@erikminty.bsky.social
The time to start reclaiming our future from short-term thinking is right now.
Apparently having "democratic" in your party name is no guarantee that you will support democracy. Arrogant hubris and a reckless lack of accountability just did more to undermine democracy in BC than any 51st State rhetoric could have done. I call Bill 15 a deliberate betrayal of trust. #bcpoli
May 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Apparently having "democratic" in your party name is no guarantee that you will support democracy. Arrogant hubris and a reckless lack of accountability just did more to undermine democracy in BC than any 51st State rhetoric could have done. I call Bill 15 a deliberate betrayal of trust. #bcpoli
Democracy dies in the shadows, not on a field of battle. If you want it to thrive, you need only bring it into the light.
April 24, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Democracy dies in the shadows, not on a field of battle. If you want it to thrive, you need only bring it into the light.
Elections always make me think, what is leadership? One answer is the impossible ability to make the aspirational seem achievable. I feel, as always, a moral obligation to support those who stand for a future actually worth believing in, instead of voting out of fear or complacent mediocrity.
April 4, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Elections always make me think, what is leadership? One answer is the impossible ability to make the aspirational seem achievable. I feel, as always, a moral obligation to support those who stand for a future actually worth believing in, instead of voting out of fear or complacent mediocrity.
I'm expecting 4 federal candidates to send people to knock on my door in April. Three of them I plan to ask questions of. The fourth is one whose party and leader have made basic conversation impossible because of their relentless toxic rhetoric and rage mongering. What does that tell you?
March 24, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I'm expecting 4 federal candidates to send people to knock on my door in April. Three of them I plan to ask questions of. The fourth is one whose party and leader have made basic conversation impossible because of their relentless toxic rhetoric and rage mongering. What does that tell you?
Why do some people still cling to the absurd notion that "freedom of speech" is some kind of magical force field that offers universal impunity from all consequences of their words and actions? Groups need standards or they cease to function.
March 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Why do some people still cling to the absurd notion that "freedom of speech" is some kind of magical force field that offers universal impunity from all consequences of their words and actions? Groups need standards or they cease to function.
Tax filing of all things is a bit of a hot topic. There is definitely a lot of duplication and unnecessary stress in the process. Some streamlining through limited automation seems a sensible cost reduction measure. But does it put too much power in the hands of CRA? It's an important question.
March 12, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Tax filing of all things is a bit of a hot topic. There is definitely a lot of duplication and unnecessary stress in the process. Some streamlining through limited automation seems a sensible cost reduction measure. But does it put too much power in the hands of CRA? It's an important question.
Reposted
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable streets.
50 reasons to want more walkable streets.
50 Reasons Why Everyone Should Want More Walkable Streets
From making you live longer to making cities more resilient: If you want a reason to make your city more walkable, it's in here.
www.fastcompany.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:09 AM
“Someone with a 1-hr car commute needs to earn 40% more to be as happy as someone with a short walk to work. On the other hand, if someone shifts from a long commute to a walk, their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love.” #CityMakingMath
50 reasons to want more walkable streets.
50 reasons to want more walkable streets.
For some reason I'm reminded today of Ben Franklin's words when he was asked what form of government the newly formed United States would take: “A republic, if you can keep it.”
February 20, 2025 at 6:16 PM
For some reason I'm reminded today of Ben Franklin's words when he was asked what form of government the newly formed United States would take: “A republic, if you can keep it.”
Once upon a time there was this idea that someone who betrays a trust can't be taken at their word ever again. Ever. Ironically that's a conservative value I think? Or it used to be, back when words had meaning.
February 11, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Once upon a time there was this idea that someone who betrays a trust can't be taken at their word ever again. Ever. Ironically that's a conservative value I think? Or it used to be, back when words had meaning.
The emperor has no clothes. Should someone tell him? Maybe it's best not to. www.youtube.com/watch?v=veid...
Republican senators cheer on Trump's tariffs as bargaining chip to secure border
YouTube video by Global News
www.youtube.com
February 5, 2025 at 1:52 AM
The emperor has no clothes. Should someone tell him? Maybe it's best not to. www.youtube.com/watch?v=veid...
I'm extremely concerned about the implications: the Minister of Education just dismissed a democratically elected school board because she disliked a decision that they have the authority to make. Local voices matter. This is a flagrant assault on democracy. www.victorianow.com/watercooler/...
BC fires entire Victoria School Board over ban on police in schools
British Columbia's education minister has fired the entire Victoria School Board after a lengthy dispute over its refusal to allow police in schoo.
www.victorianow.com
January 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I'm extremely concerned about the implications: the Minister of Education just dismissed a democratically elected school board because she disliked a decision that they have the authority to make. Local voices matter. This is a flagrant assault on democracy. www.victorianow.com/watercooler/...
I want a hat with a slogan that says "Hat Slogans Are Stupid"
January 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
I want a hat with a slogan that says "Hat Slogans Are Stupid"
Granted I'm naturally biased against autocracy, but doesn't this feel like the housing minister is treating local governments like naughty children refusing to take their medicine? If you have to force something on people, maybe it's a bad policy?
cheknews.ca/housing-mini...
cheknews.ca/housing-mini...
Housing minister appoints special advisor in Oak Bay
B.C.'s housing minister has followed through with a threat to appoint a housing advisor in the District of Oak Bay.
cheknews.ca
January 31, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Granted I'm naturally biased against autocracy, but doesn't this feel like the housing minister is treating local governments like naughty children refusing to take their medicine? If you have to force something on people, maybe it's a bad policy?
cheknews.ca/housing-mini...
cheknews.ca/housing-mini...
"Freedom of speech" historically meant freedom from prosecution for stating one's opinions; reasonable and essential. When did it become corrupted to mean "I can say whatever I like without consequences of any kind"? Complete impunity is a perilous road that tends to advantage only the privileged.
January 8, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"Freedom of speech" historically meant freedom from prosecution for stating one's opinions; reasonable and essential. When did it become corrupted to mean "I can say whatever I like without consequences of any kind"? Complete impunity is a perilous road that tends to advantage only the privileged.
Is this question finally starting to gain real traction? I mostly disagree with NP's overtly oligarchic agenda. Bureaucracy is certainly a concern but effective regulation is essential. The world is changing and Canada needs reliable allies. So the question is valid. nationalpost.com/opinion/why-...
Geoff Russ: Why Canada should not join the EU
A strong, independent Canada is better than a weakened Canada subordinating itself to a vast bureaucracy administered on another continent
nationalpost.com
January 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Is this question finally starting to gain real traction? I mostly disagree with NP's overtly oligarchic agenda. Bureaucracy is certainly a concern but effective regulation is essential. The world is changing and Canada needs reliable allies. So the question is valid. nationalpost.com/opinion/why-...
I love maps. Many political boundaries are "arbitrary". Apparently that's all of a sudden a problem? Here are some alternative, very non-arbitrary maps to consider. www.epa.gov/eco-research...
Ecoregions of North America | US EPA
Information and downloadable maps and datasets for ecoregions of North America, which are areas of general similarity in the type, quality, and quantity of environmental resources.
www.epa.gov
January 7, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I love maps. Many political boundaries are "arbitrary". Apparently that's all of a sudden a problem? Here are some alternative, very non-arbitrary maps to consider. www.epa.gov/eco-research...
The most important priority of a leader is succession planning, because nothing is permanent. Dismissing this as an inconvenient afterthought, risks leaving a power vacuum to be filled by self-serving demagogues.
January 6, 2025 at 10:48 PM
The most important priority of a leader is succession planning, because nothing is permanent. Dismissing this as an inconvenient afterthought, risks leaving a power vacuum to be filled by self-serving demagogues.
I see snow in the forecast tomorrow for Ottawa. I'm waiting to hear if someone decides to go for a walk. It's past time.
January 4, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I see snow in the forecast tomorrow for Ottawa. I'm waiting to hear if someone decides to go for a walk. It's past time.
Bureaucracy is the unfortunate result of necessary accountability measures, ineffectively managed. The cure is to do the hard work of making those accountability measures actually do their job, not shredding them completely.
December 31, 2024 at 1:56 AM
Bureaucracy is the unfortunate result of necessary accountability measures, ineffectively managed. The cure is to do the hard work of making those accountability measures actually do their job, not shredding them completely.
Fill in the blank. It helps to be prepared.
Americans: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to Canada."
Canadians: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to ___________."
Americans: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to Canada."
Canadians: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to ___________."
December 31, 2024 at 12:37 AM
Fill in the blank. It helps to be prepared.
Americans: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to Canada."
Canadians: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to ___________."
Americans: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to Canada."
Canadians: "If <...> gets in, I'm moving to ___________."
Is anyone else getting tired of the endless parliamentary manipulation and empty rhetoric from self-serving politicians who expect us to take them seriously as leaders? I don't care when the next election is. I just want someone I can trust. Why is that so hard?
December 31, 2024 at 12:24 AM
Is anyone else getting tired of the endless parliamentary manipulation and empty rhetoric from self-serving politicians who expect us to take them seriously as leaders? I don't care when the next election is. I just want someone I can trust. Why is that so hard?
Civilized people don't vote for tyrants. They stand up to them. Remember that in case we head into a federal election that nobody actually wants.
December 24, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Civilized people don't vote for tyrants. They stand up to them. Remember that in case we head into a federal election that nobody actually wants.
I wrote this in 2021 before the Libs called their snap election. Same concern applies now, just with different belligerents. We need our legislators doing their jobs, not grasping for power at every turn. I'm not asking for much - just some integrity. www.tricitynews.com/local-news/l...
Letter: Only the most gullible believe we need a federal election
Editor: It has become the worst kept secret in Canada that we are most likely headed for a federal election in late September.
www.tricitynews.com
December 20, 2024 at 9:05 PM
I wrote this in 2021 before the Libs called their snap election. Same concern applies now, just with different belligerents. We need our legislators doing their jobs, not grasping for power at every turn. I'm not asking for much - just some integrity. www.tricitynews.com/local-news/l...
I continue to be concerned about the gradual but systemic exclusion of the public from the decision making process. In this latest example, BCUC appears to be breaking its own rules, placing highly questionable claims of efficiency ahead of expert public input. bcsea.org/elementor-15...
BCSEA Protests Restrictions on Interventions - BC Sustainable Energy Association
BCSEA Protests Restrictions on Interventions December 4, 2024 By Bill Andrews and Tom Hackney BCSEA sent a strongly worded “letter of comment” to the BCUC in late November protesting the Commission’s ...
bcsea.org
December 16, 2024 at 5:47 PM
I continue to be concerned about the gradual but systemic exclusion of the public from the decision making process. In this latest example, BCUC appears to be breaking its own rules, placing highly questionable claims of efficiency ahead of expert public input. bcsea.org/elementor-15...
If your definition of economic growth is GDP per capita, how relevant is that really to an advanced economy? Material needs become saturated, and GDP is biased towards physical products. Governments are not businesses and people are more than consumers. What then should we measure instead? HDI?
December 10, 2024 at 9:50 PM
If your definition of economic growth is GDP per capita, how relevant is that really to an advanced economy? Material needs become saturated, and GDP is biased towards physical products. Governments are not businesses and people are more than consumers. What then should we measure instead? HDI?