Magical restaurant in Margaree's Harbour

Good morning, Halifax 👋

I’m sure you all know this by now, but everything I’m about to say is purely my opinion, but it’s an opinion honed by nearly a decade of witnessing hate movements form around conservative thinkers.

One of the most influential by far was Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month while attempting to blame trans people for mass shootings. Before I continue, let me be clear: political violence is never OK. Kirk should not have been assassinated. I abhor the idea of anyone being killed for their political beliefs, no matter how dangerous and destructive.

I have watched Charlie Kirk debate university students for almost a decade. I’ve seen him argue it out with left-leaning political figures, streamers, and activists for years. Charlie Kirk was the right-wing final boss of online debates. With all of that in mind, I can confidently say this: Charlie Kirk was a racist, sexist, hate-mongering fascist. He also showed appreciation for political violence towards anyone not on his side. The clips are out there.

Kirk’s real crime was spreading his hateful rhetoric to young men all across America through Turning Point USA, an extremist right-wing advocacy group that promoted the same ideals Kirk would spout online and through his debates. Wonder why there are reports coming out of young Republicans, some political staffers, actively admitting in texts that they’re full-blown Nazis? Kirk is partly to blame. He radicalized youth to join a movement full of hatred and vitriol. He’s one of many reasons that Trump took office for a second time.

Now, imagine my shock learning that there is a similar figure in Canada attempting to do the same thing, dog whistles in hand. This time, it’s a federal politician radicalizing young men.

Jamil Jivani, a Conservative MP, is on what he calls his Restore the North tour. Citing Stats Canada regarding the over-representation of young men in crime and overdose stats, Jivani’s goal seems to be to help these young men along by… well, converting them to an extreme conservative ideology through university and college tours. It’s in the style of Kirk in that Jivani and a rotating cast of Conservative MPs debate students who, no offense, are just getting into politics and probably aren’t that skilled at debating.

Like Kirk, these people can clip the debates, post them online, and attract a massive following. Jivani has expressed extreme right-wing views on immigration, Christian rights (as if Christians aren’t the dominant religious group in Canada), and the end of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. He’s admitted that he wants to follow in Kirk’s footsteps. According to CBC, some young men at Jivani’s rallies have said white men are the most disenfranchised group when it comes to the job market.

I am a free-speech absolutist at heart, and while I acknowledge Jivani’s right to do whatever the hell he wants, I do not want to see a Turning Point USA-style organization appear in Canada. We cannot let hatred breed through young men who are feeling out of control of their lives because of an on-going affordability and loneliness crisis. We cannot have American style politics become the norm here. Shame on anyone who tries to do so—especially our political leaders.

Happy Friday. See you next week.

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 16°

Tomorrow: ☀️ 14°

Next Day: ☀️ 12°

7-day forecast

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

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

FOOD + DRINK

Margaree’s Magical Woodroad Restaurant

Destination restaurants often live off the radar of awards. In a recent article, I questioned whether lists like Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants or Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants explore fully enough the dining gems hidden at the end of our country roads. While Halifax has no shortage of great restaurants, ask many seasoned diners where the most exciting meals are found, and they’ll point beyond the city to small towns such as Canning or Lunenburg and rural kitchens across the province. These rural destinations are quietly redefining Canadian cuisine.

Until recently, I had never heard of Cape Breton’s Woodroad restaurant. As I soon learned from co-founder and Head Chef Daryl MacDonnell, that’s by design. The 25-seat seasonal restaurant, tucked away on the edge of Margaree Harbour, relies entirely on word of mouth. It’s a strategy that has clearly worked, as every night, the dining room fills to capacity. My partner and I, joined by two friends who had heard rumblings of a culinary oasis in Cape Breton, managed to secure one of the last reservations of the season. We were all eager to see if the whispers of praise were warranted.

The Coast’s food critic Mark DeWolf takes a trip to Cape Breton to experience the Woodroad Restaurant.

🤔 Need To Know

⚡ Nova Scotia’s Liberal Party is calling on the government to order an independent review of Nova Scotia Power following the utility’s cybersecurity breach earlier this year—NSP has applied for a power rate increase despite losing the personal information of hundreds of thousands of customers to hackers.

👨‍⚕️ A study from the Montreal Economic Institute shows Nova Scotia is having trouble keeping nurses in-province—57 nurses are leaving for every 100 entering the workforce.

🏫 Part-time faculty at Saint Mary’s University have taken to the picket lines alongside Mount Saint Vincent staff after contract negotiations fell through on Wednesday—their union is arguing to raise the wages for part-time staff.

🎭 On Stage Now: Neptune Theatre’s How the Other Half Loves is a classic British farce full of misunderstandings, unraveling marriages, and chaotic hilarity. Starting at $33!*

🥞 The Pint’s Brunch = Halifax’s weekend win. Dive into bold flavours, bottomless vibes, and your favourite pub classics reimagined. Vote The Pint as Best Brunch in the Best of Halifax!*

📖 Readers and writers meet at AfterWords. Take a writing workshop, pick up a new favourite read, or have brunch at The Carleton with Jesse Wente and David A. Robertson!*

🧖 Spirit Spa helps skin adjust to the season. Spend $199 on Eminence Organics, receive a free masque, plus enjoy free shipping. Offer ends October 31.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY MAYWORKS / KJIPUKTUK HALIFAX

MAYDAY: Confession Publique

Live Art Dance and Mayworks Kjipuktuk/Halifax present Confession Publique by Montreal's MAYDAY, November 14th & 15th at Alderney Landing Theatre.

Its title serving as a promise, Confession Publique explores ambiguity and paradox, probes the noble and the vulgar, oscillates between grace and brutality.

The connection is intimate, intimidating. The performance becomes the setting for questions asked a thousand times over: our relationship to the world, how the environment holds our destinies in its hands, and the power others have to dictate and dominate our life-choices.

Tickets on sale now.

🗞️ In Other News

🚨 Police have charged a 29-year-old man after getting into a car chase in the Halifax’s North End Tuesday night—the vehicle crashed into a concrete base of a traffic control box before police arrested him.

🚑 The 911 dispatchers union says poor response times happen frequently due to inadequate staffing and training, as well as a new dispatch system using outdated maps—this comes after an urgent call from police in February resulted in paramedics arriving after 40 minutes.

🚓 A Halifax man was charged after robbing a Subway restaurant with a knife on Tuesday evening in Dartmouth—police say the man took the food from the workers and left before being arrested by police.

SPONSORED BY EFES TURKISH CUISINE

Your Table, Turkish Style

Efes Turkish Cuisine brings the warmth of Turkey to your table — from sizzling kebabs to creamy dips that steal the show.

Experience the Turkish hospitality at 771 Bedford Highway, and get ready for the upcoming downtown location at 5650 Spring Garden Rd!

Reserve now.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Francofest 2025: Francofest is Halifax's festival of Francophone cultures. Come party in French, practice the language, or simply enjoy Francophones cultures. | Oct. 23-Nov. 1 |

🗓 Yuk Yuks Halifax presents Carey Lee: The East Coast's funniest and most prolific musical comedian comes to Halifax. Hosted by Morgan Cranny and featuring Etay Kuperman. | Oct. 24-25 | 8:00PM | $25.00 |

🗓 HFX Premiere & Awards Atlantic Canada 48 Hour Film Project: 18 teams of about 200 filmmakers drew genres and had to make 4-7 minute films including a character, line and prop in only 48 hours. This premiere at the Halifax Central Library shows what happens when creativity meets an intense deadline. | Oct. 24-25 | 7:00PM | $22.92 |

🗓 ReJigged Festival: The 16th annual ReJigged Festival is returning to the Christ Church Sanctuary and Hall in Dartmouth for a weekend where tradition meets innovation. Get tickets to all your favourite acts, as well as workshops and a céilí. | Oct. 23-25 | From $40 |

🗓 Halloween Haunt: Join us for our fun-filled, fully inclusive Halloween haunt and dance featuring DJ ACE. Put on your favourite costume and dancing shoes. All ages and abilities welcome. Taking place at the Bethany United Church. | Oct. 24 | 7:00PM | From $5 |

🗓 Spontaneity Improv October Showcase: Get ready for a night of quick wit, bold characters, and laugh-out-loud moments as Spontaneity Improv Company brings you a high-energy Improv Showcase! Featuring our talented performers and rising stars, this unscripted performance is packed with scenes and games made up entirely on the spot — all inspired by your suggestions. Taking place at the Bus Stop Theatre. | Oct. 24 | 7:30PM | $17.31 |

🗓 Safe Halloween: Join the annual Safe Halloween celebration and watch as Queen's Marque is transformed into a courtyard full of Halloween fun. All money from sales go to Feed Nova Scotia. | Oct. 25 | 12:00PM |

🗓 Jack O'Lantern Walk: Come out to the Nine Mile River Trails for a Jack O’Lantern Walk. Cash donation upon entry, all donations go to maintaining the trail. | Oct. 25 | 3:30PM |

🗓 The Craft Beer Kitchen Party: Come down to the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel for the Craft Beer Kitchen Party, a celebration of the finest Nova Scotian craft brew from twenty local breweries. | Oct. 25 | 7:00PM | $68.48 |

🗓 Halifax Mooseheads: The hometown team takes on the Cape Breton hockey club at the Scotiabank Centre. | Oct. 25 | 7:00PM | $29.25 |

🗓 Ghostly Gala: The Storytellers Circle of Halifax and the Helen Creighton Folklore Society present the Ghostly Gala at the Cole Harbour Heritage Farm Museum. Prepare for a truly spooky experience as the Tellers recite ghostly tales and spooky stories. By the end of the evening you’ll be filled with the spirit of Halloween! | Oct. 26 | 7:00PM | From $12.00 |

🗓 Spooky Fun for Little Monsters: Bring your kids out to this family-friendly Halloween party at the Museum of Natural History. Puppet shows, bug cooking, phobias and more! | Oct. 26 | 10:00AM | From $4.00 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Algoscotia tanker departs Halifax for Sydney at 6am.

🚢➡️ The Majestic Princess cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 8am and departs for Canadian seas at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Insignia cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 10:30am and departs for Canadian seas at 7pm.

🚢➡️ The CMA CGM T. Roosevelt container ship arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 10:45am.

🚢➡️ The MSC Kilimanjaro IV container vessel arrives in Halifax from Sines at 11:15am and departs for Montreal at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container vessel departs Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

☕ Listen cafe have some new espresso-based drinks you need to try: a pistachio dirty made with Brazil espresso, pistachio foam and dairy, and the yuzu espresso tonic, made with Brazil espresso, honey yuzu and tonic water.

🥪 Rinaldo’s buffalo chicken caeser hero is a must-try. Buttermilk fried chicken, buffalo sauce, bacon, romaine lettuce, caeser dressing and parm between two slices of garlic bread with cheese.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎭 Neptune Theatre’s production of How the Other Half Loves is finally home after selling out its summer run in Ontario. The British comedy opened Monday night after selling out its summer run at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Ontario. Now, Halifax audiences get their chance to see what all the laughter was about. Written by Sir Alan Ayckbourn—one of Britain's most celebrated playwrights—the 1970 farce follows three married couples whose lives become hopelessly tangled through infidelity and misunderstanding. Frank is the boss who employs both Bob and William. Bob is having an affair with Frank's wife, Fiona, while his own marriage to Teresa is falling apart. Meanwhile, Mary wrongly suspects her husband William of cheating. The Coast’s Emily Edwards writes on the hilariously chaotic play How the Other Half Loves, playing at the Neptune Theatre until Nov. 16.

🗳️ Former residents and descendants of Africville have voted to dismiss the board of the Africville Genealogy Society—members have criticized the board for a lack of accountability, primarily in holding board elections every three years.

🚨 Colchester County RCMP have arrested two youths after a video was circulated of a violent assault on another youth in August—the victim, who was allegedly threatened with death by the other youth, sustained serious injuries.

That’s it!

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