In his first major move to address the economic fallout of the war in the Middle East, PM Mark Carney has temporarily axed Canada’s federal fuel tax.
But experts warn the sugar high of tax relief fails to address Canada’s dependence on a volatile energy source. @zoeyunker.bsky.social reports.
Warming Stripes for Berkshire, UK
Looking for the latest warming stripes for over 1000 countries, regions and cities? #ShowYourStripes
Fully updated to 2025: www.ShowYourStripes.info
Please enjoy my cartoon for Wednesday's Toronto Star
Please enjoy my cartoon in today's Toronto Star
👏 Canada 👏 Post 👏 is 👏 a 👏 public 👏 service 👏
Nothing proves how capitalism has brain rotted everyone than thinking the post office, hospitals, public transit, libraries, etc. need to turn a profit to be worthwhile.
Very cool: Rivian sends old batteries to Redwood, who hooks them all up via its special sauce, and now the batteries are helping power a Rivian manufacturing plant!
Closed loop starting to come into sight ...
In Ontario this outcome has been achieved by starving the system.
At our school, a handful of children have not attended this year **at all** because there is no one to help them access the building, let alone teach them while they are inside.
They need support to attend school, so it was removed.
The Trump administration has rewarded Russian terrorism by quietly removing sanctions on Russian oil at the end of Friday work hours today, just one day after Russian ballistic missile strikes on Ukraine killed at least 18 civilians including a child and injured over 100.
Oh, chronic absenteeism after the pandemic has risen to over 60% for high school students in Ontario?
That’s because IT’S NOT AFTER THE PANDEMIC
Kids are missing school because they are sick, and this is happening on a global scale.
@globalnews.ca
apple.news/A59EHd4IQS-O...
Remember this, though: Amazon has calculated that poisoning water & making restitution payouts for sickness & even death is CHEAPER than whatever they plan to make on the Data Center.
They’re STILL gambling with human lives with impunity.
JFC
And like...I go camping in provincial parks every summer! I should be this law's prime target! But I don't care because holy fuck our premier is the worst!
Folks, I'm building one million new jails despite our current ones being understaffed already, but don't worry, you can drink in a different type of park now
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
What the hell is going on in Canadian media?
Why was journalist Tina Yazdani — who was dogged in her coverage of Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government — suddenly fired from CityNews without any explanation to the public?
This is potential-major-press-freedom-story levels of concerning:
- Increases and prolongs reliance on fossil (so next crisis hurts even more)
- Often doesn't pass through to consumers (fossil co's just pocket it)
- Benefits enjoyed more by the rich (who drive bigger cars longer distances)
- Decreases gov't revenue so you end up paying for it in different ways
Ontario: if you're sick, stay home!
Also Ontario: if you stay home, we'll punish you
This is really poor reporting on attendance data. Global and Calandra are playing with numbers. That 40% refers to data that show only 40% of students are attending more than 90% of their classes. It does not mean only 40% are attending school.
*Question everything.
Percentage of Ontario high school students missing 10% or more of their classes:
2017-18: 40%
2021-22: 47%
2022-23: 64%
2023-24: 59.5%
2024-25: 59.8%
ON's proposed policy solution? Award grades for attendance. Forget addressing root causes of increased absences.
globalnews.ca/news/1180158...
Some doctors Headline: Experts Very Confident That Disease That Makes Health Problems Worse Is Not Responsible For Worsening Health Problems Story by Julius Smooch and Pelly Canbill Photo from Adobe
Experts Very Confident That Disease That Makes Health Problems Worse Is Not Responsible For Worsening Health Problems
Local government that takes 4-month Christmas break says attendance important.
Any push to increase school attendance has to deal with the fact that schools are where sickness spreads - and it doesn't stay there. Forcing sick kids to go anyway will make that even worse.
If they're serious, start by cleaning the air. Attendance and learning will improve as kids get healthier.
Parents and educators want better conditions in public school classrooms, not more top‑down restructuring.
Despite its name, this Act does nothing to actually address student achievement.
Our children thrive when schools have the people, resources, and stability they need.
What parents and teachers have actually been asking for:
🙏Smaller class sizes
🙏More EAs, special education staff, and mental health supports
🙏Safer, more inclusive schools
🙏Well‑supported educators
🙏Decisions made by people who understand local school communities
What the Act does:
❌Centralizes power under CEOs and the Ministry, weakening local democracy
❌Standardizes resources, limiting teacher professional judgement and the ability to offer culturally responsive programming
❌Adds unnecessary compliance and reporting structures
What you need to know about the “Putting Student Achievement First Act” (#OntEd):
Ontario’s new education law makes big structural changes… but not the changes parents and educators have actually been asking for.
Agree about the trauma, but it can't be a hangover when people are still being disabled by long Covid & dying of the acute virus & its downstream organ/cardio damage.
We're still drunk
Any government that isn't right now accelerating plans to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy is either:
a. Incompetent
b. In the pockets of people who'd rather they didn't
c. a & b
April 12, 1980. "Today is the day it all begins".
46 years ago today at 2:30 pm in St. John's NL, Terry Fox started to run across the country.
"I touched the ocean before I left, up this old dirt road that was impossible to run on."
via @terryfoxfoundation.bsky.social
Also this.
This is not a typical year for education staffing.
Massive cuts are being made that will directly impact the most vulnerable students.
#OntEd
Just a reminder that we can fund science, and save the earth, and feed everyone, and have health care and housing too.
All those things are within our reach, together.
