🗞️ Croissant savants

Good morning!

Earlier this week, premier Tim Houston announced that he is getting rid of Communications Nova Scotia—the agency that has provided communications advice and marketing services to successive Nova Scotia governments for almost 30 years.

I remember waiting to be interviewed at CNS when I first graduated from PR school, and there was this huge sign in the lobby that read “Helping Nova Scotians understand what their government is doing and why.” I committed it to memory in case they asked me to recite it (they didn’t, and I got the job).

But now Houston is like, helping people understand what we’re doing and why? In this economy?!

This announcement/love bomb was dropped Monday—after which both the premier and the minister responsible for CNS were unavailable for comment, so we really don’t know why this decision was made. 

A truly great start to the new era of communication!

The whole point of government communications is to build trust and transparency, which in theory, yes. Excellent. People are more inclined to actively participate in democratic processes and abide by regulations and laws when they perceive government entities as open and accountable.

CNS was designed to run as an independent PR and marketing agency, with non-political employees assigned to each of the government departments. As governments (and parties) came and went, the CNS staff remained. The problem is that nothing ran in and out of CNS without conversations with the premier’s office of the day, who obviously had different goals (staying elected) than CNS did (fostering understanding).

So it went like this: 

1. Ring ring! A media request comes into the CNS’er assigned to a government department.

2. The request is sent to the deputy minister’s office, CNS managing directors and the premier’s office.

3. An answer is constructed that balances some semblance of truth with political spin that everyone is happy with and…

4. VOILA! The public gets an answer!

The idea that Houston eliminating this organization will make it even less transparent doesn’t ring true to me, because in practise nothing was disseminated to the public without the premier’s office stamp of approval.

That said, it is sad to see this institution go away because these people brought a depth of knowledge, balance and professionalism to the table that I fear the Houston government needs; this move is giving inmates running the asylum. Plus, I know a lot of wonderful people who work there who are probably feeling scared and uncertain, which nobody wants. 

Who really knows what Houston has up his sleeve—only time will tell.

In the meantime, have a wonderful day!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: ☀️ -4°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ 1°

Next Day: 🌤️ -5°

7-day forecast

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

FOOD + DRINK

Two If By Sea Cafe joins Best of Halifax Hall of Fame

Seventeen years ago, amateur baker-turned-entrepreneur Tara MacDonald picked up a new hobby when she moved from Ottawa to Dartmouth: Baking croissants. She laboured over the flaky viennoiseries in her kitchen, setting her alarm for 3am on Saturday mornings, when she would roll and bake 100 plain, chocolate and ham-and-swiss croissants to sell at the Alderney Landing Farmers’ Market.

Even before those croissants would turn Ochterloney Street into a foodie destination, garnering profiles in Chatelaine and turning “TIBS” into a Halifax shorthand, they were a hit with Haligonians, who regularly emptied out her farmers’ market stall.

As The Coast’s Martin Bauman writes, they’re a big reason why in 2025, Two If By Sea is joining The Coast’s Best of Halifax Hall of Fame.

🤔 Need To Know

☃️ The wintry weather is expected to continue this week in Halifax—a special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada, calling for snow, ice pellets and periods of freezing rain on Thursday.

🍽️ Dine Around is here! And with over 60 restaurants participating in Downtown Halifax, make it your go-to destination for an unforgettable dining experience.*

🇨🇦 Yesterday, prime minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa will work to convince US president Don Trump that his “unacceptable” steel and aluminum tariffs will hurt both countries.

🎶 The Highwaymen Show is the Great American Outlaw musical tribute celebrating the world’s most recognized classic country artists, with a cast portraying Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson.*

📹 RCMP say they are seeking dashcam footage after a car struck a power pole in Lower Sackville, killing one woman and critically injuring two men—the crash happened Monday around 9:35am on Sackville Drive near Hillcrest Avenue.

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY BLUENOSE HEALTH PRIMARY CARE CLINIC

New Veterans Affairs Clinic

Are you a veteran needing a medical assessment for Veterans Affairs Canada? Bluenose Health can help. Now offering veterans assessment and questionnaire filing. Appointments available in February. Please call 902-707-5404 or email [email protected] for more information and booking.

PANEL

How moral injury affects frontline workers

Two upcoming events will bring together workers and experts to examine the causes, effects and treatments for moral injury—described as “the persistent suffering, including shame or guilt, experienced by those who witness, perpetrate, or fail to stop acts of grievous harm”—within the context of frontline work. Moral injury is often seen in workplaces where responsibilities include helping or protecting communities, such as with first responders, people in the military, healthcare workers, human service workers, educators and people who work with children.

Through a panel discussion and symposium this Thursday and Friday at Mount Saint Vincent University, event organizers Catherine Baillie Abidi and Ardath Whynacht will broaden the conversation about this complex injury related to feelings of betrayal, raise awareness of its prevalence, and build cross-sector support and strategies for prevention and treatment.

“The bad news about moral injury is that so many vital workers are feeling it,” says Whynacht. “But that’s also the good news because when we collectively organize around these occupational mental health injuries—the more numbers, the better so that we have a stronger voice.”

The Coast’s Lauren Phillips talks with Baillie Abidi and Whynacht about the larger context for both events here.

🗞️ In Other News

🏳️‍⚧️ Two Halifax-area businesses—Venus Envy and Glitter Bean Cafe—are grappling with vandalism after discriminatory messages targeting the trans community were written on their buildings.

💸 Nova Scotia’s auditor general is continuing her fight for more accountability over government spending that isn’t approved by the legislature—Kim Adair says spending outside the official budget process has hit $7B over the last decade.

🖼️ An art dealer says a painting by the husband of renowned folk artist Maud Lewis sold Sunday for $5,500—with part of its attraction being that he falsely signed his wife’s name to his work.

SPONSORED BY HALIFAX TRANSIT

Have questions about the upcoming Feb 24 service changes?

Check out a helpful list of frequently asked questions on our website, call 311 or email [email protected]. 

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Exhibit—Amalkewinu'k (The Dancers): This new exhibit explores Mi'kmaw regalia, highlighting how dancers maintain cultural integrity while materials and technology evolve. It features contemporary photographs of dancers in ko'jua regalia alongside archival photos of traditional dancers. Ko'jua is a traditional Mi'kmaw dance. | Feb 4-14  

🗓 The Music Room Chamber Players Series presents Breaths and Bows: Cascading from the one to the many, this concert presents some of the greatest masters of the classical era—Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven—alongside American composer Amy Beach and French composer Marin Marais. This concert is sure to spark your imagination, offering a soundscape that showcases the wonderful timbres produced by pairing flute with strings. | Feb 12 | 7:30pm | $35

🗓 We Are Country—Julian Taylor: With a soulful voice and captivating stage presence, Julian Taylor’s unique blend of blues, roots and folk music has earned him a growing fanbase and critical acclaim—not only in Canada, but also in Europe and the US. After 25 years in music, building an unimpeachable reputation as a truly independent artist and entrepreneur, Julian Taylor now owns his legacy. | Feb 12 | 7pm | $16.25

🗓 The Comedy Stand Presents—Chris Halef: This comedy sensation has been featured at the Halifax Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs Originals, and can be heard daily on News 95.7FM radio. Chris brings his sharp wit and relatable humour to the stage for an unforgettable evening of laughs. | Feb 13 | 8pm | $20

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The One Madrid container ship arrives in Halifax from Charleston, NC at 5:45am and leaves for Singapore at 11pm.

➡️ The CSL Tacoma bulk carrier leaves Halifax for Baltimore at 6am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 6:20pm and leaves for Liverpool at 11:30pm.

🚢 The Oceanex Sanderling container ship arrives in Halifax from St. John’s at 7:20am.

🚢 The Acadian oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 11:40am.

🚢 The Box Endurance container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 3:20pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌶️ Spice up your burger experience with the new Kimchi Crunch Fried Chicken Burger at Battery Park Beer Bar: buttermilk breaded fried chicken breast, kimchi, smoked crispy bacon, gochujang aioli, shredded lettuce, onions, sesame seed bun.

🍓 The croissant of the week at Best of Halifax Hall of Fame inductee Two If By Sea is Chocolate Covered Strawberry: a chocolate-dipped croissant with a white chocolate drizzle, filled with sweet strawberries.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎤 Aysanabee isn’t superstitious, but these days he’s having a hard time chalking some things up to mere coincidence. Fresh off an Australian tour, the two-time JUNO Award-winner from Sandy Lake First Nation is embarking on his first headlining trip across eastern Canada. It’s a big moment for the Oji-Cree singer-songwriter: His breakout EP, Here and Now, nabbed the barrel-voiced baritone a pair of awards for Songwriter of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year at last year’s JUNOs in Halifax. Now, the multi-instrumentalist finds himself coming back to Halifax as part of a seven-show Nova Scotia leg on his two-month, 23-city tour. And as he tells The Coast’s Martin Bauman, it’s got his late grandfather’s fingerprints all over it.

🛣️ Last Friday, Feb 7, during a special meeting of the Budget Committee, rookie councillor Laura White stepped to the mic. She asked if the Department of Public Works ever considers removing car lanes from Halifax Transit priority corridors. HRM’s manager of transportation planning, Mike Connors, told her that they’d consider it, and they’d love to prioritize buses like that, but it’s that cars are so important. Except cars are not important, and council, through a half dozen strategic plans, has instructed the Department of Public Works to specifically de-prioritize cars in planning. Nothing's getting better in Halifax because transportation plays such a huge role in our lives, and Halifax’s DPW is choosing to ignore council’s instructions while planning and building a city that’s making things worse, reports Matt Stickland.

That’s it!

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