The annual wildfire season in Canada is coming to an end. Or, anyway, it should be by now.
But 2023 is unlike any other year. As of yesterday, there were more than 900 fires still burning, over half of them out of control.
Look at the area burned in the second graph below. The damage to wildlife is literally incalculable. Greenhouse gas emissions from all of these fires is off the charts.
Sure, some reply guy will tell you that forest fires are normal and natural and necessary. But not like this. What we’re seeing this year is an unnatural catastrophe caused by human industry — by the oil companies, their financiers, and the governments that support and subsidize them.
It’s a crime. It’s ecocide. And you know what? To them, it’s just Business As Usual.
My twins sent me this pic of our backyard in Port Moody right now. They stuck a measuring stick in the ground: 12 inches and still snowing.
They're having the best time. We happen to love snow after having sweltered in So Cal forever. It's just beautiful. And no Debbie Downers on this one, I'll block.
Can't wait to go back in May... to stay. #BC#Canada 🇨🇦
this past year alone, my family has faced evacuation twice in the #canadian north due to #wildfire. during the current evac, thousands of northerners have zero communication with their families, emergency personnel or access to wildfire data.
this is entirely due to the collapse of NorthwesTel's fibre network infrastructure and zero secondary systems for comms. the sub/arctic is infamous for its fragile, ancient comms architecture.
i want to change that, and i'd like help thinking out loud about potential citizen-owned/operated technologies for long-distance emergency comms.
#hamradio and #packetradio enthusiasts - could you please recommend some research resources on the following:
legal/frequency considerations for non-voice/packet transmission specific to #Canada
recommended hardware & software for 1000km+ transmission, tcp/ip
examples of amateur radio clubs that have undertaken this kind of role before
if possible, please respond with links to documentation, research and/or policy papers.
my entire family has worked wildfire management since the teletype days, and i hopefully can effect some actual useful change for northerners here.
“The Liberal Party is beta-testing new videos attacking Conservative Leader Pierre #Poilievre, one of which compares him to former U.S president Donald #Trump.” 🇨🇦 #Canada#PP
Restaurant staff losing their jobs for cheering on a pro-Palestinian protest. A Palestinian Canadian journalist fired for her social media posts calling for a #freepalestine. Medical residents flagged to potential hiring committees for their support of Palestinians....
Reminder:
The "Freedom" Convoy donated $460,000 to Pierre Poilievre's leadership campaign.
That's why he won't renounce them. They bought him. Imagine a so-called national leader aligning with a group of domestic terrorists."
NEW: "Warm thanks to Israeli Intelligence Minister and IDU Vice Chair Gila Gamliel for welcoming me to Tel Aviv today. Thank you for the candid discussion of the challenges facing Israel and for your ongoing engagement with the IDU Alliance." - Stephen Harper
Ugh, totally wasted open house. Lookee-loo City. I'm so glad this was our last one before we leave. The rest will be after, and the house will be vacant.
Sigh.
So, with that, I'll perk myself up (and hopefully you) with another dopey #CountdownToCanada gif.
“The new law prevents children under 16 from changing their names or pronouns at school without receiving parental consent. It uses the notwithstanding clause to override sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code.”
"Axe the Tax" is a political proposal.
Fair enough.
But it isn't about making life more affordable.
It's spin to conceal a "let the planet burn" climate policy."
🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️ Trudeau government's use of Emergencies Act during 'Freedom Convoy' violated Canadians' Charter rights: federal court — Toronto Star #Canada
EDIT: After numerous comments, I realized that I should have been more specific about that. Because plenty of people DO care, but it seems our governments and the US corporate media do not.
As Public Health crumbles and too few people are getting vaccinated for measles our herd immunity levels have dropped too much and now many people are at risk for a disease we almost eradicated in Canada. #measles#measlesisairborne#Canada 🧵 1/
FYI - I worked on 2 different #RealityTV shows in #Canada & after those lived work experiences - told everyone I could - don't agree to go on these shows. It's almost all scripted, not reality. Crews are forced to put pressure on voluntary participants - who rarely know WTF they're signing up for & producers exploit naivety. Don't chase easy fame/easy money - they both come at high personal costs. Don't agree to be traumatized on TV, for money. You'll regret it.
'Chilling effect': People expressing pro-Palestinian views censured, suspended from work and school | CBC News (www.cbc.ca)
Restaurant staff losing their jobs for cheering on a pro-Palestinian protest. A Palestinian Canadian journalist fired for her social media posts calling for a #freepalestine. Medical residents flagged to potential hiring committees for their support of Palestinians....