Oh hey Halifax, didn’t see you there.

This morning I’m in stitches about the back-to-back stories I just read on another news site. They are literally right beside each other, which is delightful.

The first article was about how big, bad Tim Houston took to the most relevant social media platform known to mankind—Facebook—to condemn Donald Trump for threatening Canada with tariffs because we were unable or unwilling to force our smoke to stay within country limits.

Speaking to reporters Sunday night, Trump said the fires are poisoning U.S. air and need to stop. Which is a brilliant idea that we never even thought of: just make the fires stop! Easy peasy. He also suggested Canada should pay damages and threatened to increase tariffs due to the smoke. Which is…yeah.

In the Facebook video, Houston says “Real friends do not threaten you when you are in trouble,” he added. “They step up and help.” Which is so true. When Los Angeles was burning down, we sent help. It’s what civilized people do. But also, I would argue, real friends don’t let friends post deeply embarrassing videos on Facebook, so Tim, I would have a long, hard look at your communications team 👀.

But after Timmy’s tough fighting words, came the second article where Trump came right back Monday night with the threat of new 50% tariffs on a variety of Canadian products, including booze, cement, down coats….and I can’t believe I’m typing this, but…hockey sticks.

Monday's announcement comes as the U.S. pushes for significant changes to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA): changes that would lock any Canadian trade concessions into the text of a trade deal. The tariffs aren’t scheduled to take effect until Aug 19 because Trump’s hoping Prime Minister Carney will feel threatened enough to capitulate to the US’s demands re: CUSMA if given a month to shake in his loafers.

Meanwhile, nine provinces have agreed to introduce direct-to-consumer alcohol sales—a step forward in breaking down interprovincial trade barriers that prevent the free movement of alcohol across Canada. This is part of a larger push to make Canada a stronger and more self-reliant economy. Suck on that America.

But back to the hockey sticks of it all. Bitch, please. What’s next? Our beavers are going to need proper papers to cross border forests or ICE will grab them by their flat ass tales?

Really, I’m just deeply gratified to know that Houston has as much influence on the US President as I initially believed: exactly none.

Love and light and start stockpiling hockey sticks yesterday! 🏒🏒🏒

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: ⛈ 21°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 20°

Next Day: 🌤️ 25°

7-day forecast

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

Amanda Hodgson and Jaime Horbul started thinking about how they would run their own business if they were in charge years ago. What was then a hypothetical is now a reality.

Both former stylists and members of the leadership team at a bustling downtown salon and spa for years, they have gone out on their own to create a different kind of hair studio experience. The space at 5487 Inglis Street is small, has just two very comfortably large barber chairs and lots of feminine style. It even has a lazy boy sink where clients can recline, take a load off and sometimes even grab a nap.

The Coast’s Julie Lawrence met with the new JAM Hair Studio owners to talk about taking the leap out on their own.

⚠️ The minister of emergency management is asking Nova Scotians to prepare for flooding as the province is expected to receive a significant amount of rain over the next few days.

🏢 For the first time, the Nova Scotia government is holding public consultations for a Halifax-area development—the province’s executive panel on housing in the HRM is accepting online feedback and questions about a proposed housing development in Fall River.

⛺ A shooting at a city-run park across from a Halifax emergency shelter occurred days after municipal officials were urged to take security action to prevent risky behaviour from escalating in the green space.

🎭 Shakespeare By The Sea is ON STAGE NOW until August 30th! Use the code JULY5 for $5 off seats in July. Get your seat today!*

*Sponsored Post

What if your greatest source of stress is worrying about things that haven't happened yet? Worry often promises certainty but rarely delivers it. Instead, focus on what you can do today, even if it's one small step. Tomorrow is easier to face when today receives your attention.

😡 A groundskeeper making early morning rounds on Monday at the Public Gardens in downtown Halifax discovered a tree had been hacked with a sharp object—the incident is being investigated by the police.

🐟 Federal fisheries officials have seized more than $170K worth of halibut after a captain was allegedly found fishing in a protected area in Nova Scotia.

🥀 Tributes are pouring in for a Dalhousie University engineering professor and cyclist described as a mentor and father figure who died following a road accident in Halifax.

🚨 Halifax police stopped a vehicle, which led to the three people inside being arrested—the driver was charged with operation of a conveyance while prohibited and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

🩺 Karen Oldfield understands why people are asking questions about the new job she started earlier this month—but the former interim CEO of Nova Scotia Health is “unfazed.”

⚖️ A charity focused on making legal information more accessible to new Nova Scotians has launched a new digital library offering resources, guides and videos that have been translated into nine languages.

🚨 A 65-year-old man from Kentville has been charged with sexual assaults that allegedly happened between 1975 and 1991—police say the man is facing charges of sexual exploitation of a young person, sexual assault and three counts of indecent assault.

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

🗓 Haliwood Queers: Join host Anna Mona-Pia and a slew of queer Halifamous celebrities in a classic game of trivia tic-tac-toe. Contestants from the audience will compete for glamorous local prizes, wading through campy questions and hilarious answers to determine who is telling the truth, and who is bluffing. | July 23 | 7:30pm | $10 |

🗓 Sloan - Live at the Shore Club: Over the course of their quarter-century career, Sloan have amassed an outstanding collection of over 250 songs and more than 30 singles with airplay at Canadian Rock Radio. Sloan has received nine Juno Award nominations and won for Best Alternative Album in 1997. The band was named one of Canada’s top five bands of all-time in a CBC critics poll. | July 23 | 9:30pm | $56 | 

🗓 HFX Wanderers Soccer: Come cheer on the home team at The Wanderer’s Grounds as they take on Supra du Québec | July 24 | 7pm | $32.80 |

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

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and departs for New York at 4pm.

🚢➡️ The MSC Salina III container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 6:15am and departs for Antwerp at 9:30pm.

🚢 The Oceanex Sanderling container vessel arrives in Halifax from St. John’s at 1:25pm.

🌅 Authentic Latin flavours meet the Halifax waterfront. Order online to skip the line, then collect your fresh Salt + Sol bites and enjoy!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “One of the juiciest, most savoury burgers I have ever had.” Good Robot Robie’s Smash Burger is now our #1 seller.

🍦At Sweet n' Salty, every waterfront visit is sweeter with creamy soft serve and your choice of dips, creating the perfect treat for every stroll.

*sponsored

🎸 As far as Halifax's emo scene goes, idialedyournumber has a sound unlike any other, and that has only become clearer with the release of her third publicly available album. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Everill about idialedyournumber’s new album Teenage Widow and her first foray in professional recording and production.

🚲 Halifax police report that a 71-year-old cyclist has died in hospital after the driver of a pickup truck opened its door into his path—the driver of the pickup truck was issued a summary offence ticket.

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