Chris Erl

Ooo, yeah, alt text tips would be much appreciated!

Scandal! At The Disco oops wrote too much and made people mad lol sorry

Today on The Incline → oops! The newsletter *is* the story. On the #HamOnt non-scandal that is me.

theincline.email/p/scandal-at...

So there's my comment, @andrewselman.bsky.social. I won't be turned into some object for engagement farming.

I'm not a journalist and I'm not anyone's punching bag.

I'm Chris Erl, I'm a communications advisor for Maureen Wilson, I write The Incline, and I love this city. You can quote me on it.

It would seem, then, that I'm just more clickbait for them. Maybe I'll be used as a case study for the imaginary left wing control of council. Maybe what little I make will be used as an example of waste at city hall. Maybe I'll just be another local "pinko" to pick on.

But I'm nobody's clickbait.

But what's the end goal? Do they want me fired? I'm within my rights to speak my mind. Do they want to attack Maureen by association? Her record speaks for itself and we've both been clear that we agree on many things, but not all.

But, like with so many of the tired "conspiracies" on which they fixate, it's a whole pile of nothing. I have opinions and dare to use my right to communicate them, but the fact that I also use my knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to help a councillor communicate with residents automatically = scandal!

But it seems like some councillors are mad about what I write.

Information about my advisor role has been shared from internal city hall sources and spread widely across Hamilton's network of right-wing political activists, who are now salivating at the chance to uncover some ~pinko conspiracy~.

It's a stretch to claim my newsletter includes any "hit pieces" that target sitting councillors (though it sounds like some aspiring councillors might be keen to shut me up).

I watch council meetings, write about what happens, include new research, & provide commentary, on my own limited free time.

I told her that, if she ever did something at council I disagree with, I would write about it. But we agree on more than not. That's why I still do graphic design and comms content for her, and will for as long as the Ward 1 office will keep me on as an advisor.

The Incline is one way I stay engaged as a citizen in a democracy. When I was brought on as an advisor, Maureen said explicitly that she doesn't agree with me on everything and that I should never, ever stop sharing my opinions. It was that openness that gave me the confidence to accept her offer.

I do jobs where they come up to make ends meet. This job has been amazing and puts my skills to use serving my hometown that I love so much. Anything I can do to serve Hamilton, I do. That's why I ran for school board, do work on our shared history, and write my silly little newsletter.

I'll level with you: I live paycheque-to-paycheque. It ain't easy out there for an aspiring academic these days. So my advisor role with Maureen is just one of my many, many jobs I work to pay my rent, make my student loan payments, and keep my cats fed (even if they think they could be fed more!)

Is this some ~barnburner~ of a conspiracy? lol no.

My name's on her Facebook posts because I publish her newsletter. I'm not hiding. But it isn't published everywhere. I asked it be kept off Maureen's website because I don't interact with constituents & I'm still actively looking for academic work.

I've helped with and been at her town halls, designed her print newsletter, attended meetings with her to know what I should be designing next. She's a great councillor and I'm really glad to be putting my *scandalous* knowledge of Adobe Illustrator to good use to better inform the people of Ward 1.

It's me! No, seriously, he's talking about me.

For a little while, I've done graphic design and written newsletter content for Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson as an advisor.

This fact is set to become the "Conspiracy of the Day". What fun!

So here's what I have to say about that (thread below):

Fourteen Fifty or Fight Hate in the Hammer and Doug comes for your parks.

Today on The Incline → A long weekend addition that looks at hate in #HamOnt, the Ford government's drive to privatize provincial parks, and how the opposition can take the fight to the stubbornly popular premier.

theincline.email/p/fourteen-f...

I had no idea about that. That's absolutely horrible. Truly repulsive behaviour.

Good Joey's looking into this, but I strongly disagree that Myles' entry into the Ward 2 race is "great" or that "he will run a good campaign."

Myles peddles in conspiracies and outright homophobic attacks on the current councillor. His escalating behaviour isn't the "perspective" the race needs.

Observing a platform Who might run for mayor and where are they sharing their views?

Today on The Incline → We're 459 days out from the 2026 #HamOnt municipal election, but the mayoral rumours are already flying. I take a look at one possible candidate, the forum on which he's been sharing his views, and what his platform might be next year.

theincline.email/p/observing-...

Hamilton mayor asks residents to report hate after CBC traces white nationalist 'active clubs' to the city | CBC News Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath is calling on residents to report hate after CBC News’ visual investigation unit identified local places white supremacist ‘active clubs’ train.

Citing an "old adage" that "if you let one Nazi into your bar then you have a Nazi bar," @ChrisErl.ca said this activity needs to be forcefully challenged by residents and the city's institutions. 
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... #HamOnt

Together in Electric Democracy The campaign against online voting in Hamilton

Today on The Incline → As #HamOnt council meets today, a look at last week's committee meeting where the debate over online voting took centre stage.

theincline.email/p/together-i...

he's running #SD4Ward8

theincline.email/p/round-hami...

The Magical Disappearing Democracy Is this the beginning of the end of elected school boards in Ontario?

Today on The Incline → Is the Ford Government's takeover of 5 school boards a sign of things to come? Is this the beginning of the end for elected school trustees in Ontario?

theincline.email/p/the-magica...

Over the past year, including today, signs with my name posted near Jamesville have been popping up - a clumsy attempt to blame me for the sins of my predecessor. This rather nice example made its way back to me and now hangs in my office. Keep being you #HamOnt. 💞

The Strathcona Quinquennium Five years atop the hill.

Today on The Incline → The Strathcona Quinquennium. Moving after five years in #HamOnt's Strathcona neighbourhood, I reflect on the history that was around me.

theincline.email/p/the-strath...

'Round Hamilton Bullies and softball and by-elections and hiring freezes.

Today on The Incline → 'Round Hamilton. It's a mishmash of #HamOnt political stories, from my article on local bullies and an internet fight over softball to the Ward 8 by-election and the proposed council hiring freeze.

theincline.email/p/round-hami...

We all have to stand up and reject the politics of division Bullies have come to increasingly dominate the civic conversation here in Hamilton.

My latest in The Hamilton Spectator: we need to have a conversation about bullies, strongmen, and the politics of division in #HamOnt. Link to a gift article ↓ for all you cool Bluesky folks.

www.thespec.com/opinion/cont...

The Relocation The story of a neighbourhood willingly wiped off Hamilton's map

Today on The Incline → The Relocation. How an entire neighbourhood was willingly wiped off Hamilton's map. And a quick recap from The Incline: LIVE this past Thursday!

theincline.email/p/the-reloca...

Hamilton isn't Lost Ahead of the Ward 8 by-election, the right-wing populist rage campaign is kicking into high gear.

Today on The Incline → The right-wing populists of #HamOnt are mad as hell and aren't going to offer any solutions! On the rage campaign and the coming Ward 8 by-election.

theincline.email/p/hamilton-i...

Victoria, Queen of the Gore The story of the iconic Gore Park statue PLUS The Incline: LIVE!

Today on The Incline → This Victoria Day weekend, we look at the iconic statue in #HamOnt's Gore Park. PLUS, get ready for The Incline: Live!

theincline.email/p/victoria-q...