Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
@pothen.bsky.social
Counsel and Land Use and Land Development Program Manager for Environmental Defence. The "Hands off the Greenbelt" guy. Arch-Adversary of Mr. Sprawl. Tweets aren't advice or statements from Environmental Defence. he/him
Pinned
Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
@pothen.bsky.social
· Feb 25
Ontario must move away from costly U.S. fracked gas and prioritize made-in-Ontario energy. With #Tariffs looming, we need to invest in homegrown solutions like battery storage & wind. #EnergyIndependence #ClimateAction
Read more: environmentaldefence.ca/2025/02/25/i...
Read more: environmentaldefence.ca/2025/02/25/i...
In the Face of the Trump Tariffs, Ontario Needs to focus on Made-in-Ontario Energy over imported American Natural Gas - Environmental Defence
In the Face of the Trump Tariffs, Ontario Needs to focus on Made-in-Ontario Energy over imported American Natural Gas
environmentaldefence.ca
NEW: Gas-fired power plants made Europe vulnerable to Putin.
To protect Ontario from Trump's annexationist "economic force" we must CANCEL plans for power plants that depend on (mostly American) fossil gas.
To save Canada, Ontario must stay laser focused on Made In Ontario energy.
To protect Ontario from Trump's annexationist "economic force" we must CANCEL plans for power plants that depend on (mostly American) fossil gas.
To save Canada, Ontario must stay laser focused on Made In Ontario energy.
With Hamilton 350 and Environment Hamilton, briefing Hamilton residents on how to defend their city's plan to build tens of thousands of family-sized homes inside existing neighbourhoods rather than squandering their construction and infrastructure on inefficient sprawl.
June 20, 2025 at 12:09 AM
With Hamilton 350 and Environment Hamilton, briefing Hamilton residents on how to defend their city's plan to build tens of thousands of family-sized homes inside existing neighbourhoods rather than squandering their construction and infrastructure on inefficient sprawl.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
With every year I find myself falling ever further into the stereotype of an Indo-Canadian dad.
While it's a bit much to expect that my kids, their spouses and my grandkids will all live with me, it's reassuring to know there will be LOTS of options in my neighborhood.
While it's a bit much to expect that my kids, their spouses and my grandkids will all live with me, it's reassuring to know there will be LOTS of options in my neighborhood.
To each of the 8000 new families who'll soon be moving to my neighbourhood: Welcome home!
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
February 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
With every year I find myself falling ever further into the stereotype of an Indo-Canadian dad.
While it's a bit much to expect that my kids, their spouses and my grandkids will all live with me, it's reassuring to know there will be LOTS of options in my neighborhood.
While it's a bit much to expect that my kids, their spouses and my grandkids will all live with me, it's reassuring to know there will be LOTS of options in my neighborhood.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
To each of the 8000 new families who'll soon be moving to my neighbourhood: Welcome home!
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
February 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
To each of the 8000 new families who'll soon be moving to my neighbourhood: Welcome home!
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
To our governments: it's long past time to get cracking on new and expanded community centres, public squares, and much expanded public schools on OUR "side of the tracks".
image @futuremodelTO
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
We’re now hearing rumors that Transportation Services, in their collective fear, will recommend further abandoning the RapidTO plan on Bathurst, North of Bloor. Councillor Saxe wants to delay the project until AFTER the election.
A tremendous disservice to the people of Toronto. Shame! 13/
A tremendous disservice to the people of Toronto. Shame! 13/
Councillor offers compromise in the Bathurst bus lane battle
On Tuesday, Dianne Saxe offered a compromise between transit advocates seeking faster commute and small area businesses anxious over the loss of their livelihoods with the removal of parking spaces
www.thestar.com
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
We’re now hearing rumors that Transportation Services, in their collective fear, will recommend further abandoning the RapidTO plan on Bathurst, North of Bloor. Councillor Saxe wants to delay the project until AFTER the election.
A tremendous disservice to the people of Toronto. Shame! 13/
A tremendous disservice to the people of Toronto. Shame! 13/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Now onto GO Expansion - enough has been said about this terrible tragedy.
This project would’ve served as the backbone of our network, bringing suburban cities like Oakville, Brampton, & Markham closer to downtown than the city’s inner neighbourhoods. That dream has largely been de-scoped. 14/
This project would’ve served as the backbone of our network, bringing suburban cities like Oakville, Brampton, & Markham closer to downtown than the city’s inner neighbourhoods. That dream has largely been de-scoped. 14/
A depressing but unsurprising story of the DB-Metrolinx divorce
I don't know who needs to hear this, but if Canadian politicians want to improve in the fields where we aren't a frontrunner (e.g. transit ), they need to get rid of the current class of managers and their backward-looking culture
I don't know who needs to hear this, but if Canadian politicians want to improve in the fields where we aren't a frontrunner (e.g. transit ), they need to get rid of the current class of managers and their backward-looking culture
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Now onto GO Expansion - enough has been said about this terrible tragedy.
This project would’ve served as the backbone of our network, bringing suburban cities like Oakville, Brampton, & Markham closer to downtown than the city’s inner neighbourhoods. That dream has largely been de-scoped. 14/
This project would’ve served as the backbone of our network, bringing suburban cities like Oakville, Brampton, & Markham closer to downtown than the city’s inner neighbourhoods. That dream has largely been de-scoped. 14/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
And because of a few loud NIMBYs, Toronto’s spineless municipal politicians (Perruzza, Nunziata, and Pasternak) have now effectively killed the Jane RapidTO project, starving their wards of better transit service.
This is all while they concern-troll the community with excuses. 12/
This is all while they concern-troll the community with excuses. 12/
the jane street bus lane project will have an update next month at the TTC board.
much of it is going to be watered down to queue jumps and other priority measures because of intense opposition from car drivers (despite transit ridership being higher than car throughtput on jane).
not amazing!
much of it is going to be watered down to queue jumps and other priority measures because of intense opposition from car drivers (despite transit ridership being higher than car throughtput on jane).
not amazing!
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
And because of a few loud NIMBYs, Toronto’s spineless municipal politicians (Perruzza, Nunziata, and Pasternak) have now effectively killed the Jane RapidTO project, starving their wards of better transit service.
This is all while they concern-troll the community with excuses. 12/
This is all while they concern-troll the community with excuses. 12/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
To date, only one corridor has been built, with the rest being stonewalled by countless political delays and endless rounds of community consultation. Remember - this is for a project that consists ENTIRELY of RED PAINT!
If you're wondering why soft costs are so high even for simple projects... 11/
If you're wondering why soft costs are so high even for simple projects... 11/
"Consultations will begin later this month on proposed bus priority lanes for Dufferin & Bathurst Streets in time for 2026 FIFA Word Cup."
YES 😍😍😍 more consultation is what's needed when we've already done 5 years of it, & all original 5 RapidTO corridors were supposed to be delivered by last year
YES 😍😍😍 more consultation is what's needed when we've already done 5 years of it, & all original 5 RapidTO corridors were supposed to be delivered by last year
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
To date, only one corridor has been built, with the rest being stonewalled by countless political delays and endless rounds of community consultation. Remember - this is for a project that consists ENTIRELY of RED PAINT!
If you're wondering why soft costs are so high even for simple projects... 11/
If you're wondering why soft costs are so high even for simple projects... 11/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Unfortunately, as we know, two pillars - RapidTO and GO Expansion - are currently in a sorry state.
RapidTO originally consisted of 5 initial corridors - Jane, Dufferin, Bathurst, Steeles, and Eglinton East - which by my rough math would’ve served more than 272,000 RIDERS PER DAY. 10/
RapidTO originally consisted of 5 initial corridors - Jane, Dufferin, Bathurst, Steeles, and Eglinton East - which by my rough math would’ve served more than 272,000 RIDERS PER DAY. 10/
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Unfortunately, as we know, two pillars - RapidTO and GO Expansion - are currently in a sorry state.
RapidTO originally consisted of 5 initial corridors - Jane, Dufferin, Bathurst, Steeles, and Eglinton East - which by my rough math would’ve served more than 272,000 RIDERS PER DAY. 10/
RapidTO originally consisted of 5 initial corridors - Jane, Dufferin, Bathurst, Steeles, and Eglinton East - which by my rough math would’ve served more than 272,000 RIDERS PER DAY. 10/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
This is a common misunderstanding about the project: OL provides network relief precisely because it makes 2nd order connections to the bus network through GO - not just because it connects to the existing subway at Pape!
Our 3 pillars MUST work together to deliver the new transport paradigm. 9/
Our 3 pillars MUST work together to deliver the new transport paradigm. 9/
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
This is a common misunderstanding about the project: OL provides network relief precisely because it makes 2nd order connections to the bus network through GO - not just because it connects to the existing subway at Pape!
Our 3 pillars MUST work together to deliver the new transport paradigm. 9/
Our 3 pillars MUST work together to deliver the new transport paradigm. 9/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
By rolling out bus lanes quickly with cheap RED PAINT, these corridors instantly gain better service - higher frequency, reliability, capacity, & speed.
The first iteration on Eglinton East has been a smashing success - delivering nearly ALL the benefits of the $4 BILLION EELRT for $4 MILLION. 6/
The first iteration on Eglinton East has been a smashing success - delivering nearly ALL the benefits of the $4 BILLION EELRT for $4 MILLION. 6/
RapidTO: Eglinton Avenue East
As part of RapidTO: Eglinton Avenue East, 8.5-kilometres of priority bus lanes were added along Eglinton Avenue East, Kingston Road and Morningside Avenue from Brimley Road to the University of Toront...
www.toronto.ca
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
By rolling out bus lanes quickly with cheap RED PAINT, these corridors instantly gain better service - higher frequency, reliability, capacity, & speed.
The first iteration on Eglinton East has been a smashing success - delivering nearly ALL the benefits of the $4 BILLION EELRT for $4 MILLION. 6/
The first iteration on Eglinton East has been a smashing success - delivering nearly ALL the benefits of the $4 BILLION EELRT for $4 MILLION. 6/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Our first pillar, RapidTO, capitalizes on this. Toronto’s wasteland suburbs have many of the highest ridership bus lines on the continent - busier than frequent bus lines in central Manhattan!
Currently, packed suburban busses are stuck in traffic, giving way to a small minority in cars! 5/
Currently, packed suburban busses are stuck in traffic, giving way to a small minority in cars! 5/
TTC's 2024 ridership data isn't out yet, but here are the 10 busiest bus routes in toronto in 2023 by daily boardings:
1. 39/939 finch east - 46k
2. 29/929 dufferin - 42k
3. 52/952 lawrence west - 39k
4. 35/935 jane - 38k
5. 25/925 don mills - 38k
6. 54/954 lawrence east - 35k
1/2
1. 39/939 finch east - 46k
2. 29/929 dufferin - 42k
3. 52/952 lawrence west - 39k
4. 35/935 jane - 38k
5. 25/925 don mills - 38k
6. 54/954 lawrence east - 35k
1/2
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Our first pillar, RapidTO, capitalizes on this. Toronto’s wasteland suburbs have many of the highest ridership bus lines on the continent - busier than frequent bus lines in central Manhattan!
Currently, packed suburban busses are stuck in traffic, giving way to a small minority in cars! 5/
Currently, packed suburban busses are stuck in traffic, giving way to a small minority in cars! 5/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
With fare integration - that number is growing, with more riders transferring from the GO network.
This is why Toronto’s subway has been successful despite being small; although the vast majority of riders DON’T live on the subway, they DO live on a frequent bus that takes them to a station! 4/
This is why Toronto’s subway has been successful despite being small; although the vast majority of riders DON’T live on the subway, they DO live on a frequent bus that takes them to a station! 4/
Ontario fare integration program used 35M times in 1st year | Globalnews.ca
In February last year, the Ford government launched its OneFare plan and promised to eliminate the barriers for commuters switching between transit systems in and around Toronto.
globalnews.ca
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
With fare integration - that number is growing, with more riders transferring from the GO network.
This is why Toronto’s subway has been successful despite being small; although the vast majority of riders DON’T live on the subway, they DO live on a frequent bus that takes them to a station! 4/
This is why Toronto’s subway has been successful despite being small; although the vast majority of riders DON’T live on the subway, they DO live on a frequent bus that takes them to a station! 4/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Take the Yonge subway - the city’s most important transit artery.
Many people think that its crowding comes from all the dense development along the line - this is FALSE.
The vast majority of trips on the subway - 77% - come from Toronto’s world-class grid of connecting local busses. 3/
Many people think that its crowding comes from all the dense development along the line - this is FALSE.
The vast majority of trips on the subway - 77% - come from Toronto’s world-class grid of connecting local busses. 3/
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Take the Yonge subway - the city’s most important transit artery.
Many people think that its crowding comes from all the dense development along the line - this is FALSE.
The vast majority of trips on the subway - 77% - come from Toronto’s world-class grid of connecting local busses. 3/
Many people think that its crowding comes from all the dense development along the line - this is FALSE.
The vast majority of trips on the subway - 77% - come from Toronto’s world-class grid of connecting local busses. 3/
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
It's a depressing time in Toronto - a city that once had the continent's most ambitious city-building initiative.
This transformation had 3 KEY PILLARS:
1. RapidTO
2. GO Expansion
3. Ontario Line
Two pillars have been watered down beyond recognition - DEVASTATING for the region. Here's why: 1/🧵
This transformation had 3 KEY PILLARS:
1. RapidTO
2. GO Expansion
3. Ontario Line
Two pillars have been watered down beyond recognition - DEVASTATING for the region. Here's why: 1/🧵
June 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
It's a depressing time in Toronto - a city that once had the continent's most ambitious city-building initiative.
This transformation had 3 KEY PILLARS:
1. RapidTO
2. GO Expansion
3. Ontario Line
Two pillars have been watered down beyond recognition - DEVASTATING for the region. Here's why: 1/🧵
This transformation had 3 KEY PILLARS:
1. RapidTO
2. GO Expansion
3. Ontario Line
Two pillars have been watered down beyond recognition - DEVASTATING for the region. Here's why: 1/🧵
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Bill C-5 is being rammed through the House via a ‘non-democratic’ process and would result in governmental overreach, say the Bloc Québécois, who plan to vote against the bill.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
Bill C-5 grants ‘superpowers’ never before seen in ‘environmental law history’: Bloc critic Patrick Bonin
The One Canadian Economy Act is being rammed through the House via a ‘non-democratic’ process and would result in governmental overreach, say the Bloc Québécois, who plan to vote against the bill.
www.hilltimes.com
June 17, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Bill C-5 is being rammed through the House via a ‘non-democratic’ process and would result in governmental overreach, say the Bloc Québécois, who plan to vote against the bill.
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...
@brenttoderian.bsky.social hope you'll add me to your starter pack. Ontario Environment Program Manager and lead on land use and land development at Environmental Defence
March 22, 2025 at 12:48 PM
@brenttoderian.bsky.social hope you'll add me to your starter pack. Ontario Environment Program Manager and lead on land use and land development at Environmental Defence
It's amazing how the federal Liberals to seesaw between two, ideologically very different identities, while maintaining the loyalty of the same people. A centrist party espousing sympathies w progressivism... vs. European-style *right-leaning* classical liberal part (as under Chretien & now Carney).
Was not expecting such a blowout
Thank you to all of our amazing candidates for an incredible race that brought Liberals across the country together.
March 9, 2025 at 11:59 PM
It's amazing how the federal Liberals to seesaw between two, ideologically very different identities, while maintaining the loyalty of the same people. A centrist party espousing sympathies w progressivism... vs. European-style *right-leaning* classical liberal part (as under Chretien & now Carney).
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Ontario: neighbourhood character is very important if you’re adding a four-storey apartment building into a de-populating established area, but if you’re building a key transport hub to anchor a new neighbourhood of thousands of people who gives a shit what it looks like
Ontario has awarded the contract to construct East Harbour transit hub. news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
March 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Ontario: neighbourhood character is very important if you’re adding a four-storey apartment building into a de-populating established area, but if you’re building a key transport hub to anchor a new neighbourhood of thousands of people who gives a shit what it looks like
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
The centrepiece of a $30 billion transit system. Absolute bottom of the barrel crap designed by an engineering firm.
Ontario has awarded the contract to construct East Harbour transit hub. news.ontario.ca/en/release/1...
March 7, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The centrepiece of a $30 billion transit system. Absolute bottom of the barrel crap designed by an engineering firm.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Mexico President: 🇲🇽 "US Customs and Border Protection data show that 80% of those arrested for fentanyl trafficking at US ports of entry were US citizens" #cdnpoli
March 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Mexico President: 🇲🇽 "US Customs and Border Protection data show that 80% of those arrested for fentanyl trafficking at US ports of entry were US citizens" #cdnpoli
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Justin Trudeau is cool to the idea of a "middle ground" settlement and will reject any scenario where Canada has to rescind all its counter-tariffs to get partial US tariff relief, a government official tells Bloomberg. Trudeau is set to speak to Trump later this morning.
March 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Justin Trudeau is cool to the idea of a "middle ground" settlement and will reject any scenario where Canada has to rescind all its counter-tariffs to get partial US tariff relief, a government official tells Bloomberg. Trudeau is set to speak to Trump later this morning.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Amazing. He has published *numerous* columns arguing that housing supply is not a useful goal. Utter hypocrisy.
February 28, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Amazing. He has published *numerous* columns arguing that housing supply is not a useful goal. Utter hypocrisy.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
A big shout out to Derek from Ottawa Police.
He was my "liaison" when OPS heard I was supporting the Ukraine protesters.
When the convoy crew showed up to confront me Derek said "Oh these are local journalists. You won't need me here anymore."
And he tiptoed away.
Classic Ottawa police.
He was my "liaison" when OPS heard I was supporting the Ukraine protesters.
When the convoy crew showed up to confront me Derek said "Oh these are local journalists. You won't need me here anymore."
And he tiptoed away.
Classic Ottawa police.
”Fuck off“
NDP MP Charlie Angus had some choice words for convoy livestreamer Chris Dacey after Dacey and his gang of far-right activists followed Angus around at a pro-Ukraine protest outside the Russian Embassy in Ottawa this afternoon
NDP MP Charlie Angus had some choice words for convoy livestreamer Chris Dacey after Dacey and his gang of far-right activists followed Angus around at a pro-Ukraine protest outside the Russian Embassy in Ottawa this afternoon
February 27, 2025 at 8:36 PM
A big shout out to Derek from Ottawa Police.
He was my "liaison" when OPS heard I was supporting the Ukraine protesters.
When the convoy crew showed up to confront me Derek said "Oh these are local journalists. You won't need me here anymore."
And he tiptoed away.
Classic Ottawa police.
He was my "liaison" when OPS heard I was supporting the Ukraine protesters.
When the convoy crew showed up to confront me Derek said "Oh these are local journalists. You won't need me here anymore."
And he tiptoed away.
Classic Ottawa police.
Reposted by Phil Pothen 🇨🇦
Unlike the Maga-Maple Conservatives I don't feed coffee and donuts to trolls.
Especially when they show up to harass peaceful protesters at the Russian Embassy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6N...
Especially when they show up to harass peaceful protesters at the Russian Embassy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6N...
Charlie Angus Takes on Troll Mob at Russian Embassy, Ottawa
YouTube video by Charlie Angus
www.youtube.com
February 27, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Unlike the Maga-Maple Conservatives I don't feed coffee and donuts to trolls.
Especially when they show up to harass peaceful protesters at the Russian Embassy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6N...
Especially when they show up to harass peaceful protesters at the Russian Embassy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF6N...
I think it's partly that we've forgotten what a *normal* winter looked like. Thanks to climate change, it takes an extreme La Nina year to bring NORMAL winter back.
Toronto streets have looked basically fine the last few days. Seven days after an exceptional storm, things are clear.
Is there any evidence that this snowstorm was badly handled? Or was this simply a case of limited resources being swamped by a massive storm?
Is there any evidence that this snowstorm was badly handled? Or was this simply a case of limited resources being swamped by a massive storm?
February 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I think it's partly that we've forgotten what a *normal* winter looked like. Thanks to climate change, it takes an extreme La Nina year to bring NORMAL winter back.