Micheal J
@chealion.ca
Nerd about many things - coffee, urbanism, municipal issues, OpenStack, Kubernetes.
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
CA President, and technical manager at Cybera (NREN non profit)
Reposted by Micheal J
holy shit
I don't usually like to share substack articles but this one is valuable
I don't usually like to share substack articles but this one is valuable
This is an insightful but deeply upsetting article about why everyone in the US feels poor, and why the current political situation emerges as a direct result.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:02 AM
holy shit
I don't usually like to share substack articles but this one is valuable
I don't usually like to share substack articles but this one is valuable
Reposted by Micheal J
Apropos of nothing in particular…
November 26, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Apropos of nothing in particular…
Reposted by Micheal J
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
NEWS: I spent the past 24 hours going through major MAGA accounts on Twitter, and a bombshell development has become clear: most of the right-wing ecosphere is being fed propaganda from foreign actors.
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
This impacts elections. This impacts discourse. This is major. Subscribe to support my work:
NEWS: Major MAGA Accounts on Twitter Exposed as Foreign Actors
A stunning development over the past 24 hours.
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Although the scale of this is still to be assessed, this is the inevitable outcome of the monetization of the algorithm. Rage-bait becomes a personal revenue model. Nothing about this should be a surprise.
Reposted by Micheal J
y'know, if tech companies weren't so fired up to call every single thing "AI" it would be a lot easier to distinguish "ML spam filter that is well-sandboxed and tuned on your emails" from "giant context and IP-eroding foundation model that makes people paranoid and unhappy"
since the "google is now training gemini on your email contents" thing keeps bumping around here: it's _not happening_. I say this not to defend google but because I know a lot of people that have broken their filtering and made their lives much more annoying from sheer misinformation.
The malwarebytes Google opting-your-emails-into-ai-training thing is not true. The post is based on one bad tweet.
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
I know anti-tech lamenting is a Bluesky core principle, but please use the same judgement you would for any other clickbait.
www.theverge.com/news/826902/...
November 23, 2025 at 12:58 PM
y'know, if tech companies weren't so fired up to call every single thing "AI" it would be a lot easier to distinguish "ML spam filter that is well-sandboxed and tuned on your emails" from "giant context and IP-eroding foundation model that makes people paranoid and unhappy"
Reposted by Micheal J
The Stargate is notoriously known for enabling the Goa'uld to access other planets and enslave their inhabitants. Those who don't know their Sci-Fi Channel originals are doomed to repeat them.
November 24, 2025 at 2:55 AM
The Stargate is notoriously known for enabling the Goa'uld to access other planets and enslave their inhabitants. Those who don't know their Sci-Fi Channel originals are doomed to repeat them.
Reposted by Micheal J
Picard’s point on AB’s new “dual practice” plan: evidence shows letting surgeons bill public & private won’t fix wait times, it likely lengthens them, drains staff from public hospitals, adds red tape, and undermines access.
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
Allowing doctors to practise in both public and private systems solves what exactly?
What Alberta is proposing may sound good superficially, but it makes no sense in the Canadian context
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Picard’s point on AB’s new “dual practice” plan: evidence shows letting surgeons bill public & private won’t fix wait times, it likely lengthens them, drains staff from public hospitals, adds red tape, and undermines access.
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
A solution in search of a problem. www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/70a7e73...
Reposted by Micheal J
It would have meant the addition of roughly 25 items each month to public hearing meeting agendas. #yyc #calgary #yyccc
buff.ly/x3iRl6F
buff.ly/x3iRl6F
Hundreds of land-use hearings avoided through citywide rezoning - LiveWire Calgary
Calgary city council avoided hundreds of land-use redesignation hearings since citywide rezoning was approved, items that would have potentially added cost and time to both the city and developers.…
livewirecalgary.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
It would have meant the addition of roughly 25 items each month to public hearing meeting agendas. #yyc #calgary #yyccc
buff.ly/x3iRl6F
buff.ly/x3iRl6F
Reposted by Micheal J
Doing this two days before TDoR is particularly vile.
Alberta invokes notwithstanding clause on trio of transgender laws
The Alberta government has invoked the Charter’s notwithstanding clause for the second time in less than a month in this case to protect from legal challenge a trio of laws affecting transgender youth...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Doing this two days before TDoR is particularly vile.
Reposted by Micheal J
They're not even hiding it. Resolution #29 at this month's UCP AGM promises to roll back reproductive rights.
Don't think they'll use the notwithstanding clause to do it?
I've got a lab testing contract and boatload of Turkish Tylenol to sell you.
Don't think they'll use the notwithstanding clause to do it?
I've got a lab testing contract and boatload of Turkish Tylenol to sell you.
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 AM
They're not even hiding it. Resolution #29 at this month's UCP AGM promises to roll back reproductive rights.
Don't think they'll use the notwithstanding clause to do it?
I've got a lab testing contract and boatload of Turkish Tylenol to sell you.
Don't think they'll use the notwithstanding clause to do it?
I've got a lab testing contract and boatload of Turkish Tylenol to sell you.
Reposted by Micheal J
TL;DR
The AG finds that the Dynalife fiasco was yet another fiscal disaster for taxpayers courtesy the UCP, and that Adriana LaGrange meddled in matters that should have been exclusively AHS' domain.
The AG finds that the Dynalife fiasco was yet another fiscal disaster for taxpayers courtesy the UCP, and that Adriana LaGrange meddled in matters that should have been exclusively AHS' domain.
November 19, 2025 at 9:54 PM
TL;DR
The AG finds that the Dynalife fiasco was yet another fiscal disaster for taxpayers courtesy the UCP, and that Adriana LaGrange meddled in matters that should have been exclusively AHS' domain.
The AG finds that the Dynalife fiasco was yet another fiscal disaster for taxpayers courtesy the UCP, and that Adriana LaGrange meddled in matters that should have been exclusively AHS' domain.
Reposted by Micheal J
Premier Smith - as someone who has had the “physical surgery” of mastectomy (whatever you mean by that - I’m not sure what non physical surgery) I can confirm that it does not in any way impact my ability to have children
Here is Alberta premier Danielle Smith seemingly suggesting that a mastectomy is a surgery that “prevents you from being able to have children.” 😵💫
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Premier Smith - as someone who has had the “physical surgery” of mastectomy (whatever you mean by that - I’m not sure what non physical surgery) I can confirm that it does not in any way impact my ability to have children
Reposted by Micheal J
“My own experience prescribing puberty blockers has demonstrated enormous psycho-social benefits in youth who feel a quiet desperation watching their bodies change in ways they can’t control […] A puberty blocker provides them with a pause […] with no effects on fertility, and is 100% reversible.”
Opinion: As a physician, I see how gender-affirming care benefits youth
Alberta’s moves to restrict treatment are based in ignorance and misinformation
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:12 PM
“My own experience prescribing puberty blockers has demonstrated enormous psycho-social benefits in youth who feel a quiet desperation watching their bodies change in ways they can’t control […] A puberty blocker provides them with a pause […] with no effects on fertility, and is 100% reversible.”
Reposted by Micheal J
I am pretty sure that when Merv Leitch and Peter Lougheed first created the notwithstanding clause, they didn’t mean it to be deployed to bully and oppress literal school children. #ableg #abpoli #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Alberta #notwithstandingclause
Alberta to invoke notwithstanding clause to shield 3 transgender bills from court challenges | CBC News
The Alberta government has tabled legislation that seeks to invoke the notwithstanding clause to shield a suite of bills that affects transgender youth and adults from legal challenges.
www.cbc.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I am pretty sure that when Merv Leitch and Peter Lougheed first created the notwithstanding clause, they didn’t mean it to be deployed to bully and oppress literal school children. #ableg #abpoli #TransRightsAreHumanRights #Alberta #notwithstandingclause
Reposted by Micheal J
Let’s be clear on this: Danielle Smith is ripping up the Charter of Rights & Freedoms to take away rights from the most vulnerable people in Alberta. And she’s doing it to protect herself from the militant wing of her own party, nothing more. Hope it’s all she’s ever remembered for in the long run
November 18, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Let’s be clear on this: Danielle Smith is ripping up the Charter of Rights & Freedoms to take away rights from the most vulnerable people in Alberta. And she’s doing it to protect herself from the militant wing of her own party, nothing more. Hope it’s all she’s ever remembered for in the long run
Reposted by Micheal J
UCP introduces Bill 9; Protecting Alberta's Children (from accessing healthcare) Act
Notwithstanding rights afforded to them by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; notwithstanding rights protected in the UCPs "Alberta Bill of Rights"; notwithstanding Human Rights.
#ableg #abpoli
Notwithstanding rights afforded to them by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; notwithstanding rights protected in the UCPs "Alberta Bill of Rights"; notwithstanding Human Rights.
#ableg #abpoli
a girl with pink hair is sitting in a chair holding a key and says your rights have been revoked .
ALT: a girl with pink hair is sitting in a chair holding a key and says your rights have been revoked .
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Micheal J
"Whether it’s lies about the safety of puberty blockers or the competitive impact of allowing trans women to compete in women’s sports, the stances and statements Smith is repeatedly trotting out.... are at their best misleading and at their worst outright lies."
xtramagazine.com/power/politi...
xtramagazine.com/power/politi...
The lies Danielle Smith is telling to overturn trans kids’ rights | Xtra Magazine
The Alberta government is invoking the Notwithstanding Clause to protect its three anti-trans laws from being challenged in the courts
xtramagazine.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 AM
"Whether it’s lies about the safety of puberty blockers or the competitive impact of allowing trans women to compete in women’s sports, the stances and statements Smith is repeatedly trotting out.... are at their best misleading and at their worst outright lies."
xtramagazine.com/power/politi...
xtramagazine.com/power/politi...
Reposted by Micheal J
It's rare we're in agreement with the Fraser Institute on urban policy however they absolutely nail the reasons why this move to repeal blanket rezoning is a bad idea & goes against the free-market conservative values many pushing it on #yyccc claim to hold.
calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
HILL and THOMPSON: Mayor Farkas should retain ‘blanket rezoning’ for sake of Calgarian families
TEGAN HILL and AUSTIN THOMPSON: Mayor Jeromy Farkas should retain blanket rezoning for sake of Calgary families
calgarysun.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:55 AM
It's rare we're in agreement with the Fraser Institute on urban policy however they absolutely nail the reasons why this move to repeal blanket rezoning is a bad idea & goes against the free-market conservative values many pushing it on #yyccc claim to hold.
calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
calgarysun.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted by Micheal J
The media needs to stop rwading the government's talking points on Bill 10.
Aside from jury duty and voting, I have yet to find a single provincial program or service that requires Albertans to verify their citizenship.
So how does this remove red tape?
Aside from jury duty and voting, I have yet to find a single provincial program or service that requires Albertans to verify their citizenship.
So how does this remove red tape?
2️⃣ Services: Most provincial programs care about residency/immigration status, not citizenship. Non-citizen residents get health care, income supports, student aid, etc. A citizenship flag risks becoming a future gatekeeping tool, not a service “streamliner.”
November 18, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The media needs to stop rwading the government's talking points on Bill 10.
Aside from jury duty and voting, I have yet to find a single provincial program or service that requires Albertans to verify their citizenship.
So how does this remove red tape?
Aside from jury duty and voting, I have yet to find a single provincial program or service that requires Albertans to verify their citizenship.
So how does this remove red tape?
Getting closer to resurrecting @peddownyyc.bsky.social using the Open Data portal...
"This was the 339th pedestrian incident in 2025.
It took place at Templewood Road and Templemont Drive NE, in Temple, NE.
Raj Dhaliwal - this was the 37th incident in your ward this year.
#yyccc #yycwalk"
"This was the 339th pedestrian incident in 2025.
It took place at Templewood Road and Templemont Drive NE, in Temple, NE.
Raj Dhaliwal - this was the 37th incident in your ward this year.
#yyccc #yycwalk"
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Getting closer to resurrecting @peddownyyc.bsky.social using the Open Data portal...
"This was the 339th pedestrian incident in 2025.
It took place at Templewood Road and Templemont Drive NE, in Temple, NE.
Raj Dhaliwal - this was the 37th incident in your ward this year.
#yyccc #yycwalk"
"This was the 339th pedestrian incident in 2025.
It took place at Templewood Road and Templemont Drive NE, in Temple, NE.
Raj Dhaliwal - this was the 37th incident in your ward this year.
#yyccc #yycwalk"
Reposted by Micheal J
Quote: "Low-acuity, high-volume day surgeries conducted in CSFs now make up more than 20% of insured surgical procedures in Alberta, and up to 30% in urban centres.
Meanwhile, wait times for nearly all critical cancer and other surgeries are far outside acceptable wait-time standards."
Meanwhile, wait times for nearly all critical cancer and other surgeries are far outside acceptable wait-time standards."
My latest investigation for @thetyee.ca details what the UCP government doesn't want the public to know about their private surgery push.
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta's For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Insiders Detail Ways Alberta’s For-Profit Surgery Push Is Failing | The Tyee
The shift strong-arms doctors but hasn’t saved money or shortened waits for critical operations, sources say. A Tyee investigation.
thetyee.ca
November 17, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Quote: "Low-acuity, high-volume day surgeries conducted in CSFs now make up more than 20% of insured surgical procedures in Alberta, and up to 30% in urban centres.
Meanwhile, wait times for nearly all critical cancer and other surgeries are far outside acceptable wait-time standards."
Meanwhile, wait times for nearly all critical cancer and other surgeries are far outside acceptable wait-time standards."
Reposted by Micheal J
“Whether that makes them lazy, impatient, or vengeful, the result is the same.
Pre-emptively using Section 33 doesn’t just allow the government to do an endrun around the courts.
It removes their obligation to defend their laws as being necessary and justified in a democratic society.”
Pre-emptively using Section 33 doesn’t just allow the government to do an endrun around the courts.
It removes their obligation to defend their laws as being necessary and justified in a democratic society.”
Why use the notwithstanding clause?
On laziness, impatience, and vengeance.
open.substack.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:26 PM
“Whether that makes them lazy, impatient, or vengeful, the result is the same.
Pre-emptively using Section 33 doesn’t just allow the government to do an endrun around the courts.
It removes their obligation to defend their laws as being necessary and justified in a democratic society.”
Pre-emptively using Section 33 doesn’t just allow the government to do an endrun around the courts.
It removes their obligation to defend their laws as being necessary and justified in a democratic society.”
Reposted by Micheal J
Reposted by Micheal J
People say the city is getting 'too busy' and 'there's too many people' -- but there are FEWER people in most of the neighbourhoods where people are complaining.
My guess is that there are more cars per capita though.
My guess is that there are more cars per capita though.
Almost everywhere in the City of Toronto has fewer people that it did 50 years ago
November 15, 2025 at 10:51 PM
People say the city is getting 'too busy' and 'there's too many people' -- but there are FEWER people in most of the neighbourhoods where people are complaining.
My guess is that there are more cars per capita though.
My guess is that there are more cars per capita though.
Reposted by Micheal J
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Micheal J
It's almost as if the blanket rezoning is working as planned... 🙄 More supply equals price declines, increasing housing accessibility. #yyccc #yyc #abpoli
Calgary home sales and prices slide calgaryherald.com/life/homes/c...
November 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM