🗞️ Historic voter no turnout

Happy Friday Halifax,

It’s gut check time in the Top Chef Canada kitchen, and with her big win last week you know Halifax’s Moira Murray must be feeling confident as we go into the Final 4 showdown.

The Quickfire Challenge is sponsored by turkey and the chefs have to think outside the platter to show how versatile turkey can be, so they draw knives to see which non-Thankgiving-y event they have to cook for. Moira gets “date night,” which objectively sucks because turkey is way too utilitarian to be sexy, plus it just puts you to sleep.

Side bar: I saw this meme the other day where a turkey is looking at his/her phone and is like “why did the farmer just unfriend me?” and the sadness is living rent-free in my cerebellum, so this is a tough watch.

Annnnnyway, Moira just went ahead and butchered an entire bird in three minutes and then put together stuffed turkey breast with turkey jus and sautéed green beans that the judges were impressed by, but they liked other dishes more. Man Bun Haan with the short pants won the challenge with his sausage, which admittedly would have been better for date night (😜).

Onto the elimination challenge where the chefs have to create show-stopping dishes inspired by a movie genre. Moira randomly selects “drama” and Kristen Kish is in the house, so you know shit’s getting real. This is the last chance to earn a spot in the finale in Montreal.

Our queen looks like she’s feeling the pressure as the time sneaks up on her; she chooses beautiful seafood, but is having trouble conceptualizing how to make a dish based on the genre. Ironically, she’s bringing the drama rather than making the drama, and it’s anxiety-inducing. Meanwhile, Chanthy just has chicken feet all over his station and they have little toenails and I can’t.

Moira has finally found her inspiration through strong characters (AKA flavours) with a complex multitude of layers. She presents seared scallops and grilled lobster tail with sunchoke puree and Israeli couscous. The judges love her narrative AND her dish and we can all exhale.

At judges’ table, the Oscar goes to… Chanthy. They loved his presentation and his Cambodian blood curry. But fear not, Moira came in a close second and is on her way to the FINALE! 🎉 

The judges thought Haan’s Lady and the Tramp “rom-com” dish was too simple (but we did get to see the lady judge almost kiss Kristen Kish, so no complaints here) and Lisa’s “Western” plate was not executed well. In the end, it’s Lisa who is asked to pack her knives and go.

Bring on the finale and have yourselves a safe and restful weekend!

– Julie

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NEWS + OPINION

Voter turnout dropped by nearly 10% for the 2024 provincial election

Statistics based on the unofficial results from the 2024 general election in Nova Scotia show that voter turnout decreased by nearly 10% from the last election, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Election NS’s post-election report from 2021, the total voter turnout was 422,712 out of 767,618 eligible voters—55.1%, a minor increase from the previous election’s turnout of 53.4%. The 2024 election turnout, based on the unofficial results released by Elections NS, is 45.3%. According to graphs provided by Elections NS in their previous reports, this would be one of the worst turnouts in the province’s history.

It’s not hard to imagine why a pandemic election would sustain such a low voter turnout at 55.1%. A report from Elections Canada found that a percentage of voters didn’t want to risk getting COVID-19. The 2021 provincial election required people to either vote in-person or by mail, and while Elections NS included public health measures in their planning, the risk was still there. The 2021 provincial election also saw a low turnout from young people at just 39.1%.

The question remains: What has caused this election turnout to be even worse than that of the pandemic? 

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over a few factors that could have contributed.

🤔 Need To Know

🇨🇦 The federal government has introduced a stand-alone bill to implement the proposed GST holiday—the bill would give people a two-month GST exemption on items like pre-made food at grocery stores, children’s clothes, toys, some alcoholic beverages and other holiday season staples.

🧑‍🏫 Interested in learning French this winter? Check out our part-time courses at Université Sainte-Anne (online or in person)! Use promo-code WinterPromo15 for 15% off.*

🪧 The union representing Canada Post workers says the Crown corporation has been temporarily laying striking employees off as the labour action workers approaches the two-week mark.

🎵 The Grammy-nominated ARC Ensemble debuts in Halifax, showcasing their exceptional talent and offering a powerful musical reflection on diverse backgrounds and experiences. Don't miss it!*

💜 Dozens of people took to the streets of Halifax Wednesday night, holding signs reading “No means no” and “Strong together” as part of the “Take Back the Night” walk—the annual event raises awareness about sexual violence.

🛍 Kick-off your holiday shopping and support local at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Gallery Shop. Get 20% off this Sunday only, in-person and online.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE

Experience the Extraordinary at Neptune Theatre

This season, Neptune Theatre invites you to Experience the Extraordinary. From magnificent musicals, lively comedies, timeless classics and modern masterpieces, the season is filled with stories that are witty, moving and captivating. Join us for theatre journey into enchanting worlds with unforgettable characters.

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• Disney's Frozen

• Dickens' A Christmas Carol

• Controlled Damage

• Josephine: A Musical Cabaret

• The New Canadian Curling Club

• Casey & Diana

• Little Shop of Horrors

Book today.

LISTEN

The Wanderer Grounds podcast: Who’s in and who’s out this Halifax Wanderers offseason?

The Halifax Wanderers have some tough decisions to make this winter. On the heels of missing out on the Canadian Premier League playoffs, three of the soccer club’s brightest talents—French midfielder Lorenzo Callegari, young centre-back Dan Nimick and fiery full-back Zach Fernandez—could all depart as free agents. And that’s after starting goalkeeper Yann Fillion announced earlier this month that 2024 was his last season as a Wanderer.

Following a wildly successful 2023 that ended with Halifax’s first-ever home playoff match, the Wanderers were the first to miss the postseason entirely in 2024. The club finished with 30 points on the season—four shy of a playoff berth, and 12 below the club-record finish from the year prior. Wanderers founder and president Derek Martin called the outcome “simply unacceptable,” adding that the team would “take a hard look” at what went wrong.

The club’s first step? Bringing in veteran soccer executive Mark Watson. One of the longest-tenured men’s players in Canadian national team history, the 54-year-old will join Wanderers coach Patrice Gheisar and sporting director Matt Fegan as they look to retool their roster for 2025.

Should Halifax go all out in its pursuit of bringing back its star players? How much should the Wanderers prioritize fresh faces for a clean slate? The Coast’s Martin Bauman and Matt Stickland debate it all in the latest Wanderer Grounds episode.

🎧 Listen now

🗞️ In Other News

🚨 Nova Scotia RCMP seized illegal cannabis from a Middle Sackville store twice in the last week—police say they executed a search warrant at a Sackville Drive storefront on Nov 20 where they arrested a 53-year-old Halifax man and seized cannabis.

🦪 A troublesome parasite that is rare to Canada has now been confirmed in oysters in Nova Scotia—the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says oyster samples collected in Merigomish, NS have tested positive for dermo (also known as Perkinsosis).

🍌 The food scraps Halifax residents throw in their green bins have a new home—the new organics waste facility in Goodwood now handles all the waste from across the capital region and new technology allows it to process waste quicker than ever before.

📮 The federal government says it is not planning to intervene to resolve the labour dispute at Canada Post—even with less than a month to go before Christmas.

⚽ Dalhousie women’s soccer coach Cindy Tye will serve as interim head coach for Canada's upcoming women's friendlies against Iceland and South Korea—Canada Soccer says head coach Bev Priestman will not be returning after the Olympic drone-spying scandal.

SPONSORED BY SPRING GARDEN AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Shopping Under the Stars

Join Spring Garden for Shopping Under the Stars on December 6, from 5-9pm! Enjoy festive shopping, local treats and special discounts throughout the evening. It's the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit while discovering unique finds in the heart of Halifax! 🌟🎄

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMISSION

Everything is sparkling in downtown Halifax

DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN, Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s winter lighting program, is in full swing for the holidays. Don’t miss the holiday light projection show, Everything is Sparkling, featuring the song “It Snowed” by Meaghan Smith, on the former Halifax Memorial Library building nightly from 5-11pm. Check out all the DELIGHTFUL DOWNTOWN light installations here.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Merry & Bright Patio: Nestled away on the north end of the Halifax boardwalk, perched above the harbour, is a place where holiday magic comes alive! The Halifax Marriott Harbourfront's annual Merry & Bright Patio is one of the standout attractions on Halifax's Evergreen Festival “Bright” Trail. This enchanting spot is illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights set against the serene backdrop of the ocean. | Nov 22-Dec 15

🗓 Halifax Live Comedy Club Presents Nick Burden: With his small-town charm and fearless approach to any topic, Nick has become a favourite wherever he performs. He is renowned for his exceptional crowd interactions, demonstrating an uncanny ability to connect with every audience he encounters. | Nov 29 | 7pm | $25

🗓 Jont & The Fish with Wobble Wallah: After a long absence from The Carleton stage, spiritual troubadour (Brit/Haligonian/now Cape Bretoner) Jont returns with his new band The Fish—along with the multi-talented Wobble Wallah and special guest Coco Harris—to gang up for a celebratory, feel-good show. | Nov 29 | 8pm | $20

🗓 The Nutcracker presented by Coastal Dance Theatre: Join Clara and her Nutcracker Bear on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets, where they’ll be dazzled by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her enchanting court of sweets and candies. This show for all ages is filled with exciting dance, fierce battles and sparkling tutus and tiaras. | Nov 29-Dec 1 | 7pm | $22

🗓 The Curio Collective Vintage Christmas Show: The Lighthouse Arts Centre will transform into a vintage Christmas wonderland as 40 incredible vintage and antiques sellers from across the Maritimes bring the best of their collections to downtown Halifax! | Nov 30-Dec 1 | 10am | $5

🗓 Halifax International Wine Festival: The second annual HIWF is set to be bigger and better this year as it once again welcomes the wine world to Halifax for what is set to become Atlantic Canada’s largest consumer wine festival. The event will consist of two Tasting Sessions featuring 250 wines from near and far, and will include a selection of premium non-alcoholic wines. | Nov 30 | 2pm and 7pm | From $69.95

🗓 Evergreen Festival: Evergreen Festival is a four-week-long outdoor winter celebration of Nova Scotian culture, food, spirits, craft, art and memorable experiences. Local retailers, restaurants, hotels, attractions and public spaces throughout the Halifax region will offer holiday light displays and festive programming to celebrate the season. | Nov 22-Dec 15

🗓 Pet Parade and SPCA Santa Pics: Starting at the Oxford Taproom, pets decked out in their holiday finest will head east along Quinpool Road and parade all the way to Robie Street, cross to the north side of the street and continue back to the Oxford Taproom. Immediately following the parade, a professional photographer will be set up on-site to take pet portraits with Santa, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to the Nova Scotia SPCA. | Nov 30 | 11am | $20

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The CMA CGM Leo container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 11pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🇮🇹 Experience the authentic flavours of Italy at The Bicycle Thief with the Costoletta alla Milanese: tender bone-in veal chop, focaccia crumb crust, fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sugo.

🌮 There are two new tacos on the menu for Taco Tuesday at Antojo Tacos: Brussels Sprouts (deep fried Brussels sprouts, salsa macha, crumbled fresh cheese, cilantro) and Jackfruit Tinga (marinated jackfruit, crumbled fresh cheese, crema, frizzled onions, cilantro).

👀 In Case You Missed It

☑️ The provincial election Tuesday night saw premier Tim Houston and the PC Party win a historic victory, netting them the most seats of any political party in Nova Scotia’s history. The Progressive Conservative Party gained enough ground to form not just a majority but a supermajority, which requires at least two-thirds of the House of Assembly’s 55 seats. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over the provincial election results, including the NSNDP’s gains and the Liberals’ devastating losses.

🎧 Thrill to a new season of The Grand Parade Podcast: At long last Coast reporter Martin Bauman is back after his paternity leave, and he joins Coast City Hall reporter Matt Stickland to catch up on everything he's missed since being out. In this episode, the two talk about how the newly elected council is shaping up three meetings into their term and much more. Listen now

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