By Russell Smith

If you’ve been living under a rock, or don’t have T.V. like me, maybe you missed out on last year’s groundbreaking show A Game of Thrones based on the best-selling fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R Martin. Or maybe you just don’t care about it. The word fantasy is sometimes a massive red flag for some of us, myself included. But you should care. Because it’s really good, and this next upcoming season promises to be even better.

Yes, it is a fantasy series. The show follows men and women and families as they journey across foreign lands and kingdoms in a violent, dynastic attempt to take control of the Iron Throne. There are swords and castles and strange magical worlds, but it doesn’t lay it on too thickly (By “it” I mean magic. I don’t like magic. But if you like swords and castles this is the show for you). I know what you’re probably thinking. “This is just another weird Lord of the Rings thing for nerds.” I thought that too. In fact when I first sat down and watched the show I turned it off. But then I gave it another go, and I was not disappointed. If you can get past the “fantasy” elements, which honestly is not really such a big part, it truly is a solid and well made show. It should be. It’s made by HBO, and they have put out some really awesome television series over the years. If you enjoy creative works that explore and push the boundaries of what a series can do, you are sure to enjoy this one.

The first season received a 9.4 out 10 on IMDB. That means it’s pretty good. For the longest time I honestly had no idea what IMBD was, but apparently it is one of the trusted sources for reviews, and they have been going nuts over there about this show and the anticipation for the upcoming series is just crazy.

The show is great. It’s well made with an awesome story line, incredible acting and it is really an engrossing and
encompassing experience that you are sure to want to repeat again. And it’s only going to get better.

By Andrew Sakamoto, Executive Director, TRAC Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre

TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal information on tenant-landlord law. If you are a student renting your home off campus and not as part of a “homestay” living arrangement, then you are most likely covered under the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA). Each year we answer close to 8,000 phone calls on a variety of tenancy topics. Landlords restricting heat is one such topic, and especially common around this time of year.

Under BC’s Residential Tenancy Act, it is against the law for a landlord to turn off or restrict a service or facility that is essential to the tenant’s use of their rental unit. This includes heat, hot water, electricity and any other vital service or facility related to your tenancy.

If your landlord is not following the law, write a letter asking that they correct the situation within a reasonable period of time. Date it, sign it, and keep a copy for yourself. For your convenience, TRAC has created a template demand letter for this very purpose www.tenants.bc.ca/main/?factsheets. You can also call the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) and ask that an Information Officer intervene by calling the landlord and explaining to them their legal responsibilities. Always keep a record of the name of the Information Officer with whom you spoke and the date of your call. The RTB can be reached at 604-660-1020 or 1-800-665-8779.

If your landlord is still refusing to turn on your heat after receiving your written warning, you can take legal action through the RTB by applying for a dispute resolution hearing. This process is different than going to court and you do not need a lawyer. There is a $50 filing fee, but this can be recovered if you win your case (and indicated on the application form that you wish to recover the fee from your landlord). Or, the fee can be altogether waived if you cannot reasonably afford to pay it. Forms to apply for dispute resolution can be found on the RTB website www.rto.gov.bc.ca.

On your application form, you can ask for an order that the landlord turn on your heat and compensate you for the time you were without heat. When deciding how much money to ask for, be as reasonable as possible. In support of your application, you can submit evidence such as the above mentioned demand letter and other correspondence, witness statements, photographs, receipts, etc. For any dispute resolution hearing, it is crucial that you have evidence to back up your side of the story.

This is one of the many issues we deal with on a daily basis. What do you do if you get bed bugs or mold? Do you have to repair appliances when they break? How do you get your security deposit back if your landlord is ignoring you? For answers to these and other frequently asked questions, visit TRAC’s website at www.tenants.bc.ca.

By Taylor Fell

Kitimat, BC, population 8335 as of 2011, a usually quiet, ocean side town on the northwest coast of BC, now finds itself a pivotal locale in Canada’s national energy debate.

The issue at hand is Enbridge’s plan to construct a twin oil pipeline to ship unrefined crude oil from the oil sands of Alberta to lucrative Asian markets. Enbridge states that the major infrastructure project will create 1150 long-term lobs, and give the cash-strapped British Columbian government $1.2billion in additional revenue, in addition to the $28billion Alberta would receive in just the first 10 years of operation. The economic aspect of the issue is clearly in Canada’s favour, though perhaps not as much as it could be, because, like with softwood lumber and other resources, we ship raw products instead of adding value in country. The potential draw backs to the project are, of course, environmental in nature.

The inlets and narrows leading to Kitimat twist and turn, presenting a significant challenge to seaborne navigators. With the Gulf of Mexico spill still fresh in mind, and the Exxon Valdez spill, even now, still in the public eye, the devastation that could be brought upon the ecologically sensitive region by an oil spill is quite palpable. Enbridge, with their pipeline capable of transporting roughly half a million barrels of oil per day westbound, and transporting about 200,000 barrels of natural gas condensate a day eastbound, has said that the number of tankers entering the port of Kitimat per year would be approximately 225. These tankers would be of the VLCC class (Very Large Crude Carriers) capable of carrying roughly 2 million barrels of oil. The Exxon Valdez could carry 1.48 million barrels. Like any economic activity exploiting the environment, environmental reviews would be required to ensure that environmental risk and necessary damages are controlled and are maintained at an acceptable level. Unofficially, there has been a ban on tanker traffic in the waters of Kitimat. A complete review of the moratorium on tanker traffic was conducted by the federal government in 2004. Three different reports suggested that the moratorium should be maintained for the time being. Interestingly, a recent review by Transport Canada offers a contrary opinion:

While there will always be residual risk in any project, after reviewing the proponent’s studies and taking into account the proponent’s commitments, no regulatory concerns have been identified for the vessels, vessel operations, the proposed routes, navigability, other waterway users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessels supporting the Northern Gateway Project,

The government has just given a passing grade on the navigability of the waters of Kitimat. Given the evident risks, in the event that the unthinkable does happen, how much would Enbridge be responsible for monetarily? In the event that a ship spills its crude cargo, and it’s deemed to be the ship owner’s fault, Enbridge owes nothing. A fact sheet from the Living Oceans society explains this succinctly:

In Canadian waters, the tanker owner is responsible for pollution damages from oil spills. The owner of the oil, pipeline, or terminal is not liable for the spill and does not have to pay for the cleanup, compensation or natural resource damages, nor does the company which charters the tanker. Although Enbridge claims “extended responsibility” for the Northern Gateway Pipelines project, they are in no way legally responsible for any of the costs associated with an oil tanker spill since they will not own the ships carrying the oil.

Fair enough, Enbridge washes its hands of the oil once it’s on the boat to Asia. The remaining ecological issue within the pipeline project is the possibility of a pipeline rupture. Granted, of all the methods of shipping oil used, Pipelines are the most effective and present the least risk. That said, accidents can and will happen. Just last year in Michigan an Enbridge pipeline leaked roughly 3.1 million litres of oil according to Enbridge, or as much as 3.8 million according to the Environmental Protection Agency, into the Kalamazoo river. According to the Polaris Institute, a Canadian think tank based in Ottawa, 804 spills occurred between 1999 and 2010, releasing around 168,645 barrels of oil. A study done by Enbridge themselves concluded that a spill of 225000 barrels of oil, about the same spill as the Exxon Valdez, in the Wright sound, the same body of water in which the BC Ferries vessel: Queen of the North sank, would contaminate 240km of shoreline in just 15 days. The time for the environment to recover from such a disaster ranged from 4 years for exposed shoreline, and possibly up to 12 for sheltered areas.

With such a complex project, involving large implications and great risk, one would expect our government to tread lightly, and evaluate the project objectively. Joe Oliver, a former investment banker and current Minister of Natural Resources, as well as the Harper government addresses the issue as if there were no question as to its viability and environmental integrity. In an open letter from Oliver, in regards to the over 4000 people, who registered to speak at the environmental review hearings that are necessary for the project, wrote:

…there are environmental and other radical groups that would seek to block this opportunity to diversify our trade. Their goal is to stop any major project no matter what the cost to Canadian families in lost jobs and economic growth. No forestry. No mining. No oil. No gas. No more hydro-electric dams. These groups threaten to hijack our regulatory system to achieve their radical ideological agenda. They seek to exploit any loophole they can find, stacking public hearings with bodies to ensure that delays kill good projects. They use funding from foreign special interest groups to undermine Canada’s national economic interest. They attract jet-setting celebrities with some of the largest personal carbon footprints in the world to lecture Canadians not to develop our natural resources. Finally, if all other avenues have failed, they will take a quintessential American approach: sue everyone and anyone to delay the project even further. They do this because they know it can work. It works because it helps them to achieve their ultimate objective: delay a project to the point it becomes economically unviable.

Given the strong rhetoric penned by Oliver, the importance of this pipeline to the Conservative government is evident. Stephen Harper, during a recent visit to China to discuss trade, said:

Canada is not just a great trading nation; we are an emerging energy superpower. We have abundant supplies of virtually every form of energy, and you know, we want to sell our energy to people who want to buy our energy, it’s that simple. Currently, 99 per cent of Canada’s energy exports go to one country – the United States. And it is increasingly clear that Canada’s commercial interests are best served through diversification of our energy markets. To this end, our government is committed to ensuring that Canada has the infrastructure necessary to move our energy resources to those diversified markets. Yes, we will continue to develop these resources in an environmentally responsible manner, but so too will we uphold our responsibility to put the interests of Canadians ahead of foreign money and influence that seek to obstruct development in Canada.

The government of Canada has evidently made up its mind. Whether or not the pipeline project is environmentally sound and worth the risk depends on who you ask; Enbridge and the government who maintain that the risk of environmental damage is acceptably low, or the opposed citizens of Northern British Columbia, First Nations bands, and environmental organizations who charge that the waters of Kitimat are too precious to risk and that the unthinkable is an inevitability.

By Catherine Courson

So! Where are you from, and how did you end up here at Selkirk?

I am from Penticton, in the Okanagan. I was really interested in Web Design and Video production and editing, so in my grade 12 year, I decided to look for a school that had a good program for both. My Digital Arts teacher told me about this program. I looked into it and knew it was just what I was looking for! And now here I am!

This ties into the former question, but what was it about the Digital Arts and Media program at Selkirk that attracted you to it?

There were a few things that really drew me to it. The main being that It taught all of the courses I wanted to take and a few I had never even thought about! It also had a small class size. It helped that when I came for my interview, one of my teachers let it drop that he was one of the animators/3D modelers for an old TV show called Reboot! I am nerd, how could I go anywhere else once I heard that!

Congrats on the drawing conclusion of your second year! Any particular highlights?

Thank-you! There have been to many highlights. The first time I created a finished website and put it up on the web had to be the most exciting moment in this course for myself. Another was last semester, when half of the class and myself created a short horror film. We were given the chance to work with someone who was actually in the industry! Oh, and recreating the Brady Bunch opening to learn After Effects, a special effects program. I still have the theme song stuck in my head.

What do you find you’re most proud of?

There are three things I am extremely proud of that have come from this program. The first is the skills and knowledge I have gained in the field of web design and development. The second is my artistic ability. I have always struggled with art and design, but I have finally begun to create design and art pieces I can truly be proud of. The final is the time management skills I have been “forced” to learn. This course is not a cake walk and it has demanded I learn how to be more efficient and use my time more wisely.

Anything that you would change, or recommend that Selkirk change to improve the experience of Digital Arts and Media students?

There has been nothing in particular I have ever thought needed to change, or wasn’t good enough. It would be nice, though, to have Lay-z-Boy chairs instead of the ones we have, which would never happen. But I can always dream.

What are your plans now? Do you have a career path in mind, and if so, do you feel like your education at Selkirk has prepared you for it?

My plans now are to get out and try to find a job in the web development world! It has always been my plan, and I feel this program has prepared me for it quite well. I have learned a great deal, but what makes this program so successful is that they teach us not only the programs, but how to learn on our own. This is a field where you have to constantly be learning, and not with the help of others. The teachers have provided us with the knowledge and the skills needed to do so.

What do you think makes Digital Arts and Media programs so appealing and important right now?

I feel that the Digital Arts has to be one of the most important fields of study in this day and age. Never has technology been so much a part of peoples’ everyday lives, and we are some of the main people who create the content for it! Every company needs the talents of a Digital Artist if they want their company to succeed, whether be a company branding, website, business cards, or promotional content. We also create a great deal of what entertains people. Without us, there would be no video games. Films and animation would be non-existent. The Internet would be pointless, as there would be no websites.

Rather personal question, but what about cost? Without getting necessarily into the details (unless you’d like to) did you find that the costs (tuition, fees etc.) of the program were equal to what you received from it?

The cost of the program was another thing that drew me to this particular school. It is affordable. There is a school in the Okanagan that offers this same course, but it is more than triple the price of this course! We gain the same experience and knowledge as the other schools and are able to go out into the working world without being buried in debt.

Do you think students benefit from the smaller class size experience of being in a college rather than a university when it comes to programs like this, or did you find it so individualized that class size didn’t really play a role?

The class size, as I said before, is a critical element to this course. This program is difficult. Unlike in a lot of other courses, you require hands on help pretty much all the time. My classmates and I have had a few days were slamming our keyboards through the screen seemed like the smart thing to do. Be this due to not knowing how to do something, artist block, or the computers themselves glitching (industry hazard), our teachers are able to help us! With a big class, this would not be possible.

Finally, any advice for future students, or people considering entering the Digital Arts and Media program?

Enter the program. We learn such a wide range of skills; you are guaranteed to find something you can use in the future, even if you are not sure of what you want to do! Oh, and invest in a coffee machine, you are going to need it!

One thing that needs to be mentioned is the teachers. All the teachers are extremely attentive and dedicated to our success. We are able to e-mail them any time; weekends, 3’oclock at night, or holidays, and they are there to help us! They even come in on their days off!

Thanks for the insights Kelsey, and once again, congratulations!

Visit her professional website here: www.kelseykotzian.ca

By Catherine Courson

This is a question I’ve asked a lot in my three years as a post-secondary student, and with recent changes here at Selkirk it’s more prevalent than ever. Whether it’s getting involved with the Selkirk College Students’ Union to join them in protesting against the government cuts to grants and the increases in student loan interest rates that are causing increases in our debt (ask a student union member how you can get involved with their Educations Shouldn’t be a Debt Sentence campaign!), or actually getting out there come provincial and federal elections, educating ourselves on the issues, and voting. Students display incredible apathy, and unfortunately the numbers back that up. But are we truly apathetic? Apathy is defined as either a lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal, so general indifference, or a lack of emotion or feeling, thus impassiveness. Yet, ask a student here what they think of Selkirk College raising tuition and fees by 2% for the fall semester and well, indifference does not appropriately describe the response. Despite the expletives this topic causes however, we’re still grateful to have Selkirk as an affordable option, but for how much longer will we? Bring up the fact that due to decreased enrollment and funding, we’re most likely going to lose some, if not all, second year science courses, philosophy, and see some huge revisions regarding KSA’s second year studio courses… believe me, no one is feeling apathetic about that. Not students and certainly not faculty. These things aren’t happening because our Board of Governors or our professors think this is a simply a great way to cut costs, or because they don’t think these programs are valuable to Selkirk, these cuts are happening because at no level does our government show a respect and appreciation for education. Our government feels that they can get away with this because they can, and history shows that they have.

Take a minute today and check out the link at the end of this editorial, you’ll see by how much funding for education has decreased. Why do they get away with it? Because they think we won’t act and thus far we’ve proven them right. I for one do not want to be passive, or apathetic about my future. Whether it’s writing a letter to the government detailing the problems with their actions, signing a petition at a Student Union event (if you need extra incentive they usually have free cake!), or becoming a student activist through an organization like the Canadian Federation of Students and making your voice heard I implore you to DO SOMETHING! Anything is better than nothing, any action however grand or small it may seem, is better than true apathy.

By Russell Smith

The internet is in jeopardy, and may very well cease to exist in the near future. Okay, maybe not quite, but it’s pretty bad, and now I’ve got your attention. If you haven’t already heard, there have been a number of bills introduced over the last year that could severely affect your ability to surf the web freely. Websites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Wikipedia (the list goes on) are going to be in trouble if these bills pass, which could result in widespread censorship or even complete shutdown of many of these sites.

These bills are not new per-se. They have been introduced in one form or another for years dating back to 2007, and they have always been quashed at the last moment. So maybe you’re asking, what’s the big deal, if those bills didn’t pass, why will these? Well, the good news is that two of these bills, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and its sister bill Protect IP (intellectual property) were tabled just recently. The bad news is the ACTA (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) which is basically SOPA which a brand new name, if passed, will effectively censor the internet. Even worse is that many countries are already on board and have already signed a pledge to enact these bills in one form or another. Canada is one of those countries.

Found at - www.theoatmeal.com/sopa

Let’s back up and break in down a bit. What is the ACTA? Well, as mentioned above, it is a similar bill to that of SOPA. There is a growing concern among organizations, specifically ones like the RIAA and the MPAA about online downloading and file sharing. These bills have been introduced to curb downloading/torrenting of music, movies etc. and severely punish those who do. Here’s an example of what that looks like. You know whenever you go to a restaurant, and that restaurant sings happy birthday songs, the song is never “Happy Birthday.” Well, the song “Happy Birthday” is a trademarked, copyright protected song. That means that if the restaurant wants to sing the song, they have to pay a lot of money for the rights to do so, otherwise they could get hit with fines. Introduce the ACTA. What this bill would do is not only sue the restaurant for using the song if they did, but also shut it down entirely. So sites like YouTube, where users can upload their own covers of their favourite songs, are at risk of being shut down entirely because under these potential new laws it would be considered copy right infringement. That is unless YouTube removed all the user generated content that was considered to be in breach of copyright infringement and only uploaded songs and music videos for which they had paid the money for the rights. That, of course, completely defeats the purpose of YouTube, and there are many, this author included, who are outraged at the prospect of this widespread internet censorship.

Maybe you don’t use these sites. Maybe you don’t care if the internet is censored. I do, and I am willing to hedge a bet that there is a good chunk of other people who feel the same way. If these bills pass, our internet use is going to be restricted. We are not going to be able to go to the sites we want, and even if we can, they are going to look very, very different.

The ironic thing about this whole twisted ordeal is that the artists and musicians and creators of these works could not care less if people download and share their work over the internet. Musicians like Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, as well as others, have all spoken on the matter, saying that people should be allowed to download. They don’t lose money anyways because artists rarely ever get paid for the direct sale of their work. It usually always goes to the record labels and the studios. The only people who care are the big multimillion dollar corporate giants, the labels and the studios, who are trying to defend an outdated business model instead of getting with the times, which in other words means: the world is changing. The internet is growing and file sharing is becoming the norm and not the exception. In this digital age, this is the new way of sharing information and entertainment, and these companies would do well to embrace this new method, instead of trying to fight it with fines and jail time and endless prosecution.

We live in a free (supposedly) society and the very idea of having our freedom on the internet taken away is absurd. I strongly urge you learn as much as you can about what this all means, and to take a stand.

By Tiffany Vanderstar

We live in a country filled with rich diversity and individualism, yet judgement, prejudice and discrimination remain highly prevalent. At some point or another, odds are we have all been guilty of some degree of prejudice, whether we knew it was wrong or not. Often the problem is simply a lack of knowledge.

Next time you find yourself in a position of judging someone or something, say “Tell me more.” Be curious, be willing to learn. As you listen and seek to understand, you may discover a thing or two, or you may have an “aha” moment and find yourself and your life forever changed. Jane Green, a member of the Selkirk College faculty, reminds the Classroom and Community Support Worker (hereafter referred to as CCSW) students to shift from judgement to curiosity on a regular basis. Students are invited to tap into their wisdom and passion and seek inspiration in every interaction. Perhaps it’s time for you too, to be inspired by others and to shift from judgement to curiosity.

Did you know that Wednesday, February 29, 2012 was the first time an individual using a wheelchair was able to enter the Mir Centre for Peace? Selkirk College maintenance staff was applauded by the students for their successful efforts in installing a “rolling ramp” for the CCSW students’ Retreat day at the Mir Centre so Jeff Lafortune could participate in the retreat. Jeff, as many of you may know, has received a Honourary Diploma from Selkirk College for his tireless work inspiring students in the CCSW program. Jeff and his mother, Cathy, attend classes in an effort to inspire, encourage and educate students giving them first-hand experience of significant disabilities. Jeff is a substantial asset to Selkirk College. His laughter is warm and contagious, as is his presence. Students have an opportunity to shift from judgement to curiosity as they learn with Jeff in their midst.

From the late 1800’s through to the 1960’s, Jeffrey would have been considered “retarded”. Did you know that the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” were originally introduced as medical terms, specifically with clinical connotation? At one point, the “R” word had shifted to a negative connotation and has since been widely used in place of idiot, moron, imbecile and feeble-minded mostly in reference to anything from mental illnesses, developmental and intellectual disabilities, and even acquired brain injuries. Still today, the term is being used as synonyms for “stupid” and “dumb” and in doing so – being used in a negative context – is strongly reinforcing any painful stereotypes that cause people with disabilities to be devalued as members of society.

Finding the words… It can be confusing and feel awkward to think about language choices when describing someone who is different – or has a disability – especially a visible one. Two popular resources for addressing what to say and how to find words that are respectful instead of insulting are Disability is Natural (www.disabilityisnatural.com) and The “R” Word Campaign (www.r-word.org).

Kathie Snow, of Disability is Natural, suggests a different way of thinking about language, saying “Do the words used to describe you have an impact on your life? You bet! Contrary to the age-old ‘sticks and stones’ lesson we learned as children, words do matter!”

For too long, people who happen to have conditions we call “disabilities” have been subjected to devaluation, marginalization, prejudice, and more. And the first way to devalue someone is through language, by using words or labels to identify a person/group as “less-than,” as “the others—not like us,” and so forth. Once a person or group has been identified this way, it makes it easier to justify prejudice and discrimination. Our language shapes our attitudes; our attitudes shape our language; they’re intertwined. And our attitudes and language drive our actions!

Using People First Language—putting the person before the disability—and eliminating old, prejudicial, and hurtful descriptors, can move us in a new direction. People First Language is not political correctness; instead, it demonstrates good manners, respect, the Golden Rule, and more—it can change the way we see a person”.

I am a CCSW student and I came into this focus area inspired by my family. I have an uncle who has acquired brain injuries from infancy. He is not “retarded”, he is a beautiful soul who teaches everyone who is blessed to be in his presence. Many people may not have had the gift of having someone close to them having a disability of some sort or being part of a minority. It’s worth taking the time to get to know someone who appears different. Diversity lies within all minorities: abilities and disabilities, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and sexual orientation, to name a few. Accept everyone, for everyone is unique in their own way. Celebrate Diversity!

Reframing Disability 2012. In an effort to increase awareness and challenge ideas or beliefs associated with individuals with disabilities and to embrace diversity, Classroom and Community Support Worker students, Transitional Training students and the Student Access and Support Department invite you to the 2012 Reframing Disability Event on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at “the Pit” on the Castlegar campus. You’ll be able to explore your own thinking about difference, diversity and attitudes. You’ll have a chance to enjoy great music, displays, free food and try out some activities designed to give you a chance to see life through a slightly different lens. Please join us for all the excitement! And bring a friend.

by Cheryl Holman

This week the Liberal Party of Canada voted to back the legalization of marijuana. Seventy-seven percent of the Party has agreed that this will be one of the new platforms for the Liberals in the next election.

Along with giving everyone previously jailed for use or possession of marijuana, amnesty and a completely clear record, this announcement will have won votes for giving the life back to thousands and thousands of Canadians who have small blemishes on their records and have been unable to travel across the US Border for something they did years ago.

The last 4 mayors of Vancouver have all supported legalization of marijuana. This has proven a tough sell to Conservatives, more focused on ruining landscapes and disrespecting the peace and natural beauty of our amazing country through the installation of a giant pipeline owned by Americans.

The Liberals seem to have finally come to grips with the real Canada and what the Hemp plant can do for our financial future. Legalizing marijuana could reap incredible revenues for the Canadian Government, bring down our national debt. It will also reduce spending on an unnecessary criminalization of the vulnerable in our society, that seeking pain relief, either physical or mental. The legalization of marijuana will only add to the image of Canadians being happy, generous, kind and a heck of a lot of fun.

As tensions heighten in this world over Governments and their dictatorships, and people die to protect their freedoms, I am relieved that the Liberals seek to promote legalization of marijuana as part of their platform to get back into power. I know there will be far more Canadians voting for this, than for the devastation of our countries beauty in the pursuit of oil.

By Tiffany Vanderstar

Selkirk College Student Union (Local 4) representatives Sean Mullin, Cheneise (China) Couture, Dave Lubbers and Marlene Garcia attended the provincial level 30th Annual General Meeting in Tsawassen, BC from January 12th – 15th, 2012.
Opposition leader Adrian Dix was a particular highlight of guest speakers as he spoke of the NDP’s success and how they got to where they are and consequently why the NDP is important to the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), also addressing how the NDP plans to freeze or lower tuition fees and increase corporate taxes. Dix was a particularly engaging speaker, addressing many of the issues that matter to students and why the issues that students are currently facing are important to the country. Another memorable guest speaker was Dean Wilson of the Insite Safe Injection Site in Vancouver, BC, accompanied by Insite`s Lawyer Monique Pongracic-Speier. Wilson spoke of the many struggles associated with running the safe injection site including being attacked by the Government and police force. Wilson himself is a recovered addict and he thanks Insite for his sobriety. The impact Insite has on society very much reflects the same struggles and issues that reflect students, such as lowering tuition, bettering women’s rights at schools, and getting individuals to vote. Susan Lambert (BCTF Union President), Gary Yee (CUPE National Representative), and Jim Sinclair (BC Federation of Labour President) collectively spoke about the specific struggles individual unions face and how it relates to other unions. Student Representative China Couture stated that “having a bunch of union representatives come and speak to us about how one union`s fight is another union’s fight just goes to show that we are all linked together…” which is why it is so critical to have the support of such union`s at the AGM.
Hearing guest speakers at the AGM gives the CFS and student unions new campaign ideas, creative ways to help students in addition to providing support to know that we are not alone. It is important to choose allies: if we support the BCTF in their struggle, they do the same for us with ours. In addition to the above-mentioned guest speakers were Verna Billy-Minnabarriet, Iglika Ivanova, and Phillip Legg.
You`ve probably seen the posters, buttons and stickers around Selkirk campuses by now but “Day of Action“ is a National Campaign occurring on February 1, 2012 in an effort to raise awareness that education is a right. The campaign was a significant topic of discussion at the AGM. In addition to Day of Action, it was proposed and discussed at the AGM that events and campaigns should be digitally recorded via pictures and small video of willing participants and later posted on the CFS website for people of all provinces to know what is going on in each province. Another campaign that was voted on and discussed is the “No Means No“ campaign. The primary factor included in the discussion is how the campaign needs to include the words “survivor“ and “victim“. Additionally, it was voted in favour that student union offices need to develop a support network as well as resources for victims and survivors of sexual abuse. Our very own SCSU proposed that we will campaign against Bill 18 so that Board of Governors and any elected position a student may be in cannot be taken out of their position unjustly. The proposed campaign was motioned in favour. Furthermore, voted in favour is that student union locals are encouraged to send letters of support for both the BC Poverty Reduction Coalition and private member`s Bill that proposes the creation of a BC Poverty Reduction Act. As BC has the highest rate of poverty at 12%, all student union locals are encouraged to support any poverty reduction campaign in the province. Finally, distribution and availability of a fact sheet explaining history in an effort to debunk any myths or stereotypes surrounding education for Aboriginal Post-Secondary students was voted in favour.
Among several issues discussed, another of note is with respect to various disabilities and medical concerns. There have recently been a lot of breakthroughs at other student union locals; in particular, at one local students who have their Federal medical marijuana cards are now being offered a safe space to legally smoke the medicinal marijuana cigarettes without consequences such as school security issues and expulsion.
For more information please see the SCSU office as our SCSU representatives are more than happy to discuss the AGM in further detail with you. Additionally, please also note that the Canadian Federation of Students is non-partisan with respect to political parties.