Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social
Retired software dev.
I sometimes discuss City of Toronto budget design and support issues.
IMO government is a collective enterprise, and should be fully transparent and forcefully managed for all, and for the health of the planet.
I sometimes discuss City of Toronto budget design and support issues.
IMO government is a collective enterprise, and should be fully transparent and forcefully managed for all, and for the health of the planet.
Pinned
I've published a new article:
The Fog Around the City of Toronto Operating Budgets — And What To Do About It
It's mostly about the need to change Toronto's budget accounting method, but covers a lot of other issues too.
medium.com/@henrikbechm...
The Fog Around the City of Toronto Operating Budgets — And What To Do About It
It's mostly about the need to change Toronto's budget accounting method, but covers a lot of other issues too.
medium.com/@henrikbechm...
The Fog Around the City of Toronto Operating Budgets — And What To Do About It
Although the City of Toronto Operating Budgets are voluminous and detailed, there’s a lot of fog around them, which makes them hard to…
medium.com
Explore the design and support of the City of Toronto operating budgets in this article.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
Realized some info is missing from the excel graph to this format, so posting again.
Care (health & educ) was the biggest source of job growth since the pandemic hit.
It was the biggest driver of job growth in the past year.
Over the course of 2025, health increasingly outpaced all other job growth.
Care (health & educ) was the biggest source of job growth since the pandemic hit.
It was the biggest driver of job growth in the past year.
Over the course of 2025, health increasingly outpaced all other job growth.
February 11, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Realized some info is missing from the excel graph to this format, so posting again.
Care (health & educ) was the biggest source of job growth since the pandemic hit.
It was the biggest driver of job growth in the past year.
Over the course of 2025, health increasingly outpaced all other job growth.
Care (health & educ) was the biggest source of job growth since the pandemic hit.
It was the biggest driver of job growth in the past year.
Over the course of 2025, health increasingly outpaced all other job growth.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
"This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing nonresidential social assistance to children and youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and all other individuals and families."
(The other group is the rest of us.)
(The other group is the rest of us.)
February 11, 2026 at 9:20 PM
"This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing nonresidential social assistance to children and youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and all other individuals and families."
(The other group is the rest of us.)
(The other group is the rest of us.)
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
If you've got three minutes, I've got everything you need to know about the jobs report. What happened, what it means, how it'll shape your life, and what to look for going forward. Plus some wonky bits.
February 11, 2026 at 6:34 PM
If you've got three minutes, I've got everything you need to know about the jobs report. What happened, what it means, how it'll shape your life, and what to look for going forward. Plus some wonky bits.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
Tons of stories in these data.
The most striking: utter silence about the one sector that just keeps growing...and remains in crisis.
Yes, we are amidst a polycrisis.
Yes, boy jobs are in big trouble.
But ignoring how to strengthen what we totally control, in economic and human terms, is nuts to me.
The most striking: utter silence about the one sector that just keeps growing...and remains in crisis.
Yes, we are amidst a polycrisis.
Yes, boy jobs are in big trouble.
But ignoring how to strengthen what we totally control, in economic and human terms, is nuts to me.
February 11, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Tons of stories in these data.
The most striking: utter silence about the one sector that just keeps growing...and remains in crisis.
Yes, we are amidst a polycrisis.
Yes, boy jobs are in big trouble.
But ignoring how to strengthen what we totally control, in economic and human terms, is nuts to me.
The most striking: utter silence about the one sector that just keeps growing...and remains in crisis.
Yes, we are amidst a polycrisis.
Yes, boy jobs are in big trouble.
But ignoring how to strengthen what we totally control, in economic and human terms, is nuts to me.
Cool. Google overview summarizes my articles about normalizing Toronto budgets when searched for "capital allocation method".
www.google.com/search?q=%22...
www.google.com/search?q=%22...
Google Search
www.google.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Cool. Google overview summarizes my articles about normalizing Toronto budgets when searched for "capital allocation method".
www.google.com/search?q=%22...
www.google.com/search?q=%22...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
"The wealthiest 0.01% of Canadian families (1,685 families) hold an average of $448.5 million, 4,041x the average wealth of a family in the bottom 50%."
Check out this new report from @bcpolicy.bsky.social & @c4tf.bsky.social 👇
Check out this new report from @bcpolicy.bsky.social & @c4tf.bsky.social 👇
Wealth inequality is a growing issue in Canada and our tax system must be overhauled to tax high-end wealth and capital income more effectively in order to benefit the public good, shows a new report by Silas Xuereb & Alex Hemingway
The new robber barons: a quarter century of wealth concentration in Canada
Wealth and political influence tend to reinforce each other. Tracking who owns wealth and how that distribution is changing is more important than ever for the health of our democracy and the future of Canada.
bcpolicy.ca
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
"The wealthiest 0.01% of Canadian families (1,685 families) hold an average of $448.5 million, 4,041x the average wealth of a family in the bottom 50%."
Check out this new report from @bcpolicy.bsky.social & @c4tf.bsky.social 👇
Check out this new report from @bcpolicy.bsky.social & @c4tf.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
“The climate scientists we surveyed were unambiguous: current economic models can’t capture what matters most – the cascading failures and compounding shocks that define climate risk in a warmer world – and could undermine the very foundations of economic growth.”
This should be THE story everyday.
This should be THE story everyday.
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:14 PM
“The climate scientists we surveyed were unambiguous: current economic models can’t capture what matters most – the cascading failures and compounding shocks that define climate risk in a warmer world – and could undermine the very foundations of economic growth.”
This should be THE story everyday.
This should be THE story everyday.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The flu and pneumonia kill over 45,000 people a year. Moderna developed a new mRNA flu vaccine for people 50 and older--who are most at risk. Prasad, unilaterally, against the recommendation of experts within the agency, denied Moderna's appplication. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
The plan: they don’t want women to vote.👇
February 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
The plan: they don’t want women to vote.👇
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
“[…] Thermobaric weapons do not just kill; they obliterate […] these weapons disperse […] fuel that ignites to create an enormous fireball and vacuum effect.”
“To prolong burning time, powders of aluminium, magnesium and titanium are added to the chemical mixture.”
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
“To prolong burning time, powders of aluminium, magnesium and titanium are added to the chemical mixture.”
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:39 PM
“[…] Thermobaric weapons do not just kill; they obliterate […] these weapons disperse […] fuel that ignites to create an enormous fireball and vacuum effect.”
“To prolong burning time, powders of aluminium, magnesium and titanium are added to the chemical mixture.”
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
“To prolong burning time, powders of aluminium, magnesium and titanium are added to the chemical mixture.”
www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
I would pitch a subway along this red line. Connects the densest residential corridor of the city without rapid transit to 3.5 subways, a GO line, almost every streetcar line, ~a dozen buses, 5 hospitals, 2 universities, major employers, Kensington/Chinatown, and the Eaton Centre. Would be a monster
February 11, 2026 at 2:29 PM
I would pitch a subway along this red line. Connects the densest residential corridor of the city without rapid transit to 3.5 subways, a GO line, almost every streetcar line, ~a dozen buses, 5 hospitals, 2 universities, major employers, Kensington/Chinatown, and the Eaton Centre. Would be a monster
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
TONIGHT!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
👉 This Tues Feb 10 → 7pm (in person & online)
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
February 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
TONIGHT!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
@graphicmatt.com Re: my presentation at Civic Tech tonight -- it's a little technical, so you might like it. 😉
Come for an explanation of Toronto's "modified cash basis" budget accounting; stay for a Toronto "normalized" budget (revenue - expenses = surplus)
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come for an explanation of Toronto's "modified cash basis" budget accounting; stay for a Toronto "normalized" budget (revenue - expenses = surplus)
bsky.app/profile/civi...
👉 This Tues Feb 10 → 7pm (in person & online)
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
February 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM
@graphicmatt.com Re: my presentation at Civic Tech tonight -- it's a little technical, so you might like it. 😉
Come for an explanation of Toronto's "modified cash basis" budget accounting; stay for a Toronto "normalized" budget (revenue - expenses = surplus)
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come for an explanation of Toronto's "modified cash basis" budget accounting; stay for a Toronto "normalized" budget (revenue - expenses = surplus)
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
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 Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
NEW: Special Report | Russia’s FPV drone campaign in Ukraine institutionalizes intentional civilian harm as a tool of war (1/5)
Read more: isw.pub/RussiaFPV
Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/RussiaFPV
Key Takeaways ⬇️
February 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM
NEW: Special Report | Russia’s FPV drone campaign in Ukraine institutionalizes intentional civilian harm as a tool of war (1/5)
Read more: isw.pub/RussiaFPV
Key Takeaways ⬇️
Read more: isw.pub/RussiaFPV
Key Takeaways ⬇️
I presume these motions are scripted with the Mayor's office, and anticipated.
The idea is to convey collaboration with the public, while keeping budget impacts minimal.
Don't get me wrong, I think these are good, but I'd like to see greater partnership with civil society, earlier in the process.
The idea is to convey collaboration with the public, while keeping budget impacts minimal.
Don't get me wrong, I think these are good, but I'd like to see greater partnership with civil society, earlier in the process.
Budget Chief Carroll has A LOT of motions, including:
- $6.2 million to offset fed funding for youth violence prevention, if necessary
- $355K for rat response and coyote coexistence
- $300K for youth hub in Scarborough
- $150K for Scarborough food scene pilot
- $6.2 million to offset fed funding for youth violence prevention, if necessary
- $355K for rat response and coyote coexistence
- $300K for youth hub in Scarborough
- $150K for Scarborough food scene pilot
February 10, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I presume these motions are scripted with the Mayor's office, and anticipated.
The idea is to convey collaboration with the public, while keeping budget impacts minimal.
Don't get me wrong, I think these are good, but I'd like to see greater partnership with civil society, earlier in the process.
The idea is to convey collaboration with the public, while keeping budget impacts minimal.
Don't get me wrong, I think these are good, but I'd like to see greater partnership with civil society, earlier in the process.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
Harbord yesterday. Anyone with a mobility device will have difficulty & now-plowed bike lanes unusable. Tory-council contract but somebody is making cash w/out doing the job right. It’s confounding that the mayor isn’t yelling about this. Instead we get city ads/PR that snow clearing is good.
February 10, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Harbord yesterday. Anyone with a mobility device will have difficulty & now-plowed bike lanes unusable. Tory-council contract but somebody is making cash w/out doing the job right. It’s confounding that the mayor isn’t yelling about this. Instead we get city ads/PR that snow clearing is good.
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
NEWS: Republican Cash Edge Threatens to Swamp Democrats in the Midterms
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Republican Cash Edge Threatens to Swamp Democrats in the Midterms
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:58 PM
NEWS: Republican Cash Edge Threatens to Swamp Democrats in the Midterms
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
TONIGHT!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
👉 This Tues Feb 10 → 7pm (in person & online)
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
February 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
TONIGHT!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
A major basic income supporter has been nominated in an upcoming byelection to replace Chrystia Freeland
Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of University of Toronto Family Medicine
Hear what she has to say about basic income:
Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of University of Toronto Family Medicine
Hear what she has to say about basic income:
February 9, 2026 at 6:04 PM
A major basic income supporter has been nominated in an upcoming byelection to replace Chrystia Freeland
Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of University of Toronto Family Medicine
Hear what she has to say about basic income:
Dr. Danielle Martin, Chair of University of Toronto Family Medicine
Hear what she has to say about basic income:
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
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 1:16 PM
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...
Here's me
February 9, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Here's me
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
Okay, @hausfath.bsky.social and Climate Brink have created the one climate graphic to rule them all with this Joy Division-inspired temperature anomaly chart
It's part of their extremely useful new dashboard dashboard.theclimatebrink.com
It's part of their extremely useful new dashboard dashboard.theclimatebrink.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Okay, @hausfath.bsky.social and Climate Brink have created the one climate graphic to rule them all with this Joy Division-inspired temperature anomaly chart
It's part of their extremely useful new dashboard dashboard.theclimatebrink.com
It's part of their extremely useful new dashboard dashboard.theclimatebrink.com
TOMORROW!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
👉 This Tues Feb 10 → 7pm (in person & online)
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
City budgets shouldn't be impossible to understand.
@henrikbechmann.bsky.social shows how normalizing the format of Toronto's operating budget makes it accessible to everyone.
Plus: discussions and project breakouts!
guild.host/events/civic...
February 9, 2026 at 6:21 PM
TOMORROW!
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Come and see me talk about the benefits of normalized operating budgets for the City of Toronto, or join online.
The talk is about 15 minutes, then some q&a and I'll be sticking around for the breakout groups, so we can chat!
bsky.app/profile/civi...
Reposted by Henrik Bechmann (Toronto) 🇨🇦
It’s taken years for the city to close a tiny gap in this 65-km public trail. The trouble? A 110-year-old private golf course lies in the way
It’s taken years for the city to close a tiny gap in this 65-km public trail. The trouble? A 110-year-old private golf course lies in the way
Toronto has finally decided to expropriate part of the Weston Golf and Country Club, a private course that has been open since 1915.
www.thestar.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
It’s taken years for the city to close a tiny gap in this 65-km public trail. The trouble? A 110-year-old private golf course lies in the way