John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
@johnleesonto.bsky.social
Toronto, biking & walking, Blue Jays. Americana, world & roots music. Dreaming of a world free of Poilievre, Doug Ford, & Pu*in, and that other guy. Trying to ignore politics in that crazy country south of us.
I’m super anxious to hear Nunziata’s decision. 41 straight years in politics (3 school board, 38 Council.) Will she quit and let Mike Colle overtake her? He has 40: 9+8 at Council, 23 at Queen’s Park.
Per @torontotoday.ca, seven councillors - Holyday, Colle, Moise, Burnside, Kandavel, Mantas, and Cheng - have confirmed their intention to seek re-election in their wards while Bradford can't because he's running for Mayor. #TOpoli www.torontotoday.ca/local/city-h...
These 8 Toronto city councillors plan to run again in October election
Eight months out from this year’s municipal election, only eight city councillors would confirm they plan to run again
www.torontotoday.ca
February 18, 2026 at 1:00 AM
I’m super anxious to hear Nunziata’s decision. 41 straight years in politics (3 school board, 38 Council.) Will she quit and let Mike Colle overtake her? He has 40: 9+8 at Council, 23 at Queen’s Park.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
It's the old adage that a scientist can bring dinosaurs back to life but it takes a social scientist to tell you that's a bad idea.
People with liberal arts degrees learned how to think critically and with clarity. We’re the Cons’ worst nightmare. 😂
February 17, 2026 at 9:01 PM
It's the old adage that a scientist can bring dinosaurs back to life but it takes a social scientist to tell you that's a bad idea.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Toronto do you know about the Kotatsu Festival tr.jpf.go.jp/kotatsu2026/
This is a yearly free(!) film festival of Japanese movies and they always select amazing stuff
Not familiar with this year's lineup except the closer, Linda Linda Linda (2005), which is an absolute joy
I can't go this year
This is a yearly free(!) film festival of Japanese movies and they always select amazing stuff
Not familiar with this year's lineup except the closer, Linda Linda Linda (2005), which is an absolute joy
I can't go this year
KOTATSU 2026: Japanese Cinema at Innis Town Hall
Our annual winter film showcase, KOTATSU 2026: Japanese Cinema at Innis Town Hall, is back on Mar 7 & 8. Free admission for all films.
tr.jpf.go.jp
February 17, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Toronto do you know about the Kotatsu Festival tr.jpf.go.jp/kotatsu2026/
This is a yearly free(!) film festival of Japanese movies and they always select amazing stuff
Not familiar with this year's lineup except the closer, Linda Linda Linda (2005), which is an absolute joy
I can't go this year
This is a yearly free(!) film festival of Japanese movies and they always select amazing stuff
Not familiar with this year's lineup except the closer, Linda Linda Linda (2005), which is an absolute joy
I can't go this year
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Hegseth just killed a bunch more people.
February 17, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Hegseth just killed a bunch more people.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Perfect illustration of the Jenga school of management!
February 17, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Perfect illustration of the Jenga school of management!
Trump’s actions are responsible for massive “national (ie American) self-harm”, but so much of what he does devastates much of the rest of the world.
The Trump Administration's anti-vax policies will go down as one of the greatest acts of national self-harm -- to our health and our economy -- in history. I hope RFK is happy. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/h...
Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Trump’s actions are responsible for massive “national (ie American) self-harm”, but so much of what he does devastates much of the rest of the world.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
February 17, 2026 at 11:41 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
The worst case scenario for an AOC presidential run in 2028 is that she’s setting herself up for 2032 or 2036.
She is going to be president someday—it’s just a matter of time.
She is going to be president someday—it’s just a matter of time.
You Know What? Maybe the Time Is Right for an AOC Presidential Bid
She’s only 36, and there’s a good argument that she should run for Senate and bide her time. But she also could be a formidable White House candidate.
newrepublic.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:13 PM
The worst case scenario for an AOC presidential run in 2028 is that she’s setting herself up for 2032 or 2036.
She is going to be president someday—it’s just a matter of time.
She is going to be president someday—it’s just a matter of time.
This makes sense. I wondered where his concern for Nigeria came from. There aren’t that many white people there.
Trump threatens more attacks on Nigeria unless their prince returns his money
Trump threatens more attacks on Nigeria unless their prince returns his money
WASHINGTON, DC - President Donald Trump recently took to his Truth Social media platform to warn Nigeria that it will be targeted with more airstrikes, unless "Prince Adewale Oluewesan returns the mon...
www.thebeaverton.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:40 AM
This makes sense. I wondered where his concern for Nigeria came from. There aren’t that many white people there.
We shoulda just elected him mayor in 2014. That way he wouldn’t be trying to be mayor of every city in Ontario.
Ontario mayors are worried about soaring cost of law enforcement. Doug Ford says they can’t touch police budgets
Ontario mayors are worried about soaring cost of law enforcement. Doug Ford says they can’t touch police budgets
A letter from the province warned municipalities that strong mayor powers do not include the ability to limit police budget increases or veto estimates of individual line items.
www.thestar.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:34 AM
We shoulda just elected him mayor in 2014. That way he wouldn’t be trying to be mayor of every city in Ontario.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Much like SkyDome, this will only ever be Science Centre Station.
February 16, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Much like SkyDome, this will only ever be Science Centre Station.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
This is the thing to do. Versus Vance’s “western civilization” nonsense, we need to rebuild around the principle that democracy, liberal markets, social justice and human mobility are and have always been universal human values not at all confined to or even originating in the West
February 16, 2026 at 11:10 PM
This is the thing to do. Versus Vance’s “western civilization” nonsense, we need to rebuild around the principle that democracy, liberal markets, social justice and human mobility are and have always been universal human values not at all confined to or even originating in the West
Trump “loves Canadians”, and we love the USA… At least, we don’t hate the country as much as Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
Canadian Net-Favourables:
🇮🇹Italy: +65%
🇯🇵Japan: +63%
🇬🇧UK: +59%
🇩🇪Germany: +54%
🇫🇷France: +54%
🇰🇷S. Korea: +40%
🇲🇽Mexico: +28%
🇻🇪Venezuela: -10%
🇨🇳China: -11%
🇮🇳India: -16%
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia: -26%
🇺🇸USA: -32%
🇷🇺Russia: -43%
🇮🇷Iran: -46%
🇰🇵N. Korea: -54%
Research Co / Feb 6, 2026
🇮🇹Italy: +65%
🇯🇵Japan: +63%
🇬🇧UK: +59%
🇩🇪Germany: +54%
🇫🇷France: +54%
🇰🇷S. Korea: +40%
🇲🇽Mexico: +28%
🇻🇪Venezuela: -10%
🇨🇳China: -11%
🇮🇳India: -16%
🇸🇦Saudi Arabia: -26%
🇺🇸USA: -32%
🇷🇺Russia: -43%
🇮🇷Iran: -46%
🇰🇵N. Korea: -54%
Research Co / Feb 6, 2026
February 15, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Trump “loves Canadians”, and we love the USA… At least, we don’t hate the country as much as Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
Time for a rousing “America: the greatest country in the world” chorus.
February 14, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Time for a rousing “America: the greatest country in the world” chorus.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
“Hold your kids tight. Tell them you love them every day. You never know.”
Heartbreaking portraits of lives and futures lost 💔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Heartbreaking portraits of lives and futures lost 💔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Eight lives lost in British Columbia: Their names and stories
Community of Tumbler Ridge mourning five children and an educator killed in school shooting and deaths of shooter’s mother and half-brother
www.theglobeandmail.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:37 PM
“Hold your kids tight. Tell them you love them every day. You never know.”
Heartbreaking portraits of lives and futures lost 💔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Heartbreaking portraits of lives and futures lost 💔
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
The “La Marseillaise” scene in Casablanca (1942) still lands with staggering power. Many extras were actual refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe, which is why it feels so painfully genuine.👏👏👏👏🎶💙
February 13, 2026 at 9:37 PM
The “La Marseillaise” scene in Casablanca (1942) still lands with staggering power. Many extras were actual refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe, which is why it feels so painfully genuine.👏👏👏👏🎶💙
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Billionaires who lobbied Trump to halt Canadian bridge praise EZ-Bribe App
Billionaires who lobbied Trump to halt Canadian bridge praise EZ-Bribe App
DETROIT, MI - Billionaire Matthew Moroun, whose family recently lobbied the Trump administration to publicly threaten the Gordie Howe International Bridge which competes with their interests, has prai...
www.thebeaverton.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Billionaires who lobbied Trump to halt Canadian bridge praise EZ-Bribe App
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
This is just unconscionable man
February 13, 2026 at 1:43 AM
This is just unconscionable man
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
Meanwhile,
Ukrposhta ⬇️
Ukrposhta ⬇️
February 12, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Meanwhile,
Ukrposhta ⬇️
Ukrposhta ⬇️
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
The only really famous person I've had to spend time with was Leonard Cohen. I asked him how his songs came to be used in McCabe And Mrs. Miller.
He said when the Altman people called, he'd recently seen Brewster McCloud, loved it, and was happy to be a part of whatever Altman did next.
He said when the Altman people called, he'd recently seen Brewster McCloud, loved it, and was happy to be a part of whatever Altman did next.
February 11, 2026 at 9:41 PM
The only really famous person I've had to spend time with was Leonard Cohen. I asked him how his songs came to be used in McCabe And Mrs. Miller.
He said when the Altman people called, he'd recently seen Brewster McCloud, loved it, and was happy to be a part of whatever Altman did next.
He said when the Altman people called, he'd recently seen Brewster McCloud, loved it, and was happy to be a part of whatever Altman did next.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
RIP Bud Cort. May you fly high in the Astrodome of heaven.
Brewster Takes Flight | Brewster McCloud | Warner Archive
YouTube video by Warner Bros. Classics
www.youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:22 PM
RIP Bud Cort. May you fly high in the Astrodome of heaven.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Reposted by John Leeson 🇨🇦🇺🇦
A dresser inside a museum in New York City has been discovered as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad — the first of its kind discovered in Manhattan in over 100 years
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 AM
A dresser inside a museum in New York City has been discovered as a secret stop on the Underground Railroad — the first of its kind discovered in Manhattan in over 100 years