Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
@benmacleod.bsky.social
Hong Kong / Halifax, urban & transportation things
Pinned
Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
@benmacleod.bsky.social
· Feb 26
![A screenshot of a letter that reads: Good morning. Thank you council and staff for the opportunity to speak. My name is Ben MacLeod and I live in Halifax.
As you all know, the Strategic Priorities Plan set out the municipality’s priorities and values. It was drafted in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and it outlines how some of council’s priorities translate to action against the pandemic. For instance, the plan states that Corporate Safety will “play a key role in responding to COVID-19” by helping business units develop “effective workplace safety plans [and] safe work practices”.
I spoke on the same topic during last year’s meeting.
I stated that COVID-19 remains a workplace safety issue that the municipality is failing to mitigate, contrary to the commitments to safety outlined in the Strategic Priorities Plan as well as the municipality’s obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. I also stated that the municipality, in failing to provide safe and healthy work environments, also fails fundamentally to deliver on its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Since then, Human Resources has told me that the municipality still does not have any COVID-19 mitigation in place. In other words, nothing has improved, so I make my plea again today.
According to the Strategic Priorities Plan, evidence-based decision making is one of the municipality’s key values. What is the evidence driving the municipality’s policies on COVID?
The World Health Organization stresses that the pandemic has not ended. COVID-19 continues to widely circulate, kill, and disable.
COVID is not benign. It has been linked to a host of ailments affecting practically all human organ systems. Even mild cases can have long-term consequences. Repeated infections do cumulative damage. With each infection, you roll the dice. There is no cure for Long COVID.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xwlgxzjlrxt3tnmmevc53fqe/bafkreicdqm3cjoh63u5fyaty6hio6igg3ga2n26z6qjdk5axo7cvpy3zoa@jpeg)
this morning, I spoke to Halifax regional council on workplace safety, diversity, and inclusion (again)
Covid-cautious queers of Halifax – the Mask4Mask New Year's Eve party is starting now! 🎉 see mask4mask_queers_hfx on IG for details.
January 1, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Covid-cautious queers of Halifax – the Mask4Mask New Year's Eve party is starting now! 🎉 see mask4mask_queers_hfx on IG for details.
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Holy hell…
THIS THIS THIS. ALL OF THIS
THIS is why faculty resist technological strategies for teaching. There is no engaging with Edtech without this context
THIS is why faculty resist technological strategies for teaching. There is no engaging with Edtech without this context
December 30, 2025 at 5:33 AM
Holy hell…
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Signal boosting:
Currently at a crossroads thinking about long-term plans and I’d love to shadow a transit service planner sometime. I’ve been fascinated by service planning since I was a kid and learning more about their day-to-day work would be really helpful! 🚌🗺️
December 29, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Signal boosting:
All Cogswell bikeways are now open! I updated the Halifax bikeway map on Wikipedia, marking Amalamek Way, Brunswick Street, and Dutch Village Road as complete. #BikeHfx
December 21, 2025 at 6:45 PM
All Cogswell bikeways are now open! I updated the Halifax bikeway map on Wikipedia, marking Amalamek Way, Brunswick Street, and Dutch Village Road as complete. #BikeHfx
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
One of the reasons why I go so hard on science misinformation/disinformation, is that as a working scientist it is frustrating to see your research misreported to push an agenda.
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
December 20, 2025 at 10:49 PM
One of the reasons why I go so hard on science misinformation/disinformation, is that as a working scientist it is frustrating to see your research misreported to push an agenda.
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
For example, consider this piece of right-wing propaganda from The Telegraph that was just published
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Dec 20, 1980: @VIA_Rail runs the first of four direct trains from Toronto to Halifax and return. They also ran on December 22, 26 and 28. The specially-scheduled eastbound trains, numbered 112, left Toronto at 10:55 AM and arrived in Halifax at 2:30 PM the next day. 1/3
December 21, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Dec 20, 1980: @VIA_Rail runs the first of four direct trains from Toronto to Halifax and return. They also ran on December 22, 26 and 28. The specially-scheduled eastbound trains, numbered 112, left Toronto at 10:55 AM and arrived in Halifax at 2:30 PM the next day. 1/3
I kicked off my holiday with a day at the archives ☃️
December 18, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I kicked off my holiday with a day at the archives ☃️
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Heads up – a new southbound transit-only lane is now open from Artz Street to the Cogswell District roundabout. This lane is for buses only and completes a missing link in the Barrington Street transit corridor from the north end to downtown, helping transit move faster and more reliably.
Thank you Councillor @lecwhite.bsky.social, MLA Lisa Lachance, and Build Nova Scotia for springing into action on Sunday to get hateful graffiti removed from a prominent spot in Halifax. It's already gone!
December 15, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Thank you Councillor @lecwhite.bsky.social, MLA Lisa Lachance, and Build Nova Scotia for springing into action on Sunday to get hateful graffiti removed from a prominent spot in Halifax. It's already gone!
"Quebec has the lowest university tuition in North America.
And the province’s affordable daycare system and the employment insurance it offers new parents sends the message that the government supports them, said Forest.
'If people want to be happy, I think they should copy Quebec'"
And the province’s affordable daycare system and the employment insurance it offers new parents sends the message that the government supports them, said Forest.
'If people want to be happy, I think they should copy Quebec'"
There’s a happiness gap between young people in Quebec and in the rest of Canada - Joshua Bujold, an upbeat psychology student in his first semester at Montreal’s Dawson College, was taken aback to find out that happiness among young Canadians has plunged.
There’s a happiness gap between young people in Quebec and in the rest of Canada
Joshua Bujold, an upbeat psychology student in his first semester at Montreal’s Dawson College, was taken aback to find out that happiness among young Canadians has plunged.
bit.ly
December 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
"Quebec has the lowest university tuition in North America.
And the province’s affordable daycare system and the employment insurance it offers new parents sends the message that the government supports them, said Forest.
'If people want to be happy, I think they should copy Quebec'"
And the province’s affordable daycare system and the employment insurance it offers new parents sends the message that the government supports them, said Forest.
'If people want to be happy, I think they should copy Quebec'"
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
When you read “held up at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia,” you really expect it to be more than this lovely little neighborhood safety project.
The Allan-Harvard diagonal diverter, approved in 2018, held up at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia by a legal challenge until 2023, was finally completed today. 🍾🎉 #BikeHfx
Update 8:25 PM
December 14, 2025 at 5:03 AM
When you read “held up at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia,” you really expect it to be more than this lovely little neighborhood safety project.
The Allan-Harvard diagonal diverter, approved in 2018, held up at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia by a legal challenge until 2023, was finally completed today. 🍾🎉 #BikeHfx
December 14, 2025 at 1:24 AM
The Allan-Harvard diagonal diverter, approved in 2018, held up at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia by a legal challenge until 2023, was finally completed today. 🍾🎉 #BikeHfx
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Prop 13 is California's equivalent of Nova Scotia's CAP program.
So... that checks out.
So... that checks out.
I love explaining what Prop 13 is to someone new it’s always:
“Wow that’s insanely fucked up. So young struggling families have a higher tax rate than wealthy landlords?”
“Yup!”
“Why hasn’t anyone tried to repeal this?”
“They tried a partial repeal it in 2020 but California voters rejected it”
“Wow that’s insanely fucked up. So young struggling families have a higher tax rate than wealthy landlords?”
“Yup!”
“Why hasn’t anyone tried to repeal this?”
“They tried a partial repeal it in 2020 but California voters rejected it”
December 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Prop 13 is California's equivalent of Nova Scotia's CAP program.
So... that checks out.
So... that checks out.
Google Maps now has imagery of the Cogswell redevelopment from earlier this year. Even the Street View car drove in the bus lane 😭
December 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Google Maps now has imagery of the Cogswell redevelopment from earlier this year. Even the Street View car drove in the bus lane 😭
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
This story has been updated with comments from Fillmore's office, Duncan Williams, CEO of the Construction Association of #NovaScotia, and a statement from #Halifax's media relations department.
In apparent violation of public meeting rules, Mayor Andy Fillmore hosted secret meeting with councillors and Construction Association of Nova Scotia to talk regional plan
Story by me
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/government/c...
Story by me
www.halifaxexaminer.ca/government/c...
In apparent violation of public meeting rules, Mayor Andy Fillmore hosted secret meeting with councillors and Construction Association of Nova Scotia to talk regional plan - Halifax Examiner
Coun. Sam Austin expressed concerns with that meeting, saying while he thought the intentions were "good," he asked if the invitation was the "epitome of a backroom meeting?"
www.halifaxexaminer.ca
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This story has been updated with comments from Fillmore's office, Duncan Williams, CEO of the Construction Association of #NovaScotia, and a statement from #Halifax's media relations department.
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
For context, 26,000 homes is roughly the housing shortage in Halifax, NS alone. Population ~500k.
Not to scale
Not to scale
New PBO report out today, that finds that in the first 5 years of the Build Canada Homes program, it's will have $7.3 billion of spending on an accrual basis ($13 billion on a cash basis) and lead to fewer than 26,000 homes being built.
Read here: www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/pu...
Read here: www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/pu...
December 2, 2025 at 3:16 PM
For context, 26,000 homes is roughly the housing shortage in Halifax, NS alone. Population ~500k.
Not to scale
Not to scale
I love this clock even though it periodically it does weird things such as displaying "November 31"
December 1, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I love this clock even though it periodically it does weird things such as displaying "November 31"
The rush in western media to blame the Hong Kong fire on bamboo scaffolding has been lazy and orientalist, yes. But comparisons to Grenfell amount to misinformation when they suggest that "building cladding" fuelled the Tai Po fire.
November 28, 2025 at 10:03 PM
The rush in western media to blame the Hong Kong fire on bamboo scaffolding has been lazy and orientalist, yes. But comparisons to Grenfell amount to misinformation when they suggest that "building cladding" fuelled the Tai Po fire.
The NDP leadership debate just started and is being livestreamed below.
Starting in 20 minutes at 4m PST
www.youtube.com/live/CECKshz...
www.youtube.com/live/CECKshz...
November 28, 2025 at 12:10 AM
The NDP leadership debate just started and is being livestreamed below.
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
Aside from the obvious car-brained garbage take here, this is a microcosm of the constant disrespect that Lucasville faces. It’s a historic African Nova Scotian community and people treat it as a drive-through with zero thought for the residents who live there.
"People should be forced to drive to the grocery store. Damn why is traffic getting so bad"
November 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Aside from the obvious car-brained garbage take here, this is a microcosm of the constant disrespect that Lucasville faces. It’s a historic African Nova Scotian community and people treat it as a drive-through with zero thought for the residents who live there.
"People should be forced to drive to the grocery store. Damn why is traffic getting so bad"
November 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
"People should be forced to drive to the grocery store. Damn why is traffic getting so bad"
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
A walk around the patio level of Kwong Fuk Estate. Supply and aid stations have been set up to help those affected by the Tai Po fire. Hot food and water, snacks and clothing are plentiful.
November 27, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A walk around the patio level of Kwong Fuk Estate. Supply and aid stations have been set up to help those affected by the Tai Po fire. Hot food and water, snacks and clothing are plentiful.
A plausible explanation for the diagonal diverter's removal that doesn't involve Premier Houston meddling in municipal affairs again. I hope it's just this. #BikeHfx
the folks who put up cones around road work fall under Temporary workplace traffic control regulations. There is a whole certification program, and a Manual which covers what they are permitted to do. deviations would be a workplace safety issue, hence the DOL.
November 26, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A plausible explanation for the diagonal diverter's removal that doesn't involve Premier Houston meddling in municipal affairs again. I hope it's just this. #BikeHfx
Reposted by Ben MacLeod 馬志斌
For the record, the traffic diverter would have improved safety not only for cycling, but for pedestrians and drivers as well. The area has speeding issues on Harvard which would be prevented with this diverter. Safety, traffic easing, enhancing other forms of transportation. These are the benefits.
Well, Halifax's newest modal filter – an essential part of the Allan/Oak local street bikeway – lasted less than 24h before being torn out. #BikeHfx
November 26, 2025 at 4:42 PM
For the record, the traffic diverter would have improved safety not only for cycling, but for pedestrians and drivers as well. The area has speeding issues on Harvard which would be prevented with this diverter. Safety, traffic easing, enhancing other forms of transportation. These are the benefits.
Well, Halifax's newest modal filter – an essential part of the Allan/Oak local street bikeway – lasted less than 24h before being torn out. #BikeHfx
November 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Well, Halifax's newest modal filter – an essential part of the Allan/Oak local street bikeway – lasted less than 24h before being torn out. #BikeHfx