🗞️ Renting with intention

Happy Friday Halifax,

We’ve reached the halfway point in the Top Chef Canada kitchen, and with only six chefs remaining including Halifax’s own Moira Murray, shit is getting real.

We start this week’s episode with a Quickfire Challenge where the secret ingredient must be…love. Now, I’m not going to do what you think I’m going to do and make a joke about baby batter, because I’m not a 12-year-old boy and that would be gross. The challenge is essentially pasta propaganda, sponsored by Barilla Pasta, and the winner gets $5K towards a trip to Italy.

First off though, the contestants get to see a video from home, and Moira’s brother and adorable nephews tell her how proud they are of her and I’m not crying, you’re crying. In a mid-way curve ball, we find out the chef’s loved ones have sent them each a secret ingredient that they must incorporate in their dish. Moira’s little nephews I guess just pulled some dandelions out of the playground and were like “here.”

The composed queen that she is, Moira is like “great! dandelions will add the perfect bitterness to my dish” and she presents a twist on mac and cheese: cellentani with sweet pea basil and dandelion puree and fresh ricotta. They judges love it, obvs. She has one of the best dishes, but loses out in the end to Chanthy, who is emerging as a genuine challenge to Moira’s throne.

For the elimination challenge, the gang hits the road to newly Michelin-starred Restaurant Pearl Morrissette in Niagara. There’s an awkward moment in the drive montage where Shane realizes he has yet to win anything and all of Canada is collectively remembering his pink “stained glass” fish from last week and shuddering.

The gardener/pirate on the property explains how they move the ingredients from farm to table to create hyper-local tasting menus weekly, and the chefs find out they have to do the same. They randomly draw the main ingredients they have to feature in their dish—Moira winds up with beef—and then they forage the garden for other ingredients to complement it.

After Chanthy gives the judges “inedible” rhubarb (also known as just…rhubarb), Moira presents her beef with onion soubise, pickled coriander and pommes souflees. The judges loved the coriander, but for the first time, she didn't hit it out of the ballpark.

Shane actually won in the comeback of the century, but Moira is in the bottom which feels unnatural. They say that her cook on the beef wasn’t consistent and that there was too much soubise. They were like “your dish was boring” and she was like “totes agree.”

Moira’s was clearly the best dish of the bottom three, so she is safe to sauté another day, while Christina packs her knives and goes.

Have a safe and restful weekend!

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 10°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 8°

Next Day: ☁️ 7°

7-day forecast

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

NEWS + OPINION

NDP promise rent-to-own starter home program if elected

Nova Scotia’s NDP have announced their plans for a rent-to-own starter home program ahead of the provincial election

In a press release on Tuesday, Nov 12, NSNDP leader Claudia Chender announced the program, saying it would increase the number of families able to buy their first home by 10% in the first year. 

While most of their housing plan so far has been focused on renters, this program would see around 500 new homes constructed in the first year and would be available to Nova Scotians who make less than $100,000 annually. 

“For the hundreds of thousands of families who rent in this province the pathway to homeownership is nearly impossible,” says Chender. “Our plan will fix that.”

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over the NDP’s plan and how a rent-to-own system could work in Nova Scotia.

🤔 Need To Know

🚰 The low water level in Lake Major—the water body that supplies the communities of Dartmouth, Burnside, Cole Harbour, Westphal, North Preston and Eastern Passage—has prompted officials to ask people in multiple communities to conserve water.

🎬 The 11th Annual Atlantic Jewish Film Festival runs November 21-24 in theatres and virtually. Supported by the Halifax Municipality’s Regional Event Grant, tickets start from $10—get your tickets here!*

📱 On the campaign trail, the Liberals are promising to improve cellphone coverage and invest in major highways—saying a Liberal government would spend $60M over four years to build 87 new cellphone towers.

🧶 Discover the best of local makers at Craft Nova Scotia's Designer Craft Show, November 15-17 at Halifax Seaport. The perfect destination for holiday gifts.*

🛍️ Join Spring Garden Road Businesses on Friday, December 6 from 5-9pm for Shopping Under the Stars.*

☕ The director of a democracy watchdog group says that if Nova Scotia’s electoral officer had more power to levy fines, it would discourage situations such as campaign managers giving Tim Hortons gift cards to voters.

🎁 Don't miss out! Join the festive Agricola Street Holiday Market Sunday Nov 17, 12-5pm, for unique gifts, local crafts and holiday cheer!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY CROWTHER & BRAYLEY LTD.

Online Auction—Preview Now!

Art by Joe Norris, J. C. Roy, Anthony Law, Dusan Kadlec, John Cook. Estate jewellery from Marco Bicego, 3 Rolex watches. Lorenzen mushrooms, folk art from the Estate collection of Chris Wilcox.

REGISTER & BID HERE! 

Auction closes Thursday, November 28, 7pm
In-house packing & shipping available

WANDERER GROUNDS PODCAST

Talking with Tides soccer star Erin McLeod

2025 is shaping up to be a big year for soccer fans in the HRM, as the city will welcome its second professional team, the Halifax Tides. The Tides, who will play in the Northern Super League—Canada’s new women’s league—have been busy in their inaugural off season and signed their first player at the end of October: Olympic gold medalist and former Canadian national team goalkeeper Erin McLeod.

The veteran shot-stopper took time out of her off-season preparations to sit down with Coast reporter Martin Bauman. In the interview, McLeod talks about why she decided to put retirement plans on hold to play in Halifax, how she has improved as a goalie over the years and how being a parent changed her life as a professional athlete. 

Have a listen and start to get excited for the inaugural Halifax Tides season. 

🎧 LISTEN NOW

🗞️ In Other News

🧂 A report from local organization LakeWatchers shows that “most lakes” around Halifax Regional Municipality are suffering from consistently high salt levels—posing a threat to freshwater ecosystems.

🏥 Nova Scotia Health says some repairs could take weeks after flooding impacted the emergency department at the QEII hospital over the weekend—the health authority says a sprinkler was activated on Sunday evening.

💸 A non-profit organization in Dartmouth says it was recently the target of a fake donor scam—and now it’s warning other charities about the sinister tactic.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

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

🗓 Gregorian—Pure Chants: The world’s most successful choir of all time brings the Pure Chants tour to Halifax. These eight classically trained English vocalists bring audiences to their feet with their covers of songs from the 13th century as well as songs written by Coldplay, Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon. | Nov 15 | 7:30pm | From $46

🗓 Cirque Musica Holiday Winterland: This Cirque Musica production takes audiences on a musical journey to a faraway land of dazzling beauty and mystery, blending the grace and thrills of the world’s greatest cirque performers with stunning symphonic music. | Nov 15 | 7:30pm | From $30

🗓 JJ Wilde Live: For the first time in two years, iconic Canadian rock star JJ Wilde is on the road with her All My Vices tour. | Nov 15 | 8pm | $34.55

🗓 Craft Nova Scotia Market: Experience an incredible showcase of local craft and discover unique, handmade designs from makers across the region—perfect for holiday gifting or adding something special to your collection. | Nov 15-18 | Free

🗓 Halifax Live Comedy Club's Local Showcase: Get ready for an unforgettable night of laughs with the the best in local stand-up talent. This showcase features a lineup of Halifax's finest comedians, each bringing their unique style, wit and humour to the stage. | Nov 15 and 16 | 7:30pm | $15

🗓 Valley Live: The indie rock group out of Toronto are hitting the road to promote their new album, Water the Flowers, Pray for a Garden, and they’re making a story at The Marquee with featured guest Vienna. | Nov 16 | 8pm | $30

🗓 Agricola Street Holiday Market: This beloved market transforms Agricola Street into a holiday wonderland, featuring a diverse array of local artisans, crafters and food vendors. Visitors can explore unique handmade gifts, seasonal decorations, delicious treats, and hot mulled wine while enjoying live music and entertainment. | Nov 17 | Noon

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The Zim Asia container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 2am.

🛳️➡️ The CMA CGM Rigoletto container ship arrives in Halifax from Singapore at 5:15am and leaves for New York at 11:45pm.

🛳️➡️ The Delphinus C container ship arrives in Halifax from Antwerp at 5:20am and leaves for Port Everglades at 11:45pm.

🛳️➡️ The Sypros V container ship arrives in Halifax from Valencia at 7:20am and leaves for New York at 6pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for New York at 6pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🧆 When the cold weather hits, it’s time to eat meatballs! Try The Meatball at The Canteen: Italian spiced pork meatballs, basil pesto, San Marzano tomato sauce, parmesan, arugula on homemade focaccia.

🌶️ Spice up your life with the La Bomba at Rinaldo’s: buttermilk fried chicken, pickled peppers, arugula and bomba oil on garlic bread with cheese.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ Our new city council had its first regular meeting on Tuesday, November 12, and it was a relatively low-key affair. ICYMI, as mentioned in yesterday’s newsletter, new mayor Andy Fillmore did some bad paperwork and re-opened the debate into encampments, giving the council another opportunity to make a mistake the last group voted to avoid. Read all about that and more in Coast reporter Matt Stickland’s council roundup. 

🖥️ Those voting in the upcoming provincial election will notice a stark difference from the municipal one that just took place—there is no option to vote via the web. The lack of a digital option may seem confusing. The last municipal election used an online system where a code was mailed to the residences of eligible voters, who could then input the code on the voting website and cast their ballot electronically. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over how registered voters can cast their ballots for the provincial election on or before Nov 26.

☑️ Voters in Nova Scotia go to the polls on Nov 26. At dissolution, the Progressive Conservatives held 34 seats in the 55-seat legislature, the Liberals held 14 seats, the NDP had six and there was one Independent. Here’s a look at some of the promises announced by the three major parties on the campaign trail.

That’s it!

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