Quebec shouldn't replace Fred la Marmotte with another groundhog: PETA
Following the death of Fred la Marmotte earlier this week, PETA is asking Quebec's Groundhog Day committee not to replace him with another live marmot.
Fred, the beloved Quebec groundhog tasked with predicting spring's arrival each year, died on Feb. 1, the day before Groundhog Day. He was nine years old.
A child was chosen to take Fred's place Thursday at an event in Val d'Espoir, Que., to give the annual prediction (spring is delayed).
Organizers said that next year, Fred's replacement, a groundhog by the name of Fred Jr., would take the helm.
But PETA is urging them to take another approach.
"And with the blaring voice of an announcer and hooting and hollering from the audience only feet away from the groundhog, these events are frightening and distressing to them," reads a letter signed by Ingrid Newkirk, president of the animal rights organization.
Newkirk made an offer to the late Fred's trainer and the event spokesperson:
"If you commit to no longer using real groundhogs for your event, we’d be happy to provide you with a children’s groundhog costume for future events and delicious vegan hot chocolate for all attendees."
"A child's participation is voluntary and his predictions are as unscientific as a groundhog's," it added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Trudeau promises $1B in loans for child-care providers to expand care centres
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
N.B. man wins $64 million from Lotto 6/49
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
BREAKING Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.