Do not use AI chatbots and apps to generate passwords. www.theregister.com/2026/02/18/g...

The Chasers War on Everyone was one of my favourite shows. I used bittorrent to get episodes, my colleagues thought I was weird [I am] for following Aussie politics to get The Chaser... until that fateful day when The Chaser famously impersonated a Canadian diplomatic motorcade. 20 years later

A person just emailed a group of government officials and media outlets regarding the new corporation, Big Turtle Homes Inc, that is registered to the two principles of Microshelters Inc. The company has hired a consultant to navigate federal procurement. bigturtle.ca

Full audio on my Instagram page Hamilton's Chief Librarian Paul Takala describing the situation at Central library, and why a temporary closure of the library branch is being considered. #yhmcc www.instagram.com/p/DU7GJKmDoq-/

Full audio on my Instagram page Ward 2 Hamilton City Councillor Cameron Kroetsch is "really concerned about the fact that we might have to even think about closing the central branch of the library." #yhmcc www.instagram.com/p/DU7MktHjleW/

Full Audio on my Instagram page: Mayor Andrea Horwath on the crisis facing Hamilton's Central library, the potential temporary closure, and her opposition to the Library's budget request to maintain current services. #yhmcc www.instagram.com/p/DU828MpDjF_/

Hamilton Police just disclosed that the suspect in the Hamilton General Hospital arson destruction of a brand-new Hamilton EMS Ambulance is also suspected in another fire, and commercial break-and-enter. The ambulance being brand-new is also additional info. #HamOnt

Good afternoon, I'm at the Hamilton Police Service Board meeting. Acting Chief Ryan Diodati, on behalf of the Service's command, speaks to the recent corruption arrests of multiple Toronto and area police officers. Says HPS welcomes the independent police oversight investigation. #yhmcc

Sad that this #HamOnt historic gem is victim of such neglect. This @mattgrande.bsky.social's short piece on Jimmy Thompson pool is great.

Mayor Horwath's comments - budgets are difficult - Council is working together - Hamilton is experiencing economic growth #yhmcc

Mayor Andrea Horwath is about to provide comments at the end of the budget meeting. Live on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJ9...

Emergency ("Emergent Need" in bureaucratic speak) Closure Jimmy Thompson Memorial Pool "Staff uncovered significant repairs required to the pool basin. Given the pool’s heritage status and cultural importance, the facility will remain closed while a feasibility assessment is undertaken" #yhmcc

As Councillors provide their final speechs of the budget process, many of them have very clear election undertones. You can feel just how done this council term is. Different than 2010 & 2022, those council terms 'checked out' Members of this council will be running for re-election. #yhmcc

The Council meeting is now on statements for social media clips. The complaints regarding the budget process - the Strong Mayor process requires councillors to get specific and do their jobs, they cannot just throw out statements. #yhmcc

Moments ago, at a Special City Council meeting, Mayor Andrea Horwath (@mayorandreahorwath.bsky.social) reaffirmed her opposition to the Hamilton Public Library's budget request. Mayor Horwath has declined to comment on these matters. #yhmcc #HamOnt

Good morning, Hamilton City Council is underway for the final Mayor's Budget meeting. All are present, in-person, on time, with the exception of Ward 14 Mike Spadafora. Agenda: pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx... Livestream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyJ9... #yhmcc

I seriously considered the possibility at some point within the last day that maybe Phil had convinced *himself* it wasn't a bribe. Even though it very clearly was. Convenient self-delusion is an important feature of a lot of the toxic behavior in public life.

Winter Storm - GO TRANSIT The final Lakeshore West trains to/from West Harbour are being replaced by shuttle buses. Check gotransit.com for details. #HamOnt

HSR Detour - Mohawk College Transit Terminal CLOSED Buses that stop inside the Mohawk College terminal are *not* entering the bus loop. Stops on West 5th north of Fennell are being serviced. #HamOnt

NEW - as of 6pm Hamilton's public school board, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, states it is in "storm watch" mode for Thursday. Potential for school closures tomorrow. #yhmcc #HamOnt www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/media/...

Good evening, I'm live-posting tonight's Hamilton Public Library Board meeting. This meeting includes a discussion of a potential closure of the Central Library. #yhmcc #HamOnt Livestream here: www.youtube.com/live/GxA0Vjz...

CHANGE IN STREAM LOCATION Hamilton Public Library Board is here, now on YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/GxA0Vjz... #HamOnt #yhmcc

I am constantly refreshing the Hamilton Public Library Board webpage for the beginning of the meeting video livestream. The meeting is video conference due to the weather. #yhmcc pub-hpl.escribemeetings.com?Year=2026

I just emailed City of Hamilton managers because of an urgent unsafe road situation, collapse of a construction cut It is 2026, and the City of Hamilton's "award-winning" digital innovation managers still haven't implemented an online reporting webform The next Mayor has a lot of work to do #yhmcc

The worsening drug and safety crisis in Hamilton's Downtown is prompting the Hamilton Public Library to comtemplate what was unthinkable only a few weeks ago Hamilton Library Board to consider 'temporary' closure of Central Library Library Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. #HamOnt #yhmcc

Due to worsening weather, all City of Hamilton facilities have closed as of noon today to help keep the community safe. This includes arenas, Hamilton Civic Museums, Municipal Service Centres, City Hall, community centres, golf courses and the Gage Park Greenhouse. (1/3)

Good morning, City Council's Grants Sub-Cmte is underway. On Time (in person): 2,11 On Time (video conference): 1,3,5,6 #yhmcc

Good evening, I'm at Hamilton City Hall for the Farmers' Market Board of Directors. Clrs Cameron Kroetsch and Tammy Hwang are both on time for the meeting. #yhmcc

⚠️Environment Canada has issued a Yellow freezing rain warning for Hamilton early tomorrow (Wed., Feb 18). Salt trucks and plows will be deployed as needed, and critical corridors are being pre-treated ahead of the weather event. We’ll monitor conditions overnight. #HamOntSnow

Environment Canada has issued a ORANGE level FREEZING RAIN warning for #HamOnt This the the kind of forecast that means you should be planning for school closures and event cancellations on Wednesday. weather.gc.ca/en/location/...

Winter Storm Schedule for Wednesday Metrolinx just announced Lakeshore West service will be reduced tomorrow and morning rush hour trains from Hamilton and West Harbour all operate all stops.

With the risk of freezing rain early Wednesday morning, the Hamilton-Wentworth District School has activated its "Storm Watch" "decision to potentially cancel all learning tomorrow will be communicated ... on Wednesday February 18, 2026 by 6:00am." #HamOnt www.hwdsb.on.ca/about/media/...

Does anyone from around Hamilton remember this old venue? It was a great part of the music scene for a while and where I met my wife (yup, I am old and this was before dating apps and even smart phones in general). I drew this up for her for valentine's day. #hamont #hamilton #raven #theraven

Went to a Sunday afternoon showing of Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie, and died laughing. The entire cinema erupted in spontaneous applause at the end

All licensed establishments in Hamilton can serve alcohol beginning at 6:00 a.m., until Feb 22nd. The City of Hamilton states the AGCO has approved a temporary city-wide extension at the request of Hamilton City Council. #HamOnt www.hamilton.ca/city-council...

The other night on Jeopardy, two players were tied going into final. The woman in third made a small wager and her answer was, "I hope they both bet everything." They both did, all three got it wrong, and she won. As if that wasn't already hilarious enough, turns out it was all a master plan!

MAGA blogs are talking about the Canadian curling controversy, it fits into their propaganda attempts to make portray Canada as an evil country. Here's a news story regarding the incident. [I'm not linking to crazy MAGA blogs] www.sportsnet.ca/curling/arti...

This is excellent, and very useful with Ontario's municipal elections happening in October. @suzannerent.bsky.social for the @halifaxexaminer.ca Municipal politics 101: What you need to know before you run for local government www.halifaxexaminer.ca/morning-file...

Reading Tuesday's agendas. In one of them, the City of Hamilton's small business centre is going to operate a youth vendor pop-up market at the Farmers' Market during March Break. Good timing with Disney on Ice.

A good column on the problem of 'access journalists' allowing those in power to anonymously lie. I do not play 'access journalism' I do not grant politicians and officials anonymity to spin, deflect, and lie. dicktofel.substack.com/p/cynicism-i...

Due to concerns regarding quorum, Tuesday's City Council Downtown Hamilton Committee meeting has been cancelled and the documents for the meeting removed from the City website. #yhmcc

Following use of accounting methods, 'deferrals' of items that must be spent into the 2027 budget, and other changes: 3.867 per cent is the City of Hamilton's operating tax levy increase for 2026. $207 increase for the average assessed property. #yhmcc #HamOnt

ANOTHER COMPUTER SYSTEMS CRASH City Council is recessed due to ongoing IT issues at the City Hall. Hamilton's "award-winning" IT continues to be "award-winning" No other council has frequent recesses and adjournments due to IT issues. #yhmcc

Good morning, Hamilton City Council is underway. On Time: Mayor,1,2,4,6,8,9,10,11,12,13,15 On Time (WebEx): 5,7,14 Not Present at 9:30am: 3 #yhmcc #HamOnt Livestream: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XicQ... Agenda: pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx...

More Council budget motions released. - reducing contingency allowances for capital projects [smoke and mirrors] - reinserting planned hiring of 10 new FTE paramedics. One of the front-line service cuts proposed by the Maroy Plus a CLOSED SESSION discussion of management staffing levels. #yhmcc

Just released: Motion to "defer" climate change action plan capital budget, $2.5M removed from the 2027 City of Hamilton budget, is moved by Clr Francis, seconded by Spadafora. Vote is tomorrow at City Council. Meeting begins at 9:30am. pub-hamilton.escribemeetings.com/filestream.a... #yhmcc

Staff report on ending the Hamilton Council Free Lunch program is exactly what one would expect - no review or comment how EVERY OTHER full-time Council in Canada manages to have more effective meetings than Hamilton, despite not expensing meals - lists reasons not to eliminate perk. #yhmcc (1/2)

The Oshawa jokes write themselves. www.durhamradionews.com/archives/208...

Good morning, I am at City Hall ("your back," as one staff member put it) for today's Committee of Adjustment hearings. I will let you know if anything unexpected or unusual occurs. #yhmcc

This estimated number of Metrolinx Vice-Presidents seems low.