Diana Chan McNally
@dianachanmcnally.bsky.social
Community Worker. Adult Educator. Maytree Fellow. Dipl. of CW BFA MA MEd (Inc). Mixed Race. She/They. Housing and Human Rights.
Pinned
#Bill60 will likely be passed this week, and it will grow homelessness across Ontario — something our food banks, shelters, and municipalities do not have the resources to address.
When you wonder why encampments are growing in your community, remember Bill 60.
My remarks today at the OLA:
When you wonder why encampments are growing in your community, remember Bill 60.
My remarks today at the OLA:
Happy Lunar New Year!
To literally say "Happy New Year" in Cantonese, we say "sun nin fai lok (新年快乐)!" — just don't judge my terrible pronunciation too harshly!
And, of course, a happy Losar to all of my Tibetan friends.
I wish everyone a peaceful year full of rest and joy.
To literally say "Happy New Year" in Cantonese, we say "sun nin fai lok (新年快乐)!" — just don't judge my terrible pronunciation too harshly!
And, of course, a happy Losar to all of my Tibetan friends.
I wish everyone a peaceful year full of rest and joy.
February 17, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Happy Lunar New Year!
To literally say "Happy New Year" in Cantonese, we say "sun nin fai lok (新年快乐)!" — just don't judge my terrible pronunciation too harshly!
And, of course, a happy Losar to all of my Tibetan friends.
I wish everyone a peaceful year full of rest and joy.
To literally say "Happy New Year" in Cantonese, we say "sun nin fai lok (新年快乐)!" — just don't judge my terrible pronunciation too harshly!
And, of course, a happy Losar to all of my Tibetan friends.
I wish everyone a peaceful year full of rest and joy.
In 2019, Premier Ford substantially cut OSAP grants and axed the interest-free six-month grace period before graduates had to repay OSAP loans. He's again limiting grants as well as vastly increasing loans — a recipe for massive student debt, to begin being repaid immediately post-graduation.
February 12, 2026 at 8:19 PM
In 2019, Premier Ford substantially cut OSAP grants and axed the interest-free six-month grace period before graduates had to repay OSAP loans. He's again limiting grants as well as vastly increasing loans — a recipe for massive student debt, to begin being repaid immediately post-graduation.
Thanks for having me!
So great to have @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social visit my Citizenship & the Canadian City (civics!) class this morning talking about the housing & shelter crisis, her work on the front lines of it all, being a media spox as well as her life as a 🎧 DJ. You’ve seen & read her, why not follow her here.
February 12, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Thanks for having me!
In 2022, I won $185K in the municipal budget under former Mayor John Tory to make menstrual and incontinence supplies free for homeless people unable to access shelter space. This proposed $100K increase for this initiative, to be built into the 2026 budget, will help to meet the real need.
February 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
In 2022, I won $185K in the municipal budget under former Mayor John Tory to make menstrual and incontinence supplies free for homeless people unable to access shelter space. This proposed $100K increase for this initiative, to be built into the 2026 budget, will help to meet the real need.
And yet the Ford government will take over multiple school boards on the premise that they have mismanaged their finances.
February 6, 2026 at 5:03 PM
And yet the Ford government will take over multiple school boards on the premise that they have mismanaged their finances.
We need to talk about infinitely expanding police budgets and accountability.
"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 5, 2026 at 7:06 PM
We need to talk about infinitely expanding police budgets and accountability.
Well, it's my birthday today — yes, Groundhog Day. And as your designated human-groundhog hybrid — just look at that wily hair — I am putting you on notice that it's going to be an early spring! Congratulations, everyone!
February 2, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Well, it's my birthday today — yes, Groundhog Day. And as your designated human-groundhog hybrid — just look at that wily hair — I am putting you on notice that it's going to be an early spring! Congratulations, everyone!
Disgusting take and policy. I met a refugee in downtown Toronto with trench foot — a WWI disease — that he contracted while living unsheltered in the rain. Refugees are not why the system is failing; they're the people we have failed and are now scapegoating. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: It is the right time – socially and economically – to scale back extended health benefits for refugees
It’s one small step toward rebuilding trust in Canada’s immigration system
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Disgusting take and policy. I met a refugee in downtown Toronto with trench foot — a WWI disease — that he contracted while living unsheltered in the rain. Refugees are not why the system is failing; they're the people we have failed and are now scapegoating. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
What is Nick Shirley?
Slop doesn’t need to be AI-generated
www.theverge.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The violent occupation of Minneapolis started with a vlog. I've wanted to find a framework to describe Nick Shirley & others like him: "Influencer" is too quaint. "Journalist" is obviously wrong.
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
I landed on "slopagandist."
Gift link (open in a web browser) www.theverge.com/news/869824/...
The public never realized that supervised consumption sites have quietly operated inside Toronto shelters since 2020. However, as of last December, all of these sites — which collectively saved 750 lives — are now gone because of Doug Ford's harmful legislation. www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
Why have drug consumption sites in shelters been forced to close?
A network of safe consumption sites inside Toronto shelters has been forced to shutter alongside the higher profile facilities in Regent Park, South Riverdale and Queen West
www.torontotoday.ca
January 29, 2026 at 2:41 AM
The public never realized that supervised consumption sites have quietly operated inside Toronto shelters since 2020. However, as of last December, all of these sites — which collectively saved 750 lives — are now gone because of Doug Ford's harmful legislation. www.torontotoday.ca/local/health...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
New @spacingradio.bsky.social! The 2026 Toronto election has started! Now? Yes, now. So what do we need from the people who lead our city in the face of [gestures wildly] this? I ask @shawnmicallef.bsky.social and @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social to help set some resolutions: spacing.ca/toronto/2026...
PODCAST: Spacing Radio 92, Resolutions for Toronto leadership - Spacing Toronto
The October 2026 Toronto election may seem like a long way off, but intentions to run have already been declared and campaign plans are well underway. So we asked Spacing co-founder and Toronto Star c...
spacing.ca
January 26, 2026 at 2:38 PM
New @spacingradio.bsky.social! The 2026 Toronto election has started! Now? Yes, now. So what do we need from the people who lead our city in the face of [gestures wildly] this? I ask @shawnmicallef.bsky.social and @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social to help set some resolutions: spacing.ca/toronto/2026...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
“Affordability is the number one reason why people become homeless. It’s not mental health. It’s not addiction” @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
Toronto braces for bitter cold as advocates warn shelters, warming centres may not meet demand | CBC News
Bitter temperatures are expected across the Greater Toronto Area this weekend, leading advocates for homeless to worry that not everyone will be able to access warmth and shelter.
www.cbc.ca
January 26, 2026 at 6:15 AM
“Affordability is the number one reason why people become homeless. It’s not mental health. It’s not addiction” @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
I spoke to CTV News this morning about the devastating impacts of the cold on unhoused people. Frostbite can lead to amputation, hypothermia to death. People escape the pain of being cold by using drugs, which increases risk of OD. We can't be neutral about this. www.ctvnews.ca/video/2026/0...
Advocate on the dangers of extreme cold on the unhoused
Advocate on the dangers of extreme cold on the unhoused Diana Chan McNally, a homelessness advocate, speaks about the devastating impact of frostbite and being
www.ctvnews.ca
January 24, 2026 at 8:11 PM
I spoke to CTV News this morning about the devastating impacts of the cold on unhoused people. Frostbite can lead to amputation, hypothermia to death. People escape the pain of being cold by using drugs, which increases risk of OD. We can't be neutral about this. www.ctvnews.ca/video/2026/0...
Extreme cold isn't just unpleasant; it can be both disabling and deadly for people without adequate shelter. Losing digits to frostbite alters how you walk, eat, write. And it's entirely preventable — but only if we provide enough warm space to come indoors. toronto.citynews.ca/2026/01/22/t...
Toronto braces for dangerous Arctic blast, extreme cold expected
Toronto is heading into one of its coldest stretches of the season, with meteorologists warning that a surge of Arctic air is coming.
toronto.citynews.ca
January 22, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Extreme cold isn't just unpleasant; it can be both disabling and deadly for people without adequate shelter. Losing digits to frostbite alters how you walk, eat, write. And it's entirely preventable — but only if we provide enough warm space to come indoors. toronto.citynews.ca/2026/01/22/t...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
Thanks to everyone who came, asked thoughtful questions, and stuck around for the convos afterwards. Couldn't have had a better or more inspiring kick-off speaker than @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social
At @moreneighboursto.bsky.social new speaking series, Making Room. First topic was Ending Homelessness, with @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social as a speaker. Lovely and packed.
January 22, 2026 at 6:22 AM
Thanks to everyone who came, asked thoughtful questions, and stuck around for the convos afterwards. Couldn't have had a better or more inspiring kick-off speaker than @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
Lovely chat, @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social facilitated by @moreneighboursto.bsky.social, tonight. Talking a wider view of homelessness than most of us will ever get. Advocates, like people experiencing homelessness, are filled with so many more stories, life, & kindness than some'd have you think...
January 22, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Lovely chat, @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social facilitated by @moreneighboursto.bsky.social, tonight. Talking a wider view of homelessness than most of us will ever get. Advocates, like people experiencing homelessness, are filled with so many more stories, life, & kindness than some'd have you think...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
At @moreneighboursto.bsky.social new speaking series, Making Room. First topic was Ending Homelessness, with @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social as a speaker. Lovely and packed.
January 22, 2026 at 1:45 AM
At @moreneighboursto.bsky.social new speaking series, Making Room. First topic was Ending Homelessness, with @dianachanmcnally.bsky.social as a speaker. Lovely and packed.
Happy Birthday, Ryuichi Sakamoto — my forever favourite and eternal crush. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIKa...
Ryuichi Sakamoto Okinawa song HQ
YouTube video by PIPAI
www.youtube.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Happy Birthday, Ryuichi Sakamoto — my forever favourite and eternal crush. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIKa...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
The Star’s Victoria Gibson and Nick LaChance went out in Thursday’s snow storm and captured a moment of spontaneous kindness at Union Station: www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
Sheltering from the storm: how homeless Torontonians turned to Union Station as warming centres filled
As warming centres are going over capacity, advocates say Toronto’s shelter response is still leaving people out in the cold.
www.thestar.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:36 PM
The Star’s Victoria Gibson and Nick LaChance went out in Thursday’s snow storm and captured a moment of spontaneous kindness at Union Station: www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...
In theory, I've never liked the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, which bridges the gap between a person's income and market rent — it's a landlord subsidy. But it's also one of the only ways we move people into housing. These cuts will leave people on the streets. www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
City expects to help two-thirds fewer homeless households with private-market rent subsidies this year
While province assures no one enrolled will lose subsidy over funding, the city expects less money to refer new homeless households, budget docs show.
www.thestar.com
January 16, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In theory, I've never liked the Canada-Ontario Housing Benefit, which bridges the gap between a person's income and market rent — it's a landlord subsidy. But it's also one of the only ways we move people into housing. These cuts will leave people on the streets. www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
I'm hopeful that the City of Toronto's encampment response is achieving the right outcomes — namely, people accessing housing/shelter that is safe for them. But, as I stated to CBC, until I know this data, I can't fully evaluate our encampment protocol. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Fewer encampments in Toronto in past year, but advocate says homelessness simply 'less visible' | CBC News
The number of homeless encampments has declined across Toronto in the past year, according to city officials, but at least one advocate says the city has simply moved unhoused people out of sight.
www.cbc.ca
January 15, 2026 at 5:12 PM
I'm hopeful that the City of Toronto's encampment response is achieving the right outcomes — namely, people accessing housing/shelter that is safe for them. But, as I stated to CBC, until I know this data, I can't fully evaluate our encampment protocol. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Diana Chan McNally
Quite frankly, it’s outrageous that Mark Carney is cutting Statistics Canada. If he was Stephen Harper or Pierre Poilievre, I feel like this would be getting a lot more backlash.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Statistics Canada to cut 850 jobs in 'dark time' for public service, union says
Federal statistics agency entered its workforce adjustment period Monday, sending notices to thousands of employees.
ottawacitizen.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Quite frankly, it’s outrageous that Mark Carney is cutting Statistics Canada. If he was Stephen Harper or Pierre Poilievre, I feel like this would be getting a lot more backlash.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
Carney of all people should know the importance of high-quality data and information about the country.
I cannot stress enough that homelessness is caused by policy levers primarily at the provincial level.
And AMO's new report shows it: homelessness in Ontario rose 8% last year, with 85,000 people becoming homeless. 20,000 were youth and children.
Horrifying.
globalnews.ca/news/1161124...
And AMO's new report shows it: homelessness in Ontario rose 8% last year, with 85,000 people becoming homeless. 20,000 were youth and children.
Horrifying.
globalnews.ca/news/1161124...
Nearly 85K people homeless in Ontario, up 8% in 1 year: report | Globalnews.ca
Homelessness is getting worse across Ontario with an estimated 85,000 people who were without a home in 2025, a new report from Ontario's municipalities shows.
globalnews.ca
January 14, 2026 at 3:12 PM
I cannot stress enough that homelessness is caused by policy levers primarily at the provincial level.
And AMO's new report shows it: homelessness in Ontario rose 8% last year, with 85,000 people becoming homeless. 20,000 were youth and children.
Horrifying.
globalnews.ca/news/1161124...
And AMO's new report shows it: homelessness in Ontario rose 8% last year, with 85,000 people becoming homeless. 20,000 were youth and children.
Horrifying.
globalnews.ca/news/1161124...
We voraciously consume creative works, yet refuse to honour creators for their time, labour, and creativity. It's an unstable pathway that reduces art to a consumable product and artists as a barrier to consumption — hence more and more AI-generated music. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/a...
Canadians now listen to three billion streams a week. It’s hitting a bittersweet note for many musicians
Canadians seem happy to pay for digital music, but that doesn’t make up for losses in a reshaped industry
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:38 PM
We voraciously consume creative works, yet refuse to honour creators for their time, labour, and creativity. It's an unstable pathway that reduces art to a consumable product and artists as a barrier to consumption — hence more and more AI-generated music. www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/a...
No. Increasing a police presence in schools creates unintended outcomes, including racial profiling and increased suspensions, expulsions, and arrests. In combination, these can feed a “school to prison” pipeline — which, by any definition, decreases school safety. www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...
December 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
No. Increasing a police presence in schools creates unintended outcomes, including racial profiling and increased suspensions, expulsions, and arrests. In combination, these can feed a “school to prison” pipeline — which, by any definition, decreases school safety. www.thetrillium.ca/insider-news...