Shawn Micallef
@shawnmicallef.bsky.social
Local tosser
Books author (New: Stroll!)
Toronto Star column writer
Spacing Magazine co-founder
U of T instructor
Trying to do it a bit different here than the last place.
Links to books, etc:
https://linktr.ee/shawnmicallef
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤘🏼
Books author (New: Stroll!)
Toronto Star column writer
Spacing Magazine co-founder
U of T instructor
Trying to do it a bit different here than the last place.
Links to books, etc:
https://linktr.ee/shawnmicallef
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🤘🏼
Pinned
Stroll, updated edition
THE TORONTO STAR'S "30 BOOKS WE CAN'T WAIT TO READ THIS SPRING"The updated edition of a Toronto favourite meanders around some of the city’s unique neighborhoods and considers what makes a city walka...
chbooks.com
Hi new folks. Last year I rewrote my book Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto. Added like 30000 more words too. My (Toronto) life's work. A very good present to give! Bookstores or direct from Coach House or...
chbooks.com/Books/S/Stro...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
As someone who grew up in the area, it is very upsetting that the province is considering selling off portions of Wasaga beach provincial park. In addition to being a nature area accessible from Toronto it also has a big role in wildlife preservation (esp. the piping plovers).
I wrote about this too. Why isn’t Ontario hitting the barricades in rage? We’ve so little lake access. Entirely privatized shorelines. You could give the province away to oligarchs & people would be meh. Thx to Fatima for calling this early on.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
November 10, 2025 at 11:31 PM
As someone who grew up in the area, it is very upsetting that the province is considering selling off portions of Wasaga beach provincial park. In addition to being a nature area accessible from Toronto it also has a big role in wildlife preservation (esp. the piping plovers).
They also say nobody in Canada will ride a bike or use a bike lane in winter. Many liars.
This is the Canadian Premier League soccer finals and we have a bicycle kick goal in the middle of a blizzard … and that’s the most Canadian thing I’ve ever seen 😂
November 10, 2025 at 11:43 PM
They also say nobody in Canada will ride a bike or use a bike lane in winter. Many liars.
Yes! I had this book too. Exceptional cover. The live under Mount Royal even.
There actually is a post-apocalyptic novel about an underground city under Montreal. I remember reading it as a kid. www.goodreads.com/book/show/56...
November 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Yes! I had this book too. Exceptional cover. The live under Mount Royal even.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Brutalism can be warm and cozy, welcoming, soft, beautiful... Haters dni
The whole thing is exquisite ribbed (for your pleasure) concrete. Yet it’s soft and quiet, a moon safari in the sky. Hotel Bonaventure. Built above the rail lines even. Canada: once great.
November 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Brutalism can be warm and cozy, welcoming, soft, beautiful... Haters dni
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Wasaga is one of the last large stretches of public beach that working class GTA residents have access to, so of course Dougie wants to take it away from them
November 10, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Wasaga is one of the last large stretches of public beach that working class GTA residents have access to, so of course Dougie wants to take it away from them
I wrote about this too. Why isn’t Ontario hitting the barricades in rage? We’ve so little lake access. Entirely privatized shorelines. You could give the province away to oligarchs & people would be meh. Thx to Fatima for calling this early on.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
November 10, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I wrote about this too. Why isn’t Ontario hitting the barricades in rage? We’ve so little lake access. Entirely privatized shorelines. You could give the province away to oligarchs & people would be meh. Thx to Fatima for calling this early on.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Worth $300,000 in 1979.
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Worth $300,000 in 1979.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
If People magazine of all places is writing about safer streets and giant SUVs then maybe our political leaders could show some courage and not capitulate to the vocal minority who want drivers to keep on killing
“There are solutions out there,” Cohen insists. “We don't need to wait for something to be invented. We just need our leaders to have the political will to put them in place so we can start saving lives.” Via @people.com.
Her Son Was Run Over on His Way to Soccer Practice. Now Part of a ‘Horrible Club,’ Mom Fights to Spare Others
The number of pedestrians being hit or run over in the U.S. has increased at an alarming rate. Amy Cohen and others want to end the heartache
buff.ly
November 10, 2025 at 3:22 PM
If People magazine of all places is writing about safer streets and giant SUVs then maybe our political leaders could show some courage and not capitulate to the vocal minority who want drivers to keep on killing
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
They killed Sesame Street! An excellent column from Shawn Micallef about countering small-minded Nimbys.
I would like convenience stores in my neighbourhood (four have closed in the past five years.) Maybe you'd like interesting retail and cafes too. We have to make our voices heard.
I would like convenience stores in my neighbourhood (four have closed in the past five years.) Maybe you'd like interesting retail and cafes too. We have to make our voices heard.
How Toronto killed Sesame Street. My column on the retreat from allowing shops in neighbourhoods
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shawn Micallef: How Toronto killed ‘Sesame Street’ with its heritage rules — and how we can bring it back
In the face of opposition from even small groups, the city ends up watering down even the best ideas.
www.thestar.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
They killed Sesame Street! An excellent column from Shawn Micallef about countering small-minded Nimbys.
I would like convenience stores in my neighbourhood (four have closed in the past five years.) Maybe you'd like interesting retail and cafes too. We have to make our voices heard.
I would like convenience stores in my neighbourhood (four have closed in the past five years.) Maybe you'd like interesting retail and cafes too. We have to make our voices heard.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
ummm
I missed that line in Flanders Fields
I missed that line in Flanders Fields
November 10, 2025 at 3:45 PM
ummm
I missed that line in Flanders Fields
I missed that line in Flanders Fields
Between this and the speed camera stuff, there is a death drive in large parts of mainstream Canadian policy and society.
Public safety conversations, bellowing, in Canada are all a sham and performative when looked at through these frames.
Public safety conversations, bellowing, in Canada are all a sham and performative when looked at through these frames.
Canada loses measles elimination status | CBC
www.cbc.ca
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Between this and the speed camera stuff, there is a death drive in large parts of mainstream Canadian policy and society.
Public safety conversations, bellowing, in Canada are all a sham and performative when looked at through these frames.
Public safety conversations, bellowing, in Canada are all a sham and performative when looked at through these frames.
There ARE a lot of planners in Toronto who would like nothing better than to loosen up the city, do creative wonderful things, but are restrained and directed by city councillors.
An Inconvenient Store, a (theoretical) documentary about Toronto urban planning
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
There ARE a lot of planners in Toronto who would like nothing better than to loosen up the city, do creative wonderful things, but are restrained and directed by city councillors.
And the King of Kensington about a neighbourhood that Toronto would not allow to be created today!
Ironic that one of the most Toronto tv shows was about a convenience store
November 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
And the King of Kensington about a neighbourhood that Toronto would not allow to be created today!
In recent months I have become an expert on Ms Rachel episodes and can say she is a delight. When Blippi is on it's like a revival of the spirt of Pee Wee Herman.
I understand the reaction. But this question is, in fact, good!
Obviously you can take issue with why the Times is covering an illegitimate smear campaign against a children's entertainer in the first place. But as long as the story is running, actually putting every claim to her is good!
Obviously you can take issue with why the Times is covering an illegitimate smear campaign against a children's entertainer in the first place. But as long as the story is running, actually putting every claim to her is good!
Ms Rachel says The New York Times asked her if she’s funded by Hamas
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In recent months I have become an expert on Ms Rachel episodes and can say she is a delight. When Blippi is on it's like a revival of the spirt of Pee Wee Herman.
Our brief flashbacks to the culture wars of 20 (in Canada) and 10 (in USA) years ago is over, now back to the current atrocity machine.
BREAKING
The Supreme Court has DENIED Kim Davis’s petition to overturn its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.
The Supreme Court has DENIED Kim Davis’s petition to overturn its landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage across the United States.
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Our brief flashbacks to the culture wars of 20 (in Canada) and 10 (in USA) years ago is over, now back to the current atrocity machine.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
"Meet me in the middle," says the unjust man. You take a step towards him, he takes a step back. "Meet me in the middle," says the unjust man."
~ A.R. Moxon
~ A.R. Moxon
How long will we be hijacked by centrists, cowards and Chuck Schumer?
November 10, 2025 at 12:19 AM
"Meet me in the middle," says the unjust man. You take a step towards him, he takes a step back. "Meet me in the middle," says the unjust man."
~ A.R. Moxon
~ A.R. Moxon
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
“As conspicuously selective as this kind of heritage protection is, so is who gets listened to at city hall. Some very vocal residents groups opposed the neighbourhood business proposal… but it’s rarely clear if they represent the whole neighbourhood’s feeling…”
How Toronto killed Sesame Street. My column on the retreat from allowing shops in neighbourhoods
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shawn Micallef: How Toronto killed ‘Sesame Street’ with its heritage rules — and how we can bring it back
In the face of opposition from even small groups, the city ends up watering down even the best ideas.
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:49 PM
“As conspicuously selective as this kind of heritage protection is, so is who gets listened to at city hall. Some very vocal residents groups opposed the neighbourhood business proposal… but it’s rarely clear if they represent the whole neighbourhood’s feeling…”
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
Another absolutely bang on piece. Thank you Shawn!
Here’s the Apple News link for those who subscribe:
apple.news/AbL-cBzi0TFK...
Here’s the Apple News link for those who subscribe:
apple.news/AbL-cBzi0TFK...
Opinion | How Toronto killed 'Sesame Street' with its heritage rules — and how we can bring it back — Toronto Star
In the face of opposition from even small groups, the city ends up watering down even the best ideas.
apple.news
November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Another absolutely bang on piece. Thank you Shawn!
Here’s the Apple News link for those who subscribe:
apple.news/AbL-cBzi0TFK...
Here’s the Apple News link for those who subscribe:
apple.news/AbL-cBzi0TFK...
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
That is by Jiri Georges Lauda! He also did the bronze at the Berri-UQAMA metro everyone sits on.
I briefly dated his grandson, the painter JF Lauda (he recently had a lovely solo in TO at Daniel Faria gallery) and met him before he passed, he gifted me some of his experimental photography books;)
I briefly dated his grandson, the painter JF Lauda (he recently had a lovely solo in TO at Daniel Faria gallery) and met him before he passed, he gifted me some of his experimental photography books;)
November 9, 2025 at 8:08 PM
That is by Jiri Georges Lauda! He also did the bronze at the Berri-UQAMA metro everyone sits on.
I briefly dated his grandson, the painter JF Lauda (he recently had a lovely solo in TO at Daniel Faria gallery) and met him before he passed, he gifted me some of his experimental photography books;)
I briefly dated his grandson, the painter JF Lauda (he recently had a lovely solo in TO at Daniel Faria gallery) and met him before he passed, he gifted me some of his experimental photography books;)
Overheard 2 convos in mtl lamentingly dissecting the jays loss. The two solitudes is over.
November 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Overheard 2 convos in mtl lamentingly dissecting the jays loss. The two solitudes is over.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
There are 2 suburban councillors who have tried to lay claim to progress while repeatedly voting against change. Councillor Kandavel moved to add parking to affordable housing, tried to delay apartments that no one opposed & reposted videos threatening sixplex areas would be "swarming with tenants."
Parthi Kandavel unsurprisingly
Your neighbourhood may be “swarming with tenants” next!
Your neighbourhood may be “swarming with tenants” next!
November 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
There are 2 suburban councillors who have tried to lay claim to progress while repeatedly voting against change. Councillor Kandavel moved to add parking to affordable housing, tried to delay apartments that no one opposed & reposted videos threatening sixplex areas would be "swarming with tenants."
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
A good summary of several recent disappointing votes at Council that have made it feel like we're constantly defending the little that we have. The article names some disappointing Old City progressive councillors. I want to add comments about the suburbs as we head to election next year.
How Toronto killed Sesame Street. My column on the retreat from allowing shops in neighbourhoods
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
& other watering down of good ideas.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shawn Micallef: How Toronto killed ‘Sesame Street’ with its heritage rules — and how we can bring it back
In the face of opposition from even small groups, the city ends up watering down even the best ideas.
www.thestar.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
A good summary of several recent disappointing votes at Council that have made it feel like we're constantly defending the little that we have. The article names some disappointing Old City progressive councillors. I want to add comments about the suburbs as we head to election next year.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
The best and most overdue sentence in this essay:
Why not forget the compromises and take an actual stand on some of these issues?
Municipal politicians stand for nothing. Everything is pandering to somebody. In that fashion real progress never happens.
Thanks.
Why not forget the compromises and take an actual stand on some of these issues?
Municipal politicians stand for nothing. Everything is pandering to somebody. In that fashion real progress never happens.
Thanks.
November 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The best and most overdue sentence in this essay:
Why not forget the compromises and take an actual stand on some of these issues?
Municipal politicians stand for nothing. Everything is pandering to somebody. In that fashion real progress never happens.
Thanks.
Why not forget the compromises and take an actual stand on some of these issues?
Municipal politicians stand for nothing. Everything is pandering to somebody. In that fashion real progress never happens.
Thanks.
Reposted by Shawn Micallef
"It’s important to note that some of this rather conservative watering down is being led by councillors, and happening under Mayor Olivia Chow, who are all perceived, nominally, as progressive."
Or Cycle Toronto's push for a more ambitious cycling plan rather than Tory-era status quo. (We lost.)
Or Cycle Toronto's push for a more ambitious cycling plan rather than Tory-era status quo. (We lost.)
November 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
"It’s important to note that some of this rather conservative watering down is being led by councillors, and happening under Mayor Olivia Chow, who are all perceived, nominally, as progressive."
Or Cycle Toronto's push for a more ambitious cycling plan rather than Tory-era status quo. (We lost.)
Or Cycle Toronto's push for a more ambitious cycling plan rather than Tory-era status quo. (We lost.)