Cruel why? For example I recently did a bunch of research on feeding raccoons and the consensus has actually changed, many experts instead offer advice on how to feed them rather than flat out saying don't feed them

Urban wildlife has adapted to coexist with humans after all

I don't think feeding wild animals from your hand is a good idea though, that's what causes animals to resort to begging rather than surviving on their own

I'd rather they live off unsalted raw almonds I feed them then off the open trashcans available on the McGill campus, and the less nutrient dense food other people will feed them like peanuts or whatever they have on hand. It is indeed illegal though, you're right on that point.

Basically I think you're right that human interfering with wild life can be harmful to said wildlife, and I don't think that applies to this case until the McGill administration stops all people from feeding them (there are a lot of others) and closes their open trashcans; so that wildlife can be self sufficient again.

Also do you really think the best thing you can do for wildlife is going after people feeding city squirrels on the internet? Don't you think some other actions are a little more destructive to wildlife? Maybe go after government allowing companies to drain swamps to build fancy houses or some other shit and cut my squirrel feeding ass some slack.

PS I won't reply any further as I'm not interested in debating online via comments, it tends to be very unproductive and draining.