Marcia MacDonald

I love these before and after shots of #montreal 's urban transformation. We live in a beautiful city.

https://www.reddit.com/r/montreal/s/qC0LCvpcd8

Film + jasette: Le Dernier Flip: Démarchandiser l'immobilier

La crise du logement nous affecte tous! Il est temps de parler des solutions! Venez écoutez le film Le Dernier Flip et participer ensuite ensemble à une discussion sur les solutions à cette crise. Contrairement à bien d'autres […]

Jasette sur le municipalisme et le livre À Nous La Ville de Jonathan Durand Folco

Avec les élections qui arrivent, venez jaser de municipalisme en gang à l'Espace des Possibles. Comment nous, les citoyen·ne·s, on peut décider par nous même ce que notre ville devrait être. Comment peut-on […]

BIXI named among top 25 inventions of the past 25 years by TIME magazine TIME magazine has released a list of the top 25 inventions of the past 25 years, and Montreal's bicycle-sharing system BIXI is on it.

“Many major cities now have some version of a bike or scooter-share system, but Montreal revolutionized the trend…The tech behind BIXI became the backbone for bike-sharing programs in London, New York, Chicago & dozens of other places, turning two wheels into a genuine option for navigating cities.”

[flyer-type graphic that ends with the Research for the Front Lines logo that includes a drawing of humans and animals among coniferous trees.] Youth Research Fund! Are you a youth* who is directly and disproportionately impacted by pollution, climate change and/or the systems and industries causing it? Is there research needed as part of your community’s fight for environmental justice? We have funding of up to $8000 for youth-led, grassroots research projects. Get in touch with us at info@researchforthefrontlines.ca *(under 30 y.o.)

Are you a youth who is directly and disproportionately impacted by pollution, climate change and/or the systems and industries causing it?

Do you need research as part of your community’s fight for environmental justice?

If so, email us, including if you need […]

[Original post on cosocial.ca]

Hundreds join protest to protect Goldstream from highway expansion
https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/hundreds-protest-the-malahat-corridor-expansion-at-the-legislature

First Nations-led rally at B.C. Legislature opposes $162 million highway expansion threatening Goldstream River […]

Good and important article that explains what the Cowichan Tribes decision actually means.

The crux:
"If the Crown gave away lands it never rightfully owned, it is the Crown’s responsibility—not anyone else’s—to make it right. The Cowichan Tribes v. Canada decision is explicit that the duty to […]

JupyterGIS breaks through to the next level Launched in June 2024, JupyterGIS was introduced as a collaborative, web-based GIS environment built on the JupyterLab framework. Its objective is to bring QGIS-inspired workflows into the browser, enabling real-time collaborative editing, seamless integration with notebooks, and support for core geospatial data formats. When it was first announced earlier this year, JupyterGIS already delivered: * Real-time collaborative editing (Google Docs-style) * Visualisation of raster & vector data * Symbology editing and spatio-temporal animations * Programmatic map control via a Python API. Thanks to contributions from the community and support from partner organizations, JupyterGIS has advanced significantly and now offers an expanded range of features for analysis, visualization, and collaboration. **Enhanced vector tile capabilities** Support for vector tiles has been strengthened, including full compatibility with the _pmtiles_ format. Other key updates include: * An _identify tool_ that inspects vector tiles to display features and associated properties. * A _symbology panel_ that applies graduated, categorized, and canonical symbology to vector tile layers. These improvements enhance the interpretability and styling of geospatial datasets directly in the browser. The identify tool in action with a pmtiles vector dataset. The symbology panel in action, allowing for different notations. **A new processing toolbox** One of the most significant updates is a new browser-based processing toolbox powered by a WebAssembly (WASM) build of the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL). Available tools include: * _Buffer_ : computes a buffer around geometries of a vector dataset. * _Convex Hull_ : calculates the convex hull for each feature of an input layer. * _Dissolve_ : combines features of vector layers into new features * _Bounding Boxes_ : calculates the bounding box for each feature in an input layer. * _Centroid_ : creates a new layer with the centroids of the geometries of an input layer. * _Concave Hull_ : computes the concave hull for each feature of an input point layer. This toolbox has been designed for extensibility, with a JSON schema that allows additional GDAL operations to be integrated in a straightforward manner. Using the processing tool to compute the convex hulls of geometries. **Symbology enhancements** Visualization of geospatial data has become more flexible and expressive through several enhancements: * _Viridis_ is now the default colormap, providing perceptually uniform visualization. * _Multiband symbology_ is now available for GeoTIFFs. * _Canonical symbology_ defined in GeoJSON files can be applied automatically. * _Colormaps_ can now be _reversed_ , allowing greater flexibility for data interpretation and visualization. * In the case of _point layers_ , color and marker size can be styled independently, and bound to different data. Setting color and radius based on data. **Integration with SpatioTemporal Asset Catalogs (STAC)** A SpatioTemporal Asset Catalog (STAC) browser is now embedded into JupyterGIS, streamlining access to different data collections. Users can select specific platforms and sensors, choose data products and processing levels, and set temporal and spatial constraints. It is now possible to search across multiple datasets simultaneously. Users can click on any result to add it directly as a layer to their JupyterGIS project. This creates a seamless workflow from data discovery to visualization, making it easier for researchers and analysts to find and integrate relevant satellite imagery and geospatial datasets into their Jupyter notebooks. Currently, the STAC Browser only supports the Geodes STAC API but support for all STAC catalogs is under way. Browsing a STAC access catalog from JupyterGIS. **Support for more data types** The range of supported geospatial data formats is now broadened with _GeoParquet_ and _PMTiles_**,** enabling efficient columnar storage and fast analytical queries for GeoParquet, and highly compact, streaming-friendly vector tile delivery for PMTiles. **User experience and interface improvements** The interface has been refined for a smoother workflow: * _Integrated control panels_ (layer list, filters, layer properties, etc.), reducing back and forth between the JupyterLab side-panels and the JupyterGIS UI. It also improves the “single document” scenario, allowing it to interact with JupyterGIS controls when opening a GIS document from the classic Jupyter Notebook UI. * An improved _toolbar design_ , with cleaner icons and better usability. * A new feature to center the map on your _current location_. * _Map annotations_ now link to the map: clicking an annotation automatically re-centers and zooms to the location. * _Full-screen_ mode support. **Legends for vector layers** JupyterGIS now automatically generates legends for vector layers, ensuring consistent interpretation: * Legends are dynamically updated to reflect current symbology. * Customizations such as reversed colormaps are preserved. Displaying legends in the layers panel. **JupyterGIS tiler extension** An extension for JupyterGIS enables the creation of JupyterGIS layers from _xarray variables_ in Jupyter kernels, with support for lazy evaluation, bridging geospatial workflows with powerful array-based computation. The package, called JupyterGIS-tiler, is available in GitHub here and can be installed from PyPI with _pip install jupytergis-tiler_. **Looking ahead** Development will continue to expand JupyterGIS in several directions: * Extension of the GDAL-based processing toolbox. * Deeper integration with QGIS and a richer Python API for automation. * A Story Maps Editor and Viewer to enable interactive communication of geospatial information through text, imagery, and maps. In the meantime, feel free to try JupyterGIS directly in your browser with JupyterLite, no installation required. Opportunities for engagement also include: * Checking out documentation for tutorials and the Python API. * Discussions via the GeoJupyter Zulip channel or the bi-weekly GeoJupyter hackathon. * Contributions to the development repository. The JupyterGIS community continues to grow, and active participation from researchers, developers, and educators worldwide is encouraged.

Hello, #gis #earthobservation #geospatial Has anyone tried JupyterGIS->https://eo4society.esa.int/2025/10/16/jupytergis-breaks-through-to-the-next-level It does look quite a tasty stir fry of jupyter lab and a (still) simple GIS thing, but potentially quite useful. #python

Great thread summarizing the "Genes, Traits, and Identities: Navigating Sex, Gender, and Sexuality in Modern Research" session at #ASHG25.

Now: Janet Song: Human-specific tandem repeat in CACNA1C modulates responses to neuronal stimulation #ASHG25 🧪🧬🖥️

From the Red de Mujeres Tejiendo Futuro / network of womenweavingfuture2022@kilogram.makeup :

¡The national strike in Ecuador is legitimate and just!

"We call on the international community to join this call and develop solidarity actions with the communities that are demonstrating with […]

Une rue tranquille bordée d'arbres, avec des immeubles résidentiels d'un côté et des voitures garées de l'autre. Une piste cyclable est visible sur la droite, signalée par des poteaux verts. La scène se déroule en automne, avec quelques arbres aux feuilles colorées.

La nouvelle piste cyclable sur St-Urbain est vraiment bien faite. Large et confortable, avec parfois des séparateurs en béton. On peut y rouler en toute sécurité.

How To Stop The Next 10,000 Bullshit Papers Some remarkably un-radical proposals

Free data resources in science are having the shit mined out of them to produce X,000's of bullshit papers.

What should we do?

(Warning: I sat on this draft for too long, and publishers are already doing some of it. That's what I get for engaging with the news.)

open.substack.com/pub/jamescla...

MNT Reform Next A new 12.5" open hardware laptop that is future-proof, modular, and highly performant

BTW if you're looking for an open hardware, repairable laptop made by a small team in berlin with no venture capital, maybe MNT Reform Next could be interesting for you: https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/mnt-reform-next

Flu season is nearly upon us in Canada. You can help public health workers keep track of the severity by participating in a 2 (or 3) question weekly survey. Literally 20 seconds. Results are grouped by postal code (first 3), and you can answer for your household.

#Canada […]

Wisdom of the highest order. A beautiful indictment of the sins of higher education as implemented according to the gospel of #NeoliberalParadise

The student-as-customer model is an expensive lie that burdens Canadian universities - The Globe and Mail […]

Celebrating mifepristone, a hero in modern abortion access, on its 25th anniversary in the U.S. Mifepristone has played a disruptive and transformational role in today’s abortion access landscape, writes Plan C’s Elisa Wells.

Celebrating mifepristone, a hero in modern abortion access, on its 25th anniversary in the U.S.

https://www.statnews.com/2025/09/28/mifepristone-abortion-pill-fda-approval-25th-anniversary

@dx Institutions like VIU and UVic have continuing studies programmes. You can write up a syllabus and suggest it to VIU folks. If enough sign up, you can teach it. You'll get paid for it as well.

https://pr.viu.ca/community-education-and-training#

BC Greens’ new leader wants to bring back rental tool extinct since the '70s | Urbanized The BC Greens’ new leader says it’s time to revive a housing tool scrapped in the 1970s. Here’s what she told Daily Hive.

BC Greens’ new leader wants to bring back rental tool extinct since the '70s

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-greens-rental-tool-70s

#BCPoli #housing

@emilylowan 's speech at @ubcm today
https://youtu.be/YjB1Fn2Ey6U

#BCPoli

The First Domino Falls: AMT-130 Gene Therapy Slows Huntington’s in Landmark Trial
https://en.hdbuzz.net/the-first-domino-falls-amt-130-gene-therapy-slows-huntingtons-in-landmark-trial/

https://www.science.org/content/article/first-gene-therapy-seems-slow-huntington-disease

This drug was […]

New BC Green leader Lowan says province must create sustainable funding for cities
VICTORIA — Newly elected BC Green Leader Emily Lowan says a wealth tax and a windfall profit tax would bring more money for social services and "ensure that the richest corporations and one per cent in B.C. are […]

From CBC"s On the Coast today:

Emily Lowan, the newly elected leader of the B.C. Green Party, shares her vision for climate action, Indigenous solidarity, and the future of the Greens in B.C politics […]

@Maxfieldripken
I don't think that policy was specifically in the labour and economy platform, but there were many other proposed taxes on the rich.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10cNWm0NiGw9ioe8G3USvFaYVlQRekEOt/view

(Day 1–30: Lay the Groundwork for Bold Change) Alt-text: Yellow and green campaign graphic titled “Day 1–30: Lay the Groundwork for Bold Change.” The text calls for renegotiating the BC NDP–Green cooperation agreement (CARGA) to raise taxes on corporations and the wealthiest 1% to fund housing, transit, and green jobs. It includes commitments to fund 26,000 affordable housing units annually, vacancy control for renters, free transit, a Good Green Jobs program, and reviving the push for proportional representation.

(Day 61–90: Reshape Green Power in BC) Alt-text: Yellow and green campaign graphic titled “Day 61–90: Reshape Green Power in BC.” The text highlights Emily Lowan’s commitment to “Revive the fight to end First-Past-the-Post.” It pledges to end the undemocratic First-Past-the-Post voting system, revive the public conversation on proportional representation, and form a coalition of supportive MLAs to pressure the NDP to pass proportional representation in the next legislative session. The background includes cut-out images of people gardening, shaking hands, and riding an electric scooter.

Congratulations to Emily Lowan, the new leader of the BC Green Party!

Thank you for championing proportional representation and pushing for a fairer democracy where every vote counts.

#bcpoli #ProportionalRepresentation

New Green Leader Emily Lowan Vows to Challenge NDP
Climate activist says her campaign reached people ‘disillusioned with politics.’

https://thetyee.ca/News/2025/09/24/New-BC-Green-Leader-Emily-Lowan-Challenge-NDP/

#BCPoli

@emilylowan
"We are at the forefront of a powerful movement that will reclaim BC's economy for working people, not billionaires and multinational corporations.

"Together, we can build a resilient, thriving province that respects indigenous sovereignty and our planetary boundaries. And I know […]

@emilylowan
"We can build a plan to take back the public wealth that has been looted with real taxation on the ultra wealthy and the biggest corporations to pay for our climate and affordability agenda. So that we can build on our massive advantage in renewable energy and create thousands of […]

@emilylowan
"And that this unbearable pressure we feel is cracking the glass. And it is up to us to force a new world through.

"I know that together we can make this party a force of nature. We can be an unignorable beacon, a sharp
and exciting vehicle.

"We can unmask the greed of the […]

@emilylowan
"And while workers wait for fair
wages and homes we can afford, the BCNDP doubles down on MAGA-backed fossil fuel projects, ignores the need to obtain consent from Indigenous Peoples, and refuses to care for our community members who have been broken by generations of trauma.

"We're […]