Ron Austin
@ronaustin.bsky.social
Author of
Heaven Scent Hunter
A thriller all about agarwood and oud.
Available as an eBook everywhere.
Paperback available from Amazon.
Vancouver, BC
Heaven Scent Hunter
A thriller all about agarwood and oud.
Available as an eBook everywhere.
Paperback available from Amazon.
Vancouver, BC
Orwell's 1984 vs Today's Reality:
* we pay for all the tech for gov't surveillance. (Cams, Mics etc)
* media as voluntary gov't-stenographers precludes the need for professional news/history re-writers like Winston Smith.
* we pay for all the tech for gov't surveillance. (Cams, Mics etc)
* media as voluntary gov't-stenographers precludes the need for professional news/history re-writers like Winston Smith.
This is absolutely hilarious to watch. Fucking morons think the Banker has more clue about climate and the environment than a life long conservationist and Greenpeace leader. Mainstream understanding of climate is near 0. Carney continues to feed misinformation to the public. We are fucked!
There definitely wasn't enough positive action.
Lots of fights & court cases.
The previous climate policies were mostly crafted by Steven Guilbeault, not PM Trudeau.
Now we have a PM who knows more about climate than Guilbeault and he has the brains and the team to put
1/2
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Lots of fights & court cases.
The previous climate policies were mostly crafted by Steven Guilbeault, not PM Trudeau.
Now we have a PM who knows more about climate than Guilbeault and he has the brains and the team to put
1/2
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
December 22, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Orwell's 1984 vs Today's Reality:
* we pay for all the tech for gov't surveillance. (Cams, Mics etc)
* media as voluntary gov't-stenographers precludes the need for professional news/history re-writers like Winston Smith.
* we pay for all the tech for gov't surveillance. (Cams, Mics etc)
* media as voluntary gov't-stenographers precludes the need for professional news/history re-writers like Winston Smith.
English Bay Beach sighting, Dec 17th. Feathered Friends from up north.
Perhaps someone can identify the species.
Perhaps someone can identify the species.
December 21, 2025 at 6:08 AM
English Bay Beach sighting, Dec 17th. Feathered Friends from up north.
Perhaps someone can identify the species.
Perhaps someone can identify the species.
Reposted by Ron Austin
That the evidence that led to his release had been hidden in the Chief's office all these years certainly demands investigation
December 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
That the evidence that led to his release had been hidden in the Chief's office all these years certainly demands investigation
Reposted by Ron Austin
I lived thru the end of public smoking. Early in my career I presented to city councils who were smoking, in front of audiences who were smoking.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
It’s crazy that people used to be able to just smoke cigarettes wherever they wanted
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
I lived thru the end of public smoking. Early in my career I presented to city councils who were smoking, in front of audiences who were smoking.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Reposted by Ron Austin
the impunity of this as cop lobbyists demand that governments expand police surveillance powers and link health records to body camera & CCTV data & financial data & Bill C-2 C-12 and your travel history
who owns it
police don’t have tools; only weapons
who owns it
police don’t have tools; only weapons
Here are excerpts from OPCC reports of BC officers caught misusing police databases. They looked up family members and exes, a woman an officer "was interested in," a nurse, and a convocation speaker. Some officers used databases for a "business venture." But VicPD doesn't audit database use. (2/2)
![B.C. police database misuse, substantiated complaints
2023: Port Moody PD officer “requested a colleague to query a particular license plate on a police database without disclosing the query was for a personal reason”
2023: Abbotsford PD officer “used police databases to query a university convocation guest speaker who had made remarks about a police incident that the speaker had been involved in”
2023: Abbotsford PD officer “queried their spouse for reasons unrelated to the performance of the member’s duties”
2022: VPD officer “used a police database to query the license plate of a driver that had been involved in a traffic altercation with the member’s spouse”
2021: VPD officer “queried the name of the VCH nurse on a police database for a purpose unrelated to the member’s duties”
2021: Saanich PD officer “used police databases to run checks on his former partner and members of her family”
2020: VPD special municipal constable “queried a person on a police database for reasons unrelated to [their] duties”
2020: VPD officer “conduct[ed] a query using police database for information unrelated to an investigation or duties as a police officer”
2019: VPD officer “used a police database to query the residence of a relative who was under criminal investigation”
2019: VPD officer “queried [a] complainant’s name using a police database for reasons not associated with their duties as a police officer”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:x2ojtemkdgeywq2ua6fx7gcu/bafkreia7y6turgouzjefchk56h4tmp3z6srt2xtk56qj4kostvt5bgoy34@jpeg)
December 19, 2025 at 5:01 AM
the impunity of this as cop lobbyists demand that governments expand police surveillance powers and link health records to body camera & CCTV data & financial data & Bill C-2 C-12 and your travel history
who owns it
police don’t have tools; only weapons
who owns it
police don’t have tools; only weapons
Reposted by Ron Austin
Canadians were promised generational projects that would transform the country for a better future. Imagine heats pumps for 40k homes. Instead we destroy the future with fossil fuel projects. Better is possible, we could be doing what others are. www.bbc.com/news/article...
The giant heat pumps designed to warm whole districts
Across Europe huge heat pumps are being installed that can heat tens of thousands of homes.
www.bbc.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Canadians were promised generational projects that would transform the country for a better future. Imagine heats pumps for 40k homes. Instead we destroy the future with fossil fuel projects. Better is possible, we could be doing what others are. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Ron Austin
Reposted by Ron Austin
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
The 25th anniversary of Bush v Gore is today. The conspiracy mongering & corruption of the GOP has been brewing for a long time.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Here's Sandra Day O'Connor endorsing News Max levels of voter fraud conspiracies in the 2000 election.
December 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
Reposted by Ron Austin
On the 10th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, you’re going to hear a lot about the progress we’ve made — people saying we “are” heading to 2.5 degrees heating instead of four.
I deeply regret to tell you that this is complacent misinformation.
🧵
I deeply regret to tell you that this is complacent misinformation.
🧵
December 12, 2025 at 12:50 PM
On the 10th Anniversary of the Paris Agreement, you’re going to hear a lot about the progress we’ve made — people saying we “are” heading to 2.5 degrees heating instead of four.
I deeply regret to tell you that this is complacent misinformation.
🧵
I deeply regret to tell you that this is complacent misinformation.
🧵
Reposted by Ron Austin
Wanna know who is happy about the pipeline MOU? Fraser Institute. National Post. Conservatives. If you're a Carney loyalist who is fine with being on that side of the issue when it comes to climate, guess what? You are not pro-climate, you're just another partisan without principles.
December 9, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Wanna know who is happy about the pipeline MOU? Fraser Institute. National Post. Conservatives. If you're a Carney loyalist who is fine with being on that side of the issue when it comes to climate, guess what? You are not pro-climate, you're just another partisan without principles.
Reposted by Ron Austin
Carney is a menace.
Yes, PP is a GD menace. Doesn't make Carney's Liberals less so. I mean, he put Vancouver's old mayor in charge of housing. A sick joke.
He put a disgraced CBC journalist in charge of NOT regulating AI.
Made a former Enviro Min quit cabinet. Betrayed @elizabethemay.bsky.social.
Yes, PP is a GD menace. Doesn't make Carney's Liberals less so. I mean, he put Vancouver's old mayor in charge of housing. A sick joke.
He put a disgraced CBC journalist in charge of NOT regulating AI.
Made a former Enviro Min quit cabinet. Betrayed @elizabethemay.bsky.social.
NEW: Hundreds of public servants are being let go at federal agencies that monitor climate risks, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports
Cuts at Natural Resources Canada ‘decimate’ wildfire and flood tracking capacity, unions warn
Carney's cuts have hit Natural Resources Canada, causing uproar from public sector unions warning the layoffs will hurt Canada's ability to respond to cliamte change and protect Canadians from wildfir...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Carney is a menace.
Yes, PP is a GD menace. Doesn't make Carney's Liberals less so. I mean, he put Vancouver's old mayor in charge of housing. A sick joke.
He put a disgraced CBC journalist in charge of NOT regulating AI.
Made a former Enviro Min quit cabinet. Betrayed @elizabethemay.bsky.social.
Yes, PP is a GD menace. Doesn't make Carney's Liberals less so. I mean, he put Vancouver's old mayor in charge of housing. A sick joke.
He put a disgraced CBC journalist in charge of NOT regulating AI.
Made a former Enviro Min quit cabinet. Betrayed @elizabethemay.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ron Austin
That's it, that's all, pass the beer nuts
#ClimateChange #ClimateSky #CanadaSky #cdnpoli #CleanEnergy #abpoli #AI #DataCentres #DataCenters
#ClimateChange #ClimateSky #CanadaSky #cdnpoli #CleanEnergy #abpoli #AI #DataCentres #DataCenters
The rule for any sensible civilization inre #DataCentres & #AI systems is dead simple:
YOU CAN'T POWER THEM BY BURNING THINGS & YOU CAN'T COOL THEM WITH OUR WATER
The good news? #CleanEnergy can do it ALL.
Lookin' REAL good, #Geothermal!
#ClimateChange www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/27/a...
YOU CAN'T POWER THEM BY BURNING THINGS & YOU CAN'T COOL THEM WITH OUR WATER
The good news? #CleanEnergy can do it ALL.
Lookin' REAL good, #Geothermal!
#ClimateChange www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/27/a...
Arctic security and AI boom could unlock Canada's vast geothermal potential
Geothermal’s economics are improving rapidly as technological advances in the industry reduce costs. This is raising geothermal's profile as a reliable, round-the-clock power source for use in a range...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:53 PM
That's it, that's all, pass the beer nuts
#ClimateChange #ClimateSky #CanadaSky #cdnpoli #CleanEnergy #abpoli #AI #DataCentres #DataCenters
#ClimateChange #ClimateSky #CanadaSky #cdnpoli #CleanEnergy #abpoli #AI #DataCentres #DataCenters
Reposted by Ron Austin
November 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Reposted by Ron Austin
“The answer is still no. No pipelines in British Columbia, no further fossil fuel pipelines, period,” said Stewart Phillip, grand chief of Syilx Nation and president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/26/n...
BC First Nations denounce reported Alberta-Ottawa agreement
Ahead of Thursday's expected announcement, Indigenous leaders in the province are accusing the federal government of making a "back room deal" to force through a pipeline to the province's northwest c...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:41 AM
“The answer is still no. No pipelines in British Columbia, no further fossil fuel pipelines, period,” said Stewart Phillip, grand chief of Syilx Nation and president of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/26/n...
Reposted by Ron Austin
Before taxpayers agree to pay an additional $4B to upgrade the capacity of the TMX, we need to recoup the $34B already spent on a pipeline that never pays for itself.
Currently, taxpayers are subsidizing $13/b of oil flowing thru the pipeline based on tools that do not recover cost.
#cdnpoli
Currently, taxpayers are subsidizing $13/b of oil flowing thru the pipeline based on tools that do not recover cost.
#cdnpoli
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Before taxpayers agree to pay an additional $4B to upgrade the capacity of the TMX, we need to recoup the $34B already spent on a pipeline that never pays for itself.
Currently, taxpayers are subsidizing $13/b of oil flowing thru the pipeline based on tools that do not recover cost.
#cdnpoli
Currently, taxpayers are subsidizing $13/b of oil flowing thru the pipeline based on tools that do not recover cost.
#cdnpoli
Reposted by Ron Austin
If we are going to maintain 1.5degC for the next 50 years, we need alignment of purpose among Canadians.
The damage that Mark Carney is doing by supporting even the idea of pipelines is that he joins the disinformation in stopping or delaying alignment.
#cdnpoli
The damage that Mark Carney is doing by supporting even the idea of pipelines is that he joins the disinformation in stopping or delaying alignment.
#cdnpoli
November 27, 2025 at 2:13 PM
If we are going to maintain 1.5degC for the next 50 years, we need alignment of purpose among Canadians.
The damage that Mark Carney is doing by supporting even the idea of pipelines is that he joins the disinformation in stopping or delaying alignment.
#cdnpoli
The damage that Mark Carney is doing by supporting even the idea of pipelines is that he joins the disinformation in stopping or delaying alignment.
#cdnpoli
I'd like to rest easy on the fact that the market economy will not fund another useless pipeline.
Then I recall a very short lived victory when we killed the TMX monster ... only to see Jr. Trudeau betray us all with our own tax dollars.
I do not trust Carney and his cabal.
Then I recall a very short lived victory when we killed the TMX monster ... only to see Jr. Trudeau betray us all with our own tax dollars.
I do not trust Carney and his cabal.
In which case, Smith will not meet the necessary conditions and the pipeline will not happen.
November 26, 2025 at 10:15 PM
I'd like to rest easy on the fact that the market economy will not fund another useless pipeline.
Then I recall a very short lived victory when we killed the TMX monster ... only to see Jr. Trudeau betray us all with our own tax dollars.
I do not trust Carney and his cabal.
Then I recall a very short lived victory when we killed the TMX monster ... only to see Jr. Trudeau betray us all with our own tax dollars.
I do not trust Carney and his cabal.
So ungrateful!
Just a few months ago, Carney ran a leadership campaign and subsequent election on the need for new-pipelines-to-everywhere and austerity, austerity, austerity.
<Sarcasm alert: Cognitive dissonance on steroids.>
Just a few months ago, Carney ran a leadership campaign and subsequent election on the need for new-pipelines-to-everywhere and austerity, austerity, austerity.
<Sarcasm alert: Cognitive dissonance on steroids.>
It seems Canada elected a Conservative government after all
#cdnpoli
#cdnpoli
November 22, 2025 at 3:28 PM
So ungrateful!
Just a few months ago, Carney ran a leadership campaign and subsequent election on the need for new-pipelines-to-everywhere and austerity, austerity, austerity.
<Sarcasm alert: Cognitive dissonance on steroids.>
Just a few months ago, Carney ran a leadership campaign and subsequent election on the need for new-pipelines-to-everywhere and austerity, austerity, austerity.
<Sarcasm alert: Cognitive dissonance on steroids.>
Reposted by Ron Austin
One day you'll go to unplug your fridge and it will say, "I don't think you want to do that, Dave."
November 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
One day you'll go to unplug your fridge and it will say, "I don't think you want to do that, Dave."
Reposted by Ron Austin
“It doesn't feel like justice and it doesn't feel like the system is working.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hamilton cyclist says legal system 'not there to protect you,' after driver pleads guilty to lesser offence | CBC News
A Hamilton cyclist says a driver hit him in May 2024. In November this year, the driver pleaded guilty to a different offence for the incident. Now, the cyclist said he feels the legal system let him...
www.cbc.ca
November 21, 2025 at 2:09 PM
“It doesn't feel like justice and it doesn't feel like the system is working.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Ron Austin
Well, there is a business case for new pipelines but it's predicated on the public paying for it while investors and oil&gas biz actually own it.
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Well, there is a business case for new pipelines but it's predicated on the public paying for it while investors and oil&gas biz actually own it.
Reposted by Ron Austin
I’m back.
substack.com/@sarahkendzi...
substack.com/@sarahkendzi...
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
I’m back.
substack.com/@sarahkendzi...
substack.com/@sarahkendzi...
Reposted by Ron Austin
240: Chloe Leslie. everyone deserves clean parks, affordable homes, and libraries. These cuts aren’t helping average Vancouverites. Benefits ultra rich. Listen to people.
November 13, 2025 at 5:17 AM
240: Chloe Leslie. everyone deserves clean parks, affordable homes, and libraries. These cuts aren’t helping average Vancouverites. Benefits ultra rich. Listen to people.
Reposted by Ron Austin
Imagine the goodwill if the fools just said, "Holy crap, our bad, we apologize" and restored her account.
But no.
But no.
November 12, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Imagine the goodwill if the fools just said, "Holy crap, our bad, we apologize" and restored her account.
But no.
But no.
Reposted by Ron Austin
Incarcerating youngsters is catastrophic for them & for society. The proudest thing in my career was serving on the Dept of ⚖️ team overhauling 🇨🇦 youth justice system. 🧒👶 incarceration is ⬇️ 85% since we moved (minus most serious offenders) to meaningful community-based consequences, 20 yrs ago.
Just heard her on the radio. She was absolutely brilliant, but the story of these children is heartbreaking
England’s children’s commissioner calls for closure of young offender institutions
Dame Rachel de Souza says hundreds of children are being locked up unnecessarily due to failing services
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Incarcerating youngsters is catastrophic for them & for society. The proudest thing in my career was serving on the Dept of ⚖️ team overhauling 🇨🇦 youth justice system. 🧒👶 incarceration is ⬇️ 85% since we moved (minus most serious offenders) to meaningful community-based consequences, 20 yrs ago.