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
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ 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
November 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The Doug Ford government is setting its sites on conservation authorities for the fifth time, merging the watershed protection agencies. Staff tell @fatimabsyed.bsky.social it may ‘slow approvals, create confusion’ — not to mention it's leaving them with ‘whiplash.’ thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Just realized Ford was about to cut a deal with the same nightclub operator and labour union at Ontario Place that scored tens of millions in SDF money. No wonder those names looked familiar. Small world, huh.🤔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
PC government abandons controversial Ontario Place vendor plan backed by Ford-supporting union
Restaurants and bars proposal also involved nightclub operator who provided alcohol for ‘Ford Fest’ events a decade ago
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Just realized Ford was about to cut a deal with the same nightclub operator and labour union at Ontario Place that scored tens of millions in SDF money. No wonder those names looked familiar. Small world, huh.🤔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Reposted by Thorben Wieditz
Superb skills development fund scoop from the Toronto Star, which has got its hands on a database of scores for applications.
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Secret data reveals which low-scoring applicants still received millions of dollars from the Ford government’s skills fund
Secret government data obtained by the Star shows 26 applicants scoring 50 per cent or lower received $36.6 million from Premier Doug Ford's controversial Skills Development Fund earlier this year.
www.thestar.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Superb skills development fund scoop from the Toronto Star, which has got its hands on a database of scores for applications.
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
What a racket.
“Before McNaughton stepped down as labour minister shortly before leaving elected politics altogether in the fall of 2023, the ministry paid about $5.1 million to Carlo Biasucci’s Elite Practice business.”
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
“Before McNaughton stepped down as labour minister shortly before leaving elected politics altogether in the fall of 2023, the ministry paid about $5.1 million to Carlo Biasucci’s Elite Practice business.”
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
Another dental sector biz that got millions in Ontario labour funds had ties to then-minister’s wife
The company of a dentist-turned-businessman who worked with the ex-minister’s wife through another organization received $5.1 million of taxpayer funds
www.thetrillium.ca
November 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
What a racket.
“Before McNaughton stepped down as labour minister shortly before leaving elected politics altogether in the fall of 2023, the ministry paid about $5.1 million to Carlo Biasucci’s Elite Practice business.”
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
“Before McNaughton stepped down as labour minister shortly before leaving elected politics altogether in the fall of 2023, the ministry paid about $5.1 million to Carlo Biasucci’s Elite Practice business.”
www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...
👀
… “there are plenty of progressives up here — the people you might call Chow’s base — who wish she would take advice from Mamdani. Because nothing in Chow’s own campaign or unfolding agenda seems quite as dramatic.“
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
… “there are plenty of progressives up here — the people you might call Chow’s base — who wish she would take advice from Mamdani. Because nothing in Chow’s own campaign or unfolding agenda seems quite as dramatic.“
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Edward Keenan: Zohran Mamdani has advice for progressives everywhere. Is Olivia Chow listening?
The impulse for left-wing politicians to meet voters in the middle is understandable but deeply flawed.
www.thestar.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
👀
… “there are plenty of progressives up here — the people you might call Chow’s base — who wish she would take advice from Mamdani. Because nothing in Chow’s own campaign or unfolding agenda seems quite as dramatic.“
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
… “there are plenty of progressives up here — the people you might call Chow’s base — who wish she would take advice from Mamdani. Because nothing in Chow’s own campaign or unfolding agenda seems quite as dramatic.“
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
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.