Join us for an enlightening evening on October 14, as we explore Treaty history with the esteemed historian, Rick Hill. Tickets are FREE. Everyone welcome—registration required. simpli.events/e/treaty-his...

Today on The Incline → A long look at the #HamOnt Ward 8 council by-election. theincline.email/p/but-first-...

My semi-regular reminder of a really important reality about cities, density, services and taxes. Original graphic cleaned up by @kathrynmathias.bsky.social. #CityMakingMath

Canada's true crisis is the everyday emergency of just trying to get by in an impossible economy. I’m running for NDP leader so we can transform a system rigged for the rich—together. We need a government that serves the many, not the money. Join in. lewisforleader.ca/ youtu.be/IVy99oiYszY

Evergreen

Today on The Incline → Over the past few days, a #HamOnt political controversy in Ward 4 has had people buzzing. A look at how this non-scandal is similar to ones in the past and who is behind this campaign-like attack on a sitting councillor. theincline.email/p/home-on-th...

There is a letter circulating in Ward 4 and I'd like to set the record straight. The claims in this letter about me are misleading: I pay market rent for my home. We're all on the same team for more affordable housing. Please see my response here: bit.ly/45D14ly

When the Ford government announced that it was forcing the Somerset West Community Health Centre to close its supervised consumption site, they quoted unsourced stats about local crime rates. They lied. Crime actually went down significantly when the CTS was open.

Today on The Incline → It's hot in #HamOnt! A look at heat warnings and some of Hamilton's hottest days over the years. theincline.email/p/the-heat

Today on The Incline → oops! The newsletter *is* the story. On the #HamOnt non-scandal that is me. theincline.email/p/scandal-at...

It's me! No, seriously, he's talking about me. For a little while, I've done graphic design and written newsletter content for Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson as an advisor. This fact is set to become the "Conspiracy of the Day". What fun! So here's what I have to say about that (thread below):

Today on The Incline → A long weekend addition that looks at hate in #HamOnt, the Ford government's drive to privatize provincial parks, and how the opposition can take the fight to the stubbornly popular premier. theincline.email/p/fourteen-f...

Good Joey's looking into this, but I strongly disagree that Myles' entry into the Ward 2 race is "great" or that "he will run a good campaign." Myles peddles in conspiracies and outright homophobic attacks on the current councillor. His escalating behaviour isn't the "perspective" the race needs.

Today on The Incline → We're 459 days out from the 2026 #HamOnt municipal election, but the mayoral rumours are already flying. I take a look at one possible candidate, the forum on which he's been sharing his views, and what his platform might be next year. theincline.email/p/observing-...

Citing an "old adage" that "if you let one Nazi into your bar then you have a Nazi bar," @ChrisErl.ca said this activity needs to be forcefully challenged by residents and the city's institutions.  www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #HamOnt

Today on The Incline → As #HamOnt council meets today, a look at last week's committee meeting where the debate over online voting took centre stage. theincline.email/p/together-i...

he's running #SD4Ward8 theincline.email/p/round-hami...

Today on The Incline → Is the Ford Government's takeover of 5 school boards a sign of things to come? Is this the beginning of the end for elected school trustees in Ontario? theincline.email/p/the-magica...

Over the past year, including today, signs with my name posted near Jamesville have been popping up - a clumsy attempt to blame me for the sins of my predecessor. This rather nice example made its way back to me and now hangs in my office. Keep being you #HamOnt. 💞

Today on The Incline → The Strathcona Quinquennium. Moving after five years in #HamOnt's Strathcona neighbourhood, I reflect on the history that was around me. theincline.email/p/the-strath...

Today on The Incline → 'Round Hamilton. It's a mishmash of #HamOnt political stories, from my article on local bullies and an internet fight over softball to the Ward 8 by-election and the proposed council hiring freeze. theincline.email/p/round-hami...

My latest in The Hamilton Spectator: we need to have a conversation about bullies, strongmen, and the politics of division in #HamOnt. Link to a gift article ↓ for all you cool Bluesky folks. www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...

Today on The Incline → The Relocation. How an entire neighbourhood was willingly wiped off Hamilton's map. And a quick recap from The Incline: LIVE this past Thursday! theincline.email/p/the-reloca...

Today on The Incline → The right-wing populists of #HamOnt are mad as hell and aren't going to offer any solutions! On the rage campaign and the coming Ward 8 by-election. theincline.email/p/hamilton-i...

Today on The Incline → This Victoria Day weekend, we look at the iconic statue in #HamOnt's Gore Park. PLUS, get ready for The Incline: Live! theincline.email/p/victoria-q...

Today on The Incline → The #HamOnt 2026 Municipal Election is fast approaching. With under a year until nominations officially open, let's look at the issues, contenders, and recent history of municipal elections in our city. theincline.email/p/sage-council

Today on The Incline → A personal political history and questions on how the political left moves forward from here. theincline.email/p/a-differen...

On my last night as MP, I thank Jack Layton for inspiring me to run for public office. Jack made me believe it was possible to do politics with integrity. He loved our country and he loved people. He said politics was about getting your hands dirty and taking chances to make life better for people

Today on The Incline → There are some spooky people running for office, even here in #HamOnt. A look at ghost candidates, by way of a story about Dundurn Castle. 👻👻👻 theincline.email/p/boo-at-the...

Today on The Incline → A blip at a council meeting shows the limits (and goals) of the right-wing populists in #HamOnt. theincline.email/p/the-implic...

Ontario: no jobs, homes, or opportunities, but now you get to bet on democracy! Makin' cold hard cash off a system of government that's truly ✧˖°. For The People™ ⋆˙⟡

Today on The Incline → A history of #HamOnt's federal ridings. All 25 of them, from 1867 to today. Featuring campaigns to legalize fornication, unnecessary by-elections, and the slow expansion of voting rights. A little history before we vote on April 28! theincline.email/p/riding-off...

Today on The Incline → Incivility, outrage, and the federal election in #HamOnt. Well, one candidate in one riding, but the point still stands. And, since it's the topic of this edition, here's a hug in an effort to increase online civility 🤗 theincline.email/p/trolling-f...

I've been on the job market for three years without so much as an interview or a sessional gig. Now scant university resources are being directed toward poaching high-profile US scholars to score easy PR wins. How does that help struggling students, staff, and Canadian PhDs eager to work?

Today on The Incline → There's been some business news in #HamOnt. With local faves closing and moving, it seemed like a good time to examine the history of BIAs, our city's business changes over time, and the local retail scene. theincline.email/p/takin-care...

Anyone keen on understanding how #HamOnt hard right-wing populists will run their 2026 council campaigns should be watching council today. They're very well-funded, already controlling the narrative, and running on pure rage. Buckle up, storm's a comin'!

Today on The Incline → Carney cleans up in #HamOnt. The question is: what does that mean for the coming election? theincline.email/p/false-spri...

Now that Carney has been selected I hope progressives can keep their eyes on the real goal: winning. Every elxn we see the same cycle of people who share progressive values tearing each other apart in a moral-purity hunger games rather than focusing on the threat in front of us. 1/4 #cdnpoli

My unsolicited #cdnpoli thought: I don't want to see a single anti-Carney ad from the left. Ignore him and run "happy warrior" campaigns focused on positivity, unity, real solutions. People are burnt out and a relentlessly positive campaign might resonate. Dig in and get ready for what comes next.

Today on The Incline → Mapping (and reflecting on) the poll-by-poll results in #HamOnt from the 2025 Ontario election. theincline.email/p/doug-day-a...

Read the comments below this story and fill out your ✧˖° #HamOnt Right-Wing Outrage Bingo Card °˖✧ Dab if you have "knee-jerk lashing out at council", "blames encampments", "council is corrupt!" and a wildcard "woke!" Check to see if you have a bingo! Winner gets a free Bay Observer subscription.

Today on The Incline → Lessons from a labour schism in 1934 for whatever happens after tomorrow's #onelxn in #HamOnt Centre (hint: it didn't go well). theincline.email/p/what-force...

Same goes for here in Canada. More good people need to run for office. Our communities and our democracy depend on it.

Today on The Incline → How the rebrand from The Sewer Socialists to The Incline is going (by way of a deep dive into #HamOnt retail history). theincline.email/p/brand-loya...

That level of support for merging a centre-right party and social democratic party is a great example of why we're in this mess. Civic illiteracy rates just off the charts here.

Today on The Incline → Whither Canada? Thoughts on Canadian sovereignty and how lessons from the past can help make us more resilient in the future. theincline.email/p/whither-ca...

Now would be a great time for the left in Canada to have a serious, coherent agenda that seeks a structural transformation of material life in service of workers, rather than, you know, keyboard warrior emoji shit and first-year undergrad epithets.

Without geolocation, baseline stats (what were the figures in 2020 vs. today, eg: what is an "81%" increase?), or a definition of "crime severity", this means nothing. It sounds scary, which I get is the point, but this is meaningless. Like, this is intro stats stuff. Amateur mistakes here. #HamOnt

Some changes coming to my little #HamOnt history and politics newsletter. I'm excited to change things up for 2025. www.sewersocialists.ca/p/therefore-...

I had two viral posts on this site recently and it's given me a very educational glimpse at the overall vibe of Bluesky. And out beyond popular shitposters it is pretty much all these kind of people. Resistance libs that discovered the internet when they made a Twitter account in 2017. Grim stuff!