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A defence of Canada’s Kyoto drop DEAR MR. HARPER, It’s true I’ve always been a big fan of your policies, and I can’t tell you how excited I was on May 2 when I watched the final numbers roll in and you gained a majority government. But it was on Dec. 11 that you won …

Website hopes to be go-to place for university materials STUDENTS TRYING TO save money on their textbooks now have a new resource, Uottawabooks.com, launched by Carleton University students Shahir Kahriz and Matthew Grodinsky. The website, designed for students, provides a place to buy and sell books, course packs, and notes. “There are sites to buy and sell textbooks and there are bookstores, but …

Environmental focus for project addressing capacity issues THE NEW $112.5-million social sciences building, towering above the University of Ottawa campus, is nearing completion. Funded by federal and provincial governments and the university, the tower addresses capacity problems at the university while implementing sustainable and environmental initiatives. Capacity for social sciences The renovations to the Vanier building and the construction of the building will add …

Participation at an all-time high MEET SHANE MACKENZIE, leader of the Ideological Pragmatist Party and a prime minister who likes to dream big. As stated in his party’s platform, “This party looks at big moments in Canadian history and says, ‘Yeah we could do that,  but bigger.’” On Jan. 20–22, the Ideological Pragmatist and four other parties …

Gangster never felt so good Èva Morin | Fulcrum Contributor FOUNDED ON A 16-year-long friendship between Tynan “Tragic” Phelan and Jonny “Rockwell” Desilva, Ottawa-based hip-hop group Philly Moves is gearing up for the release of their latest album, How To Drink Yourself Famous.  “This album is a new direction for us,” says Phelan. “This is definitely our most eclectic …

illustration by Mico Mazza

Woman-on-woman hating, and why it has to stop NEW RESEARCH AT the University of Ottawa has concluded that women on campus tend to slut-shame each other on campus. Slut-shaming is the use of words like “slut” or “whore” to make a woman—sexually active or not—feel ashamed of her appearance, her expression of her sexuality, or …

WE WOULDN’T WANT to come face to face with any of these bad guys on Christmas morning! 1. Scott Farkus (A Christmas Story) Scott Farkus, the bully with yellow eyes, terrorizes the neighbourhood children alongside his toadie, Grover Dill. 2. Burgermeister Meisterburger (Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town) Herr Burgermeister bans all toys from Sombertown …

Snowballs versus sledding verus skiing versus snow fort building AS THE GEE-GEES’ season comes to a close, students may be wondering how they’re going to get their sports fi throughout the holidays. Well, no need to worry; there are plenty on winter activities available to even the poorest of students. But which one should you …

Last-second disappointment THE GEE-GEES MEN’S basketball team played with style and pizzazz against the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks, who were looking to maintain their perfect record on Dec. 2 at Montpetit Hall. Despite the Gee’s chemistry and their speed on the court, the Hawks succeeded in capturing a 77–76 win in the last 30 …

WE’VE BEEN PRETTY damn good at the Fulcrum this year. Between logging hours over our Macs to put the paper out each week, going to classes and getting good grades (or attempting to, anyways), and—sometimes—trying to catch some sleep, our editorial board has been too busy to even think nasty thoughts (Di Daniels notwithstanding). So, …

  Michael L’Africain talks about Space Jam and its influence on his game FOLLOWING LAST WEEK’S profile of the women’s basketball team rookie Kellie Ring, the Fulcrum decided to offer a similar spotlight to a first-year on the men’s basketball team. Michael L’Africain, rookie point guard of the University of Ottawa men’s basketball team, has proven he can be a powerhouse on the court, scoring 14 …

Our favourite holiday beverages YOU’VE WRITTEN ALL your exams, handed in final essays and projects, and finished your shopping for the holidays. What’s the one thing you’re dying for now? A good, strong drink! Here, the editors of the Fulcrum share: Drink your weight in my own invention, the Yule Tide—it’s fucking delicious. In a …

Comedian speaks about her career and new tour YOU MAY RECOGNIZE funny lady Debra DiGiovanni from her days on MuchMusic’s Video on Trial, but for those who want to see the Toronto native performing some of her own material, now’s your chance. DiGiovanni is embarking on her first headlining tour, called Single Awkward Female Tour, …

  Parliament debates the future of gun control in Canada  ON OCT. 25, the Conservative government introduced Bill C-19 to the House of Commons, an act designed to end the long-gun registry. Heavy opposition from both the New Democratic Party (NDP) and the Liberal Party of Canada greeted the bill, adding to the dialogue accompanying …

Students show their contempt for omnibus crime bill DESPITE FREEZING TEMPERATURES and snowfall, the Young Greens at the University of Ottawa dressed up as policeman and prisoners, taking turns being locked up in mock jail cells—all to protest Bill C-10, the Harper government’s omnibus crime bill, on Tabaret lawn Dec. 2. The bill, also known as the Safe Streets and Communities Act, consists of nine separate …

Occupy Xmas accomplishes very little I HAVE A confession to make: I used to be a socialist. I’m not ashamed of it. But when I finally learned about all the socialists before me, I began to wonder why—if it was ever going to work—hadn’t socialism caught on already? The recent Occupy movements are the final …

Amalia Savva | President Strengths: Savva has made herself visible to the University of Ottawa community, frequently making the effort to engage with students and bridge the gap between the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa (SFUO) and both the U of O administration and students. The student survey launched earlier this month and …

Following the paper trail WHETHER IT’S STEPHEN Harper famously saying “ordinary people” don’t care about the arts, or critically acclaimed Canadian dancer Margie Gillis getting slammed on Sun TV for defending artistic grants and subsidies, there is something about arts funding that sparks debate. The Fulcrum recently sat down with Grace Thrasher, public relations manager of …

  Student reviews Everything in One fitness class AS I SIT down to write this review, I am wincing and grimacing while I try to find the gentlest way to lower my aching body onto the couch. This week I attended the Everything in One workout offered by the University of Ottawa’s Sports Services. The advertising pitch they use to entice …

The opinions expressed here are the author’s own   RECENTLY AT THE Fulcrum, a debate was sparked among our editorial board about whether or not our private personalities could affect our professional personas. While some agreed that personal and professional are two different spheres, others argued that an individual was just that—one person, no matter how hard they try to split themselves …

Constance Backhouse awarded prestigious Canadian research grant ON NOV. 25 University Research Chair and university professor Constance Backhouse was awarded the Gold Medal for Achievement in Research by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). She received the award for leadership and dedication in the fields of feminist history, human rights, legal history, and …

Green Engineers develop new design for wind turbines GREEN ENGINEERS, A club for professors and students, has been developing an innovative wind turbine over the past three years. The invention, already published in academic journals, features two sets of blades to increase efficiency and decrease noise—problems associated with current versions of wind turbines. “We are building a source of energy,” said Riadh …

  Are there really Too Many People? ENVIRONMENTALISTS, SOCIALISTS, AND population enthusiasts came together for the launch of Too Many People? by Ian Angus and Simon Butler on Nov. 22. Co-author Angus educated guests through an interview at the launch, speaking about his intentions behind the book. “We tried to write a book that was …

Changing our mentality about rape and consent ON NOV. 16, the Ottawa Citizen reported on a local sex offender’s hearing, where a young man accused of rape was judged by a psychologist as fundamentally believing that only “losers” who “can’t get the girls” committed sex crimes. This man has been charged with raping a University …

Staying safe in a digitized world IN OUR GADGET-OBSESSED society, the daily use of technology has become second nature. Seeing people listening to music, texting, or updating their Facebook status while walking down the street is commonplace. The benefits of living in a technologically advanced world are abundant, but there are also dangers associated with everyone’s favourite electronic favourite electronic toys and …

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