Deirdre Pike

Leading EDI organizational change through Queer Positive Power. Justice and Outreach @NiagaraAnglican. #2SLGBTQI Contributor to @TheSpec @HamCityMagazine

[Deirdre Pike @deirdrepike]

Thank you for bringing this forward! It is more than disappointing that Conservative MPP’s do not see the harm in online gambling.

[Lee Fairclough @LFairclo]

These are the 60 Conservative MPPs who voted against my bill to stop harmful online gambling advertisements.

Thousands of people from across Ontario asked me to fight for this legislation. Yet again, the Ford Conservatives ignore what the people of Ontario ask for.

I will keep fighting to address this crisis. Join me and thousands of Ontarians at https://t.co/zQB3DGWfuR. #onpoli

[Lee Fairclough @LFairclo]

These are the 60 Conservative MPPs who voted against my bill to stop harmful online gambling advertisements.

Thousands of people from across Ontario asked me to fight for this legislation. Yet again, the Ford Conservatives ignore what the people of Ontario ask for.

I will keep fighting to address this crisis. Join me and thousands of Ontarians at https://t.co/zQB3DGWfuR. #onpoli

[Mark Carney @MarkJCarney]

Pride is a promise — that every Canadian can live safely, openly, and proudly as themselves.

On the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, we recommit ourselves to fight for the dignity, security, and equal rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada and around the world.

[Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 @tylerwatt]

Ontario’s health care minister laughed out loud when I asked her about nurse respect and retention in question period.

She may find my plea laughable, but nurses are speaking out about the reality. She should listen. 👇
https://t.co/9h26UT3PeZ #onpoli

[Deirdre Pike @deirdrepike]

After sitting down with Lee Fairclough in Hamilton recently, I know this to be true. “She is chipper not chippy, exuding authenticity and curiosity in a field of towering egos.”

[Kathleen Wynne @Kathleen_Wynne]

Amid Liberal squabbling, this leadership hopeful may be just what the party needs https://t.co/e4cWv20y1W

[Christopher Webb @cwebbonline]

Pope Leo’s message to Trump ain’t subtle.

The Pope just appointed a former undocumented immigrant, Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, as the new Bishop of West Virginia.

Same day, he named Rev. Robert Boxie auxiliary bishop of Washington. A Howard University chaplain who’s been clear: Trump’s attacks on DEI are a dangerous “regression” in the fight for racial equality.

[John Cleese @JohnCleese]

In five years, when all the truths come out, people will not be able to believe the ineptitude of this man

[Colin D'Mello | Global News @ColinDMello]

NEW: For the first time since 2021, the Progressive Conservatives have fallen to second place in popular opinion polling.

The Liberals, who have yet to elect a leader, are now at 38% while Doug Ford’s party has fallen to 36% according to a Liaison Strategies poll.

This is part of a trend in polls. (338 graphic)

#onpoli

[Deirdre Pike @deirdrepike]

We need more of this…united in prayer for peace in our 🌎, across denominations and faiths.

[Archbishop of Canterbury @ArchbishopSarah]

It was an honour to meet and pray with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex this morning. I’m deeply grateful for his gracious welcome at the Apostolic Palace.

In the years to come, I will remain united with the Pope in prayer – for peace in our world, for justice, and for every person to discover the fullness of life that God offers.

The ecumenical pilgrimage is always one we make together, as a fellowship of Christians seeking the unity for which Christ prayed. Your Holiness, as your sister in Christ, in a spirit of prayer, friendship, and hope, I commend our shared journey into the hands of God.

You can read my address to Pope Leo XIV here: https://t.co/ZL8DHbXCNj

[James Martin, SJ @JamesMartinSJ]

Pope Francis died a year ago today.  I would like to share one memory, which I think reveals something of what made him such a holy man.

In May of 2024, after it was reported that Pope had made some negative remarks about gay priests and used an Italian slur (“frociaggine”) in a meeting with Italian bishops, there was a firestorm of reaction. Even I wondered: How could this be? We had had several conversations and notes back and forth about LGBTQ issues. It seemed so out of character.

A few weeks later I was scheduled to be in Rome after helping to arrange a papal audience for a group of professional comedians. The pope invited me to see him, along with two friends who served as translators. I asked a cardinal friend how I could possibly bring up something so difficult—the question of gay priests and his use of language. My friend said, “Just say, ‘Holy Father, these things have been much in the news. What thoughts do you have?’”

The very first thing Francis said, as if he had been waiting to say it, was that he knew many holy, faithful and celibate gay priests and seminarians. When I suggested that it might help to say so publicly, he said, “Oh, but I think I have. And in any event, you can say that!” I wanted to make sure I understood him, so said, “So you’re saying I can say that you know many holy, faithful and celibate gay priests and seminarians?” He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Of course. Because I do!”  My friends also told him that he shouldn’t have used that slur.  He nodded sadly, and said, “Yes, yes, you’re right.”

For the next hour or so, we discussed the word he used, before moving on to other more general topics: the U.S. church, the political scene, and so on. It was a relaxed and friendly conversation, but initially about a tough topic.

A few days later, I saw him at the comedians’ audience, when he gave a beautiful reflection on humor in the Sala Clementina. When everyone lined up to shake his hand, I lingered in the back, since I had just seen him. But then several Vatican officials said, “Father, go ahead!” 

When I reached his chair, he laughed and said, “Ah, so now you’re a famous American comedian!” I laughed and started to move away, knowing he was probably busy and tired. But he pulled me back insistently.

Then the pope said, “Thank you for our meeting the other day. It was helpful for me. I really needed to hear that.” He smiled and then gave me a thumbs up. (Amazingly, a friend sent me video of this very interchange, linked here, where you can see what’s happening.)

I thought: Who does this? Who thanks someone for a difficult meeting? Who thanks someone for being challenged? The answer: a person who is open to the Holy Spirit. A person who is not afraid to listen. A person who is truly humble. Something like that doesn’t make you a holy person or a saint on its own, but it’s an important part of holiness.  May this holy man rest in peace.

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

I am deeply saddened by the recent escalation of attacks against Ukraine, which continue to afflict civilians. I express my solidarity with those who are suffering and assure all the Ukrainian people of my prayers. I renew my appeal for weapons to fall silent and for the path of dialogue to be pursued.

[Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦🇮🇱🇬🇪🇲🇩 @acoyne]

Clinically insane.

Trump yanks millions from Catholic Charities amid Pope feud https://t.co/zcn7PjafLQ

[James Martin, SJ @JamesMartinSJ]

I doubt Pope Leo XIV will lose any sleep over this, before he begins his pilgrimage to Africa tomorrow. But the rest of us should. Because it is unhinged, uncharitable and unchristian. Is there no bottom to this moral squalor?

[CNN @CNN]

Pope Leo says he has "no fear of the Trump administration" and will continue to speak out after the president criticized his Iran war comments https://t.co/rndDGZQsnP

[Pope Leo XIV @Pontifex]

Those who pray are aware of their own limitations; they do not kill or threaten with death. Instead, death enslaves those who have turned their backs on the living God, turning themselves and their own power into a mute, blind and deaf idol (Ps 115:4–8), to which they sacrifice every value, demanding that the whole world bend its knee. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life. #Peace

[Kathleen Wynne @Kathleen_Wynne]

This was so obviously ridiculous it had to be undone.

Ford government quietly reverses medical residency rule that excluded most immigrant physicians https://t.co/qvSAb9clfI via @torontostar

[Catherine McKenna @cathmckenna]

Great to see Canada’s continued commitment to nature conservation with @MarkJCarney’s announcement of a $3.8 billion plan including for new national parks & marine conservation areas conserved areas - an important step to the goal of protecting 30% of our lands & waters by 2030!

[James Martin, SJ @JamesMartinSJ]

God help us. This is disgraceful language coming from a Christian, or anyone with a soul. It was just as wrong to celebrate the death of Charlie Kirk as it is to celebrate that of Robert Mueller. May they rest in peace. And may we never forget that Jesus's message is about mercy.

[Jill Promoli @jillpromoli]

They want us to look at this today so we're not looking at:
- FOI legislation changes
- school board takeover disasters
- OSAP
- jobs numbers
- Science Centre
- Convention Centre Island
- Therme spa
- ongoing Greenbelt RCMP investigation
- SDF
- etc.
Mess everywhere. #onpoli

[Tyler Watt 🇨🇦 @tylerwatt]

Doug Ford is changing the law to block access to information from the Premier’s and Ministers’ offices through Freedom of Information requests.

Let’s be clear - without FOI, we wouldn’t know the truth about the Greenbelt scandal, the Skills Development Fund, and so much more.

Transparency matters. Ontarians deserve a government that answers to them, not one that hides in the dark. #onpoli