Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 1h

Just ask former Etobicoke-Lakeshore MPP (and fellow Bloor bike lane agitator), Christine Hogarth, about the premier's populist instincts.

Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 2h

I think Doug Ford benefits a lot from his Queen's Park opposition always tending to assume that his populist instincts are correct, and so they water down their criticism with too much nuance and hedging. He doesn't always know what voters want — sometimes it's just personal grievance.

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Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 2h

I think Doug Ford benefits a lot from his Queen's Park opposition always tending to assume that his populist instincts are correct, and so they water down their criticism with too much nuance and hedging. He doesn't always know what voters want — sometimes it's just personal grievance.

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 2h

Tired: "review of speed limits on roads with four or more lanes"
Wired: "review of roads with four or more lanes"

Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 2h

Councillor Burnside moves for a review of speed limits on roads with four or more lanes.

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Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 2h

Myers says this is another issue that highlights the need for Toronto to look at becoming a charter city. "Whether it's speed cameras, whether it's bike lanes, whether it's blue bins, we can't seem to make a decision without Doug Ford running interference because someone got in his ear."

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 3h

Henry V: "And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day."

Pseudonymous Bluesky:

Bluesky comment:

"Why fight a lost cause. Don't waste your time"

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Cycle Toronto @cycletoronto.bsky.social · 5h

Our submission opposing any delays implementing the Sheppard Complete Street. We cannot let fear or uncertainty of provincial bullying block our progress. Not moving forward with the Cycling Network Plan by the City effectively hand Council's own power to the Premier and undermine its authority.

Dear Councillor Carroll, Mayor Chow, and members of City Council,

Re: MM33.5 - Protecting Public Investment & Advancing Interim Solutions Along Sheppard Avenue East

We are writing to express our strong support for completing the Sheppard Avenue East Complete Street project as originally approved by City Council in June 2023. We urge you to reject MM33.5.

There is currently nothing in the Province’s Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 that blocks the City from moving forward with the Sheppard Avenue East Compete Street or any cycling infrastructure project, even those involving lane reconfigurations (though the majority of this project would not). Toronto is not a “prescribed municipality”, and to date no regulations have been issued requiring Ministerial approval:

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a municipality in respect of a bicycle lane if, on the day the municipality is prescribed for the purposes of subsection (1), a contract has already been awarded or entered into for the construction, installation or marking of the bicycle lane or, if the construction, installation or marking of the bicycle lane is to be done by the municipality and not by any party under contract, such work has already commenced.

Cycle Toronto’s recent legal win challenging the constitutionality of the Province’s attempt to remove and reconfigure the bike lanes on Bloor, Yonge, and University makes clear that the underlying legislation is arbitrary and reckless.

Bundling these improvements on Sheppard with planned road work is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for North York. We cannot let fear or uncertainty of provincial bullying block our progress. Any delays to the approved Cycling Network Plan by the City effectively hand your power to the Premier and undermine your authority.

Michael Longfield
Executive Director

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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 9h

NEW: Privacy officials with the Ontario government won’t release details of who was responsible for cabinet minister vehicles caught speeding, saying it would violate personal privacy and could threaten the “safety or health of an individual.” #OnPoli

globalnews.ca/news/1146863...

Ontario government won’t say which cabinet minister vehicles were speeding, citing safety | Globalnews.ca

Documents show vehicles assigned to Premier Doug Ford's cabinet ministers were caught by automated speed cameras 23 times, including one driving at 70 km/h in a 40 zone.

globalnews.ca

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Diana Chan McNally @dianacmcnally.bsky.social · 1d

A reminder that Ford has repeatedly used or threatened to use the Notwithstanding Clause to undermine democracy by:

- Limiting third party election advertising
- Slashing Toronto City Council mid-election
- Undermining education workers' labour rights
- Evicting encampments
- Removing bike lanes

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 1d

Outrage after outrage, Ford just keeps channeling big Citizen Dick energy:

a man sitting at a table with the words " this negative energy just makes me stronger " on the bottom

ALT: a man sitting at a table with the words " this negative energy just makes me stronger " on the bottom

media.tenor.com

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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 1d

NEW: A vehicle assigned to a Ford cabinet minister has been recorded at stunt driving speeds 12 times.

The premier's office suggested it was the same driver each time, and implied they still work for the government. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1146702...

Ford government vehicle recorded at stunt driving speeds on Ontario highways | Globalnews.ca

At least one cabinet-assigned vehicle was recorded driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit multiple times in the past three years, according to documents.

globalnews.ca

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 1d

Nope.

mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 1d

Tonight's public consultation: "Nobody rides bikes here. Also all cyclists here blow stop signs and ride on the sidewalks. And I'm a cyclist and I already feel safe riding here. And there are too many cars in this neighborhood. And the cars are stuck in traffic and the cars are going too fast."

People in a school auditorium listening to a public meeting.

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 2d

Still waiting to see how the Balance on Bloor lawsuit plays out.

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Jaime N. Christley @rohmersimpson.bsky.social · 2d

I stg Bubb Rubb and Lil Sis are 2 of my favorite people of all time

youtu.be/9R2hOlVqqek?...

Bubb Rubb and the Oakland whistle tip news story from KRON TV 4.

YouTube video by ken444444

youtu.be

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 2d

Wooo-woooooo

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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 2d

Here are some of the automated speed enforcement tickets given to vehicles assigned to Ford cabinet ministers. #OnPoli

Story ▶️ globalnews.ca/news/1146373...

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 2d

Me post-Big Toronto Bike Ride:

Itysl meme: "I'm just, the tiredest I've ever been in my life"

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 3d

The same Doug Ford who wants to ditch speed cameras claims he's "giving municipalities across the province a lot of money to put in all sorts of street calming methods" is wasting millions trying to undermine the Charter and rip out existing protected bike lanes.

Very credible.

Boardroom meme.

CEO: we’re going to be giving municipalities across the province a lot of money to put in all sorts of street calming methods
Bored staffer: Bike lanes are a street calming method
He gets thrown out the window

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 3d

Big Dumper gonna be the X factor.

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slangsonsports.bsky.social @slangsonsports.bsky.social · 4d

Shohei Ohtani is the first player in MLB history to start at least one game as pitcher and at least one as a non-pitcher in a single postseason

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slangsonsports.bsky.social @slangsonsports.bsky.social · 4d

Shohei Ohtani is the first starting pitcher to lead off in a postseason game

Only other SP to hit anywhere other than 8 or 9 in postseason:

1918 WS G4 Babe Ruth, 6th

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slangsonsports.bsky.social @slangsonsports.bsky.social · 4d

If Shohei Ohtani leads off tomorrow, as he has almost all season and every game the last two months…

He would be the first starting pitcher to lead off in a postseason game

Only SP to hit anywhere other than 8 or 9 in postseason, as of now:

1918 WS G4 Babe Ruth, 6th

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 3d

Take it up with Manford. I'll keep enjoying it in the meantime.

mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 3d

Counterpoint: if they hadn't modified the rule given his near-unique abilities and the sheer joy it inspires that would have totally been bogus.

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mlongfield.bsky.social @mlongfield.bsky.social · 4d

George Bush whisper meme: "Protected bike lanes are a road safety initiative"

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