🗞️ N.S. wine future safe...for now

Oh hi Halifax, didn’t see you there!

It would be remiss of me not to mention the SaltWire of it all because it’s on everyone’s salty lips right now. If you haven’t heard, the evil media company that owns the Chronicle Herald has been sold to another—possibly even more evil—media company called Postmedia. 

This should come as a surprise to nobody because SaltWire famously has no money.

Speaking of salty, many of you may not know my dark truth is that I worked at SaltWire last year before being chewed up and spit out like a kernel of bad hiring practices in Saltine supreme Mark Lever’s teeth. And while the whole experience was truly bone-chilling and I have no fond memories of the executive team, it is sad to see this Atlantic Canadian institution go away.

Postmedia has a proud tradition of closing unprofitable publications—having shut down 57 news outlets since 2008. More than any other media company in Canada!! 🎉 A journalism professor who studies Canada’s mainstream media says Postmedia’s pending purchase of SaltWire is “almost certain to result in job cuts and a reduction in local content.”

This is a bummer for a lot of really good and smart people—including all of us news consumers. It’s just a shame none of those good and/or smart people worked in the glass boxes overlooking their Porsches at SaltWire central. They’ll unfortunately be fine.

And so will we here at The Coast because we have you, loyal reader, and you are the best. Have a great day out there!

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 25°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 22°

Next Day: ☁️ 26°

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.

NEWS + OPINION

 Nova Scotia’s wine future is safe—for now

It’s never a great look when the provincial government decides to release the amount of money it spent on an initiative—that it presumably thought was a decent idea to begin with—because the figure “was going to come out in public accounts anyway.” 

But that’s exactly what finance minister Alan MacMaster did when he announced earlier this month that the province spent $1.2 million on a controversial wine subsidy program designed to helped two commercial wine-bottling companies import cheaper grape juice and push local wine producers off the shelves at the NSLC. 

It was a move that rocked the local winemaking community and because of their collective pressure, it seems that the province is walking the program back. For now.

John McLarty owns and operates Planters Ridge Winery—an artisanal winery located in Port Williams, NS—and was in the meeting on January 5 when government officials told vintners that they were planning on subsidizing the commercial bottlers. A move that—if it were to go forward—would, in McLarty’s opinion, devastate the Nova Scotia wine industry.

Julie Lawrence spoke with McLarty about the subsidy, the government’s decision to pause it and the impact it could have on the local wine industry.

🤔 Need To Know

🚨 Halifax police are still searching for two gunmen who exchanged shots in a crowd of people during the annual reunion that brings together former residents and their descendants of Africville.

🖼️ The unexpected awaits at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia! With four new exhibitions there’s something for everyone. Open daily 10am-5pm and free admission 10am-9pm on Thursdays.*

*Sponsored Post

LISTEN

NEW EPISODE - Wanderer Grounds podcast

In this week’s episode of the Wanderer Grounds, Matt Matt and Martin recap Halifax's 0-3 loss to Forge FC. Even though the Wanderers dominated the statistics sheet, they were unable to take any points home from Hamilton. From the defensive lapses and struggles in front of the net it was a disappointing performance in Ontario. 

To top it off there’s the ongoing saga of reaching 2,000 minutes for players on Halifax’s roster under the age of 21, a requirement to make the playoffs. The team’s not likely to make the playoffs the way the season is going, but that, too, should give Wanderers’ coach Patrice Gheisar the freedom to play some younger players. The two talk about all of that, as well as why the Wanderers could use a crusty old guy or two in the locker room, and making an unlikely trade with New Zealand. All that and more in this episode. 

(The ventilation from the Alderney Ferry Terminal can be heard in the background due to sheltering from rain. Sorry!)

🗞️ In Other News

🔋 The federal government announced more than $192M for six clean energy projects in Nova Scotia that will help with the installation of three 50-megawatt battery storage systems to be operated by Nova Scotia Power.

🏢 Dalhousie campuses will reopen today after being closed since Monday following the eviction of the pro-Palestinian encampment on Studley Campus.

🐝 Some beekeepers say the province's recently announced increase in financial support for the industry is a step in the right direction, but doesn't do enough to address major losses they have faced in the last year.

🥊 Wyatt Sanford—a boxer from Kennetcook—was cheered on by family and friends as more than 300 people gathered in his hometown to watch him win his first bout at the Paris Olympics.

🦈 As warning signs are posted at some Nova Scotia beaches this summer, one expert says the white shark population making a big comeback in Atlantic Canadian waters is a signal of population resurgence, not climate change.

🚙 As rents soar, many Nova Scotians are turning to RVs or travel trailers as housing—but municipalities across the province differ on whether it's legal to allow them on a permanent basis.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓Shakespeare By The Sea presents Twelfth Night: Shakespeare’s most complete comedy returns to Point Pleasant Park this summer in a high-energy production full of laughs, sighs and music. Inspired by Vaudeville Theatres of the early 20th century, eight actors take on some of Shakespeare’s most iconic characters in this fast-paced, hilarious version of the classic. | July 18-Aug 30 | From $10

🗓Dear Rita Presented by Neptune Theatre: A musical celebration of Rita MacNeil—the iconic Canadian storyteller who invited us to see ourselves in her music. Rita herself said her life story is “something you could pretty well put anyone into. It’s about one person, but so many of us could be there.” Cape Breton playwright Lindsay Kyte was chosen by Rita’s son, Wade Langham, to develop this show, featuring a cast of six and band, and new, re-imagined arrangements of Rita’s music by PEI composer/musician Mike Ross. | July 30-Aug 25 | From $33

🗓BuskerFest 2024: With stages at the Halifax Seaport, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Sackville Landing, Foundation Wharf and Dartmouth’s Alderney Landing, the 38th edition of Buskers will provide locals and visitors alike with exciting and unique entertainment. | July 31-Aug 5 |  PWYC

🗓Freedom Narratives—Emancipation Day Art Celebration: Celebrate Emancipation Day with a dynamic showcase featuring acclaimed artists and writers. This inspiring event will feature an array of spoken word performances, film screenings and art presentations, each reflecting the rich cultural heritage and resilient spirit of the African Nova Scotian community and beyond. Engage with the artists in an enlightening Q&A panel, fostering meaningful discussions about freedom, identity, and creative expression. | Aug 1 | 6:00pm | Free

🗓Dartmouth Festival Series—Crescendo Festival: Don’t miss this event designed to turn up the volume on Black music artists and put a spotlight on our talented music community. Crescendo is a hub that will create space for other Black artists to engage from across Atlantic Canada. | Aug 3 | 6:00pm | Free

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🛳️➡️ The Pacific Trader container ship arrives in Halifax from New York at 5:20am and leaves for Kingston at 4:00pm.

🛳️➡️ The Vistula Maersk container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 6:15am and leaves for Bremerhaven at 5:00pm.

🛳️➡️ The Siem Confucius container ship arrives in Halifax from Emden at 5:25am and leaves for Jacksonville at 5:00pm. 

➡️ The Morning Calypso vehicle carrier leaves Halifax for New York at 11:30am.

🛳️ The One Hawk container ship arrives in Halifax from Antwerp at 3:45pm.

🛳️ The Acadian oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Charlottetown at 6:40pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍒 Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to a special dessert this week at Bar Kismet: bay leaf ice cream and cherries.

🥟 The beloved pork bun is back at Poke Go and Broth House: chashu (Japanese braised pork belly), shredded lettuce, bun.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🎧 NEW EPISODE - HFX Votes 2024: In this penultimate episode of this election explainer podcast series, The Coast’s Matt Stickland interviews risk management expert Bruce Manion. This episode is a direct result of Halifax’s Auditor General’s recent audits, in which he found the HRM’s risk management framework to be a bit of a hot mess. Listen now.

🎤 Stefan Babcock is no stranger to feeling like his world is falling apart. The lead singer of award-winning Toronto punk rock band PUP, Babcock pens most of his lyrics from a place of existential angst, from the self-spiraling anthem “DVP” to uncontrollable external conflicts described in “Scorpion Hill.” The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer spoke with Babcock about the band’s angst-fueled creative process and the evolution of their sound on their latest record, THE UNRAVELING OF PUPTHEBAND.

📱 The Nova Scotia government says it has opened a helpline for anyone seeking counselling after five people were shot over the weekend.

🛒 The provincial opposition is calling the new program meant to encourage residents to buy local “gimmicky” and “laughably stupid”—and shoppers aren’t impressed either.

That’s it!

Thanks for reading The Coast Daily today.

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Haligonian.

And before you go, let us know: