John Bowker
@johnbowker.bsky.social
Policy researcher, retired record & book peddler. Transit, housing, land use, energy, infrastructure & misc #onpoli wonkery. #ONDP. Tweets my own (he/him)
Reposted by John Bowker
Narrator: it did not help them long term
Gotta be honest, the levels of online adulation for Mark Carney are starting to get uncomfortably close to 2015 Trudeau levels, and at the risk of sounding like a wet blanket, uncritically embracing the hype train risks missing flaws in the Liberal platform. That doesn't help us long term.
November 28, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Narrator: it did not help them long term
Reposted by John Bowker
guys...
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
Company given $2M from Skills Development Fund run by Ford family dentist: sources
The company’s CEO also worked closely with the wife of the minister in charge of the grant program at the time
dlvr.it
November 27, 2025 at 6:57 PM
guys...
Reposted by John Bowker
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A sinkhole suddenly swallowed a playground, and new condo owners are facing repair bills approaching $40,000 each. Insurance company refuses to pay. Developer Treasure Hill defends its work. Crickets from Tarion & HCRA, Ontario’s dozy homebuilding regulator www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
Townhome owners stuck footing $2M bill after stormwater system at new-build complex collapses | CBC News
Dozens of townhome owners in Vaughan, Ont., are facing massive bills — now up to about $2 million collectively — to replace major damage to their recently built complex. Some owners point to what they...
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 6:45 PM
A sinkhole suddenly swallowed a playground, and new condo owners are facing repair bills approaching $40,000 each. Insurance company refuses to pay. Developer Treasure Hill defends its work. Crickets from Tarion & HCRA, Ontario’s dozy homebuilding regulator www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
“It is an offence to wilfully fail to comply with an order of the IPC, which provides a strong incentive for institutions to meet their compliance obligations. Very serious matters can be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution,” the IPC spokesperson explained #onpoli
NEW: Ontario’s transparency watchdog has been forced to “intervene” after the solicitor general’s office repeatedly ignored orders to release information.
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
Ontario watchdog ‘intervening’ after solicitor general ignores transparency orders | Globalnews.ca
There have been several instances in recent years where the IPC has told the solicitor general's office to release information, only for the government to ignore the decree.
globalnews.ca
November 26, 2025 at 6:22 PM
“It is an offence to wilfully fail to comply with an order of the IPC, which provides a strong incentive for institutions to meet their compliance obligations. Very serious matters can be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution,” the IPC spokesperson explained #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: Ontario’s transparency watchdog has been forced to “intervene” after the solicitor general’s office repeatedly ignored orders to release information.
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
Ontario watchdog ‘intervening’ after solicitor general ignores transparency orders | Globalnews.ca
There have been several instances in recent years where the IPC has told the solicitor general's office to release information, only for the government to ignore the decree.
globalnews.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:43 PM
NEW: Ontario’s transparency watchdog has been forced to “intervene” after the solicitor general’s office repeatedly ignored orders to release information.
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
It’s part of a trend which has also raised questions about political interference. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1154356...
“Manufacturing jobs as a share of Ontario’s total employment recently fell below 10% for the first time since record keeping began in 1976,” reports Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer globalnews.ca/news/1154432... #onpoli
Manufacturing jobs in Ontario’s economy falls to the lowest point since 1976: budget watchdog | Globalnews.ca
The Financial Accountability Officer's economic review found that manufacturing - which represents about 10 per cent of the province's economy - has faced a number of challenges
globalnews.ca
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
“Manufacturing jobs as a share of Ontario’s total employment recently fell below 10% for the first time since record keeping began in 1976,” reports Ontario’s Financial Accountability Officer globalnews.ca/news/1154432... #onpoli
“This is the people’s house, this is not your house. You shut down democracy, and you will see the consequences,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social as Doug Ford threatened critics globalnews.ca/news/1154280... #onpoli
Ford says he will audit ‘left-wing radical groups’ opposed to government legislation | Globalnews.ca
Ford's warning came after members of the tenant advocacy group ACORN interrupted the legislature to protest a controversial omnibus bill that shortens some eviction timelines.
globalnews.ca
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 PM
“This is the people’s house, this is not your house. You shut down democracy, and you will see the consequences,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social as Doug Ford threatened critics globalnews.ca/news/1154280... #onpoli
“We believe there are credible allegations of preferential treatment regarding the approval, oversight, and distribution of SDF grants,” wrote @maritstilesndp.bsky.social in her complaint to Ontario's Integrity Commissioner www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
NDP leader requests integrity commissioner investigation into labour minister over Skills Development Fund
Marit Stiles is asking the commissioner to investigate whether David Piccini broke the ethics law for MPPs
www.thetrillium.ca
November 25, 2025 at 2:47 PM
“We believe there are credible allegations of preferential treatment regarding the approval, oversight, and distribution of SDF grants,” wrote @maritstilesndp.bsky.social in her complaint to Ontario's Integrity Commissioner www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
In a letter to Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell, NDP Leader Marit Stiles asked for a formal investigation into Piccini and whether his actions amounted to a conflict of interest and improper use of influence globalnews.ca/news/1154159... #onpoli
Opposition asks integrity commissioner to investigate Ford’s embattled labour minister | Globalnews.ca
The Ontario NDP is calling on the province's integrity commissioner to investigate the labour minister over a $2.5-billion skills program that favoured certain applicants.
globalnews.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:02 PM
In a letter to Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell, NDP Leader Marit Stiles asked for a formal investigation into Piccini and whether his actions amounted to a conflict of interest and improper use of influence globalnews.ca/news/1154159... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
The Ford government owes us straight answers on Exhibition Place
#Opinion from @johnlorinc.bsky.social
#Opinion from @johnlorinc.bsky.social
John Lorinc: The Ford government owes us straight answers on Exhibition Place
It seems Doug Ford and the Ontario government is planning a reverse takeover of the CNE
www.thestar.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
The Ford government owes us straight answers on Exhibition Place
#Opinion from @johnlorinc.bsky.social
#Opinion from @johnlorinc.bsky.social
Reposted by John Bowker
Doug Ford's government claims the province isn’t privatizing water.
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Ontario’s Government Claims the Province Isn’t Privatizing Water. Experts Are Not Convinced.
“The way that this act is written creates this slippery slope towards privatization”
pressprogress.ca
November 24, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Doug Ford's government claims the province isn’t privatizing water.
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Experts aren't convinced.
pressprogress.ca/ontario-clai...
Reposted by John Bowker
Today Doug Ford and his government passed Bill 60: a vindictive attack that puts renters at greater risk and deepens Ontario’s housing crisis.
They also voted against my motion to strengthen tenant protections and bring back real rent control.
They also voted against my motion to strengthen tenant protections and bring back real rent control.
November 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Today Doug Ford and his government passed Bill 60: a vindictive attack that puts renters at greater risk and deepens Ontario’s housing crisis.
They also voted against my motion to strengthen tenant protections and bring back real rent control.
They also voted against my motion to strengthen tenant protections and bring back real rent control.
Reposted by John Bowker
Passage of housing bill sparks protest, clearing of Queen’s Park public gallery
Passage of housing bill sparks protest, clearing of Queen’s Park public gallery
Premier Doug Ford told the yelling crowd at Queen's Park to "go find a job."
www.thestar.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Passage of housing bill sparks protest, clearing of Queen’s Park public gallery
Reposted by John Bowker
Bill 60 passed without providing an opportunity for public input or meaningful debate, removing essential renter protections and putting more people in Ontario at risk of losing their homes. We submitted our recommendations to government officials across Ontario. Read our submission: buff.ly/TCAjBZT
November 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Bill 60 passed without providing an opportunity for public input or meaningful debate, removing essential renter protections and putting more people in Ontario at risk of losing their homes. We submitted our recommendations to government officials across Ontario. Read our submission: buff.ly/TCAjBZT
‘We are angry, we are scared’: Tenants, housing advocates rally against Bill 60 toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/22/t... #onpoli
'We are angry, we are scared': Tenants, housing advocates rally against Bill 60
Hundreds of tenants and housing advocates rallied at Queen’s Park on Saturday, calling on the Ford government to scrap Bill 60, arguing it will increase housing instability and exacerbate homelessness...
toronto.citynews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
‘We are angry, we are scared’: Tenants, housing advocates rally against Bill 60 toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/22/t... #onpoli
“Intimate partner violence is an epidemic, the government knows perfectly well. And the reason they would not declare it that is because it would mean that they would have to assign more resources to it,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social globalnews.ca/news/1153791... #onpoli
Minister says declaring Ontario intimate partner violence epidemic would be ‘disingenuous’ | Globalnews.ca
Survivors and experts have called on the Ford government to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic, arguing it would add urgency and emergency funding to the acute problem.
globalnews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“Intimate partner violence is an epidemic, the government knows perfectly well. And the reason they would not declare it that is because it would mean that they would have to assign more resources to it,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social globalnews.ca/news/1153791... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
An end to performative progressivism, or an end to progressivism? www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
No more feminist foreign policy, Carney says
Prime Minister, who made the comments at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, has placed less emphasis on feminist policies than the Trudeau government
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
An end to performative progressivism, or an end to progressivism? www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
“Provincial inspectors repeatedly ordered the company to fix its heat stress plan & slapped Magna with more than 125 orders to rectify health & safety violations in less than 8 years. But heat injuries — and injuries of all kinds — proliferated anyway” www.thestar.com/news/ontario... #onpoli #onlab
She shut a Magna-owned factory down over extreme temperatures — then was fired. What the story of Grenville Castings reveals about Ontario’s heat protections
The provincial government says its rules to protect workers from heat-related injuries is “robust,” but the tale of Grenville Castings casts doubt on that assertion.
www.thestar.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:55 AM
“Provincial inspectors repeatedly ordered the company to fix its heat stress plan & slapped Magna with more than 125 orders to rectify health & safety violations in less than 8 years. But heat injuries — and injuries of all kinds — proliferated anyway” www.thestar.com/news/ontario... #onpoli #onlab
Reposted by John Bowker
Thousands of tenants march to Queen’s Park to protest Bill 60 on National Housing Day
Tenants march on Queen’s Park to protest Bill 60
Thousands of tenants filled downtown streets Saturday, marching to Queen’s Park to demand the Ontario government withdraw Bill 60, a package of proposed housing changes they say will accelerate evictions across the province.
www.cp24.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Thousands of tenants march to Queen’s Park to protest Bill 60 on National Housing Day
Canadian construction company Aecon broke the law when it fired a worker who was trying to get others to join a new union, the Manitoba Labour Board found www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #canlab
Construction company broke law by firing employee who pushed for new union at Winnipeg site: labour board | CBC News
The Manitoba Labour Board says the construction company Aecon broke labour laws when it fired an employee who was trying to get workers to ditch their union for a new one.
www.cbc.ca
November 22, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Canadian construction company Aecon broke the law when it fired a worker who was trying to get others to join a new union, the Manitoba Labour Board found www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #canlab
Reposted by John Bowker
More and more people want encampments evicted. Neighbourhood groups are suing shelter providers. Now, they're attempting to stop supportive housing in Parkdale. You can't have all three!
Please sign and share in support of PARC and supportive housing! tinyurl.com/parcpetition
Please sign and share in support of PARC and supportive housing! tinyurl.com/parcpetition
Build Supportive Affordable Housing at 1499 and 1501 Queen West
The City of Toronto, and Canada as a whole, is in an unprecedented affordable housing crisis. Many struggle to find safe and stable housing in Toronto and Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre (PARC) wa...
tinyurl.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
More and more people want encampments evicted. Neighbourhood groups are suing shelter providers. Now, they're attempting to stop supportive housing in Parkdale. You can't have all three!
Please sign and share in support of PARC and supportive housing! tinyurl.com/parcpetition
Please sign and share in support of PARC and supportive housing! tinyurl.com/parcpetition
“Goddamn right they’re corrupt”: Opposition Leader Marit Stiles is doubling down on her assertion that the Ford government is “corrupt” after her original comments got her ejected from the legislature at Queen’s Park Wednesday www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli... #onpoli
‘Fed up’: NDP Leader Marit Stiles doubles down, says Ford government ‘corrupt’ after getting ejected from Ontario legislature
Opposition Leader Marit Stiles was ejected from the legislature at Queen’s Park Wednesday after accusing the government of being “corrupt” in a heated exchange over the Skills Development Fund.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
“Goddamn right they’re corrupt”: Opposition Leader Marit Stiles is doubling down on her assertion that the Ford government is “corrupt” after her original comments got her ejected from the legislature at Queen’s Park Wednesday www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli... #onpoli
A company embroiled in the Skills Development Fund scandal still got government funding last month, contradicting Doug Ford’s claim that all funding was frozen after a forensic audit flagged concerns that were referred to the OPP www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
Company embroiled in skills fund controversy received Ontario cash last month during audit
Keel Digital Solutions says it received $240,000 while under a probe the province has since referred to OPP
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
A company embroiled in the Skills Development Fund scandal still got government funding last month, contradicting Doug Ford’s claim that all funding was frozen after a forensic audit flagged concerns that were referred to the OPP www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpoli
Executive pay jumped for many recipients of Skills Development Fund, according to salary disclosure viewed by CTV News, including at one numbered company that partnered with an agency that later started an “adult entertainment club” www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti... #onpoli
Exec pay rises for Skills Development Fund recipients, including one tied to ‘adult entertainment club’
Executive pay jumped for many recipients of an Ontario job training grant, according to salary disclosure viewed by CTV News, including at one numbered company that partnered with an agency that later...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 20, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Executive pay jumped for many recipients of Skills Development Fund, according to salary disclosure viewed by CTV News, including at one numbered company that partnered with an agency that later started an “adult entertainment club” www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/arti... #onpoli