We've been told to expect life to start returning to normal, post-pandemic. And even though we're heading to Phase 5 of reopening later this week, Nova Scotians are still worried about the virus and its spread. And as cautious and conservative as the rules have been, protesting outside of hospitals and fighting public health rules are just holding back the normal.

The majority may rule, but the people who are against vaccines and vaccine passports are not happy with the rules. Nova Scotia is heading towards a reopening based on the science, but the way it's being introduced is not bringing us any closer to respecting Doctor Strang's wishes to keep this from dividing us.

It turns out Nova Scotia's government is using a combination of stick and carrot as we head towards the next phase of reopening. But what is even more impressive, is how it gives consequences to both receiving and refusing vaccinations.

We still have 15-thousand Nova Scotians who need to be fully vaccinated with two shots before we can enter Phase 5 of the reopening. I have doubts that we'll reach that target on September 15th and am waiting to see if Premier Houston goes with a carrot or a stick to get us to that next level of "freedom" from restrictions.

Campaign rhetoric is not new to Canadian politics. But the ways people have been showing their displeasure with Justin Trudeau has taken a turn in the past few days. And while some voters are trying to find out who and what to vote for, politicians should perhaps offer more of that than the negative mudslinging about who and what people should vote against.

He's been a fixture on the radio in the Maritimes for almost five decades. Here are a few words on Rick Howe's retirement.

It would be a tall order to expect the new Premier to appoint a member of the opposition to cabinet, especially in a majority government. But saying you are listening to the African Nova Scotian community is not good enough. Actions speak louder than words as they say.

Premier Tim Houston has his new team in place now that his 19 member cabinet has been sworn in. And just like the first of the school year, he's making impressions on the first day of class.

When it seems like you'll never achieve your life or career dreams, maybe it's a sign that you've given up on yourself. Maybe it's just like the 80's song by Journey told us, Don't Stop Believing.

The Members of the Legislative Assembly will be sworn in today and tomorrow we find out who will form the Cabinet in the Tim Houston Progressive Conservative Government. The promise to fix health care is a big task and I hope the prescription the new government will enact will also include a few second opinions from the people already in the system.