🗞️ Them there be fighting words

Hey Halifax,

I hope you all had a safe and happy long weekend.

Now that we’re back to the real world, word has it that today is the day that council will vote on a motion to potentially stop a project to convert Morris Street into a two-way bikeway in light of a letter from Tim Houston expressing his government’s opposition to the plan.

The motion—sent to Mayor Andy Fillmore from chief administrative officer Cathie O’Toole— recommends council reverse its decision on the bikeway project from earlier this month. The project would change the road into a one-way for vehicle traffic, which was a point of concern in Premier Houston’s letter.

This project has sparked a lot of different conversations about the role city council has been or should be playing, the power that the mayor should be able to wield over the decisions made in council and, finally, how much say the premier’s office should have over the whole operation.

Houston has now famously said that his government is looking at strengthening mayoral powers—saying there’s a disconnect between the needs of residents and the recent decisions taken by Halifax council.

A few weeks ago I decided to ask the smartest people I know—you guys—whether the mayor should have more power. And you did not hold back! You never do. But in the end, it wasn’t even close.

Have a look at the official poll results and read some of our favourite comments on this issue over at The Coast. 

Have a great day!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 26°

Tomorrow: ☀️ 25°

Next Day: ☀️ 26°

7-day forecast

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

💨 Here is Halifax’s Air Quality Index and the smoke report.

CITY

Halifax boutique brings Kashmir's hidden gems to Birmingham Street

A cultural gem has opened its doors in the heart of downtown Halifax. The Silk Route, located at 1477 Birmingham St., is more than a boutique — it’s a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship and deeply personal storytelling.

Founded by Halifax local Cailean Jan, the store honours her husband’s Kashmiri roots through a carefully curated collection of artisanal goods made by family-connected craftspeople in the region.

The Coast’s resident fashionista (and reporter) Warren D’Silva spoke with Jan about her inspiration for items produced by traditional methods and the launch of an exclusive leather bag collection.

🤔 Need To Know

🥀 RCMP in Nova Scotia say a vulnerable 32-year-old woman who was reported missing from the Annapolis Valley has been found dead— Kerstin Marie Wetter was last seen at a residence on Highway 10 in the community of Nictaux on Saturday afternoon.

🏛️ Tim Houston says he “will not hesitate” to implement retaliatory measures against the United States if they again become needed—the statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to increase tariffs on Canada to 35%.

💸 A new program from the Canadian Red Cross is offering financial assistance to those forced to evacuate during the 2023 Nova Scotia wildfires who want to make their homes less susceptible to future wildfires.

🎭 Need August plans? Catch a show at Shakespeare by the Sea! Join us for ROBIN HOOD: The Legendary Musical Comedy and Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT. Playing now until August 31st!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMISSION

Are you Down?

If you’re down for something different this summer, then you’re ‘Down to Downtown’!

From sunny patios and street art to headline events, shopping, and more, Downtown Halifax is where it’s all happening.

Check out What's on This August in Downtown Halifax and then head on down!

🗞️ In Other News

⚖️ A 17-year-old Halifax-area boy has been sentenced to 10 months in a youth detention centre for his role in the stabbing death of a high school student during a brawl over a girl—the judge described the crime as “senseless, tragic and profoundly unfair.”

🇨🇦 Some premiers say they want to have more local control over the immigration system—but experts say what the system really needs is a national conversation on immigration reform that shores up public support.

😾 The Nova Scotia SPCA has cancelled half of its municipal contracts for bylaw enforcement or kennel services, saying it must focus resources on handling the rising number of surrendered animals across the province.

🍸 The Liquor Dome allegedly served alcohol to a minor and allowed employees to drink while they were working, but is appealing the proposed liquor licence suspension handed down by Nova Scotia's Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division.

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Isobel Hamilton - Barn Finds: This exhibition celebrates relics, antiques, and quiet moments, and finding beauty in forgotten items. Vignettes of nostalgic items tell their stories in each of these carefully executed oil paintings. Explore the detail and quiet beauty of these paintings | Aug. 5-26 | 

🗓 Improv - The Musical: Each show, these seasoned improvisers create the next big musical, with each scene and song made up on the spot! | Aug. 7 | 7:30pm | $15 |

🗓 Alan Syliboy - From the Archives to the Easel: Critically acclaimed Indigenous Nova Scotian artist Alan Syliboy is set to present a compelling new exhibition that bridges decades of visual storytelling and artistic exploration. The show will feature a curated selection of Syliboy’s celebrated earlier works alongside a bold new series of paintings—offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the evolution of an iconic Mi’kmaq voice in Canadian art. | Aug. 7-29 | 

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sea container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 5:20am and leaves for Liverpool at 12:30pm.

🚢 The Algoma East Coast container ship arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 10:40am.

🚢➡️ The Norwegian Star cruise ship arrives in Halifax at 11am and leaves Halifax for Canadian seas at 7pm.

➡️ The Themis vehicle carrier leaves Halifax for New York at 1pm.

🚢➡️ The MSC Inya V container ship arrives in Halifax from Mundra, India at 5:15pm and leaves for New York at 7:30pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🦀 Crobster Roll season is in full swing at The Canteen: mix of Nova Scotia snow crab and lobster, grainy mustard, truffle aioli, lemon zest and fresh dill in a house-made long bun. 

🍕 The pizza of the month of August at Morris East is the Summeroni: spicy soppressata, pepperoni, house-made honey pickled jalapenos, double mozzarella.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🚨 Regional police are advising residents that a high-risk offender is now living in the Dartmouth area. Douglas Worth, 73, is a federal offender who has been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder of a 12-year-old girl.

🏥 A Nova Scotia senior and her family are upset with how she was treated at Dartmouth General Hospital, after she was moved into a hallway without easy access to a bathroom and in front of an emergency exit.

That’s it!

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