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Stephen Tustin

@stustin.bsky.social
950 followers 700 following 1.6K posts

Former Senior Editor, Toronto Star/Globe & Mail/Former Sports Editor, Toronto Star/Housing & Immigration Writer/Curator/Social Media. “If you feed at the algorithm trough, you’ll fail at the algorithm trough”

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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 22h
"Digital sovereignty is about owning or controlling layers of infrastructure, not just funding another vendor - Vass Bednar in @thestar.com #Musk #Starlink www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
If Canada wants to move away from Elon Musk, this is how it should do it
It's time for pension funds to step up, writes Vass Bednar.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Well said: "If A.I. promises to transform the entire society, then the entire society is entitled to have a say, even a decisive one, over the use, development and direction of the technology" - Jamelle Bouie #Canada #Carney #evansolomon #AI www.nytimes.com/2026/09/23/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | The Railroads Were Once the Octopus That A.I. Is Now
New matrix, meet the old matrix.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
"Virtually every vendor you engage with, from your landlord to your corner deli, wants you to install an app whose terms of service requires you to sign away all of your privacy rights, forever, in exchange for nothing." - @doctorow.pluralistic.net pluralistic.net/2026/09/28/c...
pluralistic.net
Pluralistic: Priceful (28 Sep 2026) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Justin Trudeau and immigration. An excerpt from a new book by David Olive of the Toronto Star #Canada www.thestar.com/news/insight...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"I’ve heard people dismiss Trump’s mendacity with a shrugging “they all lie,” but we are witnessing a rare, very possibly once-in-a-lifetime political liar" - Daniel Dale for CNN #Canada #trade #tariffs www.cnn.com/2026/09/27/p...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
AI Minister @evansolomon.bsky.social and the Liberal party need to remember that Canadians didn't vote to be surveilled, deceived, fired, replaced or "harmed" by AI and Tech Bros billionaires. Canadians need to hold Solomon & Carney to account. #Canada #oversight www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
Canada’s AI minister takes aim at Big Tech’s plan to police itself
With artificial intelligence giants taking to the global stage this week urging for technology slowdowns, Evan Solomon says it’s not up to tech companies to dictate their own guardrails.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Why is Meta deleting the accounts of Toronto performers? Is it rampant homophobia? #instagram #facebook #burlesque #artists www.thestar.com/news/gta/met...
thestar.com
A livelihood at risk. A 'panic attack for breakfast.' Performer banned from Meta over bikini photo
Starlotte Satine is trying to promote an upcoming show at the El Mocambo but says her livelihood is at risk.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"Experts say Ottawa’s Building Canada Strong Act hands the labour minister and government ‘unchecked’ authority to suspend strikes based on ‘national interest.’" - Josh Rubin in @thestar.com #Canada #Carney #workers www.thestar.com/business/why...
thestar.com
Why unions say Canada's new labour bill will make strikes 'all but impossible' in regulated sectors
Experts say Ottawa's Building Canada Strong Act hands the labour minister and government 'unchecked' authority to suspend strikes based on 'national interest.'
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“What we should take away from this controversy is that the majority attaches great importance to authenticity. If you think you are adding value by having your works written by AI, go ahead! But at least, mention it, so as not to betray your readers" #Canada #AIbook www.thestar.com/news/world/w...
thestar.com
Why AI allegations risk turning a Canadian literary sensation into a French book scandal
On Monday, Thélyson Orélien’s book won the 2026 Prix du Roman Fnac, a major French book retailer.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The SEC, once a bastion of investor protection, is now going to great lengths to stifle shareholder dissent. It is a troubling change that will also affect Canadian holders of U.S. equities and Canadian companies listed on U.S. exchanges" - Rita Trichur www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: SEC wants to get rid of shareholder proposals, setting another dangerous precedent for Canada
U.S. regulator is censoring investors in order to shield companies from scrutiny
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"As support for both Trump and Poilievre has diminished - they both have approval ratings of 32 -I am starting to think that their remaining supporters are - how to put it? - not as intellectually inclined as other voters" - @stephenmaher.bsky.social #potash www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
Stephen Maher: Donald Trump is picking a fight on potash. Here’s how Canada should respond (spoiler: not like Andrew Scheer)
Conservatives are in a pickle, and Poilievre is straddling a barbed-wire fence
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
“I believe if you can do something for somebody else, then you should. I’m a giver and I’m a donator of whatever it is that I have to offer. I wish I had a few more kidneys to give away" - Living organ donor Christine Bruce #transplants #Canada www.thestar.com/news/gta/don...
thestar.com
She's one of Ontario's rare double donors. Why she did it — and what a new study says about safety
Living donors change the equation for people awaiting organs, and can lead to much faster transplants.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"To restore trust, Toronto police must step back entirely" from the latest TPS scandal investigation says ex-services board chair Alok Mukherjee #corruption #ProjectSouth www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
As a former chair of the police services board, I have misgivings about the inspection into corruption of Toronto’s force
Questions remain regarding the independence of the inspection.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"(Carney) hasn’t adequately explained how his plan will improve on the current operation by local airport authorities. Nor has he outlined the necessary safeguards to protect passengers" - @thestar.com #canada www.thestar.com/opinion/edit...
thestar.com
Star Editorial Board: Mark Carney still has to convince Canadians that privatizing airports won’t hurt them
The prime minister hasn’t adequately explained how his plan will improve on the current operation by local airport authorities. Nor has he outlined the necessary safeguards to protect passengers.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"(California AG Rob) Bonta just handed the American movie and TV sector to two of the most odious creeps to draw breath, surrendering without firing a shot" - @doctorow.pluralistic.net #movies #films #streaming #news #canada pluralistic.net/2026/09/22/h...
pluralistic.net
Pluralistic: Bonta sold us out to Trump’s oligarchs (22 Sep 2026) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A good reminder that AI is the machine without a brain, and we are the brain, not the machine. #Canada #politicians #legislation #laws www.thestar.com/opinion/star...
thestar.com
Justin Ling: It’s the nuclear bomb of the 21st century. This is how we can control it
Reining in AI will take international co-operation.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"This entire (Ed Sheeran) debacle is a stark reminder that opting out of taking political stands is, in and of itself, a political stand: a politics of self-interest" - Roxane Gay in @nytimes.com #genocide #macklemore #music www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Why Politics Is So Hard for Celebrities
Celebrities use the facade of neutrality as shelter, as a place to take refuge.
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K a s s i e D e e @kassiedee.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
“A close read of Ed Sheeran's new statement, and why it's a flop.” Credit: @premthakker.bsky.social
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Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
My mom had polio when she was five. She was living on a US military base in Japan (1947). Four kids on the base died. She was the only survivor.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
The "Untouchables" TV show should be rebooted, only this time the untouchables are the AI ATech Bros and the corrupt politicians (President Epstein) who protect them. I'd watch. www.thebignewsletter.com/p/ai-is-an-e...
thebignewsletter.com
AI Is an Elite Crime Spree
Documents show a Microsoft exec called AI the "largest theft of labor in human history.” New AI regulations are besides the point, the problem is we don’t apply existing laws to the powerful.
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Rebecca Blood 🇺🇦 @rebeccablood.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
@doctorow.pluralistic.net
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
There was another one-liner making the rounds about the Canadian reaction to Donald Trump’s imperial hostility. That one I knew to be true in my bone marrow: “Canadians have two modes – ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘You’re about to be sorry.’” - Shannon Proudfoot www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/opi...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Canadian pride and rage in the face of tariff madness
In the trade war pressure cooker, Carney’s government was inching toward concessions. Then came the late-breaking story that changed it all
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"Canada figures it can attract record amounts of global investment capital while becoming an indispensable partner to the EU, boost its trade with China, and fight for the most favourable trading conditions possible with the U.S." - David Olive #canada www.thestar.com/business/opi...
thestar.com
David Olive: Forget the 51st state. Canada wants to be Europe’s partner
As Trump retreats from global alliances, Canada and the EU are moving fast to fill the void.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Indeed, why should we (and I don't)? #AI #Canada #techbros #billionaires #Carney #evansolomon www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
John Lorinc: Even as they say ‘slow down,’ tech giants are arguing for self-regulation. Why should we trust them?
There must also be consequences for non-compliance, just as there are in many other regulatory regimes, from banking to food processing.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Are Canadians keeping up with Carney's pace? #trade #trump #EU #investement www.thestar.com/politics/mar...
thestar.com
Mark Carney’s relationship with Trump is changing in real time. Is anyone keeping up?
Beyond seeming more willing to take shots at Trump, the change in the prime minister’s outlook can be seen in his travels, speeches and policy gestures.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
"Almost 20 months into Mr. Trump’s second term, his long-running media clashes have grown into a sweeping campaign to control speech in America" #freespeech #journalism www.nytimes.com/2026/09/12/u...
nytimes.com
How Trump Is Wielding Power to Stifle Speech
President Trump has harnessed agencies across the government to curtail press freedoms, a sweeping campaign that free speech advocates say will have lasting effects.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Trump and his under-qualified lackeys are out to quash freedom of speech and any criticism of their cruel and idiotic policies and actions. Don't let them. #freespeech #reporting #journalism #democracy www.cnn.com/2026/09/19/m...
cnn.com
CNN, MS NOW and Politico denied access to White House after Trump ‘ban’ | CNN Business
CNN reporter Betsy Klein was denied access at the White House on Saturday morning and her press pass was seized, one day after President Donald Trump announced that he was “banning” CNN, MS NOW and Po...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"When an industry (AI) that is eating itself alive through "hyperscaling" demands that the government bless a conspiracy to halt competition and ban open source alternatives, you should be suspicious" - @doctorow.pluralistic.net pluralistic.net/2026/09/16/b...
pluralistic.net
Pluralistic: How an AI moratorium can save AI bosses (16 Sep 2026) – Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Utilizing words from my rowdy youth, "Ed Sheeran is taking a shitkicking!" #macklemore #genocide #robertkraft variety.com/2026/music/n...
variety.com
Macklemore Donating $1 Million Salary from Ed Sheeran Tour to Support Palestine: ‘I Invite Robert Kraft to Match My Donation’
Macklemore announced plans to donate $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran's tour to Palestinian support, and asked Robert Kraft to match.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Macklemore fries wimpster Ed Sheeran, and I'm here for it. #politics #Gaza #genocide #edsshittymusic www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
rollingstone.com
Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After Onstage 'Free Palestine' Statements
Macklemore is being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour after several venues allegedly said they would not allow a concert with the rapper to take place.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
We need real, loud laughs more than ever, yeah? #comedy #television www.nytimes.com/2026/09/13/o...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
"While fascists protest in UK ports and purvey nonsense and poison online, ever fewer people have the perspective or analytical tools to challenge them" #reading #democracy www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
For the love of Jesus, the sight of President Tubby Rapist on Irish soil is almost more than I can bear. #Ireland #Canada #America #Gaza www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Globe's Rita Trichur explains how Trump's Trade War is pummelling Ohio. #tariffs #jobs #Canada #Mexico www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Ohio is a microcosm of growing American angst over Trump’s trade war with Canada
U.S. President’s global tariffs have cost the state billions since he returned to the Oval Office
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"(Notley's) mission — her reason for joining up with Kenney — is to “get out the vote.” Her fellow federalists may not be as passionate about turning out on voting day as the diehard separatists who want to send a message" - @reggcohn.bsky.social #Alberta #Canada www.thestar.com/politics/pol...
thestar.com
Martin Regg Cohn: How Jason Kenney and Rachel Notley work their unlikely alliance against Alberta separatism
Former premiers, once political rivals, talk about working both sides of the aisle politically in the run-up to the Oct. 19 provincial referendum.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I remember vividly when Neil Kennedy, a fellow boater, took off for New York City to help re the aftermath of 9/11. I saluted him then, and I salute him now. #Canada #rescuers #QueensQuay #firefighters www.thestar.com/news/gta/fou...
thestar.com
Four Brampton firefighters rushed to New York on 9/11. Would they do it again?
Without hesitation, they drove towards a disaster that was still unfolding. Despite the risks, would they do it again?
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"Vega’s film is funny without straining for laughs, moving without wallowing in tragedy, and strange without allowing its extraterrestrial conceit to overshadow the recognizably and slightly sad human story at its center" #TIFF #Toronto #Sweden #comedy #SciFi nextbestpicture.com/arne-goes-to...
nextbestpicture.com
"ARNE GOES TO SPACE" - Review
THE STORY – An extraterrestrial visitor upends the lives of two elderly brothers in northern Sweden. THE CAST – Rolf Lassgård, Lennart Jähkel & Kiran Shah THE TEAM – Lars Vega (Director/Writer) & Theodor Österberg (Writer) THE RUNNING TIME – 101 Minutes Perhaps describing a film as a “Swedish sci-fi comedy from a first-time director” is […]
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Of course it can't. Back to the drawing board. #Canada #weather #climate www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
thestar.com
‘No way’ Canada can meet its 2030 climate target, researchers say
Under Mark Carney's policies, goal for 2030 won't even be met 20 years later, finds the Canadian Climate Institute.
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Trump’s outlandish exhibitions of triumphalism in the face of rejection and defeat echo the Marx Brothers more than they echo Marx and Lenin: “Hail Freedonia!” - Sidney Blumenthal in The Guardian #Canada #Carney #trade www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Trump’s clash with Canada is his latest imperialistic embarrassment | Sidney Blumenthal
The president’s chaotic schemes of aggrandizement, from Venezuela to Iran, have no larger rationale
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Wanna have a nice life? Ignore Trump. Don't mention his name, and his name will pass on (courtesy of "Streets of Laredo," Johnny Cash version). Seriously, call him anything (President Rapist, Jeffrey Epstein's BFF, Tubby Cankles, whatever) but not Donald Trump. Starve him. 😎👍🇨🇦
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
"As Vass Bednar, the managing director of the Canadian Shield Institute, wrote, 'If Prime Minister Carney is trading away our ability to govern the digital realm … then we are locking in a permanent state of subordination.'" #bigtech www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Even if it restores news on social media, a deal with the U.S. cannot cost Canada its digital sovereignty
As a student journalist, I saw the consequences of the Online News Act firsthand. But the accessibility isn’t worth being trapped under the thumb of Big Tech
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. . . Whippets @crestwood.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie... Part of this genuinely terrifies me in ways I can’t quantify
hollywoodreporter.com
Elon Musk Unmasked in Alex Gibney Documentary: “Insane a Person This Chaotic Has So Much Power”
He is the richest man on earth. An explosive new film from the Oscar-winning director suggests he also may be among the most dangerous.
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Dr. Tea, Cake, & Revolution. @witwarrior.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
The last, best description of Trump from British writer Nate White.
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Tits McGee @scientits.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I was worried this film documentary might go easy on him, but judging by this interview with the director, there are going to be brand new levels of cope tweeting
independent.co.uk
Documentarian Alex Gibney on the power and influence of Elon Musk
Alex Gibney's new documentary “Musk” premieres this week at the Venice Film Festival
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Michal Zgraja @zgr-ftw.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"Big Tech has proved that its only principles are not paying taxes, invading your privacy, and not being broken up by antitrust enforcers. Tech companies will do anything for any leader who can guarantee those outcomes." Sad but true
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BostonJoan 🏳️‍🌈 🦫 @bostonjoan.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
I need some real solidarity. On Friday, I published this article about why Zuckerberg should resign. It’s being throttled on Meta products and I’ve had several attempts to hijack my fb acct. Please repost this article, esp on your Meta accounts. #ZuckMustGo www.theguardian.com/technology/c...
theguardian.com
It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg to resign from Meta | Joan Donovan
The CEO is the throughline in a history of billion-dollar blunders that have caused real harm, culminating in last week’s settlement
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
"The deal is crucial to Canada’s trade ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. The 12-country trade pact, which is attracting new interest from other middle powers, is also serving as an insurance policy against Mr. Trump’s global trade war" - Rita Trichur #trade www.theglobeandmail.com/business/com...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: The Trans-Pacific partnership is increasingly serving as Canada’s insurance policy against Trump’s trade tumult
With more countries considering membership, the trade pact is proving to be a gift for middle powers
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Whoever coined the term "Nutlick" for this lying, arrogant, ignorant Rape Island visitor deserves an award,eh? Maybe word of the year? 🇨🇦 #Canada www.thestar.com/politics/fed...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
"The late announcement of these (GO) service changes is a symptom of the culture of secrecy at Metrolinx. The reason for the service cuts goes even deeper" #Ontario #Toronto #transit seanmarshall.ca/2026/08/29/g...
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Stephen Tustin @stustin.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
How can governments fail to realize that education, the formation of our future society, is the most important business of all? As the late Ontario premier Bill Davis used to say, 'If you get education right, everything else in society falls into place.'" www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
thestar.com
The first 8 years of school shape our precious children’s lives. Why won’t governments treat education as their most important job?
For the past eight years, two of our grandchildren have attended Wilkinson Junior Public School in East York, Toronto. With last June’s graduation, our days there ended. I’m going to
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