Dal students rally for Houston to extend rent cap amid housing crisis

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HOUSING

Students rally for premier Houston to extend the cap on rent increases

When Dalhousie University student Katie Cheslock and her roommates were coming up to the end of their one-year lease on their Jubilee Road-area apartment last August, they took comfort that, in re-signing, they would be covered under Nova Scotia’s temporary 2% rent cap. Introduced in November 2020 under then-provincial housing minister Chuck Porter, the temporary measure had been extended by Tim Houston’s government in 2021, in response to a housing crisis “never seen before in our province.” 

Halifax’s vacancy rate was among the lowest of anywhere in Canada. (It still is.) The average two-bedroom Halifax apartment cost nearly $200 more per month than the national average. Renters deserved “certainty and peace of mind,” Service Nova Scotia minister Colton LeBlanc said in a statement at the time. Instead, Cheslock says her landlord offered them another fixed-term lease with a 6% rent increase—three times what the province’s legislation permitted. Facing what felt like limited options, they signed it.

A group of more than 40 students and community members rallied outside of Province House on Tuesday afternoon. They’re the latest in a line of housing advocates calling on Houston’s government to extend its rent cap past the end of December—and to amend its fixed-term lease legislation, which they say leaves tenants in the lurch.

Need to know

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 6C and a low of -6C.

⚠️ Nova Scotia Health is warning the public of an issue with some naloxone kits. The kits have been widely distributed in an effort to prevent opiod deaths, but they don’t all contain the drug used to stop an overdose. People without naloxone in their kits are encouraged to exchange them. Read more here.

🤼 All 2023 North American Indigenous Games sporting competitions and cultural celebrations are open to the public, July 15-23. Pjila’si—We’re saving you a seat.*

💲 It’s tax season! If you need a little extra assistance filing this year, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission is hosting a free drop-in tax clinic through H&R Block’s Returning Hope Program. Find more info here.

🎭 Our Ballad of the Motherland giveaway is still happening! If you haven’t yet, reply to this email telling us why you’d like to attend the world premiere show at Neptune Theatre for a chance to win two free tickets.

*Sponsored Post

ENVIRONMENT

IPCC says politicians must act now to prevent climate disaster. HRM politicians say nah.

The International Panel on Climate Change released a report last week. It’s pretty dire. Even though our politicians have spent years touting policies that will eventually fix climate change, they haven’t actually done much to implement them. This means the earth is on track to blow past its 1.5-degree warming threshold. The report warns our political leaders that they must act now if there is to be any hope of preventing the worst effects of climate change.

In this context, city council debated at Tuesday’s meeting whether or not to end the almost $5 million subsidy it gives to the airport. Council was given the opportunity to end a fossil fuel subsidy today, to act now before it’s too late. And council blew it.

SPONSORED

Happy Burger Bash, Halifax!

Your support through this event has a real awesome impact.

We know food is not the solution to food insecurity, but people need food today. Funds raised through Burger Bash help us collect and distribute approximately 3 million kilograms of food annually to 140 food banks, meal programs, and shelters across Nova Scotia. And, at the same time, they help us raise awareness of the root causes of food insecurity, and advocate for sustainable, policy-based solutions. Because every Nova Scotian should live a life of dignity, and no one should have to rely on charitable bandaids to address human rights.

Head here to learn more about why Nova Scotians are food insecure.

Halifax Burger Bash takes place March 23-April 1.

RAMADAN RESOURCE

The halal burgers of Burger Bash

If you’re looking for halal burgers during this year’s Burger Bash, look no further. We’ve got a great selection from different restaurants across the HRM.

Burger Bash takes place from March 23 to April 1, during the first week of Ramadan. If you fast for Ramadan, most of these restaurants serving up halal burgers are open after sundown. Find the perfect burger for you here.

Things to do

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

🎤 Graham Howes: Graham Howes is paying tribute to Tom Waits with a performance at Halifax Central Library | Tonight | 7:30pm | Free.

🧑‍⚖️ Annual Weldon Literary Hoot: Dalhousie Law students are putting on the 12th annual Literary Hoot. This year's mock trial topic? The Grinch v. Whoville | Thursday | 7pm | $5-$30.

😂 The Comedy Cove: The Comedy Cove will be at Serpent Brewing this coming Friday for an evening of chuckles and cheer | Friday | 8pm | $20.

Find more Halifax events in The Coast listings

SPONSORED

Delicious burgers are on the menu

What’s the True North Seafood secret to the tastiest salmon burgers? Easy, we use simple ingredients to give you a delicious home-style taste that will make your tastebuds happy. Packed with 23 grams of protein, these salmon burgers are wonderfully versatile.

Order today!

In other news

🚗 Engineering students at Dalhousie have designed Atlantic Canada’s first solar-powered car, and will be racing it at the Formula Sun Grand Prix in Kansas. CTV has the story.

🩺 Dartmouth General Hospital will be using a $3 million donation from J&W Murphy Foundations to improve the Geriatric Care Nurse Practitioner Program, the hospital’s palliative care, African Nova Scotian Healthcare Bursaries, and to upgrade hospital equipment and tech.

🚨 A 15-year-old student has been charged with attempted murder and multiple other charges in relation to the stabbings that occurred at a Bedford high school on Monday.

📑 Nova Scotia’s legislature started its spring session yesterday. Outside Province House was the rent cap rally (see above). Inside, the government introduced the Patient Access to Care Act, focused on reducing paperwork and working towards better patient care and healthcare recruitment. Read what it means for you here.

Hodgepodge

🍸 Compass Distillers is hosting a $10 Happy Hour and Local Vendor Pop-up featuring Comfort Halifax. Come on down and enjoy some good food and drinks this Thursday between 5pm-8pm.

🗳 Thank you to everyone who has participated in our reader survey so far. If you haven’t shared your thoughts with us yet, let us know what you think about The Coast and the content we share here.

🥪 Good news coming out of a north end staple! Dee Dee’s Ice Cream has brought back its famed grilled cheese sandwich.

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