🗞️ Our majority rules

Oh hey Halifax,

I’m not going to do what you think I’m going to do, which is write a whole intro about the announcement of the summer—Taylor Swift's 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.

I can’t even focus on that when this genius is taking a stand against the fire ban by going into the woods with the distinct intention of getting himself a fine. 

A week has passed since the Nova Scotia-wide ban on entering the woods came into effect—and some citizens are already testing its limits. Like this Cape Breton man whose video went viral over the weekend after he went to the Department of Natural Resources office in Coxheath and announced he was going to go into the woods in protest.

He is quoted in his video saying “I want to challenge this order in court, and the only way to do that is to get the fine.” 

The only problem—according to one Dalhousie lawyer—is that because he made it very clear and explicit both on the video and to the officers that he knows full well that his actions were in violation and in fact wants to be involved in a violation as a way of making a point—he unknowingly removed some of his defences.

When he exited the woods, he was handed a ticket for $28,872.50—the government confirmed a fine had been issued. Way to stick it to the man, bruh! Try all you want, but you will not take away his right to a $30K picnic! 🧺

Love and light and just go to the beach if you need to stroll.

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 27°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 26°

Next Day: ☀️ 25°

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: Stay the blazes out of the woods

Tim Houston announced a “stay out of the woods” order on Aug. 5, amid “tinder dry” conditions across the province. A total ban on open fires was brought in the week before, with both bans punishable by a $25,000 fine.

But not everybody agrees with the need for a full ban. A national advocacy group—The Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF)—is threatening Nova Scotia with legal action over its decision to restrict travel in the woods.

Media outlets are saying the province is divided on this one, but our readers certainly aren’t. We asked you whether you agreed with the ban and the results were overwhelmingly in favour of Houston’s order.

Head over to The Coast to see the final poll results and our favourite reader responses.

🤔 Need To Know

🏛️ The Nova Scotia government says new regulations around harassment in the workplace will help keep employees safer—starting Sept. 1, employers must create a written harassment prevention policy that includes expectations, information on how to report concerns and how complaints will be investigated.

🎓 Uncertainty remains about the start of the school year at Dalhousie University as the board of governors and the Dalhousie Faculty Association failed to reach a contract agreement during negotiation and conciliation efforts—the collective agreement for nearly 1,000 professors, instructors, librarians and professional counsellors at Nova Scotia's largest university expired on June 30.

🛡️ Halifax City Hall is enhancing its security measures with a walk-through metal detector and an airport-style baggage X-ray machine—the machines will be installed at the front doors of the building and will be operational on Monday.

🐴 Get your rural on! Introducing the Nova Scotia Backcountry Games! Aug 16 at the Halifax County Exhibition: teams of 4-6 compete in 7 zany games of rural self-mockery. Hilarity will prevail.*

🍻 The Pint isn’t just a pub—it’s Halifax’s flavour capital. Bold bites. Frosty pints. Vibes so good you’ll lose track of time. Come hungry, leave happy.*

*Sponsored Post

CITY

Halifax boutique brings back old-school fashion show presentations

Lezlie Oler, the entrepreneur and former lawyer behind the Halifax-based boutique In a Box, is showcasing a refreshing approach to fashion this Thursday. 

The boutique will present an exclusive, atelier-style fashion show that will bring a classic flair to the runway; one outfit at a time, as models walk the runway, their names and each look will be called out, describing the piece and alternative ways to style it.

Oler explains to The Coast’s Warren D’Silva why In an industry sometimes dominated with fleeting trends, she is committed to something different.

🗞️ In Other News

💜 Mahone Bay is an idyllic town, but it's not immune from the epidemic of intimate partner violence—a bench was unveiled there in honour of Elaine Mosher, who was killed by her husband.

🤢 A Nova Scotia Mountie abused his role when he pursued an intimate sexual relationship with the complainant in an assault case where he was the lead investigator—according to an RCMP code of conduct board ruling.

🚒 Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources firefighters are heading to Moncton to help battle a large, out-of-control wildfire burning near the city.

🏒 Nova Scotia's Troy Ryan and Kori Cheverie are returning to the coaching staff tasked with guiding Canada's women's hockey team to another Olympic gold medal at the 2026 Winter Games.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Halifax Salsa and Bachata Festival: Celebrate and elevate Afro-Latin culture in Atlantic Canada through dance, music, art, and community connection. We create inclusive, joyful spaces that empower people of all backgrounds to move, express, and belong. Rooted in cultural memory and driven by movement, our festival is a living platform for expression, education, and celebration. | Aug. 14-17 | From $80 |

🗓 Improv Party Show: Spontaneity’s seasoned improvisers will make up wacky scenarios based on your suggestions. Watch them compete in games, do challenges to win over the audience and get you laughing. | Aug. 14 | 7am | $15 |

🗓 Fizzfest 2025: Halifax Seaport Beerfest and Fizzfest – one event, double the choices! Not into beer? No problem. The festival also includes Halifax FizzFest — your go-to destination for 100+ refreshing sodas, hard seltzers, and pre-mixed cocktails. Whether you're here for hops or here for bubbles, there's something for every palate. | Aug. 14-16 | From $44 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Aniara container ship arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 5:55am and leaves for New York at 11:30am.

➡️ The Zim Virginia container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 6am.

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

➡️ The CP Pacific oil tanker leaves Halifax for Lewisporte at 1pm.

🚢 The Atlantic Sun container ship arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 9:20pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🥪 Craving a sandwich with some Asian flair? Look no further than the Kimchi Tuna Salad at Larry’s Sandwiches and Sides: confit albacore tuna, kimchi mayo, chopped kimchi, pickled red onions, cucumber, bibb lettuce, white sandwich loaf. 

🚦 Green = Go…to The Canteen for the Pan Seared Scallops and Pea Risotto: seared scallops, pea and mint risotto, asiago cream, crispy pancetta, apple, pea shoot and pickled shallot salad.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🚰 Beginning Sunday evening, Labatt’s Halifax brewery shifted from producing beer to producing clean, drinkable water to support the community in a time of need. This isn’t the first time that Labatt has swapped out beer production for water. The Coast’s Julie Lawrence spoke to Labatt’s Wade Keller last year about the program moving to the Halifax facility, how the change-over in production works and why it’s so important to support the community.

👠 In an industry that often seems worlds away from the daily grind, a group of nine models from Halifax are proving that passion doesn’t punch out at 5pm. The Coast sat down and chatted with these local talents who clock into day jobs as engineers, financial advisors or teachers before stepping into the spotlight on runways and in front of cameras.

That’s it!

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