Damien Moule
@damienmoule.bsky.social
Toronto municipal policy wonk, engineer, urbanist, father.
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Damien Moule
@damienmoule.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Hello to everyone who found me from a starter pack. For those who don't me, I write (mostly) about housing, urbanism, and Toronto municipal government policy. Here's a thread of some of my longer form writing over the last two years.
It's more or less what you'd expect for Toronto
January 6, 2026 at 8:06 PM
It's more or less what you'd expect for Toronto
I see Bradford stepping into the transit city debate so I'm just going to say: the age of the Mayor of Toronto having any power over rapid transit construction of any kind is long gone. We've cost spiralled ourselves out of even upgrading the subway. The election must be about surface transit.
January 6, 2026 at 12:04 PM
I see Bradford stepping into the transit city debate so I'm just going to say: the age of the Mayor of Toronto having any power over rapid transit construction of any kind is long gone. We've cost spiralled ourselves out of even upgrading the subway. The election must be about surface transit.
Reposted by Damien Moule
2. @dylanmatt.bsky.social: "I think the evidence shows that Americans at the 10th percentile of income are living vastly better lives in 2025 than they did in 1975, and the absolute poverty trends reflect this..." dylanmatthews.substack.com/p/so-its-com...
So It's Come to This: A Dylan Matthews Substack
The blog is back.
dylanmatthews.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:04 PM
2. @dylanmatt.bsky.social: "I think the evidence shows that Americans at the 10th percentile of income are living vastly better lives in 2025 than they did in 1975, and the absolute poverty trends reflect this..." dylanmatthews.substack.com/p/so-its-com...
Toronto ended 2025 with 44 homicides, which is a more than 20 year low.
January 5, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Toronto ended 2025 with 44 homicides, which is a more than 20 year low.
Like look at this. Edmonton permitted 8-plexes (not towers, not midrise, 8-plexes!) and smaller lot sizes near transit and it very visibly bent the whole curve of where housing gets built in 1 year. Incredible.
We are building near transit. In 2025, a record high of 30% of homes were permitted within 800m or a 15-minute walk of an LRT station.
In fact, the entire cumulative distribution of homes is bowed out and to the left, meaning even more homes within a short bus or bike ride.
In fact, the entire cumulative distribution of homes is bowed out and to the left, meaning even more homes within a short bus or bike ride.
January 5, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Like look at this. Edmonton permitted 8-plexes (not towers, not midrise, 8-plexes!) and smaller lot sizes near transit and it very visibly bent the whole curve of where housing gets built in 1 year. Incredible.
Just amazing things happening out in Edmonton (and excellent analysis from Jacob). I encourage everyone in Toronto to read it, the housing slump is a choice. We need a new Official Plan and a consolidation and expansion of the permissions in the RD zone to accelerate the missing middle here.
NEW POST
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
While cities across North America struggle with housing shortages, Edmonton is proving that zoning reform works.
In 2025, for the first time in history, the number of homes permitted in 5-8 unit rowhomes surpassed detached homes. 🧵
#yeg #yegcc #yimby
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2026/zb...
2025: The year Edmonton built the missing middle – Jacob Dawang
Edmonton’s zoning reform is working. In 2025, newly legalized eight-home rowhomes drove a record increase in homebuilding, achieved by redeveloping only 0.39% of properties in mature neighbourhoods.
www.jacobdawang.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Just amazing things happening out in Edmonton (and excellent analysis from Jacob). I encourage everyone in Toronto to read it, the housing slump is a choice. We need a new Official Plan and a consolidation and expansion of the permissions in the RD zone to accelerate the missing middle here.
Reposted by Damien Moule
Happy new year - it's "back to work" in more ways than one!
Make it a new year's resolution to get out to more IN-PERSON consultations in your area!
Not sure where to start? Use our Consultations 101 video here for tips to get your foot in the door!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Make it a new year's resolution to get out to more IN-PERSON consultations in your area!
Not sure where to start? Use our Consultations 101 video here for tips to get your foot in the door!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Toronto City Consultations 101: How to Advocate For More Housing In Your Neighbourhood!
YouTube video by More Neighbours Toronto
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Happy new year - it's "back to work" in more ways than one!
Make it a new year's resolution to get out to more IN-PERSON consultations in your area!
Not sure where to start? Use our Consultations 101 video here for tips to get your foot in the door!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Make it a new year's resolution to get out to more IN-PERSON consultations in your area!
Not sure where to start? Use our Consultations 101 video here for tips to get your foot in the door!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Residents Associations aren't representative of people living in Toronto's inner suburbs. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
The suburbs vs. downtown: What the ‘uncomfortable marriage’ between the two Torontos means for the city’s biggest problems
Recent council decision has pitted the ‘burbs against inner-city wards, to the frustration of those on both sides of the divide.
www.thestar.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Residents Associations aren't representative of people living in Toronto's inner suburbs. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.
www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
Reposted by Damien Moule
Diversity is when no sixplexes in my neighbourhood. www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Diversity is when no sixplexes in my neighbourhood. www.thestar.com/news/gta/the...
In the 1920s, the former City of Toronto starts adding the concept of single-detached-only land use to its by-laws. Beginning in 1921 with specific streets, by 1927 they start creating single detached only districts, starting with Glen Manor, Lawrence Park and Rosedale.
January 4, 2026 at 12:51 PM
In the 1920s, the former City of Toronto starts adding the concept of single-detached-only land use to its by-laws. Beginning in 1921 with specific streets, by 1927 they start creating single detached only districts, starting with Glen Manor, Lawrence Park and Rosedale.
Reposted by Damien Moule
Councillor Kandavel is absolutely desperate for Mamdani to look into the camera and explain that he's the exact kind of urbanist-hater that Kandavel is. I don't get it.
January 4, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Councillor Kandavel is absolutely desperate for Mamdani to look into the camera and explain that he's the exact kind of urbanist-hater that Kandavel is. I don't get it.
I think it's odd how little Toronto has adapted the budget committee process to the Strong Mayor era. These committee meetings take weeks and are basically window dressing for all those involved, either councillors or members of the public. Should be reframed as information sessions for councillors.
January 3, 2026 at 8:40 PM
I think it's odd how little Toronto has adapted the budget committee process to the Strong Mayor era. These committee meetings take weeks and are basically window dressing for all those involved, either councillors or members of the public. Should be reframed as information sessions for councillors.
I think done a disservice by the headline. Eminently sensible article.
The Finch LRT will hopefully force Toronto to reckon with two things: that street based transit will *almost* never compete with driving (especially in the burbs) and that people really care about speed. My new piece in the Toronto Star highlights that and makes the case for subways and railways.
To fix transit in Toronto, we need to embrace a simple idea: subways subways subways.
Rob Ford's maligned motto contained a nugget of truth.
www.thestar.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:18 PM
I think done a disservice by the headline. Eminently sensible article.
Reposted by Damien Moule
Toronto is not a city of condos. Toronto is a city of low-rise using condos to maintain some claim on being an actual city. Send tweet.
January 3, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Toronto is not a city of condos. Toronto is a city of low-rise using condos to maintain some claim on being an actual city. Send tweet.
The people quoted dismiss the Scarborough Subway extension and the interim busway, forget that Crosstown is about to open, ignore both bus lanes and GO entirely, and call for the worst tram line ever designed in the city to be funded a month after the disaster that is Finch LRT opened. Incredible.
shocked, shocked that a generation of voting for liars hasn't worked out
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 PM
The people quoted dismiss the Scarborough Subway extension and the interim busway, forget that Crosstown is about to open, ignore both bus lanes and GO entirely, and call for the worst tram line ever designed in the city to be funded a month after the disaster that is Finch LRT opened. Incredible.
My mantra during the campaign will be "I will not fight trolls". Please quote this at me if you see me being otherwise.
The City of Toronto municipal election is October 26, 2026
Which means that as of May it becomes a very bad idea to take any files to Council
And a bunch of niche personalities who hate Toronto will attempt to dominate the discourse for 6 months
Which means that as of May it becomes a very bad idea to take any files to Council
And a bunch of niche personalities who hate Toronto will attempt to dominate the discourse for 6 months
January 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM
My mantra during the campaign will be "I will not fight trolls". Please quote this at me if you see me being otherwise.
Some documents written by Toronto city staff that produce kind of laughably unreal numbers year after year along with bad suggestions. The TTC Capital Investment Plan is one. No one is going to give us $37 billion dollars. We're not raising the money ourselves. Pretending otherwise is ridiculous.
January 1, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Some documents written by Toronto city staff that produce kind of laughably unreal numbers year after year along with bad suggestions. The TTC Capital Investment Plan is one. No one is going to give us $37 billion dollars. We're not raising the money ourselves. Pretending otherwise is ridiculous.
Top 5 Toronto housing hopes for 2026:
1. Council/City Planning don't bungle as-of-right zoning for MTSAs/Avenues
2. Fed or Prov deal on reducing DCs
3. Prov action on min lot size (Bill 60 follow up)
4. Single stair added to building code (also Bill 60 follow up)
5. Any Housing Now units built
1. Council/City Planning don't bungle as-of-right zoning for MTSAs/Avenues
2. Fed or Prov deal on reducing DCs
3. Prov action on min lot size (Bill 60 follow up)
4. Single stair added to building code (also Bill 60 follow up)
5. Any Housing Now units built
My Toronto housing top 5 of 2025:
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
January 1, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Top 5 Toronto housing hopes for 2026:
1. Council/City Planning don't bungle as-of-right zoning for MTSAs/Avenues
2. Fed or Prov deal on reducing DCs
3. Prov action on min lot size (Bill 60 follow up)
4. Single stair added to building code (also Bill 60 follow up)
5. Any Housing Now units built
1. Council/City Planning don't bungle as-of-right zoning for MTSAs/Avenues
2. Fed or Prov deal on reducing DCs
3. Prov action on min lot size (Bill 60 follow up)
4. Single stair added to building code (also Bill 60 follow up)
5. Any Housing Now units built
I would like to see:
-Toronto City Council stop turning its nose up at GO trains as essential transit for the City of Toronto
-Anyone at Council or Metrolinx take the capital cost spiral seriously
-Council start addressing bottlenecks on surface transit routes, especially streetcars
-Toronto City Council stop turning its nose up at GO trains as essential transit for the City of Toronto
-Anyone at Council or Metrolinx take the capital cost spiral seriously
-Council start addressing bottlenecks on surface transit routes, especially streetcars
What projects or trends do you hope to see with transit in 2026?
December 31, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I would like to see:
-Toronto City Council stop turning its nose up at GO trains as essential transit for the City of Toronto
-Anyone at Council or Metrolinx take the capital cost spiral seriously
-Council start addressing bottlenecks on surface transit routes, especially streetcars
-Toronto City Council stop turning its nose up at GO trains as essential transit for the City of Toronto
-Anyone at Council or Metrolinx take the capital cost spiral seriously
-Council start addressing bottlenecks on surface transit routes, especially streetcars
My Toronto housing top 5 of 2025:
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
December 31, 2025 at 6:39 PM
My Toronto housing top 5 of 2025:
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
1. MTSAs approved by province
2. Avenues Policy Review/New Avenues
3. Major Streets approved by OLT
4. Sixplexes allowed in TEYCC
5. Cheating to combine several DC items (freezes, waiving for sixplexes, garden suites, some affordable projects and then also Bill 60)
Planting my flag early that any politician running on a message of rampant crime thinks I'm a rube and is not getting my vote.
1> Politicians who hype the myth of high crime
2> Bad media like CP24 that repeats the same crimes ever few minutes ( Toronto is a war zone if you watch)
3> Bad faith social media accounts (IntegrityTO) who hype it and stupid social media influencer accounts who play on this
4> Police union hype
2> Bad media like CP24 that repeats the same crimes ever few minutes ( Toronto is a war zone if you watch)
3> Bad faith social media accounts (IntegrityTO) who hype it and stupid social media influencer accounts who play on this
4> Police union hype
Inbox: "A new Liaison Strategies survey ... has identified a profound disconnect ... While official police data from Toronto, Peel, and York Regions highlights historic declines in high-profile crimes like homicide and auto theft, the vast majority of residents believe these crimes are surging"
December 31, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Planting my flag early that any politician running on a message of rampant crime thinks I'm a rube and is not getting my vote.
In 1973, 10 months before the more famous downzoning of downtown Toronto, the newly elected reform council did their first experiment in downzoning. And for that experiment they of course chose... the Annex.
December 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In 1973, 10 months before the more famous downzoning of downtown Toronto, the newly elected reform council did their first experiment in downzoning. And for that experiment they of course chose... the Annex.
Reposted by Damien Moule
There's a lesson to be learned here on sticking by good policy despite a vocal minority of opposition.
If you truly believe your policy improves people's lives, then it will stand the test of time.
This goes for bike lanes, bus lanes, and zoning reform.
If you truly believe your policy improves people's lives, then it will stand the test of time.
This goes for bike lanes, bus lanes, and zoning reform.
De Maisonneuve is Montreal’s main east-west bike route through downtown. One of the most essential routes in the city.
Hardly anyone could imagine removing it (even most anti-bike people today).
But when installed in 2007, it ignited the exact same opposition we see to new bike lanes today.
Hardly anyone could imagine removing it (even most anti-bike people today).
But when installed in 2007, it ignited the exact same opposition we see to new bike lanes today.
A piece from the Montréal Gazette, 2008 about how NIMBYs tried to attack the Maisonneuve bike path in Montréal, the trunk route connecting much of downtown east-to-west...
And yet it proved successful.
archive.ph/201206050446...
And yet it proved successful.
archive.ph/201206050446...
December 31, 2025 at 3:18 AM
There's a lesson to be learned here on sticking by good policy despite a vocal minority of opposition.
If you truly believe your policy improves people's lives, then it will stand the test of time.
This goes for bike lanes, bus lanes, and zoning reform.
If you truly believe your policy improves people's lives, then it will stand the test of time.
This goes for bike lanes, bus lanes, and zoning reform.
Reposted by Damien Moule
I'm working on an update to the HAF tracker and just remembering some of the great, reasoned debate that we had around sixplexes. Like that time where holding up your end of an agreement to do stuff in exchange for funding was characterized as blackmail and threats.
Councillor Paula Fletcher on the federal government's letter warning of a 25% cut to housing funds: "We have a hammer! We have a blackmail letter! We have a THREAT. 'If you don't do what we tell you by the 30th of June, it's over for one quarter of all your money.'"
December 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I'm working on an update to the HAF tracker and just remembering some of the great, reasoned debate that we had around sixplexes. Like that time where holding up your end of an agreement to do stuff in exchange for funding was characterized as blackmail and threats.
The TTC is recommending a 2026 operating budget of $3.028 billion (CAD) and a capital budget of $1.635 billion. Does anyone more familiar with navigating other systems have equivalent numbers for other cities? It doesn't seem fair to compare to RATP for instance. @alonlevy.bsky.social
December 30, 2025 at 1:07 PM
The TTC is recommending a 2026 operating budget of $3.028 billion (CAD) and a capital budget of $1.635 billion. Does anyone more familiar with navigating other systems have equivalent numbers for other cities? It doesn't seem fair to compare to RATP for instance. @alonlevy.bsky.social