Happy Friday, Halifax!

While I’ve lamented about my own building issues earlier this week, the siblings who own the Obladee Wine Bar in downtown Halifax are having a much worse time.

Since March 2025, the business had to deal with a scaffolding outside their bar, making it difficult to even see if the place was open. This was due to a piece of the facade fell from the building, which the municipality later ordered be fixed.

However, the work wouldn’t start until Jan. 12 of this year, partly due to the death of the owner of the building, leaving no one to really comply with the order until it was sold off.

Starfish Properties now owns the building that Obladee is based within, and since starting on the work, they have decided to serve the bar with a lease termination, saying its allowed through HRM’s work order. The date of termination? Jan. 31—this Saturday.

To protect their business, which won Gold in our Best Wine List category during the Best of Halifax 2026, Heather and Christian Rankin are seeking an injuction, with a hearing scheduled yesterday afternoon.

I am unfortunately writing this without knowing the result of said injuction, but for their sake, I hope they receive it. This business has been suffering from issue after issue when it comes to their building, and the last thing they need is a notice to vacate completely with next to no time to do so.

All the best to Obladee as they work through this nightmarish scenario.

Have a good weekend,

– B

📷 @creamy_yet_smooth

Today: 🌨️ -9°

Tomorrow: ☁ -5°

Next Day: 🌨️ -4°

7-day forecast

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

Nova Scotia's 2024 provincial election had the worst voter turnout in its history.

With only 45 percent of the voting population casting a ballot, it continued the downward trend of voter turnout in the province. Turnout has been steadily decreasing since the 1990s, with only the 2021 election seeing a positive increase, only for the next election to dip significantly, becoming the first election to have a turnout of less than 50 percent.

Part of the problem is the disinterest of younger voters in electoral politics. Elections Nova Scotia data shows only 16.6 percent of voters aged 18 to 24 voted in 2024, and 23.8 percent of people aged 23.8 percent cast a ballot.

The highest turnout? Those 75 years or older, at 66.6 percent.

The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer discusses why youth may feel disenfranchised when it comes to provincial politics and how political parties can capitalize on this moment to get them involved.

🚨 Daniel Martell, the stepfather of the two missing children from Pictou County, has been charged with sexual assault, assault and forcible confinement Monday—he was arrested on Monday and is due in Pictou provincial court in March.

💸 The Halifax Forum has reached the end of its life, according to Mayor Andy Fillmore, who called the costs for its potential restoration “absurd” as the municipal council attempts to cut costs in order to avoid raising taxes—the price tag of the building is estimated to be around $126 million, according to Fillmore.

🪦 Former Progressive Conservative MLA Ernie Fage died on Tuesday at the age of 72—the Cumberland North representative was mired in controversy during his tenure but was described by Premier Tim Houston as resilient and tenacious.

🎭 Do you have your tickets for 𝙈𝙖𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙙𝙜𝙚 yet? This frenetic, bawdy, laugh out loud, romp of a show is on stage until February 8.*

🛸 It's a cosmic clash of science-fiction titans in Symphony Nova Scotia's Star Wars vs Star Trek ! Tickets are going at warp speed. Book today.*

❄️ Looking to make the most of winter? Curious about The BIG CHILL 2026? Attend the info session Monday, February 2 to learn more about this amazing snowshoe event!*

*Sponsored Post

Thank you to everyone who continues to love White Point Beach Resort! Earning Gold in the Best of Halifax Awards means the world, because it reflects what we’ve always believed — that White Point is someplace truly special. This honour belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and care shape every guest experience, and to you – our loyal visitors who return year after year.

We’re proud to be a place where families connect, memories are made, and Nova Scotia shines. From vacation rentals, snug cottages, glomes, and treehouses to great food and the wild Atlantic at our doorstep, there’s a spot here for everyone... including the dog! Thank you for being part of our story and for helping make White Point the heart of Nova Scotia.

Stay today, call 1-800-565-5058 ext. 1 or online.

🪧 Former Ubisoft Halifax employees took to the Grand Parade on Thursday to protest the sudden closure of the studio earlier this month after 61 of their workers unionized—the union is asking the labour board to order Ubisoft to reinstate the employees and pay them compensation, damages and interest.

🚓 Atlantic chiefs are still calling upon the federal government to meet with them to discuss the deaths of two First Nations men at the hands of police, just five days apart—one of those men was Darrell Augustine from Sipekne’katik First Nation, who was shot dead by police in a vehicle after allegedly threatening people at a home with a gun; RCMP originally reported that he had been arrested.

🚲 Ashleigh Myles, a Halifax cyclist, became the first woman to bike the entirety of the Pan-American highway, over 22,000 km—she started in Alaska and ended in Argentina in December, taking her a total of 118 days.

Antojo is absolutely thrilled and humbled to have placed in the Coast Awards for the second year in a row, winning Best Burrito and Best Nachos. It’s a wonderful hats off to the kitchen crew, who put so much love and pride into everything they make. Thank You, Halifax!

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

🗓 Yuk Yuks presents Darryl Purvis: Nova Scotia’s Darryl Purvis takes the stage at Yuk Yuks in a night of nothing but laughter. Joining him are host Dan Hendricken and fellow comic Kyle Bennett. | Jan. 30-31 | 8PM | $25+|

🗓 Downtown Dartmouth Ice Festival: Ice carving, live entertainment, a street party and much more can be experienced in downtown Dartmouth during this annual winter celebration. | Jan. 30-Feb. 1 |

🗓 Shrek X Brat Hali Edition: The Shrekification of Charli XCX’s hit album Brat—does it make sense? Absolutely not, but it’s guaranteed to be lots of fun. Taking place at 2 Crows Brewing. | Jan. 30 | 9PM | $12.23 |

🗓 Halifax Thunderbirds Lacrosse: The Thunderbirds face off against the Georgia Swarm at the Scotiabank Centre. | Jan. 31 | 7PM | $31.75+|

🗓 Saltlamp CD Release: Saltlamp celebrates the release of their debut album I Dreamed Your Loaned Me Your Telekinetic Powers at Gus’ Pub alongside Averi Chandler, Moira & Claire and Burry. | Jan. 31 | 7:30PM | $10 |

🗓 Jeremy Vaughan Ocean Island River Forest: Nova Scotia’s Jeremy Vaughan presents his new collection of work at the Prow Gallery. | Jan. 22-Feb. 13 |

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

➡️ The One Falcon container vessel departed Halifax for New York at 3am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Sky container ship arrived in Halifax from Liverpool at 5:20am and departs for New York at 12:30pm.

➡️ The Algoscotia tanker departs Halifax for Corner Brook at 8am.

🚢➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship arrives in Halifax from St. Pierre at 8:15am and departs for Argentia at 11:59pm.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Star container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 3:20pm and departs for for Liverpool at 11:30pm.

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

With a community like the YMCA, effort feels easier and every milestone feels worth celebrating. Members enjoy pools, group classes, and fitness floors—plus the encouragement they didn’t know they needed. Join now with a $0 joiner fee and start moving with support. www.ymcahfx.ca/membership 

*offer expires February 15th

🥮 A favourite returns to the pastry case of Bliss Caffeine Bar—Mothership Bread’s six-inch sourdough focaccia with flame roasted red peppers, pistachio basil pesto, feta and maple candied walnuts.

🥪 Another week, another delicious sandwich from Larry’s Sandwiches & Sides. They’re featuring a Beef Short-rib Philly Cheesesteak with braised beef short-rib, Amber Horizons cheese sauce from 2 Crows Brewing, sautéed onions and peppers, house pickled jalapeños and crispy onions all on a house made sourdough bun.

🎵 The East Coast Music Association has announced its nominees for the 38th annual East Coast Music Awards. Nova Scotia is heavily represented with 46 nominations in total. Leading the pack in nominations is Cape Breton’s own Goldie Boutlier with seven nominations. Boutlier released her third album Goldie Boutlier Presents… Goldie Montana in September 2025 and is also nominated for a 2026 Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year. Right behind Boutlier is Daniel James McFadyen, a singer-songwriter based in Halifax who has been dominating Nova Scotia’s folk scene, with six nominations. The Nova Scotian sibling folk duo Cassie and Maggie are trailing McFadyen with five award nominations, tied with alt-country star Mallory Johnson, who recently released her latest album Over the Party. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer goes over all of the ECMA nominations announced at their press conference yesterday.

💙 A federal workplace incident report filed in wake of the death of RCMP officer Const. Heidi Stevenson and the wounding of one other officer during the April 2020 mass shooting has been released—while much of the information matches what came from the public inquiry, the report focuses on the response of the RCMP.

🚲 Mayor Andy Fillmore is once again looking at cuts to the city’s bike network, saying that a AAA-standard network is not necessary given the city’s financial situation—council has directed staff to redesign the segments on Novalea and Welsford Street to cut $1.8 million from the $85 million total project cost.

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: