Home Blog Page 90

Climate change is a class issue

By
Peak Web
-
0
A town with buildings and roads destroyed by flooding.
PHOTO: Sadiq Nafee / Unsplash

By: Yildiz Subuk, Peak Associate

In an East Prairie Metis Settlement, the atmosphere has ashened, accompanied by an orange tinge and smokey clouds in the sky. Trees burn and homes are destroyed, causing the community in this reserve to be displaced. About 385 kilometres northwest of this region is the unaffected city of Edmonton. While both of these places are governed by the same province, one region suffers exponentially more than the other. Many of us live comfortably in a suburban or urban area, away from the harsh reality of environmental degradation. We often believe the effects of climate change are approaching us, but when we zoom out, we may not be aware of how climate change currently impacts marginalized communities, especially lower–income people and countries.

The terms climate change and global warming are often confused with each other, and it can be easy to feed into the notion that climate change is eventually going to affect everyone. While that’s true to some extent, climate change tends to impact those living in lower socioeconomic conditions much more than the rest of the population. To understand this, it’s integral to differentiate between climate change and global warming. The difference is described well in a video series called The Climate Explainers. The series likens global warming to one big house with multiple rooms, while climate change impacts each room differently. While the house being affected may cause problems for everyone residing in it, certain rooms tend to bear the brunt harder than others. The entire world is being affected by global warming, but climate change is disproportionately impacting the living conditions of lower-income communities and countries.

According to the United Nations, between 25 million and one billion people — especially those residing in lower-income socioeconomic conditions — will be displaced due to climate change by 2050. Because that number indicates a future problem, it may be easy to overlook the issue in the present day. However, the same report states that tens of millions of people have already been displaced or killed across the world due to climate disasters. This is a clear indication that climate change is not going to just affect the future — it’s affecting the present at an alarming rate. 

It is a privilege to not have to worry about ecological disasters.

The reason why the daunting reality of climate change is often hidden from many of us is due to privilege. It is a privilege to not have to worry about ecological disasters. According to the World Bank, “only one-tenth of the world’s greenhouse gases are emitted by 74 lowest income countries,” and yet their number of natural disasters has increased by eight times in the last 10 years. Various new industries are now accelerating the consequences of climate change, a prominent one being artificial intelligence (AI). The carbon footprint required to power AI models will measure up to 14% of the global carbon emissions by 2040.

Additionally, electronic waste (or e-waste, which contaminates soil and water with lead and mercury) produced by the AI industry will measure up to 120 million metric tonnes per year by 2050. That can cause health issues for those residing near where that waste is produced or disposed of. One study found that “China and certain countries within Africa receive up to 80% of the world’s e-waste.” Disposing of these materials is particularly difficult for “low and middle-income countries,” leading to adverse health effects. While AI can be perceived as a useful tool, it is not worth the environmental degradation or human rights abuses.

Most individuals are aware the world is heating up, and most do not outright deny the existence of climate change. Instead of only acknowledging that climate change will affect our future, we need to acknowledge how it has already affected those who are less privileged, and advocate for better climate policies. Climate change for the privileged is an issue for the future, but climate change for those who aren’t is an ever-growing issue of the present day. 

Bright-er Side: The atmospheric experience of the SkyTrain

By
Peak Web
-
0
A SkyTrain seen from the front
PHOTO: Diego Mazz / Unsplash

By: Samuel Akhibi, SFU Student

Cars and buses pale in comparison to the excitement of taking the SkyTrain.

Cars and buses are limited to ground-level views within a congested traffic system. The SkyTrain, on the other hand, offers comfy and scenic views of the city landscape, mountains, and waterfronts. It offers a more accessible and modernized form of travel with the system being automated and efficient. The stations are operational with maps and convenience stores that make travel more comfortable. Even with the occasional technical difficulties, employees usually service the train and resolve delays at a rapid rate.

The SkyTrain is also more environmentally friendly than other vehicles. Being fully electric, it not only reduces greenhouse gases, but also reduces the number of cars on the road. Public transit in general also gives passengers the opportunity to interact with community members — something not experienced when travelling solo. I believe that Vancouver’s SkyTrain allows for a more visually and socially rewarding experience than other vehicles. 

Concerns raised regarding recent SFU layoffs

By
Peak Web
-
0
This is a photo of the SFU Burnaby Campus over the reflection pond.
PHOTO: Kriti Monga / The Peak

By: Michelle Young, Copy Editor

This summer, SFU laid off nearly 100 staff and eliminated positions citing budget concerns. Some of those positions included administrative staff, such as jobs in Student Services — including positions in SFU Health and Counselling and Work Integrated Learning. These layoffs also included instructors and custodial workers. 

The Peak received an anonymous tip alleging that many of those laid off were either on or returning from medical leave, and those impacted were disproportionately women close to retirement. The Peak reached out to the Administrative and Professional Staff Association (APSA), which represents admin staff at SFU, for more information. 

Lakshmi Gosyne, APSA associate director, communications explained that within two days, 36 positions represented by APSA were eliminated, out of the near 100. “Some of these members were either on some sort of medical leave and/or maternity leave,” she explained. “Others had recently returned from a medical leave or had a medical leave of absence and returned to work within the last year.” Gosyne added that of those who are represented by APSA, who were on leave or returning from one, made up around 36% of those laid off. 

APSA found that most — 77% — of those laid off were women. Their analysis also showed that those who were over the age of 55 or a visible minority made up between 30–40% of the layoffs. Gosyne added she “can’t underscore enough that there were so many other Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) staff who also appear to be disproportionately immigrants, people of colour, or vulnerable persons.” CUPE staff refers to workers such as cleaning staff, who are represented by CUPE. 

“The reduction in essential services such as academic advising, co-op support, and health and counselling services directly undermines the quality of education and support that SFU has a duty to provide.” — Simon Fraser Student Society

On June 10, the Simon Fraser Student Society (SFSS) released a statement saying the layoffs “represent a significant erosion of the support structures that enhance our learning environment. The reduction in essential services such as academic advising, co-op support, and health and counselling services directly undermines the quality of education and support that SFU has a duty to provide.” Gosyne added that the administrative team was “concerned about the faculty, students, and other staff who would suddenly not have access to important resources.”

She explained that APSA and SFU have “been in negotiations since May” on behalf of the laid-off workers. Issues, such as extended health benefits, and maternity and medical leave are being slowly resolved. Some of the negotiations have been fruitful, she explained, with SFU Labour Relations extending a “tuition waiver to the children of these affected members for one year, with the caveat being that they are enrolled either in the summer or fall semesters.” However, Gosyne added, “It’s been a difficult process which sometimes has not resulted in any improvements for our members, but we continue with this task in the hope that our members will be properly compensated for their work and dedication to SFU.” 

Gosyne also said “there has been a lack of transparency and a top-down approach to a lot of the SFU budget decisions, including the decision to eliminate a number of TSSU, CUPE and APSA positions.” TSSU, or the Teaching Support Staff Union represents teaching assistants, sessional instructors, and other teaching staff. The SFSS called on “the SFU administration to provide greater transparency regarding the decision-making process that led to these layoffs,” and asked for “a clear and detailed explanation of the criteria used for these decisions and how they align with the university’s long-term strategic goals.” 

“I can’t adequately describe how dehumanizing this entire process has felt for these folks. Many of these employees have been working for SFU for 10, 15, or 20+ years,” Gosyne said.

She added that staff were called into a meeting and “were not told that the scheduled meeting was a position elimination; they were not allowed to ask questions, or if they did, they were refused answers.” She added that staff were only given budget cuts as the reason for their position being eliminated, but “some of these positions were crucial to the department and likely student life.”

“I can’t adequately describe how dehumanizing this entire process has felt for these folks. Many of these employees have been working for SFU for 10, 15, or 20+ years.” — Lakshmi Gosyne, Associate Director, communications at Administrative and Professional Staff Association

The Peak reached out to SFU inquiring about their decision-making process, the demographics of the overall administrative staff, and the overlap between the positions eliminated and the staff who were on leave. SFU responded with a statement citing budget challenges: “Declining international student enrollment has had an impact on our financial situation, as have other cost pressures such as inflation. Information about this situation and actions the university has been taking have been communicated regularly and widely across our community this past winter and spring.” 

In their statement, the SFSS said, “We emphasize that it is the university’s responsibility, not the student society’s, to ensure the provision of critical services that support our academic journey.” 

Gosyne explained, “If the university worked with these employee groups and their members, consulted with us in a meaningful way and allowed us to consult with our members, we would have been able to create a better way to support the university with its budget issues. Instead, the layoffs that happened in May and the subsequent announcement of hiring APEX positions make many affected members question if a budget was really the reason these positions were eliminated in the first place.” 

In a statement to The Peak, SFU explained that APEX staff refer to Administrative Professional Excluded Staff and are administrative employees who are not a part of APSA “due to the nature of their work.” They added, “This group includes members of the executive, senior leaders, human resources, legal, Board office roles and other roles that may put an employee in a conflict of interest between their duties and their affiliation with an employee group.” Out of the 37 roles open, five are APEX positions. 

This is a ongoing story that The Peak will continue to cover.

Savouring sweet flavours and culture at Italian Day on the Drive

By
Peak Web
-
0
A crowded block of people with red, green, and white banners over their heads.
PHOTO: Amrit Kamaal / The Peak

By: Amrit Kamaal, Peak Associate

One of the most anticipated free summer events in the Lower Mainland, Italian Day on the Drive is a day of cultural fusion and culinary expertise. Since 2010, this event has signified the unity and revival of Italian Canadian history on Commercial Drive. This year’s festival occurred on June 9, during Italian Heritage Month, with the theme of “storia” (history or story). The theme highlights the importance of “keeping traditions and important values alive while bridging the past with the present.” 

The history of this beloved festival emerged in the 1940s, when many Italians began immigrating to Vancouver for livelihood, with the majority choosing to reside in the Commercial Drive area. As they established their businesses, they began integrating parts of their Italian heritage into the community around them, from landscapes to traditions. Their street parades from the ‘60s led to the creation of the first Italian Mercato (Market) Day in the late ‘70s. These parades featured floats, stalls of food and other goods, and a way to celebrate and embrace their culture in their new home. While it initially ran from 1977 to 1985, more than thirty years later, many Italian Canadians wished to restore this cultural fusion festival. With the help of various businesses, such as Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre, the Commercial Drive Business Society, this wish was granted in the summer of 2010.  

“The Drive was filled with mouth-watering aromas from the surrounding food trucks, the festive atmosphere, and lively, classical tunes originating from all over Italy.” 

Hosted on the “Little Italy” of Vancouver, this year’s instalment of the lively street party extended over 14 blocks and welcomed over 300,000 attendees. The event began midday at the Main Drive Stage on 2nd avenue after the commencement ceremony, officially beginning the festivities. The Drive was filled with mouth-watering aromas from the surrounding food trucks, the festive atmosphere, and lively, classical tunes originating from all over Italy. 

It was impossible to go even one step without thinking about devouring some gourmet Italian delicacies, like from Casereccio Foods. People showed their spirit by covering themselves in hats or clothing, and even the Italian flag painted on their faces. Each corner showcased a new exhibition of art or cultural expression, from talent and fashion shows to Italian musicians and DJs. Some even expressed their love of Italian food by entering the pasta eating competition. 

Landlord looking for tenant who swears to never enter the unit under any circumstances

By
Peak Web
-
0
Evil looking landlord counting their money in front of a house. There is a “For Rent” sign in front of the house that reads “No laundry, No pets, No smoking, No kitchen, No guests.”
ILLUSTRATION: Aliya Nourlan / The Peak

By: C Icart, Humour Editor

After years of relying on their tenants to pay their mortgage, local landlord Gil T. Leech has finally reached a point where the money they get from renting out their mouldy basement is pure profit. 

“Everyone’s always thinking about tenant rights these days, but what about landlord rights?,” they asked in an interview with The Peak. “I should be allowed to have 15 tenants in a one-bedroom apartment. That’s covered under the First or Second Amendment, I’m pretty sure!” 

Instead of looking up the differences between Canadian and American legislation, Leech likes to spend their time inventing illegal residential tenancy clauses. “My last tenants contacted the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) for dispute resolution because I told them that the fact that I could hear them typing on their laptop when I pressed my ear against the floor above their unit was a noise violation. I’m sure the tenants bribed the RTB because they ruled in their favour, which is absolute bullshit because why were they in their apartment at 1:00 p.m. on a Tuesday? They told me they don’t work from home, so it should be illegal for them to be there.” (Normally, our publication avoids publishing quotes this long, but come on, you gotta admit this one was worth it). 

Leech is currently in the process of purchasing extra homes to turn into illegal Airbnbs. “It’s not my fault other people can’t find housing. It’s way more lucrative to charge an arm and a leg per night, and the Constitution says I can make as much money as I want.” 

Turns out that when you let people rant about their imaginary oppression, it’s hard to get them to shut up. Leech followed us down the street after our interview to say: “Another thing I’m mad about is that I can’t serve one-day eviction notices. Last week, some of my tenants called me IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT because a pipe burst in their unit. They were whining about ‘emergency repairs.’ What the fuck is that?! They have no respect for the person providing the roof above their head. Maybe if they were kinder to me and waited until a reasonable hour to contact me, I would’ve considered possibly supporting them by maybe Googling ‘plumber’ and sending them a screenshot of the results. But only if they tipped me, of course.”

Katie Tupper puts her own twist on smooth neo-soul and jazz

By
Peak Web
-
0
A girl with brown hair holding a vinyl next to her face. On the cover of the vinyl is a blurry gray photo of an individual with short hair.
PHOTO: @katietupper / Instagram

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

Up-and-coming artist Katie Tupper’s effortless vocals and poetic songwriting present her as a force within the jazz and neo-soul scenes. Influenced by the likes of D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Cleo Sol, and Norah Jones, Tupper found inspiration from the hip-hop and R&B imbued genre, neo-soul, when she was in high school. 

I had the pleasure of speaking with Tupper ahead of her upcoming slot at upcoming locals shows. “Growing up I didn’t really listen to a ton of neo-soul,” she told The Peak. “My parents would take me to jazz concerts and would play Norah Jones.” It was because of these musical experiences with the genre that Tupper eventually “fell in love with it.”

Whether it’s a specific tone for a snare drum, figuring out a harmony, or “picking out things tonally,” Tupper is inspired by key components that are “iconically neo-soul,” though she considers her music as more alternative with jazz and soul influences. One of her studio rituals is listening to these genres to find inspiration before she begins the songwriting process, from which the influences “bleed into new songs.” 

Tupper’s debut EP, Towards The End, was released in 2022. “When I put out my first EP, it was kind of like my first crack at it. I wasn’t really saying anything about myself,” she admitted. However, over time, Tupper noted she had “gotten a little bit braver with each project” by imbuing her music with more elements of herself. Her 2023 EP, Where to Find Me, garnered her a nomination for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year at this year’s 2024 Juno Awards. She said, “I spoke a lot more about myself” and wanted to “reveal a lot more of my personality.” 

Smooth like honey, Tupper’s songs are dripping with descriptive metaphors, effortless vocal runs, and melodies that perfectly complement her soulful tones and rhythmic beats. Her latest single, “Need Nothing,” is full of poetic lyrics such as “Shiny metal open up / Pour the water from my cup” and “All the ways we move around / Satellite and solid ground.” The track encompasses a groovy rhythm and soft, lilting vocals that pull you in from the first beat, followed by a catchy chorus.

“Smooth like honey, Tupper’s songs are dripping with descriptive metaphors, effortless vocal runs, and melodies that perfectly complement her soulful tones and rhythmic beats.” 

Tupper is currently recording an album and will be embarking on a summer tour across Canada. “I love playing Vancouver,” said Tupper. “It’s one of my favourite cities by far to play. Everyone’s so nice and receptive.” She looks forward to Vancouver Folk Fest, and playing the Orpheum for the first time. During our interview, it didn’t go unnoticed how grateful she is to be opening for the multi-faceted jazzy pop, country folk, and soul band Lake Street Dive.

On June 27 in Toronto, Tupper played Covers4Lovers: A Queer Cover Night alongside artists including The Beaches and Valley, to raise funds for Rainbow Railroad. She was excited to “be in a room full of community and be able to engage in pride” through the power of music.

“Everytime I get to be in a space and watch people that really know what they’re doing do something they’re passionate about, I’m trying to sponge and absorb,” Tupper said of seeing how other musicians sustain themselves. “I just feel really lucky to get to have so many cool friends that are working in this space.” She’s grateful for sharing the stage with friends and opening for artists she admires. 

“The reason why we’re doing this job is because it’s very impactful to our own humanity. That’s a very inspiring thing and just makes you want to keep making music so that you can continue to be a part of these spaces.” 

Follow @KatieTupper on Instagram to keep up with her music. Catch her at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival on July 21 from 9:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m., or opening for Lake Street Dive on August 1.

SFYou: Ashley Jones’ art signifies connection and understanding

By
Peak Web
-
0
Photo of Ashley Jones and their art
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

Ashley Jones is an Indigenous artist whose body organ paintings are an ode to her love for science, and her Haida and Cree Métis roots. The Peak interviewed Jones to know more about her artistic journey, the meaning behind her art, and perspectives to the future. Jones is predominantly a self-taught artist, aside from learning to make dreamcatchers from her aunt. She said she had no guidance on how to draw, and rather, “just picked it up one day.” Her family was a source of support and inspiration to begin her artistic endeavours. “I started drawing different animals and I kind of found my very own unique patterns,” Jones stated. Traditionally, Haida paintings use a technique called formline — “the continuous swelling and tapering lines that unite design units” — to draw the animal outline. However, Jones opted for using the animal itself as a base for the outline. 

Art has become a way for Jones to connect with her heritage: “I fell in love with my culture. I’ve learned how to do every other thing pretty much.” Besides weaving, Jones has also learned how to make rattles, traditionally used in dance rituals. Jones stated that learning these arts got her into “the Indigenous side” of her artwork and brought her back to her roots.

Talking about her painting “Heart of a Nation,” Jones recalls doing a supply run on Valentine’s Day where, after seeing various hearts, she was inspired and ran back home to get her new idea on paper. The painting carries a deep meaning, and she “did what felt right for the heart.” The painting has a wolf’s head and an orca’s tail, and the veins in it “represent the Tree of Life.” 

Since then, Jones has stayed fascinated with organs and expanded her painting portfolio. Her “Ovaries” painting was inspired by the Me Too movement. “It very much represents the birth, and creation, and the sacred feminine.” Jones explained that in many Indigenous cultures, women “were the ones that brought the information and they were regarded as sacred.” 

“No matter who we are, no matter what we look like, no matter what, we are all exactly the same on the inside and that is what is important.” — Ashley Jones

Jones’ artwork has touched individuals who have had heart transplants, hysterectomies, and infertility struggles. “I was bringing new artforms, new feelings out.” In her painting, “Eye,” the eyeball “represents the being able to see beauty and that we’re all the same, which is why the iris — the colour of the eye — is actually grey,” she said. “No matter who we are, no matter what we look like, no matter what, we are all exactly the same on the inside and that is what is important,” and that’s the message she hopes people get from her artwork. Jones wants her audience to look at the eye as if it represents their own, regardless of colour, or how we see the world. Her most recent piece, “The Breasts” is meant for awareness of breast cancer. She’s also done paintings of kidneys, eyeballs, lungs, the brain, and liver, among others.

It was during a Powwow where someone noticed her work was a form of Haida art. “I had no clue,” Jones said, learning more about her Indigenous roots. “It was at the Powwows where I really met my community,” she said. “I’ve never felt more connected to my culture.” Jones notes that everyone is welcomed “with open arms.” These events helped Jones reconnect with her community, since her grandmother was forced to hide to protect her family from residential schools. As a result they lost almost all of their family connections. Jones and her mother continue learning more about their cultural traditions, which ties into her artwork. Jones says it was her father who convinced her to take up art in the first place. 

At her first Powwow in 2018, she was invited to join SFU by a member of the Indigenous University Preparation Pathway program. She’s currently pursuing a degree in Indigenous Studies. Now, with about only five terms left, Jones said she fell in love with the program, which allowed her to connect with her community. She aims to apply the knowledge gained in medicine to advocate for Indigenous Peoples in healthcare. Jones mentioned how her mother, as well as other Indigenous Peoples, suffer from discrimination in the healthcare system. These experiences made her realise not only the need for doctors, but for allies in the system. “I do want to be a doctor once I graduate SFU,” having always been fascinated by medicine, she said, adding she hopes to create murals in hospitals one day.

Her art has influenced her love of science and medicine, and vice versa. “It’s really important that people see my art the way it is, and feel what it makes them feel,” she said. “I really would like to have my art in galleries, so I can have as many people see it as they want.

“If it brings even the smallest smile on a bad day, that gives me such joy that I was able to create that happiness.” 

Aside from her paintings, Jones sells her work as prints for $20.

Air purifiers should be more commonplace

By
Peak Web
-
0
A white air purifier on the floor.
PHOTO: 220 Selfmade studio / Adobe Stock

By: Yasmin Hassan, Staff Writer

Every year, summers in BC get hotter and hotter. Remember the heat dome back in 2021 and its aftermath? Events like these are only expected to worsen with the steady warming of global temperatures. Recently, the government has been putting more emphasis on preparedness for expected extreme heat conditions, which includes providing free portable air conditioners for low-income households. Temperature is important, but what about air quality? I know I’m not the only one who can smell the smog that comes from the summer wildfires, even when they’re not nearby. And it’s not just the smell that’s bothersome — wildfire smoke can impact air quality thousands of kilometres away from the source. Air purifiers are one of the easiest ways to improve indoor air quality, and they should be made more accessible. 

Prolonged exposure to harmful airborne pollutants, allergens, and particulate matter has been found to pose health risks. This is especially true for people who are already at risk of health complications, including disabled people, elderly people, and low-income folks. The US Environmental Protection Agency states that wildfire smoke can cause “eye and respiratory tract irritation” as well as “reduced lung function, exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death.” Low-income communities also face higher risks of health issues due to poor building infrastructure and limited healthcare access. Since the smoke isn’t going anywhere, neither are its consequences. 

What can be done to help? Air purifiers are one of the better ways to reduce adverse health effects from poor air quality. Purifiers draw the air in a room through a filter and circulate it back out, trapping irritants. One study found that a test group of adults with asthma had improved health outcomes with air purifiers as opposed to the control group that received no filter. Air purifiers have also become more popular since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Poor air ventilation is a common issue in public spaces, with schools being a major concern in BC. With the continuing risk of Long COVID that disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, air purifiers should be valued as essential devices. They add a necessary layer of protection against pathogens and contaminants, and should be used as annual wildfires grow in size and frequency.

Since the smoke isn’t going anywhere, neither are its consequences. 

Purifiers usually come in three forms: filtered air, electrostatic, and UV light purifiers. There are generally seven kinds of filters, but the most common are high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. HEPA filters can “theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.” One study found HEPA filters decrease particulate matter content by 29–53% in the presence of an external source (smoke). They’ve also been found to work well in reducing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols as long as they’re able to filter particles ranging from 0.1–1 microns. Be sure to check the rating of your HEPA filter before purchase, and opt for a higher grade like H13 or 14.

The main problem is that air purifiers aren’t cheap, often costing at least $200 for a high quality one. Filters also need to be replaced at least once a year, and can be pricey at up to $50 each. They’re also typically only strong enough for single rooms, so you’ll need multiple if you want to filter every room in your home. Many people can’t afford this equipment, which can lead to health complications. Having air purifiers in public spaces and people’s homes would greatly reduce the risk of exposure to airborne illnesses and pollutants, including smog from summer wildfires. While it’s amazing that BC is providing low-income folks with air conditioners, they should consider doing the same with air purifiers — especially for those most at risk.

Air purifiers are important for those who are vulnerable, but their use helps everyone. The government should subsidize those bad boys, listen to climate consultants, and offer more education on air quality — especially if it concerns our health! While Dr. Bonnie Henry called on us to “stay alert” and educate ourselves about weather conditions, health information regarding climate change should be readily available rather than seen as a self-study option. We should value our respiratory health as much as we value cool temperatures in the summer. Air purifiers are proven to work, and should become a staple in our societies.

The Vancouver Park Board must stay independent

By
Peak Web
-
0
A bench at a grassy park.
PHOTO: Victoria Lo / The Peak

By: Kaja Antic, Staff Writer

Surprise — Vancouver mayor Ken Sim has made yet another terrible decision. Last December, he decided his party holding the majority in City Council, the Park Board, and the School Board wasn’t enough control. Sim proposed an amendment to the Vancouver Charter that would dissolve the independent Park Board and put it under municipal control. Vancouver City Council then agreed to transition environmental control from the Park Board to a council seeking profits over ecological value. This has terrible implications for the city’s greenspaces and those who appreciate them.

Vancouver is the only city in Canada with an elected park board, and it’s had exclusive authority over community spaces in Vancouver since 1953. The distinction from City Council is still important today as community greenspaces are growing rare in major cities. While it may seem like an oddity, it’s an important asset when considering the value of greenspace. The Park Board is essential for prioritizing the needs of community members. Previous executive director Sarah Blyth-Gerszak remembers advocating for more youth skate parks when she was younger. During her time on the Board, she worked on projects like implementing electric vehicle chargers, gender-neutral bathrooms, and even “cellphone donations for seniors.” These were changes made without profit in mind, which is what the Board is for. 

Unsurprisingly, Sim’s position on the Park Board has not always been crystal clear. In June 2021, long before he was elected, Sim pledged to remove the Park Board if he gained the mayoral seat. A year later, the ABC Vancouver party introduced their Park Board candidates, which Sim claimed would help improve parks without needing a legislative change in Victoria. Less than 18 months later, Sim backtracked on this decision. We shouldn’t entrust the care of local parks to someone who was dishonest about their intentions.

“This has terrible implications for the city’s greenspaces and those who appreciate them.”

Along with the dissolution of the decades-old Park Board, Sim proposed another dystopian idea — to sell the naming rights of public city spaces to corporations. He claimed this decision could earn the city up to $100 million from “wealthy people and organizations” if they were able to sell the rights to name buildings, parks, and other city assets. Not only does that potentially limit the inclusion of Indigenous names in the future, but it also feels like a horrible consequence of late-stage capitalism. While I’m all for the renaming of Stanley Park, I’d rather not have the new name be “Galen Weston’s Super Loblaws Park.” 

Even though the Park Board is still technically active as the Vancouver Charter has not yet been amended, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is already acting on Sim’s wishes. Along with an increased budget, VPD officers are taking over beaches. Officers have been removing residents and tourists from the lands under Park Board jurisdiction, because apparently watching a beautiful sunset does not coincide with Sim’s “Vancouver is Fun” policy. Keep in mind that Sim was the former Chair of the VPD Board, and now he wants control over the city’s parks. This is an early example of what’s to come as the city encroaches on park jurisdiction, as the Board meant to resist this intrusion may soon cease to exist.

BC premier David Eby stated in March that the provincial government is committed to Sim’s transition plan — though a formal decision would have to wait until the next legislative session, after the October 19, 2024 election. The Vancouver Park Board is integral to the protection of Vancouver’s parks, beaches, and community spaces. Without the Board separating political interests from social and environmental ones, Sim’s controlling power trip could have drastic consequences for the natural spaces the city is known for.

SFU will build an $80 million upgraded supercomputing facility

By
Peak Web
-
0
This is a photo of the SFU supercomputer, Ceder. The computer takes up the entire room.
Photo Courtesy of SFU Research / X

By: Hailey Miller, Staff Writer

On June 3, SFU announced an $80 million supercomputer upgrade that will improve efficiency, data storage, and performance from its existing supercomputer, Cedar. The current supercomputing facility is one of the top 100 in the world and used for high-speed computations. It’s used by researchers across Canada and available for graduate students, faculty members, post-doctorate students, and undergraduate researchers at SFU — especially for their work in labs. The funds for this project were awarded to SFU by multiple donors, including the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the BC Knowledge Development Fund through the Government of Canada.

“All of those researchers who currently use our existing supercomputer, Cedar, will suddenly have a lot more computing power,” said Dugan O’Neil, SFU vice-president of research and innovation in an interview with The Peak. 

Researchers who need to model their work will have access to a faster and more efficient system. For students involved in data collection, the capacity to process and analyze data will be faster. At this time, the computer is “not a tool that’s directly used in undergraduate teaching,” so it will not be available for undergraduate students to use in class. 

The new computer will be an upgrade to both Cedar’s hardware and software. The upgrades for hardware include traditional computing forms — CPU (central processing units) and GPU (graphics processing units) — and will also include optimal upgrades for “AI-based workflows.” O’Neil said the memory will be a huge improvement, along with more available storage, and overall efficiency. 

O’Neil explained that supercomputers “become obsolete” after a length of time, as technology is “constantly improving and changing.

“It really spans many different areas of knowledge,” he said. “The benefits are really broad-spread. So many people use computers of this type to analyze their data or to create new models right across all of the disciplines.” The computer can be used by many members of the science and research communities, including engineers, physicists, chemists, and those in both the social and health sciences.

 “It’s a big responsibility for the institution to provide that kind of capacity for the whole country.” — Dugan O’Neil, SFU vice-president of research and innovation

The computer will “take a while to build,” and won’t be available for at least another year. Once the time comes, users will “see their capacity to asking questions and solve problems go up, rather dramatically,” according to O’Neil.  

In order to initiate the upgrade process, a request for proposals has been implemented to “supply both the design and the components of the supercomputer.” From there, the computer will be “installed and tested.” O’Neil said they expect the computer should be “publically available” by next September and should last until at least 2030.

The site at SFU is “one of the largest data storage sites in any academic institution in the country.” The computing processor sites needed to process the data are also one of the largest in Canada, alongside the supercomputing facility being “one of only five” in the country.

With the new computer’s efficiency, the capacity for new ideas and data input to be analyzed and processed at much quicker speeds will allow for “a number of simultaneous users [ . . . ] to host a large number of people doing similar things.”

The overall power usage of supercomputing systems leads to a larger carbon footprint. However, since SFU is situated within a temperate climate, it allows for the system to “use less energy,” as hotter climates require more energy to cool down the computing systems.

O’Neil explained that SFU has “the most power-efficient data centre in the country.” This has granted the university a “highly-rated green data centre,” along with using BC Hydro’s renewable energy. Therefore, this allows for a smaller carbon footprint in comparison to other regions and climates.

“It’s a big responsibility for the institution to provide that kind of capacity for the whole country.”

To find out more about the computer, go to SFU’s website.

1...899091...1,415Page 90 of 1,415

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