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🗞️ Please don't stare
Plus, council agrees to move forward with new emergency roadway, three people shot in Dartmouth and The Coast's best (of) date day in Halifax.
Julie Lawrence
March 26, 2025
Good morning Halifax,
This week has been…weird so far.
First, we learn that HRM is buying the police a Transformer—aka armoured vehicle—because it will keep our police “safe” in “high-risk incidents.” This, in the midst of a gender-based violence epidemic, when the people we should be investing in keeping safe are women.
Also, how much do you want to bet this vehicle more often shows up to interrupt things like public protests? This beast seems like a new tool the police will somehow use to further traumatize us. I’m traumatized just looking at it.
Get a grip HRP. We all know you have teeny tiny…feet.🦶
THEN, the South Shore Centre for Education decided schools are only allowed to fly Nova Scotia and Canada flags from now on. Flags representing Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotian, Acadian, LGBTQ+ and other communities were ordered to be taken down.
Forget about inclusion, equity and diversity; about kids walking up to their school and seeing themselves represented. It’s more important, apparently, that the flags are protected from the wind. The school board says it’s too expensive to “maintain multiple flags,” so, yeah…🙄 When pushed on this, the spokesperson couldn’t say how much money they have spent repairing flags.
The kids are upset, the teachers are upset and the union leader says he hopes to meet with the minister of education to discuss the new policy and see that it is amended so schools can continue to fly multiple flags.
Why is it that as soon as we start doing anything progressive or sane, Nova Scotia finds a way to regress just a little? Sigh. Two steps forward, three steps back.
Take care of yourself and each other out there.
– Julie
🌡️ Traffic & Weather
Today: 🌤️ 9°
Tomorrow: 🌧️ 6°
Next Day: ☀️ 7°
🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.
NEWS
Another year, another solar eclipse of the heart
📸 Credit: Tiffany Fields
Look (safely) to the east this Saturday at sunrise for a sight that captured hearts and minds last April: a partial solar eclipse. Yes, the celestial bodies are at it again.
Just as the sun is rising on Saturday, March 29, the moon will pass between the sun and earth, turning the sun into a tiny glowing crescent shape that will grow into a larger crescent as the moon moves across it.
This time, there’s no path of totality—or perfect alignment between the three orbs causing night-like darkness—as there was last April. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun viewing.
🤔 Need To Know
🛣️ Regional councillors all agreed on Tuesday to move forward with a new emergency roadway connecting one of the neighbourhoods most impacted by the Tantallon wildfire to a nearby highway.
🚨 Halifax police say three people were shot in Dartmouth Monday night—officers were called to an address on Ruben Court around 11:35 p.m., where there had been reports of weapons and injured people.
🇨🇦 As the federal election race enters its first week of campaigning, a poll conducted earlier this month finds U.S. relations—including tariffs under the Trump administration—the cost of living, and the economy, are the most important issues for Canadians.
☀️ Solar is a chance to win prizes worth up to $16,600! 5-month racking installation or you get paid! Save with the most trusted solar company.*
🍻 Pro tip: Wing Wednesday - half price wings at The Pint on Argyle Street hits different—28 epic sauces, $4.50 draught (4-6 PM), the best wings in Halifax. See you there!*
🤣 Two comedy powerhouses, one epic night! Wes Barker & Simon King hit Halifax Live March 29. Mind blowing magic, fearless stand-up. Unfiltered. Unforgettable. 19+*
🎭 Little Women at TAG March 27 - April 12. Kate Hamill’s fresh adaptation, a gorgeous set and stunning costumes await. Tickets selling fast!*
*Sponsored Post
SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE
Little Shop of Horrors
In a quirky little flower shop, a dweeb named Seymour discovers a unique plant. He names this unusual shrub "Audrey II" - after the girl of his dreams. This talking (and yes singing) plant promises Seymour fame and fortune...but only if he gives into Audrey II's demands.
The smash-hit Broadway musical overtakes the Fountain Hall stage from March 11 - May 11.
CITY
The best (of) date day in Halifax
📸 Credit: Shutterstock
Spring has sprung and romance is in the air, which means you’re probably searching for the perfect date ideas. Look no further.
Figuring out the best things to do, eat and see in Halifax is easy! We have taken the guess work out of it with our annual Best of Halifax readers choice awards. So we’re using that intel to put together a date itinerary that is sure to be a hit. Let Halifax be the third wheel in your budding romance.
You can say thank you by inviting us to the wedding.
🗞️ In Other News
🗳️ By voting day, candidates in the riding of Halifax will have campaigned for almost two months, the longest campaign in the 2025 federal election—the candidates in the riding are making the most of the extra time by knocking on doors and canvassing across the city.
🏘️ Nova Scotia's recent population boom has triggered a redrawing of the federal political map—numbers changed the most in the suburbs around Halifax, Halifax West, where one riding grew by almost 25,000 people in a decade.
🎤 Nova Scotia singer-actor Geordie Brown will join American rock band Foreigner on their Canadian tour this fall—Maritime tour stops include Oct. 24 in Halifax.
🇨🇦 Nova Scotia Liberal MP Sean Fraser has changed his mind about retiring from politics and will run in the upcoming federal election after all—a source close to Fraser says his decision comes after a conversation with Liberal Leader Mark Carney.
🚧 More than 1,600 potholes have been repaired in Halifax since New Year’s Day but it’s only a start—there are still an estimated 1,400 more to go.
SPONSORED BY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER 21
FREE Film Screening: We Will Be Brave
Don't miss out on this exclusive film screening of We Will Be Brave. This documentary screening for the Film Festival Pre-Gala will include an audience talkback with Toronto guests and local experts, and will feature a live musical performance. In partnership with Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival, Story Money Impact.
🗓️ Things To Do
Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:
🗓 Canada’s Storytellers - Santiago Guzmán: This exclusive sneak peek offers a glimpse into the development of a heartfelt story that follows ANDRÉS, a middle-aged migrant from Mexico, as he struggles to maintain long-distance relationships with his loved ones. Whether they live countries apart or just a few provinces away, ANDRÉS seeks to weave a web of connections with those who matter most. | March 26 | 7:00pm | Free |
🗓 Miniature Paint Night: Join Dungeon Master Ron from Dungeons Delivered as he acts as a guide and mentor to help painters of all skill levels improve their painting techniques. For the workshop, you may select a free miniature and will be provided with the tools you need to paint with. | March 26 | 6:00pm | $20 |
🗓 The Music Room Chamber Players Series Presents Sumptuous Song: Meghan Lindsay has performed regularly with Opera Atelier, Pacific Opera Victoria, and Tafelmusik, and appeared in venues like Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, Toronto's Koerner Hall, and the Royal Opera at the Palace of Versailles. With pianist Carson Becke, she will bring a gorgeous program to the Music Room, including Carson's arrangement of Strauss's beloved Four Last Songs. | March 26 | 7:30pm | $35 |
Have an event to share? Let us know at newsletter@thecoast.ca.
⚓️ What’s In The Harbour
➡️ The Contship Cup container ship leaves Halifax for Kingston, Jamaica at 2am.
🚢 The One Eagle container ship arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 5:45am.
➡️ The Acadian oil tanker leaves Halifax for Saint John at 12pm.
➡️ The CSL Tacoma bulk carrier leaves Halifax for Wilmington, NC at 7pm.
🍴 Where To Eat & Drink
🧄 This isn’t your grandma’s chicken burger! The Shawarma at CHKN Chop packs a bunch: fried chicken, garlic sauce, cucumber, tomato, onion, pickled turnip, lettuce, parsley, sumac dressing and tahini.
🥛 The Tres Leches cake at Antojo Tacos is a dessert that will make you swoon: light airy cake soaked in a trio of milks, topped with fluffy whipped cream, a drizzle of dulce de leche and chopped freeze dried strawberries.
👀 In Case You Missed It
🍷 Obladee Wine Bar is barely visible through a jungle of scaffolding. It has been in place since July 2023 when HRM issued an order to immediately fix the building’s facade as it constituted a hazard to the public. Fast-forward 21 months and Heather and Christian Rankin—the brother and sister team who own Obladee—have still not been given a start or finish date for the work. Obladee has lost two patio seasons worth of revenue and it's looking at losing a third if this is not resolved in the next couple of months. The Coast’s Julie Lawrence spoke to Christian Rankin about the deadline they have asked HRM to commit to in order to protect their upcoming patio season and keep the business afloat.
🏫 Over 5,000 education workers in Nova Scotia have signed a new two-year deal with the province after nearly a year of bargaining. In a member update Sunday night, the council members representing eight local unions through bargaining said they were “proud of what we have achieved,” and that getting this deal “showed us what we can do when we work together.” The new contract includes key wins the union has been pushing for across the province, like wage increases and meaningful responses to safety in schools. The Coast’s Lauren Phillips outlines what we know about the two-year deal so far.
That’s it!
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