iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michele Sparling

@michelesparling.bsky.social

893 followers 540 following 205 posts

I am 🇨🇦 * Empathy * Humanity * Social Justice * Mental health advocate looking for paths not walls * Just Be You Founder * Rec hockey player proving direct correlation between increased age & decreased skills.

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Lori McG. 🇨🇦 @lorimcg.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

He's really having a field day. This is not good news #onpoli www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Ontario to end funding to multiple drug consumption sites, including 2 in Toronto, forcing them to close | CBC News

The Ontario government says it will end funding to at least three provincially funded drug consumption sites in the province, including two in Toronto, in a move that is drawing concern from advocates...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

AB Chief Justices pen letter to address public misunderstandings the courts & justices. Why? Possibly the musing of Prem. Smith who says she “accepts” judicial independence yet talks of elected judges🇺🇸. Directed = risk of impartiality replaced w/ party bias. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/27/n...

nationalobserver.com

Alberta judges urge respect after Smith said she wants to 'direct' them

The province's three chief justices, in a rare public statement, say democracy only functions when all three branches of government operate independently and respect each other's role.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

Small business owners see crushing burden of rising electricity costs - 29 % increase last year, driven largely by higher spending by the ON Gov’t on nuclear power & by natural gas companies passing on higher “buy Canadian” procurement costs on to customers. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/16/a...

nationalobserver.com

Ontario's small businesses struggle to stay afloat as electricity costs rise

Several times, Cindy Lougheed came close to closing her café because of high energy costs. But she stayed open, thinking about her staff and her customers — especially her regulars.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Diagio looked to create supply chain efficiencies. It sadly closed its location in ON after 50 yrs. ON Premier’s knee jerk reaction to pull Crown Royal from its shelves which could hurt Canadian production & cost more jobs in QC & MB. So much for team 🇨🇦. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/13/n...

nationalobserver.com

Manitoba Premier Kinew asks Ontario counterpart Ford to rethink Crown Royal boycott

Ford has said that in retaliation for parent company Diageo deciding to close its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont., he will pull Crown Royal from Ontario liquor store shelves starting next month. T...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

ON government has spent $452 million on advertising since being elected in 2018. 38 per cent of the province’s ad budget in 2024/25 was spent on ads that focused on drumming up a “positive impression” of the government, w/o facts to back up their claims. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/13/n...

nationalobserver.com

Documents reveal Ontario's $7M Ring of Fire ad bill

These ads are pushing the controversial mega-project through a campaign it has dubbed “Protect Ontario,” which Canada’s National Observer has learned is earmarked with a budget of more than $7 million...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

ON Gov’t approved more than 100 permits in past 5 yrs allowing industry to take water for industrial & commercial use in Waterloo Region incl. w/ high environmental impact. Outcome: a water capacity limit so serious WR has been forced to halt new development. www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/13/a...

nationalobserver.com

Ford's permit approvals have driven Waterloo to its water-taking limit

The Ford government approved more than 100 permits in the past five years, allowing industry to take water for industrial and commercial use in Waterloo Region, despite the province’s own data showing...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

ON Gov’t proposing mineral exploration companies can take water for early-stage work w/o permit. Water extraction has risks, including groundwater depletion, harm to ecosystems, habitat degradation, etc. No permits = no assessment/monitoring. #WaterIsLife www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/09/n...

nationalobserver.com

Ford moves to let mining companies take water — no permit required

Ontario is proposing changes that would allow hundreds of mineral exploration companies to take water for early-stage work without a permit.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

So outside those who get it for free - only those who have privilege will be able to access it. It’s no longer a true choice of one’s care. #DoBetter #HealthcareIsHumancare

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

“Standing up for the values of justice, equity, and our shared humanity has never been more important. Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power.” ~ Jerry Greenfield www.nytimes.com/2025/09/17/b...

Jerry of Ben & Jerry’s Resigns, Saying Company Has Been ‘Silenced’

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Dangerously dry conditions have forced Nova Scotia to restrict public access to forests and trails. Why the decision is the latest litmus test of our collective willingness to pull together in a crisis — and how some people are failing it badly. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/08/07/o...

000

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Under current water-taking rules, a permit transfer requires a new application, public review, environmental assessment & First Nations consultation. Ontario’s proposed changes cd remove this oversight, public input, & check to ensure proper water-taking. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/08/05/n...

nationalobserver.com

Ford government's proposed water rules will suck Ontario dry, critics say

The Ford government is facing backlash from advocates and water experts over proposed changes to Ontario’s Water Resources Act that would remove key oversight and public input from the province’s wate...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Killing Democracy—And Not Bothering to Hide It open.substack.com/pub/thebulwa...

Reposted by Michele Sparling

My IRL friends call me Chris @christyceeck.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Up 288% in June year-over-year. Shameful. This is on Doug Ford and Sylvia Jones, who lied through her teeth about the risk as she closed safe consumption sites.

A Toronto-based network representing more than 50 drop-in centres and allied community agencies says overdoses recorded within these spaces have skyrocketed since new provincial legislation forced five supervised consumption sites (SCS) across the city to shut down this spring.

According to data collected by the Toronto Drop-In Network (TDIN), overdoses at its member sites are up by 288 per cent in the month of June, compared to the previous year.

The network said it immediately noted a sharp increase in overdoses at the drop-ins under its umbrella in the month following the closures, which were ordered to take effect by no later than March 31.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Housing & other community services are needed not shame and blame needed to address homeless encampments. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 09/07/2025

Streamlining the assessment process doesn’t mean no Fed’l Laws. “Without national standards, decisions made in one province can harm ecosystems & communities elsewhere, whether through shared waterways, migratory species or air pollution” ~ Michael Drescher www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/09/n...

nationalobserver.com

Ford gutted Ontario's environmental laws. Now he wants Ottawa to clear the last line of defence

If the Bill 5 megaprojects proposed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford — like mining in the Ring of Fire or building Highway 413 — push federally listed species, such as the boreal caribou or redside dace, ...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

In the very early stages, a Norwegian company is looking to build a LNG export facility in Quebec to help supply European markets. The Quebec Premier is clear that such a project must benefit Quebec and its people. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/04/n...

nationalobserver.com

Norwegian company has plans for LNG export project in Quebec

As Canada looks to fast-track major projects that could reduce its dependence on the United States, a new subsidiary of a Norwegian energy company says it wants to build a liquefied natural gas export...

000

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Water is life. So why are the Alberta & Ontario Govts responses about economic growth & competitiveness rather than the people? “Daily life is a very, very long day simply because people don’t have a direct water source,” said Carolina Budiman, Pikangikum. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/07/07/n...

nationalobserver.com

First Nation’s fight for clean water stalls amid federal-provincial tensions

A remote northern Ontario First Nation’s daily struggle for safe drinking water is stuck in the middle of a political fight between the federal and provincial governments.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

1200 acres that was once farm land. Pumping out 2.2 million gallons per hour of water for 730 days to “dewater” the area to run cables. Use 2.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power a million homes & millions of gallons of water to help with cooling. All for AI. 😳 www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/t...

At Amazon’s Biggest Data Center, Everything Is Supersized for A.I.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

“They paved paradise & put up a parking lot.” Old growth forests are a rare sight these days near cities. Most trees are less than 100 years old. Saint John, NB has the chance to save trees around since the days of Champlain - but will they? #Environment www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/24/n...

nationalobserver.com

Saint John is warned against paving old-growth forest and putting up industrial park

A spruce tree in Saint John, N.B., likely dating back to around the time of famed French explorer Samuel de Champlain, is part of a forested area at risk of being paved over to make room for a new kin...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

The Canada Strong Pass takes effect this Friday, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada. The pass also includes a 25 per cent discount on camping fees at national parks. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/16/n...

nationalobserver.com

Free entry to national parks, camp site discounts start Friday

The Canada Strong Pass takes effect Friday, offering free admission to national parks, national historic sites and marine conservation areas maintained by Parks Canada. The pass also includes a 25 per...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 13/06/2025

The Fort Macleod & District Community Hall was packed to capacity w/ people frustrated w/ the Alberta Gov’t’s decision to allow coal mining on the Rockies' eastern slopes & risking their water. Water is life, & for farmers & others, it’s economic life. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/12/n...

nationalobserver.com

At a boisterous town hall, UCP coal mining plans clash with Alberta ranchers' water concerns

The Fort Macleod & District Community Hall was packed to capacity with nearly 500 people, with the premier and cabinet ministers facing near-constant jeers from a majority of attendees who came to exp...

000

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 06/06/2025

Health minister says mental health and access to care are on her list of priorities www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0... @tessiesanci.bsky.social 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca

Health Minister Marjorie Michel sits for an interview with The Hill Times in West Block on May 29, 2025

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

The Ford government passed controversial legislation on Tuesday, stripping Ontario cities of the ability to set their own green building standards. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/06/04/n...

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Rick MacDonald MD @kidsdoc1.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

I care the sickest of children w/ chronic illnesses. Their resiliency inspires me. They & their parents are close to my heart. It is soul crushing to have others dismiss their setbacks , often profound, when they contract old and new viruses because they have “preexisting” diseases. Just stop.

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Iva Cheung @ivacheung.com · 21/05/2025

This finally compelled me to complete the OurCare survey about primary care in Canada: www.ourcare.ca/survey

Survey — OurCare

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Going to private #healthcare clinics, your data is being sold. #Canada Millions of Canadians' health data available for sale to pharmaceutical industry, study shows New study shows private clinics give companies access to patient data to sell to pharmaceutical companies www.cbc.ca/news/health/...

Millions of Canadians' health data available for sale to pharmaceutical industry, study shows | CBC News

Details about your health, medical history and prescriptions can all be found in your medical record. A new Canadian study found in some cases, private companies are accessing parts of that data and s...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

NOAA’s database is the gold standard but it will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more - at a time when assessing the cost/impact of climate change on disasters loss is critical. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/05/08/n...

nationalobserver.com

US to stop tracking disaster costs of climate change

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will no longer track the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters, including floods, heat waves, wildfires and more. It is the latest example...

000

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

lol.

Reposted by Michele Sparling

André Picard @picardonhealth @picardonhealth.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

The best sports for kids’ brain growth are ‘open-skill’ like soccer and baseball, says major new study, by Alex Hutchinson www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-... via @theglobeandmail.com

theglobeandmail.com

The best sports for kids’ brain growth are ‘open-skill’ like soccer and baseball, says major new study

Kids who play open-skill sports have better executive function and working memory than those who participate in closed-skill sports (like running)

Reposted by Michele Sparling

PEIPolitical 🇨🇦 @peipolitical.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

Liberals - do not listen to any messaging that says "Liberals already have it in the bag so Liberal voters needn't bother voting". Disregard that stuff, it is a voter suppression technique. Tomorrow get out and vote come hell or high water. #cdnpoli

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

“….a lot of rhetoric… about getting rid of regulations & fast-tracking approvals … that is about creating a better investment climate,… assumes that you have large capital-rich private firms that are ready to jump in, & that’s not necessarily the case.” www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/23/n...

nationalobserver.com

Conservative platform is 'flipping the bird' at climate change, expert suggests

The platform signals a new direction for the Conservative Party, away from technological and market-based policies to mitigate emissions that were included in the platforms of previous party leaders l...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

Pierre Poilievre is vowing to eliminate "woke ideology" from public university research funding, echoing rhetoric used by US President Donald Trump. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/24/n...

nationalobserver.com

Poilievre's plans for 'woke' research spook Canadian academics

The Conservative leader's vow to eliminate poorly-defined "ideology" from public university research funding is an echo of the rhetoric used by US President Donald Trump to justify massive funding cut...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

😡🤬

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

From longhouse to powerhouse: Six Nations pursues energy sovereignty www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/10/n...

nationalobserver.com

From longhouse to powerhouse: Six Nations pursues energy sovereignty

A 130-year-old longhouse site in the Six Nations of the Grand River is leading the charge toward energy independence—and showing how Indigenous values can fuel the future.

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Cheryl in Nova Scotia 🇨🇦🍁🍁 @minibubbly.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Liberals promise to make national parks free this summer as Canadian travel to the U.S. dries up #Canada #FederalElection #cdnpoli #MarkCarney www.ctvnews.ca/federal-elec...

Liberals promise to make national parks free as Canadian travel to the U.S. dries up

Liberal Leader Mark Carney says he would make national parks and historic sites available for free this summer, a move that comes as Canadians scrub their travel plans to the U.S.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

So much for trying to gain trust. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️ I.R.S. Agrees to Share Migrants’ Tax Information With ICE www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/u...

I.R.S. Agrees to Share Migrants’ Tax Information With ICE

The agreement is a major departure from the Internal Revenue Service’s efforts to gain the trust of migrants and encourage them to file their taxes.

000

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Krassensteins @krassenstein.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

Reposted by Michele Sparling

David Hamer @davidhamer1951.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Hey, 🇨🇦Liberals! Did you know that you can vote every day from now until April 22 at the closest Elections Canada Office? No matter which riding you live in? They’ll get your ballot back to your riding to be counted. And virtually no lineup! Did it today 7 minutes. 👇🏻 www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/...

Voter Information Service - Options to vote

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Groups across the country have received letters notifying them that their grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities have been canceled, raising alarms about serious harm to museums, historical sites, and a wide range of community projects.

Reposted by Michele Sparling

The Ubiquitous J-Man @theubiquitousj-man.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Exiting London area Conservative MP won't endorse her party's new candidate... lfpress.com/news/exiting... #CdnPoli #PierrePoilievreIsLyingToYou #NeverPoilievre #NeverVoteConservative #TeamCarney 🍁 #CanadaStrong🇨🇦 #ElbowsUp💪🏼

Exiting Conservative MP won't endorse her party's new candidate

A departing Conservative MP with deep roots in a London-area riding won’t endorse any candidate to succeed her, not even the one running under her longtime party's banner.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

DYK 🇨🇦’s Fed govt provided $29.6B in financial support - including tax breaks, direct grants, loans, loan guarantees - to Oil & Gas in 2024 ($75B over 5 yrs) with companies like Cedar LNG, Enbridge, Vermilion Energy Wolf Midstream benefitting? #Election2025 www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/03/n...

nationalobserver.com

Feds supported fossil fuel sector to the tune of nearly $30 billion last year

The nearly $30 billion in financial support could have been used to build much-needed interprovincial electricity grid connection infrastructure, said Julia Levin, associate director of national clima...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Danielle Smith and Ben Shapiro discuss Canada electing ‘solid allies’ to Trump at Florida event. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/03/27/n...

nationalobserver.com

Danielle Smith and Ben Shapiro discuss Canada electing ‘solid allies’ to Trump at Florida event

On stage at a PragerU fundraiser, the Alberta premier, under fire for allegedly encouraging U.S. leaders to influence Canadian politics, said, 'I come in peace.'

000

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

The 🇺🇸’s “war on science isn’t just undermining America’s role in global science efforts, but is also directly threatening science and research here in Canada” and around the 🌎 as crucial databases, resources, critical work, etc are at risk of being lost. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/04/01/o...

nationalobserver.com

Trump’s war on science threatens Canadian research

Donald Trump’s war on science isn’t just undermining America’s role in global science efforts, but is also directly threatening science and research here in Canada.

000

Reposted by Michele Sparling

PEIPolitical 🇨🇦 @peipolitical.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

CBC fact checks Pierre Poilievre on security & claims his statements as false. #cdnpoli www.cbc.ca/player/play/...

Fact-checking Pierre Poilievre’s comments on security clearance

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's refusal to get his security clearance is back in the spotlight on the campaign trail following reports the Canadian Security Intelligence Service learned India h...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

“Look back at everything I’ve done for my entire political career, to the time I was a teenager, and I’ve been saying precisely the same thing the entire time.” How many adults look at things the same way since they were a teen? Most of us grow up. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/03/25/o...

nationalobserver.com

Pierre Poilievre vs Pierre Poilievre

There may have been a time when Canadians were willing to countenance the idea of electing a prime minister whose intellectual development apparently ended when he was in university. Those days are no...

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

A HVDC National Power Grid wd give energy security, reasonable building cost, lower long distance power loss, rebalance of provincial power grids across time zones, less blackouts, use 🇨🇦 steel & aluminum, build doable in 5 yrs. Successful in other countries. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/03/21/a...

nationalobserver.com

'Electro-shock': Could Trump tariffs energize ambitions for a trans-Canada power grid?

U.S. annexation threats have revived talk of new oil and gas pipelines to bolster Canadian energy security. There’s a cheaper, greener alternative that's been debated for decades, say advocates of a c...

000

Reposted by Michele Sparling

Deb Tieleman🍁 @debrat.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Let's not get over cocky. We should all vote and take someone with us who may not normally vote. #Carney2025

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

The V.A. pioneered the practice of virtual health care two decades ago as a way to reach isolated veterans, now return to work & workplace set-up makes the sacrosanct sense of privacy a challenge to ensure and risks staff shortage. #MentalHealth www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/u...

Trump and DOGE Propel V.A. Mental Health System Into Turmoil (Gift Article)

A chaotic restructuring order threatens to degrade services for veterans of wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Michele Sparling @michelesparling.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

Budget documents show Parks Canada is bracing for $450M in cuts over the next two years — cuts that it says “could put the department “at risk of not being able to deliver the services that matter most to Canadians.” www.nationalobserver.com/2025/03/21/n...

nationalobserver.com

Parks Canada braces for $450 million in cuts and lapsed funding

The agency expects to lose 800 jobs over the coming two years as its spending drops.