Ohhh Halifax, you gorgeous temptress,

Well, the kids are going back to school. And by that I mean the politicians are going back to the legislature. If you’ve never been down to the house to see how badly behaved the grown-up elected officials are, I recommend you take a field trip. You will be utterly shocked and appalled.

Here are some hot topics that I will be keeping my eye on this Fall session 👀

The behaviour of the gallery:

First the protesters were banned and then last week, Nova Scotia’s Speaker of the House—Danielle Barkhouse—rescinded the temporary bans issued in the spring following a protest, although she remains concerned and will be keeping an eagle eye on the gallery for any shenanigans.

In her statement, Barkhouse issued a reminder to “follow gallery rules and not engage in any demonstrations or other disruptive behaviour in the gallery or within the legislative precinct.”

To which I say: why don’t you pay attention to the adult toddlers on the floor who refuse to sit still, talk when the teacher is talking and can’t use their listening ears. I like to picture them all having a big nap on little mats in the afternoon.

Will there be any protests from the gallery? Only time will tell. But if today is any indication, they’re going to have the place on lock because the police were called to quell this chaotic rampage happening outside:

The Marco MacLeod of it all:

The former energy minister resigned from cabinet last week over a rap song he performed and published in 2013. The lyrics included misogynistic terms for women and references to cocaine use.

But let’s remember that Tim Houston did not ask for his resignation and in fact, called it a “tragedy”. I think the fallout from this whole situation will spark a lot of questions from the opposition, but Houston says he doesn’t want a “pile on”. Don’t gang up on poor Timmy, guys!

This also means that he is now the energy minister again—a portfolio he says is “top priority for his government”.

Budget cut retribution:

Behold, a dramatic re-enactment of what Tim Houston did to the arts in the latest budget. In this dramatization, James Caan plays the arts and Cathy Bates very accurately portrays Tim Houston:

Houston is going to have to face the music after he took a metaphoric sledge hammer to the arts, culture, tourism, Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian programming, disability supports and other community programs in the 2026-27 budget.

Remember when he ran into a bunch of protestors in Wolfville, but then said they hit him? It’s going to probably be like that but with way more protestors and less cars for him to use as a human shield. I predict it will be loud and Timmy will have some sort of fit and tell everyone that being mad at him is a tragedy.

What the parties will be pushing:

As per usual, Houston’s government will concentrate on money and business instead of people. The house leaders says the PC party will be focused on growing the economy by pursuing opportunities in energy, mining and critical minerals and defence 💰

Claudia Chender says her NDP will be pushing for rent protection and better access to health care for women—her party will table a proposal to cover the costs of birth control, hormone replacement therapy for menopause and a full cycle of IVF. That’s some queen shit 👑

Finally, Ian Rankin and whatever liberals are even left will table bills aimed at strengthening competition between grocery stores and removing the provincial portion of HST on all food items in said grocery stores. Sure 🤷🏻‍♀️

Those are the major things I’ll be keying in on. I’ll also be interested in how short Houston can possibly make this sitting and what kind of mess we can’t even currently imagine he will get into when he opens his mouth.

Also, will the media be allowed in or are we still in totalitarian Nova Scotia?

Love, light and legislation! 🏛️

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: ☀ 16°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 21°

Next Day: 🌤️ 16°

7-day forecast

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

🤮 A man is in custody and waiting for a court appearance in connection with multiple reports from women of indecent acts taking place—two women, at separate times, were walking on trails in Cole Harbour when they were approached by a man who exposed himself to them.

👀 RCMP are asking for the public's help after a house was destroyed by fire in Timberlea over the Labour Day weekend—on Saturday first responders were called to a report that a Molotov cocktail had been thrown at a home.

🇨🇦 Prime Minister Mark Carney is warning Canadians that the country’s pivot away from the United States will come at a cost—but that the alternative would be far worse.

🎒It's back-to-school season: French classes for children (3+) are open at Alliance Française Halifax. Rendez-vous on Saturday mornings to learn and have fun in French.*

🎶 Symphony Nova Scotia’s Symphony Week comes to Halifax Central Library September 26 & 27! Enjoy live music, plus a special performance with Alan Syliboy.*

🏡 Adult children of Seniors are helping their parents decide whether to age in place. This free guide helps everyone figure it out together.*

🎭 REVIEWS ARE IN! Selling fast: John Pickett, Actual Wizard, Men Love Horsies, Horror Musical, The Fabulist, Loony Lundi, and Blood & Snow. Tickets now!*

*Sponsored Post

Nine days. Extraordinary artists. A city alive with possibility.

From September 26 to October 4, Prismatic Arts Festival brings professional Indigenous artists and artists of colour to mainstages across Kjipuktuk/Halifax.

Experience theatre, dance, music, visual art, film, sensory-accessible performances, artist talks, masterclasses, and more.

Come for a show that makes you laugh. Discover an artist you have never seen before. Step into a gallery, hear a new story, or experience something completely unexpected.

There is a lot to discover at Prismatic 2026. Get your tickets today!

🏛️ The government has tabled legislation that would increase protections for some workers—the bill would reduce the overtime threshold from 48 hours per week to 44 hours and give the government new tools to recover unpaid earnings owed to workers.

🧘 Halifax police have arrested a man they describe as a “serial shoplifter” for allegedly stealing from Lululemon several times over the last year.

💸 Nova Scotia’s labour minister introduced legislation Tuesday to ban tip theft, although the change won’t take effect until April.

⚒️ More than 10,000 people have now signed a petition asking the Nova Scotia government to reinstate a ban on uranium mining in the province—Tim Houston’s government repealed the decades long ban in March 2025.

🚨 A construction company that was owned by a 50-year-old Halifax-area man who was at the centre of a major RCMP drug investigation is now being scrutinized by the Canada Revenue Agency for an alleged illegal tax scheme.

🌿 Nova Scotia officials are investigating after a report that fentanyl was detected in cannabis on a First Nation community—Membertou First Nation’s health centre says it has issued a drug alert after receiving a report from a community member.

🧯 A historic African Nova Scotian community is receiving provincial funding to reduce its wildfire risk, in a bid to help preserve the area’s heritage—the trust is working on wildfire risk assessment and mitigation plans to protect individual properties and shared assets, including 85 historic homes, a church and community buildings.

This fall, the red carpet rolls into the heart of Halifax! From September 16–23, the Atlantic International Film Festival lights up Cineplex Park Lane with award-winning films from Atlantic Canada and around the world. With special events citywide, make it a night out—before or after the show—on Spring Garden Road!

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

🗓 Halifax Fringe Festival: The Halifax Fringe is eleven days of live, uncensored, and uncurated performance art. It’s full of genre-busting theatre, comedy, one-person tour de forces, and so much more. You can catch everything from Shakespeare to sword swallowing, all at an affordable price and in accessible venues. | Sept 3 - 13 | 

🗓 Roger Mooking - SoundBites: Don’t miss Roger Mooking's first solo exhibition in Atlantic Canada, bringing together visual art, moving image, music, and text in an immersive exploration of creativity, memory, and the rhythms of contemporary life. Drawing inspiration from the sampling traditions of Hip-Hop, Mooking recontextualizes reproductions of his own artworks to create a dynamic multidisciplinary environment. | Sept 10 - Nov 8 |

🗓 Taste Asia 2026: Experience the sights, sounds, and flavours of Asia at Taste Asia 2026, a vibrant waterfront festival celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Asian communities in Nova Scotia and beyond. Featuring authentic street food, cultural performances, artisan vendors, interactive demonstrations, and family-friendly activities, the festival offers a unique opportunity to explore traditions from across Asia in one exciting destination. | Sept 10-13 | 4pm | $32.80 |

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

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sun container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and departs for New York at 4pm.

🚢➡️ The Sanderling Ace vehicle carrier arrives in Halifax from Emden/Zeeb/Portbury at 5:55am and departs for Tuxpan at 2pm.

➡️ The Oceana container vessel departs Halifax for Kingston at 7am.

🚢 The Oceanex Sanderling container vessel arrives in Halifax from St. John’s at 7:20am.

🚢➡️ The Carnival Sunshine cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 10am and departs at 6pm.

🚢➡️ The Seven Seas Splendor cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 11am and departs at 7:30pm.

🚢 The MSC Sagitta III container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 3:15pm.

➡️ The Algotitan tanker departs Halifax for Newark at 5pm.

Kids are back at school, now it’s your turn to escape! Leave the city behind and spend a day exploring NS Wine Country while the grapes are ripening. Grab your friends and make a day of. Tours run 7 days/week.

🌅 Skip the line and head straight to the flavour. Order Salt + Sol online, pick up your favourites, and enjoy them on the Halifax waterfront.

😋 Public is serving Chachos: house kettle chips topped with cured meats, melted mozzarella and brie, pickled chilies, and seasonal jam.

🍞 Newfoundlanders have been doing this for generations. Good Robot Robie now has fried toutons with sea salt butter and molasses.

*sponsored

🏳️‍🌈 Rumours Lounge & Cabaret, a queer-friendly and queer-owned bar on Lower Water Street, is at risk of going under according to its ownership. In a letter posted to social media on Aug 31, owners Gerald McCowan and José Chiu told their patrons that they need help to ensure Rumours has a future. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer has more on the potential closure of one of Halifax’s few queer-friendly spaces.

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