John Lorinc

Wonderful as always to see our indie books being enjoyed by library readers: Encampment, The Sleeping Car Porter, What I Know About You, Indigenous Toronto, Fifteen Dogs, Ring, Messy Cities, Stroll, and Days by Moonlight!!

In praise of ugly park trash bins - Spacing Toronto As Astral’s wretched street furniture deal limps towards its inevitable conclusion, Toronto’s litter bins are back in the news, although they’ve been living rent free in our urban consciousness for ye...

We never thought these words would appear in Spacing: In praise of the ugly waste bins in Toronto's parks. Read John Lorinc's column today. @johnlorinc.bsky.social #TOpoli

spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

John Lorinc: Underneath the shiny renderings of Doug Ford’s Ontario Place is an idea worth taking seriously The Science Centre project represents something that has long been missing in almost three decades of waterfront revitalization: a signature cultural or social institution on the lake shore.

#topoli #onpoli Doug Ford’s Science Centre plan has merit and solid architects, but sd be tied to a refurbishment of Raymond Moriyama’s landmark building. With a correction. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

NEWSTALK 1010 on X: ""You found out that others who were seeking that job actually planned to play dirty." @millandmaitmom talks with former mayor John Tory about what changed his mind to not run again. Listen to the full interview on the podcast here: https://t.co/Wgq89xQMc8 https://t.co/NOnw0XWgdF" / X "You found out that others who were seeking that job actually planned to play dirty." @millandmaitmom talks with former mayor John Tory about what changed his mind to not run again. Listen to the full interview on the podcast here: https://t.co/Wgq89xQMc8 https://t.co/NOnw0XWgdF

John Tory wanted everyone to like him and be nice to him and not bring up anything awkward.

This meant no vision, no direction, just avoiding the ire of talk radio and Rosedale.

His clearest agenda items were too-low taxes and a bogus transit plan that died. Some legacy.
x.com/NEWSTALK1010...

John Lorinc: Underneath the shiny renderings of Doug Ford’s Ontario Place is an idea worth taking seriously The Science Centre project represents something that has long been missing in almost three decades of waterfront revitalization: a signature cultural or social institution on the lake shore.

"I’d like to challenge the premier to issue a tender to reimagine — not demolish — the Science Centre, so Moriyama’s extraordinary bldg can enjoy a 2nd life as a community hub ...' - @johnlorinc.bsky.social

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

John Lorinc: Underneath the shiny renderings of Doug Ford’s Ontario Place is an idea worth taking seriously The Science Centre project represents something that has long been missing in almost three decades of waterfront revitalization: a signature cultural or social institution on the lake shore.

Underneath the shiny renderings of Doug Ford’s Ontario Place is an idea worth taking seriously

#Opinion from @johnlorinc.bsky.social

Re-upping my original take: still and perhaps forever - Toronto’s stupidest planning controversy, uh, grinds to a conclusion. 🙄

@davidcavlovic.bsky.social

LORINC: It's time to talk about the Committee of Adjustment - Spacing Toronto The building pictured above — a three storey walk-up with five units — is located at the end of the block where I live. I’ve always thought of it as kind of radically non-conforming. The front wall is...

As this Spacing piece by @johnlorinc.bsky.social mentions (h/t @shawnmicallef.bsky.social), the need to sort out small variances will not go away. But surely we can come up with a system that prevents, as much as possible, projects from ever needing to reach this stage.

Not one of local democracy’s finest moments…

Tonight! Hear poetry from Domenica Martinello. 🌟

Two hours you’ll never get back.

Why the U.S. Olympic hockey victory is a win for Canada American hockey fans have an innate understanding and appreciation of Canada because of their love for the game.

My column about how, in spite of everything, Canadians should be happy for real American hockey fans and view their win as a celebration of something we created www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Alberta immigration trends and Danielle Smith's rhetoric: a visual timeline.

John Lorinc: This is the real crisis of Canadian immigration Focus on policy and data won’t solve this cultural problem

#topoli #cdnpoli New from me in @TorontoStar: The Liberals w/ lose the fight over immigration to the cultural warriors if all they do is focus on cutting the numbers instead of rebuilding confidence in the institution of immigration in nation-building.

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

John Lorinc: This is the real crisis of Canadian immigration Focus on policy and data won’t solve this cultural problem

#topoli #cdnpoli New from me in @TorontoStar: The Liberals w/ lose the fight over immigration to the cultural warriors if all they do is focus on cutting the numbers instead of rebuilding confidence in the institution of immigration in nation-building.

www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

This Sunday! We'll be selling books alongside lots of great printmakers, zinesters, publishers, etc. ✂️ ✂️ ✂️

Is your city thinking of leveraging AI tools? @johnlorinc.bsky.social explores how California cities are taking a thoughtful, people-first approach to AI — prioritizing trust, transparency, and accountability. www.westerncity.com/article/ther...

#topoli I’m not even going to bother posting a photo. Cd the CoT’s transportation dept have done a more careless job of clearing main streets?? It’s like the city sent out the heavy highway plows b/c the sidewalks & any vertical surface are now slathered in a stew of sludge & ice chunks. Good work.

He deew out a very good answer, so maybe less dumping on the reporter’s question.

It’s Trolley Bus nation.

Antler River Poetry event poster for a poetry night feat. Kyle Flemmer and Domenica Martinello, with Jaya Sinha. Small photos of each poet are featured, alongwith the event details: Weds., Feb. 25., at Landon Library (167 Wortley Rd.), from 7-8:30 PM.

Next week in London, Ontario: Join Domenica Martinello, alongside Kyle Flemmer and local opener Jaya Sinha, at Antler River Poetry.

Weds., Feb. 25 from 7 to 8:30 PM! More info here: antlerriverpoetry.ca

Hand’s down:
I said to Hank Williams, "How lonely does it get?"
Hank Williams hasn't answered yet
But I hear him coughing all night long
Oh, a hundred floors above me in the tower of song

#topoli Biidaasige Park, looking great in winter.

LORINC: When the police neither serve or protect - Spacing Toronto Following last week’s revelations about “Project South” — a far-ranging probe into police corruption that netted indictments against seven Toronto cops, one retired officer and three other suspensions...

Why has Queen's Park tried to remedy Toronto's police problem by ordering a probe of every police service in Ontario? asks @johnlorinc.bsky.social spacing.ca/toronto/2026...

Swath…

www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/art...

#cdnpol It’s like living next door to the asshole who used to mug kids for their lunch money in middle school…

“Doctor”

Oz Offers Forceful Call for Vaccination as Measles Becomes More Dire

Insane. The Republicans need to pick a lane and stay in it rather than promoting a fiction, making it public policy & then reversing course the moment their false narrative is revealed to be…false (and lethally so). www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...