Lucy O’Brien
@psketti.ca
(she/her) Urbanist, gardener, bike commuter, armchair architect, interested in local politics and journalism. If you’re cis I trust you less. Read as many books as you can. YYJ
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
The people of Olympic Village were promised a school. They've been waiting for over a decade - putting their kids on buses and driving them across the city to schools that might have a spot.
Parents shouldn't have to play a lottery for their children's future.
Build the damn school.
Parents shouldn't have to play a lottery for their children's future.
Build the damn school.
The Olympic Village Save-On Foods has come out in support of the NIMBYs opposed to the long-promised but unbuilt Olympic Village Elementary School.
January 19, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The people of Olympic Village were promised a school. They've been waiting for over a decade - putting their kids on buses and driving them across the city to schools that might have a spot.
Parents shouldn't have to play a lottery for their children's future.
Build the damn school.
Parents shouldn't have to play a lottery for their children's future.
Build the damn school.
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
Great thread.
I genuinely think one thing that trips up folks on the left is that they can't imagine not sharing certain core values. Lemme explain. Here's an intuition pump:
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
Say you're in negotiations with counterparty X. And there are two possible deals on the table ...
January 19, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Great thread.
Put this on while you eat your lunch: youtu.be/nWJZ2XJJx0k?...
The NDP is run by a clique—but it should be run like a movement
YouTube video by The Breach
youtu.be
January 19, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Put this on while you eat your lunch: youtu.be/nWJZ2XJJx0k?...
Now that we’ve reconstructed the whole genome of Neanderthal and Denisovans, I propose we now start sequencing the genome of Horse
January 18, 2026 at 4:13 AM
Now that we’ve reconstructed the whole genome of Neanderthal and Denisovans, I propose we now start sequencing the genome of Horse
This aged well
Which nuclear superpower should we collaborate with to intimidate the other nuclear superpowers? I personally think China is our best bet and best trade partner going forward. We’ve already got a prime minister heading there next week. Let’s bring back 45 nuclear-equipped ICBMs and a fleet of subs
January 18, 2026 at 4:12 AM
This aged well
Is this how we do political commentary
January 17, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Is this how we do political commentary
North Park is far and away the best neighbourhood. You simply will not change my mind.
January 17, 2026 at 6:25 PM
North Park is far and away the best neighbourhood. You simply will not change my mind.
Trigger warning: sexual assault.
Did you know that application to the RCMP seems to have involved each potential officer being sexually assaulted by doctors, made mandatory by the RCMP? Read the below article for more details: www.cbc.ca/news/investi...
Did you know that application to the RCMP seems to have involved each potential officer being sexually assaulted by doctors, made mandatory by the RCMP? Read the below article for more details: www.cbc.ca/news/investi...
RCMP applicants endured 'improper and invasive' medical exams for years, lawsuit alleges | CBC News
One thousand RCMP employees, past and present, allege as part of a class-action lawsuit headed to Federal Court this month, that they were subjected to "improper and invasive" breast, genital and rect...
www.cbc.ca
January 16, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Trigger warning: sexual assault.
Did you know that application to the RCMP seems to have involved each potential officer being sexually assaulted by doctors, made mandatory by the RCMP? Read the below article for more details: www.cbc.ca/news/investi...
Did you know that application to the RCMP seems to have involved each potential officer being sexually assaulted by doctors, made mandatory by the RCMP? Read the below article for more details: www.cbc.ca/news/investi...
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
How to Actually Improve a City (w/Brent Toderian)
YouTube video by The Urbanist Agenda Podcast
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
NEW/LISTEN! Been REALLY looking forward to this one — my interview with Jason from #NotJustBikes IS LIVE on many podcast platforms plus YouTube! We cover a LOT of really important ground on how to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE BETTER CITIES IN REAL PRACTICE! I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments!
i cant attach the video file to this post due to file size but this is a very important video to watch in relation to current events
www.instagram.com/reel/DTb2VBJ...
www.instagram.com/reel/DTb2VBJ...
Ashley B on Instagram: "People reach for the Gestapo comparison because it sounds extreme and foreign. It lets white Americans pretend this kind of policing came from somewhere else. But ICE looks clo...
132K likes, 2,829 comments - ashleytheebarroness on January 12, 2026: "People reach for the Gestapo comparison because it sounds extreme and foreign. It lets white Americans pretend this kind of polic...
www.instagram.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:16 PM
i cant attach the video file to this post due to file size but this is a very important video to watch in relation to current events
www.instagram.com/reel/DTb2VBJ...
www.instagram.com/reel/DTb2VBJ...
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
Statistics Canada is a world class, lynchpin agency that enables the work of the rest of government and industry in this country.
this is a ridiculous move on the part of Carney. if anything we should be strengthening our core capabilities, not weakening them.
this is a ridiculous move on the part of Carney. if anything we should be strengthening our core capabilities, not weakening them.
January 13, 2026 at 4:23 AM
Statistics Canada is a world class, lynchpin agency that enables the work of the rest of government and industry in this country.
this is a ridiculous move on the part of Carney. if anything we should be strengthening our core capabilities, not weakening them.
this is a ridiculous move on the part of Carney. if anything we should be strengthening our core capabilities, not weakening them.
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
I have some community coffee-chats coming up: January 14, 15, and 27. ☕
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
January 12, 2026 at 11:23 PM
I have some community coffee-chats coming up: January 14, 15, and 27. ☕
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
Feel free to drop by and share what you’d like City Council and the CRD to do in the coming months and years. I'll be there to listen and learn. :-)
More info: davethompsonvictoria.ca/coffee-chat-...
#yyj
Why do they call it the David Strong Building?? No one is as strong as David. He defeated the Goliath
January 12, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Why do they call it the David Strong Building?? No one is as strong as David. He defeated the Goliath
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
Introducing CanViz, my little side project over the break to make StatCan tables more accessible.
CanViz - Canadian Data Visualization Tool
Interactive data visualization tool for exploring and analyzing Statistics Canada data tables. Browse thousands of Canadian statistics, create custom plots, and download data in multiple formats.
canviz.mountainmath.ca
January 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Introducing CanViz, my little side project over the break to make StatCan tables more accessible.
Bring back Leechtown BC. Build 100,000 units of housing in Leechtown.
January 12, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Bring back Leechtown BC. Build 100,000 units of housing in Leechtown.
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
Should be bigger news that the bureau chief of Toronto Sun is celebrating an unarmed woman being executed in the street
January 10, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Should be bigger news that the bureau chief of Toronto Sun is celebrating an unarmed woman being executed in the street
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Oh man where have I seen a federal police force with unidentified members given carte blanche to quell all dissent and have any illegal actions justified by the ruling party before?? Some sort of “secret state police” I think?
Rep. Wesley Hunt: "The bottom line is this: when a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep you life"
January 8, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Oh man where have I seen a federal police force with unidentified members given carte blanche to quell all dissent and have any illegal actions justified by the ruling party before?? Some sort of “secret state police” I think?
Election fact: Dave Thompson has a higher power-to-weight ratio than any other city councillor this model year. Figures on towing capacity are still being tabulated. #yyj
January 8, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Election fact: Dave Thompson has a higher power-to-weight ratio than any other city councillor this model year. Figures on towing capacity are still being tabulated. #yyj
A few key takeaways here: 1) Marg Sucks, 2) what’s Chris Coleman been up to? and 3) it’s good to see most everyone else working together.
I went back and counted motions from January 2025 through this upcoming meeting. I split them into three typed: one-person motions, motions that were shared with another person, and requests for conference travel (which seem like they shouldn't count).
January 7, 2026 at 4:19 PM
A few key takeaways here: 1) Marg Sucks, 2) what’s Chris Coleman been up to? and 3) it’s good to see most everyone else working together.
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
Hi everyone, I've been asked recently by many people including a couple of media outlets, whether I will be running for re-election this fall.
The answer: Yes I will! There is more to be done for a safe, affordable, livable, sustainable, fun and welcoming City. ❤️
#yyj #yyjpoli
The answer: Yes I will! There is more to be done for a safe, affordable, livable, sustainable, fun and welcoming City. ❤️
#yyj #yyjpoli
January 6, 2026 at 6:01 PM
I love that the beg button on Johnson and Fernwood is less than six inches from the car travel lane. So great in wet weather
January 6, 2026 at 8:01 PM
I love that the beg button on Johnson and Fernwood is less than six inches from the car travel lane. So great in wet weather
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
This Thursday is the public hearing for the Capital Culture District. The project has been eight years in the making and will completely change Downtown Victoria. I have just finished my article on it. Have a read and let me know your thoughts!
#yyj #victoriabc #development
#yyj #victoriabc #development
The Birth of the Capital Culture District — Sidewalking Victoria
Over the last few years we have seen an endless stream of development in Harris Green. At the same time, with the exception of one large project at Government and Herald, the area north of downtown has been relatively quiet. It seems things are beginning to change. We have recently seen Chard Develo
www.sidewalkingvictoria.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:05 AM
This Thursday is the public hearing for the Capital Culture District. The project has been eight years in the making and will completely change Downtown Victoria. I have just finished my article on it. Have a read and let me know your thoughts!
#yyj #victoriabc #development
#yyj #victoriabc #development
First day of term always feels so weird
January 5, 2026 at 11:54 PM
First day of term always feels so weird
Reposted by Lucy O’Brien
@victoria.ca (#yyj) councillors should pay attention to this. Your recently adopted OCP uses only a stick and will see very little housing. Any infill homes approved will likely need variances.
Seattle’s regulation will actually see homes built, more family-sized, with more trees & green features.
Seattle’s regulation will actually see homes built, more family-sized, with more trees & green features.
NEW: This is very interesting — Seattle City Council has allowed 8-unit buildings up to 3 storeys, or 10 apartments up to 4 storeys (they call them “stacked flats”) if they add green features (like bioswales or green roofs) or preserve trees, in all residential zones across the entire city!
Seattle Council Approves Eight-Unit Apartment Buildings Everywhere - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett Maybe calling them “stacked flats,” rather than “apartments,” was a stroke of genius. On Tuesday, the…
publicola.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:13 PM
@victoria.ca (#yyj) councillors should pay attention to this. Your recently adopted OCP uses only a stick and will see very little housing. Any infill homes approved will likely need variances.
Seattle’s regulation will actually see homes built, more family-sized, with more trees & green features.
Seattle’s regulation will actually see homes built, more family-sized, with more trees & green features.