Dede retweeted
Opossums are among the most unfairly maligned animals in North America. Their nocturnal habits, hissing, and toothy displays often lead people to view them as pests or threats. In reality, these quiet marsupials provide some of the most valuable services in urban and suburban ecosystems.
Contrary to popular belief, opossums very rarely carry or transmit rabies. Their lower body temperature makes it difficult for the virus to survive, making cases extremely uncommon.
They are also highly effective pest controllers. A single opossum can consume thousands of ticks per season, helping reduce the spread of dangerous tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Beyond ticks, they act as nature’s sanitation workers, scavenging on carrion, insects, fallen fruit, and organic waste. This cleanup work helps limit bacteria and disease while keeping ecosystems balanced.
Their dramatic defensive displays, hissing, baring teeth, and even “playing dead” with a foul odor, are mostly bluffs designed to deter predators rather than signs of aggression.
Far from being a nuisance, opossums are beneficial neighbors quietly doing the dirty work that keeps our environment cleaner and healthier. The next time you spot one, there’s no need to fear or harm it, just let it continue its important nighttime duties.
Dede retweeted
These are some of the people kids are told they can turn to for help.
As highlighted by @keep6ixsolid , officers from multiple forces across Ontario, BC, Quebec, and New Brunswick have recently been charged with offences involving children.
Durham Regional Police Constable Tre-Jamal Hamad faces charges including possession of child sexual abuse material, making sexually explicit material available to minors, and luring.
Toronto Police Constable Parsa Hazeri has been charged with sexual assault, sexual interference, and luring a girl under 16.
Hamilton Police Constable Dave Hamilton, who previously worked as a school liaison, faces charges of possessing and transmitting child sexual abuse material.
OPP Sergeant Chris Weise has been charged with accessing and possessing the material.
Ottawa Police Constable Charlene Abella faces charges of sexual assault, sexual interference, and sexual exploitation involving minors.
BC RCMP Constable Graham James Love has been charged with accessing child sexual abuse material and breach of trust.
Laval Police Sergeant Anthony De Melo faces charges of luring a child and making sexually explicit material available to a child under 16.
L’Assomption Saint-Sulpice officer Alexandre Lacombe has been charged with accessing and possessing the material.
Grand Falls Police Constable Paul Lavoie faces charges of luring, making explicit material available to a child, and breach of trust.
Former Codiac Regional RCMP Corporal Jeremy Bastarache faces charges including trafficking and procuring a minor and making and possessing child sexual abuse material.
These remain allegations only. Cases like these often uncover more victims once devices are examined. The optics of officers facing charges involving children couldn’t get much worse.
A Canada-wide investigation should be carried out to determine the full scope. If convicted, these officers should get the maximum penalties allowed by law.
A position of trust is an aggravating factor, and anything less creates the optics that the badge still offers special protection. Immediate suspension without pay and full accountability are the minimum.
The inmates in custody will also have their own type of justice for anyone convicted of charges like these.
Perhaps the medieval treatment this man received for years is why he isn’t quite right 🤔 thestar.com/news/ontario/ont…
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Dede retweeted
Super-bad idea, @fordnation !
Cramming more prisoners into Ontario’s already overcrowded jails invites
-Violence
-Dehumanization
-Infectious disease spread
The impacts extend well beyond prison cells.
thestar.com/news/investigati…
Dede retweeted
Ontario jail lockdowns slammed by experts as part of class-action lawsuits seeking $1.5B: Abusive treatment of prisoners is both inhumane and expensive
cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/o…
Dede retweeted
After going 12 days with a total of 20 minutes time spent outside, prisoners in a Toronto East Detention Centre unit are on a hunger strike — in protest of frequent lockdowns and harsh conditions in Ontario jails. torstar.co/ilG650BN96q
Dede retweeted
McGill denied convicted murderer fair process before revoking law school admission, his lawyer claims. Was it the public profile of the issue that led both to the denial of due process from the university and the suspension of his parole?
montrealgazette.com/news/mcg…
Dede retweeted
Grateful to the SECU committee for hearing our views in its study of conditional releases. Safeguards must be in place to ensure that parole hearings are just, effective, humane, and comply with the rule of law.
thehub.ca/2026/11/09/john-ho…
Dede retweeted
Durham police officer charged with multiple child sexual exploitation offences released on bail thestar.com/news/gta/durham-…
Dede retweeted
Two years after Premier Doug Ford vowed an audit of Ontario’s child welfare sector, the results remain secret thestar.com/news/investigati…
Dede retweeted
How one Project South officer’s case became a referendum on how harshly we should treat unlawful database searches thestar.com/news/crime/how-o…
Dede retweeted
Doug Ford treats Ontario’s teachers the same way he treats our doctors and nurses. He’s deliberately gutting our public health care and our public education to pave the way for privatization.
Every Canadian deserves excellent public health care. How quickly you get the care you need should never depend on how much you can afford to pay.
Dede retweeted
Today, November 8, Nepal is celebrating Kukur Tihar, a festival where even stray dogs are treated like royalty.
As part of the larger five-day Tihar festival of lights, this specific day elevates all dogs, including strays, to a royal status.Kukur Tihar is a beautiful festival celebrated in Nepal that honors the unique bond between humans and dogs.
During the celebrations, people adorn the dogs with vibrant marigold garlands called mala as a sign of deep respect. A sacred red mark known as a tika is applied to their foreheads, which serves as a blessing and recognizes the divine spark within them.
To show gratitude for their loyalty and companionship, people offer the dogs delicious feasts filled with meat, eggs, milk, and high-quality treats.
Dede retweeted
Doctors, nurses and educators need to organize and send a strong message to Doug Ford!!!
Doug Ford just returned from a 147-day self-imposed break in the legislature - and now his government is accusing doctors of working too much.
@fordnation could learn a thing or two by studying the work ethic of Ontario’s doctors.
cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/…
Dede retweeted
‘It’s appalling’: Quebec parent says child, 4, ate Halloween chocolate containing cannabis cp24.com/news/canada/2026/11…
Dede retweeted
We now know @fordnation has spent over $600K just to rename Science Centre Station using some vinyl wraps and stickers on maps.
What a colossal waste.
While Ontario hospitals face deficits, schools remain underfunded, and families struggle with rising costs, Ford is pouring more than $1.44 billion to move the Science Centre into a space that's half the size for no reason.
Dede retweeted
Doug Ford just returned from a 147-day self-imposed break in the legislature - and now his government is accusing doctors of working too much.
@fordnation could learn a thing or two by studying the work ethic of Ontario’s doctors.
cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/…
