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What Grinds Our Gears: Automated phone lines

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Split panel illustration. In the top panel a woman is on her phone with a frustrated expression. In the bottom panel a square humanoid robot holds a phone.
ILLUSTRATION: Victoria Xi / The Peak

By: Sarah Sorochuk, SFU Student

Do you know the feeling where you are missing a package or something, and the only way to get your package back is to call the “help” number? But how helpful is it, really? Most of these big corporate companies are too large to have someone sitting over the phone to help with every little issue. So, they have delegated these conversations to robots. 

“Press one for tracking and deliveries, press two for lost packages, press three to repeat this menu.” 

Like, hello! I am calling to talk to another human being!!! And then when there is a human being button, I’m transferred to a never-ending queue with awful elevator music. 

But to add to the irritation — some of these automated systems are getting so realistic. For the longest time they sounded obviously robotic. But not anymore! Now I don’t even know if I’m talking to someone real or to a robot. It’s sad, actually. 

Backcountry education starts with us

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Peak Web
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A hiking trail beside large boulders in a dense forest.
PHOTO: Levi / Adobe Stock

By: Abigail Streifel, SFU Student

For many in BC, adventuring outdoors is practically second nature. A hike can be the perfect way to stay active while appreciating the natural beauty of Coast Salish lands. However, knowledge of the 10 essentials and trip planning is lacking in BC, despite education efforts being made by search and rescue organizations. Many of our pastimes are centred around the outdoors, yet we’re still not as informed as we could be. 

Overestimating your preparedness can land anyone in a dangerous position. In early September, three hikers were rescued from the North Shore mountains after spending the night outdoors. They were unprepared for their hike, having left too late in the day and taken a wrong turn. While the three were unharmed, the situation could have quickly become fatal. It also could have been prevented with knowledge of trip planning.

It can be deceptively easy for anyone to assume they’re prepared for a hike. Most are likely to bring water, a snack, and their phone — but wilderness safety isn’t that simple. In fact, there are 10 essentials that should always be packed in case of emergencies. Firstly, navigation: a physical map, a compass, and potentially a satellite GPS. Digital maps cannot always be relied on in unfamiliar areas, as has been demonstrated in recent years as BC hikers continually tried to follow a “non-existent trail” on Google Maps that led into steep mountainous terrain. As in the case of the three hikers, getting lost could lead to injury or death. The 10 essentials are called as such because they can be the difference between life and death if something goes wrong. While the list has grown in popularity, many are still either unaware or overlook its importance.

Essentials that people often overlook include a flashlight or headlamp (and batteries); matches or a lighter to start a fire; a knife; sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat); and an emergency shelter such as a bivouac sack or tarp. Extra water, food, and clothing are also crucial in emergencies. Half a litre of water per hour is typically recommended during outdoor adventures. If you come home safely from a hike you were ill-prepared for, remember that being lucky doesn’t mean you were safe. BC saw 599 search and rescue calls this summer alone. Being able to keep yourself safe while you wait for a rescue is essential. Your injuries may not be life-threatening, but exposure to nighttime temperatures or dehydration could be. 

It doesn’t occur to everyone to pack each essential — even the most experienced hikers. For example, packing extra clothing may seem counterintuitive in warm weather — but conditions can change quickly and it’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Avalanche training should also be more prevalent for winter hiking. These courses teach people about precautions to take during the winter to prevent potentially deadly scenarios, like one that occurred in March. This is precisely why more education on trip preparedness is needed: people are not aware of how to stay safe. Widespread knowledge of the essentials can save lives, which is why it’s as important to educate our peers as ourselves. 

One collective way of keeping ourselves safe is by making and leaving trip plans. The trip plan you leave will be essential if you ever end up needing a rescue. A plan should include who is going, what supplies are packed, when the trip will begin and end, where and why it’s taking place, and how one is arriving at the location. This way, a trusted person is always aware of your whereabouts and can call if they think anything has gone wrong. 

Keeping ourselves and each other out of danger requires that we uphold a culture of safety. Self-education is always valuable, no matter your experience level. But we can all work to promote further knowledge of backcountry preparedness and create safer outdoor spaces.

Suicide prevention barriers on Granville Bridge further delayed

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of the Granville Bridge taken from the Granville Island public market
PHOTO: Rishon Canete / The Peak

By: Caitlin Kingsmill, News Writer

On July 24, a motion to install suicide prevention barriers on Granville Bridge was passed by Vancouver City Council. The Council agreed to fund one third of the estimated $20 million project, with the remaining funds to come from other levels of government. Funding for the project will be allocated in the city’s 2027–30 capital plan, despite the motion’s request for urgent action. 

This comes after a coalition of local organizations brought forth the issue to city Council and Vancouver mayor Ken Sim in a letter sent on July 17. The letter was signed by several organizations, including the Crisis Centre of BC and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)-Granville Island. The Crisis Centre responds to BC’s suicide prevention phone line and offers community programming to support people in crisis. The CMHC manages Granville Island on behalf of the federal government. 

In 2023, there were 38 emergency calls related to suicide or mental health made to Granville Bridge. Since 2016, there have been six fatalities from the bridge. 

The Peak interviewed Jeffrey Preiss, director of development and communications at the Crisis Centre of BC. “We know that bridge barriers save lives,” he said. “We know that when someone is in crisis a bridge can be a symbol of finality, and barriers and fencing buy them time, allowing that person the opportunity to connect with the help they need and find hope.” 

There have been zero fatalities from the Burrard Bridge since preventative barriers were installed in 2017. 

The Peak also interviewed Lisa Ono, manager of public affairs and programming at CMHC, who emphasized the importance of the barriers. Those skeptical of the barriers have expressed concerns over their cost and effectiveness. But, Ono said existing research shows the decision to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge is often made on impulse. She noted that suicide barriers intercept individuals who feel an impulse and could prevent them from attempting suicide again.

Advocates for the Granville Bridge barriers are frustrated by the constant delays that this project has seen. In 2012, the BC Coroners Service also urged the city to retrofit the Granville Bridge with barriers. The BC Coroners Service is a provincial organization responsible for investigating “unnatural, sudden, and unexpected” deaths in BC. “This has again been pushed off into another capital plan. We’ve seen this a number of times,” said Preiss.

In 2019, the project was estimated to cost between $8–15 million. By the recent July council meeting, the project had increased to $20 million. “The city has said that they are going to do it, they’re just delaying it. But delaying it just adds costs,” said Ono. This comes after provincial wages and construction costs continue to increase.

The city stated they’re currently “working with VCH and the BC Crisis Centre to install crisis phones on the Granville Bridge for the opening of the Granville Connector next year. These crisis phones were not a part of the original plan for this phase of the project but have been added as a measure to deter self-harm.” The city also stated that they recently approved $300,000 to advance the conceptual design of the prevention fencing so that staff could better gauge how much the fencing would cost.

Ono also discussed how the absence of suicide prevention barriers impacts the Granville Island community. “When somebody either witnesses a suicide or is involved in rescuing someone who has gone into the water, its an incredibly traumatic experience for those people,” she said.

Advocates like Ono and Preiss will continue to push the city to take action and encourage others to do the same. “We would really call upon citizens to reach out to mayor and Council, and encourage that they install these barriers far sooner than a long term plan,” said Preiss.

Vancouver Climate Strike coincides with UN Summit of the Future

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of a bunch of young climate activists, with one activist laughing as she holds up a sign
PHOTO: roaming-the-planet / Flickr

By: Sofia Chassomeris, News Writer

On September 20, thousands of people congregated in downtown Vancouver for the Vancouver Climate Strike. The strike coincided with the United Nations Summit of the Future, which took place September 22–23, where world leaders met to discuss future plans for increasing cooperation in global governance. This opportunity allowed “children of all ages to see democracy in action and raise their voices for change.” 

Organized by the Vancouver Climate Strike Coalition, this strike aimed to get the attention of government officials and demand adequate climate policies. According to the Climate Convergence Coalition, the majority of British Columbians are supportive of more government action regarding climate change, but the coalition says that “elected officials are doing the exact opposite.” The Wilderness Committee, a BC society for wildlife conservation, reports that one-fifth of BC’s carbon pollution is from oil and gas. The recently proposed liquified natural gas plants would “more than double the sector’s pollution” and “make it impossible for BC to meet its climate goals.” 

The Peak interviewed Chloë Fraser, a young climate leader and representative of the Vancouver Climate Strike coalition, about the strike. Fraser described her approach to the climate crisis as one “rooted in hope. 

“I think the climate strike is an opportunity to protect the people and places we love,” said Fraser. “Every policy we put into place now is going to create the conditions for joy and justice for more people in the future.”

The Peak also spoke with Delara Reporter, a high school student who shared her perspective as a young activist. “It’s my generation’s future,” she said, discussing her passion for the climate. When asked about her greatest challenges as a young activist, Reporter spoke about the frustration of not being heard, “It’s just hard to be taken seriously, even though we are dealing with this [now] just as much as the adults in our lives.”

Both interviewees emphasized the importance of awareness and education about the climate crisis. Whether it be at home, school, or work, Reporter said to “spread the word” and “do what you can.” Fraser also weighed in, sharing that she is “pushing to see a version of activism that people can implement in their everyday.” When asked about other ways that people can get involved in climate activism, Fraser said that voting is one of the first things that comes to mind: “Please go vote if you’re a young person who cares, even just a little bit.” According to Elections BC statistics from the 2020 provincial election, voter turnout was the lowest among voters under the age of 40, specifically voters aged 25–34.

The issues caused by climate change are complex and cannot be addressed by any one solution. Fraser discussed this in the context of the upcoming BC provincial election, saying that although the climate crisis is on people’s minds, the polling does not reflect this. The climate might not be a top concern, but Fraser said there is “huge potential” to highlight how the climate crisis is connected to economic and social issues. 

“I want the average person who’s worried about housing or the cost of living to immediately think ‘climate policy would help with this,’” said Fraser. “There are climate policies that would help bring down energy and food costs and make life affordable.”  The provincial government stated they are working to increase the BC Climate Action Tax Credit for individuals with low and middle incomes. They are also working to make heat pumps as well as electricity for bikes and vehicles PST exempt.

The TSSU returns to bargain with SFU to secure research workers’ rights

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of two women in a science lab working together
PHOTO: Courtesy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / Unsplash

By: Sofia Chassomeris, News Writer

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) returned to bargain with SFU, beginning with the non-substantive terms of their collective agreement. On their website, the TSSU refers to this period as the first stage of bargaining following their initial bargaining session on August 29. In the first stage, the TSSU Contract Committee aims to change the language of the collective agreement to include all research assistants (RAs) and ensure they are granted the same rights as the rest of the TSSU.

The TSSU has been in dispute with SFU for years about whether graduate student RAs are considered employees of the university. In fall 2023, the TSSU went on an indefinite strike citing “SFU’s refusal to offer a reasonable contract after 41 sessions of bargaining and 19 months without a collective agreement.” The parties reached a tentative agreement on October 19 and the TSSU resumed work. The TSSU now waits for the results of a spring hearing in which the university challenged the unionization of RAs at the BC Labour Relations Board. SFU’s director of labour relations stated there was an “interpretive difference” in defining “employment versus scholarship, with respect to research.”

The TSSU plan to continue bargaining under the premise that they won the hearing, in which RAs would be considered employees under the labour code. SFU stated that “the parties are still awaiting a decision from the BC Labour Relations Board around whether graduate student research activity is considered academic activity or work under the Labour Relations Code.” They “anticipate receiving the decision in October.”

The Peak spoke with Kayla Hilstob, TSSU chief steward, and Yameena Zaidi, TSSU chair. Zaidi emphasized that SFU is currently “discussing non-substantive things.” She referred to these as “housekeeping changes” that are not considered controversial between the TSSU and SFU. Included in these changes were amendments to the collective agreement to “tweak that language and make sure that it is interpreted or rewritten in a way that it includes research workers at SFU.

“Our employer’s tactic is to divide people,” said Hilstob, explaining that there are RAs paid by hourly wage and then there are RAs paid by stipend or scholarship. “They have divided those folks and said ‘they can’t be workers, they can’t be employees, they can’t be in the union,’” she said. “Of course, that’s not the case. We know research is work, people work hard for this.” 

While there are still disagreements between the TSSU and their employer, Hilstob mentioned this stage of bargaining seems hopeful so far. “There are some things that we will have to fight hard on, we can see that already,” she said. “But there are some key differences from the last round [of bargaining] as well.” The TSSU noted SFU’s compliance in scheduling regular sessions for bargaining and securing an “explicit timeline for the exchange of substantive proposals.” This is in contrast to the university’s previous record of delaying negotiation.

The TSSU and SFU have agreed to exchange proposals no later than November 15, which will begin stage two of the bargaining process. The second stage will negotiate substantive proposals and consist of in-person sessions with SFU’s bargaining consultant, Geoff Tierney. Hilstob described substantive changes to include “things like wages and benefits; the monetary items that are much more contentious at the table.”

On their website, the TSSU reports that nearly 600 RAs responded to a survey reconfirming their “mandate to bargain for better working conditions for all RAs.” They outline the changes they are fighting for, including respect, fair wages, job security, and accessible benefits. “We expect a lot to happen after November 15,” said Hilstob. 

This is an ongoing story The Peak will continue to cover.

“G” is for Genocide: Google and Amazon’s Project Nimbus

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Peak Web
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A group of Amazon and Google employees protesting the contracts with Israel for the use of AI and cloud systems. They are holding signs, one that says “No tech for apartheid”
ILLUSTRATION: Emma Nash / The Peak

By: Sofia Chassomeris, News Writer

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a sci-fi pipe dream anymore. For nearly 75 years, computer scientists have researched and developed programs that can mimic and predict human thinking — we currently stand witness to this new technological frontier. AI technology has undeniably furthered progress in many areas such as medical efficacy, agricultural optimization, and cyber security. The recent advancement of “deep-learning” AI models is especially promoted as revolutionary for its ability to “process extremely large and varied sets of unstructured data and perform more than one task.”

As an emerging phenomenon, AI is only beginning to be regulated, with Canada issuing its Artificial Intelligence and Data Act just last year. The United Nations (UN) General Assembly also recently adopted a resolution for the regulation of AI in 2024 to operate in accordance with international human rights law. However, this resolution isn’t legally binding for member states and stakeholders, and merely a recommendation “urged” by the UN. Perhaps it would be an appropriate measure if it could actually be enforced. Maybe then it wouldn’t feel like too little too late. However, money and power are twin harbingers of injustice. They are both the end and the means of all kinds of destruction, and AI is only the newest vehicle for its facilitation.

The Nimbus Project is a $1.2 billion deal signed in 2021 which has since provided the Israeli government and military with its own secure and private cloud computing infrastructure and advanced AI technology. The project was a joint venture between Google and Amazon, companies which ranked fourth and fifth (respectively) in Forbes’ Top 10 Largest Global Companies by their total value in 2024. As written in an anonymous letter from Google and Amazon employees in coalition with the advocacy organization No Tech for Apartheid, “This technology allows for further surveillance of and unlawful data collection on Palestinians, and facilitates expansion of Israel’s illegal settlements on Palestinian land.” 

Surveillance is not new for Palestinians, and it has only gotten worse. For years Israel has tested and used AI facial recognition software to identify and track individuals, monitored their computers, phone calls, and employed the use of Pegasus spyware on political adversaries. “For the Israeli government, this surveillance regime is both a tool of control and a money-making business,” writes an Al Jazeera article. The author, Jalal Abukhater, likens the Gaza Strip and West Bank to a lab where Israel can trial spyware and surveillance technology before putting it on the global market. 

The Nimbus Project not only provides the Israeli military with technology for their current projects, but also allows them to increase surveillance and control of Palestinians. AI systems like Lavender or The Gospel are used to recommend targets suspected of Hamas or political association, as well as locate them within their homes. However, Lavender is known to make errors, and targets are not thoroughly verified. The risks posed by AI inaccuracy due to data bias make the use of these systems increasingly dangerous. If the dataset used for its training is unreliable and non-representative, the AI will make biased decisions — every step in the process of training these models from data collection, labelling, and the employment of the AI afterward will influence its output. 

An article from +972 and Local Call, an independent publication made up of Palestinian and Israeli journalists, states that “a fundamental difference between the two systems is in the definition of the target.” They explained Lavender generates a “kill list” of individuals, while The Gospel on the other hand marks whole buildings the Israeli military suspects militant operation from. This designation has often resulted in the annihilation of residential areas and civilians. Additional AI systems such as the Where’s Daddy? software specifically tracks alleged militants to their homes before bombing them with the objective of killing the entire family. These AI systems only generate lists of potential targets, overseen by soldiers with little to no concern for its accuracy. Issues of misidentifying targets as well as timing discrepancies between tracking and carrying out attacks has had catastrophic consequences for Palestinian civilians — often disregarded as “collateral” damage.

Software engineers, data scientists, and many other employees of tech giants Google and Amazon spoke publicly against the Nimbus Project for its complicity in the Palestinian genocide. As stated on the No Tech for Apartheid website, over a thousand employees agree that “technology should be used to bring people together, not enable apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and settler-colonialism.” These companies have made their positions clear. When protests began concerning the Nimbus Project, Google fired the employees involved and doubled down on the deal.

Is it terrifying that the CEO of a trillion dollar company has such a severe deficit of moral integrity? Definitely. Is it surprising? Absolutely not. Greed for money and power only deepens systemic injustice experienced, which is why making support for the genocide financially unsustainable the only real solution to erradicating it.

Organizations like the BDS movement which call for the boycott, divestment, and sanctions of those in support of Israel’s apartheid proudly follow the lead of the South African anti-apartheid movement. The international effort to boycott and divest from companies that supported South Africa’s apartheid, as well as sanctions from the country’s major trading partners and general strikes and protests were all crucial to ending the violent regime. When corporations like Google or Amazon profit from enabling colonial violence, it’s imperative we refuse their products and services, seek alternatives, raise awareness and continue pushing for corporate accountability. While it might seem impossible to untangle our lives from companies like Google, using alternatives like Ecosia or open-source software such as Dropbox and LibreOffice are meaningful forms of boycott. Perhaps most importantly, petitions and initiatives that call for regulation and ethical practices of tech giants and the usage of their products and services could be our strongest option. If bloodshed cannot change their minds, the bottom line will.

The Rundown: End of summer headlines

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In black and white, Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair stands with an outstretched scarf covering her face. The scarf reads ‘stronger by nature.’
PHOTO: Courtesy of @northernsuperleague on Instagram

By: Kaja Antic, Sports Writer

August 26 — Introducing Vancouver Rise FC

Women’s professional soccer has a new home in Vancouver. The Northern Super League (NSL), which begins play in April 2025, will have teams playing in Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. At an event in late August, the team name was announced as Vancouver Rise FC. The club noted the importance of their name as “a beacon of empowerment and progress, inspiring the next generation to rise above and chase their dreams.” While the team has not yet announced a home base, Burnaby’s Swangard Stadium has been eyed as a contender. The Rise social media accounts have also teased the potential involvement of Canadian soccer legend, Christine Sinclair.

August 27 — Williams Racing replaces underperforming Sargeant with junior driver Colapinto

After scoring no points in 15 races this season — and suffering a big crash during the Dutch Grand Prix practice sessions — American Logan Sargeant lost his seat at the British-based team. Sargeant was the only American on the grid, and only scored one point during his year and a half racing in Formula 1. Auto racing team Williams Racing replaced him with Argentinian Franco Colapinto, a member of their Williams Driver Academy who was sixth in the Formula 2 standings before being promoted to the top series.

August 31 — Nathan Rourke wins again in the CFL

After not finding a place in the NFL since leaving the BC Lions as the 2022 CFL Outstanding Canadian, Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke made his return to the CFL. He returned in the absence of the regular Lions starting quarterback, Vernon Adams Jr., who was injured during a 25–0 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 21. Rourke earned his first win at the 2024 Touchdown Pacific event — a Lions home game hosted in Victoria instead of Vancouver — where he had 21 completed passes for 30 attempts, and threw 325 yards in the 38–12 win against the Ottawa Redblacks. 

September 3 — Leon Draisaitl re-signs with the Edmonton Oilers

Previously eligible for free agency at the end of 2024–25 NHL season, the German center re-signed in Alberta’s capital for eight more years. Draisaitl’s new contract is worth $112 million, with an average annual value of $14 million — currently the highest in the league. Draisaitl scored 850 points in 719 regular season games with the Oilers, and has earned 108 points in 74 playoff games. This re-signing comes after Draisaitl scored 31 points in 25 games during the Oilers’ run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games.

September 5 — NFL season kicks off in Kansas City

The reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 27–20 in the NFL’s season-opening game. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had 20 completed passes for 28 attempts and threw 291 yards, while Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had 26 completed passes for 41 attempts and threw 273 yards. And yes, Taylor Swift was in attendance.

September 6 — The Woodhalls are golden

On August 8, Tara Woodhall-Davis earned her first Olympic gold medal by reaching a 7.10m distance in women’s long jump in Paris. Nearly a month later, her husband Hunter Woodhall sprinted to gold in the men’s 400m T62 final at the Paralympics in the same stadium, the Stade de France. The couple also document their respective athletic journeys on their YouTube channel, Tara and Hunter.

If the CRA really wanted my money, they’d pick up when I call

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Peak Web
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Is the “shut up and take my money” meme too stale to reference here?
PHOTO: Moose Photos / Pexels

By: C Icart, Humour Editor

It’s not tax season, but I would like to talk about taxes anyway. After all, this is my section; I can write about whatever I want (oop, our editor-in-chief has just informed me that is not the case). So today, I want to talk about the Canada Revenue Agency, aka the CRA, aka the Can’t Run away from our Audits. 

If an auditor is reading this right now, I would like to preface this whole thing by saying I love the CRA, I love paying money to the CRA, and I love taxes. I am a law-abiding citizen. I do not engage in tax evasion. I hate tax evasion. Whenever the opportunity for tax evasion arises, I put on my best Dora the Explorer voice, break the fourth wall and say, “We need your help to stop tax evasion. You have to say, ‘Tax evader, no evading!’” The billionaires don’t listen, but you can’t say I didn’t try. 

But even a fantastic, amazing, and excellent agency like the CRA is not above little teeny tiny criticism. So here’s the criticism: CRA phone assistance is shit. Well, that’s not fair. Saying this implies that I have received phone assistance. I have received no such thing. But it’s not for lack of trying! I have called the CRA even though that’s such an unnatural thing for a Gen Zer to do. That’s like asking me to mail a letter or use a rotary phone . . . Humans have evolved to forget how to do those obsolete tasks. You can’t tell me the CRA doesn’t know this because they’ve created a website where you can file your taxes and make payments online. 

As I am naturally predisposed to prefer this option, this is where I began. Unfortunately, I am also predisposed to all the stars in the universe aligning against my favour. I got hit with the dreaded error message asking me to call the CRA to fix the issue. So, I took a deep breath and channelled my inner millennial. It was time for some serious adulting. I dialled the number, ready to press deux pour le service en français (yeah, that’s right, I’m a francophone outside of Québec. I know your west coaster brain is blown). I’d mentally prepared myself to listen to hours of terrible hold music. BUT! I WAS DENIED (sorry, that was really loud. It’s just that it’s all so fresh)! 

The robot lady told me so many people were on the line that I needed to call at another time. And then, she had the audacity to tell me I could use the website instead. She said it so smugly, like she was teaching me something, like she was helping me. So now the website wants me to call and the number wants me to website (this is a free country, let me make website a verb). That’s like when your prof and your TA are giving you conflicting assignment guidelines and you know in your heart that they’ll deduct points no matter what you do. 

As you’ve probably deduced, I’ve had this experience more than once. Every day is Groundhog Day: I call, the Siri wannabe mocks me, I hang up. Lather, rinse, repeat. Why are they making me feel like an ex who can’t take a hint? Do they think I enjoy regularly dialling their number and being met with an automated message? This is so embarrassing. 

I can’t be made to look desperate. It’s time I stand up. I’m making new rules. The main rule is every time you try to pay the CRA, and they don’t answer or take the money, the amount you owe should be lowered. Because everyone wants to talk about me and how I’m supposed to be responsible and settle my debts, but no one seems to have told the CRA that they also need to be responsible and take my money! The second I learn how stamps and mailing addresses work, the CRA will be receiving a strongly worded letter from me. Until then, suckers like you get to read my rants. You’re welcome.

Hot study spots: Vancouver campus edition

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Upside down trapeze artist on top of the SFU Woodward’s sign. She is holding a laptop between her legs.
ILLUSTRATION: Angela Shen / The Peak

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

What better way to bid a warm welcome back to the scholarly season than by seeking out the hottest study spots around the Vancouver campus? Hot girls study in hot spots, you know! The Vancouver campus is the most sophisticated and chic of them all, if you ask the hot, artsy music major in me. Goldcorp screams contemporary arts, with our snazzy study spots that are secretly glorified lounges equipped with free coffee, abstract paintings, exclusive film screenings, and a plethora of impromptu performances. We don’t really need to study; we just pretend we’ve already had our big break. Cue jazz hands. But alas, if you must hit the books, here are the top spots our artsy asses adore.

Goldcorp – Right in the middle of the Prop Shop

There’s no greater spot than the basement dungeon prop shop equipped with every prop imaginable and a slew of creepy dolls as the cherry on top. As if the dimly lit room isn’t enough to supplement your study session, watch out for the tripping hazards of stuff tossed across the floor, sewing machines running off the hook, dangling chairs from the ceiling, and props thrown in every direction to really help you hone in on your required readings. Not distracting at all.

Goldcorp – Right in every back exit stairwell with limited access only

Seriously, the quietest study space in the entire building is the one where you need a special code to enter, and if you don’t have a fob, you’re out of luck. Here’s a hot tip, ask faculty to sneak into this exclusive space (but you didn’t hear that from me). Nothing says focus more than being stuck in a stairwell with no exit. This is the place for all the claustrophobics!  

SFU Woodward’s – Ri– smack dab on top of the motherfucking Woodward’s sign

Since being a student is a balancing act anyway, you might as well channel your inner trapeze artist and get your study on! Forget swinging from the chandelier, upgrade with the iconic W as it spins around and ingrains all the course content into your brain.

Goldcorp – Smack dab in the dance changerooms attached to the fourth floor washrooms 

Nothing’s more considerate than indulging in a long, secluded study sesh while tying up the dance changerooms as all the dancers tap their toes impatiently before pirouetting their way through the door. How convenient! Better yet, sit down and set up your study space inside the shower stall for a cleansing study session. We love a sophisticated multi-tasker! 

Harbour Centre – Smack dab in the middle of the main lobby

Who needs study silence when you can sit in the middle of all the action and eavesdrop on everything from gossipy conversations and registrar complaints to student chatter abuzz with an artsy affluence? The screeching sirens right outside the door are a nice, added touch to complement your inner city chick scholar.

Harbour Centre – Right smack dab in the middle of the escalators 

What’s more fleeting than studying on a set of moving escalators ascending and descending to your book hitting avail, you ask? Nothing! Why not cram in a quick required reading while taking your tired butt up to the next floor, and then back down to the lobby to engage in all the hustle and bustle.

Folk and roots by the beach is a highlight of summer

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Peak Web
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A woman in a yellow shirt and pink skirt stands by a microphone while two guys play a guitar (left) and set of keys (right) on each of her sides.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Petra Chase, Editor-in-Chief

I have fond memories of long days spent at Vancouver Folk Festivals at ʔəy̓alməxʷ (Halkomelem), Iy̓álmexw (Squamish), or Jericho Lands. Perusing eclectic public vendors beyond the gates as music trickled from the stages and bunnies pranced always made me feel connected to the festival even without a ticket in. On July 21, I attended the final day of the three-day event going on its 47th year, and saw why the turnout is always in the tens of thousands, not to mention run entirely by a dedicated volunteer base.

This year’s lineup brought traditional and contemporary acts from near and far. While I had a few on my radar, I was more than ready to discover new artists. The main evening show demonstrated just how wide of a net folk and roots can cast, with all of them brought together by the deep level of musical connection.

PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

South African group BCUC (standing for Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness) entranced everyone with their percussive-synched choruses and energetic rhythms. Taking inspiration from ‘70s Afro-Jazz and Afro-Psychedelic, the seven-member ensemble sees their music as “a weapon of political and spiritual liberation.” 

PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

I also enjoyed Pharis and Jason Romero, a duo from Horsefly, BC. Their time on stage felt like an expected folk experience with yodelling, anecdotes about living in the Cariboo mountains, animal fable songs, and fiddle and handmade banjos front and centre. I found myself drifting away to the harmonies and gentle string picking in their ‘70s-esque love song, “Souvenir.”

What better place to enjoy such raw performances than by one of the best local beaches, overlooking mountains? The festival fields, a sea of draped floral and boho fabrics, had a crowd area divided into separate dancing and sitting sections. People of all ages seemed to be feeding energy back to the stage. 

PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Vancouver local Dawn Pemberton brought the soul out of the crowd with her renditions of some funk and gospel classics as well as her own songs. With a new album in the works, Supernova, you’ll likely find the vocalist, choir director, and music teacher performing at local soul and R&B scenes. 

With quaint patches of wetland surrounding the path, folk fest also had food trucks, music-themed workshops, and local artisans to explore while travelling from stage to stage. 

PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

The final two performances were the ones I was most anticipating. Katie Tupper, an up-and-coming neo-soul singer-songwriter from Saskatchewan, is easy on the ears. Her voice was even more toned and smooth live singing her groovy, sultry singles like “She Said” and “Live Inside.” 

PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

A fitting finale, Jeremy Dutcher’s classically-trained voice was a force in the performance that sent the festival off into the night. Dutcher is a Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) ethno-musician from “Tobique First Nation in north-west New Brunswick.” He writes music in his traditional Indigenous language of Wolastoqiyik. His performances always feature archival recordings of traditional songs and speaking from his Ancestors, and he makes sure to teach the crowd words in Wolastoqiyik. Speaking on the importance of music for connection, his message resounded as the sky turned black.

Some crowd members had attended the debut festival at Stanley Park back in 1977. Having taken it in for myself, I can see why many folk fest attendees make the weekend a late-July tradition. 

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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