Letters to the Editor, March 18, 2025

A veteran Winnipeg police officer, previously charged with multiple offences, now faces additional charges following a 16-month investigation. Allegations include trafficking illegal drugs, distributing a photo of a deceased woman, and disclosing confidential information. Want More Context? 🔎

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the CRTC's wholesale framework for high-speed Internet, allowing major telecoms like Telus to resell fibre optics, enhancing competition and potentially lowering costs for consumers. However, companies like Bell, Rogers, and Cogeco oppose the decision, fearing it will reduce investment, jobs, and innovation in the telecommunications sector. Want More Context? 🔎

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder point guard from Hamilton, was celebrated on Thursday for his remarkable NBA season, which is considered one of the greatest in history. Addressing a cheering crowd, the 27-year-old expressed pride in his Hamilton roots, reinforcing his connection to his hometown. Want More Context? 🔎

On Wednesday, Instagram introduced a new repost feature, allowing users to share public posts and Reels directly to their feeds, similar to TikTok's functionality. While this update aims to enhance content sharing and expand reach for creators, many users have expressed frustration with its design and perceived imitation of TikTok, leading to concerns about accidental reposts. Want More Context? 🔎

At the National Bank Open in Montreal, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina faced severe online abuse, including death threats, after her quarterfinal loss to Naomi Osaka, prompting her to speak out against the shameful treatment of women athletes. Other players, like Coco Gauff and Katie Boulter, echoed similar experiences of receiving threats, highlighting the need for social media platforms to improve their moderation of hate speech. Want More Context? 🔎

The U.S. State Department's new visa bond program, effective August 20, requires certain visitors, including some Canadian permanent residents, to post a bond between US$5,000 and US$15,000 when applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa, with entry limited to Boston Logan, JFK, or Washington Dulles airports. This program, part of efforts to curb illegal immigration, currently affects only visitors from Malawi and Zambia, while Canadians are exempt unless they hold passports from countries on the...