🗞️ That's a wrap

Happy Friday, Halifax!

On Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston sent a letter to the provincial energy board calling for an investigation into Nova Scotia Power. At this point, it’s not hard to see why.

As I’ve written about at least 32,095,525 times at this point—strange considering I’ve only been editing this newsletter for a couple of months—Nova Scotia Power has a long list of problems that need to be addressed immediately.

A cyberattack earlier this year meant nearly 300,000 confirmed customers lost valuable identifying data to hackers. People have seen bills skyrocket to two to three times their normal amount, with the utility citing its automated record meter system being offline. Despite all of this, NSP is looking to raise its rates again, making Nova Scotians pay for the utility’s mistakes.

While I am not one to give Houston credit, he did drop this deadly line in his letter to the energy board: “It’s not lost on me or the board that knowingly overbilling would constitute regulatory fraud and misreporting revenue to the markets is a form of security fraud.”

Of course, in true Nova Scotia Power fashion, its communications representative denied Houston’s claims and the need for an investigation while apologizing for the “frustrations our customers are experiencing.”

I hope this investigation goes through and Nova Scotia Power faces the appropriate penalties for this entire mess. I personally know families who have been deeply affected by the utility’s overbilling, as I’m sure you do, as well.

Those folks deserve justice, and Nova Scotia Power deserves to pay the price—quite literally—for its mistakes and wrongdoings.

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌨️ -6°

Tomorrow: ☁️ -1°

Next Day: 🌧️ 2°

7-day forecast

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

MUSIC

That’s a wrap: These artists, songs and albums are what Halifax listened to the most in 2025

As everyone checks their music streaming app of choice for their annual wrap-up, Spotify has released its stats calculating the most listened-to artists, albums and songs from the Halifax area.

Some of the report’s findings are a no-brainer. Others are quite surprising.

While Spotify has its own wide range of ethical issues and controversies, this report on Halifax's listening habits presents an interesting picture.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over Halifax’s music streaming stats for 2025.

🤔 Need To Know

🚓 Three men were arrested Wednesday night after a car chase in Dartmouth ended on foot in Halifax—two of the three men are facing a slew of charges, while a fourth occupant has yet to be found.

🌿 Justice Minister Scott Armstrong is asking Mi’kmaw chiefs to help in cracking down on treaty truckhouses selling cannabis—a spokesperson for the assembly of chiefs says Armstrong’s description of truckhouses is not fair considering the treaty rights involved.

⚖️ A man found guilty of sexual offences had his ruling appealed based on a constitutional rights violation—his case took too long to come to court, with his trial not ending until 35 months after the charges were laid.

🎟️ Support Nova Scotians facing food insecurity AND get the chance to win with Feed Nova Scotia’s Holiday 50/50!*

🎁 Shop local this holiday season with help from the 2025 Downtown Halifax Holiday Gift Guide! Featuring over 110 businesses in the Downtown Halifax and Spring Garden areas.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY NEPTUNE THEATRE

We are thrilled to welcome you to Oz this Holiday Season!

When a tornado sweeps young Dorothy Gale over the rainbow, she lands in the magical land of Oz. Joined by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion - Dorothy must follow the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard of Oz who can send her back home to Kansas. On the way she must avoid the Wicked Witch of the West, and while discovering that in the end, there really is no place like home.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗭
On stage now - January 11, 2026
🎟 Tickets on Sale Now 🎟

🗞️ In Other News

💧 Despite the recent rainfall in Halifax, conservation methods remain active as the municipality’s water supply recovers from this summer’s drought—while the rain has been helpful, a spokesperson for Halifax Water says more is needed before measures can be lifted.

🏫 The University of King’s College is facing a $1.8 million deficit, which may change the way the school operates—part of the problem is the federal government’s cap on international students, leading to a decline of about $700,000 in revenue.

👮 Halifax’s police oversight board says the city’s police should update its use of force policy and turn towards de-escalation tactics—board policy states force should be used as a “last resort.”

SPONSORED BY SPRING GARDEN AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Shopping Under the Stars

Join Spring Garden for Shopping Under the Stars tonight, from 5 PM to 9 PM! Enjoy festive shopping, local treats, and special discounts throughout the evening. It's the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit while discovering unique finds in the heart of Halifax! 🌟🎄

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Shopping Under the Stars: Travel along Spring Garden Road for an evening of holiday cheer, light displays and local shopping deals. Free hot chocolate, a holiday craft market and a live circus performance will make this night a good way to kick off the season. | Dec. 5 | 5PM |

🗓 Hydrostone Tree Lighting: The annual Hydrostone Tree Lighting in support of Veith House at the Hydrostone Park in Halifax’s North End. Free drinks, cookies, music, and a visit from Santa. | Dec. 5 | 6:30PM |

🗓 Halifax Thunderbirds Lacrosse: Watch the Thunderbirds take on the Oshawa Firewolves at the Scotiabank Centre. | Dec. 5 | 7PM | From $35.75 |

🗓 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 |

🗓 Hammonds Plains Tree Lighting and Makers Market: Starting the holidays off right with a community tree lighting, mini makers market, and plenty of festive spirit. | Dec. 6 | 2PM |

🗓 Mat Hughes at The Music Room: Celebrated Halifax musician brings his grand piano to the Music Room for an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime concert. | Dec. 6 | 7PM | $25 |

🗓 Halifax Mooseheads Hockey: Watch the hometown team take on Foreurs De Val D'or at the Scotiabank Centre in two games this weekend. | Dec. 6-7 | 7PM | From $27.25 |

🗓 Merry Makers' Market: A collection of Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market vendors and new vendors will make your spirits bright with their wares. Expect holiday music and warm, festive drinks. | Dec. 7 | 10AM |

🗓 Christmas in Mi’kma’ki Vendor Market: Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists and crafters come together for this seasonal market at the Mic Mac Mall. | Dec. 7 | 10AM |

🗓 Beaty Centre for Marine Diversity Grand Opening Weekend: Explore this exciting new destination at the Steele Ocean Sciences Building at Dalhousie University, bringing Nova Scotia’s underwater world to life with exhibits, live species, hands-on activities and real research happening right here in our province. | Dec. 6-7 | 10AM | $14.00 |

🗓 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 One Eagle container vessel departed Halifax for Singapore at 3am.

🚢➡️ The CMA CGM Innovation arrives in Halifax from Algeciras at 5:15pm and departs for New York at 11pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container vessel departs Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.

➡️ The Algoma East Coast oil tanker departs Halifax for Saint John at 10pm.

🚢 The Algoberta oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Nanticoke at 11:15pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🦃 Go to aFrite and have a taste of home with their Christmas Perogies, made with mother’s famous turkey stuffing recipe. On the menu throughout December.

🍟 Stubborn Goat Gastropub has the ultimate winter comfort food: Chilli Cheese Loaded Fries. House-cut fries with red ale beer cheese, beef chilli, a drizzle of chipotle aioli and sliced green onions.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ 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.

🪙 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.

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: