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Good morning,

I can’t stop thinking and reading about the Hockey Canada trial, so let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about consent and what that looks like, for as long as we have to, because the lack of understanding remains mind-boggling.

Defence lawyers for five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team are continuing to hammer at the credibility of the complainant as they make final submissions at the players’ sexual assault trial. The men are accused of sexually assaulting a woman in London, Ont. in 2018.

The trial shines a harsh light on how Canada’s legal system often fails and re-traumatizes survivors, particularly when it comes to recognizing the realities of coercion and power dynamics in cases of sexual assault. 

The heart of this case—and many like it—lies in understanding that true consent must be voluntary, ongoing, and free from coercion or pressure. Coercive consent is not consent. Going into a hotel room with a group of boys is not consent. Being afraid to say no is not consent.  

Let’s get a little refresher on basic consent for the folks in the cheap seats:

And not mentioned here is coercion; which means that if someone doesn’t want tea, but is surrounded by five people stronger and more powerful than them demanding they drink it, they might just do it because they’re scared and intimidated. That is still not consent.

And that’s exactly what the victim in this case insists happened: she was afraid to say no to a group of men (boys) revered (in my mind with no merit) in Canadian culture. And if you’ve never been placed in a position where you feel coerced into sex and are afraid to say no, then you are so very lucky. But just because it hasn’t happened to you, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen all the time.

This is not an issue for people—especially, but not exclusively, men—to either believe or understand; it’s one for them to accept. The complainant describes feeling overwhelmed and attempting to leave, only to be asked afterwards to record a video saying that she consented. Framing consent is also not consent; it’s manipulation and coercion. 

This case clearly illustrates a disturbing pattern in how survivors—particularly women—are scrutinized, shamed, or disbelieved, while powerful perpetrators (in this case, disgustingly, teenage boys) benefit from outdated myths that if a woman is there and doesn’t say no, it’s her fault. It’s so damn tired it needs a permanent dirt nap.

Is it any wonder why women are so reluctant to come forward? The scrutiny by police and the legal system is emotional torture; often more painful than the initial assault. Justice often isn’t worth it; and that’s the real shame. 

Take care of yourself and each other out there.

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 25°

Tomorrow: ☀️ 27°

Next Day: ☀️ 19°

🚗 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.

OPINION

 If we tolerate this, we will be next

Canada’s nonprofit sector is watching the U.S. civil society implode and acting like it couldn’t happen here. But it already is.

As a Canadian watching the Trump Administration attack civil society in the United States, I feel one part horror, one part admiration. Horror at the brazen attacks on democratic norms, and admiration for leaders who refuse to stay quiet.

Read Coast contributor Liz LeClair’s explosive and poignant op-ed on how non-profits are using their voices to fight back.

🤔 Need To Know

📮 A government push to steer Canada Post and the union representing 55K mail workers toward common ground hit a big pothole—as an increasingly acrimonious impasse drags on, Canada Post rejected a framework put forward by the union for a binding arbitration process.

💸 Nova Scotia’s premier is applauding the prime minister’s decision to meet the NATO spending target of 2% of GDP—Tim Houston says the move will better protect the country as a whole.

🪧 Hundreds of cyclists gathered in front of Halifax City Hall Tuesday morning to hold a bike lane rally—calling on city council to vote against Mayor Andy Fillmore’s motion to pause any new construction of bike lanes.

🎭 Only three more shows! Sherlock by Wireless at TAG: radio dramas of the great detective’s stories live on stage June 12-14.*

🌮 Heads-up food lovers: The Pint, Argyle Street is punching way above its weight. Their TEQUILA & LIME SHRIMP TACOS are sharp, fresh and honestly kind of addictive. Best pub food downtown? Could be!*

🥞 NEW EXHIBITION: eat make share: a taste of immigration is now open. Discover the surprising histories of Canadian foods we love and so much more!*

🎓 Students! Save 10% at Ogilvie on the Park with a new one-year lease signed by Aug 1, 2025. Steps to campus, free laundry, transit, and parking!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY PARRSBORO INTERNATIONAL PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL

Fresh Art - Next Week - PIPAF

When you attend PIPAF next week there are three things you can expect. 1: To discover the masters event of plein air painting. 2: To find 30 artists hidden in the most compelling of places 3: To go home with the perfect piece of art for your life.

NEWS

Where to buy and rent in Halifax

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent—from $450K in Spryfield to $900K downtown—the real estate market in Halifax can be a real conundrum, especially for young people.

The Coast spoke with realtors and a property manager to find out what’s going on in the market—including a list of the top 15 locations where people should be looking.

🗞️ In Other News

💜 A new engagement group on gender-based violence is intended to bring together subject matter experts, people with lived experience and front-line workers as the Nova Scotia government seeks progress on an issue the legislature declared an epidemic last year.

🚔 RCMP in Nova Scotia said there are no new updates or information in the case of two missing children, whose mysterious disappearance has gripped the province—police declined an on-camera interview, but said they were using “all tools and resources” in the search.

🥪 To make food affordable and accessible, the Nova Scotia School Lunch program never placed expectations on families to pay for meals—but through surveys and declining payment amounts, some parents are sending a message they want changes in the second year of the program. 

👩‍🦽 The Nova Scotia government says its five-year plan to bring about sweeping reforms in housing and care for people with disabilities is behind schedule but gaining momentum—in Oct. 2021, the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal ruled that the province was systemically discriminating against people with disabilities.

💊 Nova Scotia physicians and other sexual health experts are calling on the provincial government to fund birth control and increase access to a medication used to prevent HIV.

🚢 A major multinational military exercise is underway off the coast of Nova Scotia—Exercise Cutlass Fury 2025 will continue through June 18, bringing together naval and air forces from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.

⚖️ The Crown has closed its case in Adam Drake’s second-degree murder trial—Drake has been charged in connection with the stabbing death of battle rapper Pat Stay at a Halifax nightclub on Sept. 4, 2022.

SPONSORED BY LATITUDE 44 RESTAURANT + TAPROOM

A Fresh New Taste

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🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Matthew Collins - I Made Some More Paintings: These landscape paintings are freely and organically constructed with an emphasis on colour and mark making. Collins loves the raw, natural, ever changing seascapes and often finds himself returning to them time and again. However, the way the painting is executed holds more value to Collins than the subject. Regardless of what or where he is painting, he believes the manner in which the paint is handled should be a novelty for the viewer in and of itself. The artist's use of exaggerated colours and several different painting methods is an attempt to achieve this end result. | June 3-24 | 

🗓 Spontaneity Improv Cage Match - Semi-Finals: Come cheer on your favourite team and cast your vote. The winning team will win a cash prize of $500! ​These improvisers are moving on to the second part of the competition and will be bringing their biggest and best improv to the stage for this round robin tournament. Come ready to laugh! | June 12 | 7:30pm | $15 |

🗓 Eastern Shore Burger Fest: Last year was an epic celebration of burgers, community, and giving back—and this year, they’re turning up the heat. Let’s just say this will be a week to remember, with bigger flavours, bolder events, and all the small-town charm you know and love. | June 13-22 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Oceana container ship leaves Halifax for Kingston, Jamaica at 12:30am.

➡️ The Mount Cook bulk carrier leaves Halifax for Sept-Iles, Quebec at 6am.

➡️ The Gloverton Spirit barge leaves Halifax for Argentia at 12pm.

➡️ The MSC Mexico V leaves Halifax for New York at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🥐 The croissant of the week at Two If By Sea is the Philly Cheesesteak: classic cheesesteak-style beef, provolone, sauteed onions and peppers—all stuffed into croissant layers and brushed with garlic butter. 

🍕 It’s pizza week at Tart and Soul! Grab a slice of the Okie Dokie Artichoke: house-made dough, creamy roasted garlic sauce, red onion, spinach, tomato, artichoke, feta, basil and mozzarella.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🍽️ Wolfville is famous for its Rockwellian-like blend of picturesque vineyards, charming country inns and restaurants. For the past 15 years each fall this bucolic town, and my ancestral home, has been brought to life by Devour! The Food Film Fest—the world’s largest celebration of food and film. Now, with the official launch of Devour! Studios, the community’s cultural and culinary identity takes a bold leap forward. The Coast’s Food and Drink contributor Mark DeWolf has more on Devour! Plus three more food festivals you can’t miss this month.

👚 As global eyes shift towards conscious consumption and climate-conscious choices, Halifax stands proudly at the forefront, not just adapting but trailblazing. This summer, the city will host a series of inspiring events celebrating sustainable business practices, local talent, and creative industries — all grounded in a long-standing ethos of making the most of what’s available. The Coast’s resident fashionista Warren D’Silva has a rundown on the road to Halifax Fashion Weekand all the fashion events coming this summer, including one at the library today.

That’s it!

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