🗞️ And the nominees are...

Good morning, Halifax!

For what may just be the first time, a provincial official has acknowledged the harm caused by the fixed-term lease loophole—but in true conservative fashion, they have no plans to do anything about it.

Over the last several years, housing advocates in Nova Scotia have called out the provincial government for their lack of action on the loophole. On Tuesday, the deputy minister of Service Nova Scotia Gary O’Toole addressed the issue while speaking to the community services committee, stating that while they are aware of the issue, changing the tenancy law could have “unintended consequences.”

When asked what the unintended consequences were by reporters, O’Toole couldn’t give an example.  

For the unaware, fixed-term leases do not automatically renew after the determined term of residency. Rather, the landlord and tenant have to agree to renew the lease after the term is up. In theory, this gives renters a low-commitment stay and landlords the ability to vet tenants before committing to a renewable lease.

In reality, landlords have used fixed-term leases to bypass the 5% provincial rent cap by kicking out tenants after their lease is up and jacking up the price of their units. A study from ACORN shows that 35.7% of respondents who were on a fixed-term lease have been previously evicted. This is on top of the province reducing eviction times. and not matching the aforementioned rent cap to the inflation rate.

So, for the time being, the Nova Scotia government is going to let landlords run rampant while tenants suffer. Let’s hope they can figure out what those unintended consequences are and actually address the issue instead of continuously contributing to homelessness.

Have a great day,

Brendyn

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 19°

Tomorrow: ☁️ 11°

Next Day: 🌧️ 11°

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

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

MUSIC

Every 2025 ECMA-nominated Halifax musician and industry professional

The East Coast Music Awards are now underway. From May 7-11, artists from all over Atlantic Canada will meet in St. John’s, N.L., for a weekend of workshops, performances, and of course, an awards ceremony celebrating the best and brightest in the East Coast music scene.

While this festival hasn’t been without its controversies—mainly, the sudden firing of their executive director and the outpouring of criticism from the music community, with many artists withdrawing their nominations—it’s important to still celebrate those who are choosing to go to the awards ceremony regardless of the organization’s infractions. After all, local music doesn’t belong to just one organization. It belongs to all of us.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer put together a list of every local artist that is nominated for an ECMA from Classified to Jah’Mila, Neon Dreams, and so many more. 

🤔 Need To Know

🚨 The search for Lily and Jack Sullivan in Pictou County is being scaled back according to the RCMP’s latest announcement on Wednesday afternoon. The full-scale search is transitioning to searches in smaller, more specific areas. “I want to assure Nova Scotians that our missing persons investigation continues,” says Staff Sergeant MacKinnon. “Our focus remains on finding Lily and Jack. Our best investigators are working every aspect of this file, and our work won’t stop until we know where Lily and Jack are and can bring them home.”

🚘 Halifax Regional Police released impaired driving statistics for March. 37 drivers were charged, 29 were alcohol-related, two were drug-related, and six were issued driving suspensions. 

🏥 The Sunshine Room for cancer patients at QEII Health Sciences Centre will reopen today with an event marking the opening at 2pm.

🌇 Now leasing at Ridgeway Towers in Cowie Hill! Spacious apartments with free laundry, great amenities, major transit access, and nearby schools, parks, and shopping.*

⛵ Learn to sail this summer at Armdale Yacht Club. We offer summer camps for kids aged 5-18 and exciting adult keelboating courses. 15% discount available for multi-registration! Sign up today!*

🌊 Spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with city and harbour views, in-suite laundry, green space, and walkable access to parks, shops, and universities. Check out Peninsula Place on the Halifax Waterfront.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY MAYWORKS KJIPUKTUK/HALIFAX

Special Halifax Screening of Sundance Winning Doc

Up against one of the most powerful companies on the planet, a group of Amazon workers embark on an unprecedented campaign to unionize their warehouse in Staten Island, New York. Mayworks and AIFF partner to present UNION on May 16 at Park Lane Cineplex. Get your PWYC tickets here.

🗞️ In Other News

🔪 A vice-principal stabbed by a 15-year-old student inside a Halifax high school in March 2023 is suing a school security guard for failing to properly search the student and follow de-escalation procedures before the attack.

🚒 In two fatal house fires this January, no operating smoke alarms were found and electronic devices were the ignition source in both instances according to fire investigators. The fires were in Lower Sackville and Dartmouth and claimed the lives of three children and two adults.

🚨 Halifax police are asking for the public’s help in locating missing 15-year-old Biankah Boulay who was last seen leaving Halifax West High School on Monday at the end of the day.

📋️ Halifax municipal staff will receive bystander intervention training based on a recommendation from the Mass Casualty Commission to equip them to step up and help when they witness harassment or incidents that could lead to violence in the community.

🧑‍🎓 The province will launch its new School Leavers Program this fall to support Grade 12 students with disabilities as they prepare to transition from school to community and enter early adulthood. The program will start with 100 students including 10 spaces for Indigenous/Mi’kmaw students and 10 for African Nova Scotian or Black students.

🥕 The Prescott Street Community Garden Society has moved to Merv Sullivan Park from the north end after a fundraising effort to pay for new soil and raised beds so they can get back in the garden.

SPONSORED BY UNIVERSAL REALTY GROUP

🍃 Steps from Parks, Campuses & Downtown

Now leasing at Ogilvie on the Park! Spacious apartments with free laundry, green space, and steps from Point Pleasant Park, downtown, and universities. Ideal for students, professionals, and retirees seeking comfort and convenience in Halifax’s South End. Always available for showings, with management onsite—drop in and see us!

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Bachman-Turner Overdrive: Bachman-Turner Overdrive, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll band behind worldwide hits such as “Takin’ Care Of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” announced an extensive tour across Canada in April and May titled, Back In Overdrive Tour 2025. Multi-platinum April Wine and Headpins, two fellow Canadian rock bands, will open in support. May 8 | $49 and up

🗓 Wintersleep: Straight out of Halifax, Wintersleep is rooted in indie rock and has ambient and occasional shoegaze elements. Performances have been described as "entirely honest" and "deeply moving" with "captivating ambiance." While playing live, the band attempts to make the listener as much a part of the music as the band themselves by encouraging everyone to sing along. May 9-10 | $42

🗓️ Violinist Irain Quirós: Originally from Havana, Cuba, violinist Irain Quirós has been living in Halifax since 2023. This concert at Stage at St. Andrew’s marks the young violinist’s highly anticipated debut recital, featuring a compelling program that includes one of Eugene Ysaÿe's most popular works, the 'Ballade' Sonata no. 3 for solo violin, an early masterpiece by Gabriel Fauré, the Sonata in A major, op.13 for violin and piano, and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy, a four-movement homage brimming with traditional Scottish folk melodies. May 10 | By donation

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢 The Tannhauser vehicles carrier is expected to arrive from Southampton, UK at 5:30am. 

🚢 The MSC Giovanna VII cargo ship is arriving from Nhava Sheva, India at 6:30am. 

🚢 The MSC Donata container ship is expected to arrive from Montreal at 6:30am. 

🚢 The CSL Tacoma bulk carrier is expected to arrive from Fairless Hill, US at 9:30am. 

🚢 The CMA CGM LEO container ship is arriving from Colombo, Sri Lanka at 10:30am. 

🚢 The Lake Saint Anne vehicles carrier is arriving from Southampton, UK at 5:30pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍫 Have you checked out this Dubai chocolate trend? There’s a local maker in Bedford that is making these viral chocolates, and they have a Mother’s Day special. DM the business on Instagram at @indubaichocolate to place your order.

🍵 Another trendy treat is the matcha latte. Tea for Turtle on Fenwick Street has a hot matcha latte made with Japanese green tea powder and steamed milk.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🧑‍🍳 Two Halifax restaurants made the list of Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants. Bar Kismet landed in the number 21 spot and Mystic landed in 71. We take a look at what each restaurant was praised for, and whether this matches up with the favourite restaurants of our readers.

That’s it!

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