Building Prosperity: Nobel Laureate James Robinson Explains How Institutions Shape Nations

On Tuesday, October 28th, StFX welcomed Nobel Prize winner James A. Robinson as the inaugural speaker for the Brian Mulroney speaker series, which invites thinkers representing diverse points of view to examine topics and issues facing the world today.

James Robinson, a prominent economist and political scientist, opened the discussion honoring former prime minister, Brian Mulroney, “as a statesman of remarkable stature who achieved many things for Canada.”

Robinson’s scope of research focuses heavily on world living standards, from Singapore to Qatar, and income per capita, which has “enormous consequences for people’s lives, opportunities and welfare.” Building on this foundation, Robinson turned to the central question underlying his work: why some nations achieve prosperity and stability while others remain trapped in poverty and inequality.

To address this question, Robinson discussed how economists have long examined the role of technology and innovation, specifically, “the factors that make humans more productive” as a key explanation for differences in prosperity. Referencing the Industrial Revolution, Robinson states that it “ushered in the enormous inequality we see in the world today” as it brought in new technologies, the factory system and new methods of power. As he explained, “The poorest countries in the world don’t innovate very much, and they don’t allocate a lot of resources to innovation.”

On the topic of innovation, Robinson states that “the crucial thing in having an innovative society is you have to structure the rules, the institutions and the incentives so all of that latent talent can come to the top”. This is in reference to the patent system, which Robinson believes to be beneficial to those countries with thriving economies. The patent system has the property of inclusivity, meaning anyone could come forward with an innovation, file a patent and everyone must pay the same fee for the state to enforce your intellectual property rights. Having inclusive economic institutions (the patent system being one of them), is what raises productivity and living standards. “Innovation is what it’s all about”.

In explaining how these inclusive institutions work, innovation and incentive are central factors, ; however, they are not the only way to achieve inclusion. Robinson elaborates on how you can “bring innovations from outside, import innovations and you can import people also, who have skills and knowledge who can use innovations,” referencing the success Korea and Singapore have achieved economically.

Building on the idea of inclusive institutions, Robinson raised a key question: what explains the variation in economic systems, and why do some countries develop effective property rights while others do not?

The answer: politics. Having successful inclusive economic institutions requires inclusive political institutions. The two dimensions to this are having a state with capacity, and the broad-based distribution of political power.

Robinson discusses how when you have extractive economic growth, and when you have extractive political institutions, growth is transitory. He quotes Lord Acton, an English Liberal historian and moralist, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” He argues that “concentrated autocratic power always ends up getting abused at the expense of people’s welfare and also at the expense of the economy” and “to have innovation you have to allow people to do their thing, you have to allow people to just go for it, to allow them to build businesses and be entrepreneurs”.

Looking into the future, the presentation closes with an emphasis that institutions must be flexible and forward-looking to keep pace with technological change, globalization and evolving labour markets. Without adaptability, even established systems risk deepening inequality and disillusionment. By fostering innovation, protecting rights, and ensuring opportunities for all, inclusive institutions can not only sustain prosperity but also shape a future where societies thrive together.

The StFX Community Remembers Father Stan

On Friday, October 17th, the campus community gathered to celebrate the life of Father Stanley MacDonald, known to most students as Father Stan.

Father Stan has long been an iconic figure on the StFX campus. I remember my first meeting with him was outside his residence of Mockler Hall as I was on my way to grab a bite at meal hall. We chatted and I learned he was once working as a priest in community that neighboured my hometown. We had departed with one of his signature fist-bumps, which he commonly used to greet everyone, and went on our own ways.

Students all over the campus have similar stories about knowing Father Stan. He was revered not only as a friend to everyone on campus but also something of an icon within StFX’s sport scene.

I asked some people around Campus about Father Stan,

The Xaverian Weekly Co-Editor in Chief, Bastien MacLean, explained, “I don’t remember meeting Father Stan- but I feel like I always knew him. I’d always rush up to meet him in meal hall to fist bump him. If there was one person who always made people on campus smile, it was him. It’s sad that he’s gone now”

Lexi Hubbard, a 4th year Forensic Psych student, talked about the celebration of life event, “It was a really lovely ceremony. It was essentially a celebration of life for all the things Father Stan did on this campus and did for this campus, all of the lives he touched on this campus. And generally, just how he made everyone around him feel, which of course was lovely. It was really nice to hear the stories about Father Stan and how much everyone on this campus loved him.”

I also asked her about her experiences meeting him, “When I was in first year, like most people I ran into Father Stan in Morrison Hall. I was new to campus and new to Nova Scotia as a whole, and sat down and chatted with him about things I missed about home, particularly my dog. There was a few times I ran into him weeks later, and he said ‘oh hi Lexi, how’s [your dog] Jasper doing today?’ We’d spoken maybe three times, and he knew my dog by name. It solidifies how he remembers things and how he really sees people.”

Lily Trudel, a 4th year English student and the SCA of Governors Hall, explained “He was like a grandfather figure, when I met him [in first year] he was the first person who really felt like a part of the campus community. If you went up to any stranger on campus and asked about Father Stan, you could have a 20 minute discussion about him.”

Another student I approached gave their take on Father Stan, “I feel like his kindness was extended in the ways in which oftentimes he didn’t personally know students, but he was always too happy to see everyone and engage in conversation regardless. He was a pillar of the Xaverian model.”

In my discussions with the people I’ve interviewed, everyone seemed to hint at disappointment that the newest generation of Xavierians did not have the chance to meet Father Stan. This is saddening; however the University has made an effort to memorialize him in a few different ways. It is difficult to go about campus without seeing a Father Stan ‘GO X GO’ laptop sticker, the design of which was put up as a mural overlooking the football field from the Bloomfield Center. It is for these reasons that I am confidant that Father Stanley MacDonald will be known for many generations of Xaverians to come.

Consent Week at StFX: Power in Prevention

Statistics on sexual violence within Canada show that 1 in 3 women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, and 1 in 4 will experience it during their time as a post-secondary student. 1 in 6 men will experience sexual assault before the age of 18, and 1 in 2 trans people will experience it at some point in their lives.

Heather Blackburn, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate for StFX provided some statistics, explaining, “The stats I collect here are very much aligned with those same numbers.”

Annually, StFX dedicates a week of the academic year to consent awareness and education. Sexual and gender-based violence is an ongoing issue on campus, as seen in a 2023 case where a StFX football player was charged with four separate counts of sexual assault, or the 2019 report where two athletes were acquitted of sexual assault allegations. The question of student safety and presence of consent education within the campus community remains pertinent. This raises concerns about what resources are available at StFX to prevent it from occurring in the first place, and specifically, what the StFX community is doing to counteract it.

On October 6th, Visible at X, a student-run organization which provides sexual violence prevention and consent education for the campus community, kicked off consent week. It is an annual event which aims to educate how sexual violence can be prevented through consent.

Visible at X began by hosting their residence outreach events. These events consisted of games and candy as a way to ignite conversations around consent and create a culture of respect.

On Wednesday, October 8th, the Bloomfield Hub hosted Consent & Ice Cream, another fun event where participants were taught about consent through questions and games, followed by an ice cream bar where attendees were encouraged to continue the conversation.

In an interview with 4th year student Visible at X peer mentor and event facilitator Maya Bergeron, she spoke about what the main goal of consent week is. “The first thing I would say is to support survivors and bring awareness obviously. Especially with Take Back the Night tomorrow, it’s really to support survivors, and tell them that they’re not alone.” She continues, “StFX is really good. We bring the most students to participate in these kinds of activities and sessions.” She also explains “It’s easier to find support and create relationships.”

Following Consent & Ice Cream, the council chambers in Bloomfield Center hosted a Sex and Consent Education talk from Venus Envy, a Halifax-based organization who provide both in-person and virtual workshops on a wide range of topics. They also have a book shop in Halifax that supplies gender affirming services and sexual health resources. The event was hosted by Queer and Disability Justice Advocate and Sexuality Educator Rachele Manett. They spoke about a wide variety of subjects such as hookup culture, how to deal with rejection, aftercare, queer sex education, and more. The primary topic of their lecture was on consent as a practice, which means to actively identify consent, setting and respecting boundaries, and overall communication between partners.

“Consent is just ongoing communication,” said Rachele. “It starts the moment you see someone and you’re like, ‘I kinda wanna hook up with that person,’ to when your relationship ends completely.” She also stated that “Consent is always happening, as soon as a relationship starts. That relationship could be as casual or as formal as you want it to be.”

This reminder that consent applies to every aspect of every kind of relationship, regardless of how serious and established or unceremonious it may be, is a fundamental part of consent education. She goes on to say, “A lot of communication also happens non-verbally, we have to be aware of what someone’s tells are, we have to be able to read them in some way.”

Rachele places immense emphasis on communication as the basis for consent, ultimately teaching attendees that communication is the key to practicing consent.

Day four of Consent Week hosted the Take Back the Night March in the Coady Gardens. The event began with speeches from several peer mentors and education coordinators from societies and organizations around campus. Topics such as the importance of speaking up and bystander prevention were highlighted, with a focus on Canada’s missing and murdered indigenous women. A smudging ceremony was also performed by WMGS Society Co-President Maria Kahlen. This involves burning incenses of sacred herbs to cleanse one’s body and spirit of negative energy. The march then took place, which consisted of all attendees marching through campus and reciting chants.

Some of the chants included, “We are the change, we are the fight, we are the ones who light the night!” and “Wherever we go, however we dress, no means no and yes means yes!”

To conclude the march, participants were invited to gather at the Bloomfield Hub for cookies, hot chocolate, interactive tabling, and resources. This included a discussion board where guests were invited to write about how they practiced preventing sexual assault throughout their lives.

Comments such as, “I offer to walk my friends home from the bar,” and “I tell my friends to text me when they get home,” and many more filled the board. These are just some ways the StFX community has practiced preventing sexual violence from occurring and keeping other students safe utilizing the resources they have.

On Friday, Visible at X closed off consent week with FRIES for F.R.I.E.S, a common acronym in consent education that means consent must be Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific. This event consisted of fries being served to guests at meal hall, as a reminder of what consent means, and a simple way to end off the week.

In an interview with Heather Blackburn, the Sexual Violence Prevention and Response advocate at StFX, she spoke about the current policies, resources, and measures currently in place at StFX.

“Anybody can come forward and disclose sexualized violence...but if you want to disclose in a way that StFX knows, the best way to do that is through me, because I can keep that private and confidential.” She continued, “We wanna make sure people have options and choices...those are outlined in the StFX sexual violence policy.”

The policy which Heather is referring to is the StFX Sexual Violence Response Policy, first approved in December 2019, and last reviewed in July 2025. The sixteen-section policy is “a really detailed policy,” she says. “Most people don’t [read it] so let me be the one to talk someone through like what parts of the policy are relevant.” Heather goes on to explain that the policy is “written from the values and guiding principles of being person centered and trauma informed, and what that means is not really thinking about the policy from a perspective of ‘what benefits the university the most’ but ‘what benefits the people who need this policy most’... that’s actually pretty unique in the post-secondary policy environment right now. But it doesn’t mean it’s perfect, it’s a policy.”

Heather also spoke about REES (Respect, Educate, Empower Survivors), an anonymous and online reporting platform managed by the StFX student union. Heather explains that “REES is the only way to be truly anonymous and still let the university know some parts of what’s happened. It does get used every year, but it’s definitely not the most frequent way students, staff, or faculty share information.” She also shares that the student union recently hired a REES ambassador this academic year, in hopes for the platform to be utilized more and hopefully better address the sexual violence that does occur on campus.

Heather also discussed the prevention training that is put in place for students and faculty. StFX provides sexual violence prevention training through the Waves of Change program and is made mandatory for all incoming first-year students at Blitz Day training during O-Week. Interestingly, varsity athletes are required to complete it twice a year.

When asked about this training and the previous cases of sexual violence from athletes at StFX, Heather said “do athletes cause harm? Yes. Are they more likely than anyone else to cause harm? We don’t have any data to support that unfortunately.” She explains that “the literature says that the best way to address campus violence is to approach it peer-to-peer, and to start and focus on the people that have social power...we can’t deny that on this campus in particular, athletes hold different power and privilege.” Heather also reveals that StFX has done “annual training with all of our athletes every year since 2018...I will say the athletics department is definitely committed to prevention education, but sexualized violence happens between people. It’s not the university that’s perpetrating the violence, so we can only prevent it if we work together as a community. It’s like a social issue.”

To conclude the interview, Heather talked about Consent Week as a preventative practice of sexual violence and its effectiveness. “I’m under no false impression that consent awareness week is the thing that’s gonna change violence, but I hope it’s the thing that’s gonna bring more people into the conversation.” She continued to say, “we try to use strategies that are evidence-based, and there isn’t a ton of evidence on how to truly prevent violence yet, what we do know is that awareness raising is part of that strategy, but it can’t be the only thing that you do.”

With events like Consent Week, alongside the many resources available and measures taken by the StFX community to prevent sexual and gender-based violence from occurring, it is clear there is no lack of resources for those who need them. However, it is a reminder that sexual and gender-based violence is happening at StFX and is a social issue that happens between students. This makes it difficult to fully recognize when and how it is occurring on campus. Knowing this, it is most effective way to approach the topic from a perspective of prevention while providing as many resources, measures, and care for survivors as possible, along with the most effective consent education for everyone in the StFX community.

More Than History: Understanding Treaty Day as a Living Commitment

On October 1st, 2025, the Sociology 329 class on Climate, Truth and Future held a presentation for Treaty Day at the Antigonish Public Library. Treaty Day in Nova Scotia is to recognize the Peace and Friendship Treaties signed in 1752.  

The presentation began with a land acknowledgement, recognizing that we are in Mi’Kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Then, an explanation on what it is that Treaties truly means and why it’s important.  

The British Empire signed a series of treaties with various Mi’Kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Abenaki, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy peoples living in what is now known as the Maritimes,  the Gaspé region in Eastern Quebec and parts of New England. The treaty, signed by Jean Baptiste Cope, the Chief Sachem of the Mi’kmaq and Governor Peregrine Hopson of Nova Scotia, was intended to make peace and promised hunting, fishing, trading and land-use rights.  

The Peace and Friendship treaties are constitutionally protected by Section 35 of Canada’s Constitution Act, which recognizes and affirms existing Indigenous and treaty rights. These precedents mean that when governments or companies try to restrict or criminalize Indigenous hunting, fishing, land access or natural resource use, Indigenous groups can invoke the treaties as legal backing to challenge these actions.  

This is particularly significant, as highlighted during the presentation, because on September 23rd the province introduced the Protecting Nova Scotians Act. The bill promises to keep forest access roads open and allow the removal of any structures that threaten public safety or block lawful use of Crown lands, without prior notice. Mi’kmaq land defenders have been on Hunters Mountain, located in the Cape Breton Highlands, for a month with a checkpoint and a cedar line. They are not blocking the forest road or access to the mountain, as locals are welcome to visit the mountain. From their perspective it’s an act of self-governance to protect their lands, waters and rights from damaging logging operations. The clear cutting of trees is threatening the moose population, the land’s medicinal properties and the destruction of habitats.  

A large section of the presentation discussed what it means to be Treaty People, emphasizing how the existence of every home, business, and even St. Francis Xavier University is possible because of treaty agreements. All Indigenous and Non-Indigenous residents of Treaty Land are Treaty People.  Treaties are grounded in the values of mutual respect, peace and shared responsibility which we as Treaty People should carry with us everyday.  

Dr. Riley Olstead, the professor who teaches Sociology 329, also researches settler colonialism and decolonization. At the event she sparked a thoughtful conversation after the presentation discussing how climate change is what initially inspired her to integrate Indigenous teachings and knowledge into her course.  

She explained how two-eyed seeing, a framework for understanding and problem-solving that combines the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing with those of Western perspective, allowing both perspectives to guide how we see and act in the world, can offer a more balanced and understanding path to addressing the anxiety that many of us experience regarding climate change and how unsustainable we as a society have been living. 

Dr. Olstead shared that what led her class to focus on Treaty Day in Nova Scotia for their presentation was a part of a “relational invitation for students to step into their place within our binding agreements (to the Peace and Friendship Treaties) and to better understand our relationship to the land.”  

As students, understanding the accountability and obligations we are held to as Treaty People reminds us that reconciliation is not just a national project, but a daily responsibility rooted in respect, learning and action. 

Decolonising Institutions: StFX Observes Truth and Reconciliation Day

On September 30th, 2025, StFX University hosted a ceremony for Truth and Reconciliation day in Mulroney Hall. The event was packed with people from the campus and community attending the ceremony, with a crowd so large it appeared as a sea of orange from above. Orange Shirt Day was recognized in Canada in 2013, a result of activism that sought to raise awareness on Indigenous human rights issues and the legacy of residential schools specifically. Orange Shirt Day was later renamed Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2021, with the ceremonies being held at StFX ever since.  

Savannah Paul, President of StFX’s Indigenous Student Society, opened the event.  After a land acknowledgement she invited Kerry Prosper, StFX’s Elder-in-Residence and the former Chief of Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation. From the StFX website, Elder Prosper ‘'works with StFX students on their projects and subjects that deal with Indigenous issues’’ as well as serves “on anti-racism committees and other campus initiatives”. 

Elder Prosper commenced a smudging ceremony, which involves burning incenses of sacred herbs (such as sage), the smoke of which dispels negative energies from a person’s body and spirit. He explained, “Smudging is a way of preparing ourselves for gatherings or ceremonies, it puts your mind in a good place,” He followed it with a prayer, reminding the audience that we must look out for each other. 

Elder Prosper was followed by Toby Condo, an Indigenous spiritual advisor for correctional services and a sun dancer. He was asked to do a performance for those in attendance. His song echoed loud throughout Mulroney’s halls, and it appeared that the natural lighting coming from the windows brightened in response to his music.  

StFX’s president, Dr. Andy Hakin was invited up to speak. He thanked Elder Prosper and Toby Condo for the moving prayer and song. 

“Today, we come to an event, in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, this ceremony is about responsibility. It is about reflection, and importantly, it’s about ongoing action.” 

Dr. Hakin spoke of action with reconciliation, how it is not enough to simply recognize the past, and how we must also work towards a better future. He spoke to the importance of Truth and Reconciliation Day, about listening and learning, and about reconciling with the country’s dark past.  

“Action, not words” he spoke. 

After Dr. Hakin’s address, Judith Banman Jansen, an Indigenous woman and honours student from the Anthropology department, was invited up to read the Cobra Collins poem “Wild West”. The poem is about Truth and Reconciliation, and a reminder about what happened at the Residential schools in not-so-distant history. 

StFX’s chair of the Faculty Commission on Reconciliation, Dr. Erin Morton, spoke on how we can engage with Truth and Reconciliation and what individual students can do to help. She said that we can start by tracing our own family histories and seeing what side of Canadian history they were on. All Canadians who are not Indigenous come from a family that immigrated during colonisation and understanding when and how they got here can help us put together our history as a whole. 

Kaisan Stevens, an Anthropology student from Eskasoni First Nations, gave a Mi’kmaq perspective on Truth and Reconciliation and spoke of decolonisation in our institutions and daily life.  

The closing speaker, StFX’s Indigenous Student Advisor Cynthia Sewell, read literature on Truth and Reconciliation and provided the attendees with a song to end the ceremony. She gave a history of Truth and Reconciliation Day and invited everyone to participate in the ribbon tying ceremony. 

 The crowd was invited to view the Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers concert that was happening in the Schwartz Auditorium, a staple event of StFX’s Truth and Reconciliation Day ceremonies. 

How YOU Can Vote in the Upcoming Federal Election

It is an exciting time in Canadian politics, as the federal election is scheduled to be held Monday, April 28th 2025. Here is how you, yes YOU, specifically, can have your voice be heard and exercise your foundational democratic right to vote.

At minimum you must be a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years of age to vote in any election within Canada.

Voting in the federal election is a little different than voting in a provincial election. In the latest Nova Scotia provincial election, you could vote anywhere in the province ahead of the election date and have your vote count in your home riding. This is not so in the federal election. As noted on the Elections Canada website, you must vote at your assigned polling station.

However, so long as you are able to prove residency in the riding of Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish (the riding StFX is located in), you can register to vote in this riding for any of this riding’s candidates. You must be able to produce TWO forms of ID to vote in the Cape Breton–Canso–Antigonish riding, one of which must contain your current address within the riding.

Acceptable forms of ID include but are not limited to: A driver’s license or any other official identification issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial, or municipal), your student ID, a bank statement, a piece of official correspondence from the university about your residency, a utility bill, or a lease or sub-lease. An exhaustive list can be found on the Elections Canada website. Students who live on campus can request a proof of residency letter from the Residence Office.

As confirmed by the university’s President’s Office, there will be advanced polling open April 13th and 18th in the Keating Centre Hospitality Suites from 7am-10:30pm, open to StFX students only. General advanced polling, which will be open to the town as well, are scheduled for April 18th and 21st from 7am-10:30pm in the Bloomfield Mackay Room. Election day polls will also be open in the Bloomfield Mackay Room.

You can also apply to vote by mail. The deadline to apply for mail-in voting is 6pm, April 22nd. Deadlines still apply, so you must take that into account the time it takes for your ballot to reach its destination. You will receive a voting kit and instructions on how to cast your ballot. Once you opt to cast you vote by mail, you will be prohibited from voting in-person, so keep that in mind.

You could cast a special ballot at an Elections Canada office by 6pm on April 22nd. The nearest Elections Canada offices are located at 74 Main Street, Guysborough, NS, and 811 Reeves Street, Port Hawkesbury, NS.

It must be noted that you can only vote in one riding. Voting in any more than a single riding is illegal. The penalty for voter fraud could be up to five years in prison, or a fine of up to $50,000.

StFX Hosts Former Deputy Premier and Current Cape Breton-Canso-Antigonish Federal Conservative Candidate Allan MacMaster for Discussion: Where Are We Going Next in Canada?

For transparency's sake, I am a member of the XPCs.

On Tuesday March 18th, the StFX Political Science Society sponsored an address by former deputy premier and current federal Conservative Party of Canada candidate Allan MacMaster at Mulroney Hall, promoted by the Xaverian Progressive Conservatives. It boasted a full classroom of around 45 attendees including members of the town, county, and student body. The Cape Breton native opened with a speech then transitioned into a question period.

He began by stating that during his time working for the Bank of Montreal, they would look to whether a stock market was being driven by fear or greed. Today, he said, the markets are driven by fear.

MacMaster reiterated worries many Canadians have about the United States' aggressive tariffs threatening to stagnate an economy that is already struggling, but also noted the opportunity that has arisen for us to take a step back and ask ourselves if free trade is really working for the Canadian people in the best way it can.

Early on in his speech he begged the question, does free, globalization of trade always make our lives better? He noted how it leads to cheaper, more disposable goods that negatively impact the environment, not to mention the pocketbooks of those who have to purchase them again and again. Planned obsolescence was a constant theme.

MacMaster emphasized that the growing push to buy local was our chance to create a market reaction that could encourage businesses to start producing in Canada, but that the government has a place in setting the standard. Some interesting ideas that he suggested from a regulation perspective were minimum lifespans for consumer goods, and something like a right to fix your own products, referencing the fact that Samsung stops manufacturing parts for some of its products only a few years after release, forcing you to buy an entirely new product.

However, the former Inverness MLA insisted that localization only works if we produce high quality products. In response to a question on whether it was feasible to bring industry to a relatively unproductive province like Nova Scotia, he acknowledged that investment is crucial to improving productivity. It’s not that Nova Scotian’s are any less hard working, they just aren’t equipped to produce at the same level as their American counterparts.

After taking a question about the future of the economy from a student, MacMaster related it to similar concerns people had in the 80’s when interest rates were upwards of 20%. Eventually things cooled down and the economy got better. His advice for students was this: focus on your studies, get a job you enjoy, start making money and put a little aside if you can. In 5 years, you might be looking at a very different world.

Antigonish Puts Students at Risk of Large Fines with “Nuisance Party By-Law”

Some extra-perceptive students may have noticed receiving a suspiciously vague email prior to this year’s St. Paddy’s day celebrations. This email—sent on behalf of the school—contained all the usual (and often ignored) warnings: don’t hold a street party, keep your celebrations on campus, etc, etc. However, an important note was snuck in amongst these messages, warning students of Antigonish’s “Nuisance Party By-law”—a semi-recent embodiment of the community’s crack-down on student partying culture. This recent edition puts students at large risk of receiving significant fines for partying-related offences. The specific details are outlined below:

On October 11th 2023, a special meeting of the Antigonish town council approved the new “Nuisance Party By-law.” In simple terms, this new by-law gives enforcement officers a substantial amount of power to act against party hosts and party goers, allowing them to hand out offence tickets and large fines to anyone attending a gathering that is considered a “nuisance.”

The by-law outlines the penalties for any offence or failure to comply as “not less than four hundred dollars ($400.00) for a first offence, not less than six hundred ($600.00) for second offence and no less than nine hundred ($900.00) for a third and any subsequent offences.”

The bill defines a “nuisance party” as “a gathering on property which, by reason of the conduct or any one or more of the person(s) in attendance, is characterized by any one or more of the following elements:

a) Public intoxication;

b) The unlawful sale, furnishing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances;

c) The unauthorized deposit of litter on public or private property;

d) Damage to public or private property;

e) The obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or interference with the ability to provide emergency services;

f) Sound that is unusual or excessive, or that is likely to be unwanted by disturbing to persons, as described in the Town of Antigonish Noise Control By-Law;

g) Unauthorized open burning as described in the Outdoor Fire By-Law;

h) Public disturbance, including confrontations or violence;

i) Outdoor public urination or defecation; or

j) Use of or entry upon a roof not intended for such occupancy.

To be clear, any gathering that meets even one of these elements will fall under this new by-law. Hosting or attending a so-called “nuisance party” is all the riskier, as enforcement officers have significantly more power than in previous years.

For instance, upon receiving an order to discontinue a party, it is expected that every non-resident leave immediately and for the party to cease. This is outlined in section 5.1 and 5.2 of the by-law. Failure to comply may result in a first offence ticket ($400.00). However, section 5.3 goes on the explain that this order must only be given within a “reasonable amount time” following the violation. This specification means that a party may be classified as a nuisance without the host being made aware for an unspecified amount of time. Under these conditions, it is possible for a person to receive multiple offences without realizing they have already been issued one, resulting in large fines stacking atop each other (up to $600.00, $900.00, or more).

Further complications emerge in section 7.4. This section makes clear that the offence of a nuisance party is attached to the property, not the residents of the property. This creates cause for concern for students, who switch in and out of rental properties every few years. If tenants in the previous year received an order to discontinue a nuisance party, any offences on behalf of the new tenants (within a 2 year timeframe of the original order) would be treated as a subsequent (second, third, etc.) offence, even if it was their first. They would. As a result, be “subject to higher fines.”

It is unclear that the by-law has any large restrictions against the power of enforcement officers. The by-law seems to give the right to act to any officer who believes on “reasonable grounds” that an offence has been committed—which could be as simple as attending a party that has a few stray cans lying around. Even in these circumstances, the party could be considered a “nuisance,” something that is up to the discretion of a singular individual.

Other offences in which a ticket may be given include, but are not limited to: hosting a nuisance party, allowing a nuisance party on their property, failing to leave after having been directed to leave, standing or sitting upon a roof, hanging a poster or banner with “offensive language” in a public place, or “promot[ing] the unsafe consumption of intoxication substances.” The full list can be found in the linked PDF at the bottom of this article.

Whether or not the by-law will be followed in the strictest sense (for example, receiving an offence because there are a few stary cans around the property), remains to be seen. Because the decisions are largely left to the discretion of individual officers, a lack of consistency on what is deemed a nuisance is likely. Rather than a strict guideline outlining how students will be charged for specific acts, the bill acts more like deterrent. Officers may not take all the actions they are permitted through the ambiguous wording of this by-law, but the important part seems to be that they could.

A PDF copy of this by-law is linked here.

The Plans for Progress from our New Union President and VP Academic

On January 29, the StFX Student Union’s 2025 general election results were made official. The students have decided, voting in Jacob Cruchet as the Student Union president and Alessandro D’Aquino the VP Academic. It’s with great enthusiasm that we get to meet the fine people leading our students for the next calendar year, hear their experiences, and see their vision.

Support for students was a massive part of the new VP Academic’s platform while campaigning. D’Aquino not only emphasized the importance of this support while running for the position but has also embodied that belief during his time here at StFX. The student experience is not only one of learning but also of molding ourselves into the best version possible to thrive in later careers. D’Aquino’s expressed commitment towards enhancing the student experience at StFX ensures this experience for all students. Communication between faculty and students is key in our ability to receive the best experience we can; D’Aquino believes the same and he is committed to improving this communication.

D’Aquino’s resume is extremely telling for someone who has only spent two years at StFX. He has been a community Advisor, a founder of both Open Kitchen and the Water Polo Society, the Director of Campus Engagement for the Schwartz Business Society, and has membership in many other societies. This is a resume that tells students we will have someone already deeply engaged in student affairs and is committed to further engagement in student life. D’Aquino’s vision of a more inclusive environment that promotes peer tutoring and affordable educational resources will be to the benefit of many students at StFX.

Commitment to affordability is not only found with our new VP Academic, but also with our new President. Jacob Cruchet understands that with rising prices, increased tariff related costs, and the massive investment involved with going to university, students deserve a break. One of Cruchet’s main concerns is the cost of student housing. To rectify these issues, Cruchet plans to partner with Antigonish Affordable Housing on behalf of StFX students. He hopes that with their assistance, students will have to worry less about housing fees and availability in the coming years. Affordability is not the only platform Cruchet ran on, however. Accountability within Student Union governance was a major portion of Cruchet’s election campaign. Cruchet’s mission is to make the usage of student fees as transparent as possible. In the wake of last year’s referendum on the raising of student fees, this move seems particularly relevant.

Strong leadership and measurable progress are essential for a well-run student government. Both Jacob Cruchet and Alessandro D’Aquino have outlined their plans to make this progress, but only time can tell of their success.

U.S Election Watch Party at Candid

On Tuesday November 5, the StFX Political Science Society, Xaverian Progressive Conservatives, Young Liberals and the History Society organized a watch party for the U.S election at Candid Brewery. By the time it ended at midnight, it appeared likely to everyone that Donald Trump would secure enough votes in the electoral college to become president of the United States for the second time. Trump’s second term is expected to be one that continues to roll back reproductive and other human rights, weaponize government institutions, and inflame right-wring nationalism.

“The results of this election are extremely disheartening”, says Sophia Kydd, a third-year Honours Psychology student. “It solidifies how prevalent racism and misogyny are in our society, as two qualified, accomplished women, one being of colour, have now lost to Donald Trump. Trump takes responsibility for the overturn of Roe V. Wade, and while reproductive rights are determined at the state level, him in office greatly influences these laws. As a passionate pro-choice woman myself, your opinions on abortion aside, these extreme abortion bans have already and will kill women concerning sepsis, ectopic pregnancies, (etc.). As the U.S influences the rest of the world, the attack on reproductive rights in America is an attack on these rights everywhere."

Before the results came in, Simon Maltby, an Education student, said he was interested in the US election “because no matter who wins, it’s going to have an impact on us here in Canada. Also, for the U.S., it would be good for public confidence in the government to see a swift and peaceful transition of power.”

Emily Richard, president of the History Society, shared Simon’s belief. “Regardless of the outcome, this election is a major historical event that we need to recognize as we live through it”, she explains, “The only way to enact change for the future is to acknowledge these events and political issues as they occur”.

“I think it’s important for students to come together on issues in order to stay educated on past and recent world events”, says Mya Burke, Young Liberals president. “It’s hard to make sense of who we are and what we value if never given the opportunity to see both sides of the coin. Regardless of who you are, you can take something away from an event like this”.

President of Xaverian Progressive Conservatives Josh Kroker believes it’s important for students to follow politics because “once we stop watching elections and other democratic processes, that’s when democracy dies”

An Instagram Account called sillyneoliberals.69 posted a critique last week criticizing the watch party. Sillyneoliberals.69 posts rant-style articles, often critiquing “centrist” culture at StFX. The Xaverian Weekly has twice been targeted for articles about the Gender-Neutral washrooms at the Inn and controversial philosophy professor Dr. Mark Mercer. The account also posts pictures of Brian Mulroney with googly-eyes on his face.

The post is called “As the World Watches the American Elections in Horror, StFX Polisci Student & Their Weird-Ass Political Party Societies Wanna Share a Beer Over it at a LIVE Watch Party... smfh”. The account’s argument centers on the ethical problems posed by treating very real dangers to the lives of marginalized people too conceptually; “often like thought experiments or hypotheticals”.

This post lists some of the election issues this cycle, “the right to bodily autonomy, access to healthcare, access to gender-affirming care, policies around gun violence, immigration laws, education laws about access to knowledge about sexual diversity and the history of the oppression of Black Americans, the legitimization of police brutality against racialized people, climate policy, the degree and strategy of America’s continued support for the active genocide against the Palestinian people...”. The account argues that “so much is at stake here and as the world watches in horror, these BUFFOONS... want to organize a LIVE WATCH PARTY to jerk each other off and say ‘OMG we are SO politically engaged’” .

The post concludes with, “The only watch party of American politicians fucking the world up I am interested in attending is one in which we all hold each other and cry for the state of global politics today... You are not inviting politicians and organizing events like this because you care about politics or the state of the world”.

The Inside Scoop: What Sophia Fabiano and Ben MacKay Have to Say About the Upcoming Referendum

On April 2nd, a referendum will take place, asking students: “Are you in favour of increasing Student Union fees by 10% per year, every year for the next 5 years?” Sophia Fabiano, the current Student Union president, is the advocate for the “yes” vote, while Ben MacKay represents students who will choose vote “no.” Each representative has an Instagram account (@voteyes24 and @stfxfightthehike, respectively) where students can find more information about their positions. I was able to ask both Sophia Fabiano and Ben MacKay a series of questions to better understand their positions and beliefs about the upcoming vote.

Fabiano began by mentioning that the plan to raise Student Union fees has been in the works for the past three years. StFX currently has the lowest student union fees in Nova Scotia, and with the growing expenses associated with the services and events they provide, Fabiano mentioned that the raise is needed “to ensure that we are creating an equitable pay structure within the Union while maintaining the current quality of services.” The quality of such services does indeed seem to be at risk, as when I asked Fabiano about the specific allocation of the new funds should the referendum be successful, she mentioned that the Union would move to pay its employees on an hourly rate rather than by honorarium. She stated that the Union would move towards this regardless of the outcome of the referendum, meaning that should the vote end in a “no”, the existing budget towards events (resulting in cheaper tickets, number of events able to be hosted, and orientation activities) would be partially re-allocated to account for employee wages.

Fabiano wanted to stress that though they may seem high, the increase of the fees is minimal for individual students. The Union already raises their fees 3% annually, so the difference at the end of the five years would only be $86.31.

In opposition to her, Ben MacKay is an honorarium student employed by the Union. He stated that he knew of the plan to move employees to an hourly wage, but took issue with the phrasing of the question and how it would harm students. He points in particular to the current cost of living crisis, and claims that a jump of nearly $100 in Union fees is unacceptable. When asked about his motivations to represent the initiative to “vote no” in the referendum, MacKay pointed to the lack of engagement between the students and StFX and the Union, which he claims has been a “long standing concern for many.” Though the Student Union makes efforts, many students are too busy to keep up with everything going on, but MacKay claims that this referendum has the “potential to be different.” He hopes that it will encourage students to engage, and to “stand up and respectively say ‘No.’” Even if the referendum is accepted, MacKay stated that getting students to care about the issue is already an achievement he is proud of. Indeed, his Instagram account has gained over 160 followers, and he claims to be greatly encouraged by the support this support.

MacKay pointed to three main issues he has with the referendum. Firstly, he points to the loose wording of the question. Though the Union has stated the increased fees will go towards paying honorarium students better, MacKay claims that the broadly phrased question does not tie them to this at all. Currently, the Union has yet to release a cost plan, and MacKay believes students deserve more information about where their money is going. Secondly, he has issue with the referendum being framed as a fight for honorarium students. He states that it is a matter of the whole student body, and as an honorarium student himself, wants to emphasize that the referendum does not speak for him or “many others” on the issue. Lastly, MacKay claims that he does not believe it to be fair to make these changes “on the back of students” while they are already struggling with high tuition, rent, and grocery prices. He asks: “Why can students not have one thing that is not excessively expensive?” The Student Union is meant to fight for student interest, and MacKay argues that this potential change will not benefit many people outside the walls of the Student Union building.

To end each interview, I asked both Fabiano and MacKay what they would say to a student opposing their position. Fabiano focused on what the Union does and how increased fees will help them in their projects which will in turn benefit students. She stated that:

“The Student Union benefits every Student. We advocate to the government to increase student affordability. We've seen wins from our advocacy efforts, such as funding for Open Educational Resources to reduce textbook costs and the elimination of interest on Canada student loans. We've also been a part of advocating for increased international student working hours and Student Financial Aid Grants like the one-time grant seen this fall in NS.”

She emphasized that the Student Union allows for students to have a democratic input, which is the reason they put the increase in fees to a vote.

MacKay reaffirmed his belief that this increase would not be a help to students who are already trying their best to “keep their head above water.” He also emphasized the importance of knowing where the funds would go, stating:

“Why don’t we know more about how much each of these things are going to cost? Students should know what their money will be spent on, and not just the broad strokes goals. They deserve to know, right down to the dollars and cents. I think the burden of that information belongs to the U and I find it to be—quite frankly—a failure of the organization’s mandate that it’s not been more readily available to the people.”

The outcome of the vote and its consequences are yet to be seen, but as both Fabiano and MacKay mention, it is important for students to have a say. Students can vote online on April 2nd for whichever position they feel most aligns with their needs and values.

The Legacy Of Brian Mulroney

As an international student arriving at StFX University from Nigeria, I was immediately struck by the pervasive presence of Brian Mulroney in the university's history and culture. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, everyone had a story to share about the former Prime Minister's time at StFX and frankly, time as Prime Minister. My journey to StFX was marked by curiosity about Canada, including its politics and a desire to immerse myself in a new culture. Little did I know that Brian Mulroney would become a central figure in shaping my understanding of both.

To understand who Brian Mulroney was and the legacy he left behind, take a look at the Mulroney Institute of Government. On every floor, there is a picture or plaque, writing or memorabilia that sings his praises and choruses his achievements. Reflecting on Mulroney's legacy at StFX, it becomes evident that his influence extends far beyond the political realm. Alumni, professors, and students alike speak fondly of Mulroney's time as a student here, recounting anecdotes that paint a picture of a young man driven by ambition and a commitment to service.

I had the unique opportunity to chat with a few StFX alumni and professors who either knew Brian Mulroney politically or personally. Tim Lang, a distinguished alumnus of StFX and the Vice President of Advancement for Alumni Affairs and Fundraising, vividly recalls the electrifying atmosphere that filled the campus upon Mulroney's inauguration into power. "By coincidence, the year I got into StFX was like days after 15 years of liberal rule, that Brian Mulroney became Prime Minister, and he came to StFX days later. It was a shock for me, but it was complete adulation by all of StFX. It was a huge thing," Lang reminisces.

One of Mulroney's enduring legacies at StFX is the establishment of the Mulroney Institute of Government, a testament to his dedication to fostering excellence in governance and leadership. Lang reflects on the genesis of this institution, stating, "When I was working at StFX as the vice president, Sean Riley – the former president of the university – and I wanted to find a way to enhance the campus and we came up with the idea for the Mulroney Institute of Government. We approached Brian Mulroney and he agreed." This all-underscores Mulroney's profound connection to his alma mater and his desire to leave a lasting impact on future generations of students.

Douglas Brown, a retired political science professor at StFX, also offers further insights into Mulroney's influence on the university community. "Whenever Mr. Mulroney came to town, and he came quite a lot, he would speak to convocation, sometimes to the board of directors, to alumni and give a lecture or even insist on meeting the students," Brown recalls. Mulroney's presence on campus served as a source of inspiration for students and faculty alike, reinforcing the values of leadership and civic engagement that are at the core of the StFX experience.

Mulroney's inclusive approach to governance and his willingness to listen to differing viewpoints endeared him to many, earning him respect and admiration across the political spectrum. Looking back on his political legacy, Brown also highlights his ability to bridge divides and unite Canadians. "When Mr. Mulroney came along in politics, he set out a very different vision of how to get along with people in the country. He knew how to bring people together," Mr Brown observed.

Randy Delorey, another StFX alumnus and former Member of the Legislative Assembly, also had some personal recollections of Mulroney's influence to share. "The first time I met Mr. Mulroney was at the announcement for a funding that our government, at the time, had been working on. It was an 2 amazing experience for me because when I was younger, he was the Prime Minister," Randy reminisces. Randy’s encounter with Mulroney goes to portray the profound impact that the former Prime Minister had on aspiring leaders like himself.

Randy also reflects on Mulroney's enduring legacy beyond the realm of politics. "Although his time in politics is long gone and finished,” Randy explains, “his influence was able to positively impact others.” In the words of Randy, it is surreal. When you need to hear the name “Brian Mulroney” and remember what he stood for, you share the stories with others you cross paths with and reminisce and reflect on those amazing times and opportunities.”

In conclusion, it is abundantly clear that Brian Mulroney's influence transcended the realms of politics to profoundly shape the fabric of the StFX community. Through their recollections, I have come to understand Mulroney not only as a statesman but also as a mentor, advocate, and source of inspiration for generations of students and faculty. As I pay homage to his memory, I recognize the profound impact he had on StFX university and its community. Brian Mulroney's legacy lives on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

5 Ways to Celebrate St. Patricks Day Safely

St. Patrick's Day is a highly anticipated event for St.FX students, second only to homecoming, that brings the campus together for celebration and fun. However, amidst the excitement, it's crucial to prioritize safety and be mindful of fellow students and neighbors who might not share the same level of enthusiasm for the holiday. While the day is known for its spirit and activity, it's important for students to celebrate responsibly and respectfully. In recent years, efforts have been made to promote a more inclusive and considerate approach to St. Patrick's Day festivities, emphasizing the importance of community. As such, it's important for students to be aware of their surroundings, look out for one another, and uphold the values of respect and inclusivity that define the St.FX community. Here are some tips to make sure everyone has a happy and healthy weekend.

1. Pace Yourself

Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and know your limits. Overindulging can have serious consequences and cloud your judgment, leading to risky decisions. By being mindful of how much you consume, you can stay in control and enjoy the festivities responsibly.

2. Stay Hydrated

Stay hydrated, t's just as important as pacing yourself! Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and evening can help prevent dehydration and ensure you feel your best. Keeping a water bottle handy can be a great reminder to take regular sips and keep your body hydrated

3. Look out for Friends

Look out for your friends and make sure everyone has a safe way to get home. If a friend has had a bit too much to drink, it's important to step in and help. You can arrange for a ride home or find a safe place for them to rest. Being there for each other in these situations can make all the difference in ensuring everyone stays safe and has a good time

4. Be Respectful

Respect for others, including neighbors and students who may not be celebrating, is essential. Understanding that not everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day and that some individuals may prefer peace and quiet is important. Being mindful of noise levels, particularly in residential areas, can help ensure that everyone can enjoy their day or evening without disturbance.

5. Take care of Yourself

Looking out for yourself is key during the celebrations. Take it easy and listen to your body. Dress for the weather, especially if you'll be outside a lot. Stay aware of what's going on around you and watch out for any potential risks. Taking care of yourself means you'll be able to have a great time without any worries.

Massive Snowstorm Hits Antigonish

February has been a snowy month for Nova Scotia, with record-setting amounts falling throughout the province. Beginning in the evening of February 2nd, Antigonish was one of many towns hit with a large storm. The snowfall was heaviest in eastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, with some areas being hit with up to a meter of snow.

Along with other campuses, StFX was one of many Nova Scotia schools that remained closed throughout the snow storm. The campus was closed for four consecutive days from Saturday, February 3rd to Tuesday, February 6th. During this time, emergency services such as security and Morrison Hall remained open for students. Online classes also proceeded unless otherwise stated by the professor. In addition to StFX, Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University, as well as Mount Saint Vincent University were also closed at some point during the storm.

To assist with clean up, students, staff, and faculty were advised to stay off campus and avoid any form of pedestrian or car traffic that could interfere with snow removal services. In fact, the school was searching for student shovelers to assist with snow clean up, offering a wage of $18.25 per hour. Several cars in certain parking lots were required to move to make way for snowplows. Shovels were provided by Security Services for those without.

Due to the poor weather conditions, certain sports games (both home and away) were postponed and rescheduled. These games included: a women's basketball game, a men’s basketball game, a women’s hockey game, as well as a men’s hockey game.

The last thing StFX students expected following the four-day campus closure was yet another snow day. The following week, Antigonish saw more snow which resulted in two partial snow days on February 14th and 15th. On both days, campus remained closed until 11:30am. Afterwards, classes continued as per schedule.

Works Cited:

https://globalnews.ca/news/10281479/antigonish-woman-trapped-for-days-after-snow-storm/

https://globalnews.ca/news/10271529/halifax-schools-cancelled-nova-scotia-snow-storm/

The Housing Situation in Antigonish

Antigonish, has an essence of a small-town warmth and with a blend of academic ambitions. At the center of is a place where students from all around the world converge in pursuit of their dreams. But like many university towns, Antigonish presents a challenge that every prospective student must face – the housing question.

Finding suitable accommodation can be a meticulous task for both domestic and international students, particularly during the peak of the academic year which comes sometime around spring time of each year, it is a time when new students both domestic and international students converge at this place to fulfill their ambitions of studying at a prestigious university and achieve their academic pursuits. 

The rental market within the town is competitive, with a noticeable mild shortage of affordable options catering specifically to our student needs. Apartments in convenient locations close to campus tend to fill up quickly, often leaving those new to the scene on the backfoot and settling for less-than-ideal housing or facing substantial commutes.

For those seeking a little more integrated on-campus living experience, St. Francis Xavier University offers a variety of residence options. Traditional dormitory-style accommodations provide a built-in community and the shortest walk to class, but these coveted spots are very limited and often subject to a first come first serve based system. The university also manages a number of apartment-style residences, offering a touch more autonomy and living space. However, these options often come with a higher price tag and can still be fiercely competitive.

Despite the challenges, securing affordable housing in Antigonish isn't impossible. Proactive students begin their search early, scouring online listings in Facebook marketplaces, also among different existing pages within Facebook specifically dedicated to the rentals available in Antigonish, university resources, and social media groups dedicated to housing for leads. For some, the answer lies in shared accommodations, dividing the cost of a larger rental with roommates or seeking out homestay situations with local families. Others broaden their search radius by considering apartments in surrounding communities, balancing commute time against rental costs. Most of the international students begin their search through networking. Since the process for them after getting an offer letter from the university becomes exciting, they often face challenges during the finding a suitable accommodation for them specifically suited to their financial aspects. Since they are new and need new guidance, the town combined with the existing students and the support system of the university provide an excellent opportunity for students looking to find an off campus accommodation. 

As international students settle in, the financial realities of studying abroad become starkly clear. Fortunately, Canada's relatively high minimum wage offers a glimmer of hope for those in need of supplemental income. However, students must remember that international student visas place restrictions on the number of hours they may work off-campus each week (in some cases, since the restrictions have now been lifted till April 2024). This makes it especially important to target part-time jobs with flexible hours designed around student schedules.

On-campus employment can be a lifesaver, often providing more accommodating work schedules and, in some cases, even relevant experience in one's field of study. Positions like peer tutors, research assistants, or library staff allow students to earn money while further developing their skills and building their resumes.

Antigonish itself offers a modest range of part-time job opportunities, particularly in the service and retail sectors. The town's main street is lined with independent businesses, cafes, and restaurants – many of which welcome the extra pair of hands that students can provide. Although the pay might not be the highest, these jobs offer valuable work experience and the chance to interact with the local Antigonish community.

The university, as the lifeblood of the town, also generates opportunities for students. From cafeteria work to assisting with campus events, there's always a need for a helping hand. Departments often hire student workers, and keen students can even approach professors about assisting with research projects. Word of mouth is a powerful tool; networking, applying online, and regularly checking the university's job board are key to staying ahead of the pack and gain the required hours for students to make their way through university. 

A Drive-U Hybrid? Let’s talk Sustainability on StFX Campus

On December 7th, 2023, at 1 pm, attendees of the U’s first ever Sustainability Round Table made their way to Council Chambers, a room tucked away on the fourth floor of the Student’s Union Building. Overlooking the south parking lot, one finds solace peering out into the cold, snowy landscape. It is a welcome break from the hottest summer on record, with blazing fires in the North, floods in the South, tropical storms moving up the coast, heat waves and “special weather”, to name a few. With the town relatively calm and cold, it's as though Mother Nature is giving us time, this time between seasons, to focus our energies, to gear up before another long-haul battle.  

But anticipation for what next summer, spring, and even fall with it in recent years being termed “Hurricane Season,” leaves many students and faculty distressed, anxious about the future, and anxious to do something about it. At least I do, and if you are reading this, I’m sure you are too. Luckily, we are not the only ones. The Student’s Union, the Antigonish League of People Advocating for Climate Action (ALPACA), and other campus and student bodies seem to be just as worried, and equally as adamant that something needs to be done, more than what is already being done.  

Anna Hancin and Jack Harding from the U began with a land acknowledgment and introductions. Following this, two keynote speakers, Kevin Lafreniere from FM and Tim Hierlihy from Sodexo presented each their respective departments take on sustainability on StFX Campus. Their presentations were followed by a presentation by ALPACA and a presentation by Divest@X.  

Tim Hierlihy spoke about several sustainability initiatives and programs that Sodexo (the main food provider), has undertaken. He highlighted sourcing local and increasing vegan/vegetarian options. Sysco has a local sub-out, where Mr. Hierlihy claims, if there is a better local option for a food item provided through the Sysco distribution network, they will “sub-out” in favor of the local option. He also spoke of increasing plant-based options, as they are more sustainable. Mr. Hierlihy lastly emphasized increasing the local farm network for Meal Hall. 

Kevin Lafreniere from Facilities Management had the most extensive list of ways StFX can become more sustainable. Among many things, including displaying in great detail the StFX campus’ energy usage over the past decade, he mentioned switching campus lighting to LED, a geothermal loop.  

“In 2008 alone, 250,000 KJ (exact.: 29,442 MT) of CO2 was pumped out of StFX” said Kevin. According to the records, efforts to change this hefty load of CO2 emissions have been undertaken in past years. Each worth approximately 2 million in investments, 3 rounds of efforts were undertaken according to Kevin.  

According to Kevin, the current distribution of fuels for StFX is ¾ fossil fuels, and ¼ fish oil. “It is difficult to phase out fossil fuels by relying on fish oil subsidiaries alone, since those companies are essentially giving us the “leftovers” from the bigger companies they sell to,”he said. This could be an area for growth, but as Kevin said, it would be difficult given the circumstances. 

To reduce both energy and water consumption, a possible solution is to switch to geothermal. This would require a tremendous amount of investment, once again. Kevin then went on to show the attendees the concept of a Geothermal loop, and how it could work on the StFX campus.  

The investment this would require, according to Kevin, would be a large one. 

It would require upward of 70 million dollars to install, maintain and would require a 10 km (6 mile) deep structure for it to be functional.   

Buying nuclear from New Brunswick was also something mentioned by Kevin. Unfortunately, my pen ran out of ink, so I do not have more extensive notes on this. 

Jack from the U mentioned switching the U’s Drive U vehicle to an all-electric or at minimum a hybrid vehicle. Proudly presenting a photo of the latest AI generated image of a Drive U hybrid vehicle. A low murmur of approval from the attendees was among the first indications that this is something that could be well received by the campus community.  

After the meeting, I asked some members to attend for remarks about it. Here is what they had to say:  

Michaela, 2nd year Earth Science, ALPACA Secretary:  

“I’m really glad I got to learn about the sustainability projects that are ongoing and being looked at for the future so I could understand better how sustainable the campus really is right now because I truly had no idea at all. I think it helped us at ALPACA know where we need to direct our attention and where we can go with concerns or questions for FM and Sodexo.” 

Angus, 4th year Biology, ALPACA President:  

“I found it was a very useful meeting. We often have this problem of silo-ing groups on campus and it is left up to secondhand sources to relay information. Having a round table where parts of the university come together to talk about what is going on is a great way for us to be aware of what is going on. With ALPACA's goal of advocacy being one where effort is directed at specific issues, it is very important that we share information and intent amongst groups here on campus. Meetings like this help foster cooperation amongst groups as opposed to animosity. I hope that this round table is fruitful and that we can follow up on this meeting in the new year.” 

Julia Crean, 2nd-year Climate and Environment, ALPACA member: “I found it was a nice chance for people outside of ALPACA to turn their focus to the actions being taken on campus to improve environmental sustainability. I appreciated the chance to hear ideas that some other students had, and it definitely sparked my interest in some future collaborations for projects.” 

And finally, I will conclude with a quote from my personal favourite, Jane Goodall, who has been quoted saying: “We have a window of time which is closing, and we need everybody who cares to get together and find solutions, now”. Indeed, we do. Let’s get to it. Hope to see YOU at the next round table. There will be another one, @theU, right?? I sure hope so.  

Antigonish for Gaza Demonstrates Their Support For Palestine

Antigonish for Gaza demonstrated in front of Antigonish Town Hall on Saturday, November 25, for the International Day of Action for Palestine. Around 40 demonstrators held up signs and chanted in support of the millions of Palestinians in Gaza. At the time, there was a cease-fire in place between Israel and Hamas, the governing body of the Gaza Strip. During the cease-fire, Hamas and their allies released around 100 of the hostages taken on October 7 during an attack on Israel that killed over 1,200 people.  In return, Israel released 240 prisoners, many of them children aged between 14-17 according to the Washington Post. Since October 7, over 15,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, as well as 250 Palestinians in the West Bank.

As of the writing of this article, Israel and Hamas were once again at war, both sides accusing the other of violating the cease-fire. Chad, one the organizers of Antigonish for Gaza, anticipated this in his speech, saying, “We have been promised, by the war criminal Netanyahu, to his permanent disgrace, that this cease-fire is not meant to last.” Around 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced from their homes, as well as 500,000 Israelis.

Sarah, another of the organizers of Antigonish for Gaza, maintained on the 25th that, “We must remain vigilant in calling for a lasting perpetual peace, a peace that is long deserved by all civilians in the region. This peace is only possible when the Israeli occupation is extinguished. Palestine must be free.”

 Peace, as defined by the Oxford dictionary, is “freedom from or the cessation of war or violence”. In the spring of 2022, UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk called the Israeli occupation of Palestine “apartheid”, saying “[Israel] conforms to the definition as a ‘political regime which so intentionally and clearly prioritizes fundamental political, legal and social rights to one group over another, within the same geographic unit on the basis of one’s racial-national-ethnic identity’”.

A cease-fire may allow the people of Gaza to live without fear of bombs. The elimination of Hamas, the IDF’s stated aim for this war, may even allow them to return to what used to be their homes. But only true freedom from the violence of apartheid will allow the Palestinian people to live in peace.

It is with this aim that Antigonish for Gaza did and will continue to demonstrate in support of the Palestinian people.  On November 20, the McGill Students’ Union held a referendum which voted for a “Policy against Genocide in Palestine” with 78.7 percent of the vote in favour. The policy demanded that McGill divest from companies and donors “complicit in genocide, settler-colonialism, apartheid, or ethnic cleansing against Palestinians.”  McGill was far from the only students’ union in Canada to use its platform to advocate for the Palestinian people. Students at York, the University of Toronto, and the University of Ottawa have made headlines in their support for Palestine.

Dogs, Crafts, Puzzles, and More! The StFX Library Shows That it is More Than Just a Place to Study

With paper season in full swing and exam week looming ahead of us, it can be hard to get a break from the stress that all students are undoubtably feeling. But the library and their wonderful staff have our back, with a collection of de-stressor activities that are designed to put the over-worked mind at ease.

The first of these activities is the library Lunch and Knit Wednesdays, happening every Wednesday from 12pm–1pm on the first floor couches. This event was brought to campus by Samantha Read, a liaison librarian with a knack for crafting. Knitting and crochet have been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure, as well as decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even chronic pain. Sam shared that she started the knitting hour initiative in part to share her love of the craft with others who were interested. Even outside of exam season, university can give students a lot of stress, and having a time where they can relax and chat with like-minded crafters is great for improving mental health. And even outside of all the health benefits that knitting and crochet have, it’s just plain fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and learn a new skill. Sam shared that she’s already taught one student to knit and is looking forward to sharing her skill to even more!

But if knitting or crochet isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other de-stressor activities that are being organized by Grace Bourret, another liaison librarian here at StFX. A fan favourite are the Therapy Dogs. This year, a group kind and fun-loving greyhounds will be brought into the first floor of the library to fill your study break with fun. Just a few minutes with a dog can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and give you the energy you need to make it through exams. They will be in the library during the following dates and times:

-       December 5th 3pm-4pm

-       December 8th 11am-12pm

-       December 11th 11am-12pm

-       December 14th 3pm-4pm

If you’re feeling crafty, try out the StFX Winter Wishes. The library has partnered with the R.K. Macdonald Nursing home and will be setting up tables for students to make holiday cards that will be delivered to the nursing home to spread holiday cheer. Running from December 4th-18th, stations will be set up at the library, the Kiknu Indigenous Student Centre, as well as various pop-up locations around campus where students can participate and give back to the community, allowing them to take their mind off exams.

But we must employ our body alongside our heart, and with that in mind, the StFX library brings us Movement Breaks. These will be 15 minutes sessions of gentle stretching led by Sam Read to work out the tension that comes from being hunched over a table studying all day long. Starting on December 5th, these will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2pm on the main floor of the library in the Special Data Resource Centre (a staff member at the front desk can point you in the right direction if needed).

Now that we are engaging out bodies, we must do so for minds as well—but in a fun way, don’t worry. The library offers students two options who want to take a break while keeping their minds engaged. The first is Relax in the Stacks. In the fourth floor art lounge, students will have the choice of crosswords, sudoku, colouring sheets, or puzzles. This will run from December 4th-22nd. If this doesn’t strike your fancy, there is also the World’s Easiest Book Club. On the first floor of the library, a relatively short book is on display for students to give a quick read through. After, they can use a sticker to rate the book for themselves. Amongst all the academic studies and peer-reviewed articles students are meant to read, this is a great way to remind you that reading doesn’t always have to be a serious affair and that there is still some fun to be found in it!

Of course, we can’t forget the Whiteboard Question that is posted in the entrance foyer of the library. The question is changed every Monday and ranges from “what is your favourite study song” to “what are you looking forward to most about the holidays.” It’s a fun way to connect with other students and see what our community is interested in.

We cannot thank the Angus L. Macdonald library and their amazing staff—particularly Grace Bourett and Samantha Read—enough for setting up all of these wonderful activities for students to enjoy. We hope that you get a chance to go and try them out them before leaving campus for the holidays!

Antigonish Puts Students at Risk of Large Fines with the Introduction of the “Nuisance Party By-law”

On October 11th a special meeting of the Antigonish town council approved the new “Nuisance Party By-law.” This move was inspired by a similar by-law instated in Wolfville in 2019. In simple terms, this new by-law gives enforcement officers a substantial amount of power to act against party hosts and party goers, allowing them to hand out offence tickets and large fines to anyone attending a gathering that is considered a “nuisance.”

The by-law outlines the penalties for any offence or failure to comply as “not less than four hundred dollars ($400.00) for a first offence, not less than six hundred ($600.00) for second offence and no less than nine hundred ($900.00) for a third and any subsequent offences.”

The bill defines a “nuisance party” as “a gathering on property which, by reason of the conduct or any one or more of the person(s) in attendance, is characterized by any one or more of the following elements:

a)     Public intoxication;

b)    The unlawful sale, furnishing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances;

c)     The unauthorized deposit of litter on public or private property;

d)    Damage to public or private property;

e)     The obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or interference with the ability to provide emergency services;

f)     Sound that is unusual or excessive, or that is likely to be unwanted by disturbing to persons, as described in the Town of Antigonish Noise Control By-Law;

g)    Unauthorized open burning as described in the Outdoor Fire By-Law;

h)    Public disturbance, including confrontations or violence;

i)      Outdoor public urination or defecation; or

j)      Use of or entry upon a roof not intended for such occupancy.

To be clear, any gathering that meets even one of these elements will fall under this new by-law. Hosting or attending a so-called “nuisance party” is all the riskier, as enforcement officers have significantly more power than in previous years.

For instance, upon receiving an order to discontinue the party, it is expected that every person who is not a resident of the property leave immediately and for the party to cease. This is outlined in section 5.1 and 5.2 of the by-law. Failure to comply may result in a first offence ticket. However, section 5.3 goes on the explain that this order must only be given within a “reasonable amount time” following the violation. This means that a party may be classified as a nuisance without the host being made aware for an unspecified amount of time. Under these conditions, it is possible for a person to receive multiple offences without realizing they have already been issued one, resulting in large fines stacking atop each other.

Further complications emerge in section 7.4. This section makes clear that the offence of a nuisance party is attached to the property, not the residents of the property. This creates cause for concern for students, who switch in and out of rental properties every few years. If the tenants in the previous year had received an order to discontinue a nuisance party, any offences on behalf of the new tenants (within a 2 year timeframe of the original order) would be treated as a subsequent (second, third, etc.) offences, even if it was their first. Thus, they would be “subject to higher fines.”

It is unclear that the by-law has any large restrictions against the power of enforcement officers. The by-law seems to give the right to act to any officer who believes on “reasonable grounds” that an offence has been committed—which could be as simple as attending a party that has a few stray cans lying around. Even in these circumstances, the party could be considered a “nuisance” something that is up to the discretion of a singular individual.

Other offences in which a ticket may be given include but are not limited to: hosting a nuisance party, allowing a nuisance party on their property, failing to leave after having been directed to leave, standing or sitting upon a roof, hanging a poster or banner with “offensive language” in a public place, or “promot[ing] the unsafe consumption of intoxication substances.” The full list can be found in the linked PDF at the bottom of this article.

Whether or not the by-law will be followed in the strictest sense (for example, receiving an offence because there are a few stary cans around the property), remains to be seen. Because the decisions are largely left to the discretion of individual officers, a lack of consistency on what is deemed a nuisance is likely. Rather than a strict guideline outlining how students will be charged for specific acts, the bill acts more like deterrent. Officers may not take all the actions they are permitted through the ambiguous wording of this by-law, but the important part seems to be that they could.

A PDF copy of this by-law is linked here.

Ceilidh Series at X

What better way to celebrate Canadian East Coast culture than attending a Ceilidh? On November 25 at 7 pm, Flourish@X and Catholics@X invite you to a Ceilidh at St. Ninian Place consisting of live entertainment from students, square dancing, baked goods, coffee and tea, and a raffle. This can be a great way to de-stress after midterms and have one last hurrah with fellow students before final exams and the Christmas break.

Ceilidh is a Gaelic word for “party” or “social gathering.” They are a popular social event in Cape Breton and can be large fundraisers for the community. Though Ceilidhs frequently involve a square dance, they do not have to. Ceilidhs involve multiple live performers, generally including a local fiddler and pianist.

The Ceilidh series at St. FX is hosted by Flourish@X and Catholics@X who have also partnered with the East Coast Music Society and CFXU 93.9 FM “The Fox” to help run them. Joshua Kroker, a third year student who has been involved in organizing the events, encourages students to come give the Ceilidh a try, regardless of whether or not you have any experience square dancing. The Ceilidh series is an excellent way to get to know and celebrate Gaelic traditions in a fun and inclusive environment.

This is not the first time that St. FX has hosted a Ceilidh event. On March 31, 2023, members of the community gathered at St. FX for a spring Ceilidh to enjoy some Cape Breton music and square dancing. The organizations hosting the Ceilidh wanted to expand it to a series of multiple events leading up to one big one. Furthermore, Celtic traditions are a big part of the identity in this area, and the organizers wanted to provide students with the opportunity to feel the culture of Antigonish. So far this fall, two Ceilidh events have taken place, one on October 21 and another on November 2, both of which gave the opportunity to practice square dancing prior to the Christmas Ceilidh. Each event had a great turn out of around 20-30 people.

When asked why students should participate in the Ceilidh, Kroker said: “it’s a great way to get to know the community and to learn more about where you’re studying. When we come to StFX, we’re a part of a greater community which is Antigonish and these Gaelic and traditional roots that also go a little further than Antigonish.” Kroker recalled his first time attending a Ceilidh as someone who had no square dancing experience. He explained how it was an incredibly welcoming experience because everyone was patient and simply wanted to have a good time.

So, if you would like to expand your knowledge of the Gaelic roots and identity of Antigonish in an inclusive and welcoming environment, you are welcome to come out to the Christmas Ceilidh on November 25th!