Asked to name what she regards as the highest priority project in the city, Horwath seemed to indicate that politics — and not sound transit planning — has been the NDP’s guide: “I think it’s those neighbourhoods in the outskirts of this city that aren’t receiving the transit they need.” When a reporter asked about the Downtown Relief Line, she replied: “I think it’s a mugs game to try to divide this city in terms of who needs transit more. We have to address all of these concerns.”
Sounds to me like the NDP leader thinks the DRL is all about relieving congestion for downtowners. Maybe she needs to turn off the Ford’s radio show and realize the value of the line in Scarborough and North York.
A more unifying political discourse. The dismantling of an austerity agenda that does nothing but pull us apart. A renewed focus on the positive role government should be playing in our lives. Income inequality solutions. That’s the kind of truly groundbreaking transformation an equality Premier could achieve, post-austerity.
It’s Time for an Equality Premier
More from the indispensible Trish Hennessy.
Source: behindthenumbers.ca
Crew Magazine | Let The Backlash Begin
Really? Sun readers racist, homophobic, sexist and stupid?
Read closely, Hudak. These are your peeps.
i am fed up with a government that shows no respect to workers - without whom it would crumble - and confused why the union refuses to fight with all it has to protect the hard won right - which people in the past died for - to collectively bargain with the employer.
i am also confused why “the public” and “parents” who go on and on about how voting is so important and its a right that people - women and people of colour especially - fought and died for, get up in arms when teachers - many of whom are women and people of colour - attempt to protect a right that those before them fought and died for - the right to collectively bargain. teach your child that they deserve respect in the workplace and you’ll contribute to a better world for all. teach them that if they stand up to authority when it behaves egregiously they’ll be fired and you teach them to usher in fascism.
H/t @SidRyan_OFL.
Video: So Mike Harris wants to get into the elder care business?
The amazing Erika Shaker at CCPA flagged this:
Harris and his wife, Laura, announced Tuesday they are starting a home-care franchise called “Nurse Next Door” to help seniors — pointing out the over-65 crowd comprises 15 per cent of Toronto’s population.
This is where we juxtapose.
How Michael Bryant could do some good | #FASD #onpoli
Evidently, the former attorney-general’s pissing off both the cops and Darcy Sheppard’s father.
I could take the easy route and make a snotty remark about the poor fellow’s discomfort at being arrested.
Bryant told the CBC’s Amanda Lang that he was surprised he was arrested when he felt like the victim.
“And I still kept thinking, I don’t get it,” Bryant told Lang. “Like I tried to get away from an attack and you’re arresting me?”
I could say something like “Oh, Michael, I feel your pain. After all, you only killed one guy, and it’s not like he had a raft of expensive lawyers and PR people or anything.” But I won’t do that.
There are a lot of questions about the incident that may never be answered comprehensively. But here’s a thought for Mr. Bryant: You’ve written about your struggles with alcoholism. How about drawing the connections between that and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder? It’s been suggested that Darcy Sheppard had it.
FASD is a common and often undetected or misdiagnosed mental disorder. It’s referred to by a variety of names: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Effects, Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, and so on, but the thing is, it’s entirely preventable.
And so are the related effects and collateral damage. According to FASworld,
Most people with ARND look perfectly normal and are never diagnosed. Research indicates that a high percentage of homeless people, and at least 25% of juvenile and adult offenders suffer from undiagnosed FASD.
Of individuals with ARND between the ages of 12 and 51,
- 95% will have mental health problems;
- 68% will have “disrupted school experience”;
- 68% will experience trouble with the law;
- 55% will be confined in prison, drug or alcohol treatment centre or mental institution;
- 52% will exhibit inappropriate sexual behavior
Of individuals with ARND between 21 and 51 :
- more than 50% of males and 70% of females will have alcohol and drug problems;
- 82% will not be able to live independently;
- 70% will have problems with employment
Disclosure: I know Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox, the folks behind FASworld. I take part in one of their parental support groups. They do amazing and worthwhile work, and they deserve more recognition and support.
So how about it, Mr. Bryant? A guy with your profile, resources and connections could do a lot to raise awareness and, you know, do something helpful.
Your call.
Related posts:
The Liberals, bless their souls, have revealed nothing whatever about how they intend to carve the turkey. I don’t think they have a clue.
LORINC: Shelley Carroll’s case for patience on transit plan « Spacing Toronto
John Lorinc on the province’s, er, “prudent” approach to public transit and how to fund, plan, and build it.
Source: spacingtoronto.ca
Public space, public amenities and the public good, or corporate colonization? | #onpoli
So I’m driving along the lakeshore this morning and my daughter, who’s loved going to the waterpark and the waterslides and such, notices the signs and landmarks leading to Ontario Place. Which is going to be, if not closed, then transformed into an innovative provincial landmark. In any event, the Ontario Place grounds, Cinesphere, waterpark, rides, attractions and restaurants are out of business this summer for “revitalization.”
Which is a drag, but, well, you know — shit happens.
But keep going and it’s pretty much impossible to miss the signs for the Honda Indy. And later this summer, we’ll probably be hosting the air show.
Not going to talk at length about noise or extravagance or inconvenience, because this isn’t about pissy downtown elitists wanting their peace and quiet or anything, and, well, tourist dollars.
No, for the moment I just want to compare and contrast. If I understand this right, then spending public resources on the public good is a bad thing, so in the name of fighting the deficit and tightening our belts and living within our means, as the austerity prophets like to browbeat us, we’re closing public amenities like Ontario Place. Private events with corporate sponsors up the wazoo, on the other hand, are a good thing — despite whatever noise and inconvenience they may imply, and despite their obvious encroachment upon public space.
(Hey, it brings in money. What are you, some kind of effete downtown socialist?)
Related posts:
- Don Drummond’s austerity medicine: suck it, Ontario | #onpoli
- In defence of the public sphere | #TOpoli #TeamFord
- Plastic bags and governing around the mayor | #TOpoli
- Politics, the charitable sector, and the public sphere | #cdnpoli
- Let’s stop fetishizing “The Market” | #cdnpoli #TOpoli #classwarfare #austerity
- Frank Graves poll: The beginning of the end of progress | iPolitics | #cdnpoli
I prefer policymakers who use evidence to support their positions, govern by consensus, use positive rhetoric as much as possible, and don’t govern as if acting out a revenge fantasy.
Evidence.
Positive rhetoric.
Consensus.
Adorable, isn’t he?
Related posts:
Source: news.nationalpost.com
Citizen, cyclist, father, diver, cheap-laugh aficionado, sanctimonious wanker, #BadJew. Thoughts are my own.
