Deirdre Pike

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.

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. 👇 ottawacitizen.com/news/ontario-h… #onpoli

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.”

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

Clinically insane. Trump yanks millions from Catholic Charities amid Pope feud thedailybeast.com/trump-yanks-mi…

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?

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 cnn.it/4swF6ZF

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

This was so obviously ridiculous it had to be undone. Ford government quietly reverses medical residency rule that excluded most immigrant physicians thestar.com/news/canada/fo… via @torontostar

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!

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.

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

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

Watch this It's the best thing you'll see all day

The Ford government definitely does not care about people who will not be able to afford their spas and airports, and all their grand plans. The rest are left to fend for and, in this case, die.