Hey, wanna win $600? The movement for fair voting needs YOU.

Proportional representation is a wonderful thing.  That’s why most countries use it.  The movement in Canada for PR is growing all the time.  But one of the biggest obstacles, is the lack of awareness and the lack of understanding.

There are lot of BAD video out there about proportional representation.  Fair Vote Canada is looking for some GOOD ones.  Maybe even a few GREAT ones!

Keeping a TAB on City Hall

City Hall has more than a dozen committees, dealing with parks, transportation, budget, social services, development planning, etc.  And each committee meets every month, with a huge agenda.

For those who want to stay on top of a particular municipal issue, the hardest part is navigating through these agendas, and finding the topic you need.  After all, it’s not very helpful to find out about a decision at City Hall after it’s been made.  The trick is to know about agenda items, before they are debated.

Well, here’s some good news!  The good folks at the Toronto Public Space Initiative have designed a new website called TABS: Transparent and Accessible Bulletin System.

Salt in the Wound • Jarvis and the City’s bike budget

Over the last year, I’ve written extensively about the pending removal of the Jarvis bike lanes.  There are so many reasons why Council should back down on this plan: reasons related to safety, fair process, wasted dollars, and community support for Complete Streets.

Now, we can add another reason.  Not only is the removal of the Jarvis bike lanes a colossal waste of money (the lanes are brand new) – but guess where the money is coming from?  I’ve been able to confirm with the City that the money to REMOVE the lanes is being pulled directly out of the limited budget the City has to INSTALL bike lanes!  So not only are cyclists losing a major bike lane, serving 1000+ cyclists during rush hour, … but we’re seeing our own capital budget reduced at the same time.

The first DNA award goes to…..Pemberton, BC!

Village of Pemberton CAO Daniel Sailland, Communications Coordinator Jill Brooksbank & Mayor Jordan Sturdy.

Last week, I had the privilege of delivering an award to the Mayor of Pemberton, British Columbia.  Here’s the story behind the award:

More Drivers for Jarvis!

I first posted about Drivers for Jarvis a few weeks ago.  Since then, I’ve received requests from across TO from those who want to join the campaign!

I’ve pasted some recent photos below, and the full list can be found on the bike union website.

Wanna add your name to the list?  Get in touch: dave@pigeonhat.ca

This ain’t no trolley

This week, City Council will be debating and voting on what type of transit to use on Sheppard Ave East.  An expert panel has recommended “Light Rail Transit”, commonly known as LRT.  Others are advocating for an underground subway.

There are merits to both points of view, but the first step towards choosing the right system is to get beyond the rhetoric.  Some of those who support subways, have been referring to LRTs as “streetcars” or “trolleys”.  This is a misleading tactic, designed to confuse voters.  I’ve selected a dozen videos, from around the world, showing that LRTS can be fast, comfortable and high-capacity.  This ain’t no trolley:

I resolve not to be a mollusk. Nor a piece of blotting paper.

Over the last few weeks I’ve been working with an amazing team of volunteer researchers to dig through the archives of Toronto’s Bureau of Municipal Research.

We’ve found some amazing material from the BMR, who describe themselves as “An independent fact-finding organisation reporting to the public on civic affairs”.

Here’s one of my favorites finds so far!  From January 1921, here is a proposed list of New Year’s resolutions – for both Citizens and Councillors.

“Would the adoption of some of the following New Year’s Resolutions make for More Effective Civic Administration?”

The Greens deserve to be heard. Show your support!

I’ve never voted for the Green Party, but I strongly support their right to be heard in our leaders’ debates. There is no political issue more important to me than the democratic process itself and that’s why I spent some time today designing these graphics that you can use as your profile picture on Facebook or Twitter.

If you feel that this exclusion is unfair, undemocratic and un-Canadian, please take this small step and make your support visible!

For your convenience and pleasure, I offer you eight colours to choose from:

élection blanche

Photo gently borrowed from National Post (Tim Fraser)
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Note: There are actually 40 people running for mayor.  Full list, with links, can be found here.

A bad day to be Goth in Toronto

“Hey, why are we in jail?”

“I think they thought we were anarchists.”

“Bill, I think they said something about your Black Blog.”

“Really?  I didn’t think anyone read my blog.”

“Well, now you know.  Thanks for getting us arrested.”