Mark Nichols

The big crime lie Crime is down but spending on cops and security is up. Why?

If crime is way down, why are Canadians so afraid of crime? And what are politicians funnelling money into? My latest -- they are boosting policing to police us ... not keep us safe (unless you're rich, which trust me, you are not.)

noraloreto.substack.com/p/the-big-cr...

“People are sleeping outside, in tents. Shoplifting is rising as people are less able to afford food. There is more public drug use. We are taught to fear these people. We are taught that these people are crime and that crime needs to be stopped.”

Yet another great article by Nora Loreto 👇🏻

The billionaire loophole: How Canada’s tax system fuels inequality While ordinary Canadians struggle, the top one per cent hide billions in offshore tax havens — a colonial system engineered to protect wealth and starve public services

Via @readtheorchard.org The billionaire loophole: How Canada’s tax system fuels inequality: ricochet.media/labour/class...

As Israel Kills 104 in Gaza, Canadian Media’s Vague Language Shields its Ceasefire Violations Canadian mainstream media coverage of Israel’s deadly airstrikes “an epic failure of both journalistic and moral principles,” says professor.

Mainstream outlets are facing scrutiny for their evasive coverage of Israel bombing 30 sites in Gaza on Tuesday, another violation of the ceasefire agreement.

It’s “an epic failure of both journalistic and moral principles,” according to one professor. Reporting by @rdassaly.bsky.social.

They freeze really well. I use to make jam with them as I needed it in Labrador

Reviving the gospel of liberation As the far right turns faith into a weapon, Canada’s left needs to rediscover the moral vision it once carried. The social gospel called Christians to organize love into policy—to fight inequality, de...

The gospel was never on the side of conquest or capitalism but of liberation. It’s time for Canadian Christians to remember their prophets—and to say clearly that politics should be about loving our neighbours, not taking revenge and practicing hate, as Trump and his minions would have us do.

Really cool to see that Carney has done a sit-down interview with Bloomberg News — which just called Ontario a state and blamed Ontario for Trump's petty, insane chaos — and not to any of Canada's news networks, newspapers or other publications.

Weird coincidence: he's the company's former chair

Well-to do property owners: We don’t want to see all these homeless people

Also well-to-do property owners: We don’t want to pay higher taxes for services that would address the underlying causes of poverty or help people actually get off the street

A wire coat-hanger even

Furey’s Financial Ties Reinforce Calls for Stronger Cooling-Off Period Reform

nl.ndp.ca/fureys-finan...

@jimdinn.bsky.social #nlpoli #nlndp

I’ve long argued that, if you want to know who a PM/Premier/Minister served during their time in office, look at where they wind up after leaving politics 👇

Would love to know this 👆

Happy birthday 🎂🎉🥳

I would love to see MMPR in NL but I don’t believe it will happen in a political environment where the two establishment parties refuse to ban corporate donations to political parties. These donations keep the establishment parties in power and buy their fealty.

100%.

Watching a government talk about prioritizing nation building projects while determined to dismantle one of the most classic nation building projects that exists is almost as infuriating as watching Carney deliberately magnify inequality & expand fossil fuels while the IPCC begs us not to.

Canadian Embassy Hosted Ukraine’s Azov Brigade This Summer An Azov member described the meeting as a “friendly and open dialogue.”

www.readthemaple.com/canadian-emb...

Locking people up for being poor, sick, or in crisis doesn’t solve the problem and in fact makes it worse. When people are detained instead of supported, they often lose housing, jobs, and vital connections. That instability drives desperation, which fuels crime and social harm. (1/6)

In all likelihood, I will be the last person awarded the M Phil at MUN.

Canada wide: In 2024, 4.4 million (21.2%) Canadians earn their living from a job in the care economy. In the entire Canadian industrial sector that mines, quarries, drills and extracts, there were 264K jobs. The care economy generates 13.6% of GDP. The entire mining, etc. sector generates 5.1%.

Canada still lacks universal paid sick leave — and that’s a public health problem as we approach flu season A universal sick leave system would help Canada better manage seasonal illnesses and future outbreaks, protect economic stability and prepare for emerging crises.

Canada still lacks universal paid sick leave — and that’s a public health problem as we approach flu season

Yes your taxes should support disabled people.

They should support homeless people.

They should support those living in poverty, children and the elderly.

This is literally the purpose of taxes, and I would far rather support those who need it than continue to enrich the elite.

The deep efficiency of the invisible hand.

On the centenary of Thatcher's birth, there have been predictable calls for a memorial to her memory. But Britain's 2300 food banks serve that purpose already.

Will gender parity and a comparatively diverse slate of candidates pay off for the provincial NDP? – The Independent Political scientist Amanda Bittner says research shows more diverse legislatures lead to better policy-making

The NLNDP says it's the first party in provincial history to achieve gender parity among candidates. It's also believed Laurabel Mba is NL's first-ever Black provincial candidate, and Shazia Razi is the first-ever hijab-wearing Muslim candidate #nlpoli
theindependent.ca/news/lji/wil...

Despite voting in the last two provincial elections from the same address, I am somehow not on the voter list for this election and will have to register again tomorrow. Does anyone know why this happens?

I would add that housing is definitely an issue for low-waged workers. The NDP commitment to a massive expansion of non-market housing (rent based on income) addresses a major stressor on low-waged paycheques.

In fact, since Jim Dinn has repeatedly reached out to me to get a sense of their struggles and perspective, I felt that much of that consultation was reflected in the NDP platform.

YouTube video by New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador Before you vote...NDP on MOU

Before you vote...NDP on MOU.

youtube.com/shorts/sd8Wd...

The headline is a bit deceiving here. Not all three parties are ‘sidelining’ workers’ issues. As someone who has been advocating for non-unionized low-waged workers over the past five years, the NDP platform stands out as one that would address many of their struggles.

Workers’ issues sidelined by parties, say labour groups – The Independent As election day approaches, labour leaders say provincial candidates aren’t addressing people's “everyday troubles”

“The NDP has the most detailed set of commitments for workers, which includes…enforceable labour standards for gig and precarious workers…card check certification…anti-scab legislation, and increasing the minimum wage to $22 an hour.“

They also commit to 10 paid sick days for all workers.