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Read by Emily Brass

Produced by Nikita Smith

Stories by Chris Hanna, Emily Brass, Joel Ashak, and Sarah Moore

The expansion of the Guy-Concordia metro station is partly to blame for the increase in theft on Concordia's downtown campus.

Concordia's interim director of security Jacques Lachance said the new tunnels make it easier for thieves to flee the scene.

So far this year, more than 230 items were reported stolen to Concordia security. Their value is estimated at around $120,000. 

Personal items belonging to staff, faculty and students make up most of those incidences of theft. Concordia-owned property was also stolen. So far in 2011, an Apple iPad, a projector screen, theatre masks and laptops have been stolen. Thriteen computers have also gone missing. Some printer paper, dinner plates and toilet paper rolls were also reported stolen. 

Lachance said stolen items are not often recovered. But he also stressed the importance of reporting stolen items to police, who can investigate and build cases against culprits. He said the police visit pawn shops to try to locate the materials. Concordia security provides clues they may have to the police. 

More than a quarter of all cases occured in the LB building downtown. 

In 2010, 215 total items were stolen.

The information comes from a security department report detailing thefts on campus which was obtained by The Concordian through an access to information request. 

University spokesperson Chris Mota said it's important for victims of theft to report it to the police. Otherwise, Concordia becomes a target. Thieves would know they can steal because there is little follow-up. 

Concordia security investigator-preventionist Lyne Denis offers some tips to students to avoid becoming a victim of theft on campus.

She suggests never leaving your belongings unattended and always have them in sight. She also urges students to leave valuables they don't absolutely need to have on them at home. 

Photo taken in Webster Library women's bathroomby Hardial Rosner

Today is the first day that support workers at MCGill University head back to work after more that three months of strike.

Monday saw 71.5 per cent of MUNACA workers voted yes to the new contract.

Workers will now have a 2.6 to 3.2 per cent wage increase a year. Initially, they were offered an increase of 1.2 per cent. This pay rise will now allow workers to get the maximum pay in 12 years instead of 37.

The MUNACA strike affected many services on campus, such as laboratory and clerical support, registration, and student residence management.

According to a spokesperson for the union, members are relieved and happy that the strike is over.

Canada is standing firm on its decision not to sign on to a second phase of the Kyoto Protocol. China’s compromise to start cutting its greenhouse gas emissions hasn’t swayed Environment Minister Peter Kent. Kent wants more details on China’s proposal to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in 2020.

Canada’s chief negotiator Guy Saint-Jacques stated that China has refused to live by the commitments of last year’s Cancun agreement. Talks in Cancun failed to make gains on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Canadian officials also want any new agreement to include all major emitters.But countries with emerging economies like China argue that commitments to cut emissions would limit their economic growth.

Talks to update the 1997 Kyoto agreement are currently taking place in Durban, South Africa.

Canada says it will cut greenhouse gas emissions by seventeen percent by 2020.