Peter MacLeod
@petermacleod.bsky.social
Principal, MASS LBP | Helping people shape the policies that shape their lives | Citizens’ Assemblies + Democratic Innovation | DEMOCRACY’S SECOND ACT coming Feb 2026
Pinned
Peter MacLeod
@petermacleod.bsky.social
· Nov 24
On February 10, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics needs the Public is being published. Order a copy today from your local bookseller, or internationally on Amazon. www.democracyssecondact.org
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Forceful response to the absurd sanctions by the US on NGO leaders and former EU Comm. Breton. Actions must follow: The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values & int. commitments ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Statement by the European Commission on the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on certain EU individuals
The European Commission strongly condemns the U.S. decision to impose travel restrictions on five European individuals, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.\nFreedom of expression is
ec.europa.eu
December 24, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Forceful response to the absurd sanctions by the US on NGO leaders and former EU Comm. Breton. Actions must follow: The EU is an open, rules-based single market, with the sovereign right to regulate economic activity in line with our democratic values & int. commitments ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Canada is one of the eight countries that today expressed its solidarity with the people of Greenland and Denmark in the face of threats to their territorial integrity from Trump and his newly appointed Reichsstatthalter for Greenland, Jeff Landry.
December 24, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Canada is one of the eight countries that today expressed its solidarity with the people of Greenland and Denmark in the face of threats to their territorial integrity from Trump and his newly appointed Reichsstatthalter for Greenland, Jeff Landry.
Brilliant big picture account of the rise and fall of process and why creating durable forms of democratic legitimacy has become so critical. A new theory of public administration can’t come soon enough.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
Opinion | The Year America Blew Up the Process
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Brilliant big picture account of the rise and fall of process and why creating durable forms of democratic legitimacy has become so critical. A new theory of public administration can’t come soon enough.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/24/o...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
"since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery"
December 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
"since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery"
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
The food writer Tamar Adler espouses a use-everything approach in the kitchen, imbuing simple ingredients with a heady materialism. Lily Meyer talks with her about her new book, “Feast on Your Life,” and her philosophy of scraps:
The Philosopher of Scraps
Tamar Adler’s food writing imbues simple ingredients with a heady materialism.
bit.ly
December 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The food writer Tamar Adler espouses a use-everything approach in the kitchen, imbuing simple ingredients with a heady materialism. Lily Meyer talks with her about her new book, “Feast on Your Life,” and her philosophy of scraps:
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
December 18, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Science has named the seemingly unstoppable growth of renewable energy worldwide as the 2025 Breakthrough of the Year.
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
Learn more about this year's #BOTY and other big advances in science: https://scim.ag/493Tpgx
If Canada can sign up for the EU defence procurement scheme surely it can sign up for Erasmus too
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:30 AM
If Canada can sign up for the EU defence procurement scheme surely it can sign up for Erasmus too
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
We've been working hard over the past six months to ship Roundabout to our pilot communities. It's amazing to see them come to life, and I'm so excited to keep building & learning to support healthy online spaces for local communities. 💖
With Roundabout, our new local community app, we’re reimagining a lot of familiar surfaces and features of “social media.”
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
Here’s how Roundabout is different:
Let’s dive in! 🧵
December 17, 2025 at 2:08 AM
We've been working hard over the past six months to ship Roundabout to our pilot communities. It's amazing to see them come to life, and I'm so excited to keep building & learning to support healthy online spaces for local communities. 💖
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Denmark’s military intelligence service raised concerns for the first time about the U.S. in its annual threat assessment, saying in a report released Wednesday that shifts in American policy are generating new uncertainties for Denmark’s security.
Danish Intelligence Report Raises Concerns About Shifts in US Policy Under Trump
A new document cites Washington’s shifting strategic priorities and growing pressure on allies under President Trump as sources of uncertainty for Denmark.
nyti.ms
December 11, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Denmark’s military intelligence service raised concerns for the first time about the U.S. in its annual threat assessment, saying in a report released Wednesday that shifts in American policy are generating new uncertainties for Denmark’s security.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
How can participatory processes such as citizens' assemblies be designed effectively? The @bertelsmannst.bsky.social and @europe.fidemocracy.org have jointly published a comprehensive guide on this topic.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Publication - Ensuring Impact: New Guidelines for Effective Citizen Participation Published
With “Ensuring Impact – A Guide to Effective Set-up and Follow-up of Citizen Participation”, the Bertelsmann Stiftung, together with the Federation for Innovation in Democracy Europe (FIDE), publishes...
www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de
December 11, 2025 at 9:13 AM
How can participatory processes such as citizens' assemblies be designed effectively? The @bertelsmannst.bsky.social and @europe.fidemocracy.org have jointly published a comprehensive guide on this topic.
#CitizensAssembly
#CitizensAssembly
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Prediction market sites are casinos run by techno-bookies. They're a scourge and ought to be regulated and legislated into oblivion.
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
Prediction Markets Are Bookies With Venture Capital Funding
Backed by Silicon Valley–aligned venture capital and legal loopholes, prediction markets are creeping into every corner of life. They turn everything from measles outbreaks to government resignations ...
jacobin.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Prediction market sites are casinos run by techno-bookies. They're a scourge and ought to be regulated and legislated into oblivion.
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
This was literally a Parks & Rec joke
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This was literally a Parks & Rec joke
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Really sad to see @catabreu.bsky.social & @simondonner.bsky.social quit Canada’s Net Zero Advisory Body. Cat and Simon are globally respected climate leaders. More than ever, Canadians need experts giving independent advice about how Canada can achieve its goal of net zero emissions.
Ignored since the federal election, an arms-length expert body set up to advise the federal government on the energy transition is collapsing.
The latest pipeline agreement between Canada and Alberta representing the final straw for two members. @woodsideful.bsky.social reports
The latest pipeline agreement between Canada and Alberta representing the final straw for two members. @woodsideful.bsky.social reports
Federal net-zero body falling apart in wake of Alberta-Ottawa deal
Two prominent members of the Net-Zero Advisory Body, including its chair, have resigned this week, citing a lack of influence over a government that’s increasingly pulling back on climate action.
www.nationalobserver.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Really sad to see @catabreu.bsky.social & @simondonner.bsky.social quit Canada’s Net Zero Advisory Body. Cat and Simon are globally respected climate leaders. More than ever, Canadians need experts giving independent advice about how Canada can achieve its goal of net zero emissions.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
“Far from ‘innovating’ education, as AI proponents claim, the algorithmic turn has made public education more vulnerable to corporate capture.” www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/volume-161
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
December 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
“Far from ‘innovating’ education, as AI proponents claim, the algorithmic turn has made public education more vulnerable to corporate capture.” www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/volume-161
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
You can't really blame Canadian commentators and chattering classes for going off what appeared to be the best available data to proclaim a productivity crisis, but maybe next time we could resist self-flagellating quite so enthusiastically.
December 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
You can't really blame Canadian commentators and chattering classes for going off what appeared to be the best available data to proclaim a productivity crisis, but maybe next time we could resist self-flagellating quite so enthusiastically.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
AIs could turn opinion polls into (even worse) gibberish www.economist.com/united-state...
AIs could turn opinion polls into gibberish
Large language models can answer surveys and pass the tests to check that a respondent is human
www.economist.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
AIs could turn opinion polls into (even worse) gibberish www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
At #MyRunLikeAGirl book launch in Victoria last week, I had a conversation with @ianmauro.bsky.social. Ian asked me tough but thoughtful questions - and I did my best to answer them.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
The conversation regarding pipelines and tankers is active across #BritishColumbia and #Canada. Our Executive Director @ianmauro.bsky.social recently asked @cathmckenna.bsky.social on her take.
#bcpoli #canadapoli #climatechange #climatesolutions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dW...
#bcpoli #canadapoli #climatechange #climatesolutions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dW...
A Conversation with Catherine McKenna: Pipelines, Tankers, and Fossil Fuel Development
YouTube video by PICSCanada
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
At #MyRunLikeAGirl book launch in Victoria last week, I had a conversation with @ianmauro.bsky.social. Ian asked me tough but thoughtful questions - and I did my best to answer them.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Robertson Davies was one of Canada's most celebrated novelists.
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Robertson Davies was one of Canada's most celebrated novelists.
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Six months ago, I joined New_ Public to help build a new social platform for local communities. Today, I could't be more excited and proud to share what our amazing little team has cooked up, and is launching in closed beta this week.
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Six months ago, I joined New_ Public to help build a new social platform for local communities. Today, I could't be more excited and proud to share what our amazing little team has cooked up, and is launching in closed beta this week.
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Danielle Smith gets booed at UCP convention after mentioning working with Canada
November 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
China's LNG Imports Set to Drop for 13th Month, Kpler Data Show
Seaborne shipments of liquefied natural gas to China in November are set to drop for a 13th straight month on an annual basis, extending a slump in purchases as dom…
financialpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
🙄
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
Bundestag Disbands Citizens' Assembly Task Force Amid Ongoing Debate
Munich news, health insurance, technology, jobs and other topics for expatriates. The Eye Newspapers covers daily news and offers services for foreigners.
themunicheye.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🙄
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Eye on the ball folks! It seems the pipeline piece may well be a distraction. While a pipeline remains very unlikely, the practical impact of this deal are all the immediate concessions to oil & gas industry & the federal abandonment of core climate policies.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
BREAKING: Alberta gets its way in deal with Ottawa
A newly signed memorandum of understanding gives Alberta almost its entire list of demands, from the removal of regulations to the fast-tracking of a pipeline.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Eye on the ball folks! It seems the pipeline piece may well be a distraction. While a pipeline remains very unlikely, the practical impact of this deal are all the immediate concessions to oil & gas industry & the federal abandonment of core climate policies.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...