The Smartest Person in the Room is the One Willing to Listen. Imagine a world where politicians actually listen to the people they serve. Tim Houston just reminded us (again) that it’s possible.
I didn't mock his reversal of position, it's exactly what I wanted. He needs to keep reversing/rescinding these egregious bills. He didn't float an idea; he tabled a bill. An election campaign is the time to float ideas, not by tabling a bill in a supermajority government. I hardly think Tim Houston needs a hero cookie for reversing one of a series of totally undemocratic, heavy handed, self-serving policies. He listened to Nova Scotians - something he is very well paid to do and something he talked a lot about doing during his election campaign. I'll thank him for fulfilling that campaign promise - when it happens. Keep listening Houston: we do not want Bill No.1 or Bill No. 6.
sacrificial lamb. I'll believe it when he: opens the Avon River gates to allow fish passage as mandated by DFO; returns the rights of municipalities to amend development proposals; takes uranium off the table; rethinks lithium mining; takes a hard look @ hydrogen; apologizes to environmental protection advocates.
Yes--he scrapped this part of the large parcel of anti-democratic measures put forward because of a massive public outcry. That's a relief, but not a call for public celebration when you look at the the long precursor of anti-democratic strategies that preceded it--calling an election in high summer (abandoning the pledge to fixed election dates) during a postal strike which provided the assurance that, to add to the usual low voter turnout in summer,
plenty of people weren't even aware that an election was happening. Then presenting omnibus legislation with no relation whatsoever to the generic "fix healthcare" platform on which the campaign was based. This isn't just a case of "not good enough" but something entirely different. No guesses as to the most appropriate name.
This was a win. Not a revolution, not a redemption arc, just a clear example of public pressure shaping policy. Let’s count it, bank it, and move to the next fight knowing that speaking out works. Because that’s the real takeaway here—when we push back, we can change outcomes. And that’s worth recognizing. But, to be authentic, it does require holding back on the "Whataboutery" for just a beat.
I didn't mock his reversal of position, it's exactly what I wanted. He needs to keep reversing/rescinding these egregious bills. He didn't float an idea; he tabled a bill. An election campaign is the time to float ideas, not by tabling a bill in a supermajority government. I hardly think Tim Houston needs a hero cookie for reversing one of a series of totally undemocratic, heavy handed, self-serving policies. He listened to Nova Scotians - something he is very well paid to do and something he talked a lot about doing during his election campaign. I'll thank him for fulfilling that campaign promise - when it happens. Keep listening Houston: we do not want Bill No.1 or Bill No. 6.
A good read, for a good deed. If only this happened more often, on both Provincial and Federal levels.
sacrificial lamb. I'll believe it when he: opens the Avon River gates to allow fish passage as mandated by DFO; returns the rights of municipalities to amend development proposals; takes uranium off the table; rethinks lithium mining; takes a hard look @ hydrogen; apologizes to environmental protection advocates.
Yes--he scrapped this part of the large parcel of anti-democratic measures put forward because of a massive public outcry. That's a relief, but not a call for public celebration when you look at the the long precursor of anti-democratic strategies that preceded it--calling an election in high summer (abandoning the pledge to fixed election dates) during a postal strike which provided the assurance that, to add to the usual low voter turnout in summer,
plenty of people weren't even aware that an election was happening. Then presenting omnibus legislation with no relation whatsoever to the generic "fix healthcare" platform on which the campaign was based. This isn't just a case of "not good enough" but something entirely different. No guesses as to the most appropriate name.
This was a win. Not a revolution, not a redemption arc, just a clear example of public pressure shaping policy. Let’s count it, bank it, and move to the next fight knowing that speaking out works. Because that’s the real takeaway here—when we push back, we can change outcomes. And that’s worth recognizing. But, to be authentic, it does require holding back on the "Whataboutery" for just a beat.