🗞️ Dirty deets

Happy Friday Halifax!

(And Happy Valentine’s Day to those who observe ❤️ )

In a demonstration of some poetic hypocrisy, a new poll suggests many Canadians are willing to use their spending power to protest US president Don Trump’s tariff threats and attacks on Canadian sovereignty—but not if it means they have to get rid of their favourite American streaming platform.

More than half of those polled—56%—said they’re ready to cancel or avoid travel to the US, and 59% said they are ditching American alcohol. But only 28% told the pollster they have or will be cancelling their subscriptions to US streaming services—and 34% said absolutely not. 

Alright everybody, let’s do this in a round. I’ll start…

An assistant professor of finance and business economics at McMaster University explains that many people may be unwilling to give up American streaming services because they don’t see alternatives—adding “If there’s a perceived cost or we don’t think that things are equivalent, then we don’t like it.”

Go Team Canada, let’s hockey stick it the MAN…unless I can’t watch Bravo reruns. Then, I mean, nevermind. 

Have a safe and restful weekend!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ -3°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ -6°

Next Day: 🌨️ 0°

7-day forecast

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

HALIFAX SPILLS

Sex & Dating Survey results

Happy Valentine’s Day! The Coast got you something special—the answers from our 2025 Sex + Dating Survey. This annual Halifax heat map is like a Cupid’s arrow that gets right to the heart of local desire. Deliberately anonymous to encourage honest full disclosure, it provides a window into local bedrooms, a look at wishes, a glimpse of dreams, plus funny stories of dates gone wrong.

The information provided by hundreds of Haligonians who took the time to answer the survey reveals truths that some people might find hard to swallow. South of us, American Cheeto-in-charge Trump has a binary view of the word that would deny the 1 in 10 of respondents (9.7%) who don’t identify as man or woman, and it just might blow the rest of his mind to hear 4 out of 10 of people (42.3%) don’t identify as heterosexual.

Finding these facts is a big reason we do the survey every year. The other big reason is just that it’s fun—so get in there. With love, to you from us. 💝

🤔 Need To Know

💸 The financial blueprint of where people’s tax dollars and funds from other levels of government will go was released Thursday—the province is set to fund more than $2.35B in health care facilities, housing and other projects that help communities grow.

🎟️ Feed Nova Scotia's 50/50 is back for another season! Buy your tickets today to support Nova Scotian food banks, meal programs, and shelters.*

👀 An off-duty Halifax Regional Police officer has been charged by Nova Scotia's police watchdog with harassment in relation to allegations involving "a female known to him."

🎭 Live Art Dance presents Omote (面), a co-creation between Vancouver dance artist Shion Skye Carter and Halifax mask maker Miya Turnbull, at the Bus Stop Theatre. February 28, 8pm-March 1, 2pm & 8pm.*

🧑🏻‍⚕️ A lack of mental health care tailored to rural Black Nova Scotians is one of several problems yet to be properly addressed by the province, more than one year after an inquiry into the Lionel Desmond tragedy recommended reforms.

🍻 The Pint's legendary Wing Wednesday, half price wings. Hang out with your friends for Wednesday night hockey, or go Below Deck, Dive Bar & arcade.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY HELEN GONDA

Dreaming of a New Home? Building could be more affordable than you think!

Many believe building a new home is more expensive than buying one, but in Nova Scotia, that's not necessarily true anymore.

Let’s start this journey together and create a home that’s as unique as you.

MUSIC

How a recording trip to Nashville brought Halifax’s Newbridge to life

It was the twilight of COVID-19 lockdowns in Nova Scotia, and Keith Maddison and Jeff Mosher were doing what lifelong rock n’ rollers do: Playing some tunes. The two veterans of Halifax’s music scene—the former, a frontman for Maddison Avenue; the latter, a lead singer and saxophonist with The Mellotones—were at Maddison’s home “in the woods” of Fall River, chatting about days gone by. Concert gigs were still on hold. The live-music industry felt forever changed.

As the two reflected on past shows and bands, Mosher asked his old friend: Had Maddison been writing anything new? It was a question that would spark the beginning of a Halifax Americana supergroup who, in the months to come, would go on to record within the same walls as some of music’s heaviest hitters. 

As The Coast’s Martin Bauman reports, the band is gearing up to make their live debut with an album they call “one of the most powerful things” they’ve ever recorded.

🗞️ In Other News

🛍️ With the Nova Scotia Legislature set to resume its work Friday, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is calling for the government to follow through on its promise to cut the small business tax rate.

🎓 Mount Saint Vincent University has launched an accelerated Bachelor of Education program to allow students to graduate faster—a move the institution said is to address the teacher shortage provincewide.

📱 An international student in Cape Breton says a recent transfer of her cellphone number— without her consent—highlights potential security risks for all mobile phone users in Canada.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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  

🗓 Museum of Natural History Presents The Abyss: Come discover the unique, strange world that is home to corals—a variety of creatures straight out of science fiction—unique ecosystems and hot springs. Spectacular images, audiovisuals, interactive animation, specimens and replicas of deep-sea diving apparatuses complete this fascinating exploration of the mysterious abyss. | Feb 14 | $10

🗓 Open Hearts with Stewart Legere: An intimate candlelit cabaret reimagining the romantic, heartbreaking and iconic anthems of classic film and television. Join "Dartmouth’s Songbird" Stewart Legere and some very special guests as they turn a fresh page on our collective nostalgia—reimagining iconic songs from childhood movies and classic television. | Feb 14 | 7:30pm | From $25 

🗓 Halifax Thunderbirds Lacrosse: Come cheer on the home team as they take on the Philadelphia Wings at the Scotiabank Centre. | Feb 15 | 7pm | From $26.25

🗓 The Art of Silly—Improv Workshop: Ready to let go, laugh and unleash your inner goofball? This playful workshop is all about embracing the joy of silliness and freeing yourself from self-doubt. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a total beginner, we'll guide you through a series of fun, low-pressure games and exercises designed to get you out of your head and into the moment. | Feb 15 | 1:30pm | $45

🗓 Symphony Family Series—Inspire Me: It’s musical fun for all ages with this free family series! Hear delightful performances from the full orchestra combined with interactive learning opportunities in these engaging, high-spirited concerts at the Alderney Landing Theatre and Halifax Central Library. | Feb 15-16

🗓 Wellness Market: Step into a gorgeous space and indulge in a day dedicated to wellbeing, self-love, self-care and relaxation. This wellness market will feature a fantastic lineup of local businesses for you to explore and enjoy! Whether you’re looking to pamper yourself or find the perfect gift for a loved one, there’s something for everyone. | Feb 15 | 2pm | Free

🗓 African Heritage Month Listening Lounge: Join Halifax Jazz Festival for an afternoon of listening at Stillwell Taproom & Hi-Fi. Making great use of the venue's top-tier audio setup, HJF Artistic Director Andrew Jackson (also host of The Outer Edge on CKDU 88.1FM), alongside DJ Douvet, will be bringing a collection of vinyl from current and classic jazz recordings from Black artists. | Feb 15 | 3:30pm | Free

🗓 Alice the Ballet: Follow Alice down the rabbit hole to a magical world where the Queen of Hearts reins, flowers dance and mice jump out of teapots. From the antics of Tweedledee and Tweedledum to tumbling hedgehogs and pink satin pointe shoes, this performance has something for everyone. | Feb 16 | 1pm | From $17.25

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The CMA CGM Argentina container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo, Sri Lanka at 5:15am.

🚢➡️ The Zim Pacific container ship arrives in Halifax from Barcelona, Spain at 5:20am and leaves Halifax for New York at 11:45pm.

🚢➡️ The Frisian Octa general cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Port Esquivel, Jamaica at 11:20am and leaves for Moa, Cuba at 6pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌭 There’s a new dog on the menu at 2 Crows Brewing Co! The Memphis features Tennessee BBQ sauce, shredded cheese and crispy onions.

🥟 Take your pick of dumplings at Studio East (there is no wrong choice): Studio Dumplings (housemade pork dumpling, Asian slaw, bam bam sauce) or Potato Dumplings (housemade potato dumplings with caramelized ginger toasted cream sauce).

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ Even though they sometimes get lost in the excitement of budget season, council meetings continue throughout the budget debates. The big-ticket item took all of 15 minutes and was the last thing on the agenda: Long-time critic of Halifax’s Integrated Mobility Plan, councillor Trish Purdy, proposed a motion to improve the Integrated Mobility Plan. For more on this unexpected twist read Matt Stickland’s latest from City Hall.

🎤 One year after Customer Service’s Live More Forever EP turned the friends—along with bandmates Matt Cheverie and Nick Adams—into one of Halifax’s buzziest new bands and launched them onto the pages of Exclaim!, the foursome are back with their sophomore effort, to you, after 2000 years. The Coast’s Martin Bauman catches up with the band to chat about the EP—which premieres today!—and the spiritual pull of endings and beginnings.

That’s it!

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