One comment on the Canadian budget. Yes, the international student question is complicated. True, many of these students won’t leave after their studies. This may not have been the intent of the program, but Canada is nevertheless the winner. Have a look: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

So Zohran Mamdani is a Socialist? He’s a Social Democrat - the same kind often found leading governments across NATO countries like Britain, Germany, and Norway. If that makes him a Socialist then so is all of NATO. Have a look at my Substack post: substack.com/@johnralston...

My latest on Substack:

My latest on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

See my comments on the new Spirit Garden at the Heart of Toronto. substack.com/@johnralston...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack johnralstonsaul.substack.com/p/the-mussol...

Here is a clip from a panel I was part of alongside @fredpeabody.bsky.social and @phillipgbhnews.bsky.social, chaired by Susan Ormiston, following Fred's new film 'Digital Tsunami.' More on my latest Substack article 'Democracy versus AI': open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack johnralstonsaul.substack.com/p/bach-bach-...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

My latest on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Now he’s rambling on and on talking about whatever comes into his head. This is the way ageing autocrats sound. Note the way his Vice President keeps nodding. So embarrassing.

Wow, Trump really does suffer from acute Logorrhea! If what he was saying was at a level appropriate to the most powerful person in the world, you might call it stream of consciousness. But no, it’s just Logorrhea.

The big question today in the White House will be - how to talk to someone writhing with the insecurity that comes with a massive inferiority complex, who also happens to be the most powerful person in the world - in order to make sure that what is said somehow resembles reality.

My latest Substack: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Yes indeed. This is precisely permitted for an individual who has, for example, physical or other difficuties marking a ballet. This special exemption was used by the opposition leader to turn the strictly apolitical voting space into a partisan space.

My 2nd Substack post - Pierre Polievre’s questionable way of voting: open.substack.com/pub/johnrals...

Now this sounds like the kind of Democrat the US needs. Forgive the neighbour’s observation.

And Mr Trump has had time to send advice to Canadians on how to vote today. Thank you so much kind sir. A self absorbed rich man’s advice on how to treat the poor or how Canadian’s should vote is worth what your personal ethics are worth. nytimes.com/2025/04/28/u... via @NYTimes

So once again Trump says Canada should become a US state. Great! Join a class based society of very rich and poor, a corrupted supreme court, a political system debased by money, a highly defective medical system. Where can I sign up. www.ctvnews.ca/world/articl...

My speech at Elbows Up! Toronto on Monday, April 21, 2025: re. Canada dealing with US threats. youtu.be/Vgj_L5Pbo8o?...

Another example of free expression being squeezed under Donald Trump: www.nytimes.com/2025/04/22/b...

Enjoyed speaking at Elbows Up Toronto last night. Great listening to Doug Saunders & Elizabeth Renzetti. Ans interesting, for me, trying to put together what Canadians need to do re. threats from the USA. There's a livestream on Youtube. BUT I will get the video up on my website in the next few days

Great comment.

Looking forward to speaking tonight at Elbows Up! - facing threats to Canada - 7:00 pm at Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E., Toronto. bsky.app/profile/elbo...

And in the US, books banned. Terrifying.

D. Trump. Not very bright. Not very stable (mentally). Insecure. Self obsessed. Problematic ethics. Fragile grasp on historic reality. Apart from that, and a few other things, an ideal president.

The amazing - terrifying - campaign against freedom of speech in the US. The great revelation? Individual citizens are not trying to ban books. Lobby groups are. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...

The mechanisms of free expression are at risk. @pencanada.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/penc...

Love it. x.com/MadelnCanada...

Fair enough. Hard to be sure about these things.

Remind me, how many times has Mr Trump gone bankrupt.

I’m sure he didn’t mean this, but Mr. Poilievre said yesterday at his campaign launch that the key to safety on our residential streets is having the army patrol them. Gosh! (See 16:57) youtu.be/rn_759sDTHs?...

I'm a big fan of your Substack, but a small correction re. Carney's arrival: he did not 'sneaky' through 'the back entrance.' He went in through the Prime Minister's door, which is on the side and is exclusively used by the PM. This goes back to 1867. paulwells.substack.com/p/pierre-and...

Really enjoyed doing this radio interview with James Cullingham, it will be on Trent Radio today at 12:30 EST. trentradio.ca

Went to an amazing piano recital yesterday- Jaeden Izik-Dzurko playing Bach, Rachmaninoff 10 preludes op. 23 and Chopin sonata no 3 in b minor. open.spotify.com/album/0WwaWJ...