Neil Thomson
@neiljt.bsky.social
Ottawa.Kanata.Beaverbrook resident. Engaged in Community Assoc., City Issues since 1992. Runner, x-country, cyclist, and sometimes tri-athlete.
Tech - Data/Analytics, Data Privacy, Decentralized Digital Identity (SSI). Active in DIF, ToIP, MyData
Tech - Data/Analytics, Data Privacy, Decentralized Digital Identity (SSI). Active in DIF, ToIP, MyData
IOW, it's one thing to announce reduction in costs/spending, it's another thing to imply claim that it was City efforts that generated them.
Thx for the insight.
Thx for the insight.
December 3, 2025 at 4:27 AM
IOW, it's one thing to announce reduction in costs/spending, it's another thing to imply claim that it was City efforts that generated them.
Thx for the insight.
Thx for the insight.
I live in an area with lots of straight trails that used to be local rail lines, which are heavily used by families walking with young children, runners and cyclists.
Since e-bikes have been introduced, far too many are riding far faster than is safe, and failing to use a bell or horn.
Since e-bikes have been introduced, far too many are riding far faster than is safe, and failing to use a bell or horn.
December 1, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I live in an area with lots of straight trails that used to be local rail lines, which are heavily used by families walking with young children, runners and cyclists.
Since e-bikes have been introduced, far too many are riding far faster than is safe, and failing to use a bell or horn.
Since e-bikes have been introduced, far too many are riding far faster than is safe, and failing to use a bell or horn.
And what about sidewalks, particularly those leading to or on streets with elementary schools?
December 1, 2025 at 1:47 AM
And what about sidewalks, particularly those leading to or on streets with elementary schools?
Ultimately, locations with ever increasing claims will make properties uninsurable. And if you can't get insurance, banks will not lend you money. Governments can choose to step in, but that doesn't solve the problem as ultimately they have to fund with taxes.
/e
/e
December 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Ultimately, locations with ever increasing claims will make properties uninsurable. And if you can't get insurance, banks will not lend you money. Governments can choose to step in, but that doesn't solve the problem as ultimately they have to fund with taxes.
/e
/e
The insurance industry is interesting. Their business is pricing risk. Premiums in locations with higher and/or more claims will pay a higher premium. Why the claims are higher, is something they have the data on and they will call attention to root causes. /1
December 1, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The insurance industry is interesting. Their business is pricing risk. Premiums in locations with higher and/or more claims will pay a higher premium. Why the claims are higher, is something they have the data on and they will call attention to root causes. /1
From the comments here, despite many choosing not to spend on Black Friday the majority of the population is entirely captured by the spin to spend/save.
A bit frightening how many believe it's business as usual under Trump 2.0,
A bit frightening how many believe it's business as usual under Trump 2.0,
November 30, 2025 at 5:24 AM
From the comments here, despite many choosing not to spend on Black Friday the majority of the population is entirely captured by the spin to spend/save.
A bit frightening how many believe it's business as usual under Trump 2.0,
A bit frightening how many believe it's business as usual under Trump 2.0,
Ah, the usual suspects (civicly engaged councillors, including mayor and a councillor wannabes). All good.
November 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Ah, the usual suspects (civicly engaged councillors, including mayor and a councillor wannabes). All good.
I saw Alien within days of release in Canada, long before any reviews were available (1979...). The most terrifying movie I have ever seen. There were scenes where the entire audience were trying to hide under their seats. Absolutely stunning.
November 30, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I saw Alien within days of release in Canada, long before any reviews were available (1979...). The most terrifying movie I have ever seen. There were scenes where the entire audience were trying to hide under their seats. Absolutely stunning.
#1 easy fix.
Reduce the recent, and questionable benefits practice, of multiple passes by street plows, which refill side walks previously cleared by sidewalk plows.
Reduce the recent, and questionable benefits practice, of multiple passes by street plows, which refill side walks previously cleared by sidewalk plows.
November 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
#1 easy fix.
Reduce the recent, and questionable benefits practice, of multiple passes by street plows, which refill side walks previously cleared by sidewalk plows.
Reduce the recent, and questionable benefits practice, of multiple passes by street plows, which refill side walks previously cleared by sidewalk plows.
(request to sender, translate into English)
November 29, 2025 at 4:17 AM
(request to sender, translate into English)
A very "inside baseball" comment.
Care to translate?
Care to translate?
November 29, 2025 at 4:15 AM
A very "inside baseball" comment.
Care to translate?
Care to translate?
Which is entirely within my observation - the city of Ottawa is designed and operated around an environment of a "Sunny day in June".
November 29, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Which is entirely within my observation - the city of Ottawa is designed and operated around an environment of a "Sunny day in June".
Then [department] has competing interests/priorities for snow vs summer operations, which in Ottawa is all about [costs]
November 29, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Then [department] has competing interests/priorities for snow vs summer operations, which in Ottawa is all about [costs]
The City of Ottaw is one of competing issues. Sidewalks are keys to mobility and handed to the Roads.Sidewalks dept, but not not coordinated with the Snow Removal Dept.
November 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
The City of Ottaw is one of competing issues. Sidewalks are keys to mobility and handed to the Roads.Sidewalks dept, but not not coordinated with the Snow Removal Dept.
Great discussion. The future happens slowly, then all at once. China, is already at the 'all at once phase', as both the best-in-class consumer and producer of renewable tech. The claim that China is still using expanding coal for electrification completely misses that point.
November 28, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Great discussion. The future happens slowly, then all at once. China, is already at the 'all at once phase', as both the best-in-class consumer and producer of renewable tech. The claim that China is still using expanding coal for electrification completely misses that point.
Wife and I: Huge fans. Saw every show they did in Canada in Montreal, Toronto.
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Wife and I: Huge fans. Saw every show they did in Canada in Montreal, Toronto.
That is because many humans need answer to "why something happened ", which unfortunately, reality has no obligation to provide an answer./e
November 23, 2025 at 2:01 AM
That is because many humans need answer to "why something happened ", which unfortunately, reality has no obligation to provide an answer./e
This is reverse engineering a purpose for an event that noone has any understanding of, or proof of that some deliberate act by an entity odpf undefined form and character was responsible for. /2
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 AM
This is reverse engineering a purpose for an event that noone has any understanding of, or proof of that some deliberate act by an entity odpf undefined form and character was responsible for. /2
There is an inherent need for many to understand why and how humans exist, which includes why a human friendly planet, Earth, exists. For which many humans have created religions to explain the why the Earth and humans exist, and attribute it to a deliberate act by a 'Creator'. /1
November 23, 2025 at 1:56 AM
There is an inherent need for many to understand why and how humans exist, which includes why a human friendly planet, Earth, exists. For which many humans have created religions to explain the why the Earth and humans exist, and attribute it to a deliberate act by a 'Creator'. /1
But, in an era of zoom, where leaders can talk directly alone or withsupporting staff at any time, it's not clear what the value add is for cold war era large diplomatic staffing in many countries. /e
November 23, 2025 at 1:24 AM
But, in an era of zoom, where leaders can talk directly alone or withsupporting staff at any time, it's not clear what the value add is for cold war era large diplomatic staffing in many countries. /e
With respect, this article readS like a sales pitch for increased use/beefing up Canada's diplomatic corps, which given Carney's extensive trips to meet with foreign leaders since elected may be a complimentary addition /1
November 23, 2025 at 1:21 AM
With respect, this article readS like a sales pitch for increased use/beefing up Canada's diplomatic corps, which given Carney's extensive trips to meet with foreign leaders since elected may be a complimentary addition /1
Jo Walsh.. "My Maserati does 185, I lost my license, now I don't drive... "
November 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Jo Walsh.. "My Maserati does 185, I lost my license, now I don't drive... "
Family is asking why I'm laughing so hard...
Thanks for that
Thanks for that
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Family is asking why I'm laughing so hard...
Thanks for that
Thanks for that
This where digital-backed tickets can kill scalping, allowing ticket issuers to block resale with their authorization.
November 23, 2025 at 12:33 AM
This where digital-backed tickets can kill scalping, allowing ticket issuers to block resale with their authorization.