🗞️ Must listens

Happy Friday Halifax,

When I was a very serious drinking woman, I went into an Argyle Street bar, had some beers, then “realized” I had no money. I was fairly promptly picked up by the Halifax police, where they placed me in handcuffs and threw me in the back of their van. After refusing to drive me home to my parents’ house, they took me to the drunk tank.

After about three hours, the police released me with a moderately stern talking to and no mention of charges. As I opened the door to leave, I was hit right in the face with a viscous blizzard that had started blowing while I was in lock-up. I could barely see in front of me. I had no purse, no phone, no coat and no money—and it was 3am. They laughed at me and told me not to let the door hit me on the ass on the way out.

It was a sobering experience—serious pun intended—and one of the scariest nights of my life (and I’ve had some doozies).

That’s the memory that leapt to mind when I read that a veteran federal fisheries officer has been suspended for 10 days without pay for his role in arresting two Mi'kmaq elver fishers late at night, and releasing them in only their sock feet.

The two men were arrested, their phones and waders confiscated, and then they were left at a gas station a 45-minute drive from where they were fishing. After they were asked to leave the gas station, they walked in the cold without boots along a highway in southern Nova Scotia for hours before they were able to borrow a cellphone to reach a friend, who came and picked them up.

The way the police de-humanize vulnerable people in this province is seriously troubling, and I know that from deeply personal experience. 

Let’s try to spread some extra love and light out there, especially around this time of year.

Have a safe and restful weekend,

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 1°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ -3°

Next Day: ☀️ -4°

7-day forecast

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

CITY COUNCIL

Budget season underway at City Hall

It’s been a whirlwind week down at Halifax’s City Hall, as budget season kicked off. Budget season officially started, like it usually does, with council having a budget meeting right before their regular Tuesday meeting—the budget meet being where city staff sought pre-approval for capital projects to ensure the city can make the most out of the upcoming construction season. This lead to pretty serious discussions about how the city buys infrastructure, and what the infrastructure we buy says about our priorities. 

Once the budget meeting was done, there were some spicy words between councillors Shawn Cleary and Patty Cuttell, instigated by Cleary lobbing an unparliamentary jab in Cuttell’s direction. But this debate turned out to be a very nuanced one about the city’s current powers to regulate land use. 

All that and more in Coast City Hall reporter Matt Stickland’s report from Tuesday’s council meeting.

Can’t get enough City Hall? Matt also sat down with The Coast’s Martin Bauman for some post-meeting analysis of Halifax’s new council. Tune in to their podcast discussion to hear what exactly went down when Cleary called Cuttell a spanner wrench, get a breakdown of mayor Andy Fillmore’s secret plan to end homelessness and find out what it looks like when advisory committees take back their power.

🎧 LISTEN NOW

🤔 Need To Know

🎙️ The Halifax Wanderers have inked a long-term deal with 20-year-old striker Tiago Coimbra. Plus, the HRM sets a date to discuss seating expansion at the Wanderers Grounds. The Coast’s Matt Stickland and Martin Bauman break it all down in a brand-new episode of The Wanderer Grounds podcast.

😂 This weekend at Halifax Live Comedy Club: JUNO Award-winning comedian Kyle Brownrigg brings his razor-sharp wit and unforgettable charm to the stage! Tickets on sale now!*

🏛️ Premier Tim Houston's cabinet swearing-in ceremony to kick off his second mandate was a private event that was closed to reporters—breaking the long-standing tradition of the event being open to members of the media.

🎁 Embrace the festive spirit with the North End Halifax Holiday Checklist! Find thoughtful gifts, reconnect, and indulge locally. Make memories while supporting your local community.*

🦷 Halifax Water says the fluoridation of drinking water at its Pockwock Lake facility has resumed after an interruption of more than a year.

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY UNIVERSITÉ SAINTE-ANNE

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Choose between online and in-person learning, part-time or full-time study, in a group or one-on-one setting, and find the right course for you here!

MUSIC

10 albums and EPs from Halifax artists you need to listen to this year

As ever, Halifax’s music scene keeps punching above its weight. From new rap records by Halifax hip hop stalwarts Quake Matthews and Classified, to punk rock from Customer Service and Steel Cut Oats, to synth-pop, reggae and everything in between, 2024 has offered a little something for everyone. This year, we’ve seen bright debuts—hello, Eliza Rhinelander and Mat Elliott—and stellar offerings from some of Halifax’s most established artists.

The Coast’s Martin Bauman counts down 10 of the best local offerings of the year, from Jah’Mila to Joel Plaskett.

🗞️ In Other News

🎣 The lawyer for a Mi’kmaq band that has battled Ottawa over its lobster harvest rights says a deal settling the “centuries-old” fishing dispute is nearly complete.

📮 The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company’s layoffs has been resolved—calling it an important victory for workers’ rights.

🔦 Many people living in Lunenburg and surrounding communities were left in the dark over the weekend after a planned power outage dragged on much longer than expected—with no communication amid freezing temperatures.

📱 A new campaign from Unplugged Canada is urging parents to delay giving kids cell phones until high school—asking them to sign a pledge that they will wait until their kids are at least 14.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Ukrainian Christmas Concert: The Ukrainian Cultural Society of Nova Scotia is hosting its second annual Ukrainian Christmas Concert at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts, 6199 Chebucto Road. The show is a fundraiser to support music education for Ukrainian students and teachers who have been displaced by the war since 2022. Sunday’s concert will feature a short student recital followed by renowned Ukrainian musicians performing a mix of traditional, classical and contemporary music “close to the souls of Ukrainians… but that are universally beautiful for anyone,” says UCS president Vlad Kostylev. | Dec 15 | 6pm | $25 | Read more about the event in a Coast story by Lauren Phillips.

🗓 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. | Dec 13-15   

🗓 Symphony Nova Scotia’s The Nutcracker: When a young girl’s toy comes to life, she’s whisked away to an enchanted world where she meets magical creatures, colourful new friends and the ferocious Mouse Queen. Complete with larger-than-life puppets, spirited dancing and Tchaikovsky’s iconic, hauntingly beautiful music, this tale of magic and wonder is a much-loved interpretation and a delightful holiday adventure for all ages. | Dec 12-15 | 7pm | From $38

🗓 Dickens' A Christmas Carol Presented by Neptune Theatre: In this one-person version, Dickens' A Christmas Carol follows Ebenezer Scrooge on that fateful Christmas Eve as he meets the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. With zippy dialogue, impressive physical comedy and lively audience participation, this show is a tradition for generations of Nova Scotian families. | Dec 5-29 | From $40

🗓 Spontaneity Improv Showcase: Get in on the fun as Spontaneity Improve Company’s group of talented improvisers will be taking the stage and improvising based on your suggestions. | Dec 13 | 7:30pm | $10

🗓 Vintage Christmas Pop Up at Ikea: Whether you missed them at their big vintage Christmas show or you just need one more splash of Curio Collective before the spring, come out and shop their 20 sellers with vintage Christmas decor, gifts, clothing, jewellery and more! | Dec 14-15

🗓 The Celtic Christmas Show: Featuring a talented cast of musicians, singers and dancers, The Celtic Christmas Show at the Alderney Landing Theatre is sure to get your toes tapping and your spirits high. | Dec 14 | 7pm | $33

🗓 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

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🛳️ The CMA CGM Laperouse container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo at 12:15am.

🛳️ The One Cygnus container ship arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 12:15am.

➡️ The MSC Baltic III container ship leaves Halifax for Montreal at 3:30am.

➡️ The One Minato container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 11am.

🛳️➡️ The Karlskrona container ship arrives in Halifax from Pointe Des Galets at 12:15pm and leaves for New York at 11pm.

🛳️ The MSC Pamela container ship arrives in Halifax from Colombo at 12:15pm.

🛳️➡️ The Vivienne Sheri D container ship arrives in Halifax from Portland at 1:15pm and leaves for Argentia at 8pm.

🛳️ The NYK Romulus container ship arrives in Halifax from Antwerp at 3:20pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍓 Satisfy that sweet tooth in style with the Strawberry Rhubarb Donuts at A Frite: cardamom brown sugar syrup, cinnamon cream cheese, mint.

🍔 Put a spicy twist on your weekend burger craving at the Wave Foods pop-up located in The Local with the Kimchi Burger: quarter pound smash burger, double smoked bacon, American cheddar, house kimchi, lettuce, wave sauce, brioche bun.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏆 Fresh off the Canadian release of the film Closer to You, Elliot Page continues to be one of Halifax’s favourite actors, winning Best of Halifax Gold in the Best Film/TV Actor category for the fourth year in a row. It’s been a productive year for one of Nova Scotia’s greatest actors. Page wrote, produced and starred in Closer To You, a story about a trans man coming back to his hometown. He also reprised his role on the fourth season of Netflix’s comic book adaptation The Umbrella Academy, playing the central protagonist Viktor Hargreeves. On top of winning Gold for his acting, he also won a Gold a second year in a row for his book, Pageboy: A Memoir. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer has all of your Arts + Culture Winners for Best of Halifax 2024.

🖼️ Whether it’s shaking up the brain between exams or seeking depths of inspiration as the winter solstice approaches, the Dalhousie Art Gallery’s latest show has you covered. The 69th student, staff, faculty and alumni exhibition showcases the breadth of artistic talent within the Dal and the University of King’s College communities. The show, which opened Nov 29 and runs until Dec 22, features 57 participating artists and 100 artworks, including painting, photography, sculpture, video installations, textiles and more. The Coast’s Lauren Phillips spoke with Pamela Edmonds—director and curator of the show—about this annual tradition.

That’s it!

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