MelanieMcCollum 🍁🚲

He made a list of low growth countries to show that Canada has had steady population growth over the last 1/4 century...and then called it "something"- I'd say it's closer to nothing.
It's a 1.18% annual growth rate, which most Canadians wouldn't take issue with.

As transit recovery stumbles, Carney budget cut support $5B, FCM learns For second time the Carney Liberals caught playing shell games to cover cuts.

The “predictable, long-term” $30B Transit Fund was announced in 2024.

But in Carney’s first budget it disappeared. Turns out it was merged into another fund, cut by $5B, renamed and promoted as a new “generational investment”

open.substack.com/pub/tparkin/...

Valentine’s Day quiz: discover your Canadian lovebird | The Narwhal Take our Valentine’s Day quiz to find the nest-mate of your dreams — and get a card to share

projects.thenarwhal.ca/lovebirds-quiz

Darn! I'd overlooked that detail

Carney reinstates EV buyer incentives, scraps sales mandate Changes are main planks of Ottawa’s strategy to support the auto industry in time of upheaval

Great to see this coming back.
If Canada gets access to Chinese EVs models that sell for $15-20K (Geely Galaxy or Wuling Mini EV) and a $5000 rebate, most compact cars sold in Canada will be battery powered.

www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/7bdcedc...

Oh I see - I didn't realize we didn't already have that as a member of NATO. Will do some reading on this topic!

I'm not an expert on this by any stretch...but wouldn't it make more sense to invest in systems of missile defense, rather than acquiring the weapons for obliterating people?
The risk of nuclear war increases with each country that amasses these weapons. Let's not normalize this

😳

May is the best - April is often really nice in Victoria too

You'll be impressed not just with the development of the network, but how incredibly well used it is.
The 2018 council took a lot of backlash for their investments into cycling but there's no question it paid off

"It's funny because it's true" - Homer Simpson

The first piece of Courtenay's active transportation bridge came into view today
This connection is expected to open Summer 2026

Globe editorial: In service to Canada, and our allies Despite Donald Trump’s insulting claim, tens of thousands of Canadians fought in Afghanistan. And 158 of them died in that conflict

Trump's comments last week beyond insulting and disrespectful to the loved ones of Canadians (and other NATO members) that were killed or injured in Afghanistan

FACT: the ONLY time NATO Article 5 has been invoked was to support the USA after 9-11

www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...

"Recent events have brought Trump’s governing style into sharper focus," Jonathan Rauch argues. "'Fascist' best describes it, and reluctance to use the term has now become perverse." theatln.tc/wVq7MFaa

A reminder to the news media: “conflicting accounts” is what you say BEFORE the incontrovertible video evidence appears. After that, your job is to ask why one side is lying, not to repeat the lie and pretend no one knows the truth.

Great photos!

I think many of those folks will have a hard time making this (somewhat obvious) connection

shout out to Rob the Viking (of the Swollen Members), that Gabriola Islanders of my vintage were proud to claim him as one of us back then. I think he has a recording studio in Nanaimo now

I invested in a Benno Boost 7 years ago, although I was very tempted by the Rad cargo bike price point. The bike now has 50000km on it, has been through 5 drivetrains and probably 20 sets of brake pads. I have not heard of any Rad bikes that have stood up to that much use, fire risk aside.

Another data point for the “build it and they will come” chart

Trump Butchers the Golden Goose He’s convinced he has to kill liberalism and democracy to realize their benefits.

"The most important speech at Davos yesterday was by Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney. It was not just an excellent speech. It was a very American one."

thanks Max. I read this back when you published it... I don't agree with all of the points you made, but I still hope you're right and I'm wrong as it a more optimistic take. The last Liberal gov bought a pipeline in order to get the consumer price on carbon in place. that didn't exactly work out

Yes, I'm also enjoying a week of appreciating the work of PM Carney instead of pulling my hair out over the back sliding on climate and the environment

that's a very generous view for green lighting (another) pipeline to the North West coast and committing to lifting a tanker ban

I've been repeated disappointed with Carney's decisions on climate...this week has been a breath of fresh air - his handling of China trade talks and now this stunning speech at Davos.
Maybe I'm coming around on Carney...

Welfare Fraud Is a Problem—For Democrats Safeguarding the social safety net is essential for keeping it. By James Surowiecki

come on man
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...

Canadians buy 1.9 million cars per year. The 50k Chinese cars represents barely 2.6% of the cars on our roads. Opens up trade with China for Alberta, Sask, and Nova Scotia, without sacrificing Ontario.

I suppose I see this more as a warning shot at the US to take CUSMA seriously.

I (wrongly) assumed this was referring to the new LNG - but I see the reference is to the industry in the area (both old and new). That is a shockingly high number!! Thanks for pointing that out

Thanks for sharing that. No doubt there's many potential negative impacts, but where does it say asthma rates are shy rocketing? Has that been reported or is that conjecture? I wouldn't be surprised but I haven't seen that data anywhere...

It looks like the number of vehicles allowed is going to increase each year until 2030