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Vancouver Christmas Market tickets offer the privilege of being able to spend even more money

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Peak Web
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Poster advertising the Vancouver Christmas Market. It says “Come witness the magic of the market! (Definitely not a tourist trap) (Definitely worth the money).”
ILLUSTRATION: Victoria Lo / The Peak

By: Cindy Wang, Peak Associate

It’s everyone’s favourite month of the year: the month where we pretend there’s snow on the ground and climate change isn’t real so we can get into the Christmas spirit. And what says “Christmas” more than spending money just to spend even more money? At least, that’s what the Vancouver Christmas Market’s marketing team tells me. They’re selling their tickets using the most effective methods we all fall for — consumerism and a desire to have friends.

This year, thousands of people are spending money to enter an event where they’ll spend even more money buying things like wax candles, essential oils, and mulled wine, which are arguably more important than having money for rent. So this holiday season is the perfect way for companies to say, “buy these priced-up goods just because they’re Christmas themed, and you want to celebrate Christmas like a normal person, right?” Although the $20 poutine tastes exactly the same as the $6 poutine I got at the Surrey Central food court, this is at a Christmas Market, which should objectively make it better.

There are some people that think the Vancouver Christmas Market is a tourist trap, but those non-believers don’t know what the true meaning of friendship is. Their marketing team is telling me that I need to pay for their outrageous ticket or else I’ll lose all my friends. I’m tempted to believe this. After all, I went to the Richmond Night Market last summer just because I wanted to hang out with my friends. As adults, none of us have a lot of free time, so our favorite activities involve spending a ton of money very quickly. We’re spending so much money just to hang out, which is a little counterintuitive considering we’re all broke college students barely getting by. Paying off student loans is overrated anyway. 

The Peak’s staff picks for album of the year

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Peak Web
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A thin outline of a pair of black headphones against a black background.
PHOTO: Jason Leung / Unsplash

 

Never Better and Better Now by Wild Rivers 
Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

Toronto indie-rock trio Wild Rivers — comprised of Khalid Yassein, Devan Glover, and Andrew Oliver — released two back-to-back sister albums this year, followed by a world tour. Never Better was the first out of the gate, released on July 26. The albums house a fresh dose of folk and harmonies that serenade, alongside raw guitar riffs and tangible lyrics with no need for over-production.

As the title track, “Never Better” sets the tone with Wild Rivers’ signature folky sound, complete with groovy rhythms and honey-soaked three-part harmonies. “Hardly Ever” is my favourite song off the record with its catchy guitar riffs, effortless vocals, and beats that’ll have you dancing on your feet. 

The band stated that they had countless songs written from the sessions that birthed Never Better, and they couldn’t bear to part with any of the tracks that would have otherwise been cut. Then came Better Now, released on October 18. 

This album is more timid, exploring different, more melancholic perspectives compared to the previous record. “Freezing” depicts Glover’s time moving from Toronto to LA and missing the cold. The acoustic masterpiece and narrative lyrics display that of yearning for what’s lost. In contrast, “I Want Everything” is more lively with heavy-hitting guitar chords that complement the harmonies.

With Wild Rivers’ signature sound and elements of flawless vocals, guitar, groovy rhythms, and whimsical vibes full of emotion, their 2024 albums highlighted exactly who the band has set out to be as they’ve evolved artistically over the years.

Orquídeas by Kali Uchis 
Izzy Cheung, Arts & Culture Editor

I’d consider myself to be a casual Kali Uchis fan, having gravitated towards some of her hits off of Por Vida, Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), and Red Moon in Venus. Her newest release, Orquídeas (Orchids), caters to any and all of the moods you could be feeling at any given moment, during any season, and for any situations you may encounter. Uchis’ harmonious, lip-gloss-smeared vocals compliment both the album’s funky, club-like beats as well as the more nostalgic, vocals-centred ballads. 

The album begins with “¿Cómo Así?” (How Come?), which transports you into the soundtrack of a vintage arcade videogame. The arcadecore aesthetic it conjures is created by the virtual-sounding backing similar to the thrum of a rapidly beating heart. “Pensamientos Intrusivos” (Intrusive Thoughts) is an instant play for getting ready with friends before a night out, swaying with a drink in hand at an upscale bar, and rolling the windows of your Uber down on the way back home. This lively track, despite the party-girl mood it sets, echoes the unyielding strength of the speaker’s love in the face of frequent heartbreak. Only two songs after this comes the slower, syrupy “Te Mata” (Kills You). It’s a track that transports you to a vibrant Latin town, where you’re dancing under a single streetlight as this song plays in the background. It’s a fantastic track that emphasizes Uchis’s voice with the sensual strums and richly-raw belting of bolero music. 

Verbathim by Nemahsis 
Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief

Nemah Hasan cleverly coined Verbathim to represent being misinterpreted. A refreshing blend of art pop, R&B, and electronic, her debut album is brimming with evocative wordplay. Deeply introspective and inspired by the word “nemesis,” Nemahsis at times, becomes her own. “Dead giveway” feels like it was written for fleeing a crime scene. In “delusion,” she reveals twisted truths about herself alongside riddles like “gas in a Tesla, I’d fill it just to see what happens” singing “lalala, delusion hallucination, reality could never.” You unveil new dimensions every time you listen to the album, whether it’s how computer-crisp synthesized vocals are woven into electronic hooks, or unpacking theatrical epithets and terms-and-conditions speak. All 12 tracks bring surprises; as a whole, a full range of emotions are felt. 

“I borrow happiness from tomorrow” laments about being in a happiness shortage. In “You wore it better,” Hasan belts over artsy piano about comparison, a theme also explored in “coloured concrete;” metaphorically, of not looking at her neighbour’s swimming pool unless making sure it’s not dried out. All this is done while displaying incredible vocal range and control. Sprinkled within her vulnerability, there is also clarity. Maybe it’s the gentle strumming or yodel effect of her pretty vocal flipping, but “miss construed” sounds suited to be sung by a pond. It’s about art being misinterpreted by those who won’t even try to understand, and it’s written as if to a self with less experience, warning “not to be eager.” The album itself is a testament to letting go of having to please everyone and losing the “fight” — her label dropped her for being “sellable” to them as a Palestinian Canadian. It’s proof being true to herself and her art is what resonates.

The everlasting power of community in It Takes A Village

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Peak Web
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A close-up of two black men wearing black and sitting on the steps of a school.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Christopher Cho

By: Yildiz Subuk, Staff Writer

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival was memorable, bringing community members together through a collective love of storytelling. The power of community is sometimes overlooked for stigmatized communities like East Hastings. It Takes A Village: An East Van Story explores the tales of David and Jon Mubanda, their surroundings, and the personal and larger-scale impacts of community. 

After leaving Uganda’s violent military regime, the Mubanda family settled in East Vancouver. The documentary focuses on the brothers’ extra-curricular activities and the adults that fostered these types of opportunities. This film destigmatizes what’s often labelled a “rough part of town” by showing us the bonds, collective projects, and history behind progression in sports and acting. 

“I grew up in that world too. I grew up in East Van. I went to Van Tech. [Jon] went to Templeton,” Director Chris Cho told The Peak. “I’m very ingrained in that world because all of them are [my] friends and family.” 

It was through this community connection that Cho was gifted the task of directing the film. A self-taught filmmaker, Cho built up his experience by creating YouTube vlogs and short films, which is how he first met Jon. 

The documentary’s home-video footage of the past is a treasure. There’s a nostalgic charm in the grainy and handheld 2000s footage captured. The film is reflective and influential, as community members emphasize the importance of giving back and creating a space for the next generation to thrive. As someone who also comes from an immigrant background, seeing the two brothers develop themselves through sports and acting is something that resonated with me. Exploring new things can initially be a way to escaping struggles, but may also have the long-term effect of setting young adults on a positive path. This was especially true for me, as I spent time after school hanging out at a community centre near my high school playing sports or making skits.

“I wanted to tell a love story of the neighbourhood I grew up in, regardless of all its challenges, ups, and downs.” — Jonathan Mubanda, actor and youth worker

One of the fondest things that Mubanda shared about his love for East Van was the connection of various communities and cultures, all stacked together in one neighbourhood. “It was so multicultural — it was a melting pot,” he described. “For me, that’s why I love East Van. You get to know about each other’s cultures. You get to know about each other’s backgrounds.”

Mubanda told The Peak that “regardless of all its challenges, ups, and downs,” he “wanted to tell a love story of the neighbourhood.”   

From playing in an underdog basketball team that ended up succeeding at a provincial level, to auditioning for his first roles as a youth with the help of his old drama teacher, Mubanda outlined positive experiences from his upbringing. It all boiled down to “having trustworthy adults” in his life as well as anyone that can be a “listening ear.” The ecosystem of healthy role models for a child is vital, as they provide them with opportunities, but also give them a safe space to express themselves — which is what East Van provided Mubanda with. 

“For us, we had our coach, we had our principal, we had our drama teacher,” Mubanda added. “I had a good mom and dad. It’s definitely an asset.”

Towards the end of the interview, Mubanda expressed gratitude for his high school coach, who helped him get employed early on in his career with the school board. “She not only took care of me in high school, but she took care of me after high school. Just by an opportunity,” he expressed. Now, he has become a role model and trustworthy adult within his community. 

As I reflected on the impact of It Takes A Village, I realized the reason this story was particularly striking was because of its authenticity. Mubanda and Cho didn’t want to tell a story about overcoming barriers within their childhood, but instead wanted to give back. Their focus was continuing the tradition of building a community where the youth can thrive.

The past, present, and future of Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Peak Web
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A group of people holding the trans flag and candles with messages of support for the trans community.
PHOTO: Cindy Wang / The Peak

By: Yasmin Hassan, Staff Writer

Content warning: mentions of transphobia, violence, and murder. 

Honouring the past
Though November 20 — Transgender Day of Remembrance — will have passed by the time this article comes out, the weight of the day has not. In 1998 Rita Hester, a Black trans woman from Massachusetts, was murdered in her own apartment; Hester’s case remains unsolved to this day. This horrific tragedy gave rise to the day of vigil for those who lost their lives to anti-trans violence and homicide. Anti-trans hate persists. Earlier this year, Nex Benedict, a 16-year-old non-binary youth from Oklahoma lost their life at the hands of targeted bullying from other students. This kind of hatred is “peddled by State Superintendent Ryan Walters, Chaya Raichik (Libs of TikTok) and extremist state legislators.” This year, as of the writing of this article, “350 trans and gender diverse people were reported murdered,” an increase from last year’s total of 321, as reported in the Trans Murder Monitoring project by Trans Europe and Central Asia (TGEU). 

Canada and BC aren’t free from anti-trans violence. Back in 2003 Shelby Tracy Tom, a trans sex worker and graduate from SFU, was murdered in North Vancouver. While advocates classified her case as a hate crime, BC Supreme Court Justice Patrick Dohm ruled against the designation in 2005. Sadly, Tom hasn’t been the only trans individual murdered in BC’s recent history. In 2012, 26-year-old BC resident January Marie Lapuz was murdered over “an argument over payment for a sexual encounter.” Lapuz “lost her job due to her gender transition” and was in an extremely vulnerable state, engaging in sex work to pay for basic necessities like food and clothing. Her death is tragically one of many. Trans folks, especially trans women, are often left with few viable career options due to systemic, institutional, and interpersonal discrimination, leading many towards sex work — a profession that TGEU reports as being “the most targeted group of all known occupations.” Anti-trans violence has, and continues to be, underreported in the media and in education, which obscures the alarming rate of harm done to the community and its members. Moreover, trans folks are subject to losing their jobs and housing just for coming out. Advocating for basic rights in a society that still presents structural challenges, prejudices, and real danger is a kind that cannot be overlooked or brushed aside. 

To Rita Hester, Shelby Tracy Tom, January Marie Lapuz, Nex Benedict, and all those whose lives have been lost to violence, the named and the unnamed, those whose stories remind us of the urgent need for change. We honour you and remember you. Your resilience, courage, and humanity will not only not be forgotten, but will fuel the fight for present and future generations.

Celebrating the present
Despite the challenges that trans folks face to live authentically, 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in so-called Vancouver and Canada continue to thrive through the hard work of activists, artists, creatives, and organizations committed to promoting inclusion. Ivan Coyote, raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, is a storyteller and award-winning author who has done an immense amount of work for the queer community by advocating for their rights and sharing personal experiences of their own through art. With various books, films, and stageshows, they continue to create art that explores themes of gender, identity, and social justice. SFU had the privilege of having Coyote as the English department’s writer-in-residence for 2018–2019, and they currently work as Specialist in Inclusion and Creative Expression at Yukon University. 

Meanwhile, on the island, the University of Victoria (UVic) houses the world’s largest archive of transgender materials — spanning nearly 1.5 football fields long and containing items from around the world, some dating back over 120 years. This awe-inspiring feat of a collection was founded by PhD Aaron Devor, the world’s first chair in transgender studies at UVic and historian for the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Dr. Devor has won awards such as the Virginia Prince Pioneer Award, a Canadian Association of University Teachers Equity Award as well awards from UVic “for outstanding community outreach and for advocacy and activism in equity and diversity.” Devor is also the founder and host of the international Moving Trans History Forward conferences that aim to address trans history and important issues that exist today. What sets these conferences apart is their focus on inclusivity beyond academia — many different groups, from the general public, to artists, family members, allies, and more can share their experiences, learn from others, and grow with awareness and motivation for a better future. Meanwhile, here at SFU, we have our own student society that supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: Out On Campus. They offer resources for learning about 2SLGBTQIA+ history and culture, as well as support for physical, mental, and sexual health. 

“We must ensure history stops repeating itself — losing lives because of someone’s gender or identity is unacceptable, especially in a country that prides itself on inclusivity and diversity”

Another key organization that formed in 1979 as a culmination of local organizations and businesses is QMUNITY. This non-profit organization is “BC’s queer, trans, and Two-Spirit resource centre,” following their three pillars of support, connection, and leadership. They offer support services such as low-cost counseling, access to gender-affirming chestwear, and youth one-on-one peer support — which are drop-ins designed to let youth “hang out and seek support.” QMUNITY also allows space for inclusivity and connection through peer-facilitated support groups, special events (i.e. fundraisers, events for seniors and youth), and volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, they offer inclusivity training and workshops, educational resources, and consulting services for people to extend their understanding of the community further. We also have Trans Care BC and Trans Rights BC. Trans Rights BC is a project looking to “disseminate human rights information that is accurate, accessible, and relevant” for trans and gender-diverse individuals in BC. Similarly, Trans Care BC aims to ensure “trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people get the care they need when and where they need it.”

To Ivan Coyote, Aaron Devor, the folks at QMUNITY, Trans Care BC, Trans Rights BC, Out On Campus, and everyone tirelessly working to build a more and equitable world: your dedication and resilience not only ensure the voices of the trans community are heard, but preserved. The future is brighter for generations to come thanks to your efforts.

Shaping the future
Despite all the progress and community building, there’s still more work to be done to ensure the safety and livelihood of trans and gender-diverse folks. From Trans Rights BC and Trans Care BC to the Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre and QMUNITY,  countless movements and organizations are supporting trans and gender-diverse folks — and you can contribute to ensure their continued impact on the community. Trans Rights BC has a module that focuses on taking action, including a self advocacy guide, resources, and an allying module.

Moving forward, it’s essential to centre and amplify trans and gender-diverse voices, ensuring their lived experiences lead the conversation and drive meaningful change. We must ensure history stops repeating itself — losing lives because of someone’s gender or identity is unacceptable, especially in a country that prides itself on inclusivity and diversity. Despite “reforms aimed at enhancing the legal protection and recognition of trans, Two-Spirit, and non-binary people,” access to these protections remains inconsistent. This lack of access has far-reaching consequences, affecting employment opportunities, exposure to violence and other forms of abuse, and access to healthcare among more. Significant healthcare disparities affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in so-called Canada persist, with challenges including discrimination, limited access to care, and inadequate education and training for health care professionals. Addressing these disparities requires action at multiple levels, including individual advocacy and an overall system change. Provincial and federal governments play an important role in establishing and protecting 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. However, this process starts with us — learning how each of the parties plans to represent 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, keeping tabs on current news, and casting our votes. The BC government offers a resource list covering education, health, housing, changing one’s ID, legal aid, and more.

And finally, to all of you: the road ahead demands collective action and unwavering commitment to justice and equity for trans and gender-diverse individuals. Together, we can ensure that progress continues, systemic inequities are addressed, and governments are held accountable. No one will be left behind in the fight for true inclusion.

SFU sets Global Institute for Agritech in motion

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of a bright green farm in Canada in the middle of a dry landscape.
PHOTO: Stuart Madden / Wikimedia Commons

By: Sofia Chassomeris, News Writer

In early November, SFU established its latest research institute, the Global Institute for Agritech (GIA), to “seek innovative solutions” for agricultural development and food security amid the climate crisis. The GIA aims to “conduct cutting-edge research on innovative agritech solutions” to “foster a more resilient agricultural future.”

Food insecurity has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Record numbers of Canadians were reported to have visited food banks in 2024, which can be credited to increased housing and grocery prices across the country. Food Banks Canada reported over two million visits to food banks in March 2024, nearly doubling the monthly visits reported five years prior in March 2019.

The UN’s second sustainable development goal, zero hunger, highlights “the persistent surge in hunger and food insecurity” worldwide and the need for “immediate attention and coordinated global efforts.” The UN stated that investment in “sustainable agricultural practices” and research is part of the resolution to “reduce and mitigate the impact of conflict and the pandemic on global nutrition and food security.”

“It will train the next generation of agrifood innovators who are in tune with community needs, are adaptable to changing circumstances on the ground, who think systematically, and can harness the power of technology to develop an equitable and sustainable food system for all.” — Tammara Soma, associate director of GIA

The GIA’s research includes the integration of technology like artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor plant health “under various irrigation levels” and enhance “water usage.” Specifically, the institute’s research aims to pioneer technologies that pave “the way for more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices.” Jim Mattsson, GIA associate director and SFU biological sciences professor, said the institute “provides research and expertise ranging from energy savings to robotics to precision breeding of local crops.” The GIA has “13 SFU researchers from across seven faculties” and “advisory council members” from partnered universities and government on its team. This includes members from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and “First Nations relations advisor, Agrotek.” 

The institute will also partner with Aga Khan University in Tanzania, Wageningen University & Research in The Netherlands, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, which is a global “network of leading universities” that “brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers” to create “solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.” With multiple international partners, the GIA aims to propagate “an ecosystem that promotes knowledge sharing and the practical application of research.” The GIA also aims to have a “webinar series, graduate student training programs, and global outreach efforts” that address “pressing local climate challenges” such as droughts, floods, or fluctuating temperatures. 

Tammara Soma, associate director of the GIA and associate professor of resource and environmental management at SFU, explained why the institute is unique in an interview with Education News Canada: “It will train the next generation of agrifood innovators who are in tune with community needs, are adaptable to changing circumstances on the ground, who think systematically, and can harness the power of technology to develop an equitable and sustainable food system for all.”

Horoscopes December 2–8

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An illustration of a girl, stars and astrological signs strewn in her hair.
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang / The Peak

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

Aries
March 21–April 19

Your laptop is full of unfinished assignments, and that’s OK! What’s more merry and bright than cramming in last-minute papers and exams worth your entire grade? “Catchup Queen” is your middle name. Get to work, you study elf!

Taurus
April 20–May 20

You really thought it was your last semester, didn’t you? Wrong! Your holiday wish won’t come true this year. Those pesky little writing, quantitative, and breadth credits are really putting a damper on your scholarly endeavours. Bah humbug! Happy holidays from the Grade Grinch yourself! Maybe next year, you’ll get a parchment in a degree tree.

Gemini
May 21–June 20

Time to be transported into a winter wonderland of reading, writing, and regretting every life decision you’ve ever made in your degree. How festive. Ain’t no straight-A student like one who completely questions every single thing they’ve ever submitted or said in class. Crack open that advent calendar of doubt, deadlines, and drowsy weather!

Cancer
June 21–July 22

You’re a course survey queen. SFU loves you and your fiery little responses. Nothing exhilarates you more than spilling your guts on what you really think about your courses. You sugar-coat it to the perfect sprinkling of holiday magic, like curating a brutally honest holiday wishlist free from course bullshit.

Leo
July 23–August 22

Ain’t no end-of-semester joy like enrollment issues! GoSFU is ho, ho, hopeless. Yule login to a blank screen wrapped in a bow under a tree of holiday stress this course enrollment season. Channel that stress to the enrollment elves and cheers to all your holiday wishes not coming true! All you want for Christmas is your two most important courses.

Virgo
August 23–September 22

So, you didn’t enroll for your classes on time, and a particularly stressful holiday season is about to ensue. Someone’s on the naughty list this year. Poor you! May the waitlisted courses and closed course sections bring you all the holiday cheer and fill your stocking with anxiety, tuition fees, and a lump of coal in your course cart.

Libra
September 23–October 22

You stare wistfully out the window, longing for the autumn leaves and channelling your inner Grinch ‘cause you’d rather still be a goblin from Halloween, you pumpkin spice bitch! You refuse to believe that gingerbread spice is the exact same thing and that haunted houses are superior to gingerbread houses any time of year.

Scorpio
October 23–November 21

Wishing you season’s greetings full of study stress! You’re a big fan of the end-of-semester shitshow that is deadlines and damned weather combined. Can you feel the fuzzy warmth of snowstorms and last-minute holiday hustles combined with the hopes of your finals being cancelled to top your wishlist? 

Sagittarius 
November 22–December 21

Surprise! Your smart, scholarly ass is about to get snowed in and won’t be able to make it to your final. ‘Tis the season for failure thanks to the skid-out buses sliding uncontrollably down hills, and commuter chaos after a single snowflake lands in the Lower Mainland. Tell Santa that you’re really hoping for a snow day.

Capricorn
December 22–January 19

Brr, bitch! Time to fa la la la freeze your ass off on campus. Wrap up your semester like the firelog channel that’s burning on your TV. Nothing’s cozier than a fake crackling firelog to thaw your student snowman soul.

Aquarius
January 20–February 18

Nothing says holiday cheer like your prof dropping a last-minute syllabus change in the last week of the semester? You love being thrown a Christmas curveball to decorate your tree complete with your final paper as the topper of Stress City! 

Pisces
February 19–March 20

You’re surrounded by a cesspool of study sickness and you’ve come down with a severe case of the finals flu. You’ll be drowning in papers and projects, while your profs are busy holiday shopping, drinking eggnog, and sending out postcards plastered with “Seasons Greetings from post-semester wonderland!” 

Need to Know, Need to Go: Holiday markets

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Two women with their backs to the camera wandering around an outdoor space filled with small, golden yellow lights.
PHOTO: Courtesy of @noelfestival / Instagram

By: Abigail Streifel, Peak Associate

The weather may be getting colder, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. Visiting a holiday market or festival is a great way to spend a cold day — you can shop for gifts, admire artwork and decorations, and spend time with friends. Whether you’re celebrating this season or just enjoying winter, consider checking out these markets in the Lower Mainland.

Noël Holiday Light Festival & Market
Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 17905 62 Ave. #17607, Surrey
November 28–December 23, 4:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for youth and seniors, free for children six and under

If you’d like to see some beautiful light displays, check out the Noël Holiday Light Festival and Market, held in Surrey. Not only is there a market, but also food trucks, live music, and exciting rides such as a ferris wheel and bumper cars. You can also participate in the holiday light walk, a 1 km walk to see all the dazzling displays around the festival. With over one million lights, this festival will surely be an amazing experience!

Winter Indigenous Artisans Market
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby St., Vancouver
December 7, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Tickets: Included with gallery admission ($13 for adults, $10 for seniors, $6 for youth, free for SFU students)

Come to the Winter Indigenous Artisans Market at the Bill Reid Gallery to find “unique jewelry, artwork, apparel, and more” created by Indigenous artists! Some of the over 18 vendors selling their handcrafted items here include Tanya Gregoire, Cory Hunlin, and Sacred Soul Apparel. You can also appreciate the many Indigenous art exhibits at the Bill Reid Gallery, as access to the market is included with gallery admission (which is free for current SFU students)! Come support Indigenous creators at this market!

Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Foundation’s Winter Flea Market
79 W 3rd Ave., Vancouver
December 13, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15

Celebrate the season while getting some shopping done at the Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Foundation’s (VBT&AF) winter flea market! Here, you can purchase gifts from more than 100 Black vendors and eat some delicious Afro-Caribbean food. It’s also a chance to support the VBT&AF, which provides “high quality mental health care” and free counselling to Black communities. All ticket sales fund this initiative, so you know your money is being used for good!

African Christmas Market
Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert St., Vancouver
December 14, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free

At the African Friendship Society’s Christmas Market, you can find “organic fair trade shea butter and body care products, jewelry, baskets, fabric, clothing, and so much more” created by African artists. Not only are there shopping options at this market, but you’ll also get the opportunity to appreciate African cultures and art. In addition to free admission, attendees will also get free snacks. There are also free “cultural arts and crafts activities” for children under 12.

Buying the latest iPhone isn’t worth Congolese lives

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Illustration of a hand holding an iPhone. A white skull replaces the Apple logo on the back of the phone.
ILLUSTRATION: Cliff Ebora / The Peak

By: Zobia Khalid, Peak Associate

Content warning: graphic descriptions of slavery, child labour, and amputation.

As millions of people rush to buy the newest iPhone every year, we fail to address that at the very core of its existence is exploitation of the Congolese people. 

With the advent of cellular phones came a new feature: rechargeable batteries. This was great for our carbon footprint, as it reduced a lot of waste. However, what these batteries contain is a mineral called cobalt, which is only found in a handful of countries. 70% of cobalt is extracted from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and sold to a company in China to manufacture our phones. During the extraction process, Congolese people — including children — are forced to put their lives at risk in dangerous mines for a small amount of pay. This is something that isn’t new in our society; we can see the parallels with colonial occupation of land, and human lives for monetary return. 

In 1885, King Leopold of Belgium decided to occupy and seize Congo for a “development project.” This resulted in the so-called “Congo Free State,” where forced labour and displacement were used as tactics to get minerals like rubber or ivory. In the seizure of these materials, a lot of abuse and torture occurred. People would get limbs amputated as punishment, or end up suffering from disease. 

More than a century later, this abuse of power continues to play out in the DRC. These same power structures are still torturing and enslaving Congolese people, stripping them of basic rights. The systematic exploitation begins with forced evictions, where local communities are displaced from their ancestral lands to make way for mining operations. These evictions destroy entire ways of life that have sustained communities for generations. The environmental impact is just as devastating, as mining operations contaminate vital water sources and soil, making it difficult for displaced communities to maintain their agricultural practices or access food and water. Their connections to the land are completely destroyed for monetary gain that benefits wealthier countries, and this is what we support when we give money to Apple.

Mining corporations exploit class divisions by targeting vulnerable populations who lack economic alternatives. When faced with extreme poverty and limited options, many Congolese people are coerced into working in very hazardous mining conditions. This is not a choice; it’s a modern form of slavery hidden behind “economic opportunity.” More than 40,000 children are refused an entire childhood just for this. While Apple itself is not employing these workers, they knowingly fund this exploitation by continuing to source cobalt from the DRC. And although Apple is looking to India for future battery sourcing, India is also expanding their imports of cobalt from the DRC.

The smartphone industry’s murky cobalt sourcing practices show the darker side of technology, particularly in the DRC where most cobalt originates from. Tech companies claim to have sourcing efforts in Rwanda in attempts to sanitize their image, but evidence says otherwise — the vast majority of mined cobalt comes from the DRC. Cobalt is extremely toxic to humans, and the fumes from these mines have been found to cause reproductive health issues and birth defects. In a challenge to big tech’s claims, Congolese families have filed a massive lawsuit to show how their children are being exploited. Children have also been voicing their distress, saying they want a future free from mining. 

The good news is Apple promises to switch to recycled cobalt by 2025, but moving forward still requires a fundamental shift in how we approach resource extraction and technology production. Companies need to implement fair compensation and safe working conditions, and grant fair economic opportunities to the communities they source from. But what can we as individuals do? Apple isn’t the only smartphone company sourcing materials made through slavery and child labour. However, they are the most popular brand, and people buy new devices from them on a yearly basis. 

While it’s hard to make perfect decisions under capitalism, that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. We can and should base our purchases on where companies source their materials for phones. Look into refurbished options if you need a new phone, or see if your phone can be repaired. Checking the repairability score of different models is another tip that can help guide your purchasing. At the end of the day, our society’s obsession with continually upgrading to the latest devices has conditioned us to believe overconsumption is a necessity. This not only leads to environmental harm, but contributes to injustices.

We must destigmatize social housing

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Peak Web
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A large winding high rise building as seen from below
PHOTO: Aria Amirmoini / The Peak

By: Manal Kashif, SFU Student

Owning a home is a dream for many in today’s society. Yet, have we ever paused to consider when the pursuit of home ownership becomes less about affording a house and more about owning land? Who benefits from that, and who is left with the short end of the stick? The reality is that corporate greed and the commodification of housing have made it incredibly difficult for many to afford a home in this economy. There are more affordable housing options, such as housing co-ops or government-subsidized housing. However, stigma about alternative housing options reinforces stereotypes about marginalized groups — and ends up harming everyone who struggles with housing costs. 

Housing co-operatives, also known as co-ops, differ from owning or renting. Co-ops provide housing to their members, who buy into a share of the cooperative as a whole but don’t own their units. They’re either run by private entities or subsidized by the government, such as through BC Housing. The Canadian government used to invest more money in social housing, but cut back its investments after the recession in the ‘80s. Nowadays, people often associate these affordable housing options with low-income families and marginalized groups. 

Many people are against social housing developments due to the assumption that they attract people with complex mental health and substance use issues. This August, some Richmond community members protested a “supportive housing project,” claiming the area would start to resemble Chinatown and lead to criminal activity. People from low-income families are actually more likely to be victims of violent crime, and separating individuals based on marginalization only exacerbates inequality. 

The growing opposition to new affordable housing developments goes against the self-interests of middle class folks as well.

How does this stigma relate to the reality of social housing? While it’s true that Canada has prioritized providing housing to vulnerable populations, it’s also important to note just how scarce these co-ops and subsidized housing options are. Only 3.5% of Canada’s housing stock is considered social housing, meaning there’s a high demand for such limited space. This leaves many people, including low-income and other marginalized folks, unable to access affordable housing. But the stigma that we as a society have built around social housing also impacts people such as students and others who would be considered middle-income. According to a survey by Ipsos, 80% of Canadians “believe that owning a home in Canada is now only for the rich.”

The growing housing crisis in Canada is evident in a report from the National Bank of Canada, which said “housing affordability nearly hit its worst levels since the 1980s [recession] in the fourth quarter of 2023.” The lack of available and affordable housing options normalizes the problem while pinning the blame on those who rely most on it. 

Trying to tackle this stigma requires coming up with solutions for the housing crisis — which includes embracing alternative options to renting and home ownership. According to Global News, “nearly a third of Canadians are considering buying a home with others, renting out a secondary unit and other ‘non-traditional’ paths to ownership.” The fact of the matter is that people are influenced by the idealization of home ownership. But if social housing were more available and normalized for the general population, it would alleviate many financial struggles and reduce strain on the private housing market.  

The negative impacts of looking down on affordable housing not only reach society as a whole, but also affect the SFU community. Many students find it difficult to afford housing, and as we have witnessed lately the increasing number of students sleeping on campus, it’s safe to say the situation is only getting worse. The idea of traditional home ownership is becoming less and less of a possibility now for the upcoming generations. This is why it’s important to break down stereotypes surrounding social housing. It’s time to rethink our society’s obsession with home ownership, and consider whether stigma is preventing us from exploring better alternatives. 

SFU increases car allowance perk for executives amid summer layoffs

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of the outside of the Academic Quadrangle at SFU on a cloudy day.
PHOTO: Puneet Aulakh / The Peak

By: Hannah Fraser, News Editor

In July, The Peak received word from the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) that SFU decided to increase the vehicle allowance perk for SFU executives by about $75,000. A vehicle allowance is a payment made by an employer to cover an employee’s vehicle expenses. A freedom of information (FOI) request indicated the perk increased amid SFU’s layoffs of nearly 100 staff, “including instructors, administrative support staff, and custodial workers” this summer.

SFU has been facing an estimated $49.9 million deficit in its latest fiscal year, citing “declining international student enrollment” as the main factor. Specifically, SFU saw a 15% decline in international student enrollment from 2019/20 to 2023/24. According to the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS), SFU laid off nearly 100 staff in “essential [student] services” in response, such as Health & Counselling, Academic Advising, and Co-op Support. The layoffs also extended to the athletics and recreation department, instructors, and custodial workers. 

Despite the deficit, TSSU chief steward Kayla Hilstob and member representative Derek Sahota found that SFU decided to increase the vehicle allowance perk via a FOI request to SFU. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act outlines how the public can request and access BC government records. Sahota told The Peak he and Hilstob made the FOI request to better understand SFU vice president contracts and how much they make, as this information isn’t largely made public. “Gross misuse of public funds is something I see time and time again at SFU, and that’s why we use these FOIs to start to look and dig into what’s going on — and it’s very troubling,” said Sahota. 

Sahota and Hilstob found that SFU increased the vehicle allowance perk to $1,000 a month for SFU executives — a $5,000 increase per person per year. The FOI request indicates most vice presidents and some associate vice presidents received the increase, along with SFU president Joy Johnson and other executives. They also noted that SFU’s increase of this perk coincided with the layoffs. Specifically, Sahota said SFU was “designing” the layoffs in the “exact same time frame” as their decision to increase this perk. “That process has remained completely opaque to the community, and questions the TSSU has asked about it have gone completely unanswered from the senior administration,” he said. Hilstob found SFU’s planning “egregious.”

“Gross misuse of public funds is something I see time and time again at SFU, and that’s why we use these FOIs to start to look and dig into what’s going on — and it’s very troubling.” — Derek Sahota, TSSU member representative

In a statement to The Peak, SFU confirmed the increase in car allowances. They stated that last year, the Treasury Board of Canada “approved new vehicle lease and allowance rates” for BC Public Service deputy ministers. SFU said the ministers’ vehicle allowance increased from $580 to $1,000 as the “rates had not been increased since 2007 and did not adequately reflect current costs.” SFU stated they were advised they could “adjust vehicle lease or allowance rates to be in line with the BC Public Service policy for executives who have this commitment in their compensation package.” They added that BC employers “subject to the Public Sector Employers Act” were advised the same.

While it’s not uncommon for a vehicle allowance to be $1,000 a month in Canada, the increase creates an additional annual expense of about $75,000 for the university. Sahota pointed out that the additional money to pay for this expense “could have gone instead to saving jobs.” The Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APSA) previously told The Peak that some of the workers laid off this summer “were either on some sort of medical leave and/or maternity leave” or had recently returned from medical leave “within the last year.” APSA is an “independent association” that advocates for administrative staff. Women made up 77% of these layoffs, with those “over the age of 55 or a visible minority” making up “between 30–40% of the layoffs.” Lakshmi Gosyne, APSA associate director, previously told The Peak how dehumanizing the layoffs felt for these workers, as many of them had “been working for SFU for 10, 15, or 20+ years.”

Given these layoffs and cuts to student services, Hilstob said, for “those of us who do the work on campus and those of us who are here studying, our needs are not prioritized.” The new allowance was built “into the new employment contract template for senior leaders as something that can be offered as well,” indicating the annual expense could go above $75,000 in the future.

But how else is SFU managing the estimated deficit? The Peak also received word from an anonymous source that at a recent event, SFU president Joy Johnson allegedly stated “everything is on the table” in terms of budget cuts and seemed to think the tuition cap was too low. The Peak was unable to verify this claim but spoke to SFSS president Emmanuel Adegboyega, who was at the event. Adegboyega said the event referenced was a Greater Vancouver Board of Trade event where president Johnson spoke about “SFU’s approach to partnerships.” He stated that the SFSS continues to “urge the university to find several ways to reach their operational costs that do not rely fully on students having to compensate.” He said the SFSS advocates for a limit on tuition increases and continues to push SFU to prioritize services and activities “that students really care about” in their budgets. These especially include mental health services and the Centre for Accessible Learning. 

The SFSS president noted that SFU has official processes to receive feedback from the student body and student leaders, but could not speak to what was done with the feedback.

Sahota said he was concerned about SFU’s vice presidents being less present “at the table” to take on the work compared to the vice presidents at McMaster University, where he previously studied. He said that since 2020, he’s noticed a “huge growth in the budget” to almost a billion dollars a year. “Whether there is a projection of a deficit or not, there is enough money around here to deliver what is needed for the people who do the work,” said Sahota.

“Something seemed to go awry beyond difficulties with international student enrollment.” — Andrew Boden, APSA executive director

The Peak also corresponded with Andrew Boden, the Administrative and Professional Staff Association’s (APSA) executive director, for more information on SFU’s budget decisions. Boden said he had “a lot of questions about how SFU’s budget process in fiscal year 2023/2024 was handled.

“Something seemed to go awry beyond difficulties with international student enrollment,” he said. Boden also noted that most APSA members “find SFU’s senior administration aloof from the reality of the working rank and file at SFU.”

Sahota stated SFU “needs to be for the public good” and “actually keep people in jobs.” While the SFU community hasn’t hesitated to speak out about the layoffs this summer and the simultaneous increase in car allowances, Sahota said the Board of Governors is yet to take accountability and be transparent about these decisions. “We shouldn’t have to FOI this data. We shouldn’t have to be searching for this,” he said. “There needs to be accountability for what’s happened, and we need to set a new direction for this campus to survive now and into the future.”

This is a story The Peak will continue to cover.

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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