Reposted by John BowkerOliver Moore @oliver-moore.bsky.social · 3hNot content with blighting the night sky, Loblaw moves on to defacing the public space under our feet. Should be fined 22111
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 6h“The premier needed a favour from Postmedia”: In a sworn declaration, Postmedia ex-CEO Paul Godfrey claims Doug Ford’s former chief of staff told his son that approval of a Skills Development Fund grant depended on Postmedia publishing the premier’s pre-election letter to voters #onpoli 11115
Reposted by John BowkerTheTrillium.ca @thetrillium.bsky.social · 17hPostmedia ex-CEO alleges Doug Ford’s office used ‘leverage’ over son’s company to get newspaper chain to publish pre-election letterdlvr.itPostmedia ex-CEO alleges Doug Ford’s office used ‘leverage’ over son’s company to get newspaper chain to publish pre-election letterPremier Ford’s office calls the claims ‘categorically untrue and completely disconnected from reality’ 83726
Reposted by John BowkerCatherine Fife @waterloompp.bsky.social · 22h“Ford’s failure to properly manage OSAP should not fall on the backs of students. By Minister Quinn referring this scandal to the Ontario Provincial Police,the Minister is admitting that his ministry is calling the cops on their own mismanagement.” - Peggy Sattler 👏👏👏 0116
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 20hThe Ford government had been warned for years that a few private career colleges were ripping off the system. Instead of cracking down, the Ford government used it as an opportunity to cry poor and cut OSAP for all students (Video: CTV) www.ctvnews.ca/windsor/arti... #onpoli 34617
Reposted by John BowkerTheTrillium.ca @thetrillium.bsky.social · 22hFord government refers OSAP ‘criminal allegations’ to police, more than two years after concerns first raiseddlvr.itFord government refers OSAP ‘criminal allegations’ to police, more than two years after concerns first raisedThe province is also pausing all loans after concerns over some colleges’ ‘high-risk admissions practices’ and ‘compromised participation in asynchronous programs’ 454
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 06/10/2026Carney to propose Metrolinx, but for defence spending www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art... #cdnpolitheglobeandmail.comOttawa to turn defence procurement agency into Crown corporation, sources sayMove will give Defence Investment Agency and chief executive Doug Guzman far more authority in decision-making 212
Reposted by John BowkerMontreal Gazette @mtlgazette.bsky.social · 03/10/2026PQ sought meeting with U.S. officials in Washington, State Department says montrealgazette.com/quebec-elect... 94822
Reposted by John BowkerBruce Arthur @brucearthur.bsky.social · 03/10/2026Maybe more than a whiff of treason. Alberta separatists are flat-out traitors to the nation. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... 13265133
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 03/10/2026At least 14 companies associated with Todd Slater’s SIREG have filed for bankruptcy. Condo corporations set up by SIREG reportedly have “empty reserve funds, unfinished engineering reports, and in some cases, loans registered to the corporation” www.theglobeandmail.com/business/art... #onpolitheglobeandmail.comMultiple rental-property companies founded by former talk-radio host file for insolvencyAt least 14 companies associated with Todd Slater’s Simple Investor Real Estate Group have filed for bankruptcy, records show 000
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026“Several supporters told me they found Bradford weirdly intense. Chow backers — including many who once stood with Tory — and those with no horse in this race went much further. They told me — almost to a person — that they find Bradford unprincipled and disloyal” #TOpoli 023
Reposted by John BowkerRichard Warnica @rwarnica.bsky.social · 02/10/2026I had breakfast with Brad Bradford and asked him what I think is the defining question of his campaign: Why do so many people from all ends of the political spectrum seem to dislike him so much as a person? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...thestar.comRichard Warnica: Does Brad Bradford believe in anything other than himself?Bradford's relentless pursuit of success may also be his downfall. 2014046
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026While the Star understandably highlights its fight to get this record, the transcript itself reveals the sincere frustration of mayors left to deal with the consequences of federal & provincial policy failures on housing, homelessness & addiction www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit... #onpoli #cdnpolithestar.comWe fought 2 years to see the Ontario mayors’ group chat. Here’s what we foundOne organization fought ceaselessly, with the help of a large, well-respected Bay Street law firm, to conceal this correspondence from the public. 063
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The Ford government cut OSAP grants for all students after letting itself get ripped off by a few shady private career colleges toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/02/c... #onpolitoronto.citynews.caCourt records show Ontario's 'serious concerns' about three career collegesOntario government officials who inspected three career colleges found evidence suggesting third parties were completing the coursework — sometimes entire courses in one day. 145
Reposted by John BowkerEmmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 02/10/2026Why, it is almost as if this is the sort of blatantly unconstitutional anti-Indigenous horseshit we'd have expected from Pierre Poilievre. Summing up much of Carney's time as PM so far. 514266
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Welcome to “concierge care”: the Ford govt is underfunding public healthcare providers while enriching private clinics, which are siphoning cash from the public system & using loopholes to charge fees for faster access to medically necessary care www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... #onpoli #ONhealththestar.comIris Gorfinkel: How Doug Ford’s health plan costs taxpayers billions — and privatization is making it failTo save universal health care, Ontario must reverse its path. Funding private clinics drains our public system, poaching staff and siphoning taxpayer dollars from front-line care. 039
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Nearly two years into an escalating trade battle with the United States, the Ford government’s signature $5 billion ‘Protect Ontario’ account has spent just $140 million to shore up tariff-impacted businesses globalnews.ca/news/1207783... #onpoliglobalnews.caFord government ‘Protect Ontario’ tariff program spent $140 million so far | Globalnews.caOn Tuesday, during committee at Queen's Park, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy was grilled by opposition MPPs on how much of that cash has actually been deployed. 022
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Update: the regulator has suspended the licence of Slater’s condo management company, alleging missing deposits www.cmrao.ca/newsroom/med... #onpolicmrao.caCMRAO Takes Regulatory Action Against SIREG Management Inc., Including Immediate Licence SuspensionsTORONTO, ON, September 29, 2026 – Today, the Registrar of the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) ordered the immediate suspension of the Condominium Management Provider Licence of SIREG… 210
Reposted by John BowkerThe Hill Times @hilltimes.com · 28/09/2026Gerry Nicholls: Harper sees Carney as his ideological heir www.hilltimes.com/2026/09/28/h... 332
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026FATF slams Canada’s dozy financial watchdogs: FinTRAC fined TD less than $9 million in 2024 for having faulty money-laundering controls, then US regulators fined TD more $3 BILLION after TD pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com... #cdnpolitheglobeandmail.comOpinion: Regulators deservedly get their knuckles rapped in review of Canada’s anti-money laundering regimeRating their overall effectiveness as ‘moderate,’ FATF finds Canada’s efforts to fight financial crime had numerous supervisory shortcomings 021
Reposted by John BowkerJim Stanford @jimbostanford.bsky.social · 29/09/2026This is an outstanding refutation of PM Carney's double-speak on proposed Canada Labour Code amendments, from Colleen Bauman and Mark Rowlinson: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont.... Previous misuse of Section 107 would be codified & routinized, even though it's still facing court challenges. #canlabthestar.comMark Carney says he’s protecting Canadian workers. It’s Orwellian doublespeakSubject to ministerial review, the right to strike is likely to be much weakened by Bill C-39. 35934
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Todd Slater’s Simple Investor ads & podcasts were once everywhere, promising easy money to condo investors. Then the payments stopped. Now Ontario’s condo management regulator has opened an investigation, as tenants struggle to get answers www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #onpolicbc.caOntario investigates condo management company as investors scramble, tenants left confused | CBC NewsOntario's condominium management regulator is investigating SIREG Management after the company told investors it could no longer guarantee rent payments, leaving some owners scrambling to collect rent... 031
Reposted by John BowkerTabatha Southey🇨🇦 @tabathasouthey.bsky.social · 29/09/2026"They include — contrary to the premier’s anti-Trump rhetoric — a form enabling U.S. firms to participate." Doug Ford isn’t even promising to buy local vandalism. 25330
Reposted by John BowkerJimmy Thomson @jameswsthomson.com · 28/09/2026We've also pulled all three stories on this out from behind the paywall. 23113
Reposted by John BowkerGraeme Bayliss @gbayliss.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I wrote about Premier Doug Ford's apparent indifference to human life for @thestar.com: www.thestar.com/opinion/star...thestar.comGraeme Bayliss: His cyclist friend was killed. Why did Doug Ford’s response include ‘lmao’?No one is expecting the premier to mash out the Bixby letter on his iPhone. Yet we might expect more than this. 10202103
Reposted by John BowkerLuke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 28/09/2026If I’m reading this correctly, Toronto mayoral candidate Brad Bradford’s campaign is asking volunteers to give them full access to their contact lists on their *personal* cell phones? www.nationalobserver.com/2026/09/28/i... 2421093
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 26/09/2026“A really boldly anti-democratic move”: the Ford government is regularly violating legal orders from Ontario’s Information & Privacy Commissioner. Unlike in other provinces, the IPC can’t take the government to court to have these orders enforced www.cp24.com/politics/que... #onpolicp24.comOntario transparency watchdog warns government is dodging its ordersOntario’s transparency watchdog is warning that the government is dodging its orders more frequently, including orders that would shed light on how a multi-billion dollar government fund pushed grants... 188
Reposted by John BowkerCharlie Angus @charlieangus104.bsky.social · 26/09/2026California company accused of shipping pesticide laden berries to Canada. We can't trust American product we should be able to trust that our government has adequate numbers of inspectors in place to protect us. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...cbc.caWhistleblower alleges millions of Driscoll’s berries sent to Canada with excess chemical levels | CBC NewsA whistleblower lawsuit in California is alleging millions of pounds of Driscoll's fruit containing non-compliant levels of pesticides and chemicals crossed the border into Canada, and the company tri... 76919393
Reposted by John BowkerMichelle Cohen @docmcohen.medsky.social · 26/09/2026It's been a rough week, and ranting is my therapy. I wrote about the seemingly COVID conspiracist-inspired shooting at my local synagogue and the simultaneous promoting of COVID conspiracism by Jesse Brown. medium.com/@michelle.co...medium.comGuns, Threats, and the Clown King of Jewish SafetyIt’s been a bad week. It’s been a weird week. I awoke Monday to photos of bullet holes in the beautiful stained-glass windows of my local… 716856
Reposted by John BowkerManuela Vega @manuelavega.bsky.social · 25/09/2026A group of Parkdale tenants have ended their six-month rent strike after they say property management company MetCap Living agreed to withdraw a request to hike rents at their rent-controlled apartments 5.4% above the guideline amount. Latest @thestar.com www.thestar.com/real-estate/...thestar.comParkdale tenants end six-month rent strike after landlord withdraws AGI requestLandlord MetCap had asked Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board to raise rates in the rent-controlled Toronto building 5.4 per cent above the provincial guideline. 062
Reposted by John BowkerMary Grace @emgeekay.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Good fact check. Yes, the Carney government is attacking the right to strike. www.cbc.ca/player/play/...cbc.caFact check: Is Carney changing the right to strike?Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government’s proposed set of changes to the Labour Code “absolutely reinforces the right to strike.” Here are the facts. 14323
Reposted by John BowkerShawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I often think about the speed camera chopping vigilante who returned to the scene of their crime on Parkside Drive multiple times but Toronto police didn’t catch them & it led to Doug Ford banning speed cameras for 16 million people & now speeding is at epidemic levels & people will die. 2331080
Reposted by John BowkerShawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Is it weird the police have never said why they couldn’t catch a criminal who returned to the same place to commit the same crime over & over? Is it curious? We will never know in secret Canada. 411111
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 24/09/2026“The FAO estimates that real provincial operating funding will decrease to $15,074 per student in 2026-27, $14,850 per student in 2027‑28 and $14,775 per student in 2028-29” www.thestar.com/politics/ont... #onpoli #ontedthestar.comOntario’s education funding per student is decreasing after inflation, watchdog findsThe government says Financial Accountability Office of Ontario’s figures don’t provide the full picture. 065
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Oh we used to dream of booting DOS from a floppy. Ours had a membrane keyboard, 1K of RAM and loaded software from a cassette player 020
Reposted by John BowkerIsaac Callan @isaaccallan.bsky.social · 23/09/2026What input did Therme or Live Nation have (if any) crafting the MZO that was eventually issued to bypass approvals for Ontario Place? We’ll never know. And somehow it took the government two years to decide those communications were privileged. #OnPoli 34228
Reposted by John BowkerBethany Lindsay @bethanylindsay.bsky.social · 21/09/2026My plan was to tally how many "crisis pregnancy centres" had lost charity status or beefed up disclosure of their anti-abortion stances since tighter restrictions were announced in 2024. Instead I discovered the Liberals had quietly abandoned this promise. theijf.org/article/otta...theijf.orgOttawa promised to crack down on anti-abortion ‘crisis pregnancy centres.’ Carney’s Liberals have abandoned that goalAbortion rights activist who lobbied for changes says surprise news is ‘such a shame’ 01614
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Even though expanding Hamilton’s urban boundaries into the Greenbelt was unlawful, the developer argued its proposal should be approved anyway based on “prospective changes to legislation” www.thespec.com/news/hamilto... #onpoli #hamontthespec.comOntario Land Tribunal rejects Ancaster Greenbelt development bidOLT must “respect the limits” of provincial legislation, says ruling on Sulphur Springs homes proposal. 144
Reposted by John BowkerT. Ryan Gregory 🇨🇦 @tryangregory.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Told ya. www.ctvnews.ca/canada/artic...ctvnews.caTransport minister won’t guarantee prices won’t go up after airport privatization, promises fees will be ‘partially regulated’Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon won’t guarantee the cost to fly won’t go up for travellers if the federal government follows through on its plan to privatize Canada’s four largest airports but doe... 1314355
Reposted by John BowkerThe Beaverton @thebeaverton.com · 19/09/2026Carney government promises upcoming "Operation Strike Destroyer" legislation won't discourage future strikesthebeaverton.comCarney government promises upcoming "Operation Strike Destroyer" legislation won't discourage future strikesOTTAWA — After multiple labour sources warned that the Federal government would likely be issuing binding mediation legislation as early as next week, Mark Carney personally assured Canadians that eve... 9425143
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Westjet mechanics, Canada Post workers, Vancouver & Montreal dockworkers, CN & CPKC rail workers, and Air Canada flight attendants are some of the workers whose right to strike was compromised by the Liberals in *just the last two years* www.cbc.ca/news/politic... #cdnpoli #canlab 13120
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026“Several union sources CTV News spoke with are on red alert over the possibility of this legislation and contend it will strip workers of their right to strike” www.ctvnews.ca/politics/art... #cdnpoli #canlabctvnews.caFeds could introduce new labour legislation as soon as next week: sourcesA senior government source tells CTV News that plans are underway to introduce such legislation following a review of the Canadian Labour Code that began in April. 111
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026To be clear, the Ontario government still owns the underlying land and assets of Highway 407, which under private control became one of the costliest toll highways in the world. It’s still privatization, and the Carney Liberals should stop falsely claiming it isn’t #cdnpoli 21911
Reposted by John BowkerRachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 17/09/2026OH MY GOD PEOPLE THINK THIS BECAUSE THE GLOBE AND MAIL’S BUSINESS COLUMNIST MADE A VIDEO, ON THE GLOBE’S OFFICIAL ACCOUNT, MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE AND IT’S STILL UP!!!!!! UNCORRECTED!!!! CONCESSION AGREEMENT DOESNT JUST MEAN FOOD OH MY GOD THIS IS OUR MOST “SERIOUS” BUSINESS MEDIA BRO 😭😭😭😭 3029159
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 18/09/2026“Barnhardt explicitly expressed indifference to the potential harm caused by the misuse of this information” www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... #onpolitheglobeandmail.comShooter-for-hire attacks linked to Toronto police constable’s licence plate searches, Project South documents allegeConstable Timothy Barnhardt was allegedly paid by criminal figures to search addresses that were later relayed to hired gunmen 030
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Project South: “It is not just a single rogue cop, but a coterie of allegedly corrupt officers who appeared to have little fear of being found out, given how openly they discussed the allegedly criminal behaviour with their colleagues” www.thestar.com/news/gta/sev... #onpoli #TOpolithestar.com7 takeaways from the stunning new Project South allegationsNew information related to the Project South investigation was released Wednesday and it includes shocking allegations of police corruption and criminality by several Toronto officers. 122
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026"Bird wrote that one of the most concerning allegations in the case is that York police only 'stumbled upon' the alleged police corruption ... 'it demonstrates that a trusted public official can engage in widespread illegal conduct and go undetected'" www.thestar.com/news/gta/stu... #onpoli #TOpolithestar.comExplosive corruption allegations within the Toronto Police Service detailed in newly unsealed court recordsA thwarted assassination attempt of a Toronto jail official helped break open one of the biggest police corruption scandals in the city’s history. 140
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The Ford government is spending more public money on for-profit, private MRI & surgical clinics, while letting publicly funded facilities sit idle for hours every day, says a new report from @onthealthcoalition.bsky.social www.haltonhillstoday.ca/local-news/h... #onpoli #ONhealthhaltonhillstoday.caHospital MRIs sit idle overnight as province funds private clinics: reportNew report from Ontario Health Coalition lays out why private health clinics are 'not benefiting the public' 12016
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026NDP transportation critic @jennkfrench.bsky.social asked the minister about this last year www.ola.org/en/legislati... #onpoli 2125
John Bowker @johnbowker.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Ford government used Microsoft Teams to direct staff to halt all FOIs earlier this year, and repeatedly refused to provide the directives in writing. Why? Teams messages are automatically deleted after 30 days, suggesting an intent to avoid paper trails globalnews.ca/news/1206027... #onpoliglobalnews.caOntario government Microsoft Teams messages set to automatically delete | Globalnews.caIn May civil servants in charge of processing freedom of information requests were told to put down their pens. The message was sent via Microsoft Teams. 296