Child care policy researcher. Activist. Feminist. Grandmother. Working with many others to build a Canada-wide quality child care system.

Joined April 2015
60 Photos and videos
Funny how much Ford Fest brings Tammany Hall's free shindigs and clambakes to mind (I confess to being an ex-New Yorker, so learned about Boss Tweed in school) #ontpoli.
Ford Fest is two weeks away! Join me and our @OntarioPCParty team on June 19 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough for an evening of great food, music and fun for the whole family.
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Child Care Now is asking the House of Commons Finance Committee (FINA) to recommend a larger investment in CWELCC as part of the federal government’s plan to make Canada strong. Read more here: ow.ly/2G6i50Z5pxG
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That's a good response - what I'm hoping to hear from my MP, @docdanielle . Expanding the island airport makes no sense in about 10 different ways - unless you happen to be JP Morgan or any of its behind-the-scenes companies.
In this article, we have a strong response from Liberal MP Rob Oliphant, who recognizes the important role city plays in the tripartite agreement, and that expanding Pearson makes a lot more sense! thestar.com/politics/federal… #topoli #cdnpoli
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
I wish the Ontario patient in agony in an ER chair (because there are no open beds) had the same lobbying capacity like the American bank JP Morgan worth $795 billion and who own Billy Bishop airport. Protect Ontario. Op-Ed by @richardwarnica thestar.com/opinion/star-col…
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Many of us Torontonians who are sick and tired of trying to protect Ontario from @fordnation will find it unforgivable if our federal representatives allow this travesty to go ahead @MarkJCarney @juliedabrusin @docdanielle @lesliechurch @DolyBegum @RunChiNguyenRun @HonAhmedHussen
Ford wants to take over Toronto's waterfront and the Billy Bishop island airport from Queen's Park. But aviation is federally regulated. So on June 10, I'm going on a road trip to Ottawa and calling on the federal government to reveal their true intentions. After all, if Prime Minister Carney can’t stand up to Doug Ford, then how can we expect him to stand up to Donald Trump? Visit chrisglover.ca/on-to-ottawa for details on how to join us on this trek! This fight is nowhere near over. 💪🏼
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The Ford govt has an unerring knack of always doing the wrong thing. The educational activities at the TDSB outdoor education centres were fabulous for my kids but most important was that they were accessible to all kids. Novel idea - eh? Gotta protect Ontario from @fordnation
Only this government could celebrate “Get Outside Month” by shutting down outdoor education centres. For Doug Ford, education is just numbers on a spreadsheet. For students, these spaces are confidence, community, hands-on learning, and opportunities they may never get otherwise. #onpoli
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Torontonians aren’t asking for a runway on the lake so Bay Street CEOs can land their private jets. They’re asking for better health care, smaller class sizes, and safer highways in Northern Ontario. Those are the priorities that matter.
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Today, thousands of us sent a clear message to Doug Ford’s Conservatives: ❌ Stop privatizing health care ✅ Start funding our hospitals 🚑 Ensure everyone gets the public health care they need I agree with @OntarioHealthC – our public health care is for people, not profit.
The problem isn’t public health care. The problem is that the Ford government is defunding & dismantling our public hospitals and other services in order to privatize them. #onpoli #healthcare #nurses #protest #ontario #dougford
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Go Tina...great work doing what good journalists should do.
Thousands of protesters accused the Ford government of privatizing public hospitals at a rally at Queen’s Park on Thursday. Given the government’s significant investments in private clinics, I ask the health minister if Ontario is now operating a two-tier health-care system:
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Greetings PM @MarkJCarney & MPs who represent Toronto. Since all airports in 🇨🇦 are under exclusive federal jurisdiction, what is your stand on the expansion of the Billy Bishop Airport? Many Ontarians, who vehemently object to the expansion, want a timely response. #cdnpoli ✈️🛫
It's been a whirlwind day at Queen's Park so far as committee hearings begin on Bill 110, Building Billy Bishop Airport Act. I spoke with the media after an intense back-and-forth with the Minister of Transportation. #ONpoli
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Maybe it's the long-term impact of all that universal high quality Danish childcare but the Danes are sure creative and innovative in making their society work well #cdnchildcare
Denmark has introduced a wonderful initiative that converts old buses into mobile grocery stores, specially designed to serve elderly residents in rural and remote areas. These repurposed buses are fully equipped with wheelchair ramps, heating and air-conditioning systems, refrigerators, and shelves stocked with fresh local produce, dairy, and baked goods. They follow fixed routes and schedules, bringing essential groceries directly to seniors who may find it difficult to travel to regular supermarkets. Beyond providing practical access to food, the service helps older adults maintain their independence while offering valuable social interaction for those who might otherwise feel isolated. The mobile stores have become a thoughtful and effective solution for supporting aging communities.
Community note
There is no evidence Denmark has converted old buses into mobile grocery stores for the elderly; the image is AI-generated. reuters.com/fact-check/no-… yahoo.com/news/articles/…
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Yep, it sure is. And with Trump and his gang, there's a huge number of competing evil activities to compete with for "the most" crooked and corrupt.
Friends, I’ve been around politics for over 50 years. I’ve never seen anything as brazenly crooked and corrupt as what Trump and his cronies did today.
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I sure prefer her enameled foot.
Dalla mano invisibile di Adam Smith al piede smaltato di Mariana Mazzucato.
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Those in the private Canadian child care sector cannot continue to argue for higher-income parents to pay more money when they are simultaneously accepting public money from CWELCC. Where do we "find" the money? Shift it back to expansion of non-profit centres.
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Carney and the 23 Toronto Liberal MPs can either side with Poilievre and Ford or they can side with Toronto. We’ll see what they choose.
Pierre Poilievre says he is 'unequivocal' in supporting an expanded Billy Bishop airport trib.al/7QIToOk
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
Former Liberal minister Greg Sobara said Billy Bishop airport plan is “a serious degradation of the Toronto Islands & Toronto's waterfront … I am appalled by the collective silence of the Toronto Liberal caucus members on this matter” tvo.org/article/analysis-why… #onpoli #cdnpoli
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Congratulations on a phenomenal choice - a majorly impressive person in every way.
Félicitations à l’honorable Louise Arbour, qui deviendra la 31e gouverneure générale du Canada.
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The Liberals are right to tout the advances made in #cdnchildcare - CWELCC - thus far. But for the program to fulfill the promises re: women, children, and - of major importance currently - the economy, must keep building it. Needs additional federal funding, better policy.
Replying to @BigJMcC
@althiaraj Child care, another program widely touted by Liberals, will also see cuts. The $625M Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund will sunset next year. #cdnchildcare #ECE #canlab @MornaBallantyne @_MFriendly @avilewis @Child_Care_Now thestar.com/politics/politic…
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Great to see @althiaraj 's nuanced coverage of the current #cdnchildcare situation - important to pay attention to it now rather than wait for it to unravel.
“Provinces have all said that they need more federal funding to be able to sustain the program. “Without a signal now that there’s going to be more funding, I think the program is at risk,” Morna Ballantyne, Child Care Now.
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MarthaFriendly retweeted
DON'T Privatize our airports!! @MarkJCarney Look how well it's gone with Metrolinx or Therme Spa Toronto gets it.
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