There are simply too many reasons to say no. How the US treats people entering and leaving the country. How due process is ignored for people within the country.

In broad terms the US is an unkind society. This is not to say that there are not kind individuals, but they are unable to influence the overall norm that is so clearly on display.

You don’t get to cause so many damages to a partner and then suggest we give you another chance. That ship has sailed and I am ready for us to find other trading partners and address our own internal trade barriers.

This is the first time in a long time that I have been truly inspired by the position expressed on so many points I care about.

I have typically leaned towards the Liberal parties both Federally and Provincially but have voted for every party at different points depending on the quality of the local candidate or the leadership positions being expressed on narrow issues I think are important to me at the time.

That said, the Liberals and Conservatives seem more and more to me to be two sides of the same coin. Essentially establishment, big corporation sycophants. I believe we need a whole new currency and the NDP in Ontario and now Federally are looking like it for me.

Opinion not grounded in research: Any time the NDP has held a persuasive position in this country, we have seen the average person’s quality of life improve.

Link to: FULL SPEECH | New NDP Leader Avi Lewis speaks in Winnipeg after first-ballot victory (18:33)

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7146359

I have never yet had a problem challenging and reversing a charge made to my credit card. Their fraud detection also seems to be superior. On the other hand, members of my family have had to jump through hoops when challenging fraudulent Interac transactions. They have felt like they are being seen as the more likely perpetrator, and meanwhile the money is no longer in their account while the process drags out. Very stressful.

CBC reporting that some people are finding that the elections Canada website is not working.

If you find the Election Canada Website is down for you try checking here

https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/federal/2025/results/

Fair points if your primary purpose is to ingest caffeine in the most efficient manner. If you are looking for something more experiential; savouring flavour, relaxing with a friend or a book, warming by an early morning campfire, observing the world around you, then the experience is enhanced for some of us with a nice cup of coffee. Certainly not to everyone’s taste I know.

I listened to Cross Country Checkup and was surprised by the “expert opinions” lining up against this and yet in Avi Lewis’ speech he ticked most of the boxes. He was clear and direct and has a solid philosophy that is not about pandering to the powers that be but rather standing out with a strong principled position. He gave a solid DIFFERENT National option and we need that.

Hydrogen as a fuel source seems like an attempt to perpetuate the existing model of centralized refinement, distribution, and purchasing. There are definite hurdles to scaling the electric grid if we perpetuate the number of vehicles but it is possible. If you take into account advances in electric motor and battery capacity and chemistry design and combine all that with green energy options, you have a system which probably scares big energy.

As a person who did not follow the NDP and watched the debate from a position of curiosity Tanille Johnston’s message was one of strong positive change.

Similar to Avi Lewis in his acceptance speech, she clearly articulated the full gamut of change that our country needs if we really want peoples’ lives to be better.

For too long “working class” has I think been considered to be another term for people who work in trades or other unionized roles. I am not in that group but the way the world is clearly shaping up, even if you are making a very solid salary but not in a union, you are still part of the “working class”. We are all feeding money into the machine.

I want a government that is making life better for everyone, not protecting the profits of corporations and their owners.

This is what I heard Tanille and Avi say strongly and unapologetically backed by many things they would change.

Thanks for posting the link for those who don’t want to scroll and read a lengthy blog post. Good information but if you want to quickly jump to the “mail my MP”, click the link above.

Well said.

Yes, again taking a strong principled stance. Not trying to play it down the middle. He picked a side and for me, I agree with the side he picked.

Curious to see what the weather is like when it is a Golden Dome over all of Canada! ;)

Solar power off my roof splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen and then more power to compress and cool the hydrogen just so I can pump the hydrogen through a fuel cell to produce electricity to drive electric motors probably has energy losses at each step reducing efficiency. Doing this at scale and adding tanker trucks consuming hydrogen to deliver hydrogen to fueling stations exacerbates the problem further. It seems so much simpler to shove the energy from my roof into a battery and drive away.

And making sure the product is a need rather than a want. I have significantly reduced spending since canceling Amazon.

While it doesn’t say much for “previous-me”, I am being more deliberate in my purchases as I look for Canadian options.

I am trying to understand how an assault rifle can cost $10,000.

Marit Stiles attributes Doug Ford’s desire to change the Freedom of Information Act to the court ruling requiring him to share his phone records connected to the Green Belt land scandal where developers who were friends of Doug provided his minister with a list of land they wanted to develop on. 92% of the land on the list was subsequently opened up by Doug’s government for development. It is posited that his phone records will reveal damning evidence in this regard.

It is long but worth watching if you want to get a sense for Marit Stiles’ style. Rehearsed but still she seems far more professional and capable of leading a competent government that focuses on the needs of the people of Ontario than Doug.

https://protestdougford.com/

At 6:04 in his acceptance speech, Avi has mentioned the 3 Telecom companies price gouging and adds that in addition, they do this while providing the WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE ON EARTH. He actually drops his voice “an octave” to deliver that line and it gets a chuckle. I think she is playing into that. 😉

Link to: FULL SPEECH | New NDP Leader Avi Lewis speaks in Winnipeg after first-ballot victory (18:33)

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7146359

I bought 3 pairs of these at MEC in August for Mountain Biking and have been using them for everything else ever since. Cushioned, comfortable and have stood up to multiple washes well so far. And they haven’t caused itching yet.

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/6026-525/jb-fields-super-wool-hiker-gx-quarter-socks-unisex?colour=Red