Steve G. Machat
@policyaction.bsky.social
Manager, NS Heath - MHAP Health Promotion, Roots of Hope & The Knowledge Collaborative. Focused on improving population health through healthy public policy in Nova Scotia. PhD - Interdisciplinary Studies, Dalhousie University.
Speed tables on my street in Dartmouth are essentially decorative as well especially for large trucks-they are able to absorb the bump and not have to reduce speed. I have been meaning to conduct my own informal evaluation in front of my house to put some empirical evidence behind my observations.
"City staff don't evaluate if speed bumps work" [slight paraphrase]
I've done a preliminary version of this analysis: they rellduce speed proportionate to the baseline speed of the road.
The speed bumps on Dahlia are basically decorative. The ones on Farnham Gate are... load bearing
I've done a preliminary version of this analysis: they rellduce speed proportionate to the baseline speed of the road.
The speed bumps on Dahlia are basically decorative. The ones on Farnham Gate are... load bearing
August 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Speed tables on my street in Dartmouth are essentially decorative as well especially for large trucks-they are able to absorb the bump and not have to reduce speed. I have been meaning to conduct my own informal evaluation in front of my house to put some empirical evidence behind my observations.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Water conservation measures include:
-If it’s yellow, let it mellow
-Shorten your showers
-Turn off the tap when not in use
-Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
Limit activities that use excess water, such as:
-Watering lawns
-Washing vehicles
-Filling pools
-If it’s yellow, let it mellow
-Shorten your showers
-Turn off the tap when not in use
-Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
Limit activities that use excess water, such as:
-Watering lawns
-Washing vehicles
-Filling pools
August 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Water conservation measures include:
-If it’s yellow, let it mellow
-Shorten your showers
-Turn off the tap when not in use
-Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
Limit activities that use excess water, such as:
-Watering lawns
-Washing vehicles
-Filling pools
-If it’s yellow, let it mellow
-Shorten your showers
-Turn off the tap when not in use
-Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes
Limit activities that use excess water, such as:
-Watering lawns
-Washing vehicles
-Filling pools
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
From Halifax Water: Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Requested for HRM - Due to the recent prolonged period of low precipitation, water levels within supply areas have not been replenished. With no significant precipitation forecasted in the coming weeks, these levels will continue to lower.
August 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
From Halifax Water: Voluntary Water Conservation Measures Requested for HRM - Due to the recent prolonged period of low precipitation, water levels within supply areas have not been replenished. With no significant precipitation forecasted in the coming weeks, these levels will continue to lower.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Are you a student-scholar researching health?
Are you looking for a home for your work?
Check us out here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/index
Full archive of previous issues here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/issue/ar...
Questions? Need to register to submit your work? Reach us at hpj@dal.ca
Are you looking for a home for your work?
Check us out here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/index
Full archive of previous issues here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/issue/ar...
Questions? Need to register to submit your work? Reach us at hpj@dal.ca
August 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Are you a student-scholar researching health?
Are you looking for a home for your work?
Check us out here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/index
Full archive of previous issues here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/issue/ar...
Questions? Need to register to submit your work? Reach us at hpj@dal.ca
Are you looking for a home for your work?
Check us out here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/index
Full archive of previous issues here: ojs.library.dal.ca/hpj/issue/ar...
Questions? Need to register to submit your work? Reach us at hpj@dal.ca
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Passing cyclists on rural roads while driving can be tricky. I've been both the driver and the cyclist countless times. On a recent trip to San Juan Island, I was passenger in a car as we came up on a group of riders on a narrow road.
Here's how I coached the driver to pass them safely...
Here's how I coached the driver to pass them safely...
July 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Passing cyclists on rural roads while driving can be tricky. I've been both the driver and the cyclist countless times. On a recent trip to San Juan Island, I was passenger in a car as we came up on a group of riders on a narrow road.
Here's how I coached the driver to pass them safely...
Here's how I coached the driver to pass them safely...
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
My August E-news. Strong Mayor Powers, the Morris Street bike lane circus, Big Albro and Little Albro environmental projects, drought conditions, and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-augus...
E-News August 2025 - Sam Austin
News Morris Street/Strong Mayor PowersI have been on Council for almost nine years and the last few weeks have been pretty unprecedented. The Province’s threatened intervention on Morris Street and th...
samaustin.ca
August 1, 2025 at 1:33 AM
My August E-news. Strong Mayor Powers, the Morris Street bike lane circus, Big Albro and Little Albro environmental projects, drought conditions, and more. Read it here samaustin.ca/e-news-augus...
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Mark Carney wants economic growth at any cost. To achieve it, he’s going after tech investment and pushing hard for AI adoption.
In the process, AI regulations are being thrown on the bonfire and tech harms are an afterthought. It’s a recipe for disaster.
In the process, AI regulations are being thrown on the bonfire and tech harms are an afterthought. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Mark Carney is going “elbows down” against Big Tech
Canada’s AI agenda ignores potential harms in the hope of short-term economic gain
www.disconnect.blog
July 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Mark Carney wants economic growth at any cost. To achieve it, he’s going after tech investment and pushing hard for AI adoption.
In the process, AI regulations are being thrown on the bonfire and tech harms are an afterthought. It’s a recipe for disaster.
In the process, AI regulations are being thrown on the bonfire and tech harms are an afterthought. It’s a recipe for disaster.
Good to see commentary on physical activity and connection to overall health but crucially misses the need for political action not just parental responsibility to get kids moving. All levels of government have a role to play to secure the built & natural environments where kids can get out & play.
July 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Good to see commentary on physical activity and connection to overall health but crucially misses the need for political action not just parental responsibility to get kids moving. All levels of government have a role to play to secure the built & natural environments where kids can get out & play.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Obviously we fight for our bike lanes
But I think a lot of the recent conversation around Halifax bike lanes has been started to manufacture a crisis and trigger a change in our democracy.
But I think a lot of the recent conversation around Halifax bike lanes has been started to manufacture a crisis and trigger a change in our democracy.
July 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Obviously we fight for our bike lanes
But I think a lot of the recent conversation around Halifax bike lanes has been started to manufacture a crisis and trigger a change in our democracy.
But I think a lot of the recent conversation around Halifax bike lanes has been started to manufacture a crisis and trigger a change in our democracy.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Drivers routinely ignore the bus lane signage on Barrington Street. By the logic of some powerful men in this province, this ought to alleviate traffic in downtown Halifax.
Surprise! Still congested. It's the cars. It's population growth and the lack of safe, reliable alternatives to driving.
Surprise! Still congested. It's the cars. It's population growth and the lack of safe, reliable alternatives to driving.
July 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Drivers routinely ignore the bus lane signage on Barrington Street. By the logic of some powerful men in this province, this ought to alleviate traffic in downtown Halifax.
Surprise! Still congested. It's the cars. It's population growth and the lack of safe, reliable alternatives to driving.
Surprise! Still congested. It's the cars. It's population growth and the lack of safe, reliable alternatives to driving.
Thank you @sflkirk.bsky.social! A wonderful ceremony with the wisdom filled words of Elder Ann. So proud to be a part of the Dalhousie community.
Convocation at @dalhousieu.bsky.social is already pretty special but yesterday I got to carry the New Dawn Staff behind Elder Ann, celebrate the #DalHAHP grads in my @universityofleeds.bsky.social academic robe, & welcome newly minted Dr. Machat @policyaction.bsky.social on stage with me! #DalProud
June 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Thank you @sflkirk.bsky.social! A wonderful ceremony with the wisdom filled words of Elder Ann. So proud to be a part of the Dalhousie community.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
This is a really good video on what HRM has built so far in terms of the bike network. Spoiler, congestion isn't being caused by bikes and next to no existing road space has been taken away. There is no real world evidence to support the Mayor's claims youtu.be/ogD1kOjiSXQ?...
Built To Suffer - Addendum
YouTube video by HFX by Bike
youtu.be
June 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
This is a really good video on what HRM has built so far in terms of the bike network. Spoiler, congestion isn't being caused by bikes and next to no existing road space has been taken away. There is no real world evidence to support the Mayor's claims youtu.be/ogD1kOjiSXQ?...
This is not only worth a read but time should be spent on how we make sense of the implications for public leadership and healthy public policy.
Systems Leadership: a qualitative systematic review of advice for policymakers
By Paul Cairney and Claire Toomey, University of Stirling. This post summarises our pre-print in Open Research Europe. It is the second of a three-part series of articles on collaborative policymaking. Abstract ‘Systems…
By Paul Cairney and Claire Toomey, University of Stirling. This post summarises our pre-print in Open Research Europe. It is the second of a three-part series of articles on collaborative policymaking. Abstract ‘Systems…
Systems Leadership: a qualitative systematic review of advice for policymakers
By Paul Cairney and Claire Toomey, University of Stirling. This post summarises our pre-print in Open Research Europe. It is the second of a three-part series of articles on collaborative policymaking. Abstract ‘Systems leadership’ research rejects the idea that complex policy problems can be solved by a few heroic leaders in the centre of government or at the top of organisations.
paulcairney.wordpress.com
January 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This is not only worth a read but time should be spent on how we make sense of the implications for public leadership and healthy public policy.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
More than 1 in 5 children living in poverty in #NovaScotia. This is a disgrace. In 2022, we reported on the threat that poverty places on child/youth wellbeing & made a clear recommendation for government action (see onechancens.ca). It fell on deaf ears.
December 18, 2024 at 10:54 AM
More than 1 in 5 children living in poverty in #NovaScotia. This is a disgrace. In 2022, we reported on the threat that poverty places on child/youth wellbeing & made a clear recommendation for government action (see onechancens.ca). It fell on deaf ears.
Reposted by Steve G. Machat
Not new news. But today is a vital step towards a ban of junk food ads on TV & online (repeatedly delayed by last Govt)
For any sceptics, this is a v good thing for health...
👍 Loads of evidence shows advertising works
👍 Food giants spend £££s on ads - of course it works
www.gov.uk/government/n...
For any sceptics, this is a v good thing for health...
👍 Loads of evidence shows advertising works
👍 Food giants spend £££s on ads - of course it works
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Junk food ad ban legislation progresses to curb childhood obesity
Junk food ads to be banned from October 2025 with final details unveiled today.
www.gov.uk
December 3, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Not new news. But today is a vital step towards a ban of junk food ads on TV & online (repeatedly delayed by last Govt)
For any sceptics, this is a v good thing for health...
👍 Loads of evidence shows advertising works
👍 Food giants spend £££s on ads - of course it works
www.gov.uk/government/n...
For any sceptics, this is a v good thing for health...
👍 Loads of evidence shows advertising works
👍 Food giants spend £££s on ads - of course it works
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Taking a break while preparing for Monday’s PhD defence…though I feel like I made more progress in my 1 hr bike ride to Pt Pleasant than the last 3 days together!
November 21, 2024 at 5:31 PM
Taking a break while preparing for Monday’s PhD defence…though I feel like I made more progress in my 1 hr bike ride to Pt Pleasant than the last 3 days together!