John Bowker
@johnbowker.bsky.social
Policy researcher, retired record & book peddler. Transit, housing, land use, energy, infrastructure & misc #onpoli wonkery. #ONDP. Tweets my own (he/him)
“Residential home construction is moving at a brisk pace across Canada by historical standards but the results are uneven, with Ontario emerging as the clear laggard, according to a TD Economics report” ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canada-... #onpoli
Canada builds at near-record pace, but one province remains a drag: TD
Rental construction and federal support are driving the gains, for now at least.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:45 PM
“Residential home construction is moving at a brisk pace across Canada by historical standards but the results are uneven, with Ontario emerging as the clear laggard, according to a TD Economics report” ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canada-... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
My @thestar.com column: The Eglinton Crosstown is finally opening this Sunday, but please, spare us the celebration. We don’t want a party — we want an apology, an explanation, and a reason to believe a bungled project like this won’t ever happen again. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: When the Eglinton Crosstown LRT finally opens, they should offer us an apology, not a party
Due to Metrolinx’s veil of secrecy, there are still too many unanswered questions about why everything related to this project has been so slow.
www.thestar.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 PM
My @thestar.com column: The Eglinton Crosstown is finally opening this Sunday, but please, spare us the celebration. We don’t want a party — we want an apology, an explanation, and a reason to believe a bungled project like this won’t ever happen again. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Ontario’s transparency watchdog says she is beginning to use “firmer enforcement powers” in an effort to get ahead of the Ford government’s consistent use of personal devices for government business — a trend that’s being called “worrying” globalnews.ca/news/1164208... #onpoli
Watchdog leans into ‘firmer enforcement’ over Ford government personal devices | Globalnews.ca
The Information and Privacy Commissioner is engaged in multiple, escalating battles with current and former members of the Progressive Conservative administration.
globalnews.ca
February 3, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Ontario’s transparency watchdog says she is beginning to use “firmer enforcement powers” in an effort to get ahead of the Ford government’s consistent use of personal devices for government business — a trend that’s being called “worrying” globalnews.ca/news/1164208... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
It's time the government got serious about building affordable homes.
I was at the Village Soho in London. It’s the first project of its kind in Canada. Multiple non-profit developers came together to build affordable housing that actually works for people.
I was at the Village Soho in London. It’s the first project of its kind in Canada. Multiple non-profit developers came together to build affordable housing that actually works for people.
February 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
It's time the government got serious about building affordable homes.
I was at the Village Soho in London. It’s the first project of its kind in Canada. Multiple non-profit developers came together to build affordable housing that actually works for people.
I was at the Village Soho in London. It’s the first project of its kind in Canada. Multiple non-profit developers came together to build affordable housing that actually works for people.
Reposted by John Bowker
BREAKING: Fortress Real Developments co-founders sentenced to five years in prison, to pay $12.2-million each www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Fortress Real Developments co-founders sentenced to five years in prison, to pay $12.2-million each
Prosecutors in the case involving the former syndicated mortgage company had been seeking 10 years of jail time and a $26-million forfeiture
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:54 PM
BREAKING: Fortress Real Developments co-founders sentenced to five years in prison, to pay $12.2-million each www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art...
Under a “sweetheart deal,” Ontario taxpayers will owe Therme millions of dollars in annual penalties if the Ford government does not build a parking garage at Ontario Place before the spa opens. This deal was given ONLY to Therme, and not LiveNation www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti... #onpoli
Lease for Ontario Place music venue illustrates ‘sweetheart deal’ for Therme, critics say
Keep it tidy, no racist merchandise and no criminal performers—or at least, no performers who committed criminal acts while on stage.
www.ctvnews.ca
February 1, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Under a “sweetheart deal,” Ontario taxpayers will owe Therme millions of dollars in annual penalties if the Ford government does not build a parking garage at Ontario Place before the spa opens. This deal was given ONLY to Therme, and not LiveNation www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Over the past decade and a half, the Crosstown has cast a shadow on a swath of Toronto and becoming, to many, a symbol of the city’s inability to fulfil its potential.
www.thestar.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Off the rails: The inside story of how the Eglinton Crosstown LRT went from transit dream to cautionary tale
Reposted by John Bowker
Reflections on twenty years of blogging. stevemunro.ca/2026/01/31/t...
Twenty
January 31, 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of this blog. Over the years, we have covered a lot of territory in transit discussions. I say “we” not as the royal plural, but to recognize…
stevemunro.ca
January 31, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Reflections on twenty years of blogging. stevemunro.ca/2026/01/31/t...
Reposted by John Bowker
Disgusting take and policy. I met a refugee in downtown Toronto with trench foot — a WWI disease — that he contracted while living unsheltered in the rain. Refugees are not why the system is failing; they're the people we have failed and are now scapegoating. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: It is the right time – socially and economically – to scale back extended health benefits for refugees
It’s one small step toward rebuilding trust in Canada’s immigration system
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Disgusting take and policy. I met a refugee in downtown Toronto with trench foot — a WWI disease — that he contracted while living unsheltered in the rain. Refugees are not why the system is failing; they're the people we have failed and are now scapegoating. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Reposted by John Bowker
Ontario has the lowest per-capita hospital spending in the country. Expanding private care will worsen access. By @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #onpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
In Ontario, it’s a time of plenty for private health care while public hospitals starve - CCPA
Ontario public hospitals face large deficits even as the provincial government doles out more cash to for-profit providers.
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 28, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Ontario has the lowest per-capita hospital spending in the country. Expanding private care will worsen access. By @alonghurst.bsky.social @policyalternatives.ca #onpoli www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by John Bowker
Housing is a provincial responsibility! If the political will was there, we could end chronic homelessness.
We know the solutions needed, we just need a government that will step up and implement them.
#onpoli #housing #homelessness
We know the solutions needed, we just need a government that will step up and implement them.
#onpoli #housing #homelessness
January 27, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Housing is a provincial responsibility! If the political will was there, we could end chronic homelessness.
We know the solutions needed, we just need a government that will step up and implement them.
#onpoli #housing #homelessness
We know the solutions needed, we just need a government that will step up and implement them.
#onpoli #housing #homelessness
Reposted by John Bowker
New: The OPP's anti-rackets branch is investigating Jake's House, another group given millions by the Ford government, including through the Skills Development Fund.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
OPP investigating another group given millions by Ford government
Ontario cut funding to Jake’s House after ‘years’ of managing ‘issues and risks,’ including related to the disability charity’s ‘governance … and fiscal responsibility’
www.thetrillium.ca
January 26, 2026 at 9:57 PM
New: The OPP's anti-rackets branch is investigating Jake's House, another group given millions by the Ford government, including through the Skills Development Fund.
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
#onpoli
www.thetrillium.ca/news/the-tri...
Most Finch West LRT delays are due to equipment failures Metrolinx & its P3 contractor are responsible for: “There are a lot of issues there and some of them seem more fundamental than just, ‘Oh we haven’t quite got a few of the kinks worked out yet’” www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor... #onpoli #TOpoli
January 23, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Most Finch West LRT delays are due to equipment failures Metrolinx & its P3 contractor are responsible for: “There are a lot of issues there and some of them seem more fundamental than just, ‘Oh we haven’t quite got a few of the kinks worked out yet’” www.thestar.com/news/gta/tor... #onpoli #TOpoli
"Ford’s cash transfer did not improve access to cataract surgery for Ontarians overall — only the richest Ontarians got improved access to cataract care” thelocal.to/cataract-sur... #onpoli #ONhealth
How Privatized Cataract Surgery Helped Ontario’s Wealthiest—and Left Others Behind | The Local
Why a routine surgery offers a window into the possible future of care in this province.
thelocal.to
January 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM
"Ford’s cash transfer did not improve access to cataract surgery for Ontarians overall — only the richest Ontarians got improved access to cataract care” thelocal.to/cataract-sur... #onpoli #ONhealth
Reposted by John Bowker
TTC has published the delay data for 6 Finch for December 2025. Overwhelmingly the problems lie with equipment and infrastructure failures, not with TTC operations. stevemunro.ca/2026/01/21/6...
January 21, 2026 at 10:35 PM
TTC has published the delay data for 6 Finch for December 2025. Overwhelmingly the problems lie with equipment and infrastructure failures, not with TTC operations. stevemunro.ca/2026/01/21/6...
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: The stats for 2025 are in - and Ontario had the worst housing construction rate in the country.
The province saw just 62,561 housing starts last year. Its target was 150,000 for this year and next year that will rise to 175,000. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1162248...
The province saw just 62,561 housing starts last year. Its target was 150,000 for this year and next year that will rise to 175,000. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1162248...
Ontario saw double digit housing dip in 2025, housing minister promises more measures to come | Globalnews.ca
The slump in housing starts – 62,561 in 2025 – is also an all-time low since the Ford government promised to build 1.5 million homes during the 2022 provincial election
globalnews.ca
January 21, 2026 at 4:31 PM
NEW: The stats for 2025 are in - and Ontario had the worst housing construction rate in the country.
The province saw just 62,561 housing starts last year. Its target was 150,000 for this year and next year that will rise to 175,000. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1162248...
The province saw just 62,561 housing starts last year. Its target was 150,000 for this year and next year that will rise to 175,000. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1162248...
Reposted by John Bowker
I think some Toronto YIMBYs who find Chow insufficiently to their liking have been talking themselves into fanfiction where Bradford is the viable alternative and I really need folks to understand it's gonna be Chow v. Unrepentant Suburban NIMBYism, that's the ballot.
Brad Bradford is using his former bike riding credibility to curry favour w the anti bike folks and become mayor. 'Don't worry I used to ride a bike and I now hate bike lanes too' (for political gain). This guy is the worst.
January 18, 2026 at 5:03 PM
I think some Toronto YIMBYs who find Chow insufficiently to their liking have been talking themselves into fanfiction where Bradford is the viable alternative and I really need folks to understand it's gonna be Chow v. Unrepentant Suburban NIMBYism, that's the ballot.
“I’m never going to buy pre-construction again”: she bought a two-bedroom townhouse, but got a one bedroom plus den.
Ontario’s pre-construction condo buyers still lack protection, discouraging investment as housing starts collapse www.thestar.com/real-estate/... #onpoli
Ontario’s pre-construction condo buyers still lack protection, discouraging investment as housing starts collapse www.thestar.com/real-estate/... #onpoli
She says she bought a two-bedroom townhouse, they built a one bedroom plus den. Here’s why she’s ‘never going to buy pre-construction again’
She says she bought a two-bedroom townhouse, they built a one bedroom plus den. Here’s why she’s ‘never going to buy pre-construction again.’
www.thestar.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:14 PM
“I’m never going to buy pre-construction again”: she bought a two-bedroom townhouse, but got a one bedroom plus den.
Ontario’s pre-construction condo buyers still lack protection, discouraging investment as housing starts collapse www.thestar.com/real-estate/... #onpoli
Ontario’s pre-construction condo buyers still lack protection, discouraging investment as housing starts collapse www.thestar.com/real-estate/... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
If fighting for Ontario auto workers wasn't important enough for Doug Ford to go to Beijing, what was?
Scott Moe flew to China for Saskatchewan canola. Doug Ford stayed home while Mark Carney negotiated our auto sector's future – with no one at the table negotiating for Ontario workers.
Scott Moe flew to China for Saskatchewan canola. Doug Ford stayed home while Mark Carney negotiated our auto sector's future – with no one at the table negotiating for Ontario workers.
January 16, 2026 at 2:07 PM
If fighting for Ontario auto workers wasn't important enough for Doug Ford to go to Beijing, what was?
Scott Moe flew to China for Saskatchewan canola. Doug Ford stayed home while Mark Carney negotiated our auto sector's future – with no one at the table negotiating for Ontario workers.
Scott Moe flew to China for Saskatchewan canola. Doug Ford stayed home while Mark Carney negotiated our auto sector's future – with no one at the table negotiating for Ontario workers.
Reposted by John Bowker
Labour minister has given PC donors’ companies 80% of for-profit businesses’ Skills Development Funds
Labour minister has given PC donors’ companies 80% of for-profit businesses’ Skills Development Funds
Most became donors or increased their donations after the SDF was created
dlvr.it
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Labour minister has given PC donors’ companies 80% of for-profit businesses’ Skills Development Funds
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: Toronto’s struggling Finch West LRT appears to be using a similar switch technology to the one that crippled Ottawa’s light rail system when it first launched, something a public inquiry warned other transit systems not to adopt. #TOPoli #ONpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1160998...
globalnews.ca/news/1160998...
Finch West LRT using electric switch heaters Ottawa LRT inquiry warned against | Globalnews.ca
Since launching at the beginning of winter, the Finch West LRT has been beset by delays and service disruptions tied to the switch technology embedded in the new transit line.
globalnews.ca
January 13, 2026 at 4:01 PM
NEW: Toronto’s struggling Finch West LRT appears to be using a similar switch technology to the one that crippled Ottawa’s light rail system when it first launched, something a public inquiry warned other transit systems not to adopt. #TOPoli #ONpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1160998...
globalnews.ca/news/1160998...
“We’re talking increases of 165% for the market rate over the next 3 years alone. That’s untenable. That’s an absolute threat to the competitiveness of our industrial sector and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports,” warns the Association of Major Power Consumers #onpoli
“In a rate application submitted to the OEB in December, OPG requested payments of nearly $207 dollars per megawatt hour produced by its nuclear power stations beginning Jan. 1, 2027, roughly double what it received as recently as last year” www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #onpoli
Ontario Power Generation seeks rate increase for electricity from nuclear plants
Proposed increase would go toward building new reactors, refurbishing old ones, OPG says
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:33 PM
“We’re talking increases of 165% for the market rate over the next 3 years alone. That’s untenable. That’s an absolute threat to the competitiveness of our industrial sector and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports,” warns the Association of Major Power Consumers #onpoli
“In a rate application submitted to the OEB in December, OPG requested payments of nearly $207 dollars per megawatt hour produced by its nuclear power stations beginning Jan. 1, 2027, roughly double what it received as recently as last year” www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #onpoli
Ontario Power Generation seeks rate increase for electricity from nuclear plants
Proposed increase would go toward building new reactors, refurbishing old ones, OPG says
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:26 PM
“In a rate application submitted to the OEB in December, OPG requested payments of nearly $207 dollars per megawatt hour produced by its nuclear power stations beginning Jan. 1, 2027, roughly double what it received as recently as last year” www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #onpoli
“His aggressive, destructive, expensive remaking of this public park is no longer just weird. It may be unconstitutional” www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
Ford asked for trouble with Ontario Place. The Supreme Court may give it to him
The Ontario government accommodated a foreign company by throwing out the rulebook
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:55 PM
“His aggressive, destructive, expensive remaking of this public park is no longer just weird. It may be unconstitutional” www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
Not just the court ruling, but Ontario’s Freedom of Information laws also explicitly guarantee personal privacy. People who contact the government need not fear their personal information could be exposed, and shame on Ford for falsely claiming otherwise #onpoli
NEW: Premier Doug Ford says he will fight against an order to hand over government-related calls made on his personal cellphone, arguing it would make private citizen information public — something the court ruling explicitly protects against. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1159987...
globalnews.ca/news/1159987...
Ford will file appeal against court ruling to release personal phone records | Globalnews.ca
The latest twist in a three-year-old transparency battle means the government has now twice lost its argument Ford should not have to make parts of his phone records public.
globalnews.ca
January 6, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Not just the court ruling, but Ontario’s Freedom of Information laws also explicitly guarantee personal privacy. People who contact the government need not fear their personal information could be exposed, and shame on Ford for falsely claiming otherwise #onpoli