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As avian influenza hits Canada, students in Algonquin’s vet tech program learn preventative lessons

British Columbia has confirmed Canada’s first human case of H5N1 avian influenza involving a teenager who was in critical condition

Grinje Randa Bringi

Photos: Grinje Randa Bringi

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 1:14pm

Photo: Grinje Randa Bringi

Emma Mackinlay and Emilie Desloges demonstrate their dog examination techniques with Beau Beau at the veterinary clinic.

As health officials in British Columbia monitor the condition of a teen sick with avian influenza, students at Algonquin College are learning how to combat zoonotic diseases in their veterinary technician program.

Second-year veterinary technician students Emma Mackinlay and Emilie Desloges are already well-versed in zoonotic disease prevention measures, which are illnesses that can spread between animals and humans.

“Hand hygiene is critical,” said Mackinlay. “We’ve been taught to use proper protective equipment, sanitize thoroughly and recognize symptoms early.”

“The program equips us to manage animal-related diseases,” said Desloges. “But the principles, like handwashing, apply to everyone. It’s one of the easiest ways to reduce the spread.”

"Handwashing applies to everyone. It’s one of the ways to reduce the spread of germs," said Emilie Desloges. Photo credit: Grinje Randa Bringi

At Algonquin, these practices are deeply embedded in the curriculum. Veterinary professor and program coordinator Shannon Reid emphasized the importance of biosecurity in managing zoonotic diseases.

“Students learn the mechanisms of these diseases, how they are transmitted, diagnosed and treated, as well as how to prevent their spread,” said Reid. “We teach strict protocols, including wearing gloves, masks and goggles. These practices protect the students and help prevent transmission between animals.”

The H5N1 avian influenza is rare but deadly. It reminds people of how quickly a public health crisis can escalate.

A B.C. a teenager, whose name and gender have not been released, was fighting for survival after contracting the H5N1 strain of avian influenza. It is Canada’s first reported case.

According to Public Health Ontario, avian influenza is a type of flu virus mostly found in wild birds. It can also infect poultry such as chickens and turkeys, as well as mammals like cows. Human infections are rare and typically result from close contact with infected animals or their environments.

According to B.C. health authorities, the teenager’s symptoms began on Nov. 2 with fever, cough and conjunctivitis, escalating to acute respiratory distress. After initially being sent home, the individual was admitted to intensive care days later. Advanced antiviral treatments were being administered, but the patient’s condition remained critical.

“We may never find the exact source,” said Henry Migratory birds are often linked to outbreaks, but in this case, no direct exposure to poultry or infected wild birds has been identified,” she said.

Over 35 contacts of the teen, including family members and healthcare workers, were being monitored and tested according to health authorities. Antiviral prophylaxis, a preventive treatment designed to stop the virus from developing in exposed individuals, has been offered to those at risk.

While public health officials remain confident that the virus does not spread easily between humans, its severity is concerning.

Seasonal influenza typically has a mortality rate of less than one percent, H5N1 has been associated with mortality rates as high as 52 per cent globally.

“Globally, since 1997, we’ve seen as many as 900 cases, but human transmission is extremely rare,” said Henry.

Sundus Farah, a first-year community and justice services student, said she had not heard of the avian flu case but believes Algonquin College has a responsibility to inform students about health risks.

“If there’s another outbreak, I’d follow the procedures to keep myself safe,” said Farah. “But I need to stay informed to protect myself.”

How to Stay Safe

Health officials advise remaining vigilant but not panicking. Stay home if you feel unwell, and get your seasonal flu shot to reduce the risk of severe illness.

If you encounter sick or dead birds, avoid direct contact and report them to wildlife authorities immediately. Signs of a sick bird include unusual tiredness, difficulty breathing, swelling around the eyes or head, or discharge from the beak or eyes.

As Mackinlay and Desloges emphasized, preventive measures like hand hygiene, proper protective equipment and awareness are key to staying safe.

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Grinje Randa Bringi

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First Person: Soccer helps me feel like myself, far from home

Leaving Mexico for Canada changed everything. But on the soccer field, I found a way to stay connected to home while discovering who I’m becoming.

Sebastian Pinera

Photos: Agrani Tiwari

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 12:47pm

Photo: Agrani Tiwari

Standing on the Algonquin College soccer field in my Ottawa team jersey, taking in the moment.

When I left my hometown in Mexico a year and a half ago for Canada, I knew life would be different. But I didn’t expect how hard it would be to feel connected to who I used to be.

I’d moved to Canada to chase big dreams, but as time passed, I felt parts of myself slipping away. Here, I’m doing all the things I dreamed of: working a job I love, paying my own bills and learning how to handle life on my own. On the outside, I’m proud of who I’m becoming because I keep growing as a person. But inside, I sometimes feel like I’ve lost pieces of who I was.

For me, soccer has become the thing that keeps me connected to home. Soccer has always been a big part of my life, and playing it here makes me feel close to Mexico. Back in my hometown, soccer looked like getting together with friends, feeling excited as we put on the jerseys of our favorite teams and players.

We’d feel like professional athletes, showing up to have fun and believing we were the main characters in the world. Before every game, I’d get chills lacing up my cleats, like a kid opening a brand-new toy.

Here in Canada, those feelings haven’t changed. When I step onto a field in Ottawa, the weather is colder, and the faces are different, but the excitement is the same. Before a game, I sit on the bench tying my cleats, already imagining how it’ll go. I think about the moment the ball reaches my feet, that split second when everything else fades away, and I’m just playing.

Even thousands of miles from home, soccer still gives me chills. It’s the bridge that connects Mexico-me with the person I’m becoming here.

In Canada, it’s easy to get swept up in the newness of it all. When I met Rebeca Feria, the leader of the Latino Club at Algonquin College, her words helped me make sense of what I’d been feeling.

“Just because you’re in a different country doesn’t mean you have to become a different person and forget where you came from,” she said. The Latino Club at Algonquin College exists to help people like me keep our roots alive, to remind us that we don’t have to leave behind the things that matter just because we’re in a new place.

Feria also talked about how some people lose touch with their roots, like it’s just part of “moving on.”

“It’s disheartening to see people ignore the importance of staying connected to something that was once so meaningful to them,” she said. Those words hit home because, in many ways, I was one of those people. I’d been so focused on adjusting to my new life that I didn’t even realize how far I’d drifted from who I used to be.

Talking with others who felt the same way, like Meryem Hasdou, an international student at Algonquin College, gave me even more perspective.

“Arriving to a new country almost makes you feel completely lost with yourself, which can be terrifying at the beginning,” Hasdou said. “When you find something that connects you to your actual home, there’s a sense of relief and happiness with yourself.”

Her experience mirrored my own, reminding me that I wasn’t alone in this feeling and that many other international students go through the same.

For a long time, I thought that moving forward meant letting go of everything that came before. But I’m learning that you never have to give up parts of yourself to grow.

Soccer is that constant thread for me, reminding me of where I come from and why that matters. Now, each time I lace up my cleats and put on my jersey, I’m playing for more than just the game. I’m playing to keep Mexico close to me, to hold on to the memories that shaped me, even as I keep building a new life here.

Like me, many people are out here trying to find their way while holding on to pieces of their past. For anyone trying to figure out who they are after leaving home, I hope my story reminds them that growth and staying connected can go hand in hand. You don’t have to lose your roots to find yourself.

And for me, that’s what the soccer field, the excitement before playing and the touches with the ball are all about.

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Sebastian Pinera

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For these students, decorating their dorm rooms is about more than following a trend

Students are turning living spaces into personalized retreats creating a true sense of home

Caroline Kirkey

Photos: Yikun Liu

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 12:47pm

Photo: Yikun Liu

Yikun Liu's little nail salon table that takes up about half of her dorm room at Algonquin College.

Decorating living spaces has exploded in popularity, especially on social media. But is it just another fleeting trend, or is it something deeper? For many, it is less about following trends and more about creating a space that truly feels like home.

Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok are buzzing with dorm-room transformation videos, showcasing everything from cozy string lights to color-coordinated bedding and intricate gallery walls.

The trend has evolved far beyond throwing up a few posters or settling for basic furniture, it’s now about crafting a curated aesthetic that reflects personality and individuality.

For some, it’s an art form. For others, it’s a necessity to feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment.

Students want their living spaces to feel like a retreat, a place of comfort and a reflection of their identities.

To explore how students bring a sense of home to their living spaces, the Algonquin Times spoke with three students about their personal approaches to room decor.

Yikun Liu, 18, Algonquin College student

Program: Early childhood education, Level 3

For Liu, when it came to a colour scheme, decorating her dorm at Algonquin College campus was easy.

“Because my favourite colour is blue, most of my decorations when choosing something are in the colour blue, including my bed and bed sheets,” said Liu.

According to Mental Health America, when the colour blue is used in living spaces it helps people relax, unwind, find peace and become more comfortable in their environment.

Liu also includes accents of yellow in her room, primarily in the colour of her lights.

“I picked warm yellowing lighting so that way it looks like a warm and cozy atmosphere,” she said

However, when she first started decorating her dorm, she didn’t think of a theme and didn’t care to have one.

“I don’t have a specific theme, I just wanted to make my room look comfortable and cozy,” Liu said. “And it’s really helpful for my mental health.”

Liu also transformed her room into a functional space by incorporating a unique feature that adds both purpose and personality to her decor.

“I became a big fan of polished nails, so I DIY half of my room into a little nail studio, so I made lots of decorations for that,” she said.

Liu's nail table she created in her bedroom dorm. — Yikun Liu's little nail salon table that takes up about half of her dorm room at Algonquin College. Photo credit: Yikun Liu

She bought and created the main table, some storage shelves, nail oils and created a little area at the table where she takes photos for people after she’s done their nails.

“I don’t like that creating your space has become a social media trend. For me this is just my space and comforting to me.”

Phoenix Gray, 19, Humber College Toronto North Campus student

Program: Culinary Arts, first year

“I would describe the decorations in my room as more sporadic and less stylized,” said Gray.

“A lot of my decorations remind me of important memories in my life or have something to do with one of my hobbies.”

Money was not a significant issue for Gray since most of his decorations came directly from home or were made by him.

However, he did spend some money at the campus poster event.

“A lot of my decorations are little keepsakes and trinkets I had from home so that helped me save money,” he said.

“I also enjoy displaying some of my own art to decorate my space. I did however spend a fair bit of money on posters at my school’s poster sale, but I feel that it was worth it.”

Gray said the best and one of the most interesting pieces that he owns is a butt poster. Yes, a poster with different items that have butts on them.

Image of poster with items having butts on them. — Phoenix Gray's butt on things poster with signatures of friends on each item. Photo credit: Phoenix Gray

“Everyone who comes into my room gets to sign their name next to their favorite butt,” said Gray. “I really like it because it makes me laugh and I feel that it will be a great keepsake in the future.”

Sarah de Lina, 21, University of Ottawa student and residence assistant for Stanton residence

Program: Health Sciences, fourth year

When de Lina first moved from Toronto to Ottawa, she said she felt nervous and decided to bring items from home to her dorm.

“I wanted to decorate my room with things that made me happy,” said de Lina.

She’s now living in the fourth different dorm room since starting at the university.

Her original plan was to always have things in her room that brought her comfort when she was away from home.

“I love the colour pink, so you’ll notice in my room I have lots of pink stuff.”

Along with her pink pillows and flowers, she has event posters she has made during her time as an RA for Stanton. One of her favourite items is a colonial-style map of Canada, right above her bed.

de Lina said she loves maps and thinks her map is particularly interesting because she can see the different industries showing what is produced across different provinces and cities in Canada.

Lina's posters of her events as an RA and her colonial Canadian poster. — Sarah de Lina's posters from events as being an RA and her colonial style Canada poster, right above her bed. Photo credit: Caroline Kirkey

“It’s cool to see how that’s spread out over Canada, and I love the style of art and the smaller posters were all left over from work, and they are all events that I ran, so those didn’t cost me anything,” said de Lina.

But one of coolest objects de Lina has in her room is a small piano, placed under her bedroom window like a little gem.

She’s been playing piano since she was six years old.

“I love to play, and it really hit me in high school that I loved playing piano, so when I’m having a bad night sometimes, you’ll hear me turn on the piano and my roommates are like ‘Oh it’s River Flows in You or some really pretty beats’, or I’ll just play for fun,” she said.

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Caroline Kirkey

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First Person: A healthy weight-loss journey skips the shortcuts

After two years of struggle, exploration and persistence, I now stand in front of the mirror and smile at myself. Tears gather in my eyes—I can finally see the results of my efforts

Laiyiady Lam

Photos: Caroline Kirkey

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 9:52am

Photo: Caroline Kirkey

"I no longer look for any shortcuts, feel hungry because of dieting and panic about any physical problems that a diet brings to me," writes the author.

I remember a dark moment five years ago. I had just knocked over a pot of vegetables I was about to cook. The brown glass pot shattered on the floor, scattering boiling water and vegetables across the kitchen—much like my fractured dieter’s resolve. Kneeling in the shards of glass and spilled food, I sobbed. My mouth was still numbly chewing on a piece of broccoli.

Losing weight felt as impossible as trying to catch the moon’s reflection in water for me. I have constantly been anxious and struggled with body image.

All of this changed, however in my tiny bedroom in the southern part of China three years ago. Scrolling through TikTok on my phone, a video by TikTok influencer and bodybuilder Nikita appeared. It was about achieving your ideal body. I scoffed and was ready to swipe away—until it started to play.

“You may have tried every popular weight-loss plan on social media,” Nikita said. “But have you ever thought about what nutrients your body actually needs? The body you’re not happy with didn’t come from a week or a month of eating—it took time. And reaching your goal will also take time.”

“Boom…” It was as if a wall in my mind about weight loss had just collapsed. “Facing your body changes positively is the first step to losing weight,” he continued. “Stop looking for shortcuts. The only thing you need is the right diet that suits you.”

In that moment, I learned that accepting the changes in my body is the first step to losing weight. In the next hour, I learned about counting calories, the three major nutrients that the body needs, muscle content and other knowledge that I had never heard before. I even made a fitness and diet plan for myself. All I need is the right diet that suits me and stop looking for shortcuts.

Up until this point, that had not been what I’d been doing. When I turned 20, I became overwhelmed by excessive anxiety due to changes in my body. I resorted to extreme weight-loss methods.

This period of losing weight was chaotic and crazy. I failed because I was always hungry from dieting. I’d opened the refrigerator in the middle of the night to stuff my stomach with frozen pizza. I failed because I lost control of my emotions while trying the carnivore diet. I failed because I cut out carbohydrates, which led to severe hair loss that clogged the shower drain. I failed because I lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital after trying an all-liquid diet.

I was officially diagnosed with depression and anxiety from the relentless pain of extreme dieting. The doctor showed no sympathy or emotion to me during the examination about my symptoms. Instead of asking me what happened, she gave me two options to choose: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or taking pills.

During that time, I felt like I was stranded on a deserted island of confusion and helplessness.

Terry Lin, a personal fitness trainer I met after learning how to lose weight correctly, said his members usually had physical and emotional problems due to the extreme diet in the beginning.

“Many of the people I work with have tried diets that go completely against our body’s natural needs,” he said. “They start without understanding the basics, and often, they either revert back to old habits or just give up.”

As a child, I was affectionately called “chubby” by family and friends. My grandparents, whom I lovingly refer to as “five-star chefs,” played a big role in that. My grandfather often brought all my favourite foods home, and my grandmother was known in our community for her incredible cooking. Their way of showing love was to have steaming, delicious meals on the table every day.

At the time, I thought of it as a blessing. In this warm, food-filled environment, I started to grow rounder, much like an inflating balloon.

“Ady, you look like Baymax!” my mother joked one day when I was 18. With a gentle smile, she added, “Maybe it’s time to lose a little weight? It doesn’t look very healthy.”

My mom is a kind, but firm woman who sometimes teases a little too much. I wasn’t hurt by her words, but they stayed with me. Her comments echoed in my mind, especially during moments when I felt my body’s weight while walking or exercising.

“Sometimes you really can’t control your mouth,” said Chuyan Peng, the first friend I met in the gym. “It’s like your emotions push you to eat just to relieve the mental pressure.”

However, starting over was not easy. Years of disordered eating had left my body weak. It is difficult for me to adapt to any form of exercise. I almost bite through my lip to lift a 10-pound dumbbell. made my body unable to adapt to any exercise. I almost bite through my lip to lift a 10-pound dumbbell.

In the next two years, I spent tons of time on social media to learn how to exercise and repeated heavy-weight strength training every day. I was wandering between two emotions every day: the edge of emotional breakdown and soaking in the dopamine brought by strength training. But this time my emotions did not actually collapse, I finally got on the right path and saw the results.

I no longer look for any shortcuts, feel hungry because of dieting, and panic about any physical problems that a diet brings to me. I began to learn the nutritional elements of each ingredient, I began to learn how to exercise each part of the body, and I began to know how to achieve my goals.

My emotions began to stabilize as the results of my weight loss became noticeable. Although my mental health challenges haven’t been completely resolved, I believe the next step is to seek ways to address them actively.

Now, I am still on my journey of fitness and emotional healing, and a new goal set for my future. But this time I am no longer scared or confused because I know that it’s common to make mistakes, and you will always get back on the right path.

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Laiyiady Lam

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First Person: College is for smart people too

I used to think of university as the goal, and college as a back-up option. High school taught me that if you didn’t qualify as 'intelligent' you went to college. Little did I know applied learning can be for everyone

Kaitlyn Lemay

Photos: Nathalia Lencioni

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 9:45am

Photo: Nathalia Lencioni

The author has more school work in her college program than she'd ever had during her three years at university. "The difference is, this time I have hope," she writes.

Sitting in front of my colour-coded semester plan and my scattered notes, I’m trying to plan my course of action through all of my upcoming deadlines. Dates highlighted in red and terrifying to-do lists stare up at me from the pages of my agenda. I don’t know how I’ll be able to complete all of this.

Then, it hits me: college is just as hard – and just as valuable – as university.

If I had told my high school self that, however, she would have laughed in my face. Growing up, all I’d ever heard regarding the two post-secondary options is that university is the goal, and college is a back-up option. Yet here I am, enrolled in my third term at Algonquin College, with probably more school work than I’d ever had during my three years at university, and enough stress to share. But the difference is this time I have hope.

I always knew university would be the path I’d follow. In high school I got academic credits and I kept a good GPA. I even started emailing universities in grade nine because I was so anxious about making the right choice. Other options were never on the table. It would be high school graduation right into a four-year bachelor’s degree right into a career I would then work at for the rest of my life. My future was completely mapped out.

Like me, Adam Hassan, a human services foundations student at Algonquin College, shares a similar story.

“I went to university because, well, I thought that was just what I was supposed to do,” said Hassan. “I guess, I was just drawn to the prestige of studying at a nice institution.”

Students are confronted with the choice of university, college or trade school from the moment they walk off that eighth grade graduation stage. The decision must be made when building your class schedule: will you be taking academic or applied courses? If you had academic credits, you could attend college and university. If you had applied credits, you could only attend college.

With the idea that applied classes would limit my opportunities,They were never an option. This made me completely omit college as an educational path. If I did the work for the higher level, why would I go down to a lower one?

So, I attended the mandatory university seminars and ignored the voluntary college seminars that took time away from my sacred lunch period. I decided I was going to the University of Ottawa for a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Matthew McCooeye, a professor in the broadcasting-television program at Algonquin College, sees the influence of the pressures put on students graduating grade 12.

“High schools unquestionably lead people to university, and I believe that it doesn’t serve most of the people in the classrooms that they have,” McCooeye said. “High schools need to do a better job of making their students know that a college diploma is achievable.”

At university, I found myself in sitting in large lecture halls with 100 students and felt myself slowly turning into a number. The classes focused on theoretical knowledge and only tested my retention through exams worth 50 per cent of my grade and vague essays that will never again see the light of day once read by a TA.

With impersonal learning environments, and no real support anywhere to be found, I struggled to fully engage and ultimately failed my final year of my program.

It crushed me.

That year, I found myself at my lowest and a crippling fear of failure burned into my brain. I convinced myself I wasn’t smart enough, that the reason I was unable to excel, or even succeed in university, was because I wasn’t intelligent.

“A lot of the students come into our program thinking that they’re not good students because they’ve been told from kindergarten to grade 12 that they’re not,” said McCooeye. “I feel like high schools need to do a better job of building the confidence of their students as opposed to telling them what they can’t achieve.”

I sought out to switch to a college because I thought it would be easier, a better fit for my newfound academic incompetence. It’s odd to say, but I used to think of university as a place for smart people, and if you didn’t qualify as “smart enough,” you went to college instead. I had to go to the back-up plan.

Little did I know college isn’t easier, it just operates in a different way.

School has always been a hidden struggle for me. ADHD runs rampant in my brain which makes it considerably harder to stay on track. I relied on street smarts and many tear-filled nights to get me through my early school days. Those techniques, however, didn’t transition well into the type of learning environment at UOttawa.

I am now one semester away from graduating with my journalism diploma at Algonquin College. This time, my education is built to help me instead of built to test me.

Hassan has also found his feet at Algonquin College.

“It’s been wonderful,” Hassan said. “The amount of support that I get offered is great and as well as being able to access those supports are much easier.”

Small classes allow me to get the support I need to succeed, and the personal environment created by most professors made me see that my only failure in university was not being able to utilize my own learning style.

Feeling like just a number in a lecture hall of 300 people, Hassan also noticed the difference a more intimate class setting can make. “At university, I had such a hard time being able to really connect with my classmates,” he said.

I found university is aimed at a certain type of student. Someone who is very type A, who learns audibly, who is independent, driven and can excel in theoretical institutions like universities. But not every student is the same, and that’s where college comes in.

McCooeye said that college is built to support students and different learning abilities. “Students need to be more confident because [they] learn in a lot of different ways,” he said. “The college system affords us the ability to be a little bit nimble, too, with how we teach and the equipment that we use and that’s ultimately good for students.”

Applied learning can be for the smartest of students and simply getting good grades shouldn’t and doesn’t define which post-secondary institution (if any) you should go to.

I don’t regret my time at the University of Ottawa. It led me to become the person I am today and it led me to journalism at Algonquin College. I just can’t help thinking about how much money and time I could’ve saved if only college had a better PR team.

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First Person: Perfect teeth are nearly impossible, but I don’t regret the effort

Sometimes good enough is good enough. My dental journey helped me realize this

Itel Sapozhnikov

Photos: Kaitlyn Lemay

November 25, 2024
Revised: November 25, 2024 9:44am

Photo: Kaitlyn Lemay

I still struggle insecurities with smiling on camera, but I learned to accept the things I can't change.

I’d been sitting in the same orthodontist chair for the last six years of my life. But that morning in May, I knew I was going to leave with a new identity. After wearing braces for four years, the experience of running my tongue across my naked teeth without slicing it felt euphoric.

That high was short lived. It turns out, I had become fixated on perfecting my teeth. I started to notice smaller issues. For instance my gums are uneven, a certain tooth is more exposed. While I finally achieved a longtime dream of straight teeth, I kept chasing dental perfection that is impossible to naturally achieve.

Before undergoing dental treatment, I assumed braces’ purpose was to make teeth look pleasing, I was unaware of the pain that I would experience.

When my dentist first mentioned that my crooked teeth would need braces, elementary school me was excited to choose the colour of my elastics. I thought I needed braces for cosmetic reasons, but it turned out to be for functional reasons as well.

I was cursed with a small jaw, very stubborn teeth and an overbite. My front teeth fell out on their own when I was around six years old, but the rest wouldn’t budge. I faced my first dental challenge in middle school: the expander and retainer.

My mother said it was obvious since I was a little girl that my teeth would need extensive fixing, looking back... she was right. — My mother said it was obvious since I was a little girl that my teeth would need extensive fixing. Looking back... she was right. Photo credit: Itel Sapozhnikov

The constant pressure of the metal expander pushing on opposite sides of my jaw was very uncomfortable. Every time they were tightened, I was unable to eat solid food for a while.

My biggest regret was being irresponsible with my retainer. I forgot that it existed and would rarely wear it, which delayed the process.

When I was 14 years old, I had my first procedure. Like a true dental nightmare, I got seven baby teeth manually extracted, and I was awake the entire time.

Toothless and tired, I accepted defeat. When I was 16 years old, I had my full set of braces. I never got to choose the colour of my elastics because I had self litigating braces. There were clips on each bracket holding the wire instead of the elastics.

I was unaware of the insecurity I would experience because of my train tracks. I stopped smiling with my teeth because I hated attracting attention to them, and I hated how they looked in pictures.

Kiana Lovegrove, a 2024 graduate from the dental assistant program at Algonquin College is familiar with dental struggles from a personal and professional perspective.

“I believe I was around eight, I was first consulted by an orthodontist, and they said I would need braces, an expander, and double jaw surgery,” said Lovegrove.

Lovegrove had her braces since 2021, she is in the waiting process for the double jaw surgery and genioplasty.

“In July of 2023, I got my Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion. (SARPE), So they cut my palate in half, and put the whole expander in,” said Lovegrove.

As if my mouth wasn’t already dysfunctional, my jaw started to click when I did daily tasks like talking, eating and yawning. One of my worst fears happened not long after, I wasn’t able to fully open my mouth.

I attended physiotherapy for a few weeks. Spoiler alert, it didn’t work so I gave up.

“Jaw issues happens most often in young people because their bodies are still growing,” said Ihor Kurilchenko, a dentist from Ukraine with 10 years of experience. “The lower jaw, continues to grow throughout life, but the most active phase is from 18-21 years old.”

Kurilchenko is completing a NDEB equivalency process as a dental assistant so he could get his dental license to practice in Canada.

“When teeth change their position, they begin to overlap each other and the bite changes significantly in that moment,” said Kurilchenko. “This problem will go away on its own when the teeth are in the correct position.”

My jaw unlocked on its own a week before I was scheduled for another fully conscious surgery.

My left canine tooth was incorrectly positioned inside my gums. I knew there was a second procedure awaiting me, the surgery to expose the buried tooth.I became well acquainted with needles and numbing gel because most procedures required my teeth to be drastically and painfully shifted.

Some torturous years later, all of my teeth were reunited and I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light disappeared the moment I started wearing elastics.

With a similar fate as my retainer, I barely wore my elastics and it was never a part of my routine.

“One thing people don’t realize is having any kind of orthodontic treatment is a lifelong commitment,” said Lovegrove “Your teeth are going to want to shift back to their original state, they have muscle memory.”

Elastics were preventing me from achieving my goal, so I forced myself to wear them. Ten days before my 20th birthday, I got my braces removed, I feared that I wouldn’t recognize myself.

After wearing braces for the last fifth of my life, I felt like an imposter in my own body without them. It took me a week to become used to my new teeth, and I learned how to smile again…with teeth.

Like a full circle moment, I have to wear retainers to keep my teeth from shifting back to their original formation. So far, it has been half a year since I started wearing them, and I am proud to consistent.

Even with all the procedures and appliances, my teeth aren’t perfect. My gums are messed up, I’ve had cavities fixed and I feel nervous in the dentist’s chair.

“It is impossible to cure a person 100 per cent,” said Kurilchenko. “According to statistics, the best correctly administered treatment is endodontics, with approximately 92-95 per cent success rate.”

This process taught me that my teeth need more attention and care compared to other people. They are a part of me and I accept it, my teeth are good enough for me.

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Itel Sapozhnikov

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U-Pass expected to cost students an additional five per cent next year

The City of Ottawa has tabled a draft budget for 2025 and transit is seeing an increase in fares, including the U-Pass for students

Kaitlyn Lemay

Photos: Kaitlyn Lemay

November 23, 2024
Revised: November 23, 2024 10:56am

Photo: Kaitlyn Lemay

The 87 to Tunney's Pasture driving past Baseline Station.

Algonquin College students are facing a five per cent price increase to the U-pass in 2025 under fare hikes proposed in the City of Ottawa’s draft budget.

The proposed fare hikes are part of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe’s efforts to fund a $120-million gap in OC Transpo’s 2025 budget, according to an announcement made by Sutcliffe in September.

Eryn Chin, a medical radiation technology student, had an issue with the rising costs because she found OC Transpo bus services unreliable.

“They’re also not even that consistent,” said Chin.

The U-Pass is available to full-time students at Algonquin College, University of Ottawa, Carleton and Saint Paul University. The discounted transit pass allows unlimited travel on OC Transpo and STO routes for eligible students during their academic terms.

U-pass rates are $229.07 per semester in 2024 and the proposed increase would make the rates $240.52.

Gracie Wilson, an Algonquin College student, was frustrated with the proposed changes.

“I hate it in the first place. They don’t need to raise the price too. It ain’t worth that much,” she said.

Zack Turcotte, a TV broadcasting student, does not think it should come from students’ pockets. He does however understand that the city needs the revenue from somewhere to solve the $120-million deficit.

Some students were not aware the new budget had been tabled or that it would affect them personally.

“What the heck is going on with this world? Everything’s becoming more expensive, and nobody can find work,” said Perch Belzor, an Algonquin College student.

Many students rely on transit to get to school, get groceries and explore the city. The U-Pass helps students access affordable transit while living on a student budget.

Belzor said he will continue to use his U-Pass and take transit next semester because he “has no choice.”

The city is advocating for a balanced strategy regarding the 2025 transit budget to aim for a reliable and sustainable public transit system in the coming years.

The City of Ottawa sa id O-Train Lines 2 and 4 will open by the end of 2024, and the extension of O-Train Line 1 to Trim Station will open in 2025.

“OC Transpo fares will be discussed at Transit Commission on Monday, Nov. 25 at 9:30 a.m.,” said Darren Levere, a media relations officer for the City of Ottawa when asked for a statement. “Staff will be unable to comment until it is discussed at Transit Commission”.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting or watch the live stream on YouTube.

Capital Coun. Shawn Menard posted on X a letter to all four post-secondary institutions on Nov 21 saying he supports “students/staff in their decision if they wish to abide by the signed agreement with the city — no fare increase above 2.5%”. The letter was also signed by College Coun. Laine Johnson, who represents Algonquin College’s ward, and Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante.

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Kaitlyn Lemay

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Ottawa’s plan for temporary housing sparks backlash over safety and transparency

Residents protested outside of the Nepean Sportsplex against Ottawa's temporary housing structures, citing safety risks and a lack of transparency

Zixuan Li

Photos: Zixuan Li

November 22, 2024
Revised: November 22, 2024 3:25pm

Photo: Zixuan Li

People gathered outside the Nepean Sportsplex on Sunday, holding signs calling for transparency.

The City of Ottawa’s plan to build temporary housing structures for asylum seekers has sparked backlash, with residents expressing concerns about safety and criticizing the lack of transparency in selecting the two proposed sites.

The first site, near the Nepean Sportsplex at 1645 Woodroffe Ave., could be operational by the end of 2025, according to a city memo. If a second facility is needed, it will be located at 40 Hearst Way in Kanata.

The City of Ottawa shows off the example of sprung structures. Photo credit: City of Ottawa

The structures, known as “sprung structures,” are all-weather facilities designed to provide transitional housing for up to 90 days. Each structure will house around 150 people, with services including food, language training and employment assistance available on-site. The city expects between 600 and 1,200 individuals to cycle through the facilities each year.

The welcome centres are part of a strategy to “respond to the demand for immediate and transitional housing and to alleviate pressure on our local shelter system resulting from this irregular migration,” according to a city memo issued on Nov. 7.

Communities call for transparency

Residents in both neighborhoods have expressed frustration, accusing the city of making decisions without proper consultation.

“It’s the whole decision the city made on our behalf without letting us know,” said Shirley Xie, a Nepean resident. “It’s a huge decision impacting the community, and they didn’t consult us. They just informed us, and that’s it.”

As of Nov. 19, nearly 10,000 signatures have been collected on a petition opposing the proposed sprung structures in Kanata and Nepean.

People gathered outside the Nepean Sportsplex on Sunday, holding signs calling for transparency. Photo credit: Zixuan Li

Protests have been widespread, with hundreds gathering outside the Nepean Sportsplex and 40 Hearst Way over the weekend, holding signs calling for transparency.

Residents were not the only ones left in the dark. Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod joined the rally at Nepean Sportsplex last Sunday.

“The city keeps hiding information from us,” MacLeod said. “And if they don’t provide us with answers, then it’s nothing but a banana republic.”

Nepean MPP Lisa Anne MacLeod spoke at the rally at Nepean Sportsplex last Saturday, calling for communication and transparency form the city. Photo credit: Zixuan Li

Knoxdale-Merivale Coun. Sean Devine, whose ward includes the Nepean Sportsplex, acknowledged the concerns in a statement on Nov. 15 noting the lack of clarity around the criteria and site evaluation process.

Devine said his office is planning a public information session within the next three weeks “to walk people through all of the information and to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and connect with city staff and subject matter experts.”

Residents’ concerns about neighbourhood safety

The sprung structures are designed to house single asylum seekers, not children or families. Residents have raised concerns about the potential impact on community safety, particularly with the large number of single adult men expected to be housed at the facilities.

While city officials emphasize that 24-hour security will be in place, some worry that added security measures may not fully address safety risks perceived by local families.

Wai Zhang, a Nepean resident and mother of two, expressed concern for the safety of her children, who frequently use Baseline Station for transit. Due to the station’s proximity to the welcoming centre, she is worried about potential safety issues.

“I can’t even sleep at night after hearing this announcement,” she said. “As a parent, it’s natural to worry about my children’s safety.”

There are also fears that the new facilities could lead to increased crime and disruptions in the area. Some residents pointed to recent thefts as evidence of declining safety, fearing the welcoming centres could exacerbate these problems.

“I’ve lived here for almost 10 years, and things have changed,” said Richard Lan, an Algonquin College alumnus living in Nepean. “A few years ago, I didn’t even lock my door at night. Now, bikes and cars are being stolen in the community. It’s frustrating to see things go downhill.”

Supporters of sprung structure

Not everyone is opposing the plan. Hundreds of supporters gathered at Ben Franklin Plaza over the weekend in favor of the newcomer reception centres. The rally was organized by Refugee613 and attended by several city councillors and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Louisa Taylor, director of Refugee613, emphasized the urgent need for these facilities, noting that city shelters are unable to meet the needs of Ottawa’s growing migrant population.

“We have hundreds of people living in cots, sleeping on cots and mats in arenas and community centres,” Taylor said. She defended the sprung structures as the best solution for providing transitional housing.

Taylor also expressed concern over the shift in rhetoric surrounding the centres.

“We were watching the rhetoric around the reception centres getting more and more negative until it seemed like it was no longer about people who had legitimate questions about process or transparency and it was becoming more about whether we should even have refugees in Canada,” she said.

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Zixuan Li

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The Crunch inspires collaboration, friendships and entrepreneurship

Students at four schools came together at The Crunch to brainstorm and network with experienced mentors from Ottawa's entrepreneurial community

Zhiqi Zhou

Photos: Zhiqi Zhou

November 22, 2024
Revised: November 22, 2024 3:21pm

Photo: Zhiqi Zhou

Elodie Fotso, a Level 3 student in the law clerk program (left second), with her group Home Together, won in this event and received $2,500 as a prize.

Students from Algonquin College, Carleton University, University of Ottawa and Collège La Cité joined in Algonquin’s C-building Nawapon Nov. 15-17 for The Crunch. The students brainstormed ideas about business and made friends from different schools.

The event provided students with a wealth of resources to develop their entrepreneurial skills. The resources extended beyond mentorship, offering students a deeply enriching experience that combined hands-on learning, networking opportunities and collaboration across disciplines.

“One of the biggest things we do for our students as part of the event is to allow them to connect with students from other schools,” said Kathleen Kemp, assistant director of the Entrepreneurship Hub at the University of Ottawa.

Matthew Jerabek, manager of innovation and entrepreneurship, said the differences between universities and colleges in the way they teach can be enlightening to students.

“At university, traditionally you learn a little bit more theory, whereas at Algonquin College you learn probably a little bit more practical application,” Jerabek said. “So I think we’ll see what other institutions have to offer them in terms of entrepreneurship.”

While making new friends was part of the experience, the event also provided professional resources to participants. Anyi Ding, a Level 3 student in computer programming at Algonquin College, said she met a lot of experienced people at the event.

“There are a lot of factors that make business models work differently in different countries,” Ding said.

“And the mentors provided me with a lot of background on the local culture, which I feel helps students, especially international students, to better adapt to the local entrepreneurial atmosphere.”

Jerabek said that students don’t usually have the opportunity to connect with these great entrepreneurs and it’s hard to do so, but the event was a perfect opportunity.

“When you see somebody doing a thing that you aspire to and you talk to them, you learn so much, very quickly,” Jerabek said.

Kemp said she hopes that the students will gain something from the event and that it will serve as inspiration and motivate students interested in entrepreneurship.

“I don’t necessarily think the success is them walking away with this particular business idea, though, we love to see it if they want to continue with the business idea they formed this weekend,” Kemp said.

Elodie Fotso, a Level 3 student in the law clerk program at Algonquin College, is a member of the group that won first place at the event. The group’s project matches seniors with those struggling to afford rent through some tighter authentication. The project aimed to reduce loneliness for seniors and provide a place for those struggling to find a home.

When Fotso found out her team won first place and $2,500, she said it was incredible.

“It just makes us feel more confident in our idea, that it’s possible and that you should go for it even after this event,” Fotso said.

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Zhiqi Zhou

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AC Rocketry launches a second attempt at shooting for the stars

The team has made the necessary adjustments and is looking for financial support to help take its ideas to impressive heights

Nathalia Lencioni

Photos: Nathalia Lencioni

November 22, 2024
Revised: November 22, 2024 3:17pm

Photo: Nathalia Lencioni

Kishanth Jeyamoorthy, Owen Halldurocher, Benjamin Poirier, Bruno Rocha and Shane Burke (left to right). They are a part pf AC Rocketry, a club hoping to build and launch a rocket in the upcoming Launch Canada competition.

Algonquin College’s rocketry club is gearing up for its second attempt at the Launch Canada competition. After not being able to build a rocket in time for the last competition, team members are hopeful once again to be the first college team to launch a rocket in the tournament.

Owen Halldurocher, a student in the mechanical engineering technology program and one of the main contributors to the team, said time was the largest issue last August.

“We got to the last possible week to do anything and most of our members weren’t able to be present,” said Halldurocher. “And there was probably still about 100 hours of work to go into the rocket. It just wasn’t feasible at that point.”

A few things have changed for AC Rocketry. The club holds a weekly meeting in a different dusty room in the T-building and has onboarded around five new members, which makes up for members who have graduated and since moved on to other projects. But what hasn’t changed is their passion and will to succeed.

Following last August’s disappointment, the team is focused on gathering funds through sponsorships and welcoming dedicated team members to have another shot at the national title. If successful, they will be competing against universities across the country. The competition will take place in Timmins, Ont. in August 2025.

“We’re on a bit of a better footing than we were last semester,” said Halldurocher. “Basically, we aggressively slashed the scope of the project and brought the price of the rocket down by probably more than 50 per cent.”

Halldurocher said the changes to the scope of the project mean their target altitude went from around 6,705 metres to 6,300 metres, the rocket’s length went from nine to eight feet and they’ve settled on a less ambitious design of parts, including the rocket’s fins.

3D printed model of the new fin design AC rocketry has developed along with their new project scope Photo credit: Jeff Dever

That will not necessarily affect the team’s chances of success, as long as they reach the parameters they have proposed to Launch Canada.

“As long as you present a rocket in the preliminary proposal that does more or less the same thing when you get to the launch date, you get a good score,” said Halldurocher. “As long as you perfectly hit that set number and everything goes off without a hitch, and none of your parts break or blow up or whatever, Then you’re good to go.”

The group still needs to gather around $3,000 to cover the cost of building the rocket and travel expenses. Halldurocher said the team is corresponding with Launch Canada and Algonquin College mechanical engineering technology professors Brian Gray and Bruno Rocha for feedback on their current plans for the rocket.

AC Rocketry's rocket nose cone. According to the National Association of Rocketry, the nose is crucial to the rocket's launch success due to being the part that first interacts with the air in flight. — AC Rocketry's rocket nose cone. According to the National Association of Rocketry, the nose is crucial to the rocket's launch success due to being the part that first interacts with the air in flight Photo credit: Shane Burke

Benjamin Poirier is AC Rocketry’s newest member. The 19-year-old Montrealer is a an Algonquin College business student and said he is excited to learn and help the team however he can.

“Well, I’ve been part of the club for about two minutes now. And so far, it’s been great. Today’s my first meeting,” said Poirier. “I’m definitely excited about meeting people who know what they’re talking about and getting to learn directly from them instead of from a textbook. It would be a lot of fun.”

Poirier said he was excited to read through the club’s documents and find out it’s a very serious club with impressive engineering chops and not just a casual enthusiast collective.

This is precisely what convinced Alex Samson to join.

Samson, a new student in the mechanical engineering technology program, said the team has all it needs to achieve success, but he hopes to help his teammates with getting organized and welcoming more members.

AC Rocketry's parachute, which will be a part of the team's recovery system, making sure most of the rocket parts can be repurposed in the future Photo credit: Shaun Klepko

“They have all the parts, they just need to bring them together,” said Samson. “We need people. If we don’t get more engineering-focused people soon, the club might end by graduation.”

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