Evan Sambasivam
@evansambasivam.bsky.social
Passionate about Toronto. Advocate for affordable housing, poverty reduction, and ending homelessness. Raptors fan since the dark ages.
No one who leaves a legacy in politics comes out unscathed.
An excellent, heartfelt write-up from Premier Wynne, whom history will treat kinder than the 2018 electorate did.
To Prime Minister Trudeau: thank you for making a tough decision today. There's a lot to be proud of.
An excellent, heartfelt write-up from Premier Wynne, whom history will treat kinder than the 2018 electorate did.
To Prime Minister Trudeau: thank you for making a tough decision today. There's a lot to be proud of.
January 6, 2025 at 6:14 PM
No one who leaves a legacy in politics comes out unscathed.
An excellent, heartfelt write-up from Premier Wynne, whom history will treat kinder than the 2018 electorate did.
To Prime Minister Trudeau: thank you for making a tough decision today. There's a lot to be proud of.
An excellent, heartfelt write-up from Premier Wynne, whom history will treat kinder than the 2018 electorate did.
To Prime Minister Trudeau: thank you for making a tough decision today. There's a lot to be proud of.
This policy would cost nothing and benefit everyone.
At a certain point, Toronto has to stop listening to the wet blankets who oppose the smallest, imperceptible changes and start thinking about creating the most public good at the lowest cost.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
At a certain point, Toronto has to stop listening to the wet blankets who oppose the smallest, imperceptible changes and start thinking about creating the most public good at the lowest cost.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
Edward Keenan: Why can’t Toronto have nice things? Ask the people who won’t let neighbourhoods have corner stores
Instead of trying corners stores in neighbourhoods and seeing what happens, councillors have sent the proposal back for more consultation.
www.thestar.com
December 21, 2024 at 5:49 PM
This policy would cost nothing and benefit everyone.
At a certain point, Toronto has to stop listening to the wet blankets who oppose the smallest, imperceptible changes and start thinking about creating the most public good at the lowest cost.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
At a certain point, Toronto has to stop listening to the wet blankets who oppose the smallest, imperceptible changes and start thinking about creating the most public good at the lowest cost.
www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
This is the strongest housing platform I've ever seen in Ontario.
✅ Slashing the land transfer tax
✅ Scrapping development charges
✅ Bringing back rent control
@bonnieforontario.bsky.social is showing that her @ontarioliberal.bsky.social party will build more housing and bring down rent.
✅ Slashing the land transfer tax
✅ Scrapping development charges
✅ Bringing back rent control
@bonnieforontario.bsky.social is showing that her @ontarioliberal.bsky.social party will build more housing and bring down rent.
The Ontario Liberals are promising to abolish development charges. A fantastic idea!
DCs in excess of $100,000+ price out the middle class and are fundamentally at odds with housing as a human right.
ontarioliberal.ca/mo...
DCs in excess of $100,000+ price out the middle class and are fundamentally at odds with housing as a human right.
ontarioliberal.ca/mo...
More Homes You Can Afford: Bonnie Crombie’s Plan to Make Housing More Affordable
The official site of the Ontario Liberal Party
ontarioliberal.ca
December 11, 2024 at 3:42 PM
This is the strongest housing platform I've ever seen in Ontario.
✅ Slashing the land transfer tax
✅ Scrapping development charges
✅ Bringing back rent control
@bonnieforontario.bsky.social is showing that her @ontarioliberal.bsky.social party will build more housing and bring down rent.
✅ Slashing the land transfer tax
✅ Scrapping development charges
✅ Bringing back rent control
@bonnieforontario.bsky.social is showing that her @ontarioliberal.bsky.social party will build more housing and bring down rent.
The idea that progressives should abandon identity politics and win on pocketbook issues is tempting.
I am reminded of Fae, her advocacy, and what's at stake if we give up on marginalized Canadians.
If we abandon our values in the pursuit of winning, they're not our values.
I am reminded of Fae, her advocacy, and what's at stake if we give up on marginalized Canadians.
If we abandon our values in the pursuit of winning, they're not our values.
I would welcome any conservative MP to publicly show their support for transgender people, to affirm that we deserve to be free and treated with dignity.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
December 10, 2024 at 5:21 PM
The idea that progressives should abandon identity politics and win on pocketbook issues is tempting.
I am reminded of Fae, her advocacy, and what's at stake if we give up on marginalized Canadians.
If we abandon our values in the pursuit of winning, they're not our values.
I am reminded of Fae, her advocacy, and what's at stake if we give up on marginalized Canadians.
If we abandon our values in the pursuit of winning, they're not our values.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
I would welcome any conservative MP to publicly show their support for transgender people, to affirm that we deserve to be free and treated with dignity.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
December 10, 2024 at 4:17 PM
I would welcome any conservative MP to publicly show their support for transgender people, to affirm that we deserve to be free and treated with dignity.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
I think seeing what would happen next - as their supporters turn on them - would be a healthy lesson re: playing with fire.
Excellent insights from @graphicmatt.bsky.social. Ridership is catching up to pre-pandemic levels, but service quality isn't.
The TTC needs to prioritize improving service quality over gimmicks like plainclothes fare inspectors that will cost more than they recoup.
The TTC needs to prioritize improving service quality over gimmicks like plainclothes fare inspectors that will cost more than they recoup.
December 10, 2024 at 4:47 PM
Excellent insights from @graphicmatt.bsky.social. Ridership is catching up to pre-pandemic levels, but service quality isn't.
The TTC needs to prioritize improving service quality over gimmicks like plainclothes fare inspectors that will cost more than they recoup.
The TTC needs to prioritize improving service quality over gimmicks like plainclothes fare inspectors that will cost more than they recoup.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
My @torontostar.bsky.social column: I don’t want to jinx it, but there are signs of surging TTC use in Toronto’s downtown
The TTC & City Hall should seize the opportunity to grow ridership more. Things like undercover fare inspectors won’t help. Better service will.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
The TTC & City Hall should seize the opportunity to grow ridership more. Things like undercover fare inspectors won’t help. Better service will.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Matt Elliott: TTC ridership downtown is surging. Here’s why I’m worried the transit agency is going to drop the ball
The TTC numbers point to a real opportunity to supercharge ridership — as long as the transit agency doesn’t mess it up.
www.thestar.com
December 10, 2024 at 3:33 PM
My @torontostar.bsky.social column: I don’t want to jinx it, but there are signs of surging TTC use in Toronto’s downtown
The TTC & City Hall should seize the opportunity to grow ridership more. Things like undercover fare inspectors won’t help. Better service will.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
The TTC & City Hall should seize the opportunity to grow ridership more. Things like undercover fare inspectors won’t help. Better service will.
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Response times will get worse if emergency vehicles have to sit in traffic, instead of using bike lanes to bypass congestion.
This video is for Doug Ford, and all those in my replies saying bike lanes "stop emergency vehicles from getting to their destination". They *allow* emergency vehicles to get to their destination, as seen here on Adelaide. They were designed with emergency services in mind.
December 5, 2024 at 4:59 PM
Response times will get worse if emergency vehicles have to sit in traffic, instead of using bike lanes to bypass congestion.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
This video is for Doug Ford, and all those in my replies saying bike lanes "stop emergency vehicles from getting to their destination". They *allow* emergency vehicles to get to their destination, as seen here on Adelaide. They were designed with emergency services in mind.
December 5, 2024 at 4:36 AM
This video is for Doug Ford, and all those in my replies saying bike lanes "stop emergency vehicles from getting to their destination". They *allow* emergency vehicles to get to their destination, as seen here on Adelaide. They were designed with emergency services in mind.
I'm exhausted by how corrupt Doug Ford's Ontario has become.
NEW: As word of his imminent departure spreads, Global News has learned that Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster has been receiving a $12k/year car allowance -- but doesn't own a vehicle.
globalnews.ca/news/1089752...
#onpoli
globalnews.ca/news/1089752...
#onpoli
Metrolinx CEO receives yearly vehicle allowance sources say he doesn’t use | Globalnews.ca
Phil Verster has consistently received a taxable benefit of between $12,575 to $13,392 on top of his taxpayer-funded salary of $838,097 as of 2023.
globalnews.ca
December 2, 2024 at 6:47 PM
I'm exhausted by how corrupt Doug Ford's Ontario has become.
No bike lanes, no stoplights, no movement.
Toronto has a congestion problem. Removing bike lanes won't fix it.
Toronto has a congestion problem. Removing bike lanes won't fix it.
November 26, 2024 at 9:26 PM
No bike lanes, no stoplights, no movement.
Toronto has a congestion problem. Removing bike lanes won't fix it.
Toronto has a congestion problem. Removing bike lanes won't fix it.
Thank you to @alejandrabravo.bsky.social, Amber Morley, Ausma Malik, Chris Moise, and Gord Perks for joining this coalition.
We won't end the homelessness crisis through cruelty, or stripping constitutional rights. Every councillor's name should be on this list.
We won't end the homelessness crisis through cruelty, or stripping constitutional rights. Every councillor's name should be on this list.
On #NationalHousingDay, meet Ontario's municipal human rights defenders. A coalition of now 72 Councillors stand united against the use of the Notwithstanding Clause to clear encampments and call on Ontario to respect the Charter and enact evidence-based solutions to homelessness.
November 22, 2024 at 9:02 PM
Thank you to @alejandrabravo.bsky.social, Amber Morley, Ausma Malik, Chris Moise, and Gord Perks for joining this coalition.
We won't end the homelessness crisis through cruelty, or stripping constitutional rights. Every councillor's name should be on this list.
We won't end the homelessness crisis through cruelty, or stripping constitutional rights. Every councillor's name should be on this list.
Doug Ford had the foresight to recognize his policy would kill Ontarians.
He is actively doing the wrong thing, only taking pause to avoid accountability.
Doug Ford is, and always has been, unfit to govern our province.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
He is actively doing the wrong thing, only taking pause to avoid accountability.
Doug Ford is, and always has been, unfit to govern our province.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Ford government to ban lawsuits against province if cyclists are hurt or killed on streets where bike lanes were removed
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria tells cyclists: for your own safety, stay off Bloor, Yonge and University when bike lanes are removed.
www.thestar.com
November 21, 2024 at 11:45 PM
Doug Ford had the foresight to recognize his policy would kill Ontarians.
He is actively doing the wrong thing, only taking pause to avoid accountability.
Doug Ford is, and always has been, unfit to govern our province.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
He is actively doing the wrong thing, only taking pause to avoid accountability.
Doug Ford is, and always has been, unfit to govern our province.
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
NEW STARTER PACK ALERT: Here’s my new “Canadian Urbanism” Starter Pack with city-building experts and practitioners, elected leaders, activists, media, etc. There are other packs on Canadian Urbanism & this one’s mine. Let me know who I missed and please share. #UrbanistShoutOut go.bsky.app/QWdmJjk
November 20, 2024 at 7:50 PM
NEW STARTER PACK ALERT: Here’s my new “Canadian Urbanism” Starter Pack with city-building experts and practitioners, elected leaders, activists, media, etc. There are other packs on Canadian Urbanism & this one’s mine. Let me know who I missed and please share. #UrbanistShoutOut go.bsky.app/QWdmJjk
This is Mitch McConnell's Republican playbook. Create gridlock. Promote tribalism. Block good policy from being passed to sow anger throughout the country.
This is not a serious approach to governing. It is throwing Canadians under the bus to achieve power at all costs.
This is not a serious approach to governing. It is throwing Canadians under the bus to achieve power at all costs.
Poilievre's office maintains tight control over what Conservative MPs say and do. Party staffers monitor caucus for signs of message indiscipline and fraternization with other MPs. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Find out more at Nationalnewswatch.com
Find out more at Nationalnewswatch.com
November 20, 2024 at 3:49 PM
This is Mitch McConnell's Republican playbook. Create gridlock. Promote tribalism. Block good policy from being passed to sow anger throughout the country.
This is not a serious approach to governing. It is throwing Canadians under the bus to achieve power at all costs.
This is not a serious approach to governing. It is throwing Canadians under the bus to achieve power at all costs.
This is an objectively savvy move from @maritstilesndp.bsky.social and the NDP.
Doug Ford's attack on cities has been a point of consternation since Day 1. This gives urbanist voters something tangible to rally around.
Bonnie Crombie and the OLP may have plans to follow suit.
Doug Ford's attack on cities has been a point of consternation since Day 1. This gives urbanist voters something tangible to rally around.
Bonnie Crombie and the OLP may have plans to follow suit.
NEW: Former Toronto mayor David Miller will become a “special advisor” to NDP leader Marit Stiles on developing “a New Deal for municipalities.”
Miller will hold municipal consultations, conduct a review of province’s relationship with cities and later, make direct recommendations to Stiles.
Miller will hold municipal consultations, conduct a review of province’s relationship with cities and later, make direct recommendations to Stiles.
November 20, 2024 at 3:37 PM
This is an objectively savvy move from @maritstilesndp.bsky.social and the NDP.
Doug Ford's attack on cities has been a point of consternation since Day 1. This gives urbanist voters something tangible to rally around.
Bonnie Crombie and the OLP may have plans to follow suit.
Doug Ford's attack on cities has been a point of consternation since Day 1. This gives urbanist voters something tangible to rally around.
Bonnie Crombie and the OLP may have plans to follow suit.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
Hey, we noticed there's no Ontario Politics starter pack around here, so we started one.
Please suggest people!
go.bsky.app/NKWTosH
Please suggest people!
go.bsky.app/NKWTosH
November 19, 2024 at 2:45 AM
Hey, we noticed there's no Ontario Politics starter pack around here, so we started one.
Please suggest people!
go.bsky.app/NKWTosH
Please suggest people!
go.bsky.app/NKWTosH
An excellent op-ed from @alejandrabravo.bsky.social. Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of our city's most vulnerable.
If Doug Ford rushes to clear encampments without building shelter space, he's not trying to end homelessness, he's trying to remove an eyesore.
If Doug Ford rushes to clear encampments without building shelter space, he's not trying to end homelessness, he's trying to remove an eyesore.
A shelter can be a pathway to a permanent home — it was for my family.
Shelters are a public service — to get people indoors and support their health. They belong all across our city, and shouldn’t be politicized.
My op-ed in @torontostar.bsky.social 👇🏼 www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Shelters are a public service — to get people indoors and support their health. They belong all across our city, and shouldn’t be politicized.
My op-ed in @torontostar.bsky.social 👇🏼 www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
My family needed the shelter system when we arrived in Toronto. Today the need is greater than ever. Doug Ford needs to quit sweeping it under the rug
Thousands of Torontonians need shelter. Simply moving them won't help.
www.thestar.com
November 19, 2024 at 4:07 PM
An excellent op-ed from @alejandrabravo.bsky.social. Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of our city's most vulnerable.
If Doug Ford rushes to clear encampments without building shelter space, he's not trying to end homelessness, he's trying to remove an eyesore.
If Doug Ford rushes to clear encampments without building shelter space, he's not trying to end homelessness, he's trying to remove an eyesore.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
Toronto starter pack bsky.app/profile/evan...
I made a starter pack of some of the big Toronto personalities that have migrated over from the other site.
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
November 19, 2024 at 1:30 AM
Toronto starter pack bsky.app/profile/evan...
There is only one Toronto Councillor, @cllrainslie.bsky.social on this list standing up to Doug Ford's unconstitutional crusade against homeless Ontarians.
Thank you, Councillor Ainslie, but it is frustrating to see you in this fight alone.
Thank you, Councillor Ainslie, but it is frustrating to see you in this fight alone.
BREAKING: A coalition of 41 Councillors from across Ontario stand united against the use of the notwithstanding clause to clear encampments. Urban, suburban, and rural, these Councillors stand for evidence-based solutions to homelessness and the protection of the Charter. Read their letter👇
November 18, 2024 at 8:50 PM
There is only one Toronto Councillor, @cllrainslie.bsky.social on this list standing up to Doug Ford's unconstitutional crusade against homeless Ontarians.
Thank you, Councillor Ainslie, but it is frustrating to see you in this fight alone.
Thank you, Councillor Ainslie, but it is frustrating to see you in this fight alone.
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
I made a starter pack of some of the big Toronto personalities that have migrated over from the other site.
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
November 16, 2024 at 4:50 PM
I made a starter pack of some of the big Toronto personalities that have migrated over from the other site.
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
I made a starter pack of some of the big Toronto personalities that have migrated over from the other site.
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
November 16, 2024 at 4:50 PM
I made a starter pack of some of the big Toronto personalities that have migrated over from the other site.
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Who should be on this list?
go.bsky.app/TuSaHgh
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
Have added 70 new accounts to the Diverse Urbanism Voices starterpack since I first created it!
So make sure to check it out again even if you've clicked follow all last week! Thank you everybody for all the suggestions, it is now full at 150 accounts.
go.bsky.app/LYKueU7
So make sure to check it out again even if you've clicked follow all last week! Thank you everybody for all the suggestions, it is now full at 150 accounts.
go.bsky.app/LYKueU7
November 15, 2024 at 7:39 PM
Have added 70 new accounts to the Diverse Urbanism Voices starterpack since I first created it!
So make sure to check it out again even if you've clicked follow all last week! Thank you everybody for all the suggestions, it is now full at 150 accounts.
go.bsky.app/LYKueU7
So make sure to check it out again even if you've clicked follow all last week! Thank you everybody for all the suggestions, it is now full at 150 accounts.
go.bsky.app/LYKueU7
Reposted by Evan Sambasivam
This #followfriday I’m just going to repost the Toronto Urbanism Starter pack.
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
November 15, 2024 at 7:14 PM
This #followfriday I’m just going to repost the Toronto Urbanism Starter pack.
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
It’s got more content since you last saw it!
go.bsky.app/3drLJRM
Even I'll give props to Mike Colle for this one
Councillor Colle's motion to look at installing signs blaming Doug Ford's bill for the traffic caused by removing bike lanes CARRIES 14-11.
November 15, 2024 at 12:05 AM
Even I'll give props to Mike Colle for this one