Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
@umbradog-tim.bsky.social
British Canadian; one-time musician (well, drummer...); classic car rally driver; seeker of logic, fairness and equality.
Toronto
Toronto
We as a city (and province and country) need to do better.
These are people, just like the rest of us except they have less than we do. Encampments are not the answer - housing is. But until then ..? Be the Canada that we think we are and show some empathy.
These are people, just like the rest of us except they have less than we do. Encampments are not the answer - housing is. But until then ..? Be the Canada that we think we are and show some empathy.
What my toddler taught me about encampments and the Toronto we’re becoming #Opinion
What my toddler taught me about encampments and the Toronto we’re becoming
I understand why some people feel discomfort around tents in parks. But discomfort is not danger — and our comfort shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else’s survival.
www.thestar.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:24 PM
We as a city (and province and country) need to do better.
These are people, just like the rest of us except they have less than we do. Encampments are not the answer - housing is. But until then ..? Be the Canada that we think we are and show some empathy.
These are people, just like the rest of us except they have less than we do. Encampments are not the answer - housing is. But until then ..? Be the Canada that we think we are and show some empathy.
An essential read.
"In 2018, I was homeless in Toronto, haunted by undiagnosed mental and physical maladies. This is the story of three winter days I spent wandering the city’s streets"
AT NIGHT, I SCREAMED AT THE STARS by Andrew W Boyd
Taken from our Dec issue, out now.
www.westendphoenix.com/stories/at-n...
AT NIGHT, I SCREAMED AT THE STARS by Andrew W Boyd
Taken from our Dec issue, out now.
www.westendphoenix.com/stories/at-n...
“At night, I screamed at the stars” — West End Phoenix
In 2018, I was homeless in Toronto, haunted by undiagnosed mental and physical maladies. This is the story of three winter days I spent wandering the city’s streets.
www.westendphoenix.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:11 PM
An essential read.
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
A must-read message from Colin and Sophie Hortman, Mark and Melissa's children:
January 5, 2026 at 12:24 AM
A must-read message from Colin and Sophie Hortman, Mark and Melissa's children:
Trump literally almost falling asleep - standing up - during this mission briefing...
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Trump literally almost falling asleep - standing up - during this mission briefing...
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Good morning from Canada, a country whose border Trump has called an “imaginary” “artificial line” established by an illegitimate treaty. I’d like to be spared your nuanced “Were Trump voter’s racist with fascist inclinations or just low information voters with fascist inclinations?” debate today.
January 3, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Good morning from Canada, a country whose border Trump has called an “imaginary” “artificial line” established by an illegitimate treaty. I’d like to be spared your nuanced “Were Trump voter’s racist with fascist inclinations or just low information voters with fascist inclinations?” debate today.
Do we assume that everyone will now boycott this summer's world Cup?
January 3, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Do we assume that everyone will now boycott this summer's world Cup?
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
January 3, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
I've only just come across this but, oh my, I love it so much.
This is one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed, the craft here is impeccable.
December 30, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I've only just come across this but, oh my, I love it so much.
Good thread.
Trump's attempting to transform the US from a country that welcomes immigrants into a radically xenophobic nation that demonizes immigrants of color, and even their US born children. But Trump didn't campaign on this destructive/reactionary remaking of America and most Americans don't support it. 1/
December 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Good thread.
Matthew Knies!! (again)
December 28, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Matthew Knies!! (again)
How can anyone associated with him think this is acceptable or allowable? At least one other person MUST have access to his account. And they let this post stand.
What. The. Fuck
What. The. Fuck
December 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
How can anyone associated with him think this is acceptable or allowable? At least one other person MUST have access to his account. And they let this post stand.
What. The. Fuck
What. The. Fuck
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
December 7, 2025 at 8:31 AM
My dad abhors any negative comments about immigrants. Asked him recently why he’s so strong on it: ‘Because we’re always happy to take the rich and clever ones. Which means it’s not about disliking immigrants. It’s about disliking the poor and vulnerable. And that’s a bad human instinct.’
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Days after Donald Trump fell asleep during a televised Cabinet meeting, the president on Thursday again dozed off during a ceremony to mark the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Trump continued to doze after the leaders spoke. trib.al/6tBYEcg
Trump continued to doze after the leaders spoke. trib.al/6tBYEcg
December 4, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Days after Donald Trump fell asleep during a televised Cabinet meeting, the president on Thursday again dozed off during a ceremony to mark the signing of a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Trump continued to doze after the leaders spoke. trib.al/6tBYEcg
Trump continued to doze after the leaders spoke. trib.al/6tBYEcg
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Trump having a nap for peace.
December 4, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Trump having a nap for peace.
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Yep
November 28, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Yep
Fabulous, interesting and inspiring event. If you want deeper insight into issues affecting us locally, nationally and internationally look out for the next event hosted by @westendphoenix.bsky.social and find a way to attend.
You don't even need to be in Toronto's west end (I'm not).
You don't even need to be in Toronto's west end (I'm not).
LAST CALL for tickets to our town hall
with @charlieangus104.bsky.social tonight at The Paradise Theatre. Ticket link will be coming down this afternoon but there will be a small amount of tickets in the door.
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
with @charlieangus104.bsky.social tonight at The Paradise Theatre. Ticket link will be coming down this afternoon but there will be a small amount of tickets in the door.
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
Finding Light in These Dark Times — West End Phoenix
A Meidas Canada/West End Phoenix town hall conversation, hosted by Charlie Angus, author, musician and former MP
www.westendphoenix.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Fabulous, interesting and inspiring event. If you want deeper insight into issues affecting us locally, nationally and internationally look out for the next event hosted by @westendphoenix.bsky.social and find a way to attend.
You don't even need to be in Toronto's west end (I'm not).
You don't even need to be in Toronto's west end (I'm not).
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
November 27, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The war will end when Russia stops fighting. Therefore, pressure has to be put on Russia, so that they stop believing that they will win. Why is that so hard to understand?
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Limited tickets remain for our town hall with @charlieangus104.bsky.social this Thursday at The Paradise! Our last event with Charlie was at beyond capacity, so don't miss out!
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
Finding Light in These Dark Times — West End Phoenix
A Meidas Canada/West End Phoenix town hall conversation, hosted by Charlie Angus, author, musician and former MP
www.westendphoenix.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Limited tickets remain for our town hall with @charlieangus104.bsky.social this Thursday at The Paradise! Our last event with Charlie was at beyond capacity, so don't miss out!
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
www.westendphoenix.com/events/findi...
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
NEW: The first two years of Massachusetts' millionaire tax has raised $3 billion more than expected.
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
And rather than driving the rich away, IPS researchers found that the number of millionaires has *increased.*
Tax the rich. Greg Ryan in @bloomberg.com:
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:16 AM
And we knew this. This wasn't speculation. We studied it, we had the talking points. We trained volunteers to explain this to people. It's not a surprise. Rich people don't flee places with good quality of life when we increase the quality of life. They might try to cheat us, but they don't leave.
Reposted by Tim Burgess 🇨🇦
The Speaker of the House shut the chamber down for two months to block the release of the Epstein Files and the president is huddled in the Situation Room of the White House to formulate a plan to keep them from being released, and I don't know why you crazy libs think there's some kind of cover up.
November 12, 2025 at 7:25 PM
The Speaker of the House shut the chamber down for two months to block the release of the Epstein Files and the president is huddled in the Situation Room of the White House to formulate a plan to keep them from being released, and I don't know why you crazy libs think there's some kind of cover up.