Ashley Challinor
@aechallinor.bsky.social
Curator, Policycraft newsletter on Substack | housing | dad movies | 🌐 memes
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🚀Today I launch Policycraft, a free monthly newsletter curating fresh and insightful thinking on the practice of public policymaking in Canada 🗞️
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Alright, sounds good, now we just need a bunch of cheap land following a world war that the city can buy followed by a sustained loss of population following the collapse of empire.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/e...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/e...
Austria took the stigma out of social housing. Here's what Canada could learn | CBC News
While Europe struggles with similar trends to Canada of rising rents and skyrocketing home prices, experts say social housing models like Austria’s are among the best defence against a growing afforda...
www.cbc.ca
June 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Alright, sounds good, now we just need a bunch of cheap land following a world war that the city can buy followed by a sustained loss of population following the collapse of empire.
www.cbc.ca/news/world/e...
www.cbc.ca/news/world/e...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
i should be in charge of the marvel movies. i will cast mark rylance, jared harris, mark strong, paul dano, and paul giamatti as the avengers. their headquarters are the municipal planning office of a midsize american city. the supervillain they defeat will be various challenges to zoning reform
April 4, 2025 at 12:43 AM
i should be in charge of the marvel movies. i will cast mark rylance, jared harris, mark strong, paul dano, and paul giamatti as the avengers. their headquarters are the municipal planning office of a midsize american city. the supervillain they defeat will be various challenges to zoning reform
Love this: On the Disenchantment of Urban Spaces open.substack.com/pub/venat/p/...
March 23, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Love this: On the Disenchantment of Urban Spaces open.substack.com/pub/venat/p/...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
"It turns out that no amount of bureaucracy, bickering or political division can slow Canada down when under threat. So what are Ontario’s municipal governments doing to assist in the economic war effort? Sadly, not much — especially when it comes to housing." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
What should Toronto area mayors do during a trade war? Build.
Every level of government has a role to play in dealing with the current crisis. Ontario municipalities should not be permitted to shirk their responsibilities.
www.thestar.com
March 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
"It turns out that no amount of bureaucracy, bickering or political division can slow Canada down when under threat. So what are Ontario’s municipal governments doing to assist in the economic war effort? Sadly, not much — especially when it comes to housing." www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
An Indigenous-led visionary housing development in Vancouver - Senakw - shows us how housing abundance can help dig us out of our darkest hour.
Learn more about this project here senakw.com and let's advocate for more like it!
Credit: senakw.com and @futur.blue
Learn more about this project here senakw.com and let's advocate for more like it!
Credit: senakw.com and @futur.blue
March 4, 2025 at 3:47 PM
An Indigenous-led visionary housing development in Vancouver - Senakw - shows us how housing abundance can help dig us out of our darkest hour.
Learn more about this project here senakw.com and let's advocate for more like it!
Credit: senakw.com and @futur.blue
Learn more about this project here senakw.com and let's advocate for more like it!
Credit: senakw.com and @futur.blue
Issue 5 of Policycraft is out! Inside we ask if the profession has all the ideas we need - except for an idea of how to implement them.
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-5-po...
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-5-po...
March 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Issue 5 of Policycraft is out! Inside we ask if the profession has all the ideas we need - except for an idea of how to implement them.
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-5-po...
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-5-po...
"...this country must first acknowledge the depths of our sclerosis, our inefficiencies, our competitive barriers and our ideological rigidness... That doesn’t make you a traitor; it makes you a patriot." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: You can love your country and still think it’s broken
It is an expression of patriotism – not the opposite – to acknowledge your country’s deficiencies in an effort to try to make it better
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"...this country must first acknowledge the depths of our sclerosis, our inefficiencies, our competitive barriers and our ideological rigidness... That doesn’t make you a traitor; it makes you a patriot." www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
An absolutely staggering amount of Toronto's city planning work ends up boiling down to a debate over whether a building should be 25, 27, or 29 storeys as if that kind of precision was in any way meaningful.
It's not! Meanwhile, we burn time and money in a crisis.
web.archive.org/web/20120322...
It's not! Meanwhile, we burn time and money in a crisis.
web.archive.org/web/20120322...
web.archive.org
February 14, 2025 at 4:51 PM
An absolutely staggering amount of Toronto's city planning work ends up boiling down to a debate over whether a building should be 25, 27, or 29 storeys as if that kind of precision was in any way meaningful.
It's not! Meanwhile, we burn time and money in a crisis.
web.archive.org/web/20120322...
It's not! Meanwhile, we burn time and money in a crisis.
web.archive.org/web/20120322...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
What flexposts say: "We could use steel bollards but a bollard might scratch a car and that would be a tragedy. So, we're going to use these instead — things literally designed to be run over — because protecting even one car from a scratch is worth thousands of pedestrian deaths every year."
Because city agencies are typically reactive, not proactive; crews aren’t scouring the city for downed flexposts. But in a rare victory for municipal services, explains @johnsurico.bsky.social, if you tell them, they will come.
You — Yes, You — Can Fix New York City's Flimsy Bollards - Streetsblog New York City
An easy Department of Transportation form will get most wrecked flexposts back upright, writes John Surico.
buff.ly
February 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
What flexposts say: "We could use steel bollards but a bollard might scratch a car and that would be a tragedy. So, we're going to use these instead — things literally designed to be run over — because protecting even one car from a scratch is worth thousands of pedestrian deaths every year."
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Ontario: the provincial election is February 27. What would you like to see on housing?
More Neighbours Toronto has put together our ideas. We'll be grading the party platforms and statements against this to let you know where they stand. www.moreneighbours.ca/platforms-po...
More Neighbours Toronto has put together our ideas. We'll be grading the party platforms and statements against this to let you know where they stand. www.moreneighbours.ca/platforms-po...
February 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Ontario: the provincial election is February 27. What would you like to see on housing?
More Neighbours Toronto has put together our ideas. We'll be grading the party platforms and statements against this to let you know where they stand. www.moreneighbours.ca/platforms-po...
More Neighbours Toronto has put together our ideas. We'll be grading the party platforms and statements against this to let you know where they stand. www.moreneighbours.ca/platforms-po...
Some of us have been saying. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: The Dutch and Danes have much to teach Canada about better health care
The question is whether Canada will act on all those lessons around providing primary care to every citizen
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 6, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Some of us have been saying. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Issue 4 of Policycraft is out! Featuring a call for areas where we need more policy thinking, a clear schematic for making policy and its implementation work better, and some great examples of policy advocacy done well. open.substack.com/pub/policycr...
Issue 4: An efficient market for wonkery
Plus, a time-sensitive opportunity to mentor in Toronto
open.substack.com
February 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Issue 4 of Policycraft is out! Featuring a call for areas where we need more policy thinking, a clear schematic for making policy and its implementation work better, and some great examples of policy advocacy done well. open.substack.com/pub/policycr...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Toronto is making LONG overdue updates to its Avenues Policies to make it easier to build midrises!
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
New/Mode | Make your voice impossible to ignore
win.newmode.net
January 22, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Toronto is making LONG overdue updates to its Avenues Policies to make it easier to build midrises!
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
It's also adding new Avenues for the first time in decades. We've made it easy to voice your support to the Planning & Housing Committee at the link below:
win.newmode.net/moreneighbou...
Issue 3 of Policycraft is out, covering policy experiments, red tape, and the fundamental flaw of everything bagels.
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-3-en...
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-3-en...
January 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Issue 3 of Policycraft is out, covering policy experiments, red tape, and the fundamental flaw of everything bagels.
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-3-en...
policycraft.substack.com/p/issue-3-en...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
A year ago, Edmonton rewrote its zoning from scratch. Among other changes, the base zoning in mature nbhds changed to 8 units, 10.5m.
A year later, what has been the effect? I looked at building permit data to see. More in the 🧵 or in my blog post 👇 #yegcc #yeg
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/ed...
A year later, what has been the effect? I looked at building permit data to see. More in the 🧵 or in my blog post 👇 #yegcc #yeg
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/ed...
Zoning By-Law Renewal: One Year Review – Jacob Dawang
Edmonton’s housing policy continued its march forward this past year with the new zoning by-law renewal coming into effect and district plans in force. Let’s take a look at where and what type of home...
www.jacobdawang.com
January 4, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A year ago, Edmonton rewrote its zoning from scratch. Among other changes, the base zoning in mature nbhds changed to 8 units, 10.5m.
A year later, what has been the effect? I looked at building permit data to see. More in the 🧵 or in my blog post 👇 #yegcc #yeg
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/ed...
A year later, what has been the effect? I looked at building permit data to see. More in the 🧵 or in my blog post 👇 #yegcc #yeg
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/ed...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
What a difference a few months and a little bit of framing makes. Condo vacancy rates that were once portrayed negatively have turned into lower rents. There is still work to do, but more supply lowers rents - yes, even in those evil condos. www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
January 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM
What a difference a few months and a little bit of framing makes. Condo vacancy rates that were once portrayed negatively have turned into lower rents. There is still work to do, but more supply lowers rents - yes, even in those evil condos. www.thestar.com/real-estate/...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
I say it every year, but I’ll take Winnipeg’s real winter over Toronto’s any time (having spent 14 years in Toronto). I’m sad for Vancouver and Toronto. www.cbc.ca/news/science...
December 17, 2024 at 5:04 AM
I say it every year, but I’ll take Winnipeg’s real winter over Toronto’s any time (having spent 14 years in Toronto). I’m sad for Vancouver and Toronto. www.cbc.ca/news/science...
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Toronto is so frustrating because it's always been close to being an incredible place, and so many of its problems are self inflicted or imposed. The bones of a great place are here, we just need to build on them. What I mean is stop prioritizing cars and upzone the neighbourhoods.
December 15, 2024 at 8:46 PM
Toronto is so frustrating because it's always been close to being an incredible place, and so many of its problems are self inflicted or imposed. The bones of a great place are here, we just need to build on them. What I mean is stop prioritizing cars and upzone the neighbourhoods.
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Congratulations to our new board members, @zakls.bsky.social @stoneape314.bsky.social, Stephanie Bertolo, and Nicholas Harterre!
They bring fresh perspectives and passion to the table, and we can’t wait to get started.
Here's to a great year, and fixing the housing crisis for the next one!
They bring fresh perspectives and passion to the table, and we can’t wait to get started.
Here's to a great year, and fixing the housing crisis for the next one!
December 16, 2024 at 12:35 AM
Congratulations to our new board members, @zakls.bsky.social @stoneape314.bsky.social, Stephanie Bertolo, and Nicholas Harterre!
They bring fresh perspectives and passion to the table, and we can’t wait to get started.
Here's to a great year, and fixing the housing crisis for the next one!
They bring fresh perspectives and passion to the table, and we can’t wait to get started.
Here's to a great year, and fixing the housing crisis for the next one!
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
Did you know, the hotel that #TaylorSwift is staying at in downtown Vancouver likely wouldn’t exist without Vancouver’s density/heritage system?
The Hotel Georgia had a full renovation while I was chief planner, & we “paid for” the cost of the restoration with bonus density in that tower beside it.
The Hotel Georgia had a full renovation while I was chief planner, & we “paid for” the cost of the restoration with bonus density in that tower beside it.
December 8, 2024 at 3:18 AM
Did you know, the hotel that #TaylorSwift is staying at in downtown Vancouver likely wouldn’t exist without Vancouver’s density/heritage system?
The Hotel Georgia had a full renovation while I was chief planner, & we “paid for” the cost of the restoration with bonus density in that tower beside it.
The Hotel Georgia had a full renovation while I was chief planner, & we “paid for” the cost of the restoration with bonus density in that tower beside it.
The "Popular with Friends" tab is just the worst collection of takes ever assembled. What is wrong with you people.
December 8, 2024 at 1:40 PM
The "Popular with Friends" tab is just the worst collection of takes ever assembled. What is wrong with you people.
Reposted by Ashley Challinor
THREAD: How to check if the screenshot of a social media post is real or fake?
Fake screnshots of online posts regularly mislead people. So, here's a simple guide on how you can quickly check if a screenshot of a post attributed to an account is genuine or fake before falling for or sharing it.
Fake screnshots of online posts regularly mislead people. So, here's a simple guide on how you can quickly check if a screenshot of a post attributed to an account is genuine or fake before falling for or sharing it.
December 4, 2024 at 6:13 PM
THREAD: How to check if the screenshot of a social media post is real or fake?
Fake screnshots of online posts regularly mislead people. So, here's a simple guide on how you can quickly check if a screenshot of a post attributed to an account is genuine or fake before falling for or sharing it.
Fake screnshots of online posts regularly mislead people. So, here's a simple guide on how you can quickly check if a screenshot of a post attributed to an account is genuine or fake before falling for or sharing it.