Colin Macdonald (he/him)
@colinmacdonald.bsky.social
Interested in local governments, sometimes random pop culture phenomena enthusiast, and year-round eggnog advocate.
This is a personal account. My opinions on eggnog (or any other matter) do not reflect the views of my employer.
This is a personal account. My opinions on eggnog (or any other matter) do not reflect the views of my employer.
How Big Things Get Done is a book about how complex problems require significant and thoughtful planning followed by quick execution. Most of the examples are infrastructure projects or massive logistical endeavours, but I think #governments would do well to look at social problems the same way.
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
How Big Things Get Done is a book about how complex problems require significant and thoughtful planning followed by quick execution. Most of the examples are infrastructure projects or massive logistical endeavours, but I think #governments would do well to look at social problems the same way.
This whole ostrich cull story reads like a Canadian version of Burn After Reading with, remarkably, even lower stakes
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 AM
This whole ostrich cull story reads like a Canadian version of Burn After Reading with, remarkably, even lower stakes
The immense forces that shape municipalities are largely of Federal and Provincial government creation. Hearing other orders of government complain about municipalities being too rigid is absurd, especially when municipalities have just become the diamonds you’ve forced them to be.
November 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The immense forces that shape municipalities are largely of Federal and Provincial government creation. Hearing other orders of government complain about municipalities being too rigid is absurd, especially when municipalities have just become the diamonds you’ve forced them to be.
Really about the only thing that’s funnier is the Province setting out to reduce the number of local governments in Peel from 4 to 3 and they end up creating a 5th local government entity instead.
I mean… the timing of this global recognition for Peel’s water and wastewater system couldn’t be funnier. peelregion.ca/press-releas...
Peel receives global recognition for its transformation work in the water and wastewater sector - peelregion.ca
Image BRAMPTON, ON (October 28, 2025) - Peel Region has been recognized with the Utility of the Future Today Award
peelregion.ca
October 31, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Really about the only thing that’s funnier is the Province setting out to reduce the number of local governments in Peel from 4 to 3 and they end up creating a 5th local government entity instead.
I mean… the timing of this global recognition for Peel’s water and wastewater system couldn’t be funnier. peelregion.ca/press-releas...
Peel receives global recognition for its transformation work in the water and wastewater sector - peelregion.ca
Image BRAMPTON, ON (October 28, 2025) - Peel Region has been recognized with the Utility of the Future Today Award
peelregion.ca
October 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
I mean… the timing of this global recognition for Peel’s water and wastewater system couldn’t be funnier. peelregion.ca/press-releas...
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
The traffic death bill passed?
“The Ford Govt in Ontario has passed a controversial omnibus bill banning municipalities from installing speed cameras.
Ford says it will make the province more efficient & reduce red tape.
It won’t do either, and he knows it.
It might get him “speeder votes” though.
This will kill more people.
Ford says it will make the province more efficient & reduce red tape.
It won’t do either, and he knows it.
It might get him “speeder votes” though.
This will kill more people.
Ford government passes bill banning municipal speed cameras in Ontario
The Ford government has passed a controversial omnibus bill banning municipalities from installing speed cameras.
www.ctvnews.ca
October 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The traffic death bill passed?
My reading of the proposed Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, suggests that the entities will be ineligible for DC collections. A lot is still yet to be defined by regulation but barring additional info it looks like water rates in Peel are going to rise a lot.
Caveat: not a lawyer
Caveat: not a lawyer
October 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
My reading of the proposed Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, suggests that the entities will be ineligible for DC collections. A lot is still yet to be defined by regulation but barring additional info it looks like water rates in Peel are going to rise a lot.
Caveat: not a lawyer
Caveat: not a lawyer
This is a confusing interview. I’m imagining something got lost in translation between the interviewer and interviewee, but it does a poor job of explaining the MSC model at best and at worst misrepresents it as financing source (like IO) for municipalities.
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
Ontario to launch pilot project aimed at reducing dependence on housing development charges
The pilot project will run in the Peel Region
nationalpost.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
This is a confusing interview. I’m imagining something got lost in translation between the interviewer and interviewee, but it does a poor job of explaining the MSC model at best and at worst misrepresents it as financing source (like IO) for municipalities.
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
nationalpost.com/news/canada/...
We used to build infrastructure where people lived and worked. Then, where people worked changed. Instead of learning a lesson about single purpose districts and getting creative, the best solution governments devise is forcing people to work where infrastructure is.
It's become a lost opportunity.
It's become a lost opportunity.
August 20, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We used to build infrastructure where people lived and worked. Then, where people worked changed. Instead of learning a lesson about single purpose districts and getting creative, the best solution governments devise is forcing people to work where infrastructure is.
It's become a lost opportunity.
It's become a lost opportunity.
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
Maybe the MOST IMPORTANT truth for better transportation in cities:
The “War on Cars” narrative fuelled by populist politicians, click bait media and such, IS A LIE.
Cars have almost all the space, budget etc, and ANY effort to add even a bit more CHOICE is attacked this way. #TheTruthAboutTraffic
The “War on Cars” narrative fuelled by populist politicians, click bait media and such, IS A LIE.
Cars have almost all the space, budget etc, and ANY effort to add even a bit more CHOICE is attacked this way. #TheTruthAboutTraffic
June 7, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Maybe the MOST IMPORTANT truth for better transportation in cities:
The “War on Cars” narrative fuelled by populist politicians, click bait media and such, IS A LIE.
Cars have almost all the space, budget etc, and ANY effort to add even a bit more CHOICE is attacked this way. #TheTruthAboutTraffic
The “War on Cars” narrative fuelled by populist politicians, click bait media and such, IS A LIE.
Cars have almost all the space, budget etc, and ANY effort to add even a bit more CHOICE is attacked this way. #TheTruthAboutTraffic
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
INBOX: CMOH Dr. Kieran Moore says an Ontario infant has died of measles.
news.ontario.ca/en/statement...
news.ontario.ca/en/statement...
June 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
INBOX: CMOH Dr. Kieran Moore says an Ontario infant has died of measles.
news.ontario.ca/en/statement...
news.ontario.ca/en/statement...
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
Albertans have good reason to be angry: their real wages are down 10%, their minimum wage is frozen, their inflation is worst in Canada, their health care's at risk. None of that was caused by the rest of Canada. My take in today's @TorontoStar: www.thestar.com/business/opi.... #cdnecon
Jim Stanford: Let’s drop the phoney Alberta versus Canada nonsense. The province has met the enemy — and it is them
During the so-called decade of federal 'attacks on oil,' Alberta oil giants set records for production and profits, writes Jim Stanford. So why is the average Albertan not getting their
www.thestar.com
May 24, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Albertans have good reason to be angry: their real wages are down 10%, their minimum wage is frozen, their inflation is worst in Canada, their health care's at risk. None of that was caused by the rest of Canada. My take in today's @TorontoStar: www.thestar.com/business/opi.... #cdnecon
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
Peak urbanism for me is walking to buy groceries with my cart and choosing between 3 different grocery stores; walking to get light bulbs at a nearby hardware store; and walking my kids to public school.
Aka “the basics.”
Aka “the basics.”
Peak urbanism is walking to buy myself a donut, getting an Americano, and a new bouquet for the living room.
May 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Peak urbanism for me is walking to buy groceries with my cart and choosing between 3 different grocery stores; walking to get light bulbs at a nearby hardware store; and walking my kids to public school.
Aka “the basics.”
Aka “the basics.”
Councillors in strong mayor municipalities should be conditioned to pull any mayor bylaws put forth under 284.11.1 of the Municipal Act from consent agendas for discussion.
May 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Councillors in strong mayor municipalities should be conditioned to pull any mayor bylaws put forth under 284.11.1 of the Municipal Act from consent agendas for discussion.
I want more wholesale idea/platform theft in politics. It would be refreshing as fuck for a politician to look at a competitors idea and say that's a good one, it's mine now too along with these other things I came up with.
There's no copyright on good policy.
There's no copyright on good policy.
March 9, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I want more wholesale idea/platform theft in politics. It would be refreshing as fuck for a politician to look at a competitors idea and say that's a good one, it's mine now too along with these other things I came up with.
There's no copyright on good policy.
There's no copyright on good policy.
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
Fascinating new article that shows that "urban highways are associated with decreased social connectivity," especially over short distances.
Gives strong evidence for the importance of the Reconnecting Communities program, designed to connect neighborhoods divided by highways.
Gives strong evidence for the importance of the Reconnecting Communities program, designed to connect neighborhoods divided by highways.
🎉 New paper in PNAS: Urban highways are barriers to social ties
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2408937122
Highways are barriers that cut opportunities for social ties. We quantify this effect by overlaying the US highway network with millions of social ties from Twitter.
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2408937122
Highways are barriers that cut opportunities for social ties. We quantify this effect by overlaying the US highway network with millions of social ties from Twitter.
March 5, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Fascinating new article that shows that "urban highways are associated with decreased social connectivity," especially over short distances.
Gives strong evidence for the importance of the Reconnecting Communities program, designed to connect neighborhoods divided by highways.
Gives strong evidence for the importance of the Reconnecting Communities program, designed to connect neighborhoods divided by highways.
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
How the Toronto Region Board of Trade got lost in traffic. My Toronto Star column on their terrible congestion task force report & how they’ve lost their way of late. $billions on a 401 tunnel? Where’s the rational business people now?
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
Shawn Micallef: How the Toronto Region Board of Trade got lost in traffic
The only thing that will make getting around Toronto better is fewer cars and more people taking public transit, cycling or walking. There is no other way.
www.thestar.com
March 1, 2025 at 5:46 PM
How the Toronto Region Board of Trade got lost in traffic. My Toronto Star column on their terrible congestion task force report & how they’ve lost their way of late. $billions on a 401 tunnel? Where’s the rational business people now?
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
A List of Things Banned by Schools
🧵
🧵
February 18, 2025 at 11:55 PM
A List of Things Banned by Schools
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
My semi-regular reminder of a really important reality about cities, density, services and taxes.
Any questions?
Recently cleaned up by @kathrynmathias.bsky.social. #CityMakingMath
Any questions?
Recently cleaned up by @kathrynmathias.bsky.social. #CityMakingMath
December 29, 2024 at 5:42 AM
My semi-regular reminder of a really important reality about cities, density, services and taxes.
Any questions?
Recently cleaned up by @kathrynmathias.bsky.social. #CityMakingMath
Any questions?
Recently cleaned up by @kathrynmathias.bsky.social. #CityMakingMath
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
THREAD: I’m going to share this thread here to clearly state my perspective on electric vehicles, car dependency and better cities, for all those who frequently ask me about it, including media, elected leaders and many others. Here goes. Please share it frequently if you think it will help. 🧵#EVS
November 11, 2024 at 11:11 PM
THREAD: I’m going to share this thread here to clearly state my perspective on electric vehicles, car dependency and better cities, for all those who frequently ask me about it, including media, elected leaders and many others. Here goes. Please share it frequently if you think it will help. 🧵#EVS
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
The 2024 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
December 22, 2024 at 6:48 PM
The 2024 Headline of the Year Nominees
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
It’s [well past] time to ban ‘right on red.’
“It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study found the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes…” @fastcompany.com
www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its...
“It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study found the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes…” @fastcompany.com
www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its...
It’s time to ban ‘right-on-red’
Right-on-red turns are dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, and yet they're still widely allowed across the U.S.
www.fastcompany.com
December 3, 2024 at 11:34 PM
It’s [well past] time to ban ‘right on red.’
“It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study found the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes…” @fastcompany.com
www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its...
“It’s unclear that right-on-red did much of anything to reduce gas consumption, but it had a sizable effect on roadway safety. A 1982 study found the new policy triggered a sharp increase in crashes…” @fastcompany.com
www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its...
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
Captain: I'm really nervous about giving this speech.
Sun, rubbing his shoulders: Don't worry, big guy. You got this.
Sun, rubbing his shoulders: Don't worry, big guy. You got this.
November 21, 2024 at 12:39 PM
Captain: I'm really nervous about giving this speech.
Sun, rubbing his shoulders: Don't worry, big guy. You got this.
Sun, rubbing his shoulders: Don't worry, big guy. You got this.
Reposted by Colin Macdonald (he/him)
An #onpoli listener asks @spaikin.bsky.social and @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social: Are there any legal obstacles to a one-time NDP-Liberal-Green coalition, with a single mandate: to institute preferential voting then immediately call an election?
🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
November 19, 2024 at 4:57 PM
An #onpoli listener asks @spaikin.bsky.social and @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social: Are there any legal obstacles to a one-time NDP-Liberal-Green coalition, with a single mandate: to institute preferential voting then immediately call an election?
🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...