Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thái Phạm @thaipham.bsky.social · 2h

"banality of evil" ~ a little reminder to myself these days theconversation.com/is-it-time-t...

Is it time to reconsider the idea of ‘the banality of evil’?

Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was anything but banal. His case is an apt reminder of how evil agents can deflect accountability, denying victims even the thin consolation of the moral high ground.

theconversation.com

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Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 14h

Toronto Council meets today! It's their first meeting since July, so we're all feeling a bit rusty. Mayor Chow has designated an item about — what else? — speed cameras as her first key matter, so that'll be up first.

Streaming live here. I'll post what transpires. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxu2...

City Council - October 8, 2025

YouTube video by Toronto City Council

www.youtube.com

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Thái Phạm @thaipham.bsky.social · 13h

The audit got the fed looking www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti...

Ottawa to review federal money committed to Skills Development Fund after damaging audit

In the wake of a scathing audit of Ontario’s Skills Development Fund (SDF), Canada’s federal government says it’s reviewing the troubled program to make sure the money it sends the province for jobs t...

www.ctvnews.ca

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Dale Smith @journodale.bsky.social · 1d

Mr. Tough-on-Crime wishes the convoy leaders a peaceful and happy life.

@PierrePoilievre
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber peacefully protested the imposition of emergency measures that the Federal Court found to be unlawful and unconstitutional.

Instead of pursuing rapists, drug dealers and other monsters, the Crown sought lengthy prison sentences.

Justice Perkins-McVey rightly rejected the Crown's request, and sent Tamara and Chris home to their families.

We must get to a justice system that ensures the security and freedom of all Canadians.

I wish Chris and Tamara a peaceful and happy life.

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Toronto Star @thestar.com · 1d

#Breaking: Doug Ford rejects mayors' plea to rethink banning speed camera 'cash grab'

‘The answer is no’: Doug Ford rejects mayors’ plea to rethink banning speed camera ‘cash grab’

“The only thing municipal speed cameras are 100 per cent effective at is taking money from hard-working people,” Doug Ford wrote in his response.

www.thestar.com

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Isaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 1d

Ontario says it will speed up the lengthy approval process for select cancer drugs by up to one year as part of a new pilot project. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1146818...

Ontario to speed up access to select cancer drugs in new pilot | Globalnews.ca

Ontario says it will speed up the lengthy approval process for select cancer drugs by up to one year as part of a new pilot project.

globalnews.ca

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Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · 1d

“Could Congestion Pricing Unlock a Better Toronto?”

YES!!!!

Wrote this with Jeff Allen @jamaps.bsky.social Senior Research Associate; Lead, Data Visualization at @uoftcities.bsky.social

Who has the #PoliticalWill to take this issue on?

#TOpoli
schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/could-conges...

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Jason Thorne @jasonthorne.bsky.social · 2d

The Venn diagram of urban density and average household GHG emissions is pretty much a circle. Interesting study on “Mapping household GHG emissions in the Greater Golden Horseshoe” from the University of Toronto School of Cities schoolofcities.utoronto.ca/mapping-hous...

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Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 1d

In a letter responding to a Councillor Holyday inquiry, City Manager Paul Johnson has provided a breakdown of revenue and expense numbers related to Toronto’s speed and red-light camera programs. Notably, about 24% of fine revenue goes to the provincial gov.
www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis... (PDF)

$In 2024, the City collected $62.6 million in fine revenues, including $37.3 million from ASE and $25.3 million from RLC. In total, the 2024 net revenue associated with the POA regime was $48.2 million, which was leveraged to support the initiatives noted below. For 2025, assuming full operations throughout the year, the City projects to receive $64.6 million in ASE fine revenue and total associated fine revenue of $100.1 million when also including $35.5 million from RLC. Revenues collected, and specifically those collected through ASE violations, are generally allocated to three main purposes: 1. Provincial Remittances • When including the estimated $11 million associated with Victim Fine Surcharges (VFS) for 2025, approximately 24% of fine revenues are remitted annually to the Province, including a charge of $8.25 per infraction for Ministry of Transportation Ontario searches and varying VFS surcharges depending on the fine amount for victim services. 2. City of Toronto Related Administration Costs • It’s estimated that approximately 35% of fine revenues directly fund the City’s costs to administer the operation of ASE. 3. Vision Zero Initiatives • The remaining fine revenues, or approximately 41%, enables the City to invest in public safety and enforcement activities, including:  Toronto Police Service – Annual operating funding is directed to the Police Services Road Safety Program, funding 18 Officers (2 Sergeants and 16 PCs).  Transportation Services Operating – ASE revenue is leveraged to partially offset annual enhancements and inflationary increases to the School Crossing Guard Program and Education Campaign  Transportation Services Capital - ASE revenue is leveraged to offset debt servicing costs associated with Road Safety Initiatives included in the 10-Year$

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Thái Phạm @thaipham.bsky.social · 1d

The trend of most disliked man while the party continuing to trend upward illustrates how electorates think about elections.
#cdnpoli

National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 1d

Latest Nanos federal poll: Liberals and Conservatives gripped in a statistical tie in ballot support – Carney ahead of Poilievre by 20 points as preferred PM nanos.co/liberals-and...

Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com

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Matt Elliott @graphicmatt.com · 1d

My @thestar.com column: Toronto’s condo market has crashed. Development charge revenue has cratered with it.

It’s bad news for city finances, but this crisis could also be an opportunity to break from Toronto's long reliance on DCs — and to build something new.

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Matt Elliott: How the popping of the condo bubble led to a looming budget crisis in Toronto

Toronto’s condo boom finally going bust isn’t just a concern for developers and investors. The collapse is also causing major financial woes for the city.

www.thestar.com

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Global Project Against Hate and Extremism @globalextremism.bsky.social · 2d

Roblox is a conduit for radicalization: the teen-led white supremacist group “Blueshirts” recruits children, mimics neo-Nazi Patriot Front marches, and coordinates on Discord to spread propaganda and harass players.

Read more:

Online Neo-Nazi Group Using Children’s Video Games For Recruiting And Propaganda

A disturbing trend is emerging on Roblox, a platform with tens of millions of young users: online white supremacist groups are using children’s video games to recruit and spread propaganda. The “Blues...

globalextremism.org

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Robert Zaichkowski @rzaichkowski.bsky.social · 2d

Hey #BikeTO! There will be a public consultation for the Sloane Avenue Road Safety Improvements on Monday, October 20 at Sloane Avenue Public School. You can also submit your feedback online until Sunday, November 2. #TOpoli #VisionZero www.toronto.ca/community-pe...

Sloane Avenue Road Safety Improvements

Attend the public drop-in event on Monday, October 20 and complete the survey by November 2. View meeting materials in the consultation tab below. Complete the Survey The City of Toronto is inviting...

www.toronto.ca

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Thái Phạm @thaipham.bsky.social · 2d

Ontario voted for this
#onpoli

Jessica Smith Cross @jessiecatherine.bsky.social · 2d

NEW: Clients of lobby firms connected to the premier and his nephew were given tens of millions from the Skills Development Fund.

Clients of Rubicon — a lobbying firm owned by the premier’s campaign manager — got more than $100M, records show.

www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic...

Clients of lobby firms connected to premier, his nephew given tens of millions in training funds

Groups represented by a lobbying firm owned by the premier’s campaign manager got more than $100 million in grant money, a Trillium analysis has found

www.thetrillium.ca

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Prof Katherine Schofield 🇬🇧🇦🇺🇪🇺 @katherineschof8.bsky.social · 2d

Work will never love you back. Consistently make regular time for your physical and mental health and your relationships.

essencesimmone.blacksky.app @essencesimmone.blacksky.app · 5d

Those who are 35+, what advice do you have for people just entering their 30s?

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National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 2d

Great Lakes governors stand with Canada ahead of Carney's high-stakes meeting with Trump. Trump has 'demeaned our neighbours in the north,' Pennsylvania governor says www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com

Great Lakes governors stand with Canada ahead of Carney's high-stakes meeting with Trump | CBC News

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro blasted U.S. President Donald Trump for his "tough-guy" approach to Canada after a meeting Monday with some provincial premiers in Quebec City.

www.cbc.ca

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Thái Phạm @thaipham.bsky.social · 2d

Said the guy who needed a parachute by-election.
#cdnpoli

National Newswatch @nationalnewswatch.com · 2d

'No more losing,' Poilievre tells Carney in scathing letter ahead of PM's face-to-face with Trump. Conservative leader says he's willing to meet with the Americans to help move trade talks along www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com

'No more losing,' Poilievre tells Carney in scathing letter ahead of PM's face-to-face with Trump | CBC News

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has penned a scathing letter to the prime minister ahead of his meeting with the U.S. president on Tuesday, saying Mark Carney has been a disappointment on the tra...

www.cbc.ca

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 3d

401 Richmond alone reports 24,000 people came by thru bldn last night during nuit Blanche. What a validation of the desire for public life in this city. Toronto seemed so lit last evening. Every year there’s grumps curmudgeons & naysayers but people come out for NB, esp this year. A renewal.

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Alex Bozikovic @alexbozikovic.bsky.social · 3d

A historic site with no displays.

A public hall that’s closed six days a week.

Surrounded by busted sidewalks and a park rebuild that hasn’t begun.

Toronto spent vast sums and 20 years on this project. It was very late and far over budget, yet it is a shambles.

spacing.ca/toronto/2025...

How Toronto Forgets Its History (Again) - Spacing Toronto

The north portion of St. Lawrence Market is arguably the second most historic spot in the post-colonial city, after Fort York. A public market has been operating there continuously since 1803, which i...

spacing.ca

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Taylor Noakes @taylornoakes.com · 4d

It was the political equivalent of a drive-by shooting

A veteran reporter accused of being a Russian spy

A year later Chris Alexander hasn’t presented any new evidence

And the documents he had look like forgeries

The spy who wasn’t

My latest @thewalrus.ca #cdnpoli

thewalrus.ca/a-veteran-re...

Forged KGB Documents Used to Smear Journalist in Parliament | The Walrus

Ex-MP Chris Alexander accused David Pugliese of being a Russian spy. Forensic experts now say the evidence was fabricated

thewalrus.ca

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James McCarthy @jamesmccarthy97.bsky.social · 3d

Puberty blocker ban 'part of a series of attacks on Trans people' says Hanna

Claire Hanna was responding to a question on whether her party would have supported the move if it had held a ministerial post.

www.belfastlive.co.uk

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Andrew Kurjata @akurjata.ca · 3d

Tumbler Ridge residents take to the streets to protest emergency care cuts
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

'This is un-Canadian': Tumbler Ridge residents take to the streets to protest emergency care cuts | CBC News

Over 100 residents attended a rally for healthcare Saturday in Tumbler Ridge, protesting recent weekend and evening ER closures.

www.cbc.ca

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Taylor Noakes @taylornoakes.com · 3d

It was the height of irony

At a meeting on Russian disinfo, a former cabinet minister accused a veteran journalist of being a spy

But the papers waved around as proof didn't say what was alleged

And now they appear to be forgeries

My latest @thewalrus.ca #cdnpoli

thewalrus.ca/a-veteran-re...

Forged KGB Documents Used to Smear Journalist in Parliament | The Walrus

Ex-MP Chris Alexander accused David Pugliese of being a Russian spy. Forensic experts now say the evidence was fabricated

thewalrus.ca

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Daniel MacPhee 🇨🇦 @d-macphee.bsky.social · 3d

Quite a series of glacier photos
#ClimateChange #Glaciers
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Before and after images show glaciers vanishing before our eyes

They are melting like never seen before, changing landscapes around the world beyond recognition.

www.bbc.com

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Lanrick Bennett @lanrickbennett.bsky.social · 4d

Is it really so hard not to speed? The ASE cameras have even given drivers a windowed grace period because they don’t want to be to hard on you. And yet, there are still complaints that this is a cash grab b/c we want to prioritize the safety of vulnerable road users. www.thestar.com/news/gta/wha...

What’s the threshold to get a ticket from Toronto’s speed camera program? Here’s what the Star has found

For the first time, the Star can report the threshold for a ticket when driving over the posted speed limit — at least in Toronto and other large municipalities nearby.

www.thestar.com

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