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)
Provincial police said Friday that the force’s Anti-Rackets Branch is assessing whether or not to launch a criminal investigation into Get A-Head, a company that’s received tens of millions of dollars from the Ontario government www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
OPP Anti-Rackets Branch looking into Skills Development Fund recipient
Meanwhile, civil servants with the Ministry of Labour have been reminded of their confidentiality obligations, a leaked memo shows
www.thetrillium.ca
November 14, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Provincial police said Friday that the force’s Anti-Rackets Branch is assessing whether or not to launch a criminal investigation into Get A-Head, a company that’s received tens of millions of dollars from the Ontario government www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
The Ford government has proposed legislative changes that would give the province control over Toronto's city-owned Exhibition Grounds, and one opposition member is calling the move a “land grab” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
The Ford government could take control of Toronto's Exhibition Place, if proposed legislation passes | CBC News
The Ford government has proposed legislative changes that would give the province control over Toronto's city-owned Exhibition Grounds, and one opposition member is calling the move a “land grab."
www.cbc.ca
November 14, 2025 at 10:36 PM
The Ford government has proposed legislative changes that would give the province control over Toronto's city-owned Exhibition Grounds, and one opposition member is calling the move a “land grab” www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Superb skills development fund scoop from the Toronto Star, which has got its hands on a database of scores for applications.
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Secret data reveals which low-scoring applicants still received millions of dollars from the Ford government’s skills fund
Secret government data obtained by the Star shows 26 applicants scoring 50 per cent or lower received $36.6 million from Premier Doug Ford's controversial Skills Development Fund earlier this year.
www.thestar.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Superb skills development fund scoop from the Toronto Star, which has got its hands on a database of scores for applications.
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
It reveals several with scores of 50 or less where the minister overruled civil servants to hand out the money anyway. #OnPoli
www.thestar.com/politics/pro...
Reposted by John Bowker
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal that Metrolinx had prepared a communications plan to inform the public about serious problems with the Scarborough subway tunnel. Instead, someone decided to cover it up toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/s... #onpoli
Documents show months-long fix was needed for Scarborough subway extension tunnel-boring machine
The Ontario NDP released the documents on Wednesday after the party previously filed a freedom of information request.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal that Metrolinx had prepared a communications plan to inform the public about serious problems with the Scarborough subway tunnel. Instead, someone decided to cover it up toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/s... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal Metrolinx covered up serious problems tunnelling under Highway 401 for the Scarborough Subway Extension, forcing highway lane closures & months of repairs that were not disclosed to the public globalnews.ca/news/1152183... #onpoli
Metrolinx struggled to tunnel under Hwy. 401, forcing lane closure and repairs | Globalnews.ca
Since early 2023, a tunnel boring machine has been slowly making its way south from Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road, digging out a route for the Scarborough Subway Extension.
globalnews.ca
November 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal Metrolinx covered up serious problems tunnelling under Highway 401 for the Scarborough Subway Extension, forcing highway lane closures & months of repairs that were not disclosed to the public globalnews.ca/news/1152183... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
“Doug Ford is making people homeless and making the rest of us deal with the consequences. Bill 60 should be called the ‘Create Encampments Faster’ Act,” said Encampment Justice Coalition organizer Diana Chan McNally. www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...
Toronto housing advocates warn Ford government’s Bill 60 will expedite homelessness
Tenant and housing advocates say changes to the Residential Tenancies Act in Bill 60 will fuel evictions and ‘create encampments faster’
www.torontotoday.ca
November 10, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“Doug Ford is making people homeless and making the rest of us deal with the consequences. Bill 60 should be called the ‘Create Encampments Faster’ Act,” said Encampment Justice Coalition organizer Diana Chan McNally. www.torontotoday.ca/local/politi...
Reposted by John Bowker
Thank you to City Council for voting to stand up for renters against the impacts of #Bill60, including by reviewing legal options to fight the Bill.
Today's vote is an important affirmation of our rights as tenants and the clear link between evictions and homelessness.
Today's vote is an important affirmation of our rights as tenants and the clear link between evictions and homelessness.
Up now: the province is making changes to the rules for tenants and landlords via Bill 60. The City is worried about it. Council will vote on whether to oppose.
From a new report, here's a quick summary of what's on the table from Queen's Park. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
From a new report, here's a quick summary of what's on the table from Queen's Park. secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Thank you to City Council for voting to stand up for renters against the impacts of #Bill60, including by reviewing legal options to fight the Bill.
Today's vote is an important affirmation of our rights as tenants and the clear link between evictions and homelessness.
Today's vote is an important affirmation of our rights as tenants and the clear link between evictions and homelessness.
Reposted by John Bowker
NHA joins 134 organizations across Ontario in demanding that #Bill60 — what we call the "Create Encampments Faster Act" — is repealed.
Read this co-signed to Premier Ford and demand action from Ford and Ontario's municipalities to protect renters:
t.co/jZkLyUisb0
Read this co-signed to Premier Ford and demand action from Ford and Ontario's municipalities to protect renters:
t.co/jZkLyUisb0
http://tinyurl.com/StopBill60
t.co
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
NHA joins 134 organizations across Ontario in demanding that #Bill60 — what we call the "Create Encampments Faster Act" — is repealed.
Read this co-signed to Premier Ford and demand action from Ford and Ontario's municipalities to protect renters:
t.co/jZkLyUisb0
Read this co-signed to Premier Ford and demand action from Ford and Ontario's municipalities to protect renters:
t.co/jZkLyUisb0
Reposted by John Bowker
New from NHAs' blog: our analysis of Ontario's Bill 60.
Bill 60, as proposed, will make it easier & faster to evict tenants.
We explore 6 proposed changes, showing how they will erode tenants protections & further fuel Ontario's homelessness crisis 👇🧵
newhousingalternatives.ca/ontarios-bil...
Bill 60, as proposed, will make it easier & faster to evict tenants.
We explore 6 proposed changes, showing how they will erode tenants protections & further fuel Ontario's homelessness crisis 👇🧵
newhousingalternatives.ca/ontarios-bil...
Ontario’s Bill 60 Will Make it Easier and Faster for Landlords to Evict Tenants - New Housing Alternatives
Doug Ford's Bill 60 proposes changes to the Residential Tenancies Act that will erode tenant protections and worsen the homelessness crisis.
newhousingalternatives.ca
November 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
New from NHAs' blog: our analysis of Ontario's Bill 60.
Bill 60, as proposed, will make it easier & faster to evict tenants.
We explore 6 proposed changes, showing how they will erode tenants protections & further fuel Ontario's homelessness crisis 👇🧵
newhousingalternatives.ca/ontarios-bil...
Bill 60, as proposed, will make it easier & faster to evict tenants.
We explore 6 proposed changes, showing how they will erode tenants protections & further fuel Ontario's homelessness crisis 👇🧵
newhousingalternatives.ca/ontarios-bil...
Reposted by John Bowker
Another extremely interesting development around the Skills Development Fund…
OPP notified following forensic audit of Skills Development Fund recipient, province says
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
OPP notified following forensic audit of Skills Development Fund recipient, province says
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Another extremely interesting development around the Skills Development Fund…
OPP notified following forensic audit of Skills Development Fund recipient, province says
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
OPP notified following forensic audit of Skills Development Fund recipient, province says
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/poli...
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal that Metrolinx had prepared a communications plan to inform the public about serious problems with the Scarborough subway tunnel. Instead, someone decided to cover it up toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/s... #onpoli
Documents show months-long fix was needed for Scarborough subway extension tunnel-boring machine
The Ontario NDP released the documents on Wednesday after the party previously filed a freedom of information request.
toronto.citynews.ca
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal that Metrolinx had prepared a communications plan to inform the public about serious problems with the Scarborough subway tunnel. Instead, someone decided to cover it up toronto.citynews.ca/2025/11/12/s... #onpoli
Labour minister Piccini approved a lower-ranked Skills Development Fund application from a company promoted by his good friend. A comprehensive forensic audit of this company was just completed, and the government sent the findings to the OPP www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
Ford government sends audit of company involved in Skills Development Fund controversy to OPP
The province says it sent police details of a ‘forensic audit’ of a company it’s paid $37M, and whose lobbyist’s Parisian wedding was recently attended by the labour minister
www.thetrillium.ca
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Labour minister Piccini approved a lower-ranked Skills Development Fund application from a company promoted by his good friend. A comprehensive forensic audit of this company was just completed, and the government sent the findings to the OPP www.thetrillium.ca/news/politic... #onpoli
The tunnelling problems, and Metrolinx’s secrecy & unaccountability, raise serious questions about Doug Ford’s Highway 401 tunnel “vanity project,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social #onpoli
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal Metrolinx covered up serious problems tunnelling under Highway 401 for the Scarborough Subway Extension, forcing highway lane closures & months of repairs that were not disclosed to the public globalnews.ca/news/1152183... #onpoli
Metrolinx struggled to tunnel under Hwy. 401, forcing lane closure and repairs | Globalnews.ca
Since early 2023, a tunnel boring machine has been slowly making its way south from Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road, digging out a route for the Scarborough Subway Extension.
globalnews.ca
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The tunnelling problems, and Metrolinx’s secrecy & unaccountability, raise serious questions about Doug Ford’s Highway 401 tunnel “vanity project,” said @maritstilesndp.bsky.social #onpoli
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal Metrolinx covered up serious problems tunnelling under Highway 401 for the Scarborough Subway Extension, forcing highway lane closures & months of repairs that were not disclosed to the public globalnews.ca/news/1152183... #onpoli
Metrolinx struggled to tunnel under Hwy. 401, forcing lane closure and repairs | Globalnews.ca
Since early 2023, a tunnel boring machine has been slowly making its way south from Sheppard Avenue and McCowan Road, digging out a route for the Scarborough Subway Extension.
globalnews.ca
November 12, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Internal documents obtained by the NDP reveal Metrolinx covered up serious problems tunnelling under Highway 401 for the Scarborough Subway Extension, forcing highway lane closures & months of repairs that were not disclosed to the public globalnews.ca/news/1152183... #onpoli
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget? Op-ed from @johnlorinc.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... #cdnpoli
John Lorinc: There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget?
A 1970s tax incentive resulted in the building of rental buildings that are still seen around the city. Is it time for MURB-2
www.thestar.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:50 PM
There is a homebuilding incentive that works. So why did Carney leave it out of the budget? Op-ed from @johnlorinc.bsky.social www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... #cdnpoli
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members www.cbc.ca/player/play/... #onlab
Union seeks criminal charge against Titan Tool after picket line incident
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members. Workers at the tool and die shop...
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Unifor Local 195 is alleging that a transport truck moving equipment out of Titan Tool & Die illegally drove through a picket line and made contact with three members www.cbc.ca/player/play/... #onlab
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes. In rare move, minister's zoning order could be used to block housing, not fast-track it www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli #TOpoli
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes | CBC News
Ontario’s housing minister is considering stepping in to quash a proposed rental development in north Toronto, over concerns raised by a pharmaceutical company.
www.cbc.ca
November 11, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Ontario considering order that would kill hundreds of new rental homes. In rare move, minister's zoning order could be used to block housing, not fast-track it www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpoli #TOpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: 4 years ago, the government studied whether or not a tunnel under Highway 401 was doable, finding a risk of collapse and eventually pausing the work.
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Ford government refuses to release completed work on Hwy. 401 tunnel idea | Globalnews.ca
Ontario is refusing to release already completed work on the viability of Premier Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision after signing a $9.1 million contract to study it again.
globalnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
NEW: 4 years ago, the government studied whether or not a tunnel under Highway 401 was doable, finding a risk of collapse and eventually pausing the work.
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Now, it is refusing to release the study - after paying a company $9.1M to do it again. #Onpoli globalnews.ca/news/1151718...
Reposted by John Bowker
"At least three attendees wore the uniform of the recently formed Second Sons Canada ... Second Sons Canada is run by Jeremy MacKenzie, the founder of Diagolon, who this year filmed himself making a Hitler salute in a video shared on Telegram"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
November 10, 2025 at 1:42 PM
"At least three attendees wore the uniform of the recently formed Second Sons Canada ... Second Sons Canada is run by Jeremy MacKenzie, the founder of Diagolon, who this year filmed himself making a Hitler salute in a video shared on Telegram"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
The Ford government refuses to release earlier assessments that found “risks to public safety from impacts of the tunnel to Highway 401 such as potential for roadway collapse” globalnews.ca/news/1151718... #onpoli
Ford government refuses to release completed work on Hwy. 401 tunnel idea | Globalnews.ca
Ontario is refusing to release already completed work on the viability of Premier Doug Ford's Highway 401 tunnel vision after signing a $9.1 million contract to study it again.
globalnews.ca
November 10, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The Ford government refuses to release earlier assessments that found “risks to public safety from impacts of the tunnel to Highway 401 such as potential for roadway collapse” globalnews.ca/news/1151718... #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Opinion: Can we go back to the optimism of the 1990s, before the extraction economy took over?
Our economic system benefits only those at the very top – but it’s not too late for change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Given that wealth yields political power, the more accumulation, the less likely redistribution becomes.
Reposted by John Bowker
I think the headline doesn't do the best job of selling this column from Tim Wu. The column is worth a read.
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
Opinion: Can we go back to the optimism of the 1990s, before the extraction economy took over?
Our economic system benefits only those at the very top – but it’s not too late for change
www.theglobeandmail.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I think the headline doesn't do the best job of selling this column from Tim Wu. The column is worth a read.
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
We're living in an era of wealth and power concentration, and the people and firms in charge are very good at defending their dominance. www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
West to Piccini: “In 15 minutes I haven’t had one reply. I feel like I can’t even get you to acknowledge your name” #onpoli
The problem is not with the Skills Development fund; it's with a government that consistently disregards taxpayer money and continuously sidesteps questions about their responsibility.
November 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
West to Piccini: “In 15 minutes I haven’t had one reply. I feel like I can’t even get you to acknowledge your name” #onpoli
Reposted by John Bowker
NEW: Another fiscal update, and it's more bad news for housing starts.
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
Ontario housing projections plummet again, hurting 1.5M goal | Globalnews.ca
Comparing the 2024 budget to 2025's Fall Economic Statement shows the number of new homes from 2024 to 2027 has been revised down by 82,000.
globalnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
NEW: Another fiscal update, and it's more bad news for housing starts.
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
The Fall Economic Statement is predicting Ontario will build 82,000 fewer homes from 2024 to 2027 than the 2024 budget had modelled. #OnPoli
globalnews.ca/news/1151495...
Reposted by John Bowker
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target
TORONTO - The Ontario government says it wants to scrap parts of a law requiring it to set and update its emission reductions targets, wiping out legislation that's been key
www.thestar.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Ontario to scrap legal requirement to set and update climate target