Good morning, Halifax.

I tuned into the budget committee meeting yesterday and swiftly felt frustrated—specifically when it came to the public participation section of the meeting.

A landlord, who did not clearly identify that she was the owner of a property management company renting out over a thousand units across Halifax, was asked about their opinions on where council should cut costs to prevent property tax increases. The answer, drum roll please, was bike lanes. Mayor Fillmore then asked for the speaker’s notes to be shared with council—a very important voice that must be heard.

Three (presumably young) folks stood up to speak at the meeting, decrying the city’s stubbornness to cut costs in infrastructure while rubber stamping police budgets without a second thought, all while dealing with a potential tax rate increase which itself is the result of government mismanagement over the last decade. Only one question came up from council: when can the public speak at meetings?

Not, what would you like to see council do? Or, what changes could we make to have renting in Halifax not be a financial death-sentence? Just a dull statement that turned into a clarification on where and when the public can participate in meetings.

Great stuff, council. Thanks for shrugging off the concerns of those most impacted by the housing crisis while doting on landlords who own hundreds upon hundreds of units in your city.

I wonder where your priorities lie?

Best,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

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

A double whammy of concert announcements have been made over the past couple days, with GRAMMY-award winning duo The Black Keys and the legendary seven-piece rock band Styx taking on the Scotiabank Centre in the same month.

Getting ready to release their upcoming album Peaches! on May 1, The Black Keys will be stopping into Halifax on Oct. 14 for the Peaches ‘N Kream World Tour, supported by Jeremie Albino. Their new single, “You Got To Lose,” is out now.

Styx is hot off the release of their 18th studio album, 2025’s Circling From Above, and is also taking a tour stop in Halifax on Oct. 21. Fans can expect new tracks along with all of the bands’ greatest hits, including “Come Sail Away.”

The Coast wants to know: what concert are most excited for? Which one are you planning to attend? Let us know in the poll below!

⚖️ Three former children who were under the province’s care at the Wood Street Centre in Truro are suing the Nova Scotia government for what they’re calling “segregation-like conditions”—this includes allegations of putting youth in a what’s called a “therapeutic quiet room” for talking back or having private conversations with other youth.

🚨 A woman was found dead in a tent on Barrington Street early Wednesday morning—police continue to investigate while the provincial medical examiner conducts an autopsy.

🏠 The province, partnering with community organizations, are securing a total of 100 housing units (62 of which are affordable) in the Fairview area—this will cost the government $15.7 million.

🍿 Join Eastern Front Theatre for a Galentine's screening of 10 Things I Hate About You or an intimate candlelit cabaret with Stewart Legere this Valentine's!*

🍤 Halifax's annual February foodie event, Dine Around, is happening now! Menus starting at $10.*

🏊 With a supportive YMCA community, fitness feels easier. Members enjoy pools, group classes, and encouragement to ignite their full potential —now with a $0 joiner fee. *Offer valid until February 15th.*

*Sponsored Post

Symphony Nova Scotia is beaming in Jonathan Del Arco to host and narrate the Star Wars vs Star Trek concerts. Jonathan will take audiences on a cosmic orchestral journey through the iconic music from these sci-fi titans. Two nights only: February 27 & 28. Tickets are going at warp speed.

⚖️ Nathan Knockwood, who was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for fatally stabbing Troy Whidden in 2021, is having his sentence reduced to five years—the justice writing the decision says the trial judge did not consider all aspects of the Gladue report, which provides in-depth information on an Indigenous person’s background.

🚓 A police chase in Halifax on Monday has ended with the driver facing a list of charges—this includes evading police, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and uttering threats.

🌽 A new study finds that although agriculture is one of the province’s major economic drivers, the number of farms in Nova Scotia is falling—there were 2,741 farms in 2021 while there was around 4,000 twenty years earlier.

From its humble beginnings in 1992, Darrell's has strived to deliver consistency, quality, outstanding service and value. Standards that have built loyalty within our guests ranging from students and families to our elderly friends. If you haven't discovered us yet, we hope to greet you soon! Thank you, Halifax!

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

🗓 Spontaneity Stand-up and Improv: In this special Bad Date-themed edition of Spontaneity Improv, talented improvisors and comedians navigate unscripted connections and stand-up surprises. | Feb. 12 | 7:30PM | $15 |

🗓 Halifax Mooseheads: Watch the hometown heroes take on Les Cataractes de Shawinigan at the Scotiabank Centre. | Feb. 12 | 7PM | $25.25+|

🗓 Early Stages Theatre Festival: Local artists share what they’re working on with workshops available for all sorts of performance-based creatives. Sign up for specific groups or events while you can. | Feb. 12-15 | PWYC |

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

➡️ The Atlantic Sea container ship departs Halifax for New York at 5:30am.

🚢 The Sarah Desgagnes tanker arrives in Halifax from Quebec at 12:15pm.

🚢 The Nolhan Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from St Pierre at 13:15pm.

➡️ The Leeway Odyssey research vessel departs Halifax at 11:30pm

➡️ The Contship Cup container vessel departs Halifax for Kingston at 11:45pm.

🥐 Two If By Sea Cafe has an amazing croissant on this week that any sweet tooth would want for Valentine’s Day! The Chocolate Covered Strawberry Croissant, dripped in chocolate, drizzled in white chocolate, and filled with strawberries.

🥪 Another week, another sandwich at Larry’s Sandwiches and Sides. This week’s special is the What’s Up Doc? Roasted and marinated carrots, white bean hummus, sliced cucumbers, apple fennel slaw, fried parsnip chips all on a toasted bun. Vegan!

⚡ Nova Scotia Power announced on Tuesday that current president and CEO Peter Gregg will be departing his current role and taking on a new position within Emera Inc., the utility's multinational parent company. Gregg will officially be replaced by incoming president and CEO Vivek Sood, a Nova Scotia Power board member who also has 20 years of experience working with Sobeys and Empire. Gregg's new role will be as Executive Vice President, Strategy and Policy with Emera Inc. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes into some of Nova Scotia Power’s struggles over the last year and what the utility’s new president and CEO might be up against.

⚖️ The Halifax man who shot and killed Treyvhon Bradshaw outside a nightclub in 2022 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter—Makayle Larry James Skinner, 25, was originally charged with first-degree murder.

💊 Sipekne’katik First Nation has declared a state of emergency regarding a crisis of illicit drugs being present with the community as they deal with overdoses—they are supporting a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of drug dealers in the community and have threatened to evict people who they are suspicious of selling or distributing drugs.

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