Over the last few days two major announcements have been made in Québec relating to planning, urban liveability and transport, to which can be added an ill-informed electoral pitch. The two major announcements concern a report about transport in the Québec City region, and the uneviling of Montreal’s new urban plan, projecting the city forwardContinue reading “Urban Futures and Poilievre’s lack of ideas”
Author Archives: Richard Shearmur
The journey back from St.John’s
After packing up in St.John’s after my sabbatical there, and taking a road-trip across Newfoundland, I have now settled back into Montreal. It’s pleasant to be back home, and to experience it anew after 8 months away. I have enjoyed the reunion with my family, my many bikes, and cycling around the city. I amContinue reading “The journey back from St.John’s”
Evening stroll and eagles
As I have mentioned, cycling is not great in St.John’s – there is not much cycling infrastructure, cars are unsure how to treat cyclists, and out-of-town few roads have paved edges (so one is directly exposed to fast inter-city traffic). Apparently there is some great mountain biking to be done, and great gravel rides furtherContinue reading “Evening stroll and eagles”
Cycling to a work meeting and looking smart enough upon arrival
Commuting to work is fun, energising and fast. But is it feasible to cycle to a work meeting and look professional and smart (enough) on arrival? The short answer is “yes” (most of the time). From my 20 years’ or so bike commuting experience, three key factors affect the feasibility of looking presentable at aContinue reading “Cycling to a work meeting and looking smart enough upon arrival”
Pedestrians in St.John’s (NL) are safer on icy cliffs!
I am spending my sabbatical in St.John’s (NL), a beautiful and friendly part of the world. Here I am reading, preparing a new course, and writing overdue papers… However, it is extremely difficult to maintain any physical activity in winter, not because of the weather, but because of snow clearing. In St.John’s, snow clearing consistsContinue reading “Pedestrians in St.John’s (NL) are safer on icy cliffs!”
If a ‘science’ feminizes, is it still considered science?
Sunday 11th February was United Nation’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This is an important reminder of the biases – explicit and unconscious – that women face when they enter the world of research and academia. Biases are also faced by people from other historically disadvantaged groups. According to the UN, non-STEMContinue reading “If a ‘science’ feminizes, is it still considered science?”
We can’t have it all: on housing, health, immigration and taxes
I have just been to a fascinating presentation and panel discussion, organized by the Harris Centre and Statistics Canada, about immigration (with focus on Newfoundland & Labrador). From the panel discussion there emerged a few key points: BUT All panelists mentioned the crises in housing, construction and healthcare, and the need for more investment. TheyContinue reading “We can’t have it all: on housing, health, immigration and taxes”
…more on discontent: the wider issue
A few clarifications My short blog on tarification, and possible abolition, of on-street parking has led to some reaction, especially concerning whether there are actual proposals to ban on-street parking or simply to systematically charge for its use. To be clear, most protagonists are calling for tarification, but this is in view of reducing car-ownershipContinue reading “…more on discontent: the wider issue”
On-road parking and its discontents…
There have been repeated calls in Montreal and elsewhere to phase out on-road parking [addendum : further to the first version of this post, I should specify that CRE-M is advocating that all users pay for on-road parking, not for ban on-road parking]. Ultimately, the aim is to increase the expense and difficulty of owning aContinue reading “On-road parking and its discontents…”
You’re not paid what you’re worth…
I have just attended two fascinating sessions at TechNL’s innovation week (#IWNL23), both of which dealt with talent and employment, from the perspectives of employers and of job seekers (i.e. not from an academic perspective). Remuneration is a function of where you live (and social class, gender, networks?) – not productivity One important question –Continue reading “You’re not paid what you’re worth…”
Richard Shearmur 