Jack Hauen
@jackhauen.bsky.social
📤 4931
📥 270
📝 59
Queen’s Park reporter for The Trillium. Sleek, vigilant puma.
A thread of recent
@thetrillium.bsky.social
reporting on the Skills Development Fund.
#onpoli
25 days ago
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ICYMI: Months before he was labour minister, David Piccini was in Leafs glass seats with a director of a company he later granted $7.5M to. Piccini attended the Parisian wedding of the company’s lobbyist. From me and
@charliepinkerton.bsky.social
.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
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Labour minister was in Leafs glass seats with director of company he granted funding to
The ‘lower-scoring’ company got $7.5M of tax dollars through David Piccini’s office and is a client of the lobbyist whose Parisian wedding the minister recently attended
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/labour-minister-was-in-leafs-glass-seats-with-director-of-company-he-granted-funding-to-11329934
about 1 month ago
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New: Ontario's labour minister said he was personally involved in picking “lower-scoring” Skills Development Fund recipients. He held up one whose lobbyist's wedding he attended as an example of a lower-ranked applicant with sizeable impact.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
about 1 month ago
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NEW: David Piccini, the minister whose office picks Skills Development Fund recipients, was in Paris this weekend at the wedding of a lobbyist whose clients received millions from that fund. From me and
@charliepinkerton.bsky.social
.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
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Ontario labour minister attended lobbyist’s wedding after granting his clients millions in training funds
Two clients of lobbyist Michael Rudderham have received more than $8.5 million in Skills Development Fund grants, records show
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/ontario-labour-minister-attended-lobbyists-wedding-after-granting-his-clients-millions-in-training-funds-11318999
about 1 month ago
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New: Clients of lobbying firms with close connections to Premier Doug Ford and his nephew have been hugely successful in applying to the province’s Skills Development Fund. Full analysis:
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
#onpoli
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Clients of lobby firms connected to premier, his nephew given tens of millions in training funds
Groups represented by a lobbying firm owned by the premier’s campaign manager got more than $100 million in grant money, a Trillium analysis has found
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/clients-of-lobby-firms-connected-to-premier-his-nephew-given-tens-of-millions-in-training-funds-11312462
about 1 month ago
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NEW: The organization that’s supposed to be making sure the people building your home aren’t cheats, liars or swindlers is asleep at the wheel, Ontario’s auditor general has found. From me and Steve Cornwell.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
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Become a Trillium insider
https://www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news/housing/ontarios-home-building-regulator-rubber-stamps-developers-with-major-issues-auditor-general-11288301
about 2 months ago
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BREAKING: The Ford govt has given groups hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars against the advice of civil servants who’d evaluated their applications, per Ontario’s auditor general.
@thetrillium.bsky.social
has been covering this story in depth.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
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BREAKING: Ford government skills training funding ‘not fair, transparent or accountable’: auditor general
Ford government labour ministers overruled civil servants to fund skills training by groups with lobbyists, according to a scathing new report
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/ford-government-skills-training-funding-not-fair-transparent-or-accountable-auditor-general-11288284
about 2 months ago
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Facing pressure from above, Ontario's psychologist regulator has voted to cut training requirements and allow unlimited exam attempts. It's a fascinating debate. What's more important: the highest bar for mental health docs — or more of them?
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/...
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College looks to cut psychologist training requirements, citing Ford government changes
National association warns proposal a ‘serious threat to public safety’
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/college-looks-to-cut-psychologist-training-requirements-citing-ford-government-changes-11280859
about 2 months ago
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Premier Doug Ford says speed cameras don't slow people down. They do.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Ontario to ban speed cameras, fund other road-calming measures instead
Ford makes series of false claims in announcement
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ontario-to-ban-speed-cameras-fund-other-road-calming-measures-instead-11265035
about 2 months ago
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Ontario's highest court will now decide whether Doug Ford's government can have its way with three major Toronto bike lanes.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Ford government appeals decision blocking its bike lane removals
Lower court 'exceeded its jurisdiction' and 'made multiple errors of law', Ontario argues
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ford-government-appeals-decision-blocking-its-bike-lane-removals-11112213
3 months ago
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The premier thanked Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown for following his lead on RTO, and called on everyone else to follow suit. Not all municipalities are into the idea.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
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Become a Trillium insider
https://www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ford-calls-on-municipalities-to-return-civil-servants-to-office-11089986
3 months ago
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New: Doug Ford is leaving open the possibility of invoking the notwithstanding clause to remove three Toronto bike lanes. “Let's see what happens at the Court of Appeal, and then we'll go from there."
#onpoli
#topoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Ford floats use of notwithstanding clause in Toronto bike lanes case
‘Let’s see what happens at the Court of Appeal,’ Premier Doug Ford told reporters
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/doug-ford-notwithstanding-clause-toronto-bike-lanes-case-11040379
3 months ago
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Cycling advocates have won. The Ford government's plan to remove three major bike lanes in Toronto violates the Charter, Ontario's Superior Court rules. Story to come.
#onpoli
#topoli
4 months ago
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New: Ontario could make up to $800,000/day from a U.S. electricity surcharge, according to internal estimates.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
4 months ago
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Metrolinx facing $8.2 billion in legal claims
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
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Become a Trillium insider
https://www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/metrolinx-facing-82-billion-in-legal-claims-10985718
4 months ago
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The Ontario NDP is calling for "urgent action" after an increase in overdoses after CTS site closures. During the recent campaign, I repeatedly pressed Marit Stiles on whether she would reinstate CTS sites. She was noncommittal.
thetrillium.ca/insider-news/s…
4 months ago
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In which a Toronto cop gives $325 tickets to cyclists who slow-roll a changing red light, but two videos beforehand, ignores a driver who slow-rolls a stop sign because he’s a “fair and reasonable person.”
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4 months ago
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62% of Torontonians say main streets should "offer a balance to all road users" including transit, pedestrians and cyclists — but not many PC voters agree. Most Toronto Tories said main streets "should be prioritized for car traffic or parking."
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Most Torontonians for building protected bike lanes: poll
Faults emerge along partisan lines, though a majority of respondents support mixed-use roads and more space for bikes
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/most-torontonians-for-building-protected-bike-lanes-poll-10940976
4 months ago
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After responses about expanding GO train service to Vancouver and an electrification schedule 18,000 years into the future, Metrolinx says GO Transit will no longer respond using AI.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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GO Transit X account will no longer respond to riders with AI: Metrolinx
'We recognize that we did not meet our customer support standards, and we have provided clear direction to our vendor that AI cannot be used under any circumstances,' the agency said
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/go-transit-x-account-will-no-longer-respond-to-riders-with-ai-metrolinx-10922407
4 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
John Michael McGrath
4 months ago
Ancient Doug Ford lore requires me to remind people of the time Ford said changerooms and showers at City Hall would be overrun by public sex acts.
add a skeleton here at some point
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New: Therme says the public park around its future spa will have multiple swimming points and free, year-round changing rooms with showers.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Therme shows off design of Ontario Place water park
Its new design is half the size of the original 65,000 square metre proposal
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/therme-shows-off-design-of-ontario-place-water-park-10913343
4 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
PressProgress
5 months ago
Doug Ford has been busy! In the past ~2 months, his government has proposed or passed a flurry of laws with the potential to reshape Ontario. There's no way you've been able to keep up with it all. So we spoke to
@jackhauen.bsky.social
, who has.
pressprogress.ca/how-doug-for...
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How Doug Ford Is Changing Ontario
In even more ways than you think
https://pressprogress.ca/how-doug-ford-is-changing-ontario/
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
PressProgress
5 months ago
When Metrolinx hooked up with European rail experts, the result was a "slow-motion train wreck." The Trillium's
@jackhauen.bsky.social
breaks down why we (well, Ontario) can't have nice things.
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When Metrolinx Hooked Up with European Rail Experts, the Result Was a “Slow-motion Train Wreck”
The Trillium's Jack Hauen explains how Metrolinx gave up its dream of a world-class rail network, opting instead to build the
https://pressprogress.ca/metrolinx-deutsche-bahn-go-expansion-train-wreck/
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ICYMI: Ontario revealed plans for a five-storey, 3,500-space, $400 million parking garage at Ontario Place. Premier Doug Ford said it "will be blended into the surrounding area." "You'll barely even see a parking lot.”
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Ontario reveals five-storey Ontario Place parking garage; Science Centre still TBD
'You'll barely even see' the garage: Ford
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ontario-reveals-five-storey-ontario-place-parking-garage-science-centre-still-tbd-10856542
5 months ago
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With Ontario still building far too few homes, I asked Premier Doug Ford if he had any regrets about how he’s handled the file over the past seven years. He said he “wouldn’t do anything differently.”
#onpoli
thetrillium.ca/trillium-ins...
5 months ago
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The Ford government says the lack of classroom AC is school boards' responsibility. The TDSB says adding AC is impossible with a $4.5B repair backlog.
#onpoli
#topoli
🔓
www.thetrillium.ca/news/educati...
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Province says school boards are to blame for classrooms without A/C
Adding A/C ‘not financially possible’ with multi-billion-dollar repair backlog: TDSB
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/education-and-training/province-says-school-boards-are-to-blame-for-classrooms-without-ac-10850877
5 months ago
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Some really interesting context on how Deutsche Bahn's international operations (including its work on GO) feed into its issues back in Germany.
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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ICYMI: Several well-placed sources, leaked documents and recordings of internal town halls detail how a bitter, years-long falling out with a European partner has led Metrolinx to scale back its ambitious GO Expansion plan. No paywall.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
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How Metrolinx’s plan to deliver European-style train service went off the rails
GO Expansion will still transform Greater Golden Horseshoe transit — but likely won’t be as ambitious as what was planned just three years ago
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-trillium-investigations/how-metrolinxs-plan-to-deliver-european-style-train-service-went-off-the-rails-10786705
5 months ago
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47
reposted by
Jack Hauen
Jessica Smith Cross
5 months ago
NEW: How Metrolinx’s plan to deliver European-style train service went off the rails
@jackhauen.bsky.social
got excruciating detail on MX's split with Deutsche Bahn on the GO expansion, and the scope reduction for all-day, two-way GO
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
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How Metrolinx’s plan to deliver European-style train service went off the rails
GO Expansion will still transform Greater Golden Horseshoe transit — but likely won’t be as ambitious as what was planned just three years ago
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-trillium-investigations/how-metrolinxs-plan-to-deliver-european-style-train-service-went-off-the-rails-10786705
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A judge has granted an injunction temporarily halting the Ford government’s plans to remove the Bloor, Yonge and University bike lanes, while he considers whether he will allow those removals to go ahead at all.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Court temporarily halts removal of three Toronto bike lanes
Injunction pauses Bloor, Yonge, University removals until Charter challenge resolved
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/court-temporarily-halts-removal-of-three-toronto-bike-lanes-10554746
7 months ago
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New: We obtained hospital notes about the patients the health minister has called “bed blockers.” Many have severe health issues including feeding & breathing tubes, can’t afford private care, and can’t go home. For some, there is nowhere else to go.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/...
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Meet the so-called 'bed-blockers' in Ontario's hospitals
Some 'alternate-level-of-care' patients the government wants out of hospitals are bedbound with feeding tubes, gaping wounds and no family to lean on
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/meet-the-so-called-bed-blockers-in-ontarios-hospitals-10438048
7 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Andrea Woo
8 months ago
The best political story you'll read today, by
@jackhauen.bsky.social
, via
@tyolsen.bsky.social
:
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
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'Everyone's waving that Canadian flag': Ford explains tariffs, GDP to third-graders
The premier answered questions on his age and salary, but made sure to cram in some educational and patriotic content as well
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/everyones-waving-that-canadian-flag-ford-explains-tariffs-gdp-to-third-graders-10409704
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Jessica Smith Cross
8 months ago
"And families can disagree sometimes, your brother, your sister, right, we have a little bit — but someone else comes to bother our family? Yeah, that's it. It's game over." Ford explains tariffs, GDP to third-graders
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
By
@jackhauen.bsky.social
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'Everyone's waving that Canadian flag': Ford explains tariffs, GDP to third-graders
The premier answered questions on his age and salary, but made sure to cram in some educational and patriotic content as well
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/everyones-waving-that-canadian-flag-ford-explains-tariffs-gdp-to-third-graders-10409704
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New: At least 11 employment programs, many focused on people with disabilities, have ended in the past year after the Ford govt's changes. Confidential documents admit to cuts and suggest workers skip lunch to deal with the increased workload.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
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Employment programs for disabled job-seekers shutter after Ford government changes
Internal documents admit to budget cuts, propose employees skip lunch breaks
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-trillium-investigations/employment-programs-for-disabled-job-seekers-shutter-after-ford-government-changes-10256821
9 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Brendan Kennedy
9 months ago
As first reported by
@jessiecatherine.bsky.social
,
@charliepinkerton.bsky.social
&
@jackhauen.bsky.social
at The Trillium, two former Ford government staffers have been accused in a lawsuit of promising to help a developer get land rezoned for money. Full story 👇
www.thestar.com/news/the-for...
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The former Ford government staffer at the heart of the Greenbelt scandal has been accused of promising to help developer for money
A lawsuit alleges Ryan Amato and another government staffer promised to use “backchannel contacts” to secure rezoning. Both men deny the allegations.
https://www.thestar.com/news/the-former-ford-government-staffer-at-the-heart-of-the-greenbelt-scandal-has-been-accused/article_3170a152-e403-11ef-9aa0-db3dcf4aa3a4.html
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Emma McIntosh
10 months ago
A little Monday good news from me! The Narwhal has learned that Rouge National Urban Park is set to grow. Later today, the federal government will announce it has scrapped a plan for an airport in Pickering. Most of the land it set aside for the proposed airport will instead go to Parks Canada 🌳
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
John Michael McGrath
10 months ago
Not news exactly but I had missed that after more than a decade of absence Toronto has voted to rejoin the Association of Municipalities of Ontario as of Jan 1.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
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Agenda Item History 2024.EX19.7
Agenda Item History 2024.EX19.7
https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2024.EX19.7
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New: Private investigators have been poking around two Toronto supervised consumption sites of late. Staff worried they were hired by the Ford government to bolster its arguments against the sites. They were right.
#onpoli
#topoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/social-...
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Ontario hires PI firm to survey supervised consumption site neighbours
Facing a lawsuit over its planned closure of the sites, the government has hired investigators 'to gather additional evidence': health minister's office
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/social-services-and-society/ontario-hires-pi-firm-to-survey-supervised-consumption-site-neighbours-10104618
10 months ago
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New: An internal email confirms bike lane removals won't start until spring at the earliest.
#onpoli
#topoli
www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
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Toronto bike lane removals to start in March at the earliest
‘Ontario does not intend to make any physical changes … before March 20, 2025’: Ministry of the Attorney General email
https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-hall/toronto-bike-lane-removals-start-march-earliest-9966675
11 months ago
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Light: (turns red) Every driver in the GTA: I think I can make it
11 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Canada Healthwatch 🍁
12 months ago
Here's where the primary care crisis is hitting Ontario hardest
www.thetrillium.ca/news/health/...
@jackhauen.bsky.social
Get weekly updates:
CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter
🍁
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
Lanrick Bennett
12 months ago
“It is so much easier to prevent road trauma than it is to treat it,” Christopher Yarnell
@uoft.bsky.social
’s Dept of Medicine When it comes to prevention, the research is clear: Bike lanes reduce collisions between vehicles & bicycles. -
@mattbubbers.bsky.social
apple.news/ApMQ6qyg_ThK...
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"Go on the secondary roads that run parallel ... a few feet away from the existing roads," Ford said. Asked to name alternatives to the Bloor bike lane, Transportation Min. Prabmeet Sarkaria did not.
#onpoli
#topoli
www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
12 months ago
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NEW: The Ford government is working to amend its bike lane bill to block lawsuits that could otherwise arise from the removal of bike lanes.
#onpoli
#topoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Ford government moves to block bike-lane removal lawsuits
A proposed amendment to the bike lane bill aims to block lawsuits that could arise if cyclists are struck: biking lawyer
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/ford-government-moves-to-block-bike-lane-removal-lawsuits-9845266
12 months ago
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NEW: Draft briefing for cabinet warned bike lane changes could worsen congestion
#onpoli
#topoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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Draft briefing for cabinet warned bike lane changes could worsen congestion
A leaked government document says removing bike lanes in cities could backfire
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/draft-briefing-for-cabinet-warned-bike-lane-changes-could-worsen-congestion-9838267
12 months ago
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reposted by
Jack Hauen
John Michael McGrath
12 months ago
back in prehistory (~2011) I watched a six-storey building get opposed at Toronto council; back-to-back deputants complained A) that there was too much parking, people wouldn't use transit and B) there was too little parking, people would take up street spaces it was approved anyway, it's fine now
add a skeleton here at some point
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New from Ontario's planners: "OPPI does not support the removal of bike lanes in the City of Toronto or in any other municipal jurisdiction within the province of Ontario."
ontarioplanners.ca/OPPIAssets/D...
12 months ago
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ICYMI: Ford might not be done.
www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...
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Doug Ford insider’s poll scrutinizes Adelaide, Richmond and Danforth bike lanes
A new poll from Campaign Research, a firm run by Premier Doug Ford’s advisor Nick Kouvalis, asks whether several Toronto bike lanes should be ‘removed immediately’
https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/politics-government/doug-ford-insiders-poll-scrutinizes-adelaide-richmond-and-danforth-bike-lanes-9824858
12 months ago
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ICYMI: The Ford government says main street bike lanes are bad. Municipalities, businesses, road safety advocates and the City of Toronto came to Queen's Park to call BS.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/municip...
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'We’re not a freeway': removing bike lanes would hurt business, Toronto BIA says
The City of Toronto said tearing out the Bloor, University and Yonge bike lanes would snarl traffic for 'multiple years'
https://www.thetrillium.ca/news/municipalities-transit-and-infrastructure/were-not-a-freeway-removing-bike-lanes-would-hurt-business-toronto-bia-says-9824617
12 months ago
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