Cole Webber
@colewebber.bsky.social
legal clinic worker in Parkdale, Toronto.
Pinned
Doug Ford's war on tenants
Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back
ricochet.media
I wrote about how the proposed changes to Ontario's eviction rules are a state response to rent strikes in Toronto that undermine tenant organizing
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
Reposted by Cole Webber
Even more so, I hope that it can inspire tenant activists of today to see themselves as part of a long historical tradition and to reflect upon past experiences.
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
Rent Strikes
Since the nineteenth century, working-class families have predominantly relied on tenements for housing, with rents often consuming a large portion of their household budgets. There is a long and cont...
uclpress.co.uk
November 8, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Even more so, I hope that it can inspire tenant activists of today to see themselves as part of a long historical tradition and to reflect upon past experiences.
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
uclpress.co.uk/book/rent-st...
"Too often, the expropriation of land that made capitalist production possible and the separation of producers from their means of subsistence are depicted as consecutive rather than intertwined moments of a single historical process."
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
Settler colonialism: What’s in a name?
Once a radical breakthrough, settler colonial theory now dominates Canadian scholarship. In his review of On Settler Colonialism in Canada, Bryan D. Palmer welcomes its moral clarity but warns that it...
canadiandimension.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
"Too often, the expropriation of land that made capitalist production possible and the separation of producers from their means of subsistence are depicted as consecutive rather than intertwined moments of a single historical process."
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
canadiandimension.com/articles/vie...
Reposted by Cole Webber
I wrote about how the proposed changes to Ontario's eviction rules are a state response to rent strikes in Toronto that undermine tenant organizing
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
Doug Ford's war on tenants
Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back
ricochet.media
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I wrote about how the proposed changes to Ontario's eviction rules are a state response to rent strikes in Toronto that undermine tenant organizing
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
Reposted by Cole Webber
Doug Ford’s war on tenants: Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back.
New from @colewebber.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#HousingIsAHumanRight #onpoli
New from @colewebber.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#HousingIsAHumanRight #onpoli
Doug Ford's war on tenants
Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back
ricochet.media
November 6, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Doug Ford’s war on tenants: Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back.
New from @colewebber.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#HousingIsAHumanRight #onpoli
New from @colewebber.bsky.social:
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#HousingIsAHumanRight #onpoli
I wrote about how the proposed changes to Ontario's eviction rules are a state response to rent strikes in Toronto that undermine tenant organizing
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
Doug Ford's war on tenants
Ontario’s new housing bill is a gift to corporate landlords — and a warning shot at the rent strikers and organizers who dared to fight back
ricochet.media
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I wrote about how the proposed changes to Ontario's eviction rules are a state response to rent strikes in Toronto that undermine tenant organizing
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
Recent articles about Ontario landlords targeting racialized tenants for eviction have failed to mention the successful rent strike in Thorncliffe Park and to see the Ontario government's proposed changes to the eviction rules as a response to Thorncliffe tenants' organizing
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Recent articles about Ontario landlords targeting racialized tenants for eviction have failed to mention the successful rent strike in Thorncliffe Park and to see the Ontario government's proposed changes to the eviction rules as a response to Thorncliffe tenants' organizing
Virlene's LTB eviction hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, September 23 at 9am. Log in to observe the hearing:
bit.ly/ZLTBVideo145
bit.ly/ZLTBVideo145
After the landlord allowed the roof at 2866 Keele Street to fall into disrepair, the City of Toronto ordered the repairs that Lingyan Lu is using as a basis to renovict tenants
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats
Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs
www.torontotoday.ca
September 16, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Virlene's LTB eviction hearing is scheduled on Tuesday, September 23 at 9am. Log in to observe the hearing:
bit.ly/ZLTBVideo145
bit.ly/ZLTBVideo145
Reposted by Cole Webber
A new essay by Phil Neel laying out the various levels and forms of revolutionary organization, the function limits of "sigils" and tactical leadership, and the two kinds of "invariance" in communist struggle.
illwill.com/theory-of-th...
illwill.com/theory-of-th...
September 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
A new essay by Phil Neel laying out the various levels and forms of revolutionary organization, the function limits of "sigils" and tactical leadership, and the two kinds of "invariance" in communist struggle.
illwill.com/theory-of-th...
illwill.com/theory-of-th...
A reporter attributed to Ricardo Tranjan comments that falsely implied the Thorncliffe Park rent strike dragged on because tenants did not know who their landlords were. In fact, Starlight and PSP could not subdue tenants' organizing because it effectively targeted both landlords
September 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A reporter attributed to Ricardo Tranjan comments that falsely implied the Thorncliffe Park rent strike dragged on because tenants did not know who their landlords were. In fact, Starlight and PSP could not subdue tenants' organizing because it effectively targeted both landlords
'Philip Zigman says the fact that tenants got an acceptable agreement “speaks to the power of working class organizing"...residents have set an example that could encourage other Toronto tenants to organize and start their own rent strikes'
www.torontotoday.ca/ontario-news...
www.torontotoday.ca/ontario-news...
Toronto tenants, landlord reach agreement after lengthy rent dispute, eviction threat
TORONTO — Tenants at three buildings in Toronto’s east end and their landlord say they have reached an agreement to end a public battle that lasted more than two years.
www.torontotoday.ca
September 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
'Philip Zigman says the fact that tenants got an acceptable agreement “speaks to the power of working class organizing"...residents have set an example that could encourage other Toronto tenants to organize and start their own rent strikes'
www.torontotoday.ca/ontario-news...
www.torontotoday.ca/ontario-news...
Reposted by Cole Webber
About 100 households in East York have reached an agreement with landlord Starlight Investments, seemingly ending a lengthy public battle that saw a large group of working-class tenants withhold rent from Canada’s largest private landlord for two years.
Around 100 households on rent strike and facing mass eviction reach ‘amicable agreement’ with landlord
Tenants at 71, 75 and 79 Thorncliffe Park Dr. began withholding rent from landlord Starlight in May 2023.
www.thestar.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:14 PM
About 100 households in East York have reached an agreement with landlord Starlight Investments, seemingly ending a lengthy public battle that saw a large group of working-class tenants withhold rent from Canada’s largest private landlord for two years.
Reposted by Cole Webber
Landlord knocks hundreds of dollars off rent increase after tenant stages protest
Landlord knocks hundreds of dollars off rent increase after tenant stages protest
The property owner cancelled a $283 increase, while the renters agreed to pay for hydro and call off future demonstrations
bit.ly
September 1, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Landlord knocks hundreds of dollars off rent increase after tenant stages protest
After the landlord allowed the roof at 2866 Keele Street to fall into disrepair, the City of Toronto ordered the repairs that Lingyan Lu is using as a basis to renovict tenants
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats
Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs
www.torontotoday.ca
August 28, 2025 at 4:55 PM
After the landlord allowed the roof at 2866 Keele Street to fall into disrepair, the City of Toronto ordered the repairs that Lingyan Lu is using as a basis to renovict tenants
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Reposted by Cole Webber
Great long-form journalism on how Nous consultants have hawked their standardized, corporate model of universities to a willing class of managerial administrators: "You can’t just blame the vampire. Their victims invited their own fate and paid handsomely for it."
nationalpost.com/feature/how-...
nationalpost.com/feature/how-...
How to fix Canada's broke universities? There's a template for that
Nous Group's template for getting out of the red has been adopted by major schools. Critics call it the corporatization of higher education.
nationalpost.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Great long-form journalism on how Nous consultants have hawked their standardized, corporate model of universities to a willing class of managerial administrators: "You can’t just blame the vampire. Their victims invited their own fate and paid handsomely for it."
nationalpost.com/feature/how-...
nationalpost.com/feature/how-...
As advocates laud Toronto's new renoviction by-law, tenants like Virlene and her neighbours at 2866 Keele are fighting a renoviction attempt by their landlord, Lingyan Lu
NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats
Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs
www.torontotoday.ca
August 27, 2025 at 9:17 PM
As advocates laud Toronto's new renoviction by-law, tenants like Virlene and her neighbours at 2866 Keele are fighting a renoviction attempt by their landlord, Lingyan Lu
Reposted by Cole Webber
NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Landlord-tenant mess: How a multi-year ceiling leak spiralled into assault allegations, a lost job and eviction threats
Tenants claim their landlord’s negligence has left them living in slum-like conditions, but the landlord denies it, alleging tenants have blocked much-needed repairs
www.torontotoday.ca
August 27, 2025 at 9:02 PM
NEW: In a city with more than half a million renters, hostility between landlords and tenants often simmers just below the surface. But rarely do disputes become as heated and have such significant consequences for both sides as this one has. www.torontotoday.ca/local/real-e...
Reposted by Cole Webber
A notorious RCMP unit will be at the forefront of enforcing new laws in British Columbia that fast-track resource projects.
@shirip.bsky.social and Tia Dafnos reveal B.C. will deploy the unit as it deregulates environmental laws and overrides Indigenous rights. breachmedia.ca/rcmp-unit-co...
@shirip.bsky.social and Tia Dafnos reveal B.C. will deploy the unit as it deregulates environmental laws and overrides Indigenous rights. breachmedia.ca/rcmp-unit-co...
Controversial B.C. RCMP unit to police opposition to fast-tracked resource projects ⋆ The Breach
A widely-criticized police unit is participating in provincial committees coordinating surveillance and policing of protest against major resource projects—including those fast-tracked under new legis...
breachmedia.ca
August 21, 2025 at 6:17 PM
A notorious RCMP unit will be at the forefront of enforcing new laws in British Columbia that fast-track resource projects.
@shirip.bsky.social and Tia Dafnos reveal B.C. will deploy the unit as it deregulates environmental laws and overrides Indigenous rights. breachmedia.ca/rcmp-unit-co...
@shirip.bsky.social and Tia Dafnos reveal B.C. will deploy the unit as it deregulates environmental laws and overrides Indigenous rights. breachmedia.ca/rcmp-unit-co...
Reposted by Cole Webber
#Breaking: Air Canada flight attendants’ union head defies back-to-work order: ‘If it means jail, so be it.’
Air Canada flight attendants’ union head defies back-to-work order: ‘If it means jail, so be it.’
CUPE union president Mark Hancock refuses to obey Ottawa orders. 'If Air Canada thinks flights will be operating this afternoon, they're sorely mistaken,' as picketing continues.
www.thestar.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:14 PM
#Breaking: Air Canada flight attendants’ union head defies back-to-work order: ‘If it means jail, so be it.’
⚡☎️PHONE ZAP
TODAY: Support tenants at 2866 Keele facing renoviction. Join in calling and emailing their landlord Lingyan Lu to demand she withdraw the N13 eviction notices and do the roof and ceiling repairs while tenants remain in their homes.
TODAY: Support tenants at 2866 Keele facing renoviction. Join in calling and emailing their landlord Lingyan Lu to demand she withdraw the N13 eviction notices and do the roof and ceiling repairs while tenants remain in their homes.
August 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM
⚡☎️PHONE ZAP
TODAY: Support tenants at 2866 Keele facing renoviction. Join in calling and emailing their landlord Lingyan Lu to demand she withdraw the N13 eviction notices and do the roof and ceiling repairs while tenants remain in their homes.
TODAY: Support tenants at 2866 Keele facing renoviction. Join in calling and emailing their landlord Lingyan Lu to demand she withdraw the N13 eviction notices and do the roof and ceiling repairs while tenants remain in their homes.
"Starlight Investments increased the rate of eviction filings in acquired properties by an average of 3.9 times (or 220%) across the 10,129 suites they bought during our study period"
Financial firms in Toronto pursue evictions more often than any other type of landlord in the city, a groundbreaking new study has found.
Financial firms file for eviction more than any other Toronto landlord, new research finds
The research looked at more than 200,000 evictions and found financial firms pursue evictions at a rate 1.5 times higher than chain landlords and 2.5 times more than single-building landlords.
www.thestar.com
August 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"Starlight Investments increased the rate of eviction filings in acquired properties by an average of 3.9 times (or 220%) across the 10,129 suites they bought during our study period"
Reposted by Cole Webber
How Montreal’s predatory landlords are turning poverty into profit
A new investigation by @zacharykamel.bsky.social reveals how landlords exploit vulnerable tenants, weaponize housing laws, and leave homes empty—all in the name of return on investment
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#housingcrisis
A new investigation by @zacharykamel.bsky.social reveals how landlords exploit vulnerable tenants, weaponize housing laws, and leave homes empty—all in the name of return on investment
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#housingcrisis
Evicted and erased: How Montreal’s predatory landlords are turning poverty into profit
A Mexican immigrant now living in a tent is just one casualty of a growing eviction-for-profit scheme. A new investigation reveals how landlords exploit vulnerable tenants, weaponize housing laws, and...
ricochet.media
July 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM
How Montreal’s predatory landlords are turning poverty into profit
A new investigation by @zacharykamel.bsky.social reveals how landlords exploit vulnerable tenants, weaponize housing laws, and leave homes empty—all in the name of return on investment
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#housingcrisis
A new investigation by @zacharykamel.bsky.social reveals how landlords exploit vulnerable tenants, weaponize housing laws, and leave homes empty—all in the name of return on investment
ricochet.media/justice/hous...
#housingcrisis
“After tenants agreed to the landlord’s offer in principle, the landlord added the ‘non-disparagement’ clause, Sameer Beyan said.”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/ten...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/ten...
Tenants facing mass eviction say negotiations broke down over clause meant to ‘silence’ them
Landlord Starlight Investments says it "has never sought to prevent residents from raising concerns."
www.thestar.com
July 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
“After tenants agreed to the landlord’s offer in principle, the landlord added the ‘non-disparagement’ clause, Sameer Beyan said.”
www.thestar.com/news/gta/ten...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/ten...
Homelessness in Toronto has doubled since 2021 and the number of working homeless is up four percent in the same period, according to the city's new survey numbers. Part-time work is now the third most frequently reported source of income among homeless people after OW and ODSP
July 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Homelessness in Toronto has doubled since 2021 and the number of working homeless is up four percent in the same period, according to the city's new survey numbers. Part-time work is now the third most frequently reported source of income among homeless people after OW and ODSP
Reposted by Cole Webber
New: 'Follow the liquidity: Monetary policy, spatial inequality and the Bank of Canada's emergency COVID-19 corporate debt programs.'
We trace the BoC's corporate debt purchases spatially uneven effects and its bolstering of a financialized status quo.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We trace the BoC's corporate debt purchases spatially uneven effects and its bolstering of a financialized status quo.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Follow the liquidity: Monetary policy, spatial inequality and the Bank of Canada's emergency COVID-19 corporate debt programs
In a financial crisis, maintaining liquidity in the economy is a central concern of monetary policymakers seeking to stave off frozen financial market…
www.sciencedirect.com
June 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
New: 'Follow the liquidity: Monetary policy, spatial inequality and the Bank of Canada's emergency COVID-19 corporate debt programs.'
We trace the BoC's corporate debt purchases spatially uneven effects and its bolstering of a financialized status quo.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We trace the BoC's corporate debt purchases spatially uneven effects and its bolstering of a financialized status quo.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Cole Webber
Another Toronto high school is being accused of suppressing student voices after all Grade 12 quotes were removed from its yearbook over student submissions related to Palestine and Tibet.
Some Toronto students offered Free Palestine and Free Tibet as yearbook quotes. The school removed quotes from the entire Grade 12
Parkdale Collegiate administration said the decision was made to align with a provincial directive to avoid political biases in the classroom.
www.thestar.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Another Toronto high school is being accused of suppressing student voices after all Grade 12 quotes were removed from its yearbook over student submissions related to Palestine and Tibet.