Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15, 2025

A recent CROP poll indicates that support for Quebec independence has surged 20 percentage points among youth aged 18-34, now at 56%. This shift is attributed to a decline in attachment to Canadian identity and growing discontent with federal support, with the pro-independence group Oui Québec playing a significant role in mobilizing youth interest. Want More Context? 🔎

Canadians can witness the Perseid meteor shower peaking on August 12-13, 2024, with optimal viewing from rural areas between moonset and dawn. Though the bright moon may reduce visibility to 10-20 meteors per hour during the peak, waiting a week for darker skies could increase sightings to 60-100 meteors per hour, making patience and proper preparation essential for the best experience. Want More Context? 🔎

A judge in Windsor sentenced Shermere Coulston-Hawkins, a 24-year-old American, to 18 months for intentionally running down a woman after a violent altercation during their date, despite the Crown seeking up to eight years. The judge emphasized the need for community denunciation and deterrence while also noting mitigating factors, leading to Coulston-Hawkins' deportation to the U.S. after serving his time. Want More Context? 🔎

A lawyer for Animal Justice expressed shock over whistleblower reports detailing the treatment of animals, including dogs and pigs, used in experiments at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, where dogs reportedly face isolation and painful procedures. The hospital defended its practices, citing regulatory oversight and the research's medical importance, while critics argue for alternatives to animal testing. Want More Context? 🔎

Three months post-election, Jenni Byrne, Pierre Poilievre's chief advisor, addressed the Conservative Party's loss to the Liberals, noting that her regrets wouldn't have changed the outcome. She clarified her collaborative role in the campaign, announced she won’t manage the next election, and expressed discomfort with the attention on her post-campaign analysis. Want More Context? 🔎

A passenger was injured on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Icon of the Seas when acrylic glass shattered on the Frightening Bolt water slide, leading to water gushing out and the individual reportedly falling out of the slide. The guest, who is in stable condition, suffered skin lacerations, and the slide has been closed for investigation as the ship prepares to return to Miami. Want More Context? 🔎