Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Civic Tech Toronto

@civictechto.bsky.social

480 followers 79 following 96 posts

civictech.ca We are a community of tech-minded folk making civic life better in Toronto. Come and join our weekly online and in-person events with speakers, discussions and project breakouts! Upcoming events: https://guild.host/civic-tech-toronto

guild.host

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · 8d

This Tuesday: Elbows up, Nerds!

US companies dominate our digital lives. @davenuman.bsky.social shows us that Open Source software offers alternatives that can be fully Canadian sovereign.

Plus: discussions and project breakouts!

👉 𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁 𝟳 in person and online

guild.host/events/civic...

David Numan
Elbows Up, Nerds!
Civic Tech
TORONTO
Hacknight #513
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Tues Oct 7
→ 7pm

1 2

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · 16d

This coming Tuesday!

Aedan Burnett will explain how he built ismympalandlord.ca – and many of the surprising and unexpected things he learned in the process.

Plus our usual discussions and breakouts, naturally.

Come along!

👉 𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝟯𝟬 in person and online 👈

guild.host/events/civic...

Aedan Burnett
Is My MP a Landlord?
Civic Tech
TORONTO
Hacknight # 512
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Tues Sept 30
→ 7pm

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · 22d

Coming up on Tuesday! Hacknight #511

TorontoID: Kelindi Kumar will talk about his experience of making local software, and using the AT Protocol

Plus our usual discussions and breakouts.

Come along and join us!

𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 in person and online 🙌

guild.host/events/civic...

Tues Sept 23 → 7pm
Kelindi Kumar
TorontolD: Building local software with the
AT Protocol
Civic Tech
IN PERSON
TORONTO
AND ONLINE
Hacknight #511

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · 29d

Coming up on Tuesday: Alex MacIsaac, Senior Research Coordinator at the Samara Centre for Democracy, will share his insight into the state of social media research.

Plus our usual discussions and breakouts.

We'd love to see you!

𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝟭𝟲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 in person and online 🙌

guild.host/events/civic...

Alex Macisaac
Social Media Research for Social Good
Civic Tech
TORONTO
Hacknight #510
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Tues Sept 16
→ 7pm

1 2

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Sep 5

Next week Tuesday: Francesca Policarpio talks about Community Benefits, and how ArcGIS maps and interactive tools have helped users understand these vital funds.

Plus our usual discussions and breakouts, of course.

Come join us!

𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝟵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁 in person and online 🙌

guild.host/events/civic...

Francesca Policarpio
Turning Complex Data Into Clear Stories: Mapping Community Benefits in Toronto Centre
Civic Tech
TORONTO
Hacknight #509
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Tues Sept 9
→ 7pm

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 21

Come and see Sonali Chakraborti talk about the controversial City of Toronto procurement of PayIt. Innovative digital transformation or accountability failure?

Come join us!

𝟳𝗽𝗺 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝗴 in person and online 👍

guild.host/events/civic...

Sonali Chakraborti Paylt - City of Toronto's Innovative Digital Transformation or an Accountability Failure?
Civic Tech
TORONTO
Hacknight # 507
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Tues Aug 26
→ 7pm

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 17

New statements are coming in for you to vote on. pol.is/3smctymsxs Then Pol.is will measure the hidden consensus. #CivicSpark

Polis

pol.is

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 17

Now is your chance to see for yourself how AI can assist in insuring your matters. Follow this link pol.is/3smctymsxs to join the conversation and help shape the collective picture. The more perspectives, the sharper the insight. #CivicSpark

Polis

pol.is

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Don’t forget, if you need a moment to recharge in peace away from all the excitement, Room 380 is available with puzzles and relevant reading material. #CivicSpark

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

In a creative block? Ali and Zam want to talk about it at #CivicSpark unconfernce edition.

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

The truth is, you only fail when you stop trying. #CivicSpark

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Tools like Pol.is from Taiwan can transform things in the way they measure consensus and find the best interest that would have otherwise been hidden. This kind of resource and information is needed to move policy forward.

Polis

Pol.is

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Let’s talk about Operationalizing AI and Democracy. #CivicSpark

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

5. LAW OF TWO FEET: If you’re not into a session, leave and no one will take it personally.

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

3. INCLUSIVE: Share what you know, ask when you don’t, and don’t judge in either case.

4. FOCUSED: You don’t need a defined ending point, but a shared starting point helps.

1 1

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Keep in mind the unique Guiding Principles:

1. GROUNDED: Build on lived experience and real needs.

2. COLLABORATIVE: Make sessions participatory whenever possible.

1 1

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Going into the second half of the event, this is a good time to think about what YOU would like to facilitate and participate in for the Unconference tomorrow. #CivicSpark

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Overheard in the lunch line: “looks like we have a one way ticket to yum town.” - Anonymous

Thank you, Naan Kabob.

naankabob.ca

Naan Kabob: Authentic Afghan & Mediterranean Cuisine in GTA

Discover Afghan and Mediterranean cuisine at Naan Kabob. Mississauga & Toronto’s top-rated Halal spot for kabobs, family meals, and catering. Order online today!

naankabob.ca

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Q: What has contributed to the long term success of bike brigade?

A: Connections that extend beyond the organization. Ideally, it would be designed to eventually be obsolete. Don’t underestimate the potential of prioritizing a sense of peace that can pivot into any other activities.
- Rachel Wang

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Enjoyed the Conversation on Bike Brigade and wondering how to get involved? Sign up for a ride and you could be cruising too this week.

www.bikebrigade.ca/deliveries

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Agreed.

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

- Boosts confidence and reduces risk in design choices by ensuring ongoing user feedback and insights.

- Ensures accountability and equity through continuous input from a representative group of users.

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

It’s simple.

- Upfront investment in an advisory group makes research faster, cheaper, and more responsive.

- Builds stronger, more genuine relationships with participants while avoiding extractive research practices.

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

Andrew Do is presenting at #CivicSpark Stage 2. But why choose Participant Advisory Councils?

1 1

Civic Tech Toronto @civictechto.bsky.social · Aug 16

You may be surprised by some of the answers.