Testing the Waters

The Grand River Watershed Regional Update has been a weekly project that began in the fall of 2022 when the omnibus Bill 23 - the More Homes Built Faster Act was introduced, then swiftly passed - and the infamous Greenbelt Scandal began. While this newsletter was initially contemplated as an undertaking that might last a few weeks, it's been going for nearly 4 years. We are doing our best to manage as the readership grows, however with a growing readership of over 500 subscribers, a shift to a new way of managing the updates is needed.

We are keenly aware - there is a myriad of complexities and concerns, not the least of which is #ElbowsUp - and the vast array of choices available for managing newsletters. However, a significant factor is we are volunteers with a budget of about $0. Leaflet @leaflet.pub is a relatively new platform that is part of Atmosphere - it uses ATProtocol (similar to Bluesky @bsky.app which you may already be familiar with). Joan would like to express appreciation for the complimentary one year subscription that she was offered for the Leaflet Pro (there is a free version, but Leaflet Pro offers more features). So with all that said we're getting started on this platform transition.

Before we sign off, this would not be a Grand River Watershed Regional Update without a least a sample of some recent articles.

@ricochetmedia.bsky.social Ricochet -

https://ricochet.media/climate/david-suzuki-refuses-to-give-young-people-hopium-about-the-future/

@isaaccallan.bsky.social and @jennyleeshee.bsky.social

Global News - Government says naming ministers whose vehicles sped would reveal 'travel habits'

https://globalnews.ca/news/11959981/ontario-speeding-cabinet-minister-vehicles-disclosure-questions/

@jm-mcgrath.bsky.social John Michal McGrath - links and summaries for his recent articles and links to a few other articles about what's going on. Topics: Mark Carney's climate policy, Bike Share Toronto, data centres

"Good lord."

https://johnmcgrath.substack.com/p/links-for-july-12th-2026

@andreawoo.bsky.social CTV News -

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/good-deal-for-canada-pm-carney-insists-not-a-lot-of-revenue-to-split-with-us-on-gordie-howe-bridge/

On a lighter note: Click to watch the video!

As always, we welcome your ideas, suggestions and feedback.

Cheers!

Kevin ( @kthomason.bsky.social ), Mike ( @mikemarcolongo.bsky.social ) and Joan ( @joantelferfaux.bsky.social )