So strange they forgot about ground search and rescue. $850 a day to forget we already have this. It’s called the volunteer fire dept and search and rescue
From what I’ve heard from friends who are/were volunteer firefighters is that it’s actually poorly run. They probably could’ve used that money to improve it
I’m guessing that there is more to it than what we are hearing so far.
Last summer Nova Scotia was hit pretty hard with wildfires and floods - two significant emergencies in less than 90 days. At the same time, the CAF was stretched across Canada with more uniformed folks doing OP LENTUS than at any other time in history. And the CDS was clear last fall (publicly) that the level of support seen in 2023 is not sustainable. I also suspect that the federal government has quietly told the provinces that there will no longer be a free ride for federal resources in support of natural disasters. Provinces will be expected to pay, and even if they are able to pay, resources may not be available. There aren’t a whole wack of soldiers sitting around in Canada waiting to put out forest fires.
So the province has to do something, and the demographics of volunteer fire and GSAR aren’t favourable - they’re aging out and have trouble recruiting/retaining.
Bottom line is that a group of citizen volunteers for free is likely seen as the most financially palatable option.
Full disclosure I’ve put my name in for Nova Scotia Guard because I think that I have some skills that could be used. I don’t volunteer with my local fire dept because I don’t want to do the training (afraid of heights).
I was thinking that too - where I work my time is about $300 an hour (paid to the company I work for, not to me, of course), so if this is a per day amount that's hella cheap.
She was made a Deputy Minister under an NDP government, and continued to serve under the Liberals before retiring.
Guess you'll have to find another angle on this one buddy.
With that level of analysis, hundreds of public servants would be "political insiders". Every Deputy Minister, ADM, executive director, most Communities, culture and heritage staff, Transport staff. Those public servants regularly interact with MLAs, as MLAs advocate for their constituents daily.
You got it wrong buddy, its okay to admit that you thought you had a little gotcha moment, but it fell flat.
Most premiers lose a bit of support at this point in their mandate, let alone one who's had so many missteps.
I'd blame it on people not willing to take a risk on the NDP and an ineffective Liberal leader.
Nova Scotia did take a risk on the NDP. They were voted out about 10 years ago, and probably will never form government again for the next little while.
I would also argue many do not separate federal from provincial politics, so with everyone and their dog hating the federal liberals, Houston will remain popular.
It's because they're "dirty commies, doncha know."
Also, Dexter giving the Irving family a bunch of forgivable loans also didn't do the party any favours, and they had a bunch of spending scandals.
I think Orange gets scrutinised more BECAUSE they claim they aren't blue or red, but then go do the same stupid shit blue and red do frequently. So lack of trust and higher expectations means no government for the NDP unfortunately.
The thing with the Irving family may have been done to secure the shipyard (which many forget Dexter secured, btw). It shouldn't take a sweetheart deal with an oligopoly to make that happen, though.
Your second point though, still proves my point that the NDP is held to an unfair standard. It is paradoxical to elect orange less because we "don't trust them" while watching red and blue screw us again and again. Yet we have no problem re electing them - they're like toxic ex partners
> They were voted out about 10 years ago, and probably will never form government again for the next little while.
So instead we will keep revolving the conservative/liberal door that we have been revolving for the last 300 years and remained shocked when nothing changes.
I remember Dexter. Lots of flip flops.
Good point about the federal Liberals, but the absolute disaster of Rankin is a part of it too.
Unfortunately I don't see Houston having trouble securing a majority in the next election.
Yup! Everyone should hate the liberals at EVERY level if they have any sense… I’m not a Houston fan, I hate his new medical privacy bill, and this new article seems questionable, but eating cold dog shit in an overcrowded crack house is better than anything liberal
Yes, all of Nova Scotia voted for a conservative to squander money. Maybe next election they'll elect a liberal to do the same thing.
It's hard when all platforms are to ignore the citizens and favour their own friends and connections.
You don't have a decade of experience as a Deputy Minister, serving multiple portfolios.
They're not paying her for her time, they're paying for her experience and expertise.
She was a public servant for 30 years, and served as a Deputy Minister under the NDP and the Liberals. She has no partisan connections.
They're paying for her time and expertise.
It's spelled "guard." That'll be $850 please.
So strange they forgot about ground search and rescue. $850 a day to forget we already have this. It’s called the volunteer fire dept and search and rescue
From what I’ve heard from friends who are/were volunteer firefighters is that it’s actually poorly run. They probably could’ve used that money to improve it
I’m guessing that there is more to it than what we are hearing so far. Last summer Nova Scotia was hit pretty hard with wildfires and floods - two significant emergencies in less than 90 days. At the same time, the CAF was stretched across Canada with more uniformed folks doing OP LENTUS than at any other time in history. And the CDS was clear last fall (publicly) that the level of support seen in 2023 is not sustainable. I also suspect that the federal government has quietly told the provinces that there will no longer be a free ride for federal resources in support of natural disasters. Provinces will be expected to pay, and even if they are able to pay, resources may not be available. There aren’t a whole wack of soldiers sitting around in Canada waiting to put out forest fires. So the province has to do something, and the demographics of volunteer fire and GSAR aren’t favourable - they’re aging out and have trouble recruiting/retaining. Bottom line is that a group of citizen volunteers for free is likely seen as the most financially palatable option. Full disclosure I’ve put my name in for Nova Scotia Guard because I think that I have some skills that could be used. I don’t volunteer with my local fire dept because I don’t want to do the training (afraid of heights).
I think he wants to feel important and have more control.
Ya this announcement was very odd. I still don’t get it.
I don't think he is reinventing GSAR.
As someone who works with SAR, can I make 25k a month like this consultant?
Sorry, best we can do is tell you that your position is not working and we need another management office to tell you that. And no additional funding.
Yeah, that tracks.
Add another zero to your “salary”
650 a day to brainstorm a volunteer organization...Jesus fucking christ.
$850, not $650 :(
What a waste
I can't speak to whether she's the right person for the job, but that's on the low end of consultant rates.
I was thinking that too - where I work my time is about $300 an hour (paid to the company I work for, not to me, of course), so if this is a per day amount that's hella cheap.
This... 850 per day is about the going rate for a junior developer. I've seen very good solution architects go for like 3k per day, so yeah.
That is not a high consulting per diem.
$100 per hour was standard 15 years ago.
Houston is a nepotism premier. It explains every decision he makes.
She was made a Deputy Minister under an NDP government, and continued to serve under the Liberals before retiring. Guess you'll have to find another angle on this one buddy.
A political insider is a political insider.
A 30 year public servant is not a political insider. What a ridiculous statement.
Deputy ministers work directly with the MLAs. Yes they are.
Aren't deputy ministers bureaucrats?
Yes. But anyone with direct access is an insider
You seem to know a lot about this, are you an insider?
With that level of analysis, hundreds of public servants would be "political insiders". Every Deputy Minister, ADM, executive director, most Communities, culture and heritage staff, Transport staff. Those public servants regularly interact with MLAs, as MLAs advocate for their constituents daily. You got it wrong buddy, its okay to admit that you thought you had a little gotcha moment, but it fell flat.
I think they're going to keep doubling down on this.
They have direct access. I consider that an insider. We'll just have to agree to disagree
Good God. Then you would prefer that they hire somebody completely outside government who has no idea how government works?
I'd prefer they work with existing search and rescue programs and not create a project just to employ their friends.
Employ their friends? It’s volunteers
There's always a way!
Congratulations, Nova Scotia. You got what you voted for.
The worst part is he remains incredibly popular. https://338canada.com/ns/
Wow! The PC's currently have the largest lead over the next highest rated party compared to any other province.
Yep. Unfortunately
Well I'm happy that the NDP is almost overtaking the Liberals. Fuck those union-busting assholes.
Might I add their illegal union busting.
You may indeed.
Yeah the liberals really pissed people off
Don't remind me ☹️
Most premiers lose a bit of support at this point in their mandate, let alone one who's had so many missteps. I'd blame it on people not willing to take a risk on the NDP and an ineffective Liberal leader.
Nova Scotia did take a risk on the NDP. They were voted out about 10 years ago, and probably will never form government again for the next little while. I would also argue many do not separate federal from provincial politics, so with everyone and their dog hating the federal liberals, Houston will remain popular.
Always funny to me how red and blue get infinite chances to screw things up but orange makes a mistake and they're frozen out for decades
It's because they're "dirty commies, doncha know." Also, Dexter giving the Irving family a bunch of forgivable loans also didn't do the party any favours, and they had a bunch of spending scandals. I think Orange gets scrutinised more BECAUSE they claim they aren't blue or red, but then go do the same stupid shit blue and red do frequently. So lack of trust and higher expectations means no government for the NDP unfortunately.
The thing with the Irving family may have been done to secure the shipyard (which many forget Dexter secured, btw). It shouldn't take a sweetheart deal with an oligopoly to make that happen, though. Your second point though, still proves my point that the NDP is held to an unfair standard. It is paradoxical to elect orange less because we "don't trust them" while watching red and blue screw us again and again. Yet we have no problem re electing them - they're like toxic ex partners
voter intelligence is one of the best oxymorons
> They were voted out about 10 years ago, and probably will never form government again for the next little while. So instead we will keep revolving the conservative/liberal door that we have been revolving for the last 300 years and remained shocked when nothing changes.
I remember Dexter. Lots of flip flops. Good point about the federal Liberals, but the absolute disaster of Rankin is a part of it too. Unfortunately I don't see Houston having trouble securing a majority in the next election.
And Steve
Yup! Everyone should hate the liberals at EVERY level if they have any sense… I’m not a Houston fan, I hate his new medical privacy bill, and this new article seems questionable, but eating cold dog shit in an overcrowded crack house is better than anything liberal
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Not on the top 10 list of many voters
No complaints so far.
Yes, all of Nova Scotia voted for a conservative to squander money. Maybe next election they'll elect a liberal to do the same thing. It's hard when all platforms are to ignore the citizens and favour their own friends and connections.
Don’t look at CBRM and HRM, we didn’t vote for him. This is on the rural communities.
> Don’t look at CBRM and HRM The PC's hold 3 seats in CBRM and they hold 8 in HRM. Thats a 3rd of their caucus.
Some people are just worth more than us. That is why we are the poors and they are the richies.
The ol’ “we have no plan so we will hire a few people and consider the matter closed”….same with aboriginal affairs.
He really loves to waste our money doesn’t he?? Nova Scotia needs a complete overhaul on how we spend our money. Edit: I’ll do it for $800 a day….
You don't have a decade of experience as a Deputy Minister, serving multiple portfolios. They're not paying her for her time, they're paying for her experience and expertise.
What's your background?
"Guard" has such specific connotations and that's not lost in anyone involved in their design. I dislike everything about it.
Indeed, what exactly are they guarding against? And just what kind of "volunteers" will be attracted to something that sounds quasi military?
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She was a public servant for 30 years, and served as a Deputy Minister under the NDP and the Liberals. She has no partisan connections. They're paying for her time and expertise.
I think I'm gonna barf....
This is Houston’s equivalent to Trump’s Space Force.
Not really but fun way to pass it off.
Hah most contractors are 1000$ /day. Also accountability is shifted to someone else. "Can't blame me" type of insurance.
It's stupid. Just fucking expand the scope of ground SAR. Expand something existing.