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- 🗞️ West Mabou Beach is safe for now
🗞️ West Mabou Beach is safe for now
Plus, the Daughters of Donbas come to Halifax, government faces lawsuit for mishandling a sexual abuse investigation, and SMU reaches a tentative deal with part-time faculty.
Brendyn Creamer
November 14, 2025
Happy Friday, Halifax 👋
As I was sitting in on an anti-hate strategy meeting yesterday—which went off without a hitch thanks to all of the kind and thoughtful organizations who attended—I had to take a recess to check if what I briefly saw roll across my phone screen was true.
Yesterday, during a media scrum, premier Tim Houston told reporters the province would not be going ahead with Cabot Golf’s proposal for taking one-third of West Mabou Beach Provincial Park and turning it into a golf course. He said the Department of Natural Resources deemed Cabot Golf’s ask “unreasonable, or not in the best interest of Nova Scotians.”
For once in my life, it seems like the provincial government looked at the writing on the wall and determined that they would be betraying many Nova Scotian residents if they moved forward with such a highly controversial proposal.
I'm going to assume Houston (or his press secretary, who once got mad at a tweet I wrote with two likes) reads this newsletter and agreed with my awful golf takes. That’s the most reasonable explanation.
Jokes aside, congrats to the residents who kept pushing the government to deny this proposal. This doesn’t mean another proposal won’t appear in the future, but this resolution goes to show that collective action truly does wonders.
Take care. I’ll see you on the greens this weekend.
– B
🌡️ Traffic & Weather
Today: 🌨️ 4°
Tomorrow: 🌤️ 2°
Next Day: 🌧️ 10°
🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.
MUSIC
Ukrainian music project gives voice to abducted children in Halifax concert
📸 @ceciliaconcerts/Instagram
Songs of Stolen Children, performed by the group Daughters of Donbas, will have its Atlantic Canadian premiere on Nov. 20 at St. Andrew's United Church. The 80-minute concert addresses the estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been taken from occupied regions in eastern Ukraine to Russia, and is meant to inspire, promote unity, and call for action.
The project is led by Marichka, a Ukrainian-Canadian singer who won the Amnesty International Prize and previously fronted the bands Balaklava Blues and Lemon Bucket Orkestra. She's been travelling between Canada and Ukraine to research the project and has even met some of the few stolen children who have been rescued and returned.
🤔 Need To Know
⚖️ Six men are suing the Nova Scotia government for allegedly mishandling their sexual abuse case—they say the accused businessman from Port Hawksbury was not investigated in a timely manner.
⚒️ Nova Scotia has approved the expansion of the Mount Uniacke quarry—with an environmental assessment approved, the quarry can grow from four hectares to 40.
📃 A tentative deal has been reached between Saint Mary’s University and the union representing part-time faculty—CUPE says the agreement includes a wage adjustment, regular increases and increased vacation pay.
🥁 Live Art Dance and Mayworks present MAYDAY's Confession Publique, an autobiographical dance-theatre piece from two of Montreal's fiercest women creators. Get your tickets today!*
🤔 The California roll was invented in: a. Tokyo, b. Los Angeles, c. Vancouver. Discover the surprising histories of Canadian foods we love in eat make share: a taste of immigration exhibition open until Jan 2026.*
🖼️ Experience Halifax’s newest holiday destination! Shop 45+ local artists at 40 Days of Fine Craft, Nov 12–Dec 21 | Centre for Craft Nova Scotia | Free admission | 10am–7pm daily.*
🌯 Halifax’s Best Donair lives at Tony’s! For nearly 50 years, our sweet sauce, spiced meat, and family tradition have made us a true Halifax icon. Vote Tony's for Best Donair!*
🍔 Love The Pint? Prove it! From bold bites to legendary pub classics, every dish hits the spot. Vote The Pint for Best Pub Food in the Best of Halifax!*
*Sponsored Post
SPONSORED BY SPRING GARDEN AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Shop Under The Stars with Spring Garden
Join the Spring Garden Area Business Association for the annual Shopping Under the Stars event on Friday, December 5, from 5 PM to 9 PM.
This festive celebration offers a magical atmosphere with holiday shopping, winter games, and entertainment for all ages. Savour free hot chocolate, explore our holiday market, and take festive photos with holiday displays while enjoying music from carolers, live DJ booths, and Santa himself. Also, don’t stress where to park, parkades are offering free parking during the event.
🗞️ In Other News
🚨 A shooting in Cole Harbour on Thursday morning sent one person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries—police say there was no risk to the general public.
👩⚕️ A privately-funded lung wellness clinic plans to open in Halifax at the end of November—it seeks to cut down on waitlists for lung tests while giving Dalhousie respiratory therapy students experience in administering the tests.
🤝 As provincial fisheries minister Kent Smith finishes up a 10-day trade mission in China, premier Tim Houston says he wants to build closer economic ties to the country—China is currently Nova Scotia’s second-largest trading partner.
We are thrilled to welcome you to Oz this Holiday Season!
When a tornado sweeps young Dorothy Gale over the rainbow, she lands in the magical land of Oz. Joined by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion - Dorothy must follow the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard of Oz who can send her back home to Kansas. On the way she must avoid the Wicked Witch of the West, and while discovering that in the end, there really is no place like home.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗭
On stage now - January 4, 2026
🎟 Tickets on Sale Now www.neptunetheare.com 🎟
SPONSORED BY THE ITALIAN MARKET
Grazie Halifax!
Proud to be part of this year’s Coast Best of Halifax nominations.
Thank you, Halifax, for all the love and support. Grazie Mille!
🗓️ Things To Do
Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:
🗓 In the Trenches, Among the Tanks: Learn about all the resources available to research military history in Halifax. From personnel records and service files to digitized records, such as diaries, photographs and more. Taking place at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Registration required. | Nov. 14 | 2:00PM |
🗓 Wake-Up Woody the Talking Christmas Tree: Your favourite holiday horror is back! Dress in your pyjamas and visit the Mic Mac Mall to help wake up Woody the Talking Christmas Tree. | Nov. 15 | 10:00AM |
🗓 30th Annual Nova Scotia Power Holiday Parade of Lights: The annual Parade of Lights is back for yet another year. The parade will begin at the Cogswell roundabout and end on Barrington and George. | Nov. 15 | 6:00PM |
🗓 Playdium Community Day 2025: Enjoy free games and discounted snacks at the Playdium on Saturday morning. $1 from every snack sale will go to BGC Canada. | Nov. 15 | 9:00AM |
🗓 Merry Makers Market: Shop at 60+ local vendors and small businesses at the Merry Makers Market, located at Cole Harbour Place. | Nov. 15 | 11:00AM |
🗓 The Red Gala: The Health Equity Alliance of Nova Scotia presents an unforgettable night of celebration and connection, featuring Rogue Fatale and Deva Station. Take in this night of 2SLGBTQIA+ splendour. Also featuring a silent auction. | Nov. 15 | 6:30PM | From $91.70 |
🗓 The Light Way: The Halifax Art and Performance Association is putting on two candle-lit concerts, all to raise money for The North Grove’s free meal program. Featuring The Rostova String Quartet, Ian Janes (Saturday) and Cory Tetford (Sunday). | Nov. 15-16 | 7:00PM | From $43.93 |
🗓 Pianist Illia Ovcharenko: Winner of the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition, Illia's breathtaking technique and emotional depth transcend the traditional boundaries of classical performance. Illia’s second Halifax performance offers an intimate and transformative musical experience. | Nov. 15 | 7:30PM | From $30.00 |
🗓 Halifax Mooseheads: The hometown team goes up against the Moncton Wildcats in this regular-season match-up at the Scotiabank Centre. | Nov. 15 | 3:00PM | From $29.25 |
🗓 Suite Surrender: The Bedford Players transport viewers back to the luxurious lifestyle of Hollywood in the 1940s in Michael McKeever’s farcical play, directed by Robin Saywood. | Nov. 6-22 | 7:30PM, 2PM | From $17 |
🗓 Neptune Theatre: The Wizard of Oz: Get ready for the classic tale of Dorothy’s travels in the magical land of Oz on the Neptune Theatre stage. Featuring all your favourite songs from the movie. Family friendly. | Nov. 4 - Jan. 4 | 7:30PM | From $40 |
Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].
⚓️ What’s In The Harbour
➡️ The Algoscotia oil tanker departs Halifax for Corner Brook at 6am.
➡️ The Leeway Odyssey research vessel departs Halifax at 8am.
🚢➡️ The MSC Rita V arrives in Halifax from Sines at 11:15am and departs for Montreal at 11pm.
➡️ The Nolhan Ava departs Halifax for Argentia at 6pm.
➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling departs Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.
🍴 Where To Eat & Drink
🥦 Black Sheep’s fried cauliflower is a dish you’ll want to try. Fried cauliflower, bell pepper, onion, sweet and sour chili sauce, sesame and green onion.
🥩 Want a juicy steak and some crispy fries? Come down to Agricola Street Brasserie in Halifax’s North End.
👀 In Case You Missed It
🎸 Alexander Gallant is Halifax’s most mysterious musical figure. Following in the grand tradition of "guy with a guitar", Gallant has made this cold heart beat once more with his two albums: Waiting Table Blues in 2023 and his latest project, Rubber Monster Suit, from earlier this year. Everyone at Nova Scotia Music Week had a chance to witness this phenom for themselves when Gallant played a set on Thursday, Oct. 23 at Th’YARC. Social media posts from onlookers described the performance as one of the most intimate they’d ever witnessed. Others chose not to post to social media at all, enraptured by Gallant’s magnificent combination of strumming and storytelling. One thing is certain: our readers at The Coast are cognizant of Gallant’s skill set. He’s been prominently featured previously as a Best of Halifax nominee and is once again nominated in several categories this year. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer chats with Gallant for the second part of our Nova Scotia Music Week Interview Series.
🛒 The Competition Bureau Canada has been subtly investigating the ability for grocers to set up shop in HRM—the bureau is looking into documents by Sobeys and Loblaws that block competitors from setting up stores via property controls.
🚨 A 25-year-old has been charged with scamming seniors, with police claiming the man pretended to be a family member needing bail money or a person of authority—Tarun Verma was allegedly involved in five incidents of fraud.
That’s it!
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