Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
@itsbilal.bsky.social
Building a great database. Advocating for a better Toronto and more housing. And a lot of things in between.
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
ICYMI, new op-ed from @jacobdawang.com: rolling back zoning reforms would be a mistake.
"That means more people priced out of mature neighbourhoods, gatekeeping Edmonton’s best neighbourhoods so that rowhouses look like single-family homes."
Read more 👇
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
#yegcc
"That means more people priced out of mature neighbourhoods, gatekeeping Edmonton’s best neighbourhoods so that rowhouses look like single-family homes."
Read more 👇
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
#yegcc
Opinion: Rolling back pro-density zoning restricts housing choice
When we restrict housing choice, we're not preserving neighbourhood character: we're enforcing neighbourhood exclusion.
edmontonjournal.com
June 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
ICYMI, new op-ed from @jacobdawang.com: rolling back zoning reforms would be a mistake.
"That means more people priced out of mature neighbourhoods, gatekeeping Edmonton’s best neighbourhoods so that rowhouses look like single-family homes."
Read more 👇
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
#yegcc
"That means more people priced out of mature neighbourhoods, gatekeeping Edmonton’s best neighbourhoods so that rowhouses look like single-family homes."
Read more 👇
edmontonjournal.com/opinion/colu...
#yegcc
No problem here. I was told that the right to bear arms exists specifically for standing up against tyrannical government actions like these. That will solve things very soon.
The White House has posted a new executive order authorizing the federalization of the National Guard to support DHS and ICE functions.
The most serious indication is the inclusion of “rebellion against the authority of the Government.” www.whitehouse.gov/presidentia...
1/8
The most serious indication is the inclusion of “rebellion against the authority of the Government.” www.whitehouse.gov/presidentia...
1/8
June 8, 2025 at 4:56 AM
No problem here. I was told that the right to bear arms exists specifically for standing up against tyrannical government actions like these. That will solve things very soon.
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
DEFEND ZONING BYLAW RENEWAL
Tomorrow, council's Urban Planning Committee will consider amendments to our zoning as part of its one-year review. The usual opposition is looking to roll back progress.
Please take 2 min and use our tool to email council 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/blog/zoning-...
Tomorrow, council's Urban Planning Committee will consider amendments to our zoning as part of its one-year review. The usual opposition is looking to roll back progress.
Please take 2 min and use our tool to email council 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/blog/zoning-...
Zoning Bylaw Renewal: One Year Review
www.growtogetheryeg.com
June 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
DEFEND ZONING BYLAW RENEWAL
Tomorrow, council's Urban Planning Committee will consider amendments to our zoning as part of its one-year review. The usual opposition is looking to roll back progress.
Please take 2 min and use our tool to email council 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/blog/zoning-...
Tomorrow, council's Urban Planning Committee will consider amendments to our zoning as part of its one-year review. The usual opposition is looking to roll back progress.
Please take 2 min and use our tool to email council 👇
www.growtogetheryeg.com/blog/zoning-...
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
If Liberals back someone who is unapologetic about opposing a ceasefire for an ongoing genocide, it's a pretty searing indictment of the moral clarity of centrists in Toronto.
The Liberals and Conservative back room boys are lining up to back Marco Mendicino for mayor.
“‘The interesting thing is it is a multi-partisan approach from Liberals and Conservatives who would like to see an alternative to Olivia Chow, said the [anonymous] source…”
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
“‘The interesting thing is it is a multi-partisan approach from Liberals and Conservatives who would like to see an alternative to Olivia Chow, said the [anonymous] source…”
www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
Mark Carney’s chief of staff considering running to be Toronto’s mayor, insiders say
Four sources close to Mendicino confirmed Friday that he is eyeing a mayoral bid to replace incumbent Olivia Chow in next year's municipal election.
www.thestar.com
May 24, 2025 at 5:29 AM
If Liberals back someone who is unapologetic about opposing a ceasefire for an ongoing genocide, it's a pretty searing indictment of the moral clarity of centrists in Toronto.
And on top of that: Land Transfer Tax revenue is way down because people aren’t buying/selling homes as often.
The property tax increase was the only good option.
The property tax increase was the only good option.
I'm just planting this flag now: if the entirety of your mayoral bid in 2026 is saying property tax increases were too high under Chow, you don't understand the operating budget and you're not fit to be mayor. COVID relief funding is gone, so property taxes have to cover the loss in transit revenue.
May 24, 2025 at 1:22 AM
And on top of that: Land Transfer Tax revenue is way down because people aren’t buying/selling homes as often.
The property tax increase was the only good option.
The property tax increase was the only good option.
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
I'm just planting this flag now: if the entirety of your mayoral bid in 2026 is saying property tax increases were too high under Chow, you don't understand the operating budget and you're not fit to be mayor. COVID relief funding is gone, so property taxes have to cover the loss in transit revenue.
May 24, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I'm just planting this flag now: if the entirety of your mayoral bid in 2026 is saying property tax increases were too high under Chow, you don't understand the operating budget and you're not fit to be mayor. COVID relief funding is gone, so property taxes have to cover the loss in transit revenue.
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
An example of the problems: Mike Layton and Adam Vaughan wanted to stop a Walmart on Bathurst near Kensington. So they initiated a planning study that
1. Didn't prevent a chain store in that property (it's a Winners and freshco)
2. Added a bunch of unrelated growth restrictions on Bathurst
1. Didn't prevent a chain store in that property (it's a Winners and freshco)
2. Added a bunch of unrelated growth restrictions on Bathurst
It's funny to think that fighting chain stores in cities used to be this righteous progressive cause. Sorry if it offends your aesthetic sensibilities, but quality chains are what makes a neighborhood attractive to normal people.
May 17, 2025 at 11:16 AM
An example of the problems: Mike Layton and Adam Vaughan wanted to stop a Walmart on Bathurst near Kensington. So they initiated a planning study that
1. Didn't prevent a chain store in that property (it's a Winners and freshco)
2. Added a bunch of unrelated growth restrictions on Bathurst
1. Didn't prevent a chain store in that property (it's a Winners and freshco)
2. Added a bunch of unrelated growth restrictions on Bathurst
Jacob’s analysis (which you should read!) is about Edmonton, but the same pattern repeats in a lot of places:
A theoretically-more-permissive zoning that then gets hampered by a litany of restrictions, each of which then necessitate site specific exceptions to get anything built
A theoretically-more-permissive zoning that then gets hampered by a litany of restrictions, each of which then necessitate site specific exceptions to get anything built
NEW BLOG POST
On June 3, I'm hearing some councillors will propose adding more restrictions to the RS zone introduced in the Zoning Bylaw Renewal.
So, I went deeper into the data, even more than in my last post. Read my blog or highlights in the 🧵
#yeg #yegcc
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/re...
On June 3, I'm hearing some councillors will propose adding more restrictions to the RS zone introduced in the Zoning Bylaw Renewal.
So, I went deeper into the data, even more than in my last post. Read my blog or highlights in the 🧵
#yeg #yegcc
www.jacobdawang.com/blog/2025/re...
The RS zoning story they don’t tell you – Jacob Dawang
Ah, here we go again. A deeper look at the RS zone that seems to perenially be in the news. How much housing supply is being delivered, and how fast are mature neighbourhoods really changing?
www.jacobdawang.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Jacob’s analysis (which you should read!) is about Edmonton, but the same pattern repeats in a lot of places:
A theoretically-more-permissive zoning that then gets hampered by a litany of restrictions, each of which then necessitate site specific exceptions to get anything built
A theoretically-more-permissive zoning that then gets hampered by a litany of restrictions, each of which then necessitate site specific exceptions to get anything built
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
The California Model of Governance:
1. Create Regulation A
2. Problem A is side effect of Regulation A
3. Insist Regulation A is unrelated to Problem A
4. Create Regulation B to solve Problem A
5. Side effect of Regulation B is Problem B
6. A referendum stops you from solving either problem
1. Create Regulation A
2. Problem A is side effect of Regulation A
3. Insist Regulation A is unrelated to Problem A
4. Create Regulation B to solve Problem A
5. Side effect of Regulation B is Problem B
6. A referendum stops you from solving either problem
May 16, 2025 at 12:55 AM
The California Model of Governance:
1. Create Regulation A
2. Problem A is side effect of Regulation A
3. Insist Regulation A is unrelated to Problem A
4. Create Regulation B to solve Problem A
5. Side effect of Regulation B is Problem B
6. A referendum stops you from solving either problem
1. Create Regulation A
2. Problem A is side effect of Regulation A
3. Insist Regulation A is unrelated to Problem A
4. Create Regulation B to solve Problem A
5. Side effect of Regulation B is Problem B
6. A referendum stops you from solving either problem
California’s film industry thrived off of open access to world markets.
You’re just inviting retaliatory tariffs on California services here, which would absolutely wreck California (as they could also apply to tech).
You’re just inviting retaliatory tariffs on California services here, which would absolutely wreck California (as they could also apply to tech).
California built the film industry — and we’re ready to bring even more jobs home.
We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again.
POTUS, let’s get it done.
We’ve proven what strong state incentives can do. Now it’s time for a real federal partnership to Make America Film Again.
POTUS, let’s get it done.
May 6, 2025 at 1:45 PM
California’s film industry thrived off of open access to world markets.
You’re just inviting retaliatory tariffs on California services here, which would absolutely wreck California (as they could also apply to tech).
You’re just inviting retaliatory tariffs on California services here, which would absolutely wreck California (as they could also apply to tech).
Also this argument fails a simple smell test? American cars are too large and heavy to fit in European / Japanese streets
GM doesn't make a single mass-market sedan anymore! Even the Chevy Malibu has been discontinued.
GM doesn't make a single mass-market sedan anymore! Even the Chevy Malibu has been discontinued.
First thing JD has posted in 3 days and it’s doubling down on pro tariff stuff lmfao
April 7, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Also this argument fails a simple smell test? American cars are too large and heavy to fit in European / Japanese streets
GM doesn't make a single mass-market sedan anymore! Even the Chevy Malibu has been discontinued.
GM doesn't make a single mass-market sedan anymore! Even the Chevy Malibu has been discontinued.
“The presence of ... economists skeptical of tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, could all suddenly be considered adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests and subject to deportation based on the unilateral determination of the secretary of state,”
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
Trump’s Use of Immigration Law Appears to Conflict With Limits Imposed by Congress (Gift Article)
A crackdown targeting foreign students protesting Israel’s treatment of Palestinians conflicts with free-speech protections that lawmakers added in 1990.
www.nytimes.com
April 1, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“The presence of ... economists skeptical of tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, could all suddenly be considered adverse to U.S. foreign policy interests and subject to deportation based on the unilateral determination of the secretary of state,”
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/u...
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
BREAKING: “We will build at a pace not seen since the 2nd World War.” Mark Carney announces he wants to double the pace of housing construction in Canada, half a million new homes/year. He wants the Federal Govt to get back into affordable home-building. Billions in housing loans/grants announced.
March 31, 2025 at 5:36 PM
BREAKING: “We will build at a pace not seen since the 2nd World War.” Mark Carney announces he wants to double the pace of housing construction in Canada, half a million new homes/year. He wants the Federal Govt to get back into affordable home-building. Billions in housing loans/grants announced.
I don't blame Kamala's loss on her/Biden as much as I blame it on state and local Democrats running anti-abundance governments and letting outcomes in their cities get worse.
The only exception is Colorado, and hey, that's the only state that got bluer in 2024!
The only exception is Colorado, and hey, that's the only state that got bluer in 2024!
My issue is Biden was the Abundance president. His admin spearheaded a larger public infrastructure program than Obama's (IRA), rapid social services like the child tax credit, kept our economy globally competitive with chips act, and told blue cities to upzone for density.
He was destroyed by Trump
He was destroyed by Trump
March 31, 2025 at 5:56 PM
I don't blame Kamala's loss on her/Biden as much as I blame it on state and local Democrats running anti-abundance governments and letting outcomes in their cities get worse.
The only exception is Colorado, and hey, that's the only state that got bluer in 2024!
The only exception is Colorado, and hey, that's the only state that got bluer in 2024!
Here's something I've been a little tight-lipped about lately: I moved from Toronto to San Francisco to accept a job around the start of the year
It's a decision I finalized last fall, but the ramifications of that move became clearer well after my decision given *waves arms around*
It's a decision I finalized last fall, but the ramifications of that move became clearer well after my decision given *waves arms around*
March 31, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Here's something I've been a little tight-lipped about lately: I moved from Toronto to San Francisco to accept a job around the start of the year
It's a decision I finalized last fall, but the ramifications of that move became clearer well after my decision given *waves arms around*
It's a decision I finalized last fall, but the ramifications of that move became clearer well after my decision given *waves arms around*
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of generosity, community service and peace.
As Muslim Canadians gather with family and community tonight, we can all strive to uphold these important values. Eid Mubarak.
As Muslim Canadians gather with family and community tonight, we can all strive to uphold these important values. Eid Mubarak.
March 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month of generosity, community service and peace.
As Muslim Canadians gather with family and community tonight, we can all strive to uphold these important values. Eid Mubarak.
As Muslim Canadians gather with family and community tonight, we can all strive to uphold these important values. Eid Mubarak.
Reposted by Bilal Akhtar 🇨🇦
Hey Americans apologizing for your countries' actions.
I get it, but at the same time, this isn't a "oopsie" thing. This will destroy the Canadian economy. The action is to call and write your reps and demand better from your electeds. This is economic war on your closest ally, act like it.
I get it, but at the same time, this isn't a "oopsie" thing. This will destroy the Canadian economy. The action is to call and write your reps and demand better from your electeds. This is economic war on your closest ally, act like it.
February 2, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Hey Americans apologizing for your countries' actions.
I get it, but at the same time, this isn't a "oopsie" thing. This will destroy the Canadian economy. The action is to call and write your reps and demand better from your electeds. This is economic war on your closest ally, act like it.
I get it, but at the same time, this isn't a "oopsie" thing. This will destroy the Canadian economy. The action is to call and write your reps and demand better from your electeds. This is economic war on your closest ally, act like it.
“But it’s Trudeau’s fault cuz fentanyl” — Shopify exec bros
Wow guys, I’m starting to think the president might not have well thought out narrow concerns about Northern Border Security behind his trade war with Canada
February 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM
“But it’s Trudeau’s fault cuz fentanyl” — Shopify exec bros
My brother in Islam, that’s a museum you got, not a neighbourhood
“The hallmark of this neighbourhood is [that] nothing ever changes. It stays the same.”
Yeah, this is ridiculous.
January 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM
My brother in Islam, that’s a museum you got, not a neighbourhood
my yute came here to start a fight, ahlie?
Not a video
1. CDMX
2. NYC
3. LA
4. Chicago
5. DFW metroplex
I can see some arguments for Toronto being “bigger” than the Texas cities, but DC isn’t in this conversation
1. CDMX
2. NYC
3. LA
4. Chicago
5. DFW metroplex
I can see some arguments for Toronto being “bigger” than the Texas cities, but DC isn’t in this conversation
Alright here's my pitch for a @nerd4cities.bsky.social video topic: What is the fourth largest city in North America? Chicago, Toronto, or Washington?
January 17, 2025 at 2:30 AM
my yute came here to start a fight, ahlie?
The ugly truth is already out in the open. The question is whether we will correct course now, or continue repeating our mistakes.
King Liberty Station must be built. The promise, if there is any, of Toronto’s exclusionary zoning regime is false. My @thestar.com this week. www.thestar.com/opinion/if-t...
Shawn Micallef: If Toronto fails to deliver this one piece of infrastructure, it will reveal an ugly truth
Toronto is routinely slammed as an unplanned city and, at the same time, as a place over-planned to the point of suffocation.
www.thestar.com
December 29, 2024 at 7:27 PM
The ugly truth is already out in the open. The question is whether we will correct course now, or continue repeating our mistakes.