Next Stop: Better Transit Ottawa

01/02/2026

Today ATU Canada President John DiNino announced the appointment of Crystal Hanley from ATU Local 1505 to the position of Executive Board Member for Western Canada.
Crystal Hanley is a second generation 20-year bus operator with Winnipeg Transit and currently serves as the Recording Secretary on the ATU 1505 Executive board, she was previously the Assistant Business Agent of Operations in 2020.
" An energetic and motivated individual who puts the interest of transit workers front and center is a welcomed addition to the board. We are extremely excited to have Crystal join our team" - said DiNino.

01/01/2026

Angus By Design | Satsang of One | Spiritual Practice | Ram Dass - Be Here Now

A Personal Spiritual Practice Journal for Personal Wellness Recovery.

“Sat” means “truth,” “sang” means “to be in communion with that.”
Satsang – When the Creator is Your Friend

Whatever kind of mind one has, it is a certain kind of prejudice. You may think you are broadminded, but that just means you have a broad prejudice because the mind cannot function without identification. The moment you are identified with something, the mind becomes prejudiced. Some people are very rigid about their prejudices, others are a little flexible, but there is a prejudice. If you say “I am a man,” you have a masculine prejudice. If you say “I am a woman,” you have a feminine prejudice. If you say “I am Indian,” you have an Indian prejudice. Every single thought, emotion and action that human beings commit is coming from this variety of prejudices.
Satsang means ultimate life sense. To be in communion with this ultimate life sense is of utmost significance to your existence.
If you remain in satsang, you will do what is sensible before things go wrong with life – before it is too late. If the core of your existence becomes a part of your day-to-day life, not in imagination or belief, but as a living thing, the odds are very different for you.
An oracle is a form of wise guidance, a way to connect with Spirit and my Highest Self for the higher good. Working with these cards daily allows me to make better decisions, feel supported and witnessed by my higher power, and is a tool to help me reclaim my natural gift of insight. I am a spiritual being having a human experience, evolving in an uncertain world. In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies.

I'm Angus Wright. The rest is a check in. I use this as a personal wellness tool from the Wellness Recovery Action Plan developed by Mary Ellen Copeland. The key concepts include Hope, Personal Recovery, Education, Support and Self Advocacy. Anything you witness is under copyright protection under Angus By Design.

Reflections and cultivating mindfulness.Angus By DesignSatsang of OneSpiritual PracticeRam Dass - Be Here NowA Personal Spiritual Practice Journal for Person...

01/01/2026

25 Dec 2025 The Ram Dass Fellowship 2SLGBTQIA+ Satsang Plus One - Stories And Reflections On Service
2SLGBTQIA+ Satsang

Ram Dass, Love Serve Remember
Ram Dass Fellowship
Ottawa Canada Ram Dass Fellowship
Ram Dass on the Mystical Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita (Course)
Ram Dass LGBTQ+ Fellowship
Ram Dass LGBTQ+ Fellowship

AFFINITY GROUPS

Affinity groups are shown to be an integral part of creating an inclusive environment. These spaces offer individuals with similar backgrounds who have historically been marginalized an opportunity to socialize, share ideas and explore shared experiences without needing to defend them from others. Ram Dass said, "We don’t try to deny or manipulate individual differences. We honor them, in fact, we seek them out—because we understand that before we undertake any serious social action, we need a strong sense of who we are."

If you would like to learn more about the need for affinity groups and why we honor diversity within the unity, please read our FAQ section below and this article by Ram Dass on Honoring Diversity within Unity.

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Satsang

The 2SLGBTQIA+ Ram Dass Satsang’s mission is to cultivate loving awareness and heart connections in a community of kindred souls. We celebrate our unity in the full spectrum of gender and sexuality in and from a space of supportive openness.

Guidelines for Engaging in Our Community Forum

A Space for Connection, Reflection, and Loving Awareness

Welcome to our online community space! This forum is an extension of our shared practice—a place for deepening connection, supporting one another, and engaging with wisdom in the spirit of Ram Dass’s teachings. To keep our space aligned with love, truth, and mindful presence, we invite you to follow these guiding principles:

General Guidelines for Engagement

1. Only join this space if you identify.

2. Speak from the Heart

Share your truth with honesty, kindness, and humility. Let your words come from a place of love and openness rather than judgment or fear.

3. Deep Listening & Compassionate Response

Listen deeply before responding. When engaging with others, practice mindful, compassionate communication—seeing beyond differences and meeting each other soul-to-soul.

4. Be Here Now

Engage with presence. Before posting, take a breath, center yourself, and ask: Does this contribute to love and awareness? We encourage thoughtful contributions rather than reactive discussions.

5. Honor All Paths

We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives. While this space is inspired by Ram Dass’s teachings, we respect that everyone is on their own journey. Approach differences with curiosity rather than division.

6. Share, Don’t Preach

Rather than offering unsolicited advice, share from personal experience. Trust in the wisdom of each individual to find their own path.

7. Service & Support Over Ego

Engage in the spirit of Seva (selfless service). Support one another without the need for recognition or validation. If you see someone struggling, offer kindness rather than correction.

8. Hold Space for the Mystery

Not everything needs an answer. Some questions are meant to be sat with rather than solved. Allow space for the unknown and for the unfolding of wisdom in its own time.

9. Respect Confidentiality & Safe Space

What is shared in this space stays in this space. Honor the vulnerability of others by keeping personal stories private.

10. No Harmful Speech or Behavior

Hate speech, discrimination, or any form of harm—subtle or overt—will not be tolerated. This is a sanctuary for love and awakening.

11. Engage with Lightness & Joy

Ram Dass reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously. While we explore deep topics, let’s also bring laughter, joy, and playfulness into our connections.

I'd like to invite you to our Space: LGBTQ+ Satsang.

See you there,
Angus Wright

2SLGBTQIA+ SatsangAFFINITY GROUPSAffinity groups are shown to be an integral part of creating an inclusive environment. These spaces offer individuals with s...

12/30/2025

Reciprocity, Resilience & Lessons from Improv | Journal Out Loud

Description:

In this "Journal Out Loud" session, Angus Wright (Angus By Design) reflects on life, resilience, and the power of community. Broadcasting from Ottawa, Angus dives into his philosophy of "Have a penny, donate a penny," exploring how mutual aid and reciprocity can help us navigate a divided world.

From his experiences as a bus operator and his personal health journey to celebrating 10 years in long-form improv comedy, Angus shares candid insights on how to maintain self-worth without throwing others under the bus.

Key Topics Covered:

The "Donate a Penny" Philosophy: Why charity starts at home and how small acts of sharing create abundance.

Resilience Over Time: Reflecting on turning 50, overcoming toxic work cultures, and being healthier now than at 20.

Lessons from Improv: How comedy taught him to "play to your intelligence" and navigate social status without punching down.

Community Action: A call to support local charities, "new faces," and real people rather than just big institutions.

Self-Preservation: The importance of taking responsibility for your own well-being so you can show up for others.

"If you've got a penny, donate a penny... Poor people feed poor people. Communities feed communities."

Have a penny? Donate a penny. Need a penny? Donate a penny. is enough for everyone, if you believe in sharing, and reciprocity.I'm ...

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

MDSC's Support for Veterans & their Family Members Total Services Provided Total Registrants Total Services Provided Total Registrants Program Options Program Brochures

12/27/2025

12/27/2025

On behalf of the Executive Board of ATU Local 615, we would like to wish our members, retirees, families, and the entire community a very Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful holiday season.

This past year has shown the strength, dedication, and resilience of our membership. Every day, you serve the public with professionalism and pride—often under challenging circumstances—and that commitment does not go unnoticed.

As we celebrate the holidays, we encourage everyone to take time to rest, reconnect with loved ones, and reflect on what truly matters. May the New Year bring good health, unity, and continued progress for our union and our community.

In Solidarity
Darcy Pederson
President B/A
ATU Local 615

12/18/2025

2015 was spent in the Vault as a transit fare processor.

Tricked out of my job yet again, I turned to coffee for the routine, the people, and access to a new experience.

♥️

From Roastery Science to Community Resilience

I’ve been reflecting on my journey with Bridgehead Coffee, which began on a very special birthday, March 31, 2016. From the early days at the original Westboro location to leading the team at Bathgate as a Shift Supervisor, Bridgehead was more than a coffeehouse—it was a family.

I’m incredibly proud of the "innovation era" I was part of (2016-2017), where we dove into coffee chemistry at the Roastery and expanded into craft beer and wine.

But more than the science, I’m proud of how our team stood together. Even when faced with the "collateral damage" of difficult external injustices, the owners and staff at Bridgehead never wavered in affirming our personhood.

I’m now looking to bring that same dedication, Smart Serve certification, and "Coffee Science" background to a new home in Centretown. If you know of an authentic local spot looking for a part-time Barista, Server, or Host who values connection and quality, I’d love an introduction!

I'm both extra, and the most. Union through and through. Must love quirks.




If you would provide a reference or feedback of my time as a server, please share here, or dm me something I can include in a new resume svp.

12/18/2025