Tim Houston

96% of social workers in a Nova Scotia College of Social Workers survey reported barriers to providing mental health services and 98% want significant changes to service delivery. Our plan for universal mental health care will improve access and quality of care. #nspoli #mentalheath #novascotia #nspc #mentalhealthmatters

My thoughts are with families and the whole Sou’West Nova community who have already faced far too much tragedy.

Nova Scotians are growing anxious after learning that the province has the lowest vaccination rate in North America at just 0.3 people per 100 vaccinated. We have to do better. 24-hour clinics and pharmacies are obvious opportunities. Just catching up is not enough. We should lead the country. Recent vaccination data from Covid-19 Tracker Canada shows that as of yesterday, Nova Scotia lags behind every other province at 0.3 while Prince Edward Island at 2.3 per 100 is leading... the country. Nova Scotians did their part and are now counting on the government to administer the vaccine quickly, says Colton LeBlanc, MLA for Argyle-Barrington and PC critic for Prehospital and Preventive Care. The Premier is quick to hide from the facts by accusing the Official Opposition of ‘politicizing’ them but these are facts, not speculations, and the Liberal government needs to answer to Nova Scotians. Several high-profile advocates including CARP and Dr. Lisa Barrett have also pushed the government to go faster. The Moderna vaccine was received on December 31 but was not administered to seniors until yesterday, over ten days later. The government acknowledged they didn’t yet know how to transport it. There was time to plan. Jurisdictions around the country figured out transportation logistics. Nova Scotia chose to wait until after it arrived and we’re seeing the resulting delay of that now, said LeBlanc. Nova Scotians need the government to share its plan and progress and that means daily updates on vaccines administered, just like other provinces. The government must post daily numbers including the total number of vaccines received, administered, the number of people that have received both doses and also the number received and administered that day. There are many opportunities for the government to speed things up. Nova Scotians have been told time and time again that there is light at the end of the tunnel and to be patient as the vaccine rolls out. Well, this is a long tunnel and will be even longer if the Liberal government doesn’t speed up their strategy and keep the public in the know. #nspoli #nspc #novascotia #covid19ns

It's been a tough stretch for democracy in Nova Scotia. Everyone knows that the Nova Scotia legislature, one of the longest-serving in the country, has been placed on-hold like someone waiting for a doctor; shut down by the governing Liberals desperate to prevent any opposition discussion, avoid questions, and generally hide from the public. Now we know, under cover of darkness, they've been dragging their feet and frustrating Elections Nova Scotia's efforts, the independent,... non-partisan agency responsible for conducting provincial elections in Nova Scotia, as they try to prepare for the election. I see a pattern... Either way, the lack of funding and modernization is especially troubling, given the challenges other jurisdictions have faced when trying to safely and securely run elections during a pandemic. I continue to call on the Liberals to safely re-open the legislature to discuss the issues; vaccine rollout, healthcare, wait times, housing, jobs ... I could go on. I only hope the next Liberal leader will have the courage to do the common-sense thing and provide Elections Nova Scotia with the resources needed to prepare for a safe provincial election properly. #nspoli #nspc #novascotia #elections #election

#ICYMI: 2020 was a different year for everyone (myself included!) but our team made a positive impact in so many ways, and we're just getting started. These are my top moments of 2020. Can I count on your support in 2021? pcpartyns.ca/support... #nspoli #nspc #novascotia

Irene was a pillar for her family, her community, her family business and our PC family. Her personality was larger-than-life. Irene's advice was always sage. Her kindness was unmatched and she will not be forgotten any time soon. https://www.thechronicleherald.ca//irene-macleod-mackay-4/

Santa made a drive through visit to the Riverton Community Hall over the weekend for a visit with the kids in the community. Thank you to Santa and his East River Valley Community Development Association helpers for brightening up many folks’ day!

As you can tell from the photo, this initiative was a great success last year. Pop in with some books to help children in our community and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County!

Ask Tim ... live from Pictou County ... close contacts, state of emergency and more ...

Located in Port Williams on the Cornwallis River is the Wayfarers' Ale Society. John Lohr and I recently dropped in to visit with Society Chairman Chris Killacky. The Wayfarers' Ale Society was formed in 2012 by a group of craft beer enthusiasts looking to create and develop their own beers. They developed their beautiful building, brewery, patio, wharf, and taproom. This place is worth a visit!

Yesterday a reporter asked the premier for details around how he’s spending a quarter-billion in taxpayer dollars meant for stimulus projects. His response? "We’re not your research department." Do you think government should be clear about how it’s spending your money?... Read about it here https://www.cbc.ca//covid-19-stimulus-spending-economy-con

Join me tonight at 8PM for askTIM LIVE! Looking forward to answering your questions, live from home in Pictou County! #nspoli #asktimlive #asktim

Small and medium-sized tourism operators across our province are fearful that their life's work will slip away through no fault of their own, yet the only people the Liberals can find money for are those aligned with Liberal lobbyists. #nspoli #nspc

Outside Fall Country Market at the Churchville Community Hall on Saturday. Lots of wonderful community talent on display. See you there!

Kim, you said it perfectly - incredible generosity!

Tim Halman and I recently stopped in to visit Deb Hartlan, owner of The Flag Shop Nova Scotia on Main Street in Dartmouth. The flag shop is an independently owned and operated franchise store with hundreds of flags, banners and novelty flag items. They make many of their flags in house, such as the giant Canada and Nova Scotian flags seen every year on the MacDonald and MacKay Bridges. ... Deb even surprised me with a custom flag. What amazing work! I’ll fly this PC Party flag with pride! #SmallBusinessEveryDay #SmallBusinessWeek2020

Thanks for having me - always a pleasure to be on Seaside FM!

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

Join, as we commemorate the 1st HMCS Kootenay Day, in remembrance of the worst peacetime accident in the Navy’s history.

The thing I like about Barbara is, there’s no bull! Thanks for the great day in Eastern Passage visiting people and businesses. Barbara Adams MLA Cole Harbour Eastern Passage

The Plymouth Fire Dept always puts on a great meal, glad to see they are back! For tickets call 902-752-8657

Thank you to Dale Kearney for dropping off some poppy masks to the office this week. His wife Sherrie Kearney from the Maritime Tartan Company has been busy making poppy masks and has donated $4000 to local Nova Scotia Legions and almost $1000 to VETS Canada. Great work Sherrie and Dale.

Thank you to Erika Shea for the tour of the New Dawn Centre for Social Innovation. This gorgeous building has been seven years in the making, and all the hard work has paid off. What an incredible hub for the arts to collaborate. Next time, I hope to get a chance to eat at A Better Bite Community Kitchen!

It was wonderful to catch up with Mavis and Natasha Buchanan last week over a cup of tea. Mavis was, as always, generous in her advice. John’s been gone a year now, and we sure do miss him.

Last night, the 10th year of Devour The Food Film Fest kicked off in Wolfville. This year’s festival is a mix of online and socially distanced events. In 2019, Devour! attracted over 14,000+ food and film lovers to Wolfville. On my recent visit to the Annapolis Valley, I met with Michael Howell, Executive Director and Lia Rinaldo, Managing Director of Devour!... Staff and Directors have enormous plans for the festival, Town of Wolfville, and their culinary and cultural innovation centre.

Have any questions for me? Comment below and your question might get answered in an upcoming episode of askTIM this week!

Today we learned that the federal and provincial governments are once again dragging their feet on the inquiry into April's mass-shooting. I am standing firmly with families who continue to pressure the federal and provincial Liberals for answers into the deaths of 22 Nova Scotians. It has been six months. These delays are cruel and unnecessary. I’m calling on Minister Bill Blair and Minister Mark Furey to include the investigation of these unnecessary delays in the terms of reference for the upcoming inquiry, and provide families with more timely updates and full transparency.

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving weekend filled with friends and family, but I also hope everyone had a chance to watch my latest video!

Happy to continue celebrating Small Business Week! Small and medium-sized businesses are job creators and economic contributors here in Nova Scotia. Now, more than ever, we need to support them! The Train Station Inn in beautiful Tatamagouche is among the most visited and popular theme accommodations in North America, and I can see why.... First opened 31 years ago by Jimmy LeFresne, the Inn is going strong. The rail cars are re-imagined as unique accommodations, and the dining car has won awards from Taste of Nova Scotia. In fact there isn't a summer that some sort of film or documentary isn't filmed on location at the Train Station Inn. While the Inn is winding down for the winter season, the gift shop and cafe are open until Christmas. If you haven’t visited before, you should! I know I’ll be back soon. #SmallBusinessWeek #SBW2020

Wishing everyone across Nova Scotia a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Hey folks! On this week’s episode we’re marking Mental Illness Awareness Week and World Mental Health Day. Here are some of the questions I got to, on location from the Brewery Market in Halifax for Canada Beer Day and Alexander Keith’s birthday: - Campaign promises, and how I’m going to do things differently (0:30)... - World Mental Health Day, and Mental Health services in NS (2:20) - Rapid testing for COVID-19 (3:30) - Get the Liberals back into the legislature! (4:20) Have a safe Thanksgiving weekend!

Did you know it's Small Business Week? Small- and medium-sized businesses provide many opportunities for our local communities, not to mention their substantial contributions to the economy here in Nova Scotia. This week I'll be highlighting some of the businesses whose grit, innovation, and courage all help build a better province. With all the sudden changes they've faced on top of the everyday challenges of running a business, it's especially important to celebrate small ...business this year. At the Truro Farmers' Market on a Saturday morning, you'll encounter quite a few small businesses. Located in the old Truro Fire Department building built in 1899, the town market boasts an average of 50 vendors weekly. On a recent market stop with MLA Dave Ritcey, I had an opportunity to check out Gudi's Sausages, Glen the Green Grocer and more fantastic businesses. If you're in Truro on an upcoming Saturday, stop byor do your Truro Farmers Market Cooperative shopping online at https://shoptrurofarmersmarket.localfoodmarketplace.com/ #SmallBusinessWeek #SBW2020 #nspoli

October 4-10th is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is Fire Safety in the Kitchen. I chatted with Mark Langille, Fire Chief of the Tatamagouche Volunteer Fire Department recently, about the fire service and the challenges facing local fire departments. Thanks to Mark and all volunteer firefighters across Nova Scotia for stepping up for their community.

Hey folks! Thanks for the questions as always, this week we're talking about: - Bullying in the workplace (0:10) - Fixing Liberal healthcare (1:25) - Liberal inaction on supporting tourism in NS (2:48)... - Connection between Provincial Progressive Conservatives and Federal Conservatives(4:30) Have a great week!

Our PC Education Critic Tim Halman is right: team sports are an integral part of mental and physical health for our kids. We need to end the disruptions and get team sports started again! #nspc #nspoli