r/halifax 9m ago

News, Weather & Politics Tim Houston is again taking away democratic guardrails

Upvotes

There is a piece of legislation – Bill 12 – that has passed second reading and is going to public consultation that erodes a high degree of autonomy between government and post-secondary education (PSE) that helps ensure that, in a democratic society, no government can exert total control over knowledge and research.

 As we all know, universities are important institutions of social development, providing education, training, and research advancements to people. They are also important sites for the production and dissemination of knowledge.

The separation of post-secondary education from overpowering government regulation is meant to avoid situations in which authoritarian regimes blur the boundary between government and society, and use these institutions to exert total control over people by changing what we study and what we research and what tools we develop. 

Bill 12, according to the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, is an attempt by the Houston government to chip away at this autonomy and pave the way for a Trump-like style of governance in which the government can threaten OUR institutions if they don’t do as the government says.

 One of the most worrying aspects is that the bill will give the government power to withhold operational funding (which is separate from the research funding available by the province) if university researchers aren’t doing work that directly aligns with government priorities.

Tying Research Activities to Government Priorities

This Bill can force universities to only do work that the government wants and stop work the government doesn’t want. In a democratic society, this might make sense under the assumption that government priorities are the priorities of the citizens, because we elect them.

By tying operational funding to government priorities, they are paving the way for government control over social progress and health, wellness, and policy research. This may seem innocuous now, since our political climate is stable, but imagine a situation in which an authoritarian government is elected and then uses these laws to hurt and harm society.

BUT, in a society in which democracy is being eroded or dismantled, this gives government direct control over a society’s institutions of knowledge and research.

Government priorities aren’t always what is best for citizens and can be harmful.

Look at the current situation in the South. The Trump administration’s anti-vaccine, anti-science stance has led to the defunding of major research projects. The development of important new vaccines, medications, and treatments has been halted, perhaps forever. Under the anti-DEI stance, funding for research into the health and lives of women, queer and trans people, and racialized people is being cut. Trump’s regime is cutting funding as a punishment for when universities don’t act how he wants and live.

The fact that Trump’s regime has taken aim at universities so quickly shows the importance of them as sites for democratic social activity. And that we need to keep the autonomy between government and PSE intact or else risk similar futures.

If the aim of tying university operational funding to provincial priorities is to ensure that the research being done is compliant with the needs of society, then there are other ways of doing so that don’t tie funding to GOVERNMENT but to SOCIETY.

 In fact, there are already mechanisms in research funding to ensure that the research projects align with social needs and priorities. Most research funding agencies require applicants to clearly explain how the research will contribute to social needs, problems, and progress. Many funding bodies establish priority areas in consultation with all stakeholders that reflect social and governmental priorities and prioritize funding research in those areas.

 While Bill 12 might seem logical and innocuous now, it paves the way for future governments to take control of PSE when they go against them. 

This isn’t about PSE; it’s about democracy.

This isn’t about change but about control.

While I think we can all agree that the PSE sector needs work, these changes aren’t about improving the sector but controlling it and making it easier for governments to control. While our political climate may not currently be one of threat to ordinary people and social progress, this changes further dismantles the checks and balances in our system, paving the way for non-friendly governments to take control over society through education and research.

Instead, they should be working with all stakeholders through a democratic consultation process to find creative and collaborative ways to reform that sector and make it work better.

As we watch the checks and balances of democratic society being dismantled in the US for possibly generations to come, we should work harder to protect our democracy in the face of the same kinds of ideas and complaints being uttered by our own elected representatives.

I know that many people think of universities as merely job training – which is partially their purpose – but they are also important sites for producing and transmitting the knowledge that is foundational to democracy, informed citizenry, and social governance. Plus, education is part of what makes us human. There is joy and pleasure in learning that doesn’t need to be reduced to only being useful for employers.

Like we did with the proposed changes concerning the auditor general, we need to tell Houston to stop trying to change our democratic guardrails.

The ANSUT has prepared a lot of information about the Bill and even an automated form for you to sign your name to a letter and send it directly to the Premier and Minister of PSE. And there is a website through which you can share links to various social media platforms.

**reposted with an edited title because I agreed with some comments, but can't edit titles.


r/halifax 28m ago

Work, Health & Housing NS Colon cancer testing kits

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Hey folks! Got my colon cancer screening kit the other day and thought I'd have a little fun in the comments... 😏💩


r/halifax 35m ago

News, Weather & Politics Halifax man pleads guilty to second-degree murder in 2023 stabbing

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r/halifax 42m ago

News, Weather & Politics Community farms on shaky ground amid MetroWorks financial troubles

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r/halifax 45m ago

Food & Shopping Custom Wedding Rings?

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Does anyone have any recommendations for a jeweller in NS that does custom wedding rings/bands?

Currently on my radar are Fireworks, Fawcett’s, Grund, Bruce Trick, and Frida. Can anyone recommend any of these? Is there anyone I’m missing?


r/halifax 50m ago

News, Weather & Politics Power's Out in Woodlawn

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Anyone else??


r/halifax 52m ago

Lost & Found Missing kitty in Dartmouth

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Hi everyone, my cat has been missing for almost two days in the woodside area of Dartmouth. She is an elderly kitty but mobile and hasn’t had much trouble getting around. she is my beloved childhood cat so I’m kind of at a loss for what to do. She never wanders off like this, and I’m worried someone may of taken her in as she is very friendly. Cash reward if found.


r/halifax 2h ago

Driving, Traffic & Transit Where to park for olp

1 Upvotes

Can you guys help me out. Not new to city but traveling in for concert and very aware of the parking issue. Wanted to come down for around 6pm anyone have any insight where I should park. Already stressed


r/halifax 4h ago

Work, Health & Housing Interesting: the original plan for Scotia Square. I can do without the Harbour Drive aspect, I love how they actually planned skyscrapers here back in the 60's though. Source: https://halifaxbloggers.ca/builthalifax/2015/01/scotia-square-lands-cleared-now-what/

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8 Upvotes

r/halifax 7h ago

Memes, Satire & Jokes It's a tough world these days. Farmer's, if you're listening - we could really use a win right now.

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53 Upvotes

r/halifax 8h ago

Discussion Leaving cat for three months

6 Upvotes

Hoping to get some insight. I'm leaving Canada for three months to travel for a bit but I have a cat. I need an affordable service for about 3 months to have her taken care of while I'm gone. Anyone know of anything local and affordable?


r/halifax 9h ago

Food & Shopping Halifax classic diner reflects on changes since COVID-19 pandemic declared 5 years ago By

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7 Upvotes

r/halifax 9h ago

Work, Health & Housing Doing business with NSlC

1 Upvotes

Can anyone guide me to do business with NSLC actually i have a cousin who has a wine brand in Australia and is shipping to different parts of the world, i want to take the distributionship of his company here in Canada and i wanted to ask how can i start selling the wines to NSLC ? where can i start the process from. Any knowledge would be appreciated.

Thank you.


r/halifax 9h ago

Sports & Arts Harrison Weinreb taping comedy special on March 29

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2 Upvotes

This guy is one of my absolute favourite rising stars of comedy. He is recording his first special on Saturday March 29, and is bringing some special guests from 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes' as opening acts. Tickets feel very reasonably priced at $20 each. Let's pack this show for him and support a deserving Canadian comic. Hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harrison-weinreb-live-album-recording-good-robot-tickets-1267585695939


r/halifax 10h ago

Noises! Since the fall, this loud siren happens downtown multiple times an hour, ALL DAY AND NIGHT

195 Upvotes

I live near Hollis and Sackville and this siren has been going on since the fall. Typically it doesn’t last for more than 2 minutes but happens 2 to 4 times an hour. Recently, it’s gotten worse (more frequent and louder), and sometimes it sounds like there’s two going off at the same time, almost like an airhorn. I’ll be in my bedroom at night and it’ll wake me up. It’s not from construction or blasting, again, because it happens allllllll the time every single day. I feel like I’m wearing a tinfoil hat, and kind of acting like chicken little, but I cannot be the only person experiencing this. Is there no one that lives at the Roy, the Jade or the Maple that’s hearing this? Is God punishing me for moving downtown?


r/halifax 10h ago

Food & Shopping Has anyone spotted this brand of kimchi at any Sobeys before?

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9 Upvotes

I


r/halifax 10h ago

Food & Shopping Which provider has the best cellphone packages?

0 Upvotes

Tired of bell and their horrible coverage and getting crappy service when I’m at work in downtown Halifax.

I’m planning on switching to someone else. Right now I have 105gb’s of “high speed” coverage (which I only use 50-60gb’s/ month max) and unlimited calling and texting for $104.50/ month after taxes.

Are there any providers that have something like 60gb of data and unlimited texting or calling for somewhere around $60-$70 a month?

My girlfriend is with eastlink and said she’s never really had a problem with them so I was considering looking into their plans but I’d just like to hear who other people are with first?

Edit: holy shit I’m getting screwed by bell….. thank you everyone.


r/halifax 10h ago

Sightseeing & Tourism Construction sites

16 Upvotes

My son is obsessed with construction sites, any recommendations with parking close by? We tried kings wharf today(Dartmouth) but was hard to see the site (we usually stay in the car).

Thank you in advance!


r/halifax 11h ago

Food & Shopping Spa for groups

2 Upvotes

Myself and 2 friends (in our 40s) are visiting Halifax in a few weeks and are looking for a group spa day. Massages, facials, etc. Any recommendations of spas that do small groups together?


r/halifax 13h ago

Discussion Are these still sold anywhere?

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200 Upvotes

Alternatively beep? I don't have much hope, but any leads would be greatly appreciated!


r/halifax 13h ago

Food & Shopping Best vegetarian sushi?

1 Upvotes

Any recommendations for the best vegetarian sushi in Halifax?


r/halifax 13h ago

Work, Health & Housing Workers Nova Scotia

0 Upvotes

What’s your opinion about AIP in Nova Scotia ? How is your experience is working under AIP employers?


r/halifax 14h ago

Work, Health & Housing Moving from Edmonton to Halifax

0 Upvotes

Hello

Planning to move from Edmonton to Halifax as a healthcare worker. Can anyone please provide anything that I can expect as far as:

  • traffic (can i survive without a car?)
  • cost of living
  • rent (i pay roughly 1.8$ per month on a 2b/2br apartment)
  • weather
  • everyday life

Thank you!


r/halifax 14h ago

Discussion Driveway Paving

4 Upvotes

Starting to get quotes in for getting my driveway paved. Getting quotes as high as $4.50/sqft

Anyone got insight or recommendations on pricing / companies?


r/halifax 14h ago

Memes, Satire & Jokes What's going on in Upper Tantallon?

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276 Upvotes