🗞️ Nanas are doing it for themselves!

Happy Friday Halifax,

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of trying to navigate the mental health and addictions system in this province, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about when I say the frustration and confusion are things nightmares are made of.

Alcohol brought me into the hospital more times than I’d love to admit and each time I was treated like a full lepper who was just wasting everyone’s time because the physical suffering I was enduring due to withdrawal was seen as “my own fault”, according to one particularly bitchy nurse. One time I knocked my head against a brick wall over and over in hopes of losing consciousness to a) put myself out of my misery and b) get some actual medical attention. It was a dark time.

But this week, the province announced they are funding researchers to better understand mental health and addictions. Because I am so jaded by a system that is so dysfunctional that you can’t get a human being on the phone to save your life—sometimes quite literally—I remain skeptical, but am encouraged that we’re putting money somewhere other than toll booth destruction or ill-thought out parking projects. The bar is low.

Four early-career researchers were awarded funding through the province’s New Investigator in Addictions and Mental Health grants delivered by Research Nova Scotia. Their work examines mental health experiences among equity-deserving Nova Scotians.

The province will spend up to $100K on dedicated research projects over two years. They will use the findings to inform their work creating universal access to addictions and mental health care.

I’m all for better healthcare for everyone, but I won’t hold my breath that this drop in the bucket will in any way help to fix a completely broken system. But we can always hope 🙏

Have a great weekend out there!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 22°

Tomorrow: ☁️ 21°

Next Day: 🌦️ 19°

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.

OPINION

We asked, you answered!

Last week, we reported that since Nova Scotia has the highest poverty rate in the country, it makes perfect sense that it’s also the province where people have the most difficulty being able to afford period products like tampons and pads.         

That’s why a local advocacy group called The Period Purse is launching a national campaign to bring awareness to the issue of period poverty in the Maritimes.        

 So, we asked you a simple question: if men got their periods, would tampons, pads, cups—all period products—be free?        

 I was expecting some more controversy on this one, but you guys were pretty clear. There were a few that voted no, which is best summed up by one reader who said—and I quote—”What idiot voted the other way?”

Without further ado, here are some of my favourite responses. You guys really are the best!

🤔 Need To Know

👑 The federal government’s reply to the throne speech was adopted in the House of Commons “on division,” meaning no recorded vote was held—it does not need a vote in the Senate.

🏛️ The Houston government says it has taken action to remove trade barriers and red tape with five provinces: Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, Ontario and P.E.I.

👀 Halifax Search and Rescue is warning against fraudsters impersonating their group who claim they’ll use donated cash to search for two missing children in Pictou.

🍻 The Pint on Argyle isn’t just beers and big screens anymore — the kitchen’s stepping up, the patio’s hands-down the best in the city, and Fridays? They’re starting to feel like downtown’s best-kept secret again.*

🎟️ Buy your Feed Nova Scotia 50/50 tickets today for the chance to win cash while supporting food banks, meal programs, and shelters across the province!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY PROHIBITION - SMOKING ACCESSORIES

Halifax, Meet PROHIBITION Smoking Accessories

Something just lit up on Agricola. PROHIBITION has opened its first Halifax location at 2712 Agricola Street, bringing Canada’s go-to destination for premium smoking accessories to the East Coast.

From sleek glass bongs and pipes to premium cigars, rolling papers, grinders, and vaporizers—you’ll find everything you need and plenty you didn’t know you wanted. They’ve also got exclusive streetwear, retro posters, and limited-edition collectibles that make every visit feel like a throwback.

With a bold vibe and a mission to normalize cannabis culture, PROHIBITION blends style, quality, and attitude in one unforgettable retail experience. Whether you’re a daily smoker or just curious, this is your new favourite shop.

WHY WE LOVE HALIFAX

Grannies set to put on a fashion show for a cause

An evening of fashion and homemade desserts is coming to Fall River this Friday, as the Ubuntu Grannies gear up for their annual spring event. The fundraiser, featuring a fashion show and dessert service, aims to support grandmothers in Africa who are raising children orphaned by AIDS.            

The event will take place on Friday, June 6 from 7-9pm at St. John's United Church, located at 3360 Highway. Tickets are $20 and include access to the fashion show, along with tea and a selection of homemade desserts.            

The show will spotlight pieces from Rosebank Boutique, a local store on Hammonds Plains Road.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva has more on these fashionable grannies.

🗞️ In Other News

🚢 A Halifax-based navy ship—along with some U.S. Coast Guard officers—helped seize more than 1,300 kilograms of cocaine in the Caribbean Sea as part of Operation CARIBBE.

🦈 A marine ecologist in Nova Scotia says great white sharks get a bad rap, as more of the animals start making their way into Atlantic Canadian waters—adding they are no cause for fear. 

🎓 According to Jacquie Gahagan of MSVU—who is nearing the end of a three-year research project on the topic—the majority of people who have spent time in foster care need support, not just free tuition, to succeed in higher education.

🍺 Nova Scotia is thinking about expanding the sale of alcohol to convenience stores, but a group of doctors who specialize in addiction have written an open letter to the province expressing their opposition to the idea. 

👩‍🦽 In Nova Scotia, where there's a significant proportion of people living with disabilities, work is underway to measure whether the province is making progress on improving their lives—the Quality of Life Index for Persons with Disabilities is a set of 82 indicators measuring more than a dozen areas of well-being and accessibility.

🚚 Halifax Harbour Bridges says that there's been an increase in the number of overweight vehicles using the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge since the toll plaza was removed.

⚖️ A man has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of a Halifax optician in December 2021—the judge told the court she found the fatal stabbing of 55-year-old Tony Nader to be planned and deliberate.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Matthew Collins - I Made Some More Paintings: These landscape paintings are freely and organically constructed with an emphasis on colour and mark making. Collins loves the raw, natural, ever changing seascapes and often finds himself returning to them time and again. However, the way the painting is executed holds more value to Collins than the subject. Regardless of what or where he is painting, he believes the manner in which the paint is handled should be a novelty for the viewer in and of itself. The artist's use of exaggerated colours and several different painting methods is an attempt to achieve this end result. | Until June 24 | 

🗓 Dancing with Pride - Workshop Series: For those with little to no dance experience, join this 4-week introductory ballroom dancing series in a safe space that celebrates all bodies, abilities and identities. This class will include basic steps and partnering to a mix of music across genres and styles. No partner required! You may lead or follow in this class—whichever role makes you feel the most comfortable. | June 10, 17, 24 | 8pm | Donation ($15 recommended) |

🗓 Lebanese Cedar Festival: Come out to celebrate, promote and foster the Lebanese culture and traditions that have become so integral to Canada’s multicultural mosaic. The Cedar Festival is an opportunity for families and groups of all ages to be together to experience the culture and heritage in a fun, free, and safe atmosphere! | June 5-8 | 

🗓 Oceans and You! Catalyzing action for our ocean and climate: As World Oceans Day approaches, mark your calendars for this annual, free community event to celebrate and engage with passionate groups and advocates for our oceans, marine life, and environment! Everyone, including school classes and community groups are welcome! | June 6 | 9:30am | Free |

🗓 St. Paul's 275th Anniversary Celebrations: The oldest building in Halifax marks its 275th birthday with a wide array of festivities, including an open house displaying past and present, church tours, three military escorted walks from St. Paul’s to the Old Burying Ground further south on Barrington Street for guided tours, an evening event to learn more about the church’s stained glass windows, a Jane Austen birthday tea, and lots of opportunity for conversation about history, art and faith. | June 6-8 | 10am | Free |

🗓 Abbas Wahab - The Joyride Tour: The Canadian comedian and actor has been featured on Just For Laughs and Edinburgh Fringe festivals, and is best known most recently for his role as SWAT officer in M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap. His comedic style has been described as electrifying and sharp, with grounded storytelling. Don’t miss him live at The Carleton. | June 6 | 7pm | $30 |

🗓 Skydiggers with special guest Pillow Fite: Rooted in a deep appreciation for storytelling and melody, their music reflects life’s highs and lows with honesty and heart. Whether on stage or in the studio, Skydiggers create songs that resonate—music made by friends, for friends. | June 6 | 8pm | $56 |

🗓 Planet Gravity Presents - DNB POP-UP: Whether it's house, hip hop, drum & bass, techno, or a fusion of genres, this event is all about pushing boundaries and elevating the vibe. Each year, Planet Gravity proudly hosts one all-ages waterfront event—a major highlight on the Halifax summer calendar. This signature gathering celebrates inclusivity, youth culture, and the vibrant music scene of Atlantic Canada, all set against the scenic backdrop of the Halifax Harbour. | June 6 | 3pm | Free |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

The Island Princess cruise ship arrives in Halifax at 7am and leaves for Canadian seas at 4pm.

The Atlantic Sea container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 3:20pm and leaves for Liverpool at 11:30pm.

The Way Forward container ship leaves Halifax for Jacksonville, FL at 4pm.

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

The IT Integrity offshore supply ship arrives in Halifax from Port Alberni, Vancouver Island at 6:30pm.

The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 10pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍑 New pizza alert! The pizza of the month of June at Morris East is the Peach Pizza: fresh peaches, roasted shallots, goat cheese, prosciutto, rosemary aioli, arugula. 

🇬🇷 Get yourself to the Greek at CHKN Chop for The Tzatziki: fried chicken, tzatziki sauce, tomato, cucumber, pickled onions, black olives and feta spread.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎧 What really makes summer a positive experience, in this writer’s opinion, are the soundtracks that go along with all of the memories we make. To prepare you for all the memories you’ll be making, we’ll be taking a look at some recent local albums and artists you could be listening to. Here is the Coast’s list of can’t miss albums to form the soundtrack to your summer. 

🎤 Fatu M. Kaba is no stranger to transformation. From surviving a civil war in her home country of Liberia to stepping onto the red circle of TEDx Oshawa as a powerful storyteller, leadership coach, model, and mental health advocate, Kaba is now launching something even bigger: she’s bringing TEDx to Halifax. The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke with Kaba about why after being a speaker at TEDx Oshawa, she is preparing to bring the platform to Halifax.

That’s it!

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