U-Pass lines shrink
OTTAWA—STUDENTS ANTICIPATING LONG lines at the U-Pass distribution centre will be pleasantly surprised this year. According to an article that appeared in the Fulcrum September 2011, last year’s distribution was hampered by technical difficulties, which resulted in long lineups. The delays eventually forced OC Transpo to step in to assist the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) in their distribution of the student bus passes.
“We worked really hard this year to prevent [what happened last year] from happening again,” said SFUO VP University Affairs Liz Kessler. “We made a lot of changes to the system that we are using to produce the cards, which makes it faster and simpler for students.”
Kessler estimated that wait times for students this year will be reduced from last year, even as more and more students prepare for the beginning of the school year.
The U-Pass will be effective Sept. 1 and is available for all full-time students registered at the U of O.
—Andrew Ikeman
Quadruple amputee swims the Bering Strait
ANCHORAGE, AK—ON AUG. 17, French swimmer Philippe Croizon completed his swim across the Bering Strait. Croizon does not have arms or legs due to an electrical accident he sustained in 1994. He used paddle-like prosthetic limbs in order to swim the strait. The expedition was one part in his latest series of missions, such as crossing the English Channel this May.
The original plan was to leave from Alaska’s Little Diomede Island and arrive at Russia’s Big Diomede Island. However, the four-kilometre distance was cut short due to a lack of cooperation on Russia’s side. It took Croizon only one hour and 15 minutes to complete the swim to Russia’s maritime border, the revised destination point.
While the swim was shorter than initially planned, Croizon still faced a number of challenges, such as the cold water—around 4C—which required Croizon to use multiple wet suits. The water was not only cold but rough and choppy, with swells reaching eight feet. Even with a swim partner and four vessels accompanying him, Croizon had trouble navigating due to a heavy fog.
Each of Croizon’s journeys are part of an effort to raise awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities.
—Alex Kemp
Layton’s legacy remains intact
TORONTO—ON AUG. 22, 2011, Canadians were shocked to hear that Jack Layton, the NDP leader at the time, had lost his long battle with cancer. This heartbreaking news came only months after Layton led his party to a second-place finish—with many of the seats coming from Quebec—during the May 2011 election. Although certain critics initially viewed the widespread public mourning of Layton as a maudlin over-reaction, a new poll suggests many Canadians continue to hold the man in high regard. Harris/Decima, who conducted the poll at the request of the Canadian Press, found an overwhelming 91 per cent of people surveyed believed that Layton made a positive impact on the country.
Comparatively speaking, recent political leaders like Stéphane Dion and Michael Ignatieff could only muster up a 36 and 30 per cent positive rating respectively. Layton’s widow and Toronto MP Olivia Chow attributes this continuing sentiment toward her husband to the people’s ability to connect with Layton on a personal level, especially in regard to his socially progressive policies and his optimistic outlook on life.
—Kyle Darbyson
Canada forgives Côte d’Ivoire’s $130-million debt
OTTAWA—CANADA HAS AGREED to release the government of Côte d’Ivoire of its $130-million debt in order to help the east African nation regain financial solvency. President Alassane Ouattara—a former International Monetary Fund (IMF) economist—has made debt relief a priority since taking office in 2011.
Côte d’Ivoire fit the eligibility requirements established by the IMF and the World Bank, allowing them to receive $7 billion in debt relief. The Côte d’Ivoire’s current debt is estimated at $13 million.
While the country’s debt problems date back decades, the state of its resources has been tumultuous since the recent civil war. The government of Canada said they hope that by erasing Côte d’Ivoire’s debt, the country may begin to build a stronger economy and focus on social programs.
—Andrew Ikeman
