Bad morning Halifax,

Remember when Tim Houston was bullied into declaring an epidemic of intimate partner violence after he first refused at first, calling it unnecessary? Turns out that, shockingly, declaring an epidemic has absolutely nothing to do with stopping one.

Another day, another woman running for her life. Another police response. Another collection of weapons. Another reminder that, in Nova Scotia, the most dangerous place for some women isn't a dark alley or an unfamiliar street—it's inside their own home.

The latest case in Head of Chezzetcook is chilling. On November 7, a woman escaped a home after allegedly being threatened by an armed man. When RCMP arrived, they arrested a 30-year-old man and seized two long guns, ammunition, magazines, knives and a machete.

And before anyone dismisses this as isolated domestic dispute or an argument that got a little heated, perhaps it's time to look at the bigger picture…again.

As I mentioned at the top, Nova Scotia lawmakers officially declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in 2024. An epidemic. Not a misunderstanding, not a lovers' quarrel, not a private family matter best kept behind closed doors.

Yet here we are, still reading about women fleeing their homes, still hearing about threats, weapons and escalating violence, and still treating each horrifying incident as though it arrived out of nowhere.

And the numbers are getting harder to ignore.

Statistics Canada released its latest figures yesterday, and they make for grim reading. Nova Scotia recorded a 13% increase in police-reported intimate partner violence in 2025, one of the largest provincial increases in the country. Nationally, women and girls accounted for nearly 78% of intimate partner violence victims.

Even more disturbing, the problem is beginning long before adulthood. The Canadian Paediatric Society reports that one in three Canadian teenagers experiences physical, psychological, sexual or technology-related abuse in a relationship. Apparently, controlling your girlfriend's phone, tracking her movements and dictating who she can speak to are becoming a normal part of the dating landscape.

Let’s stop pretending these situation are outliers or simply a few bad relationships. This is about power, entitlement, control and a culture that has too often taught women to manage men's behaviour rather than teaching men that women are not their possessions.

Oh, and btw, I swear in the name of all things holy, if I hear one more man use Lindsay Clancy’s case as Exhibit A that women are just as violent as men, I’m going to set my computer on fire.

The Houston government needs to do more than pass legislation, issue statements and congratulate themselves for recognizing a problem. Declaring intimate partner violence an epidemic was an important step. But a declaration is not a shelter bed, it’s not a funded prevention program, it’s not an emergency escape plan and it certainly isn't a guarantee that a woman will make it out of her own home alive.

And for anyone still inclined to dismiss domestic violence as a private matter between two people, consider this: the 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting inquiry exposed the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence escalating into wider public catastrophe. I have included this report it at least a dozen op-eds in the last two years, so please, I beg of you, read it! Understand what is at stake here.

The woman in Chezzetcook got out. Thank God for that, but she should never have had to run for her life in the first place.

We cannot keep measuring success by how many women manage to escape, how many weapons police seize or how many emergency calls end without a body. We need to start measuring it by how many women never have to fear the people who claim to love them.

Because if a woman has to calculate whether she can safely leave her own home, we don't have a relationship problem; we have a societal failure. And Nova Scotia needs to stop treating it like business as usual.

Love and light!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

RELATED: At Nova Scotia’s largest shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence, many clients arrive at the door having made the decision to leave a dangerous situation, while not necessarily knowing where their next meal will come from—the people who run women’s shelters are finding it increasingly difficult to ensure their residents have enough to eat.

Today: 🌤️ 7°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 3°

Next Day: 🌧️ 8°

7-day forecast

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

From Nov 12-15, musicians from across Nova Scotia will gather in Truro for Nova Scotia Music Week 2026, a weekend filled with performances, professional opportunities and awards.

With over 70 showcasing artists across four venues, there will be plenty to experience in the hub of Nova Scotia from Thursday to Saturday. The awards brunch is scheduled for the morning of Sunday, Nov 15.

In light of the festivities, we’ve devised a list of not only everything happening during Nova Scotia Music Week, but also some Truro highlights to check out in-between shows.

The Coast’s Truro expert Brendyn Creamer gives you his recommendations for your stay during the annual music conference weekend.

💰 Officials with the company pitching an $8B data centre campus in Nova Scotia have committed in writing that they will not ask for or take any government money—a pledge that comes as the chief financial officer for Everwind Fuels says project financing has closed on the first facility.

🥼 Put urinary leaks and other pelvic issues in the past with this easy, non-invasive therapy. Packages are 50% off for two more weeks.*

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At Your Counselling Nova Scotia, we believe financial circumstances shouldn't prevent people from accessing meaningful mental health support. Our Sliding Scale Therapy Program offers reduced counselling fees, helping make professional support more accessible to individuals facing financial barriers. You don't have to wait until things become unbearable to ask for help. Support may be more affordable than you think.

Dear Nova Scotia Liberal Party:

I am writing to inform you I will no longer be voting in this Leadership race.

I did not come to this decision lightly. I voted for Zach (Churchill) in the last race and have voted all my life for the Liberal Party. I believe political parties should earn support by listening to people and addressing the problems they face every day. Sadly, this Leadership race has shown how far away the Liberal Party is from these ideals.

This reader explains why they aren’t supporting the Nova Scotia Liberal Party following a lifetime of support.

🏗️ Halifax will begin planning for a new neighbourhood on the Woodlawn Mall site in Dartmouth that would bring high-rise towers to the area—on Tuesday, regional council agreed to start the comprehensive planning process for the overall 6.7-hectare Woodlawn Mall site off Portland Street.

🙇‍♀️ A Nova Scotia group that supports at-risk women and girls is apologizing after it hosted a panel discussion on violence that featured a woman convicted in the brutal killing of a teenager—Marissa Shephard was listed as a panel member for the event last week organized by the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia.

🛣️ As part of its five-year plan, the Province is repaving 60 kilometres of roadway to help safety and support trade—the 10 extra sections of the highways were recently tendered the province said, and will be repaved using funds from the underspent capital projects.

🤮 Child sexual abuse and exploitation material was discovered on the devices of two Nova Scotia men leading to a slew of related charges—on Oct. 1, the Halifax RCMP, with information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, found that a Halifax man had been posting child sexual abuse material online.

🪦 Volunteers from the Somme Branch Legion in Dartmouth are continuing a project this year that makes sure local veterans are not forgotten—the group decorates veterans’ grave markers in Mount Hermon Cemetery and Christ Church Cemetery with crosses complete with poppies and Canadian flags.

Experience the beloved Murdoch Mysteries episode “Sugar Plum Murdoch” on the big screen, accompanied by a live orchestral performance. Hosted by award-winning composer Robert Carli and Thomas Craig, this festive caper includes behind-the-scenes stories, holiday sing-alongs, and plenty of Christmas spirit! 🎶

November 27 & 28. Tickets start at $36.50.

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

🗓 Peer to Peer Art Critique night: This event is open to artists ranging in experience from emerging to experienced. Bring your latest work of art, share a brief description of the work, and receive positive, constructive feedback from peers! Each artist will have a 10 minute time slot (including introduction/description and feedback). We recommend bringing 1-2 pieces of art to get the most out of your time. | Nov 12 | 5:30pm | $10 |

🗓 Our Heritage - Food, Music and Art: Enjoy an unforgettable evening that celebrates the rich and diverse cultural traditions that make Nova Scotia so special. Presented by the Cole Harbour Rural Heritage Society in partnership with the Helen Creighton Folklore Society, this gala will explore the continuing evolution of our province’s cultural heritage through food, music, and art.| Nov 12 | 6pm | $70 |

🗓 Scott Maclean Live at YukYuks: This weekend at Yuk Yuk’s, Scott MacLean takes the stage with his shamelessly honest, playfully blunt comedy. From self-deprecating stories to questioning social norms, Scott pushes the limits and leaves audiences laughing on the other side! | Nov 13 and 14 | 8pm | $25 |

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

🚢➡️ The Catherine C container vessel arrives in Halifax from Sines at 6:15am and departs for Boston at 11pm.

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container vessel arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am.

➡️ The Algoma East Coast tanker departs Halifax for Charlottetown at 12pm.

The best products are home-grown, like the incredible lumber products produced by Elmsdale Lumber.

When you choose local, you’re choosing to support real Nova Scotians like the Wilber Family.

🍗 Weekend plans: crispy chicken thighs, waffles, maple bacon syrup, sriracha aioli, and pickled chilies at Agricola Street Brasserie.

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😡 A 31-year-old man was arrested as part of an investigation into suspected drink tampering in downtown Halifax over the weekend at Durty Nelly’s—a woman become ill after consuming a drink a man gave her and staff administered Narcan to the unresponsive woman.

📱 Nova Scotia NDP Leader Claudia Chender admitted a robotext the party sent out last week was rushed and missed the mark—the robotext message was sent out to Nova Scotians on Friday regarding the proposed AI data centre in Point Tupper.

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