Neil Thomson
neiljt.bsky.social
Neil Thomson
@neiljt.bsky.social
Ottawa.Kanata.Beaverbrook resident. Engaged in Community Assoc., City Issues since 1992. Runner, x-country, cyclist, and sometimes tri-athlete.

Tech - Data/Analytics, Data Privacy, Decentralized Digital Identity (SSI). Active in DIF, ToIP, MyData
Reposted by Neil Thomson
It was great to welcome Chuks Onwuachi and Natalie Taite to City Hall this morning for a Black History Month celebration breakfast hosted by Councillor Rawlson King. These two Stittsville residents are leaders in Ottawa’s Black community.
February 12, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Denmark's Foreign Minister calls Canada opening a consulate in Greenland a ‘new beginning’

www.ctvnews.ca/video/2026/0...
Denmark's Foreign Minister calls Canada opening a consulate in Greenland a ‘new beginning’
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, Anita Anand, speaks with her counterparts from Denmark and Greenland following Canada opening a consulate in Greenland.
www.ctvnews.ca
February 8, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Facebook launched 22 years ago this week.

In 2025, Meta paid an effective federal tax rate of 3.5% — its lowest on record.

Meanwhile, Meta is pumping at least $65 million into super PACs to stifle regulation of AI and tech.

Trickle-down economics isn't just a hoax, it's corrosive to democracy.
February 6, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
I can live with ads during the Olympics Opening Ceremony. I am disgusted that online betting apps are included.
February 6, 2026 at 9:55 PM
My Terms doesn't solve the problem; that without enforced policy, governance, and regulation with penalties (GDPR++), services have no obligation/financial incentives to comply.
January 31, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Oh, no. One of the absolute greats: she was such a delight in everything she did. A treasure, gone too soon.
Breaking news: Catherine O’Hara, the actress and comedian who delivered deliciously silly performances in movies such as “Beetlejuice” and “Home Alone,” and gained a new generation of fans as Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek,” has died.

She was 71.
Catherine O’Hara, comedy star with a flair for improv, dies at 71
The Canadian-born actress appeared in movies including “Beetlejuice” and “Home Alone” and won an Emmy Award as a star of “Schitt’s Creek.”
www.washingtonpost.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:37 PM
AI is not the issue. It can be a useful tool, including delivering Gov services.

Who controls the AI is the issue. This means Canadian servers with Canadian governance and algorithms.

Otherwise you get the same kind of slop as Musk's X platform
THIS IS WHY CANADIANS NEED TO FIGHT THE GOVERNMENT ADOPTING AI.

Contact your MP. Tell them you don't want American AI and American servers handling Canadians' data.

Find your MP's contact info here:
www.ourcommons.ca/en/contact-us/

www.cbc.ca/player/play/...
January 25, 2026 at 12:58 PM
This Politico article pointing out that Carny's Davos speech complicates CUSMA renegotiation is a failure to acknowledge that Trump was always going to play maximum hardball regardless, as telegraphed with the constant threats over the years.

www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Carney’s viral Davos speech complicates stalled US-Canada talks
Rave reviews for the Canadian prime minister are giving way to fears about the continental trade deal.
www.politico.com
January 24, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
I heard that the part where she makes a fur coat out of Dalmatian puppies is really something else.
January 23, 2026 at 11:41 PM
It's a measure of the breakdown in the relationship between countries when the US threatens Canada, yet both US and Canadians support those threats and complain when Candian delegations to the US and China get burner phones when visiting either Country. /1
January 17, 2026 at 1:03 AM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Welcome To New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
My office collected 285 pairs of warm, new socks for Sock it to Christmas. Such a generous bunch --well done, everyone! Royal LePage Team Realty rocks!
December 31, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Local publisher for Ottawa mystery writers. Highly recommend
December 29, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Happy Boxing Day! A frosty day but delightful to get out onto the Britannia Winter Trails. I’m a proud sponsor and thankful to the many volunteers who make this trail a reality.
December 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
The 2025 Headline of the Year Nominees

🧵
December 22, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
China’s trade messaging to Canada is clear: fall in line, or pay the price. But former diplomat @kovrig.bsky.social argues there’s power in refusing to bend, because enduring short-term pain means protecting long-term autonomy. thewalrus.ca/chinas-trade-ult...
December 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Old Skool #Audio Stack. #Audiophile
December 19, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
The Wreck of the Pierre Poilievre

The man was the pride of the American side
Coming back from a byelection in Alberta
As CPC leaders go, he was ragier than most
With a crew of MPs well embittered
Bringing some coffees for the Convoy crew
When he left fully loaded for Stornoway...
Headstones - The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald
YouTube video by Headstones
www.youtube.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
We all know Clarke's "sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

Well we have corollary:
December 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Saw Jeff multiple times in Ottawa. Fabulous.
November 23, 2025 at 12:59 AM
In 2025, while Canada needs to invest in Energy and Defences, the Energy focus on oil and gas (because we have it to sell) is out of sync with non-poluting trends including solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear. /1
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
"Polls and industry experts suggest a surge in Canadian patriotism and perceptions of Canada as a safe and friendly destination have helped drive a record-breaking summer for tourism in the country."

Contrary to what the CPC is always saying, Canada is in fact delightful.
www.cbc.ca/news/busines...
ANALYSIS | Canadians are shunning U.S. travel — and reaping the rewards | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump’s divisive politics, tariffs and heightened border security have helped drive a decline in international tourism spending in the U.S. Meanwhile, polls and industry experts ...
www.cbc.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Neil Thomson
Lansdowne is not a community centre or a library. It is a specialized centre. The stadium is a better comparison. Our stadium is a long time money loser. #OttPoli
October 30, 2025 at 6:06 PM
A very thorough and revealing interview of Mark Carney by Mishal Husain (Bloomberg). Carney is clear, thoughtful, articulate, and handles some tough questions passably well. youtu.be/hh9LsnE0hA0
Mark Carney on Dealing With Trump, Trade Wars and Putin | The Mishal Husain Show
YouTube video by Bloomberg Podcasts
youtu.be
October 19, 2025 at 1:01 AM