🗞️ Style over substance

Happy Thursday, Halifax!

I’ve been seeing an interesting discussion online that I wanted to bring to your attention this morning. It concerns our responses to incoming snowy weather, and to be honest, I can’t help but be a little puzzled.

As I’ve said before, I’m from a small community in Central Newfoundland. I’ve also lived on the island’s West Coast for several years. The snow we would get back home would be terrifying, especially in Corner Brook. It would take us hours upon hours to shovel after a storm, to the point where we would sometimes ask our neighbours with excavators—which they used to plow their driveways—to lend us a hand.

Since moving to Nova Scotia, I have yet to experience snow as I did back home. We would get piles of the stuff, whereas here it feels like the snow from a storm is roughly the amount we’d get on a regular snowy day back home.

I’m no meteorologist. Maybe I’m making things up, and it’s actually the exact same amount of snow. Though I have read other people online saying similar things: the snow really isn’t all that bad, and people are overestimating it because of past traumas, such as “White Juan.” There was one storm a couple of years ago that saw snow coming up to the roofs of houses, which was definitely more reminiscent to me of the snow we’d get on the West Coast of Newfoundland. One thing’s for sure: Nova Scotia’s infrastructure doesn’t seem capable of dealing with the snow.

So, I wanted to pass this conversation on to you folks as some parts of the province are getting their first big drop of snow. Is the typical Nova Scotian winter really that bad, or do you think it’s been a little overinflated in people’s minds? Please feel free to let me know your thoughts. We’ll go over the poll results sometime next week.

Regardless of your thoughts on this, please stay safe as you get to where you’re going.

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 6°

Tomorrow: 🌨️ -7°

Next Day: 🌤️ -4°

7-day forecast

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

OPINION

What Becky Druhan’s departure means for the PC Party and provincial politics

In late October, former justice minister Becky Druhan left the PC Party to sit in the legislature as an independent. Just last week, she told people why.

As per an article from CBC, the Lunenburg West MLA said a “difference in principles” led to her departure. Just last week, she explained further: during the fall legislature, she alleges a staff member warned her not to speak on the Protecting Nova Scotians Act, an omnibus bill that brought with it sweeping, controversial changes. 

Some of those changes affected the Liquor Control Act. This included requirements for security personnel at bars, mandating that they complete criminal record checks and undergo training. This wasn’t well-received by the families of those who have died in conflicts with bouncers, who have criticized the bill because it doesn’t give the government the ability to regulate security. The fact that this same bill was passed back in 2010 and wasn’t proclaimed into law is a reminder of the disappointment they felt 15 years ago.

Druhan says she was told not to speak on this bill. She did, anyway. During an extremely short fall sitting—only eight days long—Druhan was one of the only cabinet ministers to chime in on the legislature floor about the bills up for debate.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over Druhan’s departure from the PC Party and what it tells us about our provincial politics.

🤔 Need To Know

⚡ Premier Tim Houston has called for an official investigation into Nova Scotia Power’s billing system, which has been overcharging some customers two-to-three times their regular amount—the investigation will analyze the utility’s billing methodology, consumer protections, potential penalties and financial relief to affected customers.

🪙 The province’s deputy minister for social development says the government isn’t considering a guaranteed basic income—the reason given is the cost, which is estimated at being around $1.5-$2 billion according to Canada’s parliamentary budget officer.

💵 The minimum wage will be increasing twice in 2026, according to the Nova Scotia government—it will rise to $16.75 in April, and once more to $17 in October.

🇨🇦 The Canada Strong Pass is back: December 12 to January 15, 2026. 24 years and younger, enjoy free or discounted admission. Plan your visit today to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21!*

🎻 Symphony Nova Scotia's holiday classic, The Nutcracker, opens tomorrow! With towering puppets, spirited dancing, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, this timeless ballet is an enchanting adventure. December 5 - 14. Book your magical holiday adventure!*

🖼️ Shop local this holiday season at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia’s Gallery Shop. All proceeds directly support AGNS exhibitions, programs, and community initiatives.*

💃 Live Art Dance presents a double bill featuring Gillian Seaward-Boone’s new solo, and the celebrated work of Compagnie ODD with Raphael Wenroth-Browne! Get tickets today!*

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

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY EASTERN FRONT THEATRE

A Very Dartmouth Christmas Concert

Taking hints from classic TV specials of days-gone-by and the Rankin Family-heavy elementary school concerts of the 90's, Eastern Front Theatre's annual holiday fundraiser is a chaotic and cozy candlelit evening with all of your favourite Christmas songs, stories and snacks.

Featuring Kim Harris, Don Brownrigg, the Dartmouth Geese and more!

Thursday, December 11th at 7:00pm at Alderney Landing.

🗞️ In Other News

🎄 Premier Tim Houston is in Boston this week to attend their Christmas tree lighting ceremony—the tree used for the ceremony is from Lunenburg and is part of a long-standing tradition between Nova Scotia and the city.

⚖️ Trailer Park Boys actor Mike Smith is set to be back in court on Jan. 23 on charges of sexual assault—court documents do not contain any details on the charges at this time.

🏥 Nova Scotia Health is expanding its AI-powered weapons detection system after what it considers a successful pilot program at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in May—the two-week test saw 49 potentially dangerous items get confiscated.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Improv: The Musical: The Spontaneity Improv crew takes audience suggestions to craft a new musical every show. It’s like Broadway, but made up on the spot! Happening at the Rox Live. | Dec. 4 | 7PM | $17.31 |

🗓 Yuk Yuks Halifax presents Manolis Zontanos: Internationally-touring comedian Manolis Zontanos takes the stage at Argyle Street this weekend. Hosted by Martin Edwards and featuring Dan Hendricken. | Dec. 5-6 | 8PM | $25.00+ |

🗓 December 6th Vigil: On the Day of Remembrance and Action to End Violence Against Women, join a candlelit walk to honour the victims of gender-based violence and listen to speakers share their stories. Taking place at the John W. Lindsay YMCA. | Dec. 6 | 4PM |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sail container ship departed Halifax for Liverpool at 1:30am.

🚢➡️ The MSC Yang R container vessel departed Halifax for Montreal at 2:30am.

🚢➡️ The One Eagle container vessel arrived in Halifax from New York at 4:45am.

🚢➡️ The Pictor container vessel arrived in Halifax from Portland (Maine) at 8:15am and departs for Argentia at 3pm.

🚢➡️ The Algoma East Coast oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 9:40am.

🚢➡️ The Brands Hatch vehicle container vessel departs for New York at 11am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sun container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 3:20pm and departs for New York at 11:30pm.

🚢➡️ The Algoma Acadian oil tanker departs Halifax for Charlottetown at 8pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍗 Imagine Japanese katsu in sandwich form. This week, Side Hustle Snack Bar is serving a crispy panko breaded chicken cutlet with sweet and sour katsu sauce, kewpie mayo, and lemony cabbage all on soft white bread.

🥪 Larry’s Sandwiches has a new weekly special: the Pasilla Chilli Chicken. Made with yogurt-marinated chicken thighs, smoky pasilla mayo, Larry’s chilli crisp, marinated cucumber, pickled red onion, arugula, all toasted on a sub bun.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏆 Michelle Weger was a Dalhousie University student when she discovered symptoms that would ultimately lead to a diagnosis of narcolepsy. With her service dog by her side on stage, Weger took home the first-place prize at Speaker Slam’s 9th Annual Grand Slam for her speech describing her experiences and how she has made her disability a strength. “Receiving this honour means so much to me,” says Weger in an email to The Coast. “As someone living with narcolepsy, I know what it feels like to doubt your own potential. To now be recognized as the Inspirational Speaker of the Year for the story I once tried to hide is incredibly meaningful.” The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer describes Weger’s story and how she came to win an international speaking award.

⚖️ A Halifax-area teen was sentenced to four years in custody and three years of community supervision for fatally stabbing Ahmad Al Marrach in a group attack at the Halifax Shopping Centre in April 2024—the accused was 14 at the time of the attack.

🚨 The man with a firearm arrested after an emergency alert in Enfield is facing several weapons charges, including possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose—39-year-old Michael Franklin Garden Cole of Shubenacadie was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being arrested.

That’s it!

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