John Bowker
@johnbowker.bsky.social
Policy researcher, retired record & book peddler. Transit, housing, land use, energy, infrastructure & misc #onpoli wonkery. #ONDP. Tweets my own (he/him)
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget? Op-ed from @johnlorinc.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... #cdnpoli
John Lorinc: There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget?
A 1970s tax incentive resulted in the building of rental buildings that are still seen around the city. Is it time for MURB-2
www.thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget? Op-ed from @johnlorinc.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... #cdnpoli
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members www.cbc.ca/player/play/... #onlab
Union seeks criminal charge against Titan Tool after picket line incident
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members. Workers at the tool and die shop...
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members www.cbc.ca/player/play/... #onlab
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes. In rare move, minister's zoning order could be used to block housing, not fast-track it www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli #TOpoli
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes | CBC News
Ontario’s housing minister is considering stepping in to quash a proposed rental development in north Toronto, over concerns raised by a pharmaceutical company.
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes. In rare move, minister's zoning order could be used to block housing, not fast-track it www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli #TOpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: 4 years ago, the government studied whether or not a tunnel under Highway 401 was doable, finding a risk of collapse and eventually pausing the work.
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Ford government refuses to release completed work on Hwy. 401 tunnel idea | Globalnews.ca
Ontario is refusing to release already completed work on the viability of Premier Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision after signing a $9.1 million contract to study it again.
globalnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
NEW: 4 years ago, the government studied whether or not a tunnel under Highway 401 was doable, finding a risk of collapse and eventually pausing the work.
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Reposted by John Bowker
"At least three attendees wore the uniform of the recently formed Second Sons Canada ... Second Sons Canada is run by Jeremy MacKenzie, the founder of Diagolon, who this year filmed himself making a Hitler salute in a video shared on Telegram"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"At least three attendees wore the uniform of the recently formed Second Sons Canada ... Second Sons Canada is run by Jeremy MacKenzie, the founder of Diagolon, who this year filmed himself making a Hitler salute in a video shared on Telegram"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The Ford government refuses to release earlier assessments that found “risks to public safety from impacts of the tunnel to Highway 401 such as potential for roadway collapse” globalnews.ca/news/1151718... #onpoli
Ford government refuses to release completed work on Hwy. 401 tunnel idea | Globalnews.ca
Ontario is refusing to release already completed work on the viability of Premier Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision after signing a $9.1 million contract to study it again.
globalnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The Ford government refuses to release earlier assessments that found “risks to public safety from impacts of the tunnel to Highway 401 such as potential for roadway collapse” globalnews.ca/news/1151718... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Opinion: Can we go back to the optimism of the 1990s, before the extraction economy took over?
Our economic system benefits only those at the very top – but it’s not too late for change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Reposted by John Bowker
I think the headline doesn't do the best job of selling this column from Tim Wu. The column is worth a read.
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Can we go back to the optimism of the 1990s, before the extraction economy took over?
Our economic system benefits only those at the very top – but it’s not too late for change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I think the headline doesn't do the best job of selling this column from Tim Wu. The column is worth a read.
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
West to Piccini: “In 15 minutes I haven’t had one reply. I feel like I can’t even get you to acknowledge your name” #onpoli
The problem is not with the Skills Development fund; it's with a government that consistently disregards taxpayer money and continuously sidesteps questions about their responsibility.
November 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
West to Piccini: “In 15 minutes I haven’t had one reply. I feel like I can’t even get you to acknowledge your name” #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: Another fiscal update, and it's more bad news for housing starts.
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
Ontario housing projections plummet again, hurting 1.5M goal | Globalnews.ca
Comparing the 2024 budget to 2025's Fall Economic Statement shows the number of new homes from 2024 to 2027 has been revised down by 82,000.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
NEW: Another fiscal update, and it's more bad news for housing starts.
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
Reposted by John Bowker
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target
TORONTO - The Ontario government says it wants to scrap parts of a law requiring it to set and update its emission reductions targets, wiping out legislation that's been key
www.thestar.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target
Reposted by John Bowker
Projections for new home construction in Ontario slowing yet again barrie360.com/ontario-hous...
Projections for new home construction in Ontario slowing yet again
Ontario is lowering projections for new home construction levels in its fall economic statement, putting the government farther from its goal
barrie360.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Projections for new home construction in Ontario slowing yet again barrie360.com/ontario-hous...
Reposted by John Bowker
Reposted by John Bowker
Ford's gravy train stops at a strip club.
$10 million of Skills Development Fund went to the owner of a strip club.
Women refused to work and walked out because they were expected to wear fishnets and g-strings.
This is where Ford is spending our tax dollars.
#ONpoli
$10 million of Skills Development Fund went to the owner of a strip club.
Women refused to work and walked out because they were expected to wear fishnets and g-strings.
This is where Ford is spending our tax dollars.
#ONpoli
Venue of $10M Skills Development Fund recipient, partners now licensed as an ‘adult entertainment club’
Venue of $10M Skills Development Fund recipient, partners now licensed as an ‘adult entertainment club’
For decades, Zlatko Starkovski has leased the historic Exhibition Place building, which hosted PC fundraisers and the party’s campaign manager’s wedding in recent years
dlvr.it
November 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Ford's gravy train stops at a strip club.
$10 million of Skills Development Fund went to the owner of a strip club.
Women refused to work and walked out because they were expected to wear fishnets and g-strings.
This is where Ford is spending our tax dollars.
#ONpoli
$10 million of Skills Development Fund went to the owner of a strip club.
Women refused to work and walked out because they were expected to wear fishnets and g-strings.
This is where Ford is spending our tax dollars.
#ONpoli
The LCBO ludicrously claims that disclosing the amount of US liquor in its warehouses would reveal confidential Cabinet deliberations of the Ford government www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
Ontario government says withheld LCBO inventory of U.S. booze is a cabinet secret | CBC News
Documents obtained by CBC News reveal an effort by the Ontario government to hide details about the LCBO's inventory of American alcohol, valued at approximately $79.1 million at cost, pulled from sto...
www.cbc.ca
November 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The LCBO ludicrously claims that disclosing the amount of US liquor in its warehouses would reveal confidential Cabinet deliberations of the Ford government www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Piccini should resign, says the majority of Ontario:
Abacus poll "reveals that 52 per cent of those surveyed think Piccini should quit or be fired over allegations that he awarded $126 million" to groups tied to Conservative friendly groups.
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/03/m...
Abacus poll "reveals that 52 per cent of those surveyed think Piccini should quit or be fired over allegations that he awarded $126 million" to groups tied to Conservative friendly groups.
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/03/m...
Majority of Ontarians say Labour Minister should resign: poll
Majority of Ontarians believe Labour Minister David Piccini should resign amid an ongoing stream of scandals, according to a new poll.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Piccini should resign, says the majority of Ontario:
Abacus poll "reveals that 52 per cent of those surveyed think Piccini should quit or be fired over allegations that he awarded $126 million" to groups tied to Conservative friendly groups.
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/03/m...
Abacus poll "reveals that 52 per cent of those surveyed think Piccini should quit or be fired over allegations that he awarded $126 million" to groups tied to Conservative friendly groups.
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/03/m...
Reposted by John Bowker
Funny. So apparently Metrolinx is happy to have its people talk to the media — as long as it’s not about the building or operation of transit
November 2, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Funny. So apparently Metrolinx is happy to have its people talk to the media — as long as it’s not about the building or operation of transit
Canada’s pension funds moved from passive investing and chose instead to pay big commissions to managers who can’t even beat an index fund. So now these overpaid execs want the government to supply them with low-risk, high-return public assets www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #cdnpoli
Pension fund CEOs renew calls for Ottawa to sell key infrastructure assets
Business leaders say sales to pension plans could help the federal government’s balance sheets
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Canada’s pension funds moved from passive investing and chose instead to pay big commissions to managers who can’t even beat an index fund. So now these overpaid execs want the government to supply them with low-risk, high-return public assets www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #cdnpoli
Most early Skills Development Fund recipients that missed a key training or employment target got grants again www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
Most early Skills Development Fund recipients that missed a key training or employment target got grants again
Overall, most first-round SDF recipients told the Labour Ministry they’d either trained more people or had more trainees get jobs after than they planned
www.thetrillium.ca
November 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Most early Skills Development Fund recipients that missed a key training or employment target got grants again www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
Behold the Ford government's contempt for the public consultation requirements of the Environmental Bill of Rights ... and basic math ero.ontario.ca/index.php/no... #onpoli
November 1, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Behold the Ford government's contempt for the public consultation requirements of the Environmental Bill of Rights ... and basic math ero.ontario.ca/index.php/no... #onpoli
“Look, there is nothing like 20/20 hindsight,” said ex-premier Kathleen Wynne, who is sorry-not sorry about her government’s decision to ignore years of repeated warnings and hand over the Eglinton Crosstown project to inexperienced Metrolinx & P3 financiers #p3fail #onpoli
"We were right. But so what? Nobody listened": the Liberal government was repeatedly warned about risks of P3 procurement & Metrolinx inexperience by transit experts, the construction industry, NDP & the Auditor General — but went ahead anyway #p3fail www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
How the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went so wrong, for so long
Meddling over a massive contract, lawsuits and a pandemic add up to a project that’s taken 14 years – and counting
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:26 PM
"We were right. But so what? Nobody listened": the Liberal government was repeatedly warned about risks of P3 procurement & Metrolinx inexperience by transit experts, the construction industry, NDP & the Auditor General — but went ahead anyway #p3fail www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
How the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went so wrong, for so long
Meddling over a massive contract, lawsuits and a pandemic add up to a project that’s taken 14 years – and counting
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:19 PM
"We were right. But so what? Nobody listened": the Liberal government was repeatedly warned about risks of P3 procurement & Metrolinx inexperience by transit experts, the construction industry, NDP & the Auditor General — but went ahead anyway #p3fail www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Ford's gravy train is a circular economy.
Donate to the Conservatives, receive taxpayer money.
▶️FGF brands
Donated $34k
Received $1.25 million Tax Dollars
ROI 3,806%
▶️Ontario shipyards
Donated $18k
Received $26 million Tax Dollars
ROI 75,000%
#ONpoli #GravyTrain
globalnews.ca/news/1149929...
Donate to the Conservatives, receive taxpayer money.
▶️FGF brands
Donated $34k
Received $1.25 million Tax Dollars
ROI 3,806%
▶️Ontario shipyards
Donated $18k
Received $26 million Tax Dollars
ROI 75,000%
#ONpoli #GravyTrain
globalnews.ca/news/1149929...
Critics claim skills development fund is ‘circular economy’ of tax dollars, donations | Globalnews.ca
Ontario Liberal MPP John Fraser claimed the process appears to be a 'scheme.'
globalnews.ca
October 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Ford's gravy train is a circular economy.
Donate to the Conservatives, receive taxpayer money.
▶️FGF brands
Donated $34k
Received $1.25 million Tax Dollars
ROI 3,806%
▶️Ontario shipyards
Donated $18k
Received $26 million Tax Dollars
ROI 75,000%
#ONpoli #GravyTrain
globalnews.ca/news/1149929...
Donate to the Conservatives, receive taxpayer money.
▶️FGF brands
Donated $34k
Received $1.25 million Tax Dollars
ROI 3,806%
▶️Ontario shipyards
Donated $18k
Received $26 million Tax Dollars
ROI 75,000%
#ONpoli #GravyTrain
globalnews.ca/news/1149929...
“That complicates Piccini’s claims he pays for his own tickets, given that any money repaid could have gone back to the family of Peter Zakarow, and the two of them may have had to set their own price for tickets that routinely go for more than $1,000 each” www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli... #onpoli
Rinkside seats Piccini spotted in belonged to family of director of company that got millions from Skills Development Fund
The rinkside Maple Leafs seats David Piccini was photographed in belong to the family of the man sitting next to him, a director of a company that would go on to get millions in Skills Development Fun...
www.ctvnews.ca
October 28, 2025 at 6:57 PM
“That complicates Piccini’s claims he pays for his own tickets, given that any money repaid could have gone back to the family of Peter Zakarow, and the two of them may have had to set their own price for tickets that routinely go for more than $1,000 each” www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli... #onpoli