Phil
@philmarfisi.bsky.social
Sidewalk enthusiast. Other interests: public policy, housing, urbanism, Waterloo Region, Ontario politics, #cdnpoli, Star Trek, music, news media, international relations, and the Oxford comma. Democracy is good, actually.
Reposted by Phil
Nobody Ontarian on this website wants to hear this, but this is why Ministerial Zoning Orders can be good.
I mean, a sensible government would just amend zoning to permit schools of reasonable height in residential zones, but we don't have any sensible governments, so MZOs it is.
I mean, a sensible government would just amend zoning to permit schools of reasonable height in residential zones, but we don't have any sensible governments, so MZOs it is.
UPDATE: after four hours of hearing from the public last night, it got past midnight, and council decided to delay their vote until the end of February.
because when you’ve been waiting 19 years to build a school, what’s another two weeks?
because when you’ve been waiting 19 years to build a school, what’s another two weeks?
Tonight, Vancouver council will have a public hearing for a school 19 years in the making
There's some community opposition to the project — but there's also the bigger question of why it takes the provincial and municipal governments 19 years to approve a single school
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
There's some community opposition to the project — but there's also the bigger question of why it takes the provincial and municipal governments 19 years to approve a single school
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
February 13, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Nobody Ontarian on this website wants to hear this, but this is why Ministerial Zoning Orders can be good.
I mean, a sensible government would just amend zoning to permit schools of reasonable height in residential zones, but we don't have any sensible governments, so MZOs it is.
I mean, a sensible government would just amend zoning to permit schools of reasonable height in residential zones, but we don't have any sensible governments, so MZOs it is.
"And I say this often, ‘Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to act despite the fear.’... And...I thought it was so important... to be able to look evil in the eye and call them what they are."
NEW — I spoke with Rep. Delia Ramirez (@ramirez.house.gov) about her calling DHS leaders "inheritors of the Klan hood and the slave patrol," the prospect of one day seeing them behind bars, and what it's like to see the public [finally] embrace her long-held dream to abolish ICE.
Our conversation:
Our conversation:
"The day of accountability will come": Rep. Delia Ramirez on abolishing and prosecuting DHS
The Handbasket spoke with the congresswoman who called out ICE long before it was popular.
www.thehandbasket.co
February 14, 2026 at 1:07 AM
"And I say this often, ‘Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s the willingness to act despite the fear.’... And...I thought it was so important... to be able to look evil in the eye and call them what they are."
Reposted by Phil
The biggest political divide on here is not between left and liberal but between "politics is real and involves real outcomes for real people" and "no it doesn't fuck you"
February 13, 2026 at 6:28 PM
The biggest political divide on here is not between left and liberal but between "politics is real and involves real outcomes for real people" and "no it doesn't fuck you"
The ground floor of this looks like the perfect space for a small takeout espresso bar. Nothing major - maybe a few patio tables around it. I think most people opposed to small hospitality/retail establishments near residential would be surprised at how easily small places can blend in.
February 13, 2026 at 9:57 PM
The ground floor of this looks like the perfect space for a small takeout espresso bar. Nothing major - maybe a few patio tables around it. I think most people opposed to small hospitality/retail establishments near residential would be surprised at how easily small places can blend in.
Deciding that spring is now anything above -5, because -2 feels borderline tropical today. At least for the next few days, our long national nightmare is over.
February 13, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Deciding that spring is now anything above -5, because -2 feels borderline tropical today. At least for the next few days, our long national nightmare is over.
Reposted by Phil
wonder if Germans have some subject matter expertise in this or something
Europeans (except Germans) tend to think the continent can ride out Donald Trump, and that once he is no longer president US foreign policy towards Europe will return to how it was before
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
yougov.co.uk/internationa...
February 13, 2026 at 5:12 PM
wonder if Germans have some subject matter expertise in this or something
The Star's investigative reporting on Ontario's various transit debacles has been superb, and a reminder that long-form, well-researched news media (yes, this includes non-oligopolist mainstream media) is an irreplaceable cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
I really liked this last page, which brought the long timeline for the Eglinton Crosstown in perspective of its much longer story. This tells me two things: there should really be an inquiry, and, politics is the enemy of transit.
February 13, 2026 at 3:37 AM
The Star's investigative reporting on Ontario's various transit debacles has been superb, and a reminder that long-form, well-researched news media (yes, this includes non-oligopolist mainstream media) is an irreplaceable cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
It's worth noting for American followers that this is enormously unpopular in Alberta; when polling firms have layered in real world consequences to their questions, support has gone down to around 15%-16%. It's a serious issue but also not one as popular as separatists would have you believe.
Canadian separatists optimistic after meetings with Trump officials
U.S. officials tamped down on the meetings with the Alberta separatists, saying no senior staffers were present and no commitments were made.
www.nbcnews.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:30 AM
It's worth noting for American followers that this is enormously unpopular in Alberta; when polling firms have layered in real world consequences to their questions, support has gone down to around 15%-16%. It's a serious issue but also not one as popular as separatists would have you believe.
Socialist Kirkland would go so hard
"A similar idea appears in an article published last month @policyalternatives.ca, which suggests a “Costco-plus-local” model could reduce grocery prices by 25 to 45 per cent, depending on where people live." www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc... www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
B.C. organization enters debate on government-run grocery amid rising food costs
Governments as grocers isn’t a new idea, but has received more attention with New York’s new mayor promising a pilot program and it appearing on the platform of a federal NDP leadership candidate.
www.ctvnews.ca
February 13, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Socialist Kirkland would go so hard
Canada if we had built the Avro Arrow
February 12, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Canada if we had built the Avro Arrow
This is for 10 single family homes. Cambridge remains undefeated as the arch-NIMBYs of Waterloo Region.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
‘Too much for this spot’ Residents oppose 10-home plan on Blair Road
Neighbours raised concerns about traffic, safety, tree removal, flooding and the overall fit of the development, at a public meeting Tuesday night.
www.therecord.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:07 PM
This is for 10 single family homes. Cambridge remains undefeated as the arch-NIMBYs of Waterloo Region.
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
www.therecord.com/news/waterlo...
Long live humanity's glorious paeans to concrete
February 12, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Long live humanity's glorious paeans to concrete
There is a huge disconnect between boomer/gen X policymakers who correctly point out that some living standards have improved recently, while ignoring that they eviscerated affordability for everyone's biggest household expense (shelter). The condescending econsplaining doesn't fix anything.
Gen Zers and millennials are swimming in student debt and may never own homes, but they’re splurging on gut-healthy juices and rotisserie chickens.
The Booming Business of Luxury Grocery Stores
A new crop of gourmet grocers has hit the city, drawing lines of trendy TikTokers, MAHA-curious health fiends and Instacart devotees who want to pop in for a treat.
on.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:17 PM
There is a huge disconnect between boomer/gen X policymakers who correctly point out that some living standards have improved recently, while ignoring that they eviscerated affordability for everyone's biggest household expense (shelter). The condescending econsplaining doesn't fix anything.
Reposted by Phil
Once you hit a net worth of say, a billion, you should be forbidden from comment on public policy on the grounds that your wealth is the cognitive equivalent of being kicked in the head by a horse each day
February 11, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Once you hit a net worth of say, a billion, you should be forbidden from comment on public policy on the grounds that your wealth is the cognitive equivalent of being kicked in the head by a horse each day
Reposted by Phil
Aaand there you go: Trump’s sudden about-face on the most important Canada-US border crossing came after meeting with the billionaire family that owns the rival bridge. Nice scoop, confirming suspicions of everyone who has followed this file and is familiar with Trump www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/w...
Bridge Owner Lobbied Administration Before Trump Blasted Competing Span to Canada
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Aaand there you go: Trump’s sudden about-face on the most important Canada-US border crossing came after meeting with the billionaire family that owns the rival bridge. Nice scoop, confirming suspicions of everyone who has followed this file and is familiar with Trump www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/w...
I was in Victoria for a wedding in February two years ago and spent 65% of the time trying to convince everyone in my family to move there so I'd have an excuse to
YIMBYs and urbanists often make the point that you should let people live where they want: near jobs, schools and amenities. I'd like to make a special case for Canada: we should let people live where the weather is good!
open.substack.com/pub/carboncr...
open.substack.com/pub/carboncr...
Canada has exactly one city with good weather and it’s too tiny
Or how to cure thousands of Canadians of Seasonal Affective Disorder
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:28 AM
I was in Victoria for a wedding in February two years ago and spent 65% of the time trying to convince everyone in my family to move there so I'd have an excuse to
Actually by ION Stage 5 it won't just be light metro - we'll also be building commuter rail to the townships. Say goodbye to your NIMBYism, Elmira, because we're building you a train station with transit oriented yoga studios, bike parking, and matcha cafes that host slam poetry every night.
We gotta be building light metros by that point
February 11, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Actually by ION Stage 5 it won't just be light metro - we'll also be building commuter rail to the townships. Say goodbye to your NIMBYism, Elmira, because we're building you a train station with transit oriented yoga studios, bike parking, and matcha cafes that host slam poetry every night.
POV ION Stage 5 (Victoria Line) pulling into Onkel Hans Station in Downtown Kitchener
Toronto’s new Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown LRT pulling into Don Valley (previously Science Centre) station.
February 10, 2026 at 10:19 PM
POV ION Stage 5 (Victoria Line) pulling into Onkel Hans Station in Downtown Kitchener
Reposted by Phil
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
February 10, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Rep. Delia Ramirez to DHS officials: "I have as much respect for you as I do for the last white men who put on masks to terrorize communities of color. I have no respect for the inheritors of the Klanhood and the slave patrol. Those activities were criminal and so are yours."
Reposted by Phil
Canada agreed to pay for the full cost of construction, land acquisition on the US side, and connecting Interstate highway links, AND also isn't charging tolls on the US side of the bridge. This amounts to saying America should be allowed to steal Canadian money.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Trump's bonkers US-Canada bridge tantrum: "There's a valid concern on the part of the president that this bridge was allowed to be built, they didn't necessarily use American content. There's a question as to the proceeds of tolls."
February 10, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Canada agreed to pay for the full cost of construction, land acquisition on the US side, and connecting Interstate highway links, AND also isn't charging tolls on the US side of the bridge. This amounts to saying America should be allowed to steal Canadian money.
Reposted by Phil
Reposted by Phil
corridor zoning is bad policy!
when @michaeljanz.bsky.social convinced me to come check out Edmonton & give talk that became my book 'building for people' - i was floored they allowed 5-6 story buildings off polluted arterials, and 6-8 plexes everywhere. edmonton was leading the US and canada.
when @michaeljanz.bsky.social convinced me to come check out Edmonton & give talk that became my book 'building for people' - i was floored they allowed 5-6 story buildings off polluted arterials, and 6-8 plexes everywhere. edmonton was leading the US and canada.
Opponents of infill said the quiet part loud today.
They don't believe renters should be allowed to live within their neighbourhoods, only on the fringes, by major roads.
Their primary, unifying, rallying concern is "homeowner value" and getting what's their's.
They don't believe renters should be allowed to live within their neighbourhoods, only on the fringes, by major roads.
Their primary, unifying, rallying concern is "homeowner value" and getting what's their's.
February 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM
corridor zoning is bad policy!
when @michaeljanz.bsky.social convinced me to come check out Edmonton & give talk that became my book 'building for people' - i was floored they allowed 5-6 story buildings off polluted arterials, and 6-8 plexes everywhere. edmonton was leading the US and canada.
when @michaeljanz.bsky.social convinced me to come check out Edmonton & give talk that became my book 'building for people' - i was floored they allowed 5-6 story buildings off polluted arterials, and 6-8 plexes everywhere. edmonton was leading the US and canada.
Reposted by Phil
One weird trick to get to 100 million Canadians
FYI Americans: if you had Canadian grandparents/parents: you may be Canadian
February 10, 2026 at 4:07 AM
One weird trick to get to 100 million Canadians
Since no one can click on every headline, it's worth noting for context that Canada bankrolled the entire construction cost of the Gordie Howe bridge, so there's nothing for the Dorito man to be compensated for
Trump said he would start negotiations with Canada over a bridge project to connect Michigan and Ontario, threatening to block its opening
Trump Threatens to Block Detroit-Canada Bridge in New Trade Row
President Donald Trump said he would start negotiations with Canada over a bridge project to connect Michigan and Ontario, threatening to block its opening until the US was given adequate compensation and owned “half of this asset.”
bloom.bg
February 10, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Since no one can click on every headline, it's worth noting for context that Canada bankrolled the entire construction cost of the Gordie Howe bridge, so there's nothing for the Dorito man to be compensated for
Reposted by Phil
In my book, it's morally bankrupt to make families with less money live on 30,000 cars per day roads.
Administration says that the amendments are "not intended to reduce infill", but refocus them to nodes and corridors.
Nodes and corridors are corridors like Calgary trail and gateway, Stoney plain road. Very busy, noisy and polluted arterials.
Nodes and corridors are corridors like Calgary trail and gateway, Stoney plain road. Very busy, noisy and polluted arterials.
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
In my book, it's morally bankrupt to make families with less money live on 30,000 cars per day roads.