I think we need to be organizing as well, not just individually reacting. Join things, not just show up for things, you know? To the best of our ability of course.
I can't say I'm particularly outraged by any of the proposed legislative changes, but I feel like there's some reading between the lines that would need to be done.
Like their transportation memo embraces new and innovative technology, while ignoring the innovation and efficiency that can be gained by leveraging existing technology. Canada's train legislation is in dire need of reform.
If they centralize control of transport policy in the federal government, but then declare the needs of suburbs take priority over the needs of cities, then we could end up with a Doug Ford in charge who works to eradicate cycling infrastructure nationwide, and turn cities into mere corridors for cars to pass through to other destinations.
Like their transportation memo embraces new and innovative technology, while ignoring the innovation and efficiency that can be gained by leveraging existing technology. Canada's train legislation is in dire need of reform.
This is what I gathered too. The standard tactic of distracting the government and the public from known good solutions, to spend money on something else instead which happens benefit them. Example - Hyperloop as a distraction from high speed rail.
Either way, I wouldn't expect for-profit tech CEOs who aren't experts in public services like transportation or health to propose reforms that put the public's benefit first. I'd expect that from a city planner, a Metrolinx person, a university expert, some other public servant, or adjacent.
Definitely not as batshit, yet. Self-serving - likely.
If you read into them, you see stuff that is not exactly what the titles imply. For example the immigration changes are proposed by the guy behind the infamous app that was bringing in international students in questionable circumstances. His new company also has to do with immigration. I read it as - use my thing to do immigration selection, or hire me to build it.
I skimmed through a few memos. Changes proposed loosely or directly benefit the author of the memo. E.g. Bird guy wants Canada to deregulate transportation not to build more public transit but allow robots (and probably more scooters) and such on the streets.
Several Shopify names on there, Wealthsimple, Questrade, etc.
I'm not, I've hated them since they bought out SimpleTax and made filing my taxes less fucking simple. Still mad about it years later. Anyway, they're an investment company with all of the baggage that comes with, so it doesn't surprise or disappoint me at all that they're lobbying for deregulation.