Peter MacLeod
@petermacleod.bsky.social
Principal, MASS LBP | Helping people shape the policies that shape their lives | Citizens’ Assemblies + Democratic Innovation | DEMOCRACY’S SECOND ACT coming Feb 2026
Pinned
On February 10, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics needs the Public is being published. Order a copy today from your local bookseller, or internationally on Amazon. www.democracyssecondact.org
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Prediction market sites are casinos run by techno-bookies. They're a scourge and ought to be regulated and legislated into oblivion.
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
Prediction Markets Are Bookies With Venture Capital Funding
Backed by Silicon Valley–aligned venture capital and legal loopholes, prediction markets are creeping into every corner of life. They turn everything from measles outbreaks to government resignations ...
jacobin.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Prediction market sites are casinos run by techno-bookies. They're a scourge and ought to be regulated and legislated into oblivion.
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
jacobin.com/2025/12/pred...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
This was literally a Parks & Rec joke
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This was literally a Parks & Rec joke
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Really sad to see @catabreu.bsky.social & @simondonner.bsky.social quit Canada’s Net Zero Advisory Body. Cat and Simon are globally respected climate leaders. More than ever, Canadians need experts giving independent advice about how Canada can achieve its goal of net zero emissions.
Ignored since the federal election, an arms-length expert body set up to advise the federal government on the energy transition is collapsing.
The latest pipeline agreement between Canada and Alberta representing the final straw for two members. @woodsideful.bsky.social reports
The latest pipeline agreement between Canada and Alberta representing the final straw for two members. @woodsideful.bsky.social reports
Federal net-zero body falling apart in wake of Alberta-Ottawa deal
Two prominent members of the Net-Zero Advisory Body, including its chair, have resigned this week, citing a lack of influence over a government that’s increasingly pulling back on climate action.
www.nationalobserver.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Really sad to see @catabreu.bsky.social & @simondonner.bsky.social quit Canada’s Net Zero Advisory Body. Cat and Simon are globally respected climate leaders. More than ever, Canadians need experts giving independent advice about how Canada can achieve its goal of net zero emissions.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
“Far from ‘innovating’ education, as AI proponents claim, the algorithmic turn has made public education more vulnerable to corporate capture.” www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/volume-161
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
December 5, 2025 at 3:07 PM
“Far from ‘innovating’ education, as AI proponents claim, the algorithmic turn has made public education more vulnerable to corporate capture.” www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/volume-161
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
(h/t @melhogan.bsky.social)
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
You can't really blame Canadian commentators and chattering classes for going off what appeared to be the best available data to proclaim a productivity crisis, but maybe next time we could resist self-flagellating quite so enthusiastically.
December 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
You can't really blame Canadian commentators and chattering classes for going off what appeared to be the best available data to proclaim a productivity crisis, but maybe next time we could resist self-flagellating quite so enthusiastically.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
AIs could turn opinion polls into (even worse) gibberish www.economist.com/united-state...
AIs could turn opinion polls into gibberish
Large language models can answer surveys and pass the tests to check that a respondent is human
www.economist.com
December 3, 2025 at 1:05 PM
AIs could turn opinion polls into (even worse) gibberish www.economist.com/united-state...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
At #MyRunLikeAGirl book launch in Victoria last week, I had a conversation with @ianmauro.bsky.social. Ian asked me tough but thoughtful questions - and I did my best to answer them.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
The conversation regarding pipelines and tankers is active across #BritishColumbia and #Canada. Our Executive Director @ianmauro.bsky.social recently asked @cathmckenna.bsky.social on her take.
#bcpoli #canadapoli #climatechange #climatesolutions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dW...
#bcpoli #canadapoli #climatechange #climatesolutions
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dW...
A Conversation with Catherine McKenna: Pipelines, Tankers, and Fossil Fuel Development
YouTube video by PICSCanada
www.youtube.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
At #MyRunLikeAGirl book launch in Victoria last week, I had a conversation with @ianmauro.bsky.social. Ian asked me tough but thoughtful questions - and I did my best to answer them.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Robertson Davies was one of Canada's most celebrated novelists.
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Robertson Davies was one of Canada's most celebrated novelists.
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
He wrote several trilogies, won the Stephen Leacock Award and the Governor's General Literary Award and was the founding Master of Massey College.
This is his story.
🧵 1/10
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Six months ago, I joined New_ Public to help build a new social platform for local communities. Today, I could't be more excited and proud to share what our amazing little team has cooked up, and is launching in closed beta this week.
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Six months ago, I joined New_ Public to help build a new social platform for local communities. Today, I could't be more excited and proud to share what our amazing little team has cooked up, and is launching in closed beta this week.
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Learn more at joinroundabout.com
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Danielle Smith gets booed at UCP convention after mentioning working with Canada
November 29, 2025 at 4:32 PM
This gets at the fundamentally flawed approach of the federal government: they are trying to find a policy solution to an identity problem.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
It is part of the polarized, populist identity to be opposed to an Ottawa and Liberal Canada are not them. No policy will change that, as TMX revealed.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
China's LNG Imports Set to Drop for 13th Month, Kpler Data Show
Seaborne shipments of liquefied natural gas to China in November are set to drop for a 13th straight month on an annual basis, extending a slump in purchases as dom…
financialpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
🙄
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
Bundestag Disbands Citizens' Assembly Task Force Amid Ongoing Debate
Munich news, health insurance, technology, jobs and other topics for expatriates. The Eye Newspapers covers daily news and offers services for foreigners.
themunicheye.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
🙄
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
There is apprehension that expanding citizens' assemblies could inadvertently diminish the perceived authority of elected representatives and the parliamentary process as a whole.
themunicheye.com/bundestag-ci...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Eye on the ball folks! It seems the pipeline piece may well be a distraction. While a pipeline remains very unlikely, the practical impact of this deal are all the immediate concessions to oil & gas industry & the federal abandonment of core climate policies.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
BREAKING: Alberta gets its way in deal with Ottawa
A newly signed memorandum of understanding gives Alberta almost its entire list of demands, from the removal of regulations to the fast-tracking of a pipeline.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Eye on the ball folks! It seems the pipeline piece may well be a distraction. While a pipeline remains very unlikely, the practical impact of this deal are all the immediate concessions to oil & gas industry & the federal abandonment of core climate policies.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/n...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec.
You can find my full statement below.
You can find my full statement below.
November 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec.
You can find my full statement below.
You can find my full statement below.
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
A short argument for spreading democratic ideas being in the interests of and a resource of USA.
"Most dictators pretend to be democrats, another indicator of democracy’s global appeal."
@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
#polisky #democracy
"Most dictators pretend to be democrats, another indicator of democracy’s global appeal."
@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
#polisky #democracy
Why Democracy Promotion Is as Vital as Ever | Journal of Democracy
America’s promotion of democracy has always been highly imperfect. But the superiority of democracy—and the ideas that animate it—make it essential to securing America’s future.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
A short argument for spreading democratic ideas being in the interests of and a resource of USA.
"Most dictators pretend to be democrats, another indicator of democracy’s global appeal."
@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
#polisky #democracy
"Most dictators pretend to be democrats, another indicator of democracy’s global appeal."
@mcfaulmike.bsky.social
www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclu...
#polisky #democracy
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
“Arguing that a country of 40 million people “can’t” operate two fighter types and must use a single jack-of-all-trades aircraft is not a serious position.” #cdnpoli
This was a very interesting and fairly nuanced read:
Gripen E vs F-35? The Wrong Question to Ask
Mikael Grev is a former Gripen pilot and co-founder and CEO of Avioniq. In this column for Nordic Defence Sector, he compares the Gripen E and the F-35, arguing for a more nuanced view of fighter capa...
nordicdefencesector.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:44 AM
“Arguing that a country of 40 million people “can’t” operate two fighter types and must use a single jack-of-all-trades aircraft is not a serious position.” #cdnpoli
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
Malaysia plans to bar children under the age of 16 from social media starting next year, with a close eye to how Australia implements and enforces a similar ban that takes effect next month. Here's what to know.
Malaysia to Ban Children Under 16 From Social Media, Echoing Australia
The announcement on Sunday, which was light on details, came weeks before a similar action takes effect in Australia.
nyti.ms
November 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Malaysia plans to bar children under the age of 16 from social media starting next year, with a close eye to how Australia implements and enforces a similar ban that takes effect next month. Here's what to know.
On February 10, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics needs the Public is being published. Order a copy today from your local bookseller, or internationally on Amazon. www.democracyssecondact.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 AM
On February 10, Democracy's Second Act: Why Politics needs the Public is being published. Order a copy today from your local bookseller, or internationally on Amazon. www.democracyssecondact.org
This is why politics needs the public and what the future of democracy can look like. I visited Eupen two years ago and stood in the chamber. You can see a new idea of democratic legitimacy appearing... www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Democracy Is in Trouble. This Region Is Turning to Its People.
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:03 AM
This is why politics needs the public and what the future of democracy can look like. I visited Eupen two years ago and stood in the chamber. You can see a new idea of democratic legitimacy appearing... www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/w...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
I could not agree more strongly with this. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Senators call on prime minister to ban advertising for sports betting | CBC News
Two senators are calling on the federal government to ban advertising for sports betting in Canada. A letter to the prime minister from Charlottetown Sen. Percy Downe and Waterloo Sen. Marty Deacon as...
www.cbc.ca
November 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I could not agree more strongly with this. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Peter MacLeod
What’s in…and what’s out in Canadian Medicare.
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
What’s in…and what’s out in Canadian Medicare.