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.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
NEW investigation from me!
The #ontpoli gov't swears an "adult entertainment club" didn't get taxpayer money... but documents we obtained suggest further connections.
‘Adult entertainment club’ faces new questions after business licence filing and millions in provincial cash
The #ontpoli gov't swears an "adult entertainment club" didn't get taxpayer money... but documents we obtained suggest further connections.
‘Adult entertainment club’ faces new questions after business licence filing and millions in provincial cash
December 28, 2025 at 1:09 PM
NEW investigation from me!
The #ontpoli gov't swears an "adult entertainment club" didn't get taxpayer money... but documents we obtained suggest further connections.
‘Adult entertainment club’ faces new questions after business licence filing and millions in provincial cash
The #ontpoli gov't swears an "adult entertainment club" didn't get taxpayer money... but documents we obtained suggest further connections.
‘Adult entertainment club’ faces new questions after business licence filing and millions in provincial cash
Every time Brad Bradford cosplays mayor, remember:
“In the 2023 mayoral byelection […] Bradford received just over 1% of the vote.”
lhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/how-olivia-chow-and-john-tory-might-do-with-voters-if-an-election-were-held/article_ee93da13-3934-4386-9dff-02edf140e477.html
“In the 2023 mayoral byelection […] Bradford received just over 1% of the vote.”
lhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/how-olivia-chow-and-john-tory-might-do-with-voters-if-an-election-were-held/article_ee93da13-3934-4386-9dff-02edf140e477.html
How Olivia Chow and John Tory might do with voters if an election were held today
A poll by Liaison Strategies on Tuesday asked respondents how they might vote if the election were held today.
www.thestar.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Every time Brad Bradford cosplays mayor, remember:
“In the 2023 mayoral byelection […] Bradford received just over 1% of the vote.”
lhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/how-olivia-chow-and-john-tory-might-do-with-voters-if-an-election-were-held/article_ee93da13-3934-4386-9dff-02edf140e477.html
“In the 2023 mayoral byelection […] Bradford received just over 1% of the vote.”
lhttps://www.thestar.com/news/gta/how-olivia-chow-and-john-tory-might-do-with-voters-if-an-election-were-held/article_ee93da13-3934-4386-9dff-02edf140e477.html
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
The New School was founded as an institution dedicated to critical inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.
The current austerity measures at the university are dismantling the radical democratic aspirations it once represented.
The current austerity measures at the university are dismantling the radical democratic aspirations it once represented.
The Dismantling of the New School
The New School was founded as an institution dedicated to critical inquiry and the free exchange of ideas. The current austerity measures at the university are dismantling the radical democratic aspirations it once represented.
jacobin.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The New School was founded as an institution dedicated to critical inquiry and the free exchange of ideas.
The current austerity measures at the university are dismantling the radical democratic aspirations it once represented.
The current austerity measures at the university are dismantling the radical democratic aspirations it once represented.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Today is the last day for Ontarians to weigh in on the Doug Ford government's plan to consolidate 36 conservations authorities into seven regional ones. Here's everything you need to know about it: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Inside Ontario’s plan to merge 36 conservation authorities to 7 | The Narwhal
Doug Ford’s government is seeking public feedback on its plan to overhaul Ontario’s conservation authorities, reducing local agencies from 36 to 7
thenarwhal.ca
December 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Today is the last day for Ontarians to weigh in on the Doug Ford government's plan to consolidate 36 conservations authorities into seven regional ones. Here's everything you need to know about it: thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Spotted this little tableau in a tree box on Queen, near Bellwoods. Just in case anyone wondered if Canadians were getting any less pissed off with the US
December 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Spotted this little tableau in a tree box on Queen, near Bellwoods. Just in case anyone wondered if Canadians were getting any less pissed off with the US
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Italian regions will now have more freedom to crack down on Airbnb.
"Italy’s Constitutional Court has rejected the national government’s appeal against Tuscany’s new tourism law, confirming the region’s right to regulate short-term rentals..."
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
"Italy’s Constitutional Court has rejected the national government’s appeal against Tuscany’s new tourism law, confirming the region’s right to regulate short-term rentals..."
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
Constitutional Court upholds Tuscany’s tourism law on short-term rentals | Florence Daily News
Judges reject government appeal, confirming regional powers to regulate short lets.
www.florencedailynews.com
December 18, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Italian regions will now have more freedom to crack down on Airbnb.
"Italy’s Constitutional Court has rejected the national government’s appeal against Tuscany’s new tourism law, confirming the region’s right to regulate short-term rentals..."
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
"Italy’s Constitutional Court has rejected the national government’s appeal against Tuscany’s new tourism law, confirming the region’s right to regulate short-term rentals..."
www.florencedailynews.com/2025/12/17/c...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
I did this interview at Yonge & St Clair, the reporter hoping he'd catch a gig worker bombing down the sidewalk. Instead a pickup truck was parked in the bike lane behind us, and for the entire conversation rider after rider was forced into traffic.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
December 17, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I did this interview at Yonge & St Clair, the reporter hoping he'd catch a gig worker bombing down the sidewalk. Instead a pickup truck was parked in the bike lane behind us, and for the entire conversation rider after rider was forced into traffic.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Ontario pumps money into a fraud to develop chat bots with funds meant to help actual workers develop skills.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/two-companies-under-firm-of-ontario-securities-commission-sanctioned-ceo-got-skills-development-fund-grants-11603743
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/two-companies-under-firm-of-ontario-securities-commission-sanctioned-ceo-got-skills-development-fund-grants-11603743
Two companies listed under portfolio of Ontario Securities Commission-sanctioned CEO's firm got Skills Development Fund grants
Another of Sayan Navaratnam’s companies was hit with hundreds of thousands of dollars in penalties for allegedly ‘misleading’ investors
www.thetrillium.ca
December 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Ontario pumps money into a fraud to develop chat bots with funds meant to help actual workers develop skills.
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/two-companies-under-firm-of-ontario-securities-commission-sanctioned-ceo-got-skills-development-fund-grants-11603743
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politics/two-companies-under-firm-of-ontario-securities-commission-sanctioned-ceo-got-skills-development-fund-grants-11603743
Here we go.
Instacart is charging different prices to different customers in a dangerous AI experiment, report says
Instacart is charging different prices to different customers in a dangerous AI experiment, report says
A new study shows that some grocery shoppers on Instacart are paying 23% more for the same item. Instacart uses AI to experiment with pricing, according to its website.
www.latimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Here we go.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Fishing expedition or improper shield? Doug Ford personal cellphone fight heads to court globalnews.ca/news/1157267... #onpoli
Fishing expedition or improper shield? Doug Ford personal cellphone fight heads to court | Globalnews.ca
A panel of three Ontario judges heard arguments on a request by the provincial government for a judicial review of a decision handed down by the IPC last year.
globalnews.ca
December 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Fishing expedition or improper shield? Doug Ford personal cellphone fight heads to court globalnews.ca/news/1157267... #onpoli
“New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani won in part because he had an obsessive focus on improving life for transit users. His promises included free bus trips – an idea that is controversial in transit circles – but also making these vehicles faster and their arrival more predictable.”
December 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
“New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani won in part because he had an obsessive focus on improving life for transit users. His promises included free bus trips – an idea that is controversial in transit circles – but also making these vehicles faster and their arrival more predictable.”
If Ford’s gig work reform that lets Uber get away with paying workers for “engaged” time only apply to his caucus, they would see a signific pay cut.
#ONpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/ont...
#ONpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/ont...
Ontario legislature to take 14-week winter break, following 19-week summer break
TORONTO - Ontario's legislature is set to take a 14-week winter break, less than two months after resuming from a 19-week summer break.
www.thestar.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:41 PM
If Ford’s gig work reform that lets Uber get away with paying workers for “engaged” time only apply to his caucus, they would see a signific pay cut.
#ONpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/ont...
#ONpoli
www.thestar.com/politics/ont...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
NEW investigation from me!
Millions flowed to PC party from some King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients — including people whose companies got millions from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund.
Millions flowed to PC party from some King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients — including people whose companies got millions from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund.
December 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
NEW investigation from me!
Millions flowed to PC party from some King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients — including people whose companies got millions from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund.
Millions flowed to PC party from some King Charles III Coronation Medal recipients — including people whose companies got millions from Ontario’s Skills Development Fund.
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Steve Tufts @stufts.bsky.social on the how the #AirTransat chaos reflects deep, structural problems for the industry.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
#canlab
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
#canlab
Opinion: Air Transat chaos reflects deep, structural problems for the industry
Long-term labour contracts, wage gaps and expectations of government intervention fuel the turbulence in sector
www.theglobeandmail.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Steve Tufts @stufts.bsky.social on the how the #AirTransat chaos reflects deep, structural problems for the industry.
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
#canlab
www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
#canlab
Here we go again, another story about Silicon Valley’s corporate assholes Maple washing their operations in Canada.
Airbnb's new Canadian country manager has plenty of experience working for U.S.-based companies, so getting her to do the job tracks.
www.thestar.com/business/can...
Airbnb's new Canadian country manager has plenty of experience working for U.S.-based companies, so getting her to do the job tracks.
www.thestar.com/business/can...
Can a home-sharing app strengthen communities? Airbnb’s new Canadian country manager thinks so
Airbnb is seeking to return to its roots of empowering individuals and their communities with two products in Canada.
www.thestar.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Here we go again, another story about Silicon Valley’s corporate assholes Maple washing their operations in Canada.
Airbnb's new Canadian country manager has plenty of experience working for U.S.-based companies, so getting her to do the job tracks.
www.thestar.com/business/can...
Airbnb's new Canadian country manager has plenty of experience working for U.S.-based companies, so getting her to do the job tracks.
www.thestar.com/business/can...
“Piccini himself told NewsTalk1010 that he had personally intervened to approve the grant to Keel.”
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
OPP to investigate company that got millions from provincial jobs fund, ministries
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are proceeding with a formal investigation into a company that received grants from a controversial multi-billion dollar jobs training fund as well as contracts with th...
www.ctvnews.ca
December 8, 2025 at 9:57 PM
“Piccini himself told NewsTalk1010 that he had personally intervened to approve the grant to Keel.”
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
Pretty sure you can do that in Toronto as well.
In San Francisco you can charter one of the antique streetcars with several dozen of your friends and have a pretty wild party on board.
December 3, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Pretty sure you can do that in Toronto as well.
Uber, Airbnb, Sidewalk Labs, Waymo… Silicon Valley keeps promising us the future
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: Waymo has its sights set on Toronto for driverless cars. The city’s history with Big Tech suggests that’s cause for alarm
Waymo has registered as a lobbyist at city hall to talk to lawmakers and officials about self-driving cars.
www.thestar.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Uber, Airbnb, Sidewalk Labs, Waymo… Silicon Valley keeps promising us the future
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
There is still some good news coming out of Ontario every once in a while.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca
December 3, 2025 at 5:48 PM
There is still some good news coming out of Ontario every once in a while.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
You can’t make that shit up.
Uh oh, Ontario transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria liked this IntegrityTO video blaming bus lanes for car congestion…
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
You can’t make that shit up.