Kevin O'Donnell's blog
Politics as Creative Work
Last week I went to see This American Life's live show that was broadcast to theatres across Canada, the US and Australia. I always know I've enjoyed something if I find myself itching afterwards to create something myself. One segment of the show featured work by Vivian Maier who wasn't discovered until after she passed away. Stop reading, visit this website, and check out her work. Amazing stuff - I'm motivated to carry my camera around more often. Read more »
Thrilla On The Hilla: @ElizabethMay vs. Conservative Backbenchers
As an independent MP Elizabeth May can propose amendments to a bill before third reading. Her amendments to Bill C-38, the budget, will be ruled in order (she's a lawyer after all) and with help from other MPs will force a named, standing vote. Passing the budget will be a long drawn out affair. Read more »
Dear Editor: Ontario hints at cash for auto sector
In reference to news that Premier McGuinty is looking to invest in the auto sector I wrote this letter to the editor. It missed the cut so here it is as next-day news:
Dear Editor, Read more »
Counter Spin: Green vs. PC Job Creation Strategy
Either the PC party is being disingenuous or sincerely knows nothing about economics. I'm not sure which would depress me more. The latest bulk-email from the PCs opens with this: Read more »
Nuclear Power - biggest source of electricity price increases
There is a pithy maxim in politics that to really get an idea across you need to repeat, repeat, repeat until you're sick of hearing yourself make a point. Lately each time I sit down to blog about Ontario's energy policy it sticks in my craw. Read more »
Forget $16 for Bev Oda's OJ. How much do "Media Relations Contacts" cost?
I need to open with the coverage:
Hundreds of researchers from around the globe arrived in Montreal this week to attend the International Polar Year Conference, but those scientists working for Environment Canada were also accompanied by so-called "media relations contacts" tasked with monitoring and recording interactions with the press.
Mass transit investments lower congestion for those who still drive
Car drivers this post is for you. Everyone hates congestion but, realistically, congestion can be considered a defining characteristic of a city. A city is a place with lots of people in it. People like to move around. Transportation infrastructure is expensive no matter what kind of mode we choose (except for bikes and walking of course). So by definition we're only ever going to build just enough roads, LRT, GO Trains and buses as we need to make our city productive. Read more »
Ottawa's 4/20 on Parliament Hill
Just for fun here's two image grabs from the Parliament Hill cam in rotation. Something funny seems to happen right at 4:20 - things get a little hazy.
That is all.
"I was paying attention" is the worst aggressive driving defence
I live on a crescent but it's just off Clare (a wide street) and Kirkwood (a busy inner-city route). Anyone heading to my street from Kirkwood (especially if northbound) tends to make the left-hand turn very quickly. I know this because even though I drive slow 18-year old me is on my shoulder telling me to step on it. Read more »
Luxury spending or pay down debt even faster
I'm going to talk about luxury spending but I don't mean diamonds and around the world cruises. I'm talking about anything you don't need to make it through the day. Roof over your head? Not a luxury. The coffee I am drinking at Bridgehead as I write this before heading to work? A luxury. Four days a week, sometimes with muffin or croissant (or both), works out to $1400/yr. That's a little under half my property tax bill (you know, the one that always sneaks up on you). Read more »
