🗞️ How bad is Halifax in winter?

Good morning, Halifax!

As we’re coming up to the end of 2025, I’ve been putting a lot of thought into what local artists and albums made my year.

There’s a few that I can name off the top of my head, but the unfortunate side effect of writing about music means I listen to maybe a little too much of it. Paired with being a very forgetful person, it means that I may have lost track of a few niche favourites from the first-half of the year.

As I’m looking to do a best-of album round-up for the end of 2025, I’m asking you, our beloved readers, to give me some suggestions that I may have somehow missed over the last year. I feel like I’m pretty in tune with the rock and folk scenes for the most part, but I know I can get a little lost when it comes to other genres. I really want to explore more of the Halifax hip-hop scene, for certain, and I know there are plenty of great pop and R&B singers in the city, as well.

So instead of the usual political ramblings, I want to ask all of you: what local albums should I be giving a shot before the end of the year? Feel free to fire off an email and let me know your favourites.

Have a great day!

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 6°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ -5°

Next Day: ☁️ -2°

7-day forecast

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

POLL

Is winter in Halifax really that bad? We asked our readers

This winter has been a rough start for some parts of Nova Scotia, but Halifax has yet to have any snow stick around. While that may be the case, we all know that it’s coming sooner or later.

Last week, we posed the question to our readers: is the snow in Halifax really that much of a hassle? There have certainly been some awful storms that have impacted infrastructure over the years, but outside of major weather events, is the snowfall in Halifax manageable for the city’s residents?

We asked, and our readers answered in an incredibly surprising fashion. Over 96 percent of you said the snow in Halifax was perfectly manageable—that’s with 827 responses. Less than four percent (32 responses) said they found the snow to be a lot.

This is a question dependent on the individual and how comfortable they are with the city’s snow. Ask someone from Florida who just moved to Halifax about shoveling their driveway and they’ll have some choice words for whoever controls the weather. Ask someone from Labrador and they’ll likely tell you it’s a breeze.

Many of you are perfectly comfortable with the amount of snow we get each year, and there’s something special about that. It’s nice when you’re able to enjoy the weather, even when it’s a tad frigid.

However, regardless of your comfort, we should continue to push for those that have trouble getting around in the wintertime, able-bodied or not. Many residents have to walk place-to-place, and some roads and sidewalks can be particularly difficult to traverse during the winter.

If someone says they’re struggling, have their back. If there’s a sidewalk or street not being cleared, talk to city staff. If they don’t answer, talk to your councilor. There’s probably many more folks who are in a similar position who could use the support.

🤔 Need To Know

⛔ The premier’s office responded to Sipekne’katik First Nation banning Tim Houston and his ministers, saying the government takes threats to their safety very seriously—Sipekne’katik chief Michelle Glasgow recently said if Houston or his ministers step foot on their land, they will be fined $50,000.

🏕️ The homeless encampment in Lower Flinn Park has been cleared as of Wednesday morning after being de-designated in early November—over 1,000 people are currently homeless in HRM.

🔍 Halifax police are asking for any tips to solve a 70-year-old murder cold-case—Michael Leo Resk was found dead in the back of a van with gunshot wounds in 1955, with police saying any new information could help them progress the investigation.

🛍️ Enjoy a free holiday shopping party in downtown Dartmouth on Saturday, December 13 from 11am-2pm. There will be on-street carolling & FREE hot chocolate at participating businesses to keep you warm while exploring local shops.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN CENTRE FOR VACCINOLOGY

Inpatient research volunteers needed

The CCfV Challenge Unit, located in the IWK, is seeking healthy adults for multi-day inpatient studies. Volunteers stay in private rooms with meals, Wi-Fi, and 24/7 medical care. You’ll help advance vaccine research and receive compensation for your time.

Learn more or sign up to take part.

🗞️ In Other News

🏥 The QEII Halifax Infirmary and Dartmouth General will introduce a new AI-powered security screening system to detect weapons—they are expected to be up and running by Saturday, Dec. 13.

🦞 A lobster dealer arrested in an undercover operation has pleaded not guilty to earlier charges of intimidation—Eric Thibault, 66, is also charged with trafficking cocaine, dangerous driving and conspiracy to commit arson.

⚖️ Cape Breton gynecologist Manivasan Moodley has been found guilty of professional misconduct involving the care of two female patients—Moodley performed an operation during one patient’s labour without her consent, and refused to perform a tubal ligation to prevent another woman from having children.

SPONSORED BY GRAPE ESCAPES NS WINE TOURS

Wine Tour Gift Certificates

Purchase for any amount or a specific tour and your guest chooses the date they want to go. Give an experience to the person on your list who loves local, wine and getting out of the city on a Grape Escapes NS Wine Tour.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Barprov Improv Mayhem Duo Match-up: Watch the Spontaneity Improv folks split up into duos to get a chuckle or two. They’ll compete for audience votes! Happening at the Rox Live. | Dec. 11 | 7:30PM | $17.31 |

🗓 Halifax Mooseheads Hockey: Watch your hometown team take on the Charlottetown Islanders at the Scotiabank Centre. | Dec. 11 | 7PM | From $27.25 |

🗓 Evergreen Festival: A four-week-long festival celebrating everything Nova Scotian: culture, foods, spirits, crafts, art and experiences. Check out the website to plan your perfect Evergreen Festival. | Nov. 21-Dec. 14 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Zim China container vessel arrived in Halifax from Algeciras at 5:50am and departs for New York at 8pm

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Star container ship arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 10:20am and departs for New York at 6:30pm.

➡️ The Atlantic Cedar tug boat departs Halifax at 8pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍴 Mothership Breads has a new loaf you need to try: a six-inch sourdough focaccia with roasted potatoes, rosemary, asiago and a sprinkled-parsley finish. You can find it at the Bliss Caffiene Bar.

🍴 Maria’s Pasta Bar & Pantry is stocked up on homemade pizzelle: thin, crispy, lightly sugared, a hint of anise and little festive sprinkles baked inside. Available in packs of six.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏡 New reports from Royal LePage and the federal government show Halifax has a relatively stable housing market, but that doesn’t mean it’s any more affordable. According to new data released by real estate agency Royal LePage, homebuyers and homeowners in Halifax can rest assured that their investments will weather our current economic storm. While the housing market seems to be on track for 2026, the rental market remains stable but pricey. According to new numbers from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation from Dec. 2, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Halifax is $1,840. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,310. These figures are based on third-quarter reporting in 2025. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over housing statistics from across the board to determine Halifax’s overall housing affordability.

🚨 A new Statistics Canada report shows Nova Scotia had the highest provincial rate of human trafficking in 2024—the recorded rate is 4.5 out of 100,000 people, far above the national average of 1.5 per 100,000.

👶 Nova Scotia isn’t meeting its targets on childcare, according to a new report—while progress has been made, affordability, the creation of new spaces and working conditions for early childhood educators are still off-target.

That’s it!

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