Happy Friday Halifax,

I don’t want to talk or even think about Trump today, so let’s just focus on the human rights violations happening right here at home!

Yesterday we reported that the Houston government made changes to its income assistance regulations to exclude homeless residents living in tents from getting access to enhanced financial support—a higher tier of the province's Income assistance standard household rate. Which, if you are unhoused, is $410.

This tier of support used to be reserved for those with disabilities or fleeing an abusive situation. But on August 5—23 days ago—The Nova Scotia’s Court of Appeal ruled that people living in tents were eligible for the enhanced support. This ruling overturned a BS Nova Scotia Supreme Court decision from last year that found a man named Bradley Lowe—who had a disability—did not meet the eligibility requirements for enhanced income assistance because he lived in a tent.

So what did Tricky Timmy and his merry band of psychos do? They just said, screw that, we’ll change the language about what constitutes a “home” in the income assistance regulations and then you can take your Court of Appeal ruling and shove it.

A human rights lawyer—along with anyone with an ounce of empathy and half a brain—correctly assessed that the the government had an opportunity to do the right thing and they’ve in stead changed the law, making sure people living in the worst possible situations stay right where they are.

Of course the minister in charge is like “no, no, no sillies, we changed the wording to make it more clear! Because clarity is good! And we just want to make everyone to see how transparent and clear we’re being. Clear.”

So on Wednesday, they changed the definition of “home” in the Employment Support and Income Assistance Act to mean one of three things:

See, no tents! So clear now.

Because I’m not a complete sociopath and understand the connection between addiction, mental health and poverty, I get that for a lot of people, tents are the only option. And I know that the government thinks that by not giving them money, it will encourage them to, I dunno, suddenly “get their shit together” if they want financial support. But that’s not how these illnesses work and it’s this kind of incredible lack of understanding that fills me with unabated rage.

The city and province do not want people living in tents. I understand that. But this sneaky tactic to spit in the face of the NS Court of Appeal Ruling is so ugly and sends a loud and clear message: this government is fine with people living in deep poverty.

And I know a lot of you will be like, ‘Julie, they should just live in shelters and low income housing’ and that would be nice, but a lot of those places have drug testing and curfews, which are not options for people with addiction issues. And ask anyone that spent any time in that hell hole at The Forum last year: it was literal Lord of the Flies in there.

Bottom line: nobody living in a tent with the basic (essentials) support of $410 a month is going to get out of a tent and into more permanent accommodations. it’s impossible, no matter how clearly you define it.

Please have a safe and restful weekend and take care of each other out there.

All the love and light!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: ⛈️ 25°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 25°

Next Day: ☀ 23°

7-day forecast

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

On Thursday, Music Nova Scotia rolled out the second round of artist showcases for Nova Scotia Music Week 2026.

From Nov 12-15, artists from across the province will gather in Truro for Nova Scotia Music Week 2026. Whether it's to perform, connect with fellow musicians or to potentially become a Music Nova Scotia award winner, singers and songwriters of all kinds will be gathered for four days in one town, all to celebrate local music.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer lists every artist playing Music Week this year.

⚠️ Nova Scotia RCMP are alerting citizens that a high-risk offender is believed to be relocating to the province from New Brunswick—it is believed that Robert Edgar Paul, 35, will be residing in the Millbrook area.

🇨🇦 Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canadians know Lake Ontario will always be known by its original name, after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change it to Lake America earlier Thursday.

🇨🇦 Join the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 and Tribal Fusion Art for a unique hands-on Indigenous Glass Art Experience. Purchase tickets here.*

🎭 The award-winning horror play, Passed Down, will be coming from Toronto to participate in the Halifax Fringe Festival from September 4th-10th. Get your tickets now!*

🏎️ From Terry Fox’s Van of Hope to 100+ legendary vehicles, Steele Wheels brings Canadian history, automotive excellence, community, and rock ’n’ roll together.*

🏡 Adult children of seniors are helping their parents decide whether to age in place. This free guide helps everyone figure it out together.*

🚗 Compact, stylish and ready for the city. Discover the Hyundai Venue at Steele Hyundai and see why big personality can come in a small package.*

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The Paramount offers expansive suites rare for downtown with sleek finishes and panoramic views of the cityscape.

Overlooking Halifax's Public Gardens, and conveniently connected by pathway to Park Lane Mall, it's a place where everything you need is within reach.

Call Kuldeep at (902) 707-0319 or visit The Paramount today.

⛪ Dozens of victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in central and western Nova Scotia are finally set to be paid compensation—nearly four years after the settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth.

🚨 RCMP say that through a “comprehensive investigation” they have determined there were no grounds to lay charges against the owner of the three dogs who killed a boy earlier this year—the incident captured the attention of people across the province, and renewed calls for strengthening dog bylaws.

💰 The Nova Scotia government is receiving more than $100M following the final sale of the timberlands around Northern Pulp—the mill that closed more than six years ago.

👀 The Department of Environment has laid charges following an investigation of an alleged illegal landfill on a 10-hectare property on the outskirts of Halifax—a probe that included drone surveillance and the seizure of equipment.

Steele Hyundai is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Bayers Lake, anticipated to open in 2027. The larger, modern location will double service capacity, improve appointment availability and create a seamless sales and service experience, allowing Steele Hyundai to better serve its growing customer base across HRM.

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

🗓 2026 Summer Multicultural Marketplace and Shows: The event features a vibrant marketplace of local vendors with global roots, including artisans, makers, artists, retailers, food vendors, community organizations, and small businesses. Visitors can enjoy live performances, cultural showcases, interactive workshops, dance experiences, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Designed to advance intercultural understanding, inclusion, and anti-racism, the event creates opportunities for people of all backgrounds to connect, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships. | Aug 28 and 29 | 8pm | $15 | 

🗓 Roger Mooking - SoundBites: Don’t miss Roger Mooking's first solo exhibition in Atlantic Canada, bringing together visual art, moving image, music, and text in an immersive exploration of creativity, memory, and the rhythms of contemporary life. Drawing inspiration from the sampling traditions of Hip-Hop, Mooking recontextualizes reproductions of his own artworks to create a dynamic multidisciplinary environment. | Aug 11 - Nov 8 |

🗓 Halifax Lebanese Festival: Savour a taste of Lebanon in the heart of Halifax at the Halifax Lebanese Festival, a vibrant celebration of Lebanese culture, cuisine, music, and traditions. Enjoy authentic dishes such as shawarma, falafel, tabbouleh, hummus, and baklava while experiencing live entertainment, traditional dabke dancing, cultural performances, and family-friendly activities. | Aug 27 - 30 |

🗓 My Food Journey - Chef Pamela A. LeonForde: Through food, storytelling and music, guests will discover how meals can carry stories of identity, belonging, and home. This is an opportunity to experience the rich connections between culture and cuisine while gathering around the table in the spirit of community. Expect a curated menu of Afro-Caribbean and globally inspired vegan small dishes, with each plate representing a chapter of Chef Pamela's journey | Aug 29 | 6pm | $125 | 

🗓 Wars on the Waterfront - professional armwrestling supermatch event: A 12x12 tent will be set up with a professional armwrestling table. Preset matches will be set and a full card of 10-15 professional Armwrestling matches (best of 5) will be on full display near the drunken lampposts (helipad) area on the waterfront. | Aug 29 | 1:30pm |

🗓 Kyle Hickey Live at YukYuks!: Kyle Hickey is a Halifax-based comedian, writer and actor who got his start at a local open mic over a decade ago. Since then, he’s performed at the Boston Comedy Festival, CBC’s Halifax Comedy Festival and JFL42 in Toronto, while also landing acting roles on YTV and MTV. His live comedy albums, Experimental Phase and The Fresh Prince of Donair, can be heard on SiriusXM’s Canada Laughs and are available on iTunes and Spotify. | Aug 28 and 29 | 8pm | $25 |

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

➡️ The Atlantic Star container vessel departs Halifax for Liverpool at 7am.

🚢 The 7-Waves research vessel arrives in Halifax from Rotterdam at 7:15am.

🚢➡️ The Bakkafoss container vessel arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) at 8:15am and departs for Argentia at 6:15pm.

🚢 The Algoma Acadian tanker arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 11:40am

➡️ The DD Kaufman tug departs Halifax at 1pm.

➡️ The Canadian Argosy barge departs Halifax for Point Tupper at 1pm.

🚢➡️ The Onego Glomma general cargo vessel arrives in Halifax from Belfast at 2:30pm and departs for Baltimore at 11:55pm.

➡️ The Barge Scow 12 departs Halifax for Point Tupper at 3pm.

➡️ The Beaver Key barge departs Halifax for Point Tupper at 3pm.

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

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container vessel departs Halifax for Argentia at 10pm.

🍟 Good Robot Robie’s waffle fries taste like ballpark fries from 25 years ago. Crispy, smoky, beer-friendly, and built for dipping.

🍝 Sketti & Ball Co. is serving up comfort by the forkful, with hearty lasagna, fresh pasta, and delicious homestyle favourites made to satisfy every craving.

🌮 Fresh Latin flavours are just a click away. Order Salt + Sol online, skip the wait, and enjoy waterfront dining your way.

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👀 Halifax Regional Police are looking for a vehicle that hit an adult pushing a child in a stroller in Halifax—it happened in the 2700 block of Clifton Street around 4:05pm on Tuesday.

💸 The Nova Scotia government has made changes to its income assistance regulations to exclude homeless residents living in tents from getting access to enhanced financial support.

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