Marta O'Brien
@archhistory.bsky.social
Architectural historian. Passionate pedestrian & former cyclist, so road safety! City & provincial politics. Lifelong renter in Toronto.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Yard waste pickup is every other week, on the day you put out the garbage. I think this week may be the 2nd last week for yard waste pickup. I just called and our last day of yard waste pickup is Dec 9.
Call 311 and they can tell you (it's address specific)
Call 311 and they can tell you (it's address specific)
November 25, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Yard waste pickup is every other week, on the day you put out the garbage. I think this week may be the 2nd last week for yard waste pickup. I just called and our last day of yard waste pickup is Dec 9.
Call 311 and they can tell you (it's address specific)
Call 311 and they can tell you (it's address specific)
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
70 years ago The Conservative Government of Leslie Frost "Old Man Ontario" instituted the Conservation Authorities Act as a response to the devastation of Hurricane Hazel. Now in the face of increased climate disasters Doug Ford is dismantling it.
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
Conservation Authorities Act changes weaken watershed oversight | The Narwhal
New Conservation Authorities Act rules see Ontario’s natural resources minister gain greater power as building on shorelines becomes easier
thenarwhal.ca
November 25, 2025 at 6:47 PM
70 years ago The Conservative Government of Leslie Frost "Old Man Ontario" instituted the Conservation Authorities Act as a response to the devastation of Hurricane Hazel. Now in the face of increased climate disasters Doug Ford is dismantling it.
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-cons...
I lived near there for 20 years. Love these photos.
#ThenAndNow TTC's Lawton Loop, for streetcars on Yonge street (decades before the subway)
#Toronto #TOhistory
#Toronto #TOhistory
November 25, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I lived near there for 20 years. Love these photos.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
I’ve written about this for years. We can and should join @c40cities.bsky.social as leaders; we can and should match our OP and policy to action but 2/ bit.ly/2DZ8vYq
Cities and climate change
Architect Toon Dreessen argues buildings are on the front line in Ottawa’s fight against climate change
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I’ve written about this for years. We can and should join @c40cities.bsky.social as leaders; we can and should match our OP and policy to action but 2/ bit.ly/2DZ8vYq
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
“The Polytechnique massacre deeply marked Montreal and serves as a reminder of what unchecked misogyny can lead to.”
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Gender-based violence starts with minimizing misogyny | @mtltoula.bsky.social
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Gender-based violence starts with minimizing misogyny | @mtltoula.bsky.social
Gender-based violence is an everyday reality, and it starts with minimizing misogyny
As we highlight 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and the upcoming anniversary of the Montreal massacre, can we take a moment to reflect on all the different forms this violence takes?
cultmtl.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“The Polytechnique massacre deeply marked Montreal and serves as a reminder of what unchecked misogyny can lead to.”
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Gender-based violence starts with minimizing misogyny | @mtltoula.bsky.social
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Gender-based violence starts with minimizing misogyny | @mtltoula.bsky.social
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
80 years after the Nazis were tried for war crimes, the documents are online for all to see
The Nuremberg Trials Project is a free and searchable database from Harvard Law School
www.cbc.ca/radio/asitha...
The Nuremberg Trials Project is a free and searchable database from Harvard Law School
www.cbc.ca/radio/asitha...
80 years after the Nazis were tried for war crimes, the documents are online for all to see | CBC Radio
Eighty years after prosecutors began trying the leaders of Nazi Germany for war crimes, the documents related to those trials are available in full online, and free of charge.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 10:04 AM
80 years after the Nazis were tried for war crimes, the documents are online for all to see
The Nuremberg Trials Project is a free and searchable database from Harvard Law School
www.cbc.ca/radio/asitha...
The Nuremberg Trials Project is a free and searchable database from Harvard Law School
www.cbc.ca/radio/asitha...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
“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
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.
Google at its peak was basically the best information retrieval system in human history and they and every competitor decided going from there to “you didn’t want answers you wanted half-assed auto-complete 80%-wrong hallucinations” in a few years was the right idea
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
It's weird to not only have lived through an information revolution but also now living through its undoing, all within less than a generation.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
One thing I'd always like to point out when NIMBYs say some application isn't producing enough green space: we have the room for lots of green space. We just spend it on parking.
November 25, 2025 at 12:39 AM
One thing I'd always like to point out when NIMBYs say some application isn't producing enough green space: we have the room for lots of green space. We just spend it on parking.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Super interesting study about the efficacy of various “carrot”measures on motor vehicle travel like making transit and cycling better. TL;DR, when you build a world that’s car dependent, people give up their cars over their cold dead bodies. Confirms priors.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reducing traffic with “carrots”: A review of the evidence
Reducing traffic volumes is one way to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. Since increasing driving costs is often met with public resi…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Super interesting study about the efficacy of various “carrot”measures on motor vehicle travel like making transit and cycling better. TL;DR, when you build a world that’s car dependent, people give up their cars over their cold dead bodies. Confirms priors.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
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
I'll read anything Richard Harris writes. Always good.
Building Blocks. The Rise of the Neighbourhood in Canada 1880s–2020s, R. Harris. Messy Cities: Why We Can’t Plan Everything, edited by @dylanreid.bsky.social, Zahra Ebrahim, Leslie Woo, @johnlorinc.bsky.social
@fabulavancouver.bsky.social @reviewcanada.bsky.social
reviewcanada.ca/magazine/202...
@fabulavancouver.bsky.social @reviewcanada.bsky.social
reviewcanada.ca/magazine/202...
Building Blocks | Literary Review of Canada
Frances Bula reviews “The Rise of the Neighbourhoodin Canada, 1880s–2020s” by Richard Harris and “Messy Cities,” edited by Dylan Reid, et al.
reviewcanada.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I'll read anything Richard Harris writes. Always good.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Where Yonge Crosses Bloor
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Where Yonge Crosses Bloor
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
I'm surprised he was there to make the comment. The Ontario legislature only sits for 66 days in 2025.
November 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I'm surprised he was there to make the comment. The Ontario legislature only sits for 66 days in 2025.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Man who inherited his dad's company, mom's house, has thoughts.....
(Same belligerence as when he wanted to fight people in the gallery at City Hall)
(Same belligerence as when he wanted to fight people in the gallery at City Hall)
Former CEO of his dad's company has job search tips for the general public.
November 24, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Man who inherited his dad's company, mom's house, has thoughts.....
(Same belligerence as when he wanted to fight people in the gallery at City Hall)
(Same belligerence as when he wanted to fight people in the gallery at City Hall)
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
My partner and I were “renovicted” by a landlord in 2014, given 60 days *in the middle of winter* to leave our home. It was a frightening and financially devastating thing to suffer and now the Doug Ford government has made it even *easier* for landlords to evict renters and make us live in fear 😡
Ontario passes Bill 60 amid raucous protest as critics warn changes will make it easier to evict tenants
The Ontario government has passed a controversial omnibus bill that critics say will make it easier for landlords to evict tenants from their homes.
www.ctvnews.ca
November 24, 2025 at 5:19 PM
My partner and I were “renovicted” by a landlord in 2014, given 60 days *in the middle of winter* to leave our home. It was a frightening and financially devastating thing to suffer and now the Doug Ford government has made it even *easier* for landlords to evict renters and make us live in fear 😡
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
I could not agree more strongly with this. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Senators call on prime minister to ban advertising for sports betting | CBC News
Two senators are calling on the federal government to ban advertising for sports betting in Canada. A letter to the prime minister from Charlottetown Sen. Percy Downe and Waterloo Sen. Marty Deacon as...
www.cbc.ca
November 23, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I could not agree more strongly with this. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
2/3 of my friend's kid's kindergarten class is currently out with Influenza A. Time to get those flu and COVID vaccines, folks!
November 24, 2025 at 8:16 PM
2/3 of my friend's kid's kindergarten class is currently out with Influenza A. Time to get those flu and COVID vaccines, folks!
Disgusting ideological move from Ford & his Minister of Motor Vehicles.
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Disgusting ideological move from Ford & his Minister of Motor Vehicles.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Finch West LRT to open Dec 7/25.
Some stats:
- Is just over 10-km long, with 18 stops and all but one station above ground.
- To run from Finch West TTC station to Humber College.
- Started construction 8 YEARS AFTER Eglinton LRT.
Some stats:
- Is just over 10-km long, with 18 stops and all but one station above ground.
- To run from Finch West TTC station to Humber College.
- Started construction 8 YEARS AFTER Eglinton LRT.
TTC chair confirms the date the Finch West LRT will finally open
TTC chair confirms the date the Finch West LRT will finally open
The Finch West LRT has been under construction since 2019, and will stretch from Finch West Station to Humber College.
www.thestar.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Finch West LRT to open Dec 7/25.
Some stats:
- Is just over 10-km long, with 18 stops and all but one station above ground.
- To run from Finch West TTC station to Humber College.
- Started construction 8 YEARS AFTER Eglinton LRT.
Some stats:
- Is just over 10-km long, with 18 stops and all but one station above ground.
- To run from Finch West TTC station to Humber College.
- Started construction 8 YEARS AFTER Eglinton LRT.
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber-Roman city in Morocco, situated near the city of Meknes, that may have been the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania, at least from the time of King Juba II. It is a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site. #RomanSiteSaturday
November 22, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber-Roman city in Morocco, situated near the city of Meknes, that may have been the capital of the Kingdom of Mauretania, at least from the time of King Juba II. It is a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site. #RomanSiteSaturday
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
“Mayors across the globe are good examples of leaders, politicians, actually taking action.” @london.gov.uk’s fellow city leaders aren’t just tinkering at the edges, but seeking to turn the tide…”
Cities are TAKING ACTION but MUST be enabled by nations. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
Cities are TAKING ACTION but MUST be enabled by nations. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
‘Politicians actually taking action’: six world mayors defying climate-sceptic populist leaders
From Sierra Leone to Milan, cities are crafting their own rules and innovations in the face of rising temperatures
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“Mayors across the globe are good examples of leaders, politicians, actually taking action.” @london.gov.uk’s fellow city leaders aren’t just tinkering at the edges, but seeking to turn the tide…”
Cities are TAKING ACTION but MUST be enabled by nations. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
Cities are TAKING ACTION but MUST be enabled by nations. #ActionStartsHere @mayors4climate.bsky.social
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
2558 years ago, on the 23rd of November 534 BCE, the poet Thespis of Icaria was the first to speak as a character in a play instead of as himself, according to Ancient Greek sources and Aristotle as well. He is called the Inventory of Tragedy and is the origin of the word 'thespian'. #otd #history 🗃️
November 23, 2025 at 9:54 AM
2558 years ago, on the 23rd of November 534 BCE, the poet Thespis of Icaria was the first to speak as a character in a play instead of as himself, according to Ancient Greek sources and Aristotle as well. He is called the Inventory of Tragedy and is the origin of the word 'thespian'. #otd #history 🗃️
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
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
Reposted by Marta O'Brien
La Basilica di San Marco.
Venezia. 🇮🇹
Venezia. 🇮🇹
November 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
La Basilica di San Marco.
Venezia. 🇮🇹
Venezia. 🇮🇹