🗞️ NDP unrolls blueprint for housing

Hey Halifax,

I was going to write something about the US election happening today and how Gen Z is scared and going to hopefully turn out in droves to vote for Kamala, which is—of course—correct. 

But then I thought about that too hard and started to lapse into an anxiety attack that is gathering strength like a damn tidal wave as we get closer and closer to the polls closing.

So, instead, let’s talk about how Taylor Swift is single-wristedly keeping the bead market booming in Canada as retailers are seeing jewellery-making materials fly off the shelves. 

Craft supply chain Michael’s—which will provide more than five million beads to a Taylgate party before her Toronto shows—says it has seen a 300% sales lift in its beads and jewellery categories. And merchants using Shopify Inc.’s software similarly saw sales of jewellery wire rise by 57% and beading patterns by 48% between September 2023 and 2024.

Beaded friendship bracelets are basically Swiftie currency that we make and trade at concerts and if you’re wondering why, it’s because Mother told us to in her song “You’re on Your Own, Kid” in which she sings, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it.”

Aaaaaand, now I have to change the sign in my office to “It has been 0 days since my last Taylor Swift post,” but I do feel better.

Sending you extra love and light on this extra-scary day 💗

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 10°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 18°

Next Day: 🌤️ 9°

7-day forecast

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

NEWS + OPINION

 NSNDP promises to scrap fixed-term leases and lower rent cap if elected

Nova Scotia’s NDP have announced the first part of their housing plan—they promise to abolish fixed-term leases and set a new rent cap if elected. 

In a press release on Oct 31, party leader Claudia Chender said if the NDP form the next government, they will ban fixed-term leases. This practice allows landlords to boot tenants after their lease is up and increase the rent of units, effectively bypassing the 5% annual rent cap enacted by premier Tim Houston’s government. 

Chender also said she would cut the cap in half, meaning yearly increases to rent would not be more than 2.5% of what tenants are already paying. She says she would do this immediately.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer tells you how this plan would help renters.

🤔 Need To Know

🗳️ The Nova Scotia Liberals have presented a four-year $2.3B platform for the provincial election—the 31-page document promises 80,000 new homes by 2032 among other big-ticket items like a 2% reduction in the HST, free public transit and a pledge to build 20 new collaborative health care clinics.

🎭 Previews for Neptune Theatre's production of Disney's Frozen begins Friday, November 8. This promises to be the theatrical event of the year! Tickets start at $40, including fees and taxes.*

🚨 The RCMP says there’s no risk to the public as officers responded to the sudden deaths of two people at a home in Cole Harbour on Monday morning.

💃 Live Art Dance presents another compelling season of contemporary dance. Become a Subscriber! Purchase a Flex Pass. Tickets to three shows $108. Save 20%!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY CRAFT NOVA SCOTIA

Craft Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show

Join us at the Craft Nova Scotia Designer Craft Show from November 15-17, 2024, and experience an incredible showcase of local craft. Discover unique, handmade crafts from makers across the region, perfect for holiday gifting or adding something special to your collection. 

Date: November 15-17, 2024
Friday, Nov 15:  12pm-7pm 
Saturday, Nov 16:  10am-5pm 
Sunday, Nov 17:  10am-4pm 

Venue:
Pavilion 22, Halifax Seaport
1031 Marginal Road, Halifax 

Admission:
Friday & Saturday: $5
Sunday: Free Admission 

ARTS + CULTURE

New book When the World Fell Silent confirms women have always been doing it all

Halifax-based author Donna Jones Alward’s latest work of historical fiction confirms exactly what she’s always believed: women make the world work.

Since 2006, the New York Times bestselling author has enchanted readers with romance novels that have chronicled happy endings (literally and figuratively). But her latest book, When the World Fell Silent, is her first foray into the historical-fiction genre and was inspired by the not surprising—but often hidden—fact that “women are fucking awesome.”

Set in the lead-up to, during and in the aftermath of Halifax’s most notorious disaster, the book chronicles two fictional characters (and several real ones) as they navigate the historically-accurate portrayal of 1917 Halifax and the very real role that thousands of women played in the relief efforts.

The Coast’s Julie Lawrence spoke to Jones Alward about her inspiration for the book and insight into her talk tonight at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Hidden Helpers: Stories of Women and Their Relief Efforts of the 1917 Halifax Explosion.

🗞️ In Other News

🕯️ People gathered to light candles and say prayers for the 19-year-old woman who was found dead at a Halifax Walmart—the vigil took place outside the store where Gursimran Kaur's body was discovered inside a commercial bakery oven on Oct 19.

⚖️ A former Nova Scotia school principal has been found not guilty in a historical sexual assault case after a woman accused hum of giving her an open-mouthed kiss and touching her body at a social function when she was 14.

🥼 A woman who was forced to seek out-of-country treatment that cost more than $100K for her agonizing chronic condition said she welcomes the recent apology from Nova Scotia’s premier—but worries for others who are still suffering in pain without adequate care.

✅ Candidates in the Nova Scotia election can expect some tough questions from Green Nova Scotia First—a citizen’s activist group—around the construction of large wind farms that would generate green hydrogen for export.

🚒 Halifax firefighters found themselves in a sticky situation over the weekend when the sole engine was out of service at the University Avenue station—for several hours no spare truck was available, while Local 268 mechanics worked tirelessly to keep the fleet operational.

SPONSORED BY BESHARAM BAR & GRILL

Savor the Flavours at Besharam!

Besharam Bar and Grill in Halifax is a must-visit for food lovers. Known for its blend of Indian and Canadian flavours, the restaurant offers a warm, inviting atmosphere. They have special rates for all your team dinners and team gatherings, making it the perfect time to try their delicious dishes and experience a unique spin on Indian food.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Disney's Frozen Presented by Neptune Theatre: Newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally sets off an eternal winter in the town of Arendelle, so her younger sister Anna (along with her friends Kristoff, Olaf and Sven) goes off on a thrilling adventure to find her sister and save the kingdom. | Nov 7-Jan 5 | $35

🗓 2024 Women’s University Soccer Championship: The national women’s soccer tournament returns to Dalhousie University for the second time in USPORTS history this weekend. The Tigers boast extensive championship experience, having previously hosted 18 national events. | Nov 7-10

🗓 Mellow Casualty—Paint the Town Yellow Tour: Mellow Casualty comes to Gus’ Pub for their first time in Halifax for the Paint the Town Yellow Tour, joined by local bands Green Eyes Witch Hands and Mojo in the Middle for a night of alternative indie rock. | Nov 8 | 8:30pm | $10

🗓 Grease—A DragAlong Spectacular: The film Grease will play on two massive projector screens on-stage, one on each side. In the middle of the stage, drag, hilarity, burlesque and gender-effery will surprise and amaze you as the classic musical parts of the film are played out live by our drag, burlesque and pantomime performers. | Nov 8 | 8:30pm | $33

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The NYK Constellation container ship leaves Halifax for Port Everglades at 3am.

🛳️➡️ The Vistula Maersk container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 5:15am and leaves for Bremerhaven at 6pm.

🛳️➡️ The Atlantic Sun container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 5:20am and leaves for Liverpool at 5pm.

🛳️➡️ The MSC Celine container ship arrives in Halifax from Corner Brook at 6:15am and leaves for Freeport at 11pm.

🛳️ The AS Felicia container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 3:20pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍲 There’s a new fall favourite on the menu at The Canteen! The Pan Seared Scallops are served over a risotto of pearl couscous, feta, herbs, romesco sauce, toasted almonds and wilted spinach.

🌮 Taco Tuesdays are back at Wave Foods, located inside The Local. The street style taco recipes are both traditional and outside of the box, varying from the classic Carne Asada to Big Mac to Po’Boy.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🛒 As of last Saturday, it's official. Provincial election season is here and with it comes promised policies from each party to convince you that they can make your life better if they're in power. And there are few things that could make the lives of Nova Scotians better than making groceries more affordable. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over each party’s plan to tackle groceries.

🏛️ Do you crave in-depth political reporting and analysis more frequently than every four years? Would you like to know what our councillors are up to between now and the next election? Then boy do we have good news for you! Every Monday, The Coast sends out a municipal politics newsletter that is only available to our subscribers. Do you want to be the most informed person in the group chat? Sign up today.

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