David Moscrop
@davidmoscrop.com
Editor, McClelland & Stewart. Author. Writer. General purpose factotum. Lego enthusiast. PhD in political science, just in case.
A story of cause and effect: Last November, Ontario banned cities from using speed safety cameras to issue tickets. Reckless speeding immediately surged in Toronto, Ottawa, Guelph, and cities throughout the province. A 🧵 about my latest in Bloomberg (gift link)
What Happens When Speed Cameras Get Shut Off
In 2025, Ontario banned automated traffic enforcement. Now the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit has surged, according to traffic data.
bloomberg.com
Canadians overwhelmingly demand wealth tax after Kevin O’Leary says it will make him move away
Canadians overwhelmingly demand wealth tax after Kevin O’Leary says it will make him move away
OTTAWA - Pollsters report a split among Canadians over the idea of higher tax on the assets of wealthy individuals, though support skyrockets after noting that Kevin O'Leary has vowed that he will res...
thebeaverton.com
If it separates, Alberta would have to reckon with fact that nearly all the oil it exports to US gets shipped through other Canadian provinces. By me: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
ANALYSIS | An independent Alberta's U.S. oil exports would mostly be piped through other provinces | CBC News
Canada and separated Alberta could reach pipeline shipment deals. But there are no guarantees in trade talks, experts say.
cbc.ca
One person, one vote. We should be strengthening democratic equality, not killing it. If rich people don’t like it, they can go start their own Ayn Rand utopia on Neptune. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
A tech billionaire floated the idea of curtailing the right to vote. That wasn’t even the worst part
The Shopify founder’s endorsement of a bad idea suggests there is far more work to do to protect democracy from a surge of anti-democratic thinking.
thestar.com
Yeah - this is another reason I'm delighted if readers ask libraries to stock my books.
David Moscrop@davidmoscrop.com · 4d agoAlso, not many people know this, but in Canada there’s a program through the Canada Council for the Arts that compensates authors for their books that are found in libraries. It’s limited and you must apply, but it’s glorious. See: Public Lending Right Program.
Also, for those who may not be aware: self-published works are now eligible for grants
David Moscrop@davidmoscrop.com · 4d agoAlso, not many people know this, but in Canada there’s a program through the Canada Council for the Arts that compensates authors for their books that are found in libraries. It’s limited and you must apply, but it’s glorious. See: Public Lending Right Program.
I’m delighted when people buy my book, but infinitely happier when they read it, however they manage to get a copy. Public libraries are life!
Andrew Jack@andrewjack.bsky.social · 5d agoEvery writer I know, and for my sins I know a lot of them, is absolutely 100% delighted for you to get their book out from your local library.
And even more so when you ask a library to get a copy in!
Andrew Jack@andrewjack.bsky.social · 5d agoEvery writer I know, and for my sins I know a lot of them, is absolutely 100% delighted for you to get their book out from your local library.
There can be no let-up now. Infantino must stand down or be removed: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
There can be no letup. Humiliated Infantino must stand down at Fifa or be removed | Nick Ames
Uefa’s decisive call for a boycott and declaration of no confidence must be the opening salvos in a concerted push to dethrone the game’s global leader
theguardian.com
Does anyone have experience with/recommendations for built-in bookshelves/work surfaces for a home office? Worth it? I'm researching options and considering an office re-do.
*Some personal news* I have the day off. I have a four-day weekend. I'm seeing the Odyssey this afternoon. I'm playing video games tonight. I have a barley wine in the fridge. And I just remembered I have shawarma for lunch. Life will never be better than this, and it's glorious.
Happy long weekend, Canada! The pace of life is frenetic. The market will grind you into dust. The news is a churn of wretched comings and goings. Here's a short post and reminder that you deserve and have permission to read more books. www.davidmoscrop.com/p/the-long-w...
The Long Weekend Edition: Permission To Read More Books
Look, I'm a doctor. No, not that kind. But I'm still issuing this as a prescription. Put the phone down and go spend time with your To Read pile.
davidmoscrop.com
In @thestar.com, I argue that we must defend equal democratic rights, especially from rich and influential people who talk about stripping or diluting our voting rights. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
A tech billionaire floated the idea of curtailing the right to vote. That wasn’t even the worst part
The Shopify founder’s endorsement of a bad idea suggests there is far more work to do to protect democracy from a surge of anti-democratic thinking.
thestar.com
It matters what rich and influential people say about democracy in Canada because rich and influential people have outsized power to shape our public policy and institutions.
After Ukraine struck an Iranian ship, and Tehran reportedly considered retaliating with a ballistic missile, I’m thinking today about this quote from @jaroslavabarbieri.bsky.social www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
The man behind “barbaric cultural practices” hotline wants to be mayor of one of the most multicultural cities on earth. Seems like the kind of guy whose heart will be in it. At any rate I would like a reaction shot from the Bradford camp.
Larry David: Confusion
Alt: Larry David: oh no
static.klipy.com
Ben Spurr@benspurr.bsky.social · last wk.SCOOP: Former Harper cabinet minister Chris Alexander says he’s running for Toronto mayor — and it could upend the race www.thestar.com/news/gta/cit...
Trump and the US government broke an agreement with Canada on the building of a bridge. Why expect more from a larger agreement like CUSMA? Canadians now expect that any trade agreement signed with the US will be largely fictional in practice.
David Moscrop@davidmoscrop.com · last wk.If there was ever any doubt, the Gordie Howe Bridge fiasco proves it: You can't trust Trump's America, or any deal within this administration's orbit. thewalrus.ca/the-gordie-h...
One small trick to not look like an authoritarian, plutocratic loon, or worse: don’t advocate for taking votes away from people or distributing them unequally.
"Today, trucks will roll, cars will cross, and governments will begin collecting tolls. But the bridge will remain a monument to a broken bond that may take decades to fix - and may never be fully repaired." @davidmoscrop.com
The Gordie Howe Bridge Is What American Betrayal Looks Like | The Walrus
Canada spent billions on the crossing. Trump turned it into a shakedown
thewalrus.ca
As punishment for the tantrum rich people are throwing over Billy Bishop, we should shrink the airport by 7 percent.
“Today, trucks will roll, cars will cross, and governments will begin collecting tolls. But the bridge will remain a monument to a broken bond that may take decades to fix—and may never be fully repaired.” Well worth reading @davidmoscrop.com’s excellent piece.
David Moscrop@davidmoscrop.com · last wk.If there was ever any doubt, the Gordie Howe Bridge fiasco proves it: You can't trust Trump's America, or any deal within this administration's orbit. thewalrus.ca/the-gordie-h...
The essence of electoral democracy is equality. Whenever equality is compromised (e.g. big money, gerrymandering, unequal district population distribution), democracy is compromised, distrust grows, and political rights are undermined. The risk is real.
Apple should *absolutely* not release these. I have no idea wtf they are thinking
Apple is banking on privacy to set its smart glasses apart
They’re expected be revealed next June at WWDC.
theverge.com
The pervert glasses are harassing by definition. There’s no such thing as a “good” rollout.
The Verge@theverge.com · last wk.Last week, Instagram's Adam Mosseri said that the social media platform will take down videos taken with Meta’s glasses that depict harassment. Attempts to curtail misuse are good, but the problem is Meta could have been doing this all along. Read more from @vicmsong.bsky.social: buff.ly/u2z4uwE
Last and best quote from this article. "Today, trucks will roll, cars will cross, and governments will begin collecting tolls. But the bridge will remain a monument to a broken bond that may take decades to fix—and may never be fully repaired."
David Moscrop@davidmoscrop.com · last wk.If there was ever any doubt, the Gordie Howe Bridge fiasco proves it: You can't trust Trump's America, or any deal within this administration's orbit. thewalrus.ca/the-gordie-h...
