Jon Thompson
@jonthompson.bsky.social
Journalist. Belongs to Northwestern Ontario. Ricochet Media.
“Thunder Bay” now streaming on Crave.
Past words & baritone for Canadaland, CBC, TVO, APTN.
“Thunder Bay” now streaming on Crave.
Past words & baritone for Canadaland, CBC, TVO, APTN.
Thunder Bay has declared a humanitarian crisis over homelessness.
According to a release, "This declaration will help bring together leadership from Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the City, and other partners under a shared commitment to work toward system change."
According to a release, "This declaration will help bring together leadership from Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the City, and other partners under a shared commitment to work toward system change."
February 18, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Thunder Bay has declared a humanitarian crisis over homelessness.
According to a release, "This declaration will help bring together leadership from Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the City, and other partners under a shared commitment to work toward system change."
According to a release, "This declaration will help bring together leadership from Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the City, and other partners under a shared commitment to work toward system change."
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler issued this letter to Attorney General & SIU, after the latter cleared officers in the shooting death of the 3rd member of the same family within 2 yrs. I wrote about the case of Bruce Frogg for @ricochetmedia.bsky.social
ricochet.media/indigenous/f...
ricochet.media/indigenous/f...
February 18, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler issued this letter to Attorney General & SIU, after the latter cleared officers in the shooting death of the 3rd member of the same family within 2 yrs. I wrote about the case of Bruce Frogg for @ricochetmedia.bsky.social
ricochet.media/indigenous/f...
ricochet.media/indigenous/f...
Don Cherry receives the Order of Ontario.
That should be the dryer sheet in the rage machine to keep us all distracted for a couple of days, eh?
That should be the dryer sheet in the rage machine to keep us all distracted for a couple of days, eh?
February 17, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Don Cherry receives the Order of Ontario.
That should be the dryer sheet in the rage machine to keep us all distracted for a couple of days, eh?
That should be the dryer sheet in the rage machine to keep us all distracted for a couple of days, eh?
OPP reports highway 11 closed this hour as another collision claims yet another life.
This month on northern highways has been beyond tragic. The below article is from the past two weeks.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This month on northern highways has been beyond tragic. The below article is from the past two weeks.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
'It's heavy' says OPP constable as northern Ontario sees 8 highway deaths in 10 days | CBC News
There have now been five fatal highway collisions in northern Ontario in 10 days. The latest incident, which involved two passenger vehicles, was reported Thursday night around 9 p.m. on Highway 11-17...
www.cbc.ca
February 13, 2026 at 2:44 AM
OPP reports highway 11 closed this hour as another collision claims yet another life.
This month on northern highways has been beyond tragic. The below article is from the past two weeks.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This month on northern highways has been beyond tragic. The below article is from the past two weeks.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Tough night for Thunder Bay’s Carter George. The Soo Greyhounds tender was named Player of the Month after doing a 94.4 save percentage the last 10 games but he got gunned down tonight against Flint on a shorty breakaway and a 3 on 1.
No chance and Soo had almost no good shots to back him up.
No chance and Soo had almost no good shots to back him up.
February 7, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Tough night for Thunder Bay’s Carter George. The Soo Greyhounds tender was named Player of the Month after doing a 94.4 save percentage the last 10 games but he got gunned down tonight against Flint on a shorty breakaway and a 3 on 1.
No chance and Soo had almost no good shots to back him up.
No chance and Soo had almost no good shots to back him up.
No charges for three Peel officers suspended in connection with yesterday’s seven Toronto Police Service officer arrests, plus a retiree from TPS.
Peel police suspend three officers in relation to explosive Project South investigation
Peel police suspend three officers in relation to explosive Project South investigation
Project South, a wide-ranging investigation revealed Thursday saw seven Toronto police officers and one retired officer charged criminally.
www.thestar.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:46 PM
No charges for three Peel officers suspended in connection with yesterday’s seven Toronto Police Service officer arrests, plus a retiree from TPS.
The Thunder Bay Police Association condemns the behaviour of Peter Ritchie, a local officer who pleaded guilty of breach of trust this week for robbing money from the wallet of a man who was in the midst of an overdose.
February 6, 2026 at 5:56 PM
The Thunder Bay Police Association condemns the behaviour of Peter Ritchie, a local officer who pleaded guilty of breach of trust this week for robbing money from the wallet of a man who was in the midst of an overdose.
If this probe into Toronto Police Service breaks to find what it’s looking for, the potential to change police oversight across Ontario will be significant.
Thunder Bay is the canary in Toronto’s cop mine.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
February 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM
If this probe into Toronto Police Service breaks to find what it’s looking for, the potential to change police oversight across Ontario will be significant.
Thunder Bay is the canary in Toronto’s cop mine.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
February 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Thunder Bay is the canary in Toronto’s cop mine.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
TPS requests to the inspector general include investigating management, oversight, evidence handling, digital file authority & tampering.
These are the defining characteristics of systemic problems.
You just heard about TBay police first.
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation Chief Duncan Michano suspends partnership with Marathon over a municipality staffer saying the town was "just the wrong colour" for prov. water infrastructure funding.
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas insists it meant partisan colour.
www.snnewswatch.com/local-journa...
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas insists it meant partisan colour.
www.snnewswatch.com/local-journa...
Biigtigong chief says Marathon 'colour' remark shattered trust
Read the full story and comment on SNnewswatch.com
www.snnewswatch.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Biigtigong Nishnaabeg First Nation Chief Duncan Michano suspends partnership with Marathon over a municipality staffer saying the town was "just the wrong colour" for prov. water infrastructure funding.
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas insists it meant partisan colour.
www.snnewswatch.com/local-journa...
Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas insists it meant partisan colour.
www.snnewswatch.com/local-journa...
Thunder Bay Police Service officer Peter Ritchie has pleaded guilty of breach of trust for taking money from the wallet of a man who was in the midst of an overdose.
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/f...
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/f...
Former cop guilty of breach of trust
Read the full story and comment on Tbnewswatch.com
www.tbnewswatch.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Thunder Bay Police Service officer Peter Ritchie has pleaded guilty of breach of trust for taking money from the wallet of a man who was in the midst of an overdose.
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/f...
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/f...
Kashechewan, Mississaugas of the Credit, Walpole Island, Wapekeka & Wunnumin Lake First Nations have joined the constitutional challenge to Canada's Bill C-5 & Ontario's Bill 5.
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
5 more First Nations join legal challenge against Bill 5 and C-5 | CBC News
Five more First Nations have joined a court challenge against new federal and provincial laws aimed at fast-tracking development saying they threaten Indigenous rights.
www.cbc.ca
February 5, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Kashechewan, Mississaugas of the Credit, Walpole Island, Wapekeka & Wunnumin Lake First Nations have joined the constitutional challenge to Canada's Bill C-5 & Ontario's Bill 5.
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...
I remain gobsmacked at how stupid Canada’s immigration conversation has become.
Northern Ontario municipalities are older and dying faster than the rest of the country. According to workforce planning boards, we need 10-20 times more immigrants than naturally occur, just to sustain our economies.
Northern Ontario municipalities are older and dying faster than the rest of the country. According to workforce planning boards, we need 10-20 times more immigrants than naturally occur, just to sustain our economies.
February 4, 2026 at 9:47 PM
I remain gobsmacked at how stupid Canada’s immigration conversation has become.
Northern Ontario municipalities are older and dying faster than the rest of the country. According to workforce planning boards, we need 10-20 times more immigrants than naturally occur, just to sustain our economies.
Northern Ontario municipalities are older and dying faster than the rest of the country. According to workforce planning boards, we need 10-20 times more immigrants than naturally occur, just to sustain our economies.
Matawa Chiefs' Council formally rejects the transportation of nuclear waste through the Matawa territories and homelands via a submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
www.matawa.on.ca/matawa-chief...
www.matawa.on.ca/matawa-chief...
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February 4, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Matawa Chiefs' Council formally rejects the transportation of nuclear waste through the Matawa territories and homelands via a submission to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
www.matawa.on.ca/matawa-chief...
www.matawa.on.ca/matawa-chief...
Northern Ontario cops are disproportionately represented among police services who have signed on to a Conservative partisan rally against the Liberal compensation and ban on more than 1,500 “assault-style” firearms.
Only First Nations police & Thunder Bay Police Service not represented.
Only First Nations police & Thunder Bay Police Service not represented.
February 4, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Northern Ontario cops are disproportionately represented among police services who have signed on to a Conservative partisan rally against the Liberal compensation and ban on more than 1,500 “assault-style” firearms.
Only First Nations police & Thunder Bay Police Service not represented.
Only First Nations police & Thunder Bay Police Service not represented.
A decision to have Thunder Bay Administration bring a report to city council about services for the unhoused was reached today, following a meeting between TBay representatives and leaders from Nishnawbe Aski Nation & Fort William First Nation.
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
Thunder Bay Leaders Set a Collaborative Path Forward to Address Homelessness - Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Leaders from Anemki Wajiw (Fort William First Nation), Nishnawbe Aski Nation, and the City of Thunder Bay met today to strengthen dialogue and collaboration in response to the ongoing crisis related t...
www.nan.ca
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
A decision to have Thunder Bay Administration bring a report to city council about services for the unhoused was reached today, following a meeting between TBay representatives and leaders from Nishnawbe Aski Nation & Fort William First Nation.
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
www.nan.ca/news/thunder...
Is the Ring of Fire "the most ethical resources on earth?"
What does that even mean?
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
What does that even mean?
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
Ontario government recycles oil sands propaganda for Ring of Fire mining development
Discover how the Ontario government recycles oil sands propaganda for Ring of Fire mining development and its implications.
ricochet.media
February 3, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Is the Ring of Fire "the most ethical resources on earth?"
What does that even mean?
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
What does that even mean?
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
Ontario's PCs won't even explain what they mean when they say the Ring of Fire minerals are "the most ethical resources on earth."
"Think about it," says Wildlands League's Anna Baggio. "They’re claiming that the rocks on the ground are ethical..."
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
"Think about it," says Wildlands League's Anna Baggio. "They’re claiming that the rocks on the ground are ethical..."
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
Ontario government recycles oil sands propaganda for Ring of Fire mining development
Discover how the Ontario government recycles oil sands propaganda for Ring of Fire mining development and its implications.
ricochet.media
February 3, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Ontario's PCs won't even explain what they mean when they say the Ring of Fire minerals are "the most ethical resources on earth."
"Think about it," says Wildlands League's Anna Baggio. "They’re claiming that the rocks on the ground are ethical..."
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
"Think about it," says Wildlands League's Anna Baggio. "They’re claiming that the rocks on the ground are ethical..."
ricochet.media/indigenous/o...
I just finished reading Sandy's book "Defund" last week.
It lines up every argument we hear about why the worst elements of policing are necessary and with history, evidence, and poignant examples, it bumps, volleys, and smashes each one.
Recommended.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727367...
It lines up every argument we hear about why the worst elements of policing are necessary and with history, evidence, and poignant examples, it bumps, volleys, and smashes each one.
Recommended.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727367...
On In Bed with the Elephant, @sandela.bsky.social explains how early encounters with police shaped her politics — and why expanding #police budgets fuels trauma, inequality, and a growing surveillance state.
Full discussion with @caradrianh.bsky.social here:
ricochet.media/justice/poli...
#IBWTE
Full discussion with @caradrianh.bsky.social here:
ricochet.media/justice/poli...
#IBWTE
Breaking down the 'myth’ of policing with Sandy Hudson
In a powerful discussion, Sandy Hudson advocates for police abolition. Discover her insights on policing and community-led safety resources.
ricochet.media
February 2, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I just finished reading Sandy's book "Defund" last week.
It lines up every argument we hear about why the worst elements of policing are necessary and with history, evidence, and poignant examples, it bumps, volleys, and smashes each one.
Recommended.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727367...
It lines up every argument we hear about why the worst elements of policing are necessary and with history, evidence, and poignant examples, it bumps, volleys, and smashes each one.
Recommended.
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727367...
Years to build Canadian Pacific Railway: 13
Years to build White Otter Castle: 16
Years to build Great Pyramid of Giza: 20
Years to build St. Patrick's Cathedral: 21
Years to build Taj Mahal: 22
As of Feb.1, years to build a potable water plant in Neskantaga First Nation: 31 and counting…
Years to build White Otter Castle: 16
Years to build Great Pyramid of Giza: 20
Years to build St. Patrick's Cathedral: 21
Years to build Taj Mahal: 22
As of Feb.1, years to build a potable water plant in Neskantaga First Nation: 31 and counting…
February 1, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Years to build Canadian Pacific Railway: 13
Years to build White Otter Castle: 16
Years to build Great Pyramid of Giza: 20
Years to build St. Patrick's Cathedral: 21
Years to build Taj Mahal: 22
As of Feb.1, years to build a potable water plant in Neskantaga First Nation: 31 and counting…
Years to build White Otter Castle: 16
Years to build Great Pyramid of Giza: 20
Years to build St. Patrick's Cathedral: 21
Years to build Taj Mahal: 22
As of Feb.1, years to build a potable water plant in Neskantaga First Nation: 31 and counting…
It’s a highlight for me today for a photo I took of the 2021 Finnish Labour Temple fire to be printed out on metal & gifted to Thunder Bay fire chief Dave Paxton as a retirement surprise.
Also, the Hoito’s long-awaited grand reopening is Saturday (tomorrow)!
www.facebook.com/share/14TJom...
Also, the Hoito’s long-awaited grand reopening is Saturday (tomorrow)!
www.facebook.com/share/14TJom...
January 30, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It’s a highlight for me today for a photo I took of the 2021 Finnish Labour Temple fire to be printed out on metal & gifted to Thunder Bay fire chief Dave Paxton as a retirement surprise.
Also, the Hoito’s long-awaited grand reopening is Saturday (tomorrow)!
www.facebook.com/share/14TJom...
Also, the Hoito’s long-awaited grand reopening is Saturday (tomorrow)!
www.facebook.com/share/14TJom...
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff will not declare a state of emergency over homelessness, as Fort William First Nation & Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders requested in a statement last Friday while temperatures plunged below -30C.
www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall...
Boshcoff requests meeting asap.
www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall...
Boshcoff requests meeting asap.
Working Together on Urgent and Long-Term Actions to Address Homelessness
www.thunderbay.ca
January 29, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff will not declare a state of emergency over homelessness, as Fort William First Nation & Nishnawbe Aski Nation leaders requested in a statement last Friday while temperatures plunged below -30C.
www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall...
Boshcoff requests meeting asap.
www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall...
Boshcoff requests meeting asap.
Aysanabee's album "Edge of the Earth" is nominated for the Alternative Album of the Year at the Junos.
He's also up for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.
Everybody in Thunder Bay is really happy for him.
He's also up for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.
Everybody in Thunder Bay is really happy for him.
January 28, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Aysanabee's album "Edge of the Earth" is nominated for the Alternative Album of the Year at the Junos.
He's also up for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.
Everybody in Thunder Bay is really happy for him.
He's also up for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year.
Everybody in Thunder Bay is really happy for him.
Ontario designates Greenstone Transmission Line between Nipigon Bay & Aroland First Nation a "priority project," which Hydro One will develop & build.
The announcement, with four area First Nation chiefs, was held in Etobicoke.
It's framed in Ring of Fire.
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
The announcement, with four area First Nation chiefs, was held in Etobicoke.
It's framed in Ring of Fire.
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
Ontario Newsroom
news.ontario.ca
January 28, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Ontario designates Greenstone Transmission Line between Nipigon Bay & Aroland First Nation a "priority project," which Hydro One will develop & build.
The announcement, with four area First Nation chiefs, was held in Etobicoke.
It's framed in Ring of Fire.
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
The announcement, with four area First Nation chiefs, was held in Etobicoke.
It's framed in Ring of Fire.
news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
Reposted by Jon Thompson
In an era when many species are declining because of multi-pronged, seemingly intractable problems, the solution to protecting common loons is relatively straightforward. So why are these beloved birds still dying?
Why Are Loons Still Dying from Lead Poisoning?
In the United States, efforts to save a beloved species face pushback from a surprising foe: gun rights advocates.
www.biographic.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
In an era when many species are declining because of multi-pronged, seemingly intractable problems, the solution to protecting common loons is relatively straightforward. So why are these beloved birds still dying?