Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sara F.L. Kirk @sflkirk.bsky.social · 6h

I’m so sorry 😢

Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Terri @terriclarke.bsky.social · 7h

My “favourite” part of my afternoon bike ride home today was when HRP stopped for no reason and tried (frantically) to “kindly” wave a driver who did not have the right of way directly at me 🙃

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Safe Kjipuktuk @safehrm.bsky.social · 8h

I see children walking to school or to bus stops on roads without sidewalks.
Using wide crosswalks with known serious safety issues.

The best way to support children walking & cycling to and from school is by supporting them with the essential safety they require
But this looks like a great program

Ecology Action Centre @ecologyaction.bsky.social · 13h

October is International Walk to School Month!

There is still time to register your school or youth group and be entered to win some awesome prizes from this year's sponsors!

Register in English or French: ecologyaction.ca/iwalk

#IWALK #InternationalWalkToSchoolMonth #WalkToSchool

White and dark blue text on a turquoise backdrop. Text reads: "IWALK international walk to school month October 2025. International walk to school month has begun - but there's still time to register! Has your school joined in on the fun?"
Bottom left is an image of a group of kids facing the camera after they walked to school.

Various logos for iwalk, MEC, Fjall Raven, Halifax Cycles, Outdoor Learning School & Store, the Trail Shop, and the Ecology Action Centre on a turquoise backdrop.

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 8h

Back when NexGold was Signal Gold, it got approval despite opposition from govt scientists: www.halifaxexaminer.ca/commentary/n...

Nova Scotia Environment minister approved Signal Gold’s open pit mine at Goldboro despite concerns and criticisms from scientists in his own department - Halifax Examiner

On August 2, Nova Scotia’s Environment and Climate Change minister Tim Halman approved the proposal by Toronto’s Signal Gold for an open pit gold mine in Goldboro, on the province’s Eastern Shore. Sig...

www.halifaxexaminer.ca

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 8h

And as for NexGold, which gets to have a spokesperson sitting beside NS Natural Resources Minister Tory Rushton at the official press conference, their problematic plans for gold mining in Goldboro go back a long way and 2 name changes ago: www.halifaxexaminer.ca/environment/...

Signal Gold wants permission to permanently destroy fish habitat for an open pit gold mine near Goldboro - Halifax Examiner

With the price of gold rising, and Signal Gold’s share price a small fraction of what it was two years ago, perhaps it’s no surprise the Toronto company that wants to operate a gold mine with two open...

www.halifaxexaminer.ca

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 8h

Now Premier Houston has made N.S. laws and regulations and environmental protections way, way more lax. Just cause, you know, fuck Nova Scotians and the environment. N.S. licence plates should really say, “Nova Scotia: Canada’s gold-diggers’ playground.”

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 8h

In 2018, I asked an Australian Atlantic Gold exec why they weren’t mining gold in Australia. He said his boss liked living in Vancouver. So I asked why they were mining gold in NS, not BC. His reply: “Because the rules in NS are even more lax in N.S. than they are in BC.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

N.S. government website streamlines info about mine permitting process | CBC News

A new Nova Scotia government website will make it easier for mining companies to track the progress of permit applications, but for now there are no plans to give the public access to that information...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Terri @terriclarke.bsky.social · 8h

Important thread for Nova Scotians:

Joan Baxter @joanbaxter.bsky.social · 8h

In 2018, I asked an Australian Atlantic Gold exec why they weren’t mining gold in Australia. He said his boss liked living in Vancouver. So I asked why they were mining gold in NS, not BC. His reply: “Because the rules in NS are even more lax in N.S. than they are in BC.” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

N.S. government website streamlines info about mine permitting process | CBC News

A new Nova Scotia government website will make it easier for mining companies to track the progress of permit applications, but for now there are no plans to give the public access to that information...

www.cbc.ca

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Ecology Action Centre @ecologyaction.bsky.social · 14h

Green and white text overlaid on an image of a wave crashing against a rock in the ocean on the shore of Nova Scotia. Text reads, "Scapegoating. When those in power want to distract us from their B.S., they’ll often try to shift the blame onto someone else. Can’t fix the economy? Why not blame unnamed “special interests” Not delivering on affordable housing? Try get the public mad at their unhoused neighbours or immigrants! Unable to fix traffic issues? Just go after bike lanes! These are all examples of scapegoating, and here in N.S., we’ve seen our fair share. This tactic not only distracts us from real issues and real solutions; it often targets vulnerable communities and allows bad actors to fabricate panic in order to consolidate power."

Light brown and white text overlaid on an image of fishing boats tied up on a dock in southern Nova Scotia. Text reads, "Consolidating power. Speaking of consolidating power, we’ve seen a lot of this from the Houston government: Attempts to pass legislation that would allow them to fire the Auditor General without cause and withhold audit reports from the public. (luckily they failed on this one). Overstepping into municipal affairs regarding transportation and housing development. Pushing for “strong mayor” powers (so far failed on this one too🤞). Taking more control over university governance, what is taught in universities and even the ability to withhold funding. Streamlining approval processes for extractive industries and removing checks and balances. And more. Different levels of governance and checks and balances exist for a reason. When governments start removing them so that they can wield more power, we need to be concerned and speak out."

Teal and white text overlaid on an image of smoke stacks in Nova Scotia. Text reads, "Greenwashing & disinformation. “Sustainable uranium mining,” using biomass burning to “fight climate change,” “de-carbonized oil.” What do all these things have in common They’re all B.S. More specifically, they’re all examples of disinformation and greenwashing. When decision makers talk about inherently risky industries as being “safe and sustainable,” this is a clear sign of B.S. Always ask: are their claims in line with scientific consensus? Who do their claims really benefit? Do they have facts to back them up?"

Blue and white text overlaid on the front doors of two houses in the North End of Halifax. Text reads, "The path ahead. As we move forward, we need to be aware of the tactics governments use to divide us and increase their power. So let’s stay vigilant, and call the 💩 out when we see it! We’ve got this."

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Ecology Action Centre @ecologyaction.bsky.social · 14h

As we talk about the better future N.S. can have, it’s important to connect the dots on what the Houston government has been up to.

It's time to get organized! To help, we've created the Grassrooting Guide, a resource guide to organizing:.
ecologyaction.ca/grassrooting-guide-organizing

Yellow and white text overlaid on an image of a waterfront building in Nova Scotia. Text reads, "When we work together, we can build a better future for Nova Scotia. But to do this, we need to be able to spot the B.S. government tries to throw at us and connect the dots. Eroding democratic processes, scapegoating, overwhelming the public – these moves are part of a broader pattern of consolidating power and avoiding accountability in order to push a singular, corporate agenda. Get out your shovels; let’s dig in one more time..."

Orange and white text overlaid on an image of the coastline of northern Cape Breton. Text reads, "Overwhelming the public. Sometimes referred to as “flooding the zone,” this is when decision makers throw so much at the public, it becomes difficult to keep up. It’s harder to resist countless bad decisions or see what the government is really trying to push forward when we’re buried under a never ending pile of 💩. Sound familiar? No one can fight it all, but we can all do something. Get together with your community and find ways you can plug in!"

Blue and white text overlaid on an image of Sandy Lake in the HRM" Text reads, "Avoiding Transparency & Accountability. The Houston government keeps saying they want “mature discussions.” But it’s hard to do that when they keep hiding from the public and avoiding accountability. We saw this when the province used legislation to undermine democratic processes, tried to hide from the media, made sweeping decisions without consultation and when they used massive omnibus bills to sneak bad policy through with minimal debate. So Houston, where are our “mature discussions?”"

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Kevin Wilson @kwilsonhfx.bsky.social · 11h

Hey. Hi. Hello.

In the latest HFX By Bike, I make a viewer-requested trip from North End Halifax to Saint Mary's University (with a scenic detour through Point Pleasant Park.

youtu.be/vfuUPTr239c?...

Hydrostone to Saint Mary’s University (South End Halifax)

YouTube video by HFX by Bike

youtu.be

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives @policyalternatives.ca · 15h

"According to @policyalternatives.ca, by facilitating more oil exports, the Trans Mountain expansion project is expected to add 84 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year [when calculating] emissions from producing + consuming the oil." #cdnpoli www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/10/n...

Head of Carney’s Major Projects Office thinks Trans Mountain is good for climate

Dawn Farrell, the former CEO of Trans Mountain who now leads the federal government's Major Projects Office told the House of Commons environment committee that the oil pipeline helps fight climate ch...

www.nationalobserver.com

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Oh The Urbanity! @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social · 13h

If Montreal could do for buses what it’s done for bikes? What a city we’d have.

@lrabouin.bsky.social & @projetmontreal.org propose a “réseau express bus” (REB) with more dedicated lanes, higher frequency, fewer stops.

The Rapid Bus Transit (REB) is a fast, reliable, and practical service:
→ Fewer stops, more frequent service
→ Reserved lanes and synchronized traffic lights
→ Efficient and regular service day and night
The first routes proposed:
Parc • Sherbrooke • Henri-Bourassa • Notre-Dame / René-Lévesque • Saint-Michel • Newman / Dollard • Côte-Sainte-Catherine • Saint-Joseph
• Papineau / De Lorimier
A network that can be built in a single term to transform mobility today.

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Ecology Action Centre @ecologyaction.bsky.social · 13h

October is International Walk to School Month!

There is still time to register your school or youth group and be entered to win some awesome prizes from this year's sponsors!

Register in English or French: ecologyaction.ca/iwalk

#IWALK #InternationalWalkToSchoolMonth #WalkToSchool

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Melissa & Chris Bruntlett @modacitylife.com · 13h

A lot of mobility innovation focuses on making existing options even more comfortable for the most privileged, at the expense of children, the elderly, people with low incomes or disabilities. If we’re not designing for them, we're designing ourselves out of the system: fair-mobility.eu/the-library/

An elderly woman rides a bike along a separated cycle path in front of two small children in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Vélo Canada Bikes @velocanadabikes.bsky.social · 13h

🗞 Know that even if your parliamentarian didn't make it to Bike Day on the Hill last week, we have been hard to miss. This morning when they arrived to their offices after the long weekend to open up the latest issue of the @hilltimes.com they find this short piece summarizing the event.

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Prof. Ian Walker @ianwalker.bsky.social · 12h

For as we all know, crimes committed in cars aren't real crimes

Jon Owen @anotherjon.bsky.social · 13h

'Yes, I broke the speed limit but, given that I sit in the House of Lords, surely the law doesn't apply to me?'

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...

D’Souza faces ban after raising 20mph speeding tickets with Met commissioner

Lady D’Souza used House of Lords headed paper to query her offences with the Metropolitan Police chief.

www.independent.co.uk

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Sara F.L. Kirk @sflkirk.bsky.social · 8h

Video decription: POV from a bike camera of a container truck being driven alongside a semi-protected bike lane which is first blocked by a car, then using a street that's too narrow for this vehicle. Ending with truck driver making an illegal left at the end, crushing a flexible bollard as they go!

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Sara F.L. Kirk @sflkirk.bsky.social · 8h

Better a flexible bollard than a person, but that bone-crunching sound at the end is ☠️ Just another day on the mean streets of #ZeroVisionHFX & some insight into the people we share the roads with #BikeHFX #SafeStreetsNS urbanists.video/w/uPtnCzdHDK...

Another installment of the People We Share The Road With

The start of my commute was a bit spicy with a container truck driver who didn't seem to know where they were going or what they were doing so just decided to break the law & run over some flex...

urbanists.video

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

opheacanada.bsky.social @opheacanada.bsky.social · 29d

Hello Bluesky!

Let’s introduce ourselves: Ophea offers FREE lesson plans, classroom-ready activities, professional learning opportunities, and more! It's all the content you need, all in one place.

Find @OpheaCanada on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and BlueSky!

Find @OpheaCanada on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and BlueSky!

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

PHE Canada @phecanada.bsky.social · 12h

Last call! ⏰ Don’t miss your chance to present at the 2026 PHE National Conference in beautiful Vancouver, BC 🇨🇦 — April 30–May 2, 2026.

Submit your proposal by tonight (Oct. 14) at 11:59 pm EST!
👉 phecanada.ca/events/2026-...

#PHEinVan2026

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

CCPA — Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives @policyalternatives.ca · 16h

“As we would expect any other business to expand to improve its revenue, I don’t see why Canada Post shouldn’t be allowed to explore those options [including postal banking] as well.” @simonenoch.bsky.social, senior researcher with @policyalternatives.ca www.thestar.com/business/wou...

Would you go to Canada Post for your mortgage? Why advocates think postal banking could be a lifeline for the Crown corp.

Amidst the labour dispute between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, a debate concerning the future of post offices across the country has once again taken the stage: Should Canada ...

www.thestar.com

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Sara F.L. Kirk @sflkirk.bsky.social · 16h

Even better if we named the buses like they do gritters in Scotland! www.traffic.gov.scot/gritter-trac...

Gritter tracker | Traffic Scotland

Traffic Scotland gives you the real-time information you need about Scotland’s trunk road network

www.traffic.gov.scot

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Wes Marshall @wesmars.bsky.social · 6d

Terrible story but great reporting by Laura Penington of the Denver Post:
- "A man died... after being hit by the driver of a van while riding his bike"
- "the driver struck him from behind"

And some extra context that you rarely ever see:
- "There are no bike lanes along that stretch of road"

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Reposted by Sara F.L. Kirk

Wes Marshall @wesmars.bsky.social · 1d

Setting speed limits with the 85th-percentile is ass backwards... For years, I've been teaching my students about a context-based approach using a grid of Movement vs. Place that is popular in other (much safer) countries.

It is great to see it getting some love in the literature...

A context-sensitive roadway classification framework for speed limit setting in the US

In the US, speed limit setting (SLS) procedures have historically relied on driver-behavior-based methods, such as the 85th percentile speed, which ar…

www.sciencedirect.com

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