Discussions & Diatribes

I welcome open and reasonable discussion on any issue, provided it is supported by credible evidence and conducted with respect. What I will not engage in are circular arguments, personal attacks, or unproductive exchanges that do nothing to move our community forward. My focus remains on the future of our city and the decisions that will best serve our residents.

From a policy perspective, if a program or service has been tried and has demonstrably failed, there is no justification for continuing to commit public resources to it. Red Deer must prioritize initiatives that deliver measurable results, not repeat approaches that have proven ineffective. For example, so-called safe injection, harm reduction, and overdose prevention sites have not reduced drug addiction or improved community outcomes in our city. We should be investing in strategies that address the root causes of addiction and support long-term recovery, rather than continuing with programs that enable the problem without solving it.