🗞️ Symbols replace substance

Good morning, Halifax 👋

As I was surfing CBC as I often do most evenings, a name appeared that I have unfortunately had to see and hear more than I would have ever expected. That name is Nick Fuentes. The fact that you may also know this name proves how far right our Overton window has shifted.

The CBC podcast Front Burner addressed everything there is to talk about Fuentes: the growing Groyper movement, his prominence post-Charlottesville, and his rampant Nazi apologia and antisemitism. He’s only gained more prominence in recent years, meeting with president and sex criminal Donald Trump alongside Kanye West and, most recently, appearing on Tucker Carlson’s show.

Before this year, I would have expected Fuentes’ name and influence to have stayed put where it belonged, within the annals of a streaming platform no one uses where he can host his ridiculously far-right podcast without causing the broader public any ideological harm. Yet, here we are, with national news organizations having to address Fuentes’ awful remarks, actions and opinion, and with good reason: ideas from the far-right are being normalized more and more.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard a family member or acquaintance say that they wish the atrocities ICE has been committing in the United States could also happen here in Canada. I’m certain that you’ve heard of the increase in far-right rallies ever since the trucker convoy normalized the practice. As much as we like to say all this craziness is past our southern boarder, we can’t pretend like we aren’t seeing similar rhetoric being used in Canada, especially when there’s a certain political actors espousing ideas of limiting immigration and have actively supported far-right rallies and networks.

As I write this late on Remembrance Day, I think about the brave people who fought against the rising tide of fascism in WWII. Somehow, we let fascism onto our own shores while praising those who defended the world from it’s tyranny. That’s what I’m reminded of as I see the name of an online neo-Nazi float into the mainstream,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 6°

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 6°

Next Day: ☁️ 4°

7-day forecast

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

OPINION

When symbols replace substance: Tim Houston’s populist use of the military

Last week, Premier Tim Houston used his office and considerable public platform to admonish the judiciary over the issue of wearing poppies in courtrooms.

For anyone who missed it: Houston took to X to rage against two Nova Scotia judges who supposedly asked people not to wear poppies in the courtroom. The outrage cycle that followed was immediate, and almost certainly intentional. Conservative politicians and commentators from across Canada seized the moment, denouncing “activist judges” and casting Houston as some kind of modern-day defender of patriotism.

This is not new behaviour. Houston’s government has repeatedly used the military and its symbols for political gain.

Opinion writer Liz LeClair tackles premier Tim Houston’s most recent attempt to capitalize on the military for his own public gain.

🤔 Need To Know

🚨 Mike Smith, the actor best known for playing Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys, is being charged with sexual assault in Halifax for an incident dating back to December 2017—Smith had faced a battery charge back in 2016 for another incident involving a woman in Los Angeles, but the charges were dropped a month later.

🪖 Following an announcement from the Houston government last week concerning military uniforms in provincial buildings, federal veteran affairs minister Jill McKnight supported Nova Scotia’s judges in their ability to determine whether or not poppies should be banned in the courtroom—Houston’s press secretary has since backpedaled his comments, which originally called the banning of poppies in court rooms, “disgusting”.

⚖️ A Halifax judge has approved a $32 million settlement for around 2,600 disabled residents in Nova Scotia for being wrongly denied social assistance benefits from the province—this is one of the largest settlements in the history of Nova Scotia.

🎟️ Feed Nova Scotia’s Holiday 50/50 has arrived! Help support Nova Scotian food banks, meal programs, and shelters by grabbing your tickets today!*

🍔 The Pint’s burgers are Halifax legends! Juicy, bold, and stacked with flavour — every bite hits. From classic to creative, they’re the real deal. Vote The Pint – Best Burger!*

🍕 Make your holiday party unforgettable! Freeman’s exceptional catering and warm hospitality—whether it’s at your table or ours, Freeman’s delivers perfect holiday joy!*

🤣 See Comedian Derek Seguin at the Spatz Theatre Nov. 28. Expect twisted, Juno-nominated comedy and nonstop laughs from this CBC Debaters’ favorite. Get tickets.*

🧵 Experience Halifax’s newest holiday destination! Shop 45+ local artists at 40 Days of Fine Craft, Nov 12–Dec 21 | Centre for Craft Nova Scotia | Free admission | 10am–7pm daily.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SABROSA RESTAURANT AND TEQUILA BAR

Experience The Best Mexican Restaurant In HRM As Voted By You!

For over two years, Sabrosa has been serving fresh Mexican cuisine made from scratch daily — right here in the heart of the community that made us who we are. Voted Best Mexican Restaurant in HRM (2024) and proudly nominated for Best Burrito and Best Nachos in The Coast’s Best of Halifax 2024 and 2025, we’re humbled by your continued love and support. Every dish we serve celebrates tradition, infused with a modern twist and a whole lot of heart. From our kitchen to your table, Sabrosa is more than a restaurant — it’s a community experience. Vote Sabrosa and spread the word on Halifax’s best Mexican flavours!

🗞️ In Other News

🏠 Student union leaders took to the streets of Halifax last Friday to call for the provincial government to do more to solve the city’s worsening housing crisis—calls include for lower rent and protecting tenants.

⚖️ The man considered to be Cape Breton’s first active shooter has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting two people in 2020—Raymond Shawn Daniel LeRoy was already in prison on other charges and likely won’t be released until 2040.

💡 Nova Scotia Power CEO Peter Gregg says the utility’s proposed rate hike is reasonable, with the utility adding the hike will help pay for maintenance and improvements while keeping profit margins up—this comes after the disastrous loss of more than 300,000 customers personal data to hackers in a cyberattack earlier this year.

SPONSORED BY LIVE ART DANCE

MAYDAY’s renowned “Confession Publique” hits Halifax!

Live Art Dance and Mayworks present MAYDAY's Confession Publique, an autobiographical dance-theatre piece from two of Montreal's fiercest women creators. Celebrated choreographer Mélanie Demers combines forces with equally celebrated performer Angélique Wilkie, resulting in an incredibly magnetizing, hard-hitting, and vulnerable work. Don’t miss this one - get your tickets today!

SPONSORED BY THE 12th ANNUAL ATLANTIC JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Atlantic Jewish Film Festival: November 20 – 23, Bronfman Theatre, Pier 21

Tickets are limited - secure yours today before they are gone!  

Be part of the festival. Be part of the stories! Don't miss your chance to experience these unforgettable films & special screenings with incredible filmmakers.

We are thrilled to open with a powerful documentary film from Halifax filmmaker Lynda Medjuck Suissa - the World Premiere of Sheitel - Beauty in the Hidden.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 La Mer: New work by Sanna Rahola and Douglas Drdul: The Prow Gallery presents the works of Nova Scotia artists Sanna Rahola and Douglas Drdul, “La Mer”, an exhibition and exploration of the sea. | Nov. 13 - Dec. 5 |

🗓 SPONTANEITY IMPROV: MARIO PARTY SHOW: Improv performers go head-to-head in mini-games and challenges inspired by the classic video game series Mario Party. The prize? Your laughter. Happening at the Roxbury. | Nov. 13 | 7:30PM | $17.31 |

🗓 The Beaches - No Hard Feelings Tour: Canadian all-femme rock group The Beaches take over the Scotiabank Centre for this one-night performance. | Nov. 13 | 8:00PM | From $57.25 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container vessel arrives in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and departs for New York at 4:29pm.

🚢 The Algoscotia oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Sydney at 12:15pm.

🚢 The Oceanex Sanderling container ship arrives in Halifax from St. John’s at 12:25pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍳 Halina Cafe & Bar has a toasty-twist on their silog: the Halina Breakfast Toastie. Made with homemade potato toast, fluffy eggs, cheese, shredded cabbage and special house sauce. It comes in four varieties!

🥪 Larry’s Sandwiches has a new sandwich of the week for you to enjoy: Montreal smoked brisket, ‘Russian dressing’ mayo, sauerkraut, ballpark mustard and provolone cheese.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🧀 Few things say celebration like a beautifully arranged charcuterie board. Good ones are colourful, abundant and designed to be shared. For Amanda Martin, founder of Sweet Cheesus Charcuterie, boards have become more than just edible art. They are an expression of creativity, resilience and Nova Scotian pride. Martin launched Sweet Cheesus in 2021, a time when she was searching for a way to reconnect with the food and beverage industry while balancing life as a single mother. “After the pandemic, I needed to find a way to do this without leaving my home. Enter Sweet Cheesus,” she says with a smile. “What began as a side hustle quickly turned into a full-blown business. The Coast’s food and wine connoisseur Mark DeWolf speaks with Martin about her business, and what makes a perfect holiday charcuterie board.

💰 New numbers from Statistics Canada indicate the growing wealth disparity across Nova Scotia—the median income for the top 0.1 percent of earners in 2023 was $1,181,600, while typical Nova Scotians earned only $41,300 in comparison.

🦈 A Florida-based research group tagged the first free-swimming great white shark with a fin-mounted satellite swimming off the coast off the southwest tip of Nova Scotia—the shark, named Salvager, has strayed as far as the Bay of Fundy.

That’s it!

Thanks for reading The Coast Daily today.

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Haligonian.

And before you go, let us know: