[Canada] Canadian Politics Redux

[Bauer]

The official statements came out from Canada and others basically saying we don't care for Maduro but don't like the way it was done.

So meh?

In the short term the impact really depends if there's a feasible plan to actually run the country or not.

In the long run it could result in American refineries no longer buying Canadian crude.  And maybe this really moves the world down the path of region power spheres of influence.  What does that mean for Canada then   

[Grey Fox]

Camps.

[Zoupa]

I call dibs on the top bunk.

[Josephus]

In other news... hearing Freeland has been appointed Zelensky's economic adviser

[crazy canuck]

Risky choice given the things Trump has said about her.

[Jacob]

Four months after Quebec schools ban cellphones, impact 'is major'
By Stéphane Blais, The Canadian Press

Four months after Quebec banned cellphones in primary and secondary schools, many school administrators report positive effects on social life, physical activity, and academic performance.

At École Monseigneur-A.-M.-Parent in Longueuil, the day before the holiday break, students flooded the hallways at lunch. Some played cards, others ping-pong or board games.

"Before, everyone was on their phones playing games, but now we play together and talk to each other," said Constance Boie, a Grade 11 student. Her classmate, Shelby Miclette, described herself as "introverted" and said the ban encouraged her to make new friends. "I'm more open to others than before. It got me out of my bubble a little."

The school principal, Mélanie Lacourse, said the benefits were apparent almost immediately, particularly in fostering authentic relationships between students. "It's a more friendly environment. Yes, it's sometimes louder because they're talking to each other, but it's wonderful to see. I've noticed a decrease in isolation," she said. She believes that activities like playing foosball, ping-pong, going to the gym, or spending quality time with a friend positively affect focus, attention, and learning.

Miclette added that without checking phone notifications before class, students' concentration has improved.

...

Full article here: https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/12/24/four-months-after-quebec-schools-ban-cellphones-impact-is-major/

Sounds good to me.

Grey Fox, what's your perspective?

[Grey Fox]

It was, and is really, a great idea. Parents fear about being disconnected to our children were unfounded. It's probably annoying for the older kids that have jobs to get to after school but they'll manage and adapt.

My 14 years old still bring her phone to school but leaves it in her locker during the day and actually partake in the social life of her school, unlike the previous 2 years. She was always in favor of them ban tho. She's a jock, having more friends to participate in sports is a positive for her.

My 12 years old, him and his cohort never had the opportunity to bring their phones to school since it was already banned in elementary, have very different school experience from the older kids and more akin to what we probably had. It's not something he misses or cares about. He rarely, if ever, brings his phone to school.

A often unmentioned facet is that the ban also applies to teachers and other school team members. They were quite apprehensive about it but I haven't heard anyone complain about having to actually interact.

Another interesting unintended consequence is that some schools have starting to realise that the tablets they provide are causing the same issues as the phones were and are now thinking of bringing back Laptops.

[Oexmelin]

Ha, my sister's former high school.

Relatedly, I have banned the use of computers in my classroom, and, after an initial pushback, they like it and are back to taking notes by hand.

[HVC]

I don't think I could take note by hand anymore. I remember getting my designation and writing 3 hour exams and my hand would cramp like hell. That was only like 6 or 7 years out of daily hand writing not the 20 years I'm at now