Oly Backstrom

Oly Backstrom

@olybackstrom.bsky.social

Winnipegger. Believer in people of all abilities. He/Him

2.2K followers1.7K following4.7K posts

Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

"The bill covers public agencies, Crown corporations, post-secondary schools, school boards and municipalities...Government officials say the new policy could also apply to non-profit agencies receiving government grants, but that would be determined through future regulations." Horrible step back.

Global News@globalnews.ca

Alberta government to end DEI public sector hiring. globalnews.ca/news/1212334...

globalnews.caAlberta government to end DEI public sector hiring | Globalnews.caA government bill has been tabled that, if passed, would prohibit a number of public bodies from using DEI policies to make hiring decisions.
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

We all have gifts, going through life opening/sharing some gifts, not opening/sharing others. People w/ disabilities are no different but are at greater risk of not being given opportunity to share their gifts. #DEAM highlights both fulfilled and unfulfilled potentials. Let's keep pressing.

CASE - Canadian Association for Supported Employment@case-canada.bsky.social

Share this quote with your thoughts if you agree! Let’s continue to work toward the full inclusion of persons who experience disability in every Canadian workplace, as well as self-employment. #AccessibilityForAll #DisabilityEmploymentInclusionCanada #InclusiveWorkplace #DEAM2026

Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

He's gone Oh, I Oh, I I better learn how to face it He's gone Oh, I Oh, I I'd pay the Devils to replace him He's gone Oh why-what went wroooooooong? H/T to Daryl Hall & John Oates (who also know about fallings-out) #NHLJets

Mike McIntyre@mikemcintyrewpg.bsky.social

Connor Hellebuyck got his wish. The #NHLJets Jets got an offer they couldn’t refuse. And a long-running sports soap opera has finally ended. My early story on Friday's devil of a deal, with much more to come from myself and @wiebesworld.bsky.social: www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews...

winnipegfreepress.comWinnipeg Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to New Jersey DevilsConnor Hellebuyck got his wish. The Winnipeg Jets finally got an offer they couldn’t refuse. And a long-running sports soap opera has finally ended.
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

As a somewhat frequent Airbnb guy, this is a pretty big deal.

The Associated Press@apnews.com

Airbnb guests can say goodbye to checkout chores like washing dishes, stripping beds and taking out the trash under a new policy announced this week.

bit.lyAirbnb guests no longer have to wash the dishes or strip the beds at checkoutAirbnb guests may soon have fewer chores to tackle before checking out. The short-term rental platform says it is changing its rules to limit what hosts can require of guests.
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

I can't wait to see this. I had the good fortune to meet Judy Heumann in 2015 (with one of my other heroes on the left, Erin Riehle, founder of Project SEARCH).

CASE - Canadian Association for Supported Employment@case-canada.bsky.social

Being Heumann tells the remarkable true story of a woman who led a world-changing campaign for accessibility, Judy Heumann. Watch the trailer, find screenings & book tickets for Being Heumann: https://www.beingheumannmovie.com/

Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

"An Abacus poll found that a mere 32 per cent of those backing Option 2 did so because 'I want Alberta to become an independent country.' The rest were expressing dissatisfaction with some aspect of the status quo, not with being Canadian."

theglobeandmail.comOpinion: Danielle Smith’s referendum was a lemon. Alberta voters made lemonadeVoters have given politicians the green light to put the separation issue to bed, but that may be easier said than done for the Premier
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

This is worth listening to. -Hear about Trump throwing candy at Angela Merkel out of frustration -Klein jokes about the 51st state, Freeman admonishing him that it's not a joke to Canadians -Smart American recognizing shared interests but not understanding Canadians seeing existential threat

Ezra Klein@ezrakleinbot.bsky.social

Today's episode of The Ezra Klein Show. Chrystia Freeland, the former Canadian deputy prime minister, explains why her country chose to fight back against Trump. open.spotify.com/episode/2lpb... youtu.be/pDZ7BaZDoe8?...

youtu.beTrumpism Is Backfiring | The Ezra Klein ShowYouTube video by The Ezra Klein Show
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

I've taken some solace in the fact that many Americans want U.S./Canada relations to get back to friendly terms, and have been apologetic. This interview is a reality check-likely few of those same Americans truly understand Canadians' frustrations & fears--and the threat we see south of the border.

Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

There are enormous issues, and a lot of them, to tackle in Winnipeg. I'm glad, though, that at least one mayoral candidate is looking at this. Opening up Portage and Main was an accessibility win. Keeping the concourse open would be another accessibility win (and it's closure would be a loss).

Winnipeg Free Press@winnipegfreepress.com

Scott Gillingham said he hopes to keep the circular concourse beneath Portage Avenue and Main Street open, if he’s re-elected mayor next week.

winnipegfreepress.comGillingham says Portage and Main underground should stay openCity staff to report on cost in January; previous estimate was $73 million
Oly Backstrom
@olybackstrom.bsky.social

Thank goodness Stephen Hubbard has been released, but the framing of this by Witkoff is something else. “You talk so much about my president, President Trump, being a humanitarian,” Mr. Witkoff told Mr. Putin. “You are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that.”

The New York Times@nytimes.com

Breaking News: The release of a man deemed by the U.S. as wrongfully detained comes as Vladimir Putin has scored wins with President Trump.

nyti.msRussia Releases American Stephen Hubbard From Prison, State Media ReportsThe move buys good will with President Trump while costing the Russian leader, Vladimir V. Putin, little.

Oly Backstrom reposted

The Washington Post
@washingtonpost.com

There’s no evidence that White House press secretary Katie Zacharia practiced law in the U.S. Several experts said that if a person is not a licensed lawyer but is identifying as one, that presents serious ethical and legal problems. https://wapo.st/47TzHDY

Oly Backstrom reposted

Reuters
@reuters.com

'I wanted to recover my voice.' For Reuters Culture Current, Canada's former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland reflects on loyalty, Ukraine’s future, and why she believes the world should not make concessions to Donald Trump reut.rs/4Bc7R3w

reut.rsChrystia Freeland on getting her voice backThe former journalist and ex-deputy prime minister of Canada muses on loyalty, Ukraine’s future, and why she believes the world should not make concessions to Donald Trump.