Good morning!

On Thursday, police raided the Smoking Bear Treaty Truck House on Barrington Street, and video clips of the raid have gone viral of the incident.

A passerby who caught it on camera stated there were marked and unmarked police Halifax Regional Police cars at the storefront. In one of the videos captured by the passerby (@communitygardenkjipuktuk on Instagram), one of the officers—who looks to have been a day early for casual Friday—threatens the camera operator by saying, “If you put that thing in my face again, it’s going to go as evidence.”

When I was in J-school, one of the rights I had cemented in my brain was around what could and could not be taken from me from police. Cameras, or phones being utilized as cameras, were one of those things that they very much weren’t supposed to touch. Of course, police still do it constantly, all across the country—whether or not they’re allowed to do this type of thing doesn’t exactly matter to them. What repercussions will a cop face for taking away a camera? My assumption: not much.

Regardless, props to the operator for standing their ground, and all the best to the folks at the storefront. Houston and Armstrong’s cannabis crusade nonsense needs to stop—especially considering it’s been built on lies.

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: 🌦️ 10°

Tomorrow: ☁ 10°

Next Day: 🌦️ 10°

7-day forecast

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

It’s no secret that momentum has shifted backwards on issues surrounding queer identity.

Between the transphobic and homophobic legislation put forward both in Canada and abroad, there’s a sense of desperation in the minds of many 2SLGTBQIA+ communities as they continue to fight for their right to exist.

It’s the kind of desperation that Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum and a trans woman herself, has experienced firsthand. It’s the kind of desperation that Johnstone hopes to push back on her cross-country Trans Canada Tour.

“I think a lot of folks in our community are scared,” says Johnstone in a phone interview with The Coast. “They see what’s happening in America, and they’re worried about the same attacks coming and hitting us here at home.

“That’s why we’re hitting the road. We’re hitting the road to rebuild our movement.”

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Fae Johnstone about the Trans Canada Tour and how she’s looking to build momentum towards political action in Halifax’s queer community.

🕊️ The mother of the newborn who was found deceased in a wooded area in Halifax has also died, says Halifax Regional Police, adding that it may take an extended period of time to determine what exactly happened—the 23-year-old was rushed to hospital in critical condition last Friday after giving birth, though her baby was not with her.

🚨 The man and woman charged following the discovery of the dead newborn in Halifax are not seeking bail, deciding to remain in custody until their next hearing in three week’s time—Sukhpreet Singh, 23, and Ramandeep Kaur, 26, related to the mother, are charged with crimes related to disposing of the child’s body.

🪧 Talks between the union representing long-term care workers in the province and the Nova Scotia government have once again broken down—the strike has been ongoing for over seven weeks with 3,600 workers demanding higher wages.

💃 Live Art Dance presents “taqəš and Other Works”, a stunning evening of dance from award-winning Ballet Kelowna! Don't miss out – get your tickets today!*

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🚗 A 42-year-old was arrested and charged with impaired driving after a crash on Beaver Bank Road that injured both the driver and passenger and sent the vehicle into the air—RCMP are asking anyone with footage of the vehicle around the time of the crash to step forward, stating it was a BMW 330.

🫶 The province has partnered with Dalhousie University to create a disability support outreach team that is set to provide support in and around Halifax—this team will include occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech-language pathologists, social workers, dieticians, and more.

🐻 A trio of teens were arrested and charged with assault in Truro after attacking another group of teens with bear spray—all three teens breached previous court orders.

Acclaimed violinist Mark Fewer tackles Ligeti’s fiendishly difficult Violin Concerto this Sunday, May 31 at 2:30pm.

Presented as part of Scotia Festival of Music 2026, this rarely-performed and wildly imaginative work requires a high-wire feat of virtuosity from soloist and ensemble alike. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime performance!

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

🗓 Back to Summer Concert: This all ages show at the Mic Mac AAC features The Public Service, Julia Cunningham, and Mat Hughes. | May 29 | 7PM | $20+|

🗓 Halifax Tides FC: The Halifax Tides FC take on the Ottawa Rapid FC at the Wanderers Grounds. | May 29 | 6PM | $30.12+|

🗓 The Wreckless Ones @ The Rox Live: The Wreckless Ones take over the Crown Royal stage at the Rox Live this weekend. Drinks, food, music. | May 29-30 | 10:30PM | $5.00 |

🗓 YukYuks presents Peter White: Nationally-acclaimed comedian Peter White takes the stage at Yuk Yuks this weekend, blending sharp writing and East Coast charm. | May 29-30 | 8PM | $25.00+|

🗓 Floorball Canada National Championships: The third annual floorball national championships taking place at Dalhousie University. | May 29-31 |

🗓 2026 Atlantic Burlesque Festival: The Atlantic Burlesque Co-operative presents the third annual Atlantic Burlesque Festival, held at the Neptune Theatre Scotiabank Studio. | May 29-30 |

🗓 Comedy Night @ Woodside Tavern: A laugh-out-loud comedy night featuring Cam Sartol, Liam Godson, Drusilla Connor, Maddie Arsenault, Lauchlan MacKinnon, and Stu Anthony. | May 30 | 8PM | $15+|

🗓 Halifax Vintage Glass Show: Glass, pottery, ceramics, porcelain, and fine china at the Halifax Forum’s Maritime Hall. | May 30 | 10AM | $5 |

🗓 Bedford-Hammonds Plains Craft & Vendor May Market: 45+ vendors with handmade goods, baked treats, art, jewellery, textiles, bath and body products, and more at the St. John’s Church. | May 30 | 10AM | $2 |

🗓 Soccer Tournament (Mundialito CoEd): A co-ed soccer tournament for adults (18+). Come down and watch at the BMO Soccer Centre. | May 31 | 5PM |

🗓 James Roque - The Mano Po Tour: Acclaimed comedian James Roque deals with a mid-life crisis in this hilarious comedy show at the Bus Stop Theatre. | May 31 | 7:30PM | $27.18 |

🗓 Scotia Festival of Music 2026: Two weeks of amazing classical music from local legends and guest artists from across the continent. | May 25-June 7 |

🗓 Neptune Theatre: Come From Away: This musical about the experiences of Gander, NL residents during the September 11 attacks is playing at the Neptune Theatre. | March 31-June 21 | $40+|

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

🚢➡️ The Mersey Venture arrived in Halifax from Dartmouth at 12:10am and departs for Dartmouth at 12pm.

🚢➡️ The Vistula Maersk container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 6:15am and departs for Antwerp at 4pm.

🚢➡️ The Silver Arctic container vessel arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am and departs for St. Pierre at 3pm.

🚢➡️ The Morning Chorus vehicle carrier arrives in Halifax from Southampton at 11:25am and departs for New York at 8:30pm.

➡️ The Algoma Acadian tanker departs Halifax for Saint John at 12pm.

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

🚢 The EF Ava container vessel arrives in Halifax from Portland (Maine) 6:15pm.

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🍔 The Pint will cure your weather-related blues this weekend with The Works: a burger made with double cheddar, caramelized onion, sautéed mushrooms Guinness tomato jam, horseradish aioli, and crispy onion rings.

🥪 Larry’s Sandwiches has partnered with Churned for their next sandwich of the week: a vegan vanilla and tahini with cherry swirl on Larry’s vegan brioche bun in sesame almond praline.

🍁 When Elodie Postel first arrived in Canada from Guadeloupe in 2009, she imagined a future shaped by architecture, opportunity, and stability. Instead, within a year of moving to Montreal, her life was turned upside down. Postel, an architect trained in Paris, had moved to Canada with her partner and young daughter after completing her studies and earning her professional credentials in France. But shortly after settling in Canada, the father of her daughter passed away unexpectedly. Suddenly, she found herself navigating grief, immigration uncertainty, and single motherhood in a new country. “My daughter was three years old,” says Postel. “Everyone wanted me to leave Canada and go back home, but I decided to stay. Canada was always my dream.” The Coast’s Warren D’Silva chats with Postel about the philosophy behind her business, SOS Archis, and the launch event on May 28.

🏛️ Premier Tim Houston has shuffled his cabinet, adding four ministers—this includes MLAs Marco MacLeod as energy minister, Tory Rushton on natural resources, Susan Corkum-Greek taking over the social development portfolio, and Brian Wong as the new advanced education minister.

🏟️ The idea to build a stadium and entertainment hub in Halifax may continue to be wishful thinking—a statement from a local businessman who was in on discussions with the U.S.-based business proposing the development says they lacked key elements in their ask, including a business plan or proof of capital.

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