Housing & homelessness services are largely downloaded from higher tiers of government. But the funding is not enough so municipalities are having to invest more every year from tax levy. But wrps relies much more on tax levy. Also wrps gets consistent increases and surpluses where we are frozen.
A lot of the funding is recurring as it covers a broad suite of front line services. Although many agencies & programs have to apply every year. The big difference with police budget is the portion of the funding that comes from the tax levy and how much is funded by federal and provincial funding.
Disappointed to see @berryonline.bsky.social and other Canadian Auto Mayors campaigning against Electrical Vehicle Availability Standards. I understand the desire to protect auto sector in new landscape. But undermining electric vehicles seems like a step backwards and a lack of vision.
Grieving today as Wilmot township reverses course and brings back the prime ministers path. Watching white supremacists campaign so heavily to undo the work of local indigenous activists is a sobering reminder of whitelash.
It seems oval politicians are committed to withering our community away.
It was planned very last minute but folks turned out in Kitchener as well. Also raising awareness on the regional bylaw that is threatening to evict court-sanction encampment residents.
“For Aaron Price, living in the downtown Kitchener encampment is more than just about shelter… It's been his community for more than four years.”
Thank you to @ourjoymovement.bsky.social for helping me connect with residents of 100 Victoria.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Today, I released a letter, signed by 67 organizations working across Ontario, asking the Ford government to rescind Bill 6. We can't adopt Trumpian policies to punish encampments; people need proven solutions — especially housing. Read our letter: tinyurl.com/EJC-Bill6
Oh god
Homelessness is not a crime, nor is it caused by "addiction." Homelessness is caused by a lack of housing people can actually afford, which Poilievre has no real plan to address — no plan for rent control, evictions, supportive housing. Nothing. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
Next Wednesday from 7-9pm we are hosting another community power forum. Please share through your networks. Between CTS closure, encampment clearances, attacks on school boards, the genocide, and all the damn fascist energy; we need to build a strong vibrant resistance!
Their cowardice is so shameful. Why be leaders if they can't lead!
I'm gonna run for council just to make this happen. I'm so tired of public golf and private housing when we should have private golf and public housing.
A question for @regionwaterloo.bsky.social Could you ask GRT pass buyers if they would like to opt-in for transit newsletters when buying their monthly pass? Could be a way to build a more educated empowered ridership. Maybe @tritag.ca could get involved?
Municipal elections launch in 2026. Building local power to uproot neoliberalism and replace it with joyful militancy is an everyday task in every crack and crevice.
If you're interested in the long game of this work join @joyfulcities.bsky.social
My community of unsheltered advocates worked their asses off today to get folks to the polls.🌻🌻🌻
Please protect them from the conservatives.
Sarah and Jill...what a sad outcome.
Never stop dreaming for a better tomorrow. Our imaginations are sacred 🌻🌻🌻
If someone bought life insurance and disability insurance for people when they become unsheltered, we would see the homelessness crisis change real quick.
The professional class can be so cringe.
Love them🌻
The project was a land grab, a tax grab, and an attempt to privatize government
This is important: A prospective Ford government has signalled its intention to expand prisons and put homeless people in jail rather than build the housing that people need and that is their fundamental right.
I don't want a province that makes people homeless then throws them in prison.
All these ads for ground news irk me. Why are folks so attached to this made up framing of left wing vs right wing?
When you start talking about human rights and material harm words like left and right make no sense.
"I'm a woman working alone so I need security guards"
"We close the bathrooms because people were spending hours in them doing drugs"
Can we not imagine interventions that don't lead to the criminalization of poor people & the denial of human rights? We need to check our assumptions on safety.
Municipalities need to be incorporating social housing into every property they own.
This includes the transit hub @regionofwaterloo.bsky.social 👀
The City of Waterloo has a car problem. Uptown is too busy and University Ave is a mess. The City needs to centre pedestrian experiences.
Just watched the Kitchener Market kick more Unsheltered people out. Last month they kicked out 20+ year food distribution program. This pattern of exclusion is apartheid like behaviour.
Public bathrooms should be available to all! Public spaces should be open to all!
