Colleen
@cbailey6.bsky.social
Scientist, cyclist, knitter. But only 2 out of 3 at any one time. 🔰
📌 Toronto
📌 Toronto
A great time to remind people of the wild stat that 13% of shooting and firearm discharges in 2024 were towing-related. And 7 Toronto police officers now face charges related to tow truck violence. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
February 11, 2026 at 1:01 PM
A great time to remind people of the wild stat that 13% of shooting and firearm discharges in 2024 were towing-related. And 7 Toronto police officers now face charges related to tow truck violence. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Remember last week when Councillor Holyday was super-concerned about people visiting loved ones and addressing isolation by helping people get around the city? That was a fun 2 minutes. But it turns out that he just wanted more parking. I'm shocked. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
February 11, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Remember last week when Councillor Holyday was super-concerned about people visiting loved ones and addressing isolation by helping people get around the city? That was a fun 2 minutes. But it turns out that he just wanted more parking. I'm shocked. toronto.cityhallwatcher.com/p/one-counci...
Every year during the budget debate, someone talks about "raiding" the reserves and says they'll be empty soon. Then, when the final numbers come in, there is more money in the reserves than ever. I've become hugely cynical about the budget process. It's just theatre. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/YzBjX/1/
February 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Every year during the budget debate, someone talks about "raiding" the reserves and says they'll be empty soon. Then, when the final numbers come in, there is more money in the reserves than ever. I've become hugely cynical about the budget process. It's just theatre. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/YzBjX/1/
Reposted by Colleen
This kind of statistic always makes me laugh because property tax growth being so low is a policy choice that the City of Toronto has complete control over!
Conforti offers an example: over the last 9 years, the average Toronto household's income tax payments increased by about $ 9,000. Their property tax payments grew by $914.
February 11, 2026 at 4:18 AM
This kind of statistic always makes me laugh because property tax growth being so low is a policy choice that the City of Toronto has complete control over!
Reposted by Colleen
This sends a chill across all new vaccines. Companies will not put billions into developing and bringing a new vaccine to market, when the world’s largest market can’t buy them
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
F.D.A. Refuses to Review Moderna Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:46 AM
This sends a chill across all new vaccines. Companies will not put billions into developing and bringing a new vaccine to market, when the world’s largest market can’t buy them
Fact check: false.
(This is for CMAs so maybe true for the city itself? But I don't think so. You should adjust for population anyway.) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
(This is for CMAs so maybe true for the city itself? But I don't think so. You should adjust for population anyway.) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
February 10, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Fact check: false.
(This is for CMAs so maybe true for the city itself? But I don't think so. You should adjust for population anyway.) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
(This is for CMAs so maybe true for the city itself? But I don't think so. You should adjust for population anyway.) www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/media-newsro...
Reposted by Colleen
At this point it seems no one understands reserve funds. They are majority unspent capital budget from previous years, not rainy day funds. Spending down the reserves is good.
After Chow makes her pitch, Councillor Holyday asks Chow about the use of reserve funds in the budget.
Chow says this budget is the result of "prudent fiscal management" where the city saved money over the last few years for things like FIFA, collective bargaining agreements, and shelters.
Chow says this budget is the result of "prudent fiscal management" where the city saved money over the last few years for things like FIFA, collective bargaining agreements, and shelters.
February 10, 2026 at 7:42 PM
At this point it seems no one understands reserve funds. They are majority unspent capital budget from previous years, not rainy day funds. Spending down the reserves is good.
Reposted by Colleen
Just witnessed a model shift ride in front of my eyes this morning.
Friend texted the gc that he took transit to work for the first time now that Line 5 opened.
Previously he would've had to take a bus-bus-subway trip or a bus-subway-bus trip. Now he can get to work faster than driving.
Friend texted the gc that he took transit to work for the first time now that Line 5 opened.
Previously he would've had to take a bus-bus-subway trip or a bus-subway-bus trip. Now he can get to work faster than driving.
February 10, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Just witnessed a model shift ride in front of my eyes this morning.
Friend texted the gc that he took transit to work for the first time now that Line 5 opened.
Previously he would've had to take a bus-bus-subway trip or a bus-subway-bus trip. Now he can get to work faster than driving.
Friend texted the gc that he took transit to work for the first time now that Line 5 opened.
Previously he would've had to take a bus-bus-subway trip or a bus-subway-bus trip. Now he can get to work faster than driving.
Good luck Edmonton. Hoping for some valuable input from the community (by which I of course mean the people able to make it out on a weekday to speak).
First speaker Jalkannen is calling a point of order, which is... Not allowed. She's owned her home. Calling a rowhouse built next to her predatory and an unequal application of the law.
Says the new zoning is infringing on property rights according to the supreme court.
Says the new zoning is infringing on property rights according to the supreme court.
February 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Good luck Edmonton. Hoping for some valuable input from the community (by which I of course mean the people able to make it out on a weekday to speak).
Great take on the challenges of our current bus system. I understand why opening day was people riding the line end-to-end and checking out the interchanges. But a big difference will be getting from, say, Bayview to Dufferin without having to change buses (or wait in mixed traffic, of course).
Toronto's new Eglinton rail line shows the awakening of a new consciousness of what kind of city Toronto is. New from me: humantransit.org/2026/02/toro...
Toronto: What Eglinton Means — Human Transit
It’s been a long struggle, but Toronto’s Eglinton rail line is finally open. Now, the rapid transit network looks consists of the wide lines on this map, numbered 1-6. The internet is full of reviews...
humantransit.org
February 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Great take on the challenges of our current bus system. I understand why opening day was people riding the line end-to-end and checking out the interchanges. But a big difference will be getting from, say, Bayview to Dufferin without having to change buses (or wait in mixed traffic, of course).
Smooth sailing eastbound from Eglinton West to Kennedy. Ran into @kevinrupasinghe.bsky.social and some brave souls who had caught the first LRT and were headed home. A long wait but more of Toronto is now a little bit closer.
February 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Smooth sailing eastbound from Eglinton West to Kennedy. Ran into @kevinrupasinghe.bsky.social and some brave souls who had caught the first LRT and were headed home. A long wait but more of Toronto is now a little bit closer.
Reposted by Colleen
Everyone booed at Don Valley Station and chanted "Science Centre"
February 8, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Everyone booed at Don Valley Station and chanted "Science Centre"
Lots of interesting stuff about funding models and contracts that can probably be applied beyond bikeshares. Involving other agencies or companies in a service that uses public infrastructure (and ideally integrates with public transit) isn't necessarily bad but the details matter!
NEW VIDEO: The Bikeshare Dilemma
Bikeshares and scootershares (also known as “Shared Micromobility) is one of the fastest growing forms of transportation on the planet today, but cities appear deeply divided on how to manage them. youtu.be/qfz6AsYycA8
Bikeshares and scootershares (also known as “Shared Micromobility) is one of the fastest growing forms of transportation on the planet today, but cities appear deeply divided on how to manage them. youtu.be/qfz6AsYycA8
The Bike Share Dilemma
YouTube video by About Here
youtu.be
February 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Lots of interesting stuff about funding models and contracts that can probably be applied beyond bikeshares. Involving other agencies or companies in a service that uses public infrastructure (and ideally integrates with public transit) isn't necessarily bad but the details matter!
Lies, damned lies and statistics. Between this from Edmonton and Toronto's mayor claiming "73% of housing starts are with City-led or supported projects," my nerdy wish is that all governments publish absolute numbers alongside any claim about percentages or relative changes.
The second claim is correct, but is an incredibly selective reading of the data.
Administration only looked at the share of units within N&C, and only in the last five years.
What happens if we look at absolute numbers and extend the time series back to 2009?
Administration only looked at the share of units within N&C, and only in the last five years.
What happens if we look at absolute numbers and extend the time series back to 2009?
February 7, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Lies, damned lies and statistics. Between this from Edmonton and Toronto's mayor claiming "73% of housing starts are with City-led or supported projects," my nerdy wish is that all governments publish absolute numbers alongside any claim about percentages or relative changes.
"Out of 25 transit projects that started in 2011 around the world, from Beijing to Instanbul to Moscow, the Crosstown is the last to open."
Also lol at the Jamaican patty cost estimates.
Also lol at the Jamaican patty cost estimates.
@thelocal.to worked with the brilliant Toronto artist Michael DeForge to create this data illustration to mark the opening of the Eglinton Crosstown thelocal.to/understandin...
Understanding the Eglinton Crosstown in Seven Illustrations | The Local
From Shohei Ohtani’s salary to the tunneling rate of a mole—an unorthodox guide to the numbers behind Toronto’s newest transit line.
thelocal.to
February 7, 2026 at 2:16 PM
"Out of 25 transit projects that started in 2011 around the world, from Beijing to Instanbul to Moscow, the Crosstown is the last to open."
Also lol at the Jamaican patty cost estimates.
Also lol at the Jamaican patty cost estimates.
Reposted by Colleen
#yeg now has $62M/yr of new revenue from mature neighbourhood infill compared to 2016. That's over $330M added to city coffers
All using the same roads, pipes, preserving farmland and enabling neighbourhood-level shops.
All of this is thanks to Edmonton's pioneering approach to urban redevelopment
All using the same roads, pipes, preserving farmland and enabling neighbourhood-level shops.
All of this is thanks to Edmonton's pioneering approach to urban redevelopment
February 6, 2026 at 11:55 PM
#yeg now has $62M/yr of new revenue from mature neighbourhood infill compared to 2016. That's over $330M added to city coffers
All using the same roads, pipes, preserving farmland and enabling neighbourhood-level shops.
All of this is thanks to Edmonton's pioneering approach to urban redevelopment
All using the same roads, pipes, preserving farmland and enabling neighbourhood-level shops.
All of this is thanks to Edmonton's pioneering approach to urban redevelopment
One thing about tower-in-the-park style is many have big semi-circular driveways. I'm not saying that's great urbanism but at least you're not losing expensive interior space to garbage. And towers in the park get way more hate from planners (and councillors pretending to care about loneliness).
I think many people following along the housing discourse know about Ontario Building Code rules preventing single stair and small elevators, but I think more Toronto YIMBYs and urbanists need to be aware of the absurd City of Toronto rules for garbage pickup that swallow the entire ground floor.
February 6, 2026 at 3:23 PM
One thing about tower-in-the-park style is many have big semi-circular driveways. I'm not saying that's great urbanism but at least you're not losing expensive interior space to garbage. And towers in the park get way more hate from planners (and councillors pretending to care about loneliness).
Reposted by Colleen
We're doing the dance again. Keep Edmonton the most affordable large city in Canada!
Email council now 👇
Email council now 👇
February 5, 2026 at 1:12 AM
We're doing the dance again. Keep Edmonton the most affordable large city in Canada!
Email council now 👇
Email council now 👇
Reposted by Colleen
"Officers are accused of trafficking, leaking addresses to hitmen, and leaking police officer addresses, the sources said.
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, the sources said."
Holy Christ. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, the sources said."
Holy Christ. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
9 Toronto police officers facing charges related to tow-truck violence: source | CBC News
Nine Toronto police officers are facing charges related to violent incidents involving tow trucks and operators across the Greater Toronto Area, multiple sources tell CBC News.
www.cbc.ca
February 4, 2026 at 11:46 PM
"Officers are accused of trafficking, leaking addresses to hitmen, and leaking police officer addresses, the sources said.
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, the sources said."
Holy Christ. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The investigation also uncovered a conspiracy to kill a unit commander at the Toronto South Detention Centre, the sources said."
Holy Christ. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Colleen
Why are we designing homes near transit around the needs of the minority who own cars?
Parking minimums raise rent and raise emissions.
Parking minimums raise rent and raise emissions.
The Cheng and Saxe motions CARRY via show of hands. The visitor parking report CARRIES 20-0. More reporting to come. The parking debates will continue until we all feel less lonely.
February 4, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Why are we designing homes near transit around the needs of the minority who own cars?
Parking minimums raise rent and raise emissions.
Parking minimums raise rent and raise emissions.
A surprising failure of imagination from the councillor who imagined one of the most vibrant parts of her own ward as dystopian. But what both imaginings had in common was a failure to accept that some people live differently from oneself.
"I just can't imagine current requirements being adequate," says Cheng of visitor parking. She rejects the idea that the "market" should decide the amount of visitor parking in a new building, because people buying units just assume parking will be available and don't think about it before they buy.
February 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
A surprising failure of imagination from the councillor who imagined one of the most vibrant parts of her own ward as dystopian. But what both imaginings had in common was a failure to accept that some people live differently from oneself.
Reposted by Colleen
Carney said the foreign aid budget wouldn't be touched. Now they're laying off GAC staff and moving to be more "selective in... aid distribution by focusing on countries [Canada] wants to trade with." We tell the world we want to serve champagne when we are barely shelling out for sparkling water.
Ottawa to focus foreign aid efforts on building ‘mutual prosperity’ with trading partners, MP says
Comments come as the federal government moves to slash $2.7-billion from the foreign aid budget over four years
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Carney said the foreign aid budget wouldn't be touched. Now they're laying off GAC staff and moving to be more "selective in... aid distribution by focusing on countries [Canada] wants to trade with." We tell the world we want to serve champagne when we are barely shelling out for sparkling water.
Help Edmonton stay winning. Consider Toronto as a cautionary tale.
🚨 ACTION ALERT
This Monday, Council will consider undoing years of housing progress. Back up for debate is reducing the number of units permitted from 8 to 6.
We need your help to push back. Email council now using our easy 30-second tool. 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/email-council
This Monday, Council will consider undoing years of housing progress. Back up for debate is reducing the number of units permitted from 8 to 6.
We need your help to push back. Email council now using our easy 30-second tool. 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/email-council
February 4, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Help Edmonton stay winning. Consider Toronto as a cautionary tale.
I'm sure it helps that it's a refurbishment, but 9 years for a nuclear project is my new metric. The City of Toronto has been talking Lawrence Heights revitalization since 2007, officially kicked off in 2015, and they still don't even have a development partner. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Darlington nuclear plant refit completed early and under budget
First announced in 2016, the refit of the four Ontario Power Generation reactors was intended to keep them running until 2050.
www.thestar.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
I'm sure it helps that it's a refurbishment, but 9 years for a nuclear project is my new metric. The City of Toronto has been talking Lawrence Heights revitalization since 2007, officially kicked off in 2015, and they still don't even have a development partner. www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Cities are for people!
It’s your city, from the sidewalk to the skyline. The David Dinkins Municipal Building’s rooftop is open & free to everyone, starting this June.
February 3, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Cities are for people!