#Network security Toronto

[604to647]

Skittles

3.8K / Detective Tim Rockford x fem!reader

Summary: You catch Detective Tim Rockford in a compromising position.

Warnings: 18+ Content (MDNI please) - but it's all fluff (things start to move towards spicy near the end)!  Talk of prostitution (sex work is work!), nicknames (Shutterbug, baby), feather light dusting of angst, soft!Tim as usual 💕

A/N: Another instalment of The Rockford Portfolio! Because the collection of one-shots is non-linear, they can all be read as standalone - though there is a reference to something that happened when they first met in Marine Attraction. This one can take place anytime, but I imagine it to be earlier on when Tim and Shutterbug have started dating for a few months/they're in a newish established relationship. Graffiti Alley is a real place! There might be others, but the one I frequented (and where the moodboard pics were taken is in Toronto, behind Queens Street).

Series Masterlist

Photography themed dividers by @saradika-graphics 🥰

“Thanks for your help, Darlene.”

“Sure thing, boss.  Sorry no one showed.”

“Not your fault.  You sure it’s this alley though?”

Darlene, seasoned pro at the world’s oldest profession and one of Detective Tim Rockford’s longest standing and most trustworthy informants, gives him a withering stare, “I think I can remember where I gave the guy a blow job, Timothy.”

“Geez Louise, Darlene, alright – I’m sorry,” Tim throws his hands up in mock surrender.  Over the years, Darlene has provided him countless pieces of good intel – usually regarding the comings and goings of suspects or other persons of interest in his cases; her information always panned out - he didn’t have any reason to doubt her.

Theirs was a mutually beneficial arrangement, as most cop-informant relationships were.  He never busted her for soliciting, and to be honest, he probably wouldn’t have even if she didn’t help him.  In Tim’s mind, sex work was work and Darlene and her fellow sex-workers had the right to make a living, as long as everyone was being safe and no one got hurt.  He had a tendency to emphasize the safety part – Darlene and a few of her closer friends knew that if a client were to ever get rough or out of hand, a call to Detective Rockford would bring about an appropriate response. 

That Darlene had once tried to use Tim’s business card as a get-out-of-jail-free card was another story.

Early on in their arrangement, Darlene had offered to include some additional ‘perks’, but Tim had never taken her up on it; the power imbalance didn’t sit well with him and she eventually stopped offering, the possibility of their relationship being anything other than strictly professional evaporating years ago.   He knew other cops that didn’t object to mixing business with pleasure, and while Tim didn’t judge, it wasn’t for him. He saw it as his responsibility to take care of his informants, and he did so by paying Darlene one of his higher informant rates and providing her with some security in the knowledge that he was but one phone call away if she ever needed help; in return, Darlene kept an eye out for information that could help with his cases and she nearly always delivered.

Unfortunately, today was not one of those times.  Darlene had called and said that she had it on very "good authority" that a few of Mr. Pie’s men had been hanging out a lot in Graffiti Alley.  Darlene had overhead the men in question talking about Mr. Pie’s distribution network – an area of the Pie organization that Tim had been heavily investigating.  And as a result, Tim’s spend the better part of his Saturday sitting in his car with Darlene, parked in an inconspicuous alcove in said alley waiting for her to identify any of the men should they turn up.  No dice – during the daytime, Graffiti Alley is almost welcoming: people walk their dogs here, photographers and artists with sketch books come to be inspired by the ever changing graffiti art, even tourists wander through to admire the colourful murals. Apparently, the less than savoury characters only emerge at night.

Tim hands Darlene the envelope with her informant pay, which she accepts eagerly, “And do you have the other stuff?” 

“Of course.  Not my first rodeo, Darlene,” Tim reaches his long arm into the back seat of his car and grabs a small plastic grocery bag and hands it to her as well.

“Yesssss… you got Skittles this time,” Darlene digs into the bag, eyes eagerly looking over the selection of candy that Tim's given her as part of their agreement.  She selects the package of Skittles and starts to tear it open – eager for her sugary reward.

“In the car? Be carefu-,” starts Tim, but it’s too late.  Darlene pulls apart the wrapper just a bit too aggressively and the bag of candy explodes, scattering the little sugary rainbow orbs all over the front seats and floor of Tim’s department issued Crown Vic.

Darlene shrieks with laughter, “Sorry, boss!! I’ll clean it up!” and starts scooping up all the candy she can see.  Tim helps as much as he can, but he’s already groaning at the near guaranteed prospect that they won’t be able to find every spilled Skittle and days, weeks and even months down the line, he’s going to periodically find candy in his car – crushed, melted and sticky. 

Darlene leans over the centre console, hands groping around the floor of the driver’s side, feeling for errant candy.  Tim closes his eyes and sighs, “Don’t bother, Darlene.  And don’t eat candy that’s been on the floor, okay?”

“Tim?”

Tim’s eyes snap open at the sound of your voice coming from somewhere outside the car, not too far away.  He turns his head and looks out the window to you standing across the alley, a small smile of surprise on your pretty face – clearly not expecting to see him in Graffiti Alley where you had come to shoot photos.  Tim’s about to roll down his window to greet you when Darlene chooses this exact moment to pop her head up so it’s now visible to you from outside the car and Tim watches as your face goes from bemused to shocked.

---

You love Graffiti Alley.  It runs behind one of the city’s busier, more fashionable streets downtown. An alley in every sense of the word: dirty and lined with the bins and refuse discarded by businesses that only cared to maintain a posh appearance for their front of house.  But what the back walls lining the alley way lacked in cleanliness and refinement, it made up for in vibrant and exciting graffiti art.  You’ve come to admire and shoot the murals in Graffiti Alley many times before, but you returned often – the street artists frequently paint over, around, and even collaborate with each other so there’s always something new to see.  After a delightful brunch with your friends in the same part of town, you made your way over to Graffiti Alley with the intention of trying out a new lens you had downloaded which you suspected would pick up on the saturation of spray paint colour rather prettily.

Noticing several new murals you’ve never seen before, you had happily snapped pic after pic, rather pleased with the results when you checked your camera roll.  You’re looking through your latest set of photos, thinking that Tim might particularly enjoy a few of the bolder, stylized tags, when, almost as if you manifested him, you look up from your phone and see him sitting in the driver’s seat of his car, partially hidden in a shady alcove along a wider part of the alley way.

Tim's eyes are closed and he looks like he’s sighing – you knew he was working this afternoon, but looking around, there’s no one in this alley save him and you; thinking perhaps he’s taking a quick break, you call out his name.

Spying the look of recognition on his face when Tim turns to face you, you’re about to start walking over when the head of a woman pops up into view and based on the angle at which she appears, the only place her face could have been prior to surfacing had to be Tim’s lap.

You’re not sure what your facial expression conveys upon realizing that you've just caught the man you’ve been dating in the middle of receiving a blow job in a dingy back alley, but internally, you’re stifling a nervous type of laughter – this is awkward and mortifying.  Maybe later, you’ll remember to be hurt, but right now your confusion and embarrassment for the situation are protecting your heart.

Your instinct is to run away.  To put as much distance between you and Tim’s daytime dalliance as possible, as soon as possible.  The instant you spin on your heel, you hear the car door opening and Tim call out your name.

Only able to take two steps before you hear, “Shutterbug! Please don’t go!” accompanied by Tim’s hurried footsteps catching up to you, stopping you in your tracks - it'll be impossible for you to outrun him if he insists on chasing after you with those stupid long legs of his.

Did he even have time to zip up his pants?! You cover your eyes before turning around, not sure if you can choke down what would undoubtedly be a sign of hysteria if you have to come face to face with Detective Tim Rockford being caught with his literal pants down.

Tim puts his large, warm hands firmly over yours, gently pulling them down before he says softly, trying to catch his breath, “Baby, I promise it’s not what it looks like.”

Still afraid to look, you keep your eyes closed, and say in a rather sarcastic voice, “I’m not sure what you mean, Tim.  What does it look like?”

You hear Tim give a low chuckle, and your eyes fly open, Does he think this is funny?!  You’re ready to give Tim a piece of your mind but your outburst dies in your throat as soon as you see the desperate, near panicked expression on the big, strong detective’s face.  Normally so stoic and formidable (save with you), you don’t think you’ve ever seen Tim look quite so vulnerable.

He must register the change in your attitude, because Tim gently takes your hand in his and makes to lead you back to his car; the driver’s side door is still flung open and through it you can see the pretty, though tired looking woman sitting in the passenger seat looking at the two of you rather sheepishly. Softly, Tim pleads, “Come with me please, Shutterbug.  I’ll explain everything.”

When you arrive next to the car, the woman gives you a small nod when Tim introduces you to one another.

“Baby, Darlene is an informant who’s helping me with the Pie case.  She’s actually helped me with many cases over the years.  We have a long-standing professional relationship,” he hopes he's properly emphasizing the strictly business nature of his and Darlene’s relationship, “… part of which includes her exchanging information for diabetes.”

Tim makes a sweeping motion with his hand and for the first time you notice that the car floor mats, driver’s seat and all the little nooks and crannies of the centre console are all positively littered with Skittles.

You giggle, “There’s so much candy.”

“Yeah, well, I splurged for the family pack to be nice,” Tim rolls his eyes, but his shoulders release a little of their tension at the sound of your laughter.

Darlene comically holds up her hands to show you both of her fists, clenched full of candy, “The bag exploded and I was just trying to salvage what candy I could from the floor – Skittles are my favourite.  I promise I didn’t have your boyfriend’s dick in my mouth.”

You laugh loud and true at Darlene’s frankness – any and all uncertainty or insecurity you've been feeling evaporating in an instant.  When you feel Tim’s arm wrap around your waist, you lean into the firmness of his hold.  Looking up, you find him already gazing at you with look of devotion; he whispers, “Promise.”

Studying the earnestness in his eyes and the softening of his normally steely countenance, you believe him and whisper back, “Okay.”  The smile that breaks out across Tim’s face is nothing short of mesmerizing, warming you through and through – though you see it only for a moment before his mouth descends upon yours.  Lightly brushing your lips repeatedly, Tim nuzzles your nose and presses his forehead to yours – anything to stay close enough to feel the soft fan of your breath; he expresses his relief, his contentment and his desires, all without words.

“Dammmmnnn boss, you’re soft for her.”

“Darlene,” Tim’s voice stern, signaling an end to today’s stakeout.

“Right, got it.  Me and my bag of candy will be going now – sorry for the mess and … yeah, well, you know.  Anyways, I’ll call you if I see those guys again,” and with a wave of her rainbow colour stained hand, Darlene exits Tim’s car and saunters down Graffiti Alley.

Finally alone, Tim cups your chin with one of his paw-like hands, the other cradling the back of your head, and in a tender tone he pledges, “Baby, I would never, okay? Never with Darlene or any informant.  And now, not with anyone but you.  There’s only you.”

You kiss him softly to match the promise of his words before deepening the kiss, licking behind Tim’s teeth and letting his tongue tangle with yours so he knows you believe in him.

When you break apart, you’re in a teasing, jovial mood about the whole situation, “Not even with Darlene?  She seems fun.”

“She’s a handful is what she is,” Tim grimaces.

“But you still make sure she’s okay and take care of her,” you suspect that it’s no small deal to your gentle giant when people make the effort to help him; you look at him lovingly, appreciating that while he may not broadcast his kind and considerate nature, it likely drives all his decisions and actions.

“Well, I try,” Tim looks bashful under your admiring gaze.  He gestures to the mess in his car, “And look where it gets me.”

Giggling, you offer, “Want me to help you clean up the car?”

“Nah, there’s a car wash place nearby that has those vacuums.  I’ll take it there.  You wanna come, Shutterbug?”

Nodding, you go help Tim brush off what candy you can from his seat before rounding the Crown Vic and doing the same to the passenger seat.  Tim insists on putting down his jacket for you, and although you don’t think it’s necessary, you made yourself a promise when you first started dating Tim that you would never pass up an opportunity to see him wearing his gun holster.

As luck would have it, a high school soccer team is running a fundraiser at the car wash today, so you and Tim don’t have to do anything but sit on a bench and wait for the car to be cleaned.  You stifle a laugh as you watch Tim give a nervous, pimply teenager his keys after flashing his badge. Only when he returns do you tell him that he’s had a green Skittle stuck to the back of his slacks the entire time.

Tim sighs, with no actual air of annoyance, as you turn him around where he stands and take your time unsticking the candy from the fabric, making sure to run your palms unnecessarily over the swell of his ass, pretending to look for other rogue Skittles.

Tim looks back over his shoulder down at you, “You just about done there, Shutterbug?”

“Nope,” you chuckle, giving his butt another once over with your grabby hands before lightly slapping each cheek, watching in satisfaction at your boyfriend’s cute booty dancing a little. “Now I'm done,” you announce cheekily to Tim’s amused silent mouthing of 'Finally' to the sky.

Wrapping his strong arms around you and pulling your legs into his lap, Tim presses a soft kiss to your temple as you snuggle into his soft embrace.

“You know, I thought I might lose you today,” Tim confesses into your hair.

Tilting your head up, you meet his tired eyes, the rich browns deep and swirling, “Like if I hadn’t believed you and Darlene, and just left?”

Tim sighs and looks pained, reliving the flash of fear that ran through him earlier that you might want nothing more to do with him, “I would have understood.”

Cupping his distressed face in your hands and running your thumbs soothingly over Tim’s facial scruff, you hope he feels your sincerity when you assure him, “It’ll take more than that to get rid of me, Detective.”

“Don’t want to get rid of you.  Wanna keep you always,” murmurs Tim, closing the distance between your faces.  Mouth pressing to yours sweetly, unhurried but full of feeling – Tim drinks in your returned affections, thirsty for your reassuring and calm touch.

After your affectionate display attracts the hoot and hollers of the carwash teens, the two of you break apart, smiles goofy.  Still a ways to go before the car is finished, Tim asks if you shot any good photos in Graffiti Alley and you happily take out your phone and walk him through today’s captures. 

You’re nearly done showing him the colourful murals that caught your eye today when Tim suddenly straightens, “Wait, go back please, baby.”  You swipe back a few pictures until Tim points at a bright stylized tag and you give him your phone so he can study the screen.  After a minute or two, he resumes scrolling slowly through today's street graffiti pics, pausing only to take retrieve his case notepad from his jacket pocket – flipping to a page of notes and using it for reference while he intently scrutinizes your photos.

Silently, you watch the cogs in Tim’s mind turn, lost in his theories and the problem solving nature of detective work that he loves so much. You're always fascinated seeing him like this: in his element, where his brilliant mind and the shrewdness of his instinct meet, and he can seemingly conjure solutions to problems you don’t even understand out of thin air.

When he gets to the end of today’s camera roll, a brilliant, heart stopping smile illuminates the detective’s entire face, the type that if you weren’t already sitting would make your knees buckle.  He looks at you, roguish grin on full display, “Shutterbug, I have good news and bad news.”

Your shout of “Noooooooooooooooo!! Not again!” carries across the carwash, causing the teenagers to furiously debate amongst themselves who's to be the poor soul who has to come over to tell the two of you that Tim's car is clean.

You're incredulous. Your boyfriend really has to stop confiscating your phone for police work.

---

It’s a little past midnight when a persistent knocking wakes you up.  When you open the door to a sheepish looking Tim, he apologies but you don’t mind the late hour – not when you spy the glow of success stamped all over his handsome face and the spring in his step when he enters your apartment.

It’s clear that Tim, having gone straight to the precinct after dropping you at home this afternoon, hasn't gone home.  You pull him towards you for a tender kiss, concerned for the long hours he keeps, “You’ve been at work this whole time, detective?”

Taking off his jacket and shoes, Tim nods but looks the opposite of tired.  He’s excited and elated at the way the puzzle pieces of this case have started to fall nicely into place today, in large part thanks to you.

“Special home delivery,” Tim holds out your phone, voice full of gratitude.

“So my photos helped?”

Did they ever.  Tim eagerly shares with you the fruits of your joint labour – when you showed him your snapshots earlier, he had recognized some symbols discreetly painted into the graffiti art in a few of the photos.  The same symbols appeared over and over in coded messages that the police had intercepted between Mr. Pie and his distribution network.  The messages were unreadable and a source of great frustration for the detective squad until today, when Tim realized that the code breaking key was hidden in plain sight all over Graffiti Alley.  Tim had spent the rest of the day with the LAPD Cipher Team, decoding the messages they had on hand and setting up stings and operations necessitated by the freshly revealed information.

It had been a good day.  Tim grins at you and thanks you earnestly for your contributions. 

Slipping your fingers under the smooth leather of Tim’s holster straps, you give them a little pull – instead of pulling him towards you, Tim’s solid frame remains unmoved and your actions cause you to tip into his space.  Eyes all innocent, you blink at Tim, “I want to be paid in candy too”

Detective Rockford is on you in an instant, hungry and eager to reward you - for your help, your understanding of the nature of his work, your understanding of him.  Mouth never leaving yours, his hands roam expertly over your lithe body, slipping under the soft silk material of your lace trimmed sleep set.  Meanwhile, your delicate hands are decidedly less gentle as you tug and pull at Tim’s belt, pants, dress shirt buttons, undershirt – breathy whimpers of victory attempt to escape your occupied mouth every time your fingers relieve Tim of another piece of clothing. No patience for order, you litter your floor with his clothes to create a telltale trail leading to your waiting bed. 

A shirtless Detective Rockford rests his head on your fluffy pillows as you climb on top of him, worshiping you with his eyes, still unable to believe his incredible luck that such a goddess would allow him to worship at her alter.  You worship him right back – tracing soft shapes over his hard chest as you marvel at the goodness housed within and the quiet strength of his broad shoulders and muscles.  Though your touch gives him nothing but pleasure, Tim removes your hands from his chest by your wrists and brings them to his lips, gently kissing them before raising them over your head so he can remove your camisole.

With you straddling his hips, bare and gorgeous only for him, Tim hardens fast under the plush globes of your ass. Willing himself to slow down, he slowly skates his thick, rough fingers over your delicious curves, bringing his large palms to a rest just under your breasts.  You're just beginning to tremble with arousal from Tim thumbing your nipples, pretty peaks already pert and hard from his attention, when a frightening thought enters your mind, 

“Wait, Tim!  Wait!”

Sitting up at your urgent tone, Tim wraps his arms around your waist, lightly running his commanding hands up and down your spine in a soothing manner – eyes full of concern.

“If you used my photos in your investigation, does that mean we have to break up?” you remember the conflict-of-interest protocol that separated you from your handsome detective for seven months the last time he used your photos in his casework.  The idea that you’ll have to part from him again threatens to break your heart.

Happily, Tim would never let that happen.  “Don’t worry, baby.  We went and shot our own photos today to enter into the file - we won’t use yours as evidence,” he presses his plush lips against the sweet spot on your neck that he discovered the first time he slept with you, “Never breaking up with you, Shutterbug.”

“Good,” you breath, grinning before pushing him back onto the bed, your body falling on top of his.  Ghosting your open, wanting mouth over Tim's lips and inhaling the intoxicating, woodsy scent that always leaves you dizzy, you murmur, “Wanna keep you always, Detective Rockford.”  And then you kiss him.

[tinycupcakesstuff]

Unpacking Heated Rivalry and the OG Hockey Husbands

I can't unpack Heated Rivalry before covering Breakfast with Scot, who walked so the whole m/m hockey romance genre could run. The film based on the novel by the same name which explores intergenerational issues between queer adults parenting a queer child. The film ups the ante with making one of the queer adults a hockey player and the layers that come with being in the closet as a professional athlete.

The year was 2007 and we are introduced to Eric McNally, who retired sometime around 2002 (Ellen came out in 1997), so his career would have been 1990s-2002. He would have played junior hockey in the 80s. Heated Rivalry takes place covering the decade after Breakfast with Scot, 2008-2018.

For Eric, the context of AIDs epidemic, shifting social views on LGBT issues in general society let alone the sports/hockey world are very much his lived experience.

We meet Eric, now retired from hockey in his late 30s, in a long term committed relationship with his partner, Sam who is a sports lawyer (and was apparently Eric's lawyer). Eric is out to the important people in his life but not publicly because he works as an analyst for a Canadian sports network. He is living a double life, or at least his sexuality is somewhat of an "open secret" in hockey circles. One he takes great lengths to avoid drawing any attention to.

Eric is aware of how things have changed, but all of the societal progress and multitudes of public figures coming out post-Ellen hasn't necessarily changed anything for him. He is still very much under the microscope of the Toronto hockey media landscape, having become a sports caster in his retirement and hosting a Sportscenter-like hockey program on TV. Despite the fact that he is out to his assistant who relentlessly teases him for not being out at work. When Eric does finally come out at work, she confirms, "everyone already knew."

In daily life Eric seems to be comfortably out. Eric's comfortable balance of his homelife with Sam and hockey life explodes with arrival of Scot, Sam's brother's dead ex-girlfriends son, who they need to take custody of temporarily.

Scot is not the 11 year old boy Eric was expecting. He was bracing himself for a homophobic terror that would destroy their home and sell their electronics for booze. Instead they got Scot, who wears Pink Gardenia hand cream and a charm bracelet. Scot who turned down Eric's invitation to watch hockey because, he "only likes musicals."

Somehow, this was just as bad as what Eric was predicting and he starts having a harder time keeping his worlds separate. Eric attends Scot's parent teacher night with Sam, which the topic of discussion is how to manage Scot. All 3 adults have no clue. The teacher offers that he should watch TV to find more "traditional" role models. A microaggression that Eric bristles at.

Scot has no qualms being who he is, clearly his mother raised him in an affirming manner. He wears pink, glitter, make-up, and is 100% true to himself at all times. And interestingly, Scot faces little bullying and ridicule even though Eric is terrified of this. Scot is innocent and confused about homophobia, although at one point he admits to Eric that he thinks being gay means "no one likes you." To which Eric forcefully tells him, "It doesn't mean that." Which for a guy like Eric, with a pretty limited tool box in which to discuss feelings, is pretty big!

On Scot's first day with Eric and his partner, he outs Eric to a mall security guard.

Eric immediately responded above, stammering I'm not, I'm not, because he was caught off guard. I don't necessarily buy into that he is ashamed. I think Scot outing him AGAINST HIS WILL wasn't something he was prepared for and I do have a lot of sympathy for him stumbling through it. I'm not sure the film and the fandom are always very sympathetic to Eric.

Scot continues, "Him and Sam are married" and Eric's response is probably my favorite line in the film. He says, "We're not even...we're not even married."

For me, he is redeemed. He is not denying his relationship, he clarifies that they're not married, but doesn't deny that they're together. I think he did his best navigating a very nuanced public situation with an impressionable child as a gay public figure in the closet!

So what does all this have to do with Heated Rivalry?

So in the entire DECADE after we meet Eric still in the closet 5 years post retirement.....we get a fictional NHL player coming out publicly in the Game Changers universe!

Heated Rivalry covers, in excruciating detail, how difficult and painful it is navigating falling in love as a closeted NHL player. And when I say excruciating, I mean it is agony.

I don't know if it is a weird take because I am 7 years late to the Ilya/Shane party, but the angst was just so painful. I am in an emotional twist. Physical/psychic pain. Damn, their love was so hard. Damnnnnnn.

I have a Eric McNally origin story where I speculate about Eric's Heated Rivalry glory days which would have been roughly 1992-2002, and what he got up to while he was playing. I do NOT have him falling in love back then lol. But he did have a boyfriend or 2. He saves it all for Sam. It's certainly not on the level of Ilya and Shane, but I am sure he had someone to meet in hotels all across North America. The only other mm hockey romance that touches on that experience is the character Wade in Breaking the Rules.

Eric and Sam are the OG hockey husbands!!!!!

I am working on an Epic novel length Eric and Sam romance novel, full of smut a la Ilya/Shane.

This is just another part of my (and a few of my fandom comrades) ongoing effort to produce Breakfast with Scot propaganda to entice others to join our esteemed ranks which number in the DOZENS! We are dozens!

Breakfast with Scot has me in an absolute choke hold because we meet Eric and Sam as hockey husbands. They live the most stable, quaint life on the outskirts of Toronto in the cutest brownstone known to man. Their relationship is calm and safe, despite Eric being an absolute neurotic mess 100% of the time.

It's a deep well to draw from thematically. The character of Scot is an absolute delight. This is a queer family film, a hockey romance, it is everything! And the Toronto Maple Leafs allowed their logo to be in a queer film!

It's taking every shred of willpower NOT to abandon my WIPs and start working on the Game Changers x Breakfast with Scot crossover no one asked for...But I need a universe where Eric and Ilya and Shane can exist together...Soon, I hope.

[mariacallous]

In late October, Canada's Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) held hearings on the impact of Russian disinformation on Canadian media. These hearings attracted significant attention as David Pugliese, a prominent Ottawa Citizen journalist, was accused of working for Soviet, and possibly also Russian, intelligence.

Read more on this story and the architecture of Russian propaganda targeting Ukrainians in Canada in the article by Anastasiya Ringis (from Toronto) – Fighters against "fascists" and Ukraine: How Russia's influence network operates in Canada.

The recent parliamentary hearings were triggered in part by widespread protest against the screening of a supposed documentary, Russian at War, at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Directed by Anastasia Trofimova, a former RT (Russia Today) employee, the film promotes Russian narratives, including the idea that Russians are fighting alongside Ukrainians and that "Russian soldiers are also victims of this war."

Until 2020, RT was freely available on Canadian cable networks. The Canadian government only banned it after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, labeling it a channel "seeks to undermine the sovereignty of another country, demean Canadians of a particular ethnic background and undermine democratic institutions within Canada."

The widespread protest by the Ukrainian-Canadian community forced Canadian authorities to address the disinformation that continues to infiltrate public spaces. The parliamentary hearings yielded sensational findings.

According to documents obtained by former minister and opposition Conservative politician Chris Alexander, Canadian journalist David Pugliese first came under KGB scrutiny as someone who might later work in major Canadian and US media. An agent named Ivan met David in 1982 at a public lecture on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and was instructed to cultivate a relationship with him, as David held pro-Soviet views.

A report from 20 June 1990 noted that contact was successfully established between agent Ivan and "Stewart" (Pugliese's alias). Alexander suggests that after the USSR dissolved, Russian intelligence may have continued to work with "agent Stewart."

Why Pugliese? For over 30 years, he's specialised in military and security issues, reporting on Canada’s military operations, procurement and misconduct within the armed forces. He is also known for articles on "fascists" within Ukrainian and Baltic diasporas.

Pugliese is not alone in his quest to expose "Ukrainian fascists." University of Ottawa professor Ivan Katchanovski, for instance, has been promoting narratives about "Ukrainian Nazis" and the "state coup" in Ukraine since 2014. They share similar narratives and mutually support one another.

Jewish-Ukrainian Canadian historian Alik Gomelsky believes that the KGB built a network of public propagandists in Canada, a country with one of the largest Ukrainian diasporas. Almost every major Canadian university has professors who still promote pro-Russian narratives.

This ecosystem of Russian disinformation not only targets Ukraine but also undermines Western values, NATO, the US and democracy itself.

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

Expanding Solidarity and Securing Spiritual Rights  "Over the course of the 1970s, Indigenous and non-Indigenous women played crucial roles in furthering the struggle for Indigenous spiritual rights. That work was inseparable from a range of connected experiences and struggles, including Indigenous and non-Indigenous women’s experiences in prison, Indigenous women’s organizations’ support for community members both inside and outside prison walls, and feminist and anarchist women’s support for prison activism of all kinds. When the Butlers were arrested in 1981, those past patterns of women’s activism were leveraged and expanded upon to serve a broad campaign that tied together support for their trial to a more expansive campaign for spiritual rights in prison which had secured a range of victories by the mid-1970s. 

Anarchists in Vancouver again played a role in expanding community solidarity for the case of the Butlers and the broader struggle for Indigenous spiritual rights in prison in ways that mobilized both local and international support. As noted earlier, anarchist women were an important part of this process since they had been deeply involved in prison activism beginning in the previous decade. The radical community, however, was also deeply supportive of AIM [American Indian Movement] in general, and the Butlers case in particular. After Basford’s refusal to allow Peltier to stay in Canada, Vancouver-based anarchist Brent Taylor hit the Minister with a banana cream pie during his speech at a Liberal Party function in Vancouver. Three years later, when the Butlers were arrested, anarchist journals both in Vancouver and Toronto mobilized their networks in a range of ways to support the struggle for Indigenous spiritual rights in prison. 

Like the BCIHA [British Columbia Indian Homemakers’ Association], the anarchist community in Vancouver used the power of the  press to draw attention to the Butlers’ case and the affiliated issues of colonialism, racism in prisons, and spiritual rights. Blackout, a paper that circulated primarily in Vancouver, covered core details of the case as it evolved over time, including the  1981 initial confrontation between the Butlers and the police. Blackout followed  that saga over the next two years, as the struggles over spiritual rights escalated in the context of the Butlers’ incarceration. In doing so, the anarchist paper suggested  that assessments of Indigenous spirituality needed to be decoupled from those of “western religion.” Seeing the latter as “overwhelmingly (if not totally) a tool for confusing and pacifying people,” Blackout argued that the former, “has served as  a weapon of resistance—a rallying point and unifying force—against a 400-year campaign of extermination and genocide.” 

Blackout also used its pages to connect would-be supporters with those organizing on the Butlers’ behalf. Readers were thus invited to attend a benefit dance for the Butlers’ trial that consisted of reggae musicians and Indigenous poets at Vancouver’s Carnegie Centre. For those interested in travelling further afield, information workshops on the Butlers’ struggles could also be attended as part of an AIM survival gathering at Pinehouse Lake in northern Saskatchewan. That gathering  was primarily organized to explore different forms of resistance to uranium mining  in the prairie province, but the inclusion of other topics was no surprise to Blackout since, as they reminded their readers, “lots of people have started to connect the eco, anti-nuke, anti-imperialist, and native sovereignty movements.” In 1983, when Indigenous activists initiated a cross-country trek to raise awareness around the importance of Indigenous spiritual rights, Blackout called on readers to lend their support to keep the “Long Walk” on the road. Often, the contact points that Blackout published to facilitate these forms of support were AIM activists or family members that had travelled to Vancouver for the Butlers’ initial trial, including Nilak Butler. Another common contact that appeared in the pages of Blackout was the People Struggling to be Free, an Indigenous community group that supported the Butlers and promoted the wider issues of spiritual rights in prison.

Blackout assisted in supporting public education and community solidarity for the Butlers in the Lower Mainland, but it lacked the reach of papers with international distribution networks. Fortunately, anarchists had those at their disposal in the form of Vancouver’s Open Road and Toronto’s Bulldozer (later Prison News Service). Although they existed in two very different cities, both papers were connected through shared political and social networks. Jim Campbell, the main force behind Bulldozer/PNS, was a former member of Open Road and a staunch participant in Vancouver’s anarchist community before he returned to Toronto to focus on prison abolition organizing. Open Road and Bulldozer published much longer issues than Blackout’s efficient four-page format, and they reached well beyond BC to the rest of the country, into the US, and overseas. That meant a larger platform from which to amplify the struggle for Indigenous spiritual rights in prison, both at Kent and beyond.

Those conversations took place through editorial pieces, but perhaps most importantly through the publishing of prison letters. As Bulldozer put it, state repression was facilitated by its ability to control communication between communities. This was particularly so when it came to prisoners, who were separated from the public by ��the fences and concrete walls and the cages,” of the penitentiary. To overcome these obstacles, the paper proffered the power of “solidarity and the written word” between prisoners and non-prisoners in order to develop the “networks, inside, outside and through the walls that can give us all the strength and determination to continue.” The anarchist press, much like the penal press, provided much of this network infrastructure through which those forms of solidarity and communication travelled.

Indigenous male prisoners published letters in both journals, and regularly used their epistolary activities to inform the public about the struggle for spiritual rights in prison. Standing Deer, an Oneida/Choctaw prisoner, and a close ally of Peltier with whom he had done time at Marion penitentiary in Illinois, was a particularly prolific writer. Publishing in both Bulldozer and Open Road, he spoke extensively about the importance of supporting spiritual rights and detailed his  own hunger strikes in American prisons to work towards this. One of those, which he described as a “death fast,” lasted 42 days, and was conducted in concert with Peltier and Albert Reshaza, a Sephardic Jewish activist. Together, all three men were working to secure religious rights in Marion Prison by connecting the spiritual  oppression and racist treatment of Jewish and Indigenous prisoners. While the Peltier, Standing Deer, and Reshaza hunger strike was a high-profile event in the  world of prison activism, so too was the case of the Butlers. Ches-Ne-O-Na-Eh,  an Indigenous prisoner serving time in Texas, wrote severla letters to Bulldozer that, taken together, connected his own struggle to secure spiritual rights in the Southwest with those taking place in both Illinois and BC.

Bulldozer was also a crucial conduit for the public to hear directly from both Gary and Dino Butler and the Kent Native Brotherhood Culture Club. By the spring of 1983, the struggle for spiritual rights was reaching its boiling point, as prisoners took a multi-pronged approach to their demand. They threatened legal and political action with the Brotherhood, first seeking advice on religious freedoms from Vancouver lawyer Stan Guenther, and liaising with the Canadian Human Rights Commission, and later retaining the services of Law Professor Michael Jackson, who was keen on a Constitutional and Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge. Members of the legal community were well aware of the potential ramifications of prisons denying freedom of religion to inmates, though the Butlers were ultimately unwilling to wait for cumbersome legal processes and began their strike. The news media and politicians like Burnaby NDP Member of Parliament Svend Robinson quickly took notice of the strike and outside supporters began raising money for legal fees and public relations, forming a community-based “Indigenous People’s Defence Committee.” This internal and external pressure was significant. After 34 days, the strike ended, with Kent officials promising freedom of religion.

The struggle continued, however, with changes to policy slow to come, and prison administrators transferring many of the participants to other institutions to undermine solidarity. As with other movements, like the Native Brotherhoods, this, in fact, only served to spread unity and fortify the movement. That December, the Native Brotherhood Culture Club held a benefit concert at the Oddfellow’s Club in Vancouver to encourage continued support for the Kent strikers, as well as to protect Indigenous spiritual freedoms. The concert which highlighted appearances by local bands including Vancouver’s punk band DOA, insisted: “the struggle for religious freedom may one day be yours, help support the Native struggle to retain their traditional religion inside prison walls.” What this meant was that while the principal strike had ended, the movement, supported by a wide swath of activists who had proven their longstanding commitment to Indigenous spiritual rights, would continue if necessary. Ultimately, it was this combination of political and legal pressure through the concerted efforts of Indigenous women, the Native Brotherhood, legal teams, and other community activists including members of the anarchist and feminist  movements, and the strikers themselves that ultimately forced Kent into providing Indigenous prisoners access to spiritual items and religious practices. The first sweat lodge ceremony was held in December—“the first such ceremony inside the walls  of a Canadian penitentiary.” While Indigenous inmates and their allies across Canada held high hopes for similar rights to be extended in other institutions, the results were slow and uneven. In 1984, P4W’s Native Sisterhood explained that prison officials still largely believed Indigenous Peoples should abandon their “superstitions,” despite acquiescing to some demands for religious rights in prison, and this ensured rights were not universally recognized. The Sisterhood explained: 

Natives now have the right to practice their own religion (sweat lodges, sweet grass ceremonies) inside the walls. However, one must not forget that it has been a long and constant struggle to be able to practice Native Spirituality inside the walls. It is not as if C.S.C has made it easy for the Native Prisoner by giving it to them on a silver platter. There are many prisoners across Kanada who are not being given their right to practice their Native Spiritual ways.

This was certainly true at the Mountain Institution in Agassiz where, as late as March 1984, the Native Brotherhood was still trying to convince prison officials to allow the construction of a permanent sweat lodge (which they likened to the chapel available to other prisoners), religious implements to be held in the inmates’ cells, and permission to attend cultural ceremonies off site. Things were not much better at Millhaven Prison, where inmate Kevin Paul Doxtator began a spiritual fast in early 1985 after being denied the right to hold a pipe ceremony and keep sweetgrass in his cell. Referencing how Kent prison honoured freedom of religion  for Indigenous inmates, Doxtator called for the same at Millhaven. He noted:

Kent Penitentiary, which is also a maximum-security prison, has a sweat lodge as a permanent structure. Sweat Lodge ceremonies are held every second Wednesday of the month. Pipe ceremonies are allowed once every two weeks, and sweetgrass is allowed in aboriginal prisoners’ cells.

In Doxtator���s mind, and others agreed, there was no legitimate reason for some Indigenous prisoners to be denied rights recognized at other institutions."

- Sarah Nickel and Eryk martin, "“We want action now”: Indigenous Spirituality, Prison Activism, and Social Movement Mobilization,” Histoire sociale / Social History Volume 56, no. 115 (May 2023): 169-174

[dailyanarchistposts]

Organizing: A Start

So, some activities to get there. If you are in a union, you can make use of the opportunities and basic protections you have in order to create, expand, or redistribute organizing resources and spaces. There are some useful ways of doing so.

Flying squads. Flying squads are rapid response networks that can deploy quickly to take action, whether to assist with workplace pickets or to support community groups in actions like an eviction defense or squat or welfare office occupation supporting unemployed workers or Indigenous land defense. Flying squads require little more than phone lists by which rank-and-file workers can self-mobilize.

Working Groups. Workers can start class-based working groups within their union around community issues like those mentioned above. Examples from ones I have helped organize include anti-poverty working groups to support poor and unhoused working-class people and Indigenous solidarity working groups supporting active land reclamations.

All of these can access union resources to use in broader struggles beyond the workplace or contract. All while building the strength of less secured workers. One influential example is the green bans in Australia, strikes undertaken by the Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) and used to protect parkland and low-income housing.

These straightforward examples provide mechanisms to transfer union resources, which are properly understood as working-class resources, on a class-wide basis to community working class, including Indigenous and ecological, struggles. They also provide venues for educating and motivating fellow workers. The absolute joy I have seen among workers following flying squad actions cannot be properly expressed. It is literally transformative. It is a lighting of what could be called real class consciousness.

If you are not in a union—organize one. However, that might look. Reach out to other workers. The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) are always a good option for organizing on a class struggle rather than a contract management basis. Active flying squads from unionized workers can help to put pressure on the boss.

Organize an autonomous flying squad bringing together unorganized workers, unemployed workers, migrant workers, and/or environmentalists. I helped organize an autonomous flying squad along these lines in Toronto and we were often the only outside workers presence at pickets of migrant workers who were outside traditional union structures.

One IWW example is that of IWW-Earth First! Local 1 in northern California, which brough together timber workers and environmentalists in a joint organizing effort based on the shared recognition that clearcut logging destroys vital ecosystems at the same time as it wipes out prospects for workers’ livelihoods and communities in the long rune. And in the longer run, threatens planetary survival for all but capital.

[canadianenclave]

[Fallout Faction]: The Post-War Canadian Mounties...

[Faction & Organization Template] Name: Post-War Canadian Mounties Headquarters: The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. Territories: Major Cities: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal Resource-Rich Areas: Oil Sands of Alberta, Northern Mining Regions Critical Infrastructure: Major Highways and Railroads, Hydroelectric Dams, Ports and Coastal Areas US-Canada Border Regions Arctic and Subarctic Territories Pre-War Military Bases: CFB Suffield, CFB Trenton Key Community and Trade Hubs: New Calgary and other settlements along major trade routes Wilderness and Remote Areas Leader(s): Commissioner Olivia Blackwood Player Member(s): Please list the discord name and OC associated - Diplomatic Ties or Sub-Organization Status with any other factions?: Diplomatic negotiations and cautious alliances with the NCR Trade agreements with local survivor settlements and regional factions Neutral to the Brotherhood of Steel and the Enclave, with occasional skirmishes to maintain territorial integrity Ideology/Views: Protect Canadian sovereignty and territorial integrity Maintain order and provide security for Canadian citizens Foster self-reliance and community resilience Balance between traditional Mountie values and adapting to the harsh realities of the post-apocalyptic world

Ambitions/Goals/Objectives: Preserve and restore pre-war Canadian culture and values Rebuild infrastructure and support local communities Ensure safe and secure trade routes Maintain a strong defense against external threats and rival factions Establish a stable and prosperous society in post-war Canada

Hierarchy/Rank Structure: Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Superintendent Inspector Sergeant Corporal Constable Recruits

Joining/Recruitment Policy: Open to Canadian citizens who demonstrate loyalty, resilience, and a commitment to the Mountie code of conduct Rigorous training program including survival skills, combat training, and law enforcement Acceptance of non-Canadians on a case-by-case basis, primarily based on valuable skills or knowledge

Member Count: Approximately 1,200 active members

Technological Level/Equipment List:

Standard Issue: Service Rifles, Sidearms, Combat Knives

Specialized Units: Sniper Rifles, Energy Weapons, Heavy Ordinance

Transport: Armored Vehicles, Horses for patrol in rugged terrain

Communication: Pre-war radio systems, Encrypted shortwave radios

Additional Gear: Advanced survival kits, Medical supplies, Repair kits

History/Background: The post-war Canadian Mounties have their roots in the pre-war Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Following the Great War, surviving Mounties and new recruits adapted to the harsh conditions of the post-apocalyptic world, focusing on protecting Canadian territories and citizens. They have evolved into a resilient and resourceful faction, maintaining order, fostering community resilience, and defending against external threats.

(Optional) Economy/Industry:

Trade: Barter system, precious metals, and valuable resources

Industry: Resource extraction (oil, minerals), Agriculture, Handicrafts

Currency: Local trade tokens, NCR dollars in limited circulation for trade

Extra Info: I'd recommend putting if you have your own currency here among other nation-like things - The Mounties maintain a network of hidden supply caches and safe houses throughout their territory, ensuring sustained operations even in hostile conditions.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Trillium Health Partners says one of its physicians received an “anti-Semitic death threat” and Peel Regional Police are now investigating the incident. Police said the incident that happened in Mississauga and is being investigated as hate-motivated. Trillium Health Partners said that on Oct. 24, a threat was made to “a team member who identifies as Jewish.” Trillium lso said it happened at a non-hospital work premises. In response to the incident, Trillium Health Partners (THP) said it increased security and is working with police and other hospitals to assess all risks to security. Wellness supports and resources were also made available.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[scholarinfohub]

The Ultimate List of Investment Banking Target Schools in 2025.

Breaking into investment banking is highly competitive, and attending a target school can give you a significant advantage. Top investment banks actively recruit from a select group of universities known for producing high-caliber finance professionals. In 2025, these schools continue to dominate the industry.

What Is a Target School?

A target school is a university where investment banks heavily recruit for internships and full-time analyst roles. Students from these schools often have higher chances of securing interviews, networking opportunities, and on-campus recruiting events.

Top Investment Banking Target Schools (U.S.)

1️⃣ Harvard University 2️⃣ University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) 3️⃣ Stanford University 4️⃣ Columbia University 5️⃣ University of Chicago (Booth) 6️⃣ Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 7️⃣ New York University (Stern) 8️⃣ Yale University 9️⃣ Duke University 🔟 University of California, Berkeley (Haas)

Top International Target Schools

🔹 London School of Economics (LSE) 🔹 University of Oxford 🔹 University of Cambridge 🔹 HEC Paris 🔹 INSEAD 🔹 University of Toronto (Rotman) 🔹 National University of Singapore (NUS) 🔹 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Semi-Target Schools

These schools also have a strong presence in investment banking, though recruitment may not be as direct as in target schools:

University of Michigan (Ross)

University of Southern California (Marshall)

Georgetown University (McDonough)

University of Texas at Austin (McCombs)

Boston College (Carroll)

How to Break Into Investment Banking Without a Target School

Even if you don’t attend a target school, you can still land an investment banking job by: ✔️ Networking aggressively with alumni and professionals ✔️ Securing finance-related internships early ✔️ Learning financial modeling and technical skills ✔️ Acing the IB interview process

Final Thoughts

While attending a target school gives you a head start, it’s not the only path to investment banking. Hard work, networking, and technical skills can bridge the gap. If you're aiming for IB in 2025, start preparing now!

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with this list? Drop your comments below!

[bjrcrecruiting]

Why Law Firms in Toronto Trust Legal Search Firms for Confidential Hiring

The legal industry in Toronto is fiercely competitive. Law firms and corporations need the best legal talent to maintain their reputations, serve their clients, and stay ahead in a constantly evolving field. However, hiring for legal positions—particularly high-level or sensitive roles—often comes with challenges that require a strategic and confidential approach.

Legal search firms in Toronto have become invaluable partners in navigating these complexities. Whether it’s ensuring discretion during the recruitment process, identifying top-tier candidates, or aligning hires with organizational culture, these firms provide expertise that Toronto law firms rely on for their most critical hires.

The Challenges of Hiring in Toronto’s Legal Market

Toronto’s legal market is one of the most dynamic in North America. With the city’s standing as Canada’s business and legal hub, law firms and in-house legal departments are constantly vying for top-tier talent. But this competitive environment presents unique challenges:

High Demand for Specialized Skills: Lawyers with expertise in niche areas like intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and mergers and acquisitions are in high demand but can be challenging to find.

Confidential Hiring Needs: Hiring for senior legal positions or replacing an underperforming employee often requires utmost discretion to protect the firm’s reputation and maintain operational stability.

Cultural Alignment: Beyond technical qualifications, firms need lawyers who seamlessly integrate into their teams and uphold their values.

These challenges explain why many organizations turn to legal search firms in Toronto to manage the recruitment process.

The Value of Confidentiality in Legal Recruitment

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of legal recruitment, particularly for executive-level roles. A mishandled hiring process can damage relationships with existing employees, alert competitors, or cause unnecessary concern among clients.

Legal search firms are uniquely equipped to handle these sensitive situations with care:

Discreet Candidate Outreach: Instead of publicly posting job openings, legal recruiters tap into their extensive networks to identify and approach potential candidates quietly.

Protecting Employer Reputation: Search firms act as intermediaries, keeping the hiring organization’s identity confidential until the right stage of the process.

Managing Transitions: When replacing a senior team member, search firms help manage the transition to ensure minimal disruption to the firm’s operations.

Working with a legal search firm ensures confidentiality throughout the recruitment process for law firms in Toronto.

Why Legal Search Firms Excel at Finding Top Talent

Toronto legal recruiters offer a unique combination of industry expertise and recruitment skills, making them ideal partners for firms seeking to secure the best candidates.

Deep Industry Knowledge: Legal recruiters understand the nuances of the legal market, from emerging practice areas to shifting candidate expectations.

Access to Passive Talent: Many highly qualified lawyers aren’t actively seeking new roles but may be open to the right opportunity. Recruiters leverage their networks to connect with these passive candidates.

Rigorous Screening Processes: Besides reviewing resumes, legal recruiters assess candidates’ skills, experience, and cultural fit to ensure they meet the client’s needs.

Expedited Hiring Timelines: Recruiters streamline the search process, allowing firms to fill critical roles faster without compromising on quality.

By working with legal recruitment specialists, Toronto law firms gain access to a talent pool and expertise that traditional hiring methods can't match.

The Role of Cultural Fit in Legal Hiring

Technical expertise is non-negotiable in legal hiring, but it’s not the only factor that matters. A lawyer’s ability to integrate into a firm’s culture can significantly impact their success and longevity in the role.

Legal search firms take a holistic approach to hiring, focusing on both skills and cultural fit:

Understanding Firm Values: Recruiters invest time in understanding the client’s mission, values, and team dynamics to find candidates who align with their culture.

Assessing Soft Skills: Recruiters evaluate the soft skills that are critical for success in legal roles, from communication and leadership to adaptability.

Ensuring Long-Term Compatibility: Search firms help reduce turnover and build stronger teams by matching candidates with firms where they can thrive.

Cultural fit isn’t just about avoiding conflicts—it’s about creating an environment where both the firm and the lawyer can achieve their full potential.

Partner with Experts for Your Legal Recruitment Needs

Hiring top legal talent in Toronto requires more than just posting a job ad and reviewing applications. The complexities of the legal market, the need for discretion, and the importance of cultural fit make it essential to have the right partner in your corner.

Legal search firms in Toronto specialize in navigating these challenges, offering unparalleled expertise, confidentiality, and access to top-tier candidates. Whether you’re looking to fill a niche legal role or hire a senior executive, working with a trusted recruiter can make all the difference.

BJRC Recruiting provides tailored legal recruitment services in Toronto, helping law firms and corporations find exceptional talent for their most critical roles. Contact BJRC Recruiting today to learn how we can support your hiring needs with discretion, efficiency, and expertise.

Know more https://bjrcrecruiting.com/2025/01/11/law-firms-trust-legal-search-firms-toronto/

[the-autistic-agoraphobe]

What Airports Can do to assist some Disabled Travellers.

This photo was taken recently at Sydney Domestic Airport. It shows an express lane for disabled people who go through Airport security. Unfortunately this lane wasn't there when I had a panic attack and breached Airport security in 2021. If it was there and Airport staff were trained about the hidden disabilities sunflower. Than I believe the panic attack and the security breach could have been prevented. I am thankful and happy that Sydney Airport has implemented this and I hope it will help many disabled travellers who need it.

As well as having a lane for disabled travellers I do believe that there are other ways airports can become more disability friendly. One way of doing this is by having their staff members receive training on disabilities and the hidden disabilities sunflower. The training videos should be clear and easy to understand and each staff member should receive a booklet about disabilities in their first language henceforth they understand everything. Before the incident at Sydney Airport I approached a staff member and asked him for help but I don't think English was his first language so he didn't help me. I think if he had a booklet written about disabilities written in his first language. He might have reacted differently and could have helped me.

I have seen online that some airports have acquired quiet rooms for travellers who need peace and quiet. I think this is fantastic. Airports can be extremely noisy places especially for people with sensitive hearing like myself. I think this will help many travellers to unwind before or after their flight.

In April 2018 I flew from Brisbane to Vancouver than flew to Toronto from Vancouver. This was back before my agoraphobia was really bad. I was a bit anxious about missing my flight to Toronto as this was my first time in Canada and the airport in Vancouver looked a bit frightening from pictures I saw online. I got in contact with Vancouver Airport and they were really helpful. They had a program for Autistic travellers through the Canucks Autism Network. When I got off the plane I met with a man. From memory his name was David. He was really nice and helped me get through Airport security really quickly. I got to the gate for my flight to Toronto with plenty of time to spare. Mum and I got to have a good look at a store located near the gate. There was lots of maple syrup there. I think that it would be awesome if more airports employed people like David to help disabled people get through them.

I think if airports took these three suggestions into consideration it would make flying for many disabled travellers like myself much more easier. It would be great to see more disabled folk going on holidays without worrying about having problems at the airport.

[salmapathan]

Study Abroad Made Simple: Top Global Universities & Courses with Y-Axis Canada

Pursuing your dream to study abroad begins with choosing the right country, university, and program. At Y-Axis Canada, we empower students with the guidance, support, and expertise needed to navigate the complex process of international education. With a network of top global institutions and a proven track record in student study visa success, we help you turn your global academic aspirations into a reality.

Why Choose Y-Axis Canada for Your Study Abroad Journey

Y-Axis Canada is one of the most trusted names among immigration consultants, with a strong presence across countries and thousands of successful student placements. We specialize in identifying the best study opportunities for aspiring students by matching their academic goals, preferences, and career plans to world-class institutions. Our services include:

Personalized career and academic counselling

University and course selection tailored to your profile

Expert support for study visa filing

Guidance on SOP, LORs, and scholarships

Pre-departure and post-landing assistance

Our team ensures that your study abroad experience is efficient, stress-free, and successful from application to arrival.

Top Countries to Study Abroad in 2025

Study in Canada: Post-Study Work & PR Pathways

Canada remains a top destination for international students due to its world-renowned universities, welcoming culture, and opportunities for post-graduation immigration. Universities like the University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia consistently rank among the best globally.

Popular courses in Canada include:

Computer Science & AI

Business & Finance

Engineering

Public Health & Nursing

With a simplified study visa process and options to work during and after studies, Canada offers a direct pathway to permanent residency. Our experts assist in every step, including GIC funding, SOP writing, and visa interviews.

Study in Germany: Affordable Education with Innovation

Germany is globally recognized for offering tuition-free or low-cost education in its prestigious public universities. With strong emphasis on research and innovation, students are drawn to programs in:

Mechanical and Automotive Engineering

Data Science

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Environmental Engineering

Top institutions include Technical University of Munich, Heidelberg University, and RWTH Aachen. Our services include application translation, language preparation, and guidance for the German study visa process.

Study in UK: Home of Legacy and Prestige

The UK boasts centuries-old institutions and flexible academic programs, making it one of the best choices for those looking to gain a competitive global edge. Leading universities include University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, and LSE.

Top courses for international students:

Law and Criminology

Finance and Accounting

Media and Communication

Medicine and Allied Health

With a two-year post-study work visa, the UK offers international students ample time to secure employment after graduation. We support every step including CAS issuance, biometric scheduling, and compliance documentation.

Study in USA: Academic Diversity with Career Advantage

The United States offers the most diverse and dynamic educational landscape with over 4,000 universities to choose from. Whether you aim for Ivy League institutions or leading state universities, options abound for every interest and career path.

Top-ranked programs in the USA:

Artificial Intelligence

Business Administration (MBA)

Biomedical Engineering

Economics and Psychology

Universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and UCLA offer cutting-edge facilities and vast alumni networks. Our consultants assist in F-1 study visa applications, SEVIS registration, and financial affidavit preparation.

Study in Australia: High Employability & Quality of Life

Australia attracts thousands of international students annually due to its vibrant student life, world-class institutions, and high employability rates. Key universities include University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and University of Queensland.

Popular programs in Australia:

Hospitality and Tourism

Cybersecurity

Marine Biology

Education and Teaching

The country offers 20-hour work permissions during study and a post-study work visa, making it an excellent choice for long-term plans. Our experts handle all aspects from GTE statements to visa appointments and medical checks.

Study in Dubai: Fast-Growing Education Hub

Dubai is quickly gaining recognition for hosting top-tier international branch campuses, offering global degrees with local accessibility. Students benefit from state-of-the-art infrastructure, multicultural exposure, and strong career support.

In-demand courses include:

International Business

Architecture & Design

Luxury Brand Management

Engineering

Institutions such as University of Birmingham - Dubai Campus, Heriot-Watt University, and SP Jain School of Global Management offer globally accredited degrees. We provide complete support for application processing, accommodation, and Dubai study visa services.

Best Programs to Study Abroad in 2025

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

STEM degrees continue to dominate global job markets. Programs in data science, AI, robotics, aerospace, and civil engineering are in high demand with strong industry collaborations and internship opportunities.

Business and Management

Whether it’s a Bachelor in Business Administration or an MBA, business-related programs are highly versatile and sought-after. Specializations in finance, marketing, HR, and entrepreneurship provide excellent ROI.

Health Sciences

Courses in nursing, public health, clinical research, and pharmacy are rapidly expanding, with students having access to hospitals and hands-on labs.

Social Sciences & Humanities

Programs in international relations, psychology, sociology, and media studies offer in-depth understanding of global cultures and prepare students for impactful careers.

Creative and Design Courses

For students with artistic inclinations, courses in graphic design, fashion, animation, and film production offer both academic and professional fulfillment.

Comprehensive Support from Y-Axis Canada

Our end-to-end services for study abroad applicants include:

Free profile evaluation

University and course shortlisting

Documentation support (SOP, LORs, transcripts)

Visa counselling and filing

Scholarship application support

Pre-departure orientation

Post-landing assistance including airport pickup and accommodation

With a 98% satisfaction rate, our team of seasoned advisors and certified immigration consultants ensure that no detail is overlooked.

Why Thousands Trust Y-Axis CA

20+ Years of Global Consulting Experience

Offices in Canada, India, UAE, and Australia

Over 1 Million Successful Counsellings

Partnerships with 750+ Universities

Transparent & Ethical Process

High Success Rate in Visa Approvals

At Y-Axis Canada, we don’t just help you apply—we help you succeed. Your dream to study abroad starts with the right partner, and we are committed to being by your side throughout the journey.

[veenamalik]

Financial sources

To launch 'Little Ladoo' at the farmer’s market with sufficient initial funding, I have outlined a diverse set of financial sources:

Personal Savings: I will utilize my savings to provide an initial start-up investment, including ingredient procurement, packaging materials, and initial marketing efforts.

Family and Friends: I will ask for financial support from family members who share my enthusiasm for this business opportunity. This contribution will primarily be used to acquire essential kitchen equipment and establish a strong presence at the farmer’s market.

Government Grant: I will apply for a government grant tailored to small businesses in the food sector. This grant program offers funding specifically for equipment purchases and initial operational costs, which will significantly support our ability to expand and meet customer demand.

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC): Leveraging the equity in my home, I will apply for a HELOC to secure additional capital for scaling operations and navigating potential unforeseen expenses during the early stages of 'Little Ladoo.' This financing option provides flexibility and ensures I have adequate resources to sustain growth."

Government Sources to Consider: In my research find some sources that can help me to grow my business in the future.

City of Toronto Small Business Grants:

The City of Toronto offers various grant programs to support small businesses and entrepreneurs across different sectors.

 For specific programs like the Starter Company Plus program, which provides training, mentorship, and grant funding of up to $5,000.

Ontario Government Grants:

Ontario provincial government provides grants and funding programs aimed at supporting small businesses, including programs like the Ontario Small Business Support Grant,

Federal Government Grants:

The Government of Canada offers various grant programs through agencies like the Canada Business Network (CBN) and Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Non-Profit Organizations and Associations:

Toronto Region Board of Trade: TRBOT offers support and resources to small businesses, including information on funding opportunities and grants available in the Toronto region.

Startup Incubators and Accelerators:

Organizations like Ryerson Futures, DMZ, and Next Canada provide not only funding but also mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to investors for startups in Toronto.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

On September 12 at 7pm, I'll be at Toronto's Another Story Bookshop with my new book The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation.

On September 14, I'm hosting the EFF Awards in San Francisco.

#20yrsago Gilmore on not obfuscating email in online archives https://web.archive.org/web/20030924160038/http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/200309/msg00069.html

#20yrsago Tell the Patent Office to back off on the open source WIPO debate https://web.archive.org/web/20030921014946/http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2776

#20yrsago Making Book: best of the proto-blogs https://memex.craphound.com/2003/09/09/making-book-best-of-the-proto-blogs/

#10yrsago Bid on the spy-rock that Lockheed and the DoD stiffed a subcontractor on https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/ebay-rock-cam-surveillance/

#10yrsago What NSA sabotage does to security https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2013/09/09/nsa-apparently-undermining-standards-security-confidence/

#10yrsago Fighting back against NSA sabotage with a dead-man’s switch https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/09/nsa-sabotage-dead-mans-switch

#10yrsago NSA broke into networks of Brazil’s president; state oil company, Google Brazil, and SWIFT, for “economic” reasons https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-08/u-s-government-spied-on-brazil-s-petrobras-globo-tv-reports

#5yrsago Motorola patents a robocop autonomous car that brethalyzes, mirandizes you, calls your lawyer and collects your bail https://patents.google.com/patent/US10049419B1/en?oq=10049419

#5yrsago A public bank for LA: instead of sending hundreds of millions to predatory finance, Angelenos’ taxes can fund community development https://whowhatwhy.org/economy/business/banking-on-the-public-option-will-la-lead-the-way-for-people-owned-banks/

#1yrago Guide to a ripoff-free funeral https://pluralistic.net/2022/09/09/high-cost-of-dying/#memento-mori

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Immediately after the passage of the September [1918] orders-in-council, the police began using their new authority in a series of raids aimed at getting the Reds off the streets. In Winnipeg in early October, Michael Charitinoff, a Russian Jew and former editor of the Russian-language weekly Robotchny Narod (Working People), was arrested for possession of illegal literature. Security forces had targeted Charitinoff as Lenin’s “ambassador to Western Canada,” supposedly sent to Canada with a $7,000 bankroll to foment revolution. Police magistrate Hugh John Macdonald, the sixty-eight-year-old son of Sir John A., the former prime minister, and a former Manitoba premier himself, sentenced Charitinoff to three years in prison and a $1,000 fine, though the editor won release on a technicality. Charitinoff was one of more than 200 people convicted of political offences—possessing banned literature, belonging to an illegal group, or attending illegal meetings—across the country between October 1918 and June 1919. Fines ranged up to $4,000, though most were much lower, and prison terms ran anywhere from a month to five years.

In Ontario, police stormed the offices of several of the banned organizations, seizing correspondence, books, and pamphlets, and arresting dozens of people in Toronto and other, smaller communities. Eighteen Finnish-Canadian militants were arrested in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie. In Brantford, the local police chief, testifying at the trial of Andra Tretjak, a young Russian immigrant found guilty of conspiracy, claimed that the town was “the headquarters of Bolshevik advocates in Canada,” the centre of a vast distribution network of seditious literature. The police enjoyed fear-mongering about alleged conspiracies; the previous summer they had uncovered a nest of Russian conspirators in Windsor, Ontario, who, they told the newspapers, were at the centre of “a continent-wide plot to overthrow lawful authority and establish a similar regime to that instituted in Russia by Trotzky and Lenine.”

In Toronto, police descended on the offices of political and ethnic organizations across the city, arresting dozens of people, all of whom were alleged to be “active Socialists and Bolsheviks.” They carted away stacks of mail, flyers, pamphlets, books, and magazines. Among the twenty-two arrestees at the headquarters of the Social Democratic Party on Queen Street West were Isaac Bainbridge, secretary of the SDP, and Alfred Manse, the circulation manager of both the Industrial Banner and the Canadian Forward, the party newspaper. Bainbridge, who was a thirty-eight-year-old stonemason and the editor of the Forward, was all too familiar with this kind of harassment. During the previous year and a half, he had been arrested three times on charges of sedition and spent a total of four months in jail for promoting ideas that were considered anti-conscription.

Detainees appeared before magistrates, several of whom took very seriously their self-appointed role as the last bastions against Bolshevism. In Stratford, Ontario, where police arrested twenty-two militants, the case of Arthur Skidmore, a machinist and a member of the local trades council, attracted the most notoriety. He was sentenced to thirty days in jail and a fine of $500 for having in his possession a copy of the Forward. Following appeals to the government from his fellow union members, he was released after twelve days. Magistrate Makins, who had sent Skidmore to jail, chided the government for overruling his decision. “Skidmore’s release is having the effect of making these men very bold and defiant,” Makins told the Toronto Daily Star. “I feel that a stand will have to be taken in the near future against just such men.” And in Toronto, Magistrate Kingsford handed out a three-year prison term in the Kingston Penitentiary to Charles Watson for distributing a variety of books and leaflets that three months before had been perfectly legal. As a large deputation from the Carpenters’ Union massed in the street outside the court in protest, Kingsford declaimed from the bench:

Free speech has always been and is the birthright of every British subject; but free speech is not license [...] Sedition will not be tolerated [...] Persons of British birth or descent above all should not forget the orderly traditions of their race. It would be a disgrace if they associated themselves with the propaganda of foreign cut-throats.

Kingsford went on in his condescending manner:

Theoretical discussions about Socialism may do no harm even if, in the hands of uneducated men, they lead to erroneous ideas of political economy. But when they are publications which advocate in so many terms, robbery, plunder, and other crimes against public order and safety, they become a menace and must be dealt with accordingly.

- Daniel Francis, Seeing Reds: the Red Scare of 1918-1919, Canada’s First War on Terror. Arsenal Pulp Press, 2011. p. 52-54.

[bignosebaby]

hi! don't know if we can still send in questions, but I was wondering if you know what kind of careers you can get in conservation?

You can always send in questions!

There are a lot of different careers in conservation. Like, a LOT. Many jobs, especially at the entry level, may be tricky to find as many organizations rely on funding which means you see a lot of very specific jobs that are for specific periods of time as outlined by grants and funding. For example, I recently applied for a job that was hiring specifically for a set number of hours a week a a set hourly rate, for a period of 10 months. This is because when grants are given to organizations to hire people, they tend to be very specific as to how the grant money must be allocated. Some of these jobs are extendable, meaning if they get more funding they can keep the person in the position on for another grant period (usually doubling the original contract).

If you live near a zoo or conservation facility you would like to work for, I recommend checking their career page regularly or subscribing to receive hiring updates via emails. When it comes to conservation jobs getting a foot in the door is crucial so even being a janitor or doing grounds keeping for a reputable zoo is a great way to start networking, and start moving up into a job that you would prefer more. Similarly, working in any type of environmental role or conservation position is an asset. My goal is to work in ape conservation, but I will look for any environmental jobs that are comparable to the type of work I would like to do.

When it comes to what kind of careers you can get, there are a lot of fantastic options to set your sights on. Remember that many of these jobs require many years of experience, but even if you are not qualified knowing what kind of career you want to strive for can help create a path to your dream job. Different skills and experiences can help you become qualified for different rolls, but the single most common thing I see in job postings (especially permanent, salary rolls that pay well) is management skills. This is good news because this is a very transferable skill, meaning that you can become a skilled manager in any field and be qualified to move into a conservation roll. In general, if you have management, financial, or administrative skills and experience you can probably find a conservation job that wants you. Here's an incomplete list of some conservation careers I have seen:

In animal care/wildlife sciences: Veterinarians, Wildlife Health Technicians, Zookeepers, Reproductive Research Assistants, Nutrition Assistants, Conservation Stewards. 

In facilities and infrastructure: Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Mechanics, Gardeners, Material Collectors, Project Managers Exhibit Design Technicians.

In communications and guest experience: Event planning, Partnership & Event Associates, Marketing Associates, Education and Outreach facilitation, Fundraising, Advertising.

In administration and general management: Finance, Purchasing & Supply, Human Resources, Payroll, Technology, Safety & Security, First Aid.

Basically conservation is a very large expanse of many careers, and while it can be very competitive (last job I applied had over 100 applicants for one position) it's a small world where you can make connections with people and build on pretty much any skills or experience you bring to the table. If you have questions about specific career paths I would love to answer them, and I recommend checking out GoodWork.ca* and the websites of places you want to work such as the jobs page for the Toronto Zoo or Calgary Zoo, just for example. Even if there isn't anything you like or are qualified for, you can learn a lot.

*GoodWork is Canadian. If you know of a conservation job posting site for other countries such as the U.S., drop a comment!

[aditisposts]

Data Science Career Prospects for International Graduates in Canada

With the Toronto-Waterloo innovation corridor branded as Canada’s Silicon Valley and Montreal rising as an AI hub - data science graduates find unmatched career mobility given the specialized talent crunch amidst booming tech ecosystems nationwide seeking analytics, machine learning and business intelligence experts across sectors.

Whether it is global networks like Deloitte, CISCO, IBM, Aviva,SAP, Thomson Reuters looking to drive data-informed decisions or emerging startups tackling complex business challenges using predictive models - Canadian employers offer exciting learning opportunities for international students transitioning into full-time high-skilled roles.

Lucrative data science salaries averaging over CAD $80,000 for entry roles also make Canada appealing for applicants focused on immigration pathways. Generous 3-year post graduate work permits enable valuable Canadian work experience for express entry eligibility. PR also facilitates global mobility to the USA given NAFTA relationships. 

While successfully securing full-time employment necessitates preparing for rigorous recruitment cycles - leveraging university career center supports around CV guides, networking events and interview preps can make landing aspirational data science jobs after graduation achievable given Canada’s expanding analytics market.

Posted By:

Aditi Borade, 4th year Barch,

Ls Raheja School of architecture

Disclaimer: The perspectives shared in this blog are not intended to be prescriptive. They should act merely as viewpoints to aid overseas aspirants with helpful guidance. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research before availing the services of a consultant.