By Andrew Macdonald
There are a lot of similarities between Tim Houston and the late premier John Buchanan
Both ran up or will run up deficits as Progressive Conservative premiers of Nova Scotia, and both reward friends with government perks.
Buchanan also called snap elections three years into his mandates in 1981 and 1984. He served from 1978 to 1990.
Houston called a snap election, only three years into his term as premier.
Brian Mulroney on the campaign trail talking to a voter. That is David MacKeen, left and John Buchanan, right. MacKeen was the father of Tim Houston’s campaign manager, Cameron MacKeen. Notebook archives
Buchanan bankrupted the province and Houston’s 2024 election platform calls for deficits for the next three years if he is re-elected into government. In 1978, there was a budget surplus of $500,000, but by 1990 the debt stood at $12M, encompassing the Buchanan years in office.
Houston’s platform, called Make it Happen, projects deficits going forward.
“The new initiatives in the PC platform would cost $142.2 million in additional government spending in the first year, $210.5 million in the second year, $203.8 million in the third year and $199.5 million in the fourth year. The PCs project deficits of $323.8 million, $336.4 million and $55.8 million in the first three years and a $96.6 million surplus in Year 4,” the Halifax Herald reports.
MacPolitics: When John Buchanan Died, This Is What Tim Houston Said
Premier John Buchanan on the campaign trail in 1981. His electioneering theme was: Nova Scotia Our Future Is Here. Buchanan was a PC premier from 1978-1990. Notebook vintage archives
Tim Houston’s political hero is Honest It’s John Buchanan. You can tell that from statements Houston publicly made after Buchanan died in 2019 at age 88.
Tim Houston is running for re-election on Nov 26. The Notebook
Here is what Houston said that time in the NS Legislature:
“We have certainly lost a great Nova Scotian, for sure. I know Premier Buchanan will be remembered by many as a very skilled politician and a masterful campaigner, but it really was his ability to connect with Nova Scotians that is his true legacy. He was often late for events and you know the reason; it was because he had stopped to talk to people along the way.
“Premier Buchanan led the Progressive Conservative Party to four consecutive majority governments, in 1978, 1981, 1984 and 1988. He often used to say to me when I saw him since I was leader, ‘Tim, I hope you win three majorities’. He was very proud of his four majorities and he was Nova Scotia’s fourth-longest-serving premier. I believe he actually believed he was the third. He had a technicality, there was a reason he said he was the third longest,” said Houston.
“I will certainly remember John as a wonderful person and a masterful storyteller. His genuine interest in people meant he never forgot a face and he never forgot a name. He will be missed by many because his warmth truly was a magnet to people.
“John was immensely proud of Nova Scotia. He did urge every single one of us to brag about Nova Scotia at every opportunity and he certainly did brag about it to people — its entrepreneurs, its resources.
“My thoughts are certainly with Mavis and their five children. We also send, as a caucus and as elected people, as Nova Scotians, our love to their family and we do appreciate John’s service and the fact that they shared him with so many people for so long.
“I know he is telling a story somewhere. He is probably singing about a place that he couldn’t imagine — he couldn’t imagine a place, any place any more beautiful, more fit for princes and kings, and he would trade 10 cities for his Marion Bridge and the pleasure it brings. So, John, rest in peace, my good friend,” said Houston in 2019.
Houston issued this statement on the death of Buchanan:
“Premier Buchanan will be remembered as a master campaigner and skilled politician,” Houston said. “But it was his incredible ability to connect with Nova Scotians that I believe is his true legacy.”
“I will remember Premier Buchanan as a wonderful storyteller and a man whose genuine interest in people meant he never forgot a name or a face,” Houston said. “He will be missed by many.”
Premier Buchanan loved Nova Scotia and encouraged others to share his affection for the province. In 2010, he said: “We don’t do enough bragging about Nova Scotia. Brag about the people, the resources, the entrepreneurs — like the people here tonight — and our heritage as the birthplace of New Scotland.”
John Buchanan in the 1978-1992 premier’s car, pictured with the Buchanan chauffeur. Buchanan’s successor, Premier Don Cameron got rid of the driver. CBC image
