Overall, I’m intrigued. Ep. 1 didn’t land every beat for me, but there's some foundation there. With Ep. 2 & 3 already out, I’m hoping the pacing tightens, the chemistry deepens, and the story grows. (Also, there should be more hockey - despite me not knowing sports). 7/
This being said, the buzz around Heated Rivalry is a win for #CanCon. Love it or critique it, the attention shows there’s an appetite for 🇨🇦-made & Queer storytelling. I hope, even among the current climate & challenges w/ potential Netlix deal it spurs more CanCon investment. 6/
I also find myself wanting more Queer content that explores parts of our communities we still don't see enough; BIPOC stories, Disabled stories, middle-age stories. Not just thin white cis gays & tropes. That said, with the current climate & Queer content drought, I'll take it. 5/
There's effort to build tension, helps chemistry btw Shane & Ilya. But the intimacy at times felt mechanical & careful. Makes sense early on (Shane’s first time) but I expected it to evolve. Not uncommon for Queer intimacy when networks get nervous about how much they can show. 4/
The 1.5 year skip didn’t give much room for the plot or characters to breathe. It flattens the stakes a bit, even if most people aren’t watching this purely for the plot. It made the early emotions being built feel rushed. 3/
The time jumps are a bit distracting. I prefer a “show, don’t tell” approach. Y'know, let pacing, framing, and character work signal the passage of time. The timestamps kept pulling me out of the emotion and story the episode was trying to build. 2/
So I watched the first episode of Heated Rivalry (haven’t read the book, so keep that in mind). Here are my unsolicited initial thoughts (as someone who loves media, studied it, and especially loves viewing things through a Queer lens). 1/
youtu.be/hOuSFaQ8HYs?...
Check out the first in a series of videos where I dive into the themes and writing process for my upcoming autobiography THE HOUSE ON 9TH LINE out March 2, 2026.
#author #book #family #healingjourney #trauma
As an aside: @avilewis.ca @joelharden.bsky.social we're happy to host that event in Barrie, looking forward to welcoming you to our region!
He did, yes.
Avi Lewis speaking with a megaphone in front of a crowd
Watching @avilewis.ca speak at a local restaurant patio in Niagara (where the Ontario NDP convention is happening) to a full crowd, speaking about wealth inequality and the need for addressing food insecurity. Lewis announced his run for the NDP leadership today.
Brandon stands smiling on stage in graduation regalia at Lakehead University’s Orillia Campus convocation, arm-in-arm with Ligaya Byrch, who holds her honorary doctorate. Brandon nominated Ligaya for the honorary degree and introduced her at the ceremony. Beside them stand Lakehead President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Gillian Siddall and Chancellor Rita Shelton Deverell. All four are smiling as the audience applauds in the background.
Brandon in graduation regalia speaking at the microphone.
Brandon crosses the stage at Lakehead University’s Orillia Campus convocation at Casino Rama, smiling as they shake hands with Dr. Glenda Bonifacio, Dean of Social Sciences and Humanities. Brandon is receiving their degree and the President’s Award, wearing graduation robes and cords. Dr. Florin Pendea seated nearby applauds.
Brandon smiling in graduation regalia, holding their Bachelor of Arts and Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) parchment from Lakehead University. There is a crowd in the background.
Forever grateful for my time at Lakehead & those who helped me get here. It wasn't always easy, but I made it, receiving not only me BASc Interdisciplinary Studies but also the President's Award.
The work continues in planting the seeds of a new world & nurturing then but today, I celebrate. 💙💛
Some hard losses tonight for progressive voices in Parliament. An IRS denialist won, as did an anti-science candidate & one who opposes unhoused people.
I hope this hung Parliament (likely to be led by Libs, by convention) delivers like the last one did. But tonight is not full relief for me.
Brandon, wearing glasses, a dark jacket, and a striped sweater, smiles while taking a selfie outside a voting location. Behind them is a bright yellow Elections Canada 'VOTE' sign, placed in a planter filled with yellow flowers. Tall evergreen shrubs and a partly cloudy sky are visible in the background.
Today is a beautiful day to vote! I went and cast my ballot in the federal election this morning — quick, easy, and great to see a healthy turnout.
Polls are open today in Ontario until 9:30 PM. Be counted: find out where and how to vote at elections.ca!
A two-panel scene from the movie Miss Congeniality. In the first panel, a male host onstage asks a beauty pageant contestant, "Describe your perfect date." In the second panel, the contestant, Miss Rhode Island, smiles brightly and responds, "That's a tough one. I'd have to say April 25th. Because it's not too hot and not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." The humorous moment plays on the double meaning of "date," interpreting it as a calendar day rather than a romantic outing.
Today's the perfect date.
My friend Kyla, who is based in Ktaqmkuk and is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, is in need of some support as she works to complete her studies at Memorial. Any support folks can offer, or even a share, would be appreciated! www.gofundme.com/f/gofundme-p...
Doug Ford has 37 cabinet ministers and associate ministers, and has now appointed 42 parliamentary assistants.
His entire caucus has a role that bumps their salary.
Carney made it clear he doesn't share his father's views on residential "schools" & is committed to continuing the work of reconciliation.
Now, Poilievre & the CPC need to demonstrate a modicum of commitment to truth & reconciliation by dropping candidate Aaron Gunn for his IRS denialism.
…Carney hasn’t addressed that harmful legacy or the Liberal govt’s failures — child welfare, clean water, FPIC. If he wants progressive votes and true reconciliation, he needs to break his silence. 2/2
Screenshot of a Winnipeg Free Press article titled 'Fathers are not sons — good news for Carney’s prospects with Indigenous voters' by Niigaan Sinclair, published on March 31, 2025, at 2:24 PM CDT. The article is part of the 'Vote Canada 2025' coverage.
Mark Carney is now PM, but are we asking the hard questions? Niigaan Sinclair noted Carney’s silence on Indigenous issues and avoiding APTN. His father was a Day School principal & Residential School denialist. Fathers aren’t sons, but… 1/2
archive.is/HzAwY
Hour four of power out amid the ice storm. I believe it'll soon be time to play Scrabble by candlelight. 🕯️
I'm so excited to be bringing back @xtramagazine.com's pop-up election newsletter Rainbow Votes ahead of the imminent Canadian federal election!
Subscribe (for free!) for weekly dispatches on all things election from an LGBTQ2S+ lens!
xtramagazine.com/power/politi...
My last official photo.
I have been honoured to serve people for 21 years.
I am not going off into the sunset.
Steve Earle rings in my ears,
"The revolution starts now in your own hometown. What are you doing standing around?Follow your heart. The revolution starts now."
#resistance #elbowsup
Opened up the windows in the apartment today, the birds chirping and the breeze slightly warm. Spring is coming. 🌿🦋
Jase, left, and Brandon, right, standing in front of a yellow Elections Ontario sign that says 'vote', which sits on top of a large snow bank by the street.
We trekked up a large hill and through some snow, but we voted! 🗳️
There are many ways to vote, make sure you're counted: elections.on.ca.
#Barrie #OntarioElection #ONpoli
So, unsurprisingly, you'll find that Barrie mayor Alex Nuttall also made the maximum allowable contribution to the PCs last year.
#Barrie deserves better.
The first Ontario provincial leaders' debate will be held February 14.
It will be nice to hear some more policy discussions breakthrough two weeks into a four week snap election. www.baytoday.ca/local-news/p...
If you believe we need to rethink public safety & prioritize budgets for people, contact council & ask them to reconsider their future budgets: www.barrie.ca/government-n.... 2/
A graphic titled 'Barrie’s Police Budget is Out of Control – At What Cost?' displays four bar charts comparing the police budgets of Barrie, Guelph, and Kingston in Ontario. The charts show that Barrie has the highest 2025 police budget at $71.43 million, the highest per capita police spending at $483.28 per resident, and the largest five-year budget growth at 39.2%. Despite this, Kingston has the highest Crime Severity Index (CSI) at 66.1, while Barrie’s CSI is significantly lower at 47.7. The data suggests Barrie is overspending on policing compared to cities with higher crime rates.
Police spending doesn’t lower crime, yet #Barrie hikes its police budget yearly—while other services are told to tighten up or face audits.
Instead of outspending peers on police, we could invest in housing, transit, libraries & social supports—things that actually prevent crime. 1/
unicipal elections matter. Provincial elections matter. In 2026, Barrie will elect a new council. But now is your time to elect new MPPs who bring about the change we need. Make your plan & get out to vote at voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/election/.... #onpoli 8/
