Colleen

@cbailey6.bsky.social

3757 Followers 572 Following

Scientist, cyclist, knitter. But only 2 out of 3 at any one time. 🔰 📌 Toronto

Jean Lynn Beyak (née Smith; born February 18, 1949) is a retired Canadian politician who represented Ontario in the Senate of Canada from January 25, 2013, to January 25, 2021.[1] Initially appointed to the Senate as a Conservative on the advice of Stephen Harper, she sat as a non-affiliated (independent) senator after being removed from the Conservative caucus in 2017. Beyak was suspended from the Senate twice; a first time for posting letters to her website that were considered to be offensive to First Nations peoples,[2] and a second time for failing to comply with mandated anti-racism training. Beyak announced her retirement from the Senate, effective immediately, on January 25, 2021.
The reason for the rule gets at the heart of why we still have conventions. Unlike law, conventions are supposed to be flexible and to evolve organically. They’re meant to be rules that are negotiated between institutions and offices as political realities and constitutional principles evolve. Conventions must be able to bend when we see an exception to the rule, and they need to change when political aspirations develop. As importantly, these negotiations are inherently a function of constitutional politics, not law.
Tweet from @CBailey6 on Jan 19, 2024: Housing is our top priority! After vegetable gardens. It's vegetable gardens and then housing. Unless there's a neighbouring backyard pool. Our three priorities are veg, pools, housing. And oversalted sidewalks. Okay. *Amongst* our priorities are... I'll come in again.
Throughout this process, my priority has been to ensure your voices are heard. My team and I attended the spring pop-ups event, the public meeting at Fort York, as well as having many conversations at neighbourhood events, to hear your feedback and questions. You can also learn more about the process with this update from the public engagement facilitator, Third Party Public. While there is clear support for affordable housing in our neighbourhood, you shared understandable concerns regarding density, shadow impacts and local infrastructure that I believe require further engagement. At the City’s Planning and Housing Committee meeting this week on this item, I moved amendments that I worked on with CreateTO and City planning staff to respond to these concerns with seriousness: Keeping supportive housing on track - City staff have the direction and assurance to keep progressing and advocating for support to the federal government to advance Building A this year. This building will provide 81 units of much-needed supportive housing, for low-needs clients. Improving the site with deepened work and community engagement - For Building B, the one that is closer to Strachan, City staff are directed to report back to Committee in Q1 of 2027 with more work and deepened engagement with the local community and to improve the site to be more responsive to community feedback, while the City continues to identify funding sources for this portion of the project.
A graph of US electricity production by source showing coal as the dominant source until around 2010. As coal decrease, gas increased and gas now makes up about 40% of the source of electricity production.
“I will make whatever changes are necessary, whatever changes are required, changes to the law, changes with the province and the federal government, changes to leadership to get this city back to what it should be,” he said. (The mayor of Toronto has no direct influence over the criminal justice system, which is the purview of higher levels of government.)
So, what did our research dig up? The same trend Einstein found across North America is occurring in Calgary. Across both the guidebook and R-CG meetings, 245 speakers spoke in opposition and announced what neighbourhood they were from. The average community median household income of opposition speakers in these meetings was $145,000, which is $40,000 higher than Calgary’s average. In the guidebook meeting, the average community median household income was a whopping $188,000, which is $83,000 higher than Calgary’s average.
A set of two photos of chainlink fence titled "EXISTING". In a close-up photo, a measuring tape is held next to the fence demonstrating the gap is over 2". Below that is a set of two photos of the from similar angles taken at a different time title "NEW". The close-up photo again has a measuring tape held next to it to demonstrate a gap of about 1.5".
A still image from the YouTube video showing the host speaking alongside a graphic outlining a "Heat Preparedness Plan" with the Ontario Green Party logo in the top right corner.
From: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/agenda-item.do?item=2026.NY34.99 NY34.99 - Advancing the Bayview Block Plan Consideration Type: ACTION Ward: 15 - Don Valley West Origin (July 7, 2026) Letter from Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin Recommendations Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin recommends that: 1. North York Community Council forward the Central Bayview Block Plan to the Director of Community Planning, North York District, for information and consideration for Planning issues in the review of future development proposals along the portion of Bayview Avenue from Post Road to the 401 alongside existing planning policies and guidelines. 2. North York Community Council forward the Central Bayview Block Plan to the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, for information and consideration for Planning in the Avenues Policy implementation process in Ward 15, Don Valley West along the portion of Bayview Avenue from Post Road to the 401
A large park with several trees along the edge. Underneath each of the three trees easily visible in the photo, one person has opted to sit in the shade. The giant open space in the sun has no people in it.
The analysis focused on the impact of shadows on public spaces, including local parks, Major Parks, Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS), greenways, and streets, during key dates, March 21, June 21, September 21, and December 21. The study particularly evaluated the future Heart Park, designated as a Major Park, against the requirements of the Downsview Secondary Plan, which mandates at least 5 hours of continuous sun on 75% of Major Parks during specific dates.
The findings indicate that the proposed built form envelopes minimizes shadow impacts on public spaces throughout the year. On March and September 21, shadows are most prominent in the early morning and late afternoon, with parks and open spaces largely free of shadows during mid-day hours. For instance, Heart Park enjoys full sun exposure for significant portions of the day, confirming compliance with the Downsview Secondary Plan Policy 3.3.4. In June, shadows move quickly, leaving most areas sunlit from morning until late afternoon. By December, although shadows are longer, streets and parks still receive ample sunlight throughout the day.
At all scales, built form should contribute to a high-quality public realm by defining streets and open spaces, minimizing shadow and wind impacts, and supporting active at-grade uses. Individual buildings should promote architectural quality and visual interest while reinforcing a human-scaled character across the District.
Report recommending the inclusion of 225 properties along the Danforth fort inclusion in the heritage register.
Bluesky's trending topics with Mel Brooks #1.
Old view of Toronto skyline, including the CN Tower, from the Don Valley Brickworks, with the old chimney tower saying "Valley" in the mid-ground.
The long-running festival celebrating African culture, music and food is scheduled for Aug. 14-16. Organizers say the city has imposed new conditions, including a 17,000-person attendance cap, more paid-duty police officers, perimeter fencing and access controls, a waste-management plan and a $25,000 security deposit. In an emailed statement Tuesday, Terry Ricketts, general manager of the city’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division, said Afrofest’s expected attendance of about 45,000 people per day exceeds Woodbine Park’s safe capacity, preventing the city from approving a permit for the site.
Post from @graphicmatt.com n May 20, 2026: "A new addition to the agenda: Chernos Lin wants an education campaign about road safety, targeting illegal e-scooters, "the use of phones while crossing the street" and "wearing noise cancelling earbuds while walking or cycling in public spaces."
While sales activity in the new-build sector increased in May after the rebate was announced, Toronto saw little growth. Lowrise home sales in the GTA nearly quadrupled compared to the historic low one year prior, but only five of the 830 sales were in Toronto itself. Condo sales, meanwhile, remained 89 per cent below the 10-year average. About half of 193 units sold were in Toronto. Experts say condo multiplexes are an important niche in the market, particularly for young families. But while the HST rebate may be prompting new interest, they say its limitations mean multiplex developers will struggle to build new projects in time for buyers to benefit from the tax savings.
Purpose-Built Rental Housing Incentives With the greater financial certainty provided through the $1.5 billion in federal and provincial infrastructure funding, the City is launching a new phase of its Purpose-Built Rental Housing Incentives Stream using City resources. The program provides an indefinite deferral of development charges for projects that include a minimum of 20 per cent affordable housing, helping to accelerate the delivery of new purpose-built rental homes across Toronto.
Despite the new rules going further than what many councillors supported in June, Chow said she isn’t worried about pushback. She stopped short, however, of saying she would use her strong-mayor powers if zoning votes don’t go her way. “I believe all councillors understand we’re in a housing crisis,” she said. “They also understand that building housing right beside a transit hub is a prime location.”
Back to the Faster Finch debate. Councillor Holyday says Council shouldn't rush into changes with a transit line that just opened. "The one thing in this world that you cannot manufacture is time," he says, worrying that giving the LRT priority will slow down other traffic and create backlash. Dec 16, 2025, 02:29 p.m.
“Hoping we can find a path to welcoming this new waterfront activity to the Port Lands,” wrote Bowen, CreateTO’s director of Port Lands Asset Management, in the email, sent to Slaman and a senior executive at the Toronto Port Authority. Bowen’s role at CreateTO is to lead initiatives to maximize the potential of Toronto’s waterfront and the expanding Port Lands. Then in April, Slaman was informed by the TPA that the location was considered industrial, and not compatible with a sauna business.
People on Yonge in midtown, looking South with the CN Tower in the distance.
Councillor Lily Cheng has a motion for a report on ways to "create city parking capacity in new areas of density." She says she wants all new dense areas to thrive, and that requires parking for visitors who "don't take transit or can't take transit."
A map of registered candidates running for Toronto Council in 2026 showing 0 candidates registered in Ward 15 as of June 15.
City councillors love complaining that the Ontario Land Tribunal exists and that it essentially forces them to approve development applications that are consistent with the current Official Plan even when there is strong local opposition. I would suggest to them that if they don’t like approving the buildings that they said they wanted in the Official Plan, now is the chance to write a different Official Plan. Though that means they will have to pick the types of new buildings that would be allowed and where they will go, and some councillors don’t want to do that.
Graph of the proposed unit breakdown for Quayside Block 1&2 from HousingNowTO.com, showing 24 of the 448 affordable units will be 4-beds (5%). There are 2353 units total in the project.
A graph of land use at Yonge and Eglinton showing mixed use along the Avenues and the orange Apartment Neighbourhood that covers a few square blocks. It is surrounded by a sea of yellow low-rise land use.
@JJ_McCullough: Sick of this take. Canada and the US share a common culture. Canadians don't "import" US ideas anymore than say, Iowa "imports" conservatism from New York or whatever. Canada has a right and a left just like every other place. Canadian leftists come to their beliefs sincerely. @Noahpinion We don't really share a culture @JJ_McCullough What an absurd thing to say. Yes we absolutely do.
The Bike Tarrytown logo on Bluesky. A black silhouette of a cyclist on a bike, with a yellow background. In its right hand, the cyclist holds its head in its left hand.
A ribbon cutting ceremony at the Cycle Toronto Community Hub
crime Accused in Toronto cop's death allegedly part of gun-for-hire network Authorities believe the 19-year-old who allegedly killed Toronto police officer Marc Pinizzotto this week had been working for a gun-for-hire network that's suspected in some of the city's most notorious violence of recent years, sources say. The network is believed to be linked to an attack on the U.S. consulate in March, the GTA tow-truck wars and a set of shootings targeting waste management empire GFL Environmental, the Star has learned
A Google trends graph of the term "damnatio memoriae" for the month from May 14 - June 13, 2026 in the United States. There is an increase starting on May 29 (the day of a judge's ruling the Trump's name must be removed from the Kennedy Center). It flattens out for a while before starting to increase again from June 10-13, as the deadline for removal approaches.
Arrested development "but it might work for us" meme: Tobias: They try to appease far right voters with watered down anti-immigrant garbage Lindsay: Well did it work for those people? Tobias: No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but... Tobias, continued:... but it might work for us.
Simpsons meme saying "I want everything in one bag. But I don't want the bag to be heavy."
Ward 15 Former: Jaye Robinson (59.1%) Replacement: Rachel Chernos Lin (93.5%) Change: +34.4 points
MM24.13 - Preservation of Architectural Character in Guildwood Community - by Councillor Paul Ainslie, seconded by Councillor Nick Mantas Decision Type: ACTION Status: Adopted Ward: 24 - Scarborough - Guildwood City Council Decision City Council on December 17 and 18, 2024, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to undertake a thorough review of existing development guidelines and zoning regulations within the Guildwood Community. 2. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to develop specific design guidelines that clearly articulate the desired architectural character and principles of the community; these guidelines should: a. emphasize the preservation and enhancement of the existing architectural styles and materials; b. consider the scale, massing, and setbacks of new developments to ensure compatibility with the surrounding built environment; c. incorporate measures to protect views and sightlines within the community; d. amend existing zoning by-laws and development agreements as necessary to ensure compliance with the newly developed design guidelines; and e. implement a robust review process for all new development proposals within Guildwood, ensuring that they are rigorously assessed for compliance with the established design guidelines. 3. City Council direct the Executive Director, Development Review and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to engage with the Guildwood community through public consultations to gather input and feedback on the development of these design guidelines.
Some Toronto condos are selling for less than 2017 prices. Has the market hit a new low? Some condo sellers are seeing 10 years of potential gains wiped out. June 5, 2026
Multiplex zoning allows for a much larger, higher structure, with more square footage and smaller setbacks from neighbouring properties.
It feels really out of place — it's mammoth," said Dana Gazzola, whose home backs onto the Astor Avenue property. "Does that belong in a neighbourhood like this? No." [Image of a building under construction that is barely distinguishable in size from the hinge next to it.] This new, three-storey structure on Astor Avenue in south Leaside is being built under a duplex permit, but will only house members of the same family, the owner says. (Mike Smee/CBC)
Part of a table at the linked website outlining just some of the many restrictive covenants in Halifax.
If you are a brilliant young engineer or a visionary policy designer, why would you work for a government department where your primary job is to manage a contract for a private firm that is doing the actual, interesting work? You would not. You would go work for the private firm. This has created a devastating brain drain. Our public institutions have become "thin." They are staffed by people who are excellent at procurement and contract law, but who lack the deep, technical expertise to challenge the vendors they are supposed to be overseeing. When the state loses its "Public Mind," it loses the ability to be a sovereign actor. It becomes a middleman, a coordinator of other people’s expertise.
There have been studies looking at high-speed trains over the decades, but there are reasons no one ever built a bullet train across central Canada before. For starters, there’s been no demand for it by the public. Mostly, it’s been the dream of academics who probably grew up with model train sets and now fashion themselves as Euro-file sophisticates. Aside from a few urbanites, who is served by having only seven planned Alto stations on the entire route? You might as well complete the entire journey by car.