NarrativeBear

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/41684285

As a major snowstorm caused travel chaos, serious weather alerts, highway closures and school cancellations, some working for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation were told to head into the office.

“Just a reminder that we have a 5-day a week in person requirement,” the email, seen by Global News, said.

It added that the snow meant staff could arrive late and leave early as long as they made an effort to attend.

“Otherwise,” the note concluded, “please take a vacation day, which some … staff are doing today.”

The message was sent after schools in Toronto had announced they would close for the day, and while emergency services and Environment Canada were urging people to avoid all non-essential travel.

“Allow extra time for travel,” the weather agency wrote. “Non-essential travel should be avoided.”

About an hour after telling workers to head into the office or use a vacation day, the directive was revised.

“We are now being advised that if you have your equipment, you may work from home,” the follow-up, sent at 10:35 a.m., said. “Staff to decide for themselves if it’s safe or possible to drive in today. Please use your best judgment and prioritize safety.”

As a major snowstorm caused travel chaos, serious weather alerts, highway closures and school cancellations, some working for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation were told to head into the office.

“Just a reminder that we have a 5-day a week in person requirement,” the email, seen by Global News, said.

It added that the snow meant staff could arrive late and leave early as long as they made an effort to attend.

“Otherwise,” the note concluded, “please take a vacation day, which some … staff are doing today.”

The message was sent after schools in Toronto had announced they would close for the day, and while emergency services and Environment Canada were urging people to avoid all non-essential travel.

“Allow extra time for travel,” the weather agency wrote. “Non-essential travel should be avoided.”

About an hour after telling workers to head into the office or use a vacation day, the directive was revised.

“We are now being advised that if you have your equipment, you may work from home,” the follow-up, sent at 10:35 a.m., said. “Staff to decide for themselves if it’s safe or possible to drive in today. Please use your best judgment and prioritize safety.”

The Trump administration ordered an aging coal-fired power plant in Colorado to stay open on Tuesday, a day before it was set to be retired.

The order from Energy Secretary Chris Wright will keep the nearly 50-year-old Craig Generating Station Unit 1 in northwest Colorado operating until the end of March, with an option to extend it further.

It’s the Department of Energy’s sixth such move this year; Wright has also ordered two coal plants in Indiana, one in Michigan and one in Washington state to stay open past their retirement dates, as well as a Pennsylvania power plant that runs on oil.

“Keeping this coal plant online will ensure Americans maintain an affordable, reliable, and secure supply of electricity,” Wright said in a statement.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39851400

Mississauga city councillors are questioning the future of the program, citing safety risks, enforcement struggles and the rising cost of managing the devices.

This year, the program recorded 120,112 trips covering 336,313 kilometres — a seven per cent increase from 2024.

Mahoney criticized using taxpayer dollars to support a private program and noted that police lack the capacity to enforce rules on private devices.

Across 100 citywide parking stations — including corral-style, bike rack-style and painted areas — staff observed an 8.3 per cent non-compliance rate. Dasko asked how compliance was measured, noting multiple instances of e-scooters parked in unauthorized locations.

While Coun. Dipika Damerla said she supports the program, she called for stronger agreements with vendors, suggesting fines if shared devices are not collected within 24 hours when parked outside designated areas.

Municipal enforcement staff cannot issue violations for moving vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act, according to city staff.

Staff said they estimate it will cost $150,000 to expand bike parking stations across the city, using money already approved in the bicycle parking program. Locations, staff said, would be chosen based on ridership volume.

Staff also noted that the investment could support a citywide expansion in 2026, but speeding up the rollout to all parts of Mississauga would require more municipal funding.

Coun. John Kovac urged caution in spending on the program, citing concerns that it could be cancelled in the future, similar to the automated speed enforcement cameras, which were also part of a provincial program.

While the provincial pilot program makes e-scooter use legal, Mississauga’s program is intended to be permanent, with an initial vendor contract of three years and the possibility of extending for two more.

Mississauga city councillors are questioning the future of the program, citing safety risks, enforcement struggles and the rising cost of managing the devices.

This year, the program recorded 120,112 trips covering 336,313 kilometres — a seven per cent increase from 2024.

Mahoney criticized using taxpayer dollars to support a private program and noted that police lack the capacity to enforce rules on private devices.

Across 100 citywide parking stations — including corral-style, bike rack-style and painted areas — staff observed an 8.3 per cent non-compliance rate. Dasko asked how compliance was measured, noting multiple instances of e-scooters parked in unauthorized locations.

While Coun. Dipika Damerla said she supports the program, she called for stronger agreements with vendors, suggesting fines if shared devices are not collected within 24 hours when parked outside designated areas.

Municipal enforcement staff cannot issue violations for moving vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act, according to city staff.

Staff said they estimate it will cost $150,000 to expand bike parking stations across the city, using money already approved in the bicycle parking program. Locations, staff said, would be chosen based on ridership volume.

Staff also noted that the investment could support a citywide expansion in 2026, but speeding up the rollout to all parts of Mississauga would require more municipal funding.

Coun. John Kovac urged caution in spending on the program, citing concerns that it could be cancelled in the future, similar to the automated speed enforcement cameras, which were also part of a provincial program.

While the provincial pilot program makes e-scooter use legal, Mississauga’s program is intended to be permanent, with an initial vendor contract of three years and the possibility of extending for two more.

Explore the Toronto Subway Delay Stats interactive map to see delay stats for each station in the city.

Local residents are speaking out about the installation of RapidTO transit priority lanes on Dufferin Street last week, an already-controversial project adding priority red-coloured lanes along a 2.5-kilometre stretch of the artery since Nov. 16.

A concerned local reached out to blogTO and other media outlets last week regarding a "chemical stench" emanating from the work area between Dundas St. W. and Queen St. W.

RapidTO confirmed in a follow-up email that the substance being used for the red lane surfaces is indeed MMA, which a representative of the project describes as "a durable road marking material widely used in Toronto and other cities for crosswalks, lane markings, bike lanes, and bus lanes. MMA is chosen for its long lifespan, skid resistance, and visibility."

The representative explains that the City uses MMA "because of its durability, fast curing time, and improved anti-slip properties compared to conventional traffic paints," and stresses that the material is non-toxic.

As for the smell, RapidTO maintains that "Open-air application is the recommended method to ensure proper ventilation."

"As with any pavement marking installation, there is an expected level of odour while the material is being placed and curing. MMA in particular has a strong, acrylic-like odour during application."

According to RapidTO, "The smell can be noticeable in the immediate area, but it is temporary and expected to dissipate as the material cures, typically within a couple of days after installation."

"While the odour can be unpleasant, the levels experienced outdoors do not pose a health risk to nearby residents or passersby."

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/39262177

Shouts and chants rained down upon politicians at the Ontario legislature Monday as the government passed a housing bill that critics say makes it easier for landlords to evict tenants.

"People over profits," members of ACORN Canada, a tenant advocacy group, chanted from the public gallery at Queen's Park at the time of the vote.

At one point, Premier Doug Ford told the yelling crowd to "go find a job."

It is one of several bills the government has fast-tracked this fall legislative session. It skipped the committee stage altogether.

"This government has ignored public opinion and denied us a voice," said Alejandra Ruiz-Vargas, president of ACORN Canada.

"Bill 60 will worsen homelessness, the mental-health crisis and despair across the province."

They said the bill would accelerate evictions and strip tenants of their ability to defend themselves.

Shouts and chants rained down upon politicians at the Ontario legislature Monday as the government passed a housing bill that critics say makes it easier for landlords to evict tenants.

"People over profits," members of ACORN Canada, a tenant advocacy group, chanted from the public gallery at Queen's Park at the time of the vote.

At one point, Premier Doug Ford told the yelling crowd to "go find a job."

It is one of several bills the government has fast-tracked this fall legislative session. It skipped the committee stage altogether.

"This government has ignored public opinion and denied us a voice," said Alejandra Ruiz-Vargas, president of ACORN Canada.

"Bill 60 will worsen homelessness, the mental-health crisis and despair across the province."

They said the bill would accelerate evictions and strip tenants of their ability to defend themselves.

Levoit Air Purifier Integration for ESPHome with link to github page below. Now I patiently wait for the Levoit 6000s Humidifier.

https://github.com/acvigue/esphome-levoit-air-purifier

Supported models:

• Levoit Core 200s
• Levoit Core 300s
• Levoit Core 400s

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/37966032

The Doug Ford government wants to give itself the power to dictate more of the rules around how Ontario protects its drinking water.

The Ministry of Red Tape Reduction said the process in place to change the rules around drinking water is “overly complex and slow.” It said reforming that process will support housing construction and development, while keeping water safeguards in place.

But one expert said the move will take away power from local committees tasked with protecting their region’s water supply, centralizing it in the hands of the government.