Thorben Wieditz
@twieditz.bsky.social
urban geographer | researcher and campaigner | co-founder of https://metstrat.ca | doer of things
Pinned
Thorben Wieditz
@twieditz.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Good morning! It's Bluesky time.
I'll be coming here to replace Twitter/X for my scans of news and connecting with researchers, campaigners and reporters.
Expect posts about politics at the intersection of community, digital platforms, labour & the environment, possibly with a side of cycling.
I'll be coming here to replace Twitter/X for my scans of news and connecting with researchers, campaigners and reporters.
Expect posts about politics at the intersection of community, digital platforms, labour & the environment, possibly with a side of cycling.
First tracks. Winter’s here early.
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
First tracks. Winter’s here early.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Opinion: Can we go back to the optimism of the 1990s, before the extraction economy took over?
Our economic system benefits only those at the very top – but it’s not too late for change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
AUSTRALIA: Privatised employment services a complete failure www.cpsu.org.au/CPSU/Content...
Privatised employment services a complete failure
www.cpsu.org.au
November 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM
AUSTRALIA: Privatised employment services a complete failure www.cpsu.org.au/CPSU/Content...
I wonder how UFCW members who fulfill PC Express online orders feel about their union’s national “partnership” with Uber - a company that spreads the independent contractor model and undermines labour rights.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
Uber Eats and Loblaw Partner to Bring On-Demand Grocery Delivery to More Canadians
/CNW/ - Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) and Loblaw Companies Limited (TSX: L) announced a partnership today to bring Loblaw banners to the Uber Eats app....
www.newswire.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I wonder how UFCW members who fulfill PC Express online orders feel about their union’s national “partnership” with Uber - a company that spreads the independent contractor model and undermines labour rights.
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
www.newswire.ca/news-release...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Ontario’s Climate Accountability on the Chopping Block
THIS HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS
Ontario cannot deliver real results without a clear plan. Targets without follow-through are empty promises, and chasing results without a plan is like driving blind.
canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/media-releas...
THIS HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS
Ontario cannot deliver real results without a clear plan. Targets without follow-through are empty promises, and chasing results without a plan is like driving blind.
canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/media-releas...
Ontario’s Climate Accountability on the Chopping Block
Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada calls on Ontarians, opposition parties, and civil society to speak out against this rollback. Accountability and transparency are not red tape, they are the foundation o...
canada.citizensclimatelobby.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Ontario’s Climate Accountability on the Chopping Block
THIS HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS
Ontario cannot deliver real results without a clear plan. Targets without follow-through are empty promises, and chasing results without a plan is like driving blind.
canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/media-releas...
THIS HAS HUGE IMPLICATIONS
Ontario cannot deliver real results without a clear plan. Targets without follow-through are empty promises, and chasing results without a plan is like driving blind.
canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/media-releas...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
NEW: Weeks after the auditor general scolded Ontario for falling far behind its emissions goals, the government is scrapping the requirement to set targets or report on them publicly at all. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151465...
globalnews.ca/news/1151465...
Ford government scrapping its own emissions targets and reporting requirements | Globalnews.ca
Buried in the Fall Economic Statement on Thursday was the news that the government would be repealing sections of existing legislation.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
NEW: Weeks after the auditor general scolded Ontario for falling far behind its emissions goals, the government is scrapping the requirement to set targets or report on them publicly at all. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151465...
globalnews.ca/news/1151465...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show
Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, and it internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day, company documents show.
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:26 PM
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
Meta internally projected late last year that it would earn about 10% of its overall annual revenue – or $16 billion – from running advertising for scams and banned goods, internal company documents show.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Jobs for urbanists, in New York City
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
November 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Jobs for urbanists, in New York City
Can’t make this up is right.
The Skills Development Fund scandal just got a lot more interesting…
‘Can’t make this up!’: Ford government faces questions over nearly $10M going to company with ties to ‘adult entertainment’
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
‘Can’t make this up!’: Ford government faces questions over nearly $10M going to company with ties to ‘adult entertainment’
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
‘Can’t make this up!’: Ford government faces questions over nearly $10M going to company with ties to ‘adult entertainment’
Ontario’s opposition parties are questioning the province’s labour minister about the possibility money from the $2.5 billion Skills Development Fund ended up at a company tied to an “adult entertainm...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Can’t make this up is right.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
www.thestar.com/real-estate/... ‘Housing Minister Rob Flack announced Sunday afternoon that the government will not move forward with the changes, which were outlined in a bill introduced Thursday.’
Ford government walks back controversial plan to allow tenant evictions when leases expire
The announcement Sunday afternoon comes after a wave of outcry from renters and housing experts.
www.thestar.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
www.thestar.com/real-estate/... ‘Housing Minister Rob Flack announced Sunday afternoon that the government will not move forward with the changes, which were outlined in a bill introduced Thursday.’
💯 “In general, government money for training should flow to educational institutions not private businesses.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: The real issue with Ontario’s training fund
Programs like these, which allow the government to pick winners, are all too predictably taken advantage of
www.theglobeandmail.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:19 PM
💯 “In general, government money for training should flow to educational institutions not private businesses.”
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
For future reference: Ford blames increase in traffic deaths on asshole premier who scrapped speed cameras across all Ontario municipalities, including school zones, in 2025.
Ford blames Jays playoff ticket gouging on asshole premier who scrapped Ticketmaster law in 2019
Ford blames Jays playoff ticket gouging on asshole premier who scrapped Ticketmaster law in 2019
QUEEN’S PARK - After resale tickets to the Blue Jays’ World Series immediately skyrocketed into the thousands of dollars, Ontario Premier Doug Ford held a press conference to place the blame solely on...
www.thebeaverton.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:56 PM
For future reference: Ford blames increase in traffic deaths on asshole premier who scrapped speed cameras across all Ontario municipalities, including school zones, in 2025.
Now, that's funny.
"The now-kiboshed fundraiser also came up in question period on Tuesday, with Liberal MPP John Fraser joking that the $1,000-a-ticket event was to open “round six of the Skills Development Fund.”"
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
"The now-kiboshed fundraiser also came up in question period on Tuesday, with Liberal MPP John Fraser joking that the $1,000-a-ticket event was to open “round six of the Skills Development Fund.”"
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Labour minister’s fundraiser cancelled amid Skills Development Fund controversy
Minister David Piccini, who’s been under fire over how the fund has benefited PC donors and others with ties to the party, said it was called off due to a ‘personal commitment’
www.thetrillium.ca
October 22, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Now, that's funny.
"The now-kiboshed fundraiser also came up in question period on Tuesday, with Liberal MPP John Fraser joking that the $1,000-a-ticket event was to open “round six of the Skills Development Fund.”"
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
"The now-kiboshed fundraiser also came up in question period on Tuesday, with Liberal MPP John Fraser joking that the $1,000-a-ticket event was to open “round six of the Skills Development Fund.”"
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
World Series tickets now start at over $1,000.
In 1992, they were $24 which is about $50 today.
A beer at the game now costs more than a 1992 seat.
When did baseball become a luxury good?
In 1992, they were $24 which is about $50 today.
A beer at the game now costs more than a 1992 seat.
When did baseball become a luxury good?
October 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
World Series tickets now start at over $1,000.
In 1992, they were $24 which is about $50 today.
A beer at the game now costs more than a 1992 seat.
When did baseball become a luxury good?
In 1992, they were $24 which is about $50 today.
A beer at the game now costs more than a 1992 seat.
When did baseball become a luxury good?
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
"Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the $345 million in funds that Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini’s office chose to give out through the fifth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) went to these PC donor-led organizations, according to a Trillium analysis."
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
Groups led by PC donors received majority of recent Ontario training funds
One group received $14 million, the largest grant of the Skills Development Fund’s fifth round, after hosting a $120,000 fundraiser for the labour minister’s riding association
www.thetrillium.ca
October 20, 2025 at 9:16 PM
"Nearly two-thirds (63%) of the $345 million in funds that Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini’s office chose to give out through the fifth round of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) went to these PC donor-led organizations, according to a Trillium analysis."
#OnPoli
#OnPoli
Lost track of how many times the owners of this building acted like despicable goons.
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
A former notorious ghost hotel was listed for sale as empty. Long-term tenants say they’re still there — and they aren’t happy
Long-term tenants are sounding an alarm after the Kensington Market building was posted as a power of sale.
www.thestar.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Lost track of how many times the owners of this building acted like despicable goons.
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Someone close to this file told me, "All is well that ends well." ;-)
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Forget robots: former Sidewalk Labs site now set to harbour a dense urban forest
Quayside will be home to a ‘community forest,’ the success of which will be measured in the number of new birds and other species, designers say.
www.thestar.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Someone close to this file told me, "All is well that ends well." ;-)
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Sometimes NO works from a policy perspective.
New York bans AI-enabled rent price fixing
New York bans AI-enabled rent price fixing
Renters in the Big Apple could have just caught a big break today.
buff.ly
October 16, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Sometimes NO works from a policy perspective.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Maggie Helwig's ENCAMPMENT has won the Toronto Book Awards!
The city has also just given notice that the encampment beside her church (St. Stephen-in-the-Fields) is to be cleared TOMORROW MORNING (Thurs., Oct. 16). If you're in Toronto, support the encampment and its residents at 103 Bellevue Ave.!
The city has also just given notice that the encampment beside her church (St. Stephen-in-the-Fields) is to be cleared TOMORROW MORNING (Thurs., Oct. 16). If you're in Toronto, support the encampment and its residents at 103 Bellevue Ave.!
October 16, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Maggie Helwig's ENCAMPMENT has won the Toronto Book Awards!
The city has also just given notice that the encampment beside her church (St. Stephen-in-the-Fields) is to be cleared TOMORROW MORNING (Thurs., Oct. 16). If you're in Toronto, support the encampment and its residents at 103 Bellevue Ave.!
The city has also just given notice that the encampment beside her church (St. Stephen-in-the-Fields) is to be cleared TOMORROW MORNING (Thurs., Oct. 16). If you're in Toronto, support the encampment and its residents at 103 Bellevue Ave.!
Today. Actually, happening now.
We have just been informed that the encampment at St Stephen's will be cleared TOMORROW (Thursday). If you can be here in support of the residents, please come. We anticipate that things will start around 9 am and probably go on for some time.
October 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Today. Actually, happening now.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
We have just been informed that the encampment at St Stephen's will be cleared TOMORROW (Thursday). If you can be here in support of the residents, please come. We anticipate that things will start around 9 am and probably go on for some time.
October 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
We have just been informed that the encampment at St Stephen's will be cleared TOMORROW (Thursday). If you can be here in support of the residents, please come. We anticipate that things will start around 9 am and probably go on for some time.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
The deep efficiency of the invisible hand.
the number of unsold condos in metro Vancouver is approximately the same as the metro Vancouver homeless population
@christineboyle.bsky.social
@gregorrobertson.bsky.social
vancouversun.com/business/rea...
@christineboyle.bsky.social
@gregorrobertson.bsky.social
vancouversun.com/business/rea...
Metro Vancouver's glut of empty condos: What's unsold and why?
No amount of incentives seems to be able to reverse the glut. How did we get here? And how bad could it get? Read more.
vancouversun.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:34 AM
The deep efficiency of the invisible hand.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Country with massive housing shortage not sure what to do with all these empty office buildings
Country with massive housing shortage not sure what to do with all these empty office buildings
OTTAWA - As employees continue to express their desire to work from home, owners of downtown office buildings aren't sure what they will do with all this unused space. Also in unrelated news Canada ha...
thebeaverton.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Country with massive housing shortage not sure what to do with all these empty office buildings