Meanwhile, in Ontario
May 5, 2019 9:20 AM Subscribe
Premier Doug Ford has been getting his revenge on anyone who ever told him to drink less, pay attention in class, slow down, stop dealing drugs, pollute less, and watch the kids.
This is why when my family and friends in the U.S. tell me how lucky they think I am to now be living in Ontario - because they think that I have incidentally also “escaped Trump” - I just laugh.
posted by nightrecordings at 9:49 AM on May 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by nightrecordings at 9:49 AM on May 5, 2019 [19 favorites]
...also planning to curtail ongoing psychiatric care and do away with the independent environmental watchdog.
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:53 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 9:53 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
What about Ford's ridiculous and depressing fight against the parents of children living with autism?
posted by JamesBay at 9:57 AM on May 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by JamesBay at 9:57 AM on May 5, 2019 [7 favorites]
No teachers will be laid off in cost-cutting, Ontario’s education minister says (but close to 2K jobs lost so far, says teacher tracking Ontario education cuts).
posted by JamesBay at 9:59 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by JamesBay at 9:59 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
My friends, the Facebook group Dog Food - For The People keeps track of all of the moronic horseshit coming out of Queen's Park these days.
posted by JamesBay at 10:02 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by JamesBay at 10:02 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Turns out it wastes gas and kills people. Who knew?
Conservatives love wasting gas and killing people, tho.
I'm numb to the climate change denial from the right, but the education cuts are just so nakedly cruel and monstrous. Why do we have to pretend like anyone who would vote for Ford and his like aren't just sadists.
posted by Reyturner at 10:16 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Conservatives love wasting gas and killing people, tho.
I'm numb to the climate change denial from the right, but the education cuts are just so nakedly cruel and monstrous. Why do we have to pretend like anyone who would vote for Ford and his like aren't just sadists.
posted by Reyturner at 10:16 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Great way to save money by putting aside $1.6 billion to ensure that no teachers are laid off. Oh wait, but they are being laid off.
I think the most cynical one of recent days is the shutting down of the gambling harm-reduction agency and allowing free booze in casinos. I mean, c'mon; with family with severe substance abuse and impulse control issues, Ford okays this?
I'm extremely close to the environmental file. Dianne Saxe, the former ECO, is a friend of mine. Many of my former colleagues in the renewable energy industry have had to move on. Punitive audits are being called on renewable energy contracts that hold FIT contracts, most of which have been operating for on or above any document retention limit.
It's kind of a good time to be a director of the wind turbine (yes, we're working on getting it working again. The reason it's not is complicated) at ExPlace, though. It's contracted for at least all of Ford's tenure, so it's not going anywhere. We put it up as a protest against Ernie “Weed Boy” Eves' energy policies. We've still got some tricks up our sleeves …
posted by scruss at 10:24 AM on May 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
I think the most cynical one of recent days is the shutting down of the gambling harm-reduction agency and allowing free booze in casinos. I mean, c'mon; with family with severe substance abuse and impulse control issues, Ford okays this?
I'm extremely close to the environmental file. Dianne Saxe, the former ECO, is a friend of mine. Many of my former colleagues in the renewable energy industry have had to move on. Punitive audits are being called on renewable energy contracts that hold FIT contracts, most of which have been operating for on or above any document retention limit.
It's kind of a good time to be a director of the wind turbine (yes, we're working on getting it working again. The reason it's not is complicated) at ExPlace, though. It's contracted for at least all of Ford's tenure, so it's not going anywhere. We put it up as a protest against Ernie “Weed Boy” Eves' energy policies. We've still got some tricks up our sleeves …
posted by scruss at 10:24 AM on May 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
Don't forget the absolute gutting of Legal Aid.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:38 AM on May 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 10:38 AM on May 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
scruss: I mean, c'mon; with family with severe substance abuse and impulse control issues, Ford okays this?
I was half-joking with my post title, but half-serious, too. It really does seem like Ford is pissed at everybody he sees as a holier-than-thou do-gooder who tells him that stuff he likes isn't good for him. I think he's trying to say that having a family with substance abuse and impulse control issues is okay, it's fine, it's fun for us so why don't you just fuck off and let us get drunk?
posted by clawsoon at 11:05 AM on May 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
I was half-joking with my post title, but half-serious, too. It really does seem like Ford is pissed at everybody he sees as a holier-than-thou do-gooder who tells him that stuff he likes isn't good for him. I think he's trying to say that having a family with substance abuse and impulse control issues is okay, it's fine, it's fun for us so why don't you just fuck off and let us get drunk?
posted by clawsoon at 11:05 AM on May 5, 2019 [9 favorites]
I was so mad at the thought of the licence plates being stamped with Ford's stupid "open for business" mantra, that I didn't even consider how pro-pot "a place to grow" sounds. At least, it has its origins in Ontario's history and not is some political party's agenda.
It's more than the slogan change that really irked me. It's the costs involved in doing something like that. It's not just the plates that have to be changed (I don't know what the design and tooling and printing costs will be to enact the change), but it's the marketing and branding and education and other materials that will have to be updated and that has a price tag associated with it as well. I mean if we're already facing monetary shortfalls, why are we wasting money on stupid, useless projects like this instead of paying teachers or children's advocates or medical costs, etc.? Just like with the ridiculous "open for business" roadsigns, it's just funnelling money down the drain (and likely into the pockets of cronies).
If Ford cared about licence plates he'd do something to switch to a manufacturer (or a production system) that eliminated the significant peeling problem.
Yes, I know in the overall grand scheme of things, changing licence plate slogans is a tiny insignificant drop in bucket of problems, but it's just such an annoying, petty, waste of time and money that it typifies how this government acts and thinks.
posted by sardonyx at 11:32 AM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
It's more than the slogan change that really irked me. It's the costs involved in doing something like that. It's not just the plates that have to be changed (I don't know what the design and tooling and printing costs will be to enact the change), but it's the marketing and branding and education and other materials that will have to be updated and that has a price tag associated with it as well. I mean if we're already facing monetary shortfalls, why are we wasting money on stupid, useless projects like this instead of paying teachers or children's advocates or medical costs, etc.? Just like with the ridiculous "open for business" roadsigns, it's just funnelling money down the drain (and likely into the pockets of cronies).
If Ford cared about licence plates he'd do something to switch to a manufacturer (or a production system) that eliminated the significant peeling problem.
Yes, I know in the overall grand scheme of things, changing licence plate slogans is a tiny insignificant drop in bucket of problems, but it's just such an annoying, petty, waste of time and money that it typifies how this government acts and thinks.
posted by sardonyx at 11:32 AM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
The fact that (a significant portion of) the people of Ontario wanted this has made me seriously consider moving. But where am I going to go, the only city more expensive than Toronto? Prince Edward Island? Won’t get away from what happens in October anyway. SO ANGRY.
posted by rodlymight at 11:42 AM on May 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 11:42 AM on May 5, 2019 [4 favorites]
AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON MAYOR JOHN QUISLING
posted by rodlymight at 11:43 AM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by rodlymight at 11:43 AM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
His health policies are going to kill people. I don't know what to do about it.
posted by seanmpuckett at 11:49 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 11:49 AM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
I don't know what to do about it.
I'm not entirely sure either, but I very much doubt 'Hey Hey Ho Ho' protests will have much effect.
It bears noting that the OPC party was commandeered by the Crazies. Many of them are not happy about that, but are goose-stepping for now. It's a good idea to put a bug in their ears that they can save their own reputations/legacies by splitting.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 12:35 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm not entirely sure either, but I very much doubt 'Hey Hey Ho Ho' protests will have much effect.
It bears noting that the OPC party was commandeered by the Crazies. Many of them are not happy about that, but are goose-stepping for now. It's a good idea to put a bug in their ears that they can save their own reputations/legacies by splitting.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 12:35 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Can I take advantage of this thread full of politically conscious Canadians and ask about the National Observer which is linked in the OP? It has suddenly burst onto Facebook in a big way with tons of shares from friends, especially in the "look what Dougie did now" vein. It obviously has a point of view, but is it it otherwise generally reliable/factual? Wikipedia suggests yes, but then Wikipedia isn't necessarily reliable/factual either.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:39 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 12:39 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
Well, another right wing creep means yet another rendering of said right wing creep.
It's almost as though that in the face of overwhelming disaster, we retreat to a collective stupidity, and ignorance as a society and elect the most regressive, major candidate possible.
Ford is a thug and a bully, and he always will be.
For what it's worth, I did this drawing while quite pissed, because that seems to be the best way to attempt a portrait of Doug Ford.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 1:39 PM on May 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
It's almost as though that in the face of overwhelming disaster, we retreat to a collective stupidity, and ignorance as a society and elect the most regressive, major candidate possible.
Ford is a thug and a bully, and he always will be.
For what it's worth, I did this drawing while quite pissed, because that seems to be the best way to attempt a portrait of Doug Ford.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 1:39 PM on May 5, 2019 [8 favorites]
Speaking of the environmental file...
The flood management programs administered by regional conservation authorities are also under the axe. And Ford wasn't having his feet held to the fire by anyone when he showed up around Ottawa, doing some glad-handing in flood zones.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:46 PM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
The flood management programs administered by regional conservation authorities are also under the axe. And Ford wasn't having his feet held to the fire by anyone when he showed up around Ottawa, doing some glad-handing in flood zones.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:46 PM on May 5, 2019 [6 favorites]
No surprise the CAs are getting the squeeze: they're often the only thing stopping developers building in ravines and floodplains. They know where the toxic waste is buried, and where the termites are (but in many cases can't map them after TREB sued Toronto as this information was damaging property values). They're the keeper of records for land: the sort of thing that Doug's chums would love to see vanish. Without the CAs we wouldn't have ravine parks in Toronto.
TRCA might have a few issues with over-reach and problematic senior staff, but most CAs are amazing. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority were helpful and professional and when I worked with them ran on a shoestring.
posted by scruss at 2:15 PM on May 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
TRCA might have a few issues with over-reach and problematic senior staff, but most CAs are amazing. Maitland Valley Conservation Authority were helpful and professional and when I worked with them ran on a shoestring.
posted by scruss at 2:15 PM on May 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
Apparently Dougie's government was having secret meetings with gravel contractors.
In late March, more than 100 aggregate companies were invited to meet privately with the ministry as it considers loosening legislation. Conservationists are angry the public was shut out of those discussions and accuse Ontario of putting industry interests over those of rural residents.
Because who cares about water tables and water management when there are gravel pits to dig? Cutting funding from conservation authorities goes hand in hand with this.
posted by sardonyx at 2:41 PM on May 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
In late March, more than 100 aggregate companies were invited to meet privately with the ministry as it considers loosening legislation. Conservationists are angry the public was shut out of those discussions and accuse Ontario of putting industry interests over those of rural residents.
Because who cares about water tables and water management when there are gravel pits to dig? Cutting funding from conservation authorities goes hand in hand with this.
posted by sardonyx at 2:41 PM on May 5, 2019 [5 favorites]
I feel like I'm asking you guys to do my homework for me, but I've been writing the occasional whiny email to my MP to ask him why the Conservatives are dismantling so many important programs (to which he inevitably replies back with some mealy BS). Should I continue to bother? Is there a tack I can take that will have any effect at all? What are some good resources for rebuttals to the PC line?
posted by Rora at 2:50 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rora at 2:50 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
My understanding is the best way to get one of these lizards to listen to you is to act like you are also a lizard and you have just a little difference of opinion about what good lizarding is, like about public health cuts, how like your elected lizard you strongly believe in a sane and balanced budget with spending under control, but doesn't he understand that spending on social programs actually results in much more savings in other programs, like crime prevention, health care, etc. This is just sound fiscal policy, why would such a smart and wise lizard be thinking about approaching a key plank in the platform in such an unfortunate, incorrect way, the right answer is of course to spend more on social programs to keep people out of hospitals and jails? Prevention is much cheaper than cure, yes, and it's all about the budget, right? That's a good lizard.
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:14 PM on May 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
posted by seanmpuckett at 3:14 PM on May 5, 2019 [10 favorites]
So like, in the representative democracy that we live under, you win the votes you get the seats you receive the Mandate of Heaven and you're allowed to govern until the next election. From a strict mechanistic perspective, they are entitled to pass whatever legislation they can get the votes for, and all we can do is grit and bear it.
However, that's not the end of the story.
Control over the provincial parliament is just one of many facets through which power is exercised. Your MPP did not get elected through sheer force of will; they invariably depend on networks of volunteers and donors that give them the resources they need to wage a campaign.
So, there are two things you can do:
1. You can build your own networks of power, i.e. organize, for the next election
2. You can try to exert influence over the MPP, and over their networks of power.
>I'm not entirely sure either, but I very much doubt 'Hey Hey Ho Ho' protests will have much effect.
IMHO, and I'm not advancing a novel theory here, protests are best understood as demonstrations of power. Of course they don't automatically bend others to our will; but they reflect the sheer volume of people who are mad enough to take time out of their day and show up.
Protests are a sign of strength or weakness.
If you're mad about this election, start reading groups, get involved with your local opposition party, church or community groups, and be active and engaged and tell others why you're so pissed off.
When the next election comes, you'll be in a position to have a material impact by having done the legwork of extending your community, and convincing others of the righteousness of your cause.
This sounds trite you guys but… you win by having more votes than the other person.
>Should I continue to bother? Is there a tack I can take that will have any effect at all?
Your local elected official 100% notices the demands of constituents; they know that for every 1 person who bugs them about it there's a hundred other people who haven't made the effort. You know what's better than an email? A phone call - phone calls tie up more time that could be used for making good with their constituents. What's better than a phone call? Showing up in person.
If you live in a riding with a PC MPP you should absolutely continue to bug them, and better yet get friends and family to call them also. Performing a denial of service on your MPP may not get them to change their mind, especially going up against the leadership, but in the worst case scenario prevents them from doing the work that helps get them re-elected, i.e. responding to less-angry constituents.
Meanwhile, you can start tracking down the networks that support that MPP - for example, a local church or business luncheon group - and start talking to those people as to why these changes are so harmful to your community. You, a complete rando, may have limited influence with an MPP but he or she will be far more responsive to the pastor at the church that churns out most of his or her volunteers.
FWIW this is all extremely hard and time consuming! Which is why we're in the current mess we're in.
posted by pmv at 3:50 PM on May 5, 2019 [24 favorites]
However, that's not the end of the story.
Control over the provincial parliament is just one of many facets through which power is exercised. Your MPP did not get elected through sheer force of will; they invariably depend on networks of volunteers and donors that give them the resources they need to wage a campaign.
So, there are two things you can do:
1. You can build your own networks of power, i.e. organize, for the next election
2. You can try to exert influence over the MPP, and over their networks of power.
>I'm not entirely sure either, but I very much doubt 'Hey Hey Ho Ho' protests will have much effect.
IMHO, and I'm not advancing a novel theory here, protests are best understood as demonstrations of power. Of course they don't automatically bend others to our will; but they reflect the sheer volume of people who are mad enough to take time out of their day and show up.
Protests are a sign of strength or weakness.
If you're mad about this election, start reading groups, get involved with your local opposition party, church or community groups, and be active and engaged and tell others why you're so pissed off.
When the next election comes, you'll be in a position to have a material impact by having done the legwork of extending your community, and convincing others of the righteousness of your cause.
This sounds trite you guys but… you win by having more votes than the other person.
>Should I continue to bother? Is there a tack I can take that will have any effect at all?
Your local elected official 100% notices the demands of constituents; they know that for every 1 person who bugs them about it there's a hundred other people who haven't made the effort. You know what's better than an email? A phone call - phone calls tie up more time that could be used for making good with their constituents. What's better than a phone call? Showing up in person.
If you live in a riding with a PC MPP you should absolutely continue to bug them, and better yet get friends and family to call them also. Performing a denial of service on your MPP may not get them to change their mind, especially going up against the leadership, but in the worst case scenario prevents them from doing the work that helps get them re-elected, i.e. responding to less-angry constituents.
Meanwhile, you can start tracking down the networks that support that MPP - for example, a local church or business luncheon group - and start talking to those people as to why these changes are so harmful to your community. You, a complete rando, may have limited influence with an MPP but he or she will be far more responsive to the pastor at the church that churns out most of his or her volunteers.
FWIW this is all extremely hard and time consuming! Which is why we're in the current mess we're in.
posted by pmv at 3:50 PM on May 5, 2019 [24 favorites]
No teachers will be laid off in cost-cutting, Ontario’s education minister says (but close to 2K jobs lost so far, says teacher tracking Ontario education cuts).
No, no -- Doug repeated over and over again that "not a single person will lose their job" and “Let me be clear: No one is getting laid off,” and even farmed the message out to other PC candidates to stress that “We’ve been very clear that no one is going to lose their job in our platform. It’s that simple,”. Indeed, the goat lady running the Ministry of Education continues to insist this despite empirical evidence to the contrary.
When dealing with demons, faeries, djinnis, and Tories, you must pay very careful attention to the wording: throughout, the insistence has always been that not one person will lose their job. I think we can all agree that thousands is not one.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:07 PM on May 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
No, no -- Doug repeated over and over again that "not a single person will lose their job" and “Let me be clear: No one is getting laid off,” and even farmed the message out to other PC candidates to stress that “We’ve been very clear that no one is going to lose their job in our platform. It’s that simple,”. Indeed, the goat lady running the Ministry of Education continues to insist this despite empirical evidence to the contrary.
When dealing with demons, faeries, djinnis, and Tories, you must pay very careful attention to the wording: throughout, the insistence has always been that not one person will lose their job. I think we can all agree that thousands is not one.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 4:07 PM on May 5, 2019 [14 favorites]
I heard this exchange on the radio a few weeks ago on Go Transit to Kitchener-Waterloo. It goes on at length but the tldr of it is that the NDP Kitchener Centre MPP put forth a motion in order to pin the PCs down before the summer recess on a timeline and funding commitments on the long promised Kitchener-Waterloo all day 2 way Go Service to Toronto. The PCs response made by fucking Mike Harris Jr., after obsequiously praising the Transportation Minister, says yeah no we're not going to do that because the NDP are "play[ing] unhelpful political games and use damaging rhetoric in the process." So... being mean and wanting to pin the PCs down on a date & money they have no actual desire to follow through on (at least until the next election and they need to buy votes).
the insistence has always been that not one person will lose their job. I think we can all agree that thousands is not one.
I'm also not convinced he believes teachers are people so there's that as well. Despite his promises I still think we will see an Autumn teacher's strike.
The fact that (a significant portion of) the people of Ontario wanted this has made me seriously consider moving.
I'm not sure that the electorate actually wanted Ford (at least I hope) as much as they didn't want Wynne & the Liberals (for a whole slew of reasons). Regardless, the bottomless rage I felt during the Harris years is back with a vengeance. At least I can drown my sorrows at 9 in the morning.
Regarding his other brags, the the Ottawa Citizen fact checks Ford's claims on education in the province.
posted by Ashwagandha at 5:56 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
the insistence has always been that not one person will lose their job. I think we can all agree that thousands is not one.
I'm also not convinced he believes teachers are people so there's that as well. Despite his promises I still think we will see an Autumn teacher's strike.
The fact that (a significant portion of) the people of Ontario wanted this has made me seriously consider moving.
I'm not sure that the electorate actually wanted Ford (at least I hope) as much as they didn't want Wynne & the Liberals (for a whole slew of reasons). Regardless, the bottomless rage I felt during the Harris years is back with a vengeance. At least I can drown my sorrows at 9 in the morning.
Regarding his other brags, the the Ottawa Citizen fact checks Ford's claims on education in the province.
posted by Ashwagandha at 5:56 PM on May 5, 2019 [2 favorites]
As somebody I know in the education system said to me, teachers aren't fired and don't lose their jobs. They are just declared redundant. It seems to be happening a lot these days.
posted by sardonyx at 6:39 PM on May 5, 2019
posted by sardonyx at 6:39 PM on May 5, 2019
What about Ford's ridiculous and depressing fight against the parents of children living with autism?
This is a super bad hill to die on even if he's terrible about everything else, because one, adults with autism have brought up some really serious concerns with ABA being ableist on its good days and abusive on the bad, and two, it costs an amount of money that is absolutely massive when combined with the fact that the outcomes are measured more by more compliant kids than by self-reported better adult outcomes. I was very in favor of funding for it, myself, before learning more about what it actually involved.
This guy is totally awful. But when you see issues like this that are framed as an issue for the parents of children with autism and not for people with autism, it's worth asking some extra questions.
posted by Sequence at 7:16 PM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
This is a super bad hill to die on even if he's terrible about everything else, because one, adults with autism have brought up some really serious concerns with ABA being ableist on its good days and abusive on the bad, and two, it costs an amount of money that is absolutely massive when combined with the fact that the outcomes are measured more by more compliant kids than by self-reported better adult outcomes. I was very in favor of funding for it, myself, before learning more about what it actually involved.
This guy is totally awful. But when you see issues like this that are framed as an issue for the parents of children with autism and not for people with autism, it's worth asking some extra questions.
posted by Sequence at 7:16 PM on May 5, 2019 [3 favorites]
Doug Ford is figuratively like a Godzilla, who stomps over and ruins everything.
Most people didn't really vote for him, a majority of Ontario voters just kicked out Kathleen Wynne, who was really fatigued out and done by then. Ford being the premier now is just a fluke from that weird freak ON PC leadership race, where he split the vote from various more reasonable PC candidates.
The basic rule in politics is 2 terms in charge & then done. Doug Ford came in flukey, and maybe he could be pushed out next time if the Liberals &/or NDP &/or Greens presented leadership candidates that were charismatic and could talk, walk, & chew gum at the same time.
(I liked Andrea Horwath (NDP) but she's had enough kicks at the can so far, maybe someone else should try now?)
posted by ovvl at 7:33 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Most people didn't really vote for him, a majority of Ontario voters just kicked out Kathleen Wynne, who was really fatigued out and done by then. Ford being the premier now is just a fluke from that weird freak ON PC leadership race, where he split the vote from various more reasonable PC candidates.
The basic rule in politics is 2 terms in charge & then done. Doug Ford came in flukey, and maybe he could be pushed out next time if the Liberals &/or NDP &/or Greens presented leadership candidates that were charismatic and could talk, walk, & chew gum at the same time.
(I liked Andrea Horwath (NDP) but she's had enough kicks at the can so far, maybe someone else should try now?)
posted by ovvl at 7:33 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
he split the vote from various more reasonable PC candidates.
And rather famously got fewer votes than Christine Elliott, but the way they were weighted means it was DoFo.
The second time as farce.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:02 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
And rather famously got fewer votes than Christine Elliott, but the way they were weighted means it was DoFo.
The second time as farce.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:02 PM on May 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
The fact that (a significant portion of) the people of Ontario wanted this has made me seriously consider moving.
It's not just Ontario.
Look, I hate to break it to you, but Canadians have this self-image of ourselves as being polite and tolerant and friendly and compassionate, mostly because Pearson and Trudeau in the 1960s and 70s realized that we were a nation that didn't have any national identity because we were a former British colony that just sort of slowly became Not A Colony Anymore and then we took in people from all over the place because America was doing it too and so we weren't even just Britain, but in North America instead, we weren't anything. Pearson and Trudeau pushed multiculturalism and tolerance and generosity as guiding principles because being Canadian wasn't anything in and of itself, and the hope was that this would stick.
It sort of did, but only in the national mythology, and really only in the big cities. Everywhere else we developed at the same time a national culture of Don Cherry and double-doubles and hosers, and that's the culture of "old stock Canadians" who honestly don't care much about tolerance, are generous only to people they like or respect, and are mostly suspicious of multiculturalism at best, and for a long time the two were considered to be the same thing because people everywhere tend to think everybody in their country is just like them. But they're not the same thing.
posted by mightygodking at 10:59 PM on May 5, 2019 [22 favorites]
It's not just Ontario.
Look, I hate to break it to you, but Canadians have this self-image of ourselves as being polite and tolerant and friendly and compassionate, mostly because Pearson and Trudeau in the 1960s and 70s realized that we were a nation that didn't have any national identity because we were a former British colony that just sort of slowly became Not A Colony Anymore and then we took in people from all over the place because America was doing it too and so we weren't even just Britain, but in North America instead, we weren't anything. Pearson and Trudeau pushed multiculturalism and tolerance and generosity as guiding principles because being Canadian wasn't anything in and of itself, and the hope was that this would stick.
It sort of did, but only in the national mythology, and really only in the big cities. Everywhere else we developed at the same time a national culture of Don Cherry and double-doubles and hosers, and that's the culture of "old stock Canadians" who honestly don't care much about tolerance, are generous only to people they like or respect, and are mostly suspicious of multiculturalism at best, and for a long time the two were considered to be the same thing because people everywhere tend to think everybody in their country is just like them. But they're not the same thing.
posted by mightygodking at 10:59 PM on May 5, 2019 [22 favorites]
The National Observer, founded 2015, is real news and does a good job
posted by anthill at 4:04 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by anthill at 4:04 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
I see some folks asking if it worth the bother to phone or write to their MPP about policies they disagree with.
Yes, the answer is yes.
Call, write, and get your friends and family to call and write. If you have to, draft letters on their behalf and get them to send them. The number of calls on an issue are tracked, and if there is a lot of noise, it registers. Even if you get a BS response. The BS response is meant to placate you. Do not pay attention to it. Write back, even, and say you read it and it only confirms your view that the policy is wrong-headed and that you will be voting and organizing others to vote against that MPP as soon as possible.
And follow pmv's advice. It's great.
posted by girlpublisher at 5:42 AM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
Yes, the answer is yes.
Call, write, and get your friends and family to call and write. If you have to, draft letters on their behalf and get them to send them. The number of calls on an issue are tracked, and if there is a lot of noise, it registers. Even if you get a BS response. The BS response is meant to placate you. Do not pay attention to it. Write back, even, and say you read it and it only confirms your view that the policy is wrong-headed and that you will be voting and organizing others to vote against that MPP as soon as possible.
And follow pmv's advice. It's great.
posted by girlpublisher at 5:42 AM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
Province launches review of Ontario Food Terminal because why feed people when there's prime land that could be condos.
posted by scruss at 8:31 AM on May 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by scruss at 8:31 AM on May 6, 2019 [2 favorites]
I can confirm that it is very important to send paper letters, call regularly, and visit the MPP offices.
Advocacy emails often wind up forgotten/deleted, often because the MPP office receives TONS of spam, especially from petition advocacy sites. It's also easier to "lose".
So yeah, don't waste time with email.
Letters need the following: must be signed, dated, with clear contact infornation and mailing address of the sender.... otherwise, the letter is essentially anonymous (and thus, free to ignore).
It is really important to include a specific question in the letter - otherwise, it is slotted as a letter of opinion, and simply filed away.
Letters from outside a riding are often straight-up ignored. Addressing your own MPP is often more beneficial, as you live in the riding and are directly voting for them.
As for petitions... don't waste your time on the email petition advocacy sites. They are completely useless to the MPP. Petitions need to be drafted as per the Legislative Assembly of Ontario guidelines, and presented on paper.
Signatories must provide printed name, signed name, and physical address and postal code on the paper petition, written in ink.
The Legislature only accepts original documents signed in ink... no digital petitions, photocopied petitions, or faxed petitions. Those automatically get chucked out.
Collet the paper petition and deliver it to the MPP for presentation in the Legislature.
Many riding associations are having their annual general meetings right now. .. go attend one. The provincial riding associations almost always directly influence/support the federal riding associations (and vice versa).. so getting in there makes a difference in how much of the volunteer effort goes towards either the provincial or federal election under way... and will allow you to easily move up the ranks at the local level.
Pmv and girlpublisher are on the mark, above.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 8:40 AM on May 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
Advocacy emails often wind up forgotten/deleted, often because the MPP office receives TONS of spam, especially from petition advocacy sites. It's also easier to "lose".
So yeah, don't waste time with email.
Letters need the following: must be signed, dated, with clear contact infornation and mailing address of the sender.... otherwise, the letter is essentially anonymous (and thus, free to ignore).
It is really important to include a specific question in the letter - otherwise, it is slotted as a letter of opinion, and simply filed away.
Letters from outside a riding are often straight-up ignored. Addressing your own MPP is often more beneficial, as you live in the riding and are directly voting for them.
As for petitions... don't waste your time on the email petition advocacy sites. They are completely useless to the MPP. Petitions need to be drafted as per the Legislative Assembly of Ontario guidelines, and presented on paper.
Signatories must provide printed name, signed name, and physical address and postal code on the paper petition, written in ink.
The Legislature only accepts original documents signed in ink... no digital petitions, photocopied petitions, or faxed petitions. Those automatically get chucked out.
Collet the paper petition and deliver it to the MPP for presentation in the Legislature.
Many riding associations are having their annual general meetings right now. .. go attend one. The provincial riding associations almost always directly influence/support the federal riding associations (and vice versa).. so getting in there makes a difference in how much of the volunteer effort goes towards either the provincial or federal election under way... and will allow you to easily move up the ranks at the local level.
Pmv and girlpublisher are on the mark, above.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 8:40 AM on May 6, 2019 [4 favorites]
And every office genuinely hates phonecalls. ... the staff hate it, as they spend a lot of time on the phones. They complain to the MPP, and will directly report the number of calls, and the focus of the calls (topic, and whether the caller is focused on the MPP''s actions, or just the government as a whole).
Focus on the MPP themselves, and their accountability to you as a voter/their actions.
(For example, Finance Ministers Vic Fedeli's Nipissing constituents are really putting the fire on him, with great effect - he's starting to lose his cool with regularity).
The most important thing to remember is that the majority of MPPs are fundamentally invested in their own self-promotion/own hides, at the end of the day. While many PC MPPs are towing the line right now, the threat of being toppled by their constituents will ultimately move them towards action, if the resistance is fierce enough. Focus resistance action on the camera hogs, and persuasive action on the few genuine MPPS in the PC party. You can always ask your local Opposition (NDP riding association) how you can help, even if that isn't the sitting MPP's party.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 8:51 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Focus on the MPP themselves, and their accountability to you as a voter/their actions.
(For example, Finance Ministers Vic Fedeli's Nipissing constituents are really putting the fire on him, with great effect - he's starting to lose his cool with regularity).
The most important thing to remember is that the majority of MPPs are fundamentally invested in their own self-promotion/own hides, at the end of the day. While many PC MPPs are towing the line right now, the threat of being toppled by their constituents will ultimately move them towards action, if the resistance is fierce enough. Focus resistance action on the camera hogs, and persuasive action on the few genuine MPPS in the PC party. You can always ask your local Opposition (NDP riding association) how you can help, even if that isn't the sitting MPP's party.
posted by NorthernAutumn at 8:51 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
→ The Legislature only accepts original documents signed in ink... no digital petitions, photocopied petitions, or faxed petitions.
Note that many Tory MPPs have recently axed their fax lines, ostensibly to save money. There were moves afoot to make MPP communication e-mail only ($, again) to make it easier to ignore. I don't know if that has happened.
posted by scruss at 9:02 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Note that many Tory MPPs have recently axed their fax lines, ostensibly to save money. There were moves afoot to make MPP communication e-mail only ($, again) to make it easier to ignore. I don't know if that has happened.
posted by scruss at 9:02 AM on May 6, 2019 [1 favorite]
Doug Ford has always seemed to me like the sort of person who enjoys rainy days because it gives him an opportunity to go out in his SUV and drive through puddles to splash pedestrians.
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:05 AM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by tallmiddleagedgeek at 9:05 AM on May 6, 2019 [3 favorites]
WRT the licence plates aren't we going to be switching to non-embossed plates? That might help with the peeling.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:39 PM on May 7, 2019
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:39 PM on May 7, 2019
Doug Ford has always seemed to me like the sort of person who enjoys
I'm not 100% sure he is any sort of a person. More of a comic opera caricature of a politician, really.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:49 PM on May 7, 2019
I'm not 100% sure he is any sort of a person. More of a comic opera caricature of a politician, really.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:49 PM on May 7, 2019
So this happened: Tory MPP Sam Oosterhoff calls the cops on seniors holding a 'read-in' protest against library cuts.
posted by scruss at 12:23 PM on May 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by scruss at 12:23 PM on May 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Sam Oosterhoff, let us not forget, was elected at 20 and is the Parliamentary Assistant for Education, despite not having attended school himself (he was home-schooled). He's opposed to abortion, same-sex marriage, same-sex adoption but has self-proclaimed himself absolutely not a homophobe.
I guess we can add seniors and reading to the list of things he's opposed to.
posted by jacquilynne at 2:13 PM on May 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
I guess we can add seniors and reading to the list of things he's opposed to.
posted by jacquilynne at 2:13 PM on May 8, 2019 [6 favorites]
Weasels versus octogenarian members of a book club. Who wins?
posted by JamesBay at 3:40 PM on May 8, 2019
posted by JamesBay at 3:40 PM on May 8, 2019
So this happened: Tory MPP Sam Oosterhoff calls the cops on seniors holding a 'read-in' protest against library cuts.
Hah. I just came here to mention that.
The staff member said she would call police if the group didn't leave and when a man said they just wanted to read, she did.
I mean, it's totally on-brand with the sort of Christian fundamentalist fascism that Oosterhoff subscribes to.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:57 PM on May 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
Hah. I just came here to mention that.
The staff member said she would call police if the group didn't leave and when a man said they just wanted to read, she did.
I mean, it's totally on-brand with the sort of Christian fundamentalist fascism that Oosterhoff subscribes to.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:57 PM on May 8, 2019 [2 favorites]
The province's minister of tourism, culture and sport, Michael Tibollo, said in a previous letter to library managements that the government is maintaining base funding for libraries at $25 million for 2019-20.
He wrote the SOLS inter-library service program is "very inefficient" and is administered by 12 vans criss-crossing the province at a cost of $1.3 million a year. He said the goal of the service can be preserved by using mail, at less than 25 per cent of the existing cost.
He added that would be a common-sense step to modernizing service delivery while reducing program cost and he hoped the library boards would adopt a mail-and-courier approach.
SOLS has said their courier service only runs in southern Ontario in more densely populated geographic areas where it has been cost effective to do so.
It's important to note that Michael Tibollo was involved in a $40 million Ponzi scheme prior to holding public office. His law firm has been or currently is the subject of multiple lawsuits related to other matters.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:33 PM on May 8, 2019
He wrote the SOLS inter-library service program is "very inefficient" and is administered by 12 vans criss-crossing the province at a cost of $1.3 million a year. He said the goal of the service can be preserved by using mail, at less than 25 per cent of the existing cost.
He added that would be a common-sense step to modernizing service delivery while reducing program cost and he hoped the library boards would adopt a mail-and-courier approach.
SOLS has said their courier service only runs in southern Ontario in more densely populated geographic areas where it has been cost effective to do so.
It's important to note that Michael Tibollo was involved in a $40 million Ponzi scheme prior to holding public office. His law firm has been or currently is the subject of multiple lawsuits related to other matters.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:33 PM on May 8, 2019
Sam the Wrecker Man pledge[s] to make abortion unthinkable in our lifetime
posted by scruss at 12:53 PM on May 9, 2019
posted by scruss at 12:53 PM on May 9, 2019
Sam the Wrecker Man pledge[s] to make abortion unthinkable in our lifetime
Confidential to the member from Niagara West: During the time you've spent in Toronto as an MPP, you may have happened across some shooting locations for the new season of The Handmaid's Tale. Please be advised that neither the original novel nor this particular adaptation are intended as how-to manuals.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:19 PM on May 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
Confidential to the member from Niagara West: During the time you've spent in Toronto as an MPP, you may have happened across some shooting locations for the new season of The Handmaid's Tale. Please be advised that neither the original novel nor this particular adaptation are intended as how-to manuals.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:19 PM on May 10, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Ford government plans to stop all funding to an institute that supports Ontario scientists at the cutting edge of stem cell research.
I'm embarrassed to live in this province.
posted by scruss at 11:24 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'm embarrassed to live in this province.
posted by scruss at 11:24 AM on May 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
The unions certainly are active these days. I got a pamphlet from one of the teacher's unions in the mail and today I got a robocall survey from CUPE. I don't know that anything is going to come from the activism, but it's nice to hear that some people are taking Ford's actions seriously.
posted by sardonyx at 8:54 PM on May 17, 2019
posted by sardonyx at 8:54 PM on May 17, 2019
Charlie Angus on Twitter:
The Minister for Incel got panicked because women showed up at his legion event.
They came to explain that he is not going to tell them what to do with their bodies.
He hopped in the car and took off.
He didn't even have time to quote Dr. Seuss.
Also:
Outside the Grimsby legion where MPP Sam Oosterhoff is holding a community coffee event. It’s Handmaid Local 905
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:46 AM on May 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
The Minister for Incel got panicked because women showed up at his legion event.
They came to explain that he is not going to tell them what to do with their bodies.
He hopped in the car and took off.
He didn't even have time to quote Dr. Seuss.
Also:
Outside the Grimsby legion where MPP Sam Oosterhoff is holding a community coffee event. It’s Handmaid Local 905
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 7:46 AM on May 19, 2019 [2 favorites]
The Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence will lose $20 million in funding while the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research will see a $4-million yearly cut.
I'm sure Doug Ford is a smarter man than, uh...
*checks notes*
... that Geoffrey Hinton guy:
“Without CIFAR, Canada would not be a leader in global AI research and I would never have moved here,” said Geoffrey Hinton, one of the “godfathers” of artificial intelligence. Hinton is a longtime CIFAR fellow and the chief scientific adviser of the Vector Institute.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:57 PM on May 19, 2019
I'm sure Doug Ford is a smarter man than, uh...
*checks notes*
... that Geoffrey Hinton guy:
“Without CIFAR, Canada would not be a leader in global AI research and I would never have moved here,” said Geoffrey Hinton, one of the “godfathers” of artificial intelligence. Hinton is a longtime CIFAR fellow and the chief scientific adviser of the Vector Institute.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 12:57 PM on May 19, 2019
→ I got a pamphlet from one of the teacher's unions in the mail
Not surprising. I'm not sure of the scope, but many teachers' collective bargaining agreements seem to expire on August 31 of this year. Unless the Ford regime gives them exactly what they want (or, more likely, does something shitty like ram right-to-work or anti-strike legislation through this summer) we face a disruption to the start of the school year in September. A school strike within memory at the time of the upcoming federal election is just the sort of thing that Doug doesn't want at all. It could be said that all of the accelerated shittiness we've seen from his junta so far might be an attempt to get as much of his agenda through before the real test of a teacher's strike.
posted by scruss at 1:01 PM on May 19, 2019
Not surprising. I'm not sure of the scope, but many teachers' collective bargaining agreements seem to expire on August 31 of this year. Unless the Ford regime gives them exactly what they want (or, more likely, does something shitty like ram right-to-work or anti-strike legislation through this summer) we face a disruption to the start of the school year in September. A school strike within memory at the time of the upcoming federal election is just the sort of thing that Doug doesn't want at all. It could be said that all of the accelerated shittiness we've seen from his junta so far might be an attempt to get as much of his agenda through before the real test of a teacher's strike.
posted by scruss at 1:01 PM on May 19, 2019
→ ... that Geoffrey Hinton guy
A very dear friend is a peer of Hinton's, and while they disagree professionally on AI boosterism, he's suggested that Hinton's presence was a huge coup for Canada and was bringing in millions in associated development funds. I'm pretty sure that Geoff H. has had his suitcase half-packed since the election: he survived the Alvey Programme in the 1980s and knows a bad scene when the stench starts to waft in.
In other news, looks like the Hughes report is poised to drop provincial liquor distribution into the private grabby mitts of Galen the Bread Thief et al. Seems that Doug and his sticky little chums don't seem to care that putting beer in convenience stores will cost us hundreds of millions of dollars in breach of contract damages with The Beer Store. Maybe the buck-a-beer promise was the suds surcharge Ontarians will have to pay post-Doug?
posted by scruss at 1:34 PM on May 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
A very dear friend is a peer of Hinton's, and while they disagree professionally on AI boosterism, he's suggested that Hinton's presence was a huge coup for Canada and was bringing in millions in associated development funds. I'm pretty sure that Geoff H. has had his suitcase half-packed since the election: he survived the Alvey Programme in the 1980s and knows a bad scene when the stench starts to waft in.
In other news, looks like the Hughes report is poised to drop provincial liquor distribution into the private grabby mitts of Galen the Bread Thief et al. Seems that Doug and his sticky little chums don't seem to care that putting beer in convenience stores will cost us hundreds of millions of dollars in breach of contract damages with The Beer Store. Maybe the buck-a-beer promise was the suds surcharge Ontarians will have to pay post-Doug?
posted by scruss at 1:34 PM on May 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Seems that Doug and his sticky little chums don't seem to care that putting beer in convenience stores will cost us hundreds of millions of dollars in breach of contract damages with The Beer Store.
Ah, you misunderstand! Funneling public money into the pockets of Molson Coors, Sapporo, and AB InBev as quickly as possible - and without asking them to put up with the trouble and expense of having them operate brick-and-mortar stores - is one of the "efficiencies" that Doug's been banging on about.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:07 PM on May 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ah, you misunderstand! Funneling public money into the pockets of Molson Coors, Sapporo, and AB InBev as quickly as possible - and without asking them to put up with the trouble and expense of having them operate brick-and-mortar stores - is one of the "efficiencies" that Doug's been banging on about.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 3:07 PM on May 19, 2019 [1 favorite]
“Without CIFAR, Canada would not be a leader in global AI research and I would never have moved here,” said Geoffrey Hinton, one of the “godfathers” of artificial intelligence. Hinton is a longtime CIFAR fellow and the chief scientific adviser of the Vector Institute.
I mean they gave him a place and it is his story to retcon but when I saw him give a talk in the 90s he said he moved to canada because he didn't like developing software for the US military to drop bombs on people.
posted by srboisvert at 3:50 PM on May 19, 2019
I mean they gave him a place and it is his story to retcon but when I saw him give a talk in the 90s he said he moved to canada because he didn't like developing software for the US military to drop bombs on people.
posted by srboisvert at 3:50 PM on May 19, 2019
Those things are not mutually exclusive. Presumably if Geoffrey Hinton didn't want to live in the United States anymore, he could've made many other choices besides Canada.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:23 AM on May 20, 2019
posted by jacquilynne at 7:23 AM on May 20, 2019
10 ex-Ontario health ministers issue joint letter decrying 'attack on public health' :
Doug Ford really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really hates Toronto.
posted by scruss at 4:59 AM on May 24, 2019
Premier Doug Ford's government recently notified municipal public health units that it will reduce its cost-sharing levels from 100 per cent to 60 to 70 per cent for some municipalities, and 50 per cent for Toronto(emphasis mine)
Doug Ford really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really hates Toronto.
posted by scruss at 4:59 AM on May 24, 2019
Christine Elliot was just asked by Matt Galloway what Public Health should cut. She suggested cutting studies about energy drinks and studies about bike lanes.
posted by clawsoon at 5:21 AM on May 24, 2019
posted by clawsoon at 5:21 AM on May 24, 2019
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posted by klanawa at 9:49 AM on May 5, 2019 [10 favorites]