🇨🇦 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
It's important to note that 5,000 people per square mile is not dense at all. There are European cities in the 35,000-to-40,000 range that don't feel crowded. Places where people actually like to be, rather than to pass through.
November 24, 2025 at 2:07 AM
It's important to note that 5,000 people per square mile is not dense at all. There are European cities in the 35,000-to-40,000 range that don't feel crowded. Places where people actually like to be, rather than to pass through.
November 19, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
100 years ago today: Unveiling ceremony of the Toronto Cenotaph.
youtube.com/shorts/iZaOU...
#remembranceday #war #sacrifice #cenotaph #memorial #TorontoHistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin
youtube.com/shorts/iZaOU...
#remembranceday #war #sacrifice #cenotaph #memorial #TorontoHistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin
Unveiling ceremony of the Toronto Cenotaph, November 11, 1925
YouTube video by Jeremy Hopkin
youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM
100 years ago today: Unveiling ceremony of the Toronto Cenotaph.
youtube.com/shorts/iZaOU...
#remembranceday #war #sacrifice #cenotaph #memorial #TorontoHistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin
youtube.com/shorts/iZaOU...
#remembranceday #war #sacrifice #cenotaph #memorial #TorontoHistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin
I don't agree with all of Andrew Coyne's proposed fixes for our elections/party-funding mess, but he IDs the problems well in this The Globe column and in his book, 'The Crisis of Canadian Democracy'. If you care about Canada, you have reading homework to do.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: What we need in this country is less money in politics, not more
If the electoral ideal is to give equal voice to equal votes, why is Ontario proposing to further amplify the political causes of the wealthy?
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I don't agree with all of Andrew Coyne's proposed fixes for our elections/party-funding mess, but he IDs the problems well in this The Globe column and in his book, 'The Crisis of Canadian Democracy'. If you care about Canada, you have reading homework to do.
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
1. People who attended Balmy Beach PS in the 1960s and 70s can tell you just how crucial Mrs. Piton's Willow & Pine Groceteria was to the community. It was like an oasis, one block from the school and midway between Queen and Kingston Rd, which were far apart, for kid-length legs.
Rats! City push to get cafes, corner stores in heart of neighbourhoods fails again, as critics air pest, noise and enforcement fears
Rats! City push to get cafes, corner stores in heart of neighbourhoods fails again, as critics air pest, noise and enforcement fears
Toronto’s Planning and Housing committee on Thursday instead green-lit proposed changes only along major streets and to rules for home-based businesses.
www.thestar.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:12 PM
1. People who attended Balmy Beach PS in the 1960s and 70s can tell you just how crucial Mrs. Piton's Willow & Pine Groceteria was to the community. It was like an oasis, one block from the school and midway between Queen and Kingston Rd, which were far apart, for kid-length legs.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
Rats! City push to get cafes, corner stores in heart of neighbourhoods fails again, as critics air pest, noise and enforcement fears
Rats! City push to get cafes, corner stores in heart of neighbourhoods fails again, as critics air pest, noise and enforcement fears
Toronto’s Planning and Housing committee on Thursday instead green-lit proposed changes only along major streets and to rules for home-based businesses.
www.thestar.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Rats! City push to get cafes, corner stores in heart of neighbourhoods fails again, as critics air pest, noise and enforcement fears
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
On this day in 1813, the Battle of Chateauguay was fought near present-day Ormstown, Quebec. A combined force of 1,530 British, Canadian and Mohawk repelled 2,600 Americans who were attempting to invade Lower Canada.
October 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM
On this day in 1813, the Battle of Chateauguay was fought near present-day Ormstown, Quebec. A combined force of 1,530 British, Canadian and Mohawk repelled 2,600 Americans who were attempting to invade Lower Canada.
Live free or wallow in abject poverty.
Wow—the federal minimum wage is so low in real terms that these days only ~1% of workers are paid at or below it, despite it still being the legal wage floor in many states
October 26, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Live free or wallow in abject poverty.
Need to ban them on the lower Humber River too.
✅ Toronto Council has unanimously passed Cllr Brad Bradford’s motion to restrict jet skis near eastern beaches — with support from Cllrs Morley & Kandavel (Humber Bay & Bluffers).
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
Toronto Council approves motion to ban jet skis and motorized watercraft 150 metres from Woodbine Beach shore – Beach Metro Community News
Jets skis are seen on the far west end of Woodbine Beach on Friday, July 18. Photo by Alan Shackleton. By ALAN SHACKLETON Toronto Council has approved a
buff.ly
August 10, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Need to ban them on the lower Humber River too.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
✅ Toronto Council has unanimously passed Cllr Brad Bradford’s motion to restrict jet skis near eastern beaches — with support from Cllrs Morley & Kandavel (Humber Bay & Bluffers).
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
Toronto Council approves motion to ban jet skis and motorized watercraft 150 metres from Woodbine Beach shore – Beach Metro Community News
Jets skis are seen on the far west end of Woodbine Beach on Friday, July 18. Photo by Alan Shackleton. By ALAN SHACKLETON Toronto Council has approved a
buff.ly
July 30, 2025 at 6:01 PM
✅ Toronto Council has unanimously passed Cllr Brad Bradford’s motion to restrict jet skis near eastern beaches — with support from Cllrs Morley & Kandavel (Humber Bay & Bluffers).
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
A win for swimmers, paddlers & wildlife — less noise, more happy.
📰 buff.ly/QDA4oKL
#JetSkiBan #TorontoBeaches
Hate to say I told you so, but ...
thestar.com/news/gta/met...
And I should add that this is only the tip of the Metrolinx iceberg, one that could be a threat to Ontario's credit ratings and the public's willingness to tolerate stuff going on under the cover of extreme secrecy.
thestar.com/news/gta/met...
And I should add that this is only the tip of the Metrolinx iceberg, one that could be a threat to Ontario's credit ratings and the public's willingness to tolerate stuff going on under the cover of extreme secrecy.
Metrolinx says Scarborough Subway Extension budget has doubled, offers little update on progress
New Metrolinx documents show the price tag for the Scarborough Subway Extension, projected to open in 2030, has soared to more than $10 billion.
thestar.com
June 25, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Hate to say I told you so, but ...
thestar.com/news/gta/met...
And I should add that this is only the tip of the Metrolinx iceberg, one that could be a threat to Ontario's credit ratings and the public's willingness to tolerate stuff going on under the cover of extreme secrecy.
thestar.com/news/gta/met...
And I should add that this is only the tip of the Metrolinx iceberg, one that could be a threat to Ontario's credit ratings and the public's willingness to tolerate stuff going on under the cover of extreme secrecy.
Train Daddy Byford is back in the Big Apple
gothamist.com/news/daddys-...
gothamist.com/news/daddys-...
Daddy's home: Andy Byford to make NYC return for Penn Station remake, White House says
The move puts the former head of NYC Transit in control of one of the country's most consequential construction projects.
gothamist.com
May 23, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Train Daddy Byford is back in the Big Apple
gothamist.com/news/daddys-...
gothamist.com/news/daddys-...
Usually, #Metrolinx floods our feeds with 'good news' PR/BS. But there's been silence about the apparent fact that the long-bogged-down Scarborough subway extension's TBM (Diggy Scardust) is finally moving again. I guess making an announcement would require admitting it's 2+ years behind schedule.
May 15, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Usually, #Metrolinx floods our feeds with 'good news' PR/BS. But there's been silence about the apparent fact that the long-bogged-down Scarborough subway extension's TBM (Diggy Scardust) is finally moving again. I guess making an announcement would require admitting it's 2+ years behind schedule.
The temperatures across north Africa and southwest Asia are alarming, and the fact they are not considered major mainstream news in North America is troubling.
🌡️EXTRAORDINARY EVENT
We are witnessing something unbelievable,BY FAR the most extreme event in world climatic history.
Several thousands of records are being brutalized from North Africa allover Asia with margins never seen before.
Middle East is approaching 50C
tbc
We are witnessing something unbelievable,BY FAR the most extreme event in world climatic history.
Several thousands of records are being brutalized from North Africa allover Asia with margins never seen before.
Middle East is approaching 50C
tbc
April 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The temperatures across north Africa and southwest Asia are alarming, and the fact they are not considered major mainstream news in North America is troubling.
If Rebel News and True North are to be granted standing at an official federal leaders' debate, we need to ensure that The Daily Worker (if it still exists) and the New Labour Press get to ask questions to provide some 'journalistic balance' from the far left. info@debates-debats.ca
Listen, if Rebel News gets to ask questions, @thebeaverton.com should get to ask questions. Let me ask Pierre if he thinks my biological clock looks fertile enough. I'll wear a blazer and everything. Don't deny me my rights, you cowards www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Right-wing outlets win legal battle to attend the leaders' debate | CBC News
Two right-wing media organizations have won a legal battle to obtain accreditation for their representatives to cover tonight's election debate.
www.cbc.ca
April 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
If Rebel News and True North are to be granted standing at an official federal leaders' debate, we need to ensure that The Daily Worker (if it still exists) and the New Labour Press get to ask questions to provide some 'journalistic balance' from the far left. info@debates-debats.ca
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
The year is 2350. Humanity has established a colony on Mars and supersonic trains criss-cross the planet.
American commuter railroads' conductors still punch holes in little paper tickets to confirm tickets have been checked, while running 1960s train held together with paperclips.
American commuter railroads' conductors still punch holes in little paper tickets to confirm tickets have been checked, while running 1960s train held together with paperclips.
April 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The year is 2350. Humanity has established a colony on Mars and supersonic trains criss-cross the planet.
American commuter railroads' conductors still punch holes in little paper tickets to confirm tickets have been checked, while running 1960s train held together with paperclips.
American commuter railroads' conductors still punch holes in little paper tickets to confirm tickets have been checked, while running 1960s train held together with paperclips.
'It was a rainy day'
one of my favourite court cases was the Niagara Region Police officer found guilty of using his border-crossing privileges to smuggle pizza cheese from Buffalo
There used to be a loophole around Canadian cheese import quotas if the cheese came in through pizza kits and so "pizza kits" came with enough cheese that dairy farmers estimated it accounted for 12% of the market for pizza cheese.
The more complicated the rules the more this stuff will happen.
The more complicated the rules the more this stuff will happen.
April 13, 2025 at 1:31 PM
'It was a rainy day'
We complain a lot in Toronto, but my trip from home in the east end to Pearson is a single TTC fare, and I've done it in as little as 65 minutes.
What does the "airport transfer" cost where you live?
To get from Manhattan to JFK, it's a flat rate of $70 by taxi, which adds $140 to the price of travel.
Just got back from #Halifax —flat rate of $72. Plus tip, you're looking at $170 CDN ($120 US).
You can go by transit...
🧵
To get from Manhattan to JFK, it's a flat rate of $70 by taxi, which adds $140 to the price of travel.
Just got back from #Halifax —flat rate of $72. Plus tip, you're looking at $170 CDN ($120 US).
You can go by transit...
🧵
April 9, 2025 at 12:08 AM
We complain a lot in Toronto, but my trip from home in the east end to Pearson is a single TTC fare, and I've done it in as little as 65 minutes.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
“vietnam has been very unfair to america and owes us compensation” is a wild take
April 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
“vietnam has been very unfair to america and owes us compensation” is a wild take
Some key lessons regarding the Spadina 510 were pointed out 20 years ago, but the city didn't seem eager to even consider inconvenient truths. worldwidewickens.com?p=246
April 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Some key lessons regarding the Spadina 510 were pointed out 20 years ago, but the city didn't seem eager to even consider inconvenient truths. worldwidewickens.com?p=246
Metrolinx did issue a half-assed acknowledgement of SSE tunnelling problems in November (in Verster's last public statements before fleeing town), but there's an important story here that is being ignored. Diggy Scardust is probably at least two years behind schedule. Public is owed an explanation.
The Scarborough Subway extension, a 600 million INT$/km underground subway project in suburban Toronto had the project's only tunnel boring machine inoperable for months and the government didn't officially tell anyone about it until now.
Metrolinx and the Ontario Government continue to show they can't deliver big projects, or tell us when and how they are delayed
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/04/02/s...
toronto.citynews.ca/2025/04/02/s...
April 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Metrolinx did issue a half-assed acknowledgement of SSE tunnelling problems in November (in Verster's last public statements before fleeing town), but there's an important story here that is being ignored. Diggy Scardust is probably at least two years behind schedule. Public is owed an explanation.
That and the Kool-Aid would be bleach.
April 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
That and the Kool-Aid would be bleach.
Reposted by 🇨🇦 Stephen Wickens 🇨🇦
“There is only one thing worse than fighting with your allies, and that’s fighting without them.”
—Victor Hugo
We’re entering the “worse” phase.
—Victor Hugo
We’re entering the “worse” phase.
April 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
“There is only one thing worse than fighting with your allies, and that’s fighting without them.”
—Victor Hugo
We’re entering the “worse” phase.
—Victor Hugo
We’re entering the “worse” phase.
Fuckin' eh to zed!
April 7, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Fuckin' eh to zed!
The U.S. economy can develop a beautiful
herd immunity by drinking the tariff bleach.
herd immunity by drinking the tariff bleach.
Buckle up for one of the nastiest Black Mondays in Wall Street history.
April 6, 2025 at 11:36 PM
The U.S. economy can develop a beautiful
herd immunity by drinking the tariff bleach.
herd immunity by drinking the tariff bleach.