🗞️ Standing up to power

Happy Friday, Halifax!

Nova Scotia Power might be in real trouble now.

Between a class-action lawsuit and a new investigation from the provincial energy board, the private electric utility may finally face some real consequences for losing the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotians and over-billing families who are already struggling through an affordability crisis.

First, the lawsuit. Filed by MacGillivray Injury and Insurance, it alleges several issues with Nova Scotia Power: negligence, misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of multiple legislations, and enrichment. The statement of claim argues that Nova Scotia Power intentionally implemented a billing system that they knew would overcharge its customers.

While the lawsuit has to be certified by the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia before it goes ahead, it’s a first step in seeing justice for the people directly impacted by the utility’s actions.

Secondly, following a letter from Premier Tim Houston, the chair of the provincial energy board says it will be looking into the Nova Scotia Power’s billing system. Whether or not this will be included in the same investigation as the cyberattack will be determined by the board when more information is made available.

Nova Scotia Power says the over-billing issue is a product of their automated meter readers going offline since the cyberattack, relying instead on estimations. These estimations have often been quite higher than normal billings, typically two-to-three times the regular amount.

This is all positive news for those impacted. Let’s hope the courts and the energy board will follow through.

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌨️-4°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ -1°

Next Day: 🌧️ 2°

7-day forecast

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

MUSIC

BASYL talks Million Vibes, Music Week, and the best hip-hop artist of all time

I first saw BASYL when he opened for Danny Brown at Hopscotch Festival in 2024.

Before that, I only knew some of the bigger names in the Halifax hip-hop scene, the people whose legacies had already been well-defined. Unfortunately, up-and-comers were not in my purview as much at the time.

BASYL is the artist who made me realize just how much I was missing out. He was energetic. His bars flowed like water from the tap. Most importantly, he was fearless. BASYL brought a Palestinian flag up on stage and made the crowd chant “Free Palestine” at the top of our lungs. It wasn’t just an excellent performance; it felt unifying.

Since then, I’ve been following BASYL’s trajectory from an engineering student who wanted nothing more than to make music, to selling out his first headline gig and releasing an enticingly rhythmic EP, Love Bombers, earlier this year. He’s also a member of the Million Vibes Collective, who have been taking Halifax by storm.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with BASYL in the long-awaited third part of our Music Week Interview Series.

🤔 Need To Know

🚫 A new report from the federal public sector watchdog accuses Mary Chapman, CEO of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, of mistreating staff and using inappropriate language—the report says Chapman called her senior leadership team “sluts” in public.

🔎 Halifax mayor Andy Fillmore was found not to have broken the municipal code of conduct after an investigation into his misleading comments about the role of the CAO in municipal government—Fillmore claimed he reports to the CAO, when in fact the CAO reports to the mayor and council.

📃 Over half of female migrant workers surveyed about working conditions said they are overcrowded at employer-provided housing and have too few washrooms, according to a new report from the Centre of Migrant Worker Rights—unsafe working conditions, such as extreme heat and weather, were also a concern amongst workers.

☃️ Happy Holidays from Symphony Nova Scotia! Enjoy outstanding entertainment in the new year, from classical composers to symphonic tributes honouring iconic rock legends and orchestral arrangements of Maritime favourites. Book your 2026 entertainment!*

🎟️ There’s less than a week to go until Feed Nova Scotia’s Holiday 50/50 comes to a close, so be sure to grab your tickets today!*

🍷 Purchase a WINE TOUR GIFT CERTIFICATE for any amount or a specific tour and your guest chooses the date they want to go. Give an experience to the person on your list who loves wine.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY MICHELLE DARWIN ART

A Unique Gift for the Art (or Nova Scotia) Lover in Your Life

Purchase original artwork or fine art prints handmade with love in Michelle Darwin’s coastal studio. Her paintings capture Nova Scotia houses and landscapes in all seasons, in beautiful light and colour. Order online to get free shipping within Eastern Canada. 📬

Makes a perfect last-minute gift!

Visit the Online Shop

🗞️ In Other News

🔥 Halifax firefighters saved two dogs from a burning building last weekend—the fire was on Frederick Avenue in Fairview and was relatively contained to the room of origin, says the department in a release.

🍫 The story of the family behind Peace By Chocolate is on it’s way to becoming an animated film—owner Tareq Hadhad moved to Nova Scotia from Syria in late 2015, starting his chocolate company the following year.

⛏️ An Australian company is looking to restart an Eastern Shore gold mine that closed over two years ago—the company says Nova Scotia’s renewed support for natural resource development and an easier environmental permitting process led to this decision.

SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE

You Asked, We Answered

Well, when you say you wanted it, you were NOT kidding! The unbelievable demand for COME FROM AWAY tickets means that we are extending the show by TWO WEEKS. And those tickets are on sale NOW.

Give the gift of experiences this holiday season, and book them some of the best seats we have available for the musical event of the season.

Come From Away
March 31 - June 7, 2026

🎟 Tickets on Sale Now 🎟

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Yuk Yuks Halifax presents Dan Hendricken: Local comedy favourite Dan Hendricken is a rising star on the scene and will get more than a giggle out of you during his Yuk Yuk’s stand-up shows this weekend. Supported by Travis Lindsay and Line Woods. | Dec. 12-13 | 8PM | From $25 |

🗓 ILNS Gala and Dance featuring Signal Hill: Independent Living Nova Scotia is hosting the ultimate East Coast kitchen party with a special gala and dance featuring Signal Hill. | Dec. 12 | 7PM | From $20 |

🗓 Love Lights the Winter Sky: An evening of warm seasonal music featuring an array of special musical guests. Taking place at the All Nations Church in the North End. | Dec. 13-14 | 4PM | From $15 |

🗓 The Prow Gallery Holiday Pop-Up: A pop-up event featuring artists Shelley Mansel and Kevin MacLean. | Dec. 13 | 10AM |

🗓 South End Vintage Market: The monthly vintage market is back for the holiday season. Finish off your gift-giving with some wonderful wares from over 40 vendors. | Dec. 13 | 11AM | $2 |

🗓 Carols and Cocoa: Street carolling and free hot chocolate while you explore local shops in downtown Dartmouth. | Dec. 13 | 11AM |

🗓 Woodside Tavern Comedy Night: A vast array of comedians will leave you laughing. Headlined by Jon Pickett, featuring Vanessa Allen, Joel Franklin, Steff MacNeil, and hosted by Stu Anthony | Dec. 13 | 8PM | From $10 |

🗓 Symphony Nova Scotia: The Nutcracker: A Halifax holiday favourite is back. A young girl’s toy comes to life and brings her to an enchanted world with magical creatures, colourful friends and the ferocious Mouse Queen. | Dec. 5-14 | 2PM & 7:30PM | From $25.50+ |

🗓 Evergreen Festival: A four-week-long festival celebrating everything Nova Scotian: culture, foods, spirits, crafts, art and experiences. Check out the website to plan your perfect Evergreen Festival. | Nov. 21-Dec. 14 |

🗓 Neptune Theatre: The Wizard of Oz: Get ready for the classic tale of Dorothy’s travels in the magical land of Oz on the Neptune Theatre stage. Featuring all your favourite songs from the movie. Family-friendly. | Nov. 4 - Jan. 4 | 7:30PM | From $40 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The CMA CGM Callisto container vessel departed Halifax for New York at 4am.

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

🚢 The Gotland cargo ship arrives in Halifax from Moa at 7:30am.

🚢 The MSC Yang R container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 11:15am.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍣 Sea Smoke Restaurant has introduced a special Christmas roll, made with tuna, avocado, rock shrimp tempura, topped with tobiko and a touch of gold flakes.

🍗 CHKN CHOP is giving you the GABAGOOL until Dec. 14. Fried chicken, pesto aioli, sliced capocollo and arugula, pickled eggplant, provolone cheese and a balsamic glaze.

👀 In Case You Missed It

❄️ Last week, we posed the question to our readers: is the snow in Halifax really that much of a hassle? There have certainly been some awful storms that have impacted infrastructure over the years, but outside of major weather events, is the snowfall in Halifax manageable for the city’s residents? We asked, and our readers answered in an incredibly surprising fashion. Over 96 percent of you said the snow in Halifax was perfectly manageable—that’s with 827 responses. Less than four percent (32 responses) said they found the snow to be a lot.

⛔ The premier’s office responded to Sipekne’katik First Nation banning Tim Houston and his ministers, saying the government takes threats to their safety very seriously—Sipekne’katik chief Michelle Glasgow recently said if Houston or his ministers step foot on their land, they will be fined $50,000.

🏕️ The homeless encampment in Lower Flinn Park has been cleared as of Wednesday morning after being de-designated in early November—over 1,000 people are currently homeless in HRM.

That’s it!

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