🗞️ Halifax remembers

Happy Friday Halifax,

Remember a few years ago when the fine folks at the Chronicle-Herald s-hell company decided they would try to make “SaltWire Parade of Lights” happen, and everyone was like “whomst” and the whole thing felt totally cursed? I do.

It’s always a little dark when a company renowned for its sinister-ness attaches itself to a fun, family cause. Like, no Elon, we don’t care for the Tesla Teddy Bear Picnic*, sell kindness someplace else.

This year I’m medium-perplexed by the Nova Scotia Power Parade of Lights, because my power goes out literally every time there’s a breeze in the trees, yet you keep jacking my bill and NOW you’re lighting up a whole parade?

Aaaaanyway, the 29th annual Holiday Parade of Lights is Sunday at 5pm. As with previous years, organizers are anticipating tens of thousands of people will come downtown to take in the floats from community groups, local businesses and corporations.

If you’re heading out to the parade, don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items, toys or cash donations to be picked up along the parade route. And you might also want to bring a flashlight, just in case.

Here’s the map👇

Have a holly, jolly weekend!

– Julie

*Not an actual event.

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌨️ 0°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ -6°

Next Day: 🌧️ 1°

7-day forecast

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

ARTS + CULTURE

Event at MSVU honours National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Mount Saint Vincent University invites everyone to its campus today from 12-1:30pm in the art gallery, to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. 

This day is to remember the 14 young women who were murdered during a mass shooting while they were at school at École Polytechnique de Montréal on Dec 6, 1989. 

Furthermore, it is a day to remember all those who have experienced gender-based violence and people who have lost their lives to it, including those in Nova Scotia. Just recently here, three women were murdered in three weeks in instances of intimate partner violence.

The Coast’s Lauren Phillips spoke with Meredith Ralston—a women’s and political studies professor at MSVU—who will be moderating Friday’s conversation and reflection.

🤔 Need To Know

🏦 The search is on for a suspect in a bank robbery that happened on Wednesday—police say just before 11:30am, a man entered the TD Bank on Quinpool Road, handed the teller a note and then fled with an undisclosed amount of money.

💃 Live Art Dance presents Chantal Baudouin, Les Nœuds de Gustav. December 6 & 7 at the Sir James Dunn Theatre. Visit our website for tickets.*

⛺ Municipal crews moved in to dismantle the remaining tents at an encampment in Halifax’s south end, as at least one resident—38-year-old Andrew Goodsell—vows to stay.

🥘 "Besharam" means shameless. This reflects Besharam Bar & Grill's bold, experimental approach to Indian cuisine and service. Their ambiance is contagious, inspiring guests to embrace boldness and celebrate life unapologetically.*

🚍 People relying on Halifax's public transit Saturday nights in December will be happy to learn their ride will be free as a way to promote safe celebrations and reduce impaired driving incidents.

🛍️ Join Spring Garden Road Businesses tonight Friday, December 6 from 5-9pm for Shopping Under the Stars.*

*Sponsored Post

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SPONSORED BY GAHAN HOUSE NOVA CENTRE

Gahan House or Your House?

Whether it's a business meeting, family gathering or celebration, Gahan House Nova Centre’s private dining spaces have you covered. With options for groups of all sizes, enjoy cozy seating, great natural light, presentation equipment, drink pairings and customizable menus. The Argyle Private Dining Room is perfect for up to 18 guests, while the Argyle Street and Sackville Street areas can fit up to 45. For larger groups, the Grafton Street Dining Area & Lounge offers space for 40 seated or 75 standing. Offsite catering options are also available. Treat your guests to the Gahan House experience this season.  

Contact [email protected] or call 902-444-3060 to book. 

NEWS + OPINION

“You’ve turned your back on women in this province”: Twenty years later after her sister’s murder, Lynn Gallant Blackburn is still fighting for change.

On December 27, 2005—still in the warm glow of Christmas and one week from her daughter Anna’s first birthday—36-year-old Paula Gallant was violently murdered. Her lifeless body was put in the trunk of her car and driven to the parking lot of the elementary school where she taught Grade 3.

The crime shocked the community as we all wondered how this could have happened to a mother, teacher, sister. She could have been any of ours. 

Her body was found by her family, who had hoped she was in the school working on an art project and maybe (hopefully) had an accident in the building. When the RCMP arrived and the trunk of the car was opened, loved ones gathered at the scene noticed her husband didn’t run to her or even reach out for her; he didn’t seem surprised by the discovery at all.

From the outside, you’d think that her husband would be the perfect place for the investigation to start—odd reaction or not. But the protocol 20 years ago was to put the husband on the periphery, to prevent the RCMP from jumping to any conclusions.

For four and a half years, the RCMP looked at everyone else in Paula’s immediate circle while her husband watched on. They even investigated the young children in the family, focusing on her 13-year-old nephew whose fingerprints were found on a pop bottle in his aunt’s car. Of course they were.

1,642 days. That’s how long it took for the RCMP to exhaust every other avenue and finally arrest Paula’s husband. That’s how long her sisters had to stand by and play nice in the press because they didn’t want to disrupt the investigation or lose access to baby Anna. 

What we know now is that on December 27, 2005, Paula Gallant was murdered by her husband, who eventually admitted to strangling her in an argument over a $700 gambling debt.

The husband did it, of course. It seems the husband always does it.

The Coast’s Julie Lawrence spoke with Lynn Gallant Blackburn—Paula’s oldest sister—about how she’s keeping her sister’s legacy alive and fighting for government action to end gender-based violence

🗞️ In Other News

💜 Women with disabilities are more likely to be forced into homelessness because of violence or abuse, according to a new report that looks at housing inequities in Canada—63% of women with disabilities who experienced homelessness said it was because of violence.

🥪 A family of four will be spending over $800 more on food in 2025—totaling $16,833—as the price of food continues to increase, according to a new report.

📮 As the Canada Post strike hits the three-week mark, the Crown corporation says it is reviewing new counter-proposals submitted by the union representing more than 55,000 postal workers.

⚖️ Halifax Regional Police will send certain sexual assault cases to an RCMP oversight committee to be examined—but an advocate for a different review model says she's disappointed and confused by the move.

🔥 Six months after a fire destroyed a historic sawmill and museum in Digby County, RCMP say there is no evidence that a crime took place—a conclusion that has left the head of the commission in charge of the building's operations unsatisfied.

🚓 Halifax police laid dozens of charges in November after catching people driving impaired—37 drivers were charged with impaired-related offences; of those, 23 were charged with drinking and driving and four were charged due to drugs. 

🏘️ One of the country's largest real estate firms is predicting a less volatile market for Halifax homebuyers in 2025—forecasting the the aggregate price of a home to increase by four per cent to $532,064.

SPONSORED BY ART GALLERY NOVA SCOTIA

Maud Lewis by Local Artisans at the AGNS Gallery Shop

Maud Lewis, Nova Scotia’s beloved folk artist, has inspired local artists and makers in their work. From pewter ornaments, to mini ceramic re-creations of the iconic painted house and purr-fect earrings, the Gallery Shop has an array of one-of-a-kind gifts any lover of Maud’s work would be thrilled to receive. Prices range from $5 to $40.   

SPONSORED BY ATLANTIC NEWS

Globe and Mail Xmas Crossword!

Reserve your Globe and Mail Xmas crossword. Included in the December 21 paper. A holiday tradition. Call 902-429-5468 to reserve today, or visit our website for magazine, newspaper, book and podcast details.

The Atlantic News Podcast: Discussions with interesting Haligonians.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Annual Hydrostone Tree Lighting: Don’t miss this highly anticipated annual community tree lighting event! There will be free treats, entertainment, tickets on sale for an amazing neighbourhood donated gift basket and, of course, a visit from Santa! Come cheer on the season. | Dec 6 | 6:30pm

🗓 Unwrapped—A Queer Holiday Concert: Featuring local queer musicians, the concert will include mostly non-traditional music, while also celebrating the diversity of the community. From solos and duets to the entire cast, there will be a variety of performances throughout the evening. | Dec 6 | 7pm | From $17

🗓 Alderney Landing's Christkindlmarket: Celebrate the holiday season with this traditional German holiday market. Experience the charm of a European-style Christmas market with festive goods, delicious treats and free family activities. | Dec 6-8

🗓 Natalie Macmaster & Donnell Leahy—A Celtic Family Christmas: Join the MacMaster/Leahy family as they share their music, their unique way of life, and Christmas traditions still honoured and celebrated. The show features traditional and original music, plus some special numbers with their own incredible band, as well as personal stories and candid moments from the MacMaster/Leahy home. Life is never dull, especially at Christmas. | Dec 7 | 7pm | $66

🗓 South End Vintage Market: Whether you are a student in need of a well-deserved study break or a Haligonian looking to support local small businesses this holiday season, the Festive Market has something for everyone. Come explore 40+ unique vendors, featuring everything from vintage clothing and accessories to home goods, collectibles and stunning handmade crafts. | Dec 7 | 10am | $2

🗓 TD Dartmouth Christmas Tree Lighting: Come on down to Sullivan’s Pond for the big tree lighting event and celebrate with live performances, treats, a chance to visit Santa and more. | Dec 7 | 4:30pm

🗓 Snow Folk Shuffle Holiday 5K Fun Run: This fun run combines the magic of the holidays with community spirit and getting active. Join in the fun and festivities, running, walking or rolling to spread joy all while raising funds to support FEED Nova Scotia. | Dec 7 | 10am | $25

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Leo C McArthur tug boat leaves Halifax for Sarnia at 2am.

🛳️➡️ The CMA CGM Chile container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo at 5:15am and leaves for New York at 11pm.

🛳️ The Acadian oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 3:40pm.

🛳️ The One Millau container ship arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 3:45pm.

➡️ 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

🥬 Hail Caeser! Try a spin on this classic at at CHKN CHOP: fried chicken, bacon, parm, romaine, Caesar dressing.

🤌 Rinaldo’s has two new offerings for you this weekend: Chicken Alfredo Hero Pizza (chicken, alfredo sauce, mozzarella, bruschette tomatoes, pecorino) and Gnocchi with Sausage Ragu (ricotta gnocchi, Italian sausage, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, parm).

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎤 This year saw some of the biggest names in Halifax music add to their BOH haul, from the Mellotones—who won three Golds, for Best Cover Artist/Band, Best Jazz Artist/Band and Best R&B Artist/Band—to Matt Mays—who won his fourth straight in the Best Rock Artist/Band category—to Classified—who picked up his seventh Gold for Best Hip Hop Artist/Band. The Coast’s Martin Bauman has you covered with all the Best of Halifax Music winners. 

🏛️ Tuesday’s city council meeting was dominated by old business being rehashed by new mayor Andy Fillmore. Last council meeting, Fillmore caused a procedural kerfuffle when he put forward a motion to rescind Halifax’s list of potential encampment sites without a staff report. Coast City Hall reporter Matt Stickland has a full report from council's Tuesday meeting, including more on the encampment debate.

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