@canaus.bsky.social
STM's capital budget seems higher but includes transit expansion - e.g. blue line extension. And it includes bus electrification (which is not fully funded for the TTC).
December 30, 2025 at 2:15 PM
STM's capital budget seems higher but includes transit expansion - e.g. blue line extension. And it includes bus electrification (which is not fully funded for the TTC).
Montreal's operating budget for 2025 was $1.8 billion. But that's after cuts to service. The metro and especially buses run less frequently than TTC. The busiest metro line runs every 6 to 10 minutes on weekends for example.
December 30, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Montreal's operating budget for 2025 was $1.8 billion. But that's after cuts to service. The metro and especially buses run less frequently than TTC. The busiest metro line runs every 6 to 10 minutes on weekends for example.
I would much rather Tory than Bradford at this point. Which is surprising given where Bradford started politically.
September 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
I would much rather Tory than Bradford at this point. Which is surprising given where Bradford started politically.
Interestingly, although no one would dispute that congestion is bad in Toronto, it's no longer 3rd worst in the world according Tom Tom. Now 95th... a pretty big drop from 2023.
July 23, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Interestingly, although no one would dispute that congestion is bad in Toronto, it's no longer 3rd worst in the world according Tom Tom. Now 95th... a pretty big drop from 2023.
Could they have not but in bus lanes leading up to and on the new bridge? Why do we have to wait for an LRT for transit priority?
July 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Could they have not but in bus lanes leading up to and on the new bridge? Why do we have to wait for an LRT for transit priority?
Agreed. There’s more good news in other crime categories - auto theft, break and enters, robberies are down. But the drop in homicides is particularly impressive. If the trend continues, I can’t think of a year in the past 30 years where homicides were around 40 by year end. No idea why.
July 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Agreed. There’s more good news in other crime categories - auto theft, break and enters, robberies are down. But the drop in homicides is particularly impressive. If the trend continues, I can’t think of a year in the past 30 years where homicides were around 40 by year end. No idea why.
I wonder if Ana will run again with an unapologetic pro-housing platform. Hope she doesn’t sell a car-oriented transportation vision though.
June 28, 2025 at 2:25 AM
I wonder if Ana will run again with an unapologetic pro-housing platform. Hope she doesn’t sell a car-oriented transportation vision though.
To be clear, I think sixplexes are inadequate, so I want us to go further.
June 28, 2025 at 2:22 AM
To be clear, I think sixplexes are inadequate, so I want us to go further.
True and Parrish has no issue using strong Mayor powers. But the downtown versus suburbs framing doesn’t exist on Mississauga Council. And to John’s point, Mississauga gets a fraction of the media attention that Toronto Council gets.
June 28, 2025 at 2:21 AM
True and Parrish has no issue using strong Mayor powers. But the downtown versus suburbs framing doesn’t exist on Mississauga Council. And to John’s point, Mississauga gets a fraction of the media attention that Toronto Council gets.
I’m skeptical when the supposedly most pro-housing Councillor - Bradford - is saying that a one size fits all solution to sixplexes doesn’t work. Seemed all too willing to acquiesce to suburban Councillors probably because he wants their endorsement when he runs for Mayor.
June 28, 2025 at 2:19 AM
I’m skeptical when the supposedly most pro-housing Councillor - Bradford - is saying that a one size fits all solution to sixplexes doesn’t work. Seemed all too willing to acquiesce to suburban Councillors probably because he wants their endorsement when he runs for Mayor.
Agreed though we did learn something. Apparently, several Toronto MPs have contradicted their government’s housing position in private discussions with opposed Councillors.
June 26, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Agreed though we did learn something. Apparently, several Toronto MPs have contradicted their government’s housing position in private discussions with opposed Councillors.
Slim pickings that’s for sure.
June 24, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Slim pickings that’s for sure.
Could a higher unemployment rate be impacting bus ridership?
May 20, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Could a higher unemployment rate be impacting bus ridership?
Mississauga has IZ in place with PMTSAs approved by the Region before they lost their planning authority.
May 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Mississauga has IZ in place with PMTSAs approved by the Region before they lost their planning authority.
Is crowding worse than normal? Surely, a sign of popularity and progress if so.
March 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Is crowding worse than normal? Surely, a sign of popularity and progress if so.
What were your thoughts of the Ontario debate?
February 18, 2025 at 4:05 AM
What were your thoughts of the Ontario debate?
Unfortunately, the NDP might even be worse this election, promising to buy back the 407 to have no tolls. I am thinking of voting Green for the first time.
February 1, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Unfortunately, the NDP might even be worse this election, promising to buy back the 407 to have no tolls. I am thinking of voting Green for the first time.
While I don’t think it should be replicated, I quite enjoyed Karl Marx Allee in Berlin with ample sidewalks, pedestrian cut throughs and limited vehicular access points. The panel buildings that line the street provide generous sized apartments. I wouldn’t describe it as human scale though.
January 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
While I don’t think it should be replicated, I quite enjoyed Karl Marx Allee in Berlin with ample sidewalks, pedestrian cut throughs and limited vehicular access points. The panel buildings that line the street provide generous sized apartments. I wouldn’t describe it as human scale though.
I agree on policy and zoning changes. But he may be more effective at negotiating DC cuts? I would argue DCs are more easily understood than planning policy. He could threaten withholding infrastructure money (e.g. gas tax transfer) if Toronto doesn't offer any cuts.
January 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I agree on policy and zoning changes. But he may be more effective at negotiating DC cuts? I would argue DCs are more easily understood than planning policy. He could threaten withholding infrastructure money (e.g. gas tax transfer) if Toronto doesn't offer any cuts.
Ironically, if/when Poilievre wins, he is probably most likely to push for change in a City like Toronto where there is less political risk.
January 22, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Ironically, if/when Poilievre wins, he is probably most likely to push for change in a City like Toronto where there is less political risk.
Federally, Poilievre is promising to punish reticent municipalities. But, some of the biggest NIMBY Mayors are from municipalities with strong Conservative support. I am sceptical that there will be follow through, except where politically expedient - i.e., punish Toronto because of an NDP Mayor.
January 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Federally, Poilievre is promising to punish reticent municipalities. But, some of the biggest NIMBY Mayors are from municipalities with strong Conservative support. I am sceptical that there will be follow through, except where politically expedient - i.e., punish Toronto because of an NDP Mayor.
Agree with all of this. I wonder - are YIMBY politics an electoral winner? Polls are mixed. They suggest support in principle, but murkier when asked about support for development where they live. Provincially, Ford is more popular than ever even though he has made little progress on housing.
January 22, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Agree with all of this. I wonder - are YIMBY politics an electoral winner? Polls are mixed. They suggest support in principle, but murkier when asked about support for development where they live. Provincially, Ford is more popular than ever even though he has made little progress on housing.
Depressing that several polls show him winning more seats and Libs and NDP losing votes and seats. At this point, both opposition parties may lose official party status - all but guaranteeing a long PC reign. Campaigns matter, but hard not to lose hope of a different outcome.
January 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Depressing that several polls show him winning more seats and Libs and NDP losing votes and seats. At this point, both opposition parties may lose official party status - all but guaranteeing a long PC reign. Campaigns matter, but hard not to lose hope of a different outcome.
At least there's some good stuff there on prevention - funding more youth hubs, library and community centre hours. I'm disappointed by lack of ambition and vision for mobility. Nothing much on pedestrianisation. And what about transit priority starting with intersections on Eglinton and Finch LRT?
January 10, 2025 at 9:23 PM
At least there's some good stuff there on prevention - funding more youth hubs, library and community centre hours. I'm disappointed by lack of ambition and vision for mobility. Nothing much on pedestrianisation. And what about transit priority starting with intersections on Eglinton and Finch LRT?
For more context - toronto.ctvnews.ca/port-lands-g.... It's already an issue for development further away. Again height matters given that the emissions are vented from a stack. But, I can't see the gas plant surviving if this development were to go ahead (perhaps not a bad thing).
Port Lands gas plant emissions seven times too high for some building heights in new development: report
The proposed height of some buildings that are part of a new residential development on Toronto's east waterfront have been called into question after a newly released report found that a nearby gas p...
toronto.ctvnews.ca
January 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
For more context - toronto.ctvnews.ca/port-lands-g.... It's already an issue for development further away. Again height matters given that the emissions are vented from a stack. But, I can't see the gas plant surviving if this development were to go ahead (perhaps not a bad thing).