🗞️ The affordability crisis continues

Good morning, Halifax!

I found it quite funny that on the same day I published an opinion piece referencing Justice Minister Scott Armstrong’s lack of law experience, he revealed to the world that he should absolutely, under no circumstances, be the justice minister.

Last Thursday, Armstrong held a press conference that essentially turned into a Trumpian call-to-action for police forces across the province to crack down on trading posts selling cannabis, or what he calls “illegal cannabis dispensaries.”

Armstrong also decided to write the thirteen Mi’kmaw chiefs across the province, asking that they help the government in its efforts to put a stop to these stores. He went as far as to insinuate that these stores are connected to criminal activity.

In the days following, Mi’kmaw chiefs across the province rebuked this call-to-action. Law experts are confused as to why the minister would try to direct the police, or why Armstrong would make this announcement to begin with. The RCMP say they are already enforcing the law as it exists and are doing absolutely nothing new since the announcement.

Sipekne’katik chief Michelle Glasgow wrote on Friday what might be the best response to this whole situation: “The province’s actions through the minister of justice are acts of systemic racism and inciting hate against Mi’kmaw people, labelling us the problem, and this narrative is absolutely disgusting.” As of Wednesday night, Sipekne’katik have also banned Armstrong, Premier Tim Houston, and L’nu Affairs Minister Leah Martin from stepping foot in the community at risk of a $50,000 fine.

Back when cannabis was legalized nationwide, the chiefs attempted to work with the government to find ways to regulate trading post cannabis in their communities, but the province left them hanging. Now, they’re trying to tell them what to do.

Regulations ensure products are safe for consumption, but it should be up to the First Nations communities across the province to decide how it’s regulated with help from the government. It should not be the minister of justice announcing a do-nothing directive, infuriating anyone who seeks to uphold treaty rights.

You’d also figure that maybe the government would want to focus on the drugs that are actually causing deaths in Nova Scotia: fentanyl and opioids.

This is the definition of political theatre, and Armstrong just messed up his lines and stumbled off the foot of the stage. Refresh yourself on treaty rights and stop being Nova Scotia’s biggest narc.

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌧️ 4°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 5°

Next Day: 🌨️ -3°

7-day forecast

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

HOUSING

New reports highlight housing stability ahead of 2026 as affordability crisis looms

New reports from Royal LePage and the federal government show Halifax has a relatively stable housing market, but that doesn’t mean it’s any more affordable.

According to new data released by real estate agency Royal LePage, homebuyers and homeowners in Halifax can rest assured that their investments will weather our current economic storm.

While the housing market seems to be on track for 2026, the rental market remains stable but pricey. According to new numbers from Statistics Canada and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation from Dec. 2, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Halifax is $1,840. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,310. These figures are based on third-quarter reporting in 2025.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over housing statistics from across the board to determine Halifax’s overall housing affordability.

🤔 Need To Know

🚕 New bylaw amendments are being considered by Halifax’s transportation committee, allowing taxi and limo operators to file their proposed rates for municipal approval anytime rather than just once a year—also being considered is municipal licensing for individual ride-hail drivers, which costs $100 every two years.

🚨 A new Statistics Canada report shows Nova Scotia had the highest provincial rate of human trafficking in 2024—the recorded rate is 4.5 out of 100,000 people, far above the national average of 1.5 per 100,000.

👶 Nova Scotia isn’t meeting its targets on childcare, according to a new report—while progress has been made, affordability, the creation of new spaces and working conditions for early childhood educators are still off-target.

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

🎄Book Your Holiday Lunch & Dinner with Efes Turkish Cuisine - 5650 Spring Garden Rd. | (902) 405-4028, 771 Bedford Hwy. #6 | (902) 835-9975.*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA

Don't Stop Believin'

Classic rock meets symphonic power as Symphony Nova Scotia pays tribute to the iconic music of Journey. Experience legendary hits like Any Way You Want It, Open Arms, and Wheel in the Sky reimagined with lush orchestral arrangements that amplify every riff, rhythm, and soaring vocal. Relive the soundtrack of a generation! January 23, 24 & 25.

🗞️ In Other News

🏛️ New interim Liberal leader Iain Rankin is calling on the provincial government to create a comprehensive economic strategy to combat its $1.2 billion deficit—an update on the deficit is expected next week.

🚰 The boil-water order for customers affected by the Waverley Road water main break has been lifted, according to Halifax Water—the advisory impacted 2,000 customers along the Waverley Road area.

🔥 A blaze at a Cumberland County fish plant on Monday destroyed the main building—a local fire chief says the wind made fighting the fire difficult, even with multiple departments responding.

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMISSION

Spruce's Evergreen Cocoa Trail

Explore holiday-themed hot chocolates from local businesses during the Evergreen Festival with Spruce’s Evergreen Cocoa Trail.

Grab a Cocoa Trail Passport at participating businesses or the Winter Welcome Kiosk in the Salt Yard. Collect five stickers for a chance to win a festive Evergreen Prize Package!

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Duo Concertante: Duo Concertante bring their beloved program to the Peggy Corkum Music Room, including a sonatas of many different stripes. | Dec. 10 | 7:30PM | From $20 |

🗓 A Very Dartmouth Christmas Concert: Your favourite cast members from the Eastern Front Theatre star in this hyper-local Christmas Concert production, from Christmas TV specials to 90’s Rankin Family-inspired hits. | Dec. 11 | 7PM | $45 with PWYC option |

🗓 Adam Baldwin & The Jenny Wren: One of the most celebrated Atlantic Canadian songwriters of the last decade performs at the Light House Arts Centre this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, spinning yarns in a spectacular fashion. | Dec. 11-13 | 8PM | From $45 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The MSC Kilimanjaro container vessel departed Halifax for Montreal at 3:30am.

🚢➡️ The Zim China container vessel arrives in Halifax from Algeciras at 8:20am and departs for New York at 6pm.

🚢 The Oceanex Sanderling cargo ship arrives in Halifax from St. John’s at 4:20pm.

🚢 The Volga Maersk container vessel arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 5:15pm

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🥪 Larry’s Sandwiches has a new sandwich of the week! Gochujang glazed tofu, charred scallion mayo, pickled daikon and kimchi salad on a toasted sub bun.

🍩 This is a dessert you’ll want to dig into. AFrite is serving up strawberry rhubarb cake donuts, made with cardamom syrup, cinnamon cream cheese and mint

👀 In Case You Missed It

🏛️ On Nov. 28, former Justice Minister and Attorney General Becky Druhan participated in a panel discussion and made a public admission that many of us in the advocacy space have long suspected: the centralized, leader-centric political environment cultivated under Premier Tim Houston’s government has stifled dissent and silenced critics. Speaking alongside Independent MLA Elizabeth Smith McCrossin and Acadia political science professor Alex Marland, Druhan shared that her departure from cabinet was, in part, due to interference from staff who dictated what she was allowed to say as a government official. The most striking revelation from the article was the communication training she and other members of the party received after the 2021 election, where they were told that “every story should have an enemy,” and that identifying this enemy was a crucial part of crafting the party’s public message. For anyone familiar with Nova Scotia’s political landscape, this is hardly a new or surprising development. As an activist and outspoken advocate in the province, I’ve been witnessing firsthand the way Premier Houston’s government has been operating to suppress critique; whether through veiled threats, intimidation, or outright silencing. I know this personally, as I’ve been the target of such tactics myself. Opinion writer Liz LeClair speaks on her experiences while questioning the culture around dissent in Houston’s government.

🚌 Parents and guardians in the Prospect area are voicing frustrations with delayed school buses, having to make last-minute travel plans with little notice—the school board says traffic, construction, mechanical issues and an ongoing driver shortage contribute to these delays.

🏛️ Timberlea-Prospect MLA Iain Rankin is now the interim leader of the Nova Scotia Liberal Party as they look to rebuild after a devastating election loss in 2024, leaving just two sitting Liberal MLAs—former party leader Derek Mombourquette will take on the duties of house leader.

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: