HALIFAX – While much of the rest of Canada has been consumed by stories of politicians ignoring pandemic protocols and flying south into sunny climes, Atlantic Canadians puzzled this week over a lukewarm scandal involving a New Brunswick minister bound for Nova Scotia drove.

Not Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Arizona, St. Bart’s, or California – some of the sun-kissed vacation spots that other Canadian politicians have visited in the last month. Nova Scotia.

And the ruling progressive conservatives in New Brunswick said Mike Holland, the provincial minister for natural resources, had actually traveled to “rural Nova Scotia” to visit his partner.

After a long handshake, it was decided that Holland had followed all COVID-19 guidelines, including 14 days of self-isolation after his return. He was spared any punishment, even if travel that is not absolutely necessary is frowned upon.

Holland’s minor indiscretion spoke volumes about Atlantic Canada’s response to the pandemic.

In short, East Coast politicians followed the rules that experts say reflect the behavior of their constituents. A Canadian press survey of political parties in the region – both federal and provincial – found no elected members who had traveled outside Canada in December.

It’s no coincidence that Atlantic Canada has seen the lowest infection rates in the country since the pandemic began, says David Johnson, professor of political science at Cape Breton University in Sydney.

“It is really proud that we were able to achieve something that most of the people in the world have not,” he said in an interview, adding that the New Brunswick politician should have stayed home.

“Maybe he should have … talked to his significant other on Zoom or other social media.”

Johnson also said it was worth noting that East Coast politicians wouldn’t even consider going abroad as they are more likely to be abandoned by a neighbor.

“If some (members of the legislature) were to pass the airport here in Sydney, they would be recognized and people would look at their tickets,” he said. “Lots of people know your business. And when you’re not around, people start talking.”

Howard Ramos, professor of sociology at Western University in London, Ontario, said the smaller communities in Atlantic Canada mean less degrees of separation between elected officials and the people they serve.

“It’s hard to hide for long in Atlantic Canada,” he said from his home in Shad Bay, NS. “When you think of the largest cities in the region, they’re big enough to have a symphony but too small to have.” an affair.”

As a result, there is greater pressure to adhere to social norms.

“The social shame and pressure in Atlantic Canada are higher,” said Ramos, who studies the Atlantic region. “The social cost of not following the rules is higher.”

And that partly explains why Nova Scotia Prime Minister Stephen McNeil took a hard line last spring when he imposed strict lockdown rules.

“We don’t need online graphics to say what to do,” he said during a press conference in April, staring at the camera. “We have to keep the flames at home.”

Everyone got the news, which immediately went viral.

“The news was very clear compared to other provinces,” said Ramos, adding that the provincial chief health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, has become a folk hero.

“Dr. Strang’s name probably comes from more than the prime minister,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia progressive Conservative leader Tim Houston made a statement earlier this week that left no doubt where he stood on an issue that has caused so much political pain across the country.

“For most of a year, Canadians were asked week after week to make sacrifices to stop COVID-19. They had to cancel weddings, they were prevented from visiting parents in nursing homes. They were often unable to visit sick relatives and were isolated when it was time to grieve, “he said.

“So if the same people who tell you to make sacrifices are unwilling to make them themselves, Canadians have a right to be ticked off. I know I am.”

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 9, 2021.