Shirley Tillotson
@stillots1.bsky.social
Prof. Emeritus at Dalhousie/King's in Halifax, NS. Canadian history (with sources), public finance, pix of woodland and coast. Slow to anger. Stage IV MBC https://ukings.ca/people/shirley-tillotson/
Pinned
Shirley Tillotson
@stillots1.bsky.social
· Jan 11
My fave political history is the backstories of politicians: the agenda-making and network building worlds of volunteering, fundraising, and policy / interest advocacy.
So I'm your dial-a- Canadian-historian on lots of specialist topics. But it's all political history.
So I'm your dial-a- Canadian-historian on lots of specialist topics. But it's all political history.
I wish financial planners would stop warning ppl about the "OAS clawback"
The OAS is the residue of a pension, launched in 1926, to relieve starvation among the very poor
Now, it (and GIS) helps those people, but also ppl with modest savings/pensions
It's 'clawed back' from the very comfortable
The OAS is the residue of a pension, launched in 1926, to relieve starvation among the very poor
Now, it (and GIS) helps those people, but also ppl with modest savings/pensions
It's 'clawed back' from the very comfortable
November 10, 2025 at 1:40 PM
I wish financial planners would stop warning ppl about the "OAS clawback"
The OAS is the residue of a pension, launched in 1926, to relieve starvation among the very poor
Now, it (and GIS) helps those people, but also ppl with modest savings/pensions
It's 'clawed back' from the very comfortable
The OAS is the residue of a pension, launched in 1926, to relieve starvation among the very poor
Now, it (and GIS) helps those people, but also ppl with modest savings/pensions
It's 'clawed back' from the very comfortable
Overtones of Monty Python's 4 Yorkshire men skit, but good on housing norms
Wartime housing shortages, Montreal. My mother (social work student) and a friend rented a 1 BR, and a woman postal worker, night shift, slept in the bed during the day.
Wartime housing shortages, Montreal. My mother (social work student) and a friend rented a 1 BR, and a woman postal worker, night shift, slept in the bed during the day.
It is genuinely hard for most people to grasp how poor the past was.
November 9, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Overtones of Monty Python's 4 Yorkshire men skit, but good on housing norms
Wartime housing shortages, Montreal. My mother (social work student) and a friend rented a 1 BR, and a woman postal worker, night shift, slept in the bed during the day.
Wartime housing shortages, Montreal. My mother (social work student) and a friend rented a 1 BR, and a woman postal worker, night shift, slept in the bed during the day.
Tariffs - a revenue-raising tool? A foreign policy tool? (Industrial policy, commercial policy, party pols?)
I've listened to the IEEPA tariffs case oral arguments
I'm forming historical thoughts about the duck-rabbit nature of tariffs. It's a warren (or a flock?) of duck rabbits
Thread to come
I've listened to the IEEPA tariffs case oral arguments
I'm forming historical thoughts about the duck-rabbit nature of tariffs. It's a warren (or a flock?) of duck rabbits
Thread to come
November 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Tariffs - a revenue-raising tool? A foreign policy tool? (Industrial policy, commercial policy, party pols?)
I've listened to the IEEPA tariffs case oral arguments
I'm forming historical thoughts about the duck-rabbit nature of tariffs. It's a warren (or a flock?) of duck rabbits
Thread to come
I've listened to the IEEPA tariffs case oral arguments
I'm forming historical thoughts about the duck-rabbit nature of tariffs. It's a warren (or a flock?) of duck rabbits
Thread to come
Amazing photos. I'd take this course in an instant. Lucky Carleton students!
"Canadian architectural eye candy" is not a phrase that often comes to mind.
But here it is!
#cdnhist
"Canadian architectural eye candy" is not a phrase that often comes to mind.
But here it is!
#cdnhist
I’m getting ready to co-teach our new course on Canadian architecture.
So, What *is* Canadian architecture?
Well, it’s a long story. Or rather, *many* long stories.
So, What *is* Canadian architecture?
Well, it’s a long story. Or rather, *many* long stories.
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Amazing photos. I'd take this course in an instant. Lucky Carleton students!
"Canadian architectural eye candy" is not a phrase that often comes to mind.
But here it is!
#cdnhist
"Canadian architectural eye candy" is not a phrase that often comes to mind.
But here it is!
#cdnhist
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
🚨⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️🚨
i just found out that the smallest mustelidae is literally called the least weasel
i just found out that the smallest mustelidae is literally called the least weasel
November 7, 2025 at 7:03 AM
🚨⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️🚨
i just found out that the smallest mustelidae is literally called the least weasel
i just found out that the smallest mustelidae is literally called the least weasel
I'm still not quite sure if I would ever have reason to use a Canadian stablecoin, but Mike Moffat helps me to understand why there's a serious use case, not for money laundering and drug dealing
Buried on Page 119 of the federal budget is a commitment to "introduce legislation to regulate the issuance of fiat-backed stablecoins in Canada."
I'm absolutely delighted to see this! We released a research report on the idea back in September:
I'm absolutely delighted to see this! We released a research report on the idea back in September:
Dollar-Backed Stablecoins and Affordability for Canadians
A new report from MMI and Canada 2020
www.missingmiddleinitiative.ca
November 7, 2025 at 8:28 PM
I'm still not quite sure if I would ever have reason to use a Canadian stablecoin, but Mike Moffat helps me to understand why there's a serious use case, not for money laundering and drug dealing
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
Great analysis by @gillianpetit.bsky.social irpp.org/research-stu...
Automatic tax filing: Welcome news for lower-income Canadians, but there’s more to do - IRPP
Budget 2025 built on a previous announcement to transition to “automated federal benefits” to make it easier for Canadians to file tax returns and access financial benefits. Starting in the 2026 tax y...
irpp.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Great analysis by @gillianpetit.bsky.social irpp.org/research-stu...
A fantastic 🇨🇦 civics lesson from thread-master and panda, @tim4hire.bsky.social
IMO, the (usually) annual Budget process is a bit of a misnomer. What we refer to as a Budget is not an actual breakdown of how the government will spend its money. Rather, it is more of a major policy document, albeit policies that primarily involve changes to spending or revenues.
1/
1/
November 7, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A fantastic 🇨🇦 civics lesson from thread-master and panda, @tim4hire.bsky.social
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
ICYMI, @mattgalloway.bsky.social set up @trevortombe.bsky.social and I for a rich "two sides" convo about Tuesday's budget and what matters.
We follow @armstrongcbc.bsky.social's excellent Econ101 explanation of the meaning of deficits and debts.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
We follow @armstrongcbc.bsky.social's excellent Econ101 explanation of the meaning of deficits and debts.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
November 6, 2025 at 10:27 PM
ICYMI, @mattgalloway.bsky.social set up @trevortombe.bsky.social and I for a rich "two sides" convo about Tuesday's budget and what matters.
We follow @armstrongcbc.bsky.social's excellent Econ101 explanation of the meaning of deficits and debts.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
We follow @armstrongcbc.bsky.social's excellent Econ101 explanation of the meaning of deficits and debts.
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
I was waiting for the November 5 tariff presentations at SCOTUS like I was waiting for Christmas.
But I thought I didn't need to put it into my scheduler. Then forgot.
And now I'm stuck reading summaries and searching for a transcript. Grrrr.
But I thought I didn't need to put it into my scheduler. Then forgot.
And now I'm stuck reading summaries and searching for a transcript. Grrrr.
November 6, 2025 at 10:32 PM
I was waiting for the November 5 tariff presentations at SCOTUS like I was waiting for Christmas.
But I thought I didn't need to put it into my scheduler. Then forgot.
And now I'm stuck reading summaries and searching for a transcript. Grrrr.
But I thought I didn't need to put it into my scheduler. Then forgot.
And now I'm stuck reading summaries and searching for a transcript. Grrrr.
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
Lesson from Carney’s budget is that there’ll be shrill histrionics whatever the deficit so might as well have gone for something actually ambitious
November 6, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Lesson from Carney’s budget is that there’ll be shrill histrionics whatever the deficit so might as well have gone for something actually ambitious
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
These are my grandmother's diaries from 1917 to 1987.
Everything that happened is in them, from the wars declared and won, to JFK and MLK assassinated, to landing on the moon and everything in-between - plus every birth of from from 1925 to 1987 (even me). When times are tough, like now, I go and
Everything that happened is in them, from the wars declared and won, to JFK and MLK assassinated, to landing on the moon and everything in-between - plus every birth of from from 1925 to 1987 (even me). When times are tough, like now, I go and
November 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
These are my grandmother's diaries from 1917 to 1987.
Everything that happened is in them, from the wars declared and won, to JFK and MLK assassinated, to landing on the moon and everything in-between - plus every birth of from from 1925 to 1987 (even me). When times are tough, like now, I go and
Everything that happened is in them, from the wars declared and won, to JFK and MLK assassinated, to landing on the moon and everything in-between - plus every birth of from from 1925 to 1987 (even me). When times are tough, like now, I go and
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
Somehow I got people in my mentions asking me why I don’t want to prevent autism. To them, I say:
Hi, welcome to bsky, please go get some neurodiversity education before you injure yourself. #Autistic
Hi, welcome to bsky, please go get some neurodiversity education before you injure yourself. #Autistic
November 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Somehow I got people in my mentions asking me why I don’t want to prevent autism. To them, I say:
Hi, welcome to bsky, please go get some neurodiversity education before you injure yourself. #Autistic
Hi, welcome to bsky, please go get some neurodiversity education before you injure yourself. #Autistic
Seeing today's lunch veg reminded me that our family referred to broccoli (not affectionately) as trees
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Seeing today's lunch veg reminded me that our family referred to broccoli (not affectionately) as trees
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
With the billions in savings from drafting speaking points and treasury board submissions slightly faster we can finally afford display cases for our Fell For It Again awards 👍
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 PM
With the billions in savings from drafting speaking points and treasury board submissions slightly faster we can finally afford display cases for our Fell For It Again awards 👍
Luxury tax talk is weird.
Cars over $100k are still being taxed as luxuries. 10% on purchase price.
Taxed via the same statute, different section, as the yacht/plane tax
share.google/3j10bt7XeK24...
Silences are at least as interesting as speech.
Born from tax symbolism, surviving for revenue?
Cars over $100k are still being taxed as luxuries. 10% on purchase price.
Taxed via the same statute, different section, as the yacht/plane tax
share.google/3j10bt7XeK24...
Silences are at least as interesting as speech.
Born from tax symbolism, surviving for revenue?
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Luxury tax talk is weird.
Cars over $100k are still being taxed as luxuries. 10% on purchase price.
Taxed via the same statute, different section, as the yacht/plane tax
share.google/3j10bt7XeK24...
Silences are at least as interesting as speech.
Born from tax symbolism, surviving for revenue?
Cars over $100k are still being taxed as luxuries. 10% on purchase price.
Taxed via the same statute, different section, as the yacht/plane tax
share.google/3j10bt7XeK24...
Silences are at least as interesting as speech.
Born from tax symbolism, surviving for revenue?
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
1. I'm very familiar with the 1979 budget vote that toppled Joe Clark's government, but the dynamics are different with Carney's budget. Clark needed opposition support or MPs from more than one party to suffer "budget flu". If the NDP abstains and all the Libs show up, Carney's fine.
November 4, 2025 at 4:35 PM
1. I'm very familiar with the 1979 budget vote that toppled Joe Clark's government, but the dynamics are different with Carney's budget. Clark needed opposition support or MPs from more than one party to suffer "budget flu". If the NDP abstains and all the Libs show up, Carney's fine.
André Picard sensibly criticizes the call by some MPs to access every scrap of data on scholarly awards peer review process
Paywalled, but here are two good points
Paywalled, but here are two good points
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
André Picard sensibly criticizes the call by some MPs to access every scrap of data on scholarly awards peer review process
Paywalled, but here are two good points
Paywalled, but here are two good points
I've been curious about the question reported here.
Answer: continued support from some who are misinformed. Others have different values / priorities than I do. Loss of support among those who feel unfulfilled cost-of-living promises
share.google/DAz6q9XinmYZ...
Answer: continued support from some who are misinformed. Others have different values / priorities than I do. Loss of support among those who feel unfulfilled cost-of-living promises
share.google/DAz6q9XinmYZ...
The view from this Pennsylvania county a year after its voters helped bring Trump to power
Pennsylvania’s Berks County, and Rust Belt communities like it, were energized by 2024’s rhetoric about protectionism and the economy
share.google
November 4, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I've been curious about the question reported here.
Answer: continued support from some who are misinformed. Others have different values / priorities than I do. Loss of support among those who feel unfulfilled cost-of-living promises
share.google/DAz6q9XinmYZ...
Answer: continued support from some who are misinformed. Others have different values / priorities than I do. Loss of support among those who feel unfulfilled cost-of-living promises
share.google/DAz6q9XinmYZ...
I've only read three from the list so can't honestly vote, but from the three I've read, this looks like a great list
The Econ Sci Fi Book Club Winter 2025 voting is now open!
Click through from the homepage below, or hold out for the direct link in the last post of this thread introducing the nominees (note links may contain spoilers). sites.google.com/view/econsci...
Click through from the homepage below, or hold out for the direct link in the last post of this thread introducing the nominees (note links may contain spoilers). sites.google.com/view/econsci...
Menu
ECONOMICS SCI-FI BOOK CLUB
Winter 2025 Voting
Voting is open until November 15 for this year's Winter Book Club (Classics edition) selections.
Check out the options listed and click on vote to mak...
sites.google.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I've only read three from the list so can't honestly vote, but from the three I've read, this looks like a great list
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
The U.S. has lost both.
By design.
Government of the richest, for the richest, by the richest.
By design.
Government of the richest, for the richest, by the richest.
November 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
The U.S. has lost both.
By design.
Government of the richest, for the richest, by the richest.
By design.
Government of the richest, for the richest, by the richest.
Amazing news!
November 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Amazing news!
#Halisky
Wouldn't it be useful to post that "If you're locked in" number INSIDE the gate?
Photo taken at 4:39. I just escaped being locked in!
Wouldn't it be useful to post that "If you're locked in" number INSIDE the gate?
Photo taken at 4:39. I just escaped being locked in!
November 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
#Halisky
Wouldn't it be useful to post that "If you're locked in" number INSIDE the gate?
Photo taken at 4:39. I just escaped being locked in!
Wouldn't it be useful to post that "If you're locked in" number INSIDE the gate?
Photo taken at 4:39. I just escaped being locked in!
Reposted by Shirley Tillotson
This is going to be a fantastic event and I can’t wait to come up to Ottawa for it. See you there 💫
Join us on Nov 18 for our annual Fall Lecture with @caulfieldtim.bsky.social, one of North America’s top voices on health & science misinformation. He'll unpack the forces shaping our “information chaos” & what it takes to separate fact from fiction in today’s world.
🎟️Register now: irpp.org?p=20841
🎟️Register now: irpp.org?p=20841
How to Escape the Fake: Making Good Policy in the Age of Misinformation - IRPP
Join us for an evening of dialogue and networking with Canada’s dynamic public policy community. This year’s IRPP fall lecture will feature Canadian author and scholar Timothy Caulfield, one of Nort...
irpp.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:26 PM
This is going to be a fantastic event and I can’t wait to come up to Ottawa for it. See you there 💫
There is a rare-ish American chestnut tree in the public gardens
Noticeable this time of year for the absolute sea of spiky offspring that surround it
Like sea urchins and tribbles got together
Noticeable this time of year for the absolute sea of spiky offspring that surround it
Like sea urchins and tribbles got together
November 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
There is a rare-ish American chestnut tree in the public gardens
Noticeable this time of year for the absolute sea of spiky offspring that surround it
Like sea urchins and tribbles got together
Noticeable this time of year for the absolute sea of spiky offspring that surround it
Like sea urchins and tribbles got together