Fatima Syed
@fatimabsyed.bsky.social
Ontario reporter for The Narwhal. Vice-president of the Canadian Association of Journalists. Springsteen, space, sports, sweets
Pinned
Fatima Syed
@fatimabsyed.bsky.social
· Jan 14
The Death of an Asylum Seeker and the Shelter Crisis in Peel | The Local
The number of asylum seekers and refugees needing shelter has surged in recent years, leaving officials in suburban municipalities like Peel scrambling to respond.
thelocal.to
Since 2023, Peel Region—west of Toronto—has struggled to house a ⬆️number of asylum seekers in overwhelmed shelters: two have died, a third this weekend
My #longreads for @thelocal.to explores Peel's fight to help while handcuffed by forces that will bring more asylums 🧵
thelocal.to/refugee-shel...
My #longreads for @thelocal.to explores Peel's fight to help while handcuffed by forces that will bring more asylums 🧵
thelocal.to/refugee-shel...
Next year will see a bit of a showdown between Enbridge Gas and two Ontario municipalities that are trying to resist a decades-old agreement that allows the fossil fuel company to build pipelines on public land free of charge. I really want you all to read about on Christmas Eve.
Waterloo Region, like Guelph, will present its case in a hearing before Ontario's energy regulator, arguing against renewing its 20-year contract that allows Enbridge Gas to build pipelines on public land for free. via @fatimabsyed.bsky.social thenarwhal.ca/enbridge-gas...
Enbridge Gas to face Waterloo Region at Ontario’s energy regulator | The Narwhal
Fossil fuel giant Enbridge Gas says its agreement to build pipelines on public land for free ‘works for communities,’ as it faces down Guelph and Waterloo Region for refusing to renew
thenarwhal.ca
December 24, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Next year will see a bit of a showdown between Enbridge Gas and two Ontario municipalities that are trying to resist a decades-old agreement that allows the fossil fuel company to build pipelines on public land free of charge. I really want you all to read about on Christmas Eve.
Reposted by Fatima Syed
Today is the last day for Ontarians to weigh in on the Doug Ford government's plan to consolidate 36 conservations authorities into seven regional ones. Here's everything you need to know about it: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
December 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today is the last day for Ontarians to weigh in on the Doug Ford government's plan to consolidate 36 conservations authorities into seven regional ones. Here's everything you need to know about it: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
DYK Ontario municipalities have to give Enbridge Gas, a for-profit fossil fuel company company, free access to build pipelines under public land?
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
Ontario municipalities want Enbridge Gas to pay up | The Narwhal
Guelph, Waterloo Region and other Ontario municipalities argue the gas giant shouldn’t be able to build pipelines on public land for free
thenarwhal.ca
December 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
DYK Ontario municipalities have to give Enbridge Gas, a for-profit fossil fuel company company, free access to build pipelines under public land?
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
There are so many reasons this is a hugely important story by @fatimabsyed.bsky.social, but right up there is that it's ultimately a debate over whether natural gas should still be considered a public good when so many alternative energy sources are now available. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
Ontario municipalities want Enbridge Gas to pay up | The Narwhal
Guelph, Waterloo Region and other Ontario municipalities argue the gas giant shouldn’t be able to build pipelines on public land for free
thenarwhal.ca
December 17, 2025 at 5:11 PM
There are so many reasons this is a hugely important story by @fatimabsyed.bsky.social, but right up there is that it's ultimately a debate over whether natural gas should still be considered a public good when so many alternative energy sources are now available. thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
DYK Ontario municipalities have to give Enbridge Gas, a for-profit fossil fuel company company, free access to build pipelines under public land?
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
Ontario municipalities want Enbridge Gas to pay up | The Narwhal
Guelph, Waterloo Region and other Ontario municipalities argue the gas giant shouldn’t be able to build pipelines on public land for free
thenarwhal.ca
December 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
DYK Ontario municipalities have to give Enbridge Gas, a for-profit fossil fuel company company, free access to build pipelines under public land?
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
In 2026, there will be a local fight to change this. Guelph & Waterloo Region are resisting. Toronto & Ottawa have concerns
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-enbr...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
Worst news cycle in quite a while, please permit me to engage in a little hero worship, for a regular guy who stood and absolutely delivered.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘It was a matter of conscience’: Ahmed al-Ahmed’s family reveal why he risked his life to disarm alleged Bondi shooter
Family say al-Ahmed ‘doesn’t discriminate’ and would have done anything to save lives during the attack
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Worst news cycle in quite a while, please permit me to engage in a little hero worship, for a regular guy who stood and absolutely delivered.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Narwhal has become a leading publication covering energy and environment issues in Canada — thanks to the nearly 10,000 extraordinary people who give each year.
Help us keep proving the naysayers wrong. Donations make twice the difference through Dec. 31.
thenarwhal.ca/double-up
Help us keep proving the naysayers wrong. Donations make twice the difference through Dec. 31.
thenarwhal.ca/double-up
December 9, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The Narwhal has become a leading publication covering energy and environment issues in Canada — thanks to the nearly 10,000 extraordinary people who give each year.
Help us keep proving the naysayers wrong. Donations make twice the difference through Dec. 31.
thenarwhal.ca/double-up
Help us keep proving the naysayers wrong. Donations make twice the difference through Dec. 31.
thenarwhal.ca/double-up
Reposted by Fatima Syed
How many times has Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire? Here are the numbers aje.io/usdhib
December 3, 2025 at 6:57 PM
How many times has Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire? Here are the numbers aje.io/usdhib
Reposted by Fatima Syed
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka First Nation came to Queen’s Park to demand protection for 3 million hectares of land, northwest of the Ring of Fire, saying 'Balance it out.' An hour earlier, Ford signed a road agreement. via @fatimabsyed.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/ring-of-fire...
A call for land protection amidst Ontario’s Ring of Fire talk | The Narwhal
As Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement with Marten Falls First Nation over its Ring of Fire road, other nations call for environmental protection and support for crises in their communities
thenarwhal.ca
December 2, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka First Nation came to Queen’s Park to demand protection for 3 million hectares of land, northwest of the Ring of Fire, saying 'Balance it out.' An hour earlier, Ford signed a road agreement. via @fatimabsyed.bsky.social: thenarwhal.ca/ring-of-fire...
Chief Donny Morris said if Doug Ford was set on bringing mining to the Ring of Fire, he could “balance it out” by permanently preserving Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka’s homelands. “That’s why we’re here, offering [Ford] an option to support us, walk with us. Let’s see how far we can go."
As Premier Doug Ford signed the third agreement for infrastructure funding with communities along the proposed route of a Ring of Fire road, neighbouring First Nations question if Ontario’s priorities are too narrow. thenarwhal.ca/ring-of-fire...
A call for land protection amidst Ontario’s Ring of Fire talk | The Narwhal
As Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement with Marten Falls First Nation over its Ring of Fire road, other nations call for environmental protection and support for crises in their communities
thenarwhal.ca
December 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Chief Donny Morris said if Doug Ford was set on bringing mining to the Ring of Fire, he could “balance it out” by permanently preserving Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and Wapekeka’s homelands. “That’s why we’re here, offering [Ford] an option to support us, walk with us. Let’s see how far we can go."
Reposted by Fatima Syed
It's a wild time to be a climate reporter in Canada.
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Major projects? Let’s talk about it!
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
It's a wild time to be a climate reporter in Canada.
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Reposted by Fatima Syed
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Carney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ‘grand bargain’ isn’t just about an Alberta pipeline —it also proposes rolling back a host of climate policies
thenarwhal.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
The Canada-Alberta deal "is textbook Carney" @maxfawcett.bsky.social says
He's "daring Danielle Smith to do the work required" to get a pipeline built, knowing she can’t do it. "But Smith’s concessions help advance his govt's climate agenda far more"
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
He's "daring Danielle Smith to do the work required" to get a pipeline built, knowing she can’t do it. "But Smith’s concessions help advance his govt's climate agenda far more"
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
The method to Mark Carney’s madness
The memorandum of understanding with Alberta might look like surrender. Look closer
www.nationalobserver.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:55 AM
The Canada-Alberta deal "is textbook Carney" @maxfawcett.bsky.social says
He's "daring Danielle Smith to do the work required" to get a pipeline built, knowing she can’t do it. "But Smith’s concessions help advance his govt's climate agenda far more"
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
He's "daring Danielle Smith to do the work required" to get a pipeline built, knowing she can’t do it. "But Smith’s concessions help advance his govt's climate agenda far more"
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
Carney’s Alberta pipeline deal weakens climate policies | The Narwhal
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ‘grand bargain’ isn’t just about an Alberta pipeline —it also proposes rolling back a host of climate policies
thenarwhal.ca
November 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
The Canada-Alberta deal pushes a pipeline AND
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
- Allows Alberta to delay cutting methane emissions
- Suspends clean energy regulations in Alberta
- Loosens restrictions on tax breaks for clean tech to encourage more oil drilling
- Allows oil tankers on the west coast
thenarwhal.ca/carney-alber...
It's a wild time to be a climate reporter in Canada.
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Major projects? Let’s talk about it!
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
Join us for a free Zoom event on Dec. 2 to unpack the process, politics and potential impacts of Canada’s push to build major projects. Register here:
thenarwhal.ca/major-projects-event
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 PM
It's a wild time to be a climate reporter in Canada.
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Four reporters from The Narwhal — @meyer.bsky.social @drewanderson.bsky.social @sobittersosweet.bsky.social & me — will give you a primer to this moment in Canadian politics. Join us Tuesday. Bring questions about everything (pipelines included).
Bow Valley Insider is hiring an "AI-first reporter" with a counnfoudning job posting. Cover letters & resumes aren't accepted because they "are usually full of AI slop," but applicants must have their own ChatGPT subscription because "AI will be writing the stories."
ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5...
ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5...
November 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Bow Valley Insider is hiring an "AI-first reporter" with a counnfoudning job posting. Cover letters & resumes aren't accepted because they "are usually full of AI slop," but applicants must have their own ChatGPT subscription because "AI will be writing the stories."
ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5...
ca.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=5...
Cumulatively, the Doug Ford government’s approach to nature is both confusing and contradictory. It’s valuable until it’s in the way. Natural spaces for the sake of nature isn't their goal.
Here's me connecting some dots:
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-prov...
Here's me connecting some dots:
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-prov...
Is Doug Ford’s Ontario pro-parks? | The Narwhal
Ford’s Ontario government is creating new categories of provincial parks while dismantling protections elsewhere to ease development
thenarwhal.ca
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Cumulatively, the Doug Ford government’s approach to nature is both confusing and contradictory. It’s valuable until it’s in the way. Natural spaces for the sake of nature isn't their goal.
Here's me connecting some dots:
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-prov...
Here's me connecting some dots:
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-prov...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
This is a stunning story. I've been tracking the "greenhushing" narrative for a while now: this is the idea that strict regulations on fake climate claims spooks companies into total silence; therefore we shouldn't regulate them.
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
November 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
This is a stunning story. I've been tracking the "greenhushing" narrative for a while now: this is the idea that strict regulations on fake climate claims spooks companies into total silence; therefore we shouldn't regulate them.
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
@meyer.bsky.social asked for examples and the Carney gov't failed:
Reposted by Fatima Syed
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
A credit to @fatimabsyed.bsky.social who spoke to a dozen folks that works for conservation authorities for this story on how Ontario's proposed changes are landing — or not landing — and what it means: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
A credit to @fatimabsyed.bsky.social who spoke to a dozen folks that works for conservation authorities for this story on how Ontario's proposed changes are landing — or not landing — and what it means: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
Its been 7 months since the Liberals vowed to “immediately" introduce a First Nations drinking water bill. The minister says she's taking the time to get it right. Mikisew Cree, fighting against oilsands toxic waste, opposes reintroducing the bill that died last session thenarwhal.ca/alberta-oils...
‘Unacceptable’: Alberta wants to treat and release oilsands waste | The Narwhal
Alberta is working on plans to treat and release oilsands wastewater into the Athabasca River. First Nations downstream don’t want that to happen
thenarwhal.ca
November 17, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Its been 7 months since the Liberals vowed to “immediately" introduce a First Nations drinking water bill. The minister says she's taking the time to get it right. Mikisew Cree, fighting against oilsands toxic waste, opposes reintroducing the bill that died last session thenarwhal.ca/alberta-oils...
ICYMI: I spoke to 12 staff from 12 conservation authorities (many of them anonymously for fear of government retribution) who say Doug Ford's plan to consolidate the unique agencies from 36 to 7 may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ over development & flood protections
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
ICYMI: I spoke to 12 staff from 12 conservation authorities (many of them anonymously for fear of government retribution) who say Doug Ford's plan to consolidate the unique agencies from 36 to 7 may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ over development & flood protections
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Reposted by Fatima Syed
Ford has been on a conservation authority hunt for six years. It’s wonky enough that Ontario won’t care (because they seem to care about … not much when it comes to this govt) but profound negative impact. On and on.
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Ford has been on a conservation authority hunt for six years. It’s wonky enough that Ontario won’t care (because they seem to care about … not much when it comes to this govt) but profound negative impact. On and on.
Reposted by Fatima Syed
When the City of Toronto amalgamated, services for places like Scarborough noticeably got worse. This was in large part due to these peripheral communities having less representation and influence at a centralized city hall biased towards the old City of Toronto.
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
November 16, 2025 at 12:42 AM
When the City of Toronto amalgamated, services for places like Scarborough noticeably got worse. This was in large part due to these peripheral communities having less representation and influence at a centralized city hall biased towards the old City of Toronto.