Sean Aubin
@seanny123.bsky.social
Posts about Toronto Housing almost exclusively, because I haven't figured out how to present other aspects of my life publicly.
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Are these large mayoral transition committees a common thing in the US?
First it was Mamdani raising millions and having 400 people on teams to transition into office. But even Seattle, which has only 800,000 people.
I’m not aware of anything this large/formal in cities I follow here.
First it was Mamdani raising millions and having 400 people on teams to transition into office. But even Seattle, which has only 800,000 people.
I’m not aware of anything this large/formal in cities I follow here.
November 28, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Are these large mayoral transition committees a common thing in the US?
First it was Mamdani raising millions and having 400 people on teams to transition into office. But even Seattle, which has only 800,000 people.
I’m not aware of anything this large/formal in cities I follow here.
First it was Mamdani raising millions and having 400 people on teams to transition into office. But even Seattle, which has only 800,000 people.
I’m not aware of anything this large/formal in cities I follow here.
As a housing activist, this is what keeps me up at night. What if people hate change and don't think anything can ever get better. How the heck do I target messaging around that?
The drop in support from the project being "on your block" is half the size of it being in a non-dense vs. already-dense area elsewhere
Perhaps part of why single family homeowners oppose local density isn't NIMBYism, but a widely shared view density should go in already-dense areas
Perhaps part of why single family homeowners oppose local density isn't NIMBYism, but a widely shared view density should go in already-dense areas
November 25, 2025 at 10:18 PM
As a housing activist, this is what keeps me up at night. What if people hate change and don't think anything can ever get better. How the heck do I target messaging around that?
No mention of Land Value Tax 🥲
Toronto Star: Why hundreds of empty lots are stuck in limbo
www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
Toronto Star: Why hundreds of empty lots are stuck in limbo
www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
Why hundreds of empty Toronto lots are stuck in limbo, attracting garbage, pests — and the anger of their neighbours
They may one day be home to towering condos, but for now, they are unkempt empty lots that attract pests and garbage — and the anger of nearby neighbours.
www.thestar.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
No mention of Land Value Tax 🥲
Toronto Star: Why hundreds of empty lots are stuck in limbo
www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
Toronto Star: Why hundreds of empty lots are stuck in limbo
www.thestar.com/news/gta/why...
Reposted by Sean Aubin
I somehow never knew anything about this. Amazing story. Don't miss the coda where the reason that we have a Milton GO line is because of a settlement from the 1979 rail disaster?
November 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I somehow never knew anything about this. Amazing story. Don't miss the coda where the reason that we have a Milton GO line is because of a settlement from the 1979 rail disaster?
Reposted by Sean Aubin
The mayor of Somerville, MA, wrote a whole op-ed about transformer costs. This comes up in city after city. If you know anybody who’d like to make research about this their day job, I have an idea for who would fund it. www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/143...
A Hidden Risk to Climate Goals: The Transformer Roadblock
(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, i...
www.thesomervilletimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The mayor of Somerville, MA, wrote a whole op-ed about transformer costs. This comes up in city after city. If you know anybody who’d like to make research about this their day job, I have an idea for who would fund it. www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/143...
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Councillor @joshmatlow.bsky.social working to make Impossible Toronto a little more possible. He's got a motion at committee tomorrow to get a report on new waste collection strategies for mid-rise housing in Q2 2026.
October 29, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Councillor @joshmatlow.bsky.social working to make Impossible Toronto a little more possible. He's got a motion at committee tomorrow to get a report on new waste collection strategies for mid-rise housing in Q2 2026.
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Real "I accidentally became the densest city in my country and its been ruining my life" vibes here sometimes.
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Real "I accidentally became the densest city in my country and its been ruining my life" vibes here sometimes.
Kinda absurd I don't feel like I'm missing out on country and bluegrass. Maybe I'm too familiar with their fans?
I always feel a bit silly not being able to enjoy techno or house music. Like I'm missing out on the transcendental due to some character flaw.
Gun to my head this is still the best set I’ve ever seen. Half of it was being 2021 but also every choice is perfect. m.soundcloud.com/2shy2dj/dj-f...
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Kinda absurd I don't feel like I'm missing out on country and bluegrass. Maybe I'm too familiar with their fans?
Reposted by Sean Aubin
need a century initiative but for toronto alone. 100 million torontonians. liberty village should have its own accent
October 23, 2025 at 1:06 AM
need a century initiative but for toronto alone. 100 million torontonians. liberty village should have its own accent
Plotting the borders of my music taste in eight artists:
- Death Grips (experimental/extreme hip-hop)
- Bernard Adamus (country)
- Covet (math rock)
- Nahre Sol (contemporary classical)
- Elizabeth Shepherd (jazz)
- Los Campesinos! (indie pop)
- Knife Party (EDM)
- Otoboke Beaver (hardcore)
- Death Grips (experimental/extreme hip-hop)
- Bernard Adamus (country)
- Covet (math rock)
- Nahre Sol (contemporary classical)
- Elizabeth Shepherd (jazz)
- Los Campesinos! (indie pop)
- Knife Party (EDM)
- Otoboke Beaver (hardcore)
Define your music taste in eight artists.
Boards of Canada
Skinny Puppy
Opeth
Aesop Rock
Elliott Smith
The Cure
Radiohead
Jason Molina
Every one of these artists was locked in when my brain was still soft and everything I’ve liked since is probably some linear combination of them.
Boards of Canada
Skinny Puppy
Opeth
Aesop Rock
Elliott Smith
The Cure
Radiohead
Jason Molina
Every one of these artists was locked in when my brain was still soft and everything I’ve liked since is probably some linear combination of them.
Define your music taste in eight artists:
Boards of Canada
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Horse Lords
Fat White Family
Magdalena Bay
Radiohead
Men I Trust
Pink Floyd
(just thinking about this was stressful, ha ha ha 😅)
Boards of Canada
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Horse Lords
Fat White Family
Magdalena Bay
Radiohead
Men I Trust
Pink Floyd
(just thinking about this was stressful, ha ha ha 😅)
October 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Plotting the borders of my music taste in eight artists:
- Death Grips (experimental/extreme hip-hop)
- Bernard Adamus (country)
- Covet (math rock)
- Nahre Sol (contemporary classical)
- Elizabeth Shepherd (jazz)
- Los Campesinos! (indie pop)
- Knife Party (EDM)
- Otoboke Beaver (hardcore)
- Death Grips (experimental/extreme hip-hop)
- Bernard Adamus (country)
- Covet (math rock)
- Nahre Sol (contemporary classical)
- Elizabeth Shepherd (jazz)
- Los Campesinos! (indie pop)
- Knife Party (EDM)
- Otoboke Beaver (hardcore)
Me, running after van: PLEASE! I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOUSING ECONOMICS!
The “They Lied” van just passed me w its upside down Cdn flag out front and, I see, an Answers4Sean sticker on the back. No idea what it refers to but it confirms my suspicions that the “Seans” are bad & to be avoided.
October 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Me, running after van: PLEASE! I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOUSING ECONOMICS!
Its me! I'm the 80% until I started following @damienmoule.bsky.social and @chittimarco.bsky.social
Je plaisante, mais un bon 80% des urbanistes que je croise croient vraiment que la priorité aux feux est une sorte de baguette magique qui fait disparaître tout les inconvénients de circuler dans un site sujet aux aléas de la circulation routières
October 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Its me! I'm the 80% until I started following @damienmoule.bsky.social and @chittimarco.bsky.social
Reposted by Sean Aubin
After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
October 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
After TO Council passed a motion indicating the City was open to Alternative Solution Proposals for a single stair in apts up to 4 storeys, I applied for a single stair in a 3 storey Part 9 6plex.
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
I’m told it’s the first one, so it’s a test case. Here’s how it’s going.
#singlestair #sixplex
Reposted by Sean Aubin
I don't know why the federal government is so determined to let Toronto torpedo its housing programs. Other cities can meet the criteria and they have to be wondering why they bothered.
EXCEPT... Toronto doesn't meet the second conditions! Depending on the type of unit, development charges in Toronto are 20-40% higher than they were in April 2024. So they shouldn't qualify!
October 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I don't know why the federal government is so determined to let Toronto torpedo its housing programs. Other cities can meet the criteria and they have to be wondering why they bothered.
Reposted by Sean Aubin
You never know what you’ll find Downtown Kitchener
September 30, 2025 at 2:17 AM
You never know what you’ll find Downtown Kitchener
Mods are distracted, post weird tiny motor vehicles
September 28, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Here is a hot take: heritage is in conflict with development.
But, if we actually cared about heritage, that would be fine because we would be willing to pick out the things worth preserving and honestly defend those decisions to the public. The current process is not that.
But, if we actually cared about heritage, that would be fine because we would be willing to pick out the things worth preserving and honestly defend those decisions to the public. The current process is not that.
September 26, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Here is a hot take: heritage is in conflict with development.
But, if we actually cared about heritage, that would be fine because we would be willing to pick out the things worth preserving and honestly defend those decisions to the public. The current process is not that.
But, if we actually cared about heritage, that would be fine because we would be willing to pick out the things worth preserving and honestly defend those decisions to the public. The current process is not that.
Reposted by Sean Aubin
With fall drawing near, civic life in the city reinvigorates with more public consultations- there's never been a better time to advocate for more housing!
Want to get involved, but not sure how? We made a video to help you get started!
Funded through #MNTOgigs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Want to get involved, but not sure how? We made a video to help you get started!
Funded through #MNTOgigs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Toronto City Consultations 101: How to Advocate For More Housing In Your Neighbourhood!
YouTube video by More Neighbours Toronto
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
With fall drawing near, civic life in the city reinvigorates with more public consultations- there's never been a better time to advocate for more housing!
Want to get involved, but not sure how? We made a video to help you get started!
Funded through #MNTOgigs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Want to get involved, but not sure how? We made a video to help you get started!
Funded through #MNTOgigs
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvUc...
Reposted by Sean Aubin
This is one of the best "audio remixed as emo intro" videos I've ever seen. I love you existential golf man youtu.be/hu-5d3Q-anQ
Scottie Scheffler's Existential Press Conference but it's a Midwest Emo Intro
YouTube video by hellofloss
youtu.be
September 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This is one of the best "audio remixed as emo intro" videos I've ever seen. I love you existential golf man youtu.be/hu-5d3Q-anQ
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Alberta introduced political parties into municipal politics, affecting upcoming elections in cities like Calgary and Edmonton.
Albertans: thoughts and experiences so far?
Albertans: thoughts and experiences so far?
September 13, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Alberta introduced political parties into municipal politics, affecting upcoming elections in cities like Calgary and Edmonton.
Albertans: thoughts and experiences so far?
Albertans: thoughts and experiences so far?
Reposted by Sean Aubin
Recent changes around transit stations are a big opportunity for housing. We've got the zoning (almost). Now the province needs to change the building code to allow for more spacious and accessible apartments.
September 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Recent changes around transit stations are a big opportunity for housing. We've got the zoning (almost). Now the province needs to change the building code to allow for more spacious and accessible apartments.
This is one of the best "audio remixed as emo intro" videos I've ever seen. I love you existential golf man youtu.be/hu-5d3Q-anQ
Scottie Scheffler's Existential Press Conference but it's a Midwest Emo Intro
YouTube video by hellofloss
youtu.be
September 5, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This is one of the best "audio remixed as emo intro" videos I've ever seen. I love you existential golf man youtu.be/hu-5d3Q-anQ
Dawg, I'm going to lose so many Imaginary Internet Points. manifold.markets/makeworld/in...
September 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Dawg, I'm going to lose so many Imaginary Internet Points. manifold.markets/makeworld/in...
Reposted by Sean Aubin
There's a line of thinking that NIMBY opposition wouldn't happen if only the building had family sized units/affordable units/was small enough/was for seniors/was some particular style/gave community benefits. And I'm here to say that I've seen virulent opposition to all of that in Toronto.
September 4, 2025 at 11:07 PM
There's a line of thinking that NIMBY opposition wouldn't happen if only the building had family sized units/affordable units/was small enough/was for seniors/was some particular style/gave community benefits. And I'm here to say that I've seen virulent opposition to all of that in Toronto.
Best questions at "Building Beautiful Cities Is A Choice" lecture:
You claim appreciating beauty is innate/instinctual. Is education a perversion? How do you distinguish populist rejection of ugliness from fear of change?
You claim appreciating beauty is innate/instinctual. Is education a perversion? How do you distinguish populist rejection of ugliness from fear of change?
September 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Best questions at "Building Beautiful Cities Is A Choice" lecture:
You claim appreciating beauty is innate/instinctual. Is education a perversion? How do you distinguish populist rejection of ugliness from fear of change?
You claim appreciating beauty is innate/instinctual. Is education a perversion? How do you distinguish populist rejection of ugliness from fear of change?