Michael John Lo
@michaeljohnlo.bsky.social
Skeetin' from Victoria, Canada. Reporter with the Times Colonist newspaper, prev. words in the Globe and Mail, The Tyee, Capital Daily & more. He/him. Allergic to eggplant, shrimp, lobster.
Pinned
buckle-up for extremely niche tweets about Victoria BC
Reposted by Michael John Lo
I've spent my day tracking down Canadian companies that have direct or indirect contracts supporting ICE operations.
So far, I've found NINE. I've reached out to all of them.
I plan to publish my video on this tomorrow, detailing the companies, contract amounts and purposes.
So far, I've found NINE. I've reached out to all of them.
I plan to publish my video on this tomorrow, detailing the companies, contract amounts and purposes.
Following this exclusive (and excellent) piece from David, I've contacted the federal government to ask if they intend to continue subsidizing JSI Telecom in the future.
I've also contacted JSI Telecom for comment, adding them to the list of Canadian businesses working with ICE who I've contacted.
I've also contacted JSI Telecom for comment, adding them to the list of Canadian businesses working with ICE who I've contacted.
In December, the Canadian government gave $1 million to Ottawa's JSI Telecom to commercialize AI-driven data analytics.
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
JSI, a wiretaps and investigation support firm, had a banner year in U.S. government sales in 2025, including a big new contract with ICE.
thelogic.co/news/exclusi...
January 26, 2026 at 9:57 PM
I've spent my day tracking down Canadian companies that have direct or indirect contracts supporting ICE operations.
So far, I've found NINE. I've reached out to all of them.
I plan to publish my video on this tomorrow, detailing the companies, contract amounts and purposes.
So far, I've found NINE. I've reached out to all of them.
I plan to publish my video on this tomorrow, detailing the companies, contract amounts and purposes.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
It's time to board the Mothership.
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
Board the Mothership.
YouTube video by Mothership Media LLC
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:59 PM
It's time to board the Mothership.
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
www.youtube.com/shorts/iEw90...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
"This is why the decision is not a threat – it is a reaffirmation. And seeing it as a threat applies a Trumpian lens to the Canadian state: that relationships should be transactional, and not about building a better, equitable country for all our children." www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/f690186...
No, Indigenous people are not coming to take Canadians’ homes
For all the fear-mongering, the Cowichan decision in B.C. only reaffirms the law of the land
www.theglobeandmail.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:14 PM
"This is why the decision is not a threat – it is a reaffirmation. And seeing it as a threat applies a Trumpian lens to the Canadian state: that relationships should be transactional, and not about building a better, equitable country for all our children." www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/f690186...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
This case is an important one to watch if you care about your own right to know. If the police are free to arrest, detain and block journalists while acting on industry's behalf, our whole information ecosystem gets eroded.
We're suing the RCMP and it's finally going to trial this month. Here's a great video explaining why we're doing it. #cdnpoli www.youtube.com/watch?v=stDm...
The Narwhal’s court case against the RCMP, explained
YouTube video by The Narwhal
www.youtube.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:53 PM
This case is an important one to watch if you care about your own right to know. If the police are free to arrest, detain and block journalists while acting on industry's behalf, our whole information ecosystem gets eroded.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Well, at least that's over
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Well, at least that's over
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Had a conversation with a 19 year old over Christmas; I asked her where she gets her news and she said she doesn't. I asked her where she goes to find out about the world and she said she doesn't. Just...doesn't. Shook me to the core, in part because I should have known this is happening but didn't.
December 28, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Had a conversation with a 19 year old over Christmas; I asked her where she gets her news and she said she doesn't. I asked her where she goes to find out about the world and she said she doesn't. Just...doesn't. Shook me to the core, in part because I should have known this is happening but didn't.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
My editorial in today's newspaper.
"We need more buses between Island communities.
Motorists can reach virtually any village, town or city, but public transit users often cannot get where they need to go."
Let me know if you want to be on our mailing list.
www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...
"We need more buses between Island communities.
Motorists can reach virtually any village, town or city, but public transit users often cannot get where they need to go."
Let me know if you want to be on our mailing list.
www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...
Comment: We need more buses between Island communities
We know that motorists can reach virtually any village, town or city, but public transit users often cannot get where they need to go.
www.timescolonist.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
My editorial in today's newspaper.
"We need more buses between Island communities.
Motorists can reach virtually any village, town or city, but public transit users often cannot get where they need to go."
Let me know if you want to be on our mailing list.
www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...
"We need more buses between Island communities.
Motorists can reach virtually any village, town or city, but public transit users often cannot get where they need to go."
Let me know if you want to be on our mailing list.
www.timescolonist.com/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
“An isolated bike lane is a toy; a useful network of bike and roll lanes is core infrastructure.”
I love this commentary on how empowering it is to have choices in your community. It’s also invigorating to know many communities in the region are contributing to a useful network of transportation ♥️
I love this commentary on how empowering it is to have choices in your community. It’s also invigorating to know many communities in the region are contributing to a useful network of transportation ♥️
Comment: How Victoria’s bike and roll network changed my life
Even if you, or your friends, don’t use the safe bike and roll network, there are thousands and thousands of your neighbours that do.
www.timescolonist.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“An isolated bike lane is a toy; a useful network of bike and roll lanes is core infrastructure.”
I love this commentary on how empowering it is to have choices in your community. It’s also invigorating to know many communities in the region are contributing to a useful network of transportation ♥️
I love this commentary on how empowering it is to have choices in your community. It’s also invigorating to know many communities in the region are contributing to a useful network of transportation ♥️
Working the Christmas shift for @timescolonist.bsky.social today, and it's surreal to get almost zero emails in my inbox. Maybe this is how it feels to be in a zombie apocalypse.
December 25, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Working the Christmas shift for @timescolonist.bsky.social today, and it's surreal to get almost zero emails in my inbox. Maybe this is how it feels to be in a zombie apocalypse.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Spoiler alert for the latest Avatar: a drive by look at history, every Indigenous stereotype imaginable, and it makes money. Oh yeah, it’s also blue.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2025/1...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2025/1...
Opinion: Cameron’s degrading, one-dimensional take on Indigenous people a money-making machine
In James Cameron’s blockbuster film Avatar: Fire and Ash — the third entry in the director’s franchise, released this past weekend — there is a scene that attempts to represent a real-life ceremony Ca...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Spoiler alert for the latest Avatar: a drive by look at history, every Indigenous stereotype imaginable, and it makes money. Oh yeah, it’s also blue.
www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2025/1...
www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
I’m just five new annual paid subscribers away from my fundraising goal to attend the federal NDP convention in Winnipeg.
If you’ve considered giving to the Orchard but haven’t yet, or your membership has lapsed, now’s your time to contribute.
Www.readtheorchard.org
If you’ve considered giving to the Orchard but haven’t yet, or your membership has lapsed, now’s your time to contribute.
Www.readtheorchard.org
The Orchard | Jeremy Appel | Substack
News and analysis from an unabashedly progressive perspective, focusing on the intersection of politics, media and corporate power. Click to read The Orchard, by Jeremy Appel, a Substack publication w...
Www.readtheorchard.org
December 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I’m just five new annual paid subscribers away from my fundraising goal to attend the federal NDP convention in Winnipeg.
If you’ve considered giving to the Orchard but haven’t yet, or your membership has lapsed, now’s your time to contribute.
Www.readtheorchard.org
If you’ve considered giving to the Orchard but haven’t yet, or your membership has lapsed, now’s your time to contribute.
Www.readtheorchard.org
Reposted by Michael John Lo
We're hiring for a nine-month contract covering federal politics! Posting coming soon, but don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested — jimmy at nationalobserver dotcom
December 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
We're hiring for a nine-month contract covering federal politics! Posting coming soon, but don't hesitate to reach out if you're interested — jimmy at nationalobserver dotcom
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Nice to see @victoria.ca consider this. It doesn’t offset the 10s of thousands added to housing costs in the last few years but this acknowledges that city fees has a large impact on housing costs and housing supply. Story from @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
Victoria developers could see 'permit fee holiday' under mayor's proposal
Mayor Marianne Alto says it’s important to keep the momentum of new residential developments going so the cost of housing can come down in Victoria.
www.timescolonist.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Nice to see @victoria.ca consider this. It doesn’t offset the 10s of thousands added to housing costs in the last few years but this acknowledges that city fees has a large impact on housing costs and housing supply. Story from @michaeljohnlo.bsky.social
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/v...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
We published our AI policy yesterday. It affirms our commitment to human-made writing, photography and illustrations. #journalism #localnews You can read more here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
The Tyee Has a New AI Policy | The Tyee
Long story short: We’re mostly taking a pass on the robots.
thetyee.ca
December 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We published our AI policy yesterday. It affirms our commitment to human-made writing, photography and illustrations. #journalism #localnews You can read more here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
The changes that were voted in by council would mean that the Times Colonist would lose CoV ad money equivalent to the annual wages for a reporter or two, if I'm understanding this correctly
Item G3, Public Notice Bylaw changes. Staff brought it forward, like other items today, looking for efficiencies. Gardiner pulled this off the consent agenda.
Gardiner: What's the reason for the significant budget decrease?
Staff: Fewer public hearings, fewer statutory notices, less money.
Gardiner: What's the reason for the significant budget decrease?
Staff: Fewer public hearings, fewer statutory notices, less money.
December 4, 2025 at 10:07 PM
The changes that were voted in by council would mean that the Times Colonist would lose CoV ad money equivalent to the annual wages for a reporter or two, if I'm understanding this correctly
OneBC members were speaking to a videographer outside the Clearihue Building near Ring Road when someone began throwing orange-coloured smoke bombs.
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/t...
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/t...
One arrested at OneBC event at UVic that draws protesters
Police did not name the person arrested under the Trespass Act, but OneBC leader Dallas Brodie said it was planned speaker Francis Widdowson, who was later released.
www.timescolonist.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:55 AM
OneBC members were speaking to a videographer outside the Clearihue Building near Ring Road when someone began throwing orange-coloured smoke bombs.
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/t...
www.timescolonist.com/local-news/t...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Hong Kong police raid construction company responsible for renos at public housing estate engulfed in flames yesterday, @jamestgriffiths.com reports. At least 83 dead, hundreds still unaccounted for, in territory's worst fire disaster since Second World War
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Hong Kong police raid company linked to Wang Fuk Court fire
At least 83 dead, hundreds missing in territory’s worst fire disaster since the Second World War
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Hong Kong police raid construction company responsible for renos at public housing estate engulfed in flames yesterday, @jamestgriffiths.com reports. At least 83 dead, hundreds still unaccounted for, in territory's worst fire disaster since Second World War
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Reposted by Michael John Lo
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
November 27, 2025 at 9:17 AM
International media, you can do better than this.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
"Bamboo" is maybe exotic and a compelling hook but it is too easy. The real story here is the growing culture of corruption, including a lack of accountability and oversight, that enabled a chain of human errors that led to this disaster.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
November 27, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Pro-democracy parties existed to be thorns in the government’s side — true enough. But the official story, that they “politicised” everything while the establishment camp championed livelihood issues, does not match the reality.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
See below for an example of how they also pushed back on local issues.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
I saw Thomas King finally admitted he’s not Native. We were going to do a story on him for the old podcast - he was cited in a court case, his books used in schools - so it mattered. But also it would just be so ugly. This is the best way for him to do it.
November 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
I saw Thomas King finally admitted he’s not Native. We were going to do a story on him for the old podcast - he was cited in a court case, his books used in schools - so it mattered. But also it would just be so ugly. This is the best way for him to do it.
Reposted by Michael John Lo
(everyone has known for years — years!! — that Thomas King is not Cherokee) www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/book...
Inconvenient Indian author Thomas King says he is not part Cherokee
Writer ‘still in shock’ after a whistle-blowing organization showed him genealogical evidence that he wasn’t part Indigenous as he originally assumed
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
(everyone has known for years — years!! — that Thomas King is not Cherokee) www.theglobeandmail.com/culture/book...