NEW STUDY: “Thanks to the influence of the road lobby, the harms of driving are underestimated & overlooked, while measures that make walking, cycling, & public transport the easiest option are viewed with suspicion. Policy responses to reducing population-level driving…can create positive change.”

Gas price hikes & shortages “fuel” controversy, especially when they’re “driven” by an illegal war. But let’s not forget one of the most important discussions that should flow from such hikes — how they spotlight the difference between places with mobility choices, and places that are car-dependent.

I forgot to go to our Urbanist book group this week, so I made sure I remembered Bike Regina's podcast show with Councillor Flores instead. So good to see a local politician actually advocating for active transport. Also. The event/podcast is called Spoke and Word. How could I not go??? #yqr

Omg my novel is coming true!! In #HopeStreet they drain lake Ontario to build an AI data centre.

“But it makes no sense that we should be afraid of places where people can get most of what we need, closer by. Maybe our kids can even walk to the store! No walls, no guards…It’s just a normal, “common sense” place to live — as most cities used to be, before we mandated car dependency.” #UrbanTruth

For no reason, just posting this here as a reminder that art doesn’t need to be owned by a corporation and sold and conglomerated for billions. Support indie art. It is (almost literally) the only art that remains🖤☠️ store.tenebrouspress.com

Our WEBSITE is LIVE! “The Truth About Cities In An Age Of Disinformation.” Read about WHO we are, WHY we started this, our PLANS to grow, and most importantly, WHAT WE’RE GOING TO BE DOING. We hope you’ll support this work, and help us spread the word! #UrbanTruth www.urbantruthcollective.com

Today I applied to renew my British passport from Canada, read a short story by Anais Nin, made an enormous pile of pancakes and unintentionally had to walk my daughter home in a -30 windchill. None of these things are related and that's what makes a good weekend.

A lot of talking about Bluesky going on around here tonight, so I’ll share this again — this platform has the best community and conversation relating to city-building/urbanism. And it’s the platform that I like the best, that’s closest to the old Twitter than I loved. I hope it keeps growing.

Last CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS! Pete's Press is curating a new nonfiction anthology, on the theme of Hope and Failure. We're in need of four more short pieces of original nonfic, on any interpretation of that theme. 1500-3000 words please. Deets: petespress.ca/work-with-us... #booksky #writersky 📚💙

This hits home.

This is the sort of internet content I live for.

My favorite photos from the Olympics are of this Italian figure skater Daniel Grassl. He looks absolutely insane in so many of them. It's great.

Roses are red Violets are blue Ban cars

I really want an egg mayonnaise sammich.

The Queen City Urbanist Book Club has a spicy reading list that I've just updated going through February 2027! Reading the book is never required and we hope you join! To sign up, please visit the Cathedral Community Centre website: cathedralvillage.org/adult-progra... #YQR

Such a fab review, thank you!!! #booksky

Got commissioned to sketch the cover of a new @petespress.bsky.social book!!

It's -36 and of course our hot water boiler has died. It is getting replaced by a mighty duo lugging large tanks about in this cold, but they are hindered by the idiotic kitten determined to leap through their legs and out the door at any given opportunity. Does she not possess survival instincts?

Well, I did my thing... Not exactly crowds, but enough to keep me happy! #booklaunch

Toronto!! I have had THE BEST night. Thank you.

I'm in Toronto! And more significantly, I am on a chalkboard! Thanks @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social ! Any bookish, speculative fiction folks around #toronto tomorrow? Please stop by because I am nervous as hell. #booksky #HopeStreet

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It is the time of year where my friend and I play "Is *** pregnant or is it her winter coat?" Confirmed today: neighbour *** is pregnant with child #10. Every other January....

Accidental book buying accidents in @turningthetide.bsky.social and @mcnallyrobinson.com in Saskatoon yesterday.

BREAKING: Staggering scenes as brave Iranians stand up to their illegitimate government in Tehran... um, hang on, I'm being told this is actually Minneapolis. Forget I said anything...

Saskatoonians! Tomorrow at @mcnallyrobinson.com - Book launch for Glen Harper's The Good Life, a story of workers and managers 2pm - all welcome! #booksky

It's happening!! Jan 20th at @bakkaphoenix.bsky.social and Jan 21st at @littleghostsbooks.bsky.social @petespress.bsky.social is heading to the big city again! If you're in #Toronto, please come say hi (and get a book!) #booksky

You shouldn’t need a GoFundMe page to have a tumour removed. Saskatchewan Deserves Better. #skpoli #saskatchewan #healthcare #yourcareyoursay

Fun fact: it currently takes 593 days to process a fricking *tourist visa* for Canada from South Africa. Nearly two years wait for my niece's family to visit for two weeks. HOW?!

Happy New Year from us!! Filled with a strange optimism. Or is it Pringles? Anyway, it's nice.

So irresponsible.

Here's to all the fresh New Year's Revolutions.

A thing from 2025 I found personally tragic: Prairie Dog, one of Canada's last free alternative newspapers, finally called it quits. I wrote regularly for them starting in 2008 & it's the reason I cover Regina city hall. I miss hearing from Steve all the time to talk about what to write next. #yqrcc

“It’s time to change the framework we use to assess the value of public transit, so it factors in health and social benefits that come from greater equity, reduced sedentary behaviour and less air pollution.” “We simply can't have and create sustainable, healthy communities without transit.”

From all at Pete's Press, we wish you a very Happy New Year 2026! #booksky 📚💙

We’ve spent a year vilifying people that ride every conceivable mode of bicycle in this city. Every year the number one killer of people on our streets in #TOpoli, are drivers. Who has the #ProliticalWill to prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users? schoolofcities.github.io/who-are-stre...

Morning.

Favourite books of the year! Fiction and nonfiction cos I don't tend to differentiate. (Not necessarily that have come out I 2025 just things I read this year!) Thread!

SERIOUSLY, WATCH THIS: If you really want to understand how huge SUVs and pick-up trucks have ended up being MOST of the vehicles out there in our cities, and the absolutely INSANE consequences of that, watch this easy-to-watch video by #NotJustBikes. Then please share it as much as you can.

The LEGO Tower on Harbord Street by Toronto artist Martin Reis.

Happy Solstice everyone!

Nice little list of upcoming books from Pete's Press too! Thank you Village Voice crew #yqr #booksky

I made a Fwoag.

Bezo: I htink this is an excellent opportunity to learn how much land we own. learnin' on the floor of a budget meeting. #yqrcc

Zachidniak: Instead we are passing a slew of cuts & price increases & reduced services that will make our city less efficient & less enjoyable. #yqrcc