Quinton
@qu1nton.bsky.social
Former oil and gas executive. Now an adventurer.
How to stand up to populist rhetoric. It is meant to sound like everyone support x, and you’re the odd one out, but quite the contrary. Step uo in big and small ways.
People often ask: what can ordinary people do to stop populists like Trump and Smith from running roughshod over democratic norms?
Populists rely on the widespread perception that their actions are supported by "the majority" and "common people."
Anything that punctures that myth helps. +
Populists rely on the widespread perception that their actions are supported by "the majority" and "common people."
Anything that punctures that myth helps. +
December 8, 2025 at 3:01 AM
How to stand up to populist rhetoric. It is meant to sound like everyone support x, and you’re the odd one out, but quite the contrary. Step uo in big and small ways.
This is effectively elected official as judge. Ie a judiciary without independence.
Alberta’s Smith says courts should not be gatekeepers on constitutional questions, adds giving Justice Minister Mickey Amery the power over referendum questions upholds democracy
globalnews.ca/news/1156634...
globalnews.ca/news/1156634...
Alberta’s Smith says courts should not be gatekeepers on constitutional questions | Globalnews.ca
Premier Danielle Smith says courts shouldn’t be “gatekeepers” to an independence referendum, defending legislation stopping a court case after a judge called it undemocratic.
globalnews.ca
December 6, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This is effectively elected official as judge. Ie a judiciary without independence.
Reposted by Quinton
apropo of nothing, i was thinking about local Taxi Vs Uber the other day and was thinking that if one chooses to use a taxi instead of uber, does more of the fare stay in the local community?
does most of the uber fare leave the community? is there any data or studies about this?
does most of the uber fare leave the community? is there any data or studies about this?
December 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
apropo of nothing, i was thinking about local Taxi Vs Uber the other day and was thinking that if one chooses to use a taxi instead of uber, does more of the fare stay in the local community?
does most of the uber fare leave the community? is there any data or studies about this?
does most of the uber fare leave the community? is there any data or studies about this?
Reposted by Quinton
Bike-lanes don’t cause traffic congestion.
Car dependency, dumb land-use sprawl, too many (& bigger) cars being driven too much taking up too much space, highly subsidized driving costs, and not enough choices in how to get around, ALL cause traffic congestion.
Think about it. THAT’S common sense.
Car dependency, dumb land-use sprawl, too many (& bigger) cars being driven too much taking up too much space, highly subsidized driving costs, and not enough choices in how to get around, ALL cause traffic congestion.
Think about it. THAT’S common sense.
December 5, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Bike-lanes don’t cause traffic congestion.
Car dependency, dumb land-use sprawl, too many (& bigger) cars being driven too much taking up too much space, highly subsidized driving costs, and not enough choices in how to get around, ALL cause traffic congestion.
Think about it. THAT’S common sense.
Car dependency, dumb land-use sprawl, too many (& bigger) cars being driven too much taking up too much space, highly subsidized driving costs, and not enough choices in how to get around, ALL cause traffic congestion.
Think about it. THAT’S common sense.
Reposted by Quinton
Added a bunch more to The Sprawl's Calgary budget tracker and will add more today! See how council members voted on housing, transit, climate, the Old Y and more in an easy-to-digest format. #yyccc
How Calgary’s new city council overhauled the 2026 budget | The Sprawl
See how councillors voted on key decisions.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Added a bunch more to The Sprawl's Calgary budget tracker and will add more today! See how council members voted on housing, transit, climate, the Old Y and more in an easy-to-digest format. #yyccc
Reposted by Quinton
There are way to many of the right applauding this and saying this shows how it demonstrates Gondek’s dysfunctional leadership. That makes me sad (and angry) as all we’ve done is kept a high burden on non residential businesses, delayed spending, and pulled out of the reserve for needed spending
Calgary city council passes budget, approves 1.64% property tax increase
globalnews.ca/news/1155825...
globalnews.ca/news/1155825...
Calgary city council 2026 budget passes, approves 1.64% property tax increase - Calgary | Globalnews.ca
Calgary city council voted in favour of a 1.64 per cent property tax increase, which is anticipated to cost the typical homeowner an additional $4.50 monthly.
globalnews.ca
December 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
There are way to many of the right applauding this and saying this shows how it demonstrates Gondek’s dysfunctional leadership. That makes me sad (and angry) as all we’ve done is kept a high burden on non residential businesses, delayed spending, and pulled out of the reserve for needed spending
Some pedestrian safety can be improved with road design, signage and speed limits, but it’s also enforcement.
Council cannot direct police how to (or not) enforce laws, but the public can have their voice heard via The Calgary Police Commission.
www.calgarypolicecommission.ca/public-input/
Council cannot direct police how to (or not) enforce laws, but the public can have their voice heard via The Calgary Police Commission.
www.calgarypolicecommission.ca/public-input/
December 4, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Some pedestrian safety can be improved with road design, signage and speed limits, but it’s also enforcement.
Council cannot direct police how to (or not) enforce laws, but the public can have their voice heard via The Calgary Police Commission.
www.calgarypolicecommission.ca/public-input/
Council cannot direct police how to (or not) enforce laws, but the public can have their voice heard via The Calgary Police Commission.
www.calgarypolicecommission.ca/public-input/
Reposted by Quinton
At some point you realize that the prominent, powerful people you see on your screens are mostly morons who either got lucky or are saying things billionaires want to hear, and that nobody smart or competent is in charge, and we're all just collectively flailing, and it's a miracle anything works.
The co-founder of Kalshi says: " The long-term vision is to financialize everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion."
December 4, 2025 at 6:34 AM
At some point you realize that the prominent, powerful people you see on your screens are mostly morons who either got lucky or are saying things billionaires want to hear, and that nobody smart or competent is in charge, and we're all just collectively flailing, and it's a miracle anything works.
Reposted by Quinton
As Calgary deals with a 10-year high in traffic fatalities, including more than a dozen pedestrian deaths, millions are being approved for pedestrian safety. Details on potential upgrades included in a city briefing note. #yyc #yyccc #yyccc
buff.ly/yKcoL2m
buff.ly/yKcoL2m
City council approves $7.5 million for pedestrian safety improvements - LiveWire Calgary
Calgary will see a host of new pedestrian safety measures after councillors approved an amendment to add $7.5 million to Vision Zero initiatives. Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson cited the 14 pedestrian…
livewirecalgary.com
December 3, 2025 at 8:14 PM
As Calgary deals with a 10-year high in traffic fatalities, including more than a dozen pedestrian deaths, millions are being approved for pedestrian safety. Details on potential upgrades included in a city briefing note. #yyc #yyccc #yyccc
buff.ly/yKcoL2m
buff.ly/yKcoL2m
Pulling from reserves to reduce taxes, but not for new buses over next few years. #priorities
Atkinson's amendment, which would've used reserve funding to pay for the buses, has been referred to next year's budget cycle in a 12-3 vote with Couns. Kelly, Dhaliwal and Atkinson opposed.
December 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Pulling from reserves to reduce taxes, but not for new buses over next few years. #priorities
Reposted by Quinton
Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson introduces a motion to allocate $7.55M from reserves to fund Vision Zero improvements, a program that aims to reach zero major injuries and fatalities on city roads.
December 3, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson introduces a motion to allocate $7.55M from reserves to fund Vision Zero improvements, a program that aims to reach zero major injuries and fatalities on city roads.
Does this resonate with anyone in Alberta?
Watching the Ontario provincial guidelines.
It’s fascinating how 'fiscal responsibility' often looks like 'deferred maintenance' on our social safety net.
If we don't invest in people (healthcare, transit, OR education) now, the bill in 2030 will be astronomical.
It’s fascinating how 'fiscal responsibility' often looks like 'deferred maintenance' on our social safety net.
If we don't invest in people (healthcare, transit, OR education) now, the bill in 2030 will be astronomical.
December 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Does this resonate with anyone in Alberta?
Reposted by Quinton
The real question is not "Why is Bluesky so left-coded," the real question is "Why can't the right exist in a social media environment without algorithmic assistance, where people can ignore them"
December 2, 2025 at 3:08 PM
The real question is not "Why is Bluesky so left-coded," the real question is "Why can't the right exist in a social media environment without algorithmic assistance, where people can ignore them"
Reposted by Quinton
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:12 AM
No-strings-attached, zero-means-testing, no-questions-asked cash payouts have been proven, over and over again, to be the most effective form of charity/aid going.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
It gets people in housing, and it saves the state money. We know this. It's fact, not theory.
Reposted by Quinton
Ladies and gentlemen, make sure to keep your elbows firmly up while inside the vehicles bound for a country that's going to use them to illegally kidnap innocent men, women, and children share.google/ANhrgIX5WcIm...
ICE ordering fleet of 20 armoured vehicles from Canadian firm
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has earmarked millions of dollars for a bulk order for 20 armoured vehicles from Canadian defence manufacturer Roshel that are built to resist bullets and bomb...
share.google
December 3, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Ladies and gentlemen, make sure to keep your elbows firmly up while inside the vehicles bound for a country that's going to use them to illegally kidnap innocent men, women, and children share.google/ANhrgIX5WcIm...
Reposted by Quinton
City council debating Atkinson amendment to put $5M into Calgary Transit base service & $1M more into primary transit network. Would bring total boost to $20M ($15M for primary, $5M for base). Unclear if it'd fix the ongoing cancellations on 33 routes. My kid's bus was cancelled again today! #yyccc
Hey, where’s my bus?! Calgary Transit regularly cancels scheduled trips | The Sprawl
Riders on 33 routes affected by budget crunch.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
City council debating Atkinson amendment to put $5M into Calgary Transit base service & $1M more into primary transit network. Would bring total boost to $20M ($15M for primary, $5M for base). Unclear if it'd fix the ongoing cancellations on 33 routes. My kid's bus was cancelled again today! #yyccc
Reposted by Quinton
“We’re cutting away at access points for the poorest Calgarians when we start making these moves.”
“We just decreased taxes for Calgarians but with this move, we’re going to eliminate any benefit of that increase for the ones who need it the most."
calgaryherald.com/news/council... #yyccc
“We just decreased taxes for Calgarians but with this move, we’re going to eliminate any benefit of that increase for the ones who need it the most."
calgaryherald.com/news/council... #yyccc
Council votes on flurry of amendments to 2026 budget, including increased transit fares
Calgary Transit users can expect to pay $4 for a bus or CTrain ticket in 2026, after city council voted on the supplemental fee increase
calgaryherald.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:37 PM
“We’re cutting away at access points for the poorest Calgarians when we start making these moves.”
“We just decreased taxes for Calgarians but with this move, we’re going to eliminate any benefit of that increase for the ones who need it the most."
calgaryherald.com/news/council... #yyccc
“We just decreased taxes for Calgarians but with this move, we’re going to eliminate any benefit of that increase for the ones who need it the most."
calgaryherald.com/news/council... #yyccc
Reposted by Quinton
We’ve always had floods – but as the world warms, they’re becoming more intense and more severe.
We’re all in harms way – but those who don’t have a safe place to live, or can’t take food and water for granted, are always most vulnerable.
We’re all in harms way – but those who don’t have a safe place to live, or can’t take food and water for granted, are always most vulnerable.
Sri Lanka declares state of emergency after floods leave hundreds dead and many missing
The president says it is the "most challenging natural disaster" in the country's history.
www.bbc.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:24 PM
We’ve always had floods – but as the world warms, they’re becoming more intense and more severe.
We’re all in harms way – but those who don’t have a safe place to live, or can’t take food and water for granted, are always most vulnerable.
We’re all in harms way – but those who don’t have a safe place to live, or can’t take food and water for granted, are always most vulnerable.
Reposted by Quinton
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show reut.rs/4rCQsMz
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show
The regulator in charge of environmental enforcement in Canada's main oil-producing province bent to pressure from the provincial government and oil companies to eliminate a limit on natural gas flaring as Canadian oil production increased, according to documents seen by Reuters.
reut.rs
December 1, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Exclusive: Alberta oil regulator stopped enforcing gas flaring limits after government pressure, documents show reut.rs/4rCQsMz
A 2026 budget just in time for 2026?
NEW: Mayor Farkas says there are currently 35 amendments coming from Calgary city council on this budget. One proposes using an additional $50M in city investment income to lower the overall property tax increase from 3.6% to 1.6%.
December 1, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A 2026 budget just in time for 2026?
Reposted by Quinton
Not surprising - unlike other big cities, Calgary and Edmonton get basically 0 operational transit funding from the province, which now takes nearly 40% of Calgarians’ property tax bill. Where’s the money? #yyccc should apply pressure loudly.
Hey, where’s my bus?! Calgary Transit regularly cancels scheduled trips | The Sprawl
Riders on 33 routes affected by budget crunch.
www.sprawlcalgary.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Not surprising - unlike other big cities, Calgary and Edmonton get basically 0 operational transit funding from the province, which now takes nearly 40% of Calgarians’ property tax bill. Where’s the money? #yyccc should apply pressure loudly.
Reposted by Quinton
Paint is not infrastructure.
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
November 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Paint is not infrastructure.
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
"Vancouver’s painted lanes were associated with higher cyclist KSI; Calgary’s cycle tracks with fewer KSI."
KSI = Killed or seriously injured
doi.org/10.1016/j.aa...
Reposted by Quinton
Blanket upzoning has been in effect in Calgary for 15 months… barely time to build an infill home.
Why do people expect housing affordability to have been solved that fast by this upzoning that clearly requires more time?
Did they expect 40,000 housing units to suddenly appear?🤷♂️
#Calgary
Why do people expect housing affordability to have been solved that fast by this upzoning that clearly requires more time?
Did they expect 40,000 housing units to suddenly appear?🤷♂️
#Calgary
Opinion: Blanket upzoning didn’t deliver affordability calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Blanket upzoning has been in effect in Calgary for 15 months… barely time to build an infill home.
Why do people expect housing affordability to have been solved that fast by this upzoning that clearly requires more time?
Did they expect 40,000 housing units to suddenly appear?🤷♂️
#Calgary
Why do people expect housing affordability to have been solved that fast by this upzoning that clearly requires more time?
Did they expect 40,000 housing units to suddenly appear?🤷♂️
#Calgary