Ford Nixes Modern Sex Ed

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 Opening gates since 2009 VOL. 11, NO. 1 FORD NIXES MODERN SEX ED OPPONENTS REFUSE TO TAKE ’90S THROWBACK LYING DOWN Rick Telfer he newly elected Progres- sive Conservative government under Premier DISCONNECTED REALITIES Doug Ford announced COUNTRY CLUB POLITICS PUT VULNERABLE Ton July 11 that it was repealing the 2015 sexual education up- HERONGATE RESIDENTS IN PERIL date to the health and physical education curriculum for elementary school children. The repeal was one of Ford’s key election campaign promises. The former Liberal government, under then-premier Kathleen Wynne, had implemented the 2015 curriculum update following widespread FINANCES consultation with parents, stu- Fae Johnston dents, health experts, and ed- at Ottawa rally BEHIND to save sex ANTHROPOCENE ucators. Reports from over 70 education, July 15, health-related organizations 2018, at the Human EXHIBITION BRINGS AN UNFLINCHING VIEW OF HERON Rights Monument were considered in the consul- at 220 Elgin St. HUMAN DOMINATION OF THE PLANET tations and more than 4,000 Photo: Rick Telfer GATE parents were involved in the consultation process. dent of the Elementary Teach- “That is a significant base of The update included addi- ers Federation of Ontario, said voters who not only vote for the “RIGHTS FRAMEWORK” tions such as teaching students that we “know from research PCs but go door knocking for – depending on their grade and practice that having the them,” Johnstone said. “I don’t SHOVES SELF-DETERMINATION PAGE 3 level – about: language to name our body think that Ford cares about sex CLIMATE JUSTICE OTTAWA parts, being empowered to un- ed. I think that he cares about INTO A BOX • the correct names of major derstand consent and healthy catering to, and awarding, his CANADA CONTINUES TO PUT FEDERAL body parts including repro- relationships, and being able political allies for the political PAGE 3 ductive organs; to address issues such as sexism favours they gave him.” INTERESTS OVER INDIGENOUS RIGHTS RALLY FOR • physical changes during pu- and homophobia helps kids Soon after, in a media re- exchange for municipal-type MINIMUM WAGES Andy Crosby berty including breast devel- navigate their social worlds and lease on Aug. 23, Michael powers, which take place at opment in females; in some cases, saves their lives.” Bryant, the Executive Director s business resumed in what Mohawk Policy Analyst PAGE 4 • masturbation as a normal Hammond took specific and General Counsel of the the Canadian House of Russell Diabo refers to as “ter- and healthy behaviour; aim at the “small minority of Canadian Civil Liberties As- Commons on Sept. 17, mination tables.” WHAT IS • different sexual orientations vocal religious and socially sociation (CCLA), called the grassroots Indigenous The Indigenous Activists ISLAMOPHOBIA? and gender identities; conservative parents [who] op- Ford government’s scrapping Amovements began mobilizing Networks argue that the new • Indigenous teachings on hu- pose the current curriculum.” of the 2015 curriculum “a in preparation for the roll-out framework will actually accel- PAGE 5 man development, puberty, He said that many of them “ap- discriminatory misuse of gov- of a legislative overhaul of fed- erate the termination of In- NOW WHAT?! and healthy relationships; pear misinformed about what ernment power – a ham-fist- eral Indian policy this fall. digenous rights process. • sexual harassment, sexting, is actually in the curriculum ed dog whistle of bigotry, of On Sept. 14, the grassroots “Prime Minister Justin and online safety; document that guides class- homophobia, dressed up as a Indigenous groups Defenders Trudeau has launched the PAGE 5 • the varied understandings of room discussion.” consultation fix.” of the Land, Idle No More and largest assault on First Na- ONTARIO BASIC abstinence and factors affect- The Campaign Life Coa- In the same release, the Truth Campaign, who togeth- tions collective rights in the ing decision-making leading lition, for example, has been CCLA announced that it was er comprise the Indigenous 151-year history of Canada... INCOME TRIAL to sexual activity; actively lobbying Doug Ford. It launching a legal challenge to Activists Networks, issued a consistent with the intent of • the proper names of sexually states on its website that “Kath- the repeal of the 2015 curricu- press release calling for direct Pierre Trudeau’s 1969 White PAGE 7 transmitted infections; and leen Wynne’s age-inappropriate lum on the basis of violations action to “stop the Trudeau Paper on Indian Policy,” ac- LES SANS-CULOTTES • consent defined as a clear and anti-scientific sex curricu- of the Canadian Charter of government’s Indigenous cording to their statement, re- “yes,” with “no” or unclear lum… puts children’s physical Rights and Freedoms, the On- rights termination plan.” leased on Sept. 7 in response responses meaning “no con- and psychological health at tario Human Rights Code, and They say that “the existing to the Canadian government’s PAGE 11 sent.” risk” and “makes them more Ontario’s Education Act. path the government is tak- Indigenous rights frame- FINANCES BEHIND vulnerable to sexual predators, Then, in a media release on ing [is] a direct threat to our work engagement document. HERON GATE After repealing the update not less so.” Sep. 4, Elementary Teachers’ sovereignty, our international “What we are seeing now is to the curriculum, the Ford The Campaign Life Coali- Federation of Ontario (ETFO) right of self-determination, the implementation of the government instructed the tion calls itself “the national announced a legal challenge our Treaties and our Aborigi- White Paper through federal PAGE 12 public school systems to revert pro-life organization” and op- of its own, calling the repeal of nal Title and Rights.” law, policy and their proposed FORD’S FREE SPEECH to the 1998 health and phys- poses abortion, doctor-assist- the 2015 curriculum “an un- The Trudeau Liberals’ legis- Recognition Framework.” POLICY ical education curriculum, ed suicide, reproductive tech- precedented and unnecessary lative framework on the “Fed- Diabo sees a long contin- which gives little to no men- nologies, and equal rights for attack on kids and profession- eral Recognition and Imple- uation of federal policy ef- tion of the topics covered in LGBTQ people. al educators.” mentation of the Inherent and forts to subvert Indigenous PAGE 13 the 2015 update. The old cur- A rally “to save sex ed” was Reacting to the Ford gov- Treaty Rights of Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights MISOGYNY AND RIGHT- riculum, for example, does not held at the Human Rights ernment’s establishment of a Peoples in Canada” aims to re- culminating in the expected WING EXTREMISM teach the names of genitalia, Monument in Ottawa on Jul. “snitch line” to report teachers place the Comprehensive Land legislation. does not teach about breast 15. Fae Johnstone, one of the who continue to teach aspects Claims and Inherent Right “The core objective redevelopment, does not men- rally’s organizers and a sexual of the 2015 curriculum, ETFO Policies, which have defined mains changing the legal PAGE 14 tion masturbation, does not health educator, told The Level- called it a “waste of public the modern treaty framework and political status of First VENUS ENVY ADVISORY mention specific gender iden- ler in an interview on Sep. 12 funds” because “it ignores the between Indigenous peoples Nations to a ‘fourth level’ lo- tities, and makes no mention that Doug Ford won the lead- systems already in place for and the Canadian government cal ethnic government,” said of consent. ership of the Ontario Progres- parents and educators to deal since the 1970s. Diabo in the Sept. 14 press PAGE 15 In an opinion column pub- sive Conservative Party in part constructively with issues at The latter policies have release. “This will have nega- FUTURE CLIPPINGS lished on Jul. 25 by SooToday. by appealing to hardline social the school level.” ETFO also been oft-criticized for extin- tive, long-term generational com, Sam Hammond, Presi- conservatives. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 guishing Indigenous rights in CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 EDITORIAL

The Leveller is a publication covering news, current events, and culture at Carleton University, the University of Ottawa, the Ottawa/Gatin- eau region and, to a lesser extent, the wider world. It is intended to provide readers with a lively portrait of their campuses and communities and of the events that give them meaning. It is also intended to be a forum for provocative editorializing and lively debate on issues of concern to students, staff, and faculty as well as Ottawa residents.

The Leveller leans left, meaning it challenges power and privilege and Atari Teenage Riot's Nic Endo sides with people over private property. It is also democratic, meaning that it favours open discussion over silencing and secrecy. Within these very general boundaries, the Leveller is primarily interested in being interesting, in saying something worth saying and worth reading about.

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Comin’ Rougher)” while it shakes it off itself, to be a fun-house mirror we can laugh at Instead we want to leave with some of the music that has ourselves in and a map we can use to find ourselves and our city in. Why we love it It wants to be your coolest, most in-the-know friend and your social been inspiring us and getting us through the day, while we Why we love it William Prince has a magic conscience at the same time. It continues to have its work cut out put this issue together – as a kind of musical editorial. An immigrant punk band voice – deep and resonant for it. with gypsy influences is just like Johnny Cash, but with roaring fun. (Band members a more agile way around a The Leveller is published every month during the school year. It is free. ATARI TEENAGE MARC RIBOT & hail from the Ukraine, Russia, melody. 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William Prince is from founded in the ’90s to serve Italian folksong, sung by poor the Peguis First Nation in Editors Jorge González as a musical attack on the seasonal workers in rice paddy FRANK TURNER Manitoba and his debut al- Lauren Scott Neo-Nazi subculture – fus- fields in the late 19th century, bum Earthly Days won two ing hardcore punk views with and adapted as a anthem of “Make America Junos last year. Hanna Milne German techno. Second, we resistance by partisans fight- Great Again” Rebecca Curran can’t sit still watching live ing Mussolini’s fascists and Guest Editors Chrissy Steinbock clips of this infectious “digital their German Nazi allies in Why we love it Megan McLaughlin hardcore” band bounce and the 1940s. The video for this “Let’s make America great Managing Editor Timothy Kitz fall around the stage, chanting version juxtaposes gorgeous again / By making racists Production & Design Adam Ashby Gibbard “Revolution! Action! Are you footage of rebellious protests ashamed again / Let’s make Contributors Barâa Arar ready? Destroy ten thousand against ICE and Trump with Ri- compassion in fashion again Andy Crosby years of culture!” like anar- bot’s elegiac guitar playing and / Let’s make America great Abigail Curlew chistic hyper-cheerleaders. Waits’ glass-chewing voice. again.” Erin Gee Adam Ashby Gibbard The Leveller is experimenting with paying our Josh Hawley contributors, recognizing that your time is valuable Mike Hermida THE LEVELLER NEEDS and without you, the Leveller would cease to print. 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2 NEWS

SAVE SEX ED sentatives “to take action.” disobedience. That’s where we CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Joel Harden, the MPP for are, and we are not going to Ottawa Centre, recently-elected convince them out of their po- said it was “concerned that this as a member of the now-Offi- sition... It’s just a flat out fight anonymous portal will become cial Opposition Ontario NDP and we are not going to resolve an outlet for bullies, hate and caucus, was blunt in his assess- it here in the legislature. This potentially a mechanism to out ment of the Ford government’s is just one site of struggle. We lesbian, gay, and bisexual edu- objectives. In an interview on are going to resolve this out in cators.” Sep. 13 he told The Leveller that the community, where people Like the CCLA, ETFO takes “[w]e are dealing with a bel- stand up.” the position that “the govern- ligerent, focussed government In the meantime, Chris ment’s actions are in direct con- that cares about one thing and Farley Ratcliffe, Executive flict with professional obliga- one thing only – and that’s re- Director of Planned Parent- tions that are enshrined within shaping the province in their hood Ottawa, wants parents the Education Act and the Stan- own image.” to know that up-to-date, dards of Practice of the Ontario “They invoke the language comprehensive sex educa- College of Teachers” and that of populism, they invoke tion is available from his or- “the government’s directive is the language of standing up ganization. also in conflict with the On- for the hard work done by a “People can go to our tario Human Rights Code and person who works at one or website or give us a call,” he the Canadian Charter of Rights many minimum wage jobs, explained. “We offer counsel- and Freedom.” and their goal is to make ling sessions, too, if people

Attendees had the chance to describe the solutions needed for a liveable future. Photo: Andrew Macartney Shawn Menard, Zone 9 sure those people are heard want to come in and learn (Rideau-Vanier/Capital) Trust- or more money is put back about birth control or they ee of the Ottawa-Carleton into their pockets,” Harden want to learn about gender District School Board, told The added. “So, they invoke that identity, or whatever. We’re OTTAWA RISING FOR Leveller in an interview on Sep. ‘standing up for the regular happy to sit down and have 12 that the Ford government’s person’ rhetoric and, in this a chat with them. We’ve also repeal of the 2015 curriculum case, who they’re standing had some initial conversa- CLIMATE JUSTICE was the topic he was most up for, we know… are people tions with the school board emailed about by parents “in who will not acknowledge and the Ottawa Carleton As- Art for the Resistance a Celebratory Event the last several years.” Further, that queer and trans families, sembly of School Councils when thinking about the cli- of belonging within the cli- “nobody was in favour of [re- and kids, exist.” about offering workshops for Aaron Thornell mate justice movement and mate movement, a movement pealing] it.” “They play to their base parents through schools on There is a climate move- other social justice move- that is able to reflect our ideas “This is a reversion to a and they use populism to grow how to talk to your kids about ment forming in Ottawa, evi- ments,” said Graciela Her- of inclusion and justice for all less accepting government and their base, and they fundraise sexual health.” denced by the over 100 people nandez, a member of the core of us.” one that denies that there are off everything, so that’s what Ratcliffe also suggested a who gathered in Minto Park organizing team with Climate Attendees at the event took gender identity issues and real we’re dealing with – and I think YouTube series being produced on Sept. 8 to create art for Justice Ottawa. “Achieving time to fill out small signs, list- sexual education challenges the sooner we realize that, the by Nadine Thornhill, a profes- the continuing resistance, as community is the main ingre- ing descriptions of what needs for students that are question- sooner we can make sense of sional sexual health educator, part of a global day of action dient to achieve mass mobi- would be realized in a future ing their identities,” Menard why they go to the wall on ev- in which she teaches the 2015 known as Rise for Climate. lization and building people where climate justice is a fun- added. One the best ways for erything,” he said. curriculum. He also recom- The community-building power.” damental right for all. One people to express their anger, When asked about strate- mended a guide for teaching event drew a variety of individ- Spirits at the event were such sign was emblazoned he said, “is to not just write the gies for resisting the Ford gov- sexual health education pro- uals from diverse backgrounds high, with the recent striking with “Less emissions, less Premier but actually focus on ernment’s agenda, Harden said duced by the organization Ac- and generations, who collabo- down of the infamous Kind- trash,” while another was sim- their local board of trustees” by that “we live in an era where tion Canada for Sexual Health rated to create banners, signs, er Morgan expansion project. ply bore a drawing of a scene encouraging those local repre- belligerence necessitates civil and Rights. and messages centred around On Aug. 31, the Federal Court featuring windmills and solar climate justice. The focal point of Appeal passed down the panels. of the event was the design decision, citing the lack of For some time, climate or- INDIGENOUS RIGHTS government’s framework speeches being given by the and painting of a large para- necessary consultation with ganizing in Ottawa has been CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 has been the use and misuse Prime Minister and his Min- chute for use in future marches First Nations and a need for disparate, with various groups of language and terms such isters and critically examine and rallies. greater examination of the based in the capital working impacts for our First Nation as “nation-to-nation” and whether what is being said Event organizers, referring impacts of increased tanker independently of each other, Peoples and sever our original “self-determination.” politically matches what is in to themselves as Climate Jus- traffic on Canada’s west coast. only coming together occa- relationship with our lands “When Canada uses the federal ‘Engagement Docu- tice Ottawa, saw this gathering This victory came after years of sionally to collaborate. Cli- and the Treaties our sovereign phrase self-determination, ments’ being drafted by feder- as an important step towards grassroots resistance led by In- mate Justice Ottawa seeks to Nations made with European and in the context of this legis- al officials to outline what is building a strong foundation digenous groups and frontline change that, and bring togeth- Nations long before Canada lation, it’s self-determination likely going to be contained for a sustainable climate jus- communities across Canada. er not only climate-oriented patriated its constitution from within the parameters of Ca- in the federal Indigenous tice movement in the National Despite the victorious groups, but also social and la- England in 1982.” nadian law,” said Snow. “How ‘Rights Recognition’ Frame- Capital Region. There was a mood, the organizers recog- bour movements. The “fourth level of gov- can we be self-determining work legislation. So far, what distinct emphasis on building nized there is still a great deal The art build event is build- ernment” Diabo refers to and practice our way of life the politicians are saying and community within the climate to be done. “We still have a ing in part towards RISE 2019, would subvert Indigenous when industry can trump our what the bureaucrats are writ- movement in Ottawa and the sense of cause and of urgen- a youth-driven event aimed at sovereign authority under areas we use to hunt, fish, ing on paper are completely surrounding region. cy,” said Hernandez. “And addressing the climate crisis federal, provincial, and mu- gather, and harvest?” opposite messages.” “[Building community] long-lasting relationships can taking place in February of nicipal powers. “For Canada, self-determi- Following Bennett’s speech, is fundamentally important have an impact on our sense 2019 in Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin nation is within a box,” Snow and throughout the two days Trudeau announced the In- continued. “After [federal, of the AFN Forum, dozens “burden” for businesses. digenous Rights framework provincial, and municipal] of people lined up at micro- Yet the Fight for $15 and on Feb. 14, following a meet- laws, and after every other phones to express both cau- Fairness campaign reports on ing with members of Colton stakeholder has had their say, tion and criticism of the Cana- its website that public opinion Boushie’s family in Ottawa. that is where our self-determi- dian government’s approach. “polls show that two out of ev- The Canadian government nation is.” The groundswell of oppo ery three people in Ontario sup- has since undertaken an The Assembly of First Na- sition, expressed by many of port a $15 minimum wage and “engagement process” with tions (AFN) held a national the chiefs as well as grassroots decent work” and that “60% of Indigenous communities, a policy forum on “Affirming activists, begs pondering the smaller business owners… sup- process that has been heav- First Nations Rights, Title possibility of a renewal of Photo: Rick Telfer port a $15 minimum wage.” ily criticized by Indigenous and Jurisdiction” in Gatineau nationwide mobilizations The Ottawa action was one groups as “top-down” and on Sept. 11-12. Minister of reminiscent of Idle No More, PROTESTORS RALLY TO of more than 15 similar ac- “federally-controlled.” Crown-Indigenous Relations if the federal government tions undertaken in towns and Rachel Snow, spokesperson Carolyn Bennett addressed continues to ignore Indige- PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS cities across Ontario, to kick off with the Indigenous Activists the convention hall on Sept. nous concerns. The Idle No a “15 weeks to $15” campaign. Networks, told The Leveller 11, speaking of peaceful co-ex- More uprising in 2012-2013 Activists serve notice Ford’s PCs are in for a fight More actions are planned in that, “The problem with [the istence, sharing land and the was so powerful because the Rick Telfer 148 provides for another in- the weeks and months leading legislation] was that it was in- treaty relationship. massive mobilizations at the crease to $15 on Jan. 1 of next up to the scheduled increase to troduced unilaterally by Prime “If we can recapture that grassroots level were support More than two dozen ac- year. It requires ongoing wage the minimum wage on Jan. 1. Minister Trudeau without con- spirit and intent of all of the ed by many chiefs, including tivists convened in front of adjustments on Oct. 1 of each Roberts, having won his sultation and without any in- treaties, that peace and friend- the Chiefs of Ontario who Conservative Jeremy Roberts’ year to protect the value of seat by a margin of just 176 put from the Indigenous peo- ship treaties, the modern trea- are opposed to the current constituency office on Sep. 15 wages from inflation. votes over New Democratic ple themselves.” ties, the number treaties, the legislative framework. in the provincial riding of Ot- The legislation also pro- candidate Chandra Pasma, is According to a framework pre-Confederation treaties… Colonial legislative mea- tawa West–Nepean. The group vides new protections for part- seen by the activists as espe- overview document, the Ca- even for those territories that sures that dramatically impact rallied under the banner of the time, casual, and temporary cially vulnerable to grassroots nadian government claims don’t have treaty, that the the lives of Indigenous peo- Fight for $15 and Fairness cam- workers, an easier pathway to pressure. that, “The Framework will en- spirit and intent of what that ples, such as the White Paper, paign to demand that the PC unionization for all workers, Karen Cocq, an organiz- sure that the Government of was supposed to mean, living the patriation of the Constitu- government maintain the min- 10 days of emergency leave, er with the Fight for $15 and Canada recognizes, respects, in peaceful co-existence, shar- tion, and Bill C-45 sparking imum wage increases and oth- additional vacation entitle- Fairness campaign, told the and implements Indigenous ing a land fairly, that’s what Idle No More, tend to galva- er employment improvements ment, and fairer scheduling. gathering of activists that “the rights, including inherent we’re trying to achieve.” nize nationwide mobiliza- legislated by the previous Lib- Already, in a guest column point of today is to send a and treaty rights, and pro- Diabo, concerned with tions. The former two were eral Wynne government. appearing in the Financial Post message to the Conservative vides mechanisms to support Bennett’s rhetoric, noted in initiatives of Pierre Elliott On Jan. 1, the regular min- on Sep. 14, Ontario Minister government that we won’t self-determination.” the press release that, “We Trudeau’s government. Now imum wage increased to $14 of Labour Laurie Scott called stand for any rollback of our A primary concern re- have to look beyond the nice Justin seems to be following from $11.40. The Liberal’s Bill the minimum wage increase a wins in Bill 148.” peated by opponents of the sounding public relations in his father’s footsteps.

3 CULTURE ANTHROPOCENE COMES TO THE NATIONAL GALLERY Exhibition brings an unflinching view of human domination of the planet

Chrissy Steinbock which humans are the primary cause of permanent planetary Anthropocene, a new mul- change,” according to the An- timedia exhibition exploring thropocene Project website. the permanent impact of hu- The name comes ultimately man activity on the planet, from the Anthropocene Work- opens at the National Gallery ing Group, an international on Sept. 26. team of scientists who have The exhibition features been working for 10 years to new works from photogra- determine if the Earth has left pher Edward Burtynsky and the Holocene and entered a filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal new geological age. and Nicholas de Pencier, an These scientists argue that award-winning collective we have indeed come to an known for documenting global “unprecedented moment Edward Burtynsky, Cerro Dominador Solar Project #1, Atacama Desert, Chile, 2017 industrial landscapes through in planetary history” where imagery as haunting and humans “change the Earth profoundly altered by mining, and de Pencier say, “Solutions like scientists, artists and polit- provocative as it is beautiful. and its processes more than deforestation, urbanisation to the problems we face as a ical activists, to talk about why DATES & INFO The exhibition features all other natural forces com- and other human activity. species and as stewards of the a radical response to climate The Anthropocene photography, wall-sized mu- bined.” They point to things The exhibition at the Na- planet will be found in collab- change is necessary.” exhibition runs Sept. 26 rals with embedded films, as like climate change, “terra- tional Gallery is part of the oration and community.” The event will begin with through to Feb. 24, 2019. well as augmented reality informing through mining, ur- larger Anthropocene Project, If you would like to con- an eco-socialist tour of the ex- stallations with 3D imagery banization and agriculture, which also includes the doc- nect with people in your com- hibition, followed by a public The Ottawa New Socialists’ and video triggered by a spe- human-caused extinction and umentary of the same name munity to explore solutions, meeting and discussion of the event “System Change, Not Climate Change: A cially designed app. The scale biodiversity loss; and the glob- and a simultaneous sister ex- the Ottawa New Socialists are politics of stopping climate Radical Response to the of the images and the use of al presence of materials such hibition at the Art Gallery of organizing an event called change – with an emphasis Anthropocene” runs from immersive technology encour- as plastics and concrete” as Ontario. “System Change, Not Climate on system change and local 1-5 pm on Saturday, Oct. 13. ages an experiential under- evidence of the Anthropocene. Although powerful, this ex- Change: A Radical Response to campaigns. According to the The gallery will also host standing of the scope of our Building upon this re- hibition is not one to prescribe the Anthropocene” on Oct. 13. event page, the group wants to the Ottawa premiere of species’ impact on the planet, search, Burtynsky, Baichwal any remedies. “The work asks Brian McDougall of the emphasize the role of capital- the documentary film something that can often feel and de Pencier spent four years more questions than it an- Ottawa New Socialists says ism in the Anthropocene and Anthropocene (Sept. 27, abstract. travelling the globe from the swers, which is what artists are the event is designed to “bring to break the taboo of the one 2018 at 6:30), and the film The exhibition’s name, An- Dandora landfill in Nairobi there to do,” says Burtynsky in together different segments of percent that is “unwilling to will run at the Bytowne thropocene, is the proposed to log booms on Vancouver Is- the exhibition’s press release. the community, groups who question their capitalist system Cinema from Oct. 5-11. current geological age, “in land, documenting landscapes Instead, Burtynsky, Baichwal don’t usually work together to save the planet.” SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS ISLAMOPHOBIA? demics coined these terms the word are debated, but its that as she launched herself important factor to consider shooting that claimed the to encapsulate forms of dis- employment in public dis- in our general direction, she when thinking about Islam- lives of six innocent Muslim It might seem there is an crimination against certain course has increased recent- accused him of stealing jobs ophobia. Articles of clothing congregants is an example, increasing number of “isms” groups of people, who are ly, as anti-Muslim sentiment and told him to go back to like hijab, niqab, burqa and/ albeit more extreme, of the and “phobias” in our society often minorities in a given and tabled policies rose in where he came from. After a or abaya mark people both social manifestations of Is- lately. Transphobia. Sexism. population. North America. few minutes of these attacks, as Muslim and women. That lamophobia. Fatophobia. Ableism. Islam- These terms are not meant Long before I knew there a man who identified him- type of targeting is coupled Systemic and social Is- ophobia. to be scary. They are meant to was a word for it, I knew self as her boyfriend took with racialization and be- lamophobia are intimately Perhaps it is overwhelm- provide us with the vocabu- what Islamophobia felt like. her aside and apologized to comes another factor in this interconnected. Like I wrote ing to keep up with the ter- lary to explain systemic and In grade 3, my father us on her behalf. perpetuated violence. To un- almost a year ago now in minology, but understand- social inequality in our lived picked me up from school At the time, I did not have derstand how Islamophobia The Leveller, Islamophobia ing why these terms exist experiences. and as we were exiting the the vocabulary to articulate operates on individuals and translates from the political goes a long way towards Although I am a visible car, a woman approached what it felt like to be accused communities, we must ap- spheres to the social ones identifying and eliminating Muslim, I only learned the my father, yelling insults by a stranger. I knew some- proach it intersectionally. easily. The politicization of them in our systems and world Islamophobia in the at him. I do not remember thing about her actions was Like other forms of dis- Muslim identities in politics societies. Activists and aca- last few years. The origins of all the details, but I recall abnormal and reprehensi- crimination, Islamophobia makes targeting those com- ble, but I did not know what operates on two interlock- munities fair game to the inclined her to do it. As an ing levels: the systemic and general public. It homoge- adult, I know what words to the social. Islamophobia has nizes and dehumanizes Mus- use, but identifying exactly also become more common lims and makes them vulner- what happened that day is in our political discourse and able targets. still not so obvious. Was this institutions. Former prime Contrary to what many really an act of Islamopho- minister Stephen Harper’s might assume, Islamophobia bia? Xenophobia? Or maybe unsuccessful yet rigourous did not begin with U.S. Pres- it was plain old racism? campaign against Zunera ident Donald Trump’s “not- Moments like the one Ishaq, who wished to wear a-Muslim ban” Muslim ban. Our office is here for you with: I just described are messy a niqab at her citizenship Or the Bush Administration’s and unclear. We might nev- ceremony, is a prime exam- response to 9/11. Much like Monthly Town Halls er get all the details about ple of the state’s engagement racism, Islamophobia ebbs Canvasses what pushed someone to in Islamophobic practices. and flows. Events like those Community Organizing treat others this way. But as a Moreover, Pauline Marois’ I mentioned often cause vio- Help Accessing Government writer, it is helpful for me to 2013 Quebec Charter of Val- lent reactions and outcries on Services (such as housing, use the term Islamophobia ues, which disproportionate- the ground. But let us not be ODSP/OW, healthcare, OSAP to speak about anti-Muslim ly targeted Muslim women fooled, Islamophobia lingers etc.) sentiment and violence in a who wear hijab or niqab, is even between those cataclys- meaningful way. another example of politi- mic events. Connect with us and let's get When discussing Islam- cians legislating with under- Islamophobia is not always organized! ophobia, we must remember currents of Islamophobia. easy to pinpoint; it is messy it seldom arrives to the party At other times, Islamopho- and complicated. Defeating it alone. It usually brings along bia trickles down to everyday requires a widespread collec- 109 Catherine St. / rue P: 613-722-6414 its buddies: racism, sexism aggressions against those tive response that begins with Catherine E: [email protected] and classism. who are racialized Muslims. learning the right words and MPP / Député provincial, Ottawa, ON K2P 0P4 www.joelharden.ca Ottawa Centre Gender is a particularly The 2017 Quebec mosque their meanings.

4 COMMUNITY NOW WHAT?! OTTAWA CHALLENGES LOCAL POLITICIANS TO BE GENDER-INCLUSIVE JIAN Can a local coalition of activists make Ottawa’s local politicians care about gender issues? They’re sure as hell trying. FEELS different policies that can lead Erin Gee to reductions in gender-based BAD FOR With Ottawa voting on violence that may not seem its next city council on Oct. immediately clear. 22, 2018, candidates across Their platform is built on HIMSELF the city are being challenged three broad policy goals that, by the activist coalition Now if considered, would lead to a What?! Ottawa to support gen- safer Ottawa for women: safe IN NEW der-inclusive policies. and supportive communities, Candidates in this fall’s accessible and active com- election are hearing from a munities and equitable and ESSAY new voice. Now What?! Ot- economically-sound commu- Gomeshi’s non- tawa is a coalition of feminist nities. Several specific policies vices, justice and inclusion for organizations and activists follow from these goals. The women in Edmonton. Mean- apology is unfit who have banded together to policies, which all fall under while, the City of Vancouver viewing for fight for gender-inclusive pol- municipal purview, include approved a Women’s Equity humans and teddy icies at City Hall. They have making public transit safer and Strategy early this year with a released an in-depth platform more accessible for all women, mandate to 2028. bears alike Illustration: Megan McLaughlin and Kyrellos Abdou on their policy positions and commiting to the creation of a Aside from putting out like to have your life inter- Kristen Williams are hosting a mayoral debate Women’s Bureau at City Hall specific policy stances, will the Do you know how rupted because of assault? on Oct. 2. and ensuring that women are group be endorsing specific In a disgruntled, woe-is- Jian does. Now he can’t even Now What?! Ottawa is safe in mixed-gender shelters. candidates? One of the orga- me essay for the New York hard it is to be pass a stranger without see- daring to dream big about The issue of a Women’s nizers, Bailey Reid says, “Our Review of Books, Jian Gomeshi C-level famous ing their face twist in anxious creating a city that is inclu- Bureau at City Hall hit the goal is to not endorse specific confirms that he feels sorry for recognition. sive, equitable, and safe for spotlight in the spring of this candidates. We’ve clearly laid himself, and not the women and then deal We should know better women, including Black and year, with the councillor for out our policy positions and he hurt, after being accused of with the natural than to be surprised that Jian Indigenous women, women Gloucester-Southgate, Diane are ultimately raising aware- multiple assaults on women has found ways to make him- with disabilities, people of co- Deans, bringing the measure ness to what gender-inclusive in 2014. consequences of self the one wronged, though. lour and LGBTQ+ folks. They forth to council. The purpose policies should look like. We’ve The ex-host of the CBC being an abusive This is how people like him are inviting candidates in the of the bureau would be to do met with candidates from sev- show Q wants to be in our – people posing as feminists upcoming election to read what Now What?! Ottawa has eral wards to discuss our plat- good graces again. In fact, he creep? while subjecting women to through their platform and already done: use intersection- form and welcome inquiries not only wants it, he feels – harm – survive and thrive in adopt policies they support. al gender analysis to create and from those who want to know after four long years of people him entitled to sympathy. today’s social climate. The coalition came to be review policies and bylaws to more. This approach is import- being aware of how poorly he Do you know how hard In a way, his pity party val- this spring in the lead up to ensure that there are no unin- ant to many residents.” acts around women – that he it is to be C-level famous idates the claims against him this year’s provincial election. tended consequences towards The Now What?! Ottawa deserves it. and then deal with the nat- more than it generates sym- Their goal was to make gen- targeted populations. mayoral debate on gender His written plea is a 39- ural consequences of being pathy. Of course a liar would der a provincial election issue, Other cities across Cana- issues will be held on Oct. page victim impact statement an abusive creep? Jian does, twist the truth on this. Of with a specific focus on gen- da are already acting on these 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The where he is, in fact, the vic- and he just wants his old life course he would play the vic- der-based violence. kinds of policies. For instance, location will be announced tim. Sure, he hurt women back. The one where every- tim card. Those tricks have This time around, gen- the City of Edmonton has a soon on the Now What?! through coercion and punch- one took him for a feminist worked on the women he’s der-based violence is still the Women’s Initiative that seeks Ottawa’s website: (nowwha- ing them in the head during ally and put up with his inap- known, and now he’s trying ultimate issue, but the group to foster and promote equal- tott.com) and on Twitter (@ sex, but believes the conse- propriate behaviour. them on us. recognizes that there are many ity, opportunity, access to ser- NowWhatOtt). quences he now faces make Do you know what it’s Fitting Jian, and right on cue. HANDS OFF our $15 minimum wage

Tell our NEW government not to stop the planned increase of the minimum wage to $15/hour on 1 January 2019.

send a letter to your MPP here:

15andfairness.org/email_your_mpp

psac-ncr.com

5 MAGAZINE THE ONTARIO BASIC INCOME TRIAL & THE RISE OF THE PRECARIAT outcomes. Overall it found underemployment are parts came out of the economic cri- of work, leaving a growing Adam Ashby Gibbard that people who don’t live in of the system in which we all THE PRECARIAT QUIZ! sis of the 1980s, the inclusion class of stressed out and pre- On March 31, 2019, the On- constant precarity are health- live and work. Take the test to find out if you’re of some two billion workers carious people with no one tario Basic Income Trial is set to ier, have lower rates of mental The Ontario Basic Income part of the latest growing trend! in China – and the effects of to represent them. Finding no die a premature death, thanks illness due to anxiety and were Trial was a project that was 1) Do you have unstable or insecure technology, like automation, outlet for their issues, they ei- to our new Conservative gov- better prepared to enter the la- looking at a new way to help work? (E.g. Temp, freelance, contract) working remotely and artificial ther become angry or disillu- ernment. bour force. people who suffer – due to cap- 2) Do you have to work to find work? intelligence. sioned. Populism is easy bait The trial was meant to Doug Ford and other Con- italism being shitty. Modern (E.g. Networking, retraining) For new and recent gradu- for a group of people who find generate data on a possible servatives don’t see this as capitalism requires unemploy- 3) Are you over-educated for the ates, the issues surrounding pre- themselves in constant insecu- work you do? alternative to present forms useful. In fact, they cancelled ment and underemployment, carity are only compounded by rity, trying to point their anger 4) Are you one illness or accident of social assistance and to see Ontario’s pilot, claiming it both as an incentive and as a away from financial ruin? the large amount of debt they at something or someone. whether it could help people was a failed system and that means to keep wages low. 5) Do you rely entirely on your wag- come out of post-secondary in- It’s not a big stretch of the be mentally and physical- “It really is a disincentive to get (If you want to slog es? (E.g. Have no non-wage benefits) stitutions with. Something that imagination that a significant ly healthier, secure housing, people back on track.” Many through economic policy jar- 6) Do you lack a pension, sick days or reality doesn’t include is how number of people in the pre- attain education and gain have pointed out that you can’t gon, you can also look up how paid holidays? poorly universities prepare stu- cariat voted for Doug Ford, employment. The plan’s cost claim a trial has failed when the interest rates are modified to 7) Do you have precarious status in dents for their working life. The even though there is nothing Canada? could then be offset by the data for the trail hasn’t been keep unemployment regulat- average undergrad spends three in his plan that will help them. 8) Do you rent your home? savings from scrapping Em- completed. And every other ed to avoid inflation, usually to four years not making an in- Much like Trump, it’s easy to ployment Insurance (EI) and completed trial – there have kept between four and six per If you answered yes to more than come and then takes, on aver- pander to a crowd of angry social assistance, reducing use been a number conducted out- cent. In other words, if unem- half of these then welcome to the age, nine to fifteen years to pay people by pointing your fin- precariat!* of healthcare and keeping peo- side of Canada – contradicts ployment was zero, inflation *Not a precise measurement. off their student loan – with ger at scapegoats – while using ple out of jail. Ford’s claims. would skyrocket. Our current the prospect of living precari- your other hand to prop up the The project isn’t really To add insult to injury, Ford economic system requires un- THE NEW CLASS ously and likely working a job exact system that created the new. An eerily similar pilot also has his eyes on slashing employment to work.) Whether you’re part of the outside of their field and below precarity. ran in Manitoba in the ’70s. the $15 minimum wage hike As this is the case, then why new class, or know people who their level of education. Let’s hope that representa- Dubbed “Minicome,” it was that’s meant to come into effect is unemployment stigmatised are, the precariat now make up tion comes and sound policy is also scrapped by provincial Jan. 1, 2019 and has reduced a and why doesn’t the govern- a major part of the labour force POLITICS IS CHANGING, put in place before more peo- Conservatives when they came planned welfare increase from ment have policies in place to in Canada – between 20-40 per HOPEFULLY ple in Canada are faced with to power, before a final report 3% to 1.5%. make sure folks don’t suffer cent depending on how it’s de- The growing precariat has living in precarity. And before could be compiled. from the hardship of a required fined (52 per cent in the GTA). already led to a drastic change right-wing populism drifts far- The ’70s pilot ran for five LET’S CLARIFY SOMETHING aspect of our economy? This insecure class is made in the political landscape of ther towards fascism. years and was almost identi- What is too often forgot- None of this even begins to up of a diverse group of peo- European countries, like Brexit, “How about at the very cal to the new one in Ontario. ten, but is often a basis of cover the growth in inequality ple, from older people having and, arguably, led to the elec- least the government run a Ba- The research from that, found conservative platforms, is that in Canada, nor the growth in to leave more classic careers, tion of the Orange Idiot down sic Income trial to see if that, almost 30 years later in some people are not lazy or looking the new precarious class: the to new immigrants trying to south. or something like that, could 18,000 dusty boxes some- for a government handout. precariat. settle in, to newly-graduated Politics hasn’t kept pace help?” What a great idea people where, were full of positive Instead, unemployment and students. A lot of this trend with the changing landscape from 1970s! TUITIONS RISE, WORKING CONDITIONS DROP, BULLSHIT JOBS RISE David Graeber helps understand the current state of Canadian universities were students in Nova Scotia (a ments only add to the already universities towards engineer- faculty have non-academic side sional, managerial, clerical, Mike Hermida 5.5 per cent increase for under- problematic student debt. ing, business and the sciences: jobs. An additional 16 per cent sales, and service workers’” Across Canada, post-sec- grads, 2.8 per cent for grads), It should not be forgotten programs that attract interna- of them work at more than one rising steadily. This has led to ondary tuition fees have been law and architecture students that a large part of the burden tional students. Simultaneously, institution. Furthermore, part- a ballooning of meaningless on the rise. All the while, thou- (4 per cent), and graduate stu- is being paid by international it pushes away health, social sci- time professors of gendered administrative jobs that are, ul- sands of contract faculty are dents in personal, protective, students. The Higher Education ence and humanities. and racialized groups are more timately, “bullshit.” overworked and underpaid. and transportation services (a Strategy Associates reported that, Despite this increase in fees, likely to be overworked. For Graeber, self-replicating According to Stats Cana- whopping 94.7 per cent).. from 2006 to 2016, “domestic universities still find a way to Meanwhile, Ontario univer- administrative bloat shows that da’s blog The Daily, the average To make matters worse, all student tuition has increased at offer poor work conditions to sities are raising the salaries of “the market isn’t always right.” undergraduate tuition for full- students have to make com- roughly inflation plus 2% ev- their contract faculty. As stat- senior and middle-income ad- As he told Jacobin, “clearly the time students has gone up 3.1 pulsory payments to their uni- ery year, international student ed in a September article from ministrators, as well as creating market in labor does not work per cent since the last academic versities, such as athletic fees tuition fees have been rising at The Star, part-time professors more administrative positions. in an economically rational year. Graduate students saw an and a payment to their student inflation plus 4%.” As pointed in Canadian universities are on For example, high-income ad- way,” when so many people average increase of 1.8 per cent association. On average these out by a August 2018 article by the rise. These workers are on ministrators from the Univer- wrote to him, after his original since 2016-2017. Specific tui- fees have gone up by 3.8 per Policy Opinions, this reliance on contract salaries, meaning that sity of Ottawa (excluding top article appeared, to describe tion fees vary from program to cent and 4.2 per cent for under- international students to subsi- they have no guarantee if they executives because their wages getting paid “$40,000 a year to program, and from province to graduate and graduate students dise Canadian higher education will be hired again the next are frozen), got an average 3.4 sit and make cat memes all day province. Particularly hard-hit respectively. Compulsory pay- has its consequences. It attracts year. Almost half of contract per cent from 2009 to 2015, ac- and maybe take a phone call.” cording to a Leveller article from Graeber cites studies show- March, 2018. By comparison, ing that the average American the average Ontario taxpayer’s office worker only spends 39 salary has only increased 1.9 per cent of their time on the ANIMAL DEFENCE LEAGUE per cent over the same time pe- job doing the work they’re paid riod, while the inflation rate in for, and that 40 per cent of peo- OF CANADA the country is roughly two per ple “already think their jobs are cent per year. completely pointless.” P.O. Box 3880, Stn. C The parallel events of tu- One of the reasons Graeber Ottawa, Ontario ition hikes and administra- gives for this phenomenon is K1Y 4M5 tive salary increases can be a worldview where jobs that ncf.ca/animal-defence explained through London make products (e.g. manufac- School of Economics profes- turers) or that employ people sor David Graeber’s theory of (e.g. university presidents) are “bullshit jobs.” valued more than service jobs BE KIND TO ANIMALS. Don’t exploit them. In an interview with The (e.g. professors). Real News titled “5 Types of Graeber’s analysis of bal- Help us support non-animal-using biomedical Bullsh*t Jobs,” Graeber ex- looning bureaucracy, paired research to replace experiments on dogs, plains that a bullshit job is any with policies of public austeri- job that is useless. It can be be- ty, goes a long way to explain- horses, goats, pigs and other animals. We cause the employee only pre- ing rising student fees. Student tends to work, or because their fees are going up – dispropor- promote vegetarianism, comprehensive job in unnecessary. tionately affecting internation- legislation to protect animals, and spaying/ This is accompanied by low- al students – and working con- er salaries and benefits for the ditions for contract faculty are neutering of cats/dogs to prevent their rest of the labourforce for those going down. Universities none- who do do meaningful work theless find a way to pay their homelessness. (e.g. teaching, producing some- administrators more and create thing, or working in the service new administrative roles. Become a supporter/member. or care industry). The example of Germa- In a 2013 article in STRIKE! ny proves that another way Magazine, which eventually is possible. The country pays Membership: Annual $15 -- Lifetime $75 grew into his book Bullshit Jobs, university tuition for its Graeber argues there has been young people, while keeping a stark rise in these “bullshit the overall per-student cost of Donations to help offset the cost of this ad gratefully received. jobs” between 1910 and 2000. an degree half the price of Ca- Automation predictably led to nadian universities. We are a non-profit organization working to reduce animal suffering. the decline of industrial and We can and should demand farming jobs, with “‘profes- more.

6 LES FEMMES TOUJOURS MOINS CITÉES DANS LA SPHÈRE PUBLIQUE ...Sauf dans la catégorie «témoins et victimes»

de métier canadiens, peu intervenants du milieu de la Maïka Sondarjee importe si celles-ci sont par- santé et celle des vox pop, cette Cet article est paru sur rico- itaires ou sous-représentées catégorie est la seule qui s’ap- chet.media le 3 septembre 2018 comme travailleurs ou travail- proche du 50-50. Les données leuses. sont sensiblement les mêmes

Au Canada, seulement 29% dans les médias français. Photo: Hidden Figures des personnes citées pour leur Le fait que les femmes partie de la même catégorie de expertise dans les médias écrits, soient plus souvent con- personnes faibles et incapables radio et télé sont des femmes. CORPS DE sidérées lorsqu’on cherche de se débrouiller. Au Québec, la proportion chute MÉTIER à interviewer des victimes à 25%. Les femmes sont moins PRINCIPAUX que des experts n’est pas sur- L’EXPERTISE AU FÉMININ citées dans tous les domaines, CITÉS prenant. Les femmes sont sou- sauf dans la catégorie «victimes vent associées à une position Le principe du mythe de et témoins». Surprenant? Pas 88% du personnel faible et inférieure, c’est-à-dire la protection est visible dans vraiment. policier ; 78% des à une position de victime. Cela les médias d’information intervenants associés à s’explique par le phénomène puisque inconsciemment les En moyenne dans les mé- des entreprises privées du «mythe de la protection». journalistes vont faire appel dias canadiens, 71% des ex- ; 76% des politiciens Ce mythe veut que la femme aux femmes lorsqu’il s’agit de pert-e-s citées sont des hom- ; 73% des avocats et ait besoin d’être sauvée, car témoigner d’un événement mes contre 29% de femmes, autres professions plus faible et plus souvent en dont elles ont pu être vic- selon la chercheure Marika juridiques ; 70% des détresse. Ce phénomène ex- time, mais pas pour agir à ti- Morris. On fait un peu meil- représentants non-élus plique que l’on attribue sou- tre d’experte. Il n’est donc pas leure figure qu’en France, où du gouvernement ; vent moins d’agentivité aux étonnant qu’une des seules seulement 20% des expert-e-s 66% des académiques femmes qu’aux hommes, soit catégories où les femmes sont cité·e·s sont des femmes. cité·e·s sont des hommes la capacité d’agir par elles- presque à parité avec les hom- Le journal La Presse con- ; 66% des personnes mêmes et de prendre des déci- mes soit celle où elles sont firmait ces chiffres dans un du monde des médias sions autonomes. des «victimes ou témoins». La reportage publié l’automne ; 66% dans les milieux Dans la littérature, la femme est facilement témoin dernier. Selon les données dits «créatifs» ; 55% des cinématographie (surtout les ou victime, mais rarement récoltées par la journal- intervenants du milieu comédies romantiques!), les détentrice de connaissances et qui sera publiée dans le vent? Oui et non. En fait, il est iste Véronique Lauzon du- de la santé. livres d’histoire et les médi- valides et valorisées. prochain recueil de l’Esprit dangereux de dire que la cause rant la semaine du 5 au 9 as, les femmes sont souvent Bien sûr, ce n’est pas la Libre, révèle que le senti- est individuelle lorsqu’elle est février 2018, les femmes représentées comme inno- seule raison. Les femmes se ment de l’imposteur compte avant tout systémique. Il ne étaient citées dans un titre « LES FEMMES ET LES centes, victimes ou passives font souvent moins confiance pour beaucoup. Les femmes suffit pas de dire aux femmes ou présente sur une pho- ENFANTS D’ABORD » plutôt que comme person- quant à leur expertise et ont que nous avons interviewées «aidez-vous vous-même» et to en première page dans nage principal ou préparatrice tendance à moins souvent citent démesurément le «faites vous plus confiance». seulement un quart des cas. À part les vox populi (basés d’actes héroïques ou criminels. répondre à l’affirmative à des manque de confiance et le fait Le manque de confiance et le Dans l’ensemble, seulement sur le hasard!), une seule L’expression bien connue demandes de journalistes (sur- que contrairement aux hom- sentiment d’imposteure vient 25% des 1500 personnes catégorie reflète presque une les «femmes et les enfants tout de dernière minute, com- mes, elles n’acceptent pas surtout du fait que les hom- citées dans Le Devoir, Le parité entre les femmes et les d’abord» fait directement me elles sont encore les princi- toutes les demandes d’entre- mes sont surreprésentés dans Journal de Montréal et La hommes. Laquelle? Celle des référence à ce principe, puis- pales responsables des enfants, vues, surtout quand elles ne les médias et donc que l’on Presse étaient des femmes, «victime ou témoins d’événe- que les femmes sont mis dans donc d’aller les chercher en fin sont pas expertes sur le sujet. associe l’expertise à un trait ce chiffre étant sensiblement ments». Si l’échantillon de la la même catégorie que les en- de journée, de préparer les re- Au contraire, elles ont l’im- avant tout masculin. L’exper- le même pour les personnes recherche de Morris est pris fants; celle d’êtres dépendants pas, etc. Les médias ne pren- pression que les hommes ont tise peut aussi être féminine – interviewées dans les dif- dans son ensemble (interv- et passifs qui doivent être nent pas en compte la concil- beaucoup moins de réticences ou féministe. férents téléjournaux de Ra- enants canadiens et interna- «sauvés». «Les femmes et les iation travail-famille, ce qui à s’exprimer sur un sujet qui Il faut que les journalistes dio-Canada. tionaux), 47% des victimes ou enfants d’abord» ne veut pas ne facilite pas la présence des ne relève pas de leur domaine fassent un effort, que les em- Les hommes sont plus témoins cités sont des femmes, dire «les femmes et leurs en- femmes). principal d’expertise. ployeurs (universitaires et cités comme experts que les contre 53% d’hommes. Ex- fants», mais bien les femmes Une recherche réalisée par Les femmes devraient-elles autre) offre du support en femmes dans tous les corps cepté pour la catégorie des ET les enfants, comme faisant Laura Shine et moi-même, apprendre à dire oui plus sou- temps et en formation pour les femmes qui désirent avoir une voix dans les médias, et que le public soit conscien- tisé à cette différence de parité dans les médias. Il faut aussi que les hommes apprennent à dire non aux demandes d’en- trevues. Ou encore mieux, qu’ils réfèrent à une femme qui a autant sinon plus d’expertise qu’eux sur le sujet qui leur est demandé. Il faut par- faire la formation des femmes «expertes», mais aussi changer notre perception des femmes comme moins capable d’expertise. Les données utilisées dans cet article proviennent d’une recherche effectuée en 2015 par Marika Morris de l’École d’études canadiennes de l’Uni- versité Carleton, pour le compte de l’organisme Informed Opin- ions - Expert Women. Morris a examiné 1467 articles de sept programmes ou médias canadiens à grandes audiences, pré- cisément, les sections nouvelles et accessibles en ligne du Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Nation- al Post, La Presse, CTV Nation- al News, CBC The Current et ICI Tout le monde en parle. La collecte de données s’est faite sur trois périodes entre octobre et décembre 2015, pour un total d’environ 15 jours de données. Les personnes transgenres ont été codées selon le genre avec lequel ils ou elles se présentent.

7 n early May, 105 families residing in Alta Vis- ta’s Herongate neighbourhood received notices informing them that there homes were to be demolished. They would have to move out by Sept. 30. This is the second time in two years that Timbercreek Asset Management, the housing complex’s owner, has displaced residents to make way for new construction. Upon learning this news, residents began organizing under the banner of the Herongate Tenant Coalition, mobilizing in a bid to save their homes and community from destruction. I began documenting what was happening in Heron Gate in late May after being contacted by some of the coalition’s organizers. My original focus was to record what was happening on the ground in the community. I took photos, conducted interviews and made short videos that captured the neglected state of buildings, the fears and anxieties of residents, as well as their desire to save their homes and community from destruction. My first impression of Heron Gate was one of shock. I was surprised that a place like this could exist in Ottawa. Uncovered dumpsters – perpetually over- flowing with trash – had been dropped haphaz- ardly throughout the property. Old mattresses were piled in a small enclosure near the unmain- tained pool, where plastic bags and empty drink containers floated in brackish green water. The concrete steps and asphalt walks were crumbling. Shingles were falling from roofs. In one place someone had attempted to secure some shingles with binder clips. An unsecured front door allowed me to access one of the low-rise apartment buildings. It was a pleasant spring day, but the heating had afford a new apartment in Ottawa’s extreme- not yet been turned off. ly tight rental market. ROOFS LEAK, SEWERS BACK UP WHEN IT The hallway greeted me with an airless, Heron Gate, despite the abject state of its RAINS, HOMES ARE INFESTED WITH PESTS suffocating must, and was lined with stained, buildings, is important for its residents. Many threadbare carpets. In some places, the base- of the households in the demolition zone make LIKE COCKROACHES AND BEDBUGS, AND boards had fallen in. up a very significant Somali community, which MOULD PROLIFERATES. THIS NEGLECT IS At the end of the corridor, water damage has been built up over nearly thirty years. had caused an entire section of the ceiling to For these people, destruction of their homes AT THE HANDS OF TIMBERCREEK, AND OF collapse. Clearly, it had been this way for quite also means the loss of vital support networks TRANSGLOBE, HERON some time: the paper on the edges of the dry- and a strain on friendships, as families will be GATE’S FORMER wall was brittle and yellowed with age. forced to relocate across the city. A picture began to emerge that confirmed it- This is one world. OWNER. self again and again the deeper I looked and the more people I spoke with: a portrait of neglect. Roofs leak, sewers back up when it rains, homes are infested with pests like cockroaches and bedbugs, and mould proliferates. This neglect is at the hands of Timbercreek, and of Transglobe, Heron Gate’s former owner. More recently, I’ve begun to look outside the immediate boundaries of Herongate, into the world of city politics, the planning process and developer influence. What has really struck me is how much it seems like two, utterly distinct worlds, one floating above the other. They seem almost not to touch at all – except that what happens in one has profound consequences to what happens to the other. For the residents of Heron Gate who are within the area slated for demolition, it has been a summer of intense stress and deep sadness. Many people reported sleepless nights, spent worrying about where they were going to go and how they were going to To summarize: Timbercreek is employ- ing a former planning commission (Stirling), who has also worked for Heron Gate’s original developer (Minto) and who runs a consultancy with the planning commission chair and former councillor for Herongate residents (Hume), who now serves as campaign manager for the current councillor (Cloutier). Tim- bercreek makes sure to donate to the mayor (Watson) and they are all close with the current planning commission chair (Harder), playing golf for charity together. None of this, apparently, breaks any laws, the city’s planning committee, which over- but it does paint a stark portrait of a system sees development applications and planning where a close-knit group of insiders pass back policy for the City of Ottawa. He held this and forth between the porous boundary of city position until he left office, after which, he politics and the development industry. It is a was replaced as planning committee chair hermetic world where a small number of people by councillor Jan Harder. (Remember that have an outsized influence on public policy and name for later). the shape of the city. • Another notable figure is Jack Stirling. Stir- It is utterly cut off from the world of depri- ling was the planning commissioner for Ne- vation and neglect Heron Gate residents experi- pean before amalgamation. In 2001 he went ence, even as rents from neglected apartments Heron Gate, for a little background, is located to work for Minto as vice-president of de- help keep this world in motion.. in Ward 18, Alta Vista. The city councillor is Jean velopment. He held this position until 2014 What enables these cosy relationships is the Cloutier. when he started his development consul- planning process itself. Timbercreek Asset Management was founded tancy firm, Stirling Group. Mayor Watson may like to give the impres- in 1999 by Blair Tamblyn and Ugo Bizzarri, who • Minto is a huge, Ottawa-based developer, sion of a system which is largely bureaucratic both still head the company. Timbercreek became and was incidentally the company that built and perfunctory when it suits him. But the pro- the owner of the property after it was spun off of Heron Gate in the 1960s. As an illustration cess is in fact highly subjective. In fact it gives a Transglobe Real Estate Investment Trust. This in of this company’s influence in Ottawa poli- good deal of discretionary power to city council. turn was dissolved in 2012, a mere two years after tics, it is notable that Lorry Greenberg, one One of the primary ways this power is exer- being formed out of the previously private compa- of its founders, was the mayor of Ottawa cised comes out of the city’s Official Plan. The ny, Transglobe Property Management, which was from 1975-1978. province issues something called the Provincial started by one Daniel Drimmer in 1994. • In 2015, shortly after leaving office, Hume Planning Statement, which is a general guide for In 2012, CBC Marketplace did a feature on formed a new development consultancy all Ontario cities. From this, municipalities must Drimmer and Transglobe, where they called the partnership with Stirling, known as HP come up with an Official Plan which is in line company one of Canada’s worst landlords. Urban. Both Stirling Group and HP Urban with the province’s policy objectives. Of course, that doesn’t prevent them from consult with developers to help facilitate If zoning is in conflict with the Plan – which getting a warm welcome from Ottawa politicians. companies’ applications through the city’s it often is – developers can appeal to the plan- The problem of developer influence in Ottawa planning process, drawing on their insider ning committee as part of the secondary plan- city politics has been long-standing. Mayor Jim knowledge and important connections. ning process. Developers submit applications to Watson is known to be a good friend to develop- • Meanwhile, Stirling is presently employed city council and if they are deemed to be within ers, and the large numbers of them listed in his for Timbercreek, working specifically on the parameters of the Official Plan, but in con- campaign contributions are a testament to this. the Herongate project. flict with zoning, then councillors are supposed So far Watson has been unwilling to intervene • Hume is also Jean Cloutier’s campaign to vote to approve the application. in any way in Heron Gate. When residents from manager in his bid for re-election as Her- This may seem perfunctory, but in fact af- the affected demolition area met with him, he in- ongate’s Ward 18 councillor. He was also fords significant power to elected city officials, formed them there was nothing he could do. Cloutier’s 2014 campaign manager. When since it is up to them to interpret whether a giv- Watson’s lawyer, also present at the meeting, I approached Cloutier for a comment, he en proposal is in agreement with the Official All photos reiterated this powerlessness. Watson had no said “[Hume] is my campaign manager. Pe- Plan or not. legal authority; they presented the situation as ter’s been a friend for 25 years. When I was If city council is favourable to developers, shot by Neal cut and dry. community association president, I worked which the current one certainly is, it is actually Rockwell at This account, however, is challenged by closely with him, and he ran the campaign in quite advantageous for developers if there are another event which took place around the 2014, and in January I asked him to help me significant conflicts between zoning regulations Herongate from same time. In early August, the mayor in- with this campaign and he readily agreed.” and the current Official Plan. This gives them tervened in Old Ottawa East to preserve two • Stirling, as well as running his various ample opportunities to have their wishes grant- May - Aug 2018 maple trees. consultancies, is listed as the “professional ed in a favourable and highly subjective forum. On Twitter he stated, “I have directed staff planner member” of the city’s Planning Ad- This returns us to the two worlds, to the not to issue any permits to take down those two visory Council, which also counts as mem- ways in which they interact with one another, trees. The developer will have to find a way to bers city councillors Jan Harder, Tobi Nuss- yet at the same time are kept separate. keep the trees and live up to their original prom- baum and Scott Moffatt. Below, people struggle. They worry about ise to the community.” • More connections emerge when look- paying the rent. They worry about where they Councillor Jeff Leiper challenged him,“May- ing into campaign finance donations. are going to live. They settle for substandard liv- or, what was your authority to do that? We’ve Amongst the numerous developers who ing conditions. struggled with mature tree loss and the by-law contributed to Mayor Jim Watson’s 2014 Above, these struggles are invisible and for several years. Are permits subject to “execu- re-election campaign were Timbercreek, absent. Days are spent organizing meetings, tive order,” so to speak?” which gave $500, and its co-founder Ugo attending social engagements, charity golf Watson replied, “Because I was asked to get Bizzarri who donated $250. Bizzarri’s tournaments and the like. They are signing doc- involved and protect those two trees and work donation is doubly notable in that he is uments, earning a decent living. At times they with the ward councillor to ensure they were amongst the tiny minority of contributors are even praised for their hard work and civic protected.” listed as being from outside the Ottawa commitment. In one instance, we have the mayor taking region. And he lists the Timbercreek cor- The two worlds rarely come into direct con- a bold and vocal moral stance, getting involved porate address of 1000 Yonge St, rather tact with each other. For the people above, it may and perhaps even overstepping his legal au- than his home address, for his contribu- be fairly easy to rationalize that they do nothing thority to lean on developers for the purported tion. Suzanne Valiquet, a public relations wrong, especially since established laws seem good of the community. In the other instance consultant who, as she has listed on her to disproportionately – and invisibly – favour – the one that deals with the future wellbeing LinkedIn account, is working for Timber- them. They appear even, perhaps, as exemplars of hundreds of vulnerable, low-income people creek “Overseeing the Communications of the mainstream Canadian values of diligence rather than two trees – he is unwilling to make and Relocation Program at Timbercreek’s and entrepreneurialism. any statement at all, instead entirely washing Heron Gate Development,” donated $250 Yet what emerges is an obvious pattern his hands of the matter and stressing his utter to Watson’s campaign. where developers, politicians and consultants impotence before the law. • Not directly related to Heron Gate, but mix and mingle with each other, much to their On the face of it, Ottawa East is a much somewhat interesting nonetheless, is the mutual benefit. wealthier neighbourhood than Herongate, but event formerly known as the Jan Harder Cloutier presents his relationship with Hume there’s more. Charity Golf Tournament. This was run simply as friends working together . The pro- A comprehensive picture emerges from ex- out of the Barrhaven councillor’s office, the saicism of this description belies the outsized ploring the tangled web of politicians, business CBC reported, and involved playing golf and power these sorts of relationships can hold. The other, the one that floats above, is the interests and planning consultants that sur- asking developers for sponsorship money. Some might view it as bonhomie, others as world of planning, politicians and developers. rounds the redevelopment of Heron Gate. What This was considered too louche once Harder a sort of legal collusion. The upshot for the resi- At first glance, it is very bland, mundane. It is emerges is a dense and somewhat convoluted took over chairing the planning committee. dents of Heron Gate – a vulnerable population of a world of spreadsheets, official plans and zon- set of interests and relationships. Please bear which led her to outsource organizing the majority low-income, majority immigrant people, ing – where friendly acquaintances play golf with me for a moment. little-publicized event to Stirling and Hume many of whom are also refugees – is that they together and make deals, where inconsistencies • Prior to Cloutier, Peter Hume was the coun- and rename it the Just Happy Golf Tourna- now face greater poverty, possible homelessness, between local zoning and the Provincial Policy cillor for Alta Vista. He held office from 1991- ment. Harder is still apparently a prominent as well as the destruction of the community they Statement are ironed out by City Council. 2014. In 2003 Hume was appointed chair of fixture of the event. have lovingly nurtured over decades.

COMMUNITY THE GERMAN MONEY BEHIND The City of Ottawa’s land parcel division for Heron Gate and THE HERON GATE EVICTIONS correlating owners, 2007 to 2012-2013. HOW FINANCIALIZATION IS BEING USED TO Graphic: Josh Hawley FORCE OUT AN ENTIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD Josh Hawley planned community. which is Minto backwards. This is still a significant Two of Minto’s largest In the Herongate neigh- simplification, since the own- holdings, and in fact two of bourhood of south Ottawa, ership of the property seems the largest clusters of resi- tools from the world of finance subject to endless obfuscation. dential rentals in the country, and a flow of European capital The Heron Gate residen- Bayshore and Heron Gate, are being used to fuel the larg- tial properties were publicly were transferred to Otnim in est mass urban displacement branded entirely as Transglobe January 1997. in Canada. from 2007 to around August On February 1, 2007, Ot- A small number of corpo- 2012, except for a few late in- nim transferred all seven par- rate executives, from companies terventions by affiliated com- cels of land in Heron Gate that are intertwined behind the panies Blue Ridge Realty Man- – then with a population of scenes have strategically neglect- agement and Starlight. These around 4,000 people and ed the property, ignored resident two companies appeared on comprising 1,750 units – to demands and city maintenance some outdoor signs for a short the Kanco Heron Gate com- bylaws, deployed intimidation period of time at the same panies. The deal was estimated tactics, and “demo-victed” the time other signs remained to be worth between $180 and most diverse neighbourhood in Transglobe, creating the im- $200 million. the city. pression among tenants that ticeable amount of tenant or- However, once again Tim- Over 500 people, including their homes were being passed The German Connection ganizing and news articles on bercreek was never the owner hundreds of children, received through multiple owners. The reason why the Kanco poor maintenance creating an of the properties. The Heron eviction notices from their In late summer of 2012, Heron Gate companies were online trail of historical slumi- Gate properties became, and landlord, Timbercreek Asset stability came, people were almost universally overlooked fication. In 2012, a CBC Mar- remain, a co-ownership be- Management, in May 2018. told, when Timbercreek placed as the true owners of Heron ketplace documentary focused tween Mustang Equities Inc., Only two years ago, the their stickers over all mentions Gate, except for a few financial squarely on Transglobe, la- TC Core General Partnership first phase of Timbercreek’s of Transglobe, leaving only the reports, probably had to do belling them “Canada’s worst Inc., and TC Core Limited seven-to-ten year redevelop- original grid-lined globe logo with the fact that these compa- landlord.” Partnership. ment plan for their entire on the large signs as a faded nies existed for no clear reason. Transglobe was acting as a In 2012, Ugo Bizzarri was “Heron Gate rental communi- stain of a notorious slumlord. Transglobe was the brand, and nationwide slumlord, effec- the senior vice-president of ty” forced around 300 tenants When challenged on the ar- Kanco Heron Gate was the tene- tively driving tenants out of Mustang Equities and vice-pres- from their row townhouses, ea’s poor upkeep, Greg Rogers, brous owner-entity that nobody their rental units, overwhelm- ident of both TC Core GP and Timbercreek stickers placed over previous mentions of Transglobe, while which were soon demolished senior vice president of devel- needed to pay attention to. ing municipal bylaw enforce- TC Core LP. He is also the Transglobe’s grid-lined globe logo to make way for “resort-style” opment for Timbercreek, said Although the Kanco lin- ment departments and boost- co-founder of Timbercreek Asset remains as a watermark on the sign. Photo: Josh Hawley apartments. in February 2018 at the Tim- eage remains opaque, mostly ing profits through cost-saving Management, along with fellow (As somebody who grew bercreek-led “visioning ses- due to Canada’s slack corpo- measures such as unrespon- University of Western Ontario neighbourhoods in Ottawa. up in the area, our neighbour- sion” for Heron Gate, “We’re a rate records and disclosure siveness to maintenance re- alumnus Blair Tamblyn. In a piece for Huffington hood identity has never ful- lot better than the last owner.” requirements, it can be traced quests and ignoring property This just so happens to be Post, UN Special Rapporteur ly taken shape, owing to our It turns out the past and back to a German real estate standards requirements. the same school Daniel Drim- on Adequate Housing Leilani development as a series of “ present owners of Heron Gate empire based around the Pra- Transglobe went public mer went to. In fact,Bizzarri Farha explained that it is a glob- planned communities.” This are not so easily separated. js & Drimmer Group, a Ber- with an IPO in May 2010, graduated the same year as al trend for investment firms to is evident even in the spelling Behind all of these compa- lin-based parent corporation becoming a Real Estate In- Drimmer, in 1993, with an prey on low-income homes. of Herongate/Heron Gate. It is nies lies a serpentine owner- to 21 companies. This parent is vestment Trust, or REIT. Only Honours Business Adminis- She calls this “the financializa- clear now the massive monop- ship network of corporations, led by siblings Sruel Prajs and two years later, the Transglobe tration from the university’s tion of housing, or the corpo- olized rental community is partnerships and trusts, all led Norma Drimmer. brand ceased to exist. Ivey Business School. Tamblyn rate capture of housing.” known as “Heron Gate” (cre- by a few individuals and fueled Another Drimmer, Daniel, Transglobe REIT privatized, graduated the next year, with a Farha went to say that ating the sense of a gated com- by foreign, European capital. was born and raised in Berlin. distributing its properties to BA in History and Political Sci- Timbreek is “not your typical munity), while the neighbour- He moved to Canada in the Starlight, which is also owned ence. And the athletic teams at landlord” – they practice “un- hood at large is Herongate (as Handing Off Heron Gate 1980s, where he graduated by Daniel Drimmer, CAPRE- Western are the Mustangs. scrupulous demographic en- reflected in use by residents, A search of property re- from the University of Western IT, the Public Service Pension Transglobe and Timber- gineering in search of profits: OC Transpo and businesses). cords at the Ontario Land Ontario in 1993 with a B.A. in Investment Board (which is a creek have been working to- replacing poor and vulnerable The vast majority of tenants Registry office in downtown German. Two years out of his crown corporation), and Tim- gether for years and Drimmer people with those who possess (89 per cent) who are current- Ottawa reveals that Transglobe undergrad, he founded Trans- bercreek Asset Management. is credited as being the driving greater purchasing power.” ly facing displacement are was in fact never the owner of globe Property Management. Commentators noted that force behind much of the joint This model is not inevita- people of colour, with 44 per the Heron Gate properties. In- The earliest identified own- Drimmer’s pivotal involve- activity. In reference to a 2008 ble – or even the only one pos- cent of the families being first stead, the area was owned by ership of property in Cana- ment in these deals, where he “consortium” deal between sible even within our current generation Somali immigrants. a numerically-ordered series da by Sruel Prajs and Norma bought and sold between the the two corporations, Bizzarri system. Herongate is already the neigh- of companies called Kanco Drimmer is in Mississauga in various companies he owned, spoke highly of Drimmer, tell- Ottawa Community Hous- bourhood with the highest lev- Heron Gate Ltd. Each compa- December 1994, through a had strong undercurrents of ing Apartment Magazine, “If it ing (OCH) is currently tearing el of housing insecurity in Ot- ny correlated with the City of company called Badenhurst conflicts of interest. wasn’t for him I don’t think the down 32 rowhomes in Roch- tawa, with their homes in need Ottawa’s parcel division of the Properties Limited, founded in Despite Transglobe having deal would have gotten done.” ester Heights, between Booth of major repair after years of land. 1980 (1994 was the same year turned into a national fiasco, In 2012, partnerships and Rochester streets near purposeful neglect on the part Development of Heron Daniel Drimmer would birth the German Prajs and Drim- were formed between Mus- Little Italy. These homes were of landlords, past and present. Gate began in 1963 with Transglobe). Bradenhurst mer, continued to machinate tang Equities and companies built in 1966, the same era as Many of the families affected the transfer of the parcels shared business addresses on the plan for Heron Gate affiliated with Daniel Drim- the Heron Gate development, are large, with an average of to Minto Construction Co. with Transglobe and recently through their connections mer: Mustang-Master Limited and in a similar style. 5.4 people per house. Most Limited. Minto – founded in had Daniel Drimmer listed as with Timbercreek Asset Man- Partnership, Mustang DDAP OCH will replace these have low incomes, yet they pay 1955 as Mercury Homes by a vice-president. agement. Their plan would Partnership, and DD Mustang homes with a tower which will market rent – which is around Roger Greenberg Sr. and his Prajs and Norma Drimmer soon have devastating con- Holdings GP Ltd., with the DD qualify for the ambitious en- $1,400 or $1,500 for a three or four sons, Irving, Lorry, Gil- are also identified, in a docu- sequences for those about to ostensibly referring to Drim- vironmental “passive house” four bedroom townhouse. bert and Louis – has perhaps ment from February 1997, as face displacement. mer himself. These partner- standard – generating more Timbercreek’s evictions become the single most influ- owners of another commercial The name Kanco, com- ships all have the same busi- energy than it uses – and will represent deep structural ential company in Ottawa in property in Mississauga, locat- bined with Prajs and Drim- ness address, on Bloor St. West provide four times more so- racism and classism, as the its ability to shape the urban ed at 6531−6559 Mississauga mer’s initials, was being used in Toronto, as do many of cial housing. In the meantime, wholesale eviction of Heron landscape. It is Ottawa’s “big- Road. In April 2006, the owner- even before the Kanco Heron Drimmer’s other companies. residents have been placed in Gate has been left unchal- gest home builder” and has ship of this property was trans- Gate companies were estab- other OCH housing. lenged by all levels of govern- consistently embedded itself ferred to a company called PD lished. PD Kanco Limited Adding It All Up Heron Gate residents are not ment, social service agencies into municipal politics. 6531−6559 Mississauga Ltd., Partnership was established The complex ownership so lucky. In their case, the injec- and charities. Through the A few years after leaving with PD ostensibly substituting in 2002 and shares the same of Heron Gate has served to tion of foreign capital and in- Herongate Tenant Coalition, Minto, Lorry Greenberg en- for the use of their names. business address with a num- simultaneously conceal and fluence has been coupled with the class struggle has been led tered municipal politics, be- This commercial property ber of other entities that re- facilitate a coherent corporate the will of local politicians to entirely by tenants coming to- coming a city councillor in had Transglobe’s brand pasted volve around another signifi- strategy. disperse working class tenants gether from the broader Heron 1968 and later mayor of Otta- all over its signs in 2007. It was cant and mysterious company, The plan for Heron Gate – in a private meeting, Mayor Gate neighbourhood to resist wa from 1975 to 1978. Irving, during this time that Trans- Mustang Equities Inc. has long been to drive the Jim Watson expressed his desire gentrification and demand the however, stayed with Minto globe aggressively acquired properties into the ground, to see the poor people of Heron right to stay in their homes. and ran the company until properties across Canada. The Mustang Gang force out “legacy tenants” Gate spread out across the city. From day one, the Heron he died in 1991. Gilbert’s son, Over four years, from 2006 to After Transglobe REIT went through wholesale demovic- Heron Gate is ground zero Gate properties were con- Roger, then took over as CEO. 2009, Transglobe became “the private, Timbercreek Asset Man- tions, and maximize profits for urban renewal of the 21st ceived as a monopoly. Prior Following Irving’s death, third largest multi residential agement took over all the Her- through increasing the density century, predicated not on ex- to Timbercreek, a company Minto’s real estate portfo- [sic] owner in Canada,” ac- on Gate properties through two of units on each parcel – rather plicit state tactics of displace- called Transglobe owned the lio was reevaluated and split cording to Management Today. deals, the first for $143,500,000 than abide by the city’s official ment such as disruptive infra- entire neighbourhood. Prior amongst the heirs. Irving’s Living conditions in build- in the middle of 2012 and the guidelines on intensification, structure, but on the global to Transglobe it was Minto, only son, Dan Greenberg, cre- ings acquired by Transglobe second for $51,377,193 in Sep- as Heron Gate already is one financialization and commod- which developed it as a ated a company called Otnim, quickly declined, with a no- tember 2013. of the most densely populated ification of housing.

11 MAGAZINE

tics. For instance, there was an outpour of public support for a FORD’S FREE SPEECH POLICY WILL literal fascist when Faith Goldy was de-platformed at Wilfrid SILENCE MARGINALIZED VOICES Laurier University. Folks were Carleton to work with the Ford Administration and “other stakeholders” pissed off that a racist sitting on the fringe of far-right politics wasn’t able to speak her mind at an institution of learning. When we let figures like Faith Goldy and Jordan Peter- son spread hostile ideologies across college and university campuses, we inevitably create a chilly environment for mar- De-platforming hate speech protest at a protest against Geert Wilders in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Melanie Lazarow ginalized folks. This means freedom of expression remains fear of reprisal. For instance, that simply for marginalized Abigail Curlew alive and healthy on campus as a trans feminine writer my folks to rebut attacks on their On the heels of the academ- and in Ontario.” work exposes me to doxxing, basic human rights, they need ic new year, as students were Reid refused to comment harassment, and intimidation to stand up to figures hostile to preparing to return to class and any further when asked how enacted over social media, their very existence – and the instructors were scrambling to Carleton would balance the which I otherwise did not ex- oftentimes violent retaliation put their syllabi together, Ford need for free speech on cam- perience when I identified as a from their supporters. decreed that colleges and uni- pus with their responsibility to cisgender male. The stakes of public partic- versities must implement a free protect students, faculty, and Though the Chicago Prin- ipation for marginalized folks speech policy, or risk losing staff from forms of racism, ciples nuance that free speech are burdened with a fear of public funding. homophobia, transphobia, is never an absolute condi- reprisal from hate groups and This decision was an- sexism and other forms of vit- tion and that there’s some- their supporters. nounced just before the start riolic behaviour. times reasonable restrictions Since Ford mandated that A mother plant at the Tweed facility in Smiths Falls, ON. Photo: Adam Ashby Gibbard of the fall semester, with an Free speech issues are per- on speech and expression on colleges and universities must ambitious deadline set for the plexing, multidimensional, campus, it is broadly insuffi- cobble together these policies new year. This is a ballsy move and complex – it is an ago- cient at addressing the major by the new year, we need to coming from the Ford admin- nizing process of constantly tensions between the right to start conversations about how THE LEGALIZATION istration, considering only a balancing the imperative to free speech and the need for to include social justice and week prior Ford set up a snitch speak truth to power with the anti-oppression policies. anti-oppression provisions site to bully primary and sec- need to foster anti-oppressive The fundamental issue that into the Chicago Principles im- OF CANNABIS ondary teachers into using an strategies. This is because of I have with these policies is mediately. What policies should we become outdated and anti-queer sex- the social stigmatization and that the authors of the Chicago Deborah MacLatchy, vice- ed curriculum from the 1990s. discrimination that margin- Principles do not account for chancellor and president of familiar with It is unclear if the provin- alized folks experience when the existence of structural dis- Wilfrid Laurier University, has Caroline Rodriguez- be strictly forbidden to smoke cial government will be able to far-right bigots drop the free advantages that marginalized suggested a good starting point Charette it anywhere on campus – even feasibly or legally enforce such speech card in order to dodge folks face in a socially strati- for these discussions. After a residence – as it is considered a a decision. Regardless, it is an accountability or criticism. fied society. If the baseline in comprehensive investigation As the country is preparing public place and a work space. important time to mobilize on The Ford government is our society is inequality, then into the state of free speech on for the legalization of canna- “Right now, there won’t be campus to ensure that policies calling for the implementa- it’s clear that within a system campus, MacLatchy announced bis on Oct. 17, 2018, various designated smoking zones on hostile to marginalized folks tion of the Chicago Principles, of absolute free speech, only that the university administra- policies are being imple- campus like we have for ciga- aren’t solidified by the univer- a favored benchmark in right- those sitting on the top of that tion would be implementing a mented to encourage sensible rettes,” said Oladejo, in an in- sity administration. wing free speech circles. The hierarchy will be free to say “better speech” policy. use of the recreational drug. terview with the CBC. Carleton University has Chicago Principles refer to and do as they please. In her op-ed for the Globe While all of these regulations Although the University of committed to working with the the Statement on Principles of For instance, when Jordan and Mail, MacLatchy writes, continue to become public Ottawa will be the first Cana- Ford government on the poli- Free Expression, a non-binding Peterson argues with a trans “In the face of language that knowledge, what are the poli- dian university to offer courses cy implementation. However policy statement published by activist, he arguments literally threatens the humanity of our cies we should become famil- on cannabis law, their policies it remained predictably vague the University of Chicago to undercut that person’s gender students, staff or faculty, we iar with? will likely be the same as Car- and ambiguous about how address de-platforming strat- identity. In other words, his pri- must continually promote bet- According to the Province leton’s – prohibiting the use of they would move forward. egies used against offensive mary arguments denigrate the ter speech. This means ques- of Ontario’s website, people marijuana on their campus. When asked for comment speakers. very terms of a trans person’s tioning and challenging opin- over the age of 19 will be al- But not all students agree by The Leveller, Carleton Uni- The Chicago Principles are sense of self and belongingness ions with sound arguments lowed to buy, use, possess and with the current policies being versity spokesperson Steven controversial in that they en- in the world. And there is noth- and evidence. Students and grow a maximum of 30 grams implemented. Reid responded, “Universi- courage action against the ing that a trans person can say faculty must be able to share of dried cannabis. A third-year electrical en- ties and societies thrive when protesting and de-platform- to maintain equal footing in views and experiences while It will only be permitted gineering student at the Uni- ideas are expressed openly ing tactics that are often used such an exchange. simultaneously committing for use in a private residence, versity of Ottawa, who wish- and debated vigorously and to mobilize against bigoted However, because of the to high ethical and intellectual which will also include the es to remain anonymous, respectfully. In line with the speakers. They also implement privileged position of white, standards for open, construc- outdoor space of the person’s said that stopping people recent COU [Council of On- a system of free speech that cis male scholars, Peterson’s tive conversations.” home, such as a porch or back- from using [cannabis] on tario Universities] statement does not account for societal speech rises to the top and – Calling for critical reflection, yard. Rules will vary for those campus only makes sense if on behalf of all Ontario Uni- stratification or inequalities despite its dubious quality – is she continues, “Inclusive free- who live in apartments or con- they enforce it for alcohol as versities, Carleton will work that leave some marginalized celebrated, while his oppo- dom involves a vigorous com- dos and this will depend on well. It’s a recreational drug, with government and other writers, activists, and scholars nent’s positions are attacked mitment to free speech, coupled tenants’ lease agreements. which affects perception so it stakeholders to ensure that silenced and censored out of by the vitriol-ridden digital with the assurance that all indi- The consumption of rec- should be treated the same as mob that is his supporters. viduals have an opportunity to reational marijuana will be alcohol. When Peterson does react engage in free expression, inqui- forbidden in all public loca- “Maybe they should con- to valid and robust criticism, it ry and learning.” tions, workplaces or in motor- sider a smoking area. The main is through a lens of anger and Better speech policies might ized vehicles. Failure to follow reason is to keep students in a vitriol because he isn’t used amount to a leaky patchwork these new laws will result in safe area where they can relax to his societal privileges be- to address the growing dis- hefty fines – $1,000 for a first with others. It would keep ing challenged. Ironically, he’s content around campus free offence and $5,000 for any ad- them close to their dorms and unable to extrapolate from his speech issues, but it does al- ditional offences. there could be sober staff on experience of having his abso- low for a space to begin more While the possession of site on the lookout for them,” lutist free speech challenged, robust discussions. cannabis first became a crime said the engineering student. have compassion, and realize In order to better address in Canada in 1923, medical However, La Cité Collé- how his arguments threaten anti-oppression principles, use has been legal since 2001. giale will be taking a different the fundamental human rights we will need to address the Canada will be the second approach for their policies. of his opponents. issue of burdening margin- country to legalize marijuana, Smoking marijuana will only The free speech movement alized students with the task Uruguay being the first. be permitted in designated began during the 1960s at the of defending their own basic Canadian colleges and uni- areas of the campus, but the University of California in human rights. For instance, versities are still adjusting their rest of the campus, including Berkeley as a left-leaning, rad- under this policy framework own rules for the legalization, the residences, will remain a ical era of protests and acts of it will be trans undergraduate but it is important to know smoke-free environment. civil disobedience. However, students who will be left with whether your college or uni- Ontario plans to sell canna- in its contemporary form, the the labor or defending them- versity will permit its students bis online this upcoming fall movement has been hijacked selves against bigoted speech. to use cannabis on campus. using a website run by its On- by far-right interests as a rhe- We need to ensure that President of the Carleton tario Cannabis Store (OCS), torical strategy to legitimize the Chicago Principles do not University Students Associa- according to the OCS website. hate speech, while also silenc- become a pathway to bigotry tion, David Oladejo, said the Once legislation has been es- ing the views of marginalized across college and university university is still working on tablished, they will then sell folks through intimidation, campuses. Though it is no easy finalizing its policies regarding their product in private retails bullying and harassment. task, we should take Ford’s cannabis, which are expected shops by April 2019. This is compounded by political intervention as an to be released by the end of Until the legislation passes the fact that it is becoming opportunity to think deeply the month. next month and is implement- increasingly more acceptable about these issues and put for- It is already known that ed, there will still be a lot of to spread white supremacist, ward novel ways to nurture ac- students will be allowed to questions about how all these nationalist, and cis- and hete- countable, academic spaces for possess up to 30 grams of rec- policies will play out specifi- ro-normative, patriarchal poli- students and researchers. reational marijuana, but will cally on the ground.

12 COMMENT The continuity MISOGYNY: A GATEWAY DRUG between Ontario’s premier and a neo- TO RIGHT-WING EXTREMISM Nazi podcast host Yasmine Ghania most of the messages criticize hate speech and entertaining 1990s. During the leadership & Tim Kitz her as a woman rather than as segments like a Nazi Germany race, Ford said he would let a writer, and indicates that for themed parody of Stan Rogers’ members of his caucus open What do the premier of On- these types of men, misogyny “Barrett’s Privateers.” Sanford’s up the topic of abortion. Ford tario and a neo-Nazi podcaster leads them to politics of fear podcast allowed hundreds of seems to be determined to have in common? A lot. and exclusion. alt-right people worldwide to minimize women’s choice Doug Ford was elected pre- As traced through his on- spread hate, all in one conve- and agency. mier of Ontario on June 29, on line presence, Sanford seems nient place. Now the drug of exclusion the strength of a populist right- to have followed exactly this While Sanford was busy is making its way to other wing campaign. Fourteen days path, his growing detestation pushing the frontiers of accept- topics. Ford has made it clear FORD AND SANFORD THEY’RE SIMILAR... AND NOT JUST IN NAME. earlier, a Vice article exposed an of women metastasizing over able thought and speech with that Ontario wants to wash its Ottawa man, Clayton Sanford, time into racial hatred. explicitly hateful, misogynist hands of asylum seekers enter- zation called “The Proud Boys” age. We need to pay close at- as the host of “ This Hour Has First active online in the and racists statements, Ford ing the province. He stated that urged their supporters to go to tention to this critical issue 88 Minutes,” Canada’s pre- early 2000s through forums was pulling a Trump and push- we should “take care of our Ford campaign rallies. in this sensitive political cli- miere neo-Nazi podcast. for cosplay and the video game ing the boundaries of what you own,” indicating he begrudges The Proud Boys are proud mate and attend to it before (88 is a common Neo-Nazi “The Legend of Zelda,” San- could say and get elected. immigrants. Even after facing to call themselves “neo-mascu- it’s too late. code for “HH” or “Heil Hitler,” ford’s more personal posts While running for the PC criticism for this statement, he line reactionaries” and “Western It needs to stop this gro- since the letter “H” is the eighth touched on anxieties about leadership, Ford said “I live repeatedly refused to explain chauvinists who refuse to apol- tesque misogynistic gateway letter in the alphabet.) dating and high school. with five women at home. I can his comment. ogize for creating the modern drug that’s been creeping its While Ford might not be Gradually Sanford’s posts handle Caroline Mulroney and Because his misogyny and world,” according to two of their way around, causing hate and a neo-Nazi, he’s on a contin- turned poisonous. In 2008 he Christine Elliott.” It was as if racism is subtler than Sanford’s most common catchphrases. destruction. uum of right-wing populism, wrote on the game website, their gender was the most rel- and (probably) unconscious, Their co-founder Gavin A countering step in the peddling a scapegoating pol- “hit women and they can’t kick evant aspect of their campaign. Ford can tap into all the unspo- McInnes was recently in the right direction is the creation itics of fear and hatred. And you because they’re actually in He publically remarked ken, semi-subtle racism and news for calling women he dis- of NowWhat?! Ottawa, a misogyny seems to be glue shock. Or slap them backhand Kathleen Wynne’s smile, com- sexism in our society – the rac- agreed with “colostomy bags non-partisan collection of or- that ties these far-right figures like a real man.” menting on it twice as a tactic ism and sexism that is in denial for various strangers’ semen.” ganizations whose goal is to together, one electable and the After bashing on women for to minimize her authority, as about its own existence. Ford was also endorsed showcase gender-based issues other extreme. several years, he became more if it would put her in her place. Meanwhile, Ford (or Trump, by Rebel Media personalities, and inequalities in provincial “I think misogyny is a gate- strident with his views and What does her smile have to etc.) is so brash and belligerent the white supremacist pod- and municipal elections (see way drug to hatred,” Nora Lo- branched out, expressing his do with her policies? about his own utterly unre- cast “League of the North” p. 5 for details). Now What?! reto told the Montreal Gazette. thoughts on racial topics. Ford also supports mem- flexive views that it’s like a dog and leading neo-Nazi “Zeiger” will be hosting a debate in Ot- “Because for straight men who On the same website in bers of his caucus who disre- whistle calling all the explicit (now exposed as Montrealer tawa on gender-based munici- might have a hard time dating, 2012, he wrote “guns don’t kill spect and blatantly degrade male and white supremacists. Gabriel Sohier Chaput). pal issues where mayoral can- it’s very personal. … It’s one people, minorities do.” By the women. He appointed An- “He’s our guy! Here’s someone Far-right organizations are didates are invited to debate thing to hate a group of people time Trump was running for drew Lawton in the London we can get excited about, root confident in their ability to ex- municipal policy issues that who you’ve never met and that election, he emerged on the West riding and stood by for, mobilize for.” pand their ranks in this politi- contribute to gender-based vi- kind of hatred is a huge prob- American alt-right hub “The him even after Lawton made That was exactlywhite su- cal climate. For these reasons, olence. These debates help to lem. But everyone has contacts Right Stuff” as a fully-formed public statements like “I was premacists and alt-right fig- when Ford won the elections, bring questions of gender to with women.” supremacist, dispensing ad- called a misogynist twice to- ures did. it was a win for white suprema- the forefront in public policy Loreto is a freelance jour- vice on how to make “norm- day. I’m sure my girlfriend Why else would far-right fig- cists as well. and make us aware of the very nalist whose tweets went ie-friendly” youtube videos on would be the first to say that ures encourage people to vote Both the differences and personal, often overlooked viral after she criticized the Hitler and referring to Indige- isn’t the case, when I let her for Ford and actively support similarities between Sanford views of our leaders. coverage of the Québec city nous people as “red n-----s.”. speak.” his campaign? and Ford help explain how It’s just as important to chal- mosque shooting by Cana- In September 2016, San- Ford’s sexism has trickled On the podcast “This Hour dangerous they are, and how lenge everyday misogyny and dian alt-right stalwart Rebel ford started “This Hour has 88 into his politics and policies. has 88 Minutes,” Sanford’s co- their more-or-less blatant sex- women-hating rhetoric, wher- Media. She received threaten- minutes,” which became one By an order from the PC party, hosts encouraged listeners to ism and racism works togeth- ever we encounter it, knowing ing phone calls, thousands of of the most popular and long- schools are now required to buy PC memberships in order er in tandem. that we’re blocking one com- hateful tweets and even pho- standing Neo-Nazi podcasts on teach the same sex-ed curric- to vote for Ford. Gender discrimination mon pathway to fascism and tos of corpses. She noted that the Internet, reliably spewing ulum that they taught in the The alt-right men’s organi- is common in this day and white supremacy. MATCH THESE WORDS OF WISDOM TO THE PUBLIC FIGURE!

A. Without tension, things don’t change. 1. Barack Obama, 44th president B. “Time’s Up is really about the power dynamics in our society. It’s trying to upend five thousand years of the way civilization’s been of the United States structured – whether that’s the Hindu, Islamic, Judeo-Christian, Western civilization – the patriarchy, it’s after that.” 2. Donald trump, current president C. “When I see a dreamcatcher at a festival, I think of my grandmother and how she wasn’t allowed to make dreamcatchers, and of the United States she didn’t learn how to, and she didn’t pass on those skills to my mother or myself. That gets triggered when I see that, and non- 3. Steve Bannon, troll-in-chief of the alt-right indigenous people that don’t know that history, they don’t have that context. Cultural appropriation does not exist in a vacuum.” D. “No one earns a billion dollars. People earn $10 an hour, people steal a billion dollars.” 4. Nikuyah Walker, Charlottesville’s E. “They haven’t seen anything like what’s coming at us in 25, 30 years, maybe ever. It’s tremendously big and tremendously wet, first black mayor tremendous amounts of water...It could very well be very similar to Texas in the sense that it’s tremendous amounts of water ... 5. Bob Woodward, American probably more water than we’ve ever seen in a storm or a hurricane.” Journalist and author F. “There is a garbage culture out there, where we pour garbage on people. Then the pollsters run around and take a poll and say, do you smell anything?” 6. Manon Massé, member of G. “To vote is to give up your own power. To elect a master or many, for a long time or a short time, is to resign one’s liberty. Instead of Quebec Solidaire entrusting the defence of your interests to other, see to the matter by yourselves. Instead of trying to choose advisors that will guide 7. Élisée Reclus, 19th century you in future action, do the things yourselves, and do it now.” anarchist geographer H. “I don’t care whether you’re driving a hybrid or an SUV. If you’re headed for a cliff, you have to change direction. That’s what the 8. Riley Kucheran, Ojibwe PhD student American people called for in November, and that’s what we intend to deliver.” I. “I have a great deal of respect for our judicial system but lawmaking power is given by the people… We are taking a stand. If 9. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario you want make new laws in Ontario or in Canada, you first must seek a mandate from the people and you have to be elected.” 10. Fran Lebowitz, author and J. “Besides Québec solidaire, who is really talking about climate change? Nobody. And I think that is really dangerous.” sardonic social commentator

1 9 8 4 10 6

7 3 5 2 a.) Nikuyah Walker; b.) Steve Bannon; c.) Riley Kucheran; d.) Fran Lebowitz; e.) Donald Trump; f.) Bob Woodward; g.) Élisée Reclus; h.) Barack Obama; i.) Doug Ford; j.) Manon Massé Manon j.) Ford; Doug i.) Obama; Barack h.) Reclus; Élisée g.) Woodward; Bob f.) Trump; Donald e.) Lebowitz; Fran d.) Kucheran; Riley c.) Bannon; Steve b.) Walker; Nikuyah a.)

13 CULTURE FOLK MUSIC IS THE ORIGINAL

HEY VE, I don’t know how to approach this… I identify as a cisgender hetero- PUNK ROCK sexual woman and I think I’m attracted to women. I’ve been turned on Log Drive Café features traditional by women (women whom I interact with in real life, and women I see do-it-yourself music Rural bluesmen Mississippi John Hurt and Skip James were dangerously cool before on screen) and they often enter my fantasies. However, I have never Elvis was even born been able to approach women because I’m scared that I’ll chicken out Tim Kitz ing and perfect silence. worthwhile, and fortunately on Sept. 28. Daphne uses the when it’s time for me to get to business. I also don’t want to seem like Now fear not, gentle reader, she consented to answer a cou- pronouns they/them and ze/ I’m fetishizing women in the LGBTQ community. Can I get some advice? The Log Drive Café is a tra- for this article will not indulge ple of questions for The Leveller. hir, and consented to talk to - Questioning on Queensview ditional music concert series, in any further nostalgia or The Leveller too. (That’s right, featuring folk singers and mu- pseudo-Marxist musicological The Leveller: What made you get to hear from two HEY QUESTIONING, sicians in a coffee-house set- analysis. It’s time to talk about you want to take over orga- young women who like old Once upon a time I was the co-ordinator at my university’s pride centre ting, in which the audience is the here and now! It’s time nizing the Log Drive Café? songs in one article!) and this was one of the most common questions I would get from stu- welcome to sing along. to talk to a couple of young dents. A lot of people would be really disappointed to learn that there Traditional music you say? women who are ushering the Chrissy: The Log Drive Café The Leveller: How did was no quick and easy way to answer this question. Sing alongs? Sounds boring, Log Drive Café – and local tra- is a space for some of the you get into tradi- doesn’t it? That’s where you’re ditional music, undoubtedly – things I most believe in and tional folk music? And I get it, because it’s so tempting to believe that you could use wrong, dear reader. into a bright and living future. think there should be more something as concrete as a magazine quiz to figure out your sexuality. Traditional folk music is Chrissy Steinbock is the new of: singing, especially group Daphne: I was basically Wouldn’t it be great if it was easy as checking mostly As to find out that the original punk rock – the organizer of the Log Drive Café. singing, folk music, and sto- born into it. My mom was you’re straighter than a Gender Reveal party, or checking mostly Bs to original do-it-yourself, partici- Hold on, I’m getting ahead ries. always singing traditional learn that you’re gayer than the entire cast of ? Queer Eye patory, anti-elitist music. of myself. (It must be the ex- Also, the Log Drive Café music around me, and In reality though, sexuality is a lot more fluid than we would like to See, before the mass media citement.) makes traditional music I grew up going to folk believe. Attraction can also be really confusing, especially when it’s changed everything, people The Log Drive Café was accessible and makes space events, both in Vancouver, up against the narrative that all queer people have always known that created music communally – started in 2012, by Maura Vo- to experience communi- where I was born, and they were queer. Though that’s definitely one way that people experi- authoring, playing and trans- lante and Ranald Thurgood. ty. Singing with others is a here in Ottawa. Tradi- ence their sexuality, lots of us spend years thinking we just really love mitting songs anonymously Maura had been performing pretty powerful thing but tional music has always gay porn before realizing that it goes a bit deeper than that. and collectively. Folk music traditional folk music since not everyone wants to join been a part of my life in It seems like you’ve already spent a lot of time thinking about this, so I was by and for ordinary folk, discovering it in coffeehouses a choir and going to song some form or another. think the time may have come for you to just jump in and experiment. I where they played and sang and songcircles in Vancouver circles or kitchen parties can know that’s probably a terrifying sentence to read, but I’m just saying for and with each other. Be- in the ’60s, and Ranald took be intimidating if you don’t The Leveller: How did to try one small doable thing and see how that goes. fore mass media technology the stuff so seriously he got a know the songs or the peo- you claim traditional folk brought the music to you, you PhD in folklore from Memori- ple singing. music as our own rather Maybe it’s having a drink at a queer bar, or attending an event at the had to make it yourself, or at al University. Anyone can come to the than rebelling against it? Gender and Sexuality Resource Centre, or creating a profile on Her least hang out in the same Maura told The Leveller that Log Drive whether it’s to (an app that is basically Tinder for queer women). room as someone who did. in the spring of 2012, “[we listen, to sing or meet peo- Daphne: It took me taking Whatever action feels right for you, the idea is to take one tiny step to- And if old-time folk music had] been discussing the lack ple or all of the above and I a step away from tradi- ward queerness, take some time to get used to it, then evaluate how you makes you think of Pete See- of an environment in Ottawa think you’ll be surprised by tional music to find it in feel. If the first step feels good, take another one, then repeat as needed. ger, all cutesy and foursquare for people who sing traditional what you find. other ways. In my rebel- and sing-songy, think again. folk songs. There are many ses- lion, I stumbled across As long as you’re being sincere in whatever you do, you probably don’t Try listening to the folks Pete sions in Ottawa for instrumen- The Leveller: Why do you artists like [“freak-folk” have to worry too much about fetishizing queer women. Even if what Seeger learned all his songs talists and singer-songwriters, think it’s important to harpist] Joanna Newsom you’re doing is grinding with women on the dance floors of straight bars, from. Listen to the bible-black but at that point there was no have venues for traditional and Melora Creager [of I actually don’t think there’s a wrong way to explore your sexuality. harmonies of the Carter Fami- public event that provided a folk music performance? “cello-rock” band Ras- What’s most important with whatever step you take is that you’re being ly or the feral roar of Blind Wil- space for traditional singers.” putina], who write their honest with yourself and the people you’re interacting with about where lie’s Johnson’s voice. Listen to The couple found a venue Chrissy: Traditional music own music but also keep you are emotionally. It may happen that some queer women will not Roscoe Holcomb’s lonesome at the Abbotsford House Rec- is about sharing songs old songs alive – and who want to get romantically involved with you if you’re not 100 per cent sure keen, or the ethereal blues of reation Centre – an old stone in the purest sense. introduced me to Child about your sexuality, but I’m sure there will be lots of other women who Skip James’ guitar picking. house across from Lansdowne Traditional music is ev- Ballads [i.e., songs from a would be happy to be your experimental make-out partner. Now the market may have Park – and decided to try lead- erybody’s music so you can classic anthology of ballads inevitably favoured the cute- ing a singalong concert of tra- come out to a Log Drive by Francis James Child]. And for more info about officially getting down to business, I would sy, accessible-to-everyone ditional Canadian folk songs. show and even if you don’t definitely recommend the book Girl Sex 101 by Allison Moon. It is such folk music of Seeger and the The concert went well, and know any of the songs you The Leveller: For anyone a comprehensive read, and will answer all the questions you don’t even Kingston Trio over their feral they decided to make it a reg- can find yourself singing that doesn’t get tradi- know you have. progenitors. But further mu- ular event, hosting dozens of along on the choruses. That tional folk music yet, If you do take a little leap and then chicken out, that is totally fine! It’s sical commodification and performers singing hundreds song is now part of you and why should people care so normal to feel nervous about new experiences, and there’s no rush the gradual development of a of songs over the past six years. you’re part of it. about these songs? to figure anything out. Plus, you’re not on anyone else’s timeline here. star system only distorted folk “It has been a wonderful Sure, a singer-songwriter Put yourself first, take it as slowly as you want to, and enjoy yourself as culture more. The sixties defin- project,” Maura told The Level- hopes that listeners will like Daphne: I think there’s much as you can. itively turned folk music from ler, “but over the years the pro- their stuff enough to sing it something very powerful Sincerely, traditional, informal, commu- motional efforts became wea- while they’re making break- about a story or an image SAM WHITTLE nal music into mostly-acoustic rying,” and in 2018 the couple fast, but that song is still that resonates with people Sex Educator and Owner of Venus Envy music played by professional decided to let it go. They held kind of the writer’s proper- enough for them to carry songwriters – music by stars a grand finale concert in May, ty. If you learn a traditional the songs through oral (and wannabe stars) that was featuring a panoply of past song you’re tapping into tradition. It’s a visceral supposed to be consumed by performers. something bigger, a shared link to the past, through passive audiences in unmov- Fortunately, in stepped resource, a kind of waterway emotion. However differ- Chrissy Steinbock to save the of culture rather than a pri- ent people may have been day and keep the Log Drive vate well. 500 years ago, we know Café running. A musician her- That song was shaped they loved, they celebrated, self, Chrissy writes her own by others before you and is they mourned, and they Upcoming Workshops at songs – delightful songs, I now yours to shape in turn. sang about it, and we still promise – but she’s also pas- do these things today. sionate about singing tradi- Now the first Log Drive venus envy tional songs, and making sure Café of the new season will they’re passed on as living feature Daphne Volante. Daphne Volante will play the Going Down: A Guide to Fellatio things. Daphne will be bringing their Log Drive Cafe on Friday, Sept. September 27 7:30pm. $20 ($10 student price) Ensuring that you hear di- deep repertoire of traditional 28 at 7:30. Tickets will be $10 rectly from Chrissy seemed ballads to the Log Drive Café at the door or pay what you can. Sex Toys 101. October 2 6:30pm. $20 ($10 student price) Role Play: Sex Magic & Psychological Control Through Storytelling with Tina Horn October 16 6:30pm. $35 ($15 student price) Bottoms Up! Spanking: More than a Kink Gateway Drug with Tina Horn October 17 7:30pm. $35 ($15 student price) Queering Dirty Talk with Tina Horn. October 18 7:30pm. $35 ($15 student price)

Whip It Good!: A 101 Guide to Power Play and Kink October 23 6:30pm. $20 ($10 student price)

226 Bank St, Ottawa, (613) 789-4646 venusenvyottawa venusenvy.ca

14 CULTURE

JULY 27, 2035 FUTURE CLIPPINGS lowing the site to slowly deteriorate over time. ONCE DUBBED “RESORT STYLE” Many blame the original construction for many APARTMENTS, HERON GATE’S NOW of its problem. When it opened its doors to new SLATED FOR DEMOLITION renters in 2019, people complained about the quality of the apartments, with some people re- questing repairs on their first day of occupancy. Randy Munchton, a long-time resident, re- members the early days when the pool was filled and the common green space had plants. “Back then it was a lovely place to live, but over time you HOROSCOPES could see the neglect. It PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20) started with plumbing XL Petite My last Haikuroscope is re- issues, then water dam- served for you Pisces: age and then the bugs VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) Beware fake prophets came. We were hit hard I ordered a banana split the mediums are the message by the invasions of trop- other day, Virgo, and as I set to live it large, my friends! ical termites in the mid- work on mauling it, the tele- Heron Gate Apartments are in need of more than just a lick of paint. 2020s.” vision at the local dairy bar ARIES (March 21 - April 19) esidents in three it’s been their only home way for a new build. Many of the tenants broke the news that Mad Max But seriously Aries, imagine apartment comin Ottawa and they have The once luxury still love the place for Bernier was making his own if the NDP had an actual left- plexes, located built a strong communi- apartments originally the community that they right-wing party. I looked at R the screen, and then to the ice ist plan right now. There’s a along Heron lightrail ty there. touted, back in 2018, have built there and want real opening for well thought line in the Herongate The neighbourhood as “a premium, active the City of Ottawa to step cream, and already, I couldn’t out left-leaning public pol- neighbourhood, have has long been a hub for adult-oriented rental in and get Twigstream to tell which was more bananas. icy ideas, and people will be been given notice of U.S. immigrants fleeing community meant to do the renovations need- forced to listen to them, if eviction, following the the Second American offer resort-style lived to bring the apartment LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) clearly articulated, because decision by Twigstream Civil War, and residents ing” have now become blocks up to code. Libra, today XL Petite is in Mad Max and the Harper to demolish the build- fear the community they a shadow of their for- Shai Tenlon said that retrograde! My orbit around Youth are busy long-knifing ings due to them no lon- have built will be diluted mer selves. The original “the apartments aren’t The Leveller is now moving each other. ger being livable. by dispersion. buildings had 348 units, completely lost. It’s just backwards. I hope this will Twigstream has only When contacted for a common green space, that Twigstream aren’t bring forth the astrological TAURUS (April 20 - May 20) owned the property for comment a Twigstream indoor pool, gym and a willing to put the mon- prowess of another power- Do you think if someone of- five years, during which representative said via retail ground floor with ey in to make the repairs ful reader of the stars for thy fered Doug Ford a pepperoni time residents claim it Brainbook that they “are restaurants, a cafe and and renos needed. They’d noble parchment, as long as pizza and a hug that he’d stop was mismanaged and re- going to do whatever we retails outlets. rather knock it down to it’s not my arch nemesis, Me- breaking the constitution? pairs were seldom done. can to help people find Over time the original make way for some fancy dium Large. The old folk still Residents are looking to places to live,” but that site’s owner, Timber- ultracondo or something. whisper about the days when GEMINI (May 21 - June 20) the city to help fight the the apartments needed creek, was blamed for Just in it for the money I ML reigned supreme. If we’re Gemini, this doesn’t really af- demolition, as for many to be torn down to make constant negligence al- guess.” both astrology dragons, he’s the one that’s with the White fect you, but I got tickets to see Walkers while I’m with the Trevor Noah! I’ll think of you Daenerys Targaryen. when he does that accent that sounds like you after you eat SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) the hot sauce. Since I’ve left Ontario, Scor- GET pio, you’ve elected a used car CANCER (June 21 - July 22) salesman with no credible ex- Cancer, I was reading your INFORMED. perience to be your leader, and stars at the beach yesterday I’d bet ya a buck-a-beer that he and then I realized that it READ IT just looked up the notwith- was daytime. I think there LIKE LISTS? standing clause on Wikipedia. was something stronger than ANYWHERE. I think you should change the chocolate chips in those muf- Wikipedia entry on the not- fins you gave me. withstanding clause to simply read: “Bad Ford! Go lay on LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22) your mat.” Back to school at last, Leo. Did you miss it? The books, SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) the enthusiasm, the parties, Don’t trust oysters, Saggi. The Leveller?! Cheers to the They seem like amicable fel- next cohort of Levellers and lows, I’ll give you that. But it Leveller readers XL Petite, out! is not what rests inside that counts with regards to these menacing molluscs, it’s their treacherous foot piercing WE’RE shells that grieve me! Consid- LOOKING FOR er yourself warned. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) A LISTINGS You know that Twitter ac- Wanna be count called “endless scream- COORDINATOR! ing”? Pretty much captures The Leveller’s the mood of the day, doesn’t it Cap? new

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) horoscopist? Years ago, The Leveller broke Enjoy writing news of an impending Grolar Bear insurrection to thwart surreal, the anti-environmental politics of the then Harper gov- playful, ernment. Well, consider prophecy mostly fulfilled. Just political

Work in Community look at the influx of my black Connect with an exciting netw ork of like-minded social change-makers in a diverse and bear kin into downtown Ot- haikus? Get inclusive spac e. Pe ect for nonprofits , freelancers, entrepreneurs and consultants. tawa. Don’t listen to the fake Book your next community event or board meeting in one of our many bright beautiful rooms. in touch with Come b y for a visit! news that tells you they’re try- Call 613-566-3448 or email info@25onecommunit y.ca for a tour of the space! ing to put on a little extra fat Or just drop by! 251 Bank St. 2nd ﬂoor (corner of Cooper St.), awa us at – they’re here as scouts! 15