🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
@stephenwickens.bsky.social
Retired after 47 years at four Toronto papers.
Transportation researcher and author of Station to Station (a report on the soaring costs of subway building in the Toronto area). https://rccao.com/research/files/RCCAO-STATION-TO-STATION-REPORT-APRIL2020.pd
Transportation researcher and author of Station to Station (a report on the soaring costs of subway building in the Toronto area). https://rccao.com/research/files/RCCAO-STATION-TO-STATION-REPORT-APRIL2020.pd
Without claiming Toronto was ever fully just or remotely close to perfect, can we spare a thought for these people? They endured the Great Depression, defeated fascism and then sacrificed so lots of infrastructure got built and services were expanded, often without help from senior governments.
January 12, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Without claiming Toronto was ever fully just or remotely close to perfect, can we spare a thought for these people? They endured the Great Depression, defeated fascism and then sacrificed so lots of infrastructure got built and services were expanded, often without help from senior governments.
You'd think that some of Trump's allegedly Christian supporters would pull him aside and point out the many Biblical references to the perils of vanity and boastfulness. Among them:
- "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
- "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."
- "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
- "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."
Trump: "If we don't take Greenland, you're gonna have Russia or China as your next door neighbor. That's not going to happen."
January 9, 2026 at 9:12 PM
You'd think that some of Trump's allegedly Christian supporters would pull him aside and point out the many Biblical references to the perils of vanity and boastfulness. Among them:
- "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
- "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."
- "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
- "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled."
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
Breaking News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said it would cease operations, signaling the end of a newspaper whose origins date to 1786.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Announces It Will Cease Operations
The family-owned company that operates the newspaper cited mounting losses and labor constraints. A final edition is expected on Sunday, May 3.
nyti.ms
January 7, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Breaking News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said it would cease operations, signaling the end of a newspaper whose origins date to 1786.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
'The London Underground'
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
January 5, 2026 at 4:31 PM
'The London Underground'
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
(from 'This Is London', 1959) by Miroslav Šašek
Lots of people would see only a grey January day, but the Monarch Park rink was lively this afternoon. Lots of kids gaining self-confidence on their blades and laughing when they tumbled. Lots of joyful noise. I think I counted at least 50 people on the ice at one point. It was #Toronto at its best.
January 5, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Lots of people would see only a grey January day, but the Monarch Park rink was lively this afternoon. Lots of kids gaining self-confidence on their blades and laughing when they tumbled. Lots of joyful noise. I think I counted at least 50 people on the ice at one point. It was #Toronto at its best.
As oranges go, this is imperfect, indeed.
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
As oranges go, this is imperfect, indeed.
Underground theatre, performance art.
x.com/i/status/200...
x.com/i/status/200...
Eric Rambles on X: "What would do without these helpful subway attendants? If you're visiting NYC be sure to give them a tip. https://t.co/PMMslddlJT" / X
What would do without these helpful subway attendants? If you're visiting NYC be sure to give them a tip. https://t.co/PMMslddlJT
x.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Underground theatre, performance art.
x.com/i/status/200...
x.com/i/status/200...
A gem from that dysfunctional predecessor of Bluesky
January 1, 2026 at 4:20 AM
A gem from that dysfunctional predecessor of Bluesky
Toronto's most significant buried river never went away. I had a lot of fun writing about it for The Globe and Mail more than 20 years ago. www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nationa...
December 29, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Toronto's most significant buried river never went away. I had a lot of fun writing about it for The Globe and Mail more than 20 years ago. www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nationa...
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
Christmas Eve, Toronto, circa 1929
Artist: Stanley Francis Turner (1883-1953)
Private Collection
Notes: Yonge Street, looking north from Richmond Street. Robert Simpson’s department store is prominent above the last-minute shoppers.
#ChristmasEve #1920s #torontohistory #toronto #jeremyhopkin
Artist: Stanley Francis Turner (1883-1953)
Private Collection
Notes: Yonge Street, looking north from Richmond Street. Robert Simpson’s department store is prominent above the last-minute shoppers.
#ChristmasEve #1920s #torontohistory #toronto #jeremyhopkin
December 25, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Christmas Eve, Toronto, circa 1929
Artist: Stanley Francis Turner (1883-1953)
Private Collection
Notes: Yonge Street, looking north from Richmond Street. Robert Simpson’s department store is prominent above the last-minute shoppers.
#ChristmasEve #1920s #torontohistory #toronto #jeremyhopkin
Artist: Stanley Francis Turner (1883-1953)
Private Collection
Notes: Yonge Street, looking north from Richmond Street. Robert Simpson’s department store is prominent above the last-minute shoppers.
#ChristmasEve #1920s #torontohistory #toronto #jeremyhopkin
Merry Christmas, movie house!
Merry Christmas, Emporium!
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!
Merry Christmas, Emporium!
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!
Ah yes, back when you could get on a streetcar at Yonge and Queen! lol
Classic Jimmy Frise cover drawing in 1939 or 1940 for The Coupler magazine (an in-house publication for TTC employees). "Give War Savings Certificates and Stamps" on the sign at Yonge and Queen.
December 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Merry Christmas, movie house!
Merry Christmas, Emporium!
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!
Merry Christmas, Emporium!
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!
Classic Jimmy Frise cover drawing in 1939 or 1940 for The Coupler magazine (an in-house publication for TTC employees). "Give War Savings Certificates and Stamps" on the sign at Yonge and Queen.
December 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Classic Jimmy Frise cover drawing in 1939 or 1940 for The Coupler magazine (an in-house publication for TTC employees). "Give War Savings Certificates and Stamps" on the sign at Yonge and Queen.
Once again, I have to say we are far too soft on individuals and companies eager to enrich themselves by ripping off the public. Especially if we're going to get back to building big things in Canada, we need get serious about procurement practices. www.thestar.com/news/gta/two...
Two men guilty in $300M St. Michael’s Hospital fraud case try unusual move to have convictions tossed
Lawyers for Vas Georgiou and John Aquino are taking the “uncommon” step of asking the trial judge to “re-open the convictions” and enter acquittals, or order a mistrial.
www.thestar.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Once again, I have to say we are far too soft on individuals and companies eager to enrich themselves by ripping off the public. Especially if we're going to get back to building big things in Canada, we need get serious about procurement practices. www.thestar.com/news/gta/two...
1/2 RE the province's threats to sell off schools:
When I bought my east Toronto house, in 2002, we were warned the local public school might close because of 'under-enrolment'. Since then, even though the school has had an addition, it now needs 6 portables for supplemental capacity.
When I bought my east Toronto house, in 2002, we were warned the local public school might close because of 'under-enrolment'. Since then, even though the school has had an addition, it now needs 6 portables for supplemental capacity.
December 23, 2025 at 6:30 PM
1/2 RE the province's threats to sell off schools:
When I bought my east Toronto house, in 2002, we were warned the local public school might close because of 'under-enrolment'. Since then, even though the school has had an addition, it now needs 6 portables for supplemental capacity.
When I bought my east Toronto house, in 2002, we were warned the local public school might close because of 'under-enrolment'. Since then, even though the school has had an addition, it now needs 6 portables for supplemental capacity.
Some wisdom from the late-great Larry Perks, a mentor to generations of editors and reporters at the Toronto Star and Ryerson (since renamed TMU):
"People who answer rhetorical questions in conversation can be irritating or laughable, but editors who allow it to happen in print deserve a flogging."
"People who answer rhetorical questions in conversation can be irritating or laughable, but editors who allow it to happen in print deserve a flogging."
December 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Some wisdom from the late-great Larry Perks, a mentor to generations of editors and reporters at the Toronto Star and Ryerson (since renamed TMU):
"People who answer rhetorical questions in conversation can be irritating or laughable, but editors who allow it to happen in print deserve a flogging."
"People who answer rhetorical questions in conversation can be irritating or laughable, but editors who allow it to happen in print deserve a flogging."
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
Rare footage of St Paul’s Cathedral testing its giant flamethrower
December 21, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Rare footage of St Paul’s Cathedral testing its giant flamethrower
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
That's quite the chart of the % of new starts by type in greater Montréal since 2000. More and more a metro area of apartments.
From the new Metropolitan plan PMAD.
cmm.qc.ca/wp-content/u...
From the new Metropolitan plan PMAD.
cmm.qc.ca/wp-content/u...
December 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
That's quite the chart of the % of new starts by type in greater Montréal since 2000. More and more a metro area of apartments.
From the new Metropolitan plan PMAD.
cmm.qc.ca/wp-content/u...
From the new Metropolitan plan PMAD.
cmm.qc.ca/wp-content/u...
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
As a Canadian who grew up in Ontario this map blows my mind a little bit. US Winter Lows Compared To Canada’s Warmest City.
More about why Victoria is so much warmer than the rest of Canada. : brilliantmaps.com/us-winter...
More about why Victoria is so much warmer than the rest of Canada. : brilliantmaps.com/us-winter...
December 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
As a Canadian who grew up in Ontario this map blows my mind a little bit. US Winter Lows Compared To Canada’s Warmest City.
More about why Victoria is so much warmer than the rest of Canada. : brilliantmaps.com/us-winter...
More about why Victoria is so much warmer than the rest of Canada. : brilliantmaps.com/us-winter...
Thanks Mary Wiens and Emmett Shane for inviting us Steves for a ride on the 505 and a discussion about Toronto and transit. It was a lot of fun. Let's do it again when the Eglinton Crosstown opens.
"The Two Steves", a podcast by Mary Wiens featuring @stephenwickens.bsky.social and me talking transit on the Dundas car. torontonianpodcast.ca/ep205/
December 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Thanks Mary Wiens and Emmett Shane for inviting us Steves for a ride on the 505 and a discussion about Toronto and transit. It was a lot of fun. Let's do it again when the Eglinton Crosstown opens.
Torontonians should make a point of reading or rereading this column before casting their ballots for councillors and a mayor next fall.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shawn Micallef: The better way no more: What the decline of the TTC says about Toronto
What was once a point of pride in the city is increasingly a source of frustration.
www.thestar.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Torontonians should make a point of reading or rereading this column before casting their ballots for councillors and a mayor next fall.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Three times this morning I found myself in conversations with people amazed by the springlike feel in the air. Two of them appeared to be even more amazed when I mentioned that winter doesn't even start till Monday. Carry on, Toronto.
It’s so hot out. Coats off on walk. Spring, just time time for a green Christmas after a month of ice. 😴 🎄
December 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Three times this morning I found myself in conversations with people amazed by the springlike feel in the air. Two of them appeared to be even more amazed when I mentioned that winter doesn't even start till Monday. Carry on, Toronto.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
December 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
This piece by @chittimarco.bsky.social is a must-read for any Transport Planner
Too often I've seen travel time get ignored, despite being the primary determinant of mode choice and travel behaviour
For transit to be successful, it needs to be competitive
marcochitti.substack.com/p/speed-matt...
Too often I've seen travel time get ignored, despite being the primary determinant of mode choice and travel behaviour
For transit to be successful, it needs to be competitive
marcochitti.substack.com/p/speed-matt...
Speed matters
Of time, life and space. Or why transit speed matters.
marcochitti.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:06 AM
This piece by @chittimarco.bsky.social is a must-read for any Transport Planner
Too often I've seen travel time get ignored, despite being the primary determinant of mode choice and travel behaviour
For transit to be successful, it needs to be competitive
marcochitti.substack.com/p/speed-matt...
Too often I've seen travel time get ignored, despite being the primary determinant of mode choice and travel behaviour
For transit to be successful, it needs to be competitive
marcochitti.substack.com/p/speed-matt...
Interesting Guardian piece on the progress of high-speed rail in the U.K. (HS2 has been truncated to cover just the London to Birmingham part of the plan). Costs are so out of control you'd think Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx were running the show.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
December 16, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Interesting Guardian piece on the progress of high-speed rail in the U.K. (HS2 has been truncated to cover just the London to Birmingham part of the plan). Costs are so out of control you'd think Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx were running the show.
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...