Good morning!

The trade war between Canada and the U.S. has resulted in a whole lot of economic strife for both countries. One aspect that’s impacted the U.S. are provinces that refuse to sell American alcohol.

On CBC’s Power and Politics, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Chris Swonger said they are suffering, urging Trump to find “some common ground” in order to prevent any further financial impact, stating that exports to Canada fell by 63 percent last year.

Nova Scotia was one of several provinces to ban the sale of U.S. alcohol, removing it from NSLC shelves at the start of the trade war and refusing to purchase anymore since. It has sold off remaining stock with sales going towards provincial food programs.

While I don’t do it often, I have to give the province props for this. Firstly, the pressure put on American companies is a good thing, as they will continue to pester their president about the impact the trade war has had in an effort to put an end to it. Secondly, it puts local products at the forefront, helping our own brewers thrive at a time where they could use the economic boost.

– B

🌡 Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 14°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 15°

Next Day: 🌧️ 12°

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

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Scotia Festival of Music is back with an extraordinary lineup of classical musicians

Scotia Festival of Music/Website

The Scotia Festival of Music is almost here.

From May 25 to June 7, classical artists from major Canadian orchestras, JUNO Award winners and Grammy nominees will grace Halifax for performances across the city and beyond.

Hosting 51 young artists and 27 guest artists, the festival will feature an arrangement of Stravinksy’s The Rite of Spring, an opening and closing gala, and noon-hour recitals from June 1 to 3. There will also be $10 open dress rehearsals. Two major orchestral performances will take place: György Ligeti’s Violin Concerto with virtuoso violinist Mark Fewer on May 31 and at the closing gala on June 7 with works from Ana Sokolović, Ian
Cusson, John Adams and Modest Mussorgsky.

A full list of events, times and locations and ticket bundles can be found on the Scotia Festival of Music website.

🤔 Need To Know

🚰 Actor Elliott Page has discussed his disappointment with a community well he funded in Shelburne that has yet to take off after several years of inaction—Page originally contributed $25,000 to the project, with a promise to donated $5,000 every year to keep it going.

🔍 The police are still investigating the unsolved murder of David Robert Boyko, who died by a gunshot wound in Dartmouth back in 1996—the case is part of the provincial unsolved crimes program with rewards up to $150,000 for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.

🏠 A report to Halifax council reveals that while some of the unhoused population have been lodged in transitional housing, it is happening very slowly—the staff document says 25 people are still occupying two of the city’s designated sites with 67 housing options remaining open.

🪉 “Coastal Currents” is back! Another joyous celebration of Atlantic dance creators, presented by Live Art Dance and Kinetic. Get your tickets today!*

🇨🇴 “Bogotá” comes to Kjipuktuk/Halifax! Andrea Peña’s long anticipated and highly celebrated work arrives May 20th, presented by Live Art Dance. Get your tickets today!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY YOUR COUNSELLING

When Low Mood Lingers

It starts quietly. Mornings feel heavier, small tasks feel impossible, and the things you once enjoyed no longer reach you. You tell yourself to push through, but the weight lingers. Low mood can isolate, but it doesn’t have to. Support, conversation, and small steps can begin to shift things forward.

🗞 In Other News

🗳️ The PC Party has nominated Claude Bourgeois, a business owner who owns a diesel service company, for the Chéticamp-Margarees-Pleasant Bay byelection; meanwhile, the NDP have nominated long-term care worker Trevor Poirier—a date has not been set for the byelection.

🚨 Brandin James Arsenault, A 28-year-old Truro Heights man, is facing charges of child luring for allegedly attempting to meet a child at a Halifax hotel—RCMP believe he may have also communicated with other youth.

🚓 A 30-year-old man has been arrested after assaulting two police officers during an altercation in a police station parking lot on Gottingen Street—the suspect faces charges of resisting arrest, causing a disturbance and two counts of assaulting an officer.

🗓 Things To Do

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

🗓 ByBlacks Restaurant Week 2026: Celebrate the best of Black Cuisine in Halifax with discounted meals or a Prix Fixe menu. A great opportunity to explore delicious food from participating restaurants. | May 11-17 |

🗓 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. | May 14 | 7:30PM | $15 |

🗓 Neptune Theatre: Come From Away: This musical about the experiences of Gander, NL residents during the September 11 attacks is playing at the Neptune Theatre. | March 31-June 21 | $40+|

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Oceana container vessel departed Halifax for Kingston at 12:30am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and departs for New York at 4:30pm.

➡️ The Leeway Odyssey research vessel departs Halifax for Dartmouth at 10am.

🚢 The One Colomba container vessel arrives in Halifax from New York at 10:45am.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍗 CHKN CHOP is celebrating the Montreal Canadiens with a sizzling surprise: their Spicy Hab-anero Ranch chicken burger, made with friend chicken, habanero ranch and relish, white onion, cheese, banana peppers and lettuce.

🍦 Churned has a new flavour for you to try—Cosmic Brownie. It has a chocolate base, brownie chunks and rainbow chips, available in scoops and pints.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎮 George Greer was one of 71 staff members laid off in the Ubisoft Halifax shutdown in early January. As he saw colleagues look for work outside of Nova Scotia, Greer took note of the opportunity in front of him: to start a video game development studio that makes games that are unequivocally Atlantic Canadian. With that idea in mind, he and his wife started besszong. "I was applying to jobs every day and not having a lot of luck," says Greer, who worked with Ubisoft Halifax for seven years. "It's always kind of been my own dream to have my own studio." The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Greer about his new game studio, his inspirations, and what his team is working on.

🚗 A youth died after a rollover crash early Friday morning in Musquodoboit Harbour—the youth driver and other youth passenger were taken to hospital with non-life-thretening injuries and police continue to investigate the crash.

🥍 The Halifax Thunderbirds will advance to the National Lacrosse League finals after defeating the Georgia Swarm 15-11 on Sunday—they will face off against Toronto, with Game 2 taking place in Halifax on May 17.

That’s it!

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