Sam Hersh
@samhersh01.bsky.social
is known to occasionally post something interesting. community/political organizer based in #ottcity
Pinned
Sam Hersh
@samhersh01.bsky.social
· Sep 9
Hersh: The mayor has made our public transit mess even worse
OC Transpo riders are suffering the consequences of a growing budget hole, writes Sam Hersh.
ottawacitizen.com
It's fair to say Mark Sutcliffe inherited a mess of a public transit system when he was elected, but throughout his term as Mayor, despite running on a pledge to "fix transit" he's done everything he can to make that mess ten times worse.
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
Reposted by Sam Hersh
Join us on Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 at 464 Metcalfe St. for our City Budget 101 event!
We'll be diving into the details of the budget, and discussing how we can organize to demand better, together.
Learn more and RSVP today: www.horizonottawa.ca/budget_101
We'll be diving into the details of the budget, and discussing how we can organize to demand better, together.
Learn more and RSVP today: www.horizonottawa.ca/budget_101
City Budget 101
www.horizonottawa.ca
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Join us on Tuesday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 at 464 Metcalfe St. for our City Budget 101 event!
We'll be diving into the details of the budget, and discussing how we can organize to demand better, together.
Learn more and RSVP today: www.horizonottawa.ca/budget_101
We'll be diving into the details of the budget, and discussing how we can organize to demand better, together.
Learn more and RSVP today: www.horizonottawa.ca/budget_101
Reposted by Sam Hersh
it’s funny seeing canadian media present zohran as a “democratic socialist” like it’s some shocking thing and not just the left flank of the ndp
November 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
it’s funny seeing canadian media present zohran as a “democratic socialist” like it’s some shocking thing and not just the left flank of the ndp
Reposted by Sam Hersh
Imagine the response in any other workplace if you called your colleague names in the middle of a meeting. A public apology for such childish behaviour is warranted @timtierney.ca.
Just now - Councillor @shawnmenard.bsky.social
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
November 4, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Imagine the response in any other workplace if you called your colleague names in the middle of a meeting. A public apology for such childish behaviour is warranted @timtierney.ca.
Reposted by Sam Hersh
Just now - Councillor @shawnmenard.bsky.social
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
November 4, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Just now - Councillor @shawnmenard.bsky.social
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
is interrupted by Councillor @timtierney.ca while asking questions on Lansdowne.
Menard pushes back, then Tierney calls him an "asshole". This behaviour is unbefitting of a councillor, and demands an integrity complaint.
➡️ [email protected]
Reposted by Sam Hersh
12 days until the Transportation Summit #Guelph on October 18! Presentations from @chanface.bsky.social, @ttcriders.bsky.social, @transportaction.ca, @cyclewr.ca, @cgreysongaito.bsky.social, @bicyclemayorguelph.bsky.social, @samhersh01.bsky.social & more!
Free Event! Register @ taaguelph.com/summit
Free Event! Register @ taaguelph.com/summit
October 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
12 days until the Transportation Summit #Guelph on October 18! Presentations from @chanface.bsky.social, @ttcriders.bsky.social, @transportaction.ca, @cyclewr.ca, @cgreysongaito.bsky.social, @bicyclemayorguelph.bsky.social, @samhersh01.bsky.social & more!
Free Event! Register @ taaguelph.com/summit
Free Event! Register @ taaguelph.com/summit
This is so shameful.
For those not watching council today, as you'll see below Mark Sutcliffe is pulling the same EXACT tactics as Jim Watson would in the last council, pulling the rug out from under councillors and trying to derail debate at the last possible moment.
For those not watching council today, as you'll see below Mark Sutcliffe is pulling the same EXACT tactics as Jim Watson would in the last council, pulling the rug out from under councillors and trying to derail debate at the last possible moment.
September 24, 2025 at 4:26 PM
This is so shameful.
For those not watching council today, as you'll see below Mark Sutcliffe is pulling the same EXACT tactics as Jim Watson would in the last council, pulling the rug out from under councillors and trying to derail debate at the last possible moment.
For those not watching council today, as you'll see below Mark Sutcliffe is pulling the same EXACT tactics as Jim Watson would in the last council, pulling the rug out from under councillors and trying to derail debate at the last possible moment.
The Ottawa Business Journal founded by and formerly owned by Mark Sutcliffe has come out in defence of his city-wide RTO mandate.
The article is also written by a commercial real estate boss.
He argues that forcing workers back to the office is "city-building."
The article is also written by a commercial real estate boss.
He argues that forcing workers back to the office is "city-building."
Op-ed: Return-to-office is a city-wide imperative — Ottawa can’t afford to be left behind
Will we embrace the return-to-office as a catalyst for growth, or will we cling to a remote-first mindset that isolates us from the global conversation?
obj.ca
September 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The Ottawa Business Journal founded by and formerly owned by Mark Sutcliffe has come out in defence of his city-wide RTO mandate.
The article is also written by a commercial real estate boss.
He argues that forcing workers back to the office is "city-building."
The article is also written by a commercial real estate boss.
He argues that forcing workers back to the office is "city-building."
Reposted by Sam Hersh
At today's Council meeting, I brought a motion forward to reverse the City Manager's five-day-a-week return-to-office order. We'll debate that in two weeks. I've heard from many City staff about the diminishment in the quality of both life and work the order will create, with too little benefit.
September 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
At today's Council meeting, I brought a motion forward to reverse the City Manager's five-day-a-week return-to-office order. We'll debate that in two weeks. I've heard from many City staff about the diminishment in the quality of both life and work the order will create, with too little benefit.
Reposted by Sam Hersh
As always, @samhersh01.bsky.social is blunt. This city could be so much better, especially on issues like transit. @otttransitriders.bsky.social ottawacitizen.com/opinion/hers...
Hersh: The mayor has made our public transit mess even worse
OC Transpo riders are suffering the consequences of a growing budget hole, writes Sam Hersh.
ottawacitizen.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:22 AM
As always, @samhersh01.bsky.social is blunt. This city could be so much better, especially on issues like transit. @otttransitriders.bsky.social ottawacitizen.com/opinion/hers...
It's fair to say Mark Sutcliffe inherited a mess of a public transit system when he was elected, but throughout his term as Mayor, despite running on a pledge to "fix transit" he's done everything he can to make that mess ten times worse.
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
Hersh: The mayor has made our public transit mess even worse
OC Transpo riders are suffering the consequences of a growing budget hole, writes Sam Hersh.
ottawacitizen.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
It's fair to say Mark Sutcliffe inherited a mess of a public transit system when he was elected, but throughout his term as Mayor, despite running on a pledge to "fix transit" he's done everything he can to make that mess ten times worse.
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
From me today in the @ottawacitizen.com:
Forcing municipal workers back to the office 5 days a week to take Zoom meetings serves absolutely no purpose.
If Sutcliffe really wanted to "revitalize" our downtown he'd stop cutting public transit and other services.
Workers dont just exist to service downtown businesses.
If Sutcliffe really wanted to "revitalize" our downtown he'd stop cutting public transit and other services.
Workers dont just exist to service downtown businesses.
Mayor Sutcliffe's decision to force all city staff back to the office will worsen congestion, burden workers, and waste taxpayer money.
Ottawa should be embracing remote work, not fighting it.
Read our full statement: www.horizonottawa.ca/returntooffi...
Ottawa should be embracing remote work, not fighting it.
Read our full statement: www.horizonottawa.ca/returntooffi...
PRESS RELEASE: Horizon Ottawa Condemns Mayor’s Mandatory Return-to-Office Policy
www.horizonottawa.ca
August 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Forcing municipal workers back to the office 5 days a week to take Zoom meetings serves absolutely no purpose.
If Sutcliffe really wanted to "revitalize" our downtown he'd stop cutting public transit and other services.
Workers dont just exist to service downtown businesses.
If Sutcliffe really wanted to "revitalize" our downtown he'd stop cutting public transit and other services.
Workers dont just exist to service downtown businesses.
Reposted by Sam Hersh
I want to express my profound disappointment today that the City has ordered its workers back into the office five days a week. It is a short-sighted decision that serves no one well in either the short or long term. (1/6)
August 26, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I want to express my profound disappointment today that the City has ordered its workers back into the office five days a week. It is a short-sighted decision that serves no one well in either the short or long term. (1/6)
Sutcliffe just announced a potential 6.5% increase for Ottawa Police in next years budget (the largest increase in 15 years) and ANOTHER potential transit fare increase.
Sutcliffe has made his priorities clear - and it's not Ottawa residents.
We have a transit budget crisis, not a policing crisis.
Sutcliffe has made his priorities clear - and it's not Ottawa residents.
We have a transit budget crisis, not a policing crisis.
Mayor asks council to limit next year's tax increase to 3.75% | CBC News
Policing and transit remain critical factors that will determine the final balance as the months-long municipal budget process gets underway.
www.cbc.ca
August 21, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Sutcliffe just announced a potential 6.5% increase for Ottawa Police in next years budget (the largest increase in 15 years) and ANOTHER potential transit fare increase.
Sutcliffe has made his priorities clear - and it's not Ottawa residents.
We have a transit budget crisis, not a policing crisis.
Sutcliffe has made his priorities clear - and it's not Ottawa residents.
We have a transit budget crisis, not a policing crisis.
Opposing new sidewalks? Really?
I've been to Manor Park and if you're on foot it's a pain to get around because of the lack of sidewalks.
Sidewalks don't "destroy greenspace" they encourage sustainable modes of transport and make neighbourhoods more accessible.
I've been to Manor Park and if you're on foot it's a pain to get around because of the lack of sidewalks.
Sidewalks don't "destroy greenspace" they encourage sustainable modes of transport and make neighbourhoods more accessible.
Why some Manor Park residents don’t want sidewalks
The city has undertaken a road, sewer and watermain rehabilitation project on several neighbourhood streets, including installing sidewalks.
ottawacitizen.com
July 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Opposing new sidewalks? Really?
I've been to Manor Park and if you're on foot it's a pain to get around because of the lack of sidewalks.
Sidewalks don't "destroy greenspace" they encourage sustainable modes of transport and make neighbourhoods more accessible.
I've been to Manor Park and if you're on foot it's a pain to get around because of the lack of sidewalks.
Sidewalks don't "destroy greenspace" they encourage sustainable modes of transport and make neighbourhoods more accessible.
Our feminist Prime Minister
July 28, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Our feminist Prime Minister
The cuts from Mark Carney on the public service will decimate Ottawa's local economy but not a single small business, local politician or city councillor have spoken up about it.
Where is the same outrage they had around letting people work from home?
Where is the same outrage they had around letting people work from home?
Ottawa and Gatineau will 'bear the brunt' of public service cuts: report
A new analysis finds the government could cut the equivalent of more than 24,000 full-time jobs in the National Capital Region.
ottawacitizen.com
July 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
The cuts from Mark Carney on the public service will decimate Ottawa's local economy but not a single small business, local politician or city councillor have spoken up about it.
Where is the same outrage they had around letting people work from home?
Where is the same outrage they had around letting people work from home?
A woman died last week after being hit by a truck near City Hall, now two children were hit - when is this going to stop?
We need Vision Zero now not Vision "20% less cycling deaths."
Shame on our Mayor and council who allow this to keep happening.
We need Vision Zero now not Vision "20% less cycling deaths."
Shame on our Mayor and council who allow this to keep happening.
2 children struck by vehicles in separate incidents Wednesday: Ottawa police
Ottawa police say two children were struck by cars while riding two-wheeled vehicles in separate incidents on Wednesday.
www.ctvnews.ca
July 24, 2025 at 12:16 PM
A woman died last week after being hit by a truck near City Hall, now two children were hit - when is this going to stop?
We need Vision Zero now not Vision "20% less cycling deaths."
Shame on our Mayor and council who allow this to keep happening.
We need Vision Zero now not Vision "20% less cycling deaths."
Shame on our Mayor and council who allow this to keep happening.
Reposted by Sam Hersh
This is appalling.
Children should—must—be safe in our city.
While at least one of these drivers is charged with fault, our infrastructure also fosters a bad road culture, since it privileges cars.
#OttCity isn’t doing enough fast enough. #VisionZero #Ottawa
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Children should—must—be safe in our city.
While at least one of these drivers is charged with fault, our infrastructure also fosters a bad road culture, since it privileges cars.
#OttCity isn’t doing enough fast enough. #VisionZero #Ottawa
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
2 children struck by vehicles in separate incidents Wednesday: Ottawa police
Ottawa police say two children were struck by cars while riding two-wheeled vehicles in separate incidents on Wednesday.
www.ctvnews.ca
July 24, 2025 at 2:18 AM
This is appalling.
Children should—must—be safe in our city.
While at least one of these drivers is charged with fault, our infrastructure also fosters a bad road culture, since it privileges cars.
#OttCity isn’t doing enough fast enough. #VisionZero #Ottawa
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Children should—must—be safe in our city.
While at least one of these drivers is charged with fault, our infrastructure also fosters a bad road culture, since it privileges cars.
#OttCity isn’t doing enough fast enough. #VisionZero #Ottawa
www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
Extremely problematic motion from Councillor David Brown and new Osgoode Ward councillor Isabelle Skalski who want staff to look into options to privatize parts of our public transit system.
The only way we will improve the system is by investing in it not selling it off.
The only way we will improve the system is by investing in it not selling it off.
July 23, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Extremely problematic motion from Councillor David Brown and new Osgoode Ward councillor Isabelle Skalski who want staff to look into options to privatize parts of our public transit system.
The only way we will improve the system is by investing in it not selling it off.
The only way we will improve the system is by investing in it not selling it off.
On Canada Day, Mark Sutcliffe boasted about high transit ridership - he forgot to mention one thing: it was free.
Detractors of free transit argue we must chose between affordability and reliability but it's a false choice - we can and should have both.
From me in @ottawacitizen.com:
Detractors of free transit argue we must chose between affordability and reliability but it's a false choice - we can and should have both.
From me in @ottawacitizen.com:
Hersh: Free Transit isn’t just possible, it’s popular
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe boasted that Canada Day had record-breaking ridership on the LRT Line 1. He forgot to mention OC Transpo was free.
ottawacitizen.com
July 22, 2025 at 1:37 PM
On Canada Day, Mark Sutcliffe boasted about high transit ridership - he forgot to mention one thing: it was free.
Detractors of free transit argue we must chose between affordability and reliability but it's a false choice - we can and should have both.
From me in @ottawacitizen.com:
Detractors of free transit argue we must chose between affordability and reliability but it's a false choice - we can and should have both.
From me in @ottawacitizen.com:
Terrible, senseless and 100% avoidable tragedy.
The City of Ottawa needs to fund more active transportation and cycling infrastructure instead of endless road expansion.
Everyone deserves to feel safe on the road. For details on a commemoration see below:
The City of Ottawa needs to fund more active transportation and cycling infrastructure instead of endless road expansion.
Everyone deserves to feel safe on the road. For details on a commemoration see below:
This Friday, July 11 at 6 p.m. the #Ottbike and #Ottwalk community will place ghost shoes in Marion Dewar Plaza City Hall to mark another senseless death from road violence, stupid red tape, and dangerous infrastructure.
All are welcome.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
All are welcome.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Woman hit by pickup truck downtown dies | CBC News
A woman in her 20s who was critically injured when she was hit by a pickup truck Monday afternoon near a crosswalk at Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue W. has died.
www.cbc.ca
July 8, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Terrible, senseless and 100% avoidable tragedy.
The City of Ottawa needs to fund more active transportation and cycling infrastructure instead of endless road expansion.
Everyone deserves to feel safe on the road. For details on a commemoration see below:
The City of Ottawa needs to fund more active transportation and cycling infrastructure instead of endless road expansion.
Everyone deserves to feel safe on the road. For details on a commemoration see below:
Egregious abuse of power by the Conservative Ford government taking over the schoolboard here in Ottawa.
The financial issues boards are facing are the fault of provincial underfunding.
No doubt they will try and force back cops into our schools among other things.
The financial issues boards are facing are the fault of provincial underfunding.
No doubt they will try and force back cops into our schools among other things.
Ontario taking control of 4 school boards, including TDSB | CBC News
Education Minister Paul Calandra says supervisors have been appointed to the boards after financial investigations showed growing deficits, depletion of reserves and ongoing mismanagement.
www.cbc.ca
June 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Egregious abuse of power by the Conservative Ford government taking over the schoolboard here in Ottawa.
The financial issues boards are facing are the fault of provincial underfunding.
No doubt they will try and force back cops into our schools among other things.
The financial issues boards are facing are the fault of provincial underfunding.
No doubt they will try and force back cops into our schools among other things.
Zohran's victory should ignite excitement not just in the US but everywhere including in Ottawa.
We don't need to keep electing boring, uninspiring mayors or city councillors who want to hold back what's possible here.
Start organizing and join @horizonottawa.bsky.social as a member:
We don't need to keep electing boring, uninspiring mayors or city councillors who want to hold back what's possible here.
Start organizing and join @horizonottawa.bsky.social as a member:
Become a Member
www.horizonottawa.ca
June 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Zohran's victory should ignite excitement not just in the US but everywhere including in Ottawa.
We don't need to keep electing boring, uninspiring mayors or city councillors who want to hold back what's possible here.
Start organizing and join @horizonottawa.bsky.social as a member:
We don't need to keep electing boring, uninspiring mayors or city councillors who want to hold back what's possible here.
Start organizing and join @horizonottawa.bsky.social as a member:
Reposted by Sam Hersh
Great op-ed by @samhersh01.bsky.social.
#OttCity Council is willing to assume legal risk with the problematic “bubble bylaw,” but not with fossil fuel advertising.
Allowing fossil fuel promotion contradicts the City’s commitments and responsibilities.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/otta...
#OttCity Council is willing to assume legal risk with the problematic “bubble bylaw,” but not with fossil fuel advertising.
Allowing fossil fuel promotion contradicts the City’s commitments and responsibilities.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/otta...
Hersh: Ottawa Council must take a risk and ban fossil fuel ads
More than a year ago, civil society groups campaigned to get the City of Ottawa to ban fossil fuel ads from city property. It's time to act.
ottawacitizen.com
June 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Great op-ed by @samhersh01.bsky.social.
#OttCity Council is willing to assume legal risk with the problematic “bubble bylaw,” but not with fossil fuel advertising.
Allowing fossil fuel promotion contradicts the City’s commitments and responsibilities.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/otta...
#OttCity Council is willing to assume legal risk with the problematic “bubble bylaw,” but not with fossil fuel advertising.
Allowing fossil fuel promotion contradicts the City’s commitments and responsibilities.
ottawacitizen.com/opinion/otta...
Was happy to speak out on behalf of @ijvcanada.bsky.social against the OCDSB's decision to reprimand Elizabeth Yao for calling out the genocide in Palestine in her commencement speech.
There is a very clear difference between actual harm and discomfort with opinions you disagree with.
There is a very clear difference between actual harm and discomfort with opinions you disagree with.
“We’re hoping that the school board will take the high ground.”
Some advocates are showing support for Bell High School Valedictorian Elizabeth Yao and her speech which mentioned truth and reconciliation and a “free Palestine.”
For @ottawacitizen.com:
ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-...
Some advocates are showing support for Bell High School Valedictorian Elizabeth Yao and her speech which mentioned truth and reconciliation and a “free Palestine.”
For @ottawacitizen.com:
ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa-...
Bell High School valedictorian defended by advocates after pro-Palestinian remarks
The OCDSB said speeches are for celebrating academic life and "designed to facilitate respectful, safe and supportive discussions."
ottawacitizen.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Was happy to speak out on behalf of @ijvcanada.bsky.social against the OCDSB's decision to reprimand Elizabeth Yao for calling out the genocide in Palestine in her commencement speech.
There is a very clear difference between actual harm and discomfort with opinions you disagree with.
There is a very clear difference between actual harm and discomfort with opinions you disagree with.