LAST NUGGET – SEE YOU IN AUGUST! THE Thursday, April 16, 2015 Volume 52, Issue 26 NAIT YOUR STUDENT NEWSPAPERNUGGET FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA TRAILER PARK PARTY Mr. Lahey, Randy captivate crowded Nest, pg 14 Photo by Ben Sim Mr. Lahey and Randy take a selfie with NAIT Business student Marco Bombino at the Nest on April 9. 2 The Nugget Thursday, April 16, 2015 NEWS&FEATURES Time economy,to it could be all ofvote Alberta – and lets, while simultaneously – cutting funddo- cial funding. Let’s repeatit! that – the prov- the future livelihood of all Albertans. ing to services we rely on most; health incial government is asking public insti- With oil prices and the Canadian dol- care and education. Sure, as students we tutions to stop relying on public funding. lar looking more depressed than ever, generally won’t face the brunt of these With rumours still not settled on the fate Alberta’s financial stability is at risk. changes – we don’t make enough to be of the tuition cap even with promises of A projected $5 billion deficit this year, subject to the new “progressive” income “no imminent changes” by the minister which a number of fee and tax increases tax structure, or to pay the new health of Innovation and Advanced Education, failed to dent, has provided some polit- care premiums (the pay more to get less post-secondary students face a real pos- ical ammunition on both sides. The Tor- system). However, gas taxes, cigarette sibility of tuition increases and service ies are calling for cuts to services to taxes and liquor taxes all affect users losses as institutions seek to stretch their NICOLAS BROWN “tighten the belt” whilst conveniently and all new fees and taxes will affect us budgets. Issues Editor ignoring our 10 per cent corporate tax in the long run. This all circles back to the provin- @bruchev rate – still the lowest in Canada, while Cuts to education and health care, cial election. This is the last issue of the Albertans are at it again. After critics are saying the crisis is indicative however, will affect us immediately. Nugget this academic year, so it’s my changing leaders four times in the past of mismanagement by the PC party for Already emergency room wait times are last chance to urge every single NAIT five years, the Progressive Conserva- the greater part of 40 years (although detestable (I’ve personally waited over student to get out and vote this election! tives have dropped the election writ a ignoring what many believe were the six hours in a waiting room a couple of I don’t care who you vote for but exer- year early and forced Albertans to endure “golden years” of Ralph Klein). times) and access to family doctors is cise your democratic right to have your another $28 million round of signs, We shouldn’t care about the talking suffering, even in cities like Edmonton voice heard. If you’re unhappy with debates and ballot boxes. While the pol- points, though, because it’s the hits to and Calgary. With further cuts, inevit- the re-introduced health premiums or iticians fight it out on TV, average Alber- our bank accounts and the services the able to frontline positions, service will the stagnating corporate tax rate, or if tans are faced with a difficult decision of government is supposed to provide to continue to decline and the blame almost you’re happy with how your MLA rep- who to support this election. That deci- us that we, as average Albertans, should certainly laid at the feet of the workers resents you in the legislature – make sion, which all Albertans eligible to vote focus on. left to shoulder the burden. Cuts to edu- sure you are registered to vote, and go to must make on May 5, will have long-last- Now, those things that we should cation are also leaving post-secondary your polling station on May 5. Informa- ing effects on the province’s future. focus on, they aren’t doing very well. students high and dry, as the Prentice tion on registering to vote is available on What are the stakes in this election? The new budget by the “Prentice Team” Team is calling for post-secondary insti- the Elections Alberta website at www. Judging by the state of the province’s is taking a bigger bite out of our wal- tutions to stop their reliance on provin- elections.ab.ca. LEAD – another good year By NICOLAS BROWN transcript as a co-curricular activity,” said tinction (LEAD) program is a per- Issues Editor Parker, co-ordinator of student engagement sonal development and leadership (@bruchev) in NAIT’s Department of Student Life. in action extra-curricular program As another academic year comes to “They were a fantastic group of stu- where students work towards an a close, so too do extra-curricular activ- dents (Year 1 and 2); eager to learn and Aspiring Leader level of achieve- ities wind down for the summer. One such integrate leadership skills into their daily ment (Year 1) or Evolving Leader program is the Student Leadership Award lives. They were busy fulfilling the criteria level of achievement (Year 2),” of Distinction Program, better known as for their level and did so with commitment said Parker. LEAD. Students who successfully com- and excitement; in fact, part of the criteria The LEAD program is another pleted the program requirements were is for the students to volunteer or lead pro- opportunity on campus for stu- rewarded for their dedication. jects within the NAIT community and the dents to get involved and meet Approximately 20 students were external community. This year, it totalled new people. rewarded with certificates and tokens of approximately 950 hours of time involved.” “I am very proud of all of their appreciation by program co-ordinator Every student participating in the pro- achievement and growth, and have Michele Parker at a celebration on April gram had to have a mentor guiding them had the privilege to see firsthand 1. The celebration opened with two stu- through their goals. Many chose staff mem- how they have developed, learned dents who completed the program’s second bers in their program areas as their mentors. and enhanced their leadership level this year, speaking on their experience The second-year LEAD students also had skills through their involvement in Photo by Nicolas Brown Business student Tania Pineda receives through the program’s changes and what to mentor an individual or group to meet LEAD, Parker said. her certificate of achievement from they learned over two years in LEAD. After their program requirements. The second “I truly feel honoured to have Michele Parker, LEAD program co-ordina- that, each student received a certificate and year students also presented on a leadership been able to work with these stu- tor, at an awards ceremony on April 1. many spoke about their experience in the topic during the leadership training offered dents and do appreciate their com- program. to the first year students; gaining experi- mitment they made to LEAD. The skills information is available online at www. “The LEAD celebration is a way to rec- ence in presenting and interacting with a they have taken away with them and inte- nait.ca/LEAD. You can also contact ognize and commend all the students for larger group. grated will certainly benefit them as they Michele at [email protected] or book their hard work this past year within this This all comes back to what the pro- move along their career path.” an appointment to meet with her at her program,” said Parker. gram offers to students – the opportunity to The LEAD program restarts in the office, located in the Offices of Student “They received a parchment indicating develop their leadership skills. Fall term for students who are interested Recruitment and Student Engagement in their level, as well it will be noted on their “The Student Leadership Award of Dis- in participating in the program. More the South Lobby. Thursday, April 16, 2015 NEWS & FEATURES The Nugget 3 Housing for all? The Nugget By CONNOR O’DONOVAN Buildings such as the Rossdale A University of Alberta student is power plant near the Walterdale Bridge Room E-128B hoping to raise awareness and provoke were built on traditional indigenous 11762–106 Street action in Edmonton regarding the cur- land. Edmonton, Alberta rent state of housing attainability in the The other themes involve examina- T5G 2R1 city. tion of how public policy in the last few Production Office 471-8866 Geneva Ricks, who is in her fifth decades has contributed to the housing www.thenuggetonline.com year in the U of A’s Criminology pro- situation of today. Conference speakers Editor-in-Chief gram, is working with the university’s will talk about how changes in the polit- community service-learning educational ical framework has affected the circum- Taylor Braat program and the Edmonton Coalition on stance in the city. [email protected] Housing and Homelessness to create a “Some of the autonomy that land- Issues Editor two day conference centred on Edmon- lords are given now is making it difficult Nicolas Brown ton’s current housing situation. The long for people to maintain their homes when [email protected] term goal of the conference, which will they’re facing difficulties,” Ricks said. Sports Editor take place on June 5 and 6, is to see Ricks has worked extensively on all Edmontonians living in secure and community projects in Edmonton in the Josh Ryan affordable housing.