Oly Backstrom

@olybackstrom.bsky.social

2173 Followers 1743 Following

Winnipegger. Believer in people of all abilities. He/Him

beer for breakfast decal on a tiled wall (in the mix with other stickers and graffiti)
outdoor stage with four person band, standing crowd gathered in rapt attention
Within Canada, Winnipeg sits below Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Halifax, but above Quebec City and Edmonton. That position matters because it helps anchor the national story. If Winnipeg, which is not usually treated as one of Canada’s glamour markets, still posts a USI above 50, then the problem is not confined to the country’s biggest prestige cities. Instead, it suggests that the national cost structure has become broadly compressed: rent may be lower in secondary markets, but food remains high and incomes are not strong enough to make those cities truly comfortable alternatives.
two happy looking people walking outside together, smiling and wearing plaid.
An obituary showing the picture of a smiling man. Text: "Sidney Walter Rogers - It is with deep sadness that our family announces that Sid Rogers died Tuesday evening July 14, 2026, of a sudden and unexpected heart attack. A longer obituary, including details of a service, will follow. Chapel Lawn Funeral Home"
back of Black truck with Manitoba license plate: "MWAHAHA"
Erin Riehle, Judith Heumann and me posing at a Winnipeg Jets game
Google maps showing fires and fire areas in NW Ontario.
west view of Assiniboine River from Hugo Dock. spectacular sky as sunset nears.
Father John Misty gesturing, band behind him bathed in Misty light
man and woman, both with guitars and singing. a third person is playing fiddle.
wide angle shot of folk fest stage showing sunny blue sky with appropriately sweeping high level swafts of cloud
picture of a person wearing a device over their mouth allowing them to provide live audio description of the performance. Photo taken and posted with permission.
long shot of Winnipeg Folk Festival main stage. Band performing.
facad of grand old grey brick and stone school, lovely sky with scattered clouds partly obscuring sun, photo framed on left by an elm tree
Old brick school (Earl Grey) in foreground; spectacular fine clouds against a blue sky, sun partly obscured, in the background.
city of Winnipeg map with many areas marked in blue meaning mosquito fogging tonight
Hugo Dock view of a surging Assiniboine River, mostly blue sky in background
residential street draped in green elm canopy, deep blue sky in background
double rainbow over farmyard
big purple radar storm blob on northwest corner of saskatoon
lovely threatening sky over a fast moving, overflowing river
Terry Fox Statue
picture of a payphone.
Our stance on AI-generated music Hi, AI music generation tools are changing how music is created and distributed. As this technology evolves, Tidal is introducing platform standards to protect artists, their craft, and inform listeners. Here are the highlights of our new AI Policy: Tidal will identify and tag AI-generated music in our app. Listeners will see an "AI" badge next to music we detect as wholly AI-generated. Tidal will not tolerate AI-generated music that impersonates an artist or group, or that facilitates fraudulent activity. We're implementing automatic tools to remove these releases immediately and on an ongoing basis. Tidal will not allow music that is 100% AI-generated to be monetized. No royalties will go to such releases, nor will AI-generated uploads be eligible for direct-to-fan sales. We will expand these policies to music that is substantially AI-generated when AI detection technology is sufficiently reliable to do so. You'll start seeing these changes from July 15.
green space with an upright tubular monument with an asymmetrical curved opening
two towering mirrors against a deep blue sky
looking up at a series of locks on the canal. Chateau Laurier in background
view of Rideau canal from pedestrian bridge. Chateau laurier in distance.
Ottawa River in foreground, bridge, parliament buildings in distance, lovely partly cloudy sky
wood fired bagel stove, bagels, man in bib hand rolling bagels
PM Carney approaches people. security detail watches carefully
Prime Minister Carney with a group of people
I am posing with William Janzen in front of a stylized sofa and lovely mural
three peole posing and smiling. two are in indigenous and indigenous-inspired garb
Karen Levine and me in front of Rideau Hall
two men wearing suits, dancing with one leg up, under the arched entrance to Rideau Hall. ceremonial official in the foreground.
outdoor restaurant patio, patrons in the foreground, tv with soccer game on in background
CBS Sunday Morning promo page highlighting a feature "JD and Usha Vance on faith and family"
I am holding a certificate proclaiming me a member of the Order of Canada.
five piece band on stage bathed in red
view out of plane of fields with a great deal of standing water.
glass door entrance with sign above that says "Happy Goat Coffee Company"
exterior of building- brick with big arched windows. "Little Victories Coffee Roaster" is on the window
Exterior of Ottawa Bike Cafe
Selfie with parliament hill (with cranes and scaffolding) in background
mid level building surrounded by two rows of protective bollards, as well as a fence.
view of bridge, river, and city across the way. sky is burning orange just after sunset.
National War Memorial and Tomb of the unknown soldier at twilight. dewl blue sky in background
selfie outside on urban sidewalk. behind me is a police officer and small gaggle of bagpipers following me.
cappuccino in foreground. small sign on counter: "I don't need an inspirational quote. I need coffee." street visible through window.
big cup of coffee in an old style porcelain cup.
Assiniboine River, apartment building in distance reflected on water, blue sky with scattered clouds
view of Assiniboine River looking west. mostly blue sky with lovely scattered clouds
block with tornado warning centered in Sanford area, encroaching southwest corner of Winnipeg.
7:47 PM CDT Wednesday 3 June 2026 Impact Level: Extreme Forecast Confidence: Very High At 7:46 PM CDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible. Tornado Location: Near Starbuck Motion: Moving east at 20 km/h This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately in a basement, interior room, or a sturdy shelter when threatening weather approaches. If no shelter is available, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris. If you are out on the water when threatening weather approaches, return to shore and seek shelter, if possible. Otherwise, move away from the path of the tornado to escape. Wear your lifejacket, lie face down and protect your head. Tornado warnings are issued when a thunderstorm is producing or is likely to produce a tornado. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to MBstorm@ec.gc.ca, call 1-800-239-0484 or post reports on X using #MBStorm. In effect for: R.M. of Macdonald incl. Brunkild Starbuck and La Salle
grey, tumbling, turbulent cloudy sky - looks like a storm rolling in
The Fraser Institute bangs this drum frequently: 2013: Reforming Old Age Security: A Good Start But Incomplete (supporting Harper's efforts to move eligibility to 67 but also saying it didn't go far enough) 2017: Canada Must Prepare for Our Aging Population (criticising Trudeau reversal of 67 threshold) 2017: Canada's Aging Population and Implications for Government Finances 2021: Canada's Aging Population and Income Support Programs 2022: Aging Population Poised to Strain Government Purse Strings 2022: Shrinking ratio of Canadian workers to seniors will strain government finances in coming years 2023: Canada's Eligibility Age for Government Retirement Benefits is Still Stuck in the Past 2024: Canadians Should Understand Costs of Expanding Old Age Security 2026: Canada Should Modernize Approach to Senior Benefits (push for age 67 eligibility) 2026: Understanding Old Age Security in Canada
4 women performing on an outdoor stage bathed in purple light. twilight sky in background
five women performing music (acoustic instruments) on an outdoor wooden stage.