Happy Friday and Happy Pride!

Riddle me this: what happens when a politician goes on a province-wide tour and everyone hates him except the rich people who are paying to meet with him?

If you guessed he’ll get his car windows smashed it, you are correct! I want to be clear that I do not condone bad behaviour because I think uncivilized protest is gross, but I also understand why people were—and are—so mad about this dubious road show.

Some background for those in the cheap seats: This summer, the premier is going on his State of the Province tour to speak with “Nova Scotians” about the challenges they face and the opportunities that lie ahead. At least, that’s what the government press release says.

Except that’s not what he’s doing at all.

He’s not holding public meetings or going door-to-door to see how the average Nova Scotian is faring. Instead, he’s meeting with Chambers of Commerce—specifically, their membership consisting of business owners—who are paying to hear him answer lobbed grapefruit questions by a biased moderator. He’s spending tax payers money to travel around to talk to his base—and to try to get some good press out of it.

He’s basically pissing in our face and telling us it’s raining.

On Wednesday, when he was leaving one of these engagements at the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce, protestors swarmed his car and busted a window. In the aftermath of the incident, political leaders including Houston, Iain Rankin, and Claudia Chender have put out statements against the political violence that took place.

However, most of these statements blamed the protestors who—while having committed a violent act—are a symptom of the wider problems facing Nova Scotia; ones that Houston and his government have been unwilling to fix, or have made worse, in his time in office.

Protests are a sign of civil unrest. Sometimes that unrest is built upon the lies of a cowardly sociopath as it was with the Jan. 6 riots. Sometimes, it is an explosion coming from years of government mismanagement, turning a blind eye to gender-based violence, service cuts, lost jobs, meager wages, a lack of housing, targeted legislation against Indigenous communities and businesses. The list goes on.

This does not excuse violence of any kind, whether it be property or people. However, it is important we take a look at the reasons why protests occur and what they say about our government, its actions—or lack thereof—and the political climate we’re in.

People are angry. They can’t afford groceries. They can’t afford rent. They can’t get a family doctor without an absurd wait time. The art and non-profit sectors took huge cuts in the last budget. Schools face job losses. The conservatives have shut media out of the legislative process and ran up the deficit with expenses not approved by the House. And this has all been done with the audacity of of a 45% voter turnout in the last election. Literally, nobody voted for this guy.

Houston has upended democracy in Nova Scotia throughout his tenure as premier and—so far—has not spoken publicly to the people who are most impacted. Instead, he has run off to his voter base of business owners and is calling it a province-wide tour to talk with Nova Scotians—but only the ones that can afford it.

It’s simply not a good look.

But you know who does look good? YOU! I’m sending you extra love and light so you can spread it around this weekend 🌈.

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

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

The biggest celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Atlantic Canada is back and bigger than ever.

The annual Halifax Pride Festival kicks off Thursday, July 16 with events scheduled until Sunday, July 26. The Halifax Pride Parade is set to take place this Saturday, July 18, beginning at 12pm, followed by a day full of activities, performances and fun at the Garrison Grounds. The parade in particular brings thousands of people out onto the streets of Halifax to see the floats, but its far from the only popular event happening this year.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer breaks down what’s happening during the 2026 Halifax Pride Festival.

🏥 A 50-year-old man went to hospital with a stab wound on Wednesday evening—officers responded to the reported stabbing in the 5600 block of Spring Garden Road around 6:40pm.

👀 RCMP say they are trying to identify a group of protesters who swarmed the vehicle of Premier Tim Houston—including whoever smashed its windshield while he was inside.

🤮 The number of Americans hit with a nasty stomach bug from the cyclospora parasite is on the rise, causing concern in Canada—here’s what you need to know.

Nelson Residences is now leasing 78 brand-new studio to three-bedroom apartments in downtown Halifax. Enjoy modern finishes, premium amenities, and direct access to The Lord Nelson Hotel & Suites and Park Lane Mall. 🔑

Leasing Inquiries: Kuldeep, (902) 801-3557. Experience connected urban living at its best. ✨

When Raymond McCabe and his husband, Alex, launched their handmade arts business in 2024, the goal was simple: make a living creating art while giving back to the queer community that helped shape them.

Two years later, the Halifax couple behind Bobbin's End is preparing for another busy Pride season, with booths at the Halifax Pride Parade Market this weekend and St. Margaret's Bay Pride later this month. For McCabe, the markets are about far more than selling handmade bags, keychains and wearable art.

"They're opportunities to meet like-minded folks," McCabe says. "Growing up rural, I know what it's like to feel like you're one of the only queer kids around. Having those spaces where people know they're not alone is incredibly important."

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva speaks with the owners of Bobbin’s End about running a queer-owned business in Halifax.

🔥 Crews from Halifax Regional Emergency Services were on scene Thursday morning for a fire burning out of control in Jacket Lake—teams were able to access parts of the blaze before it got too dark to safely fight the flames.

📉 According to Tim Houston, Nova Scotia’s deficit—which stands at more than $1.2B—could grow considerably larger as the government contends with a recent court ruling related to a previous administration's approach to labour relations.

🏠 The Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency is cutting its workforce—the Crown corporation is eliminating 32 roles but creating 25 new ones, resulting in a net loss of seven positions.

💰 Canadian provincial politicians are making on average nearly double the salaries of their American counterparts, according to a new report—the average salary for a provincial Canadian politician to be $115,378 while the average salary for a state politician in America is $59,241.

⚠️ Becky Druhan—Nova Scotia’s former justice minister—is calling for an independent review of an emergency alert connected to a man who was shot and killed by police near Chelsea last week.

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

🗓 Trunk 7 Music Festival: A lively, homegrown music festival celebrating the best of Nova Scotia’s talent, the Trunk 7 Music Festival brings together emerging artists, youth performers, and established acts for a weekend of live entertainment. Known as one of the Eastern Shore’s premier summer events, it offers a diverse lineup of genres in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.  | July 17-18 | $60/day | 

🗓 Martha Chaves YukYuks Pride Show: Pride Week is bringing the laughs! Don’t miss an incredible lineup featuring headliner Martha Chavez with Clare Belford and Patrick Cadigan. Grab your crew and celebrate with a night of stand-up you won’t want to miss! | July 17 and 18 | 8pm | $25 |

🗓 Outdoor Makers Market: Local vendors + local brews + local food + live music = the ultimate patio party vibes with a whole lot of local flare. | July 18 | 10am | Free |

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

🚢➡️ The ZIM China container vessel arrives in Halifax from Valencia at 5:20am and departs for New York at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Bakkafoss container vessel arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) at 8:15am and departs for Argentia at 6:15pm.

🚢➡️ The Elene general cargo vessel arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am and departs for St. Pierre at 6pm.

🚢 The Volga Maersk container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 11:15am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sail container vessel arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 3:20pm and departs for Liverpool at 11pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container vessel departs Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍺 100-calorie IPA? Good Robot’s award-winning Ultra Light IPA tastes like IPA, drinks like light beer. Try it at Good Robot's Robie Street or Commons locations.*a

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

🌮 Antojo are bringing the flavour to the Halifax waterfront on July 18 for LatinFax, serving-up mouthwatering tacos, vibrant energy, and a celebration of Latin culture.

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🍷 Last weekend, sitting on a cottage deck overlooking the Northumberland Strait, I found myself thinking about the wines I'd want within arm's reach in the cooler. Not necessarily the greatest wines in the world, but just the ones I'd happily sip on a warm afternoon. The Coast’s food and beverage critic Mark DeWolf breaks down what wines he’ll be sipping this summer.

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