Good morning!

In a news conference yesterday morning, Premier Tim Houston announced they would be stripping back some of the cuts set to be made in the provincial government’s austerity budget.

This comes a week after Houston said they would not be making any changes.

Houston announced three areas where the Tories are reversing their budget cuts: programming for people with disabilities, seniors, and African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students. He says this will cost $53.6 million.

This is an improvement, but this is not close to enough. The arts sector is left with its cuts, as are many other sectors that will be devastated by this budget.

Instead, Houston wants to focus on natural gas, oil, natural resources, and defence. Profiting from the destruction of the environment and war. I guess that’s just the Nova Scotia way nowadays.

I’ve given my opinion on all of this plenty—so much that you’re probably sick of hearing me ramble on about it—but I do want to highlight today’s story down below. We received an incredibly written article from a high school student who will be impacted by some of these cuts, and with the permission of her and her parents, we’ve decided to share it with you folks. It gives perspective on how these cuts will harm the youth, the future of our province.

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: 🌤️ 5°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 6°

Next Day: 🌨️ 1°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

By now, many people have heard of Premier Tim Houston’s budget cuts. To save $130 million, the Houston government has slashed 287 program grants and funding in Nova Scotia. Numerous grants and ongoing projects will essentially be cut off. The bulk of these grant reductions will impact arts programs, tourism and culture, and many of the diverse communities established here in Nova Scotia. Additionally, many education programs are also being hit hard, leaving many curious as to why these unprecedented cuts happened so unexpectedly.

As a high school student, I’m left questioning what this means for many of my friends and me. Discussions of the cuts have been circulating in our school halls, and we must make our voices heard even when the Houston government seems to be doubling down on their budgetary choices. And these cuts are a choice.

High school student Cambree DC writes into The Coast to speak on her perspective regarding the provincial budget cuts.

🏛️ The provincial opposition slowed debate on the provincial budget Monday evening by moving a reasoned amendment, asking members of the legislature to really think through the proposed cuts before making them—NSNDP leader Claudia Chender says she is concerned that ministers cannot explain the rationale behind some of the cuts.

🪧 Visitors to the Nova Scotia Legislature are now restricted after protests in front of province house—visitors are allowed to watch from the third floor gallery, but are not permitted to mingle on the second floor, says house speaker Danielle Barkhouse.

🐶 Halifax regional council is asking the province to start a dangerous dog registry, two months after a Nova Scotia boy died in a dog attack—a provincial registry would allow rules to be enforced province-wide rather than just within the municipality.

⛴️ Embark on a March Break adventure in Downtown Halifax! Enjoy free rides on the Alderney/Halifax ferry from March 16-21, 11 am to 2 pm.*

💙 Increased prices across every day purchases mean that Nova Scotians are struggling. Help make a difference with Feed Nova Scotia and donate today.*

*Sponsored Post

As winter lingers, many people across the community report low mood, fatigue, and reduced motivation. Seasonal changes can affect emotional wellbeing. Counselling provides a supportive space to talk, gain perspective, and develop coping strategies.

At Your Counselling, individuals can connect with experienced therapists and start feeling like themselves again.

🚨 Two people have been charged with a robbery at a Dartmouth gas station on Friday, with police under the assumption the pair is also responsible for other robberies within Halifax and Dartmouth—the culprits are a 32-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman.

⛽ The Nova Scotia energy board has yet again invoked the interrupter clause to raise gas prices on Tuesday, jumping to 162 cents per litre—this is expected to have occurred due to the ongoing war in Iran.

🚓 Ryan Richard Lamontange has been charged with child luring after chatting with an undercover American police officer online—Lamontange had previously been charged in the death of his mother, though he was found not criminally responsible due to schizophrenia.

Life is too short to skip your noodle cravings and from March 11-17, restaurants on Quinpool will do their best to satisfy your cravings during Oodles of Noodles. Indulge in noodles dishes such as pastichio, rice noodle soup, Bamba di pasta, ramen and even a special noodle cheesecake! Learn More.

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Live Jazz with The Matt MacLennan Trio: Bassit Matt MacLennan brings his three-piece band along for velvety ballads and smooth bossa novas at the Obladee. | March 11 | 7PM |

🗓 Comedy! Featuring some of the stars of 22 Minutes: Some of the stars of This Hour Has 22 Minutes have some on-stage fun in this stand-up and sketch comedy show. Happening at the Bus Stop Theatre. | March 11 | 8PM | $22.63 |

🗓 Better Times Comedy at Good Robot Brewing: This weekly comedy show features regulars like Clare Belford, Dan Hendricken, Travis Lindsay, Adam Myatt, and a rotating cast of local and visiting comics. | March 12 | 7:30PM | $15 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

🚢➡️ The CSL Tacoma bulk carrier arrived in Halifax from Burlington at 12:06am and departs for Portsmouth at 3pm.

➡️ The Hyundai Pluto container vessel departed Halifax for Singapore at 2am.

🚢 The CMA CGM Magellan container vessel arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 5:45am

🚢 The Algoscotia tanker arrives in Halifax from Sept-Iles at 4:45pm

🥦 Beef and broccolini, only at Larry’s Sandwiches this week! Roasted eye of round from Vessel Meats, sauteed broccolini, chili-garlic mayo, aged cheddar and crispy onions on a toasted bun.

🍨 A new gluten-free ice cream has dropped over at Churned—Chocolate Pretzel & Caramel! Purchase in scoops and pints.

🌿 The attorney general’s cannabis crackdown is in full swing as the RCMP raid five cannabis storefronts across Nova Scotia, seizing cannabis and nicotine products. In a press release on Monday, Nova Scotia RCMP reported that six individuals have been charged under the Cannabis Control Act. Three individuals were served notice for offences involving "illegal tobacco” under the Revenue Act. In December, Nova Scotia’s justice minister and attorney general Scott Armstrong issued a directive calling on police throughout the province to target cannabis enforcement, which directly impacts cannabis shops owned and managed by the province’s Mi’kmaq community.

⚖️ Irving Shipbuilding has pleaded guilty to a health and safety charge in the death of Jamie Knight, who was struck by a wheel loader during snow clearing operations at the Halifax shipyard in 2024—the company will face sentencing on April 24.

🏥 Operations at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax had to be rearranged over the weekend as their power went out late Friday night—the operating rooms remained closed on Monday as admin work on plans for scheduled surgeries.

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