🗞️ Very vocal socials

Hey Halifax,

I rely on Influencers to inform all kinds of my major life decisions: The best toner for my dry-ass skin, the perfect athleisure wear to show off my non-existent curves and, of course, the must-have odor-proof kitty litter that doesn’t work. The list is literally endless.

And according to new research out of the University of Ottawa, influencers will also have a huge impact on the upcoming federal election. Researchers concluded that influencers far exceed traditional advertising in their ability to shape and interpret news and impact voter behaviour.

Influencers go by several aliases—including content creators, streamers, YouTubers and TikTokers—but they can generally be defined as online personas that gain a following and often build a sense of community through their frequent posting of content across one or multiple social media platforms.

The researchers note that influencers provide a distinct advantage to political parties because of the unique parasocial relationship they have with their audiences that can increase authenticity and trust. “Parasocial” just means that viewers feel like they know the influencer even though they don’t.

In the upcoming election, look for influencers to increase voter turn-out by encouraging their followers to get out and vote—but also to sway voter decisions at the polls.

Buyer beware though! Unlike journalists, influencers are not bound to any kind of professional code of conduct, leading to a tenuous relationship to the truth and the ability to be basically bought by political parties.

Like Exhibit A: This truly cringe-worthy cross-over event that nobody asked for—aka—Pierre Poilievre’s interview with the deeply problematic Jordan Peterson. Over the course of a 101-minute-long podcast interview released in January, the two lamented the erosion of “traditional values” and the loss of “masculinity” in Canada. Ewww. 

But despite the controversy surrounding Peterson, the interview got nearly five million views on YouTube and seems to have created a new generation of right-wing men that will likely vote blue come election day. Just what we need 🙄

Have a great day out there!

– Julie

📷 @editorjulesl

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌦️ 12°

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 10°

Next Day: ☀️ 12°

7-day forecast

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

ARTS + CULTURE

Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival to celebrate 15th anniversary on National Canadian Film Day

It all started 15 years ago because people in Black communities had nowhere to tell their stories. That first year, the Emerging Lens Film Festival screened about eight films. This year, they received over 100 submissions from all around the world.

“This year, about 50 per cent of the films are local, but we do get films from all over the world,” said Shelly Fashon, co-founder of Emerging Lens in a phone interview with The Coast. “When we first started, it was films just from the Black community, but we have since opened up to other communities that want to tell their cultural stories, like newcomers and Indigenous folks.”

The Coast’s Julie Lawrence has more with Fashon about this year’s festival and how it gives a platform to filmmakers who want to tell their unique cultural stories.

🤔 Need To Know

🌁 Preservation work is set to begin in the coming weeks on the Macdonald Bridge—the work will require four weekend closures of the bridge, with the first one scheduled to begin April 25 at 7pm.

🎷 For the first time in more than a decade, Grammy Award-winning musician St. Vincent will be performing at the Halifax Jazz Festival on July 20—the full festival lineup was unveiled on Tuesday.

🏛️ A review of campaign expenses from the recent Nova Scotia provincial election shows the efficiency the Progressive Conservatives used to achieve their record-setting victory, the benefits of incumbency and the fact that you don't always have to spend a lot of money to win a seat in Province House.

☀️ Polaron Solar is giving you a chance to win prizes worth up to $16,600! 5-month racking installation or you get paid! Save with the most trusted solar company.*

🍗 INSIDER TIP… The Pint’s Wing Wednesday is THE place – 28 incredible sauces, $4.50 draught (4-6pm)… probably the best wings in Halifax. Only 6-mins walk to Scotiabank Centre. GO MOOSE GO!*

🎬 Join us at Park Lane Mall, 6:30pm, for NSCAD’s Film Screening Night—showcasing thesis, third-year, and animation films. 8+ short features await!*

🎤 Get ready Halifax! The Kickback hits Halifax Live on April 19 - Canada's top comics, wild crowd games, prizes and your first shot on us!*

*Sponsored Post

SPONSORED BY THE ITALIAN MARKET

Buona Pasqua

A message from the Italian Market:

As we celebrate this season of joy and renewal, we want to say a heartfelt grazie to our wonderful customers, supportive families, and dear friends.

Your loyalty and kindness mean so much to us. Whether you're picking up your Easter favourites or just stopping in for an espresso, we're proud to be part of your holiday traditions.

Wishing you a beautiful Easter filled with love, laughter, and delicious food!

And for all those patiently waiting Pistachio Cream is back in stock!

Buona Pasqua!

NEWS

NS auditor general applauds government progress on past recommendations

Nova Scotia’s top watchdog has given the government top marks on its implementation of past audit recommendations, in her office’s latest follow-up report released April 15, but notes important changes are still needed. 

The latest annual report from auditor general Kim Adair tracked the completion rate on recommendations in 11 performance audits between 2020 and 2022. It found that, of those previous years, the government had completed 82 out of 103 recommendations and had raised its three-year implementation rate to 80 per cent up from 60 per cent in last year’s progress report. Adair told reporters Tuesday this represents “a huge leap.” 

Adair called performance audit recommendations “a blueprint for organizations to improve their services and programs,” and these annual follow-up reports are done to track progress on those recommended changes. 

The Coast has more on the auditor general’s follow-up report—which includes mixed-commentary—ahead of her presentation at public accounts today.

🗞️ In Other News

🤠 After a successful inaugural event, the province is investing money to improve the Nova Scotia Stampede for years to come—the government set aside $150K to directly support the event and a further $550K for portable bleachers for the Nova Scotia Exhibition grounds.

🌊 The Nova Scotia government is offering municipalities a blueprint on how they can protect the province's 13,000 km of coastline with a new website link with examples of bylaws and other regulations municipalities can use to prevent coastal erosion.

🏘️ A senior couple in Dartmouth says they are living in a financial nightmare as they wait for their case to be heard in front of Nova Scotia’s tenancy board—they say they’re paying rent for two apartments, despite being locked out of one of them.

🎓 Around 50 arts and humanities courses at Saint Mary's University will be dropped for the upcoming academic year, leaving dozens of part-time professors scrambling for work—according to the union representing them. 

🚨 Halifax police have highlighted two recent stunting incidents, including a man who was ticketed for allegedly driving 110 kilometres per hour on the Macdonald Bridge—which has a 50 km/h limit.

🏫 An updated version of Nova Scotia's student code of conduct has been delayed once again and the unions representing teachers and school support staff are becoming increasingly frustrated.

SPONSORED BY CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER21

The Night of Ideas 2025

Don't miss an evening with Alliance Française d'Halifax-Darmouth, The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, the Discovery Centre and the Consul General of France in Moncton debating ideas for a new edition of the Night of Ideas. The event will be in English and French, and will be accessible via an interpretation service. 

🗓️ Things To Do

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

🗓 Savour Food & Wine Show: In its 21st year, the event showcases over 80 of Nova Scotia's finest restaurants and beverage suppliers. Indulge in food, cocktails, wine, beer, and more from gastronomic talent across the province. Whether you're a foodie, wine enthusiast, or just looking for an amazing night out, the Savour Show always delivers a dazzling evening. | April 17 | 7pm | From $99 |

🗓 Exhibition - Dinosaur Explorer at Discovery Centre: Step back in time and experience the ultimate dino adventure right here in Halifax. Don’t miss this jaw-some opportunity to uncover the secrets of the past and explore the connections between dinosaurs and our world today. | Closes April 27 | $14.50 |

🗓 Halifax Wanderes FC Home Opener: Come cheer on the home team as they kick off the 2025 season against Pacific FC at the Wanderers Grounds. | April 19 | 4:30pm | $26.45 |

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

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

🚢➡️ The MSC Ingrid container ship arrives in Halifax from Montreal at 6:15am and leaves for Le Havre, France at 11pm.

➡️ The AS Felicia container ship leaves Halifax for Kingston, Jamaica at 10:30am.

➡️ The Morning Chant vehicle carrier leaves Halifax for New York at 3:30pm.

🚢 The Yellowbill bulk carrier arrives in Halifax from Lianyungang, China at 9:10pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🌶️ Spice up your lunch with the Carolina Gold at CHKN Chop: fried chicken, American cheese, lettuce, onions, banana peppers, mayo. 

🐼 The Big Crunch is back on the menu this week at Tart and Soul: cold rice noodles, crispy vegetables, pickled veggies, miso vinaigrette, chicken or tofu.

👀 In Case You Missed It

☑️ Set to be an important battleground province for the Liberals and Conservatives—Nova Scotia voters’ are interested in a variety of key issues, but top of mind for obvious reasons (ah-hem Trump) is the economy and affordability. With the province’s trade tied up with the U.S., Nova Scotians are rightfully nervous. There are 11 seats to be picked up in Nova Scotia The Coast has you covered with the the final list of candidates in the running—by riding.

💜 GBV has been declared an epidemic in this province. And still, when organizations asked provincial officials about core funding, the responses were shocking: “Look how much we are already spending!” and “Project-based funding allows people to innovate.” In this explosive and thought-provoking op-ed piece, The Coast contributor Liz LeClair explores why governments are so quick to declare GBV an epidemic, and yet so unwilling to fund the response at a level that reflects its severity.

That’s it!

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