A city reporter for the Toronto Star - on an extended leave. Have a good story in the 905? Email me or follow me on instagram.com/journonoor
Toronto, Canada
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Recieving a @Michener_Journo is an honour of a lifetime. Congratulations to my colleagues at the @TorontoStar and @thenarwhalca!
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Michener Award, @thenarwhalca and @torontostar for their reporting of the Ontario Greenbelt Scandal.
michenerawards.ca/media-rele…
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The girl behind the photo. A reminder that Palestinians killed by Israel are not just numbers or white shrouds. They were once smiling 5 year olds who once hoped for peace. ✌🏽 💔😞
Reuters photographer wins World Press Photo of the Year with poignant shot from Gaza apnews.com/article/world-pre…
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What bothers me is that while these people are openly violating bylaws, bylaw officers reportedly went to homes in Brampton and Scarborough to make sure families were not having large parties to celebrate Eid. Why the double standard?
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I have been dealing with so much hate recently. It's been horrible - and now this. I'm done. If you don't call it out, you are an enabler.
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Imagine how much you must hate Muslims to choose this photo. One of the most painful moments in Canada’s history for Muslims, and you choose this smiling picture of the terrorist who killed the most beautiful family. Shame on the National Post for making this deliberate choice.
Man convicted of killing London Muslim family with truck plans to appeal: lawyer nationalpost.com/news/canada…
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My 8 yo is currently sitting on the sofa with a sheet over his head, and has informed me he will not be re-joining class. Yup, online school going swell here…How are you all holding up?
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I usually don’t speak out against my colleagues but it truly boggles my mind that 20 years after I entered the Cdn media industry, the obsession with how Muslim women dress continues. And 20 years later, the islamophobic tropes also continue. Sad to see how little has changed.
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Lots of love for daycare workers today. I could see the all female daycare staff scrambling (but still smiling) today at drop-off amidst last min staff shortages, general anxiousness and their own kids remote learning at home. The burden of the pandemic on women is undeniable.
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Look at those three young women watching. This picture is so symbolic.
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For the past two years I have been writing pretty much non-stop about about the Ford government’s relationship with developers. The Star has consistently put stories about the Greenbelt and MZOs on the front page. Here’s a thread of a handful I have written out of dozens:
My colleagues at the Star including @njaved are very much focused on the Ford government and all the issues you cite.
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Poems: outrage. Words: outrage. Keffiyeh: outrage. Babies and children being bombed to death: silence.
Israeli strikes on southern Gaza city of Rafah kill 22, mostly children, as U.S. advances aid package thestar.com/news/world/middl…
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Toronto raises flags, Vaughan lights up city hall for Israel Day. According to a quick audit of the city of Vaughan’s Instagram page, this is first time this year a country’s independence has been celebrated this way. It appears Canada Day didn’t get the honour last year either.
At the request of @CIJAinfo , the City of Vaughan has illuminated City Hall blue and white in recognition of Israel’s 76th Independence Day.Learn more about City flag-raising, illumination and proclamation requests at vaughan.ca/ProtocolServices
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I’m sure everyone is feeling safe now. Thanks, politicians!
This is the result of the anti-Arab racism spread by people like @MacLeodLisa.
Everyone including Arab students, Jewish students or any other student should feel safe to literally speak their own language.
I honestly can't believe i even have to say that.
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In case you forgot we have another highway running just south of the proposed 413 that has such little traffic, a plane safely landed in the middle of the day.
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Since it clearly needs to be said over and over again: Muslim women can sympathize with women in Iran fighting for freedom, while wearing the hijab. We can fight and stand up against oppressive governments and laws while wearing a hijab.
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Mississauga doing their job to inform residents about the potential impact on them from Bill 23. I haven't seen any other GTA municipality doing this.
Looks like @citymississauga is not so much "whining" as making sure their residents know the impacts of @fordnation attacks on the environment and cost of living to help billionaire developers. #RepealBill23 #HandsOffTheGreenbelt
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We all have a 9-11 story. Here is mine. 9-11 changed the trajectory of my life. I was in uni when the Twin Towers fell, and I remember classes being cancelled and everyone standing in the atrium of Sidney Smith, watching the images replay on the screen over and over again.
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My 8-yr-old had his first real run-in with Islamophobia this week. And it's been a reminder for me of how much work there is to yet to do...but also how far we have come. 1/7
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Just told the kids (7,10) about the attack, after they saw the cover of today's paper. Their immediate reaction: "That's so scary." "I don't want ever cross a street again." "Who will take care of the boy?" "Why would that man do that?" "Are you scared, mom?"
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In an expected move, Vaughan council has voted 5-4 to pull its endorsement of Highway 413, the GTA west highway. Vaughan has long supported the project but cllrs who voted to pull their support said they were listening to the public, and not sure if this was best use of public $
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Bedtime conversation with my 8 yo today.
M: Mom, you know why my friend, Maryam, plays with me all the time?
me: why?
M: she says it’s because I pronounce her name the right way.
A little reminder of the things we need to do to make our kids, and all kids, feel included.
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The Cdn media landscape has become toxic for women of colour. I know at least 7 Muslim women who left the industry in the last year - completely disillusioned. They felt unsupported & alone in their newsrooms. They were scrutinized internally, dealt with hate externally.
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The immense interest in the ICJ proceedings versus the complete absence of coverage of it from mainstream media is confounding. For an industry constantly chasing more views, clicks and subscription, not sure how it makes sense.
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Why school names matter. My 7 yo goes to a school named after Viola Desmond. Today the teacher shared the story of Desmond, and my son (who has been struggling with online school) was transfixed. I can tell that it’s even more personal for him b/c that’s his school’s name.
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I was just talking to a friend, and we were discussing: can you imagine if the premier was a woman, or a woman of colour? We would be in such a different place right now.
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Incredible grace. Community members have been helping Zameer cover legal costs. There’s a verified gofundme online which is still tens of thousands of dollars short. gofundme.com/f/all-i-hope-fo…
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Responding to this story, Marit Stiles, Leader of the NDP says she will “be immediately pursuing all options” including “submitting a further complaint with the Integrity Commissioner and ensuring all the facts that have now come to light are being considered.”
#Breaking: Ontario developers who benefitted from Ford government decisions on Greenbelt and MZOs dined with the premier at his daughter’s wedding trib.al/ScME4kt
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Can we all please acknowledge what an amazing journalist @krushowy is?! I think on average she files 3 stories a day, is the foremost expert on education issues in the GTA and beyond and is the nicest person in the industry to work with. You are my shero @krushowy!!
ICYMI: Toronto public school board to hire 366 elementary teachers (and redeploy 400), reduce class sizes esp in areas hard hit by covid thestar.com/politics/provinc… via @torontostar @tdsb #tdsb #etfo @ETFOeducators @ElemTeachersTO
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Every terror attack is horrific and heartbreaking, but an attack on #Medina is an attack on the soul of the Muslim world.
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All I know for sure is that Muslims across the GTA are collectively bracing for the worst with the release of the shooter's name. My heart is broken for my city, and for what's to come.
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Here’s some of what I said tonight. ✌🏽
#Breaking: Toronto Star, Narwhal win top journalism prize for Greenbelt investigation trib.al/hfFegr6
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This is about giving women agency to dress however they want. Ironically, when you insult and demean women you see on the street for doing that, you are no better than the oppressor you are supposedly fighting. It’s not that hard to understand that.
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Finally took a walk today in the Nashville Conservation Reserve to see what will be paved over to build the 413 in Vaughan. Even on a rainy day, the trail was quite beautiful. Also heard and saw a number of different birds along the path. Worth a visit. #greenbelt #hwy413
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An honest question after seeing the demographics of all these protests: why are white people so angry? (We know this would be asked if it was any other demographic out there)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives a thumbs up to a protestor giving him the finger at a campaign stop in Brantford, Ontario.
Photography for @reuters
#canpoli #canadianelections
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And to add, so many people are foregoing seeing their own families for Eid to #FlattenTheCurve. As others have done for Easter etc. C’mon people. We’re all in this together.
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I’m optimistic there will come a day when I won’t be the target of hateful, bigoted comments, when I do my job covering municipal politics in the GTA. But today is not that day. 1/
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Do the double standards matter? I think so. It trickles down to every layer of society- including elementary schools. My daughter has faced Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian racism from her peers for the past few months. We have reported each incident to the school&board. (1/4)
⏰ 24 hours now since this heinous crime in Vaughan. No condemnation statement from any Canadian official continues - including from the mayor of Vaughan @StevenDelDuca.
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Thanks to @VaxHuntersCan I helped a few newcomer families who aren’t on Twitter find a pop up in Scarborough. They thanked me so many time’s and said would have never known otherwise. I’m sure there are many like them. Shouldn’t the province be in charge of getting the word out?
Your periodic reminder that one Twitter account run by four random volunteers is doing a better job directing people to vaccines than the Ontario government is
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Taking Durham land out of Greenbelt could cause ‘irreversible damage,’ says Parks Canada in blunt warning thestar.com/news/gta/2022/12… via @torontostar
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Sincere advice: get off Twitter, throw on some snow pants and go roll around in the snow (with or without your kids.) Does wonders for your mood.
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And you too — columnists and other commentators — can sympathize with Iranian women without being hateful to your Muslim neighbours, colleagues and women you may pass by on the street. If you can’t, it’s a you problem, and not their problem.
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I wasn't sure if I wanted to write something after the horror of this week. But I felt such profound sadness, that I wrote this first-person piece last night after watching the vigil. It was cathartic.
thestar.com/content/thestar/…
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In light of the hijab cutting hoax, just wanted to make a few points. I was shocked that a little girl was trotted out with her entire family for a presser.
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I think this is what’s shocking for many of us: the privilege and impunity with which the protests are taking place. Absolutely no fear of repercussions. This is not a reality POC can understand.
HONEST QUESTION: If a group of Black or Indigenous people threw rocks at Canada's Prime Minister…would they just be allowed to walk away? #Elxn44
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Vaughan council yanks its support for the controversial GTA highway in a ‘stunning’ vote thestar.com/news/gta/2021/03… via @torontostar
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With so many questions, Ontario’s Greenbelt housing plan must stop thestar.com/opinion/editoria… via @torontostar
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Eid Mubarak! This #Eid, my family is celebrating with a new addition, Mohsin, who was born a little more than a week ago. His name has many meanings, but there was one that stuck with me: “the one who is and does good” and is kind in interactions with others. 1/
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Your long weekend read! For weeks, the Star and @EmmaMci at the National Observer teamed up to investigate who’s driving the controversial #Hwy413/#GTAWest Transportation Corridor that will connect Halton to York Region. Here's some of what we've found: thestar.com/news/investigati…
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The @cityoftoronto recently upgraded this park near grandma’s house and it’s changed the neighbourhood. We have never seen so many people, so many kids, and so many families gather in the 20 yrs they have lived here. It’s incredible what a nice park can do for a community.
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Important to note, most homes being proposed for Greenbelt are not affordable or attainable - per their new phrasing.
Premier Doug Ford says lands will be returned to Greenbelt if houses not built soon enough and acknowledges “we moved fast. We could have had a better process.” But he won’t reconsider the land decisions made from that flawed process. #onpoli
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First RCMP launches investigation into the Greenbelt land swap. And now, AG confirms it is looking into MZO selection process.
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What a panel! Is this a first for Canadian media? All WOC journalists? Such an honour to chat with these trailblazers in the industry about the future of journalism. @Nanaaba said it best when asked what does the future of journalism look like? “It looks like us.” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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It's not lost on me that this wknd marks 5-years since the Quebec City mosque attack. And since then, Cdn Muslims continue to face racism, discrimination and hate. I'm not naive, but I am hopeful that we can combat hate, one student, one conversation at a time. InshAllah. 7/7
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After covering the election, I felt compelled to head to the special night prayer held only in Ramadan. I have a lot to pray for, but first on my mind: may our beautiful province always remain a safe, diverse and inclusive place for all those who call it home. ❤️
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The federal government is launching an environmental study of Rouge National Urban Park to better understand the impacts of housing developments planned by the Ford government in the surrounding Greenbelt, the Star has learned. thestar.com/news/canada/2023… via @torontostar
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It’s depressing how many journalists of colour have recently left or been pushed out of the Cdn media industry. It’s even more maddening to see white male journalists use their privilege to attack, discredit and force out the few voices that remain.
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Heartbroken from terror attacks in recent days. But this is what Muslims I know are doing in ramadan: making sandwiches for homeless youth.
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Don't stand here, don't stop here, don't come near here, don't wear this, don't say that, don't wave that, don't boycott that, don't talk so loud, don't look so angry, don't don't don't. If it's not one thing, it will always be another.
This is of course a losing game. Wear the coloured smoke canisters in a convenient and visible place, be subject to racist smears; keep them out of sight in a bag, potentially get jumped by cops when you stop to pull an unknown item out.
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ICYMI. We focused on one MZO in this piece and this for me is the crux of the piece, there’s been over 100 issued by this govt since 2019. “Once an MZO has been issued, there’s little oversight or a deadline compelling developers to get the housing built, critics say.“
A developer close to Doug Ford bought this farmland and got special permission to build ‘desperately needed homes.’ Then he sold a chunk for what appears to be a huge profit trib.al/WZMFoYn
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Sending so much love to my colleagues and friends covering the vigil tonight, while dealing with their own sadness. Thank you. 🙏🏼@KamilKaramali @FarahNasser @alysanmati @fatimabsyed @_shireenahmed_ (apologies if I missed anyone.)
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I feel people criticizing the girl for speaking out should also hold those who pushed her to speak out to account. Was she or her family made aware of the consequences of doing so by the board, police, media?
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Today a girl in my daughters grade 4 class mocked an Indian accent and told M it was “really satisfying.” M told the girl she was being rude and followed up with: “if you make fun of any culture, not just mine, it’s racist. And rude. And don’t do it near me again.” 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
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‘The developers are all in control’: Doug Ford’s government moves to limit the power of conservation authorities, sparking fears for the environment thestar.com/news/gta/2020/11… via @torontostar
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I had a crash course in suicide and depression 2 years ago. It changed how I look at mental illness and, in some ways, life. Here’s what it taught me: always be kind, tell ppl you love them, listen to them, and just be there. Even if it’s not enough at the end. #RIPBourdain
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After a weekend of sadness, my inbox and social media was full of love, solidarity and support today. Thank you. It truly means a lot. ❤️
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I have seen more people standing in lines trying to get into Vaughan Mills on a Sunday than are at this rally.
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This may be too nuanced for twitter, but I have always felt ppl of colour and new immigrants are very open when it comes to sharing their story/life with the media but rarely are made to understand the consequences of doing so
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You lost me at pension.
Let me get this straight .. I will be paying for "free" daycare for wealthy, two-income families from my fixed income pension. Thank you, @Kathleen_Wynne for pillaging my pocket once again. #onpoli
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The school's VP dealt with it swiftly and thoroughly. She talked to both kids. Stressed it was unacceptable and would not be tolerated. My son got an apology from his classmate to which the VP told him: "Don't' say it's okay. Because it's not. But say, apology accepted." 5/7
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I asked my son how he's feeling now and he said, "I'm glad we talked about it and the VP said it's unacceptable. Cause it is."
I'm happy the school took it seriously, and didn't just brush it under the rug. I know that doesn't happen all the time. But it gives me hope. 6/7
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Maybe it was already on their radar but what kickstarted that process to return Ajax land into the Greenbelt were questions from the Star.
Housing Minister Steve Clark says he is taking responsibility. @fatimabsyed says if that is true, and they really want to develop the Greenbelt, why not redo the process in the right way?
She points out Greenbelt land is not needed to build homes in Ontario.
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Amazing that a month ago, Israel vehemently denied striking a hospital after mass outrage. And now they have bombed a hospital, destroyed it, shot at innocent patients, killed newborn babies and have forced doctors to leave patients behind - and no one seems to care. Shame
BREAKING: Israeli forces have given doctors, patients and forcibly displaced people at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza one hour to evacuate the compound aje.io/mqe2ew
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I have spent the past week with @EmmaMci and @BKennedyStar digging into records of who owns parcels of the Greenbelt, and here's what we found: Of the 15 areas slated to be removed from the GB, eight include properties purchased in the four years since the election of Doug Ford.
They recently bought Greenbelt land that was undevelopable. Now the Ford government is poised to remove protections — and these developers stand to profit trib.al/COk91j9
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It's shamefully clear that several pundits and politicians are disappointed yesterday's car accident at the border was just that. They were ready with their xenophobic talking points and their hateful takes on immigrants and ecstatic to have a reason to justify their hate.
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Sending my love and strength to everyone attending vigils and the funeral of the Afzaal family today. My heart is with you.
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There is no grand conspiracy or agenda. My colleagues and I work tirelessly to inform you and hold government officials accountable. The thing is, the media is one part of the government accountability equation. The other, and most important, part is the public.
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It’s been very disappointing to see Canadian journalism orgs fail to stand up for their peers being killed and injured in Gaza and those being terrorized in Israel for speaking the truth.
Journalists for Human Rights held their Gala in Toronto last night. Pretty disappointing to hear there was barely any mention of what’s happening in Gaza right now. 36 journalists have been killed in the last 25 days..
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Eight of the province’s most powerful land developers own thousands of acres of prime real estate near the proposed route. thestar.com/news/investigati…
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NEW from @CharliePinkerto @rachelmendleson and me.
Insiders, government appointees also attended Doug Ford’s daughter’s wedding thestar.com/news/investigati… via @torontostar
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As of this morning, 6 more members of the Greenbelt Council have resigned, following in the footsteps of Crombie who resigned last night. At this point, there are only 3 appointees left on the 9-member govt advisory board. A few of their letters below.
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The only reason why I’m still hanging around this god forsaken industry is this woman right here. Thank you @ShreeParadkar.
Some good news to share. Same job, more protection. Full details below 👇🏾
Always thankful and grateful for the massive amounts of support I get internally and externally. I’d be nowhere without community. Truly you all. 🤗
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Really touched by all the messages and love. Thank you. My way was paved by many journalists of colour and women who led the way before me. Grateful to be able to do the same for the next generation of journalists. 🙏🏽
Yesterday, @njaved won Canada's top journalism award. I — & countless Muslim reporters — wouldn't exist if she didn't break the brick wall first. Watching her use the 🏆 to continue advocating for marginalized journalists will stay with me forever. One of Canada's best reporters!
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Re-upping this thread in light of the AG's report being released this morning at 11. Full coverage at thestar.com. Most of the collab stories you have read on the Greenbelt would not be possible without the Star's weight and funds behind it. Support local journalism.
For the past two years I have been writing pretty much non-stop about about the Ford government’s relationship with developers. The Star has consistently put stories about the Greenbelt and MZOs on the front page. Here’s a thread of a handful I have written out of dozens:
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My deep dive into how the province is taking a position through deliberate inaction, allowing developers to chip away at protected #Greenbelt land across the GTA.
‘The province is turning a blind eye’: Doug Ford’s hands-off approach to Greenbelt disputes worries residents, environmental groups dlvr.it/S3yM3j
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NEW: Doug Ford’s government issued dozens of special orders designed to fast-track LTC homes and housing. That hasn’t happened, a Star analysis reveals thestar.com/news/gta/doug-fo… via @torontostar
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The consistent harassment of a woman of colour who dares to speak up or offer a different perspective is toxic. It’s making this industry — and our communities -- unsafe. No one should have to put up with it, especially not @shree.
Having whined for years about my critiques of racism and other oppressions, my winning the Atkinson Fellowship, my ombud’s role, Jon Kay is now going after my actual job. For the sin of speaking up for a people being slaughtered.
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The group of developers own 39 properties covering 3,300 acres that are conservatively valued at nearly half a billion dollars, according to land registry documents. The value of those lands could rise dramatically if the highway is built thestar.com/news/investigati…
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I’m not posting the hate, because this person deserves no attention. But just wanted to share with you all the reality of being a minority journalist in Toronto. 4/ #donewithhate #callingitout
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The Greenbelt fight may be over, but other contentious planning changes still remain. I list out a few of them.
As Doug Ford’s Greenbelt reversal is celebrated, other ‘misguided’ planning policies remain concerns trib.al/R0nYoKs
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Generally, my first instinct is to ignore hateful trolls like Rebel & its minions. But more Muslims have been killed in Canada by domestic terrorism and those with Islamophobic views than any other G7 country. Acts like this have deadly consequences. They can’t be ignored anymore
A part of me just feels sick and tired of giving publicity to publicity stunts like this, to help raise their profile - and funds, though from a journalistic perspective, I got it...I know why we had to cover the news.
thestar.com/news/gta/rebel-n…
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As this fantastic piece by my colleagues says, 9-11 and it’s aftermath changed the lives of every Muslim. So many lives lost. So many dreams destroyed. And in my opinion 20-yrs later, the Muslim community has still not been recovered from the shadow that was cast on 9-11.
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Actually immigrants are the people keeping your economy afloat, paying your salaries and into your pension plans. Maybe our leaders need to calm it with the racism.
NEW: Premier Doug Ford strongly suggests that immigrants are behind shootings at Jewish-based schools in the province.
"Your bringing your problems from everywhere else in the world to Ontario and your going after other Canadians," Ford said.
#onpoli
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I interview a lot of ppl who are new immigrants/poc/woc and I’m honest with them. This story will be on social media. It will garner comments. Many of them will hurt. Are you still comfortable proceeding?
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I was recently talking to a student about my journalism path, and how lonely it was when I started 15 yrs ago as a one of the few visible Muslim women in the industry. Watching this makes me so emotional, and so happy that a young woman won't go through what I did. #soproud
So excited to finally share the name and launch date for our new show! Canada Tonight airs weeknights at 8pm on @CBCNews starting January 11 😃
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Anti-semitism of any kind is unacceptable and must be called out. Everyone deserves to live in peace and security. Those fanning the flames and posting unsubstantiated content to create more division are doing a disservice to their community and risking their credibility.
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A good time to remind everyone that there is no shortage of land for housing in Ontario.
#Breaking: Premier Doug Ford says the province will review and 're-evaluate' all lands in the Greenbelt trib.al/CyNBELJ
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