iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Julie Witmer

Jamie MacKinnon🇨🇦 @jamiemackinnon.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... Since Doug Ford came to power: - hallway medicine has more than doubled - the number of Ontarians without a doctor has almost doubled - ERs have been closed for the first time in history - residents in LTC have died of "dehydration" and "neglect" #ONpoli #nurses #cdnpoli

cbc.ca

Wait times for most priority surgeries in Ontario have increased since 2017, study says | CBC News

Wait times for most of the province’s publicly funded priority surgeries and procedures have increased between 2017 and 2025, according to a study released Monday.

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Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 10h

votecompass.therecord.com election2026.strongwr.org www.tritag.ca/election-wr-... Have already done the votecompass questions and disappointed to find my ward 7 incumbent hasn't answered those questions. It took under 10 minutes. He also hasn't answered the Tritag survey.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It’s almost like investing in our kids’ education might actually yield better academic results than starving schools of resources and support… but what do I know? 🤷‍♀️#OntEd

static.klipy.com

Elmo I Don't Know Idk

Alt: Elmo I Don't Know Idk

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Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Schools have no money for photocopy paper in #OntEd. But we also don’t have the 1:1 tech that was supposed to replace the need for photocopied worksheets. And the research is showing decreased learning with typing instead of handwriting on paper. So… 🤷‍♀️

Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 17/09/2026

Will they be shovelling snow on region sidewalks? That the inference I get from this photo :-)

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Ryan Flanagan @ryanflanagan.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

KW followers who like music: I've created a website that lists upcoming concerts in Waterloo Region! Check it out at unwrapped.online

Screengrab of the homepage of https://unwrapped.online

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Plain Kate @k8thek8.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Hey drivers: I need you to understand that when you get to an intersection and there's a cyclist crossing in front of you, even if YOU know you see them, there's a good chance THEY don't know you do. Come to a fucking stop till they cross. Stop fucking rolling at them. Fucksake.

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Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 08/09/2026

I have spent the past few months de-Googling and am now switching to Canadian or European-only products as much as I can. I have a Canadian host for my website and email (Canspace), am using Qwant for search although that still doesn't show me results I need - I have come to rely too much on Google.

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"Municipal government makes decisions that affect our everyday lives, yet municipal elections attract fewer voters than federal and provincial elections. An informed vote takes some effort. Learn who the candidates are. Listen to what they have to say. Compare their priorities and their visions."

mailchi.mp

Democracy Is Local: Be Ambitious for Cambridge

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Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"Thank God we don’t have the media" Yeah I know. Imagine being held accountable to the public that elected you. The horror.

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Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

FYI: “reporting high prices to your principal” is not going to accomplish anything. #OntEd school principals are not in charge of pricing at Staples. Shame on this government for its shoddy procurement plan and for giving Ontario funds to a US company. lfpress.com/news/nationa...

lfpress.com

Are Ontario teachers really getting the best discounts on school supplies?

Some teachers found higher prices on the Staples portal, while the province says 221 core items are offered at the lowest available price.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Our taxpayer dollars are being spent at an American company (in the middle of a trade war) that offers better deals to folks walking in off the street than to teachers ordering through the Ontario Ministry of Education portal. Make it make sense!!! #OntEd

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Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 29/08/2026

What a beautiful day! After biking to MW Library of Things for a pickup, all set on the TWB patio for some live music starting soon.

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Peter Flax @pflax1.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Over the years I've talked about this hundreds of times with drivers in my community and online. They're deluded that there's another side to the issue. Their perception—that riders are naughty or slowing down their busy lives or acting entitled—is pure negligence of their duties operating a vehicle

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Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 29/08/2026

I guess I have to listen to Blue Jays games on the radio instead of watching them on TV. The minute I tuned in I heard Lukes hit the home run and then the Springer dinger.

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Kimiko Shibata @eslfairy.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Doug Ford needs to get back to Queen's Park. Cancel contracts with U.S. companies and buy from Ontario businesses instead, put Ontario steel in every provincial project, and back the workers on the front line of this trade war. Send the Premier an email: share.nwmd.social/s/bw8qw6VT

share.nwmd.social

Tell Doug Ford: Get Back to Queen's Park

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Cycle Toronto @cycletoronto.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

We're doing this about Bloor? Again? Reject the culture war. www.cycleto.ca/defendbloor

THE BLOOR BIKE LANES ARE UNDER ATTACK (AGAIN)

You’re not stuck in traffic because of bike lanes. And no city has solved congestion by prioritizing cars.
This isn’t about ideology. It’s geometry. There simply is not enough space on our roads for every person to choose to drive for every trip. And there’s no mythical network of side streets that can replace arterial protected bike lanes like Bloor.
Reject the culture war.

www.cycleto.ca/defendbloor

Map comparing Bloor bike lanes with side streets.

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Julie Witmer @witmaps.ca · 12/08/2026

That's a good idea. I should have a city map handy, give them a pencil & ask them to mark routes where I can get where I'm going. They usually say to take side roads, but as you said our destinations are pretty much the same as drivers but we don't require as much space and we stop more often.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Native Calgarian Podcast 🪶🧡>🇨🇦 @nativecalgarian.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce submitted a “Care Economy” proposal to the Federal Major Projects Office, arguing that “childcare, elder care, home care, mental.. The Government Declined to Review Canada's National Care Economy Proposal. Read and sign the petition: canwcc.ca/mpo-proposal/

canwcc.ca

MPO Proposal - Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce

NATION-BUILDING PROJECT PROPOSAL & PETITIONCanada's Missing Major Project: A National Care Economy Strategy SIGN THE PETITIONClick the button below to read and sign the e-Petition. It takes two minute...

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Meanwhile, in Canadian mainstream media.... I searched CTV News, CBC News, Global News and the Globe and Mail for any coverage of Shopify in the last 24 hours. Nothing (except business reporting from the Globe, nothing on the CEO suggesting poor people should have less of a say in our democracy)

Search of CBC's website for mentions of Shopify in the last 24 hours returns zero results

Search of Global News' website for mentions of Shopify in the last 24 hours returns zero results

Search of CTV News' website for mentions of Shopify in the last 24 hours returns zero results

Search of The Globe and Mail's website for mentions of Shopify in the last 24 hours returns only business coverage, nothing about their CEO suggesting the poor should have less of a say in our democracy than the rich

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Marit Stiles @maritstilesndp.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

There is a way of thinking taking hold in this country — that building a stronger Canada means walking away from our climate commitments. Abandoning our climate commitments will not make Canada stronger. You cannot build a stronger country on the ashes of its communities.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Next time someone tries arguing that it’s “social engineering” (cue ominous music) to give people more CHOICE to walk, bike & take public transit in their city, tell them that designing our current car DEPENDENCY has been the largest and most damaging social engineering experiment in human history.

Low density suburban sprawl filled with roads and cookie cutter subdivisions.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Scott Piatkowski @scottpiatkowski.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

"... the Neanderthals of Shanidar Cave appreciated the intrinsic value of a person - outside of how much they worked or what it cost to keep them. If we are more 'evolved,' how come we haven’t figured out the same thing when it comes to the disadvantaged among us?" www.therecord.com/opinion/cont...

therecord.com

Can we really call ourselves evolved?

According to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, nearly 85,000 Ontarians experienced homelessness in 2025.

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I'm really tired of seeing important, preventative and compassionate care being underfunded while our police budget grows by the millions every year. www.instagram.com/shorecentrew...

Text: oday, we're sharing an important update about temporary changes at SHORE Centre.

Due to significant funding delays and reductions, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily pause our Education, Stork Secrets Peer Support, and Counselling programs.

Our clinical services remain available, and patients will continue to have access to medication abortion care, contraception, cervical cancer screenings, gender-affirming care, and birth control consultations.

These decisions were not made quickly or lightly, nor are they a reflection of the value of our staff, our programs, or the communities they serve. These decisions were made to protect SHORE’s long-term sustainability and ensure we can continue providing care for years to come.

SHORE has faced difficult moments before. We are still here because generations of donors, partners, advocates, staff, volunteers, and community members have believed this work is worth protecting.

Over the coming months, we will be sharing more about how our community can stand alongside SHORE as we work toward rebuilding and restoring these programs.

In the meantime, thank you for continuing to believe in compassionate, inclusive sexual and reproductive healthcare, education, and support.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

A reminder that having a public broadcaster like the CBC is an important staple that we should be happy to fund so we don't leave our local journalism to the whims and profit-making decisions of private companies like Rogers. #LocalJournalismMatters

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

While #WRPS has started collecting for its annual backpack campaign, I want to remind everyone that there are great local community-led, police-free organizations already doing similar work. If you're interested in donating to a backpack campaign this year, please consider Send'em Off Smiling.

sendemoff.ca

Send'em Off Smiling | Send'em Off Smiling

Send’em Off Smiling – Kitchener-Waterloo Charity Supporting children in need Send’em Off Smiling is a registered charity in Kitchener-Waterloo dedicated to helping children in need through our impactf...

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

James Howe @kitchenerguy.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

We've chosen solutions from the past that we know destroy our environment and quality of life. We should be striving to be a world leader in green energy. That's a better, sustainable future for all.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Lloyd Alter @lloydalter.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

In Mark Carney's latest "Forward guidance," he claims that we need oil and gas development in the short term to "establish stability amidst this chaos." I worry that stability is hard to find in the current climate chaos. The thermometer is telling us that we have run out of time.

lloydalter.substack.com

Net Zero in 2050 is meaningless; this heat tells us that we have to cut carbon emissions now.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is trying to thread his way through short-term crises, but it will bite him in the long run.

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Rachel Gilmore @rachelgilmore.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

He says it would be too expensive to meet our climate targets…so who is saving money when we don’t? The people whose houses burn down in forest fires? Those who lose homes to flooding? The people who die in heat domes?

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Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

"We must establish stability amidst this chaos." As floods, fires, droughts and storms ravage the planet. Sure. Stability amongst the chaos. You do that.

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Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

And PM Carney... because you don't understand this, or choose not to understand this, I don't trust you at all on this issue. You can't fix social issues with technology. And you can't ignore social issues by focusing on the technology.

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

I appreciate former Regional Councillor Tom Galloway calling out the nonsensical nature of a Justice Centre being police-led, instead of community-led by groups such as Community Justice Initiatives.

Text: This is a pretty incredible development. While the idea of a Justice Centre is not new to Waterloo Region and a Justice Centre properly conceived and directed would be a welcome addition to our community, the idea of such a centre being police led is antithetical to what a Justice Centre should be. A properly conceived Justice Centre must be community driven and no organization in our community is better suited than CJI. This organization was indeed born on the restorative justice principle. More recently it received Regional funding to support a Justice Centre program; funding that was subsequently eliminated.
I hope that as this project moves forward, the proper individuals and organization are called upon to lead the effort.

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Reposted by Julie Witmer

Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Kitchener Council is voting on Kitchener 2051 (Official Plan) on June 29th. While the plan calls for some growth in all neighbourhoods, Council seems poised to exempt two neighbourhoods from this citywide growth. Read this week's Citified to find out why I'm concerned about that.

buff.ly

Growing Well...Together?

A closer look at Kitchener's Official Plan and two concerning amendments

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Matt Rodrigues @mattjrodrigues.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Today, I did not support the appeal of Justice Gibson's ruling on the 100 Victoria encampment for many reasons -- we know what we need to do to get on with Transit Hub construction, while also recognizing a place of last resort.

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Michael Druker 🇨🇦 @mdruker.app · 16/06/2026

Disappointed that the Region of Waterloo and Ontario governments are appealing the 100 Victoria encampment ruling instead of following the judge's path to address the issues. Ontario's press release: news.ontario.ca/en/release/1... Region's press release:

regionofwaterloo.ca

Region of Waterloo to appeal court decision on 100 Victoria encampment | Region of Waterloo

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

So speeding is up and now we're spending more money to have expensive police-led traffic enforcement when we could have just had #ASE and used that revenue to build out safer streets across the region. How is this supposed to better? www.cambridgetoday.ca/local-news/s...

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Rodney 🚧🚇 @chanface.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

$198M / 3,500 parking spots = $56,571 per spot. But no money for affordable housing, healthcare, education, OSAP, and ODSP. Got it.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This video camera study showed that less than 5% of people on bikes broke traffic laws while riding bikes, yet 66% of people did so while driving. And perhaps even more importantly, if you REALLY want even MORE bike-riders to obey laws, build more protected bike infrastructure. Via @carltonreid.com

forbes.com

Cyclists Break Far Fewer Road Rules Than Motorists, Finds New Video Study

Busting the myth of the "scofflaw cyclist" Danish Road Directorate studies reveal that while 66% of motorists routinely break road traffic laws only 5% of cyclists do so. Law breaking by cyclists is h...

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Brian M 🇺🇦 @bravado1.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

“Why don’t cyclists just follow the law!!!” local commentators saying that with a straight face in the same year that speed cameras were literally ripped out of the ground.

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Before he ends up back in court, can we please remind Doug that he's had a lot of time to address this issue by funding more housing options in #WatReg? bsky.app/profile/dtkm...

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

IMPORTANT: The Dutch invested €595 million annually on urban biking, resulting in €19 BILLION saved in public health care costs alone. That’s how smart governments do the math on investing in better mobility. Let’s be clear— it WASTES public money to NOT do it. #CityMakingMath HT @modacitylife.com

Examples of striking Dutch bike-lane and urban biking infrastructure via Modacity Life.

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Scott Piatkowski @scottpiatkowski.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

This followed a process called "Who Does What". Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, who chaired the Who Does What panel, said that housing was never intended to be among the responsibilities downloaded. He said that someone in the Cabinet must have come up with the idea "on the back of an envelope".

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

"One of the unheralded benefits of the speed camera program for municipalities was that the cameras produced timely data about how much speeding was happening, and where. This allowed city hall to target speeding hot spots for infrastructure upgrades like speed bumps or road redesigns."

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Catherine Fife @waterloompp.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

The Ford government's Bill 98 opens the door to privatize municipal water systems and undermines public trust. Water privatization is a “failed experiment” - we should know better in 2026. I'm proud to vote against Bill 98. #onpoli

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Melissa Bowman @dtkmelissa.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

"In the long term, the thing that will tie us together isn’t cuts, but spending on ourselves and one another, on what we traditionally and narrowly define as medical care alongside dental care, pharmacare, disability supports, unemployment benefits, and more." -David Moscrop

buff.ly

One Small Trick To Save A Nation

If you want to build a country to stand the test of time, invest in the welfare state.

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Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Basically it's "Massive US Corporation Google is allowed to access Government of Ontario documents without oversight, but the people of Ontario are not, even with oversight."

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Catelli @catelli.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

How many nations have adopted socialist principles that benefit all of society? Oh look, here, I can point to them on a map. Why do we keep chasing the ongoing experiment that keeps failing and don't look to the ongoing experiments that are succeeding? It is maddening.

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Phil @philmarfisi.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

This is some stellar content from the ONDP. They really nail the vital "so what?" piece that we've been missing. Doubly smart is how Stiles highlights how they think their solution will actually save money. Let's hope this is just the start.

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Michael Druker 🇨🇦 @mdruker.app · 08/05/2026

Reminder:

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