The reality of road fixing — and fixation — for MLAs in nova scotia

By LOUISE COCKRAM "In the views of your constituents, that road is the most important thing in their lives. They don't care about what you're...

The MLA who paved the way for Christmas trees

By MARK COFFIN Pam Birdsall’s story wasn’t the typical ‘vote for my party and I’ll pave your road’ kind of tale. It falls in the category...

In Nova Scotia, roads rule while other issues fail to get traction

In Nova Scotia, roads connect us. With our resource economy, roads have been essential for taking goods from sellers to buyers. They are how...

Political teamwork translates into speaking up privately

 By MARK COFFIN with LOUISE COCKRAM “Close the door.” Depending on who says those words, they can invoke feelings of fear or excitement. If it’s the supervisor you...

It’s tough to break political parties’ stranglehold on democracy in Nova Scotia

By MARK COFFIN The reasons an MLA ends up as an independent are generally not the same as the reasons we romanticize independence. The career...

Maverick MLAs walk tightrope between party loyalty, conscience

By MARK COFFIN Howard Epstein has never been known as someone who keeps his cards close to his chest. The former MLA served the district...

In din of politics, constituency concerns are loudest cry

 By MARK COFFIN with LOUISE COCKRAM The period just after first being elected is one of the most important times in an MLA’s career. It’s when MLAs decide...

Mentors make stage fright less daunting

By MARK COFFIN with LOUISE COCKRAM George Moody served in the Nova Scotia legislature for over two decades. He represented the Kings-West riding in the Annapolis...

The call to public office in Nova Scotia — ‘If not me, who?’

A lawyer, a nurse, and a farmer walk into Province House. Some people might think that what happens inside the Nova Scotia legislature is a...

Picking a political banner often depends on prevailing winds

By MARK COFFIN “I was inspired by (Pierre) Trudeau. He captured the youth of my generation,” recalls Alexa McDonough. “But then I was really appalled by...