Zachary Spicer
@zacspicer.bsky.social
Associate Professor & Head of New College at York University | Long-suffering @Canucks fan
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Jim Bradley, longtime Ontario MPP and ‘Dean of the Legislature,’ dies at 80
Jim Bradley, longtime Ontario MPP and ‘Dean of the Legislature’ dies at 80
Bradley, who served for 55 years in elected office including as Niagara Regional chair beginning in 2018, died Friday following a brief illness.
www.thestar.com
September 27, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Jim Bradley, longtime Ontario MPP and ‘Dean of the Legislature,’ dies at 80
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Happy to share my new paper w/ @zacspicer.bsky.social
& @IStedman.bsky.social
on councillor-perpetrated sexual violence in Canada published in State and Local Government Review.
In it we offer recommendations for municipal govts on how to combat this problem. doi.org/10.1177/0160...
#gendersky
& @IStedman.bsky.social
on councillor-perpetrated sexual violence in Canada published in State and Local Government Review.
In it we offer recommendations for municipal govts on how to combat this problem. doi.org/10.1177/0160...
#gendersky
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
doi.org
June 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Happy to share my new paper w/ @zacspicer.bsky.social
& @IStedman.bsky.social
on councillor-perpetrated sexual violence in Canada published in State and Local Government Review.
In it we offer recommendations for municipal govts on how to combat this problem. doi.org/10.1177/0160...
#gendersky
& @IStedman.bsky.social
on councillor-perpetrated sexual violence in Canada published in State and Local Government Review.
In it we offer recommendations for municipal govts on how to combat this problem. doi.org/10.1177/0160...
#gendersky
Eric Lombardi: Canada can no longer afford to be governed by luxury beliefs
thehub.ca
May 29, 2025 at 12:16 AM
New study maps Canada’s municipal democracy 🇨🇦🗳️
📊 First full dataset of electoral systems across 3,500+ local gov’ts
⚖️ Ward vs at-large vs hybrid systems
👥 Council sizes & rep ratios
🔬 Opens doors for causal research on policy, admin & representation
📖 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
📊 First full dataset of electoral systems across 3,500+ local gov’ts
⚖️ Ward vs at-large vs hybrid systems
👥 Council sizes & rep ratios
🔬 Opens doors for causal research on policy, admin & representation
📖 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Municipal Politicians and Local Electoral Institutions in Canada: An Overview
Across Canada, tens of thousands of municipal politicians govern thousands of municipalities, making important policy decisions in domains ranging from policing to planning to environmental policy. D...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
May 22, 2025 at 2:09 PM
New study maps Canada’s municipal democracy 🇨🇦🗳️
📊 First full dataset of electoral systems across 3,500+ local gov’ts
⚖️ Ward vs at-large vs hybrid systems
👥 Council sizes & rep ratios
🔬 Opens doors for causal research on policy, admin & representation
📖 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
📊 First full dataset of electoral systems across 3,500+ local gov’ts
⚖️ Ward vs at-large vs hybrid systems
👥 Council sizes & rep ratios
🔬 Opens doors for causal research on policy, admin & representation
📖 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Female economists are less likely to receive letters of recommendation that emphasize their ability.
Female economists are more likely to receive letters of recommendation that can be called grindstone letters--that is, they emphasize their hardworking tendencies.
Female economists are more likely to receive letters of recommendation that can be called grindstone letters--that is, they emphasize their hardworking tendencies.
May 22, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Female economists are less likely to receive letters of recommendation that emphasize their ability.
Female economists are more likely to receive letters of recommendation that can be called grindstone letters--that is, they emphasize their hardworking tendencies.
Female economists are more likely to receive letters of recommendation that can be called grindstone letters--that is, they emphasize their hardworking tendencies.
That’s a shame. Congress is a massive expense for the host university so I’m not super shocked. Given the scale of the event, Congress could be held at a hotel or conference centre like most American conferences.
Very much hope journalists will investigate the cancellation of the 2026 annual meeting of the Congress of Humanities and Social Sciences. This is a pretty seismic event in Canadian Higher Ed.
Sadly, given the state of Canadian journalism, I'm not holding my breath.
Sadly, given the state of Canadian journalism, I'm not holding my breath.
May 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
That’s a shame. Congress is a massive expense for the host university so I’m not super shocked. Given the scale of the event, Congress could be held at a hotel or conference centre like most American conferences.
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
There is value in asking big questions about Alberta’s future and doing so in a way that brings people together. However, the “Alberta Accord” and “Alberta Next Panel” are likely to do the opposite.
My latest.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
My latest.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Charting Alberta’s Future
A Constructive Look at Premier Smith’s “Alberta Accord”
open.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 10:51 PM
There is value in asking big questions about Alberta’s future and doing so in a way that brings people together. However, the “Alberta Accord” and “Alberta Next Panel” are likely to do the opposite.
My latest.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
My latest.
open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Hot off the heels of yesterday's Canadian federal election Jack Lucas @jacklucas.bsky.social and I have updated our estimate of the size of the urban-rural divide in party support. The punchline: it hasn't gone away!
April 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Hot off the heels of yesterday's Canadian federal election Jack Lucas @jacklucas.bsky.social and I have updated our estimate of the size of the urban-rural divide in party support. The punchline: it hasn't gone away!
It’s that part of election night when we dive deeply into Atlantic results and speculate wildly about what it all means.
April 29, 2025 at 12:19 AM
It’s that part of election night when we dive deeply into Atlantic results and speculate wildly about what it all means.
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
okay sure so it worked in Denver
and in Austin
and it worked for downtown Oakland and for Sacramento
and yes, it’s worked for decades in Tokyo
but how can we be *sure* that building a lot more homes will make California a more affordable place to live??
and in Austin
and it worked for downtown Oakland and for Sacramento
and yes, it’s worked for decades in Tokyo
but how can we be *sure* that building a lot more homes will make California a more affordable place to live??
Denver is building so many new apartments that vacancy rates reached a 16-year high and the average rent has fallen below levels seen two years ago, according to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.
The average apartment rent in metro Denver fell to $1,819 in the first quarter.
The average apartment rent in metro Denver fell to $1,819 in the first quarter.
Metro Denver apartment market erases two years of rent increases
Developers continue to deliver so many new apartments that vacancy rates have reached a 16-year high.
www.denverpost.com
April 26, 2025 at 3:01 AM
okay sure so it worked in Denver
and in Austin
and it worked for downtown Oakland and for Sacramento
and yes, it’s worked for decades in Tokyo
but how can we be *sure* that building a lot more homes will make California a more affordable place to live??
and in Austin
and it worked for downtown Oakland and for Sacramento
and yes, it’s worked for decades in Tokyo
but how can we be *sure* that building a lot more homes will make California a more affordable place to live??
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Another terrific talk coming up on Friday in the Canadian Municipal Barometer online research workshop, featuring @erintolley.bsky.social and
@tariajadi.bsky.social. Send me an email if you'd like to attend and I'll share the link.
@tariajadi.bsky.social. Send me an email if you'd like to attend and I'll share the link.
February 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Another terrific talk coming up on Friday in the Canadian Municipal Barometer online research workshop, featuring @erintolley.bsky.social and
@tariajadi.bsky.social. Send me an email if you'd like to attend and I'll share the link.
@tariajadi.bsky.social. Send me an email if you'd like to attend and I'll share the link.
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
A warm welcome to the folks at @imfgtoronto.bsky.social (Institute for Municipal Finance & Governance) at the University of Toronto, who just joined BlueSky moments ago - coincidentally about half an hour after I had gone looking to see if they were here. :)
February 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
A warm welcome to the folks at @imfgtoronto.bsky.social (Institute for Municipal Finance & Governance) at the University of Toronto, who just joined BlueSky moments ago - coincidentally about half an hour after I had gone looking to see if they were here. :)
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Auckland went all in on YIMBY, and the results are clear: 43,500 new homes in 10 years, and rents down 28% relative to peers.
www.population.fyi/p/beyond-ske...
www.population.fyi/p/beyond-ske...
Beyond Skepticism: Data Confirms Auckland's Zoning Reforms Delivered on Housing Promises
Three rigorous studies, 43,500 new homes, and a 28% drop in rents: The data is in on Auckland's great housing experiment
www.population.fyi
February 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Auckland went all in on YIMBY, and the results are clear: 43,500 new homes in 10 years, and rents down 28% relative to peers.
www.population.fyi/p/beyond-ske...
www.population.fyi/p/beyond-ske...
Very sad to hear. He was a remarkable scholar. “The High Cost of Free Parking” is a must read
I'm deeply saddened to share that Donald Shoup passed away last night. He was the ideal academic—curious, methodical, and concerned with turning ideas into real-world change. TAing his parking course these past few years has one of the greatest honors of my life. Rest in peace, Shoup Dogg.
February 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Very sad to hear. He was a remarkable scholar. “The High Cost of Free Parking” is a must read
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Some fantastic local news for your Friday: Kitchener is going to build a new fire station downtown and make it mixed use by putting 150 affordable housing units on top. I hope this becomes a test case that can spread throughout the region.
www.therecord.com/news/council...
www.therecord.com/news/council...
New downtown Kitchener fire station will share space with affordable apartments in mixed-use building
A new fire station in downtown Kitchener will be combined with a mixed-use housing development that’s expected to provide at least 150 affordable housing units.
www.therecord.com
January 31, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Some fantastic local news for your Friday: Kitchener is going to build a new fire station downtown and make it mixed use by putting 150 affordable housing units on top. I hope this becomes a test case that can spread throughout the region.
www.therecord.com/news/council...
www.therecord.com/news/council...
New Bills fan in our house. Really hoping he’s not in for a heartbreaker tonight
January 27, 2025 at 1:31 AM
New Bills fan in our house. Really hoping he’s not in for a heartbreaker tonight
A remarkable story that everyone should read. A good reminder that most people are a lot closer to homelessness than they can possibly imagine.
‘I may end up in tears telling my story’: How a former MPP and Toronto city councillor found himself living in a homeless shelter.
Lorenzo Berardinetti, a former Scarborough councillor and four times elected MPP, shares his cautionary tale.
Lorenzo Berardinetti, a former Scarborough councillor and four times elected MPP, shares his cautionary tale.
‘I may end up in tears telling my story’: How a former MPP and Toronto city councillor found himself living in a homeless shelter
Lorenzo Berardinetti, a former Scarborough councillor and three times elected MPP, shares his cautionary tale.
www.thestar.com
December 27, 2024 at 5:14 PM
A remarkable story that everyone should read. A good reminder that most people are a lot closer to homelessness than they can possibly imagine.
Thanks to Joey for providing the most comprehensive coverage of this case available. This is the exact development the area needs, sadly caught up in the Greenbelt scandal and the persistent NIMBYism of council.
It's been a busy news week in Hamilton.
On Tuesday, Ontario's Divisional Court posted a significant decision - denying the appeal of two of Hamilton's biggest developers who sought to keep special planning permissions given to them before the Greenbelt scandal. #yhmcc #HamOnt
Story now on TPR
On Tuesday, Ontario's Divisional Court posted a significant decision - denying the appeal of two of Hamilton's biggest developers who sought to keep special planning permissions given to them before the Greenbelt scandal. #yhmcc #HamOnt
Story now on TPR
Greenbelt Scandal Fallout: Ancaster Wilson & Lorne Developers Lose Divisional Court Appeal
The developer who bought tickets to Premier Ford's daughter's 'stag-and-doe' has lost his court battle to keep the planning permissions given to him by the Conservative government
www.thepublicrecord.ca
December 26, 2024 at 9:53 PM
Thanks to Joey for providing the most comprehensive coverage of this case available. This is the exact development the area needs, sadly caught up in the Greenbelt scandal and the persistent NIMBYism of council.
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
Univ Laval is hiring at the junior prof level in municipal and local politics. This fall we became the dept with the largest doctoral program in the faculty. Québec City is the provincial capital and home to the largest civil service in Canada :)
www.rh.ulaval.ca/emploi/HCM/9...
www.rh.ulaval.ca/emploi/HCM/9...
Tenure-track Faculty Position in Municipal and Local Politics
www.rh.ulaval.ca
November 26, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Univ Laval is hiring at the junior prof level in municipal and local politics. This fall we became the dept with the largest doctoral program in the faculty. Québec City is the provincial capital and home to the largest civil service in Canada :)
www.rh.ulaval.ca/emploi/HCM/9...
www.rh.ulaval.ca/emploi/HCM/9...
Quite the meltdown here from a member of Sarnia's City Council. Although this is extreme, treatment of staff and other councillors is worsening in local government across the country www.youtube.com/live/jCOYgbE...
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November 26, 2024 at 9:27 PM
Quite the meltdown here from a member of Sarnia's City Council. Although this is extreme, treatment of staff and other councillors is worsening in local government across the country www.youtube.com/live/jCOYgbE...
An abrupt end for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
'Unexpected': Edmonton's regional board loses provincial funding, future uncertain
The Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board (EMRB) will no longer receive funding from the Alberta government starting in the 2025 budget.
edmontonjournal.com
November 25, 2024 at 10:26 PM
An abrupt end for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region Board edmontonjournal.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Zachary Spicer
some people really try to make housing policy more complicated than it needs to be, when the crux is actually quite simple:
if you make it easier to build more housing (through financing, zoning, building codes, etc.), more homes will be built and rents will go down
if you make it easier to build more housing (through financing, zoning, building codes, etc.), more homes will be built and rents will go down
November 24, 2024 at 5:30 PM
some people really try to make housing policy more complicated than it needs to be, when the crux is actually quite simple:
if you make it easier to build more housing (through financing, zoning, building codes, etc.), more homes will be built and rents will go down
if you make it easier to build more housing (through financing, zoning, building codes, etc.), more homes will be built and rents will go down