Page 1

www.thereckoner.ca

BILL 115 HITS GARNEAUA comprehensive report on how students and teachers will be affected.

See WORK TO RULE on P4

October 2012 VOL. 1 NO. 1

<RX¶UH� KROGLQJ� WKH� YHU\� ¿UVW� SULQW�issue of The Reckoner of Marc Gar-QHDX�&,�±� WKH�VFKRRO¶V�RI¿FLDO� VWX-dent-run newspaper.

And when we say “student-run”, we really mean it. This is not a class assignment. It isn’t a teacher’s side project. It isn’t for volunteer hours, Garneau Gold points, or even for money.

It’s for the school.

%\� FUHDWLQJ� D� XQL¿HG� PHWKRG� RI�communication among us, our YRLFHV� FDQ�¿QDOO\�EH�KHDUG��E\� WKH�administration, and more impor-tantly, by each other.

The Reckoner publishes the latest news, creative writing, art, and ed-itorials every day online at thereck-oner.ca, but it’s time to bring the news it’s time to bring the news off WKH�VFUHHQ�DQG�VWUDLJKW�WR�\RX��WKH�students.

We’ve brought together some of the school’s best writers, artists, pho-tographers, and developers to make it happen. All the work was done on their own time, without any outside LQÀXHQFHV�RU�FHQVRUV�

6R�KHUH�LW�LV��RXU�YHU\�RZQ�QHZVSD-per – by the students and for the students.

We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed making it.

-Mahan Nekoui, Editor-in-Chief

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE YEARBOOK?

GARNEAU GIRLS’ RUGBY

So You Live in the

T-DotWhere to go when you live

in Toronto

See P2

NUIT BLANCHE 2012

)RU� WKH� ¿UVW� WLPH� HYHU��0DUF� *DUQHDX¶V� JLUOV�rugby team competed at the T.D.S.B. regional level. In the past there have only been intramu-ral opportunities for female athletes to partic-ipate in this sport. This year, the girls played a variant of rugby called “Sevens” sometimes referred to as “Seven-a-Side”. In this variant, teams (called “squads”) consist of seven play-ers and games last 15 minutes; this allows the entire season to be played in one tournament over the course of a single day.

The tournament was held this past Thursday, and the girls, coached by Ms. Minutillo played 2 games apiece against Agincourt C.I. and York Mills C.I. They played well for their brief two-and-a-half weeks of training, but were unable to win. Coach Ms. Munitillo is however, hope-ful for the team’s future and encourages new-comers to come and try out next year.

by ALIE TEACHMAN

Registration fees this year at Marc Garneau were noticeably lower, with students RQO\�QHHGLQJ� WR�SD\� WZHQW\�GROODUV�SOXV�:LQWHUIHVW� IHHV��GRZQ�PRUH� WKDQ�¿IW\�SHUFHQW�IURP�ODVW�\HDU¶V�KHIW\�FKDUJH�RI�¿IW\�GROODUV��%XW�WKHVH�FXWV�GLGQ¶W�FRPH�without a price. Students are no longer being provided with a TDSB agenda, nor a school yearbook in June (without additional cost). Reactions to the removal of a mandatorily-bought yearbook ran all across the board, from the conspiracy-theorists (“It was cut ’cause Mrs. Goldberg thought it sucked”) to the celebratory, (“Thank god! I didn’t want that stuff anyways”), to the apathetic (“I don’t even go to this school, who the hell are you”). No one really knew why the yearbook was no longer being pushed to all students.

Luckily The Reckoner sent out our very own investigative team. We contacted Mr. Welch, the teacher in charge of the yearbook, to hear his thoughts on the PDWWHU�DQG�WR�¿QG�RXW�ZKDW�H[DFWO\�LV�JRLQJ�RQ�ZLWK�WKH�\HDUERRN�WKLV�\HDU��

See YEARBOOK on Page 2

by YANCHENG LU

ART, STRANGERS, AND FLASHING LIGHTS P4

HOLIDAY HEIGHTSArtwork by Ananna Rafa

COMICS

Hello, World!

New horror stories about vanishing extra-curriculars—even cancelled proms—sur-face every day from high schools across the board. Teachers everywhere are adopt-LQJ�WKH�LQIDPRXV�³ZRUN�WR�UXOH´��GURSSLQJ�voluntary commitments like rotten eggs

to protest Bill 115 (the “Putting Students First Act”). If that’s true, then why all the hype about music council or art council or any other club? What’s the point if they’re all going to be cancelled soon? Truth is, there’s a big difference between what in-

dividual teachers are doing and what the teachers’ union is doing.

See WORK TO RULE on Page 4

In protest of the new legislation, many Garneau sports teams have been cancelled

by TIANYI MA and MJ CHEN

FREEZING WAGES AND

CUTTING RIGHTS

Shirley Miao discusses her view and the views of teach-

ers in response to Bill 115

by SHIRLEY MIAO

On September 13, the highly con-WHQWLRXV� %LOO� ���� SDVVHG� LWV� ¿QDO�readings in the Ontario legislature. It was met with the overwhelming support of 82 MPPs, with only 15 dissenting votes. Also known as the “Putting Students First Act”, the bill’s contents will impose number of new conditions on pub-OLF�VFKRRO�WHDFKHUV��D�ZDJH�IUHH]H��D�reduced number of paid sick days, an inability to collect pay for un-used sick days.

But arguably the most controver-sial constraint is the ban on future teacher strikes, an example of bla-tant interference in the collective bargaining process. With the ex-ception of essential services work-ers, such as those in healthcare, SROLFH�� DQG� ¿UH�� DOO� SXEOLF� VHUYLFH�employees possess the right to XQLRQL]H� DQG� VWULNH�� DIWHU� D� JLYHQ�set of conditions has been met.

See BILL 115 on Page 3

CANADA SEVERS TIES WITH IRAN

See Page 3More on Page 2

www.thereckoner.ca

LIFE FRIEDARONG

OH

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SIC

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YANC

HENG LU

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!

SO YOU LIVE IN THE

T-DOTA go-to guide for interesting and popular places to visit

in Torontoby CLAIRE HAMILTON

$V�WKH�VFKRRO�\HDU�JHWV�LQWR�IXOO�VZLQJ��\RX�PD\�¿QG�\RXUVHOI�with less and less time on your hands which only makes the little time you do have that much more precious. To make sure you don’t waste those valuable moments watching reruns of TV shows on the couch, here are a few ideas for getting out in 7RURQWR�

St. Lawrence Market

Though relatively deserted for most of the week, St. Lawrence Market comes alive every Saturday morning when the mar-ket opens. There are over 100 vendors selling food, clothes, DQG�MXVW�DERXW�DQ\WKLQJ�\RX�FDQ�WKLQN�RI��7KH�IRRG�LV�DPD]LQJ�with some notable highlights being St. Urbain bagels and the peameal bacon sandwiches.

Leslie St. Spit

Ever want to get away from the city for a bit? The Leslie St. Spit gives you the opportunity. Technically a peninsula, this piece of land stretches out into Lake Ontario for 5 km; you can ELNH�RU�ZDON�GRZQ�WR�WKH�WLS�ZKHUH�\RX¶OO�¿QG�D�OLJKWKRXVH�DQG�a stunning view of the Toronto skyline.

Riverdale Farm

Who knew we had a farm right in the middle of Toronto? Sit-ting on the side of the Don Valley, Riverdale Farm is home to a variety of animals. Stroll down the pathways, stopping to pet a sheep or cow every now and then. Look! Piglets!

Drive-in Movie Theatre at Polson Pier

Did you know that Toronto is home to the largest drive-in-movie screen in North America? While I know most of our readers won’t have cars, or even their driver’s licenses, this is a recommendation to store away for a summer day in the future (when you do have a car). Sitting in the car with your

friends, watching (or not watching) a movie with a summer EUHH]H�EORZLQJ�WKURXJK�WKH�ZLQGRZV��ZKDW�FRXOG�EH�EHWWHU"

Casa Loma

If you’re looking to have an out-of-Toronto experience, Casa Loma is exactly what you’re searching for. This castle is in the PLGGOH�RI�7RURQWR�ZLWK�DQ�DPD]LQJ�YLHZ�RYHUORRNLQJ�GRZQ-town. Complete with towers, suites, estate gardens, and even D�VHFUHW�SDVVDJH�RU�WZR��WKLV�FDVWOH�LV�GH¿QLWHO\�VRPHWKLQJ�\RX�don’t see every day — that is, unless you live in Toronto.

The Islands

Do you ever wonder where pictures of that famous view of the Toronto skyline are taken, the one with the CN Tower right in the middle? Just a short (and cheap) trip by ferry and you’re on the islands. The islands are great for many reasons, in-cluding the amusement park on Centre Island, the beach, the four-person bicycle rentals, and the events held there every summer.

Nuit Blanche

Have you ever wanted to go out with your friends, run around Toronto all night long, and see something interesting while you’re at it? Every year over one million Torontonians and WRXULVWV� DOLNH�¿OO� WKH� VWUHHWV� IRU�1XLW�%ODQFKH��7KLV� DOO�QLJKW�art exhibit is set up on the streets with different installations all over. You can take part in some of the interactive exhibits, eat some delicious food, or just sit back and watch the night go by. This year’s Nuit Blanche was a huge success on Saturday night. Look forward to it next year!

7RURQWR� LV� DQ� DPD]LQJ� FLW\� IXOO� RI� DPD]LQJ� WKLQJV��:KHWKHU�you have the time to go to just one of these places or all of them, I think it’s important to try experiencing our city at its best.

The Reckoner

LIFE

October 2012VOL. 1 NO. 1Page 2

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMAHAN NEKOUI

PRODUCTION MANAGERSOHEIL KOUSHAN

NEWS MANAGERTIANYI MA

LIFE MANAGERKASRA KOUSHAN

EDITORIAL MANAGERTHOMAS DONNELLY

BUSINESS MANAGERRIGERS RUKAJ

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHYSABRINA BERTSCH

DIRECTOR OF PRINT DEVELOPMENT

SUSIE LIU

DIRECTOR OF WEB DEVELOPMENT

ABDULLAH MEMON

DESIGN CONSULTANTYANCHENG LU

SAC CORRESPONDENTMICHELLE YEUNG

STAFF MEMBERSABDULLAH MEMON

ABIGAIL CHAUALIE TEACHMANCHRISTINA CHEN

CINDY ZENGCLAIRE HAMILTON

CONNOR ADAIRDAVID LI

FELIPE GONZALESGABRIEL WONG

HENRY HEJACKIE HO

JOSHUA TSENG-THAMKHADIJA AZIZ

MARA GAGIU MIKE LI

MJ CHENNEERAJEN SRITHARAN

PETER WENQUINCY LAM

REMI HOSSAINRYAN MARKS

SHIRLEY MIAOTASLIMUL HOQUE

VALIANT CHANVASILI MANKIKAS

YUSRA JANGDA

APPRENTICESANANNA RAFABENSON WAN

DANIEL PEKARDAVID HAO

FRIEDA RONGHELEN FENGJAMIE KWAN

LILY SONGKAARTHIC PULOGARAJAH

SHELA QIUVICKY XU

of Marc Garneau C.I.

www.thereckoner.ca

EDITORIAL

October 2012 VOL. 1 NO. 1 Page 3

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE YEARBOOK?

YEARBOOKContinued from Page 1

4��+RZ� ORQJ�KDYH� \RX�EHHQ� UXQQLQJ� WKH�yearbook course at MGCI?

$�� � ,¶YH� DFWXDOO\� EHHQ�PDNLQJ� \HDUERRNV�for almost twenty-two years, but at MGCI… well I’ve only been here for four-teen years so about that long. I basically supervise the kids, keep them on task, give them guidance if they need it. After they ¿QLVK�GHVLJQLQJ�WKH�ERRN��,�UHQW�RXW�D�SUR-fessional printer and take it to be printed.

Last year’s yearbook, which was paid for in the registration fee.4���7KDW¶V�DPD]LQJ��6R�WKH�NLGV�GR�HYHU\-thing?

$�� <XS�� (YHU\� VLQJOH� WKLQJ�� RWKHU� WKDQ�the printing of course, but that’s only be-cause it requires quite a lot of experience and precision. The kids make the cover SDJHV�� WKH� LQVLGH�SDJHV�� WKH\�RUJDQL]H�DOO�the pictures and all the information on the students and they put it all together. This year it seems, they have to do all the sales as well.

4��'RHV�WKDW�PHDQ�WKDW�WKHUH�ZLOO�VWLOO�EH�D�yearbook at Garneau?

$�� 2Q� FRQGLWLRQ�� 6RPH� WLPH� LQ� 2FWREHU�and November, we will be collecting pre-orders for yearbooks at lunch and after school at a price of $35. If we can get over 400 pre orders, then yes, we will have a yearbook. But if we don’t then everyone who ordered one will get their money re-turned and their orders canceled.

4��:KDW�KDSSHQV�LI�PRUH�WKDQ�����SHRSOH�order it?

$��7KDW�ZRXOG�EH�IDQWDVWLF��,I�WKDW�KDSSHQV�

we could reduce the price for everyone, and make them more easily accessible. However in previous years—this is like IRXU�RU�¿YH�\HDUV�DJR²ZKHQ�WKH�\HDUERRN�was not a part of registration, we only ever got about 400 orders.

4�� � +RZ� H[DFWO\� GR� \RX� IHHO� DERXW� WKLV�change? I’m guessing you weren’t the one who implemented it.

$��1R� LW¶V� DOZD\V� EHHQ� XS� WR� WKH� DGPLQ-istration to determine the budget we’re allocated for the yearbook. We just give them the cost and they gave us the money. When every student got a yearbook, we could bring the cost down to about $20 per book, but now it has to go up. As to my opinion, I don’t think kids should be forced to buy the book, that’s just not fair. But it’s also sort of unfair to those that take the program. We lose a lot of time that we could’ve spent making and designing the ERRN��EHFDXVH�ZH�KDYH� WR� VSHQG� WKH�¿UVW�few months doing sales. And its a lot more work for the kids.

4�� :HOO�� DW� 0*&,� WKH� 7236� NLGV� KDYH�their own yearbook as well that they have to design. However they have to do it on their own time outside of school, yet they only take a few weeks to complete it. What makes the MGCI yearbook so much more GLI¿FXOW�WR�GHVLJQ"

$�� :HOO�� ,¶YH� QHYHU� DFWXDOO\� VHHQ� WKH�TOPSbook, but I’m assuming that they don’t have to match up eighteen hundred pictures with eighteen hundred students. That actually takes up the majority of the time for the students.

Mr. Welch didn’t know why the yearbook was taken off the registration fee, but he

did tell us a lot about what exactly is going on with the yearbook. As useful as this in-formation was, we still didn’t know why. However, we also ran into Mr. Sharp on WKH�ZD\��:H�EULHÀ\�TXHVWLRQHG�KLP�RII�WKH�record and learned some interesting, al-beit not surprising infomation.

It was the board’s decision, desiring for schools to reduce mandatory fees for stu-dents. Yearbooks, agendas, anything the students didn’t really need, wasn’t going to be added to their beginning of school fees. After all, school should remain easily accessible to all students everywhere. Fifty dollars a kid is quite a bit even for families not struggling to make ends meet. And it’s not like the board has the money to sub-VLGL]H�DQ\�RI� WKHVH�FRVWV��%XW�DV�D� UHVXOW��some students are just getting the bare bones of a good education and are left out of all the little stuff that makes high school what it is.

This wasn’t a decision that was absolutely right or wrong, it was just a decision that unfortunately had to be made. It’s the re-sult of a much larger problem in Ontario—there’s no extra money for education. With cutbacks on everything including teachers, things like yearbooks become luxuries instead of staples of a high school experience. Just like Mr. Welch said, the optional yearbook adds extra work for the students who make it, the price of the yearbook increases and students who want a yearbook but can’t afford it are out of luck. But the whole point of public ed-ucation is so parents don’t need to pay. Making the yearbook optional becomes the lesser of two evils.

–Editorial Manager Tommy Donnelly contributed to this editorial piece.

DON’ T BULLY ME

BILL 115Continued from Page 1.

Nobody wants a strike, regardless of the public sector at hand. For teach-ers, a strike means days spent picket-ing outside the provincial Parliament buildings while overlooking their chosen profession. For students, it means an interruption to their edu-cation. But it’s a step that gives em-ployees a legal voice that can’t be ignored when all other possibilities have been exhausted when attempt-ing to reach contract agreements, including conciliation from a third party and a mandatory period for negotiations. It’s an unwelcome but necessary measure, and governments have their own equivalent, the lock-out. By removing it as a possibility, employees are susceptible to having unreasonable terms of employment imposed onto them.

Over the past several days, elemen-tary and secondary school teachers alike have been expressing their op-position to the passing of the bill through various means. High school teachers participated in a day of pro-test on Wednesday, during which teachers were encouraged to with-draw from extra-curricular activities and wear black clothing. Elementary school teachers have been advised by their union to halt their involvement in extracurricular activities weekly as SDUW� RI� ³0F*XLQW\� 0RQGD\V´�� DSWO\�named days where no teachers will attend school-based meetings.

Several members of the Marc Gar-neau faculty gave their opinions on this draconian bill.

³/RRNLQJ� DW� WKH� ¿QDQFLDO� SRVLWLRQ�WKDW� 2QWDULR� ¿QGV� LWVHOI� LQ�� ,� XQ-GHUVWDQG� WKH� ZDJH� IUHH]H�´� VDLG� 0U��0LU]D�� D� *UDGH� ��� ¿QDQFH� WHDFKHU��“As a group of teachers, we all under-

stand it. What bothers me the most is that they aren’t practicing democracy when they legislate. It’s not the wage IUHH]H�WKDW�ERWKHUV�PH��LW¶V�WKH�ZD\�LW�was done.”

“The government came out and said, this is what we want. The unions agreed to talk, but the government simply legislated within 30 days of their original proposal instead of car-rying out proper negotiations.”

Another Garneau teacher, who pre-ferred to remain anonymous, ex-pressed other concerns.

“As teachers, we accepted months DJR�WKDW�RXU�VDODULHV�ZRXOG�EH�IUR]HQ��and that was extremely unclear in the PHGLD�� >7KH� ZDJH� IUHH]H@� LV� QRW� WKH�issue. The issue is the fact that our medical days are halved and banked days can’t be carried over.”

As long as the provincial government maintains its unwillingness to ne-gotiate democratically and honour teachers’ collective bargaining rights, students and parents alike will expe-rience the repercussions. In many el-ementary schools, curriculum nights and athletic activities have been put to a halt, affecting integral parts of the students’ experiences.

As one junior high teacher puts it, “The bill is called ‘Putting Students First’ but it seems that in this polit-LFDO� VFXIÀH� WKDW� WKH� VWXGHQWV� DUH� WKH�ones who lose out. Then again, some teachers lose out too. If running clubs or teams is one’s passion, how is stop-ping them going to help us? Teachers lose out on doing something they love; students lose out on something they love to do.”

NEWS

In an unexpected move, the Canadian government, on Friday, September 7th, announced that it would suspend all diplomatic ties to Iran and would give ,UDQLDQ�GLSORPDWV�LQ�&DQDGD�¿YH�GD\V�WR�leave the country.

John Baird gave the announcement at the APEC Summit in RussiaForeign Affairs Minister John Baird made this announcement at the APEC summit in Russia. In a statement to the press, Baird explained that “Under the circumstances, Canada can no longer maintain a diplomatic presence in Iran.” In the statement, he explained that Iran ZDV�WKH�³PRVW�VLJQL¿FDQW�WKUHDW�WR�JOREDO�peace and security in the world today,” citing Iran’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, its history with terror-ist groups, its hostility towards Israel, the 1979 hostage crisis, its human rights record, and its nuclear program.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, eight Canadian diplomats are to leave Iran,

while 17 Iranian diplomats are set to leave Canada. The federal government is discouraging Canadians from travel-ling to Iran, while Canadians currently in Iran are being told to contact the Ca-nadian embassy in Turkey. However, the embassy in Turkey will be only used for routine passport services; there will a hotline available for emergency services.

A Rocky Relationship

The relationship between Canada and ,UDQ�KDV�EHHQ�D�VKDN\�RQH��&DQDGD�¿UVW�established an embassy in the country in 1961. The 1979 Iranian revolution raised tensions between the countries, and dur-ing the Iranian Hostage Crisis the em-bassy was evacuated to avoid retribution against the Canadians.

For the next 11 years relations between the countries have been extremely unsta-ble, and Canada was reluctant to resume diplomatic ties due to alleged human rights abuses.

In 1996, Canada and Iran re-established full diplomatic relations. Though Canada has operated on a policy of “controlled engagement” when dealing with Iran due to the human rights situation and its nu-clear program.

From 2005 to 2012 Canada continued to restrict its contact with Iran, such as im-plementing sanctions in 2010 to discour-age Iran’s nuclear program.

“It makes me anxious”

The reaction to Canada’s abrupt decision has been mixed. Many Iranian-Canadi-ans have expressed concern that Cana-da’s decision was uncalled for and would have unintended consequences.

³$Q�DUPHG�FRQÀLFW�QHHGV� WR�EH�DYRLGHG�at all costs.” said a Persian-Canadian student at Marc Garneau Collegiate In-stitute “These nations need to put ag-gression aside and come to a diplomatic solution. Canada’s decision, while send-ing a strong message of disapproval, also

sends a strong message of anti-diplo-macy. The decision makes me concerned that the issue can only escalate.”

“Instead of addressing the global prob-lem at hand, it alienates the Persian-Ca-nadian population.” he added.

Some students at Marc Garneau, while not directly affected by the decision, nev-ertheless shared the same view.

“I don’t see what recent event prompted such an abrupt decision,” said Tommy Donnelly, “and also I’m worried that Ca-QDGLDQ�FLWL]HQV�FXUUHQWO\�LQ�,UDQ�DUH�EH-ing put in unnecessary danger.”

“Our government claims to be concerned with Iran’s abuse of human rights and hostility to other countries. But if you read the current travel report on Iran by the Canadian government, it says that Iran’s irritation at this decision may cause further scrutiny of Canadians, which could lead to arbitrary detainment DQG� KDUDVVPHQW�� ,I� ZH� UHFRJQL]H� WKDW�

cutting diplomatic ties leads to increased international tension and a higher dan-ger of human rights violations, why would we cut ties with Iran as a protest of these same issues? It sounds like we know we’re making the problem worse, but doing it anyway.”

Others were more denouncing of Cana-da’s actions.

“I thought Canada was a country about diplomacy, not rhetoric.” said another Persian-Canadian student, “Some of John Baird’s comments are simply pro-paganda and there’s no reason given for ‘why now?’ It will make things much PRUH�GLI¿FXOW�IRU�,UDQLDQ�&DQDGLDQV��HV-pecially students from Iran.”

On a personal level, he said, “It makes me anxious. It may mean that I cannot visit my family in Iran safely.”

CANADA SUSPENDS ALL DIPLOMATIC TIES TO IRANA rocky relationship now collapses

by JOSHUA THAM

Enqelab St. in front of Tehran University main gate&UHGLW��3D\DP�5DKPDQL

www.thereckoner.ca

Page 4 VOL. 1 NO. 1

The Fate of Clubs and Teams is Uncertain

October 2012

I gently turned the focus lens of my cam-HUD� WR� WKH� VLGH�DQG�VDZ� WKH� UD]RU� VKDUS�images of my world slowly slurred into a blur. There were no people, no places, no buildings, no faces. Only colours stream-ing ‘cross my eyes. I gently turned the focus lens of my camera to the side and VDZ�WKH�UD]RU�VKDUS�LPDJHV�RI�P\�ZRUOG�slowly slurred into a blur. There were no people, no places, no buildings, no faces. Only colours streaming ‘cross my eyes.

This was my second year at Nuit Blanche, and this time I had shown up camera in hand, ready to stumble upon some hid-den meaning of this world. Crowds of WHHQDJHUV�� ÀDVKLQJ� OLJKWV� LQ� WKH� QLJKW��drugs, alcohol and a little a bit of art seemed liked a recipe for a good ama-WHXU�¿OP��$QG�VR�,�VWDUHG�XSRQ�P\�FDVW��D� VPDOO� EXQFK� RI� HDJHU�PLV¿WV� ZKRP� ,�chose to call my friends. Eager for what? I decided it was going to be the basis of P\� ¿OP�� IRU� ,� QHYHU� TXLWH� XQGHUVWRRG�why people went to Nuit Blanche, I al-ZD\V� KDG� WURXEOH� ¿QGLQJ� WKH� DUW�� )RO-lowing these prime examples of teenage FXULRVLW\�,�ZDV�JRLQJ�WR�¿QG�WKH�PHDQLQJ�of my project and with it the ever elusive meaning of this “White Night”.

And so we slid across the neon-stained sidewalks looking for some art (which ZH� FRXOG�QRW� VHHP� WR�¿QG�� DV�P\� FDP-HUD�WULHG�WR�¿QG�WKH�SHUIHFW�DQJOHV�IURP�which it could extract the purpose of this expedition. The why.

We shoved our way through crowds, try-ing to look at something. Some perfor-mance, some music, some something, some light, some fun. Something, any-thing, to look at. Unsure of where to go, RI�ZKDW� WR�¿QG�� DQG�RI�ZKHUH� WR� ORRN�±�ORRNLQJ�IRU�WKLQJV�WR�¿OP��,W�GLGQ¶W�UHDOO\�seem to matter, but I don’t know. And soon, our minds slowly slipped some-where; poison seems to do that. And my camera had a harder time focusing. The strong stench of the smoke of indif-ference blew across my face. Lights and music drove me to hide behind my lens.

We continued to wander. The lights be-came less blinding. The noise less deaf-ening. The streets less crowded. We were walking away from the party it seemed – into some unknown recesses of the city. Not really anywhere, far off of even the northern edge of the now half-deserted Chinatown. The faint layer of white clouds that blanketed the sky had disap-peared, and we began to enter the darker end of the night.

I don’t know, I was having fun, but some-thing was missing. We were in the mid-dle of nowhere. I didn’t get the point of all of this. Why were we here if it wasn’t IRU� WKH� DUW� �ZKLFK� ,� FDQ� QHYHU� ¿QG�"� ,�WKLQN�,�ZDV�PRUH�XSVHW�DERXW�P\�¿OP��$OO�my shots were shaky and I kept thinking about editing it. What was it going to be about? I was afraid it was just going to end up being a bunch of pointless images

DQG�FRORXUV�ÀDVKLQJ�LQ�VHTXHQFH��,Q�UHW-rospect that does not seem that bad, but at the time it was very discontenting.

As we were walking in some unknown part of the city my friend began talk DERXW� WKH� QLJKW�� 5HFRJQL]LQJ� WKH� UHOH-vance of her words I turned on my cam-era on. She talked about art, and about friends, about life, and most importantly about how she enjoyed walking around without any purpose or direction. And at that moment I had movie. And I had my answer.

Being around so many people, so many young people, you begin to feel the angst rising up, through your mind. You don’t know why, not always, but there is some-thing quite distinct happening. Whether you choose to simply observe it, like I did last year, or whether you choose to allow yourself to become intoxicated by the excitement and the radiant body heat of the crowd, it is there, and it drives you to-wards something – to wander aimlessly headlong into night. Because people are surrounded by direction, street-signs and parents – by some strange but omni-present search for purpose that needs to be subdued and, at times, to be forgotten.

Sometimes it’s best to just be and just do. As my friend said to me as she stared into P\�FDPHUD�� ³7KHUH�GRHVQ¶W�DOZD\V�QHHG�to be a point.”

NUIT BLANCHE

by VASILI MANIKAS

3KRWRV�E\��FORFNZLVH��IURP�WRS�OHIW��0DKDQ�1HNRXL��9DVLOL�0DQLNDV��6XVLH�/LX��6DEULQD�%HUWVFK��0DKDQ�1HNRXL

WORK TO RULEContinued from Page 1.

Negotiations Continue

³5LJKW� QRZ� >WKH� XQLRQ� LV@� QHJRWLDWLQJ�with the TDSB,” said Mr. Jan, Marc Gar-neau’s OSSTF representative. There are a series of steps to this process, with work-WR�UXOH�RU�D�IXOO�VWULNH�DV�WKH�¿QDO�UHVRUW��“We have applied for what is called a con-ciliator,” he said. “But the Minister of Ed-ucation can put a stop to that. Under Bill 115, the Minister of Education and cab-inet could force teachers to stop.” Aside from the conciliator, however, the OSSTF has not issued any binding directives—much less a work-to-rule. It is currently waiting on member votes from across the province to decide next steps. “The over-all Toronto district secondary schools voted 93.4% in favour of strike action, or job action,” said Mr. Jan. “Marc Gar-neau teachers voted 89% in favour of job action.” That doesn’t necessarily mean the end of clubs, teams, and extra help. ³:LWKGUDZDO� RI� H[WUDFXUULFXODUV� >LV@� WKH�

last resort,” he said. “We do not want to put students’ extracurriculars at risk.”

Work-to-Rule vs. Selective Withdrawal

A selective withdrawal of services by teachers is one possible means of job ac-tion. This differs from a full-blown work-to-rule, however. “A full work-to-rule would be only teachers teaching, and nothing else,” explained Mr. Jan. “Ba-sically we’d show up 15 minutes before school starts, sit in the parking lot, wait till 15 minutes, go in en masse, do our assigned duties in the school day, then at closing time we all leave.” A full work-to-rule would eliminate clubs, events, and even extra help. “Strict adherence to exactly what the job description states,” he said, “So that’s why we’re not doing work to rule.” Instead, the OSSTF is con-sidering a selective withdrawal of certain services. “We won’t touch anything that deals with students, only administra-

tion,” he added. “For example, on Fri-days we generally have staff meetings. That’s out of the window.” Although the OSSTF is still deciding on which duties to withdraw, student-related services won’t be on the list. “Withdrawal of voluntary extracurriculars is only a last result,” Mr. Jan said.

Garneau’s Teacher Perspective

Although overwhelmingly in favour of strike action, Garneau teachers ex-pressed mixed feelings regarding a pos-sible work-to-rule. “I don’t feel very com-fortable at all about a work-to-rule,” said one teacher, “I think that when the gov-ernment passes a bill titled ‘Putting Stu-dents First’ we should do everything we can to show the public that this is exactly what we have always been doing. And work-to-rule will go against that if it af-fects clubs.” Another teacher cited possi-ble negative consequences. “We do more

harm than good in a work-to-rule,” he said, “It will cause a lot of disruption in our scheduled routine.” A third teacher voiced concerns about public backlash. “It can certainly create a resentment of teachers among parents and students,” he said, “When they go to vote—and when students go to vote later in their lives—WKHLU�YRWLQJ�KDELWV�ZLOO�UHÀHFW�WKDW�´

Other teachers supported work-to-rule as a form of job action. “I am completely in favour,” said one teacher. “The govern-PHQW�QHHGV� WR� UHDOL]H� WKDW� WKH�ZD\� WKH\�imposed the new contract was wrong.” Another cited violation of workers’ rights. “Ultimately, it’s the protection of rightsWKDW�ZH¶UH�¿JKWLQJ�IRU�´�KH�VDLG��³:KHQpeople say ‘no’, you’re harming students.:H�DUH�¿JKWLQJ�IRU�WKRVH�GHPRFUDWLFrights that students and parents should have.”

What about the Students?

In the meantime, Garneau teachers will continue to supervise their clubs and other activities. “Extracurricular in-volvement is still on an individual basis by teachers,” said Mr. Jan. “Contracts continue until December 31st, after that point the province has a right to impose the law on us … depending on how the Minister of Education acts, there may be a withdrawal of extracurriculars—union leadership will have to decide on that.” For students interested in looking deeper into the issue, he advises that they “talk to parents and do their own research.”

Despite the uncertain fate of many of Garneau’s clubs, some clubs will con-tinue to operate. Those that are expressly interested in getting involved this semes-WHU�FDQ�¿QG�DQ�XSGDWHG�OLVW�RI�UHWXUQLQJ�clubs at thereckoner.ca/clubs

Goodbye,

It may be back to class for Garneau students, but one old friend won’t be coming back for the 2012-13 school year. The familiar 7-11 in the Shell sta-tion corner is gone—an empty build-ing now, a packed house only three months earlier. It certainly seems very strange, given the abundant busi-ness from nearby Garneau and Valley Park students. But 7-11 not a victim of unpaid bills or vicious loan sharks. It was a victim of its own success. Ac-cording to the Shell station manager, an expired property lease ousted the popular hangout over the summer. ³6KHOO�LV�D�ELJ�FRPSDQ\��DQG�>WKH�����@�was making a lot of money on its prop-erty,” said the manager, who declined to give his name. “So of course Shell wouldn’t renew the lease—it wants the business for itself.” The manager also mentioned Shell’s plans to open a new Shell Select (think Esso’s On the Run chain) in the vacant building “to re-place the 7-11”.

Reactions are mixed from the stu-dent crowd. Many are sympathetic, fondly remembering shared Slurpees or snack runs. “I would go there every OXQFK�ZLWK�>P\�EHVW�IULHQG@�LQ�WKH�ZLQ-tertime,” said Bushra Shahrin, twelfth-grade student.” We would make hot chocolate and put everything in it and feel like such great cooks! Win-ter’s not going to be the same without 7-11.” And what about the proposed

Shell store? “It’s just not the same any-more,” she said, “Once you’re used to something for so long, you don’t want it to change.”

Others are more concerned about the inconveniences they go through for food, with 7-11 gone. “I’d visit it reg-ularly because the cafeteria food is all right, but overpriced,” said twelfth-grade student Danait Michael. “I go WR� WKH� SOD]D� LQ� )OHPLQJGRQ� QRZ� EXW�that can sometimes make people late for their classes. I’ve seen a lot more people from Garneau there since 7-11 closed.” She has her own doubts—and hopes—about the planned Shell store. “If they have everything that the 7-11 did—which is probably unlikely—I’ll be happy,” she said. “Of course I would rather see the old 7-11 back, but with better employees. The way that they made us line up outside even when it ZDV�IUHH]LQJ�ZDV�WRUWXURXV��:KHQ�WKLV�new convenience store opens I hope they don’t do the same thing.”

There’s been no word on when the planned Shell Select will open its doors. Looking at the state of the old 7-11 building, however, Garneau stu-dents should expect to wait a while. For now, the cafeteria, hot dog stand, DQG� )OHPLQJWRQ� SOD]D� DOO� RIIHU� OXQFK�substitutes—but students thirsty for a Slurpee will have to settle for an Iced Capp.

7-11

The former premises of the beloved 7-11 stand barren as they await the arrival of a new store to set up shop.

by MJ CHEN

&ORFNZLVH�IURP�WRS��7KH�IRUPHU�SUHPLVHV�RI�WKH�EHORYHG�������ERWWRP�URZ��now stand barren as they await their new occupants; the 7-11 back in the day;

Slurpees, perhaps what many will miss most

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