Opinion pitches😳

Opinion pitches😳

September 27, 2022

Have no fear, Opinion pitches are here!

Hear ye, hear ye! Opinion pitches are here!

Hey y'all!It's almost October, which means we're experiencing what is likely the last nice days of the year! Get the most out of this insanely warm fall weather and come to The Gateway's BBQ this Thursday. Meet at the office around 4:45 p.m., and we'll start walking down at 5 p.m.! We're supplying the hot dogs, but if you want to drink or have snacks, bring them with you! Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions so we can get alternatives. Hope we see you there!And, just as a reminder, The Gateway office is closed this Friday for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. With that, here are this week's pitches! Just let me know which one you'd like and what your take on it will be. And, of course, if you have any pitches of your own, feel free to let me know!As always, you can reach me anytime at [email protected] or over Slack! xoxo, Katie 

EPS spent $164,000 on overtime pay during the convoy protestsIt's no secret that the Freedom Convoy protests had a profound effect on everything, but one thing people weren't expecting was the extreme cost associated with the protests. Edmonton Police payed their officers $164,000 in overtime pay, making some Edmonton residents very upset, with some even suggesting that those involved with the protests should help pay for these costs through fines. Do you think protesters should have to help cover the costs of the protests' aftermath? Or, do you think it's time we let it go and move on?

All COVID-19 entry requirements, including mandatory vaccines, masking on airplanes, and use of the ArriveCAN app, will be dropped as of October 1, 2022. Many are divided over this issue, with some thinking it's time we drop COVID-19 border requirements, since most mandates have been relaxed anyway. On the other hand, some are concerned that this will lead to an another outbreak, and that we should continue to enforce COVID-19 entry requirements. Explore what repealing these mandates will mean, and pick a side!

Burlap Sack: The bookstore bearI think we can all agree that GUBA and Patches are not the best looking mascots we could have had. But, there's a forgotten U of A rep that's even worse - the bookstore bear. Write a scathing burlap sack about this terrifying mascot! Or, if you feel the bookstore bear has been harshly judged, write a marble pedestal! 

Peer support centre reduces hours despite increased demand Despite increased demand for mental health supports, the U of A’s Peer Support Centre has reduced its hours. Write about how mental health supports are decreasing on campus, and what effects this will have on students!

Edmonton MLA Kaycee Madu tweeted support for the Freedom Convoy, even going so far as to thank protesters for defending his freedom. Do you think elected officials should be supporting protests like this? Or, do you think he's entitled to his opinion, and can support whoever he wants on his social media?