on ropean universities — which and not feel hampered with individual to arrive ‘day one of what university education Emma Chamberlain a promise of employment. It coincidentally happen to be guilt as to how this will affect ready,’ not someone who will can give is a progressive step Looking at the way Cana- would benefit us all if it wasn’t. free in most cases. Typically their growth. cause financial burden on the towards seeing education be- dian universities recruit new Carleton University, to students in European univer- Programs in universities company as they pay for the come more than job training. applicants, one thing becomes name just one, boasts about its sities tend not to pick their such as Carleton are directed training. No good can come from strikingly clear: they assume graduate employability rank- course on the basis of its em- more and more towards train- More often than not jobs measuring the success of a stu- you’re after a job. It’s not an ing online. When considering ployment opportunities. ing the next year of graduates are advertised to individuals dent’s time at university using entirely wrong assumption. Carleton, prospective students There’s hardly a mention of into workers. Meanwhile, lib- who have degrees tailored for only capitalist markers. Most university students in find themselves being assured employment on the welcome eral arts courses are constantly the position. Gone are the The European university Canada are studying in order that the university’s offerings pages of many European uni- scrutinised for not being ‘rele- days when a company would structure is one Canada could to better themselves and fur- will enhance their labour mar- versity websites. The Univer- vant’ enough. hire individuals based on their learn from. Remove the im- ther their careers. ket potential. The notion of sity of Frankfurt advertises a In a desperate attempt to personal attributes and then, plicit focus on employment However, treating educa- preparing students for work mission for “Knowledge, with rebrand themselves as such, using company money, train and give students back their tion as training for a career is is deeply intertwined with the and for society,” the Tech- programs (such as philosophy them to be ready for the job. autonomy to study, learn and problematic. University educa- purpose of pursuing univer- nical University of Munich at Carleton) advertise the skills Employers have a responsi- enjoy university.

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OTTAWA TRANSIT hopes to challenge city coun- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 cil’s decisions around transit. Eliminating fares would Free transit is a policy that, mean transforming how unlike market-based solutions transportation is funded. Two such as carbon pricing, can creative ways to subsidize the ALL WORK IS WORK help to reduce carbon emis- system would be to increase STUDENTS SPEAK OUT ON THE IMPACTS OF UNPAID PLACEMENTS sions without placing addi- the price of parking and in- Instead, students are ex- Social work students in on social services agencies is tional burdens on working troduce substantial taxes on The All Work Is Work pected to simply deal with particular are taught through- going to drastically limit op- people. In other words, intro- transportation network com- Campaign Team these matters privately and out their education through portunities to train in the fi eld ducing free transit is an effec- panies (or TNCs), such as Carleton students in the should not expect supports CASWE Standards “to iden- for placement students of the tive way for cities to address Uber and Lyft. In any case, Social Work Department, from the program. In the doc- tify negative or inequitable Bachelor of Social Work and climate change while also making transit completely and other departments such ument, the School of Social policies and their implica- Master of Social Work pro- improving life for citizens, es- free while expanding capac- as Global and International Work states that the nature of tions and outcomes, espe- grams. These agencies are un- pecially those living on low ity and service would neces- Studies, are expected to under- social work itself, as it is case- cially for disadvantaged and derfunded and students often incomes. sitate radical policy change take unpaid placements in the work based, will inevitably oppressed groups, and to par- don’t have the skills the agen- at the federal and provincial fi eld in order to graduate and/ lead us to deal with these chal- ticipate in efforts to change cies would normally require, FREE TRANSIT levels as well, to signifi cantly or gain accreditation. Unpaid lenges in the workplace and, as these.” So let’s acknowledge so asking them to compensate CHALLENGES increase the funds devoted to placements place undue bur- such, there will be no accom- the negative and inequitable students is not fair.” public transit. dens on marginalized students modation for students. policies that results in mas- This student goes on to The movement for free Instead of addressing the and unevenly distribute stress The claim that supports sive fi nancial burdens and suggest that, “instead of paid transit in Ottawa faces a num- declining ridership, and diffi - on future social workers and and accommodations are con- insurmountable barriers to placement, I would have pre- ber of challenges and limita- culties transit-dependent peo- other professional workers. tradictory to social work prac- graduation for many social ferred reduced/no tuition for tions. Eliminating fares within ple face in Ottawa, city council The All Work is Work cam- tice itself entirely contradicts work students. the placement semester… the current system would ben- appears to be continuing its paign, developed and ran by CASWE’s Standard (3.2.17) An analysis of our All Work I think the university could efi t low-income transit users trajectory of prioritizing car Carleton students through which states that fi eld place- is Work survey that currently stand to not profi t from stu- but it is unlikely to be trans- drivers. This is evidenced by OPIRG-Carleton, puts a spot- ments should accept students “ has 34 submissions, speaks to dents paying full price for a formative if the entire system the fact that while transit fares light on this devaluation of without discrimination as de- the problematic nature of un- semester in which students is not improved upon as well. are raised continually, parking student labour. There is noth- fi ned by the Charter of Rights paid placements. aren’t actually on campus and To begin, transit will have to rates have remained frozen ing inevitable or natural about and Freedoms and provincial The survey results showed receiving minimal support be expanded to accommodate over the past decade, and the student placements going human rights legislation; the that 30 students lost wages from professors/practicum li- an increase in ridership and to city continues to actively ex- unpaid. Several other depart- fi eld placement/setting is free throughout their placement, aisons.” reach neighborhoods with in- pand roads and highways. ments at Carleton offer paid of discriminatory practices compared to 4 students who A model that leaves stu- adequate transit access. Groups like Ottawa Transit placements, such as psycholo- both in personnel practices did not. Twenty-two students dents uncompensated is not There is a strong cohort of Riders and Free Transit Ottawa gy and computer science. and in delivery of services.” had to take an unpaid leave necessary. There are avenues in citizens already active in mak- are a promising development, Nor do accreditation stan- As such, the idea that place- of absence to compensate for which students could be com- ing this happen. In January since they’re advocating for dards mandate unpaid place- ment spaces for student-work- hours spent completing their pensated for their time. There over 100 people attended a immediate reforms and start- ments as such. In the case of ers are somehow void where placement, compared to 12 are ways to make the process workshop on creating a tran- ing conversations about the social work placements, this is the Charter, AODA, and oth- students who stated they bal- less of a fi nancial burden – sit riders organization to give prospect of free transit. To a decision made by Carleton. er rights and accommoda- anced both their paid position either through wages or other riders a collective voice when truly succeed, this movement Marie-Christine Bois, the tions-based legislation does in conjunction with their un- forms of fi nancial compensa- it comes to transit issues. At will require mass uptake to Accreditation Coordinator for not apply is nonsensical. Un- paid placement hours. Fur- tion. the end of the workshop a overcome the stasis of our cur- CASWE (the Canadian Asso- der the Human Rights Code, thermore, 29 of the student A reduction in tuition or committee of more than 25 rent system and pressure poli- ciation of Social Work Edu- all organizations already have respondents had to at least charging similar fees to exist- people from across the city cymakers to transform transit. cation) confi rmed that CAS- a duty to accommodate per- reduce their hours of work in ing co-op programs are also was created with a mandate We need to work to estab- WE does not mandate that sons with disabilities, which order to adequately dedicate possible options. It is under- to organize a founding meet- lish a broad coalition between placements are either paid or is defi ned in legislation as “a enough time to fi nishing their standable that some tuition ing of a city-wide transit riders environmental and social jus- unpaid — just that 700 fi eld physical or mental condition unpaid placement hours. may well be required to ensure organization, tentatively called tice advocates and build pub- hours are required for gradu- that limits a person’s move- As one anonymous stu- that there are funds to com- the ‘Ottawa Transit Riders.’ lic support. Daring ideas like ation. Bois further explained ments, senses, or activities.” dent stated in the All Work pensate administrative staff If this movement gains trac- free transit are the future; they that this decision is up to each Not providing an accom- is Work survey, “Being in a related to the placement pro- tion, it could put transit riders have mass appeal and need to individual school of social modation for a sexual assault program that works with un- gram; however, the amount in a better position to advo- be actualized. work, but as long as educa- survivor directly contradicts derprivileged populations, I students pay should directly cate for reforms to the system. tional goals are achieved, the this legislation, due to the fi nd myself being in the same refl ect the supervision and However, it will have to build Julia Szwarc is a member of placement will meet accredita- short and long-term mental situation as my clients. I feel guidance they receive. a large base of support if it Free Transit Ottawa. tion standards. health effects of sexual assault like I’m struggling fi nancially. All of this to say, there are The All Work is Work also such as PTSD, depression, and Tuition is already so expen- options. focuses on inequitable place- anxiety, for example. sive, and school books added Many students echoed the WET’SUWET’EN PROTEST a gas storage company trying ment and labour policies that Furthermore, the Ontario on top of that. Having to do fact that they are living in fi - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 to store natural gas on unced- exploit students rights and Human Rights Code protects an unpaid placement means I nancial crisis and often un- ed Indigenous land on the that directly risk infringing on against discrimination on the cannot work at my regular job able to manage unpaid place- Moving as a collective shores of the Shubenacadie the Charter of Rights and Free- basis of family status. It defi nes and then I risk not being able ment, paid work, and classes. unit, the supporters were fol- River for years. doms, the Ontario Human family status in such a way that to pay my bills on time, have “I had to quit my job to be lowed out into the street and One marcher, identifying Rights Code, and the Accessi- parents are protected from money to buy groceries or put able to manage school and watched by police as they simply as Kit, told The Lev- bility for Ontarians with Dis- being discriminated against gas in my car.” placement,” one said. Anoth- made their way back out into eller “today was a show of abilities Act (AODA). because they have children, Many students further ex- er explained “I cannot get a the early afternoon sunlight. solidarity. Not theoretical sol- The CASWE handbook for which includes protections for pressed frustration that they job because of the amount of As the Wet’suwet’en strug- idarity, but the practice of ac- the Standards of Accreditation those who are pregnant. were forced to quit their paid time placement takes up and gle against B.C. pipeline proj- tually physically showing up claims to support these legal CASWE does not defi ne job, were unable to fi nd work is causing fi nancial problems.” ect Coastal GasLink’s private again and again for the urgent rights by states that their stan- family status as a charac- due to limited available hours, The survey results clearly security (aka the RCMP) in- resistance of an industry and dards “encourage and support teristic that remains free of had to fi nd new part-time jobs, demonstrate that students are tensifi es, similar injunctions system (whose) biggest threat diversity and social justice discrimination or recognize or had to balance paid and un- dissatisfi ed with the quality of are being resisted in Nova is civil disobedience. in all aspects/domains of so- that family obligations often paid positions. education they are receiving. Scotia by the Mi’kmaq. They “Hope to see you out at the cial work programs. Diversity create challenges for student Emphasizing this frustra- Students demand better. have been fi ghting Alton Gas, next one!” throughout this document re- parents. The aforementioned tion, one anonymous student fers to a range of characteristics documents that students will stated that an unpaid place- including, but not limited to: be required to sign again di- ment “makes it diffi cult be- age, colour, culture, disability/ rectly contradicts legislation cause only people who can non-disability status, ethnic that protects pregnancy under afford to not get paid can do or linguistic origin, gender, family status. a placement option. I have health status, heritage, immi- A single mom social work had friends fi nd amazing em- gration status, geographic ori- student who is supporting her ployment opportunities, yet gin, race, religious and spiritu- children has to partake in an because it was paid they were al beliefs, political orientation, unpaid placement under ex- not allowed to take the job for gender and sexual identities, isting regulations. This means their placements.” and socioeconomic status.” that she is expected to pay full Another student said, “I Our office is here for you with: However, departmental pol- tuition to the corresponding fi nd it incredibly unfair that Monthly Town Halls icies infringe on students’ rights university while doing so. She placements are mandatory yet Canvasses surrounding accommodations. is therefore more likely to face we are not allowed to be com- Community Organizing The Leveller obtained an in- fi nancial insecurities as she is pensated for them.” ternal department document required to exchange the po- On the other hand, ex- Help Accessing Government explaining that future social tential for paid work to pay pecting paid placements from Services (such as housing, work students will be required tuition and work for free. non-profi t organizations is ODSP/OW, healthcare, OSAP to sign a document stating An added barrier is cre- something many students un- etc.) certain considerations and sce- ated when student parents derstand is not always feasible narios will not receive accom- have to balance responsi- and students also appreciate Connect with us and let's get modation by the program. For bilities of parenthood and the educational value of these organized! example, there would be no placement — such as miss- placements. additional supports during a ing placement hours due to As another student ex- pregnancy or to help navigate a a sick child or family emer- pressed throughout the All 109 Catherine St. / rue P: 613-722-6414 placement while being a sexual gency, which can result in an Work is Work survey, “I think Catherine E: [email protected] MPP / Député provincial, assault survivor. unsatisfactory grade. that forcing paid placement Ottawa Centre Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 www.joelharden.ca

5 CAMPUS

gressive Conservative’s majori- to halt the implementation of Ultimately, obstacles along ty government has proven that Ford’s policy before the court the legal path to fighting the it is not afraid to use the not- definitively ruled on its consti- SCI demonstrate that the law withstanding clause to over- tutionality. is limited in what it can do ride our rights and freedoms However, whether a court to help us students. Although — as when Premier Doug Ford would offer an injunction to I always support diversity of threatened to invoke it to slash students remains to be seen. tactics and legal action may Merrilee Fullerton announcing the Student the size of Toronto’s munici- “Would a judge grant (an lead to some good, it is by no Choice Initiative behind pal government. “Your human injunction)?” said Akbar, “it means a replacement for other a podium ironically labeled “for the students” rights being violated is not go- is hard to say. It’d be cool if forms of activism. Photo: Screenshot via twitter.com/ ing to stop this government,” they did.” For those looking to resist drfullertonmpp said Akbar. Of course, when it comes to the SCI, may I suggest heeding If Ford were to invoke the an injunction, as with a Char- the advice that Ottawa lawyer clause this time, it would ter challenge, the government Daniel Tucker-Simmons gave mean that we can throw equal- can always invoke the notwith- to the Herongate Tenant Co- IS THERE A LEGAL PATH FOR ity rights and fundamental standing clause. alition? (Herongate is an Ot- freedoms out the window. Nevertheless, it may be tawa neighbourhood where According to Brad Evoy, possible to force universities hundreds of predominantly FIGHTING THE STUDENT volunteer, outreach and pro- to declare all ancillary fees es- racialized, low-income resi- gramming coordinator at sential thanks to the existing dents have been evicted.) OPIRG Carleton, another legally binding contracts. Tucker-Simmons said, in a CHOICE INITIATIVE? problem with pursuing a le- This is because universities video posted to the coalition’s upcoming academic year. At zations fight the SCI through gal path is that “even if it is often have contractual agree- Twitter account, that “the only Mike Hermida Carleton University, for exam- the legal system? successful, it would be kin- ments to pay the ancillary thing the law can do is sup- In a press conference on ple, these fees account for about In answering this question, da post-fact.” A court case of fees they collect to their stu- port you in your organizing Jan. 17, Minister of Training, $100 of the $1,000 in ancillary the first place I would look to is this calibre may take months dent unions. (In turn, unions efforts.” He continued saying Colleges, and Universities fees most students pay. the Canadian Charter of Rights or even years and would take usually have agreements with that “the law is not there to Merrilee Fullerton announced Students across Ontario, and Freedoms. Specifically, even longer if it got appealed. campus organizations to fund help you, the law is there to cuts to the Ontario Student myself included, are deeply since the SCI poses a threat So, even if the legal challenge them through these fees.) In make people money.” Assistance Program, a slight worried about the effects the to institutions like student would be successful, “it would order not to break the universi- The same is true about the domestic tuition cut, and the policy will have on campus unions, university and college have good effect for the future, ty-union contracts, universities SCI. The policy was made by implementation of the Stu- groups. It threatens the funding newspapers, and on-campus but the damage would still be may be legally forced to declare the provincial government to dent Choice Initiative (SCI). of organizations like the On- LGBTI safe spaces, we could done by the initiative.” all ancillary fees essential. attack checks and balances on While the SCI appears to save tario Public Interest Research make the case that the policy Another possibility is to The elephant in the room the government like unions, students money and increase Group, student unions, the Ca- violates the constitutional free- ask a court to file an injunc- with all of these legal reme- newspapers, and advocacy their power to choose, it also nadian Federation of Students, dom of association, freedom of tion on the grounds that it vi- dies is that they all cost a lot groups. Fighting it through the received pushback from many and student newspapers (in- the press, and equality rights. olates the rights and freedoms of money. Our underfunded legal system is like fighting fire students and organizations cluding us at The Leveller). However, as Mohammad of students. This injunction unions and broke college and with fire. The law cannot be across Ontario. While there are numerous Akbar, office and communica- would differ from a Charter university students may not the students’ resource. As was reported in The Level- protests against the initiative, tions co-ordinator at the Grad- challenge: A Charter challenge be able to afford to seek legal In the words of Tucker-Sim- ler last month, the SCI is a pol- including a student walk out uate Students’ Association at would consist of asking a court action. mons, “You all have much icy that will allow college and planned by the CFS, as a law Carleton pointed out in an to strike down Ford’s policy It also seems unlikely that more power than I do (as a university students to opt-out and legal studies student, I interview with The Leveller, a because it violates the Charter. small campus legal clinics lawyer)… The only thing you of non-essential fees. It is to be am interested in the following Charter challenge may be inef- On the other hand, an injunc- could defeat the provincial can do to stop it is to organize implemented at the start of the question: can student organi- fective. This is because the Pro- tion would be a court order government in court. and stick together.”

6 ans après ma dénonciation, des employé pour désigner les in- fait naître en vous. L’en priv- commentaires en considérant hommes m’abordent encore dividus qui s’en prennent ainsi er, c’est l’affamer et le laisser la violence des interlocuteurs et LE TROLLAGE, dans des endroits publics. à des femmes qui ont une visi- dépérir ». Six ans plus tard, où l’impact considérable qu’ils ont La plupart d’entre eux bilité publique. en sommes-nous? Ignorer les dans nos vies. UNE TACTIQUE débutent en soulignant mon Trolls est une stratégie néces- Les Trolls et leurs effets courage, en me remerciant COMMENT AFFRONTER saire pour préserver sa santé dans l’espace public sont bel ANTIFÉMINISTE d’avoir dénoncé publiquement CE PROBLÈME? mentale, mais est-elle suffi sante et bien pointés du doigt, com- limée. Internet nourrit l’exclu- mon agresseur. S’ensuivent des pour adresser plus largement le me dans le documentaire de Alice Paquet sion et nuit inéluctablement à invitations et de la drague, des S’il est si diffi cile pour ces phénomène? Pénélope McQuade, Troller les Cet article est paru sur rico- la lutte des féministes. allusions sexuelles et des avanc- mêmes femmes d’éviter ces in- Au Québec, nous devons trolls, ou encore en politique, chet.media le 8 mars 2019 L’antiféminisme à gorge es. Comme ma sexualité a été teractions néfastes, c’est parce faire état de la spécifi cité de ces avec plusieurs élus Québécois déployée dont les luttes fémin- étalée publiquement dans les qu’il est presque impossible, attaques: Il semblerait qu’elles et Canadiens qui répondaient Les luttes féministes des istes sont la cible, comme on médias, il est donc «logique» pour la majorité des person- soient d’autant plus fréquentes dernièrement à la proposi- dernières années ont mis peut le voir dans les sections qu’on puisse me harceler et me nalités publiques, de déserter dans les publications concer- tion apportée à l’Assemblée commentaires de presque tous solliciter sans scrupule, que ce les réseaux sociaux, devenus nant l’Enquête Nationale sur Nationale Française de rendre en lumière les violences les médias à grand tirage, illus- soit en ligne ou en personne. indispensables à l’exercice de les femmes et les fi lles autoch- obligatoire l’identifi cation sur que les femmes subissent tre avec éclat le mépris et la bru- Ces hommes, pourtant, leur métier. tones disparues, le port du les plateformes telles que Twit- talité qu’on réserve aux femmes peuvent dire les pires ob- En effet, ces mêmes réseaux voile et la question des genres. ter et Facebook. encore de nos jours, et qui parlent trop longtemps scénités à répétition, nous faire sociaux, qui exposent davan- En considérant ce bassin, on Il me semble important de notamment de celles qui ou trop fort. Les femmes qui craindre pour notre sécurité, tage les femmes au risque de tient quelque chose. On a une souligner, une nouvelle fois, affi chent publiquement leur mais se lèveront demain matin, harcèlement en ligne, sont par- direction où aller. D’ores et que les principaux respons- se réclament ouvertement militantisme sont soumises à boiront leur café, iront travaill- allèlement devenus un outil de déjà, nous savons que ce sont ables n’ont pas à vivre avec les du féminisme. des insultes, des menaces, du er, rentreront à la maison pour travail dont il est diffi cile de les femmes qui en sont les prin- conséquences de leurs actes. harcèlement en ligne et parfois s’installer ensuite devant leur se passer. Sur 357 journalistes cipales boucs émissaires. Cette violence ne peut mener Sarah Ahmed écrivait dans même en personne – mention ordinateur. En plus d’avoir peur françaises interrogées pour Au cours des siècles derniers, qu’à davantage de violence. Les Rabat-Joie féministes : «si spéciale aux «dickpics» non so- en marchant dans la rue, dans une enquête menée par l’en- il ne nous aura pas été donné de Une chose me semble très vous êtes une féministes de cou- licitées, phénomène en vogue à les bars, quel que soit l’endroit treprise Cision au second tour lutter sans avoir à craindre pour claire : pour mener à bien cette leur, vous n’avez même pas beso- l’ère des réseaux sociaux. public, la peur s’installe aussi des présidentielles de 2017, notre sécurité. Considérant que lutte féministe contre la peur de in d’ouvrir la bouche pour provo- dans notre vie intime, derrière 94% d’entres elles ont indiqué les échanges sous certains ar- s’exprimer publiquement sur quer la tension». En laissant la LES IMPACTS DANS MA VIE nos écrans. qu’elles utilisaient les réseaux ticles publiés sur les réseaux les enjeux qui nous tiennent à porte ouverte aux masculinistes, Ces formes de violence sociaux – Facebook et Twitter sociaux ne sont aucunement coeur, comme pour toutes les les médias de masse limitent et J’ai longtemps souffert des psychologique n’aspirent pas en tête – dans le cadre de leur constructifs, les médias Québé- autres luttes féministes, nous contrôlent l’accès et la protection attaques à mon endroit, tant à stimuler le débat ou à faire travail. Parmi celles-ci, 77 % cois devraient prendre la dé- devrons insister et nager encore aux femmes dans l’espace public. dans la rue que dans ma boîte avancer la réfl exion collective. s’en serviraient pour publier ou cision de fermer les sections plus fort à contre-courant. Et davantage à celles qui sont de messages privés. Un jour, je Elles visent explicitement à promouvoir leur contenu, 73 marginalisées. Nous sommes blo- me suis levée et ce n’était plus nous blesser, à nous rappeler % pour suivre les autres médias quées par l’impossibilité de nous rare, mais plutôt la routine. Le notre place, à nous faire taire ou leur domaine de prédilec- défendre. train-train quotidien. il est év- ou à nous réduire à des objets tion et 70 % pour interagir avec ai reçu, cette semaine en- identque mon passé dans le sexuels. Ce ressac virtuel, mené le public. core, des images à caractères milieu du travail du sexe a joué entre autres par des masculin- Une partie importante du pornographiques de la part un rôle important dans les at- istes et des gens qui se sentent pouvoir des Trolls réside dans d’un inconnu. Les féministes taques virtuelles dont j’ai été la attaqués par le mouvement leur impunité. Et si on exposait «aliénées» qui osent se défen- cible depuis 2016. féministe, a un impact réel sur publiquement ces hommes? dre se font remettre à leur place. En plus des discours la vie émotionnelle et la santé Le militant et blogueur Francis C’est ce qui m’a motivé à rédi- haineux à mon endroit, les in- mentale des femmes visées. Lagacé a publié en juin 2013 ger ce billet : on se radicalise, trusions dans ma vie person- Le sujet est sur la table un billet sur le phénomène des la colère monte parce que la nelle font dorénavant partie de depuis un moment déjà. Le Trolls, dans lequel il affi rme : « violence à notre égard est sub- mon quotidien. Presque trois terme Troll est couramment Le troll s’alimente à la rage qu’il

7 Having failed time and time again at the campus ballot box to defund groups like OPIRG and the CFS, On- tario Conservatives believe that they Students have more to worry about Doug Ford’s Ontario government has have finally figured out a way once than simple reductions to OSAP grants begun to implement a series of far-reach- and for all to kill student unionism and — they are also faced with the outright ing measures to rapidly reconfigure the student activism on Ontario campus- transformation of grants to loans. province’s public services and social wel- es — the bureaucratic sledgehammer. There is an under-reported hum fare system. Informed by a combination They plan to directly change of minis- about this on social media platforms of free-market economics and far-right try policy through the Ontario’s Tuition across Ontario. Students are finding populism, the Ontario Conservatives have Fee Framework, without the oversight their OSAP grants from previous years unlocked the ideological tool chest and of the legislature — and are about to have been converted without warn- started brandishing the austerity sledge- do more damage to student organizing ing into loans in the current year — all hammer at any public good thought to be than years of failed attacks. before changes to the grant system are associated with progressive politics and In this article, we want to further supposed to come into effect. the left in general. unpack the Student Choice Initiative As noted in the terms and conditions While labour unions will inevitably (SCI) by analyzing it when measured of the Master Student Financial Assis- be subjected to the wild swinging of the beside the restructuring to the Ontar- tance Agreement (MFSAA-Ontario), as of wild-eyed, Trump-lite populist protégé, io Student Assistance Program (OSAP), 2017, there are only three conditions un- the current assault is being levied at the then examine a similar model that was der which students could be faced with health care and education systems. In rolled out in Australia and New Zea- grants being transformed into loans “on particular, the Conservative government’s land, hone in on implications for cam- a date determined under the MTCUA targeted reconfiguration of the tuition pus media and student democracy in [Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Uni- and loans framework has broad implica- Ontario, and focus on the potential im- versities Act]”: tions for educational affordability, public pacts for Carleton University in a post- A. you cease to be enrolled in an access, democratic participation, and stu- SCI landscape. Approved Program of Study at dent organizing. an Approved Institution or cease Under the previous Wynne frame- taking the Minimum Required work for tuition and OSAP, there was a Course Load within thirty days chance for students to receive up to a following the first day of your full 100 percent grant instead of loans Study Period through the OSAP system. While this was In late January, 82 students associ- B. your circumstances or the cir- not, by any means, true free tuition, it ations representing over 1.3 million stu- cumstances of your Expected was a heavily utilized program that aided dents across Canada signed and issued a Contributors change resulting in low and middle income students. letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and a determination that you are no Obviously, such redistributive fund- Minister of Training, Colleges and Uni- longer eligible to receive an On- ing was not to our millionaire premier’s versities Merrilee Fullerton. The letter tario Student Grant or you are not liking and so, we are now faced with condemned the Student Choice Initiative entitled to the amount of the grant changes that include: as an attack on student democracy, since issued previously to you, or • reducing the family income students have already chosen through C. the Minister cannot, to his or threshold for student eligibility referendums to fund student associa- her satisfaction, verify with for Ontario Student Assistance tions and various campus groups. the Canada Revenue Agency or Program (OSAP) funding; The associations likened the model through other means the finan- • eliminating the six-month in- to allowing voters to opt-out of paying cial information reported by you terest-free grace period for taxes to police services or libraries. They or your Expected Contributors student loans repayment upon demanded the initiative be reversed until graduation; proper consultation is undertaken. There have been numerous reports • increasing the number of years The letter also highlighted the poten- of student receiving notices that portions one must be out of high school tial loss of thousands of jobs across On- of their OSAP grants were being clawed to qualify to be a mature stu- tario. At Carleton, for example, the Grad- back without specific reference to these dent; and uate Students’ Association (GSA) and the three clauses — and, again, ahead of any • targeting the ancillary fee struc- undergraduate Carleton University Stu- forthcoming changes to OSAP. ture — otherwise known as the dents’ Association (CUSA) employ over Are the Conservatives somehow en- levy system — that supports a 350 people. gaging in tougher enforcement of this wide range of student services The Ford government’s plan to re- existing agreement? Are they otherwise and groups on campus. structure the ancillary fee framework is leaning into some of the more ambigu- not only a false choice, but a staunchly ous language? Government officials have Of course, the sugary bribe to make political one. Under the proposal, only also remained silent on the matter and re- all this bitter medicine go down is the around 10 percent of all undergraduate fuse to acknowledge that the conversions 10 percent tuition cut for domestic un- student fees will be made optional. are occuring at all. dergraduate students. This is simply a During the 2018-2019 academic year, With the changes made to OSAP by distraction from the long-term costs Carleton undergraduate students paid recent government announcements, we degrading OSAP and student groups $1,105.01 in fees. Under the new model, can expect the release of a new MF- will have. $126.54 will be optional. Similarly, grad- SAA-Ontario, which will govern individ- Beginning in June, all postsecond- uate students paid $1,325.08 in fees in uals terms and conditions for both grants ary institutions in the province are 2018-2019. Under the new model, only and loans. We can probably expect dra- mandated to include as part of the reg- $237.02 will be optional, representing conian measures — look what they’re ac- istration process an opt-in feature for all around 20 percent. complishing with the current agreement! ‘non-essential’ ancillary fees. These are And again, this change adds to the fees that students had previously vot- economic pressures on students review- ed on funding. Of course, that doesn’t ing their expenses, adding to the growing matter to Ford. To him, consumeristic pile of disincentives for students to opt-in choice is more important than demo- With the January announcement of for student organizations and services. cratic mandates. changes to the Ontario Student Assis- That is, if they really even have a choice. This will deeply affect student asso- tance Plan, further details have slowly ciations (and their service centres and been released by government officials, clubs), campus media (radio stations organizations like OPIRG, and direct re- and newspapers), and other non-profit ports from students. As revealed through phone conver- organizations on campus that provide sations between OPIRG and both front- a wide variety of student-run services line and executive figures within OSAP’s to students. These organizations will departmental structure, it appears those hemorrhage funding and many will The OSAP of Fall 2019 will be a mine- fees impacted by the Student Choice Ini- likely be forced to shut down. field of new restrictions on access, as tiative will not be covered by OSAP. Of course this is no accident. It’s the touched on earlier. Other OSAP changes We managed to speak about this with very goal of the Ford Conservatives. For include: Maria Mellas — who boasts the astonish- decades Conservatives in Ontario (and • Second degree students — in- ingly baroque job title of Director (Acting), beyond) have decried the work that cluding graduate students in Student Financial Assistance Branch, Ad- student unions, campus media, and pro- general and second-degree vanced Education Learner Supports Divi- gressive groups like the Ontario Public college students — will be re- sion at the Ministry of Training Colleges Interest Research Group (OPIRG) and quired to take on a loan that and Universities. the Canadian Federation of Students is worth fifty percent of their Mellas stated that existing policy re- (CFS) carry out on campus. total OSAP funds. garding OSAP coverage of optional fees These groups organize students, • There will also be no scenario would apply to these newly-optional facilitate social justice activism, and where students receive a full fees. In other words, all optional fees are broaden students’ perspectives — help- OSAP grant to cover all univer- not covered by OSAP — and this now in- ing them develop non-academic skills sity or college costs. cludes SCI-impacted fees, ranging from and enriching the academic experience student unions to newspapers to inde- as a whole. These activities are what All these additional caveats and cuts pendent student-run offices of all kinds. Doug Ford referred to as “crazy Marx- to OSAP double the pressure on students, While this is a clear and direct re- ist nonsense” in a February fundraising creating a situation where students are sponse to the issues at play, OSAP at- email to party members, which attacked disincentivized from taking up any ad- tempted to obfuscate the issues at hand the idea of union membership in gener- ditional fees and desperate to save any- when the matter was raised repeatedly al: “Students were forced into unions and where they can. on their general line. The frontline bu- forced to pay for those unions... I think Austerity makes the rhetoric of the reaucrats who answer the phone shift- we all know what kind of crazy Marx- Student Choice Initiative seem even ed from a clear answer of ‘no’ to a more ist nonsense student unions get up to. more appealing, since there is less sup- vague request for members of the public So, we fixed that. Student union fees are port for students in general under this to wait for the release of the budget, only now opt-in.” new framework. to be later contradicted by Mellas. Moreover, when speaking to Mellas, “The debate surrounding voluntary the added confusion of organizations at- we were astounded by her seeming lack student unionism (VSU) is emotionally tempting to scrape by on the benevolence of understanding of what the Student charged – due as much to the person- of university administration contracting Choice Initiative even is. It seems that al vendettas of senior Liberals against out duties to those organizations. this government’s proverbial left and the leftist student organizations they This also led to many student organi- right hand simply do not know what the invariably lost elections to in the 1970s zations relationships being broken with other is doing. and 1980s as the passionate protests of the New Zealand Union of Students’ In spite of repeated requests for clar- student organizations. VSU is not only Associations (NZUSA), the equivalent of ification on the government’s position about furthering the free market and the Canadian Federation of Students. on this issue, Minister Fullerton has not individualistic philosophy of the How- So in both Australia and New Zea- responded nor given any suggestion that ard Government but also severely lim- land, some student organizations sur- there will be a change to existing min- iting student organizations as political vived — though many often didn’t — only isterial, branch, or departmental policies entities.” by grasping at scraps from their institu- governing OSAP. Much like the Ford Government’s tions or by transforming their work into In itself, applying this existing OSAP “crazy Marxist” framing of student in- a more neoliberal model. policy of non-coverage of optional fees to stitutions, Howard’s Australian reforms In turn, this is probably what we can campus radio and student unions fees, for aimed to undermine the power of stu- expect going forward in Ontario. As sur- example, might not seem to be a big deal. dent organizations to engage with civil pluses and reserves of existing organi- However, the impact is wide ranging for society organizing and challenges to zations run dry, what else will be there low-income students. state power. for organizations to turn to but these It has been estimated that approx- The impact of this legislation in Aus- limited modes of capitalist reformation imately 60% of students rely on OSAP tralia also brought about critical changes or oblivion? grants and loans for payment of all to campus life that may well be echoed post-secondary institution fees, includ- in Ontario. ing tuition and ancillary fees. As such, As noted in 2011 by the President of when less financially liquid students the Council of Australian Postgraduate We cannot pretend that Ontario are faced with the prospect of paying Associations John Nowakowski, VSU student and campus organizations will for various additional fees out of pock- was “a major factor in the complete col- be immune from the same realities that et, one can imagine the choice they will lapse of student organisations in rural our colleagues in New Zealand and be forced to make. and regional universities, particularly Australia faced. There will be closures In essence, the reality of all three of postgraduate organisations.” in the future and the loss of jobs on a these areas of changes to OSAP — the The resultant organizational merg- similar scale. various cuts to the program, the quiet ers resulted in graduate students losing We may be facing these changes grant conversions, and the lack of cov- “their autonomy and funding, and with- through a differing mechanism, but erage of SCI fees — contradicts two key out these factors, students disengage, ” without significant resistance this is the talking points of the Conservative gov- Nowakowski explained. road which lies inexorably before stu- ernment on this issue. In 2007, the National Union of Stu- dent and campus organizing in Ontario. First, the SCI was trumpeted as dents (Australia) released a report as- a measure that put money back in sessing of the impact of just the first the pockets of students. Yet in reali- full year of VSU and recounting the dire ty students will actually be getting a consequences of the new legislation. further decrease in OSAP funds, since First, they noted that “workers jobs Some student organizations will take the government is skipping out on an- have been the biggest victims of the the neoliberal path and attempt to be- cillary fees. Coalition and Family First’s VSU leg- come corporate-styled service providers, Second, the SCI was supposed to islation. 25 out of 30 student organisa- either through contracts with their insti- increase student choice and halt the tions reported substantial or total job tution or to keep existing for-profit spac- practice of students being ‘forced’ to losses.” es alive. This may be an easy transition support various organizations. Instead, Second, while some student organi- for already service-heavy organizations the inverse is true. The SCI will limit zations noted support for their academic across Ontario. students’ choice. Less upwardly mobile advocacy services from their universi- But will transforming into university students will be locked out of shaping ties, by 2007 “at least six universities no service contractors keep student organiz- which campus organizations exist in longer operate[d] student rights advoca- ing alive? No. Instead such a transforma- Fall 2019 and beyond. cy through a student controlled body.” tion would only keep an appearance of Combined with the other OSAP This extended to many student run organizing alive, under the pretenses of changes, students are being heavily services. The wide collapse of stu- the students-as-consumers model that disincentivized to take on any other dent-run spaces was immediate and has already conquered university-run costs financially. This can only lead to harsh. Student services were generally spaces. reductions in financial capacity for stu- taken over by university or private con- dent organizations themselves. tractors and 13 out of 18 organisations Interestingly, we have seen this sce- reported “substantial or near total cuts nario play out in other jurisdictions — to… campaigns, activities, support pro- In turn, there will be some organiza- namely Australia and New Zealand. grams.” tions who opt to ride out the times as they are, without looking to financial stabil- ity or changing practices. Some student unions, like the Graduate Student Union at the University of Toronto, are even pre- dicting — without much basis — that they In New Zealand, Voluntary Student will simply continue to survive with over In December 2005, the Australian Memberships (VSMs) were implement- 60% of their current fees. parliament passed the Higher Educa- ed in 2011 through the Education (Free- These organizations will hurtle to- tion (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front dom of Association) Amendment Bill. In wards their end, without properly pre- Student Union Fees) Bill. The complete this case, universities could still charge paring for any contingency for their end of compulsory student fees entirely fees — much like in the Ontario model members or campus. came into effect less than a month later, — but could not fund student organiza- But while these two paths have been in January. tions directly. trod in other jurisdictions, does there yet This implementation of so-called As a workaround, universities of- remain another? Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) ten implemented Service Level Agree- was done by making the collection of ments and hired contractors — often, student organization fees by univer- the former student organizations sities essentially illegal. As in our new themselves — to provide similar ser- Ontario system, student organizations vices. However, as the New Zealand Look at the establishment of could still convince students to sign up student newspaper Critic pointed out, the grassroots collective the Ontar- for memberships, but they could longer this meant that “universities control io Student Action Network and the rely on any fees being collected by their the funding for their student associa- proposed interventions from existing institutions. In fact agreements to do tions and can cut it at their discretion. leftist organizations, ranging from so were now illegal. (That’s the Orwel- In most cases, this meant major cuts to the Revolutionary Student Movement lian language of conservatives for you essential services such as counselling to the International Workers of the — making a choice illegal and calling it and advocacy.” World. There is perhaps a growing ‘voluntary.’) Moreover, other spaces such as stu- sense that student political organizing While this level of direct attack on dent media began to crumble in the can be separated from wider service student fees is not at play in Ontario, the years after the implementation of VSM. structures, with an eye to revitalizing impacts will most certainly be instruc- The 80-year old campus newspaper student activism and culture along tive. While collecting fees for student or- MASSIVE at Massey University folded. other lines than that of typical expe- ganizations remains legal here, students In the case of the Albany Students’ As- riences of student life. This would be are being severely disincentivized from sociation (ASA), Critic also noted that a form of student life focused around paying. “Effectively, VSM stripped the ASA of building open, democratic, and fightin From January 2006 until the re- any budget beyond what it might be student spaces — as a necessity under placement of the Higher Education Bill able to negotiate with Massey directly, the Ford regime — and not just to build in 2011, full VSU was in effect in Aus- but this is very limited in size and scope on existing organizations projects, or tralia. These were six years of immense and has had serious long-term effects services. austerity on university campuses, here- on staffing levels and even the ability While this cannot replace the dec- tofore unseen in the world of student for us to remain in our offices.” imated existing structures of student organizing. New Zealand had also been faced organizations and the losses of ser- The Howard Government of Austra- with changes to their student loan sys- vices, supports, and spaces which we lia shared the Ford Government’s nota- tem as early as 1999, which similarly dis- are going to face, perhaps the lon- ble animus against student organizing. allowed loans to pay for student fees. ger-term fightback against this new According to the Australian Centre for The impacts in New Zealand then policy and the Ford Government has Policy Development in 2005: echo the Australian experience, with only just begun?

COMMUNITY OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH FAILING GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN EXPANDED HEALTH SERVICES FOR GUYS INTO GUYS URGENTLY NEEDED tion of a few staff last year. greater risk and increases the posed many times at the clin- Ryan Conrad Between Ottawa’s three cost by having to repeatedly ic’s steering committee meet- Last October GayZone, types of sexual health clin- test and treat those who can ings. We hear over and over Ottawa’s weekly sexual health ics staffed by Ottawa Public access services. again that there are no funds walk-in clinic and wellness Health (OPH), GayZone is Furthermore, residents of available to expand the clinic centre that serves guys into allocated the least resources. Gatineau with a Québec health even though guys into guys are guys, hosted its 10th anniversa- This is despite OPH’s own re- card, and many others living considered the highest risk de- ry celebration at City Hall. The porting that gay and bisexual in Ottawa without OHIP, can- mographic for most sexually mayor Jim Watson, Centre- men are considered at higher not access GayZone’s clinical transmissible or blood borne GayZone’s town city councilor Catherine or highest risk for nearly all re- services, while anyone with an infections (STBBI).” community McKenney, and representatives portable STIs. OHIP card is accepted, wheth- “The clinic turns guys away partners: Ottawa from the partner organization The sexual health clinic at er they’re from Thunder Bay, on a weekly basis,” Harding Public Health, Centretown that make GayZone possible 179 Clarence Street is open Windsor, or Old Ottawa South.. continued, “redirecting them Community were all on hand to celebrate nearly 30 hours a week for If Appletree clinics and to other OPH-operated clinics Health Centre, MAX, Somerset alongside the community. walk-ins and scheduled ap- public hospitals like Élisabeth instead of serving them direct- West Health Centre, AIDS It is imperative to celebrate pointments. Three suburban Bruyère can figure out how ly and efficiently in a cultural- Committee of our community’s successes, es- youth-oriented clinics in Bar- to accept Québec provincial ly sensitive setting. All of this Ottawa Photo: Ryan pecially at a time of increasing rhaven, Kanata, and Orleans health cards while operating makes it clear that culturally Conrad fiscal austerity, health care pri- are open for a total of nine on the Ontario side of the riv- competent service delivery and vatization, and homophobic/ hours a week combined. er, clearly the problem is a lack public health management of transphobic retrenchment in This means that between the of political will to negotiate STBBIs within our community Ontario. Yet this is no time to 40+ hours that OPH-supported the funding of health services is not a priority.” sit back and relax. sexual health clinics operate, a between the two municipali- As under-resourced as it is, The pressing need for Gay- mere three hours is dedicated ties/provinces. Gay, bisexual, GayZone does a dispropor- Zone to expand and evolve in to providing culturally appro- Two-spirit, and queer guys, tionate amount of the sexual order to remain the point of priate, low-barrier services to a both cis and trans, do not have health work in Ottawa. The pride that it has been in the marginalized group of people time for this bureaucratic idi- clinic is responsible for a dis- queer community for over a — who, according to the recent ocy when so many of us live, proportionate amount of STI decade now is painfully ob- Mobilise! study, most often cite work, and play on both sides positives not just because the vious. If queer and AIDS ac- stigma, shame, and discrimina- of the river. higher risk levels within the tivist histories have taught us tion as primary reasons for not Many of us who utilize community it services, but be- anything, it’s that we need to getting tested. Furthermore, the GayZone’s services would cause folks don’t like going to demand and agitate for this national SexNow! survey of like to see new funding made clinics where they experience change.Nothing is won by gay and bisexual men indicat- available to expand its services homophobia and hostility simply asking for it nicely. ed that in 2015 less than half from a once-a-week to a twice- from staff. That should war- According to well-known of the guys surveyed had been a-week drop-in clinic, with rant a reallocation of resources gay Ottawa activist Barry Dee- tested in the last year. These lower barriers to accessing the from less efficient testing sites. prose, GayZone’s origin stems studies speak volumes to the testing and treatment services In the long term, OPH from a dissatisfaction with the need for the expansion of cul- it provides. We understand should be coordinating with meager sexual health services turally competent sexual health that finding new funding for partner organizations and that the city of Ottawa was services immediately. this is a difficult task in a time provincial health authorities providing in the early 2000s, GayZone used to test and of ongoing austerity. That to adopt the proven model of when rates of HIV infection treat anyone who came by is why short term solutions fully-operational, standalone rose again after years of de- the drop-in clinic, regardless should be considered immedi- queer and trans sexual health cline. Tension was also boiling of municipal residency or cit- ately, like reallocating resourc- clinic like l’Actuel in Montre- over between gay health activ- izenship status. Unfortunate- es that are used less efficiently al. Gay, bisexual, Two-spirit, ists and the well-funded AIDS ly, OPH has made GayZone at other OPH-funded sexual queer, and other guys who are Committee of Ottawa, which more and more restrictive. It health clinics. into guys, both cis and trans, in was accused of not doing has erected barriers through According to Matthew the capital region deserve bet- enough to serve gay and bisex- residency requirements that Harding, the Community En- ter. As a user of GayZone’s ser- ual men, who continue to bear exclude anyone without an gagement Coordinator at the vices myself, I demand better of the brunt of the HIV epidemic OHIP card from accessing ser- GayZone partner agency MAX, my municipal health authority. in the region. vices — gay and bisexual men “The expansion of GayZone The time to act was yesterday, These frustrations were from Gatineau, international has been explored and pro- but better late than never! amplified by a serious syph- and out-of-province students ilis outbreak among gay and studying in Ottawa, immi- bisexual guys in Ottawa at the grants who don’t qualify for time and Public Health’s in- OHIP, and migrant workers eptitude at delivering cultur- here without official status. ANIMAL DEFENCE LEAGUE ally competent sexual health Adam Hodgins, a resident services to stem the rate of in- of Hull who works in Ottawa OF CANADA fection. Cultural competence recalls, “I went to GayZone is defined as the ability of pro- for years because it was hassle P.O. Box 3880, Stn. C viders and organizations to free and easy to access, until I Ottawa, Ontario effectively deliver health care showed up one Thursday and K1Y 4M5 services that meet the social, was told that they were no lon- ncf.ca/animal-defence cultural, and linguistic needs ger seeing Québec residents. of patients. Unfortunately there are no Through the organizing ef- equivalent services in Gatin- forts of people like Deeprose, eau. There is no queer-friend- BE KIND TO ANIMALS. Don’t exploit them. Orhan Hassan, and others, a ly option and drop-in hours vision for a satellite clinic ded- at the CLSC [Centre local de Help us support non-animal-using biomedical icated specifically to the health services communautaires, the research to replace experiments on dogs, and wellbeing of guys into guys province-run clinics in all of was formulated. Funding for quebec] are only for people horses, goats, pigs and other animals. We the effort was secured through that have symptoms, not for conversations with the Medi- regular testing. Rapid HIV test- promote vegetarianism, comprehensive cal Officer of Health for Otta- ing is also not available.” legislation to protect animals, and spaying/ wa and a reallocation of funds While some may argue from Ottawa’s sexual health that municipal tax dollars neutering of cats/dogs to prevent their clinic at 179 Clarence Street. shouldn’t be stretched to test homelessness. No new public funding and treat those from ‘outside’ has ever been made available Ottawa, it makes poor public for GayZone, but the clinic health sense — or cents. Gay Become a supporter/member. launched in 2008 nonetheless and bisexual men from all and has been packed every these constituencies are having Thursday night from 5-8pm sex with one another. Indeed, Membership: Annual $15 -- Lifetime $75 since. So packed, in fact, that when was the last time anyone it’s been years since GayZone chose a sexual partner based has even been advertised. After on whether or not they had an Donations to help offset the cost of this ad gratefully received. all, it continues to turn people OHIP card? away due to overcapacity on a Not treating everyone puts We are a non-profit organization working to reduce animal suffering. weekly basis, despite the addi- all gay and bisexual men at

11 MAGAZINE

ment. The state did not have parently threatened public de- for abortions, provided they the resources to police the cency somehow, even if it was occurred at a hospital with bedrooms of the nation. taking place behind the closed the approval of a therapeutic The 1969 reform was facil- doors of a privately-owned abortion committee of at least itated by the Supreme Court business establishment. From three doctors. They could only decision in the Everett George 1968-2004, more than 1,300 approve cases on the narrow Klippert case in 1967. Klippert men were charged in raids on grounds of the pregnancy “en- had been convicted of a num- these establishments. dangering a woman’s life or ber of counts of consensual The ‘acts of indecency’ sec- health” and many hospitals gross indecency with males, tion of the bawdy house law did not even have these com- most of whom were younger was used in a raid on the Club mittees. than 21. Baths in Ottawa as part of the Like homosexuality, the Since Klippert was deemed ‘clean-up’ campaign before promise of reform did not The fi rst lesbian and gay rights demonstration on Parliament Hill likely to continue to engage the 1976 Montreal Olympics. match the actual legislative in August 1971 was opposed to the changes. The following year, limitations of the 1969 reform. in homosexual activities, he This led to the arrest of 27 men Photo: Jerald Moldenhauer was sentenced as a dangerous under the bawdy house laws, feminist activists created the sexual offender to indefinite with two charged for gross in- Abortion Caravan to pro- detention. The Supreme Court decency for consensual sexual test these limitations, which majority decided that Klippert activity behind cubicle doors included a demonstration had been correctly sentenced, — which the police claimed that shut down the House of HOMOSEXUALITY WAS NOT provoking Trudeau to make was ‘in public.’ As in Montre- Commons. his comment on the state and al and Toronto, police refused These legal changes were bedrooms. the master key and entered part of Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s DECRIMINALIZED IN 1969 The very first gay and les- rooms by smashing in doors. “Just Society,” a broad series bian rights demonstration Also in Ottawa in 1975, 18 of proposals that sought to ANTI-69 FORUM CHALLENGES “JUST SOCIETY” MYTH on Parliament Hill in August men were charged with var- redefine the relationship be- Tom Hooper matically escalated in the de- tion clause’ for the offences of 1971 was explicitly opposed ious offences for consensual tween government and peo- & Gary Kinsman cades following this so-called gross indecency and buggery. to the limitations of the 1969 sexual encounters with other ple in Canada. This included decriminalization, including These would no longer be reform. At this time, most het- males ranging in age from 16 the 1969 White Paper, which The celebrations have al- several mass arrests at gay crimes if they were commit- erosexual sex acts could be en- to 21. Central to these charges called for the destruction of ready begun. They say 2019 bathhouses. The 1969 reform ted in a narrow private realm, gaged in legally at 14, setting was the higher age of consent Indigenous sovereignty and is the 50th anniversary of also did nothing to lessen the between two adults aged 21 up very discriminatory age of set in the ’69 reform. treaty rights in the name of the 1969 decriminalization purge campaign in the military and over. consent laws. `Gays of Ottawa held rallies granting Indigenous people of homosexuality. The Royal and public service, which had Prior to 1969 all acts of Also, since many LGBTQ2 protesting Zufelt’s death, po- “the full rights of citizenship” Canadian Mint is set to reveal a major impact on people in gross indecency and buggery people did not have access to lice persecution of gays, biased and “meaningful equality of a commemorative $1 coin in the Ottawa area. had been technically illegal. private bedrooms in order to media reporting, the printing opportunity.” Not only did April and Egale Canada Hu- So why is this myth of de- No distinctions were made have sex, living a discreet life of the names of those charged, the 1969 reforms enable mass man Rights Trust, a national criminalization so widely ac- on the basis of whether they often meant sex had to oc- and called for a uniform age of arrests at gay bathhouses and LGBTQ2 organization, was cepted? were committed in public or cur outside of the home. Al- consent for all sexual acts. restrictions on access to abor- granted $770,000 from the In 1967, Prime Minister private, or on the basis of age. though definitions of public So from these example just tion services, it was related to federal government to pro- Pierre Elliott Trudeau stated, The 1969 reform specifically and private shift historically from Ottawa, then, we can see a broader project of colonial- duce a film celebrating this “there’s no place for the state directed the police against acts and can be vague and arbi- that the limitations of the ’69 ism. What is there to celebrate? anniversary. in the bedrooms of the na- in public and involving those trary, the broad definition of reform had a devastating im- We are part of a group of The problem is that this tion,” adding “what’s done in 21 and under. public adopted in 1969 in- pact. At the time LGBTQ2 peo- activists and scholars who are is based on a myth. No such private between adults doesn’t This change had nothing to cluded bars, bathouses, wash- ple did not celebrate the chang- challenging the myths of 1969. decriminalization took place, concern the Criminal Code. do with the ways that homo- rooms and parks. es — and neither should we. We are organizing a forum partial or otherwise. No of- When it becomes public this is sexuality was criminalized in This mandated police to The decriminalization of called Anti-69 at Carleton Uni- fenses were repealed in 1969. a different matter.” practice, both before and after mobilize against spaces of ‘in- homosexuality myth is also versity on March 23-24, which Arrests did not go down. The legal change in 1969 1969. Two adults over 21 who decent’ sex that were outside tied to other reforms in 1969. includes plenaries, presenta- Just the opposite: the po- followed this principle. The had sex in private were not the home, including bath- An exception from crimi- tions, video showings, book dis- licing of “indecent” sex dra- government added an ‘excep- usually targeted for enforce- houses. Homosexual sex ap- nalization was established plays and more.

Power of the Many Take Back Ontario Conference!

• March 25 9am-4pm • Metro Toronto Convention Centre • Address - 255 Front St W • South Building Exhibit Hall G • Everyone welcome • Registration: oflevents.ca

This event is hosted by the Ontario Federation of Labour. Registration is open to labour and community members. Includes: organizing plans, workshops, training, preparing for mass action, and more.

Join the resistance against Ford!

12 CULTURE

questions, not the foregone painful. And telling the truth is ‘victim,’ ‘perpetrator,’ ‘good guy,’ the abuse — or know when conclusion questions — I need- incredibly painful. ‘bad guy’ are actually far more we’re perpetrating it against GCTC PLAY UNPACKS ed to start with where we were Telling the truth in a culture muddied than they realize. And others. That’s why we call it a now. What questions remained, that supported that truth telling that we have to operate based rape culture. what needed to be asked, what — that would be the answer. on the knowledge that almost There’s a line in the play “NORMAL FEMALE needed to be challenged? Right. At least it seems like everybody could be a victim. Al- where somebody asks some- It required me to write a powerful men can no longer most everybody is a perpetrator. body else “Why didn’t you come BEHAVIOUR” third act, because I needed to ex- take for granted that they will And we all have a part to play in to the police after you were plore what happens the day af- never be exposed. Do you think [finding] justice. raped?” And the character says WHAT HAPPENS THE DAY AFTER SILENCE ter silence is broken. What hap- the culture of impunity has been Does that explain why you’re “Because I don’t know when pens in the years and months dented in the wake of #MeToo? interested in exploring these that is. Because there’s the time IS BROKEN IN A RAPE CULTURE? following, when women do Maybe. I guess we will see. issues through story-telling? you were raped, the time you came from. what we’re urging them to do, It hasn’t been that long. Also, Well, I do work in politics. realized you were raped, and Tim Kitz I was really interested which is to speak out and tell I think that most people think Politics requires simple, repeat- there’s the time you decided to Behaviour, a new play by and curious in how endem- their truth? What are the actual that what they’re doing is per- able, and airtight soundbites tell somebody you were raped. Darrah Teitel currently running ic assault, rape, and abuse is real-life consequences of speak- fectly okay. that you have to say are true and These are different times.” at the Great Canadian Theatre in women’s lives — almost ing that truth? I think people have a gener- that you have to campaign on. I think people are more Company (GCTC), examines how statistically insignificant If speaking out has been ally very shallow understand- Art will inevitably seek the aware of these dynamics be- the interplay of abuse and pow- it is, the number of women popularized, to a degree, is ing of things, unless they’ve cracks inside any dogma, in any cause of #MeToo. There’s more er among Parliamentary staffers who don’t have [experiential] that a weapon that allows taken a lot of time and a lot of ideology. of a conversation. with a fierce and funny eye. knowledge of rape, abuse, sexu- women to level the playing energy to figure out what this I exploit the tools of poli- I think that men who want The Leveller interrupted the al assault and harassment. field? To protect themselves grey zone looks like — what tics to campaign for the greater to be feminists will probably playwright’s feverish rewrites So I started to write a play from men who could otherwise these power imbalances do, good. Whatever I decide is the think about their behaviour over pints in a local bar in order called Behaviour, thinking about take advantage of them? what human rights are, what greater good — ha ha. more. Hopefully women will to ask a few questions about our this — if we all have that expe- I would say no. I don’t hierarchy means, what consent You need a room full of peo- too. Although [#MeToo] didn’t current post-#MeToo zeitgeist rience, then it is clearly inform- think the playing field has been is. Understanding that actually ple chanting the same thing. do the best job of pointing out and about what inspired her. ing what appears to be normal equalled in any way, because we takes a tremendous amount But there is something deeply the ways women are complicit Can you explain the female behaviour. I wanted to didn’t create a system in which of effort, not just a terrified anti-intellectual, anti-emotional and also guilty. genesis of this play? write something that unpacked women can tell the truth. If a thought when you read a head- in that. Because it refuses or is Was there just not enough talk While I was working on [Par- that claim — that normal fe- woman tells the truth, she will line — “oh shit, I better not do somehow weakened by the ex- about hierarchy and power? liament] Hill, there was a really male behaviour is fed and co- lose a lot more than she gains. shit anymore.” istence of contradiction and of Yeah. And this is one of the messy event where two Liberal loured and influenced by the If you tell the truth, all you So in the absence of that sort hypocrisy inside any dogma, or problems with how it’s being MPs were fired after they sexu- experience of assault. gain is a painstaking litigious of deeper work, most powerful any ideology, or any chant. interpreted, right? Because ally “harassed” two female MPs. I also wanted to see what battle, which is probably fol- men won’t know what they’re The beautiful thing about art then it breeds men’s rights ac- One of the compounding happens when that compart- lowed by total and utter disap- doing. They will think they’re for me is that it flows into those tivists who feel like men are effects of that event was that a mentalization begins to erode pointment and failure. Financial good. spaces. So whenever I come being attacked, or there’s a war lot of Hill staffers were extreme- inside a person. The kind of ruin. Nothing but an incredibly “Everyone always thinks against something where I go against men. ly triggered. They were thinking cognitive dissonance required tarnished reputation. At the very they’re good.” That’s actually a “Ooh, this doesn’t quite work” Because the simple narrative of all the abuse and sexual mis- to lead your life when you have least, a bunch of fear following line in my play. — that’s where I seek out art. is that men are villains who are conduct and labour rights viola- had experiences of rape, assault, you, because you’re ‘the girl that To be clear, I don’t think Maybe some writers find doing horrible shit to women. tions that they had experienced and abuse that you’re not deal- did that.’ this is about men. I think this their conclusion before they As opposed to the actual nar- throughout their lives and ing with – and have never even I actually think we made is about the behaviour of peo- begin a writing process. I don’t. rative, which is that capitalism while at work. This was before voiced to yourself, never mind people more vulnerable be- ple in power. In fact, one of the I start writing things, usually, and power have created im- #MeToo and right before [the] others. cause we encouraged them to people in this play who com- when I come up against a prob- measurable vulnerability with- Gomeshi [scandal]. How did the play relate to tell truth and we actually didn’t mits some of the most atrocious lem I don’t know how to fix. As in society. It was terrible how deeply #MeToo, as that unfolded? tell them “oh by the way, as abuses of power is a woman. soon as I come across some- That’s a much more difficult unsupported Hill staff are and Obviously, it had a necessary soon as you tell this truth, noth- So obviously if people thing where I think “I can’t fix transformation, of course. It’s how vulnerable a workplace it impact on this play. I had a full ing good is coming at you. Only want to start doing that this on my own” — that’s when more than “hey men, learn to is, given that we don’t enjoy the draft before #MeToo erupted. bad things will happen to you.” deeper work, they should I start writing. You know, in- ask for consent.” Because it im- protections of the labour code And if my thesis statement had Unless you sign a non-disclo- just come to your play. stead of going to therapy. plicates everyone. of Canada and its extraordinari- something to do with proving sure agreement which robs you Ha! Maybe. What do we gain by exploring ly hierarchical and every day is that everybody’s raped, then of your ability to tell the truth. I think my play does ask some of this complexity? Behaviour is running at the win or lose and it’s super-bully- #MeToo showed up and proved And then maybe you’ll get some for change. It asks for bystand- Well, it’s more the grey zone GCTC March 12-31. There will be ing and macho, blah blah blah. that for me. money. er change. I think it asks for stuff that we’re reconciled to. a free live stream for World Theatre That’s where the genesis, the So art being what it is – It’s really rough because not people to examine the ways in We haven’t had very sophisti- Day — March 27 at 8pm on be- germ of wanting to write this needing to ask the important telling the truth is incredibly which their strict categories of cated tools to detect some of haviourplay.ca.

MATCH THESE WORDS OF WISDOM TO THE PUBLIC FIGURE!

A. “I believe that is the fi rst time a fl ag has volunteered to be burned.” 1. Greta Thunberg, 16 year old climate change activist B. “A dehumanized discourse on Islam and Muslims can lead to these kinds of terrorist attacks... It’s just one step from the word to the deed. If you continuously dehumanize people, treat them in a different way, implement legislation that discriminates against them, what do you think 2. Omer Aziz, former policy adviser will happen?” to the Minister of Foreign Affairs C. “How ironic that this country, founded upon the destruction of Indigenous peoples for corporate interests, demoted and then disrespected an 3. Shoshana Zuboff, author of The Indigenous woman apparently because of corporate interests.” Age of Surveillance Capitalism

D. “More people have been killed by white supremacists since 9/11 than by people who believe these kinds of extremist, twisted forms of Islam.” 4. President Trump 5. Stephen Colbert, comedian E. “[Kim Jong-un] speaks and his people sit up at attention. I want my people to do the same.” 6. Jason Downard, former Neo-Nazi F. “If I was still in the [neo-Nazi] movement, I would be doing what everything else is doing – I’d be voting for Trump, because he’s saying all 7. the right stuff. He’s the president of the United States, so you get these Neo-Nazis going ‘We got this president and he’s pretty much given us Heidi Beirich, Intelligence the OK to do whatever we want.’ ” Project Director, Southern Poverty Law Center G. “We think we’re searching google; google’s actually searching us. We think that these companies have privacy policies; those policies are 8. Robyn Maynard, author of Policing actually surveillance policies.” Black Lives: State Violence in H. “To be Black is not only to be targeted for questioning or arrest, it is also be proximate to death... In the case of Abdirahman Abdi, to be Canada From Slavery to the Present Black to not only be violently assaulted by a law enforcement offi cer but also to be left, bleeding, for an extended period before emergency 9. Farid Hafez, professor and editor services were even contacted.” of Islamophobia Studies Yearbook I. “[President Trump is] a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose.” 10. Brenton Harrison Tarrant, J. “I think enough people have realised just how absurd the situation is. We are in the middle of the biggest crisis in human history and basically Christchurch mosque shooter, nothing is being done to prevent it. ” mass murdering livestreamer

2 8 3 1 7 5 10 6 9

4 a) Stephen Colbert; b) Farid Hafez; c) Omer Aziz; d) Heidi Beirich; e) President Trump; f) Jason Downard; g) Shoshana Zuboff; h) Robyn Maynard; i) Brenton Harrison Tarrant; j) Greta Thunberg Greta j) Tarrant; Harrison Brenton i) Maynard; Robyn h) Zuboff; Shoshana g) Downard; Jason f) Trump; President e) Beirich; Heidi d) Aziz; Omer c) Hafez; Farid b) Colbert; Stephen a)

13 CULTURE EXPLAINING DISABLED PEOPLE ARE HOT THE TRUTH BEHIND THE HASHTAG Kristen Williams

It’s 2019 and the inter- net is aflame with hot dis- abled people pushing you to acknowledge their sexual prowess and your ableism all at once, through the #Dis- abledPeopleAreHot social media trend. Disabled peo- ple from all four corners of our flat earth are popping up in their sexy outfits and ev- eryday lives being, well, hot. The “disabled people are hot movement,” as it’s now being dubbed, has been HEY VENUS ENVY, women like this who genuinely can’t imagine alive and thriving for about that anyone really likes it, since their experi- a month now, and was orig- Why do some women enjoy anal sex, while ence was so bad. inally started by Andrew others don’t? I know it has a lot to do with per- Gurza, who works as a sex sonal preference — but I also wonder why some This is often because the anal sex they experi- and disability consultant. women are so repulsed by the idea that they enced was approached like anal sex in porn, The point of the whole think women who like buttsex must be lying. where there’s generally no warm up, no lube thing is to give space and and no communication. (Of course in porn, What is it about specifi c bodies that take plea- representation to disabled this stuff is usually done off camera.) In real sure in playing with an otherwise strictly exit people for the sexual be- life, anal sex can feel really good, but you hole? Is there physical or structural diff erenc- ings that we are — and to need to listen to your body, go slowly and use es that may explain this preference? also show able-bodied peo- a lot of lube. ple that we exist in sexual Thanks, Your intrepid author, in one of One potential reason for booty pleasure is the capacities. the photos published under the Anal Suspicion Suspect As a population with a #DisabledPeopleAreHot hashtag. high concentration of nerve endings around Photo: Tori Bergeron the opening of the butt. This is a huge erog- history of desexualization (Instagram: @tori_b_fi t) enous zone for a lot of people, and rimming and disenfranchisement, HEY ASS, it with a tongue or lubed-up fi nger can feel #DisabledPeopleAreHot Our sex-negative culture tells us that sex is especially good. works to bring the sexuality When we as disabled people only acceptable if it’s potentially procreative. and humanity of disabled Beyond that, there are some other anatom- Having married sex to make a baby is okay, people to the fore. And so pick our own photos and ical diff erences that might make anal sex but the further your sex is from that, the more far, it’s done just that for a feel better or worse, from person-to-person. stigmatized it is. wide range of disabled peo- audiences (through privacy Some women might have large or sensitive ple, spanning from here in Women, especially, are intensely shamed for g-spots that are easily stimulated through Canada to places like France, settings and such), we are having sex just to feel good. We have all kinds the anal canal, leading to added sensation Kenya, and many spaces in of names for women like this, but mainly we during sex. Similarly, some trans and intersex between. navigating how we are seen call them sluts. We say that “good girls” don’t women who have prostates might fi nd them Unfortunately, not ev- do things like anal play, and then we shame to be an extra rich source of anal pleasure. eryone is on board with the and by whom. the girls who do. For women with vaginas, some will love how hashtag or its goals, with fi lled up they feel by having something in the This deeply impacts many of us. And I think some believing that it hyper- process, with the goal of de- PeopleAreHot, however, the back and in the front. the main reason some women are repulsed by sexualizes or objectifies peo- humanizing someone, often narrative around disabled anal sex is because it carries so much of this While these diff erences will have some im- ple with disabilities. But for the sexual pleasure of bodies is actively controlled stigma. Because wanting anal sex is purely pact, like you said, personal preference plays objectification is a passive the viewer. With #Disabled- by disabled people. about wanting pleasure. Unadulterated, he- the biggest role in determining what people Choosing which particu- donistic, fuck-me-in-the-ass pleasure. are into. Ultimately, the brain is the biggest lar photos of us are seen on source of sexual pleasure, and being turned social media also flies in the Ironically, that kind of cultural stigma is one on by the idea of something can substantially face of “inspiration porn,” a of the reasons some people are so into taboo change how it actually feels. term coined to describe the things. Because good girls aren’t supposed to act of abled people using have anal sex, doing it makes some women So the best way to make anal sex feel good is scenes from disabled lives feel bad and dirty in the best, sexiest ways. to have only it if you really want to. to feel better about their The other big thing that turns some women off Sincerely, own lives. from butt stuff is that they’ve only had irritat- SAM WHITTLE When we as disabled peo- ing, painful, awful anal sex. I talk to a lot of Sex Educator and Owner of Venus Envy ple pick our own photos and Work in Community audiences (through privacy Connect with an exciting netw ork of like-minded social change-makers in a diverse and settings and such), we are SEND QUESTIONS YOU WANT ANSWERED TO [email protected] inclusive spac e. Pe ect for nonprofits , freelancers, entrepreneurs and consultants. Book your next community event or board meeting in one of our many bright beautiful rooms. navigating how we are seen OR DIRECT TO SAM AT [email protected] Come b y for a visit! and by whom. Call 613-566-3448 or email info@25onecommunit y.ca for a tour of the space! Or just drop by! 251 Bank St. 2nd floor (corner of Cooper St.), awa In the process of posting, we are also owning our own stories, instead of hinging Upcoming Workshops at venus envy on the stories of people that are able bodied. Even if you’re not a fan Consent & Communication of racy photos , I encourage March 18 6:30pm $5 you to see #DisabledPeo- pleAreHot for what it is: a wide-spread movement to I’m Coming! A Guide to Women’s Orgasm make disabled people seen. April 10 7:30pm $20 ($10 sliding scale) Viewing disabled people as sexual is long overdue, and the internet at large is finally Knotty Fun: An Intro to Rope Bondage recognizing that. April 16 6:30pm $20 ($10 sliding scale)

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14 CULTURE

Male or female? Can you tell the diff erence? Photos: Genderless Nipples (Instagram: @genderless_nipple) PATRIARCHY’S BIGGEST FEAR: THE FEMALE NIPPLE HOW SEXIST STANDARDS OF NUDITY PREVENT THE FEMALE NIPPLE FROM BEING SEEN

assuming the nipples are though this was later thrown that the same nipple expect- her child in public, however, in public with increased fe- Jacqueline Atkinson mounted on perfectly toned out through appeal. What ed to help create the child in is forced to cover up because male bodily autonomy. Sev- Nipples. We’ve all seen pectoral muscles and accom- Levine’s recent performance the first place must now sus- her breastfeeding nipple has eral celebrities, including Mi- them. Most of us have them. pany an equally toned upper reveals about this controversy tain the child as they grow. already been sexualized by ley Cyrus, Chrissy Teigen and Some of them are pointy and torso — they indicate sex – blown out of proportion as The nipple is now seen in a public opinion. The use of Rihanna supported the cam- some of them are round. appeal and fierce, masculine ‘Nipplegate’ 15 years ago – is nurturing light, but is still the woman’s nipples is de- paign by posting Instagram Some of them are long and confidence. Publicly display- that it was never really about expected to be consumed for cided for her not by her. This photos bearing their nipples. some of them are inverted. ing male nipples shows that a nipple but rather about fe- the sake of reproduction. reminds us that women are These photos were of Some can be proudly dis- you are doing masculinity male nudity in public. Both these reproductive not permitted the same bodi- course removed and Rihan- played during the Super Bowl right, and as such, proclaims So why is the nude female expectations of the female ly autonomy that men have. na even lost posting privileg- and others will be banned that you are welcome to be body indecent but the male nipple take place in the pri- It is worth noting that es for a brief period of time from ever returning. The dif- physically present in the pa- female body is not? Put sim- vate sphere. This makes the women in Ontario do have as a result. Nonetheless, the ference? Some belong to the triarchal public. ply, this is because the nude public presence of the female the legal right to go topless in point of the campaign rang white, male-gendered Adam This is precisely why Adam female body is intended to nipple inherently explicit public (like men) since 1996. true with many throughout Levine and others belong to Levine, front man of the pop- be consumed for the purpose because it is actively defying This was the year Gwen Jacob, the world: women, like men, black, female-gendered Janet ular band Maroon 5, exposed of reproduction, whereas the the patriarchal social expec- a University of Guelph stu- should be able to present Jackson. his male nipples — proudly nude male body is to be pre- tation that reproductive work dent was acquitted of charges their bodies however they ripping off his shirt during sented as an expression of should only exist in the pri- of indecency for having re- choose to. THE DIFFERENCE OF NIPPLES the band’s Super Bowl per- masculine might. vate sphere. moved her shirt on a hot day Though the campaign was formance. Levine presented Public display of the fe- during the summer of 1991. wildly successful in calling The nipple itself is not the correct form of mascu- NIPPLES AS TOOLS OF male nipple is then quite lit- Yet legal rights do not nec- attention to this issue, not inherently sexed, as the In- linity, as evidenced by the REPRODUCTION erally a challenge to the pa- essarily translate automat- much has changed to allow stagram account @gender- positive public celebration of triarchal limitations of where ically or easily to everyday and facilitate the public dis- less_nipples makes pointedly his nudity. His male nipples As a prime focus of por- women can exist. So weapon- actions. How often do you play of female nipples. clear. The account works to simply had a self-proclaimed nographic content, female ized ‘public indecency’ accu- see a topless woman versus Breastfeeding mothers challenge Instagram’s sexist right to be there — and the nipples are expected to play a sations are used to suppress man in public? Also, wom- continue to be shamed for standards of nudity which patriarchal National Football prominent role in stimulating this challenge. en continue to struggle to be showing their nipples in allows photos showing male League controlling this par- men to orgasm. As our culture topless in various spaces that public. Nipple baring Insta- nipples to remain but de- ticular public space was in sexually objectifies them, fe- RECLAIMING THE NIPPLE are largely considered public, gram photos continue to be mands photos of female nip- agreement. male nipples are positioned such as the Internet and pri- removed citing ‘indecency.’ ples to be removed. As a black woman, Jan- to be touched, ogled and con- Adam Levine’s display of vate businesses. Adam Levine can proudly The account posts close up et Jackson’s nipples did not. sumed by men — not only for his nipples remind us of the As women struggle to de- display his nipples during images of nipples and chal- When her nipple was briefly male pleasure but so sexual power that men have over fine the nature of their top- the Super Bowl in 2019, but it lenges Instagram to tell the exposed by Justin Timber- reproduction, which is often their bodies – power women less appearance in public as is disturbingly clear that Jan- difference. Male or female. lake during their 2004 Super narrowly defined by the ejacu- continue to struggle to assert. being sexual, maternal or et Jackson would still never Remain or remove. Their argu- Bowl performance, she was lation of sperm, can take place. Levine can decide whether otherwise, we can see how be permitted to do so. ment? It is literally impossible immediately crucified by the The female nipple must work to mobilize his male nipples this legal right to be topless The female nipple may to tell such a difference be- public and has never been in- so the male penis can perform. as a part of his masculine in public fails to equalize look no different from the cause nipples cannot be phys- vited back to perform since. But the laborious job of sex appeal during his per- bodily autonomy among male nipple. Yet its feminized ically characterized by gender. Additionally, a $550,000 fine the female nipple to repro- formance, or render them as men and women. ability to create and sustain Yet nipples have often from the Federal Communi- duce does not end there. A non-sexualized when partak- A popular 2012 campaign, life has rendered it to be too been incredibly gendered cations Commission citing child is born and immediate- ing in a family swim day with known as ‘Free the Nipple,’ large a threat to our patriar- — according to whose body ‘indecency’ was slapped on ly placed next to the mother’s his children. connected the ability of chal order for it to be proudly they exist upon. For men — the producing CBS network, nipple, with an expectation A woman breastfeeding women to bear their nipples displayed in public life.

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