Alana Lavoie

I choose to be proud that we persist...and if we could better design for winter cities, could even thrive, despite the every so slight chilliness. :)

One of my favourite local Habitat for Humanity holiday fundraisers! Almost every Habitat across Canada has a holiday activity - great time to learn more!

It's the sight lines thing that gets me every time. You may have paid for that view in the initial price, but that didn't buy you that view in perpetuity, esp at the expense of affordability for others.

Work with us! Somerset Ward

I am hiring a Policy and Planning Assistant — $65-72k a year. Excellent benefits, hybrid work environment.

Main role is to monitor all of the planning files in our ward and brief me, as well as policy files for committees and council.

We are a fun team!

www.arieltroster.com/work_with_us...

Draw nature.

Great to see this happening in my hometown!

Can confirm that the wiener dog sock slippery slope is very real.

I get what you are saying, but I also don't want someone to be feeling unsafe, and then worry they are "overreacting". I'd rather they seek whatever assistance they think they need and let it be sorted out rather than wait and find out it wasn't an overaction.

Love this author. Babel, this book, and super excited for the release of Katabasis at the end of the month.

I respect that priority.

What a lovely way to be connected, show care, and gently ensure accountability.

The dog has already had enough of me talking back to the television. She is in for a long evening...

Why is everyone so afraid of small apartment buildings? I can see being a bit irked by a 30-storey glass tower in your backyard (but seriously, deal), but a nice, "context-sensitive" midrise can be lovely. Especially with ground floor retail/services.

Day one and I am already disappointed with the media analysis being offered. I want analysis, not quippy, catty, aggressive sound bites with people shouting over each other. Not helpful.

📢 Housing is more than a roof overhead — it's an economic driver.

🗞️ OCH’s Shaun Simms, acting as Canadian Housing and Renewal Association President-Elect, joined housing partners from Habitat for Humanity Canada, Canadian Real Estate Association & Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness….1/3

Agree with this. And also more structured business styles. Canadian designers like the flowy looks, it would seem.

With tariffs dominating, well, everything, we have a chance to be the best version of ourselves. A strong housing system, from shelters to homeownership, can drive us forward. The issues we faced before have not disappeared but can be turned into opportunities to make a better Canada. Let's go!

My neighbour was so excited today to watch my tiny suburban crescent get cleared that he cheered and applauded in his driveway while the amazing snow crew were doing the work.

Getting concerned that they have forgotten the tiny (and shrinking) Astelia Crescent, off of Santolina. But still great progress on a very big job! Well done, winter maintenance teams!

Many areas with employment opportunities aren't affordable for the people whose skills we rely on in those areas. This is why the "I am all for affordable housing but in the <right place> crowd" is so frustrating.

Picnic table on frozen lake with hockey sticks in the snow

Pine and bare maple trees in a park on a sunny winter day.

Snow covered trees and branches reaching over a driveway.

Holding on to some Canadian beauty at the moment.

Not to make light of what is happening, and the pain it will cause, but I am awfully glad to live in a country that makes good booze and good snacks domestically.

This is even more a shame, because they actually do a decent job on the sidewalks in this 'hood. (Homeowners need to do a better job of not letting their driveway runoff ruin sidewalks, but that's another issue.) I'd like to see the bike lanes the same.

Differing opinions, I guess. I value the discussion you bring forward on some topics - diversity of perspective is important - just found this less than the usual helpful lens. Keep up the good stuff.

Wow, that was an awfully dismissive and disrespectful take on the work of a councilor taking on some of the toughest human issues in our city. Do we have to push back on differing views in this way?

There are a few of us around - some in-housers like me, many consultant lobbyists. If the others who put their hands up can't help, let me know - me or folks I know might be able to assist.

Check out the Crew Collective Cafe and co-work space. It's beautiful and busy with all kinds of people...and wander all the winter installations in the downtown. They winter well in Mtrl.

I find the concern about the multiple transfers so odd. Many major cities have access to their airports as a spur line which means a few transfers. And for the fare cost versus parking, or other transport, it's pretty good.

It makes me really sad to see how excited young people are about something like Chick-fil-a and Chipotles. It would be great, especially now, if we could be so excited about local and Canadian businesses.

I love this! Also, discovering that there is a World Bollards Association is delightful.