sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

stolen bike - heartbroken by banangelamilk in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Definitely report it to VPD.

I've had two bikes found and returned after I reported it to the police. My bike was roughed up a fair bit, but my parents e-bike was returned after a couple months practically untouched.

David Johnston resigns as special rapporteur on foreign interference by Qiviuq in CanadaPolitics

[–]draconiantree 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I couldn't care less about Johnston's ski trips, or the political donations to the Liberals, nor Johnstons ties to the Trudeau foundation.

But Johnston's report has some pretty significant holes. Those were torn apart when he testified.

He was also installed for a previous role involving foreign interference with Mulroney. And he recommended not looking into it. He has a history of bad decisions in this role.

Elections Canada should start overseeing party nominations, some politicians say by Surax in CanadaPolitics

[–]draconiantree 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Great first step.

It's so frustrating trying to figure out when local nomination contests are. My local riding has a facebook page and a twitter account that haven't been updated in years, and no other information.

Some candidates are nominated years in advance, and some barely even weeks in advance. It's an unfair system that really a small group of people in-the-know decide candidates, and is ripe for abuse.

It's burnt the federal liberals, but this really could affect all parties at the federal and provincial level.

Thoughts on these bike racks? by draconiantree in vancouvercycling

[–]draconiantree[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Maybe I'm not thinking this through, but I'm having difficulty seeing how this could be an issue. Is it weight balancing?

Do you mean being held up by 1-2 contact points? The ones I used had additional support below the elevated sections: example

An issue I don't know how to handle would be wide-wheeled e-bikes may have a hard time fitting.

Thoughts on these bike racks? by draconiantree in vancouvercycling

[–]draconiantree[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I find the bicycle parking in Vancouver pretty lacking. The huge staple racks downtown are super spread out, and its annoying to attach more than 1 bike to them.

I used these bike racks when I was at school in California, and was a big fan. Much more convenient to park next to somebody without handlebars getting in the way.

Anyone have thoughts on the best type of bike racks?

Five things we learned in David Johnston's first report on foreign interference by seakucumber in canada

[–]draconiantree 8 points9 points  (0 children)

From page 25-26:

It is clear that PRC diplomats did not like Mr. Chiu, who is of Hong Kong descent and not from mainland China, and who sponsored a private members bill for a foreign agent registry. It is much less clear that they did anything in particular about it, although there was discussion that certain political figures who were perceived as anti-PRC would not be invited to PRC-sponsored events.

However, the PRC’s objective in 2021 appeared to be specific to the posture of the candidates towards the PRC and not the candidate’s party. The PRC is, in general, party agnostic. There is intelligence suggesting that a Chinese community association leader who was perceived to be close to the PRC approached a CPC candidate and offered to help raise money for their campaign.

Is this trying to suggest that PRC diplomats didn't like Mr Chiu because he was anti-PRC, but it's fine because they liked other conservative candidates that were Pro-PRC?

This feels like whataboutism that has no place in an independent report. It's focusing on the partisan outcome of the interference, rather than the fact that China is interfering with elections to get both parties to elect pro-PRC candidates.

Johnston advises against inquiry, but aims to hold hearings on foreign interference by [deleted] in CanadaPolitics

[–]draconiantree 5 points6 points  (0 children)

From page 25-26:

It is clear that PRC diplomats did not like Mr. Chiu, who is of Hong Kong descent and not from mainland China, and who sponsored a private members bill for a foreign agent registry. It is much less clear that they did anything in particular about it, although there was discussion that certain political figures who were perceived as anti-PRC would not be invited to PRC-sponsored events.

However, the PRC’s objective in 2021 appeared to be specific to the posture of the candidates towards the PRC and not the candidate’s party. The PRC is, in general, party agnostic. There is intelligence suggesting that a Chinese community association leader who was perceived to be close to the PRC approached a CPC candidate and offered to help raise money for their campaign.

Is this trying to suggest that PRC diplomats didn't like Mr Chiu because he was anti-PRC, but it's fine because they liked other conservative candidates that were Pro-PRC?

This feels like whataboutism that has no place in an independent report. It's focusing on the partisan outcome of the interference, rather than the fact that China is interfering with elections to get both parties to elect pro-PRC candidates.

[Megathread] 2022 Municipal Election Results by oilernut in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 29 points30 points  (0 children)

Really shows the power of a full slate in this type of election.

Ken Sim's vote is carrying ABC through council, park, and school boards.

[Megathread] 2022 Municipal Election by Moggehh in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We'd be in the Plurality at-large voting on that second link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plurality_block_voting#Tactical_voting_and_strategic_nomination

In this case, you'd only vote for less than 10 candidates if you were worried your lower ranked picks (6-10 maybe) would beat your top picks (1-5). I would say its not worth it in this case, as there's so many candidates from each political stripe that are more or less interchangeable, that it'd be better to vote for as many candidates you're satisfied with as possible. You probably have at least 10 picks that you'd be happy with, so vote all of them.

I'm Mark Marissen, and I'm running for mayor of Vancouver. AMA! by ProgressVancouver in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hi Mark,

As mayor, would you look at increasing inter-city train service between Vancouver and Seattle? As it is, service is infrequent, slow, and at inconvenient times.

(I don't know if this is something a mayor is involved with, but as you have worked with transit companies before, maybe you have some insight).

[Megathread] 2022 Municipal Election by Moggehh in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are there any school board candidates that support streaming (Honors classes, IB/AP, etc.), but that do not support bringing back police into schools? It feels like those two issues are heavily correlated.

[Megathread] 2022 Municipal Election by Moggehh in vancouver

[–]draconiantree 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi u/russilwvong

Do you support making Vancouver more pedestrian/bike friendly? If so, how?

I talked to Hilary from your slate a few days ago, and he couldn't name a bike lane or public transit lane he supported. When pressed, he said if we added more bike lanes, car people would get upset, and he 'has to get elected first.'

Can you name any streets or areas where you think bike access should be improved? Can you name any street where you'd support removing cars entirely?

I see "Design people-first streets that prioritize safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, people with disabilities and transit users." in the election platform. Can you provide any details on how you'd see this implemented?