July 16, 2026
I was shocked and concerned to hear about the violent protest directed toward Premier Houston in the Annapolis Valley yesterday.
As elected officials, we must be prepared for criticism and pushback when people disagree with the decisions our governments make. That makes for a stronger democracy and better outcomes for citizens; having run a level of government, I’ve seen that first hand. But being subject to violence and harassment is not part of the job of any politician – it’s unacceptable and it achieves the opposite of what people are trying to accomplish. Instead of highlighting issues, it takes the focus off of them and onto safety/security; instead of creating more engagement by government, it builds a case for more distance.
I recognize that many people are feeling hurt, frustrated, and angry right now. Those feelings deserve to be heard, and are valid. But violence is never the answer, and it has no place in our democracy or our province.
We should never stop using our voices, but we are strongest when we can engage with one another respectfully, even when we disagree.