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SFU Canvas moving to cloud-based platform by January 2026

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This is a photo of a student with medium-length black hair writing something down in a notebook while the Canvas dashboard, displaying their classes, is open on an iPad to the left.
PHOTO: Ansh Singh / The Peak

By: Noeka Nimmervoll, Staff Writer

SFU Canvas, the school’s learning management system, is set to fully transition from the locally hosted system to a new cloud-based version in Spring 2026. In recent years, many Canadian universities and colleges have adopted cloud-based learning platforms, as highlighted by SFU.  

With support from SFU’s IT Services and Centre for Educational Excellence (CEE), instructors can begin migrating their courses to Canvas Cloud in September 2025. SFU promises the transition will have minimal impact on students due to the pilot program the school is deploying in the fall. Additionally, the access and layout of Canvas Cloud remain similar. Some students are enrolled in fall courses that are part of the pilot program, leading to confusion about how they will access courses hosted on Canvas Cloud. The Peak reached out to the CEE for more information and was redirected to SFU media relations, who provided a statement.

“Our current system is reaching the end of its lifecycle. Cloud platforms are easier to update and maintain, and they offer more stability and new features than on-premise systems,”

— SFU media relations

For instructors and students, Canvas Cloud will provide an upgraded quiz experience, interactive features in SpeedGrader, and more tools for analytics. SFU has so far provided limited details about what these upgrades will include.

Some information will be lost in the move, but SFU stated that “students should not experience disruptions.” In the FAQ section of the Canvas Cloud information page, SFU noted that every Canvas user will need to re-upload profile information, including customized profile pictures and biographies. 

Additionally, locally stored student content will be inaccessible to instructors by Spring 2027. As SFU references on the FAQ page, there may be concerns from teachers that a lack of access to students’ previous work will limit their ability to accurately provide reference letters. SFU shared that further information on the retirement of the on-premise Canvas will come later.

Instructure, Canvas’ developer, is a US educational tech company. SFU stated that “just like the current version, the new platform will be securely hosted in Canada.” Instructure states on its website that security is a top priority in its company’s operations. User data will explicitly be protected from use in AI training.

According to Microsoft, on-site storage and cloud storage have key differences. Local storage entails that all data is completely contained and isolated on the on-site server, meaning fewer people can access the data. It does not need any internet connection to provide communication between local computers, and is completely controlled and maintained by IT services. Additionally, the upfront costs of on-site data storage are significant. The setup requires hardware, data backup, installation, ongoing IT support, and physical space designated for storing the on-site system. Upgrading this system is costly and generally ineffective, since it requires major hardware purchases and increased workload for IT employees. 

Comparatively, software development, maintenance, and safety features of cloud data all lie in the hands of the cloud operating party, which in this case is Instructure. Instead of upfront investments, the price for cloud services is a monthly fee for the company’s tech experts to monitor the data. This system requires a reliable internet connection, since slow or no internet means no data access. Furthermore, cloud data storage uses integrated features to easily scale up or down, which results in a smooth transition process.

More information for instructors on course migration will be shared in September 2025, and more information about local files on Canvas will be announced afterwards.

Monday Mewzick: Underground albums to kick-start the school year

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A man with a crossbody bag stands in a cave. He is looking to his right.
PHOTO: cottonbro studio / Pexels

By: Mason Mattu, Correspondent for Rolling Stones

As the new school year starts, the halls of SFU are hustling and bustling once again with every SFU student’s least favourite thing . . . other SFU students. Don’t you just hate nodding your head slightly to that one guy who was in your class three years ago? Or being forced to exert your facial muscles to smile at someone who doesn’t smile back? 

This year, we say no to forced social interaction. We wish to pave a new holy trek through SFU that allows us to avoid all people. Let us join together to stay dry during the winter, walk at our own pace, and be unapologetically us. Every great journey needs an even better soundtrack. Here are some of this year’s most underground and edgy albums to help you wander the less-populated paths that SFU has to offer. 

Eternal Darkness by Smariana Brande 

Smariana Brande is an emerging artist in Burnaby’s AQ 1000 music scene. As you walk through our new path of social isolation, you might be able to vaguely hear Brande’s ethereal sound — it’s almost as if her voice is coming from the heavens. Strange. 

The album’s feature song, “Supernatural Stalacite,” creates the feeling of dripping water on the listener’s forehead. It’s so surreal that people report their heads actually becoming damp. 

Did You Know that There’s a Tunnel Under Most Universities by Elaina Del ConCrey(T)

Did You Know that There’s a Tunnel Under Most Universities is a combination of ventilation fans, elevator hums, and generator sounds blended together to produce what Billboard calls “a piece that leaves an echo on the music industry.” 

In the tracks “Don’t Let the Light In” ” and “Paris Catacombs, Texas,” ConCrey(T) reimagines the concept of songwriting by singing literal sounds and clanks. When listening to this album, you’ll likely feel as though the sound of your footsteps linger in your environment. This would be perfect for creating an intimidating personality and pushing through those first year losers in the hall. Though you won’t have to worry about those nerds on the path you’re going on.

I Barely Know Her (the Sky) by Sombreno Subterreneano

As you finish your trek, you can take a sigh of relief while climbing out of the sewer basin. You’ve made it. Wait — you didn’t know you were in the underground SFU tunnel system the whole time? That means my work here is done. You’ve successfully escaped the fake, social people above and joined your real pseudo-friends (because we don’t believe in the concept) in the sewers. 

Have fun with this playlist and trek safely. As Sombreno Subterreneao sings in the album’s lead track, “Back to No Friends,” “SFU exists as a figment of our hyper-conscious imaginaries, one in which we can say goodbye to life above and join our comrades below, as this is the true meaning of living as a woke being. We are prepared to live in the caves.” 

 

Welcome back to SFU (you’ll never leave) bingo

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Read plain-text and screen-reader friendly version of this image below.
ILLUSTRATIONS: Olivia Blackmore / The Peak

By: Heidi Kwok, Staff Writer

The rules are simple. Every time you see something on this chart during the first week of classes, mark it off! If you get a blackout, you win! And if you win, you get a free copy of next week’s edition of The Peak (I know, right?!?!). Welcome back to school, kiddos. 

BTW, no free spaces because nothing in life comes for free (except for your prize if you win). 

  1. Roasted marshmallows and s’mores at the Burnaby campus fire pits with your friends — oh wait, never mind. 
  2. More non-functional elevators than out-of-order signs.
  3. Soviet-core architecture: because everyone knows colour is overrated. 
  4. Staircases more precarious than the Grouse Grind. You know your calves are in for an unsolicited workout.
  5. Free merch, snacks, and goodies during club days! Exploit those club events: your tuition pays for it.
  6. Gazing at your calendar and counting the days (while sobbing) until winter break. Give those eyeballs a rinse. Repeat for the next seven years.
  7. Plan your entire degree down to the minute, attend your program’s introductory course — then immediately change majors before you get depression. 
  8. The person you worked with on a group project last term, who you’ll probably never speak to again. 
  9. Overly eager people handing out pamphlets in the AQ trying to tell you about their lord-and-saviour Ponzi.
  10. Swarms of enthusiastic, bright-eyed first-years obviously congregating smack-dab in the middle of the AQ. 
  11. Marketing from SFU social media accounts: “Canada’s Engaged University — the very same who shut down its Office of Community Engagement.
  12.  Students playing an obscure Tchaikovsky piece on the public pianos around campus — wait a minute . . .  they took those away too!
  13. Bus queues that are greater than your will to live.
  14. Steve, the resident seagull who loves hanging out with his koi fish buddies at the AQ pond.
  15. A grad student snacking on chips with a side of asbestos while studying on the library’s fifth floor.
  16. Develop Canvas-grade-notification-phobia. 
  17. ‘60s interpretive avocado sculpture.
  18. Broken facilities that have stayed broken since your first semester at SFU.
  19. Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo running off with the SFU sign. 
  20. Having to sell pics of your leftover food on OnlyFans to afford that $299.99 textbook your professor wrote in 1973.
  21. Students lining up to buy organic, gluten-free, cruelty-free, free-range, crowd-sourced, and bottomless supply of matcha latte. 
  22. Watch an SFU executive pull up in their hot-pink Lamborghini as you step off the 144 bus held together by duct tape and willpower.
  23. Catch a rare sighting of Joy Johnson on her contractually-obligated photo-ops on Welcome Day (the only time you’ll ever see her on campus).
  24. Accidentally walk in on a Godfather-style meeting between the Raccoon Crime Syndicate Families of Burnaby Mountain.
  25. Labyrinth-esque hallways in the RCB that served as the inspiration for Among Us.

 

#NotClueless: Taylor’s engagement? More like my claim to fame

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A girl wearing trendy clothes standing in front of the Sea Wall. She’s holding a paper with the number 13 on it.
IMAGE: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak PHOTOS: abdallahh / Flickr (Stanley Park), Damir Khabirov / Adobe Stock (woman)

By: Zainab Salam, Influencer of influencers

OK besties, brace yourselves because I have a confession. A major one. Like, this might actually BREAK the internet. It might be bigger than Beyoncé dropping her surprise album and changing the music industry! So big, I’m still reeling from the experience — truly can’t believe it. But it totally makes sense. #Who’sBetterThanMe?

Here’s how it all went down: it all started when I was walking down English Bay, when I saw a giant 13 written on the ground, with orange chalk. And like all Swifties know, this is basically our bat signal. Taylor’s lucky number written on the ground felt like a signal from the queen herself, Tay Tay. I was guided to walk into Stanley Park  — a spiritual call, if you will. A sound within told me that it was meant to be. 

That walk led me to the most incredible opportunity in my influencer life: the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift! And she’s not the only one I see. Because standing beside her is none other than Travis Kelce. I start to approach them, but something odd happens that makes me halt. He goes down on his knees.

 So like, I was totally, PERSONALLY invited to shoot Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement photos. #NoOneDoesItBetter #TheyKnewWhat’sUp #Aren’tITheCoolest?

Naturally, I started snapping pics from behind a tree — National Geographic style. Iconic on my end, if I do say so myself. Iconic! Groundbreaking! My angles? Immaculate. There might be the biggest superstar in the world in the frame, but my iPhone 13’s camera lens is truly the star of the show. No wonder they both look so serene. #dreamy #HeGotOnTwoKnees 

At one point, I swear I heard seagulls scream “fuck the patriarchy” in unison. Literally a nature choir. Vancouver’s wildlife STAYS booked and busy when it comes to Taylor content. 

You might be asking about my outfit. Being the iconic gal I am, I was in my best paparazzi meets artsy aesthetic outfit. Think of an oversized grey sweatshirt and a messy bun that I carelessly put up. My outfit was circa 2013. 

Anyway, I’ll be selling exclusive prints of the proposal (DM for pricing, serious inquiries ONLY). Unfortunately, Vogue hasn’t responded to my pitch emails, even though I sent a thousand — that’s probably because Anna Wintour stepped back from her post. Vogue has truly lost their anti-AI queen. 

Mark my words: when Taylor drops her 13th album — titled Influencer in the Park — you’ll remember that I’m the muse. Then you all will bow down to me. #Iconic #BCRepresentation #EngagedInMyHeart #13+87 

Updated three hours later: For the trolls in my comments: yes, maybe it looked like a couple from Burnaby named Gary and Brenda, but tell me this — why would Brenda be wearing a cardigan? THE cardigan?? From folklore? That’s not a coincidence. That’s fate. #StayAngry #AngryLikeTheEmotionFromJoy #IAmAMuse 

 

The stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow returns in September

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ILLUSTRATION: Sonya Janeshewski / The Peak

By: Heidi Kwok, Staff Writer

One of Metro Vancouver’s largest Pow Wows is back by popular demand and set to kick off this Friday for its fourth iteration at Langley Events Centre (LEC), which is hosted on the traditional and unceded territories of the qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən ̓ (Kwantlen), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), meθxwey (Matsqui), and səmyəmɑʔɬ (Semiahmoo) First Nations. It will run from September 12 to 14. 

Organized by the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society, the stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow is described as “an immersive, three-day cultural event” intended to showcase the rich diversity of Indigenous traditions, cultures, art, and music. As a competitive Pow Wow, significant prize payouts totalling $130,000 are available to dancers and drum groups who place at the top of their respective categories. There will also be special competitions, including an all-women’s drum group face-off. The Pow Wow is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all, and everyone is encouraged to attend. 

For those looking to bring home some memorabilia, a vendors’ market featuring around 100 small Indigenous-run businesses can be found in the gym facility near Gate 1 of the LEC. There, visitors can expect to be welcomed by a stunning variety of delicious Indigenous foods (such as dried salmon, jam, and bannock), traditional medicines like sweetgrass and teas, self-care products, cedar and wood weavings, art pieces, jewellery, and many more! 

First held in 2022, the stɑl̓əw̓ Pow Wow became an annual staple that attracted over 7,000 visitors from all over the continent in 2024. According to organizers, figures are expected to rise above 10,000 this year. A broad representation of visiting Indigenous communities from all across Turtle Island is likewise anticipated. 

In a statement to The Peak, Lindsay Foreman, project consultant for the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society, said, “We hope that people come to share in the good medicine the drummers, singers, and dancers spread. We hope that people will support the food vendors and artisans.” 

Keeping with last year’s programming, the Pow Wow will also present the Red Dress and Orange Shirt special ceremonies on September 13 to honour residential school survivors, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-spirit Peoples (MMIWG2S), and their loved ones. 

When asked what she hopes attendees will take away from the Pow Wow, she said the two special ceremonies above would “provide an opportunity to reflect and learn about the impacts of colonial policies and practices on Indigenous peoples throughout the lands known today as Canada.”

“We host these dances to acknowledge the loss of culture and language that has taken place due to colonial policies.”

“We host these dances to honour the friends and families of those who didn’t return home and of those who have suffered cultural loss and opportunities to connect with culture as a result of the residential school system and the ‘60s scoop.”

Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, take this opportunity to learn, connect, and immerse yourself in the cultures and traditions of the communities who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Take time to likewise educate yourself about the historic and ongoing colonial and racial violence that has impacted and continues to impact Indigenous communities today. 

 

Book Nook: Reimagining ChinaTOwn

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IMAGE: Courtesy of Mawenzi House Publishers

By: Phone Min Thant, Arts and Culture Editor

The year is 2050. Do Brussels sprouts go into a Chinese hotpot? Stephanie certainly has her doubts as she shares a large bowl of hotpot with several businessmen intent on “culturally redeveloping” Toronto’s Chinatown to cater to North American consumption. Thankfully, Brussels sprouts are not in hotpot yet — as far as I know — and Stephanie remains a character in “Hotpot Politics,” a chapter (by Helen Ngo) in Reimagining ChinaTOwn, an anthology of speculative fiction short stories edited by Linda Zhang. The foreword, written by the renowned Asian-American architect Jeremy Jih, described the book, and its contents as engaging “the complexities and dynamics of power, identity, generational change, nostalgia, and xenophobia.” As characters find answers to belonging in a changed world, navigating complex intertwinings of childhood and memories amid modernization and development — sometimes forced — they discover unity among diverse identities that meet in one of North America’s largest Chinatowns 25 years from now.

Each of the stories in the book focus on different themes with very divergent styles, written by authors whose backgrounds — often from immigrant families with artistic careers — have influenced the way they (re)imagine their connections to Chinatown, amid technological and social changes that have historically and continue to impact such a critical junction of communities, culture, arts, and identities. One of my favourite parts of the book was Zhang’s introduction. Describing the history of Chinatowns across North America, from San Francisco’s to Toronto’s, diving deep into how the current iterations of these cultural spaces have been made to conform to mainstream Canadian and American views — “a kind of consumable caricature model of Chinese architecture” — that came with both economic and political survival but also their continued othering. She puts this in the context of COVID-19, where anti-Asian sentiments caused the further marginalization of Chinatowns and their residents. The book is a direct “act of resistance.” 

The stories reflect Zhang’s vision of resistance: from Ngo’s light-hearted quips at adapting hotpot to cater to Western tastebuds, to Tiffany Lam’s defence of the neighbourhood’s favorite restaurant from demolition and redevelopment teams (“Tasty”), and Razan Samara’s (“Planting Seeds”) and Eva Chu’s (“Accept”) longing for childhood nostalgia in Toronto’s Chinatown, each story treats the neighbourhood (or the future vision of it) both as a pained victim of forced changes but also a hallmark of community resilience and continuity. Similarities between the book’s settings and Vancouver’s Chinatown can be drawn in many instances.

Reading the book, I fondly remembered the congee and tea eggs I had with my grandparents at the Chinatown back home across the Pacific — despite having no connection to any similar North American locations. Reimagining ChinaTOwn has that effect on you that transports you to such memories, and you can’t help but smile along (or sometimes feel the characters’ melancholy) as each story unfolds.

“This book deserves to be cherished, read, and reread”

Anti-South Asian racism is a Canadian issue

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A boy holding his mother's hand as they walk down a street. A car driving by, with the window rolled down. The person in the back seat of the car spews hate speech that is showcased through typographical symbols.
ILLUSTRATION: Yan Ting Leung / The Peak

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer

I was 11 years old, walking down the street with my mom. We were chatting while heading back home from a game of cricket. Suddenly, three people in a car driving by began yelling obscene racial slurs directed at us. While that may be an individual example of racism, it’s also a reality that’s experienced by many others. I think these experiences capture a broader truth: to be a person of colour in Canada is to face the hollers, the snickers, the judgmental, sly looks, and blatant racism itself — head-on. However, for many South Asian Canadians, this reality of being discriminated against has only gotten worse, with a recent rise in anti-South Asian racism in public and online spaces.

According to CTV, hate crimes that were perpetrated against South Asians have risen by 227% between 2019 and 2023 in Canada. The same article points out that there’s a 1,350% increase in racially disparaging remarks against South Asians on social media platforms like X. These numbers make clear that racism is not only confined to a minority hiding in the dark corners of the internet.

I think this rise challenges the idea of Canada being a cultural mosaic — revealing how quickly this country slides back into old habits of scapegoating. Furthermore, it reveals Canada as a hotbed for racial intolerance; a place which actively harms the well-being of people, simply for their skin colour. As a society, we must take an immediate stand against the damaging mental and physical effects of racism by standing up to bigotry, ensuring it has no place in our community. 

The origins behind the current rise in hate are complex. The South Asian population in Canada has nearly quadrupled since 1996. However, issues like the housing crisis and the high cost of living, among others, have also been prominent as of late. These socioeconomic pressures have pushed some to try to find a scapegoat. Due to the rapid increase in population, South Asians became that scapegoat. Since that branding, South Asians have been regarded as job-stealers, despite the nuance of immigration’s impact on the economy.

It has not helped that many of these stereotypes have been repackaged into an easily understandable meme format shared across many social media platforms. I think I speak for most South Asians when I say that we are sick and tired of the AI slop, as well as sick of the relentless use of harmful stereotypes in memes. The fact is, it’s not funny, it’s sick and has caused real-life damage. A recent incident in Ontario saw a group of teenagers harass a young Indian couple, calling them racial slurs and telling them to go back to their country. The incident, which had left the couple traumatized and fearful, is one of many that have rendered South Asians hesitant to leave their houses.

The situation for South Asians has gotten so bad that in 2023, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a travel advisory, telling its citizens to reconsider travel to Canada, further complicating the strained relationship between our two countries. As humans, how can we tolerate this? How can we tolerate blatant discrimination and not stand up? There might be those who are shocked, but the truth is, Canadians have been down this road before.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the anti-Asian sentiment that was already prevalent against Chinese and Japanese immigration began to be extended against Sikhs and other South Asians who were starting to immigrate to British Columbia. This motivated the implementation of immigration policies in 1908 specifically designed to deny entry to Indians. The policies required newcomers not to stop on their journey to Canada (which was impossible at the time) or to have $200 (which was a lot of money). These discriminatory policies were used to deny entry to the Komagata Maru, a ship carrying 376 South Asian immigrants in 1914. The passengers stayed on the ship at Vancouver’s harbour for two months as they were denied water and food. Many attempts were made to prevent them from taking their case to court. Why? Because of their ethnicity. Non-white immigrants were branded as a threat to Canada’s white man’s sanctuary. A state that sees its economic prosperity reserved for its European settlers only. Doesn’t this rhetoric sound familiar?

It seems whenever difficult socioeconomic circumstances arise, this country’s natural reaction is to scapegoat a vulnerable demographic. Perhaps it’s not too surprising, considering this country is founded on stolen Indigenous land.

It appears no matter the risk it may pose to people, we embark on this horrific campaign of dehumanization. Perhaps this institutionalized discrimination forms the essence of what it means to be a Canadian, especially a racialized one. Therefore, if we are ever to change this reality, to rid ourselves of bigotry, we must identify it — ensure racism will not have any place in modern society. Because, to disappoint the racists, we South Asians will continue to exist and progress. 

 

The queer agenda is solidarity

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By: Noeka Nimmervoll, Staff Writer and Zainab Salam, Opinions Editor

Like many other communities, the queer community experiences marginalization that intersects with various social issues. Some of those issues are related to mental health, poverty, race, and physical ability. Because systems of oppression politicize queer and trans existence, the community’s activism must be rooted in a broader fight for justice. 

The term “queer agenda” has been used for fearmongering to deepen distrust of queer and trans folk, and spread the idea that the goal of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is to coerce people into joining their so-called “deviant” lifestyles. However, the real queer agenda is a powerful commitment to social justice: dismantling systems that harm all marginalized people. This commitment is strongly mirrored in queer advocacy for Palestine: queer people on Turtle Island and in occupied Palestinian territories unite to fight for a future where people don’t experience inhumanity, and all humans are treated with respect.

Political engagement from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is not born from luxury but need. For sidelined communities, it’s not a choice but a necessity that drives involvement in politics. If proposed policies threaten your rights or deprive you of them, you’re more incentivized to speak up because your welfare is on the line. The fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Canada has been long, and it’s not over. It was only 20 years ago when gay marriage was legalized. Since then, the community has witnessed increased positive representation in the media, leading to a boom in visibility, followed by some public acceptance. However, even today, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are still more vulnerable to issues such as workplace harassment, poverty, and houselessness.

People everywhere deserve to live in safety and dignity. Pro-Palestinian queer activists understand that their activism cannot come at the expense of other marginalized communities. For example, during Pride this year, there were multiple calls to boycott Pride parades across the country and their sponsors due to concerns over their complicity in funding Israel’s genocide against Palestinians. The mission for human rights is furthered by Queers in Palestine, a coalition of queer groups in occupied Palestinian territories, sharing their voices, and advocating for solidarity stances from others around the world. With the ongoing genocide, Queers 4 Palestine Toronto rallies in solidarity for the freedom of the Palestinian people who face ethnic cleansing at the hands of a settler-colonial regime. The struggles of the two communities may look different, but they overlap in many places. 

There are some critical voices that accuse queer solidarity with Palestinians of being contradictory, but such critiques miss the point of true justice-based activism. The claim that it’s hypocritical for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to be advocating for Palestinians due to the homophobia there is incredibly illogical. The dismissal of queer solidarity with Palestinians on the basis of Palestinian homophobia is a clear attempt at pinkwashing. The unfortunate reality is that queer individuals face discrimination in most spaces worldwide. And the advocacy for queer rights and protection is only furthered in the fight for a better world. The argument also disregards the lives of queer Palestinians that are jeopardized through Israeli violence. It’s clear that pinkwashing erases queerness in Palestinian spaces, while using queer lives and rights as a tool to further settler-colonial violence on stolen land.   

“Queer solidarity is grounded in the recognition of shared struggle and an unwavering commitment to human rights.”

This sentiment of human rights demonstrates that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community knows what privileges they have gained and the ones that remain barred from them; and just as importantly, they know when others don’t have the rights they deserve.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has long been present in occupied Palestinian territories, and queer individuals are strong activists for equality because they know what it means to live without it. The fight for equality does not end when all 2SLGBTQIA+ issues have been solved and they are treated as equal — it ends when all people are treated as equal. Solidarity is not about shared identities, but shared values. Liberation for one means liberation for all. 

Strong voices emerge from the queer and trans communities that urge for the use of whatever privilege one possesses to uplift other marginalized communities — to continue their mission of a just world. Ultimately, queer liberation is inseparable from the liberation of all oppressed peoples. Queer rights are Palestinian rights are human rights — and until all humans are seen and treated as equal, there is work to be done.

 

TransLink’s new service expansion boosts bus connectivity to SFU

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PHOTO: Audrey Safikhani / The peak

By: Niveja Assalaarachchi, News Writer

On August 18, TransLink announced its latest round of service adjustments for fall 2025. As of September 1, bus service was increased for 53 routes throughout Metro Vancouver.

These adjustments were made possible by TransLink’s new investment plan, which represents the most significant increase in bus service since 2018. In a press release, TransLink noted that the service changes were primarily aimed at reducing overcrowding and wait times in the region, which had been a concern for several years. 

The investment plan passed in April of this year also aims to lay the groundwork for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the region. The BRT program would eventually involve nine routes throughout Metro Vancouver, with “dedicated lanes, transit signal priority at intersections, and weather-protected stations.” The plan is largely funded by increases to transit fees, property taxes, and $312 million of direct financial aid from the provincial government.

TransLink spokesperson Dan Mountain told The Peak that

The service changes and investment plan are “really huge for the region because even just a few months ago, we were facing potential cuts to service due to financial constraints.

So the fact that we were able to begin the largest expansion to bus service in nearly a decade is really momentous.”

The company faced a yearly $600 million gap in funding until the provincial government intervened with the aforementioned investment plan. This financial situation, largely attributed to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been driven by a collapse in transit users. In addition, the decline of alternative revenue streams, such as a gas tax imposed on motor vehicles, has presented a major problem for TransLink’s finances. 

Among the bus routes affected, the 143 and 145 going to SFU’s Burnaby campus will see additional service on weekdays, with the 145 also seeing service increases on Sundays and holidays. The 321, 329, 335, 373, 393, 501, and 503 servicing Surrey Central station near SFU’s Surrey campus will also see more buses added to their schedule. The focus on improving bus routes near post-secondary institutions is directly part of the service change plan. In their press release, TransLink emphasized improved bus connectivity to 25 routes serving post-secondary institutions like SFU, UBC, and Langara. 

Mountain highlighted the importance that students play in route adjustment decisions. He cited TransLink’s regular communication with student associations and leadership groups at SFU as an example. The Peak followed up with Mountain for more information on who was contacted and what was discussed, but did not receive a response by the publication deadline.

He added that the company is interested in feedback and is creating new engagement opportunities to hear critiques. For one, Mountain referenced a booth at the PNE, where transit users can express their opinions. He also emphasized TransLink’s feedback form, which helps the company capture crowding metrics and region-wide boarding statistics. These numbers  ultimately help TransLink decide on where to implement quarterly service changes, as revealed by Mountain.

Transit projects, such as the Burnaby Mountain Gondola, have also failed to get off the ground. The investment plan itself only has enough funds until the end of 2027, raising concerns about the long-term viability of TransLink’s service increases. 

Mountain said TransLink “will continue to advocate for transit funding through a new investment plan, which will keep service levels increasing in the future. This is what we want to see and hopefully see some big projects coming out of the region moving forward as well.” 

On the Burnaby Mountain Gondola specifically, he revealed, “We are currently working on the planning work for the Burnaby Mountain Gondola, but the next steps would be to complete the business case and then to secure funding.

“We’re continuing to engage with SFU, we’re continuing to work on that planning work, and we’re hoping to see a funding commitment from senior governments in our next investment plan.”

A letter to first-year students, from a nearly graduated one

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An illustration of a calendar in a planner open to September 2025. A phone is resting on top of the calendar open to the photo app with the date “January 2019” written.
ILLUSTRATION: Victoria Xi / The Peak

By: Petra Chase, Features Editor

Dear first-year students,

You might have a concept of what you want your time at SFU to look like, or maybe you have no idea. Maybe you have friends by your side, or a sibling who’s shown you the ropes. Or maybe you’re completely new to the country, and know no one, in which case, my younger self probably would relate to you most. Maybe you’re lost in the Robert C. Brown Hall and you stumbled upon our newsstand, desperate for some words of encouragement (good luck). Wherever you are, I hope to impart some of the lessons I’ve learned as you navigate new waters. 

As the eldest child, I never had anyone whose footsteps could lead me into adulthood, no one to walk through spiderwebs in my path. So, in January 2019, after half a gap year to settle in Vancouver, I braved a tough façade as I entered campus for the first time. Riddled with anxiety but trying to seem cool and collected, I felt like I was navigating a fog (at times, I literally was). Maybe you can relate, or perhaps you’re calculating how many years I’ve been here, thinking, “Why would I take advice from someone who took this long to graduate?” Well, four years might be a perfect timeline for some people, but learning isn’t a race. I know that sounds like something your kindergarten teacher told you after reading The Tortoise and the Hare, but it’s true!

It took me a while to accept that four courses in a semester would never be manageable for me. Actually, two courses a semester is my ideal course load. There were many times when the readings and assignments were so interesting, but it felt impossible to absorb the material and put in the effort required on top of the week-to-week deadlines of multiple courses, work, and personal life. Finding shortcuts becomes an unspoken expectation in classrooms; skimming, cramming, and now that ChatGPT is in the picture, it’s easier than ever for students to bypass intentional, deep work and studying. But what good is a degree, and the expenses and time that come with it, without learning and enjoying the experience? 

“The value of a degree and the job market can change. Of course, it’s good to set long-term goals, but make sure the joy and satisfaction of learning is one of them. Be prepared to revisit and change your goals with time.”

I used to say I “wasted my time” trying to pursue an English and publishing minor during my earlier years. However, just because I decided not to go forward with either of those options, doesn’t mean the courses I took weren’t valuable. I read and discussed literature that has inspired me as a writer. I also designed, printed, and bound a book all on my own (PUB 131) that I now proudly display on my shelf, and I had fun! 

Engaging in learning also increases neuroplasticity in the brain, which strengthens things like memory, critical thinking, and resilience as you get older. Don’t underestimate the process of taking notes during lectures, for example, rather than scrolling away and thinking you can reference the slides later. I highly recommend COGS 110 if you want to learn how to study and learn effectively. I still remember most of what I learned because we used physical flashcards that we practiced with every week. The same goes for BPK110 (Human Nutrition), because I applied the same approach to studying and saw that I was able to be disciplined. These are just some of the interesting electives to choose from in your journey of self discovery!

If you have a full schedule this semester, don’t worry. Usually first-year courses are more manageable, and this is your time to find out what works for you. I also realize being able to take my time and limit courseload has been a luxury. There are all kinds of pressures that may prevent this, from parents, scholarships, and even internal pressure to follow a timeline you set. But do not feel pressured by comparison.

This was something I struggled with. I would see others juggling four to five courses, multiple extracurriculars, making the honour roll, seemingly balancing it all, and think I wasn’t as capable as them. Academic achievements are worth celebrating, but don’t forget everyone is facing unique obstacles and circumstances that we don’t often see or celebrate. I, for one, never had the privilege of not having to work full time to pay rent and afford food (and of course my little daily $7–8 beverages). If I didn’t have to work, then maybe I could’ve balanced a lot more academically. There are so many factors that affect someone’s experience — language barriers, disability, even something like having to commute to campus versus living in residence, can take hours off of one’s day that would’ve been spent studying. Comparing yourself to others is futile, and leaves you feeling inadequate. 

Making friends was never easy for me, and it took me a few years to start making lasting connections. Though I am from Vancouver, my family moved around overseas for the second half of my life. You’d think this would make me adaptable, but social anxiety and self doubt have always lingered. I was technically not an international student, but also couldn’t really relate to the ones who grew up here. It didn’t help that someone laughed at my answer to a professor’s question after courageously raising my hand in lecture (don’t laugh at people!) If I had been less guarded during those early years, and realized I wasn’t alone in feeling alone, I would have had a much easier time. Know that you are not alone, and people are more focused on themselves anyway. Letting go of caring about what others think isn’t easy, but it comes with experience.

I’d get intimidated by a tutorial room where you can hear a pin drop, everyone swiping through their homescreens, avoiding eye contact. Being the first person to say, “Hi, how do you guys feel about this course?” is so easy, and it can really clear cold air. Ask someone when they’re on campus and if they’d like to meet up or study after class. I’d also recommend moving around the classrooms and lecture halls to sit next to and gain familiarity with different people. This isn’t assigned seating and you won’t offend anyone by moving seats! (Was I just the biggest overthinker?) Some people will just be class friends, who you’ll never see or hear from again, and that’s OK. Although, I would highly recommend exchanging numbers rather than social media to start, unless you want to finish your degree with a bunch of ghosts in the Instagram panopticon (can you tell I’m a communication student?).

I met one of my best friends during quarantine in an online class, who we ended up connecting by just talking over Zoom and eventually meeting up. I also met a lot of people in clubs and working at The Peak. That’s another reason why I took my time to graduate — I got practical work experience doing co-op, and working for the student paper. I learned so many skills that I’m not only graduating with a degree, but multiple work experiences in the field I want to pursue. There are tons of ways to get involved and meet people. Go to welcome day, attend an event, get involved outside of courses. 

A few final tips: ask for extensions! Even if your professor says no, there’s no harm in asking. Don’t be too intimidated by your profs and TAs either, as they are usually approachable (unless they aren’t — don’t take it personally). The Burnaby Mountain, and Vancouver in general, can be gloomy, so make sure you prioritize connection with others, vitamin D, and take care of yourself. Also, meet and get curious about people who have different experiences and backgrounds from you. There are international students here from all over the world who may not know anyone here, and their lived experiences are unique — not branching out from a closed, familiar circle is boring and a missed opportunity.

As I enter my final semester (fingers crossed), I’m grateful I was able to take the time to grow into the person I wanted to be when I graduated. I feel confident in myself, well educated, and I have fully explored the different avenues available to me to figure out what I wanted. The most exciting part of being a first-year student is the endless possibilities — you get to make the experience yours. So as you enter this next chapter, know that you won’t have it all figured out on day one, but if you trust the process and dim your light out of fear of being judged, you’ll be just fine.

 

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024