Toronto Star Profile picture
Feb 8 6 tweets 3 min read
Last week, students at the University of Toronto were shocked to find joss paper or ‘hell money’ inside red envelopes distributed on campus during #LunarNewYear celebrations.

Now, 31 student groups are calling for action.
thestar.com/content/thesta…
“The act of giving (hell money) to living people draws disdainful sentiments and sends them the message of ‘you are dead to me’ or even worse, ‘l wish you were dead.’ reads the open letter signed by 31 different student groups at U of T.
thestar.com/content/thesta…
After the incident, the university issued an apology, stating the “incorrect bank notes were unintentionally placed into the red envelopes” as members of the U of T Graduate House.

thestar.com/content/thesta…
Traditionally, bright red envelopes are filled with money and doled out as symbols of good luck and prosperity. On Feb. 1, instead of currency, U of T students received red envelopes filled with joss paper, so-called death money. thestar.com/content/thesta…
The practice of burning joss paper dates as far back as the Song Dynasty in China. “Whether or not this action was a mistake, it is unacceptable," the open letter reads, adding that they did not consult with members of the community. thestar.com/content/thesta…
The news has made it to international news outlets.

U of T has a large population of Asian international students, with over 15,000 students from China alone, according to data posted to their website.

thestar.com/content/thesta…

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More from @TorontoStar

Feb 10
NEW: ‘Immediately’ end protest or face arrest, Ottawa police warn truckers.

The federal government made clear that it is not prepared to invoke emergency powers to take the reins of the crisis. thestar.com/politics/feder…
Ottawa police issued their sternest warning yet to protesters on Wednesday — broadcasting that they could be arrested without warning if they persist with the occupation of the city’s downtown core. thestar.com/politics/feder…
The message said if the demonstrators don’t stop blocking city streets they could be arrested, charged, and have their vehicles seized and possibly forfeited. thestar.com/politics/feder…
Read 5 tweets
Feb 9
“It was infuriating and painful. It reawakened a lot of hurt."

While Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has apologized on Twitter for his comments comparing attitudes toward the unvaccinated and that of AIDS patients, some Albertans say it's not enough.
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
"It reawakened a lot of hurt that I carry with me after growing up in a very anti-gay fundamentalist Christian community,” Kyle Shanebeck, a PhD candidate at University of Alberta said. “I take (his apology) one for what it is: political manoeuvering."
thestar.com/news/canada/20… Image
Growing up in Alberta, Doug Kerr, executive director of Dignity Network Canada, came out in the 80s, a time where there was “so much hatred and fear."

“My friends who died of AIDS had no choice and it is just appalling for Kenney to make this comparison."
thestar.com/news/canada/20… Image
Read 6 tweets
Feb 9
Starting Wednesday, the province is offering free rapid test kits for Ontarians to use at home.

Here's where you can to get a free COVID-19 rapid antigen test in Ontario. torstar.co/c82E50HQZsc
More than 2,300 grocery stores and pharmacies are offering the free test kits.

Some of the individual retailers will only offer free kits to people who make online purchases.
thestar.com/news/gta/2022/… Image
Longo’s is making the free kits available only through its Grocery Gateway online delivery service.

Walmart is also making free kits available only through its grocery pickup service in-store or by placing an online order.
thestar.com/news/gta/2022/…
Read 5 tweets
Feb 9
These Syrian refugees won their court fight. But they’re still waiting for Canada to let them in

Story by @nkeung
thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Three years ago, Mohamad Basel Alnajjar's family and 21 others won a court appeal and Ottawa was ordered to reconsider their immigration applications — but a decision is yet to come, even as they run out of money and options.

thestar.com/news/canada/20… Image
In January 2019, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada refused all 22 private refugee-sponsorship applications, including Alnajjar’s, made by Mississauga-based immigration consulting company Fast to Canada.

thestar.com/news/canada/20…
Read 9 tweets
Feb 9
As the Omicron wave of COVID-19 subsides, non-emergency surgeries, including cancer and heart procedures, are resuming, says Health Minister Christine Elliott. torstar.co/9vjL50HQXgN
“We are currently tracking towards the best-case projections thanks to the sacrifices of Ontarians and unwavering efforts of our health-care workers,” Elliott said.
thestar.com/politics/provi… Image
Mindful that thousands of procedures were halted by government directive early last month in order to free up hospital beds for COVID patients, many of whom are unvaccinated, the minister said the prognosis is good.
thestar.com/politics/provi…
Read 5 tweets
Feb 9
At drop-ins across the city for those who are homeless or low income, personal hygiene products like pads, tampons and adult diapers have long been in short supply.

Advocates have pleaded with city council members to do more ahead of the 2022 budget. thestar.com/news/gta/2022/…
“To give out things like hygiene supplies shouldn’t be a luxury — it’s something we should be readily able to do," said Chan McNally of the Toronto Drop-in Network. "But it’s almost impossible for us to purchase these things out of our own budgets.” thestar.com/news/gta/2022/… Image
Advocates have pleaded with council members to do more to provide personal hygiene products, even after an injection of nearly a quarter-million dollars for menstrual products in 2020 they say is not trickling down to the less-funded drop-ins.
thestar.com/news/gta/2022/…
Read 6 tweets

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